In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. CLASS SIZE DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.

    Subpart 3 of part D of title V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1109 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

              ``Subpart 3--Class Size Demonstration Grants

``SEC. 561. PURPOSE.

    ``It is the purpose of this subpart to provide grants to State 
educational agencies to enable such agencies to determine the benefits, 
in various school settings, of reducing class size on the educational 
performance of students and on classroom management and organization.

``SEC. 562. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants, on a 
        competitive basis, to State educational agencies to pay the 
        Federal share of the costs of conducting demonstration projects 
        that demonstrate methods of reducing class size that may 
        provide information meaningful to other State educational 
        agencies and local educational agencies.
            ``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share shall be 50 
        percent.
    ``(b) Reservation.--The Secretary may reserve not more than 5 
percent of the amount appropriated under section 565A for each fiscal 
year to carry out the activities described in section 565.
    ``(c) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall make grants to State 
educational agencies on the basis of--
            ``(1) the need and the ability of a State educational 
        agency to reduce the class size of an elementary school or 
        secondary school served by such agency;
            ``(2) the ability of a State educational agency to furnish 
        the non-Federal share of the costs of the demonstration project 
        for which assistance is sought;
            ``(3) the ability of a State educational agency to continue 
        the project for which assistance is sought after the 
        termination of Federal financial assistance under this subpart; 
        and
            ``(4) the degree to which a State educational agency 
        demonstrates in the application submitted pursuant to section 
        564 consultation in program implementation and design with 
        parents, teachers, school administrators, and local teacher 
        organizations, where applicable.
    ``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subpart, the 
Secretary shall give priority to demonstration projects that involve 
at-risk students in the earliest grades, including educationally or 
economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and 
limited English proficient students.
    ``(e) Grants Must Supplement Other Funds.--A State educational 
agency shall use the Federal funds received under this subpart to 
supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds 
available to the State educational agency to carry out the purpose of 
this subpart.

``SEC. 563. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Annual Competition.--In each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
announce the factors to be examined in a demonstration project assisted 
under this subpart. Such factors may include--
            ``(1) the magnitude of the reduction in class size to be 
        achieved;
            ``(2) the level of education in which the demonstration 
        projects shall occur;
            ``(3) the form of the instructional strategy to be 
        demonstrated; and
            ``(4) the duration of the project.
    ``(b) Random Techniques and Appropriate Comparison Groups.--
Demonstration projects assisted under this subpart shall be designed to 
utilize randomized techniques or appropriate comparison groups.

``SEC. 564. APPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--In order to receive a grant under this subpart, 
a State educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary 
that is responsive to the announcement described in section 563(a), at 
such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such 
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(b) Duration.--The Secretary shall encourage State educational 
agencies to submit applications under this subpart for a period of 5 
years.
    ``(c) Contents.--Each application submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include--
            ``(1) a description of the objectives to be attained with 
        the grant funds and the manner in which the grant funds will be 
        used to reduce class size;
            ``(2) a description of the steps to be taken to achieve 
        target class sizes, including, where applicable, the 
        acquisition of additional teaching personnel and classroom 
        space;
            ``(3) a statement of the methods for the collection of data 
        necessary for the evaluation of the impact of class size 
        reduction programs on student achievement;
            ``(4) an assurance that the State educational agency will 
        pay, from non-Federal sources, the non-Federal share of the 
        costs of the demonstration project for which assistance is 
        sought; and
            ``(5) such additional assurances as the Secretary may 
        reasonably require.
    ``(d) Sufficient Size and Scope Required.--The Secretary shall 
award grants under this subpart only to State educational agencies 
submitting applications which described projects of sufficient size and 
scope to contribute to carrying out the purpose of this subpart.

``SEC. 565. EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION.

