110 HRES 705 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-10-02
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 705
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 2, 2007
			Mr. Bilirakis (for
			 himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen,
			 Mr. Burton of Indiana,
			 Mr. McCotter,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Renzi,
			 Mr. Souder,
			 Mr. Feeney,
			 Mr. Tiberi,
			 Mr. Ryan of Ohio, and
			 Mr. Aderholt) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the House of
		  Representatives that the Chinese Communist Party should be condemned for
		  engaging in coercive abortion practices, and for other
		  purposes.

		Whereas the People’s Republic of China is an authoritarian
			 police state in which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the paramount source
			 of power;
		Whereas the citizens of China do not vote for the members
			 of the CCP;
		Whereas the citizens of China do not have the right under
			 Chinese law to change their government;
		Whereas the unelected members of the CCP have implemented
			 a one child policy the goal of which, with some exceptions, is to limit each
			 couple in China to one child;
		Whereas the CCP, and government officials obliged to
			 enforce the CCP’s one child policy, have violated and continue to violate the
			 rights of women and citizens of China by engaging in economic and physical
			 coercion in pursuit of the CCP’s one child policy;
		Whereas the CCP has passed a law which purports to
			 prohibit the use of physical coercion (but not economic coercion) to compel
			 persons to submit to abortion or sterilization, and holds this law out to the
			 international community and its own people as evidence that there is no such
			 problem in China;
		Whereas, however, this CCP propaganda is
			 contradicted in the Department of State’s Report on Human Rights Practices in
			 China, published on March 6, 2007, in which the Department of State
			 determined—
			(1)the CCP’s birth
			 planning policies utilize harshly coercive elements in law and practice;
			(2)the penalties for
			 violating the law are strict, leaving some women little choice but to abort
			 pregnancies;
			(3)reports of forced
			 sterilizations and abortions continued to be documented in rural areas;
			(4)officials who help
			 persons evade the birth limitations are subject to significant sanctions;
			(5)social
			 compensation fees for violations of the one child policy are set and assessed
			 against mothers and families at the local level, enabling corrupt officials to
			 enrich themselves while zealously enforcing the one child policy;
			(6)forcible action is
			 used as an enforcement mechanism, such as detaining family members or
			 confiscating and destroying property of families who refuse to or cannot pay
			 social compensation fees;
			(7)seven provinces
			 require termination of pregnancy if the pregnancy violates
			 provincial family planning regulations;
			(8)an additional 10
			 provinces require unspecified remedial measures to deal with
			 out-of-plan pregnancies;
			(9)it continues to be
			 illegal in almost all provinces for a single woman to have a child; in fact,
			 social compensation fees are levied on unwed mothers;
			(10)the country’s
			 population control policy relies not only on education, propaganda, and
			 economic incentives, but on more coercive measures such as the threat of job
			 loss or demotion; those who violate the child limit policy by having an
			 unapproved child or helping another to do so face disciplinary measures such as
			 job loss or demotion or loss of promotion opportunity; imposing fines and
			 refusing to allow persons to return to work based solely on the fact that the
			 woman became pregnant or gave birth to more than one child is commonplace; and
			(11)in the case of
			 families that already had two children, one parent was often pressured to
			 undergo sterilization; these penalties sometimes left women with little
			 practical choice but to undergo abortion or sterilization;
			Whereas on September 1, 2002, China adopted the Population
			 and Family Planning Law, which requires couples who have an unapproved child to
			 pay a social compensation fee;
		Whereas the social compensation fee policy
			 is a harsh and effective enforcement tool that is used to force women to have
			 an abortion by imposing fines that ranged from one-half to 10 times the average
			 worker’s annual disposable income;
		Whereas the CCP publicly admits that it
			 does not consider the social compensation fee and other administrative
			 punishments to be coercive;
		Whereas the one child policy of the CCP
			 results in the citizens of China being forced to make horrific choices
			 regarding the life and death of unborn children;
		Whereas many families use ultrasound to
			 identify female fetuses and terminate pregnancies, due to the preference for
			 male children in China and the penalties imposed for having more than one
			 child, particularly in rural areas;
		Whereas an official study in Hainan
			 Province found that 68 percent of abortions were of female fetuses, where
			 pregnancy was terminated in the hope that the next child (and only child
			 permitted) would be a male;
		Whereas according to a 2002 survey, 35 percent of women in
			 one rural township admitted to having an abortion because of a preference for a
			 male child;
		Whereas female babies also suffer from a
			 higher mortality rate than male babies, contrary to the worldwide norm;
		Whereas state media report that infant
			 mortality rates in rural areas are 27 percent higher for girls than boys, and a
			 higher percentage of girls are found in orphanages;
		Whereas the CCP’s claims that it does not
			 use coercion to enforce the one child policy are further refuted by the
			 imprisonment of Chen Guangchen; Mr. Chen is a blind activist who was working on
			 behalf of victims of the one child policy; Mr. Chen accused local health
			 workers in Shandong Province of forcing people to have late-term abortions and
			 sterilizations;
		Whereas local rights activists documented
			 cases of forced late-term abortions, and at least 7,000 people had been forced
			 to submit to sterilization procedures;
		Whereas in 2006, Time Magazine named Mr.
			 Chen as one of the world’s 100 most influential people for exposing the
			 atrocities;
		Whereas the response of the CCP was to
			 silence Mr. Chen by accusing him of frivolous law violations, arresting his
			 attorney on the eve of trial, and imprisoning Mr. Chen for 4 years and 3
			 months;
		Whereas despite international protests, Mr.
			 Chen remains incarcerated;
		Whereas on August 24, 2007, Yuan Weijing, the wife of Chen
			 Guangcheng, was kidnapped from Beijing Airport by authorities and beaten as she
			 attempted to fly to the Philippines to accept an award on behalf of her
			 imprisoned husband; and
		Whereas Yuan Weijing was forcibly returned
			 to her home village: Now, therefore, be it

