		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2421
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 6, 2011
			Ms. DeLauro (for
			 herself, Mr. Conyers,
			 Mr. Jackson of Illinois,
			 Ms. Richardson,
			 Ms. Norton,
			 Mr. Gutierrez, and
			 Mr. Cicilline) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To provide for the treatment and temporary financing of
		  short-time compensation programs.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the Layoff Prevention Act of
			 2011.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Treatment of short-time compensation
				programs.
					Sec. 3. Temporary financing of short-time compensation payments
				in States with programs in law.
					Sec. 4. Temporary financing of short-time compensation
				agreements.
					Sec. 5. Grants for short-time compensation
				programs.
					Sec. 6. Assistance and guidance in implementing
				programs.
					Sec. 7. Reports.

			2.Treatment of
			 short-time compensation programs
			(a)Definition
				(1)In
			 generalSection 3306 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26
			 U.S.C. 3306) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

						(v)Short-Time
				compensation programFor purposes of this chapter, the term
				short-time compensation program means a program under
				which—
							(1)the participation
				of an employer is voluntary;
							(2)an employer
				reduces the number of hours worked by employees in lieu of layoffs;
							(3)such employees
				whose workweeks have been reduced by at least 10 percent, and by not more than
				the percentage, if any, that is determined by the State to be appropriate (but
				in no case more than 60 percent), are eligible for unemployment
				compensation;
							(4)the amount of
				unemployment compensation payable to any such employee is a pro rata portion of
				the unemployment compensation which would otherwise be payable to the employee
				if such employee were totally unemployed;
							(5)such employees are
				not expected to meet the availability for work or work search test requirements
				while collecting short-time compensation benefits, but are required to be
				available for their normal workweek;
							(6)eligible employees
				may participate, as appropriate, in training (including employer-sponsored
				training or worker training funded under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998)
				to enhance job skills if such program has been approved by the State
				agency;
							(7)the State agency
				shall require employers to certify that the employer will continue to provide
				health benefits and retirement benefits under a defined benefit plan (as
				defined in section 414(j)) and contributions under a defined contribution plan
				(as defined in section 414(i)) to any employee whose workweek is reduced under
				the program under the same terms and conditions as though the workweek of such
				employee had not been reduced;
							(8)the State agency
				shall require an employer to submit a written plan describing the manner in
				which the requirements of this subsection will be implemented (including a plan
				for giving advance notice, where feasible, to an employee whose workweek is to
				be reduced) together with an estimate of the number of layoffs that would have
				occurred absent the ability to participate in short-time compensation and such
				other information as the Secretary of Labor determines is appropriate;
							(9)in the case of
				employees represented by a union, the appropriate official of the union has
				agreed to the terms of the employer’s written plan and implementation is
				consistent with employer obligations under the applicable Federal laws;
				and
							(10)upon request by
				the State and approval by the Secretary of Labor, only such other provisions
				are included in the State law that are determined to be appropriate for
				purposes of a short-time compensation
				program.
							.
				(2)Effective
			 dateSubject to paragraph (3), the amendment made by paragraph
			 (1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
				(3)Transition
			 period for existing programsIn the case of a State that is
			 administering a short-time compensation program as of the date of the enactment
			 of this Act and the State law cannot be administered consistent with the
			 amendment made by paragraph (1), such amendment shall take effect on the
			 earlier of—
					(A)the date the State
			 changes its State law in order to be consistent with such amendment; or
					(B)the date that is 2
			 years and 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
					(b)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986
					(A)Subparagraph (E)
			 of section 3304(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read
			 as follows:

							(E)amounts may be
				withdrawn for the payment of short-time compensation under a short-time
				compensation program (as defined under section
				3306(v));
							.
					(B)Subsection (f) of
			 section 3306 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
						(i)by
			 striking paragraph (5) (relating to short-time compensation) and inserting the
			 following new paragraph:

								(5)amounts may be
				withdrawn for the payment of short-time compensation under a short-time
				compensation program (as defined in subsection (v));
				and
								;
				and
						(ii)by redesignating
			 paragraph (5) (relating to self-employment assistance program) as paragraph
			 (6).
						(2)Social Security
			 ActSection 303(a)(5) of the Social Security Act is amended by
			 striking the payment of short-time compensation under a plan approved by
			 the Secretary of Labor and inserting the payment of short-time
			 compensation under a short-time compensation program (as defined in section
			 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
				(3)Unemployment
			 Compensation Amendments of 1992Subsections (b) through (d) of
			 section 401 of the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 (26 U.S.C. 3304
			 note) are repealed.
				3.Temporary
			 financing of short-time compensation payments in States with programs in
			 law
			(a)Payments to
			 States
				(1)In
			 generalSubject to paragraph (3), there shall be paid to a State
			 an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of short-time compensation paid
			 under a short-time compensation program (as defined in section 3306(v) of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 2(a)) under the provisions
			 of the State law.
				(2)Terms of
			 paymentsPayments made to a State under paragraph (1) shall be
			 payable by way of reimbursement in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the
			 State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month,
			 reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary
			 finds that the Secretary's estimates for any prior calendar month were greater
			 or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such
			 estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other
			 method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State
			 involved.
				(3)Limitations on
			 payments
					(A)General payment
			 limitationsNo payments shall be made to a State under this
			 section for short-time compensation paid to an individual by the State during a
			 benefit year in excess of 26 times the amount of regular compensation
			 (including dependents’ allowances) under the State law payable to such
			 individual for a week of total unemployment.
					(B)Employer
			 limitationsNo payments shall be made to a State under this
			 section for benefits paid to an individual by the State under a short-time
			 compensation program if such individual is employed by an employer on a
			 seasonal, temporary, or intermittent basis.
					(b)Applicability
				(1)In
			 generalPayments to a State under subsection (a) shall be
			 available for weeks of unemployment—
					(A)beginning on or
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
					(B)ending on or
			 before the date that is 3 years and 6 months after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act.
					(2)Three-year
			 funding limitation for combined payments under this section and section
			 4States may receive payments under this section and section 4
			 with respect to a total of not more than 156 weeks.
				(c)Two-Year
			 transition period for existing programsDuring any period that
			 the transition provision under section 2(a)(3) is applicable to a State with
			 respect to a short-time compensation program, such State shall be eligible for
			 payments under this section. Subject to paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of subsection
			 (b), if at any point after the date of the enactment of this Act the State
			 enacts a State law providing for the payment of short-time compensation under a
			 short-time compensation program that meets the definition of such a program
			 under section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section
			 2(a), the State shall be eligible for payments under this section after the
			 effective date of such enactment.
			(d)Funding and
			 certifications
				(1)FundingThere
			 are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
			 such sums as may be necessary for purposes of carrying out this section.
				(2)CertificationsThe
			 Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for
			 payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this section.
				(e)DefinitionsIn
			 this section:
				(1)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor.
				(2)State; State
			 agency; State lawThe terms State, State
			 agency, and State law have the meanings given those
			 terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation
			 Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
				4.Temporary
			 financing of short-time compensation agreements
			(a)Federal-State
			 agreements
				(1)In
			 generalAny State which desires to do so may enter into, and
			 participate in, an agreement under this section with the Secretary provided
			 that such State's law does not provide for the payment of short-time
			 compensation under a short-time compensation program (as defined in section
			 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 2(a)).
				(2)Ability to
			 terminateAny State which is a party to an agreement under this
			 section may, upon providing 30 days’ written notice to the Secretary, terminate
			 such agreement.
				(b)Provisions of
			 Federal-State agreement
				(1)In
			 generalAny agreement under this section shall provide that the
			 State agency of the State will make payments of short-time compensation under a
			 plan approved by the State. Such plan shall provide that payments are made in
			 accordance with the requirements under section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986, as added by section 2(a).
				(2)Limitations on
			 plans
					(A)General payment
			 limitationsA short-time compensation plan approved by a State
			 shall not permit the payment of short-time compensation to an individual by the
			 State during a benefit year in excess of 26 times the amount of regular
			 compensation (including dependents’ allowances) under the State law payable to
			 such individual for a week of total unemployment.
					(B)Employer
			 limitationsA short-time compensation plan approved by a State
			 shall not provide payments to an individual if such individual is employed by
			 an employer on a seasonal, temporary, or intermittent basis.
					(3)Employer payment
			 of costsAny short-time compensation plan entered into by an
			 employer must provide that the employer will pay the State an amount equal to
			 one-half of the amount of short-time compensation paid under such plan. Such
			 amount shall be deposited in the State’s unemployment fund and shall not be
			 used for purposes of calculating an employer’s contribution rate under section
			 3303(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
				(c)Payments to
			 States
				(1)In
			 generalThere shall be paid to each State with an agreement under
			 this section an amount equal to—
					(A)one-half of the
			 amount of short-time compensation paid to individuals by the State pursuant to
			 such agreement; and
					(B)any additional
			 administrative expenses incurred by the State by reason of such agreement (as
			 determined by the Secretary).
					(2)Terms of
			 paymentsPayments made to a State under paragraph (1) shall be
			 payable by way of reimbursement in such amounts as the Secretary estimates the
			 State will be entitled to receive under this section for each calendar month,
			 reduced or increased, as the case may be, by any amount by which the Secretary
			 finds that the Secretary's estimates for any prior calendar month were greater
			 or less than the amounts which should have been paid to the State. Such
			 estimates may be made on the basis of such statistical, sampling, or other
			 method as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State agency of the State
			 involved.
				(3)FundingThere
			 are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
			 such sums as may be necessary for purposes of carrying out this section.
				(4)CertificationsThe
			 Secretary shall from time to time certify to the Secretary of the Treasury for
			 payment to each State the sums payable to such State under this section.
				(d)Applicability
				(1)In
			 generalAn agreement entered into under this section shall apply
			 to weeks of unemployment—
					(A)beginning on or
			 after the date on which such agreement is entered into; and
					(B)ending on or
			 before the date that is 2 years and 13 weeks after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act.
					(2)Two-year funding
			 limitationStates may receive payments under this section with
			 respect to a total of not more than 104 weeks.
				(e)Special
			 ruleIf a State has entered into an agreement under this section
			 and subsequently enacts a State law providing for the payment of short-time
			 compensation under a short-time compensation program that meets the definition
			 of such a program under section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
			 as added by section 2(a), the State—
				(1)shall not be
			 eligible for payments under this section for weeks of unemployment beginning
			 after the effective date of such State law; and
				(2)subject to
			 paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of section 3(b), shall be eligible to receive
			 payments under section 3 after the effective date of such State law.
				(f)DefinitionsIn
			 this section:
				(1)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor.
				(2)State; State
			 agency; State lawThe terms State, State
			 agency, and State law have the meanings given those
			 terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation
			 Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
				5.Grants for
			 short-time compensation programs
			(a)Grants
				(1)For
			 implementation or improved administrationThe Secretary shall
			 award grants to States that enact short-time compensation programs (as defined
			 in subsection (i)(2)) for the purpose of implementation or improved
			 administration of such programs.
				(2)For promotion
			 and enrollmentThe Secretary shall award grants to States that
			 are eligible and submit plans for a grant under paragraph (1) for such States
			 to promote and enroll employers in short-time compensation programs (as so
			 defined).
				(3)Eligibility
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall determine eligibility criteria for
			 the grants under paragraph (1) and (2).
					(B)ClarificationA
			 State administering a short-time compensation program, including a program
			 being administered by a State that is participating in the transition under the
			 provisions of sections 2(a)(3) and 3(c), that does not meet the definition of a
			 short-time compensation program under section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 (as added by 2(a)), and a State with an agreement under section 4,
			 shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this section until such time as
			 the State law of the State provides for payments under a short-time
			 compensation program that meets such definition and such law.
					(b)Amount of
			 grants
				(1)In
			 generalThe maximum amount available for making grants to a State
			 under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be equal to the amount obtained by
			 multiplying $700,000,000 (less the amount used by the Secretary under
			 subsection (e)) by the same ratio as would apply under subsection (a)(2)(B) of
			 section 903 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103) for purposes of
			 determining such State's share of any excess amount (as described in subsection
			 (a)(1) of such section) that would have been subject to transfer to State
			 accounts, as of October 1, 2010, under the provisions of subsection (a) of such
			 section.
				(2)Amount available
			 for different grantsOf the maximum incentive payment determined
			 under paragraph (1) with respect to a State—
					(A)one-third shall be
			 available for a grant under subsection (a)(1); and
					(B)two-thirds shall
			 be available for a grant under subsection (a)(2).
					(c)Grant
			 application and disbursal
				(1)ApplicationAny
			 State seeking a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall submit
			 an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and complete with
			 such information as the Secretary may require. In no case may the Secretary
			 award a grant under this section with respect to an application that is
			 submitted after December 31, 2014.
				(2)NoticeThe
			 Secretary shall, within 30 days after receiving a complete application, notify
			 the State agency of the State of the Secretary's findings with respect to the
			 requirements for a grant under paragraph (1) or (2) (or both) of subsection
			 (a).
				(3)CertificationIf
			 the Secretary finds that the State law provisions meet the requirements for a
			 grant under subsection (a), the Secretary shall thereupon make a certification
			 to that effect to the Secretary of the Treasury, together with a certification
			 as to the amount of the grant payment to be transferred to the State account in
			 the Unemployment Trust Fund (as established in section 904(a) of the Social
			 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1104(a))) pursuant to that finding. The Secretary of
			 the Treasury shall make the appropriate transfer to the State account within 7
			 days after receiving such certification.
				(4)RequirementNo
			 certification of compliance with the requirements for a grant under paragraph
			 (1) or (2) of subsection (a) may be made with respect to any State
			 whose—
					(A)State law is not
			 otherwise eligible for certification under section 303 of the Social Security
			 Act (42 U.S.C. 503) or approvable under section 3304 of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986; or
					(B)short-time
			 compensation program is subject to discontinuation or is not scheduled to take
			 effect within 12 months of the certification.
					(d)Use of
			 fundsThe amount of any grant awarded under this section shall be
			 used for the implementation of short-time compensation programs and the overall
			 administration of such programs and the promotion and enrollment efforts
			 associated with such programs, such as through—
				(1)the creation or
			 support of rapid response teams to advise employers about alternatives to
			 layoffs;
				(2)the provision of
			 education or assistance to employers to enable them to assess the feasibility
			 of participating in short-time compensation programs; and
				(3)the development or
			 enhancement of systems to automate—
					(A)the submission and
			 approval of plans; and
					(B)the filing and
			 approval of new and ongoing short-time compensation claims.
					(e)AdministrationThe
			 Secretary is authorized to use 0.25 percent of the funds available under
			 subsection (g) to provide for outreach and to share best practices with respect
			 to this section and short-time compensation programs.
			(f)RecoupmentThe
			 Secretary shall establish a process under which the Secretary shall recoup the
			 amount of any grant awarded under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) if the
			 Secretary determines that, during the 5-year period beginning on the first date
			 that any such grant is awarded to the State, the State—
				(1)terminated the
			 State's short-time compensation program; or
				(2)failed to meet
			 appropriate requirements with respect to such program (as established by the
			 Secretary).
				(g)FundingThere
			 are appropriated, out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to
			 the Secretary, $700,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available
			 without fiscal year limitation.
			(h)ReportingThe
			 Secretary may establish reporting requirements for States receiving a grant
			 under this section in order to provide oversight of grant funds.
			(i)DefinitionsIn
			 this section:
				(1)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor.
				(2)Short-time
			 compensation programThe term short-time compensation
			 program has the meaning given such term in section 3306(v) of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 2(a).
				(3)State; State
			 agency; State lawThe terms State, State
			 agency, and State law have the meanings given those
			 terms in section 205 of the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation
			 Act of 1970 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note).
				6.Assistance and
			 guidance in implementing programs
			(a)In
			 generalIn order to assist
			 States in establishing, qualifying, and implementing short-time compensation
			 programs (as defined in section 3306(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
			 as added by section 2(a)), the Secretary of Labor (in this section referred to
			 as the Secretary) shall—
				(1)develop model
			 legislative language which may be used by States in developing and enacting
			 such programs and periodically review and revise such model legislative
			 language;
				(2)provide technical
			 assistance and guidance in developing, enacting, and implementing such
			 programs;
				(3)establish
			 reporting requirements for States, including reporting on—
					(A)the number of
			 estimated averted layoffs;
					(B)the number of
			 participating employers and workers; and
					(C)such other items
			 as the Secretary of Labor determines are appropriate.
					(b)Model language
			 and guidanceThe model language and guidance developed under
			 subsection (a) shall allow sufficient flexibility by States and participating
			 employers while ensuring accountability and program integrity.
			(c)ConsultationIn
			 developing the model legislative language and guidance under subsection (a),
			 and in order to meet the requirements of subsection (b), the Secretary shall
			 consult with employers, labor organizations, State workforce agencies, and
			 other program experts.”
			7.Reports
			(a)Initial
			 report
				(1)In
			 generalNot later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to Congress and to the President
			 a report or reports on the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
				(2)RequirementsAny
			 report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
					(A)A description of
			 best practices by States and employers in the administration, promotion, and
			 use of short-time compensation programs (as defined in section 3306(v) of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 2(a)).
					(B)An analysis of the
			 significant challenges to State enactment and implementation of short-time
			 compensation programs.
					(C)A survey of
			 employers in States that have not enacted a short-time compensation program or
			 entered into an agreement with the Secretary on a short-time compensation plan
			 to determine the level of interest among such employers in participating in
			 short-time compensation programs.
					(D)Other matters
			 related to the implementation of the provisions of this Act as the Secretary of
			 Labor determines appropriate.
					(b)Subsequent
			 reportsAfter the submission of the report under subsection (a),
			 the Secretary of Labor may submit such additional reports on the implementation
			 of short-time compensation programs as the Secretary deems appropriate.
			(c)FundingThere
			 are appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
			 to the Secretary of Labor, $1,500,000 to carry out this section, to remain
			 available without fiscal year limitation.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4445
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 19, 2012
			Mr. Coble introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on certain
		  acrylic staple fibers.

