		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2263
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 5, 2009
			Ms. Sutton introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate
		  the waiting periods for people with disabilities for entitlement to disability
		  benefits and Medicare, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Disability Equity
			 Act.
		2.Elimination of 5-month
			 waiting period for benefits based on disability
			(a)Disability
			 insurance benefits
				(1)In
			 generalThe first sentence of section 223(a)(1) of the Social
			 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423(a)(1)) is amended by striking (i) for each
			 month and all that follows through the first month in which he
			 is under such disability and inserting the following: for each
			 month beginning with the first month during all of which such individual is
			 under a disability and in which such individual becomes so entitled to such
			 insurance benefits.
				(2)Waiting period
			 eliminated from determination of benefit amount
					(A)In
			 generalThe first sentence of section 223(a)(2) of such Act (42
			 U.S.C. 423(a)(2)) is amended by striking in— and all that
			 follows through and as though and inserting the following:
			 in the first month for which such individual becomes entitled to such
			 disability insurance benefits, and as though.
					(B)Conforming
			 amendmentThe second sentence of section 223(a)(2) of such Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 423(a)(2)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) or (B) of
			 such sentence, as the case may be and inserting such
			 sentence.
					(3)Elimination of
			 defined term
					(A)In
			 generalSection 223(c)(2) of such Act is repealed.
					(B)Conforming
			 amendments
						(i)The
			 heading of section 223(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 423(c)) is amended to read as
			 follows: Definition of Insured Status.
						(ii)Section 223(c)(1)
			 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 423(c)(1)) is amended by striking For purposes of
			 subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, when the number of quarters in the
			 last sentence and inserting the following:

								(2)In applying
				paragraph (1)(B), when the number of
				quarters
								.
						(b)Widow’s
			 insurance benefits based on disability
				(1)In
			 generalSection 202(e)(1)(F) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(e)(1)(F))
			 is amended to read as follows:

						(F)if she satisfies subparagraph (B) by
				reason of clause (ii) thereof, the first month during all of which she is under
				a disability and in which she becomes so entitled to such insurance
				benefits,
						.
				(2)Elimination of
			 defined termSection 202(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(e)) is
			 amended—
					(A)by striking
			 paragraph (5); and
					(B)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (5), (6), and (7),
			 respectively.
					(c)Widower’s
			 insurance benefits based on disability
				(1)In
			 generalSection 202(f)(1)(F) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f)(1)(F))
			 is amended to read as follows:

						(F)if he satisfies subparagraph (B) by
				reason of clause (ii) thereof, the first month during all of which he is under
				a disability and in which he becomes so entitled to such insurance
				benefits,
						.
				(2)Elimination of
			 defined termSection 202(f) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f)) is
			 amended—
					(A)by striking
			 paragraph (5); and
					(B)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (5), (6), and (7),
			 respectively.
					(d)Elimination of
			 waiting period for commencement of periods of disabilitySection
			 216(i)(2)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 416(i)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
			 , but only and all that follows and inserting a period.
			(e)Effective
			 datesThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with
			 respect to benefits under section 223 of the Social Security Act, or under
			 section 202 of such Act on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of
			 an individual entitled to benefits under such section 223, for months following
			 the month in which this Act is enacted. The amendments made by subsections (b)
			 and (c) shall apply with respect to benefits based on disability under
			 subsection (e) or (f) of section 202 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 402)
			 for months following the month in which this Act is enacted. The amendment made
			 by subsection (d) shall apply only with respect to applications for disability
			 determinations filed under title II of the Social Security Act on or after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act.
			3.Elimination of waiting
			 period for medicare disability benefits
			(a)In
			 generalSection 226(b) of the
			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 426(b))
			 is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ,
			 and has for 24 calendar months been entitled to,;
				(2)in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ,
			 and has been for not less than 24 months,;
				(3)in paragraph (2)(C)(ii), by striking
			 , including the requirement that he has been entitled to the specified
			 benefits for 24 months,; and
				(4)in the flush matter following paragraph
			 (2)(C)(ii)(II)—
					(A)in the matter before the first complete
			 sentence, by striking for each month beginning with the later of (I)
			 July 1973 or (II) the twenty-fifth month of his and inserting
			 for each month beginning with the first month of the
			 individual’s;
					(B)in the first complete sentence, by striking
			 the twenty-fifth month of his entitlement refers to the
			 first month after the twenty-fourth month of entitlement to specified benefits
			 referred to in paragraph (2)(C) and and inserting the
			 first month of the individual’s entitlement refers to the first
			 month of entitlement to specified benefits referred to in paragraph (2)(C)
			 and; and
					(C)in the second complete sentence, by
			 striking , but not in excess of 78 such months.
					(b)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Subsections (f) and (h) of section 226 of
			 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 426) are repealed.
				(2)Section 1811(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395c(2)) is amended by striking who have been entitled for not less
			 than 24 months and inserting who are entitled.
				(3)Section 1837(g)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395p(g)(1)) is amended by striking of the later of (A) April 1973 or
			 (B) the third month before the 25th month of such entitlement and
			 inserting of the first month of such entitlement.
				(4)Section 7(d)(2)(ii) of the Railroad
			 Retirement Act of 1974 (45 U.S.C. 231f(d)(2)(ii)) is amended—
					(A)by striking “, for not less than 24
			 months”; and
					(B)by striking could have been entitled
			 for 24 calendar months, and could currently be entitled, and inserting
			 could currently be entitled.
					(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by
			 this section shall apply to insurance benefits under title XVIII of the
			 Social Security Act with respect to
			 items and services furnished in months beginning after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.


