115 HR 198 IH: Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-01-03
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 198IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 3, 2017Mr. Thornberry (for himself, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Cook, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Bucshon, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Culberson, Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Massie, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Lance, Mr. Duncan of Tennessee, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Bridenstine, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Olson, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Long, Mr. Hultgren, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Turner, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Harper, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Smith of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo repeal the Federal estate and gift taxes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017. 2.Repeal of estate and gift taxes (a)In generalSubtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes) is hereby repealed.
 (b)Effective dateThe repeal made by subsection (a) shall apply to estates of decedents dying, gifts made, and generation-skipping transfers made after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 HR 2045 RH: Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-12-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IB
Union Calendar No. 688
114th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 2045
[Report No. 114–877]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2015
Mr. Burgess (for himself, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Lance, Mr. Harper, Mr. Mullin, and Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

December 16, 2016
Additional sponsors: Mr. Fleming and Mr. Brooks of Alabama

December 16, 2016
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

A BILL
To provide that certain bad faith communications in connection with the assertion of a United States patent are unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters Act of 2015. 2.Unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with the assertion of a United States patent (a)In generalIt shall be an unfair or deceptive act or practice within the meaning of section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)) for a person, in connection with the assertion of a United States patent, to engage in a pattern or practice of sending written communications that state or represent that the recipients are or may be infringing, or have or may have infringed, the patent and bear liability or owe compensation to another, if—
(1)the sender of the communications, in bad faith, states or represents in the communications that— (A)the sender is a person with the right to license or enforce the patent at the time the communications are sent, and the sender is not a person with such a right;
(B) a civil action asserting a claim of infringement of the patent has been filed against the recipient;  (C) a civil action asserting a claim of infringement of the patent has been filed against other persons;
(D)legal action for infringement of the patent will be taken against the recipient; (E)the sender is the exclusive licensee of the patent asserted in the communications;
(F)persons other than the recipient purchased a license for the patent asserted in the communications; (G)persons other than the recipient purchased a license, and the sender does not disclose that such license is unrelated to the alleged infringement or the patent asserted in the communications;
(H)an investigation of the recipient’s alleged infringement occurred; or (I)the sender or an affiliate of the sender previously filed a civil action asserting a claim of infringement of the patent based on the activity that is the subject of the written communication when the sender knew such activity was held, in a final determination, not to infringe the patent;
(2)the sender of the communications, in bad faith, seeks compensation for— (A)a patent claim that has been held to be unenforceable due to inequitable conduct, invalid, or otherwise unenforceable against the recipient, in a final determination;
(B)activities undertaken by the recipient after expiration of the patent asserted in the communications; or (C)activity of the recipient that the sender knew was authorized, with respect to the patent claim or claims that are the subject of the communications, by a person with the right to license the patent; or
(3)the sender of the communications, in bad faith, fails to include— (A)the identity of the person asserting a right to license the patent to, or enforce the patent against, the recipient, including the identity of any parent entity and the ultimate parent entity of such person, unless such person is a public company and the name of the public company is identified;
(B)an identification of at least one patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office alleged to have been infringed; (C)an identification, to the extent reasonable under the circumstances, of at least one product, service, or other activity of the recipient that is alleged to infringe the identified patent;
(D)a description, to the extent reasonable under the circumstances, of how the product, service, or other activity of the recipient infringes an identified patent and patent claim; or (E)a name and contact information for a person the recipient may contact about the assertions or claims relating to the patent contained in the communications.
(b)Affirmative defenseWith respect to subsection (a), there shall be an affirmative defense that statements, representations, or omissions were not made in bad faith (as defined in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 5(1)) if the sender can demonstrate that such statements, representations, or omissions were mistakes made in good faith, which may be demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error. (c)Rule of constructionFor purposes of sections 3 and 4, the commission of an act or practice that is declared under this section to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice within the meaning of section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)) shall be considered to be a violation of this section.
3.Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission
(a)Violation of ruleA violation of section 2 shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). (b)Powers of CommissionThe Commission shall enforce this Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. Any person who violates section 2 shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.
(c)Effect on other lawsNothing in this Act shall be construed in any way to limit or affect the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law. 4.Preemption of State laws on patent demand letters and enforcement by State attorneys general (a)Preemption (1)In generalThis Act preempts any law, rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law of any State, or political subdivision of a State, expressly relating to the transmission or contents of communications relating to the assertion of patent rights.
(2)Effect on other State lawsExcept as provided in paragraph (1), this Act shall not be construed to preempt or limit any provision of any State law, including any State consumer protection law, any State law relating to acts of fraud or deception, and any State trespass, contract, or tort law. (b)Enforcement by State attorneys general (1)In generalIn any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been adversely affected by any person who violates section 2, the attorney general of the State, may bring a civil action on behalf of such residents of the State in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction—
(A)to enjoin further such violation by the defendant; or (B)to obtain civil penalties.
(2)Maximum civil penaltyNotwithstanding the number of actions which may be brought against a person under this subsection, a person may not be liable for a total of more than $5,000,000 for a series of related violations of section 2.  (3)Intervention by the FTC (A)Notice and interventionThe attorney general of a State shall provide prior written notice of any action under paragraph (1) to the Commission and provide the Commission with a copy of the complaint in the action, except in any case in which such prior notice is not feasible, in which case the attorney general shall serve such notice immediately upon instituting such action. The Commission shall have the right—
(i)to intervene in the action; (ii)upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein; and
(iii)to file petitions for appeal. (B)Limitation on State action while Federal action is pendingIf the Commission has instituted a civil action for violation of section 2, no State attorney general may bring an action under this subsection during the pendency of that action against any defendant named in the complaint of the Commission for any violation of such section alleged in the complaint.
(4)ConstructionFor purposes of bringing any civil action under paragraph (1), nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent the attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State to— (A)conduct investigations;
(B)administer oaths or affirmations; or (C)compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence.
5.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Bad faithThe term bad faith means, with respect to section 2(a), that the sender—
(A)made knowingly false or knowingly misleading statements, representations, or omissions; (B)made statements, representations, or omissions with reckless indifference as to the false or misleading nature of such statements, representations, or omissions; or
(C)made statements, representations, or omissions with awareness of the high probability of the statements, representations, or omissions to deceive and the sender intentionally avoided the truth. (2)CommissionThe term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.
(3)Final determinationThe term final determination means, with respect to the invalidity or unenforceability of a patent, that the invalidity or unenforceability has been determined by a court of the United States or the United States Patent and Trademark Office in a final decision that is unappealable or for which any opportunity for appeal is no longer available.   December 16, 2016 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed


I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 846IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 3, 2017Mr. Wilson of South Carolina introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan for military surviving spouses to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. 2.Repeal of requirement of reduction of Survivor Benefit Plan survivor annuities by amount of dependency and indemnity compensation (a)Repeal (1)RepealSubchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code, is amended as follows:
(A)In section 1450, by striking subsection (c). (B)In section 1451(c)—
(i)by striking paragraph (2); and (ii)by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
(2)Conforming amendmentsSuch subchapter is further amended as follows: (A)In section 1450—
(i)by striking subsection (e); and (ii)by striking subsection (k).
(B)In section 1451(g)(1), by striking subparagraph (C). (C)In section 1452—
(i)in subsection (f)(2), by striking does not apply— and all that follows and inserting does not apply in the case of a deduction made through administrative error.; and (ii)by striking subsection (g).
(D)In section 1455(c), by striking , 1450(k)(2),. (b)Prohibition on Retroactive BenefitsNo benefits may be paid to any person for any period before the effective date provided under subsection (f) by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a).
(c)Prohibition on recoupment of certain amounts previously refunded to SBP recipientsA surviving spouse who is or has been in receipt of an annuity under the Survivor Benefit Plan under subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code, that is in effect before the effective date provided under subsection (f) and that is adjusted by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) and who has received a refund of retired pay under section 1450(e) of title 10, United States Code, shall not be required to repay such refund to the United States. (d)Repeal of authority for optional annuity for dependent childrenSection 1448(d)(2) of such title is amended—
(1)by striking Dependent children.— and all that follows through In the case of a member described in paragraph (1), and inserting Dependent children.—In the case of a member described in paragraph (1),; and (2)by striking subparagraph (B).
(e)Restoration of eligibility for previously eligible spousesThe Secretary of the military department concerned shall restore annuity eligibility to any eligible surviving spouse who, in consultation with the Secretary, previously elected to transfer payment of such annuity to a surviving child or children under the provisions of section 1448(d)(2)(B) of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date provided under subsection (f). Such eligibility shall be restored whether or not payment to such child or children subsequently was terminated due to loss of dependent status or death. For the purposes of this subsection, an eligible spouse includes a spouse who was previously eligible for payment of such annuity and is not remarried, or remarried after having attained age 55, or whose second or subsequent marriage has been terminated by death, divorce or annulment. (f)Effective DateThis section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the later of—
(1)October 1, 2017; and (2)the first day of the first month that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HR 685 IH: Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits Tax Relief Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-02
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 685IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 2, 2021Mrs. Axne (for herself, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Peters, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Khanna) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt a portion of unemployment compensation received during 2020 from income taxes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits Tax Relief Act.2.Suspension of tax on portion of unemployment compensation(a)In generalSection 85 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:(c)Special rule for 2020In the case of any taxable year beginning in 2020, gross income shall not include so much of the unemployment compensation received by an individual as does not exceed $10,200..(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2356
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Voinovich (for
			 himself and Mr. Brown) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on a mixture of
		  1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-ethan-1-one
		  (and isomers).

		1.1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-ethan-1-one
			 (and isomers)
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.00Mixture of
						1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-ethan-1-one
						(and isomers) (CAS Nos. 54464–57–2; 68155–66–8; 68155–67–9) (provided for in
						subheading 2914.29.50) FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 SCON 6 IS: Urging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation.
U.S. Senate
2021-02-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

III117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. CON. RES. 6IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 25, 2021Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Brown, Ms. Warren, Mr. Coons, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryCONCURRENT RESOLUTIONUrging the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation.Whereas the first ship carrying enslaved Africans to what is now known as the United States of America arrived in 1619;Whereas that event 400 years ago was significant not only because it ushered in the institution of chattel slavery of African Americans, but also because it facilitated the systematic oppression of all people of color that has been a devastating and insufficiently understood and acknowledged aspect of our Nation's history over those past 400 years, and that has left a legacy of that oppression that haunts our Nation to this day;Whereas the institution of chattel slavery in the United States subjugated African Americans for nearly 250 years, fractured our Nation, and made a mockery of its founding principle that all men are created equal;Whereas the signing of the Constitution of the United States failed to end slavery and oppressions against African Americans and other people of color, thus embedding in society the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features, and resulting in purposeful and persistent racial inequities in education, health care, employment, Social Security and veteran benefits, land ownership, financial assistance, food security, wages, voting rights, and the justice system;Whereas that oppression denied opportunity and mobility to African Americans and other people of color within the United States, resulting in stolen labor worth billions of dollars while ultimately forestalling landmark contributions that African Americans and other people of color would make in science, arts, commerce, and public service;Whereas Reconstruction represented a significant but constrained moment of advances for Black rights as epitomized by the Freedman’s Bureau, which negotiated labor contracts for ex-enslaved people but failed to secure their own land for them;Whereas the brutal overthrow of Reconstruction failed all individuals in the United States by failing to ensure the safety and security of African Americans and by emboldening States and municipalities in both the North and South to enact numerous laws and policies to stymie the socioeconomic mobility and political voice of freed Blacks, thus maintaining their subservience to Whites;Whereas Reconstruction, the civil rights movement, and other efforts to redress the grievances of marginalized people were sabotaged, both intentionally and unintentionally, by those in power, thus rendering the accomplishments of those efforts transitory and unsustainable, and further embedding the racial hierarchy in society;Whereas examples of government actions directed against populations of color (referred to in this resolution as discriminatory government actions) include—(1)the creation of the Federal Housing Administration, which adopted specific policies designed to incentivize residential segregation;(2)the enactment of legislation creating the Social Security program, for which most African Americans were purposely rendered ineligible during its first 2 decades;(3)the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the G.I. Bill of Rights; 58 Stat. 284, chapter 268), which left administration of its programs to the States, thus enabling blatant discrimination against African-American veterans;(4)the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which allowed labor unions to discriminate based on race;(5)subprime lending aimed purposefully at families of color;(6)disenfranchisement of Native Americans, who, until 1924, were denied citizenship on land Native Americans had occupied for millennia;(7)Federal Indian Boarding School policy during the 19th and 20th centuries, the purpose of which was to civilize Native children through methods intended to eradicate Native cultures, traditions, and languages;(8)land policies toward Indian Tribes, such as the allotment policy, which caused the loss of over 90,000,000 acres of Tribal lands, even though two-thirds of that acreage was guaranteed to Indian Tribes by treaties and other Federal laws, and similar unjustified land grabs from Indian Tribes that occurred regionally throughout the late 1800s and into the termination era in the 1950s and 1960s;(9)the involuntary removal of Mexicans and United States citizens of Mexican descent through large-scale discriminatory deportation programs in the 1930s and 1950s;(10)the United States annexation of Puerto Rico, which made Puerto Ricans citizens of the United States without affording them voting rights;(11)racial discrimination against Latino Americans, which has forced Latino Americans to fight continuously for equal access to employment, housing, health care, financial services, and education;(12)the Act entitled An Act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese, approved May 6, 1892 (commonly known as the Chinese Exclusion Act; 22 Stat. 58, chapter 126), which effectively halted immigration from China and barred Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens of the United States, and which was the first instance of xenophobic legislation signed into law specifically targeting a specific group of people based on ethnicity;(13)the treatment of Japanese Americans, despite no evidence of disloyalty, as suspect and traitorous in the very country they helped to build, leading most notably to the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans beginning in 1942;(14)the conspiracy to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii and annex the land of the Kingdom of Hawaii, without the consent of or compensation to the Native Hawaiian people of Hawaii; and(15)the United States history of colonialism in the Pacific, which has resulted in economic, health, and educational disparities among other inequities, for people in United States territories, as well as independent nations with which the United States has treaty obligations;Whereas those discriminatory government actions, among other government policies that have had racially disparate impacts, have disproportionately barred African Americans and other people of color from building wealth, thus limiting potential capital and exacerbating the racial wealth gap;Whereas research has shown that the persistent racial wealth gap has had a significant negative impact on other racial disparities, such as the achievement gap, disparities in school dropout rates, income gaps, disparities in home ownership rates, health outcome disparities, and disparities in incarceration rates;Whereas United States civic leaders and foundations have spearheaded critical efforts to advance racial healing, understanding, and transformation within the United States, recognizing that it is in our collective national interest to urgently address the unhealed, entrenched divisions that will severely undermine our democracy if they are allowed to continue to exist;Whereas many of the most far-reaching victories for racial healing in the United States have been greatly enhanced by the involvement, support, and dedication of individuals from any and all racial groups;Whereas at the same time, much of the progress toward racial healing and racial equity in the United States has been limited or reversed by our failure to address the root cause of racism, the belief in the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on superficial physical characteristics such as skin color and facial features;Whereas the United States institution of slavery, as well as other examples enumerated in this resolution, represent intentional and blatant violations of the most basic right of every individual in the United States to a free and decent life;Whereas the consequences of oppression against people of color have cascaded for centuries, across generations, beyond the era of active enslavement, imperiling for descendants of slaves and other targets of oppression what should have otherwise been the right of every individual in the United States to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;Whereas more than 40 countries have reckoned with historical injustice and its aftermath through forming Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to move toward restorative justice and to return dignity to their citizens;Whereas for 3 decades there has been a growing movement inside and outside Congress to have the Federal Government develop material remedies for the institution of slavery, including through a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans described in H.R. 40, 117th Congress, as introduced on January 4, 2021, and S. 40, 117th Congress, as introduced on January 25, 2021;Whereas the formation of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation does not supplant the formation of a Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, but rather complements that effort; andWhereas contemporary social science, medical science, and the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence and social media reveal the costs and potential threats to our democracy if we continue to allow unhealed, entrenched divisions to be ignored and exploited: Now, therefore, be itThat Congress—(1)affirms, on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship to the United States, that the Nation owes a long-overdue debt of remembrance to not only those who lived through the egregious injustices enumerated in this resolution, but also to their descendants; and(2)urges the establishment of a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to properly acknowledge, memorialize, and be a catalyst for progress toward—(A)jettisoning the belief in a hierarchy of human value;(B)embracing our common humanity; and (C)permanently eliminating persistent racial inequities.


