115 S2903 IS: Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2018
U.S. Senate
2018-05-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2903IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 22, 2018Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo address foreign threats to higher education in the United States.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2018.
		2.Designation of foreign intelligence threats to higher education
 (a)In generalChapter 33 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  540D.Designation of foreign intelligence threats to higher education (a)DefinitionsIn this section—
 (1)the term classified information has the meaning given that term in section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.);
 (2)the term Director means the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting in consultation with the Attorney General, Secretary of Education, and the Director of National Intelligence;
 (3)the term foreign actor means— (A)a foreign government or its auxiliary territories, or any component thereof, whether or not recognized by the United States;
 (B)a foreign-based political organization, not substantially composed of United States persons; (C)a faction of a foreign nation or nations, not substantially composed of United States persons;
 (D)an entity that is openly acknowledged by a foreign government or governments to be directed and controlled by such foreign government or governments;
 (E)any partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons who acts as an agent, representative, employee, or servant of, or whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized in whole or in major part by a government, organization, faction, or entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D); or
 (F)any individual who acts as an agent, representative, employee, or servant of, or whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized in whole or in major part by a government, organization, faction, or entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D), unless such individual is a citizen of and domiciled within the United States;
 (4)the term institution means any institution of higher education, as defined under section 101 of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1001);
 (5)the term national security means the national defense, foreign relations, or economic interests of the United States; (6)the term relevant committees of Congress means—
 (A)the Committee on the Judiciary, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and
 (B)the Committee on the Judiciary, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives; and
 (7)the term United States person has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801).
							(b)Designation
 (1)In generalThe Director shall designate a foreign actor as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education, in accordance with this subsection, if the Director finds that the foreign actor has committed, attempted to commit, or conspired to commit, in connection with an institution, one or more of the following:
 (A)Espionage, in violation of sections 791 through 799 of title 18. (B)Kidnapping, in violation of section 1201 of title 18.
 (C)Fraud or misuse of visas, permits, or other documents, in violation of section 1546 of title 18. (D)Aggravated identity theft, in violation of section 1028A of title 18.
 (E)Fraud or related activity in connection with access devices, in violation of section 1029 of title 18.
 (F)Fraud or related activity in connection with computers, in violation of section 1030 of title 18. (G)Economic espionage, in violation of section 1831 of title 18.
 (H)Theft of trade secrets, in violation of section 1832 of title 18. (I)Terrorism, in violation of sections 2331 through 2339D of title 18.
 (J)Interception or disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications, in violation of section 2511 of title 18.
								(2)Procedure
								(A)Notice before designation
 (i)To congressional leadersNot later than 7 days before making a designation under this subsection, the Director shall submit to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President pro tempore, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader of the Senate, and the members of the relevant committees of Congress—
 (I)written notice of the intent of the Director to designate a foreign actor under this subsection; and
 (II)the findings made under paragraph (1) with respect to foreign actor and the factual basis therefor.
 (ii)To the Attorney GeneralNot later than 7 days before making a designation under this subsection, the Director shall submit to the Attorney General, for the Attorney General to determine whether further investigation or prosecution is warranted—
 (I)written notice of the intent of the Director to designate a foreign actor under this subsection; and
 (II)the findings made under paragraph (1) with respect to the foreign actor and the factual basis therefor.
 (iii)Protection of classified informationThe notice and findings submitted under clauses (i) and (ii) may be in classified form. (B)Publication in Federal registerIf the Director makes a designation under this subsection, the Director shall publish the designation in the Federal Register on the date of the designation.
 (C)Effect of designationFor purposes of section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011f), a designation under this subsection shall take effect upon publication under subparagraph (B).
								(3)Record
 (A)In generalIn making a designation under this subsection, the Director shall create an administrative record. (B)Classified informationThe Director may consider classified information in making a designation under this subsection. Classified information shall not be subject to disclosure for such time as it remains classified, except that such information may be disclosed to a court ex parte and in camera for purposes of judicial review under subsection (d).
								(4)Period of designation
 (A)In generalA designation under this subsection shall be effective for all purposes until revoked under paragraph (5) or (6) or set aside under subsection (d).
								(B)Review of designation upon petition
 (i)In generalThe Director shall review the designation of a foreign intelligence threat to higher education under the procedures set forth in clauses (iii) and (iv) if the designated foreign actor files a petition for revocation within the petition period described in clause (ii).
 (ii)Petition periodFor purposes of clause (i)— (I)if the designated foreign actor has not previously filed a petition for revocation under this subparagraph, the petition period begins 2 years after the date on which the designation was made; or
 (II)if the designated foreign actor has previously filed a petition for revocation under this subparagraph, the petition period begins 2 years after the date of the determination made under clause (iv) with respect to that petition.
