TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Fair Treatment Act of 
1995''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
      TITLE I--REGULATORY SIMPLIFICATION AND VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE

Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Compliance guides.
Sec. 103. No action letter.
Sec. 104. Voluntary self-audits.
                   TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 201. Performance measures.
Sec. 202. Grace period for correction of violations of Environmental 
                            Protection Agency regulations.
Sec. 203. Waiver of punitive fines for small entities.

      TITLE I--REGULATORY SIMPLIFICATION AND VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE

SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Compliance guide.--The term ``compliance guide'' means 
        a publication made by a covered agency under section 102(a).
            (2) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means any 
        agency that, on the date of enactment of this Act, has 
        promulgated any rule for which a regulatory flexibility 
        analysis was required under section 605 of title 5, United 
        States Code, and any other agency that promulgates any such 
        rule, as of the date of enactment of this Act.
            (3) No action letter.--The term ``no action letter'' means 
        a written determination from a covered agency stating that, 
        based on a no action request submitted to the agency by a small 
        entity, the agency will not take enforcement action against the 
        small entity under the rules of the covered agency.
            (4) No action request.--The term ``no action request'' 
        means a written correspondence submitted by a small entity to a 
        covered agency--
                    (A) stating a set of facts; and
                    (B) requesting a determination by the agency of 
                whether the agency would take an enforcement action 
                against the small entity based on such facts and the 
                application of any rule of the agency.
            (5) Rule.--The term ``rule'' has the same meaning as in 
        section 601(2) of title 5, United States Code.
            (6) Small entity.--The term ``small entity'' has the same 
        meaning as in section 601(6) of title 5, United States Code.
            (7) Small business concern.--The term ``small business 
        concern'' has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Small 
        Business Act.
            (8) Voluntary self-audit.--The term ``voluntary self-
        audit'' means an audit, assessment, or review of any operation, 
        practice, or condition of a small entity that--
                    (A) is initiated by an officer, employee, or agent 
                of the small entity; and
                    (B) is not required by law.

SEC. 102. COMPLIANCE GUIDES.

    (a) Compliance Guide.--
            (1) Publication.--If a covered agency is required to 
        prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for a rule or group 
        of related rules under section 603 of title 5, United States 
        Code, the agency shall publish a compliance guide for such rule 
        or group of related rules.
            (2) Requirements.--Each compliance guide published under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) contain a summary description of the rule or 
                group of related rules;
                    (B) contain a citation to the location of the 
                complete rule or group of related rules in the Federal 
                Register;
                    (C) provide notice to small entities of the 
                requirements under the rule or group of related rules 
                and explain the actions that a small entity is required 
                to take to comply with the rule or group of related 
                rules;
                    (D) be written in a manner to be understood by the 
                average owner or manager of a small entity; and
                    (E) be updated as required to reflect changes in 
                the rule.
    (b) Dissemination.--
            (1) In general.--Each covered agency shall establish a 
        system to ensure that compliance guides required under this 
        section are published, disseminated, and made easily available 
        to small entities.
            (2) Small business development centers.--In carrying out 
        this subsection, each covered agency shall provide sufficient 
        numbers of compliance guides to small business development 
        centers for distribution to small businesses concerns.
    (c) Limitation on Enforcement.--
            (1) In general.--No covered agency may bring an enforcement 
        action in any Federal court or in any Federal administrative 
        proceeding against a small entity to enforce a rule for which a 
        compliance guide is not published and disseminated by the 
        covered agency as required under this section.
            (2) Effective dates.--This subsection shall take effect--
                    (A) 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
                Act with regard to a final regulation in effect on the 
                date of the enactment of this Act; and
                    (B) on the date of the enactment of this Act with 
                regard to a regulation that takes effect as a final 
                regulation after such date of enactment.

SEC. 103. NO ACTION LETTER.