109 HR 3781 IH: Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-09-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 3781
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 14, 2005
Mr. Visclosky introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on International Relations, Energy and Commerce, Small Business, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To accelerate efforts to develop vaccines for diseases primarily affecting developing countries, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2005.
2.Definitions
In this Act:
(1)AIDSThe term AIDS has the meaning given the term in section 104A(g) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b–2).
(2)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives.
(3)Developing countryThe term developing country means a country that the World Bank determines to be a country with a lower middle income or less.
(4)HIV/AIDSThe term HIV/AIDS has the meaning given the term in section 104A(g) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b–2).
(5)Global Alliance for Vaccines and ImmunizationsThe term Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations means the public-private partnership launched in 2000 for the purpose of saving the lives of children and protecting the health of all people through the widespread use of vaccines.
(6)Neglected diseaseThe term neglected disease means—
(A)HIV/AIDS;
(B)malaria;
(C)tuberculosis; or
(D)any infectious disease (of a single etiology), which, according to the World Health Organization, causes more than 1,000,000 deaths each year in developing countries.
(7)World bankThe term World Bank means the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
3.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
(1)Immunization is cheap, reliable, and effective, and has made a profound impact on global health, in both rich and poor countries.
(2)During the 20th century, global immunization efforts have successfully led to the eradication of smallpox and the elimination of polio from the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and most of Asia. Vaccines for diseases such as measles and tetanus have dramatically reduced childhood mortality worldwide, and vaccines for diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and hepatitis help prevent sickness and death of adults as well as children.
(3)According to the World Health Organization, combined, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria kill more than 5,000,000 people a year, most of whom are in the developing world, yet there are no vaccines for these diseases.
(4)It is estimated that just 10 percent of the world's research and development on health is targeted on diseases affecting 90 percent of the world's population.
(5)Economic disincentives result in little private sector investment in vaccines for neglected diseases, a situation which disproportionately affects populations in developing countries.
(6)Of more than $100,000,000,000 spent on health research and development across the world, only $6,000,000,000 is spent each year on diseases that are specific to developing countries, most of which is from public and philanthropic sources.
(7)Infants, children, and adolescents are among the populations hardest hit by AIDS and malaria, but they are at risk of being left behind in the search for effective vaccines against such diseases.
(8)Providing a broad range of economic incentives to increase private sector research on neglected diseases, including increased public and private sector funding for research and development, guaranteed markets, tax credits, and improved regulatory procedures would increase the number of products in development and the likelihood of finding effective vaccines for such diseases.
4.Sense of Congress on support for neglected diseasesIt is the sense of Congress that—
(1)the President should continue to encourage efforts to support the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, a virtual consortium of scientists and organizations committed to accelerating the development of an effective HIV vaccine;
(2)the United States should work with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and the World Bank to ensure that all countries heavily affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic have national AIDS vaccine plans;
(3)the United States should support and encourage the carrying out of the agreements of the Group of 8 made at the 2005 Summit at Gleneagles, Scotland, to increase direct investment and create market incentives, including through public-private partnerships and advance market commitments, to complement public research in the development of vaccines, microbicides, and drugs for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other neglected diseases;
(4)the United States should support testing of promising vaccines in infants, children, and adolescents as early as is medically and ethically appropriate, in order to avoid significant delays in the availability of pediatric vaccines at the cost of thousands of lives;
(5)the United States should continue supporting the work of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations and the Global Fund for Children’s Vaccines as appropriate and effective vehicles to purchase and distribute vaccines for neglected diseases at an affordable price once such vaccines are discovered in order to distribute them to the developing world; and
(6)the United States should work with others in the international community to address the multiple obstacles to the development of vaccines for neglected diseases including scientific barriers, insufficient economic incentives, protracted regulatory procedures, lack of delivery systems for products once developed, liability risks, and intellectual property rights.
5.Public-Private Partnerships
(a)FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
(1)Creative partnerships between governments and organizations in the private sector (including foundations, universities, corporations including pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms, community-based organizations and other nongovernmental organizations) are playing a critical role in the area of global health, particularly in the fight against neglected diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
(2)Public-private sector partnerships increase local and international capacities to improve the delivery of health services in developing countries and to accelerate research and development of vaccines and other preventive medical technologies essential to combating infectious diseases that disproportionately kill people in developing countries.
(3)These partnerships maximize the unique capabilities of each sector while combining financial and other resources, scientific knowledge, and expertise toward common goals which cannot be achieved by either sector alone.
(4)Public-private partnerships such as the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, and the Global TB Drug Facility are playing cutting edge roles in the efforts to develop vaccines for these diseases.
(5)Public-private partnerships serve as incentives to the research and development of vaccines for neglected diseases by providing biotechnology companies, which often have no experience in developing countries, with technical assistance and on the ground support for clinical trials of the vaccine through the various stages of development.
(6)Sustaining existing public-private partnerships and building new ones where needed are essential to the success of the efforts by the United States and others in the international community to find a cure for these and other neglected diseases.
(b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—
(1)the sustainment and promotion of public-private partnerships must be a central element of the strategy pursued by the United States to create effective incentives for the development of vaccines and other preventive medical technologies for neglected diseases debilitating the developing world; and
(2)the United States government should take steps to address the obstacles to the development of these technologies by increasing investment in research and development and establishing market and other incentives.
(c)PolicyIt is the policy of the United States to accelerate research and development for vaccines and microbicides for neglected diseases by substantially increasing funding for public-private partnerships that invest directly in research, such as the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, and the Global TB Drug Facility, and for partnerships such as the Vaccine Fund that incentivize the development of new vaccines by purchase existing vaccines.
6.Comprehensive Strategy for Accelerating the Development of Vaccines for Neglected Diseases
(a)Requirement for strategyThe President shall establish a comprehensive strategy to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines and microbicides for neglected diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Such strategy shall—
(1)expand public-private partnerships and the leveraging of resources from other countries and the private sector;
(2)include initiatives to create economic incentives for the research, development, and manufacturing of vaccines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other neglected diseases;
(3)include the negotiation of advanced market commitments;
(4)address intellectual property issues surrounding the development of vaccines and microbicidies for neglected diseases;
(5)maximize United States capabilities to support clinical trials of vaccines and microbicidies in developing countries;
(6)address the issue of regulatory approval of such vaccines, whether through the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, or the World Health Organization or another internally-recognized and agreed upon entity;
(7)expand the purchase and delivery of existing vaccines; and
(8)address the challenges of delivering vaccines in developing countries in advance so as to minimize historical delays in access once vaccines are available.
(b)ReportNot later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report setting forth the strategy described in subsection (a) and the steps to implement such strategy.
7.Advanced market commitments
(a)PurposeThe purpose of this section is to create incentives for the private sector to invest in research, development, and manufacturing of vaccines for neglected diseases by creating a competitive market for future vaccines through advanced market commitments.
(b)Authority to negotiate
(1)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury shall enter into negotiations with the appropriate officials of the World Bank, the International Development Association, and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations, the member nations of such entities, and other interested parties for the purpose of establishing advanced market commitments to purchase vaccines and microbicides to combat neglected diseases.
(2)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of the negotiations to create advanced market commitments under this section.
(c)RequirementsThe Secretary of the Treasury shall work with the entities referred to in subsection (b) to ensure that there is an international framework for the establishment and implementation of advanced market commitments and that such commitments include—
(1)legally binding contracts for product purchase that include a fair market price for a guaranteed number of treatments to ensure that the market incentive is sufficient;
(2)clearly defined and transparent rules of competition for qualified developers and suppliers of the product;
(3)clearly defined requirements for eligible vaccines to ensure that they are safe and effective;
(4)dispute settlement mechanisms; and
(5)sufficient flexibility to enable the contracts to be adjusted in accord with new information related to projected market size and other factors while still maintaining the purchase commitment at a fair price.
(d)Trust fund
(1)Authority to establishOn the date that the Secretary of the Treasury determines that a vaccine to combat a neglected disease is available for purchase, the Secretary shall establish in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the Lifesaving Vaccine Purchase Fund consisting of amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (4).
(2)Investment of fundAmounts in such Fund shall be invested in accordance with section 9702 of title 31, United States Code, and any interest on, and proceeds from any such investment shall be credited to and become part of the Fund.
(3)Use of fundThe Secretary is authorized to expend amounts in such Fund for the purchase of a vaccine to combat a neglected disease pursuant to an advanced market commitment undertaken on behalf of the Government of the United States.
(4)Authority to accept contributionsThe President may accept and use in furtherance of the purposes of this Act contributions from nongovernmental organizations, international health agencies, the United Nations, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, private nonprofit organizations that are organized to support public health research and programs, and any other organizations willing to contribute to the Lifesaving Vaccine Purchase Fund.
(5)Appropriations
(A)In generalFor each fiscal year beginning after the date that the Secretary determines that a vaccine to combat a neglected disease is available for purchase, there are authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of such Fund.
(B)Transfer of fundsThe Secretary shall transfer the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year to such Fund.
(C)AvailabilityAmounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph shall remain available until expended without fiscal year limitation.
8.Credit for medical research related to developing vaccines against neglected diseases
(a)In generalSubpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45J.Credit for medical research related to developing Vaccines for neglected diseases
(a)General ruleFor purposes of section 38, the vaccine research credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 30 percent of the qualified vaccine research expenses for the taxable year.
