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 ``James Guelff Body Armor Act of 
1999''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) nationally, police officers and ordinary citizens are 
        facing increased danger as criminals use more deadly weaponry, 
        body armor, and other sophisticated assault gear;
            (2) crime at the local level is exacerbated by the 
        interstate movement of body armor and other assault gear;
            (3) there is a traffic in body armor moving in or otherwise 
        affecting interstate commerce, and existing Federal controls 
        over such traffic do not adequately enable the States to 
        control this traffic within their own borders through the 
        exercise of their police power;
            (4) recent incidents, such as the murder of San Francisco 
        Police Officer James Guelff by an assailant wearing 2 layers of 
        body armor and a 1997 bank shoot out in north Hollywood, 
        California, between police and 2 heavily armed suspects 
        outfitted in body armor, demonstrate the serious threat to 
        community safety posed by criminals who wear body armor during 
        the commission of a violent crime;
            (5) of the approximately 1,200 officers killed in the line 
        of duty since 1980, more than 30 percent could have been saved 
        by body armor, and the risk of dying from gunfire is 14 times 
        higher for an officer without a bulletproof vest;
            (6) the Department of Justice has estimated that 25 percent 
        of State and local police are not issued body armor;
            (7) the Federal Government is well-equipped to grant local 
        police departments access to body armor that is no longer 
        needed by Federal agencies; and
            (8) Congress has the power, under the interstate commerce 
        clause and other provisions of the Constitution of the United 
        States, to enact legislation to regulate interstate commerce 
        that affects the integrity and safety of our communities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Body armor.--The term ``body armor'' means any product 
        sold or offered for sale, in interstate or foreign commerce, as 
        personal protective body covering intended to protect against 
        gunfire, regardless of whether the product is to be worn alone 
        or is sold as a complement to another product or garment.
            (2) Law enforcement agency.--The term ``law enforcement 
        agency'' means an agency of the United States, a State, or a 
        political subdivision of a State, authorized by law or by a 
        Government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, 
        detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of 
        criminal law.
            (3) Law enforcement officer.--The term ``law enforcement 
        officer'' means any officer, agent, or employee of the United 
        States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State, 
        authorized by law or by a Government agency to engage in or 
        supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or 
        prosecution of any violation of criminal law.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENT OF SENTENCING GUIDELINES WITH RESPECT TO BODY ARMOR.

    (a) Sentencing Enhancement.--The United States Sentencing 
Commission shall amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide an 
appropriate sentencing enhancement, increasing the offense level not 
less than 2 levels, for any offense in which the defendant used body 
armor.
    (b) Applicability.--No amendment made to the Federal Sentencing 
Guidelines pursuant to this section shall apply if the Federal offense 
in which the body armor is used constitutes a violation of, attempted 
violation of, or conspiracy to violate the civil rights of any person 
by a law enforcement officer acting under color of the authority of 
such law enforcement officer.

SEC. 5. PROHIBITION OF PURCHASE, USE, OR POSSESSION OF BODY ARMOR BY 
              VIOLENT FELONS.

