115 HR 2012 IH: Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-04-06
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2012IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 6, 2017Ms. DeGette (for herself, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Tonko, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Takano, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Polis, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Lee, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Engel, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Norton, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Huffman, Ms. Eshoo, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Meng, Ms. Maxine Waters of California, and Ms. Lofgren) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2017. 2.Regulation of hydraulic fracturing (a)Hydraulic FracturingSection 1421(d)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300h(d)(1)) is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

 (B)includes the underground injection of fluids or propping agents pursuant to hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities; but
 (C)excludes the underground injection of natural gas for purposes of storage.. (b)Disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals; medical emergencies; proprietary chemical formulasSection 1421(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300H(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(4)
 (A)Regulations included under paragraph (1)(C) shall include the following requirements: (i)A person conducting hydraulic fracturing operations shall disclose to the State (or the Administrator if the Administrator has primary enforcement responsibility in the State)—
 (I)prior to the commencement of any hydraulic fracturing operations at any lease area or portion thereof, a list of chemicals intended for use in any underground injection during such operations, including identification of the chemical constituents of mixtures, Chemical Abstracts Service numbers for each chemical and constituent, material safety data sheets when available, and the anticipated volume of each chemical; and
 (II)not later than 30 days after the end of any hydraulic fracturing operations, the list of chemicals used in each underground injection during such operations, including identification of the chemical constituents of mixtures, Chemical Abstracts Service numbers for each chemical and constituent, material safety data sheets when available, and the volume of each chemical used.
 (ii)The State or the Administrator, as applicable, shall make the disclosure of chemical constituents referred to in clause (i) available to the public, including by posting the information on an appropriate Internet website.
 (iii)Whenever the State or the Administrator, or a treating physician or nurse, determines that a medical emergency exists and the proprietary chemical formula of a chemical used in hydraulic fracturing operations is necessary for medical treatment, the person conducting the hydraulic fracturing operations shall, upon request, immediately disclose the proprietary chemical formulas or the specific chemical identity of a trade secret chemical to the State, the Administrator, or the treating physician or nurse, regardless of whether a written statement of need or a confidentiality agreement has been provided. The person conducting the hydraulic fracturing operations may require a written statement of need and a confidentiality agreement as soon thereafter as circumstances permit.
 (B)Subparagraph (A)(i) and (A)(ii) do not authorize the State (or the Administrator) to require the public disclosure of proprietary chemical formulas..


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3893
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 29, 2010
			Mr. Dorgan (for himself
			 and Mr. Brown of Ohio) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To establish the Emergency Trade Deficit
		  Commission, and for other purposes.

