109 HRES 35 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning health promotion and disease prevention.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-01-06
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
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 35
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2005
Mr. Gene Green of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives concerning health promotion and disease prevention.

Whereas the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, unmanaged stress, and obesity account for approximately 50 percent of the premature deaths in the United States;
Whereas the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that spending on chronic diseases related to lifestyle and other preventable diseases accounts for an estimated 70 percent of total health care spending;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that the health burden of these behaviors falls in greatest proportion on older adults, young children, racial and ethnic minorities, and citizens who have less education and income;
Whereas business leaders in the United States have asserted that the economic burden of medical care diverts corporate resources from investments that could produce greater financial returns, and reduces the wages paid to employees;
Whereas the Office of Management and Budget reports that the Medicaid and Medicare programs consume an increasingly large portion of government funding;
Whereas the American Journal of Public Health reports that the financial burden of the Medicare program will increase substantially as the population ages and increasing numbers of people are covered by that program;
Whereas improving the health of the American people and reducing the need for medical services is a viable way to control medical care costs for the Nation;
Whereas the American Journal of Health Promotion reports that a growing research base demonstrates that lifestyle factors can be modified to improve health, improve the quality of life, reduce medical care costs, and enhance workplace productivity through health promotion programs;
Whereas the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has determined that less than 8 percent of health care spending is devoted to the whole area of public health, only a very small portion of which is devoted to health promotion;
Whereas significant additional work is required to develop the basic and applied science of health promotion;
Whereas additional research is required to clarify the impact of health promotion programs on long term health behaviors, health conditions, morbidity and mortality, medical care utilization and cost, as well as quality of life and productivity;
Whereas the Institute of Medicine has proclaimed that additional research is required to determine the most effective strategies at the individual, organizational, community, and societal level to create lasting health behavior changes, reduce medical utilization and enhance workplace productivity;
Whereas health promotion leaders proclaim that additional research is required to develop strategies to reach all groups with special attention focused on older adults, young children, racial and ethnic minorities and citizens who have less education and income;
Whereas health promotion leaders proclaim that significant efforts are required to develop standardized management and clinical protocols for programs and to disseminate these protocols to scientists and practitioners in health care, workplace, school, and other community settings;
Whereas health promotion leaders proclaim that information on the benefits of health promotion programs must be disseminated to policy makers in public and private sector settings;
Whereas health promotion leaders proclaim that significant efforts are required to develop programs to enhance lifestyle in school, workplace, health care, and other community settings;
Whereas investments in health promotion contributes directly to current efforts of Ending Health Disparities, the Leading Health Indicators, and Healthy People 2010; and
Whereas Research!America reports that most American citizens and scientists have shown strong support for increased investment in health promotion: Now, therefore, be it

1.Short titleThis resolution may be cited as the National Health Promotion Resolution of 2005.
2.Sense of the House of RepresentativesIt is the sense of the House of Representatives that the powers of the Federal Government should be utilized—
(1)to enhance the science base required to fully develop the field of health promotion and disease prevention; and
(2)to explore how strategies can integrate lifestyle improvement programs into national policy, health care workplaces, families, and communities.


109 HR 1753 IH: Public Interest Lawyer Assistance and Relief Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-04-21
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.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1753
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 21, 2005
Mr. Andrews introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL
To provide financial assistance to law school graduates who choose to accept employment in a public interest position.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Public Interest Lawyer Assistance and Relief Act.
2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
(1)The ability to repay financial obligations incurred in obtaining a legal education has become a deterrent to law school graduates accepting public interest employment.
(2)The increasing level of educational debt leads recent law school graduates to accept positions with private firms offering high salaries rather than with lower paying public interest organizations.
(3)This has led to a decrease in the number of attorneys available to serve public needs in government, non-profit, and special interest capacities.
(4)The establishment of a Federal loan repayment assistance program for attorneys entering public interest jobs will increase access to legal services in these areas by helping recent law school graduates to meet their educational financial obligations.
3.Establishment of program
(a)Program
(1)In generalThe Secretary of Education (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall carry out a program of assuming the obligation to repay, pursuant to subsection (c), a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (excluding loans made under sections 428B and 428C of such Act or comparable loans made under part D of such title) for any borrower who enters into an agreement with the Secretary to complete 3 years of service as a lawyer employed in a public interest position.
(2)Award basis; deferment
(A)Award basisLoan repayment under this section shall be on a first-come, first-serve basis and subject to the availability of appropriations, and to any limitations imposed by the Secretary under section 5. The Secretary shall, on the basis of an application that complies with subsection (d)(1), select from among eligible applicants the borrowers with which to enter into the agreements described in paragraph (1).
(B)DefermentThe Secretary shall, by regulation, provide for the deferment of repayment of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (excluding loans made under sections 428B and 428C of such Act or comparable loans made under part D of such title) for borrowers who enter into such agreements and provide evidence in accordance with such regulations of employment in a position qualifying for repayment of such loans under paragraph (1).
(3)RegulationsThe Secretary is authorized to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(b)Loan repayment
(1)Eligible amountExcept as provided by the Secretary pursuant to section 5, the amount the Secretary may repay on behalf of any individual under this section shall not exceed the greater of—
(A)the sum of the principal amounts outstanding of the individual’s qualifying loans at the beginning of the first year of service described in subsection (a)(1); or
(B)a total of more than $20,000.
(2)ConstructionNothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the refunding of any repayment of a loan made under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(3)InterestIf a portion of a loan is repaid by the Secretary under this section for any year, the proportionate amount of interest on such loan which accrues for such year shall be repaid by the Secretary.
(c)Repayment to eligible lendersExcept as provided by the Secretary pursuant to section 5, the Secretary shall pay to each eligible lender or holder for each year an amount equal to one-third of the aggregate amount of loans which are subject to repayment pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
(d)Application for repayment
(1)In generalEach eligible individual desiring loan repayment under this section shall submit a complete and accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(2)Eligible positionsAn individual shall be treated as serving as a lawyer employed in a public interest position under this section after completing a year of service as a practicing attorney in a position in—
(A)local, State, or Federal government;
(B)an organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(C)a judicial clerkship.
(e)Treatment of consolidation loansA loan amount for a consolidation loan made under section 428C of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan made under part D of title IV of such Act, may be a qualified loan amount for the purpose of this section only to the extent that such loan amount was used by a borrower who otherwise meets the requirements of this section to repay—
(1)a loan made under section 428 or 428H of such Act; or
(2)a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, made under part D of title IV of such Act.
(f)Prevention of double benefitsNo borrower may, for the same service, receive a benefit under both this section and subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.).
4.AdministrationThe Secretary shall create or designate an administering body within the Department of Education to—
(1)establish and determine eligibility criteria under this Act;
(2)alter the limits on the amount of loan repayment assistance participants may receive during their period of participation under section 3;
(3)alter the limits on the amount of time a law school graduate may participate in the loan assistance repayment program under section 3;
(4)accept funding and gifts on behalf of the program;
(5)raise funds on behalf of the program; and
(6)disburse funds or designate another entity to do so on behalf of the program.
5.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006 and for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.