		1.Certain acrylic staple
			 fibers
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.40.04 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to certain
			 acrylic staple fibers) is amended by striking the date in the effective period
			 column and inserting 12/31/2015.
			(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.


117 HR 2899 IH: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-28
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. 2899IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 28, 2021Mr. San Nicolas (for himself and Mr. Case) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
1.The Guam National Heritage Area Study
(a)Study
(1)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with appropriate regional and local organizations or agencies, shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study areas as National Heritage Areas. (2)RequirementsThe study shall include analysis, documentation, and determinations on whether the study areas—
(A)has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural resources that— (i)represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the United States;
(ii)are worthy of recognition, conservation, interpretation, and continuing use by residents and visitors; and (iii)would be best managed—
(I)through partnerships among public and private entities; and (II)by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous resources and active communities that share a common heritage;
(B)reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife that are a valuable part of the story of the United States; (C)provides—
(i)outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, historic, cultural, or scenic features; and (ii)outstanding recreational and educational and cultural tourism opportunities;
(D)contains resources that— (i)are important to any identified themes of the study area; and
(ii)retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting interpretation; (E)includes residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, including museums and heritage organizations, and State and local governments that—
(i)are involved in the planning of the National Heritage Area; (ii)have developed a conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all participants in the Area, including the Federal Government; and
(iii)have demonstrated support for the designation of the Area; (F)has a potential management entity to work in partnership with the individuals and entities described in subparagraph (E) to develop the Area while encouraging State and local economic activity; and
(G)has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the public. (b)Private property considerationsIn conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider the potential impact that designation of the study area as a national heritage area would have on private property on Guam.
(c)ReportNot later than the end of the third fiscal year after the date on which funds are first made available for this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes— (1)the findings of the study; and
(2)any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary. (d)DefinitionsIn this section:
(1)AreaThe term Area means a National Heritage Area located in Guam. (2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(3)Study areaThe term study area means the island of Guam.


