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

Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration Services and 
Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Applications for naturalization have increased 
        dramatically in recent years, outpacing the Immigration and 
        Naturalization Service's ability to process them.
            (2) The dramatic increase in applications for 
        naturalization and the inability of the Immigration and 
        Naturalization Service to deal with them adequately has 
        resulted in an unacceptably large backlog in naturalization 
        adjudications.
            (3) The processing times in the Immigration and 
        Naturalization Service's other immigration benefits have been 
        unacceptably long. Applicants for family- and employment-based 
        visas are waiting as long as 3 to 4 years to obtain a visa or 
        an adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.
            (4) In California, the delays in processing adjustment of 
        status applications have averaged 52 months. In Texas, the 
        delays have averaged 69 months. Residents of New York have had 
        to wait up to 28 months; in Florida, 26 months; in Illinois, 37 
        months; in Oregon, 31 months; and in Arizona, 49 months. Most 
        other States have experienced unacceptably long processing and 
        adjudication delays.
            (5) Applicants pay fees to have their applications 
        adjudicated in a timely manner. These fees have increased 
        dramatically in recent years without a commensurate increase in 
        the capability of that Immigration and Naturalization Service 
        to process and adjudicate these cases in an efficient manner.
            (6) Processing these applications in a timely fashion is 
        critical. Each 12-month delay in adjudicating an adjustment of 
        status application requires the alien to file applications to 
        extend employment authorization to work and advance parole 
        documents to travel.
            (7) The enormous delays in processing applications for 
        families and businesses have had a negative impact on the 
        reunification of spouses and minor children and the ability of 
        law-abiding and contributing members of our communities to 
        participate fully in the civic life of the United States.
            (8) United States employers have also experienced 
        debilitating delays in hiring employees who contribute to the 
        economic growth of the United States. These delays have forced 
        employers to send highly skilled and valued employees out of 
        the United States because their immigrant petitions were not 
        approved in a timely fashion. Such disruptions seriously 
        threaten the competitive edge of the United States in the 
        global marketplace.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to--
            (1) provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with 
        the mechanisms it needs to eliminate the current backlog in the 
        processing of immigration benefit applications within 1 year 
        after enactment of this Act and to maintain the elimination of 
        the backlog in future years; and
            (2) provide for regular congressional oversight of the 
        performance of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 
        eliminating the backlog and processing delays in immigration 
        benefits adjudications.
    (c) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the processing of an 
immigration benefit application should be completed not later than 180 
days after the initial filing of the application, except that a 
petition for a nonimmigrant visa under section 214(c) of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act should be processed not later than 30 
days after the filing of the petition.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Backlog.--The term ``backlog'' means, with respect to 
        an immigration benefit application, the period of time in 
        excess of 180 days that such application has been pending 
        before the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
            (2) Immigration benefit application.--The term 
        ``immigration benefit application'' means any application or 
        petition to confer, certify, change, adjust, or extend any 
        status granted under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

SEC. 4. IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT.

    (a) Authority of the Attorney General.--The Attorney General shall 
take such measures as may be necessary to--
            (1) reduce the backlog in the processing of immigration 
        benefit applications, with the objective of the total 
        elimination of the backlog not later than one year after the 
        date of enactment of this Act;
            (2) make such other improvements in the processing of 
        immigration benefit applications as may be necessary to ensure 
        that a backlog does not develop after such date; and
            (3) make such improvements in infrastructure as may be 
        necessary to effectively provide immigration services.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Department of Justice from time to time such sums as may be 
        necessary for the Attorney General to carry out subsection (a).
            (2) Designation of account in treasury.--Amounts 
        appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be referred to as 
        the ``Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements 
        Account''.
            (3) Availability of funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
        to paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until 
        expended.
            (4) Limitation on expenditures.--None of the funds 
        appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be expended until 
        the report described in section 5(a) has been submitted to 
        Congress.

