110 HR 1180 IH: Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-02-16
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.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1180
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 16, 2007
			Mr. Udall of Colorado
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To assure that development of certain Federal oil and gas
		  resources will occur in ways that protect water resources and respect the
		  rights of the surface owners, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; findings;
			 purpose
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection
			 Act.
			(b)FindingsThe
			 Congress finds the following:
				(1)Domestic oil and
			 gas resources, including coalbed methane, are an important part of the Nation’s
			 energy supply portfolio and their development in appropriate locations and in
			 appropriate ways can help reduce dependence on imported energy supplies.
				(2)In many areas of
			 the Western United States, federally owned minerals, including oil and gas, are
			 in lands where the surface estate belongs to non-Federal parties whose
			 interests can be adversely affected if the development of the minerals is not
			 done in an appropriate manner.
				(3)Development of oil
			 and gas—and especially coalbed methane—often involves removal of a significant
			 volume of groundwater.
				(4)Some of the water
			 extracted in connection with this development is reinjected into the ground,
			 while some is retained in surface holding ponds or released on the surface and
			 allowed to flow into streams or other waterbodies, including ditches used for
			 irrigation.
				(5)The quality of
			 these extracted waters varies from one location to another. Some of these
			 waters are of good quality, but they often contain dissolved minerals (such as
			 sodium, magnesium, arsenic, or selenium) that can contaminate other waters as a
			 result of leaks or leaching from holding ponds or discharge of extracted
			 waters. In addition, extracted waters often have other characteristics, such as
			 high acidity and temperature, that can adversely affect agricultural uses of
			 land or the quality of the environment.
				(6)Clearer
			 requirements for proper disposal of these extracted waters is necessary in
			 order to avoid adverse effects on the quality of ground and surface waters as
			 well as the productivity of surrounding agricultural lands.
				(7)To
			 reduce the chance of potential harm to water supplies, agricultural production,
			 and the environment that otherwise could result from disposal of water
			 extracted in connection with coalbed methane development or the development of
			 other oil or gas resources, the Congress should act to ensure that such
			 disposal is subject to regulation under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
			 1251 et seq.) and the Mineral Leasing
			 Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).
				(8)Under the
			 Stock-Raising Homestead Act (43 U.S.C. 291 et seq.) and other laws, the Federal
			 Government has transferred to other parties the surface estate in millions of
			 acres in Western States where ownership of coal, oil, gas, and other minerals
			 has been retained by the Federal Government.
				(9)Under current
			 Federal law, the leasing of federally owned coal on lands where the surface
			 estate is not owned by the United States is subject to the consent of the
			 surface estate owners, but neither this consent requirement nor the operating
			 and bonding requirements applicable to development of federally owned locatable
			 minerals applies to the leasing or development of oil or gas in similar
			 split-estate situations.
				(10)To better balance
			 the need for development of oil and gas resources (including coalbed methane)
			 with the rights and interests of the owners of the surface estate of affected
			 lands, current law should be revised so as to increase the involvement of the
			 surface estate owners in developing and implementing plans for such development
			 and to provide clearer and more adequate standards for such development.
				(c)PurposeThe
			 purpose of this Act is to provide for the protection of water resources and the
			 rights of surface estate owners in the development of oil and gas resources,
			 including coalbed methane.
			IProtection of
			 water resources
			101.Mineral Leasing Act requirementsSection 17 of the
			 Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

