		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6110
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 14, 2010
			Mr. Butterfield
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize
		  telehealth and telemedicine grant programs.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Telehealth Improvement and Expansion Act of
			 2010.
		2.Reauthorization
			 of telehealth and telemedicine grant programs
			(a)Telehealth
			 network and telehealth resource centers grant programsSection 330I (42 U.S.C. 254c–14) is
			 amended—
				(1)in subsection (a),
			 by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:

						(3)Frontier
				communityThe term
				frontier community shall have such meaning as developed by the
				Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than
				one year after the date of the enactment of the Telehealth Improvement and
				Expansion Act of 2010.
						;

				(2)in subsection (b),
			 by striking , under section 301,;
				(3)in subsection
			 (c)(2), by striking under section 301 and inserting under
			 this section;
				(4)in subsection
			 (f)(1)(B)(iii)—
					(A)in subclause (IV),
			 by striking Local health departments and inserting State,
			 local, or tribal health departments;
					(B)in subclause
			 (VII), by inserting , including skilled nursing facilities
			 before the period at the end;
					(C)in subclause (IX),
			 by inserting , including community mental health centers or county
			 mental health and public mental health facilities before the period at
			 the end; and
					(D)by adding at the
			 end the following:

							(XIII)Renal dialysis
				facilities.
							;
					(5)by amending
			 subsection (i) to read as follows:

						(i)Preferences
							(1)Telehealth
				NetworksIn awarding grants
				under subsection (d)(1) for projects involving telehealth networks, the
				Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities meeting at least one of
				the following:
								(A)NetworkThe
				eligible entity is a health care provider in, or proposing to form, a health
				care network that furnishes services in a medically underserved area or a
				health professional shortage area.
								(B)Broad geographic
				coverageThe eligible entity demonstrates broad geographic
				coverage in the rural or medically underserved areas of the State or States in
				which the entity is located.
								(C)LinkagesThe
				eligible entity demonstrates its ability to use the grant to establish or
				develop plans for telehealth systems that will link rural hospitals and rural
				health care providers to other hospitals, health care providers, and
				patients.
								(D)EfficiencyThe
				eligible entity demonstrates its ability to use the grant to promote greater
				efficiency in the use of health care resources.
								(E)ViabilityThe eligible entity demonstrates the
				long-term viability of projects through—
									(i)availability of
				non-Federal funding sources; and
									(ii)institutional and
				community support for the telehealth network.
									(F)ServicesThe
				eligible entity provides a plan for coordinating system use by eligible
				entities and prioritizes use of grant funds for health care services over
				nonclinical uses.
								(2)Telehealth
				resource centersIn awarding
				grants under subsection (d)(2) for projects involving telehealth resource
				centers, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities meeting at
				least one of the following:
								(A)Provision of a
				broad range of servicesThe eligible entity has a record of
				success in the provision of a broad range of telehealth services to medically
				underserved areas or populations.
								(B)Provision of
				telehealth technical assistanceThe eligible entity has a record
				of success in the provision of technical assistance to providers serving
				medically underserved areas or populations in the establishment and
				implementation of telehealth services.
								(C)Collaboration
				and sharing of expertiseThe eligible entity has a demonstrated
				record of collaborating and sharing expertise with providers of telehealth
				services at the national, regional, State, and local
				levels.
								;
				(6)in subsection
			 (j)(2)(B), by striking such projects for fiscal year 2001 and
			 all that follows through the period and inserting such projects for
			 fiscal year 2010.;
				(7)in subsection
			 (k)(1)—
					(A)in subparagraph
			 (E)(i), by striking transmission of medical data and inserting
			 transmission and electronic archival of medical data; and
					(B)by amending
			 subparagraph (F) to read as follows:

							(F)developing projects to use telehealth
				technology to—
								(i)facilitate
				collaboration between health care providers;
								(ii)promote
				telenursing services; or
								(iii)promote patient understanding and adherence
				to national guidelines for chronic disease and self-management of such
				conditions;
								;
					(8)in subsection (n),
			 by inserting and minimize duplication before the period at the
			 end;
				(9)in subsection (q),
			 by striking Not later than September 30, 2005 and inserting
			 Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Telehealth
			 Improvement and Expansion Act of 2010, and annually thereafter;
				(10)by striking
			 subsection (r);
				(11)by redesignating
			 subsection (s) as subsection (r); and
				(12)in subsection (r)
			 (as so redesignated)—
					(A)in paragraph
			 (1)—
						(i)by
			 striking and before such sums; and
						(ii)by
			 inserting , $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012 through
			 2016 before the semicolon; and
						(B)in paragraph
			 (2)—
						(i)by
			 striking and before such sums; and
						(ii)by
			 inserting , $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012 through
			 2016 before the period.
						(b)Telemedicine;
			 incentive grants regarding coordination among StatesSubsection
			 (b) of section 330L (42 U.S.C. 254c–18) is amended by inserting ,
			 $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012 through 2016 before the
			 period at the end.


113 S1405 IS: Medicare Ambulance Access Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
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.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1405
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 31, 2013
			Mr. Schumer (for
			 himself, Mr. Roberts,
			 Mr. Leahy, and Ms. Landrieu) introduced the following bill; which
			 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to
		  provide for an extension of certain ambulance add-on payments under the
		  Medicare program.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Medicare Ambulance Access Act of
			 2013.
		2.Extension of
			 certain ambulance add-on payments
			(a)Ground
			 AmbulanceSection 1834(l)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(13)(A)) is amended—
				(1)in the matter
			 preceding clause (i), by striking January 1, 2014 and inserting
			 January 1, 2019; and
				(2)in each of
			 clauses (i) and (ii), by striking January 1, 2014 and inserting
			 January 1, 2019 each place it appears.
				(b)Super Rural
			 AmbulanceSection
			 1834(l)(12)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(12)(A)) is
			 amended in the first sentence by striking January 1, 2014 and
			 inserting January 1, 2019.