SEC. 5. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) Backlog Elimination Plan.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a 
        report to the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of 
        the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning--
                    (A) the backlogs in immigration benefit 
                applications in existence as of the date of enactment 
                of this Act; and
                    (B) the Attorney General's plan for eliminating 
                such backlogs.
            (2) Report elements.--The report shall include--
                    (A) an assessment of the data systems used in 
                adjudicating and reporting on the status of immigration 
                benefit applications, including--
                            (i) a description of the adequacy of 
                        existing computer hardware, computer software, 
                        and other mechanisms to comply with the 
                        adjudications and reporting requirements of 
                        this Act; and
                            (ii) a plan for implementing improvements 
                        to existing data systems to accomplish the 
                        purpose of this Act, as described in section 
                        2(b);
                    (B) a description of the quality controls to be put 
                into force to ensure timely, fair, accurate, and 
                complete processing and adjudication of such 
                applications;
                    (C) the elements specified in subsection (b)(2);
                    (D) an estimate of the amount of appropriated funds 
                that would be necessary in order to eliminate the 
                backlogs in each category of immigration benefit 
                applications described in subsection (b)(2); and
                    (E) a detailed plan on how the Attorney General 
                will use any funds in the Immigration Services and 
                Infrastructure Improvements Account to comply with the 
                purposes of this Act.
    (b) Annual Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Beginning 90 days after the end of the 
        first fiscal year for which any appropriation authorized by 
        section 4(b) is made, and 90 days after the end of each fiscal 
        year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit a report to 
        the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of the 
        Senate and the House of Representatives concerning the status 
        of--
                    (A) the Immigration Services and Infrastructure 
                Improvements Account including any unobligated balances 
                of appropriations in the Account; and
                    (B) the Attorney General's efforts to eliminate 
                backlogs in any immigration benefit application 
                described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Report elements.--The report shall include--
                    (A) State-by-State data on--
                            (i) the number of naturalization cases 
                        adjudicated in each quarter of each fiscal 
                        year;
                            (ii) the average processing time for 
                        naturalization applications;
                            (iii) the number of naturalization 
                        applications pending for up to 6 months, 12 
                        months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 
                        months or more;
                            (iv) estimated processing times 
                        adjudicating newly submitted naturalization 
                        applications;
                            (v) an analysis of the appropriate 
                        processing times for naturalization 
                        applications; and
                            (vi) the additional resources and process 
                        changes needed to eliminate the backlog for 
                        naturalization adjudications;
                    (B) the status of applications or, where 
                applicable, petitions described in subparagraph (C), by 
                Immigration and Naturalization Service district, 
                including--
                            (i) the number of cases adjudicated in each 
                        quarter of each fiscal year;
                            (ii) the average processing time for such 
                        applications or petitions;
                            (iii) the number of applications or 
                        petitions pending for up to 6 months, 12 
                        months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 
                        months or more;
                            (iv) the estimated processing times 
                        adjudicating newly submitted applications or 
                        petitions;
                            (v) an analysis of the appropriate 
                        processing times for applications or petitions; 
                        and
                            (vi) a description of the additional 
                        resources and process changes needed to 
                        eliminate the backlog for such processing and 
                        adjudications; and
                    (C) a status report on--
                            (i) applications for adjustments of status 
                        to that of an alien lawfully admitted for 
                        permanent residence;
                            (ii) petitions for nonimmigrant visas under 
                        section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality 
                        Act;
                            (iii) petitions filed under section 204 of 
                        such Act to classify aliens as immediate 
                        relatives or preference immigrants under 
                        section 203 of such Act;
                            (iv) applications for asylum under section 
                        208 of such Act;
                            (v) registrations for Temporary Protected 
                        Status under section 244 of such Act; and
                            (vi) a description of the additional 
                        resources and process changes needed to 
                        eliminate the backlog for such processing and 
                        adjudications.
            (3) Absence of appropriated funds.--In the event that no 
        funds are appropriated subject to section 4(b) in the fiscal 
        year in which this Act is enacted, the Attorney General shall 
        submit a report to Congress not later than 90 days after the 
        end of such fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, 
        containing the elements described in paragraph (2).