116 HR 5396 IH: FISA Improvements Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-12-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5396IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 11, 2019Mr. Stewart (for himself, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Turner, Mr. Wenstrup, Mr. Crawford, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Bishop of North Carolina, Mr. Gaetz, and Mr. Hurd of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to require reviews by amici curiae of
			 applications made to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the FISA Improvements Act of 2019. 2.Enhanced fidelity of FISA applications and processes associated with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (a)Mandatory review by amicus curiaeSection 103(i) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(i)(2)) is amended—
 (1)in paragraph (2)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
 (B)in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (C)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (C)shall appoint an individual who has been designated under paragraph (1) to serve as amicus curiae to assist such court in the consideration of any initial application for an order that seeks to target an identifiable United States person pursuant to sections 104, 303, 703, or 704.; and
 (2)in paragraph (4)— (A)by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively;
 (B)by striking If a court and inserting (A) Novel or significant interpretations of law—If a court, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and (C)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (B)Initial applicationsIf a court established under subsection (a) appoints an amicus curiae under paragraph (2)(C), the amicus curiae shall review the submitted application for which the individual has been appointed to assess the sufficiency of evidence supporting the probable cause determination required to issue an order pursuant to the application and provide to the court a written recommendation regarding such sufficiency..
 (b)Disclosure of unverified informationSection 104(a) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1804(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (8), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
 (2)in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

 (10)a statement fully disclosing the use of any information in the application that the Government cannot substantiate based on any supporting intelligence or open-source information available to the Government at the time of the application, including, at a minimum—
 (A)the origin of such information; (B)the means by which the Government obtained such information;
 (C)a summary of each step the Government took to verify the information prior to using the information in the application;
 (D)whether the Government has used such information in any other judicial proceeding; and (E)the necessity of using such information to support the probable cause determination required by section 105.
							.
 (c)Transcripts of proceedingsSubsection (c) of section 103 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1803) is amended— (1)by inserting , and shall be transcribed before the first period; and
 (2)by inserting , transcriptions, after applications made. (d)Written record of interactions with courtSuch section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

 (l)Written record of interactionsThe Attorney General shall maintain all written communications with the court established under subsection (a), including the identity of the employees of the court to or from whom the communications were made, regarding an application or order made under this title in a file associated with the application or order. The Attorney General shall document a summary of any oral communications with the court, including the identity of the employees of the court to or from whom the communications were made, relating to such an application or order and keep such documentation in a file associated with the application or order..
 (e)ExtensionsSection 105(d)(2) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1805(d)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: To the extent practicable, an extension of an order issued under this title shall be granted or denied by the same judge who issued the original order..


115 HR 4439 IH: Modernizing Credit Opportunities Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-11-16
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4439IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESNovember 16, 2017Mr. Hollingsworth (for himself, Mr. Hastings, Mr. McHenry, Mr. Luetkemeyer, and Mr. Cuellar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial ServicesA BILLTo amend the Revised Statutes, the Bank Service Company Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and
			 the Home Owners’ Loan Act to clarify that the role of the insured
			 depository institution as lender and the location of an insured depository
			 institution under applicable law are not affected by any contract between
			 the institution and a third-party service provider, and to clarify that
			 Federal preemption of State usury laws applies to any loan to which an
			 insured depository institution is the party to which the debt is initially
			 owed according to its terms, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Modernizing Credit Opportunities Act. 2.Findings Congress finds the following:
 (1)Insured depository institutions have found efficiencies in their lending operations through a variety of different relationships with nondepository institutions that perform different lending-related functions.
 (2)The Federal banking regulators have recognized that insured depository institutions may enter into relationships with third parties to originate loans, have recognized the benefits of these arrangements for institutions and borrowers alike, and have issued guidance to ensure the safety and soundness of such relationships and to protect borrowers.
 (3)Insured depository institutions routinely engage in third-party lending arrangements and regulators have long recognized that third-party lending arrangements provide institutions with the ability to supplement, enhance or expedite lending services for their customers, and that engaging in third-party lending arrangements also enables institutions to reduce the cost of delivering credit products, to expand access to credit, and to achieve strategic goals.
 (4)Litigation concerning loans made by an insured depository institution that involve arrangements with third parties that perform lending-related functions have required the courts to determine the identity and location of the lender but have reached inconsistent results.
 (5)Inconsistencies in the determinations of the identity and location of the lender under judicially crafted multi-factor balancing tests lessen the efficiency of the lending process, reduce the transparency of the lending process for both lenders and borrowers, and jeopardize the substantial benefits of third-party lending arrangements for borrowers and the economy.
 (6)In order to maximize efficiency and transparency, it is necessary to clarify and reinforce existing law by codifying clear and straightforward standards that establish that an insured depository institution is the lender on any loan or discount made, or upon any note, bill of exchange or other evidence of debt where it is the party to which the debt is initially owed according to its terms and that any relationship with a third party that performs lending-related functions does not affect the determination of such institution’s role as the lender or its location.
			3.Location of insured depository institution
 (a)Amendment to the Bank Service Company ActSection 7 of the Bank Service Company Act (12 U.S.C. 1867) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
 (2)by inserting after subsection (c) the following:  (d)Location of insured depository institutionThe geographic location within the United States of a person performing services for an insured depository institution under subsection (c) or the existence of an economic relationship between an insured depository institution and another person shall not affect the determination of the location of such institution under other applicable law..
 (b)Amendment to the Home Owners’ Loan ActSection 5(d)(7) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(7)) is amended— (1)by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and
 (2)by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:  (E)Location of savings associationThe geographic location within the United States of a person performing services for a savings association under subparagraph (D) or the existence of an economic relationship between a savings association and another person shall not affect the determination of the location of the savings association under other applicable law..
				4.Terms and conditions
 (a)Amendment to the Revised StatutesSection 5197 of the Revised Statutes (12 U.S.C. 85) is amended by inserting the following after the first sentence: A loan, discount, note, bill of exchange, or other debt is made by an association, and subject to the preceding sentence, where the association is the party to which the debt is owed according to the terms of the loan, discount, note, bill of exchange, or other debt, regardless of any later assignment. The existence of a service or economic relationship between an association and another person shall not affect the application of this section to the rate of interest upon the loan or discount made, or the note, bill, or other evidence of debt or the identity of the association as the lender under the agreement..
 (b)Amendment to the Federal Deposit Insurance ActSubsection (a) of section 27 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831d(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: A loan, discount, note, bill of exchange, or other debt is made by a State bank or an insured branch of a foreign bank, and subject to the preceding sentence, where a State bank or an insured branch of a foreign bank is the party to which the debt is owed according to the terms of the loan, discount, note, bill of exchange or other debt, regardless of any later assignment. The existence of a service or economic relationship between a State bank or insured branch of a foreign bank and another person shall not affect the application of this subsection to the interest rate upon the loan or discount made, or upon the note, bill of exchange, or other evidence of debt or the identity of the State bank or insured branch of a foreign bank as the lender under the agreement..
 (c)Amendment to the Home Owners’ Loan ActSection 4(g)(1) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1463(g)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: An extension of credit is made by a savings association, and subject to the preceding sentence, where a savings association is the party to which the debt is owed according to the terms of the debt, regardless of any later assignment. The existence of a service or economic relationship between a savings association and another person shall not affect the application of this subsection to the interest rate upon the extension of credit or the identity of the savings association as the lender under the agreement..


