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 ``Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. PENALTY FOR UNAUTHORIZED INSPECTION OF TAX RETURNS OR TAX 
              RETURN INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--Part I of subchapter A of chapter 75 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to crimes, other offenses, and 
forfeitures) is amended by adding after section 7213 the following new 
section:

``SEC. 7213A. UNAUTHORIZED INSPECTION OF RETURNS OR RETURN INFORMATION.

    ``(a) Prohibitions.--
            ``(1) Federal employees and other persons.--It shall be 
        unlawful for--
                    ``(A) any officer or employee of the United States, 
                or
                    ``(B) any person described in section 6103(n) or an 
                officer or employee of any such person,
        willfully to inspect, except as authorized in this title, any 
        return or return information.
            ``(2) State and other employees.--It shall be unlawful for 
        any person (not described in paragraph (1)) willfully to 
        inspect, except as authorized in this title, any return or 
        return information acquired by such person or another person 
        under a provision of section 6103 referred to in section 
        7213(a)(2).
    ``(b) Penalty.--
            ``(1)  In general.--Any violation of subsection (a) shall 
        be punishable upon conviction by a fine in any amount not 
        exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment of not more than 1 year, or 
        both, together with the costs of prosecution.
            ``(2) Federal officers or employees.--An officer or 
        employee of the United States who is convicted of any violation 
        of subsection (a) shall, in addition to any other punishment, 
        be dismissed from office or discharged from employment.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms 
`inspect', `return', and `return information' have the respective 
meanings given such terms by section 6103(b).''.
    (b) Technical Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (2) of section 7213(a) of such Code is 
        amended by inserting ``(5),'' after ``(m)(2), (4),''.
            (2) The table of sections for part I of subchapter A of 
        chapter 75 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item 
        relating to section 7213 the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 7213A. Unauthorized inspection of 
                                        returns or return 
                                        information.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to violations occurring on and after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 3. CIVIL DAMAGES FOR UNAUTHORIZED INSPECTION OF RETURNS AND RETURN 
              INFORMATION; NOTIFICATION OF UNLAWFUL INSPECTION OR 
              DISCLOSURE.

    (a) Civil Damages for Unauthorized Inspection.--Subsection (a) of 
section 7431 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Disclosure'' in the headings for 
        paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting ``Inspection or 
        disclosure'', and
            (2) by striking ``discloses'' in paragraphs (1) and (2) and 
        inserting ``inspects or discloses''.
    (b) Notification of Unlawful Inspection or Disclosure.--Section 
7431 of such Code is amended by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) 
as subsections (f) and (g), respectively, and by inserting after 
subsection (d) the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Notification of Unlawful Inspection and Disclosure.--If any 
person is criminally charged by indictment or information with 
inspection or disclosure of a taxpayer's return or return information 
in violation of--
            ``(1) paragraph (1) or (2) of section 7213(a),
            ``(2) section 7213A(a), or
            ``(3) subparagraph (B) of section 1030(a)(2) of title 18, 
        United States Code,
the Secretary shall notify such taxpayer as soon as practicable of such 
inspection or disclosure.''.
    (c) No Damages for Inspection Requested by Taxpayer.--Subsection 
(b) of section 7431 of such Code is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Exceptions.--No liability shall arise under this section with 
respect to any inspection or disclosure--
            ``(1) which results from a good faith, but erroneous, 
        interpretation of section 6103, or
            ``(2) which is requested by the taxpayer.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Subsections (c)(1)(A), (c)(1)(B)(i), and (d) of section 
        7431 of such Code are each amended by inserting ``inspection 
        or'' before ``disclosure''.
            (2) Clause (ii) of section 7431(c)(1)(B) of such Code is 
        amended by striking ``willful disclosure or a disclosure'' and 
        inserting ``willful inspection or disclosure or an inspection 
        or disclosure''.
            (3) Subsection (f) of section 7431 of such Code, as 
        redesignated by subsection (b), is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms 
`inspect', `inspection', `return', and `return information' have the 
respective meanings given such terms by section 6103(b).''.
            (4) The section heading for section 7431 of such Code is 
        amended by inserting ``inspection or'' before ``disclosure''.
            (5) The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 76 of 
        such Code is amended by inserting ``inspection or'' before 
        ``disclosure'' in the item relating to section 7431.
            (6) Paragraph (2) of section 7431(g) of such Code, as 
        redesignated by subsection (b), is amended by striking ``any 
        use'' and inserting ``any inspection or use''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to inspections and disclosures occurring on and after the date of 
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE ACT OF 1968.

