In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Example Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Defending Our Great Lakes Act of 
2015''.

SEC. 2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL ZONE AT BRANDON ROAD LOCK AND 
              DAM SITE, JOLIET, ILLINOIS.

    (a) Immediate Actions.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Army, acting through 
        the Chief of Engineers, the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
        through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
        Service and the Director of the United States Geological 
        Survey, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency, and any other applicable Federal agency shall take 
        immediate actions to prevent the upstream transfer of aquatic 
        nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin to the Great 
        Lakes basin through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site.
            (2) Focus.--Actions under paragraph (1) shall place a 
        special focus on Asian carp species and other aquatic nuisance 
        species of concern to the Great Lakes as referenced in the 
        Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study of the Army 
        Corps of Engineers issued pursuant to section 1538 of Public 
        Law 112-141 (126 Stat. 586).
    (b) Construction.--
            (1) Required measures.--The Chief of Engineers shall 
        implement measures to improve the Brandon Road Lock and Dam 
        site to prevent the upstream transfer of Asian carp and other 
        swimming aquatic nuisance species through the lock and dam, 
        including--
                    (A) constructing an engineered channel in the 
                approach to the site from the Mississippi River 
                direction, as outlined in the report issued pursuant to 
                section 1538 of Public Law 112-141 (126 Stat. 586); and
                    (B) adding technologies and measures necessary for 
                aquatic nuisance species control, while protecting the 
                area's ecosystem to the greatest extent feasible.
            (2) Cost estimate and schedule.--Not later than 180 days 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief of Engineers 
        shall submit to Congress a cost estimate for, and schedule for 
        completion of, measures to be constructed under this 
        subsection.
    (c) Other Measures.--The Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, in consultation with the Director of the United 
States Geological Survey, the Chief of Engineers, the Commandant of the 
United States Coast Guard, the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, and the heads of other relevant agencies, shall 
implement all appropriate measures in compliance with applicable State 
and Federal law around the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site on the 
Illinois River to prevent the upstream transfer of swimming and 
floating aquatic nuisance species, with a focus on Asian carp species, 
including--
            (1) implementing existing Asian carp monitoring and control 
        strategies at the Brandon Road site, as applicable, including 
        real-time monitoring for aquatic nuisance species passing 
        through by using relevant technology;
            (2) using the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site to the maximum 
        extent practicable to test new aquatic nuisance species control 
        technologies and measures;
            (3) implementing control strategies identified through that 
        testing necessary to fulfill the objectives of this section, 
        considering those strategies that minimize the negative impact 
        on the river ecosystem and desirable aquatic native species, 
        while maintaining efficient navigation; and
            (4) developing best management practices to mitigate 
        aquatic nuisance species transfer by boat and barge operators 
        on the Illinois River and Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal 
        and working with operators to implement the practices.
    (d) Administration.--
            (1) Acquisition of real estate.--The Chief of Engineers may 
        only acquire real estate that is necessary to carry out this 
        section and shall do so pursuant to the laws (including 
        regulations) in existence at the time of the acquisition.
            (2) Cooperation.--In carrying out this section, the Chief 
        of Engineers, the Director of the United States Fish and 
        Wildlife Service, and the Director of the United States 
        Geological Survey shall coordinate with each other and--
                    (A) the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 
                Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin;
                    (B) the Chicago Area Waterway System Advisory 
                Committee; and
                    (C) any other applicable State, regional, local, 
                and international government entity.
            (3) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Chief 
        of Engineers, the Director of the United States Fish and 
        Wildlife Service, and the Director of the United States 
        Geological Survey shall consult with appropriate entities in 
        the business, commerce, and environmental communities.