    ``(a) National Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct a national 
evaluation of the demonstration projects assisted under this subpart to 
determine the costs incurred in achieving the reduction in class size 
and the effects of the reductions on results, such as student 
performance in the affected subjects or grades, attendance, discipline, 
classroom organization, management, and teacher satisfaction and 
retention.
    ``(b) Cooperation.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant 
under this subpart shall cooperate in the national evaluation described 
in subsection (a) and shall provide such information to the Secretary 
as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(c) Reports.--The Secretary shall report to Congress on the 
results of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a).
    ``(d) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall widely disseminate 
information about the results of the class size demonstration projects 
assisted under this subpart.

``SEC. 565A. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart 
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years.''.

SEC. 2. PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY NASA 
              RELATING TO AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE.

    The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration may not carry out research and development activities 
relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft 
and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives payment in 
full for such activities from the private sector.
[EX A]: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a competitive Class Size Demonstration Grants program. 
Directs the Secretary of Education to award such grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to pay half of the costs of conducting projects that demonstrate methods of reducing class size that may provide information meaningful to other SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs).  Authorizes the Secretary to reserve up to five percent of funds for this Act for each fiscal year to carry out national evaluation and dissemination activities. 
Sets forth program requirements for:  (1) grant selection criteria; (2) priority for projects that involve at-risk students in the earliest grades, including educationally or economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and limited English proficient students; (3) annual competitions; (4) random techniques and appropriate comparison groups; (5) applications; and (6) sufficient size and scope of projects. 
Directs the Secretary to:  (1) conduct, and report to the Congress on, a national evaluation of such projects to determine the costs incurred in achieving the reduction in class size and the effects of the reductions on results; and (2) widely disseminate information about the results of such projects. 
Authorizes appropriations. 
(Sec. 2) Prohibits the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from carrying out research and development activities relating to the performance of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the Administrator receives payment in full for such activities from the private sector.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Climate Change Technology Deployment 
in Developing Countries Act of 2005''.

SEC. 2. CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

    Title VII of the Global Environmental Protection Assistance Act of 
1989 (Public Law 101-240; 103 Stat. 2521) is amending by adding at the 
end the following:

        ``PART C--TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

``SEC. 731. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this part:
            ``(1) Carbon sequestration.--The term `carbon 
        sequestration' means the capture of carbon dioxide through 
        terrestrial, geological, biological, or other means, which 
        prevents the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
            ``(2) Greenhouse gas.--The term `greenhouse gas' means 
        carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, 
        perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
            ``(3) Greenhouse gas intensity.--The term `greenhouse gas 
        intensity' means the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions to 
        economic output.

``SEC. 732. REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS INTENSITY.

    ``(a) Lead Agency.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Department of State shall act as the 
        lead agency for integrating into United States foreign policy 
        the goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity in developing 
        countries.
            ``(2) Reports.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after 
                the date of enactment of this part and each year 
                thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to the 
                appropriate authorizing and appropriating committees of 
                Congress a report on the 25 developing countries that 
                are the top energy users, including for each country a 
                description of--
                            ``(i) the quantity and types of energy 
                        used;
                            ``(ii) the greenhouse gas intensity of the 
                        energy, manufacturing, agricultural, and 
                        transportation sectors;
                            ``(iii) the progress of any projects 
                        undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas intensity;
                            ``(iv) the potential for further projects 
                        to reduce greenhouse gas intensity; and
                            ``(v) obstacles to the further reduction of 
                        greenhouse gas intensity.
                    ``(B) Use.--
                            ``(i) Initial report.--The Secretary of 
                        State shall use the initial report submitted 
                        under subparagraph (A) to establish baselines 
                        for the developing countries with respect to 
                        the information provided under clauses (i) and 
                        (ii) of that subparagraph.
                            ``(ii) Annual reports.--The Secretary of 
                        State shall use the annual reports submitted 
                        under subparagraph (A) to track the progress of 
                        the developing countries with respect to 
                        reducing greenhouse gas intensity.
    ``(b) Projects.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, shall (directly or through agreements with the World Bank, 
the International Monetary Fund, the Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation, and other development institutions) provide assistance to 
developing countries specifically for projects to reduce greenhouse gas 
intensity, including projects to--
            ``(1) leverage, through bilateral agreements, funds for 
        reduction of greenhouse gas intensity;
            ``(2) increase private investment in projects and 
        activities to reduce greenhouse gas intensity; and
            ``(3) expedite the deployment of technology to reduce 
        greenhouse gas intensity.
    ``(c) Focus.--In carrying out the projects, the Secretary of State 
shall focus on--
            ``(1) promoting the rule of law, property rights, contract 
        protection, and economic freedom; and
            ``(2) increasing capacity, infrastructure, and training.
    ``(d) Priority.--In carrying out the projects, the Secretary of 
State shall give priority to projects in the 25 developing countries 
identified in the report submitted under subsection (a)(2)(A).

