		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 398
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 9, 2009
			Mr. Crapo introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Environment and Public
			 Works

		A BILL
		To permit commercial vehicles at weights up to 129,000
		  pounds to use certain highways of the Interstate System in the State of Idaho
		  which would provide significant savings in the transportation of goods
		  throughout the United States, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Idaho Efficient Vehicle
			 Demonstration Act of 2009.
		2.FindingsCongress finds that—
			(1)States including
			 Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming have been grandfathered the right to operate
			 up to 129,000-pound or greater vehicle combinations on 9 axles or more on
			 Federal highways;
			(2)laws governing
			 Federal highway funding effectively impose a limit of 105,500 pounds on the
			 weight of vehicles permitted to use the Interstate System within the State of
			 Idaho;
			(3)the State of
			 Idaho is surrounded by the States specified in paragraph (1) that allow higher
			 weight limits on the Interstate System, which puts the State of Idaho at a
			 disadvantage in moving freight within Idaho and into those surrounding
			 States;
			(4)in 2003, the
			 legislature of the State of Idaho adopted House Bill 395, which established a
			 10-year pilot project that allows vehicle combinations up to 129,000 pounds to
			 be operated on 10 axles on specific routes in that State, but does not address
			 the Interstate System;
			(5)in enacting the
			 pilot project program in House Bill 395 of the State, the legislature required
			 the Idaho Transportation Department to report to the legislature on the effect
			 of the program;
			(6)the Idaho
			 Transportation Department is required to submit reports every 3 years during
			 the 10-year life of the pilot project program that describe the results of
			 monitoring and evaluation of all important impacts, including impacts to
			 safety, bridges, and pavement, on all pilot project routes;
			(7)the pilot project
			 program terminates on July 1, 2013, unless the program is otherwise extended or
			 sooner repealed by the legislature;
			(8)the
			 administration of the pilot project, coupled with the fact that vehicle
			 combinations cannot operate at 129,000 pounds on the Interstate System, has
			 forced those heavier vehicle combinations to divert onto small State and local
			 roads on which higher vehicle weight limits are allowed under State law;
			(9)the diversion of
			 those vehicles onto those roads increases fuel costs because of increased
			 idling time and total travel time along those roads;
			(10)the cost of
			 transportation fuel has increased more than 80 percent between calendar years
			 2007 and 2008; and
			(11)permitting
			 commercial vehicles to travel on a select few Interstate System highways within
			 the State at increased weight limits would provide—
				(A)significant
			 savings in the transportation of goods throughout the State; and
				(B)substantial data
			 and an opportunity for analysis of the impacts of the vehicles on bridges,
			 highway safety, and pavements.
				3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Covered
			 interstate system highwayThe term covered Interstate
			 System highway means any portion of a highway designated as a route on
			 the Interstate System that, as of the date of enactment of this Act, is not
			 exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of section 127 of title 23,
			 United States Code, pursuant to a waiver under that subsection.
			(2)DirectorThe
			 term Director means the Director of the Idaho Transportation
			 Department.
			(3)Interstate
			 systemThe term Interstate System has the meaning
			 given the term in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code.
			(4)Pilot
			 projectThe term pilot project means the 10-year
			 pilot project of the State, established in 2003 under House Bill 395 of the
			 State, that permits vehicle combinations weighing up to 129,000 pounds to be
			 operated on specific routes in that State.
			(5)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.
			(6)StateThe
			 term State means the State of Idaho.
			4.Waiver of
			 highway funding reduction relating to weight of vehicles using interstate
			 system highways
			(a)Prohibition
			 relating to certain vehiclesNotwithstanding section 127(a) of
			 title 23, United States Code, the total amount of funds apportioned to the
			 State under section 104(b)(1) of that title for any period may not be reduced
			 under section 127(a) of that title if the State permits a vehicle combination
			 described in subsection (b) to use a covered Interstate System highway in the
			 State in accordance with this Act.
			(b)Combination
			 vehicles in excess of 105,500 pounds up to 129,000 poundsA
			 vehicle described in this subsection is a vehicle that—
				(1)has a weight in
			 excess of 105,500 pounds but not more than 129,000 pounds;
				(2)consists of a
			 power unit hauling 2 or more trailers or semitrailers;
				(3)does not exceed
			 any vehicle weight limitation that is applicable under State law to the
			 operation of the vehicle on highways in the State that are not part of the
			 Interstate System, as those laws are in effect on the date of enactment of this
			 Act; and
				(4)is limited to
			 travel only on—
					(A)the portion of
			 Interstate Route 15 extending from the Montana border to the junction with
			 Interstate Route 86;
					(B)the portion of
			 Interstate Route 86 extending from the junction of Interstate Route 15 to the
			 junction with Interstate Route 84; and
					(C)the portion of
			 Interstate Route 84 extending from the Utah border to the Oregon border.
					(c)Termination of
			 authority
				(1)In
			 generalSubject to paragraph (2), this section and the authority
			 provided under this section shall terminate on July 1, 2013.
				(2)ExceptionsThis
			 section and the authority provided under this section shall terminate
			 on—
					(A)a date that is
			 later than the date specified in paragraph (1), if the project is extended to
			 that later date by the State; or
					(B)any date that is
			 before, on, or after the date specified in paragraph (1), if the
			 Secretary—
						(i)determines
			 that—
							(I)operation of
			 vehicles described in subsection (b) on covered Interstate System highways has
			 adversely affected safety on the overall highway system; or
							(II)the Director has
			 failed to collect the data described in section 5(2); and
							(ii)publishes the
			 determination, together with the date of termination of this section, in the
			 Federal Register.
						(d)Consultation
			 regarding termination for safetyIn making a determination under
			 subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), the Secretary shall consult with the Director.
			5.Responsibilities
			 of StateFor the purpose of
			 section 4, the State shall be considered to meet the conditions under this
			 section if the Director—
			(1)submits to the
			 Secretary a plan for use in meeting the conditions described in paragraph (2);
			 and
			(2)collects data on
			 the net effects that the operation of vehicles described in section 4(b) on
			 covered Interstate System highways in the State has on the safety of the
			 overall highway system, as required by House Bill 395 of the State.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2449
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 26, 2012
			Mr. Schumer introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on nonenumerated footwear
		  for women, valued $25/pair or higher.

		1.Nonenumerated footwear for
			 women, valued $25/pair or higher
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.00Nonenumerated footwear for women, valued $25/pair or higher
						(provided for in subheading 6405.90.90)FreeNo
						changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2015

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies with respect to
			 goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the
			 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act.


 HR 6532 ENR: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance.
U.S. House of Representatives
0
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
One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, the third day of January, two thousand and eight
H. R. 6532

AN ACT
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the Highway Trust Fund balance.