		1.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)The United States has run persistent trade
			 deficits since 1978, and many of such trade deficits since 2000 have been
			 especially large.
			(2)There appeared to
			 be some improvements in the United States trade balance in 2009, but this was
			 during a time of global economic crisis, and the reduction in the United States
			 trade deficit appears to be attributable to a shrinking demand in the United
			 States for imports rather than an increase in United States exports.
			(3)Many of the trade
			 deficits are structural, with the same countries, year after year. In 2009, the
			 United States continued to have significant merchandise trade deficits with the
			 People’s Republic of China ($226,800,000,000), the European Union
			 ($60,500,000,000), Japan ($44,700,000,000), and Mexico ($47,500,000,000),
			 notwithstanding the overall decline in the United States trade deficit. In
			 fact, in 2009, China accounted for 44 percent of the United States merchandise
			 trade deficit.
			(4)While the United
			 States has one of the most open borders and economies in the world, the United
			 States faces significant tariff and nontariff trade barriers with its trading
			 partners.
			(5)The causes and
			 consequences of the United States trade deficit must be documented and
			 recommendations must be developed to expeditiously address structural
			 imbalances in the trade deficit.
			2.Establishment of
			 Commission
			(a)EstablishmentThere
			 is established a commission to be known as the Emergency Trade Deficit
			 Commission (in this Act referred to as the Commission).
			(b)Membership of
			 commission
				(1)CompositionThe
			 Commission shall be composed of 11 members, of whom—
					(A)3 members shall be
			 appointed by the President, of whom—
						(i)1
			 shall be appointed to represent labor interests;
						(ii)1
			 shall be appointed to represent small businesses; and
						(iii)1
			 shall be appointed to represent manufacturing interests;
						(B)2 members shall be appointed by the
			 President pro tempore of the Senate upon the recommendation of the majority
			 leader of the Senate, after consultation with the chairperson of the Committee
			 on Finance of the Senate;
					(C)2 members shall be
			 appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate upon the recommendation of
			 the minority leader of the Senate, after consultation with the ranking member
			 of the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
					(D)2 members shall be
			 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, after consultation
			 with the chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
			 Representatives; and
					(E)2 members shall be appointed by the
			 minority leader of the House of Representatives, after consultation with the
			 ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
			 Representatives.
					(2)Qualifications
			 of members
					(A)Presidential
			 appointmentsOf the members appointed under paragraph (1)(A), not
			 more than 1 may be an officer, employee, or paid consultant of the executive
			 branch.
					(B)Other
			 appointmentsMembers appointed under subparagraph (B), (C), (D),
			 or (E) of paragraph (1) shall be individuals who—
						(i)have
			 expertise in economics, international trade, manufacturing, labor, environment,
			 or business, or have other pertinent qualifications or experience; and
						(ii)are
			 not officers or employees of the United States.
						(C)Other
			 considerationsIn appointing members of the Commission, every
			 effort shall be made to ensure that the members—
						(i)are
			 representative of a broad cross-section of economic and trade perspectives
			 within the United States; and
						(ii)provide fresh
			 insights in identifying the causes and consequences of the United States trade
			 deficit and developing recommendations to address structural trade
			 imbalances.
						(c)Period of
			 appointment; vacancies
				(1)In
			 generalMembers shall be appointed not later than 60 days after
			 the date of the enactment of this Act and each appointment shall be for the
			 life of the Commission.
				(2)VacanciesAny
			 vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in
			 the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
				(d)Meetings
				(1)In
			 generalThe Commission shall meet at the call of the
			 chairperson.
				(2)Initial
			 meetingNot later than 30 days after the date on which all
			 members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold its
			 first meeting.
				(e)Chairperson and
			 vice chairpersonThe members of the Commission shall elect a
			 chairperson and vice chairperson from among the members of the
			 Commission.
			(f)QuorumA
			 majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the
			 transaction of business.
			(g)VotingEach
			 member of the Commission shall be entitled to 1 vote, which shall be equal to
			 the vote of every other member of the Commission.
			3.Duties of the
			 commission
			(a)In
			 generalThe Commission shall
			 be responsible for—
				(1)examining the causes and consequences of
			 the United States trade deficit; and
				(2)making recommendations with respect to
			 addressing and reducing structural trade imbalances, including with respect to
			 the United States merchandise trade deficit, in order to promote sustainable
			 economic growth that provides broad-based income and employment gains.
				(b)Causes of United
			 States trade deficitIn
			 examining the causes of the United States trade deficit under subsection
			 (a)(1), the Commission shall, among other things—
				(1)identify and
			 assess the impact of macroeconomic factors, including currency practices,
			 foreign government purchases of United States assets, and savings and
			 investment rates, including savings rates of foreign state-owned enterprises,
			 on United States bilateral trade imbalances and global trade imbalances;
				(2)with respect to
			 countries with which the United States has significant, persistent sectoral or
			 bilateral trade deficits, assess with respect to the magnitude and composition
			 of such trade deficits—
					(A)the impact of
			 tariff and nontariff barriers maintained by such countries and the lack of
			 reciprocal market access as a result of such barriers;
					(B)the impact of
			 investment, offset, and technology transfer requirements by such
			 countries;
					(C)any impact due to
			 the failure of such countries to adhere to internationally recognized labor
			 standards, including the extent to which any such failure affects conditions of
			 competition with the United States or the ability of consumers in such
			 countries to buy United States goods and services;
					(D)any impact due to
			 differences in levels of environmental protection and enforcement of
			 environmental laws between such countries and the United States, including the
			 extent to which such differences affect conditions of competition with the
			 United States;
					(E)policies maintained by such countries that
			 assist manufacturers in such countries, including the impact of such policies
			 on manufacturers in the United States; and
					(F)the impact of
			 border tax adjustments by such countries;
					(3)examine the impact of free trade agreements
			 on the United States trade deficit;
				(4)examine the impact
			 of investment flows both into and out of the United States on the United States
			 trade deficit, including—
					(A)the impact of the
			 relocation of production facilities overseas on the United States trade
			 deficit, including by reviewing major domestic plant closures over an
			 appropriate representative period to determine how much of the production
			 terminated as a result of such closures was relocated offshore;
					(B)the impact of
			 United States outbound investment on the United States trade deficit and on
			 standards of living and production in the United States;
					(C)the impact of
			 foreign direct investment in the United States on the United States trade
			 deficit and on standards of living and production in the United States;
			 and
					(D)the impact of
			 United States bilateral investment treaties, including bilateral investment
			 treaties under negotiation, on the United States trade deficit;
					(5)examine the role
			 and impact of imports of oil and other energy products on the United States
			 trade deficit; and
				(6)assess the extent
			 to which United States foreign policy interests influence United States
			 economic and trade policies.
				(c)Consequences of
			 United States trade deficitIn examining the consequences of the United
			 States trade deficit under subsection (a)(1), the Commission shall, among other
			 things—
				(1)identify and, to
			 the extent practicable, quantify the impact of the trade deficit—
					(A)on the overall
			 domestic economy of the United States; and
					(B)with respect to
			 different sectors of the economy of the United States, on manufacturing
			 capacity, the number and quality of jobs, wages, and health, safety, and
			 environmental standards;
					(2)assess the effects
			 the trade deficits in the areas of manufacturing and technology have on the
			 defense production and innovation capabilities of the United States; and
				(3)assess the impact
			 of significant, persistent trade deficits, including sectoral and bilateral
			 trade deficits, on United States economic growth.
				(d)RecommendationsIn making recommendations under subsection
			 (a)(2), the Commission shall, among other things—
				(1)identify specific
			 strategies for achieving improved trade balances with those countries with
			 which the United States has significant, persistent sectoral or bilateral trade
			 deficits;
				(2)identify United
			 States trade policy tools, including enforcement mechanisms, that can be more
			 effectively used to address the underlying causes of structural trade
			 deficits;
				(3)identify domestic
			 and trade policies that can enhance the competitiveness of United States
			 manufacturers domestically and globally, including those policies of the United
			 States and other countries that have been successful in promoting
			 competitiveness;
				(4)address ways to improve the coordination
			 and accountability of Federal departments and agencies relating to trade;
			 and
				(5)examine ways to
			 improve the adequacy of the collection and reporting of trade data, including
			 identifying and developing additional databases and economic measurements that
			 may be needed to properly assess the causes and consequences of the United
			 States trade deficit.
				4.Report
			(a)ReportNot
			 later than 16 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
			 Commission shall submit to the President and the Committee on Finance of the
			 Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a
			 report that contains—
				(1)the findings and
			 recommendations of the Commission under section 3; and
				(2)any recommendations
			 for administrative and legislative actions as the Commission considers
			 necessary.
				(b)Separate
			 viewsAny member of the Commission may submit additional findings
			 and recommendations as part of the report required by subsection (a).
			5.Powers of
			 Commission
			(a)In
			 generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), the Commission may
			 hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony,
			 and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out
			 this Act.
			(b)HearingsThe
			 Commission shall hold not less than 7 public hearings—
				(1)1 or more of
			 which shall be held in Washington, District of Columbia; and
				(2)not less than 4
			 of which shall be held in different regions of the United States.
				(c)Information from
			 Federal agenciesThe Commission may secure directly from any
			 Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers
			 necessary to carry out this Act. Upon request of the chairperson of the
			 Commission, the head of a department or agency shall furnish such information
			 to the Commission.
			(d)Postal
			 servicesThe Commission may use the United States mails in the
			 same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal departments and
			 agencies.
			6.Commission
			 personnel matters
			(a)Compensation of
			 members
				(1)Members who are
			 not Federal employeesEach member of the Commission who is not an
			 officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate
			 equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for
			 level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States
			 Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged
			 in the performance of the duties of the Commission.
				(2)Members who are
			 Federal employeesAll members of the Commission who are officers
			 or employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition
			 to the compensation received for their services as officers or employees of the
			 United States.
				(b)Travel
			 expensesThe members of the Commission shall be allowed travel
			 expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for
			 employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
			 States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the
			 performance of duties of the Commission.
			(c)Staff
				(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the chairperson of
			 the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations,
			 appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel
			 as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties.
				(2)Confirmation of
			 executive directorThe employment of an executive director shall
			 be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
				(3)CompensationThe
			 chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive
			 director and other personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
			 subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to
			 classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the
			 rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the
			 rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such
			 title.
				(d)Detail of
			 government employeesAny employee of the Federal Government may
			 be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be
			 without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
			(e)Procurement of
			 temporary and intermittent servicesThe chairperson of the
			 Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section
			 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not
			 exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for
			 level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
			7.Termination of
			 CommissionThe Commission
			 shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the Commission submits its
			 report under section 4(a).
		8.Government
			 Accountability Office auditNot later than 180 days after the date on
			 which the Commission terminates under section 7, the Comptroller General of the
			 United States shall—
			(a)complete an audit of the financial books
			 and records of the Commission; and
			(b)submit to the President and Congress a
			 report on the audit.
			9.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 to the Commission to carry out this
			 Act.