					(p)Water
				requirements
						(1)An operator
				producing oil or gas (including coalbed methane) under a lease issued under
				this Act shall—
							(A)replace the water
				supply of a water user who obtains all or part of such user’s supply of water
				for domestic, agricultural, or other purposes from an underground or surface
				source that has been affected by contamination, diminution, or interruption
				proximately resulting from drilling operations for such production; and
							(B)comply with all
				applicable requirements of Federal and State law for discharge of any water
				produced under the lease.
							(2)An application for
				a lease under this subsection shall be accompanied by a proposed water
				management plan including provisions to—
							(A)protect the
				quantity and quality of surface and ground water systems, both on-site and
				off-site, from adverse effects of the exploration, development, and reclamation
				processes or to provide alternative sources of water if such protection cannot
				be assured;
							(B)protect the rights
				of present users of water that would be affected by operations under the lease,
				including the discharge of any water produced in connection with such
				operations that is not reinjected; and
							(C)identify any
				agreements with other parties for the beneficial use of produced waters and the
				steps that will be taken to comply with State and Federal laws related to such
				use.
							.
			102.Relation to
			 State lawNothing in this Act
			 or any amendment made by this Act shall—
				(1)be construed as
			 impairing or in any manner affecting any right or jurisdiction of any State
			 with respect to the waters of such State; or
				(2)be construed as
			 limiting, altering, modifying, or amending any of the interstate compacts or
			 equitable apportionment decrees that apportion water among and between
			 States.
				IISurface owner
			 protection
			201.DefinitionsAs used in this title—
				(1)the term
			 Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior;
				(2)the term
			 lease means a lease issued by the Secretary under the
			 Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et
			 seq.) or any other law, providing for development of oil and gas resources
			 (including coalbed methane) owned by the United States;
				(3)the term
			 lessee means the holder of a lease; and
				(4)the term
			 operator means any person that is responsible under the terms and
			 conditions of a lease for the operations conducted on leased lands or any
			 portion thereof.
				202.Post-lease
			 surface use agreement
				(a)In
			 generalExcept as provided in section 203, the Secretary may not
			 authorize any operator to conduct exploration and drilling operations on lands
			 with respect to which title to oil and gas resources is held by the United
			 States but title to the surface estate is not held by the United States, until
			 the operator has filed with the Secretary a document, signed by the operator
			 and the surface owner or owners, showing that the operator has secured a
			 written surface use agreement between the operator and the surface owner or
			 owners that meets the requirements of subsection (b).
				(b)ContentsThe
			 surface use agreement shall provide for—
					(1)the use of only
			 such portion of the surface estate as is reasonably necessary for exploration
			 and drilling operations based on site-specific conditions;
					(2)the accommodation
			 of the surface estate owner to the maximum extent practicable, including the
			 location, use, timing, and type of exploration and drilling operations,
			 consistent with the operator’s right to develop the oil and gas estate;
					(3)the reclamation of
			 the site to a condition capable of supporting the uses which such lands were
			 capable of supporting prior to exploration and drilling operations; and
					(4)compensation for
			 damages as a result of exploration and drilling operations, including but not
			 limited to—
						(A)loss of income and
			 increased costs incurred;
						(B)damage to or
			 destruction of personal property, including crops, forage, and livestock;
			 and
						(C)failure to reclaim
			 the site in accordance with this paragraph (3).
						(c)Procedure(1)An operator shall notify
			 the surface estate owner or owners of the operator’s desire to conclude an
			 agreement under this section. If the surface estate owner and the operator do
			 not reach an agreement within 90 days after the operator has provided such
			 notice, the matter shall be referred to third party arbitration for resolution
			 within a period of 90 days. The cost of such arbitration shall be the
			 responsibility of the operator.
					(2)The Secretary shall identify persons
			 with experience in conducting arbitrations and shall make this information
			 available to operators.
					(3)Referral of a matter for arbitration
			 by a person identified by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be
			 sufficient to constitute compliance with paragraph (1).
					(d)Attorneys
			 feesIf action is taken to enforce or interpret any of the terms
			 and conditions contained in a surface use agreement, the prevailing party shall
			 be reimbursed by the other party for reasonable attorneys fees and actual costs
			 incurred, in addition to any other relief which a court or arbitration panel
			 may grant.
				203.Authorized
			 exploration and drilling operations
				(a)Authorization
			 without surface use agreementThe Secretary may authorize an
			 operator to conduct exploration and drilling operations on lands covered by
			 section 202 in the absence of an agreement with the surface estate owner or
			 owners, if—
					(1)the Secretary
			 makes a determination in writing that the operator made a good faith attempt to
			 conclude such an agreement, including referral of the matter to arbitration
			 pursuant to section 202(c), but that no agreement was concluded within 90 days
			 after the referral to arbitration;
					(2)the operator
			 submits a plan of operations that provides for the matters specified in section
			 202(b) and for compliance with all other applicable requirements of Federal and
			 State law; and
					(3)the operator posts
			 a bond or other financial assurance in an amount the Secretary determines to be
			 adequate to ensure compensation to the surface estate owner for any damages to
			 the site, in the form of a surety bond, trust fund, letter of credit,
			 government security, certificate of deposit, cash, or equivalent.
					(b)Surface owner
			 participationThe Secretary shall provide surface estate owners
			 with an opportunity to—
					(1)comment on plans
			 of operations in advance of a determination of compliance with this
			 title;
					(2)participate in
			 bond level determinations and bond release proceedings under this
			 section;
					(3)attend an on-site
			 inspection during such determinations and proceedings;
					(4)file written
			 objections to a proposed bond release; and
					(5)request and
			 participate in an on-site inspection when they have reason to believe there is
			 a violation of the terms and conditions of a plan of operations.
					(c)Payment of
			 financial guaranteeA surface estate owner with respect to any
			 land subject to a lease may petition the Secretary for payment of all or any
			 portion of a bond or other financial assurance required under this section as
			 compensation for any damages as a result of exploration and drilling
			 operations. Pursuant to such a petition, the Secretary may use such bond or
			 other guarantee to provide compensation to the surface estate owner for such
			 damages.
				(d)Bond
			 releaseUpon request and after inspection and opportunity for
			 surface estate owner review, the Secretary may release the financial assurance
			 required under this section if the Secretary determines that exploration and
			 drilling operations are ended and all damages have been fully
			 compensated.
				204.Surface owner
			 notificationThe Secretary
			 shall—
				(1)notify surface
			 estate owners in writing at least 45 days in advance of lease sales;
				(2)within ten working
			 days after a lease is issued, notify surface estate owners of regarding the
			 identity of the lessee;
				(3)notify surface
			 estate owners in writing concerning any subsequent decisions regarding a lease,
			 such as modifying or waiving stipulations and approving rights of way;
			 and
				(4)notify surface
			 estate owners within five business days after issuance of a drilling permit
			 under a lease.
				IIIReclamation and
			 bonding
			301.Reclamation
			 standard and bondSection 17
			 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C.
			 226) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(p)Reclamation
				requirementsAn operator producing oil or gas (including coalbed
				methane) under a lease issued pursuant to this Act shall—
						(1)at a minimum
				restore the land affected to a condition capable of supporting the uses that it
				was capable of supporting prior to any drilling, or higher or better uses of