 HCON 296 ENR: Expressing support for the designation of August 2008 as “National Heat Stroke Awareness Month” to raise awareness and encourage prevention of heat stroke.
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-09-22
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.

IV
One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States of America
At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, the third day of January, two thousand and eight
H. CON. RES. 296

September 22, 2008
Agreed to

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of August 2008 as National Heat Stroke Awareness Month to raise awareness and encourage prevention of heat stroke.

Whereas heat stroke is a medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated, and 50 percent of those with heat stroke die from it; Whereas children absorb more heat from a hot environment because they have greater surface area-to-body mass ratio than adults;
Whereas the smaller the child, the faster he or she can overheat; Whereas children and adolescents may have a reduced ability to dissipate heat through sweating;
Whereas children and adolescents frequently do not have the physiological drive to drink enough fluids to replenish sweat losses during prolonged exercise; Whereas youth athletes may be more easily distracted by teammates and spectators when given the opportunity to rest and rehydrate;
Whereas a recent study found that 70 percent of afterschool athletes arrive on the playing field already dehydrated; Whereas heat-induced illness is one of the most preventable sports ailments and parents, young athletes, and coaches need to understand the physiological factors that increase the risk for heat-related illness and take steps to prevent it;
Whereas 13-year-old Kendrick Fincher from Rogers, Arkansas, collapsed during an August pre-season football practice, was rushed to the hospital, and for the next 18 days his family waited anxiously for him to regain consciousness, tragically never regained consciousness, and died on August 25, 1995, from multi-system organ failure as a result of heat stroke; Whereas Kendrick’s parents, Rhonda and Mike Fincher, founded the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation in honor of their son, with the aim to raise awareness of the potentially deadly consequences of dehydration for student athletes and to provide schools with the information and equipment needed to ensure other students do not suffer from heat stroke;
Whereas the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation has distributed more than 130,000 water bottles and heat illness prevention pamphlets to children and athletes throughout the United States; Whereas the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation oversees consultation with school district athletic programs to ensure they have procedures in place to prevent heat illness and dehydration;
Whereas the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation provides heat stroke awareness and steps for prevention at local health fairs, community events, and the Annual Youth Run through cool huts, misting stations, and free ice water; Whereas Gatorade Company joined forces with the National Football League to lead a nationwide Beat the Heat campaign aimed at educating parents and football coaches about the importance of hydration in order to keep athletes safe in the hot summer months; and
Whereas Gatorade Company and the National Football League held Gatorade Donation Days at training camps to raise money to raise awareness of the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation: Now, therefore, be it   That—
(1)it is the sense of Congress that— (A)National Heat Stroke Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the people of the United States about heat stroke;
(B)the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation should be applauded for its efforts in promoting awareness about heat stroke; and (C)policymakers, parents, coaches, student athletes, not-for-profit organizations, and other members of the community should work to increase awareness and prevention of heat stroke; and
(2)Congress urges national and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media, through National Heat Stroke Awareness Month to promote the awareness of heat stroke.  Clerk of the House of Representatives.Secretary of the Senate.