116 HR 6950 IH: Generating Artificial Intelligence Networking Security Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-05-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
116th CONGRESS2d Session
H. R. 6950
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 19, 2020
Mrs. Rodgers of Washington introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign 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 require the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on artificial intelligence, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Generating Artificial Intelligence Networking Security Act or the GAINS Act. 2.Artificial intelligence study (a)In general (1)Study requiredNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission, in coordination with the head of any other appropriate Federal agency, shall conduct a study on the impact of artificial intelligence, including machine learning, on United States businesses conducting interstate commerce.
(2)Requirements for studyIn conducting the study, the Secretary and the Commission shall do the following: (A)Conduct a survey of artificial intelligence through outreach to participating entities to—
(i)establish a list of industry sectors that develop and use artificial intelligence; (ii)establish a list of public-private partnerships focused on promoting the adoption and use of artificial intelligence;
(iii)provide a description of the ways industry sectors develop, use, or promote the use of artificial intelligence; and (iv)provide a description of the advantages of the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, as well as identify any concerns the use of such technology may present.
(B)Conduct a survey of Federal activity relating to artificial intelligence to— (i)establish a comprehensive list of Federal agencies asserting jurisdiction over entities and industry sectors identified under subparagraph (A)(i);
(ii)identify all interagency activities related to artificial intelligence; (iii)develop a brief description of the jurisdiction and expertise of the Federal agencies as it relates to artificial intelligence; and
(iv)identify each Federal rule, regulation, guideline, policy, and other Federal activity implemented by a Federal agency related to artificial intelligence. (C)Determine whether and how each Federal agency asserting jurisdiction over artificial intelligence is—
(i)reducing barriers to business adoption and use of artificial intelligence; (ii)considering any cybersecurity and consumer protection risks related to the use of artificial intelligence; and
(iii)developing and implementing plans that promote the expeditious adoption of artificial intelligence to protect the advantage of business sectors of the United States in artificial intelligence. (D)Conduct an international survey of other countries to establish a compendium of at least 10 and not more than 15 countries consisting of each country’s national strategy on artificial intelligence to determine where the United States ranks with respect to the adoption of artificial intelligence.
(E)Conduct a survey of the marketplace and supply chain of artificial intelligence to— (i)assess the severity of risks posed to such marketplace and supply chain;
(ii)review the ability of foreign governments or third parties to exploit the supply chain in a manner that raises risks to the economic and national security of the United States; and (iii)identify emerging risks and long-term trends in such marketplace and supply chain.
(b)Report to CongressNot later than 6 months after the completion of the study required pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary and the Commission, in coordination with any other appropriate Federal agency, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that contains— (1)the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a); and
(2)recommendations to— (A)address any duplicative Federal rule, regulation, guideline, policy, and other Federal activity acting as a barrier to the adoption and use of artificial intelligence;
(B)ensure any such Federal rule, regulation, guideline, policy, and other Federal activity is flexible for different industries and applications; (C)develop a national strategy to advance the position in the world of business sectors in the United States on the adoption of artificial intelligence;
(D)develop strategies to mitigate current and emerging risks to the marketplace and supply chain of artificial intelligence; and (E)develop legislation that may advance the expeditious adoption of artificial intelligence.


114 HR 3569 IH: Good Neighbor Gun Dealer Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-09-18
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
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3569
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 18, 2015
			Mr. Gallego (for himself, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To require the Attorney General to establish a Good Neighbor code of conduct for federally licensed firearms dealers, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Good Neighbor Gun Dealer Act. 2.Good Neighbor code of conduct for gun dealers (a)EstablishmentThe Attorney General shall establish a voluntary code of conduct for licensed dealers (which shall be known as the Good Neighbor Code of Conduct) that shall urge licensed dealers, at a minimum, to—
 (1)take such steps as the Attorney General specifies in the code of conduct to— (A)prevent the dealer from selling a firearm to a straw purchaser, gun trafficker, criminal, or other individual prohibited by law from purchasing a firearm; and
 (B)maintain a well-trained, responsible, law-abiding workforce; (2)implement a safety plan to detect and deter firearm theft from the licensed dealer;
 (3)cooperate fully with all law enforcement investigations, and notify law enforcement of suspected straw purchasers of firearms; and
 (4)ensure that a background check is completed before the sale of any firearm. (b)PublicationWithin 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall cause to be published on the website of the Department of Justice the code of conduct established under subsection (a).
			3.Good Neighbor certification for gun dealers
 (a)CreationThe Attorney General shall create a Good Neighbor certification for licensed dealers who agree to abide by the code of conduct established under section 2.
 (b)Report to the CongressWithin 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall report to the Congress on the process for awarding the certification created under subsection (a).
 (c)RevocationThe Attorney General, in the sole discretion of the Attorney General, may revoke a certification granted under this section, for failure to abide by the code of conduct established under section 2.
 (d)PublicationThe Attorney General shall cause to be published on the website of the Department of Justice a full list of licensed dealers to whom a Good Neighbor certification has been granted under this section, and shall provide that list to the Congress annually.
 4.Disclosure of firearm trace dataNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Attorney General may disclose firearms trace data to the public, to the extent that doing so will not undermine an investigation or, in the judgement of the Attorney General, otherwise compromise the efforts of law enforcement or public safety.
 5.Strategic planWithin 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a strategic plan detailing the efforts to be made by the Attorney General to—
 (1)improve the accuracy, reliability and comprehensiveness of firearms trace data; (2)enhance the identification of licensed dealers who have transferred firearms that have been disproportionately used in the commission of crime; and
 (3)increase enforcement against violations of Federal law by licensed dealers. 6.Definition of licensed dealerIn this Act, the term licensed dealer has the meaning given in section 921(a)(11) of title 18, United States Code.


		III
		Calendar No. 17
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 63
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 31, 2007
			Mrs. Feinstein, from the
			 Committee on Rules and
			 Administration, reported the following original resolution;
			 which was placed on the calendar

		RESOLUTION
		Authorizing expenditures by the Committee
		  on Rules and Administration.

		That in carrying out its powers, duties,
			 and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
			 jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
			 reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs
			 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on
			 Rules and Administration is authorized from March 1, 2007, through September
			 30, 2007; October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008; and, October 1, 2008,
			 through February 28, 2009, in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the
			 contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and (3) with the prior
			 consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on
			 Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non reimbursable basis
			 the services of personnel of any such department or agency.
		2.(a)The expenses of the committee for the
			 period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007, under this resolution shall
			 not exceed $1,461,012, of which amount (1) not to exceed $30,000 may be
			 expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
			 organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
			 Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to exceed $6,000 may be
			 expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under
			 procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
			 1946).
			(b)For the period
			 October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008, expenses of the committee under
			 this resolution shall not exceed $2,561,183, of which amount (1) not to exceed
			 $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual
			 consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
			 Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to exceed
			 $10,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such
			 committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative
			 Reorganization Act of 1946).
			(c)For the period
			 October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee under
			 this resolution shall not exceed $1,087,981, of which amount (1) not to exceed
			 $21,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual
			 consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
			 Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended), and (2) not to exceed
			 $4,200 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such
			 committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative
			 Reorganization Act of 1946).
			3.The
			 committee shall report its findings, together with such recommendations for
			 legislation as it deems advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable
			 date, but not later than February 28, 2009.
		4.Expenses of the
			 committee under this resolution shall be paid from the contingent fund of the
			 Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee, except that
			 vouchers shall not be required (1) for the disbursement of salaries of
			 employees paid at an annual rate, or (2) for the payment of telecommunications
			 provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States
			 Senate, or (3) for the payment of stationery supplies purchased through the
			 Keeper of the Stationery, United States Senate, or (4) for payments to the
			 Postmaster, United States Senate, or (5) for the payment of metered charges on
			 copying equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and
			 Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or (6) for the payment of Senate Recording
			 and Photographic Services, or (7) for payment of franked and mass mail costs by
			 the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate.
		5.There are
			 authorized such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions related to
			 the compensation of employees of the committee from March 1, 2007, through
			 September 30, 2007; October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008; and October 1,
			 2008, through February 28, 2009, to be paid from the Appropriations account for
			 Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations.

