117 HRES 95 EH: Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 95
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

February 4, 2021

RESOLUTION
Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.

That the following named Members be, and are hereby, elected to the following committees of House of Representatives: Committee on the Budget:Mr. Grothman (to rank immediately after Mr. McClintock), Mr. Smucker (to rank immediately after Mr. Grothman), Mr. Carter of Georgia (to rank immediately after Mr. Burgess).

Committee on Ethics:Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Armstrong.   Cheryl L. Johnson,Clerk.


114 HR 5050 IH: Pipeline Safety Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-04-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5050
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 26, 2016
Mr. Upton (for himself, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Whitfield, and Mr. Rush) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide enhanced safety in pipeline transportation, and for other purposes.

1.Short title; references; table of contents
(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Pipeline Safety Act of 2016. (b)References to title 49, United States CodeExcept as otherwise expressly provided, wherever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States Code.
(c)Table of contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:   Sec. 1. Short title; references; table of contents. Sec. 2. Regulatory updates. Sec. 3. Statutory preference. Sec. 4. Integrity management review. Sec. 5. Technical safety standards committees. Sec. 6. Inspection report information. Sec. 7. Improving damage prevention technology. Sec. 8. Direct hire authority for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Sec. 9. Information-sharing system. Sec. 10. Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database. Sec. 11. Underground gas storage facilities. Sec. 12. Requirements for certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. Sec. 13. Response plans. Sec. 14. Unusually sensitive areas. Sec. 15. Emergency order authority. Sec. 16. Pipeline safety information grants to communities. Sec. 17. Transparency in interagency review. Sec. 18. Corrosion control review. Sec. 19. Authorization of appropriations.  2.Regulatory updates (a)Reports (1)In generalThe Secretary of Transportation shall submit reports to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives regarding the status of a final rule for each outstanding regulation.
(2)DeadlinesThe Secretary shall submit a report under this subsection not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until a final rule has been issued for each outstanding regulation described in subsection (c)(2)(A). (b)ContentsThe Secretary shall include in each report submitted under subsection (a)—
(1)a description of the work plan for each outstanding regulation; (2)an updated rulemaking timeline for each outstanding regulation;
(3)current staff allocations with respect to each outstanding regulation; (4)any resource constraints affecting the rulemaking process for each outstanding regulation; and
(5)any other details associated with the development of each outstanding regulation that affect the progress of the rulemaking process. (c)Outstanding regulation definedIn this section, the term outstanding regulation means a regulation relating to pipeline safety—
(1)for which no final rule, including an interim final rule or direct final rule, has been issued; and (2)that—
(A)is required under— (i)the Pipeline Safety Regulatory Certainty and Job Creation Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–90; 125 Stat. 1904); or
(ii)any other law, for which more than 2 years have passed since the statutory deadline for the regulation; or (B)is being developed under an authority not described in subparagraph (A), and is considered to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
3.Statutory preferenceThe Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall complete the rulemaking process for each outstanding regulation described in section 2(c)(2)(A) before beginning any new rulemaking process after the date of the enactment of this Act, except that the Administrator may begin such a new rulemaking process before completing the rulemaking process for each such outstanding regulation if the Secretary of Transportation determines, in the Secretary’s discretion, that there is a significant need to do so, and notifies Congress of such determination.  4.Integrity management review (a)Reports (1)Natural gas integrity management reportNot later than 18 months after the date of publication of a final rule regarding the safety of gas transmission pipelines, relating to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking published by the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on August 25, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 53086), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report regarding integrity management programs for natural gas pipeline facilities.
(2)Hazardous liquid integrity management reportNot later than 18 months after the date of publication of a final rule regarding the safety of hazardous liquid pipelines, relating to the proposed rule published by the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on October 13, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 61610), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report regarding integrity management programs for hazardous liquid pipeline facilities. (b)ContentsThe Comptroller General shall include—
(1)in the report submitted under subsection (a)(1), an analysis of the extent to which integrity management programs for natural gas pipeline facilities required under section 60109(c) of title 49, United States Code, have improved the safety of natural gas pipeline facilities; (2)in the report submitted under subsection (a)(2), an analysis of the extent to which hazardous liquid pipeline integrity management programs in areas identified pursuant to section 60109(a) of title 49, United States Code, for operators of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, as regulated under sections 195.450 and 195.452 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, have improved the safety of hazardous liquid pipeline facilities;
(3)in each report submitted under subsection (a), with respect to the applicable pipeline facilities— (A)an analysis of, and recommendations regarding, ways to enhance pipeline facility safety, taking into consideration issues relating to technical, operational, and economic feasibility;
(B)a description of any challenges affecting Federal or State regulators in their oversight of integrity management programs and how those challenges are being addressed; and (C)a description of any challenges affecting operators in complying with the requirements of integrity management programs, and how those challenges are being addressed.
5.Technical safety standards committeesSection 60115(b)(4)(A) is amended by striking State commissioners. The Secretary shall consult with the national organization of State commissions before selecting those 2 individuals. and inserting State officials. The Secretary shall consult with national organizations representing State commissioners or utility regulators when making a selection under this subparagraph. 6.Inspection report informationSection 60108 is amended by adding at the end the following:

(e)In generalNot later than 30 days after the completion of a pipeline safety inspection, the Secretary or the State authority for which a certification is in effect under section 60105, as applicable, shall— (1)conduct a post-inspection briefing with the operator of the pipeline facility, outlining any concerns; and
(2)to the extent practicable, provide written findings of the inspection, which may include a final report, notice of amendment of plans or procedures, safety order, or corrective action order, or any other applicable report, notice, or order.. 7.Improving damage prevention technology (a)Study and reportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study on improving the requirements for damage prevention programs for pipeline facilities, and shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the results of such study.
(b)ContentsThe Secretary shall include in the report submitted under subsection (a)— (1)an identification of any methods that could improve existing damage prevention programs through location and mapping practices or technologies to reduce unintended releases caused by excavation;
(2)an analysis of how increased use of global positioning system digital mapping technologies, predictive analytic tools, public awareness initiatives (including one-call initiatives), mobile devices, and other advanced technologies could supplement existing one-call notification and damage prevention programs to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents caused by excavation damage; (3)an analysis of the feasibility of establishing a national data repository for pipeline excavation accident data to improve the storage and sharing of pipeline accident information;
(4)an identification of opportunities for stakeholder engagement in preventing excavation damage; and (5)recommendations, which take into consideration technical, operational, and economic feasibility, regarding how to incorporate into existing damage prevention programs improvements identified or analyzed under paragraphs (1) through (4).
8.Direct hire authority for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(a)Direct hire authority
(1)AuthorityThe Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration may appoint qualified candidates to positions described in paragraph (2) without regard to sections 3309 through 3319 of title 5, United States Code. (2)ApplicabilityThe authority under paragraph (1) applies with respect to candidates for any position that would likely allow increased activities relating to pipeline safety, as determined by the Administrator.
(3)TerminationThe authority to make appointments under this subsection shall not be available after December 31, 2019. (b)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through calendar year 2019, the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall submit to Congress a report on—
(1)the use of the authority granted under this section; and (2)efforts of the Administration to hire women, minorities, and veterans as inspectors.
9.Information-sharing system
(a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall convene a working group to consider the development of a voluntary information-sharing system to encourage collaborative efforts to improve inspection information feedback and information sharing with the purpose of improving natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facility risk assessment and integrity management. (b)MembershipThe working group convened under subsection (a) shall include representatives from—
(1)the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (2)industry stakeholders, including operators of pipeline facilities, inspection technology vendors, and pipeline inspection organizations;
(3)safety advocacy groups; (4)research institutions;
(5)State public utility commissions or State officials responsible for pipeline safety oversight; (6)State pipeline safety inspectors; and
(7)labor representatives. (c)ConsiderationsThe working group convened under subsection (a) shall consider and provide recommendations, if applicable, to the Secretary regarding—
(1)the management of proprietary or security-sensitive information, specific incident response resources, and information relating to a worst case discharge; (2)the need for, and the identification of, a system to ensure that data gathered from field verification of pipeline integrity is shared with in-line inspection operators;
(3)actions to encourage or facilitate the exchange of pipeline inspection information and promote the development of advanced pipeline inspection technologies and risk assessment methodologies; and (4)regulatory, funding, and legal barriers to information sharing.
(d)PublicationThe Secretary shall publish the recommendations provided under subsection (c) on a publicly available website. 10.Nationwide integrated pipeline safety regulatory database (a)ReportNot later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database to improve communication and collaboration between the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and State pipeline regulators.
(b)ContentsThe report submitted under subsection (a) shall include— (1)a description of any efforts underway to test a secure information-sharing system for the purpose described in subsection (a);
(2)a description of any progress in establishing common standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting pipeline safety regulatory inspection data, and a methodology for the sharing of such data; (3)a description of any inadequacies or gaps in data relating to Federal inspections, enforcement actions, geospatial information, or any other relevant pipeline safety regulatory information;
(4)a description of the potential safety benefits of a national integrated pipeline safety regulatory inspection database; and (5)recommendations for how to implement a secure information-sharing system that protects proprietary and security-sensitive information and data for the purpose described in subsection (a).
(c)ConsultationIn preparing the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including each State authority operating under a certification to regulate intrastate pipelines under section 60105 of title 49, United States Code. 11.Underground gas storage facilities (a)Defined termSection 60101(a) is amended—
(1)in paragraph (21), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; (2)in paragraph (22), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(3)in paragraph (24), by striking and at the end; (4)in paragraph (25), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and
(5)by adding at the end the following:  (26)underground gas storage facility means a gas pipeline facility that stores gas in an underground facility, including—
(A)a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir; (B)an aquifer reservoir; or
(C)a solution-mined salt cavern reservoir.. (b)Standards for underground gas storage facilitiesChapter 601 is amended by inserting after section 60103 the following:

60103a.Standards for underground gas storage facilities
(a)Minimum safety standardsNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall issue minimum safety standards, incorporating, to the extent practicable, consensus standards for the operation and integrity management of, and environmental protection with respect to, underground gas storage facilities. (b)ConsiderationsIn developing safety standards under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1)consider the economic impacts of the standards on consumers, including individual gas customers, and minimize such impacts to the extent practicable; and (2)consider existing consensus standards.
(c)Federal-State cooperationThe Secretary may authorize a State authority (including a municipality) to participate in the oversight of underground gas storage facilities in the same manner as provided in sections 60105 and 60106.  (d)Rules of construction (1)In generalNothing in this section may be construed to affect any Federal regulation relating to gas pipeline facilities that is in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this section.
(2)LimitationsNothing in this section may be construed to authorize the Secretary— (A)to prescribe the location of an underground gas storage facility; or
(B)to require the Secretary’s permission to construct an underground gas storage facility.. (c)User feesSection 60301 is amended—
(1)in subsection (b), by inserting an underground gas storage facility, before or a hazardous liquid pipeline facility; (2)in subsection (d)(1)—
(A)in subparagraph (A), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; and (B)by adding at the end the following:

(C)related to an underground gas storage facility may be used only for an activity related to underground gas storage safety under section 60103a; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

(f)Underground gas storage facility account
(1)AccountThere is established, in the fund established in the Treasury of the United States pursuant to this section, an underground gas storage facility safety account. (2)Deposit of feesA fee collected under subsection (a) from a person operating an underground gas storage facility shall be deposited in the account established under paragraph (1)..
(d)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 601 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 60103 the following:   60103a. Standards for underground gas storage facilities.. 12.Requirements for certain hazardous liquid pipeline facilitiesSection 60109 is amended by adding at the end the following:

(g)Hazardous liquid pipeline facilities
(1)Integrity assessmentsNotwithstanding any pipeline integrity management program or integrity assessment schedule otherwise required by the Secretary, each operator of a pipeline facility to which this subsection applies shall ensure that pipeline integrity assessments— (A)using internal inspection technology are completed not less often than once every 12 months; and
(B)using pipeline route surveys, depth of cover surveys, pressure tests, external corrosion direct assessment, or other technology that the operator demonstrates can further the understanding of the condition of the pipeline facility are completed on a schedule based on the risk that the pipeline facility poses to the high consequence area in which the pipeline facility is located. (2)ApplicationThis subsection shall apply to any underwater hazardous liquid pipeline facility located in a high consequence area—
(A)that is not an offshore pipeline facility; and (B)any portion of which is located at depths greater than 150 feet under the surface of the water.
(3)High consequence area definedFor purposes of this subsection, the term high consequence area has the meaning given that term in section 195.450 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. (4)Inspection and enforcementThe Secretary shall conduct inspections under section 60117(c) to determine whether each operator of a pipeline facility to which this subsection applies is complying with this section..
13.Response plansThe Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall require, and each operator of a pipeline facility shall ensure, that any response plan under part 194 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, includes procedures and a list of resources for responding, to the extent practicable, to a worst case discharge of oil and to a substantial threat of such a discharge, including when such discharge may impact navigable waters or adjoining shorelines that may be covered in whole or in part by ice. 14.Unusually sensitive areasSection 60109(b)(2) is amended by striking have been identified as and inserting that are part of the Great Lakes or have been identified as coastal beaches,.
15.Emergency order authoritySection 60117 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (o)Emergency order authority (1)In generalIf the Secretary determines that a violation of a provision of this chapter, or a regulation issued pursuant to this chapter, or an unsafe condition or practice, or a combination of unsafe conditions and practices, constitutes or is causing an imminent hazard, the Secretary may impose emergency restrictions, prohibitions, and safety measures by issuing an emergency order described in paragraph (3) without prior notice or an opportunity for a hearing, but only to the extent necessary to abate the imminent hazard.
(2)ConsiderationsBefore issuing an emergency order under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider, after consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, State agencies, or other entities, the following, as appropriate: (A)The impact of the emergency order on public health and safety.
(B)The impact, if any, of the emergency order on the national or regional economy or national security. (C)The impact of the emergency order on owners and operators of pipeline facilities.
(3)Written orderAn emergency order issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to an imminent hazard shall contain a written description of— (A)the violation, condition, or practice that constitutes or is causing the imminent hazard;
(B)the entities subject to the order; (C)the restrictions, prohibitions, or safety measures imposed;
(D)the standards and procedures for obtaining relief from the order; (E)how the order is tailored to abate the imminent hazard and the reasons the authorities under section 60112 and 60117(l) are insufficient to do so; and
(F)how the considerations were taken into account pursuant to subsection (2). (4)Opportunity for reviewUpon receipt of a petition for review from an entity subject to, and adversely affected by, an emergency order issued under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for a review of the order under section 554 of title 5 to determine whether the order should remain in effect, be modified, or be terminated.
(5)Expiration of effectiveness orderIf a petition for review of an emergency order is filed under paragraph (4) and an agency decision with respect to the petition is not issued on or before the last day of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the petition is filed, the order shall cease to be effective on such day, unless the Secretary determines in writing on or before the last day of such period that the imminent hazard still exists.  (6)Judicial review of ordersAfter completion of the review process described in paragraph (4) or the issuance of a written determination by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5), an entity subject to, and adversely affected by, an emergency order issued under this subsection may seek judicial review of the order in a district court of the United States and shall be given expedited consideration.
(7)Regulations
(A)Temporary regulationsNot later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Safety Act of 2016, the Secretary shall issue such temporary regulations as are necessary to carry out this subsection. The temporary regulations shall expire on the date of issuance of the final regulations required under subparagraph (B). (B)Final regulationsNot later than 270 days after such date of enactment, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this subsection. Such regulations shall ensure that the review process described in paragraph (4) is consistent with the review process developed under section 109.19 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to the greatest extent practicable and not inconsistent with this section.
(8)Imminent hazard definedIn this subsection, the term imminent hazard means the existence of a condition relating to a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility that presents— (A)a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, or severe personal injury may occur; or
(B)a substantial endangerment to health, property, or the environment. (9)Limitation and savings clauseAn emergency order issued under this subsection may not be construed to—
(A)alter, amend, or limit the Secretary’s obligations under, or the applicability of, section 553 of title 5; or (B)provide the authority to amend the Code of Federal Regulations..
16.Pipeline safety information grants to communities
(a)AuditNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall submit to Congress a report containing— (1)an audit of recipients of a grant under section 60130 of title 49, United States Code, with respect to such grants; and
(2)a review of compliance with such section by such grant recipients and the Secretary of Transportation. (b)Public participation limitationSection 60130(a)(4) is amended by inserting on technical pipeline safety issues after public participation.
17.Transparency in interagency reviewSection 60102(b) is amended by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8) and inserting after paragraph (6) the following:  (7)Transparency in interagency reviewFor any standard that is proposed or issued by rule under this chapter, and which is reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget and subsequently noticed in the Federal Register, the Secretary shall—
(A)make available to the public the factors considered under paragraph (2) and the results of the risk assessment conducted in accordance with paragraph (3), as applicable; (B)identify for the public, in a complete, clear, and simple manner, the substantive changes between the draft submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and the proposed or final rule subsequently noticed; and
(C)identify for the public the changes described in subparagraph (B) that were made at the suggestion or the recommendation of the Office of Management and Budget.. 18.Corrosion control review (a)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on corrosion control for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.
(b)RequirementsThe Comptroller General shall include in the report under subsection (a)— (1)an analysis of corrosion control requirements for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities;
(2)a review of— (A)common causes of corrosion, including interior and exterior moisture buildup and the impacts of moisture buildup under insulation;
(B)corrosion control techniques; (C)best practices relating to pipeline facility design, installation, operation, and maintenance, including training to recognize or prevent corrosion; and
(D)the cost and benefits, including safety benefits, associated with the use of such techniques and best practices; (3)an evaluation of the effectiveness of corrosion control techniques, including pipeline coatings and cathodic protection; and
(4)recommendations on ways to improve corrosion control and reduce the incidence of corrosion-related pipeline failures. 19.Authorization of appropriations (a)Gas and hazardous liquidSection 60125(a) is amended—
(1)in paragraph (1), by striking there is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, from fees collected under section 60301, $90,679,000, of which $4,746,000 is for carrying out such section 12 and $36,194,000 is for making grants. and inserting the following: “there are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation from fees collected under section 60301—  (A)$128,000,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $41,885,000 shall be expended for making grants;
(B)$131,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $44,885,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C)$134,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $47,885,000 shall be expended for making grants;
(D)$137,325,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $51,100,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (E)$140,733,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which $9,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $54,550,000 shall be expended for making grants.; and
(2)in paragraph (2), by striking there is authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015 from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the provisions of this chapter related to hazardous liquid and section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107–355), $18,573,000, of which $2,174,000 is for carrying out such section 12 and $4,558,000 is for making grants. and inserting the following: “there are authorized to be appropriated from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to carry out the provisions of this chapter related to hazardous liquid and section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note; Public Law 107–355)—  (A)$22,123,000 for fiscal year 2017, of which $3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants;
(B)$23,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, of which $3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants; (C)$23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which $3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants;
(D)$23,300,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which $3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants; and (E)$23,600,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which $3,000,000 shall be expended for carrying out such section 12 and $8,067,000 shall be expended for making grants..
(b)Operational expensesThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the necessary operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration the following amounts: (1)$22,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(2)$22,000,000 for fiscal year 2018. (3)$23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(4)$23,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. (5)$24,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.
(c)One-Call notification programs
(1)In generalSection 6107(a) is amended to read as follows:  6107.FundingOf the amounts provided under section 60125(a)(1), $1,058,000 shall be expended in each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 to provide grants to States under section 6106..
(2)Clerical amendmentThe analysis for chapter 61 is amended by striking the item relating to section 6107 and inserting the following:   6107. Funding..  (d)Pipeline safety information grants to communitiesSection 60130(c) is amended to read as follows:

(c)FundingOf the amounts made available under section 19(b) of the Pipeline Safety Act of 2016, $1,500,000 shall be expended in each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 to carry out this section. Such amounts shall not be derived from user fees collected under section 60301.. (e)Pipeline integrity programSection 12(f) of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C. 60101 note) is amended by striking 2012 through 2015 and inserting 2017 through 2021.


113 S323 IS: Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-02-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 323
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			February 13, 2013
			Mr. Durbin (for himself
			 and Mr. Cochran) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security
		  Act to provide for extended months of Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive
		  drugs for kidney transplant patients and other renal dialysis
		  provisions.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug
			 Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of
			 2013.
		2.Extended months of coverage of
			 immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients and other renal dialysis
			 provisions
			(a)Medicare entitlement to immunosuppressive
			 drugs for kidney transplant recipients
				(1)Kidney transplant recipientsSection 226A(b)(2) of the Social Security
			 Act (42 U.S.C. 426–1(b)(2)) is amended by inserting (except for
			 eligibility for enrollment under part B solely for purposes of coverage of
			 immunosuppressive drugs described in section 1861(s)(2)(J)) before
			 , with the thirty-sixth month.
				(2)Individuals eligible only for coverage of
			 immunosuppressive drugs
					(A)Section 1836 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1395o) is amended—
						(i)by striking Every and
			 inserting (a) In
			 general.—Every; and
						(ii)by inserting at the end the following new
			 subsection:

								(b)Individuals eligible for immunosuppressive
				drug coverageBeginning on
				January 1, 2014, every individual whose insurance benefits under part A have
				ended (whether before, on, or after such date) by reason of section 226A(b)(2)
				is eligible for enrollment in the insurance program established by this part
				solely for purposes of coverage of immunosuppressive
				drugs.
								.
						(B)Conforming amendmentSections 1837, 1838, and 1839 of the Social
			 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(p), 42 U.S.C. 1395(q), 42 U.S.C. 1395(r)) are each
			 amended by striking 1836 and inserting 1836(a)
			 each place it appears.
					(3)Enrollment for individuals only eligible
			 for coverage of immunosuppressive drugsSection 1837 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1395(p)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

						(m)(1)Any individual who is eligible under
				section 1836(b) to enroll in the medical insurance program established under
				this part for purposes of coverage of immunosuppressive drugs may enroll only
				in such manner and form as may be prescribed by regulations, and only during an
				enrollment period described in this subsection.
							(2)An individual described in paragraph (1)
				may enroll beginning on the first day of the third month before the month in
				which the individual first satisfies section 1836(b).
							(3)An individual described in paragraph (1)
				whose entitlement for hospital insurance benefits under part A ends by reason
				of section 226A(b)(2) on or after January 1, 2014, shall be deemed to have
				enrolled in the medical insurance program established by this part for purposes
				of coverage of immunosuppressive
				drugs.
							.
				(4)Coverage period for individuals only
			 eligible for coverage of immunosuppressive drugs
					(A)In generalSection 1838 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1395q) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