    (a) Application.--This section applies to all covered agencies, 
except--
            (1) the Federal Trade Commission;
            (2) the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and
            (3) the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
    (b) Issuance of No Action Letter.--Not later than 90 days after the 
date on which a covered agency receives a no action request, the agency 
shall--
            (1) make a determination regarding whether to grant the no 
        action request, deny the no action request, or seek further 
        information regarding the no action request; and
            (2) if the agency makes a determination under paragraph (1) 
        to grant the no action request, issue a no action letter and 
        transmit the letter to the requesting small entity.
    (c) Reliance on No Action Letter or Compliance Guide.--In any 
enforcement action brought by a covered agency in any Federal court or 
Federal administrative proceeding against a small entity, the small 
entity shall have a complete defense to any allegation of noncompliance 
or violation of a rule if the small entity affirmatively pleads and 
proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the act or omission 
constituting the alleged noncompliance or violation was taken in good 
faith with and in reliance on--
            (1) a no action letter from that agency; or
            (2) a compliance guide of the applicable rule published by 
        the agency under section 102(a).

SEC. 104. VOLUNTARY SELF-AUDITS.

    (a) Procedures.--Each agency shall establish voluntary self-audit 
procedures for small entities regulated by the agency.
    (b) Inadmissibility of Evidence and Limitation on Discovery.--If 
action to address a violation is taken not later than 180 days after 
the date on which a voluntary self-audit is concluded, the evidence 
described in subsection (c)--
            (1) shall not be admissible, unless agreed to by the small 
        entity, in any enforcement action brought against a small 
        entity by a Federal agency in any Federal--
                    (A) court; or
                    (B) administrative proceeding; and
            (2) may not be the subject of discovery in any enforcement 
        action brought against a small entity by a Federal agency in 
        any Federal--
                    (A) court; or
                    (B) administrative proceeding.
    (c) Application.--For purposes of subsection (b), the evidence 
described in this subsection is--
            (1) a voluntary self-audit made in good faith; and
            (2) any report, finding, opinion, or any other oral or 
        written communication made in good faith relating to such 
        voluntary self-audit.
    (d) Exceptions.--Subsection (b) shall not apply if--
            (1) the act or omission that forms the basis of the 
        enforcement action is a violation of criminal law; or
            (2) the voluntary self-audit or the report, finding, 
        opinion, or other oral or written communication was prepared 
        for the purpose of avoiding disclosure of information required 
        for an investigative, administrative, or judicial proceeding 
        that, at the time of preparation, was imminent or in progress.

                   TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 201. PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

    No covered agency shall establish or enforce agency personnel 
practices that reward agency employees, directly or indirectly, based 
on the number of contacts made with small entities in pursuit of 
enforcement actions or on the amount of fines levied against small 
entities to enforce agency regulations.

SEC. 202. GRACE PERIOD FOR CORRECTION OF VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL 
              PROTECTION AGENCY REGULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), for violations of 
regulations identified on or after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall afford 
small entities 180 days after the date on which the violation is 
identified to correct such violation.
    (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply--
            (1) if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency determines that there is an imminent risk to public 
        health or worker safety; or
            (2) to a violation of a regulation for which criminal 
        liability may be imposed.

SEC. 203. WAIVER OF PUNITIVE FINES FOR SMALL ENTITIES.

    Notwithstanding any other law, policy, or practice, a covered 
agency may waive all or part of a punitive fine that would otherwise be 
imposed on a small entity if--
            (1) the fine is for a first time violation of a law or 
        regulation; and
            (2) the small entity acts quickly and in good faith to 
        correct the violation.

SOLUTION: TABLE OF CONTENTS: 
     Title I:  Regulatory Simplification and Voluntary Compliance 
     Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions 
Small Business Fair Treatment Act of 1995 - 
Title I:  Regulatory Simplification and Voluntary Compliance
 - Directs a Federal regulatory agency that is required to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for a rule or group of related rules to publish a compliance guide which:  (1) contains a summary of the rules and a citation as to their location; (2) provides a notice to small businesses (small entities) of such rules as well as an understandable explanation of actions necessary for compliance; and (3) is updated as required. Requires such guide to be disseminated to small entities, as well as to small business development centers.  Prohibits any covered agency from bringing an action against a small entity to enforce a rule for which such a guide has not been published and disseminated. 
(Sec. 103) Requires covered agencies other than the Federal Trade Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine within 90 days whether to grant or deny a request by a small entity that no action be taken against such entity with respect to the enforcement of a rule (no action request).  Allows a small entity to rely on a no action response from a covered agency in any subsequent action brought against the small entity for a rule's enforcement. 
(Sec. 104) Requires each covered agency to establish voluntary self-audit procedures for small entities regulated by the agency. Makes inadmissible as evidence in an action, as well as outside the bounds of discovery, any information compiled by a small entity in a voluntary self-audit, as long as an action to address such violation is brought within 180 days after the conclusion of the self-audit. 
Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions
 - Prohibits any covered agency from establishing personnel practices that reward its employees based on the number of contacts made with small entities in pursuit of enforcement actions or the levy of fines to enforce agency regulations. 
(Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to afford small entities a 180-day grace period for the correction of EPA violations, with exceptions. 
(Sec. 203) Authorizes a covered agency to waive all or part of any punitive fine that would otherwise be imposed on a small entity:  (1) for a first time violation; and (2) if the small entity acts quickly and in good faith to correct the violation.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Construction Reform Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION REFORMS.