``SEC. 733. TECHNOLOGY INVENTORY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Energy, shall conduct an inventory of greenhouse gas 
intensity reducing technologies that are developed, or under 
development, to identify technologies that are suitable for transfer 
to, deployment in, and commercialization in the developing countries 
identified in the report submitted under section 732(a)(2)(A).
    ``(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of the 
inventory under subsection (a), the Secretary of State and the 
Secretary of Energy shall jointly submit to Congress a report that--
            ``(1) includes the results of the completed inventory; and
            ``(2) identifies obstacles to the deployment of the 
        technologies studied.

``SEC. 734. TRADE-RELATED BARRIERS TO EXPORT OF GREENHOUSE GAS 
              INTENSITY REDUCING TECHNOLOGIES.

    ``Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this part, 
the United States Trade Representative shall--
            ``(1) identify trade-related barriers maintained by foreign 
        countries to the export of greenhouse gas intensity reducing 
        technologies and practices from the United States; and
            ``(2) negotiate with the foreign countries for the removal 
        of those barriers.

``SEC. 735. GREENHOUSE GAS INTENSITY REDUCING TECHNOLOGY EXPORT 
              INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established an interagency working 
group to carry out a Greenhouse Gas Intensity Reducing Technology 
Export Initiative to--
            ``(1) promote the export of greenhouse gas intensity 
        reducing technologies and practices from the United States;
            ``(2) identify developing countries that should be 
        designated as priority countries for the purpose of exporting 
        greenhouse gas intensity reducing technologies and practices, 
        based on the report submitted under section 732(a)(2)(A);
            ``(3) identify potential barriers to adoption of exported 
        greenhouse gas intensity reducing technologies and practices; 
        and
            ``(4) identify previous efforts to export energy 
        technologies to learn best practices.
    ``(b) Composition.--The working group shall be composed of--
            ``(1) the Secretary of State, who shall act as the head of 
        the working group;
            ``(2) the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development;
            ``(3) the United States Trade Representative;
            ``(4) a designee of the Secretary of Energy; and
            ``(5) a designee of the Secretary of Commerce.
    ``(c) Performance Reviews and Reports.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this part and each year thereafter, the 
interagency working group shall--
            ``(1) conduct a performance review of actions taken and 
        results achieved by the Federal Government (including each of 
        the agencies represented on the interagency working group) to 
        promote the export of greenhouse gas intensity reducing 
        technologies and practices from the United States; and
            ``(2) submit to the appropriate authorizing and 
        appropriating committees of Congress a report that describes 
        the results of the performance reviews and evaluates progress 
        in promoting the export of greenhouse gas intensity reducing 
        technologies and practices from the United States, including 
        any recommendations for increasing the export of the 
        technologies and practices.