117 HR 254 IH: Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Consortium Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 254IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 11, 2021Ms. Lee of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to create a National Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Consortium to provide grants, coordinate synergistic research, and targeted therapy with respect to the causes of, and risk factors associated with, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Consortium Act.2.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (in this section and section 3 referred to as NMOSD) is a devastating neurologic disease leading to blindness, paralysis, and premature death.(2)There are an estimated 16,000 to 17,000 people with NMOSD in the United States and more than a quarter-million patients worldwide.(3)Women are affected up to 7 times more than men, and Afro-Caribbeans and Latino persons are about 2.5 times more predisposed to NMOSD than Caucasians. The reasons why Blacks and Hispanics are disproportionately affected cannot be fully understood without further studies. Furthermore, why NMOSD disproportionately occurs in females is unknown.(4)The average age at diagnosis is approximately 35 to 45 years, a peak window of time that further compounds the burden of NMOSD on parenthood and careers of women and men. The age range of NMOSD patients is broad and includes children as young as 3 years of age and adults as old as 90.(5)NMOSD imposes substantial costs for affected patients and their families both in financial costs such those associated with medical care, prescription medicines, and emergency room visits, as well as in opportunity costs such as its negative impact on maintaining gainful employment or attending school or career development programs.(6)The origins of NMOSD are unknown, but it is hypothesized to be autoimmune in nature. Collectively, autoimmune diseases currently affect approximately 1 in 10 Americans. Without a clear understanding of the causes of NMOSD, development of cures that save and improve lives and reduce the substantial associated health care costs will not be possible.(7)Despite the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of three medications for NMOSD, there remains an unmet need for more effective and safe therapies to spare these patients from this recurrent disease with its accumulating neurologic disability.(8)Because of their relatively low overall incidence, orphan diseases like NMOSD frequently do not receive sufficient attention and research funding. Of special importance is the opportunity for the remarkable progress made recently regarding NMOSD to serve as—(A)a model for solutions to rare and immunologic diseases; and(B)an exemplary therapeutic disease target for immunosuppressive therapies and for determining vaccination benefits and risks relative to COVID–19.(9)No single institution has a sufficient number of patients to independently conduct research that will adequately address the cause, prevention, treatment, and potential cure of NMOSD. Furthermore, there is a paucity of resources available for regenerative medicine research in NMOSD that will be required to repair optic nerve and spinal cord damage caused by NMOSD and thus to restore health.(10)There has been no comprehensive study analyzing all relevant clinical, biological, and epidemiological aspects of NMOSD to identify potential risk factors and biomarkers for NMOSD.(11)We can apply our understanding of NMOSD to the study of other autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and many others.3.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that—(1)there is a need to establish and coordinate a synergistic, multicenter research effort based on collaboration between regional consortia and governmental and nongovernmental entities in order to—(A)comprehensively study the causes of NMOSD; (B)identify potential biomarkers of disease activity; (C)leverage recent efforts in developing approved therapies for NMOSD as a model for developing breakthrough therapies for other autoimmune diseases; and(D)highlight NMOSD as a model disease to better understand the potential benefits and risks of immunosuppressive therapy and innovative vaccine strategies targeting COVID–19;(2)there is a need to encourage a collaborative effort among academic medical centers comprising epidemiological study groups capable of gathering comprehensive and detailed information for each patient enrolled in those groups; and(3)the effort referred to in paragraph (2) should facilitate investigation of environmental, nutritional, genetic, and treatment factors with respect to the pathological and epidemiological characteristics of NMOSD.4.Establishment of the National Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder ConsortiumPart B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 409J the following new section:409K.National Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Consortium(a)Establishment of the National Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Consortium(1)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, and in coordination with the Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, shall establish, administer, and coordinate a National Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Consortium (in this section referred to as the NMOSD Consortium) for the purposes described in paragraph (2).(2)PurposesThe purposes of the NMOSD Consortium shall be the following:(A)Providing grants of not less than 5-years’ duration to eligible consortia for the purpose of conducting research with respect to the causes of, risk factors and biomarkers associated with, and treatment of and comorbidities associated with, NMOSD.(B)Assembling a panel of experts to provide, with respect to research funded by the NMOSD Consortium, ongoing guidance and recommendations for the development of the following:(i)A standardized study design, including adaptive clinical trial structures that may quickly and efficiently evaluate multiple treatment regimens to optimize precision and effectively assess personalized medicine in rare and immunologic diseases.(ii)Standard protocols, methods, procedures, and assays for collecting from individuals enrolled as study participants a minimum dataset that includes the following:(I)Complete medical history, including autoimmune and nonautoimmune comorbidities.(II)Neurologic examination and standardization of critical clinical outcomes such as the definition and adjudication of relapse in NMOSD.(III)Biospecimens, including serum, blood cells, cerebrospinal fluid, DNA, and RNA.(IV)Radiological data, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical coherence tomography, among other modalities.(iii)Specific analytical methods for examining data, including bioinformatic and computational modeling for deterministic as well as predictive capabilities.(iv)Provisions for consensus review of enrolled cases, including clinical trial data as well as off-label drug use and epidemiologic studies that would be offer greater insights if considered in aggregate than alone.(v)An integrated data collection network, including registry and other activities that improve scientific and clinical efficiencies in achieving the purposes outlined in this paragraph.(C)Designating a consortium-dedicated laboratory to collect, analyze, and aggregate data with respect to research funded by the NMOSD Consortium and to make such data and analysis available to researchers.(3)Eligible consortiaTo be eligible for a grant under this section, a consortium shall demonstrate the following:(A)The consortium has the capability to enroll as research participants a minimum of 25 individuals with a diagnosis of NMO from the consortium’s designated catchment area.(B)The designated catchment area of the consortium does not overlap with the designated catchment area of another consortium already receiving a grant under this section.(4)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, shall submit to Congress a report with respect to the NMOSD Consortium, to be made publicly available, including a summary of research funded by the NMOSD Consortium and a list of consortia receiving grants through the NMOSD Consortium. At the discretion of the Secretary, such report may be combined with other similar or existing reports.(5)Authorization of appropriations(A)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024, to remain available until expended, to carry out this section.(B)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that funds appropriated to carry out this section should be in addition to funds otherwise available or appropriated to carry out the activities described in this section.(b)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(1)Catchment areaThe term catchment area means a defined area for which population data are available.(2)ConsortiumThe term consortium means a partnership of two or more universities, health care organizations, or government agencies, or any combination of such entities, serving a designated catchment area..