A: Authorizes appropriations which shall be designated in the Treasury as the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account.
Directs the Attorney General to make specified backlog elimination reports.
****
Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be referred to as the ``Gallatin Range Consolidation 
and Protection Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
        (1) the lands north of Yellowstone National Park possess 
    outstanding natural characteristics and wildlife habitats that give 
    the lands high value as lands added to the National Forest System; 
    and
        (2) it is in the interest of the United States for the 
    Secretary, acting through the Forest Service, to enter into an 
    option agreement with Big Sky Lumber Company and Louisiana Pacific 
    Corporation to fulfill the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 3. BIG SKY LUMBER LAND EXCHANGE--GALLATIN AREA.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'', 
unless the context otherwise requires) shall acquire by exchange certain 
lands and interests in lands of the Big Sky Lumber Company (referred to 
in this Act as the ``Company''), in and adjacent to the Hyalite-
Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area, the Scapegoat Wilderness 
Area, and other lands in the Gallatin National Forest in accordance with 
this section.
    (b) Description of Lands.--
        (1) Offer and acceptance of land.--If the Company offers to the 
    United States acceptable fee title, including mineral interests, to 
    approximately 37,752 acres of land owned by the Company and 
    available for exchange, as depicted on two maps entitled ``Proposed 
    BSL Land Acquisitions'', East Half and West Half Gallatin National 
    Forest, dated February 1993 the Secretary shall accept a warranty 
    deed to the land.
        (2) Exchange.--In exchange for the lands described in paragraph 
    (1) and subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary of the 
    Interior shall convey, by patent, the fee title to approximately 
    16,278 acres of National Forest System lands available for exchange 
    as depicted on the maps referred to in paragraph (1), and the five 
    maps entitled ``H.R. 873, the Gallatin Range Consolidation and 
    Protection Act of 1993'', Lolo and Flathead National Forest, subject 
    to--
            (A) the reservation of ditches and canals required by the 
        first section of the Act entitled ``An Act making appropriations 
        for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year 
        ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, and for 
        other purposes'', approved August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 371, 
        chapter 837; 43 U.S.C. 945);
            (B) the reservation of rights under Federal Oil and Gas 
        Lease numbers 49739, 55610, 40389, 53670, 40215, 33385, 53736, 
        and 38684; and
            (C) such other terms, conditions, reservations, and 
        exceptions as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the 
        Company.
        (3) Termination of leases.--
            (A) Vesting of rights and interests.--Upon termination or 
        relinquishment of the leases referred to in paragraph (2)(B), 
        all the rights and interests in such leases reserved under 
        paragraph (2)(B) shall immediately vest in the Company and its 
        successors and assigns.
            (B) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide notice of the 
        termination or relinquishment of the leases referred to in 
        paragraph (2)(B) by a document suitable for recording in the 
        county in which the leased lands are located.
    (c) Easements.--
        (1) In general.--Reciprocal easements in accordance with this 
    subsection shall be conveyed at the time of the exchange authorized 
    by this section.
        (2) Conveyance by the secretary.--The Secretary shall, in 
    consideration of the easements conveyed by the Company under 
    paragraph (3), and under the authority of section 2 of Public Law 
    88-257 (commonly known as the ``National Forest Roads and Trails 
    Act'') (16 U.S.C. 533), or the Federal Lands Policy and Management 
    Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), execute and deliver to the 
    Company such easements or other rights-of-way over federally owned 
    lands as may be agreed to by the Secretary and the Company.
        (3) Conveyance by the company.--The Company shall, in 
    consideration of the easements conveyed by the Secretary under 
    paragraph (2), execute and deliver to the United States such 
    easements or other rights-of-way across Company-owned lands included 
    in this exchange as may be agreed to by the Secretary and the 
    Company.
    (d) North Bridger Range.--
        (1) Covenants and other restrictions.--As a condition of the 
    exchange, with respect to such lands depicted on the map entitled 
    ``North Bridger Range'', dated May 1993, the Company shall agree 
    that--
            (A) the holders, or their successors or assigns, of grazing 
        leases on such lands on the date of enactment of this Act shall 
        be permitted to continue to use such lands for grazing under 
        terms acceptable to the Company and the permittees for so long 
        as the Company owns such lands and for two years after the 
        Company has sold or disposed of such lands; and
            (B) the timber harvest practices used on such lands shall be 
        conducted in accordance with Montana Forestry Best Management 
        Practices, the Montana Streamside Zone Management Law (Mont. 
        Code Ann. sec. 77-5-301 et seq.), and all other applicable laws 
        of the State of Montana.
        (2) Future acquisition.--The Secretary shall consider the 
    desirability of possible acquisition, through exchange under 
    existing law, of any of the lands described in paragraph (1), and 
    shall, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
    Act, report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
    Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
    Representatives concerning the desirability of an exchange.
    (e) Timing of Transaction.--
        (1) Determination.--The Secretary shall review the title for the 
    non-Federal lands described in subsection (b), and the appraisal and 
    titles for the non-Federal lands described in sections 4 and 5, and, 
    within sixty days after receipt of all applicable appraisal and 
    title documents from the Company, determine whether--
            (A) the applicable title standards for Federal land 
        acquisition have been satisfied or the quality of title is 
        otherwise acceptable to the Secretary;
            (B) all draft conveyances and closing documents have been 
        received and approved;
            (C) a current title commitment verifying compliance with 
        applicable title standards has been issued to the Secretary;
            (D) the appraisals comply with applicable Forest Service 
        standards; and
            (E) except as provided in section (8)(b), the title includes 
        both the surface and subsurface estates without reservation or 
        exception (except by the United States or the State of Montana, 
        by patent), including--
                (i) minerals or mineral rights;
                (ii) timber or timber rights; and
                (iii) any other interest in the property.
        (2) Conveyance of title.--In the event the appraisal and/or 
    quality of title do not meet Federal standards or are otherwise 
    determined unacceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary shall advise 
    the Company regarding corrective actions necessary to make an 
    affirmative determination under paragraph (1). The Secretary, acting 
    through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall effect the conveyance 
    of lands described in subsection (b)(2) not later than sixty days 
    after the Secretary has made an affirmative determination under 
    paragraph (1).
    (f) Compliance With Option.--Notwithstanding section (3)(e)(2), the 
Secretary shall not consummate the conveyance of lands described in 
subsection (b)(2) until the Secretary has determined that title to the 
lands described in sections 4 and 5 have been escrowed as required by 
the document entitled ``Option Agreement for the Exchange and/or 
Purchase of Real Property Pursuant to the Gallatin Range Consolidation 
and Protection Act of 1993'' (referred to in this Act as ``the 
Option''), executed by the Company, as seller.
    (g) References.--References in this Act to the Company shall include 
references to the successors and assigns of the Company.

SEC. 4. LAND CONSOLIDATION--PORCUPINE AREA.

    (a) Acquisition of Porcupine Property.--The Secretary is authorized 
and directed to acquire, by purchase or exchange, lands and interests in 
lands listed as ``Exhibit A, Porcupine Area'', in the Option, in 
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Option for the fair 
market value of such lands and interests, determined at the time of 
acquisition, in accordance with the appraisal standards specified in the 
Option.
    (b) Reports to Congress.--The Secretary shall report annually to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, on the 
status of the acquisition authorized by this section.

SEC. 5. LAND CONSOLIDATION--TAYLOR FORK AREA.

    (a) Acquisition of Taylor Fork Property.--The Secretary is 
authorized and directed to acquire, by purchase or exchange, lands and 
interests in lands as listed as ``Exhibit A, Taylor Fork Area'', in the 
Option, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Option for 
the fair market value of such lands and interests, determined at the 
time of acquisition, in accordance with the appraisal standards 
specified in the Option.
    (b) Reports to Congress.--The Secretary shall report annually to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, on the 
status of the pending acquisition authorized by this section.

SEC. 6. LAND CONSOLIDATION--GALLATIN ROADED AREA.

    (a) Acquisition of Gallatin Roaded Property.--The Secretary is 
authorized and directed to acquire, by purchase or exchange, lands and 
interests in lands as listed as ``Exhibit A, Gallatin Roaded'', in the 
Option, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Option not 
otherwise acquired, purchased, or exchanged under section 3, 4, or 5.
    (b) Reports to Congress.--The Secretary shall report annually to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, on the 
status of the acquisition authorized by this section.

