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

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Sustainable Revenue for Oregon 
Counties Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) more than half of the land in the State of Oregon is 
        owned by the Federal Government;
            (2) in many counties of the State, significant portions of 
        the land of the counties (often significantly more than half of 
        the land of the counties) is owned by the Federal Government;
            (3) the land described in paragraph (2) includes Forest 
        Service land and Oregon and California grant land;
            (4) the counties described in paragraph (2) are unable to 
        derive revenue from property taxes on land owned by the Federal 
        Government;
            (5) historically, payments made by the Federal Government 
        based on revenues from harvesting timber (including Oregon and 
        California grant land and Forest Service payments) have 
        provided a revenue substitute for property taxes;
            (6) the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
        Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 500 note; Public Law 106-
        393) augmented the payments described in paragraph (5) because 
        of a significant decline in timber harvest revenues;
            (7) Congress extended the payments described in paragraph 
        (6) for 1 year in 2007, and for 4 years effective beginning in 
        2008, to provide time to develop a long-term sustainable 
        alternative to the payments described in paragraph (6);
            (8) the prospects for a long-term extension are uncertain 
        because of concerns regarding Federal budget deficits and long-
        term financial assistance to local governments of the State;
            (9) counties of the State that have historically received 
        the payments described in paragraph (5) are in need of a 
        sustainable, long-term revenue source;
            (10) there are opportunities for the conduct of activities 
        in the Federal forest land of the counties of the State that 
        could be structured to be economically and environmentally 
        sustainable, including--
                    (A) the harvesting of timber (including thinning to 
                restore forest health) in a sustainable manner and in 
                sustainable quantities;
                    (B) the removal of biomass material from the forest 
                land for--
                            (i) the generation of electricity; and
                            (ii) the production of cellulosic biofuels;
                    (C) the conduct of activities that could--
                            (i) increase the sequestration by the 
                        forest land of atmospheric carbon; or
                            (ii) provide other ecosystem services for 
                        communities, such as clean water; and
                    (D) the conduct of recreational activities;
            (11) other sources of revenue, including State and local 
        revenue sources, should also be considered in selecting a 
        sustainable, long-term revenue source; and
            (12) payments made by the Federal Government could be 
        continued under a variety of different payment methodologies.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Secretaries concerned.--The term ``Secretaries 
        concerned'' means--
                    (A) the Secretary of Agriculture; and
                    (B) the Secretary of the Interior.
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Oregon.
            (3) Task force.--The term ``Task Force'' means the Oregon 
        Task Force on Sustainable Revenue for Counties established by 
        section 4(a).

SEC. 4. TASK FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a task force to be known 
as the ``Oregon Task Force on Sustainable Revenue for Counties''.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Task Force shall be composed of 15 
        members, of whom--
                    (A) 4 members shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned, of whom--
                            (i) each shall represent a county of the 
                        State; and
                            (ii) 2 shall represent counties in which 
                        there is located Oregon and California grant 
                        land;
                    (B) 1 member shall be appointed by the Governor of 
                the State as the representative of the Governor of the 
                State;
                    (C) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned from among persons who are experts in 
                economics (including natural resource economics);
                    (D) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned from among persons who are experts in 
                sustainable forestry practices;
                    (E) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned from among persons who are experts in 
                scientific and economic aspects of biomass energy;
                    (F) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned from among persons who are experts in the 
                scientific aspects of ecosystem services that are 
                provided by temperate forests (including, at a minimum, 
                the scientific aspects of carbon sequestration);
                    (G) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned from among persons who are experts in fields 
                relating to wildlife habitat, endangered species, and 
                biodiversity;
                    (H) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned as a representative of the forest products 
                industry located in the State;
                    (I) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned as a representative of regionally or locally 
                recognized conservation organizations located in the 
                State;
                    (J) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned as a representative of--
                            (i) organized labor; or
                            (ii) nontimber forest product harvester 
                        groups;
                    (K) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned as a representative of persons who 
                participate in or provide recreational activities or 
                are engaged in related activities; and
                    (L) 1 member shall be appointed by the Secretaries 
                concerned as a representative of Indian tribes that are 
                located in the State.
            (2) Date of appointments.--The appointment of a member of 
        the Task Force shall be made not later than 60 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Term; Vacancies.--
            (1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the 
        Task Force.
            (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Task Force--
                    (A) shall not affect the powers of the Task Force; 
                and
                    (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the 
                original appointment was made.
    (d) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
which all members of the Task Force have been appointed, the Task Force 
shall hold the initial meeting of the Task Force.
    (e) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet at the call of 
        the Chairperson.
            (2) Public access.--Each meeting of the Task Force shall be 
        open to the public.
    (f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Task Force shall 
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
    (g) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Task Force shall select 
a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Task 
Force.

