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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pension Assistance and Counseling 
Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. PENSION COUNSELING PROGRAMS.

    Title VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3058 et 
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subtitle C as subtitle D;
            (2) by redesignating sections 761 through 764 as sections 
        791 through 794, respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subtitle B the following:

                    ``Subtitle C--Pension Counseling

``SEC. 761. PENSION COUNSELING PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Pension and other retirement benefits.--The term 
        `pension and other retirement benefits' means private, civil 
        service, and other public pensions and retirement benefits, 
        including benefits provided under--
                    ``(A) the Social Security program carried out under 
                title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et 
                seq.);
                    ``(B) the railroad retirement program carried out 
                under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 
                231 et seq.);
                    ``(C) the government retirement benefits programs 
                carried out under--
                            ``(i) the Civil Service Retirement System 
                        set forth in subchapter III of chapter 83 of 
                        title 5, United States Code;
                            ``(ii) the Federal Employees Retirement 
                        System set forth in chapter 84 of title 5, 
                        United States Code;
                            ``(iii) title 10, United States Code; or
                            ``(iv) any other government retirement 
                        system, including any Government pension plan 
                        as such term is defined under section 9502 of 
                        title 31, United States Code; or
                    ``(D) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
                of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
            ``(2) Pension counseling program.--The term `pension 
        counseling program' means a program described in subsection 
        (c).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Assistant Secretary shall establish and 
carry out pension counseling projects. In carrying out the projects, 
the Assistant Secretary shall award grants under subsection (c) and 
(d).
    ``(c) Pension Counseling Programs.--
            ``(1) Use of funds.--In carrying out the projects specified 
        in subsection (b), the Assistant Secretary shall award grants 
        to eligible entities to establish programs that create or 
        continue a sufficient number of pension assistance and 
        counseling projects to provide outreach, information, 
        counseling, referral, and other assistance regarding pension 
        and other retirement benefits, and rights related to such 
        benefits, to individuals throughout the United States.
            ``(2) Award of grants.--
                    ``(A) Type of entity.--The Assistant Secretary 
                shall award under this subsection--
                            ``(i) grants to State agencies or area 
                        agencies on aging; and
                            ``(ii) grants to nonprofit organizations 
                        with a proven record of providing--
                                    ``(I) services related to 
                                retirement of older individuals; or
                                    ``(II) specific pension counseling.
                    ``(B) Panel.--In awarding grants under this 
                subsection, the Assistant Secretary shall use a citizen 
                advisory panel that shall include representatives of 
                business, labor, national senior advocates, and 
                national pension rights advocates.
                    ``(C) Criteria.--In awarding grants under this 
                subsection, the Assistant Secretary, after consultation 
                with the panel, shall use as criteria--
                            ``(i) evidence of commitment of an agency 
                        or organization to carry out a proposed pension 
                        counseling program;
                            ``(ii) the ability of the agency or 
                        organization to perform effective outreach to 
                        affected populations, particularly populations 
                        identified as in need of special outreach;
                            ``(iii) reliable information that the 
                        population to be served by the agency or 
                        organization has a demonstrable need for the 
                        services proposed to be provided under the 
                        program; and
                            ``(iv) evidence of ability of the agency or 
                        organization to provide services under the 
                        program on a statewide or regional basis.
            ``(3) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant under this subsection, an entity shall submit an 
                application to the Assistant Secretary at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information as the 
                Assistant Secretary may require, including, at a 
                minimum--
                            ``(i) a plan for the establishment of a 
                        pension counseling program to serve a specific 
                        geographic area; and
                            ``(ii) an assurance that staff members 
                        (including volunteer staff members) have no 
                        conflict of interest in providing the services 
                        described in the plan.
                    ``(B) Plan.--The plan described in subparagraph (A) 
                shall provide for a program that--
                            ``(i) establishes or continues a State or 
                        area pension counseling service;
                            ``(ii) provides counseling (including 
                        direct counseling and assistance to individuals 
                        needing information) and information that may 
                        assist individuals in establishing rights to, 
                        obtaining, and filing claims or complaints 
                        related to, pension and other retirement 
                        benefits;
                            ``(iii) provides information on sources of 
                        pension and other retirement benefits, 
                        including the benefits under programs described 
                        in subsection (a)(1);
                            ``(iv) makes referrals to legal services 
                        and other advocacy programs;
                            ``(v) establishes a system of referral to 
                        Federal, State, and local departments or 
                        agencies related to pension and other 
                        retirement benefits;
                            ``(vi) provides a sufficient number of 
                        staff positions (including volunteer positions) 
                        to ensure information, counseling, referral, 
                        and assistance regarding pension and other 
                        retirement benefits;
                            ``(vii) provides training programs for 
                        staff members, including volunteer staff 
                        members of the programs described in subsection 
                        (a)(1);
                            ``(viii) makes recommendations to the 
                        Administration, the Department of Labor, and 
                        other Federal, State, and local agencies 
                        concerning issues for older individuals related 
                        to pension and other retirement benefits; and
                            ``(ix) establishes or continues to provide 
                        projects to provide outreach, information, 
                        counseling, referral, and other assistance 
                        regarding pension and other retirement 
                        benefits, with particular emphasis on outreach 
                        to women, minorities, and low-income retirees.
    ``(d) Training and Technical Assistance Program.--
            ``(1) Use of funds.--In carrying out the projects described 
        in subsection (b), the Assistant Secretary shall award a grant 
        to an eligible entity to establish a training and technical 
        assistance program to provide--
                    ``(A) information and technical assistance to the 
                staffs of entities operating pension counseling 
                programs; and
                    ``(B) assistance to the entities, including 
                assistance in designing program evaluation tools.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--Entities eligible to receive grants 
        under this subsection include nonprofit private organizations 
        with records of providing national information, referral, and 
        advocacy in matters related to pension and other retirement 
        benefits.
            ``(3) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the 
        Assistant Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may 
        require.
    ``(e) Pension Assistance Hotline and Interagency Coordination.--The 
Assistant Secretary shall enter into interagency agreements for the 
establishment and operation of, and dissemination of information about, 
a telephone hotline for individuals seeking outreach, information, 
counseling, referral, and assistance regarding pension and other 
retirement benefits, and rights related to such benefits. The Assistant 
Secretary shall also enter into agreements with the Secretary of Labor 
and with the heads of other Federal agencies that regulate the 
provision of pension and other retirement benefits, as the Assistant 
Secretary determines to be appropriate, in order to carry out this 
subsection and to develop a nationwide public-private pension 
assistance system.
    ``(f) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) Preparation.--The Assistant Secretary shall prepare a 
        report that--
                    ``(A) summarizes the distribution of funds 
                authorized for grants under this section and the 
                expenditure of such funds;
                    ``(B) summarizes the scope and content of training 
                and assistance provided under a program carried out 
                under this section and the degree to which the training 
                and assistance can be replicated;
                    ``(C) outlines the problems that individuals 
                participating in programs funded under this section 
                encountered concerning rights related to pension and 
                other retirement benefits; and
                    ``(D) makes recommendations regarding the manner in 
                which services provided in programs funded under this 
                section can be incorporated into the ongoing programs 
                of State agencies, area agencies on aging, multipurpose 
                senior centers, and other similar entities.
            ``(2) Submission.--Not later than 30 months after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall 
        submit the report described in paragraph (1) to the Committee 
        on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
        the Senate.
    ``(g) Administrative Expenses.--Of the funds appropriated under 
subsection (h) to carry out this section for a fiscal year, not more 
than $100,000 may be used by the Administration for administrative 
expenses in carrying out this section.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003.''.

SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Repealer.--Section 429J of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
U.S.C. 3035r) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (b) of section 794 of the 
Older Americans Act of 1965 (as redesignated in section 2(2)) is 
amended by striking ``entities described in section 751(c)'' and 
inserting ``persons and entities described in section 793(b)''.
Specifies that such grants shall be awarded to: (1) State agencies or area agencies on aging; (2) nonprofit organizations with a proven record of providing services related to retirement of older individuals or specific pension counseling; and (3) an eligible entity to establish a training and technical assistance program to provide information and technical assistance to the staffs of entities operating pension counseling programs and assistance to such entities, including assistance in designing program evaluation tools. Makes nonprofit private organizations with records of providing national information, referral, and advocacy in matters related to pension and other retirement benefits eligible to receive training and technical assistance grants.
Requires the Assistant Secretary to enter into: (1) interagency agreements for the establishment and operation of, and dissemination of information about, a telephone hotline for individuals seeking outreach, information, counseling, referral, and assistance regarding pension and other retirement benefits, and rights related to such benefits; and (2) agreements with the Secretary of Labor and with the heads of other Federal agencies that regulate the provision of pension and other retirement benefits, as appropriate, in order to carry out this Act and to develop a nationwide public-private pension assistance system.
Authorizes appropriations.
Repeals provisions of the Act that establish pension rights demonstration projects.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Citizen Petition Fairness and 
Accuracy Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. CITIZEN PETITIONS AND PETITIONS FOR STAY OF AGENCY ACTION.

