115 HR 3474 IH: Border Security and Accountability Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-07-27
text/xml
EN
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I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3474IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 27, 2017Mr. Grijalva introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, 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 concernedA BILLTo provide for the establishment of an accountable and humane border security strategy for the
			 international land borders of the United States, address cultural,
			 economic, ecological, environmental and humanitarian impacts of border
			 security infrastructure, measures, and activities along the international
			 land borders of the United States, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Border Security and Accountability Act of 2017. (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Definitions.
					Sec. 3. Comprehensive border security strategy.
					Sec. 4. Actions to secure the international land borders of the United States.
					Sec. 5. Borderlands monitoring and mitigation.
					Sec. 6. Combating human smuggling.
					Sec. 7. Deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border: reports and strategies for prevention.
					Sec. 8. Southwest border strategy study and analysis.
					Sec. 9. Prohibition on military involvement in nonemergency border enforcement.
					Sec. 10. Border Communities Liaison Office.
					Sec. 11. Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and Office of Inspector General.
					Sec. 12. Cooperation with the Government of Mexico.
					Sec. 13. Southern Border Security Task Force.
					Sec. 14. Southern Border Security Commission.
					Sec. 15. Use of force.
					Sec. 16. Training for border security and immigration enforcement officers.
					Sec. 17. Protection of family values in apprehension programs.
					Sec. 18. Prohibition on new land border crossing fees.
					Sec. 19. Limitations on dangerous deportation practices.
					Sec. 20. Severability and delegation.
					Sec. 21. Improving ports of entry for border security and other purposes.
					Sec. 22. Improving cross-border transportation.
					Sec. 23. Increase in numbers of United States Customs and Border Protection offices on land ports
			 of entry.
					Sec. 24. Racial profiling compliance.
 2.DefinitionsIn this Act: (a)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
 (b)Indian tribeThe term Indian tribe has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
 (c)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security. (d)Secretary concernedThe term Secretary concerned means the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Defense with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of Commerce with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce.
 (e)Vulnerable populationsThe term vulnerable populations means populations who face barriers in accessing and using victim services, and includes victims of human trafficking, victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse, victims of child abuse, abandonment and neglect.
			3.Comprehensive border security strategy
 (a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with State, local, and tribal governments, border residents, and nongovernmental organizations, shall jointly develop and submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a comprehensive border security strategy for the international land borders of the United States.
 (b)Elements of the strategyThe strategy developed in accordance with subsection (a) shall include the following components: (1)A comparative analysis report that assesses and describes the state of border security, based on auditable and verifiable data, along the international land borders of the United States achievable through tactical infrastructure and other security measures and activities. Measures assessed shall include, at a minimum, the following:
 (A)Fencing and infrastructure, including pedestrian fencing, double layer fencing, landing mat fencing, permanent vehicle barriers, and temporary vehicle barriers.
 (B)Vehicle barriers, especially in areas in the vicinity of existing or planned roads. (C)Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations personnel.
 (D)Efficacy of natural barriers and open space in response to smuggling and trafficking of humans, weapons, and illicit drugs.
 (E)Fielding of advanced technologies and systems, including systems developed and employed, or under development, for tactical surveillance, multi-source information integration, and response analysis in difficult terrain and under adverse environmental conditions.
 (F)Regional as well as urban and rural variation in border security methodologies and incorporation of natural barriers and open spaces in response to smuggling and trafficking of humans, weapons, and illicit drugs.
 (G)Enhanced cooperation with, and assistance to, intelligence, security, and law enforcement agencies in Mexico and Canada in detecting, reporting, analyzing, and successfully responding to smuggling and trafficking of humans, weapons, and illicit drugs from or into Mexico or Canada.
 (H)Removal of obstructive non-native vegetation. (I)Subterranean surveillance and detection technologies.
 (J)Deployable, lighter-than-air ground surveillance equipment. (K)Unmanned and man-portable aerial vehicles, along with policy measures to protect privacy and civil liberties.
 (L)Ultralight aircraft detection capabilities. (M)Advanced unattended surveillance sensors, including tower-based surveillance technology, and mobile vehicle-mounted and man-portable surveillance systems.
 (2)A comprehensive analysis of cost and other impacts of border security infrastructure, activities, and measures assessed in paragraph (1), including an assessment of the following:
 (A)Construction costs, including both labor and material costs. (B)Maintenance costs over 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.
 (C)Contractor costs. (D)Management and overhead costs.
 (E)The impacts on soils, wildlife, wildlife habitat, functioning cross-border wildlife migration corridors, and hydrology (including water quantity, quality, and natural hydrologic flows) on Federal, tribal, State, local, and private lands along the borders.
 (F)A comprehensive compilation of the fiscal investments in acquiring or managing Federal, tribal, State, local, and private lands and waters by the Department of the Interior, including related litigation and other costs, in the vicinity of, or ecologically related to, the land borders of the United States that have been acquired or managed in whole or in part for conservation purposes (including the creation or management of protected wildlife migration corridors) in the following:
 (i)Units of the National Park System. (ii)National Forest System land.
 (iii)Land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. (iv)Land under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
 (v)Other relevant land under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture.
 (vi)Land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense or the individual military department. (vii)Land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce.
 (viii)Tribal lands. (ix)State and private lands.
 (G)The impacts on the economy, culture, safety, and quality of life of residents in the vicinity of the international land borders of the United States.
 (H)The impacts on the civil rights, private property rights, privacy rights, and other civil liberties of border residents, including a full analysis for each Border Patrol sector of whether operations are necessary and cost-effective further than 25 air miles from any international border.
 (3)The costs of fully mitigating the adverse impacts to Federal, tribal, State, local, and private lands, waters (including water quality, quantity, and hydrological flows), wildlife, and wildlife habitats by the Department of the Interior, including, where such action is possible, the full costs of the replacement or restoration of severed wildlife migration corridors with protected corridors of equivalent biological functionality, as determined by each Secretary concerned, in consultation with appropriate authorities of tribal, State, and local governments and appropriate authorities of Mexico and Canada.
 (4)Recommendations for strategic border security management based on the state of border security as detailed in paragraph (1), the cost-benefit analysis as detailed in paragraph (2), as well as the full mitigation costs specified in paragraph (3).
				4.Actions to secure the international land borders of the United States
 (a)In generalSection 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–208; 8 U.S.C. 1103 note) is amended to read as follows:

					102.Improvement of border security
 (a)In generalThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions as may be required to secure the international land borders of the United States. Such actions may be taken only in accordance with the border security strategy developed under section 3 of the Border Security and Accountability Act of 2017.
 (b)Priority of methodsIn carrying out the requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, where practicable, give first priority to low impact border enforcement techniques.
						(c)Consultation
 (1)In generalIn carrying out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, States, local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit, and nongovernmental organizations to minimize the impact on the environment, culture, commerce, safety, and quality of life, including civil rights, private property rights, privacy rights, and other civil liberties, for the communities and residents located near the sites at which actions under subsection (a) are proposed to be taken.
 (2)Rule of constructionNothing in this subsection may be construed to— (A)create or negate any right of action for a State, local government, tribal government, or other person or entity affected by this subsection;
 (B)affect the eminent domain laws of the United States or of any State; or (C)waive the application of any other applicable Federal, State, local, or tribal law.
 (3)Limitation on requirementsNotwithstanding subsection (a), nothing in this section shall require the Secretary of Homeland Security to install border security tactical infrastructure referred to in section 3(b)(1) of the Border Security and Accountability Act of 2017 in a particular location along the international border of the United States if the Secretary determines that the use or placement of such resources is not the most effective and appropriate means to secure the international border at such location, or if the Secretary determines that the direct and indirect costs, or the impacts on the environment, culture, commerce, safety, or quality of life, including civil rights, private property rights, privacy rights, and other civil liberties, for the communities and residents along the border, likely to result from the use or placement of such resources outweigh the benefits of such use or placement..
 (b)PreconditionsIn carrying out section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–208; 8 U.S.C. 1103 note), as amended by subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall not commence any construction of fencing, physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, sensors, or other tactical infrastructure along or in the vicinity of an international land border of the United States, or award or expend funds pursuant to any contract or other agreement related thereto, prior to 90 days following the submission to Congress of the border protection strategy required under section 3 of this Act.
			5.Borderlands monitoring and mitigation
 (a)Mitigation planThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of appropriate State and tribal wildlife agencies and entities, shall develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and mitigation plan to address the ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure, measures, and activities along the international land borders of the United States.
 (b)RequirementsThe mitigation plan required under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, measures to address and mitigate the full range of ecological and environmental impacts of border security infrastructure, measures, and activities, including the following:
 (1)Preserving, maintaining, and, if necessary, restoring, wildlife migration corridors, key habitats, and the ecologically functional connectivity between and among key habitats sufficient to ensure that species (whether or not designated as rare, protected, or of concern) remain viable and are able to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
 (2)Addressing control of invasive species and implementing measures necessary to avoid the spread of such species.
 (3)Maintaining hydrological functionality, including water quantity and quality. (4)Incorporating adaptive management, including detailed provisions for long-term monitoring of the mitigation plan’s effectiveness and for necessary adjustments to such plan based on such monitoring results.
 (5)Protection of cultural and historical resources. (c)Preemption (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (3), the Secretary is authorized to carry out the mitigation plan required under subsection (a) on any Federal, State, local, tribal, or private lands in the vicinity of or ecologically related to an international land border of the United States regardless of which individual, agency, or entity has ownership of or principal responsibility for the management of any such lands.
 (2)ConditionsActivities carried out pursuant to paragraph (1) in connection with the mitigation plan shall be carried out in full consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the owner of, or entity with principal responsibility for, the management of the lands described in such paragraph.
				(d)Administration
 (1)AuthorizationNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Commerce may each transfer funds available to such Secretary to the Secretary of the Interior for—
 (A)expenditures under programs (including any international programs) of the Department of the Interior that are designed to fund conservation-related activities (directly or through grants or similar mechanisms) on Federal and non-Federal lands, including land acquisition programs; and
 (B)mitigation activities on Federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior, if such activities are required to implement the mitigation plan required under subsection (a) and if the costs of such activities are higher than the costs associated with managing such lands in the absence of such activities.
 (2)Exemption from reprogramming requirementsFunds transferred pursuant to the authorization under paragraph (1) shall not be subject to reprogramming requirements.
 (3)Acceptance and use of donationsThe Secretary of the Interior may accept and use donations for the purpose of developing and implementing the mitigation plan required under subsection (a).
				6.Combating human smuggling
 (a)Requirement for planThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop and implement a plan to improve coordination among United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Customs and Border Protection, and any other Federal, State, local, or tribal authorities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, to improve coordination efforts to combat human smuggling.
 (b)ContentIn developing the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider—
 (1)the interoperability of databases utilized to prevent human smuggling; (2)adequate and effective personnel training, including methods to ascertain crime victims and vulnerable populations;
 (3)methods and programs to effectively target networks that engage in such smuggling; (4)effective utilization of—
 (A)visas for victims of trafficking and other crimes, including whether or not State and local law enforcement partners are certifying such visas and the numbers of both certifications and applications for certification; and
 (B)investigatory techniques, equipment, and procedures that prevent, detect, and prosecute international money laundering and other operations that are utilized in smuggling;
 (5)joint measures, with the Secretary of State, to enhance intelligence sharing and cooperation with foreign governments whose citizens are preyed on by human smugglers; and
 (6)other measures that the Secretary of Homeland Security considers appropriate to combat human smuggling.
 (c)ReportNot later than one year after implementing the plan described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a report on such plan, including any recommendations for legislative action to improve efforts to combating human smuggling.
			7.Deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border: reports and strategies for prevention
 (a)Reports on deaths along the U.S.-Mexico borderNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 90 days thereafter, the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection shall collect and publish in the Federal Register statistics relating to deaths occurring along the border between the United States and Mexico, including information relating to the following:
 (1)The causes of such deaths. (2)The total number of such deaths.
 (3)Location of such deaths. (4)Sex, age, and country of origin (when possible).
 (b)Annual reportNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security and Congress a report that—
 (1)analyzes trends with respect to the statistics collected under subsection (a) during the preceding year;
 (2)recommends actions to reduce and prevent the deaths referred to in subsection (a); and (3)specifies a number of additional rescue beacons that, if deployed, would reduce and prevent migrant deaths, as well as location-specific statistics evaluating the frequency of use of rescue beacons.
 (c)Rescue beaconsBy not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deploy 20 rescue beacons in areas of greatest need, as determined by the Secretary.
			8.Southwest border strategy study and analysis
 (a)In generalThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a study of southwest border enforcement operations since 1994 and the relationship of such operations to death rates on the United States-Mexico border. Such study shall be conducted in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations and other community stakeholders involved in recovering and identifying migrant deaths and include the following:
 (1)An analysis of the relationship of border enforcement and deaths on the border. (2)An analysis of whether physical barriers, technology, and enforcement programs have contributed to the rate of deaths occurring along the border between the United States and Mexico.
 (3)An analysis of the effectiveness of geographical terrain as a natural barrier for entry into the United States in achieving Department of Homeland Security goals and the role of such geographical terrain in contributing to rates of deaths occurring along the border between the United States and Mexico.
 (4)An assessment of existing protocol related to reporting, tracking and interagency communications between United States Customs and Border Protection and local first responders and consular services, including a description of whether each Border Patrol sector has formalized emergency response coordination with State and local law enforcement agencies such that emergency calls relayed to Customs and Border Protection result in the same rescue efforts for perceived migrants that would take place for others.
 (b)SubmissionThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit the study required under subsection (a) to the following:
 (1)The Southern Border Security Commission, established under section 14. (2)The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
 (3)The Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
 (4)The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives. 9.Prohibition on military involvement in nonemergency border enforcement (a)In generalThe Armed Forces, including the National Guard, are prohibited from assisting in Federal, State, and local and civilian law enforcement of immigration laws.
 (b)ExceptionThe Armed Forces, including the National Guard, may assist in Federal, State, and local and civilian law enforcement of immigration laws when the President has declared a national emergency or when required for specific counterterrorism duties and shall be limited to the following:
 (1)Rear echelon support duties, including logistical support, construction, and intelligence collection from positions within 25 miles from the border.
 (2)Non-armed operations within 25 miles of the border, including listening posts and observation post operations.
 (3)Armed operations within 25 miles of the border, including listening posts and observation post operations.
 (c)ReportThe Secretary of Defense shall annually submit to Congress a report that details the involvement of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, in border security and the enforcement of Federal immigration laws in accordance with this section.
			10.Border Communities Liaison Office
 (a)EstablishmentThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish, in consultation with the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security, a Border Communities Liaison Office in every border patrol sector at the southern and northern borders.
 (b)PurposeThe purpose of the Border Communities Liaison Offices established pursuant to subsection (a) shall be to—
 (1)foster and institutionalize consultation with border communities; (2)consult with border communities on agency policies, directives, and laws;
 (3)consult with border communities on agency strategies and strategy development; (4)consult with border communities on agency services and operational issues;