				which there is reasonable likelihood, so long as such use or uses do not
				present any actual or probable hazard to public health or safety or pose any
				actual or probable threat of water diminution or pollution, and the permit
				applicants’ declared proposed land use following reclamation is not impractical
				or unreasonable, inconsistent with applicable land use policies and plans, or
				involve unreasonable delay in implementation, or is violative of Federal,
				State, or local law;
						(2)ensure that all
				reclamation efforts proceed in an environmentally sound manner and as
				contemporaneously as practicable with the oil and gas drilling operations;
				and
						(3)submit with the
				plan of operations a reclamation plan that describes in detail the methods and
				practices that will be used to ensure complete and timely restoration of all
				lands affected by oil and gas operations.
						(q)Reclamation
				bondAn operator producing oil or gas (including coalbed methane)
				under a lease issued under this Act shall post a bond that covers that area of
				land within the permit area upon which the operator will initiate and conduct
				oil and gas drilling and reclamation operations within the initial term of the
				permit. As succeeding increments of oil and gas drilling and reclamation
				operations are to be initiated and conducted within the permit area, the lessee
				shall file with the regulatory authority an additional bond or bonds to cover
				such increments in accordance with this section. The amount of the bond
				required for each bonded area shall depend upon the reclamation requirements of
				the approved permit; shall reflect the probable difficulty of reclamation
				giving consideration to such factors as topography, geology of the site,
				hydrology, and revegetation potential; and shall be determined by the
				Secretary. The amount of the bond shall be sufficient to assure the completion
				of the reclamation plan if the work had to be performed by the Secretary in the
				event of forfeiture.
					(r)RegulationsNo
				later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the
				Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement the requirements of
				subsections (p) and (q).
					(s)Study by the
				general accounting office(1)The Comptroller General
				shall conduct a review to assess the adequacy of the regulations issued by the
				Secretary pursuant to subsection (r) to ensure that operators will meet the
				requirements of subsection (p).
						(2)A report of the results of the review
				required by paragraph (1) shall be transmitted to the Committee on Resources of
				the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
				of the Senate no later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary
				promulgates regulations pursuant to subsection (r).
						(3)The report required by paragraph (2)
				shall include findings and conclusions by the Comptroller General of the United
				States, and any recommendations the Comptroller General may make with respect
				to any legislation or administrative actions the Comptroller General determines
				would be appropriate to ensure compliance with the requirements of subsection
				(p).
						.
			IVAbandoned
			 wells
			401.DefinitionAs used in this title, the term
			 abandoned well means any well drilled for the purpose of
			 exploring for or developing oil or gas resources (including coalbed methane)
			 that—
				(1)has not been in
			 operation for a period of 12 continuous months, unless the owner or operator
			 has notified the Secretary of the Interior (for wells drilled to explore for or
			 develop minerals owned by the United States) or the relevant State regulatory
			 agency (for wells drilled to explore for or develop minerals not owned by the
			 United States) that the well has been temporarily shut down; or
				(2)has not been
			 operative for more than 60 continuous months after the owner or operator has
			 notified the Secretary of the Interior (for wells drilled to explore for or
			 develop minerals owned by the United States) or the relevant State regulatory
			 agency (for wells drilled to explore for or develop minerals not owned by the
			 United States) that the well has been temporarily shut down.
				402.Federal
			 remediation program
				(a)Establishment of
			 program(1)The Secretary of the
			 Interior, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish a
			 program to ensure to the maximum extent feasible the remediation, reclamation,
			 and closure of abandoned wells that—
						(A)are located on lands administered by
			 an agency of the Department of the Interior or the Forest Service; or
						(B)were drilled to explore for or develop
			 minerals owned by the United States located on lands with respect to which the
			 surface estate is not owned by the United States.
						(2)In implementing the program, the
			 Secretary of the Interior—
						(A)shall cooperate with the Secretary of
			 Agriculture and the States with respect to the Federal lands covered by the
			 program are located; and
						(B)shall consult with the Secretary of
			 Energy and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
						(3)The Secretary of the Interior shall
			 establish the program by no later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
			 this section.
					(b)Program
			 elementsThe program established under subsection (a)
			 shall—
					(1)provide for
			 identification of abandoned wells to be covered by the program;
					(2)establish a means
			 of ranking critical sites for priority in remediation based on potential
			 environmental harm, other land use priorities, and public health and safety;
			 and
					(3)provide as far as
			 possible for identifying any lessees or other persons responsible for abandoned
			 wells, and for recovering the costs of remediation to the maximum extent
			 feasible.
					(c)PlanWithin
			 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of the
			 Interior, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall prepare a
			 plan for implementing the program established under subsection (a). A copy of
			 the plan shall be transmitted to the Committee on Resources of the House of
			 Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
			 Senate.
				(d)Review and
			 report(1)No
			 later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary
			 of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall
			 complete a review of the status of remediation, reclamation, and closure
			 actions under the program.
					(2)Upon completion of the review
			 required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Interior shall provide to the
			 Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
			 Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate—
						(A)a report on the results of the
			 review;
						(B)information regarding any wells on
			 lands covered by the program that have been abandoned since the date of
			 enactment of this section; and
						(C)any recommendations the Secretary may
			 choose to make regarding legislative or administration steps to further the
			 purposes for which the program was established.
						(e)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the
			 Secretary of the Interior $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2009
			 to carry out this section.
				403.Assistance to
			 States and tribes
				(a)State
			 programThe Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the
			 Secretary of Energy, shall establish a program to provide technical assistance
			 to facilitate State efforts to develop and implement practical and economical
			 remedies for environmental problems caused by abandoned wells on lands that are
			 not owned by the United States. The Secretary shall work with the States,
			 through the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, to assist the States in
			 quantifying and mitigating environmental risks of onshore abandoned wells on
			 State and private lands.
				(b)Tribal
			 programThe Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the
			 Secretary of Energy, shall establish a program to provide technical assistance
			 to facilitate efforts by Indian tribes to develop and implement practical and
			 economical remedies for environmental problems caused by abandoned wells on
			 Indian lands, including lands held in trust by the United States.
				(c)Program
			 elementsSo far as possible, the programs established under this
			 section shall include—
					(1)mechanisms to
			 facilitate identification of responsible parties;
					(2)criteria for
			 ranking critical sites based on factors such as other land use priorities,
			 potential environmental harm and public visibility; and
					(3)information and
			 training programs regarding best practices for remediation of different types
			 of sites.
					(d)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the
			 Secretary of the Interior for activities under this section $5,000,000 for each
			 of fiscal years 2008 through 2009.