(b)Qualified vaccine research expensesFor purposes of this section—
(1)Qualified vaccine research expenses
(A)In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the term qualified vaccine research expenses means the amounts which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year which would be described in subsection (b) of section 41 if such subsection were applied with the modifications set forth in subparagraph (B).
(B)Modifications; increased incentive for contract research paymentsFor purposes of subparagraph (A), subsection (b) of section 41 shall be applied—
(i)by substituting vaccine research for qualified research each place it appears in paragraphs (2) and (3) of such subsection, and
(ii)by substituting 100 percent for 65 percent in paragraph (3)(A) of such subsection.
(C)Exclusion for amounts funded by grants, etcThe term qualified vaccine research expenses shall not include any amount to the extent such amount is funded by any grant, contract, or otherwise by another person (or any governmental entity).
(2)Vaccine researchThe term vaccine research means research to develop vaccines and microbicides for—
(A)HIV/AIDS (as that term is defined in section 104A(g) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 21516–2)),
(B)malaria,
(C)tuberculosis, or
(D)any infectious disease (of a single etiology) which, according to the World Health Organization, causes more than 1,000,000 human deaths each year in developing countries.
(c)Coordination with credit for increasing research expenditures
(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), any qualified vaccine research expenses for a taxable year to which an election under this section applies shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the credit allowable under section 41 for such taxable year.
(2)Expenses included in determining base period research expensesAny qualified vaccine research expenses for any taxable year which are qualified research expenses (within the meaning of section 41(b)) shall be taken into account in determining base period research expenses for purposes of applying section 41 to subsequent taxable years.
(d)Special rules
(1)Limitations on foreign testingNo credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to any vaccine research (other than human clinical testing) conducted outside the United States.
(2)Pre-clinical researchNo credit shall be allowed under this section for pre-clinical research unless such research is pursuant to a research plan an abstract of which has been filed with the Secretary before the beginning of such year. The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall prescribe regulations specifying the requirements for such plans and procedures for filing under this paragraph.
(3)Certain rules made applicableRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 41(f) shall apply for purposes of this section.
(4)ElectionThis section (other than subsection (e)) shall apply to any taxpayer for any taxable year only if such taxpayer elects to have this section apply for such taxable year.
(e)Credit To be refundable for certain taxpayers
(1)In generalIn the case of an electing qualified taxpayer—
(A)the credit under this section shall be determined without regard to section 38(c), and
(B)the credit so determined shall be allowed as a credit under subpart C.
(2)Electing qualified taxpayerFor purposes of this subsection, the term electing qualified taxpayer means, with respect to any taxable year, any domestic C corporation if—
(A)the aggregate gross assets of such corporation at any time during such taxable year are $500,000,000 or less,
(B)the net income tax (as defined in section 38(c)) of such corporation is zero for such taxable year and the 2 preceding taxable years,
(C)as of the close of the taxable year, the corporation is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a title 11 or similar case (within the meaning of section 368(a)(3)(A)),
(D)the corporation provides such assurances as the Secretary requires that, not later than 2 taxable years after the taxable year in which the taxpayer receives any refund of a credit under this subsection, the taxpayer will make an amount of qualified vaccine research expenses equal to the amount of such refund, and
(E)the corporation elects the application of this subsection for such taxable year.
(3)Aggregate gross assetsAggregate gross assets shall be determined in the same manner as such assets are determined under section 1202(d).
(4)Controlled groupsA corporation shall be treated as meeting the requirement of paragraph (2)(B) only if each person who is treated with such corporation as a single employer under subsections (a) and (b) of section 52 also meets such requirement.
(5)Special rules
(A)Recapture of creditThe Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as necessary and appropriate to provide for the recapture of any credit allowed under this subsection in cases where the taxpayer fails to make the expenditures described in paragraph (2)(D).
(B)Exclusion of certain qualified vaccine research expensesFor purposes of determining the credit under this section for a taxable year, the qualified vaccine research expenses taken into account for such taxable year shall not include an amount paid or incurred during such taxable year equal to the amount described in paragraph (2)(D) (and not already taken into account under this subparagraph for a previous taxable year)..
(b)Inclusion in general business creditSection 38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (18), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (19) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(20)the vaccine research credit determined under section 45J..
(c)Denial of double benefitSection 280C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(e)Credit for qualified vaccine research expenses
(1)In generalNo deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the qualified vaccine research expenses (as defined in section 45J(b)) otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for such taxable year under section 45J(a).
(2)Certain rules to applyRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c) shall apply for purposes of this subsection..
(d)Deduction for unused portion of creditSection 196(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualified business credits) is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (11), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (12) and inserting , and, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(13)the vaccine research credit determined under section 45J(a) (other than such credit determined under the rules of section 280C(e)(2))..
(e)Technical amendments
(1)Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting or from section 45J(e) of such Code, after 1978,.
(2)The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45J. Credit for medical research related to developing vaccines against widespread diseases.
(f)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
(g)Study
(1)In generalThe National Institutes of Health shall conduct a study of the extent to which the credit under section 45J of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a), has stimulated vaccine research.
(2)ReportNot later than the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Institutes of Health shall submit to Congress the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations (if any) to improve the effectiveness of such credit in stimulating vaccine research.
9.Credit for certain sales of lifesaving vaccines
(a)In generalSubpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits), as amended by section 4, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45K.Credit for certain sales of lifesaving Vaccines
(a)In generalFor purposes of section 38, the lifesaving vaccine sale credit determined under this section with respect to a taxpayer for the taxable year is an amount equal to the amount of qualified vaccine sales for the taxable year.
(b)Qualified vaccine salesFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term qualified vaccine sales means the aggregate amount paid to the taxpayer for a qualified sale.
(2)Qualified sale
(A)In generalThe term qualified sale means a sale of a qualified vaccine—
(i)to a nonprofit organization or to a government of any foreign country (or instrumentality of such a government), and
(ii)for distribution in a developing country.
(B)Developing countryFor purposes of this paragraph, the term developing country means a country which the Secretary determines to be a country with a lower middle income or less (as such term is used by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development).
(3)Qualified vaccineThe term qualified vaccine means any vaccine and microbicide—
(A)which is described in section 45J(b)(2), and
(B)which is approved as a new drug after the date of the enactment of this paragraph by—
(i)the Food and Drug Administration,
(ii)the World Health Organization, or
(iii)the appropriate authority of a country included in the list under section 802(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
(c)Limit on amount of creditThe maximum amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a) with respect to a sale shall not exceed the portion of the limitation amount allocated under subsection (d) with respect to such sale.
(d)National limitation on amount of credits
(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (3), there is a lifesaving vaccine sale credit limitation amount for each calendar year equal to—
(A)$100,000,000 for each of years 2006 through 2010, and
(B)$125,000,000 for each of years 2011 through 2012.
(2)Allocation of limitation
(A)In generalThe limitation amount under paragraph (1) shall be allocated for any calendar year by the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (referred to in this section as the Administrator) among organizations with an application approved by the Administrator in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B)Application for allocationThe Administrator shall prescribe the procedures for an application for an allocation under this subsection and the factors to be taken into account in making such allocations. Such applications shall be made at such time and in such form and manner as the Administrator shall prescribe and shall include a detailed plan for distribution of the vaccine.
(3)Carryover of unused limitationIf the limitation amount under paragraph (1) for any calendar year exceeds the aggregate amount allocated under paragraph (2), such limitation for the following calendar year shall be increased by the amount of such excess. No amount may be carried under the preceding sentence to any calendar year after 2024.
(e)Special rulesFor purposes of this section, rules similar to the rules of section 41(f)(2) shall apply..
(b)Inclusion in general business creditSection 38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to current year business credit), as amended by section 4(b), is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(21)the lifesaving vaccine sale credit determined under section 45K..
(c)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 2(c), is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45K. Credit for certain sales of lifesaving vaccines..
(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to sales of vaccines after December 31, 2005, in taxable years ending after such date.
10.SBIR and STTR program funding for vaccine development
(a)Pilot programSection 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(x)Required expenditures for the development of vaccines for neglected diseases
(1)SBIR expendituresEach agency required to make expenditures under subsection (f)(1) or under subsection (n)(1), that is determined by the Administrator to have a mission related to global health or disease prevention shall expend with small business concerns, in addition to any amounts required to be expended under subsections (f) and (n), not less than $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and each fiscal year thereafter, specifically in connection with SBIR and STTR programs which meet the requirements of this section, policy directives, and regulations to carry out this section, to carry out the pilot program established under this subsection.
(2)Pilot programDuring the 4-year period beginning on the date of enactment of the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2005, the Administrator shall establish and carry out a program to encourage the development of vaccines and microbicides to combat a neglected disease, including outreach activities to raise awareness of such program.
(3)Administrative costsThe limitations in subsection (f)(2) and (n)(2) shall not apply to agency expenditures under the pilot program established under this subsection.
(4)ReportSix months before the date of expiration of the pilot program established under this subsection, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report containing an assessment of whether the pilot program is meeting the objective of providing incentives to small business concerns to research the development of vaccines and microbicides to combat a neglected disease, and an accounting of the expenditures for the pilot program.
(5)DefinitionsAs used in this subsection and subsection (j), the terms neglected disease and developing country have the same meanings as in section 2 of the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2005..
(b)Policy ObjectivesSection 9(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(4)Additional modifications for the development of vaccines for a neglected diseaseNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act of 2005, the Administrator shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to ensure that agencies participating in the SBIR and STTR programs develop an action plan for implementing the pilot program for the development of vaccines and microbicides to combat a neglected disease under subsection (x), including outreach to raise awareness of the pilot program..


