I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1483
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 12, 2009
Mr. Kennedy (for himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Filner, and Mr. Wu) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the National Neurotechnology Initiative Act.
2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
(1)While the field of neuroscience is highly advanced, our understanding of how the brain works still has many gaps and our ability to repair damage remains limited.
(2)Nearly 100,000,000 Americans suffer from a brain or nervous system disease, injury, or disorder, and the national economic burden of such brain-related illnesses has reached over $1,000,000,000,000 per year and is growing alarmingly due to an aging population.
(3)Critical unmet medical needs exist in almost every area of the brain and nervous system, including Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, anxiety, chronic pain, depression, epilepsy, hearing loss, multiple sclerosis, obesity, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, sleep, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and more.
(4)While the science of the brain is moving forward more rapidly than any other science today, we must ensure these discoveries quickly become tools to improve the human condition.
(5)Neurotechnology holds the potential to transform nearly every aspect of our lives from medicine to defense to education to computing, as well as our conception of the human mind.
(6)A global race is underway to determine the country that will lead the neurotechnology economy, which will have long-lasting implications on employment, infrastructure development, and regional competitiveness.
(7)Federal leadership is needed to accelerate and coordinate the development of neurotechnology and bring the benefits to those in need across the Nation.
(8)Therefore, it is in the national interest for the Federal Government to increase investment and interagency coordination of Federal neurotechnology research, development, and commercialization programs.
3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)InitiativeThe term Initiative means the National Neurotechnology Initiative implemented under section 4.
(2)NeurotechnologyThe term neurotechnology means the science and technology that allows an individual to analyze, understand, treat, and heal the brain and nervous system.
(3)Qualified staffThe term qualified staff means a Food and Drug Administration employee who has academic training or significant experience in neurotechnology or related fields, or who has satisfactorily completed a Food and Drug Administration neuroscience training course.
(4)Related fieldsThe term related fields means neuroscience, neuromedicine, cognitive science, behavioral psychology, neuropharmacology, neuropsychiatry, neuroimaging, neuroregeneration, neurorehabilitation, neuromodulation, neurostimulation, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, molecular biology, computer science, robotics, and such other fields as the Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordinating Office determines to be related to neurotechnology.
(5)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(6)TranslationalThe term translational means relating to research that is focused on converting laboratory findings into patient treatments.
4.National Neurotechnology Initiative
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall implement a National Neurotechnology Initiative under which, acting through appropriate agencies, councils, and the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office established pursuant to section 5, the Secretary shall—
(1)establish goals, priorities, and metrics for evaluation for Federal neurotechnology research, development, commercialization, and other activities;
(2)increase the investment in Federal research, development, and translational programs in neurotechnology, and related fields as appropriate, to achieve the goals described in paragraph (1); and
(3)increase interagency coordination of Federal neurotechnology research, development, and other activities undertaken pursuant to the Initiative.
(b)Areas of concentrationThe Initiative shall—
(1)coordinate, support, and extend the neurotechnology-related activities of the National Institutes of Health and the work of the Blueprint for Neuroscience Research developed under section 6(a);
(2)coordinate and promote neuroscience small business innovation research programs;
(3)facilitate testing and evaluation of advances in neuromedicine, including drugs, diagnostics, and devices; and
(4)coordinate and promote the study of the social, ethical, and legal aspects of neurotechnology.
5.Coordination
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall establish a National Neurotechnology Coordination Office, to be headed by a director to be appointed by the Secretary, that shall—
(1)coordinate Federal neurotechnology activities among the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other Federal agencies;
(2)serve as the point of contact on Federal neurotechnology activities for academia, industry, professional societies, State neurotechnology programs, interested citizen groups, and others to facilitate the exchange of technical and programmatic information;
(3)conduct public outreach, including dissemination of findings and recommendations of the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council established under subsection (c), as appropriate;
(4)promote access to, and the early application of, the technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from activities conducted under the Initiative by agencies and systems across the Federal Government, and by United States industry, including start-up companies; and
(5)provide technical and administrative support to the National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.
(b)ReportThe Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office shall annually submit to the Secretary a report on the status of the Initiative. Such reports shall contain the results of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Initiative in the year for which the report is being prepared and the goals and benchmarks for the following year. The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each report under this subsection to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
(c)Advisory council
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall establish, or designate an existing entity as, a National Neurotechnology Advisory Council.
(2)Qualifications
(A)In generalThe Advisory Council shall consist primarily of members from academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and industry.
(B)RequirementsMembers of the Advisory Council shall be qualified to provide advice and information on neurotechnology research, development, demonstrations, education, technology transfer, commercial application, delivery, access, or ethical, legal, and social issues related to neurotechnology.
(C)RecommendationsIn appointing members to, or designating an entity as, an Advisory Council, the Secretary may seek and give consideration to recommendations from the Congress, industry, the scientific and medical communities (including the National Academy of Sciences, scientific and medical professional societies, not-for-profit organizations, and academia), the defense community, State and local governments, regional neurotechnology programs, and other appropriate organizations.
(3)DutiesThe Advisory Council shall provide advice to the Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office on matters relating to the Initiative, including assessing—
(A)trends and developments in neurotechnology and related fields;
(B)progress made in implementing the Initiative;
(C)the need to revise the Initiative;
(D)the balance among the components of the Initiative, including funding levels for the program component areas;
(E)whether the program component areas, priorities, and technical goals developed by the Council are helping to maintain United States leadership in neurotechnology and related fields;
(F)the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Initiative; and
(G)whether ethical, legal, and social issues are adequately addressed by the Initiative.
(d)Authorization of appropriations
(1)OfficeThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsections (a) and (b) $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
(2)Advisory councilThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (c) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
6.Programs related to the National Institutes of Health
(a)Blueprint for Neuroscience ResearchThe Director of the National Institutes of Health shall develop a program or designate an existing program, to be known as the Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, for collaboration among the institutes, centers, and offices of the National Institutes of Health that support neuroscience research within the National Institutes of Health. Such program shall—
(1)identify pervasive challenges in neuroscience and any technological barriers to solving such challenges; and
(2)support the development of new tools, training opportunities, and other resources to assist neuroscientists in both basic and clinical research.
(b)Small business innovation researchIn carrying out their duties under the Small Business Innovation Research Program, the directors of each of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health shall—
(1)where appropriate, give high priority to small business concerns that participate in or conduct neurotechnology research and development projects; and
(2)annually report to the Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office concerning the percentage of Small Business Innovation Research funding being used for such projects.
(c)Small business technology transferIn carrying out their duties under the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, the directors of each of the institutes of the National Institutes of Health shall—
(1)where appropriate, give high priority to small business concerns that participate in or conduct neurotechnology research and development projects; and
(2)annually report to the Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office concerning the percentage of Small Business Technology Transfer funding being used for such projects.
(d)Authorization of appropriations
(1)Blueprint for neuroscience researchThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a)—
(A)$80,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(B)$88,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(C)$96,800,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(D)$106,480,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(2)Small business innovation research and small business technology transfer
(A)In generalThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsections (b) and (c)—
(i)$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(ii)$82,500,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(iii)$90,750,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(iv)$99,825,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(B)LimitationNone of the funding authorized by this paragraph may be counted toward the expenditure amounts required by subsections (f) and (n) of section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
7.Programs related to the Food and Drug Administration
(a)FDA reviewThe Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall direct the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health to improve the timeliness of the review process for neurology and psychiatry by—
(1)increasing, through recruitment and training, the number of qualified staff within such Centers; and
(2)improving the processes for creating guidelines with respect to neurology and psychiatry and communicating those guidelines to industry.
(b)Neurotechnology standards workgroupsThe Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall sponsor workgroups including academic and industry representatives to develop standards for preclinical testing and clinical trial endpoints for emerging brain and nervous system indications for which clear and achievable standards do not otherwise exist on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c)Authorization of appropriations
(1)FDA reviewThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a)—
(A)$26,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(B)$28,600,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(C)$31,460,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
(D)$34,606,000 for fiscal year 2013.
(2)Neurotechnology standards workgroupsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (b) $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
8.Programs related to ethical, legal, and social issues
(a)American Neurotechnology Study CenterThe Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office shall—
(1)provide for the establishment, on a merit-reviewed and competitive basis, of an American Neurotechnology Study Center that shall—
(A)establish a research program to identify ethical, legal, and social issues related to neurotechnology and related fields, and ensure that the results of such research are widely disseminated; and
(B)conduct, coordinate, collect, and disseminate studies on such issues; and
(2)provide for public input and outreach to be integrated into the Initiative by the convening of regular and ongoing public discussions, through mechanisms such as citizens’ panels, consensus conferences, and educational events, as appropriate.
(b)Study on the responsible development of neurotechnologyThe American Neurotechnology Study Center established under subsection (a) shall conduct a study to assess the need for standards, guidelines, or strategies for ensuring the responsible development of neurotechnology, including—
(1)the safety of use of brain interface devices;
(2)human subject guidelines for research and development of neurotechnology;
(3)the use of neurotechnology in the enhancement of human intelligence;
(4)the development of defensive technologies relating to neurotechnology;
(5)the use of neurotechnology in developing artificial intelligence;
(6)the potential to ease the health care burden through use of neurotechnology; and
(7)the development of appropriate ethical standards and guidelines for research and development in neurotechnology.
(c)Study on the economic impact of neurotechnologyThe Director of the National Neurotechnology Coordination Office shall, on a merit-reviewed and competitive basis, provide for the conduct of an annual study to assess the need for analyses, programs, reports, or strategies for ensuring the development of neurotechnology, including analyzing—
(1)the economic burden of brain and nervous system disorders and illness;
(2)the economic growth potential of neurotechnology;
(3)national and regional neurotechnology assets; and
(4)global neurotechnology assets.
(d)Authorization of appropriations
(1)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a) and (b) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
(2)Study on the responsible development of neurotechnologyThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (c) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
(3)LimitationNo more than $250,000 per fiscal year shall be used to carry out subsection (a)(2).


