		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3546
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 23
			 (legislative day, September 17), 2008
			Mr. Brownback introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		A BILL
		To establish the National Center for Strategic
		  Communication to advise the President regarding public diplomacy and
		  international broadcasting to promote democracy and human rights, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Strategic Communications Act of
			 2008.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Appropriate
			 congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional
			 committees means—
				(A)the
			 Committee on Foreign Relations of the
			 Senate;
				(B)the
			 Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
			 Representatives;
				(C)the
			 Committee on Appropriations of the
			 Senate; and
				(D)the
			 Committee on Appropriations of the House of
			 Representatives.
				(2)CenterThe
			 term Center means the National Center for Strategic Communication
			 established under section 5(a).
			(3)DirectorThe
			 term Director means the Director of Strategic Communication of the
			 Center appointed under section 5(b).
			(4)National
			 strategic communications strategyThe term national
			 strategic communications strategy means the comprehensive strategy for
			 strategic communication developed under section 6.
			(5)Strategic
			 communicationsThe term strategic communications
			 means engaging foreign audiences through coordinated and truthful
			 communications programs that create, preserve, or strengthen conditions
			 favorable to the advancement of the national interests of the United
			 States.
			3.Sense of
			 CongressIt is the Sense of
			 Congress that—
			(1)radical Islamists
			 deny these moral principles and use terrorism to achieve their ideological
			 ends;
			(2)radical Islamists
			 seek to—
				(A)morally
			 delegitimize democracy; and
				(B)forcefully impose
			 a universal political order that denies and suppresses the unalienable rights
			 of human beings;
				(3)although military
			 force may sometimes be necessary, military force alone cannot defeat the threat
			 posed by Islamist extremism;
			(4)the founding principles of the United
			 States, including freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, must be advanced
			 and defended against those who—
				(A)deny the truth of such principles;
			 and
				(B)seek to overthrow such principles;
				(5)the United States, out of a decent respect
			 to the opinions of mankind, owes an explanation of its founding principles and
			 the purposes of democratic, constitutional, and political order; and
			(6)the United States
			 Government needs an organization whose mission is to engage foreign audiences
			 in ways that advance the national interests of the United States,
			 including—
				(A)advancing
			 understanding and appreciation for the founding principles of the United
			 States; and
				(B)defeating the
			 ideas that are inimical to the founding principles of the United States.
				4.Broadcasting
			 Board of Governors
			(a)Abolishment of
			 Broadcasting Board of GovernorsThe United States International
			 Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.) is repealed on the date that
			 is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(b)Special
			 immigrant statusSection 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and
			 Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)) is amended by striking for the
			 International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, or
			 for a grantee of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and inserting
			 for the National Center for Strategic Communication.
			(c)Dissemination
			 abroad of information about the United StatesTitle V of the
			 United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1461)
			 is amended—
				(1)in the title
			 heading, by striking abroad;
				(2)by striking
			 subsection (a); and
				(3)in subsection
			 (b), by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subsections (a), (b), and
			 (c).
				(d)Under Secretary
			 for Public DiplomacySection
			 1(b)(3) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C.
			 2651a(b)(3)) is repealed on the date that is 6 months after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.
			(e)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)United states
			 information and educational exchange act of 1948The United
			 States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1431 et
			 seq.) is amended—
					(A)in title V (22
			 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.)—
						(i)by
			 striking section 505; and
						(ii)in
			 section 506, by striking subsection (c); and
						(B)in title VIII (22
			 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), by striking section 802(b)(4).
					(2)State
			 department basic authorities act of 1956Title I of the State Department Basic
			 Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended—
					(A)in section 23(a), by striking , the
			 Broadcasting Board of Governors,;
					(B)in section 25(f),
			 by striking the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Administrator of
			 the Agency for International Development with respect to the Board and the
			 Agency and inserting the Administrator of the Agency for
			 International Development with respect to the Agency;
					(C)in section 26(b),
			 by striking the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the Administrator
			 of the Agency for International Development with respect to the Board and the
			 Agency and inserting the Administrator of the Agency for
			 International Development with respect to the Agency;
					(D)in section 32, by
			 striking the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Administrator of
			 the Agency for International Development with respect to their respective
			 agencies and inserting the Administrator of the Agency for
			 International Development with respect to the Agency; and
					(E)by amending
			 section 60(b)(2) to read as follows:

							(2)develop—
								(A)a comprehensive and coherent strategy for
				the use of public diplomacy resources; and
								(B)long-term
				measurable objectives for United States public
				diplomacy.
								.
					5.National Center
			 for Strategic Communication
			(a)EstablishmentThere
			 is established the National Center for Strategic Communication.
			(b)Director
				(1)AppointmentThe
			 Center shall be headed by the Director of Strategic Communication, appointed by
			 the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
				(2)Simultaneous
			 service prohibitedThe Director may not simultaneously serve in
			 any other capacity in the Executive Branch.
				(3)Reporting
			 requirementThe Director shall regularly report to the President
			 of the United States with respect to matters described in subsection
			 (d).
				(c)Deputy
			 Director
				(1)AppointmentThe
			 Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Director, who shall be appointed by the
			 President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
				(2)DutiesThe
			 Deputy Director shall—
					(A)perform such
			 duties and exercise such powers as the Director may prescribe; and
					(B)act for, and
			 exercise the powers of, the Director when the Director is disabled or the
			 position of Director is vacant.
					(d)Matters To be
			 reported to the PresidentThe matters described in this
			 subsection are—
				(1)the budget and
			 programs of the Center;
				(2)the conduct of
			 strategic communications implemented by the Center and by other elements of the
			 United States Government; and
				(3)the planning and
			 progress of joint strategic communications.
				(e)Primary
			 missionsThe primary missions of the Center are—
				(1)to serve as the
			 primary organization in the United States Government for conducting strategic
			 communications, including information, educational, and cultural activities
			 that are designed—
					(A)to influence the
			 opinions of foreign audiences in support of American ideals and in opposition
			 to violent extremism;
					(B)to dissuade
			 foreign audiences from supporting violence;
					(C)to provide other
			 peoples with a better understanding of the policies, values, institutions and
			 culture of the United States;
					(D)to support other
			 peoples who share the values of the United States, including those who seek to
			 advance freedom and oppose violent extremism; and
					(E)to promote the
			 founding principles of the United States abroad, especially inalienable
			 individual rights, freedom, democracy, and the rule of law;
					(2)to develop and
			 oversee the execution of the national strategic communications strategy;
				(3)to encourage
			 private institutions in the United States to develop their own exchange
			 activities, and provide assistance for those exchange activities which are in
			 the broadest national interest;
				(4)to ensure that
			 international informational, educational, and cultural activities conducted or
			 planned by other departments and agencies of the United States Government are
			 consistent with the national strategic communications strategy;
				(5)to promote United
			 States participation in international events relevant to the mission of the
			 Agency;
				(6)to direct and
			 coordinate foreign broadcasting by the United States Government; and
				(7)to research and
			 analyze—
					(A)global public
			 opinion;
					(B)media trends and
			 influences on audiences;
					(C)existing and
			 emerging information technologies; and
					(D)the implications
			 of all source intelligence assessments.
					(f)General
			 authorizationSubject to the direction of the President, the
			 Director may design and implement programs and activities intended to achieve
			 the missions described in subsection (e) through—
				(1)the dissemination
			 of truthful information across all forms of information media;
				(2)information
			 centers and instructors located outside of the United States;
				(3)cooperative
			 efforts with private, nonprofit, and nongovernmental organizations;
				(4)joint initiatives
			 with other agencies of the United States Government, as appropriate; and
				(5)exchange
			 programs.
				(g)Duties and
			 responsibilities of the Director
				(1)In
			 generalThe Director shall—
					(A)serve as the
			 principal advisor to the President on strategic communications;
					(B)provide guidance
			 for strategic communications conducted across the United States Government, and
			 for the effective integration of strategic communications across agency
			 boundaries within and outside the United States;
					(C)advise the
			 President on the extent to which the strategic communications recommendations
			 and budget proposals of the departments, agencies, and elements of the United
			 States Government—
						(i)conform to the
			 priorities established by the President; and
						(ii)are consistent
			 with the national strategic communications strategy;
						(D)coordinate the
			 strategic communications efforts of all Federal agencies, as
			 appropriate;
					(E)oversee United
			 States’ foreign broadcasts, including Voice of America and surrogate broadcast
			 programs;
					(F)ensure the design
			 and implementation of appropriate program evaluation methodologies;
					(G)ensure that
			 United States Agency for International Development programs are accompanied by
			 appropriate strategic communications efforts;
					(H)have primary
			 responsibility to assist and advise the President in the formation and
			 implementation of United States strategic communication policies and
			 activities, including international educational and cultural exchange programs,
			 information, and international broadcasting; and
					(I)ensure the use of
			 all relevant forms of Internet-based communication in support of the missions
			 described in subsection (e) and the strategy described in section 6.
					(2)ProhibitionThe
			 Director may not initiate, terminate, or manage any program or activity of any
			 other component of the United States Government without the consent of the head
			 of the relevant department or agency.
				(h)Assistant
			 Director for the Strategic Communications Corps
				(1)AppointmentThe
			 President shall appoint an Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications
			 Corps, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate.
				(2)Powers;
			 dutiesThe Assistant Director for the Strategic Communications
			 Corps shall—
					(A)assist the
			 Director in overseeing and coordinating—
						(i)the
			 implementation of the national strategic communication strategy on a regional
			 and country-by-country basis; and
						(ii)the activities
			 of all of the employees of the Center who are stationed overseas;
						(B)recommend ways to
			 improve the national strategic communications strategy based on information
			 received from the strategic communication officers; and
					(C)exercise such
			 powers and perform such other duties prescribed by the Director.
					(3)Strategic
			 communications officersThe Assistant Director for the Strategic
			 Communications Corps, in consultation with the Director, shall appoint
			 strategic communications officers, who shall—
					(A)execute the
			 missions of the Center, as directed by the Assistant Director for the Strategic
			 Communications Corps;
					(B)be stationed at
			 United States embassies and consulates selected by the Assistant Director, in
			 consultation with the Secretary of State, based on their importance in
			 implementing the national strategic communications strategy and serve as
			 members of the country team;
					(C)work under the
			 direction of the Assistant Director;
					(D)ensure the
			 effective implementation of the national strategic communications strategy in
			 the country or area in which they serve, by—
						(i)ensuring
			 communication occurs in a manner relevant to, and consistent with, local social
			 and cultural conditions; and
						(ii)working with
			 local individuals and groups, as appropriate, to achieve the goals and mission
			 of the Center; and
						(E)recommend ways to
			 improve the national strategic communications strategy.
					(i)Assistant
			 Director for Information Operations
				(1)AppointmentThe
			 President shall appoint an Assistant Director for Information Operations, by
			 and with the advise and consent of the Senate.
				(2)Powers;
			 dutiesSubject to the authority, direction, and control of the
			 Director, the Assistant Director for Information Operations shall—
					(A)supervise all
			 broadcasting activities conducted pursuant to this Act, the Radio Broadcasting
			 to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act
			 (22 U.S.C. 1465aa et seq.), and Worldnet Television;
					(B)review and
			 evaluate the mission and operation of, and assess the quality, effectiveness,
			 and professional integrity of, all the activities described in subparagraph (A)
			 within the context of the broad foreign policy objectives of the United
			 States;
					(C)ensure that
			 United States international broadcasting is conducted in accordance with the
			 standards and principles contained in sections 8 and 9;
					(D)review, evaluate,
			 and determine, at least annually, after consultation with the Director, the
			 addition or deletion of language services;
					(E)make and
			 supervise grants for broadcasting and related activities;
					(F)allocate funds
			 appropriated for international broadcasting activities among the various
			 elements of the International Broadcasting Bureau and grantees, subject to
			 applicable reprogramming notification requirements for the reallocation of
			 funds;
					(G)review
			 engineering activities to ensure that all broadcasting elements receive the
			 highest quality and cost-effective delivery services;
					(H)undertake such
			 studies as may be necessary to identify areas in which broadcasting activities
			 under the authority of the Center could be made more efficient and
			 economical;
					(I)submit to an
			 annual report to Congress and the President that—
						(i)summarizes and
			 evaluates activities under this Act, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22
			 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.), and the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C.
			 1465aa et seq.); and
						(ii)places special
			 emphasis on the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (B); and
						(iii)includes
			 information on funds expended on administrative and managerial services by the
			 International Broadcasting Bureau and by grantees and the steps the Center has
			 taken to reduce unnecessary overhead costs for each of the broadcasting
			 services;
						(J)provide for the
			 use of United States Government transmitter capacity for relay of Radio Free
			 Asia, to the extent the Assistant Director determines appropriate;
					(K)procure such
			 goods and services from other departments or agencies for the Center and the
			 International Broadcasting Bureau as the Assistant Director determines are
			 appropriate;
					(L)administer the
			 international information programs transferred from the Department of State
			 under section 7;
					(M)ensure the
			 transparency of the content of United States foreign broadcasts; and
					(N)exercise such
			 powers and perform such other duties prescribed by the Director.
					(j)Assistant
			 Director for Global Networks
				(1)AppointmentThe
			 President shall appoint an Assistant Director for Global Networks, by and with
			 the advise and consent of the Senate.
				(2)Powers;
			 dutiesSubject to the authority, direction, and control of the
			 Director, the Assistant Director for Global Networks shall—
					(A)award grants to
			 private and nonprofit organizations to perform information operations
			 consistent with the missions of the Center and the national strategic
			 communications strategy;
					(B)Administer the
			 educational and cultural exchange programs transferred from the Department of
			 State under section 7; and
					(C)perform such
			 duties and exercise such powers as the Director may prescribe.
					(k)Strategic
			 Communications Board
				(1)EstablishmentThere
			 is established within the Center a Strategic Communications Board, which shall
			 be led by the Deputy Director, who shall—
					(A)report regularly
			 to the Director on progress in implementing the national strategic
			 communication strategy;
					(B)make
			 recommendations on necessary adjustments to the strategy; and
					(C)inform the
			 Director of the start or progress of information operations conducted by the
			 department, office, or agency the liaison represents.
					(2)DesignationDepartment
			 heads shall designate officials of appropriate rank to serve as members of the
			 Strategic Communications Board from—
					(A)the Department of
			 State;
					(B)the Office of the
			 Secretary of Defense;
					(C)the Joint Chiefs
			 of Staff
					(D)the Department of
			 Commerce;
					(E)the Department of
			 the Treasury;
					(F)the Office of the
			 Director of National Intelligence; and
					(G)the United States
			 Agency for International Development.
					(3)ModificationThe
			 President, after notifying the appropriate congressional committees, may modify
			 the composition of the Strategic Communications Board.
				(l)International
			 Broadcasting Bureau
				(1)ContinuationNotwithstanding
			 section 4(a), the International Broadcasting Bureau, established by section
			 6206 of the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (Public Law
			 103–326), shall continue to carry out all nonmilitary international
			 broadcasting activities supported by the United States Government.
				(2)DirectorThe
			 Director of the Bureau shall—
					(A)be appointed by
			 the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;
					(B)report to the
			 Assistant Director for Information Operations appointed under subsection
			 (i);
					(C)be entitled to
			 receive compensation at the rate prescribed by law for level IV of the
			 Executive Schedule; and
					(D)organize and
			 chair a coordinating committee to examine and make recommendations to the
			 Center on long-term strategies for the future of international broadcasting,
			 including—
						(i)the
			 use of new technologies;
						(ii)further
			 consolidation of broadcast services; and
						(iii)consolidation
			 of existing public affairs and legislative relations functions in the various
			 international broadcasting entities.
						(3)Coordinating
			 committeeThe coordinating committee shall include
			 representatives of Radio Free Asia, RFE/RL, Incorporated, and, as appropriate,
			 the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, the Voice of America, and Worldnet.
				(m)DetaileesThe
			 Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of National
			 Intelligence, in consultation with the Director, shall ensure that at least 1
			 individual from each department or office is always detailed to the offices of
			 the assistant directors appointed pursuant to subsections (h), (i) and
			 (j).
			6.Comprehensive
			 strategy
			(a)StrategyThe
			 Director, in consultation with the Strategic Communications Board established
			 under section 5(k), shall develop a comprehensive interagency strategy for
			 strategic communication.
			(b)ContentsThe
			 national strategic communications strategy shall contain—
				(1)overall goals and
			 objectives;
				(2)actions to be
			 performed; and
				(3)benchmarks and
			 timetables for the achievement of such goals and objectives.
				(c)ComponentsThe
			 national strategic communications strategy shall include the following
			 components:
				(1)Prioritizing the
			 mission of supporting specific foreign policy and national security objectives,
			 such as counterterrorism and efforts to combat extremist ideology, in parallel
			 and in complement with, as appropriate, the missions of the Center described in
			 section 5(e).
				(2)Improving
			 coordination across departments and agencies of the Federal Government
			 on—
					(A)strategic
			 planning;
					(B)research
			 activities, including research into the attitudes and behaviors of foreign
			 audiences and assessments of past strategic communications efforts; and
					(C)the acquisition
			 or development of editorial content, including content for Internet Web sites
			 and print publications.
					(3)Developing a more
			 rigorous, research-based, targeted approach to strategic communications efforts
			 differentiated for specific target audiences in various countries and
			 regions.
				(4)Developing
			 rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
				(5)Making greater
			 use of participation from private sector entities, academic institutions,
			 not-for-profit organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations in
			 supporting strategic communications efforts.
				(6)Using all
			 available forms of information technology.
				(d)Reports
				(1)Initial
			 reportNot later than 180 days after being confirmed by the
			 Senate, the Director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
			 committees that describes the strategy developed under this section.
				(2)Subsequent
			 reportsNot less than once every 2 years after the submission of
			 the initial report under paragraph (1), the Director, after consultation with
			 the liaison officials described in section 5(k), shall submit a report to the
			 appropriate congressional committees that describes—
					(A)the status of the
			 implementation of the national strategic communications strategy;
					(B)progress made by
			 the Center toward achievement of the benchmarks; and
					(C)any changes to
			 the strategy since the submission of the previous report.
					7.Transfer of
			 functions and personnel
			(a)Functions
			 transferredAll the functions
			 of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, in effect on
			 the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, are transferred to the
			 Director, except for the functions of the Bureau of Public Affairs and any
			 office or component of such agency, under any statute, reorganization plan,
			 Executive Order, or other provision of law.
			(b)Personnel
			 transferredNotwithstanding any other provision of law, all
			 personnel and positions reporting to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy
			 and Public Affairs (except the personnel and positions in the Bureau of Public
			 Affairs) shall be transferred to the Center, not later than the date on which
			 such Under Secretary position is repealed—
				(1)at the same grade
			 or class;
				(2)at the same rate
			 of basic pay or basic salary rate; and
				(3)with the same
			 tenure held immediately preceding such transfer.
				(c)Foreign Service
			 Officers
				(1)In
			 generalAny Foreign Service Officer transferred under subsection
			 (b) shall retain status within the Foreign Service upon any return to
			 employment at the Department of State.
				(2)Savings
			 provisionNothing in this section may be construed to require
			 that any position at the Center be filled by a Foreign Service Officer.
				(d)Assignment
			 authority
				(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided under paragraphs (2) through (4), and
			 notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director, during the 6-month
			 period beginning on the date of the transfer of personnel under subsection (b),
			 is authorized to assign such personnel to any position or set of duties in the
			 Center regardless of the position held or duties performed by such personnel
			 before such transfer.
				(2)Pay
			 gradeAn assignment under paragraph (1) shall not reduce the
			 grade, class, or rate of basic pay or basic salary or change the tenure of any
			 personnel subject to such assignment.
				(3)Consultation
			 requirementThe Director shall consult with the relevant
			 exclusive representatives (as defined in section 1002 of the Foreign Service
			 Act and in section 7103 of title 5, United States Code) with regard to the
			 exercise of the authority under this subsection.
				(4)LimitationNothing
			 in this subsection may be construed to authorize the Director to assign any
			 individual to any position that by law requires appointment by the President,
			 by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
				8.Broadcasting standards and
			 principles
			(a)Broadcasting
			 standardsUnited States international broadcasting shall—
				(1)be consistent
			 with the broad foreign policy objectives of the United States;
				(2)not duplicate the
			 activities of private United States broadcasters;
				(3)be conducted in
			 accordance with the highest professional standards of broadcast
			 journalism;
				(4)be based on
			 reliable information about its audience; and
				(5)promote respect
			 for the founding principles of the United States, including freedom, human
			 rights, and the rule of law.
				(b)Broadcasting
			 principlesUnited States international broadcasting shall
			 include—
				(1)news which is
			 consistently reliable, authoritative, accurate, and comprehensive;
				(2)clear and
			 effective presentation of the policies of the United States Government and
			 responsible discussion and opinion on those policies, including editorials,
			 broadcast by the Voice of America, which present the views of the United States
			 Government;
				(3)the capability to
			 provide a surge capacity to support United States foreign policy objectives
			 during crises abroad;
				(4)programming to
			 meet needs which remain unserved by the totality of media voices available to
			 the people of certain nations;
				(5)information about
			 developments in each significant region of the world;
				(6)a variety of
			 opinions and voices from within particular nations and regions prevented by
			 censorship or repression from speaking to their fellow countrymen;
				(7)reliable research
			 capacity to meet the criteria under this section;
				(8)adequate
			 transmitter and relay capacity to support the activities described in this
			 section; and
				(9)training and
			 technical support for independent indigenous media through government agencies
			 or private United States entities.
				9.Voice of
			 America
			(a)In
			 generalThe long-range
			 interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the
			 people of the world by radio. Voice of America can only be effective by winning
			 the attention and respect of its listeners.
			(b)Governing
			 principlesTo accomplish the
			 objectives described in subsection (a), Voice of America shall present the
			 policies of the United States clearly and effectively, including presentations
			 of responsible discussions and opinion regarding these policies.
			10.Reorganization
			 report
			(a)Submission of
			 plan and reportNot later than 60 days after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, the President shall submit a reorganization plan and
			 report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding—
				(1)the termination
			 of the authorities of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy;
				(2)the termination
			 of the Broadcasting Board of Governors;
				(3)the transfer of
			 public diplomacy functions and personnel from the Department of State to the
			 Center; and
				(4)any
			 recommendations to transfer other strategic communications functions to the
			 Center from any part of the United States Government.
				(b)Plan
			 elementsThe plan submitted to the appropriate congressional
			 committees under this section shall—
				(1)identify the
			 functions of each agency that will be transferred to the Center under the
			 plan;
				(2)specify the steps
			 to be taken by the Director that will be required under the plan in order to
			 permit the Center to carry out the functions transferred to it under the
			 plan;
				(3)specify the funds
			 that will be transferred to the Center as a result of the transfer of functions
			 to the Center;
				(4)specify the
			 proposed allocations within the Center of unexpended funds transferred in
			 connection with the transfer of functions under the plan; and
				(5)specify the
			 proposed disposition of the property, facilities, contracts, records, and other
			 assets and liabilities in connection with the transfer of the functions to the
			 Center.
				(c)Modification of
			 planThe President may, on the basis of consultations with the
			 appropriate congressional committees, modify or revise any part of the
			 reorganization plan submitted under this section.
			(d)ReportThe
			 report accompanying the reorganization plan submitted under this section shall
			 contain a description of the implementation of the plan, including—
				(1)a detailed
			 description of—
					(A)the actions
			 necessary or planned to complete the reorganization;
					(B)the anticipated
			 nature and substance of any orders, directives, and other administrative and
			 operational actions which are expected to be required for completing or
			 implementing the reorganization; and
					(C)any preliminary
			 actions which have been taken in the implementation process;
					(2)the number of
			 personnel and positions of each covered agency (including civil service
			 personnel, Foreign Service personnel, and detailees) that are expected to
			 be—
					(A)transferred to
			 the Center;
					(B)separated from
			 service with such agency; or
					(C)eliminated under
			 the plan;
					(3)a projected
			 schedule for the transfers, separations, and terminations referred to in
			 paragraph (2);
				(4)the number of
			 personnel and positions of the Department of State (including civil service
			 personnel, Foreign Service personnel, and detailees) that are expected to be
			 transferred within the Department, separated from service with the Department,
			 or eliminated under the plan, and a projected schedule for such transfers,
			 separations, and terminations;
				(5)a projected
			 schedule for completion of the implementation process; and
				(6)recommendations,
			 if any, for legislation that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
			 this Act relating to personnel and incidental transfers.


117 HR 2334 IH: Reinvesting in Essential Partnerships And Infrastructure for Rural America Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-01
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.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2334IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 1, 2021Mrs. Miller of West Virginia (for herself, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, and Mr. Van Drew) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo establish an innovative mobility and technology deployment grants program, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Reinvesting in Essential Partnerships And Infrastructure for Rural America Act or the REPAIR Act. 2.Fixed guideway capital investment grantsSection 5309 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (7)—(i)in subparagraph (A) by striking $100,000,000 and inserting $200,000,000; and(ii)in subparagraph (B) by striking $300,000,000 and inserting $400,000,000; and (B)by adding at the end the following:(8)Rural start projectThe term rural start project means a new transit capital project that is not in an urbanized area for which—(A)the Federal assistance provided or to be provided under this section is less than $80,000,000; and(B)the total estimated net capital cost is less than $150,000,000.;(2)in subsection (b)(1) by striking or small start projects and inserting , small start projects, or rural start projects; (3)in subsection (c)(1) by striking small start projects and inserting , small start projects, rural start projects; and (4)in subsection (h)—(A)in the heading by striking Small start projects and inserting Small start projects and rural start projects;(B)in paragraph (1) by striking small start project and inserting small start project or rural start project;(C)in paragraph (2)(A) by striking small starts project and inserting small start project or rural start project;(D)in paragraph (3) by striking small start project and inserting small start project or rural start project; and (E)in paragraph (6)(A) by striking small start project and inserting small start project or rural start project. 3.Enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilitiesSection 5310 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (b)(2) by striking (A) Amount available and all that follows through A recipient of a grant under and inserting A recipient of a grant under;(2)in subsection (c)(2) by adding at the end the following:(E)ReallocationAmounts apportioned under section 5310(c)(1)(A) may be reallocated to projects in areas other than urbanized areas.;(3)by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) and inserting the following:(1)Capital projects(A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), a grant awarded under this section for a capital project shall be 80 percent of the net costs of the project, as determined by the Secretary.(B)ExceptionA State described in section 120(b) of title 23 shall receive a Government share of the net costs in accordance with the formula under such section.(2)Operating Assistance(A)In generalExcept as provided by subparagraph (B), a grant awarded under this section for a operating assistance may not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the net operating costs of the project, as determined by the Secretary.(B)ExceptionA State described in section 120(b) of title 23 shall receive a Government share of the net costs that is equal to 62.5 percent of the Government share provided for under paragraph (1)(B).; and(4)by striking subsection (e)(1) and inserting the following:(1)In generalTo the extent the Secretary determines appropriate, the requirements of—(A)section 5307 shall apply to recipients of grants made in urbanized areas under this subsection; and(B)section 5311 shall apply to recipients of grants made in rural areas under this subsection..4.Formula grants for rural areasSection 5311(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in paragraph (1) by adding at the end the following:(C)Projects in qualified opportunity zones, medically underserved areas, or areas with a medically underserved populationA grant awarded under this section for a capital project in a qualified opportunity zone, a medically underserved area, or areas with a medically underserved population shall be for 90 percent of the net costs of the project, as determined by the Secretary. ;(2)in paragraph (2) by adding at the end the following:(C)Projects in qualified opportunity zones, medically underserved areas, or areas with a medically underserved populationA grant awarded under this section for a capital project in a qualified opportunity zone, a medically underserved area, or an area with a medically underserved population shall be for 62.5 percent of the Government share provided for under paragraph (1)(B).; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(6)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Qualified opportunity zoneThe term qualified opportunity zone has the meaning given such term section 1400Z–1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(B)Medically underserved areas; an area with a medically underserved populationThe term medically underserved areas or an area with a medically underserved population means an area or populations that are designated as medically underserved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)). .5.Non-emergency medical transportation(a)Research project eligibilitySection 5312(c)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subparagraph (M), by striking or at the end;(2)by redesignating subparagraph (N) as subparagraph (O); and (3)by inserting after subparagraph (M) the following:(N)access to hospitals and healthcare providers in areas underserved by transit or with limited public transportation options, as determined by the Secretary; or.(b)Innovation and development project eligibilitySection 5312(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subparagraph (G), by striking or at the end;(2)by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (I); and(3)by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:(H)public transportation projects that improve health care access and outcomes; or.(c)Demonstration, deployment, and evaluation project eligibilitySection 5312(e)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subparagraph (B), by striking or at the end;(2)in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and (3)by adding at the end the following:(D)the deployment of public transportation projects or practices that—(i)achieve measurable improvements in transportation access to health care for medically underserved areas or populations, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration pursuant to section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)); (ii)implement transportation strategies for addressing significant health needs as identified by a community health needs assessment pursuant to the requirements of section 501(r)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or(iii)eliminate or reduce transportation barriers to accessing health care that are identified and prioritized in the coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan described in section 5310(e)(2)(A). .6.Innovative mobility and technology deployment grants(a)In generalChapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5312 the following:5313.Innovative mobility and technology deployment grants(a)AuthorityThe Secretary shall establish an innovative mobility and technology deployment grants program to award grants to entities described in subsection (b) to assist in financing of public transportation projects that—(1)allow for the integration of mobility services or technologies in public transportation services, including traveler information, trip planning information, new or expanded reservation capabilities, integrated payment solutions, fare automation, or delivery designs to improve options in public transportation;(2)advance first-mile, last-mile, late night, or low density services that connect riders to public transportation, including—(A)microtransit;(B)commuter busing; or(C)commuter highway vehicles;(3)advance on demand complementary paratransit services;(4)provide accessibility and connectivity for rural areas not being adequately served by public transportation, as determined by the Secretary; (5)expand high-performing public transportation business models that increase access to public transportation; or(6)provide any other transit service that the Secretary determines appropriate to meet the purposes of this section. (b)Eligible entitiesTo be eligible for a grant under this section, an entity shall be—(1)a State or local government; or(2)a publicly owned operator of public transportation.(c)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity described in subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and contain such information as the Secretary may require.(d)RulemakingThe Secretary shall—(1)issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section, and publish such regulations in the Federal Register, not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this section; and(2)in issuing such regulations, solicit and receive comments from stakeholders not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section.(e)Grant requirementsThe Secretary may approve modified grant requirements for projects carried out using a grant under this section.(f)Limitations(1)Period of grantA grant under this section shall be for a 3-year period beginning on the date on which the first payment of any amount under the grant is provided to an eligible entity.(2)Rural grant minimumThe Secretary shall award not less than 20 percent of the total amounts made available to carry out this section to support activities described under subsection (a) in rural areas.(3)Government share of costsThe Federal share of the total project cost of a project carried out under this section may not exceed 80 percent.(4)AllocationOf the amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section for each fiscal year, not more than 20 percent may be awarded under subsection (a) to a single entity. (g)Best practicesThe Secretary shall annually collect from, review, and disseminate to public transportation agencies findings or best practices from projects funded under this section.(h)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Commuter highway vehicleThe term commuter highway vehicle has the meaning given such term in section 132(f)(5)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(2)High-performing public transportationThe term high-performing public transportation means a public transportation service, whether provided by a public agency, private nonprofit, or for-profit organization, that is able to collect all operating costs through fare-box revenue or other dedicated sources for an activity and increases access to public transportation.(3)Micro-transitThe term micro-transit means internet-enabled, public transportation services that use dynamically generated routes calculated by algorithms developed to increase the occupancy of vehicles..(b)Clerical amendmentThe analysis for chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 5312 the following: 5313. Innovative mobility and technology deployment grants. .


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 944
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 20, 2007
			Mr. Thune introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
			 Forestry

		A BILL
		To require that an independent review of the efficiency
		  and effectiveness of all headquarters offices of the Farm Service Agency of the
		  Department of Agriculture be carried out prior to the closure of any county
		  offices.

		1.Independent review
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this Act as
			 the Secretary) shall enter into a contract with an independent
			 reviewing authority selected by the Secretary to carry out an independent
			 review of the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at all headquarters
			 offices of the Farm Service Agency, including—
				(1)all State
			 offices;
				(2)the National
			 Headquarters office in Washington, D.C.;
				(3)the Kansas City
			 office; and
				(4)the Salt Lake
			 City office.
				(b)RequirementsThe
			 review described in subsection (a) shall include a review for each office
			 of—
				(1)management
			 practices;
				(2)information
			 technology purchases and deliverables;
				(3)software
			 development;
				(4)contractor hiring
			 practices and related cost-savings; and
				(5)such other
			 factors as the independent reviewing authority considers to be relevant to the
			 efficiency and effectiveness of operations at each office.
				(c)ReportNot
			 later than 30 days after the date of completion of the independent review, the
			 independent reviewing authority shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on
			 Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture,
			 Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains—
				(1)a description of
			 the results of the study; and
				(2)recommendations
			 for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at each
			 office.
				(d)ProhibitionThe
			 Secretary may not close or consolidate any county office of the Farm Service
			 Agency before the date on which the Secretary determines that each headquarters
			 office has implemented the recommendations for that office described in
			 subsection (c)(2).


114 HR 3546 IH: Big Cat Public Safety Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-09-17
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.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3546
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 17, 2015
			Mr. Jones (for himself, Mr. Farenthold, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Jolly, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Upton, Mr. LoBiondo, and Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to clarify provisions enacted by the Captive Wildlife
			 Safety Act, to further the conservation of certain wildlife species, and
			 for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Big Cat Public Safety Act. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)The global illicit trade in wildlife may be worth up to $20,000,000,000 annually and the value of legal wildlife trade in the United States was recently estimated at $2,800,000,000 annually.
 (2)The illegal trade in prohibited wildlife species (as defined in section 2(g) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371(g)) stimulates demand and expands markets in which those species can be illegally sold.
 (3)The private possession, breeding, and sale of prohibited wildlife species has a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and general welfare of the people of the United States and on the conservation of the species themselves.
 (4)Private possession and breeding of prohibited wildlife species have a substantial and direct effect on interstate commerce because prohibited wildlife species are frequently bred and possessed to be used in public exhibition or for sale or transfer of ownership in the exotic pet trade, and are often transported in interstate commerce for these purposes.
 (5)Private possession and breeding of prohibited wildlife species contributes to the interstate traffic in those species and may contribute to illegal international wildlife trade.
 (6)Prohibited wildlife species in private possession, or distributed intrastate, are fungible commodities that cannot be differentiated, in terms of control, from prohibited wildlife species possessed or distributed interstate.
 (7)It is exceedingly difficult to distinguish between prohibited wildlife species that are possessed, bred, sold, or transported in interstate commerce from those that have not been.
 (8)Federal control of the intrastate private possession and breeding of prohibited wildlife species is essential to the effective control of the interstate incidents of traffic in prohibited wildlife species.
 (9)The United States is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which was designed to protect species of wild fauna and flora against overexploitation through international trade.
			3.Definitions
 (a)In generalSection 2 of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsections (a) through (k) as subsections (b) through (l), respectively; and
 (2)by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated) the following:  (a)BreedThe term breed means to facilitate propagation or reproduction (whether intentionally or negligently), or to fail to prevent propagation or reproduction
						.
				(b)Conforming amendments
 (1)Consolidated Farm and Rural Development ActSection 349(a)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1997(a)(3)) is amended by striking section 2(a) and inserting section 2(b).
				(2)Lacey Act Amendments of 1981
 (A)Section 3(e)(2)(C) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372(e)(2)(C)) is amended— (i)in clause (ii), by striking section 2(g) and inserting section 2(h); and
 (ii)in clause (iii), by striking section 2(g) and inserting section 2(h). (B)Section 7(c) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3376(c)) is amended by striking section 2(f)(2)(A) and inserting section 2(g)(2)(A).
					4.Prohibitions
 Section 3 of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)—
 (A)in paragraph (2)— (i)in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ; or;
 (ii)in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; and (iii)by striking subparagraph (C); and
 (B)in paragraph (4), by striking (1) through (3) and inserting (1) through (3) or subsection (e); and (2)by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

					(e)Captive wildlife offense
 (1)In generalIt is unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce, or in a manner substantially affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or to breed or possess, any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species.
 (2)Limitation on applicationParagraph (1) does not apply to any person that— (A)is an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums;
 (B)is a facility that— (i)has an active written contract with an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan or Taxon Advisory Group for breeding of prohibited wildlife species; and
 (ii)does not breed, acquire, or sell prohibited wildlife species other than the species covered by such contract;
 (C)is a State college, university, or agency, or State-licensed veterinarian; (D)is a wildlife sanctuary that cares for prohibited wildlife species, and—
 (i)is a corporation that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and described in sections 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of such Code;
 (ii)does not commercially trade in prohibited wildlife species, including offspring, parts, and byproducts of such animals;
 (iii)does not breed the prohibited wildlife species; (iv)does not allow direct contact between the public and prohibited wildlife species; and
 (v)does not allow the transportation and display of prohibited wildlife species off-site; (E)has custody of the prohibited wildlife species solely for the purpose of expeditiously transporting the prohibited wildlife species to a person described in this paragraph with respect to the species;
 (F)is in possession of a prohibited wildlife species that was born before the date of the enactment of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and—
 (i)not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, is registered with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; (ii)does not breed, acquire, or sell any prohibited wildlife species after the date of the enactment of such Act; and
 (iii)does not allow direct contact between the public and prohibited wildlife species; or (G)holds a valid Class C license under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), and—
 (i)regularly travels across State lines to conduct circus performances featuring live prohibited wildlife species, clowns, and aerial acts;
 (ii)engages in such travel and conduct before January 1, 2015; and (iii)does not allow direct contact between the public and prohibited wildlife species..
			5.Penalties
 (a)Civil penaltiesSection 4(a)(1) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3373(a)(1)) is amended— (1)by inserting (e), after (d),; and
 (2)by inserting , (e), after subsection (d). (b)Criminal penaltiesSection 4(d)(1) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3373(d)(1)) is amended—
 (1)in subparagraph (A)— (A)by inserting (e), after (d),; and
 (B)by striking or after the comma at the end; (2)in subparagraph (B)—
 (A)by inserting (e), after (d),; and (B)by adding or after the comma at the end; and
 (3)by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:  (C)knowingly violates section 3(e),
						; and
 (4)in the matter following subparagraph (B)— (A)by striking knowing that and all that follows through treaty or regulation,;
 (B)by striking said; and (C)by inserting before the period or prohibited wildlife species concerned.
 6.Forfeiture of prohibited wildlife speciesSection 5(a)(1) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3374(a)(1)) is amended by inserting bred, possessed, before imported, exported,. 7.AdministrationSection 7(a) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3376(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (3)The Secretary shall, in consultation with other relevant Federal and State agencies, promulgate any regulations necessary to implement section 3(e)..


111 HR 8380 IH: To obtain and direct the placement in the United States Capitol or on the United States Capitol Grounds of a monument to honor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-24
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. 8380IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 24, 2020Ms. Frankel (for herself, Ms. Speier, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Haaland, and Mr. Krishnamoorthi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House AdministrationA BILLTo obtain and direct the placement in the United States Capitol or on the United States Capitol Grounds of a monument to honor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg.1.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born in 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a low-income, working-class neighborhood.(2)Ginsburg graduated from Cornell University in 1954, finishing first in her class.(3)Ginsburg enrolled at Harvard Law School in 1956, entering into a class of 552 men and only 8 other women.(4)As a law student, Ginsburg became the first female member of the prestigious legal journal, the Harvard Law Review. She also cared for her husband, Martin Ginsburg, who had been diagnosed with cancer, and their young daughter.(5)Ginsburg finished her legal education at Columbia Law School, where she graduated first in her class in 1959.(6)Ginsburg taught at Rutgers University Law School from 1963 to 1972 and at Columbia Law School from 1972 to 1980, where she became the school’s first female tenured professor.(7)During the 1970s, Ginsburg served as the director of the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union. In this position, she led the fight against gender discrimination and successfully argued 6 landmark cases before the Supreme Court of the United States (in this section referred to as the Supreme Court).(8)Ginsburg won 5 cases on gender discrimination before the Supreme Court, including the case Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld, which involved a portion of the Social Security Act that favored women over men, because the Act granted certain benefits to widows, but not widowers.(9)In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.(10)In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Ginsburg to the Supreme Court to fill the seat vacated by Associate Justice Byron White.(11)On August 3, 1993, the Senate confirmed Ginsburg’s nomination to the Supreme Court by a 96 to 3 vote.(12)Ginsburg became the second female justice to serve on the Supreme Court as well as the first Jewish female justice to serve on the Supreme Court.(13)As a justice, Ginsburg presented a strong voice in favor of gender equality, voting rights, the rights of workers, and the separation of church and state.(14)In 1996, Ginsburg wrote the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in United States v. Virginia, which held that the State-supported Virginia Military Institute could not refuse to admit women.(15)Despite her reputation for restrained writing, Ginsburg gathered considerable attention for her dissenting opinion in Bush v. Gore by subtly concluding her decision with the words, I dissent, a significant departure from the traditional respectfully dissent.(16)Ginsburg famously dissented in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., where the plaintiff, a female worker being paid significantly less than males with her same qualifications, sued under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), but was denied relief under a statute of limitation issue. Ginsburg broke with tradition and wrote a high colloquial version of her dissent to read from the bench. In her dissent, she also called for Congress to undo this improper interpretation of the law.(17)Following her dissent in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Ginsburg worked with President Barack Obama to pass the first piece of legislation he signed, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–2; 123 Stat. 5).(18)In 2013, when the Supreme Court ruled in a 5–4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder to gut the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.), Ginsburg wrote, Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet..(19)Until the 2018 term, Ginsburg had not missed a day of oral arguments, not even when she was undergoing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, after surgery for colon cancer, or the day after her husband passed away in 2010.2.Monument honoring Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg(a)Obtaining of monument(1)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and in consultation with the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, the Joint Committee on the Library shall enter into an agreement to obtain a monument honoring Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Ruth Bader Ginsburg under such terms and conditions as the Joint Committee considers appropriate, consistent with applicable law.(2)ConsiderationIn selecting an artist to make the monument obtained under paragraph (1), the Joint Committee on the Library shall make the announcement available to and consider artists from underrepresented demographic groups.(b)InstallationThe Architect of the Capitol, under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library, shall permanently install the monument obtained under subsection (a) in a prominent location in the United States Capitol or a prominent location on the United States Capitol Grounds, as described in section 5102 of title 40, United States Code. (c)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until expended.


115 SRES 540 IS: Expressing the sense of the Senate that flowers grown in the United States support the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States, that flower farming is an honorable vocation, and designating July as “American Grown Flower Month”.
U.S. Senate
2018-06-12
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.

III115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. RES. 540IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 12, 2018Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Sullivan, and Ms. Harris) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONExpressing the sense of the Senate that flowers grown in the United States support the farmers,
			 small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States, that flower
			 farming is an honorable vocation, and designating July as American Grown Flower Month.

 Whereas cut flower growers in the United States are hard-working, dedicated individuals who bring beauty, economic stimulus, and pride to their communities and the nation;
 Whereas the people of the United States have a long history of using flowers and greens grown in the United States to bring beauty to important events and express affection for loved ones;
 Whereas consumers spend almost $27,000,000,000 each year on floral products, including cut flowers, garden plants, bedding, and indoor plants;
 Whereas nearly 30 percent of households in the United States purchase fresh cut flowers and greens from more than 16,000 florists and floral establishments each year;
 Whereas the people of the United States increasingly want to support domestically produced foods and agricultural products and would prefer to buy locally grown flowers whenever possible, yet a majority of domestic consumers do not know where the flowers they purchase are grown;
 Whereas in response to increased demand, the Certified American Grown Flowers logo was created in July 2014 in order to educate and empower consumers to purchase flowers from domestic producers;
 Whereas, as of April 2017, millions of stems of domestically grown flowers are now Certified American Grown;
 Whereas domestic flower farmers produce thousands of varieties of flowers across the United States, such as peonies in Alaska, Gerbera daisies in California, lupines in Maine, tulips in Washington, lilies in Oregon, and larkspur in Texas;
 Whereas the 5 flower varieties with the highest United States production are tulips, Gerbera daisies, lilies, gladiolas and irises;
 Whereas people in every State have access to domestically grown flowers, yet only 1 of 5 flowers sold in the United States is domestically grown;
 Whereas the domestic cut flower industry creates almost $42,000,000 in economic impact daily and supports hundreds of growers, thousands of small businesses, and tens of thousands of jobs in the United States;
 Whereas more people in the United States are expressing interest in growing flowers locally, which has resulted in an approximately 20 percent increase in the number of domestic cut flower farms between 2007 and 2012;
 Whereas most domestic cut flowers and greens are sold in the United States within 24 to 48 hours after harvest and last longer than flowers shipped longer distances;
 Whereas flowers grown domestically enhance the ability of the people of the United States to festively celebrate weddings and births, and honor those who have passed;
 Whereas flower-giving has been a holiday tradition in the United States for generations; Whereas flowers speak to the beauty of motherhood on Mother's Day and to the spirit of love on Valentine’s Day;
 Whereas flowers are an essential part of other holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa;
 Whereas flowers help commemorate the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces on Memorial Day and Veterans Day; and
 Whereas the Senate encourages the cultivation of flowers in the United States by domestic flower farmers: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate— (1)designates July 2018 as American Grown Flower Month;
 (2)recognizes that purchasing flowers grown in the United States supports the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States;
 (3)recognizes that growing flowers and greens in the United States is a vital part of the agricultural industry of the United States;
 (4)recognizes that cultivating flowers domestically enhances the ability of the people of the United States to festively celebrate holidays and special occasions; and
 (5)urges all people of the United States to proactively showcase flowers and greens grown in the United States in order to show support for our flower farmers, processors, and distributors as well as agriculture in the United States overall.


110 HR 6801 IH: New York/New Jersey High-Intensity

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-08-01
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.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6801
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			August 1, 2008
			Mr. McHugh introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To designate 4 counties in the State of New York as
		  high-intensity drug trafficking areas, and to authorize funding for drug
		  control activities in those areas.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 New York/New Jersey High-Intensity
			 Drug Trafficking Area Expansion Act of 2008.
		2.Designation of
			 high-intensity drug trafficking areas in New YorkThe counties of Clinton, Franklin,
			 Jefferson, and St. Lawrence in the State of New York are designated as
			 high-intensity drug trafficking areas and shall be part of the New York/New
			 Jersey high-intensity drug trafficking area under the program administered by
			 the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
		3.Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for each of the fiscal
			 years 2009 through 2014 to carry out drug control activities in the areas
			 designated by this Act.


I
112th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 1130
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 16, 2011
Mr. Alexander introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide authority for certain members of the Armed Forces who have served 20 years on active duty to transfer entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to their dependents.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2011.
2.Authority of certain members of the Armed Forces who have served 20 years on active duty to transfer entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to their dependents
(a)Transfer authorizedSection 3319(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)in paragraph (1), by striking or;
(2)in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ; or; and
(3)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)20 years of active duty service in the Armed Forces, as of any date between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2011, including at least 90 days of such service after September 10, 2001..
(b)Opportunity To transfer entitlementNotwithstanding any other provision of law, during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2012, an individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, and who completed at least 20 years of active duty service in the Armed Forces and was discharged or released from such service under honorable conditions before September 30, 2011, may transfer all or part of the individual’s entitlement to an eligible dependent under section 3319 of title 38, United States Code.
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (title V of Public Law 110–252).


116 HR 6522 IH: Paycheck Protection Program Expansion Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-04-17
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6522IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 17, 2020Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself and Mr. Norcross) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small BusinessA BILLTo amend the Small Business Act to include certain business and labor organizations in the paycheck protection program, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Paycheck Protection Program Expansion Act of 2020 or the PPP Expansion Act of 2020.2.Inclusion of certain business organizations in the paycheck protection programSection 7(a)(36)(A)(vii) of the Small Business Act is amended by striking section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and inserting paragraph (3), (5), or (6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.


