113 HR 3335 IH: Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-10-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I113th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3335IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 23, 2013Mr. Scalise introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to update certain procedures applicable to commerce in firearms and remove certain Federal restrictions on interstate firearms transactions.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act.2.Authority to conduct interstate firearms transactions(a)Firearms dispositionsSection 922(b)(3)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking rifle or shotgun and inserting firearm;(2)by striking located and inserting located or temporarily located; and(3)by striking both such States and inserting the State in which the transfer is conducted and the State of residence of the transferee.(b)Dealer locationSection 923 of such title is amended—(1)in subsection (j)—(A)in the first sentence, by striking , and such location is in the State which is specified on the license; and(B)in the last sentence—(i)by inserting transfer, after sell,; and(ii)by striking all that follows Act and inserting a period; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(m)Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the sale, transfer, delivery, or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition—(1)by a person licensed under this chapter to another person so licensed, at any location in any State; or(2)by a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to a person not licensed under this chapter, at a temporary location described in subsection (j) in any State..(c)Residence of united states officersSection 921 of such title is amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:(b)For purposes of this chapter:(1)A member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or a spouse of the member, is a resident of—(A)the State in which the person maintains legal residence;(B)the State in which the permanent duty station of the member is located; and(C)the State in which the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the permanent duty station.(2)An officer or employee of the United States (other than a member of the Armed Forces) stationed outside the United States for a period exceeding one year, or a spouse residing with such an officer or employee, is a resident of the State in which the person maintains legal residence..


115 HR 4766 IH: Positive Train Control Implementation and Financing Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-01-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 4766IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 11, 2018Mr. DeFazio (for himself, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. Heck, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Jayapal, and Ms. DelBene) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit further extension of requirement to implement
			 positive train control beyond December 31, 2018, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Positive Train Control Implementation and Financing Act of 2018. 2.Prohibition on further extension of requirement to implement positive train controlSection 20157 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)(2)— (A)by striking subparagraph (B);
 (B)by redesignating subparagraph (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; (C)in subparagraph (B) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)) by striking , including any alternative schedule and sequence, as applicable,; and
 (D)in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)) by striking including any amendments or any alternative schedule and sequence approved by the Secretary under paragraph (3) and inserting including any amendments to such plan;
 (2)by striking subsection (a)(3); (3)in subsection (c)(1)(C) by striking or subsection (a)(2)(B);
 (4)in subsection (c)(2) by striking or any alternative schedule and sequence approved by the Secretary; (5)in subsection (e)—
 (A)in paragraph (2) by inserting and at the end; (B)in paragraph (3) by striking subsection (a)(2)(C); and and inserting subsection (a)(2)(B).; and
 (C)by striking paragraph (4); and (6)by striking subsection (g)(4)(A)(iii) and inserting the following:

 (iii)requiring the submission, as part of the revised plan under subsection (a)(1), of only a schedule and sequence under subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii)(VII)..
 3.Grants for certain entities to implement positive train controlSection 20157 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

				(m)Grants for certain entities To implement positive train control
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall provide grants to entities providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation to implement positive train control systems under this section.
 (2)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out paragraph (1) $2,572,000,000, to remain available until December 31, 2018..
 4.Prohibition on provision of certain new routesSection 20157 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

 (n)Prohibition on provision of certain new routesAn entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation may not begin service on any new route that is subject to the requirements of this section unless a positive train control system is fully implemented and operational on such route..
		5.Reporting requirements
 (a)Quarterly and annual progress reportsAmtrak shall include in each annual progress report required under 20157(c) of title 49, United States Code, and each quarterly progress report required by the Federal Railroad Administration a detailed status report on the progress made toward implementing a positive train control system on each route Amtrak owns or operates intercity passenger rail transportation, including the Northeast Corridor, each long distance route, and each State-supported route. Amtrak shall provide such information by route and include, at a minimum, the information required on the Federal Railroad Administration’s Quarterly PTC Progress Report Form (FRA F 6180.165).
 (b)DefinitionsIn this section, the terms Northeast Corridor, long distance route, and State-supported route have the meanings given the terms in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code.