 (iii)ProceduresAny foreign actor designated as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education that submits a petition for revocation under this subparagraph shall provide evidence in the petition that the relevant circumstances described in paragraph (1) are sufficiently different from the circumstances that were the basis for the designation such that a revocation with respect to the foreign actor is warranted.
									(iv)Determination
 (I)In generalNot later than 180 days after receiving a petition for revocation submitted under this subparagraph, the Director shall make a determination as to such revocation.
 (II)Classified informationThe Director may consider classified information in making a determination in response to a petition for revocation. Classified information shall not be subject to disclosure for such time as it remains classified, except that such information may be disclosed to a court ex parte and in camera for purposes of judicial review under subsection (d).
 (III)Publication of determinationA determination made by the Director under this clause shall be published in the Federal Register. (IV)ProceduresAny revocation of a designation by the Director shall be made in accordance with paragraph (6).
										(C)Other review of designation
 (i)In generalIf no review has taken place under subparagraph (B) during any 5-year period, the Director shall review the designation of a foreign actor as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education in order to determine whether such designation should be revoked pursuant to paragraph (6).
 (ii)ProceduresIf a review does not take place pursuant to subparagraph (B) in response to a petition for revocation that is filed in accordance with that subparagraph, the review shall be conducted pursuant to procedures established by the Director. The results of such review and the applicable procedures shall not be reviewable in any court.
 (iii)Publication of results of reviewThe Director shall publish any determination made under this subparagraph in the Federal Register.
 (5)Revocation by Act of CongressCongress, by an Act of Congress, may block or revoke a designation made under paragraph (1). (6)Revocation based on change in circumstances (A)In generalThe Director may revoke a designation made under paragraph (1) at any time, and shall revoke a designation upon completion of a review conducted pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (4) if the Director finds that—
 (i)the circumstances that were the basis for the designation have changed in such a manner as to warrant revocation; or
 (ii)the national security of the United States warrants a revocation. (B)ProcedureThe procedural requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply to a revocation under this paragraph. Any revocation shall take effect on the date specified in the revocation or upon publication in the Federal Register if no effective date is specified.
 (7)Effect of revocationThe revocation of a designation under paragraph (5) or (6) shall not affect any action or proceeding based on conduct committed prior to the effective date of such revocation.
							(c)Amendments to a designation
 (1)In generalThe Director may amend a designation under subsection (b) if the Director finds that the foreign actor has changed its name, adopted a new alias, dissolved and then reconstituted itself under a different name or names, or merged with another foreign actor.
 (2)ProcedureAmendments made to a designation in accordance with paragraph (1) shall be effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (b)(2) shall apply to an amended designation upon such publication. Paragraphs (2)(A)(i), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) of subsection (b) shall also apply to an amended designation.
 (3)Administrative recordThe administrative record shall be corrected to include the amendments as well as any additional relevant information that supports those amendments.
 (4)Classified informationThe Director may consider classified information in amending a designation in accordance with this subsection. Classified information shall not be subject to disclosure for such time as it remains classified, except that such information may be disclosed to a court ex parte and in camera for purposes of judicial review under subsection (d).
							(d)Judicial review of designation
 (1)In generalNot later than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register of a designation, an amended designation, or a determination in response to a petition for revocation, the foreign actor designated as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education may seek judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
 (2)Basis of reviewReview under this subsection shall be based solely upon the administrative record, except that the Government may submit, for ex parte and in camera review, classified information used in making the designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation, in a manner consistent with the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.).
 (3)Scope of reviewThe Court shall hold unlawful and set aside a designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation the court finds to be—
 (A)arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law; (B)contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity;
 (C)in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitation, or short of statutory right; (D)lacking substantial support in the administrative record taken as a whole or in classified information submitted to the court under paragraph (2); or
 (E)not in accord with the procedures required by law. (4)Judicial review invokedThe pendency of an action for judicial review of a designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation shall not affect the application of this section, unless the court issues a final order setting aside the designation, amended designation, or determination in response to a petition for revocation.
							(e)Reports
 (1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, and every year thereafter, the Director shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a detailed report containing the following:
 (A)A description and assessment of foreign actors who engage in activities listed in subsection (b)(1).
 (B)An assessment of the impact of foreign actors who engage in activities listed in subsection (b)(1) on scholarship and research and development in connection with institutions.
 (C)An assessment of the implementation and operation of the designation process for foreign intelligence threats to higher education established under this section.
 (D)An assessment of the likely effects of the designation of foreign intelligence threats to higher education on activities listed in subsection (b)(1) in connection with institutions.
 (2)Form of reportsThe reports required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted in an unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex..
 (b)Technical and conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 33 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
				540D. Designation of foreign intelligence threats to higher education..
 3.Disclosure of foreign gifts or contractsSection 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011f) is amended— (1)by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