117 HR 5220 IH: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-09-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5220IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 10, 2021Miss González-Colón (for herself, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Hayes, and Mr. Soto) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on AgricultureA BILLTo amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to transition the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2021.2.AmendmentSection 19 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2028) is amended by adding at the end the following:(f)Advisory board on transition of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico to the supplemental nutrition assistance program(1)Establishment of advisory boardNot later than 60 days after the effective date of this section, the Secretary shall establish an advisory board to formulate a recommended State plan that includes a plan to transition the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from receipt of block grant payments under subsection (a)(2) to participate as a State in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.(2)Membership of advisory boardThe advisory board shall be composed of not more than 15 members of whom—(A)not fewer than 6 members shall be appointed from among employees of the Food and Nutrition Service at the Department of Agriculture; and(B)not fewer than 6 members shall be appointed from the Puerto Rico Department of the Family, including the Administrator of the Administration for the Socioeconomic Development of the Family.(3)Technical assistanceThe advisory board shall advise the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and provide technical assistance related to the formulation of a recommended State plan described in paragraph (4) that includes a plan for transition to the supplemental nutrition assistance program by the Commonwealth, including the following:(A)The State options under such program that are most suitable for the Commonwealth to elect to best respond to the nutrition need present in the Commonwealth.(B)Policy changes the Commonwealth will be required to make to implement such program.(C)Changes in current eligibility requirements (including income limits) in effect under the other provisions of this section that would be required under such program.(D)Technical requirements and expenses required to implement such program.(E)Administrative costs related to program operations.(4)State planThe advisory board shall prepare and submit to the Governor of Puerto Rico, not later than 1 year after the effective date of this subsection, a recommended State plan that includes a plan to transition the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from receipt of block grant payments under subsection (a)(2) to participation as a State in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The advisory board shall notify the Secretary of this action.(5)Submission of the State plan by the Commonwealth of Puerto RicoThe Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may submit the recommended State plan described under paragraph (3) of this Act to the Secretary within 60 days of its completion as a request to participate in the supplemental nutrition program.(6)Determination by SecretaryThe Secretary may approve the recommended State plan described under paragraph (3) and submitted by the Governor of Puerto Rico under paragraph (5) of this Act, if such plan satisfies the requirements for a supplemental nutrition assistance State plan, according to section 11(e). If the Secretary does not approve such plan, the Secretary shall provide a statement that specifies each of such requirements that is not satisfied by the plan.(7)Comment periodThe Secretary shall provide a 30-day comment period to receive comments from the public on the recommended State plan.(8)Submission of State plan to the CongressIf the Secretary approves the plan submitted by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under paragraph (6), and after the conclusion of the comment period described in paragraph (7), then the Secretary shall submit to Congress a certification that Puerto Rico qualifies to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as if Puerto Rico were a State under section 3.(9)Termination of the advisory boardThe advisory board shall terminate not later than 2 years after Puerto Rico is treated as if it were a State as defined in section 3..3.Participation of Puerto Rico in the supplemental nutrition assistance program(a)DefinitionsFollowing certification of Puerto Rico as qualified to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program by the Secretary, section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012) is amended—(1)in subsection (r) by inserting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, after Guam,; and(2)in subsection (u)(3) by inserting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, after Guam,.(b)Eligible householdsSection 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) is amended—(1)in subsection (b) in the first sentence, by inserting the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, after Guam,;(2)in subsection (c)(1) by striking and Guam and inserting Guam, and Puerto Rico, and(3)in subsection (e)—(A)in paragraph (1)(A) by inserting Puerto Rico, after Hawaii, each place it appears; and(B)in paragraph (6)(B) by inserting Puerto Rico, after Guam,.(c)Consolidated block grant for Puerto RicoUpon approval of Puerto Rico operating the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the Secretary may have 5 years to continue the latest approved plan submitted under the consolidated block grant in accordance with Section 19 (3)(b)(1)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2028(3)(b)(1)(A)).(d)ReportThe Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of representatives and the Committee on Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on the operation of the plan described in subsection (c), including their justification and impact on beneficiaries in Puerto Rico, until the 5 years expire.(e)Amendments to the food and nutrition act of 2008Following certification under section 19(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2028(a)) will be amended to no longer include Puerto Rico as a Government entity, as defined in subsection (a).


116 HR 6601 IH: To require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID–19.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-04-23
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. 6601IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 23, 2020Mr. Biggs introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo require a particular jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim for damages based on negligence arising from the transmission of COVID–19.1.Jury instruction in Federal civil actions that include a claim alleging negligence arising from the transmission of COVID–19In a Federal civil action that includes a claim alleging negligence arising from the transmission of COVID–19 and a request for damages, the court shall instruct a jury that—(1)the liability standard is the reasonable person standard,(2)a person is negligent if the person either does something that a reasonably careful person would not do in the same situation, or fails to do something that a reasonably careful person would do, in the same situation,(3)the act of opening a business, by itself, shall be considered to be reasonable as a matter of law, and(4)the negligence may not be found solely on the basis of holding oneself open for business.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3753
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 20, 2011
			Ms. Richardson
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Science, Space, and
			 Technology

		A BILL
		To establish a grant program to encourage fire stations
		  to establish or upgrade restroom, shower, and changing facilities to create
		  more equitable conditions for women firefighters.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Fairness In Restrooms Existing in
			 Stations Act or the FIRE Stations Act.
		2.FindingsCongress finds that—
			(1)most fire stations in use were built and
			 planned with a single-gender workforce in mind;
			(2)more than 50
			 percent of fire departments do not have a single woman on the
			 department;
			(3)women make up
			 approximately 3.7 percent of all firefighters; and
			(4)a
			 few fire departments still assign women only to stations that have facilities
			 for women, limiting the potential for promotion and advancement for
			 women.
			3.Grant
			 program
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of
			 Homeland Security shall make grants to eligible fire stations to enable such
			 stations to establish or upgrade restroom, shower, and changing facilities to
			 create more equitable conditions for women firefighters.
			(b)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under
			 this Act, a fire station shall submit an application to the Secretary of
			 Homeland Security at such time and in such format as the Secretary determines
			 demonstrating that—
				(1)the fire station
			 has a commitment to increasing the number of women firefighters;
				(2)no funds received
			 by a grant will be used to displace any personnel; and
				(3)such other criteria the Secretary considers
			 appropriate.
				(c)PriorityPriority
			 shall be given to fire stations that have chemical facilities, refineries, and
			 other high-risk industries within their jurisdiction.
			(d)AmountGrants provided under this Act shall be in
			 an amount determined by the Secretary based on the size and demonstrated need
			 of the fire station and not to exceed $100,000.
			4.Authorization of
			 AppropriationsThere is
			 authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security such sums
			 as may be necessary to carry out this Act.