115 HR 4525 IH: Living Shorelines Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-12-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4525IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 1, 2017Mr. Pallone introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make grants
			 to States and local governments and nongovernmental organizations for
			 purposes of carrying out shoreline stabilization projects utilizing
			 natural materials.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Living Shorelines Act of 2017. 2.Living shoreline grant program (a)EstablishmentThe Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall make grants to eligible entities for purposes of—
 (1)carrying out large- and small-scale, climate-resilient living shoreline projects; and (2)encouraging innovation in the use of natural materials to protect coastal communities.
				(b)project and selection
 (1)In generalTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator a proposed living shoreline project, including monitoring and data collection with respect to the project.
				(2)Selection
 (A)In generalThe Administrator shall select recipients based on criteria to be prescribed by the Administrator in consultation with relevant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices, such as the Office of Habitat Conservation, the Office for Coastal Management, and the Restoration Center, and taking into account the potential of proposed projects submitted under this subsection to protect communities and maintain the viability of the environment in areas where such proposed projects are to be carried out.
 (B)PriorityIn selecting recipients the Administrator shall give priority consideration to a proposed project to be conducted in an area for which the President has declared, within the 10-year period preceding the submission of a proposed project, that a major disaster exists pursuant to section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) due to a hurricane, tropical storm, coastal storm, or flooding.
					(3)Minimum level of protection
 (A)In generalThe Administrator shall select proposed projects for grants under this section that— (i)are primarily focused on providing protection for a coastal community; and
 (ii)demonstrate and quantify the ability of the project to meet a minimal level of such protection. (B)Protection definedIn this paragraph the term protection includes—
 (i)mitigating the effects of erosion; (ii)absorbing the impact of coastal storms;
 (iii)mitigating shoreline flooding; (iv)mitigating the effects of sea level rise; and
 (v)other forms of protection as determined by the Administrator. (4)Community protection standards (A)In generalThe Administrator—
 (i)shall make the determination under paragraph (3) under standards established by the Administrator in consultation with the Corps of Engineers and relevant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices, such as the Office of Habitat Conservation, the Office for Coastal Management, and the Restoration Center; and
 (ii)in establishing such standards, may consult with relevant interagency councils, such as the Estuary Habitat Restoration Council.
 (B)ConsiderationsSuch standards shall take into account historic flooding and projected flooding, climate change, erosion, the value of properties in the community, and ecological benefits of a proposed project.
 (c)Use of fundsGrants made under this section may be used by recipients only to— (1)carry out living shoreline projects; and
 (2)monitor and collect data on the success and deficiencies of projects, in accordance with standards issued by the Administrator under subsection (e)(2).
 (d)Cost-SharingAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, not less than 50 percent of the funds towards the total cost, including administrative costs, of each living shoreline project funded by such grant.
			(e)Monitoring and report
 (1)In generalThe Administrator shall require each recipient of a grant under this section (or their representative) to—
 (A)transmit to the Administrator data collected with the grant; (B)monitor approved projects conducted with grants under this section and collect data on the protection provided by such projects and the success and deficiencies of such projects in providing such protection;
 (C)make such data available to the public through the website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
 (D)by not later than December 31, 2022, publish a report on the effectiveness of the program under this section in increasing protection of coastal communities through living shorelines techniques, including—
 (i)descriptions of— (I)the projects that were awarded grants;
 (II)the construction carried out under such projects; and (III)what techniques and materials were used in such projects; and
 (ii)data on the performance of such projects in providing such protection. (2)Standards (A)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the Administrator shall, in consultation with relevant offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and nongovernmental organizations, issue standards for the collection under subsection (c) and this subsection of data regarding the success and deficiencies of projects conducted with grants under this section.
 (B)ReportingThe standards shall require reporting of such data to the Administration on a regular basis. (f)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:
 (1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means each of the following:
 (A)A State or a unit of general local government in a State. (B)Nongovernmental organizations that are described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
 (3)Living shoreline projectThe term living shoreline project— (A)means a project to mitigate the effects of erosion caused by shoreline flooding or innundation, currents, and wave energy, through project design that stabilizes a shoreline by using natural materials to create buffers to absorb the impact of coastal storms, flooding, and wave energy and to prevent or minimize (or both) shoreline erosion, that—
 (i)incorporates as many natural elements as possible, such as native wetlands, submerged aquatic plants, native grasses, shrubs, or trees;
 (ii)utilizes techniques that incorporate ecological and coastal engineering principles in shoreline stabilization; and
 (iii)to the extent possible, maintains or restores existing natural slopes and connections between uplands and adjacent wetlands or surface waters; and
 (B)may include, but not be limited to, the use of— (i)natural elements, such as sand, wetland plants, logs, oysters or other shellfish, submerged aquatic vegetation, native grasses, shrubs, trees, or coir fiber logs; and
 (ii)structural materials, such as stone, concrete, wood, vinyl, oyster domes, or other approved engineered structures.
 (4)StateThe term State means each of the several States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and each Federally recognized Indian Tribe.
 (g)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to the Administrator for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023 for purposes of carrying out this section.