``SEC. 736. TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the United States Agency 
for International Development, shall develop a technology strategic 
plan, and carry out demonstration projects, to promote the adoption of 
technologies and practices that reduce greenhouse gas intensity in 
developing countries.
    ``(b) Demonstration Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretaries and the Administrator 
        shall plan, coordinate, and carry out demonstration projects 
        under this section in at least 10 eligible countries, as 
        determined by the Secretaries and the Administrator.
            ``(2) Eligibility.--A country shall be eligible for 
        assistance under this subsection if the Secretaries and the 
        Administrator determine that the country has demonstrated a 
        commitment to--
                    ``(A) just and democratic governance, including--
                            ``(i) promoting political pluralism, 
                        equality, and the rule of law;
                            ``(ii) respecting human and civil rights;
                            ``(iii) protecting private property rights;
                            ``(iv) encouraging transparency and 
                        accountability of government; and
                            ``(v) combating corruption; and
                    ``(B) economic freedom, including economic policies 
                that--
                            ``(i) encourage citizens and firms to 
                        participate in global trade and international 
                        capital markets;
                            ``(ii) promote private sector growth and 
                        the sustainable management of natural 
                        resources;
                            ``(iii) strengthen market forces in the 
                        economy; and
                            ``(iv) respect worker rights.
            ``(3) Selection.--In determining which eligible countries 
        to provide funding to under paragraph (1), the Secretaries and 
        the Administrator shall consider--
                    ``(A) the extent to which the country meets or 
                exceeds the eligibility criteria;
                    ``(B) the opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas 
                intensity in the eligible country; and
                    ``(C) the opportunity to generate economic growth 
                in the eligible country.
            ``(4) Types of projects.--Demonstration projects under this 
        section may include--
                    ``(A) coal gasification, coal liquefaction, and 
                clean coal projects;
                    ``(B) carbon sequestration projects;
                    ``(C) cogeneration technology initiatives;
                    ``(D) renewable projects; and
                    ``(E) lower emission transportation.

``SEC. 737. FELLOWSHIP AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.

    ``The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of 
Energy, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency, shall carry out fellowship and 
exchange programs under which officials from developing countries visit 
the United States to acquire expertise and knowledge of best practices 
to reduce greenhouse gas intensity in their countries.

``SEC. 738. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this part (other than section 736).

``SEC. 739. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    ``Except as otherwise provided in this part, this part takes effect 
on October 1, 2005.

``SEC. 740. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

    ``The authority provided by this part terminates effective December 
31, 2010.''.
[EX A]: Climate Change Technology Deployment in Developing Countries Act of 2005 - Amends the Global Environmental Protection Assistance Act of 1989 to consider the Department of State as the lead agency for integrating into U.S. foreign policy the goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity in developing countries.

Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) provide assistance to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas intensity; (2) inventory greenhouse gas intensity reducing technologies and identify appropriate technologies for developing countries; (3) develop a technology strategic plan and carry out demonstration projects in at least ten countries; and (4) carry out fellowship and exchange programs for officials from developing countries to acquire U.S. expertise in greenhouse gas intensity reduction practices.

Directs the U.S. Trade Representative to seek to eliminate foreign trade barriers to the export of U.S. greenhouse gas intensity reducing technologies and practices.

Establishes an interagency working group to carry out a greenhouse gas intensity reducing technology export initiative.

 Terminates programs under this Act as of December 31, 2010.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND REFERENCES IN ACT.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare 
Contractor Reform Amendments of 1996''.
    (b) References in Act.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, 
whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference 
shall be considered to be made a section or other provision of the 
Social Security Act.

SEC. 2. INCREASED FLEXIBILITY IN CONTRACTING FOR MEDICARE CLAIMS 
              PROCESSING.

