116 S1229 IS: Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act
U.S. Senate
2019-04-29
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
		116th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1229
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 29, 2019
			Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Brown, Ms. Duckworth, and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

		A BILL
		To amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the provision of military housing to members of
			 the Armed Forces and their families through private entities, and for
			 other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act.
		2.Improvement of oversight of private military housing
 (a)In generalSubchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sections:

					2887.Oversight by Department of Defense of contracts and housing units
 (a)Oversight of contracts(1)The Secretary of Defense shall establish formal written requirements and guidance for entering into and renewing contracts under this subchapter.
 (2)In deciding whether to enter into or renew a contract with a landlord under this subchapter, the Secretary shall consider any history of the landlord of providing substandard housing.
 (3)The Secretary— (A)shall withhold amounts to be paid under a contract under this subchapter if the other party to the contract is found to have engaged in a material breach of the contract;
 (B)shall rescind a contract under this subchapter if the other party to the contract, based on credible evidence, fails to cure such breach within 90 days; and
 (C)shall not permit the other party to a contract rescinded under subparagraph (B) to enter into new contracts with the Secretary or undertake expansions under existing contracts with the Secretary.
 (4)The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary concerned, shall adopt a formal written contingency plan for the management of housing units under this subchapter in the event that a contract relating to those housing units is rescinded under paragraph (3)(B).
 (b)Standardized lease agreementsThe Secretary of Defense shall include in any contract with a landlord under this subchapter a requirement that the landlord use a lease agreement that is standard throughout the Department of Defense.
 (c)Housing office employeesThe Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each housing office at a military installation consists only of employees of the military department concerned.
 (d)Inspections of housing units(1)The Secretary of Defense shall— (A)ensure that all housing units under this subchapter are safe, clean, and adequate and meet all Federal, state, and local laws and standards of habitability;
 (B)provide for the conduct of regular building code and health inspections of such housing units, consistent with industry standards, which shall include, at minimum—
 (i)inspection before each tenant first occupies a housing unit and again before the tenant moves out; and
 (ii)inspection during and after any new construction or renovation of a housing unit; (C)employ a sufficient number of independent housing inspectors with all appropriate State and local inspection certifications to conduct no-notice inspections under subparagraph (B); and
 (D)provide appropriate oversight to ensure that all maintenance for such housing units is completed in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local health and building codes.
 (2)(A)In providing for the conduct of inspections of housing units under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall permit State and local housing inspectors to conduct no-notice inspections of such units.
 (B)Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary shall notify State and local housing inspectors that they are permitted on a military installation to conduct inspections under subparagraph (A).
 (3)In this subsection, the term independent housing inspector means a housing inspector that is not an employee of an entity that owns or manages the housing unit being inspected, including any subsidiary of that entity.
 (e)Resident surveysThe Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of each military department, members of the Armed Forces and their representatives, and stakeholders to develop an appropriate methodology to conduct independent surveys of residents of housing units under this subchapter that are standardized across the military departments.
 (f)Access to maintenance work order systemThe Secretary of Defense shall require each landlord to provide to the housing office at each military installation access to the maintenance work order system of such landlord with respect to housing units for members of the Armed Forces and family members of members of the Armed Forces stationed at such installation.
						2888.Tenant rights
 (a)Claim To withhold payments(1)A member of the Armed Forces or family member of a member of the Armed Forces who is a tenant of a housing unit under this subchapter may file a claim with the housing office of the military installation at which the member is stationed requesting to withhold any basic allowance for housing payable to the member (including for any dependents of the member in the member's household) under section 403 of title 37, or any other allotment of pay under section 2882(c) of this title, for lease of the unit during the period in which—
 (A)the landlord responsible for such housing unit has not met maintenance guidelines and procedures established by the landlord or the Department of Defense, either through contract or otherwise; or
 (B)such housing unit is uninhabitable according to State and local law for the jurisdiction in which the housing unit is located.
 (2)(A)Upon the filing of a claim by a tenant under paragraph (1)— (i)under such procedures as the Secretary of Defense shall establish, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) or such other appropriate office or offices of the Department of Defense as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of such procedures, shall tentatively grant the request; and
 (ii)the housing office that receives the claim shall, not later than 15 days after the date of the request, complete an investigation that includes an inspection conducted by housing inspectors that are certified at the State and local level.
 (B)If the housing office agrees with a claim by a tenant under subparagraph (A) with respect to a housing unit, the housing office shall notify the landlord responsible for such unit of the issues described in subsection (a) that require remediation in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Defense or State or local law.
 (C)If after an inspection conducted under subparagraph (A)(ii), the request of the tenant to withhold payment is denied, the tenant may appeal that decision to the commander of the military installation concerned.
 (3)In accordance with procedures established under paragraph (1)(A)(i) for the withholding of any basic allowance for housing or other allotment pay under this subsection, if the landlord responsible for the housing unit does not remediate the issues described in paragraph (1) during a timeline reasonably established by the housing office for the remediation of the issue, the amount payable to the landlord for such unit—
 (A)shall be reduced by 10 percent for each period of five days during which the issues are not remediated; and
 (B)the amount of any such reduction shall be returned to the tenant to whom such amount was provided. (b)Disclosure of rights(1)Each housing office of a military installation shall disclose in writing to each new tenant of a housing unit under this subchapter, upon the signing of the lease for the housing unit, their rights with respect to the housing unit and the procedures under this section for filing a claim against the landlord responsible for the housing unit.
 (2)The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that each lease entered into with a tenant for a housing unit under this subchapter clearly expresses in a separate addendum the procedures under this section for filing a claim against the landlord responsible for the housing unit.
 (c)Relocation(1)The Secretary concerned shall include in any contract with a landlord responsible for a housing unit under this subchapter under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned a requirement that the landlord pay all costs associated with relocation of a tenant of such unit, including moving services, temporary lodging, per diem, and any other reasonable costs associated with such relocation, if the housing office with jurisdiction over the housing unit finds that the housing unit requires renovations or maintenance that necessitate the tenant relocating permanently or temporarily.
 (2)In the case of renovations or maintenance to a housing unit under this subchapter that necessitate a tenant relocating permanently or temporarily, the tenant may relocate to a residence outside of the military installation at which the housing unit is located without incurring any penalty from the landlord or the Department of Defense.
 (d)Approval of completed workA landlord responsible for a housing unit under this subchapter may not indicate on the maintenance work order system of the landlord that maintenance work was completed until the tenant of such housing unit approves the completion of the maintenance work in writing.
 (e)Payment of medical billsThe Secretary concerned shall include in any contract with a landlord responsible for a housing unit under this subchapter under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned a requirement that, if the landlord is found by the Secretary concerned to have not maintained the minimum standards of habitability for such housing unit, the landlord shall pay all medical bills for a tenant of such housing unit that are associated with the conditions of such housing unit that do not meet such minimum standards.
 (f)Report on denied appealsThe commander of each military installation shall submit to the congressional defense committees, not less frequently than annually, a report on all appeals to such commander under subsection (b)(3) that were denied during the year covered by the report.
 (g)Rule of construction on use of other adjudicative bodiesNothing in this section or any other provision of law shall be construed to prohibit a tenant of a housing unit under this subchapter from pursuing a claim against a landlord in any adjudicative body with jurisdiction over the housing unit.
 (h)Treatment of housing lawsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, all Federal, State, and local housing protections that would otherwise apply to a tenant located in a jurisdiction surrounding a military installation in the United States, including standards relating to habitability and defenses to eviction, shall apply to a tenant residing in a housing unit under this subchapter that is located on a military installation.
						2889.Complaint database
 (a)Database requiredThe Secretary of Defense shall establish a database that is available to the public of complaints relating to housing units under this subchapter.
 (b)Filing of complaintsThe Secretary shall ensure that a tenant of a housing unit under this subchapter may file a complaint relating to such housing unit for inclusion in the database under subsection (a).
 (c)Response by landlord(1)The Secretary shall include in any contract with a landlord responsible for a housing unit under this subchapter a requirement that the landlord respond to any complaints included in the database under subsection (a) that relate to the housing unit.
 (2)Any response under paragraph (1) shall be included in the database under subsection (a). 2890.Screening and registry of individuals with health conditions resulting from unsafe housing units (a)Screening(1)The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with appropriate scientific agencies as determined by the Secretary, shall ensure that all military medical treatment facilities screen eligible individuals for covered conditions.
 (2)The Secretary may establish procedures through which screening under paragraph (1) may allow an eligible individual to be included in the registry under subsection (b).
 (b)Registry(1)The Secretary of Defense shall establish and maintain a registry of eligible individuals who have a covered condition.
 (2)The Secretary shall include any information in the registry under paragraph (1) that the Secretary determines necessary to ascertain and monitor the health of eligible individuals and the connection between the health of such individuals and an unsafe housing unit under this subchapter.
 (3)The Secretary shall develop a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the registry under paragraph (1), including how to register and the benefits of registering.
 (c)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term covered condition means a medical condition that is determined by the Secretary of Defense to have resulted from residing in an unsafe housing unit under this subchapter.
 (2)The term eligible individual means a member of the Armed Forces or a family member of a member of the Armed Forces who has resided in an unsafe housing unit under this subchapter.
							.