110 HR 4727 IH: To extend the temporary suspension of duty on mixtures of methyl 2-[[[[[4-(dimethylamino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-tri zin-2-yl]-amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-3-methylbenzoate and application adjuvants.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-17
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.

I
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 4727
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 17, 2007
Mr. Castle introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To extend the temporary suspension of duty on mixtures of methyl 2-[[[[[4-(dimethylamino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-tri zin-2-yl]-amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-3-methylbenzoate and application adjuvants.

1.Mixtures of methyl 2-[[[[[4-(dimethylamino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-3-methylbenzoate and application adjuvants
(a)In generalHeading 9902.05.01 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to mixtures of methyl 2-[[[[[4-(dimethylamino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-3-methylbenzoate and application adjuvants) is amended by striking the date in the effective period column and inserting 12/31/2011.
(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 498 IH: Rural Equal Aid Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-28
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. 498IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 28, 2021Mrs. Axne (for herself, Mr. Golden, Mr. Balderson, and Ms. Blunt Rochester) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to subsidize payments on loans made under certain rural development loan programs, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Rural Equal Aid Act.2.Subsidy for certain rural development loan payments(a)Definition of covered loanIn this section, the term covered loan means a loan that is—(1)made by an intermediary lender to an ultimate recipient using a loan received under section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1932 note; Public Law 99–198) or section 310H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1936b; Public Law 113–79);(2)made by a microenterprise development organization to a microentrepreneur under section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s);(3)a community facility loan made or guaranteed under section 306(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; or(4)guaranteed under section 310B(g) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.(b)Principal and interest payments(1)In generalThe Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall, subject to paragraph (2), pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees that are owed on a covered loan in a regular servicing status—(A)with respect to a covered loan made before the date of enactment of this Act and not on deferment, for the 9-month period beginning with the next payment due on the covered loan;(B)with respect to a covered loan made before the date of enactment of this Act and on deferment, for the 9-month period beginning with the next payment due on the covered loan after the deferment period; and(C)with respect to a covered loan made during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 6 months after that date of enactment, for the 9-month period beginning with the first payment due on the covered loan.(2)Limitation on paymentA single monthly payment of principal, interest, and associated fees made under paragraph (1) with respect to a covered loan in the last 3 months of the 9-month period described in paragraph (1) shall not exceed $9,000. (3)Timing of paymentThe Secretary shall begin making payments under paragraph (1) on a covered loan not later than 30 days after the date on which the first payment described in that paragraph is due.(4)Application of paymentAny payment made by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall be applied to the covered loan such that the borrower is relieved of the obligation to pay that amount.(c)Other requirementsThe Secretary shall—(1)communicate and coordinate with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and State bank regulators to encourage those entities to not require lenders to increase their reserves on account of receiving payments made by the Secretary under subsection (b);(2)waive statutory limits on maximum loan maturities for any covered loan durations where the lender provides a deferral and extends the maturity of covered loans during the 1-year period following the date of enactment of this Act; and(3)when necessary to provide more time because of the potential of higher volumes, travel restrictions, and the inability to access some properties during the COVID–19 pandemic, extend lender site visit requirements to—(A)not more than 60 days (which may be extended at the discretion of the Secretary) after the occurrence of an adverse event, other than a payment default, causing a loan to be classified as in liquidation; and(B)not more than 90 days after a payment default.(d)EffectNothing in this section limits the authority of the Secretary to make payments pursuant to subsection (b) with respect to a covered loan solely because the covered loan has been sold in the secondary market.