117 HR 344 IH: Women Veterans Transitional Residence Utilizing Support and Treatment Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-19
text/xml
EN
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I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 344IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 19, 2021Ms. Brownley (for herself, Ms. Kuster, and Mrs. Hayes) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct an analysis of the need for women-specific programs that treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency and to carry out a pilot program regarding such programs.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as Women Veterans Transitional Residence Utilizing Support and Treatment Act or the Women Veterans TRUST Act.2.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)Substance use problems are a significant problem among veterans and can negatively impact a veteran’s health and quality of life.(2)Veterans can turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to relieve stress or the symptoms of mental health disorders.(3)Rates of substance use disorder among women veterans range from three to 16 percent of the population(4)Women veterans face a unique set of challenges associated with their military service that can lead to substance abuse.(5)Women veterans aged 35 and older were found to have higher rates of substance-use disorders than their non-veteran counterparts.(6)Studies indicate women veterans are twice as likely as men veterans to develop posttraumatic stress disorder, twice as likely to have serious psychological distress, and approximately one out of four women veterans reports military sexual trauma.(7)Studies indicate that women veterans with a substance-use disorder diagnosis have higher rates of suicide than their non-veteran peers, and women veterans are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than non-veteran women.(8)Health services that are women-specific can be important to effective care, and women veterans consider the availability of women-specific care as extremely important.(9)While the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides women veterans with substance use treatment through a number of programs, the Women Veterans’ Therapeutic Transitional Residence Program is a model for providing treatment and rehabilitative services to women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency, and it is critical that the Secretary identifies the need for, and feasibility of, similar programs throughout the health care system of the Department.3.Women-specific drug and alcohol dependency treatment and rehabilitative programs for women veterans(a)Analysis(1)RequirementNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a nationwide analysis of the need for women-specific programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs that treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency. Such analysis shall include the following:(A)With respect to each of the three years preceding the date of the analysis, the annual number of women veterans who have been treated and rehabilitated for drug and alcohol dependency at each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs.(B)Information on all non-Department women-specific programs to which the Secretary refers women veterans for treatment and rehabilitation of drug and alcohol dependency, including, for each such program, the name of the entity carrying out the program, the location of the program, and the number of women veterans referred by the Secretary served annually by the program.(C)An analysis of the effectiveness of programs of the Department and non-Department programs to treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency, disaggregated by single-sex versus coed programs.(D)An analysis of all information the Secretary maintains on the satisfaction of women veterans with programs of the Department and non-Department programs to treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency, disaggregated by single-sex versus coed programs.(E)An assessment of the demand and need for women-specific programs to treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency, disaggregated by Veterans Integrated Service Network and medical center of the Department.(F)Proposed locations for implementing the pilot program under subsection (b).(2)ReportNot later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the analysis under paragraph (1).(b)Pilot program(1)RequirementNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall carry out a women-specific pilot program to treat and rehabilitate women veterans with drug and alcohol dependency. The Secretary shall develop such pilot program based on the findings of the analysis conducted under subsection (a).(2)LocationsThe Secretary shall select not fewer than three Veterans Integrated Service Networks in which to carry out the pilot program.(3)TerminationThe authority to carry out a pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.(4)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date on which the pilot program under paragraph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall submit to Committees on Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the pilot program, including—(A)the findings and conclusions of the Secretary regarding the pilot program; and(B)such recommendations of the Secretary regarding the continuation or expansion of the pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate.


114 HR 4446 IH: Zika Response and Safety Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-02-03
text/xml
EN
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		I
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4446
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 3, 2016
			Mr. Stewart (for himself, Mr. Bishop of Utah, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		To authorize the use of Ebola funds for Zika response and preparedness.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Zika Response and Safety Act of 2016. 2.Authorization to use Ebola funds to fight Zika (a)AuthorizationIn addition to the purposes otherwise provided for Ebola funds made available in prior appropriation Acts, such funds may also be used for Zika virus response and preparedness.
 (b)Ebola funds definedFor purposes of this section, the term Ebola funds means amounts made available to any Department or agency for Ebola response and preparedness.


116 HRES 202 IH: Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Agriculture in the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-03-08
text/xml
EN
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IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 202IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 8, 2019Mr. Peterson (for himself and Mr. Conaway) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House AdministrationRESOLUTIONProviding amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Agriculture in the One Hundred Sixteenth
			 Congress.

 1.Amounts for Committee ExpensesFor the expenses of the Committee on Agriculture (hereafter in this resolution referred to as the Committee), including the expenses of all staff salaries, there shall be paid, out of the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives for committee salaries and expenses, not more than $12,451,130 for the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.
 2.Session LimitationsOf the amount specified in section 1— (1)not more than $6,225,565 shall be available for expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on January 3, 2019, and ending immediately before noon on January 3, 2020; and
 (2)not more than $6,225,565 shall be available for expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on January 3, 2020, and ending immediately before noon on January 3, 2021.
 3.VouchersPayments under this resolution shall be made on vouchers authorized by the Committee, signed by the Chairman of the Committee, and approved in the manner directed by the Committee on House Administration.
 4.RegulationsAmounts made available under this resolution shall be expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.


116 HR 5953 : Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-11-18
text/xml
EN
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IIB116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5953IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 18, 2020Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsAN ACTTo amend the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to waive certain debts owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act.2.FlexibilitySection 1216(a) of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 5174a(a)) is amended—(1)by amending paragraph (2)(A) to read as follows:(A)except as provided in subparagraph (B), shall—(i)waive a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household if the covered assistance was distributed based on an error by the Agency and such debt shall be construed as a hardship; and(ii)waive a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household if such assistance is subject to a claim or legal action, including in accordance with section 317 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5160); and ; and(2)in paragraph (3)(B)—(A)by striking Removal of and inserting Report on; and(B)in clause (ii) by striking the authority of the Administrator to waive debt under paragraph (2) shall no longer be effective and inserting the Administrator shall report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate actions that the Administrator will take to reduce the error rate. 3.Report to CongressThe Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing a description of the internal processes used to make decisions regarding the distribution of covered assistance under section 1216 of the Disaster Recovery and Reform Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 5174a) and any changes made to such processes.4.Determination of budgetary effectsThe budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage. Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2020.Cheryl L. Johnson,Clerk.


113 S2628 IS: UAC State Notification Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-07-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS2d Session
		S. 2628
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 17, 2014
			Mr. Johanns introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To require notification of a Governor of a State if an unaccompanied alien child is placed in a
			 facility or with a sponsor in
			 the State and for other purposes.

		1.Short title
			This Act may be cited as the
		  UAC State Notification Act of 2014.
		2.Notification of State GovernorsSection 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
			 (8 U.S.C. 1232) is amended by adding at the end the following:(j)Notification to StatesThe Secretary of Homeland Security or the Secretary of Health
			 and Human Services shall notify the
			 Governor of a State not later than 48 hours prior to the placement of an
			 unaccompanied alien child in the custody of such Secretary in a facility
			 or with a sponsor in such State..


116 SRES 103 ATS: Designating March 27, 2019, as “National Assistive Technology Awareness Day”.
U.S. Senate

text/xml
EN
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		III
		116th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 103
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 11, 2019
			Mr. Casey (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Designating March 27, 2019, as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.

 Whereas assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities and older adults;
 Whereas the term assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a person with a disability or an older adult in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device;
 Whereas, in 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 4 people in the United States, or almost 61,000,000 individuals, has a disability;
 Whereas, in 2017, the Department of Education reported that there were more than 6,700,000 children with disabilities;
 Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, among adults 65 years of age and older, 2 in 5 have a disability;
 Whereas assistive technology allows people with disabilities and older adults to be included in their communities and in inclusive classrooms and workplaces;
 Whereas assistive technology devices and services are not luxury items but necessities for millions of people with disabilities and older adults, without which they would be unable to live in their communities, access education, and obtain, retain, and advance gainful, competitive integrated employment;
 Whereas the availability of assistive technology in the workplace promotes economic self-sufficiency, enhances work participation, and is critical to the employment of people with disabilities and older adults; and
 Whereas State assistive technology programs support a continuum of services that include— (1)the exchange, repair, recycling, and other reutilization of assistive technology devices;
 (2)device loan programs that provide short term loans of assistive technology devices to individuals, employers, public agencies, and others;
 (3)the demonstration of devices to inform decision making; and (4)providing State financing activities to help individuals purchase or obtain assistive technology through a variety of initiatives, such as financial loan programs, leasing programs, and other financing alternatives, that give individuals affordable, flexible options to purchase or obtain assistive technology: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)designates March 27, 2019, as National Assistive Technology Awareness Day; and
 (2)commends— (A)assistive technology specialists and program coordinators for their hard work and dedication to serving people with disabilities who are in need of finding the proper assistive technology to meet their individual needs; and
 (B)professional organizations and researchers who are dedicated to facilitating the access and acquisition of assistive technology for people with disabilities and older adults in need of assistive technology devices.


