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. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Innovation Inspiration School Grant 
Program Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) According to the National Science Board's 2010 Science 
        and Engineering Indicators, only 5 percent of American college 
        graduates major in engineering. In Asia, about 20 percent of 
        all baccalaureate degrees are in engineering and in China about 
        33 percent of baccalaureate degrees are in engineering.
            (2) Although 4th graders in the United States score well 
        against international competition, students in the United 
        States fall near the bottom or dead last by 12th grade in 
        mathematics and science, respectively.
            (3) Admissions requirements for undergraduate engineering 
        schools include a solid background in mathematics (algebra, 
        geometry, trigonometry, and calculus) and science (biology, 
        chemistry, and physics), in addition to courses in English, 
        social studies, and humanities.
            (4) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall 
        engineering employment is expected to grow by 11 percent from 
        2008 through 2018, and, as a group, engineers earn some of the 
        highest average starting salaries among individuals holding 
        baccalaureate degrees.
            (5) According to the Department of Labor, engineers should 
        be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail-oriented. 
        Engineers should be able to work as part of a team and to 
        communicate well, both orally and in writing. Communication 
        abilities are becoming increasingly important as engineers 
        interact more frequently with specialists in a wide range of 
        fields outside engineering.
            (6) Exposure to project- and problem-based learning, in a 
        competitive team environment, gives 9th through 12th graders 
        the skills that they need to be successful in engineering 
        programs of study and engineering careers.
            (7) According to Brandeis University's Center for Youth and 
        Communities, participants in FIRST Robotics (a nonprofit 
        organization that inspires young people to be science and 
        technology leaders by engaging the young people in mentor-based 
        programs)--
                    (A) are more likely than nonparticipants to attend 
                an institution of higher education on a full-time basis 
                (88 percent versus 53 percent);
                    (B) are nearly 2 times as likely to major in a 
                science or engineering field; and
                    (C) are more than 3 times as likely to have majored 
                specifically in engineering.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).
            (2) Low-income student.--The term ``low-income student'' 
        means a student who is eligible for free or reduced price lunch 
        under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
            (3) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
            (5) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology, 
        engineering (including robotics), or mathematics.
            (6) Non-traditional stem education teaching methods.--The 
        term ``non-traditional STEM education teaching methods'' means 
        a STEM education method or strategy such as incorporating self-
        directed student learning, inquiry-based learning, cooperative 
        learning in small groups, collaboration with mentors in the 
        field of study, and participation in STEM-related competitions.