    Section 505(j)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
U.S.C. 355(j)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(G)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any petition 
submitted under section 10.30 or section 10.35 of title 21, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), shall include a 
statement that to the petitioner's best knowledge and belief, the 
petition--
            ``(I) includes all information and views on which the 
        petitioner relies, including all representative data and 
        information known to the petitioner that is favorable or 
        unfavorable to the petition;
            ``(II) is well grounded in fact and is warranted by law;
            ``(III) is not submitted for an improper purpose, such as 
        to harass or cause unnecessary delay (including unnecessary 
        delay of competition or agency action); and
            ``(IV) does not contain a materially false, misleading, or 
        fraudulent statement.
    ``(ii) The Secretary shall investigate, on receipt of a complaint, 
a request under clause (vi), or on its own initiative, any petition 
submitted under such section 10.30 or section 10.35 (or any successor 
regulation), that--
            ``(I) does not comply with the requirements of clause (i);
            ``(II) may have been submitted for an improper purpose as 
        described in clause (i)(III); or
            ``(III) may contain a materially false, misleading, or 
        fraudulent statement as described in clause (i)(IV).
    ``(iii) If the Secretary finds that the petitioner has knowingly 
and willingly submitted the petition for an improper purpose as 
described in clause (i)(III), or which contains a materially false, 
misleading, or fraudulent statement as described in clause (i)(IV), the 
Secretary may--
            ``(I) impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000, 
        plus attorneys fees and costs of reviewing the petition and any 
        related proceedings;
            ``(II) suspend the authority of the petitioner to submit a 
        petition under such section 10.30 or section 10.35 (or any 
        successor regulation), for a period of not more than 10 years;
            ``(III) revoke permanently the authority of the petitioner 
        to submit a petition under such section 10.30 or section 10.35 
        (or any successor regulation); or
            ``(IV) dismiss the petition at issue in its entirety.
    ``(iv) If the Secretary takes an enforcement action described in 
subclause (I), (II), (III), or (IV) of clause (iii) with respect to a 
petition, the Secretary shall refer that petition to the Federal Trade 
Commission for further action as the Federal Trade Commission finds 
appropriate.
    ``(v) In determining whether to take an enforcement action 
described in subclause (I), (II), (III), or (IV) of clause (iii) with 
respect to a petition, and in determining the amount of any civil 
penalty or the length of any suspension imposed under that clause, the 
Secretary shall consider the specific circumstances of the situation, 
such as the gravity and seriousness of the violation involved, the 
amount of resources expended in reviewing the petition at issue, the 
effect on marketing of competing drugs of the pendency of the 
improperly submitted petition, including whether the timing of the 
submission of the petition appears to have been calculated to cause 
delay in the marketing of any drug awaiting approval, and whether the 
petitioner has a history of submitting petitions in violation of this 
subparagraph.
    ``(vi)(I) Any person aggrieved by a petition filed under such 
section 10.30 or section 10.35 (or any successor regulation), including 
a person filing an application under subsection (b)(2) or (j) of this 
section to which such petition relates, may request that the Secretary 
initiate an investigation described under clause (ii) for an 
enforcement action described under clause (iii).
    ``(II) The aggrieved person shall specify the basis for its belief 
that the petition at issue is false, misleading, fraudulent, or 
submitted for an improper purpose. The aggrieved person shall certify 
that the request is submitted in good faith, is well grounded in fact, 
and not submitted for any improper purpose. Any aggrieved person who 
knowingly and intentionally violates the preceding sentence shall be 
subject to the civil penalty described under clause (iii)(I).
    ``(vii) The Secretary shall take final agency action with respect 
to a petition filed under such section 10.30 or section 10.35 (or any 
successor regulation) within 6 months of receipt of such petition. The 
Secretary shall not extend such 6-month review period, even with 
consent of the petitioner, for any reason, including based upon the 
submission of comments relating to a petition or supplemental 
information supplied by the petitioner. If the Secretary has not taken 
final agency action on a petition by the date that is 6 months after 
the date of receipt of the petition, such petition shall be deemed to 
have been denied on such date.
    ``(viii) The Secretary may promulgate regulations to carry out this 
subparagraph, including to determine whether petitions filed under such 
section 10.30 or section 10.35 (or any successor regulation) merit 
enforcement action by the Secretary under this subparagraph.''.
Citizen Petition Fairness and Accuracy Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require that any citizen petition or request for stay of action related to an abbreviated new drug application include a statement that the petition: (1) includes all information and views on which the petitioner relies; (2) is well grounded in fact and warranted by law; (3) is not submitted for an improper purpose; and (4) does not contain a materially false, misleading, or fraudulent statement. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate any petition that does not comply.

Allows the Secretary to impose penalties for knowingly and willfully submitting a petition for an improper purpose or that contains a materially false, misleading, or fraudulent statement. Provides that such penalties may include: (1) civil penalty; (2) suspension or revocation of the authority to submit a petition; and (3) dismissal of the petition. Requires the Secretary to refer such a violative petition to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for further action. Sets forth the factors that the Secretary shall consider in taking an enforcement action or determining the penalty.