1.Restoration of Highway Trust Fund balance
(a)In generalSubsection (f) of section 9503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to determination of trust fund balances after September 30, 1998) is amended—
(1)by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and by moving such subparagraphs 2 ems to the right,
(2)by striking For purposes and inserting the following:

(1)In generalFor purposes,
(3)by moving the flush sentence at the end of paragraph (1), as so amended, 2 ems to the right, and
(4)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)Restoration of fund balanceOut of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is hereby appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund $8,017,000,000..
(b)Conforming amendmentThe last sentence of section 9503(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by subsection (a), is amended by striking subsection and inserting paragraph.
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
 Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


		III
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 402
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 12, 2007
			Mr. Grassley (for
			 himself, Mr. Brownback,
			 Mr. Coburn, Mr.
			 Cornyn, Mr. DeMint,
			 Mr. Hatch, Mr.
			 Roberts, Mr. Sununu,
			 Mrs. Dole, Mr.
			 Allard, Mr. Bunning,
			 Ms. Snowe, Mr.
			 Domenici, Mr. Martinez,
			 Mr. Ensign, Mr.
			 Coleman, Mr. Vitter,
			 Mr. Hagel, Mr.
			 Shelby, Mr. Thune,
			 Mr. Bennett, Mr. Crapo, Mr.
			 Craig, Mr. Kyl,
			 Mr. Sessions, and
			 Mr. Smith) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		RESOLUTION
		Recognizing the life and contributions of
		  Henry John Hyde.

		Whereas Representative Henry John Hyde of Illinois was
			 born in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, on April 18, 1924;
		Whereas Henry Hyde excelled as a student both at
			 Georgetown University, at which he helped take the Hoyas basketball team to the
			 National Collegiate Athletic Association semifinals in 1943 and from which he
			 graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1947, and at Loyola University
			 Chicago School of Law, from which he graduated in 1949;
		Whereas Henry Hyde served his country for his entire adult
			 life, as an officer of the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946, where he
			 served in combat in the Philippines during World War II, in the United States
			 Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1968, from which he retired at the rank of Commander,
			 as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1967 to 1974 and
			 Majority Leader of that body from 1971 to 1972, as a delegate to the Illinois
			 Republican State Conventions from 1958 to 1974, and as a Republican Member of
			 the United States House of Representatives for 16 Congresses, over 3 decades
			 from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 2007;
		Whereas Henry Hyde served as the Ranking Member on the
			 Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives from 1985 to
			 1991, in the 99th through 101st Congresses, and as chairman of the Committee on
			 the Judiciary of the House of Representatives from the 104th through 106th
			 Congresses and the Committee on International Relations from the 107th through
			 109th Congresses;
		Whereas, in his capacity as a United States
			 Representative, Henry Hyde tirelessly served as a champion for children, both
			 born and unborn, and relentlessly defended the rule of law;
		Whereas Henry Hyde demonstrated his commitment to the rule
			 of law during his tenure in the House of Representatives, once stating,
			 The rule of law is no pious aspiration from a civics textbook. The rule
			 of law is what stands between us and the arbitrary exercise of power by the
			 state. The rule of law is the safeguard of our liberties. The rule of law is
			 what allows us to live our freedom in ways that honor the freedom of others
			 while strengthening the common good. . . . If across the river in Arlington
			 Cemetery there are American heroes who died in defense of the rule of law, can
			 we give less than the full measure of our devotion to that great
			 cause?;
		Whereas Henry Hyde was a key player in some of the highest
			 level debates concerning the response to the terrorist attacks on our Nation on
			 September 11, 2001;
		Whereas Henry Hyde received the Presidential Medal of
			 Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, on November 5, 2007, at a
			 ceremony at which President George W. Bush explained about Representative Hyde,
			 He used his persuasive powers for noble causes. He stood for a strong
			 and purposeful America—confident in freedom’s advance, and firm in freedom’s
			 defense. He stood for limited, accountable government, and the equality of
			 every person before the law. He was a gallant champion of the weak and
			 forgotten, and a fearless defender of life in all its seasons.;
		Whereas Henry Hyde’s greatest legacy is as the author,
			 during his freshman term in the House of Representatives, of an amendment to
			 the 1976 Departments of Labor and Health, Education, and Welfare Appropriations
			 Act—commonly referred to as the Hyde Amendment—that prohibits Federal dollars
			 from being used to pay for the abortion of unborn babies, which conservative
			 figures estimate has saved at least 1,000,000 lives;
		Whereas Henry Hyde lived by the belief that we will all be
			 judged by our Creator in the end for our actions here on Earth, which he once
			 explained on the floor of the House of Representatives by saying, Our
			 moment in history is marked by a mortal conflict between a culture of life and
			 a culture of death. God put us in the world to do noble things, to love and to
			 cherish our fellow human beings, not to destroy them. Today we must choose
			 sides.;
		Whereas Henry Hyde selflessly battled for the causes that
			 formed the core of his beliefs until the end of his life, and was greatly
			 respected by his friends and adversaries alike for his dedication and will
			 remain a role model for advocates of those causes by virtue of his conviction,
			 passion, wisdom, and character; and
		Whereas Henry Hyde was preceded in death by his first
			 wife, Jeanne, and his son Hank, and is survived by his second wife, Judy, his
			 sons Robert and Anthony and daughter Laura, 3 stepchildren, Susan, Mitch, and
			 Stephen, 7 grandchildren, and 7 step-grandchildren: Now, therefore, be
			 it

		That the Senate—
			(1)notes with deep
			 sorrow the death of Henry John Hyde on November 29, 2007, in Chicago;
			(2)extends its
			 heartfelt sympathy to the family of Henry Hyde;
			(3)recognizes the
			 life of service and the outstanding contributions of Henry Hyde; and
			(4)directs the
			 Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of
			 Henry Hyde.


116 HR 167 IH: To prohibit the transfer of a firearm at a gun show by a person who is not a licensed dealer.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-03
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
116th CONGRESS1st Session
H. R. 167
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2019
Mr. Green of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To prohibit the transfer of a firearm at a gun show by a person who is not a licensed dealer.

1.Prohibition on transfer of a firearm at a gun show by a person who is not a licensed dealer
(a)In generalSection 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (aa) (1) (A)It shall be unlawful for a person to transfer a firearm at a gun show, unless the person is a licensed dealer.
(B)Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a transfer to a person licensed under this chapter. (2)In paragraph (1), the term gun show—
(A)means an event or function— (i)held for the purpose of facilitating the commercial sale, transfer, or exchange of firearms; and
(ii)at which a firearm is displayed, exhibited, offered for sale, transfer, or exchange, or sold, transferred, or exchanged; and (B)includes the entire premises, including parking areas, used to facilitate the sale, transfer, or exchange of firearms at the event or function..
(b)PenaltiesSection 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:  (8)Whoever knowingly violates section 922(aa) shall be fined an amount equal to $10,000 multiplied by the number of firearms involved in the violation, imprisoned not less than 1 year and not more than 2 years, or both..


116 S712 ES: Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act
U.S. Senate

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.