116 HRES 874 IH: Expressing support for the annual Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on February 22, 2020, coinciding with American Heart Month.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-02-27
text/xml
EN
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IV116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. RES. 874IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 27, 2020Mrs. Beatty submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceRESOLUTIONExpressing support for the annual Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on February 22, 2020, coinciding with American Heart Month.Whereas as many as 11,600,000 people in the United States have heart valve disease, which involves damage to one or more of the heart’s valves and can reduce blood flow, causing the heart to work harder and the body to get less oxygen;Whereas around 25,000 people in the United States die from heart valve disease every year;Whereas more than 1 in 10 people age 75 and older are estimated to have moderate to severe valve disease;Whereas if not treated, some forms of heart valve disease can lead to major health problems including decreased mobility, disability, loss of independence, heart failure, stroke, blood clotting, or even death;Whereas when aortic stenosis, a common form of valve disease, becomes severe, the average survival rate without surgical intervention is as low as 50 percent at 2 years after the onset of symptoms and 20 percent at 5 years after such onset;Whereas symptoms of heart valve disease such as shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, and fainting are often dismissed as normal aspects of aging;Whereas people are at higher risk of developing heart valve disease if they have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, diabetes, coronary heart disease, a congenital heart abnormality or family history of valve disease, a history of heart problems like heart attack or heart failure, rheumatic fever or infective endocarditis, or previous valve disease;Whereas people are also at higher risk of developing heart valve disease if they are a smoker, overweight or obese, get little physical activity or exercise, or are older in age;Whereas heart valve disease, with proper education and awareness, can often be detected through a simple physical exam and treated with either valve repair or valve replacement; andWhereas February 22, 2020, is the designated day to observe National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be itThat the House of Representatives supports—(1)the goals of National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day;(2)increasing recognition of the specific risks and symptoms of heart valve disease; and(3)improving detection and treatment of heart valve disease.


110 HR 4624 IH: To extend the temporary suspension of duty on

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-13
text/xml
EN
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		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4624
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 13, 2007
			Mr. English of
			 Pennsylvania introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on
		  Trichlorobenzene.

		1.Trichlorobenzene
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.22.33 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by striking
			 12/31/2009 and inserting 12/31/2011.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 subsection (a) applies with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from
			 warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.


110 HR 5930 IH: Charitable Aid to Community Heroes Act

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-04-30
text/xml
EN
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		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5930
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 30, 2008
			Mrs. Bono Mack (for
			 herself and Mr. Thompson of
			 California) 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 allow
		  charitable organizations to collect and disperse deductible contributions for
		  certain individuals who are injured or killed in an effort to protect life or
		  property.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Charitable Aid to Community Heroes Act
			 of 2008.
		2.Charitable
			 organizations permitted to collect and disperse deductible contributions for
			 certain individuals who are injured or killed in an effort to protect life or
			 property
			(a)In
			 generalSection 170 of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to charitable, etc., contributions and
			 gifts) is amended by redesignating subsection (p) as subsection (q) and by
			 inserting after subsection (o) the following new subsection:

					(p)Charitable
				organizations permitted To collect and disperse deductible contributions for
				certain individuals who are injured or killed in an effort To protect life or
				propertyFor purposes of this
				title—
						(1)In
				generalPayments made by an
				organization described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 509(a) to an eligible
				individual or to a member of such individual’s family shall be treated as
				related to the purpose or function constituting the basis for such
				organization's exemption under section 501 if the requirements of paragraphs
				(3), (4), and (5) are met.
						(2)Eligible
				individualFor purposes of
				this subsection, the term eligible individual means any
				individual who is injured or killed in an effort to protect life or property if
				such individual is injured or killed while on duty as—
							(A)any Federal,
				State, or local government employee, or
							(B)a member of a qualified volunteer emergency
				response organization (as defined in section 139B(c)(3)).
							(3)Fundraising
				requirementsThe requirements
				of this paragraph are met if—
							(A)the organization
				referred to in paragraph (1) does not engage in any effort to solicit
				contributions for distribution under this subsection,
							(B)such organization accepts contributions
				with respect to any death or injury only during the 1-year period beginning on
				the last day of the event which resulted in such death or injury,
							(C)at least 50 donors
				contribute to such organization with respect to such event, and
							(D)more than 95 percent of the funds are
				contributed by persons who are unrelated to any individual who is entitled to
				any distribution from such contributions.
							(4)Administrative
				requirementsThe requirements
				of this paragraph are met if the entire amount contributed (and any earnings
				thereon) is distributed to eligible individuals or members of their
				families.
						(5)Distribution
				requirements
							(A)In
				generalThe requirements of this paragraph are met with respect
				to an event if—
								(i)all distributions
				are made within 180 days after the close of the 1-year period referred to in
				paragraph (3)(B), and
								(ii)of the aggregate
				amount to be distributed—
									(I)half is
				distributed in equal amounts to each eligible individual with respect to such
				event, and
									(II)half is
				distributed in accordance with subparagraph (B).
									(B)Family
				sharesThe amount required to be distributed under this
				subparagraph shall be distributed as follows (with shares being equal
				amounts):
								(i)Each eligible
				individual shall receive 1 share.
								(ii)Each spouse of an
				eligible individual shall receive 1 share.
								(iii)Each qualifying
				child of an eligible individual or an eligible individual’s spouse shall
				receive ½ share.
								(6)Member of
				familyFor purposes of this subsection—
							(A)In
				generalThe members of the family of an eligible individual are
				the spouse and qualifying children of such individual.
							(B)Date of
				determinationThe determination of whether an individual is a
				spouse or qualifying child of an eligible individual shall be made as of the
				date of the death or injury of such individual, whichever is earlier.
							(C)Qualifying
				childThe term qualifying child means, with
				respect to an eligible individual, any individual—
								(i)who
				bears a relationship to the eligible individual or the eligible individual’s
				spouse which is described in section 152(c)(2),
								(ii)who meets the age
				requirements of section 152(c)(3), and
								(iii)over half of
				whose support is provided by the eligible individual.
								(7)Deceased
				eligible individualsIn the case of an eligible individual who
				died as a result of the event to which this subsection applies, references to
				such individual shall be treated as references to the estate of such
				individual.
						(8)Organizations
				receiving contributions with respect to more than 1 eventIf any
				organization receives contributions with respect to more than 1 event, the
				provisions of this subsection shall be applied separately with respect to each
				event.
						.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to
			 contributions received by organizations after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act.


111 HR 217 IH: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acquire a parcel of land adjacent to Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.
U.S. House of Representatives
2009-01-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 217
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2009
Mr. Wilson of South Carolina introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, 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 direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to acquire a parcel of land adjacent to Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.

1.Acquisition of land adjacent to Beaufort National Cemetery
(a)Authority To purchaseSubject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall acquire, in accordance with chapter 24 of title 38, United States Code, the parcel of land described in subsection (b) to be used for the expansion of the Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.
(b)Parcel describedThe parcel of land described in this subsection is a parcel of land consisting of approximately 4.9 acres located on 17th Street in Beaufort, South Carolina, as depicted on tax map number 120–1–238 dated May 4, 1998.
(c)Authority To accept donation of parcel of land
(1)AuthorityThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs may accept on behalf of the United States the gift of the parcel of land described in subsection (b). The Secretary shall have administrative jurisdiction over such parcel, and shall use such parcel to expand the Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, South Carolina.
(2)Income tax treatment of giftFor purposes of Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, the land accepted under paragraph (1) shall be considered as a gift to the United States.
(d)Report to CongressAs soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the acquisition of the parcel of land described in subsection (b).