		That—
			(1)the House of
			 Representatives declares that—
				(A)pregnant women in
			 China possess a fundamental, inalienable right to carry their pregnancies to
			 term and to deliver their children free from coercive tactics designed to force
			 a woman to abort her child;
				(B)the Chinese
			 Communist Party (CCP) and government officials in China have no right to impose
			 a fine, dismiss from employment, or in any way punish a pregnant woman, her
			 spouse or members of her family based solely on the pregnant woman’s exercise
			 of her inalienable right to carry her pregnancy to term and deliver her
			 child;
				(C)Article 16 of the
			 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted and proclaimed by United Nations
			 General Assembly Resolution 217 A (III) of December 10, 1948, provides that
			 adult men and women have the right to marry and to found a
			 family; and
				(D)the use of the
			 power of the government by the CCP to coerce abortion and sterilization is
			 immoral, reprehensible, and a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human
			 Rights;
				(2)the House of
			 Representatives expresses its regrets and condolences to the innocent victims
			 of the CCP’s one-child policy; and
			(3)it is the sense of the House of
			 Representatives that the United States Government should publicly condemn the
			 CCP’s one child policy, coerced abortions, and coerced sterilizations at
			 appropriate United Nations bodies and other international and multi-national
			 forums, and ensure that preparations for such actions be made at appropriately
			 high levels and with the widest possible support from other United Nations
			 member states.


113 S1276 : Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act
U.S. Senate
2013-10-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IC113th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1276IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 11, 2013Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government ReformAN ACTTo increase oversight of the Revolving Fund of the Office of Personnel Management.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act.2.Oversight of the Revolving Fund of the Office of Personnel ManagementSection 1304(e) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by inserting before the period the following: , and for the cost of audits, investigations, and oversight activities relating to the fund and the functions financed by the fund, conducted by the Inspector General of the Office; and(2)in paragraph (5), by adding at the end the following: Each budget submitted under this paragraph shall include an estimate from the Inspector General of the Office of the amount required to pay the reasonable expenses to adequately audit, investigate, and perform other oversight activities relating to the fund and the functions financed by the fund for the applicable fiscal year, which shall not exceed 0.33 percent of the total budgetary authority requested in the budget estimates submitted to Congress by the Office for that fiscal year..Passed the Senate October 10, 2013.Nancy Erickson,Secretary


117 HR 4026 IH: Social Determinants of Health Data Analysis Act of 2021
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4026IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 22, 2021Mr. Burgess (for himself and Ms. Blunt Rochester) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo require the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to Congress a report on actions taken by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to address social determinants of health.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Social Determinants of Health Data Analysis Act of 2021.2.Report on actions taken by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to address social determinants of healthNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on actions taken by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) to address social determinants of health. Such report shall include the following:(1)An analysis of how any data collection undertaken by the Secretary in furtherance of such actions complies with Federal and State privacy laws and regulations.(2)A description of any coordination undertaken by the Secretary with other relevant Federal agencies and State and local authorities as part of such actions.(3)An identification of any potential for duplication of such actions or other barriers to such actions.(4)Recommendations on how to foster private-public partnerships, as well as how best to leverage private sector efforts, to address social determinants of health.


115 HR 4507 IH: Adoption Information Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-11-30
text/xml
EN
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I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4507IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 30, 2017Mr. Wittman (for himself, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Harris, Mr. Jody B. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Massie, Mr. Pearce, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Rouzer, and Mr. Franks of Arizona) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo require assurances that certain family planning service projects and programs will provide
			 pamphlets containing the contact information of adoption centers.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be referred to as the Adoption Information Act. 2.Provision in family planning services of pamphlets containing adoption center contact informationTitle X of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 1009.Adoption center contact information(a)A grant may be made or contract entered into under section 1001 for a family planning service project or program only upon assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the project or program will—
 (1)provide to each person to whom the project or program provides family planning services, at the time the person inquires about the services, a pamphlet that contains—
 (A)a comprehensive list of the adoption centers located in the State where the services are provided; and
 (B)the address and telephone number of each such center; (2)at the same time, orally inform each such person that the pamphlet—
 (A)was provided by the Department of Health and Human Services; and (B)contains a comprehensive list of the adoption centers located in the State where the services are provided; and
 (3)provide each such person an opportunity to read the pamphlet. (b)The Secretary shall prepare, annually update, and distribute to each project or program referred to in subsection (a) pamphlets described in that subsection.
 (c)No funds may be used to carry out this section, except funds that are appropriated to carry out this title..


