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

    This Act may be cited as the ``Antimicrobial Data Collection Act''.

SEC. 2. RESEARCH PROGRAMS TO STUDY ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act--
            (1) the term ``Commissioner'' means the Commissioner of 
        Food and Drugs; and
            (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health 
        and Human Services.
    (b) Commencement of Pilot Data Collection and Analysis Program.--
The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall develop a 
research program or programs to study the relationship between the 
sales, distribution, end-use practices of animal drugs containing an 
antimicrobial active ingredient in food-producing animals and 
antimicrobial resistance trends. The Secretary may also consider any 
other available sound information, science, research, expertise, or 
program designs in carrying out this subsection.
    (c) Purpose of Programs.--Any research program developed under 
subsection (b) shall be developed in order to better determine--
            (1) the relationships between sales data, distribution 
        data, and end-usage data of animal drugs containing an 
        antimicrobial active ingredient in food-producing animals to 
        inform policies of Food and Drug Administration regarding data 
        collection and regulation of antimicrobial products in 
        agriculture, including consideration of the potential value and 
        feasibility of data from veterinary feed directives and other 
        sources; and
            (2) the relationships between the use of animal drugs 
        containing an antimicrobial active ingredient in food-producing 
        animals and trends in antimicrobial resistance, including by 
        using the data collected through the National Antimicrobial 
        Resistance Monitoring System or other studies regarding 
        resistance levels in bacteria associated with food-producing 
        animals.
    (d) Consultation.--Any research program developed under subsection 
(b) shall be developed in consultation with the Secretary of 
Agriculture, which shall include at a minimum consultation with the 
Under Secretary for Food Safety, the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs, and the Under Secretary for Research, Education, 
and Economics at the Department of Agriculture. To the extent 
practicable, such Under Secretaries shall provide assistance in 
developing and conducting such research programs.
    (e) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall implement the research 
program or programs developed under subsection (b). The Secretary shall 
analyze data from such program or programs to determine the 
contribution of such data to studying antimicrobial resistance and 
establishing the antimicrobial data collection strategy as described in 
section 3(b)(1)(B).

SEC. 3. REPORTS TO CONGRESS; DEVELOPMENT OF DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY.

    (a) Initial Report.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
            (1) submit to Congress a report that--
                    (A) describes the research design and goals for the 
                research program or programs developed under section 
                2(b); and
                    (B) includes a needs assessment, considering broad 
                sources of data and models on antimicrobial use in 
                food-producing animals that the Food and Drug 
                Administration may need or from which the Food and Drug 
                Administration could benefit, to improve the evaluation 
                of Food and Drug Administration programs regarding 
                antimicrobial resistance and how a systematic and valid 
                data collection strategy will be designed to comply 
                with subsection (b)(1)(B); and
            (2) make such report publicly available.
    (b) Report Regarding Results and Recommendations.--Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
            (1) submit to Congress a report that--
                    (A) describes the comprehensive results of any 
                research program or programs developed under section 
                2(b), including with respect to the determinations made 
                pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2(c); and
                    (B) provides recommendations for developing an 
                antimicrobial data collection strategy based on the 
                information contained in the comments to the Advanced 
                Notice of Proposed Rulemaking entitled ``Antimicrobial 
                Animal Drug Distribution Reporting'' (77 Fed. Reg. 
                44177 (July 27, 2012)) and any relevant information 
                obtained in the research pilot program carried out 
                under section 2; and
            (2) make such report publicly available.

SEC. 4. ENHANCED REPORTING AND PUBLICATION OF SALES DATA.