116 HR 6842 IH: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Modernization Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-05-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6842IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 12, 2020Ms. Titus introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 23, United States Code, to modify the apportionment formula for the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Modernization Act.2.ApportionmentSection 104(b)(4) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:(4)Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program(A)CalculationFor the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, an amount determined by multiplying the amount of the base apportionment remaining for the State under subsection (c) after making the set aside in accordance with paragraph (5) by the proportion that—(i)the total of all weighted county populations with monitored pollutant concentrations above national ambient air quality standards in the State; bears to(ii)the total of all weighted county populations with monitored pollutant concentrations above national ambient air quality standards in all States.(B)Calculation of weighted populations with monitored pollution concentrations above national ambient air quality standardsSubject to subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), for the purpose of subparagraph (A), the weighted population in counties with pollution concentrations above national ambient air quality standards shall be calculated by multiplying the population of each county by a factor determined from the ratio of design values to national ambient air quality standards.(C)Design values of ozone(i)In generalIn making the calculation under subparagraph (B), for counties with design values of ozone greater than the national ambient air quality standard, the population of a monitored county is multiplied by a factor of—(I)the average of 2013–2015 and 2016–2018 design values, provided by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator; bears to(II)the primary national ambient air quality standard for ozone established by the Administrator under 109(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409(b)). (ii)Special ruleIf the average of design values from 2013–2015 and 2016–2018 is not greater than the primary national ambient air quality standard for ozone, a weighting factor of zero is applied.(iii)Maximum factorNotwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii), the maximum factor to be applied for ozone shall not exceed 1.4.(D)Design values of fine particulate matter(i)In generalFor counties with design values of fine particulate matter greater than the national ambient air quality standards, the population of a monitored county is multiplied by the greater factor of—(I)the average of the 2013–2015 and 2016–2018 design values for annual concentrations of fine particulate matter, provided by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator; bears to(II)the primary national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter for annual concentrations established by the Administrator under 109(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409(b)); or(III)the average of the 2013–2015 and 2016–2018 design values for 24-hour averaging time of fine particulate matter, provided by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator; bears to(IV)the primary national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter for 24-hour averaging time established by the Administrator under 109(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409(b)).(ii)Special ruleIf the average of design values from 2013–2015 and 2016–2018 are not greater than the primary national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter, a weighting factor of zero is applied.(iii)Maximum factorNotwithstanding clause (i), the maximum factor to be applied for fine particulate matter shall not exceed 1.4.(E)Design values of both ozone and particulate matterNotwithstanding subparagraphs (B) through (D), for counties with design values greater than the national ambient air quality standards for both ozone and particulate matter, a new factor, determined by multiplying the factors determined in subparagraphs (C) and (D), is applied to county populations in place of the individual factors determined in subparagraphs (C) and (D).(F)Minimum apportionmentNotwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, the minimum apportionment for a State under this paragraph shall be one half of 1 percent of the funds apportioned under this paragraph.(G)Maximum apportionmentNotwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, the maximum apportionment for a State under this paragraph shall be 25 percent of the funds apportioned under this paragraph. (H)Determinations of populationIn determining county population for purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall use the latest available annual estimates prepared by the Secretary of Commerce. .3.Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement programSection 149 of title 23, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (b)—(A)by striking , carbon monoxide,;(B)by striking 186(a),;(C)by striking 7512(a),;(D)in paragraph (8)(B) by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;(E)in paragraph (9) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and(F)by adding at the end the following:(10)other projects, if determined by the Secretary, to be more cost-effective than projects described in paragraphs (1) through (9). ; (2)in subsection (c) by striking carbon monoxide, or both, and for; and(3)by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: (d)States flexibilityIf a State does not have, and never has had, a nonattainment area designated under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the State may use funds apportioned to the State under section 104(b)(4) for any project in the State that—(1)would otherwise be eligible under subsection (b) as if the project were carried out in a nonattainment or maintenance area; or(2)is eligible under the surface transportation block grant program under section 133..