115 S3695 IS: Global Electoral Exchange Act
U.S. Senate
2018-11-29
text/xml
EN
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II115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3695IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 29, 2018Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsA BILLTo promote international exchanges on best election practices, cultivate more secure democratic
			 institutions around the world, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Global Electoral Exchange Act. 2.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—
 (1)recent elections globally have illustrated the urgent need for the promotion and exchange of international best election practices, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, results transmission, transparency of electoral data, election dispute resolution, and the elimination of discriminatory registration practices and other electoral irregularities;
 (2)the advancement of democracy worldwide promotes American interests, as stable democracies provide new market opportunities, improve global health outcomes, and promote economic freedom and regional security;
 (3)credible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy and enable all persons to exercise their basic human right to have a say in how they are governed;
 (4)inclusive elections strengthen the credibility and stability of democracies more broadly, as democratic institutions flourish when representative of all groups of society;
 (5)at the heart of a strong election cycle is the professionalism of the election management body and an empowered civil society; and
 (6)the development of local expertise via peer-to-peer learning and exchanges promotes the independence of such bodies from internal and external influence.
			3.Global Electoral Exchange
 (a)Global Electoral ExchangeThe Secretary of State shall establish and administer a Global Electoral Exchange Program to promote the utilization of sound election administration practices in the United States and foreign countries.
 (b)PurposesThe purposes of the Global Electoral Exchange Program described in subsection (a) shall include the promotion and exchange of international best election practices, including in the areas of cybersecurity, results transmission, transparency of electoral data, election dispute resolution, the elimination of discriminatory registration practices and electoral irregularities, and other sound election administration practices.
			(c)Exchange of electoral authorities
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of State may, in consultation, as appropriate, with the United States Agency for International Development and regionally focused independent agencies, make grants to any United States-based organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code with experience in comparative election systems or subject matter expertise in the areas of election administration or electoral integrity that submits an application in such form, and satisfying such requirements, as the Secretary may require.
 (2)Types of grantsAn organization described in paragraph (1) may receive a grant for one or more of the following purposes:
 (A)To design and implement programs bringing election administrators and officials, including government officials, polling workers, civil society representatives, members of the judiciary, and others who participate in the organization and administration of an election in a foreign country to the United States to study election procedures in the United States for educational purposes.
 (B)To design and implement programs taking United States or another country’s election administrators and officials, including government officials, polling workers, civil society representatives, members of the judiciary, and others who participate in the organization and administration of elections for public office in the United States or such other countries to foreign countries to study election procedures in such countries for educational purposes.
 (3)Limits on activitiesActivities administered under the Global Electoral Exchange Program may not— (A)include election observation for the purposes of discussing the validity or legitimacy of an election; or
 (B)facilitate any advocacy for a certain electoral result by a grantee when participating in the Program.
 (4)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should establish and maintain a network of Global Electoral Exchange Program alumni, to promote communication and further exchange of information regarding sound election administration practices among current and former program participants.
 (5)Further limitsA recipient of a grant under the Global Electoral Exchange Program may use such grant for only the purpose for which such grant was awarded, unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of State.
 (6)Not duplicativeGrants made under this subsection may not be duplicative of any other grants made under any other provision of law for similar or related purposes.
 4.Congressional oversightNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and in each of the following two years thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate a briefing on the status of any activities carried out pursuant to this Act during the preceding year, which shall include, among other information, the following elements:
 (1)A summary of all exchanges conducted under the Global Electoral Exchange Program, including information regarding grantees, participants, and the locations where program activities were held.
 (2)A description of the criteria used to select grantees under the Global Electoral Exchange Program. (3)Any recommendations for the improvement of the Global Electoral Exchange Program, based on the purposes specified in section 3(b).