115 S1267 IS: State Mineral Revenue Protection Act
U.S. Senate
2017-05-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1267IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 25, 2017Mr. Enzi (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. Udall) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Mineral Leasing Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to convey to a State all
			 right, title, and interest in and to a percentage of the amount of
			 royalties and other amounts required to be paid to the State under that
			 Act with respect to public land and deposits in the State, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the State Mineral Revenue Protection Act.
		2.Conveyance to States
			 of property interest in State share of royalties and other
			 payments
 (a)In generalSection 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191) is amended—
 (1)in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking shall be paid into the Treasury and inserting shall, except as provided in subsection (b), be paid into the Treasury;
 (2)by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:  (b)Conveyance to States of property interest in State share (1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, on request of a State and in lieu of any payments to the State under subsection (a), the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the State all right, title, and interest in and to the percentage specified in that subsection for that State of all amounts otherwise required to be paid into the Treasury under that subsection from sales, bonuses, royalties (including interest charges), and rentals for all public land or deposits located in the State.
 (2)AmountNotwithstanding any other provision of law, after a conveyance to a State under paragraph (1), any person shall pay directly to the State any amount owed by the person for which the right, title, and interest has been conveyed to the State under this subsection.
 (3)NoticeThe Secretary of the Interior shall promptly provide to each holder of a lease of public land to which subsection (a) applies that are located in a State to which right, title, and interest is conveyed under this subsection notice that—
 (A)the Secretary of the Interior has conveyed to the State all right, title, and interest in and to the amounts referred to in paragraph (1); and
 (B)the leaseholder is required to pay the amounts directly to the State.; and
 (3)in subsection (c)(1), by inserting and except as provided in subsection (b) before , any rentals.
				(b)Conforming amendments
 (1)Section 6(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 355(a)) is amended— (A)in the first sentence, by striking Subject to the provisions of section 35(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(b)), all and inserting All; and
 (B)in the second sentence, by striking of the Act of February 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 450; 30 U.S.C. 191) and inserting of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191). (2)Section 20(a) of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1019(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1), in the second sentence, by striking the provisions of subsection (b) of section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(b)) and.
 (3)Section 205(f) of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1735(f)) is amended by striking the fourth, fifth, and sixth sentences.


115 S562 IS: For the relief of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian.
U.S. Senate
2017-03-07
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.

VI115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 562IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 7, 2017Mrs. Feinstein introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLFor the relief of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian.

		1.Permanent resident status for
			 Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian
			(a)In
 generalNotwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151), Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian shall each be eligible for the issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
			(b)Adjustment of
 statusIf Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, or Arthur Mkoian enters the United States before the filing deadline specified in subsection (c), Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, or Arthur Mkoian, as appropriate, shall be considered to have entered and remained lawfully in the United States and shall be eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(c)Application and
 payment of feesSubsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application for the issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(d)Reduction of
 immigrant visa numbersUpon granting an immigrant visa or permanent resident status to Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by three, during the current or next following fiscal year—
 (1)the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of birth of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)); or
 (2)if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of birth of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoian under section 202(e) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(e)).
 (e)PAYGOThe budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.


115 SRES 149 ATS: Supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.
U.S. Senate
2017-05-02
text/xml
EN
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		III
		115th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 149
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 2, 2017
			Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mr. Coons) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.

 Whereas April 25 of each year is recognized internationally as World Malaria Day; Whereas malaria is a leading cause of death and disease in many developing countries, despite being preventable and treatable;
 Whereas fighting malaria is in the national interest of the United States because reducing the risk of malaria protects members of the Armed Forces and other people of the United States serving overseas in malaria-endemic regions, and reducing malaria deaths helps to lower risks of instability in less developed countries;
 Whereas United States support for efforts to fight malaria— (1)is in the diplomatic and moral interests of the United States;
 (2)generates goodwill toward the United States; and (3)highlights the values of the people of the United States through the work of governmental, nongovernmental, and faith-based organizations of the United States;
 Whereas, in 2015, 91 countries and areas had ongoing malaria transmissions; Whereas nearly 1/2 of the population of the world is at risk for malaria, with sub-Saharan African carrying a disproportionately high burden, with 90 percent of malaria cases and 92 percent of malaria deaths in the world;
 Whereas young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to, and disproportionately affected by, malaria;
 Whereas malaria greatly affects the health of children, since children under the age of 5 account for an estimated 70 percent of malaria deaths each year;
 Whereas the World Malaria Report 2016 by the World Health Organization states that, in 2015, approximately 429,000 people died of malaria, which is a 50-percent decrease since 2000;
 Whereas the United States Government has played a leading role in the recent progress made toward reducing the global burden of malaria, particularly through the President’s Malaria Initiative and the contribution of the United States to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; and
 Whereas the United States Government is pursuing a comprehensive approach to ending malaria deaths through the President's Malaria Initiative, which is led by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and private sector entities: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)supports the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day;
 (2)recognizes the importance of reducing malaria prevalence and deaths to improve overall child and maternal health, especially in sub-Saharan Africa;
 (3)commends the recent progress made toward reducing global malaria morbidity, mortality, and prevalence, particularly through the efforts of the President’s Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria;
 (4)welcomes ongoing public-private partnerships to research and develop more effective and affordable tools for malaria diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination;
 (5)recognizes the goals, priorities, and authorities to combat malaria set forth in the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–293; 122 Stat. 2918);
 (6)supports continued leadership by the United States in bilateral, multilateral, and private sector efforts to combat malaria and to work with developing countries to create long-term strategies to increase ownership over malaria programs; and
 (7)encourages other members of the international community to sustain and increase their support for, and financial contributions to, efforts to combat malaria worldwide.