IV
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 18
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 5, 2011
Mr. Stearns submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to pregnancy resource centers.

Whereas more than 2,500 pregnancy resource centers across the United States meet the comprehensive physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of women and men facing unplanned pregnancies;
Whereas pregnancy resource centers offer women in economic hardship free pregnancy tests, counseling, and childbirth and parenting classes they could not otherwise afford;
Whereas many pregnancy resource centers offer ultrasound and adoption services to pregnant mothers;
Whereas pregnancy resource centers encourage women to make positive life choices by equipping them with complete and accurate information regarding their pregnancy options and the development of their preborn child;
Whereas pregnancy resource centers ensure that women are receiving prenatal information and services that lead to the birth of healthy newborn infants;
Whereas pregnancy resource centers provide women with compassionate and confidential counsel in a nonjudgmental manner regardless of their pregnancy outcomes;
Whereas Federal and State governments are increasingly recognizing the valuable services of pregnancy resource centers through the designation of public funds for such organizations;
Whereas many pregnancy resource centers work to prevent crisis pregnancies by teaching effective abstinence education in public schools; and
Whereas pregnancy resource centers operate primarily through reliance on the voluntary donations and time of caring individuals who are committed to caring for the needs of women and promoting and protecting life: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)strongly supports pregnancy resource centers for their unique, positive contribution to the individual lives of women, men, and babies—both born and unborn;
(2)commends the compassionate work of tens of thousands of volunteers and paid staff at pregnancy resource centers across the United States;
(3)encourages the Congress and Federal and State government agencies to grant pregnancy resource centers assistance for medical equipment and abstinence education in a manner that does not compromise the religious integrity of such organizations; and
(4)decries the actions of any national, State, or local groups attempting to prevent pregnancy resource centers from effectively serving women and men facing unplanned pregnancies.


		II
		Calendar No. 573
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2619
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 8
			 (legislative day, February 6), 2008
			Mr. Coburn introduced
			 the following bill; which was read the first time

			February 11, 2008
			Read the second time and placed on the
			 calendar

		A BILL
		To protect innocent Americans from violent crime in
		  national parks.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Protecting Americans from Violent
			 Crime Act of 2008.
		2.Congressional
			 findingsCongress finds the
			 following:
			(1)The Second
			 Amendment to the Constitution provides that the right of the people to
			 keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed;
			(2)Section 2.4(a)(1)
			 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, provides that except as
			 otherwise provided in this section and parts 7 (special regulations) and 13
			 (Alaska regulations), the following are prohibited: (i) Possessing a weapon,
			 trap or net (ii) Carrying a weapon, trap or net (iii) Using a weapon, trap or
			 net;
			(3)Section 27.42 of
			 title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, provides that, except in special
			 circumstances, citizens of the United States may not possess, use, or
			 transport firearms on national wildlife refuges of the United States
			 Fish and Wildlife Service;
			(4)The regulations
			 described in paragraphs (2) and (3) prevent individuals complying with Federal
			 and State laws from exercising the second amendment rights of the individuals
			 while at units of—
				(A)the National Park
			 System; and
				(B)the National
			 Wildlife Refuge System;
				(5)The existence of different laws relating to
			 the transportation and possession of firearms at different units of the
			 National Park System and the National Wildlife Refuge System entraps
			 law-abiding gun owners while at units of the National Park System and the
			 National Wildlife Refuge System; and
			(6)The Federal laws should make it clear that
			 the second amendment rights of an individual at a unit of the National Park
			 System or the National Wildlife Refuge System should not be infringed.
			3.Protecting the
			 right of individuals to bear arms in units of the National Park System and the
			 National Wildlife Refuge SystemThe Secretary of the Interior shall not
			 promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an individual from
			 possessing a firearm including an assembled or functional firearm in any unit
			 of the National Park System or the National Wildlife Refuge System if—
			(1)the individual is
			 not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm; and
			(2)the possession of the firearm is in
			 compliance with the law of the State in which the unit of the National Park
			 System or the National Wildlife Refuge System is located.

		February 11, 2008
		Read the second time and placed on the
		  calendar


		IA
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. J. RES. 51
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 30, 2011
			Mr. Akin introduced
			 the following joint resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		JOINT RESOLUTION
		Proposing an amendment to the Constitution
		  of the United States to control Federal spending.

		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.Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not
				exceed 18 percent of the gross domestic product of the United States for the
				most recent calendar year ending before the beginning of such fiscal year,
				unless two-thirds of each House of Congress shall provide for a specific
				increase of outlays above this amount. Total outlays shall include all outlays
				of the United States Government, except for those for repayment of debt
				principal.
					2.The Congress shall have the power to
				enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
					3.No court shall have jurisdiction to
				consider any claim or question arising out of this amendment or any authority
				to issue any judgment, decree, or other remedial order relating thereto.
					4.This article shall take effect beginning
				with the fifth fiscal year beginning after the ratification of this
				article.
					.


110 HCON 75 IH: Expressing the sense of Congress that the

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-02-27
text/xml
EN
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		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. CON. RES. 75
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 27, 2007
			Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of
			 Texas (for herself and Mr.
			 Honda) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
			 referred to the Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of Congress that the
		  global use of child soldiers is unacceptable and that the international
		  community should find remedies to end this practice.