    (a) Application of Industry Standards; Assistance.--Section 8103 of 
title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsections:
    ``(f) To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall use 
industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying 
out the construction of medical facilities.
    ``(g)(1) The Secretary shall provide to a non-Department Federal 
entity with which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under 
subsection (e)--
            ``(A) design, planning, and construction assistance before 
        the entity issues a request for proposals for the design or 
        construction of the super construction project covered by the 
        agreement;
            ``(B) any documents or information needed for the entity to 
        carry out the responsibilities of the entity with respect to 
        the super construction project; and
            ``(C) upon the request of the entity, any other assistance 
        that the entity determines necessary to carry out such 
        responsibilities.
    ``(2) Any assistance provided under paragraph (1) shall be provided 
to the non-Department Federal entity on a non-reimbursable basis.
    ``(h)(1) With respect to a proposed change to a contract entered 
into by a non-Department Federal entity with which the Secretary has 
entered into an agreement under subsection (e) that is estimated at a 
value of less than $250,000, the non-Department Federal entity shall 
issue a final decision regarding such change not later than 30 days 
after the date on which the change is proposed.
    ``(2) With respect to a proposed change to such a contract that is 
estimated at a value of $250,000 or more--
            ``(A) the Secretary may provide to the entity the 
        recommendations of the Secretary regarding such change;
            ``(B) during the 30-day period beginning on the date on 
        which the entity furnishes to the Secretary information 
        regarding such change, the Secretary may issue the final 
        decision regarding such change; and
            ``(C) if the Secretary does not issue a final decision 
        under subparagraph (B), during the 30-day period following the 
        period described in such paragraph, the entity shall issue a 
        final decision regarding such a change no later than 90 days 
        from when the entity furnished information regarding such a 
        change to the Secretary.
    ``(i) The Secretary shall ensure that each employee of the 
Department with responsibilities relating to the construction or 
alteration of medical facilities, including such construction or 
alteration carried out pursuant to contracts or agreements, undergoes a 
program of ongoing professional training and development. Such program 
shall be designed to ensure that employees maintain adequate expertise 
relating to industry standards and best practices for the acquisition 
of design and construction services. The Secretary may provide the 
program under this subsection through a contract or agreement with a 
non-Federal entity or with a non-Department Federal entity.''.
    (b) Limitation on Planning and Design for Super Construction 
Projects.--
            (1) In general.--Section 8104(a) of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4);
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following 
                new paragraph (3):
    ``(3) The Secretary may not obligate or expend funds for advance 
planning or design for any super construction project, until the date 
that is 60 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives notice of such 
obligation or expenditure.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph 
                (1) of this subsection, by adding at the end the 
                following new subparagraph:
            ``(C) The term `super construction project' means a project 
        for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical 
        facility involving a total expenditure of more than 
        $100,000,000, but such term does not include an acquisition by 
        exchange.''.
            (2) Applicability.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
        shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        shall apply with respect to a construction project that is 
        initiated on or after that date.
    (c) Congressional Approval of Certain Projects.--
            (1) Projects that exceed specified amount.--Subsection (c) 
        of section 8104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to 
        read as follows:
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary may not obligate funds for a major medical 
facility project or a super construction project approved by a law 
described in subsection (a)(2) in an amount that would cause the total 
amount obligated for that project to exceed the amount specified in the 
law for that project (or would add to total obligations exceeding such 
specified amount) by more than 10 percent unless the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives each approve in writing the obligation 
of those funds.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall--
            ``(A) enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
        department Federal entity with the ability to conduct forensic 
        audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of an 
        external forensic audit of the expenditures relating to any 
        major medical facility or super construction project for which 
        the total expenditures exceed the amount specified in the law 
        for the project by more than 25 percent; and
            ``(B) enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
        department Federal entity with the ability to conduct forensic 
        audits on medical facility projects for the conduct of an 
        external audit of the medical center construction project in 
        Aurora, Colorado.''.
            (2) Use of extra amounts.--Subsection (d) of such section 
        is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding 
                clause (i), by striking ``Whenever'' and inserting 
                ``Before''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3) The Secretary may not obligate any funds described in 
paragraph (1) or amounts described in paragraph (2) before the date 
that is 30 days after the notification submitted under paragraph (1) or 
paragraph (2)(B), as the case may be, unless the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives each approve in writing the obligation of 
those funds or amounts.''.
            (3) Notification requirements.--
                    (A) Committees required.--Subsection (d)(1) of such 
                section is amended by striking ``each committee'' and 
                inserting ``the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
                Appropriations of the House of Representatives''.
                    (B) Use of amounts from bid savings.--Subsection 
                (d)(2)(B) of such section is amended by adding at the 
                end the following new clause:
            ``(iv) With respect to the major construction project that 
        is the source of the bid savings--
                    ``(I) the amounts already obligated or available in 
                the project reserve for such project;
                    ``(II) the percentage of such project that has been 
                completed; and
                    ``(III) the amount of such bid savings that is 
                already obligated or otherwise being used for a purpose 
                other than such project.''.
    (d) Quarterly Report on Super Construction Projects.--
            (1) In general.--At the end of subchapter I of chapter 81 
        of title 38, United States Code, add the following new section:
``Sec. 8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects
    ``(a) Quarterly Reports Required.--Not later than 30 days after the 
last day of each fiscal quarter the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives on the super construction projects carried out by the 
Secretary during such quarter. Each such report shall include, for each 
such project--
            ``(1) the budgetary and scheduling status of the project, 
        as of the last day of the quarter covered by the report; and
            ``(2) the actual cost and schedule variances of the 
        project, as of such day, compared to the planned cost and 
        schedules for the project.
    ``(b) Super Construction Project Defined.--In this section, the 
term `super construction project' has the meaning given such term in 
section 8104(a)(4)(C) of this title.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of the chapter is amended by adding at the end of the 
        items relating to such subchapter the following new item:

``8120. Quarterly report on super construction projects.''.
    (e) Accelerated Master Planning for Each Medical Facility of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.--
            (1) Existing facilities.--Not later than December 31, 2016, 
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall complete a master plan 
        described in paragraph (3) for each medical facility of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) New facilities.--For each medical facility of the 
        Department for which construction is completed after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a 
        master plan described in paragraph (3) for the facility by not 
        later than the earlier of the following dates:
                    (A) The date on which activation is completed.
                    (B) The date of the formal dedication of the 
                facility.
            (3) Master plan described.--A master plan described in this 
        paragraph is, with respect to a medical facility of the 
        Department, a plan to inform investment decisions and funding 
        requests over a 10-year period for construction projects at 
        such medical facility--
                    (A) to meet the health care needs of a changing 
                veteran population through a combination of health care 
                from the Department and other community resources; and
                    (B) to maximize the best use of the land and 
                structures comprising such medical facility.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANT INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 312 the following new section:
``Sec. 312A. Assistant Inspector General for Construction
    ``(a) In General.--There is in the Office of Inspector General an 
Assistant Inspector General for Construction. The Assistant Inspector 
General for Construction is responsible for conducting, supervising, 
and coordinating audits, evaluations, and investigations of the 
planning, design, contracting, execution, and construction of 
facilities and infrastructure of the Department, including major and 
minor construction projects and leases.
    ``(b) Qualifications.--Each individual appointed as Assistant 
Inspector General for Construction shall be an individual who has 
expertise in construction and facilities management.
    ``(c) Reports.--(1) Not later than 60 days after the appointment of 
an individual as the Assistant Inspector General for Construction, and 
every calendar quarter thereafter, the Assistant Inspector General for 
Construction shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives a report summarizing the activities 
of the Assistant Inspector General for Construction during the 120-day 
period ending on the date of such report.
    ``(2) In addition to the report required in paragraph (1), and the 
requirements contained in section 5 of the Inspector General Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Assistant Inspector General for Construction 
shall promptly provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
Senate and House of Representatives the findings of any investigation 
undertaken by the Assistant Inspector General for Construction, and 
shall notify the Committees promptly if the Assistant Inspector General 
for Construction identifies any serious or flagrant problem or 
deficiency relating to the administration or operation of any 
construction program of the Department, if, during the course of any 
investigation, the Assistant Inspector General for Construction 
determines that Congress should take immediate action.
    ``(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize 
the public disclosure of information that is--
            ``(A) specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other 
        provision of law;
            ``(B) specifically required by Executive Order to be 
        protected from disclosure in the interest of national defense 
        or national security or in the conduct of foreign affairs; or
            ``(C) a part of an ongoing criminal investigation.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
312 the following new item:

``312A. Assistant Inspector General for Construction.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2016.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

SOLUTION: Construction Reform Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use industry standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying out medical facility construction. A super construction project is one for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than $100 million (but does not include an acquisition by exchange).  The VA shall provide, on a non-reimbursable basis, a non-VA federal entity with: (1) design, planning, and construction assistance; (2) project documents; and (3) other assistance upon request.  With respect to a proposed change to a contract entered into by a non-VA federal entity with which the VA has entered into an agreement that is estimated at a value of less than $250,000, the entity shall issue a final decision regarding such change within 30 days.   With respect to a proposed contract change estimated at a value of $250,000 or more:    the VA may make recommendations to the entity;   the VA may issue the final decision regarding the change within 30 days after the entity proposes it; and   if the VA does not issue a final decision within 60 days after the entity proposes the contract change, the entity shall issue a final decision regarding the change no later than 90 days after it proposes the change.    The VA shall ensure that each VA employee with responsibilities relating to the construction or alteration of medical facilities undergoes ongoing professional training and development.   The VA is prohibited from:    obligating or expending funds for advance planning or design for any super construction project until 60 days after congressional notification,  obligating funds for a major medical facility project or a super construction project by more than 10% of the amount approved by law unless certain congressional committees approve the obligation, or  using bid savings amounts or funds for other than their original purpose before 30 days after notifying those committees unless each committee approves the obligation.   The VA shall enter into a contract with an appropriate non-department federal entity to conduct an external forensic audit of: (1) the medical center construction project in Aurora, Colorado; and (2) the expenditures relating to any major medical facility or super construction project when such expenditures exceed the amount approved by law by more than 25%.  The VA must complete a 10-year master plan for: (1) each existing VA medical facility by December 31, 2016, and (2) each new VA medical facility by not later than the earlier of the date on which activation is completed or the date of the facility's formal dedication.  (Sec. 3) There is established in the Office of Inspector General an Assistant Inspector General for Construction who shall be responsible for conducting, supervising, and coordinating audits, evaluations, and investigations of the planning, design, contracting, and construction of VA facilities and infrastructure, including major and minor construction projects and leases.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Depressed Smaller Cities Improvement 
Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON DEPRESSED SMALLER CITIES.

    (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established an interagency task 
force to be known as the Interagency Task Force on Depressed Smaller 
Cities (in this Act referred to as the ``Task Force'').
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Task Force shall be composed of 9 
        members as follows:
                    (A) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 
                or the Secretary's delegate.
                    (B) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, or 
                the Secretary's delegate.
                    (C) The Attorney General of the United States, or 
                the Attorney General's delegate.
                    (D) The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary's 
                delegate.
                    (E) 5 members appointed by the Speaker of the House 
                of Representatives, not later than the expiration of 
                the 6-month period beginning on the date of the 
                enactment of this Act, who shall be public officials of 
                depressed smaller cities.
            (2) Geographical diversity.--No 2 members appointed under 
        paragraph (1)(E) may be residents of the same State.
    (c) Terms.--Members of the Task Force shall be appointed for the 
life of the Task Force. Any vacancy in the Task Force shall be filled 
in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (d) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
shall be the chairperson of the Task Force.
    (e) Prohibition of Compensation.--Members of the Task Force shall 
not receive pay or other compensation on account of their service on 
the Task Force.
    (f) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Task Force shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE.