    (a) Definition of Body Armor.--Section 921 of title 18, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(35) The term `body armor' means any product sold or 
        offered for sale, in interstate or foreign commerce, as 
        personal protective body covering intended to protect against 
        gunfire, regardless of whether the product is to be worn alone 
        or is sold as a complement to another product or garment.''.
    (b) Prohibition.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 931. Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or possession of body 
              armor by violent felons
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall 
be unlawful for a person to purchase, own, or possess body armor, if 
that person has been convicted of a felony that is--
            ``(1) a crime of violence (as defined in section 16); or
            ``(2) an offense under State law that would constitute a 
        crime of violence if it occurred within the special maritime 
        and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
    ``(b) Exception.--
            ``(1) Application.--A person who is subject to the 
        prohibition of subsection (a) whose employment, livelihood, or 
        safety is dependent on the ability to possess and use body 
        armor, may file a petition with the Secretary for an exception 
        to the prohibition of subsection (a).
            ``(2) Action by secretary.--Upon receipt of a petition 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary may reduce or eliminate the 
        prohibition of subsection (a), impose conditions on reduction 
        or elimination of the prohibition, or otherwise grant relief 
        from the prohibition, as the Secretary determines to be 
        appropriate, based on a determination that the petitioner--
                    ``(A) is likely to use body armor in a safe and 
                lawful manner; and
                    ``(B) has a reasonable need for such protection 
                under the circumstances.
            ``(3) Factors for consideration.--In making a determination 
        under paragraph (2) with respect to a petitioner, the Secretary 
        shall consider--
                    ``(A) any continued employment of the petitioner;
                    ``(B) the interests of justice;
                    ``(C) any relevant evidence; and
                    ``(D) the totality of the circumstances.
            ``(4) Certified copy of permission.--The Secretary shall 
        require, as a condition of granting any exception to a 
        petitioner under this subsection, that the petitioner agree to 
        maintain on his or her person a certified copy of the 
        Secretary's permission to possess and use body armor, including 
        any conditions or limitations.
            ``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
        be construed to--
                    ``(A) require the Secretary to grant relief to any 
                particular petitioner; or
                    ``(B) imply that any relief granted by the 
                Secretary under this subsection relieves any other 
                person from any liability that may otherwise be 
                imposed.
    ``(c) Immunity From Liability.--
            ``(1) In general.--An officer or employee of a law 
        enforcement agency who enforces the prohibition specified in 
        subsection (a) against a person who has been granted relief 
        pursuant to subsection (b), shall be immune from any liability 
        for false arrest arising from the enforcement of this section 
        unless the person has in his or her possession a certified copy 
        of the permission granting the person relief from the 
        prohibition, as required by subsection (b)(4).
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--The immunity from liability 
        described in paragraph (1) shall not relieve any person or 
        entity from any other liability that may otherwise be 
        imposed.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 44 of 
        title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
        the following:

``931. Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor 
                            by violent felons.''.
    (c) Penalties.--Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(7) Whoever knowingly violates section 931 shall be fined under 
this title, imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both.''.

SEC. 6. DONATION OF FEDERAL SURPLUS BODY ARMOR TO STATE AND LOCAL LAW 
              ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``Federal agency'' and 
``surplus property'' have the meanings given such terms under section 3 
of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 
U.S.C. 472).
    (b) Donation of Body Armor.--Notwithstanding section 203 of the 
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 
484), the head of a Federal agency may donate body armor directly to 
any State or local law enforcement agency, if such body armor is--
            (1) in serviceable condition; and
            (2) surplus property.
    (c) Notice to Administrator.--The head of a Federal agency who 
donates body armor under this section shall submit to the Administrator 
of General Services a written notice identifying the amount of body 
armor donated and each State or local law enforcement agency that 
received the body armor.
    (d) Donation by Certain Officers.--
            (1) Department of justice.--In the administration of this 
        section with respect to the Department of Justice, in addition 
        to any other officer of the Department of Justice designated by 
        the Attorney General, the following officers may act as the 
        head of a Federal agency:
                    (A) The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement 
                Administration.
                    (B) The Director of the Federal Bureau of 
                Investigation.
                    (C) The Commissioner of the Immigration and 
                Naturalization Service.
                    (D) The Director of the United States Marshals 
                Service.
            (2) Department of the treasury.--In the administration of 
        this section with respect to the Department of the Treasury, in 
        addition to any other officer of the Department of the Treasury 
        designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, the following 
        officers may act as the head of a Federal agency:
                    (A) The Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
                and Firearms.
                    (B) The Commissioner of Customs.
                    (C) The Director of the United States Secret 
                Service.

SOLUTION: James Guelff Body Armor Act of 1999 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to provide an appropriate enhancement, increasing the level not less than two levels, for any offense in which the defendant used body armor, with an exception involving a civil rights violation by a law enforcement officer acting under color of authority. 
(Sec. 5) Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit the purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor by violent felons, with a procedure for the Secretary of the Treasury to grant an exception where a person's employment, livelihood, or safety is dependent on the ability to possess and use body armor.  Grants a law enforcement officer immunity from liability for false arrest arising from the enforcement of this section unless the person has in his or her possession a certified copy of the permission granting the person relief from the prohibition.  Sets penalties for violations of this prohibition. 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the head of a Federal agency to donate body armor that is surplus property and in serviceable condition directly to any State or local law enforcement agency.  Allows specified officials in the Treasury and Justice Departments to act as the head of a Federal agency.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENT OF BOTH RETIRED PAY AND VETERANS' 
              DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN ADDITIONAL MILITARY 
              RETIREES WITH COMPENSABLE SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.