    (a) In General.--Section 1306(c)(1) of the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4013(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``30'' and 
inserting ``15''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall be 
construed to have taken effect on January 1, 1997, and shall expire 
June 30, 1997.

            Passed the Senate April 15, 1997.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.

SOLUTION: Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make it unlawful for Federal employees, State employees, or other specified persons to willfully inspect, except as authorized, any tax return or return information.  Provides for a monetary penalty, imprisonment, or both for violators.  (Current law imposes penalties only for the unlawful disclosure of such information.) 
Permits civil damages for the unauthorized inspection or disclosure (currently, only for the unauthorized disclosure) of tax returns and return information.  Requires the taxpayer to be notified as soon as practicable if any person is criminally charged by indictment with inspecting or disclosing the taxpayer's return or return information. 
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to reduce the waiting period for the effective date of policies for new flood insurance coverage, entered into after the date of enactment of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, from 30 to 15 days.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Residential Energy Savings Act of 
2013''.

SEC. 2. STATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES LOAN 
              PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Loans for Residential Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades.--
Part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 
U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 367. LOANS FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Consumer-friendly loan repayment approach.--The term 
        `consumer-friendly loan repayment approach' means a loan 
        repayment method that--
                    ``(A) emphasizes convenience for customers;
                    ``(B) is of low cost to consumers; and
                    ``(C) may tie loan repayment to an existing bill of 
                the consumer.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a State or territory of the United States; 
                and
                    ``(B) an Indian tribal government.
            ``(3) Energy advisor program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `energy advisor 
                program' means any program to provide to homeowners or 
                residents advice, information, and support in the 
                identification, prioritization, and implementation of 
                energy efficiency and energy savings measures.
                    ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `energy advisor 
                program' includes a program that provides--
                            ``(i) interpretation of energy audit 
                        reports;
                            ``(ii) assistance in the prioritization of 
                        improvements;
                            ``(iii) assistance in finding qualified 
                        contractors;
                            ``(iv) assistance in contractor bid 
                        reviews;
                            ``(v) education on energy conservation, 
                        renewable energy, and energy efficiency;
                            ``(vi) explanations of available incentives 
                        and tax credits;
                            ``(vii) assistance in completion of rebate 
                        and incentive paperwork; and
                            ``(viii) any other similar type of support.
            ``(4) Energy efficiency.--The term `energy efficiency' 
        means a reduction in energy use, including thermal energy for 
        heating.
            ``(5) Energy efficiency upgrade.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `energy efficiency 
                upgrade' means any project or activity carried out on a 
                residential building to increase energy efficiency.
                    ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `energy efficiency 
                upgrade' includes the installation or improvement of 
                renewable energy for heating or electricity generation 
                serving a residential building carried out in 
                conjunction with an energy efficiency project or 
                activity.
            ``(6) Residential building.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `residential building' 
                means a building used for residential purposes.
                    ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `residential building' 
                includes--
                            ``(i) a single-family residence;
                            ``(ii) a multifamily residence composed not 
                        more than 4 units; and
                            ``(iii) a mixed-use building that includes 
                        not more than 4 residential units.
    ``(b) Establishment of Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program 
        under this part under which the Secretary shall make available 
        to eligible entities loans for the purpose of establishing or 
        expanding programs that provide to residential property owners 
        or tenants financing for energy efficiency upgrades of 
        residential buildings.
            ``(2) No requirement to participate.--No eligible entity 
        shall be required to participate in any manner in the program 
        established under paragraph (1).
    ``(c) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a loan under 
        this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary 
        an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
        such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Selection.--In selecting eligible entities to receive 