							(g)In the case of an individual described in
				section 1836(b), the following rules shall apply:
								(1)In the case of such an individual who is
				deemed to have enrolled in part B for coverage of immunosuppressive drugs under
				section 1837(m)(3), such individual’s coverage period shall begin on the first
				day of the month in which the individual first satisfies section
				1836(b).
								(2)In the case of such an individual who
				enrolls in part B for coverage of immunosuppressive drugs under section
				1837(m)(2), such individual’s coverage period shall begin on the first day of
				the month in which the individual first satisfies section 1836(b) or the month
				following the month in which the individual so enrolls, whichever is
				later.
								(3)The provisions of subsections (b) and (d)
				shall apply with respect to an individual described in paragraph (1) or
				(2).
								(4)In addition to the reasons for termination
				under subsection (b), the coverage period of an individual described in
				paragraph (1) or (2) shall end when the individual becomes entitled to benefits
				under this title under section 226(a), 226(b), or
				226A.
								.
					(B)Conforming amendmentsSection 1838(b) of the Social Security Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 1395q(b)) is amended, in the matter following paragraph (2), by
			 adding or section 1837(m)(3) after section
			 1837(f) each place it appears.
					(5)Premiums for individuals only eligible for
			 coverage of immunosuppressive drugsSection 1839 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 1395r) is amended—
					(A)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the
			 following new sentence: No increase in the premium shall be effected for
			 individuals who are enrolled pursuant to section 1836(b) for coverage only of
			 immunosuppressive drugs.; and
					(B)by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

							(j)Determination of premium for individuals
				only eligible for coverage of immunosuppressive drugsThe Secretary shall, during September of
				each year, determine and promulgate a monthly premium rate for the succeeding
				calendar year for individuals who enroll only for the purpose of coverage of
				immunosuppressive drugs under section 1836(b). Such premium shall be equal to
				35 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over,
				determined according to paragraph (1), for that succeeding calendar year. The
				monthly premium of each individual enrolled for coverage of immunosuppressive
				drugs under section 1836(b) for each month shall be the amount promulgated in
				this subsection. Such amount shall be adjusted in accordance with subsections
				(c) and
				(f).
							.
					(6)Government contributionSection 1844(a) of the Social Security Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 1395w(a)) is amended—
					(A)in paragraph (3), by striking the period at
			 the end and inserting ; plus;
					(B)by adding at the end the following new
			 paragraph:

							(4)a Government contribution equal to the
				estimated aggregate reduction in premiums payable under part B that results
				from establishing the premium at 35 percent of the actuarial rate under section
				1839(j) instead of 50 percent of the actuarial rate for individuals who enroll
				only for the purpose of coverage of immunosuppressive drugs under section
				1836(b).
							;
				and
					(C)by adding at the end the following flush
			 matter:

							The Government contribution under
				paragraph (4) shall be treated as premiums payable and deposited for purposes
				of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
				(1)..
					(7)Extension of secondary payer requirements
			 for ESRD beneficiaries eligible for coverage of immunosuppressive
			 drugsSection 1862(b)(1)(C)
			 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395(y)(b)(1)) is amended by adding at
			 the end the following new sentence: With regard to immunosuppressive
			 drugs furnished to an individual who enrolls for the purpose of coverage of
			 immunosuppressive drugs under section 1836(b) on or after January 1, 2014, this
			 subparagraph shall apply without regard to any time limitation, except that
			 when such individual becomes entitled to benefits under this title under
			 sections 226(a) or 226(b), or entitled to or eligible for benefits under this
			 title under section 226A, the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B), and the
			 time limitations under this subparagraph, respectively, shall
			 apply..
				(8)Ensuring coverage under the Medicare
			 savings programSection
			 1905(p)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(p)(1)(A)) is amended
			 by inserting or an individual who is enrolled under part B for the
			 purpose of coverage of immunosuppressive drugs under section 1836(b)
			 after section 1818.
				(9)Part DSection 1860D–1(a)(3)(A) of the Social
			 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–101(a)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting (but
			 not including an individual enrolled solely for coverage of immunosuppressive
			 drugs under section 1836(b)) before the period at the end.