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1371
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 11, 2007
			Mr. Pryor introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To establish a program to award innovation prizes to
		  individuals and entities for researching and developing innovative
		  technologies, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Reward Innovation in America
			 Act.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Administering
			 entityThe term administering entity means an entity
			 with which the Secretary enters into an agreement under section 4(e).
			(2)CompetitionThe
			 term competition means a competition for an innovation prize under
			 the program described in section 4(a).
			(3)Innovation
			 prizeThe term innovation prize means a prize
			 awarded to a participant who wins a competition.
			(4)ParticipantThe
			 term participant means an individual or entity that participates
			 in a competition.
			(5)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.
			3.National
			 Innovation Prizes Board
			(a)EstablishmentThere
			 is established in the Department of Commerce a National Innovation Prizes Board
			 (referred to in this Act as the Board).
			(b)PurposesThe
			 purposes of the Board are as follows:
				(1)To develop and
			 administer the program described in section 4(a).
				(2)To select the
			 research topics for competitions.
				(3)To establish the
			 rules of the competitions and the criteria for winning innovation
			 prizes.
				(4)To determine the
			 amount of the innovation prize for each competition.
				(5)To certify the
			 winners of the competitions.
				(6)To determine the
			 annual funding requirement for each competition.
				(c)Membership
				(1)Number of
			 membersThe Secretary shall determine the number of members of
			 the Board.
				(2)ChairThe
			 Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, shall serve as Chair of the
			 Board.
				(3)Members
					(A)From Federal
			 agenciesThe Secretary may appoint the heads of Federal agencies
			 to serve as full members of the Board on a permanent basis.
					(B)Non-Federal
			 membersThe Secretary may appoint to the Board individuals who
			 are not officers or employees of the Federal Government and who have national
			 reputations in the private sector, policy sector, or academic
			 institutions.
					(4)Terms
					(A)In
			 generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), a member of the
			 Board shall serve for a term of 3 years.
					(B)Initial
			 termsThe initial terms of members described in paragraph (3)(B)
			 shall be staggered.
					(5)VacanciesA
			 member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(B) appointed to fill a vacancy
			 occurring other than by the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the
			 remainder of the term of the former member.
				(6)StatusExcept
			 as provided in paragraph (7), a member described in paragraph (3)(B) shall not
			 be deemed to be an officer or employee of the United States for purposes of the
			 laws or regulations of the United States.
				(7)Travel
			 expensesA member described in paragraph (3)(B) shall be allowed
			 travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized
			 for employees of the Federal Government under subchapter I of chapter 57 of
			 title 5, United States Code.
				4.Innovation
			 prizes program
			(a)In
			 generalThe program described in this subsection means a program
			 of competitions to award innovation prizes to eligible individuals and entities
			 to advance the research, development, and commercial application of innovative
			 technologies.
			(b)Eligible
			 individuals and entities
				(1)In
			 generalThe term eligible individual or entity
			 includes an individual, university, or small or large business that complies
			 with the requirements of paragraph (2).
				(2)RequirementsAn
			 eligible individual or entity—
					(A)shall have
			 complied with such eligibility requirements for participation in a competition
			 as the Board may establish and publish in the Federal Register under subsection
			 (d)(2);
					(B)in the case of a
			 private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of
			 business in the United States;
					(C)in the case of an
			 individual, whether participating in the program singly or in a group, shall be
			 a citizen of, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in, the
			 United States; and
					(D)may not
			 be—
						(i)a
			 Federal entity, such as a federally funded research and development center or a
			 government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory;
						(ii)a
			 Federal employee acting within the scope of employment; or
						(iii)an employee of
			 a national laboratory acting within the scope of employment.
						(3)Consultation
			 with Federal employeesAn individual or entity shall not be
			 deemed ineligible under this subsection because such individual or entity used
			 Federal facilities or consulted with Federal employees during a competition if
			 such facilities and employees are made available to all individuals and
			 entities participating in the competition on an equitable basis.
				(c)Development of
			 program
				(1)PlanNot
			 later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
			 shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the
			 House of Representatives a plan for implementing the program described in
			 subsection (a) that includes—
					(A)a description of
			 how the research topics for competitions and the criteria for awarding the
			 innovation prizes will be determined;
					(B)the terms and
			 conditions of the competitions;
					(C)the time frame
			 for the award of innovation prizes; and
					(D)a description of
			 the plans of the Secretary to partner with nonprofit organizations or Federal
			 agencies to sponsor competitions or to outsource administration of competitions
			 to nonprofit organizations under subsection (e).
					(2)Innovation
			 prizesIn developing the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary
			 shall include the following requirements:
					(A)CategoriesThere
			 shall be 2 categories of innovation prizes as follows:
						(i)21st century
			 innovation prizes21st Century Innovation Prizes shall be awarded
			 in multiple competitions in different research areas. The amount of each 21st
			 Century Innovation Prize award may not exceed $2,000,000.
						(ii)Innovate
			 America grand challenge prizes
							(I)In
			 generalInnovate America Grand Challenge Prizes shall be awarded
			 in large, highly complex, and expensive competitions that—
								(aa)are
			 held every 2 to 4 years; and
								(bb)address research
			 objectives well beyond the current state of the art and that are intended to
			 become integral to major changes in complex socio-technological systems.
								(II)Amount of
			 awardThe amount of each Innovate America Grand Challenge Prize
			 award shall be $5,000,000 or more, but not more than $30,000,000.
							(B)AwardsThe
			 Board shall determine the amount of each innovation prize for each competition
			 and may elect to award only a first place prize or to award first, second, and
			 third place prizes.
					(d)Advertising and
			 notice to participants
				(1)AdvertisingThe
			 Board shall advertise each competition widely to encourage broad participation
