113 HR 2253 IH: Higher Education and Skills Obtainment Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-06-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2253
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 4, 2013
			Mr. Schock introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to consolidate
		  the current education tax incentives into one credit against income tax for
		  higher education expenses, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Higher Education and Skills Obtainment
			 Act.
		2.Consolidation of
			 education tax incentives into higher education and skills obtainment
			 credit
			(a)In
			 GeneralSection 25A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
			 (relating to Hope and Lifetime Learning credits) is amended to read as
			 follows:

					25A.Higher
				education and skills obtainment credit
						(a)Allowance of
				creditIn the case of any
				eligible student for whom an election is in effect under this section for any
				taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by
				this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of—
							(1)100 percent of so
				much of the qualified tuition and related expenses paid by the taxpayer during
				the taxable year (for education furnished to the eligible student during any
				academic period beginning in such taxable year) as does not exceed $2,000,
				plus
							(2)25 percent of such
				expenses so paid as exceeds $2,000 but does not exceed $4,000.
							(b)Limitations
							(1)Credit allowed
				only for 4 taxable yearsThe
				credit under subsection (a) shall not be allowed for a taxable year with
				respect to the qualified tuition and related expenses of an eligible student if
				the student has completed (before the beginning of such taxable year) 4 years
				of any combination of postsecondary education at an eligible educational
				institution and instruction described in subsection (c)(2)(B).
							(2)Limitation based
				on household incomeThe amount which would (but for this
				paragraph) be taken into account under subsection (a) for the taxable year
				shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which bears the same ratio
				to the amount which would be so taken into account as the excess (if any)
				of—
								(A)the household
				income of the taxpayer for such taxable year over 400 percent of the poverty
				line, bears to
								(B)the amount equal
				to 500 percent of the poverty line minus the amount equal to 400 percent of the
				poverty line.
								(c)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section—
							(1)Eligible
				studentThe term eligible student means, with
				respect to any academic period, any individual who—
								(A)meets the
				requirements of section 484(a)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
				U.S.C. 1091(a)(1)), as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Taxpayer
				Relief Act of 1997, and
								(B)in the case of a student enrolled in a
				degree program, is carrying at least ½ the normal full-time work load for the
				course of study the student is pursuing.
								(2)Qualified
				tuition and related expensesThe term qualified tuition and
				related expenses means tuition, fees, and costs of course
				materials—
								(A)for education
				during the taxable year with respect to the attendance at an eligible
				educational institution during any academic period beginning in such taxable
				year of—
									(i)the
				taxpayer,
									(ii)the taxpayer’s
				spouse, or
									(iii)any dependent of
				the taxpayer with respect to whom the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under
				section 151, and
									(B)for a course of
				instruction from an eligible provider to acquire or improve job skills of the
				individual during the taxable year (for education furnished during any academic
				period beginning in such taxable year).
								(3)Eligible
				educational institutionThe term eligible educational
				institution means an institution—
								(A)which is described
				in section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as in effect on the date of
				the enactment of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, and
								(B)which is eligible
				to participate in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of
				1965.
								(4)Poverty
				line
								(A)In
				generalThe term poverty line has the meaning given
				that term in section 2110(c)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
				1397jj(c)(5)) with respect to the taxpayer’s family of the size
				involved.
								(B)Poverty line
				usedThe poverty line used shall be the most recently published
				poverty line as of the 1st day of the regular enrollment period for coverage
				during such calendar year.
								(5)Eligible
				providerThe term
				eligible provider means provider of training services (within the
				meaning of section 134(d)(4)(D) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998) (29
				U.S.C. 2864(d)(4)(D)) who is identified in accordance with section 122(e)(3) of
				such Act (29 U.S.C. 2842(e)(3)).
							(d)Special
				rules
							(1)Identification
				requirementsNo credit shall
				be allowed under subsection (a) to a taxpayer with respect to an eligible
				student unless the taxpayer includes on the return of tax for the taxable
				year—
								(A)the name and
				social security number of such student, and
								(B)the employer identification number, name,
				and address of any institution or eligible provider to which tuition, fees, and
				costs of course materials were paid with respect to such student.
								(2)Adjustment for
				certain scholarshipsThe expenses otherwise taken into account
				under subsection (a) with respect to an individual for an academic period shall
				be reduced (before the application of subsections (a) and (b)) by the sum of
				any amounts paid for the benefit of such individual which are allocable to such
				period as—
								(A)a qualified
				scholarship which is excludable from gross income under section 117,
								(B)an educational
				assistance allowance under chapter 30, 31, 32, 34, or 35 of title 38, United
				States Code, or under chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code,
								(C)a Federal Pell
				Grant or a Federal supplemental educational opportunity grant under subparts 1
				and 3, respectively, of part A of title IV of the
				Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
				U.S.C. 1070a and 1070b et seq., respectively), and
								(D)a payment (other
				than a gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance within the meaning of section
				102(a)) for such student’s educational expenses, or attributable to such
				individual’s enrollment at an eligible educational institution, which is
				excludable from gross income under any law of the United States.
								(3)Treatment of
				expenses paid by dependentIf a deduction under section 151 with
				respect to an individual is allowed to another taxpayer for a taxable year
				beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year
				begins—
								(A)no credit shall be
				allowed under subsection (a) to such individual for such individual’s taxable
				year, and
								(B)amounts paid by
				such individual during such individual’s taxable year shall be treated for
				purposes of this section as paid by such other taxpayer.
								(4)Treatment of
				certain prepaymentsIf
				tuition, fees, or costs of course materials are paid by the taxpayer during a
				taxable year for an academic period which begins during the first 3 months
				following such taxable year, such academic period shall be treated for purposes
				of this section as beginning during such taxable year.
							(5)Denial of double
				benefitNo credit shall be allowed under this section for any
				expense for which deduction is allowed under any other provision of this
				chapter.
							(6)No credit for
				married individuals filing separate returnsIf the taxpayer is a
				married individual (within the meaning of section 7703), this section shall
				apply only if the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse file a joint return for
				the taxable year.
							(7)Nonresident
				aliensIf the taxpayer is a nonresident alien individual for any
				portion of the taxable year, this section shall apply only if such individual
				is treated as a resident alien of the United States for purposes of this
				chapter by reason of an election under subsection (g) or (h) of section
				6013.
							(8)Supporting
				informationNo expense shall
				be taken into account under this section for a taxable year unless the taxpayer
				submits with the return of tax for the taxable year information supporting such
				expense.
							(e)Election not To
				have section applyA taxpayer
				may elect not to have this section apply with respect to the expenses of an
				individual for any taxable year.
						(f)Verification and
				confirmation of certain informationIn carrying out this section,
				the Secretary shall utilize information from the Secretary of Education to
				confirm and verify information relating to educational institutions and
				students, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the
				National Student Loan Data System.
						(g)RegulationsThe
				Secretary may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to
				carry out this section, including regulations providing for a recapture of the
				credit allowed under this section in cases where there is a refund in a
				subsequent taxable year of any expense which was taken into account in
				determining the amount of such
				credit.
						.
			(b)Repeal of
			 deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses
				(1)In
			 generalPart VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code
			 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by
			 striking section 222.
				(2)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of
			 chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to section
			 222.
				(c)Information
			 Returns
				(1)In
			 generalSection 6050S(e) of
			 such Code is amended by striking subsection (g)(2) and inserting
			 subsection (d)(2).
				(2)AttendanceParagraph
			 (2) of section 6050S(b) of such Code is amended by redesignating subparagraph
			 (C) as subparagraph (D) and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following
			 new subparagraph:

						(C)the status of the individual for each
				academic period of the year for which payments are received as—
							(i)a
				full-time or part-time student,
							(ii)if a part-time
				student, whether the individual is at least half time, and
							(iii)whether the
				student is a graduate
				student.
							.
				(d)Omission of
			 identification information and number of years credit is claimed treated as
			 mathematical or clerical errorSubparagraph (J) of section
			 6213(g)(2) of such Code is amended to read as follows:

					(J)in the case of information required under
				section 25A (relating to higher education obtainment credit)—
						(i)an
				omission of a correct social security number and employer identification number
				of any institution required to be included on a return under subsection (d)(1)
				of such section, and
						(ii)an entry on the
				return claiming the credit in violation of the limitation under subsection
				(b)(1) of such
				return,
						.
			(e)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Section 62(a) of
			 such Code is amended by striking paragraph (18).
				(2)Subparagraph (A)
			 of section 86(b)(2) of such Code is amended by striking
			 222,.
				(3)Subparagraph (B)
			 of section 72(t)(7) of such Code is amended by striking section
			 25A(g)(2) and inserting section 25A(d)(2).
				(4)Subparagraph (A) of section 135(c)(4) of
			 such Code is amended by striking 222,.
				(5)Subparagraph (A)
			 of section 137(b)(3) of such Code is amended by striking
			 222,.
				(6)Subparagraph (A)
			 of section 199(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking
			 222,.
				(7)Clause (ii) of
			 section 219(g)(3)(A) of such Code is amended by striking
			 222,.
				(8)Clause (i) of
			 section 221(b)(2)(C) of such Code is amended by striking
			 222,.
				(9)Clause (iii) of
			 section 469(i)(3)(F) of such Code is amended by striking 221, and
			 222 and inserting and 221.
				(10)Subsection (d) of
			 section 221 of such Code is amended—
					(A)by striking
			 section 25A(g)(2) in paragraph (2)(B) and inserting
			 section 25A(d)(2), and
					(B)by striking section
			 25A(f)(2) in the second sentence of paragraph (2) and inserting
			 section 25A(c)(3).
					(11)Section 221(d)(3) of such Code is amended
			 by striking section 25A(b)(3) and inserting section
			 25A(c)(3).
				(12)Subclause (I) of
			 section 529(c)(3)(B)(v) of such Code is amended by striking section
			 25A(g)(2) and inserting 25A(d)(2).
				(13)Clause (i) of
			 section 529(e)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by striking section
			 25A(b)(3) and inserting section 221(c)(3).
				(14)Subclause (I) of
			 section 530(d)(2)(C)(i) of such Code is amended by striking section
			 25A(g)(2) and inserting section 25A(d)(2).
				(15)Clause (iii) of section 530(d)(4)(B) of
			 such Code is amended by striking section 25A(g)(2) and inserting
			 25A(d)(2).
				(16)Section 1400O of
			 such Code is amended by adding at the end the following flush sentence:

						For purposes of this section, any reference
				to section 25A shall be treated as a reference to such section as in effect on
				the day before the date of the enactment of this
				sentence.
						.
				(17)The table of
			 sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
			 amended by striking the item relating to section 25A and inserting the
			 following:

							Sec. 25A. Higher education and skills obtainment
				credit.

						.
				(f)Sense of
			 CongressIt is the sense of
			 Congress that any savings in revenues resulting from the enactment of this
			 section shall be applied to the currently projected Pell Grant funding
			 shortfall beginning in 2015 and to deficit reduction.
			(g)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to expenses
			 paid after December 31, 2013, for education furnished in academic periods
			 beginning after such date.


