113 HR 948 IH: Standard Data and Technology Advancement Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 948
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 5, 2013
			Mr. Reed (for
			 himself, Mr. Doggett,
			 Mr. Reichert,
			 Mr. Lewis,
			 Mr. Boustany,
			 Mr. Young of Indiana,
			 Mr. Griffin of Arkansas,
			 Mr. Renacci,
			 Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois,
			 Mr. Tiberi, and
			 Mr. Paulsen) 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 concerned

		A BILL
		To establish consistent requirements for the electronic
		  content and format of data used in the administration of certain human services
		  programs under the Social Security Act.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Standard Data and Technology
			 Advancement Act of 2013 or the Standard DATA Act of 2013.
		2.Data
			 standardization for improved data matching
			(a)In
			 generalPart A of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1301—1320b–5) is amended by inserting after section 1121 the following:

					1121A.Data exchange
				standardization for improved interoperability
						(a)Data exchange
				standards
							(1)DesignationThe
				head of the department or agency responsible for administering a provision of
				title III, IV, IX, XII, XVI, or subtitle A of title XX, or section 511, shall,
				in consultation with an interagency work group established by the Office of
				Management and Budget and considering State perspectives, by rule, designate
				data exchange standards for necessary categories of information required to be
				reported under the provision of law.
							(2)Data exchange
				standards must be nonproprietary and interoperableThe data
				exchange standards designated under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent
				practicable, be nonproprietary and interoperable.
							(3)Other
				requirementsIn designating data exchange standards under this
				subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate—
								(A)interoperable
				standards developed and maintained by an international voluntary consensus
				standards body, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget;
								(B)interoperable
				standards developed and maintained by intergovernmental partnerships, such as
				the National Information Exchange Model; and
								(C)interoperable
				standards developed and maintained by Federal entities with authority over
				contracting and financial assistance.
								(b)Data exchange
				reporting standards
							(1)DesignationThe
				head of the department or agency responsible for administering a provision of
				law referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall, in consultation with an interagency
				work group established by the Office of Management and Budget, and considering
				State government perspectives, by rule, designate data exchange reporting
				standards to govern the reporting required under the provision of law.
							(2)RequirementsThe
				data exchange reporting standards required by paragraph (1) shall, to the
				extent practicable—
								(A)incorporate a
				widely accepted, non-proprietary, searchable, computer-readable format;
								(B)be consistent with
				and implement applicable accounting principles; and
								(C)be capable of
				being continually upgraded as necessary.
								(3)Incorporation of
				nonproprietary standardsIn designating data exchange reporting
				standards under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent
				practicable, incorporate existing nonproprietary standards, such as the
				eXtensible Markup
				Language.
							.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe head of each
			 department or agency responsible for administering a proposed rule under
			 section 1121A of the Social Security Act shall issue a final rule under such
			 section, after public comment, within 24 months after the date of the enactment
			 of this section. The rule shall also contain details and future milestones for
			 stakeholder implementation.
			(c)Conforming
			 repeals and amendment
				(1)Conforming
			 repealsSection 105 of the Child and Family Services Improvement
			 and Innovation Act (Public Law 112–34), sections 2104 and 4003 of the Middle
			 Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–96), and subpart
			 3 of part B of title IV, and section 911, of the Social Security Act are each
			 repealed.
				(2)Conforming
			 amendmentSection 411 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611)
			 is amended by striking subsection (d).


113 HR 3118 IH: Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-09-17
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.