    (a) In General.--Section 512(l)(3)(E) of the Federal Food, Drug, 
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(l)(3)(E)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) 
        and (II);
            (2) by striking ``The Secretary shall make summaries of the 
        information reported under this paragraph publicly available, 
        except that--'' and inserting ``(i) Not later than a date 
        established by the Secretary for 2014, and on such date in each 
        year thereafter, the Secretary shall make publicly available a 
        summary of the information (including dosage form information, 
        if practicable) reported under this paragraph for the previous 
        year, except that--''; and
            (3) by inserting after subclause (II), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), the following:
    ``(ii) In making the summaries available under this subparagraph, 
the following shall apply:
            ``(I) The Secretary shall segregate the categories of 
        amounts reported into the following 2 subcategories, after 
        consultation with applicable classifications as determined by 
        the Secretary, subject to subclause (IV):
                    ``(aa) The volume of drugs of importance to human 
                medicine.
                    ``(bb) The volume of drugs not of importance to 
                human medicine.
            ``(II) As practicable, the Secretary shall segregate 
        amounts reported into the following:
                    ``(aa) Container size.
                    ``(bb) Strength.
                    ``(cc) Dosage form.
                    ``(dd) Marketing status.
            ``(III) In any cross-tabulation of the amounts reported 
        with any reporting category, the Secretary shall include the 
        categories `Not Independently Reported' and `Not Independently 
        Reported Export'.
            ``(IV) Every 5 years, the Secretary shall reevaluate the 
        classifications consulted under subclause (I) after opportunity 
        for public comment.
    ``(iii) The Secretary shall maximize the quality, accuracy, detail, 
and specificity of data made publicly available in the summaries under 
this subparagraph, to the extent practicable, such as regarding the 
type, estimated level of exposure, and target animals of antimicrobial 
drugs. In carrying out the preceding sentence, the Secretary may 
provide additional information in such summaries.
    ``(iv) The Secretary shall conduct an annual evaluation of the 
effectiveness of and compliance with relevant policies and programs of 
the Food and Drug Administration regarding antimicrobial drug sales for 
food-producing animals, and use of such drugs and antimicrobial 
resistance, using valid and robust performance metrics. Beginning in 
2014, the Secretary shall include with each annual summary made 
publicly available under this subparagraph a report that describes the 
results of the evaluation conducted under this clause with respect to 
the preceding year.''.
    (b) Reissuance.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall reissue the summary reports issued 
before 2012 under section 512(l)(3)(E) of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(l)(3)(E)) using the format designed for 
the 2012 summary report. The Secretary shall publish the reissued 
reports in one combined publication.

SEC. 5. ACTION TO PROTECT PUBLIC AND ANIMAL HEALTH.

    (a) Publication of Final Guidance.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a final 
        version of the draft Voluntary Guidance #213 of the Food and 
        Drug Administration (entitled ``New Animal Drugs and New Animal 
        Drug Combination Products Administered in or on Medicated Feed 
        or Drinking Water of Food-Producing Animals: Recommendations 
        for Drug Sponsors for Voluntarily Aligning Product Use 
        Conditions with GFI #209'').
            (2) Effect of subsection.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to affect any other obligations of the Food and 
        Drug Administration regarding the authorities of such 
        Administration to regulate antimicrobial drugs and protect 
        public health.
    (b) Report by GAO.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
        conclusion of the research pilot program or programs developed 
        under section 2, the Comptroller General of the United States 
        shall commence a study to evaluate--
                    (A) the approaches used by the Food and Drug 
                Administration to eliminate injudicious use of 
                antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals; and
                    (B) the effectiveness of the data collection 
                activities carried out by the Food and Drug 
                Administration regarding antimicrobial resistance.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after commencing the 
        study described in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of 
        the United States shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee 
        on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report 
        that describes the results of such study.

Answer: Antimicrobial Data Collection Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA), to develop a research program to study the relationship between the sales, distribution, and end-use practices of animal drugs containing an antimicrobial active ingredient in food-producing animals and antimicrobial resistance trends. Requires the Secretary to analyze data from the program to determine the data's contribution to studying antimicrobial resistance and establishing an antimicrobial data collection strategy. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress on the program's research design and goals, including a needs assessment to improve the FDA's evaluation of antimicrobial resistance; and (2) report to Congress and the public within two years with the comprehensive results of the program and recommendations for developing an antimicrobial data collection strategy. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to revise the requirements for the annual summaries of antimicrobial animal drug information, including by requiring the Secretary to maximize the quality, accuracy, detail, and specificity of the data made publicly available in the summaries. Requires the Secretary to conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of and compliance with relevant FDA programs and policies regarding antimicrobial drug sales for food-producing animals, and the use of such drugs and antimicrobial resistance. Directs the Secretary to publish a final version of voluntary guidance for drug sponsors on new animal drugs and new animal drug combination products administered in or on medicated feed or drinking water of food-producing animals. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to evaluate the FDA's approaches to eliminate injudicious use of antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals and the effectiveness of the FDA's data collection activities regarding antimicrobial resistance.


Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Facilitating Access to Speedy 
Transmissions for Networks, E-commerce and Telecommunications (FASTNET) 
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was enacted to 
        foster the rapid deployment of advanced telecommunications and 
        information technologies and services to all Americans by 
        promoting competition and reducing regulation in 
        telecommunications markets nationwide.
            (2) The Telecommunications Act of 1966 specifically 
        recognized the unique abilities and circumstances of local 
        exchange carriers with fewer than two percent of the Nation's 
        subscriber lines installed in the aggregate nationwide.
            (3) Given the markets two percent carriers typically serve, 
        such carriers are uniquely positioned to accelerate the 
        deployment of advanced services and competitive initiatives for 
        the benefit of consumers in less densely populated regions of 
        the Nation.
            (4) Existing regulations are typically tailored to the 
        circumstances of larger carriers and therefore often impose 
        disproportionate burdens on two percent carriers, impeding such 
        carriers' deployment of advanced telecommunications services 
        and competitive initiatives to consumers in less densely 
        populated regions of the Nation.
            (5) Reducing regulatory burdens on two percent carriers 
        will enable such carriers to devote additional resources to the 
        deployment of advanced services and to competitive initiatives 
        to benefit consumers in less densely populated regions of the 
        Nation.
            (6) Reducing regulatory burdens on two percent carriers 
        will increase such carriers' ability to respond to marketplace 
        conditions, allowing them to accelerate deployment of advanced 
        services and competitive initiatives to benefit consumers in 
        less densely populated regions of the Nation.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to accelerate the deployment of advanced services and 
        the development of competition in the telecommunications 
        industry for the benefit of consumers in all regions of the 
        Nation, consistent with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, by 
        reducing regulatory burdens on local exchange carriers with 
        fewer than two percent of the Nation's subscriber lines 
        installed in the aggregate nationwide;
            (2) to improve such carriers' flexibility to undertake such 
        initiatives; and
            (3) to allow such carriers to redirect resources from 
        paying the costs of such regulatory burdens to increasing 
        investment in such initiatives.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION.

    Section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (51) and (52) as paragraphs 
        (52) and (53), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (50) the following:
            ``(51) Two percent carrier.--The term `two percent carrier' 
        means an incumbent local exchange carrier within the meaning of 
        section 251(h) whose access lines, when aggregated with the 
        access lines of any local exchange carrier that such incumbent 
        local exchange carrier directly or indirectly controls, is 
        controlled by, or is under common control with, are fewer than 
        two percent of the Nation's subscriber lines installed in the 
        aggregate nationwide.''.

SEC. 4. REGULATORY RELIEF FOR TWO PERCENT CARRIERS.

    Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 is amended by adding at 
the end thereof a new part IV as follows:

         ``PART IV--PROVISIONS CONCERNING TWO PERCENT CARRIERS

``SEC. 281. REDUCED REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR TWO PERCENT CARRIERS.

    ``(a) Commission To Take Into Account Differences.--In adopting 
rules that apply to incumbent local exchange carriers (within the 
meaning of section 251(h)), the Commission shall separately evaluate 
the burden that any proposed regulatory, compliance, or reporting 
requirements would have on two percent carriers.
    ``(b) Effect of Commission's Failure To Take Into Account 
Differences.--If the Commission adopts a rule that applies to incumbent 
local exchange carriers and fails to separately evaluate the burden 
that any proposed regulatory, compliance, or reporting requirement 
would have on two percent carriers, the Commission shall not enforce 
the rule against two percent carriers unless and until the Commission 
performs such separate evaluation.
    ``(c) Additional Review Not Required.--Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to require the Commission to conduct a separate 
evaluation under subsection (a) if the rules adopted do not apply to 
two percent carriers, or such carriers are exempted from such rules.
    ``(d) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to prohibit any size-based differentiation among carriers mandated by 
this Act, chapter 6 of title 5, United State Code, the Commission's 
rules, or any other provision of law.
    ``(e) Effective Date.--The provisions of this section shall apply 
with respect to any rule adopted on or after the date of enactment of 
this section.