115 HR 5086 : Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
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.

		IIB
		115th CONGRESS2d Session
		H. R. 5086
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		April 25, 2018Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsAN ACT
		To require the Director of the National Science Foundation to develop an I-Corps course to support
			 commercialization-ready innovation companies, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2018. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps Program (hereinafter referred to as I-Corps), created administratively by the Foundation in 2011 and statutorily authorized in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, has succeeded in increasing the commercialization of Government-funded research.
 (2)I-Corps provides valuable entrepreneurial education to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and other researchers, providing formal training for scientists and engineers to pursue careers in business, an increasingly common path for advanced degree holders.
 (3)The I-Corps Teams program is successful in part due to its focus on providing the specific types of education and mentoring entrepreneurs need based on the early stage of their companies, however the program does not provide similar support to them at later stages.
 (4)The success of I-Corps in the very early stages of the innovation continuum should be expanded upon by offering additional entrepreneurship training to small businesses as they advance toward commercialization.
 (5)The excellent training made available to grantees of participating agencies through the I-Corps Program should be made available to all Federal grantees as well as other businesses willing to pay the cost of attending such training.
 (6)The success of the I-Corps Program at promoting entrepreneurship within research institutions and encouraging research commercialization has been due in part to the National Science Foundation’s efforts to date on building a national network of science entrepreneurs, including convening stakeholders, promoting national I-Corps courses, cataloguing best practices and encourage sharing between sites and institutions, and developing a mentor network.
 (7)As the I-Corps Program continues to grow and expand, the National Science Foundation should maintain its focus on networking and information sharing to ensure that innovators across the country can learn from their peers and remain competitive.
 3.Expanded participation in I-CorpsSection 601(c)(2) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 1862s–8(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(C)Additional participants
 (i)EligibilityThe Director, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, as determined by the Director, which may include Federal agencies, I-Corps regional nodes, universities, and public and private entities engaged in technology transfer or commercialization of technologies, shall provide an option for participation in an I-Corps Teams course by—
 (I)Small Business Innovation Research Program grantees; and (II)other entities, as determined appropriate by the Director.
 (ii)Cost of participationThe cost of participation by a Small Business Innovation Research Program grantee in such course may be provided—
 (I)through I-Corps Teams grants; (II)through funds awarded to grantees under the Small Business Innovation Research Program or the Small Business Technology Transfer Program;
 (III)by the grantor Federal agency of the grantee using funds set aside for the Small Business Innovation Research Program under section 9(f)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(f)(1));
 (IV)by the grantor Federal agency of the grantee using funds set aside for the Small Business Technology Transfer Program under section 9(n)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(n)(1)); or
 (V)by the participating teams.. 4.I-Corps course for commercialization-ready participants (a)In generalIn carrying out the I-Corps program described in section 601(c) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 1862s–8(c)), the Director shall develop an I-Corps course offered by I-Corps regional nodes to support commercialization-ready participants. Such course shall include skills such as attracting investors, scaling up a company, and building a brand.
 (b)Engagement with relevant stakeholdersIn developing the course under subsection (a), the Director may consult with the heads of such Federal agencies, universities, and public and private entities as the Director determines to be appropriate.
 (c)Eligible participantsThe course developed under subsection (a) shall— (1)support participants that have completed an I-Corps Teams course;
 (2)support participants that have made the decision to take an innovation to market. 5.ReportNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report containing an evaluation of the I-Corps program described in section 601(c) of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 1862s–8(c)). Such evaluation shall include an assessment of the effects of I-Corps on—
 (1)the commercialization of Federally funded research and development; (2)the higher education system; and
 (3)regional economies and the national economy. 6.Funding (a)Fiscal years 2019 and 2020Out of amounts otherwise authorized for the National Science Foundation, there is authorized to be appropriated a total of $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2019 and 2020 to carry out the activities described in section 4 and the amendment made by section 3.
 (b)LimitationNo additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for such purpose.