116 S1084 IS: Deceptive Experiences To Online Users Reduction Act
U.S. Senate
2019-04-09
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.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1084IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 9, 2019Mr. Warner (for himself and Mrs. Fischer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo prohibit the usage of exploitative and deceptive practices by large online operators and to
			 promote consumer welfare in the use of behavioral research by such
 providers.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Deceptive Experiences To Online Users Reduction Act or the DETOUR Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Behavioral or psychological experiments or researchThe term behavioral or psychological experiments or research means the study, including through human experimentation, of overt or observable actions and mental phenomena inferred from behavior, including interactions between and among individuals and the activities of social groups.(2)CommissionThe term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.(3)Compulsive usageThe term compulsive usage means any response stimulated by external factors that causes an individual to engage in repetitive, purposeful, and intentional behavior causing psychological distress, loss of control, anxiety, depression, or harmful stress responses.(4)Independent review boardThe term independent review board means a board, committee, or other group formally designated by a large online operator to review, to approve the initiation of, and to conduct periodic review of, any research by, or at the direction or discretion of a large online operator, involving human subjects.(5)Informed consentThe term informed consent—(A)means a process by which a research subject is provided adequate information prior to being included in any experiment or study to allow for an informed decision about voluntary participation in a behavioral or psychological research experiment or study, while ensuring the understanding of the potential participant of the furnished information and any associated benefits, risks, or consequences of participation prior to obtaining the voluntary agreement to participate by the participant; and(B)does not include—(i)the consent of an individual under the age of 13; or(ii)the consent to a provision contained in a general contract or service agreement.(6)Large online operatorThe term large online operator means any person that—(A)provides an online service;(B)has more than 100,000,000 authenticated users of an online service in any 30-day period; and(C)is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.).(7)Online serviceThe term online service means a website or a service, other than an internet access service, that is made available to the public over the internet, including a social network, a search engine, or email service.(8)User dataThe term user data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual user, whether directly submitted to the large online operator by the user, or derived from the observed activity of the user by the large online operator.3.Unfair and deceptive acts and practices relating to the manipulation of user interfaces(a)Conduct prohibited(1)In generalIt shall be unlawful for any large online operator—(A)to design, modify, or manipulate a user interface with the purpose or substantial effect of obscuring, subverting, or impairing user autonomy, decision-making, or choice to obtain consent or user data;(B)to subdivide or segment consumers of online services into groups for the purposes of behavioral or psychological experiments or studies, except with the informed consent of each user involved; or(C)to design, modify, or manipulate a user interface on a website or online service, or portion thereof, that is directed to an individual under the age of 13, with the purpose or substantial effect of cultivating compulsive usage, including video auto-play functions initiated without the consent of a user.(b)Duties of large online operatorsAny large online operator that engages in any form of behavioral or psychological research based on the activity or data of its users shall—(1)disclose to its users on a routine basis, but not less than once each 90 days, any experiments or studies that user was subjected to or enrolled in with the purpose of promoting engagement or product conversion;(2)disclose to the public on a routine basis, but not less than once each 90 days, any experiments or studies with the purposes of promoting engagement or product conversion being currently undertaken, or concluded since the prior disclosure;(3)shall present the disclosures in paragraphs (1) and (2) in a manner that—(A)is clear, conspicuous, context-appropriate, and easily accessible; and(B)is not deceptively obscured;(4)establish an Independent Review Board for any behavioral or psychological research, of any purpose, conducted on users or on the basis of user activity or data, which shall review and have authority to approve, require modification in, or disapprove all behavioral or psychological experiments or research; and(5)ensure that any Independent Review Board established under paragraph (4) shall register with the Commission, including providing to the Commission—(A)the names and resumes of every board member;(B)the composition and reporting structure of the Board to the management of the operator;(C)the process by which the Board is to be notified of proposed studies or modifications along with the processes by which the board is capable of vetoing or amending such proposals;(D)any compensation provided to board members; and(E)any conflict of interest that might exist concerning a board member's participation in the Board.(c)Registered professional standards body(1)In generalAn association of large online operators may register as a professional standards body by filing with the Commission an application for registration in such form as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe containing the rules of the association and such other information and documents as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for protecting the welfare of users of large online operators.(2)Professional standards bodyAn association of large online operators may not register as a professional standards body unless the Commission determines that—(A)the association is so organized and has the capacity to enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its members, with the provisions of this Act;(B)the rules of the association provide that any large online operator may become a member of such association;(C)the rules of the association assure a fair representation of its members in the selection of its directors and administration of its affairs and provide that one or more directors shall be representative of users and not be associated with, or receive any direct or indirect funding from, a member of the association or any large online operator;(D)the rules of the association are designed to prevent exploitative and manipulative acts or practices, to promote transparent and fair principles of technology development and design, to promote research in keeping with best practices of study design and informed consent, and to continually evaluate industry practices and issue binding guidance consistent with the objectives of this Act;(E)the rules of the association provide that its members and persons associated with its members shall be appropriately disciplined for violation of any provision of this Act, the rules or regulations thereunder, or the rules of the association, by expulsion, suspension, limitation of activities, functions, fine, censure, being suspended or barred from being associated with a member, or any other appropriate sanction; and(F)the rules of the association are in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and, in general, provide a fair procedure for the disciplining of members and persons associated with members, the denial of membership to any person seeking membership therein, the barring of any person from becoming associated with a member thereof, and the prohibition or limitation by the association of any person with respect to access to services offered by the association or a member thereof.(3)Responsibilities and activities(A)Bright-line rulesAn association shall develop, on a continuing basis, guidance and bright-line rules for the development and design of technology products of large online operators consistent with subparagraph (B).(B)Safe harborsIn formulating guidance under subparagraph (A), the association shall define conduct that does not have the purpose or substantial effect of subverting or impairing user autonomy, decision-making, or choice, or of cultivating compulsive usage for children such as—(i)de minimis user interface changes derived from testing consumer preferences, including different styles, layouts, or text, where such changes are not done with the purpose of obtaining user consent or user data;(ii)algorithms or data outputs outside the control of a large online operator or its affiliates; and(iii)establishing default settings that provide enhanced privacy protection to users or otherwise enhance their autonomy and decision-making ability.(d)Enforcement by the Commission(1)Unfair or deceptive acts or practiceA violation of subsection (a) or (b) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).(2)DeterminationFor purposes of enforcement of this Act, the Commission shall determine an act or practice is unfair or deceptive if the act or practice—(A)has the purpose, or substantial effect, of subverting or impairing user autonomy, decision-making, or choice to obtain consent or user data; or(B)has the purpose, or substantial effect, of cultivating compulsive usage by a child under 13.(3)RegulationsNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate regulations under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, that—(A)establish rules and procedures for obtaining the informed consent of users;(B)establish rules for the registration, formation, oversight, and management of the independent review boards, including standards that ensure effective independence of such entities from improper or undue influence by a large online operator;(C)establish rules for the registration, formation, oversight, and management of professional standards bodies, including procedures for the regular oversight of such bodies and revocation of their designation; and(D)in consultation with a professional standards body established under subsection (c), define conduct that does not have the purpose or substantial effect of subverting or impairing user autonomy, decision-making, or choice, or of cultivating compulsive usage for children such as—(i)de minimis user interface changes derived from testing consumer preferences, including different styles, layouts, or text, where such changes are not done with the purpose of obtaining user consent or user data;(ii)algorithms or data outputs outside the control of a large online operator or its affiliates; and(iii)establishing default settings that provide enhanced privacy protection to users or otherwise enhance their autonomy and decision-making ability.(4)Safe harborThe Commission may not bring an enforcement action under this Act against any large online operator that relied in good faith on the guidance of a professional standards body.