    (a) Extension of Concurrent Receipt Authority to Retirees With 
Service-Connected Disabilities Rated Less Than 50 Percent.--Subsection 
(a) of section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Compensation'' in the subsection heading 
        and all that follows through ``Subject'' and inserting 
        ``Compensation.--Subject''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2).
    (b) Repeal of Phase-In of Concurrent Receipt of Retired Pay and 
Veterans' Disability Compensation.--Such section is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), as amended by subsection (a) of this 
        section, by striking the final sentence;
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating 
        subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), 
        respectively; and
            (3) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by striking 
        paragraphs (3) and (4).
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Section heading.--The heading for section 1414 of such 
        title is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1414. Members eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for 
              veterans' disability compensation: concurrent payment of 
              retired pay and disability compensation''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The item relating to such section 
        in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 71 of such 
        title is amended to read as follows:

``1414. Members eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for 
                            veterans' disability compensation: 
                            concurrent payment of retired pay and 
                            disability compensation.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect as of January 1, 2012, and shall apply to payments for months 
beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 2. COORDINATION OF SERVICE ELIGIBILITY FOR COMBAT-RELATED SPECIAL 
              COMPENSATION AND CONCURRENT RECEIPT.

    (a) Eligibility for TERA Retirees.--Subsection (c) of section 1413a 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``entitled to 
retired pay who--'' and all that follows through the end of paragraph 
(1) and inserting ``who--
            ``(1) is entitled to retired pay, other than a member 
        retired under chapter 61 of this title with less than 20 years 
        of service creditable under section 1405 of this title and less 
        than 20 years of service computed under section 12732 of this 
        title; and''.
    (b) Amendments To Standardize Similar Provisions.--
            (1) Clerical and conforming amendments.--Section 1413a of 
        such title is further amended--
                    (A) in the heading for paragraph (3) of subsection 
                (b), by striking ``rules'' and inserting ``rule''; and
                    (B) in subsection (f), by striking ``Subsection 
                (d)'' and inserting ``Subsection (c)''.
            (2) Specification of qualified retirees for concurrent 
        receipt purposes.--Section 1414 of such title, as amended by 
        section 3, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking ``a member or'' and all 
                        that follows through ``is entitled'' and 
                        inserting ``an individual who is a qualified 
                        retiree for any month is entitled''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``retired pay and 
                        veterans' disability compensation'' after 
                        ``both''; and
                    (B) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Qualified retiree.--The term `qualified retiree' 
        means a member or former member of the uniformed services who, 
        with respect to any month--
                    ``(A) is entitled to retired pay, other than in the 
                case of a member retired under chapter 61 of this title 
                with less than 20 years of service creditable under 
                section 1405 of this title and less than 20 years of 
                service computed under section 12732 of this title; and
                    ``(B) is entitled to veterans' disability 
                compensation.''.
            (3) Standardization with crsc rule for chapter 61 
        retirees.--Subsection (b) of section 1414 of such title is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``Special Rules'' in the subsection 
                heading and all that follows through ``is subject to'' 
                and inserting ``Special Rule for Chapter 61 Disability 
                Retirees.--In the case of a qualified retiree who is 
                retired under chapter 61 of this title, the retired pay 
                of the member is subject to''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2).
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect as of January 1, 2012, and shall apply to payments for months 
beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT OF REDUCTION OF SBP SURVIVOR ANNUITIES BY 
              DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.

