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

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that there is an ongoing need to 
further examine and protect the tributaries and waterways located in 
other affected areas and States in the Great Lakes region, including at 
a minimum, the St. Croix River, the Minnesota River, the Wisconsin 
River, and the Ohio River, against the transfer of aquatic nuisance 
species.

SOLUTION: Defending Our Great Lakes Act of 2015 This bill requires federal agencies to take immediate actions to prevent the upstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes basin through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam site. The actions must place a special focus on Asian carp species and other aquatic nuisance species of concern to the Great Lakes referred to in the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The Army Corps must implement measures to improve the site to prevent the upstream transfer of Asian carp and other aquatic nuisance species swimming through the lock and dam, including by constructing an engineered channel in the approach to the site from the Mississippi River direction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must implement all appropriate measures around the site on the Illinois River to prevent the upstream transfer of swimming and floating aquatic nuisance species, with a focus on Asian carp species.  Federal entities must take actions for the long-term prevention of the transfer of aquatic nuisance species between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins, including through the Chicago Area Waterway System. The Army Corps must design, engineer, and construct flood mitigation and water quality measures on the Chicago Area Waterway System related to preventing such transfer.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Neutral Cost Recovery Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. NEUTRAL COST RECOVERY DEPRECIATION ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN 
              PROPERTY PLACED IN SERVICE AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2001.

    (a) In General.--Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
(relating to accelerated cost recovery system) is amended by adding at 
the end thereof the following new subsection:
    ``(k) Deduction Adjustment To Allow Equivalent of Expensing for 
Certain Property Placed in Service After December 31, 2001.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of tangible property placed 
        in service after December 31, 2001, the deduction under this 
        section with respect to such property--
                    ``(A) shall be determined by substituting `150 
                percent' for `200 percent' in subsection (b)(1) in the 
                case of property to which the 200 percent declining 
                balance method would otherwise apply, and
                    ``(B) for any taxable year after the taxable year 
                during which the property is placed in service shall 
                be--
                            ``(i) the amount determined under this 
                        section for such taxable year without regard to 
                        this subparagraph, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the applicable neutral cost recovery 
                        ratio for such taxable year.
            ``(2) Applicable neutral cost recovery ratio.--For purposes 
        of paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) In general.--The applicable neutral cost 
                recovery ratio for the property for any taxable year is 
                the number determined by--
                            ``(i) dividing--
                                    ``(I) the gross domestic product 
                                deflator for the calendar quarter 
                                ending in such taxable year which 
                                corresponds to the calendar quarter 
                                during which the property was placed in 
                                service by the taxpayer, by
                                    ``(II) the gross domestic product 
                                deflator for the calendar quarter 
                                during which the property was placed in 
                                service by the taxpayer, and
                            ``(ii) then multiplying the number 
                        determined under clause (i) by the number equal 
                        to 1.035 to the nth power where `n' is the 
                        number of full years in the period beginning on 
                        the 1st day of the calendar quarter during 
                        which the property was placed in service by the 
                        taxpayer and ending on the day before the 
                        beginning of the corresponding calendar quarter 
                        ending during such taxable year.
                The applicable neutral cost recovery ratio shall never 
                be less than 1. The applicable neutral cost recovery 
                ratio shall be rounded to the nearest \1/1000\.
                    ``(B) Special rule for certain property.--In the 
                case of property described in paragraph (2) or (3) of 
                subsection (b) or in subsection (g), the applicable 
                neutral cost recovery ratio shall be determined without 
                regard to subparagraph (A)(ii).
            ``(3) Gross domestic product deflator.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (2), the gross domestic product deflator for any 
        calendar quarter is the implicit price deflator for the gross 
        domestic product for such quarter (as shown in the first 
        revision thereof).
            ``(4) Election not to have subsection apply.--This 
        subsection shall not apply to any property if the taxpayer 
        elects not to have this subsection apply to such property. Such 
        an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
            ``(5) Churning transactions.--This subsection shall not 
        apply to any property if this section would not apply to such 
        property were subsection (f)(5)(A)(ii) applied by substituting 
        `2002' for `1981' and `2001' for `1980'.
            ``(6) Additional deduction not to affect basis or 
        recapture.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The additional amount determined 
                under this section by reason of this subsection shall 
                not be taken into account in determining the adjusted 
                basis of any property or of any interest in a pass-thru 
                entity which holds such property and shall not be 
                treated as a deduction for depreciation for purposes of 
                sections 1245 and 1250.
                    ``(B) Pass-thru entity defined.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `pass-thru entity' means--
                            ``(i) a regulated investment company,
                            ``(ii) a real estate investment trust,
                            ``(iii) an S corporation,
                            ``(iv) a partnership,
                            ``(v) an estate or trust, and
                            ``(vi) a common trust fund.''
    (b) Minimum Tax Treatment.--
            (1) Paragraph (1) of section 56(a) of such Code is amended 
        by adding at the end thereof the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Use of neutral cost recovery ratio.--In the 
                case of property to which section 168(k) applies and 
                which is placed in service after December 31, 2001, the 
                deduction allowable under this paragraph with respect 
                to such property for any taxable year (after the 
                taxable year during which the property is placed in 
                service) shall be--
                            ``(i) the amount so allowable for such 
                        taxable year without regard to this 
                        subparagraph, multiplied by
                            ``(ii) the applicable neutral cost recovery 
                        ratio for such taxable year (as determined 
                        under section 168(k)).
                This subparagraph shall not apply to any property with 
                respect to which there is an election in effect not to 
                have section 168(k)) apply.''
            (2) Subparagraph (C) of section 56(g)(4) of such Code is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(v) Neutral cost recovery deduction.--
                        Clause (i) shall not apply to the additional 
                        deduction allowable by reason of section 
                        168(k).''
    (c) Coordination With Depreciation Limitation on Certain 
Automobiles.--Clause (i) of section 280F(a)(1)(B) of such Code is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``For purposes 
of this clause, the unrecovered basis of any passenger automobile shall 
be treated as including the additional amount determined under section 
168 by reason of subsection (k) thereof to the extent not allowed as a 
deduction by reason of this paragraph for any taxable year in the 
recovery period.''
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 2001.