113 HR 1886 IH: Promoting Border Commerce and Travel Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-05-08
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. 1886
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 8, 2013
			Ms. DelBene (for
			 herself, Mr. Hanna,
			 Mr. Owens,
			 Mr. Cramer,
			 Mr. Higgins, and
			 Mr. Huizenga of Michigan) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Ways and Means, for a
			 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To prohibit land border crossing fees.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Promoting Border Commerce and Travel
			 Act.
		2.Prohibition on
			 land border crossing feesThe
			 Secretary of Homeland Security may not establish, collect, or otherwise impose
			 a border crossing fee for pedestrians or passenger vehicles at land ports of
			 entry along the southern border or the northern border of the United States,
			 and may not conduct any study relating to the imposition of such a fee.


116 HRES 133 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of the designation of January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024, as the “International Decade for People of African Descent”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-02-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 133IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 14, 2019Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself, Ms. Bass, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Brown of Maryland, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Haaland, Mr. Hastings, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Norton, Mr. Horsford, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Khanna, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Moore, Mr. Neguse, Ms. Omar, Mr. Payne, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Richmond, Mr. Rush, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Veasey, and Ms. Wilson of Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsRESOLUTIONSupporting the goals and ideals of the designation of January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024, as the International Decade for People of African Descent.

 Whereas the decade commencing on January 1, 2015, and ending on December 31, 2024, has been designated as the International Decade for People of African Descent with the theme People of African descent: recognition, justice and development;
 Whereas the African Diaspora is expansive, spanning across the globe from Latin America and the Caribbean to Asia and Europe, with persons of African descent having had a historical presence and currently residing on every continent;
 Whereas during the International Decade for People of African Descent governments and civil society across the globe join together with people of African descent to promote respect, protection, and the fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms;
 Whereas during the International Decade for People of African Descent governments in concert with civil society are to strengthen national, regional and international action and cooperation to facilitate the full and equal participation of people of African descent in society, promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contributions of people of African descent to the development of societies, and to strengthen and implement legal frameworks that combat racial discrimination;
 Whereas during the International Decade for People of African Descent governments are to utilize reliable statistical data to develop and implement in concert with civil society measurable national action plans and other strategies to address racial disparities impacting people of African descent in the justice, wealth, education, employment, health, housing, development, and other sectors;
 Whereas government efforts of the International Decade for People of African Descent are to also promote the history and heritage of people of African descent, including through research and education, the full and accurate inclusion of their history and contributions in educational curricula, and by recognizing the victims and descendants of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, as a means of upholding their human dignity and equality and promoting societal reconciliation and healing;
 Whereas government efforts of the International Decade for People of African Descent are to also enable the full, equal and effective participation of people of African descent in public and political affairs; and
 Whereas, on December 10, 2014, Ambassador Samantha Power, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the General Assembly Special Event on the International Decade for People of African Descent stated, The United States comes to the International Decade for People of African Descent with a full and robust commitment to ensuring the rights of persons of African descent, and to combating racism and discrimination against them.: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the goals and ideals of the International Decade for People of African Descent;
 (2)supports the establishment of a global affairs strategy and assistance for people of African descent;
 (3)supports the expansion of current efforts by the United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for American States, and other international organizations to address the human rights situation of people of African Descent;
 (4)calls upon the United States in cooperation with civil society (African descent communities, academics, activists, businesses, and philanthropic organizations) to develop and implement domestic and global strategies to execute the goals and ideals of the International Decade for People of African Descent and to combat racism, including by expanding the transformative work of the United States Department of State’s Race, Ethnicity, and Social Inclusion Unit in this regard; and
 (5)reaffirms the commitment of Congress to combat racism, discrimination, and intolerance in the United States and around the globe.