    (a) Repeal.--
            (1) Repeal.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, 
        United States Code, is amended as follows:
                    (A) In section 1450, by striking subsection (c).
                    (B) In section 1451(c)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (2); and
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and 
                        (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Such subchapter is further 
        amended as follows:
                    (A) In section 1450--
                            (i) by striking subsection (e); and
                            (ii) by striking subsection (k).
                    (B) In section 1451(g)(1), by striking subparagraph 
                (C).
                    (C) In section 1452--
                            (i) in subsection (f)(2), by striking 
                        ``does not apply--'' and all that follows and 
                        inserting ``does not apply in the case of a 
                        deduction made through administrative error.''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking subsection (g).
                    (D) In section 1455(c), by striking ``, 
                1450(k)(2),''.
    (b) Prohibition on Retroactive Benefits.--No benefits may be paid 
to any person for any period before the effective date provided under 
subsection (f) by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a).
    (c) Prohibition on Recoupment of Certain Amounts Previously 
Refunded to SBP Recipients.--A surviving spouse who is or has been in 
receipt of an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan under subchapter 
II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code, that is in effect 
before the effective date provided under subsection (f) and that is 
adjusted by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) and who has 
received a refund of retired pay under section 1450(e) of title 10, 
United States Code, shall not be required to repay such refund to the 
United States.
    (d) Repeal of Authority for Optional Annuity for Dependent 
Children.--Section 1448(d)(2) of such title is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Dependent children.--'' and all that 
        follows through ``In the case of a member described in 
        paragraph (1),'' and inserting ``Dependent children.--In the 
        case of a member described in paragraph (1),''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B).
    (e) Restoration of Eligibility for Previously Eligible Spouses.--
The Secretary of the military department concerned shall restore 
annuity eligibility to any eligible surviving spouse who, in 
consultation with the Secretary, previously elected to transfer payment 
of such annuity to a surviving child or children under the provisions 
of section 1448(d)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, as in effect 
on the day before the effective date provided under subsection (f). 
Such eligibility shall be restored whether or not payment to such child 
or children subsequently was terminated due to loss of dependent status 
or death. For the purposes of this subsection, an eligible spouse 
includes a spouse who was previously eligible for payment of such 
annuity and is not remarried, or remarried after having attained age 
55, or whose second or subsequent marriage has been terminated by 
death, divorce or annulment.
    (f) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this 
section shall take effect on the later of--
            (1) October 1, 2011; or
            (2) the first day of the first month that begins after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. ELIMINATION OF FISCAL YEAR LIMITATION IN CONSIDERING ACTIVE 
              DUTY AND ACTIVE SERVICE FOR EARLY ELIGIBILITY FOR RECEIPT 
              OF NON-REGULAR SERVICE RETIRED PAY.

    (a) Consideration of 90-Day Periods of Service.--Section 
12731(f)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``below 60 years of age by three months for each aggregate of 90 days 
on which such person so performs in any fiscal year after such date, 
subject to subparagraph (C)'' and inserting ``, subject to subparagraph 
(C), below 60 years of age by three months for each aggregate of 90 
days on which such person serves on such active duty or performs such 
active service after such date''.
    (b) Retroactive Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect as of January 28, 2008, and as if included in the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 
110-181) as enacted.

SOLUTION: Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more). Repeals provisions phasing in the full concurrent receipt of such pay through December 31, 2013.

Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.

Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or who would be entitled to retired pay except for being under 60 years of age.

Prohibits requiring repayment of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.

Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse.

Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.

Removes the requirement that days of active duty or active service used to reduce the minimum age at which a member of the reserves may retire for non-regular (reserve) service must occur in the same fiscal year.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that:
            (1) Protection of the environmental and ecological 
        qualities of Federal lands are important concerns for all 
        people.
            (2) Reviewing the environmental impact of proposed 
        transmission facilities is a vital task which must be conducted 
        in a thorough and comprehensive manner.
            (3) A thorough and comprehensive review of these effects 
        can be conducted in a timely manner without sacrificing the 
        quality of the review.
            (4) There is currently no requirement that Federal agencies 
        complete environmental reviews for proposed transmission 
        facilities in a timely manner.
            (5) The length of time for completion of these reviews 
        varies widely, with agencies taking as long as ten years to 
        complete these reviews.
            (6) There are cases of Federal agencies conducting 
        environmental reviews in a subsequent, rather than concurrent, 
        manner and failing to coordinate their reviews with State 
        authorities and other Federal agencies.
            (7) The electricity transmission grid must be expanded to 
        ensure reliable supplies of electricity.
            (8) The Federal Government currently owns approximately 29 
        percent of the land area of the United States including 90 
        percent of Nevada, 70 percent of Arizona, and similarly large 
        percentages of other Western States.
            (9) Because of the large Federal land holdings in the West, 
        transmission facilities must often be built on Federal lands.
            (10) Appointment of a lead agency to coordinate the 
        environmental reviews of Federal agencies will lead to more 
        thorough, comprehensive and timely reviews.

SEC. 2. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

    The Constitutional authority on which this act rests are the powers 
of Congress to make all needful rules and regulations respecting the 
territory or other property belonging to the United States as 
enumerated in article IV, section 3 and to make all laws which shall be 
necessary and proper as enumerated in article I, section 8 of the 
United States Constitution.

SEC. 3. FEDERAL AND STATE COORDINATION OF PERMITTING FOR TRANSMISSION 
              FACILITIES.