SEC. 5. DUTIES.

    (a) Consideration and Review of Revenue Sources.--
            (1) In general.--The Task Force shall consider and review 
        concepts for the establishment of a long-term revenue source 
        for counties located in the State that have historically 
        received Federal funds.
            (2) Revenue sources.--In conducting the consideration and 
        review under paragraph (1), in accordance with paragraph (3), 
        the Task Force shall consider--
                    (A) revenue sources proposed by relevant 
                legislation or administrative actions;
                    (B) payments based on timber harvests (including 
                thinning to restore forest health) carried out at 
                sustainable levels;
                    (C) payments based on revenues that each county of 
                the State could have received through property taxation 
                if the land owned by the Federal Government located in 
                the county was privately held and subject to a property 
                tax;
                    (D) revenue based on--
                            (i) a portion of the proceeds from sales of 
                        material collected from public land located in 
                        the State for the production of biomass 
                        electricity or cellulosic liquid transportation 
                        fuels;
                            (ii) user fees for recreational activities 
                        carried out on public land located in the 
                        State;
                            (iii) payments for increases in carbon 
                        sequestration; and
                            (iv) land exchanges or transfers that could 
                        provide compensation for nontaxable Federal 
                        land located in counties of the State;
                    (E) local sources of revenue that could be used to 
                reduce or eliminate the reliance of counties of the 
                State on Federal funds (including taxes, user fees, or 
                economic development activities that could increase the 
                revenue base of the counties of the State);
                    (F) payments made by the Federal Government to the 
                counties of the State, including--
                            (i) guaranteed payments that are to be 
                        established at a reduced level and not based on 
                        timber harvest revenues; and
                            (ii) guaranteed payments that are to be 
                        established--
                                    (I) at a level similar to the level 
                                of payments reauthorized in 2008;
                                    (II) in part by timber harvest 
                                revenues; and
                                    (III) with the use of additional 
                                Federal funds to the extent that timber 
                                harvest revenues described in subclause 
                                (II) do not meet the guaranteed level 
                                of payment; and
                    (G) any other revenue source that the Task Force 
                determines to be appropriate for consideration and 
                review.
            (3) Factors.--In considering each revenue source under 
        paragraph (2), the Task Force shall take into account--
                    (A) the long-term sustainability of each revenue 
                source considered under paragraph (2);
                    (B) the relative value, long-term sustainability, 
                and any other implication of the relative reliance of 
                the counties of the State on revenues arising from 
                Federal forests located in the counties, as compared to 
                other local revenue sources;
                    (C) the potential long-term effects of each revenue 
                source considered under paragraph (2) on the economies 
                of the counties of the State;
                    (D) revenue sources that are used by other cities 
                or counties of the State;
                    (E) the environmental effects of each revenue 
                source considered under paragraph (2);
                    (F) the effect of each revenue source considered 
                under paragraph (2) on local revenue streams and county 
                services; and
                    (G) comments submitted to the Task Force by a 
                stakeholder relating to any issue or proposal 
                considered by the Task Force.
    (b) Hearings.--
            (1) In general.--The Task Force shall hold such hearings, 
        meet and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
        receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable to 
        receive the input and determine the opinions of the public and 
        stakeholders with respect to the establishment of a 
        sustainable, long-term revenue source for the counties of the 
        State.
            (2) Incorporation of public and stakeholder input.--In 
        preparing the report required under subsection (c), the Task 
        Force shall incorporate into the recommendations of the Task 
        Force required under subsection (c)(2), to the maximum extent 
        practicable, the public and stakeholder input received under 
        paragraph (1).
    (c) Report.--Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Task Force shall submit to the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that contains--
            (1) a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of 
        the Task Force;
            (2) a description of not less than 2 policy scenarios for 
        providing sustainable revenue to the counties of the State that 
        are recommended by not less than \3/5\ of the members of the 
        Task force for consideration by the Federal Government, the 
        State, and the counties of the State as the Task Force 
        considers appropriate (including such legislation and 
        administrative actions necessary to implement each policy 
        scenario);
            (3) a description of the opinion of each member of the Task 
        Force regarding each policy scenario described in paragraph 
        (2);
            (4) a description of the minority views of each member of 
        the Task Force who does not support any policy scenario 
        described in paragraph (2);
            (5) a description of each revenue source considered but not 
        recommended by the Task Force under paragraph (2), including--
                    (A) an explanation of each reason why the Task 
                Force did not recommend the policy scenario; and
                    (B) a description of the minority views of each 
                member of the Task Force relating to the decision by 
                the Task Force not to recommend the policy scenario; 
                and
            (6) a summary of comments received by the Task Force under 
        subsections (a)(3)(G) and (b)(1).
    (d) Required Hearings.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which each committee described in subsection (c) receives the report 
required under that subsection, each committee shall hold a hearing to 
evaluate the recommendations contained in the report.