					2891.Financial transparency
 (a)Publication of details of contracts(1)Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary of Defense shall publish in the Federal Register the financial details of each contract for the management of housing units under this subchapter.
 (2)The financial details published under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A)Base management fees for managing the housing units.
 (B)Incentive fees relating to the housing units, including details on the following: (i)Metrics upon which such incentive fees are paid.
 (ii)Whether incentive fees were paid in full or withheld in part or in full during the year covered by the publication, and if so, why.
 (C)Asset management fees relating to the housing units. (D)Preferred return fees relating to the housing units.
 (E)Any deferred fees or other fees relating to the housing units. (F)Residual cash flow distributions relating to the housing units.
 (b)Annual financial statements(1)The Secretary of Defense shall require that each landlord submit to the Secretary, not less frequently than annually, financial statements equivalent to a 10–K (or successor form) for—
 (A)the landlord; and (B)each contract entered into between the landlord and the Department of Defense under this subchapter.
 (2)The Secretary shall publish on a publicly available website of the Department of Defense the information submitted to the Secretary under paragraph (1) not later than 15 days after receiving that information..
 (b)Landlord definedSection 2871 of such title is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively; and
 (2)by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7):  (7)The term landlord means an eligible entity or lessor who owns, manages, or is otherwise responsible for a housing unit under this subchapter..
 (c)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 169 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2886 the following new items:
				2887. Oversight by Department of Defense of contracts and housing units.
						2888. Tenant rights.
						2889. Complaint database.
						2890. Screening and registry of individuals with health conditions resulting from unsafe housing
			 units.
						2891. Financial transparency.
					.
 3.Annual report on private military housingSection 2884 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (d)Annual report on housing(1)Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees and publish on a publicly available website of the Department of Defense a report on housing units under this subchapter, disaggregated by military installation.
 (2)Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A)An assessment of the condition of housing units under this subchapter based on the average age of those units and the estimated time until recapitalization.
 (B)An analysis of complaints of tenants of such housing units. (C)An assessment of maintenance response times and completion of maintenance requests relating to such housing units.
 (D)An assessment of dispute resolution relating to such housing units. (E)An assessment of overall customer service for tenants of such housing units.
 (F)A description of the results of no-notice housing inspections conducted for such housing units under section 2887(c) of this title.
 (G)The results of resident surveys conducted under section 2887(d) of this title.. 4.Presumptions of service connection for illnesses associated with residing in private military housing (a)In generalSubchapter II of chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

					1119.Presumptions
				of service connection for illnesses associated with residing in
			 private military housing
 (a)Presumption(1)For purposes of section 1110 of this title, and subject to section 1113 of this title, each illness, if any, described in paragraph (2) shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service described in that paragraph, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such illness during the period of such service.
 (2)An illness described in this paragraph is any diagnosed or undiagnosed illness that—
 (A)the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, in regulations prescribed under this section to warrant a presumption of service connection by reason of having a positive association with residence in a private military housing unit while serving in the Armed Forces during a period determined by the Secretary in consultation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; and
 (B)becomes manifest within the period, if any, prescribed in such regulations in a veteran who resided in a private military housing unit during service in the Armed Forces.
 (3)For purposes of this subsection, a veteran who resided in a private military housing unit while serving in the Armed Forces during the period described in paragraph (2) and who has an illness described in such paragraph shall be presumed to have developed that illness by reason of such service unless there is conclusive evidence to establish that the veteran developed that illness through another means.
							(b)Determinations
 relating to diseases(1)Whenever the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, on the basis of sound medical and scientific evidence, that a positive association exists between residence in a private military housing unit and the occurrence of a disease in humans, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations providing that a presumption of service connection is warranted for that disease for the purposes of this section.
 (2)In making determinations for the purpose of this subsection, the Secretary shall take into account all other sound medical and scientific information and analyses available to the Secretary. In evaluating any study for the purpose of making such determinations, the Secretary shall take into consideration whether the results are statistically significant, are capable of replication, and withstand peer review.
 (3)An association under paragraph (1) shall be considered to be positive for the purposes of this section if the credible evidence for the association is equal to or outweighs the credible evidence against the association.
							(c)Removal of
 diseasesWhenever a disease is removed from regulations prescribed under this section—
 (1)a veteran who was awarded compensation for such disease on the basis of the presumption provided in subsection (a) before the effective date of the removal shall continue to be entitled to receive compensation on that basis; and
 (2)a survivor of a veteran who was awarded dependency and indemnity compensation for the death of a veteran resulting from such disease on the basis of such presumption shall continue to be entitled to receive dependency and indemnity compensation on such basis.
 (d)Private military housing unit definedIn this section, the term private military housing unit means a housing unit under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10. . (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1118 the following new item:
				1119. Presumptions of service connection for illnesses associated with residing in private military
			 housing..
			5.Hospital care, medical
			 services, and nursing home care for family members of veterans who resided
			 in private military housing
			(a)In
 generalSubchapter VIII of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1786 following new section:

					1786A.Health care of
				family members of veterans who resided in private military housing
						(a)In
 generalA family member of a veteran described in paragraph (3) of section 1119(a) of this title who resided in a private military housing unit during the period described in paragraph (2) of such section, or who was in utero during such period while the mother of such family member resided in such housing unit, shall be eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care furnished by the Secretary for any covered illness that is associated with residing in a private military housing unit during such period.
 (b)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term covered illness means an illness described in section 1119(a)(2) of this title.
 (2)The term private military housing unit has the meaning given that term in section 1119(d) of this title. . (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1786 the following new item:
				1786A. Health care of family members of veterans who resided in private military housing..
			6.Ethical limitations relating to ownership of private military housing entities
 (a)In generalSection 208 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (e)(1)In this subsection, the term covered individual means an individual—
 (A)who— (i)is serving as a Member of Congress (as defined in section 2106 of title 5); and
 (ii)serves on the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate or the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;
 (B)who is an employee (as defined in section 2105 of title 5) of the Department of Defense who is serving—
 (i)in a Senior Executive Service position (as defined in section 3132 of title 5); (ii)in a position on the Executive Schedule under subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5; or
 (iii)in any other position for which the rate of compensation is at or above the minimum rate of compensation for a Senior Executive Service position in the Department of Defense; or
 (C)who is a member of the Armed Forces serving in a position for which the pay grade is at or above level O–6.
 (2)A covered individual may not own any interest (other than as part of a widely held investment fund described in section 102(f)(8) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)) in an entity that owns or manages a housing unit under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10..
 (b)Civil enforcementSection 216 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by inserting (which shall not include a violation of subsection (e) of such section 208) after 208;
 (2)in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by inserting or a violation of section 208(e) after 209 of this title; and (3)in subsection (c)—
 (A)in the first sentence, by inserting or a violation of section 208(e) after 209 of this title; and (B)in the second sentence, by inserting or violation after such an offense.
 7.Modification of contractsThe Secretary of Defense may modify any contract entered into under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, for purposes of carrying out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.


114 HR 4261 IH: For the relief of Max Villatoros.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-12-15
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.

		V
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4261
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 15, 2015
			Mr. Loebsack introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		For the relief of Max Villatoros.

		1.Permanent resident status for Max Villatoros
 (a)In generalNotwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Max Villatoros shall be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such Act or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
 (b)Adjustment of statusIf Max Villatoros enters the United States before the filing deadline specified in subsection (c), he shall be considered to have entered and remained lawfully and shall, if otherwise eligible, be eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (c)Deadline for application and payment of feesSubsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application for issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (d)Reduction of immigrant visa numberUpon the granting of an immigrant visa or permanent residence to Max Villatoros, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by 1, during the current or next following fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the alien’s birth under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act or, if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the alien’s birth under section 202(e) of such Act.
 (e)Denial of preferential immigration treatment for certain relativesThe natural parents, brothers, and sisters of Max Villatoros shall not, by virtue of such relationship, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.


 HR 2772 ENR: Department of Veterans Affairs Senior Executive Accountability Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives

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
One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of AmericaAt the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen
H. R. 2772

AN ACT
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for requirements relating to the reassignment of Department of Veterans Affairs senior executive employees.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Senior Executive Accountability Act of 2018 or the SEA Act of 2018. 2.Semiannual reports on reassignment of Department of Veterans Affairs senior executive employees (a)In generalSubchapter I of chapter 7 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

727.Reassignment of senior executives
(a)Approval of reassignmentsNo individual employed in a senior executive position at the Department may be reassigned to another such position at the Department unless such reassignment is approved in writing and signed by the Secretary. (b)Semiannual reports required (1)Not later than June 30 and December 31 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the reassignment of individuals employed in senior executive positions at the Department to other such positions at the Department during the period covered by the report.
(2)Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall describe the purpose of each reassignment and the costs associated with such reassignment. (3)For purposes of paragraph (2), costs associated with a reassignment may only include the following:
(A)A salary increase. (B)Temporary travel expenses for the individual or the family of the individual.
(C)Moving expenses. (D)A paid incentive.
(c)Senior executive position definedIn this section, the term senior executive position has the meaning given such term in section 713(d) of this title.. (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 725 the following new item:

727. Reassignment of senior executives..
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


		II
		Calendar No. 370
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2366
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 25, 2012
			Mr. Alexander (for
			 himself, Mr. McConnell,
			 Mr. Enzi, Mr.
			 Kyl, Mr. Cornyn,
			 Mr. Wicker, Mr.
			 Inhofe, Mr. Barrasso,
			 Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Blunt, Mr.
			 Hoeven, Mr. Johanns,
			 Mr. Coats, and Mr. Isakson) introduced the following bill; which
			 was read twice and ordered placed on the calendar

		A BILL
		To extend student loan interest rates for undergraduate
		  Federal Direct Stafford Loans.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Interest Rate Reduction
			 Act.
		2.Interest rate
			 extensionSubparagraph (D) of
			 section 455(b)(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 1087e(b)(7)(D)) is amended—
			(1)in the matter
			 preceding clause (i), by striking 2012 and inserting
			 2013; and
			(2)in clause (v), by
			 striking 2012 and inserting 2013.
			3.Repealing
			 prevention and public health fund
			(a)In
			 generalSection 4002 of the
			 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–11) is
			 repealed.
			(b)Rescission of
			 unobligated fundsOf the
			 funds made available by such section 4002, the unobligated balance is
			 rescinded.
			4.Compliance with
			 Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010The budgetary effects of this Act, for the
			 purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be
			 determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects
			 of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the
			 Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided
			 that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

		April 25, 2012
		Read twice and ordered placed on the calendar


117 S470 IS: Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act
U.S. Senate
2021-02-25
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. 470IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 25, 2021Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Warner) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating certain land as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Heritage areaThe term Heritage Area means the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area.(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.(3)StatesThe term States means each of the States of Virginia and North Carolina.(4)Study areaThe term study area means—(A)the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk in the State of Virginia;(B)Isle of Wight County in the State of Virginia;(C)Camden, Currituck, Gates, and Pasquotank Counties in the State of North Carolina; and(D)any other areas in the States that—(i)have heritage aspects that are similar to the areas described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); and(ii)are adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, those areas.3.Study(a)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with State and local organizations and governmental agencies, Tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area.(b)RequirementsThe study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the study area—(1)has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that—(A)represent distinctive aspects of the people and cultures of the United States;(B)are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use; and(C)would be best managed—(i)through partnerships among public and private entities; and(ii)by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities;(2)reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;(3)provides outstanding opportunities—(A)to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and(B)for recreation and education;(4)contains resources that—(A)are important to any identified themes of the study area; and(B)retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation;(5)includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, State, local, and Tribal governments, and other appropriate entities that—(A)are involved in the planning of the Heritage Area;(B)have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Heritage Area, including the Federal Government; and(C)have demonstrated support for the designation of the Heritage Area;(6)has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in paragraph (5) to develop the Heritage Area while encouraging State and local economic activity; and(7)has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public.4.ReportNot later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—(1)the findings of the study under section 3; and(2)any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.