SEC. 7. SEVERED MINERAL EXCHANGE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
        (1) underlying certain areas in Montana described in subsection 
    (b) are mineral rights owned by subsidiaries of Burlington 
    Resources, Incorporated and its successors and assigns (referred to 
    in this Act as ``Burlington'');
        (2) there are federally owned minerals underlying lands of 
    Burlington lying outside those areas;
        (3) Burlington has agreed in principle with the Secretary to an 
    exchange of mineral rights to consolidate surface and subsurface 
    ownerships and to avoid potential conflicts with the surface 
    management of the areas; and
        (4) it is desirable that an exchange of lands be completed not 
    later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Mineral Interests.--
        (1) Acquisition.--Pursuant to an exchange agreement between the 
    Secretary and Burlington, the Secretary may acquire mineral 
    interests owned by Burlington or an affiliate of Burlington 
    underlying surface lands owned by the United States located in the 
    areas depicted on the maps entitled ``Severed Minerals Exchange, 
    Clearwater-Monture Area'', dated September 1988, and ``Severed 
    Mineral Exchanges, Gallatin Area'', dated September 1988, or in 
    fractional sections adjacent to the areas depicted on the maps.
        (2) Exchange.--In exchange for the mineral interests conveyed to 
    the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of the 
    Interior shall convey, subject to valid existing rights, such 
    federally owned mineral interests as the Secretary and Burlington 
    may agree upon.
    (c) Equal Value.--
        (1) In general.--The value of the mineral interests exchanged 
    under subsection (b) shall be approximately equal in value based 
    upon available information.
        (2) Appraisal.--To ensure that the wilderness or other natural 
    values of the area are not affected by the exchange, a formal 
    appraisal based upon drilling or other surface disturbing activities 
    shall not be required for any mineral interest proposed for 
    exchange, except that the Secretary and Burlington shall fully share 
    all available information on the quality and quantity of mineral 
    interests proposed for exchange.
        (3) Inadequate information.--In the absence of adequate 
    information regarding values of minerals proposed for exchange, the 
    Secretary and Burlington may agree to an exchange on the basis of 
    mineral interests of similar development potential, geologic 
    character, and similar factors.
    (d) Identification of Federally Owned Mineral Interests.--
        (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), mineral interests 
    conveyed by the United States pursuant to this section shall 
    underlie lands the surface of which are owned by Burlington.
        (2) Other interests.--If there are not sufficient federally 
    owned mineral interests of approximately equal value underlying 
    lands owned by Burlington, the Secretary and the Secretary of the 
    Interior may identify for exchange other federally owned mineral 
    interests in lands in the State of Montana of which the surface 
    estate is in private ownership.
    (e) Consultation With the Department of the Interior.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary 
    of the Interior in the negotiation of the exchange agreement 
    authorized by subsection (b), particularly with respect to the 
    inclusion in the agreement of a provision authorizing the exchange 
    of federally owned mineral interests lying outside the boundaries of 
    units of the National Forest System.
        (2) Conveyance.--Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary of 
    the Interior shall convey the federally owned mineral interests 
    identified in a final exchange agreement between the Secretary of 
    Agriculture and Burlington and affiliates of Burlington.
    (f) Mineral Interest Defined.--For purposes of this section, the 
term ``mineral interests'' includes all locatable and leasable minerals, 
including oil and gas, geothermal resources, and other subsurface 
rights.

SEC. 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    (a) Maps.--The maps referred to in sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are 
subject to such minor corrections as may be agreed upon by the Secretary 
and the Company. The Secretary shall notify the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the United States House of Representatives of any 
corrections made pursuant to the subsection. The maps shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the office of Chief, Forest 
Service, USDA.
    (b) Title of Lands Conveyed to the United States.--
        (1) Quality of title and rights.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
    rights, title, and interests to lands conveyed to the United States 
    under sections 4, 5, and 6 shall, at a minimum, consist of the 
    surface estate and the subsurface rights owned by the Company or 
    Burlington where applicable.
        (2) Exception.--The Secretary may accept title subject to 
    outstanding or reserved oil and gas and geothermal rights, except 
    that there shall be no surface occupancy permitted on the lands 
    acquired by the United States under sections 4, 5, and 6 for access 
    to reserved or outstanding rights or exploration or development of 
    such lands.
        (3) Access.--No portion of lands acquired by the United States 
    under this Act shall be available for access to, or exploration or 
    development of, any reserved or outstanding oil, gas, geothermal, or 
    other non-Federal property interest.
    (c) National Forest Lands.--
        (1) In general.--All lands conveyed to the United States under 
    this Act shall be added to and administered as part of the Gallatin 
    National Forest of the National Forest System by the Secretary in 
    accordance with the laws and regulations pertaining to the National 
    Forest System.
        (2) Hyalite-porcupine-buffalo horn wilderness study area.--Lands 
    acquired within the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study 
    Area shall be managed to maintain their presently existing 
    wilderness character and potential for inclusion in the National 
    Wilderness Preservation System in accordance with the Montana 
    Wilderness Study Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note).