		II
		Calendar No. 991
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2974
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 2, 2008
			Mr. Allard (for himself
			 and Mr. Salazar) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

			September 16, 2008
			Reported by Mr.
			 Bingaman, with an amendment
			Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert
			 the part printed in italic

		A BILL
		To provide for the construction of the Arkansas Valley
		  Conduit in the State of Colorado.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Arkansas Valley Conduit Act of
			 2008.
		2.Arkansas Valley
			 Conduit, Colorado
			(a)Cost
			 shareThe first section of
			 Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 389) is amended in the second sentence of
			 subsection (c) by inserting after cost thereof, the following:
			 or in the case of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, payment of not more than
			 35 percent of the cost of the conduit,.
			(b)RatesSection
			 2(b) of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 390) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 (b) Rates and inserting the following:

						(b)Rates
							(1)In
				generalRates
							;
				and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(2)Ruedi Dam and
				Reservoir, Fountain Valley Pipeline, and South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and
				ReservoirNotwithstanding the reclamation laws, until the date on
				which the payments for the Arkansas Valley Conduit under paragraph (3) begin,
				any revenue that may be derived from contracts for the use of
				Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange contracts
				using Fryingpan-Arkansas project facilities shall be credited towards payment
				of the actual cost of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, the Fountain Valley Pipeline,
				and the South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and Reservoir plus interest in an
				amount determined in accordance with this section
						(3)Arkansas Valley
				Conduit
							(A)Use of
				revenueNotwithstanding the reclamation laws, any revenue derived
				from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or
				exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project facilities shall be
				credited towards payment of the actual cost of the Arkansas Valley Conduit plus
				interest in an amount determined in accordance with this section.
							(B)Adjustment of
				ratesAny rates charged under this section for water for
				municipal, domestic, or industrial use or for the use of facilities for the
				storage or delivery of water shall be adjusted to reflect the estimated revenue
				derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess
				capacity or exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project
				facilities.
							.
				(c)Authorization of
			 appropriationsSection 7 of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 393) is
			 amended—
				(1)by striking
			 Sec. 7.
			 There is hereby and inserting the following:

						7.Authorization of
				Appropriations
							(a)In
				generalThere is
							;
				and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(b)Arkansas Valley
				Conduit
							(1)In
				generalSubject to annual appropriations and paragraph (2), there
				are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the
				construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
							(2)LimitationAmounts
				made available under paragraph (1) shall not be used for the operation or
				maintenance of the Arkansas Valley
				Conduit.
							.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Arkansas Valley Conduit Act of
			 2008.
		2.Arkansas Valley Conduit,
			 Colorado
			(a)Cost
			 shareThe first section of
			 Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 389) is amended in the second sentence of
			 subsection (c) by inserting after cost thereof, the following:
			 or in the case of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, payment in an amount
			 equal to 35 percent of the cost of the conduit that is comprised of revenue
			 generated by payments pursuant to a repayment contract and revenue that may be
			 derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess
			 capacity or exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project
			 facilities,.
			(b)RatesSection
			 2(b) of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 390) is amended—
				(1)by striking (b)
			 Rates and inserting the following:

						(b)Rates
							(1)In
				generalRates
							;
				and
				(2)by adding at the end the
			 following:

						(2)Ruedi Dam and
				Reservoir, Fountain Valley Pipeline, and South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and
				Reservoir
							(A)In
				generalNotwithstanding the reclamation laws, until the date on
				which the payments for the Arkansas Valley Conduit under paragraph (3) begin,
				any revenue that may be derived from contracts for the use of
				Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or exchange contracts using
				Fryingpan-Arkansas project facilities shall be credited towards payment of the
				actual cost of Ruedi Dam and Reservoir, the Fountain Valley Pipeline, and the
				South Outlet Works at Pueblo Dam and Reservoir plus interest in an amount
				determined in accordance with this section.
							(B)EffectNothing
				in the Federal reclamation law (the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter
				1093), and Acts supplemental to and amendatory of that Act (43 U.S.C. 371 et
				seq.)) prohibits the concurrent crediting of revenue (with interest as provided
				under this section) towards payment of the Arkansas Valley Conduit as provided
				under this paragraph.
							(3)Arkansas Valley
				Conduit
							(A)Use of
				revenueNotwithstanding the reclamation laws, any revenue derived
				from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess capacity or
				exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project facilities shall be
				credited towards payment of the actual cost of the Arkansas Valley Conduit plus
				interest in an amount determined in accordance with this section.
							(B)Adjustment of
				ratesAny rates charged under this section for water for
				municipal, domestic, or industrial use or for the use of facilities for the
				storage or delivery of water shall be adjusted to reflect the estimated revenue
				derived from contracts for the use of Fryingpan-Arkansas project excess
				capacity or exchange contracts using Fryingpan-Arkansas project
				facilities.
							.
				(c)Authorization of
			 appropriationsSection 7 of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 393) is
			 amended—
				(1)by striking
			 Sec. 7.
			 There is hereby and inserting the following:

						7.Authorization of
				Appropriations
							(a)In
				generalThere is
							;
				and
				(2)by adding at the end the
			 following:

						(b)Arkansas Valley
				Conduit
							(1)In
				generalSubject to annual appropriations and paragraph (2), there
				are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the
				construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
							(2)LimitationAmounts
				made available under paragraph (1) shall not be used for the operation or
				maintenance of the Arkansas Valley
				Conduit.
							.

		September 16, 2008
		Reported with an amendment


116 HR 7999 IH: Supply Chain Accountability Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-08-11
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7999IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESAugust 11, 2020Mr. Beyer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to receive and respond to notifications of issues relating to the lack of personal protective equipment and COVID–19 testing.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Supply Chain Accountability Act of 2020.2.Directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to receive and respond to notifications of issues relating to the lack of personal protective equipment and COVID–19 testing(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall establish and maintain, during the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)), a process to receive and review the following:(1)Any notification from a health care provider that such provider is reusing personal protective equipment at a facility due to a shortage of such equipment.(2)Any notification from a local public health agency or health care provider that such agency or provider is unable, with respect to individuals seeking a COVID–19 diagnostic test, to furnish such tests to all such individuals.(3)Any notification from a skilled nursing facility or nursing facility (as such terms are defined in sections 1819 and 1919, respectively, of titles XVIII and XIX, respectively, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3, 42 U.S.C. 1396r)) that such skilled nursing facility or nursing facility is unable to test all employees for COVID–19 at least 2 times per week.(4)Any notification from a State or local public health agency that the average time between furnishing a COVID–19 diagnostic test to an individual and reporting the results to such individual in the area in which such agency exercises jurisdiction exceeds 3 days from the date such test was so furnished.(b)Required responseThe Secretary shall, with respect to each notification received under subsection (a), submit to the health care provider, local public health agency, or skilled nursing facility or nursing facility that submitted such notification, and to the specified congressional representatives (as defined in subsection (c)) with respect to such notification, not later than 30 days after receiving such notification, a written response that, in the case of a response to a notification described in—(1)subsection (a)(1), includes a specification of actions the Secretary is taking to provide personal protective equipment to the facility identified by the health care provider submitting such notification;(2)subsection (a)(2), includes a specification of actions the Secretary is taking to make additional COVID–19 diagnostic tests available to the local public health agency or health care provider submitting such notification; (3)subsection (a)(3), includes a specification of actions the Secretary is taking to support COVID–19 diagnostic testing at the skilled nursing facility or nursing facility submitting such notification; and(4)subsection (a)(4), includes a specification of actions the Secretary is taking to reduce the time described in such subsection.(c)DefinitionFor purposes of subsection (b), the term specified congressional representatives means, with respect to a notification described in subsection (a), both Members of the Senate representing the State, and all Members of the House of Representatives representing the district (or districts), where, in the case of a notification—(1)described in subsection (a)(1), the facility identified by the health care provider submitting such notification is located;(2)described in subsection (a)(2), the State or local public health agency submitting such notification exercises jurisdiction or where the health care provider practices (as identified by the provider);(3)described in subsection (a)(3), where the State or local public health agency submitting such notification exercises jurisdiction; or(4)described in subsection (a)(4), where the skilled nursing facility or nursing facility submitting such notification is located.