109 HR 4842 IH: Port Security Act of 2006
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-03-01
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. 4842
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 1, 2006
Ms. Wasserman Schultz (for herself, Mr. Poe, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Nadler, and Mr. McNulty) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To ensure the security of United States ports, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Port Security Act of 2006.
2.Prohibition on leases of real property and facilities at United States ports by foreign government-owned entities
(a)In generalSection 271(d) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170(d)) is amended—
(1)by striking Subject to subsection (d) and inserting the following:

(1)In generalSubject to subsection (e); and
(2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)Prohibition on leases of real property and facilities at United States ports by foreign government-owned entitiesThe President shall prohibit any merger, acquisition, or takeover described in subsection (a)(1) that will result in any entity that is owned or controlled by a foreign government leasing, operating, managing, or owning real property or facilities at a United States port..
(b)Report required
(1)In generalNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to Congress a report on the leasing, operating, managing, or owning real property or facilities at United States ports by entities that are owned or controlled by foreign governments.
(2)ContentThe report required under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)a list of all entities that are owned or controlled by foreign governments that are leasing, operating, managing, or owning real property or facilities at United States ports;
(B)an assessment of the national security threat posed by such activities; and
(C)recommendations for any legislation in response to such threat.
3.Increased transparency of mandatory investigationsSection 271(b) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170(b)) is amended—
(1)by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
(2)by striking The President and inserting the following:

(1)In generalThe President;
(3)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(2)Notification to CongressNot later than one day after commencing an investigation under paragraph (1), the President shall provide notice of the investigation and relevant information regarding the proposed merger, acquisition, or takeover, including relevant ownership records to—
(A)the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate;
(B)the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
(C)the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(D)the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(E)the Members of Congress representing the States and districts affected by the proposed transaction.
(3)Notification to public officials of investigations of proposed transactions affecting United States portsIn the case of an investigation under paragraph (1) of a proposed merger, acquisition, or takeover that will result in any entity that is owned or controlled by a foreign government leasing, operating, managing, or owning real property or facilities at a United States port, the President shall, not later than one day after commencing an investigation under paragraph (1), notify the Governors and heads of relevant government agencies of the States in which such ports are located and provide to such Governors and relevant agency heads information regarding the proposed merger, acquisition, or takeover, including relevant ownership records.
(4)Public Comments
(A)Solicitation of public commentsNot later than 7 days after commencing an investigation under paragraph (1), the President shall publish in the Federal Register a description of the proposed merger, acquisition, or takeover, including a solicitation for public comments on such proposed merger, acquisition, or takeover.
(B)Summary of public commentsNot later than 10 days prior to the completion of an investigation under paragraph (1), the President shall publish in the Federal Register a summary of the public comments received pursuant to subparagraph (A)..
4.Technical correctionSection 271(e) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170(e)) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting subsection (d).
5.Effective DateThe amendments made by this Act shall apply to any merger, acquisition, or takeover considered on or after October 1, 2005 under section 271 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170).


115 S2756 IS: Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act
U.S. Senate
2018-04-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2756IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 25, 2018Mr. Tillis (for himself and Ms. Cortez Masto) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo amend the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise the
			 regulations of the Commission regarding the qualifications of natural
			 persons as accredited investors.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act. 2.Definition of accredited investor (a)In generalSection 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (15) and inserting the following:

 (15)(A)The term accredited investor shall mean— (i)a bank, as defined in section 3(a)(2), whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; an insurance company, as defined in paragraph (13) of this subsection; an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.) or a business development company, as defined in section 2(a)(48) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 80a–2(a)(48)); a small business investment company licensed by the Small Business Administration; or an employee benefit plan, including an individual retirement account, which is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1002(21)), which is either a bank, an insurance company, or a registered investment adviser;
 (ii)any natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person’s spouse, exceeds $1,000,000 (which amount shall be adjusted for inflation by the Commission every 3 years to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, rounding to the nearest $10,000) where, for purposes of calculating net worth under this clause—
 (I)the person’s primary residence shall not be included as an asset; (II)indebtedness that is secured by the person’s primary residence, up to the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the sale of securities, shall not be included as a liability (except that if the amount of such indebtedness outstanding at the time of sale of securities exceeds the amount outstanding 60 days before such time, other than as a result of the acquisition of the primary residence, the amount of such excess shall be included as a liability); and
 (III)indebtedness that is secured by the person's primary residence in excess of the estimated fair market value of the primary residence at the time of the sale of securities shall be included as a liability;
 (iii)any natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the 2 most recent years or joint income with that person’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year (which amounts shall be adjusted for inflation by the Commission every 3 years to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, rounding to the nearest $10,000);
 (iv)any natural person who holds securities purchased from an issuer if such issuer has a reasonable belief that the natural person exceeded the threshold described in clause (ii) or (iii) at the time of the original purchase and would continue to exceed that threshold, without regard to any subsequent adjustment for inflation;
 (v)any natural person who is currently licensed or registered as a broker, dealer, registered representative, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative by the Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or an equivalent self-regulatory organization, as defined in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)), or the securities division of a State or the equivalent State division responsible for licensing or registration of individuals in connection with securities activities;
 (vi)any natural person that the Commission determines, by regulation and in accordance with subparagraph (B), to have demonstrable education, job, or professional experience to qualify such person as an accredited investor; or
 (vii)any natural person who, on the basis of such factors as financial sophistication, net worth, knowledge, and experience in financial matters, or amount of assets under management qualifies as an accredited investor under rules and regulations which the Commission shall prescribe.
 (B)When issuing a regulation under subparagraph (A)(vi), the Commission shall— (i)consider such factors as whether a natural person has—
 (I)a qualifying education, job, or professional experience, as verified by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or an equivalent self-regulatory organization, as defined in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)), or a certification or accreditation as verified by an independent third party; and
 (II)a reasonable level of relevant financial expertise in order to understand—
 (aa)features of commonly issued private securities, including any voting and economic rights and disclosure obligations of the issuer;
 (bb)the basic components of a financial statement; (cc)the material investment risk associated with the investment; and
 (dd)any other factor that the Commission determines will serve the public interest and protect investors; and
 (ii)determine the period of time during which an accredited investor shall retain such status.. (b)RegulationsThe Securities and Exchange Commission shall revise the definition of accredited investor under section 230.501 of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, to conform with the amendment made by subsection (a).