SEC. 6. POWERS.

    (a) Information From Federal Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--The Task Force may secure directly from a 
        Federal agency such information as the Task Force considers 
        necessary to carry out this Act.
            (2) Provision of information.--On request of the 
        Chairperson of the Task Force, the head of the agency shall 
        provide the information to the Task Force.
    (b) Postal Services.--The Task Force may use the United States 
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
agencies of the Federal Government.
    (c) Gifts.--The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or 
donations of services or property.

SEC. 7. TASK FORCE PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Task Force shall 
serve without compensation.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Task Force shall be allowed 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 
57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or regular 
place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the 
Task Force.
    (c) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--
            (1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may 
        be detailed to the Task Force without reimbursement.
            (2) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall 
        be without interruption or loss of civil service status or 
        privilege.
    (d) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The 
Chairperson of the Task Force may procure temporary and intermittent 
services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States 
Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent 
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5316 of that title.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF TASK FORCE.

    The Task Force shall terminate 120 days after the date on which the 
Task Force submits the report of the Task Force under section 5(c).

Output: Sustainable Revenue for Oregon Counties Act of 2009 - Establishes the Oregon Task Force on Sustainable Revenue for Counties to consider and review concepts for the establishment of a long-term revenue source for counties in Oregon that have historically received federal funds.

Directs the Task Force, in conducting the consideration and review, to consider: (1) revenue sources proposed by relevant legislation or administrative actions; (2) payments based on timber harvests, including thinning to restore forest health, carried out at sustainable levels; (3) payments based on the revenues each county could have received through property taxation if the land owned by the federal government was privately held and subject to a property tax; (4) revenue based on a portion of the proceeds from sales of material collected from public land in Oregon for the production of biomass electricity or cellulosic liquid transportation fuels, user fees for recreational activities on such land, payments for increases in carbon sequestration, and land exchanges or transfers that could provide compensation for nontaxable federal land in the counties; (5) local revenue sources that could be used to reduce or eliminate reliance of the counties on federal funds; (6) federal payments made by the government to the counties, including specified guaranteed payments; and (7) any other revenue source appropriate for review.

Requires the Task Force to hold hearings on the establishment of a sustainable, long-term revenue source for the counties.


Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Readjustment Counseling Service 
Amendments of 1995''.

SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE IN THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 7305 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new 
        paragraph (7):
            ``(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.''.
    (b) Organization.--The Readjustment Counseling Service shall have 
the organizational structure and administrative structure of that 
service as such structures were in existence on January 1, 1993.
    (c) Revision of Organizational Structure.--(1) The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs may not alter or revise the organizational structure 
or the administrative structure of the Readjustment Counseling Service 
until--
            (A) the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a 
        report containing a full and complete statement of the proposed 
        alteration or revision; and
            (B) a period of 60 days has elapsed after the date on which 
        the report is received by the committees.
    (2) In the computation of the 60-day period under paragraph (1)(B), 
there shall be excluded any day on which either House of Congress is 
not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 calendar days 
to a day certain.
    (d) Budget Information Relating to the Service.--Each budget 
submitted to Congress by the President under section 1105 of title 31, 
United States Code, shall set forth the amount requested in the budget 
for the operation of the Readjustment Counseling Service in the fiscal 
year covered by the budget and shall set forth separately the amount 
requested for administrative oversight of the activities of the service 
(including the amount requested for funding of the Advisory Committee 
on Readjustment of Veterans).

SEC. 3. DIRECTOR OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE.