					(a)Disclosure report
 (1)In generalAn institution described in paragraph (2) for a calendar year shall file a disclosure report under subsection (b) with the Secretary by January 31 or July 31, whichever is sooner.
 (2)Types of institutionsAn institution described in this paragraph is an institution that— (A)is owned or controlled by a foreign source;
 (B)receives a gift from or enters into a contract with a foreign source, the value of which is $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with that foreign source within a calendar year; or
 (C)receives a gift from or enters into a contract with a foreign intelligence threat to higher education, or any agent thereof, the value of which is $50,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with that foreign intelligence threat to higher education within a calendar year.;
 (2)in subsection (b)— (A)by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and adjusting the margins appropriately;
 (B)by striking Report.—Each and inserting the following:  Report.—(1)In generalEach; (C)in subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by inserting , as measured by the fair market value of such gifts and contracts after particular country;
 (D)in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated— (i)by inserting the identity of the foreign government and, if applicable, the foreign government agency, and after with a foreign government,; and
 (ii)by inserting , as measured by the fair market value of such gifts and contracts before the period at the end; and (E)by adding at the end the following:

 (2)Requirements relating to foreign intelligence threatsFor any institution described in subsection (a)(2)(C), the report required under this section shall contain, in addition to any applicable information required under paragraph (1)—
 (A)the identity of the foreign intelligence threat to higher education involved; and (B)the aggregate dollar amount of such gifts and contracts attributable to the foreign intelligence threat to higher education, as measured by the fair market value of such gifts and contracts.;
 (3)in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:  (3)For any such gift received from, or contract entered into with, a foreign intelligence threat to higher education, the fair market value of the gift or contract, the date of the gift or contract, and a description of any such conditions or restrictions on the gift or contract.;
 (4)in subsection (e), by inserting , and shall also be accessible to the public through electronic means before the period at the end; and (5)in subsection (h)—
 (A)by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively; (B)by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

 (2)the term foreign intelligence threat to higher education means any foreign source that is designated as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education in accordance with section 540D of title 28, United States Code;;
 (C)in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking or property and inserting , property, services, or payment to the staff of an institution; (D)by striking paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) and inserting the following:

 (5)the term institution means an institution of higher education— (A)to which Federal financial assistance is extended (directly or indirectly through another entity or person); or
 (B)that receives support from the extension of Federal financial assistance to any of the institution's subunits; and
 (E)in paragraph (6)(B) (as so redesignated), by inserting institutes, instructional programs, before research or lecture.


116 HR 8435 IH: HOV Lanes for Heroes Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8435IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 29, 2020Mr. Rose of New York (for himself and Mr. Katko) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo allow certain veterans to use high occupancy vehicle lanes, including toll lanes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the HOV Lanes for Heroes Act . 2.HOV facilities(a)In generalSection 166(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the following:(6)Disabled veterans(A)In generalThe public authority may allow a disabled veteran to use the HOV facility if such veteran has a license plate that clearly identifies the vehicle, a registered transponder, or other method of identification the public authority considers necessary for qualification.(B)Definition of disabled veteranFor purposes of this paragraph, the term disabled veteran means a veteran (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 38) who the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined has a service-connected (as such term is defined in such section) disability rated at or above a percentage determined to be qualifying by the public authority.(C)Occupancy exceptionNotwithstanding the occupancy requirement of subsection (a)(2), 1 occupant described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph may be permitted to use a HOV facility.(D)No charge for tollsUnder this paragraph, a public authority may charge no toll..(b)Conforming amendmentsSection 166 of such title is further amended—(1)in subsection (b)(1) by striking through (5) and inserting through (6); and(2)in subsection (d)(1) by striking paragraph (4) or (5) and inserting paragraph (4), (5), or (6).