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4088
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			November 17, 2009
			Mr. Carter (for
			 himself, Mr. Petri,
			 Mr. Connolly of Virginia,
			 Mr. Ruppersberger,
			 Mr. Hunter,
			 Mr. Roe of Tennessee,
			 Ms. McCollum,
			 Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin,
			 Mr. Cole, Ms. Baldwin, Mr.
			 Kind, Mr. Doyle,
			 Mrs. Biggert,
			 Ms. Fallin,
			 Mr. Donnelly of Indiana,
			 Mr. Holden,
			 Mr. Ellison,
			 Mr. Conaway,
			 Ms. Ros-Lehtinen,
			 Mr. Olson,
			 Mrs. Lummis,
			 Mr. Pierluisi,
			 Mrs. Blackburn,
			 Ms. Chu, Mr. Edwards of Texas,
			 Mr. McCaul,
			 Ms. Norton,
			 Ms. Granger,
			 Mr. Thornberry,
			 Mrs. McMorris Rodgers,
			 Mr. Neugebauer,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Brady of Texas,
			 Mr. Smith of Texas,
			 Mr. Davis of Tennessee,
			 Mr. King of New York,
			 Mr. Westmoreland,
			 Mr. Wamp, Mr. Broun of Georgia,
			 Mr. Al Green of Texas,
			 Mr. Cantor,
			 Mr. Price of Georgia,
			 Mr. Lamborn,
			 Mr. Hensarling,
			 Mr. Gohmert,
			 Mr. King of Iowa, and
			 Mr. Davis of Kentucky) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in
			 addition to the Committees on Ways and
			 Means, Oversight and
			 Government Reform, and Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be
			 subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
			 concerned

		A BILL
		To ensure that the members of the Armed Forces and
		  civilian employees of the Department of Defense who were killed or wounded in
		  the shootings at Fort Hood are treated in the same manner as members who are
		  killed or wounded in combat zones or civilian employees who are killed or
		  wounded in a terrorist attack or while serving with the Armed Forces in a
		  contingency operation.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Fort Hood Families Benefits Protection
			 Act.
		2.Treatment of
			 members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense
			 who were killed or wounded in the shootings at Fort Hood
			(a)TreatmentFor purposes of the laws specified in
			 subsection (b), a member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the
			 Department of Defense who was killed or wounded by gunfire in the shootings
			 that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, shall be deemed—
				(1)in the case of a member, to have been
			 killed or wounded in a combat zone as the result of an act of an enemy of the
			 United States; and
				(2)in the case of a civilian employee of the
			 Department of Defense, to have been killed or wounded while serving with the
			 Armed Forces in a contingency operation or to have been killed or wounded in a
			 terrorist attack.
				(b)Covered
			 lawsSubsection (a) shall apply with respect to the following
			 laws (and related regulations and policies):
				(1)Executive Order
			 11016 (relating to the award of the Purple Heart to members of the Armed
			 Forces).
				(2)The Secretary of Defense Medal for the
			 Defense of Freedom (for civilian employees of the Department of Defense who are
			 killed or wounded in the line of duty).
				(3)Section 8102a of title 5, United States
			 Code (relating to a death gratuity for deaths incurred in connection with an
			 employee’s service with the Armed Forces in a contingency operation).
				(4)Section 1413a of
			 title 10, United States Code (relating to combat-related special compensation
			 for retired members).
				(5)Section 1482a of title 10, United States
			 Code (relating to payment of expenses incident to the death of a civilian
			 employee while serving with the Armed Forces in a contingency
			 operation).
				(6)Sections 303a(e) and 373(b)(2) of title 37,
			 United States Code (relating to repayment of unearned portion of bonuses and
			 other benefits when a uniformed services dies or is retired or separated with a
			 combat-related disability).
				(7)Section 310 of title 37, United States Code
			 (relating to special pay for members for duty subject to hostile fire or
			 imminent danger).
				(8)Section 328 of title 37, United States Code
			 (relating to combat-related injury rehabilitation pay for members).
				(9)Section 372 of title 37, United States Code
			 (relating to continuation of special pays and allowances for members during
			 hospitalization and rehabilitation resulting from wounds incurred while on duty
			 in a combat zone).
				(10)Section 402(h) of title 37, United States
			 Code (relating to no payment for meals received at military treatment
			 facilities by members recovering from an injury incurred in a combat
			 zone).
				(11)Section 411h of title 37, United States
			 Code (relating to transportation of family members incident to illness or
			 injury of members).
				(12)Section 1007(c)(4) of title 37, United
			 States Code (relating to deductions from pay of members).
				(13)Section 112 of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to tax treatment of combat zone
			 compensation of members).
				(14)Section 134(b)(6) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 (relating to tax treatment of certain State payments received by
			 members in a combat zone).
				(15)Section 692 of the Internal Revenue Code of
			 1986 (relating to income taxes of members who die in a combat zone or from
			 injuries sustained therein and victims of terrorist attacks).
				(16)Section 2201 of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to selection of rate schedule to
			 estate of members who die in a combat zone or from injuries sustained therein
			 and victims of terrorist attacks).
				(17)Section 7508 of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to postponement of time for
			 performing certain actions under internal revenue laws for members serving in a
			 combat zone or recovering from injuries sustained therein).
				(18)Any other provision of law that treats the
			 death or injury of a member of the Armed Forces in a combat zone as the result
			 of an act of an enemy of the United States or the death or injury of a civilian
			 employee in a terrorist attack or while serving with the Armed Forces in a
			 contingency operation differently from the death or injury of members and
			 civilian employees under other circumstances.
				(c)Maximum coverage
			 under servicemembers’ group life insuranceIf a member of the Armed Forces who was
			 killed in the shootings that occurred at Fort Hood or dies of wounds sustained
			 in the shootings was insured under subchapter III of chapter 19 of title 38,
			 United States Code, but elected to be insured in an amount less than the amount
			 provided for under section 1967(a)(3)(A)(i) of such title, the amount for which
			 the person is deemed to be insured under such subchapter shall be $400,000
			 notwithstanding such election.
			(d)ExceptionSubsections
			 (a) and (c) shall not apply to a member of the Armed Forces whose wounds or
			 death is the result of the willful misconduct of the member.