114 S2708 IS: Religious Persecution Relief Act
U.S. Senate
2016-03-17
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. 2708IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 17, 2016Mr. Cotton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo provide for the admission to the United States of up to 10,000 Syrian religious minorities as
			 refugees of special humanitarian concern in each of the fiscal years 2016
			 through 2020.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Religious Persecution Relief Act. 2.United States refugee program processing priorities (a)Classification of Syrian religious minoritiesSyrian nationals who are religious minorities in their country of origin (as described in section 599D(b)(1)(D) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990) (Public Law 101–167; 8 U.S.C. 1157 note)—
 (1)shall be classified as refugees of special humanitarian concern; (2)shall be eligible for Priority 2 processing under the refugee resettlement priority system; and
 (3)may apply directly to the United States Refugee Admissions Program for admission to the United States.
 (b)Processing mechanismsThe Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish or use existing refugee processing mechanisms in countries in which individuals described in subsection (a) are residing to provide such individuals with the opportunity to apply and interview for admission to the United States as refugees.
 3.Annual refugee resettlement quotaSection 207(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157(b)) is amended— (1)by striking If the President and inserting the following:

 (1)In generalIf the President; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

 (2)Syrian religious minoritiesIn addition to the number of refugees authorized to be admitted to the United States under paragraph (1) and subsection (a), there are authorized to be admitted up to 10,000 aliens described in section 599D(b)(1)(D) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 (Public Law 101–167; 8 U.S.C. 1157 note) for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020..
 4.Establishment of new category of refugee of special humanitarian concernSection 599D of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1990 (Public Law 101–167; 8 U.S.C. 1157 note) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (b)(1)— (A)in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;
 (B)in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

 (D)one or more categories of aliens who— (i)are or were nationals and residents of the Syrian Arab Republic;
 (ii)as members of a religious minority in Syria, share common characteristics that identify them as targets of persecution in that state on account of religion, creed, or ethnicity; and
 (iii)have been underrepresented in the United States refugee resettlement program during the 5-year period ending on September 30, 2015, when compared to their representation in the Syrian population as a whole.; and
 (2)in subsection (e)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking Subsections (a) and (b) and inserting Except as provided in paragraph (4), subsections (a) and (b); and
 (B)by adding at the end the following:  (4)An alien described in subsection (b)(1)(D) may establish a well-founded fear of persecution under subsection (a) by asserting such fear in an application for admission as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1157) that is filed during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2020..


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3016
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			February 22, 2010
			Mr. Bennett (for himself
			 and Mr. Hatch) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To prohibit the further extension or
		  establishment of national monuments in Utah except by express authorization of
		  Congress.

		1.Limitation on further extension or
			 establishment of national monuments in UtahThis proviso of the last sentence of the
			 first section of the Act of September 14, 1950 (64 Stat. 849, chapter 950; 16
			 U.S.C. 431a), is amended by inserting or Utah after
			 Wyoming.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2958
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 27, 2010
			Mr. Menendez introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To provide funding and incentives for caregiver support
		  and long-term care assistance.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Caregiver Assistance and Relief Effort
			 Act of 2010 or as the CARE Act of 2010.
		2.Increased
			 funding for national family caregiver support program
			(a)In
			 GeneralSection 303(e)(2) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
			 3023(e)) is amended by striking $187,000,000 for fiscal year
			 2011 and inserting $250,000,000 for each of fiscal year 2011
			 through 2014.
			(b)Native
			 AmericansSection 643(2) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
			 3057n(2)) is amended by striking $7,900,000 for fiscal year 2011
			 and inserting $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through
			 2014..
			3.Credit for
			 taxpayers with long-term care needs
			(a)In
			 GeneralSubpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable credits) is amended by
			 inserting after section 36A the following new section:

					36B.Credit for
				taxpayers with long-term care needs
						(a)Allowance of
				Credit
							(1)In
				generalThere shall be allowed as a credit against the tax
				imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable
				amount multiplied by the number of applicable individuals with respect to whom
				the taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable year.
							(2)Applicable
				amountFor purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable amount shall
				be determined in accordance with the following table:

											2010$2,500

											 2011$2,750

											 2012 or thereafter$3,000.

							(b)Limitation
				Based on Adjusted Gross Income
							(1)In
				generalThe amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a)
				shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $100 for each $1,000 (or fraction
				thereof) by which the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds the
				threshold amount. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term
				modified adjusted gross income means adjusted gross income
				increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or
				933.
							(2)Threshold
				amountFor purposes of paragraph (1), the term threshold
				amount means $75,000 (twice such amount in the case of joint
				return).
							(3)IndexingIn
				the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2010, the
				$75,000 amount contained in paragraph (2) shall be increased by an amount equal
				to the product of—
								(A)such dollar
				amount, and
								(B)the medical care
				cost adjustment determined under section 213(d)(10)(B)(ii) for the calendar
				year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
				2009 for 1996 in subclause (II) thereof.
								If any
				increase determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such
				increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.(c)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section—
							(1)Applicable
				individual
								(A)In
				generalThe term applicable individual means, with
				respect to any taxable year, any individual who has been certified, before the
				due date for filing the return of tax for the taxable year (without
				extensions), by a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the
				Social Security Act) as being an
				individual with long-term care needs described in subparagraph (B) for a
				period—
									(i)which is at least
				180 consecutive days, and
									(ii)a portion of
				which occurs within the taxable year.
									Such
				term shall not include any individual otherwise meeting the requirements of the
				preceding sentence unless within the 391/2 month period
				ending on such due date (or such other period as the Secretary prescribes) a
				physician (as so defined) has certified that such individual meets such
				requirements.(B)Individuals
				with long-term care needsAn individual is described in this
				subparagraph if the individual meets any of the following requirements:
									(i)The individual is
				at least 18 years of age and—
										(I)is unable to
				perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least 3
				activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B)) due to a loss
				of functional capacity, or
										(II)requires
				substantial supervision to protect such individual from threats to health and
				safety due to severe cognitive impairment and is unable to perform at least 1
				activity of daily living (as so defined) or to the extent provided in
				regulations prescribed by the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of
				Health and Human Services), is unable to engage in age appropriate
				activities.
										(ii)The individual
				is at least 6 but not 18 years of age and—
										(I)is unable to
				perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least 3
				activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B)) due to a loss
				of functional capacity,
										(II)requires
				substantial supervision to protect such individual from threats to health and
				safety due to severe cognitive impairment and is unable to perform at least 1
				activity of daily living (as so defined) or to the extent provided in
				regulations prescribed by the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of
				Health and Human Services), is unable to engage in age appropriate
				activities,
										(III)has a level of
				disability similar to the level of disability described in subclause (I) (as
				determined under regulations promulgated by the Secretary), or
										(IV)has a complex
				medical condition (as defined by the Secretary) that requires medical
				management and coordination of care.
										(iii)The individual
				is at least 2 but not 6 years of age and—
										(I)is unable due to
				a loss of functional capacity to perform (without substantial assistance from
				another individual) at least 2 of the following activities: eating,
				transferring, or mobility,
										(II)has a level of
				disability similar to the level of disability described in subclause (I) (as
				determined under regulations promulgated by the Secretary), or
										(III)has a complex
				medical condition (as defined by the Secretary) that requires medical
				management and coordination of care.
										(iv)The individual
				is under 2 years of age and—
										(I)requires specific
				durable medical equipment by reason of a severe health condition or requires a
				skilled practitioner trained to address the individual’s condition to be
				available if the individual’s parents or guardians are absent,
										(II)has a level of
				disability similar to the level of disability described in subclause (I) (as
				determined under regulations promulgated by the Secretary), or
										(III)has a complex
				medical condition (as defined by the Secretary) that requires medical
				management and coordination of care.
										(v)The individual
				has 5 or more chronic conditions (as defined in subparagraph (C)) and is unable
				to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least 1
				activity of daily living (as so defined) due to a loss of functional
				capacity.
									(C)Chronic
				conditionFor purposes of this paragraph, the term chronic
				condition means a condition that lasts for at least 6 consecutive months
				and requires ongoing medical care.
								(2)Eligible
				caregiverA taxpayer shall be treated as an eligible caregiver
				for any taxable year with respect to the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse and
				dependents. A taxpayer shall not be treated as an eligible caregiver with
				respect to himself for any taxable year beginning in any calendar year if any
				other person is an eligible caregiver with respect to the taxpayer for a
				taxable year which begins in such calendar year.
							(d)Identification
				RequirementNo credit shall be allowed under this section to a
				taxpayer with respect to any applicable individual unless the taxpayer includes
				the name and taxpayer identification number of such individual, and the
				identification number of the physician certifying such individual, on the
				return of tax for the taxable year.
						(e)Taxable Year
				Must Be Full Taxable YearExcept in the case of a taxable year
				closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no credit shall be allowable
				under this section in the case of a taxable year covering a period of less than
				12
				months.
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 Amendments
				(1)Section
			 6213(g)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking
			 and at the end of subparagraph (O), by striking the period at
			 the end of subparagraph (P) and inserting , and, and by
			 inserting after subparagraph (P) the following new subparagraph:

						(Q)an omission of a
				correct TIN or physician identification required under section 36B(d) (relating
				to credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs) to be included on a
				return.
						.
				(2)The table of
			 sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
			 amended by inserting before the item relating to section 37 the following new
			 item:

							Sec. 36B. Credit for taxpayers with
				long-term care
				needs.

						.
				(3)Section
			 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting
			 36B, after section 36A,.
				(c)Effective
			 DateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2009.
			4.Treatment of
			 premiums on qualified long-term care insurance contracts
			(a)In
			 GeneralPart VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions) is amended by
			 redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the
			 following new section:

					224.Premiums on
				qualified long-term care insurance contracts
						(a)In
				GeneralIn the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a
				deduction an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of
				eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section 213(d)(10)) paid during
				the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse and
				dependents under a qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in
				section 7702B(b)).
						(b)Applicable
				PercentageFor purposes of subsection (a)—
							(1)In
				generalExcept as otherwise provided in this subsection, the
				applicable percentage shall be determined in accordance with the following
				table based on the number of years of continuous coverage (as of the close of
				the taxable year) of the individual under any qualified long-term care
				insurance contracts (as defined in section 7702B(b)):

											If the number of years
						ofThe applicable

											 continuous coverage is—percentage is—

											Less than
						160

											At least 1 but
						less than 270

											At least 2 but
						less than 380

											At least 3 but
						less than 490

											At least
						4100.

							(2)Special rules
				for individuals who have attained age 55In the case of an
				individual who has attained age 55 as of the close of the taxable year, the
				following table shall be substituted for the table in paragraph (1):

											If the number of years
						ofThe applicable

											 continuous coverage is—percentage is—

											Less than
						170

											At least 1 but
						less than 285

											At least
						2100.

							(3)Only coverage
				after 2009 taken into accountOnly coverage for periods after
				December 31, 2009, shall be taken into account under this subsection.
							(4)Continuous
				coverageAn individual shall not fail to be treated as having
				continuous coverage if the aggregate breaks in coverage during any 1-year
				period are less than 60 days.
							(c)Coordination
				With Other DeductionsAny amount paid by a taxpayer for any
				qualified long-term care insurance contract to which subsection (a) applies
				shall not be taken into account in computing the amount allowable to the
				taxpayer as a deduction under section 162(l) or
				213(a).
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 Amendments
				(1)Section 62(a) of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting before the last
			 sentence the following new paragraph:

						(22)Premiums on
				qualified long-term care insurance contractsThe deduction
				allowed by section
				224.
						.
				(2)The table of
			 sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
			 redesignating the item relating to section 224 as an item relating to section
			 225 and by inserting before such item the following new item:

							Sec. 224. Premiums on qualified long-term
				care insurance
				contracts.

						.
				(c)Effective
			 DateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2009.
			5.Additional
			 consumer protections for long-term care insurance
			(a)Additional
			 Protections Applicable to Long-Term Care InsuranceSubparagraphs
			 (A) and (B) of section 7702B(g)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
			 (relating to requirements of model regulation and Act) are amended to read as
			 follows:

					(A)In
				generalThe requirements of this paragraph are met with respect
				to any contract if such contract meets—
						(i)Model
				regulationThe following requirements of the model
				regulation:
							(I)Section 6A
				(relating to guaranteed renewal or noncancellability), other than paragraph (5)
				thereof, and the requirements of section 6B of the model Act relating to such
				section 6A.
							(II)Section 6B
				(relating to prohibitions on limitations and exclusions) other than paragraph
				(7) thereof.
							(III)Section 6C
				(relating to extension of benefits).
							(IV)Section 6D
				(relating to continuation or conversion of coverage).
							(V)Section 6E
				(relating to discontinuance and replacement of policies).
							(VI)Section 7
				(relating to unintentional lapse).
							(VII)Section 8
				(relating to disclosure), other than sections 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8I
				thereof.
							(VIII)Section 11
				(relating to prohibitions against post-claims underwriting).
							(IX)Section 12
				(relating to minimum standards).
							(X)Section 13
				(relating to requirement to offer inflation protection).
							(XI)Section 25
				(relating to prohibition against preexisting conditions and probationary
				periods in replacement policies or certificates).
							(XII)The provisions
				of section 26 relating to contingent nonforfeiture benefits, if the
				policyholder declines the offer of a nonforfeiture provision described in
				paragraph (4).
							(ii)Model
				actThe following requirements of the model Act:
							(I)Section 6C
				(relating to preexisting conditions).
							(II)Section 6D
				(relating to prior hospitalization).
							(III)The provisions
				of section 8 relating to contingent nonforfeiture benefits, if the policyholder
				declines the offer of a nonforfeiture provision described in paragraph
				(4).
							(B)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this paragraph—
						(i)Model
				provisionsThe terms model regulation and
				model Act mean the long-term care insurance model regulation, and
				the long-term care insurance model Act, respectively, promulgated by the
				National Association of Insurance Commissioners (as adopted as of October
				2000).
						(ii)CoordinationAny
				provision of the model regulation or model Act listed under clause (i) or (ii)
				of subparagraph (A) shall be treated as including any other provision of such
				regulation or Act necessary to implement the provision.
						(iii)DeterminationFor
				purposes of this section and section 4980C, the determination of whether any
				requirement of a model regulation or the model Act has been met shall be made
				by the
				Secretary.
						.
			(b)Excise
			 TaxParagraph (1) of section 4980C(c) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 (relating to requirements of model provisions) is amended to read
			 as follows:

					(1)Requirements of
				model provisions
						(A)Model
				regulationThe following requirements of the model regulation
				must be met:
							(i)Section 9
				(relating to required disclosure of rating practices to consumer).
							(ii)Section 14
				(relating to application forms and replacement coverage).
							(iii)Section 15
				(relating to reporting requirements).
							(iv)Section 22
				(relating to filing requirements for marketing).
							(v)Section 23
				(relating to standards for marketing), including inaccurate completion of
				medical histories, other than paragraphs (1), (6), and (9) of section
				23C.
							(vi)Section 24
				(relating to suitability).
							(vii)Section 29
				(relating to standard format outline of coverage).
							(viii)Section 30
				(relating to requirement to deliver shopper’s guide).
							The
				requirements referred to in clause (vi) shall not include those portions of the
				personal worksheet described in appendix B relating to consumer protection
				requirements not imposed by section 4980C or 7702B.(B)Model
				actThe following requirements of the model Act must be
				met:
							(i)Section 6F
				(relating to right to return).
							(ii)Section 6G
				(relating to outline of coverage).
							(iii)Section 6H
				(relating to requirements for certificates under group plans).
							(iv)Section 6J
				(relating to policy summary).
							(v)Section 6K
				(relating to monthly reports on accelerated death benefits).
							(vi)Section 7
				(relating to incontestability period).
							(C)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this paragraph, the terms model regulation and
				model Act have the meanings given such terms by section
				7702B(g)(2)(B).
						.
			(c)Effective
			 DateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to policies
			 issued more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 S1 IS: Immigration Reform that Works for America’s Future Act
U.S. Senate
2013-01-22
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. 1
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 22
			 (legislative day, January 3), 2013
			Mr. Reid (for himself,
			 Mr. Leahy, Mr.
			 Menendez, Mr. Durbin,
			 Mr. Schumer, Ms. Hirono, Mr.
			 Schatz, Mr. Brown,
			 Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Coons, Mrs.
			 Gillibrand, Mr. Blumenthal,
			 Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Boxer, Mr.
			 Levin, and Mr. Heinrich)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To reform America's broken immigration system.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Immigration Reform that Works for
			 America’s Future Act.
		2.Sense of the
			 SenateIt is the sense of the
			 Senate that Congress should—
			(1)create a roadmap
			 for immigrants who are here without legal status to earn citizenship, provided
			 they pay taxes, complete a background check, learn English, and show a
			 commitment to America;
			(2)allow students
			 who came to America as children to earn citizenship by attending college or
			 joining the Armed Forces;
			(3)protect the
			 sustainability of the American agricultural industry, including the dairy
			 industry, with a stable and legal agricultural workforce;
			(4)encourage those
			 who seek to invest in the United States and create American jobs;
			(5)permit and
			 encourage individuals who earn an advanced degree from one of our world-class
			 universities to remain in the United States, rather than using that education
			 to work for our international competitors;
			(6)fulfill and
			 strengthen our Nation's commitments regarding security along our borders and at
			 our ports of entry;
			(7)strengthen our
			 Nation’s historic humanitarian tradition of welcoming asylum seekers and
			 refugees and improve existing policies that support immigrant victims of crime
			 and domestic violence;
			(8)create an
			 effective electronic verification system and strengthen enforcement to prevent
			 employers from hiring people here illegally;
			(9)implement a
			 rational legal immigration system that promotes job creation by converting the
			 current flow of illegal immigrants into the United States into a more
			 manageable, controlled, and legal process for admitting immigrants while, at
			 the same time, safeguarding the jobs, rights, and wages of American workers;
			 and
			(10)adopt practical
			 and fair immigration reforms to help ensure that all families are able to be
			 together.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 943
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 8, 2011
			Ms. Hirono (for
			 herself, Mr. Jones,
			 Mr. Young of Alaska,
			 Mr. Lewis of California,
			 Mr. Kucinich,
			 Mr. Hinchey,
			 Mr. Garamendi,
			 Ms. Woolsey,
			 Mr. Larson of Connecticut,
			 Mr. Ryan of Ohio, and
			 Mr. Connolly of Virginia) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Veterans’ Affairs, 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 concerned

		A BILL
		To establish a grant program to encourage the use of
		  assistance dogs by certain members of the Armed Forces and
		  veterans.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 K–9 Companion Corps
			 Act.
		2.Wounded Warrior
			 K–9 Corps
			(a)Grants
			 authorizedSubject to the
			 availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of
			 Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly establish a
			 program, to be known as the K–9 Companion Corps Program, to
			 award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such
			 organizations in planning, designing, establishing, and operating programs to
			 provide assistance dogs to covered members and veterans.
			(b)Use of
			 funds
				(1)In
			 generalThe recipient of a grant under this section shall use the
			 grant to carry out programs that provide assistance dogs to covered members and
			 veterans who have a disability described in paragraph (2).
				(2)DisabilityA
			 disability described in this paragraph is any of the following:
					(A)Blindness or
			 visual impairment.
					(B)Loss of use of a
			 limb, paralysis, or other significant mobility issues.
					(C)Loss of
			 hearing.
					(D)Traumatic brain
			 injury.
					(E)Post-traumatic
			 stress disorder.
					(F)Any other
			 disability that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
			 consider appropriate.
					(c)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under
			 this section, a nonprofit organization shall submit an application to the
			 Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs at such time, in
			 such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Defense and
			 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may require. Such application shall
			 include—
				(1)a
			 proposal for the evaluation required by subsection (d); and
				(2)a
			 description of—
					(A)the training that will be provided by the
			 organization to covered members and veterans;
					(B)the training of dogs that will serve as
			 assistance dogs;
					(C)the aftercare services that the
			 organization will provide for such dogs and covered members and
			 veterans;
					(D)the plan for
			 publicizing the availability of such dogs through a targeted marketing campaign
			 to covered members and veterans;
					(E)the recognized
			 expertise of the organization in breeding and training such dogs;
					(F)the commitment of
			 the organization to comparable standards as that of the International Guide Dog
			 Federation or Assistance Dogs International;
					(G)the commitment of the organization to
			 humane standards for animals; and
					(H)the experience of the organization with
			 working with military medical treatment facilities or medical facilities of the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs.
					(d)EvaluationThe
			 Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant to use a portion of the funds
			 made available through the grant to conduct an evaluation of the effectiveness
			 of the activities carried out through the grant by such recipient.
			(e)DefinitionsIn
			 this Act:
				(1)The term assistance dog means
			 a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of
			 a disability described in subsection (b)(2), except that the term does not
			 include a dog specifically trained for comfort or personal defense.
				(2)The term
			 covered members and veterans means—
					(A)with respect to a
			 member of the Armed Forces, such member who is—
						(i)receiving medical
			 treatment, recuperation, or therapy under chapter 55 of title 10, United States
			 Code;
						(ii)in
			 medical hold or medical holdover status; or
						(iii)covered under
			 section 1202 or 1205 of title 10, United States Code; and
						(B)with respect to a veteran, a veteran who is
			 enrolled in the health care system established under section 1705(a) of title
			 38, United States Code.
					(f)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $5,000,000 for each of
			 fiscal years 2012 through 2016.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1409
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 8, 2009
			Mr. Kerry (for himself
			 and Mr. Hatch) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To expedite the adjudication of employer petitions for
		  aliens with extraordinary artistic ability.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Arts Require Timely Service
			 Act or the ARTS
			 Act.
		2.Expedited
			 adjudication of employer petitions for aliens with extraordinary artistic
			 abilitySection 214(c) of the
			 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)) is amended—
			(1)by striking
			 Attorney General each place it appears and inserting
			 Secretary of Homeland Security; and
			(2)in paragraph
			 (6)(D)—
				(A)by striking
			 (D) Any person and inserting the following:

						(D)(i)Except as provided
				under clause (ii), any person
							;
				and
				(B)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(ii)The Secretary of Homeland Security
				shall adjudicate each petition for an alien who has extraordinary ability in
				the arts (as described in section 101(a)(15)(O)(i)), an alien accompanying such
				an alien (as described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 101(a)(15)(O)), or
				an alien described in section 101(a)(15)(P) not later than 30 days
				after—
							(I)the date on which the petitioner
				submits the petition with a written advisory opinion, letter of no objection,
				or request for a waiver; or
							(II)the date on which the 15-day period
				described in clause (i) has expired, if the petitioner has had an appropriate
				opportunity to supply rebuttal evidence.
							(iii)If a petition described in clause
				(ii) is not adjudicated before the end of the 30-day period described in clause
				(ii) and the petitioner is an arts organization described in paragraph (3),
				(5), or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt
				from tax under section 501(a) of such Code for the taxable year preceding the
				calendar year in which the petition is submitted, or an individual or entity
				petitioning primarily on behalf of such an organization, the Secretary of
				Homeland Security shall provide the petitioner with the premium processing
				services referred to in section 286(u), without a
				fee.
						.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 98
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 6, 2009
			Mr. Vitter introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To impose admitting privilege requirements with respect
		  to physicians who perform abortions.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Pregnant Women Health and Safety
			 Act.
		2.Requirement for
			 physicians relating to the performance of abortionsChapter 74 of title 18, United States Code,
			 is amended by adding at the end the following:

				1532.Prohibition
				on certain procedures
					(a)In
				generalA physician who, in or affecting interstate or foreign
				commerce, knowingly performs an abortion and, in doing so, fails to comply with
				subsection (b), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 2
				years, or both. This subsection shall not apply to an abortion that is
				necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical
				disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering
				physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.
					(b)RequirementsA
				physician who performs an abortion shall—
						(1)have admitting
				privileges at a hospital to which the physician can travel in one hour or less
				(determined on the basis of starting at the principal medical office of the
				physician and traveling to the hospital) and under the average conditions of
				travel for the physician; and
						(2)at the time of
				the abortion, notify the patient involved of the hospital location where the
				patient can receive follow-up care by the physician if complications resulting
				from the abortion arise.
						(c)DefinitionAs
				used in this section, the term physician means a doctor of
				medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by
				the State in which the doctor performs such activity, or any other individual
				legally authorized by the State to perform abortions: Provided,
				however, That any individual who is not a physician or not otherwise
				legally authorized by the State to perform abortions, but who nevertheless
				directly performs an abortion, shall be subject to the provisions of this
				section.
					(d)LimitationA woman upon whom a procedure described in
				subsection (a) is performed may not be prosecuted under this section, for a
				conspiracy to violate this section, or for an offense under section 2, 3, or 4
				of this title based on a violation of this
				section.
					.
		3.Requirement of
			 abortion clinics
			(a)In
			 generalEach abortion clinic that receives any Federal funds or
			 assistance shall—
				(1)be licensed by
			 the State in which it is located; and
				(2)be in compliance
			 with the requirements existing on the date of enactment of this Act for
			 ambulatory surgery centers under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1935 et seq.), except for the requirement of a certificate of public
			 need.
				(b)WaiverFor
			 purposes of complying with subsection (a)(2) with respect to an abortion
			 clinic, a State board of health may waive the application of certain structural
			 requirements (as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human
			 Services).
			(c)DefinitionIn
			 this section, the term abortion clinic mean a facility other than
			 a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center, in which 25 or more first trimester
			 abortions are performed during any 12-month period.


110 HR 2989 IH: To amend provisions of title 46, United States Code, popularly known as the Death on the High Seas Act to limit application of those provisions to maritime accidents, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-07-11
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
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 2989
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 11, 2007
Mr. Doggett (for himself and Mr. Lewis of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To amend provisions of title 46, United States Code, popularly known as the Death on the High Seas Act to limit application of those provisions to maritime accidents, and for other purposes.

1.Limitations on actions under Death on the High Seas Act for commercial maritime accidents
(a)LimitationsChapter 303 of title 46, United States Code, popularly known as the Death on the High Seas Act, is amended—
(1)by striking the heading for section 30307 and inserting the following:

30307.Nonpecuniary and punitive damages; limitation on application;
(2)in section 30307(b), by inserting or maritime after commercial aviation;
(3)in section 30307(c), by inserting or maritime after commercial aviation; and
(4)in the table of sections at the beginning of the chapter by striking the item relating to section 30307 and inserting the following:

30307. Nonpecuniary and punitive damages; limitation on application..
(b)ApplicationThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a death occurring after August 25, 2005.


116 HR 614 IH: Shark Sales Elimination Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-16
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 614IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 16, 2019Mr. Ted Lieu of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo prohibit the sale of shark parts, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Shark Sales Elimination Act of 2019. 2.Prohibition on sale of shark parts (a)ProhibitionExcept as provided in section 3, no person shall possess, offer for sale, sell, or purchase any shark part or product containing any shark part.
 (b)PenaltyFor purposes of section 308(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1858(a)), a violation of this section shall be treated as an act prohibited by section 307 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1857).
 3.Exemption for traditional fisheries, education, and scienceSection 2 shall not apply with respect to possession of a shark part that was taken lawfully under a State, territorial, or Federal license or permit to take or land sharks, if the shark part is separated from the shark in a manner consistent with the license or permit and is—
 (1)destroyed or discarded; (2)used for noncommercial subsistence purposes in accordance with State or territorial law; or
 (3)used solely for display or research purposes by a museum, college, or university, or other person under a State or Federal permit to conduct noncommercial scientific research.
 4.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)SharkThe term shark means any species of the orders Pristiophoriformes, Squatiniformes, Squaliformes, Hexanchiformes, Lamniformes, Carchariniformes, Orectolobiformes, and Heterodontiformes.
 (2)shark partThe term shark part means any shark or raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached part of a shark. 5.State authorityNothing in this Act affects any right of a State or territory of the United States to adopt or enforce any regulation or standard that is more stringent than a regulation or standard in effect under this Act.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 543
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 14, 2009
			Mr. Royce (for
			 himself and Mr. Cantor) 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 reduce the
		  rate of the tentative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers to 24
		  percent.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 AMT Rate Reduction Act of
			 2009.
		2.Reduction in rate
			 of tentative minimum tax for noncorporate taxpayers
			(a)In
			 generalClause (i) of section 55(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 (relating to noncorporate taxpayers) is amended to read as
			 follows:

					(i)In
				generalIn the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, the
				tentative minimum tax for the taxable year is—
						(I)24 percent of the
				taxable excess, reduced by
						(II)the alternative
				minimum tax foreign tax credit for the taxable
				year.
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendmentSubparagraph (A) of section 55(b)(1) of such Code is
			 amended by striking clause (iii).
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 1615 IH: Examining America’s Mental Health Services Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-04-18
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. 1615
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 18, 2013
			Mr. McKinley (for
			 himself and Ms. Kaptur) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To provide for a study by the Institute of Medicine on
		  gaps in mental health services and how these gaps can increase the risk of
		  violent acts.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Examining America’s Mental Health Services Act of
			 2013.
		2.Study on gaps in
			 mental health services
			(a)StudyThe Secretary of Health and Human Services
			 (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall enter into
			 an agreement with the Institute of Medicine (or, if the Institute declines to
			 enter into such an arrangement, another appropriate entity) to conduct a
			 comprehensive study on—
				(1)gaps in mental
			 health services, including treatment services, whether publicly or privately
			 funded; and
				(2)how these gaps can
			 increase the risk of violent acts.
				(b)ConsiderationsThe
			 study under subsection (a) shall include consideration of—
				(1)gaps in mental
			 health treatment services for adults and children with severe and persistent
			 mental illness;
				(2)barriers to
			 receiving mental health services that result in high rates of untreated mental
			 illness; and
				(3)the availability
			 of interventions such as assisted outpatient treatment designed to reach
			 individuals with untreated severe mental illness.
				(c)ReportThe Secretary shall ensure that, not later
			 than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act—
				(1)the study under
			 subsection (a) is completed; and
				(2)a
			 report on the findings and conclusions of such study is submitted to the
			 Congress.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2725
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 3, 2009
			Mrs. Feinstein (for
			 herself, Mr. Hatch,
			 Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Graham) introduced the following bill; which was
			 read twice and referred to the Committee
			 on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To provide for fairness for the Federal
		  judiciary.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Federal Judicial Fairness Act of
			 2009.
		2.Judicial
			 cost-of-living increases
			(a)Repeal of
			 statutory requirement relating to judicial salariesSection 140
			 of the resolution entitled A Joint Resolution making further continuing
			 appropriations for the fiscal year 1982, and for other purposes.,
			 approved December 15, 1981 (Public Law
			 97–92;
			 95
			 Stat. 1200;
			 28 U.S.C. 461
			 note), is repealed.
			(b)Automatic
			 salary adjustmentsSection 461(a) of title 28, United States
			 Code, is amended to read as follows:

					(a)Effective at the
				beginning of the first applicable pay period commencing on or after the first
				day of the month in which an adjustment takes effect under sections 5303 and
				5304 of title 5 in the rates of pay under the General Schedule, each salary
				rate which is subject to adjustment under this section shall be adjusted by an
				amount, rounded to the nearest multiple of $100 (or, if midway between
				multiples of $100, to the next higher multiple of $100) equal to the percentage
				of such salary rate which corresponds to the overall average percentage of the
				adjustment in the rates of pay under the General
				Schedule.
					.


113 HR 3593 : VA Construction Assistance Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-09-17
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.

		IIB
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 3593
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		September 17 (legislative day, September 16), 2014Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsAN ACT
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the construction of major medical facilities, and
			 for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the VA Construction Assistance Act of 2014.
		2.Findings; sense of Congress
			(a)FindingsCongress finds the following:
				(1)According to testimony by the Director of Physical Infrastructure of the General Accountability
			 Office before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of
			 Representatives in May 2013, schedule delays of major medical center
			 construction projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs have averaged
			 35 months, with the delays ranging from 14 months to 74 months.
				(2)The average cost increase attributed to such delays has been $336,000,000 per project.
				(3)Management of the major medical facility projects currently underway as of the date of the
			 enactment of this Act in Denver, Colorado, Orlando, Florida, and New
			 Orleans, Louisiana, should be subject to the oversight of a special
			 project manager of the Army Corps of Engineers that is independent of the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs because, according to the Comptroller
			 General of the United States, such projects have experienced continuous
			 delays and a total cost increase of nearly $1,000,000,000.
				(b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—
				(1)the management of the major medical center construction projects of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs has been an abysmal failure; and
				(2)in order to minimize repeated delays and cost increases to such projects, the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs should fully implement all recommendations made by the Comptroller
			 General of the United States in an April 2013 report to improve
			 construction procedures and practices of the Department.
				3.Implementation of major medical facility construction reformsSection 8104 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

				(i)
					(1)With respect to each project described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall—
						(A)use the services of a medical equipment planner as part of the architectural and engineering firm
			 for the project;
						(B)develop and use a project management plan to ensure clear and consistent communication among all
			 parties;
						(C)subject the project to construction peer excellence review;
						(D)develop—
							(i)a metrics program to enable the monitoring of change-order processing time; and
							(ii)goals for the change-order process consistent with the best practices of other departments and
			 agencies of the Federal Government; and
							(E)to the extent practicable, use design-build processes to minimize multiple change orders.
						(2)A project described in this paragraph is a construction or alteration project that is a major
			 medical facility project..
		4.Special project manager for certain medical center construction projects
			(a)Appointment of special project managerNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to
			 procure, on a reimbursable basis, the services of the Army Corps of
			 Engineers with respect to appointing not less than one special project
			 manager who has experience in managing construction projects that exceed
			 $60,000,000 to oversee covered projects until the date on which the
			 project is completed.
			(b)DutiesA special project manager appointed under subsection (a) to oversee a covered project shall—
				(1)conduct oversight of all construction-related operations at the project, including with respect to—
					(A)the performance of the Department of Veterans Affairs involving the prime contractors; and
					(B)the compliance of the Department with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, including the VA
			 Acquisition Regulation;
					(2)advise and assist the Department in any construction-related activity at the project, including the
			 approval of change-order requests for the purpose of achieving a timely
			 completion of the project; and
				(3)conduct independent technical reviews and recommend to the Department best construction practices
			 to improve operations for the project.
				(c)Plans and report
				(1)Completion plansNot later than 90 days after being appointed under subsection (a), a special project manager shall
			 submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of
			 Representatives and the Senate detailed plans of the covered project for
			 which the special project manager is so appointed.
				(2)Progress reportsNot later than 180 days after being appointed under subsection (a), and each 180-day period
			 thereafter until the date on which the covered project is completed, a
			 special project manager shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’
			 Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing
			 the progress of the covered project for which the special project manager
			 is so appointed. Each report shall include—
					(A)an analysis of all advice and assistance provided to the Department under subsection (b);
					(B)an analysis of all changes ordered by the Department with respect to the project, or claimed to
			 have been made by contract between the Department and the prime
			 contractor, including the extent to which such changes comply with the
			 Federal Acquisition Regulation, including the VA Acquisition Regulation;
					(C)an analysis of the communication and working relationship between the Department and the prime
			 contractor, including any recommendations made by the prime contractor to
			 aid in the completion of the project; and
					(D)identification of opportunities and recommendations with respect to improving the operation of any
			 construction-related activity to reduce costs or complete the project in a
			 more timely manner.
					(d)Cooperation
				(1)InformationThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide a special project manager appointed under
			 subsection (a) with any necessary documents or information necessary for
			 the special project manager to carry out subsections (b) and (c).
				(2)AssistanceUpon request by the special project manager, the Secretary shall provide to the special project
			 manager administrative assistance necessary for the special project
			 manager to carry out subsections (b) and (c).
				(e)Covered projects definedIn this section, the term covered projects means each construction project that is a major medical facility project (as defined in section
			 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United States Code) that—
				(1)was the subject of a report by the Comptroller General of the United States titled Additional Actions Needed to Decrease Delays and Lower Costs of Major Medical-Facility Projects, numbered GAO–13–302, and published in April 2013; and
				(2)has not been activated to accept patients as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
				5.Prohibition on new appropriationsNo additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the amendments made
			 by this Act, and this Act and such amendments shall be carried out using
			 amounts otherwise made available for such purposes.

	Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk