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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Oceans Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Commission on Ocean Policy established under section 4.
            (2) Coastal state.--The term ``coastal State'' means a 
        State in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic 
        Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or one or more of 
        the Great Lakes.
            (3) Marine environment.--The term ``marine environment'' 
        includes--
                    (A) the oceans, including coastal and offshore 
                waters and nearshore saltwater estuaries;
                    (B) the continental shelf; and
                    (C) the Great Lakes.
            (4) Ocean and coastal activities.--The term ``ocean and 
        coastal activities'' includes activities consisting of, 
        affecting, or otherwise related to oceanography, fisheries, or 
        the management or use of any ocean and coastal resource. The 
        term does not include military operations and training.
            (5) Ocean and coastal resource.--The term ``ocean and 
        coastal resource'' means any living or nonliving natural, 
        historic, or cultural resource or mineral found in the marine 
        environment.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of the 
        United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
        Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
        territory or possession of the United States.

SEC. 3. EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) National Ocean and Coastal Policy.--The Congress and the 
President, after receiving and considering the report of the Commission 
under section 4, shall develop and propose a coordinated, 
comprehensive, and long-range national policy for the responsible use 
and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the 
United States, including a plan to meet the resource monitoring and 
assessment facilities and equipment requirements of Federal ocean and 
coastal programs.
    (b) Biennial Report.--Beginning in January 1999, the President 
shall transmit to the Congress biennially a report that shall include a 
detailed listing of all existing Federal programs relating to ocean and 
coastal activities, including a description of each program, the 
current funding for the program, and a projection of the funding level 
for the program for each of the following 5 fiscal years.
    (c) Budget Coordination.--Each agency or department involved in 
ocean and coastal activities shall include with its annual request for 
appropriations a report that identifies significant elements of the 
proposed agency or department budget relating to ocean and coastal 
activities.
    (d) Cooperation and Consultation.--In carrying out responsibilities 
under this Act, the President--
            (1) may use such staff, interagency, and advisory 
        arrangements as the President finds necessary and appropriate; 
        and
            (2) shall consult with State and local governments and non-
        Federal organizations and individuals involved in ocean and 
        coastal activities.