    (a) Study.--The Task Force shall carry out a study of the problems 
affecting depressed smaller cities, including problems involving crime, 
the environment, housing, labor and unemployment, education, health, 
and poverty. The study shall examine and analyze Federal, State, and 
local programs to alleviate such problems, the coordination or lack of 
coordination among such programs, and the effectiveness and efficiency 
of such programs, and shall determine the proper scope and extent of 
Federal assistance and programs to reduce the problems affecting such 
cities. In conducting the study, the Task Force shall consult with 
officials of local governments to obtain and provide advice regarding 
measures that may be implemented before the completion of the study to 
alleviate such problems and to coordinate the ongoing efforts of the 
local governments with the various Federal agencies.
    (b) Reports.--
            (1) Annual reports.--
                    (A) In general.--The Task Force shall submit a 
                report to the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban 
                Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
                Senate, not less than annually until the termination of 
                the Task Force under section 5.
                    (B) Contents.--Each report shall describe the 
                activities of the Task Force during the previous year 
                in conducting the study under subsection (a) and the 
                findings and determinations of the Task Force resulting 
                from the study. Each report shall also--
                            (i) identify the most pervasive problems 
                        affecting depressed smaller cities and the 
                        extent of such problems;
                            (ii) describe any efforts to alleviate such 
                        problems that the Task Force considers to have 
                        been effective and efficient;
                            (iii) identify the immediate and long-term 
                        needs of such cities in alleviating such 
                        problems;
                            (iv) identify any existing Federal programs 
                        that may be useful to such cities in 
                        alleviating such problems;
                            (v) include an agenda of actions to be 
                        taken to alleviate such problems, which 
                        describes the priorities of such actions; and
                            (vi) include recommendations of the Task 
                        Force for actions and legislation by the 
                        Federal Government to assist State and local 
                        governments to alleviate the problems affecting 
                        depressed smaller cities.
            (2) Final report.--Not later than the termination of the 
        Task Force under section 5, the Task Force shall submit to the 
        Committees referred to in paragraph (1)(A) a final report 
        describing the study conducted by the Task Force, the 
        activities of the Task Force, and the findings, conclusions, 
        and recommendations of the Task Force upon the completion of 
        the study.
    (c) Meetings.--To carry out the study under subsection (a) and 
prepare the reports under subsection (b), the Task Force shall meet not 
less than quarterly in each year.

SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION OF DEPRESSED SMALLER CITIES.

    For purposes of this Act, the term ``depressed smaller city'' means 
any unit of general local government that, as determined by the Task 
Force for the most recent 12-month period for which statistics are 
available, is classified as a municipality by the United States Bureau 
of the Census, has a population of less than 50,000 and more than 
5,000, and meets any 3 of the following 5 criteria:
            (1) Unemployment.--The total rate of unemployment for the 
        unit of general local government (as determined by appropriate 
        available data) is 12 percent or more.
            (2) Crime rate.--For the unit of general local government, 
        the ratio of the aggregate number of violent crimes in the unit 
        (according to statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of 
        Investigation) to the population of the unit, is 5 percent or 
        greater.
            (3) Lack of municipal health facilities.--The unit of 
        general local government does not own or operate any municipal 
        health facilities.
            (4) Income level.--The median annual household income for 
        households residing in the unit of general local government (as 
        determined by the Bureau of the Census of the Department of 
        Commerce) does not exceed $15,000.
            (5) Environmental problems.--The unit of general local 
        government has substantial environmental problems resulting 
        from industrial activities, as determined by the Task Force.

SEC. 5. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate upon the expiration of the 3-year 
period beginning on the date of the appointment of the entire 
membership of the Task Force under section 2(b).

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$750,000, which shall be available during fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 
1997.

SOLUTION:
Depressed Smaller Cities Improvement Act of 1993 - Establishes the Interagency Task Force on Depressed Smaller Cities to study problems affecting depressed smaller cities and to determine the proper scope and extent of Federal assistance and programs to reduce the problems affecting such cities. 
Authorizes appropriations.