116 S4434 IS: 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act
U.S. Senate
2020-08-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4434IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 4, 2020Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Booker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryA BILLTo carry out a Civilian Conservation Corps program, provide supplemental appropriations for certain conservation activities, to provide for increased reforestation across the United States, to provide incentives for agricultural producers to carry out climate stewardship practices, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act. 2.Civilian Conservation Corps(a)EstablishmentTitle I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.) is amended—(1)by redesignating subtitle E (29 U.S.C. 3241 et seq.) as subtitle F; and(2)by inserting after subtitle D the following:ECivilian Conservation Corps176.Civilian Conservation Corps program(a)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Member organizationsThe term member organizations means the boards, entities, and agencies that agree to an agreement described in subsection (d).(2)Qualified entityThe term qualified entity means an entity carrying out a program using qualified youth or conservation corps criteria.(3)Qualified youth or conservation corps criteriaThe term qualified youth or conservation corps criteria means the model and standards for a program described in section 203(11) of the Public Land Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722(11)).(b)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish and carry out a Civilian Conservation Corps program. The program shall be carried out using qualified youth or conservation corps criteria and through Civilian Conservation Corps projects.(c)GrantsIn carrying out the Civilian Conservation Corps program, the Secretary shall make grants to eligible State boards and local boards, acting in partnership with member organizations, to carry out Civilian Conservation Corps projects.(d)Eligible boardsTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State board or local board shall have entered into an agreement with 1 or more qualified entities and, at the option of the board involved, 1 or more applicable State or local agencies, to carry out a Civilian Conservation Corps project. The agreement shall specify the roles of the State board or local board, of each qualified entity, and of any other applicable State or local agency involved, in carrying out the Civilian Conservation Corps project.(e)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section for a Civilian Conservation Corps project, the State board or local board shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, that contains—(1)a description of the project, including how the projects relates to goals described in subsection (h);(2)a copy of the agreement described in subsection (d);(3)the scope of work and budget for the project;(4)the number of enrollees needed to carry out the project;(5)a description of the manner in which the member organizations shall recruit, screen, and select enrollees;(6)a description of the manner in which the qualified entities will provide, through the project—(A)education, work experience, and work-based learning; and(B)training, such as basic skills training, the development of job-specific occupational skills, or other training activities, designed to lead to the attainment of an industry-recognized credential, including a description of the training that leads to the credential;(7)a description of the stipend, allowance, or other benefits an enrollee in the project will receive;(8)a description of the supportive services that an enrollee in the project will receive; and(9)information specifying how the member organizations will collect such information on the project and enrollees as the Secretary may require, and submit a report containing that information to the Secretary.(f)Priority(1)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Disadvantaged communityThe term disadvantaged community means a community (including a city, town, county, or reasonably isolated and divisible segment of a larger municipality) with an annual median household income that is less than 100 percent of the statewide annual median household income for the State in which the community is located, according to the most recent decennial census. (B)High-poverty communityThe term high-poverty community means any census block group in an urban area in which not less than 30 percent of the population lives below the poverty line (as defined in section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902)). (2)GrantsIn making grants under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall give priority to funding projects that—(A)maximize quantifiable environmental benefits for the least cost; and (B)are carried out in high-poverty communities or disadvantaged communities.(g)Fiscal agentThe State board or local board shall act as the fiscal agent for the grant and shall distribute funds for the Civilian Conservation Corps project to the member organizations involved.(h)Eligible use of fundsQualified entities may use funds distributed for each Civilian Conservation Corps project, with goals relating to conservation, outdoor recreation, or other environmental matters, for—(1)education, work experience, and workforce investment activities outlined in section 129(c)(2) related to conservation, outdoor recreation, and other environmental industries;(2)other education and training activities that focus on career development in such industries;(3)activities leading to development and completion of the project;(4)activities for data collection, management, and reporting;(5)other activities designed to lead to successful completion of the project and workforce development outcomes; and(6)any administrative activities supporting the project.(i)Qualified youth or conservation corpsIn carrying out projects under this section, the Secretary shall—(1)consult with the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps—(A)to establish standards used to identify appropriate types of Civilian Conservation Corps projects, and activities to be provided and workforce development outcomes sought, through those projects; and(B)to establish specific performance accountability measures for evaluating Civilian Conservation Corps projects; and(2)enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps to develop recommendations for the standards and measures described in paragraph (1).(j)Federal coordinationThe Secretary of Labor shall monitor and track, through an online platform that is usable by personnel across Federal agencies, the expenditure of the amounts made available to carry out this section. .(b)FundingThe following amounts are appropriated, out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary of Labor for the Civilian Conservation Corps program established under subtitle E of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, $9,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, to remain available through September 30, 2022.(c)Conforming Amendments(1)One-stop delivery systemsSection 121(b)(1)(C)(ii)(II) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3151(b)(1)(C)(ii)(II)) is amended by striking subtitles C through E and inserting subtitles C, D, and F.(2)TransitionSection 503(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3343(b)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act).(d)Table of ContentsThe table of contents in section 1(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended—(1)by striking the item relating to the subtitle heading for subtitle E of title I and inserting the following: Subtitle F—Administration;and(2)by inserting after the item relating to section 172 the following:Subtitle E—Civilian Conservation Corps Sec. 176. Civilian Conservation Corps program..3.Supplemental appropriations for the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management(a)In generalThe following amounts are appropriated, out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes:(1)Forest Service supplemental appropriationsFor an additional amount for the Forest Service, $3,500,000,000 for National Forest System, to remain available through September 30, 2023, which shall be used for hazardous fuels management activities, subject to the conditions described in subsection (b). (2)Bureau of land management supplemental appropriationsFor an additional amount for the Bureau of Land Management, $2,000,000,000 for Management of Lands and Resources, to remain available until September 30, 2021, which shall be used for hazardous fuels management activities, subject to the conditions described in subsection (b).(b)ConditionsIn using amounts made available under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, or the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, respectively (referred to in this section as the Secretary concerned)—(1)shall prioritize hazardous fuels reduction projects using those amounts for projects—(A)for which any applicable processes under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) have been completed or are in the process of being completed; (B)that are noncommercial;(C)that focus on small diameter trees, thinning, strategic fuel breaks, and fire use to modify fire behavior, as measured by the projected reduction of uncharacteristically severe wildfire effects for the forest type (such as adverse soil impacts, tree mortality, or other impacts);(D)that maximize the retention of large trees, as appropriate for the forest type, to the extent that the trees promote fire-resilient stands;(E)that do not include the establishment of permanent roads; (F)that include a commitment of funding to decommission all temporary roads constructed to carry out the project; (G)that are located in fire regime I, fire regime II, or fire regime III (as those terms are defined in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511)); and(H)that are located in forests that exhibit the greatest vulnerability to mortality and catastrophic wildfire; and(2)shall not harvest vegetation using mechanical treatment—(A)from old growth stands, unless the old growth stand is part of a science-based ecological restoration project authorized by the Secretary concerned that meets applicable protection and old growth enhancement objectives, as determined by the Secretary concerned;(B)within an inventoried roadless area;(C)within a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System;(D)within a wilderness study area in which restoration would impair the suitability of the area to be designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, as determined by the Secretary concerned; or(E)within a research natural area, as designated by the Forest Service.(c)ReportsThe Secretary concerned shall complete and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives an annual report describing the number of acres of land on which projects carried out using amounts made available under paragraph (1) or (2), as applicable, of subsection (a) effectively mitigated wildfire risk.4.Reforestation(a)Reforestation Trust Fund(1)In generalSection 303 of Public Law 96–451 (16 U.S.C. 1606a) is amended—(A)in subsection (b)—(i)in paragraph (1), by striking Subject to and all that follows through the Secretary and inserting The Secretary;(ii)by striking paragraph (2); and(iii)by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);(B)in subsection (d)—(i)in the matter preceding paragraph (1)—(I)by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through The Secretary and inserting the following:(d)Reforestation by Secretary of AgricultureThe Secretary; and(II)by striking for;(ii)in paragraph (1)—(I)by inserting for before reforestation; and(II)by striking and at the end;(iii)by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (4);(iv)by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:(2)to the Chief of the Forest Service to reforest National Forest System land determined to be in need of active reforestation based on field surveys assessing regeneration potential, in accordance with subsection (f), by planting—(A)to the maximum extent practicable, 75,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 and 2022;(B)to the maximum extent practicable, 100,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2023 and 2024;(C)to the maximum extent practicable, 150,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2025 and 2026; and(D)to the maximum extent practicable, 200,000,000 trees in calendar year 2027 and each calendar year thereafter;(3)to carry out the Reforest America Grant Program established under section 6 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; and; and(v)in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by inserting for before properly; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(e)Reforestation by Secretary of the InteriorThe Secretary of the Interior shall obligate such sums from the Trust Fund as are necessary to reforest, in accordance with subsection (f)—(1)by planting on land determined to be in need of active reforestation based on field surveys assessing regeneration potential and managed by the Bureau of Land Management—(A)to the maximum extent practicable, 25,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 and 2022;(B)to the maximum extent practicable, 50,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2023 and 2024;(C)to the maximum extent practicable, 75,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2025 and 2026; and(D)to the maximum extent practicable, 100,000,000 trees in calendar year 2027 and each calendar year thereafter; and(2)by planting on land that is in need of active reforestation and is managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs—(A)to the maximum extent practicable, 12,500,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 and 2022;(B)to the maximum extent practicable, 25,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2023 and 2024;(C)to the maximum extent practicable, 37,500,000 trees in each of calendar years 2025 and 2026; and(D)to the maximum extent practicable, 50,000,000 trees in calendar year 2027 and each calendar year thereafter.