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.







                                Speaker of the House of Representatives.







                             Vice President of the United States and    
                                                President of the Senate.

A: Gallatin Range Consolidation and Protection Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire:  (1) by exchange from the Big Sky Lumber Company, specified lands and interests north of Yellowstone National Park, including land in and adjacent to the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area, the Scapegoat Wilderness Area, and other lands in the Gallatin National Forest; and (2) by purchase or exchange from the Company, lands and interests in the Porcupine Area, the Taylor Fork Area, and the Gallatin Area. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey National Forest System lands as part of such exchange.  Sets forth conditions for such exchange with respect to leases and easements.  Provides for the continuation of grazing on the North Bridger Range lands and requires timber harvest practices on such lands to be in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to an agreement with Burlington Resources, Incorporated, to acquire mineral interests owned by Burlington underlying surface lands owned by the United States and located within the Clearwater-Monture Area and the Gallatin Area. Requires such acquisition to be made through exchange to Burlington of other federally owned mining interests that the parties may agree to. Requires consultation with the Secretary of the Interior in the negotiation of such exchange. Requires all lands conveyed to the United States under this Act to be added to and administered as part of the Gallatin National Forest. Authorizes appropriations.
****
Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Assurance of Radiologic 
Excellence Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to improve the quality and value of 
healthcare by increasing the safety and accuracy of medical imaging 
examinations and radiation therapy treatments, thereby reducing 
duplication of services and decreasing costs.

SEC. 3. QUALITY OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION THERAPY.

    Part F of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

           ``Subpart 4--Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy

``SEC. 355. QUALITY OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION THERAPY.