	Passed the House of Representatives April 24, 2018.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


116 HR 5155 IH: Waste Heat to Power Investment Tax Credit Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-11-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5155IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 19, 2019Mr. Schneider (for himself, Mr. Suozzi, Ms. Sánchez, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Blumenauer, and Ms. Moore) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include waste energy recovery property in the energy
			 credit.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Waste Heat to Power Investment Tax Credit Act of 2019. 2.Inclusion of waste energy recovery property in energy credit (a)In generalSection 48(a)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking or at the end of clause (vi), by adding or at the end of clause (vii), and by adding at the end the following new clause:

 (viii)waste energy recovery property, . (b)Application of 30 percent creditSection 48(a)(2)(A)(i) of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of subclauses (III) and adding at the end the following new subclause:

 (V)waste energy recovery property, and . (c)PhaseoutSection 48(a) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

					(8)Phaseout for waste energy recovery property
 (A)In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), in the case of any waste energy recovery property, the energy percentage determined under paragraph (2) shall be equal to—
 (i)in the case of any property the construction of which begins after December 31, 2024, and before January 1, 2026, 26 percent, and
 (ii)in the case of any property the construction of which begins after December 31, 2025, and before January 1, 2027, 22 percent.
 (B)Placed in service deadlineIn the case of any energy property described in subparagraph (A) which is not placed in service before January 1, 2029, the energy percentage determined under paragraph (2) shall be equal to 0 percent..
 (d)DefinitionsSection 48(c) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (5)Waste energy recovery property (A)In generalThe term waste energy recovery property means property that generates electricity solely from heat from buildings or equipment if the primary purpose of such building or equipment is not the generation of electricity.
 (B)Capacity limitationThe term waste energy recovery property shall not include any property which has a capacity in excess of 50 megawatts. (C)No double benefitAny waste energy recovery property (determined without regard to this subparagraph) which is part of a system which is a combined heat and power system property shall not be treated as waste energy recovery property for purposes of this section unless the taxpayer elects to not treat such system as a combined heat and power system property for purposes of this section.
 (D)TerminationThe term waste energy recovery property shall not include any property the construction of which does not begin before January 1, 2027. . (e)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to periods after December 31, 2019, under rules similar to the rules of section 48(m) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990.


110 HR 1949 IH: Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-04-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1949
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 19, 2007
Mr. Courtney (for himself and Mr. Neal of Massachusetts) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL
To amend the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994, to increase the authorization of appropriations and modify the date on which the authority of the Secretary of the Interior terminates under the Act.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Amendments Act of 2007.
2.FindingsCongress finds as follows:
(1)Thousands of individuals, hundreds of nonprofit organizations, businesses, local and regional organizations, 35 towns, and 2 States have worked to preserve and enhance the significant natural, historic, cultural, and scenic resources of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, and area which is commonly known as The Last Green Valley.
(2)The Green Valley Institute, a partnership between the University of Connecticut and the cooperative extension system of the University of Massachusetts, has significantly improved the information base available to the primarily volunteer municipal officials that are responsible for making land use and natural resource conservation decisions with respect to the Last Green Valley.
(3)During the 5 years preceding the date of the enactment of this Act, the Green Valley Institute was recognized with 8 State or national awards for public education.
(4)Significant historic structures have been identified and restored under the programs carried out in the Heritage Corridor.
(5)Museums, attractions, landscapes, and businesses have been assembled into cohesive interpretive projects that tell the stories of The Last Green Valley for residents and tourists.
(6)As part of the vision to sustain the traditional land-based economy of the region, the Heritage Corridor has—
(A)developed agritourism and continuing education programs for the region; and
(B)collected and analyzed data relating to the vision.
(7)Recreational tourism has been enhanced by the many trails, greenways, river access, and interpretive projects in the Heritage Corridor.
(8)Each of the 35 municipal governments within the Heritage Corridor has signed a voluntary and non-binding community compact in which the governments—
(A)accept the goals and objectives of the management plan for the Heritage Corridor; and
(B)formalize the commitment of the governments to balance conservation and growth and the collective vision for the watershed.
(9)During the past 11 years, the Heritage Corridor has consistently leveraged an average of $19 for every Federal dollar invested in the Heritage Corridor.
(10)The Heritage Corridor has adopted, and is implementing, a comprehensive plan, titled The Trail to 2015, A Sustainability Plan for The Last Green Valley, to become self-sufficient by the year 2015.
(11)Reauthorizing the Heritage Corridor would leverage significant multi-year commitments and ensure self-sufficiency by 2015 for the programs and projects that are fulfilling the mission of the Heritage Corridor.
3.Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor
(a)Termination of AuthoritySection 106(b) of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage corridor Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; Public Law 103–449) is amended by striking September 30, 2009 and inserting September 30, 2015.
(b)Authorization of AppropriationsSection 109(a) of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; Public Law 103–449) is amended by striking $10,000,000 and inserting $16,000,000.