 (5)receive assessments on agency performance from border communities; and (6)receive and respond promptly and transparently to complaints regarding agency performance and agent conduct.
 (c)TrainingThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that border communities liaison officers in Border Patrol sectors along the international borders between the United States and Mexico and between the United States and Canada receive training to better—
 (1)act as a multilingual liaison between border communities and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice;
 (2)foster and institutionalize consultation with border communities; (3)consult with border communities on Department of Homeland Security programs, policies, strategies, and directives; and
 (4)receive Department of Homeland Security performance assessments from border communities. 11.Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and Office of Inspector General (a)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the Office of Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security to be comparable to those of other Federal agencies and commensurate with the size and scope of the operational budget of the Department of Homeland Security.
 (b)Inspector General annual reportThe Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall include in an annual report submitted by the Inspector General to Congress a benchmark for how quickly the Office of the Inspector General aims to decide whether to retain complaints within its jurisdiction and statistics on how often such benchmark was met during the preceding year.
 (c)Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties annual reportThe Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department shall include in an annual report submitted by the Officer to Congress—
 (1)the total number of Customs and Border Protection complaints received in the past year, broken down by whether the complaints were received directly or indirectly from another, specified component of the Department, and how many of those complaints were accepted for investigation as well as completed;
 (2)the number of such complaints by subject-matter category, including a notation specifying a complaint raising multiple issues or originating from multiple complainants; and
 (3)the number of confidentiality complaints received during the preceding year and the status and resolution of such complaints.
				12.Cooperation with the Government of Mexico
 (a)Cooperation regarding border securityThe Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and representatives of Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies that are involved in border security and immigration enforcement efforts, shall work with the appropriate officials from the Government of Mexico to improve coordination between the United States and Mexico regarding the following:
 (1)Improved border security along the international border between the United States and Mexico. (2)The reduction of human trafficking and smuggling between the United States and Mexico.
 (3)The reduction of drug trafficking and smuggling between the United States and Mexico. (4)The reduction of gang membership in the United States and Mexico.
 (5)The reduction of violence against women in the United States and Mexico. (6)The reduction of other violence and criminal activity.
 (7)The reduction of deaths along the border. (8)Mitigation measures included in the mitigation plan required under section 5.
 (b)Cooperation regarding education on immigration lawsThe Secretary of State, in cooperation with other appropriate Federal officials, shall work with the appropriate officials from the Government of Mexico to carry out activities to educate citizens and nationals of Mexico regarding eligibility for status as a nonimmigrant under Federal law to ensure that such citizens and nationals are not exploited while working in the United States.
 (c)Cooperation regarding circular migrationThe Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Secretary of Labor and other appropriate Federal officials, shall work with the appropriate officials from the Government of Mexico to improve coordination between the United States and Mexico to encourage circular migration, including assisting in the development of economic opportunities and providing job training for citizens and nationals in Mexico.
 (d)Consultation requirementFederal representatives in the United States shall consult State, local and tribal governments and their counterparts in Mexico concerning border security structures along the international border between the United States and Mexico in order to—
 (1)solicit the views of affected communities; (2)lessen tensions; and
 (3)foster greater understanding and stronger cooperation on this and other important security issues of mutual concern.
 (e)Annual reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to Congress a report on the actions taken by the United States and Mexico under this section.
			13.Southern Border Security Task Force
 (a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a Southern Border Security Task Force (in this section referred to as the Task Force) to coordinate the efforts of Federal, State, and local border and law enforcement officials and task forces to establish an accountable and humane border security strategy.
 (b)CompositionThe Task Force shall be comprised of personnel from the following: (1)United States Customs and Border Protection and Office Field Operations.
 (2)United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (3)The Coast Guard.
 (4)Other Federal agencies, as appropriate. (5)Southern border State law enforcement agencies.
 (6)Local law enforcement agencies from affected southern border cities and communities. (7)Nongovernmental organizations representing border communities.
 (c)DirectorThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint as a Director of the Task Force an individual who is experienced and knowledgeable in law enforcement generally and border security issues specifically.
 (d)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the establishment of the Task Force under subsection (a) and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the effectiveness of the Task Force in avoiding or minimizing the adverse impact of border policies, measures and activities on the environment, culture, commerce, safety, or quality of life including civil rights, private property rights, and other civil liberties, for the communities and residents along the southern border.
			14.Southern Border Security Commission
 (a)EstablishmentNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, there shall be established a commission to be known as the Southern Border Security Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission).
			(b)Composition
 (1)In generalThe Commission shall be composed of 33 members, appointed by the President, who have expertise in migration, local crime indices, civil and human rights, community relations, cross-border trade and commerce, environmental and ecological border issues, quality of life indicators, or other pertinent experience, of whom—
 (A)fourteen members shall be from the Northern border region and shall include— (i)two local government elected officials;
 (ii)two local law enforcement officials; (iii)two tribal government officials;
 (iv)two civil rights advocates; (v)one business representative;
 (vi)one higher education representative; (vii)one private land owner representative;
 (viii)one representative of a faith community; and (ix)two representatives of United States Border Patrol;
 (B)nineteen members shall be from the Southern border region and include— (i)three local government elected officials;
 (ii)three local law enforcement officials; (iii)two tribal government officials;
 (iv)three civil rights advocates; (v)two business representatives;
 (vi)one higher education representative; (vii)two private land owner representatives;
 (viii)one representative of a faith community; and (ix)two representatives of United States Border Patrol; and
 (C)at least one member shall have environmental and ecological expertise. (2)Time of appointmentThe appointments required by paragraph (1) shall be made not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (3)ChairAt the first meeting of the Commission, a majority of the members of the Commission present and voting shall elect the Chair of the Commission.
 (4)VacanciesAny vacancy of the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
 (5)RulesThe Commission shall establish the rules and procedures of the Commission which shall require the approval of at least six members of the Commission.
				(c)Duties
 (1)In generalThe Commission’s primary responsibility shall be to make recommendations to the President, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and Congress on policies to achieve and maintain the border security strategy specified in section 3, and should include—
 (A)review and recommendations regarding immigration and border enforcement policies, strategies, and programs that take into consideration their impact on border and tribal communities;
 (B)recommendations on ways in which the Border Communities Liaison Offices can strengthen relations and collaboration between communities in the border regions and the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and other Federal agencies that carry out such policies, strategies, and programs;
 (C)an evaluation on how the policies, strategies, and programs of Federal agencies operating along the international borders between the United States and Mexico and between the United States and Canada protect the due process, civil, and human rights of border residents, visitors, and migrants at and near such borders;
 (D)an assessment of the extent of the negative economic impact, if any, on the United States due to staffing needs at land ports of entry along such borders;
 (E)a determination of whether border policies and practices ensure that the free flow of legitimate travel and commerce is not diminished by efforts, activities, and programs aimed at securing the international land ports of entry along the international border between the United States and Mexico;
 (F)any other matters regarding cross-border trade policies, strategies, and programs the Commission determines appropriate; and
 (G)an evaluation and recommendations regarding the training of border enforcement personnel described in section 17.
 (2)Public hearingsThe Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out its duties, hold hearings, sit and act, take testimony, receive evidence, and administer oaths.
 (A)In generalThe Commission shall convene at least two public hearings each year on border security. (B)SummariesThe Commission shall provide a summary of each hearing convened pursuant to subparagraph (A) on the Federal Register.
 (d)Travel expensesMembers of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.
 (e)Administrative supportThe Secretary shall provide the Commission such staff and administrative services as may be necessary and appropriate for the Commission to perform its functions. Any employee of the executive branch of Government may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement to the agency of that employee and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service or status or privilege.
 (f)ReportNot later than two years after its first meeting, the Commission shall submit to the President, Congress, and the Secretary of Homeland Security a final report that contains—
 (1)findings with respect to the duties of the Commission; and (2)recommendations regarding border and immigration enforcement policies, strategies, and programs, including—
 (A)a recommendation as to whether the Commission should continue to operate; and (B)a description of any duties for which the Commission should be responsible after the termination date described in subsection (f).
 (g)ResponseNot later than 180 days after receiving the findings and recommendations from the Commission under subsection (f), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue a response that describes how the Department of Homeland Security has addressed, or will address, such findings and recommendations. If the Secretary disagrees with any finding of the Commission, the Secretary shall provide an explanation for the disagreement.
 (h)Information from federal agenciesThe Chair, or a majority of the members of the Commission, may request statistics relating to the duties described in subsection (c) directly from any Federal agency, which shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Commission.
 (i)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2021.
 (j)SunsetThe Commission shall terminate operations 60 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report described in subsection (i).
 15.Use of forceNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, shall issue policies governing the use of force by all Department of Homeland Security personnel that—
 (1)require, by not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, that all full-time, active duty customs and protection officers wear body-worn cameras when in the field;
