		VI
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3110
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 10, 2008
			Mrs. Feinstein
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		For the relief of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and
		  Arthur Mkoyan.

		1.Permanent resident status for
			 Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of
			 the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
			 1151), Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan shall each
			 be eligible for the issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status
			 to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing an
			 application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such Act or
			 for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.
			(b)Adjustment of
			 statusIf Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan
			 enters the United States before the filing deadline specified in subsection
			 (c), Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan shall be considered to
			 have entered and remained lawfully in the United States and shall be eligible
			 for adjustment of status under
			 section
			 245 of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) as of the date of the enactment of
			 this Act.
			(c)Deadline for
			 application and payment of feesSubsections (a) and (b) shall
			 apply only if the application for the issuance of an immigrant visa or the
			 application for adjustment of status is filed, with appropriate fees, not later
			 than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(d)Reduction of
			 immigrant visa numbersUpon granting an immigrant visa or
			 permanent residence to Ruben Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan, the
			 Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by 3, during the
			 current or next following fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that
			 are made available to natives of the country of birth of Ruben Mkoian, Asmik
			 Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan under
			 section
			 203(a) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act or, if applicable, the total number of immigrant
			 visas that are made available to natives of the country of birth of Ruben
			 Mkoian, Asmik Karapetian, and Arthur Mkoyan under section 202(e) of such
			 Act.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1697
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 12, 2011
			Mr. Lee (for himself and
			 Mr. Schumer) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a
		  special rule for the period of admission of H–2A nonimmigrants employed as
		  sheepherders, goat herders, or dairy farmers, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 titlesThis Act may be cited
			 as the Dairy and Sheep H–2A
			 Act or the DASH
			 Act.
		2.Nonimmigrant
			 status for dairy workers, sheepherders, and goat herdersSection 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the
			 Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) is amended by
			 inserting or who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform
			 agricultural labor or services as a sheepherder, goat herder, or dairy
			 worker, after of a temporary or seasonal nature,.
		3.Special rule for
			 period of admission of H–2A nonimmigrants employed as sheepherders, goat
			 herders, or dairy workersSection 218(h) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188(h)) is amended by adding at the end of the
			 following:

				(3)In the case of an
				alien admitted as an H–2A worker for employment as a sheepherder, goat herder,
				or dairy worker—
					(A)the initial
				period of admission shall be for a period of 3 years;
					(B)the period of
				admission may be extended for additional periods of 3 years; and
					(C)no period of
				absence from the United States may be required as a condition of approval of an
				extension under subparagraph
				(B).
					.
		4.Provisions by
			 the Secretary of LaborThe
			 Secretary of Labor shall issue regulations that address the specific
			 requirements for the provision of housing to sheepherders, goat herders, and
			 dairy workers.
		5.Savings
			 provisionNothing in section
			 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188), as amended by this
			 Act, may be construed to preclude the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of
			 Homeland Security from continuing to apply special procedures and requirements
			 to the admission and employment of aliens in occupations involving the range
			 production of livestock.


114 HR 2796 IH: Youth Summer Jobs and Public Service Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2796
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 16, 2015
			Mr. Richmond introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

		A BILL
		To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide grants to States for summer
			 employment programs for youth.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Youth Summer Jobs and Public Service Act of 2015. 2.Grants to States for summer employment for youthSection 129 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3164) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(d)Grants to States for summer employment for youth
 (1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, from the amount appropriated under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall award grants to States to provide assistance to local areas that have high concentrations of eligible youth to enable such local areas to carry out programs described in subsection (c)(1) that provide summer employment opportunities for eligible youth, which are directly linked to academic and occupational learning, as described in subsection (c)(2)(C). In awarding grants under this subsection, a State shall—
 (A)partner with private businesses to the extent feasible to provide employment opportunities at such businesses; and
 (B)prioritize jobs and work opportunities that directly serve the community. (2)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 to carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020..


109 HR 4293 IH: Nursing Home Staffing Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-11-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 4293
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 10, 2005
Mr. Waxman (for himself, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Stark, Mrs. Capps, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Baca, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Berman, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Clay, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Holden, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Kucinich, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Markey, Mrs. McCarthy, Mr. McDermott, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Ms. Norton, Mr. Owens, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Rush, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Waters, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Wynn, Ms. Solis, and Mr. Holt) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to establish minimum requirements for nurse staffing in nursing facilities receiving payments under the Medicare or Medicaid Program.

1.Short title; purpose
(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Nursing Home Staffing Act of 2005.
(b)PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to improve the quality of care received by residents of nursing facilities through the implementation of the minimum nurse staffing levels identified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in a report to Congress submitted on March 21, 2002.
2.Implementation of nurse staffing standards
(a)In generalSections 1819(b)(4) and 1919(b)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(b)(4); 1396r(b)(4)) are each amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D)Minimum staffing requirements
(i)Deadline for Compliance with minimum standardsWith respect to facility services provided after the date that is the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, a facility shall comply with the minimum staffing levels promulgated by the Secretary under clause (ii).
(ii)Final regulations
(I)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, and consistent with the provisions of this clause, the Secretary shall promulgate standards for minimum staffing levels for facilities. Such standards shall provide for sufficient staffing levels during day, evening, and night shifts to ensure that residents of nursing facilities receive the level of care necessary to meet the objectives of subsection (b)(2), and shall provide for appropriate adjustments to account for resident case mix.
(II)Minimum standardsSubject to subclause (III), standards promulgated under subclause (I) shall be, at a minimum, the HHS minimum nurse staffing ratios (as defined in clause (iii)).
(III)Authority to phase in facility Compliance with standardsIf the Secretary determines that compliance with the HHS minimum nurse staffing ratios is not feasible for nursing facilities by the end of the 2-year period applicable under clause (i), the Secretary may delay the implementation of the HHS minimum nurse staffing ratios until the date that is the end of the 5-year period that begins on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph. If the Secretary delays implementation of the HHS minimum nurse staffing ratios under the previous sentence, the Secretary shall phase in over such 5-year period alternative minimum staffing standards that gradually increase in each of the years of the phase-in until such standards meet the HHS minimum nurse staffing ratios.
(IV)CountingIn determining compliance with the staffing levels under this subparagraph, an individual may not be counted while performing services that are not direct nursing care, such as administrative services, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance services, or other activities that are not direct nursing care.
(iii)HHS minimum nurse staffing ratiosThe term HHS minimum nurse staffing ratios means the minimum staffing levels identified in the report to Congress entitled Appropriateness of Minimum Nurse Staffing Ratios in Nursing Homes, Report to Congress: Phase II Final submitted by the Secretary on March 21, 2002, which require—
(I)from 2.4 to 2.8 hours of care per resident per day by a certified nurse aide;
(II)from 1.15 to 1.3 hours of care per resident per day by a licensed practical nurse, a licensed vocational nurse, or a registered nurse; and
(III)from 0.55 to 0.75 hours of care per resident per day by a registered nurse.
(iv)Construction
(I)NonpreemptionNothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as prohibiting the Secretary or a State (in the case of title XIX) from imposing higher minimum staffing levels on facilities than those imposed under this subparagraph.
(II)Minimum standards onlyCompliance with the staffing requirements imposed under this subparagraph alone shall not be construed as complying with the requirement under paragraph (2) to provide services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.
(III)Supplementary requirementsThe staffing requirements of this subparagraph are in addition to the requirements of subparagraph (C)..
(b)Posting of staffing information
(1)In generalThe first sentence of subparagraph (A) of sections 1819(b)(8) and 1919(b)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(b)(8); 1396r(b)(8)) are each amended by inserting before the period the following: , a description of the minimum staffing requirements under paragraph (4)(D), and the average number of hours of nursing care that residents of the facility have received for each of the four previous calendar quarters.
(2)ReportsSuch sections are each amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)Reports of staffing dataA facility shall maintain records on nurse staffing, and shall submit such reports of such records to the Secretary as the Secretary may require for the administration and enforcement of this section. Such records shall be reviewed for accuracy as part of a standard survey required under subsection (g)(2)(A)..
3.Increased resources
(a)Reinstitution of boren amendment payment methodology
(1)In generalSection 1902(a)(13) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(13)) is amended to read as follows:

(13)provide for payment of services through the use of rates determined pursuant to the criteria under this paragraph as in effect on August 1, 1997;.
(2)Establishment of safe harbor ratesSection 1902 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary may, by regulation, promulgate standards or methodologies for determining rates that comply with paragraph (13), and a State that pays rates that meet such standards or methodologies is deemed to be in compliance with paragraph (13)..
(3)Effective dateThe amendment made by this subsection shall apply to services furnished on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b)Permanent 1.5 percent increase of medicaid FMAP beginning with fiscal year 2006Section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: With respect to calendar quarters beginning after October 1, 2005, the Federal medical assistance percentage for a State determined under the first sentence shall be increased by 1.50 percentage points..
(c)Financial accountability
(1)In generalSections 1819(g)(2) and 1919(g)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(g)(2); 1396r(g)(2)) are each amended—
(A)by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F); and
(B)by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:

(C)Financial accountabilityA standard or an extended survey may include an examination of the financial records of a facility to determine whether payments made to the facility under this section for services furnished to residents are being used in a manner consistent with this section..
(2)Composition of multidisciplinary teamSections 1819(g)(2)(E)(i) and 1919(g)(2)(E)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(g)(2)(E)(i); 1396r(g)(2)(E)(i)) are each amended by inserting after the period the following: This multidisciplinary team may include professionals trained in financial accounting and auditing.
(3)Effective dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply to surveys conducted on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HR 2025 IH: Litigation Funding Transparency Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2025IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 18, 2021Mr. Issa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 28, United States Code, to increase transparency and oversight of third-party litigation funding in certain actions, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Litigation Funding Transparency Act of 2021.2.Transparency and oversight of third-party litigation funding in class actions(a)In generalChapter 114 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:1716.Third-party litigation funding disclosure(a)In generalIn any class action, class counsel shall—(1)disclose in writing to the court and all other named parties to the class action the identity of any commercial enterprise, other than a class member or class counsel of record, that has a right to receive payment that is contingent on the receipt of monetary relief in the class action by settlement, judgment, or otherwise; and(2)produce for inspection and copying, except as otherwise stipulated or ordered by the court, any agreement creating the contingent right.(b)TimingThe disclosure required by subsection (a) shall be made not later than the later of—(1)10 days after execution of any agreement described in subsection (a)(2); or(2)the time of service of the action..(b)Technical and conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 114 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:1716. Third-party litigation funding disclosure..3.Transparency and oversight of third-party litigation funding in multidistrict litigationSection 1407 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (h) and (i), respectively; and(2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following:(g)(1)In any coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings conducted pursuant to this section, counsel for a party asserting a claim whose civil action is assigned to or directly filed in the proceedings shall—(A)disclose in writing to the court and all other parties the identity of any commercial enterprise, other than the named parties or counsel, that has a right to receive payment that is contingent on the receipt of monetary relief in the civil action by settlement, judgment, or otherwise; and(B)produce for inspection and copying, except as otherwise stipulated or ordered by the court, any agreement creating the contingent right.(2)The disclosure required by paragraph (1) shall be made not later than the later of—(A)10 days after execution of any agreement described in paragraph (1)(B); or(B)the time the civil action becomes subject to this section..4.ApplicabilityThe amendments made by this Act shall apply to any case pending on or commenced after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 HR 4495 IH: Education for Jobs Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-02-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4495
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 8, 2016
			Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico (for herself, Mr. Vargas, and Mr. Kilmer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

		A BILL
		To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide student loan eligibility for mid-career,
			 part-time students, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Education for Jobs Act. 2.Student loan eligibility for mid-career part-time students (a)Student eligibilitySection 484(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091) is amended—
 (1)by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (2)by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

 (5)A student who— (A)is carrying at least 3 credit hours or the equivalent coursework for the course of study that the student is pursuing, as determined by the eligible institution,
 (B)is enrolled in a course of study necessary for enrollment in a program leading to a degree or certificate, and
 (C)was employed on a full-time basis for not less than 10 years, shall be, notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subsection (a), eligible to apply for loans under part D of this title.. (b)Annual and aggregate loan limitsSection 428(b)(1)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting or meets the requirements of section 484(b)(5) after institution).
			(c)Repayment period
 (1)Stafford loansSection 428(b)(7)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(7)(A)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: or, in the case of a student described in section 484(b)(5), the day after 6 months after the date such student ceases to meet the requirements of such section.
 (2)PLUS loansSection 428B(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–2(d)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: or, in the case of a graduate or professional student borrower described in section 484(b)(5), during the 6-month period beginning on the day after the date such student ceases to meet the requirements of such section.


110 HRES 1035 EH: Electing certain Members to certain standing

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-03-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1035
		In the House of Representatives, U.
		  S.,

			March 11, 2008

		RESOLUTION
		Electing certain Members to certain standing
		  committees of the House of Representatives.

		That the following named Members be, and
			 are hereby, elected to the following standing committees of the House of
			 Representatives:
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs:Mr. Berman, Chairman.
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure:Mr. Sires.

			Lorraine C. Miller,
			Clerk.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1503
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 12, 2011
			Mr. Yarmuth
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on certain hydrogenated
		  polymers of norbornene derivatives.

		1.Certain hydrogenated polymers of norbornene
			 derivatives
			(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:

								9902.01.001,4:5,8-Dimethanonaphthalene,
						2-ethylidene-1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydro-, polymer with
						3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indene, hydrogenated (CAS No. 881025–72–5);
						1,4-methano-1H-fluorene, 4,4a,9,9a-tetrahydro-, polymer with
						1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene and
						3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indene, hydrogenated (CAS No. 503442–46–4);
						and 1,4-methano-1H-fluorene, 4,4a,9,9a-tetrahydro-, polymer with
						1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene, hydrogenated (CAS No.
						503298–02–0); (all the foregoing provided for in subheading
						3902.90.00)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2014

					.
			(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.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1160
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 24, 2009
			Mr. Meeks of New York
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Financial
			 Services

		A BILL
		To direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to
		  revise rules to provide for the comparable treatment and expanded use of
		  qualified money market funds for broker-dealer financing.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Money Market Fund Parity Act of
			 2009.
		2.Modernization of
			 S.E.C. broker-dealer financing rules
			(a)Rule revision
			 requiredNot later than 90
			 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Securities and Exchange
			 Commission, pursuant to its authority under section 15(c) of the Securities
			 Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o(c)), shall revise Rules 15c3–1, 15c3–3, and
			 15c2–4 (17 C.F.R. 240.15c3–1, 240.15c3–3, and 240.15c2–4) to provide for the
			 comparable treatment of securities issued by qualified money market funds with
			 the treatment of other low-risk securities and deposits under such rules, and
			 the expanded use of securities issued by qualified money market funds for
			 financing by brokers and dealers.
			(b)Required
			 RevisionsIn making the revisions required by
			 subsection (a), the Commission shall revise
			 the requirements—
				(1)under Rule 15c3–1 relating to net capital,
			 by not requiring, in the computation of net capital (or any other capital
			 requirement based on value-at-risk or similar financial models or systems) any
			 deduction for assets of the broker or dealer invested in redeemable securities
			 issued by one or more qualified money market funds;
				(2)under Rule 15c3–3 relating to custody and
			 use of customers’ securities—
					(A)to permit a broker or dealer to use
			 redeemable securities issued by one or more qualified money market funds as
			 collateral in complying with any requirement regarding physical possession or
			 control of fully paid or excess margin securities borrowed from any person
			 under terms no less favorable than the treatment afforded to any other
			 collateral that the Commission permits under Rule 15c3–3(b)(3)(iii)(A) (17
			 C.F.R. 240.15c3–3(b)(3)(iii)(A)) or any successor rule, or by order; and
					(B)to permit a broker
			 or dealer to—
						(i)deposit redeemable securities issued by one
			 or more qualified money market funds in any required special reserve account
			 under terms no less favorable than the treatment afforded to any other
			 qualified security (as such term is defined in Rule 15c3–3(a)(6) (17 C.F.R.
			 240.15c3–3(a)(6)) or any successor rule, or by order; and
						(ii)post as collateral or deposit in any
			 required special reserve account redeemable securities issued by one or more
			 qualified money market funds by pledging such securities through the facilities
			 of a clearing agency registered under section 17A(b) of the Securities Exchange
			 Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)); and
						(3)under Rule 15c2–4
			 in connection with the underwritings to which Rule 15c2–4(b) applies—
					(A)permit a broker or
			 dealer that has obtained funds through the underwriting or distribution of
			 securities—
						(i)to invest such
			 obtained funds pending the specified event or contingency in redeemable
			 securities issued by one or more qualified money market funds and to deposit
			 such obtained funds or redeemable securities in a separate bank account;
			 and
						(ii)to
			 transmit such obtained funds to a bank that has agreed to hold such obtained
			 funds in escrow;
						(B)permit the bank to
			 which such obtained funds are transmitted pursuant to
			 subparagraph (A)(ii) to invest
			 such obtained funds pending the specified event or contingency in redeemable
			 securities issued by one or more qualified money market funds; and
					(C)for the purposes of
			 subparagraphs (A) and
			 (B), permit the broker, dealer, or
			 bank to invest, redeem, pledge, or receive the pledge of such obtained funds or
			 such redeemable securities through the facilities of a clearing agency
			 registered under section 17A(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
			 U.S.C. 78q–1(b)).
					(c)Definition of
			 qualified money market fundFor purposes of the rule revisions
			 required under this Act, the term qualified money market fund
			 shall be defined by the Commission in such rule revisions, but shall include
			 any open-end management company registered under section 8 of the Investment
			 Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–8)—
				(1)which is generally known as a “money market
			 fund”;
				(2)which has received
			 the highest money market fund rating from a nationally recognized statistical
			 rating organization;
				(3)which has agreed to redeem fund shares in
			 cash, with payment being made no later than the business day following a
			 redemption request by a shareholder (except in the event of an unscheduled
			 closing of Federal Reserve Banks or the unscheduled closing of one or more
			 national securities exchanges registered under section 6 of the Securities
			 Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f); and
				(4)which has adopted
			 a policy to notify its shareholders of—
					(A)any change in its
			 rating, not later than 30 days after the effective date of such change;
			 and
					(B)any change in its policy to redeem fund
			 shares in cash no later than the business day following a redemption request by
			 a shareholder as required by
			 paragraph (3), not less than 60 days
			 prior to such change taking effect (except in the event of an unscheduled
			 closing of Federal Reserve Banks or the unscheduled closing of one or more
			 national securities exchanges registered under section 6 of the Securities
			 Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f)).


		IB
		House Calendar No. 147
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4400
		[Report No.
		  112–598]
		IN THE HOUSE OF
		  REPRESENTATIVES

			April 19, 2012
			Mr. Markey (for
			 himself, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts,
			 Mr. Neal, Mr. Olver, Mr.
			 McGovern, Mr. Tierney,
			 Mr. Capuano,
			 Mr. Lynch,
			 Ms. Tsongas,
			 Mr. Keating, and
			 Ms. Pelosi) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Natural Resources

			July 17, 2012
			Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
			 printed

		A BILL
		To designate the Salt Pond Visitor Center
		  at Cape Cod National Seashore as the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Salt Pond
		  Visitor Center, and for other purposes.

		1.Designation
			(a)FindingsCongress
			 finds the following:
				(1)Thomas Phillip
			 (Tip) O’Neill, Jr., was born on December 9, 1912, in the Irish middle-class
			 area of North Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Thomas Phillip O’Neill, Sr., and
			 Rose Ann (Tolan) O’Neill.
				(2)Nicknamed
			 Tip during his childhood, O’Neill was educated in Roman Catholic
			 schools, graduating from St. John’s High School in 1931, where he was captain
			 of the basketball team.
				(3)Tip O’Neill then
			 attended Boston College, where he ran for a Cambridge City Council seat during
			 his senior year—his first attempt at running for office and only electoral
			 defeat.
				(4)Following his
			 graduation from Boston College in 1936, Tip O’Neill was elected to the
			 Massachusetts House of Representatives that same year as a New Deal Democrat
			 whose political philosophy was shaped by his experience growing up in
			 working-class Boston and his strong Catholic faith, which led him to view
			 government as a means for helping the disadvantaged in society.
				(5)In 1949, Tip
			 O’Neill became the first Democratic Speaker in the history of the Massachusetts
			 State Legislature, serving as Speaker until 1952, when he ran successfully for
			 the United States House of Representatives to fill the seat vacated by
			 Senator-elect John F. Kennedy.
				(6)In 1958, inspired
			 by the establishment of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a seashore park in
			 North Carolina, Representative Tip O’Neill, along with his close friend and
			 colleague Representative Edward Boland, introduced legislation to protect lands
			 on Cape Cod as a national seashore.
				(7)In describing this
			 area on Cape Cod, Henry David Thoreau had written that A man may stand
			 there and put all America behind him, as the pristine sandy beach,
			 marshes, ponds, and uplands supporting diverse species represent a unique,
			 cherished jewel of nature.
				(8)The legislation
			 established a 40-mile national park along Cape Cod’s outer beach, from Chatham
			 through Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown that includes
			 lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs that offer a glimpse
			 of Cape Cod’s past and continuing ways of life.
				(9)After introduction
			 of the legislation during the 85th Congress, Tip O’Neill continued to advocate
			 strongly for establishment of the Cape Cod National Seashore, co-sponsoring
			 bills in the 86th and 87th Congresses, testifying at hearings and working to
			 advance the legislation through Congress.
				(10)The legislation
			 was intended to preserve one of the great natural marvels of the United States,
			 with its unbroken beach and moors, marshes, forests, and freshwater ponds that
			 are home to many species of birds, fish, animals, and plants.
				(11)On August 7,
			 1961, President Kennedy signed into law the legislation authorizing the Cape
			 Cod National Seashore as Public Law 87–126.
				(12)In 1966, the Cape Cod National Seashore was
			 formally established, and Representative O’Neill attended the May 30, 1966,
			 ceremony inaugurating the Salt Pond Visitor Center.
				(13)The Cape Cod
			 National Seashore has become a national treasure, with millions of Americans
			 and visitors from around the world enjoying its beauty and remarkable
			 biodiversity.
				(14)Tip O’Neill and
			 his family maintained a home on Cape Cod in Harwich Port, and he was a frequent
			 visitor to the National Seashore during his service in Congress and in his
			 retirement years.
				(15)While in
			 Congress, Tip O’Neill rose quickly through the leadership ranks due to his
			 extraordinary political skills, mastery of the legislative process and sharp
			 wit, serving first as Majority Whip in the House beginning in 1971 and then in
			 1973 as House Majority Leader.
				(16)One of O’Neill’s greatest accomplishments
			 as Speaker was the crafting of a peace accord between warring factions in
			 Northern Ireland, during which he worked with fellow Irish-American politicians
			 including Senator Edward M. Kennedy to develop the St. Patrick’s Day
			 declaration denouncing violence in Northern Ireland and culminating
			 with the Irish aid package upon the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in
			 1985.
				(17)On January 3,
			 1987, Tip O’Neill retired from Congress, having served in public life for 50
			 years, including 34 years as a Member of Congress and 10 years as Speaker of
			 the House, the longest continuous term of any Speaker since the first Congress
			 met in 1789.
				(18)Tip O’Neill’s
			 extraordinary record of public service and tremendous accomplishments for the
			 nation and unmatched attention to the needs of his constituents led President
			 George H.W. Bush in 1991 to present Tip O’Neill with the Presidential Medal of
			 Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
				(19)It is also
			 altogether fitting to recognize Tip O’Neill’s support for the protection of the
			 natural, historic, and cultural resources of the national parks of
			 Massachusetts.
				(b)DesignationThe
			 Salt Pond Visitor Center at Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham,
			 Massachusetts, is designated as the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Salt Pond
			 Visitor Center.
			(c)ReferencesAny reference to the Salt Pond Visitor
			 Center at Cape Cod National Seashore in any law, regulation, map, document,
			 record, or other paper of the United States shall be considered to be a
			 reference to the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Salt Pond Visitor
			 Center.
			(d)SignageThe
			 Secretary of the Interior may post an interpretive sign at the visitor center
			 that—
				(1)includes
			 information on Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., and his contributions as a member of the
			 U.S. House of Representatives;
				(2)includes an image of Thomas P. O’Neill,
			 Jr.; and
				(3)refers to his
			 efforts to aid in the preservation of the national seashore and other national
			 parks in Massachusetts.

		July 17, 2012
		Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
		  printed


114 S1895 IS: Downwinders Compensation Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-07-29
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1895IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 29, 2015Mr. McCain introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for purposes of making claims under such Act based
			 on exposure to atmospheric nuclear testing.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Downwinders Compensation Act of 2015. 2.Inclusion under the Radiation Exposure Compensation ActSection 4(b)(1) of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. 2210 note; Public Law 101–426) is amended—
 (1)in subparagraph (B)— (A)by striking that portion of; and
 (B)by striking that consists of townships 13 through 16 at ranges 63 through 71; and (2)in subparagraph (C), by inserting all acreage in any county all or part of which is located in before that part.


114 S3286 IS: Keeping Aircraft Away from Terrorists Act of 2016
U.S. Senate
2016-09-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS2d Session
		S. 3286
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 6, 2016
			Mr. Rubio introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

		A BILL
		To prohibit the issuing of licenses for the export or reexport of aircraft and related parts and
			 services to Iran.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Keeping Aircraft Away from Terrorists Act of 2016.
		2.Prohibition on issuance of licenses relating to exporting or reexporting certain aircraft to Iran
 (a)In generalThe President or the head of an executive agency may not issue any license under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or subpart E of part 535 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, or provide other guidance (including in the form of executive actions, rules, regulations, frequently asked questions, written communications, or any other commitments), that permits—
 (1)a United States person to conduct a transaction related to the negotiation of, or entry into, a contract for any activity related to the export or re-export to Iran of aircraft or related parts or services;
 (2)a United States depository institution or United States registered broker or dealer in securities to conduct a transaction related to the negotiation of, or entry into, such a contract; or
 (3)a foreign financial institution to conduct a transaction related to the negotiation of, or entry into, such a contract.
 (b)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Executive agencyThe term executive agency has the meaning given that term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code.
 (2)Foreign financial institutionThe term foreign financial institution has the meaning given that term in section 1010.605 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2016.
 (3)United States depository institutionThe term United States depository institution has the meaning given that term in section 560.319 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2016.
 (4)United States personThe term United States person means— (A)a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or
 (B)an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.
 (5)United States registered broker or dealer in securitiesThe term United States registered broker or dealers in securities has the meaning given that term in section 560.321 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2016.


116 S773 IS: Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-03-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 773IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 13, 2019Mr. Gardner (for himself and Mr. Peters) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the effect of including
			 telehealth services in Medicare health care delivery reform models.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2019.
		2.CMI testing of coverage of expanded telehealth services
 (a)In generalSection 1115A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315a) is amended— (1)in subsection (b)(2)—
 (A)in subparagraph (A), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The models selected under this subparagraph shall include the model described in subparagraph (D), which shall be implemented by not later than January 1, 2020.; and
 (B)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:  (D)Telehealth services in delivery reform modelsThe model described in this subparagraph is a model that meets the requirements of subsection (h) with respect to coverage of, and payment for, expanded telehealth services, which shall include remote monitoring services, furnished in conjunction with models that test the use of accountable care organizations under title XVIII, bundled payments under such title, and such other coordinated care models under such title as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.;
 (2)in subsection (b)(4), by striking Evaluation.— and inserting Evaluation.—Subject to subsection (h)(6):; and (3)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

						(h)Medicare coverage of expanded telehealth services under accountable care organization models,
			 bundled payment models, and other appropriate models tested by the
			 Secretary
							(1)Establishment of telehealth service models
 (A)In generalSubject to the succeeding provisions of this subsection, for the 5-year period that begins on January 1, 2020, the Secretary shall test coverage of, and payment for, expanded telehealth services (as defined in paragraph (2)) furnished to applicable individuals who are Medicare beneficiaries (as defined in paragraph (3)(B)) in conjunction with models tested under subsection (b), and expanded under subsection (c) (if applicable), that test the use of accountable care organizations under title XVIII, bundled payments under such title, and such other coordinated care models under such title as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
 (B)Model design considerationsIn establishing models to be tested for enhanced telehealth services under subsection (b)(2)(D), the Secretary shall design such models in a manner to permit comparisons of Medicare beneficiaries who are participating in models under subsection (b) that include access to expanded telehealth services with Medicare beneficiaries in models under subsection (b) who do not have access to such services.
								(2)Expanded telehealth services defined
 (A)In generalSubject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in this subsection, the term expanded telehealth services means services furnished by an eligible physician or practitioner to a Medicare beneficiary as part of an episode of care for one or more of the conditions specified under paragraph (4) through one or more of the following:
 (i)Remote monitoring technologies, including remote device management for purposes of remotely interrogating or programming a medical device (such as a pacemaker or a cardiac resynchronization therapy device) outside the office of the physician specialist involved.
 (ii)Bi-directional audio/video technologies. (iii)Physiologic and behavioral monitoring technologies.
 (iv)Engagement prompt technologies. (v)Store and forward technologies.
 (vi)Point-of-care testing technologies. (vii)Such other technologies as the Secretary may specify.
									(B)Inclusion of Medicare telehealth services; non-application of certain restrictions
 (i)Inclusion of medicare telehealth servicesThe term expanded telehealth services shall include a telehealth service, as defined in section 1834(m)(4)(F), without regard to the limitations specified under section 1834(m)(4).
 (ii)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed as imposing a requirement on the furnishing of expanded telehealth services that such services be furnished in real time through interactive audio or video telecommunications systems between the eligible physician or practitioner and the Medicare beneficiary.
 (iii)No limitations on geographic areas or location of patientThe term expanded telehealth services shall include services furnished (as described in subparagraph (A)) without regard to the location of the Medicare beneficiary at the time the telehealth service is furnished and without regard to the area in which the Medicare beneficiary resides.
 (C)RequirementsThe term expanded telehealth services shall not include a service furnished (as described in subparagraph (A)) unless it can be demonstrated that the service, when furnished as an expanded telehealth service, is likely to do one or more of the following:
 (i)The service assists eligible physicians or practitioners to coordinate care for patients. (ii)The service enhances collaboration among providers of services and suppliers, including eligible physicians and practitioners, in the provision of care to patients.
 (iii)The service improves quality of care furnished to patients. (iv)The service results in reduced hospital admissions and readmissions.
 (v)The service reduces or substitutes for physician office visits. (vi)The service results in reduced utilization of skilled nursing facility services.
 (vii)The service facilitates the return of patients to the community more quickly than would otherwise occur in the absence of the service.
 (3)Additional definitionsIn this subsection: (A)Eligible physician or practitionerThe term eligible physician or practitioner means—
 (i)a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)); and (ii)a practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C)).
 (B)Medicare beneficiaryThe term Medicare beneficiary means an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B of title XVIII who is not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan under part C of such title, an eligible organization under section 1876, or a PACE program under section 1894.
 (4)ConditionsFor purposes of paragraph (2)(A), the conditions with respect to which a coverage of an expanded telehealth service is furnished under this subsection shall include the following conditions or diseases: chronic hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, heart attack, osteoarthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, depression, atrial fibrillation, cancer, asthma, stroke, total hip replacement procedures, total knee replacement procedures, Parkinson’s disease, and such other conditions or diseases with respect to which the Secretary determines that expanded telehealth services would satisfy one or more of the requirements of clauses (i) through (vii) of paragraph (2)(C).
							(5)Payment
 (A)In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), with respect to expanded telehealth services furnished under a model tested under subsection (b) and expanded under subsection (c) (if applicable), the Secretary shall establish payment amounts under this subsection for such services. The Secretary may use one or more of the following payment methodologies for expanded telehealth services:
 (i)Medicare fee scheduleFee schedules established under title XVIII for telehealth services and remote monitoring services. (ii)New fee scheduleA new fee schedule that the Secretary establishes for expanded telehealth services covered by reason of this subsection.
 (iii)Payment amounts based on shared riskA payment methodology for shared savings and losses that is designed to ensure savings with respect to expanded telehealth services covered under the model.
 (B)Consideration of certain costsIn determining the amount of payment for an expanded telehealth service under the payment methodologies referred to in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall take into account costs incurred by eligible physicians and practitioners—
 (i)for the acquisition and implementation of information systems necessary to furnish such services, including costs of equipment and requisite software;
 (ii)for non-physician clinical personnel in conjunction with such service; and (iii)for physician interpretation of clinical data through the expanded telehealth service as well as for the supervision or oversight of the system for such service.
									(6)Evaluation of models
 (A)Use of independent entityIn lieu of the evaluations conducted by the Secretary under subsection (b)(4) for models tested under subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide for evaluations of enhanced telehealth service models under subsection (b)(2)(D) by an independent entity. Such evaluation shall be conducted with respect to the specific enhanced telehealth service and condition or conditions involved that are tested under such models.
 (B)Timing of evaluationAn evaluation of such enhanced telehealth service and condition or conditions involved conducted by the independent entity under this paragraph shall begin three years after the implementation of the model that provides for coverage of and payment for the expanded telehealth service with respect to such condition.
 (C)CriteriaAn evaluation of such enhanced telehealth service models conducted by the independent entity under this paragraph shall include an analysis of—
 (i)the quality of care furnished under the model, including the measurement of patient-level outcomes and patient-centeredness criteria determined appropriate by the Secretary;
 (ii)the changes in spending under parts A and B of title XVIII by reason of the model, taking into account costs and savings under such parts across the continuum of care for the episode of care and condition or conditions involved; and
 (iii)any impediments that were encountered under the model, such as— (I)explicit telehealth restrictions under Federal or State laws that are not related to health care reimbursement, such as scope of practice limitations;
 (II)licensing or credentialing barriers; and (III)limited broadband access or limited health information technology capabilities.
 (D)InformationThe provisions of subsection (b)(4)(B) shall apply to evaluations conducted under this paragraph in the same manner as such provisions apply to evaluations conducted under subsection (b)(4).
 (7)Application of expanded telehealth services to all CMI modelsThe Secretary shall expand the application of an enhanced telehealth service with respect to the condition or conditions involved to all models tested under subsection (b), and expanded under subsection (c) (if applicable), that apply with respect to services furnished under title XVIII to provide for coverage of, and payment for, such enhanced telehealth service or services with respect to such condition or conditions under all such models for years beginning after the 5-year period described in paragraph (1)(A) if—
 (A)the independent evaluation conducted under paragraph (6) with respect to such models demonstrates that such enhanced telehealth service or services with respect to the condition or conditions involved resulted in—
 (i)reduced spending under parts A and B of title XVIII without reducing the quality of care; or (ii)improved quality of patient care without increasing such spending; and
 (B)the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such expansion would reduce net program spending under parts A and B of title XVIII..
				(b)Coverage of and payment for certain enhanced telehealth services that are certified as providing
			 savings under the medicare program
 (1)CoverageSection 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

						(x)Certified enhanced telehealth services
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall pay for certified enhanced telehealth services (as defined in paragraph (2)(A)) furnished by a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)) or a practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C)) to a Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary (as defined in paragraph (2)(B)) for one or more of the conditions specified under section 1115A(h)(4) in an amount determined under paragraph (3) without regard to—
 (A)the location of the Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary at the time the certified enhanced telehealth service is furnished; and
 (B)the area in which the Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary resides. (2)DefinitionsIn this subsection:
 (A)Certified enhanced telehealth serviceThe term certified enhanced telehealth service means, with respect to a condition or conditions specified under section 115A(h)(4), an enhanced telehealth service (as defined in section 1115A(h)(2)) with respect to which—
 (i)an independent evaluation conducted under section 1115A(h)(6) demonstrates that the service tested under a model under section 1115A(b)(2)(D) with respect to the condition or conditions resulted in—
 (I)reduced spending under parts A and B without reducing the quality of care; or (II)improved quality of patient care without increasing such spending; and
 (ii)the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such expansion would reduce net program spending under such parts.
 (B)Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaryThe term Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary has the meaning given such term in section 1899(h)(3). (3)Payment amountThe amount of payment for certified enhanced telehealth services shall be determined in the same manner as payments for enhanced telehealth services are determined under section 1115A(h)(5)..
 (2)PaymentSection 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended by striking and before (CC) and inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (CC) with respect to certified enhanced telehealth services (as defined in section 1834(x)(2)(A)), the amount paid shall be an amount equal to 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or the amount determined under section 1834(x)(3).