116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 712IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo provide assistance for United States nationals taken hostage or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act.2.Assistance for United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad(a)ReviewThe Secretary of State shall review the cases of United States nationals detained abroad to determine if there is credible information that they are being detained unlawfully or wrongfully, based on criteria which may include whether—(1)United States officials receive or possess credible information indicating innocence of the detained individual;(2)the individual is being detained solely or substantially because he or she is a United States national;(3)the individual is being detained solely or substantially to influence United States Government policy or to secure economic or political concessions from the United States Government;(4)the detention appears to be because the individual sought to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote freedom of the press, freedom of religion, or the right to peacefully assemble;(5)the individual is being detained in violation of the laws of the detaining country;(6)independent nongovernmental organizations or journalists have raised legitimate questions about the innocence of the detained individual;(7)the United States mission in the country where the individual is being detained has received credible reports that the detention is a pretext for an illegitimate purpose;(8)the individual is detained in a country where the Department of State has determined in its annual human rights reports that the judicial system is not independent or impartial, is susceptible to corruption, or is incapable of rendering just verdicts;(9)the individual is being detained in inhumane conditions;(10)due process of law has been sufficiently impaired so as to render the detention arbitrary; and(11)United States diplomatic engagement is likely necessary to secure the release of the detained individual.(b)Referrals to the special envoyUpon a determination by the Secretary of State, based on the totality of the circumstances, that there is credible information that the detention of a United States national abroad is unlawful or wrongful, and regardless of whether the detention is by a foreign government or a nongovernmental actor, the Secretary shall transfer responsibility for such case from the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State to the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs created pursuant to section 3.(c)Report(1)Annual report(A)In generalThe Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual report with respect to United States nationals for whom the Secretary determines there is credible information of unlawful or wrongful detention abroad.(B)FormThe report required under this paragraph shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex if necessary.(2)CompositionThe report required under paragraph (1) shall include current estimates of the number of individuals so detained, as well as relevant information about particular cases, such as—(A)the name of the individual, unless the provision of such information is inconsistent with section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Privacy Act of 1974);(B)basic facts about the case;(C)a summary of the information that such individual may be detained unlawfully or wrongfully;(D)a description of specific efforts, legal and diplomatic, taken on behalf of the individual since the last reporting period, including a description of accomplishments and setbacks; and(E)a description of intended next steps.(d)Resource guidance(1)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and after consulting with relevant organizations that advocate on behalf of United States nationals detained abroad and the Family Engagement Coordinator established pursuant to section 4(c)(2), the Secretary of State shall provide resource guidance in writing for government officials and families of unjustly or wrongfully detained individuals.(2)ContentThe resource guidance required under paragraph (1) should include—(A)information to help families understand United States policy concerning the release of United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully held abroad;(B)contact information for officials in the Department of State or other government agencies suited to answer family questions;(C)relevant information about options available to help families obtain the release of unjustly or wrongfully detained individuals, such as guidance on how families may engage with United States diplomatic and consular channels to ensure prompt and regular access for the detained individual to legal counsel, family members, humane treatment, and other services;(D)guidance on submitting public or private letters from members of Congress or other individuals who may be influential in securing the release of an individual; and(E)appropriate points of contacts, such as legal resources and counseling services, who have a record of assisting victims’ families.3.Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs(a)EstablishmentThere shall be a Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, appointed by the President, who shall report to the Secretary of State.(b)RankThe Special Envoy shall have the rank and status of ambassador.(c)ResponsibilitiesThe Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs shall—(1)lead diplomatic engagement on United States hostage policy;(2)coordinate all diplomatic engagements and strategy in support of hostage recovery efforts, in coordination with the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and consistent with policy guidance communicated through the Hostage Response Group;(3)in coordination with the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell as appropriate, coordinate diplomatic engagements regarding cases in which a foreign government has detained a United States national and the United States Government regards such detention as unlawful or wrongful;(4)provide senior representation from the Special Envoy’s office to the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell established under section 4 and the Hostage Response Group established under section 5; and(5)ensure that families of United States nationals unlawfully or wrongly detained abroad receive updated information about developments in cases and government policy. 4.Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell(a)EstablishmentThe President shall establish an interagency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell.(b)ParticipationThe President shall direct the heads of each of the following executive departments, agencies, and offices to make available personnel to participate in the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell:(1)The Department of State.(2)The Department of the Treasury.(3)The Department of Defense.(4)The Department of Justice.(5)The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.(6)The Federal Bureau of Investigation.(7)The Central Intelligence Agency.(8)Other agencies as the President, from time to time, may designate.(c)PersonnelThe Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell shall include—(1)a Director, who shall be a full-time senior officer or employee of the United States Government;(2)a Family Engagement Coordinator who shall—(A)work to ensure that all interactions by executive branch officials with a hostage’s family occur in a coordinated fashion and that the family receives consistent and accurate information from the United States Government; and(B)if directed, perform the same function as set out in subparagraph (A) with regard to the family of a United States national who is unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad; and(3)other officers and employees as deemed appropriate by the President.(d)DutiesThe Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell shall—(1)coordinate efforts by participating agencies to ensure that all relevant information, expertise, and resources are brought to bear to secure the safe recovery of United States nationals held hostage abroad;(2)if directed, coordinate the United States Government's response to other hostage-takings occurring abroad in which the United States has a national interest; (3)if directed, coordinate or assist the United States Government’s response to help secure the release of United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad; and(4)pursuant to policy guidance coordinated through the National Security Council—(A)identify and recommend hostage recovery options and strategies to the President through the National Security Council or the Deputies Committee of the National Security Council;(B)coordinate efforts by participating agencies to ensure that information regarding hostage events, including potential recovery options and engagements with families and external actors (including foreign governments), is appropriately shared within the United States Government to facilitate a coordinated response to a hostage-taking;(C)assess and track all hostage-takings of United States nationals abroad and provide regular reports to the President and Congress on the status of such cases and any measures being taken toward the hostages' safe recovery;(D)provide a forum for intelligence sharing and, with the support of the Director of National Intelligence, coordinate the declassification of relevant information;(E)coordinate efforts by participating agencies to provide appropriate support and assistance to hostages and their families in a coordinated and consistent manner and to provide families with timely information regarding significant events in their cases;(F)make recommendations to agencies in order to reduce the likelihood of United States nationals’ being taken hostage abroad and enhance United States Government preparation to maximize the probability of a favorable outcome following a hostage-taking; and(G)coordinate with agencies regarding congressional, media, and other public inquiries pertaining to hostage events.(e)AdministrationThe Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell shall be located within the Federal Bureau of Investigation for administrative purposes.5.Hostage Response Group(a)EstablishmentThe President shall establish a Hostage Response Group, chaired by a designated member of the National Security Council or the Deputies Committee of the National Security Council, to be convened on a regular basis, to further the safe recovery of United States nationals held hostage abroad or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad, and to be tasked with coordinating the United States Government response to other hostage-takings occurring abroad in which the United States has a national interest. (b)MembershipThe regular members of the Hostage Response Group shall include the Director of the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell's Family Engagement Coordinator, the Special Envoy appointed pursuant to section 3, and representatives from the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, and other agencies as the President, from time to time, may designate.(c)DutiesThe Hostage Recovery Group shall—(1)identify and recommend hostage recovery options and strategies to the President through the National Security Council;(2)coordinate the development and implementation of United States hostage recovery policies, strategies, and procedures;(3)receive regular updates from the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs on the status of United States nationals being held hostage or unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad and measures being taken to effect safe recoveries;(4)coordinate the provision of policy guidance to the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, including reviewing recovery options proposed by the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and working to resolve disputes within the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell; (5)as appropriate, direct the use of resources at the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to coordinate or assist in the safe recovery of United States nationals unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad; and(6)as appropriate, direct the use of resources at the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell to coordinate the United States Government response to other hostage-takings occurring abroad in which the United States has a national interest. (d)MeetingsThe Hostage Response Group shall meet regularly.(e)ReportingThe Hostage Response Group shall regularly provide recommendations on hostage recovery options and strategies to the National Security Council. 6.Authorization of imposition of sanctions(a)In generalThe President may impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person the President determines, based on credible evidence—(1)is responsible for or is complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the hostage-taking of a United States national abroad or the unlawful or wrongful detention of a United States national abroad; or(2)knowingly provides financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, an activity described in paragraph (1).(b)Sanctions describedThe sanctions described in this subsection are the following:(1)Ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole(A)Visas, admission, or paroleAn alien described in subsection (a) may be—(i)inadmissible to the United States;(ii)ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and(iii)otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).(B)Current visas revoked(i)In generalAn alien described in subsection (a) may be subject to revocation of any visa or other entry documentation regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is or was issued.(ii)Immediate effectA revocation under clause (i) may—(I)take effect immediately; and(II)cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession.(2)Blocking of property(A)In generalThe President may exercise all of the powers granted to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in property and interests in property of a foreign person described in subsection (a) if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.(B)Inapplicability of national emergency requirementThe requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply for purposes of this section.(c)Exceptions(1)Exception for intelligence activitiesSanctions under this section shall not apply to any activity subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3091 et seq.) or any authorized intelligence activities of the United States.(2)Exception to comply with international obligations and for law enforcement activitiesSanctions under subsection (b)(1) shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into the United States is necessary—(A)to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations; or(B)to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the United States.(3)Exception relating to importation of goods(A)In generalThe authorities and requirements to impose sanctions authorized under subsection (b)(2) shall not include the authority or a requirement to impose sanctions on the importation of goods.(B)Good definedIn this paragraph, the term good means any article, natural or manmade substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, and excluding technical data.(d)PenaltiesA person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of subsection (b)(2) or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out that subsection shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.(e)Termination of sanctionsThe President may terminate the application of sanctions under this section with respect to a person if the President determines that—(1)information exists that the person did not engage in the activity for which sanctions were imposed;(2)the person has been prosecuted appropriately for the activity for which sanctions were imposed;(3)the person has credibly demonstrated a significant change in behavior, has paid an appropriate consequence for the activity for which sanctions were imposed, and has credibly committed to not engage in an activity described in subsection (a) in the future; or(4)the termination of the sanctions is in the national security interests of the United States.(f)Reporting requirementIf the President terminates sanctions pursuant to subsection (d), the President shall report to the appropriate congressional committees a written justification for such termination within 15 days.(g)Implementation of regulatory authorityThe President may exercise all authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this section.(h)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Foreign personThe term foreign person means—(A)any citizen or national of a foreign country (including any such individual who is also a citizen or national of the United States); or(B)any entity not organized solely under the laws of the United States or existing solely in the United States.(2)United States personThe term United States person means—(A)an individual who is a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States;(B)an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity; or(C)any person in the United States.7.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means—(A)the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the United States Senate; and(B)the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.(2)United States nationalThe term United States national means—(A)a United States national as defined in section 101(a)(22) or section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22), 8 U.S.C. 1408); and(B)a lawful permanent resident alien with significant ties to the United States.8.Rule of constructionNothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize a private right of action. Passed the Senate June 15, 2020.Secretary