116 S81 IS: Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act
U.S. Senate
2019-01-10
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 81IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 10, 2019Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo adjust the eastern boundary of the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area in the
			 State of Oregon, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act. 2.Boundary adjustment, Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area boundary adjustment, Oregon (a)Boundary adjustmentThe boundary of the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area is modified to exclude approximately 688 acres of public land, as depicted on the map entitled Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area (WSA) Proposed Boundary Adjustment and dated September 26, 2018.
			(b)Effect of exclusion
 (1)In generalThe public land excluded from the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area under subsection (a)—
 (A)is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and
 (B)shall be managed in accordance with— (i)this section;
 (ii)the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and (iii)any applicable resource management plan.
 (2)ManagementThe Secretary of the Interior shall manage the land excluded from the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area under subsection (a) to improve fire resiliency and forest health, including the conduct of wildfire prevention and response activities, as appropriate.
 (3)Off-road recreational motorized useThe Secretary of the Interior shall not permit off-road recreational motorized use on the public land excluded from the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area under subsection (a).


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4258
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 26, 2012
			Mr. McDermott
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To ensure free, fair, and competitive elections in the
		  Republic of Georgia.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Republic of Georgia Democracy Act of
			 2012.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)A
			 democratic and stable Republic of Georgia is in the political, security, and
			 economic interests of the United States.
			(2)Georgia plays a
			 key role in the security of the Black Sea and South Caucasus region, which is
			 important for Euro-Atlantic security, transportation, and energy
			 diversification to and from the Caspian Sea.
			(3)Georgia has been a
			 reliable partner and ally in enhancing global peace and stability with its
			 significant contribution to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
			(4)The United
			 States–Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, signed in January 2009,
			 outlines the importance of the bilateral relationship as well as the intent of
			 both countries to expand democracy and economic programs, enhance defense and
			 security cooperation, further trade and energy cooperation, and build
			 people-to-people cultural exchanges.
			(5)Georgia’s
			 democratic nature is one of its core strengths and the basis for the deep
			 friendship between Georgia and the United States. As such, continued democratic
			 reform, the strength of Georgia’s democratic institutions, and regular free,
			 fair, and competitive elections are key priorities for a strong continuing
			 relationship between the United States and Georgia.
			(6)Democracy in
			 Georgia is facing serious challenges and political freedom and fair competition
			 between political parties is under assault. For example, the government has
			 increased detaining members of the political opposition and civil society
			 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), limited freedom of the press, undermined
			 the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively, and stopped
			 opposition groups from holding demonstrations—often by violent means.
			(7)According to the
			 Department of State’s 2010 Human Rights Report on Georgia, when President
			 Mikheil Saakashvili was re-elected to the Presidency in 2008, the OSCE
			 identified significant problems, including widespread allegations of
			 intimidation and pressure, flawed vote-counting and tabulation processes, and
			 shortcomings in the complaints and appeals process. These and other problems
			 continued into the parliamentary elections in May 2008, which international
			 observers concluded were uneven and incomplete in their adherence to
			 international standards..
			(8)On February 13,
			 2012, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Peaceful
			 Assembly and Association Maina Kiai concluded at the end of his visit to
			 Georgia that the previous positive trajectory of the country was being replaced
			 with a widespread climate of fear, intimidation and arbitrary
			 restrictions of fundamental freedoms. He identified multiple problems,
			 including with the way in which the government undermined political parties and
			 NGOs, such as prosecuting and detaining political activists with little to no
			 evidence. Furthermore, he noted, there have been long standing
			 concerns—by regional bodies and the UN—about the inability to distinguish
			 between the ruling party and the state, which is especially relevant in light
			 of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections..
			(9)Georgia will hold
			 parliamentary elections in October 2012. In the run-up to the election,
			 Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and the Georgian Parliament enacted
			 constitutional changes that reduce the power of the president and increase the
			 power of the prime minister.
			(10)Georgian
			 President Mikheil Saakashvili’s presidential term ends in 2013 and it has been
			 reported that he plans to assume the role of Prime Minister if his political
			 party, United National Movement (UNM), wins the majority of the seats in the
			 Parliament, which it currently has.
			(11)Bidzina
			 Ivanishvili, a Georgian businessman who has never served in the Georgian