115 HR 605 IH: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-01-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 605IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 23, 2017Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo facilitate nationwide availability of volunteer income tax assistance for low-income and
			 underserved populations, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act. 2.FindingsCongress makes the following findings:
 (1)Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs offer tax preparation and related financial services, free of charge, to middle- and low-income individuals and families. The majority of individuals served by VITA programs have annual household earnings below $54,000.
 (2)During the 2016 Federal income tax filing season, VITA programs filed more than 3.8 million Federal income tax returns. This included more than 714,000 returns for the earned income tax credit (EITC), helping program recipients claim $1.1 billion in EITC on their Federal tax refunds. One in five taxpayers who were eligible to claim the EITC failed to do so.
 (3)VITA programs assist underserved taxpayers, including low-wage workers, persons with disabilities, the elderly, Native Americans, rural populations, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency.
 (4)In 2016, clients of VITA programs electronically filed their tax returns at a much higher rate (96.5 percent) than the general population (86.4 percent).
 (5)Electronic returns cost the Internal Revenue Service considerably less to process ($0.22 per return) than paper returns ($4.09 per return).
 (6)The high rate of electronic filing by VITA sites saves the Internal Revenue Service millions of dollars per year.
 (7)An Internal Revenue Service survey has shown that very low-income taxpayers are twice as likely as the general population to visit a Taxpayer Assistance Center and half as likely to use the Internal Revenue Service Web site. Volunteer tax preparation programs serve as an accessible and cost-effective alternative to other Internal Revenue Service channels.
 (8)Internal Revenue Service estimates from fiscal year 2005 found that the volunteer preparation program cost $12.01 per contact, while Taxpayer Assistance Centers and assisted toll-free calls averaged $28.73 and $19.46 per contact, respectively.
 (9)The number of tax returns prepared by the VITA program increased 100 percent between the 2014 (1.9 million) and 2016 (3.8 million) tax filing seasons.
 (10)During tax filing season 2016, 298 organizations applied to the Internal Revenue Service seeking more than $24.3 million in grant funding through the VITA program—more than double the available resources—and 210 organizations received grants at a median grant of approximately $40,000.
 3.DefinitionsAs used in this Act: (1)Qualified return preparation programThe term qualified return preparation program means any program—
 (A)which provides assistance to individuals, not less than 90 percent of whom are low-income taxpayers, in preparing and filing Federal income tax returns, including schedules reporting sole proprietorship or farm income,
 (B)which is administered by a qualified entity, (C)in which all of the volunteers who assist in the preparation of Federal income tax returns meet the training requirements prescribed by the Secretary, and
 (D)which uses a quality review process which reviews 100 percent of all returns. (2)Qualified entity (A)In generalThe term qualified entity means any entity which—
 (i)is described in subparagraph (B), (ii)is in compliance with Federal tax filing and payment requirements,
 (iii)is not debarred or suspended from Federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, and (iv)agrees to provide documentation to substantiate any matching funds provided under the VITA grant program.
 (B)Entity describedAn entity is described in this subparagraph if such entity is— (i)an institution of higher education which is described in section 102 (other than subsection (a)(1)(C) thereof) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088), as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and which has not been disqualified from participating in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
 (ii)an organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code,
 (iii)a State or local government agency, including— (I)a county or municipal government agency,
 (II)an Indian tribe, as defined in section 4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13)), including any tribally designated housing entity (as defined in section 4(22) of such Act (25 U.S.C. 4103(22))), tribal subsidiary, subdivision, or other wholly owned tribal entity, and
 (III)a State government agency, but only if no other entity described in this subparagraph is available to assist the targeted population or community,
 (iv)a local, State, regional, or national coalition (with one lead organization which meets the eligibility requirements of clause (i), (ii), or (iii) acting as the applicant organization), or
 (v)a Cooperative Extension Service office, but only if no other entity described in this subparagraph is available to assist the targeted population or community.
 (3)Low-income taxpayersThe term low-income taxpayer means a taxpayer who has an income which does not exceed 250 percent of the poverty level, as determined in accordance with criteria established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
 (4)Underserved populationThe term underserved population includes populations of persons with disabilities, persons with limited English proficiency, Native Americans, individuals living in rural areas, and the elderly.
 (5)Lead national organizationThe term lead national organization means an organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code which has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Secretary—
 (A)capacity in a minimum of 15 States, territories, or tribal areas, (B)expertise in the provision of tax preparation services to low-income taxpayers and underserved populations,
 (C)an ability to train program leadership and staff, (D)capacity to disseminate information throughout the United States, and
 (E)capacity to— (i)maintain a Web site through which information is disseminated in an easily accessible manner, and
 (ii)provide technical assistance and training through Web-based technologies. (6)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate.
			4.Grants to facilitate nationwide availability of volunteer income tax assistance for low-income and
			 underserved populations
 (a)In generalThe Secretary, through the Internal Revenue Service, shall establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program (hereinafter in this section referred to as the VITA grant program). Except as otherwise provided in this section, the VITA grant program shall be administered in the same manner as the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance matching grants demonstration program established under title I of division D of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.
			(b)Matching grants
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall make available grants under the VITA grant program to provide matching funds for the development, expansion, or continuation of qualified return preparation programs assisting low-income taxpayers and members of underserved populations.
 (2)ApplicationIn order to be eligible for a grant under this section, a qualified return preparation program shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require for each fiscal year.
 (3)PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applications— (A)demonstrating assistance to low-income taxpayers, with emphasis on outreach to and services for persons with an income at or below 250 percent of the Federal poverty level, as determined in accordance with criteria established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
 (B)demonstrating taxpayer outreach and education around available income supports and refundable credits such as the earned income tax credit under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
 (C)demonstrating specific outreach and focus on one or more underserved populations. (4)Use of fundsQualified return preparation programs receiving a grant under this section may use the grant for—
 (A)ordinary and necessary costs associated with program operation in accordance with Cost Principles Circulars as set forth by the Office of Management and Budget,
 (B)outreach and educational activities relating to eligibility and availability of income supports available through the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, such as the earned income tax credit, and
 (C)services related to financial education and capability, asset development, and the establishment of savings accounts in connection with tax return preparation.
					(5)Duration of grants
 (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), a grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of 1 year and shall not be renewed other than through an application under paragraph (2).
 (B)Extended grantsThe Secretary may award a grant under this section for a period of not more than 3 years to any qualified return preparation program which—
 (i)received a grant under this section for the preceding year, and (ii)received a score of 90 percent or better on a technical evaluation.
						(c)Promotion and referral
 (1)PromotionThe Secretary shall promote the benefits of, and encourage the use of, tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through the use of mass communications, referrals, and other means.
 (2)Internal revenue service referralsThe Secretary may refer taxpayers to qualified return preparation programs receiving funding under this section.
 (3)Vita grantee referralQualified return preparation programs receiving a grant under this section are encouraged to refer, as appropriate, to local or regional Low Income Tax Clinics individuals who are eligible to receive services at such clinics.
				(d)Authorization of Appropriations
 (1)In generalFor each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, there are authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this section.
 (2)ReservationFrom the funds appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent for administration of the program.
 (3)AvailabilityAmounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of paragraph (1) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
				5.National center To promote quality, excellence, and evaluation in volunteer income tax assistance
			(a)National center To promote quality, excellence, and evaluation in volunteer income tax assistance
 (1)EstablishmentThere is hereby established the National Center to Promote Quality, Excellence, and Evaluation in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (hereinafter in this section referred to as the Center).
 (2)PurposeThe Center shall— (A)promote the adoption of a universally accessible volunteer training platform for the preparation of Federal income tax returns,
 (B)provide capacity-building technical assistance to qualified return preparation program managers, (C)identify and disseminate best practices related to tax site management emerging from States, community-based organizations, nonprofit providers, and local government entities,
 (D)support outreach and marketing efforts to encourage the use of qualified return preparation programs receiving funding under section 4, and
 (E)provide evaluation of programs and activities funded under this Act, including— (i)identification, both in aggregate and disaggregate, of gaps in services for low-income taxpayers and underserved populations, and
 (ii)independent evaluation of progress toward program objectives, as defined by the Secretary. (3)Administration (A)In generalThe Secretary shall—
 (i)designate, through a competitive process, one qualified entity to be the lead national organization, and
 (ii)provide an annual grant to the lead national organization designated under clause (i). (B)Duties of lead national organizationThe lead national organization shall use funds provided through the grant in subparagraph (A)(ii) to—
 (i)carry out the purposes of the Center, and (ii)make subgrants as provided in subsection (b).
						(b)Subgrants
 (1)In generalThe lead national organization shall make available subgrants to eligible organizations to facilitate specialized technical assistance in reaching one or more underserved populations.
 (2)Eligible organizationFor purposes of this subsection, the term eligible organization means any organization which— (A)is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code,
 (B)has, to the satisfaction of the lead national organization, demonstrated expertise and evidenced-based practices in specialized outreach to, and service of, one or more underserved populations, and
 (C)has, to the satisfaction of the lead national organization, demonstrated expertise in the provision of specialized technical assistance relating to qualified return preparation programs for one or more targeted underserved populations.
 (3)ApplicationIn order to be eligible for a subgrant under this subsection, an eligible organization shall submit an application to the lead national organization at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the lead national organization may reasonably require for each fiscal year.
 (4)Use of fundsAn eligible organization which receives a subgrant under this subsection shall assist the Center by—
 (A)providing technical assistance to qualified return preparation programs with targeted outreach and assistance to one or more underserved populations, and
 (B)including strategies for the provision of technical assistance targeting individuals and families with annual household earnings at or below 250 percent of the poverty line within the underserved populations served by the subgrant.
					(5)Subgrant amount
 (A)In generalEach year, the lead national organization shall make available subgrants which, in the aggregate, do not exceed 40 percent of the grant received under subsection (a).
 (B)Underserved populationsOf the amount of subgrants provided under subparagraph (A)— (i)not less than 25 percent shall be dedicated to specialized technical assistance in serving taxpayers with disabilities,
 (ii)not less than 25 percent shall be dedicated to specialized technical assistance in serving limited English speaking taxpayers, and
 (iii)not less than 25 percent shall be dedicated to specialized technical assistance in serving Native American taxpayers.
 (6)Duration of subgrantsA subgrant awarded under this subsection shall be for a period of 1 year and shall not be renewed other than through an application under paragraph (3).
				(c)Authorization of Appropriations
 (1)In generalFor each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, there are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this section.
 (2)AvailabilityAmounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of paragraph (1) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
				6.National service programs to provide tax preparation assistance
 (a)VISTASection 103(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4953(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (12), by striking and at the end;
 (2)in paragraph (13), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