SEC. 4. INNOVATIVE INSPIRATION SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Goals of Program.--The goals of the Innovation Inspiration 
grant program are--
            (1) to provide opportunities for local educational agencies 
        to support non-traditional STEM education teaching methods;
            (2) to support the participation of students in nonprofit 
        STEM competitions;
            (3) to foster innovation and broaden interest in, and 
        access to, careers in the STEM fields by investing in programs 
        supported by educators and professional mentors who receive 
        hands-on training and ongoing communications that strengthen 
        the interactions of the educators and mentors with--
                    (A) students who are involved in STEM activities; 
                and
                    (B) other students in the STEM classrooms and 
                communities of such educators and mentors; and
            (4) to encourage collaboration among students, engineers, 
        and professional mentors.
    (b) Program Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
        grants, on a competitive basis, to local educational agencies 
        to enable the local educational agencies--
                    (A) to promote STEM in secondary schools;
                    (B) to support the participation of secondary 
                school students in non-traditional STEM teaching 
                methods; and
                    (C) to broaden secondary school students' access to 
                careers in STEM.
            (2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award each grant under 
        this Act for a period of not more than 5 years.
            (3) Amounts.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this 
        Act in an amount that is sufficient to carry out the goals of 
        this Act.
    (c) Application.--
            (1) In general.--Each local educational agency desiring a 
        grant under this Act shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
            (2) Contents.--The application shall, at a minimum, include 
        a description of how the local educational agency will--
                    (A) carry out STEM teaching programs that will use 
                a non-traditional STEM teaching method;
                    (B) identify and recruit partners and mentors--
                            (i) to help carry out the programs 
                        described in subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) to assist students who participate in 
                        such programs, including through technology-
                        supported means;
                    (C) support educators who lead such programs, and 
                participants in such programs, through stipends or 
                other incentives;
                    (D) recruit young women and individuals from 
                populations historically underrepresented in the STEM 
                fields to participate in such programs;
                    (E) identify public and private partners that can 
                support such programs with cash or in-kind 
                contributions;
                    (F) plan for sustaining such programs financially 
                beyond the grant period; and
                    (G) evaluate the grant project and the results of 
                the grant project among participating students, 
                including--
                            (i) comparing students who participate in 
                        the grant project to similar students who do 
                        not participate; and
                            (ii) evaluating--
                                    (I) secondary school graduation 
                                rates;
                                    (II) rates of attendance at 
                                institutions of higher education;
                                    (III) the number of students taking 
                                advanced STEM related secondary school 
                                classes; and
                                    (IV) the ability of students 
                                participating in the grant project to 
                                partner with professional mentors.
            (3) Preference.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applications from local 
        educational agencies that propose to carry out activities that 
        target--
                    (A) a rural or urban school;
                    (B) a low-performing school or local educational 
                agency; or
                    (C) a local educational agency or school that 
                serves low-income students.
    (d) Uses of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Each local educational agency that 
        receives a grant under this Act shall use the grant funds for 
        any of the following:
                    (A) STEM education and career activities.--
                Promotion of STEM education and career activities.
                    (B) Purchase of parts.--The purchase of parts and 
                supplies needed to support participation in non-
                traditional STEM teaching methods.
                    (C) Teacher incentives and stipends.--Incentives 
                and stipends for teachers involved in non-traditional 
                STEM teaching methods outside of their regular teaching 
                duties.
                    (D) Support and expenses.--Support and expenses for 
                student and team participation in regional and national 
                nonprofit STEM competitions.
                    (E) Additional materials and support.--Additional 
                materials and support, such as equipment, facility use, 
                technology, broadband access, and other expenses, 
                directly associated with non-traditional STEM teaching 
                and mentoring.
                    (F) Evaluation.--Carrying out the evaluation 
                described in subsection (c)(2)(G).
                    (G) Other activities.--Carrying out other 
                activities that are related to the goals of the grant 
                program, as described in subsection (a).
            (2) Prohibition.--A local educational agency shall not use 
        grant funds awarded under this Act to participate in any STEM 
        competition that is not a nonprofit competition.
            (3) Administrative costs.--Each local educational agency 
        that receives a grant under this Act may use not more than 2 
        percent of the grant funds for costs related to the 
        administration of the grant project.
    (e) Matching Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), each local 
        educational agency that receives a grant under this Act shall 
        secure, toward the cost of the activities assisted under the 
        grant, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 50 percent 
        of the grant. The non-Federal contribution may be provided in 
        cash or in kind.
            (2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the 
        matching requirement described in paragraph (1) for a local 
        educational agency if the Secretary determines that applying 
        the matching requirement would result in a serious financial 
        hardship or a financial inability to carry out the goals of the 
        grant project.
    (f) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Grant funds provided to a local 
educational agency under this Act shall be used to supplement, and not 
supplant, funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized 
under this Act.
    (g) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall establish an evaluation 
program to determine the efficacy of the grant program established by 
this Act, which shall include comparing students participating in a 
grant project funded under this Act to similar students who do not so 
participate, in order to assess the impact of student participation 
on--
            (1) what courses a student takes in the future; and
            (2) a student's postsecondary study.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for each of 
        the fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
            (2) Limitations.--Of the amounts appropriated under 
        paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, not more than 2 percent shall 
        be used for the evaluation described under subsection (g).
[EX A]: Innovation Inspiration School Grant Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) promote science, technology, engineering (including robotics), and mathematics (STEM) in secondary schools; (2) support the participation of secondary school students in nontraditional STEM teaching methods; and (3) broaden secondary school students' access to STEM careers. Gives priority to grant applications that target: (1) a rural or urban school, (2) a low-performing school or LEA, or (3) an LEA or school that serves students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches under the school lunch program. Authorizes the Secretary to waive all or part of the matching requirement for financially-strapped LEAs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate the efficacy of the grant program.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Intermodal Safe Container 
Transportation Act Amendments of 1996''.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49.