        loans under this section, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure--
                            ``(i) that both innovative and established 
                        approaches to the challenges of financing 
                        energy efficiency upgrades are supported;
                            ``(ii) regional diversity among recipients, 
                        including participation by rural States and 
                        small States; and
                            ``(iii) significant participation by low- 
                        and medium-income families;
                    ``(B) evaluate applications based primarily on--
                            ``(i) the projected reduction in energy 
                        use;
                            ``(ii) the extent to which Federal funds 
                        are used to leverage additional funding from 
                        State, local, philanthropic, private sector, 
                        and other sources;
                            ``(iii) the creditworthiness of the 
                        eligible entity; and
                            ``(iv) the incorporation of measures, such 
                        as on-bill repayment, for making the loan 
                        repayment system for recipients of financing as 
                        consumer-friendly as practicable; and
                    ``(C) evaluate applications based secondarily on--
                            ``(i) the extent to which the proposed 
                        financing program of the eligible entity 
                        incorporates best practices for such a program, 
                        as determined by the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) whether the eligible entity has 
                        created a plan for evaluating the effectiveness 
                        of the proposed financing program;
                            ``(iii) the extent to which the proposed 
                        financing program incorporates energy advisor 
                        programs and support programs designed to 
                        increase the effectiveness of the program;
                            ``(iv) the projected quantity of renewable 
                        energy to be generated, to the extent that 
                        renewable energy generation will be included;
                            ``(v) the extent to which the proposed 
                        financing program will be coordinated and 
                        marketed with other existing or planned energy 
                        efficiency programs administered by--
                                    ``(I) utilities;
                                    ``(II) State, tribal, territorial, 
                                or local governments; or
                                    ``(III) community development 
                                financial institutions; and
                            ``(vi) such other factors as the Secretary 
                        determines to be appropriate.
    ``(d) Term; Interest.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish terms and 
        interest rates for loans provided to eligible entities under 
        this section in a manner that--
                    ``(A) provides for a high degree of cost recovery; 
                and
                    ``(B) ensures that the loans are competitive with, 
                or superior to, other forms of financing for similar 
                purposes.
            ``(2) Performance incentive.--The Secretary shall establish 
        a performance incentive providing a repayment discount for 
        eligible entities in an amount equal to not more than the value 
        of the interest accrued on the loan provided to the applicable 
        eligible entity under this section, based on performance as 
        evaluated in accordance with the factors described in 
        subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(2).
    ``(e) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity shall use a loan 
        provided under this section to establish or expand a financing 
        program--
                    ``(A) the purpose of which is to enable residential 
                building owners or tenants to conduct energy efficiency 
                upgrades of residential buildings;
                    ``(B) that may not require any initial capital, 
                excluding fees; and
                    ``(C) that incorporates a consumer-friendly loan 
                repayment approach.
            ``(2) Structure of financing program.--The financing 
        program of an eligible entity may--
                    ``(A) consist--
                            ``(i) primarily or entirely of a financing 
                        program administered by--
                                    ``(I) the applicable State; or
                                    ``(II) a local government, utility, 
                                or other entity; or
                            ``(ii) of a combination of programs 
                        described in clause (i); and
                    ``(B) rely on financing provided by--
                            ``(i) the eligible entity; or
                            ``(ii) a third party, acting through the 
                        eligible entity.
            ``(3) Form of assistance.--Assistance provided by an 
        eligible entity under this subsection may be in the form of--
                    ``(A) a revolving loan fund;
                    ``(B) a credit enhancement structure designed to 
                mitigate the effects of default; or
                    ``(C) a program that--
                            ``(i) adopts any other approach for 
                        providing financing for energy efficiency 
                        upgrades producing significant energy 
                        efficiency gains;
                            ``(ii) produces a high-leverage ratio of 