109 HR 6037 IH: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-09-06
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
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6037
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 6, 2006
			Mr. Pearce introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Agriculture,
			 and in addition to the Committee on Resources, 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 direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the
		  village of Santa Clara, the city of Bayard, or the county of Grant, in the
		  State of New Mexico, in tracts of not less than 40 acres, at market price at
		  its present state of use as agricultural grazing lands as determined by the
		  Secretary, for business and community development, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Conveyance of land
			(a)In
			 generalSubject to this Act,
			 the Secretary of Agriculture (hereafter in this Act referred to as the
			 Secretary) shall convey the lands described in subsection (b) to
			 one or more eligible buyers for the purpose of business and community
			 development.
			(b)Land
			 describedThe lands to be conveyed under subsection (a) are the
			 following lands that were formerly part of the Fort Bayard Military
			 Reservation, Grant County, New Mexico, comprising approximately 1499 acres, and
			 are situated in sections:

					Township 17 South, Range 12 West, New Mexico Principal
				Meridian.
					 Section 30, all within the former Fort Bayard
				Military Reservation (31 acres more or less).
					 Section 31, all within the former Fort Bayard
				Military Reservation (155 acres more or less).
					Township 17 South, Range 13 West, New Mexico Principal
				Meridian.
					Section 34, all within the former Fort Bayard Military
				Reservation (584 acres more or less).
					Section 35, all within the former Fort Bayard Military
				Reservation less lands conveyed under other Federal authorities to the Village
				of Central ( Santa Clara), and the State of New Mexico (216 acres more or
				less).
					Section 36, all within the former Fort Bayard Military
				Reservation (513 acres more or less).
			(c)Eligible
			 buyersFor the purposes of
			 this Act, eligible buyers are the village of Santa Clara, the city of Bayard,
			 and the county of Grant, in the State of New Mexico.
			2.ConditionsIn making the conveyance under section 1,
			 the Secretary—
			(1)shall sell the
			 land in tracts of not less the 40 acres;
			(2)shall require as consideration for the land
			 the market price of the land in its present state of use as agricultural
			 grazing lands as determined by the Secretary;
			(3)shall protect all
			 valid existing rights;
			(4)shall reserve
			 easements for existing facilities such as roads, telephone lines, pipelines,
			 electric power transmission lines, or other facilities or improvements in
			 place;
			(5)shall reserve such
			 easements for roads as the Secretary of Agriculture finds necessary to assure
			 access to lands of the United States or to meet public needs; and
			(6)may contain such
			 additional terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions as may be
			 determined by the Secretary to be necessary to protect the interests of the
			 United States.
			3.Approval of all
			 parties required for conveyanceThe Secretary shall not make a conveyance
			 under this Act to any one of the eligible buyers, without written approval of
			 the two nonacquiring eligible buyers.
		4.Historic or
			 prehistoric sitesIf historic
			 or prehistoric cultural properties are located upon the lands to be conveyed,
			 the Secretary shall be responsible for the costs and recovery of these sites
			 and shall do so in a timely manner so as not to unduly restrict future use of
			 the selected lands by the acquiring party. The Secretary may, at the
			 Secretary’s discretion, use a deed reservation to retain historic or
			 prehistoric properties in the ownership of the United States instead of site
			 recovery, if agreeable to the acquiring party.
		5.Sale of mineral
			 interestsUpon application by
			 the acquiring party, all the undivided mineral interest of the United States in
			 any parcel or tract sold pursuant to this Act shall be conveyed to the
			 acquiring party or its successor in title by the Secretary of the Interior. In
			 areas where the Secretary of the Interior determines that there is no active
			 mineral development or leasing, and that the lands have no mineral value, the
			 mineral interests covered by a single application shall be sold for a
			 consideration of $1. In other areas the mineral interests shall be sold at the
			 fair market value thereof as determined by the Secretary of the Interior after
			 taking into considerations such appraisals as the Secretary of the Interior
			 deems necessary or appropriate.
		6.Administrative
			 costs
			(a)Deposit and
			 paymentEach application for
			 a conveyance to be made under this Act shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable
			 deposit to be applied to related administrative costs as determined by the
			 Secretary of the Interior. If the conveyance is made pursuant to an
			 application, the applicant shall pay to the Secretary of the Interior the full
			 administrative costs, less the deposit. If a conveyance is not made pursuant to
			 the application, the deposit shall constitute full satisfaction of such
			 administrative costs notwithstanding that the administrative costs exceed the
			 deposit.
			(b)DefinitionFor
			 the purposes of this Act, the term administrative costs  includes,
			 in addition to other items, all costs that the Secretary of the Interior
			 determines are included in a determination of—
				(1)the mineral
			 character of the land in question; and
				(2)the fair market
			 value of the mineral interest.
				7.Amounts paid into
			 TreasuryAmounts paid to the
			 Secretary of the Interior under this Act shall be paid into the Treasury of the
			 United States as miscellaneous receipts.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3958
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 28, 2009
			Mr. Hodes introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a
		  refundable tax credit for heating fuels.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Heating Energy Assistance Tax Credit
			 Act of 2009.
		2.Refundable credit
			 for home heating
			(a)In
			 generalSubpart C of part IV
			 of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to
			 refundable credits) is amended by inserting after section 36A the following new
			 section:

					36B.Home heating
				credit
						(a)Allowance of
				creditIn the case of an
				eligible individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed
				by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to amounts paid or
				incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year to heat the principal place of
				abode of the taxpayer.
						(b)Limitations
							(1)Limitation based
				on dollar amountThe amount allowed as a credit under subsection
				(a) for a taxable year shall not exceed $1,000 ($2,000 in the case of a joint
				return).
							(2)Limitation based
				on adjusted gross incomeIn the case of a taxpayer whose adjusted
				gross income for the taxable year—
								(A)is greater than
				$75,000 but not more than $100,000 (in the case of a joint return, greater than
				$150,000 but not more than $200,000), paragraph (1) shall be applied by
				substituting $500 for $1,000 (in the case of a
				joint return, $1,000 for $2,000), and
								(B)is greater than
				$100,000 ($200,000 in the case of a joint return), the amount allowed as a
				credit under subsection (a) shall be zero.
								(c)Eligible
				IndividualFor purposes of
				this section—
							(1)In
				generalThe term eligible individual means any
				individual whose principal place of abode is in the United States.
							(2)ExceptionExcept
				as provided in paragraph (3), such term shall not include any
				individual—
								(A)who is not a
				citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, or
								(B)with respect to
				whom a deduction under section 151 is allowed to another taxpayer for a taxable
				year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year
				begins.
								(3)Special rule for
				married individualsIn the case of persons married to each other,
				if one spouse is an eligible individual, the other spouse shall be treated as
				an eligible individual.
							(d)Denial of Double
				BenefitNo credit shall be
				allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is
				allowed under any other provision of this
				chapter.
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Subparagraph (A)
			 of section 6211(b)(4) of such Code is amended by inserting 36B,
			 after 36A,.
				(2)Paragraph (2) of
			 section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting
			 36B, after 36A,.
				(c)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of
			 sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
			 36A the following new item:

						Sec. 36B. Home heating
				credit.

					.
			(d)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by
			 this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
			 2009.