(f)Reforestation(1)Definition of connectivityIn this subsection, the term connectivity means the degree to which the landscape facilitates native species movement.(2)Reforestation(A)In generalReforestation under subsections (d)(2) and (e) shall consist of ecologically based site preparation, tree planting, and subsequent management using practices that—(i)are informed by climate change science and the importance of spatial pattern;(ii)enhance forest health, resilience, and biodiversity; and(iii)reduce vulnerability to future forest mortality and catastrophic wildfire.(B)Post-wildfire reforestationIn the case of reforestation under subsections (d)(2) and (e), sums available in the Trust Fund shall not be used for post-wildfire salvage logging.(3)PriorityIn carrying out reforestation under subsections (d)(2) and (e), the Chief of the Forest Service and the Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, shall give priority to planting—(A)on land that was subject to a mortality event caused by a high intensity wildfire, pest infestation, invasive species, or drought or other extreme weather;(B)that will restore and maintain resilient landscapes;(C)on land on which the planting provides increased habitat connectivity for wildlife; and(D)that will provide the largest potential long-term increase in carbon sequestration.(g)Mandatory fundingTo carry out paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (d) and subsection (e), the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury into the Trust Fund $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until expended..(2)RegulationsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall issue regulations necessary to carry out the amendments made by this section.(b)Reforest America Grant ProgramThe Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 5 (16 U.S.C. 2103a) the following:6.Reforest America Grant Program(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Community of colorThe term community of color means, in a State, a census block group in an urban area for which the aggregate percentage of residents who identify as Black, African-American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Latino, other non-White race, or linguistically isolated is—(A)not less than 50 percent; or(B)is significantly higher than the State average.(2)Eligible costThe term eligible cost means, with respect to a project of an eligible entity under the Program—(A)the cost of implementing a reforestation project, including by—(i)planning and designing the reforestation activity, including considering relevant science;(ii)establishing tree nurseries;(iii)purchasing trees; and(iv)ecologically based site preparation, including the labor and cost associated with the use of machinery;(B)the cost of maintaining and monitoring planted trees for a period of up to 3 years to ensure successful establishment of the trees;(C)with respect to reforestation in an urban area under subsection (e) in a low income community that has an existing tree canopy cover of not more than 20 percent, not more than 50 percent of the cost of the maintenance of any nearby tree canopy; and(D)any other relevant cost, as determined by the Secretary.(3)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means—(A)a State agency;(B)a local governmental entity;(C)an Indian Tribe; and(D)a nonprofit organization.(4)Eligible land(A)In generalThe term eligible land means—(i)land owned in fee simple by an eligible entity—(I)(aa)for which, at the time of application to the Program under subsection (c), the forest stocking level of the land is less than 25 percent of regional norms for forest properties with comparable tree species and soil characteristics; and(bb)that is in need of active reforestation due to events such as—(AA)high intensity wildfire;(BB)pest infestation;(CC)invasive species; and(DD)drought and other extreme weather; or(II)that was formerly forest land and has been abandoned or incompletely reclaimed from mining, commercial development, clearing for agriculture, or other nonforest use; and(ii)with respect to reforestation in an urban area under subsection (e), land in that urban area that is owned in fee simple by an eligible entity.(B)ExclusionThe term eligible land does not include land on which the eligible entity conducted a timber harvest—(i)not later than 5 years before the date on which the eligible entity submits an application under subsection (c); and(ii)that resulted in a forest stocking level described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I)(aa).(5)Indian TribeThe term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term Indian tribe in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(6)Local governmental entityThe term local governmental entity means any municipal government or county government with jurisdiction over local land use decisions.(7)Low income communityThe term low income community means any census block group in an urban area in which not less than 30 percent of the population lives below the poverty line (as defined in section 673 of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902)).(8)Nonprofit organizationThe term nonprofit organization means an organization that—(A)is described in section 170(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and(B)operates in accordance with 1 or more of the purposes described in section 170(h)(4)(A) of that Code.(9)ProgramThe term Program means the Reforest America Grant Program established under subsection (b)(1).(10)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.(11)Urban areaThe term urban area means an area identified by the Bureau of the Census as an urban area in the most recent census.(b)Establishment(1)In generalThe Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Reforest America Grant Program, under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to conduct projects to reforest eligible land in accordance with this section.(2)ReforestationIn carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award sufficient grants each year to plant—(A)50,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 and 2022;(B)100,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2023 and 2024;(C)150,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2025 and 2026; and(D)250,000,000 trees in calendar year 2027 and each calendar year thereafter.(c)Applications(1)In generalAn eligible entity that seeks to receive a grant under the Program shall submit an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the information described in paragraph (2), to—(A)the State forester or equivalent official of the State in which the eligible entity is located; or(B)in the case of an eligible entity that is an Indian Tribe, an official of the governing body of the Indian Tribe.(2)ContentsAn application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—(A)the reason that the forest stocking level of the land is less than 25 percent of regional norms for forest properties with comparable tree species and soil characteristics, if applicable;(B)the natural, economic, and environmental benefits of returning the eligible land to forested condition;(C)an estimate of the annual carbon sequestration that will be achieved by the replanted forests, using processes determined by the Secretary;(D)a reforestation plan that includes—(i)a list of expected eligible costs;(ii)a description of the site preparation and the tree species to be planted;(iii)a description of the manner in which the design of the project is informed by climate change science and will enhance forest health, resilience, and biodiversity;(iv)an explanation of the manner in which the land will be maintained for 36 months after planting to ensure successful establishment; and(v)an explanation of the manner in which the land will be managed later than 36 months after planting, including whether that management shall include a timber harvest;(E)in the case of an application for an urban reforestation project under subsection (e)—(i)a description of the manner in which the tree planting shall address disparities in local environmental quality, such as lower tree canopy cover; and(ii)a description of the anticipated community and stakeholder engagement in the project; and(F)any other relevant information required by the Secretary.(3)Applications to SecretaryEach official that receives an application under paragraph (1) shall submit the application to the Secretary with a description of the application and any other relevant information that the Secretary may require.(d)Priority(1)Definition of connectivityIn this subsection, the term connectivity means the degree to which the landscape facilitates native species movement.(2)PriorityIn awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority—(A)to projects that provide the largest potential increase in carbon sequestration per dollar;(B)to projects that provide increased habitat connectivity for wildlife;(C)to projects under which an eligible entity will enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with 1 or more qualified youth or conservation corps (as the term is defined in section 203 of Public Law 91–378 (commonly known as the Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970) (16 U.S.C. 1722)); and(D)in the case of urban reforestation projects under subsection (e), to projects that—(i)are located in a community of color or a low-income community;(ii)are located in a neighborhood with poor local environmental quality, including lower tree canopy cover and higher maximum daytime summer temperatures;(iii)are located in a neighborhood with high amounts of senior citizens or children;(iv)are located immediately adjacent to large numbers of residents;(v)will collaboratively engage neighbors and community members that will be closely affected by the tree planting in as many aspects of project development and implementation as possible; and(vi)will employ a substantial percentage of the workforce locally, with a focus on engaging unemployed and underemployed persons in communities of color and low-income communities.(e)Urban reforestation(1)In generalIn carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall award sufficient grants each year to projects carried out in urban areas to plant, to the maximum extent practicable—(A)5,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 through 2023;(B)10,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2024 through 2027; and(C)15,000,000 trees in calendar year 2028 and each calendar year thereafter.(2)Federal shareThe Secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity under the Program to conduct a reforestation project in an urban area in an amount equal to not more than 90 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary.(3)Matching requirementAs a condition of receiving a grant described in paragraph (2), an eligible entity shall provide, in cash or through in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources, matching funds in an amount equal to not less than 10 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary.(f)Prohibited conversion to nonforest use(1)In generalSubject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an eligible entity that receives a grant under the Program shall not sell or convert land that was reforested under the Program to nonforest use.(2)Reimbursement of fundsAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this Program and sells or converts land that was reforested under the Program to nonforest use shall pay to the Federal Government an amount equal to the greater of—(A)the amount of the grant; and(B)the current appraised value of timber stocks on that land.