			 Government, launched a new political party called Georgian Dream, on October 5,
			 2011, in an effort to unify the Georgian opposition parties and challenge
			 Saakashvili’s increasingly dictatorial control over Georgia’s
			 government.
			(12)In response to
			 the creation of Georgian Dream, Mikheil Saakashvili’s regime stripped Bidzina
			 Ivanishvili of his citizenship despite the fact that Mikheil Saakashvili
			 granted Ivanishvili’s citizenship in the first place, Ivanishvili was born in
			 Georgia, and there is no legal basis for his citizenship to be revoked.
			(13)Since the launch
			 of Georgian Dream, the Saakashvili regime has launched a concerted, aggressive
			 campaign to undermine Georgian Dream’s ability to compete against Saakashvili’s
			 party in the Parliamentary elections. For example, the Georgian Government has
			 fired those employees, especially teachers, who support Ivanishvili or other
			 opposition parties.
			(14)The Georgian
			 Government has increased harassment and detention of the supporters of
			 Ivanishvili, Georgian Dream and other opposition parties, often through violent
			 means, without due process. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been
			 detained in March 2012 as part of a concerted effort to intimidate voters and
			 opposition campaigners.
			(15)On February 27,
			 2011, Solomon Kimeridze, an Ivanishvili supporter, died under suspicious
			 circumstances while in police custody.
			(16)On May 26, 2011,
			 Georgian security officials killed two protesters while using violent means to
			 break-up a peaceful protest. An investigation into this incident has been
			 requested by United States Ambassador Robert Bass, the United Nations High
			 Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Commission, Human Rights Watch, and
			 Amnesty International.
			(17)On December 28,
			 2011, the Georgian Parliament passed new election laws that will limit
			 opposition parties’ access to funds. The OSCE and the U.S. State Department
			 criticized this law for both its substance and the abnormal way in which it was
			 enacted by the Saakashvili-controlled parliament. Furthermore, the Chamber of
			 Control, the state audit agency that is controlled by Saakashvili, created a
			 new division specifically focused on investigating Georgian Dream and Bidzina
			 Ivanishvili and blocking Ivanishvili’s financial support for opposition
			 candidates and party building.
			(18)United Nations
			 Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
			 Maina Kiai concluded that these changes to the election law appear to
			 affect the rights to association and to peaceful assembly … these amendments,
			 which at times use ambiguous language, are fuelling an overall climate of
			 distrust, and appear to largely violate international human rights
			 law..
			(19)The Saakashvili
			 regime has warped the Georgian banking sector, previously a model of
			 post-Soviet success and transparency, in an effort to destroy Bank Cartu, a
			 bank owned by Bidzina Ivanishvili. Based on a law passed at the end of October
			 2011 after Ivanishvili announced the creation of Georgian Dream, the Georgian
			 Government seized over millions of dollars in bank assets. The American Chamber
			 of Commerce criticized this new law, predicted that it would undermine a model
			 banking system that has been built with the support of the United States
			 Government, IMF, and World Bank. The Georgian Government has only applied this
			 new law, which gives the Government the right to seize loan collateral before
			 the banks that issued the loan, to Bank Cartu and no other banks. As a result,
			 the Saakashvili regime continues to seize Bank Cartu assets in an effort to
			 force the bank out of business and remove a source of Ivanishvili’s financial
			 support.
			(20)United States
			 national security interests are best served by a democratic Georgia no matter
			 what individuals and which parties are in control of the country. An
			 undemocratic Georgia will breed instability in a volatile region and increase
			 the likelihood of violent conflict. As such, it is incumbent on the United
			 States Government to clearly communicate to President Saakashvili that if he
			 continues down his current path and does not allow free, fair, and competitive
			 elections, the special relationship between the United States and Georgia will
			 be at risk and Georgia will face the loss of both United States political
			 support and financial assistance.
			3.Limitation on
			 assistance to the Republic of Georgia
			(a)LimitationNo
			 funds available to any United States department or agency for fiscal year 2013
			 may be used to provide assistance to the Republic of Georgia until the
			 Secretary of State certifies and reports to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
			 the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
			 Senate that the parliamentary elections held in October 2012 or such other date
			 if rescheduled were carried out in a free, fair, and competitive manner
			 consistent with international standards.
			(b)Matters To be
			 includedThe report required under subsection (a) shall include
			 information on—
				(1)the presence and
			 findings of election observers;
				(2)the ability of
			 opposition parties to campaign effectively; and
				(3)whether Bidzina
			 Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream Party participated in the election, and, if
			 not, the reason for their absence.


		II

		109th CONGRESS

		2d Session

		S. 2313

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 16, 2006

			Mr. Durbin (for himself

			 and Mr. Dayton) introduced the following

			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the

			 Committee on

			 Finance

		A BILL

		To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit

		  medicare beneficiaries enrolled in prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans that

		  change their formularies or increase drug prices to enroll in other

		  plans.