 (2)require all Department personnel to report each use of force; and (3)establish procedures for—
 (A)accepting and investigating complaints regarding the use of force by Department personnel; (B)disciplining Department personnel who violate any law or Department policy relating to the use of force; and
 (C)reviewing all uses of force by Department personnel to determine whether the use of force— (i)complied with Department policy; or
 (ii)demonstrates the need for changes in policy, training, or equipment. 16.Training for border security and immigration enforcement officers (a)In generalThe Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that United States Customs and Border Protection officers, United States Border Patrol agents, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents, United States Air and Marine Division agents, agriculture specialists, and other appropriate Federal law enforcement agents involved directly or through a joint task force in border security with respect to any land or marine border of the United States or at any United States port of entry receive appropriate training, which shall be prepared in collaboration with the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, in the following:
 (1)Identifying and detecting fraudulent travel documents. (2)Civil, constitutional, human, and privacy rights of individuals.
 (3)The scope of enforcement authorities, including interrogations, stops, searches, seizures, arrests, and detentions and protocols for collecting comprehensive data on these law enforcement interactions.
 (4)The use of force policies issued by the Secretary. (5)Immigration laws, including screening, identifying, and addressing vulnerable populations, such as children, victims of crime and human trafficking, and individuals fleeing persecution or torture.
 (6)Social and cultural sensitivity toward border communities, including initial and refresher language training and training on how to avoid harassment.
 (7)The impact of border operations on communities. (8)Any particular environmental concerns in a particular area.
				(b)Humane conditions of confinement for children in United States customs and border protection
 custodyNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish standards to ensure that children in the custody of United States Customs and Border Protection—
 (1)are afforded adequate medical and mental health care, including emergency medical and mental health care, when necessary;
 (2)receive adequate nutrition; (3)are provided with climate-appropriate clothing, footwear, and bedding;
 (4)have basic personal hygiene and sanitary products; and (5)are permitted to make supervised phone calls to family members.
 (c)Additional considerationsIn developing and providing training under subsections (a) and (b) of this section the Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary concerned and the relevant tribal government to ensure that such training is appropriate to the mission of the relevant agency and is focused on achieving border security objectives while avoiding or minimizing the adverse impact on natural and cultural resources resulting from border security tactical infrastructure, operations, or other activities.
			17.Protection of family values in apprehension programs
 (a)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Apprehended individualThe term apprehended individual means an individual apprehended by personnel of the Department of Homeland Security or of a cooperating entity pursuant to a migration deterrence program carried out at a border.
 (2)BorderThe term border means an international border of the United States. (3)ChildExcept as otherwise specifically provided, the term child has the meaning given to such term in section 101(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)).
 (4)Cooperating entityThe term cooperating entity means a State or local entity acting pursuant to an agreement with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
 (5)Migration deterrence programThe term migration deterrence program means an action related to the repatriation or referral for prosecution of one or more apprehended individuals for a suspected or confirmed violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) by the Secretary of Homeland Security or a cooperating entity.
 (b)Procedures for migration deterrence programs at the borderIn any migration deterrence program carried out at a border, the Secretary of Homeland Security and cooperating entities shall for each apprehended individual—
 (1)as soon as practicable after such individual is apprehended— (A)inquire as to whether such apprehended individual is—
 (i)a parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of a child; or (ii)traveling with a spouse or child; and
 (B)ascertain whether repatriation of such apprehended individual presents any humanitarian concern or concern related to such apprehended individual’s physical safety; and
 (2)ensure that, with respect to a decision related to the repatriation or referral for prosecution of such apprehended individual, due consideration is given—
 (A)to the best interests of such apprehended individual’s child, if any; (B)to family unity whenever possible;
 (C)to other public interest factors, including humanitarian concerns and concerns related to such apprehended individual’s physical safety; and
 (D)to human rights obligations under domestic and international law, including protection of asylum seekers from prosecution.
 (c)Mandatory trainingThe Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and independent immigration, child welfare, family law, and human rights law experts, shall—
 (1)develop and provide specialized training for all personnel of United States Customs and Border Protection and cooperating entities who come into contact with apprehended individuals in all legal authorities, policies, and procedures relevant to the preservation of a child’s best interest, family unity, and other public interest factors, including those described in this Act; and
 (2)require border enforcement personnel to undertake periodic and continuing training on best practices and changes in relevant legal authorities, policies, and procedures pertaining to the preservation of a child’s best interest, family unity, and other public interest factors, including those described in this Act.
				(d)Annual report on the impact of migration deterrence programs at the border
 (1)Requirement for annual reportNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report that describes the impact of migration deterrence programs on parents, legal guardians, primary caregivers of a child, individuals traveling with a spouse or child, and individuals who present humanitarian considerations or concerns related to the individual’s physical safety.
 (2)ContentsEach report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include for the previous one-year period an assessment of the following:
 (A)The number of apprehended individuals removed, repatriated, or referred for prosecution who are the parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of a child who is a citizen of the United States.
 (B)The number of occasions in which both parents, or the primary caretaker of such a child was removed, repatriated, or referred for prosecution as part of a migration deterrence program.
 (C)The number of apprehended individuals traveling with close family members who are removed, repatriated, or referred for prosecution.
 (D)The impact of migration deterrence programs on public interest factors, including humanitarian concerns and physical safety.
 (e)RegulationsNot later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.
			18.Prohibition on new land border crossing fees
 (a)In generalBeginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security may not— (1)establish, collect, or otherwise impose any new border crossing fee on individuals crossing the southern border or the northern border at a land port of entry; or
 (2)conduct any study relating to the imposition of a border crossing fee. (b)Border crossing fee definedIn this section, the term border crossing fee means a fee that every pedestrian, cyclist, and driver and passenger of a private motor vehicle is required to pay for the privilege of crossing the southern border or the northern border at a land port of entry.
			19.Limitations on dangerous deportation practices
			(a)Certification required
 (1)In generalNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security, except as provided in paragraph (2), shall submit written certification to Congress that the Department of Homeland Security has only deported or otherwise removed a migrant from the United States through an entry or exit point on the southern border during daylight hours.
 (2)ExceptionThe certification required under paragraph (1) shall not apply to the deportation or removal of a migrant otherwise described in such paragraph if—
 (A)the manner of the deportation or removal is justified by a compelling governmental interest; (B)the manner of the deportation or removal is in accordance with an applicable Local Arrangement for the Repatriation of Mexican Nationals entered into by the appropriate Mexican Consulate; or
 (C)the migrant is not an unaccompanied minor and the migrant— (i)is deported or removed through an entry or exit point in the same sector as the place where the migrant was apprehended; or
 (ii)agrees to be deported or removed in such manner after being notified of the intended manner of deportation or removal.
 (b)Additional information requiredNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a study of the Alien Transfer Exit Program, which shall include—
 (1)the specific locations on the southern border where lateral repatriations have occurred during the one-year period preceding the submission of such study;
 (2)the performance measures developed by United States Customs and Border Protection to determine if the Alien Transfer Exit Program is deterring migrants from repeatedly crossing the border or otherwise reducing recidivism; and
 (3)the consideration given, if any, to the rates of violent crime and the availability of infrastructure and social services in Mexico near such locations.
 (c)Prohibition on confiscation of propertyThe lawful, nonperishable belongings of a migrant, including all money but excluding property that cannot lawfully be possessed, shall be returned to the migrant prior to transfer, repatriation, or release, in coordination with other State and Federal agencies as necessary.
			20.Severability and delegation
 (a)SeverabilityIf any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or any application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of the provisions of this Act and the amendments made by this Act and the application of the provision or amendment to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected.
 (b)DelegationThe Secretary of Homeland Security may delegate any authority provided to the Secretary under this Act or an amendment made by this Act to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary of State.
 21.Improving ports of entry for border security and other purposesThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the General Services Administration $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 for planning, management, design, alteration, and construction of United States Customs and Border Protection-owned land border ports of entry.
 22.Improving cross-border transportationThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Highway Administration $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 for—
 (1)improvements to existing transportation and supporting infrastructure along the land border ports of entry;
 (2)construction of highways and related safety facilities along the land border ports of entry; and (3)international coordination and transportation planning, programming, and border operations with Mexico.
			23.Increase in numbers of United States Customs and Border Protection offices on land ports of entry
 (a)Customs and Border Protection officersThe Secretary shall increase by 5,000 the total number of full-time, active duty customs and protection officers within United States Customs and Border Protection for posting at United States land ports of entry by not later than September 30, 2022.
 (b)Customs and Border Protection support personnelThe Secretary shall increase by 350 the total number of full-time support staff for all United States land ports of entry by September 30, 2022.
 24.Racial profiling complianceEach component of the Department of Homeland Security shall comply with the Department of Justice guidance known as Guidance for Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Regarding the Use of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, National Origin, Religion, Sexual Orientation, or Gender Identity, including the requirements under such guidance for training, data collection, and accountability. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Customs and Border Protection shall submit to Congress a report on the data it collects and intends to collect at checkpoints and roving patrols to monitor the incidence of impermissible profiling.


