109 HR 5742 IH: To establish the Southwest Regional Border

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-06-29
text/xml
EN
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		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5742
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 29, 2006
			Mr. Reyes introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Financial Services, for a
			 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To establish the Southwest Regional Border
		  Authority.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 TitleThis Act may be cited as the Southwest Regional
			 Border Authority Act.
			(b)Table of
			 ContentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of
				contents.
					Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
					Sec. 3. Definitions.
					TITLE I—SOUTHWEST REGIONAL BORDER
				AUTHORITY
					Sec. 101. Membership and
				voting.
					Sec. 102. Duties and powers.
					Sec. 103. Authority personnel
				matters.
					TITLE II—GRANTS AND DEVELOPMENT
				PLANNING
					Sec. 201. Infrastructure development and
				improvement.
					Sec. 202. Technology
				development.
					Sec. 203. Community development and
				entrepreneurship.
					Sec. 204. Education and workforce
				development.
					Sec. 205. Funding.
					Sec. 206. Supplements to Federal grant
				programs.
					Sec. 207. Demonstration
				projects.
					Sec. 208. Local development districts;
				certification and administrative expenses.
					Sec. 209. Distressed counties and areas
				and economically strong counties.
					Sec. 210. Development planning
				process.
					TITLE III—ADMINISTRATION
					Sec. 301. Program development
				criteria.
					Sec. 302. Approval of development plans
				and projects.
					Sec. 303. Consent of States.
					Sec. 304. Records.
					Sec. 305. Annual report.
					Sec. 306. Authorization of
				appropriations.
					Sec. 307. Termination of
				authority.