114 HR 3245 IH: Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3245IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 14, 2021Ms. Escobar introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to significant actions that exacerbate climate change, to reinforce comprehensive efforts to limit global average temperature rise, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021.2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:(1)Climate change is imposing significant damage on communities in the United States and abroad in the form of severe weather events, wildfires, heat waves, droughts, flooding, ocean acidification, and other threats to public health and safety. Scientists expect these effects to grow in frequency and intensity in the coming decades. Low-income communities and communities of color bear a disproportionate impact of climate-related damages.(2)Collectively, the international community needs to limit global warming to under 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels in order to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Under the current trajectory, the world will fail to meet this target and will experience warming that exceeds 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. In many regions of the world, warming of average temperatures has already surpassed 3 degrees Fahrenheit.(3)To limit global warming to under 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the world needs to reach net-zero global emissions by 2050, which will require making drastic reforms to global economic systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce deforestation, reduce dependency on coal, adapt to unavoidable changes in the climate, and ensure a just transition.(4)The goals articulated in the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement depend on collective action involving the entire international community. Progress made by one economic actor can be reduced or cancelled out if another economic actor emits significant greenhouse gas emissions into the Earth’s atmosphere.(5)Coal produces the highest intensity of greenhouse gas emissions of any fuel source. The International Energy Agency estimates that coal is responsible for nearly 1/3 of global warming. The United Nations Secretary General has repeatedly urged countries to stop financing coal and to pledge not to build new coal-fired power plants.(6)Subcritical coal-fired power plants continue to be developed, especially in Southeast Asia and as part of the Belt and Road Initiative of the People's Republic of China, despite broad awareness of the dangers and the growing availability of economically superior alternatives. Additionally, coal mining is frequently associated with a wide range of human rights abuses, such as forced evictions and land grabbing, water and air pollution, and violations of the rights of indigenous people and workers.(7)Alternatives to carbon-intensive electrical power generation are now available and technological advancements continue to strengthen the economic competitiveness of such alternatives.(8)Internationally, several economic actors continue to pursue activities, such as development of new subcritical coal-fired power plants and deforestation that contribute to dangerous levels of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to carrying a significant climate risk, many of these activities are associated with serious human rights abuses, acts of corruption, and environmental injustice against Indigenous communities, communities of color, and other communities that have historically faced marginalization and discrimination.(9)The United States Government has developed and implements targeted measures to restrict access to the United States financial system for specific individuals and entities whose actions threaten or run counter to United States national interests. The United States Government has deployed these measures in response to terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking, malicious cyber-enabled activity, wildlife trafficking, serious human rights abuses, and acts of corruption. While President Joseph R. Biden has further centered climate solutions in foreign policy, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States Government has not used these measures to target and deter reckless, climate-destroying behavior.(10)President Biden has indicated that combating the climate crisis is a top domestic and foreign policy priority and has taken steps including the creation of a Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, collaborating with other countries to establish worldwide solutions and reduce the impact of climate change, striving to achieve a net-zero economy in the United States by 2050, producing a plan to end international financing for fossil fuel projects, and emphasizing the need of pursuing an entirely clean energy economy.(11)President Biden has made it a priority to counter environmental injustices in the United States and abroad, and plans on implementing community-led approaches as well as Federal protections and regulations that will support those community members whose land and health have been negatively impacted by climate change.(12)The climate crisis has led to a surge of civic engagement, activism, and protests across the world. At the same time, reprisals against environmental defenders are on the rise. Front Line Defenders reported that of the 331 human rights defenders killed for their work in 2020, 69 percent were killed for speaking up about Indigenous, land, or environmental rights. In 2020, Global Witness reported than an average of 4 environmental defenders had been killed every week since the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in December 2015. Thousands of other environmental defenders are targeted each year with reprisals in the form of enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, criminalization, and smear campaigns.(13)As a result of corruption and illegally issued permits for forest clearance, only approximately 50 percent of tropical forest destruction is defined as illegal under local country laws. Critically, violations of land rights and the free, prior, and informed consent and rights of Indigenous people can be overlooked if the only criterion applied is legality.(14)Illegal deforestation is a significant driver of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Criminal networks with the capacity to coordinate large-scale extraction, processing, and sale of timber deploy armed personnel to protect their interests. Those criminal networks regularly attack and threaten members of Indigenous communities, enforcement officials, and other environmental defenders. Perpetrators of such violence are rarely brought to justice.(15)Policies and measures to address climate change must also promote human rights, thereby advancing equality, justice, and dignity for all, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.3.Sense of Congress on a comprehensive approach to addressing climate changeIt is the sense of Congress that—(1)the targeted measures described in this Act are only one component of the comprehensive approach needed to address climate change and mitigate its effects;(2)the United States Government must ensure through law and regulation that entities in the United States are not engaged in or complicit in any of the egregious behaviors for which foreign persons may be targeted under this Act;(3)the United States Government must fulfill its pledges to the Green Climate Fund and promote international efforts to support climate change adaptation and mitigation;(4)the United States Government must work proactively with foreign governments, including by offering positive incentives, to address climate change and to promote economic development in ways that do not needlessly increase carbon emissions or increase the risk of corruption;(5)the targeted measures described in this Act should be employed if engagement has failed to prevent significant actions that exacerbate climate change; and(6)given broad international support for countering climate change, the Secretary of State should encourage the governments of other countries to implement targeted measures that are similar to the provisions of this Act, and the Secretary of the Treasury should support implementation of such measures, in order to increase the effectiveness of actions taken by the United States to combat significant actions that exacerbate climate change, including related corruption and human rights violations.4.Sense of Congress on engagement with the People’s Republic of ChinaIt is the sense of Congress that—(1)the United States Government should continue to hold the People's Republic of China accountable for its human rights abuses, violations of international law, coercive and unfair economic practices, and military aggression, and should do so while also pursuing opportunities to cooperatively address the existential threat of climate change;(2)the United States Government should encourage the People’s Republic of China to follow through on its stated intentions to reduce the negative environmental impacts of Chinese foreign investment, including investments provided through the Belt and Road Initiative;(3)the United States Government should negotiate a binding agreement to end fossil fuel subsidies with major economies including the People’s Republic of China;(4)the United States Government should build on the successes of existing engagement with the People’s Republic of China through the United States-China Clean Energy Research Center and other initiatives to launch new cooperative efforts;(5)the United States Government should engage in expanded dialogue with the People’s Republic of China to ensure that development finance institutions do not undermine global decarbonization efforts; and(6)the United States Government should work with the People’s Republic of China to develop and adopt safeguards to promote low-carbon, climate-resilient investments over high-carbon, climate risk-inducing investments, particularly in emerging and developing economies in the Indo-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.5.Statement of policy on application of Global Magnitsky sanctions to climate-linked corruption and human rights abuses(a)In generalIt is the policy of the United States to consider—(1)any act of corruption related to a covered activity (as defined in section 6(i)) to be corruption, as that term is used in Executive Order 13818 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of persons involved in serious human rights abuse or corruption); and(2)any violation of internationally recognized human rights committed against an individual described in subsection (b) to be a serious human rights abuse, as that term is used in Executive Order 13818.(b)Individuals describedAn individual described in this subsection is an individual who—(1)advocates for the protection of the environment, public health, Indigenous rights, or community land rights;(2)investigates, exposes, or raises awareness of harm or corruption related to natural resource use; or(3)is obliged to leave the individual's habitual home due, in whole or in part, to sudden or progressive change in the environment that adversely affects the individual's life or living conditions.6.Imposition of sanctions with respect to significant actions that exacerbate climate change(a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the President should employ the authorities provided by this section to prioritize action against, and deterrence of, egregious behaviors that undermine efforts to limit the increase in global average temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.(b)In generalThe President may impose one or more of the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to any foreign person the President determines, based on credible information—(1)to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, a covered activity, including a government official who approves or implements policies or acts that serve to promote a covered activity;(2)to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any foreign person in a matter relating to a covered activity, including for or on behalf of a government official described in paragraph (1);(3)to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, a covered activity; or(4)to be owned or controlled by a foreign person described in paragraph (1).(c)Sanctions describedThe sanctions that may be imposed with respect to a foreign person under subsection (b) are the following:(1)Inadmissibility to United StatesIn the case of a foreign person who is an individual—(A)ineligibility to receive a visa to enter the United States or to be admitted to the United States; or(B)if the individual has been issued a visa or other documentation, revocation, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), of the visa or other documentation.(2)Blocking of property(A)In generalThe blocking, in accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), of all transactions in all property and interests in property of the foreign person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.(B)Inapplicability of national emergency requirementThe requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply for purposes of this paragraph.(3)Other sanctions optionsAny of the sanctions described in section 235 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9529).(d)Consideration of certain information in imposing sanctionsIn determining whether to impose sanctions under subsection (b), the President shall consider—(1)information provided jointly by the chairperson and ranking member of each of the appropriate congressional committees; and(2)credible information obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations that monitor environmental harm or violations of human rights.(e)Requests by appropriate congressional committees(1)In generalNot later than 120 days after receiving a request that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with respect to whether a foreign person has engaged in an action described in subsection (a), the President shall—(A)determine if that person has engaged in such an action; and(B)submit a classified or unclassified report to the chairperson and ranking member of the committee or committees that submitted the request with respect to that determination that includes—(i)a statement of whether or not the President imposed or intends to impose sanctions with respect to the person; and(ii)if the President imposed or intends to impose sanctions, a description of those sanctions.(2)RequirementsA request under paragraph (1) with respect to whether a foreign person has engaged in an action described in subsection (b) shall be submitted to the President in writing jointly by the chairperson and ranking member of one of the appropriate congressional committees.(f)Exceptions(1)Intelligence and law enforcement activitiesSanctions under this section shall not apply with respect to—(A)any activity subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.); or(B)any authorized intelligence or law enforcement activities of the United States.(2)Compliance with United Nations Headquarters AgreementThis section shall not apply with respect to the admission of an individual to the United States if the admission of the individual is necessary to comply with United States obligations under the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, under the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967, or under other international obligations of the United States.(3)Exception relating to importation of goods(A)In generalThe authority to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property under this section shall not include the authority to impose sanctions on the importation of goods.(B)Good definedIn this paragraph, the term good means any article, natural or man-made substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, and excluding technical data.(g)Implementation; penalties(1)ImplementationThe President may exercise all authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this section.(2)PenaltiesA person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this section or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.(h)Report requiredNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes a list of each activity in a foreign country that—(1)is initiated or negotiated in the year preceding submission of the report; and(2)the Secretary determines is a covered activity, regardless of whether sanctions have been imposed with respect to the activity.(i)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—(A)the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and(B)the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.(2)Carbon sinkThe term carbon sink means a feature or process that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.(3)Covered activityThe term covered activity means any activity in a foreign country that, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act—(A)causes, or is likely to cause, significant excess greenhouse gas emissions associated with electrical power generation, including—(i)construction, importation, or exportation of subcritical coal-fired power plants; or(ii)any action that significantly undermines, as a result of timing or magnitude, adoption in the country of high-efficiency, low-carbon, or renewable energy technology or infrastructure;(B)causes, or is likely to cause, significant or illegal deforestation or loss of natural carbon sinks, including—(i)establishment of incentives for, or promotion of, systematic deforestation;(ii)engagement in, or failure to combat, illegal logging, mining, or ranching; or(iii)unjust actions that limit or circumvent opposition to deforestation by individuals seeking to protect the environment, public health, or community land rights; or(C)knowingly misrepresents the environmental impact of a project, investment, or product, including misrepresenting the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the project, investment, or product, in the context of—(i)assessments conducted by multilateral organizations, national governments, or investors; or(ii)public efforts to gain market advantage based on purported environmental advantages of a product.(4)DeforestationThe term deforestation means a loss of natural forest resulting from the whole or partial conversion of natural forest to—(A)agriculture or another non-forest land use; or(B)a tree plantation.(5)KnowinglyThe term knowingly, with respect to conduct, a circumstance, or a result, means that a person has actual knowledge, or should have known, of the conduct, the circumstance, or the result. (6)Foreign personThe term foreign person means a person that is not a United States person.(7)Subcritical coal-fired power plantThe term subcritical coal-fired power plant means a coal-fired power plant with carbon intensity equal to or greater than 880 kilograms of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour.(8)United States personThe term United States person means—(A)a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or(B)an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.7.Additional resources for the Office of Foreign Assets ControlThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Treasury such sums as may be necessary to support the targeting by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of persons under this Act and to enhance the ability of that Office to target persons for the imposition of sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of Public Law 114–328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note).


110 HRES 459 EH: Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Twenty-first Congressional District of Florida.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-06-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 459
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

June 12, 2007

RESOLUTION
Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Twenty-first Congressional District of Florida.