    (a) Director.--Section 7306(b) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3) 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) one shall be a person who (A)(i) is a qualified 
        psychiatrist, (ii) is a qualified psychologist holding a 
        diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology 
        from an authority approved by the American Psychological 
        Association and has successfully undergone an internship 
        approved by that association, (iii) is a qualified holder of a 
        master in social work degree, or (iv) is a registered nurse 
        holding a master of science in nursing degree in psychiatric 
        nursing or any other mental-health related degree approved by 
        the Secretary, and (B) has at least 3 years of clinical 
        experience and 2 years of administrative experience in the 
        Readjustment Counseling Service or other comparable mental 
        health care counseling service (as determined by the 
        Secretary), who shall be the director of the Readjustment 
        Counseling Service.''.
    (b) Status of Director.--Section 7306(a)(3) of such title is 
amended by striking out ``eight'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
``nine''.
    (c) Organizational Requirement.--The Director of the Readjustment 
Counseling Service shall report to the Under Secretary for Health of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs through the Associate Deputy Under 
Secretary for Health for Clinical Programs.

SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR READJUSTMENT COUNSELING AND 
              CERTAIN RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES.

    (a) Readjustment Counseling.--(1) Subsection (a) of section 1712A 
of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a)(1)(A) Upon the request of any veteran referred to in 
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the Secretary shall furnish 
counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in readjusting to 
civilian life.
    ``(B) A veteran referred to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph 
is any veteran who--
            ``(i) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or
            ``(ii) served on active military, naval, or air service in 
        a theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary, 
        in consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period 
        of war or in any other area during a period in which 
        hostilities (as defined in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph) 
        occurred in such area.
    ``(C) Upon the request of any veteran other than a veteran referred 
to in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Secretary may furnish 
counseling to the veteran to assist the veteran in readjusting to 
civilian life.
    ``(D) For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the 
term `hostilities' means an armed conflict in which the members of the 
Armed Forces are subjected to danger comparable to the danger to which 
members of the Armed Forces have been subjected in combat with enemy 
armed forces during a period of war, as determined by the Secretary in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense.
    ``(2) The counseling referred to in paragraph (1) shall include a 
general mental and psychological assessment of a covered veteran to 
ascertain whether such veteran has mental or psychological problems 
associated with readjustment to civilian life.''.
    (2) Subsection (c) of such section is repealed.
    (b) Other Counseling.--Such section is further amended by inserting 
after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary shall provide the counseling services 
described in section 1701(6)(B)(ii) of this title to the surviving 
parents, spouse, and children of any member of the Armed Forces who is 
killed during service on active military, naval, or air service in a 
theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period of war or 
in any other area during a period in which hostilities (as defined in 
subsection (a)(1)(D) of this section) occurred in such area.
    ``(2) The Secretary may provide the counseling services referred to 
in paragraph (1) to the surviving parents, spouse, and children of any 
member of the Armed Forces who dies while serving on active duty or 
from a condition (as determined by the Secretary) incurred in or 
aggravated by such service.''.
    (c) Authority To Contract for Counseling Services.--Subsection (e) 
of such section is amended by striking out ``subsections (a) and (b)'' 
each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``subsections (a), 
(b), and (c)''.

SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE READJUSTMENT OF VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712B the 
following:
``Sec. 1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans
    ``(a)(1) There is in the Department the Advisory Committee on the 
Readjustment of Veterans (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
`Committee').
    ``(2) The Committee shall consist of not more than 18 members 
appointed by the Secretary from among veterans who--
            ``(A) have demonstrated significant civic or professional 
        achievement; and
            ``(B) have experience with the provision of veterans 
        benefits and services by the Department.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall seek to ensure that members appointed to 
the Committee include persons from a wide variety of geographic areas 
and ethnic backgrounds, persons from veterans service organizations, 
and women.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay 
and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of 
service may not exceed 2 years. The Secretary may reappoint any member 
for additional terms of service.
    ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and 
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the provision by the 
Department of benefits and services to veterans in order to assist 
veterans in the readjustment to civilian life.
    ``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this 
subsection, the Committee shall--
            ``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs 
        of veterans in readjusting to civilian life;
            ``(ii) provide information relating to the nature and 
        character of psychological problems arising from service in the 
        Armed Forces;
            ``(iii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness 
        of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the 
        Department in assisting veterans in readjusting to civilian 
        life; and
            ``(iv) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate 
        means of responding to the readjustment needs of veterans in 
        the future.
    ``(B) In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A), the 
Committee shall take into special account veterans of the Vietnam era, 
and the readjustment needs of such veterans.
    ``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall 
submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the 
Department that relate to the readjustment of veterans to civilian 
life. Each such report shall include--
            ``(A) an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect 
        to readjustment to civilian life;
            ``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the 
        Department designed to meet such needs; and
            ``(C) such recommendations (including recommendations for 
        administrative and legislative action) as the Committee 
        considers appropriate.
    ``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of each report under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of 
the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning 
the report that the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted 
to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all 
reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary 
since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to 
that section.
    ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the 
activities of the Committee under this section.
    ``(2) Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the Committee.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such 
title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1712B 
the following:

``1712C. Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans.''.
    (b) Original Members.--(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of 
section 1712C of such title (as added by subsection (a)), the members 
of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Vietnam and Other War 
Veterans on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be the original 
members of the advisory committee recognized under such section.
    (2) The original members shall so serve until the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs carries out appointments under such subsection (a)(2). 
The Secretary shall carry out such appointments as soon after such date 
as is practicable. The Secretary may make such appointments from among 
such original members.

SEC. 6. PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF VIETNAM VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER PILOT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran 
Resource Center program established pursuant to the amendment made by 
section 105 of the Veterans' Administration Health-Care Amendments of 
1985 (Public Law 99-166; 99 Stat. 944). The plan shall include a 
schedule for, and an assessment of the cost of, the implementation of 
the program at or through all Department of Veterans Affairs 
readjustment counseling centers.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit the plan not later than 4 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Department of Veterans 
Affairs readjustment counseling centers'' has the same meaning given 
the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1) of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 7. REPORT ON COLLOCATION OF VET CENTERS AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINICS.

    (a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the feasibility and desirability of the 
collocation of Vet Centers and outpatient clinics (including rural 
mobile clinics) of the Department of Veterans Affairs as current leases 
for such centers and clinics expire.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 6 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Covered Matters.--The report under this section shall include 
an assessment of the following:
            (1) The results of any collocation of Vet Centers and 
        outpatient clinics carried out by the Secretary before the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, including the effects of such 
        collocation on the quality of care provided at such centers and 
        clinics.
            (2) The effect of such collocation on the capacity of such 
        centers to carry out their primary mission.
            (3) The extent to which such collocation will impair the 
        operational independence or administrative integrity of such 
        centers.
            (4) The feasibility of combining the services provided by 
        such centers and clinics in the course of the collocation of 
        such centers and clinics.
            (5) The advisability of the collocation of centers and 
        clinics of significantly different size.
            (6) The effect of the locations (including urban and rural 
        locations) of the centers and clinics on the feasibility and 
        desirability of such collocation.
            (7) The amount of any costs savings to be achieved by 
        Department as a result of such collocation.
            (8) The desirability of such collocation in light of plans 
        for the provision of health care services by the Department 
        under national health care reform.
            (9) Any other matters that the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.

SEC. 8. VET CENTER HEALTH CARE PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out 
a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to 
eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers. The Secretary 
shall carry out the pilot program in accordance with this section.
    (b) Services.--(1) In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary 
shall provide the services referred to in paragraph (2) at not less 
than 10 readjustment counseling centers in existence on the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (2) The Secretary shall provide basic ambulatory services and 
health care screening services by such personnel as the Secretary 
considers appropriate at each readjustment counseling center under the 
pilot program. The Secretary shall assign not less than one-half of a 
full-time employee equivalent at each such center in order to provide 
such services under the pilot program.
    (3) In determining the location of the readjustment counseling 
centers at which to provide services under the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall select centers that are located in a variety of 
geographic areas and that serve veterans of a variety of economic, 
social, and ethnic backgrounds.
    (c) Period of Operation.--(1) The Secretary shall commence the 
provision of health-related services at readjustment counseling centers 
under the pilot program not later than 4 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (2) The pilot program shall terminate 2 years after the date on 
which the Secretary commences the provision of services under paragraph 
(1).
    (d) Report.--(1) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the pilot program established under this section. The report shall 
include the following:
            (A) A description of the program, including information 
        on--
                    (i) the number of veterans provided basic 
                ambulatory services and health care screening services 
                under the pilot program;
                    (ii) the number of such veterans referred to 
                Department of Veterans Affairs general health-care 
                facilities in order to provide such services to such 
                veterans; and
                    (iii) the cost to the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs of the pilot program.
            (B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the services 
        provided to veterans under the pilot program.
            (C) The recommendations of the Secretary for means of 
        improving the pilot program, and an estimate of the cost to the 
        Department of implementing such recommendations.
            (D) An assessment of the desirability of expanding the type 
        or nature of services provided under the pilot program in light 
        of plans for the provision of health care services by the 
        Department under national health care reform.
            (E) An assessment of the extent to which the provision of 
        services under the pilot program impairs the operational or 
        administrative independence of the readjustment counseling 
        centers at which such services are provided.
            (F) An assessment of the effect of the location of the 
        centers on the effectiveness for the Department and for 
        veterans of the services provided under the pilot program.
            (G) Such other information as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    (2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            (1) The term ``Department of Veterans Affairs general 
        health-care facility'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 1712A(i)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means any veteran 
        eligible for outpatient services under paragraph (1), (2), or 
        (3) of section 1712(a) of such title.
            (3) The term ``readjustment counseling center'' has the 
        same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1) 
        of such title.
                                 