			2.Findings and
			 purposes
			(a)FindingsCongress
			 finds that—
				(1)a
			 rapid increase in population in the Southwest border region is placing a
			 significant strain on the infrastructure of the region, including
			 transportation, water and wastewater, public health, and
			 telecommunications;
				(2)20 percent of the
			 residents of the region have incomes below the poverty level;
				(3)unemployment rates
			 in counties in the region are up to 5 times the national unemployment
			 rate;
				(4)per capita
			 personal income in the region is significantly below the national average and
			 much of the income in the region is distributed through welfare programs,
			 retirement programs, and unemployment payments;
				(5)a
			 lack of adequate access to capital in the region—
					(A)has created
			 economic disparities between communities in the region and communities outside
			 the region; and
					(B)has made it
			 difficult for businesses to start up in the region;
					(6)it has been
			 difficult for displaced workers in the region to find employment because many
			 workers—
					(A)have limited
			 English language proficiency; and
					(B)lack adequate
			 English language and job training;
					(7)many residents of
			 the region live in communities referred to as colonias that lack
			 basic necessities, including running water, sewers, storm drainage, and
			 electricity;
				(8)many of the
			 problems that exist in the region could be solved or ameliorated by technology
			 that would contribute to economic development in the region;
				(9)while numerous
			 Federal, State, and local programs target financial resources to the region,
			 those programs are often uncoordinated, duplicative, and, in some cases,
			 unavailable to eligible border communities because those communities cannot
			 afford the required funding match;
				(10)Congress has
			 established several regional economic development commissions, including the
			 Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority, and the Denali
			 Commission, to improve the economies of those areas of the United States that
			 experience the greatest economic distress; and
				(11)many of the
			 counties in the region are among the most economically distressed in the United
			 States and would benefit from a regional economic development
			 commission.
				(b)PurposesThe
			 purposes of this Act are—
				(1)to establish a
			 regional economic development authority for the Southwest Border region to
			 address critical issues relating to the economic health and well-being of the
			 residents of the region;
				(2)to provide funding
			 to communities in the region to stimulate and foster infrastructure
			 development, technology development, community development and
			 entrepreneurship, and education and workforce development in the region;
				(3)to increase the
			 total amount of Federal funding available for border economic development
			 projects by coordinating with and reducing duplication of other Federal, State,
			 and local programs; and
				(4)to empower the
			 people of the region through the use of local development districts and State
			 and regional development plans that reflect State and local priorities.
				3.DefinitionsIn this Act, the following definitions
			 apply:
			(1)Attainment
			 countyThe term attainment county means an
			 economically strong county that is not a distressed county or a competitive
			 county.
			(2)AuthorityThe
			 term Authority means the Southwest Regional Border Authority
			 established by section 101(a)(1).
			(3)Binational
			 regionThe term binational region means the area in
			 the United States and Mexico that is within 150 miles of the international
			 border between the United States and Mexico.
			(4)Business
			 incubator serviceThe term business incubator
			 service means—
				(A)a legal service,
			 including aid in preparing a corporate charter, partnership agreement, or
			 contract;
				(B)a service in
			 support of the protection of intellectual property through a patent, a
			 trademark, or any other means;
				(C)a service in
			 support of the acquisition or use of advanced technology, including the use of
			 Internet services and Web-based services; and
				(D)consultation on
			 strategic planning, marketing, or advertising.
				(5)Competitive
			 countyThe term competitive county means an
			 economically strong county that meets at least 1, but not all, of the criteria
			 for a distressed county specified in paragraph (5).
			(6)Distressed
			 countyThe term distressed county means a county in
			 the region that—
				(A)(i)has a poverty rate that
			 is at least 150 percent of the poverty rate of the United States;
					(ii)has a per capita market income
			 that is not more than 67 percent of the per capita market income of the United
			 States; and
					(iii)has a 3-year unemployment rate
			 that is at least 150 percent of the unemployment rate of the United States;
			 or
					(B)(i)has a poverty rate that
			 is at least 200 percent of the poverty rate of the United States; and
					(ii)(I)has a per capita market
			 income that is not more than 67 percent of the per capita market income of the
			 United States; or
						(II)has a 3-year unemployment rate
			 that is at least 150 percent of the unemployment rate of the United
			 States.
						(7)Economically
			 strong countyThe term economically strong county
			 means a county in the region that is not a distressed county.
			(8)Federal grant
			 programThe term Federal grant program means a
			 Federal grant program to provide assistance in—
				(A)acquiring or
			 developing land;
				(B)constructing or
			 equipping a highway, road, bridge, or facility; or
				(C)carrying out other
			 economic development activities.
				(9)Indian
			 tribeThe term Indian tribe has the meaning given
			 the term in section 4 of the Indian
			 Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
			 450b).
			(10)Isolated area
			 of distressThe term isolated area of distress means
			 an area located in an economically strong county that has a high rate of
			 poverty, unemployment, or outmigration, as determined by the Authority.
			(11)Local
			 development districtThe term local development
			 district means an entity that—
				(A)(i)is an economic
			 development district that is—
						(I)in existence on the date of enactment of
			 this Act; and
						(II)recognized by the Economic Development
			 Administration; and
						(III)located in the region; or
						(ii)if an entity described in clause
			 (i) does not exist—
						(I)is organized and operated in a manner
			 that ensures broad-based community participation and an effective opportunity
			 for local officials, community leaders, and the public to contribute to the
			 development and implementation of programs in the region;
						(II)is governed by a policy board with at
			 least a simple majority of members consisting of designees or employees of a
			 general purpose unit of local government that have been appointed to represent
			 the unit of local government or elected officials; and
						(III)is certified by the Governor or
			 appropriate State officer as having a charter or authority that includes the
			 economic development of counties, portions of counties, or other political
			 subdivisions within the region; and
						(B)has not, as
			 certified by the Federal cochairperson—
					(i)inappropriately
			 used Federal grant funds from any Federal source; or
					(ii)appointed an
			 officer who, during the period in which another entity inappropriately used
			 Federal grant funds from any Federal source, was an officer of the other
			 entity.
					(12)RegionThe
			 term region means—
				(A)the counties of
			 Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and
			 Yuma in the State of Arizona;
				(B)the counties of
			 Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and
			 Ventura in the State of California;
				(C)the counties of
			 Catron, Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra,
			 and Socorro in the State of New Mexico; and
				(D)the counties of
			 Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Coke, Concho, Crane,
			 Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Gillespie,
			 Glasscock, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes,
			 Kendall, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Loving,
			 Mason, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Menard, Midland, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio,
			 Reagan, Real, Reeves, San Patricio, Shleicher, Sutton, Starr, Sterling,
			 Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Webb, Willacy, Wilson,
			 Winkler, Zapata, and Zavala in the State of Texas.
				(13)Small
			 businessThe term small business has the meaning
			 given the term small business concern in section 3(a) of the
			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
			 632(a)).
			ISOUTHWEST REGIONAL
			 BORDER AUTHORITY
			101.Membership and
			 voting
				(a)Establishment
					(1)In
			 generalThere is established the Southwest Regional Border
			 Authority.
					(2)CompositionThe
			 Authority shall be composed of—
						(A)a Federal member,
			 to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
			 Senate; and
						(B)State members, who
			 shall consist of the Governor (or a designee of the Governor) of each State in
			 the region that elects to participate in the Authority.
						(3)CochairpersonsThe
			 Authority shall be headed by—
						(A)the Federal
			 member, who shall serve—
							(i)as
			 the Federal cochairperson; and
							(ii)as
			 a liaison between the Federal Government and the Authority; and
							(B)a State
			 cochairperson, who shall—
							(i)be a
			 Governor of a State described in paragraph (2)(B);
							(ii)be
			 elected by the State members for a term of not more than 2 years; and
							(iii)serve only 1
			 term during any 4 year period.
							(b)Alternate
			 Members
					(1)State
			 alternatesThe State member of a State described in paragraph
			 (2)(B) may have a single alternate, who shall be—
						(A)a resident of that
			 State; and
						(B)appointed by the
			 Governor of the State, from among the members of the cabinet or personal staff
			 of the Governor.
						(2)Alternate
			 federal cochairpersonThe President shall appoint an alternate
			 Federal cochairperson.
					(3)QuorumSubject
			 to subsection (d)(4), a State alternate member shall not be counted toward the
			 establishment of a quorum of the members of the Authority in any case in which
			 a quorum of the State members is required to be present.
					(4)Delegation of
			 powerNo power or responsibility of the Authority specified in
			 paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (d), and no voting right of any member of
			 the Authority, shall be delegated to any person who is not—
						(A)a member of the
			 Authority; or
						(B)entitled to vote
			 at meetings of the Authority.
						(c)Meetings
					(1)Initial
			 meetingThe initial meeting of the Authority shall be conducted
			 not later than the date that is the earlier of—
						(A)180 days after the
			 date of enactment of this Act; or
						(B)60 days after the
			 date on which the Federal cochairperson is appointed.
						(2)Other
			 meetingsThe Authority shall hold meetings at such times as the
			 Authority determines, but not less often than semiannually.
					(3)LocationMeetings
			 of the Authority shall be conducted, on a rotating basis, at a site in the
			 region in each of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and
			 Texas.
					(d)Voting
					(1)In
			 generalTo be effective, a decision by the Authority shall
			 require the approval of the Federal cochairperson and not less than 60 percent
			 of the State members of the Authority (not including any member representing a
			 State that is delinquent under section 102(d)(2)(D)).
					(2)Quorum
						(A)In
			 generalA majority of the State members shall constitute a
			 quorum.
						(B)Required for
			 policy decisionA quorum of State members shall be required to be
			 present for the Authority to make any policy decision, including—
							(i)a
			 modification or revision of a policy decision of the Authority;
							(ii)approval of a
			 State or regional development plan; and
							(iii)any allocation
			 of funds among the States.
							(3)Project and
			 grant proposalsThe approval of project and grant proposals shall
			 be—
						(A)a responsibility
			 of the Authority; and
						(B)conducted in
			 accordance with section 302.
						(4)Voting by
			 alternate membersAn alternate member shall vote in the case of
			 the absence, death, disability, removal, or resignation of the Federal or State
			 member for which the alternate member is an alternate.
					102.Duties and
			 powers
				(a)DutiesThe
			 Authority shall—
					(1)develop
			 comprehensive and coordinated plans and programs to establish priorities and
			 approve grants for the economic development of the region, giving due
			 consideration to other Federal, State, and local planning and development
			 activities in the region;
					(2)conduct and sponsor
			 investigations, research, and studies, including an inventory and analysis of
			 the resources of the region, using, in part, the materials compiled by the
			 Interagency Task Force on the Economic Development of the Southwest Border
			 established by Executive Order No. 13122 (64 Fed. Reg. 29201);
					(3)sponsor
			 demonstration projects under section 207;
					(4)(A)enhance the capacity of,
			 and provide support for, local development districts in the region; or
						(B)if there is no local development
			 district described in clause (i) of section 3(11)(A) for a portion of the
			 region, foster the creation of a local development district;
						(5)review and study
			 Federal, State, and local public and private programs and, as appropriate,
			 recommend modifications or additions to increase the effectiveness of the
			 programs;
					(6)formulate and
			 recommend, as appropriate, interstate and international compacts and other
			 forms of interstate and international cooperation;
					(7)encourage private
			 investment in industrial, commercial, and recreational projects in the
			 region;
					(8)provide a forum
			 for consideration of the problems of the region and any proposed solutions to
			 those problems;
					(9)establish and use,
			 as appropriate, citizens, special advisory counsels, and public conferences;
			 and
					(10)provide a
			 coordinating mechanism to avoid duplication of efforts among the border
			 programs of the Federal agencies and the programs established under the North
			 American Free Trade Agreement entered into by the United States, Mexico, and
			 Canada on December 17, 1992.
					(b)PowersIn
			 carrying out subsection (a), the Authority may—
					(1)hold such
			 hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive
			 such evidence, and print or otherwise reproduce and distribute a description of
			 the proceedings of, and reports on actions by, the Authority as the Authority
			 considers appropriate;
					(2)request from any
			 Federal, State, or local agency such information as may be available to or
			 procurable by the agency that may be of use to the Authority in carrying out
			 the duties of the Authority;
					(3)maintain an
			 accurate and complete record of all transactions and activities of the
			 Authority, to be available for audit and examination by the Comptroller General
			 of the United States;
					(4)adopt, amend, and
			 repeal bylaws and rules governing the conduct of business and the performance
			 of duties of the Authority;
					(5)request the head
			 of any Federal agency to detail to the Authority, for a specified period of