113 S49 IS: Veterans Health Equity Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-01-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 49
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 22
			 (legislative day, January 3), 2013
			Mrs. Shaheen (for
			 herself and Ms. Ayotte) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that
		  veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at
		  least one full-service Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in the
		  State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the State, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Veterans Health Equity Act of
			 2013.
		2.Availability of
			 full-service Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers in certain States
			 or provision of comparable services through contract with other health care
			 providers in the State
			(a)In
			 generalChapter 17 of title
			 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1706 the
			 following new section:

					1706A.Management of
				health care: access to full-service Department medical centers in certain
				States or comparable services through contract
						(a)RequirementWith respect to each of the 48 contiguous
				States, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans in a State who are eligible
				for hospital care and medical services under section 1710 of this title have
				access—
							(1)to at least one
				full-service Department medical center in the State; or
							(2)to hospital care
				and medical services comparable to the services typically provided by
				full-service Department medical centers through contract with other health care
				providers in the State.
							(b)Rule of
				constructionNothing in
				subsection (a) shall be construed to limit the ability of the Secretary to
				provide enhanced care to an eligible veteran who resides in one State in a
				Department medical center in another State.
						(c)Limitation on
				requirementSubsection (a)
				shall be effective in any fiscal year only to the extent and in the amount
				provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
						(d)Full-Service
				Department medical center definedIn this section, the term
				full-service Department medical center means a facility of the
				Department that provides medical services, including hospital care, emergency
				medical services, and surgical care rated by the Secretary as having a surgical
				complexity level of
				standard.
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1706 the following
			 new item:

						1706A. Management of health care: access
				to full-service Department medical centers in certain States or comparable
				services through
				contract.

					.
			(c)Report on
			 implementationNot later than
			 one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs shall submit to Congress a report describing the extent to which the
			 Secretary has complied with the requirement imposed by section 1706A of title
			 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), including the effect of
			 such requirement on improving the quality and standards of care provided to
			 veterans.


I
One Hundred Twelfth Congress of the United States of America At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and twelve
H. R. 4365

AN ACT
To amend title 5, United States Code, to make clear that accounts in the Thrift Savings Fund are subject to certain Federal tax levies.

1.AmendmentsSection 8437(e)(3) of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence—
(1)by striking 659) and inserting 659),; and
(2)by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: , and shall be subject to a Federal tax levy under section 6331 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986..
2.Disposition of amountsAny potential revenue gain attributable to the enactment of this Act, as determined by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office—
(1)shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States; and
(2)shall be used solely for purposes of deficit reduction.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6509
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 9, 2010
			Ms. Richardson
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To designate a portion of Interstate Route 710 located in
		  Los Angeles County, California, as the Jenny Oropeza
		  Highway.

		1.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Jenny Oropeza was born on September 27,
			 1957, in Montebello, California.
			(2)Jenny Oropeza’s
			 career in public service began with her election to the first of two successful
			 terms as president of the student body of California State University, Long
			 Beach, from which she graduated in 1979 with a degree in business
			 administration.
			(3)Jenny Oropeza was a pioneer and trailblazer
			 as evidenced by her early service, subsequent election in 1994 to the Long
			 Beach City Council, and thereby bringing new priorities and focus in the
			 community by becoming the first Latina member of that Council.
			(4)In 2000, Jenny
			 Oropeza was elected to the California State Assembly, where she chaired the
			 powerful Committee on Transportation.
			(5)As Chair of the
			 Committee on Transportation, Jenny Oropeza, who had served 5 years on the Board
			 of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was a strong
			 and effective champion of policies to improve highway construction, safety,
			 maintenance and secure adequate transit funding.
			(6)In 2006, Jenny
			 Oropeza was named a recipient of the prestigious Smith-Weiss Environmental
			 Champion Award by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters for her efforts
			 to reduce air pollution, prevent cancer, and protect the environment.
			(7)In light of State
			 Senator Jenny Oropeza's personal battle, California Senator Oropeza bravely
			 used those experiences to effect landmark legislation to improve the health and
			 well-being of all Americans.
			(8)The American Cancer Society recognized
			 Jenny Oropeza as a leading advocate of efforts against smoking, including
			 through her legislation imposing the strictest ban in the United States on
			 smoking in cars with children.
			2.DesignationThe portion of Interstate Route 710 located
			 in Los Angeles County, California, beginning at post mile 6.5 and ending at
			 post mile 7.5 shall be known and designated as the Jenny Oropeza
			 Highway.
		3.ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation,
			 document, paper, or other record of the United States to the portion of
			 Interstate Route 710 referred to in section 2 shall be deemed to be a reference
			 to the Jenny Oropeza Highway.


115 HRES 243 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of “Financial Literacy Month”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-04-03
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.

IV115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 243IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 3, 2017Mrs. Beatty (for herself and Mr. Stivers) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government ReformRESOLUTIONSupporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month.

 Whereas according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (referred hereinafter as the FDIC), at least 27.7 percent of households in the United States, or nearly 34,400,000 households with approximately 67,600,000 adults, are unbanked or underbanked and therefore have not had an opportunity to access savings, lending, and other basic financial services;
 Whereas according to the FDIC, approximately 30 percent of banks reported in 2011 that consumers lacked an understanding of the financial products and services banks offered;
 Whereas according to the 2016 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey final report of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling—
 (1)approximately 44 percent of adults in the United States gave themselves a grade of C, D, or F on their knowledge of personal finance; (2)75 percent of adults in the United States acknowledged that they could benefit from additional advice and answers to everyday financial questions from a professional;
 (3)22 percent of adults in the United States admitted to not paying bills on time; (4)1 in 3 households reported carrying credit card debt from month-to-month;
 (5)only 40 percent of adults in the United States reported keeping close track of their spending, a percentage that held steady since 2007; and
 (6)14 percent of adults in the United States identified not having enough rainy day savings for an emergency, and 15 percent of adults in the United States identified not having enough money set aside for retirement, as the most worrisome area of personal finance;
 Whereas the 2016 Retirement Confidence Survey conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that 19 percent of workers were not at all confident that they had enough money to retire;
 Whereas according to the statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the fourth quarter of 2016 entitled Financial Accounts of the United States: Flow of Funds, Balance Sheets, and Integrated Macroeconomic Accounts, outstanding household debt in the United States was $14.8 trillion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016;
 Whereas according to the 2016 Survey of the States: Economic and Personal Finance Education in Our Nation's Schools, a biennial report by the Council for Economic Education—
 (1)only 20 States require students to take an economics course as a high school graduation requirement; and
 (2)only 17 States require students to take a personal finance course as a high school graduation requirement, either independently or as part of an economics course;
 Whereas according to the Gallup-HOPE Index, only 52 percent of students in the United States have money in a bank or credit union account;
 Whereas expanding access to the safe, mainstream financial system will provide individuals with less expensive and more secure options for managing finances and building wealth;
 Whereas quality personal financial education is essential to ensure that individuals are prepared— (1)to manage money, credit, and debt; and
 (2)to become responsible workers, heads of household, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and citizens;
 Whereas increased financial literacy empowers individuals to make wise financial decisions and reduces the confusion caused by an increasingly complex economy;
 Whereas a greater understanding of, and familiarity with, financial markets and institutions will lead to increased economic activity and growth; and
 Whereas, in 2003, Congress— (1)determined that coordinating Federal financial literacy efforts and formulating a national strategy is important; and
 (2)in light of that determination, passed the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act (20 U.S.C. 9701 et seq.), establishing the Financial Literacy and Education Commission: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month to raise public awareness about—
 (A)the importance of personal financial education in the United States; and (B)the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances; and
 (2)calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the people of the United States to observe Financial Literacy Month with appropriate programs and activities.


114 S2170 IS: Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-10-08
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. 2170IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 8, 2015Mrs. Ernst (for herself, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Udall, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Rounds, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Grassley, and Mr. Heinrich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of health care professionals to treat
			 veterans through the use of telemedicine, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support Act of 2015 or the VETS Act of 2015. 2.Licensure of health care professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs providing treatment via telemedicine (a)In generalChapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1730A the following new section:

					1730B.Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine
 (a)In generalNotwithstanding any provision of law regarding the licensure of health care professionals, a covered health care professional may practice the health care profession of the health care professional at any location in any State, regardless of where such health care professional or the patient is located, if the health care professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment to an individual under this chapter.
 (b)Property of Federal GovernmentSubsection (a) shall apply to a covered health care professional providing treatment to a patient regardless of whether such health care professional or patient is located in a facility owned by the Federal Government during such treatment.
 (c)ConstructionNothing in this section may be construed to remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health care professional under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).
 (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term covered health care professional means a health care professional who is—
 (A)authorized by the Secretary to provide health care under this chapter, including a private health care professional who provides such care under a contract entered into with the Secretary, including a contract entered into under section 1703 of this title; and
 (B)licensed, registered, or certified in a State to practice the health care profession of the health care professional.
 (2)The term telemedicine means the use of telecommunication technology and information technology to provide health care or support the provision of health care in situations in which the patient and health care professional are separated by geographic distance.
							.
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1730A the following new item:
				1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine..
			(c)Report on telemedicine
 (1)In generalNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the use of telemedicine by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
 (2)ElementsThe report required by paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the following: (A)The satisfaction of veterans with telemedicine furnished by the Department.
 (B)The satisfaction of health care providers in providing telemedicine furnished by the Department. (C)The effect of telemedicine furnished by the Department on the following:
 (i)The ability of veterans to access health care, whether from the Department or from non-Department health care providers.
 (ii)The frequency of use by veterans of telemedicine. (iii)The productivity of health care providers.
 (iv)Wait times for an appointment for the receipt of health care from the Department. (v)The reduction, if any, in the use by veterans of services at Department facilities and non-Department facilities.
 (D)The types of appointments for the receipt of telemedicine furnished by the Department that were provided during the one-year period preceding the submittal of the report.
 (E)The number of appointments for the receipt of telemedicine furnished by the Department that were requested during such period, disaggregated by Veterans Integrated Service Network.
 (F)Savings by the Department, if any, including travel costs, of furnishing health care through the use of telemedicine during such period.
 (3)Telemedicine definedIn this subsection, the term telemedicine has the meaning given that term in section 1730B(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).