		IIB
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 241
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			June 6, 2012
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

		AN ACT
		To authorize the conveyance of certain
		  National Forest System lands in the Los Padres National Forest in
		  California.

		1.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Federal
			 landThe term Federal land means the approximately 5
			 acres of National Forest System land in Santa Barbara County, California, as
			 generally depicted on the map.
			(2)FoundationThe
			 term Foundation means the White Lotus Foundation, a nonprofit
			 foundation located in Santa Barbara, California.
			(3)MapThe
			 term map means the map entitled San Marcos Pass
			 Encroachment for Consideration of Legislative Remedy and dated June 1,
			 2009.
			(4)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
			2.Land
			 conveyance
			(a)In
			 GeneralSubject to the provisions of this section, if the
			 Foundation offers to convey to the Secretary all right, title, and interest of
			 the Foundation in and to a parcel of non-Federal land that is acceptable to the
			 Secretary—
				(1)the Secretary
			 shall accept the offer; and
				(2)on receipt of
			 acceptable title to the non-Federal land, the Secretary shall convey to the
			 Foundation all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the
			 Federal land.
				(b)Applicable
			 LawThe land exchange authorized under subsection (a) shall be
			 subject to section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
			 (43 U.S.C.
			 1716).
			(c)Time for
			 Completion of Land ExchangeIt is the intent of Congress that the
			 land exchange under subsection (a) shall be completed not later than 2 years
			 after the date of enactment of this Act.
			(d)Authority of
			 Secretary To Conduct Sale of Federal LandIf the land exchange
			 under subsection (a) is not completed by the date that is 2 years after the
			 date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may offer to sell to the
			 Foundation the Federal land for fair market value.
			(e)Additional Terms
			 and ConditionsThe land exchange under subsection (a) and any
			 sale under subsection (d) shall be subject to—
				(1)valid existing
			 rights;
				(2)the Secretary
			 finding that the public interest would be well served by making the exchange or
			 sale;
				(3)any terms and
			 conditions that the Secretary may require; and
				(4)the Foundation
			 paying the reasonable costs of any surveys, appraisals, and any other
			 administrative costs associated with the land exchange or sale.
				(f)Appraisals
				(1)In
			 generalThe land conveyed under subsection (a) or (d) shall be
			 appraised by an independent appraiser selected by the Secretary.
				(2)RequirementsAn
			 appraisal under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with nationally
			 recognized appraisal standards, including—
					(A)the Uniform
			 Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and
					(B)the Uniform
			 Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
					(g)Management and
			 Status of Acquired LandAny non-Federal land acquired by the
			 Secretary under this Act shall be managed by the Secretary in accordance
			 with—
				(1)the Act of March
			 1, 1911 (commonly known as the Weeks Law) (16 U.S.C. 480 et
			 seq.); and

				(2)any laws
			 (including regulations) applicable to the National Forest System.

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives June 5, 2012.
			Karen L. Haas,
			Clerk


110 HRES 1131 IH: Recognizing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention observes the month of April as National STD Awareness Month and urging the House of Representatives to focus greater attention on activities related to the prevention of STDs and screening and treatment for STDs.
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-04-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1131
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 22, 2008
Mrs. Jones of Ohio (for herself, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Baird, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Berman, Mr. Berry, Mr. Butterfield, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Carson, Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Hare, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Inslee, Mr. Israel, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Ms. Lee, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Markey, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Matsui, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Mr. McGovern, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Michaud, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Mr. Olver, Mr. Pomeroy, Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mrs. Tauscher, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Towns, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Watson, Mr. Watt, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Walz of Minnesota, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Cooper, Ms. Kilpatrick, and Mr. Sherman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

RESOLUTION
Recognizing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention observes the month of April as National STD Awareness Month and urging the House of Representatives to focus greater attention on activities related to the prevention of STDs and screening and treatment for STDs.

Whereas sexually transmitted diseases pose a significant burden in the United States both in economic and human terms;
Whereas the United States has the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in the industrialized world, with an estimated 19,000,000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections, and almost half of them occurring in young people between the ages of 15 to 24;
Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexually transmitted infections impose a tremendous economic burden on the United States, with direct medical costs as high as $15,300,000,000 per year;
Whereas a 2008 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 4 young women between the ages of 14 and 19 in the United States, or 3,200,000 teenage girls, is infected with at least 1 of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and trichomoniasis);
Whereas poverty and lack of access to quality health care exacerbate HIV and STD rates;
Whereas the CDC study finds that 48 percent of young African American women are infected with an STD, compared to 20 percent of young White women;
Whereas the two most common STDs overall were human papillomavirus, or HPV, with 18 percent infected and chlamydia with 4 percent infected;
Whereas the long-term health effects of STDs for women are especially severe and include infertility and cervical cancer;
Whereas HPV vaccination and STD screening and early treatment can prevent some of the most devastating effects of untreated STDs;
Whereas these high STD infection rates among young women, are clear signs that we must develop ways to reach those most at risk;
Whereas the CDC recommends annual chlamydia screenings for sexually active women 25 and under;
Whereas the CDC also recommends that girls and women between the ages of 11 and 26 who have not been vaccinated or who have not completed the full series of shots be fully vaccinated against HPV;
Whereas complications of chlamydia can lead to chronic pain, infertility, and tubal pregnancies, which can affect a woman's health and well-being throughout her lifetime;
Whereas the harmful impact of STDs on infants leads to long-term emotional suffering and stress for families;
Whereas unlike other diseases, STDs often cause stigma and feelings of shame for patients diagnosed with these infections;
Whereas the Federal Government should help people protect themselves against STDs by supplying them with information about their options and funding screening and treatment services through a variety of programs including title X of the Public Health Service Act and the CDC’s STD prevention program; and
Whereas STD screening, vaccination, and other prevention strategies for sexually active women should be among our highest public health priorities: Now, therefore, be it

That the United States House of Representatives—
(1)recognizes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention observes a National STD Awareness Month;
(2)supports the goals of National STD Awareness Month by requesting that the Federal Government, States, localities, and nonprofit organizations observe the month with appropriate programs and activities with the goal of increasing knowledge of the risks of STDs and protecting Americans of all ages;
(3)recognizes the human toll of the STD epidemic and makes the prevention and cure of STDs a higher public health priority; and
(4)calls on the citizens of the United States to learn what screenings are recommended for themselves and their children and seek out appropriate care.


		II
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3758
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 27 (legislative
			 day, July 26), 2006
			Mr. Reed (for himself,
			 Mr. Rockefeller,
			 Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Bingaman, and Mr.
			 Kerry) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
			 referred to the Committee on Commerce,
			 Science, and Transportation

		A BILL
		To establish certain requirements relating to the
		  continuation of the Survey of Income and Program
		  Participation.

		1.RestrictionsThe Secretary of Commerce may not—
			(1)discontinue the
			 Survey of Income and Program Participation,
			(2)make any change in
			 the design or content of such Survey, or
			(3)allow any of the
			 foregoing,
			unless the
			 discontinuation or change involved has first been approved in accordance with
			 section 2.2.Proposed
			 actions
			(a)In
			 generalWhenever in the judgment of the Secretary of Commerce it
			 becomes necessary to discontinue the Survey of Income and Program Participation
			 or to make any change in the design or content of the Survey of Income and
			 Program Participation, he shall prepare a written proposal under this
			 subsection. Such proposal—
				(1)shall
			 include—
					(A)a description of
			 the specific actions proposed to be taken;
					(B)the date or
			 schedule for their proposed implementation; and
					(C)the reasons or
			 justification for each proposed action; and
					(2)shall be submitted
			 by the Secretary of Commerce to the SIPP Commission (established by section 3)
			 in such time, form, and manner as the Commission may require.
				(b)Consideration and
			 decisionThe SIPP Commission shall promptly consider any proposal
			 received under subsection (a) and, after appropriate deliberation, shall
			 transmit its decision to approve or disapprove such proposal to the Secretary
			 of Commerce in timely fashion. Any such decision shall be in writing and shall
			 include a statement of reasons and justification.
			3.Establishment of
			 Commission
			(a)In
			 generalThere is established a commission to be known as the
			 Commission on the Survey of Income and Program Participation (in
			 this Act referred to as the SIPP Commission or the
			 Commission).
			(b)CompositionThe
			 Commission shall be composed of—
				(1)the Director of the
			 Office of Management and Budget, who shall serve ex officio;
				(2)1
			 member from the Department of Agriculture, who shall be appointed by the
			 Secretary of Agriculture;
				(3)1 member from the Department of Labor, who
			 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Labor;
				(4)1 member from the Department of Energy, who
			 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Energy;
				(5)1 member from the Department of Health and
			 Human Services, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human
			 Services;
				(6)1 member from the Social Security
			 Administration, who shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Social
			 Security;
				(7)1 member from the Bureau of the Census, who
			 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the
			 Director of the Census; and
				(8)2
			 members from the National Academy of Sciences, who shall be appointed by the
			 Director of the Office of Management and Budget from among individuals
			 recommended by the Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
				All
			 appointments to the Commission shall be made from among social scientists and
			 statisticians who have experience analyzing longitudinal household data on
			 economic well-being and participation in government programs.(c)Terms of
			 appointees
				(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided in
			 paragraph (2), each member who is appointed to the Commission shall be
			 appointed for a term of 2 years.
				(2)Vacancies
					(A)In
			 generalAny member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before
			 the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed
			 shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term.
					(B)Service after
			 term endsA member may serve after the expiration of that
			 member’s term until a successor has taken office.
					(C)Manner of
			 appointmentA vacancy among any of the appointed members shall be
			 filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
					(d)ChairmanThe
			 Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall serve as Chairman of the
			 Commission.
			(e)Functions
				(1)In
			 generalIt shall be the function of the Commission to consider
			 and act on any proposal relating to the Survey of Income and Program
			 Participation (described in section 2(a)) in accordance with section
			 2(b).
				(2)Nondelegable
			 functionsThe functions of the Director of the Office of
			 Management and Budget under this Act shall be nondelegable.
				(f)ProceduresThe Commission shall meet at the call of
			 the Chairman of the Commission. A majority of the members of the Commission who
			 are eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum. All members except those under
			 paragraphs (1) and (8), respectively, of subsection (b) shall be eligible to
			 vote.
			(g)CompensationMembers
			 of the Commission shall serve as such without pay, but shall be allowed travel
			 expenses, including a per diem allowance in lieu of subsistence, in the same
			 manner as persons serving intermittently in Government service are allowed
			 travel expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
			4.Effective
			 dateThis Act shall take
			 effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act or September 30, 2006,
			 whichever is earlier.


116 S4740 IS: Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act
U.S. Senate
2020-09-29
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.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4740IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 29, 2020Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Brown, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Warren, Mr. Markey, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Reed, Ms. Smith, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo support public health infrastructure.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act.2.Core public health infrastructure for State, territorial, local, and tribal health departments(a)ProgramThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish a core public health infrastructure program to strengthen the public health system of the United States, including the Nation's ability to respond to the COVID–19 pandemic, consisting of awarding grants under subsection (b).(b)Grants(1)AwardFor the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs, the Secretary—(A)shall award a grant to each State or territorial health department, and to local health departments that serve 500,000 people or more; and(B)shall award grants on a competitive basis to State, territorial, local, or tribal health departments.(2)AllocationOf the total amount of funds awarded as grants under this subsection for a fiscal year—(A)not less than 50 percent shall be for grants to health departments under paragraph (1)(A); and(B)not less than 30 percent shall be for grants to State, territorial, local, or tribal health departments under paragraph (1)(B).(c)Use of FundsThe Secretary may award a grant to an entity under subsection (b)(1) only if the entity agrees to use the full amount of the grant to address core public health infrastructure needs, including those identified in the accreditation process under subsection (h).(d)Formula grants to health departmentsIn making grants under subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall award funds to each health department in accordance with—(1)a formula—(A)based on population size, burden of preventable disease and disability, and poverty rate, with special consideration given to territories; and(B)which, in the event of an award made during the public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) in response to COVID–19, shall consider the COVID–19 burden of each jurisdiction; and(2)application requirements established by the Secretary, including a requirement that the health department submit a plan by the end of year 1 of the grant that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the health department will—(A)address its highest priority core public health infrastructure needs; (B)in the case of such a plan submitted during the public health emergency described in paragraph (1)(B), identify the core public health infrastructure needs that are the highest priority for strengthening the response to COVID–19 and similar public health threats and other public health emergencies; and(C)for State health departments, allocate at least 25 percent of the grant funds to local health departments within the State to support the local jurisdiction's contribution to core public health infrastructure.(e)Competitive grants to State, territorial, local, and tribal health departmentsIn making grants under subsection (b)(1)(B), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants demonstrating core public health infrastructure needs for all public health agencies in the applicant's jurisdiction to be certified by the accreditation process under subsection (h), or for an entity for which a waiver has been received under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (h)(2), that has otherwise demonstrated the applicant has core public health infrastructure needs for all public health agencies.(f)Permitted useThe Secretary may make available a subset of the funds available for grants under subsection (b)(1) for purposes of awarding planning grants to health departments eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b)(1)(B). Recipients of such a planning grant may use such award to assess core public health infrastructure needs. (g)Maintenance of effortThe Secretary may award a grant to an entity under subsection (b) only if the entity demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—(1)funds received through the grant will be expended only to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal and Federal funds otherwise available to the entity for the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs; and(2)with respect to activities for which the grant is awarded, the entity will maintain expenditures of non-Federal amounts for such activities at a level not less than the level of such expenditures maintained by the entity for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the entity receives the grant.(h)Support of a national Public Health Accreditation Program(1)In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall—(A)support continued development, and periodic review and updating of standards for accreditation of State, territorial, local, or tribal health departments for the purpose of advancing the quality and performance of such departments with an emphasis on core public health infrastructure; (B)implement a program to accredit such health departments in accordance with such standards; and(C)beginning in fiscal year 2024, ensure that any entity receiving a grant under subsection (b) is accredited as described in subparagraph (A) or meets another standard of accountability specific to public health infrastructure, subject to paragraph (2).(2)WaiversThe Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1)(C) with respect to—(A)any individual entity until fiscal year 2026; or(B)after fiscal year 2026, any individual entity that demonstrates that it would be a significant hardship to comply with such requirement. (3)Cooperative agreementThe Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with a private nonprofit entity to carry out this subsection.(i)ReportThe Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives an annual report on progress being made to accredit entities under subsection (h), including—(1)a strategy, including goals and objectives, for accrediting entities under subsection (h) and achieving the purpose described in subsection (h)(1); and(2)identification of gaps in research related to core public health infrastructure and recommendations of priority areas for such research.3.Core public health infrastructure and activities for CDC(a)In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall expand and improve the core public health infrastructure and activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address unmet and emerging public health needs and provide technical assistance to grantees funded under this provision, including the administration of the grants under section 2(b)(1).(b)ReportThe Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report on the activities funded through this section.4.Core Public Health Infrastructure definedFor purposes of this Act, the term core public health infrastructure means all of the following elements, and the workforce needed to establish and maintain such elements:(1)Assessment (including surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory capacity)The ability to track the health of a community through data, case finding, and laboratory tests with particular attention to those most at risk.(2)All hazards preparedness and responseThe capacity to respond to emergencies of all kinds.(3)Policy development and supportThe ability to translate public health science into appropriate policy and regulation.(4)CommunicationsThe ability to reach the public effectively with timely, science-based information to mitigate the impact of public health threats, with particular attention to hard-to-reach populations.(5)Community partnership developmentThe capacity to harness and align community resources and organizations to advance the health of all members of the community.(6)Organizational competencies (leadership and governance, health equity)The ability to lead internal and external stakeholders to consensus and action.(7)Accountability and performance management (including quality improvement, information technology, human resources, financial management, and law)The ability to apply business practices that ensure efficient use of resources, achieve desired outcomes, and foster a continuous learning environment. (8)EquityUtilizing all of the preceding elements, the capacity to address and correct health disparities (including disparities related to race, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, primary language, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability status, and other factors), advance health equity in all communities, and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and interventions. 5.Funding(a)In generalTo carry out this Act, there are hereby appropriated, out of amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following to be made available until expended:(1)For fiscal year 2021, $750,000,000.(2)For fiscal year 2022, $1,000,000,000.(3)For fiscal year 2023, $2,000,000,000.(4)For fiscal year 2024, $3,000,000,000.(5)For fiscal year 2025 and each subsequent fiscal year, $4,500,000,000.(b)Core public health infrastructure and activitiesOf the amounts made available under this section for a fiscal year, not more than $350,000,000 shall be used to carry out section 3.(c)SupplementAmounts made available under this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, amounts otherwise made available for the purposes described in this Act.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4890
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 19, 2010
			Mr. Ehlers (for
			 himself and Mr. Sarbanes) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To direct the Administrator of the National Highway
		  Traffic Safety Administration to carry out a collaborative research effort to
		  prevent drunk driving injuries and fatalities, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Research of Alcohol Detection Systems
			 for Stopping Alcohol-Related Fatalities Everywhere Act of
			 2010 or the ROADS SAFE Act of 2010.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Alcohol-impaired
			 driving fatalities represent approximately 1/3 of all
			 highway fatalities in the United States in a given year.
			(2)In 2008, there
			 were 11,773 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.
			(3)An estimated 9,000
			 road traffic deaths could be prevented every year if alcohol detection
			 technologies were more widely used to prevent alcohol-impaired drivers from
			 operating their vehicles.
			(4)The National
			 Highway Traffic Safety Administration has partnered with automobile
			 manufacturers to develop alcohol detection technologies that could be installed
			 in vehicles to prevent drunk driving.
			(5)Alcohol detection
			 technologies will not be widely accepted by the public unless they are
			 moderately priced, absolutely reliable, and set at a level that would not
			 prevent a driver whose blood alcohol content is less than the legal limit from
			 operating a vehicle.
			3.Driver alcohol
			 detection system for safety research
			(a)In
			 GeneralThe Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety
			 Administration shall carry out a collaborative research effort to continue to
			 explore the feasibility and the potential benefits of, and the public policy
			 challenges associated with, more widespread deployment of in-vehicle technology
			 to prevent alcohol-impaired driving.
			(b)ReportsThe
			 Administrator shall submit a report annually to the Committee on Commerce,
			 Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
			 and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—
				(1)describing
			 progress in carrying out the collaborative research effort; and
				(2)including an
			 accounting for the use of Federal funds obligated or expended in carrying out
			 that effort.
				4.DefinitionsIn this Act, the following definitions
			 apply:
			(1)Alcohol-impaired
			 drivingThe term alcohol-impaired driving means
			 operation of a motor vehicle (as defined in section 30102(a)(6) of title 49,
			 United States Code) by an individual whose blood alcohol content is at or above
			 the legal limit.
			(2)Legal
			 limitThe term legal limit means a blood alcohol
			 concentration of 0.08 percent or greater (as specified by section 163 of title
			 23, United States Code) or such other percentage limitation as may be
			 established by applicable Federal, State, or local law.
			5.Application with
			 other lawsNothing in this Act
			 shall be construed to modify or otherwise affect any Federal, State, or local
			 government law, civil or criminal, with respect to the operation of a motor
			 vehicle.
		6.Authorization of
			 appropriations
			(a)In
			 generalThere is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway
			 Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $12,000,000 for each of fiscal
			 years 2011 through 2015 to carry out the collaborative research effort under
			 section 3(a).
			(b)Applicability of
			 title 23Funds made available
			 under subsection (a) shall be available for obligation and administered in the
			 same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23,
			 United States Code, except that the Federal share payable on account of a
			 project or activity carried out using the funds shall be 100 percent.


 HR 4343 ENR: Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act
U.S. House of Representatives
0
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States of America At the First SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and seven
H. R. 4343

AN ACT
To amend title 49, United States Code, to modify age standards for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act.
2.Age standards for pilots
(a)In generalChapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

44729.Age standards for pilots
(a)In generalSubject to the limitation in subsection (c), a pilot may serve in multicrew covered operations until attaining 65 years of age.
(b)Covered operations definedIn this section, the term covered operations means operations under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
(c)Limitation for International Flights
(1)Applicability of ICAO standardA pilot who has attained 60 years of age may serve as pilot-in-command in covered operations between the United States and another country only if there is another pilot in the flight deck crew who has not yet attained 60 years of age.
(2)Sunset of limitationParagraph (1) shall cease to be effective on such date as the Convention on International Civil Aviation provides that a pilot who has attained 60 years of age may serve as pilot-in-command in international commercial operations without regard to whether there is another pilot in the flight deck crew who has not attained age 60.
(d)Sunset of age 60 retirement ruleOn and after the date of enactment of this section, section 121.383(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall cease to be effective.
(e)Applicability
(1)NonretroactivityNo person who has attained 60 years of age before the date of enactment of this section may serve as a pilot for an air carrier engaged in covered operations unless—
(A)such person is in the employment of that air carrier in such operations on such date of enactment as a required flight deck crew member; or
(B)such person is newly hired by an air carrier as a pilot on or after such date of enactment without credit for prior seniority or prior longevity for benefits or other terms related to length of service prior to the date of rehire under any labor agreement or employment policies of the air carrier.
(2)Protection for complianceAn action taken in conformance with this section, taken in conformance with a regulation issued to carry out this section, or taken prior to the date of enactment of this section in conformance with section 121.383(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect before such date of enactment), may not serve as a basis for liability or relief in a proceeding, brought under any employment law or regulation, before any court or agency of the United States or of any State or locality.
(f)Amendments to labor agreements and benefit plansAny amendment to a labor agreement or benefit plan of an air carrier that is required to conform with the requirements of this section or a regulation issued to carry out this section, and is applicable to pilots represented for collective bargaining, shall be made by agreement of the air carrier and the designated bargaining representative of the pilots of the air carrier.
(g)Medical Standards and Records
(1)Medical examinations and standardsExcept as provided by paragraph (2), a person serving as a pilot for an air carrier engaged in covered operations shall not be subject to different medical standards, or different, greater, or more frequent medical examinations, on account of age unless the Secretary determines (based on data received or studies published after the date of enactment of this section) that different medical standards, or different, greater, or more frequent medical examinations, are needed to ensure an adequate level of safety in flight.
(2)Duration of first-class medical certificateNo person who has attained 60 years of age may serve as a pilot of an air carrier engaged in covered operations unless the person has a first-class medical certificate. Such a certificate shall expire on the last day of the 6-month period following the date of examination shown on the certificate.
(h)Safety
(1)TrainingEach air carrier engaged in covered operations shall continue to use pilot training and qualification programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, with specific emphasis on initial and recurrent training and qualification of pilots who have attained 60 years of age, to ensure continued acceptable levels of pilot skill and judgment.
(2)Line evaluationsNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, and every 6 months thereafter, an air carrier engaged in covered operations shall evaluate the performance of each pilot of the air carrier who has attained 60 years of age through a line check of such pilot. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, an air carrier shall not be required to conduct for a 6-month period a line check under this paragraph of a pilot serving as second-in-command if the pilot has undergone a regularly scheduled simulator evaluation during that period.
(3)GAO reportNot later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report concerning the effect, if any, on aviation safety of the modification to pilot age standards made by subsection (a)..
(b)Clerical amendmentThe analysis for chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

44729. Age standards for pilots..
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


115 HR 3641 IH: Free File Permanence Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-08-04
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
115th CONGRESS1st Session
H. R. 3641
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 4, 2017
Mr. Roskam (for himself, Mr. Kind, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Issa, Mr. Conaway, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Lofgren, and Mr. Butterfield) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To make permanent the Internal Revenue Service Free File program.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Free File Permanence Act of 2017.  2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
(1)The Internal Revenue Service Free File program (hereinafter referred to as the IRS Free File Program) as established by the IRS pursuant to public rulemaking and set forth in the Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 213, Monday, November 4, 2002, pages 67247–67251, and in implementing agreements and governing rules and requirements between the IRS and the tax software and electronic industry between 2003 and 2015, has been successful and significant in the efforts of the Federal Government to increase the electronic filing of individual income tax returns of low and moderate income taxpayers.  (2)By the end of the current tax return filing season more than 50,000,000 Federal individual income tax returns will have been prepared and filed electronically for free over the life of the IRS Free File program.
(3)The IRS Free File program offers Federal individual income tax return preparation and electronic filing services to more than 70 percent of taxpayers, approximately 100,000,000 taxpayers at the end of the current tax filing period, with tax software and electronic filing provided at no cost to the taxpayers who use the service or to the Federal Government from tax software and electronic filing companies participating in the program.  (4)By the end of the current tax return filing season, it is estimated that the IRS Free File program will have saved taxpayers approximately $1,500,000,0000 and will have saved the Federal Government about $125,000,000 in processing costs.
(5)In addition to the IRS Free File Program, the Internal Revenue Service also provides Taxpayer Assistance Centers, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs. Each of these programs represent important sources of taxpayer assistance and provide taxpayer services through different modalities to serve low and moderate income taxpayers.  3.Free file program (a)The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary’s delegate, shall continue to operate the IRS Free File Program as established by the Internal Revenue Service and published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2002 (67 Fed. Reg. 67247), including any subsequent agreements and governing rules established pursuant thereto.
(b)The IRS Free File Program shall continue to provide free commercial-type online individual income tax preparation and electronic filing services to the lowest 70 percent of taxpayers by income. The number of taxpayers eligible to receive such services each year shall be calculated by the Internal Revenue Service annually based on prior year aggregate taxpayer adjusted gross income data.  (c)In addition to the services described in subsection (b), and in the same manner, the IRS Free File Program shall continue to make available to all taxpayers (without regard to income) a basic, online electronic fillable forms utility.
(d)The IRS Free File Program shall continue to work cooperatively with the private sector to provide the free individual income tax preparation and the electronic filing services described in subsections (b) and (c).  (e)The IRS Free File Program shall work cooperatively with State government agencies to enhance and expand the use of the program to provide needed benefits to the taxpayer while reducing the cost of processing returns.
(f)Nothing in this Act is intended to impact the continuity of services provided under Taxpayer Assistance Centers, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs.  4.Innovations (a)The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Secretary’s delegate, shall work with the private sector through the IRS Free File Program to identify and implement, consistent with applicable law, innovative new program features to improve and simplify the taxpayer’s experience with completing and filing individual income tax returns in voluntary compliance.
(b)The Internal Revenue Service, and members of the tax software and electronic industry with whom the Internal Revenue Service works through the Free File Program, shall support and promote improvements within the program by mutually testing, piloting, and offering innovative solutions to— (1)simplify taxpayer compliance with the internal revenue laws;
(2)reduce taxpayer compliance burdens;  (3)increase individual income tax return accuracy through financial data authentication;
(4)strengthen the tax system against existing and emerging fraud and threats of fraud through cybersecurity collaboration;  (5)avoid duplication of effort in the tax system;
(6)simplify the tax system;  (7)maximize the use of electronic technology; and
(8)reduce information reporting burdens.  5.Report to congressNot later than June 30th of each calendar year after 2017, the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee, as established by 26 U.S.C. 6011 note, is required to file an annual report to the Committees on Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Committee on Finance, on—
(1)IRS Free File website statistics—percentage of taxpayers who came to the site and completed a return;  (2)Free File program cybersecurity standards to protect taxpayers from Stolen Identity Refund Fraud;
(3)demographic information on taxpayers using Free File;  (4)IRS marketing and education efforts to promote Free File to eligible taxpayers;
(5)simplifications and innovations to improve the Free File program for the next tax season to ensure the program remains state-of-art; and  (6)State and local participation of IRS programs that serve Free File eligible taxpayers.


113 HR 2870 IH: Real Estate Investment and Jobs Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-07-31
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2870
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 31, 2013
			Mr. Brady of Texas
			 (for himself, Mr. Crowley,
			 Ms. Jenkins,
			 Mr. Blumenauer,
			 Mr. Rangel,
			 Mr. Roskam,
			 Mr. Pascrell,
			 Mr. Van Hollen,
			 Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas,
			 Mr. Larson of Connecticut,
			 Mr. Sessions,
			 Mr. Gerlach,
			 Mr. Kind, and
			 Mr. King of New York) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt
		  certain stock of real estate investment trusts from the tax on foreign
		  investments in United States real property interests, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Real Estate Investment and Jobs Act of
			 2013.
		2.Exception from
			 FIRPTA for certain stock of real estate investment trusts
			(a)In
			 generalParagraph (3) of section 897(c) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 is amended—
				(1)by striking all
			 that precedes If any class and inserting the following:

						(3)Exceptions for
				certain stock
							(A)Exception for
				stock regularly traded on established securities
				markets
							,
				(2)by inserting
			 before the period the following: . In the case of any class of stock of
			 a real estate investment trust, the preceding sentence shall be applied by
			 substituting 10 percent for 5 percent,
			 and
				(3)by adding at the
			 end the following new subparagraph:

						(B)Exception for
				certain stock in real estate investment trusts
							(i)In
				generalStock of a real estate investment trust held by a
				qualified shareholder shall not be treated as a United States real property
				interest except to the extent that an investor in the qualified shareholder
				(other than an investor that is a qualified shareholder) holds (directly or
				indirectly through the qualified shareholder) more than 10 percent of the stock
				of such real estate investment trust.
							(ii)Qualified
				shareholderFor purposes of this subparagraph, the term
				qualified shareholder means an entity—
								(I)that is eligible
				for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which
				includes an exchange of information program,
								(II)that is a
				qualified collective investment vehicle,
								(III)whose principal
				class of interests is listed and regularly traded on one or more recognized
				stock exchanges (as defined in such comprehensive income tax treaty),
				and
								(IV)that maintains
				records on the identity of each person who, at any time during the qualified
				shareholder’s taxable year, is the direct owner of more than 10 percent of the
				class of interest described in clause (III).
								(iii)Qualified
				collective investment vehicleFor purposes of this subparagraph,
				the term qualified collective investment vehicle means an entity
				that—
								(I)would be eligible
				for a reduced rate of withholding under such comprehensive income tax treaty
				with respect to ordinary dividends paid by a real estate investment trust, even
				if such entity holds more than 10 percent of the stock of such real estate
				investment trust,
								(II)is a corporation
				(other than a corporation that is entitled to a deduction or exclusion for
				dividends paid to its shareholders or subject to a requirement to distribute
				any portion of its taxable income annually) engaged primarily in the trade or
				business of operating or managing real estate entities or assets either
				directly or through entities under common control (within the meaning of
				subsections (a) and (b) of section 52), or
								(III)is designated as
				a qualified collective investment vehicle by the Secretary and is
				either—
									(aa)fiscally
				transparent within the meaning of section 894, or
									(bb)required to
				include dividends in its gross income, but is entitled to a deduction for
				distributions to its
				investors.
									.
				(b)Distributions by
			 real estate investment trustsParagraph (1) of section 897(h) of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 Any distribution and inserting the following:

						(A)In
				generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), any
				distribution
						,
				(2)by inserting
			 (10 percent in the case of stock of a real estate investment
			 trust) after 5 percent of such class of stock,
				(3)by inserting
			 , and any distribution to a qualified shareholder (as defined in
			 subsection (c)(3)(B)(ii)) shall not be treated as gain recognized from the sale
			 or exchange of a United States real property interest to the extent that the
			 stock of the real estate investment trust held by such qualified shareholder is
			 not treated as a United States real property interest under subsection
			 (c)(3)(B) before the period at the end of the second sentence,
			 and
				(4)by adding at the
			 end the following new subparagraph:

						(B)Special
				ruleSubparagraph (A) shall not apply to distributions which are
				treated as a sale or exchange of stock or property pursuant to section
				301(c)(3), 302, or
				331.
						.
				(c)DefinitionParagraph
			 (4) of section 897(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding
			 at the end of subparagraph (B) the following: In determining whether a
			 qualified investment entity is domestically controlled, any stock in the
			 qualified investment entity held by another qualified investment entity shall
			 be treated as held by a foreign person unless such other qualified investment
			 entity is domestically controlled. In making such a determination, a qualified
			 investment entity shall be permitted to presume that stock held by a holder of
			 less than 5 percent of a class of stock regularly traded on an established
			 securities market in the United States is held by United States persons
			 throughout the testing period except to the extent that the qualified
			 investment entity has actual knowledge regarding stock
			 ownership..
			(d)Conforming
			 amendmentSubparagraph (C) of section 897(c)(6) of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 more than 5 percent and inserting more than 5 or 10
			 percent, whichever is applicable,, and
				(2)by striking
			 substituting 5 percent for 50
			 percent) and inserting substituting 5 percent or
			 10 percent, whichever is applicable for 50
			 percent).
				(e)Effective
			 dates
				(1)In
			 generalThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to
			 dispositions on and after the date of the enactment of this Act.
				(2)DistributionsThe
			 amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to any distribution by a real
			 estate investment trust on or after the date of the enactment of this Act which
			 is treated as a deduction for a taxable year of such trust ending after such
			 date.
				(3)DefinitionsThe
			 amendments made by subsections (c) and (d) shall take effect on the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.
				3.United States
			 real property interest
			(a)United States
			 real property interestSubparagraph (B) of section 897(c)(1) of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking all that precedes
			 (i) as of the date of the disposition and inserting the
			 following:

					(B)Exclusion for
				interest in certain corporationsThe term United States
				real property interest does not include any interest in a corporation
				(other than a qualified investment entity (as defined in subsection
				(h)(4)(A)(i))
				if—
					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall take effect on the
			 date of the enactment of this Act.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 165
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 12, 2009
			Mr. Franks of Arizona
			 (for himself and Mr. King of Iowa)
			 submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		RESOLUTION
		Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the
		  birth of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of
		  America.

		Whereas Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809;
		Whereas, due to his leadership, the United States
			 completed the implementation of the promise that was contained in the
			 Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal, and fulfilled the
			 potential of the Constitution, namely the commitment to equality under the
			 law;
		Whereas Lincoln asserted the Dred Scott decision was
			 erroneous and insisted that judges must leave political matters to the people,
			 rather than the whims and preferences of judges;
		Whereas Lincoln defeated Steven Douglas and was elected
			 President of the United States in 1860;
		Whereas Lincoln believed that a president, even acting as
			 commander-in-chief, must exercise authority not as a dictator, benevolent or
			 otherwise, but within the limits set forth by the Constitution;
		Whereas Lincoln defended the maxim that governments derive
			 their just powers from the consent of the governed;
		Whereas Lincoln stated on June 17, 1858, A house
			 divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure
			 permanently half slave and half free.;
		Whereas, at a time of profound national crisis, Abraham
			 Lincoln affirmed the importance of the Union and esteemed its preservation as
			 essential to pursuing the noble goals for which it was constituted; namely, the
			 formation of a more perfect union marked by liberty, security and justice for
			 all;
		Whereas, on January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the
			 Emancipation Proclamation; and
		Whereas, on October 20, 1864, Lincoln proclaimed,
			 the last Thursday in November next as a day which I desire to be
			 observed by all my fellow-citizens wherever they may then be as a day of
			 Thanksgiving and Praise to Almighty God the beneficent Creator and Ruler of the
			 Universe: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives—
			(1)celebrates the
			 extraordinary life of Abraham Lincoln, and expresses its deep gratitude for his
			 valiant leadership in preserving the Union, defending the natural rights of all
			 individuals, and defending the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
			 of the United States; and
			(2)recognizes the
			 magnitude of his life's legacy and the impact it has left on the United States
			 of America and the rest of the world.


114 SRES 567 ATS: Designating the week beginning October 16, 2016, as “National Character Counts Week”.
U.S. Senate
2016-09-15
text/xml
EN
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III114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 567IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 15, 2016Mr. Grassley (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Donnelly, and Mr. Cochran) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed toRESOLUTIONDesignating the week beginning October 16, 2016, as National Character Counts Week.

 Whereas the well-being of the United States requires that the young people of the United States become an involved, caring citizenry of good character;
 Whereas the character education of children has become more urgent, as violence by and against youth increasingly threatens the physical and psychological well-being of the people of the United States;
 Whereas, more than ever, children need strong and constructive guidance from their families and their communities, including schools, youth organizations, religious institutions, and civic groups;
 Whereas the character of a nation is only as strong as the character of its individual citizens;
 Whereas the public good is advanced when young people are taught the importance of good character and the positive effects that good character can have in personal relationships, in school, and in the workplace;
 Whereas scholars and educators agree that people do not automatically develop good character and that, therefore, conscientious efforts must be made by institutions and individuals that influence youth to help young people develop the essential traits and characteristics that comprise good character;
 Whereas, although character development is, first and foremost, an obligation of families, the efforts of faith communities, schools, and youth, civic, and human service organizations also play an important role in fostering and promoting good character;
 Whereas Congress encourages students, teachers, parents, youth, and community leaders to recognize the importance of character education in preparing young people to play a role in determining the future of the United States;
 Whereas effective character education is based on core ethical values, which form the foundation of a democratic society;
 Whereas examples of character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship, and honesty;
 Whereas elements of character transcend cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences;
 Whereas the character and conduct of youth reflect the character and conduct of society, and, therefore, every adult has the responsibility to teach and model ethical values and every social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good character;
 Whereas Congress encourages individuals and organizations, especially those that have an interest in the education and training of the young people of the United States, to adopt the elements of character as intrinsic to the well-being of individuals, communities, and society;
 Whereas many schools in the United States recognize the need, and have taken steps, to integrate the values of their communities into teaching activities; and
 Whereas the establishment of National Character Counts Week, during which individuals, families, schools, youth organizations, religious institutions, civic groups, and other organizations focus on character education, is of great benefit to the United States: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)designates the week beginning October 16, 2016, as National Character Counts Week; and
 (2)calls upon the people of the United States and interested groups—
 (A)to embrace the elements of character identified by local schools and communities, such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship; and
 (B)to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.