    (a) Lead Agency.--If an applicant, or prospective applicant, for 
Federal authorization related to an electricity transmission or 
distribution facility so requests, the Department of Energy (DOE) shall 
act as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all applicable 
Federal authorization and related environmental review of the facility. 
The term ``Federal authorization'' shall mean any authorization 
required under Federal law in order to site a transmission or 
distribution facility, including but not limited to such permits, 
special use authorizations, certifications, opinions, or other 
approvals as may be required, whether issued by a Federal or a State 
agency. To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Energy 
shall coordinate this Federal authorization and review process with any 
Indian tribes, multi-State entities, and State agencies that are 
responsible for conducting any separate permitting and environmental 
reviews of the facility, to ensure timely and efficient review and 
permit decisions.
    (b) Authority to Set Deadlines.--As lead agency, the Department of 
Energy, in consultation with other Federal and, as appropriate, with 
Indian tribes, multi-State entities, and State agencies that are 
willing to coordinate their own separate permitting and environmental 
reviews with the Federal authorization and environmental reviews, shall 
establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate 
deadlines for the review of and Federal authorization decisions 
relating to the proposed facility. Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary of Energy shall ensure that once an application 
has been submitted with such data as the Secretary deems necessary, all 
permit decisions and related environmental reviews under all applicable 
Federal laws shall be completed within 1 year. The Secretary of Energy 
also shall provide a speedy pre-application mechanism for prospective 
applicants to confer with the agencies involved to have each such 
agency determine and communicate to the prospective applicant within 60 
days of when the prospective applicant submits a request for such 
information concerning--
            (1) the likelihood of approval for a potential facility; 
        and
            (2) key issues of concern to the agencies and public.
    (c) Consolidated Environmental Review and Record of Decision.--The 
Secretary of Energy shall prepare a single environmental review 
document, which shall be used as the basis for all decisions on the 
proposed project under Federal law. The document may be an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under the 
National Environmental Policy Act if warranted, or such other form of 
analysis as may be warranted. DOE and other agencies shall streamline 
the review and permitting of transmission and distribution facilities 
within corridors designated under section 503 of the Federal Land 
Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. section 1763) by fully taking into 
account prior analyses and decisions as to the corridors.
    (d) Appeals.--In the event that any agency has denied a Federal 
authorization required for a transmission or distribution facility, or 
has failed to act by the deadline established by the Secretary pursuant 
to this section for deciding whether to issue the authorization, the 
applicant or any State in which the facility would be located may file 
an appeal with the Secretary of Energy, which shall review the denial 
or take action on the pending application. Based on the overall record 
and in consultation with the affected agency, the Secretary may then 
either issue the necessary authorization with or without appropriate 
conditions, or may deny the application. The Secretary shall issue its 
decision within 90 days of the filing of the appeal.
    (e) Conforming Regulations and Memoranda of Agreement.--Not later 
than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the 
Secretary of Energy shall issue any regulations necessary to implement 
the foregoing provisions. Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary and the heads of all relevant 
Federal departments and non-departmental agencies shall, and interested 
Indian tribes, multi-State entities, and State agencies may, enter into 
Memoranda of Agreement to ensure the timely and coordinated review and 
permitting of electricity transmission and distribution facilities. The 
head of each Federal department or non-departmental agency with 
approval authority shall designate a senior responsible official and 
dedicate sufficient other staff and resources to ensure that the DOE 
regulations and any Memoranda are fully implemented.
    (f) Miscellaneous.--Each Federal authorization for an electricity 
transmission or distribution facility shall be issued for a duration, 
as determined by the Secretary of Energy, commensurate with the 
anticipated use of the facility and with appropriate authority to 
manage the right-of-way for reliability and environmental protection. 
Further, when such authorizations expire, they shall be reviewed for 
renewal taking fully into account reliance on such electricity 
infrastructure, recognizing its importance for public health, safety 
and economic welfare and as a legitimate use of Federal lands.
    (g) Maintaining and Enhancing the Transmission Infrastructure.--In 
exercising the responsibilities under this section, the Secretary of 
Energy shall consult regularly with the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC) and FERC-approved Regional Transmission Organizations 
and Independent System Operators on changes to the national grid that 
will improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the 
capability of the grid to deliver electricity.

SOLUTION:
Designates the Department of Energy (DOE) as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all applicable Federal authorization and related environmental review of a proposed electricity transmission or distribution facility upon request of a current or prospective applicant for Federal authorization related to such a facility.

Instructs DOE to establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of and Federal authorization decisions relating to the proposed facility.

Sets a one-year deadline for completion of all permit decisions and related environmental reviews regarding an application.

Requires the Secretary of Energy to consult regularly with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and FERC-approved Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators on changes to the national grid that will improve reliability, relieve congestion, and enhance the capability of the grid to deliver electricity.