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3591
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 7, 2011
			Mr. DeFazio (for
			 himself, Mr. Hinchey, and
			 Ms. Slaughter) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the
			 Judiciary, 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 recalculate and restore retirement annuity obligations
		  of the United States Postal Service, eliminate the requirement that the United
		  States Postal Service pre-fund the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund,
		  place restrictions on the closure of postal facilities, create incentives for
		  innovation for the United States Postal Service, to maintain levels of postal
		  service, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Postal Service Protection Act of
			 2011.
		IRetirement annuity
			 obligation recalculation and restoration
			101.Modified
			 methodology
				(a)In
			 generalSection 8348(h) of
			 title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

						(4)(A)To the extent that a
				determination under paragraph (1), relating to benefits attributable to
				civilian employment with the United States Postal Service, is based on a
				provision of law described in subparagraph (C), the determination shall be made
				in accordance with that provision and any otherwise applicable provisions of
				law, subject to the following:
								(i)The average pay used in
				the case of any individual shall be a single amount, determined in accordance
				with section 8331(4), taking into account the rates of basic pay in effect for
				the individual during the periods of creditable service performed by the
				individual. Nothing in this subsection shall be considered to permit or
				require—
									(I)1 determination of average pay with
				respect to service performed with the United States Postal Service; and
									(II)a separate determination of
				average pay with respect to service performed with its predecessor entity in
				function.
									(ii)In determining the portion of an
				annuity attributable to civilian employment with the United States Postal
				Service, with respect to any period of employment with the United States Postal
				Service that follows any other period of employment creditable under section
				8332 (without regard to whether the employment was with an entity referred to
				in clause (i)(II)), the total service of an employee for purposes of any
				provision of law described in subparagraph (C) shall be the sum of—
									(I)any period of employment with the
				United States Postal Service; and
									(II)any period of employment
				creditable under section 8332 that precedes the period described in subclause
				(I).
									(B)(i)Not later than 6 months
				after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Office shall determine (or,
				if applicable, redetermine) the amount of the Postal surplus or supplemental
				liability as of the close of the fiscal year most recently ending before that
				date of enactment, in conformance with the methodology required under
				subparagraph (A).
								(ii)(I)If the result of the determination or
				redetermination under clause (i) is a surplus, the Office may transfer the
				amount of the surplus, or any portion of the amount of the surplus, at the
				request of the United States Postal Service, to—
										(aa)the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits
				Fund established under section 8909a; and
										(bb)the Postal Service Fund established
				under section 2003 of title 39.
										(II)If a determination or redetermination under
				clause (i) for a fiscal year is made before a determination under paragraph
				(2)(B) is made with respect to the fiscal year, the Office may not make a
				determination under paragraph (2)(B) with respect to the fiscal year.
									(C)The provisions of law described in
				this subparagraph are—
								(i)the first sentence of section 8339(a);
				and
								(ii)section
				8339(d)(1).
								.
				(b)Coordination
			 provisions
					(1)Determination of
			 amount payableSection 8909a of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

							(e)Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
				the Office shall determine the amount payable by the Postal Service under
				subsection (d) in any fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 2013,
				without regard to the requirements under section
				8348(h)(4).
							.
					(2)Rule of
			 constructionNothing in this Act shall affect the amount of any
			 benefits otherwise payable from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability
			 Fund to any individual.
					(c)Technical and
			 conforming amendmentThe
			 heading for section 8909a of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
			 striking Benefit and inserting
			 Benefits.
				102.Relating to a postal
			 surplusSection 8348(h)(2)(C)
			 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)by inserting
			 2021, after 2015,; and
				(2)by striking
			 if the result is and all that follows through
			 terminated. and inserting the
			 following:

						if the result is a
			 surplus—(i)that amount, or any portion of that amount,
				may be transferred at the request of the United States Postal Service
				to—
							(I)the Postal Service Retiree Health
				Benefits Fund; and
							(II)the Postal Service Fund
				established under section 2003 of title 39; and
							(ii)any prior amortization schedule for
				payments shall be
				terminated.
						.
				103.Treatment of certain
			 surplus retirement contributionsSection 8423(b) of title 5, United States
			 Code, is amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
				(2)by inserting after
			 paragraph (4) the following:

						(5)If, for fiscal year 2010, the amount
				computed under paragraph (1)(B) is less than zero (in this section referred to
				as surplus postal contributions), the amount of the surplus postal
				contributions, or any portion of the amount, may be transferred at the request
				of the United States Postal Service to—
							(A)the Postal Service Retiree Health
				Benefits Fund established under section 8909a;
							(B)the Postal Service Fund established
				under section 2003 of title 39;
							(C)the Employees’ Compensation Fund
				established under section 8147; and
							(D)the United States Postal Service for
				the repayment of any obligation issued under section 2005 of title
				39.
							.
				104.Elimination of
			 requirement to pre-fund the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits
			 Fund
				(a)In
			 generalSection 8909a of
			 title 5, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended—
					(1)in subsection (d)—
						(A)by striking paragraph (3); and
						(B)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively;
			 and
						(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

							(f)Nothing in this
				section shall be construed to require the Postal Service to pay any amount into
				the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under section
				8909a.
							.
					(b)Technical and
			 conforming amendmentSection 803(b)(1)(A) of the Postal
			 Accountability and Enhancement Act (5 U.S.C. 8909a note) is amended by striking
			 8909a(d)(5) and inserting 8909a(d)(4).
				105.Effective date;
			 rule of construction
				(a)In
			 generalThis title and the
			 amendments made by this title shall take effect on the date of enactment of
			 this Act.
				(b)Intent of
			 CongressIt is the intent of Congress that this title apply with
			 respect to the allocation of past, present, and future benefit liabilities
			 between the United States Postal Service and the Treasury of the United
			 States.
				(c)Rule of
			 constructionNothing in this Act or the amendments made by this
			 Act shall be construed to prohibit the Postal Service from paying any amount of
			 surplus contributions to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and
			 the Federal Employees’ Retirement System into—
					(1)the Postal Service
			 Retiree Health Benefits Fund established under section 8909a of title 5, United
			 States Code; and
					(2)the Postal Service
			 Fund established under section 2003 of title 39, United States Code.
					IIRestrictions on
			 postal facility closures
			201.Modified
			 procedures
				(a)In
			 generalSection 404(d) of title 39, United States Code, is
			 amended by striking (d)(1) and all that follows through
			 paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