``SEC. 282. LIMITATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Limitation.--The Commission shall not require a two percent 
carrier--
            ``(1) to file cost allocation manuals or to have such 
        manuals audited or attested, but a two percent carrier that 
        qualifies as a class A carrier shall annually certify to the 
        Commission that the two percent carrier's cost allocation 
        complies with the rules of the Commission; or
            ``(2) to file Automated Reporting and Management 
        Information Systems (ARMIS) reports, except for purposes of 
        section 224.
    ``(b) Preservation of Authority.--Except as provided in subsection 
(a), nothing in this Act limits the authority of the Commission to 
obtain access to information under sections 211, 213, 215, 218, and 220 
with respect to two percent carriers.

``SEC. 283. INTEGRATED OPERATION OF TWO PERCENT CARRIERS.

    ``The Commission shall not require any two percent carrier to 
establish or maintain a separate affiliate to provide any common 
carrier or noncommon carrier services, including local and 
interexchange services, commercial mobile radio services, advanced 
services (within the meaning of section 706 of the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996), paging, Internet, information services or other enhanced 
services, or other services. The Commission shall not require any two 
percent carrier and its affiliates to maintain separate officers, 
directors, or other personnel, network facilities, buildings, research 
and development departments, books of account, financing, marketing, 
provisioning, or other operations.

``SEC. 284. PARTICIPATION IN TARIFF POOLS AND PRICE CAP REGULATION.

    ``(a) NECA Pool.--The participation or withdrawal from 
participation by a two percent carrier of one or more study areas in 
the common line tariff administered and filed by the National Exchange 
Carrier Association or any successor tariff or administrator shall not 
obligate such carrier to participate or withdraw from participation in 
such tariff for any other study area. The Commission may require a two 
percent carrier to give 60 days notice of its intent to participate or 
withdraw from participation in such common line tariff with respect to 
a study area. Except as permitted by section 310(f)(3), a two percent 
carrier's election under this subsection shall be binding for one year 
from the date of the election.
    ``(b) Price Cap Regulation.--A two percent carrier may elect to be 
regulated by the Commission under price cap rate regulation, or elect 
to withdraw from such regulation, for one or more of its study areas. 
The Commission shall not require a carrier making an election under 
this subsection with respect to any study area or areas to make the 
same election for any other study area. Except as permitted by section 
310(f)(3), a two percent carrier's election under this subsection shall 
be binding for one year from the date of the election.

``SEC. 285. DEPLOYMENT OF NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES BY TWO 
              PERCENT COMPANIES.

    ``(a) One-Day Notice of Deployment.--The Commission shall permit 
two percent carriers to introduce new interstate telecommunications 
services by filing a tariff on one day's notice showing the charges, 
classifications, regulations, and practices therefor, without obtaining 
a waiver, or make any other showing before the Commission in advance of 
the tariff filing. The Commission shall not have authority to approve 
or disapprove the rate structure for such services shown in such 
tariff.
    ``(b) Definition.--For purposes of subsection (a), the term `new 
interstate telecommunications service' means a class or subclass of 
service not previously offered by the two percent carrier that enlarges 
the range of service options available to ratepayers of such carrier.

``SEC. 286. ENTRY OF COMPETING CARRIER.