    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 to a section or other provision of title 49, United States 
Code.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 5901 is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the 
        definitions in sections 10102 and 13102 of this title apply.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs 
        (7) and (8), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) `gross cargo weight' means the weight of the cargo, 
        packaging materials (including ice), pallets, and dunnage.''.

SEC. 4. NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS.

    Section 5902 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5902. Notifications and certifications
    ``(a) Prior Notification.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the first carrier to which any loaded 
        container or trailer having a projected gross cargo weight of 
        more than 29,000 pounds is tendered for intermodal 
        transportation is a motor carrier, the person tendering the 
        container or trailer shall give the motor carrier a 
        notification of the projected gross cargo weight and a 
        reasonable description of the contents of the container or 
        trailer before the tendering of the container or trailer. The 
        notification may be transmitted electronically or by telephone.
            ``(2) Applicability.--This subsection applies to any person 
        within the United States who tenders a container or trailer 
        subject to this chapter for intermodal transportation if the 
        first carrier is a motor carrier.
    ``(b) Certification.--
            ``(1) In general.--A person who tenders a loaded container 
        or trailer with an actual gross cargo weight of more than 
        29,000 pounds, to a first carrier for intermodal transportation 
        shall provide a certification of the contents of the container 
        or trailer in writing, or electronically, before or when the 
        container or trailer is so tendered.
            ``(2) Contents of certification.--The certification 
        required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) The actual gross cargo weight.
                    ``(B) A reasonable description of the contents of 
                the container or trailer.
                    ``(C) The identity of the certifying party.
                    ``(D) The container or trailer number.
                    ``(E) The date of certification or transfer of data 
                to another document, as provided for in paragraph (3).
            ``(3) Transfer of certification data.--A carrier who 
        receives a certification may transfer the information contained 
        in the certification to another document or to electronic 
        format for forwarding to a subsequent carrier. The person 
        transferring the information shall state on the forwarded 
        document the date on which the data was transferred and the 
        identity of the party who performed the transfer.
            ``(4) Shipping documents.--For purposes of this chapter, a 
        shipping document, prepared by the person tendering a container 
        or trailer to a first carrier, that contains the information 
        required by paragraph (2) meets the requirements of paragraph 
        (1).
            ``(5) Use of `freight all kinds' term.--The term `Freight 
        All Kinds' or `FAK' may not be used for the purpose of 
        certification under this subsection after December 31, 2000, as 
        a description required under paragraph (2)(B) for a trailer or 
        container if the weight of any commodity in the trailer or 
        container equals or exceeds 20 percent of the total weight of 
the contents of the trailer or container. This subsection does not 
prohibit the use of such term after December 31, 2000, for rating 
purposes.
            ``(6) Separate document marking.--If a separate document is 
        used to meet the requirements of paragraph (1), it shall be 
        conspicuously marked `INTERMODAL CERTIFICATION'.
            ``(7) Applicability.--This subsection applies to any 
        person, domestic or foreign, who first tenders a container or 
        trailer subject to this chapter for intermodal transportation 
        within the United States.
    ``(c) Forwarding Certifications to Subsequent Carriers.--
            ``(1) General rule.--A carrier, agent of a carrier, broker, 
        customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, or terminal 
        operator shall forward the certification provided under 
        subsection (b) to a subsequent carrier transporting the 
        container or trailer in intermodal transportation before or 
        when the container or trailer is tendered to the subsequent 
        carrier.
            ``(2) Presumption of no certification required.--If no 
        certification is received by the subsequent carrier before or 
        when the container or trailer is being tendered to it, the 
        subsequent carrier may presume that no certification is 
        required.
            ``(3) Limitation on construction of forwarding.--The act of 
        forwarding the certification may not be construed as a 
        verification or affirmation of the accuracy or completeness of 
        the information in the certification.
            ``(4) Liability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If a person inaccurately 
                transfers the information on the certification or fails 