That the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Twenty-first Congressional District of Florida is dismissed.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


114 S3351 IS: Keep Terrorists Off the Battlefield Act
U.S. Senate
2016-09-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3351IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 19, 2016Mr. Rubio introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo prohibit certain transfers of individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo
			 Bay, Cuba, to prohibit funds from being made available for the closure of
			 that Naval Station,  and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Keep Terrorists Off the Battlefield Act. 2.Individual detained at Guantanamo Bay definedIn this Act, the term individual detained at Guantanamo Bay means any individual located at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as of October 1, 2009, who—
 (1)is not a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22))) or a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and
 (2)is— (A)in the custody or under the control of the Department of Defense; or
 (B)otherwise under detention at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 3.Prohibition on transfer of individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, CubaNo amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for any department or agency of the United States Government may be used to transfer an individual detained at Guantanamo Bay—
 (1)from the custody or control of the Department of Defense to the custody or control of any other department or agency of the United States Government;
 (2)to the custody or control of any country in the Western Hemisphere or any entity within a country in the Western Hemisphere; or
 (3)to any country or entity that does not have laws in effect that, as certified by the United States Government, effectively prohibit acts of terrorism or material support for acts of terrorism.
 4.Prohibition on funding for closure of United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, CubaNo amounts appropriated or otherwise made available for any department or agency of the United States Government may be used to fund activities, envoys, or offices to carry out activities to close United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
 5.Sense of Congress on return of released individuals who have engaged in terrorist activityIt is the sense of Congress that any individual who was at any time an individual detained at Guantanamo Bay and after the individual was released from detention at Guantanamo Bay is suspected of or confirmed by the United States intelligence community as having re-engaged in terrorist activity should immediately be arrested and returned to detention at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.


I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4202IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESAugust 23, 2019Mr. Arrington introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify the officers of U.S. Customs and Border
			 Protection are authorized to conduct asylum interviews, and for other
			 purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Securing Comprehensive Review in Entry Enforcement Now Act of 2019 or the SCREEN Act of 2019.
		2.Officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection authorized to conduct asylum interviewsSection 235(b)(1)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1225(b)(1)(E)) is amended in
			 the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting , including an officer of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, after immigration officer.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3528
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			November 30, 2011
			Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of
			 Texas (for herself, Ms. Wasserman
			 Schultz, Mr. Davis of
			 Illinois, Mrs. Napolitano,
			 Mr. Cohen, and
			 Ms. Moore) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend the Hate Crime Statistics Act to include crimes
		  against the homeless.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Hate Crimes Against the Homeless
			 Statistics Act of 2011.
		2.Inclusion of
			 homelessSection 1(b) of the
			 Hate Crime Statistics Act (28 U.S.C. 534 note) is amended—
			(1)in paragraph (1),
			 by inserting homeless status, after sexual
			 orientation,; and
			(2)by adding the the
			 end the following:

					(6)As used in this
				subsection, the term homeless status with respect to an
				individual, refers to an individual who—
						(A)lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate
				nighttime residence; or
						(B)has a primary nighttime residence that
				is—
							(i)a public or private place not designed for,
				or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings,
				including cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing,
				bus or train stations, or similar settings;
							(ii)a supervised publicly or privately operated
				shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, including motels,
				hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing; or
							(iii)housing of other persons in which the
				individual is temporarily staying due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or
				a similar
				reason.
							.


117 HR 830 IH: Wage Increase Fairness Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 830IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 4, 2021Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit States and municipalities from adopting certain laws and ordinances, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Wage Increase Fairness Act.2.Amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act 1938Section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. 206) is amended by adding at the end the following:(h)Nothing in this subsection shall limit the amount of a minimum wage set pursuant to this section, or of a minimum wage set by a State or municipality pursuant to section 18 of this Act, provided that: notwithstanding section 18 or any other provision of law, no State or municipality shall adopt any law or ordinance which has the purpose or effect of establishing a minimum wage which distinguishes, classifies, or establishes any requirement on an employer based on its status as excluded from the definition of “enterprise” pursuant to the second sentence of section 3(r)(1)..


113 SRES 600 IS: To limit certain uses of the filibuster in the Senate to improve the legislative process.
U.S. Senate
2014-12-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 600IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 12, 2014Mr. Udall of New Mexico (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and AdministrationRESOLUTIONTo limit certain uses of the filibuster in the Senate to improve the legislative process. 1.Motions to proceedParagraph 1 of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by inserting at the end the
			 following new paragraph:Other than a motion made during the first 2 hours of a new legislative day as described in
			 paragraph 2 of rule VIII, consideration of a motion to proceed to the
			 consideration of any debatable matter, including debate on any debatable
			 motion or appeal in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more
			 than 2 hours, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the
			 Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their designees. This paragraph
			 shall not apply to motions considered nondebatable by the Senate pursuant
			 to rule or precedent..2. Extended debateParagraph 2 of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by striking the second
			 undesignated paragraph and inserting the following:Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close? And if that question
			 shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly
			 chosen and sworn, except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules,
			 in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the
			 Senators voting, a quorum being present, then cloture has been invoked.If that question is on disposition of a bill or joint resolution, a resolution or concurrent
			 resolution, a substitute amendment for a bill or resolution, a motion with
			 respect to amendments between the Houses, a conference report, or advice
			 and consent to a nomination or treaty, and if such question shall be
			 decided in the affirmative by a majority of Senators voting, a quorum
			 being present, but less than three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and
			 sworn (or less than two-thirds of the Senators voting, a quorum being
			 present, in the case of a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules),
			 then it shall be in order for the Majority Leader (or his or her designee)
			 to initiate a period of extended debate upon the measure, motion, or other
			 matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, in relation
			 to which the motion to close debate was offered, in which case the period
			 of extended debate shall begin one hour later.During a period of extended debate, such measure, motion, or other matter pending before the
			 Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to
			 the exclusion of all other business, except on action or motion by the
			 Majority Leader (or his or her designee).During a period of extended debate it shall not be in order for a Senator other than the Majority
			 Leader (or his or her designee) to raise a question as to the presence of
			 a quorum, except immediately prior to a vote or when it has been more than
			 forty-eight hours since a quorum was demonstrated. If upon a roll call it
			 shall be ascertained that a quorum is not present, then the Senate shall
			 adjourn to a time previously decided by order of the Senate or, if no such
			 time has been established, then to a time certain determined by the
			 Majority Leader, after consultation with the Minority Leader.During a period of extended debate a motion to adjourn or recess shall not be in order, unless made
			 by the Majority Leader (or his or her designee) or if the absence of a
			 quorum has been demonstrated. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of rule XIX,
			 there shall be no limit to the number of times a Senator may speak upon
			 any question during a period of extended debate.If, during the course of extended debate, the Presiding Officer puts any question to a vote, the
			 Majority Leader (or his or her designee) may postpone any such vote, which
			 shall occur at a time determined by the Majority Leader, after
			 consultation with the Minority Leader, but not later than the time at
			 which a quorum is next demonstrated.If at any time during a period of extended debate no Senator seeks recognition, then the Presiding
			 Officer shall inquire as to whether any Senator seeks recognition. If no
			 Senator seeks recognition, then the Presiding Officer shall again put the
			 question as to bringing debate to a close (and the Majority Leader or his
			 or her designee may postpone such vote in accordance with the preceding
			 paragraph), which shall be decided without further debate or intervening
			 motion. If that question shall be decided in the affirmative by a majority
			 of Senators voting, a quorum being present, then cloture has been invoked
			 and the period of extended debate has ended. If that question shall be
			 decided in the negative by a majority of Senators voting, a quorum being
			 present, then the period of extended debate has ended.If cloture is invoked, then the measure, motion, other matter pending before the Senate, or the
			 unfinished business, in relation to which the motion to close debate was
			 offered, shall remain the unfinished business to the exclusion of all
			 other business until disposed of..3.Post-cloture debate on nominationsParagraph 2 of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by striking After no more than thirty hours of consideration of the measure, motion, or other matter on which
			 cloture has been invoked, the Senate shall proceed, without any further
			 debate on any question, to vote on in the fourth undesignated paragraph and inserting After no more than 30 hours of consideration of the measure, motion, or other matter on which
			 cloture has been invoked, except on the question of advice and consent to
			 a nomination other than a nomination to a position as Justice of the
			 Supreme Court in which case consideration shall be limited to 2 hours, the
			 Senate shall proceed, without any further debate on any question, to vote
			 on.4.Conference motionsRule XXVIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by—(1)redesignating paragraphs 1 through 9 as paragraphs 2 through 10, respectively;(2)redesignating any reference to paragraphs 1 through 9 as paragraphs 2 through 10, respectively; and(3)inserting before paragraph 2, as redesignated, the following:1.A nondivisible motion to disagree to a House amendment or insist upon a Senate amendment, to
			 request a committee of conference with the House or to agree to a request
			 by the House for a committee of conference, and to authorize the Presiding
			 Officer to appoint conferees (or to appoint conferees), is in order and
			 consideration of such a motion, including consideration of any debatable
			 motion or appeal in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more
			 than 2 hours..5.Right to offer
			 amendmentsParagraph 2 of rule
			 XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by inserting at the
			 end the
			 following:

				After debate
				has concluded under this paragraph but prior to final disposition
			 of the
				pending matter, the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader may
			 each offer not
				to exceed 3 amendments identified as leadership amendments if they
			 have been
				timely filed under this paragraph and are germane to the matter
			 being amended.
				Debate on a leadership amendment shall be limited to 1 hour equally
			 divided. A
				leadership amendment may not be
				divided..