    ``(a) Pricing Flexibility.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this Act, any two percent carrier shall be permitted to de-average its 
interstate switched or special access rates, file tariffs on one day's 
notice, and file contract-based tariffs for interstate switched or 
special access services immediately upon certifying to the Commission 
that a telecommunications carrier unaffiliated with such carrier is 
engaged in facilities-based entry within such carrier's service area. A 
two percent carrier subject to rate-of-return regulation with respect 
to an interstate switched or special access service, for which pricing 
flexibility has been exercised pursuant to this subsection, shall 
compute its interstate rate of return based on the nondiscounted rate 
for such service.
    ``(b) Streamlined Pricing Regulation.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this Act, upon receipt by the Commission of a 
certification by a two percent carrier that--
            ``(1) a local exchange carrier, or its affiliate, or
            ``(2) a local exchange carrier operated by, or owned in 
        whole or part by, a governmental authority,
is engaged in facilities-based entry within the two percent carrier's 
service area, the Commission shall regulate the two percent carrier as 
non-dominant and shall not require the tariffing of the interstate 
service offerings of the two percent carrier.
    ``(c) Participation in Exchange Carrier Association Tariff.--A two 
percent carrier that meets the requirements of subsection (a) or (b) of 
this section with respect to one or more study areas shall be permitted 
to participate in the common line tariff administered and filed by the 
National Exchange Carrier Association or any successor tariff or 
administrator, by electing to include one or more of its study areas in 
such tariff.
    ``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) Facilities-based entry.--The term `facilities-based 
        entry' means, within the service area of a two percent 
        carrier--
                    ``(A) the provision or procurement of local 
                telephone exchange switching or its equivalent; and
                    ``(B) the provision of telephone exchange service 
                to at least one unaffiliated customer.
            ``(2) Contract-based tariff.--The term `contract-based 
        tariff' shall mean a tariff based on a service contract entered 
        into between a two percent carrier and one or more customers of 
        such carrier. Such tariff shall include--
                    ``(A) the term of the contract, including any 
                renewal options;
                    ``(B) a brief description of each of the services 
                provided under the contract;
                    ``(C) minimum volume commitments for each service, 
                if any;
                    ``(D) the contract price for each service or 
                services at the volume levels committed to by the 
                customer or customers;
                    ``(E) a brief description of any volume discounts 
                built into the contract rate structure; and
                    ``(F) a general description of any other 
                classifications, practices, and regulations affecting 
                the contract rate.
            ``(3) Service area.--The term `service area' has the same 
        meaning as in section 214(e)(5).

``SEC. 287. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

    ``(a) Commission Authority.--Nothing in this part shall be 
construed to restrict the authority of the Commission under sections 
201 through 208.
    ``(b) Rural Telephone Company Rights.--Nothing in this part shall 
be construed to diminish the rights of rural telephone companies 
otherwise accorded by this Act, or the rules, policies, procedures, 
guidelines, and standards of the Commission as of the date of enactment 
of this section.
    ``(c) State Authority.--Nothing in this part shall be construed to 
limit or affect any authority (as of August 1, 2001) of the States over 
charges, classifications, practices, services, facilities, or 
regulations for or in connection with intrastate communications service 
by wire or radio of any carrier.''.

SEC. 5. LIMITATION ON MERGER REVIEW.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 310 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
U.S.C. 310) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Deadline for Making Public Interest Determination.--
            ``(1) Time limit.--In connection with any merger between 
        two percent carriers, or the acquisition, directly or 
        indirectly, by a two percent carrier or its affiliate of 
        securities or assets of another carrier or its affiliate, if 
the merged or acquiring carrier remains a two percent carrier after the 
merger or acquisition, the Commission shall make any determinations 
required by this section and section 214, and shall rule on any 
petition for waiver of the Commission's rules or other request related 
to such determinations, not later than 60 days after the date an 
application with respect to such merger or acquisition is submitted to 
the Commission.
            ``(2) Approval absent action.--If the Commission does not 
        approve or deny an application as described in paragraph (1) by 
        the end of the period specified, the application shall be 
        deemed approved on the day after the end of such period. Any 
        such application deemed approved under this subsection shall be 
        deemed approved without conditions.
            ``(3) Election permitted.--The Commission shall permit a 
        two percent carrier to make an election pursuant to section 284 
        with respect to any local exchange facilities acquired as a 
        result of a merger or acquisition that is subject to the review 
        deadline established in paragraph (1) of this subsection.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The provisions of this section shall apply 
with respect to any application that is submitted to the Commission on 
or after the date of enactment of this Act. Applications pending with 
the Commission on the date of enactment of this Act shall be subject to 
the requirements of this section as if they had been filed with the 
Commission on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. TIME LIMITS FOR ACTION ON PETITIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION OR 
              WAIVER.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 405 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
U.S.C. 405) is amended by adding to the end the following:
    ``(c) Expedited Action Required.--
            ``(1) Time limit.--Within 90 days after receiving from a 
        two percent carrier a petition for reconsideration or other 
        review filed under this section or a petition for waiver of a 
        rule, policy, or other Commission requirement, the Commission 
        shall issue an order granting or denying such petition. If the 
        Commission fails to act on a petition for waiver subject to the 
        requirements of this section within this 90-day period, the 
        relief sought in such petition shall be deemed granted. If the 
        Commission fails to act on a petition for reconsideration or 
        other review subject to the requirements of this section within 
        such 90-day period, the Commission's enforcement of any rule 
        the reconsideration or other review of which was specifically 
        sought by the petitioning party shall be stayed with respect to 
        that party until the Commission issues an order granting or 
        denying such petition.
            ``(2) Finality of action.--Any order issued under paragraph 
        (1), or any grant of a petition for waiver that is deemed to 
        occur as a result of the Commission's failure to act under 
        paragraph (1), shall be a final order and may be appealed.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The provisions of this section shall apply 
with respect to any petition for reconsideration or other review or 
petition for waiver that is submitted to the Commission on or after the 
date of enactment of this Act. Petitions for reconsideration or 
petitions for waiver pending with the Commission on the date of 
enactment of this Act shall be subject to the requirements of this 
section as if they had been filed on the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. NATIONAL SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EXCEPTIONS.