			 time, such personnel as the Authority requires to carry out duties of the
			 Authority, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other
			 employee status;
					(6)request the head of
			 any State department or agency or local government to detail to the Authority,
			 for a specified period of time, such personnel as the Authority requires to
			 carry out the duties of the Authority, each such detail to be without loss of
			 seniority, pay, or other employee status;
					(7)make
			 recommendations to the President regarding—
						(A)the expenditure of
			 funds at the Federal, State, and local levels under this Act; and
						(B)additional Federal,
			 State, and local legislation that may be necessary to further the purposes of
			 this Act;
						(8)provide for
			 coverage of Authority employees in a suitable retirement and employee benefit
			 system by—
						(A)making
			 arrangements or entering into contracts with any participating State
			 government; or
						(B)otherwise
			 providing retirement and other employee benefit coverage;
						(9)accept, use, and
			 dispose of gifts or donations of services or real, personal, tangible, or
			 intangible property;
					(10)enter into and
			 perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions
			 as are necessary to carry out the duties of the Authority;
					(11)establish and
			 maintain—
						(A)a headquarters for
			 the Authority, to be located at a site that is not more than 100 kilometers
			 from the international border between the United States and Mexico; and
						(B)at least 1 field
			 office in each of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, to
			 be located at appropriate sites in the region that are not more than 100
			 kilometers from the international border between the United States and Mexico;
			 and
						(12)provide for an
			 appropriate level of representation in Washington, D.C.
					(c)Federal Agency
			 CooperationA Federal agency shall—
					(1)cooperate with the
			 Authority; and
					(2)provide, on
			 request of the Federal cochairperson, appropriate assistance in carrying out
			 this Act, in accordance with applicable Federal laws (including
			 regulations).
					(d)Administrative
			 Expenses
					(1)In
			 general
						(A)Administrative
			 expensesSubject to paragraph (2), administrative expenses of the
			 Authority shall be paid—
							(i)by
			 the Federal Government, in an amount equal to 60 percent of the administrative
			 expenses; and
							(ii)by
			 the States in the region that elect to participate in the Authority, in an
			 amount equal to 40 percent of the administrative expenses.
							(B)Expenses of
			 federal chairpersonAll expenses of the Federal cochairperson,
			 including expenses of the alternate and staff of the Federal cochairperson,
			 shall be paid by the Federal Government.
						(2)State
			 share
						(A)In
			 generalSubject to subparagraph (C), the share of administrative
			 expenses of the Authority to be paid by each State shall be determined by a
			 unanimous vote of the State members of the Authority.
						(B)No federal
			 participationThe Federal cochairperson shall not participate or
			 vote in any decision under subparagraph (A).
						(C)LimitationA
			 State shall not pay less than 10 nor more than 40 percent of the share of
			 administrative expenses of the Authority determined under paragraph
			 (1)(A)(ii).
						(D)Delinquent
			 statesDuring any period in which a State is more than 1 year
			 delinquent in payment of the State’s share of administrative expenses of the
			 Authority under this subsection (as determined by the Secretary)—
							(i)no
			 assistance under this Act shall be provided to the State (including assistance
			 to a political subdivision or a resident of the State) for any project not
			 approved as of the date of the commencement of the delinquency; and
							(ii)no
			 member of the Authority from the State shall participate or vote in any action
			 by the Authority.
							(E)Effect on
			 assistanceA State’s share of administrative expenses of the
			 Authority under this subsection shall not be taken into consideration in
			 determining the amount of assistance provided to the State under title
			 II.
						103.Authority
			 personnel matters
				(a)Compensation of
			 Members
					(1)Federal
			 cochairpersonThe Federal cochairperson shall be compensated by
			 the Federal Government at the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III
			 of the Executive Schedule in subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, United
			 States Code.
					(2)Alternate
			 federal cochairpersonThe alternate Federal cochairperson—
						(A)shall be
			 compensated by the Federal Government at the annual rate of basic pay
			 prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule described in paragraph (1);
			 and
						(B)when not actively
			 serving as an alternate for the Federal cochairperson, shall perform such
			 functions and duties as are delegated by the Federal cochairperson.
						(3)State members
			 and alternates
						(A)In
			 generalA State shall compensate each member and alternate member
			 representing the State on the Authority at the rate established by State
			 law.
						(B)No additional
			 compensationNo State member or alternate member shall receive
			 any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation of salary, from any
			 source other than the State for services provided by the member or alternate
			 member to the Authority.
						(b)Detailed
			 Employees
					(1)In
			 generalNo person detailed to serve the Authority under section
			 102(b)(6) shall receive any salary, or any contribution to or supplementation
			 of salary, for services provided to the Authority from—
						(A)any source other
			 than the State, local, or intergovernmental department or agency from which the
			 person was detailed; or
						(B)the
			 Authority.
						(2)ViolationAny
			 person that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $5,000,
			 imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
					(c)Additional
			 Personnel
					(1)Compensation
						(A)In
			 generalThe Authority may appoint and fix the compensation of an
			 executive director and such other personnel as are necessary to enable the
			 Authority to carry out the duties of the Authority.
						(B)ExceptionCompensation
			 under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed the maximum rate of basic pay
			 established for the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5,
			 United States Code, including any applicable locality-based comparability
			 payment that may be authorized under section 5304(h)(2)(C) of that
			 title.
						(2)Executive
			 directorThe executive director shall be responsible for—
						(A)carrying out the
			 administrative duties of the Authority;
						(B)directing the
			 Authority staff; and
						(C)carrying out such
			 other duties as the Authority may assign.
						(3)No federal
			 employee statusNo member, alternate, officer, or employee of the
			 Authority (other than the Federal cochairperson, the alternate Federal
			 cochairperson, staff of the Federal cochairperson, and any Federal employee
			 detailed to the Authority under subsection (b)) shall be considered to be a
			 Federal employee for any purpose.
					(d)Conflicts of
			 Interest
					(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided under paragraph (2), no State member,
			 State alternate, officer, employee, or detailee of the Authority shall
			 participate personally and substantially as a member, alternate, officer,
			 employee, or detailee of the Authority, through decision, approval,
			 disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or
			 otherwise, in any proceeding, application, request for a ruling or other
			 determination, contract, claim, controversy, or other matter in which the
			 member, alternate, officer, employee, or detailee has a financial
			 interest.
					(2)DisclosureParagraph
			 (1) shall not apply if the State member, State alternate, officer, employee, or
			 detailee—
						(A)immediately
			 advises the Authority of the nature and circumstances of the proceeding,
			 application, request for a ruling or other determination, contract, claim,
			 controversy, or other particular matter presenting a potential conflict of
			 interest;
						(B)makes full
			 disclosure of the financial interest; and
						(C)before the
			 proceeding concerning the matter presenting the conflict of interest, receives
			 a written determination by the Authority that the interest is not so
			 substantial as to be likely to affect the integrity of the services that the
			 Authority may expect from the State member, State alternate, officer, employee,
			 or detailee.
						(3)ViolationAny
			 person that violates this subsection shall be fined not more than $10,000,
			 imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.
					(e)Validity of
			 Contracts, Loans, and GrantsThe Authority may declare void any
			 contract, loan, or grant of or by the Authority in relation to which the
			 Authority determines that there has been a violation of subsection (b),
			 subsection (d), or any of sections 202 through 209 of title 18, United States
			 Code.
				(f)Applicable Labor
			 Standards
					(1)In
			 generalAll laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or
			 subcontractors in the construction, alteration, or repair, including painting
			 and decorating, of projects, buildings, and works funded by the United States
			 under this Act, shall be paid wages at not less than the prevailing wages on
			 similar construction in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in
			 accordance with sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40, United States
			 Code.
					(2)AuthorityWith
			 respect to the determination of wages under paragraph (1), the Secretary of
			 Labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan
			 No. 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267) and section 3145 of title 40, United States
			 Code.
					IIGRANTS AND
			 DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
			201.Infrastructure
			 development and improvementThe Authority may approve grants to States,
			 local governments, Indian tribes, and public and nonprofit organizations in the
			 region for projects, approved in accordance with section 302, to develop and
			 improve the transportation, water and wastewater, public health, and
			 telecommunications infrastructure of the region.
			202.Technology
			 development and deploymentThe
			 Authority may approve grants to small businesses, universities, national
			 laboratories, and nonprofit organizations in the region to research, develop,
			 demonstrate, and deploy technology that addresses—
				(1)water
			 quality;
				(2)water
			 quantity;
				(3)pollution;
				(4)transportation;
				(5)energy
			 consumption;
				(6)public
			 health;
				(7)border and port
			 security; and
				(8)any other related
			 matter that stimulates job creation or enhances economic development in the
			 region, as determined by the Authority.
				203.Community
			 development and entrepreneurshipThe Authority may approve grants to States,
			 local governments, Indian tribes, small businesses, and public or nonprofit
			 entities for projects, approved in accordance with section 302—
				(1)to create dynamic
			 local economies by—
					(A)recruiting
			 businesses to the region; and
					(B)increasing and
			 expanding international trade to other countries;
					(2)to foster
			 entrepreneurship by—
					(A)supporting the
			 advancement of, and providing entrepreneurial training and education for,
			 youths, students, and businesspersons;
					(B)improving access
			 to debt and equity capital by facilitating the establishment of development
			 venture capital funds and other appropriate means;
					(C)providing aid to
			 communities in identifying, developing, and implementing development strategies
			 for various sectors of the economy; and
					(D)(i)developing a working
			 network of business incubators; and
						(ii)supporting entities that provide
			 business incubator services; and
						(3)to promote civic
			 responsibility and leadership through activities that include—
					(A)the identification
			 and training of emerging leaders;
					(B)the encouragement
			 of citizen participation; and
					(C)the provision of
			 assistance for strategic planning and organization development.
					204.Education and
			 workforce developmentThe
			 Authority, in coordination with State and local workforce development boards,
			 may approve grants to States, local governments, Indian tribes, small
			 businesses, and public or nonprofit entities for projects, approved in
			 accordance with section 302—
				(1)to
			 assist the region in obtaining the job training, employment-related education,
			 and business development (with an emphasis on entrepreneurship) that are needed
			 to build and maintain strong local economies; and
				(2)to supplement
			 in-plant training programs offered by State and local governments to attract
			 new businesses to the region.
				205.Funding
				(a)In
			 GeneralFunds for grants under sections 201 through 204 may be
			 provided—
					(1)entirely from
			 appropriations to carry out this Act;
					(2)in combination
			 with funds available under another Federal grant program or other Federal
			 program; or
					(3)in combination
			 with funds from any other source, including—
						(A)State and local
			 governments, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector in the United
			 States;
						(B)the federal and
			 local government of, and private sector in, Mexico; and
						(C)the North American
			 Development Bank.
						(b)Priority of
			 Funding
					(1)In
			 generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Authority shall award
			 funding to each State in the region for activities in accordance with an order
			 of priority to be determined by the State.
					(2)Funding for
			 border countiesFor each fiscal year, the Authority shall
			 allocate at least 60 percent of the amounts made available under section 306
			 for programs and projects designed to serve the needs of—
						(A)distressed
			 counties located along the international border between the United States and
			 Mexico; and
						(B)isolated areas of
			 distress located within counties along the international border between the
			 United States and Mexico.
						(c)Binational
			 Projects
					(1)Prohibition on
			 provision of funding to non-united states entitiesThe Authority
			 shall not award funding to any entity that is not incorporated in the United
			 States.
					(2)Funding of
			 binational projectsThe Authority may award funding to a project
			 in which an entity that is incorporated outside the United States participates
			 if, for any fiscal year, the entity matches with an equal amount, in cash or
			 in-kind, the assistance received under this Act for the fiscal year.
					206.Supplements to
			 Federal grant programs
				(a)FindingCongress
			 finds that certain States and local communities of the region, including local
			 development districts, may be unable to take maximum advantage of Federal grant
			 programs for which the States and communities are eligible because—
					(1)they lack the
			 economic resources to provide the required matching share; or
					(2)there are
			 insufficient funds available under the Federal law authorizing the Federal
			 grant program to meet pressing needs of the region.
					(b)Federal Grant
			 Program FundingNotwithstanding any provision of law limiting the
			 Federal share, the areas eligible for assistance, or the authorizations of
			 appropriations, under any Federal grant program, and in accordance with