110 HR 617 IH: Restoring the Everglades, an American

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-22
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
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 617
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 22, 2007
			Mr. Hastings of
			 Florida (for himself, Mr. Mario
			 Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Mahoney of
			 Florida, Mr. Klein of
			 Florida, Ms. Castor,
			 Mr. Wexler, and
			 Mr. Meek of Florida) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To authorize ecosystem restoration projects for the
		  Indian River Lagoon-South and the Picayune Strand, Collier County, in the State
		  of Florida.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Restoring the Everglades, an American
			 Legacy Act of 2007.
		2.Indian River
			 Lagoon-South, Florida
			(a)Indian river
			 lagoonThe Secretary of the
			 Army may carry out the project for ecosystem restoration, water supply, flood
			 control, and protection of water quality, Indian River Lagoon-South, Florida,
			 at a total cost of $1,357,167,000, with an estimated Federal cost of
			 $678,583,500 and an estimated non-Federal cost of $678,583,500, in accordance
			 with section 601 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat.
			 2680) and the recommendations of the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated
			 August 6, 2004.
			(b)DeauthorizationsAs
			 of the date of enactment of this Act, the following projects are not
			 authorized:
				(1)The uncompleted
			 portions of the project authorized by section 601(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Water
			 Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2682), C–44 Basin Storage
			 Reservoir of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, at a total cost of
			 $112,562,000, with an estimated Federal cost of $56,281,000 and an estimated
			 non-Federal cost of $56,281,000.
				(2)The uncompleted
			 portions of the project authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control Act of
			 1968 (82 Stat. 740), Martin County, Florida modifications to the Central and
			 South Florida Project, as contained in Senate Document 101, 90th Congress, 2d
			 Session, at a total cost of $15,471,000, with an estimated Federal cost of
			 $8,073,000 and an estimated non-Federal cost of $7,398,000.
				(3)The uncompleted
			 portions of the project authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control Act of
			 1968 (82 Stat. 740), East Coast Backpumping, St. Lucie—Martin County, Spillway
			 Structure S–311 of the Central and South Florida Project, as contained in House
			 Document 369, 90th Congress, 2d Session, at a total cost of $77,118,000, with
			 an estimated Federal cost of $55,124,000 and an estimated non-Federal cost of
			 $21,994,000.
				3.Picayune Strand
			 Ecosystem Restoration, Collier County, FloridaThe Secretary of the Army may carry out the
			 project for ecosystem restoration, Picayune Strand, Collier County, Florida, at
			 a total cost of $375,328,000, with an estimated Federal cost of $187,664,000
			 and an estimated non-Federal cost of $187,664,000, in accordance with section
			 601 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2680), and the
			 report of the Chief of Engineers, dated September 15, 2006.