 HR 3680 ENR: To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, as the “Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building”.
U.S. House of Representatives

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of AmericaAt the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty
H. R. 3680

AN ACT
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, as the Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building.

1.Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building
(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal Service located 415 North Main Street in Henning, Tennessee, shall be known and designated as the Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office Building. (b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Paula Croom Robinson and Judy Spray Memorial Post Office.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


IV
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 17
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 5, 2011
Mr. Sessions submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Commissioner of Food and Drugs should evaluate the scientific evidence on the question of whether to add more folic acid to enriched grain products and expand folic acid fortification into cornmeal and corn-based food products to help prevent further serious birth defects.

Whereas under section 401 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 341), standards of identity define what a given food product is and the ingredients that must be used;
Whereas a standard of identity for folic acid fortification for enriched grain food products has been promulgated;
Whereas the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adopted the current folic acid enriched grain food fortification standard of identity in 1998, based on the best available scientific evidence, and newer scientific studies have shown that the current fortification level is not effectively reducing the prevalence of preventable serious birth defects;
Whereas the scientific consensus is that 70 to 76 percent of serious birth-defect births are preventable if women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day, and a higher level of folic acid fortification can help prevent heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers in men and women;
Whereas since the FDA adopted the current folic acid fortification standard of identity, many peer-reviewed scientific studies have been published and have been reviewed by a distinguished group of leading birth-defect scientists and researchers;
Whereas these scientists and researchers have concluded that the question of whether to add more folic acid to fortified grains and to corn-based products is too important to public health to remain unexamined by the FDA;
Whereas studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that 60 percent of women are not taking supplements to increase their folic acid intake;
Whereas birth-defect prevention education remains alarmingly low;
Whereas surveys since 1998 have found that only 24 percent of women of child-bearing age know that folic acid helps prevent a birth-defect birth and that, among those who do know, only 40 percent know that 400 micrograms should be consumed every day; and
Whereas the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the United States Public Health Service, the March of Dimes, the Spina Bifida Association, and other groups have recommended that the FDA revise the current standard on folic acid enriched grain to reflect the new scientific evidence: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Commissioner of Food and Drugs should evaluate the scientific evidence on the question of whether to add more folic acid to enriched grain products and expand folic acid fortification into cornmeal and corn-based food products to help prevent further serious birth defects.


 S2040 ENR: Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
U.S. Senate

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.

