		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 354
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 15, 2011
			Mr. Cardin introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend the Classified Information Procedures Act to
		  improve the protection of classified information and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 title; definitions
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the Classified Information Procedures Reform and Improvement
			 Act of 2011.
			(b)In
			 generalSection 1 of the Classified Information Procedures Act
			 (18 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
				(2)by inserting
			 after subsection (a) the following:

						(b)Disclosure,
				as used in this Act, includes the release, transmittal, or making available of,
				or providing access to, classified information to any person (including a
				defendant or counsel for a defendant) during discovery, or to a participant or
				member of the public at any
				proceeding.
						.
				(c)Technical and
			 conforming amendmentSection 501(3) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1531(3)) is amended by striking section
			 1(b) and inserting section 1.
			2.Pretrial
			 conferenceSection 2 of the
			 Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
			(1)by inserting
			 (a) In
			 general.— before At any time;
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(b)Ex
				parteIf the United States or the defendant certifies that the
				presence of both parties at a pretrial conference reasonably could be expected
				to cause damage to the national security of the United States or the
				defendant’s ability to make a defense, then upon request by either party, the
				court shall hold such pretrial conference ex parte, and shall seal and preserve
				the record of that ex parte conference in the records of the court for use in
				the event of an
				appeal.
					.
			3.Protective
			 ordersSection 3 of the
			 Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App) is amended—
			(1)by inserting
			 (a) In
			 general.— before Upon motion;
			(2)by inserting
			 use or before disclosure;
			(3)by inserting
			 , or access to, after disclosure of;
			(4)by inserting
			 , or any classified information derived therefrom, that will be
			 after classified information;
			(5)by inserting
			 or made available after disclosed; and
			(6)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(b)NoticeIn
				the event the defendant is convicted and files a notice of appeal, the United
				States shall provide the defendant and the appellate court with a written
				notice setting forth each date that the United States obtained a protective
				order under this
				Act.
					.
			4.Discovery of and
			 access to classified information by defendantsSection 4 of the Classified Information
			 Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
			(1)in the section
			 heading, by inserting and access to after
			 discovery
			 of;
			(2)by inserting
			 (a) In
			 general.— before The court,
			 upon;
			(3)in the first
			 sentence—
				(A)by inserting
			 to restrict the defendant’s access to or before to
			 delete;
				(B)by striking
			 from documents;
				(C)by striking
			 classified documents, or and inserting classified
			 information,; and
				(D)by striking the
			 period at the end and inserting , or to provide other relief to the
			 United States.;
				(4)in the second
			 sentence, by striking alone. inserting “alone, and may permit ex
			 parte proceedings with the United States to discuss that request.”;
			(5)in the third
			 sentence—
				(A)by striking
			 If the court enters an order granting relief following such an ex parte
			 showing, the and inserting The; and
				(B)by inserting
			 , and the transcript of any argument and any summary of the classified
			 information the defendant seeks to obtain discovery of or access to,
			 after text of the statement of the United States; and
				(6)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(b)Access to other
				classified informationIf the defendant seeks access to
				nondocumentary information from a potential witness or other person through
				deposition under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, or otherwise, which
				the defendant knows or reasonably believes is classified, the defendant shall
				notify the attorney for the United States and the court in writing. Such notice
				shall specify with particularity the nondocumentary information sought by the
				defendant and the legal basis for such access.
					(c)Showing by the
				United StatesIn any prosecution in which the United States seeks
				to restrict, delete, withhold, or otherwise obtain relief with respect to the
				defendant’s discovery of or access to any specific classified information, the
				attorney for the United States shall file with the court a declaration made by
				the Attorney General invoking the United States classified information
				privilege, which shall be supported by a declaration made by a knowledgeable
				United States official possessing the authority to classify information that
				sets forth the identifiable damage to the national security that the discovery
				of, or access to, such information reasonably could be expected to
				cause.
					(d)Standard for
				discovery of or access to classified informationUpon the
				submission of a declaration of the Attorney General under subsection (c), the
				court may not authorize the defendant’s discovery of, or access to, classified
				information, or to the substitution submitted by the United States, which the
				United States seeks to restrict, delete, or withhold, or otherwise obtain
				relief with respect to, unless the court first determines that such classified
				information or such substitution would be—
						(1)noncumulative,
				relevant, and helpful to—
							(A)a legally
				cognizable defense;
							(B)rebuttal of the
				prosecution’s case; or
							(C)sentencing;
				or
							(2)noncumulative and
				essential to a fair determination of a pretrial proceeding.
						(e)Security
				clearanceWhenever a court determines that the standard for
				discovery of or access to classified information by the defendant has been met
				under subsection (d), such discovery or access may only take place after the
				person to whom discovery or access will be granted has received the necessary
				security clearances to receive the classified information, and if the
				classified information has been designated as sensitive compartmented
				information or special access program information, any additional required
				authorizations to receive the classified
				information.
					.
			5.Notice of
			 defendant’s intention to disclose classified informationSection 5 of the Classified Information
			 Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
			(1)in the section
			 heading, by inserting use or before
			 disclose;
			(2)in subsection
			 (a)—
				(A)in the first
			 sentence—
					(i)by
			 inserting use or before disclose; and
					(ii)by
			 striking thirty days prior to trial and inserting 45 days
			 prior to such proceeding;
					(B)in the second
			 sentence by striking brief and inserting
			 specific;
				(C)in the third
			 sentence—
					(i)by
			 inserting use or before disclose; and
					(ii)by
			 striking brief and inserting specific; and
					(D)in the fourth
			 sentence—
					(i)by
			 inserting use or before disclose; and
					(ii)by
			 inserting reasonably before believed; and
					(3)in subsection
			 (b), by inserting the use or before
			 disclosure.
			6.Procedure for
			 cases involving classified informationSection 6 of the Classified Information
			 Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
			(1)in subsection
			 (a)—
				(A)in the second
			 sentence, by striking such a hearing. and inserting a
			 hearing and shall make all such determinations prior to proceeding under any
			 alternative procedure set out in subsection (d). ; and
				(B)in the third
			 sentence, by striking petition and inserting
			 request;
				(2)in subsection
			 (b)(2) by striking trial and inserting the trial or
			 pretrial proceeding;
			(3)by redesignating
			 subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f), as subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g),
			 respectively;
			(4)by inserting
			 after subsection (b) the following:

					(c)Standard for
				admissibility, use, and disclosure at trial(1)Classified information
				which is the subject of a notice by the United States pursuant to subsection
				(b) is not admissible at trial and subject to the alternative procedures set
				out in subsection (d), unless a court first determines that such information is
				noncumulative and relevant to an element of the offense or a legally cognizable
				defense, and is otherwise admissible in evidence.
						(2)Nothing in this subsection may be
				construed to prohibit the exclusion from evidence of relevant, classified
				information in accordance with the Federal Rules of
				Evidence.
						;
			(5)in subsection
			 (d), as so redesignated—
				(A)in the subsection
			 heading, by inserting use
			 or before disclosure;
				(B)in paragraph (1),
			 by inserting use or before disclosure both places
			 that term appears;
				(C)in the flush
			 paragraph following paragraph (1)(B), by inserting use or before
			 disclosure; and
				(D)in paragraph
			 (2)—
					(i)by
			 striking an affidavit of and inserting a declaration
			 by;
					(ii)by
			 striking such affidavit and inserting such
			 declaration; and
					(iii)by inserting
			 the use or before disclosure;
					(6)in subsection
			 (e), as so redesignated, in the first sentence, by striking disclosed or
			 elicited and inserting used or disclosed;
			(7)in subsection
			 (f), as so redesignated—
				(A)in the subsection
			 heading, by inserting use
			 or before disclosure both places that term
			 appears;
				(B)in paragraph
			 (1)—
					(i)by
			 striking (c) and inserting (d);
					(ii)by
			 striking an affidavit of and inserting a declaration
			 by;
					(iii)by inserting
			 the use or before disclosure; and
					(iv)by
			 striking disclose and inserting use, disclose,;
			 and
					(C)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking disclosing and inserting using,
			 disclosing,; and
				(8)in the first
			 sentence of subsection (g), as so redesignated—
				(A)by inserting
			 used or before disclosed; and
				(B)by inserting
			 or disclose before to rebut the.
				7.Interlocutory
			 appealSection 7(a) of the
			 Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
			(1)by striking
			 disclosure of both times that places that term appears and
			 inserting use, disclosure, discovery of, or access to;
			 and
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following: The right of the United States to appeal pursuant to
			 this Act applies without regard to whether the order or ruling appealed from
			 was entered under this Act, another provision of law, a rule, or otherwise. Any
			 such appeal may embrace any preceding order, ruling, or reasoning constituting
			 the basis of the order or ruling that would authorize such use, disclosure, or
			 access. Whenever practicable, appeals pursuant to this section shall be
			 consolidated to expedite the proceedings..
			8.Introduction of
			 classified informationSection
			 8 of the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.) is
			 amended—
			(1)in subsection
			 (b), by adding at the end The court may fashion alternative procedures
			 in order to prevent such unnecessary disclosure, provided that such alternative
			 procedures do not deprive the defendant of a fair trial or violate the
			 defendant’s due process rights.; and
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(d)Admission of
				evidence(1)No classified
				information offered by the United States and admitted into evidence shall be
				presented to the jury unless such evidence is provided to the defendant.
						(2)Any classified information admitted
				into evidence shall be sealed and preserved in the records of the court to be
				made available to the appellate court in the event of an
				appeal.
						.
			9.Application to
			 proceedingsThe amendments
			 made by this Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act but
			 shall not apply to any prosecution in which an indictment or information was
			 filed prior to such date.