                to forward the certification to a subsequent carrier, 
                then that person is liable to any person who incurs any 
                bond, fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or 
                interest charge incurred as a result of the inaccurate 
                transfer of information or failure to forward the 
                certification.
                    ``(B) Lien.--A subsequent carrier incurring a bond, 
                fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest 
                charge as a result of the inaccurate transfer of the 
                information or the failure to forward the certification 
                shall have a lien against the contents of the container 
                or trailer under section 5905 in the amount of the 
                bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or 
                interest charge and all court costs and legal fees 
                incurred by the carrier as a result of such inaccurate 
                transfer or failure.
            ``(5) Notice to leased operators.--If a motor carrier knows 
        that the gross cargo weight of an intermodal container or 
        trailer subject to the certification requirements of subsection 
        (b) would result in a violation of applicable State gross 
        vehicle weight laws--
                    ``(A) a motor carrier must inform the operator of a 
                vehicle which is leased by the vehicle operator to a 
                motor carrier which transports an intermodal container 
                or trailer of the gross cargo weight of the container 
                or trailer as certified to the motor carrier pursuant 
                to subsection (b);
                    ``(B) the notice must be provided to the operator 
                prior to the operator being tendered the container or 
                trailer;
                    ``(C) the notice required by this subsection must 
                be in writing, but may be transmitted electronically;
                    ``(D) the motor carrier shall bear the burden of 
                proof to establish that it tendered the required notice 
                to the operator; and
                    ``(E) if the operator of a leased vehicle 
                transporting a container or trailer subject to this 
                chapter should receive a fine because of a violation of 
                a State's gross vehicle weight laws or regulations and 
                lessee motor carrier cannot establish that it tendered 
                to the operator the notice required by this section, 
                the operator shall be entitled to reimbursement from 
                the motor carrier of the amount of any fine and court 
                costs resulting from the failure of the motor carrier 
                to tender the notice to the operator.
    ``(d) Liability to Owner or Beneficial Owner.--If--
            ``(1) a person inaccurately transfers information on a 
        certification required by subsection (b)(1) or fails to forward 
        a certification to the subsequent carrier;
            ``(2) as a result of the inaccurate transfer of such 
        information or a failure to forward a certification, the 
        subsequent carrier incurs a bond, fine, penalty, or cost 
        (including storage), or interest charge; and
            ``(3) a subsequent carrier exercises its rights to a lien 
        under section 5905,
then that person is liable to the owner or beneficial owner or to any 
other person paying the amount of the lien to the subsequent carrier 
for the amount of the lien and all costs related to the imposition of 
the lien, including court costs and legal fees incurred in connection 
with imposition of the lien.
    ``(e) Nonapplicability.--
            ``(1) Consolidated shipments.--The notification and 
        certification requirements of subsections (a) and (b) do not 
        apply to any intermodal container or trailer containing 
        consolidated shipments loaded by a motor carrier if that motor 
        carrier--
                    ``(A) performs the highway portion of the 
                intermodal movement; or
                    ``(B) assumes the responsibility for any weight-
                related fine or penalty incurred by any other motor 
                carrier that performs a part of the highway 
                transportation.
            ``(2) Intermodal transportation of loaded containers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subsections (a) and (b) and 
                section 5903(c) do not apply to a carrier when the 
                carrier is transferring a loaded container or trailer 
                to another carrier during intermodal transportation, 
                unless the carrier is also the person tendering the 
                loaded container or trailer to the first carrier.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--A carrier, agent of a carrier, 
                broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, 
                or terminal operator is deemed not to be a person 
                tendering a loaded container or trailer to a first 
                carrier under this section, unless the carrier, agent, 
                broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, 
                or terminal operator assumes legal responsibility for 
                loading property into the container or trailer.''.