(3)Loss of eligibilityAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this Program and sells or converts land that was reforested under the Program to nonforest use shall not be eligible for additional grants under the Program.(g)Costs(1)Federal shareUnless otherwise provided under this section, the Secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity under the Program in an amount equal to not more than 75 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary.(2)Matching requirementUnless otherwise provided under this section, as a condition of receiving a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall provide, in cash or through in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources, matching funds in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary.(h)Planting survivalAn eligible entity that receives a grant under the Program shall—(1)not later than 36 months after planting has been completed using the grant funds, submit to the responsible State or Tribal official, as applicable, a monitoring report that describes project implementation, including the survival rate of all plantings made under the grant; and(2)if the survival rate reported in the monitoring report under paragraph (1) is, after 36 months, less than the required minimum survival rate for the geographic area in which the planting is located, as determined by a State forester or equivalent State or Tribal official, as applicable, replant tree seedlings in a quantity equivalent to half of the original planting, using comparable means to the original planting.(i)Prevailing wage requirementAny contractor or subcontractor entering into a service contract in connection with a project under the Program shall—(1)be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor for purposes of chapter 67 of title 41, United States Code (commonly known as the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965); and(2)pay each class of employee employed by the contractor or subcontractor wages and fringe benefits at rates in accordance with prevailing rates for the class in the locality, or, where a collective-bargaining agreement covers the employee, in accordance with the rates provided for in the agreement, including prospective wage increases provided for in the agreement.(j)ReportThe Secretary shall annually submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes the activities of the Program, including the total amount of carbon sequestered by replanted forests during the year covered by the report.(k)Funding(1)In generalOf the funds of the Reforestation Trust Fund established under section 303 of Public Law 96–451 (16 U.S.C. 1606a), the Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary to carry out the Program.(2)Administrative costs and technical assistanceOf the funds used under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall allocate not more than 10 percent for each fiscal year to State foresters or equivalent officials, including equivalent officials of Indian Tribes, for administrative costs and technical assistance under the Program..5.Additional supplemental appropriationsThe following amounts are appropriated, out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes:(1)State fire assistanceFor an additional amount for the Forest Service, $100,000,000 for State and Private Forestry, to remain available through September 30, 2023, which shall be used for State fire assistance (National Fire Capacity).(2)Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration FundFor an additional amount for the Forest Service, $150,000,000 for National Forest System, to remain available through September 30, 2023, which shall be deposited in the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund for ecological restoration treatments, as authorized by section 4003(f) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)).(3)Natural Resources Conservation ServiceFor an additional amount for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, $5,500,000,000 for Conservation Operations, to remain available through September 30, 2023, which shall be used to fund alternative funding arrangements under section 1271C(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871c(d)), the eligible partner (as defined in section 1271A of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3871a)) with respect to which demonstrates quantifiable and cost-efficient sediment and nutrient reductions, and near-term job creation, subject to the conditions that—(A)the amounts shall be used—(i)to fund high-impact resiliency projects to restore watersheds, the eligible partner (as so defined) with respect to which demonstrates—(I)quantifiable reductions to nonpoint source pollution; or(II)quantified water savings that functionally benefit native fish and wildlife species; and(ii)to provide $200,000,000 in technical assessment funding to eligible partners (as so defined) to analyze and quantify the sediment and nutrient benefits in advance of projects carried out using those amounts, on a State-by-State and watershed-by-watershed basis, by December 31, 2022; and(B)with respect to a project funded using amounts made available under this paragraph—(i)the project shall be approved on an expedited basis; (ii)the project shall receive 100 percent Federal financial assistance, with eligible partners (as so defined) managing the projects receiving a 20 percent administrative rate; and(iii)of the amount provided for the project, not more than 15 percent shall be used by the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance and measure project results. (4)Bureau of ReclamationFor an additional amount for the Bureau of Reclamation, $4,500,000,000 for Water and Related Resources, to remain available through September 30, 2023, which shall be used to carry out the WaterSMART program authorized by subtitle F of title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10361 et seq.)—(A)subject to the conditions that—(i)projects funded using those amounts shall have—(I)quantifiable and high-efficiency improvements to regional drought resiliency; or (II)quantifiable increases in streamflows that functionally benefit native fish and wildlife species; and(ii)the amount of a grant provided using those amounts shall be not more than $50,000,000; and(B)of which $100,000,000 shall be provided in technical assessment funding to recipients of amounts under that program to analyze and quantify the sediment and nutrient benefits of projects carried out using those amounts, on a State-by-State basis, by December 31, 2022.(5)United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceFor an additional amount for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, $300,000,000 for Resource Management, to remain available until September 30, 2021, of which—(A)$150,000,000 shall be used for the partners for fish and wildlife program; and(B)$150,000,000 shall be used for migratory bird management under the North American waterfowl joint ventures program.(6)Bureau of Indian AffairsFor an additional amount for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, $45,000,000 for Operation of Indian Programs, of which—(A)$20,000,000 shall be used for forestry, subject to the condition that such amount shall be divided equally between Tribal priority allocation and forest projects;(B)$20,000,000 shall be made available to Indian Tribes on a competitive basis to build capacity for participation in large landscape-scale forest health treatments; and (C)$5,000,000 shall be used for a workforce development initiative to recruit and retain forestry professionals on Indian land. (7)Department of Homeland Security supplemental appropriationsFor an additional amount for the Department of Homeland Security for Disaster Relief Fund, $100,000,000 for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program under section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133), to remain available until September 30, 2031, for the purposes of increasing wildfire resiliency.(8)Department of Commerce supplemental appropriationsFor an additional amount for the Department of Commerce for Operations, Research, and Facilities, $2,000,000,000 for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund established under section 904 of the National Oceans and Coastal Security Act (16 U.S.C. 7503) to award grants under section 906 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 7505), to remain available until September 30, 2031, for the purposes of creating jobs, restoring wetlands, dunes, reefs, marshes, kelp forests, mangroves, and other living shorelines to reduce flood risks, create habitat, and restart tourism. 6.Conservation Stewardship Program(a)Supplemental payments for climate stewardship practicesSection 1240L(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–24(d)) is amended—(1)in the subsection heading, by striking Rotations and Advanced Grazing Management and inserting Rotations, Advanced Grazing Management, and Climate Stewardship Practices;(2)in paragraph (1)—(A)by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and(B)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:(B)Climate stewardship practiceThe term climate stewardship practice means any of the following practices:(i)Alley cropping.(ii)Biochar incorporation.(iii)Conservation cover.(iv)Conservation crop rotation.(v)Contour buffer strips.(vi)Contour farming.(vii)Cover crops.(viii)Critical area planting.(ix)Cross wind trap strips.(x)Field borders.(xi)Filter strips.(xii)Forage and biomass planting, including the use of native prairie seed mixtures.(xiii)Forest stand improvements.(xiv)Grassed waterways.(xv)Hedgerow planting.(xvi)Herbaceous wind barriers.(xvii)Multistory cropping.(xviii)Nutrient management, including nitrogen stewardship activities.(xix)Prescribed grazing.(xx)Range planting.(xxi)Residue and tillage management with no till.(xxii)Residue and tillage management with reduced till.(xxiii)Riparian forest buffers.(xxiv)Riparian herbaceous buffers.(xxv)Silvopasture establishment.(xxvi)Stripcropping.(xxvii)Tree and shrub establishment, including planting for a high rate of carbon sequestration.(xxviii)Upland wildlife habitat.(xxix)Vegetative barriers.(xxx)Wetland restoration.(xxxi)Windbreak renovation.(xxxii)Windbreaks and shelterbelts.(xxxiii)Woody residue treatment.(xxxiv)Any other vegetative or management conservation activity that significantly—(I)reduces greenhouse gas emissions;(II)increases carbon sequestration; or(III)enhances resilience to increased weather volatility.;(3)in paragraph (2)—(A)in subparagraph (A), by striking or at the end;(B)in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(C)conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices.; and(4)in paragraph (3), by striking rotations or advanced grazing management and inserting rotations, advanced grazing management, or conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices.(b)Payment limitationsSection 1240L(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–24(f)) is amended by striking fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and inserting the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, or the period of fiscal years 2029 through 2033.(c)FundingSection 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 2023 and inserting 2030; and(B)in paragraph (3)(B)— (i)in clause (ii), by striking $725,000,000 and inserting $1,725,000,000;(ii)in clause (iii), by striking $750,000,000 and inserting $2,750,000,000;(iii)in clause (iv)—(I)by striking $800,000,000 and inserting $3,800,000,000; and(II)by striking and at the end;(iv)in clause (v)—(I)by striking $1,000,000,000 and inserting $5,000,000,000; and(II)by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and(v)by adding at the end the following:(vi)$6,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and(vii)$7,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030.;(2)in subsection (b), by striking 2023 and inserting 2030; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(k)Funding for climate stewardship practicesOf the funds made available under subsection (a)(3)(B), the Secretary shall set aside the following amounts to be used exclusively to enroll in the conservation stewardship program contracts comprised predominantly of conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices (as defined in section 1240L(d)(1)) or bundles of practices comprised predominantly of conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices (as so defined):(1)$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.(2)$2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.(3)$3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.(4)$4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.(5)$5,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2030..


