113 HRES 254 IH: Recognizing the importance of United States leadership in addressing the challenge of global maternal and child malnutrition.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-06-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 254
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 11, 2013
			Ms. Wasserman Schultz
			 (for herself and Mr. Diaz-Balart)
			 submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		RESOLUTION
		Recognizing the importance of United States
		  leadership in addressing the challenge of global maternal and child
		  malnutrition.

		Whereas the United States and other partners contributed
			 to reducing child deaths from 12,000,000 in 1990 to 6,900,000 in 2011, and
			 supported efforts to end preventable child deaths, and pledged to end
			 preventable child deaths within a generation;
		Whereas food security and nutrition is foundational for
			 human development, and persistent hunger and malnutrition stunts the mental and
			 physical development of the next generation and hinders education, health,
			 economics, and security;
		Whereas scaling up nutrition interventions can help reduce
			 poverty, improve educational attainment, and improve lifetime earnings, and
			 economic productivity, increasing a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by
			 as much as 3 percent annually;
		Whereas leading Nobel Laureate economists have recommended
			 that addressing hunger and malnutrition among young children should be the top
			 priority for policymakers, identifying nutrition as the smartest investment
			 with every $1 invested in nutrition generating as much as $138 in better health
			 and increased productivity;
		Whereas reducing maternal and child malnutrition,
			 especially in the critical 1,000 days between pregnancy and age 2, is critical
			 to increasing child survival, improving cognitive and physical development,
			 strengthening the immune system to bolster resistance to disease, and breaking
			 the cycle of poverty;
		Whereas nearly 850,000,000 people are chronically
			 undernourished today, a condition that is responsible, directly or indirectly,
			 for 45 percent of the 6,900,000 deaths among children under the age of 5
			 annually;
		Whereas additionally, 11 percent of global disease burden
			 is attributable to maternal and child under-nutrition;
		Whereas a growing evidence base shows 1 in 4 of the
			 world’s children is stunted and in developing countries this can rise to 1 in
			 3;
		Whereas 80 percent of the world’s stunted children live in
			 just 14 countries;
		Whereas stunting leads to long-term poor health, impaired
			 brain development, and decreased immunity;
		Whereas 2,000,000,000 people are deficient in key vitamins
			 and minerals, and over 165,000,000 children under the age of 5 are stunted as a
			 result of malnutrition;
		Whereas nutrition is essential for food security, and the
			 ongoing need to improve the nutritional quality of United States food
			 assistance, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating
			 mothers and young children, with a focus on the cost-effective 1,000 days
			 between pregnancy and age 2;
		Whereas nearly 870,000,000 people worldwide suffer from
			 food insecurity;
		Whereas food insecurity in developing countries forces
			 tens of millions of people into poverty, contributes to political and social
			 instability, erodes economic growth, and undermines United States foreign
			 assistance investments in areas including basic education, global health,
			 environmental protection, and democratic institutions;
		Whereas the United States plays a lead role in supporting
			 Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN), a global movement of 40 governments, civil
			 societies, international organizations, development partners, researchers, and
			 businesses in a collective effort to prioritize malnutrition, particularly
			 during the 1,000 day window of opportunity between a mother’s pregnancy and her
			 child’s second birthday, through effective policy, program implementation, and
			 aligned support for national, costed nutrition plans, and dedicated national
			 resources by the host countries;
		Whereas the United States, along with Ireland and other
			 donors and partners, endorsed a call to action in September 2010 at
			 1,000 Days: Change a Life, Change the Future and launched the
			 1,000 Days partnership to stimulate international and national leadership to
			 respond with urgency to the nutrition challenge in support of country requests
			 for improved collaboration through alliances and partnership;
		Whereas the United States committed to
			 reducing under-nutrition by 20 percent in the targeted zones of the 19 Feed the
			 Future Focus countries and the Global Health Initiative countries by 2015,
			 while also aiming to end preventable child deaths;
		Whereas country-led progress to adopt evidence-based
			 policies to improve nutrition and reduce stunting has been documented, such as
			 in Ethiopia where the rate of stunting among children under 5 decreased between
			 2000 and 2011 from 57 percent to 44 percent through a strong safety net program
			 and a comprehensive nutrition plan to scale up community nutrition programs,
			 micronutrient supplementation, and promotion of optimal infant and young child
			 feeding; and
		Whereas the Nutrition for Growth conference taking place
			 on June 8, 2013, in London, England, is an important opportunity to continue
			 collaboration and forge new partnerships to address malnutrition: Now,
			 therefore, be it

		That the House of
			 Representatives—
			(1)recognizes the Scaling Up Nutrition
			 movement as a global partnership to support country-led efforts to improve
			 maternal and child nutrition involving governments, civil society,
			 international organizations, donors, businesses, and researchers;
			(2)supports United States leadership to scale
			 up nutrition and improve nutrition outcomes for pregnant and lactating women
			 and young children, and support the Scaling Up Nutrition movement and the 1,000
			 Days partnership, which promotes targeted action and investment to improve
			 nutrition for mothers and children in the 1,000 days between a woman's
			 pregnancy and her child's second birthday; and
			(3)calls on relevant
			 Federal agencies, including the United States Agency for International
			 Development, Department of State, Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator,
			 Department of Agriculture, Department of the Treasury, and Millennium Challenge
			 Corporation to consider developing a nutrition strategy to further ongoing
			 coordination efforts to improve indicators to track nutrition funding and
			 outcomes across United States Government global nutrition programs, especially
			 those in health, food security, agriculture development, food aid, and water,
			 sanitation, and hygiene.


110 HRES 1144 EH: Resolution expressing support for the designation of a Frank Sinatra Day, in honor of the dedication of the Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp.
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-05-20
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1144
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

May 20, 2008

RESOLUTION
Resolution expressing support for the designation of a Frank Sinatra Day, in honor of the dedication of the Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp.

Whereas over 150 years ago, United States commemorative stamps began honoring the people, places, and events that have shaped our country’s history;
Whereas more than 22,000,000 Americans, including children, collect and learn about our country through stamps, making it one of the most popular hobbies in the Nation and the world;
Whereas it is important that we pause to reflect on our Nation’s history and culture;
Whereas stamps honor statesmen and soldiers as they fought for freedom and democracy, recognize our scientific and technological achievements, pay tribute to our artistic and cultural legacy, and celebrate the strength of our diversity;
Whereas Frank Sinatra, a monumental figure in American popular culture, has been selected as part of the 2008 commemorative stamp program;
Whereas, on May 14, 1997, the President signed into law legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Frank Sinatra in recognition of his accomplishments as an entertainer and humanitarian; and
Whereas the United States Postal Service dedicated the Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp in New York City, and in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 13, 2008: Now, therefore, be it

That the United States House of Representatives expresses support for designation of a “Frank Sinatra Day” in honor of the dedication of the Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


116 S792 IS: Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act
U.S. Senate
2019-03-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 792IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 14, 2019Ms. Baldwin (for herself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Crapo, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. King) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo require enforcement against misbranded milk alternatives.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act or the DAIRY PRIDE Act.
 2.FindingsCongress finds as follows: (1)Dairy products are an important part of a healthy diet for both children and adults, according to the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (referred to in this section as the Dietary Guidelines) published by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. The Dietary Guidelines state that most Americans are not meeting recommended intake for the dairy food group. Consumption of dairy foods provides numerous health benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
 (2)The Dietary Guidelines state that dairy foods are excellent sources of critical nutrients for human health, including vitamin D, calcium, and potassium, all of which are under-consumed by people of the United States. When consumed in the amounts recommended by the Food Patterns of the Department of Agriculture, on average across the calorie levels, dairy foods contribute about 67 percent of calcium, 64 percent of vitamin D, and 17 percent of magnesium.
 (3)About 30 percent of adolescent boys meet or exceed the recommended 3-cup equivalents per day, but less than 10 percent of adolescent females meet or exceed this recommendation. An age-related decline in dairy intake appears to begin in adolescence and intakes persist at very low levels among adult females across the age distribution. Less than 5 percent of adult females consume the recommended 3-cup equivalents per day. Overall, more than 80 percent of the entire population of the United States does not meet the daily dairy intake recommendation.
 (4)The Dietary Guidelines state that vitamin D and potassium amounts vary across plant-based milk alternatives. The amount of calcium per calorie is lower for most plant-based alternative milk products. To obtain the amount of calcium contained in one cup of non-fat fluid milk from a plant-based milk alternative, the portion size and calorie intake must be greater.
 (5)Imitation dairy products, such as plant-based products derived from rice, nuts, soybeans, hemp, coconut, algae, and other foods that imitate milk, yogurt, and cheese, often do not provide the same nutrition content as real milk, cheese, and yogurt derived from dairy cows.
 (6)Plant-based products labeled as milk are misleading to consumers.
 (7)The Food and Drug Administration has regulations that define milk and cream as the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows (section 131.110 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations). This definition further applies to milk used to create other dairy products, including yogurt and cheese, as specified in section 131 and 133 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations.
 (8)Given the proliferation of plant-based products in the marketplace that are mislabeled as milk despite the standard of identity defined for this substance, enforcement by the Food and Drug Administration against these practices should be improved to avoid misleading consumers.
 3.PurposeNo food may be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce using a market name for a dairy product if the food does not meet the criterion set forth for dairy products under paragraph (z)(2) of section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) (as added by section 4(a)).
		4.Enforcement of definition
 (a)In generalSection 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (z)(1)If it uses a market name for a dairy product described in subparagraph (3) and the food does not meet the criterion for being a dairy product, as described in subparagraph (2).
 (2)For purposes of this paragraph, a food is a dairy product only if the food is, contains as a primary ingredient, or is derived from, the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more hooved mammals.
 (3)A market name for a dairy product described in this subparagraph means the dairy product terms described in parts 131 and 133 of subchapter B of chapter I of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations and sections 135.110, 135.115, and 135.140 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), or any other term for which the Secretary has promulgated a standard of identity with respect to a food that is formulated with a dairy product (as described in subparagraph (2)) as the primary ingredient..
 (b)GuidanceThe Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall—
 (1)not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue draft guidance on how enforcement of the amendment made by subsection (a) will be carried out; and
 (2)not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, issue final guidance on such enforcement.
 (c)Report to CongressNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall report to Congress on enforcement actions taken under paragraph (z) of section 403 of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343), as amended by this Act, including warnings issued pursuant to such paragraph and penalties assessed under section 303 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 333) with respect to such paragraph. If food that is misbranded under section 403(z) is offered for sale in interstate commerce at the time of such report, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall include in such report an updated plan for enforcement with respect to such food.


116 S1003 IS: Veterans’ Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-04-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1003IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 3, 2019Mr. Rubio (for himself and Ms. Hassan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Veterans Economic Opportunity and
			 Transition Administration and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic
			 Opportunity and Transition of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Education, Transition, and Opportunity Prioritization Plan Act of 2019 or the VET OPP Act of 2019. 2.Establishment of Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration (a)Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration (1)In generalPart V of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

						80Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration8001. Organization of Administration.8002. Functions of Administration.8003. Annual report to Congress.
							8001.Organization of Administration
 (a)Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration(1)There is in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
 (2)The primary function of the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration is the administration of the programs of the Department that provide assistance related to economic opportunity to veterans and their dependents and survivors.
 (b)Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity and TransitionThe Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration is under the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, who is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of the Administration.
 8002.Functions of AdministrationThe Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration is responsible for the administration of the following programs of the Department:
 (1)Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs. (2)Educational assistance programs.
 (3)Veterans’ housing loan and related programs. (4)The verification of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans pursuant to subsection (f) of section 8127 of this title, including the administration of the database of veteran-owned businesses described in such subsection.
 (5)The Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of title 10. (6)Any other program of the Department that the Secretary determines appropriate.
								8003.Annual report to Congress
 (a)In generalThe Secretary shall include in the annual report to Congress required by section 529 of this title a report on the programs administered by the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition.
 (b)ContentsEach report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to each program described in such subsection during the fiscal year covered by the report:
 (1)The number of claims received. (2)The number of claims decided.
 (3)The average processing time for a claim. (4)The number of successful outcomes (as determined by the Secretary).
 (5)The number of full-time equivalent employees. (6)The amounts expended for information technology..
 (2)Clerical amendmentsThe tables of chapters at the beginning of title 38, United States Code, and of part V of title 38, United States Code, are each amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item:
					80. Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration8001.
 (b)Effective dateChapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1, 2020.
 (c)Full-Time employeesFor fiscal years 2019 and 2020, the total number of full-time equivalent employees authorized for the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, as established under chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may not exceed 23,899.
			3.Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
			(a)Under Secretary
 (1)In generalChapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 306 the following new section:

						306A.Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
 (a)Under Secretary(1)There is in the Department an Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
 (2)The Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in—
 (A)information technology; and (B)the administration of programs within the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration or programs of similar content and scope.
 (b)ResponsibilitiesThe Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition is the head of, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
 (c)Vacancies(1)Whenever a vacancy in the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall establish a commission to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the position.
 (2)A commission established under this subsection shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary:
 (A)Three persons representing education and training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgage finance and related industries, and survivor benefits activities affected by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
 (B)Two persons representing veterans served by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
 (C)Two persons who have experience in the management of private sector benefits programs of similar content and scope to the economic opportunity and transition programs of the Department.
 (D)The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (E)The chairman of the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education formed under section 3692 of this title.
 (F)One person who has held the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, if the Secretary determines that it is desirable for such person to be a member of the commission.
 (3)(A)A commission established under this subsection shall recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition.
 (B)The commission shall submit all recommendations under subparagraph (A) to the Secretary.
 (C)The Secretary shall forward the recommendations received under subparagraph (B) to the President and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate.
 (D)After receiving a recommendation under subparagraph (C), the President may request the commission to recommend additional individuals for appointment.
 (4)The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor relations functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a commission established under this subsection..
 (2)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 306 the following new item:
					306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition..
 (b)Conforming amendmentsTitle 38, United States Code, is further amended— (1)in section 306(c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (E) and redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F), as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
 (2)in section 317(d)(2), by inserting after Under Secretary for Benefits, the following: the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,; (3)in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after Under Secretary for Benefits, the following: the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,;
 (4)in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition;
 (5)in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition;
 (6)in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition;
 (7)in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking Health and the Under Secretary for Benefits and inserting Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition;
 (8)in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after Under Secretary for Benefits, the following: the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,; (9)in section 7701(a), by inserting after assistance the following: , other than assistance related to Economic Opportunity and Transition,; and
 (10)in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
 (c)Effective dateSection 306A of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and the amendments made by this section, shall take effect on October 1, 2020.


112 HR 3156 IH: Responsible Implementation of Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-09-19
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.

I113th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3156IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 19, 2013Mr. Stockman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 reform the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 to responsibly protect homeownership.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Responsible Implementation of Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2013.2.Clarification on application of certain premium adjustments under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012(a)ClarificationSection 1308(h) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(h)) is amended—(1)by striking Notwithstanding and inserting (1) In general.—Notwithstanding; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(2)ApplicabilityThe requirements under paragraph (1) shall only apply with respect to any property located in an area—(A)that is participating in the national flood insurance program; and(B)for which the Administrator has published in the Federal Register projected base flood elevations and designations of areas having special flood hazards under section 1363(a) on or after December 31, 2013..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–141; 126 Stat. 916).3.Phase-in of actuarial rates for newly purchased homes(a)In generalSection 1308(e) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(e)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;(2)in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(3)not subject to the phase-in requirement under paragraph (2), which are sold on or after the date of enactment of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, and notwithstanding the requirements of section 1307(g), shall be increased by 20 percent each year, beginning in the year after the first such sale, until the average risk premium rate for such properties is equal to the average of the risk premium rates for properties described in paragraph (1)..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–141; 126 Stat. 916).4.Local choice to protect homeownersThe National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1308 the following:1308A.State and local government flexibility(a)In generalThe Administrator shall establish a means by which a State or local government may, on its own accord or in conjunction with other State or local governments, submit such payments to the Administrator as are necessary to fully cover the cost of any premium for any property within the jurisdiction of the State or local government.(b)Risk premium rateThe Administrator shall require that the amount of any payment from a State or local government under subsection (a) be consistent with sections 1307 and 1308..5.Mitigation assistance for homeownersSection 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) is amended by adding at the end the following:(f)Special provision relating to flood mitigation(1)DefinitionIn this subsection, the term eligible property means—(A)a property—(i)described in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 1307(g) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(g));(ii)for which a policy under the flood insurance program has lapsed in coverage, as a result of the deliberate choice of the holder of such policy, as described in paragraph (3) of section 1307(g) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(g)); or(iii)with respect to which a prospective insured refuses to accept any offer for mitigation assistance by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (including an offer to relocate), as described in paragraph (4) of section 1307(g) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(g)); and(B)a property for which the risk premium rate for flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program increases under section 1308(h) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4015(h)) on or after July 6, 2012.(2)Mitigation against future floodingIn providing hazard mitigation assistance under this section in connection with flooding, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of such assistance provided to a grant recipient is used to elevate, acquire, or relocate eligible properties, to the extent that eligible properties exist within the jurisdiction of the grant recipient..6.Construction and restoration of flood protection systems(a)Adequate progress on construction of flood protection systemsSection 1307(e) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(e)) is amended by inserting after the second sentence the following: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in determining whether a community has made adequate progress on the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a flood protection system, the Administrator shall not consider the level of Federal funding of or participation in the construction, reconstruction, or improvement..(b)Communities restoring disaccredited flood protection systemsSection 1307(f) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4014(f)) is amended in the first sentence by striking no longer does so. and inserting the following: no longer does so, and shall apply without regard to the level of Federal funding of or participation in the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the flood protection system..7.Appropriate credit for flood control structuresSection 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101) is amended by adding at the end the following:(k)Actual protection provided by levee systemsThe Administrator may not issue a flood insurance rate map or an update to a flood insurance rate map for an area unless—(1)the flood insurance rate map or update adequately reflects the protection provided by any levee system in the area against the base flood, regardless of the accreditation status of the levee system under section 65.10 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; or(2)the community in which any levee system in the area is located elects not to provide the data necessary for the Administrator to issue a flood insurance rate map or update that adequately reflects the protection provided by the levee system against the base flood..


		III
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 511
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 13, 2006
			Mrs. Clinton (for
			 herself and Mr. Hatch) submitted the
			 following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		RESOLUTION
		Commending and supporting Radio Al Mahaba,
		  the 1st and only radio station for the women of Iraq.

		Whereas Radio Al Mahaba, the 1st and only radio station
			 for the women of Iraq, went on the air for the 1st time on April 1,
			 2005;
		Whereas Radio Al Mahaba is an educational tool
			 that—
			(1)is broadcast in 3
			 different languages; and
			(2)provides the
			 women of Iraq with an opportunity to voice their opinions and listen to the
			 opinions of others;
			Whereas Radio Al Mahaba airs shows that are dedicated to
			 the rights and issues of women;
		Whereas those shows are devoted to issues relating to
			 personal relationships, parenting, and other social topics;
		Whereas, despite terrible risks, the staff of Radio Al
			 Mahaba continues to provide the women of Iraq with hope, knowledge,
			 empowerment, support, and a vision of freedom;
		Whereas, amid the struggles in Iraq, Radio Al Mahaba has
			 followed the democratic principles of free speech and free press championed by
			 the United States, thereby encouraging the people of Iraq to build an open and
			 democratic civil society;
		Whereas Radio Al Mahaba plays a positive and important
			 role in educating the women of Iraq;
		Whereas Radio Al Mahaba provides women with an opportunity
			 to exercise their freedom of speech;
		Whereas Radio Al Mahaba enables the women of Iraq to
			 secure their role in the civil society of Iraq; and
		Whereas Radio Al Mahaba meets a palpable need of the women
			 of Iraq: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)commends the efforts of Radio Al Mahaba to
			 provide the women of Iraq with an opportunity to—
				(A)exercise their
			 freedom of speech; and
				(B)be included in,
			 and informed of, the reconstruction of Iraq;
				(2)supports the
			 mission of Radio Al Mahaba; and
			(3)urges Radio Al Mahaba to continue its
			 important efforts to help create an open, free, and democratic society in
			 Iraq.


113 HR 2655 : Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-11-18
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.

IIB113th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2655IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 18, 2013Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryAN ACTTo amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013.2.Attorney accountability(a)Sanctions under rule 11Rule 11(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by striking may and inserting shall;(2)in paragraph (2), by striking Rule 5 and all that follows through motion. and inserting Rule 5.; and(3)in paragraph (4), by striking situated and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting situated, and to compensate the parties that were injured by such conduct. Subject to the limitations in paragraph (5), the sanction shall consist of an order to pay to the party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. The court may also impose additional appropriate sanctions, such as striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, or other directives of a nonmonetary nature, or, if warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment of a penalty into the court..(b)Rule of constructionNothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall be construed to bar or impede the assertion or development of new claims, defenses, or remedies under Federal, State, or local laws, including civil rights laws, or under the Constitution of the United States.Passed the House of Representatives November 14, 2013.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 434
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 2, 2011
			Mr. Cochran (for himself
			 and Ms. Mikulski) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To improve and expand geographic literacy among
		  kindergarten through grade 12 students in the United States by improving
		  professional development programs for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers
		  offered through institutions of higher education.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Teaching Geography Is Fundamental
			 Act.
		2.Geography
			 educationTitle II of the
			 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.) is amended—
			(1)by redesignating
			 part C (20 U.S.C. 1041) as part D;
			(2)by redesignating
			 section 261 (20 U.S.C. 1041) as section 291; and
			(3)by inserting
			 after part B (20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.) the following:

					CGeography
				education
						261.FindingsCongress makes the following
				findings:
							(1)The economic
				stature and competitiveness of the United States requires increasingly
				sophisticated levels of geographic knowledge and mastery of geographic
				tools.
							(2)It is important
				to improve and expand geography education so that students in the United States
				can attain the necessary expertise to fill and retain the more than 70,000 new
				skilled jobs that are coming available each year in the geospatial technology
				industry.
							(3)Data from the
				Department of Labor identifies geotechnology as 1 of the 3 fastest growing
				employment fields serving industries such as insurance, banking, real estate,
				forestry, and agriculture as well as Federal, State, and local
				governments.
							(4)Geographic
				literacy is essential to a well prepared citizenry in the 21st century because
				geographic factors assume greater importance as the world’s economies,
				societies, and political structures grow more global in scale.
							(5)In a recent
				National Geographic-Roper 9 country survey of geographic literacy among young
				adults aged 18 through 24, students in the United States ranked second to last.
				Only 13 percent of young adults aged 18 through 24 in the United States were
				able to correctly identify Iraq on a map of Asia and the Middle East.
							(6)The National
				Academy of Sciences urged creation of a national program to improve the
				geographic competence of the United States general population and the school
				age population.
							(7)Geography is one
				of the core academic subjects defined under the Elementary and
				Secondary Education Act of 1965.
							(8)A recent National
				Geographic Society survey found that all 50 States and the District of Columbia
				recognize geography in their curricula or content standards, and an increasing
				number require geography for graduation and include geography in mandated
				statewide assessments.
							(9)Seven of 10
				educators responding to a National Geographic survey felt their professional
				development opportunities in geography were inadequate and half believed their
				schools had inadequate basic materials for teaching geography.
							(10)The National
				Geographic Society has spent more than 15 years pioneering an extraordinarily
				effective national program for improving the teaching of geography by engaging
				university faculty geographers and highly trained teachers in State Geographic
				Alliances dedicated to providing high-quality professional development
				opportunities for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers.
							(11)More than 60
				colleges and universities in all 50 States have received grants from the
				National Geographic Society to support State Geographic Alliances and their
				professional development programs. Alliance-trained kindergarten through grade
				12 teachers and their higher education partners conduct workshops, develop
				localized teaching materials, and facilitate communication among thousands of
				teachers whose responsibilities include teaching of geography in various
				formats and grade levels.
							(12)A study by
				Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning that assessed student
				academic achievement in geography on the National Assessment of Educational
				Progress showed that students taught by Alliance-trained teachers outperformed
				other students by almost 10 percent.
							262.Purpose and
				objectives
							(a)PurposeThe
				purpose of this part is to—
								(1)promote
				geographic literacy and improved understanding of global cultures among
				kindergarten through grade 12 students by expanding programs that employ the
				geographic knowledge and expertise of faculty members in institutions of higher
				education for the benefit of kindergarten through grade 12 teachers; and
								(2)otherwise advance
				geographic literacy.
								(b)ObjectivesThe
				objectives of this part are the following:
								(1)To increase
				students’ knowledge of, and achievement in, standards-based geography to enable
				the students to become better informed and more productive citizens.
								(2)To increase the
				number of highly qualified teachers of United States and world geography and to
				enable the teachers—
									(A)to improve
				student mastery of geographic principles; and
									(B)to increase
				practical applications of those principles.
									(3)To encourage
				geographic education research, to develop and disseminate effective
				instructional materials, and to promote replication of best practices and
				exemplary programs that foster geographic literacy.
								(4)To assist States
				in measuring the impact of education in geography.
								(5)To leverage and
				expand private and public support for geography education partnerships at
				national, State, and local levels.
								263.Grant program
				authorized
							(a)In
				generalThe Secretary is
				authorized to award a grant to a national nonprofit education organization or a
				consortium of national nonprofit education organizations (referred to in this
				part as an eligible entity) that has as its primary purpose the
				improvement of the quality of student understanding of geography through
				effective teaching of geography in the Nation’s classrooms.
							(b)ApplicationAn
				eligible entity that desires a grant under this part shall submit an
				application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by
				such information as the Secretary may require.
							264.Use of
				funds
							(a)Direct
				activitiesAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this
				part shall use not more than 25 percent of the funds made available through the
				grant for a fiscal year to—
								(1)strengthen and
				expand the eligible entity’s relationships with institutions of higher
				education and with State and local agencies and other public and private
				organizations with a commitment to geography education and the benefits of
				geography education;
								(2)support and
				promote research-based training of teachers of geography and related
				disciplines in kindergarten through grade 12 as a means of broadening student
				knowledge of the world, including the dissemination of information on effective
				practices and research findings concerning the teaching of geography;
								(3)support research
				on effective geography teaching practices and the development of assessment
				instruments and strategies to document student understanding of
				geography;
								(4)convene national
				conferences on geography education to assess the current State of geographic
				literacy and to identify strategies for improvement; and
								(5)develop and
				disseminate appropriate research-based materials to foster geographic
				literacy.
								(b)Subgrants
								(1)In
				generalAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this part
				shall use not more than 75 percent of the funds made available through the
				grant for a fiscal year to award subgrants to eligible recipients.
								(2)Eligible
				recipient definedIn this part, the term eligible
				recipient means an institution of higher education associated
				with—
									(A)a State
				geographic alliance;
									(B)a nonprofit
				educational organization;
									(C)a State
				educational agency or local educational agency; or
									(D)a partnership
				between or among an alliance, organization, or agency described in subparagraph
				(A), (B) or (C).
									(3)Eligible
				recipient applications
									(A)SubmissionAn
				eligible recipient that desires to receive a subgrant under this part shall
				submit an application to the eligible entity at such time, in such manner, and
				accompanied by such information as the eligible entity may require.
									(B)Review
										(i)In
				generalThe eligible entity shall invite individuals described in
				clause (ii) to review all applications from eligible recipients for a subgrant
				under this part and to make recommendations to the eligible entity regarding
				the approval of the applications.
										(ii)ReviewersThe
				individuals the eligible entity shall invite to review applications are the
				following:
											(I)Leaders in the
				field of geography education.
											(II)Such other
				individuals as the eligible entity may determine are necessary or
				desirable.
											(4)Subgrant uses
				of fundsAn eligible recipient that receives a subgrant under
				this part shall use the subgrant funds for 1 or more of the following
				activities:
									(A)Conducting
				teacher training programs that use effective and research-based approaches to
				the teaching of geography at the kindergarten through grade 12 level.
									(B)Applying
				Geographic Information System (GIS) or other geographic technological tools to
				the teaching of geography.
									(C)Applying Internet
				and other distance learning technology to the teaching of geography or to the
				continuing education of teachers.
									(D)Promoting
				rigorous academic standards and assessment techniques to guide and measure
				student performance in geography.
									(E)Promoting
				research in geography education, emphasizing research that leads to improving
				student achievement.
									(F)Carrying out
				local, field-based activities for teachers and students to improve their
				knowledge of the concepts and tools of geography while enhancing understanding
				of their home region.
									(G)Promoting
				comparative studies of world cultures, economies, and environments.
									(H)Encouraging
				replication of best practices and model programs to promote geographic
				literacy.
									(I)Developing and
				disseminating effective, research-based geography learning materials.
									(J)Convening
				State-based conferences to assess the state of geographic literacy and to
				identify strategies for improvement.
									(5)Matching
				requirements
									(A)In
				generalIn order to be eligible to receive a subgrant under this
				part, an eligible recipient shall provide assurances in the application
				submitted under paragraph (3) to provide matching funds as described in
				subparagraph (B) towards the costs of the activities assisted under the
				subgrant.
									(B)AmountAn
				eligible recipient shall provide matching funds in an amount equal to 20
				percent of the subgrant funds received under this part for the second and each
				succeeding fiscal year for which subgrant funds are received.
									(C)Source of
				matching fundsMatching funds may be provided in cash or in kind,
				fairly evaluated, including facilities, staffing salaries, and educational
				materials.
									265.Administrative
				costsAn eligible entity that
				receives a grant under this part for a fiscal year, and each eligible recipient
				receiving a subgrant under this part for a fiscal year, may use not more than
				15 percent of the funds made available through the grant or subgrant,
				respectively, for administrative costs.
						266.Authorization
				of appropriationsThere are
				authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $15,000,000 for fiscal
				year 2012 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal
				years.
						.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2374
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 26, 2012
			Mr. Bingaman (for
			 himself, Mr. Barrasso,
			 Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Enzi) introduced the following bill; which was
			 read twice and referred to the Committee
			 on Energy and Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To amend the Helium Act to ensure the expedient and
		  responsible draw-down of the Federal Helium Reserve in a manner that protects
		  the interests of private industry, the scientific, medical, and industrial
		  communities, commercial users, and Federal agencies, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Helium Stewardship Act of
			 2012.
		2.DefinitionsSection 2 of the Helium Act (50 U.S.C. 167)
			 is amended—
			(1)in paragraph (1), by striking the semicolon
			 at the end and inserting a period;
			(2)in paragraph (2), by striking ;
			 and and inserting a period; and
			(3)by adding at the end the following:

					(4)Federal Helium
				Reserve
						(A)In
				generalThe term Federal Helium Reserve means helium
				reserves owned by the United States.
						(B)InclusionsThe
				term Federal Helium Reserve includes—
							(i)the Cliffside
				Field helium storage reservoir;
							(ii)the federally
				owned helium pipeline system; and
							(iii)all associated
				infrastructure owned, leased, or managed under contract by the Secretary for
				storage, transportation, withdrawal, purification, or management of
				helium.
							(5)Low-Btu
				gasThe term low-Btu gas means a fuel gas with a
				heating value of less than 250 Btu per standard cubic foot measured as the
				higher heating value resulting from the inclusion of noncombustible gases,
				including nitrogen, helium, argon, and carbon
				dioxide.
					.
			3.Sale of crude
			 heliumSection 6 of the Helium
			 Act (50 U.S.C. 167d) is amended to read as follows:

				6.Sale of crude
				helium
					(a)Phase A:
				business as usual
						(1)In
				generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may offer for
				sale crude helium for Federal, medical, scientific, and commercial uses in such
				quantities, at such times, and under such conditions as the Secretary, in
				consultation with the helium industry, determines necessary to carry out this
				subsection with minimum market disruption.
						(2)Minimum
				quantityThe Secretary shall offer for sale during each fiscal
				year under paragraph (1) a quantity of crude helium that is not less than the
				quantity of crude helium offered for sale by the Secretary during fiscal year
				2012.
						(3)Purchase by
				Federal agenciesFederal agencies, and extramural holders of 1 or
				more Federal research grants, may purchase refined helium under this subsection
				for Federal, medical, and scientific uses from persons who have entered into
				enforceable contracts to purchase an equivalent quantity of crude helium from
				the Secretary.
						(4)DurationThis
				subsection applies during the period—
							(A)beginning on the
				date of enactment of the Helium Stewardship
				Act of 2012; and
							(B)ending on the
				date on which all amounts required to be repaid to the United States under this
				Act as of October 1, 1995, are repaid in full.
							(b)Phase B:
				Maximizing total recovery of helium
						(1)In
				generalThe Secretary may offer for sale crude helium for
				Federal, medical, scientific, and commercial uses in such quantities, at such
				times, and under such conditions as the Secretary, in consultation with the
				helium industry, determines necessary—
							(A)to maximize total
				recovery of helium from the Federal Helium Reserve over the long term;
							(B)to manage crude
				helium sales according to the ability of the Secretary to extract and produce
				helium from the Federal Helium Reserve;
							(C)to respond to
				helium market supply and demand;
							(D)to give priority
				to meeting the helium demand of Federal users in event of any disruption to the
				Federal Helium Reserve; and
							(E)to carry out this
				subsection.
							(2)Purchase by
				Federal agenciesFederal agencies, and extramural holders of 1 or
				more Federal research grants, may purchase refined helium under this subsection
				for Federal, medical, and scientific uses from persons who have entered into
				enforceable contracts to purchase an equivalent quantity of crude helium from
				the Secretary.
						(3)DurationThis
				subsection applies during the period—
							(A)beginning on the
				day after the date described in subsection (a)(4)(B); and
							(B)ending on the
				date on which the volume of recoverable crude helium at the Federal Helium
				Reserve (other than privately owned quantities of crude helium stored
				temporarily at the Federal Helium Reserve under section 5 and this section) is
				3,000,000,000 standard cubic feet.
							(c)Phase C: Access
				for Federal users
						(1)In
				generalThe Secretary may offer for sale crude helium for Federal
				uses (including medical and scientific uses) in such quantities, at such times,
				and under such conditions as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out
				this subsection.
						(2)Purchase by
				Federal agenciesFederal agencies, and extramural holders of 1 or
				more Federal research grants, may purchase refined helium under this subsection
				for Federal uses (including medical and scientific uses) from persons who have
				entered into enforceable contracts to purchase an equivalent quantity of crude
				helium from the Secretary.
						(3)Effective
				dateThis subsection applies beginning on the day after the date
				described in subsection (b)(3)(B).
						(d)Prices and
				determinations
						(1)In
				generalSales of crude helium by the Secretary shall be at prices
				established by the Secretary that approximate the crude helium price in the
				private market as of the date of the offer for sale.
						(2)Determination
				of sale priceThe Secretary may make a determination of the
				prices described in paragraph (1) using—
							(A)a confidential
				survey of qualifying domestic helium sourcing transactions to which any holder
				of a contract with the Secretary for the acceptance, storage, and redelivery of
				crude helium in the Cliffside Field helium storage reservoir is a party;
							(B)current market
				crude helium prices inferred from any amount received by the Secretary from the
				sale or disposition of helium on Federal land under subsection (f); and
							(C)in consultation
				with the helium industry, the volume-weighted average cost among helium
				refiners, producers, and liquefiers, in dollars per thousand cubic feet, of
				converting gaseous crude helium into bulk liquid helium.
							(3)Authority of
				SecretaryThe Secretary shall require all persons or entities
				that are parties to a contract with the Secretary for the acceptance, storage,
				and redelivery of crude helium to disclose, on a strictly confidential basis in
				dollars per thousand cubic feet, the weighted average price of all crude helium
				and bulk liquid helium purchased or processed by the persons in all qualifying
				domestic helium sourcing transactions during the fiscal year.
						(4)Qualifying
				domestic helium sourcing transactions
							(A)In
				generalIn establishing the prices described in paragraph (1),
				the Secretary shall consider subparagraphs (B) and (C) to ensure a reasonable
				number of transactions.
							(B)InclusionsFor
				the purposes of this subsection, qualifying domestic helium sourcing
				transactions include any new agreement in the United States for the purchase of
				at least 20,000,000 standard cubic feet of crude helium or liquid helium in the
				fiscal year in which the Secretary collects the data.
							(C)ExclusionsFor
				the purposes of this subsection, qualifying domestic helium sourcing
				transactions do not include—
								(i)purchases of
				crude helium from the Secretary; or
								(ii)transactions at
				prices indexed to the posted crude helium price of the Secretary.
								(5)Use of
				informationThe Secretary may use the information gathered under
				this subsection to approximate the current fair market price for crude helium
				to ensure recovery of fair value for the taxpayers of the United States from
				sales of crude helium.
						(6)Protection of
				confidentialityThe Secretary shall adopt such administrative
				policies and procedures that the Secretary considers necessary and reasonable
				to ensure robust protection of the confidentiality of data submitted by private
				persons.
						(e)Helium
				Production Fund
						(1)In
				generalAll amounts received under this Act, including amounts
				from the sale of crude helium, shall be credited to the Helium Production Fund,
				which shall be available without fiscal year limitation for purposes considered
				necessary by the Secretary to carry out this subsection.
						(2)Capital
				investments and maintenanceThe Secretary may use funds credited
				to the Helium Production Fund to fund capital investments in upgrades and
				maintenance at the Federal Helium Reserve, including—
							(A)well head
				maintenance at the Cliffside Field helium storage reservoir;
							(B)capital
				investments in maintenance and upgrades of facilities that pressurize the
				Cliffside Field helium storage reservoir;
							(C)capital
				investments in maintenance and upgrades of equipment related to the storage,
				withdrawal, transportation, purification, and sale of crude helium at the
				Cliffside Field helium storage reservoir; and
							(D)any other
				scheduled or unscheduled maintenance of the Cliffside Field helium storage
				reservoir and helium pipeline.
							(3)Excess
				fundsAny amounts in the Fund described in paragraph (1) that
				exceed the amounts that the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out
				paragraph (1) and any contracts negotiated under this Act shall be paid to the
				Treasury and credited against the amounts required to be repaid to the Treasury
				under subsection (a).
						(f)Extraction of
				helium from deposits on Federal landAll amounts received by the
				Secretary from the sale or disposition of helium on Federal land shall be paid
				to the Treasury and credited against the amounts required to be repaid to the
				Treasury under subsection
				(a).
					.
		4.Helium resource
			 assessment, conservation research, and helium-3 separationThe Helium Act is amended by striking
			 section 15 (50 U.S.C. 167m) and inserting the following:

				15.Helium gas
				resource assessmentNot later
				than 2 years after the date of enactment of the
				Helium Stewardship Act of 2012,
				the Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Geological
				Survey, shall—
					(1)in coordination
				with appropriate heads of State geological surveys—
						(A)complete a
				national helium gas assessment that identifies and quantifies the quantity of
				helium, including the isotope helium-3, in each reservoir, including
				assessments of the constituent gases found in each helium resource, such as
				carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and natural gas; and
						(B)make available
				the modern seismic and geophysical log data for characterization of the Bush
				Dome Reservoir;
						(2)in coordination
				with appropriate international agencies and the global geology community,
				complete a global helium gas assessment that identifies and quantifies the
				quantity of the helium, including the isotope helium-3, in each
				reservoir;
					(3)in coordination
				with the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Administrator of the Energy
				Information Administration, complete—
						(A)an assessment of
				trends in global demand for helium, including the isotope helium-3;
						(B)a 10-year
				forecast of domestic demand for helium across all sectors, including scientific
				and medical research, manufacturing, space technologies, cryogenics, and
				national defense; and
						(C)an inventory of
				medical, scientific, industrial, commercial, and other uses of helium in the
				United States, including Federal and commercial helium uses, that identifies
				the nature of the helium use, the amounts required, the technical and
				commercial viability of helium recapture and recycling in that use, and the
				availability of material substitutes wherever possible; and
						(4)submit to the
				Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on
				Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the
				results of the assessments required under this paragraph.
					16.Low-Btu gas
				separation and helium conservation research and development
					(a)AuthorizationThe
				Secretary of Energy shall support programs of research, development, commercial
				application, and conservation (including the programs described in subsection
				(b))—
						(1)to expand the
				domestic production of low-Btu gas and helium resources;
						(2)to separate and
				capture helium from natural gas streams at the wellhead; and
						(3)to reduce the
				venting of helium and helium-bearing low-Btu gas during natural gas exploration
				and production.
						(b)Programs
						(1)Membrane
				technology researchThe Secretary of Energy, in consultation with
				other appropriate agencies, shall support a civilian research program to
				develop advanced membrane technology that is used in the separation of low-Btu
				gases, including technologies that remove helium and other constituent gases
				that lower the Btu content of natural gas.
						(2)Helium
				separation technologyThe Secretary of Energy shall support a
				research program to develop technologies for separating, gathering, and
				processing helium in low concentrations that occur naturally in geological
				reservoirs or formations, including—
							(A)low-Btu gas
				production streams; and
							(B)technologies that
				minimize the atmospheric venting of helium gas during natural gas
				production.
							(3)Industrial
				helium programThe Secretary of Energy, working through the
				Industrial Technologies Program of the Department of Energy, shall carry out a
				research program—
							(A)to develop
				low-cost technologies and technology systems for recycling, reprocessing, and
				reusing helium; and
							(B)to develop
				industrial gathering technologies to capture helium from other chemical
				processing, including ammonia processing.
							17.Helium-3
				separation
					(a)Interagency
				cooperationThe Secretary shall cooperate with the Secretary of
				Energy, or a designee, on any assessment or research relating to the extraction
				and refining of the isotope helium-3 from crude helium at the Federal Helium
				Reserve or along the helium pipeline system, including—
						(1)gas
				analysis;
						(2)infrastructure
				studies; and
						(3)cooperation with
				private helium refiners.
						(b)Feasibility
				studyThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
				Energy, or a designee, may carry out a study to assess the feasibility of
				establishing a facility to separate the isotope helium-3 from crude helium
				at—
						(1)the Federal
				Helium Reserve; or
						(2)an existing
				helium separation or purification facility connected to the helium pipeline
				system.
						(c)ReportNot
				later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the
				Helium Stewardship Act of 2012,
				the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
				the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
				Representatives a report that contains a description of the results of the
				assessments conducted under this
				section.
					.
		5.MiscellaneousSection 102 of the Soda Ash Royalty
			 Reduction Act of 2006 (30 U.S.C. 262 note; Public Law 109–338) is amended by
			 striking 5-year and inserting 7-year.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6234
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 28, 2010
			Ms. Herseth Sandlin
			 (for herself and Mr. Hinchey)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow
		  individuals a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, a
		  credit for individuals who care for those with long-term care needs, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Comprehensive Long-Term Care Support
			 Act of 2010.
		2.FindingsThe Congress hereby finds:
			(1)As our Nation’s
			 seniors live longer lives, the United States faces a major challenge in
			 long-term health care needs.
			(2)The United States
			 does not have a comprehensive system to support long-term care needs.
			(3)Eighty-six percent of people age 85 and
			 older have at least one chronic condition which can cause pain, disability, and
			 loss of functioning.
			(4)Long-term care is expected to place a huge
			 burden on State Medicaid programs, which are the primary source of funding for
			 nursing homes.
			3.Deduction for
			 qualified long-term care insurance premiums
			(a)In
			 generalPart VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions) is amended by
			 redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the
			 following new section:

					224.Premiums on
				qualified long-term care insurance contracts
						(a)In
				generalIn the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a
				deduction an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of
				eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section 213(d)(10)) paid during
				the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer or any member of the family of
				the taxpayer under a qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in
				section 7702B(b)).
						(b)Applicable
				percentageFor purposes of subsection (a), the applicable
				percentage shall be determined in accordance with the following table:

										The taxable years beginning in calendar
						year:The applicable percentage is:

										201150

										201275

										2013 or thereafter100.

						(c)Member of the
				familyFor purposes of this section, the term member of the
				family means, with respect to any individual—
							(1)the spouse of the
				individual,
							(2)an ancestor or
				lineal descendant of the individual or the individual’s spouse,
							(3)a brother or
				sister of the individual or any individual described in paragraph (1) or (2),
				and
							(4)the spouse of any
				individual described in paragraph (2) or (3).
							(d)Coordination
				with other deductionsAny amount paid by a taxpayer for any
				qualified long-term care insurance contract to which subsection (a) applies
				shall not be taken into account in computing the amount allowable to the
				taxpayer as a deduction under section 162(l) or
				213(a).
						.
			(b)Long-Term care
			 insurance permitted To be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending
			 arrangements
				(1)Cafeteria
			 plans
					(A)Section 125(f) of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualified benefits), as in effect
			 for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014, is amended by inserting
			 before the period at the end ; except that such term shall include the
			 payment of premiums for any qualified long-term care insurance contract (as
			 defined in section 7702B) to the extent the amount of such payment does not
			 exceed the eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section 213(d)(10))
			 for such contract.
					(B)Section 125(f)(2)
			 of such Code, as in effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013,
			 is amended by inserting before the period at the end ; except that such
			 term shall include the payment of premiums for any qualified long-term care
			 insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B) to the extent the amount of
			 such payment does not exceed the eligible long-term care premiums (as defined
			 in section 213(d)(10)) for such contract.
					(2)Flexible
			 spending arrangementsSection 106 of such Code (relating to
			 contributions by an employer to accident and health plans) is amended by
			 striking subsection (c).
				(c)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Section 62(a) of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after paragraph (21)
			 the following new item:

						(22)Premiums on
				qualified long-term care insurance contractsThe deduction
				allowed by section
				224.
						.
				(2)The table of
			 sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
			 striking the last item and inserting the following new items:

							Sec. 224. Premiums on qualified long-term
				care insurance contracts.
							Sec. 225. Cross
				reference.

						.
				(d)Effective
			 datesThe amendments made by
			 this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
			 2010.
			4.Credit for
			 taxpayers with long-term care needs
			(a)In
			 generalSubpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is
			 amended by inserting after section 25D the following new section:

					25E.Credit for
				taxpayers with long-term care needs
						(a)Allowance of
				credit
							(1)In
				generalThere shall be allowed as a credit against the tax
				imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable
				credit amount multiplied by the number of applicable individuals with respect
				to whom the taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable year.
							(2)Applicable
				credit amountFor purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable
				credit amount shall be determined in accordance with the following
				table:

											For taxable years beginning in calendar
						year:The applicable credit amount
						is:

											2011$1,000

											2012$1,500

											2013$2,000

											2014$2,500

											2015 or thereafter$3,000.

							(b)Limitation based
				on adjusted gross income
							(1)In
				generalThe amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a)
				shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $100 for each $1,000 (or fraction
				thereof) by which the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds the
				threshold amount. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term
				modified adjusted gross income means adjusted gross income
				increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or
				933.
							(2)Threshold
				amountFor purposes of paragraph (1), the term threshold
				amount means—
								(A)$150,000 in the
				case of a joint return, and
								(B)$75,000 in any
				other case.
								(3)IndexingIn
				the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2011, each
				dollar amount contained in paragraph (2) shall be increased by an amount equal
				to the product of—
								(A)such dollar
				amount, and
								(B)the medical care
				cost adjustment determined under section 213(d)(10)(B)(ii) for the calendar
				year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting August
				of 2010 for August of 1996 in subclause (II)
				thereof.
								If any
				increase determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such
				increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.(c)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section—
							(1)Applicable
				individual
								(A)In
				generalThe term applicable individual means, with
				respect to any taxable year, any individual who has been certified, before the
				due date for filing the return of tax for the taxable year (without
				extensions), by a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Social
				Security Act) as being an individual with long-term care needs described in
				subparagraph (B) for a period—
									(i)which is at least
				180 consecutive days, and
									(ii)a
				portion of which occurs within the taxable year.
									Such
				term shall not include any individual otherwise meeting the requirements of the
				preceding sentence unless within the 39½ month period
				ending on such due date (or such other period as the Secretary prescribes) a
				physician (as so defined) has certified that such individual meets such
				requirements.(B)Individuals with
				long-term care needsAn individual is described in this
				subparagraph if the individual meets any of the following requirements:
									(i)The individual is
				at least 6 years of age and—
										(I)is unable to
				perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least 3
				activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B)) due to a loss
				of functional capacity, or
										(II)requires
				substantial supervision to protect such individual from threats to health and
				safety due to severe cognitive impairment and is unable to preform, without
				reminding or cuing assistance, at least 1 activity of daily living (as so
				defined) or to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary
				(in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services), is unable to
				engage in age appropriate activities.
										(ii)The individual is
				at least 2 but not 6 years of age and is unable due to a loss of functional
				capacity to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at
				least 2 of the following activities: eating, transferring, or mobility.
									(iii)The individual
				is under 2 years of age and requires specific durable medical equipment by
				reason of a severe health condition or requires a skilled practitioner trained
				to address the individual’s condition to be available if the individual’s
				parents or guardians are absent.
									(2)Eligible
				caregiver
								(A)In
				generalA taxpayer shall be treated as an eligible caregiver for
				any taxable year with respect to the following individuals:
									(i)The
				taxpayer.
									(ii)The taxpayer’s
				spouse.
									(iii)An individual
				with respect to whom the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151 for
				the taxable year.
									(iv)An individual who would be described in
				clause (iii) for the taxable year if section 152(d)(1)(B) were applied by
				substituting for the exemption amount an amount equal to the sum of the
				exemption amount, the standard deduction under section 63(c)(2)(C), and any
				additional standard deduction under section 63(c)(3) which would be applicable
				to the individual if clause (iii) applied.
									(v)An individual who would be described in
				clause (iii) for the taxable year if the requirements of clause (iv) are met
				with respect to the individual and section 152(c)(1) were applied without
				regard to subparagraph (D).
									(B)Special rules
				where more than 1 eligible caregiver
									(i)In
				generalIf more than 1 individual is an eligible caregiver with
				respect to the same applicable individual for taxable years ending with or
				within the same calendar year, a taxpayer shall be treated as the eligible
				caregiver if each such individual (other than the taxpayer) files a written
				declaration (in such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe) that such
				individual will not claim such applicable individual for the credit under this
				section.
									(ii)No
				agreementIf each individual required under clause (i) to file a
				written declaration under clause (i) does not do so, the individual with the
				highest modified adjusted gross income (as defined in section 32(c)(5)) shall
				be treated as the eligible caregiver.
									(iii)Married
				individuals filing separatelyIn the case of married individuals
				filing separately, the determination under this subparagraph as to whether the
				husband or wife is the eligible caregiver shall be made under the rules of
				clause (ii) (whether or not one of them has filed a written declaration under
				clause (i)).
									(d)Identification
				requirementNo credit shall be allowed under this section to a
				taxpayer with respect to any applicable individual unless the taxpayer includes
				the name and taxpayer identification number of such individual, and the
				identification number of the physician certifying such individual, on the
				return of tax for the taxable year.
						(e)Taxable year
				must be full taxable yearExcept in the case of a taxable year
				closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no credit shall be allowable
				under this section in the case of a taxable year covering a period of less than
				12
				months.
						.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Section 6213(g)(2)
			 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking and
			 at the end of subparagraph (O), by striking the period at the end of
			 subparagraph (P) and inserting , and, and by inserting after
			 subparagraph (P) the following new subparagraph:

						(Q)an omission of a
				correct TIN or physician identification required under section 25E(d) (relating
				to credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs) to be included on a
				return.
						.
				(2)The table of
			 sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
			 amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new
			 item:

							Sec. 25E. Credit for taxpayers with
				long-term care
				needs.

						.
				(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2010.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3115
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 10, 2012
			Mrs. Hagan introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on acetic acid,
		  cyano-[3-[(6-methoxy-2-benzothiazoyl)amino]-1H-isoindol-1-ylidene}-, pentyl
		  ester.

		1.Acetic acid,
			 cyano-[3-[(6-methoxy-2-benzothiazoyl)amino]-1H-isoindol-1-ylidene}-, pentyl
			 ester
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.00Acetic acid,
						cyano-[3-[(6-methoxy-2-benzothiazoyl)amino]-1H-isoindol-1-ylidene}-, pentyl
						ester (CAS No. 173285–74–0) (provided for in subheading
						3204.11.35)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2015

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


116 HR 4666 IH: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide certain low-income territorial residents with automatic eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-10-11
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.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4666IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 11, 2019Ms. Shalala (for herself and Mr. Soto) 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 concernedA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide certain low-income territorial residents
			 with automatic eligibility for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under
			 the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

		1.Automatic eligibility of certain low-income territorial residents for premium and cost-sharing
			 subsidies under the Medicare program; sunset of enhanced allotment program
			(a)Automatic eligibility of certain low-Income territorial residents for premium and cost-Sharing
			 subsidies under the Medicare program
 (1)In generalSection 1860D–14(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–114(a)(3)) is amended— (A)in subparagraph (B)(v)—
 (i)in subclause (I), by striking and at the end; (ii)in subclause (II), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and
 (iii)by inserting after subclause (II) the following new subclause:  (III)with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, shall provide that any part D eligible individual who is enrolled for medical assistance under the State Medicaid plan of a territory (as defined in section 1935(f)) under title XIX (or a waiver of such a plan) shall be treated as a subsidy eligible individual described in paragraph (1).; and
 (B)in subparagraph (F), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The previous sentence shall not apply with respect to eligibility determinations for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under this section made on or after January 1, 2021..
 (2)Conforming amendmentSection 1860D–31(j)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–141(j)(2)(D)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: The previous sentence shall not apply with respect to amounts made available to a State under this paragraph on or after January 1, 2021..
				(b)Sunset of enhanced allotment program
 (1)In generalSection 1935(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–5(e)) is amended— (A)in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting after such State the following: before January 1, 2021; and
 (B)in paragraph (3)— (i)in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting after a year the following: (before 2021); and
 (ii)in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking a subsequent year and inserting each of fiscal years 2008 through 2020. (2)Territory definedSection 1935 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–5) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (f)Territory definedIn this section, the term territory means Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa..


117 HR 4716 IH: Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-07-27
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. 4716IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 27, 2021Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Casten, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Peters, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Swalwell, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Norton, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Brownley, Ms. Dean, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. DeFazio, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Ms. Schakowsky, and Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo end the use of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuge System, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act of 2021.2.Possession or use of body-gripping trap prohibitedThe National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:6.Possession or use of body-gripping trap prohibited(a)In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), no person may possess or use a body-gripping trap in the System.(b)Exceptions(1)In generalSubsection (a) shall not apply to the use of a body-gripping trap—(A)by an agency of the Federal Government;(B)to—(i)control an invasive species (as such term is defined in section 10(a) of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act) to achieve resource management objectives; or(ii)protect a species that—(I)is listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; or(II)the Secretary of the Interior has designated as a sensitive species; and(C)if—(i)such use is in accordance with Federal and State law; and(ii)all viable nonlethal methods for achieving a goal described in paragraph (1) have been attempted and such documentation is maintained at the headquarters of the department that carried out such attempt.(2)TrainingSubsection (a) does not apply to training in the dismantling of body-gripping traps.(c)Enforcement provisionsNotwithstanding section 4(f), a person who possesses or uses a body-gripping trap in the System shall be subject to the following:(1)In the case of a first offense, a civil fine of not more than $500 imposed by the Secretary for each body-gripping trap possessed or used.(2)In the case of a subsequent offense—(A)a civil fine of not more than $1,000 imposed by the Secretary for each body-gripping trap possessed or used;(B)imprisonment for not more than 180 days; or(C)both a civil fine and imprisonment in accordance with subparagraphs (A) and (B).(d)Forfeiture of body-Gripping trapAny body-gripping trap that is possessed or used in violation of this section, and any wildlife captured by the use of such trap, including the pelt or raw fur of such wildlife, shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States in accordance with the provisions of chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code, relating to civil forfeitures.(e)Payment of court costs and other associated expensesA person found to be in violation of subsection (a) shall pay all associated court costs.(f)RegulationsNot later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out this section.(g)Definitions(1)Body-Gripping trapIn this section, the term body-gripping trap—(A)except as provided in paragraph (3), means any device that is intended to kill or capture wildlife by physically restraining any part of the animal;(B)includes any—(i)steel-jaw, padded, or other modified leghold trap;(ii)kill-type trap;(iii)snare trap; or(iv)modified version of any such trap; and(C)does not include any—(i)cage or box trap; or(ii)suitcase-type live beaver trap.(2)Nonlethal methodsThe term nonlethal methods—(A)includes exclusions, barriers, harassment and scaring devices, and any other method that does not result in the death of target or non-target species, except(B)does not include the use of a body-gripping trap..