SEC. 3. ACTIONS RELATED TO THE LONG-TERM PREVENTION OF AQUATIC NUISANCE 
              SPECIES TRANSFER BETWEEN THE GREAT LAKES BASIN AND 
              MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Army, acting through the 
Chief of Engineers, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency, and any other applicable Federal 
entity shall take actions for the long-term prevention of aquatic 
nuisance species between the Mississippi River basin and the Great 
Lakes basin, including transfer through the Chicago Area Waterway 
System.
    (b) Construction.--The Chief of Engineers shall coordinate with the 
Governor of Illinois, the City of Chicago, the Metropolitan Water 
Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and other relevant entities to 
design, engineer, and construct flood mitigation and water quality 
measures on the Chicago Area Waterway System related to the prevention 
of the transfer of aquatic nuisance species between the Mississippi 
River basin and the Great Lakes basin, including transfer through the 
Chicago Area Waterway System.
    (c) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Chief of 
Engineers shall--
            (1) coordinate with the City of Chicago and the 
        Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to 
        combine infrastructure to the maximum extent practicable with 
        the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan of the Metropolitan Water 
        Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and other relevant 
        storm and sewer water infrastructure projects;
            (2) ensure flood mitigation in the vicinity of the Chicago 
        Area Waterway System is improved and strengthen protections 
        against flooding for residential and commercial neighborhoods;
            (3) ensure water quality is protected in the Great Lakes, 
        the Chicago Waterway System, and the Mississippi River basin 
        consistent with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
        U.S.C. 1251 et seq.);
            (4) provide for continued commercial and recreational 
        watercraft traffic on the Chicago Area Waterway System, and 
        maintain efficient navigation; and
            (5) prioritize efforts to prevent the upstream and 
        downstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species.
    (d) Administration.--
            (1) Cooperation.--In carrying out this section, the Chief 
        of Engineers, the Director of the United States Fish and 
        Wildlife Service, and the Director of the United States 
        Geological Survey shall coordinate with each other and--
                    (A) the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 
                Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin;
                    (B) the Chicago Area Waterway System Advisory 
                Committee; and
                    (C) any other applicable State, regional, local, 
                and international government entity.
            (2) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Chief 
        of Engineers, the Director of the United States Fish and 
        Wildlife Service, and the Director of the United States 
        Geological Survey shall consult with appropriate entities in 
        the business, commerce, and environmental communities.
            (3) Delegation.--In carrying out this section, the Chief of 
        Engineers may delegate parts of the project to non-Federal 
        entities subject to the availability of funding.
            (4) Identification of partners.--In carrying out this 
        section, the Chief of Engineers shall work to identify non-
        Federal cost-share partners when applicable.
            (5) Acquisition of real estate.--The Chief of Engineers may 
        only acquire real estate that is necessary to carry out this 
        section and shall do so pursuant to the laws (including 
        regulations) in existence at the time of the acquisition.
    (e) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Chief of 
        Engineers shall submit to the Committee on Environment and 
        Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report 
        describing the progress made, and a plan for further actions to 
        be taken, under this section.
            (2) Public availability.--Reports under paragraph (1) shall 
        be made available to the public through electronic means, 
        including the Internet.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that there is an ongoing need to 
further examine and protect the tributaries and waterways located in 
other affected areas and States in the Great Lakes region, including at 
a minimum, the St. Croix River, the Minnesota River, the Wisconsin 
River, and the Ohio River, against the transfer of aquatic nuisance 
species.
Example Output: Defending Our Great Lakes Act of 2015 This bill requires federal agencies to take immediate actions to prevent the upstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes basin through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site. The actions must place a special focus on Asian carp species and other aquatic nuisance species of concern to the Great Lakes referred to in the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The Army Corps must implement measures to improve the site to prevent the upstream transfer of Asian carp and other aquatic nuisance species swimming through the lock and dam, including by constructing an engineered channel in the approach to the site from the Mississippi River direction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must implement all appropriate measures around the site on the Illinois River to prevent the upstream transfer of swimming and floating aquatic nuisance species, with a focus on Asian carp species.  Federal entities must take actions for the long-term prevention of the transfer of aquatic nuisance species between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins, including through the Chicago Area Waterway System. The Army Corps must design, engineer, and construct flood mitigation and water quality measures on the Chicago Area Waterway System related to preventing such transfer.