117 S2346 IS: Stop CRT Act
U.S. Senate
2021-07-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2346IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 14, 2021Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo codify Executive Order 13950 (relating to combating race and sex stereotyping), and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Stop CRT Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)ESEA termsThe terms elementary school, local educational agency, secondary school, and State have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(2)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).(3)PromoteThe term promote, when used with respect to a race-based theory, means—(A)to include race-based theories or materials that advocate such theories in curricula, reading lists, seminars, workshops, trainings, or other educational or professional settings in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement;(B)to contract with, hire, or otherwise engage speakers, consultants, diversity trainers, and other persons for the purpose of advocating such theories; and(C)to compel students to profess a belief in such theories.(4)Race-based theoryThe term race-based theory means a theory that—(A)any race is inherently superior or inferior to any other race;(B)the United States is a fundamentally racist country;(C)the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States is a fundamentally racist document;(D)an individual's moral worth is determined by the race of the individual;(E)an individual, by virtue of the race of the individual, is inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; or(F)an individual, because of the race of the individual, bears responsibility for the actions committed by members of the race of the individual.3.Codification of executive orderExecutive Order 13950 (85 Fed. Reg. 60683; relating to combating race and sex stereotyping) shall have the force and effect of law, except that the executive order shall not apply to elementary schools, secondary schools, or institutions of higher education.4.Federal funds limitation(a)Prohibition on award of funds to certain elementary and secondary schoolsNo Federal funds received by a State or a local educational agency may be allocated to an elementary school or secondary school that promotes race-based theories or compels teachers or students to affirm, adhere to, adopt, or profess beliefs contrary to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).(b)Prohibition on award of funds to certain institutions of higher educationNo Federal funds may be awarded to an institution of higher education if such institution compels teachers or students to affirm, adhere to, adopt, or profess race-based theories or beliefs contrary to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.).(c)Rules of construction(1)Protected speech not restrictedNothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the speech of a student, a teacher, or any other individual outside of a school setting.(2)Access to materials for the purpose of research or independent studyNothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an individual from accessing materials that advocate race-based theories for the purpose of research or independent study.(3)Contextual educationNothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an elementary school or secondary school from stating race-based theories or assigning materials that advocate race-based theories for educational purposes in contexts that make it clear the school does not sponsor, approve, or endorse such theories or materials.


117 S1008 IS: Making Obligations Right by Enlarging Payments In Lieu of Taxes Act
U.S. Senate
2021-03-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1008IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 25, 2021Mr. Lee (for himself, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Crapo) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo require the Secretary of the Interior to develop a modeling tool, conduct a study, and issue reports relating to the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Making Obligations Right by Enlarging Payments In Lieu of Taxes Act or the MORE PILT Act.2.Findings; sense of Congress(a)FindingsCongress finds that—(1)Congress agreed with recommendations of a Federal commission that, if Federal land is to be retained by the Federal Government and not contribute to the tax bases of the units of general local government within the jurisdictions of which the land is located, compensation should be offered to those units of general local government to make up for the presence of nontaxable land within the jurisdictions of those units of general local government;(2)(A)units of general local government rely on the stability of property tax revenues; and (B)Federal programs that are subject to the annual appropriations process, such as the payment in lieu of taxes program, offer far less certainty than property taxes as a form of revenue for units of general local government;(3)Federal agencies have determined that payments to units of general local government under the payment in lieu of taxes program are far lower than what would be due to units of general local government under tax equivalency;(4)payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program help units of general local government carry out vital services, such as firefighting, police protection, public education, construction of public schools, construction of roads, and search-and-rescue operations; and(5)the technology exists to more accurately approximate what the taxable value of land held by the Federal Government would be if that land were taxable by units of general local government.(b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should—(1)determine the amount that payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program would be if those payments were equivalent to the tax revenues that units of general local government would otherwise receive for the same land; and (2)compensate those units of general local government accordingly.3.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Entitlement landThe term entitlement land has the meaning given the term in section 6901 of title 31, United States Code.(2)Highest and best use(A)In generalThe term highest and best use, with respect to a parcel of entitlement land, means the potential use described in subparagraph (B) that would result in the highest value of the land.(B)Potential uses describedA potential use referred to in subparagraph (A) is any use of a parcel of land that, in the absence of Federal ownership of the land, would be—(i)physically possible;(ii)reasonably probable; (iii)legal;(iv)appropriately supported; and (v)financially feasible. (3)Market valueThe term market value, with respect to a parcel of entitlement land, means the value that the land would have in a fair and open market—(A)disregarding any limitation on economic development and any other development restriction due to Federal ownership of the land or any Federal designation; and(B)calculated within an appropriate margin of error, as determined by the Secretary.(4)Payment in lieu of taxes programThe term payment in lieu of taxes program means the payment in lieu of taxes program established under chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code.(5)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(6)Tax equivalent amountThe term tax equivalent amount, with respect to payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program, means the approximate amount of property tax revenues that would be generated for units of general local government with respect to entitlement land—(A)if that land were—(i)privately owned; and (ii)subject to—(I)local zoning laws (including regulations); (II)local tax laws (including regulations); and(III)any other relevant law, rule, or authority; and(B)taking into account any maximum or minimum taxable value of land that is imposed by a State or unit of general local government. (7)ToolThe term tool means the tool or combination of tools developed and maintained under section 4(a)(1).(8)Unit of general local governmentThe term unit of general local government has the meaning given the term in section 6901 of title 31, United States Code.4.Modeling tool, study, and reports relating to the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program(a)Modeling tool(1)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the head of any other Federal agency that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, shall develop and maintain a market analysis tool, mass appraisal tool, or other appropriate modeling tool (or combination of tools), as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, that—(A)accounts for—(i)reasonable and customary valuation factors; and(ii)if, in the determination of the Secretary, data are inadequate to calculate a sufficiently precise estimate of the market value of the applicable parcel of entitlement land, assumptions of those factors; and (B)calculates, in a timely manner—(i)the approximate market value of entitlement land; and (ii)the approximate tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land. (2)RequirementsThe tool shall—(A)calculate, in a timely manner, the approximate market value of entitlement land;(B)enable an employee or agent of the Department of the Interior to manually modify factors relating to the valuation model used by the tool to calculate, in a timely manner, the market value of entitlement land based on new assumptions relating to that land;(C)to the maximum extent practicable, provide technical anchors relating to market data—(i)to ensure the ongoing integrity of the tool; and (ii)to ensure that the land values determined by the tool are defensible and based on sound and generally accepted valuation methodologies;(D)to the maximum extent practicable, assimilate, in a visual interface—(i)market data, including the availability of mineral extraction, energy production, water management, timber management, agricultural uses, and recreational uses with respect to the applicable land; and (ii)geospatial data relating to all entitlement land;(E)as frequently as practicable, automatically adjust to reflect current market conditions, as reflected in readily available market sources, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture;(F)allow a user of the tool—(i)to estimate the value of entitlement land as that land is currently used; and (ii)to estimate changes in that value due to future uses under various scenarios under private ownership; and(G)provide a variety of estimates of the value of any entitlement land for which there is no comparable non-Federal land from which to derive the information necessary to accurately calculate the market value of the entitlement land, including an estimate based on the highest and best use of the entitlement land if the entitlement land were privately owned.(b)Study and reports(1)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 4 years, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the head of any other Federal agency that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, shall—(A) conduct a study—(i)to evaluate all entitlement land;(ii)to determine, to the maximum extent practicable, the market value of that land; and(iii)to determine, to the maximum extent practicable, the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land; and(B)submit to Congress and make publicly available a report describing—(i)the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A); and(ii)how payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program could more accurately reflect the tax equivalent amount.(2)RequirementIn conducting the study under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall consider any studies conducted by States, counties, or other taxing jurisdictions pertaining to the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program.(3)Preliminary reportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and the head of any other Federal agency that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, shall submit to Congress a report that—(A)describes the progress of the Secretary in—(i)developing the tool; and(ii)conducting the study under paragraph (1)(A);(B)contains an assessment of the accuracy with which the Secretary will be able to determine—(i)the market value of entitlement land; and(ii)the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land;(C)describes the models and data that the Secretary has developed or collected, or intends to develop or collect, as applicable, and plans to use in determining—(i)the market value of entitlement land; and(ii)the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land; and(D)includes any other information that, in the determination of the Secretary, is relevant to—(i) the efficacy of the tool;(ii)the determination of—(I)the market value of entitlement land; or(II)the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land; or(iii)the effects of providing payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program that more accurately reflect the tax equivalent amount.(c)Contracts and consultantsThe Secretary may contract or consult with any public or private entity to analyze data, conduct research, or develop a model that would contribute to the reports under subsection (b) or the tool.(d)Data collection and reporting(1)In generalThe Secretary may develop reporting methods to allow units of general local government to self-report, not more frequently than annually, data, including, as the Secretary determines to be necessary—(A)property tax values of land;(B)zoning restrictions; and(C)mill levies.(2)Technical assistanceThe Secretary may provide technical assistance to units of general local government with respect to the reporting of information under paragraph (1).(e)Availability of information(1)Request for informationAny individual or entity may submit to the Secretary a request for information relating to the method used by the Secretary to determine—(A)the market value of entitlement land; or(B)the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land.(2)Information providedThe Secretary shall provide to each individual or entity that submits a request for information under paragraph (1)—(A)any data and models used by the Secretary to determine, as applicable—(i)the market value of any entitlement land for which a unit of general local government receives payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program; or(ii)the tax equivalent amount of payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program for that land; and(B)a description of how the data and models described in subparagraph (A) are used to make the determinations described in that subparagraph.(3)Response deadline for certain requestsNot later than 30 days after receiving a request under paragraph (1) from a unit of general local government pertaining to entitlement land for which the unit of general local government receives payments under the payment in lieu of taxes program, the Secretary shall provide to that unit of general local government the information described in paragraph (2) with respect to that land.(f)FundingSection 200306 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:(e)Tax equivalency of PILT payments modeling tool, study, and reportFor each of the first 6 fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of the MORE PILT Act, there shall be made available to the Secretary, out of amounts made available for expenditure under section 200303, $9,000,000 to carry out that Act..