			 subsection (c), the Authority, with the approval of the Federal cochairperson
			 and with respect to a project to be carried out in the region, may—
					(1)increase the
			 Federal share of the costs of a project under any Federal grant program to not
			 more than 90 percent (except as provided in section 209(b)); and
					(2)use amounts made
			 available to carry out this Act to pay all or a portion of the increased
			 Federal share.
					(c)Certifications
					(1)In
			 generalIn the case of any project for which all or any portion
			 of the basic Federal share of the costs of the project is proposed to be paid
			 under this section, no Federal contribution shall be made until the Federal
			 official administering the Federal law that authorizes the Federal grant
			 program certifies that the project—
						(A)meets (except as
			 provided in subsection (b)) the applicable requirements of the applicable
			 Federal grant program; and
						(B)could be approved
			 for Federal contribution under the Federal grant program if funds were
			 available under the law for the project.
						(2)Certification by
			 authority
						(A)In
			 generalThe certifications and determinations required to be made
			 by the Authority for approval of projects under this Act in accordance with
			 section 302—
							(i)shall be
			 controlling; and
							(ii)shall be accepted
			 by the Federal agencies.
							(B)Acceptance by
			 federal cochairpersonIn the case of any project described in
			 paragraph (1), any finding, report, certification, or documentation required to
			 be submitted with respect to the project to the head of the department, agency,
			 or instrumentality of the Federal Government responsible for the administration
			 of the Federal grant program under which the project is carried out shall be
			 accepted by the Federal cochairperson.
						207.Demonstration
			 projects
				(a)In
			 GeneralFor each fiscal year, the Authority may approve not more
			 than 10 demonstration projects to carry out activities described in sections
			 201 through 204, of which not more than 3 shall be carried out in any 1
			 State.
				(b)RequirementsA
			 demonstration project carried out under this section shall—
					(1)be carried out on
			 a multistate or multicounty basis; and
					(2)be developed in
			 accordance with the regional development plan prepared under section
			 210(d).
					208.Local
			 development districts; certification and administrative expenses
				(a)Grants to Local
			 Development Districts
					(1)In
			 generalThe Authority shall make grants to local development
			 districts to pay the administrative expenses of the local development
			 districts.
					(2)Conditions for
			 grants
						(A)Maximum
			 amountThe amount of any grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall
			 not exceed 80 percent of the administrative expenses of the local development
			 district receiving the grant.
						(B)Maximum
			 periodNo grant described in paragraph (1) shall be awarded for a
			 period greater than 3 years to a State agency certified as a local development
			 district.
						(C)Local
			 shareThe contributions of a local development district for
			 administrative expenses may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including
			 space, equipment, and services.
						(b)Duties of Local
			 Development DistrictsA local development district shall—
					(1)operate as a lead
			 organization serving multicounty areas in the region at the local level;
					(2)assist the
			 Authority in carrying out outreach activities for local governments, community
			 development groups, the business community, and the public;
					(3)serve as a liaison
			 between State and local governments, nonprofit organizations (including
			 community-based groups and educational institutions), the business community,
			 and citizens; and
					(4)assist the
			 individuals and entities described in paragraph (3) in identifying, assessing,
			 and facilitating projects and programs to promote the economic development of
			 the region.
					209.Distressed
			 counties and areas and economically strong counties
				(a)DesignationsAt
			 the initial meeting of the Authority and annually thereafter, the Authority, in
			 accordance with such criteria as the Authority may establish, shall
			 designate—
					(1)distressed
			 counties;
					(2)economically
			 strong counties;
					(3)attainment
			 counties;
					(4)competitive
			 counties; and
					(5)isolated areas of
			 distress.
					(b)Distressed
			 Counties
					(1)In
			 generalFor each fiscal year, the Authority shall allocate at
			 least 50 percent of the amounts made available under section 306 for programs
			 and projects designed to serve the needs of distressed counties and isolated
			 areas of distress in the region.
					(2)Funding
			 limitationsThe funding limitations under section 206(b) shall
			 not apply to a project to provide transportation or basic public services to
			 residents of 1 or more distressed counties or isolated areas of distress in the
			 region.
					(c)Economically
			 Strong Counties
					(1)Attainment
			 countiesExcept as provided in paragraph (3), the Authority shall
			 not provide funds for a project located in a county designated as an attainment
			 county under subsection (a)(3).
					(2)Competitive
			 countiesExcept as provided in paragraph (3), the Authority shall
			 not provide more than 30 percent of the total cost of any project carried out
			 in a county designated as a competitive county under subsection
			 (a)(2)(B).
					(3)Exceptions
						(A)In
			 generalThe funding prohibition under paragraph (1) and the
			 funding limitation under paragraph (2) shall not apply to grants to fund the
			 administrative expenses of local development districts under section
			 208(a).
						(B)Multicounty
			 projectsIf the Authority determines that a project could bring
			 significant benefits to areas of the region outside an attainment or
			 competitive county, the Authority may waive the application of the funding
			 prohibition under paragraph (1) and the funding limitation under paragraph (2)
			 to—
							(i)a
			 multicounty project that includes participation by an attainment or competitive
			 county; or
							(ii)any
			 other type of project.
							(4)Isolated areas of
			 distressFor a designation of an isolated area of distress for
			 assistance to be effective, the designation shall be supported—
						(A)by the most recent
			 Federal data available; or
						(B)if no recent
			 Federal data are available, by the most recent data available through the
			 government of the State in which the isolated area of distress is
			 located.
						210.Development
			 planning process
				(a)State
			 Development PlanIn accordance with policies established by the
			 Authority, each State member shall submit an annual development plan for the
			 area of the region represented by the State member to assist the Authority in
			 determining funding priorities under section 205(b).
				(b)Consultation With
			 Interested PartiesIn carrying out the development planning
			 process (including the selection of programs and projects for assistance), a
			 State shall—
					(1)consult
			 with—
						(A)local development
			 districts; and
						(B)local units of
			 government;
						(2)take into
			 consideration the goals, objectives, priorities, and recommendations of the
			 entities described in paragraph (1); and
					(3)solicit input on
			 and take into consideration the potential impact of the State development plan
			 on the binational region.
					(c)Public
			 Participation
					(1)In
			 generalThe Authority and applicable State and local development
			 districts shall encourage and assist, to the maximum extent practicable, public
			 participation in the development, revision, and implementation of all plans and
			 programs under this Act.
					(2)RegulationsThe
			 Authority shall develop guidelines for providing public participation described
			 in paragraph (1), including public hearings.
					(d)Regional
			 Development PlanThe Authority shall prepare an annual regional
			 development plan that—
					(1)is based on State
			 development plans submitted under subsection (a);
					(2)takes into
			 account—
						(A)the input of the
			 private sector, academia, and nongovernmental organizations; and
						(B)the potential
			 impact of the regional development plan on the binational region;
						(3)establishes 5-year
			 goals for the development of the region;
					(4)identifies and
			 recommends to the States—
						(A)potential
			 multistate or multicounty projects that further the goals for the region;
			 and
						(B)potential
			 development projects for the binational region; and
						(5)identifies and
			 recommends to the Authority for funding demonstration projects under section
			 207.
					IIIADMINISTRATION
			301.Program
			 development criteria
				(a)In
			 GeneralIn considering programs and projects to be provided
			 assistance under this Act, and in establishing a priority ranking of the
			 requests for assistance provided to the Authority, the Authority shall follow
			 procedures that ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, consideration
			 of—
					(1)the relationship
			 of the project or class of projects to overall regional development;
					(2)the per capita
			 income and poverty and unemployment rates in an area;
					(3)the financial
			 resources available to the applicants for assistance seeking to carry out the
			 project, with emphasis on ensuring that projects are adequately financed to
			 maximize the probability of successful economic development;
					(4)the socioeconomic
			 importance of the project or class of projects in relation to other projects or
			 classes of projects that may be in competition for the same funds;
					(5)the prospects that
			 the project for which assistance is sought will improve, on a continuing rather
			 than a temporary basis, the opportunities for employment, the average level of
			 income, or the economic development of the area to be served by the project;
			 and
					(6)the extent to
			 which the project design provides for detailed outcome measurements by which
			 grant expenditures and the results of the expenditures may be evaluated.
					(b)No Relocation
			 AssistanceNo financial assistance authorized by this Act shall
			 be used to assist a person or entity in relocating from 1 area to another,
			 except that financial assistance may be used as otherwise authorized by this
			 Act to attract businesses from outside the region to the region.
				(c)Maintenance of
			 EffortFunds may be provided for a program or project in a State
			 under this Act only if the Authority determines that the level of Federal or
			 State financial assistance provided under a law other than this Act, for the
			 same type of program or project in the same area of the State within the
			 region, will not be reduced as a result of funds made available by this
			 Act.
				302.Approval of
			 development plans and projects
				(a)In
			 GeneralA State or regional development plan or any multistate
			 subregional plan that is proposed for development under this Act shall be
			 reviewed by the Authority.
				(b)Evaluation by
			 State MemberAn application for a grant or any other assistance
			 for a project under this Act shall be made through and evaluated for approval
			 by the State member of the Authority representing the applicant.
				(c)CertificationAn
			 application for a grant or other assistance for a project shall be approved
			 only on certification by the State member that the application for the
			 project—
					(1)describes ways in
			 which the project complies with any applicable State development plan;
					(2)meets applicable
			 criteria under section 301;
					(3)provides adequate
			 assurance that the proposed project will be properly administered, operated,
			 and maintained; and
					(4)otherwise meets
			 the requirements of this Act.
					(d)Votes for
			 DecisionsOn certification by a State member of the Authority of
			 an application for a grant or other assistance for a specific project under
			 this section, an affirmative vote of the Authority under section 101(d) shall
			 be required for approval of the application.
				303.Consent of
			 StatesNothing in this Act
			 requires any State to engage in or accept any program under this Act without
			 the consent of the State.
			304.Records
				(a)Records of the
			 Authority
					(1)In
			 generalThe Authority shall maintain accurate and complete
			 records of all transactions and activities of the Authority.
					(2)AvailabilityAll
			 records of the Authority shall be available for audit and examination by the
			 Comptroller General of the United States (including authorized representatives
			 of the Comptroller General).
					(b)Records of
			 Recipients of Federal Assistance
					(1)In
			 generalA recipient of Federal funds under this Act shall, as
			 required by the Authority, maintain accurate and complete records of
			 transactions and activities financed with Federal funds and report to the
			 Authority on the transactions and activities.
					(2)AvailabilityAll
			 records required under paragraph (1) shall be available for audit by the
			 Comptroller General of the United States and the Authority (including
			 authorized representatives of the Comptroller General and the
			 Authority).
					(c)Annual
			 AuditThe Comptroller General of the United States shall audit
			 the activities, transactions, and records of the Authority on an annual
			 basis.
				305.Annual
			 report
				(a)In
			 GeneralNot later than 180 days after the end of each fiscal
			 year, the Authority shall submit to the President and to Congress a report
			 describing the activities carried out under this Act.
				(b)Contents
					(1)In
			 generalThe report shall include—
						(A)an evaluation of
			 the progress of the Authority—
							(i)in
			 meeting the goals set forth in the regional development plan and the State
			 development plans; and
							(ii)in
			 working with other Federal agencies and the border programs administered by the
			 Federal agencies;
							(B)examples of
			 notable projects in each State;
						(C)a description of
			 all demonstration projects funded under section 306(b) during the fiscal year
			 preceding submission of the report; and
						(D)any policy
			 recommendations approved by the Authority.
						(2)Initial
			 reportIn addition to the contents specified in paragraph (1),
			 the initial report submitted under this section shall include—
						(A)a determination as
			 to whether the creation of a loan fund to be administered by the Authority is
			 necessary; and
						(B)if the Authority
			 determines that a loan fund is necessary—
							(i)a
			 request for the authority to establish a loan fund; and
							(ii)a
			 description of the eligibility criteria and performance requirements for the
			 loans.
							306.Authorization
			 of appropriations
				(a)In
			 GeneralThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Authority
			 to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended—
					(1)$50,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2008;
					(2)$75,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2009;
					(3)$90,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2010;
					(4)$92,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2011; and
					(5)$94,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2012.
					(b)Demonstration
			 ProjectsOf the funds made available under subsection (a),
			 $5,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be available to the Authority to carry
			 out section 207.
				307.Termination of
			 AuthorityThe authority
			 provided by this Act terminates effective October 1, 2012.