SEC. 4. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There is hereby established the Commission 
        on Ocean Policy.
            (2) Membership.--(A) The Commission shall be composed of 16 
        members appointed by the President from among individuals who 
        are knowledgeable in ocean and coastal activities, including 
        individuals representing State and local governments, ocean-
        related industries, academic and technical institutions, and 
        public interest organizations involved with scientific, 
        regulatory, economic, and environmental ocean and coastal 
        activities. The membership of the Commission shall be balanced 
        geographically to the extent consistent with maintaining the 
        highest level of expertise on the Commission.
            (B) Of the members of the Commission appointed under this 
        paragraph--
                    (i) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the majority 
                leader of the Senate in consultation with the Chairman 
                of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation;
                    (ii) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the Speaker of 
                the House of Representatives in consultation with the 
                Chairmen of the Committee on Resources, Transportation 
                and Infrastructure, and Science;
                    (iii) 2 shall be appointed from a list of 4 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the minority 
                leader of the Senate in consultation with the ranking 
                member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation; and
                    (iv) 2 shall be appointed from a list of 4 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the by the 
                minority leader of the House of Representatives in 
                consultation with the ranking members of the Committees 
                on Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
                Science.
            (C) The members of the Commission shall be appointed for 
        the life of the Commission by not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) First meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first 
        meeting within 30 days after it is established.
            (4) Chairman.--The Commission shall elect one of its 
        members as Chair.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall submit to the 
        Congress and the President, by not later than 18 months after 
        the date of the establishment of the Commission, a final report 
        of its findings and recommendations regarding United States 
        ocean policy.
            (2) Public and state review.--Before submitting the final 
        report to the Congress, the Commission shall--
                    (A) publish in the Federal Register a notice that 
                the draft report is available for public review; and
                    (B) provide a copy of the draft report to the 
                Governor of each coastal State, the Committees on 
                Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
                Science of the House of Representatives, and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate.
            (3) Final report contents, generally.--Subject to paragraph 
        (4), the final report of the Commission shall include 
        recommendations for the responsible use and stewardship of 
        ocean and coastal resources, including the following:
                    (A) Recommendations for any modifications to United 
                States laws and regulations, and the administrative 
                structure of the Executive agencies, that are necessary 
                to improve the understanding, management, and 
                conservation and use of, and access to, ocean and 
                coastal resources.
                    (B) An assessment of the condition and adequacy of 
                existing and planned facilities associated with ocean 
                and coastal activities, including human resources, 
                vessels, computers, satellites, and other appropriate 
                platforms and technologies, and recommendations for 
                investments and improvements in those facilities.
                    (C) A review of existing and planned ocean and 
                coastal activities of Federal entities, and 
                recommendations for changes in such activities 
                necessary to reduce duplication of Federal efforts.
                    (D) A review of the cumulative effect of Federal 
                laws and regulations on United States ocean policy, an 
                examination of those laws and regulations for 
                inconsistencies and contradictions that might adversely 
                affect the conduct of ocean and coastal activities, and 
                recommendations for resolving any such inconsistencies. 
                In particular, this portion of the report shall include 
                an examination of the relationship between the 
                fisheries development and fisheries conservation 
                responsibilities of the National Marine Fisheries 
                Service.
                    (E) A review of the known and anticipated supply of 
                and demand for ocean and coastal resources of the 
                United States.
                    (F) A review of the relationship between Federal, 
                State, and local governments and the private sector in 
                planning and carrying out ocean and coastal activities, 
                and recommendations for enhancing the role of State and 
                local governments.
                    (G) A review of opportunities for the development 
                of or investment in new products, technologies, or 
                markets related to ocean and coastal activities.
                    (H) A review of previous and ongoing State efforts 
                and Federal efforts to enhance the effectiveness and 
                integration of ocean activities, including those 
                occurring offshore and in nearshore saltwater 
                estuaries.
            (4) State comments.--The Commission shall include in the 
        final report comments received from the Governor of any coastal 
        State regarding recommendations in the draft report that apply 
        to areas within the boundaries of that coastal State.
            (5) Consideration of factors.--In making its assessments 
        and reviews and developing its recommendations, the Commission 
        shall give full and balanced consideration to environmental, 
        technical, economic, and other relevant factors, with an equal 
        opportunity for all parties to present a fair and reasonable 
        case for unbiased consideration by the Commission. All 
        recommendations should consider effects on private property. To 
        the greatest extent possible, no recommendations shall have a 
        negative impact on local economies that are dependent on ocean 
        and coastal resources. Any data used by the Commission in 