    ``(a) Establishment of Standards.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
        recognized experts in the technical provision of medical 
        imaging and radiation therapy services, shall establish 
        standards to ensure the safety and accuracy of medical imaging 
        studies and radiation therapy treatments. Such standards shall 
        pertain to the personnel who perform, plan, evaluate, or verify 
        patient dose for medical imaging studies and radiation therapy 
        procedures and not to the equipment used.
            ``(2) Experts.--The Secretary shall select expert advisers 
        under paragraph (1) to reflect a broad and balanced input from 
        all sectors of the health care community that are involved in 
        the provision of such services to avoid undue influence from 
        any single sector of practice on the content of such standards.
            ``(3) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not take any action 
        under this subsection that would require licensure by a State 
        of those who provide the technical services referred to in this 
        subsection.
    ``(b) Exemptions.--The standards established under subsection (a) 
shall not apply to physicians (as defined in section 1861(r) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(r))), nurse practitioners and 
physician assistants (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(5))).
    ``(c) Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Under the standards established under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that individuals, 
        prior to performing or planning medical imaging and radiation 
        therapy services, demonstrate compliance with the standards 
        established under subsection (a) through successful completion 
        of certification by a professional organization, licensure, 
        completion of an examination, pertinent coursework or degree 
        program, verified pertinent experience, or through other ways 
        determined appropriate by the Secretary, or through some 
        combination thereof.
            ``(2) Miscellaneous provisions.--The standards established 
        under subsection (a)--
                    ``(A) may vary from discipline to discipline, 
                reflecting the unique and specialized nature of the 
                technical services provided, and shall represent expert 
                consensus as to what constitutes excellence in practice 
                and be appropriate to the particular scope of care 
                involved;
                    ``(B) may vary in form for each of the covered 
                disciplines; and
                    ``(C) may exempt individual providers from meeting 
                certain standards based on their scope of practice.
            ``(3) Recognition of individuals with extensive practical 
        experience.--For purposes of this section, the Secretary shall, 
        through regulation, provide a method for the recognition of 
        individuals whose training or experience are determined to be 
        equal to, or in excess of, those of a graduate of an accredited 
        educational program in that specialty, or of an individual who 
        is regularly eligible to take the licensure or certification 
        examination for that discipline.
    ``(d) Approved Bodies.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than the date described in 
        subsection (j)(2), the Secretary shall begin to certify 
        qualified entities as approved bodies with respect to the 
        accreditation of the various mechanisms by which an individual 
        can demonstrate compliance with the standards promulgated under 
        subsection (a), if such organizations or agencies meet the 
        standards established by the Secretary under paragraph (2) and 
        provide the assurances required under paragraph (3).
            ``(2) Standards.--The Secretary shall establish minimum 
        standards for the certification of approved bodies under 
        paragraph (1) (including standards for recordkeeping, the 
        approval of curricula and instructors, the charging of 
        reasonable fees for certification or for undertaking 
        examinations, and standards to minimize the possibility of 
        conflicts of interest), and other additional standards as the 
        Secretary may require.
            ``(3) Assurances.--To be certified as an approved body 
        under paragraph (1), an organization or agency shall provide 
        the Secretary satisfactory assurances that the body will--
                    ``(A) be a nonprofit organization;
                    ``(B) comply with the standards described in 
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) notify the Secretary in a timely manner if 
                the body fails to comply with the standards described 
                in paragraph (2); and
                    ``(D) provide such other information as the 
                Secretary may require.
            ``(4) Withdrawal of approval.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may withdraw the 
                certification of an approved body if the Secretary 
                determines the body does not meet the standards under 
                paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Effect of withdrawal.--The withdrawal of the 
                certification of an approved body under subparagraph 
                (A) shall have no effect on the certification status of 
                any individual or person that was certified by that 
                approved body prior to the date of such withdrawal.
    ``(e) Existing State Standards.--Standards established by a State 
for the licensure or certification of personnel, accreditation of 
educational programs, or administration of examinations shall be deemed 
to be in compliance with the standards of this section unless the 
Secretary determines that such State standards do not meet the minimum 
standards prescribed by the Secretary or are inconsistent with the 
purposes of this section. The Secretary shall establish a process by 
which a State may respond to or appeal a determination made by the 
Secretary under the preceding sentence.
    ``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prohibit a State or other approved body from requiring 
compliance with a higher standard of education and training than that 
specified by this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
section, individuals who provide medical imaging services relating to 
mammograms shall continue to meet the standards applicable under the 
Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992.
    ``(g) Evaluation and Report.--The Secretary shall periodically 
evaluate the performance of each approved body under subsection (d) at 
an interval determined appropriate by the Secretary. The results of 
such evaluations shall be included as part of the report submitted to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives in accordance with 354(e)(6)(B).
    ``(h) Delivery of and Payment for Services.--Not later than the 
date described in subsection (j)(3), the Secretary shall promulgate 
regulations to ensure that all programs under the authority of the 
Secretary that involve the performance of or payment for medical 
imaging or radiation therapy, are performed in accordance with the 
standards established under this section.
    ``(i) Alternative Standards for Rural and Underserved Areas.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine whether 
        the standards established under subsection (a) must be met in 
        their entirety for medical imaging or radiation therapy that is 
        performed in a geographic area that is determined by the 
        Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board to be a `rural 
        area' or that is designated as a health professional shortage 
        area. If the Secretary determines that alternative standards 
        for such rural areas or health professional shortage areas are 
        appropriate to assure access to quality medical imaging, the 
        Secretary is authorized to develop such alternative standards.
            ``(2) State discretion.--The chief executive officer of a 
        State may submit to the Secretary a statement declaring that an 
        alternative standard developed under paragraph (1) is 
        inappropriate for application to such State, and such 
        alternative standard shall not apply in such submitting State. 
        The chief executive officer of a State may rescind a statement 
        described in this paragraph following the provision of 
        appropriate notice to the Secretary.
    ``(j) Applicable Timelines.--
            ``(1) General implementation regulations.--Not later than 
        18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the 
        Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary 
        to implement all standards in this section except those 
        provided for in subsection (d)(2).
            ``(2) Minimum standards for certification of approved 
        bodies.--Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment 
        of this section, the Secretary shall establish the standards 
        regarding approved bodies referred to in subsection (d)(2) and 
        begin certifying approved bodies under such subsection.
            ``(3) Regulations for delivery of or payment for 
        services.--Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment 
        of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate the regulations 
        described in subsection (h). The Secretary may withhold the 
        provision of Federal assistance as provided for in subsection 
        (h) beginning on the date that is 48 months after the date of 
        enactment of this section.
    ``(k) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Approved body.--The term `approved body' means an 
        entity that has been certified by the Secretary under 
        subsection (d)(1) to accredit the various mechanisms by which 
        an individual can demonstrate compliance with the standards 
        promulgated under subsection (a) with respect to performing, 
        planning, evaluating, or verifying patient dose for medical 
        imaging or radiation therapy.
            ``(2) Medical imaging.--The term `medical imaging' means 
        any procedure used to visualize tissues, organs, or physiologic 
        processes in humans for the purpose of diagnosing illness or 
        following the progression of disease. Images may be produced 
        utilizing ionizing radiation, radiopharmaceuticals, magnetic 
        resonance, or ultrasound and image production may include the 
        use of contrast media or computer processing. For purposes of 
        this section, such term does not include routine dental 
        diagnostic procedures.
            ``(3) Perform.--The term `perform', with respect to medical 
        imaging or radiation therapy, means--
                    ``(A) the act of directly exposing a patient to 
                radiation via ionizing or radio frequency radiation, to 
                ultrasound, or to a magnetic field for purposes of 
                medical imaging or for purposes of radiation therapy; 
                and
                    ``(B) the act of positioning a patient to receive 
                such an exposure.
            ``(4) Plan.--The term `plan', with respect to medical 
        imaging or radiation therapy, means the act of preparing for 
        the performance of such a procedure to a patient by evaluating 
        site-specific information, based on measurement and 
        verification of radiation dose distribution, computer analysis, 
        or direct measurement of dose, in order to customize the 
        procedure for the patient.
            ``(5) Radiation therapy.--The term `radiation therapy' 
        means any procedure or article intended for use in the cure, 
        mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans that 
        achieves its intended purpose through the emission of 
        radiation.
    ``(l) Sunset.--This section shall have no force or effect after 
September 30, 2016.''.