113 S617 IS: Syria Democratic Transition Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-03-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 617
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 19, 2013
			Mr. Casey (for himself
			 and Mr. Rubio) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		A BILL
		To provide humanitarian assistance and support a
		  democratic transition in Syria, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Syria Democratic Transition Act of
			 2013.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)In March 2011,
			 peaceful demonstrations in Syria began against the authoritarian rule of Bashar
			 al-Assad. The regime responded with terrible violence against the citizens of
			 Syria, including the use of weapons of war, torture, extrajudicial killings,
			 arbitrary executions, sexual violence, and interference with access to medical
			 treatment.
			(2)In December 2011,
			 the Government of Syria agreed to allow an Arab League observer group into the
			 country to assess the humanitarian and political situation on the ground.
			 However, on January 28, 2012, the League officially ended its observer mission,
			 citing escalating violence and the intransigence of the Assad regime.
			(3)In February 2012,
			 the group Friends of the Syrian People met in Tunis and issued a declaration
			 demanding, among other things, that the Syrian regime allow free and
			 unimpeded access by the United Nations and humanitarian agencies to carry out a
			 full assessment of needs.
			(4)On March 16,
			 2012, United Nations and League of Arab States Special Envoy Kofi Annan
			 presented a six-point peace plan for Syria that called on the Government of
			 Syria to, among other things—
				(A)commit to stop
			 the fighting and urgently achieve a United Nations-supervised cessation of
			 violence;
				(B)cease military
			 activity in and around civilian population centers;
				(C)work with the
			 Envoy in an inclusive Syrian-led political process;
				(D)ensure timely
			 provision of humanitarian assistance;
				(E)release
			 arbitrarily detained persons;
				(F)ensure freedom of
			 movement for journalists; and
				(G)respect freedom
			 of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully.
				(5)As of February
			 2013, the United Nations estimated that nearly 70,000 people have been killed
			 as a result of the violence in Syria.
			(6)As a result of
			 the violence, the United Nations estimates that 4,000,000 people are in need of
			 humanitarian assistance, including access to food, water, shelter, and medical
			 care: the Syrian Arab Red Crescent estimates that, more than 2,500,000 are
			 internally displaced in Syria. Basic services such as health care, education,
			 electricity, and water have also been cut off in some parts of the
			 country.
			(7)Syria faces
			 growing food insecurity, as wheat harvests have declined due to drought. The
			 United Nations has been providing food aid to 1,500,000 Syrians since September
			 2012, with the number of people requiring such aid expected to reach 2,500,000
			 people in the months following February 2013.
			(8)Millions of
			 Syrians have fled their homes due to escalating violence. According to the
			 United Nations, there are more than 1,000,000 Syrian refugees registered in
			 Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, and even more who are unregistered.
			 Also according to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, more than 2,500,000 Syrians are
			 displaced within the country. More than three-quarters of refugees and
			 internally displaced persons are women and children, who are particularly
			 vulnerable to economic and physical insecurity.
			(9)In January 2013,
			 a donor pledging conference was held in Kuwait, pledging an additional
			 $1,500,000,000 in humanitarian assistance to the existing $1,000,000,000
			 already provided for Syria. The Governments of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the
			 United Arab Emirates each pledged $300,000,000. Kuwait’s ambassador to the
			 European Union called it the largest humanitarian pledging conference in
			 the history of the United Nations. According to the United Nations,
			 only 13 percent of the $1,500,000,000 pledged in Kuwait has been received to
			 date.
			(10)Challenges exist
			 to ensure this assistance reaches those who need it. An agreement between the
			 United Nations and the Syrian regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian
			 assistance in the country has allowed aid workers greater access to victims of
			 the conflict. However, staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross
			 and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent cite security concerns as a major obstacle to
			 aid distribution. The Government of Syria is also refusing to grant visas for
			 aid workers from countries that have criticized the regime, including the
			 United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
			(11)Amnesty
			 International’s 2012 Annual Report on Syria, along with the findings of other
			 human rights groups, details a number of atrocities in Syria. In November 2012,
			 the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission
			 of Inquiry indicated that Syria’s military forces have employed
			 killings, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence,
			 imprisonment, or other forms of severe deprivation of liberty and enforced
			 disappearances to maintain their hold on the country. Human Rights
			 Watch raises concerns that authorities in Syria could choose to kill detainees
			 rather than allow them to be released in the event of a political
			 transition.
			(12)As of March
			 2013, according to the Department of State, the United States Government has
			 provided nearly $385,000,000 in humanitarian assistance to support those
			 affected by the violence in Syria. On February 28, 2013, the United States
			 Government announced its plans to provide an additional $63,000,000 in
			 non-lethal assistance to the Syrian Opposition Coalition and the Supreme
			 Military Council.
			(13)On February 18,
			 2013, the Council of the European Union called on the Syrian regime to allow
			 the delivery of humanitarian assistance to reach all those in need and amended
			 their sanctions against the regime to allow greater non-lethal support and
			 technical assistance to the opposition for the protection of civilians.
			(14)The February 26,
			 2013, communique by the Friends of the Syrian People International Working
			 Group on Sanctions called on all states to take steps, in their own
			 capacity, by imposing, at a minimum, an asset freeze on senior Syrian regime
			 officials involved in the repression, as well as an asset freeze on, and
			 restrictions on transactions with banks tied with the Syrian regime such as the
			 Central Bank of Syria, the Commercial Bank of Syria and the Syrian
			 International Islamic Bank.
			(15)According to the
			 Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to
			 Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions Covering 1
			 January to 31 December 2011, Syria has had a [chemical weapons] program
			 for many years and has a stockpile of CW agents, which can be delivered by
			 aerial bombs, ballistic missiles, and artillery rockets. In a hearing
			 before the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate in March 2012, Chairman of
			 the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey testified that the magnitude
			 of Syria's chemical weapons arsenal was 100 times more than we
			 experienced in Libya. The Government of Syria's stockpiles are thought
			 to include mustard, sarin, and VX gases.
			(16)There are
			 concerns about the existence of numerous rebel militias and their role in Syria
			 during a post-transition period. On June 30, 2012, during an international
			 meeting on Syria in Geneva, Special Envoy Kofi Annan said, A transition
			 must be implemented in a climate of safety for all, stability and calm,
			 including completion of withdrawals and the disarming, demobilization and
			 reintegration of armed groups.
			(17)According to
			 reports, the Government of Iran provides resources and military training to
			 groups such as Jaysh al-Shi’ite. These groups also receive military training
			 from Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
			3.Statement of
			 policyIt is the policy of the
			 United States—
			(1)to strongly
			 condemn the ongoing violence and widespread human rights violations perpetrated
			 against the Syrian people by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad;
			(2)to support
			 civilians and innocent victims of the conflict in Syria, particularly women and
			 children who are displaced and vulnerable to physical and psychological
			 exploitation;
			(3)to assist the
			 people of Syria in meeting basic needs, including access to food, health care,
			 shelter, and clean drinking water;
			(4)to affirm the
			 neutrality of medical professionals providing humanitarian assistance and
			 health care on a non-political basis and to condemn attacks against such
			 personnel or interference in the provision of medical care;
			(5)to support
			 efforts of democratically oriented political opposition groups in Syria to
			 agree upon a political transition plan that is inclusive and protects the
			 rights of all minority ethnic groups in the country;
			(6)to work with the
			 international community, including multilateral organizations and host
			 countries, to support Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq,
			 and other host countries;
			(7)to welcome the
			 pledges of humanitarian assistance made by the Governments of Australia,
			 Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait,