SOLUTION: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require that the depreciation deduction for tangible property placed in service after 2001 be computed using neutral cost recovery ratios.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Postal Inspection Service and 
Inspector General Act''.

SEC. 2. RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF PAID CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS BY THE 
              POSTAL SERVICE.

    (a) Confidential Informants.--
            (1) Restriction.--Section 404 of title 39, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c)(1) The Postal Service may not retain the services of a paid 
confidential informant for purposes of any investigation concerning the 
possible violation of any law relating to controlled substances, unless 
the unlawful use of the mails is involved.
    ``(2) The Postal Service shall render a semiannual report to the 
Congress concerning any investigation--
            ``(A) in which the Postal Service retains the services of a 
        paid confidential informant; and
            ``(B) which results in the arrest of 1 or more individuals 
        for violating any law relating to controlled substances.
    ``(3) For the purpose of this subsection--
            ``(A) the term `controlled substance' has the meaning given 
        such term by section 102(6) of the Controlled Drug Abuse 
        Prevention and Control Act of 1970; and
            ``(B) a confidential informant shall be considered to be 
        `paid' if such informant receives, or is to receive, a monetary 
        or nonmonetary benefit (including any forbearance from a civil 
        or criminal action) for the services involved.''.
            (2) Applicability.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply with respect to any investigation commencing on or 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Officers.--
            (1) In general.--Section 204 of title 39, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) by amending the section heading to read as 
                follows:
``Sec. 204. Assistant Postmasters General; General Counsel; Judicial 
              Officer; Chief Postal Inspector'';
                    (B) in the first sentence by striking ``and a 
                Judicial Officer.'' and inserting ``a Judicial Officer, 
                and a Chief Postal Inspector.''; and
                    (C) in the second sentence by striking ``and the 
                Judicial Officer'' and inserting ``the Judicial 
                Officer, and the Chief Postal Inspector''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections for 
        chapter 2 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by 
        striking the item relating to section 204 and inserting the 
        following:

``204. Assistant Postmasters General; General Counsel; Judicial 
                            Officer; Chief Postal Inspector.''.