		January 31, 2007
		Placed on the calendar


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3431
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 30, 2009
			Mr. Shuler (for
			 himself and Mr. Boren) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend the Clean Air Act to promote the certification
		  of aftermarket conversion systems and thereby encourage the increased use of
		  alternative fueled vehicles.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Streamline Vehicle Conversions
			 Act.
		2.Emission
			 certification requirements for aftermarket conversion systemsPart A of title II of the Clean Air Act (42
			 U.S.C. 7521 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				220.Emission
				certification requirements for aftermarket conversion systems
					(a)DefinitionsIn
				this section:
						(1)Aftermarket
				conversion systemThe term aftermarket conversion
				system has the meaning given the term in section 85.502 of title 40,
				Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this
				section).
						(2)Aftermarket
				conversion test groupThe term aftermarket conversion test
				group means a group of vehicles or engines identified pursuant to
				subsection (b)(4) for the purpose of testing aftermarket conversion
				systems.
						(b)Certificates of
				conformity
						(1)In
				generalIn the case of an aftermarket conversion system, the
				certificate of conformity issued by the Administrator for 1 or more aftermarket
				conversion test groups—
							(A)shall not expire;
				and
							(B)shall continue to
				apply in subsequent calendar years.
							(2)Subsequent
				recertificationNo recertification of an aftermarket conversion
				system shall be required with respect to the aftermarket conversion test group
				covered by the certificate.
						(3)Name
				changesThe names of test groups covered by a certificate of
				conformity described in paragraph (1) shall not change from year to
				year.
						(4)Identification
				of multiple vehicle makes, models, manufacturers, and
				standardsFor purposes of aftermarket conversion, the
				Administrator shall—
							(A)establish criteria
				for use in identifying similar vehicle makes, models, original equipment
				manufacturers, emission standards, and different model years that may be used
				under a single aftermarket conversion test group;
							(B)accept the
				aftermarket conversion test group established under subparagraph (A) on an
				aftermarket conversion system manufacturer application for a certificate of
				conformity.
							(c)Carryover
				certification for additional model yearsAt the request of an
				aftermarket conversion system manufacturer, the Administrator shall allow the
				submission of previous vehicle emission test data and on-board diagnostic II
				system test data for the certification of additional model year vehicles if the
				aftermarket conversion system manufacturer is able to demonstrate that neither
				the aftermarket conversion system nor the design and specifications of the
				applicable vehicle model are substantially different, from those identified in
				the original certificate of conformity, in a way that could affect the
				compliance of the aftermarket conversion system.
					(d)Carry-Across
				certificationThe Administrator shall promulgate regulations to
				allow an aftermarket conversion system manufacturer to use emission test data
				and on-board diagnostic II system test data generated for a single certified
				test group to serve as the basis for certifying additional test groups upon a
				showing that the additional test groups are sufficiently similar, even if
				produced by different original equipment manufacturers.
					(e)Use of assigned
				deterioration factorsA manufacturer of aftermarket conversion
				systems may use deterioration factors assigned by the Environmental Protection
				Agency without regard to any sales limits imposed on small-volume
				manufacturers.
					(f)Waiver of
				certain testing requirementsIn certifying an aftermarket
				conversion system, the Administrator shall waive any emission testing and
				nonexhaust emission testing requirements pertaining to the fuel on which the
				vehicle or engine was originally certified to run, if the aftermarket
				conversion system manufacturer is able to demonstrate that waiving the testing
				requirements is appropriate.
					(g)On-Board
				diagnostic requirementsThe Administrator shall promulgate
				regulations applicable to on-board diagnostic systems for aftermarket
				conversion systems that—
						(1)ensure that
				aftermarket conversion systems which are equipped with on-board diagnostic
				systems are effective at monitoring critical emission components;
						(2)take into account
				the inability of an aftermarket conversion system manufacturer to access
				proprietary on-board diagnostic technology of an original equipment
				manufacturer; and
						(3)are sufficiently
				flexible to encourage the increased use of alternative fueled vehicles.
						(h)Older
				vehicles
						(1)In
				generalConversion of a vehicle outside of the useful life of the
				vehicle, as specified on the certificate of conformity of the original
				equipment manufacturer, to alternative fuel operation shall not—
							(A)be considered to be
				tampering under section 203, if the aftermarket conversion system manufacturer
				or the person performing the conversion is able to demonstrate that the
				development and engineering sophistication of the conversion technology
				is—
								(i)matched to an
				appropriate vehicle or group of vehicles; and
								(ii)well-designed and
				installed in accordance with good engineering judgment so that the installation
				of the aftermarket conversion system does not degrade emission performance, as
				compared to the performance of the vehicle or vehicles before the conversion;
				or
								(B)require the
				issuance by the Administrator of any certificate of conformity.
							(2)LabelUpon
				conversion of a vehicle described in paragraph (1), the person performing the
				conversion shall affix to the motor vehicle a label that includes a statement
				that—
							(A)the vehicle has
				been equipped with an aftermarket conversion system; and
							(B)the installation of
				that system occurred outside of the useful life of the vehicle.
							(3)No preclusion of
				ordersNothing in this section precludes the Administrator from
				issuing an order to prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, or
				installation of an aftermarket conversion system if the Administrator has
				evidence that the installation of the aftermarket conversion system on a
				vehicle outside of the useful life of the vehicle degrades emission
				performance.
						.


116 S2538 IS: National Patient Identifier Repeal Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-09-24
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. 2538
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 24, 2019
			Mr. Paul introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to repeal the requirement for unique health
			 identifiers.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the National Patient Identifier Repeal Act of 2019.
 2.Repeal of requirement for unique health identifiersSection 1173(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2(b)) is repealed.