110 HR 552 IH: Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-18
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.

I
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 552
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 18, 2007
Mr. Lewis of Georgia (for himself and Mr. Pickering) 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 title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation services.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act of 2007.
2.Coverage of items and services under a cardiac rehabilitation program and a pulmonary rehabilitation program
(a)In generalSection 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—
(1)in subsection (s)(2)—
(A)in subparagraph (Z), by striking and at the end;
(B)in subparagraph (AA), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and
(C)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(BB)items and services furnished under a cardiac rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (ccc)) or under a pulmonary rehabilitation program (as defined in subsection (ddd)).; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(ccc)Cardiac rehabilitation program
(1)The term cardiac rehabilitation program means a physician-supervised program (as described in paragraph (2)) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (3).
(2)A program described in this paragraph is a program under which—
(A)items and services under the program are delivered—
(i)in a physician’s office;
(ii)in a physician-directed clinic; or
(iii)in a hospital on an outpatient basis;
(B)a physician is immediately available and accessible for medical consultation and medical emergencies at all times items and services are being furnished under the program, except that, in the case of items and services furnished under such a program in a hospital, such availability shall be presumed; and
(C)individualized treatment is furnished under a written plan established, reviewed, and signed by a physician every 30 days that describes—
(i)the patient’s diagnosis;
(ii)the type, amount, frequency, and duration of the items and services furnished under the plan; and
(iii)the goals set for the patient under the plan.
(3)The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A)physician-prescribed exercise;
(B)cardiac risk factor modification, including education, counseling, and behavioral intervention (to the extent such education, counseling, and behavioral intervention is closely related to the individual’s care and treatment and is tailored to the individual’s needs);
(C)psychosocial assessment;
(D)outcomes assessment; and
(E)such other items and services as the Secretary may determine, but only if such items and services are—
(i)reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual’s condition;
(ii)reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual’s condition and functional level; and
(iii)furnished under such guidelines relating to the frequency and duration of such items and services as the Secretary shall establish, taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of patient improvement.
(4)The Secretary shall establish standards to ensure that a physician with expertise in the management of patients with cardiac pathophysiology who is licensed to practice medicine in the State in which a cardiac rehabilitation program is offered—
(A)is responsible for such program; and
(B)in consultation with appropriate staff, is involved substantially in directing the progress of individual patients in the program.
(ddd)Pulmonary rehabilitation program
(1)The term pulmonary rehabilitation program means a physician-supervised program (as described in subsection (ccc)(2) with respect to a program under this subsection) that furnishes the items and services described in paragraph (2).
(2)The items and services described in this paragraph are—
(A)physician-prescribed exercise;
(B)education or training (to the extent the education or training is closely and clearly related to the individual’s care and treatment and is tailored to such individual’s needs);
(C)psychosocial assessment;
(D)outcomes assessment; and
(E)such other items and services as the Secretary may determine, but only if such items and services are—
(i)reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or active treatment of the individual’s condition;
(ii)reasonably expected to improve or maintain the individual’s condition and functional level; and
(iii)furnished under such guidelines relating to the frequency and duration of such items and services as the Secretary shall establish, taking into account accepted norms of medical practice and the reasonable expectation of patient improvement.
(3)The Secretary shall establish standards to ensure that a physician with expertise in the management of patients with respiratory pathophysiology who is licensed to practice medicine in the State in which a pulmonary rehabilitation program is offered—
(A)is responsible for such program; and
(B)in consultation with appropriate staff, is involved substantially in directing the progress of individual patients in the program..
(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		IIB
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2433
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			October 13, 2011
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		AN ACT
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to
		  make certain improvements in the laws relating to the employment and training
		  of veterans, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the Veterans Opportunity to Work
			 Act of 2011.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of
			 contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Title I—Retraining Veterans
					Sec. 101. Veterans retraining assistance program.
					Title II—Improving the Transition Assistance Program
					Sec. 201. Transition Assistance Program
				contracting.
					Sec. 202. Mandatory participation in Transition Assistance
				Program.
					Sec. 203. Report on Transition Assistance Program.
					Sec. 204. Transition Assistance Program outcomes.
					Sec. 205. Comptroller General review.
					Title III—Improving the Transition of Veterans to Civilian
				Employment
					Sec. 301. Reauthorization and improvement of demonstration
				project on credentialing and licensure of veterans.
					Sec. 302. Inclusion of performance measures in annual report on
				veteran job counseling, training, and placement programs of the Department of
				Labor.
					Sec. 303. Clarification of priority of service for veterans in
				Department of Labor job training programs.
					Sec. 304. Evaluation of individuals receiving training at the
				National Veterans’ Employment and Training Services Institute.
					Sec. 305. Requirements for full-time disabled veterans’
				outreach program specialists and local veterans’ employment
				representatives.
					Sec. 306. Report on findings of the Department of Defense and
				Department of Labor credentialing work group.
					Title IV—Improvements to Uniformed Services Employment and
				Reemployment Rights
					Sec. 401. Clarification of benefits of employment covered under
				USERRA.
					Title V—Other Matters
					Sec. 501. Extension of certain expiring provisions of
				law.
					Sec. 502. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan
				guarantees for surviving spouses of certain totally disabled
				veterans.
					Sec. 503. Reimbursement rate for ambulance
				services.
					Sec. 504. Annual reports on Post-9/11 Educational Assistance
				Program and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
				Program.
					Sec. 505. Limitation on amount authorized to be appropriated
				for employee travel, printing, and fleet vehicles.
					Sec. 506. Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans
				covered by Medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing
				facilities.
					Sec. 507. Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