		II
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3508
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 14, 2006
			Mr. Sununu (for himself,
			 Mr. Santorum, and
			 Mr. Carper) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To authorize the Moving to Work Charter program to enable
		  public housing agencies to improve the effectiveness of Federal housing
		  assistance, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Moving to Work Charter Program Act
			 of 2006.
		2.Moving to work
			 charter program authorization
			(a)PurposeThe
			 purpose of this Act is—
				(1)to give public
			 housing agencies and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this
			 Act referred to as the Secretary) the flexibility to design and
			 implement various approaches for providing and administering housing assistance
			 that achieves greater cost effectiveness in using Federal housing assistance to
			 address local housing needs for low-income families;
				(2)to reduce
			 administrative burdens on public housing agencies providing such
			 assistance;
				(3)to give
			 incentives to assisted families to work and become economically
			 self-sufficient;
				(4)to increase
			 housing choices for low-income families; and
				(5)to enhance the
			 ability of low-income elderly residents and persons with disabilities to live
			 independently.
				(b)Moving to Work
			 Charter Program authority
				(1)Contract
			 authority
					(A)In
			 generalSubject to the phase-in requirements under subparagraph
			 (B), the Secretary shall enter into charter contracts, beginning in fiscal year
			 2007, with up to 250 public housing agencies administering the public housing
			 program or the section 8 housing assistance program under the United States
			 Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.).
					(B)Phase-inThe
			 phase-in requirements under this subparagraph are as follows:
						(i)By
			 the end of fiscal year 2007, the Secretary shall have entered into charter
			 contracts with at least 80 public housing agencies described in subparagraph
			 (A).
						(ii)By
			 the end of fiscal year 2008, the Secretary shall have entered into charter
			 contracts with at least 160 public housing agencies described in subparagraph
			 (A).
						(iii)By the end of
			 fiscal year 2009, the Secretary shall have entered into charter contracts with
			 at least 250 public housing agencies described in subparagraph (A).
						(2)Charter
			 contractsA charter contract shall—
					(A)supersede and
			 have a term commensurate with any annual contributions contract between a
			 public housing agency and the Secretary; and
					(B)provide that a
			 participating public housing agency shall receive—
						(i)capital and
			 operating assistance allocated to such agency under section 9 of the United
			 States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g); and
						(ii)assistance
			 provided under section 8 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
			 1437f).
						(3)Use of
			 assistanceAny assistance provided under paragraph (2)(B)—
					(A)may be combined;
			 and
					(B)shall be used to
			 provide locally designed housing assistance for low-income families, as such
			 term is defined in section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
			 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)), including—
						(i)services to
			 facilitate the transition to work and self-sufficiency; and
						(ii)any other
			 activity which a public housing agency is authorized to undertake pursuant to
			 State or local law.
						(c)Terms and
			 conditions of assistance
				(1)Applicability
			 of United States Housing Act of 1937Except as provided in this
			 section, the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) shall
			 not be applicable to any public housing agency participating in the Moving to
			 Work Charter program established under this section.
				(2)Applicable 1937
			 Act provisionsThe following provisions of the United States
			 Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) are applicable to any public
			 housing agency participating in the Moving to Work Charter program established
			 under this section:
					(A)Subsections (a)
			 and (b) of section 12 (42 U.S.C. 1437j(a) and (b)) shall apply to housing
			 assisted under a charter contract, other than housing assisted solely due to
			 occupancy by families receiving tenant based rental assistance.
					(B)Section 18 (42
			 U.S.C. 1437p) shall continue to apply to public housing developed under such
			 Act notwithstanding any use of the housing under a charter contract.
					(3)Charter
			 contract termsA charter contract shall provide that a public
			 housing agency—
					(A)may—
						(i)combine
			 assistance received under sections 8 and 9 of the United States Housing Act of
			 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f and 1437g), as described in subsection (b)(3); and
						(ii)use such
			 assistance to provide housing assistance and related services for activities
			 authorized by this section, including those activities authorized by sections 8
			 and 9 of such Act;
						(B)certify that in
			 preparing its application for participation in the Moving to Work Charter
			 program established under this section, such agency has—
						(i)provided for
			 citizen participation through a public hearing and, if appropriate, other
			 means; and
						(ii)taken into
			 account comments from the public hearing and any other public comments on the
			 proposed activities under this Act, including comments from current and
			 prospective residents who would be affected by such contract;
						(C)shall ensure that
			 at least 75 percent of the families assisted under a charter contract shall be,
			 at the time of such families entry into the Moving to Work Charter program,
			 very low-income families, as such term is defined in section 3(b)(2) of the
			 United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2));
					(D)shall establish a
			 reasonable rent policy, which shall—
						(i)be
			 designed to encourage employment, self-sufficiency, and homeownership by
			 participating families, consistent with the purpose of this Act;
						(ii)include
			 transition and hardship provisions;
						(iii)be included in
			 the annual plan of such agency; and
						(iv)be
			 subject to the opportunities for public participation described in subsection
			 (e)(1)(D);
						(E)shall continue to
			 assist not less than substantially the same total number of low-income families
			 as would have been served had such agency not entered into a such
			 contract;
					(F)shall maintain a
			 comparable mix of families (by family size) as would have been provided had the
			 agency not entered into such contract;
					(G)shall ensure that
			 housing assisted under such contract meets housing quality standards
			 established or approved by the Secretary;
					(H)shall receive
			 training and technical assistance, upon request by such agency, to assist with
			 the design and implementation of the activities described under this
			 Act;
					(I)shall receive an
			 amount of assistance under sections 8 and 9 of the United States Housing Act of
			 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f and 1437g), that is not diminished by the participation
			 of such agency in the Moving to Work Charter program established under this
			 section; and
					(J)shall be subject
			 to the procurement procedures described in such contract.
					(d)SelectionIn selecting among applications to
			 participate in the Moving to Work Charter program established under this
			 section, the Secretary shall consider—
				(1)the potential of each agency to plan and
			 carry out activities under such program;
				(2)the relative performance by an agency under
			 section 6(j) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
			 1437d(j));
				(3)the need for a diversity of participants in
			 terms of size, location, and type of agency; and
				(4)any other appropriate factor as determined
			 by the Secretary.
				(e)Charter
			 report
				(1)Contents
					(A)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, and in place
			 of all other planning and reporting requirements otherwise required, each
			 public housing agency that is a party to a charter contract shall submit to the
			 Secretary, on an annual basis, a single charter report, in a form and at a time
			 specified by the Secretary.
					(B)Sole means of
			 reportingA charter report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall
			 be the sole means by which a public housing agency shall be required to provide
			 information to the Secretary on the activities assisted under this section
			 during a fiscal year, unless the Secretary has reason to believe that such
			 agency has violated the charter contract between the Secretary and such
			 agency.
					(C)RequirementsEach
			 charter report required under subparagraph (A) shall—
						(i)document the use
			 by a public housing agency of any assistance provided under a charter contract,
			 including appropriate financial statements;
						(ii)describe and
			 analyze the effect of assisted activities in addressing the objectives of this
			 section;
						(iii)include a
			 certification by such agency that such agency has prepared an annual plan
			 which—
							(I)states the goals
			 and objectives of that agency under the charter contract for the past fiscal
			 year;
							(II)describes the
			 proposed use of assistance by that agency for activities under the charter
			 contract for the past fiscal year;
							(III)explains how
			 the proposed activities of that agency will meet the goals and objectives of
			 that agency;
							(IV)includes
			 appropriate budget and financial statements of that agency; and
							(V)was prepared in
			 accordance with a public process as described in subparagraph (D);
							(D)describe and
			 document how a public housing agency has provided residents assisted under a
			 charter contract and the wider community with opportunities to participate in
			 the development of and comment on the annual plan, which shall include at least
			 1 public hearing; and
					(E)include such
			 other information as may be required by the Secretary pursuant to subsection
			 (f)(2).
					(2)ReviewAny
			 charter report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deemed approved
			 unless the Secretary, not later than 45 days after the date of submission of
			 such report, issues a written disapproval because—
					(A)the Secretary
			 reasonably determines, based on information contained in the report that a
			 public housing agency is not in compliance with the provisions of this section
			 or other applicable law; or
					(B)such report is
			 inconsistent with other reliable information available to the Secretary.
					(f)Records and
			 audits
				(1)Keeping of
			 recordsEach public housing agency shall keep such records as the
			 Secretary may prescribe as reasonably necessary—
					(A)to disclose the
			 amounts and the disposition of amounts under the Moving to Work Charter program
			 established under this section;
					(B)to ensure
			 compliance with the requirements of this section; and
					(C)to measure
			 performance.
					(2)Access to
			 documents by the secretary
					(A)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall have access for the purpose of audit
			 and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records that are pertinent
			 to assistance in connection with, and the requirements of, this section.
					(B)LimitationAccess
			 by the Secretary described under subparagraph (A) shall be limited to
			 information obtained solely through the annual charter report submitted by a
			 public housing agency under subsection (e), unless the Secretary has reason to
			 believe that such agency is not in compliance with the charter contract between
			 the Secretary and such agency.
					(3)Access to
			 documents by the comptroller generalThe Comptroller General of
			 the United States, or any duly authorized representative of the Comptroller
			 General, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any
			 books, documents, papers, and records that are pertinent to assistance in
			 connection with, and the requirements of the Moving to Work Charter program
			 established under this section.
				(g)Procurement
			 preemption
				(1)In
			 generalAny State or local law which imposes procedures or
			 standards for procurement which conflict with or are more burdensome than
			 applicable Federal procurement requirements shall not apply to any public
			 housing agency under the Moving to Work Charter program established under this
			 section.
				(2)reduction of
			 administrative burdensThe Secretary may approve procurement
			 procedures for public housing agencies participating in the Moving to Work
			 Charter program established under this section that reduce administrative
			 burdens of procurement requirements imposed by Federal law.
				(h)Subsequent laws
			 preemptedA public housing agency participating in the Moving to
			 Work Charter program established under this section shall not be subject to any
			 provision of law which conflicts with the provisions of this section and which
			 is enacted subsequent to the date of execution of such agency’s charter
			 contract or Moving to Work program agreement, as described in subsection (i),
			 unless such law expressly provides for such laws application to public housing
			 agencies subject to this section.
			(i)Existing
			 agreementsNotwithstanding anything in this section or any other
			 provision of law, any public housing agency which has an existing Moving to
			 Work program agreement with the Secretary pursuant to section 204 of the
			 Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and
			 Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104–134; 110 Stat.
			 1321–281) and which is not in default thereof, may, at the option of such
			 agency—
				(1)continue to
			 operate under the terms and conditions of such agreement notwithstanding any
			 limitation on the terms contained in such contract; or
				(2)at any time,
			 enter into a charter contract with the Secretary on terms and conditions which
			 are not less favorable to the agency than such existing agreement.
				(j)Public housing
			 agency evaluation
				(1)In
			 generalBy the end of fiscal year 2007, the Secretary shall
			 appoint a Federal advisory committee consisting of public housing agencies with
			 charter contracts, public housing industry organizations, resident
			 organizations, other public housing and section 8 voucher stakeholders, and
			 experts on accreditation systems in similar fields, to assess and develop a
			 demonstration program to test standards, criteria, and practices for a national
			 public housing agency accreditation system or other evaluation system.
				(2)ReportNot
			 later than the end of fiscal year 2009, the committee established under
			 paragraph (1) and the Secretary shall provide a report and recommendations to
			 Congress with respect to the establishment of a national public housing agency
			 accreditation system.