115 S1893 IS: Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-09-28
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.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1893IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 28, 2017Mrs. McCaskill (for herself and Mr. Perdue) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to specify when bank holding
			 companies may be subject to certain enhanced supervision, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Systemic Risk Designation Improvement Act of 2017. 2.Revisions to Council authority (a)Purposes and dutiesSection 112 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5322) is amended in subsection (a)(2)(I) by inserting before the semicolon , which have been identified as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165.
 (b)Enhanced supervisionSection 115 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5325) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a)(1), by striking large, interconnected bank holding companies and inserting bank holding companies which have been identified as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165; and
 (2)in subsection (a)(2)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking ; or at the end and inserting a period;
 (B)by striking the Council may and all that follows through differentiate and inserting the Council may differentiate; and (C)by striking subparagraph (B).
 (c)ReportsSection 116(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5326(a)) is amended by striking with total consolidated assets of $50,000,000,000 or greater and inserting which has been identified as a global systemically important bank holding company pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165.
 (d)MitigationSection 121(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5331) is amended by striking with total consolidated assets of $50,000,000,000 or more and inserting which has been identified as a global systemically important bank holding company pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165.
 (e)Office of financial researchSection 155 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5345) is amended in subsection (d) by striking with total consolidated assets of 50,000,000,000 or greater and inserting which have been identified as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165.
			3.Revisions to Board authority
 (a)AcquisitionsSection 163 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5363) is amended by striking with total consolidated assets equal to or greater than $50,000,000,000 each place such term appears and inserting which has been identified as a global systemically important bank holding company pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165.
 (b)Management interlocksSection 164 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5364) is amended by striking with total consolidated assets equal to or greater than $50,000,000,000 and inserting which has been identified as a global systemically important bank holding company pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165.
 (c)Enhanced supervision and prudential standardsSection 165 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5365) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a), by striking with total consolidated assets equal to or greater than $50,000,000,000 and inserting which have been identified as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l);
 (2)in subsection (a)(2)— (A)by striking (A) In general.—;
 (B)in subparagraph (A), by striking may and inserting shall; and (C)by striking subparagraph (B);
 (3)in subsection (j), by striking with total consolidated assets equal to or greater than $50,000,000,000 and inserting which has been identified as a global systemically important bank holding company pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l).
 (d)Advanced tailoringSection 165 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5365) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(l)Additional bank holding companies subject to enhanced supervision and prudential standards by
			 tailored regulation
 (1)DeterminationThe Board of Governors may, within the limits of its existing resources— (A)determine that a bank holding company that has not been identified as a global systemically important bank holding company pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be subject to certain enhanced supervision or prudential standards under this section, tailored to the risks presented, based on the considerations in paragraph (3), where material financial distress at the bank holding company, or the nature, scope, size, scale, concentration, interconnectedness, or mix of the activities of the individual bank holding company, could pose a threat to the financial stability of the United States; or
 (B)by regulation determine that a category of bank holding companies that have not been identified as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be subject to certain enhanced supervision or prudential standards under this section, tailored to the risk presented by the category of bank holding companies, based on the considerations in paragraph (3), where material financial distress at the category of bank holding companies, or the nature, scope, size, scale, concentration, interconnectedness, or mix of the activities of the category of bank holding companies, could pose a threat to the financial stability of the United States.
 (2)Council approval of regulations with respect to categoriesNotwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), a regulation issued by the Board of Governors to make a determination under such paragraph (1)(B) shall not take effect unless the Council, by a vote of not fewer than 2/3 of the voting members then serving, including an affirmative vote by the Chairperson, approves the metrics used by the Board of Governors in establishing such regulation.
 (3)ConsiderationsIn making any determination under paragraph (1), the Board of Governors shall consider the following factors:
 (A)The size of the bank holding company. (B)The interconnectedness of the bank holding company.
 (C)The extent of readily available substitutes or financial institution infrastructure for the services of the bank holding company.
 (D)The global cross-jurisdictional activity of the bank holding company. (E)The complexity of the bank holding company.
 (4)Consistent application of considerationsIn making a determination under paragraph (1), the Board of Governors shall ensure that bank holding companies that are similarly situated with respect to the factors described under paragraph (3), are treated similarly for purposes of any enhanced supervision or prudential standards applied under this section.
 (5)Use of currently reported data to avoid unnecessary burdenFor purposes of making a determination under paragraph (1), the Board of Governors shall make use of data already being reported to the Board of Governors, including from calculating a bank holding company’s systemic indicator score, in order to avoid placing an unnecessary burden on bank holding companies..
 (e)Systemic identificationSection 165 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5365), as amended by subsection (d), is further amended by adding at the end the following:

 (m)Systemic identificationWith respect to the identification of bank holding companies as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l), the Board of Governors shall—
 (1)publish, including on the Board of Governors’s website, a list of all bank holding companies that have been so identified, and keep such list current; and
 (2)solicit feedback from the Council on the identification process and on the application of such process to specific bank holding companies..
 (f)Conforming AmendmentThe second subsection (s) (relating to Assessments, Fees, and Other Charges for Certain Companies) of section 11 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 248) is amended— (1)by redesignating such subsection as subsection (t); and
 (2)in paragraph (2)(A), by striking having total consolidated assets of $50,000,000,000 or more and inserting which have been identified as global systemically important bank holding companies pursuant to section 217.402 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or subjected to a determination under subsection (l) of section 165 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
 4.Rule of constructionNothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from prescribing enhanced prudential standards for any bank holding company which the Board of Governors determines, based upon the bank holding company’s size, interconnectedness, substitutability, global cross-jurisdictional activity, and complexity, could pose a safety and soundness risk to the stability of the United States banking or financial system but has not been designated as a global systemically important bank holding company.
 5.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall take effect after the end of the 1-year period following the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 HR 2905 IH: SCOTUScare Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-25
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.