			IRetraining
			 Veterans
			101.Veterans
			 retraining assistance program
				(a)Program
			 authorized
					(1)In
			 generalIn accordance with this section, during the period
			 beginning on June 1, 2012, and ending on March 31, 2014, the Secretary of Labor
			 shall provide for monthly payments of retraining assistance to eligible
			 veterans. Payments of retraining assistance under this section shall be made by
			 the Secretary of Labor through the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
					(2)Number of
			 eligible veteransThe number
			 of eligible veterans who participate in the program may not exceed—
						(A)45,000 during
			 fiscal year 2012; and
						(B)55,000 during the
			 period beginning October 1, 2012, and ending March 31, 2014.
						(b)Retraining
			 assistanceExcept as provided
			 by subsection (i), each veteran who participates in the program established
			 under subsection (a)(1) shall be entitled to up to 12 months of retraining
			 assistance, as determined by the Secretary of Labor. Such retraining assistance
			 may only be used by the veteran to pursue a program of education (as such term
			 is defined in section 3452(b) of title 38, United
			 States Code) or training on a full-time basis that—
					(1)is approved under
			 chapter 36 of such title;
					(2)is offered by a
			 community college or technical school;
					(3)leads to an associates degree or a
			 certificate (or other similar evidence of the completion of the program of
			 education or training); and
					(4)is designed to
			 provide training for a high-demand occupation, as determined by the Secretary
			 of Labor.
					(c)Monthly
			 certificationEach veteran
			 who participates in the program established under subsection (a)(1) shall
			 certify to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the enrollment of the veteran in a
			 program of education described in subsection (b) for each month in which the
			 veteran participates in the program.
				(d)Amount of
			 assistanceThe monthly amount of the retraining assistance
			 payable under this section is the amount in effect under
			 section
			 3015(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code.
				(e)EligibilityFor
			 purposes of this section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who—
					(1)is at least 35
			 years of age but not more than 60 years of age;
					(2)was last
			 discharged from active duty service in the Armed Forces with an honorable
			 discharge;
					(3)as of the date of the submittal of the
			 application for assistance under this section, has been unemployed for a period
			 of time determined by the Secretary, with special consideration given to
			 veterans who have been unemployed for at least 26 continuous weeks;
					(4)is not eligible to
			 apply for educational assistance under chapter 30, 31, 33, or 35 of title 38,
			 United States Code; and
					(5)by not later than
			 October 1, 2013, submits to the Secretary of Labor an application containing
			 such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.
					(f)ReportNot later than July 1, 2014, the Secretary
			 of Labor and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the
			 Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives
			 a report on the retraining assistance provided under this section,
			 including—
					(1)the total number
			 of—
						(A)eligible veterans
			 who participated;
						(B)credit hours completed; and
						(C)associates degrees or certificates awarded
			 (or other similar evidence of the completion of the program of education or
			 training earned); and
						(2)data related to
			 the employment status of eligible veterans who participated.
					(g)Joint
			 agreementThe Secretary of
			 Labor and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement on
			 carrying out this section.
				(h)Source of
			 fundsPayments under this
			 section shall be made from amounts appropriated to the readjustment benefits
			 account of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
				(i)Termination of
			 authorityThe authority to make payments under this section shall
			 terminate on March 31, 2014.
				IIImproving the
			 Transition Assistance Program
			201.Transition
			 Assistance Program contracting
				(a)Transition
			 Assistance Program contracting
					(1)In
			 generalSection 4113 of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