110 HRES 683 EH:
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-09-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 683
		In the House of Representatives, U.
		  S.,

			September 27, 2007

		RESOLUTION

		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. 3121) to restore the financial solvency of
			 the national flood insurance program and to provide for such program to make
			 available multiperil coverage for damage resulting from windstorms and floods,
			 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 except those
			 arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. General debate shall be confined to
			 the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the
			 chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services.
			 After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the
			 five-minute rule. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by
			 the Committee on Financial Services now printed in the bill, modified by the
			 amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules
			 accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted in the House and
			 in the Committee of the Whole. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as the
			 original bill for the purpose of further amendment under the five-minute rule
			 and shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the
			 bill, as amended, are waived. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no
			 further amendment to the bill, as amended, shall be in order except those
			 printed in part B of the report of the Committee on Rules. Each further
			 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 further
			 amendments are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. At
			 the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall
			 rise and report the bill, as amended, to the House with such further amendments
			 as may have been adopted. 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.
		2.During consideration in the House of
			 H.R. 3121 pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of the
			 previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to
			 such time as may be designated by the Speaker.

			Lorraine C. Miller,
			Clerk.


117 HR 1858 IH: U.S. Military Right To Carry Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-11
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. 1858IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 11, 2021Mr. Smith of Missouri (for himself, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Bergman, Mr. Allen, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mr. Budd, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Keller, Mr. Norman, Mr. McHenry, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Kustoff, Mrs. Lesko, and Mr. Babin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo encourage States to permit members of the Armed Forces who are outside of the State under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the U.S. Military Right To Carry Act.2.Concealed carry renewals by mail for members of the Armed Forces(a)In generalA State that receives funds under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq.) shall have in place—(1)a law or policy that permits a member of the Armed Forces who is a resident of the State and who is outside of the State under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail; and(2)a law or policy that treats a member of the Armed Forces on active duty in the State as a resident of the State for purposes of issuing a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the State. (b)Reduction in fundsBeginning in the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall, with respect to the amount that a State would otherwise receive under the grant program described in subsection (a)—(1)reduce such amount by 5 percent in the case of a State that fails to comply with the requirement under subsection (a)(1); and(2)reduce such amount by 5 percent in the case of a State that fails to comply with the requirement under subsection (a)(2). (c)ReallocationThe Attorney General shall reallocate amounts not awarded to a State pursuant to subsection (b) to States that comply with the requirement under subsection (a).


114 S1227 IS: To require the Secretary of Energy to develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of hybrid micro-grid systems for isolated communities.
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. 1227
		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 require the Secretary of Energy to develop an implementation strategy to promote the development
			 of
			 hybrid micro-grid systems for isolated communities.