SEC. 3. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 11 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 
(5 U.S.C. App.) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``the Postmaster 
        General;'' after ``the Attorney General;''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``the United States 
        Postal Service,'' after ``Treasury;''.
    (b) Transfer of Functions.--Section 9(a) of the Inspector General 
Act of 1978, as amended by section 203(g)(3)(A) of the National and 
Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-82; 107 Stat. 890), 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (U) by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(W) of the United States Postal Service, that 
                portion of the Postal Inspection Service that is 
                engaged in internal audit and program review 
                activities; and''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``(or, in the case of the 
        United States Postal Service, the Postmaster General, in 
        consultation with the Board of Governors)'' after ``head of the 
        establishment involved''.
    (c) Special Provisions.--The Inspector General Act of 1978 is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating the first section designated as 
        section 8G as section 8H;
            (2) by redesignating the second section designated as 
        section 8G as section 8I; and
            (3) by inserting after section 8F the following:

    ``special provisions concerning the united states postal service

    ``Sec. 8G. (a) In carrying out the duties and responsibilities 
specified in this Act, the Inspector General of the United States 
Postal Service shall have oversight responsibility for all activities 
of the Postal Inspection Service, including any internal investigation 
performed thereby. The Chief Postal Inspector shall promptly report the 
significant activities being carried out by the Postal Inspection 
Service to such Inspector General.
    ``(b) Nothing in this Act shall restrict, eliminate, or otherwise 
adversely affect any of the rights, privileges, or benefits of either 
employees of the United States Postal Service, or labor organizations 
representing employees of the United States Postal Service, under 
chapter 12 of title 39, United States Code, the National Labor 
Relations Act, any handbook or manual affecting employee labor 
relations with the United States Postal Service, or any collective 
bargaining agreement.''.
    (d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Relating to the inspector general act of 1978.--Section 
        8H of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (as so redesignated by 
        subsection (c)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ``Tennessee 
                Valley Authority,'' and all that follows through the 
                semicolon and inserting ``Tennessee Valley Authority, 
                and the United States International Trade 
                Commission;''; and
                    (B)(i) by striking subsection (f), and 
                redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections 
                (f) and (g), respectively;
                    (ii) in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (a) by 
                striking ``(h)(1)'' and inserting ``(g)(1)''; and
                    (iii) in subsection (c) by striking ``Except as 
                provided under subsection (f) of this section, the'' 
                and inserting ``The''.
            (2) Relating to title 39, united states code.--Section 
        410(b) of title 39, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (9); and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (10) to read as follows:
            ``(10) the Inspector General Act of 1978; and''.
    (e) Effective Date; Interim Service.--
            (1) Effective date.--This section and the amendments made 
        by this section shall take effect upon the expiration of the 3-
        month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.
            (2) Interim service.--The individual serving as Inspector 
        General of the United States Postal Service on the day before 
        this section takes effect may continue to serve in that 
        capacity until--
                    (A) a successor has taken office, or
                    (B) such individual ceases to be the Chief Postal 
                Inspector of the United States Postal Service.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 27, 1994.

            Attest:

                                           DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

                                                                 Clerk.

SOLUTION:
Postal Inspection Service and Inspector General Act - Prohibits the Postal Service from retaining the services of a paid confidential informant for purposes of investigations concerning the possible violation of laws relating to controlled substances unless the unlawful use of the mails is involved. 
Directs the Postal Service to render a semiannual report to the Congress concerning any investigation:  (1) in which the Postal Service retains the services of a paid confidential informant; and (2) which results in the arrest of one or more individuals for violating any law relating to controlled substances. 
Creates a Chief Postal Inspector within the Postal Service. 
Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to transfer internal audit and program review functions of the Postal Inspection Service to the Office of the Inspector General of the Postal Service.  Confers oversight responsibility for all activities of the Postal Inspection Service on the Inspector General.  Requires the Chief Postal Inspector to report significant activities being carried out by the Postal Inspection Service to the Inspector General. 
Applies all provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978 to the Postal Service.  Declares that nothing in such Act shall adversely affect any of the rights, privileges, or benefits of either employees of the Postal Service or labor organizations representing such employees.