I113th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3118IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 17, 2013Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California (for herself, Mr. Holt, Mr. Honda, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Brown of Florida, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Negrete McLeod, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Ellison, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Takano, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Lowenthal, and Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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 improve the retirement security of American families by strengthening Social Security.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013.2.Determination of taxable wages and self-employment income above contribution and benefit base after 2013(a)Determination of taxable wages above contribution and benefit base after 2013(1)Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986Section 3121 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—(A)in subsection (a)(1), by inserting the applicable percentage (determined under subsection (c)(1)) of before that part of the remuneration; and(B)in subsection (c), by striking (c) Included and excluded service.—For purposes of this chapter, if and inserting the following:(c)Special rules for wages and employment(1)Applicable percentage of remuneration in determining taxable wagesFor purposes of subsection (a)(1), the applicable percentage for a calendar year shall be equal to—(A)for 2014, 80 percent;(B)for 2015 through 2017, the applicable percentage under this paragraph for the previous year, decreased by 20 percentage points; and(C)for 2018 and each year thereafter, 0 percent.(2)Included and excluded serviceFor purposes of this chapter, if.(2)Amendments to the Social Security ActSection 209 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 409) is amended—(A)in subsection (a)(1)(I)—(i)by inserting and before 2014 after 1974; and(ii)by inserting and after the semicolon;(B)in subsection (a)(1), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(J)The applicable percentage (determined under subsection (l)) of that part of remuneration which, after remuneration (other than remuneration referred to in the succeeding subsections of this section) equal to the contribution and benefit base (determined under section 230) with respect to employment has been paid to an individual during any calendar year after 2013 with respect to which such contribution and benefit base is effective, is paid to such individual during such calendar year;; and(C)by adding at the end the following new subsection:(l)For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(J), the applicable percentage for a calendar year shall be equal to—(1)for 2014, 80 percent;(2)for 2015 through 2017, the applicable percentage under this subsection for the previous year, decreased by 20 percentage points; and(3)for 2018 and each year thereafter, 0 percent..(3)Effective dateThe amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to remuneration paid in calendar years after 2013.(b)Determination of taxable self-Employment income above contribution and benefit base after 2013(1)Amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986Section 1402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—(A)in subsection (b)(1), by striking that part of the net earnings and all that follows through minus and inserting the following: an amount equal to the applicable percentage (as determined under subsection (d)(2)) of that part of the net earnings from self-employment which is in excess of the difference (not to be less than zero) between (i) an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230 of the Social Security Act) which is effective for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins, and; and(B)in subsection (d)—(i)by striking (d) Employee and wages.—The term and inserting the following:(d)Rules and definitions(1)Employee and wagesThe term; and(ii)by adding at the end the following:(2)Applicable percentage of net earnings from self-employment in determining taxable self-employment incomeFor purposes of subsection (b)(1), the applicable percentage for a taxable year beginning in any calendar year referred to in such paragraph shall be equal to—(A)for 2014, 80 percent;(B)for 2015 through 2017, the applicable percentage under this paragraph for the previous year, decreased by 20 percentage points; and(C)for 2018 and each year thereafter, 0 percent..(2)Amendments to the Social Security ActSection 211 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 411) is amended—(A)in subsection (b)—(i)in paragraph (1)(I)—(I)by striking or after the semicolon; and(II)by inserting and before 2014 after 1974;(ii)by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and(iii)by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:(2)For any taxable year beginning in any calendar year after 2013, an amount equal to the applicable percentage (as determined under subsection (l)) of that part of net earnings from self-employment which is in excess of the difference (not to be less than zero) between—(A)an amount equal to the contribution and benefit base (as determined under section 230) that is effective for such calendar year, and(B)the amount of the wages paid to such individual during such taxable year; or; and(B)by adding at the end the following:(l)For purposes of subsection (b)(2), the applicable percentage for a taxable year beginning in any calendar year referred to in such paragraph shall be equal to—(1)for 2014, 80 percent;(2)for 2015 through 2017, the applicable percentage under this subsection for the previous year, decreased by 20 percentage points; and(3)for 2018 and each year thereafter, 0 percent..(3)Effective dateThe amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to taxable years beginning during or after calendar year 2014.3.Adjustments to bend points in determining primary insurance amount and inclusion of surplus earnings for benefit determinations(a)Inclusion of surplus average indexed monthly earnings in determination of primary insurance amounts(1)In generalSection 215(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(A)) is amended—(A)in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), by inserting basic before average indexed monthly earnings each place it appears;(B)in clause (ii), by striking and at the end;(C)in clause (iii), by adding and at the end; and(D)by inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause:(iv)5 percent of the individual’s surplus average indexed monthly earnings,.(2)Bend point adjustmentSection 215(a)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(a)(1)(B)) is amended—(A)by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and(B)by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause:(iii)For individuals who initially become eligible for old-age or disability insurance benefits, or who die (before becoming eligible for such benefits) in any calendar year after 2018, the amount determined under clause (i) of this subparagraph for purposes of subparagraph (A)(i) for such calendar year shall be increased by—(I)for calendar year 2019, 1 percent;(II)for each of calendar years 2020 through 2032, the percent determined under this clause for the preceding year increased by 1 percentage point; and(III)for calendar year 2033 and each year thereafter, 15 percent..(b)Basic AIME and surplus AIME(1)Basic AIMESection 215(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(b)(1)) is amended—(A)by inserting basic before average; and(B)in subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (3) and inserting paragraph (3)(A) and by inserting before the comma the following: to the extent such total does not exceed the contribution and benefit base for the applicable year.(2)Surplus AIME(A)In generalSection 215(b)(1) of such Act (as amended by paragraph (1)) is amended—(i)by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;(ii)by inserting (A) after (b)(1); and(iii)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:(B)(i)An individual’s surplus average indexed monthly earnings shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing—(I)the total (after adjustment under paragraph (3)(B)) of such individual’s surplus earnings (determined under clause (ii)) for such individual’s benefit computation years (determined under paragraph (2)), by(II)the number of months in those years.(ii)For purposes of clause (i) and paragraph (3)(B), an individual’s surplus earnings for a benefit computation year are the total of such individual’s wages paid in and self-employment income credited to such benefit computation year, to the extent such total (before adjustment under paragraph (3)(B)) exceeds the contribution and benefit base for such year..(B)Conforming amendmentThe heading for section 215(b) of such Act is amended by striking Average Indexed Monthly Earnings and inserting Basic Average Indexed Monthly Earnings; Surplus Average Indexed Monthly Earnings.(3)Adjustment of surplus earnings for purposes of determining surplus AIMESection 215(b)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(b)(3)) is amended—(A)in subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting subparagraph (C) and by inserting and determination of basic average indexed monthly income after paragraph (2);(B)by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and(C)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:(B)For purposes of determining under paragraph (1)(B) an individual’s surplus average indexed monthly earnings, the individual’s surplus earnings (described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)) for a benefit computation year shall be deemed to be equal to the product of—(i)the individual’s surplus earnings for such year (as determined without regard to this subparagraph), and(ii)the quotient described in subparagraph (A)(ii)..(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to individuals who initially become eligible (within the meaning of section 215(a)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act) for old-age or disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, or who die (before becoming eligible for such benefits), in any calendar year after 2018.4.Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers(a)In generalThe Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor shall prepare and publish an index for each calendar month to be known as the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers that indicates changes over time in expenditures for consumption which are typical for individuals in the United States who have attained early retirement age (as defined under section 216(l)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416(l)(2)) for purposes of an old-age, wife's, or husband's insurance benefit).(b)Effective dateSubsection (a) shall apply with respect to calendar months ending on or after June 30 of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted.(c)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.5.Computation of cost-of-living increases for Social Security benefits(a)In generalSection 215(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1)(G), by inserting before the period the following: , and, with respect to any monthly insurance benefit payable under this title, effective for adjustments under this subsection to the primary insurance amount on which such benefit is based (or to any such benefit under section 227 or 228), the applicable Consumer Price Index shall be deemed to be the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers and such primary insurance amount shall be deemed adjusted under this subsection using such Index; and(2)in paragraph (4), by striking and by section 9001 and inserting , by section 9001, and by inserting after 1986, the following: and by section 5(a) of the Strengthening Social Security Act of 2013,.(b)Conforming amendments in applicable former lawSection 215(i)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act, as in effect in December 1978 and applied in certain cases under the provisions of such Act in effect after December 1978, is amended by inserting before the period the following: , and, with respect to any monthly insurance benefit payable under this title, effective for adjustments under this subsection to the primary insurance amount on which such benefit is based (or to any such benefit under section 227 or 228), the applicable Consumer Price Index shall be deemed to be the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers and such primary insurance amount shall be deemed adjusted under this subsection using such Index.(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to determinations made by the Commissioner of Social Security under section 215(i)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)) with respect to cost-of-living computation quarters ending on or after September 30, 2014.


113 HR 1320 IH: Supporting Colorectal Examination and Education Now Act of 2013
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1320
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 21, 2013
			Mr. Neal introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Ways and Means, for a
			 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to
		  improve coverage for colorectal screening tests under Medicare, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the Supporting Colorectal
			 Examination and Education Now Act of 2013 or the
			 SCREEN Act of
			 2013 .
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Findings.
					Sec. 3. Temporary increase in payment rate for certain cancer
				screening tests.
					Sec. 4. Waiving Medicare cost-sharing for colorectal cancer
				screening with therapeutic effect.
					Sec. 5. Medicare coverage for an office visit or consultation
				prior to a qualifying screening colonoscopy.
					Sec. 6. Budget neutrality.

			2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Colon cancer is the third most common cause
			 of cancer-related deaths and the second most common cancer for both men and
			 women.
			(2)According to the
			 American Cancer Society, over 50,000 people will die this year from colon
			 cancer.
			(3)Colorectal cancer
			 is highly treatable with appropriate screening. According to the American
			 Cancer Society (2010 Facts & Figures), the 5-year survival rate is 90
			 percent for those individuals who are diagnosed at an early stage of the
			 cancer. However, less than 40 percent of colon cancer cases are diagnosed at an
			 early stage.
			(4)The Centers for
			 Disease Control and Prevention recently estimated that approximately 2,000
			 deaths could be avoided if colonoscopy screening rates rose by just 10
			 percent.
			(5)Colonoscopies
			 allow for simultaneous colorectal cancer screenings and detection and the
			 removal of precancerous polyps, thus preventing cancer from developing.
			(6)The U.S.
			 Preventive Services Task Force provides an A rating for
			 colorectal cancer screenings.
			(7)The Centers for
			 Disease Control and Prevention’s colorectal cancer control program has set a
			 target of screening 80 percent of eligible adults in certain States by 2014.
			 The American Cancer Society and other patient advocacy groups have a target
			 rate of 75 percent.
			(8)Only between 52 and 58 percent of Medicare
			 beneficiaries have had any colorectal cancer screening test, despite Medicare
			 coverage for such tests.
			(9)Only 49.3 percent
			 of Medicare beneficiaries who are 50 to 80 years old receive colorectal cancer
			 screenings within recommended intervals.
			(10)The Centers for
			 Medicare & Medicaid Services notes that there is clearly an
			 opportunity to improve colorectal cancer screening rates in the Medicare
			 population.
			(11)A January 2011
			 study by the Colon Cancer Alliance concludes that most Americans over the age
			 of 50—
				(A)wish a health care
			 provider was able to sit down with them to discuss a colonoscopy before
			 undergoing the test; and
				(B)forgo a
			 colonoscopy due to fear of the procedure.
				(12)In February 2010,
			 the National Institutes of Health hosted a conference on colorectal cancer
			 screening and cited patient awareness and fears as barriers to increasing
			 colorectal cancer screening rates.
			(13)According to the
			 Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, colonoscopy is one of the most common
			 procedures performed in the ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and the
			 decline in payment rate for the highest volume procedures is especially a
			 strong concern for ASCs that focus on gastroenterology.
			(14)An Institute of
			 Medicine study on colorectal cancer screening cited the inadequate
			 reimbursement for preventive care services as one of the constraints limiting
			 colorectal cancer screening rates.
			(15)Colorectal cancer
			 screening by colonoscopy has been demonstrated to reduce Medicare costs over
			 the long-term.
			3.Temporary
			 increase in payment rate for certain cancer screening tests
			(a)In
			 generalWith respect to a qualifying cancer screening test
			 furnished during the 5-year period beginning on January 1, 2014, by a
			 qualifying provider, the amount otherwise payable under section 1833 or section
			 1848 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l, 1395w–4) to such provider for
			 such test shall be increased by 10 percent.
			(b)Qualifying
			 cancer screening test
				(1)In
			 generalFor purposes of this
			 section, subject to paragraph (2), the term qualifying cancer screening
			 test means, with respect to a Medicare beneficiary, a cancer screening
			 test that has in effect with respect to such beneficiary a rating of ‘A’ in the
			 current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task
			 Force.
				(2)Termination when
			 high utilization rate reachedIf the Secretary of Health and Human
			 Services determines that a cancer screening test described in paragraph (1) has
			 a utilization rate of at least 75 percent of the Medicare beneficiaries for
			 whom such screening has such a recommendation, effective as of the first day of
			 the year after the year in which such determination is made, the cancer
			 screening test shall not be a qualifying cancer screening test.
				(c)Qualifying
			 provider definedFor purposes of this section, the term
			 qualifying provider means, with respect to a qualifying cancer
			 screening test, an individual or entity—
				(1)that is eligible for payment for such test
			 under section 1833 or section 1848 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l,
			 1395w–4); and
				(2)that—
					(A)participates in a
			 nationally recognized quality improvement registry with respect to such test;
			 and
					(B)demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the
			 Secretary, based on the information in such registry, that the tests were
			 provided by such individual or entity in accordance with accepted
			 outcomes-based quality measures.
					4.Waiving Medicare
			 cost-sharing for colorectal cancer screening with therapeutic effect
			(a)In
			 generalSection 1833(a)(1)(Y)
			 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)(Y)) is amended by inserting
			 , including tests and procedures described in the last sentence of
			 subsection (b), after section 1861(ddd)(3) .
			(b)Effective
			 DateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to tests and
			 procedures performed on or after January 1, 2014.
			5.Medicare coverage
			 for an office visit or consultation prior to a qualifying screening
			 colonoscopy
			(a)CoverageSection
			 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is
			 amended—
				(1)in subparagraph
			 (EE), by striking and at the end;
				(2)in subparagraph
			 (FF), by inserting and at the end; and
				(3)by adding at the
			 end the following new subparagraph:

						(GG)prior to a colorectal cancer
				screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy or in conjunction with an
				individual’s decision regarding the performance of such a test on the
				individual, an outpatient office visit or consultation for the purpose of
				beneficiary education, assuring selection of the proper screening test, and
				securing information relating to the procedure and the sedation of the
				individual;
						.
				(b)Payment
				(1)In
			 generalSection 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395l(a)(1)) is amended—
					(A)by striking
			 and before (Z); and
					(B)by inserting
			 before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (AA) with respect
			 to an outpatient office visit or consultation under section 1861(s)(2)(GG), the
			 amounts paid shall be 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or the
			 amount established under section 1848.
					(2)Payment under
			 physician fee scheduleSection 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security
			 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting (2)(GG),
			 after (2)(FF) (including administration of the health risk
			 assessment),.
				(3)Requirement for
			 establishment of payment amount under physician fee
			 scheduleSection 1834(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395m(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(4)Payment for
				outpatient office visit or consultation prior to screening
				colonoscopyWith respect to
				an outpatient office visit or consultation under section 1861(s)(2)(GG),
				payment under section 1848 shall be consistent with the payment amounts for CPT
				codes 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, and 99215 (as in
				effect as of the date of the enactment of this paragraph or any successors to
				such
				codes).
						.
				(c)Effective
			 DateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to items and
			 services furnished on or after January 1, 2014.
			6.Budget
			 neutrality
			(a)Adjustment of
			 physician fee schedule conversion factorThe Secretary of Health and Human Services
			 (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall reduce the
			 conversion factor established under subsection (d) of section 1848 of the
			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4) for each year (beginning with 2014) to
			 the extent necessary to reduce expenditures under such section for items and
			 services furnished during the year in the aggregate by the net offset amount
			 determined under subsection (c)(5) attributable to such section for the
			 year.
			(b)Adjustment of
			 HOPD conversion factorThe
			 Secretary shall reduce the conversion factor established under paragraph (3)(C)
			 of section 1833(t) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)) for each
			 year (beginning with 2014) to the extent necessary to reduce expenditures under
			 such section for items and services furnished during the year in the aggregate
			 by the net offset amount determined under subsection (c)(5) attributable to
			 such section for the year.
			(c)Determinations
			 relating to expendituresFor purposes of this section, before the
			 beginning of each year (beginning with 2014) at the time conversion factors
			 described in subsection (a) and (b) are established for the year, the Secretary
			 shall determine—
				(1)the amount of the gross additional
			 expenditures under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et
			 seq.) estimated to result from the implementation of sections 3, 4, and 5 for
			 items and services furnished during the year;
				(2)the amount of any offsetting reductions in
			 expenditures under such title (such as reductions in payments for inpatient
			 hospital services) for such year attributable to the implementation of such
			 sections;
				(3)the amount (if
			 any) by which the amount of the gross additional expenditures determined under
			 paragraph (1) for the year exceeds the amount of offsetting reductions
			 determined under paragraph (2) for the year;
				(4)of the gross additional expenditures
			 determined under paragraph (1) for the year that are attributable to
			 expenditures under sections 1848 and 1833(t) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4,
			 1395l(t)), the ratio of such expenditures that are attributable to each
			 respective section; and
				(5)with respect to section 1848 and section
			 1833(t) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4, 1395l(t)), a net offset amount for the
			 year equal to the product of—
					(A)the amount of the
			 net additional expenditures for the year determined under paragraph (3);
			 and
					(B)the ratio
			 determined under paragraph (4) attributable to the respective section.


116 HR 3552 IH: Unlawful Gun Buyer Alert Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-06-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3552IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 27, 2019Mr. Cicilline (for himself, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Sires, Ms. Hill of California, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Case, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Meng, and Ms. Brownley of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to provide notification to relevant law
			 enforcement agencies in the event that a background check conducted by the
			 National Instant Criminal Background Check System determines that a person
			 may not receive a firearm, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Unlawful Gun Buyer Alert Act. 2.Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited purchase or attempted purchase of a firearm (a)In generalTitle I of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (34 U.S.C. 40911–40917) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					108.Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited purchase or attempted purchase of a firearm
 (a)In generalIn the case of a background check conducted by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System pursuant to the request of a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer of firearms (as such terms are defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code), which background check determines that the receipt of a firearm by a person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of such title, including any such case in which the determination is made after 3 business days have elapsed since the licensee contacted the System and a firearm has been transferred to that person, the System shall notify the law enforcement agencies described in subsection (b) of this section.
 (b)Law enforcement agencies describedThe law enforcement agencies described in this subsection are the law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the location from which the licensee contacted the system and the law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the location of the residence of the person for which the background check was conducted, as follows:
 (1)The field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2)The local law enforcement agency.
 (3)The State law enforcement agency.. (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents of such Act (34 U.S.C. 10101 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 107 the following:

						108. Notification to law enforcement agencies of prohibited purchase or attempted purchase of a
			 firearm..


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 282
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 12, 2007
			Mr. Durbin (for himself
			 and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reduce over
		  a 5-year period the interest rate on certain undergraduate student
		  loans.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the College Student Relief Act of
			 2007.
		2.Applicable
			 interest ratesSection 427A(l)
			 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1077a(l)) is amended—
			(1)in paragraph (1),
			 by inserting and subject to paragraph (4) after
			 Notwithstanding subsection (h); and
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following:

					(4)Special rule
				for subsidized undergraduate loansNotwithstanding subsection
				(h), with respect to any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part
				(other than a loan made pursuant to section 428B, 428C, or 428H) to or for an
				undergraduate student for which the first disbursement is made on or
				after—
						(A)July 1, 2007, the
				applicable rate of interest shall be 6.12 percent on the unpaid principal
				balance of the loan;
						(B)July 1, 2008, the
				applicable rate of interest shall be 5.44 percent on such balance;
						(C)July 1, 2009, the
				applicable rate of interest shall be 4.76 percent on such balance;
						(D)July 1, 2010, the
				applicable rate of interest shall be 4.08 percent on such balance; and
						(E)July 1, 2011, the
				applicable rate of interest shall be 3.40 percent on such
				balance.
						.


114 HR 5249 IH: Safe Treatments and Opportunities to Prevent Pain Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-05-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5249
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 16, 2016
			Mrs. Capps (for herself, Mrs. Ellmers of North Carolina, Mr. McKinley, and Ms. Matsui) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

		A BILL
		To direct the NIH to intensify and coordinate fundamental, translational, and clinical research
			 with respect to the understanding of pain, the discovery and development
			 of therapies for chronic pain, and the development of alternatives to
			 opioids for effective pain treatments.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Safe Treatments and Opportunities to Prevent Pain Act or the STOP Pain Act. 2.Enhancing basic and applied research on pain to discover therapies, including alternatives to opioids, for effective pain management (a)In generalThe Director of the National Institutes of Health (referred to in this section as the NIH) may intensify and coordinate fundamental, translational, and clinical research of the NIH with respect to—
 (1)the understanding of pain; (2)the discovery and development of therapies for chronic pain; and
 (3)the development of alternatives to opioids for effective pain treatments. (b)Priority and directionThe prioritization and direction of the federally funded portfolio of pain research studies shall consider recommendations made by the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee in concert with the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, and in accordance with the National Pain Strategy, the Federal Pain Research Strategy, and the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2016–2020, the latter which calls for the relative burdens of individual diseases and medical disorders to be regarded as crucial considerations in balancing the priorities of the Federal research portfolio.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 102
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			January 4, 2007
			Mr. Kerry introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
		  to extend and expand relief from the alternative minimum tax and to repeal the
		  extension of the lower rates for capital gains and dividends for 2009 and
		  2010.

		1.Extension and increase in minimum tax
			 relief to individuals
			(a)In generalSection 55(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 is amended—
				(1)by striking $62,550 in the case of
			 taxable years beginning in 2006 in subparagraph (A) and inserting
			 $67,100 in the case of taxable years beginning in 2007,
			 and
				(2)by striking $42,500 in the case of
			 taxable years beginning in 2006 in subparagraph (B) and inserting
			 $44,800 in the case of taxable years beginning in 2007.
				(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by
			 this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
			 2006.
			2.Allowance of nonrefundable personal credits
			 against regular and alternative minimum tax liability
			(a)In generalParagraph (2) of section 26(a) of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
				(1)by striking 2006 in the heading
			 thereof and inserting 2007, and
				(2)by striking or 2006 and
			 inserting 2006, or 2007.
				(b)Conforming Provisions
				(1)Section 30B(g) of the Internal Revenue Code
			 of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(3)Special rule for 2007For purposes of any taxable year beginning
				during 2007, the credit allowed under subsection (a) (after the application of
				paragraph (1)) shall not exceed the excess of—
							(A)the sum of the regular tax liability (as
				defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
							(B)the sum of the credits allowable under
				subpart A and this subpart (other than this section and section
				30C).
							.
				(2)Section 30C(d) of the Internal Revenue Code
			 of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

						(3)Special rule for 2007For purposes of any taxable year beginning
				during 2007, the credit allowed under subsection (a) (after the application of
				paragraph (1)) shall not exceed the excess of—
							(A)the sum of the regular tax liability (as
				defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
							(B)the sum of the credits allowable under
				subpart A and this subpart (other than this
				section).
							.
				(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by
			 this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
			 2006.
			3.Repeal of extension of lower rates for
			 capital gains and dividendsThe amendment made by section 102 of the Tax
			 Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 is repealed and the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such amendment had never been
			 enacted.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3299
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 22, 2008
			Mr. Ensign (for himself
			 and Mr. Brown) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the
		  demonstration project on adjustable rate mortgages and the demonstration
		  project on hybrid adjustable rate mortgages.

		1.Extension of demonstration
			 project on adjustable rate mortgagesSection 3707(a) of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended by striking 2008 and inserting
			 2018.
		2.Extension of
			 demonstration project on hybrid adjustable rate mortgagesSection 3707A(a) of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended by striking 2008 and inserting
			 2012.


114 S1988 IS: Enhancing Security for Military Personnel Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-08-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1988
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			August 5, 2015
			Mr. Inhofe introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

		A BILL
		To enhance the security of military personnel at United States military installations and operating
			 locations.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Enhancing Security for Military Personnel Act of 2015.
		2.Enhancing security of military personnel at United States Department of
			 Defense installations
			(a)Plan
 (1)In generalNot later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan to enhance security of military personnel at Department of Defense installations in the United States.
 (2)ElementsThe plan required under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following elements: (A)A summary of current force protection programs and authorities.
 (B)Criteria for establishing and changing security status of locations. (C)A description of laws, regulations, and instructions that direct Department of Defense security procedures and guidelines.
 (D)A description of processes that are authorized to be taken to increase security levels. (E)A description of current rules of engagement for security personnel.
 (F)A description of training requirements for personnel authorized to carry firearms. (G)A plan for increasing the number of armed security personnel either permanently or through an auxiliary status.
 (H)A plan for providing the necessary authority for military personnel to carry government firearms both concealed and open carry, to and from duty.
 (I)A plan for allocating resources for current security posture, and recommended changes to security posture.
 (J)Recommendations on changes needed to be made to current force protection procedures and programs, including legislative and resource changes.
 (3)Coordination with service secretaries, chiefs of staff, and commandantIn preparing the plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with the secretaries, chiefs of staff, and commandants of the military services.
 (4)Consultation with State and local and other entitiesIn preparing the plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary should seek consultation with leaders from State and local governments and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies.
 (b)ImplementationNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, after briefing the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives, implement the recommendations included in the plan submitted under subsection (a).
 (c)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Department of Defense installationsThe term Department of Defense installations means—
 (A)any facility subject to the custody, jurisdiction, or administration of any Department of Defense component, including leased property; and
 (B)includes military reservations, installations, bases, posts, camps, stations, arsenals, vessels/ships, and laboratories where a Department of Defense component has operational responsibility for facility security and defense.
 (2)United StatesThe term United States includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States.


117 HR 4081 IH: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4081IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 23, 2021Mr. Curtis (for himself and Mr. Moulton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act.2.Required disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devicesEach manufacturer of a covered device shall disclose whether the covered device manufactured by the manufacturer contains a camera or microphone as a component of the covered device.3.Enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission(a)Unfair or deceptive acts or practicesA violation of section 2 shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).(b)Actions by the Commission(1)In generalThe Federal Trade Commission shall prevent any person from violating this Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act.(2)Penalties and privilegesAny person who violates this Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.).(c)Commission guidanceNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission, through outreach to relevant private entities, shall issue guidance to assist manufacturers in complying with the requirements of this Act, including guidance about best practices for making the disclosure required by section 2 as clear and conspicuous as practicable.(d)Tailored guidanceA manufacturer of a covered device may petition the Commission for tailored guidance as to how to meet the requirements of section 2.(e)Limitation on Commission GuidanceNo guidance issued by the Commission with respect to this Act shall confer any rights on any person, State, or locality, nor shall operate to bind the Commission or any person to the approach recommended in such guidance. In any enforcement action brought pursuant to this Act, the Commission shall allege a specific violation of a provision of this Act. The Commission may not base an enforcement action on, or execute a consent order based on, practices that are alleged to be inconsistent with any such guidelines, unless the Commission determines such practices expressly violate section 2.4.Definition of covered deviceAs used in this Act, the term covered device—(1)means a consumer product, as defined by section 3(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)) that is capable of connecting to the internet, a component of which is a camera or microphone; and(2)does not include—(A)a telephone (including a mobile phone), a laptop, tablet, or any device that a consumer would reasonably expect to have a microphone or camera;(B)any device that is specifically marketed as a camera, telecommunications device, or microphone; or(C)any device or apparatus described in sections 255, 716, and 718, and subsections (aa) and (bb) of section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 255; 617; 619; and 303(aa) and (bb)), and any regulations promulgated thereunder.5.Effective dateThis Act shall apply to all devices manufactured after the date that is 180 days after the date on which guidance is issued by the Commission under section 3(c), and shall not apply to devices manufactured or sold before such date, or otherwise introduced into interstate commerce before such date.


114 HR 4636 IH: POWERS Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-02-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4636
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 26, 2016
			Mr. Mullin (for himself, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mr. Sensenbrenner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend title 5, United States Code, to require agencies to respond to comments from congressional
			 committees about proposed rulemaking, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Preventing Overreach Within the Executive Rulemaking System Act of 2016 or the POWERS Act of 2016. 2.Requiring agency response to comments from congressional committees about proposed rulemaking (a)In generalSection 553(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)by striking After notice and inserting (1) After notice; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

 (2)No publication or service of a rule may be made during the period beginning on the date of the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking under subsection (b) with respect to such rule and ending on the date that is 60 days after such date of publication, subject to paragraph (3).
 (3)(A)With respect to a rule, if a committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate that has jurisdiction under the Rules of the House of Representatives or the Senate, respectively, over the provision of law that authorizes the agency to issue the rule submits written data, views, or arguments to the head of the agency through electronic mail and physical mail during the period described in paragraph (2), not later than 10 days after the date of such submission, the head of the agency shall publish in the Federal Register a response that addresses the content of such submission and answers any questions posed in such submission.
 (B)The period beginning on the date of such submission and ending on the date of such publication (or a notification under paragraph (4)(B)) shall not count as part of the period described in paragraph (2).
 (4)Paragraph (3)(A) shall not apply with respect to a subsequent submission with respect to a rule to the head of an agency under such paragraph by a committee that has made an initial submission to such head and received a response under such paragraph if the head—
 (A)determines that such subsequent submission— (i)fails to address the content of such response; or
 (ii)raises issues that were not raised in the initial submission or the response; and (B)notifies the committee of such determination.
							.
 (b)ApplicabilityThe amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to a rule for which the notice of proposed rulemaking is published under section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of enactment of this Act.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3438
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			November 16, 2011
			Mr. Filner introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Small Business, for a
			 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To require the Department of Defense to meet the annual
		  goal for participation in procurement contracts by small business concerns
		  owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected
		  disabilities.

		1.Requirement for Department of
			 Defense to meet contracting goal for small business concerns owned and
			 controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities
			(a)RequirementEach fiscal year, the Department of Defense
			 shall meet the goal for participation in procurement contracts that fiscal year
			 by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans with
			 service-connected disabilities under section 15(g)(1) of the Small Business Act
			 (15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)).
			(b)Definition of
			 small business concern owned and controlled by veterans with service-Connected
			 disabilities
				(1)The term
			 small business concern owned and controlled by veterans has the
			 meaning provided in section 8127 of title 38, United States Code.
				(2)The term
			 service-connected has the meaning provided in section 101(16) of
			 title 38, United States Code.


110 HR 707 IH: Chattahoochee National Forest Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 707
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 29, 2007
			Mr. Deal of Georgia
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Agriculture, for a period
			 to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
			 such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
			 concerned

		A BILL
		To establish the Mountaintown National Scenic Area in the
		  Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia, and to designate additional National
		  Forest System land in the State of Georgia as components of the National
		  Wilderness Preservation System.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Chattahoochee National Forest Act of
			 2007.
		2.Mountaintown
			 National Scenic Area, Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia
			(a)EstablishmentThere is hereby established in the
			 Chattahoochee National Forest in the State of Georgia the Mountaintown National
			 Scenic Area (in this section referred to as the scenic area)
			 consisting of approximately 13,382 acres, as generally depicted on the map
			 entitled Mountaintown Proposed Scenic Area—Chattahoochee National
			 Forest, Georgia and dated May 3, 2006.
			(b)Map and
			 descriptionsAs soon as
			 practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
			 Agriculture shall submit to Congress a final map and boundary description of
			 the scenic area. The map and description shall have the same force and effect
			 as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct clerical and
			 typographical errors in the map and boundary description. The map and boundary
			 description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office
			 of the Chief of the Forest Service. In the case of any discrepancy between the
			 acreage and the map referred to in subsection (a) and the map and boundary
			 description required by this subsection, the map and boundary description
			 required by this subsection shall control.
			(c)Management
				(1)PurposesThe
			 Secretary shall manage the scenic area for the purposes of—
					(A)ensuring the
			 appropriate protection and preservation of the scenic quality, water quality,
			 natural characteristics, and water resources of the area;
					(B)protecting and
			 managing vegetation in the area to provide wildlife and fish habitat,
			 consistent with subparagraph (A);
					(C)providing parcels
			 within the area that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests;
			 and
					(D)providing a
			 variety of recreation opportunities, consistent with the preceding
			 purposes.
					(2)PriorityIn
			 the case of a conflict between the management purposes specified in paragraph
			 (1) and the laws and regulations generally applicable to the National Forest
			 System, the management purposes shall take precedence.
				(d)Management
			 planNot later than three
			 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop
			 a management plan for the scenic area as an amendment to the land and resource
			 management plan for the Chattahoochee National Forest. The amendment shall
			 conform to the requirements of this section. Nothing in this section shall
			 require the Secretary to revise the land and resource management plan for the
			 Chattahoochee National Forest pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland
			 Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
			(e)RoadsAfter
			 the date of the enactment of this Act, no new roads shall be constructed or
			 established within the scenic area, except that this prohibition shall not be
			 construed to deny access to private lands or interests therein in the scenic
			 area.
			(f)Vegetation
			 managementNo timber harvest shall be allowed within the scenic
			 area, except as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases
			 and to provide for public safety and trail access. Notwithstanding the
			 foregoing, the Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices for
			 maintenance of existing wildlife clearings and visual quality. Firewood may be
			 harvested for personal use along perimeter roads under such conditions as the
			 Secretary may impose.
			(g)Motorized
			 travelMotorized travel shall
			 not be permitted within the scenic area, except that the Secretary may
			 authorize motorized travel within the scenic area as necessary for
			 administrative use in furtherance of the management purposes specified in
			 subsection (c)(1) and in support of wildlife management projects in existence
			 as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(h)FireWildfires in the scenic area shall be
			 suppressed in a manner consistent with the management purposes specified in
			 subsection (c)(1), using such means as the Secretary considers
			 appropriate.
			(i)Insects and
			 diseaseInsect and disease outbreaks may be controlled in the
			 scenic area to maintain scenic quality, prevent tree mortality, reduce hazards
			 to visitors, or protect private lands.
			(j)WaterThe
			 scenic area shall be administered so as to maintain or enhance existing water
			 quality.
			(k)Mining
			 withdrawalSubject to valid existing rights, all federally owned
			 lands in the scenic area are hereby withdrawn from location, entry, and patent
			 under the mining laws of the United States and from leasing claims under the
			 mineral and geothermal leasing laws of the United States, including amendments
			 to such laws.
			3.Designation of
			 additional National Forest System land as wilderness in Georgia
			(a)DesignationIn furtherance of the purposes of the
			 Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following lands in the State of
			 Georgia, which are administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as part of the
			 Chattahoochee National Forest and comprise approximately 8,448 acres, as
			 generally depicted on the maps dated May 3, 2006, and entitled Proposed
			 Wilderness Additions—Chattahoochee National Forest, are hereby
			 designated as wilderness and incorporated into the existing wilderness area to
			 which they adjoin:
				(1)Three additions to the existing Southern
			 Nantahala Wilderness: Ben Gap, consisting of 1,294 acres, Shoal Branch,
			 consisting of 412, and Tate Branch, consisting of 1,085 acres.
				(2)One addition to the existing Blood Mountain
			 Wilderness: Cedar Mountain, consisting of 561 acres.
				(3)Two additions to the existing Brasstown
			 Wilderness: Duck Branch, consisting of 190 acres, and Wilson Cove, consisting
			 of 563 acres.
				(4)One addition to the existing Ellicott Rock
			 Wilderness: Ellicott Rock Addition, consisting of 562 acres.
				(5)Two additions to the existing Cohutta
			 Wilderness: Foster Branch, consisting of 165 acres, and Ken Mountain,
			 consisting of 527 acres.
				(6)One addition to the existing Raven Cliffs
			 Wilderness: Helton Creek, consisting of 2,451 acres.
				(7)One addition to the existing Tray Mountain
			 Wilderness: Tripp Branch, consisting of 638 acres.
				(b)Maps and legal
			 descriptionsAs soon as
			 practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
			 submit to Congress final maps and boundary descriptions of the lands designated
			 as wilderness by this section. The maps and descriptions shall have the same
			 force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may
			 correct clerical and typographical errors in the maps and boundary
			 descriptions. The maps and boundary descriptions shall be on file and available
			 for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
			(c)Administration
				(1)In
			 generalSubject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall
			 administer the lands designated as wilderness by this section in accordance
			 with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and this section.
				(2)Effective date of
			 wilderness actWith respect to the land designated as wilderness
			 by this section, any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.)
			 to the effective date of the Wilderness Act shall be deemed to be a reference
			 to the date of enactment of this Act.
				(3)Fish and
			 wildlifeAs provided in
			 section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this
			 section shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of
			 the State of Georgia with respect to fish and wildlife in the Chattahoochee
			 National Forest.
				(4)WithdrawalSubject
			 to valid existing rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the
			 Federal land designated as wilderness by this section is withdrawn from all
			 forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
			 location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and disposition under all
			 laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.


		V
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2671
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 2, 2009
			Mr. Himes introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Transportation and
			 Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To authorize the Secretary of the department in which the
		  Coast Guard is operating to issue a certificate of documentation with a
		  coastwise endorsement for the vessel M/V GEYSIR.

		1.Coastwise endorsement
			 restoredNotwithstanding
			 sections 12112 and 12132 of title 46, United States Code, the Secretary of the
			 department in which the Coast Guard is operating may issue a certificate of
			 documentation with a coastwise endorsement for the M/V GEYSIR (United States
			 official number 622178).


113 HR 4658 IH: To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to eliminate civil money penalties for inducements to physicians to limit services that are not medically necessary, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-05-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4658
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 13, 2014
			Mr. McDermott 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 concerned

		A BILL
		To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to eliminate civil money penalties for inducements to
			 physicians to limit services that are not medically necessary, and for
			 other purposes.

		1.Eliminating civil money penalties for inducements to physicians to limit services that are not
			 medically necessary
			(a)In generalSection 1128A(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a(b)(1)) is amended by inserting medically necessary after reduce or limit.
			(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to payments made on or after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.


117 HR 2600 IH: Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2600IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 15, 2021Mr. Roy (for himself, Mr. Green of Tennessee, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Gooden of Texas, Ms. Van Duyne, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Fallon, Mr. Gohmert, Ms. Granger, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Williams of Texas, Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Brady, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Perry, Mr. Murphy of North Carolina, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Budd, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Hice of Georgia, Ms. Herrell, Mr. Norman, Mr. Bishop of North Carolina, Mrs. Greene of Georgia, Mr. Buck, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Donalds, and Mr. Davidson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo direct the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on the designation of the Reynosa/Los Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel, and the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas as foreign terrorist organizations, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act.2.Report on designation of certain drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations(a)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that each of the drug cartels set forth in subsection (b) meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization as set forth in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).(b)DesignationThe Secretary of State shall designate each of the following Mexican drug cartels as a foreign terrorist organization under such section 219:(1)The Reynosa/Los Metros faction of the Gulf Cartel.(2)The Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas.(c)Report(1)Report requiredNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress—(A)a detailed report on each of the drug cartels listed in section (2)(b) and any other cartels the Secretary may identify, including the criteria met for designation as a foreign terrorist organization as set forth in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189); and(B)for each of the cartels designated under subsection (b), if the Secretary determines that the drug cartel does not meet the criteria set forth under such section 219, a detailed justification as to which criteria have not been met.(2)Designation of additional cartelsNot later than 30 days after the submission of the report the Secretary shall designate any cartel or any faction thereof as a foreign terrorist organization listed in the report that met the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization as set forth in section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).(3)FormThe report required by paragraph (1) shall—(A)be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex; and(B)be made available only in electronic form and shall not be printed, except if a printed copy is requested by an office of the legislative branch.(4)Appropriate committees of Congress definedIn this subsection, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—(A)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and(B)the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.


116 S2435 IS: Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-08-01
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.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2435IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 1, 2019Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Perdue) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the BudgetA BILLTo amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to provide that any estimate prepared by the
			 Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation shall
			 include costs relating to servicing the public debt, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Budgetary Accuracy in Scoring Interest Costs Act of 2019 or the BASIC Act. 2.CBO and JCT estimates to include debt servicing costs (a)In generalThe Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 402 the following:
 403.Estimates to include debt servicing costsAny estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office under section 402, and any estimate prepared by the Joint Committee on Taxation, shall include, to the extent practicable, the costs (if any) of servicing the public debt..
 (b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 402 the following:
				403. Estimates to include debt servicing costs..


115 HR 952 IH: Food Donation Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-02-07
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 952IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 7, 2017Ms. Fudge (for herself, Mr. Newhouse, Ms. Pingree, and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the WorkforceA BILLTo amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to clarify and expand food donation under the Bill Emerson
			 Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Food Donation Act of 2017. 2.Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation ActSection 22 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1791) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (b)— (A)in paragraph (1)—
 (i)by striking quality and labeling and inserting safety and safety-related labeling; and (ii)by inserting being past date label, after surplus,;
 (B)in paragraph (2)— (i)by striking quality and labeling and inserting safety and safety-related labeling; and
 (ii)by inserting being past date label, after surplus,; (C)in paragraph (3), by striking not required to give anything of monetary value and inserting not required to give anything of monetary value or is charged a good Samaritan Reduced Price;
 (D)by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11), respectively; and
 (E)by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:  (6)Good Samaritan reduced priceThe term good Samaritan reduced price means an apparently wholesome food or an apparently fit grocery product that is priced at an amount not greater than the cost of handling, administering, and distributing such apparently wholesome food or apparently fit grocery product.; and
 (2)in subsection (c)— (A)in paragraph (1) by inserting or sells at a good Samaritan reduced price after donates in good faith;
 (B)in paragraph (2) by inserting or sale at a good Samaritan reduced price after ultimate distribution; (C)by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
 (D)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:  (3)Direct donations to needy individuals (A)In generalA qualified direct donor shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food or an apparently fit grocery product that the qualified direct donor donates in good faith or sells at a good Samaritan reduced price to a needy individual.
 (B)Qualified direct donors definedIn this paragraph, the term qualified direct donor means a retail grocer, wholesaler, agricultural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)).; and
 (E)in paragraph (4), as redesignated by subparagraph (C), by striking Paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3). 3.RegulationsNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall—
 (1)in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, issue regulations with respect to the safety and safety-related labeling standards of apparently wholesome food and an apparently fit grocery product under section 22 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1791);
 (2)promote awareness of food donation under such section; and (3)issue guidance with respect to the amendments made by this Act.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 11
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 25
			 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
			Mrs. Hutchison (for
			 herself, Mr. Vitter,
			 Mr. Ensign, Mr.
			 Johanns, and Mr. Cornyn)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To provide permanent tax relief from the marriage
		  penalty.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Permanent Marriage Penalty Relief Act
			 of 2011.
		2.Repeal of sunset
			 on marriage penalty reliefTitle IX of the Economic Growth and Tax
			 Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (relating to sunset of provisions of such
			 Act) shall not apply to sections 301, 302, and 303(a) of such Act (relating to
			 marriage penalty relief).


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3424
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 24, 2012
			Mr. Vitter introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To prohibit the sale of billfish.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Billfish Conservation Act of
			 2012.
		2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
			(1)Billfish
			 populations are severely depleted and in need of greater protection.
			(2)Billfish
			 population declines are largely attributable to overfishing by non-United
			 States commercial fishing fleets that harvest billfish as bycatch while
			 targeting other species.
			(3)Commercial
			 fisheries in the United States do not target billfish.
			(4)The current United
			 States prohibition on the commercial harvest and sale of billfish is limited to
			 Atlantic-caught fish.
			(5)There are no
			 existing conservation measures that prohibit the importation of Pacific-caught
			 billfish.
			(6)Billfish account
			 for less than 0.1 percent of the market value of United States seafood.
			(7)The United States
			 seafood market is highly elastic and consumers have a large number of
			 sustainable seafood alternatives.
			(8)Catch and release
			 recreational angling for billfish generates billions of dollars in economic
			 benefits to the United States economy each year.
			(9)Prohibiting the
			 sale of Pacific-caught billfish in the continental United States will assist in
			 the recovery of billfish populations worldwide.
			3.Statement of
			 constitutional authorityThe
			 Congress enacts this Act pursuant to clause 3 of section 8 of article I of the
			 Constitution.
		4.Prohibition on
			 sale of billfish
			(a)ProhibitionNo
			 person shall offer for sale, sell, or have custody, control, or possession of
			 for purposes of offering for sale or selling billfish or products containing
			 billfish.
			(b)PenaltyFor
			 purposes of section 308(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
			 Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1858(a)), a violation of this section shall be
			 treated as an act prohibited by section 307 of that Act (16 U.S.C.
			 1857).
			(c)Exemptions for
			 traditional fisheries and markets
				(1)In
			 generalSubsection (a) does not apply to billfish—
					(A)caught by United
			 States vessels and landed in the State of Hawaii or the Pacific Insular Area;
			 or
					(B)landed by foreign
			 vessels in the Pacific Insular Areas if the foreign caught billfish is exported
			 to markets outside the United States or retained within the Pacific Insular
			 Area for local consumption.
					(2)Pacific Insular
			 Area definedIn this subsection, the term Pacific Insular
			 Area has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the
			 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
			 1802).
				(d)Billfish
			 definedIn this section, the term billfish—
				(1)means any fish of
			 the species—
					(A)Makaira nigricans
			 (blue marlin);
					(B)Kajikia audax
			 (striped marlin);
					(C)Istiompax indica
			 (black marlin);
					(D)Istiophorus
			 platypterus (sailfish);
					(E)Tetrapturus
			 angustirostris (shortbill spearfish);
					(F)Kajikia albida
			 (white marlin);
					(G)Tetrapturus
			 georgii (roundscale spearfish);
					(H)Tetrapturus belone
			 (Mediterranean spearfish); and
					(I)Tetrapturus
			 pfluegeri (longbill spearfish); and
					(2)does not include
			 the species Xiphias gladius (swordfish).


114 HR 2851 IH: Equality in Insurance Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2851
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 23, 2015
Mr. Ellison (for himself and Mr. Pocan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

A BILL
To require each insurer that considers marital status in the rating or underwriting of an insurance policy to consider the proposed insured to be married if the proposed insured is legally married under the laws of any State, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Equality in Insurance Act of 2015. 2.Consideration of marital status in insurance underwriting (a)In generalIn rating and underwriting any insurance policy offered by an insurer that takes into consideration the marital status of the proposed insured, the insurer shall consider the proposed insured to be married if the proposed insured is in a legal marriage, a civil union, or a domestic partnership with substantially the same legal obligations and consequences as a legal marriage under the laws of any jurisdiction (including any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or any foreign jurisdiction).
(b)Right of actionAny person aggrieved by a violation of the requirement under subsection (a) may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction for damages resulting from the violation, and may obtain other appropriate relief, including equitable relief. If the plaintiff prevails in any such action, the court shall award the plaintiff any litigation costs reasonably incurred, together with reasonable attorneys' fees and reasonable expert witness fees, as determined by the court.


116 SRES 176 IS: Condemning the terrorist attacks on Christian worshipers in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, and standing with the Government of Sri Lanka to encourage the protection and preservation of religious liberties.
U.S. Senate
2019-04-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		116th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 176
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 30, 2019
			Mr. Hawley (for himself, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Blunt, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Perdue) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

		RESOLUTION
		Condemning the terrorist attacks on Christian worshipers in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, April 21,
			 2019, and standing with the Government of Sri Lanka to encourage the
			 protection and preservation of religious liberties.

 Whereas, on the morning of April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday, 7 Islamist suicide bombers carried out coordinated attacks on—
 (1)the Shrine of St. Anthony Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka; (2)St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, Sri Lanka;
 (3)Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka; (4)Zion Evangelical Church in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka;
 (5)a guest house near the National Zoo of Sri Lanka; and (6)a housing complex in Dematagoda, Sri Lanka;
 Whereas more than 250 people were killed and more than 500 people were injured in the attacks; Whereas the attackers acted in the name of National Thowheeth Jama’ath (referred to in this preamble as NTJ), a local Islamist group that had previously attacked Buddhist monks and statues;
 Whereas NTJ has ties to global Islamist terrorist organizations and subscribes to an intolerant Wahhabi ideology that condones violence against non-Muslims and fellow Muslims; and
 Whereas the Wall Street Journal has reported that, according to SITE, a terrorist-monitoring firm, on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, the Islamic State released a video claiming responsibility for the attacks, stating that the executors of the attack that targeted citizens of coalition states and Christians in Sri Lanka two days ago were Islamic State fighters: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)condemns the April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka as—
 (A)targeted principally against Christians because of their faith, on their holy day of Easter, during their Easter prayers; and
 (B)perpetrated by radical Islamist terrorists acting in the name of a hateful radical Islamist ideology;
 (2)considers the April 21, 2019, terrorist attacks to be an attack on— (A)all Christians and members of all faiths in Sri Lanka and around the world; and
 (B)the basic human liberty of freedom of religion; (3)stands with the Government of Sri Lanka in bringing peace and security to the citizens of Sri Lanka, particularly the religious communities of Sri Lanka; and
 (4)calls on Sri Lanka and all governments— (A)to protect the freedom of religion, at home and abroad; and
 (B)to partner with the United States in advancing security and freedom.


116 S3102 IS: Measuring Real Income Growth Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-12-18
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.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 3102IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 18, 2019Mr. Schumer (for himself, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Udall, Mr. Peters, Ms. Smith, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Warren, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Booker, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Reed, Mr. Warner, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo require the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce to provide estimates
			 relating to the distribution of aggregate economic growth across specific
			 percentile groups of income.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Measuring Real Income Growth Act of 2019. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)Economic inequality in the United States has increased dramatically during the 4 decades preceding the date of enactment of this Act, with fewer households taking home a larger share of the national income.
 (2)While growth was once distributed relatively evenly across all individuals in the United States, research shows that economic gains are increasingly enjoyed by the most affluent. By contrast, the majority of individuals in the United States have seen income and wage growth significantly below what is suggested by national measures of output and income.
 (3)The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce (referred to in this section as BEA) reports annual and quarterly estimates of gross domestic product (referred to in this section as GDP) in the United States. These estimates are important measures of the overall size and health of the economy of the United States but do not describe how economic gains are distributed across the population of the United States.
 (4)In a country of 325,000,000 individuals, top-line GDP numbers do not capture the full range of household economic experiences and may be misleading. For example, the real GDP grew more than 3 percent annually between 2003 and 2005, but the average income for 1/2 of all individuals in the United States fell during that period.
 (5)Disaggregating economic growth by income groups will provide a more complete picture of how families in the United States are faring across all rungs of the economic ladder and whether economic growth is benefitting all individuals in the United States.
 (6)Recent academic estimates of distributional growth show how much of the economic gains during the 40 years preceding the date of enactment of this Act have accrued to the top of the income distribution. Between 1980 and 2014, the average income of the top 1 percent of the income distribution grew 5 times as much as the average income of the bottom 90 percent of the income distribution and more than 9 times as much as the average income of the bottom 1/2.
 (7)Official and timely estimates of distributional growth from BEA, reported alongside top-line GDP numbers, would enable Congress to better evaluate economic policies that impact every individual in the United States.
 (8)Efforts to address slow wage growth, stagnant incomes, and growing economic inequality require broadening the focus beyond GDP and obtaining metrics that better correspond to the experiences of all families in the United States.
			3.Estimates of aggregate economic growth across income groups
 (a)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)BureauThe term Bureau means the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce.
 (2)Gross domestic product analysisThe term gross domestic product analysis— (A)means a quarterly or annual analysis conducted by the Bureau with respect to the gross domestic product of the United States; and
 (B)includes a revision prepared by the Bureau of an analysis described in subparagraph (A). (b)Inclusion in reports (1)In generalWith respect to each gross domestic product analysis that is conducted on or after the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall include in the gross domestic product analysis a recent estimate of, with respect to specific percentile groups of income, the total amount that was added to the economy of the United States during the period to which the gross domestic product analysis pertains, including in—
 (A)each of the 10 deciles of income; and (B)the highest 1 percent of income.
 (2)Recent estimatesWith respect to each recent estimate that, under paragraph (1), the Bureau is required to include in a gross domestic product analysis, that estimate shall be the most recent estimate that is available on the date on which that gross domestic product analysis is conducted.
 (3)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
				(c)Authority To share information with BEA
 (1)In generalSubparagraph (B) of section 6103(j)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking such return information reflected on returns of corporations and inserting such returns, or return information reflected thereon,. (2)Application of subchapter III of chapter 35 of title 44The provisions of subchapter III of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, relating to the confidentiality and disclosure of information shall apply to any return or return information acquired by the Bureau under section 6103(j)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended by paragraph (1).