                        non-Federal funds; and
                            ``(iii) incorporates measures for making 
                        the loan repayment system for recipients of 
                        financing as consumer-friendly as practicable.
            ``(4) Scope of assistance.--Assistance provided by an 
        eligible entity under this subsection may be used to pay for 
        costs associated with carrying out an energy efficiency 
        upgrade, including materials and labor.
    ``(f) Repayment.--An eligible entity shall repay to the Secretary 
the amount of a loan provided under this section, together with--
            ``(1) interest accrued on that amount; and
            ``(2) such fees as the Secretary determines to be necessary 
        to recover any portion of the costs of the program under this 
        section.
    ``(g) Reports.--
            ``(1) Eligible entities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of receipt of the loan, and annually thereafter 
                for the term of the loan, an eligible entity that 
                receives a loan under this section shall submit to the 
                Secretary a report describing the performance of each 
                program and activity carried out using the loan, 
                including anonymized loan performance data.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--The Secretary, in consultation 
                with eligible entities and other stakeholders (such as 
                lending institutions and the real estate industry), 
                shall establish such requirements for the reports under 
                this paragraph as the Secretary determines to be 
                appropriate--
                            ``(i) to ensure that the reports are clear, 
                        consistent, and straightforward; and
                            ``(ii) taking into account the reporting 
                        requirements for similar programs in which the 
                        eligible entities are participating, if any.
            ``(2) Secretary.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress 
        and make available to the public--
                    ``(A) not less frequently than once each year, a 
                report describing the performance of the program under 
                this section, including a synthesis and analysis of the 
                information provided in the reports submitted to the 
                Secretary under paragraph (1)(A); and
                    ``(B) on termination of the program under this 
                section, an assessment of the success of, and education 
                provided by, the measures carried out by eligible 
                entities during the term of the program.
    ``(h) Maximum Amount.--The Secretary may provide to eligible 
entities a total of not more than $2,000,000,000 in loans under this 
section for the costs of activities described in subsection (e).''.
    (b) Reorganization.--
            (1) In general.--Part D of title III of the Energy Policy 
        and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating sections 362, 363, 364, 365, 
                and 366 as sections 364, 365, 366, 363, and 362, 
                respectively, and moving the sections so as to appear 
                in numerical order;
                    (B) in section 362 (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in paragraph (3)(B)(i), by striking 
                        ``section 367, and'' and inserting ``section 
                        367 (as in effect on the day before the date of 
                        enactment of the State Energy Efficiency 
                        Programs Improvement Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                        6201 note; Public Law 101-440)); and''; and
                            (ii) in each of paragraphs (4) and (6), by 
                        striking ``section 365(e)(1)'' each place it 
                        appears and inserting ``section 363(e)(1)'';
                    (C) in section 363 (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in subsection (b), by striking ``the 
                        provisions of sections 362 and 364 and 
                        subsection (a) of section 363'' and inserting 
                        ``sections 364, 365(a), and 366''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (g)(1)(A), in the second 
                        sentence, by striking ``section 362'' and 
                        inserting ``section 364''; and
                    (D) in section 365 (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in subsection (a)--
                                    (I) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                                ``section 362,'' and inserting 
                                ``section 364;''; and
                                    (II) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                                ``section 362(b) or (e)'' and inserting 
                                ``subsection (b) or (e) of section 
                                364''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (b)(2), in the matter 
                        preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``section 362(b) or (e)'' and inserting 
                        ``subsection (b) or (e) of section 364''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 391 of the Energy 
        Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6371) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(M), by striking ``section 
                365(e)(2)'' and inserting ``section 363(e)(2)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 362 of 
                this Act'' and inserting ``section 364''.
            (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents of the 
        Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public 
        Law 94-163) is amended by striking the items relating to part D 
        of title III and inserting the following:

              ``Part D--State Energy Conservation Programs

``Sec. 361. Findings and purpose.
``Sec. 362. Definitions.
``Sec. 363. General provisions.
``Sec. 364. State energy conservation plans.
``Sec. 365. Federal assistance to States.
``Sec. 366. State energy efficiency goals.
``Sec. 367. Loans for residential building energy efficiency 
                            upgrades.''.

SEC. 3. FUNDING.

    (a) Budgetary Effects.--The budgetary effects of this Act, for the 
purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for 
printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate 
Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior 
to the vote on passage.
    (b) Advance Appropriations Required.--An authorization of 
appropriations under this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall be 
effective for a fiscal year only to the extent and in the amounts 
provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

SOLUTION: Residential Energy Savings Act of 2013 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary loan program to provide support to states, U.S. territories, and Indian tribal governments (eligible entities) in establishing or expanding programs that provide to residential property owners or tenants financing for energy efficiency upgrades of residential buildings. Authorizes assistance provided by eligible entities to be in the form of a: (1) revolving loan fund; (2) credit enhancement structure designed to mitigate the effects of default; or (3) program that adopts other approaches for providing financing for upgrades producing significant energy efficiency gains, produces a high-leverage ratio of non-federal funds, and incorporates measures for making the loan repayment system for recipients of financing consumer-friendly. Requires the Secretary to establish a performance incentive providing a repayment discount in an amount equal to no more than the value of the interest accrued on the loan provided, based on performance as evaluated in accordance with specified factors. Makes an authorization of appropriations under this Act effective for a fiscal year only to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States Commission on 
Rebuilding America for the 21st Century Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) In 1808, Albert Gallatin, while serving as President 
        Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of the Treasury, reported to 
        Congress on the infrastructure investments needed by the young 
        Nation.
            (2) Gallatin's plan built on President George Washington's 
        vision of connecting the interior settlements of the Nation 
        with the markets and ports of the East Coast through a network 
        of roads and canals, and provided a roadmap for infrastructure 
        development in the 19th century.
            (3) In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt convened a 
        conference of State and territorial governors, members of his 
        Cabinet and Congress, professional organizations, private 
        citizens, and government agencies to plan for the United States 
        conservation and infrastructure needs in the 20th century.
            (4) The resulting plan laid the groundwork for many of the 
        critical investments initiated by President Franklin D. 
        Roosevelt to jumpstart the Nation's recovery from the Great 
        Depression.
            (5) Today, as in 1808 and 1908, the United States is faced 
        with significant economic, environmental, and demographic 
        challenges.
            (6) To stave off the worst effects of global warming, the 
        United States will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
        significantly.
            (7) The Nation's population is projected to increase to 420 
        million by 2050, which is nearly a 50 percent increase from the 
        Nation's population size in 2000.
            (8) By 2050, more than 70 percent of the Nation's 
        population growth and economic growth is expected to take place 
        in extended networks of metropolitan regions linked by 
        environmental systems, transportation networks, economies, and 
        culture.
            (9) The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue 
        Study Commission recently calculated that maintaining the 
        Nation's existing transportation system over the next 50 years 
        will require $225 billion annually. The latest transportation 
        authorization, SAFETEA-LU, provided only $244 billion total for 
        the 5 years ending with fiscal year 2009.
            (10) The American Society of Civil Engineers has given the 
        Nation's public infrastructure, consisting of water, sewer, and 
        transportation systems, a grade of D-minus, estimating that it 
        will cost $1.6 trillion over the next 5 years merely to repair 
        the Nation's existing infrastructure.
            (11) The Nation's decaying water infrastructure and a lack 
        of available funding to maintain and upgrade the Nation's 
        wastewater infrastructure pose a serious threat to water 
        quality. More than 72,000 miles of municipal water and sewer 
        pipe are more than 80 years old, threatening the health, 
        environment, and economy of communities large and small.
            (12) Population growth and associated development will 
        place the Nation's water resources under increasing stress, 
        including increased pollutant loads, increased potential for 
        flooding, diminished drinking water supplies, loss of aquatic 
        habitat, and stream scouring and erosion. Global warming will 
        exacerbate existing water challenges and make other changes to 
        the natural hydrology, including more extreme storm events, 
        more frequent droughts, higher air and water temperatures, 
        changes in timing of stream flows, and sea level rise. New 
        technologies and a comprehensive strategy will be needed to 
        overcome these challenges and ensure a safe, adequate, 
        reliable, and sustainable water supply.
            (13) The Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional 
        Budget Office, and other stakeholders have identified a funding 
        gap of between $300 billion and $400 billion over the next 20 
        years for the restoration and replacement of wastewater 
        infrastructure, and an additional $250 billion over the next 30 
        years will be needed to replace worn-out drinking water pipes 
        and associated structures.
            (14) From 1999 to 2009, the Nation's electricity demand 
        rose by nearly 20 percent while transmission capacity grew by 
        only 3.5 percent. To accommodate increased demand, and to 
        accommodate increased electrical supply from renewable sources 
        by 2050, electrical transmission infrastructure requires 
        significant investment.
            (15) The Nation's rural economy is dependant on 
        transportation and communications networks to grow and compete 
        in an increasingly globalized market.
            (16) Significant under-investment in public lands 
        infrastructure jeopardizes the tremendous conservation, 
        environmental, and mixed use benefits that these lands provide 
        the public.
            (17) Much of the Nation's infrastructure was built in the 
        last half of the 20th century and will reach its capacity 
        limits early in the 21st century. Unless new capacity is 
        created in roads, rails, airports, seaports, and other systems, 
        the Nation's economic potential will be artificially limited.
            (18) Since 1980, the number of miles people in the United 
        States drive has grown 3 times faster than the Nation's 
        population. Residents of walkable cities, however, drive 26 
        percent fewer miles per day than those living in the most 
        sprawling areas.
            (19) By 2050, 89 million new or replaced homes as well as 
        190 billion square feet of new offices, stores, and other 
        nonresidential buildings will be constructed.
            (20) By 2050, smart growth building policies could reduce 
        total transportation-related CO&lt;INF&gt;2&lt;/INF&gt; emissions by 7 to 
        10 percent.
            (21) Development of a bold national plan to overcome these 
        challenges by 2050 will allow the United States to respond in 
        the most economically and environmentally sustainable way.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the ``United 
States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century'' (in this 
Act referred to as the ``Commission'').