SEC. 5. PROHIBITIONS.

    (a) Providing Erroneous Information.--Section 5903(a) is amended by 
inserting ``, to whom section 5902(b) applies,'' after ``A person''.
    (b) Transporting Prior To Receiving Certification.--Section 5903(b) 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Transporting Prior To Receiving Certification.--
            ``(1) Presumption.--If no certification is received by a 
        motor carrier before or when a loaded intermodal container or 
        trailer is tendered to it, the motor carrier may presume that 
        the gross cargo weight of the container or trailer is less than 
        29,001 pounds.
            ``(2) Copy of certification not required to accompany 
        container or trailer.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this chapter, if a certification is required by section 
        5902(b), a copy of the certification is not required to 
        accompany the intermodal container or trailer.''.
    (c) Unlawful Coercion.--Section 5903(c)(1) is amended by striking 
``10,000 pounds (including packing materials and pallets)'' and 
inserting ``29,000 pounds''.

SEC. 6. LIENS.

    (a) General Rule.--Section 5905(a) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) General Rule.--If a person involved in the intermodal 
transportation of a loaded container or trailer for which a 
certification is required by section 5902(b) of this title is required, 
because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws or 
regulations, to post a bond or pay a fine, penalty, cost (including 
storage), or interest charge resulting from--
            ``(1) erroneous information provided by the certifying 
        party in the certification to the first carrier in violation of 
        section 5903(a),
            ``(2) the failure of the party required to provide the 
        certification to the first carrier to provide it,
            ``(3) the failure of a person required under section 
        5902(c) to forward the certification to forward it, or
            ``(4) an error occurring in the transfer of information on 
        the certification to another document under section 5902(b)(3) 
        or 5902(c),
then the person posting the bond, or paying any fine, penalty, cost 
(including storage), or interest charge has a lien against the contents 
equal to the amount of the bond, fine, penalty, cost (including 
storage), or interest charge incurred, until the person receives a 
payment of that amount from the owner or beneficial owner of the 
contents or from the person responsible for making or forwarding the 
certification or transferring the information from the certification to 
another document.''.
    (b) Limitations.--Section 5905(b)(1) is amended--
            (1) by inserting after ``the first carrier'' the following: 
        ``or the owner or beneficial owner of the contents''; and
            (2) by striking ``cost, or interest.'' and inserting ``cost 
        (including storage), or interest charge. The lien shall remain 
        in effect until the lien holder has received payment for all 
        costs and expenses as described in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 7. PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.

    Section 5906 is amended by striking ``Sections 5904(a)(2) and 5905 
of this title do'' and insert ``Section 5905 does''.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Section 5907 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5907. Effective date
    ``This chapter, as amended by the Intermodal Safe Container 
Transportation Act Amendments of 1996, is effective on the date of the 
enactment of such Act. The provisions of this chapter shall be 
implemented 180 days after such date of enactment.''.

SEC. 9. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 59 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 5908. Relationship to other laws
    ``Nothing in this chapter affects--
            ``(1) chapter 51 (relating to transportation of hazardous 
        material) or the regulations issued under that chapter; or
            ``(2) any State highway weight or size law or regulation 
        applicable to tractor-trailer combinations.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 5907 and inserting the 
following:

``5907. Effective date.
``5908. Relationship to other laws.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 18, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.
[EX A]: Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the prior notification requirements for intermodal freight transportation. 
Requires a person who tenders to a first carrier that is a motor carrier (currently, any carrier) a container or trailer with a gross cargo weight of more than 29,000 pounds (currently, 10,000 pounds, including packing material and pallets) for intermodal transportation to give prior notification of the cargo weight and a reasonable description of its contents to the motor carrier. 
Allows such notification to be made by telephone, and allows the required certification of the container or trailer contents to be electronic.  Sets forth administrative and civil penalties for persons who inaccurately transfer certification information.  Makes such a person liable to the owner or beneficial owner for any lien filed by a subsequent carrier that incurred a bond, fine, or other penalty as a result of an inaccurate information transfer or a failure to forward a certification. 
Requires a motor carrier that knows that the gross cargo weight of an intermodal container or trailer violates State vehicle weight laws to give notice to the operator of a leased vehicle that transports such items.  Requires the motor carrier to reimburse the operator of the leased vehicle that are fined because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws. 
Allows a motor carrier to presume that the gross cargo weight of a container or trailer is under 29,001 pounds if it receives no certification before or when a loaded intermodal container or trailer is tendered to it.  Declares that a copy of a certification is not required to accompany the intermodal container or trailer. 
Prohibits a person from coercing a person transporting a loaded container or trailer having a gross cargo weight of more than 29,000 pounds (currently, 10,000 pounds, including packing materials and pallets) before the required certification is provided. 
Adds to the circumstances giving certain persons a lien against the contents of the container or trailer as a result of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws.  Includes among such circumstances:  (1) failure of the party required to provide certification off gross cargo weight to the first carrier to provide it; (2) failure of the party required to forward such certification to forward it; or (3) error in the transfer of information on the certification to another document.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Health Care Board Act of 
2007''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL HEALTH CARE BOARD.