117 S2063 IS: To award four congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
U.S. Senate
2021-06-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2063IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 15, 2021Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Blunt) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo award four congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.1.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:(1)Every day, the United States Capitol Police (Capitol Police) protects the U.S. Capitol, Members of Congress, congressional staff and institutional staff, journalists, and the visiting public.(2)On January 6, 2021, a mob of insurrectionists forced its way into the U.S. Capitol building and congressional office buildings and engaged in acts of vandalism, looting, and violently attacked Capitol Police officers.(3)The sacrifice of heroes including Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department Officer Jeffrey Smith, and those who sustained injuries, and the courage of Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, exemplify the patriotism and the commitment of Capitol Police officers, and those of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in service of our country.(4)Up to seven Americans died following this violent attack, and more than 140 law enforcement officers suffered physical injuries, including 15 officers who were hospitalized.(5)The desecration of the U.S. Capitol, which is the temple of our American Democracy, and the violence targeting Congress are horrors that will forever stain our Nation’s history.(6)On April 2, 2021 Officer William Billy Evans was killed while protecting the North Barricade of the Capitol. Officer Evans was a distinguished member of the First Responders Unit and an eighteen-year veteran of the United States Capitol Police. Also injured in that assault was Officer Kenneth Shaver. Officer Shaver is a fifteen-year veteran of the United States Capitol Police.2.Congressional Gold Medals(a)Presentation authorizationThe Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of four gold medals of appropriate design to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.(b)Design and strikingFor the purposes of the award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Secretary) shall strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.(c)Disposition of medalsFollowing the award of the gold medals under subsection (a):(1)USCP HeadquartersOne gold medal shall be given to the United States Capitol Police, so that the medal may be displayed at the headquarters of the United States Capitol Police and made available for research, as appropriate.(2)DC Metropolitan Police Department HeadquartersOne gold medal shall be given to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, so that the medal may be displayed at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Department and made available for research, as appropriate.(3)Smithsonian Institution(A)In generalOne gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for display as appropriate and available for research.(B)PlaqueIn displaying the gold medal given under subparagraph (A), the Smithsonian Institution shall display the medal with a plaque that lists all of the law enforcement agencies that participated in protecting the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.(C)Sense of the CongressIt is the sense of the Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal given under subparagraph (A) available for display elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated with the protection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.(4)United States Capitol(A)In generalOne gold medal shall be given to the Architect of the Capitol, for display in a prominent location in the United States Capitol as appropriate and available for research.(B)PlaqueIn displaying the gold medal given under subparagraph (A), the Architect of the Capitol shall display the medal with a plaque that lists all of the law enforcement agencies that participated in protecting the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.3.Duplicate medalsThe Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck pursuant to section 2 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.4.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of the Congress that the United States Mint should expedite production of the gold medals and duplicate medals under this Act, so that the sacrifices of fallen officers and their families, and the contributions of other law enforcement agencies who answered the call of duty on January 6, 2021, can be recognized and honored in a timely manner.5.National medalsMedals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for the purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.6.Determination of Budgetary EffectsThe budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.


109 HR 5234 IH: Oil Subsidy Elimination Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-04-27
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.

		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5234
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 27, 2006
			Mr. Larson of
			 Connecticut (for himself, Mr.
			 McDermott, Mr. Hinchey,
			 Mr. Allen,
			 Ms. Hooley,
			 Mr. Grijalva,
			 Ms. DeLauro,
			 Mr. Honda,
			 Mr. Nadler, and
			 Ms. Lee) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal
		  certain tax incentives for oil companies.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Oil Subsidy Elimination Act of
			 2006.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
			(1)On Friday April
			 21, 2006, the trading price for a barrel of oil reached a new record high of
			 $75.17. As a result the price of gasoline in many areas around the country
			 jumped to $3 per gallon or higher.
			(2)According to the Energy Information
			 Administration (EIA) of the Department of Energy, gas prices are expected to
			 rise nationally by at least another 25 cents in the short term.
			(3)Oil companies are receiving record profits
			 as a result of high gas prices. In 2005, ExxonMobil—the Nation’s largest oil
			 company—earned a net income of $36.1 billion, up 31 percent from the year
			 before. In the fourth quarter of 2005 alone, ExxonMobile earned $10 billion, up
			 from the previous record of $9.92 billion set by ExxonMobile in the third
			 quarter of 2005.
			(4)While high energy
			 prices are squeezing the American middle class, oil executives are receiving
			 record compensation and retirement packages. For example, the retiring chairman
			 of ExxonMobil was recently given a $400 million retirement package—one of the
			 largest in history.
			(5)In the 108th and
			 109th Congresses, the United States Congress passed, and the President signed,
			 legislation giving billions in taxpayer dollars away to the oil industry in the
			 form of tax breaks—even as this industry continues to garner record breaking
			 profits.
			(6)At a November 9, 2005, joint hearing of the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Environment and
			 Public Works of the Senate, the chief executive officers of the top five oil
			 companies testified that their companies did not need the Federal tax
			 incentives included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law
			 109–58).
			(7)On April 25, 2006,
			 President Bush stated Record oil prices and large cash flows also mean
			 that Congress has got to understand that these energy companies don’t need
			 unnecessary tax breaks like the write-offs of certain geological and
			 geophysical expenditures, or the use of taxpayers’ money to subsidize energy
			 companies research into deep water drilling. I’m looking forward to Congress to
			 take about $2 billion of these tax breaks out of the budget over a 10-year
			 period of time. Cash flows are up. Taxpayers don’t need to be paying for
			 certain of these expenses on behalf of the energy companies..
			2.Requirements for
			 certain large integrated oil companies
			(a)Revaluation of
			 LIFO inventories of large integrated oil companies
				(1)General
			 ruleNotwithstanding any other provision of law, if a taxpayer is
			 an applicable integrated oil company for its last taxable year ending in
			 calendar year 2005, the taxpayer shall—
					(A)increase, effective
			 as of the close of such taxable year, the value of each historic LIFO layer of
			 inventories of crude oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product (within
			 the meaning of section 4611) by the layer adjustment amount, and
					(B)decrease its cost
			 of goods sold for such taxable year by the aggregate amount of the increases
			 under paragraph (1).
					If the
			 aggregate amount of the increases under paragraph (1) exceed the taxpayer’s
			 cost of goods sold for such taxable year, the taxpayer’s gross income for such
			 taxable year shall be increased by the amount of such excess.(2)Layer adjustment
			 amountFor purposes of this section—
					(A)In
			 generalThe term layer adjustment amount means, with
			 respect to any historic LIFO layer, the product of—
						(i)$18.75, and
						(ii)the
			 number of barrels of crude oil (or in the case of natural gas or other
			 petroleum products, the number of barrel-of-oil equivalents) represented by the
			 layer.
						(B)Barrel-of-oil
			 equivalentThe term barrel-of-oil equivalent has the
			 meaning given such term by section 29(d)(5) (as in effect before its
			 redesignation by the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005).
					(3)Application of
			 requirement
					(A)No change in
			 method of accountingAny adjustment required by this section
			 shall not be treated as a change in method of accounting.
					(B)Underpayments of
			 estimated taxNo addition to the tax shall be made under section
			 6655 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to failure by corporation
			 to pay estimated tax) with respect to any underpayment of an installment
			 required to be paid with respect to the taxable year described in subsection
			 (a) to the extent such underpayment was created or increased by this
			 section.
					(4)Applicable
			 integrated oil companyFor purposes of this subsection, the term
			 applicable integrated oil company means an integrated oil company
			 (as defined in section 291(b)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) which
			 has an average daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000
			 barrels for the taxable year and which had gross receipts in excess of
			 $1,000,000,000 for its last taxable year ending during calendar year 2005. For
			 purposes of this subsection all persons treated as a single employer under
			 subsections (a) and (b) of section 52 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
			 shall be treated as 1 person and, in the case of a short taxable year, the rule
			 under section 448(c)(3)(B) shall apply.
				(b)Elimination of
			 amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures for major integrated
			 oil companies
				(1)In
			 generalSection 167(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
			 amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(5)Nonapplication
				to major integrated oil companiesThis subsection shall not apply
				with respect to any expenses paid or incurred for any taxable year by any
				integrated oil company (as defined in section 291(b)(4)) which has an average
				daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels for such
				taxable
				year.
						.
				(2)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall take effect as if
			 included in the amendment made by section 1329(a) of the Energy Policy Act of
			 2005.
				(c)Modifications of
			 foreign tax credit rules applicable to large integrated oil companies which are
			 dual capacity taxpayers
				(1)In
			 generalSection 901 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
			 (relating to credit for taxes of foreign countries and of possessions of the
			 United States) is amended by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n),
			 and by inserting after subsection (l) the following new subsection:

						(m)Special rules
				relating to large integrated oil companies which are dual capacity
				taxpayers
							(1)General
				ruleNotwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any
				amount paid or accrued by a dual capacity taxpayer which is a large integrated
				oil company to a foreign country or possession of the United States for any
				period shall not be considered a tax—
								(A)if, for such
				period, the foreign country or possession does not impose a generally
				applicable income tax, or
								(B)to the extent such
				amount exceeds the amount (determined in accordance with regulations)
				which—
									(i)is
				paid by such dual capacity taxpayer pursuant to the generally applicable income
				tax imposed by the country or possession, or
									(ii)would be paid if
				the generally applicable income tax imposed by the country or possession were
				applicable to such dual capacity taxpayer.
									Nothing
				in this paragraph shall be construed to imply the proper treatment of any such
				amount not in excess of the amount determined under subparagraph (B).(2)Dual capacity
				taxpayerFor purposes of this subsection, the term dual
				capacity taxpayer means, with respect to any foreign country or
				possession of the United States, a person who—
								(A)is subject to a
				levy of such country or possession, and
								(B)receives (or will
				receive) directly or indirectly a specific economic benefit (as determined in
				accordance with regulations) from such country or possession.
								(3)Generally
				applicable income taxFor purposes of this subsection—
								(A)In
				generalThe term generally applicable income tax
				means an income tax (or a series of income taxes) which is generally imposed
				under the laws of a foreign country or possession on income derived from the
				conduct of a trade or business within such country or possession.
								(B)ExceptionsSuch
				term shall not include a tax unless it has substantial application, by its
				terms and in practice, to—
									(i)persons who are
				not dual capacity taxpayers, and
									(ii)persons who are
				citizens or residents of the foreign country or possession.
									(4)Large integrated
				oil companyFor purposes of this subsection, the term large
				integrated oil company means, with respect to any taxable year, an
				integrated oil company (as defined in section 291(b)(4)) which—
								(A)had gross receipts
				in excess of $1,000,000,000 for such taxable year, and
								(B)has an average
				daily worldwide production of crude oil of at least 500,000 barrels for such
				taxable year.

				(2)Effective
			 date
					(A)In
			 generalThe amendments made by this subsection shall apply to
			 taxes paid or accrued in taxable years beginning after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.
					(B)Contrary treaty
			 obligations upheldThe amendments made by this subsection shall
			 not apply to the extent contrary to any treaty obligation of the United
			 States.
					3.Repeal of tax
			 subsidies enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for oil and gas
			(a)RepealThe following provisions, and amendments
			 made by such provisions, of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 are hereby
			 repealed:
				(1)Section 1323 (relating to temporary
			 expensing for equipment used in refining of liquid fuels).
				(2)Section 1328 (relating to determination of
			 small refiner exception to oil depletion deduction).
				(3)Section 1329 (relating to amortization of
			 geological and geophysical expenditures).
				(b)Administration
			 of Internal Revenue Code of 1986The Internal Revenue Code of
			 1986 shall be applied and administered as if the provisions, and amendments,
			 specified in subsection (a) had never been enacted.


I
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5056
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 9, 2004
Mr. Rehberg introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

A BILL
To adjust the boundaries of the Helena, Lolo, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests in the State of Montana.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Montana National Forests Boundary Adjustment Act of 2004.
2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)ForestThe term Forest means the Helena National Forest, Lolo National Forest, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in the State of Montana.
(2)MapThe term map means—
(A)the map entitled Blackfoot Community Project Acquisition Proposed Adjustments, Helena National Forest Boundary and dated March 11, 2004;
(B)the map entitled Blackfoot Community Project Acquisition Region One, Lolo National Forest Boundary and dated March 11, 2004; and
(C)the map entitled Blackfoot Community Project Acquisition Proposed Adjustments, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Boundary Adjustment and dated March 11, 2004.
(3)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
3.Helena, lolo, and beaverhead-deerlodge national forests boundary adjustment
(a)In generalThe boundaries of the Forests are modified as depicted on the maps.
(b)Maps
(1)AvailabilityThe maps shall be on file and available for public inspection in—
(A)the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service; and
(B)the office of the Regional Forester, Missoula, Montana.
(2)Correction authorityThe Secretary may make technical corrections to the maps.
(c)AdministrationAny land or interest in land acquired within the boundaries of the Forests for National Forest System purposes shall be managed in accordance with—
(1)the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the Weeks Law) (16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.); and
(2)the laws (including regulations) applicable to the National Forest System.
(d)Land and water conservation fundFor purposes of section 7 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 4601-9), the boundaries of the Forests, as adjusted under subsection (a), shall be considered to be the boundaries of the Forests as of January 1, 1965.
(e)EffectNothing in this Act limits the authority of the Secretary to adjust the boundaries of the Forests under section 11 of the Act of March 1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 521).


116 HR 4421 IH: Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-09-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4421IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 19, 2019Ms. Lofgren (for herself, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr. Crist, and Mr. Steube) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 28, United States Code, to modify venue requirements relating to bankruptcy
			 proceedings.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019. 2.Findings and purpose (a)FindingsCongress finds that—
 (1)bankruptcy law provides a number of venue options for filing bankruptcy under chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, including, with respect to the entity filing bankruptcy—
 (A)any district in which the place of incorporation of the entity is located; (B)any district in which the principal place of business or principal assets of the entity are located; and
 (C)any district in which an affiliate of the entity has filed a pending case under title 11, United States Code;
 (2)the wide range of permissible bankruptcy venue options has led to an increase in companies filing for bankruptcy outside of their home States—the district in which the principal place of business or principal assets of the company is located;
 (3)the practice described in paragraph (2) is known as forum shopping; (4)forum shopping has resulted in a concentration of bankruptcy cases in a limited number of districts;
 (5)forum shopping— (A)prevents small businesses, employees, retirees, creditors, and other important stakeholders from fully participating in bankruptcy cases that have tremendous impacts on their lives, communities, and local economies; and
 (B)deprives district courts of the United States of the opportunity to contribute to the development of bankruptcy law in the jurisdictions of those district courts; and
 (6)reducing forum shopping in the bankruptcy system will strengthen the integrity of, and build public confidence and ensure fairness in, the bankruptcy system.
 (b)PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to prevent the practice of forum shopping in cases filed under chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code.
 3.Venue of cases under title 11Title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1)by striking section 1408 and inserting the following:

					1408.Venue of cases under title 11
						(a)Principal place of business with respect to certain entities
 (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), for the purposes of this section, if an entity is subject to the reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m, 78o(d)), the term principal place of business, with respect to the entity, means the address of the principal executive office of the entity as stated in the last annual report filed under that Act before the commencement of a case under title 11 of which the entity is the subject.
 (2)ExceptionWith respect to an entity described in paragraph (1), the definition of the principal place of business under that paragraph shall apply for purposes of this section unless another address is shown to be the principal place of business of the entity by clear and convincing evidence.
 (b)VenueExcept as provided in section 1410, a case under title 11 may be commenced only in the district court for the district—
 (1)in which the domicile, residence, or principal assets in the United States of an individual who is the subject of the case have been located—
 (A)for the 180 days immediately preceding such commencement; or (B)for a longer portion of the 180-day period immediately preceding such commencement than the domicile, residence, or principal assets in the United States of the individual were located in any other district;
 (2)in which the principal place of business or principal assets in the United States of an entity, other than an individual, that is the subject of the case have been located—
 (A)for the 180 days immediately preceding such commencement; or (B)for a longer portion of the 180-day period immediately preceding such commencement than the principal place of business or principal assets in the United States of the entity were located in any other district; or
 (3)in which there is pending a case under title 11 concerning an affiliate that directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds 50 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of, or is the general partner of, the entity that is the subject of the later filed case, but only if the pending case was properly filed in that district in accordance with this section.
							(c)Limitations
 (1)In generalFor the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b), no effect shall be given to a change in the ownership or control of an entity that is the subject of the case, or of an affiliate of the entity, or to a transfer of the principal place of business or principal assets in the United States of an entity that is the subject of the case, or of an affiliate of the person entity, to another district, that takes place—
 (A)within 1 year before the date on which the case is commenced; or (B)for the purpose of establishing venue.
								(2)Principal assets
 (A)Principal assets of an entity other than an individualFor the purposes of subsection (b)(2) and paragraph (1) of this subsection— (i)the term principal assets does not include cash or cash equivalents; and
 (ii)any equity interest in an affiliate is located in the district in which the holder of the equity interest has its principal place of business in the United States, as determined in accordance with subsection (b)(2).
 (B)Equity interests of individualsFor the purposes of subsection (b)(1), if the holder of any equity interest in an affiliate is an individual, the equity interest is located in the district in which the domicile or residence in the United States of the holder of the equity interest is located, as determined in accordance with subsection (b)(1).
 (d)BurdenOn any objection to, or request to change, venue under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (b) of a case under title 11, the entity that commences the case shall bear the burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that venue is proper under this section.
 (e)Out-of-State admission for government attorneysThe Supreme Court shall prescribe rules, in accordance with section 2075, for cases or proceedings arising under title 11, or arising in or related to cases under title 11, to allow any attorney representing a governmental unit to be permitted to appear on behalf of the governmental unit and intervene without charge, and without meeting any requirement under any local court rule relating to attorney appearances or the use of local counsel, before any bankruptcy court, district court, or bankruptcy appellate panel.; and
 (2)by striking section 1412 and inserting the following:  1412.Change of venue (a)In generalNotwithstanding that a case or proceeding under title 11, or arising in or related to a case under title 11, is filed in the correct division or district, a district court may transfer the case or proceeding to a district court for another district or division—
 (1)in the interest of justice; or (2)for the convenience of the parties.
 (b)Incorrectly filed cases or proceedingsIf a case or proceeding under title 11, or arising in or related to a case under title 11, is filed in a division or district that is improper under section 1408(b), the district court shall—
 (1)immediately dismiss the case or proceeding; or (2)if it is in the interest of justice, immediately transfer the case or proceeding to any district court for any district or division in which the case or proceeding could have been brought.
 (c)Objections and requests relating to changes in venueNot later than 14 days after the filing of an objection to, or a request to change, venue of a case or proceeding under title 11, or arising in or related to a case under title 11, the court shall enter an order granting or denying the objection or request..


117 S327 IS: Border Business COVID–19 Rescue Act
U.S. Senate
2021-02-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 327IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 12, 2021Mr. Kelly (for himself and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a border closure recovery loan program for small businesses located near the United States border, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Border Business COVID–19 Rescue Act.2.Border closure recovery loan(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.(2)Border businessThe term border business means an entity eligible for a loan under section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(2)) that—(A)has its principal office located in the contiguous United States;(B)has—(i)estimated or actual annual average gross receipts less than or equal to $1,000,000; and(ii)fewer than 50 employees; (C)(i)except as provided in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), had gross receipts during the first, second, third, or fourth quarter in 2020 that demonstrate a reduction from the gross receipts of the entity during the same quarter in 2019; (ii)if the entity was not in business during the first or second quarter of 2019, but was in business during the third and fourth quarter of 2019, had gross receipts during the first, second, third, or fourth quarter of 2020 that demonstrate a reduction from the gross receipts of the entity during the third or fourth quarter of 2019; (iii)if the entity was not in business during the first, second, or third quarter of 2019, but was in business during the fourth quarter of 2019, had gross receipts during the first, second, third, or fourth quarter of 2020 that demonstrate a reduction from the gross receipts of the entity during the fourth quarter of 2019; or(iv)if the entity was not in business during 2019, but was in operation on February 15, 2020, had gross receipts during the second, third, or fourth quarter of 2020 that demonstrate a reduction from the gross receipts of the entity during the first quarter of 2020; and(D)is located within 25 miles of the United States border.(b)Border closure recovery loan program(1)In generalThe Administrator shall establish a program under which the Administrator shall make loans to border businesses directly impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic.(2)ApplicationA border business desiring a loan under this subsection shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such place, and containing such information as the Administrator determines necessary.(3)Terms(A)Amount; Interest rateA loan made under this subsection shall—(i)be in an amount of not more than $500,000; and (ii)have an interest rate of not more than 2 percent.(B)Prohibited requirementsWith respect to a loan made under this subsection, the Administrator shall not establish—(i)any rules related to a personal guarantee for loans of less than $200,000; or(ii)any requirement that an applicant exhaust other loan options before applying for a loan under this subsection.(4)Use of fundsA border business that receives a loan under this subsection—(A)shall use the loan proceeds for any allowable purpose for a loan made under section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(2)), including—(i)providing paid sick leave to employees unable to work due to the direct effect of COVID–19;(ii)maintaining payroll to retain employees during business disruptions or substantial slowdowns;(iii)meeting increased costs to obtain materials unavailable from the original source of the border business due to interrupted supply chains;(iv)making rent or regular mortgage payments;(v)repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses; (vi)to pay for logistical expenses associated with border closures due to the COVID–19 pandemic; and(vii)to pay for improvements related to complying with public health guidelines, including personal protective equipment, signage, temporary barriers, and space heaters; and(B)may not use the loan proceeds—(i)to purchase real estate;(ii)for payments of interest or principal on any loan originated after February 15, 2020;(iii)to invest or re-lend funds;(iv)for the prepayment of any mortgage or other debt obligation;(v)for any contribution or expenditure to, or on behalf of, any political party, party committee, or candidate for elective office; or(vi)for any other use as the Administrator may prohibit. (c)Approval and ability To repayWith respect to a loan made under subsection (b), the Administrator may—(1)approve an applicant—(A)based solely on the credit score of the applicant; or(B)by using alternative appropriate methods to determine an applicant's ability to repay; and(2)use information from the Department of the Treasury to confirm that—(A)an applicant is eligible to receive the loan; or(B)the information contained in an application for the loan is accurate.(d)RepaymentThe Administrator shall establish the repayment terms with respect to each loan made under subsection (b), except that—(1)repayment shall not begin before the date that is 1 year after the date on which the loan is made;(2)the Administrator shall establish a process by which a border business that continues to experience a reduction in gross receipts following receipt of the loan can apply to delay the repayment of the loan for a period of not more than 4 years; and(3)the loan shall not accrue interest during the period in which repayment of the loan is deferred.(e)Loan advance(1)In generalA border business that applies for a loan under subsection (b) may request that the Administrator provide an advance in the amount requested by the applicant to the applicant not later than 15 business days after the date on which the Administrator receives the request. (2)AmountThe amount of an advance provided under this subsection shall be not less than $10,000.(3)VerificationBefore disbursing amounts under this subsection, the Administrator shall, not later than 15 business days after the date on which the Administrator receives the request for an advance by an applicant under this subsection—(A)perform the verification required under subsection (c);(B)if the Administrator verifies that the applicant is eligible for an advance under subsection (c), provide to the applicant with a payment in the amount described in paragraph (2); and(C)with respect to an applicant that the Administrator determines is not eligible for an advance under this subsection, provide the applicant with a notification explaining the reasons for reaching that determination. (4)Use of fundsAn advance provided under this subsection may be used for any purpose described in subsection (b)(4).(5)RepaymentAn applicant shall not be required to repay any amounts of an advance provided under this subsection, even if the applicant is subsequently denied a loan under subsection (b).(f)Other benefitsReceipt of an advance under subsection (e) or a loan under subsection (b) shall not be construed as to prohibit receipt of any other Federal grant, loan, or aid.(g)TaxabilityFor purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986—(1)any advance described in paragraph (e) shall not be included in the gross income of the border business that receives the advance; (2)no deduction shall be denied, no tax attribute shall be reduced, and no basis increase shall be denied, by reason of the exclusion from gross income provided by paragraph (1); and(3)in the case of a partnership or S corporation that receives an advance described in subsection (e)—(A)any amount excluded from income under this subsection shall be treated as tax exempt income for purposes of sections 705 and 1366 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and(B)the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall prescribe rules for determining a partner’s distributive share of any amount described in subparagraph (A) for purposes of section 705 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(h)Outreach(1)In generalIn carrying out the loan program under this section, the Administrator shall—(A)establish an advertising and outreach program in partnership with State and local governments, community advocacy groups, chambers of commerce, and other State and local entities to help border businesses understand the availability of the loan program and to promote participation in the program by border businesses located in economically depressed areas; and(B)provide technical assistance to applicants, including instructions on how to participate in the loan program, assistance in preparing applications, and assistance in applying for loan deferral.(2)Language accessThe Administrator shall ensure that outreach and technical assistance activities described in this subsection are made available by the Administration to border business concerns in the commonly spoken languages, other than English, in the States of the United States that border the international boundary with Canada or Mexico, which shall include Spanish and French.(i)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000, to remain available until December 31, 2021, to carry out the requirements of this Act.