116 SRES 479 IS: Designating January 23, 2020, as “Maternal Health Awareness Day”.
U.S. Senate
2020-01-21
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.

III116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 479IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 21, 2020Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Menendez, and Ms. Harris) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONDesignating January 23, 2020, as Maternal Health Awareness Day.

 Whereas, every year in the United States, approximately 700 women die as a result of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth;
 Whereas the pregnancy-related mortality ratio, defined as the number of pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births, more than doubled between 1987 and 2016;
 Whereas the United States is the only developed country whose maternal mortality rate has increased over the last several decades;
 Whereas, of all pregnancy-related deaths between 2011 and 2015— (1)nearly 31 percent occurred during pregnancy;
 (2)about 36 percent occurred during childbirth or the week after childbirth; and (3)33 percent occurred between 1 week and 1 year postpartum;
 Whereas more than 60 percent of maternal deaths in the United States are preventable; Whereas, in 2014 alone, 50,000 women suffered from a near miss or severe maternal morbidity, which includes potentially life-threatening complications that arise from labor and childbirth;
 Whereas 28 percent of women who gave birth in a hospital in the United States reported experiencing 1 or more types of mistreatment, such as—
 (1)loss of autonomy; (2)being shouted at, scolded, or threatened; and
 (3)being ignored or refused or receiving no response to requests for help; Whereas certain social determinants of health, including bias and racism, have a negative impact on maternal health outcomes;
 Whereas significant disparities in maternal health exist, including that— (1)Black women are more than 3 times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause as are White women;
 (2)American Indian and Alaska Native women are more than twice as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause as are White women;
 (3)Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women with at least some college education are more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than are women of all other racial and ethnic backgrounds with less than a high school diploma;
 (4)Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are about twice as likely to suffer from severe maternal morbidity as are White women;
 (5)women who live in rural areas have a greater likelihood of severe maternal morbidity and mortality compared to women who live in urban areas;
 (6)nearly ½ of rural counties do not have a hospital with obstetric services; (7)counties with more Black and Hispanic residents and lower median incomes are less likely to have access to hospital obstetric services;
 (8)more than 50 percent of women who live in a rural area must travel more than 30 minutes to access hospital obstetric services, compared to 7 percent of women who live in urban areas; and
 (9)American Indian and Alaska Native women living in rural communities are twice as likely as their White counterparts to report receiving late or no prenatal care;
 Whereas more than 40 States have designated committees to review maternal deaths; Whereas State and local maternal mortality review committees are positioned to comprehensively assess maternal deaths and identify opportunities for prevention;
 Whereas more than 25 States are participating in the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, which promotes consistent and safe maternity care to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality;
 Whereas community-based maternal health care models, including midwifery childbirth services, doula support services, community and perinatal health worker services, and group prenatal care, in collaboration with culturally competent physician care, show great promise in improving maternal health outcomes and reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes;
 Whereas many organizations have implemented initiatives to educate patients and providers about— (1)all causes of, contributing factors to, and disparities in maternal mortality;
 (2)the prevention of pregnancy-related deaths; and (3)the importance of listening to and empowering all women to report pregnancy-related medical issues; and
 Whereas several States, communities, and organizations recognize January 23 as Maternal Health Awareness Day to raise awareness about maternal health and promote maternal safety: Now, therefore, be it  That the Senate—
 (1)designates January 23, 2020, as Maternal Health Awareness Day; (2)supports the goals and ideals of Maternal Health Awareness Day, including—
 (A)raising public awareness about maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, and disparities in maternal health outcomes; and
 (B)encouraging the Federal Government, States, territories, Tribes, local communities, public health organizations, physicians, health care providers, and others to take action to reduce adverse maternal health outcomes and improve maternal safety;
 (3)promotes initiatives— (A)to address and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes; and
 (B)to ensure respectful and equitable maternity care practices; (4)honors the mothers who have passed away as a result of pregnancy-related causes; and
 (5)supports and recognizes the need for further investments in efforts to improve maternal health, eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes, and promote respectful and equitable maternity care practices.


114 HJ 68 IH: Disapproving a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-09-29
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.

		IA
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. J. RES. 68
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 29, 2015
			Mr. Ratcliffe (for himself, Mr. Babin, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Mr. Barr, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Rokita, Mr. Hensarling, Mr. Bridenstine, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Rothfus, Mr. Messer, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Knight, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Massie, Mr. Huelskamp, Mr. Zinke, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, and Mr. Brady of Texas) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

		JOINT RESOLUTION
		Disapproving a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed
			 Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.