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Appointment of Members.--The Commission shall be composed of 17 
members as follows:
            (1) Two members, including the chairman of the Commission, 
        to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Two members to be appointed by the majority leader of 
        the Senate.
            (3) Three members to be appointed jointly by the minority 
        leader of the House of Representatives and the minority leader 
        of the Senate.
            (4) One member to be appointed by the Administrator of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency.
            (5) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of 
        Transportation.
            (6) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of Housing 
        and Urban Development.
            (7) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of the 
        Interior.
            (8) One member to be appointed by the Secretary of Energy.
            (9) One member to be appointed by the President of the 
        Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National 
        Association of Counties, in consultation with the other members 
        of the Board.
            (10) One member to be appointed by the Chair of the 
        National Governors Association.
            (11) One member to be appointed by the Executive Director 
        of the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 
        consultation with the members of the Conference's executive 
        committee.
            (12) One member to be appointed by the President of the 
        Board of Directors of the National Association of Regional 
        Councils, in consultation with the other members of the Board.
            (13) One member to be appointed by the President of the 
        United States Conference of Mayors, in consultation with the 
        members of the Conference's executive board.
    (b) Dates of Appointments.--The initial member appointed to the 
Commission shall be the Chairman, as designated by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives under subsection (a)(1). The remainder of the 
members of the Commission shall be appointed in the 30-day period 
beginning on the 30th day following the date of the appointment of the 
Chairman.
    (c) Qualifications.--
            (1) In general.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
        knowledgeable in--
                    (A) the fields of transportation finance, highway 
                and transit programs, and transportation policy;
                    (B) the fields of land use and housing policy, 
                including community planning and design;
                    (C) the fields of water supply, water 
                infrastructure, and water conservation policy; or
                    (D) the fields of energy supply, energy 
                infrastructure, and energy conservation policy.
            (2) Eligibility of certain representatives.--The members of 
        the Commission--
                    (A) may include representatives of State and local 
                governments, public transportation authorities, and 
                other appropriate governmental units; but
                    (B) may not include any member of the House of 
                Representatives, the Senate, or the President's 
                Cabinet.
    (d) Terms.--The members of the Commission shall be appointed for 
the life of the Commission.
    (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled 
promptly and in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (f) Meetings.--
            (1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the last 
        day of the appointment period described in section 4(b), the 
        Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.
            (2) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
        chairman of the Commission or a majority of its members.
            (3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may 
        hold hearings.
    (g) Pay.--Members of the Commission shall serve without pay.
    (h) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 
of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5. DUTIES.