						(d)(1)Before making a determination under
				subsection (a)(3) to close or consolidate a postal facility, the Postal Service
				shall—
								(A)conduct an investigation to assess the need
				for the proposed closure or consolidation; and
								(B)ensure that each person served by the
				postal facility has an opportunity to present views by providing appropriate
				notice—
									(i)to each person by mail; and
									(ii)by publication in a newspaper of general
				circulation in the area in which each person resides.
									(2)In conducting an investigation under
				paragraph (1)(A) and determining whether to close or consolidate a postal
				facility under subsection (a)(3), the Postal Service—
								(A)shall consider—
									(i)the effect the closing or
				consolidation would have on the community served by the postal facility;
									(ii)the effect the closing or
				consolidation would have on employees of the Postal Service employed at the
				postal facility; and
									(iii)whether the closing or
				consolidation would be consistent with the policy of the Government under
				section 101(b), that the Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of
				effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small
				towns where postal facilities are not self-sustaining; and
									(B)may not consider compliance with any
				provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et
				seq.).
								(3)(A)Upon completion of an
				investigation under paragraph (1), the Postal Service shall make a decision, in
				writing, whether to proceed with the proposal to close or consolidate a postal
				facility, which shall include the findings of the Postal Service with respect
				to each factor specified in paragraph (2)(A).
								(B)Not later than 90 days before the
				Postal Service makes a final determination under this subsection, the Postal
				Service shall—
									(i)post notice of the decision and
				findings under subparagraph (A) in a prominent place in each postal facility
				that would be affected by the closing or consolidation; and
									(ii)send notice of each posting under
				clause (i) by mail to each person served by the postal facility in which the
				notice is posted.
									(C)Notice under subparagraph (B) shall
				include—
									(i)a statement as follows: This is
				notice of a proposal to _____ this postal facility. A final determination will
				not be made before the end of the 90-day period beginning on the date on which
				this notice is first posted., with the blank space being filled in with
				close or consolidate (whichever is appropriate),
				and with instructions for how any interested person may submit comments;
									(ii)a brief summary of the findings of
				the Postal Service with respect to the factors specified in paragraph (2)(A);
				and
									(iii)the amount of cost savings the
				Postal Service estimates the Postal Service will realize from the closing or
				consolidation, in the first year following the date of the closing or
				consolidation, together with an explanation of the assumptions and
				methodologies used in making the estimate.
									(4)The Postal Service shall make a final
				determination to close or consolidate a postal facility in writing after taking
				into consideration any comments received during the 90-day period described
				under paragraph (3). The Postal Service shall take no action to close or
				consolidate a postal facility before the date that is 60 days after the date on
				which the Postal Service—
								(A)posts a copy of the final
				determination in a prominent location in each affected postal facility;
				and
								(B)sends to each person served by the
				postal facility—
									(i)a notice of the determination;
				and
									(ii)notice of any appeal rights
				available with respect to the
				determination.
									.
				(b)De novo
			 reviewSection 404(d)(5) of
			 title 39, United States Code, is amended—
					(1)by striking post office and
			 inserting postal facility; and
					(2)by striking The Commission shall set
			 aside and all that follows through final disposition of the
			 appeal. and inserting the following: The Commission shall review
			 de novo the determination of the Postal Service. In conducting a review de
			 novo, the Commission shall consider the factors described in paragraph (2)(A).
			 If the Commission finds fault with a determination of the Postal Service, the
			 Commission shall suspend the effectiveness of the determination of the Postal
			 Service..
					(c)Exception;
			 calculation of actual cost savingsSection 404(d) of title 39,
			 United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

						(7)(A)Paragraphs (1) through
				(6) shall not apply in the case of a closing or consolidation which occurs by
				reason of an emergency suspension, as described in section 241.3 of title 39,
				Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto.
							(B)For purposes of this paragraph, the
				term emergency suspension does not, in the case of a leased
				facility, include the termination or cancellation of the lease by a party other
				than the Postal Service.
							(8)(A)Not later than 2 years
				after the date of the closing or consolidation of any postal facility occurring
				after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Inspector General shall
				determine the amount of the cost savings realized by the Postal Service from
				the closing or consolidation for the first year following the closing or
				consolidation.
							(B)The Inspector General shall submit to
				the Postmaster General and to Congress—
								(i)a report for each postal facility for
				which the Inspector made a determination of cost savings under subparagraph (A)
				during the preceding year that includes—
									(I)the amount of the cost savings
				determined to be realized with respect to each closing or consolidation of a
				postal facility, together with an explanation of the assumptions and
				methodologies used in making the determination;
									(II)a comparison of—
										(aa)the cost savings determined by the
				Inspector General; and
										(bb)the estimates provided by the Postal
				Service under paragraph (3)(C)(iii); and
										(III)an explanation of the reasons for
				any differences between the determination of the Inspector General and the
				estimates of the Postal Service, together with recommendations for any
				legislation or administrative action that the Inspector General considers
				appropriate to provide for more accurate estimates; and
									(ii)an annual report with respect to all
				the postal facilities for which the Inspector made a determination of cost
				savings under subparagraph (A) that includes the information required under
				clause
				(i).
								.
				202.DefinitionsSection 404(d) of title 39, United States
			 Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

					(9)In this subsection—
						(A)the term postal facility
				includes an office, branch, station, or other facility which—
							(i)is operated by the Postal Service;
				and
							(ii)provides services to persons
				described in subparagraph (B); and
							(B)any reference to the persons served by a
				postal facility shall include a postal customer receiving mail delivery service
				from the postal facility, a resident of a ZIP code served by the postal
				facility, a postal customer having a post office box at the postal facility,
				and any relevant local government official as defined by the Postal Service by
				rule.
						.
			IIIIncentives for
			 innovation
			301.Authority to
			 offer nonpostal services and products
				(a)Specific
			 powerSection 404(a) of title
			 39, United States Code, is amended—
					(1)in paragraph (7),
			 by striking and at the end;
					(2)in paragraph (8),
			 by striking the period and inserting ; and; and
					(3)by adding at the
			 end the following:

							(9)to provide nonpostal services and products
				in accordance with subsection
				(e).
							.
					(b)Nonpostal
			 services and productsSection 404(e) is amended to read as
			 follows:

						(e)(1)The Postal Service may
				provide any nonpostal service or product in a manner consistent with the public
				interest.
							(2)Not later than 90 days before
				providing a nonpostal service or product that the Postal Service did not
				provide before the date of enactment of this subsection, the Postal Service
				shall request an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission that
				evaluates the extent to which the provision of that nonpostal service or
				product—
								(A)would use the processing,
				transportation, delivery, retail network, technology, or other resources of the
				Postal Service; and
								(B)would be consistent with the public
				interest.
								(3)Not later than 45 days after the date
				on which the Postal Regulatory Commission receives a request under paragraph
				(2), the Postal Regulatory Commission shall—
								(A)issue an advisory opinion to the
				Postal Service concerning the request; and
								(B)transmit a copy of the advisory
				opinion, together with the original request, to—
									(i)the Committee on Oversight and
				Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and
									(ii)the Committee on Homeland Security
				and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
									(4)In this title, the term
				nonpostal service or product means any service or product other
				than a postal service, including—
								(A)check-cashing services;
								(B)technology and media services;
								(C)warehousing and logistics;
								(D)facility leasing;
								(E)public Internet access
				services;
								(F)driver licensing;
								(G)vehicle registration;
								(H)hunting and fishing licensing;
								(I)notary services; and
								(J)voter registration.
								(5)The Postal Service may enter into a
				contract with a State or local agency to provide a nonpostal service or product
				authorized under this
				subsection.
							.
				302.Wine and beer
			 shipping
				(a)Mailability
					(1)Nonmailable
			 articlesSection 1716(f) of title 18, United States Code, is
			 amended by striking mails and inserting mails, except to
			 the extent that the mailing is allowable under section 3001(p) of title
			 39.
					(2)IntoxicantsSection
			 1154(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended, by inserting or,
			 with respect to the mailing of wine or malt beverages, to the extent allowed
			 under section 3001(p) of title 39 after mechanical
			 purposes.
					(b)RegulationsSection
			 3001 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