        making its recommendations for regulations shall be peer 
        reviewed.
            (6) Limitation on recommendations.--The Commission shall 
        not make any specific recommendations with respect to lands and 
        waters within the boundary of any State located north of 51 
        degrees North latitude, or with respect to lands and waters 
        within the State of Idaho.
    (c) Duties of the Chair.--In carrying out the provisions of this 
section, the Chair of the Commission shall be responsible for--
            (1) the assignment of duties and responsibilities among 
        staff personnel and their continuing supervision; and
            (2) the use and expenditures of funds available to the 
        Commission.
    (d) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, when engaged in the actual performance 
of duties of the Commission, receive reimbursement of travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence as authorized for persons 
employed intermittently in the Government service under section 3109 of 
title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Staff.--
            (1) Executive director.--The Chair of the Commission may, 
        with the consent of the Commission and without regard to the 
        civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an 
        executive director who is knowledgeable in administrative 
        management and ocean and coastal policy and such other 
        additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the 
        Commission to perform its duties.
            (2) Compensation.--The executive director shall, subject to 
        the availability of appropriations, be compensated at a rate 
        not to exceed the rate payable for Level V of the Executive 
        Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. The 
        Chairman may fix the compensation of other personnel without 
        regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of 
        chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to 
        classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, 
        except that the rate of pay for such personnel may not exceed 
        the rate payable for GS-15, step 7, of the General Schedule 
        under section 5332 of such title.
            (3) Detailees.--Upon a request of the Chair of the 
        Commission made after consulting with the head of any Federal 
        agencies responsible for managing ocean and coastal resources, 
        the head of any such Federal agency may detail appropriate 
        personnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the 
        Commission in carrying out its functions under this Act. 
        Federal Government employees detailed to the Commission shall 
        serve without reimbursement from the Commission, and shall 
        retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular 
        employment without interruption.
            (4) Experts and consultants.--To the extent that funds are 
        available, and subject to such rules as may be prescribed by 
        the Commission, the executive director of the Commission may 
        procure the temporary and intermittent services of experts and 
        consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United 
        States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate payable 
        for GS-15, step 7, of the General Schedule under section 5332 
        of title 5, United States Code.
    (f) Administration.--
            (1) Meetings.--All meetings of the Commission shall be open 
        to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may 
        be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information 
        described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. 
        Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open 
        meetings and present written statements or oral statements at 
        the discretion of the Commission on the subject matter of the 
        meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to 
        any person appearing before it.
            (2) Notice of meetings.--All open meetings of the 
        Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice, including 
        notice in the Federal Register, of the time, place, and subject 
        of the meeting.
            (3) Minutes and other records.--(A) Minutes of each meeting 
        shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present, 
        a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of 
        all statements filed. Subject to restrictions set forth in 
        section 552 of title 5, United States Code, the minutes and 
        records of all meetings and other documents that were made 
        available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available 
        for public inspection and copying at a single location in the 
        offices of the Commission.
            (B) The Commission shall have at least one meeting in each 
        of the following 6 geographic regions of the United States:
                    (i) The Northeast.
                    (ii) The Southeast.
                    (iii) The Southwest.
                    (iv) The Northwest.
                    (v) The Great Lakes States.
                    (vi) The Gulf of Mexico States.
    (g) Cooperation With Other Federal Entities.--
            (1) Other federal agencies and departments.--The Commission 
        may secure directly from any Federal agency or department any 
        information it considers necessary to carry out its functions 
        under this Act. Each such agency or department may cooperate 
        with the Commission and, to the extent permitted by law, 
        furnish such information to the Commission, upon the request of 
        the Chair of the Commission.
            (2) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
        in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments 
        and agencies of the United States.
            (3) Acquisitions.--The Commission may enter into contracts 
        with Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions, 
        and individuals to assist the Commission in carrying out its 
        duties. The Commission may purchase and contract without regard 
        to section 18 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act 
        (41 U.S.C. 416) and section 8 of the Small Business Act (15 
        U.S.C. 637), pertaining to competition and publication 
        requirements, and may arrange for printing without regard to 
        the provisions of title 44, United States Code. The contracting 
        authority of the Commission under this Act is effective only to 
        the extent that appropriations are available for contracting 
        purposes.
    (h) Termination.--The Commission shall cease to exist 30 days after 
the date on which it submits its final report.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to support the activities of the Commission $2,000,000 for 
fiscal year 1999 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000. Any sums 
appropriated may remain available without fiscal year limitation until 
the Commission ceases to exist.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.