116 HR 5524 IH: Survey Our Servicemembers Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-12-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5524IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 19, 2019Mr. Rice of South Carolina introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct annual surveys of veterans on experiences
			 with medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Survey Our Servicemembers Act or the SOS Act. 2.Survey of veteran experiences with Department of Veterans Affairs medical care (a)In generalThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into a contract with a non-government entity with significant experience conducting scientifically verifiable surveys and research to conduct an annual survey of a statistically significant sample of veterans who reside in the geographic area served by each of the medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine the nature of the experiences of such veterans in obtaining hospital care and medical services furnished by the Secretary at each such medical facility. Each such survey shall be conducted using scientific and verifiable methods. Such contract shall provide that the non-government entity shall conduct such annual surveys during the five-year period beginning on the date on which the Secretary enters into the contract with the non-government entity.
 (b)ContentsThe contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that each survey conducted pursuant to the contract shall be specific to a medical facility of the Department and shall include questions relating to the experiences of veterans in requesting and receiving appointments for hospital care and medical services furnished by the Secretary at that medical facility, including questions relating to, with respect to veterans who have received hospital care or medical services at non-Department facilities—
 (1)the factors considered by the veteran with respect to choosing whether to receive hospital care or medical services at a facility of the Department or at a non-Department facility;
 (2)the quality of hospital care or medical services the veteran has received at non-Department facilities; and
 (3)the differences in the cost to the veteran of receiving hospital care or medical services at non-Department facilities and hospital care or medical services at medical facilities of the Department.
 (c)ConsultationThe contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that in designing and conducting the surveys for each medical facility of the Department pursuant to such contract, the non-government entity shall consult with veterans service organizations.
 (d)CertificationThe contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that— (1)before conducting a survey pursuant to the contract, the non-government entity shall submit the proposed survey to the Comptroller General who shall assess whether the survey is scientifically valid and whether the proposed sample size of veterans to be surveyed is statistically significant; and
 (2)the non-government entity may not conduct such a survey until the Comptroller General provides such a certification for the survey.
 (e)Submittal of results and public availability of informationNot later than 30 days after the completion of the surveys conducted pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a) for a year, the Secretary shall make the results of the surveys publicly available on the internet website of the Department.
 (f)Paperwork reductionSubchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code shall not apply to this section. (g)Deadline for implementationThe Secretary shall enter into a contract under subsection (a) for each medical facility of the Department by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.