		Whereas the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
			 Child promotes principles in the best interests of the child and the United
			 Nations Commission on Human Rights, in its Resolution 1999/80 on the Rights of
			 the Child, has reaffirmed the urgent need to raise to 18 years the current
			 minimum age limit set by article 38 of the Convention on the Rights of the
			 Child on the recruitment and participation of any persons on armed
			 conflict;
		Whereas, despite the efforts of the world community to
			 address the effects of war on children, more than 3,000,000 children under 18
			 years of age are currently participating in armed conflicts worldwide;
		Whereas the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
			 Court (1998) characterized as a war crime the conscripting to enlist or
			 enlisting of children under the age of 15 into the national armed forces of a
			 country or using such children to participate actively in hostilities;
		Whereas the General Conference of the International Labor
			 Organization adopted Convention 182 (1999) prohibiting forced or compulsory
			 recruitment of children under the age of 18 for use in armed conflict, and the
			 ILO recommends in its Recommendation 190 that governments also prohibit, as a
			 criminal offense, the use, procuring, or offering of a child for activities
			 which involve the unlawful carrying or use of firearms or other weapons;
			 and
		Whereas the United Nations Security Council adopted
			 Resolution 1261 (1999) condemning the targeting of children in situations of
			 armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction and
			 forced displacement, recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in
			 violation of international law, and attacks on objects protected under
			 international law, including places that usually have a significant presence of
			 children, such as schools and hospitals, and calling on all parties concerned
			 to put an end to such practices: Now, therefore, be it

		That it is the sense of Congress that
			 the global use of child soldiers is unacceptable and that the international
			 community should find remedies to end this practice.


114 HR 5726 IH: Better Informing Veterans’ Healthcare Decisions Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-07-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5726IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 11, 2016Mr. O'Rourke (for himself and Mr. Knight) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to post at certain
			 locations the average national wait times for veterans to receive an
			 appointment for health care at medical facilities of the Department of
			 Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Better Informing Veterans’ Healthcare Decisions Act. 2.Posting of average national wait times for health care appointments and average processing times of disability compensation claims and appeals (a)Findings; sense of Congress (1)FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (A)According to the Suicide Data Report, 2012, of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
 (B)According to estimates of the Department, only approximately five of these 22 veterans are enrolled in the mental health care system of the Department.
 (2)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that— (A)the Department of Veterans Affairs must be more urgent and effective in its approach to addressing veteran suicide and providing veterans access to mental health care; and
 (B)Congress urges the Department to ensure that preventing veteran suicide and providing veterans access to mental health care is the top reform priority of the Department.
 (b)Provision of informationNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and on a monthly basis thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—
 (1)determine, with respect to the one-year period before the date of the determination— (A)the average national wait times (in days) for a veteran enrolled in the health care system established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code—
 (i)to receive an appointment for mental health care at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
 (ii)to receive an appointment for primary health care at such a facility; (B)the average claims processing time of the Secretary with respect to claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 of such title 38; and
 (C)the average appeals processing time of the Secretary to decide an appeal to such a claim for disability compensation; and
 (2)provide the Secretary of Defense with such information determined under paragraph (1). (c)Posting of informationThe Secretary of Defense shall place in a conspicuous location at each career counselor or career assistance advisor office a sign that—
 (1)is not less than 18 inches tall by 24 inches wide; and (2)is continuously updated to display the most current information received by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
 (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term appeals processing time means, with respect to a veteran filing an appeal to a decision of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs denying a claim for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, the period beginning on the date on which the claimant files a notice of disagreement and ending on the date on which the claimant is informed of the decision to such notice of disagreement.
 (2)The term claims processing time means, with respect to a veteran filing a claim for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, the period beginning on the date on which the claim is originally received by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and ending on the date on which the Secretary informs the claimant of the decision.
 (3)The term wait time means, with respect to a veteran receiving an appointment for health care at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the period beginning on the date on which the veteran first requests such appointment and ending on the date on which such appointment occurs.


114 S1220 IS: Energy Distribution Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-05-06
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. 1220
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 6, 2015
			Ms. Murkowski introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To improve the distribution of energy in the United States.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Energy Distribution Act of 2015.
		2.Energy security
 (a)In generalThe Secretary of Energy (referred to in this Act as the Secretary)— (1)shall collaborate with the heads of other Federal agencies to improve the conceptual development of energy security; and
 (2)may consult with allies and key trading partners of the United States with respect to energy security issues resulting from changes in the energy marketplace.
 (b)ConsiderationsAt a minimum, the Secretary shall ensure that, as part of the collaboration required under subsection (a)(1), the following are considered:
 (1)The development of flexible, transparent, and competitive energy markets, including natural gas and oil markets;
 (2)The diversification of energy fuels, sources, and routes; and (3)The encouragement of indigenous sources of energy supply.
 3.Shared infrastructureThe Secretary shall lead an interagency effort to improve and coordinate data collection and analytical and modeling capabilities for energy distribution on shared energy infrastructure.
 4.Energy market integrationThe Secretary shall coordinate the training of, and enhanced dialogue among, technical staff in applicable Federal agencies that are responsible for evaluating and implementing cross-border energy projects.
		5.Energy data collaboration
 (a)In generalThe Administrator of the Energy Information Administration (referred to in this Act as the Administrator) shall collaborate with the appropriate officials in Canada and Mexico, as determined by the Administrator, to improve—
 (1)the quality and transparency of North American energy data through reconciliation of data on energy trade flows among the United States, Canada, and Mexico;
 (2)the extension of energy mapping capabilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; and (3)the development of common energy data terminology among the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
 (b)Periodic updatesThe Administrator shall periodically inform the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives regarding—
 (1)the extent to which energy data is being shared under subsection (a); and (2)whether forward-looking projections for regional energy flows are improving in accuracy as a result of the energy data sharing under that subsection.