			 Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates,
			 and members of the European Union, and to encourage prompt delivery of those
			 pledges which will contribute to meeting the needs of the victims of this
			 conflict, and to encourage all donors to coordinate with the United
			 Nations;
			(8)to support
			 efforts to identify, recover, and dispose of chemical weapons and other
			 conventional and unconventional weapons stockpiled in Syria;
			(9)that the National
			 Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SOC) is the sole and
			 legitimate representative of the Syrian people;
			(10)to support the
			 National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SOC) efforts
			 to establish a transitional government;
			(11)to support
			 transparent and impartial judicial processes, in which Syrians have a leading
			 voice, for all those who have committed gross violations of human rights and
			 international law, while noting that the majority of these violations have been
			 committed by the Assad regime;
			(12)to help ensure
			 that, once a stable transitional government is established in Syria, it is
			 committed to multiparty democracy, open and transparent governance, respect for
			 human rights and religious freedom, protection of refugees and asylees,
			 promoting peace and stability with its neighbors, enhancing the rule of law,
			 and rehabilitating and reintegrating former combatants; and
			(13)to affirm that
			 the end of the Assad regime is in the national security interests of the United
			 States, as it would weaken the position of Iran and Hezbollah in the region and
			 allow for the return of displaced persons currently seeking refuge in host
			 countries.
			4.Assistance to
			 the syrian people
			(a)AuthorityThe
			 President is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to
			 furnish, on such terms and conditions as the President may determine,
			 assistance in order to—
				(1)provide enhanced
			 support for humanitarian activities taking place in and outside Syria,
			 including the provision of food, shelter, water, health care, and medical
			 supplies;
				(2)support efforts
			 for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria as well as the establishment
			 of an inclusive representative form of government in Syria;
				(3)continue to
			 encourage the participation of all groups, including women, business leaders,
			 civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, and minority
			 groups in efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and political
			 transition in Syria;
				(4)encourage the
			 Arab League and other international bodies to insist that transitional and
			 future governments are committed to multiparty democracy, open and transparent
			 governance, respect for human rights and religious freedom, ending the violence
			 throughout the country, promoting peace and stability with Syria's neighbors,
			 enhancing the rule of law and combating corruption, and rehabilitating and
			 reintegrating former combatants;
				(5)contribute seed
			 funding to establish a Syria Reconstruction Fund, which would leverage
			 contributions from other international donors and be used for the physical
			 reconstruction and re-establishment of basic services in Syria after the
			 cessation of the conflict and the fall of the Assad regime;
				(6)contribute future
			 capacity building for legitimate governing institutions after a political
			 transition takes place in Syria;
				(7)support
			 post-transition efforts, including programs for demobilizing and reintegrating
			 former combatants; and
				(8)expand the public
			 awareness-raising campaign of the United States Government about United States
			 humanitarian assistance efforts through both English-language and regional
			 traditional media sources, as well as social or new media sources.
				(b)Funding
				(1)Fiscal years
			 2014 and 2015Of the amounts made available to carry out the
			 Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) for fiscal years 2014
			 and 2015, such sums as may be necessary should be allocated for bilateral
			 assistance programs in Syria.
				(2)Future
			 fundingIt is the sense of Congress that the Department of State
			 should submit a budget request for fiscal year 2015 that contains an
			 appropriate increase in bilateral and multilateral assistance for Syria based
			 on progress toward accomplishing the policy objectives described in section
			 3.
				(3)AvailabilityAmounts
			 appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under paragraphs
			 (1) and (2)—
					(A)are authorized to
			 remain available until expended; and
					(B)are in addition
			 to funds otherwise available for such purposes.
					(c)Coordination
			 with other donor nationsThe United States should work with other
			 donor nations, on a bilateral and multilateral basis, to increase international
			 contributions to the people of Syria and accomplish the policy objectives
			 described in section 3.
			(d)Branding
			 requirement
				(1)In
			 generalAll assistance made available under this section shall be
			 identified as being From the American People if the relevant
			 Assistant Secretary of State, in consultation with the implementing partner,
			 determines that such identification would not—
					(A)jeopardize the
			 safety or impartiality of implementing partners that deliver the
			 assistance;
					(B)jeopardize the
			 health and safety of the intended beneficiaries;
					(C)compromise the
			 intrinsic independence or neutrality of a program or materials where
			 implementing partner independence or neutrality is inherently important to the
			 success of the effort;
					(D)undermine United
			 States efforts to empower the democratically inclined political opposition;
			 or
					(E)otherwise render
			 the provision of assistance impracticable.
					(2)Rule of
			 constructionNothing in this subsection shall be construed as
			 prohibiting the identification of assistance with a contractor or grantee’s own
			 organizational brand or logo, subject to any standards or regulations that the
			 President may establish.
				(e)Notification
			 requirement
				(1)In
			 generalIn cases where the authority in this section is relied
			 upon to overcome applicable restrictions on the provision of assistance to
			 Syria, obligation of such funds shall be subject to the regular 15-day
			 notification procedures.
				(2)WaiverNotification
			 under paragraph (1) may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial
			 risk to human health or welfare, in which case notification shall be provided
			 as early as practicable, but in no event later than 3 days after taking the
			 action to which such notification requirement was applicable. The waiver shall
			 be accompanied by an explanation of the emergency circumstances necessitating
			 the waiver.
				5.Increasing
			 assistance to the national coalition for syrian revolutionary and opposition
			 forces
			(a)AuthorityThe
			 President is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to furnish
			 assistance, and make contributions, in order to—
				(1)increase the
			 provision of training to and build the capacity of the Syrian Opposition
			 Coalition and the Assistance Coordination Unit to enhance their ability to
			 provide basic services to the people of Syria and establish the beginnings of a
			 functioning government;
				(2)provide training
			 in international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict to members of
			 the Syrian Opposition Coalition and Free Syrian Army;
				(3)provide
			 non-lethal equipment and training, including training and equipment related to
			 chemical weapons and equipment such as body armor, night vision equipment, and
			 communications equipment, to vetted members of the Free Syrian Army, to improve
			 their ability to conduct operations and provide security for convoys of
			 humanitarian assistance inside Syria;
				(4)provide special
			 operations training to vetted members of the Free Syrian Army; and
				(5)allocate
			 additional Department of State personnel to conduct thorough vetting of
			 opposition individuals receiving aid.
				(b)Funding for
			 fiscal years 2014 and 2015Of the amounts made available to carry
			 out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) for fiscal
			 years 2014 and 2015, such sums as may be necessary should be allocated to build
			 the capacity of the Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition
			 Forces.
			(c)Notification
			 requirement
				(1)In
			 generalIn cases where the authority in this section is relied
			 upon to overcome applicable restrictions on the provision of assistance to
			 Syria, obligation of such funds shall be subject to the regular 15-day
			 notification procedures.
				(2)WaiverNotification
			 under paragraph (1) may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial
			 risk to human health or welfare, in which case notification shall be provided
			 as early as practicable, but in no event later than 3 days after taking the
			 action to which such notification requirement was applicable. The waiver shall
			 be accompanied by an explanation of the emergency circumstances necessitating
			 the waiver.
				6.Imposition and
			 conditional termination of sanctions
			(a)DefinitionsIn this section:
				(1)Account;
			 correspondent account; payable-through accountThe terms
			 account, correspondent account, and
			 payable-through account have the meanings given those terms in
			 section 5318A of title 31, United States Code.
				(2)Appropriate
			 congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional
			 committees means—
					(A)the Committee on Finance, the Committee on
			 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of
			 the Senate; and
					(B)the Committee on