113 S781 IS: Yosemite National Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-04-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 781
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 23, 2013
			Mrs. Feinstein (for
			 herself and Mrs. Boxer) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To modify the boundary of Yosemite National Park, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Yosemite National Park Boundary
			 Expansion Act of 2013.
		2.PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to modify the
			 boundary of Yosemite National Park to protect from potential development the
			 scenic and biological value of property adjacent to the Park.
		3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)MapThe
			 term map means the map entitled Yosemite National Park
			 Location Map for Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) Areas.
			(2)ParkThe
			 term Park means the Yosemite National Park in the State of
			 California.
			(3)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
			4.Yosemite national
			 park
			(a)Acquisition of
			 land
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary may acquire the land or an interest in the
			 land described in subsections (b) and (c) for addition to the Park.
				(2)MeansAn
			 acquisition of land under paragraph (1) may be made by donation, purchase from
			 a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
				(b)Description of
			 landThe land referred to in subsection (a)(1) is the
			 approximately 1,575 acres of land adjacent to the Park, as generally depicted
			 on the map.
			(c)Availability of
			 mapThe map shall be on file and available for inspection in the
			 appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
			(d)Boundary
			 modificationThe boundary of the Park shall be revised to reflect
			 the acquisition of the land under subsection (a).
			(e)AdministrationThe
			 Secretary shall administer any land or interest in land acquired under
			 subsection (a)(1) as part of the Park in accordance with the laws (including
			 regulations) applicable to the Park.


		III
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 150
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 14, 2009
			Mrs. Murray (for herself
			 and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Commemorating and celebrating the lives of
		  Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks, Deputy Anne Marie Jackson, and Sergeant
		  Nelson Kai Ng who gave their lives in the service of the people of Washington
		  State in 2008.

		Whereas law enforcement officers throughout Washington
			 State conduct themselves in a manner that supports, maintains, and defends the
			 Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of
			 Washington;
		Whereas law enforcement officers in Washington State and
			 throughout the Nation risk their own lives to protect the lives of
			 others;
		Whereas since 1792, approximately 18,600 law enforcement
			 officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States, and 262 of those
			 officers served the people of Washington State;
		Whereas in 2008, 133 law enforcement officers were killed
			 in the line of duty in the United States;
		Whereas in 2008, Deputy Anne Marie Jackson of the Skagit
			 County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks of the U.S. Forest
			 Service, and Sergeant Nelson Kai Ng of the Ellensburg Police Department gave
			 their lives in the service of the people of Washington State;
		Whereas the family members and friends of Officer
			 Fairbanks, Deputy Jackson, and Sergeant Ng bear the most immediate and profound
			 burden of the absence of their loved ones; and
		Whereas National Police Week is observed from May 10 to
			 May 16, 2009, and is the most appropriate time to honor the Washington State
			 law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to their State
			 and Nation: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)extends its
			 condolences to the families and loved ones of Officer Kristine Marie Fairbanks,
			 Deputy Anne Marie Jackson, and Sergeant Nelson Kai Ng; and
			(2)stands in
			 solidarity with the people of Washington State as they celebrate the lives and
			 mourn the loss of these remarkable and selfless heroes who represented the best
			 of their community and whose memory will serve as an inspiration for future
			 generations.


117 HR 357 IH: To direct Federal departments and agencies to verify eligibility for Federal benefits for individuals 105 years of age or older, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-19
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 357IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 19, 2021Mr. Steube introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and ReformA BILLTo direct Federal departments and agencies to verify eligibility for Federal benefits for individuals 105 years of age or older, and for other purposes.1.Verification of eligibility for Federal benefits for certain elderly individuals(a)In generalThe head of each Federal department or agency that provides Federal benefits to individuals who have attained 105 years of age or more shall take appropriate steps to ensure, on a semiannual basis, that each such individual remains eligible for such benefits.(b)Authority To issue regulationsThe head of each Federal department or agency specified in paragraph (1) may issue regulations to implement this section.(c)Effective dateThis section shall apply with respect to payments of Federal benefits made on or after December 31, 2022.


I
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5054
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 15, 2010
Mr. Forbes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from hiring new employees to enforce the Federal Government’s invasion into the health care lives of American citizens.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Prevent IRS Overreach Act of 2010.
2.Prohibition on IRS from hiring new employees to enforce Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010No position within the Internal Revenue Service may be filled, by transfer or any other appointment taking effect on or after the date of enactment of this Act, if the duties and responsibilities of such position include the enforcement of any provision of, or amendment made by, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.


115 S1202 IS: Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act
U.S. Senate
2017-05-23
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
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1202
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 23, 2017
			Mr. Cotton (for himself and Mr. Leahy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To modify the boundary of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, and for other
			 purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act.
 2.Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site boundary modificationSection 2 of Public Law 105–356 (112 Stat. 3268) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f), respectively;
 (2)by inserting after subsection (a) the following:  (b)Boundary modificationThe boundary of the historic site is modified to include the 7 residences on South Park Street in Little Rock, Arkansas, consisting of 1.47 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Central High School National Historic Site Proposed Boundary, numbered 037/80,001, and dated August, 2004.; and
 (3)in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking (1) The Secretary and inserting the following:

 (1)In generalThe Secretary; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking (2) The Secretary and inserting the following:

 (3)CoordinationThe Secretary; and (C)by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

						(2)Cooperative agreements for the preservation and interpretation of certain properties
 (A)In generalThe Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of the 7 residences described in section 2(b), pursuant to which the Secretary may use appropriated funds to mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of the properties.
 (B)InclusionsAn agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall include a provision specifying that no changes or alterations shall be made to the exterior of the properties subject to the agreement, except by the mutual agreement of the parties to the agreement..