One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America2d SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and
 sixteenS. 2040IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo deter terrorism, provide justice for victims, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.2.Findings and purpose(a)FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)International terrorism is a serious and deadly problem that threatens the vital interests of the United States.(2)International terrorism affects the interstate and foreign commerce of the United States by harming international trade and market stability, and limiting international travel by United States citizens as well as foreign visitors to the United States.(3)Some foreign terrorist organizations, acting through affiliated groups or individuals, raise significant funds outside of the United States for conduct directed and targeted at the United States.(4)It is necessary to recognize the substantive causes of action for aiding and abetting and conspiracy liability under chapter 113B of title 18, United States Code.(5)The decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Halberstam v. Welch, 705 F.2d 472 (D.C. Cir. 1983), which has been widely recognized as the leading case regarding Federal civil aiding and abetting and conspiracy liability, including by the Supreme Court of the United States, provides the proper legal framework for how such liability should function in the context of chapter 113B of title 18, United States Code.(6)Persons, entities, or countries that knowingly or recklessly contribute material support or resources, directly or indirectly, to persons or organizations that pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of nationals of the United States or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States, necessarily direct their conduct at the United States, and should reasonably anticipate being brought to court in the United States to answer for such activities.(7)The United States has a vital interest in providing persons and entities injured as a result of terrorist attacks committed within the United States with full access to the court system in order to pursue civil claims against persons, entities, or countries that have knowingly or recklessly provided material support or resources, directly or indirectly, to the persons or organizations responsible for their injuries.(b)PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to provide civil litigants with the broadest possible basis, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, to seek relief against persons, entities, and foreign countries, wherever acting and wherever they may be found, that have provided material support, directly or indirectly, to foreign organizations or persons that engage in terrorist activities against the United States.3.Responsibility of foreign states for international terrorism against the United States(a)In generalChapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1605A the following:1605B.Responsibility of foreign states for international terrorism against the United States(a)DefinitionIn this section, the term international terrorism—(1)has the meaning given the term in section 2331 of title 18, United States Code; and(2)does not include any act of war (as defined in that section).(b)Responsibility of foreign statesA foreign state shall not be immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States in any case in which money damages are sought against a foreign state for physical injury to person or property or death occurring in the United States and caused by—(1)an act of international terrorism in the United States; and(2)a tortious act or acts of the foreign state, or of any official, employee, or agent of that foreign state while acting within the scope of his or her office, employment, or agency, regardless where the tortious act or acts of the foreign state occurred.(c)Claims by nationals of the United StatesNotwithstanding section 2337(2) of title 18, a national of the United States may bring a claim against a foreign state in accordance with section 2333 of that title if the foreign state would not be immune under subsection (b).(d)Rule of constructionA foreign state shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States under subsection (b) on the basis of an omission or a tortious act or acts that constitute mere negligence..(b)Technical and conforming amendments(1)The table of sections for chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1605A the following:1605B. Responsibility of foreign states for international terrorism against the United States..(2)Subsection 1605(g)(1)(A) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting or section 1605B after but for section 1605A.4.Aiding and abetting liability for civil actions regarding terrorist acts(a)In generalSection 2333 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:(d)Liability(1)DefinitionIn this subsection, the term person has the meaning given the term in section 1 of title 1.(2)LiabilityIn an action under subsection (a) for an injury arising from an act of international terrorism committed, planned, or authorized by an organization that had been designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189), as of the date on which such act of international terrorism was committed, planned, or authorized, liability may be asserted as to any person who aids and abets, by knowingly providing substantial assistance, or who conspires with the person who committed such an act of international terrorism..(b)Effect on Foreign Sovereign Immunities ActNothing in the amendment made by this section affects immunity of a foreign state, as that term is defined in section 1603 of title 28, United States Code, from jurisdiction under other law.5.Stay of actions pending state negotiations(a)Exclusive jurisdictionThe courts of the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction in any action in which a foreign state is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of the United States under section 1605B of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 3(a) of this Act.(b)InterventionThe Attorney General may intervene in any action in which a foreign state is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of the United States under section 1605B of title 28, United States Code, as added by section 3(a) of this Act, for the purpose of seeking a stay of the civil action, in whole or in part.(c)Stay(1)In generalA court of the United States may stay a proceeding against a foreign state if the Secretary of State certifies that the United States is engaged in good faith discussions with the foreign state defendant concerning the resolution of the claims against the foreign state, or any other parties as to whom a stay of claims is sought.(2)Duration(A)In generalA stay under this section may be granted for not more than 180 days.(B)Extension(i)In generalThe Attorney General may petition the court for an extension of the stay for additional 180-day periods.(ii)RecertificationA court shall grant an extension under clause (i) if the Secretary of State recertifies that the United States remains engaged in good faith discussions with the foreign state defendant concerning the resolution of the claims against the foreign state, or any other parties as to whom a stay of claims is sought.6.SeverabilityIf any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or the application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and amendments to any other person not similarly situated or to other circumstances, shall not be affected by the holding.7.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall apply to any civil action—(1)pending on, or commenced on or after, the date of enactment of this Act; and(2)arising out of an injury to a person, property, or business on or after September 11, 2001.Speaker of the House of RepresentativesVice President of the United States and President of the Senate


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3570
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 6, 2011
			Mrs. Capps (for
			 herself, Ms. Woolsey,
			 Ms. Pingree of Maine, and
			 Mr. Keating) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce, 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 promote ocean and human health and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short title; amendment of
			 Oceans and Human Health act
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act of
			 2011.
			(b)Amendment of
			 Oceans and Human Health ActExcept as otherwise expressly
			 provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of
			 an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference
			 shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Oceans
			 and Human Health Act (33 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.).
			2.Interagency
			 oceans and human health research program
			(a)CoordinationSection
			 902(a) (33 U.S.C. 3101(a)) is amended by striking oceans in human
			 health. and inserting oceans in human health and deliver
			 information, products, and services to assist the Nation in reducing public
			 health risks, and enhancing health benefits, from the ocean..
			(b)Implementation
			 planSection 902(b) (33 U.S.C. 3101(b)) is amended—
				(1)by striking the
			 matter preceding paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

						(b)Implementation
				planWithin 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Oceans
				and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2011, and every 10 years thereafter,
				the National Science and Technology Council, through the Director of the Office
				of Science and Technology Policy, shall revise and update the 2007
				Interagency Oceans and Human Health Research Implementation Plan
				and submit the updated plan to the Congress. The updated Plan shall define the
				roles of Federal agencies and departments in order to avoid duplication of
				activities and coordinate efforts in support of the research program. Nothing
				in this subsection is intended to duplicate or supersede the activities of the
				Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia established under
				section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of
				1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note). The updated Plan shall build on and complement the
				ongoing research, monitoring, surveillance, and outreach activities of the
				National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science
				Foundation, the National Institutes of Health (including the National Institute
				of Environmental Health Sciences), the Centers for Disease Control and
				Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug
				Administration, and other Federal departments and agencies, and
				shall—
						;
				(2)in paragraph
			 (1)—
					(A)by striking
			 prediction and inserting monitoring, surveillance,
			 prediction forecasting, and mitigation;
					(B)by inserting
			 and chemical after biological; and
					(C)by striking
			 treatments and inserting products for the prevention and
			 treatment;
					(3)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking training and all that follows and inserting
			 Federal oceans and human health research centers, training, and support
			 for scientists, and participation in national and international research and
			 outreach efforts, including outreach to the public health and medical
			 communities, and the public;;
				(4)in paragraph (4),
			 by striking preventive and inserting
			 preventing;
				(5)in paragraph (5),
			 by inserting the National Ocean Council, after the Ocean
			 Research Advisory Panel,; and
				(6)by striking
			 paragraph (7) and inserting the following:

						(7)estimate funding
				needed for research, surveillance, prediction, education, and outreach
				activities to be conducted within and supported by Federal agencies under the
				program.
						.
				(c)Program
			 scopeSection 902(c) (33 U.S.C. 3101(c)) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:

						(1)Interdisciplinary
				research among the ocean, atmospheric, biological, and medical sciences, and
				coordinated research and activities to improve understanding of processes
				within the ocean that may affect human health and to explore the potential
				contribution of marine organisms to medicine and research, including—
							(A)vector-, water-,
				and food-borne diseases of humans and marine organisms, including marine
				mammals, corals, fish, and shellfish;
							(B)human health
				effects associated with harmful algal blooms and hypoxia (in collaboration with
				the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia);
							(C)marine-derived
				pharmaceuticals and other natural products;
							(D)marine organisms
				and habitats as models for biomedical research and as indicators of human
				health and well being and marine environmental health;
							(E)marine
				environmental microbiology linked to human health;
							(F)human health
				effects associated with legacy and emerging chemicals of concern, including
				bioaccumulative and endocrine-disrupting chemical contaminants;
							(G)predictive models
				of public health risks based on indicators and assessments of marine ecosystem
				health and marine animal health; and
							(H)social, economic,
				and behavioral studies of relationships between the condition of oceans,
				coasts, and the Great Lakes and human health and well-being, risk
				communication, and decision-making processes.
							(2)Coordination with
				appropriate interagency working groups of the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and
				Technology, or its successor body, through the National Science and Technology
				Council, to ensure that any integrated ocean and coastal observing system
				provides information necessary to monitor and reduce marine public health
				problems, including climate change information, health-related data on
				biological populations, and detection of toxins and contaminants in marine
				waters and seafood.
						;
				and
				(2)in paragraph
			 (3)—
					(A)in subparagraph
			 (A), by striking genomics and proteomics and inserting
			 genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other related
			 sciences;
					(B)by striking
			 subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:

							(C)in situ,
				laboratory, and remote sensors—
								(i)to
				detect, quantify, and predict the presence, distribution, concentration,
				toxicity, or virulence of infectious microbes, harmful algae, toxins, and
				chemical contaminants in ocean waters, sediments, organisms, and seafood;
				and
								(ii)to identify new
				genetic resources for biomedical
				purposes;
								;
				and
					(C)in subparagraph
			 (E), by striking equipment and technologies and inserting
			 equipment, technologies, and methodologies used in human health, and
			 other fields, for application to oceans and human health
			 objectives.
					(d)Biennial
			 reportSection 902(d) (33 U.S.C. 3101(d)) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 Annual in the heading and inserting
			 Biennial;
				(2)in the matter
			 preceding paragraph (1)—
					(A)by striking
			 Beginning with the first year occurring more than 24 months after the
			 date of enactment of the Act, the and inserting
			 The;
					(B)by striking
			 each year an annual and inserting alternate years a
			 biennial; and
					(C)by striking
			 fiscal year and inserting 2 fiscal years;
					(3)in paragraph (1),
			 by striking fiscal year; and inserting 2 fiscal
			 years;;
				(4)in paragraph (4),
			 by striking that preceding fiscal year; and inserting the
			 preceding 2 fiscal years; and
				(5)in paragraph (5),
			 by striking action and inserting action, funding
			 needs,.
				3.National Oceanic
			 and Atmospheric Administration Oceans and Human Health Program
			(a)EstablishmentSection
			 903(a) (33 U.S.C. 3102(a)) is amended to read as follows:

					(a)Program
						(1)In
				generalAs part of the interagency oceans and human health
				research program, the Secretary of Commerce shall establish an Oceans and Human
				Health Program to coordinate and implement research and activities of the
				National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration related to the role of the
				oceans, the coasts, and the Great Lakes in human health. The program shall link
				National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research programs with
				operational activities focused on—
							(A)forecasting to
				provide early warning and prediction of near-term and long-term health
				risks;
							(B)surveillance,
				monitoring and diagnosis to recognize emerging threats to public health;
							(C)assessment of risk
				perception, management needs, and response actions; and
							(D)developing ocean
				health products and services.
							(2)Coordination
				with other agencies’ effortsThe Secretary shall consult with
				other Federal agencies conducting integrated oceans and human health research,
				monitoring, and disease surveillance activities and research in related areas,
				including the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health
				(including the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences), the
				Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection
				Agency, and other agencies and departments and shall coordinate the development
				of a strategic implementation plan with defined goals and benchmarks for the
				program.
						(3)AdministrationTo
				the extent practical based on appropriations, the Oceans and Human Health
				Program may provide support for—
							(A)centralized
				program and research coordination;
							(B)an external
				advisory panel;
							(C)one or more
				National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration national centers of excellence
				that may include diagnostic laboratories to provide processing of marine
				organism samples;
							(D)transitioning
				scientific discoveries from research activities into applications;
							(E)research grants;
				and
							(F)distinguished
				scholars and
				training.
							.
			(b)Advisory
			 panelSection 903(b) (33 U.S.C. 3102(b)) is amended by striking
			 sciences. and inserting sciences, including public health
			 professionals, veterinarians, and other health professionals..
			(c)National
			 centersSection 903(c) (33 U.S.C. 3102(c)) is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (1),
			 by striking for; and
				(2)by striking
			 paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