 (14)in connection with tax preparation assistance programs for low-income and older individuals and families, particularly Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs..
 (b)National Service Senior CorpsSection 225(b) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5025(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (17)Programs that promote financial literacy and financial empowerment, such as through providing tax preparation assistance to low-income or elderly individuals..
 (c)AmeriCorpsSection 122(a)(5)(B) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12572(a)(5)(B)) is amended—
 (1)in clause (x), by striking and at the end; (2)by redesignating clause (xi) as clause (xii); and
 (3)by inserting after clause (x) the following:  (xi)carrying out tax preparation assistance programs for low-income and older individuals and families, particularly Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs; and.
 (d)National Civilian Community CorpsSection 157(a)(1) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12617(a)(1)) is amended by striking urban and rural development and inserting rural and urban development, including improving financial capabilities of urban residents through tax assistance programs.
 (e)Social innovation funds pilot programSection 198K(f)(3) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653k(f)(3)) is amended—
 (1)in subparagraph (G), by striking or at the end; (2)in subparagraph (H), by adding or at the end; and
 (3)by adding at the end the following:  (I)financial literacy for low-income and older individuals and families, particularly through assisting low-income and older individuals and families with tax preparation;.
				(f)Notification from the Internal Revenue Service
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, shall provide notification to any eligible organization (as defined in paragraph (3)), at such time and in such manner as is determined appropriate by the Secretary, that such organization may be eligible for additional assistance through programs which are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, including—
 (A)the National Service Trust program under subtitle C of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.);
 (B)the National Civilian Community Corps Program under subtitle E of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.);
 (C)the Volunteers in Service to America program under part A of title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.);
 (D)the Social Innovation Funds grant program under part III of subtitle H of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653k);
 (E)the Volunteer Generation Fund program under section 198P of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653p); and
 (F)the National Senior Service Corps programs, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, under title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 5000 et seq.).
 (2)NotificationThe notification described in paragraph (1) shall provide resources for eligible organizations to apply to programs described in such paragraph and direct such organizations to materials available on the public website of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service (or the Chief Executive Officer's designee) shall prepare those resources and materials.
 (3)Eligible organizationThe term eligible organization means— (A)a qualified entity which administers a qualified return preparation program that receives or has received a grant from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue; or
 (B)an organization which enters into or has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury under section 163 of the Revenue Act of 1978 (26 U.S.C. 7804 note) to provide tax counseling assistance for elderly individuals in the preparation of their Federal income tax returns.
 (g)Matching funds requirementsSection 121(e)(2) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571(e)(2)) is amended by striking laws) and inserting laws, but including funds made available under the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program established under section 4 of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Act..