							4113.Transition
				Assistance Program personnel
								(a)Authority To
				ContractIn accordance with
				section
				1144 of title 10, the Secretary shall enter into a contract
				with an appropriate private entity or entities to provide the functions
				described in subsection (b) at all locations where the program described in
				such section is carried out.
								(b)FunctionsContractors under subsection (a) shall
				provide to members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty
				(and the spouses of such members) the services described in
				section
				1144(a)(1) of title 10, including—
									(1)counseling;
									(2)assistance in
				identifying employment and training opportunities and help in obtaining such
				employment and training;
									(3)other related
				information and services under such section; and
									(4)any other services
				that the Secretary determines are
				appropriate.
									.
					(2)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of
			 sections at the beginning of
			 chapter 41 of title 38,
			 United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 4113
			 and inserting the following new item:

								4113. Transition Assistance Program
				personnel.

							.
					(b)Deadline for
			 implementationThe Secretary of Labor shall enter into the
			 contract required by section 4113 of title 38, United
			 States Code, as added by subsection (a), by not later than 24 months after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act.
				202.Mandatory
			 participation in Transition Assistance ProgramSection 1144(c) of
			 title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking shall
			 encourage and all that follows and inserting shall encourage the
			 participation of members of the armed forces in pay grades E–8 and above and
			 O–6 and above who are eligible for assistance under the program and shall
			 require the participation of all other members of the armed forces who are
			 eligible for assistance under the program unless a documented urgent
			 operational requirement prevents attendance or an individual service member,
			 with written approval of their commander, chooses to decline participation, in
			 writing, based on post-service employment or acceptance to an education
			 program. Such documentation shall be included in the personnel record of the
			 member..
			203.Report on
			 Transition Assistance ProgramSection 1144 of
			 title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

					(e)Reports and
				audits(1)Not
				later than January 30 of each year, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the
				Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a
				report on the program established under this section that includes the number
				of members of the armed forces eligible for assistance under the program who
				participated in the program within 30, 90, and 180 days of being separated from
				active duty, and the percentages of all such eligible participants who
				participated within each such time period.
						(2)(A)The Secretary of Labor shall enter into a
				contract with an appropriate entity to conduct an audit of the program
				established under this section not less frequently than once every three years
				and to submit to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Labor, the
				Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the
				Senate and House of Representatives a report containing the results of each
				such audit.
							(B)(i)Except as provided in
				clause (ii), the Secretary of Labor shall enter into the contract under
				subparagraph (A) with an appropriate entity that is a small business concern
				owned and controlled by veterans or a small business concern owned and
				controlled by service-disabled veterans and that is included in the database of
				veteran-owned businesses maintained under subsection (f) of
				section
				8127 of title 38 and verified by the Secretary pursuant to
				paragraph (4) of that subsection.
								(ii)If the Secretary of Labor is unable
				to enter into the contract under subparagraph (A) with a qualified business
				concern described in clause (i), the Secretary shall enter into such contract
				with another qualified appropriate entity.
								(C)The Secretary of Labor shall enter
				into the contract under this paragraph using funds made available for the State
				grant program authorized under
				section
				4102A of title
				38.
							.
			204.Transition
			 Assistance Program outcomesSection 1144 of
			 title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 202 and 203, is further
			 amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

					(f)Program
				outcomesThe Secretary of
				Labor shall develop a method to assess the outcomes for individuals who
				participate in the program established under this section. The Secretary of
				Defense shall provide to the Secretary of Labor any data on participation in
				the program that is necessary for the Secretary of Labor to develop such
				method. Such method shall be designed to determine the following
				outcomes:
						(1)The length of the
				period during which the individual was unemployed following the individual’s
				separation from active duty.
						(2)The beginning
				salary paid to the individual for the first job the individual obtained
				following such separation.
						(3)The number of
				months of school or other training the individual attended during the first
				12-month period following such
				separation.
						.
			205.Comptroller
			 General reviewNot later than
			 one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
			 of the United States shall conduct a review of the Transition Assistance
			 Program under section 1144 of title 10, United
			 States Code, and submit to Congress a report on the results of the review and
			 any recommendations of the Comptroller General for improving the
			 program.
			IIIImproving the
			 Transition of Veterans to Civilian Employment
			301.Reauthorization
			 and improvement of demonstration project on credentialing and licensure of
			 veteransSection 4114 of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in subsection
			 (b)—
					(A)in paragraph (1),
			 by striking not less than 10 and inserting not less than
			 5 but not more than 10; and
					(B)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking consult with appropriate Federal, State, and industry
			 officials and inserting enter into a contract with an
			 appropriate entity representing a coalition of State governors;
					(2)in subsection
			 (g)—
					(A)by striking
			 Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of
			 2006 and inserting the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of
			 2011; and
					(B)by striking
			 September 30, 2009 and inserting September 30,
			 2014;
					(3)in subsection
			 (h)—
					(A)by striking
			 utilizing unobligated funds and inserting using not more
			 than $180,000 of the funds in each fiscal year; and
					(B)by inserting
			 before the period at the end the following: , to be derived from amounts
			 otherwise made available to carry out sections 4103A and 4104 of this
			 title; and
					(4)by adding at the
			 end the following new subsection:

						(i)Report to
				CongressNot later than 30
				days after the last day of a fiscal year during which the demonstration project
				under this section is carried out, the Assistant Secretary, in coordination
				with the entity with which the Assistant Secretary enters into a contract under
				subsection (b)(2), shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the
				Senate and House of Representatives a report on the implementation of the
				demonstration project during that fiscal
				year.
						.
				302.Inclusion of
			 performance measures in annual report on veteran job counseling, training, and
			 placement programs of the Department of LaborSection 4107(c) of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking clause (1) and inserting paragraph
			 (1);
				(2)in paragraph (5),
			 by striking and at the end;
				(3)in paragraph (6),
			 by striking the period and inserting ; and; and
				(4)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraphs:

						(7)performance measures for the provision of
				assistance under this chapter, including—
							(A)the percentage of
				participants in programs under this chapter who are employed after the 180-day
				period following their completion of the program;
							(B)the percentage of
				such participants who are employed after the one-year period following their
				completion of the program;
							(C)the median earnings of such participants
				after the 180-day period following their completion of the program;
							(D)the median
				earnings of such participants after the one-year period following their
				completion of the program; and
							(E)the percentage of
				participants in such program who complete a certificate, degree, diploma,
				licensure, or industry-recognized credential while they are participating in
				the program or within one year of completing the
				program.
							.
				303.Clarification
			 of priority of service for veterans in Department of Labor job training
			 programsSection 4215 of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in subsection
			 (a)(3), by adding at the end the following: Such priority includes
			 giving access to such services to a covered person before a non-covered person
			 or, if resources are limited, giving access to such services to a covered
			 person instead of a non-covered person.; and
				(2)by amending
			 subsection (d) to read as follows:

						(d)Addition to
				Annual Report(1)In the annual report
				required under section 4107(c) of this title for the program year beginning in
				2003 and each subsequent program year, the Secretary of Labor shall evaluate
				whether covered persons are receiving priority of service and are being fully
				served by qualified job training programs. Such evaluation shall
				include—
								(A)an analysis of the implementation of
				providing such priority at the local level;
								(B)whether the representation of veterans in
				such programs is in proportion to the incidence of representation of veterans
				in the labor market, including within groups that the Secretary may designate
				for priority under such programs, if any; and
								(C)performance measures, as determined by the
				Secretary, to determine whether veterans are receiving priority of service and
				are being fully served by qualified job training programs.
								(2)The Secretary may not use the proportion of
				representation of veterans described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) as
				the basis for determining under such paragraph whether veterans are receiving
				priority of service and are being fully served by qualified job training
				programs.
							.
				304.Evaluation of
			 individuals receiving training at the National Veterans’ Employment and
			 Training Services Institute
				(a)In
			 generalSection 4109 of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