109 HR 2737 IH: Office of Correctional Public Health Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-05-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2737
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 26, 2005
Mr. Strickland (for himself, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Holden, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Payne, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Grijalva) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish an Office of Correctional Public Health.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Office of Correctional Public Health Act of 2005.
2.FindingThe Congress finds as follows:
(1)Approximately 2.1 million people are incarcerated in the United States.
(2)The number of inmates held in Federal, State, and private correctional facilities rose 28 percent between midyear 1995 and 2000.
(3)The offender population in jails turns over between 20 and 25 times each year.
(4)At least 95 percent of those currently incarcerated will be released from custody.
(5)Offender populations enter correctional facilities with a higher rate of infection of chronic and communicable diseases, including asthma, diabetes, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, than is present in the general population.
(6)The prevalence of mental illness in correctional facilities is rising. Estimates are that between 14 and 20 percent of jail inmates in 1996 had some type of anxiety disorder. In State prison facilities, it is estimated that between 22 and 30 percent have an anxiety disorder.
(7)The prevalence of AIDS among inmates is 3.5 times higher than among the general population.
(8)An estimated 98,500 to 145,500 HIV-positive inmates were released from prisons and jails in 1996.
(9)According to estimates, between 12 and 15 percent of all individuals in the United States with chronic or current hepatitis B infection in 1996 spent time in a correctional facility that year.
(10)Between 1.3 and 1.4 million inmates released from prison or jail in 1996 were infected with hepatitis C. The prevalence of hepatitis C among inmates is between 9 and 10 times higher than the estimated hepatitis C prevalence in the Nation’s population as a whole. In the United States, about 30 percent of the total population with hepatitis C virus are former prisoners or have a history of incarceration.
(11)In 1996, an estimated 35 percent of all those in America who had tuberculosis had served time in a correctional facility.
(12)According to estimates, substance abuse is a major characteristic of incoming prisoners. Seventy-five percent of State prisoners, and 80 percent of Federal prisoners, may be characterized as alcohol-involved or drug-involved offenders.
3.Establishment of Office of Correctional Public HealthTitle XVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following section:

1711.Office of Correctional Public Health
(a)In generalThere is established within the Office of Public Health and Science an office to be known as the Office of Correctional Public Health (in this section referred to as the Office), which shall be headed by a director appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall carry out this section acting through the Director of the Office.
(b)General duties
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall carry out public health activities regarding individuals who are employees in Federal, State, or local penal or correctional institutions or who are incarcerated in such institutions (which activities regarding such individuals are referred to in this section as correctional health activities, and which individuals are so referred to collectively as correctional populations). Correctional health activities that may be carried out under the preceding sentence include activities regarding disease prevention, health promotion, service delivery, research, and health professions education.
(2)Certain types of institutionsThe types of penal or correctional institutions with respect to which this section is authorized to be carried out include facilities in which individuals are held pending judicial proceedings (including individuals who are minors), facilities in which individuals are held pending administrative proceedings of the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to citizenship and immigration services, and facilities in which individuals who are minors are held pursuant to judicial proceedings in which such individuals are found, as minors, to have engaged in violations of law.
(c)Certain activitiesIn carrying out correctional health activities under subsection (b), the Secretary shall—
(1)coordinate all correctional health programs within the Department of Health and Human Services;
(2)provide technical support to State and local correctional agencies on correctional health issues;
(3)cooperate with other Federal agencies carrying out correctional health programs to ensure coordination of such programs;
(4)consult with, and provide outreach to, State directors of correctional health and providers of correctional health care;
(5)facilitate the exchange of information regarding correctional health activities; and
(6)facilitate collaboration between correctional facilities and State and local health departments.
(d)Grants regarding hepatitis
(1)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may make grants to States for the purpose of providing for correctional populations screenings, immunizations, and treatment for hepatitis A, B, and C.
(2)Discretion of grantee regarding scope of programA State receiving a grant under paragraph (1) may expend the grant for any or all of the activities authorized in such paragraph.
(3)Requirement of matching funds
(A)In generalWith respect to the costs of the program to be carried out under paragraph (1) by a State, the Secretary may make a grant under such paragraph only if the State agrees to make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount not less than 20 percent of such costs ($1 for each $4 of Federal funds provided in the grant).
(B)Determination of amount contributedNon-Federal contributions required in subparagraph (A) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal contributions.
(4)Certain expenditures of grantThe Secretary may make a grant under paragraph (1) only if, with respect to the activities to be carried out with the grant pursuant to paragraph (2), the State agrees that a portion of the grant will be expended to carry out such activities at penal or correctional institutions that are not facilities in which individuals serve terms of imprisonment, including facilities in which individuals are held pending judicial proceedings.
(e)Annual reportThe Secretary shall annually submit to the Congress a report describing the correctional health activities carried out under this section. The report shall include a description of the status of correctional health activities in the United States.
(f)Rule of construction regarding agency jurisdictionWith respect to correctional health programs that are carried out by agencies of the Public Health Service and were in operation as of the day before the date of the enactment of the Office of Correctional Public Health Act of 2005, this section may not be construed as requiring the Secretary to transfer jurisdiction for the programs from such agencies to the office established in subsection (a).
(g)Authorization of appropriations
(1)In generalFor the purpose of carrying out this section, other than subsection (d), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(2)Grants regarding hepatitisFor the purpose of carrying out subsection (d), there are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2008, and $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 and 2010..


110 HR 2296 IH: Future Fuels Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-12-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 2296
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

A BILL
To reduce the Nation’s oil dependence and enhance the Nation’s ability to produce alternative fuels.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Future Fuels Act.
IAdvanced Technology Motor Vehicle Investment Credit
101.Advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit
(a)In generalSubpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