 That Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New, Modified, and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units, and contained in the dockets numbered EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0495 and EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0603, and such rule shall have no force or effect.


114 HR 321 IH: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Improvement Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-01-13
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.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 321
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 13, 2015
			Mr. Sessions (for himself and Mr. Jolly) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

		A BILL
		To allow for a contract for operation of Melville Hall at the United States Merchant Marine
			 Academy, after receipt of a gift from the United States Merchant Marine
			 Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc., for renovation of such
			 hall and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Improvement Act of 2015. 2.Melville Hall of United States Merchant Marine Academy (a)Gift to the Merchant Marine AcademyThe Maritime Administrator may accept a gift of money from the Foundation under section 51315 of title 46, United States Code, for the purpose of renovating Melville Hall on the campus of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
 (b)Covered giftsA gift described in this subsection is a gift under subsection (a) that the Maritime Administrator determines exceeds the sum of—
 (1)the minimum amount that is sufficient to ensure the renovation of Melville Hall in accordance with the capital improvement plan of the United States Merchant Marine Academy that was in effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and
 (2)25 percent of the amount described in paragraph (1). (c)Operation contractsSubject to subsection (d), in the case that the Maritime Administrator accepts a gift of money described in subsection (b), the Maritime Administrator may enter into a contract with the Foundation for the operation of Melville Hall to make available facilities for, among other possible uses, official academy functions, third-party catering functions, and industry events and conferences.
 (d)Contract termsThe contract described in subsection (c) shall be for such period and on such terms as the Maritime Administrator considers appropriate, including a provision, mutually agreeable to the Maritime Administrator and the Foundation, that—
 (1)requires the Foundation— (A)at the expense solely of the Foundation through the term of the contract to maintain Melville Hall in a condition that is as good as or better than the condition Melville Hall was in on the later of—
 (i)the date that the renovation of Melville Hall was completed; or (ii)the date that the Foundation accepted Melville Hall after it was tendered to the Foundation by the Maritime Administrator; and
 (B)to deposit all proceeds from the operation of Melville Hall, after expenses necessary for the operation and maintenance of Melville Hall, into the account of the Regimental Affairs Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality or successor entity, to be used solely for the morale and welfare of the cadets of the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and
 (2)prohibits the use of Melville Hall as lodging or an office by any person for more than 4 days in any calendar year other than—
 (A)by the United States; or (B)for the administration and operation of Melville Hall.
 (e)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)ContractThe term contract includes any modification, extension, or renewal of the contract.
 (2)FoundationIn this section, the term Foundation means the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation, Inc. (f)Rule of constructionNothing in this section may be construed under section 3105 of title 41, United States Code, as requiring the Maritime Administrator to award a contract for the operation of Melville Hall to the Foundation.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3412
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 30, 2009
			Mr. Burton of Indiana
			 (for himself and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, to
		  relocate to Jerusalem the United States Embassy in Israel, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Jerusalem Embassy and Recognition Act of
			 2009.
		2.Recognition of
			 Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocation of the United States Embassy
			 to Jerusalem
			(a)PolicyIt
			 is the policy of the United States to recognize Jerusalem as the undivided
			 capital of the State of Israel, both de jure and de facto.
			(b)Sense of
			 CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—
				(1)Jerusalem must
			 remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious
			 group are protected as they have been by Israel since 1967;
				(2)every citizen of
			 Israel should have the right to reside anywhere in the undivided city of
			 Jerusalem;
				(3)the President and
			 the Secretary of State should publicly affirm as a matter of United States
			 policy that Jerusalem must remain the undivided capital of the State of
			 Israel;
				(4)the President
			 should immediately implement the provisions of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of
			 1995 (Public Law 104–5) and begin the process of relocating the United States
			 Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem; and
				(5)United States
			 officials should refrain from any actions that contradict United States law on
			 this subject.
				(c)Removal of
			 waiver authorityThe Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law
			 104–45) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 section 7; and
				(2)by redesignating
			 section 8 as section 7.
				(d)Identification
			 of Jerusalem on Government documentsNotwithstanding any other
			 provision of law, any official document of the United States Government which
			 lists countries and their capital cities shall identify Jerusalem as the
			 capital of Israel.
			(e)Timetable
				(1)Statement of
			 policyIt is the policy of the United States that the United
			 States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem as soon as
			 possible, but not later than January 1, 2012.
				(2)Opening
			 determinationNot more than 50 percent of the funds appropriated
			 to the Department of State for fiscal year 2012 for Acquisition and
			 Maintenance of Buildings Abroad may be obligated until the Secretary of
			 State determines and reports to Congress that the United States Embassy in
			 Jerusalem has officially opened.
				(f)Fiscal years
			 2010 and 2011 funding
				(1)Fiscal year
			 2010Of the funds authorized to be appropriated for
			 Acquisition and Maintenance of Buildings Abroad for the
			 Department of State for fiscal year 2010, such sums as may be necessary should
			 be made available until expended only for construction and other costs
			 associated with the establishment of the United States Embassy in Israel in the
			 capital of Jerusalem.
				(2)Fiscal year
			 2011Of the funds authorized to be appropriated for
			 Acquisition and Maintenance of Buildings Abroad for the
			 Department of State for fiscal year 2011, such sums as may be necessary should
			 be made available until expended only for construction and other costs
			 associated with the establishment of the United States Embassy in Israel in the
			 capital of Jerusalem.
				(g)DefinitionIn
			 this section, the term United States Embassy means the offices
			 of the United States diplomatic mission and the residence of the United States
			 chief of mission.


110 HRES 57 EH: Congratulating Illinois State University as it celebrates its sesquicentennial.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-23
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.

IV
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 57
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

January 23, 2007

RESOLUTION
Congratulating Illinois State University as it celebrates its sesquicentennial.

Whereas Illinois State University marks its sesquicentennial with a year-long celebration, beginning with Founder’s Day on February 15, 2007;
Whereas Illinois State Normal University was founded by Jesse W. Fell in 1857 as Illinois’ first public university and was established as a teacher education institution;
Whereas Abraham Lincoln, then an attorney, drafted the bond that guaranteed that the citizens of Bloomington, Illinois, would fulfill pledges to finance the University;
Whereas more than 2,000 staff members provide outstanding support to the educational mission of Illinois State University; and
Whereas Illinois State University has more than 165,000 alumni living around the world: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives congratulates Illinois State University as it celebrates its sesquicentennial.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


114 S950 IS: Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-04-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 950IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 15, 2015Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Blunt) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a refundable adoption tax credit.

		1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2015.
		2.Refundable
			 adoption tax credit
			(a)Credit made
			 refundable
				(1)Credit moved to
 subpart relating to refundable creditsThe Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
 (A)by redesignating section 23 as section 36C, and
 (B)by moving section 36C (as so redesignated) from subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 to the location immediately before section 37 in subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1.
					(2)Conforming
			 Amendments
 (A)Section 24(b)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by striking 23,.
 (B)Section 25(e)(1)(C) of such Code is amended by striking 23, both places it appears.
 (C)Section 25A(i)(5)(B) of such Code is amended by striking 23, 25D, and inserting 25D.
 (D)Section 25B(g)(2) of such Code is amended by striking 23,.
 (E)Section 26(a)(1) of such Code is amended by striking 23,.
 (F)Section 30(c)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking 23, 25D, and inserting 25D.
 (G)Section 30B(g)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking 23,.
 (H)Section 30D(c)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking sections 23 and and inserting section.
 (I)Section 36C of such Code, as so redesignated, is amended—
 (i)in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking (determined without regard to subsection (c)),
 (ii)by striking subsection (c), and
 (iii)by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as subsections (c) through (h), respectively.
 (J)Section 137 of such Code is amended—
 (i)in subsection (d), by striking section 23(d) and inserting section 36C(c), and
 (ii)in subsection (e), by striking subsections (e), (f), and (g) of section 23 and inserting subsections (d), (e), and (f) of section 36C.
 (K)Section 904(i) of such Code is amended by striking 23,.
 (L)Section 1016(a)(26) is amended by striking 23(g) and inserting 36C(f).
 (M)Section 1400C(d)(2) of such Code is amended by striking 23,.
 (N)Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting 36C, before 53(e).
 (O)The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code of 1986 is amended by striking the item relating to section 23.
 (P)Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting 36C, after 36B,.
 (Q)The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the following new item:Sec. 36C. Adoption
				expenses..
					(b)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2014.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4299
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 11, 2009
			Mr. Smith of
			 Washington (for himself, Mr.
			 Grijalva, Ms. Watson,
			 Mr. Carnahan,
			 Ms. Clarke,
			 Mr. Dicks,
			 Mr. Buchanan, and
			 Mr. Braley of Iowa) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
			 Labor

		A BILL
		To authorize a capitalization of self-sustainable social
		  services grant program to provide workforce development opportunities and
		  training to people with barriers to employment.