112 HR 6388 IH: Space Technology Advancement Report (STAR) Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-03-25
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6388IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 25, 2020Ms. Houlahan (for herself and Mr. Weber of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and TechnologyA BILLTo direct the National Space Council to develop a strategy to ensure the United States remains the preeminent space power in the face of growing global competition.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Space Technology Advancement Report (STAR) Act of 2020.2.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)As stated in the United States-China Economic and Security Commission’s 2019 Report to Congress, the United States retains many advantages over the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in space, including—(A)the organization and technical expertise of its space program;(B)NASA’s national capabilities for human spaceflight and exploration;(C)its vibrant commercial space sector;(D)its long history of space leadership; and(E)many international partnerships.(2)The PRC seeks to establish a leading position in the economic and military use of outer space and views space as critical to its future security and economic interests.(3)The PRC’s national-level commitment to establishing itself as a global space leader harms United States interests and threatens to undermine many of the advantages the United States has worked so long to establish.(4)For over 60 years, the United States has led the world in space exploration and human space flight through a robust national program that ensures NASA develops and maintains critical spaceflight systems to enable this leadership, including the Apollo program’s Saturn V rocket, the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station and the Space Launch System and Orion today.(5)A 2019 Defense Intelligence Agency noted in its Challenges to U.S. Security in Space report that the PRC was developing a national super-heavy lift rocket comparable to NASA’s Space Launch System.(6)The United States space program and commercial space sector risks being hollowed out by the PRC’s plans to attain leadership in key technologies.(7)It is in the economic and security interest of the United States to remain the global leader in space power.(8)A recent report by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit found that China’s strategy to bolster its domestic space industry includes a global program of theft and other misappropriation of intellectual property, direct integration of state-owned entities and their technology with commercial start-ups, the use of front companies to invest in United States space companies, vertical control of supply chains, and predatory pricing.(9)The United States Congress passed the Wolf Amendment as part of the Fiscal Year 2012 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act (Public Law 112–55) and every year thereafter in response to the nefarious and offensive nature of Chinese activities in the space industry.3.Report(a)Requirement for reportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and updated each year thereafter, the National Space Council shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an interagency assessment of the United States ability to effectively compete with foreign space programs and in the emerging commercial space economy.(b)Content of reportThe report must include, at minimum, the following:(1)United States national space program human exploration and spaceflight capabilities relative to PRC national programs.(2)An assessment of—(A)the viability of extraction of space-based precious minerals, onsite exploitation of space-based natural resources, and utilization of space-based solar power;(B)a comparative assessment of the PRC’s programs related to these issues; and(C)an assessment of any potential terrestrial or space environmental impacts of space-based solar power.(3)An assessment of United States strategic interests in or related to cislunar space.(4)A comparative assessment of future United States space launch capabilities and those of the PRC.(5)The extent of foreign investment in the United States commercial space sector, especially in venture capital and other private equity investments that seek to work with the United States Government.(6)The steps by which NASA, the Department of Defense, and other United States Federal agencies conduct the necessary due diligence and security reviews prior to investing in private space entities that may have received funding from foreign investment.(7)Current steps the United States Government is taking to protect its domestic space industry from Chinese influence.(8)An assessment of the U.S. Department of Defense’s current ability to guarantee the protection of commercial communications and navigation in space from the PRC’s growing counterspace capabilities, and any actions required to improve this capability.(9)An assessment of how the PRC’s activities are impacting the United States commercial space industry’s competitiveness and United States national security, including—(A)Chinese theft of United States intellectual property through technology transfer requirements or otherwise; and(B)Chinese efforts to seize control of critical elements of the United States space industry supply chain and United States space industry companies or sister companies with shared leadership; and government cybersecurity capabilities.(10)An assessment of Chinese efforts to pursue cooperative agreements with other nations to advance space development.(11)Recommendations to Congress including—(A)any legislative action to address Chinese threats to the United States national space programs as well as domestic commercial launch and satellite industries;(B)how the United States Government can best utilize existing Federal entities to investigate and prevent potentially harmful Chinese investment in the United States commercial space industry;(C)how the United States Government can bolster domestic investment in space traffic management (STM) to ensure the United States space industry seizes and retains leadership status in STM services, standards, and best practices; and(D)how the United States Government can bolster domestic investment in critical United States space industry technologies.(c)FormThe report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.4.Strategy(a)Requirement for strategyNot later than 1 year after the submission of the report required in section 3, the President, in consultation with the National Space Council, shall develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy to ensure the United States can effectively compete with other national space programs, maintain dominance in the emerging commercial space economy, and has market, regulatory, and other means available to address unfair competition from the PRC based on the findings in the report required in section 3.(b)Content of strategyThe strategy should include, at minimum, the following:(1)A long-term plan for developing the economic potential of space, including but not limited to the industries and sectors detailed in section 3 (b)(1)(A).(2)A plan to ensure the United States leads the creation of international standards for interoperable commercial space capabilities, including but not limited to the creation of a space commodities exchange.(3)A plan to streamline and strengthen United States cooperation with allies and partners in space.(4)An interagency strategy that includes but is not limited to NASA, the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of State, and Department of Energy to defend United States supply chains and manufacturing capacity critical to competitiveness in space.(5)A plan to ensure the Department of Defense has the legal and other authorities required to protect United States economic and security interests in space.(6)A plan to streamline and strengthen United States cooperation with international allies and partners in space.(c)FormThe strategy required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.5.DefinitionsIn this section, the following definitions apply:(1)Appropriate congressional committees of congressThe term appropriate congressional committees means—(A)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and(B)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.(2)PRCThe term PRC means the People’s Republic of China.(3)Space commoditiesThe term space commodities means all commodities to be defined by the Space Commodities Exchange for trading thereon, including but not limited to—(A)raw materials;(B)processed goods, such as rare earth minerals;(C)services, such as services in Low Earth Orbit or cislunar orbit for energy storage, launch, in-orbit refueling, satellite imagery, telecommunications, and debris removal;(D)financial derivatives, such as supply and risk transfer hedges; and(E)financial indexes, such as an index for commodities used in Low Earth Orbit or cis-lunar orbit.(4)Space commodities exchangeThe term Space Commodities Exchange means an exchange licensed under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936 as amended (7 U.S.C. 1), or another suitable Federal market regulatory scheme that serves to enhance trading of commodities produced by, used in, or derived or indexed to activities of the space economy.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5906
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 28, 2010
			Mr. Gohmert (for
			 himself, Mr. Pence,
			 Mrs. Lummis,
			 Mr. Conaway,
			 Mr. Coffman of Colorado,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Posey,
			 Mr. Bartlett, and
			 Mr. Shadegg) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Transportation and Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To prohibit the expenditure of funds for the construction
		  or lease of buildings or space in the District of Columbia for the United
		  States Government until January 1, 2012.

		1.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)The debt of the United States Government is
			 over 12 trillion dollars and continues to rise.
			(2)Congress must
			 tighten its fiscal belt to ease the burden of the increasing debt level on
			 United States taxpayers.
			(3)The Federal
			 Government has a responsibility to the taxpayers to make sacrifices in other
			 areas.
			(4)Federal funds that
			 otherwise would be spent on new construction or leasing of Federal buildings
			 would be better spent helping the people of the United States by paying down
			 the Nation’s debt.
			2.Moratorium on the
			 construction or leasing of new Federal buildings in the District of Columbia
			 until January 2012
			(a)ProhibitionNo funds may be expended for the
			 construction or lease of buildings or space in the District of Columbia for any
			 branch of the United States Government or any entity within such branch unless
			 a contract for the construction or lease was entered into before the date of
			 enactment of this Act.
			(b)ExceptionThe
			 prohibition in subsection (a) does not apply in any case in which the
			 expenditure of funds for the purposes described in subsection (a) is necessary
			 in the interests of national security.
			(c)ExpirationThe
			 prohibition under subsection (a) shall expire on January 1, 2012.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3440
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			November 16, 2011
			Mr. Flake (for
			 himself, Mr. Bishop of Utah,
			 Mr. Franks of Arizona,
			 Mr. Akin, Mr. Pompeo, Mr.
			 Broun of Georgia, Mr.
			 Hunter, Mr. Farenthold,
			 Mr. Gallegly,
			 Mr. Hultgren, and
			 Mr. Walsh of Illinois) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To provide for certain oversight and approval on any
		  decisions to close National Monument land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau
		  of Land Management to recreational shooting, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Recreational Shooting Protection
			 Act.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)DirectorThe
			 term Director means the Director of the Bureau of Land
			 Management.
			(2)National
			 monument landThe term National Monument land has
			 the meaning given that term in the Act of June 8, 1908 (commonly known as the
			 Antiquities Act; 16 U.S.C. 431 et seq.).
			(3)Recreational
			 shootingThe term
			 recreational shooting includes any form of sport, training,
			 competition, or pastime, whether formal or informal, that involves the
			 discharge of a rifle, handgun, or shotgun, or the use of a bow and
			 arrow.
			3.Recreational
			 shooting
			(a)In
			 generalSubject to valid
			 existing rights, National Monument land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of
			 Land Management shall be open to access and use for recreational shooting,
			 except such closures and restrictions determined by the Director to be
			 necessary and reasonable and supported by facts and evidence for one or more of
			 the following:
				(1)Reasons of
			 national security.
				(2)Reasons of public
			 safety.
				(3)To comply with an
			 applicable Federal statute.
				(b)Notice;
			 report
				(1)RequirementExcept
			 as set forth in paragraph (2)(B), before a restriction or closure under
			 subsection (a) is made effective, the Director shall—
					(A)publish public notice of such closure or
			 restriction in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the closure
			 or restriction will be carried out; and
					(B)submit to Congress a report detailing the
			 location and extent of, and evidence justifying, such a closure or
			 restriction.
					(2)TimingThe
			 Director shall issue the notice and report required under paragraph (1)—
					(A)before the closure
			 if practicable without risking national security or public safety; and
					(B)in cases where
			 such issuance is not practicable for reasons of national security or public
			 safety, not later than 30 days after the closure.
					(c)Cessation of
			 closure or restrictionA
			 closure or restriction under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall cease
			 to be effective—
				(1)effective on the day after the last day of
			 the six-month period beginning on the date on which the Director submitted the
			 report to Congress under subsection (b)(2) regarding the closure or
			 restriction, unless the closure or restriction has been approved by Federal
			 law; and
				(2)30 days after the date of the enactment of
			 a Federal law disapproving the closure or restriction.
				(d)ManagementConsistent
			 with subsection (a), the Director shall manage National Monument land under the
			 jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management—
				(1)in a manner that
			 supports, promotes, and enhances recreational shooting opportunities;
				(2)to the extent
			 authorized under State law (including regulations); and
				(3)in accordance with
			 applicable Federal law (including regulations).
				(e)Limitation on
			 duplicative closures or restrictionsDirector may not issue a closure or
			 restriction under subsection (a) that is substantially similar to closure or
			 restriction previously issued that was not approved by Federal law.
			(f)Effective date
			 for prior closures and restrictionsOn the date that is six months after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act, this Act shall apply to closures and
			 restrictions in place on the date of the enactment of this Act that relate to
			 access and use for recreational shooting on National Monument land under the
			 jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.
			(g)Annual
			 reportNot later than October
			 1 of each year, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources
			 of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources of the Senate a report that describes—
				(1)any National
			 Monument land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management that was
			 closed to recreational shooting or on which recreational shooting was
			 restricted at any time during the preceding year; and
				(2)the reason for the
			 closure.
				(h)No
			 priorityNothing in this Act requires the Director to give
			 preference to recreational shooting over other uses of Federal public land or
			 over land or water management priorities established by Federal law.
			(i)Authority of the
			 states
				(1)SavingsNothing
			 in this Act affects the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of a State
			 to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife under State law (including
			 regulations) on land or water in the State, including Federal public
			 land.
				(2)Federal
			 licensesNothing in this Act authorizes the Director to require a
			 license for recreational shooting on land or water in a State, including on
			 Federal public land in the State.


		III
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 412
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			February 9
			 (legislative day, February 8), 2010
			Mrs. Gillibrand (for
			 herself, Mr. Voinovich,
			 Mr. Udall of Colorado,
			 Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr.
			 Bayh, Mr. Wyden, and
			 Mr. Warner) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

			March 26 (legislative
			 day, March 25), 2010
			Committee discharged; considered and agreed
			 to

		RESOLUTION
		Designating September 2010 as
		  National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

		Whereas
			 during the past 4 decades, obesity rates have soared among all age groups,
			 increasing more than four-fold among children ages 6 to 11;
		Whereas
			 31.8 percent or 23,000,000 children and teenagers ages 2 to 19 are obese or
			 overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an
			 epidemic;
		Whereas
			 significant disparities exist among the obesity rates of children based on race
			 and poverty;
		Whereas
			 the financial implications of childhood obesity pose a tremendous financial
			 threat to our economy and health care system, carrying up to $14,000,000,000
			 per year in direct health care cost, with people in the United States spending
			 about 9 percent of their total medical costs on obesity-related
			 illnesses;
		Whereas
			 obese young people have an 80 percent chance of being obese adults and are more
			 likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and
			 therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart
			 disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, stroke, several types of cancer, and
			 osteoarthritis;
		Whereas
			 in part due to the childhood obesity epidemic, 1 in 3 children (and nearly 1 in
			 2 minority children) born in the year 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes at some
			 point in their lifetime if current trends continue;
		Whereas
			 some consequences of childhood and adolescent obesity are psychosocial and
			 obese children and adolescents are targets of early and systematic social
			 discrimination, leading to low self-esteem which, in turn, can hinder academic
			 and social functioning and persist into adulthood;
		Whereas
			 participating in physical activity is important for children and teens as it
			 may have beneficial effects not only on body weight, but also on blood pressure
			 and bone strength;
		Whereas
			 proper nutrition is important for children before birth and through their
			 life-span as nutrition has beneficial effects for health and body weight, and
			 is key in the prevention of various chronic diseases;
		Whereas
			 childhood obesity is preventable yet does not appear to be declining;
		Whereas
			 public, community-based, and private sector organizations and individuals
			 throughout the United States, including First Lady Michelle Obama, are working
			 to decrease childhood obesity rates for people in the United States of all
			 races through a range of efforts, including educational presentations, media
			 campaigns, Web sites, policies, healthier food options, and greater
			 opportunities for physical activity; and
		Whereas
			 Members of Congress have championed legislation to reduce and bring awareness
			 to the issue of childhood obesity: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)designates September 2010 as
			 National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in order to raise
			 public awareness and mobilize the country to address childhood obesity;
			(2)recognizes the importance of preventing
			 childhood obesity and decreasing its prevalence in the United States;
			 and
			(3)requests that the President issue a
			 proclamation calling on the Federal Government, States, tribes and tribal
			 organizations, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, other
			 entities, and the people of the United States to observe the month with
			 appropriate programs and activities with the goal of promoting healthy eating
			 and physical activity and increasing awareness of childhood obesity among
			 individuals of all ages and walks of life.


114 S2120 IS: Veterans Justice Outreach Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-10-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 2120
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 1, 2015
			Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Franken, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Bennet, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a
			 program to support veterans in contact with the criminal justice system by
			 discouraging unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and other
			 nonviolent crimes, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Justice Outreach Act of 2015. 2.Department of Veterans Affairs program of coordinated outreach for justice-involved veterans at risk of homelessness (a)Program required (1)In generalSubchapter III of chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
 (A)by redesignating sections 2022 and 2023 as sections 2023 and 2024, respectively; and (B)by inserting after section 2021A the following new section 2022:

							2022.Coordination of outreach for justice-involved veterans at risk of homelessness
 (a)Program requiredThe Secretary shall carry out a program to support veterans in contact with the criminal justice system by discouraging unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and other nonviolent crimes.
 (b)PartnershipThe Secretary shall carry out the program required by subsection (a) in partnership with local law enforcement, judicial, and community-based treatment and legal assistance organizations.
 (c)Authorized activitiesIn carrying out the program required by subsection (a), the Secretary may conduct the following: (1)Training for police, prosecutors, courts, public defenders, and other community-based support organizations on matters relating to psychological trauma associated with military service and mental health and substance abuse services available from the Department.
 (2)Support for courts and their officers, including physical presence in the courtroom setting, by facilitating mental health assessments, treatment planning, referrals to Department services, or such other services as may be requested by the courts.
 (3)Such other outreach and assistance as the Secretary considers appropriate for the provision of support described in subsection (a).
 (d)Justice outreach coordinators(1)In order to effectively assist veterans in contact with the criminal justice system, the Secretary shall establish coordinators to provide outreach under the program required by subsection (a).
 (2)The Secretary shall ensure that each coordinator established under paragraph (1) is knowledgeable about psychological and psychiatric evaluation in relation to justice-based forensic matters, such as—
 (A)psychiatric diagnosis; (B)developmental disabilities;
 (C)medical issues, such as traumatic brain injury; (D)competency and sanity;
 (E)neglect and abuse; (F)parental rights; and
 (G)life threatening issues, such as suicidality and homicidally. (e)Veteran in contact with the criminal justice system definedIn this section, the term veteran in contact with the criminal justice system includes the following:
 (1)A veteran in contact with local law enforcement who can be appropriately diverted from arrest to mental health treatment.
 (2)A veteran in local jail either pretrial or serving a sentence. (3)A veteran in adjudication or monitoring by a court..
 (2)Conforming amendmentSection 2023(f) of such title, as redesignated by paragraph (1)(A), is amended in paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(C) by striking section 2023 both places it appears and inserting section 2024.
 (3)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 20 of such title is amended by striking the items relating to sections 2022 and 2023 and inserting the following new items:
					2022. Coordination of outreach for justice-involved veterans at risk of homelessness.2023. Coordination of outreach services for veterans at risk of homelessness.2024. Referral and counseling services: veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from
			 certain institutions..
				(b)Report
 (1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the program carried out under section 2022(a) of such title, as added by subsection (a)(1).
 (2)ContentsThe report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the following: (A)The number of coordinators established under section 2022(d)(1) of such title, as added by subsection (a)(1).
 (B)The training of such coordinators. (C)The capabilities of such coordinators.
 (D)The capacity of the program carried out under section 2022(a) of such title, as so added, to meet the demand of veterans and courts for services under the program.


115 S405 IS: Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act
U.S. Senate
2017-02-16
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. 405IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 16, 2017Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. King, Mr. Portman, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Carper, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Murray, and Ms. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide an
			 exclusion from income for student loan forgiveness for students who have
			 died or become disabled.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act. 2.Treatment of student loans discharged on account of death or disability (a)Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (1)In generalSection 108(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(5)Discharges on account of death or disability
 (A)In generalIn the case of an individual, gross income does not include any amount which (but for this subsection) would be includible in gross income by reasons of the discharge (in whole or in part) of any loan described in subparagraph (B) if such discharge was—
 (i)pursuant to subsection (a) or (d) of section 437 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 or the parallel benefit under part D of title IV of such Act (relating to the repayment of loan liability),
 (ii)pursuant to section 464(c)(1)(F) of such Act, or (iii)otherwise discharged on account of the death or total and permanent disability of the student.
 (B)Loans describedA loan is described in this subparagraph if such loan is— (i)a student loan (as defined in paragraph (2)), or
 (ii)a private education loan (as defined in section 140(7) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(7)))..
 (2)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to discharges of indebtedness after December 31, 2016.
 (b)Amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965Section 437(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087(d)) is amended by inserting or becomes permanently and totally disabled (as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary), or if the student is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, has lasted for a continuous period of not less than 60 months, or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 60 months after dies.


IV
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 566
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

February 29, 2012

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1837) to address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin River, and for other purposes.

That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1837) to address certain water-related concerns on the San Joaquin River, and for other purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 112–15. That amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. All points of order against that amendment in the nature of a substitute are waived. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution. Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against such amendments are waived. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the bill or to the amendment in the nature of a substitute made in order as original text. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2240
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			October 25, 2007
			Mr. Carper (for himself
			 and Ms. Collins) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To prohibit termination of employment of volunteer
		  firefighters and emergency medical personnel responding to emergencies, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Volunteer Firefighter and EMS
			 Personnel Job Protection Act.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)EmergencyThe
			 term emergency has the meaning given such term in section 102 of
			 the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
			 5122).
			(2)Major
			 disasterThe term major disaster has the meanings
			 given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
			 Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
			(3)Qualified
			 volunteer fire departmentThe term qualified volunteer
			 fire department has the meaning given such term in section 150(e) of
			 the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
			(4)Volunteer
			 emergency medical servicesThe term volunteer emergency
			 medical services means emergency medical services performed on a
			 voluntary basis for a fire department or other emergency organization.
			(5)Volunteer
			 firefighterThe term volunteer firefighter means an
			 individual who is a member in good standing of a qualified volunteer fire
			 department.
			3.Termination of
			 employment of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel
			 prohibited
			(a)Termination
			 prohibitedNo employee may be terminated, demoted, or in any
			 other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment
			 because such employee is absent from or late to the employee's employment for
			 the purpose of serving as a volunteer firefighter or providing volunteer
			 emergency medical services as part of a response to an emergency or major
			 disaster.
			(b)DeploymentThe
			 prohibition in subsection (a) shall apply to an employee serving as a volunteer
			 firefighter or providing volunteer emergency medical services if such
			 employee—
				(1)is specifically
			 deployed to respond to the emergency or major disaster in accordance with a
			 coordinated national deployment system such as the Emergency Management
			 Assistance Compact or a pre-existing mutual aid agreement; or
				(2)is a volunteer
			 firefighter who—
					(A)is a member of a
			 qualified volunteer fire department that is located in the State in which the
			 emergency or major disaster occurred;
					(B)is not a member of
			 a qualified fire department that has a mutual aid agreement with a community
			 affected by such emergency or major disaster; and
					(C)has been deployed
			 by the emergency management agency of such State to respond to such emergency
			 or major disaster.
					(c)LimitationsThe
			 prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to an employee who—
				(1)is absent from the
			 employee’s employment for the purpose described in subsection (a) for more than
			 14 days per calendar year;
				(2)responds on the
			 emergency or major disaster without being officially deployed as described in
			 subsection (b); or
				(3)fails to provide
			 the written verification described in subsection (e) within a reasonable period
			 of time.
				(d)Withholding of
			 payAn employer may reduce an employee’s regular pay for any time
			 that the employee is absent from the employee's employment for the purpose
			 described in subsection (a).
			(e)VerificationAn
			 employer may require an employee to provide a written verification from the
			 official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency supervising the Federal
			 response to the emergency or major disaster or a local or State official
			 managing the local or State response to the emergency or major disaster that
			 states—
				(1)the employee
			 responded to the emergency or major disaster in an official capacity;
			 and
				(2)the schedule and
			 dates of the employee's participation in such response.
				(f)Reasonable notice
			 requiredAn employee who may be absent from or late to the
			 employee’s employment for the purpose described in subsection (a) shall—
				(1)make a reasonable
			 effort to notify the employee’s employer of such absence; and
				(2)continue to
			 provide reasonable notifications over the course of such absence.
				4.Right of
			 Action
			(a)Right of
			 actionAn individual who has been terminated, demoted, or in any
			 other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment in
			 violation of the prohibition described in section 3 may bring, in a district
			 court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction, a civil action against
			 individual's employer seeking—
				(1)reinstatement of
			 the individual’s former employment;
				(2)payment of back
			 wages;
				(3)reinstatement of
			 fringe benefits; and
				(4)if
			 the employment granted seniority rights, reinstatement of seniority
			 rights.
				(b)LimitationThe
			 individual shall commence a civil action under this section not later than 1
			 year after the date of the violation of the prohibition described in section
			 3.
			5.Study and
			 report
			(a)StudyThe
			 Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study on the impact that this Act could have
			 on the employers of volunteer firefighters or individuals who provide volunteer
			 emergency medical services and who may be called on to respond to an emergency
			 or major disaster.
			(b)ReportNot later than 12 months after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the
			 appropriate congressional committees a report on the study conducted under
			 subsection (a).
			(c)Appropriate
			 congressional committeesIn this section, the term
			 appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on
			 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Small Business and
			 Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce
			 and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 728
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 1, 2007
			Mr. Domenici introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Environment and Public
			 Works

		A BILL
		To authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out
		  restoration projects along the Middle Rio Grande.

		1.FindingsCongress finds that—
			(1)the Middle Rio
			 Grande bosque is—
				(A)a unique riparian
			 forest along the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico;
				(B)the largest
			 continuous cottonwood forest in the Southwest;
				(C)one of the oldest
			 continuously inhabited areas in the United States;
				(D)home to portions
			 of 6 pueblos; and
				(E)a critical flyway
			 and wintering ground for migratory birds;
				(2)the portion of
			 the Middle Rio Grande adjacent to the Middle Rio Grande bosque provides water
			 to many people in the State of New Mexico;
			(3)the Middle Rio
			 Grande bosque should be maintained in a manner that protects endangered species
			 and the flow of the Middle Rio Grande while making the Middle Rio Grande bosque
			 more accessible to the public;
			(4)environmental
			 restoration is an important part of the mission of the Corps of Engineers;
			 and
			(5)the Corps of
			 Engineers should reestablish, where feasible, the hydrologic connection between
			 the Middle Rio Grande and the Middle Rio Grande bosque to ensure the permanent
			 healthy growth of vegetation native to the Middle Rio Grande bosque.
			2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Middle rio
			 grandeThe term Middle Rio Grande means the portion
			 of the Rio Grande from Cochiti Dam to the headwaters of Elephant Butte
			 Reservoir, in the State of New Mexico.
			(2)Restoration
			 projectThe term
			 restoration project means a project carried out under this Act
			 that will produce, consistent with other Federal programs, projects, and
			 activities, immediate and substantial ecosystem restoration, preservation,
			 recreation, and protection benefits.
			(3)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army.
			3.Middle Rio
			 Grande restoration
			(a)Restoration
			 projectsThe Secretary shall carry out restoration projects along
			 the Middle Rio Grande.
			(b)Project
			 selection
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary may select restoration projects in the
			 Middle Rio Grande based on feasibility studies.
				(2)Use of existing
			 studies and plansIn carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary
			 shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, studies and plans in existence on
			 the date of enactment of this Act to identify the needs and priorities for
			 restoration projects.
				(c)Local
			 participationIn carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall
			 consult with—
				(1)the Middle Rio
			 Grande Endangered Species Act Collaborative Program; and
				(2)the Bosque
			 Improvement Group of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque Initiative.
				(d)Cost
			 sharing
				(1)Cost-sharing
			 agreementBefore carrying out any restoration project under this
			 Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the non-Federal interests
			 that shall require the non-Federal interests—
					(A)to pay 25 percent
			 of the total costs of the restoration project through in-kind services or
			 direct cash contributions, including the cost of providing necessary land,
			 easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and disposal sites;
					(B)to pay 100
			 percent of the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation
			 costs associated with the restoration project that are incurred after the date
			 of enactment of this Act; and
					(C)to hold the
			 United States harmless for any claim or damage that may arise from the
			 negligence of the Federal Government or a contractor of the Federal
			 Government.
					(2)Non-Federal
			 interestsNotwithstanding section 221 of the Flood Control Act of
			 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b), a non-Federal interest carrying out a restoration
			 project under this Act may include a nonprofit entity.
				(3)Recreational
			 features
					(A)In
			 generalAny recreational features included as part of a
			 restoration project shall comprise not more that 30 percent of the total
			 project cost.
					(B)Non-federal
			 fundingThe full cost of any recreational features included as
			 part of a restoration project in excess of the amount described in subparagraph
			 (A) shall be paid by the non-Federal interests.
					(4)CreditThe
			 non-Federal interests shall receive credit toward the non-Federal share of the
			 cost of design or construction activities carried out by the non-Federal
			 interests (including activities carried out before the execution of the
			 cooperation agreement for a restoration project) if the Secretary determines
			 that the work performed by the non-Federal interest is integral to the
			 project.
				4.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act—
			(1)$10,000,000 for
			 fiscal year 2007; and
			(2)such sums as are
			 necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2016.


114 S1451 IS: Veterans' Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-05-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1451
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 21, 2015
			Ms. Hirono introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to adjudicate
			 and pay survivor's benefits without requiring the filing of a formal
			 claim, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans' Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015. 2.Expedited payment of survivor's benefits (a)In generalSection 5101(a)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)by striking A specific and inserting (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a specific; and (2)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (B)(i)The Secretary may pay benefits under chapters 13 and 15 and sections 2302, 2307, and 5121 of this title to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a formal claim if the Secretary determines that the record contains sufficient evidence to establish the entitlement of the survivor to such benefits.
 (ii)For purposes of this subparagraph and section 5110 of this title, the date on which a survivor of a veteran notifies the Secretary of the death of the veteran shall be treated as the date of the receipt of the survivor's application for benefits described in clause (i)..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to claims for benefits based on a death occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 2107 IH: No More Ghost Money Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-05-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
113th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 2107
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 22, 2013
Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Nolan, Ms. Slaughter, and Ms. McCollum) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government 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 concerned

A BILL
To prohibit monetary payments by the Federal Government to employees, officers, and elected officials of foreign countries for purposes of bribery, coercion, or any activity that is illegal or undermines the rule of law or corrupts a public officer or the office such officer represents, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the No More Ghost Money Act.
2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
(1)On May 4, 2013, President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai revealed that the Central Intelligence Agency regularly made cash payments to his office.
(2)The corrupt practice of making such payments undermines the rule of law and undercuts a central strategic United States goal in Afghanistan: establishing a credible and transparent Afghan government responsive to popular concerns.
3.Prohibition of payments to individuals affiliated with foreign governments
(a)ProhibitionSubject to section 5, no department or agency of the Federal Government or contractor to the Federal Government may make a monetary payment to an employee, officer, elected official, or representative of the government of a foreign country for the purposes of bribery, coercion, or any activity that is illegal or undermines the rule of law or corrupts a public officer or the office such officer represents.
(b)ProceduresThe President shall establish procedures to carry out and enforce the prohibition under subsection (a).
4.Report on payments to individuals affiliated with the Government of AfghanistanSubject to section 5, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency shall submit to Congress a report on all monetary payments made by the Central Intelligence Agency to employees, officers, elected officials, or representatives of the Government of Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001. Such report shall include—
(1)a description of all payments made to employees, officers, elected officials, or representatives of the Government of Afghanistan on or after September 11, 2001, including any receipts provided by such employees, officers, elected officials, or representatives and, to the extent possible, copies of such receipts;
(2)the legal basis for making such payments;
(3)the strategic goals supported by such payments; and
(4)the effectiveness of such payments in achieving such strategic goals.
5.National security waiverThe President may waive a requirement of section 3 or 4 if the President certifies to Congress that fulfilling such requirement would harm the national security of the United States or members of the Armed Forces.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 423
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 9, 2009
			Mr. Mica introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		A BILL
		To provide compensation for certain World War II veterans
		  who survived the Bataan Death March and were held as prisoners of war by the
		  Japanese.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Samuel B. Moody Bataan Death March
			 Compensation Act.
		2.Payment to World
			 War II veterans who survived Bataan death march
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of the military department concerned shall
			 pay, upon request, to an individual described in subsection (b) the amount
			 determined with respect to that individual under subsection (c).
			(b)Covered
			 individualsA payment under subsection (a) shall be made to any
			 individual who as a member of the Armed Forces during World War II—
				(1)was captured on
			 the peninsula of Bataan or island of Corregidor in the territory of the
			 Philippines by Japanese forces; and
				(2)participated in
			 and survived the Bataan Death March.
				(c)Amount To be
			 paidThe amount of a payment under subsection (a) to an
			 individual shall be $4 for each day during which the individual was held in
			 captivity by Japanese forces during World War II, compounded annually at a 3
			 percent annual rate of interest.
			(d)Payment to
			 survivorsIn the case of an individual described in subsection
			 (b) who is deceased, payment under this section with respect to that individual
			 shall be made to that individual’s nearest surviving relative, as determined by
			 the Secretary concerned.


113 HJ 7 IH: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding presidential election voting rights for residents of all United States territories and commonwealths.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-01-03
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.

		IA
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. J. RES. 7
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 3, 2013
			Mrs. Christensen (for
			 herself and Ms. Bordallo) introduced
			 the following joint resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		JOINT RESOLUTION
		Proposing an amendment to the Constitution
		  of the United States regarding presidential election voting rights for
		  residents of all United States territories and commonwealths.

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

				 —
					1.The right of citizens of the United States
				to vote in the election for President and Vice President shall not be denied or
				abridged by the United States or by any State on account of residency in a
				territory or commonwealth of the United States.
					2.The Congress shall have power to enforce
				this article by appropriate
				legislation.
					.