    (a) Carriers To Include Entities That Are Not Insurance 
Companies.--
            (1) Section 1842(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(a)) is amended in the 
        matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``with carriers'' 
        and inserting ``with agencies and organizations (hereafter in 
        this section referred to as `carriers')''.
            (2) Section 1842(f) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(f)) is repealed.
    (b) Choice of Fiscal Intermediaries by Providers of Services; 
Secretarial Flexibility in Assigning Functions to Intermediaries and 
Carriers.--
            (1) Section 1816(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(a)) to read as 
        follows:
    ``(a)(1) The Secretary may enter into contracts with agencies or 
organizations to perform any or all of the following functions, or 
parts of those functions (or, to the extent provided in a contract, to 
secure performance thereof by other organizations):
            ``(A) Determination (subject to the provisions of section 
        1878 and to such review by the Secretary as may be provided for 
        by the contracts) the amount of the payments required pursuant 
        to this part to be made to providers of services.
            ``(B) Making payments described in subparagraph (A).
            ``(C) Provision of consultative services to institutions or 
        agencies to enable them to establish and maintain fiscal 
        records necessary for purposes of this part and otherwise to 
        qualify as providers of services.
            ``(D) Serving as a center for, and communicate to 
        individuals entitled to benefits under this part and to 
        providers of services, any information or instructions 
        furnished to the agency or organization by the Secretary, and 
        serve as a channel of communication from individuals entitled 
        to benefits under this part and from providers of services to 
        the Secretary.
            ``(E) Making such audits of the records of providers of 
        services as may be necessary to ensure that proper payments are 
        made under this part.
            ``(F) Performance of the functions described under 
        subsection (d).
            ``(G) Performance of such other functions as are necessary 
        to carry out the purposes of this part.
    ``(2) As used in this title and title XI, the term `fiscal 
intermediary' means an agency or organization with a contract under 
this section.''.
            (2) Subsections (d) and (e) of section 1816 (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h) are amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Each provider of services shall have a fiscal intermediary 
that--
            ``(1) acts as a single point of contact for the provider of 
        services under this part,
            ``(2) makes its services sufficiently available to meet the 
        needs of the provider of services, and
            ``(3) is responsible and accountable for arranging the 
        resolution of issues raised under this part by the provider of 
        services.
    ``(e)(1)(A) The Secretary shall, at least every 5 years, permit 
each provider of services (other than a home health agency or a hospice 
program) to choose an agency or organization (from at least 3 proposed 
by the Secretary, of which at least 1 shall have an office in the 
geographic area of the provider of services, except as provided by 
subparagraph (B)(ii)(II)) as the fiscal intermediary under subsection 
(d) for that provider of services. If a contract with that fiscal 
intermediary is discontinued, the Secretary shall permit the provider 
of services to choose under the same conditions from 3 other agencies 
or organizations.
    ``(B)(i) The Secretary, in carrying out subparagraph (A), shall 
permit a group of hospitals (or a group of another class of providers 
other than home health agencies or hospice programs) under common 
ownership by, or control of, a particular entity to choose one agency 
or organization (from at least 3 proposed by the Secretary) as the 
fiscal intermediary under subsection (d) for all the providers in that 
group if the conditions specified in clause (ii) are met.
    ``(ii) The conditions specified in this clause are that--
            ``(I) the group includes all the providers of services of 
        that class that are under common ownership by, or control of, 
        that particular entity, and
            ``(II) all the providers of services in that group agree 
        that none of the agencies or organizations proposed by the 
        Secretary is required to have an office in any particular 
        geographic area.
    ``(2) The Secretary, in evaluating the performance of a fiscal 
intermediary, shall solicit comments from providers of services.''.
            (3)(A) Section 1816(b)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(b)(1)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``after applying the standards, criteria, 
        and procedures'' and inserting ``after evaluating the ability 
        of the agency or organization to fulfill the contract 
        performance requirements''.
            (B) The first sentence of section 1816(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h(f)(1)) is amended--
                    (i) by striking ``develop standards, criteria, and 
                procedures'' and inserting ``, after public notice and 
                opportunity for comment, develop contract performance 
                requirements'', and
                    (ii) by striking ``, and the Secretary shall 
                establish standards and criteria with respect to the 
                efficient and effective administration of this part''.
            (C) The second sentence of section 1842(b)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395u(b)(2)(A)) is amended to read as follows: ``The Secretary 
        shall, after public notice and opportunity for comment, develop 
        contract performance requirements for the efficient and 
        effective performance of contract obligations under this 
        section.''.