		1.Capitalization grants to
			 build jobs
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall
			 award grants in accordance with this section for projects proposed by eligible
			 applicants who—
				(1)demonstrate the
			 potential effectiveness of the proposed project to develop capitalization
			 procedures for the creation of jobs and the delivery of self-sustainable social
			 services to people with barriers to employment; and
				(2)provide evidence
			 of the ability of the eligible applicant to coordinate with community colleges
			 and/or other organizations at the State and local level.
				(b)DefinitionsIn this section—
				(1)the term capitalization
			 procedures means the use of capital funding to build, renovate, provide
			 leasehold improvements, or purchase real property;
				(2)the term
			 eligible applicant means a nonprofit organization whose mission is
			 to provide workforce development opportunities and training to people with
			 barriers to employment, a local workforce investment board established under
			 section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2832), a State,
			 a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe;
				(3)the term
			 Secretary means the Secretary of Labor; and
				(4)the term
			 self-sustainable social services means education, training, and
			 career services for people with barriers to employment that are sustained by
			 the independent business model of the grantee and do not require federal
			 funding for basic programmatic expenses, although this provision does not
			 preclude applicants from participating in other Federal programs.
				(c)PriorityApplicants
			 demonstrating prior experience using capitalization to build sustainable job
			 training and job creation projects will be given priority in the first round of
			 grants, including organizations awarded grants under section 413(h)(3)(A) of
			 the Social Security Act and organizations that are similarly situated in other
			 regions that also have the capacity to replicate the model implemented under
			 section 413(h)(3)(A).
			(d)Single
			 granteeThe Secretary may choose to grant funds to a single
			 national organization to distribute funds among its member local organizations
			 if the national organization includes in its membership local organizations
			 that were previously awarded grants under section 413(h)(3)(A) and those prior
			 grantees agree to provide technical assistance to new grantees.
			(e)ApplicationEach
			 eligible applicant desiring a grant under this section shall submit an
			 application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by
			 such information as the Secretary may require.
			(f)Assessments and
			 reports by granteesAn
			 eligible applicant that receives a grant under this section shall assess and
			 report on the outcomes of self-sustainable social services that result from
			 newly capitalized entities, including the identity of each service operator,
			 the number of jobs created, demographic information about service recipients,
			 including education level, literacy level, prior work experience and identified
			 barriers to employment, the nature of education, training, or other services
			 received, the reason for leaving the program, and outcomes related to the
			 placement of the service recipients in an unsubsidized job, including 9-month
			 employment retention, wage at placement, benefits, and earnings progression, as
			 specified by the Secretary.
			(g)Evaluations
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary is authorized to conduct evaluation and
			 research, either directly or through grants or contracts, to determine the
			 effectiveness of capitalization in providing workforce development
			 opportunities and training to people with barriers to employment after the
			 grantee has had 3 years to capitalize and build or expand its programs.
				(2)Reservation of
			 fundsOf the amount appropriated for a fiscal year, an amount
			 equal to 1 percent of such amount for each such fiscal year shall be reserved
			 for use by the Secretary to conduct evaluations.
				(h)Authorization of
			 AppropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section
			 and to remain available until expended—
				(1)$100,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2010;
				(2)$100,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2011; and
				(3)such sums as may
			 be necessary for fiscal years 2012 through 2014.


113 HRES 304 IH: Expressing support for dancing as a form of valuable exercise and artistic expression, and for the designation of July 27, 2013, as National Dance Day.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-07-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 304
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 17, 2013
			Ms. Norton submitted
			 the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing support for dancing as a form of
		  valuable exercise and artistic expression, and for the designation of July 27,
		  2013, as National Dance Day.

		Whereas the last Saturday in July is an appropriate day to
			 annually celebrate National Dance Day;
		Whereas Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer and celebrity
			 judge for the dance-themed television show So You Think You Can
			 Dance, in association with the Dizzy Feet Foundation, has encouraged
			 the creation of National Dance Day in nations around the world, beginning with
			 the first National Dance Day in 2010;
		Whereas the Dizzy Feet Foundation and the Kennedy Center,
			 in conjunction with the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, will
			 celebrate National Dance Day on Saturday, July 27, 2013, in the Nation’s
			 Capital at the Kennedy Center;
		Whereas National Dance Day has captured the imagination of
			 people throughout the Nation and around the world and has helped popularize
			 dancing as an art, for fun, and as a form of exercise;
		Whereas National Dance Day encourages many forms of dance
			 expression, representing the Nation’s rich artistic, regional, ethnic, and
			 racial diversity;
		Whereas National Dance Day features the spectrum of dance,
			 from classical to popular to line and partner dances;
		Whereas dancing helps improve heart health, burn calories,
			 strengthen muscles, and improve flexibility for people of all ages;
		Whereas health officials have repeatedly documented an
			 overweight and obesity epidemic among every age group in the United
			 States;
		Whereas dancing, in all its variations, is a popular form
			 of physical exercise;
		Whereas National Dance Day in the Nation’s Capital will
			 begin at 1 p.m. with performances by Dizzy Feet, Esperonto Bean and Stefani
			 Thomas, CityDance, Doonya Dance, Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company, Joy of Motion
			 Dance Center's Youth Dance Ensemble, Just Tap, Nomad Dancers, Dr. Janaki
			 Rangarajan, Smooth & EZ, Washington Ballet, TheArc, and Doug Yeuell;
		Whereas National Dance day will also have performances by
			 Culture Shock and the Manzari Brothers on the Millennium Stage honoring James
			 A. Johnson, Kennedy Center Chairman Emeritus and Millennium Stage founder;
			 and
		Whereas National Dance Day in the Nation’s Capital will
			 culminate at 8 p.m. with Dancing Under the Stars dance lessons
			 offered by Tito Rodriguez, Jr. and performances by Arturo O'Farrill and the
			 Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives—
			(1)supports the designation of National Dance
			 Day to celebrate the national commitment to dance education and physical
			 fitness;
			(2)acknowledges that dance is making an
			 important contribution to health by encouraging physical fitness and reducing
			 overweight and obesity; and
			(3)commends Nigel Lythgoe for his leadership
			 in promoting National Dance Day.


		III
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 219
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 21, 2009
			Mr. Menendez submitted
			 the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		RESOLUTION
		Honoring the hockey team of East Side High
		  School in Newark, New Jersey.

		Whereas adolescents who lack a structured, after-school
			 environment are at high risk of delinquency, poor academic performance, and
			 illicit behavior;
		Whereas the lack of a structured after-school environment
			 is especially prevalent in inner-city communities such as Newark, New
			 Jersey;
		Whereas athletic organizations provide a safe after-school
			 environment in which adolescents learn about commitment, dedication, and
			 teamwork;
		Whereas East Side High School in Newark, New Jersey,
			 formed a hockey team;
		Whereas members of the East Side High School hockey team
			 have shown resilience, dedication, and continuous improvement;
		Whereas the New Jersey Devils offered assistance to the
			 East Side High School hockey team, including access to the New Jersey Devils
			 practice hockey rink; and
		Whereas the nonprofit organization, Hockey in Newark, has
			 joined with the New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League to collect and
			 distribute donated hockey equipment and uniforms valued at $85,000 to
			 low-income children in Newark, New Jersey: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)commends the
			 dedication of the players and coaches of the hockey team of East Side High
			 School in Newark, New Jersey;
			(2)wishes the East
			 Side High School hockey team many successful seasons ahead; and
			(3)commends the New
			 Jersey Devils for engaging the local community and providing low-income,
			 at-risk children the opportunity to play hockey.


115 HR 6219 : Georgia Support Act
U.S. House of Representatives

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

		IIB
		115th CONGRESS2d Session
		H. R. 6219
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		December 13, 2018Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
			AN ACT
		To support the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Georgia, and for other
			 purposes.

		1.Short title and table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Georgia Support Act. (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
					Sec. 2. United States policy.
					Title I—Assistance Provisions
					Sec. 101. United States-Georgia security assistance.
					Sec. 102. United States cybersecurity cooperation with Georgia.
					Sec. 103. Enhanced assistance to combat Russian disinformation and propaganda.
					Sec. 104. Sense of Congress on free trade agreement with Georgia.
					Title II—Sanctions Provisions
					Sec. 201. Imposition of sanctions on persons complicit in or responsible for serious human rights
			 abuses, including right to life in Georgian regions of Abkhazia and
			 Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia occupied by Russia.