I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2905
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 25, 2015
Mr. Babin (for himself, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Mr. Bridenstine) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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 amend title I of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide that only health plans made available by the Federal Government to Supreme Court Justices and staff are Exchange health plans.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the SCOTUScare Act of 2015.  2.Supreme Court Justices and staff in the ExchangeSection 1312(d)(3) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18032(d)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E)Supreme Court Justices and staff in the Exchange
(i)RequirementNotwithstanding any other provision of law, for plan years beginning after the date of the enactment of the SCOTUScare Act of 2015, the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Justices of the Supreme Court and Supreme Court staff with respect to their service as a Justice of the Supreme Court or Supreme Court staff shall be health plans that are— (I)created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or
(II)offered through an Exchange established under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act). (ii)DefinitionsIn this section:
(I)Justice of the Supreme CourtThe term Justice of the Supreme Court means any Associate Justice or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. (II)Supreme Court staffThe term Supreme Court staff means any individual who is an employee of the Supreme Court of the United States..


116 HR 1163 IH: VA Hiring Enhancement Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-02-13
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. 1163IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 13, 2019Mrs. Hartzler (for herself, Mr. Bost, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, and Mr. Correa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the non-applicability of non-Department of Veterans Affairs covenants not to compete to the appointment of certain Veterans Health Administration personnel, to permit the Veterans Health Administration to make contingent appointments, and to require certain Veterans Health Administration physicians to complete residency training.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the VA Hiring Enhancement Act. 2.Non-applicability of non-Department of Veterans Affairs covenants not to compete to appointment of Veterans Health Administration personnel (a)In generalSubchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

7414.Effect of non-Department covenants not to compete
(a)Non-ApplicabilityExcept as provided in subsection (b), in the case of an individual who is an applicant for appointment to a position in the Veterans Health Administration described in section 7401 of this title, any covenant not to compete into which the individual has entered with a non-Department facility or party shall have no force or effect with respect to the appointment of the individual to such a position. (b)Service obligation (1)Any individual who is appointed to such a position in the Veterans Health Administration shall, as a condition of such appointment, agree to provide clinical services at a Department medical facility for the duration of the period described in paragraph (2).
(2)The period described in this paragraph is the period that begins on the date on which an individual is appointed to such a position and ends on the latter of the following dates: (A)The date that is one year after such date of appointment.
(B)The date of the termination of any covenant not to compete entered into between the individual and a non-Department facility or party. (3)The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to an individual at the discretion of the Secretary.
(c)Termination of Department employmentIn the case of an individual who is appointed to such a position in the Veterans Health Administration who has entered into a covenant not to compete that is rendered non-applicable pursuant to subsection (a), if the individual’s employment at the Veterans Health Administration is terminated for any reason before the specified termination date of such covenant, subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to such covenant after the date of the termination of the individual’s employment at the Veterans Health Administration.  (d)Covenant not To competeIn this section, the term covenant not to compete means an agreement—
(1)between an employee and employer or a contractor and principal that restricts such employee or contractor from performing— (A)any work for another employer for a specified period of time;
(B)any work in a specified geographical area; or (C)work for another employer performing work that is similar to the work such employee or contractor performed for the employer or principal, included as a party to the agreement; and
(2)that is entered into after the date of enactment of this Act.. (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7413 the following new item:

7414. Effect of non-Department covenants not to compete..
3.Recruitment of physicians on a contingent basis prior to completion of training requirementsSection 7402 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (b)(1)—
(A)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting or to be offered an appointment to such position on a contingent basis under subsection (h) after position; and (B)by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

(B)
(i)have completed a residency leading to board eligibility in a specialty, satisfactory to the Secretary; or (ii)with respect to an offer for an appointment on a contingent basis under subsection (h), complete such a residency by not later than two years after the date of such offer; and; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:  (h) (1)The Secretary may appoint an individual under subsection (b)(1) on a contingent basis in accordance with this subsection if the Secretary reasonably anticipated that the individual will have completed the requirements for appointment under such subsection (b)(1) by not later than two years after the date on which the individual is so appointed.
(2)An individual who is appointed to a position on a contingent basis under paragraph (1) shall be appointed to such position on a permanent basis if, by not later than two years after the date of the contingent appointment, the individual completes all the requirements for appointment under subsection (b)(1). (3)An individual who is appointed on a contingent basis under paragraph (1) who fails to complete the requirements for appointment under subsection (b)(1) by not later than two years after the date on which the individual is so appointed may not be appointed to such position on a permanent basis..