            (D) Section 1842(b)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(2)(A)) is 
        amended by striking the third sentence.
            (E) Section 1842(b)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(2)(B)) is 
        amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking 
        ``establish standards'' and inserting ``develop contract 
        performance requirements''.
            (F) Section 1842(b)(2)(D) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(2)(D)) is 
        amended by striking ``standards and criteria'' each place is 
        appears and inserting ``contract performance requirements''.
            (4)(A) Section 1816(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(b)) is amended in 
        the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``an agreement'' 
        and inserting ``a contract''.
            (B) Paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(A) of section 1816(b) (42 
        U.S.C. 1395h(b)) are each amended by striking ``agreement'' and 
        inserting ``contract''.
            (C) The first sentence of section 1816(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``An agreement'' and 
        inserting ``A contract''.
            (D) The last sentence of section 1816(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``an agreement'' and 
        inserting ``a contract''.
            (E) Section 1816(c)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)(2)(A)) is 
        amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking 
        ``agreement'' and inserting ``contract''.
            (F) Section 1816(c)(3)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)(3)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``agreement'' and inserting ``contract''.
            (G) The first sentence of section 1816(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h(f)(1)) is amended by striking ``an agreement'' and 
        inserting ``a contract''.
            (H) Section 1816(h) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(h)) is amended--
                    (i) by striking ``An agreement'' and inserting ``A 
                contract'', and
                    (ii) by striking ``the agreement'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``the contract''.
            (I) Section 1816(i)(I) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(i)(1)) is amended 
        by striking ``an agreement'' and inserting ``a contract''.
            (J) Section 1816(j) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(j)) is amended by 
        striking ``An agreement'' and inserting ``A contract''.
            (K) Section 1816(k) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(k)) is amended by 
        striking ``An agreement'' and inserting ``A contract''.
            (L) Section 1842(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(a)) is amended in the 
        matter preceding paragraph (1) is amended by striking 
        ``agreements'' and inserting ``contracts''.
            (M) Section 1842(h)(3)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)(3)(A)) is 
        amended by striking ``an agreement'' and inserting ``a 
        contract''.
            (5) Section 1816(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(f)(1)) is amended 
        by striking the second sentence.
            (6)(A) Section 1816(c)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)(2)(A)) is 
        amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting ``that 
        provides for making payments under this part'' after ``this 
        section''.
            (B) Section 1816(c)(3)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)(3)(A)) is 
        amended by inserting ``that provides for making payments under 
        this part'' after ``this section''.
            (C) Section 1816(k) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(k)) is amended by 
        inserting ``(as appropriate)'' after ``submit''.
            (D) Section 1842(a) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(a)) is amended in the 
        matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``some or all of the 
        following functions'' and inserting ``any or all of the 
        following functions, or parts of those functions''.
            (E) The first sentence of section 1842(b)(2)(C) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395u(b)((2)(C)) is amended by inserting ``(as appropriate)'' 
        after ``carriers''.
            (F) Section 1842(b)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(3)) is amended 
        in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting ``(as 
        appropriate)'' after ``contract''.
            (G) Section 1842(b)(7)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(7)(A)) is 
        amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by striking ``the 
        carrier'' and inserting ``a carrier''.
            (H) Section 1842(b)(11)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(11)(A)) is 
        amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting ``(as 
        appropriate)'' after ``each carrier''.
            (I) Section 1842(h)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)(2)) is amended 
        in the first sentence by inserting ``(as appropriate)'' after 
        ``shall''.
            (J) Section 1842(h)(5)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)(5)(A)) is 
        amended by inserting ``(as appropriate)'' after ``carriers''.
            (7)(A) Section 1816(c)(2)(C) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)(2)(C)) is 
        amended by striking ``hospital, rural primary care hospital, 
        skilled nursing facility, home health agency, hospice program, 
        comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, or 
        rehabilitation agency'' and inserting ``provider of services''.
            (B) Section 1816(j) (42 U.S.C. 1395h)(j)) is amended in the 
        matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``for home health 
        services, extended care services, or post-hospital extended 
        care services''.
            (8) Section 1842(a)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(a)(3)) is amended 