			 in each competition, including by individuals, universities (including
			 historically Black colleges and universities and other institutions serving
			 minorities), and large and small businesses (including businesses owned or
			 controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged persons).
				(2)Federal
			 Register noticeThe Board shall announce each competition by
			 publishing in the Federal Register a notice that includes the subject of the
			 competition, the duration of the competition, the eligibility requirements for
			 participation in the competition, the process for participants to register for
			 the competition, the amount of the innovation prize, and the criteria for
			 awarding the innovation prize.
				(e)Administering
			 competitionsThe Board may enter into an agreement with a
			 private, nonprofit organization to administer competitions. The duties of the
			 administering entity under the agreement shall include—
				(1)advertising
			 competitions and the results of competitions;
				(2)raising funds
			 from private entities and individuals to pay for administrative costs of
			 competitions and to contribute to cash innovation prizes;
				(3)working with the
			 Board to develop the criteria for selecting winners in competitions, based on
			 goals provided by the Secretary;
				(4)determining, in
			 consultation with the Board, the appropriate amount of each innovation prize to
			 be awarded;
				(5)selecting judges
			 for competitions using criteria developed in consultation with the Board;
			 and
				(6)preventing the
			 unauthorized use or disclosure of the intellectual property, trade secrets, and
			 confidential business information of participants.
				(f)Funding
				(1)Funding
			 sources
					(A)In
			 generalInnovation prizes awarded under the program described in
			 subsection (a) shall consist of—
						(i)funds authorized
			 to be appropriated under section 6; and
						(ii)any funds raised
			 by the administering entity under subsection (e)(2).
						(B)Federal
			 agenciesThe Secretary may accept funds from other Federal
			 agencies for innovation prizes.
					(2)Funding from
			 other entities
					(A)In
			 generalThe Board is
			 authorized to enter into agreements with other entities, including
			 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and other government agencies, to offer
			 joint innovation prizes if—
						(i)the
			 joint innovation prize supports the purposes of this Act;
						(ii)the entity
			 offering additional funds agrees to deposit the funds into a designated escrow
			 account; and
						(iii)the Board
			 retains full authority over the competition and the awarding of the cash
			 innovation prizes.
						(B)Prohibition on
			 special consideration in return for donationsThe Secretary may
			 not give any special consideration to any private sector entity or individual
			 in return for a donation to the administering entity to fund a
			 competition.
					(3)Announcement of
			 innovation prizes contingent on funding
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary may not publish the notice in the Federal
			 Register required by subsection (d)(2) until all the funds necessary to pay the
			 innovation prize have been appropriated or committed in writing.
					(B)Increases in
			 amount of innovation prizeThe Secretary may increase the amount
			 of an innovation prize after an initial announcement is made under subsection
			 (d)(2) if—
						(i)notice of the
			 increase is published in the Federal Register; and
						(ii)the funds needed
			 to pay the amount of the increase have been appropriated or committed in
			 writing.
						(g)Liability
				(1)Waiver of
			 liability
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary may require participants to waive claims
			 against the Federal Government and the administering entity (except claims for
			 willful misconduct) for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property,
			 revenue, or profits arising from participation in a competition.
					(B)NoticeThe
			 Secretary shall give notice of any waiver required under subparagraph (A) in
			 the notice published in the Federal Register under subsection (d)(2).
					(C)ExceptionThe
			 Secretary may not require a participant to waive claims against the
			 administering entity arising out of the unauthorized use or disclosure by the
			 administering entity of the intellectual property, trade secrets, or
			 confidential business information of the participant.
					(2)Liability
			 insurance
					(A)RequirementsA
			 participant shall be required to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate
			 financial responsibility, in amounts determined by the Secretary, for claims
			 by—
						(i)a
			 third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from
			 an activity carried out in connection with participation in a competition;
			 and
						(ii)the Federal
			 Government for damage or loss to Government property resulting from
			 participation in a competition.
						(B)Federal
			 government insuredThe Federal Government shall be named as an
			 additional insured under an insurance policy required under subparagraph (A). A
			 registered participant shall be required to agree to indemnify the Federal
			 Government against third party claims for damages arising from or related to
			 participation in a competition.
					(h)Intellectual
			 property
				(1)Prohibition on
			 the Government acquiring intellectual property rightsThe Federal Government may not gain an
			 interest in intellectual property developed by a participant for a
			 competition.
				(2)LicensesThe
			 Federal Government may negotiate a license for the use of intellectual property
			 developed by a participant for a competition.
				5.ReportNot later than one year after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit
			 to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
			 Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report
			 describing the activities of the program described in section 4(a),
			 including—
			(1)a description of
			 the methods used to select the research topics of competitions and the amounts
			 of the innovation prizes;
			(2)a discussion of
			 the features of competitions that contribute to the success or lack of success
			 of the competitions;
			(3)the number of
			 participants involved in the competitions;
			(4)the amount of
			 private funds contributed to the program and the sources of such funds;
			(5)the effect of the
			 program on public awareness of innovation; and
			(6)the effect of the
			 program on the public image of the Department of Commerce.
			6.Authorization of
			 appropriations
			(a)In
			 general
				(1)AwardsThere
			 are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the provisions
			 of this Act—
					(A)for each of
			 fiscal years 2008 through 2012, $5,000,000 for awards described in section
			 4(c)(2)(A)(i); and
					(B)for fiscal year
			 2008, $30,000,000 for awards described in section 4(c)(2)(A)(ii).
					(2)AdministrationIn
			 addition to the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1),
			 there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for each of fiscal
			 years 2008 through 2012 $750,000 for the administrative costs of carrying out
			 this Act.
				(b)Carryover of
			 fundsFunds appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act
			 shall remain available until expended.