		1.Hybrid micro-grid  systems
 (a)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Hybrid micro-grid systemThe term hybrid micro-grid system means a stand-alone electrical system that is comprised of conventional generation and at least 1 alternative energy resource.
 (2)Isolated communityThe term isolated community means a community that is powered by a stand-alone electric generation and distribution system without the economic and reliability benefits of connection to a regional electric grid.
 (3)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. (4)StrategyThe term strategy means the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b).
 (b)StrategyThe Secretary shall develop an implementation strategy to promote the development of hybrid micro-grid systems for isolated communities, particularly for those communities exposed to extreme weather conditions and high costs of energy, including electricity, space heating and cooling, and transportation.
 (c)RequirementsIn developing the strategy, the Secretary shall consider— (1)establishing future targets for the economic displacement of conventional generation using hybrid micro-grid systems, including displacement of conventional generation used for electric power generation, heating and cooling, and transportation;
 (2)the potential for renewable resources, including wind, solar, and hydropower, to be integrated into a hybrid micro-grid system;
 (3)opportunities for improving the efficiency of existing hybrid micro-grid systems;
 (4)the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a hybrid micro-grid system;
 (5)opportunities to develop the capacity of the local workforce to operate, maintain, and repair a hybrid micro-grid system;
 (6)leveraging existing capacity within local or regional research organizations, such as organizations based at institutions of higher education, to support development of hybrid micro-grid systems, including by testing novel components and systems prior to field deployment;
 (7)the need for basic infrastructure to develop, deploy, and sustain a hybrid micro-grid system;
 (8)input of traditional knowledge from local leaders of isolated communities in the development of a hybrid micro-grid system;
 (9)the impact of hybrid micro-grid systems on defense, homeland security, economic development, and environmental interests;
 (10)opportunities to leverage existing interagency coordination efforts and recommendations for new interagency coordination efforts to minimize unnecessary overhead, mobilization, and other project costs; and
 (11)any other criteria the Secretary determines appropriate. (d)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the status of the strategy and efforts to implement the strategy.


115 HR 4885 IH: Fair Auto Insurance Ratemaking Reporting to Allow a Transparent Evaluation of Statistics Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-01-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 4885IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 25, 2018Mr. Takano (for himself, Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Ms. Norton, Ms. Bass, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial ServicesA BILLTo require the Federal Insurance Office of the Department of the Treasury to conduct a study to
			 identify disparities between communities in auto insurance costs and
			 payout amounts based on the predominant racial makeup of such communities,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fair Auto Insurance Ratemaking Reporting to Allow a Transparent Evaluation of Statistics Act of 2018 or the FAIR RATES Act of 2018.
		2.Data call
 (a)In generalPursuant to the authority under section 313(e) of title 31, United States Code, the Director of the Federal Insurance Office shall collect from covered automobile insurers, aggregated on a census tract level basis based on the place of garaging of the insured vehicle, information for each of the three accident or calendar years, as applicable, most recently completed as of the date of the enactment of this Act, regarding private passenger automobile insurance as the Director considers necessary to prepare the report required under section 3, which shall include the following information for each such year:
 (1)Company nameThe name of the insurance coverage for the vehicle. (2)Experience yearThe experience year for premiums and exposures.
 (3)Census tractThe census tract of the place of garaging of the insured vehicle. (4)Paid loss adjustment expensesTotal paid loss adjustment expenses, reported by accident year.
 (5)Incurred loss adjustment expensesTotal incurred loss adjustment expenses plus case reserves, reported by accident year. (6)Count of claims recordedThe number of claims reported for each coverage or type of loss, including claims that included payment and claims that did not include payment.
 (7)Count of claims closedThe number of claims closed for each coverage or type of loss, including claims that were closed that included payment and claims that were closed that did not include payment.
 (8)Coverage typeThe type of coverage provided, including liability, personal injury protection, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist bodily injury.
 (9)Premium WrittenTotal premium written, reported by coverage type. (10)Premium earnedTotal premium earned, reported by coverage type.
 (11)Exposure writtenTotal exposures written, reported by coverage type. (12)Exposure earnedTotal exposures earned, reported by coverage type.
				(b)Method and timing of collection
 (1)From Federal or state agencyNot later than the expiration of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall determine whether all of the information required to be collected under subsection (a) can be obtained in the manner provided under the first sentence of section 313(e)(4) of title 31, United States Code, in a timely manner. If the Director determines that all such information is available, and may be obtained by such manner in a timely manner, the Director shall so obtain all such information.
 (2)From intermediaryIf the Director determines under paragraph (1) that all of the information required to be collected under subsection (a) cannot be obtained in the manner provided under the first sentence of section 313(e)(4) of title 31, United States Code, and in a timely manner, the Director shall provide that covered automobile insurers shall submit any such information that is not so obtainable through—
 (A)an appropriate intermediary, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; or (B)other appropriate intermediaries, including advisory organizations and statistical agents licensed by State insurance regulatory authorities.
 (3)From covered automobile insurersIf the Director has not received all of the information required to be collected under subsection (a) before the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, before the expiration of the 18-month period beginning upon such date of enactment, the Director shall collect from covered automobile insurers, in accordance with the penultimate sentence of section 313(e)(4) of title 31, United States Code, any such information not so received.
				3.Study
 (a)In generalThe Director shall conduct a study, using the information collected pursuant to section 2 and any other appropriate information available, to compare private passenger automobile insurance premium costs and claims payment amounts to identify any disparities in such premium costs and claims payment amounts between coverage for automobiles garaged in census tracts and areas having a majority of residents who are racial minorities and coverage for automobiles garaged in census tracts and areas having a majority of residents who are not racial minorities. Not later than the expiration of the 24-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the Congress a report containing the analysis, findings, and conclusions of the study under this section.
 (b)Availability of informationUpon submitting the report to the Congress pursuant to subsection (a), the Director shall make publicly available all information collected pursuant to section 2 and all other information used in the conducting the study under this section, except that any information made publicly available may not contain any personally identifiable information regarding insureds under private passenger automobile insurance for which such information is collected.
 4.DefinitionsFor purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply: (1)Covered automobile insurerThe term covered automobile insurer means an insurer that—
 (A)has a statutory surplus attributable to private passenger automobile insurance coverage, as of December 31, 2016, in an amount that exceeds $500,000,000; and
 (B)annually collects more than $500,000,000 in premiums for private passenger automobile insurance coverage.
 (2)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the Federal Insurance Office of the Department of the Treasury.