        by inserting ``(to and from individuals enrolled under this 
        part and to and from physicians and other entities that furnish 
        items and services)'' after ``communication''.
    (c) Elimination of Special Provisions for Terminations of 
Contracts.--
            (1) Section 1816(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(b)) is amended in the 
        matter preceding paragraph (1) is amended by striking ``or 
        renew''.
            (2) The last sentence of section 1816(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``or renewing''.
            (3) Section 1816(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(f)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``, renew, or terminate'', and
                    (B) by striking ``, whether the Secretary should 
                assign or reassign a provider of services to an agency 
                or organization,''.
            (4) Section 1816(g) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(g)) is repealed.
            (5) The last sentence of section 1842(b)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395u(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``or renewing''.
            (6) Section 1842(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)) is amended by 
        striking paragraph (5).
    (d) Repeal of Fiscal Intermediary Requirements That Are Not Cost-
Effective.--Section 1816(f)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(f)(2)) is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(2) The contract performance requirements developed under 
        paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to claims for 
        services furnished under this part by any provider of services 
        other than a hospital, whether such agency or organization is 
        able to process 75 percent of reconsiderations within 60 days 
        and 90 percent of reconsiderations within 90 days.''.
    (e) Repeal of Cost Reimbursement Requirements.--
            (1) The first sentence of section 1816(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395h(c)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking the comma after ``appropriate'' and 
                inserting ``and'', and
                    (B) by striking ``subsection (a)'' and all that 
                follows through the period and inserting ``subsection 
                (a).''.
            (2) Section 1816(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)(1)) is further 
        amended by striking the second and third sentences.
            (3) The first sentence of section 1842(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 
        1395u(c)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``shall provide'' the first place 
                it appears and inserting ``may provide'', and
                    (B) by striking ``this part'' and all that follows 
                through the period and inserting ``this part.''.
            (4) Section 1842(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(c)(1)) is further 
        amended by striking the second and third sentences.
            (5) Section 2326(a) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 is 
        repealed.
    (f) Competition Required for New Contracts and in Cases of Poor 
Performance.--
            (1) Section 1816(c) (42 U.S.C. 1395h(c)) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4)(A) A contract with a fiscal intermediary under this 
        section may be renewed from term to term without regard to any 
        provision of law requiring competition if the fiscal 
        intermediary has met or exceeded the performance requirements 
        established in the current contract.
            ``(B) Functions may be transferred among fiscal 
        intermediaries without regard to any provision of law requiring 
        competition.''.
            (2) Section 1842(b)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(1)) is amended 
        to read as follows:
    ``(b)(1)(A) A contract with a carrier under subsection (a) may be 
renewed from term to term without regard to any provision of law 
requiring competition if the carrier has met or exceeded the 
performance requirements established in the current contract.
    ``(B) Functions may be transferred among carriers without regard to 
any provision of law requiring competition.''.
    (g) Waiver of Competitive Requirements for Initial Contracts.--
            (1) Contracts that have periods that begin during the 1-
        year period that begins on the first day of the fourth calendar 
        month that begins after the date of enactment of this Act may 
        be entered into under section 1816(a) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395h(a)) without regard to any provision of law 
        requiring competition.
            (2) The amendments made by subsection (f) apply to 
        contracts that have periods beginning after the end of the 1-
        year period specified in paragraph (1).
    (h) Effective Dates.--
            (1) The amendments made by subsection (c) apply to 
        contracts that have periods ending on, or after, the end of the 
        third calendar month that begins after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
            (2) The amendments made by subsections (a), (b), (d), and 
        (e) apply to contracts that have periods beginning after the 
        third calendar month that begins after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
[EX A]:
Medicare Contractor Reform Amendments of 1996 (sic) - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to make specified changes in the way Medicare administers its contracts for administrative operations.  Provides chiefly among such changes for: (1) augmenting the types of entities eligible to serve as carriers under the program; (2) allowing service providers their periodic choice of fiscal intermediaries; (3) repealing certain contract termination, cost reimbursement, and non-cost-effective fiscal intermediary requirements; and (4) requiring competition in cases of certain new contracts and in cases involving poor contract performance. 
Waives competition requirements in specified circumstances.