116 HR 1522 IH: Congressional and Executive Foreign Lobbying Ban Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-03-05
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. 1522IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 5, 2019Mr. Gallagher introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to prohibit certain individuals from service
			 as an agent of a foreign principal, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Congressional and Executive Foreign Lobbying Ban Act. 2.Prohibiting certain individuals from acting as agents of foreign principals (a)Former Members of Congress; general or flag officers of armed forces (1)Prohibiting registration as agentThe Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.) is amended—
 (A)by redesignating sections 12 through 14 as sections 13 through 15; and (B)by inserting after section 11 the following new section:

							12.Prohibiting registration of certain individuals
 (a)ProhibitionNo individual may register under this Act or otherwise serve as the agent of a foreign principal if the individual at any time served as a Member of Congress, as a senior political appointee, or as a general or flag officer of the armed forces.
 (b)DefinitionsIn this section— (1)the term Member of Congress means a Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress; and
 (2)the term senior political appointee— (A)means—
 (i)any individual occupying a full-time senior position and who is appointed by the President or the Vice President;
 (ii)any noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service (or other SES-type system); and (iii)any appointee to a position, at or above the level of a noncareer member of the Senior Executive Service, that has been excepted from the competitive service by reason of being of a confidential or policymaking character (schedule C and other positions excepted under comparable criteria) in an executive agency; and
 (B)does not include any individual appointed as a member of the Senior Foreign Service or, except for a general or flag officer of the armed forces, solely as a uniformed service commissioned officer..
 (2)Other representation of foreign entitiesSection 207(f)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after within 1 year the following: (or, in the case of a person who is subject to any of such restrictions and who is a Member of Congress, a senior political appointee (as that term is defined in section 12 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.)), or a general or flag officer of the armed forces, at any time).
 (b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any individual whose service as a Member of Congress or as a general or flag officer of the armed forces terminates on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 S481 IS: Democracy Restoration Act of 2021
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. 481IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 25, 2021Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Warner, Mr. Booker, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Warren, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Smith, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Markey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Casey, Mr. Brown, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Bennet) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo secure the Federal voting rights of persons when released from incarceration.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Democracy Restoration Act of 2021.2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:(1)The right to vote is the most basic constitutive act of citizenship. Regaining the right to vote reintegrates individuals with criminal convictions into free society, helping to enhance public safety.(2)Article I, section 4, of the Constitution grants Congress ultimate supervisory power over Federal elections, an authority which has repeatedly been upheld by the United States Supreme Court.(3)Basic constitutional principles of fairness and equal protection require an equal opportunity for citizens of the United States to vote in Federal elections. The right to vote may not be abridged or denied by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, gender, or previous condition of servitude. The 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments to the Constitution empower Congress to enact measures to protect the right to vote in Federal elections. The 8th Amendment to the Constitution provides for no excessive bail to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.(4)There are 3 areas in which discrepancies in State laws regarding criminal convictions lead to unfairness in Federal elections—(A)the lack of a uniform standard for voting in Federal elections leads to an unfair disparity and unequal participation in Federal elections based solely on where a person lives;(B)laws governing the restoration of voting rights after a criminal conviction vary throughout the country and persons in some States can easily regain their voting rights while in other States persons effectively lose their right to vote permanently; and(C)State disenfranchisement laws disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.(5)State disenfranchisement laws vary widely. Two States (Maine and Vermont) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico do not disenfranchise individuals with criminal convictions at all. In 2020, the District of Columbia re-enfranchised its citizens who are under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 30 States, individuals with convictions may not vote while they are on parole and 28 of those States disenfranchise individuals on felony probation as well. In 11 States, a conviction can result in lifetime disenfranchisement.(6)Several States deny the right to vote to individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors.(7)In 2020, an estimated 5,200,000 citizens of the United States, or about 1 in 44 adults in the United States, could not vote as a result of a felony conviction. Of the 5,200,000 citizens barred from voting then, only 24 percent were in prison. By contrast, 75 percent of persons disenfranchised then resided in their communities while on probation or parole or after having completed their sentences. Approximately 2,200,000 citizens who had completed their sentences were disenfranchised due to restrictive State laws. As of November 2018, the lifetime ban for persons with certain felony convictions was eliminated through a Florida ballot initiative. As a result, as many as 1,400,000 people are now eligible to have their voting rights restored. In 4 States—Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee—more than 7 percent of the total population is disenfranchised.(8)In those States that disenfranchise individuals post-sentence, the right to vote can be regained in theory, but in practice this possibility is often granted in a non-uniform and potentially discriminatory manner. Disenfranchised individuals sometimes must either obtain a pardon or an order from the Governor or an action by the parole or pardon board, depending on the offense and State. Individuals convicted of a Federal offense often have additional barriers to regaining voting rights.(9)State disenfranchisement laws disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities. In recent years, African Americans have been imprisoned at over 5 times the rate of Whites. More than 6 percent of the voting-age African-American population, or 1,800,000 African Americans, are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. In 9 States—Alabama (16 percent), Arizona (13 percent), Florida (15 percent), Kentucky (15 percent), Mississippi (16 percent), South Dakota (14 percent), Tennessee (21 percent), Virginia (16 percent), and Wyoming (36 percent)—more than 1 in 8 African Americans are unable to vote because of a felony conviction, twice the national average for African Americans.(10)Latino citizens are also disproportionately disenfranchised based upon their disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system. In recent years, Latinos have been imprisoned at 2.5 times the rate of Whites. More than 2 percent of the voting-age Latino population, or 560,000 Latinos, are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. In 34 States Latinos are disenfranchised at a higher rate than the general population. In 11 States 4 percent or more of Latino adults are disenfranchised due to a felony conviction (Alabama, 4 percent; Arizona, 7 percent; Arkansas, 4 percent; Idaho, 4 percent; Iowa, 4 percent; Kentucky, 6 percent; Minnesota, 4 percent; Mississippi, 5 percent; Nebraska, 6 percent; Tennessee, 11 percent, Wyoming, 4 percent), twice the national average for Latinos. (11)Disenfranchising citizens who have been convicted of a criminal offense and who are living and working in the community serves no compelling State interest and hinders their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.(12)State disenfranchisement laws can suppress electoral participation among eligible voters by discouraging voting among family and community members of disenfranchised persons. Future electoral participation by the children of disenfranchised parents may be impacted as well.(13)The United States is one of the only Western democracies that permits the permanent denial of voting rights for individuals with felony convictions.3.Rights of
 citizensThe right of an individual who is a citizen of the United States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility at the time of the election.4.Enforcement(a)Attorney
 generalThe Attorney General may, in a civil action, obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy a violation of this Act.(b)Private right of
			 action(1)In
 generalA person who is aggrieved by a violation of this Act may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the State involved.(2)ReliefExcept as provided in paragraph (3), if the violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.(3)ExceptionIf the violation occurred within 30 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the State under paragraph (1) before bringing a civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.5.Notification of
			 restoration of voting rights(a)State
 notification(1)NotificationOn the date determined under paragraph (2), each State shall notify in writing any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under the law of that State that such individual has the right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy Restoration Act of 2021 and may register to vote in any such election and provide such individuals with any materials that are necessary to register to vote in any such election.(2)Date of
			 notification(A)Felony
 convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which the individual—(i)is sentenced to serve only a term of probation; or(ii)is released from the custody of that State (other than to the custody of another State or the Federal Government to serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction).(B)Misdemeanor
 convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a State court.(b)Federal
 notification(1)NotificationAny individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under Federal law shall be notified in accordance with paragraph (2) that such individual has the right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy Restoration Act of 2021 and may register to vote in any such election.(2)Date of
			 notification(A)Felony
 convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given—(i)in the case of an individual who is sentenced to serve only a term of probation, by the Assistant Director for the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the date on which the individual is sentenced; or(ii)in the case of any individual committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, during the period beginning on the date that is 6 months before such individual is released and ending on the date such individual is released from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.(B)Misdemeanor
 convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a court established by an Act of Congress.6.DefinitionsFor purposes of this Act:(1)Correctional institution or facilityThe term correctional institution or facility means any prison, penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term does not include any residential community treatment center (or similar public or private facility).(2)ElectionThe term election means—(A)a general, special, primary, or runoff election;(B)a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate;(C)a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party; or(D)a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons for election to the office of President.(3)Federal
 officeThe term Federal office means the office of President or Vice President of the United States, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.(4)ProbationThe term probation means probation, imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without a condition on the individual involved concerning—(A)the individual’s freedom of movement;(B)the payment of damages by the individual;(C)periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of the court; or(D)supervision of the individual by an officer of the court.7.Relation to other
			 laws(a)State laws
 relating to voting rightsNothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the States from enacting any State law which affords the right to vote in any election for Federal office on terms less restrictive than those established by this Act.(b)Certain Federal
 ActsThe rights and remedies established by this Act are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and neither rights and remedies established by this Act shall supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. 20501), or the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.).8.Federal prison
 fundsNo State, unit of local government, or other person may receive or use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, jail, or other place of incarceration, any Federal funds unless that State, unit of local government, or person—(1)is in compliance with section 3; and(2)has in effect a program under which each individual incarcerated in that person’s jurisdiction who is a citizen of the United States is notified, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual’s rights under section 3.9.Effective
 dateThis Act shall apply to citizens of the United States voting in any election for Federal office held on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 HR 5876 IH: Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-07-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5876IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 14, 2016Mr. Quigley (for himself, Mr. Brat, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Honda, Mr. Yarmuth, Ms. Slaughter, and Mr. Kind) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo require the Director of the Government Publishing Office to establish and maintain a website
			 accessible to the public that allows the public to obtain electronic
			 copies of all congressionally mandated reports in one place, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act. 2.Establishment of website for congressionally mandated reports (a)Requirement To establish websiteNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Government Publishing Office shall establish and maintain a website accessible by the public that allows the public to obtain electronic copies of all congressionally mandated reports in one place. The Director of the Government Publishing Office may publish other reports on such website.
 (b)Content and functionThe Director of the Government Publishing Office shall ensure that the website required under subsection (a) includes the following:
 (1)With respect to each congressionally mandated report, each of the following: (A)A citation to the statute or conference report requiring the report.
 (B)An electronic copy of the report, including any transmittal letter associated with the report, in an open format that is platform independent and that is available to the public without restrictions, including restrictions that would impede the re-use of the information in the report.
 (C)The ability to retrieve a report, to the extent practicable, through searches based on each, and any combination, of the following:
 (i)The title of the report. (ii)The reporting Federal agency.
 (iii)The date of publication. (iv)Each congressional committee receiving the report, if applicable.
 (v)Subject tags. (vi)The serial number, Superintendent of Documents number, or other identification number for the report, if applicable.
 (vii)The statute or conference report requiring the report. (viii)Key words.
 (ix)Full text search. (x)Any other relevant information specified by the Director of the Government Publishing Office.
 (D)The time and date when the report was required to be submitted, and when the report was submitted, to the website.
 (E)Access to the report not later than 30 calendar days after its submission to Congress. (F)To the extent practicable, a permanent means of accessing the report electronically.
 (2)A means for bulk download of all congressionally mandated reports or a selection of reports retrieved using a search.
 (3)A means for the head of each Federal agency to publish on the website each congressionally mandated report of the agency, as required by section 3.
 (4)A list form for all congressionally mandated reports that can be searched, sorted, and downloaded by—
 (A)reports submitted within the required time; (B)reports submitted after the date on which such reports were required to be submitted; and
 (C)reports not submitted. (c)Free accessThe Director of the Government Publishing Office may not charge a fee, require registration, or impose any other limitation in exchange for access to the website required under subsection (a).
 (d)Upgrade capabilityThe website required under subsection (a) shall be enhanced and updated as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
			3.Federal agency responsibilities
 (a)Submission of electronic copies of reportsThe head of each Federal agency shall publish congressionally mandated reports of the agency on the website required under section 2(a)—
 (1)in an open format that is platform independent, machine readable, and available to the public without restrictions (except the redaction of information described under section 5), including restrictions that would impede the re-use of the information in the reports; and
 (2)in accordance with the guidance issued under subsection (c). (b)Submission of additional informationThe head of each Federal agency shall submit to the Director of the Government Publishing Office the information required under subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 2(b)(1) with respect to each congressionally mandated report published pursuant to subsection (a).
 (c)GuidanceNot later than eight months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Director of the Government Publishing Office, shall issue guidance to agencies on the implementation of this Act.
 4.Removing and altering reportsA report submitted to be published to the website required under section 2(a) may only be changed or removed, with the exception of technical changes, by the head of the Federal agency concerned with the express, written consent of the chairman of each congressional committee to which the report is submitted.
		5.Relationship to the Freedom of Information Act
 (a)In generalNothing in this Act shall be construed to require the disclosure of information or records that are exempt from public disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, or to impose any affirmative duty on the Director of the Government Publishing Office to review congressionally mandated reports submitted for publication to the website established under section 2(a) for the purpose of identifying and redacting such information or records.
 (b)Redaction of reportWith respect to each congressionally mandated report, the relevant head of each Federal agency shall redact any information that may not be publicly released under section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code, before submission for publication on the website established under section 2(a), and shall—
 (1)redact only such information from the report; (2)identify where any such redaction is made in the report; and
 (3)identify the exemption under which each such redaction is made. (c)Withholding information (1)In generalA Federal agency—
 (A)may withhold information otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to this Act only if— (i)the Federal agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption described in section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code; or
 (ii)disclosure is prohibited by law; and (B)shall—
 (i)consider whether partial disclosure of information is possible whenever the Federal agency determines that a full disclosure of a requested record is not possible; and
 (ii)take reasonable steps necessary to segregate and release nonexempt information. (2)Rule of constructionNothing in this subsection requires disclosure of information that is otherwise prohibited from disclosure by law, or otherwise exempted from disclosure under section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code.
 6.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Congressionally mandated reportThe term congressionally mandated report means a report that is required to be submitted to either House of Congress or any committee of Congress by statute or by a conference report that accompanies legislation enacted into law.
 (2)Federal agencyThe term Federal agency has the meaning given that term under section 102 of title 40, United States Code, but does not include the Government Accountability Office.
 7.ImplementationExcept as provided in section 3(c), this Act shall be implemented not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to congressionally mandated reports submitted to Congress on or after the date occurring one year after such date of enactment.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 292
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 21, 2009
			Mr. Specter (for
			 himself, Mr. Vitter,
			 Mr. Inhofe, Mr.
			 Isakson, Mr. Voinovich,
			 Mr. Roberts, and
			 Mr. Chambliss) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To repeal the imposition of withholding on certain
		  payments made to vendors by government entities.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Withholding Tax Relief Act of
			 2009.
		2.Repeal of imposition
			 of withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government
			 entitiesThe amendment made by
			 section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 is
			 repealed and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such
			 amendment had never been enacted.