113 S2308 IS: To designate Union Station in Washington, DC, as “Harry S. Truman Union Station”.
U.S. Senate
2014-05-08
text/xml
EN
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		II
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2308
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 8, 2014
			Mrs. McCaskill (for herself, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Levin, and Mr. Rockefeller) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

		A BILL
		To designate Union Station in Washington, DC, as Harry S. Truman Union Station.

			1.
			Harry S. Truman Union
			 Station

				(a)
				Designation
				Union Station, located at 40 Massachusetts
			 Avenue, NE., Washington, DC, shall be known and designated as Harry S.
			 Truman Union Station.

				(b)
				References
				Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
			 document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility
			 referred
			 to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Harry S.
			 Truman Union Station.


		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6922
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 17, 2008
			Mr. Baird (for
			 himself, Mr. DeFazio,
			 Mr. Dicks,
			 Mr. Salazar, and
			 Ms. Herseth Sandlin) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business

		A BILL
		To amend the Small Business Act to provide
		  low-interest loans to small business concerns providing transportation services
		  to assist them in dealing with high motor fuel prices.

		1.Assistance to small
			 businesses engaged in providing transportation
			 services
			(a)In
			 generalSection 7(b) of the
			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is amended by inserting after paragraph
			 (9) the following new paragraph:

					(10)Fuel cost
				assistance for concerns engaged in providing transportation services
						(A)In
				generalThe Administration
				may make disaster loans under this subsection (either directly or in
				cooperation with banks or other lending institutions through agreements to
				participate on an immediate or deferred basis) to assist an eligible small
				business concern that has suffered or that is likely to suffer substantial
				economic injury as the result of increases in the price of gasoline or diesel
				fuel.
						(B)Eligible small
				business concernFor purposes of this paragraph, the term
				eligible small business concern means any small business concern
				engaged in the transportation of persons or property for hire.
						(C)Interest
				rateAny loan or guarantee
				extended pursuant to this paragraph shall be made—
							(i)without regard to
				whether the applicant is able to obtain credit elsewhere, and
							(ii)at the same
				interest rate as economic injury loans under paragraph (2).
							(D)Maximum
				assistanceNo loan may be made under this paragraph, either
				directly or in cooperation with banks or other lending institutions through
				agreements to participate on an immediate or deferred basis, if the total
				amount outstanding and committed to the borrower under this paragraph would
				exceed $250,000, unless such applicant constitutes, or have become due to
				changed economic circumstances, a major source of employment in its surrounding
				area, as determined by the Administration, in which case the Administration, in
				its discretion, may waive the $250,000 limitation.
						(E)No disaster
				declaration requiredFor purposes of assistance under this
				paragraph, no declaration of a disaster area shall be required.
						(F)Period loans are
				availableThis paragraph shall apply to loans made during the
				2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
				paragraph.
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendmentSection 4(c) of
			 such Act (15 U.S.C. 633(c)) is amended—
				(1)by inserting
			 7(b)(10), after 7(b)(4), in paragraph (1),
			 and
				(2)by inserting
			 7(b)(10), after 7(b)(8), in paragraph (2).


110 HR 338 IH: Improving Communications

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 338
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 9, 2007
			Mr. Dingell
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To improve communications interoperability for emergency
		  response.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Improving Communications
			 Interoperability Grant Program Act.
		2.Improve Communications
			 for Emergency Response Grant Program
			(a)EstablishmentTitle
			 V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by
			 adding at the end the following new section:

					522.Improve
				Communications for Emergency Response Grant Program
						(a)EstablishmentThe
				Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Grants and Training and
				in coordination with the Director for Emergency Communications, shall establish
				the Improve Communications for Emergency Response Grant Program to make grants
				to States and regions to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable
				emergency communications, including initiatives to achieve solutions to
				statewide, regional, national, and, where appropriate, international
				interoperability.
						(b)Use of grant
				fundsA State or region receiving a grant under this section may
				use the grant for short-term or long-term goals for improving interoperable
				emergency communications, including interoperability within that State or
				region, and to assist with—
							(1)statewide or
				regional communications planning;
							(2)design and
				engineering for interoperable emergency communications systems;
							(3)procurement and
				installation of interoperable emergency communications equipment;
							(4)interoperable
				emergency communications exercises;
							(5)modeling and
				simulation exercises for operational command and control functions;
							(6)technical
				assistance and training for interoperable emergency communications; and
							(7)other activities
				determined by the Secretary to be integral to interoperable emergency
				communications.
							(c)Region
				definedFor the purposes of this section, the term
				region means any combination of contiguous local government units,
				including such a combination established by law or mutual aid agreement between
				two or more local governments or governmental
				agencies.
						.
			(b)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the
			 Secretary of Homeland Security for grants under section 522 of the Homeland
			 Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a)—
				(1)such sums as may be
			 necessary for the first fiscal year that begins after the later of—
					(A)the date on which
			 the Secretary of Homeland Security completes and submits to Congress the
			 National Emergency Communications Plan required under section 1802 of the
			 Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 572);
					(B)the date on which
			 the Secretary of Homeland Security completes and submits to Congress the first
			 baseline interoperability assessment required under section 1803 of such Act (6
			 U.S.C. 573); or
					(C)the date on which
			 the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Director of
			 Emergency Communications, determines and notifies Congress that substantial
			 progress has been made towards the development and promulgation of voluntary
			 consensus-based interoperable communications standards pursuant to section
			 1801(c)(11) of such Act (6 U.S.C. 571(c)(11)); and
					(2)such sums as may
			 be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.
				(c)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of contents in section 1(b) of that Act is
			 amended by inserting after the item relating to section 521 the
			 following:

						Sec. 522. Improve Communications for
				Emergency Response Grant
				Program.

					.


115 S1951 IS: Veteran Wellness Act
U.S. Senate
2017-10-05
text/xml
EN
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II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1951IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 5, 2017Mr. Coons introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program to award grants to
			 nonprofit veterans service organizations to upgrade the community
			 facilities of such organizations.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veteran Wellness Act. 2.Pilot program on transformation of veterans services organizations facilities into veteran health and wellness centers (a)Pilot program required (1)In generalThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary makes grants to nonprofit veterans services organizations recognized by the Secretary for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code (in this section referred to as VSOs), to upgrade, through construction and repair, community facilities of VSOs into health and wellness centers and to promote and expand complementary and integrative wellness programs.
 (2)Use of amountsThe recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant amounts— (A)to carry out the repair of a facility owned by the recipient or to construct a facility on property owned by the recipient; or
 (B)to provide complementary and integrative medicine or wellness programs, and to pay the costs of childcare during such programs, to veterans and family members, as such term is defined in section 1712A(h)(3) of title 38, United States Code.
 (3)Limitation on use of amountsThe recipient of a grant under this section may not use the grant amounts to purchase real estate or to carry out repair of facilities leased by the recipient or to construct facilities on property leased by the recipient.
 (4)Facility operationAs a condition of the receipt of a grant under this section, a VSO shall agree to carry out the operation and maintenance of the facility that is repaired or constructed using grant amounts for the three-year period beginning on the date of the completion of the repair or construction.
 (b)Duration of pilot programThe pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
			(c)Locations
 (1)In generalIn selecting the recipients of grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the grant recipients use grant amounts to construct or repair facilities located in not fewer than ten different geographic locations.
 (2)PriorityThe Secretary shall give priority in the selection of locations under paragraph (1) to locations in economically depressed areas that are not in close proximity to medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
 (d)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a VSO shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and in such manner as the Secretary may require.
			(e)Reports
				(1)Periodic reports
 (A)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program.
 (B)Report elementsEach report required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i)The findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program during the 180-day period covered by the report.
 (ii)An assessment of the benefits of the pilot program to veterans and family members of veterans during the 180-day period covered by the report.
 (2)Final reportNot later than 180 days after the conclusion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the recommendations of the Secretary as to the advisability of continuing or expanding the pilot program.
 (f)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.