110 HR 2906 IH: 10th Congressional District of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-06-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		-I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2906
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 28, 2007
			Mr. Kirk introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and
			 Labor

		A BILL
		To establish a pilot program under which the Secretary of
		  Education makes grants to establish and support the 10th Congressional District
		  of Illinois School Conservation Corps.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 10th Congressional District of
			 Illinois School Conservation Corps Act.
		2.School
			 Conservation Corps pilot program
			(a)EstablishmentFrom
			 amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary of Education
			 shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary makes grants to
			 chapters to establish and support a school conservation corps.
			(b)ScopeThe
			 pilot program shall be carried out in the 10th congressional district of
			 Illinois.
			(c)ChaptersIn
			 this section, the term chapter means a group, at a public high
			 school, consisting of at least 10 students of that high school and at least one
			 advisor age 21 or older.
			(d)Amount of
			 grants
				(1)In
			 generalEach grant under this section—
					(A)shall include a
			 base amount of $1,000; and
					(B)may, at the
			 discretion of the Secretary, include an additional amount of up to $5,000,
			 subject to paragraph (2).
					(2)Matching
			 requirement for additional amountsAn additional amount under
			 paragraph (1)(B) may be included only to the following extent:
					(A)In
			 generalThe chapter matches each $1 of the additional amount with
			 $1 from non-Federal sources raised by the chapter.
					(B)PartnershipsThe
			 chapter matches each $1.03 of the additional amount with $1 from non-Federal
			 sources raised by the chapter for an activity sponsored in collaboration with
			 one or more of the following entities:
						(i)Illinois Open Lands.
						(ii)Illinois Audubon
			 Society.
						(iii)Ducks
			 Unlimited.
						(iv)Environmental
			 Defense.
						(e)Use of grant
			 amounts
				(1)In
			 generalAmounts granted under this section shall be used to
			 sponsor activities to improve environmental protection in the region in which
			 the pilot program is being carried out.
				(2)10th
			 congressional district of IllinoisWith respect to the
			 congressional district specified in subsection (b), the activities sponsored
			 shall include, in order of priority, the following:
					(A)Providing volunteers for cleaning up the
			 Lake Michigan watershed.
					(B)Finding ways for
			 schools and families to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
					(C)Establishing
			 recycling programs for student and school waste.
					(D)Becoming
			 volunteers to assist in the cleanup of Waukegan Harbor.
					(E)Leading seminars
			 for local leaders and the public on the dangers of mercury pollution.
					(F)Meeting with local
			 mayors and village councils to encourage their reduction of greenhouse gases
			 and encourage recycling.
					(G)Forming groups to
			 ask large companies to provide financial tax incentives to lower greenhouse gas
			 emissions.
					(f)DurationThe
			 pilot program shall be carried out in fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
			(g)Evaluation
				(1)In
			 generalAfter the period of
			 the pilot program, the Secretary shall evaluate the success of the pilot
			 program. In carrying out the evaluation, the Secretary shall determine whether
			 the pilot program met the following goals:
					(A)Achieving 29 percent
			 of the activities specified in subsection (e)(2).
					(B)Involving 21
			 percent of all public high school students in the congressional district
			 specified in subsection (b) with the program.
					(2)Report and
			 recommendationsUpon
			 completing the evaluation, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on
			 the evaluation. The report shall include the Secretary’s recommendations as to
			 whether—
					(A)to expand the program to other
			 congressional districts;
					(B)to change the
			 current goals; or
					(C)to allow the
			 program to continue unchanged.
					(h)FundingFrom
			 amounts appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Administrator
			 of the Environmental Protection Agency shall transfer to the Secretary such
			 sums as may be necessary to carry out the pilot program.


116 HR 8941 IH: Democracy Restoration Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-12-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8941IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 10, 2020Mr. Hall introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo secure the Federal voting rights of persons when released from incarceration.1.Rights of citizensThe right of an individual who is a citizen of the United States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility at the time of the election.2.Enforcement(a)Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General may, in a civil action, obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy a violation of this Act.(b)Private right of action(1)In generalA person who is aggrieved by a violation of this Act may provide written notice of the violation to the chief election official of the State involved.(2)ReliefExcept as provided in paragraph (3), if the violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.(3)ExceptionIf the violation occurred within 30 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the State under paragraph (1) before bringing a civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.3.Notification of restoration of voting rights(a)State notification(1)NotificationOn the date determined under paragraph (2), each State shall notify in writing any individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under the law of that State that such individual has the right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy Restoration Act of 2020 and may register to vote in any such election.(2)Date of notification(A)Felony convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which the individual—(i)is sentenced to serve only a term of probation; or(ii)is released from the custody of that State (other than to the custody of another State or the Federal Government to serve a term of imprisonment for a felony conviction).(B)Misdemeanor convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a State court.(b)Federal notification(1)NotificationAny individual who has been convicted of a criminal offense under Federal law shall be notified in accordance with paragraph (2) that such individual has the right to vote in an election for Federal office pursuant to the Democracy Restoration Act of 2020 and may register to vote in any such election.(2)Date of notification(A)Felony convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a felony, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given—(i)in the case of an individual who is sentenced to serve only a term of probation, by the Assistant Director for the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on the date on which the individual is sentenced; or(ii)in the case of any individual committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, during the period beginning on the date that is 6 months before such individual is released and ending on the date such individual is released from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.(B)Misdemeanor convictionIn the case of such an individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the notification required under paragraph (1) shall be given on the date on which such individual is sentenced by a court established by an Act of Congress.4.DefinitionsFor purposes of this Act:(1)Correctional institution or facilityThe term correctional institution or facility means any prison, penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses, whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term does not include any residential community treatment center (or similar public or private facility).(2)ElectionThe term election means—(A)a general, special, primary, or runoff election;(B)a convention or caucus of a political party held to nominate a candidate;(C)a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party; or(D)a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of persons for election to the office of President.(3)Federal officeThe term Federal office means the office of President or Vice President of the United States, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.(4)ProbationThe term probation means probation, imposed by a Federal, State, or local court, with or without a condition on the individual involved concerning—(A)the individual’s freedom of movement;(B)the payment of damages by the individual;(C)periodic reporting by the individual to an officer of the court; or(D)supervision of the individual by an officer of the court.5.Relation to other laws(a)State laws relating to voting rightsNothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the States from enacting any State law which affords the right to vote in any election for Federal office on terms less restrictive than those established by this Act.(b)Certain Federal ActsThe rights and remedies established by this Act are in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law, and neither rights and remedies established by this Act shall supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) or the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.).6.Federal prison fundsNo State, unit of local government, or other person may receive or use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, jail, or other place of incarceration, any Federal funds unless that person has in effect a program under which each individual incarcerated in that person’s jurisdiction who is a citizen of the United States is notified, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual’s rights under section 1.7.Effective dateThis Act shall apply to citizens of the United States voting in any election for Federal office held after the date of the enactment of this Act.