113 HR 551 IH: Fast Track to College Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 551
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 6, 2013
			Mr. Hinojosa (for
			 himself and Mr. Fattah) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the
			 Workforce

		A BILL
		To authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to
		  support early college high schools and other dual enrollment
		  programs.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Fast Track to College Act of
			 2013.
		2.PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to increase
			 secondary school graduation rates and the percentage of students who complete a
			 recognized postsecondary credential by the age of 26, including among
			 low-income students and students from other populations underrepresented in
			 higher education.
		3.DefinitionsFor purposes of this Act:
			(1)Dual enrollment
			 programThe term dual enrollment program means an
			 academic program through which a secondary school student is able
			 simultaneously to earn credit toward a secondary school diploma and a
			 postsecondary degree or credential.
			(2)Early college
			 high schoolThe term early college high school means
			 a secondary school that provides a course of study that enables a student to
			 earn a secondary school diploma and either an associate’s degree or one to two
			 years of postsecondary credit toward a postsecondary degree or
			 credential.
			(3)Educational
			 service agencyThe term educational service agency
			 has the meaning given such term in section 9101(17) of the Elementary and
			 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(17)).
			(4)Eligible
			 entityThe term eligible entity means a local
			 educational agency, which may be an educational service agency, in a
			 collaborative partnership with an institution of higher education. Such
			 partnership also may include other entities, such as a nonprofit organization
			 with experience in youth development.
			(5)Institution of
			 higher educationThe term institution of higher
			 education has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher
			 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
			(6)Local
			 educational agencyThe term local educational agency
			 has the meaning given such term in section 9101(26) of the Elementary and
			 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(26)).
			(7)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.
			(8)Low-income
			 studentThe term
			 low-income student means a student described in section 1113(a)(5)
			 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 6313(a)(5)).
			4.Authorization of
			 appropriations; reservations
			(a)In
			 generalTo carry out this Act, there are authorized to be
			 appropriated $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums as may be
			 necessary for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.
			(b)Early college
			 high schoolsThe Secretary shall reserve not less than 45 percent
			 of the funds appropriated under subsection (a) to support early college high
			 schools under section 5.
			(c)Dual enrollment
			 programsThe Secretary shall reserve not less than 45 percent of
			 such funds to support dual enrollment programs (other than early college high
			 schools) under section 5.
			(d)State
			 grantsThe Secretary shall reserve 10 percent of such funds, or
			 $10,000,000, whichever is less, for grants to States under section 9.
			5.Authorized
			 program
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary is authorized to award 6-year grants to
			 eligible entities seeking to establish a new, or support an existing, early
			 college high school or other dual enrollment program in accordance with section
			 6.
			(b)Grant
			 amountThe Secretary shall
			 ensure that grants are of sufficient size to enable grantees to carry out all
			 required activities and otherwise meet the purposes of this Act, except that a
			 grant under this section may not exceed $2,000,000.
			(c)Matching
			 requirement
				(1)In
			 generalAn eligible entity shall contribute matching funds toward
			 the costs of the early college high school or other dual enrollment program to
			 be supported under this section, of which not less than half shall be from
			 non-Federal sources, which funds shall represent not less than the
			 following:
					(A)Twenty percent of
			 the grant amount received in each of the first and second years of the
			 grant.
					(B)Thirty percent in
			 each of the third and fourth years.
					(C)Forty percent in
			 the fifth year.
					(D)Fifty percent in
			 the sixth year.
					(2)Determination of
			 amount contributedThe Secretary shall allow an eligible entity
			 to satisfy the requirement of this subsection through in-kind
			 contributions.
				(d)Supplement, not
			 supplantAn eligible entity shall use a grant received under this
			 section only to supplement funds that would, in the absence of such grant, be
			 made available from non-Federal funds for support of the activities described
			 in the eligible entity’s application under section 7, and not to supplant such
			 funds.
			(e)PriorityIn
			 awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to
			 applicants—
				(1)that propose to
			 establish or support an early college high school or other dual enrollment
			 program that will serve a student population of which 40 percent or more are
			 students counted under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary and Secondary
			 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6313(a)(5)); and
				(2)from States that
			 provide assistance to early college high schools or other dual enrollment
			 programs, such as assistance to defray the costs of higher education (including
			 costs of tuition, fees, and textbooks).
				(f)Geographic
			 distributionThe Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
			 practicable, ensure that grantees are from a representative cross-section of
			 urban, suburban, and rural areas.
			6.Uses of
			 funds
			(a)Mandatory
			 activitiesAn eligible entity shall use grant funds received
			 under section 5 to support the activities described in its application under
			 section 7, including the following:
				(1)Planning
			 yearIn the case of a new early college high school or dual
			 enrollment program, during the first year of the grant—
					(A)hiring a principal
			 and staff, as appropriate;
					(B)designing the
			 curriculum and sequence of courses in collaboration with (at a minimum)
			 teachers from the local educational agency and faculty from the partner
			 institution of higher education;
					(C)informing parents
			 and the community about the school or program and opportunities to become
			 actively involved in the school or program;
					(D)establishing a
			 course articulation process for defining and approving courses for secondary
			 school and postsecondary credit or credential;
					(E)outreach programs to ensure that secondary
			 school students and their families are aware of the early college high school
			 or dual enrollment program;
					(F)liaison activities
			 among partners in the eligible entity; and
					(G)coordinating
			 secondary and postsecondary support services, academic calendars, and
			 transportation.
					(2)Implementation
			 periodDuring the remainder of the grant period—
					(A)academic and
			 social support services, including counseling;
					(B)liaison activities
			 among partners in the eligible entity;
					(C)data collection
			 and use of such data for student and instructional improvement and program
			 evaluation;
					(D)outreach programs to ensure that secondary
			 school students and their families are aware of the early college high school
			 or dual enrollment program;
					(E)professional
			 development, including joint professional development for secondary school and
			 faculty from the institution of higher education; and
					(F)school or program
			 design and planning team activities, including curriculum development.
					(b)Allowable
			 activitiesAn eligible entity may also use grant funds received
			 under section 5 otherwise to support the activities described in its
			 application under section 7, including—
				(1)purchasing
			 textbooks and equipment that support the school or program’s curriculum;
				(2)developing
			 learning opportunities for students that complement classroom experiences, such
			 as internships, career-based capstone projects, and opportunities provided
			 under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher
			 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq.);
				(3)transportation;
			 and
				(4)planning time for
			 secondary school and educators from an institution of higher education to
			 collaborate.
				7.Application
			(a)In
			 generalTo receive a grant under section 5, an eligible entity
			 shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and
			 including such information as the Secretary determines to be
			 appropriate.
			(b)Contents of
			 applicationAt a minimum, the application described in subsection
			 (a) shall include a description of—
				(1)the early college
			 high school’s or other dual enrollment program’s budget;
				(2)each partner in
			 the eligible entity and its experience with early college high schools or other
			 dual enrollment programs, key personnel from each partner and their
			 responsibilities for the early college high school or dual enrollment program,
			 and how the eligible entity will work with secondary and postsecondary
			 teachers, other public and private entities, community-based organizations,
			 businesses, labor organizations, and parents to ensure that students will be
			 prepared to succeed in postsecondary education and employment, which may
			 include the development of an advisory board;
				(3)how the eligible entity will target and
			 recruit at-risk youth, including those at risk of dropping out of school, first
			 generation college students, and students from populations described in section
			 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II));
				(4)a
			 system of student supports including, but not limited to, small group
			 activities, tutoring, literacy and numeracy skill development in all academic
			 disciplines, parental and community outreach and engagement, extended learning
			 time, and college readiness activities, such as early college academic seminars
			 and counseling;
				(5)in the case of an
			 early college high school, how a graduation and career plan will be developed,
			 consistent with State graduation requirements, for each student and reviewed
			 each semester;
				(6)how parents or
			 guardians of students in the early college high school or dually enrolled
			 students will be informed of their academic performance and progress and,
			 subject to paragraph (5), involved in the development of their career and
			 graduation plan;
				(7)coordination that
			 will occur between the institution of higher education and the local
			 educational agency, including regarding academic calendars, provision of
			 student services, curriculum development, and professional development;
				(8)how the eligible
			 entity will ensure that teachers in the early college high school or other dual
			 enrollment program receive appropriate professional development and other
			 supports, including to enable them to utilize effective parent and community
			 engagement strategies, and help English-language learners, students with
			 disabilities, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds to succeed;
				(9)learning opportunities for students that
			 complement classroom experiences, such as internships, career-based capstone
			 projects, and opportunities provided under chapters 1 and 2 of subpart 2 of
			 part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et
			 seq.);
				(10)how policies,
			 agreements, and courses taken will ensure that postsecondary credits earned
			 will be transferable to, at a minimum, public institutions of higher education
			 within the State, consistent with existing statewide articulation
			 agreements;
				(11)student
			 assessments and other measurements of student achievement including benchmarks
			 for student achievement;
				(12)outreach programs
			 to provide elementary and secondary school students, especially those in middle
			 grades, and their parents, teachers, school counselors, and principals
			 information about and academic preparation for the early college high school or
			 other dual enrollment program;
				(13)how the local
			 educational agency and institution of higher education will work together, as
			 appropriate, to collect and use data for student and instructional improvement
			 and program evaluation;
				(14)how the eligible
			 entity will help students meet eligibility criteria for postsecondary courses
			 and ensure that students understand how their credits will transfer; and
				(15)how the eligible
			 entity will access and leverage additional resources necessary to sustain the
			 early college high school or other dual enrollment program after the grant
			 expires, including by engaging businesses and non-profit organizations.
				(c)AssurancesAn
			 eligible entity’s application under subsection (a) shall include assurances
			 that—
				(1)in the case of an
			 early college high school, the majority of courses offered, including
			 postsecondary courses, will be offered at facilities of the institution of
			 higher education;
				(2)students will not
			 be required to pay tuition or fees for postsecondary courses;
				(3)postsecondary
			 credits earned will be transcribed upon completion of the requisite course
			 work; and
				(4)faculty teaching
			 postsecondary courses meet the normal standards for faculty established by the
			 institution of higher education.
				(d)WaiverThe
			 Secretary may waive the requirement of subsection (c)(1) upon a showing that it
			 is impractical to apply due to geographic considerations.
			8.Peer
			 review
			(a)Peer review of
			 applicationsThe Secretary shall establish peer review panels to
			 review applications submitted pursuant to section 7 to advise the Secretary
			 regarding such applications.
			(b)Composition of
			 peer review panelsThe Secretary shall ensure that each peer
			 review panel is not comprised wholly of full-time officers or employees of the
			 Federal Government and includes, at a minimum—
				(1)experts in the
			 establishment and administration of early college high schools or other dual
			 enrollment programs from the secondary and postsecondary perspective;
				(2)faculty at
			 institutions of higher education and secondary school teachers with expertise
			 in dual enrollment; and
				(3)experts in the
			 education of at-risk students.
				9.Grants to
			 States
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary is authorized to award 5-year grants to
			 State agencies responsible for secondary or postsecondary education for efforts
			 to support or establish early college high schools or other dual enrollment
			 programs.
			(b)Grant
			 amountThe Secretary shall ensure that grants are of sufficient
			 size to enable grantees to carry out all required activities.
			(c)Matching
			 requirementA State shall contribute matching funds from
			 non-Federal sources toward the costs of carrying out activities under this
			 section, which funds shall represent not less than 50 percent of the grant
			 amount.
			(d)PriorityIn
			 awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to States
			 that provide assistance to early college high schools or other dual enrollment
			 programs, such as assistance to defray the costs of higher education, such as
			 tuition, fees, and textbooks.
			(e)ApplicationTo
			 receive a grant under this section, a State agency shall submit to the
			 Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and including such
			 information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
			(f)Contents of
			 applicationAt a minimum, the application described in subsection
			 (e) shall include—
				(1)how the State will
			 carry out all of the required State activities described in subsection
			 (g);
				(2)how the State will
			 identify and eliminate barriers to implementing effective early college high
			 schools and dual enrollment programs after the grant expires, including by
			 engaging businesses and non-profit organizations;
				(3)how the State will
			 access and leverage additional resources necessary to sustain early college
			 high schools or other dual enrollment programs; and
				(4)such other
			 information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
				(g)State
			 activitiesA State receiving a grant under this section shall use
			 such funds for—
				(1)creating outreach
			 programs to ensure that secondary school students, their families, and
			 community members are aware of early college high schools and dual enrollment
			 programs in the State;
				(2)planning and
			 implementing a statewide strategy for expanding access to early college high
			 schools and dual enrollment programs for students who are underrepresented in
			 higher education to raise statewide rates of secondary school graduation,
			 readiness for postsecondary education, and completion of postsecondary degrees
			 and credentials, with a focus on at-risk students, including identifying any
			 obstacles to such a strategy under State law or policy;
				(3)providing
			 technical assistance to early college high schools and other dual enrollment
			 programs, such as brokering relationships and agreements that forge a strong
			 partnership between elementary and secondary and postsecondary partners;
				(4)identifying
			 policies that will improve the effectiveness and ensure the quality of early
			 college high schools and dual enrollment programs, such as access, funding,
			 data and quality assurance, governance, accountability and alignment
			 policies;
				(5)planning and
			 delivering statewide training and peer learning opportunities for school
			 leaders and teachers from early college high schools and dual enrollment
			 programs, which may include providing instructional coaches who offer on-site
			 guidance;
				(6)disseminating best
			 practices in early college high schools and dual enrollment programs from
			 across the State and from other States; and
				(7)facilitating
			 statewide data collection, research and evaluation, and reporting to
			 policymakers and other stakeholders.
				10.Reporting and
			 oversight
			(a)Reporting by
			 grantees
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall establish uniform guidelines for all
			 grantees concerning information such grantees annually shall report to the
			 Secretary to demonstrate a grantee’s progress toward achieving the goals of
			 this Act.
				(2)Contents of
			 reportAt a minimum, the
			 report described in paragraph (1) shall include, for eligible entities
			 receiving funds under section 5, for students participating in the early
			 college high school or other dual enrollment program within each category of
			 students described in section 1111(h)(1)(C)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary
			 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.6311(h)(1)(C)(i)):
					(A)The number of
			 students.
					(B)The percentage of
			 students scoring advanced, proficient, basic, and below basic on the
			 assessments described in section 1111(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary
			 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(3)).
					(C)The performance of
			 students on other assessments or measurements of achievement.
					(D)The number of
			 secondary school credits earned.
					(E)The number of
			 postsecondary credits earned.
					(F)Attendance rate,
			 as appropriate.
					(G)Graduation
			 rate.
					(H)Placement in
			 postsecondary education or advanced training, in military service, and in
			 employment.
					(I)A description of
			 the school or program’s student, parent, and community outreach and
			 engagement.
					(b)Reporting by
			 SecretaryThe Secretary annually shall compile and analyze the
			 information described in subsection (a) and shall submit a report containing
			 such analysis to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
			 Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
			 Representatives. The report shall include identification of best practices for
			 achieving the goals of this Act.
			(c)Monitoring
			 visitsThe Secretary’s designee shall visit each grantee at least
			 once for the purpose of helping the grantee achieve the goals of this Act and
			 to monitor the grantee’s progress toward achieving such goals.
			(d)National
			 evaluationNot later than 6 months after the date on which funds
			 are appropriated to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall enter into a
			 contract with an independent organization to perform an evaluation of the
			 grants awarded under this Act. Such evaluation shall apply rigorous procedures
			 to obtain valid and reliable data concerning participants’ outcomes by social
			 and academic characteristics and monitor the progress of students from
			 secondary school to and through postsecondary education.
			(e)Technical
			 assistanceThe Secretary shall provide technical assistance to
			 eligible entities concerning best practices in early college high schools and
			 dual enrollment programs and shall disseminate such best practices among
			 eligible entities and State and local educational agencies.
			11.Rules of
			 construction
			(a)EmployeesNothing
			 in this Act shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights,
			 remedies, and procedures afforded to the employees of local educational
			 agencies (including schools) or institutions of higher education 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 employees and their
			 employers.
			(b)Graduation
			 rateA student who graduates
			 from an early college high school supported under this Act in the standard
			 number of years for graduation described in the eligible entity’s application
			 shall be considered to have graduated on time for purposes of section
			 1111(b)(2)(C)(6) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(C)(6)).


114 S1769 IS: African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-07-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1769IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 15, 2015Mr. Daines (for himself and Mr. Alexander) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo amend the African Elephant Conservation Act to conserve elephants while appropriately regulating
			 ivory in the United States.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act of 2015. 2.Limited exemption for certain African elephant ivorySection 2203 of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4223) is amended—
 (1)in the section heading by striking acts. and inserting  acts.(a)In general;
 (2)in subsection (a) (as so designated), by inserting subsection (b) and after in; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

 (b)ExemptionNothing in this Act or subsection (a) or (d) of section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538) prohibits the importation or exportation, or requires permission of the Secretary for the importation or exportation, of—
 (1)any raw ivory or worked ivory— (A)imported solely to become part of a permanent collection of a museum, return to a lending museum, or display in a museum; or
 (B)exported solely— (i)to display in a foreign museum; or
 (ii)to return to a foreign person who lent the ivory to a museum in the United States; (2)any raw ivory or worked ivory that was lawfully importable into the United States on February 24, 2014, regardless of the date on which the ivory was acquired; or
 (3)any worked ivory that was previously lawfully possessed in the United States.. 3.Treatment of elephant ivorySection 2203 of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4223) (as amended by section 2) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (c)Treatment of elephant ivoryNothing in this Act or the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.)—
 (1)prohibits, or authorizes prohibiting, the purchase, possession, sale, delivery, receipt, shipment, export or import, or transportation of African elephant ivory, or any product or antique containing African elephant ivory, that has been lawfully imported or crafted in the United States; or
 (2)authorizes using any means of determining for purposes of this Act or the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) whether African elephant ivory or an antique containing African elephant ivory has been lawfully imported, exported, bought, sold, possessed, or transported, including any presumption or burden of proof applied in such a determination, other than the means used by the Secretary as of February 24, 2014..
 4.Sport-hunted elephant trophiesSection 2203 of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4223) (as amended by section 3) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (d)Sport-Hunted elephant trophiesNothing in this Act or subsection (a) or (d) of section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538) prohibits any citizen or legal resident of the United States, or an agent of such an individual, from importing a sport-hunted African elephant trophy under section 2202(e), if the country in which the African elephant was taken had an elephant population on appendix II of CITES on the date on which the trophy elephant was taken.
 (e)Relationship to the ConventionNothing in this section modifies or repeals— (1)the duties of the Secretary to implement CITES and the appendices of CITES; or
 (2)section 8A or 9(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1537a, 1538(c))..
		5.Placement of United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officer in each African
 elephant range countryPart I of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4211 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				2105.Placement of United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officer in each African
			 elephant range country
 (a)In generalThe Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of State, may station in each African country that has a significant population of African elephants one United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officer in the primary United States diplomatic or consular post.
 (b)DutiesA United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officer stationed in an African elephant range country under subsection (a) shall—
 (1)assist local wildlife rangers in the protection of African elephants; and
 (2)facilitate the apprehension of individuals who illegally kill, or assist the illegal killing of, African elephants..
 6. Certification for purposes of the Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967Section 2202 of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4222) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (g)CertificationIf the Secretary determines that a country, directly or indirectly, is a significant transit or destination point for illegal ivory trade, the Secretary shall certify that fact to the President with respect to the country for purposes of section 8(a) of the Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978(a))..
		7.African Elephant Conservation Act financial assistance priority and reauthorization
 (a)Financial assistance prioritySection 2101 of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4211) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and
 (2)by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

 (e)PriorityThe Secretary shall, in providing financial assistance under this section, give priority to projects designed to facilitate the acquisition of equipment and training of wildlife officials in ivory producing countries to be used in anti-poaching efforts..
 (b)ReauthorizationSection 2306(a) of the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4245(a)) is amended by striking 2007 through 2012 and inserting 2016 through 2020.


113 HR 5492 IH: Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-09-16
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
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5492
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 16, 2014
			Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Cummings, and Mr. Meadows) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

		A BILL
		To amend the Inspector General Act of 1978 to strengthen the independence of the Inspectors
			 General, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
			(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2014.
			(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Additional authority provisions for Inspectors General.
					Sec. 3. Clarification of resources available to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity
			 and Efficiency.
					Sec. 4. Additional responsibilities of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and
			 Efficiency.
					Sec. 5. Paperwork Reduction Act exemption.
					Sec. 6. Amendments to the Inspector General Act of 1978 and the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008.
					Sec. 7. Reports required.
			2.Additional authority provisions for Inspectors General
			(a)Subpoena authority for Inspectors General To require testimony of certain personsThe Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)by inserting after section 6 the following new section:

						6A.Additional authority
							(a)Testimonial subpoena authorityIn addition to the authority otherwise provided by this Act and in accordance with the requirements
			 of this section, each Inspector General, in carrying out the provisions of
			 this Act, is authorized to require by subpoena the attendance and
			 testimony of certain witnesses, including a contractor with the Federal
			 Government and any former Federal employee (but not including any Federal
			 employee), necessary in the performance of the functions assigned by this
			 Act, which subpoena, in the case of contumacy or refusal to obey, shall be
			 enforceable by order of any appropriate United States district court.
							(b)Panel review before issuance
								(1)Approval requiredBefore the issuance of a subpoena described in subsection (a), an Inspector General shall submit a
			 request for approval to issue a subpoena by a majority of a panel (in this
			 section, referred to as the Subpoena Panel), which shall be comprised of each Chair (or a designee of such chair) of the Audit, Inspections,
			 and Evaluation Committees of the Council of the Inspectors General on
			 Integrity and Efficiency.
								(2)Time to respond
									(A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the Subpoena Panel shall approve or deny a request for
			 approval to issue a subpoena not later than 10 days after the submission
			 of such request.
									(B)Additional information for PanelIf the Subpoena Panel determines that additional information is necessary to approve or deny such
			 request, the Subpoena Panel shall request such information and shall
			 approve or deny such request not later than 20 days after the submission
			 of such request.
									(3)Denial by panelIf a majority of the Subpoena Panel denies the approval of a subpoena, that subpoena may not be
			 issued.
								(c)Notice to Attorney General
								(1)In generalIf the Subpoena Panel approves a subpoena under subsection (b), the Inspector General shall notify
			 the Attorney General that the Inspector General intends to issue the
			 subpoena.
								(2)Denial for interference with an ongoing investigationNot later than 10 days after the date on which the Attorney General is notified pursuant to
			 paragraph (1), the Attorney General may object to the issuance of the
			 subpoena because the subpoena will interfere with an ongoing investigation
			 and the subpoena may not be issued.
								(3)Issuance of subpoena approvedIf the Attorney General does not object to the issuance of the subpoena during the ten-day period
			 described in paragraph (2), the Inspector General may issue the subpoena.; and
				(2)in section 5(a)—
					(A)in paragraph (15), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
					(B)in paragraph (16), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
					(C)by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:

							(17)a description of the use of subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of certain witnesses
			 authorized under section 6A..
					(b)Matching program exception for inspectors generalSection 6(a) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (8), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
				(2)by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
				(3)by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new paragraph:

						(9)notwithstanding paragraph (12) of subsection (e) and subsections (o), (p), (q), (r), and (u) of
			 section 552a of title 5, United States Code, to compare, through a
			 matching program (as defined in such section), any Federal records with
			 other Federal or non-Federal records, while conducting an audit,
			 investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review authorized under
			 this Act to identify weaknesses that may lead to waste, fraud, or abuse
			 and to detect improper payments and fraud; and.
				3.Clarification of resources available to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and
			 EfficiencySection 11 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new subsection:

				(e)Authorization of Appropriations for CouncilFor the purposes of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated into the
			 revolving fund described in subsection (c)(3)(B), out of any money in the
			 Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following sums:
					(1)$8,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.
					(2)$8,500,000 for fiscal year 2016.
					(3)$9,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
					(4)$9,500,000 for fiscal year 2018.
					(5)$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
					(6)$10,500,000 for fiscal year 2020.
					(7)$11,000,000 for fiscal year 2021..
		4.Additional responsibilities of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency
			(a)Functions and duties of CouncilSection 11(c)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)in subparagraph (G), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
				(2)by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (I); and
				(3)by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following new subparagraph:

						(H)receive, review, and mediate any disputes submitted in writing to the Council by an Office of
			 Inspector General regarding an audit, investigation, inspection,
			 evaluation, or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one
			 Federal agency or entity; and.
				(b)Integrity CommitteeSection 11(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (5)—
					(A)in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
					(B)in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
					(C)by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph:

							(D)not later than 60 days after the date on which an allegation of wrongdoing is received by the
			 Integrity Committee, make a determination whether the Integrity Committee
			 will initiate an investigation of such allegation under this subsection.;
					(2)in paragraph (6)(B)(i), by striking may and inserting shall; and
				(3)in paragraph (7)—
					(A)in subparagraph (B)(i)—
						(i)in subclause (III), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
						(ii)in subclause (IV), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
						(iii)by inserting at the end the following new subclauses:

								(V)creating a regular rotation of Inspectors General assigned to investigate complaints through the
			 Integrity Committee; and
								(VI)creating procedures to avoid conflicts of interest for Integrity Committee investigations.;
						(B)by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E); and
					(C)by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraphs:

							(C)Completion of investigationIf a determination is made under paragraph (5) to initiate an investigation, the Integrity
			 Committee—
								(i)shall complete the investigation not later than six months after the date on which the Integrity
			 Committee made such determination;
								(ii)if the investigation cannot be completed within such six-month period, shall—
									(I)promptly notify the congressional committees listed in paragraph (8)(A)(iii); and
									(II)to the maximum extent practicable, complete the investigation not later than 3 months after the
			 expiration of the six-month period; and
									(iii)if the investigation cannot be completed within such nine-month period, shall brief the
			 congressional committees listed in paragraph (8)(A)(iii) every thirty days
			 until the investigation is complete.
								(D)Concurrent investigationIf an investigation of an allegation of wrongdoing against an Inspector General or a staff member
			 of an Office of Inspector General described under paragraph (4)(C) is
			 initiated by a governmental entity other than the Integrity Committee, the
			 Integrity Committee may conduct any related investigation for which a
			 determination to initiate an investigation was made under paragraph (5)
			 concurrently with the other government entity..
					(c)Technical correction; designee authoritySection 11 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)in subsection (b)(1)(B) by striking Director of National Intelligence and inserting Intelligence Community; and
				(2)in subsection (d)(2)—
					(A)in subparagraph (C), by inserting or the designee of the Special Counsel before the period at the end; and
					(B)in subparagraph (D), by inserting or the designee of the Director before the period at the end.
					5.Paperwork Reduction Act exemptionSection 3518(c) of title 44, United States Code, is amended—
			(1)in paragraph (1), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting paragraph (3);
			(2)by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
			(3)by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:

					(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (3), this subchapter shall not apply to the collection of information
			 during the conduct of any evaluation, or other review conducted by the
			 Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, or during the conduct of
			 any audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or any other review
			 conducted by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and
			 Efficiency or any Office of Inspector General, including any Office of
			 Special Inspector General..
			6.Amendments to the Inspector General Act of 1978 and the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008
			(a)Incorporation of Provisions From the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 into the Inspector
			 General Act of 1978
				(1)AmendmentSection 11(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended by adding at the end
			 the following new paragraph:

						(12)Allegations of wrongdoing against special counsel or deputy special counsel
							(A)Special counsel definedIn this paragraph, the term Special Counsel means the Special Counsel appointed under section 1211(b) of title 5, United States Code.
							(B)Authority of integrity committee
								(i)In generalAn allegation of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or the Deputy Special Counsel may be
			 received, reviewed, and referred for investigation by the Integrity
			 Committee to the same extent and in the same manner as in the case of an
			 allegation against an Inspector General (or a member of the staff of an
			 Office of Inspector General), subject to the requirement that the Special
			 Counsel recuse himself or herself from the consideration of any allegation
			 brought under this paragraph.
								(ii)Coordination with existing provisions of lawThis paragraph does not eliminate access to the Merit Systems Protection Board for review under
			 section 7701 of title 5, United States Code. To the extent that an
			 allegation brought under this subsection involves section 2302(b)(8) of
			 that title, a failure to obtain corrective action within 120 days after
			 the date on which that allegation is received by the Integrity Committee
			 shall, for purposes of section 1221 of such title, be considered to
			 satisfy section 1214(a)(3)(B) of that title.
								(C)RegulationsThe Integrity Committee may prescribe any rules or regulations necessary to carry out this
			 paragraph, subject to such consultation or other requirements as might
			 otherwise apply..
				(2)Conforming amendmentSection 7(b) of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–409; 122 Stat. 4312; 5
			 U.S.C. 1211 note) is repealed.
				(b)Agency Applicability
				(1)AmendmentsThe Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as amended by section 2(a), is further amended—
					(A)in section 8M—
						(i)in subsection (a)(1)—
							(I)by striking the first agency and inserting Federal agency and designated Federal entity; and
							(II)by striking the second and third agency and inserting Federal agency or designated Federal entity; and
							(ii)in subsection (b)—
							(I)in paragraph (1), by striking agency and inserting Federal agency and designated Federal entity; and
							(II)in paragraph (2)—
								(aa)in subparagraph (A), by striking agency and inserting Federal agency and designated Federal entity; and
								(bb)in subparagraph (B), by striking agency and inserting Federal agency and designated Federal entity; and
								(B)in section 11(c)(3)(A)(ii), by striking department, agency, or entity of the executive branch and inserting Federal agency or designated Federal entity.
					(2)ImplementationNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head and the Inspector
			 General of each Federal agency and each designated Federal entity (as such
			 terms are defined in sections 12 and 8G of the Inspector General Act of
			 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), respectively) shall implement the amendments made by
			 this subsection.
				(c)Requirements for Inspectors General WebsitesSection 8M(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) is amended—
				(1)in subparagraph (A), by striking report or audit (or portion of any report or audit) and inserting audit report, inspection report, or evaluation report (or portion of any such report); and
				(2)by striking report or audit (or portion of that report or audit) and inserting report (or portion of that report), each place it appears.
				(d)Corrections
				(1)Executive order numberSection 7(c)(2) of the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–409; 122 Stat. 4313; 31
			 U.S.C. 501 note) is amended by striking 12933 and inserting 12993.
				(2)Punctuation and cross-referencesThe Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as amended by section 2(a) and subsection (b),
			 is further amended—
					(A)in section 4(b)(2)—
						(i)by striking 8F(a)(2) and inserting 8G(a)(2), each place it appears; and
						(ii)by striking 8F(a)(1) and inserting 8G(a)(1);
						(B)in section 6(a)(4), by striking information, as well as any tangible thing) and inserting information), as well as any tangible thing;
					(C)in section 8G(g)(3), by striking 8C and inserting 8D; and
					(D)in section 5(a)(13), by striking 05(b) and inserting 804(b).
					(3)SpellingThe Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), as amended by section 2(a), subsection (b), and
			 paragraph (2), is further amended—
					(A)in section 3(a), by striking subpena and inserting subpoena;
					(B)in section 6(a)(4), by striking subpena and subpenas and inserting subpoena and subpoenas, respectively;
					(C)in section 8D(a)—
						(i)in paragraph (1), by striking subpenas and inserting subpoenas; and
						(ii)in paragraph (2), by striking subpena and inserting subpoena, each place it appears;
						(D)in section 8E(a)—
						(i)in paragraph (1), by striking subpenas and inserting subpoenas; and
						(ii)in paragraph (2), by striking subpena and inserting subpoena, each place it appears; and
						(E)in section 8G(d), by striking subpena and inserting subpoena.
					(e)RepealSection 744 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2009 (division D
			 of Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 693; 5 U.S.C. App. 8L) is repealed.
			7.Reports required
			(a)Report on vacancies in the offices of inspector general
				(1)GAO study requiredThe Comptroller General shall conduct a study of prolonged vacancies in the Offices of Inspector
			 General, during which a temporary appointee has served as the head of the
			 office that includes—
					(A)the number and duration of Inspector General vacancies;
					(B)an examination of the extent to which the number and duration of such vacancies has changed over
			 time;
					(C)an evaluation of the impact such vacancies have had on the ability of the relevant Office of the
			 Inspector General to effectively carry out statutory requirements; and
					(D)recommendations to minimize the duration of such vacancies.
					(2)Committee briefing requiredNot later than nine months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
			 shall present a briefing on the findings of the study described in
			 subsection (a) to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
			 House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
			 Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
				(3)Report to CongressNot later than fifteen months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
			 shall submit a report on the findings of the study described in subsection
			 (a) to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
			 Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
			 Affairs of the Senate.
				(b)Report on issues involving multiple offices of inspector general
				(1)Examination requiredThe Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall conduct an analysis of
			 critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one individual
			 Federal agency or entity to identify—
					(A)each such issue that could be better addressed through greater coordination among, and cooperation
			 between, individual Offices of Inspector General;
					(B)the best practices that can be employed by the Offices of Inspector General to increase
			 coordination and cooperation on each issue identified; and
					(C)any recommended statutory changes that would facilitate coordination and cooperation among Offices
			 of Inspector General on critical issues.
					(2)Report to CongressNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Council of the Inspectors
			 General on Integrity and Efficiency shall submit a report on the findings
			 of the analysis described in subsection (a) to the Committee on Oversight
			 and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
			 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.


114 SCON 39 : Honoring the members of the United States Air Force who were casualties of the June 25, 1996, terrorist bombing of the United States Sector Khobar Towers military housing complex on Dhahran Air Base.
U.S. Senate
2016-06-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. CON. RES. 39
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 28, 2016
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Honoring the members of the United States Air Force who were casualties of the June 25, 1996, terrorist bombing of the United States Sector Khobar Towers military housing complex on Dhahran Air Base.

Whereas June 25, 2016, marks the twentieth anniversary of the terrorist bombing of the United States Sector Khobar Towers military housing complex on Dhahran Air Base, also known as King Abdul Aziz Royal Saudi Air Base, near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 1996; Whereas 19 members of the United States Air Force were killed, more than 500 other members of the Armed Forces of the United States were wounded, and approximately 297 innocent Saudi and Bangladeshi civilians were casualties in this terrorist attack;
Whereas the 19 members of the United States Air Force killed in this terrorist attack while serving their country were Captain Christopher J. Adams, Technical Sergeant Daniel B. Cafourek, Sergeant Millard D. Campbell, Senior Airmen Earl F. Cartrette, Jr., Technical Sergeant Patrick P. Fennig, Captain Leland T. Haun, Master Sergeant Michael G. Heiser, Staff Sergeant Kevin J. Johnson, Staff Sergeant Ronald L. King, Master Sergeant Kendall K. Kitson, Jr., Airman First Class Christopher B. Lester, Airman First Class Brent E. Marthaler, Airman First Class Brian W. McVeigh, Airman First Class Peter J. Morgera, Technical Sergeant Thanh V. Nguyen, Airman First Class Joseph E. Rimkus, Senior Airman Jeremy A. Taylor, Airman First Class Justin R. Wood, and Airman First Class Joshua E. Woody; Whereas the families and friends of these brave servicemembers and the survivors of this attack still mourn their loss;
Whereas the survivors of this terrorist attack suffer still, whether their suffering be through physical injury, mental anguish, or through the remembrance of their fallen compatriots; Whereas the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia indicted Ahmed Ibrahim al-Mughassil and 13 others on the count, among others, of conspiracy to kill United States nationals;
Whereas Ahmed Ibrahim al-Mughassil is the former military chief of Hezbollah Al-Hejaz, also known as Saudi Hezbollah, a militant group known to be supported by the terrorist group Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran; Whereas the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, in a civil action, found the Islamic Republic of Iran liable for the bombing and ordered restitution to be paid to the servicemembers’ families that were party to the complaint;
Whereas, on or about August 26, 2015, Ahmed Ibrahim al-Mughassil was detained in Beirut, Lebanon, and turned over to authorities of Saudi Arabia; Whereas Ahmed Ibrahim al-Mughassil remains listed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted terrorist list;
Whereas those guilty of carrying out this terrorist attack have yet to be brought to justice; and Whereas terrorism remains an ever-present threat which members of the United States Armed Forces and other agents of the United States stand ready to combat throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it

That on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist bombing of the United States Sector Khobar Towers military housing complex on Dhahran Air Base, Congress— (1)recognizes the service and sacrifice of the 19 members of the United States Air Force who were killed in that attack;
(2)calls upon every citizen of the United States to pause and pay tribute to those brave servicemembers; (3)extends its continued sympathies to the families and friends of those who were killed;
(4)acknowledges the anguish and resilience of the survivors of that attack; (5)assures the members of the United States Armed Forces and other agents of the United States serving in harm’s way throughout the world that their well-being and interests will at all times be given the highest priority; and
(6)declares that any perpetrators of terrorist acts against members of the Armed Forces, other agents of the United States, or United States citizens will be vigorously pursued and finally brought to justice.  Passed the Senate June 23, 2016.Julie E. Adams,Secretary


114 S87 IS: Show Your Exemption Act
U.S. Senate
2015-01-07
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 87IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 7, 2015Mr. Vitter introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo require the disclosure of determinations with respect to which Congressional staff will be
 required to obtain health insurance coverage through an Exchange.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Show Your Exemption Act.2.Transparency of coverage determination(a)In generalNot later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives and the Financial Clerk of the Senate shall make publically available the determinations of each member of the House of Representatives and each Senator, as the case may be, regarding the designation of their respective congressional staff (including leadership and committee staff) as official for purposes of requiring such staff to enroll in health insurance coverage provided through an Exchange as required under section 1312(d)(1)(D) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18032(d)(1)(D)), and the regulations relating to such section.(b)Failure To submitThe failure by any member of the House of Representatives or Senator to designate any of their respective staff, whether committee or leadership staff, as official (as described in subsection (a)), shall be noted in the determination made publically available under subsection (a) along with a statement that such failure permits the staff involved to remain in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.(c)PrivacyNothing in this Act shall be construed to permit the release of any individually identifiable information concerning any individual, including any health plan selected by an individual.


110 HR 828 IH: Math and Science Incentive Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-02-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 828
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 5, 2007
			Mr. Wolf (for himself
			 and Mr. Ehlers) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
			 Labor

		A BILL
		To preserve mathematics- and science-based industries in
		  the United States.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Math and Science Incentive Act of
			 2007.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
			(1)The United States can have a secure and
			 prosperous future only by having a robust and inventive scientific and
			 technical enterprise.
			(2)Such an enterprise
			 will require the United States to produce more scientists and engineers.
			(3)The United States
			 education system must do more to encourage students at every level to study
			 science and mathematics and to pursue careers related to those fields.
			(4)The current
			 performance of United States students in science and math lags behind their
			 international peers, and not enough students are pursuing science and
			 mathematics.
			(5)The United States
			 is still reaping the benefits of past investments in research and development
			 and education, but we are drawing down that capital.
			(6)The United States
			 needs to recommit itself to leadership in science, mathematics and engineering,
			 especially as advances are being made in such areas as nanotechnology.
			(7)A
			 program of loan forgiveness designed to attract students to careers in science,
			 mathematics, engineering and technology, including teaching careers, can help
			 the United States maintain its technological leadership.
			3.Establishment of
			 program
			(a)Program
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall
			 carry out a program of assuming the obligation to pay, pursuant to the
			 provisions of this Act, the interest on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed
			 under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
				(2)EligibilityThe
			 Secretary may assume interest payments under paragraph (1) only for a borrower
			 who—
					(A)has submitted an
			 application in compliance with subsection (d);
					(B)obtained one or
			 more loans described in
			 paragraph (1) as an undergraduate
			 student;
					(C)is a new borrower
			 (within the meaning of section 103(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C 1003(7)) on or after the date of enactment of this Act;
					(D)is a teacher of
			 science, technology, engineering or mathematics at an elementary or secondary
			 school, or is a mathematics, science or engineering professional; and
					(E)enters into an
			 agreement with the Secretary to complete 5 consecutive years of service in a
			 position described in
			 subparagraph (D), starting on the date
			 of the agreement.
					(3)Prior interest
			 limitationsThe Secretary
			 shall not make any payments for interest that—
					(A)accrues prior to the beginning of the
			 repayment period on a loan in the case of a loan made under section 428H of the
			 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–8) or a Federal Direct
			 Unsubsidized Stafford Loan; or
					(B)has accrued prior
			 to the signing of an agreement under
			 paragraph (2)(E).
					(4)Initial
			 selectionIn selecting
			 participants for the program under this Act, the Secretary—
					(A)shall choose among
			 eligible applicants on the basis of—
						(i)the national security, homeland security
			 and economic security needs of the United States, as determined by the
			 Secretary, in consultation with other Federal agencies, including the
			 Departments of Labor, Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Energy, the
			 Central Intelligence Agency and the National Science Foundation; and
						(ii)the
			 academic record or job performance of the applicant; and
						(B)may choose among eligible applicants on the
			 basis of—
						(i)the
			 likelihood of the applicant to complete the five-year service
			 obligation;
						(ii)the
			 likelihood of the applicant to remain in science, mathematics or engineering
			 after the completion of the service requirement; or
						(iii)other relevant
			 criteria determined by the Secretary.
						(5)Availability
			 subject to appropriationsLoan interest payments under this Act shall
			 be subject to the availability of appropriations. If the amount appropriated
			 for any fiscal year is not sufficient to provide interest payments on behalf of
			 all qualified applicants, the Secretary shall give priority to those
			 individuals on whose behalf interest payments were made during the preceding
			 fiscal year.
				(6)RegulationsThe
			 Secretary is authorized to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to
			 carry out the provisions of this section.
				(b)Duration and
			 amount of interest paymentsThe period during which the Secretary
			 shall pay interest on behalf of a student borrower who is selected under
			 subsection (a) is the period that begins on
			 the effective date of the agreement under
			 subsection (a)(2)(E), continues after
			 successful completion of the service obligation, and ends on the earlier
			 of—
				(1)the completion of the repayment period of
			 the loan;
				(2)payment by the
			 Secretary of a total of $10,000 on behalf of the borrower;
				(3)if the borrower
			 ceases to fulfill the service obligation under such agreement prior to the end
			 of the 5-year period, as soon as the borrower is determined to have ceased to
			 fulfill such obligation in accordance with regulations of the Secretary;
			 or
				(4)6
			 months after the end of any calendar year in which the borrower’s gross income
			 equals or exceeds 4 times the national per capita disposable personal income
			 (current dollars) for such calendar year, as determined on the basis of the
			 National Income and Product Accounts Tables of the Bureau of Economic Analysis
			 of the Department of Commerce, as determined in accordance with regulations
			 prescribed by the Secretary.
				(c)Repayment to
			 eligible lendersSubject to
			 the regulations prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to
			 subsection (a)(6), the Secretary shall
			 pay to each eligible lender or holder for each payment period the amount of the
			 interest that accrues on a loan of a student borrower who is selected under
			 subsection (a).
			(d)Application for
			 repayment
				(1)In
			 generalEach eligible individual desiring loan interest payment
			 under this section shall submit a complete and accurate application to the
			 Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
			 Secretary may require.
				(2)Failure to
			 complete service agreementSuch application shall contain an
			 agreement by the individual that, if the individual fails to complete the 5
			 consecutive years of service required by
			 subsection (a)(2)(E), the individual
			 agrees to repay the Secretary the amount of any interest paid by the Secretary
			 on behalf of the individual.
				(e)Treatment of
			 consolidation loansA consolidation loan made under section 428C
			 of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
			 or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan made under part D of title IV of such
			 Act, may be a qualified loan for the purpose of this section only to the extent
			 that such loan amount was used by a borrower who otherwise meets the
			 requirements of this section to repay—
				(1)a
			 loan made under section 428 or 428H of such Act; or
				(2)a
			 Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan,
			 made under part D of title IV of such Act.
				(f)Prevention of
			 double benefitsNo borrower may, for the same service, receive a
			 benefit under both this section and—
				(1)any loan
			 forgiveness program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965;
			 or
				(2)subtitle D of
			 title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et
			 seq.).
				4.DefinitionsAs used in this Act—
			(1)the term Secretary means the
			 Secretary of Education; and
			(2)the term mathematics, science, or
			 engineering professional means a person who—
				(A)holds a
			 baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degree (or a combination thereof) in
			 science, mathematics or engineering; and
				(B)works in a field
			 the Secretary determines is closely related to that degree, which shall include
			 working as a professor at a two- or four-year institution of higher
			 education.
				5.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be
			 necessary for fiscal year 2008 and for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal
			 years.


116 S2172 IS: Small Business Surcharge Relief Act
U.S. Senate
2019-07-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2172IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 18, 2019Mr. Wicker introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide relief from surcharges to small
			 businesses and nonprofit organizations.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Business Surcharge Relief Act.
 2.Relief from surchargeSection 1308A(a) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015a(a)) is amended—
 (1)in the first sentence, by striking The Administrator and inserting the following:  (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Administrator; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (2)Relief for small businesses and nonprofits (A)DefinitionIn this paragraph, the term covered small business or nonprofit organization means a small business concern (as defined in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)) or an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code that owns not fewer than 3 structures that are located on a single property.
 (B)ReliefThe Administrator may not impose a surcharge under this section for a policy for flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program for a covered small business concern or nonprofit organization with respect to more than 2 detached units or buildings located on a single property if the covered small business or nonprofit organization certifies to the Administrator that the savings from the surcharge not being imposed shall be used for flood mitigation on the property on which the units or buildings are located..


117 S2502 IS: Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act
U.S. Senate
2021-07-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2502IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 28, 2021Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo provide first-time, low-level, nonviolent simple possession offenders an opportunity to expunge that conviction after successful completion of court-imposed probation.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act.2.Eliminating age requirement for expungement of certain convictions for simple possession of controlled substances by nonviolent offendersSection 3607(c) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking and the person was less than twenty-one years old at the time of the offense,.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3328
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 21, 2012
			Mr. Lautenberg (for
			 himself, Mr. Coons,
			 Mr. Kerry, Mr.
			 Menendez, Mr. Sanders, and
			 Mr. Carper) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To provide grants for juvenile
		  mentoring.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Juvenile Mentoring Program
			 Reauthorization Act of 2012 or the JUMP Reauthorization Act of
			 2012.
		2.Grants for
			 national, State, and local programsTitle II of the Juvenile Justice and
			 Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5611 et seq.) is amended by
			 inserting after part F the following:

				GMentoring
					299K.PurposesThe purposes of this part are—
						(1)to reduce
				juvenile delinquency and gang participation;
						(2)to improve
				academic performance; and
						(3)to provide
				general guidance and promote personal and social responsibility,
						through the
				use of mentors for at-risk youth.299L.DefinitionsFor purposes of this part—
						(1)the term
				at-risk youth means an individual less than 18 years of age at
				risk of educational failure or dropping out of school or involvement in
				delinquent activities;
						(2)the term
				mentor means a responsible adult who is linked with at-risk youth
				in consistent contact, either as a one-to-one mentor or in small group
				mentoring, establishing supportive relationships with youth and providing youth
				with exposure to new experiences that enhance the ability of at-risk youth to
				become responsible citizens;
						(3)the term
				one-to-one mentor means a responsible adult who is linked with an
				at-risk youth on a one-to-one volunteer basis, establishing a supportive
				relationship with the youth and providing the youth with exposure to new
				experiences that enhance the youth's ability to become a responsible citizen;
				and
						(4)the term
				small group mentoring means one adult mentor forming a
				relationship with a small group of youths. The mentor assumes the role of
				leader and makes a commitment to meet regularly with the group over an
				extensive period of time in a predetermined facility.
						299M.GrantsThe Administrator shall, by making grants to
				and entering into contracts with national, regional, and local nonprofit
				organizations, establish and support programs and activities for the purpose of
				implementing mentoring programs that—
						(1)are designed to
				link at-risk children, particularly children living in high crime areas and
				children experiencing educational failure, with responsible adults; and
						(2)are intended to
				achieve one or more of the following goals:
							(A)Provide general
				guidance to at-risk youth.
							(B)Promote personal
				and social responsibility among at-risk youth.
							(C)Increase at-risk
				youth's participation in and enhance their ability to benefit from elementary
				and secondary education.
							(D)Discourage
				at-risk youth's use of illegal drugs, violence, and dangerous weapons, and
				other criminal activity.
							(E)Discourage
				involvement of at-risk youth in gangs.
							(F)Encourage at-risk
				youth's participation in community service and community activities.
							299N.Regulations
				and guidelinesThe
				Administrator shall develop and distribute to program participants specific
				model guidelines for the screening of prospective program mentors.
					299O.Use of
				grants
						(a)Permitted
				usesGrants awarded pursuant
				to this part shall be used to implement mentoring programs, including—
							(1)hiring of mentoring coordinators and
				support staff;
							(2)recruitment, screening, and training of
				adult mentors;
							(3)reimbursement of mentors for reasonable
				incidental expenditures such as transportation that are directly associated
				with mentoring;
							(4)training of
				mentoring program staff in effective practices; and
							(5)such other purposes as the Administrator
				may reasonably prescribe by regulation.
							(b)Additional
				permitted uses for national grantsIn addition to the uses set
				forth in subsection (a), national grants awarded pursuant to this part may be
				used to implement and improve mentoring programs, including—
							(1)the establishment
				and implementation of quality assurance services, including best practices for
				the screening of mentors and supervision of mentoring relationships;
							(2)the establishment
				and implementation of child safety standards;
							(3)the establishment
				and implementation of information technology systems to track the effectiveness
				of program models; and
							(4)research
				evaluations to inform best practices.
							(c)Prohibited
				usesGrants awarded pursuant to this part shall not be
				used—
							(1)to support litigation of any kind;
				or
							(2)for any other purpose reasonably prohibited
				by the Administrator by regulation.
							299P.Considerations
						(a)In
				generalIn making grants
				under this part, the Administrator shall give priority for awarding grants to
				applicants that—
							(1)serve at-risk youth in high crime
				areas;
							(2)have 60 percent or more of their youth
				eligible to receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
				1965 (20 U.S.C. et seq.);
							(3)establish and support mentoring programs
				that serve at-risk youth in public housing sites or on Native American lands;
				and
							(4)serve at-risk
				youth with a parent in the military, including a deployed parent.
							(b)Other
				considerationsIn making grants under this part, the
				Administrator shall give consideration to—
							(1)the quality of a mentoring plan,
				including—
								(A)the resources, if any, that will be
				dedicated to providing participating youth with opportunities for job training
				or postsecondary education; and
								(B)the degree to which there is appropriate
				coordination with the local community to ensure the mentoring plan will
				continue to be implemented once the grant is discontinued; and
								(2)the capability of the applicant to
				effectively implement the mentoring plan.
							299Q.ApplicationsAn application for assistance under this
				part shall include—
						(1)information on the youth expected to be
				served by the program;
						(2)a provision for a mechanism for matching
				youth with mentors based on the needs of the youth;
						(3)an assurance that projects will be
				monitored to ensure that each youth benefits from a mentor relationship, with
				provision for a new mentor assignment if the relationship is not beneficial to
				the youth;
						(4)the method by which mentors and youth will
				be recruited to the project;
						(5)the method by which prospective mentors
				will be screened;
						(6)the training that will be provided to
				mentors; and
						(7)the method by
				which outcomes for youth will be measured and the strength of the mentoring
				relationship
				monitored.
						.
		3.Authorization
			 of appropriationsSection 299
			 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5671)
			 is amended—
			(1)in subsection
			 (a)—
				(A)in the
			 subsection heading, by striking Parts C and E and
			 inserting Parts C, E, and
			 G; and
				(B)in paragraph
			 (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking parts C and
			 E and inserting parts C, E, and G;
				(2)by
			 redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
			(3)by inserting
			 after subsection (c) the following:

					(d)Authorization
				of appropriations for part GThere are authorized to be
				appropriated to carry out part G, and authorized to remain available until
				expended, $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through
				2017.
					.


117 SRES 31 IS: Expressing the Senate's opposition to the current, ineffective JCPOA.
U.S. Senate
2021-02-03
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.

III117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 31IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 3, 2021Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Mr. Cramer, and Ms. Ernst) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsRESOLUTIONExpressing the Senate's opposition to the current, ineffective JCPOA.Whereas the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (referred to in this preamble as the JCPOA) was agreed to in July 2015 by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States, and 5 other major world powers, and was formally adopted in October 2015;Whereas in October 2015, Iran conducted a ballistic missile test in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015);Whereas in November 2015, Iran tested 2 medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads;Whereas in March 2016, Iran launched 2 ballistic missiles;Whereas in April 2018, Iran issued one of its many threats to annihilate Israel;Whereas in May 2019, Iran, while still obligated to the terms of the JCPOA, announced that it will not be bound to limits on heavy water and enriched uranium stockpiles;Whereas in July 2019—(1)Iran exceeded limitations imposed by the JCPOA on its enriched uranium stockpile; and (2)the International Atomic Energy Agency (referred to in this preamble as the IAEA) verified that Iran had stockpiled enriched uranium in excess of the 300 kilograms limit;Whereas in September 2019—(1)Iran announced that it will continue to advance centrifuges, which is a violation of the JCPOA; and(2)the IAEA verified that Iran had started to install advanced centrifuges that exceeds the permitted amount under the JCPOA;Whereas in November 2019—(1)the IAEA verified that Iranian technicians began to enrich uranium up to 4.5 percent, which is greater than the JCPOA limit of 3.67 percent; and(2)Iran breached the heavy water stockpile cap that was imposed by the JCPOA; andWhereas in January 2021, Iran started installing equipment for the production of uranium metal, which violates the JCPOA:Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)urges the President not to return the United States to the JCPOA unless—(A)the JCPOA is revised to verifiably and permanently remove Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons and produce ballistic missiles;(B)the JCPOA is revised to require Iran to eliminate its nuclear infrastructure because Iranian ability to enrich uranium (even if enrichment is ostensibly for peaceful purposes) inevitably leads to a nuclear weapons capable regime and spurs proliferation in the region;(C)Israel and other United States allies in the Middle East are consulted and their views are incorporated into the revised JCPOA;(D)Iran is required to refrain from sponsoring, aiding, or abetting terrorist proxies and militias;(E)international inspectors are provided with unlimited and immediate access to any suspect enrichment or weaponization site; and(F)Iran—(i)verifiably and completely reveals all of its undeclared nuclear activities discovered in the Iran Nuclear Archives and publicized in April 2018; and (ii)ceases to develop missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads;(2)strongly recommends that United States sanctions against the Iranian regime remain in place until Iran has complied with all the elements of the revised JCPOA; and(3)condemns any attempt by the President to circumvent Congress on this issue.