109 HCON 11 IH: Requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in the Hall of the House of Representatives and the Chamber of the Senate.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-01-04
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.

IV
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 11
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2005
Mr. Stearns submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in the Hall of the House of Representatives and the Chamber of the Senate.

That a copy of the Ten Commandments shall be prominently displayed in the Hall of the House of Representatives and the Chamber of the Senate.


115 HR 2202 IH: Chiropractic Membership in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-04-27
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2202IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 27, 2017Mr. Gene Green of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize appointment of Doctors of Chiropractic to
			 regular and reserve corps of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Chiropractic Membership in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Act of 2017. 2.Doctors of Chiropractic in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (a)Appointment of personnelSection 207(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 209(a)(1)) is amended by inserting chiropractic, after nursing,.
 (b)Authorization of appointment of Doctors of ChiropracticSection 207 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 209) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (j)Appointment of Doctors of ChiropracticDoctors of Chiropractic who are graduates of colleges of chiropractic whose graduates are eligible for licensure to practice chiropractic in a majority of the States of the United States, or approved by a body or bodies acceptable to the Secretary, shall be eligible for appointment as officers in the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service. The Secretary and the Surgeon General shall ensure that such Doctors of Chiropractic are trained, equipped, and otherwise prepared to fulfill applicable public health and emergency response service responsibilities in the Commissioned Corps..
			(c)Required placement of Doctors of Chiropractic into Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
 (1)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President, in consultation with the Surgeon General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall commence the appointment of no fewer than 6 Doctors of Chiropractic into the commissioned Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service.
 (2)ReportsThe Surgeon General shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate quarterly reports on all measures taken by the President, the Surgeon General, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out the provisions of this Act, including the amendments made by this Act. The first such report shall be submitted not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (d)Authorization of appropriationsOut of the total aggregate appropriations made available to the Department of Health and Human Services through annual appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, $1,500,000 is authorized and shall be made available in each of such fiscal years only for the salaries and expenses necessary to carry out this Act.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 399
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 9, 2009
			Mr. Tester introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit universal
		  defaults on credit card accounts, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Universal Default Prohibition Act
			 of 2009.
		2.Prohibit
			 universal defaults on credit card accountsSection 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
			 U.S.C. 1637) is amending by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

				(i)Universal
				defaults prohibited
					(1)In
				generalNo creditor may use any adverse information concerning
				any consumer, including any information in any consumer report (as defined in
				section 603) or any change in the credit score of the consumer, as the basis
				for increasing any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to a credit
				card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan, or to
				remove or increase any introductory annual percentage rate of interest
				applicable to such account, for reasons other than actions or omissions of the
				consumer that are directly related to such account.
					(2)Notice to
				consumerThe limitation under paragraph (1) on the use of adverse
				information by a credit card issuer shall be clearly and conspicuously
				described to the consumer by the credit card issuer in any disclosure or
				statement required under subsection (a) or
				(b).
					.


109 HR 5320 IH: Fairness for State and Local Workers Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-05-09
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
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5320
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 9, 2006
Mr. Andrews introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL
To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to provide for coverage under that Act of employees of States and political subdivisions of States, and for other purposes.

1.Short title This Act may be cited as the Fairness for State and Local Workers Act.
2.Coverage of State and Local employeesSection 3(5) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 652(5)) is amended—
(1)by inserting after employees, the following: including a State or political subdivision of a State,; and
(2)by striking or any State or political subdivision of a State.


		II
		Calendar No. 117
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 529
		[Report No. 111–52]
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 5, 2009
			Mr. Lieberman (for
			 himself, Mr. Brownback,
			 Mr. Udall of New Mexico,
			 Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Cardin, Mr.
			 Sanders, Mr. Kerry,
			 Ms. Snowe, Mrs.
			 Gillibrand, and Mr. Merkley)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Environment and Public
			 Works