    Notwithstanding sections 310 and 405 of the Communications Act of 
1934 (47 U.S.C. 310 and 405), the 60-day time period under section 
310(f)(1) of that Act, as added by section 5 of this Act, and the 90-
day time period under section 405(c)(1) of that Act, as added by 
section 6 of this Act, shall not apply to a petition or application 
under section 310 or 405 if an Executive Branch agency with cognizance 
over national security, law enforcement, or public safety matters, 
including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation, submits a written filing to the 
Federal Communications Commission advising the Commission that the 
petition or application may present national security, law enforcement, 
or public safety concerns that may not be resolved within the 60-day or 
90-day time period, respectively.

Answer: Facilitating Access to Speedy Transmissions for Networks, E-commerce and Telecommunications (FASTNET) Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define a "two percent carrier" (carrier) as an incumbent local exchange carrier whose access lines, when combined with the access lines of any other carrier that such carrier controls, are fewer than two percent of the subscriber lines installed in the aggregate nationwide.Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in adopting rules that apply to such carriers, to separately evaluate the burden that any proposed regulatory, compliance, or reporting requirements would have on such carriers. Prohibits the FCC from requiring such carriers to: (1) file cost allocation manuals or Automated Reporting and Management Information Systems reports; or (2) establish or maintain a separate affiliate to provide any common carrier or noncommon carrier services.Limits carrier participation in tariff pools and price cap regulation.Requires the FCC to permit such carriers to introduce new interstate telecommunications services by filing a tariff on one day's notice.Allows such carriers to de-average its interstate switched or special access rates, file tariffs on one day's notice, and file contract-based tariffs for switched or special access services upon certifying that a telecommunications carrier unaffiliated with such carrier is engaged in facilities-based entry within such carrier's service area. Limits FCC carrier merger review authority. Provides time limits for FCC action on petitions for reconsideration or waiver of a rule, policy, or requirement.


Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Voting Equipment Compatibility With 
Instant Runoff Voting Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In the three Presidential elections since 1988, most 
        States have awarded their electoral votes to a candidate who 
        earned less than half the popular vote in that State.
            (2) In many elections, the majority of voters split their 
        votes between two similar candidates, letting a third candidate 
        supported by only a minority of the electorate win the 
        election.
            (3) The principle of majority rule is violated when the 
        majority does not choose the winner of an election.
            (4) A simple solution to this problem of non majority 
        winners is to require the winner of an election to earn a 
        majority of votes.
            (5) Instant runoff voting, as used in Ireland, Australia, 
        and London, requires the winner of an election to earn a 
        majority of votes. Voters rank candidates in case their 
        favorite candidate is eliminated, and the votes of the 
        candidate's supporters count for their second choice in a 
        runoff round. This process continues until one candidate earns 
        a majority of votes.
            (6) There is increased interest in instant runoff voting. 
        For example, Alaskans in 2002 will vote on whether to adopt 
        instant runoff voting for Presidential elections in 2004. In 
        1999, the New Mexico Senate passed legislation providing for a 
        ballot measure under which voters would be allowed to implement 
        instant runoff voting for Presidential elections. In Vermont, 
        legislation to enact instant runoff voting for statewide 
        offices, including the Presidential race, has been endorsed by 
        Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Grange. 
        Additionally, the legislatures of States such as Maine, 
        Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington in 2001 debated legislation 
        to enact instant runoff voting for Presidential elections, and 
        the Speaker of the California Assembly has introduced a bill to 
        implement instant runoff voting in elections to fill vacancies 
        in Congress.
            (7) In order to conduct an instant runoff election, voting 
        equipment must be compatible with ranked ballots.
            (8) Consistent with the national underinvestment in voting 
        equipment, much of the Nation's voting equipment is not 
        currently compatible with ranked ballots.
            (9) There are currently no Federal mandatory minimum 
        standards for voting equipment. Although the Federal Election 
        Commission has promulgated voluntary standards, these voluntary 
        standards do not include compatibility with ranked ballots.

SEC. 3. FUNDING FOR STATES IMPLEMENTING INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING FOR 
              PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

    (a) Establishment of Grant Program.--There is established a program 
under which the Federal Election Commission (hereafter in this Act 
referred to as the ``Commission'') shall make grants to eligible States 
which have adopted an instant runoff voting system for presidential 
elections to defray the costs of administering such a system, including 
the costs of purchasing voting equipment, software, and other 
technology necessary for such a system.
    (b) Plan for Program.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall develop and make public a 
plan describing the criteria to be used in the solicitation and 
approval of applications for grants under this Act and the criteria to 
be used in overseeing the use of funds provided under such grants, 
except that under such criteria the Commission may not require a State 
to match any portion of the amount awarded as a condition of 
eligibility.
    (c) Eligibility of States.--
            (1) In general.--A State is eligible to receive a grant 
        under the program under this section if it submits to the 
        Commission (in such form and manner as the Commission may 
        require) an application containing such information and 
        assurances as the Commission may require.
            (2) Deadline for application.--The Commission may not 
        consider an application for a grant under this section unless 
        the application is submitted prior to the expiration of the 60-
        day period which begins on the date the Commission makes public 
        the plan developed under subsection (b).
            (3) Deadline for response.--The Commission shall approve or 
        reject an application submitted under this subsection not later 
        than 120 days after receiving the application.
            (4) Criteria for rejection.--The Commission may not reject 
        an application submitted under this subsection unless it finds 
        that--
                    (A) the equipment, software, or other technology 
                used to administer elections in the State is not 
                compatible with an instant runoff voting system; or
                    (B) the State does not provide for appropriate 
                education for voters, poll workers, and election 
                officials in the use of an instant runoff voting 
                system.
    (d) Cap on Amount of Grant.--The amount of any grant awarded to a 
State under the program under this section may not exceed the product 
of--
            (1) the number of residents in the State at the time the 
        grant is awarded (based on the most recent decennial census); 
        and
            (2) $12.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out the program under this section--
            (1) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003 and 
        each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 4. REQUIRING STATES TO USE VOTING EQUIPMENT COMPATIBLE WITH 
              INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING FOR FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each 
State shall administer elections for Federal office using voting 
equipment and technology which is compatible with an instant runoff 
voting system.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the 
regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held during 
2004 and each succeeding election for Federal office.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Instant Runoff Voting System.--In this Act, the term ``instant 
runoff voting system'' means a system for the election of candidates 
under which--
            (1) voters may rank candidates on the ballot according to 
        the order of preference;
            (2) runoff counts of candidates are conducted in rounds;
            (3) if in any round no candidate receives a majority of the 
        votes cast, the candidate with the fewest number of votes is 
        eliminated and the remaining candidates advance to the next 
        round;
            (4) in each round, a voter shall be considered to have cast 
        one vote for the candidate the voter ranked highest on the 
        ballot who has not been eliminated; and
            (5) the runoff counts are carried out automatically at the 
        time the votes are cast and tabulated.
    (b) State.--In this Act, the term ``State'' includes the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and 
the United States Virgin Islands.

SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

    Nothing in this Act may be construed to supersede or conflict with 
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973aa et seq.) or the 
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg et seq.).

Answer:
Voting Equipment Compatibility With Instant Runoff Voting Act of 2001 - Establishes a program under which the Federal Election Commission shall make grants to eligible States to defray the costs of administering an instant runoff voting system adopted for presidential elections, including the costs of purchasing voting equipment, software, and other technology necessary for such a system.Requires each State to administer elections for Federal office using voting equipment and technology compatible with an instant runoff voting system.