113 HR 848 IH: Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 848
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 27, 2013
			Mr. Thompson of
			 California (for himself and Ms.
			 Speier) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To direct the Attorney General to make grants to States
		  to develop systems to retrieve firearms from armed prohibited
		  persons.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Armed Prohibited Persons Act of
			 2013.
		2.Grants
			 authorizedThe Attorney
			 General may make grants to States to develop and operate systems to retrieve
			 firearms from armed prohibited persons.
		3.ApplicationsA State seeking a grant under this Act shall
			 submit an application to the Attorney General at such time and containing such
			 information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including
			 assurances that—
			(1)any system that
			 the State operates will provide an armed prohibited person with a reasonable
			 opportunity to lawfully dispose of such person’s firearm before the State takes
			 any action to retrieve such a firearm;
			(2)the State will contribute pertinent
			 information to the national instant criminal background check system
			 established under section 103(b) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
			 (18 U.S.C. 922 note); and
			(3)the State has a
			 plan for the continued operation and maintenance of the system or proposed
			 system to retrieve firearms from armed prohibited persons.
			4.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)The term armed prohibited
			 person means a person—
				(A)who possesses a firearm;
				(B)who lawfully
			 purchased such firearm in accordance with all applicable Federal and State law;
			 and
				(C)whose possession of such firearm, because
			 of an act or ommission committed by such person, became unlawful under
			 applicable Federal and State law (including section 922(g) of title 18, United
			 States Code).
				(2)The term
			 firearm has the meaning given the term in section 921(a)(3) of
			 title 18, United States Code.
			(3)The term
			 State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia,
			 and each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
			5.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
			 Act for fiscal years 2014 through 2018.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 786
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 2, 2009
			Mr. Akaka (for himself,
			 Mr. Schumer, Mr. Inouye, and Mr.
			 Lieberman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
			 referred to the Committee on Banking,
			 Housing, and Urban Affairs

		A BILL
		To authorize a grant program to provide for expanded
		  access to mainstream financial institutions.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Improving Access to Mainstream
			 Financial Institutions Act of 2009.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act, the following definitions shall
			 apply:
			(1)Alaska Native
			 CorporationThe term Alaska Native Corporation has
			 the same meaning as the term Native Corporation under section 3(m)
			 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(m)).
			(2)Community
			 development financial institutionThe term community
			 development financial institution has the same meaning as in section
			 103(5) of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of
			 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702(5)).
			(3)Federally
			 insured depository institutionThe term federally insured
			 depository institution means any insured depository institution (as that
			 term is defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
			 1813)) and any insured credit union (as that term is defined in section 101 of
			 the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)).
			(4)Labor
			 organizationThe term labor organization means an
			 organization—
				(A)in which
			 employees participate;
				(B)which exists for
			 the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning
			 grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or
			 conditions of work; and
				(C)which is
			 described in section 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
				(5)Native Hawaiian
			 organizationThe term Native Hawaiian organization
			 means any organization that—
				(A)serves and
			 represents the interests of Native Hawaiians; and
				(B)has as a primary
			 and stated purpose, the provision of services to Native Hawaiians.
				(6)Payday
			 loanThe term payday
			 loan means any transaction in which a small cash advance is made to a
			 consumer in exchange for—
				(A)the personal check or share draft of the
			 consumer, in the amount of the advance plus a fee, where presentment or
			 negotiation of such check or share draft is deferred by agreement of the
			 parties until a designated future date; or
				(B)the authorization of the consumer to debit
			 the transaction account or share draft account of the consumer, in the amount
			 of the advance plus a fee, where such account will be debited on or after a
			 designated future date.
				(7)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.
			(8)Tribal
			 organizationThe term tribal organization has the
			 same meaning as in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
			 Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
			3.Expanded access
			 to mainstream financial institutions
			(a)Establishment
			 of programThe Secretary is
			 authorized to award grants, including multi-year grants, to eligible entities
			 to establish an account in a federally insured depository institution for low-
			 and moderate-income individuals that currently do not have such an
			 account.
			(b)Eligible
			 entitiesAn entity is eligible to receive a grant under this
			 section, if such an entity is—
				(1)an organization
			 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;
				(2)a federally
			 insured depository institution;
				(3)an agency of a
			 State or local government;
				(4)a community
			 development financial institution;
				(5)an Indian tribal
			 organization;
				(6)an Alaska Native
			 Corporation;
				(7)a Native Hawaiian
			 organization;
				(8)a labor
			 organization; or
				(9)a partnership
			 comprised of 1 or more of the entities described in the preceding
			 subparagraphs.
				(c)Evaluation and
			 reports to CongressFor each
			 fiscal year in which a grant is awarded under this section, the Secretary shall
			 submit a report to Congress containing a description of the activities funded,
			 amounts distributed, and measurable results, as appropriate and
			 available.
			4.Low Cost
			 Alternatives to Payday Loans
			(a)Establishment
			 of programThe Secretary is
			 authorized to award demonstration project grants (including multi-year grants)
			 to eligible entities to provide low-cost, small loans to consumers that will
			 provide alternatives to more costly, predatory payday loans.
			(b)Eligible
			 entitiesAn entity is
			 eligible to receive a grant under this section if such an entity is—
				(1)an organization described in section
			 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under
			 section 501(a) of such Code;
				(2)a federally insured depository
			 institution;
				(3)a community development financial
			 institution; or
				(4)a partnership comprised of 1 or more of the
			 entities described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
				(c)Terms and
			 conditions
				(1)Percentage
			 rateFor purposes of this
			 section, an eligible entity that is a federally insured depository institution
			 shall be subject to the annual percentage rate promulgated by the National
			 Credit Union Administration's Loan Interest Rates under part 701 of title 12,
			 Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor thereto), in connection with a
			 loan provided to a consumer pursuant to this section.
				(2)Financial
			 literacy and education opportunitiesEach eligible entity awarded a grant under
			 this section shall offer financial literacy and education opportunities, such
			 as relevant counseling services or educational courses, to each consumer
			 provided with a loan pursuant to this section.
				(d)Evaluation and
			 reports to CongressFor each
			 fiscal year in which a grant is awarded under this section, the Secretary shall
			 submit a report to Congress containing a description of the activities funded,
			 amounts distributed, and measurable results, as appropriate and
			 available.
			5.Procedural
			 provisions
			(a)ApplicationsA
			 person desiring a grant under section 3 or 4 shall submit an application to the
			 Secretary, in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may
			 require.
			(b)Limitation on
			 administrative costsA recipient of a grant under section 3 or 4
			 may use not more than 6 percent of the total amount of such grant in any fiscal
			 year for the administrative costs of carrying out the programs funded by such
			 grant in such fiscal year.
			6.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, such sums as are necessary to
			 carry out the grant programs authorized by this Act, to remain available until
			 expended.
		7.RegulationsThe Secretary is authorized to promulgate
			 regulations to implement and administer the grant programs authorized by this
			 Act.


