115 HR 6109 IH: Start Advancing Firearms Enhancements and Technology Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-06-14
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.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6109IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 14, 2018Mr. Himes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an enhanced research credit for the
			 development of smart gun technologies.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Start Advancing Firearms Enhancements and Technology Act of 2018 or the SAFETY Act. 2.Enhanced research credit for development of smart gun technologies (a)In generalSubpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 45S the following new section:

					45T.Research expenses for smart gun technologies
 (a)General ruleFor purposes of section 38, in the case of a taxpayer who is a Federal firearms licensee, the smart gun technology credit determined under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 30 percent of the excess of—
 (1)the smart gun technology expenses for the taxable year, over (2)the base amount.
 (b)Smart gun technology expenses; base amountFor purposes of this section— (1)Smart gun technology expenses (A)In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the term smart gun technology expenses means the amounts which are paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year which would be described in section 41(b) if such section were applied with the modifications set forth in subparagraph (B).
 (B)ModificationsFor purposes of subparagraph (A), section 41(b) shall be applied— (i)by substituting smart gun technology research for qualified research each place it appears in paragraphs (2) and (3) of such subsection, and
 (ii)by substituting 100 percent for 65 percent in paragraph (3)(A) of such subsection. (C)Exclusion for amounts funded by grants, etcThe term smart gun technology expenses shall not include any amount to the extent such amount is funded by any grant, contract, or otherwise by another person (or any governmental entity).
								(2)Base amount
 (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the term base amount means the amount which would be the base amount in section 41(c) if such section were applied by substituting smart gun technology research for qualified research each place it appears.
 (B)Base amount is zero for 3 yearsThe base amount shall be zero for purposes of determining the amount of credit for taxable years beginning in 2019, 2020, or 2021.
 (c)Smart gun technology researchFor purposes of this section— (1)In generalThe term smart gun technology research means qualified research (as defined in section 41(d)) for the purpose of developing smart gun technologies for firearms.
 (2)Smart gun technologyThe term smart gun technology means any technology (other than a simple mechanical lock) which is designed— (A)to prevent a firearm from being fired by any individual other than an authorized user of the firearm, and
 (B)to convert the firearm from the inoperable condition to the operable condition in less than 2 seconds after the authorized user makes contact with the firearm, the firearm’s arming device, or an external safe or locking device.
 (3)Authorized userFor purposes of this subsection, the term authorized user means, with respect to a firearm, the owner of the firearm and any individual lawfully authorized by such owner to operate the firearm.
 (4)Simple mechanical lockFor purposes of this subsection, the term simple mechanical lock means a lock that uses a key or a conventional combination lock. Such term does not include an advanced lock that incorporates electronics or biometric sensors, or a lock with other features to enable faster opening from any orientation with low visibility.
 (d)Federal firearms licenseeFor purposes of this section, the term Federal firearms licensee means any person holding a license under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, other than a licensed collector.
						(e)Coordination with credit for increasing research expenditures
 (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), any smart gun technology expenses for a taxable year to which an election under this section applies shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the credit allowable under section 41 for such taxable year.
 (2)Expenses included in determining base period research expensesSmart gun technology expenses for any taxable year shall be taken into account in determining base period research expenses for purposes of applying section 41 to subsequent taxable years.
							(f)Special rules
 (1)Certain rules made applicableRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 41(f) shall apply for purposes of this section.
 (2)ElectionThis section shall apply to any taxpayer for any taxable year only if such taxpayer elects (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe) to have this section apply for such taxable year.
							(g)Treatment of Credit for Qualified Small Businesses
 (1)In generalUnder rules similar to the rules of section 41(h), section 3111(f) shall apply to the payroll tax credit portion of the credit otherwise determined under subsection (a) for the taxable year and such portion shall not be treated (other than for purposes of section 280C) as a credit determined under subsection (a).
 (2)Federal firearms licensee exceptionFor purposes of this subsection, the payroll tax credit portion of the credit otherwise determined under subsection (a) shall be determined without regard to whether the taxpayer is a Federal firearms licensee..
 (b)Denial of double benefitSection 280C of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:  (i)Credit for smart gun technology expenses (1)In generalNo deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the smart gun technology expenses (as defined in section 45T(b)) otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit allowable for the taxable year under section 45T (determined without regard to section 38(c) thereof).
 (2)Similar rule where taxpayer capitalizes rather than deducts expensesIf— (A)the amount of the credit allowable for the taxable year under section 45T (determined without regard to section 38(c)), exceeds
 (B)the amount allowable as a deduction for the taxable year for smart gun technology expenses (determined without regard to paragraph (1)),
							the amount chargeable to capital account for the taxable year for such expenses shall be reduced by
 the amount of such excess.(3)Controlled groupsIn the case of a corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of section 41(f)(5)) or a trade or business which is treated as being under common control with other trades or business (within the meaning of section 41(f)(1)(B)), this subsection shall be applied under rules prescribed by the Secretary similar to the rules applicable under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 41(f)(1)..
			(c)Credit made part of general business credit
 (1)In generalSection 38(b) of such Code is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (31), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (32) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:  (33)in the case of a taxpayer who is a Federal firearms licensee (as defined in section 45T(d)), the smart gun technology credit determined under section 45T(a)..
 (2)Deduction for certain unused business creditsSubsection (c) of section 196 of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (14) and inserting , and, and by adding after paragraph (8) the following new paragraph:  (15)the smart gun technology credit determined under section 45T..
 (d)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 45S the following new item:

						Sec. 45T. Research expenses for smart gun technologies..
 (e)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2018, in taxable years beginning after such date.
			3.Firearms tax not to apply to cost of smart gun technology
 (a)In generalSection 4181 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:

 The price taken into account under the preceding sentence shall not include so much of the price of the firearm as is attributable to any smart gun technology (as defined in section 45T(c)(2)) of such firearm..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2019.


117 HRES 523 IH: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Committee on Appropriations to maintain proposed and historical budget authority and outlays for each category of spending.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-07-09
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.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 523IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 9, 2021Mr. Emmer submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on RulesRESOLUTIONAmending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the Committee on Appropriations to maintain proposed and historical budget authority and outlays for each category of spending.1.PurposeThe purpose of this resolution is to provide Government spending transparency to the American people. 2.Rules Amendment(a)Clause 4(a) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(5)(A)The Committee on Appropriations shall maintain proposed and historical budget authority and outlays for each category of spending. Such data shall—(i)cover a period comprising the 10 fiscal years immediately preceding the budget year; and(ii)be kept up-to-date and provided on the public website of the committee in a downloadable, searchable, and sortable format.(B)As used in this subparagraph, the term category of spending includes—(i)section 302(a) allocations and section 302(b) suballocations and discretionary and direct spending authority for each department, agency, program, or other line item in any appropriation Act; and(ii)discretionary and direct spending authority for each department, agency, and program as set forth in budget proposals of the Presidents submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code..(b)The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect immediately before noon on January 3, 2022.


115 S927 IS: Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act
U.S. Senate
2017-04-25
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.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 927IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 25, 2017Mr. Leahy (for himself and Mr. Grassley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo allow acceleration certificates awarded under the Patents for Humanity Program to be
			 transferable.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act. 2.Transferability of Acceleration Certificates (a)In generalA holder of an acceleration certificate issued pursuant to the Patents for Humanity Program (established in the notice entitled Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program, published at 77 Fed. Reg. 6544 (February 8, 2012)), or any successor thereto, of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, may transfer (including by sale) the entitlement to such acceleration certificate to another person.
 (b)RequirementAn acceleration certificate transferred under subsection (a) shall be subject to any other applicable limitations under the notice entitled Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program, published at 77 Fed. Reg. 6544 (February 8, 2012), or any successor thereto.


116 HR 8205 IH: Ensuring Transparent Honest Information on COVID–19 Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-11
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 CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8205IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 11, 2020Ms. Castor of Florida (for herself, Ms. Underwood, and Ms. Haaland) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Oversight and Reform, 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 the Public Health Service Act to expand, enhance, and improve applicable public health data systems used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Ensuring Transparent Honest Information on COVID–19 Act or the ETHIC Act.2.Required reporting by State, local, Tribal, or territorial governments regarding COVID–19(a)In generalAs a condition on receipt of funds through a covered grant or cooperative agreement, a State, local, Tribal, or territorial government shall agree to direct the appropriate State, local, Tribal, or territorial governmental entity (including any public health department thereof) to report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with respect to the jurisdiction involved and COVID–19—(1)on a daily basis, the information listed in subsection (c); and(2)on a weekly basis, the information listed in subsection (d).(b)Tribal waiver(1)Review and dispositionUpon the receipt of a written request from a Tribal government, or consortia thereof, for a waiver of the conditions specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall, not later than 30 days after receipt of such request, approve or deny it.(2)DenialsIn the case of a denial of a request under paragraph (1), the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall—(A)provide to the requestor a written explanation of the reasons for the denial; and(B)provide the requestor with an opportunity to correct any deficiencies in the request.(c)Covered grant or cooperative agreementFor purposes of this section, a covered grant or cooperative agreement is any grant or cooperative agreement awarded under any of the following laws (including any amendment made thereby):(1)This Act.(2)The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–123).(3)The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law 116–127).(4) The CARES Act (Public Law 116–136).(5)The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Public Law 116–139).(d)Daily reportingThe information to be reported daily pursuant to subsection (a)(1) consists of the following:(1)Demographic characteristics, including, in a de-identified, disaggregated, and stratified manner, race, ethnicity, age, sex, geographic region, and other relevant factors of individuals tested for or diagnosed with COVID–19, to the extent such information is available.(2)The number of adults with a confirmed case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed.(3)The number of adults with a suspected case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed.(4)The number of adults with a confirmed case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed.(5)The number of adults with a suspected case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed.(6)The number of children with a confirmed case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed.(7)The number of children with a suspected case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed.(8)The number of children with a confirmed case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed.(9)The number of children with a suspected case of COVID–19 who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed.(10)Out of the maximum number of beds for which hospitals are licensed to operate, the percentage occupied by confirmed or suspected COVID–19 patients.(11)Total staffed hospital beds.(12)The numbers of diagnostic and serological tests administered for COVID–19, disaggregated and stratified by—(A)the type of test; and(B)the testing positivity rate of each type of test.(13)The median turnaround time for diagnostic tests stratified by molecular and antigen tests.(14)The percentage of new cases of COVID–19 linked to at least one other case, and if such new cases are part of a known outbreak, identification of such outbreak.(15)The rate of transmission of COVID–19.(16)The number of confirmed and probable deaths as a result of COVID–19, de-identified and stratified by race, ethnicity, age, sex, geographic region, and other relevant factors.(17)Such other information as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deems to be relevant.(e)Weekly reportingThe information to be reported weekly pursuant to subsection (a)(2) consists of the following:(1)New infections of health care workers not confirmed to have contracted COVID–19 outside of the workplace.(2)The median time between collection of specimens for diagnostic tests for COVID–19 and isolation of cases.(3)The percentage of new cases of COVID–19 among quarantined contacts.(4)Such other information as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deems to be relevant.(f)Public posting of reported dataOn a daily basis, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall make the information reported pursuant to this section, excluding personally identifiable information, publicly available on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(g)ApplicabilityThe condition on funding in subsection (a) applies with respect to the obligation and expenditure by the Federal Government of funds through a covered grant or cooperative agreement on or after the date of enactment of this Act, including with respect to covered grants and cooperative agreements awarded before such date.3.Public health data system transformationSubtitle C of title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–31 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:2823.Public health data system transformation(a)Expanding CDC and public health department capabilities(1)In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall—(A)conduct activities to expand, enhance, and improve applicable public health data systems used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, related to the interoperability and improvement of such systems (including as it relates to preparedness for, prevention and detection of, and response to public health emergencies); and(B)award grants or cooperative agreements to State, local, Tribal, or territorial public health departments for the expansion and modernization of public health data systems, to assist public health departments in—(i)assessing current data infrastructure capabilities and gaps to improve and increase consistency in data collection, storage, and analysis and, as appropriate, to improve dissemination of public health-related information;(ii)improving secure public health data collection, transmission, exchange, maintenance, and analysis;(iii)improving the secure exchange of data between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, public health organizations, and health care providers, including by public health officials in multiple jurisdictions within such State, as appropriate, and by simplifying and supporting reporting by health care providers, as applicable, pursuant to State law, including through the use of health information technology;(iv)enhancing the interoperability of public health data systems (including systems created or accessed by public health departments) with health information technology, including with health information technology certified under section 3001(c)(5);(v)supporting and training data systems, data science, and informatics personnel;(vi)supporting earlier disease and health condition detection, such as through near real-time data monitoring, to support rapid public health responses;(vii)supporting activities within the applicable jurisdiction related to the expansion and modernization of electronic case reporting; and(viii)developing and disseminating information related to the use and importance of public health data.(2)Data standardsIn carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall, as appropriate and in consultation with the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Director of the Indian Health Service, designate data and technology standards (including standards for interoperability) for public health data systems, with deference given to standards published by consensus-based standards development organizations with public input and voluntary consensus-based standards bodies.(3)Tribal consultationThe Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and Director of the Indian Health Service, shall jointly consult with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations prior to designating the data and technology standards under paragraph (2).(4)Public-private partnershipsThe Secretary may develop and utilize public-private partnerships for technical assistance, training, and related implementation support for State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the expansion and modernization of electronic case reporting and public health data systems, as applicable.(b)Requirements(1)Health information technology standardsThe Secretary may not award a grant or cooperative agreement under subsection (a)(1)(B) unless the applicant uses or agrees to use standards endorsed by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology pursuant to section 3001(c)(1) or adopted by the Secretary under section 3004.(2)WaiverThe Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to an applicant if the Secretary determines that the activities under subsection (a)(1)(B) cannot otherwise be carried out within the applicable jurisdiction.(3)ApplicationA State, local, Tribal, or territorial health department applying for a grant or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include information describing—(A)the activities that will be supported by the grant or cooperative agreement; and(B)how the modernization of the public health data systems involved will support or impact the public health infrastructure of the health department, including a description of remaining gaps, if any, and the actions needed to address such gaps.(c)Strategy and implementation planNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a coordinated strategy and an accompanying implementation plan that identifies and demonstrates the measures the Secretary will utilize to—(1)update and improve applicable public health data systems used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and(2)carry out the activities described in this section to support the improvement of State, local, Tribal, and territorial public health data systems.(d)ConsultationThe Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall consult with State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments, professional medical and public health associations, associations representing hospitals or other health care entities, health information technology experts, and other appropriate public or private entities regarding the implementation of the grant program under subsection (a) and the development of the coordinated strategy and accompanying implementation plan under subsection (c).(e)Technical assistance and trainingIn carrying out this section, the Secretary may provide technical assistance and training related to—(1)the exchange of information by public health data systems used by relevant health care and public health entities at the local, State, Federal, Tribal, and territorial levels; or(2)the development and utilization of public-private partnerships for implementation support applicable to this section.(f)Report to CongressNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that includes—(1)a description of any barriers to—(A)public health authorities implementing interoperable public health data systems and electronic case reporting;(B)the exchange of information pursuant to electronic case reporting; or(C)reporting by health care providers using such public health data systems, as appropriate, and pursuant to State law;(2)an assessment of the potential public health impact of implementing electronic case reporting and interoperable public health data systems; and(3)a description of the activities carried out pursuant to this section.(g)Electronic case reportingIn this section, the term electronic case reporting means the automated identification, generation, and bilateral exchange of reports of health events among electronic health record or health information technology systems and public health authorities.(h)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $450,000,000, to remain available until expended.(i)Tribal set-AsideOf the amounts authorized under subsection (h), no less than 3 percent, but up to 5 percent of such funds, shall be reserved for noncompetitive grants or cooperative agreements to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (as those terms are defined under section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act)..4.Core public health infrastructure for State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments(a)ProgramThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish a core public health infrastructure program consisting of awarding grants under subsection (b).(b)Grants(1)AwardFor the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs, the Secretary—(A)shall award a grant to each State health department;(B)shall award grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations on a noncompetitive basis; and(C)may award grants on a competitive basis to State, local, Tribal, or territorial health departments.(2)AllocationOf the total amount of funds awarded as grants under this subsection for a fiscal year—(A)not less than 50 percent shall be for grants to State health departments under paragraph (1)(A);(B)not less than 5 percent shall be for grants awarded to, or cooperative agreements with, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations under paragraph (1)(B); and(C)not less than 30 percent shall be for grants to State, local, Tribal, or territorial health departments under paragraph (1)(C).(c)Use of fundsA State, local, Tribal, or territorial health department receiving a grant under subsection (b) shall use the grant funds to address core public health infrastructure needs, including those identified in the accreditation process under subsection (g).(d)Formula grants to state health departmentsIn making grants under subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall award funds to each State health department in accordance with—(1)a formula based on population size, burden of preventable disease and disability, and core public health infrastructure gaps, including those identified in the accreditation process under subsection (g); and(2)application requirements established by the Secretary, including a requirement that the State health department submit a plan that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State’s health department will—(A)address its highest priority core public health infrastructure needs; and(B)as appropriate, allocate funds to local health departments within the State.(e)Formula Grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal OrganizationsIn making grants under subsection (b)(1)(B), the Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the Indian Health Service to award funds to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations according to—(1)a formula that ensures baseline funding on a noncompetitive basis for each Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, or a consortia thereof, that submits an application; and(2)awards funds above the baseline according to population size, gaps in public health infrastructure, or other criteria derived through consultation with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.(f)Competitive grants to State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departmentsIn making grants under subsection (b)(1)(C), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants demonstrating core public health infrastructure needs identified in the accreditation process under subsection (g).(g)Maintenance of effort(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may award a grant to an entity under subsection (b) only if the entity demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that—(A)funds received through the grant will be expended only to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal and Federal funds otherwise available to the entity for the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs; and(B)with respect to activities for which the grant is awarded, the entity will maintain expenditures of non-Federal amounts for such activities at a level not less than the level of such expenditures maintained by the entity for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the entity receives the grant.(2)ExceptionThe requirement under paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a grant awarded under subsection (b)(1)(B). (h)Establishment of a public health accreditation program(1)In generalThe Secretary shall—(A)develop, and periodically review and update, standards for voluntary accreditation of State, local, Tribal, and territorial health departments and public health laboratories for the purpose of advancing the quality and performance of such departments and laboratories; and(B)implement a program to accredit such health departments and laboratories in accordance with such standards.(2)Cooperative agreementThe Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with a private nonprofit entity to carry out paragraph (1).(i)ReportThe Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual report on progress being made to accredit entities under subsection (g), including—(1)a strategy, including goals and objectives, for accrediting entities under subsection (g) and achieving the purpose described in subsection (g)(1)(A);(2)identification of gaps in research related to core public health infrastructure; and(3)recommendations of priority areas for such research.(j)DefinitionIn this section, the term core public health infrastructure includes—(1)workforce capacity and competency;(2)laboratory systems;(3)testing capacity, including test platforms, mobile testing units, and personnel;(4)health information, health information systems, and health information analysis;(5)disease surveillance;(6)contact tracing;(7)communications;(8)financing;(9)other relevant components of organizational capacity; and(10)other related activities.(k)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000,000, to remain available until expended.5.Core public health infrastructure and activities for CDC(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall expand and improve the core public health infrastructure and activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address unmet and emerging public health needs.(b)ReportThe Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual report on the activities funded through this section.(c)DefinitionIn this section, the term core public health infrastructure has the meaning given to such term in section 3.(d)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000, to remain available until expended.6.Modernization of State and local health inequities data(a)In generalNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants to State, local, and territorial health departments in order to support the modernization of data collection methods and infrastructure for the purposes of increasing data related to health inequities, such as racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, sex, gender, and disability disparities. The Secretary shall—(1)provide guidance, technical assistance, and information to grantees under this section on best practices regarding culturally competent, accurate, and increased data collection and transmission; and(2)track performance of grantees under this section to help improve their health inequities data collection by identifying gaps and taking effective steps to support States, localities, and territories in addressing the gaps.(b)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate an initial report detailing—(1)nationwide best practices for ensuring States and localities collect and transmit health inequities data;(2)nationwide trends which hinder the collection and transmission of health inequities data;(3)Federal best practices for working with States and localities to ensure culturally competent, accurate, and increased data collection and transmission; and(4)any recommended changes to legislative or regulatory authority to help improve and increase health inequities data collection.(c)Final reportNot later than December 31, 2023, the Secretary shall—(1)update and finalize the initial report under subsection (b); and(2)submit such final report to the committees specified in such subsection.(d)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000, to remain available until expended.7.Tribal funding to research health inequities including COVID–19(a)In generalNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Indian Health Service, in coordination with Tribal epidemiology centers and other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall conduct or support research and field studies for the purposes of improved understanding of Tribal health inequities among American Indians and Alaska Natives, including with respect to—(1)disparities related to COVID–19;(2)public health surveillance and infrastructure regarding unmet needs in Indian country and Urban Indian communities;(3)population-based health disparities;(4)barriers to health care services;(5)the impact of socioeconomic status; and(6)factors contributing to Tribal health inequities.(b)Consultation, confer, and coordinationIn carrying out this section, the Director of the Indian Health Service shall—(1)consult with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations;(2)confer with Urban Indian organizations; and(3)coordinate with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the National Institutes of Health.(c)ProcessNot later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Indian Health Service shall establish a nationally representative panel to establish processes and procedures for the research and field studies conducted or supported under subsection (a). The Director shall ensure that, at a minimum, the panel consists of the following individuals:(1)Elected Tribal leaders or their designees.(2)Tribal public health practitioners and experts from the national and regional levels.(d)DutiesThe panel established under subsection (c) shall, at a minimum—(1)advise the Director of the Indian Health Service on the processes and procedures regarding the design, implementation, and evaluation of, and reporting on, research and field studies conducted or supported under this section;(2)develop and share resources on Tribal public health data surveillance and reporting, including best practices; and(3)carry out such other activities as may be appropriate to establish processes and procedures for the research and field studies conducted or supported under subsection (a).(e)ReportNot later than 1 year after expending all funds made available to carry out this section, the Director of the Indian Health Service, in coordination with the panel established under subsection (c), shall submit an initial report on the results of the research and field studies under this section to—(1)the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and(2)the Committee on Indian Affairs and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.(f)Tribal data sovereigntyThe Director of the Indian Health Service shall ensure that all research and field studies conducted or supported under this section are tribally directed and carried out in a manner which ensures Tribal-direction of all data collected under this section—(1)according to Tribal best practices regarding research design and implementation, including by ensuring the consent of the Tribes involved to public reporting of Tribal data;(2)according to all relevant and applicable Tribal, professional, institutional, and Federal standards for conducting research and governing research ethics;(3)with the prior and informed consent of any Indian Tribe participating in the research or sharing data for use under this section; and(4)in a manner that respects the inherent sovereignty of Indian Tribes, including Tribal governance of data and research.(g)Final reportNot later than December 31, 2023, the Director of the Indian Health Service shall—(1)update and finalize the initial report under subsection (e); and(2)submit such final report to the committees specified in such subsection.(h)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The terms Indian Tribe and Tribal organization have the meanings given to such terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(2)The term Urban Indian organization has the meaning given to such term in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).(i)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000, to remain available until expended.8.Study examining public health data and infrastructure necessary during and after the COVID–19 public health emergency(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this section as the National Academies) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, under which the National Academies agree to conduct a study with stakeholders from Federal agencies, State, Tribal, territorial, and local governments, research institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations that would review the current system for public health data infrastructure and reporting and provide recommendations on needed data and system improvements for future pandemics and ongoing public health needs.(b)Submission of reportThe contract under subsection (a) shall require that the study under such subsection be completed, and a report on the resulting recommendations be submitted to the Secretary, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, not later than 12 months after the date the contract was executed.(c)Study topicsThe contract under subsection (a) shall require the study under such subsection to—(1)review the current public health data systems and the reporting structure for Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, and local public health information, including vital records;(2)review current standards for reporting, quality controls, and transparency of the data;(3)examine data gaps and barriers to timely and accurate reporting and identify ways to fill those gaps;(4)examine how systems can be accessed and used by a wide range of users, including external researchers;(5)examine how different data systems interact and how different data sources can be integrated;(6)examine nontraditional data sources or alternative data gathering methods that could be used to complement traditionally collected data;(7)identify needed improvements to the public health data systems and structure, especially with regard to the needs of Tribal systems;(8)identify core elements of a minimum data set that might be used for State population surveillance, including demographic components that are necessary to ensure health equity in public health decision making;(9)examine how surveillance systems can be explicitly designed to ensure vulnerable populations (which may include racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, individuals in nursing homes, other institutionalized populations, and individuals experiencing homelessness) are included in reporting;(10)consider how traditional and nontraditional data might be used to promote health equity across the United States and reduce racial, Tribal, and other demographic disparities;(11)examine data gaps and barriers to collecting, analyzing, and using demographic data to characterize the COVID–19 pandemic for public health action and research to improve public health actions and identify ways to fill those gaps; and(12)report on what is known based on existing data about how COVID–19 is impacting subgroups of the population with respect to access to testing and treatment (hospitalization and access to drugs and medical equipment), and health outcomes (morbidity and mortality). (d)Disaggregation of dataTo the extent feasible, the contract under subsection (a) shall require data to be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, geography, language, socioeconomic status, and other factors.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2197
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 30, 2009
			Ms. Bean (for herself
			 and Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Small
			 Business

		A BILL
		To assist the Administrator of the Small Business
		  Administration to determine whether a franchisee is affiliated with a
		  franchisor in the temporary employee services industry, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Temporary Employees Franchise Improvement Act of
			 2009.
		2.Temporary
			 Employee Services FranchisesIn determining whether a franchisee is
			 affiliated with a franchisor in the temporary employee services industry, the
			 Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall—
			(1)continue to apply
			 historically considered affiliation factors in determining whether a business
			 is affiliated with another business or the franchisor in the temporary staffing
			 industry;
			(2)promulgate such
			 other rules and regulations as necessary to determine affiliation within the
			 temporary employee services industry as the Administrator determines consistent
			 with the Small Business Act; and
			(3)consider the
			 processing of payroll and billing by a franchisor as customary and common
			 practice in the temporary employee services industry that does not provide
			 probative weight on affiliation, to the extent that the temporary staffing
			 personnel are interviewed, hired, trained, assigned, and subject to discharge
			 by the franchisee.


110 HR 5797 IH: Roth TSP Act of 2008
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-04-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5797
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 15, 2008
			Mrs. Drake introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		A BILL
		To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for a
		  qualified Roth contribution program under the Thrift Savings
		  Plan.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Roth TSP Act of 2008.
		2.Requirement that
			 Thrift Savings Plan include a qualified Roth contribution program
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, United States
			 Code, is amended by inserting after section 8432c the following:

					8432d.Qualified Roth
				contribution program
						(a)In
				generalThe Executive Director, in consultation with the
				Secretary of the Treasury, shall by regulation provide for the inclusion in the
				Thrift Savings Plan of a qualified Roth contribution program (hereinafter in
				this section referred to as the Program).
						(b)Qualified Roth
				contribution programFor purposes of this section, the term
				qualified Roth contribution program means a program that satisfies
				the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 402A(b) of the Internal
				Revenue Code of 1986.
						(c)Required
				provisionsThe regulations shall include—
							(1)provisions under
				which an election to make designated Roth contributions may be made—
								(A)by any individual
				who is eligible to make contributions under section 8351, 8432(a), 8440a,
				8440b, 8440c, 8440d, or 8440e; and
								(B)by any individual
				not described in subparagraph (A) who is otherwise eligible to make elective
				deferrals under the Thrift Savings Plan, as identified under such regulations;
				and
								(2)such other provisions as may be necessary
				to carry out this section.
							(d)Returns and
				reportsThe Executive
				Director shall, with respect to designated Roth contributions under the
				Program, make such returns and reports as the Secretary of the Treasury may
				prescribe under section 6047(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
						(e)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section, the terms designated Roth contribution
				and elective deferral have the respective meanings given such
				terms in section 402A of the Internal Revenue Code of
				1986.
						.
			(b)Technical and
			 conforming amendments
				(1)Accounting and
			 informationSection 8439(a) of title 5, United States Code, is
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

						(4)Pursuant to regulations prescribed by
				the Executive Director, this section shall be carried out in a manner
				consistent with section 8432d of this title and section 402A of the Internal
				Revenue Code of 1986, including by making any modifications to the definition
				of an account under this subsection which may be
				necessary.
						.
				(2)Clerical
			 amendmentThe analysis for chapter 84 of title 5, United States
			 Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8432c the
			 following:

							8432d. Qualified Roth contribution
				program.

						.


		II

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. 138

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 24, 2005

			Mr. Kerry (for himself

			 and Mr. Bingaman) introduced the

			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the

			 Committee on Small Business and

			 Entrepreneurship

		A BILL

		To make improvements to the microenterprise programs

		  administered by the Small Business Administration.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the

			 SBA Microenterprise Improvements

			 Act.

		2.Microloan program

			 improvements

			(a)Intermediary

			 eligibility requirementsSection 7(m)(2) of the

			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.

			 636(m)(2)) is amended—

				(1)in subparagraph

			 (A), by striking in paragraph (10); and and inserting of

			 the term intermediary under paragraph (11);; and

				(2)in subparagraph

			 (B)—

					(A)by striking

			 (B) has at least and inserting the following:

							(B)has—

								(i)at least

								; and

					(B)by striking the

			 period at the end and inserting the following:

							; or(ii)a full-time employee who has not less

				than 3 years experience making microloans to startup, newly established, or

				growing small business concerns; and

							(C)has at least 1

				year experience providing, as an integral part of its microloan program,

				intensive marketing, management, and technical assistance to its

				borrowers.

							.

					(b)Conforming

			 change in average smaller loan sizeSection

			 7(m)(3)(F)(iii) of the Small

			 Business Act (15 U.S.C.

			 636(m)(3)(F)(iii)) is amended by striking $7,500

			 and inserting $10,000.

			(c)Limitation on

			 third party technical assistanceSection 7(m)(4)(E)(ii) of

			 the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.

			 636(m)(4)(E)(ii)) is amended—

				(1)by striking

			 Technical assistance and

			 inserting Third party technical

			 assistance; and

				(2)by striking

			 25 percent and inserting 30 percent.

				(d)Loan

			 termsSection 7(m)(1)(B)(i) of the

			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.

			 636(m)(1)(B)(i)) is amended by striking

			 short-term.

			(e)Report on

			 transferred amountsSection 7(m)(9)(B) of the

			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.

			 636(m)(9)(B)) is amended—

				(1)by striking

			 The Administration and inserting the following:

						(i)In

				generalThe Administration

						;

				(2)by striking the

			 period after financing; and

				(3)by adding at the

			 end the following:

						(ii)ReportThe

				Administration shall report, in its annual budget request and performance plan

				to Congress, on the performance by the Administration of the requirements of

				clause (i).

						.

				(f)Accurate

			 subsidy modelSection 7(m) of the

			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m))

			 is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(14)Improved

				subsidy modelThe Administrator shall develop a subsidy model for

				the microloan program under this subsection, to be used in the fiscal year 2006

				budget, that is more accurate than the subsidy model in effect on the day

				before the date of enactment of this paragraph.

					.

			(g)Increased

			 flexibility for providing technical assistance to potential

			 borrowersSection 7(m)(4)(E)(i) of the

			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.

			 636(m)(4)(E)(i)) is amended by striking 25

			 percent and inserting 30 percent.

			3.PRIME

			 reauthorization and transfer to the small

			 business act

			(a)Program

			 reauthorizationSubtitle C of title I of the Riegle Community

			 Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 6901

			 note) is amended to read as follows:

					37.Program for

				investment in microentrepreneurs

						(a)DefinitionsFor

				purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

							(1)AdministrationThe

				term Administration means the Small Business

				Administration.

							(2)AdministratorThe

				term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business

				Administration.

							(3)Capacity

				building servicesThe term capacity building

				services means services provided to an organization that is, or that is

				in the process of becoming, a microenterprise development organization or

				program, for the purpose of enhancing its ability to provide training and

				services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

							(4)CollaborativeThe

				term collaborative means 2 or more nonprofit entities that agree

				to act jointly as a qualified organization under this section.

							(5)Disadvantaged

				entrepreneurThe term disadvantaged entrepreneur

				means a microentrepreneur that—

								(A)is a low-income

				person;

								(B)is a very

				low-income person; or

								(C)lacks adequate

				access to capital or other resources essential for business success, or is

				economically disadvantaged, as determined by the Administrator.

								(6)Disadvantaged

				Native American entrepreneurThe term disadvantaged Native

				American entrepreneur means a disadvantaged entrepreneur who is also a

				member of an Indian Tribe.

							(7)Indian

				TribeThe term Indian tribe has the same meaning as

				in section 4(a) of the Indian Self-Determination

				and Education Assistance Act.

							(8)IntermediaryThe

				term intermediary means a private, nonprofit entity that seeks to

				serve microenterprise development organizations and programs, as authorized

				under subsection (d).

							(9)Low-income

				personThe term low-income person means having an

				income, adjusted for family size, of not more than—

								(A)for metropolitan

				areas, 80 percent of the area median income; and

								(B)for

				nonmetropolitan areas, the greater of—

									(i)80 percent of the

				area median income; or

									(ii)80 percent of

				the statewide nonmetropolitan area median income.

									(10)MicroentrepreneurThe

				term microentrepreneur means the owner or developer of a

				microenterprise.

							(11)MicroenterpriseThe

				term microenterprise means a sole proprietorship, partnership, or

				corporation that—

								(A)has fewer than 5

				employees; and

								(B)generally lacks

				access to conventional loans, equity, or other banking services.

								(12)Microenterprise

				development organization or programThe term

				microenterprise development organization or program means a

				nonprofit entity, or a program administered by such an entity, including

				community development corporations or other nonprofit development organizations

				and social service organizations, that provides services to disadvantaged

				entrepreneurs.

							(13)Training and

				technical assistanceThe term training and technical

				assistance means services and support provided to disadvantaged

				entrepreneurs, such as assistance for the purpose of enhancing business

				planning, marketing, management, financial management skills, and assistance

				for the purpose of accessing financial services.

							(14)Very

				low-income personThe term very low-income person

				means having an income, adjusted for family size, of not more than 150 percent

				of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services

				Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), including

				any revision required by that section).

							(b)Establishment

				of programThe Administrator shall establish a microenterprise

				technical assistance and capacity building grant program to provide assistance

				from the Administration in the form of grants to qualified organizations in

				accordance with this section.

						(c)Uses of

				assistanceA qualified organization shall use grants made under

				this section—

							(1)to provide

				training and technical assistance to disadvantaged entrepreneurs;

							(2)to provide

				training and capacity building services to microenterprise development

				organizations and programs and groups of such organizations to assist such

				organizations and programs in developing microenterprise training and

				services;

							(3)to aid in

				researching and developing the best practices in the field of microenterprise

				and technical assistance programs for disadvantaged entrepreneurs;

							(4)to provide

				training and technical assistance to disadvantaged Native American

				entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs; and

							(5)for such other

				activities as the Administrator determines are consistent with the purposes of

				this section.

							(d)Qualified

				organizationsFor purposes of eligibility for assistance under

				this section, a qualified organization shall be—

							(1)a nonprofit

				microenterprise development organization or program (or a group or

				collaborative thereof) that has a demonstrated record of delivering

				microenterprise services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs;

							(2)an

				intermediary;

							(3)a microenterprise

				development organization or program that is accountable to a local community,

				working in conjunction with a State or local government or Indian tribe;

				or

							(4)an Indian tribe

				acting on its own, if the Indian tribe can certify that no private organization

				or program referred to in this subsection exists within its

				jurisdiction.

							(e)Allocation of

				assistance; subgrants

							(1)Allocation of

				assistance

								(A)In

				generalThe Administrator shall allocate assistance from the

				Administration under this section to ensure that—

									(i)activities

				described in subsection (c)(1) are funded using not less than 75 percent of

				amounts made available for such assistance; and

									(ii)activities

				described in subsection (c)(2) are funded using not less than 15 percent of

				amounts made available for such assistance.

									(B)Limit on

				individual assistanceNo single person may receive more than 10

				percent of the total funds appropriated under this section in a single fiscal

				year.

								(2)Targeted

				assistanceThe Administrator shall ensure that not less than 50

				percent of the grants made under this section are used to benefit very

				low-income persons, including those residing on Indian reservations.

							(3)Subgrants

				authorized

								(A)In

				generalA qualified organization receiving assistance under this

				section may provide grants using that assistance to qualified small and

				emerging microenterprise organizations and programs, subject to such rules and

				regulations as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

								(B)Limit on

				administrative expensesNot more than 7.5 percent of assistance

				received by a qualified organization under this section may be used for

				administrative expenses in connection with the making of subgrants under

				subparagraph (A).

								(4)DiversityIn

				making grants under this section, the Administrator shall ensure that grant

				recipients include both large and small microenterprise organizations, serving

				urban, rural, and Indian tribal communities serving diverse populations.

							(5)Prohibition on

				preferential consideration of certain sba program participantsIn

				making grants under this section, the Administrator shall ensure that any

				application made by a qualified organization that is a participant in the

				program established under section 7(m) of the Small Business Act does not receive preferential

				consideration over applications from other qualified organizations that are not

				participants in such program.

							(f)Matching

				requirements

							(1)In

				generalFinancial assistance under this section shall be matched

				with funds from sources other than the Federal Government on the basis of not

				less than 50 percent of each dollar provided by the Administration.

							(2)Sources of

				matching fundsFees, grants, gifts, funds from loan sources, and

				in-kind resources of a grant recipient from public or private sources may be

				used to comply with the matching requirement in paragraph (1).

							(3)Exception

								(A)In

				generalIn the case of an applicant for assistance under this

				section with severe constraints on available sources of matching funds, the

				Administrator may reduce or eliminate the matching requirements of paragraph

				(1).

								(B)LimitationNot

				more than 10 percent of the total funds made available from the Administration

				in any fiscal year to carry out this section may be excepted from the matching

				requirements of paragraph (1), as authorized by subparagraph (A) of this

				paragraph.

								(g)Applications

				for assistanceAn application for assistance under this section

				shall be submitted in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the

				Administrator shall establish.

						(h)Recordkeeping

				and reporting

							(1)In

				generalEach organization that receives assistance from the

				Administration in accordance with this section shall—

								(A)submit to the

				Administration not less than once in every 18-month period, financial

				statements audited by an independent certified public accountant;

								(B)submit an annual

				report to the Administration on its activities; and

								(C)keep such records

				as may be necessary to disclose the manner in which any assistance under this

				section is used.

								(2)AccessThe

				Administration shall have access upon request, for the purposes of determining

				compliance with this section, to any records of any organization that receives

				assistance from the Administration in accordance with this section.

							(3)Data

				collectionEach organization that receives assistance from the

				Administration in accordance with this section shall collect information

				relating to, as applicable—

								(A)the number of

				individuals counseled or trained;

								(B)the number of

				hours of counseling provided;

								(C)the number of

				startup small business concerns formed;

								(D)the number of

				small business concerns expanded;

								(E)the number of

				low-income individuals counseled or trained; and

								(F)the number of

				very low-income individuals counseled or trained.

								(i)Authorization

				of appropriations

							(1)In

				generalThere are authorized to be appropriated to the

				Administrator $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2007 to

				carry out the provisions of this section, which shall remain available until

				expended.

							(2)Training for

				Native American entrepreneursIn addition to the amount

				authorized under subsection (i)(1), there are authorized to be appropriated to

				the Administrator $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2007 to

				carry out the provisions of subsection (c)(4), which shall remain available

				until expended.

							.

			(b)Transfer

			 provisions

				(1)Small business act amendmentsThe

			 Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et

			 seq.) is amended by redesignating section 37 as section 38.

				(2)TransferSection

			 37 of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994

			 (15 U.S.C. 6901

			 note), as so designated by subsection (a) of this section, is

			 transferred to, and inserted after,

			 section

			 36 of the Small Business

			 Act.

				(c)ReferencesAll

			 references in Federal law to the Program for Investment in

			 Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999 or the PRIME Act shall be

			 deemed to be references to

			 section

			 37 of the Small Business

			 Act, as added by this section.

			(d)Rule of

			 constructionNothing in this section or the amendments made by

			 this section shall affect any grant or assistance provided under the Program

			 for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999, before the date of enactment

			 of this Act, and any such grant or assistance shall be subject to the Program

			 for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999, as in effect on the day

			 before the date of enactment of this Act.


109 HR 1078 IH: Social Security Number Protection Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-03-03
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.

I
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 1078
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 3, 2005
Mr. Markey (for himself, Mr. Emanuel, Mrs. Capps, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. McNulty, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To strengthen the authority of the Federal Government to protect individuals from certain acts and practices in the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Social Security Number Protection Act of 2005.
2.FindingsThe Congress makes the following findings:
(1)The inappropriate sale or purchase of Social Security numbers is a significant factor in a growing range of illegal activities, including fraud, identity theft, and, in some cases, stalking and other violent crimes.
(2)While financial institutions, health care providers, and other entities have often used Social Security numbers to confirm the identity of an individual, the sale or purchase of these numbers often facilitates the commission of criminal activities, and also can result in serious invasions of individual privacy.
(3)The Federal Government requires virtually every individual in the United States to obtain and maintain a Social Security number in order to pay taxes, to qualify for Social Security benefits, or to seek employment. An unintended consequence of these requirements is that Social Security numbers have become tools that can be used to facilitate crime, fraud, and invasions of the privacy of the individuals to whom the numbers are assigned. Because the Federal Government created and maintains this system, and because the Federal Government does not permit persons to exempt themselves from those requirements, it is appropriate for the Government to take steps to stem the abuse of this system.
(4)A Social Security number is simply a sequence of numbers. In no meaningful sense can the number itself impart knowledge or ideas. Persons do not sell or transfer such numbers in order to convey any particularized message, nor to express to the purchaser any ideas, knowledge, or thoughts.
(5)A Social Security number does not contain, reflect, or convey any publicly significant information or concern any public issue. The sale of such numbers in no way facilitates uninhibited, robust and wide-open public debate; and restrictions on such sale would not affect public debate.
(6)No one should seek to profit from the sale of Social Security numbers in circumstances that create a substantial risk of physical, emotional, or financial harm to the individuals to whom those numbers are assigned.
(7)Consequently, Congress should enact legislation that will offer individuals assigned such numbers necessary protection from the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers in circumstances that might facilitate unlawful conduct or that might otherwise likely result in unfair and deceptive practices.
3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)CommissionThe term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.
(2)PersonThe term person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, estate, cooperative, association, or any other entity.
(3)SaleThe term sale means obtaining, directly or indirectly, anything of value in exchange for a Social Security number or Social Security account number. Such term does not include the submission of such numbers as part of the process for applying for any type of Government benefit or programs (such as grant or loan applications or welfare or other public assistance programs). Such term also does not include transfers of such numbers as part of a data matching program under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act.
(4)PurchaseThe term purchase means providing directly or indirectly, anything of value in exchange for a Social Security number or Social Security account number. Such term does not include the submission of such numbers as part of the process for applying for any type of Government benefit or programs (such as grant or loan applications or welfare or other public assistance programs). Such term also does not include transfers of such numbers as part of a data matching program under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act.
(5)Social Security number; Social Security account numberThe terms Social Security number and Social Security account number have the meaning given those terms in section 208 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 408).
(6)StateThe term State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and any territory or possession of the United States.
4.Regulation of the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers
(a)ProhibitionIt shall be unlawful for any person to sell or purchase a Social Security number or Social Security account number in a manner that violates a regulation promulgated by the Commission under subsection (b) of this section.
(b)Regulations
(1)Restrictions authorizedThe Commission, after consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, the Attorney General, and other agencies as the Commission deems appropriate, shall promulgate regulations restricting the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers and any unfair or deceptive acts or practices in connection with the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers.
(2)Limitations on restrictionsIn promulgating such regulations, the Commission shall impose restrictions and conditions on the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers that are no broader than necessary—
(A)to provide reasonable assurance that Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers will not be used to commit or facilitate fraud, deception, or crime; and
(B)to prevent an undue risk of bodily, emotional, or financial harm to individuals.For purposes of subparagraph (B), the Commission shall consider the nature, likelihood, and severity of the anticipated harm; the nature, likelihood, and extent of any benefits that could be realized from the sale or purchase of the numbers; and any other relevant factors.
(3)ExceptionsThe regulations promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include exceptions which permit the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers—
(A)to the extent necessary for law enforcement or national security purposes;
(B)to the extent necessary for public health purposes;
(C)to the extent necessary in emergency situations to protect the health or safety of 1 or more individuals;
(D)to the extent necessary for research conducted for the purpose of advancing public knowledge, on the condition that the researcher provides adequate assurances that—
(i)the Social Security numbers or Social Security account numbers will not be used to harass, target, or publicly reveal information concerning any identifiable individuals;
(ii)information about identifiable individuals obtained from the research will not be used to make decisions that directly affect the rights, benefits, or privileges of specific individuals; and
(iii)the researcher has in place appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy and confidentiality of any information about identifiable individuals;
(E)to the extent consistent with an individual’s voluntary and affirmative written consent to the sale or purchase of a Social Security number or Social Security account number that has been assigned to that individual; and
(F)under other appropriate circumstances as the Commission may determine and as are consistent with the findings in section 2 and the principles in paragraph (2).
(c)Rulemaking
(1)Deadline for actionNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate the regulations under subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
(2)Effective datesSubsection (a) and the regulations promulgated under subsection (b) shall take effect 30 days after the date on which the final regulations issued under this section are published in the Federal Register.
(d)EnforcementAny violation of a regulation promulgated under subsection (b) of this section shall be treated as a violation of a regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
(e)Administration and applicability of Act
(1)The CommissionThe Commission shall prevent any person from violating this section, and any regulation promulgated thereunder, in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. Any person who violates such regulation shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law.
(2)Actions by States
(A)Civil actionsIn any case in which the attorney general of a State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by an act or practice that violates any regulation of the Commission promulgated under subsection (b), the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of the State in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction, to—
(i)enjoin that act or practice;
(ii)enforce compliance with the regulation;
(iii)obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on behalf of residents of the State; or
(iv)obtain such other legal and equitable relief as the district court may consider to be appropriate.Before filing an action under this subsection, the attorney general of the State involved shall provide to the Commission and to the Attorney General a written notice of that action and a copy of the complaint for that action. If the State attorney general determines that it is not feasible to provide the notice described in this subparagraph before the filing of the action, the State attorney general shall provide the written notice and the copy of the complaint to the Commission and to the Attorney General as soon after the filing of the complaint as practicable.
(B)Commission and Attorney General authorityOn receiving notice under subparagraph (A), the Commission and the Attorney General each shall have the right—
(i)to move to stay the action, pending the final disposition of a pending Federal matter as described in subparagraph (C);
(ii)to intervene in an action under clause (i);
(iii)upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein; and
(iv)to file petitions for appeal.
(C)Pending criminal proceedingsIf the Attorney General has instituted a criminal proceeding or the Commission has instituted a civil action for a violation of this Act or any regulations thereunder, no State may, during the pendency of such proceeding or action, bring an action under this section against any defendant named in the criminal proceeding or civil action for any violation of this section that is alleged in that proceeding or action.
(D)Rule of constructionFor purposes of bringing any civil action under subparagraph (A), nothing in this Act shall be construed to prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of that State to conduct investigations, administer oaths and affirmations, or compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence.
(E)Venue; service of processAny action brought under this section may be brought in any district court of the United States that meets applicable requirements relating to venue under section 1391 of title 28, United States Code. In an action brought under this section, process may be served in any district in which the defendant is an inhabitant or may be found.


114 S3258 IS: Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2016
U.S. Senate
2016-07-14
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.

		II
		114th CONGRESS2d Session
		S. 3258
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 14, 2016
			Mr. Donnelly (for himself and Mr. Rounds) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to delay the
			 inclusion in consumer credit reports and to establish requirements for
			 debt collectors with respect to medical debt information of veterans due
			 to inappropriate or delayed billing payments or reimbursements from the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs, and
			 for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2016. 2.PurposeThe purposes of this Act are—
 (1)to rectify reporting of medical debt included in a consumer report of a veteran due to inappropriate or delayed payment for hospital care or medical services provided in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs facility under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
 (2)to clarify the process of debt collection for such medical debt.
			3.Amendments to fair credit reporting act
 (a)Veteran’s medical debt definedSection 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (z)VeteranThe term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (aa)Veteran's medical debtThe term veteran’s medical debt means a debt of a veteran arising from hospital care or medical services, as those terms are defined in section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, provided in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs facility under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including under section 1703, 1712, 1712A, 1725, or 1728 of title 38, United States Code..
 (b)Exclusion for veteran’s medical debtSection 605(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681c) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (7)Any information related to a veteran’s medical debt if the date on which the debt was placed for collection, charged to profit or loss, or subjected to any similar action antedates the report by less than 1 year.
 (8)Any information related to a fully paid or settled veteran’s medical debt that had been characterized as delinquent, charged off, or in collection..
 (c)Removal of veteran’s medical debt from consumer reportSection 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681i) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)(1)(A), by inserting and except as provided in subsection (g) after subsection (f); and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (g)Dispute process for veteran’s medical debt (1)In generalWith respect to a veteran's medical debt of a consumer, the consumer may submit a notice along with proof of liability of the Department of Veterans Affairs for payment of that debt to a consumer reporting agency or a reseller to dispute the inclusion of that debt on a consumer report of the consumer.
 (2)Deletion of information from fileNot later than 30 days after the date on which a notice is received under paragraph (1), the consumer reporting agency shall delete information relating to the veteran’s medical debt from the file of the consumer and notify the furnisher and the consumer of that deletion..
				4.Communications regarding veteran's medical debt
 (a)In generalSection 809 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692g) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , except for a veteran’s medical debt as described in subsection (f), after any debt; and
 (2)by adding at the end the following:  (f)Veteran’s medical debt (1)DefinitionsIn this subsection—
 (A)the term consumer reporting agency has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a); (B)the term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code; and
								(C)
 the term veteran’s medical debt means a debt of a veteran arising from hospital care or medical services, as those terms are defined in section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, provided in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs facility under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, including under section 1703, 1712, 1712A, 1725, or 1728 of title 38, United States Code.
 (2)Communications regarding veteran’s medical debtNot later than 5 days after the initial communication with a veteran in connection with the collection of a veteran’s medical debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the veteran has paid the debt, send the veteran a written notice containing—
 (A)the amount of the debt; (B)the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
 (C)a statement that unless the veteran, within 1 year after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
 (D)a statement that if the veteran notifies the debt collector in writing within the 1-year period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the veteran and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the veteran by the debt collector;
 (E)a statement that, upon the veteran’s written request within the 1-year period, the debt collector will provide the veteran with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor;
 (F)a statement that the debt collector will not report the debt to a consumer reporting agency until 1 year after the date on which the debt collector sends the statement; and
 (G)a statement that the consumer may communicate with— (i)an insurance company to determine coverage for the debt;
 (ii)the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine coverage for the debt or repayment options; or (iii)the provider of the hospital care or medical services from which the debt arises.
 (3)Collection of veteran’s medical debtIf the veteran notifies the debt collector in writing within the 1-year period described in paragraph (2)(D) that the veteran’s medical debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the veteran requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the veteran's medical debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the veteran’s medical debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the veteran by the debt collector. Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this title may continue during the 1-year period referred to in paragraph (2)(D) unless the veteran has notified the debt collector in writing that the veteran’s medical debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the veteran requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 1-year period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the veteran’s right to dispute the veteran’s medical debt or request the name and address of the original creditor..
 5.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3514
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 31, 2009
			Mr. Schrader
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To amend the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
		  Act.

		1.Amendment to the Columbia
			 River Gorge National Scenic Area ActSection 2(g) of the Columbia River Gorge
			 National Scenic Area Act (16 U.S.C. 544(g)) is amended by striking and
			 the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; and
			 inserting the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation,
			 and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of
			 Oregon;.


109 HR 3168 IH: To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for Centers for Clinical Discovery through grants from the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-06-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3168
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 30, 2005
Mr. Jones of North Carolina introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for Centers for Clinical Discovery through grants from the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

1.Centers for clinical discoveryPart B of title IX of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following section:

918.Centers for Clinical Discovery
(a)In generalThe Director shall make grants on a competitive basis for research centers to accelerate next-generation approaches to the development of new therapies and diagnostics by bringing together patients, researchers with specialized expertise, and sophisticated technologies and basing such development on individual genotypes and individual variations in cell and molecular physiology. Each such center shall be known as a Center for Clinical Discovery.
(b)RequirementsThe Director may make a grant under subsection (a) only if, with respect to the research center involved, the following conditions are met:
(1)The application for the grant meets the requirements of section 922 for approval (relating to technical and scientific peer review).
(2)Such center is a collaboration between an academic medical center and one or more nongovernmental entities engaged in the development of therapies and diagnostics, activities supporting such development, and health research.
(3)At least one the of the nongovernmental entities referred to in paragraph (2) has significant current experience in—
(A)studies in pharmacogenetics, proteomics, metabonomics, biostatistics, clinical chemistry, genomics, advanced imaging technology, and health registries; and
(B)other longitudinal studies in which clinical and other patient data are collected to assist in research and development of new therapies and diagnostics.
(4)The professionals serving the center include leaders in the fields of health research, health policy, and health-outcomes research.
(5)The center is located at an academic medical center.
(c)Initial grantNot later than June 30, 2006, the Director shall award one grant under subsection (a), subject to amounts made available in appropriations Acts. The Director shall consider the research center involved as a demonstration project for purposes of such subsection. The Director shall evaluate the project through a process, and on the basis of criteria, established by the Director.
(d)Additional grantsIf the research center operated pursuant to subsection (c) meets the criteria of the Director for continued support under subsection (a), the Director shall make grants under such subsection for additional centers and shall ensure, subject to amounts made available in appropriations Acts, that not fewer than four research centers are operated under such subsection.
(e)Amount of grantThe amount of a grant under subsection (a) to any center for a fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000.
(f)Authorization of appropriationsFor the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011..


113 SCON 12 IS: Expressing the sense of the Congress that our current tax incentives for retirement savings provide important benefits to Americans to help plan for a financially secure retirement.
U.S. Senate
2013-04-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. CON. RES. 12
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 10, 2013
			Mr. Isakson (for
			 himself, Mr. Murphy,
			 Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Portman, Mr.
			 Tester, Mr. Cardin,
			 Mr. Boozman, and
			 Mrs. Hagan) submitted the following
			 concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the Congress that
		  our current tax incentives for retirement savings provide important benefits to
		  Americans to help plan for a financially secure retirement.

		Whereas private retirement plans in the United States paid
			 out over $3,824,000,000,000 in benefits from 2000 through 2009, while public
			 sector retirement plans paid out $2,651,000,000,000 during the same period,
			 with both playing an essential role in providing retirement income for millions
			 of our Nation’s senior citizens;
		Whereas there are approximately 670,000 private-sector
			 defined contribution plans that are currently covering 67,000,000 participants,
			 and over 48,000 private-sector defined benefit plans covering 44,000,000
			 participants;
		Whereas $4,700,000,000,000 is held in 401(k), 403(b), 457
			 and similar defined contribution plans, $2,300,000,000,000 is held in private
			 defined benefit plans, and another $4,900,000,000,000 is held in Individual
			 Retirement Accounts, largely consisting of funds rolled over from
			 employer-based retirement plans;
		Whereas from 2000 through 2009, employers have contributed
			 almost $3,500,000,000,000 to public and private retirement plans;
		Whereas tax incentives are an important impetus for
			 individuals to save for retirement and for employers to offer plans under our
			 voluntary system;
		Whereas generally, the taxation of amounts contributed to
			 pension and retirement plans is simply deferred, not lost;
		Whereas more than 70 percent of American workers making
			 between $30,000 and $50,000 a year contribute to their own retirement when
			 covered by a retirement plan at work;
		Whereas under current law, if business owners and managers
			 sponsor a retirement plan, they also must cover and provide benefits to
			 lower-income and middle-income employees;
		Whereas 401(k) and similar defined contribution plans have
			 been enhanced over the years by Congress on a bipartisan basis;
		Whereas the private retirement system in the United States
			 is voluntary and is dependent on the willingness of business owners and
			 corporations to adopt and maintain retirement plans; and
		Whereas the United States system of employer-based
			 retirement savings is designed to work together with other personal savings and
			 the Social Security program to provide meaningful income replacement upon
			 retirement: Now, therefore, be it

		That it is the sense of the Congress
			 that—
			(1)tax incentives for
			 retirement savings play an important role in encouraging employers to sponsor
			 and maintain retirement plans and encouraging participants to contribute to
			 such plans;
			(2)existing tax
			 incentives have increased the number of Americans who are covered by a
			 retirement plan; and
			(3)a
			 reformed and simplified Federal tax code should include properly structured tax
			 incentives to maintain and contribute to such plans and to strengthen
			 retirement security for all Americans.