115 HR 1780 IH: Senior Accessible Housing Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-29
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1780IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 29, 2017Mr. Crist (for himself, Mr. Poliquin, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Donovan, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Moore, Ms. Norton, Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Butterfield, and Mr. Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit to seniors who install
			 modifications on their residences that would enable them to age in place,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Senior Accessible Housing Act. 2.Home Modification Credit for Seniors (a)In generalSubpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25D the following:

					25E.Home Modification Credit for Seniors
 (a)Allowance of CreditIn the case of a qualified individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of all qualified expenditures made by the taxpayer with respect to a qualified residence during such year.
 (b)Lifetime LimitationThe amount allowed as a credit under subsection (a) with respect to the taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of— (1)$30,000, over
 (2)the aggregate amount allowed as a credit under subsection (a) to such taxpayer for all prior taxable years. (c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—
 (1)Qualified individualThe term qualified individual means an individual who has attained 60 years of age. (2)Qualified expenditureThe term qualified expenditure means an expenditure for any of the following modifications installed on a qualified residence:
 (A)The installation of entrance and exit ramps. (B)The widening of doorways.
 (C)The installation of handrails or grab bars. (D)The installation of non-slip flooring.
 (E)A modification that is included in a list established and maintained in accordance with subsection (d)(2). (3)Qualified residenceThe term qualified residence has the meaning given that term in section 163(h)(4)(A).
							(d)Special Rules
 (1)Labor costsExpenditures for labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of a modification described under subsection (c)(2) and for piping or wiring to interconnect such modification to the dwelling unit shall be taken into account for purposes of this section.
 (2)List of modificationsThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and after receiving the input of members of the public (including seniors groups, health organizations, and social services organizations), shall establish and maintain a list of any modification that, if installed on a residence of a qualified individual, would enhance the ability of such individual to remain living safely, independently, and comfortably in such residence.
							(3)When expenditure made
 (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), a qualified expenditure shall be treated as made when the original installation of the modification is completed.
 (B)Expenditures as part of building constructionIn the case of a qualified expenditure in connection with the construction or reconstruction of a structure, such expenditure shall be treated as made when the original use of the constructed or reconstructed structure by the taxpayer begins.
 (e)Basis AdjustmentsFor purposes of this subtitle, if a credit is allowed under this section for any expenditure with respect to any property, the increase in the basis of such property which would (but for this subsection) result from such expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of the credit so allowed..
 (b)Conforming amendmentSection 1016(a) of such Code is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (35) through (37) as paragraphs (36) through (38), respectively; and
 (2)by inserting after paragraph (34) the following new paragraph:  (35)to the extent provided in section 25E(e), in the case of amounts with respect to which a credit has been allowed under section 25E,.
 (c)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item:

						Sec. 25E. Home Modification Credit for Seniors..
 (d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.


		III

		109th CONGRESS

		2d Session

		S. RES. 446

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 26, 2006

			Mr. Feingold (for

			 himself and Mr. Kohl) submitted the

			 following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION

		Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the

		  Crop Science Society of America.

		Whereas the Crop Science Society of America was founded in

			 1955, with Gerald O. Mott as its first President;

		Whereas the Crop Science Society of America is one of the

			 premier scientific societies in the world, as shown by its world-class

			 journals, international and regional meetings, and development of a broad range

			 of educational opportunities;

		Whereas the science and scholarship of the Crop Science

			 Society of America are mission-directed, with the goal of addressing

			 agricultural challenges facing humanity;

		Whereas the Crop Science Society of America significantly

			 contributes to the scientific and technical knowledge necessary to protect and

			 sustain natural resources on all land in the United States;

		Whereas the Crop Science Society plays a key role

			 internationally in developing sustainable agricultural management and

			 biodiversity conservation for the protection and sound management of the crop

			 resources of the world;

		Whereas the mission of the Crop Science Society of America

			 continues to expand, from the development of sustainable production of food and

			 forage, to the production of renewable energy and novel industrial

			 products;

		Whereas, in industry, extension, and basic research, the

			 Crop Science Society of America has fostered a dedicated professional and

			 scientific community that, in 2005, included more than 3,000 members;

			 and

		Whereas the American Society of Agronomy was the parent

			 society that led to the formation of both the Crop Science Society of America

			 and the Soil Science Society of America and fostered the development and the

			 common overall management of the 3 sister societies: Now, therefore, be

			 it

		That the Senate—

			(1)recognizes the

			 50th anniversary year of the Crop Science Society of America;

			(2)commends the Crop

			 Science Society of America for 50 years of dedicated service to advancing the

			 science and practice of crop science;

			(3)acknowledges the

			 promise of the Crop Science Society of America to continue enriching the lives

			 of all citizens of the United States by improving stewardship of the

			 environment, combating world hunger, and enhancing the quality of life for

			 another 50 years and beyond; and

			(4)respectfully

			 requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this

			 resolution to the President of the Crop Science Society of America.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2429
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 6, 2011
			Mr. Neugebauer
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To exempt certain class A CDL drivers from the
		  requirement to obtain a hazardous material endorsement while operating a
		  service vehicle with a fuel tank containing 3,785 liters (1,000 gallons) or
		  less of diesel fuel.

		1.Hazardous material
			 endorsement exemption
			(a)ExclusionSection 5117(d)(1) of title 49, United
			 States Code, is amended—
				(1)in subparagraph (B), by striking
			 and at the end;
				(2)in subparagraph
			 (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and;
			 and
				(3)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(D)a service vehicle
				carrying diesel fuel in quantities of 3,785 liters (1,000 gallons) or less that
				is—
							(i)driven by a class
				A commercial driver's license holder who is a custom harvester, an agricultural
				retailer, an agricultural business employee, an agricultural cooperative
				employee, or an agricultural producer; and
							(ii)clearly marked
				with a placard reading Diesel
				Fuel.
							.
				(b)ExemptionSection 31315(b) of title 49, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(8)Hazardous
				materials endorsement exemptionThe Secretary shall exempt all
				class A commercial driver's license holders who are custom harvesters,
				agricultural retailers, agricultural business employees, agricultural
				cooperative employees, or agricultural producers from the requirement to obtain
				a hazardous material endorsement under part 383 of title 49, Code of Federal
				Regulations, while operating a service vehicle carrying diesel fuel in
				quantities of 3,785 liters (1,000 gallons) or less if the tank containing such
				fuel is clearly marked with a placard reading Diesel
				Fuel.
					.