						(2)The centers shall
				focus on areas related to agency missions and the program scope (as defined in
				section
				902(c)).
						.
				(d)Extramural
			 research grantsSection 903(d) (33 U.S.C. 3102(d)) is amended by
			 adding at the end the following:

					(3)Grants under this
				subsection shall support research and activities within the program scope (as
				defined in section
				902(c)).
					.
			(e)Training
			 programSection 903(e) (33 U.S.C. 3102(e)) is amended—
				(1)by striking the
			 heading and inserting (e) Training Program—;
				(2)by striking
			 program to provide traineeships, training, and inserting
			 competitive program to provide training, exposure,; and
				(3)by striking
			 initiative. and inserting Oceans and Human Health
			 Program..
				(f)Distinguished
			 scholars; cooperative agreements; coordination; etcSection 903
			 (33 U.S.C. 3102) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(f)Distinguished
				scholarsThe Secretary of Commerce may establish a competitive
				program to recognize highly distinguished external scientists in any area of
				oceans and human health research and to involve those scientists in
				collaborative work with the NOAA Oceans and Human Health Program.
					(g)AgreementsThe
				Secretary of Commerce may execute and perform such contracts, leases, grants,
				or cooperative agreements as may be necessary to carry out this section.
					(h)Coordination
						(1)Integrated ocean
				observing systemThe
				Secretary shall ensure that the Oceans and Human Health Program and the
				National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System work together to
				develop and deploy instruments for sensing and predicting ocean changes linked
				to health, develop early warning systems that detect biological and chemical
				indicators, and support the data management and analysis functions to develop
				forecasts for ocean conditions that threaten health.
						(2)Harmful algal
				blooms and hypoxiaThe Secretary shall ensure that the Oceans and
				Human Health Program and Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Program work together
				to coordinate and avoid duplication of activities.
						(3)Other
				programsThe Secretary shall ensure that the Program also
				coordinates its efforts across the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
				Administration to link and support ocean and human health-related research and
				programs.
						(i)Report to
				congressWithin 6 months after the date of enactment of the
				Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2011, the Secretary shall report
				to the Congress on how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
				plans to implement the recommendations of its Science Advisory Board Working
				Group on Oceans and Health.
					(j)Operational
				parameters
						(1)In
				generalThe Secretary of Commerce shall operate the Oceans and
				Human Health Program as an interdisciplinary research, development, and
				application program spanning the agency and in partnership with the external
				scientific and health communities.
						(2)ResourcesTo
				achieve this vision and maximize potential for leveraging appropriations, the
				National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may—
							(A)apply for, accept,
				use, and spend Federal, State, and private funds and in-kind contributions as
				necessary to further the mission of the program without regard to section
				3302(b) of title 31, United States Code, and without regard to the source or of
				the period of availability of such funds;
							(B)apply for and hold
				patents either solely or in partnership with others and receive royalties from
				patents or licenses; and
							(C)share personnel
				and facilities with public and private partners as well as provide and accept
				reimbursement for the sharing of such personnel and
				facilities.
							.
			4.Public
			 information and outreach
			(a)In
			 generalSection 904(a) (33 U.S.C. 3103(a)) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 National Sea Grant program, relevant National Ocean Service and National
			 Marine Fisheries Service research programs and inserting all
			 relevant the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs and
			 institutions of higher education,; and
				(2)by striking
			 Initiative and inserting Program .
				(b)ReportSection
			 904(b) (33 U.S.C. 3103(b)) is amended to read as follows:

					(b)Report
						(1)In
				generalAs part of this program, the Secretary of Commerce shall
				submit to Congress a biennial report describing—
							(A)projects,
				products, and programs funded under the Oceans and Human Health Program;
							(B)the work of the
				Advisory Panel;
							(C)how the Oceans and
				Human Health Program is meeting the goals and objectives of its strategic plan;
				and
							(D)any
				recommendations the Secretary may have for improving or expanding the Oceans
				and Human Health Program.
							(2)Combined
				reportsThe report required by paragraph (1) may be the same as
				the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration input for the interagency
				report required by section
				902(d).
						.
			5.Authorization of
			 appropriationsSection 905 (33
			 U.S.C. 3104) is amended—
			(1)by striking
			 Initiative,, initiative, and
			 Initiative., and inserting Program,,
			 Program, and Program., respectively;
			(2)by striking
			 $60,000,000 for fiscal years 2005 through 2008 and inserting
			 $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015;
			 and
			(3)by striking
			 grant and traineeship and inserting grant, distinguished
			 scholars, and training.
			6.Oceans defined to
			 include the Great LakesThe
			 Act is amended by adding after section 905 (33 U.S.C. 3104) the
			 following:

				906.Oceans
				definedIn this title, the
				term oceans includes the Great Lakes, and the coastal areas
				appertaining
				thereto.
				.


		IIA
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. J. RES. 31
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 9, 2008
			Mr. Vitter introduced
			 the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		JOINT RESOLUTION
		Proposing an amendment to the Constitution
		  of the United States relating to United States citizenship.

		That the following article is
			 proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall
			 be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified
			 by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years
			 after the date of its submission for ratification by the Congress:

			 —
					A
				person born in the United States shall not be a citizen of the United States
				unless—
						(1)one parent of the person is a citizen of
				the United States;
						(2)one parent of the person is an alien
				lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States who resides in
				the United States;
						(3)one parent of the person is an alien
				performing active service in the Armed Forces of the United States; or
						(4)the person is naturalized in accordance
				with the laws of the United
				States.
						.