    (a) Review of Published Materials.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall review published 
        materials on the Nation's transportation, water, energy, public 
        lands, and housing infrastructure and, based on the review, 
        assess the challenges of meeting the Nation's infrastructure 
        needs in the 21st century.
            (2) Report to congress.--Not later than 120 days after the 
        last day of the appointment period described in section 4(b), 
        the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the review 
        and assessment conducted under paragraph (1) and make the 
        report available to the public.
    (b) Public Hearings.--In order to facilitate a national dialogue on 
the Nation's infrastructure needs, the Commission shall hold public 
hearings in at least 50 congressional districts representing a cross-
section of the geographical regions of the United States, and consult 
with other interested persons, before submitting a final report under 
subsection (c)
    (c) Final Report.--
            (1) National vision of infrastructure investments.--Not 
        later than one year after the last day of the appointment 
        period described in section 4(b), the Commission shall prepare 
        and submit to Congress a report that--
                    (A) documents the challenges of meeting the 
                Nation's transportation, water, energy, public lands, 
                and housing infrastructure needs in the 21st century; 
                and
                    (B) articulates a national vision of infrastructure 
                investments to overcome the challenges.
            (2) Specific recommendations.--The report to be submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall contain specific recommendations on 
        appropriate policies and investments, including integration of 
        existing programs, to provide the people of the United States 
        with--
                    (A) improved transportation mobility, choice, and 
                access to economic opportunities;
                    (B) streamlined investment processes to facilitate 
                State and local transportation investments;
                    (C) improved community health outcomes and social 
                equity;
                    (D) improved water conservation, quality, and 
                quantity;
                    (E) an efficient, vibrant, and flexible electric 
                grid that delivers clean, safe, and affordable energy;
                    (F) reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and
                    (G) improved public lands infrastructure sufficient 
                to accommodate the growth in users without degrading 
                the environmental and conservation values of the public 
                lands.
            (3) Model principles.--The report to be submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall contain a set of model principles to ensure 
        that future investments in the Nation's transportation, water, 
        energy, public lands, and housing infrastructure incorporate 
        the findings and recommendations contained in the report.

SEC. 6. POWERS.

    (a) Hearings and Sessions.--For the purpose of carrying out this 
Act, the Commission may hold such hearings, meet and act at such times 
and places, take such testimony, administer such oaths, and receive 
such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) Other Evidence.--The Commission shall gather evidence through 
such means as the Commission considers appropriate, including--
            (1) by soliciting comments through Federal Register 
        notices; and
            (2) by receiving testimony at public hearings conducted by 
        members of the Commission, at the direction of the chairman of 
        the Commission, subject to appropriate rules governing the 
        receiving of evidence.
    (c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly 
from any department or agency of the United States information (other 
than information required by any law to be kept confidential by such 
department or agency) necessary for the Commission to carry out its 
duties under this Act. Upon request of the Commission, the head of that 
department or agency shall furnish such nonconfidential information to 
the Commission.
    (d) Contracts.--The Commission may enter into contracts with other 
entities in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
    (e) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--To the extent or in the amounts 
provided in advance in appropriations Acts, the Commission may accept, 
use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or 
property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or 
facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of 
money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, 
bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be 
available for disbursement upon order of the Chairperson.
    (f) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and 
agencies of the United States.
    (g) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support 
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act.

SEC. 7. STAFF.

    (a) Staff.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of such 
personnel as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (b) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, the 
head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the 
Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under 
this Act.
    (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary 
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily 
equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the 
General Schedule.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$2,500,000.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate on the 180th day following the date 
of transmittal of the final report required under section 5(c). All 
records and papers of the Commission shall thereupon be delivered to 
the Administrator of General Services for deposit in the National 
Archives.

SOLUTION:
United States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century Act - Establishes the United States Commission on Rebuilding America for the 21st Century to review published materials on the nation's transportation, water, energy, public lands, and housing infrastructure and assess the challenges of meeting the nation's infrastructure needs in the 21st century.

Directs the Commission to submit to Congress a report that: (1) documents those challenges and articulates a national vision of infrastructure investments to overcome them; (2) contains specific recommendations on policies and investments to provide for streamlined state and local transportation investment processes, an electric grid that delivers clean, safe, and affordable energy, reductions in greenhouse has emissions, and improved transportation mobility, community health outcomes, water conservation, and public lands infrastructure accommodating user growth without degrading the environment; and (3) contains a set of model principles to ensure that future investments in the nation's infrastructure incorporate the report's findings and recommendations.