117 S729 IS: Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2021
U.S. Senate
2021-03-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 729IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 11, 2021Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Markey, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Wyden) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo establish an Educational Equity Challenge Grant program administered by the Department of Education.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2021.2.Educational equity challenge grant program(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Educational service agencyThe term educational service agency has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (2)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity—(A)means—(i)a local educational agency;(ii)a consortium of local educational agencies;(iii)a State educational agency;(iv)an educational service agency;(v)a partnership between a nonprofit organization, including a provider of early childhood education, an institution of higher education, a community-based organization, or a national intermediary, and 1 or more local educational agencies; or(vi)the Bureau of Indian Education; and(B)shall not include any for-profit entity. (3)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). (4)Local educational agencyThe term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(5)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.(6)State educational agencyThe term State educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (b)Establishment of programThe Secretary shall establish an Educational Equity Challenge Grant program through which the Secretary awards grants to eligible entities to—(1)adopt and implement evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions to address academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs associated with the COVID–19 pandemic that meet the standard of evidence described in section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A)(i)); or (2)design or replicate and implement field- and educator-initiated proposals to address academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs associated with the COVID–19 pandemic that—(A)are independently evaluated by the grantee for efficacy; and(B)meet the standard of evidence described in section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A)(i)). (c)Allocation of funds(1)Administrative expensesThe Secretary may use not more than 5 percent of funds available to carry out this section for administration of the Educational Equity Challenge Grant program, including technical assistance, collaboration with other relevant agencies, and dissemination of best practices. (2)Reservation for tribesFrom amounts appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year and not used under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall reserve 5 percent to award grants to the outlying areas and the Bureau of Indian Education to carry out activities described in this section in schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.(3)Evidence-based and field-initiated proposalsFrom the funds remaining after carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), in awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that—(A)75 percent of the grant funds are awarded to evidence-based proposals, as described in subsection (b)(1); and(B)25 percent of the grant funds are awarded to field- and educator-initiated proposals, as described in subsection (b)(2).(4)Rural areas(A)In generalFrom the funds remaining after carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), in awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the grant funds are awarded to eligible entities—(i)that have a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, as determined by the Secretary; or(ii)for which a majority of the schools to be served by the program funded by the grant awarded under this section to such an eligible entity are designated with a locale code of 32, 33, 41, 42, or 43, or a combination of such codes, as determined by the Secretary.(B)ExceptionNotwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under such subparagraph if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality.(5)Low-income students(A)In generalFrom the funds remaining after carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), in awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of the grant funds are awarded to eligible entities that serve student populations in which 20 percent or more of school-age children live in low-income families, according to the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates of the Bureau of the Census. (B)ExceptionNotwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under such subparagraph if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient number of applications of sufficient quality.(6)Rural and low-income studentsAn eligible entity that is described in paragraph (4)(A) and also described in paragraph (5)(A) may count as an eligible entity under both paragraphs for purposes of the requirements under such paragraphs. (d)Publication of applicationNot later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—(1)publish the applications for grants under this section; and(2)post on the public website of the Department of Education resources regarding identified evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions. (e)ApplicationsAn eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require, including the following:(1)Identification by the eligible entity of the inequities experienced by students during the COVID–19 pandemic, including the impact on academic progress and social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs, identified through trauma-informed academic, social-emotional, and health needs assessments or assessments used in multi-tiered systems of support. Where possible, applicants shall utilize existing assessments and validated tools, such as surveys, to avoid duplicative or excessive student testing.(2)The differential impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on increased academic, social-emotional, mental, and physical health needs for specific groups of students, including low-income students, students of color and Native American students, homeless students, migrant students, students in foster care, English learners, students involved with the juvenile justice system, and students with disabilities, and other specific groups identified in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), in a manner that protects personally identifiable information.(3)The evidence-based strategies the eligible entity will use to address these inequities if applying for a grant described in subsection (b)(1).(4)How academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health, access to accelerated student learning and mastery of content, and related outcomes will be measured, including how the eligible entity will use existing assessments and validated tools, such as surveys, to avoid duplicative or excessive student testing.(5)How the eligible entity will partner and seek ongoing feedback with the parents, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, local stakeholders, and community members, including those from marginalized communities, to identify academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs of students and collaborate on provision of high-quality services where appropriate.(6)How the proposed strategies and interventions will accelerate student learning, promote mastery of content, and expand student access to and opportunity for well-rounded, culturally and linguistically responsive, and rigorous standards-aligned curricula.(7)Identification by the eligible entity of the mental and physical health impacts on school staff during the COVID–19 pandemic.(8)A proposed detailed budget, including how the applicant plans to distribute funds among schools and groups of students identified as highest need.(9)For eligible entities that intend to carry out field- and educator-initiated proposals described in subsection (b)(2), a proposal for conducting an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposal. (f)PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants serving disproportionately higher percentages of high-need students, including low-income students, students of color and Native American students, homeless students, migrant students, students in foster care, English learners, students involved with the juvenile justice system, students with disabilities, and students that have been disproportionately affected by COVID–19. (g)Uses of fundsAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall carry out 1 of the following:(1)Implementation of evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions that meet the requirements described in section 8101(21)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A)(i)), which shall include at least 1 of the following:(A)Developing, administering, and using high-quality, universally designed assessments that are valid and reliable, to accurately assess students’ academic needs and progress and assist educators in meeting students’ academic needs, including through differentiating instruction, progress monitoring, and providing professional development on how to develop universally designed, high-quality assessments that are aligned with curricula or how to effectively implement and use existing high-quality assessments for these purposes. (B)Supporting social and emotional learning, including through integrated systems of support, counseling, and the explicit teaching of cognitive, social, and emotional skills and competencies, by building social and emotional instruction into all classes, and which may include instituting restorative practices.(C)Implementing school- and district-wide practices that support students holistically, including mental health services, early intervention and prevention practices, trauma-informed practices, and efforts to improve family engagement and staff well-being. (D)Implementing culturally and linguistically responsive practices.(E)Extending instructional time, which may include—(i)before or after school programs and extending the school day or year, including through summer learning programs; or(ii)high-quality distance instruction, during non-traditional school days and hours (including during the summer), including providing professional development to support effective, personalized instruction.(F)Implementing high-quality structured individual or small group tutoring.(G)Implementing and providing professional development on the use of rigorous, culturally and linguistically competent, universally designed, and well-rounded curriculum.(H)Recruiting and supporting racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse, well-prepared educators, including those with disabilities, through comprehensive State-accredited teacher preparation programs.(I)Implementing programs that promote school racial and socioeconomic integration and diversity and effective inclusion of students with disabilities. (2)Design or replication and implementation of field- and educator-initiated proposals—(A)that meet the standard of evidence described in section 8101(21)(A)(ii) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A)(ii));(B)that demonstrate a promising approach;(C)that include family and educator input into their design and implementation; and(D)that include activities, strategies, or interventions that are independently evaluated and published by the grantee for efficacy.(h)Rule of construction for collective bargainingNothing in this section shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to school or local educational agency employees under Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders) or under the terms of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between such employers and their employees. (i)Independent evaluationsAn eligible entity that receives a grant for activities described in subsection (b)(2) shall—(1)conduct an independent evaluation for efficacy, which shall—(A)estimate the impact of the interventions carried out under the grant (as implemented at the proposed level of scale on a relevant outcome for individual groups of students); and(B)be made broadly available digitally and free of charge, through formal (including peer-reviewed journals) and informal (including newsletters) mechanisms and through posting on the Department of Education’s public website; and(2)cooperate with any technical assistance provided by the Department of Education or the contractor of the Department and comply with the requirements of any evaluation of the program conducted by the Department. (j)Reports(1)GranteesAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary describing—(A)the proposed and actual uses of funds, including a description of how much funding supported which evidence-based interventions;(B)how funds were used and their effect on student access to accelerated student learning, mastery of content and social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health outcomes, which may include success measures such as school culture surveys, workplace culture surveys, family feedback, and existing diagnostic or formative assessments, disaggregated by the specific groups identified in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), in a manner that protects personally identifiable information;(C)how the State educational agency or local educational agency distributed funds, including any formula or methodology that was used, to schools served by such agency to meet the academic, social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health needs of students who have been disproportionately affected by COVID–19 and school closures, including students from low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, students of color, students experiencing homelessness, children and youth in foster care, migrant children, and students involved with the juvenile justice system; and (D)how the grant funds were supplemented with State and local funds targeted to disproportionately affected students as described in subparagraph (B), including funds appropriated through State formula grants to local educational agencies.(2)Reports to CongressBeginning 1 year after the first grants are awarded under this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit and digitally publish a report to Congress detailing—(A)the basis on which grants were awarded;(B)eligible entities that received grants and amount of funding received by each grantee;(C)the proposed and actual uses of funds, including a description of how much funding supported which evidence-based interventions;(D)available outcomes related to student learning and social-emotional, mental, behavioral, and physical health, disaggregated by the specific groups identified in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), in a manner that protects personally identifiable information; and(E)the technical assistance activities of the Department of Education and costs of these activities, dissemination costs, and costs of other activities supported by the set-aside for the Department of Education.(k)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—(1)$15,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2023;(2)$10,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2027; and(3)$5,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2028 through 2030.