			July 20, 2009
			Reported by Mrs. Boxer,
			 without amendment

		A BILL
		To assist in the conservation of rare felids and rare
		  canids by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation
		  programs of countries within the range of rare felid and rare canid populations
		  and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of rare
		  felid and rare canid populations.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of
			 2009.
		2.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are to provide
			 financial resources and to foster international cooperation—
			(1)to
			 restore and perpetuate healthy populations of rare felids and rare canids in
			 the wild; and
			(2)to assist in the
			 conservation of rare felid and rare canid populations worldwide.
			3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)CITESThe
			 term CITES means the Convention on International Trade in
			 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, done at Washington March 3, 1973
			 (27 UST 1087; TIAS 8249), including appendices to that convention.
			(2)Conservation
				(A)In
			 generalThe term conservation means the methods and
			 procedures necessary to bring a species of rare felid or rare canid to the
			 point at which there are sufficient populations in the wild to ensure the
			 long-term viability of the species.
				(B)InclusionsThe
			 term conservation includes all activities associated with
			 protection and management of a rare felid or rare canid population,
			 including—
					(i)maintenance,
			 management, protection, and restoration of rare felid or rare canid
			 habitat;
					(ii)research and
			 monitoring;
					(iii)law
			 enforcement;
					(iv)community outreach
			 and education;
					(v)conflict
			 resolution initiatives; and
					(vi)strengthening the
			 capacity of local communities, governmental agencies, nongovernmental
			 organizations, and other institutions to implement conservation
			 programs.
					(3)FundThe
			 term Fund means the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Fund
			 established by section 4(a).
			(4)IUCN Red
			 ListThe term IUCN Red List means the Red List of
			 Threatened Species Maintained by the World Conservation Union.
			(5)Rare
			 canid
				(A)In
			 generalThe term rare canid means any of the canid
			 species dhole (Cuon alpinus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), Ethiopian wolf (Canis
			 simensis), bush dog (Speothos venaticus), African wild dog (Lycaon pictus),
			 maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), and Darwin's fox (Pseudalopex fulvipes)
			 (including any subspecies or population of such a species).
				(B)ExclusionsThe
			 term rare canid does not include any subspecies or population that
			 is native to the area comprised of the United States and Canada or the European
			 Union.
				(6)Rare
			 felid
				(A)In
			 generalThe term rare felid means any of the felid
			 species lion (Panthera leo), leopard (Panthera pardus), jaguar (Panthera onca),
			 snow leopard (Uncia uncia), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), cheetah
			 (Acinonyx jubatus), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardina), and Borneo bay cat (Catopuma
			 badia) (including any subspecies or population of such a species).
				(B)ExclusionsThe
			 term rare felid does not include—
					(i)any
			 species, subspecies, or population that is native to the United States;
			 or
					(ii)any
			 tiger (Panthera tigris).
					(7)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
			4.Great Cats and
			 Rare Canids Conservation Fund
			(a)EstablishmentThere
			 is established in the multinational species conservation fund established under
			 the heading multinational species conservation fund of
			 title I of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
			 Act, 1999 (16 U.S.C. 4246), a separate account to be known as the Great
			 Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Fund, consisting of—
				(1)amounts
			 transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the account under
			 subsection (c); and
				(2)amounts
			 appropriated to the account under section 7.
				(b)Expenditures
			 from Fund
				(1)In
			 generalSubject to paragraph (2), on request by the Secretary,
			 the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the Fund to the Secretary,
			 without further appropriation, such amounts as the Secretary determines to be
			 necessary to provide assistance under section 5.
				(2)Administrative
			 expensesOf the amounts in the Fund available for each fiscal
			 year, the Secretary may use to pay the administrative expenses of carrying out
			 this Act not more than the greater of—
					(A)3 percent;
			 and
					(B)$100,000.
					(c)Acceptance and
			 use of donations
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary may—
					(A)accept and use
			 donations to provide assistance under section 5; and
					(B)publish on the
			 Internet website and in publications of the Department of the Interior a notice
			 that the Secretary is authorized to accept and use such donations.
					(2)UseAmounts
			 received by the Secretary in the form of donations shall be transferred to the
			 Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the Fund.
				5.Financial
			 assistance
			(a)In
			 generalSubject to the availability of funds and in consultation
			 with other appropriate Federal officials, the Secretary shall use amounts in
			 the Fund to provide financial assistance for projects for the conservation of
			 rare felid and rare canids for which project proposals are approved by the
			 Secretary in accordance with this section.
			(b)Project
			 proposals
				(1)Eligible
			 applicantsA proposal for a project for the conservation of rare
			 felid and canids may be submitted to the Secretary by—
					(A)any wildlife
			 management authority of a country that has within its boundaries any part of
			 the range of a rare felid or rare canid species, respectively; and
					(B)any person or
			 group with the demonstrated expertise required for conservation in the wild of
			 rare felids or rare canids, respectively.
					(2)Project
			 proposalsTo be eligible for financial assistance for a project
			 under this Act, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary a project proposal
			 that includes—
					(A)a concise
			 statement of the purposes of the project;
					(B)the name of the
			 individual responsible for conducting the project;
					(C)a description of
			 the qualifications of the individuals who will conduct the project;
					(D)a concise
			 description of—
						(i)methods for
			 project implementation and outcome assessment;
						(ii)staffing for the
			 project;
						(iii)the logistics of
			 the project; and
						(iv)community
			 involvement in the project;
						(E)an estimate of
			 funds and time required to complete the project;
					(F)evidence of
			 support for the project by appropriate governmental entities of the countries
			 in which the project will be conducted, if the Secretary determines that such
			 support is required for the success of the project;
					(G)information
			 regarding the source and amount of matching funding available for the project;
			 and
					(H)any other
			 information that the Secretary considers to be necessary for evaluating the
			 eligibility of the project for funding under this Act.
					(c)Project review
			 and approval
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall—
					(A)not later than 30
			 days after receiving a project proposal, provide a copy of the proposal to the
			 appropriate Federal officials; and
					(B)review each
			 project proposal in a timely manner to determine whether the proposal meets the
			 criteria specified in subsection (d).
					(2)Consultation;
			 approval or disapprovalNot later than 180 days after receiving a
			 project proposal, and subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary,
			 after consulting with other appropriate Federal officials, shall—
					(A)ensure the
			 proposal contains assurances that the project will be implemented in
			 consultation with relevant wildlife management authorities and other
			 appropriate government officials with jurisdiction over the resources addressed
			 by the project;
					(B)approve or
			 disapprove the proposal; and
					(C)provide written
			 notification of the approval or disapproval to—
						(i)the
			 individual or entity that submitted the proposal;
						(ii)other
			 appropriate Federal officials; and
						(iii)each country
			 within the borders of which the project will take place.
						(d)Criteria for
			 approvalThe Secretary may approve a project proposal under this
			 section if the project will contribute to conservation of rare felids or rare
			 canids in the wild by assisting efforts—
				(1)to
			 implement conservation programs;
				(2)to address the
			 conflicts between humans and rare felids or rare canids, respectively, that
			 arise from competition for the same habitat or resources;
				(3)to enhance
			 compliance with CITES, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
			 seq.), and other applicable laws that—
					(A)prohibit or
			 regulate the taking or trade of rare felids and rare canids; or
					(B)regulate the use
			 and management of rare felid and rare canid habitat;
					(4)to develop sound
			 scientific information on, or methods for monitoring—
					(A)the condition and
			 health of rare felid or rare canid habitat;
					(B)rare felid or rare
			 canid population numbers and trends; and
					(C)the ecological
			 characteristics and requirements of populations of rare felids or rare canids
			 for which there are little or no data;
					(5)to promote
			 cooperative projects among government entities, affected local communities,
			 nongovernmental organizations, and other persons in the private sector;
			 or
				(6)to ensure that
			 funds will not be appropriated for the purchase or lease of land to be used as
			 suitable habitat for felids or canids.
				(e)Project
			 sustainabilityIn approving project proposals under this section,
			 the Secretary shall give preference to conservation projects that are designed
			 to ensure effective, long-term conservation of rare felids and rare canids and
			 their habitats.
			(f)Matching
			 fundsIn determining whether to approve project proposals under
			 this section, the Secretary shall give preference to projects any portion of
			 the costs of which will be provided with matching funds.
			(g)Project
			 reporting
				(1)In
			 generalEach individual or entity that receives assistance under
			 this section for a project shall submit to the Secretary periodic reports (at
			 such intervals as the Secretary considers necessary) that include all
			 information that the Secretary, after consultation with other appropriate
			 government officials, determines to be necessary to evaluate the progress and
			 success of the project for the purposes of ensuring positive results, assessing
			 problems, and fostering improvements.
				(2)Availability to
			 publicReports under paragraph (1), and any other documents
			 relating to projects for which financial assistance is provided under this Act,
			 shall be made available to the public.
				(h)Limitations
				(1)Use for captive
			 breeding or displayAmounts provided as a grant under this
			 Act—
					(A)may not be used
			 for captive breeding or display of rare felids and rare canids, other than
			 captive breeding for release into the wild; and
					(B)may be used for
			 captive breeding of a species for release into the wild only if no other
			 conservation method for the species is biologically feasible.
					(2)Ineligible
			 countriesAmounts provided as a grant under this Act may not be
			 expended on any project in a country the government of which has repeatedly
			 provided support for acts of international terrorism, as determined by the
			 Secretary of State pursuant to—
					(A)section
			 6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App.
			 2405(j)(1)(A)) (or any successor to that Act);
					(B)section 40(d) of
			 the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)); or
					(C)section 620A(a)
			 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371(a)).
					(i)Advisory
			 group
				(1)In
			 generalTo assist in carrying out this Act, the Secretary may
			 establish an advisory group, consisting of individuals representing public and
			 private organizations actively involved in the conservation of felids and
			 canids.
				(2)Public
			 participation
					(A)MeetingsThe
			 advisory group shall—
						(i)ensure that each
			 meeting of the advisory group is open to the public; and
						(ii)provide, at each
			 meeting, an opportunity for interested individuals to present oral or written
			 statements concerning items on the agenda.
						(B)NoticeThe
			 Secretary shall provide to the public timely notice of each meeting of the
			 advisory group, including the meeting agenda.
					(C)MinutesThe
			 minutes of each meeting of the advisory group shall be—
						(i)kept by the
			 Secretary; and
						(ii)made available
			 to the public.
						(3)Nonapplicability
			 of Federal Advisory Committee ActThe Federal Advisory Committee
			 Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the advisory group.
				6.Study of
			 conservation status of felid and canid species
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary shall initiate a study of felid and canid species
			 listed under the IUCN Red List that are not rare canids or rare felids,
			 respectively, to determine—
				(1)the conservation
			 status of each such species in the wild, including identification of any such
			 species that are critically endangered or endangered; and
				(2)whether any such
			 species that should be made eligible for assistance under this Act.
				(b)ReportNot
			 later than 2 years after date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
			 submit to Congress a report describing the determinations made in the study,
			 including recommendations of additional felid species and canid species that
			 should be made eligible for assistance under this Act.
			7.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated—
			(1)to the Fund,
			 $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to carry out this Act,
			 other than section 6; and
			(2)such sums as are
			 necessary to carry out section 6.

