115 S3400 IS: Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act
U.S. Senate
2018-08-28
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.

II115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3400IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 28, 2018Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo address the threat to national security from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and
			 associated illegal activity, to prevent the illegal trade of seafood and
			 seafood
			 products, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titles; table of contents
 (a)Short titlesThis Act may be cited as the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement Act or the Maritime SAFE Act.
 (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short titles; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Findings. Sec. 4. Purposes. Sec. 5. Statement of policy. TITLE I—Programs to combat IUU fishing and increase maritime security Sec. 101. Coordination with international organizations. Sec. 102. Engagement of diplomatic missions of the United States. Sec. 103. Assistance by Federal agencies to improve law enforcement within priority regions and priority flag states. Sec. 104. Expansion of existing mechanisms to combat IUU fishing. Sec. 105. Improvement of transparency and traceability programs. Sec. 106. Technology programs. Sec. 107. Information sharing. TITLE II—Establishment of Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud  Sec. 201. Interagency working group on IUU fishing and seafood fraud. Sec. 202. Strategic plan. Sec. 203. Reports. Sec. 204. Gulf of Mexico IUU fishing subworking group. TITLE III—Authorization of appropriations Sec. 301. Authorization of appropriations.  2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
 (1)AISThe term AIS means Automatic Identification System, as defined in section 164.46 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, or a similar successor regulation.
 (2)Common enterprise solutionThe term common enterprise solution means any system of software, hardware, or both that is used to manage and share technology, information, or capabilities throughout an organization or among a group of organizations.
			(3)Exclusive economic zone
 (A)In generalUnless otherwise specified by the President as being in the public interest in a writing published in the Federal Register, the term exclusive economic zone means—
 (i)the area within a zone established by a maritime boundary that has been established by a treaty in force or a treaty that is being provisionally applied by the United States; or
 (ii)in the absence of a treaty described in clause (i)— (I)a zone, the outer boundary of which is 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured; or
 (II)if the distance between the United States and another country is less than 400 nautical miles, a zone, the outer boundary of which is represented by a line equidistant between the United States and the other country.
 (B)Inner boundaryWithout affecting any Presidential Proclamation with regard to the establishment of the United States territorial sea or exclusive economic zone, the inner boundary of the exclusive economic zone is—
 (i)in the case of coastal States, a line coterminous with the seaward boundary of each such State, as described in section 4 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1312);
 (ii)in the case of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a line that is 3 marine leagues from the coastline of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
 (iii)in the case of American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam, a line that is 3 geographic miles from the coastlines of American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, or Guam, respectively;
 (iv)in the case of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands— (I)the coastline of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, until the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is granted authority by the United States to regulate all fishing to a line seaward of its coastline; and
 (II)upon the United States grant of the authority described in subclause (I), the line established by such grant of authority; or
 (v)for any possession of the United States not referred to in clause (ii), (iii), or (iv), the coastline of such possession.
 (C)Rule of constructionNothing in this paragraph may be construed to diminish the authority of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, or any other Federal department or agency.
 (4)Food securityThe term food security means access to, and availability, utilization, and stability of, sufficient food to meet caloric and nutritional needs for an active and healthy life.
 (5)Global record of fishing vessels, refrigerated transport vessels, and supply vesselsThe term global record of fishing vessels, refrigerated transport vessels, and supply vessels means the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ initiative to rapidly make available certified data from state authorities about vessels and vessel related activities.
 (6)IUU fishingThe term IUU fishing— (A)means illegal fishing, unreported fishing, or unregulated fishing (as such terms are defined in paragraph 3 of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, adopted at the 24th Session of the Committee on Fisheries in Rome on March 2, 2001); and
 (B)includes fishing activities conducted in contravention of applicable laws and regulations related to labor conditions.
 (7)Port State Measures AgreementThe term Port State Measures Agreement means the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing set forth by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, done at Rome, Italy November 22, 2009, and entered into force June 5, 2016, which offers standards for reporting and inspecting fishing activities of foreign-flagged fishing vessels at port.
 (8)Priority flag stateThe term priority flag state means a country selected in accordance with section 202(b)(3)— (A)the flagged vessels of which actively engage in, knowingly profit from, or are complicit in IUU fishing; and
 (B)that is willing, but lacks the capacity, to monitor or take effective enforcement action against its fleet.
 (9)Priority regionThe term priority region means a region selected in accordance with section 202(b)(2)— (A)that is at high risk for IUU fishing activity or the entry of illegally caught seafood into the markets of countries in the region; and
 (B)in which countries lack the capacity to fully address the illegal activity described in subparagraph (A).
 (10)Regional fisheries management organizationThe term Regional Fisheries Management Organization means an intergovernmental fisheries organization or arrangement, as appropriate, that has the competence to establish conservation and management measures.
 (11)SeafoodThe term seafood— (A)means marine finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and all other forms of marine animal and plant life, including those grown, produced, or reared through marine aquaculture operations or techniques; and
 (B)does not include marine mammals or birds. (12)Seafood fraudThe term seafood fraud means the knowing mislabeling or misrepresentation of information regarding seafood or seafood products with the intent to deceive or defraud.
 (13)Seafood Import Monitoring Program; SIMPThe terms Seafood Import Monitoring Program and SIMP mean the seafood traceability program implemented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that requires, with respect to fish species and fish products imported into the United States—
 (A)permitting, data reporting, and recordkeeping to prevent illegal, unreported, unregulated, or misrepresented seafood from entering United States commerce; and
 (B)verifying the chain of custody of such seafood, from harvest to point of entry into the United States.
 (14)Transnational organized illegal activityThe term transnational organized illegal activity means criminal activity conducted by self-perpetuating associations of individuals who operate transnationally for the purpose of obtaining power, influence, or monetary or commercial gains, wholly or in part by illegal means, while protecting their activities through a pattern of corruption or violence or through a transnational organizational structure and the exploitation of transnational commerce or communication mechanisms.
 (15)TransshipmentThe term transshipment refers to the use of refrigerated vessels that— (A)collect catch from multiple fishing boats;
 (B)carry the accumulated catches back to port; and (C)deliver supplies to fishing boats, which allows fishing vessels to remain at sea for extended periods without coming into port.
 3.FindingsCongress makes the following findings: (1)The National Security Strategy calls for a whole-of-government approach, including diplomacy, development, defense, and intelligence capabilities, to counter overseas threats to the United States homeland and United States interests.
 (2)The Office of the Director of National Intelligence identified IUU fishing as a threat to the national security of the United States and a challenge to peace and stability in regions of importance to the United States in its report titled, Global Implications of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
 (3)Executive Order 13773 (82 Fed. Reg. 10691), issued on February 9, 2017, calls for a comprehensive approach by the Federal Government to combat crime syndicates, including transnational organized illegal activities that may be associated with IUU fishing.
 (4)It is estimated that IUU fishing is valued at tens of billions of dollars annually in unlawful or undocumented revenue and may sometimes be linked to transnational organized illegal activities, including weapons, drug, and human trafficking.
 (5)Networks supporting illegal fishing may also be involved in other transnational organized illegal activities, involving issues such as human rights abuses, forced labor, tax evasion, and weapons and drug trafficking.
 (6)Competition over seafood resources can be a driver of heightened tensions, conflict, and geostrategic instability in regions of importance to the United States.
 (7)Participants in the fishing industry that are engaged in IUU fishing have been implicated in the smuggling and sale of weapons in regions that are critical to the security interests of the United States, including in the Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea.
 (8)Some legitimately flagged fishing vessels and stateless fishing vessels that engage in IUU fishing have also been implicated in claims of poor working conditions, labor abuses, and human rights abuses.
 (9)IUU fishing accounts for a significant percentage of the global reported catch, which— (A)undermines the business of legitimate workers in the seafood industry; and
 (B)can create inaccurate population estimates for fish and other seafood species.
 (10)Perpetrators of IUU fishing typically have lower operating costs than those fishing legally, since persons involved in IUU fishing can—
 (A)evade the costs of licenses and regulations; (B)violate safety and labor standards;
 (C)avoid monitoring, control, and surveillance requirements; and (D)minimize or evade the costs of flagging and registering their fishing vessels.
 (11)The profits from IUU fishing can sometimes sustain illicit networks, ranging from smuggling rings to multinational syndicates, whose operations undermine the rule of law.
 (12)Fish provides more than 3,200,000,000 people with almost 20 percent of their average per capita intake of animal protein. In some of the regions hardest hit by IUU fishing, such as West Africa, fish accounts for up to 30 percent of average per capita animal protein intake, and in some coastal regions and island countries, fish accounts for 70 percent of the protein intake of the region’s or island’s population.
 (13)Marine fisheries employ millions of people worldwide, the livelihoods of which can be negatively impacted by IUU fishing and associated transnational organized illegal activities.
 (14)If fisheries collapse— (A)populations that rely on fishing may become economically destabilized, which could lead to a rise in criminal activities that risk United States national security; and
 (B)fishermen in such situations may also be more susceptible to exploitation by criminal organizations.
 (15)IUU fishing vessels play a significant role in other forms of trafficking, particularly drug trafficking. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Department of Justice have documented numerous cases of illicit fishing ships involved in trafficking cocaine, heroin, and cannabis from South America to the United States.
 (16)A significant number of fishing ships that operate without AIS are engaged in IUU fishing or other illicit activities.
 (17)Since more than 90 percent of world trade is carried by sea, increased maritime domain awareness related to illegal fishing and the illegal transshipment of seafood helps safeguard open and safe shipping lanes.
 (18)Transshipment vessels are known to offload catch from fishing vessels far from port, which can— (A)obscure the actual source of the catch; and
 (B)provide a pathway for illegally caught fish to enter into the seafood supply chain. (19)By introducing cheaper, illegal products into the global market, IUU fishing undercuts the business and economic livelihoods of legitimate fishermen in the United States and around the world.
 (20)In the United States and around the world, seafood fraud undermines the economic viability of fisheries and deceives consumers about their purchasing choices.
 (21)According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the fishery imports of the United States represent a sizable portion of world imports of fish and fishery products. The United States can play a pivotal role in bringing greater security and transparency to the global fisheries industry by enhancing monitoring, enforcement, and prosecution through sustained diplomatic engagement.
 (22)As of July 2018, the Port State Measures Agreement had been ratified by 55 parties, including the United States, with more countries signing on regularly.
 (23)The United States Government, our international partners, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector have created a Global Maritime Community of Interest, which continues to develop a range of technologies and approaches to support surveillance, enforcement, and prosecution of persons engaging in IUU fishing.
 4.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are— (1)to support a whole-of-government approach across the Federal Government to counter IUU fishing and related threats to maritime security;
 (2)to prevent IUU fishing and the illegal trade of seafood and seafood products; (3)to improve data sharing that enhances surveillance, enforcement, and prosecution against IUU fishing and related activities at a global level;
 (4)to disrupt transnational organized criminal groups involved in IUU fishing, including the laundering of their profits;
 (5)to prevent IUU fishing from being used as a source of financing for transnational organized groups that undermine United States and global security interests;
 (6)to support coordination and collaboration to counter IUU fishing and seafood fraud with governments and nongovernmental organizations within priority regions;
 (7)to assist countries in priority regions and priority flag states in the implementation of stronger measures to counter IUU fishing, including the Port State Measures Agreement;
 (8)to increase and improve global transparency and traceability across the seafood supply chain as— (A)a deterrent to IUU fishing and seafood fraud;
 (B)a tool for strengthening fisheries management and food security; and (C)an approach to enhancing the implementation of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program;
 (9)to promote the use of trade agreements to counter IUU fishing; (10)to improve global enforcement operations against IUU fishing through a whole-of-government approach by the United States; and
 (11)to raise domestic awareness on the local and global impacts of IUU fishing, including— (A)its ties to transnational organized illegal activity; and
 (B)its effects on the mislabeling of seafood products. 5.Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States—
 (1)to take immediate action to curtail the global trade in seafood and seafood products derived from IUU fishing, including its links to forced labor and transnational organized illegal activity;
 (2)to ensure that countering IUU fishing is incorporated into the existing missions of the agencies involved in the working group established under section 201;
 (3)to develop holistic diplomatic, military, development, and economic tools to counter IUU fishing; (4)to provide technical and other forms of assistance to countries in priority regions and priority flag states to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including assistance—
 (A)to increase local, national, and regional level capacities to counter IUU fishing through the engagement of law enforcement and security forces;
 (B)to enhance port capacity and security, including through support to implement the Port State Measures Agreement;
 (C)to combat corruption and increase transparency and traceability in fisheries management and trade; (D)to enhance information sharing within and across governments and multilateral organizations through the development and use of agreed standards for information sharing; and
 (E)to support effective, science-based fisheries management regimes that promote legal and safe fisheries and act as a deterrent to IUU fishing;
 (5)to promote global maritime security through improved capacity and technological assistance to support improved maritime domain awareness;
 (6)to engage with priority flag states to encourage the use of vessel tracking systems, including vessel monitoring systems and AIS, at all times, as appropriate, on fishing vessels;
 (7)to engage with multilateral organizations working on fisheries issues, including Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to combat and deter IUU fishing;
 (8)to advance the use of common enterprise solutions and information sharing across governments and multilateral organizations through the development and use of an agreed standard for information sharing;
 (9)to continue to use existing and future trade agreements to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including through enhanced cooperation with trading partners of the United States and commitments to effectively enforce environmental and labor laws;
 (10)to employ appropriate assets and resources of the United States Government in a coordinated manner to disrupt the illicit networks involved in IUU fishing;
 (11)to continue the development of the Safe Ocean Network, which is an international effort of governments, industry, academia, and civil society to strengthen the capacity to combat illegal fishing, including detection, enforcement, and prosecution;
 (12)to continue to declassify and make available, as appropriate and practicable, technologies developed by the United States Government that can be used by private companies, nongovernmental organizations, other governments, and other entities to help counter IUU fishing;
 (13)to recognize the ties of IUU fishing to transnational organized illegal activity, including human trafficking and illegal trade in narcotics and arms, and as applicable, to focus on illicit activity in a coordinated, cross-cutting manner;
 (14)to recognize and respond to poor working conditions, labor abuses, and other violent crimes in the fishing industry;
 (15)to increase and improve global transparency and traceability along the seafood supply chain as— (A)a deterrent to IUU fishing and seafood fraud; and
 (B)an approach for strengthening fisheries management and food security; and (16)to educate the American public on the local and global impacts of IUU fishing.
			IPrograms To Combat IUU Fishing and Increase Maritime Security
 101.Coordination with international organizationsThe Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce, shall coordinate with Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and may coordinate with other relevant international governmental or nongovernmental organizations, as appropriate, to enhance regional responses to IUU fishing and related transnational organized illegal activities.
 102.Engagement of diplomatic missions of the United StatesNot later than 210 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each chief of mission (as defined in section 102 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3902)) to a relevant country in a priority region or to a priority flag state shall, if the Secretary of State determines such action is appropriate—
 (1)convene a working group, led by Department of State officials, to examine IUU fishing, which may include stakeholders such as—
 (A)United States officials from relevant agencies participating in the interagency working group identified in section 201, foreign officials, nongovernmental organizations, and representatives of local fishermen in the region; and
 (B)experts on IUU fishing, law enforcement, criminal justice, transnational organized illegal activity, defense, intelligence, and international development operating in or with knowledge of the region; and
 (2)designate a counter-IUU Fishing Coordinator from among existing personnel at the mission if the chief of mission determines such action is appropriate.
				103.Assistance by Federal agencies to improve law enforcement within priority regions and priority flag
			 states
 (a)In generalThe Secretary of State, in collaboration with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, if merited, shall provide assistance, as appropriate, in accordance with this section.
 (b)Law enforcement training and coordination activitiesThe officials referred to in subsection (a) shall provide assistance, as appropriate, to countries in priority regions and priority flag states to improve the effectiveness of IUU fishing enforcement, with clear and measurable targets and indicators of success, including—
 (1)by assessing and using existing resources, enforcement tools, and legal authorities to coordinate efforts to combat IUU fishing with efforts to combat other illegal trade, including weapons, drugs, and human trafficking;
 (2)by expanding existing IUU fishing enforcement training; (3)by providing targeted, country- and region-specific training on combating IUU fishing; and
 (4)by supporting increased effectiveness and transparency of the fisheries enforcement sectors of the governments of such countries.
 (c)Port security assistanceThe officials referred to in subsection (a) shall provide assistance, as appropriate, to countries in priority regions and priority flag states to implement programs related to port security and capacity for the purposes of preventing IUU fishing products from entering the global seafood market, including support for implementing the Port State Measures Agreement.
 (d)Capacity building for investigations and prosecutionsThe officials referred to in subsection (a), in collaboration with the governments of priority flag states and key countries within priority regions, shall design and implement programs in such countries, as appropriate, to increase the capacity of IUU fishing enforcement and customs and border security officers to improve their ability—
 (1)to conduct effective investigations, including using law enforcement techniques such as undercover investigations and the development of informer networks and actionable intelligence;
 (2)to conduct vessel boardings and inspections at sea and associated enforcement actions; (3)to exercise existing shiprider agreements and to enter into and implement new shiprider agreements, as appropriate;
 (4)to conduct vessel inspections at port and associated enforcement actions; (5)to assess technology needs and promote the use of technology to improve monitoring, enforcement, and prosecution of IUU fishing;
 (6)to conduct DNA-based and forensic identification of seafood used in trade; (7)to conduct trainings on techniques, such as collecting electronic evidence and using computer forensics, for law enforcement personnel involved in complex investigations related to international matters, financial issues, and government corruption that include IUU fishing;
 (8)to assess financial flows and the use of financial institutions to launder profits related to IUU fishing; and
 (9)to conduct trainings on the legal mechanisms that can be used to prosecute those identified in the investigations as alleged perpetrators of IUU fishing and other associated crimes such as trafficking and forced labor.
 (e)Capacity building for information sharingThe officials referred to in subsection (a) shall provide assistance, as appropriate, to key countries in priority regions and priority flag states in the form of training, equipment, and systems development to build capacity for information sharing related to maritime enforcement and port security.
 104.Expansion of existing mechanisms to combat IUU fishingThe Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies shall assess opportunities to expand, as appropriate, the use of the following mechanisms to combat IUU fishing:
 (1)Including counter-IUU fishing in existing shiprider agreements in which the United States is a party.
 (2)Entering into shiprider agreements that include counter-IUU fishing with countries in priority regions and priority flag states with which the United States does not already have such an agreement.
 (3)Including counter-IUU fishing as part of the mission of the Combined Maritime Forces. (4)Including counter-IUU fishing exercises in the annual at-sea exercises conducted by the Department of Defense, in coordination with the United States Coast Guard.
 (5)Including counter-IUU fishing in any documents pertaining to national security strategy, including the National Security Strategy, the Transnational Organized Crime Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and other appropriate documents referred to in section 303.
 (6)Expanding the number of United States assets and personnel that take part in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) and the Africa Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership (AMLEP), and seeking to expand the number of partner countries in these regions.
 (7)Assessing opportunities to create partnerships similar to OMSI and AMLEP in other priority regions. 105.Improvement of transparency and traceability programsThe Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other Federal agencies, if merited, shall work, as appropriate, with priority flag states and key countries in priority regions—
 (1)to increase knowledge within such countries about the United States transparency and traceability standards for imports of seafood and seafood products;
 (2)to improve the capacity of seafood industries within such countries through information sharing and training to meet the requirements of SIMP or similar transparency and traceability standards for seafood and seafood product imports, including catch documentation and trade tracking programs adopted by relevant regional fisheries management organizations;
 (3)to improve the capacities of government, industry, and civil society groups to develop and implement comprehensive traceability systems that—
 (A)deter IUU fishing; (B)strengthen fisheries management; and
 (C)enhance maritime domain awareness; (4)to support the implementation of seafood traceability standards in such countries to prevent IUU fishing products from entering the global seafood market and assess capacity and training needs in those countries;
 (5)to utilize harvest and landing data that may be collected in response to requirements of SIMP or similar seafood transparency and traceability programs—
 (A)to improve fisheries dependent data systems; and (B)to achieve sound management and conservation of fisheries resources; and
 (6)to address, as appropriate, broader underlying causes of IUU fishing, including weak policies and systems, domestic resourcing, and corruption.
 106.Technology programsThe Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall pursue programs to expand the role of technology for combating IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including—
 (1)by promoting the use of technology to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud; (2)by assessing the technology needs, including vessel tracking technologies and data sharing, in priority regions and priority flag states;
 (3)by engaging with priority flag states to encourage the mandated use of vessel monitoring systems or AIS on fishing vessels and transshipment vessels at all times, as appropriate, while at sea as a means to track IUU fishing activities and the shipment of illegally caught fish products;
 (4)by building partnerships with the private sector, including universities, nonprofit research organizations, and the technology, transportation and logistics sectors, to leverage new and existing technologies and data analytics to address IUU fishing and seafood fraud;
 (5)by promoting the shared costs of technology or resources for multi-group and multi-purpose use; and (6)by supporting existing and new innovative financing mechanisms for community- and regional-based programs to combat IUU fishing.
 107.Information sharingThe Director of National Intelligence, in conjunction with other agencies, as appropriate, shall develop an enterprise approach to appropriately share information and data within the United States Government or with other countries or nongovernmental organizations, as appropriate, on IUU fishing and other connected transnational organized illegal activity occurring in priority regions and elsewhere, including big data analytics and machine learning.
			IIEstablishment of Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud
			201.Interagency working group on IUU fishing and seafood fraud
 (a)In generalThere is established a collaborative interagency working group on maritime security, IUU fishing, and seafood fraud (referred to in this title as the Working Group).
 (b)MembersThe members of the Working Group shall be composed of— (1)3 co-chairs, of whom—
 (A)1 shall be appointed by the Secretary of State; (B)1 shall be appointed by the Commandant of the Coast Guard from the United States Coast Guard; and
 (C)1 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
 (2)12 members, who shall be appointed by their respective agency heads, from— (A)the Department of Defense;
 (B)the United States Navy; (C)the United States Agency for International Development;
 (D)the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (E)the Department of Justice;
 (F)the Department of the Treasury; (G)U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
 (H)U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; (I)the Federal Trade Commission;
 (J)the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; (K)the Food and Drug Administration; and
 (L)the Department of Labor; (3)1 or more members from the intelligence community, who shall be appointed by the Director of National Intelligence; and
 (4)5 members, who shall be appointed by the President, from— (A)the National Security Council;
 (B)the Council on Environmental Quality;
 (C)the Office of Management and Budget; (D)the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
 (E)the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
 (c)ResponsibilitiesThe Working Group shall ensure an integrated, Federal Government-wide response to IUU fishing and seafood fraud globally, including—
 (1)by continuing to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud;
 (2)by reinforcing and improving the coordination of Federal agencies to identify, interdict, investigate, prosecute, and dismantle IUU fishing operations and organizations perpetrating and knowingly benefiting from IUU fishing and seafood fraud in the United States and abroad;
 (3)by assessing areas for increased interagency information sharing on matters related to IUU fishing and related crimes;
 (4)by establishing standards for information sharing related to maritime enforcement; (5)by developing a strategy to determine how military assets and intelligence can contribute to enforcement strategies to combat IUU fishing;
 (6)by increasing maritime domain awareness relating to IUU fishing and related crimes and developing a strategy to leverage awareness for enhanced enforcement and prosecution actions against IUU fishing;
 (7)by supporting the implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement in relevant countries and assessing the capacity and training needs in such countries;
 (8)by identifying opportunities to increase the number of species covered through SIMP to eventually include all seafood species imported into the United States;
 (9)by outlining a strategy to coordinate, increase, and use shiprider agreements between the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard and relevant countries;
 (10)by enhancing cooperation with partner governments to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud; (11)by identifying opportunities for increased information sharing between Federal agencies and partner governments working to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud;
 (12)by consulting and coordinating with the seafood industry and nongovernmental stakeholders that work to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud;
 (13)by updating and maintaining the National Plan of Action of the United States of America to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unregulated, and Underreported Fishing in accordance with the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, adopted at the 24th Session of the Committee on Fisheries in Rome on March 2, 2001;
 (14)by supporting the implementation of the Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels;
 (15)by supporting the identification and certification procedures to address IUU fishing in accordance with the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826d et seq.); and
 (16)by developing a strategy for raising domestic awareness of the issues related to IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including publishing annual reports summarizing nonsensitive information about the Working Group’s efforts to investigate, enforce, and prosecute groups and individuals engaging in IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
					202.Strategic plan
 (a)Strategic planNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit to Congress a 5-year integrated strategic plan on combating IUU fishing and enhancing maritime security, including specific strategies with monitoring benchmarks for addressing IUU fishing in priority regions.
				(b)Identification of priority regions and priority flag states
 (1)In generalThe strategic plan submitted under subsection (a) shall identify priority regions and priority flag states to be the focus of assistance coordinated by the Working Group under section 201.
 (2)Priority region selection criteriaIn selecting priority regions under paragraph (1), the Working Group shall select regions that— (A)are at high risk for IUU fishing activity or the entry of illegally caught seafood into their markets; and
 (B)lack the capacity to fully address the issues described in subparagraph (A).
 (3)Priority flag states selection criteriaIn selecting priority flag states under paragraph (1), the Working Group shall select countries— (A)the flagged vessels of which actively engage in, knowingly profit from, or are complicit in IUU fishing; and
 (B)that are willing, but lack the capacity, to police their fleet. 203.Reports (a)Reporting (1)In generalThe Working Group shall explore appropriate opportunities to incorporate information about IUU fishing, related crimes, and other threats to maritime security in appropriate existing reports and strategies, and provide such information as requested for such reports and strategies, including—
 (A)the National Security Strategy of the United States; (B)the Department of State and USAID Quadrennial Diplomacy and Department Review;
 (C)the Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report; (D)the biennial report on international compliance required under section 607 of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826h);
 (E)the National Fleet Plan of the Navy and the Coast Guard; (F)the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review;
 (G)the Worldwide Threat Assessment and National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office Annual Report;
 (H)the United States Trade Representative Enforcement Priorities Report; and (I)the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection Annual Trade and Travel Report.
 (2)ContentsThe information incorporated in reports submitted under paragraph (1) may include— (A)a summary of global and regional trends in IUU fishing and seafood fraud;
 (B)an assessment of the extent of the convergence between transnational organized illegal activity and IUU fishing;
 (C)an assessment of the topics, data sources, and strategies that would benefit from increased information sharing and recommendations regarding harmonization of data collection and sharing;
 (D)an assessment of assets, including military assets and intelligence, which can be used for either enforcement operations or strategies to combat IUU fishing;
 (E)summaries of the situational threats with respect to IUU fishing in priority regions and an assessment of the capacity of countries within such regions to respond to those threats;
 (F)an assessment of the progress of countries in priority regions in responding to those threats as a result of assistance by the United States pursuant to the strategic plan developed under section 202, including—
 (i)the identification of— (I)relevant supply routes, ports of call, methods of landing and entering illegally caught product into legal supply chains, and financial institutions used in each country by participants engaging in IUU fishing; and
 (II)red flag indicators of IUU fishing related to money laundering; (ii)an assessment of the adherence of countries in priority regions to international treaties related to IUU fishing, including the Port State Measures Agreement;
 (iii)an assessment of the implementation by countries in priority regions of seafood traceability or capacity to apply traceability to verify the legality of catch and strengthen fisheries management;
 (iv)an assessment of the capacity of countries in priority regions to implement shiprider agreements; (v)an assessment of the capacity of countries in priority regions to increase maritime domain awareness; and
 (vi)an assessment of the capacity of governments of relevant countries in priority regions to sustain the programs for which the United States has provided assistance under this Act;
 (G)an assessment of the capacity of priority flag states to police their fleet, prevent their flagged vessels from engaging in IUU fishing, and enforce applicable laws and regulations; and
 (H)an assessment of the extent of involvement in IUU fishing of organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).
						204.Gulf of Mexico IUU fishing subworking group
 (a)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in coordination with the Coast Guard and the Department of State, shall establish a subworking group to address IUU fishing in the exclusive economic zone of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico.
 (b)FunctionsThe subworking group established under subsection (a) shall identify— (1)Federal actions taken and policies established during the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of the enactment of this Act with respect to IUU fishing in the exclusive economic zone of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico, including such actions and policies related to—
 (A)the surveillance, interdiction, and prosecution of any foreign nationals engaged in such fishing; and
 (B)the application of the provisions of the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1826d et seq.) to any relevant nation, including the status of any past or ongoing consultations and certification procedures;
 (2)actions and policies, in addition to the actions and policies described in paragraph (1), each of the Federal agencies described in subsection (a) can take, using existing resources, to combat IUU fishing in the exclusive economic zone of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico, including relevant recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud; and
 (3)any additional authorities that could assist each such agency in more effectively addressing such IUU fishing.
 (c)ReportNot later than 1 year after the IUU Fishing Subworking Group is established under subsection (a), the group shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives that contains—
 (1)the findings identified pursuant to subsection (b); and (2)a timeline for each of the Federal agencies described in subsection (a) to implement each action or policy identified pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
					IIIAuthorization of Appropriations
 301.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the activities required under this Act.


115 S2487 IS: Agriculture Data Act of 2018
U.S. Senate
2018-03-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		115th CONGRESS2d  Session
		S. 2487
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 1, 2018
			Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Thune) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

		A BILL
		To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide certain
			 data on conservation practices, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Agriculture Data Act of 2018.
 2.Data on conservation practicesSubtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				1247.Data on conservation practices
 (a)PurposeThe purpose of this section is to increase the knowledge of how covered conservation practices or suites of covered conservation practices impact farm and ranch profitability (such as crop yields, soil health, and other risk-reducing factors) by using an appropriate collection, review, and analysis of data.
 (b)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Covered conservation practice The term covered conservation practice means a specific conservation practice or enhancement that is designed to protect soil health, farm and ranch productivity, or both (including the protection of wildlife habitat) while maintaining or enhancing crop yields in an economically sustainable manner (including such a conservation practice or enhancement that is supported by the Department or used independently by a producer), as determined by the Secretary.
 (2)DepartmentThe term Department means the Department of Agriculture. (c)Data collection, review, analysis, and technical assistance The Secretary, acting through the one or more applicable Under Secretaries that head mission areas relating to farm and ranch productivity and conservation, in coordination with the Chief Economist and the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, shall carry out the following activities:
 (1)Not less frequently than once each year, review, and publish a summary of, existing research of the Department, institutions of higher education, and other organizations relating to the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability.
 (2)Identify currently collected data relating to the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability generated or collected by the Department, including the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Economic Research Service, the Forest Service, and any other relevant agency, as determined by the Secretary.
 (3)Collect any additional producer data, baseline data, or other data relating to the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability necessary to achieve the purpose described in subsection (a).
 (4)Ensure that producer data identified or collected under paragraph (2) or (3), respectively, are collected in a compatible format at the field- and farm-level and in a manner that places the lowest practicable burden on producers and improves the interoperability of the data collected by the Department for the purposes of this section and optimizes the interoperability to the extent practicable with conservation practice-related data generated by other organizations and other activities of the Department.
 (5)Establish procedures for producers to voluntarily elect to be contacted to participate in or submit additional research and to provide supplemental data that may be useful in analyzing the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability.
 (6)Integrate and analyze the data identified or collected under this subsection to consider the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise improving farm and ranch profitability.
 (7)To the extent practicable, integrate, collate, and link data identified in this subsection with other external data sources that include crop yields, soil health, and conservation practices.
 (8)Establish a conservation and farm productivity data warehouse in order to make the results of the data collection and analysis under this subsection available to academic institutions and researchers determined appropriate by the Secretary under subsection (d)(1).
 (9)Widely disseminate the research, analyzed data, and other information obtained through carrying out this section that demonstrates the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability in a manner that makes it easily used and implemented by producers and other stakeholders.
						(d)Collaboration with research academic institutions or researchers
 (1)In generalTo carry out this section, the Secretary may enter into one or more agreements with one or more academic institutions or researchers determined appropriate by the Secretary—
 (A)to provide technical assistance, expertise, and technology infrastructure, as needed, to develop the data warehouse established under subsection (c)(8);
 (B)to provide to those academic institutions and researchers access to data collected in carrying out this section; and
 (C)to establish procedures for producers to voluntarily elect to be contacted to participate in or submit additional research and to provide supplemental data that may be useful in analyzing the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability.
							(2)Procedures to protect integrity and confidentiality
 (A)In generalBefore providing access to any data under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish procedures to protect the integrity and confidentiality of proprietary producer data.
 (B)RequirementsProcedures under subparagraph (A) shall provide appropriate private protections to the producer data, including—
 (i)prohibiting the sale of any individual producer data; and (ii)requiring any published research to release only aggregated data.
								(e)Producer tools
 (1)In generalNot later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall provide technical assistance, including through internet-based tools, based on the analysis conducted in carrying out this section and other sources of relevant data, to assist producers in improving sustainable production practices that increase yields and enhance environmental outcomes.
 (2)Internet-based toolsInternet-based tools described in paragraph (1) shall provide to producers, to the maximum extent practicable—
 (A)confidential data specific to each farm or ranch of the producer; and (B)general data relating to the impacts of covered conservation practices on enhancing crop yields, soil health, and otherwise reducing risk and improving farm and ranch profitability.
 (f)Effect on privacy protection lawsNothing in this section affects the applicability to this section of— (1)section 1770;
 (2)section 1619 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791); (3)section 502(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(c));
 (4)section 552a of title 5, United States Code; or (5)any other applicable privacy law that protects personally identifiable information of producers.
 (g)ReportingNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes—
 (1)a summary of the analysis conducted under this section; (2)the number and regions of producers that voluntarily submitted information under subsections (c)(5) and (d)(1)(C);
 (3)a description of any additional or new activities planned to be conducted under this section in the next fiscal year, including—
 (A)research relating to any additional conservation practices; (B)any new types of data to be collected;
 (C)any improved or streamlined data collection efforts associated with this section; and (D)any new research projects; and
 (4)in the case of the first two reports submitted under this subsection, a description of the current status of the implementation of activities under subsection (c)..


117 S1993 IS: TSP Fiduciary Security Act
U.S. Senate
2021-06-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1993IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 9, 2021Mr. Rubio introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo amend title 5, United States Code, to address the responsibilities of fiduciaries with respect to the Thrift Savings Fund, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the TSP Fiduciary Security Act.2.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has a fiduciary duty to manage the Thrift Savings Fund in the best interest of the beneficiaries of the Fund.(2)The principal beneficiaries of the Thrift Savings Fund are the civil servants of the United States, and members of the uniformed services, who are tasked with defending the national security of the United States.(3)The duty of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to manage the Thrift Savings Fund in the best interests of the beneficiaries of the Fund includes a duty not to harm the national security of the United States.3.Fiduciary responsibilities with respect to Thrift Savings FundSection 8477 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (b)(1)—(A)in subparagraph (B), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;(B)in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(D)to the maximum extent practicable, by preventing the investments of the Thrift Savings Fund (or portions thereof), and the exercise of voting rights associated with any such investments, from harming the national security of the United States.; and(2)in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:(9)(A)Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, no fiduciary shall be personally liable for any monetary damages, or be assessed any civil penalty, under this subsection with respect to a breach of the requirement under subsection (b)(1)(D).(B)Subparagraph (A) shall cease to have effect beginning on January 1, 2025..4.Review of Thrift Savings Fund for compliance with fiduciary duties(a)In generalSection 8477(f) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—(1)by inserting (1) after (f); and(2)by adding at the end the following:(2)(A)Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury, shall prescribe regulations to carry out subsection (b)(1)(D) with respect to each of the following:(i)The investments of the Thrift Savings Fund, which shall include the establishment of standards by which compliance with subsection (b)(1)(D) with respect to the investments of the Thrift Savings Fund (or portions thereof) shall be determined.(ii)The exercise of voting rights associated with the investments of the Thrift Savings Fund (or portions thereof).(B)The regulations prescribed under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall include—(i)the establishment of a process by which the exercise of voting rights described in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be reviewed by the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury, for compliance with subsection (b)(1)(D) with respect to the exercise of those rights; and(ii)the establishment of standards by which compliance with subsection (b)(1)(D) with respect to the exercise of voting rights described in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be determined, including the factors contributing to a determination that a covered vote would not comply with subsection (b)(1)(D).(C)For the purposes of any regulation prescribed under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Labor shall presume that—(i)an investment of the Thrift Savings Fund (or portions thereof) does not comply with subsection (b)(1)(D) if the investment invests in—(I)an entity included on—(aa)the list of Communist Chinese military companies maintained under section 1237(b) of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note); or(bb)the entity list maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce and set forth in Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations; or (II)a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of, or an entity controlled by, an entity described in subclause (I); and(ii)an exercise of voting rights associated with any investments of the Thrift Savings Fund (or portions thereof) does not comply with subsection (b)(1)(D) if that exercise of voting rights is a covered vote with respect to a proposal that would— (I)approve or ratify a transaction, including a transaction described in subparagraph (D)(ii)(I), that would cause, or would reasonably be expected to cause, an entity to which the covered vote applies to—(aa)breach any contract with the Federal Government to which the entity is a party, and under which the consideration provided to the entity over the course of the entire contract is more than $10,000,000, if the entity has otherwise complied with all applicable laws and regulations in fulfilling the responsibilities of the entity with respect to the contract;(bb)significantly reduce the production of, or the capital expenditure or research and development expenditure with respect to, any— (AA)industrial resources, critical technology items, or materials that are essential to the national defense (as those terms are defined in section 702 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4552)); or (BB)emerging and foundational technology identified by the President under section 1758 of the Export Controls Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817); or(cc)outsource or substantially sell, whether to any affiliated entity or joint venture, or by contract, to any entity located in a covered country, any—(AA)industrial resources, critical technology items, or materials that are essential to the national defense (as those terms are defined in section 702 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4552)); or(BB)emerging and foundational technology identified by the President under section 1758 of the Export Controls Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4817); or(II)elect to the board of directors of any entity an individual who—(aa)is a director, officer, employee, or affiliate of any entity described in clause (i)(I);(bb)at any time during the 5-year period preceding the date on which that election occurs, was as described in item (aa); or(cc)a reasonable investor would believe supports any proposal described in subclause (I).(D)In this paragraph— (i)the term covered country means—(I)the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Venezuela, and Cuba;(II)any country, the government of which the Secretary of State determines has provided support for international terrorism pursuant to—(aa)section 1754(c)(1)(A) of the Export Controls Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A));(bb)section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371); (cc)section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780); or(dd)any other provision of law; and(III)any other country that the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury, designates as posing an undue or unnecessary risk to the national security of the United States; and(ii)the term covered vote means a vote in favor of (or an abstention with respect to) a proposal to—(I)approve or ratify a transaction involving an entity, including—(aa)any sale of, or other disposition of (whether in a single or a series of transactions) assets or capital stock; and(bb)any merger, consolidation, joint venture, partnership, spin-off, reverse spin-off, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, liquidation, or any other business combination or strategic transaction; or(II)elect an individual to the board of directors of the entity that is the subject of the proposal..(b)Review of exercise of voting rights; report to CongressSection 8438 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (f)—(A)by inserting (1) after (f); and(B)by adding at the end the following:(2)For the purposes of paragraph (1), a review of the exercise of voting rights for compliance with section 8477(b)(1)(D), including under the regulations prescribed under section 8477(f)(2), shall not be considered to be the exercise of voting rights associated with the ownership of securities by the Thrift Savings Fund.; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(i)Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives a report regarding— (1)for the year covered by the report, the investments of the Thrift Savings Fund (or portions thereof), and the exercise of voting rights associated with any such investments, that have been reviewed for compliance with section 8477(b)(1)(D); and(2)the outcome with respect to enforcement of each review conducted under paragraph (1) and a justification for that outcome..


117 HR 3053 IH: American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-07
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. 3053IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 7, 2021Mr. Levin of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit oil and gas leasing in the Southern California planning area.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act.2.Prohibition of oil and gas leasing in the Southern California planning areaSection 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337) is amended by adding at the end the following:(q)Prohibition of oil and gas leasing in the Southern California planning areaNotwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other law, the Secretary of the Interior may not issue a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in the Southern California planning area, as such planning area is described in the document entitled 2019–2024 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program, dated January 2018, or a subsequent oil and gas leasing program developed under section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344)..


114 S1122 IS: Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-04-28
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1122IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 28, 2015Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Franken) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo provide that chapter 1 of title 9 of the United States Code, relating to the enforcement of
			 arbitration agreements, shall not apply to enrollment agreements made
			 between students and certain institutions of higher education, and to
			 prohibit limitations on the ability of students to pursue claims against
			 certain institutions of higher education.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act of 2015. 2.Inapplicability of chapter 1 of title 9, United States Code, to enrollment agreements made between students and certain institutions of higher education (a)In GeneralChapter 1 of title 9 of the United States Code (relating to the enforcement of arbitration agreements) shall not apply to an enrollment agreement made between a student and an institution of higher education.
 (b)DefinitionIn this section, the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
			3.Prohibition on limitations on ability of students to pursue claims against certain institutions of
 higher educationSection 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (30)The institution will not require any student to agree to, and will not enforce, any limitation or restriction (including a limitation or restriction on any available choice of applicable law, a jury trial, or venue) on the ability of a student to pursue a claim, individually or with others, against an institution in court..
 4.Effective dateThis Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. CON. RES. 31
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 28, 2009
			Mr. Filner submitted
			 the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the Congress that a
		  postage stamp should be issued to honor law enforcement officers killed in the
		  line of duty and that the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend
		  to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

		Whereas more than 18,200 law enforcement officers have
			 lost their lives in the line of duty in American communities since 1792, when
			 records first started to be kept;
		Whereas 140 law enforcement officers lost their lives in
			 the line of duty in American communities in 2008;
		Whereas more than 900,000 law enforcement officers risk
			 danger to their lives and safety each day to serve and protect American
			 communities;
		Whereas America’s law enforcement officers set an example
			 of strength, courage, and valor that all Americans can admire and learn
			 from;
		Whereas following September 11, 2001, on which day 72 law
			 enforcement officers were killed while responding to attacks perpetrated
			 against this Nation, law enforcement has taken on the additional responsibility
			 of protecting our homeland and the American people from the threat of
			 terrorism; and
		Whereas issuing a postage stamp to honor the sacrifices of
			 America’s law enforcement officers is proper and fitting: Now, therefore, be
			 it

		That it is the sense of the Congress
			 that—
			(1)a
			 postage stamp should be issued to honor law enforcement officers killed in the
			 line of duty; and
			(2)the Citizens’
			 Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend to the Postmaster General that such a
			 stamp be issued.


I
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4667
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 25, 2012
Mr. Cleaver introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To extend the temporary suspension of duty on Isoxadifen-Ethyl.

1.Isoxadifen-Ethyl
(a)In generalHeading 9902.11.45 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to Isoxadifen-Ethyl) is amended by striking 12/31/2012 and inserting 12/31/2015.
(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) apply with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of enactment of this Act.


116 HR 6833 IH: Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-05-12
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. 6833IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 12, 2020Mr. Phillips (for himself, Mr. Young, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Wexton, Mr. Case, Mr. Sires, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Engel, and Mr. Connolly) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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 provide Peace Corps volunteers and trainees whose service was terminated as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic with health insurance, an expedited redeployment process, and domestic service opportunities, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act.2.Health insurance continuation for Peace Corps volunteersSection 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(e)) is amended—(1)by striking Volunteers shall receive such health care and inserting the following:(1)Volunteers shall receive such health care; and(2)by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:(2)Volunteers whose periods of service were subject to early termination as a result of the COVID–19 public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d), and applicants for enrollment described in section 8(a) whose training prior to enrollment was subject to early termination as a result of such public health emergency, shall receive—(A)2 months of health insurance upon their return to the United States; and(B)an opportunity to extend such health insurance, at the expense of such volunteer or applicant for enrollment, until the last day of the last week for which such volunteer or applicant for enrollment is eligible for payments under section 2102 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136).(3)Not later than 30 days prior to the date on which the period of service of a volunteer shall terminate, the Director of the Peace Corps, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall provide general guidance to such volunteer on options for health care after termination other than health care provided by the Peace Corps, including—(A)on the application process and eligibility requirements for medical assistance under State plans under title XIX of the Social Security Act (or waivers of State plans);(B)on the qualified health plans (as defined in section 1301(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18021(a))) offered through an Exchange established under title I of such Act, including on the enrollment periods for enrolling in such plans; and(C)in the case such volunteer is 25 years of age or younger, that such volunteer may be eligible to enroll as a dependent child in a group health plan or health insurance coverage in which the parent of such volunteer is enrolled if such plan or coverage offers such dependent coverage..3.Expedited hiring for Peace Corps volunteers(a)Noncompetitive eligibility hiring status(1)Distribution of informationNot later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in coordination with the Director of the Peace Corps, shall prepare and distribute information to each Federal department and agency in the executive branch regarding the noncompetitive appointment eligibility available to Peace Corps volunteers for up to 3 years under Executive Order 11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note; relating to Providing for the Appointment of Former Peace Corps volunteers to the Civilian Career Services), as amended by Executive Order 12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055; relating to the Civil Service Commission and Labor-Management in the Federal Service), including the qualifications for such eligibility.(2)Expedited processEach Federal department and agency in the executive branch facing critical hiring needs as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic or that have unfilled noncompetitive positions shall establish a process by which staff with hiring authority receive the information described in paragraph (1) from the Office of Personnel Management about the expedited process for hiring such individuals who meet the minimum qualifications of a vacant position.(b)Corporation for national and community serviceThe Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, in coordination with the Director of the Peace Corps, shall establish an expedited process by which Peace Corps volunteers and trainees evacuated due to the COVID–19 public health emergency can participate in domestic service opportunities through AmeriCorps, FEMA Corps, or affiliated programs to help address the COVID–19 pandemic.(c)Foreign serviceSection 301(c) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3941(c)) is amended to read as follows:(c)(1)The fact that an applicant for appointment as a Foreign Service officer candidate is a veteran or disabled veteran shall be considered an affirmative factor in making such appointments.(2)The fact that an applicant for appointment as a Foreign Service officer candidate is a returned Peace Corps volunteer shall be considered an affirmative factor in making such appointments. The value accorded the affirmative factor under this paragraph shall be significant, but shall be less than the affirmative factor provided to individuals who qualify under paragraph (1).(3)In this subsection:(A)The term returned Peace Corps volunteer means an individual who has completed—(i)a full term of service as a volunteer under the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.); or(ii)satisfactory service as a Peace Corps volunteer (as defined by the Director of the Peace Corps).(B)The term veteran or disabled veteran means an individual who is preference eligible (as defined in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 2108(3) of title 5, United States Code)..4.Resumption of Peace Corps operations(a)In generalAs soon as practicable after the Director of the Peace Corps determines, as a result of the cessation of the COVID–19 pandemic, that it is safe to resume Peace Corps global operations, the Director shall seek to resume, to the fullest extent possible, all of its programs in every country in which it operated immediately before the March 15, 2020, suspensions of all Peace Corps volunteer activities.(b)Report on restart of Peace Corps operations following end of public health emergencyNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that describes the efforts of the Peace Corps to—(1)offer reenrollment to each Peace Corps volunteer and trainee whose service ended suddenly on March 15, 2020 (or earlier, in the case of volunteers who were serving China and Mongolia), due to the COVID–19 public health emergency;(2)obtain approval from countries, as appropriate, to return reenrolled volunteers and trainees to their previous assignments or countries of service;(3)provide additional measures necessary for the safety and health of volunteers and trainees and develop contingency plans in the event overseas operations are disrupted by future COVID–19 outbreaks;(4)develop and maintain a robust volunteer cohort; and(5)identify the anticipated additional appropriations or new statutory authorities that would be necessary to achieve the goal of safely redeploying 7,300 Peace Corps volunteers during the 1-year period beginning on the date on which Peace Corps operations resume.(c)Expedited reenrollment processThe Director of the Peace Corps shall establish an expedited process for the reenrollment of former Peace Corps volunteers and trainees whose service was interrupted as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic, including—(1)streamlining, to the fullest extent practicable, all application requirements for the reenrollment of such volunteers and trainees during the 2-year period beginning on March 15, 2020;(2)expediting the medical clearance for such volunteers and trainees to facilitate reenrollment;(3)starting on the date on which such a volunteer or trainee reenrolls, providing such volunteer and trainee with the compensation, allowances, benefits, and other terms and conditions of service to which such volunteer or trainee is entitled under the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.); and(4)subject to the discretion of the Director of the Peace Corps, affording evacuated volunteers and trainees, to the fullest extent possible, the opportunity to return to their previous country of service and resume work in the project area in which they had been serving prior to the evacuation due to the COVID–19 public health emergency.(d)Reenroll definedIn this section, the term reenroll means a Peace Corps volunteer or trainee that was evacuated due to the COVID–19 public heath emergency resuming service in the Peace Corps for a length of time determined by the Director of the Peace Corps.5.Use of official seal, emblem, and name of the Peace CorpsSection 19(b) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2518(b)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by inserting after under this chapter the following: , except that the official seal or emblem and the name ‘Peace Corps’ may be used on any death announcement, gravestone, plaque, or other grave marker of any person who served as a volunteer or as an officer or employee of the Peace Corps under such rules as may be prescribed by the Director; and(2)in paragraph (2), by inserting or in accordance with the exception specified in paragraph (1), after under this chapter,.6.Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act and section 5(e)(2) of the Peace Corps Act, as added by section 2, such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2022.


117 HR 1000 IH: Infection Control Training and Support Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-02-11
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. 1000IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 11, 2021Mr. Kind (for himself and Mr. Kildee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for infection control support to skilled nursing facilities through contracts with quality improvement organizations.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Infection Control Training and Support Act of 2021.2.Providing for infection control support to skilled nursing facilities through contracts with quality improvement organizationsSection 1862(g) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(g)) is amended—(1)by striking The Secretary and inserting (1) The Secretary; and(2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(2)In addition to any amounts otherwise available, there are appropriated to the Secretary, out of any monies in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $200,000,000, to remain available until expended, for purposes of carrying out infection control support (as determined appropriate by the Secretary) through the development and dissemination of protocols relating to the prevention or mitigation of COVID–19 in skilled nursing facilities (as defined in section 1819(a))..


116 HR 8232 IH: Bolster American Technology Through Expanding Recycling Yield Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8232IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 11, 2020Mr. Tonko (for himself and Mr. Curtis) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and TechnologyA BILLTo amend the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for the recycling and reuse of energy critical materials used in energy storage systems, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Bolster American Technology Through Expanding Recycling Yield Act of 2020 or the BATTERY Act of 2020.2.Energy critical material recycling and reuse research, development, and demonstration program(a)In generalThe United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231) is amended by inserting after subsection (p) the following:(q)Energy critical material recycling and reuse research, development, and demonstration program(1)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Electric motor vehicleThe term electric motor vehicle means a vehicle that derives all or part of its power for locomotion from electricity and is able to exceed a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour without any external assistance, including gravity, as determined by the Secretary.(B)Electronic scrapThe term electronic scrap means personal electronic products near or at the end of their useful life, containing embedded energy storage systems, as determined by the Secretary.(C)Energy critical materialThe term energy critical material means any of a class of chemical materials that have a high risk of a supply disruption and are critical to one or more existing or new, energy-related technologies such that a substantial supply disruption of such material would significantly inhibit large-scale deployment of technologies that produce, transmit, store, or conserve energy.(D)Energy storage systemThe term energy storage system means a system, equipment, facility, or technology that—(i)is capable of absorbing energy, storing such energy for a period of time, and dispatching such energy after storage; and(ii)uses a mechanical, electrical, chemical, electrochemical, or thermal process to store such energy, or any other process that the Secretary determines relevant.(E)Low-speed electric vehicleThe term low-speed electric vehicle means a vehicle with fewer than four wheels that derives all or part of its power for locomotion from electricity and is unable to exceed a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour without any external assistance, including gravity, as determined by the Secretary.(F)RecyclingThe term recycling means the separation of energy critical materials embedded within an energy storage system through physical or chemical means and reuse of those separated energy critical materials in other technologies.(2)EstablishmentNot later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program of recycling of energy storage systems containing energy critical materials.(3)Research, development, and demonstrationIn carrying out the program, the Secretary shall focus research, development, and demonstration activities on—(A)technologies, process improvements, design optimizations, and methods that improve collection, sorting, storage, and transportation of energy storage systems for the purposes of recycling, including—(i)removal of electronic scrap and low-speed electric vehicles from landfill and general recycling waste streams;(ii)extraction of energy storage systems from electronic scrap and low-speed electric vehicles;(iii)extraction, recovery, and reuse of energy critical materials from energy storage systems;(iv)extraction, recovery, and reuse of energy storage systems, and energy critical materials from energy storage systems, within electric motor vehicles;(v)improving the recyclability of energy storage systems and products containing energy storage systems; and(vi)safe disposal of energy storage systems, including waste materials and components recovered during the recycling process; and(B)research on and analysis of non-technical barriers to improve the collection and recycling of energy storage systems containing energy critical materials, including strategies to improve consumer education of, acceptance of, and participation in, the recycling of energy storage systems; and(C)research on and analysis of technologies and methods to mitigate environmental impacts that arise from recycling energy storage systems, including disposal of toxic reagents and byproducts related to recycling processes.(4)Environmental stewardshipThe Secretary shall seek to ensure that any activity receiving funding under this program—(A)does not release toxic byproducts into the environment;(B)sufficiently minimizes potential fire risk—(i)in facilities where energy storage systems are stored; and(ii)in the transportation of energy storage systems; and(C)protects the health and safety of all persons involved in or in proximity to such activity.(5)Report to congressNot later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report summarizing the activities, findings, and progress of the program..(b)Authorization of appropriationsThe United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231) is amended in subsection (p)—(1)in paragraph (5), by striking and at the end;(2)in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(7)the research, development, and demonstration program under subsection (q) $22,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025..


115 HRES 173 EH: Providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-17
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
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 173
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

March 17, 2017

RESOLUTION
Providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress.

1.Committee Expenses for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress
(a)In GeneralWith respect to the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, there shall be paid out of the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives, in accordance with this primary expense resolution, not more than the amount specified in subsection (b) for the expenses (including the expenses of all staff salaries) of each committee named in such subsection.  (b)Committees and AmountsThe committees and amounts referred to in subsection (a) are: Committee on Agriculture, $11,437,517; Committee on Armed Services, $16,188,340; Committee on the Budget, $10,380,424; Committee on Education and the Workforce, $14,454,212; Committee on Energy and Commerce, $20,531,442; Committee on Ethics, $6,681,326; Committee on Financial Services, $16,580,450; Committee on Foreign Affairs, $15,673,986; Committee on Homeland Security, $15,007,846; Committee on House Administration, $10,343,130; Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, $12,100,000; Committee on the Judiciary, $15,350,572; Committee on Natural Resources, $13,758,344; Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, $18,259,682; Committee on Rules, $6,460,562; Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, $10,969,956; Committee on Small Business, $6,287,037; Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, $17,416,000; Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, $7,958,062; and Committee on Ways and Means, $17,940,692.
2.First Session Limitations
(a)In GeneralOf the amount provided for in section 1 for each committee named in subsection (b), not more than the amount specified in such subsection shall be available for expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on January 3, 2017, and ending immediately before noon on January 3, 2018.  (b)Committees and AmountsThe committees and amounts referred to in subsection (a) are: Committee on Agriculture, $5,699,668; Committee on Armed Services, $8,094,170; Committee on the Budget, $5,190,212; Committee on Education and the Workforce, $7,146,429; Committee on Energy and Commerce, $10,265,721; Committee on Ethics, $3,340,663; Committee on Financial Services, $8,290,225; Committee on Foreign Affairs, $7,836,993; Committee on Homeland Security, $7,503,923; Committee on House Administration, $5,021,565; Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, $6,050,000; Committee on the Judiciary, $7,625,286; Committee on Natural Resources, $6,879,172; Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, $9,129,841; Committee on Rules, $3,230,281; Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, $5,484,978; Committee on Small Business, $3,037,400; Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, $8,655,500; Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, $3,979,031; and Committee on Ways and Means, $8,954,346.
3.Second Session Limitations
(a)In GeneralOf the amount provided for in section 1 for each committee named in subsection (b), not more than the amount specified in such subsection shall be available for expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on January 3, 2018, and ending immediately before noon on January 3, 2019.  (b)Committees and AmountsThe committees and amounts referred to in subsection (a) are: Committee on Agriculture, $5,737,849; Committee on Armed Services, $8,094,170; Committee on the Budget, $5,190,212; Committee on Education and the Workforce, $7,307,783; Committee on Energy and Commerce, $10,265,721; Committee on Ethics, $3,340,663; Committee on Financial Services, $8,290,225; Committee on Foreign Affairs, $7,836,993; Committee on Homeland Security, $7,503,923; Committee on House Administration, $5,321,565; Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, $6,050,000; Committee on the Judiciary, $7,725,286; Committee on Natural Resources, $6,879,172; Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, $9,129,841; Committee on Rules, $3,230,281; Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, $5,484,978; Committee on Small Business, $3,249,637; Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, $8,760,500; Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, $3,979,031; and Committee on Ways and Means, $8,986,346.
(c)Review of Use of Funds in First Session
(1)ReviewNone of the amounts provided for in section 1 for a committee named in subsection (b) may be available for expenses of the committee after March 15, 2018, unless the chair or ranking minority member of the committee appears and presents testimony at a hearing of the Committee on House Administration held prior to such date to review the committee's use of the amounts provided for in section 1 during the first session of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress and to determine whether the amount specified in subsection (b) with respect to the committee should be updated on the basis of the review.  (2)WaiverThe Committee on House Administration may waive the application of paragraph (1) to any or all of the committees named in subsection (b).
4.VouchersPayments under this resolution shall be made on vouchers authorized by the committee involved, signed by the chairman of such committee, and approved in the manner directed by the Committee on House Administration.  5.RegulationsAmounts made available under this resolution shall be expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
6.Reserve fund for unanticipated expenses
(a)EstablishmentThere is hereby established a reserve fund for unanticipated expenses of committees for the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress.  (b)AmountThe reserve fund under this section shall have a balance of $2,500,000, of which—
(1)$1,250,000 shall be available for unanticipated expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on January 3, 2017, and ending immediately before noon on January 3, 2018; and  (2)$1,250,000 shall be available for unanticipated expenses incurred during the period beginning at noon on January 3, 2018, and ending immediately before noon on January 3, 2019.
(c)Allocation to CommitteesAmounts in the reserve fund under this section shall be paid to a committee pursuant to an allocation approved by the Committee on House Administration.  7.Adjustment authorityThe Committee on House Administration shall have authority to make adjustments in amounts under section 1, if necessary to comply with an order of the President issued under section 251A or 254 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or to conform to any change in appropriations for the purposes of such section 1.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.