A: Oceans Act of 1998 - Requires that the Congress and the President, after considering the Commission report under this Act, develop a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range national policy for the use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the United States, including a plan to meet the resource monitoring and assessment facilities and equipment requirements of Federal ocean and coastal programs.  Mandates a biennial report by the President to the Congress listing all existing Federal programs relating to ocean and coastal activities.  Requires each agency or department involved in ocean and coastal activities to include with its annual appropriations request a report identifying elements of its budget relating to ocean and coastal activities. 
Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy and requires it to report to the Congress and the President regarding U.S. ocean policy. Requires opening the draft report for public comment before submitting the final report.  Prohibits Commission recommendations regarding lands and waters within:  (1) the boundary of any State north of 51 degrees North latitude; or (2) the State of Idaho.  Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report.  Authorizes appropriations.
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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs 
Mammography Quality Standards Act''.

SEC. 2. MAMMOGRAPHY QUALITY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 73 is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7319. Mammography quality standards
    ``(a) A mammogram may not be performed at a Department facility 
unless that facility is accredited for that purpose by a private 
nonprofit organization designated by the Secretary. An organization 
designated by the Secretary under this subsection shall meet the 
standards for accrediting bodies established under section 354(e) of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b(e)).
    ``(b) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, shall prescribe quality assurance and quality 
control standards relating to the performance and interpretation of 
mammograms and use of mammogram equipment and facilities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs consistent with the requirements of 
section 354(f)(1) of the Public Health Service Act. Such standards 
shall be no less stringent than the standards prescribed by the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 354(f) of the 
Public Health Service Act.
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary, to ensure compliance with the standards 
prescribed under subsection (b), shall provide for an annual inspection 
of the equipment and facilities used by and in Department health care 
facilities for the performance of mammograms. Such inspections shall be 
carried out in a manner consistent with the inspection of certified 
facilities by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 
354(g) of the Public Health Service Act.
    ``(2) The Secretary may not provide for an inspection under 
paragraph (1) to be performed by a State agency.
    ``(d) The Secretary shall ensure that mammograms performed for the 
Department under contract with any non-Department facility or provider 
conform to the quality standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services under section 354 of the Public Health Service Act.
    ``(e) For the purposes of this section, the term `mammogram' has 
the meaning given such term in paragraph (5) of section 354(a) of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b(a)).''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7318 the 
following new item:

``7319. Mammography quality standards.''.
    (b) Deadline for Prescribing Standards.--The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall prescribe standards under subsection (b) of section 7319 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later 
than the end of the 120-day period beginning on the later of--
            (1) the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services prescribes quality standards under section 354(f) of 
        the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b(f)); or
            (2) the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Transition.--(1) Subsection (a) of section 7319 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
the date on which standards are prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs under subsection (b) of that section.
    (2) During the transition period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
may waive the requirement of subsection (a) of section 7319 of title 
38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), to any facility of 
the Department. The Secretary may provide such a waiver in the case of 
any facility only if the Secretary determines, based upon the 
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, that during the period such a waiver is in effect for 
such facility (including any extension of the waiver under paragraph 
(3)) the facility will be operated in accordance with standards 
prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (b) of such section to 
assure the safety and accuracy of mammography services provided.
    (3) The transition period for purposes of this section is the six-
month period beginning on the date specified in paragraph (1). The 
Secretary may extend such period for a period not to exceed 90 days in 
the case of any Department facility. Any such extension may be made 
only if the Under Secretary for Health determines that--
            (A) without the extension access of veterans to mammography 
        services in the geographic area served by the facility would be 
        significantly reduced; and
            (B) appropriate steps will be taken before the end of the 
        transition period (as extended) to obtain accreditation of the 
        facility as required by subsection (a) of section 7319 of title 
        38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
    (d) Implementation Report.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the Secretary's implementation of 
section 7319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a). The report shall be submitted not later than 180 days after the 
date on which the Secretary prescribes the quality standards required 
under subsection (b) of that section.

A: Department of Veterans Affairs Mammography Quality Standards Act - Prohibits a mammogram from being performed at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility unless the facility is accredited for such purpose by a private nonprofit organization designated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  Requires any such organization to meet the standards for accrediting bodies established under the Public Health Service Act (the Act). 
Directs the Secretary to prescribe quality assurance and control standards relating to performance and interpretation of mammograms and the use of Department mammogram equipment and facilities consistent with requirements of the Act.  Requires the Secretary to provide for an annual inspection of Department mammogram equipment and facilities. Requires any Department mammograms contracted to a non-Department facility or provider to conform to the standards of the Act.  Provides for:  (1) a deadline for the prescribing of standards; (2) transition provisions covering mammograms performed prior to the enactment of this Act; and (3) an implementation report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees.
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Q: SECTION 1. WAIVER OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY AND EXTENSION OF OTHERWISE 
              APPLICABLE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS 
              UNDER THE USEC PRIVATIZATION ACT.