						(d)The Secretary shall require that each
				individual who receives training provided by the Institute, or its successor,
				is given a final examination to evaluate the individual’s performance in
				receiving such training. Each such evaluation shall be designed to provide the
				individual with a grade, which shall be designated as either a passing grade or
				a failing grade. The results of such final examination shall be provided to the
				entity that sponsored the individual who received the
				training.
						.
				(b)Effective
			 dateSubsection (d) of
			 section
			 4109 of title 38, United States Code, shall apply with respect
			 to training provided by the National Veterans’ Employment and Training Services
			 Institute that begins on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
				305.Requirements
			 for full-time disabled veterans’ outreach program specialists and local
			 veterans’ employment representatives
				(a)Disabled
			 veterans’ outreach program specialistsSection 4103A of title 38, United
			 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

						(d)Additional
				requirement for full-Time employees(1)A full-time disabled
				veterans’ outreach program specialist shall perform only duties related to
				meeting the employment needs of eligible veterans, as described in subsection
				(a), and shall not perform other non-veteran-related duties.
							(2)The Secretary shall conduct regular
				audits to ensure compliance with paragraph (1). If, on the basis of such an
				audit, the Secretary determines that a State is not in compliance with
				paragraph (1), the Secretary may reduce the amount of a grant made to the State
				under section
				4102A(b)(5) of this
				title.
							.
				(b)Local veterans’
			 employment representativesSection 4104 of such title is
			 amended—
					(1)by redesignating
			 subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
					(2)by inserting after
			 subsection (d) the following new subsection (e):

							(e)Additional
				requirements for full-Time employees(1)A full-time local
				veterans’ employment representative shall perform only duties related to the
				employment, training, and placement services under this chapter, and shall not
				perform other non-veteran-related duties.
								(2)The Secretary shall conduct regular audits
				to ensure compliance with paragraph (1). If, on the basis of such an audit, the
				Secretary determines that a State is not in compliance with paragraph (1), the
				Secretary may reduce the amount of a grant made to the State under section
				4102A(b)(5) of this
				title.
								.
					306.Report on
			 findings of the Department of Defense and Department of Labor credentialing
			 work group
				(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor shall
			 jointly enter into a contract with a qualified organization or entity jointly
			 selected by the Secretaries to complete the study of 10 military occupational
			 specialties already begun by the joint Department of Defense and Department of
			 Labor Credentialing Work Group to reduce barriers to certification and
			 licensure for transitioning members of the Armed Forces and veterans. This
			 study shall also include an examination of current initiatives, programs, and
			 authority already established within the Department of Defense and the military
			 services to promote credentialing of members of the Armed Forces and identify
			 best practices that can be leveraged by all services to increase the
			 transferability of military education, training, experience, and skills.
				(b)ReportThe
			 contract described in subsection (a) shall provide that upon completion of the
			 study described in such subsection, the organization or entity with which the
			 Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor entered into the contract shall
			 submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor a report setting
			 forth the results of the study. The report shall include—
					(1)a
			 plan for leveraging existing successful initiatives, programs, and authority to
			 promote the credentialing of all members of the Armed Forces; and
					(2)such information
			 as the Secretaries shall specify in the contract.
					(c)Submittal to
			 congressNot later than March 31, 2012, the Secretary of Defense
			 and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly submit to Congress a report on the
			 results of the study described in subsection (a), together with such comments
			 on the report as the Secretaries jointly consider appropriate.
				IVImprovements to
			 Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights
			401.Clarification
			 of benefits of employment covered under USERRASection 4303(2) of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting the terms,
			 conditions, or privileges of employment, including after
			 means.
			VOther
			 Matters
			501.Extension of
			 certain expiring provisions of law
				(a)Adjustable rate
			 mortgagesSection 3707(a) of such title is amended by striking
			 2012 and inserting 2014.
				(b)Hybrid
			 adjustable rate mortgagesSection 3707A(a) of such title is
			 amended by striking 2012 and inserting
			 2014.
				(c)Pool of mortgage
			 loansSection 3720(h)(2)
			 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking December 31,
			 2011 and inserting December 31, 2016.
				(d)Loan
			 fees
					(1)Extension of
			 feesSection 3729(b)(2) of such title is amended—
						(A)in subparagraph
			 (A)—
							(i)in
			 clause (iii), by striking November 18, 2011 and inserting
			 October 1, 2017; and
							(ii)in
			 clause (iv), by striking November 18, 2011 and inserting
			 October 1, 2017;
							(B)in subparagraph
			 (B)—
							(i)in clause (i), by
			 striking November 18, 2011 and inserting October 1,
			 2017;
							(ii)by
			 striking clauses (ii) and (iii) and redesignating clause (iv) as clause (ii);
			 and
							(iii)in
			 clause (ii), as so redesignated, by striking October 1, 2013 and
			 inserting October 1, 2017;
							(C)in subparagraph
			 (C)—
							(i)in
			 clause (i), by striking November 18, 2011 and inserting
			 October 1, 2017; and
							(ii)in
			 clause (ii), by striking November 18, 2011 and inserting
			 October 1, 2017; and
							(D)in subparagraph
			 (D)—
							(i)in
			 clause (i), by striking November 18, 2011 and inserting
			 October 1, 2017; and
							(ii)in clause (ii), by striking November
			 18, 2011 and inserting October 1, 2017.
							(2)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on
			 the later of—
						(A)October 1, 2011;
			 or
						(B)the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.
						(e)Temporary
			 adjustment of maximum home loan guaranty amountSection 501 of
			 the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law
			 110–389; 122 Stat. 4175;
			 38 U.S.C.
			 3703 note) is amended by striking December 31,
			 2011 and inserting December 31, 2014.
				502.Department of
			 Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for surviving spouses of certain
			 totally disabled veterans
				(a)In
			 generalSection 3701(b) of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 paragraph:

						(6)The term veteran also
				includes, for purposes of home loans, the surviving spouse of a deceased
				veteran who dies and who was in receipt of or entitled to receive (or but for
				the receipt of retired or retirement pay was entitled to receive) compensation
				at the time of death for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling
				if—
							(A)the disability was continuously rated
				totally disabling for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding
				death;
							(B)the disability was
				continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not less than five years
				from the date of such veteran’s discharge or other release from active duty;
				or
							(C)the veteran was a
				former prisoner of war who died after September 30, 1999, and the disability
				was continuously rated totally disabling for a period of not less than one year
				immediately preceding
				death.
							.
				(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with
			 respect to a loan guaranteed after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act.
				(c)Clarification
			 with respect to certain feesFees shall be collected under
			 section
			 3729 of title 38, United States Code, from a person described
			 in paragraph (6) of subsection (b) of section 3701 of such title, as added by
			 subsection (a), in the same manner as such fees are collected from a person
			 described in paragraph (2) of such subsection.
				503.Reimbursement
			 rate for ambulance servicesSection 111(b)(3) of
			 title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subparagraph:

					(C)In the case of transportation of a person
				under subparagraph (B) by ambulance, the Secretary may pay the provider of the
				transportation the lesser of the actual charge for the transportation or the
				amount determined by the fee schedule established under section 1834(l) of the
				Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(l)) unless the
				Secretary has entered into a contract for that transportation with the
				provider.
					.
			504.Annual reports on
			 Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program and Survivors’ and Dependents’
			 Educational Assistance Program
				(a)Reports
			 required
					(1)In
			 generalSubchapter III of
			 chapter 33 of title 38,
			 United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 section:

							3325.Reporting
				requirement
								(a)In
				generalFor each academic
				year—
									(1)the Secretary of
				Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of the program
				provided for in this chapter; and
									(2)the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
				report on the operation of the program provided for in this chapter and the
				program provided for under chapter 35 of this title.
									(b)Contents of
				Secretary of Defense reportsThe Secretary of Defense shall
				include in each report submitted under this section—
									(1)information
				indicating—
										(A)the extent to
				which the benefit levels provided under this chapter are adequate to achieve
				the purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in the Armed Forces
				and of providing an adequate level of financial assistance to help meet the
				cost of pursuing a program of education;
										(B)whether it is
				necessary for the purposes of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified
				active-duty personnel in the Armed Forces to continue to offer the opportunity
				for educational assistance under this chapter to individuals who have not yet
				entered active-duty service; and
										(C)describing the
				efforts under section 3323(b) of this title to inform members of the Armed
				Forces of the active duty service requirements for entitlement to educational
				assistance benefits under this chapter and the results from such efforts;
				and
										(2)such
				recommendations for administrative and legislative changes regarding the
				provision of educational assistance to members of the Armed Forces and
				veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers
				appropriate.
									(c)Contents of
				Secretary of Veterans Affairs reportsThe Secretary shall include
				in each report submitted under this section—
									(1)information
				concerning the level of utilization of educational assistance and of
				expenditures under this chapter and under chapter 35 of this title;
									(2)the number of
				credit hours, certificates, degrees, and other qualifications earned by
				beneficiaries under this chapter and under chapter 35 of this title during the
				academic year covered by the report; and
									(3)such
				recommendations for administrative and legislative changes regarding the
				provision of educational assistance to members of the Armed Forces and
				veterans, and their dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate.
									(d)TerminationNo
				report shall be required under this section after January 1,
				2021.
								.
					(2)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3324 the following
			 new item:

								3325. Reporting
				requirement.

							.
					(3)Deadline for
			 submittal of first reportThe first reports required under
			 section
			 3325 of title 38, United States Code, as added by paragraph
			 (1), shall be submitted by not later than November 1, 2012, and shall cover the
			 2011-2012 academic year.
					(b)Repeal of report
			 on All Volunteer-Force Educational Assistance Program
					(1)In
			 generalChapter 30 of such title is amended by striking section
			 3036.
					(2)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by striking the item relating to section 3036.
					505.Limitation on
			 amount authorized to be appropriated for employee travel, printing, and fleet
			 vehiclesThe amount authorized
			 to be appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs for employee travel,
			 printing, and fleet vehicles for fiscal year 2012 shall not exceed
			 $385,000,000.
			506.Extension of
			 reduced pension for certain veterans covered by Medicaid plans for services
			 furnished by nursing facilitiesSection 5503(d)(7)
			 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking May 31,
			 2015 and inserting May 31, 2016.
			507.Statutory
			 Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010The
			 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 October 12, 2011.
			Karen L. Haas,
			Clerk


117 HRES 487 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives the President of the United States should remove Dr. Anthony Fauci from his positions as the President’s Chief Medical Advisor and as the Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 487IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 22, 2021Mr. Carl submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceRESOLUTIONExpressing the sense of the House of Representatives the President of the United States should remove Dr. Anthony Fauci from his positions as the President’s Chief Medical Advisor and as the Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Whereas Dr. Anthony Fauci has been in his position as Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984;Whereas Dr. Fauci was appointed to his position as Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden in 2021;Whereas Dr. Fauci served as a member of the Trump Administration’s Coronavirus Task Force;Whereas the American public placed great confidence in Dr. Fauci’s statements and recommendations;Whereas Dr. Fauci made contradictory statements regarding the origins of the COVID–19 pandemic and the proper response to the crisis; andWhereas recent emails of Dr. Fauci’s have further demonstrated the contradictions between Dr. Fauci’s public statements and his private email correspondence: Now, therefore, be itThat the House of Representatives urges the President of the United States to remove Dr. Anthony Fauci from his positions as Chief Medical Advisor and Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases due to Dr. Fauci’s betrayal of the American public’s trust as demonstrated by contradictory public statements and private email correspondence.


113 SRES 448 IS: Expressing the sense of the Senate on the policy of the United States regarding stabilizing the currency of Ukraine.
U.S. Senate
2014-05-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 448
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 15, 2014
			Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Cruz) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the Senate on the policy of the United States regarding stabilizing the
			 currency of Ukraine.

		Whereas the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been compromised by the unlawful annexation of
			 Crimea by the Russian Federation;Whereas the territorial integrity of Ukraine continues to be under threat because of unlawful
			 provocations by the Russian Federation;Whereas ongoing economic hardships in Ukraine are being exploited by unlawful separatist elements
			 with allegiances to the Russian Federation;Whereas strengthening of the economy of Ukraine can help stabilize the unrest in the southern and
			 eastern parts of Ukraine and support the territorial integrity of Ukraine;Whereas the Russian Federation has declared the Russian ruble to be legal tender in Crimea
			 following its unlawful annexation of Crimea, to circulate in parallel with
			 the hryvnia, the national currency of Ukraine,  until January 1, 2016;Whereas the Russian Federation will exploit currency competition between the ruble and the hryvnia
			 during the period both currencies are in circulation in Crimea in an
			 attempt to portray the Russian-controlled managed economy as superior to
			 Western-style democracy and free markets;Whereas a stable national currency can be important to facilitate economic growth;Whereas the hryvnia dropped in value by  35 percent relative to the United States dollar between
			 January and May 2014;Whereas currency boards have a long record of promoting superior performance in countries with
			 emerging markets by spurring higher economic growth rates, lower inflation
			 rates, and more fiscal discipline than central banks that employ floating
			 exchange rates;Whereas the establishment of a national currency board for Ukraine can generate a more stable
			 currency and enhance demand for the hryvnia;Whereas, under a currency board, the hryvnia could be convertible into the United States dollar or
			 the euro, both of which are dominant global reserve currencies;Whereas the ability to convert the hryvnia into the United States dollar or the euro would help
			 make the hryvnia stable and its exchange more reliable;Whereas a stable national currency can boost investor confidence and make Ukraine less susceptible
			 to destabilizing rhetoric from the Russian Federation;Whereas the International Monetary Fund has a long track record of supporting the establishment of
			 currency boards and financial mechanisms that approximate currency boards,
			 notably through the implementation of Article VII of Annex 4 of the
			 General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, initialed
			 at Dayton, November 21, 1995 (commonly known as the Dayton Peace Accords), which mandated a currency board for Bosnia and Herzegovina;Whereas the International Monetary Fund can provide the technical expertise necessary to ensure
			 that a currency board run by monetary authorities in Ukraine is
			 implemented properly;Whereas currency board systems have been designed for other countries in Europe with positive
			 results, including Estonia, Lithuania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina;Whereas the United States Congress sent a strong message of solidarity with the people of Ukraine
			 by passing the Support for the Sovereignty,
Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–95; 128 Stat.
			 1088), which included financial assistance for Ukraine; andWhereas strengthening of the national currency of Ukraine and supporting the institution of a
			 disciplined monetary regime would send a powerful signal of support for
			 Ukraine:
    Now, therefore, be it

		That it is the sense of the Senate that—(1)the United States and Ukraine should examine the benefits of implementing a currency board system
			 as a way to stabilize the national  currency of Ukraine and to improve the
			 economy of Ukraine; and(2)if Ukraine decides to pursue the implementation of a currency board system, the United States
			 Secretary of the Treasury should work with the International Monetary Fund
			 to help create a currency board for Ukraine that can assist Ukraine to
			 improve its economy.