Example Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine 
Support Act of 2017'' or the ``VETS Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. LICENSURE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS PROVIDING TREATMENT VIA TELEMEDICINE.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting after section 1730A the following new section:
``Sec. 1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing 
              treatment via telemedicine
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding 
the licensure of health care professionals, a covered health care 
professional may practice the health care profession of the health care 
professional at any location in any State, regardless of where the 
covered health care professional or the patient is located, if the 
covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide 
treatment to an individual under this chapter.
    ``(b) Property of Federal Government.--Subsection (a) shall apply 
to a covered health care professional providing treatment to a patient 
regardless of whether the covered health care professional or patient 
is located in a facility owned by the Federal Government during such 
treatment.
    ``(c) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health 
care professional under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et 
seq.).
    ``(d) Covered Health Care Professional Defined.--In this section, 
the term `covered health care professional' means a health care 
professional who--
            ``(1) is an employee of the Department appointed under the 
        authority under sections 7306, 7401, 7405, 7406, or 7408 of 
        this title, or title 5;
            ``(2) is authorized by the Secretary to provide health care 
        under this chapter;
            ``(3) is required to adhere to all quality standards 
        relating to the provision of telemedicine in accordance with 
        applicable policies of the Department; and
            ``(4) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted 
        license, registration, or certification in a State to practice 
        the health care profession of the health care professional.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1730A the following new item:

``1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via 
                            telemedicine.''.
    (c) Report on Telemedicine.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the use of 
        telemedicine by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include an assessment of the following:
                    (A) The satisfaction of veterans with telemedicine 
                furnished by the Department.
                    (B) The satisfaction of health care providers in 
                providing telemedicine furnished by the Department.
                    (C) The effect of telemedicine furnished by the 
                Department on the following:
                            (i) The ability of veterans to access 
                        health care, whether from the Department or 
                        from non-Department health care providers.
                            (ii) The frequency of use by veterans of 
                        telemedicine.
                            (iii) The productivity of health care 
                        providers.
                            (iv) Wait times for an appointment for the 
                        receipt of health care from the Department.
                            (v) The reduction, if any, in the use by 
                        veterans of in-person services at Department 
                        facilities and non-Department facilities.
                    (D) The types of appointments for the receipt of 
                telemedicine furnished by the Department that were 
                provided during the 1-year period preceding the 
                submittal of the report.
                    (E) The number of appointments for the receipt of 
                telemedicine furnished by the Department that were 
                requested during such period, disaggregated by Veterans 
                Integrated Service Network.
                    (F) Savings by the Department, if any, including 
                travel costs, of furnishing health care 


              

                through the use of telemedicine during such period.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 7, 2017.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.
Example Output: .  Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2017 or the VETS Act of 2017  (Sec. 2) This bill allows a licensed health care professional of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to practice his or her profession using telemedicine at any location in any state regardless of where the professional or patient is located if the covered health care professional is using telemedicine to provide VA medical or health services.   Such authority shall apply to a covered health care professional regardless of whether the covered health care professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility.   The bill defines &quot;covered health care professional&quot; as a health care professional who: (1) is a VA employee appointed under specified VA authorities or under the civil service; (2) is authorized by the VA to provide health care; (3) is required to adhere to all telemedicine quality standards; and (4) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted state license, registration, or certification for such health care profession. The VA shall report to Congress on the effectiveness of the VA's use of telemedicine.