114 HR 737 IH: Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-02-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 737
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 4, 2015
			Mr. Serrano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the egg, meat, and poultry inspection laws to ensure
			 that consumers receive notification regarding food products produced from
			 crops, livestock, or poultry raised on land on which sewage sludge was
			 applied.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act. 2.Notification to consumers of food products produced on land on which sewage sludge has been applied (a)Adulterated food under federal food, drug, and cosmetic actSection 402 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(j)
 (1)Effective one year after the date of the enactment of the Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act, if it is a food (intended for human consumption and offered for sale) that was produced, or contains any ingredient that was produced, on land on which sewage sludge was applied, unless—
 (A)the application of sewage sludge to the land terminated more than one year before the date on which the production of the food or ingredient on the land commenced;
 (B)the food bears a label that clearly indicates that the food, or an ingredient of the food, was produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or
 (C)in the case of a raw agricultural commodity or other food generally offered for sale without labeling, a sign is posted within close proximity of the food to notify consumers that the food, or an ingredient of the food, was produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied.
 (2)In this paragraph, the term sewage sludge has the meaning given to such term in section 503.9(w) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations)..
 (b)Adulterated food under Egg Products Inspection ActSection 4 of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1033) is amended— (1)in paragraph (a)—
 (A)by striking or at the end of subparagraph (7); (B)by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (8) and inserting ; or; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (9)effective one year after the date of the enactment of the Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act, if it is derived from poultry that were raised, or that consumed animal feed produced, on land on which sewage sludge was applied, unless—
 (A)the application of sewage sludge to the land terminated more than one year before the date on which the poultry began to be raised on the land or the date on which the production of the animal feed on the land commenced; or
 (B)the container bears a label that clearly indicates that the egg or egg product was derived from poultry that—
 (i)were raised on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or (ii)consumed animal feed produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied.; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (aa)The term sewage sludge has the meaning given to such term in section 402(j)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(j)(2))..
 (c)Adulterated food under Federal Meat Inspection ActSection 1 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601) is amended— (1)in paragraph (m)—
 (A)by striking or at the end of subparagraph (8); (B)by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (9) and inserting ; or; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (10)effective one year after the date of the enactment of the Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act, if it is derived from livestock that grazed, or consumed animal feed produced, on land on which sewage sludge was applied, unless—
 (A)the application of sewage sludge to the land terminated more than one year before the date on which the livestock began grazing on the land or the date on which the production of the animal feed on the land commenced;
 (B)the carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product bears a label that clearly indicates that the livestock—
 (i)grazed on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or (ii)consumed animal feed produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or
 (C)in the case of a carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product generally offered for sale without labeling, a sign is posted within close proximity of the item to notify consumers that the livestock—
 (i)grazed on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or (ii)consumed animal feed produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied.; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (x)The term sewage sludge has the meaning given to such term in section 402(j)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(j)(2))..
 (d)Adulterated food under Poultry Products Inspection ActSection 4 of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 453) is amended— (1)in paragraph (g)—
 (A)by striking or at the end of subparagraph (7); (B)by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (8) and inserting ; or; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (9)effective one year after the date of the enactment of the Sewage Sludge in Food Production Consumer Notification Act, if it is derived from poultry that were raised, or that consumed animal feed produced, on land on which sewage sludge was applied, unless—
 (A)the application of sewage sludge to the land terminated more than one year before the date on which the poultry began to be raised on the land or the date on which the production of the animal feed on the land commenced;
 (B)the poultry product bears a label that clearly indicates that the poultry contained in the product— (i)were raised on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or
 (ii)consumed animal feed produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or (C)in the case of a poultry product generally offered for sale without labeling, a sign is posted within close proximity of the item to notify consumers that the poultry contained in the product—
 (i)were raised on land on which sewage sludge was applied; or (ii)consumed animal feed produced on land on which sewage sludge was applied.; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (cc)The term sewage sludge has the meaning given to such term in section 402(j)(2) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(j)(2))..
				(e)Relation to national organic program
 (1)In generalNothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to modify the prohibition contained in part 205 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, on the use of sewage sludge, including ash, grit, or screenings from the production of sewage sludge, in organic food production under the National Organic Program of the Department of Agriculture.
 (2)DefinitionIn this subsection, the term sewage sludge has the meaning given to such term in section 503.9(w) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), except that such term includes ash generated during the firing of sewage sludge in a sewage sludge incinerator or grit and screenings generated during preliminary treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works.


116 HRES 581 IH: Expressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2019, to September 28, 2019, as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions week.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-09-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 581IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 24, 2019Ms. Judy Chu of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborRESOLUTIONExpressing support for the recognition of September 22, 2019, to September 28, 2019, as Asian
			 American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions week.

 Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions are degree-granting institutions that have a full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment of not less than 10 percent Asian American students or Native American Pacific Islander students;
 Whereas the purpose of the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program is to improve the availability and quality of postsecondary education programs to serve Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and low-income students;
 Whereas the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program was originally authorized on September 27, 2007, by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007;
 Whereas 133 eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions operate in the United States, including the United States territories;
 Whereas eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions comprise less than 4 percent of all institutions of higher education, yet enroll over one-third of all Asian American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students;
 Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions enroll approximately 40 percent of Asian American and Pacific Islander students in higher education and employ many of the Nation’s Asian American and Pacific Islander faculty and staff;
 Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions award almost half of the associate’s degrees and approximately one quarter of the bachelor’s degrees attained by Asian American and Pacific Islander college students;
 Whereas many Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions have active Asian American Studies programs that play a vital role in preserving the heritage, culture, history, and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders;
 Whereas Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions create culturally relevant academic programming, programs, and services to support low-income and first generation students and increase the graduation rates of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders;
 Whereas celebrating the vast contributions of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions strengthens the culture of the United States; and
 Whereas the achievements and goals of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the achievements and goals of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions in their work to provide quality educational opportunities to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other students who attend their institutions;
 (2)encourages institutions of higher education that are eligible for designation as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution to obtain such designation and establish programs to serve the unique needs of Asian American and Pacific Islander students and families; and
 (3)calls on the people of the United States and interested groups to observe Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2273
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 31, 2007
			Mr. Akaka (by request)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To enhance the functioning and integration of formerly
		  homeless veterans who reside in permanent housing, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Enhanced Opportunities for
			 Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Act of
			 2007.
		2.Grants to
			 entities that coordinate the provision of supportive services to formerly
			 homeless veterans residing on qualifying military property
			(a)Establishment
				(1)Subject to the
			 availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs may carry out a pilot program to make grants to public and non-profit
			 (including faith-based and community) organizations to coordinate the provision
			 of supportive services available in the local community to very low income,
			 formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing that is located on
			 qualifying property.
				(2)The Secretary may
			 make grants at up to 10 qualifying properties under the pilot program.
				(b)Qualifying
			 propertyA military installation closed in accordance with the
			 2005 base realignment and closure process (pursuant to the Defense Base
			 Realignment and Closure Act of 1990 (BRAC), as amended), and the property
			 disposal provisions of chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code (formerly the
			 Federal Property and Administrative Property Act of 1949) that the Secretary of
			 Defense determines, after consideration of the local redevelopment authority's
			 redevelopment plan, may be used to assist the homeless in accordance with the
			 redevelopment plan.
			(c)Criteria for
			 grantsThe Secretary shall prescribe criteria and requirements
			 for grants under this section and shall publish such criteria and requirements
			 in the Federal Register.
			(d)Duration of
			 programThe authority of the Secretary to provide grants under a
			 pilot program under this section will cease on the date that is five years
			 after the date of the commencement of that pilot program.
			(e)DefinitionFor
			 purposes of this section, very low income has the same meaning
			 as that used in the Resident Characteristics Report issued annually by the
			 Department of Housing and Urban Development.
			(f)Authorization
			 for the appropriation of fundsThere is authorized to be
			 appropriated from amounts made available under the heading General
			 Operating Expenses, not more than $3,000,000 in each of fiscal years
			 2009 through 2013 to carry out the purposes of this section.
			3.Grants to
			 entities that coordinate the provision of supportive services to formerly
			 homeless veterans residing in permanent housing
			(a)Establishment
			 of pilot program
				(1)Subject to the
			 availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs may carry out a pilot program to make grants to public and non-profit
			 (including faith-based and community) organizations to coordinate the provision
			 of supportive services available in the local community to very low income,
			 formerly homeless veterans residing in permanent housing.
				(2)The Secretary may
			 make grants at up to 10 qualifying properties under the pilot program.
				(b)Qualifying
			 propertyAny property in the United States on which permanent
			 housing is provided or afforded to formerly homeless veterans, as determined by
			 the Secretary.
			(c)Criteria for
			 grantsThe Secretary shall prescribe criteria and requirements
			 for grants under this section and shall publish such criteria and requirements
			 in the Federal Register.
			(d)Duration of
			 pilot programThe authority of the Secretary to provide grants
			 under a pilot program under this section will cease on the date that is five
			 years after the date of the commencement of that pilot program.
			(e)DefinitionFor
			 purposes of this section, very low income has the same meaning
			 as that used in the Resident Characteristics Report issued annually by the
			 Department of Housing and Urban Development.
			(f)Authorization
			 for the appropriation of fundsThere is authorized to be
			 appropriated from amounts made available under the heading General
			 Operating Expenses, not more than $3,000,000 in each of fiscal years
			 2009 through 2013 to carry out the purposes of this section.
			4.Grants to
			 entities for pension outreach
			(a)Authority To
			 make grantsIn addition to the outreach authority provided to the
			 Secretary of Veterans Affairs by section 7722 of title 38 United States Code,
			 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a pilot program to make grants
			 to public and non-profit (including faith-based and community) organizations
			 for services to provide outreach to inform low-income and elderly veterans and
			 their spouses who reside in rural areas of benefits for which they may be
			 eligible under chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code.
			(b)Criteria for
			 grantsThe Secretary shall prescribe criteria and requirements
			 for grants under this section and shall publish such criteria and requirements
			 in the Federal Register.
			(c)Duration of
			 pilot programThe authority of the Secretary to provide grants
			 under a pilot program under this section will cease on the date that is five
			 years after the date of the commencement of that pilot program.
			(d)Authorization
			 for the appropriation of fundsThere is authorized to be
			 appropriated from amounts made available under the heading General
			 Operating Expenses, not more than $1,275,000 in each of fiscal years
			 2009 through 2013 to carry out the purposes of this section.
			5.Grants to
			 entities that assist eligible transitioning individuals in need of vocational
			 rehabilitation assistance and services
			(a)Authority To
			 make grants
				(1)Subject to the
			 availability of appropriations provided for such purpose as authorized under
			 subsection (i) of this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out
			 a pilot program to make grants to eligible entities to establish new programs
			 or activities, or expand or modify existing programs or activities, for the
			 purpose of furnishing the following services and assistance to each eligible
			 transitioning individual who is entitled and eligible for a rehabilitation
			 program (hereinafter referred to in this section as a rehabilitation
			 program) under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code:
					(A)Transportation
			 assistance, which may include providing transportation, paying for or
			 reimbursing transportation costs, and paying for or reimbursing other
			 transportation-related expenses (including orientation on the use of
			 transportation) to facilitate an eligible individual's participation in a
			 rehabilitation program or related activities.
					(B)Childcare
			 assistance, which may include childcare services or reimbursement of expenses
			 related to childcare to facilitate an eligible individual's participation in a
			 rehabilitation program or related activities.
					(C)Clothing
			 assistance, which may include personal services in selecting, and payment of a
			 monetary allowance to cover the cost of purchasing, clothing and accessories
			 suitable for job interviews or related activities consistent with an
			 individual's participation in a rehabilitation program or related
			 activities.
					(2)The Secretary is
			 authorized to make grants under this section during the period beginning on
			 October 1, 2007, and ending on September 30, 2010.
				(b)DefinitionsFor
			 purposes of this section—
				(1)the term
			 eligible entities means public and non-profit organizations
			 (including faith-based and community organizations) approved by the Secretary
			 under subsection (e) of this section for the purpose of assisting individuals
			 who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation assistance and services under
			 chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code; and
				(2)the term
			 eligible transitioning individual means a person described in
			 section 3102 of title 38, United States Code, or an individual who was
			 separated or released from active military, naval, or air service due to a
			 service-connected disability on or after October 1, 2006.
				(c)Criteria for
			 grantsThe Secretary shall establish criteria and requirements
			 for grants under this section, including criteria for entities eligible to
			 receive grants, and shall publish such criteria and requirements in the Federal
			 Register. The criteria established under this subsection shall include the
			 following:
				(1)Specification as
			 to the kinds of projects or activities for which grants are available.
				(2)Specification as
			 to the number of projects or activities for which grants are available.
				(3)Provisions to
			 ensure that grants under this section shall not result in duplication of
			 ongoing services.
				(d)Duration of
			 pilot programThe authority of the Secretary to provide grants
			 under a pilot program under this section will cease on the date that is three
			 years after the date of the commencement of that pilot program.
			(e)Funding
			 limitationA grant under this section may not be used to support
			 eligible entities' operational costs.
			(f)Eligible
			 entitiesThe Secretary may make a grant under this section to an
			 entity applying for such a grant only if the applicant for the grant—
				(1)is a public or
			 nonprofit private entity with the capacity (as determined by the Secretary) to
			 effectively administer a grant under this section;
				(2)demonstrates that
			 adequate financial support will be available to carry out the project or
			 activity for which the grant is sought consistent with the plans,
			 specifications, and schedule submitted by the applicant; and
				(3)agrees to meet
			 the applicable criteria and requirements established under subsections (c) and
			 (g) and has, as determined by the Secretary, the capacity to meet such criteria
			 and requirements.
				(g)Application
			 requirementAn entity seeking a grant for a project or activity
			 under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant.
			 The application shall set forth the following:
				(1)The amount of the
			 grant sought for the project or activity.
				(2)Plans,
			 specifications, and the schedule for implementation of the project or activity
			 in accordance with criteria and requirements prescribed by the Secretary under
			 subsection (c).
				(h)Program
			 requirementsThe Secretary may not make a grant for a project or
			 activity to an applicant under this section unless the applicant in the
			 application for the grant agrees to each of the following requirements:
				(1)To provide the
			 services for which the grant is made at locations accessible to eligible
			 individuals.
				(2)To ensure the
			 confidentiality of records maintained on eligible individuals receiving
			 services through the project.
				(3)To establish such
			 procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting as may be necessary to ensure
			 proper disbursement and accounting with respect to the grant and to such
			 payments as may be made under this section.
				(i)Recovery of
			 unused grant funds
				(1)If a grant
			 recipient under this section—
					(A)does not
			 establish a program or activity in accordance with this section; or
					(B)ceases to furnish
			 services under such a program for which the grant was made,
					the United
			 States shall be entitled to recover from such recipient the total of all unused
			 grant amounts made under this section to such recipient in connection with such
			 program.(2)Any amount
			 recovered by the United States under paragraph (1) may be obligated by the
			 Secretary without fiscal year limitation to carry out provisions of this
			 section.
				(3)An amount may not
			 be recovered under paragraph (1)(A) as an unused grant amount before the end of
			 the three-year period beginning on the date on which the grant is made.
				(j)Authorization
			 for the appropriation of fundsThere is authorized to be
			 appropriated from amounts made available under the heading General
			 Operating Expenses, not more than $5,000,000 in each of fiscal years
			 2008 through 2010 to carry out the purposes of this section.
			6.Assessment of
			 pilot programs
			(a)Not less than one
			 year before the expiration of the authority to carry out the pilot programs
			 authorized in sections 2 through 5 of this bill, the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs shall provide a progress report to the Congress for each of the pilot
			 programs that includes key measures and lessons that the Secretary can apply to
			 programs with similar purposes, as well as recommendations on whether or not to
			 continue each program.
			(b)Key measures that
			 the Secretary shall report on include the number of veterans and dependents
			 served by the pilot programs, quality of service to veterans and dependents,
			 the amount of funds provided to grant recipients, and the names of
			 organizations that have received grants.