110 HR 4585 IH: To extend the temporary suspension of duty on

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4585
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on
		  4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenyl isocyanate.

		1.4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenyl
			 isocyanate
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.22.99 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.


113 HJ 23 IH: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of consecutive terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-01-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IA
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. J. RES. 23
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 25, 2013
			Mr. Duffy introduced
			 the following joint resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		JOINT RESOLUTION
		Proposing an amendment to the Constitution
		  of the United States to limit the number of consecutive terms that a Member of
		  Congress may serve.

		That the following article is
			 proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall
			 be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified
			 by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years
			 after the date of its submission for ratification:

			 —
					1.No person who has been a Senator for two
				full consecutive terms shall again be a Senator until the date that is one year
				after the end of such second full consecutive term.
					2.No person who has been a Representative for
				six full consecutive terms shall again be a Representative until the date that
				is one year after the end of the sixth full consecutive term.
					3.For the purposes of this
				article, any term that began before the date of the ratification of this
				article shall not be included in determining the number of full consecutive
				terms that a person has been a Senator or
				Representative.
					.


109 HR 7540 IH: Protecting Lands Against Narcotics Trafficking Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-07-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7540IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 9, 2020Mr. LaMalfa (for himself, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky, Mr. Carbajal, and Mr. Cox of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo impose enhanced penalties for conduct relating to unlawful production of a controlled substance on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another that causes environmental damage, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Lands Against Narcotics Trafficking Act of 2020 or the PLANT Act of 2020.2.Controlled Substances Act penalty amendments(a)Environmental harms and other hazardsPursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall amend and review the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 3 offense levels for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) while on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another if the offense—(1)poses or creates a hazard to humans, livestock, fish, wildlife, the environment, or domestic animals;(2)degrades or harms the environment or natural resources;(3)diverts, redirects, obstructs, or drains an aquifer, spring, stream, river, or body of water or clear cuts, removes, or substantially alters timber or vegetation;(4)pollutes or contaminates an aquifer, spring, stream, river, body of water, soil, or native vegetation; or(5)constitutes a violation of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.), or the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).(b)Aggravating rolePursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall amend and review the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 3 offense levels for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) while on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another if the offender also received an adjustment under §3B1.1 (Aggravating Role).(c)Stream diversion or clear cutting on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of another(1)Prohibition on stream diversion or clear cutting on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of anotherSection 401(b) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)), as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following:(8)Destruction of bodies of water or timber(A)In generalAny person who violates subsection (a) in a manner that diverts, redirects, obstructs, or drains an aquifer, spring, stream, river, or body of water or clear cuts or removes or substantially alters timber or vegetation while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on Federal property or while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance while intentionally trespassing on the property of another shall be fined an amount not to exceed—(i)the amount authorized in accordance with this section;(ii)the amount authorized in accordance with the provisions of title 18, United States Code;(iii)$500,000 if the defendant is an individual; or(iv)$1,000,000 if the defendant is other than an individual.(B)Use of amounts from fines(i)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, for use in accordance with clause (ii), the amounts received as fines for a violation described in subparagraph (A).(ii)FundsThe Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall use the amounts transferred under clause (i) to address the environmental damage caused by any offense described in subparagraph (A), including by providing such funds to nonprofit organizations that address such damage.. (2)Federal sentencing guidelines enhancementPursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 1 offense level for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) if the offense involves the diversion, redirection, obstruction, or draining of an aquifer, spring, stream, river, or body of water or the clear cut or removal of timber or vegetation while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on Federal property or while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance while intentionally trespassing on the property of another.(3)Technical and conforming amendmentSection 1402(b)(1)(A) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(b)(1)(A)) is amended—(A)in clause (i), by striking and at the end; and(B)by inserting after clause (ii) the following:(iii)section 401(b)(8) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(8)); and.(d)Booby traps on Federal propertySection 401(d)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(d)(1)) is amended by inserting cultivated, after is being.(e)Use or Possession of Firearms in Connection With Drug Offenses on Federal property or while intentionally trespassing on the property of anotherPursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guidelines provide for a penalty enhancement of not less than 2 offense levels for a violation of section 401(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(a)) if the offense involves the possession of a firearm while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance on Federal property or while cultivating or manufacturing a controlled substance while intentionally trespassing on the property of another.3.Public Lands Eradication, Remediation, and Enforcement Partnership(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)EradicationThe term eradication means the removal and destruction of illegally cultivated substances on Federal land.(2)EnforcementThe term enforcement means an action undertaken by law enforcement to prevent the cultivation of illegal substances on Federal land.(3)PartnershipThe term partnership means the Public Lands Eradication and Remediation Partnership, established by subsection (b).(4)Priority landsThe term priority lands means Federal land that is determined by the partnership to be a high priority for either eradication, remediation, enforcement, or a combination thereof.(5)RemediationThe term remediation—(A)means to facilitate the recovery of lands and waters that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed by illegal marijuana cultivation or another illegal activity; and(B)includes—(i)removal of trash, debris, and other deleterious material and the materials and surfaces contaminated by such trash, debris, and deleterious material; and(ii)establishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological processes necessary to facilitate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem sustainability, resilience, and health under current and future conditions.(b)EstablishmentThere is hereby established a Public Lands Eradication and Remediation Partnership.(c)PurposesThe purposes of the partnership are to—(1)coordinate the activities of Federal, State, Tribal, and local authorities, and the private sector, in the eradication and remediation of priority lands affected by illegal marijuana cultivation or associated illegal activities; (2)use the resources and expertise of each agency, authority, or entity in implementing eradication and remediation activities on priority lands in States, including sharing best practices on eradication and remediation of illegal substances on Federal lands; and(3)support existing ad hoc or permanent narcotics trafficking partnerships focused on marijuana eradication, remediation, and enforcement activities.(d)MembershipThe members of the partnership shall include the following:(1)The Secretary of Agriculture, or a designee of the Secretary of Agriculture to represent the Forest Service.(2)The Secretary of the Interior, or a designee of the Secretary of the Interior, to represent the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and National Park Service.(3)The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or a designee of the Director.(4)A designee of the Governor of each State that opts to join the partnership to represent the interests of that State regarding the water and other natural resources of that State.(5)A designee of the Governor of each State that opts to join the partnership to represent the law enforcement interests of that State.(6)The Secretary of Homeland Security, or a designee of the Secretary of Homeland Security.(7)The Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, or a designee of the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration.(8)A designee of the National Guard.(9)One member to represent Indian Tribes, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.(10)One member to represent nongovernmental organizations with an interest in Federal land eradication and remediation, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.(11)One member to represent local governmental interests, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.(e)DutiesTo further the purposes of this section, the partnership shall have the following duties:(1)Identify priorities for eradication and remediation on Federal lands.(2)Secure resources from Federal and non-Federal sources to apply to eradication and remediation of Federal lands.(3)Carry out eradication and remediation on Federal lands.(4)Support efforts by Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, and nongovernmental organizations in carrying out eradication and remediation of priority lands.(5)Support research and education on the impacts of, and solutions to, illegal marijuana cultivation and other illegal activities on priority lands.(6)Document all actions taken by or known to the partnership to eradicate or remediate illegal substances on public lands, including tracking facilities used to test the following in cannabis or cannabis products:(A)Levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD).(B)Adulterants.(C)Pesticides.(D)Vitamins.(E)Heavy metals.(F)Other matter the presence of which may assist in tracing contamination to risks to human health.(7)Not later than 5 years after funds are first made available to carry out this Act, in consultation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, recommend the establishment of Federal guidelines, procedures, and best practices for handling pesticides found on Federal land that are not registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.). (8)Not later than 5 years after funds are first made available for this Act, submit a report to Congress on the actions and results of the partnership, including recommendations and changes for future action to prevent the spread of trespass grows on Federal lands, and public safety and environmental effects associated with the eradication, remediation, and prevention of trespass grows.(9)Involve other Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public in eradication and remediation efforts, to the extent practicable.(10)Coordinate activities among States, political subdivisions of States, and Federal agencies, contracting to use commercially available aerial imagery, remote sensing, and geospatial data acquisition services using manned aircraft operations, unmanned aircraft systems, satellites, and other technologies to observe, monitor, and identify illegal marijuana cultivation and other illegal activities in support of eradication and remediation efforts authorized by this Act in a manner consistent with Federal law, in a manner consistent with California v. Ciraolo (476 U.S. 207) and Dow Chemical Co. v. United States (476 U.S. 227).(11)When appropriate, designate a lead agency when activities undertaken under this Act involve more than one jurisdiction or one or more Federal agencies.(12)Before taking any action that may impact Tribal lands, consult with the Indian Tribe whose land may be impacted by that action.(13)Take any other actions consistent with the authorities granted herein to address eradication and remediation of Federal lands.(f)AuthoritiesTo implement this section, the partnership may, subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of Agriculture—(1)make grants to States, political subdivisions of States, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;(2)enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide grants or technical assistance to, States, political subdivisions of States, nonprofit organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested parties;(3)hire and compensate staff to perform inherently governmental functions;(4)obtain funds or services from any source, including Federal and non-Federal funds, and funds and services provided under any other Federal law or program;(5)contract for commercially available goods or services; and(6)support activities of partners and any other activities that further the purposes of this section.(g)ProceduresThe partnership shall establish such rules and procedures as it deems necessary or desirable.(h)Service without compensationMembers of the partnership shall serve without pay.(i)Duties and authorities of the secretary of agriculture(1)In generalThe Secretary of Agriculture shall convene the partnership on a regular basis to carry out this section.(2)Technical and financial assistanceThe Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior may provide technical and financial assistance, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, as determined by the appropriate Secretary, to the partnership or any members of the partnership to carry out this section.(3)Cooperative agreementsThe Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with the partnership, any members of the partnership, or other public or private entities to provide technical, financial, or other assistance to carry out this section.(j)Public lands marijuana eradication, remediation, and enforcement fund(1)In generalThere is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the Public Lands Marijuana Eradication, Remediation, and Enforcement Fund (referred to in this section as the Fund).(2)DepositsFor each of fiscal years 2021 through 2026, there shall be deposited in the Fund an amount equal to 50 percent of all energy development revenues due and payable to the United States from oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy development on Federal land from the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), that would otherwise be credited, covered, or deposited as miscellaneous receipts under Federal law.(3)Maximum amountThe amount deposited in the Fund under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $25,000,000 for any fiscal year.(4)Effect on other revenuesNothing in this section affects the disposition under Federal law, including the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109–432), the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), and chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code, of energy development revenues—(A)to special funds, trust funds, or States; or(B)that have been otherwise appropriated under Federal law.(k)Availability of fundsAmounts deposited in the Fund shall be available to the Secretary without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation.(l)Use of fundsAmounts deposited in the Fund shall be used for the duties under subsection (e), as determined by the Secretary.(m)Prohibited use of fundsNo amounts in the Fund shall be used for land acquisition.(n)Public Donations(1)In generalThe Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the National Park Service, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, and the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs may accept public cash or in-kind donations that advance efforts to—(A)advance the goals and efforts of the Public Lands Eradication, Remediation, and Enforcement Partnership; and(B)encourage relevant public-private partnerships.(2)Credits to fundAny cash donations accepted under paragraph (1) shall be credited to, and form a part of, the Fund.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1253
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 11, 2009
			Mr. Corker (for himself,
			 Mr. Nelson of Florida,
			 Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Snowe, Mr.
			 Isakson, and Mr. Wicker)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To address reimbursement of certain costs to automobile
		  dealers.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Automobile Dealers Assistance Act of
			 2009.
		2.Reimbursement of
			 automobile distributors
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, any funds provided by the United States Government, or
			 any agency, department, or subdivision thereof, to an automobile manufacturer
			 or a distributor thereof as credit, loans, financing, advances, or by any other
			 agreement in connection with such automobile manufacturer’s or distributor’s
			 proceeding as a debtor under title 11, United States Code, shall be conditioned
			 upon use of such funds to fully reimburse all dealers of such automobile
			 manufacturer or manufacturer’s distributor for—
				(1)the cost incurred
			 by such dealers during the 9-month period preceding the date on which the
			 proceeding under title 11, United States Code, by or against the automobile
			 manufacturer or manufacturer’s distributor is commenced, in acquisition of all
			 parts and inventory in the dealer’s possession on on the same basis as if the
			 dealers were terminating pursuant to existing franchise agreements or dealer
			 agreements; and
				(2)all other
			 obligations owed by such automobile manufacturer or manufacturer’s distributor
			 under any other agreement between the dealers and the automobile manufacturer
			 or manufacturer’s distributor arising during that 9-month period, including,
			 without limitation, franchise agreement or dealer agreements.
				(b)Inclusion in
			 termsAny note, security agreement, loan agreement, or other
			 agreement between an automobile manufacturer or manufacturer’s distributor and
			 the Government (or any agency, department, or subdivision thereof) shall
			 expressly provide for the use of such funds as required by this section. A
			 bankruptcy court may not authorize the automobile manufacturer or
			 manufacturer’s distributor to obtain credit under section 364 of title 11,
			 United States Code, unless the credit agreement or agreements expressly
			 provided for the use of funds as required by this section.
			(c)Effectiveness
			 of rejectionNotwithstanding any other provision of law, any
			 rejection by an automobile manufacturer or manufacturer’s distributor that is a
			 debtor in a proceeding under title 11, United States Code, of a franchise
			 agreement or dealer agreement pursuant to section 365 of that title, shall not
			 be effective until at least 180 days after the date on which such rejection is
			 otherwise approved by a bankruptcy court.