S 403 IS----2

Output: Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1995 - Includes a Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) as part of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from altering or revising the organizational structure of RCS until the Secretary has notified specified congressional committees and 60 days have elapsed since such notification.  Requires RCS budget information to be included annually in the President's budget submitted to the Congress. 
Outlines eligibility requirements for one of the Assistant Under Secretaries for Health in the Department, including at least three years of clinical experience and two years of administrative experience in RCS or other comparable mental health care counseling service.  Makes such a qualified person the director of RCS. 
Increases from eight to nine the authorized number of Assistant Under Secretaries for Health. 
Directs the Secretary to furnish readjustment counseling to any veteran who:  (1) served on active duty during the Vietnam era; or (2) served on active duty in a theater of combat during a period of war (currently, only after May 7, 1975) in any area in which hostilities occurred.  Authorizes the Secretary to furnish such assistance to any other veteran upon request.   Directs the Secretary to provide counseling to survivors and dependents of members of the armed forces killed while performing such duty.  Allows the Secretary to provide such counseling to the survivors and dependents of other members killed during active duty or from a condition incurred in or aggravated by such service. 
Establishes in the Department the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans to perform advisory services with respect to veterans' readjustment, taking into special account Vietnam era veterans.  Requires specified reports from the Advisory Committee and the Secretary. 
Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional veterans' affairs committees: (1) a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program; and (2) on the feasibility and desirability of the collocation of Vet Centers and outpatient clinics of the Department as current leases for such centers and clinics expire. 
Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers.


Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Mass Evacuation Exercise Assistance 
Act of 2005''.

SEC. 2. MASS EVACUATION EXERCISES AND EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE 
              PLANS.