117 HR 3550 IH: Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3550IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 25, 2021Ms. Underwood (for herself, Ms. Schrier, and Ms. Porter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, and 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 concernedA BILLTo amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide for 3 primary care visits and 3 behavioral health care visits without application of any cost-sharing requirement.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act of 2021.2.Prohibition on application of cost sharing for certain primary care and behavioral health care visits(a)ERISA(1)In generalSubpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:721.Coverage of certain primary care and behavioral health care visits(a)In generalIn addition to any item or service described in section 2713(a) of the Public Health Service Act, a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, shall at a minimum provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements for, with respect to a plan year—(1)3 primary care visits; and(2)3 behavioral health care visits.(b)LimitationsA group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, shall ensure that—(1)the treatment limitations applicable to the 3 primary care visits described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and the 3 behavioral health care visits described in paragraph (2) of such subsection are no more restrictive than the treatment limitations applied to any other primary care visit or behavioral health care visit covered by the plan or coverage and that there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to such 3 primary or such 3 behavioral health care visits; and(2)the reimbursement rates under such plan or such coverage for such 3 primary and such 3 behavioral health care visits are the same as such rates for any other primary care visit or behavioral health care visit covered by the plan or coverage.(c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(1)Behavioral health care visitThe term behavioral health care visit means a visit by an individual to a qualified provider during which services are provided with respect to the diagnosis, treatment, screening, or prevention of a behavioral health condition.(2)Primary care serviceThe term primary care service means a service identified, as of January 1, 2009, by one of HCPCS codes 99201 through 99215 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary).(3)Primary care visitThe term primary care visit means an in-person visit by an individual to a qualified provider who is designated by such individual as the primary care provider for such individual, during which such individual receives primary care services.(4)Qualified providerThe term qualified provider means—(A)with respect to a primary care visit, a general practitioner, family physician, general internist, obstetrician-gynecologist, pediatrician, geriatric physician, or physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State law (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse midwife); and(B)with respect to a behavioral health care visit, an individual employed in a full-time position (including a fellowship) where the primary intent and function of such position is the direct treatment or recovery support of individuals with, or in recovery from, a behavioral health disorder, such as a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State law (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse midwife), psychiatric nurse, social worker, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, child and adolescent psychiatrist, or neurologist..(2)Conforming amendmentThe table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 720 the following new item:Sec. 721. Coverage of certain primary care and behavioral health care visits..(b)PHSAPart D of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:2799A–6.Coverage of certain primary care and behavioral health care visits(a)In generalIn addition to any item or service described in section 2713(a), a group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, shall at a minimum provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements for, with respect to a plan year—(1)3 primary care visits; and(2)3 behavioral health care visits.(b)LimitationsA group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage, shall ensure that—(1)the treatment limitations applicable to the 3 primary care visits described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and the 3 behavioral health care visits described in paragraph (2) of such subsection are no more restrictive than the treatment limitations applied to any other primary care visit or behavioral health care visit covered by the plan or coverage and that there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to such 3 primary or such 3 behavioral health care visits; and(2)the reimbursement rates under such plan or such coverage for such 3 primary and such 3 behavioral health care visits are the same as such rates for any other primary care visit or behavioral health care visit covered by the plan or coverage.(c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(1)Behavioral health care visitThe term behavioral health care visit means a visit by an individual to a qualified provider during which services are provided with respect to the diagnosis, treatment, screening, or prevention of a behavioral health condition.(2)Primary care serviceThe term primary care service means a service identified, as of January 1, 2009, by one of HCPCS codes 99201 through 99215 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary).(3)Primary care visitThe term primary care visit means an in-person visit by an individual to a qualified provider who is designated by such individual as the primary care provider for such individual, during which such individual receives primary care services.(4)Qualified providerThe term qualified provider means—(A)with respect to a primary care visit, a general practitioner, family physician, general internist, obstetrician-gynecologist, pediatrician, geriatric physician, or physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State law (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse midwife); and(B)with respect to a behavioral health care visit, an individual employed in a full-time position (including a fellowship) where the primary intent and function of such position is the direct treatment or recovery support of individuals with, or in recovery from, a behavioral health disorder, such as a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State law (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse midwife), psychiatric nurse, social worker, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, child and adolescent psychiatrist, or neurologist..(c)IRC(1)In generalSubchapter B of chapter 100 of subtitle K of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:9821.Coverage of certain primary care and behavioral health care visits(a)In generalIn addition to any item or service described in section 2713(a) of the Public Health Service Act, a group health plan shall at a minimum provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements for, with respect to a plan year—(1)3 primary care visits; and(2)3 behavioral health care visits.(b)LimitationsA group health plan shall ensure that—(1)the treatment limitations applicable to the 3 primary care visits described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) and the 3 behavioral health care visits described in paragraph (2) of such subsection are no more restrictive than the treatment limitations applied to any other primary care visit or behavioral health care visit covered by the plan and that there are no separate treatment limitations that are applicable only with respect to such 3 primary or such 3 behavioral health care visits; and(2)the reimbursement rates under such plan for such 3 primary and such 3 behavioral health care visits are the same as such rates for any other primary care visit or behavioral health care visit covered by the plan.(c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(1)Behavioral health care visitThe term behavioral health care visit means a visit by an individual to a qualified provider during which services are provided with respect to the diagnosis, treatment, screening, or prevention of a behavioral health condition.(2)Primary care serviceThe term primary care service means a service identified, as of January 1, 2009, by one of HCPCS codes 99201 through 99215 (and as subsequently modified by the Secretary).(3)Primary care visitThe term primary care visit means an in-person visit by an individual to a qualified provider who is designated by such individual as the primary care provider for such individual, during which such individual receives primary care services.(4)Qualified providerThe term qualified provider means—(A)with respect to a primary care visit, a general practitioner, family physician, general internist, obstetrician-gynecologist, pediatrician, geriatric physician, or physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State law (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse midwife); and(B)with respect to a behavioral health care visit, an individual employed in a full-time position (including a fellowship) where the primary intent and function of such position is the direct treatment or recovery support of individuals with, or in recovery from, a behavioral health disorder, such as a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse acting in accordance with State law (including a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, and certified nurse midwife), psychiatric nurse, social worker, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, child and adolescent psychiatrist, or neurologist..(2)High deductible health plansSection 223(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting or for the visits described in section 9821 before the period.(3)Conforming amendmentThe table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 9820 the following new item:Sec. 9821. Coverage of certain primary care and behavioral health care visits..(d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.


114 HR 3173 IH: Sportsmen’s Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Enhancement Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-07-23
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. 3173
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 23, 2015
			Mr. Walz (for himself, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Gene Green of Texas, Mr. Duncan of South Carolina, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Thompson of California, and Mr. Kind) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To promote conservation for the purpose of enhancing hunting, fishing and other outdoor
			 recreational opportunities.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Sportsmen’s Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Enhancement Act. 2.Sense of Congress regarding national fish habitat initiativeIt is the sense of Congress that—
 (1)the mission of the National Fish Habitat Initiative is to protect, restore, and enhance the Nation’s fish populations through partnerships that foster fish habitat conservation and improve the quality of life for the American people;
 (2)the national network of Fish Habitat Partnerships established under the National Fish Habitat Initiative—
 (A)promotes intact and healthy fish habitats; (B)encourages community-based projects with a goal of ensuring a broad diversity of fish and fish populations; and
 (C)supports the economic significance of fish habitat resources and the recreational, subsistence, and commercial fishing linked to these resources in the United States; and
 (3)the enactment by Congress of implementing legislation for the National Fish Habitat Initiative would ensure continued Federal support for the ongoing activities of the National Fish Habitat Partnerships.
 3.Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act reauthorizationThe Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act is amended— (1)in section 203(1) (43 U.S.C. 2302(1)), by striking cultural, or and inserting cultural, recreational access and use, or other;
 (2)in section 203(2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking on the date of enactment of this Act was and inserting is; (3)in section 205 (43 U.S.C. 2304)—
 (A)in subsection (a), by striking section 206 and all that follows through the period and inserting the following:  section 206—(1)to complete appraisals and satisfy other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712);
 (2)not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act Reauthorization of 2015, to establish and make available to the public, on the website of the Department of the Interior, a database containing a comprehensive list of all the land referred to in paragraph (1); and
 (3)to maintain the database referred to in paragraph (2).; and (B)in subsection (d), by striking 11 and inserting 22;
 (4)in section 206(c)(2) (43 U.S.C. 2305(c)(2)), by adding at the end the following:  (E)Any funds made available under subparagraph (D) that are not obligated or expended by the end of the fourth full fiscal year after the date of the sale or exchange of land that generated the funds may be expended in any State.;
 (5)in section 206(c)(3) (43 U.S.C. 2305(c)(3))— (A)by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

 (B)the extent to which the acquisition of the land or interest therein will increase the public availability of resources for, and facilitate public access to, hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities;; and
 (B)by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E); (6)in section 206(f) (43 U.S.C. 2305(f)), by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

 (2)any remaining balance in the account shall be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction, except that in the case of a fiscal year for which there is no Federal budget deficit, such amounts shall be used to reduce the Federal debt (in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate).; and
 (7)in section 207(b) (43 U.S.C. 2306(b))— (A)in paragraph (1)—
 (i)by striking 96–568 and inserting 96–586; and (ii)by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;
 (B)in paragraph (2)— (i)by inserting Public Law 105–263; before 112 Stat.; and
 (ii)by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C)by adding at the end the following:

 (3)the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–432; 120 Stat. 3028);
 (4)the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–424; 118 Stat. 2403);
 (5)subtitle F of title I of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 111–11);
 (6)subtitle O of title I of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 460www note, 1132 note; Public Law 111–11);
 (7)section 2601 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 1108); or
 (8)section 2606 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–11; 123 Stat. 1121).. 4.North American Wetlands Conservation Act reauthorizationSection 7(c) of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4406(c)) is amended by striking not to exceed— and all that follows through paragraph (5) and inserting not to exceed $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020..
		5.National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act reauthorization
			(a)Board of directors of the Foundation
 (1)In generalSection 3 of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3702) is amended—
 (A)in subsection (b)— (i)by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

 (2)In generalAfter consulting with the Secretary of Commerce and considering the recommendations submitted by the Board, the Secretary of the Interior shall appoint 28 Directors who, to the maximum extent practicable, shall—
 (A)be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to the conservation of fish, wildlife, or other natural resources; and
 (B)represent a balance of expertise in ocean, coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial resource conservation.; and
 (ii)by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:  (3)TermsEach Director (other than a Director described in paragraph (1)) shall be appointed for a term of 6 years.; and
 (B)in subsection (g)(2)— (i)in subparagraph (A), by striking (A) Officers and employees may not be appointed until the Foundation has sufficient funds to pay them for their service. Officers and inserting the following:

 (A)In generalOfficers; and (ii)by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

 (B)Executive DirectorThe Foundation shall have an Executive Director who shall be— (i)appointed by, and serve at the direction of, the Board as the chief executive officer of the Foundation; and
 (ii)knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to fish and wildlife conservation.. (2)Conforming amendmentSection 4(a)(1)(B) of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4403(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking Secretary of the Board and inserting Executive Director of the Board.
 (b)Rights and obligations of the FoundationSection 4 of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3703) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (c)— (A)by striking (c) Powers.—To carry out its purposes under and inserting the following:

							(c)Powers
 (1)In generalTo carry out the purposes described in; (B)by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (11) as subparagraphs (A) through (K), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
 (C)in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking that are insured by an agency or instrumentality of the United States and inserting at 1 or more financial institutions that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investment Protection Corporation;
 (D)in subparagraph (E) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking paragraph (3) or (4) and inserting subparagraph (C) or (D); (E)in subparagraph (J) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
 (F)by striking subparagraph (K) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)) and inserting the following:  (K)to receive and administer restitution and community service payments, amounts for mitigation of impacts to natural resources, and other amounts arising from legal, regulatory, or administrative proceedings, subject to the condition that the amounts are received or administered for purposes that further the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources; and
 (L)to do acts necessary to carry out the purposes of the Foundation.; and (G)by striking the undesignated matter at the end and inserting the following:

							(2)Treatment of real property
 (A)In generalFor purposes of this Act, an interest in real property shall be treated as including easements or other rights for preservation, conservation, protection, or enhancement by and for the public of natural, scenic, historic, scientific, educational, inspirational, or recreational resources.
 (B)Encumbered real propertyA gift, devise, or bequest may be accepted by the Foundation even though the gift, devise, or bequest is encumbered, restricted, or subject to beneficial interests of private persons if any current or future interest in the gift, devise, or bequest is for the benefit of the Foundation.
 (3)Savings clauseThe acceptance and administration of amounts by the Foundation under paragraph (1)(K) does not alter, supersede, or limit any regulatory or statutory requirement associated with those amounts.;
 (2)by striking subsections (f) and (g); and (3)by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively.
 (c)Authorization of appropriationsSection 10 of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709) is amended—
 (1)in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:  (1)In generalThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020—
 (A)$15,000,000 to the Secretary of the Interior; (B)$5,000,000 to the Secretary of Agriculture; and
 (C)$5,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce.; (2)in subsection (b)—
 (A)by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:  (1)Amounts from Federal agencies (A)In generalIn addition to the amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a), Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities may provide Federal funds to the Foundation, subject to the condition that the amounts are used for purposes that further the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources in accordance with this Act.
 (B)AdvancesFederal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities may advance amounts described in subparagraph (A) to the Foundation in a lump sum without regard to when the expenses for which the amounts are used are incurred.
 (C)Management feesThe Foundation may assess and collect fees for the management of amounts received under this paragraph.;
 (B)in paragraph (2)— (i)in the paragraph heading, by striking funds and inserting amounts;
 (ii)by striking shall be used and inserting may be used; and (iii)by striking and State and local government agencies and inserting , State and local government agencies, and other entities; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (3)Administration of amounts (A)In generalIn entering into contracts, agreements, or other partnerships pursuant to this Act, a Federal department, agency, or instrumentality shall have discretion to waive any competitive process applicable to the department, agency, or instrumentality for entering into contracts, agreements, or partnerships with the Foundation if the purpose of the waiver is—
 (i)to address an environmental emergency resulting from a natural or other disaster; or (ii)as determined by the head of the applicable Federal department, agency, or instrumentality, to reduce administrative expenses and expedite the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources.
 (B)ReportsThe Foundation shall include in the annual report submitted under section 7(b) a description of any use of the authority under subparagraph (A) by a Federal department, agency, or instrumentality in that fiscal year.; and
 (3)by adding at the end the following:  (d)Use of gifts, devises, or bequests of money or other propertyAny gifts, devises, or bequests of amounts or other property, or any other amounts or other property, transferred to, deposited with, or otherwise in the possession of the Foundation pursuant to this Act, may be made available by the Foundation to Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities and may be accepted and expended (or the disposition of the amounts or property directed), without further appropriation, by those Federal departments, agencies, or instrumentalities, subject to the condition that the amounts or property be used for purposes that further the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources..
 (d)Limitation on authoritySection 11 of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3710) is amended by inserting exclusive before authority.
 6.Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act reauthorizationThe Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act is amended— (1)in section 9(c)(2) (16 U.S.C. 6108(c)(2)), by striking 3 and inserting 4; and
 (2)by amending section 10 (16 U.S.C. 6109) to read as follows:  10.Authorization of appropriations (a)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $6,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
 (b)Use of fundsOf the amounts made available under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, not less than 75 percent shall be expended for projects carried out at a location outside of the United States..
 7.Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Act reauthorizationSection 5 of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 3774) is amended by striking 2011 and inserting 2020. 8.Making public lands public (a)Availability of fundsSection 200303 of title 54, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

 200303.Availability of funds for certain projectsNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that, of the amounts appropriated for the fund for each fiscal year, not less than the greater of 1.5 percent of the amounts or $10,000,000 shall be made available for projects that secure public access to Federal land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers..
			(b)Conforming amendments
 (1)Availability of depositsSection 200302(c)(3) of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking Notwithstanding section 200303 of this title, money and inserting Money. (2)Contracts for acquisition of land and waterSection 200308 of title 54, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence, by striking by section 200303 of this title.
 (3)Contracts for options to acquire land and water in SystemSection 200309 of title 54, United States Code, is amended in the third sentence by striking by section 200303 of this title.