116 S4697 IS: Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act
U.S. Senate
2020-09-24
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4697IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 24, 2020Mr. Murphy (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional transparency and consumer protections relating to medical debt collection practices.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act.2.Medical debt collections(a)In generalPart C of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg–91 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 2795.Medical debt collections(a)Definitions(1)In generalIn this section:(A)DatabaseThe term database means the medical debt collection database established under subsection (e).(B)Debt collectorThe term debt collector has the meaning as defined under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. (C)Extraordinary collection actionThe term extraordinary collection action is as defined for purposes of section 501(r) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section). (D)Health care entityThe term health care entity means an entity defined pursuant to paragraph (2).(E)Medical debtThe term medical debt means debt arising from a patient's receipt of medical services, products, or devices. (2)Health care entityFor purposes of this section, the Secretary shall develop a definition of the term health care entity that shall include—(A)nonprofit, for-profit, critical access, and cancer hospitals, including hospital-owned facilities;(B)independently licensed outpatient, ambulatory, behavioral, optical, radiology, laboratory, dental, and emergency departments;(C)physician group practices, with an exemption for small practices, as determined by the Secretary;(D)physician staffing firms or physician services companies; (E)any health care agent of an entity described in this paragraph; and(F) other entities as specified by the Secretary.(b)Requirements and prohibitions(1)Debt collectionA health care entity, or its debt collector, shall not commence, or shall halt, an extraordinary collection action with respect to a patient if the entity or its designee is notified by any party that a health insurance appeal is pending.(2)Determination of eligibility for assistanceA health care entity, or its debt collector, shall not commence any extraordinary collection actions with respect to a patient until the entity determines whether the patient qualifies for assistance, either through enrollment in a Federal or State program or through the entity’s charity care or financial assistance policy, with respect to such debt. The entity shall refer such patient to any such assistance where available. (3)Prohibition on extraordinary collectionWith respect to medical debt collection relating to a patient, a health care entity, or its debt collector, shall not take any extraordinary collection actions (including an action described in sections 1.501(r)–6(a)(2) of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section)) until the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the initial bill is sent to the patient, or a later date if applicable. (4)Providing information to patientsA health care entity or its debt collector shall provide a patient with—(A)an easy-to-understand itemized statement of the medical debt owed by the patient to the health care entity prior to such entity, or the debt collector acting on behalf of the entity, commencing collection activities relating to such debt; and(B)a copy of the detailed receipts of any payments made to the entity or its debt collector by the patient relating to the medical debt involved within 30 days of such payments.(5)Limitation on recovery by nonprofit entitiesA health care entity that is a nonprofit entity, or its debt collector, shall not collect amounts for the medical debt of a patient who is not enrolled in health insurance coverage, that are in excess of the amount generally billed, as described in sections 1.501(r)–1(b)(1) and 1.501(r)–5(b) of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations.(6)Requirement of health care entity or its debt collectorPrior to commencing any debt collection activity with respect to a medical debt, the health care entity or its debt collector shall make all reasonable efforts to confirm the identity of the debtor.(7)Limit on medical debt interestThe interest rate growth applied with respect to any medical debt collected under this section shall be set forth on the initial medical bill, but shall not exceed 5 percent annually or the annual rate set forth under section 1961 of title 28, United States Code, for the calendar week preceding the date of the initial medical bill plus 2 percent, whichever is lower. This subsection shall not be construed to limit assistance or a lower interest rate for a patient who is otherwise eligible for financial assistance.(c)PenaltiesExcept as provided in this section, a health care entity, or its debt collector, that fails to comply with any provision of this section with respect to a patient shall be liable to such patient for damages in an amount equal to the sum of—(1)any actual damages sustained by such patient as a result of such failure to comply;(2)in the case of an action commenced—(A)by an individual, any additional damages as the court may permit, but not to exceed $1,000 for each failure to comply; or(B)by a class of patients—(i)such amount for each named plaintiff as could be recovered under paragraph (1) and subparagraph (A); and(ii)such amount as the court may allow for all other class members, without regard to a minimum individual recovery, not to exceed the lesser of $2,000,000 or 1 percent of the annual net income of the covered provider; and(3)in the case of any successful action under this section, the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney’s fee as determined appropriate by the court. (d)Establishment of database(1)In generalThe Secretary shall establish and regularly update a medical debt collection public database.(2)Required informationNot later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, a health care entity shall submit to the database a debt collection report that shall include—(A)the name and contact information of any debt collector owned, utilized, or retained by the entity or to which the entity assigned or sold medical debt during the year;(B)a description, or link to such description, of the processes and policies of the entity for assigning a medical debt to the debt collector and for compensating such collector for services provided to the entity;(C)the type and number of extraordinary collection practices the entity, or debt collector reported by the entity pursuant to subparagraph (A), undertakes or seeks to undertake, such as wage garnishment, bank account attachments, liens, arrest warrants, reporting to a consumer reporting agency, and lawsuits; (D)the breakdown, by zip code, of medical debt collection accounts referred to a debt collector;(E)the recovery rate on medical debt collection cases assigned to the debt collector, as defined by the Secretary; (F)the number of bills paid using a credit card; and(G)any other information determined appropriate by the Secretary.(3)Availability of informationThe information contained in the database shall be available on a public, searchable internet website regularly updated by the Secretary. The Secretary shall annually publish a public list on HHS.gov of any health care entity that fails to submit such required information.(4)CFPB reportNot later than 12 months after the expiration of two annual reporting periods under paragraph (2), the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shall submit to Congress a report containing an analysis of the reports submitted under that paragraph and an explanation of whether the findings based on the database under this subsection are a useful tool for the agency’s Supervision of Nondepository Covered Persons, including the Risk-Based Supervision Program (under section 1024 of Public Law 111–203). Such report shall include recommendations to improve the disclosures by health care entities for the purposes of supervising the medical debt industry, including for predictive analytics, machine learning, or other analysis techniques used in its Risk-Based Supervision Program..(b)CFPB reportNot later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shall publicly report on medical debt collections, incorporating data from the medical debt collection public database established pursuant to section 2795(a) of the Public Health Service Act, anonymized data from the three largest credit bureaus, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau database of consumer complaints, information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Supervision of Nondepository Covered Persons program including the Risk-Based Supervision Program, and relevant complaints and information from other sources as available.


116 HR 8083 IH: Preserving Employee Retirement Savings Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-08-21
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. 8083
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 21, 2020
Mr. Schneider (for himself and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To establish a temporary tax credit for maintaining retirement benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Preserving Employee Retirement Savings Act of 2020.  2.Temporary credit for maintaining retirement benefits during pandemic (a)In generalIn the case of an eligible employer, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 an amount equal to 20 percent of the qualified retirement contributions by the employer for the taxable year.
(b)LimitationThe amount of credit allowed to the taxpayer under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed $100,000.  (c)Qualified retirement contributionsFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term qualified retirement contribution means, with respect to any taxable year, any employer contribution (other than an elective deferral (as defined in section 402(g)(3) of such Code) to an applicable retirement plan on behalf of an employee other than a highly compensated employee (as defined in section 414(q) of such Code)). (2)Determining contribution to defined benefit planIn the case of a defined benefit plan (as defined in section 414(j) of such Code), the amount treated as an employer contribution under paragraph (1) shall be the amount described with respect to the plan in section 430(b)(1)(A)(i), 431(b)(2)(A), or 433(b)(2)(A) of such Code, as the case may be, or in the case of a CSEC plan that uses a spread gain funding method (as defined in section 433(j)(5)(D)) of such Code), the amount described in 433(j)(1)(B) of such Code.
(3)Coordination with other assistanceSuch term shall not include any amount taken into account in determining any loan amount forgiven under section 1106 or 1109(d)(1)(D) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. (4)Applicable retirement plan (A)In generalFor purposes of this section, the term applicable retirement plan means any plan, annuity contract, pension, or account described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), or (vi) of section 219(g)(5)(A) of such Code (other than a governmental plan (within the meaning of section 414(d))).
(B)Plans with contribution level reduction not eligibleSuch term shall not include any plan, annuity contract, pension, or account which for any plan year which includes the taxable year— (i)is amended after December 31, 2019, to reduce allocations or benefit accruals; or
(ii)in any case in which the employer has discretion over allocations, has a rate of contribution for any class of employees that includes an employee who is not a highly compensated employee which is less than the greater of— (I)the rate of contribution for such class for the last plan year ending before January 1, 2019; or
(II)the rate of contribution for such class for the last plan year ending before January 1, 2020.For purposes of the preceding sentence, the rate of contribution shall be expressed as a percentage of compensation (as defined for the plan year for which such rate is being determined).  (d)Other definitions and special rulesFor purposes of this section—
(1)Eligible employer
(A)In generalThe term eligible employer means any employer— (i)that has a temporary substantial business hardship (within the meaning of section 412(c)(2) of such Code) for the taxable year; and
(ii)in the case of employer that is not a tax-exempt or cooperative organization, the gross receipts (within the meaning of section 448(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of which during the preceding taxable year were not more than $41,500,000. (B)Pre-guidance determination of hardshipIn the case of any determination of the credit under subsection (a) prior to the issuance of guidance by the Secretary of the Treasury as to what constitutes a temporary substantial business hardship under subparagraph (A), the taxpayer may rely on a reasonable good faith determination of whether such a hardship exists.
(2)Tax-exempt or cooperative organizationThe term tax exempt or cooperative organization means— (A)any organization exempt from tax under chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(B)any organization to which subchapter T of chapter 1 of such Code applies; or (C)any organization described in section 1381(a)(2)(C) of such Code.
(3)RecaptureIn the case of an employer allowed a credit under this section for a taxable year with respect to an applicable retirement plan, if such plan fails to meet the requirements of subsection (c)(4)(B) for the following taxable year, then the tax of the taxpayer under chapter 1 of such Code for such following taxable year shall be increased by an amount equal to the amount of the credit so allowed. (4)Aggregation rulesAll employees who are treated as employed by a single employer under subsections (b), (c), (m), and (o) of section 414 of such Code shall be treated as employed by a single employer for purposes of this section. In the case of a plan maintained by more than one employer, each such employer shall be treated separately for purposes of this section.
(5)Third-party payorsAny credit allowed under this section shall be treated as a credit described in section 3511(d)(2) of such Code.  (e)Credit refundable for tax-Exempt and cooperative employersIn the case of an employer that is a tax exempt or cooperative organization, the credit allowed under this section shall be treated as a credit allowed under subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code. Section 512(c)(12)(A) of such Code shall be applied without taking into account any such credit as income.
(f)Application of sectionThis section shall apply to the taxable year of any taxpayer that includes June 30, 2020, and such taxpayer’s first succeeding taxable year.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6290
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 29, 2010
			Ms. Schakowsky (for
			 herself, Mr. Hall of Texas,
			 Mr. Engel,
			 Mr. Terry, and
			 Mr. Barrow) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Energy and Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require
		  Medicaid coverage of optometrists.