SEC. 4. REPORT ON THE EFFECTS OF THIS ACT.

    (a) Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director 
of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall submit to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a 
report on the effects of this Act. Such report shall include the types 
and numbers of providers for whom standards have been developed, the 
impact of such standards on diagnostic accuracy and patient safety, and 
the availability and cost of services. Entities reimbursed for 
technical services through programs operating under the authority of 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall be required to 
contribute data to such report.

            Passed the Senate December 6, 2006.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.

A:
Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence Act of 2006 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish standards to ensure the safety and accuracy of medical imaging studies and radiation therapy treatments. Imposes such standards on personnel who perform, plan, or evaluate, or verify patient doses for, medical imaging studies and radiation therapy procedures and not on the equipment used. Exempts physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

Directs the Secretary to ensure that individuals demonstrate compliance through successful completion of certification by a professional organization, licensure, completion of an examination, pertinent coursework or degree program, or verified pertinent experience.

Allows the standards to: (1) vary from discipline to discipline, represent expert consensus as to what constitutes excellence in practice, and be appropriate to the particular scope of care involved; (2) vary in form for each of the covered disciplines; and (3) exempt individual providers from meeting certain standards based on their scope of practice.

Requires the Secretary to provide a method for the recognition of individuals whose training and experience are determined to equal or exceed that of: (1) a graduate of an accredited educational program in that specialty; or (2) an individual who is regularly eligible to take the licensure or certification examination for that discipline.

Directs the Secretary to certify bodies for accreditation of various mechanisms by which an individual can demonstrate compliance with the standards. Requires the Secretary to establish minimum standards for certification, including assurances that the body will: (1) be a nonprofit organization; (2) comply with the established standards; and (3) notify the Secretary in a timely manner if it fails to comply. Allows the Secretary to withdraw certification upon determining the body does not meet the required standards.

Deems state standards for licensure or certification of personnel, accreditation of educational programs, or administration of examinations to be in compliance with standards under this Act unless the Secretary determines they do not meet minimum standards or are inconsistent with this Act. Requires the Secretary to establish an appeal process.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the performance of each approved body; (2) ensure that programs that involve the performance of or payment for medical imaging or radiation therapy meet such standards; and (3) determine whether such standards must be met in their entirety in rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary to develop alternative standards for rural areas or health professional shortage areas to assure access to quality medical imaging.

Sets forth a timeline for the implementation of the standards under this Act.

(Sec. 4) Sets forth reporting requirements.
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