						(p)(1)Wine or malt beverages
				shall be considered mailable if mailed—
								(A)by a licensed winery or brewery, in
				accordance with applicable regulations under paragraph (2); and
								(B)in accordance with the law of the
				State, territory, or district of the United States where the addressee or duly
				authorized agent takes delivery.
								(2)The Postal Service shall prescribe
				such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this subsection, including
				regulations providing that—
								(A)the mailing shall be by a means
				established by the Postal Service to ensure direct delivery to the addressee or
				a duly authorized agent at a postal facility;
								(B)the addressee (and any duly authorized
				agent) shall be an individual at least 21 years of age, and shall present a
				valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of delivery;
								(C)the wine or malt beverages may not be
				for resale or other commercial purpose; and
								(D)the winery or brewery involved
				shall—
									(i)certify in writing to the
				satisfaction of the Postal Service, through a registration process administered
				by the Postal Service, that the mailing is not in violation of any provision of
				this subsection or regulation prescribed under this subsection; and
									(ii)provide any other information or
				affirmation that the Postal Service may require, including with respect to the
				prepayment of State alcohol beverage taxes.
									(3)For purposes of this
				subsection—
								(A)a winery shall be considered to be
				licensed if that winery holds an appropriate basic permit issued—
									(i)under the Federal Alcohol
				Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.); and
									(ii)under the law of the State in
				which the winery is located; and
									(B)a brewery shall be considered to be
				licensed if that brewery—
									(i)possesses a notice of registration
				and bond approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the
				Department of the Treasury; and
									(ii)is licensed to manufacture and
				sell beer in the State in which the brewery is
				located.
									.
				(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on the
			 earlier of—
					(1)the date on which
			 the Postal Service issues regulations under section 3001(p) of title 39, United
			 States Code, as amended by this section; or
					(2)120 days after the
			 date of enactment of this Act.
					303.Innovation and
			 accountability
				(a)In
			 generalChapter 2 of title
			 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

						209.Innovation and
				accountability
							(a)Chief innovation
				officerThere shall be in the Postal Service a Chief Innovation
				Officer appointed by the Postmaster General who shall have proven expertise and
				a record of success in—
								(1)the postal and
				shipping industry;
								(2)innovative product
				research and development;
								(3)marketing brand
				strategy;
								(4)emerging
				communications technology; or
								(5)business process
				management.
								(b)DutiesThe
				Chief Innovation Officer shall—
								(1)lead the
				development of innovative nonpostal products and services that maximize the
				revenue of the Postal Service;
								(2)develop innovative
				postal products and services, particularly products and services that use
				emerging information technologies, to maximize the revenue of the Postal
				Service;
								(3)supervise the
				implementation of products and services described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
				and
								(4)monitor the
				performance of products and services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) and
				modify the products and services as needed to address changing market
				trends.
								(c)ConsiderationsThe
				Chief Innovation Office shall take into consideration comments or advisory
				opinions, if applicable, issued by the Postal Regulatory Committee before the
				initial sale of innovative postal or nonpostal products and services.
							(d)Designation
								(1)DeadlineAs
				soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this section, and not later
				than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Postmaster
				General shall appoint a Chief Innovation Officer.
								(2)ConditionThe
				Chief Innovation Officer may not, while serving as Chief Innovation Officer,
				hold any other office or position in the Postal Service.
								(3)Rule of
				constructionNothing in this section shall be construed to
				prohibit an individual who holds another office or position in the Postal
				Service at the time the individual is appointed Chief Innovation Officer from
				serving as the Chief Innovation Officer under this section.
								(e)Advisory
				commission
								(1)EstablishmentThere
				is established the Postal Innovation Advisory Commission (hereinafter the
				Commission).
								(2)Membership
									(A)In
				generalThe Commission shall be composed of—
										(i)the Chief
				Innovation Officer established under subsection (a), who shall serve as
				Chairperson of the Commission; and
										(ii)5
				other members as the Postal Regulatory Commission shall appoint, of
				whom—
											(I)1 member shall
				have expertise in labor;
											(II)1 member shall
				have expertise in small business issues;
											(III)1 member shall
				have expertise in consumer protection;
											(IV)1 member shall
				have expertise in small periodicals and newspapers; and
											(V)1 member shall
				have expertise in the postal industry.
											(B)Period of
				appointmentMembers shall be appointed for 5-year terms.
									(C)VacanciesAny
				vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, but
				shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
									(D)MeetingsThe
				Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
									(E)QuorumA
				majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a
				lesser number of members may hold hearings.
									(3)Duties of the
				commission
									(A)StudyThe
				Commission shall study—
										(i)additional postal
				and nonpostal services that the Postal Service may offer to raise revenue;
				and
										(ii)services that
				postal services in foreign countries have offered to respond to the increasing
				demand for high-tech services, including—
											(I)banking and
				insurance services;
											(II)communication
				services;
											(III)physical
				delivery of e-mail correspondence to individuals who do not have Internet
				access;
											(IV)scanning physical
				mail and delivering that mail through e-mail; and
											(V)communication
				through secure servers.
											(B)RecommendationsThe
				Commission shall generate recommendations for additional services that the
				Postal Service should provide based on the study conducted under subparagraph
				(A).
									(C)ReportNot
				later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and each year
				thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the Postmaster General a report that
				contains each recommendation described under subparagraph (B) that the
				Commission approves by a majority vote.
									(4)Powers of the
				commission
									(A)HearingsThe
				Commission may hold such hearings, take such testimony, and receive such
				evidence as is necessary to carry out this subsection.
									(B)Information from
				federal agenciesThe Commission may secure directly from any
				Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers
				necessary to carry out this subsection. Upon request of the Chairperson of the
				Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such
				information to the Commission.
									(C)Postal
				servicesThe Commission may use the United States mails in the
				same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of
				the Federal Government.
									(D)GiftsThe
				Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or
				property.
									(5)Commission
				personnel matters
									(A)Compensation of
				membersEach member of the Commission who is not an officer or
				employee of the Federal Government (including the Postal Service) shall be
				compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic
				pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
				title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which such member is
				engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission. All members of the
				Commission who are officers or employees of the United States, including the
				Postal Service, shall serve without compensation in addition to that received
				for their services as officers or employees of the United States.
									(B)Travel
				expensesThe members of the Commission shall be allowed travel
				expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for
				employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away
				from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services
				for the Commission.
									(C)Staff
										(i)In
				generalThe Chairperson of the Commission may, without regard to
				the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive
				director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
				Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall
				be subject to confirmation by the Commission.
										(ii)CompensationThe
				Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive
				director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of
				chapter 53 of title 5 relating to classification of positions and General
				Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and
				other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive
				Schedule under section 5316 of title 5.
										(D)Detail of
				government employeesAny Federal Government employee, including
				an employee of the Postal Service, may be detailed to the Commission without
				reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil
				service status or privilege.
									(E)Procurement of
				temporary and intermittent servicesThe Chairperson of the
				Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section
				3109(b) of title 5 at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily
				equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the
				Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5.
									(6)Permanent
				advisory commissionSection
				14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
				Commission.
								(7)Authorization of
				appropriations
									(A)In
				generalThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may
				be necessary to the Commission to carry out this Act.
									(B)AvailabilityAny
				sums appropriated under the authorization contained in this section shall
				remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.
									(f)Innovation
				strategy
								(1)In
				generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
				section, the Postmaster General shall submit, at the same time the President
				submits the annual budget request under section 1105 of title 31 for that year,
				and together with the report on performance under subsection (g), a
				comprehensive strategy for maximizing the revenue of the Postal Service through
				innovative postal and nonpostal products and services to—
									(A)the Committee on
				Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
									(B)the Committee on
				Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives; and
									(C)the Postal
				Regulatory Commission.
									(2)Matters to be
				addressedAt a minimum, the strategy required by this subsection
				shall address—
									(A)the specific
				innovative postal and nonpostal products and services to be developed and
				offered by the Postal Service, including the nature of the market demand to be
				satisfied by each product and service and the estimated date by which each
				product and service will be introduced;
									(B)the cost of
				developing and offering each product or service;
									(C)the anticipated
				sales volume for each product and service;
									(D)the anticipated
				revenues and profits expected to be generated by each product and
				service;
									(E)the likelihood of
				success of each product and service and the risks associated with the
				development and sale of each product and service;
									(F)the trends
				anticipated in market conditions that may affect the success of each product
				and service during the 5-year period following the submission of the report;
				and
									(G)the metrics that
				will be used to assess the effectiveness of the innovation strategy.
									(3)Strategy
				updatesThe Postmaster
				General shall—
									(A)update the strategy required under this
				subsection every 2 years; and
									(B)submit the updated strategy, at the same
				time the President submits the annual budget request under section 1105 of
				title 31 for that year, and together with the report on performance under
				subsection (g), to—
										(i)the Committee on Homeland Security and
				Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
										(ii)the Committee on Oversight and Government
				Reform of the House of Representatives; and
										(iii)the Postal Regulatory Commission.
										(g)Report on
				performance
								(1)In
				generalThe Postmaster
				General shall submit an annual report that describes the progress of the Postal
				Service in implementing the strategy under this section, at the same time the
				President submits the annual budget request under section 1105 of title 31,
				to—
									(A)the Committee on Homeland Security and
				Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
									(B)the Committee on Oversight and Government
				Reform of the House of Representatives; and
									(C)the Postal Regulatory Commission.
									(2)Matters to be
				addressedAt a minimum, a report under this subsection shall
				include—
									(A)the revenue
				generated by each product and service developed through the strategy under this
				section and the costs of developing and offering each product or service for
				the preceding year;
									(B)the total sales
				volume and revenue generated by each product and service on a monthly basis for
				the preceding year;
									(C)trends in each
				market in which a product or service is intended to satisfy a demand;
									(D)products and
				services identified in the strategy under this section that are to be
				discontinued, the date on which the discontinuance will occur, and the reasons
				for the discontinuance;
									(E)alterations in
				products and services identified in the strategy under this section that will
				be made to address changing market conditions, and an explanation of how the
				alterations will ensure the success of the products and services; and
									(F)the performance of
				the strategy under this section according to the metrics identified under
				subsection (e)(2)(G).
									(h)Study and report
				by Comptroller General
								(1)Study
									(A)In
				generalThe Comptroller General of the United States shall
				conduct a study on the implementation of the strategy under this section that
				assesses the effectiveness of the Postal Service in identifying, developing,
				and selling innovative postal and nonpostal products and services.
									(B)ContentsThe
				study under subparagraph (A) shall include—
										(i)an
				audit of the costs of developing each innovative postal and nonpostal product
				and service developed or offered by the Postal Service;
										(ii)the sales volume
				of each product and service;
										(iii)the revenues and
				profits generated by each product and service; and
										(iv)the likelihood of
				continued success of each product and service.
										(2)ReportNot
				later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller
				General shall submit a report concerning the study under paragraph (1)
				to—
									(A)the Committee on
				Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
									(B)the Committee on
				Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
				Representatives.
									.
				(b)Technical and
			 conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 2 of title
			 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