		1.Requiring coverage of
			 services of optometrists
			(a)In
			 generalSection 1905(a)(5) of
			 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(5)) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 and before (B); and
				(2)by inserting
			 before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (C) medical and
			 other health services (as defined in section 1861(s)) as authorized by State
			 law, furnished by an optometrist (described in section 1861(r)(4)) to the
			 extent such services may be performed under State law.
				(b)Effective
			 date
				(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided in
			 paragraph (2), the amendments made by
			 subsection (a) shall take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act and shall apply to services furnished or other actions required on or
			 after such date.
				(2)Rule for changes
			 requiring State legislationIn the case of a State plan for
			 medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the
			 Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation
			 (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the
			 additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by
			 subsection (a), the State plan shall not be
			 regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the
			 basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day
			 of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular
			 session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that
			 has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to
			 be a separate regular session of the State legislature.


116 S2481 IS: End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act
U.S. Senate
2019-09-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2481IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 17, 2019Mr. Brown (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo facilitate effective research on and treatment of neglected tropical diseases through
			 coordinated domestic and international efforts.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act. 2.Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title.Sec. 2. Table of contents.Sec. 3. Statement of policy.Sec. 4. Findings.Sec. 5. Definitions.Sec. 6. Rule of construction.Title I—Foreign AffairsSec. 101. United States Agency for International Development Neglected Tropical
			 Diseases Program.Sec. 102. Actions by Department of State.Sec. 103. Multilateral development and health institutions.Title II—Department of Health and Human ServicesSec. 201. Promoting efforts through interagency working groups and international forums.Sec. 202. Report on neglected tropical diseases in the United States.Sec. 203. Centers of excellence.Sec. 204. Panel on worm infection solutions.
 3.Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States to support a broad range of implementation and research and development activities that work toward the achievement of cost-effective and sustainable treatment, control and, where possible, elimination of neglected tropical diseases for the economic and social well-being of all people.
 4.FindingsCongress finds the following: (1)The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified 17 neglected tropical diseases (referred to in this section as NTDs). Approximately 2,000,000,000 people are at risk of contracting an NTD, and more than 1,040,000,000 people are currently afflicted with 1 or more NTDs.
 (2)In 2012, the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases identified 10 NTDs with the potential to be controlled, eliminated, or eradicated by 2020.
 (3)In 2013, the World Health Organization (referred to in this section as WHO) adopted a comprehensive resolution on NTDs, recognizing that increased national and international investments in prevention and control of these diseases have succeeded in improving health and social well-being in many countries. WHO’s World Health Assembly maintains and updates a list of the diverse NTDs across the world.
 (4)In its fourth Update Report, published in 2017, WHO reported significant progress in expanding NTD interventions worldwide, but challenges continue in—
 (A)developing improved evaluation and surveillance tools; and (B)maintaining sufficient funding to ensure that progress is sustained.
 (5)NTDs have an enormous impact in terms of disease burden and quality of life. NTDs cause the loss of up to 185,000 lives and up to 2,500,000,000 disability-adjusted life years each year. NTDs surpass both malaria and tuberculosis in causing greater loss of life-years to disability and premature death. Many NTDs cause disfigurement and disability, in addition to significant morbidity and mortality, leading to stigma, social discrimination, and societal marginalization.
 (6)NTDs create an economic burden of billions of dollars through the loss of productivity and high costs of health care required for treatment. People afflicted by NTDs are less productive than their healthy counterparts. NTDs jeopardize the ability of people to attend work and school, or to produce at full capacity. For example, controlling 1 NTD (hookworm) in children can result in a 43 percent increase in future wage earnings.
 (7)The social, economic, and health burden of NTDs falls primarily on low- and middle-income countries, where access to safe water, sanitation, and health care is limited. At least 100 countries face 2 endemic NTD burdens, and 30 countries carry six or more endemic NTDs. All low-income countries are affected by at least 5 NTDs, and 149 countries and territories are affected by at least 1 NTD.
 (8)NTDs are not confined to the developing world. Several NTDs have been reported in the United States and other developed countries. In the United States, NTDs disproportionately affect communities of color and the poor, with up to 2,850,000 African Americans suffering from toxocariasis and at least 300,000 people, who are mostly Hispanic Americans, are afflicted with Chagas disease.
 (9)Many NTDs can be controlled, prevented, and even eliminated using low-cost, effective, and feasible solutions. Understanding the economic burden of NTDs on productivity and health care costs can help to assure governments and donors that the resources directed toward NTDs represent a good investment.
 (10)Research and development efforts are immediately needed for all NTDs, especially to advance next-generation treatments, interventions, and diagnostics to ensure that countries endemic for NTDs are able to implement and sustain NTD control programs.
 (11)Epidemiological data that identify at-risk populations and ensure that these populations receive consistent and sufficient doses of treatment for their diseases are critical to developing robust NTD control strategies.
 (12)The benefits of deworming are immediate. A rigorous, randomized controlled trial has shown school-based deworming treatment to reduce school absenteeism by 25 percent. School-based deworming also benefits young siblings and other children who live nearby but are too young to be treated, leading to large cognitive improvements equivalent to 1/2 of a year of schooling.
 (13)Improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene can also reduce the transmission of NTDs, particularly NTDs caused by parasites.
 5.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Global FundThe term Global Fund means the public-private partnership known as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria established pursuant to Article 80 of the Swiss Civil Code.
 (2)Neglected tropical diseases; NTDsThe terms neglected tropical diseases and NTDs— (A)mean infections caused by pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths, that disproportionately impact individuals living in extreme poverty, especially in developing countries; and
 (B)include— (i)Buruli ulcer;
 (ii)Chagas disease; (iii)Cysticercosis;
 (iv)Dengue fever; (v)Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease);
 (vi)Echinococcosis; (vii)Fascioliasis;
 (viii)Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness); (ix)Leishmaniasis;
 (x)Leprosy (Hansen’s disease); (xi)Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis);
 (xii)Onchocerciasis (river blindness); (xiii)Rabies;
 (xiv)Schistosomiasis; (xv)Soil-transmitted Helminthiases (STH), such as round worm, whip worm, and hook worm;
 (xvi)Trachoma; and (xvii)Yaws.
 6.Rule of constructionNothing in this Act may be construed to increase the authorization of appropriations for— (1)the United States Agency for International Development; or
 (2)the Department of Health and Human Services. IForeign Affairs 101.United States Agency for International Development Neglected Tropical Diseases Program (a)FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)Since fiscal year 2006, the United States Agency for International Development (referred to in this title as USAID) has been an essential leading partner in advancing control and elimination efforts for 5 targeted neglected tropical diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases (round worm, whip worm, and hook worm), and trachoma.
 (2)USAID is an original endorser of the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases, signed in London on January 30, 2012, which represents a new, coordinated international push to accelerate progress toward eliminating or controlling 10 NTDs by 2020.
 (3)The USAID Neglected Tropical Diseases Program has made important and substantial contributions to the global fight to control and eliminate the 5 targeted NTDs. Leveraging more than $19,000,000,000 in donated medicines, USAID has supported the distribution of more than 2,300,000,000 treatments in 31 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
 (4)Since 2014, the USAID Neglected Tropical Diseases Program has been investing in gathering research and development for the treatment of certain NTDs to ensure that promising new breakthrough diagnostics and medicines can be rapidly evaluated, registered, and made available to patients.
 (5)The USAID Neglected Tropical Diseases Program— (A)is a clear example of a successful public-private partnership between the Government and the private sector; and
 (B)already has contributed to the elimination of at least 1 NTD in 9 different countries. (b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the USAID Neglected Tropical Diseases Program, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act—
 (1)should be continued and may be judiciously expanded, as practicable and appropriate;
 (2)should continue to provide treatment to as many individuals suffering from an NTD or at risk of acquiring an NTD, including individuals displaced by manmade and natural disasters, as logistically feasible;
 (3)should integrate NTD control, treatment tools, and approaches into complementary development and global health programs by coordinating, to the extent practicable and appropriate, across multiple sectors, including sectors relating to HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, education, nutrition, other infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene;
 (4)should continue to conduct low-cost, high-impact community and school-based NTD programs to reach large at-risk populations, including school-age children, with integrated drug treatment packages, as feasible;
 (5)should engage in research and development of new tools and approaches, as opportunities emerge and resources allow, to reach the goals relating to the elimination of NTDs set forth by the World Health Organization; and
 (6)should monitor research on and developments in the prevention and treatment of other NTDs so breakthroughs can be incorporated into the USAID Neglected Tropical Diseases Program, as practicable and appropriate.
 (c)Program prioritiesThe Administrator of USAID should incorporate the following priorities into USAID’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Program (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act):
 (1)Planning for, and conducting robust monitoring and evaluation of, program investments in order to accurately measure impact, identify and share lessons learned, and inform future NTD control and elimination strategies.
 (2)Coordinating program activities with complementary USAID development and global health programs, including programs relating to water, sanitation, and hygiene, food and nutrition security, and primary and secondary education in order to advance the goals of the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases.
 (3)Including morbidity management in National NTD Master Plans. (4)Incorporating NTDs included in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 into the program as opportunities emerge, to the extent practicable and appropriate.
 (5)Continuing investments in the research and development of new tools and approaches that— (A)complement existing research investments; and
 (B)ensure that new discoveries make it through the pipeline and become available to individuals who need them.
						102.Actions by Department of State
 (a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally should fully consider, as necessary and appropriate, evolving research on the impact of neglected tropical diseases on efforts to control HIV/AIDS when making future programming decisions.
 (b)Global programmingThe Secretary of State should encourage the Global Fund to consider, as necessary and appropriate, evolving research on the impact of NTDs on efforts to control HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria when making programming decisions, particularly with regard to female genital schistosomiasis, which studies suggest may be a significant co-factor in the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
 (c)G–20 countriesThe Secretary of State, acting through the Office of Global Health Diplomacy, should encourage G–20 countries to significantly increase their role in the control and elimination of NTDs.
				103.Multilateral development and health institutions
 (a)FindingCongress finds that the treatment of NTDs, including community and school-based deworming programs, can be a highly cost-effective education intervention and schools can serve as an effective delivery mechanism for reaching large numbers of children with safe treatment for soil-transmitted helminthiases (round worm, whip worm, and hook worm).
 (b)Sense of CongressThe President should direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to urge the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme—
 (1)to ensure the dissemination of best practices and programming on NTDs to governments and make data accessible to practitioners in an open and timely fashion;
 (2)to highlight impacts of community and school-based deworming programs on children’s health and education, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of such programs;
 (3)to encourage governments to establish and implement national NTD programs; (4)to consider designating a portion of grant funds of the institutions to deworming initiatives and cross-sectoral collaboration with water, sanitation, and hygiene efforts and nutrition or education programming, as practicable and appropriate;
 (5)to encourage accurate monitoring and evaluation of NTD programs, including deworming programs; and (6)to engage governments in cross-border initiatives for the treatment, control, prevention, and elimination of NTDs, and assist in developing transnational agreements, when and where necessary.
					IIDepartment of Health and Human Services
 201.Promoting efforts through interagency working groups and international forumsThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall continue to promote the need for robust programs and activities to diagnose, prevent, control, and treat neglected tropical diseases—
 (1)through interagency working groups on health; and (2)through relevant international forums on behalf of the United States, including the post-2015 United Nations development agenda.
				202.Report on neglected tropical diseases in the United States
 (a)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through relevant agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall submit a report to the Congress on neglected tropical diseases in the United States.
 (b)ContentsThe report required under this section shall— (1)assess the epidemiology of, impact of, and appropriate funding required to address, neglected tropical diseases in the United States; and
 (2)include information necessary— (A)to guide future health policy with respect to such diseases;
 (B)to accurately evaluate the current state of knowledge concerning such diseases; and (C)to define gaps in such knowledge.
 203.Centers of excellencePart P of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 399V–6 (42 U.S.C. 280g–17) the following:

					399V–7.Neglected tropical disease centers of excellence
						(a)Cooperative agreements and grants
 (1)In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may enter into cooperative agreements with, and award grants to, public or private nonprofit entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, or strengthening, and providing basic operating support for, one or more centers of excellence for research into, training in, and development of diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment methods for neglected tropical diseases, including tools to support elimination by building capacity for sustainable prevention efforts once epidemiology has been characterized and initial control achieved.
 (2)EligibilityTo be eligible for a cooperative agreement or grant under this section, an entity must— (A)have demonstrated expertise in research on, or the epidemiology and surveillance of, major neglected tropical diseases that are endemic to the United States, such as Chagas disease, dengue, leishmaniasis, West Nile virus, and helminth infections; and
 (B)participate in one or more not-for-profit product development partnerships. (b)PoliciesA cooperative agreement or grant under subsection (a) shall be entered into or awarded in accordance with established policies.
 (c)CoordinationThe Secretary shall ensure that activities under this section are coordinated with similar activities of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to neglected tropical diseases.
 (d)Uses of fundsA cooperative agreement or grant under subsection (a) may be used for— (1)staffing, administrative, and other basic operating costs, including patient care costs that are required for research;
 (2)clinical training, including training for allied health professionals, continuing education for health professionals and allied health professions personnel, and information programs for the public with respect to neglected tropical diseases; and
 (3)research and development programs. (e)Period of support; additional periods (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), support of a center of excellence under this section may be for a period of not more than 5 years.
 (2)ExtensionsThe period specified in paragraph (1) may be extended by the Secretary for additional periods of not more than 5 years each if—
 (A)the operations of the center of excellence involved have been reviewed by an appropriate technical and scientific peer review group; and
 (B)group referred to in subparagraph (A) has recommended to the Secretary that such period should be extended.
 (f)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term neglected tropical diseases has the meaning given that term in section 5 of the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act.
 (2)The term product development partnership means a partnership to bring together public and private sector researchers to develop new, or improve on current, global health tools, such as drugs, diagnostics, insecticides, vaccines, and vector management strategies—
 (A)that are for neglected tropical diseases; and (B)for which there is generally no profitable market..
			204.Panel on worm infection solutions
 (a)EstablishmentThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a panel to conduct an evaluation of issues relating to worm infections, including potential solutions such as deworming medicines.
 (b)StrategiesThe panel established pursuant to subsection (a) shall develop recommendations for strategies for solutions with respect to—
 (1)repeat infections; (2)vector control;
 (3)clean water solutions; (4)identifying incentives to encourage basic research for less toxic, more effective medicines; and
 (5)improving the success and cost efficiency of current programs in these areas, based on a thorough scan of initiatives already underway in both the public and private sectors.
 (c)Appointment of membersIn addition to representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant agencies working on neglected tropical diseases, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint, as members of the panel established pursuant to subsection (a), individuals from the public and private sectors who are knowledgeable about or affected by worm infections, including—
 (1)at least 2 representatives of nongovernmental organizations; (2)at least 2 representatives of private industry involved in the development of de-worming medications;
 (3)at least 2 representatives from academia; and (4)representatives of industries relating to sanitation, clean water, and vector control.
 (d)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the panel shall submit a report to Congress and to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that includes—
 (1)the findings and recommended strategies of the panel; and
 (2)recommendations for such administrative action and legislation as the panel determines to be appropriate.
 (e)TerminationThe panel shall terminate not later than 6 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (d).