Example Input: SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Military operations in Afghanistan have cost American 
        taxpayers more than $200,000,000,000 in deficit spending since 
        2001.
            (2) Particularly given current record deficits, high 
        unemployment, and proposed reductions in domestic spending, the 
        United States should ensure future war expenditures in 
        Afghanistan do not add to the deficit and ensure that resources 
        are not squandered on waste, fraud, abuse, or corruption in 
        Afghanistan.
            (3) United States military and nonmilitary operations in 
        Afghanistan, including those conducted by contractors, must be 
        subject to the highest standards of transparency and 
        accountability, and subject to the review of appropriate 
        inspectors general.
            (4) According to the most recent Army Mental Health 
        Advisory Team Assessment, one in five soldiers surveyed in 
        Afghanistan reports having psychological problems.
            (5) The United States needs a comprehensive strategy to 
        counter the global threat posed by al Qaeda and its affiliates 
        in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, North Africa, and elsewhere around 
        the world.
            (6) A massive, open-ended United States military presence 
        in Afghanistan is unlikely to advance, and may undermine, 
        United States efforts to eliminate the safe haven for al Qaeda 
        in Pakistan and combat al Qaeda globally.
            (7) Rather than engaging in a nation-building effort in 
        Afghanistan, the United States should begin reducing troop 
        levels in Afghanistan and transition to a sustainable 
        counterterrorism policy.
            (8) President Obama announced on December 1, 2009, that 
        United States troops would begin to be withdrawn from 
        Afghanistan in July 2011.
            (9) The United States remains committed to providing long-
        term economic, diplomatic, and political support to the people 
        of Afghanistan, and to supporting the emergence of a 
        legitimate, effective government in Afghanistan.
            (10) The United States will continue to provide economic, 
        development, and political support for women's rights, 
        education, and leadership in Afghanistan.
            (11) The August 20, 2009, presidential election in 
        Afghanistan was characterized by widespread fraud, and there 
        are credible reports of widespread corruption.
            (12) The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral 
        Michael Mullen, has acknowledged that the greatest threat in 
        Afghanistan today is the ``lack of legitimacy in the 
        government--at all levels'' and that the United States Armed 
        Forces cannot solve the legitimacy problem.
            (13) General McChrystal has acknowledged that United States 
        partnerships with ``polarizing and predatory'' powerbrokers, 
        including in the Afghan National Security Forces, compromise 
        the ability of the United States to address the lack of 
        legitimacy in the Afghanistan Government.

SEC. 2. PLAN FOR THE SAFE, ORDERLY, AND EXPEDITIOUS REDEPLOYMENT OF 
              UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN.

    (a) Plan With Timetable Required.--Not later than January 1, 2011, 
or 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, whichever is 
earlier, the President shall submit to Congress a plan for the safe, 
orderly, and expeditious redeployment of United States Armed Forces 
from Afghanistan, including military and security-related contractors, 
together with a timetable for the completion of that redeployment and 
information regarding variables that could alter that timetable.
    (b) Status Updates.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
submittal of the plan required by subsection (a), and every 90 days 
thereafter, the President shall submit to the Congress a report setting 
forth the current status of the plan for redeploying United States 
Armed Forces from Afghanistan.
    (c) Recommendations on Contractor Oversight.--
            (1) Recommendations required.--Not later than 90 days after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Special Inspector 
        General for Afghanistan Reconstruction shall, in consultation 
        with the Inspector General of the Department of Defense and the 
        Inspector General of the Department of State--
                    (A) issue recommendations on measures to increase 
                oversight of contractors engaged in activities relating 
                to Afghanistan that have a record of engaging in waste, 
                fraud, or abuse; and
                    (B) report on the status of efforts of the 
                Department of Defense and the Department of State to 
                implement existing recommendations regarding oversight 
                of such contractors.
            (2) Elements of recommendations.--The recommendations 
        issued under paragraph (1)(A) shall include recommendations for 
        reducing the reliance of the United States on security 
        contractors or subcontractors responsible for the deaths of 
        Afghan civilians and on Afghan militias, contractors, 
        subcontractors, or other armed groups that are not part of the 
        Afghan National Security Forces.
Example Output:
Directs the President, by the earlier of January 1, 2011, or 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress a plan for the safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan, including military and security-related contractors, together with a timetable for the completion of such redeployment and information regarding variables that could alter that timetable. Requires plan updates every 90 days.

Directs the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction to: (1) issue recommendations for increasing oversight of contractors in Afghanistan that have a record of engaging in waste, fraud, or abuse; and (2) report on the status of efforts of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the State Department to implement existing recommendations regarding oversight of such contractors. Requires the recommendations issued to include recommendations for reducing U.S. reliance on security contractors or subcontractors responsible for the deaths of Afghan civilians and on Afghan militias, contractors, subcontractors, or other armed groups that are not part of the Afghan National Security Forces.