    Section 3110(a)(7) of the USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h-
8(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(D)(i) Any individual who, as of immediately 
                before any transfer of plan assets and liabilities as 
                required by paragraph (2) to a pension plan sponsored 
                by the private corporation referred to in paragraph (2) 
                which occurred on or before December 31, 2000, was an 
                active or retired participant (or a beneficiary) under 
                a pension plan maintained by an operating contractor of 
                a gaseous diffusion plant referred to in paragraph (1) 
                and who is an active or retired participant (or a 
                beneficiary) under the pension plan to which such 
                transfer was made may bring an action in any district 
                court of the United States having jurisdiction over the 
                parties, without regard to the amount in controversy or 
                the citizenship of the parties, against the Department 
                of Energy for relief described in clause (ii) from any 
                grievance in connection with such a transfer.
                    ``(ii) For purposes of clause (i), relief is a one-
                time lump sum payment, payable to such individual from 
                the appropriation made by section 1304 of title 31, 
                United States Code (popularly known as the Judgment 
                Fund), in an amount equal to not more than the amount 
                which bears the same ratio to the total recoverable 
                amount described in clause (iii) as the actuarial 
                present value of the accrued benefits of the individual 
                under the pension plan from which the transfer was made 
                (as of immediately before the transfer) bears to the 
                actuarial present value of the accrued benefits of all 
                individuals described in this clause under the pension 
                plan from which the transfer was made (as of 
                immediately before the transfer).
                    ``(iii) For purposes of clause (ii), the total 
                recoverable amount is an amount equal to the excess 
                of--
                            ``(I) the actuarial present value of 
                        benefits that would have been accrued by all 
                        individuals described in clause (i) under the 
                        pension plan from which the transfer was made 
                        if the transfer had not occurred and if benefit 
                        increases had occurred, in connection with the 
                        transferred liabilities, under such plan 
                        equivalent to benefit increases that have 
                        occurred under such plan in connection with the 
                        other liabilities under such plan, over
                            ``(II) the actuarial present value of 
                        benefits accrued by all such individuals under 
                        the pension plan to which the transfer was 
                        made.
                    ``(iv) For purposes of clause (iii), in an action 
                authorized by this subparagraph, the court shall 
                consider, with respect to the pension plan from which 
                the transfer was made and the pension plan to which the 
                transfer was made, only benefits which have been 
                accrued (or would have been accrued) as of the date of 
                enactment of this subparagraph.
                    ``(v) For purposes of this subparagraph, any 
                actuarial present value of benefits determined as of 
                any time shall take into account reasonably anticipated 
                subsequent adjustments to such benefits under plan 
                provisions (as in effect at such time) providing for 
                cost-of-living-adjustments.
                    ``(vi) For purposes of clauses (iii) and (iv), any 
                reference to the pension plan from which the transfer 
                was made shall include a reference to any successor to 
                such plan (other than the pension plan to which the 
                transfer required under paragraph (2) was made) if such 
                successor plan received assets in excess of the 
                actuarial present value of accrued benefits under such 
                plan upon succession.
                    ``(vii) Notwithstanding section 1658 of title 28, 
                United States Code, an action authorized by this 
                subparagraph may be brought on or before June 30, 2011.
                    ``(viii) Notwithstanding section 3109(a)(4), the 
                United States consents to any action commenced under 
                this subparagraph.
                    ``(ix) Nothing in this subparagraph shall authorize 
                an action against the Corporation or against any person 
                or entity other than the Department of Energy.''.

A:
Amends the USEC Privatization Act with respect to certain actions in U.S. district court related to accrued, vested pension benefits of employees of an operating contractor of the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) at one or both of the two USEC gaseous diffusion plants following: (1) termination of or a change in contractor; and (2) consequent transfer of pension plan assets and liabilities.

Authorizes specified active or retired participants (or beneficiaries) under the contractor's pension plan to bring an action against the Department of Energy in U.S. district court for relief, in the form of a one-time lump sum payment, in connection with such a transfer of plan assets and liabilities.

Authorizes commencement of such an action on or before June 30, 2011.

Waives U.S. sovereign immunity to any such an action.
****