    (a) Federal Health Care Board.--
            (1) Establishment.--
                    (A) In general.--There is established an 
                independent agency in the executive branch of the 
                United States Government to be known as the Federal 
                Health Care Board (in this section referred to as the 
                ``Board'').
                    (B) Composition.--The Board shall be composed of--
                            (i) the members of the Board of Governors 
                        described in paragraph (3); and
                            (ii) the members of the 12 Regional Boards 
                        described in paragraph (4)(B).
            (2) Duties of board.--
                    (A) Access, quality, and cost.--The Board shall--
                            (i) ensure that Americans have access to 
                        health insurance and provide certain basic 
                        facts about health care services prior to 
                        receiving the care;
                            (ii) ensure providers are delivering safe, 
                        evidence-based, high quality care, and are 
                        transparent about pricing through disclosure of 
                        actual costs;
                            (iii) demand transparency for disclosure of 
                        actual costs and pricing from providers and 
                        payers through an information clearinghouse;
                            (iv) establish--
                                    (I) a national standard for a basic 
                                health insurance plan, including a 
                                basic minimum policy and the regional 
                                cost for such policy;
                                    (II) a national protocol and 
                                standard for secure, universal, and 
                                individual electronic medical record;
                                    (III) loan forgiveness programs for 
                                health care providers who serve in 
                                underserved areas;
                                    (IV) scholarship programs for 
                                health care providers who serve in 
                                underserved areas;
                                    (V) a national standard for public 
                                health services, including safety net 
                                providers; and
                                    (VI) model dispute resolution 
                                procedures for malpractice claims that 
                                States may adopt; and
                            (v) carry out the activities as provided 
                        under paragraph (4).
                    (B) Monitoring.--The Board shall monitor progress 
                toward the objectives identified in subparagraph (A).
            (3) Board of governors.--
                    (A) Number.--The Board of Governors shall be 
                composed of 12 members who shall be appointed by the 
                President with the advice and consent of the Senate, of 
                whom 1 shall be appointed from each of the 12 regions 
                described in paragraph (4)(A). The President shall 
                appoint individuals to serve on the Board of Governors 
                not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
                this Act.
                    (B) Terms.--
                            (i) In general.--A member of the Board of 
                        Governors shall be appointed for a term of 14 
                        years.
                            (ii) Limitation.--A member of the Board of 
                        Governors shall not be eligible for 
                        reappointment if such individual served a full 
                        term of 14 years.
                    (C) Chairperson; vice-chairperson.--
                            (i) In general.--The President shall 
                        appoint, with the advice and consent of the 
                        Senate, 1 member of the Board of Governors to 
                        be Chairperson of the Board, and 1 member of 
                        such Board to be Vice-Chairperson of the Board.
                            (ii) Term.--A member appointed as 
                        Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson under subclause 
                        (I) shall serve as Chairperson or Vice-
                        Chairperson for a term of 4 years.
                    (D) Vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Board of 
                        Governors shall be filled in the same manner in 
                        which the original appointment was made and 
                        shall be subject to any conditions which 
                        applied to the original appointment.
                            (ii) Filling unexpired term.--An individual 
                        appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed 
                        for the unexpired term of the members replaced 
                        and may be reappointed to serve a full 14-year 
                        term.
                    (E) Selection.--The members of the Board of 
                Governors shall be individuals with significant health 
                care expertise, including expertise in clinical health 
                care, health care quality research, public health, 
                health care research, purchaser organizations, rural 
                health care, the uninsured, chronic disease management, 
                long-term care, nursing, primary care, vision care, 
                dental care, mental health care, and health care higher 
                education.
            (4) Regional boards.--
                    (A) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                appointment of the initial members of the Board of 
                Governors, the Board of Governors shall establish 12 
                regions of the United States.
                    (B) Regional boards.--
                            (i) In general.--In each of the 12 regions 
                        established under subparagraph (A), there shall 
                        be established a Regional Board. Each Regional 
                        Board shall be based in a major United States 
                        city.
                            (ii) Composition.--Each Regional Board 
                        shall be composed of 8 members who shall be--
                                    (I) health care experts; and
                                    (II) appointed by the members of 
                                the Board of Governors.
                            (iii) Term.--A member of a Regional Board 
                        shall be appointed for a term of 8 years.
                            (iv) Duties of regional boards.--Each 
                        Regional Board shall provide the Board of 
                        Governors with considerations that are relevant 
                        to the population served by such Regional 
                        Board.
            (5) Contracting authority.--Subject to the availability of 
        funds, the Board may enter into contracts and make other 
        arrangements, as may be necessary to carry out the duties 
        described in paragraph (2).
            (6) Staff.--Upon the request of the Board, the President 
        may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of 
        the Department of Health and Human Services, including the 
        National Institutes of Health, the Health Resources and 
        Services Administration, the Agency for Healthcare Quality and 
        Research, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to 
        the Board to assist in carrying out this subsection.
            (7) Reports to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        establishment of the Board, and annually thereafter, the Board 
        shall submit a report to Congress. Each such report shall 
        include--
                    (A) an inventory of recommendations for improved 
                coordination and integration of policy and programs;
                    (B) an assessment of achievement of the objectives 
                identified under paragraph (2) and recommendations for 
                realizing such objectives; and
                    (C) recommendations regarding Federal regulations 
                or administrative policies.
    (b) Appropriation.--
            (1) In general.--Out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise 
        appropriated, there are appropriated to carry out this section 
        such sums as may be necessary for the period of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012.
            (2) Availability.--Funds appropriated under paragraph (1) 
        shall remain available for expenditure through fiscal year 
        2012.
[EX A]:
Federal Health Care Board Act of 2007 - Establishes the Federal Health Care Board as an independent agency in the executive branch.

Requires the Board to: (1) ensure that Americans have access to health insurance and are provided certain basic facts about health care services prior to receiving care; (2) ensure that providers are delivering safe, evidence-based, high quality care and are transparent about pricing through disclosure of actual costs; (3) demand transparency for disclosure of actual costs and pricing from providers and payers through an information clearinghouse; (4) establish a national standard for a basic health insurance plan (including a basic minimum policy and the regional cost for such policy), a national protocol and standard for secure, universal, and individual electronic medical records, a national standard for public health services (including safety net providers), loan forgiveness and scholarship programs for health care providers who serve in underserved areas, and model dispute resolution procedures for malpractice claims that states may adopt; and (5) monitor progress toward those objectives.

Directs the Board's Board of Governors to establish 12 regions of the United States. Establishes in each region a Regional Board, based in a major city, to provide the Board of Governors with considerations that are relevant to their region's population.