		July 20, 2009
		Reported without amendment


115 HR 2848 IH: Relief and Investment for Student Entrepreneurs Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-06-08
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2848IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 8, 2017Mr. Gallego (for himself and Mr. Swalwell of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the WorkforceA BILLTo amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow qualified entrepreneurs to temporarily defer
			 Federal student loan payments after starting a new business.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Relief and Investment for Student Entrepreneurs Act or the RISE Act. 2.Deferment of Federal student loan payments for qualified entrepreneursSection 455(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)) is amended—
 (1)in paragraph (2)— (A)in subparagraph (C), by striking or at the end;
 (B)in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and (C)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (E)subject to paragraph (5), not in excess of 3 years during which the borrower is a qualified entrepreneur.; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (5)Deferment for qualified entrepreneurs (A)Definition of qualified entrepreneurFor the purpose of this subsection, the term qualified entrepreneur means a borrower who—
 (i)received a degree from an institution of higher education during the 10-year period ending on the date on which deferment is granted under paragraph (2)(E);
 (ii)registered at least 1 business entity in a State during the 18-month period ending on such date; (iii)raised capital investment of not less than $30,000 for such business entity; and
 (iv)has an outstanding balance of principal and interest on loans made under this part of not less than $5,000.
 (B)Minimum employee requirementA borrower granted deferment under paragraph (2)(E) shall not be eligible to continue such deferment unless, on the date that is 1 year after date on which such deferment is granted, the borrower—
 (i)employs at the business entity described in subparagraph (A)(ii) not fewer than 2 full-time employees who are not the borrower or relatives of the borrower; and
 (ii)pays such employees at a rate not less than the minimum wage prescribed by the State in which the business entity is located..
 3.Loan cancellation for entrepreneursPart D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

				460A.Loan cancellation for entrepreneurs
 (a)Program authorizedThe Secretary is authorized to carry out a program of canceling the obligation to repay a qualified loan amount in accordance with subsection (b) for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made under this part for any borrower who—
 (1)for not less than a 3-year period ending on the date of application under this section, has carried out a qualified HUBZone small business concern listed under section 3(p)(5)(B) of the Small Business Act, which has been registered as business in a State; and
 (2)is not in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks forgiveness. (b)Qualified loan amount (1)In generalThe Secretary shall cancel not more than $17,500 in the aggregate of the loan obligation on a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that is outstanding.
 (2)Treatment of consolidation loansA loan amount for a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan may be a qualified loan amount for the purposes of this subsection only to the extent that such loan amount was used to repay a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a loan made under section 428 or 428H, for a borrower who meets the requirements of subsection (a), as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
 (c)PriorityThe Secretary shall grant loan forgiveness under this section on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to the availability of appropriations.
 (d)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the refunding of any repayment of a loan.. 4.Publication and report (a)PublicationThe Secretary of Education and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall each make available, on publicly accessible websites of the Department of Education and the Small Business Administration, respectively, information on the student loan deferment program for qualified entrepreneurs under section 455(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)), as amended by this Act.
 (b)Report to CongressNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress a report that includes—
 (1)an assessment of the progress of the Secretary in carrying out the student loan deferment program for qualified entrepreneurs under section 455(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(f)), as amended by this Act; and
 (2)a description of any ongoing efforts to increase participation in such program.