45N.Advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit
(a)In generalFor purposes of section 38, in the case of an eligible manufacturer, the advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit determined under this section for any taxable year is an amount equal to 33 percent of the qualified investment of the taxpayer for such taxable year.
(b)LimitationThe amount of the credit determined under this section for any taxable year shall not exceed $200,000,000.
(c)Eligible manufacturerFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term eligible manufacturer means any taxpayer if more than 25 percent of the taxpayer’s gross receipts for the taxable year are derived from the manufacture of motor vehicles and component parts of such vehicles.
(2)Requirement of improvement in average fuel economySuch term shall not include any manufacturer of motor vehicles for any taxable year unless the average fuel economy of the manufacturer for light duty vehicles (other than vehicles produced with property described in subsection (d) which was taken into account for purposes of determining a credit under this section) for the most recent model year for which data is available (determined as of the first day of such taxable year) is not less than such average fuel economy for model year 2002. Terms used in this paragraph which are also used in section 30B shall have the same meaning as when used in such section.
(d)Qualified investmentFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term qualified investment means amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year—
(A)to re-equip or expand an existing manufacturing facility of the eligible manufacturer to produce advanced technology motor vehicles or to produce eligible components, and
(B)for qualified engineering integration.
(2)Attribution ruleIn the event a facility of the taxpayer produces both advanced technology motor vehicles and other property, or eligible components and other property, only the qualified investment attributable to production of advanced technology motor vehicles and eligible components shall be taken into account for purposes of this section.
(3)Property used outside United States, etc., not qualifiedAn amount shall not be treated as a qualified investment if such amount is paid or incurred for property referred to in section 50(b) or to the extent such amount is taken into account under section 179.
(4)ElectionAn amount shall not be treated as a qualified investment if the taxpayer elects that such amount not be so treated.
(e)Advanced technology motor vehiclesFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term advanced technology motor vehicle means—
(A)any new advanced lean burn technology motor vehicle (as defined in section 30B(c)(3), determined without regard to subparagraph (A)(iv)(II) thereof and without regard to the weight limitation under subparagraph (A)(iv)(I) thereof), and
(B)any new qualified hybrid motor vehicle (as defined in section section 30B(d)(3)(A), determined without regard to clause (ii)(II) thereof and without regard to the weight limitation under subparagraph (ii)(I) thereof) that achieves at least 140 percent of the 2002 model year city fuel economy (as defined in section 30B(b)(2)(B)).
(2)EPA emission standard requirementsThe term advanced technology motor vehicle shall not include any vehicle unless such vehicle is in compliance with any Environmental Protection Agency emission standard for fine particulate matter for the applicable make and model year of the vehicle.
(f)Eligible componentsFor purposes of this section, the term eligible component means any component specially designed for an advanced technology motor vehicle and installed for the purpose of meeting the performance requirements for such vehicle, including—
(1)with respect to any gasoline-electric new qualified hybrid motor vehicle (as so defined), an electric motor or generator, power split device, power control unit, power controls, integrated starter generator, or battery,
(2)with respect to any advanced lean burn technology motor vehicle (as so defined), a diesel engine, turbocharger, fuel injection system, or after-treatment system such as a particle filter or NOX absorber, and
(3)any other component identified by the Secretary as an eligible component.
(g)Qualified engineering integrationFor purposes of this section, the term qualified engineering integration engineering tasks performed prior to the market introduction of an advanced technology vehicle which are related to—
(1)incorporating eligible components into the design of such vehicle, or
(2)designing new tooling and equipment for facilities to manufacture such vehicle or eligible components for such vehicle.
(h)Denial of double benefitIn the case of the amount of the credit determined under this section—
(1)no deduction or credit shall be allowed for such amount under any other provision of this chapter, and
(2)no increase in the adjusted basis of any property shall result from such amount.
(i)Aggregation and allocation rulesFor purposes of this section, rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 41(f) shall apply.
(j)RecaptureThe Secretary shall, by regulations, provide for recapturing any credit allowed under this section with respect to any qualified investment which ceases to be a qualified investment.
(k)TerminationNo credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to any amount paid or incurred after December 31, 2017. .
(b)Credit allowed as part of general business creditSection 38(b) of such Code is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph (25), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (26) and inserting , plus, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(27)in the case of an eligible manufacturer (as defined in section 45N(c)), the advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit determined under section 45N(a). .
(c)Credit allowed against net income taxSection 38(c) of such Code is amended by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraph (3) through (6), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:

(2)Special rules for advanced technology motor vehicle investment creditIn the case of the advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit determined under section 45N(a)—
(A)this section and section 39 shall be applied separately with respect to such credit, and
(B)in applying paragraph (1) to such credit—
(i)the amounts described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph shall be treated as being zero, and
(ii)the limitation under paragraph (1) (as modified by clause (i)) shall be reduced by the credit allowed under subsection (a) for the taxable year (other than the advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit determined under section 45N(a), the empowerment zone employment employment credit, the New York Liberty Zone business employee credit, or the specified credits). .
(d)Clerical amendments
(1)Section 1016(a) of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of paragraph (36), by striking the period and the end of paragraph (37) and inserting , and, and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(38)to the extent provided in section 45N(h)(2). .
(2)Section 6501(m) of such Code is amended by inserting 45N(d)(4), after 45C(d)(4),.
(3)The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 45N. Advanced technology motor vehicle investment credit.  .
(e)Effective DateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2006.
IIFuel Choice
201.Fuel economy credits proportional to alternative fuel used in dual fuel vehicles
(a)Fuel economy calculations for alternative fuel vehiclesSection 32905 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1)in subsections (b) and (d)—
(A)by amending paragraph (1) of each such subsection to read as follows:

(1)the number determined by—
(A)subtracting from 1.0 the alternative fuel use factor; and
(B)dividing the number calculated under subparagraph (A) by the fuel economy measured under section 32904(c) when operating the model on gasoline or diesel fuel; and ; and
(B)by amending paragraph (2) of each such subsection to read as follows:

(2)the number determined by dividing the alternative fuel use factor by the fuel economy measured under subsection (a) when operating the model on alternative fuel. .
(2)by adding at the end the following:

(h)Determination of alternative fuel use factor
(1)DefinitionFor purposes of subsections (b) and (d), the term alternative fuel use factor means the factor determined by the Administrator under paragraph (3).
(2)Aggregate amount of fuelAt the beginning of each calendar year, the Secretary of Transportation shall estimate the aggregate amount of fuel and the aggregate amount of alternative fuel used to operate all dual fuel automobiles during the most recent 12-month period.
(3)Determination of alternative fuel use factorThe Administrator shall determine, by regulation, the alternative fuel use factor for dual fueled automobiles, on an energy equivalent basis, by calculating the ratio that the amount of alternative fuel used by each model bears to the total amount of fuel used by such model. .
(b)Applicability of existing standardThe amendments made by this section shall not affect the application of section 32901 of title 49, United States Code, to automobiles manufactured before model year 2007.
(c)Effective DateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2007.
202.Flexible fuel vehicle standards
(a)DefinitionsIn this section:
(1)Alternative fuel; alternative fueled automobile; automobileThe terms alternative fuel, alternative fueled automobile, and automobile have the meanings given such terms in section 32901 of title 49, United States Code.
(2)Flexible fuel vehiclesThe term flexible fuel vehicle means a light duty motor vehicle warranted by the manufacturer to operate using gasoline and 1 or more alternative fuels, including ethanol and methanol in blends up to 85 percent alternative fuel by volume.
(b)Increasing percentage of alternative fueled automobiles or flexible fuel vehicles
(1)In generalOf the new automobiles sold by a manufacturer in the United States—
(A)not less than 10 percent manufactured by that manufacturer for model year 2009 shall be alternative fueled automobiles or flexible fuel vehicles;
(B)not less than 20 percent manufactured by that manufacturer for model year 2010 shall be alternative fueled automobiles or flexible fuel vehicles;
(C)not less than 35 percent manufactured by that manufacturer for model year 2011 shall be alternative fueled automobiles or flexible fuel vehicles; and
(D)not less than 50 percent manufactured by that manufacturer for model year 2012, and each year thereafter, shall be alternative fueled automobiles or flexible fuel vehicles.
(2)RulemakingNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.
(c)Alternative fuel retail outlets
(1)RequirementBeginning in the first year in which 10 percent or more of the registered vehicles in a county are capable of using an alternative fuel, each retail motor fuel outlet in that county with 10 or more vehicle fuel pumps shall offer such alternative fuel at not less than 10 percent of such pumps.
(2)CreditsA retail motor fuel outlet shall be in compliance with the requirement under paragraph (1) if a sufficient number of credits have been purchased for it from another retail motor fuel outlet that operates more than the minimum required number of alternative fuel pumps, and is within 20 miles of the purchasing retail motor fuel outlet.
(3)ProjectionsNot later than July 1st of each year, the Secretary of Energy shall—
(A)identify the counties in which at least 10 percent of the registered vehicles are expected to be capable of using a designated alternative fuel within the following 18-month period;
(B)notify owners and operators of retail motor fuel outlets in the counties identified under subparagraph (A) of the alternative fuel pump requirement under this subsection; and
(C)grant counties an exemption to the requirement in paragraph (1) if they demonstrate to the Secretary that there is not an adequate alternative fuel supply to meet the requirement.
(4)RulemakingThe Secretary of Energy shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.
IIIFuel efficiency
301.Oil savings studies
(a)In generalThe Secretary of Transportation shall develop and implement pilot projects the purpose of which is to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
(b)Highway congestion tolling evaluation studyThe Secretary shall carry out evaluation projects in no less than 6 metropolitan areas selected by the Secretary to determine how technology can best be applied to assess mileage-based road user charges on major highways at peak-commuting times for the purposes of—
(1)reducing oil usage;
(2)lessening highway congestion; and
(3)expanding travel alternatives.
(c)Parking cash-out evaluation project
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall carry out a national evaluation pilot project to assess how offering commuters the option to receive the cash value of their workplace parking place, if any, instead of free parking can—
(A)reduce oil usage;
(B)lessen highway congestion; and
(C)expand travel alternatives.
(2)Employer requirementUnder the evaluation pilot project, any employer that is participating in the pilot project and offers free-of-charge commuter parking to the employees of the employer must also offer a cashout alternative to employees.
(d)ReportThe Secretary shall submit to Congress every 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, a report on the progress and results of pilot projects under this section. The report shall provide an analysis and summary of project implementation, changes in oil usage and travel demand, and other matters as deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
(e)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (b) $4,000,000, and to carry out subsection (c) $4,000,000, for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2016.
302.Insurance savings incentive program
(a)Per-mile InsuranceThe Secretary of Transportation shall establish a program to provide incentives to insurance providers to sell automobile insurance policies on a per-mile basis.
(b)Incentives
(1)Start-up costsUnder the program, the Secretary of Transportation shall assist automobile insurance providers with the development and startup costs necessary to offer customers of such providers the option of purchasing automobile insurance at a per-mile-driven rate.
(2)Per-mile compensationUnder the program, the Secretary of Transportation shall compensate an insurance provider at the rate of one cent per mile driven by each passenger vehicle for which the insurance premiums are determined by the insurance provider to be the multiplicative product of a per-mile-driven rate and a variable number of miles driven. Such per-mile-driven rate may reflect both traditional underwriting factors and the coverages selected. An insurance provider may only receive incentive payments for an insurance policy under this section if the per-mile-driven premium charges on such policy apply to all vehicles of a household insured by such provider and account for at least 70 percent of the total premium charge for liability and collision coverages of each vehicle insured by such provider.
(c)Authorization of appropriations
(1)Administrative costsThere is authorized to be appropriated for the administrative costs of the program established under subsection (a) $10,000,000.
(2)Start-up costsThere is authorized to be appropriated to fund start-up costs under subsection (b)(1) $20,000,000.
(3)Per-mile compensationThere is authorized to be appropriated to fund incentives under subsection (b)(2) $220,000,000.
(4)AvailabilityFunds appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
303.Transit-oriented development corridors
(a)DefinitionsIn this section the following definitions apply:
(1)Definitions from title 49, united states codeThe terms capital project, local governmental authority, mass transportation, and urbanized area have the meanings such terms have under section 5302 of title 49, United States Code.
(2)StateThe term State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.
(3)Transit-oriented development corridorThe term transit-oriented development corridor means rights-of-way for fixed-guideway mass transportation facilities, including commercial development that is connected with any such facility physically and functionally.
(b)In generalIn consultation with State transportation departments and metropolitan planning organizations, the Secretary shall designate, in urbanized areas, at least 20 transit-oriented development corridors by 2015 and 50 transit-oriented development corridors by 2025.
(c)Transit grantsThe Secretary shall award grants to a State or local governmental authority to construct or improve transit facilities, bicycle transportation facilities, and pedestrian walkways in transit-oriented development corridors, including capital projects.
(d)Research and developmentIn order to support effective deployment of grants and incentives under this section, the Secretary shall establish a transit-oriented development corridors research and development program for the conduct of research on best practices and performance criteria for transit-oriented development corridors.
(e)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2017, of which $2,000,000 per fiscal year is authorized for the research and development program under subsection (d).
(f)Labor standardsThe Secretary shall not provide a grant under this section for a transit project unless the Secretary receives reasonable assurances from a State that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction or modernization on the transit project will be paid wages not less than those prevailing on similar construction or modernization in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor under the Act of March 3, 1931 (known as the Davis-Bacon Act) (40 U.S.C. 276a et seq.).
304.Motor vehicle tires supporting maximum fuel efficiency
(a)Standards for tires manufactured for interstate commerceSection 30123 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1)in subsection (b), by inserting after the first sentence the following: The grading system shall include standards for rating the fuel efficiency of tires designed for use on passenger cars and light trucks.; and
(2)by adding at the end the following:

(d)National tire fuel efficiency program
(1)The Secretary shall develop and carry out a national tire fuel efficiency program for tires designed for use on passenger cars and light trucks.
(2)The program shall include the following:
(A)Policies and procedures for testing and labeling tires for fuel economy to enable tire buyers to make informed purchasing decisions about the fuel economy of tires.
(B)Policies and procedures to promote the purchase of energy-efficient replacement tires, including purchase incentives, website listings on the Internet, printed fuel economy guide booklets, and mandatory requirements for tire retailers to provide tire buyers with fuel-efficiency information on tires.
(C)Minimum fuel economy standards for tires, promulgated by the Secretary.
(3)The minimum fuel economy standards for tires shall—
(A)ensure, in conjunction with the requirements under paragraph (2)(B), that the average fuel economy of replacement tires is equal to or better than the average fuel economy of tires sold as original equipment;
(B)secure the maximum technically feasible and cost-effective fuel savings;
(C)not adversely affect tire safety;
(D)not adversely affect the average tire life of replacement tires;
(E)incorporate the results from—
(i)laboratory testing; and
(ii)to the extent appropriate and available, on-road fleet testing programs conducted by the manufacturers; and
(F)not adversely affect efforts to manage scrap tires.
(4)The policies, procedures, and standards developed under paragraph (2) shall apply to all types and models of tires that are covered by the uniform tire quality grading standards under section 575.104 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(5)Not less often than every three years, the Secretary shall review the minimum fuel economy standards in effect for tires under this subsection and revise the standards as necessary to ensure compliance with requirements under paragraph (3). The Secretary may not, however, reduce the average fuel economy standards applicable to replacement tires.
(6)Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preempt any provision of State law relating to higher fuel economy standards applicable to replacement tires designed for use on passenger cars and light trucks.
(7)Nothing in this chapter shall apply to—
(A)a tire or group of tires with the same SKU, plant, and year, for which the volume of tires produced or imported is less than 15,000 annually;
(B)a deep tread, winter-type snow tire, space-saver tire, or temporary use spare tire;
(C)a tire with a normal rim diameter of 12 inches or less;
(D)a motorcycle tire; or
(E)a tire manufactured specifically for use in an off-road motorized recreational vehicle.
(8)In this subsection, the term fuel economy, with respect to tires, means the extent to which the tires contribute to the fuel economy of the motor vehicles on which the tires are mounted. .
(b)Conforming amendmentSection 30103(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended in paragraph (1) by striking When and inserting Except as provided in section 30123(d) of this title, when.
(c)Time for implementationThe Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that the national tire fuel efficiency program required under subsection (d) of section 30123 of title 49, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)(2)), is administered so as to apply the policies, procedures, and standards developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection (d) beginning not later than March 31, 2009.


 HR 6896 ENR: United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives

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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.

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One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen
H. R. 6896

AN ACT
To provide for the continued performance of the functions of the United States Parole Commission, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2018. 2.Amendment of sentencing reform act of 1984For purposes of section 235(b) of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (18 U.S.C. 3551 note; Public Law 98–473; 98 Stat. 2032), as such section relates to chapter 311 of title 18, United States Code, and the United States Parole Commission, each reference in such section to 31 years or 31-year period shall be deemed a reference to 33 years or 33-year period, respectively.
3.Parole commission report
(a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the United States Parole Commission shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives the following for fiscal year 2018: (1)The number of offenders in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction, including the number of Sexual or Violent Offender Registry offenders and Tier Levels offenders.
(2)The number of hearings, record reviews and National Appeals Board considerations conducted by the Commission in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (3)The number of hearings conducted by the Commission by type of hearing in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
(4)The number of record reviews conducted by the Commission by type of consideration in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (5)The number of warrants issued and executed compared to the number requested in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
(6)The number of revocation determinations by the Commission in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (7)The distribution of initial offenses, including violent offenses, for offenders in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
(8)The distribution of subsequent offenses, including violent offenses, for offenders in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (9)The percentage of offenders paroled or re-paroled compared with the percentage of offenders continued to expiration of sentence (less any good time) in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
(10)The percentage of cases (except probable cause hearings and hearings in which a continuance was ordered) in which the primary and secondary examiner disagreed on the appropriate disposition of the case (the amount of time to be served before release), the release conditions to be imposed, or the reasons for the decision in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (11)The percentage of decisions within, above, or below the Commission’s decision guidelines for Federal initial hearings (28 CFR 2.20) and Federal and D.C. Code revocation hearings (28 CFR 2.21).
(12)The percentage of revocation and non-revocation hearings in which the offender is accompanied by a representative in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (13)The number of administrative appeals and the action of the National Appeals Board in relation to those appeals in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction.
(14)The projected number of Federal offenders that will be under the Commission’s jurisdiction as of October 31, 2021. (15)An estimate of the date on which no Federal offenders will remain under the Commission’s jurisdiction.
(16)The Commission’s annual expenditures for offenders in each type of case over which the Commission has jurisdiction. (17)The annual expenditures of the Commission, including travel expenses and the annual salaries of the members and staff of the Commission.
(b)Succeeding fiscal yearsFor each of fiscal years 2019 through 2021, not later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, the United States Parole Commission shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives the items in paragraphs (1) through (17) of subsection (a), for the fiscal year. (c)District of Columbia parole failure rate reportNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the United States Parole Commission shall report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives the following:
(1)The parole failure rate for the District of Columbia for the last full fiscal year immediately preceding the date of the report. (2)The factors that cause that parole failure rate.
(3)Remedial measures that might be undertaken to reduce that parole failure rate. 4.Prison rape elimination standards auditorsSection 8(e)(8) of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (34 U.S.C. 30307(e)(8)) is amended to read as follows:

(8)Standards for auditors
(A)In general
(i)Background checks for auditorsAn individual seeking certification by the Department of Justice to serve as an auditor of prison compliance with the national standards described in subsection (a) shall, upon request, submit fingerprints in the manner determined by the Attorney General for criminal history record checks of the applicable State and Federal Bureau of Investigation repositories. (ii)Certification agreementsEach auditor certified under this paragraph shall sign a certification agreement that includes the provisions of, or provisions that are substantially similar to, the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Auditor Certification Agreement in use in April 2018.
(iii)Auditor evaluationThe PREA Management Office of the Bureau of Justice Assistance shall evaluate all auditors based on the criteria contained in the certification agreement. In the case that an auditor fails to comply with a certification agreement or to conduct audits in accordance with the PREA Auditor Handbook, audit methodology, and instrument approved by the PREA Management Office, the Office may take remedial or disciplinary action, as appropriate, including decertifying the auditor in accordance with subparagraph (B). (B)Auditor decertification (i)In generalThe PREA Management Office may suspend an auditor’s certification during an evaluation of an auditor’s performance under subparagraph (A)(iii). The PREA Management Office shall promptly publish the names of auditors who have been decertified, and the reason for decertification. Auditors who have been decertified or are on suspension may not participate in audits described in subsection (a), including as an agent of a certified auditor.
(ii)NotificationIn the case that an auditor is decertified, the PREA Management Office shall inform each facility or agency at which the auditor performed an audit during the relevant 3-year audit cycle, and may recommend that the agency repeat any affected audits, if appropriate. (C)Audit assignmentsThe PREA Management Office shall establish a system, to be administered by the Office, for assigning certified auditors to Federal, State, and local facilities.
(D)Disclosure of documentationThe Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall comply with each request for documentation necessary to conduct an audit under subsection (a), which is made by a certified auditor in accordance with the provisions of the certification agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii). The Director of the Bureau of Prisons may require an auditor to sign a confidentiality agreement or other agreement designed to address the auditor’s use of personally identifiable information, except that such an agreement may not limit an auditor’s ability to provide all such documentation to the Department of Justice, as required under section 115.401(j) of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations..  Speaker of the House of Representatives.Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.


114 HR 4971 IH: PIPE Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-04-15
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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.

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114th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4971
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 15, 2016
Ms. Speier (for herself and Ms. Hahn) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a criminal penalty for recklessly damaging or destroying certain pipeline facilities, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Prosecuting Irresponsible Pipeline Explosions Act of 2016 or the PIPE Act of 2016. 2.Criminal penalty for damaging or destroying certain pipeline facilitiesSection 60123 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1)in subsection (b) by inserting or recklessly after knowingly and willfully; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

(e)Reckless violationsFor purposes of this section, a person acts recklessly when the person displays a deliberate indifference or conscious disregard to the consequences of that person’s conduct..