 2.United States policyIt is the policy of the United States to— (1)support Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders;
 (2)support the right of the people of Georgia to freely determine their future and make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and security policy, including regarding their country’s relationship with other nations and international organizations, without interference, intimidation, or coercion by other countries;
 (3)support Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic and European integration; (4)not recognize territorial changes effected by force, including the illegal invasions and occupations of Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia by the Russian Federation;
 (5)condemn ongoing detentions, kidnappings, and other human rights violations committed in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia forcibly occupied by the Russian Federation, including the recent killings of Georgian citizens Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria, and Davit Basharuli;
 (6)support peaceful conflict resolution in Georgia, including by urging the Russian Federation to fully implement the European Union-mediated ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008, and supporting the establishment of international security mechanisms in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, all of which are important for lasting peace and security on the ground; and
 (7)support continued development of democratic values in Georgia, including public sector transparency and accountability, as well as anticorruption efforts.
			IAssistance Provisions
			101.United States-Georgia security assistance
 (a)FindingsCongress finds the following: (1)In fiscal year 2018, the United States provided Georgia with $2,200,000 in assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.; relating to international military education and training) and $35,000,000 in assistance under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763; relating to the Foreign Military Financing Program).
 (2)Georgia has been a longstanding NATO-aspirant country. (3)Georgia has contributed substantially to the Euro-Atlantic peace and security through participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Resolute Support Missions in Afghanistan as one of the largest troop contributors.
 (b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that United States assistance to Georgia under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act should be increased.
 (c)Statement of policyIt shall be the policy of the United States, in consultation with the Government of Georgia, to enhance Georgia’s deterrence, resilience, and self-defense, including through appropriate assistance to improve the capabilities of Georgia’s armed forces.
				(d)Review of security assistance to Georgia
 (1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate United States departments and agencies, shall submit to Congress a report reviewing United States security assistance to the Government of Georgia.
 (2)ComponentsThe report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A)A detailed review of all United States security assistance programs to the Government of Georgia from fiscal year 2008 to the present.
 (B)An assessment of threats to Georgian independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. (C)An assessment of Georgia’s capabilities to defend itself, including a five-year strategy to enhance the country’s deterrence, resilience, and self-defense capabilities.
 (3)FormThe report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
					102.United States cybersecurity cooperation with Georgia
 (a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should take the following actions, commensurate with United States interests, to assist Georgia to improve its cybersecurity:
 (1)Provide Georgia such support as may be necessary to secure government computer networks from malicious cyber intrusions, particularly such networks that defend the critical infrastructure of Georgia.
 (2)Provide Georgia support in reducing reliance on Russian information and communications technology. (3)Assist Georgia to build its capacity, expand cybersecurity information sharing, and cooperate on international cyberspace efforts.
 (b)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on United States cybersecurity cooperation with Georgia. Such report shall also include information relating to the following:
 (1)United States efforts to strengthen Georgia’s ability to prevent, mitigate, and respond to cyber incidents, including through training, education, technical assistance, capacity building, and cybersecurity risk management strategies.
 (2)The potential for new areas of collaboration and mutual assistance between the United States and Georgia in addressing shared cyber challenges, including cybercrime, critical infrastructure protection, and resilience against automated, distributed threats.
 (3)NATO’s efforts to help Georgia develop technical capabilities to counter cyber threats. 103.Enhanced assistance to combat Russian disinformation and propaganda (a)Statement of policyIt shall be the policy of the United States to enhance the capabilities of Georgia to combat Russian disinformation and propaganda campaigns intended to undermine the sovereignty and democratic institutions of the country, while promoting the freedom of the press.
				(b)Required strategy
 (1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate United States departments and agencies, shall submit to Congress a report outlining a strategy to implement the policy described in subsection (a).
 (2)ComponentsThe report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A)A detailed assessment of Russian disinformation and propaganda efforts across all media platforms targeting Georgia.
 (B)An assessment of the Government of Georgia’s capabilities to deter and combat such Russian efforts and to support the freedom of the press.
 (C)A detailed strategy coordinated across all relevant United States departments and agencies to enhance the Government of Georgia’s capabilities to deter and combat such Russian efforts.
 (3)FormThe report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
 104.Sense of Congress on free trade agreement with GeorgiaIt is the sense of Congress that the United States Trade Representative should make progress toward negotiations with the Government of Georgia to enter a bilateral free trade agreement with Georgia.
			IISanctions Provisions
			201.Imposition of sanctions on persons complicit in or responsible for serious human rights abuses,
			 including right to life in Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali
			 region/South Ossetia occupied by Russia
 (a)In generalThe President shall impose with respect to a foreign person the sanctions described in subsection (b) if the President determines, based on credible information, that such foreign person, on or after the date of enactment of this Act—
 (1)is responsible for, complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing the commission of serious human rights abuses in Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia forcibly occupied by the Russian Federation;
 (2)is materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing significant financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to, a foreign person described in paragraph (1); or
 (3)is owned or controlled by a foreign person, or is acting on behalf of a foreign person described in paragraph (1).
 (b)Sanctions describedThe sanctions described in this subsection are the following: (1)Asset blockingThe exercise of all powers granted to the President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of a person determined by the President to be a person described in subsection (a) if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person, including by taking any of the actions described in paragraph (1) of section 203(a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(a)) with respect to regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia forcibly occupied by the Russian Federation.
					(2)Exclusion from the United States and revocation of visa or other documentation
 (A)In generalIn the case of an alien determined by the President to be a person described in subsection (a), denial of a visa to, and exclusion from the United States of, such alien, and revocation in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), of any visa or other documentation of such alien.
 (B)Exception to comply with United Nations Headquarters Agreement and law enforcement objectivesSanctions under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an individual if admitting the individual into the United States would further important law enforcement objectives or is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations of the United States.
 (c)WaiverThe President may waive the application of sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a person if the President determines that such a waiver is important to the national interests of the United States.
				(d)Implementation; penalties
 (1)ImplementationThe President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out subsection (b)(1).
 (2)PenaltiesA person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of subsection (b)(1) or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out such subsection shall be subject to the penalties specified in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of such section.
 (e)Report requiredNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and at least once every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed two years, the President, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall transmit to Congress a detailed report with respect to persons that have been determined to have engaged in activities described in subsection (a).
				Passed the House of Representatives December 12, 2018.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1922
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 13, 2011
			Mr. Quayle (for
			 himself, Mr. Flake,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Gosar,
			 Mr. Schweikert,
			 Mr. King of New York, and
			 Mrs. Miller of Michigan) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Homeland Security, 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 provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection with access
		  to Federal lands to carry out certain security activities in the Southwest
		  border region, and for other purposes.

		1.Border security on certain
			 Federal lands
			(a)Support for
			 border security
				(1)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall have access to
			 Federal lands for security activities, including—
					(A)routine motorized patrols; and
					(B)the deployment of
			 temporary tactical infrastructure.
					(2)OperationThe
			 security activities described in paragraph (1) shall be conducted, to the
			 maximum extent practicable, in a manner that the Secretary of Homeland Security
			 determines will best protect the natural and cultural resources on Federal
			 lands.
				(b)Limitation
			 regarding intermingled private and State landThis section shall not apply to any private
			 or State-owned land within the boundaries of Federal lands.
			(c)Federal lands
			 definedIn this section, the
			 term Federal lands includes all land, including a component of
			 the National Wilderness Preservation System, under the control of any Federal
			 department or agency with legal jurisdiction over such land that is located
			 within 150 miles of the Southwest border region.


117 S193 IS: Adopt the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation model Act
U.S. Senate
2021-02-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II
117th CONGRESS1st Session
S. 193
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 3, 2021
Mr. Thune (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Ernst, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Rounds, and Ms. Baldwin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to update the modeling used for lifecycle greenhouse gas assessments for corn-based ethanol and biodiesel, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Adopt the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation model Act or the Adopt GREET Act. 2.Definition of AdministratorIn this Act, the term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
3.Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from corn-based ethanol and biodiesel
(a)In generalSubject to subsection (b), not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall update the methodology used by the Environmental Protection Agency in lifecycle analyses with respect to greenhouse gas emissions that result from corn-based ethanol and biodiesel. (b)Requirements (1)First updateIn carrying out the first update required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall adopt the most recent Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation model (commonly referred to as the GREET model) developed by Argonne National Laboratory.
(2)Subsequent updatesIn carrying out the second and each subsequent update required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall— (A)as necessary, adopt, review, or update a methodology determined to be appropriate by the Administrator; or
(B)adopt the methodology described in paragraph (1). (c)ReportIf the Administrator fails to carry out subsection (b)(2) before the applicable deadline described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Energy and Natural Resources, and Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the reasons for the failure to carry out subsection (b)(2), which may include a determination by the Administrator that the methodology adopted or updated in a previous update under subsection (a) remains the most current methodology based on available data, research, and technology.