115 S945 IS: New Hope and Opportunity through the Power of Employment Act
U.S. Senate
2017-04-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 945IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 26, 2017Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mr. Peters) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to authorize funds to
			 identify and eliminate excessive occupational licensure.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the New Hope and Opportunity through the Power of Employment Act  or the New HOPE Act. 2.State leadership activitiesSection 124(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2344(c)) is amended—
 (1)in paragraph (16)(B), by striking and after the semicolon; (2)in paragraph (17), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
 (3)by adding at the end the following:  (18)consulting and coordinating with other State agencies for the identification, consolidation, or elimination of licenses or certifications which pose an unnecessary barrier to entry for aspiring workers and provide limited consumer protection..


IV
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 746
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

September 16, 2009

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3221) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes.

That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3221) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Labor. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill. The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. All points of order against the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against such amendments are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
2.The Chair may entertain a motion that the Committee rise only if offered by the chair of the Committee on Education and Labor or his designee. The Chair may not entertain a motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill (as described in clause 9 of rule XVIII).

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


IV
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 366
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 24, 2004
Mr. Kildee (for himself, Mr. Quinn, and Mr. Levin) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding negotiating, in the United States-Thailand Free Trade Agreement, access to the United States automobile industry.

Whereas the United States Trade Representative recently announced an intention to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand;
Whereas properly structured FTAs may have important benefits for the United States, and a bilateral free trade agreement program pursued under a coherent policy and strategy may play an important role in United States trade policy;
Whereas the global automobile market is subject to inherently multilateral problems that need to be addressed on a multilateral basis, including numerous, widespread, and complex nontariff barriers maintained by major producing countries;
Whereas providing Thailand privileged access to critical segments of the United States automobile market would significantly erode United States leverage to negotiate reductions to global automobile market distortions in multilateral negotiations, because producers from third countries would be able to benefit from the privileged access of Thailand under the FTA;
Whereas Thailand is the second largest source of pick-up truck production in the world, with many major automobile manufacturers from outside of Thailand producing pick-up trucks there;
Whereas Thailand’s Board of Investment has actively been recruiting automobile producers from outside of Thailand, including Japan, South Korea, and India, to produce automobiles in Thailand, and some of these producers have cited Thailand’s privileged access to foreign markets through FTAs as a rationale for setting up production in Thailand;
Whereas many of these producers from outside of Thailand have moved their pick-up truck production out of their home countries and into Thailand in order to make Thailand their global pick-up truck production and export bases;
Whereas as a result of this activity by automobile producers from outside of Thailand, pick-up truck production in Thailand will soon approach 1,000,000 units annually, and could grow even larger;
Whereas given these facts, if Thailand were given privileged access to critical segments of the United States automobile market in an FTA, it could be used by third-country automobile producers as a backdoor into the United States market; however, Japan, South Korea, India, and other major producing countries would not be required to reduce their tariff and nontariff barriers to United States automobile producers, and in fact the tariff and nontariff barriers maintained by those countries would continue to distort global markets and restrict the access of United States exports to markets in those countries;
Whereas given that these third-country producers would already have privileged access to the United States market through the United States-Thailand FTA, their home countries would have less incentive to address the inherently multilateral problems in the global automobile market through negotiations on a multilateral basis; and
Whereas the United States automobile industry is a major driver of the United States economy—accounting annually for between 3 and 4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States, leading all United States industries in annual research and development spending, directly employing over 500,000 highly skilled and efficient workers in jobs that pay on average 60 percent higher than the average United States job, and supporting the jobs of over 7,000,000 other workers—and it has played a critical role in efforts to revive the United States economy: Now therefore be it

That
it is the sense of the Congress that negotiations on access to critical segments of the United States automobile market should not take place on a piecemeal basis, but only—
(1)as part of negotiations that include all major automobile producing nations; and
(2)as part of comprehensive negotiations that address both tariff and nontariff barriers specific to the automobile industry, with progress on eliminating tariff barriers explicitly linked to concrete progress on eliminating nontariff barriers.