114 HR 4559 IH: United States Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-02-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4559
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 12, 2016
			Mr. Franks of Arizona (for himself, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		To establish the United States Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and
			 for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the United States Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Act of 2016. 2.EstablishmentThere is hereby established a commission to be known as the United States Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (in this Act referred to as the Commission).
		3.Duties of Commission
 (a)In generalThe Commission shall investigate any anti-competitive involvement of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), its member nations, and affiliated entities in oil markets and make recommendations to reduce the adverse impacts on the United States of such involvement.
 (b)Specific dutiesThe Commission shall— (1)investigate behavior of OPEC, its member nations, and affiliated entities, including national oil companies, designed to disadvantage United States oil producers and secure market power through anti-competitive behavior;
 (2)assess the impact of OPEC’s policies on United States economic and energy security interests, including on innovation in both energy production and the transportation of goods and people;
 (3)assess existing relationships of Federal agencies with OPEC and the extent to which Federal officials are making efforts to mitigate the impact of any potential anti-competitive actions by OPEC; and
 (4)produce recommendations on reducing the adverse impacts on the United States of such activities, including through policy reform in the areas of taxes, trade, defense, and research and development, and diplomacy, among others.
				4.Members of Commission
 (a)Number and appointmentThe Commission shall be composed of 16 members appointed by the President as follows: (1)4 members shall be appointed from among individuals independently determined by the President to be qualified for appointment.
 (2)4 members shall be appointed from a list of 8 individuals who shall be nominated by the majority leader of the Senate in consultation with the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
 (3)4 members shall be appointed from a list of 8 individuals who shall be nominated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
 (4)2 members shall be appointed from a list of 4 individuals who shall be nominated by the minority leader of the Senate in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
 (5)2 members shall be appointed from a list of 4 individuals who shall be nominated by the minority leader of the House of Representatives in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
				(b)Qualifications
 (1)In generalIn making appointments under this section, the President shall give consideration to individuals who are knowledgeable on energy issues, including oil market dynamics, oil and gas exploration and production, crude oil refining, oil and gas pipelines, transportation-related fuel consumption, oil use efficiency, national security, foreign policy, macroeconomics, labor, environment, logistics, shipping, tourism, consumer goods, manufacturing, and tourism.
 (2)Balance of expertise areasIn making appointments under this section, the President shall seek to ensure the membership of the Commission is balanced by area of expertise to the extent consistent with maintaining the highest level of expertise on the Commission.
 (3)U.S. citizen requirementMembers of the Commission shall be United States citizens. (c)Timing of appointmentsAppointments to the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
 (d)Terms; vacanciesEach member shall be appointed for the duration of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, and shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
 (e)ChairmanThe chairman of the Commission shall be selected by the President. The chairman of the Commission shall be responsible for—
 (1)the assignment of duties and responsibilities among staff personnel and their continuing supervision; and
 (2)the use and expenditure of funds available to the Commission. (f)Meetings (1)AdministrationAll meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open meetings and present oral or written statements on the subject matter of the meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to any person appearing before it.
				(2)Notice; minutes; public availability of documents
 (A)NoticeAll open meetings of the Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and subject of the meeting.
 (B)MinutesMinutes of each meeting shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present, a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of all statements filed. Subject to section 552 of title 5, United States Code, the minutes and records of all meetings and other documents that were made available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the offices of the Commission.
 (3)Initial meetingThe Commission shall hold its first meeting within 30 days after all members of the Commission have been appointed.
				5.Staffing and resources
 (a)StaffingThe chairman of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary for the Commission to perform its duties. The executive director shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate payable for Level IV of the Executive Schedule under chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code. The chairman shall select staff from among qualified individuals who are citizens of the United States.
 (b)ResourcesIn carrying out its duties under section 3, the Commission— (1)is authorized to secure directly from any Federal department or agency any information it deems necessary to carry out its functions under this Act, and each such department or agency is authorized to cooperate with the Commission and, to the extent permitted by law, to furnish such information (other than information described in section 552(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) to the Commission, upon the request of the Commission;
 (2)may enter into contracts, subject to the availability of appropriations for contracting, and employ such staff experts and consultants as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Commission, as provided by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; and
 (3)shall establish a multidisciplinary science and technical advisory panel of experts in the field of energy to assist the Commission in preparing its report, including ensuring that the scientific and technical information considered by the Commission is based on the best information available.
				6.Report
 (a)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the activities required by section 3.
 (b)Administrative procedure for report and reviewChapter 5 and chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, do not apply to the preparation, review, or submission of the report required by subsection (a).
 7.TerminationThe Commission shall terminate not later than 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits its report under section 6.
		8.Authorization of appropriations
 (a)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
 (b)AvailabilityAmounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until expended.
 9.Policy recommendationsNot later than 90 days after receiving the report of the Commission under section 6, the President shall submit to Congress a statement of proposals to implement or respond to the Commission’s recommendations contained in the report.


114 HR 5102 IH: Interior Immigration Enforcement Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-04-28
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.

I
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5102
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2016
Mr. Culberson (for himself, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Babin, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Ratcliffe, and Mr. Grothman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a criminal penalty for an alien who lacks lawful immigration status and is present in the United States, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Interior Immigration Enforcement Act.  2.Crime of unlawful presence in the United StatesSection 275 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1325) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(e)Any alien who is age 18 or older and who knowingly lacks lawful immigration status and is present in the United States shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both..


		II

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. 1861

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 7

			 (legislative day, October 6), 2005

			Mr. Harkin (for himself,

			 Mr. Kohl, Mr.

			 Levin, and Mr. Kennedy)

			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the

			 Committee on

			 Finance

		A BILL

		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the

		  phaseout of personal exemptions and the overall limitation on itemized

		  deductions.

		1.Restoration of phaseout of

			 personal exemptions

			(a)In

			 generalParagraph (3) of section 151(d) of the Internal Revenue

			 Code of 1986 (relating to exemption amount) is amended by striking

			 subparagraphs (E) and (F).

			(b)Effective

			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable

			 years beginning after December 31, 2005.

			2.Restoration of

			 phaseout of overall limitation on itemized deductions

			(a)In

			 generalSection 68 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is

			 amended by striking subsections (f) and (g).

			(b)Effective

			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable

			 years beginning after December 31, 2005.