114 S893 IS: Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-03-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 893
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 26, 2015
			Mr. Warner (for himself and Mr. Manchin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To establish an Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge  (EPIC) to assist energy policy innovation
			 in the States to
  promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy productivity by
  January 1, 2030.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015 or the EPIC Act of 2015.
 2.PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to assist energy policy innovation in the States to promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy productivity by January 1, 2030.
 3.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Energy productivityThe term energy productivity means, in the case of a State or Indian tribe, the gross State or tribal product per British thermal unit of energy consumed in the State or tribal land of the Indian tribe, respectively.
			(2)Indian
 tribeThe term Indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
 (3)StateThe term State has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6202).
			4.Phase 1:
		Initial allocation of grants to States
			(a)In
 generalNot later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue an invitation to States to submit plans to participate in an electric and thermal energy productivity challenge in accordance with this section.
			(b)Grants
				(1)In
 generalSubject to section 7, the Secretary shall use funds made available under section 8(b)(1) to provide an initial allocation of grants to not more than 25 States.
 (2)AmountThe amount of a grant provided to a State under this section shall be not less than $500,000 nor more than $1,750,000.
				(c)Submission of
 plansTo receive a grant under this section, not later than 90 days after the date of issuance of the invitation under subsection (a), a State (in consultation with energy utilities, regulatory bodies, and others) shall submit to the Secretary an application to receive the grant by submitting a revised State energy conservation plan under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6322).
			(d)Decision by
		Secretary
 (1)BasisThe Secretary shall base the decision of the Secretary on an application submitted under this section on—
 (A)plans for improvement in electric and thermal energy productivity consistent with this Act; and
 (B)other factors determined appropriate by the Secretary, including geographic diversity.
 (2)RankingThe Secretary shall—
 (A)rank revised plans submitted under this section in order of the greatest to least likely contribution to improving energy productivity in the State; and
 (B)provide grants under this section in accordance with the ranking and the scale and scope of a plan.
					(e)Plan
 requirementsA plan submitted under subsection (c) shall provide—
 (1)a description of the manner in which—
 (A)energy savings will be monitored and verified and energy productivity improvements will be calculated using inflation-adjusted dollars;
 (B)a statewide baseline of energy use and potential resources for calendar year 2010 will be established to measure improvements;
 (C)the plan will promote achievement of energy savings and demand reduction goals;
 (D)public and private sector investments in energy efficiency will be leveraged with available Federal funding; and
 (E)the plan will not cause cost-shifting among utility customer classes or negatively impact low-income populations; and
 (2)an assurance that—
 (A)the State energy office required to submit the plan, the energy utilities in the State participating in the plan, and the State public service commission are cooperating and coordinating programs and activities under this Act;
 (B)the State is cooperating with local units of government, Indian tribes, and energy utilities to expand programs as appropriate; and
 (C)grants provided under this Act will be used to supplement and not supplant Federal, State, or ratepayer-funded programs or activities in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
 (f)UsesA State may use grants provided under this section to promote—
 (1)the expansion of policies and programs that will advance industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, combined heat and power, and waste heat-to-power utilization;
 (2)the expansion of policies and programs that will advance energy efficiency construction and retrofits for public and private commercial buildings (including schools, hospitals, and residential buildings, including multifamily buildings) such as through expanded energy service performance contracts, equivalent utility energy service contracts, zero net-energy buildings, and improved building energy efficiency codes;
 (3)the expansion of residential policies and programs designed to implement best practice policies and tools for residential retrofit programs that—
 (A)reduce administrative and delivery costs for energy efficiency projects; (B)encourage streamlining and automation to support contractor engagement; and
 (C)implement systems that encourage private investment and market innovation; (4)the establishment or expansion of incentives in the electric utility sector to enhance demand response and energy efficiency, including consideration of additional incentives to promote the purposes of section 111(d) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(d)), such as appropriate, cost-effective policies regarding rate structures, grid improvements, behavior change, combined heat and power and waste heat-to-power incentives, financing of energy efficiency programs, data use incentives, district heating, and regular energy audits; and
 (5)leadership by example, in which State activities involving both facilities and vehicle fleets can be a model for other action to promote energy efficiency and can be expanded with Federal grants provided under this Act.
				5.Phase 2:
		Subsequent allocation of grants to States
 (a)ReportsNot later than 18 months after the receipt of grants under section 4, each State (in consultation with other parties described in subsection (b)(3)(F)) that received grants under section 4 may submit to the Secretary a report that describes—
 (1)the performance of the programs and activities carried out with the grants; and
 (2)in consultation with other parties described in subsection (b)(3)(F), the manner in which additional funds would be used to carry out programs and activities to promote the purposes of this Act.
				(b)Grants
				(1)In
 generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the receipt of the reports required under subsection (a), subject to section 7, the Secretary shall use amounts made available under section 8(b)(2) to provide grants to not more than 6 States to carry out the programs and activities described in subsection (a)(2).
 (2)AmountThe amount of a grant provided to a State under this section shall be not more than $15,000,000.
 (3)BasisThe Secretary shall base the decision of the Secretary to provide grants under this section on—
 (A)the performance of the State in the programs and activities carried out with grants provided under section 4;
 (B)the potential of the programs and activities described in subsection (a)(2) to achieve the purposes of this Act;
 (C)the desirability of maintaining a total project portfolio that is geographically and functionally diverse;
 (D)the amount of non-Federal funds that are leveraged as a result of the grants to ensure that Federal dollars are leveraged effectively;
 (E)plans for continuation of the improvements after the receipt of grants under this Act; and
 (F)demonstrated effort by the State to involve diverse groups, including—
 (i)investor-owned, cooperative, and public power utilities;
 (ii)local governments; and
 (iii)nonprofit organizations.
						6.Allocation of
		grants to Indian tribes
			(a)In
 generalNot later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall invite Indian tribes to submit plans to participate in an electric and thermal energy productivity challenge in accordance with this section.
			(b)Submission of
 plansTo receive a grant under this section, not later than 90 days after the date of issuance of the invitation under subsection (a), an Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary a plan to increase electric and thermal energy productivity by the Indian tribe.
			(c)Decision by
		Secretary
				(1)In
 generalNot later than 90 days after the submission of plans under subsection (b), the Secretary shall make a final decision on the allocation of grants under this section.
 (2)BasisThe Secretary shall base the decision of the Secretary under paragraph (1) on—
 (A)plans for improvement in electric and thermal energy productivity consistent with this Act;
 (B)plans for continuation of the improvements after the receipt of grants under this Act; and
 (C)other factors determined appropriate by the Secretary, including—
 (i)geographic diversity; and (ii)size differences among Indian tribes.
 (3)LimitationAn individual Indian tribe shall not receive more than 20 percent of the total amount available to carry out this section.
				7.Administration
			(a)Independent
 evaluationTo evaluate program performance and effectiveness under this Act, the Secretary shall consult with the National Research Council regarding requirements for data and evaluation for recipients of grants under this Act.
			(b)Coordination
		with State energy conservation programs
				(1)In
 generalGrants to States under this Act shall be provided through additional funding to carry out State energy conservation programs under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).
				(2)Relationship to
		State energy conservation programs
					(A)In
 generalA grant provided to a State under this Act shall be used to supplement (and not supplant) funds provided to the State under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).
					(B)Minimum
 fundingA grant shall not be provided to a State for a fiscal year under this Act if the amount of funding provided to all State grantees under the base formula for the fiscal year under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) is less than $50,000,000.
					(c)Voluntary
 participationThe participation of a State in a challenge established under this Act shall be voluntary.
			8.Authorization
		of appropriations
			(a)In
 generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $100,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
 (b)AllocationOf the total amount of funds made available under subsection (a)—
 (1)30 percent shall be used to provide an initial allocation of grants to States under section 4;
 (2)61 percent shall be used to provide a subsequent allocation of grants to States under section 5;
 (3)4 percent shall be used to make grants to Indian tribes under section 6; and
 (4)5 percent shall be available to the Secretary for the cost of administration and technical support to carry out this Act.
 9.OffsetSection 422(f) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17082(f)) is amended—
 (1)in paragraph (3), by striking and after the semicolon at the end; and (2)by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

 (4)$200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2015; (5)$150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017; and
 (6)$200,000,000 for fiscal year 2018..