							209. Innovation and
				accountability.

						.
				IVMaintaining
			 levels of service
			401.Six-day
			 deliverySection 404a(a) of
			 title 39, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking or at the end;
				(2)in paragraph (3),
			 by striking the period and inserting ; or; and
				(3)by adding at the end the following:

						(4)reduce the frequency of the delivery of
				mail to fewer than 6 days each
				week.
						.
				402.Service
			 standards for market-dominant productsSection 3691 of title 39, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(e)Restriction on
				authorityNotwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (c), the
				Postal Service may not increase the expected delivery time for market-dominant
				products required under part 121 of title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, as
				in effect on March 2,
				2010.
					.


110 HR 5250 IH: To suspend temporarily the duty on acid orange

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-02-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5250
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 7, 2008
			Mr. Watt introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on acid orange
		  116.

		1.Acid orange 116
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.03.65 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to acid orange
			 116) is amended by striking 12/31/2006 and inserting
			 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.


II
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
S. 270
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 11, 2007
Ms. Snowe (for herself and Mrs. Lincoln) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

A BILL
To permit startup partnerships and S corporations to elect taxable years other than required years.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Small Business Tax Flexibility Act of 2007.
2.Qualified small businesses election of taxable year ending in a month from April to November
(a)In generalPart I of subchapter E of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to accounting periods) is amended by inserting after section 444 the following new section:

444A.Qualified small businesses election of taxable year ending in a month from April to November
(a)General ruleA qualified small business may elect to have a taxable year, other than the required taxable year, which ends on the last day of any of the months of April through November (or at the end of an equivalent annual period (varying from 52 to 53 weeks)).
(b)Years for which election effectiveAn election under subsection (a)—
(1)shall be made not later than the due date (including extensions thereof) for filing the return of tax for the first taxable year of the qualified small business, and
(2)shall be effective for such first taxable year or period and for all succeeding taxable years of such qualified small business until such election is terminated under subsection (c).
(c)Termination
(1)In generalAn election under subsection (a) shall be terminated on the earliest of—
(A)the first day of the taxable year following the taxable year for which the entity fails to meet the gross receipts test,
(B)the date on which the entity fails to qualify as an S corporation, or
(C)the date on which the entity terminates.
(2)Gross receipts testFor purposes of paragraph (1), an entity fails to meet the gross receipts test if the entity fails to meet the gross receipts test of section 448(c).
(3)Effect of terminationAn entity with respect to which an election is terminated under this subsection shall determine its taxable year for subsequent taxable years under any other method that would be permitted under subtitle A.
(4)Income inclusion and deduction rules for period after terminationIf the termination of an election under paragraph (1)(A) results in a short taxable year—
(A)items relating to net profits for the period beginning on the day after its last fiscal year-end and ending on the day before the beginning of the taxable year determined under paragraph (3) shall be includible in income ratably over the 4 taxable years following the year of termination, or (if fewer) the number of taxable years equal to the fiscal years for which the election under this section was in effect, and
(B)items relating to net losses for such period shall be deductible in the first taxable year after the taxable year with respect to which the election terminated.
(d)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—
(1)Qualified small businessThe term qualified small business means an entity—
(A)
(i)for which an election under section 1362(a) is in effect for the first taxable year or period of such entity and for all subsequent years, or
(ii)which is treated as a partnership for the first taxable year or period of such entity for Federal income tax purposes,
(B)which conducts an active trade or business or which would qualify for an election to amortize start-up expenditures under section 195, and
(C)which is a start-up business.
(2)Start-up businessFor purposes of paragraph (1)(C), an entity shall be treated as a start-up business so long as not more than 75 percent of the entity is owned by any person or persons who previously conducted a similar trade or business at any time within the 1-year period ending on the date on which such entity is formed. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a person and any other person bearing a relationship to such person specified in section 267(b) or 707(b)(1) shall be treated as one person, and sections 267(b) and 707(b)(1) shall be applied as if section 267(c)(4) provided that the family of an individual consists of the individual's spouse and the individual's children under the age of 21.
(3)Required taxable yearThe term required taxable year has the meaning given to such term by section 444(e).
(e)Tiered structuresThe Secretary shall prescribe rules similar to the rules of section 444(d)(3) to eliminate abuse of this section through the use of tiered structures. .
(b)Conforming amendmentSection 444(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking section, and inserting section and section 444A.
(c)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for part I of subchapter E of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 444 the following new item:

Sec. 444A. Qualified small businesses election of taxable year ending in a month from April to November.  .
(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.