Permits any person aggrieved by a petition that may contain violations to request the Secretary to investigate. Subjects knowing and intentional violative requests to civil penalties.

Requires the Secretary to take final agency action on such a petition within six months.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage 
Finance Programs Act''.

SEC. 2. PERMANENT CONFORMING LOAN LIMIT INCREASE FOR FREDDIE MAC AND 
              FANNIE MAE.

    (a) Freddie Mac.--
            (1) Increase.--Paragraph (2) of section 305(a) of the 
        Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 
        1454(a)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)'';
                    (B) in the first sentence, by redesignating clauses 
                (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), 
                respectively;
                    (C) in the second sentence, by striking ``clause 
                (A)'' and inserting ``clause (i)''; and
                    (D) in the last sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``115 percent'' each place 
                        such term appears and inserting ``125 
                        percent''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``150 percent'' and 
                        inserting ``175 percent''.
            (2) Discretionary authority to limit decreases.--Paragraph 
        (2) of section 305(a) of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
        Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)), as amended by paragraph 
        (1), is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subparagraph:
    ``(B) Notwithstanding the calculation of the limitation on the 
maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage that may be 
purchased by the Corporation for an area pursuant to the last sentence 
of subparagraph (A), if any recalculation of the local median home 
price for any area would otherwise result in a decrease in the maximum 
original principal limitation for any size residence in any such area, 
the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency may prevent or limit 
a decrease in such limitation from taking place for any such area. In 
taking such action, the Director shall consider such factors as market 
dislocations caused by a decrease in such limitation, the extent of the 
median home price decline, and the causes for such reduction in median 
home price.''.
    (b) Fannie Mae.--
            (1) Increase.--Paragraph (2) of section 302(b) of the 
        Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 
        1717(b)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)'';
                    (B) in the second sentence, by redesignating 
                clauses (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), 
                respectively;
                    (C) in the third sentence, by striking ``clause 
                (A)'' and inserting ``clause (i)''; and
                    (D) in the last sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``115 percent'' each place 
                        such term appears and inserting ``125 
                        percent''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``150 percent'' and 
                        inserting ``175 percent''.
            (2) Discretionary authority to limit decreases.--Paragraph 
        (2) of section 302(b) of the Federal National Mortgage 
        Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(b)(2)), as amended by 
        paragraph (1), is further amended by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraph:
    ``(B) Notwithstanding the calculation of the limitation on the 
maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage that may be 
purchased by the corporation for an area pursuant to the last sentence 
of subparagraph (A), if any recalculation of the local median home 
price for any area would otherwise result in a decrease in the maximum 
original principal limitation for any size residence in any such area, 
the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency may prevent or limit 
a decrease in such limitation from taking place for any such area.   In 
taking such action, the Director shall consider such factors as market 
dislocations caused by a decrease in such limitation, the extent of the 
median home price decline, and the causes for such reduction in median 
home price.''.

SEC. 3. PERMANENT LOAN LIMIT INCREASE FOR FHA.

    (a) Increase.--Subparagraph (A) of section 203(b)(2) of the 
National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i) by striking ``115 percent'' and inserting 
        ``125 percent''; and
            (2) in clause (ii) by striking ``150 percent'' and 
        inserting ``175 percent''.
    (b) Discretionary Authority To Limit Decreases.--Subparagraph (A) 
of section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1709(b)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting after ``; and'' at the end the 
following: ``except that notwithstanding the calculation of the maximum 
dollar amount limitation for any area pursuant to clause (i) of this 
subparagraph, if any recalculation of the local median home price for 
any area would otherwise result in a decrease in the maximum dollar 
amount limitation for any size residence in any such area, the 
Secretary, considering such factors as market dislocations caused by a 
decrease in such dollar amount limitation, the extent of the median 
home price decline, and the causes for such reduction in median home 
price, may prevent or limit a decrease in such dollar amount limitation 
from taking place for any such area; and''.

SEC. 4. EXISTING LOAN LIMITS.

    This Act may not be construed to affect the loan limits for the 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage 
Association in effect under section 146 of the Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2011 (Public Law 111-242; 124 Stat. 2615) or the 
FHA mortgage amount limitations in effect under section 145 of such 
Act.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 
2011.

Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Act - Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act and the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to increase limitations on the maximum original principal obligation of mortgages that may purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Association (Freddie Mac).

Increases such limitations in areas where 125% (currently, 115%) of the median price of residences of a particular size exceed existing mortgage purchase limitations for such residence size.

Gives the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) discretion to prevent or limit a decrease in the limitation on the maximum original principal obligation of a mortgage that may be purchased by the corporation for an area.

Amends the National Housing Act to raise limitations on the maximum principal obligation of mortgages that may be insured by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Gives the Secretary discretion to prevent or limit a decrease in the maximum dollar amount limitation for any area from taking place for any such area.