			 Ways and Means, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on
			 Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
					(3)Foreign
			 financial institutionThe
			 term foreign financial institution has the meaning of that term as
			 determined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 104(i) of the
			 Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22
			 U.S.C. 8513(i)).
				(b)Imposition of
			 sanctions with respect to the central bank of Syria and other Syrian financial
			 institutions
				(1)In
			 generalThe President should prohibit the opening, and prohibit
			 or impose strict conditions on the maintaining, in the United States of a
			 correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial
			 institution that the President determines has knowingly conducted any
			 significant arms sale to the Government of Bashar al Assad through the Central
			 Bank of Syria or another Syrian financial institution designated by the
			 Secretary of the Treasury for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the
			 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or any
			 Syrian individual or entity added after April 28, 2011, and before the date of
			 the enactment of this Act to the Specially Designated Nationals List maintained
			 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the
			 Treasury.
				(2)Exception for
			 humanitarian transactionsThe President may not impose sanctions
			 under paragraph (1) on a foreign financial institution for engaging in a
			 transaction with the Central Bank of Syria for the sale of food, medicine,
			 medical devices, donations intended to relieve human suffering, or non-lethal
			 aid to the people of Syria.
				(3)ApplicabilityParagraph
			 (1) applies with respect to financial transactions commenced on or after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act.
				(4)Waiver
					(A)In
			 generalThe President may waive the application of paragraph (1)
			 with respect to a foreign financial institution for a period of not more than
			 180 days, and may renew that waiver for additional periods of not more than 180
			 days, if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional
			 committees that the waiver is necessary to the national security interest of
			 the United States.
					(B)FormA
			 report submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in
			 unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
					(c)Termination of
			 sanctions
				(1)In
			 generalThe requirements under subsection (b) to impose sanctions
			 shall no longer have force or effect with respect to Syria if the President
			 determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the
			 termination of such sanctions is in the national security interest of the
			 United States.
				(2)Notification
			 requirementUpon making the certification described in paragraph
			 (1), the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
			 report assessing—
					(A)the extent to
			 which Bashar al-Assad or members of his regime control Syrian territory;
					(B)the existence and
			 capability of a democratic transitional government to control Syrian territory
			 and provide basic services to the Syrian people;
					(C)whether the
			 transitional government supports acts of terrorism or has committed human
			 rights violations; and
					(D)whether the
			 transitional government is cooperating with the United States Government in
			 locating, securing, and removing conventional and unconventional
			 weapons.
					7.Increasing
			 contributions and other humanitarian and development assistance through
			 international organizations
			(a)In
			 generalThe President should
			 instruct the United States permanent representative or executive director, as
			 the case may be, to the United Nations voluntary agencies, including the World
			 Food Program, the United Nations Development Program, United Nations Children’s
			 Fund, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and other
			 appropriate international organizations such as the International Committee of
			 the Red Cross to use the voice and vote of the United States to support
			 additional humanitarian and development assistance for the people of Syria in
			 order to accomplish the policy objectives described in section 3. The President
			 is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to permit the United
			 States to vote and take action in favor of the provision of assistance for
			 Syria at any international financial institution in order to support the
			 transition to peace, democracy, and sustainable development in Syria.
			(b)Notification
			 requirement
				(1)In
			 generalIn cases where the authority in this section is relied
			 upon to overcome applicable restrictions on the provision of assistance to
			 Syria, obligation of such funds shall be subject to the regular 15-day
			 notification procedures.
				(2)WaiverNotification
			 under paragraph (1) may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial
			 risk to human health or welfare, in which case notification shall be provided
			 as early as practicable, but in no event later than 3 days after taking the
			 action to which such notification requirement was applicable. The waiver shall
			 be accompanied by an explanation of the emergency circumstances necessitating
			 the waiver.
				8.Increasing
			 bilateral assistance to countries that host syrian refugees
			(a)AuthorityThe
			 President should increase bilateral funding to countries, including Iraq,
			 Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and Lebanon, which have experienced an influx of
			 refugees from Syria.
			(b)Funding for
			 fiscal years 2014 and 2015Of the amounts made available to carry
			 out the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) for fiscal
			 years 2014 and 2015, such sums as may be necessary should be allocated for
			 bilateral refugee assistance programs in the countries surrounding
			 Syria.
			9.Coordination of
			 international assistance for Syria
			(a)EstablishmentNot
			 later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
			 of State should work with the appropriate United Nations agencies, the
			 International Committee of the Red Cross, regional organizations,
			 nongovernmental organizations, and the broader international community to
			 convene an international donors group to maximize resources and efficiently
			 provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria.
			(b)PurposeThe
			 Secretary of State should take steps to ensure donor groups coordinate
			 resources for the following activities in Syria and the region:
				(1)Providing
			 humanitarian relief to civilians impacted by the violence in Syria and Syrian
			 refugees in host countries.
				(2)Supporting
			 inclusive post-transitional governance and the establishment of the rule of
			 law.
				(3)Supporting
			 disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of combatants and members of
			 militias.
				(c)Annual
			 reportThe Department of State shall submit a report on the
			 specific programs, projects, and activities funded by the donors group and
			 implemented by humanitarian organizations during the preceding year, including
			 an evaluation of the results of such programs, projects, and activities.
			10.Securing
			 weapons in syria
			(a)Transition
			 planThe United States should work with regional partners to
			 develop a plan, to be implemented in the event of a political transition,
			 to—
				(1)identify and
			 secure conventional and unconventional weapons stockpiles in Syria;
				(2)recover and
			 dispose of all unconventional weapons stockpiled in Syria, with particular
			 attention to chemical weapons; and
				(3)prevent the
			 illicit sale or transfer of conventional and unconventional weapons out of
			 Syria in order to preclude regional weapons proliferation.
				(b)Sense of
			 congressIt is the sense of Congress that the Department of State
			 should submit a budget request for fiscal year 2014 that contains an increase
			 in bilateral nonproliferation, demining, and anti-terrorism assistance for
			 Syria toward accomplishing the policy objectives described in this
			 section.
			(c)AuthorityThe
			 President is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to
			 furnish, assistance in order to conduct activities in support of the purposes
			 of this section.
			(d)Notification
			 requirement
				(1)In
			 generalIn cases where the authority in this section is relied
			 upon to overcome applicable restrictions on the provision of assistance to
			 Syria, obligation of such funds shall be subject to the regular 15-day
			 notification procedures.
				(2)WaiverNotification
			 under paragraph (1) may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial
			 risk to human health or welfare, in which case notification shall be provided
			 as early as practicable, but in no event later than 3 days after taking the
			 action to which such notification requirement was applicable. The waiver shall
			 be accompanied by an explanation of the emergency circumstances necessitating
			 the waiver.
				11.Report on
			 humanitarian and stabilization efforts in syriaNot later than 60 days after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit to
			 Congress a detailed report on the implementation of this Act, including a
			 description of—
			(1)progress made as
			 a result of humanitarian and stabilization efforts, including refugee
			 assistance to those affected by the violence in Syria;
			(2)progress made
			 toward establishing an inclusive, democratic government that protects the
			 rights of all Syrians; and
			(3)key challenges,
			 gaps, and obstacles to further enhancing stability and peace in Syria,
			 including between Syria and its neighbors.