		II
		Calendar No. 308
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2041
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 30, 2012
			Mr. Hoeven (for himself,
			 Mr. Lugar, Mr.
			 Vitter, Mr. McConnell,
			 Mr. Johanns, Mr. Portman, Mr.
			 Barrasso, Mr. McCain,
			 Mr. Cornyn, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr.
			 Thune, Mr. Sessions,
			 Mr. Alexander, Mr. Moran, Ms.
			 Ayotte, Mr. Boozman,
			 Mr. DeMint, Mr.
			 Paul, Ms. Murkowski,
			 Mr. Kyl, Mr.
			 Manchin, Mr. Lee,
			 Mr. Blunt, Mr.
			 Inhofe, Mr. Toomey,
			 Mr. Hatch, Mr.
			 Burr, Mr. Chambliss,
			 Mr. Coats, Mr.
			 Corker, Mr. Coburn,
			 Mr. Cochran, Mr. Crapo, Mr.
			 Graham, Mr. Enzi,
			 Mr. Grassley, Mr. Heller, Mr.
			 Isakson, Mr. Johnson of
			 Wisconsin, Mr. Risch,
			 Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rubio, Mr.
			 Shelby, Mr. Wicker, and
			 Mr. Brown of Massachusetts) introduced
			 the following bill; which was read the first time

			January 31, 2012
			Read the second time and placed on the
			 calendar

		A BILL
		To approve the Keystone XL pipeline project and provide
		  for environmental protection and government oversight.

		1.Approval of Keystone XL
			 pipeline project
			(a)Approval of
			 cross-border facilities
				(1)In
			 generalIn accordance with section 8 of article 1 of the
			 Constitution (delegating to Congress the power to regulate commerce with
			 foreign nations), TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. is authorized to
			 construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities, subject to
			 subsection (c), for the import of crude oil and other hydrocarbons at the
			 United States-Canada Border at Phillips County, Montana, in accordance with the
			 application filed with the Department of State on September 19, 2008 (as
			 supplemented and amended).
				(2)PermitNotwithstanding
			 any other provision of law, no permit pursuant to Executive Order 13337 (3
			 U.S.C. 301 note) or any other similar Executive Order regulating construction,
			 connection, operation, or maintenance of facilities at the borders of the
			 United States, and no additional environmental impact statement, shall be
			 required for TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect,
			 operate, and maintain the facilities described in paragraph (1).
				(b)Construction
			 and operation of Keystone XL pipeline in United States
				(1)In
			 generalThe final environmental impact statement issued by the
			 Department of State on August 26, 2011, shall be considered to satisfy all
			 requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
			 et seq.) and any other provision of law that requires Federal agency
			 consultation or review with respect to the cross-border facilities described in
			 subsection (a)(1) and the related facilities in the United States described in
			 the application filed with the Department of State on September 19, 2008 (as
			 supplemented and amended).
				(2)PermitsAny
			 Federal permit or authorization issued before the date of enactment of this Act
			 for the cross-border facilities described in subsection (a)(1), and the related
			 facilities in the United States described in the application filed with the
			 Department of State on September 19, 2008 (as supplemented and amended), shall
			 remain in effect.
				(c)ConditionsIn
			 constructing, connecting, operating, and maintaining the cross-border
			 facilities described in subsection (a)(1) and related facilities in the United
			 States described in the application filed with the Department of State on
			 September 19, 2008 (as supplemented and amended), TransCanada Keystone
			 Pipeline, L.P. shall comply with the following conditions:
				(1)TransCanada
			 Keystone Pipeline, L.P. shall comply with all applicable Federal and State laws
			 (including regulations) and all applicable industrial codes regarding the
			 construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of the facilities.
				(2)Except as
			 provided in subsection (a)(2), TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. shall comply
			 with all requisite permits from Canadian authorities and applicable Federal,
			 State, and local government agencies in the United States.
				(3)TransCanada
			 Keystone Pipeline, L.P. shall take all appropriate measures to prevent or
			 mitigate any adverse environmental impact or disruption of historic properties
			 in connection with the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of
			 the facilities.
				(4)The construction,
			 connection, operation, and maintenance of the facilities shall be—
					(A)in all material
			 respects, similar to that described in—
						(i)the
			 application filed with the Department of State on September 19, 2008 (as
			 supplemented and amended); and
						(ii)the final
			 environmental impact statement described in subsection (b)(1); and
						(B)carried out in
			 accordance with—
						(i)the
			 construction, mitigation, and reclamation measures agreed to for the project in
			 the construction mitigation and reclamation plan contained in appendix B of the
			 final environmental impact statement described in subsection (b)(1);
						(ii)the special
			 conditions agreed to between the owners and operators of the project and the
			 Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of
			 the Department of Transportation, as contained in appendix U of the final
			 environmental impact statement;
						(iii)the measures
			 identified in appendix H of the final environmental impact statement, if the
			 modified route submitted by the State of Nebraska to the Secretary of State
			 crosses the Sand Hills region; and
						(iv)the stipulations
			 identified in appendix S of the final environmental impact statement.
						(d)Route in
			 Nebraska
				(1)In
			 generalAny route and construction, mitigation, and reclamation
			 measures for the project in the State of Nebraska that is identified by the
			 State of Nebraska and submitted to the Secretary of State under this section is
			 considered sufficient for the purposes of this section.
				(2)ProhibitionConstruction
			 of the facilities in the United States described in the application filed with
			 the Department of State on September 19, 2008 (as supplemented and amended),
			 shall not commence in the State of Nebraska until the date on which the
			 Secretary of State receives a route for the project in the State of Nebraska
			 that is identified by the State of Nebraska.
				(3)ReceiptOn
			 the date of receipt of the route described in paragraph (1) by the Secretary of
			 State, the route for the project within the State of Nebraska under this
			 section shall supersede the route for the project in the State specified in the
			 application filed with the Department of State on September 19, 2008 (including
			 supplements and amendments).
				(4)CooperationNot
			 later than 30 days after the date on which the State of Nebraska submits a
			 request to the Secretary of State or any appropriate Federal official, the
			 Secretary of State or Federal official shall provide assistance that is
			 consistent with the law of the State of Nebraska.
				(e)Administration
				(1)In
			 generalAny action taken to carry out this section (including the
			 modification of any route under subsection (d)) shall not constitute a major
			 Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
			 4321 et seq.).
				(2)State siting
			 authorityNothing in this section alters any provision of State
			 law relating to the siting of pipelines.
				(3)Private
			 propertyNothing in this section alters any Federal, State, or
			 local process or condition in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that
			 is necessary to secure access from an owner of private property to construct
			 the project.
				(f)Federal
			 judicial reviewThe cross-border facilities described in
			 subsection (a)(1), and the related facilities in the United States described in
			 the application filed with the Department of State on September 19, 2008 (as
			 supplemented and amended), that are approved by this section, and any permit,
			 right-of-way, or other action taken to construct or complete the project
			 pursuant to Federal law, shall only be subject to judicial review on direct
			 appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
			 Circuit.

		January 31, 2012
		Read the second time and placed on the
		  calendar


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2548
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 30, 2009
			Mr. Burris introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on Bromoxynil
		  Octonoate.

		1.Bromoxynil Octonoate
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.22.97 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to Bromoxynil
			 Octonoate) is amended by striking the date in the effective period column and
			 inserting 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.