    Section 201 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(e) Grants for Mass Evacuation Exercises for Urban and Suburban 
Areas and the Execution of Emergency Response Plans.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
        make grants to States or units of local governments nominated 
        by States to--
                    ``(A) establish programs for the development of 
                plans and conduct of exercises for the mass evacuation 
                of persons in urban and suburban areas; and
                    ``(B) execute plans developed under subparagraph 
                (A), including the purchase and stockpiling of 
                necessary supplies for emergency routes and shelters.
            ``(2) Conditions.--As a condition for the receipt of 
        assistance under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security may establish any guidelines and standards for the 
        programs that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
            ``(3) Requirements.--To the maximum extent practicable, a 
        program assisted under paragraph (1)(A) shall incorporate the 
        coordinated use of public and private transportation resources 
        in the plans developed and the exercises carried out under the 
        program.
            ``(4) Participation of members of the armed forces.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Defense may 
                authorize the participation of members of the Armed 
                Forces and the use of appropriate Department of Defense 
                equipment and materials in an exercise carried out 
                under a program assisted under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Reimbursement for participation of guard.--In 
                the event members of the National Guard in State status 
                participate in an exercise carried out under a program 
                assisted under this subsection pursuant to an 
                authorization of the chief executive officer of a 
                State, the Secretary of Defense may, using amounts 
                available to the Department of Defense, reimburse the 
                State for the costs to the State of the participation 
                of such members in such exercise.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $250,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
    ``(f) Mass Evacuation Plans.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--Each State or unit of local government 
        receiving a grant under subsection (e)(1) shall, in 
        consultation with relevant local governments, develop and 
        maintain detailed and comprehensive mass evacuation plans for 
        each area in the jurisdiction of the State unit of local 
        government.
            ``(2) Plan development.--In developing the evacuation plans 
        required under paragraph (1), each State or unit of local 
        government shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
                    ``(A) assist urban and suburban county and 
                municipal governments in establishing and maintaining 
                mass evacuation plans;
                    ``(B) assist hospitals, nursing homes, other 
                institutional adult congregate living facilities, group 
                homes, and other health or residential care facilities 
                that house individuals with special needs in 
                establishing and maintaining mass evacuation plans; and
                    ``(C) integrate the plans described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) and coordinate evacuation 
                efforts with the entities described in subparagraphs 
                (A) and (B).
            ``(3) Plan contents.--State, county, and municipal mass 
        evacuation plans shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
                    ``(A) establish incident command and decisionmaking 
                processes;
                    ``(B) identify primary and alternate escape routes;
                    ``(C) establish procedures for converting 2-way 
                traffic to 1-way evacuation routes, removing tollgates, 
                ensuring the free movement of emergency vehicles, and 
                deploying traffic management personnel and appropriate 
                traffic signs;
                    ``(D) maintain detailed inventories of drivers and 
                public and private vehicles, including buses, vans, and 
                handicap-accessible vehicles, that may be pressed into 
                service;
                    ``(E) maintain detailed inventories of emergency 
                shelter locations and develop the necessary agreements 
                with neighboring jurisdictions to operate or use the 
                shelters in the event of a mass evacuation;
                    ``(F) establish procedures for informing the public 
                of evacuation procedures before and during an 
                evacuation and return procedures after an evacuation, 
                including using television, radio, print, and online 
                media, land-based and mobile phone technology, and 
                vehicles equipped with public address systems;
                    ``(G) identify primary and alternate staging 
                locations for emergency responders;
                    ``(H) identify gaps in the ability to respond to 
                different types of disasters, including the capacity to 
                handle surges in demand for hospital, emergency 
                medical, coroner, morgue, and mortuary services, 
                quarantines, decontaminations, and criminal 
                investigations;
                    ``(I) establish procedures to evacuate individuals 
                with special needs, including individuals who are low-
                income, disabled, homeless, or elderly or who do not 
                speak English;
                    ``(J) establish procedures for evacuating animals 
                that assist the disabled;
                    ``(K) establish procedures for protecting property, 
                preventing looting, and accounting for pets; and
                    ``(L) ensure the participation of the private and 
                nonprofit sectors.
            ``(4) Updating of plans.--State, county, municipal, and 
        private plans under this subsection shall be updated on a 
        regular basis.
    ``(g) Additional Assistance to States.--The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall assist States and local governments in developing and 
maintaining the plans described in subsection (f) by--
            ``(1) establishing and maintaining comprehensive best 
        practices for evacuation planning, training, and execution;
            ``(2) developing assistance teams to travel to States and 
        assist local governments in planning, training, and execution;
            ``(3) developing a training curriculum based on the best 
        practices established under paragraph (1);
            ``(4) providing the training curriculum developed under 
        paragraph (3) to State and local officials;
            ``(5) maintaining a list of qualified government agencies, 
        private sector consultants, and nonprofit organizations that 
        can assist local governments in setting up evacuation plans; 
        and
            ``(6) establishing and maintaining a comprehensive guide 
        for State and local governments regarding--
                    ``(A) the types of Federal assistance that are 
                available to respond to emergencies; and
                    ``(B) the steps necessary to apply for that 
                assistance.
    ``(h) Report To Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study detailing--
            ``(1) any Federal laws that pose an obstacle to effective 
        evacuation planning;
            ``(2) any State or local laws that pose an obstacle to 
        effective evacuation planning; and
            ``(3) the political and economic pressures that discourage 
        governors, county executives, mayors, and other officials 
        from--
                    ``(A) ordering an evacuation; or
                    ``(B) conducting exercises for the mass evacuation 
                of people.''.


Output: Mass Evacuation Exercise Assistance Act of 2005 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide for grants for mass evacuation exercises for urban and suburban areas and for the execution of emergency response plans. Requires each state or local government receiving such a grant to develop detailed and comprehensive mass evacuation plans for each area in its respective jurisdiction. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to assist states and local governments in developing and maintaining such plans.