		1.Short

			 titleThis Act may be cited as

			 the Medicare Drug Honest Pricing Act

			 of 2006.

		2.Permitting medicare

			 beneficiaries enrolled in prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans that change

			 their formularies or increase drug prices to enroll in other plans

			(a)Special

			 enrollment period

				(1)In

			 generalSection 1860D–1(b)(3)

			 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–101(b)(3)) is amended by adding at

			 the end the following new subparagraphs:

						(F)Enrollment under plans that change

				their formulariesIn the case of a part D eligible individual who

				is enrolled in a prescription drug plan that uses a formulary, if the plan

				removes a covered part D drug from its formulary or changes the preferred or

				tiered cost-sharing status of such a drug and the individual is adversely

				affected by such change, there shall be a 60-day special enrollment period for

				the individual beginning on the date on which the individual receives a notice

				of such removal or change.

						(G)Enrollment under plans that increase

				negotiated pricesIn the case of a part D eligible individual who

				is enrolled in a prescription drug plan in which the negotiated price used for

				payment for any covered part D drug increases by 10 percent or more from the

				negotiated price used for payment for the drug as of January 1 of the year (as

				disclosed to the Secretary pursuant to section

				1860D–2(d)(4)(A)).

						.

				(2)Informing

			 beneficiaries of negotiated pricesSection 1860D–2(d) of the

			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–102(d)) is amended by adding at the end

			 the following new paragraph:

						(4)Informing

				beneficiaries of negotiated prices

							(A)Requiring plans

				to disclose negotiated prices to the SecretaryNot later than

				November 8 of each year (beginning with 2006), each sponsor of a prescription

				drug plan shall disclose to the Secretary (in a manner specified by the

				Secretary) the negotiated price used for payment for each covered part D drug

				covered under the plan that will apply under the plan on January 1 of the

				subsequent year.

							(B)Secretary to

				make negotiated prices available on the CMS websiteNot later

				than November 15 of each year (beginning with 2006), the Secretary shall make

				information disclosed under subparagraph (A) available to the public through

				the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid

				Services.

							(C)Requiring plans

				to inform beneficiaries of January 1 negotiated priceNot later

				than January 10 of each year (beginning with 2007), each sponsor of a

				prescription drug plan shall appropriately inform (as determined by the

				Secretary) part D eligible individuals enrolled in the plan for the year of the

				negotiated price used for payment for each covered part D drug that is covered

				under the plan that was disclosed to the Secretary under subparagraph

				(A).

							.

				(b)RegulationsThe

			 Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate regulations to carry

			 out the amendments made by this section.

			(c)Effective

			 DateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on

			 January 1, 2007.


116 S4940 IS: Career Advancement for Direct Support Aid Workers Act
U.S. Senate
2020-12-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4940IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 1, 2020Mr. King introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act to authorize direct support worker career advancement demonstration projects, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Career Advancement for Direct Support Aid Workers Act or the CADSAW Act.2.Direct support worker career advancement demonstration projects(a)In generalSection 2008 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397g) is amended—(1)by adding at the end the following new subsection:(e)Direct support worker career advancement demonstration projects(1)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall award, from the amount appropriated under paragraph (4), grants to eligible entities to conduct demonstration projects that are designed to provide eligible individuals with opportunities for education, training, and career advancement as a personal or home care aide, home health aide, or nursing assistant.(2)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity has the meaning given such term in subsection (a).(B)Eligible individualThe term eligible individual means an individual— (i)whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 2110(c)(5)) applicable to a family of the size involved; and(ii)who is employed as a personal or home care aide who—(I)has at least 30 percent patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who are receiving medical assistance under title XIX; or(II)is employed by an agency that is a provider of personal or home care services that has at least 30 percent of the agency's patient volume (as so estimated) attributable to such individuals.(C)Personal or home care aideThe term personal or home care aide has the meaning given such term in subsection (b).(3)Requirements(A)Prioritization of projects that support rural areas, underserved areas, and women and Black and Latinx individualsThe Secretary shall ensure that not less than half of the demonstration projects supported by grants awarded under this subsection support— (i)eligible individuals in rural areas (as defined in section 2007(f)(5)); (ii)eligible individuals in underserved urban areas (including urban health professional shortage areas (as defined in section 332 of the Public Health Service Act)); or(iii) eligible individuals who are women, who are Black or Latinx individuals, or who belong to other underserved and diverse populations such as Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, or Alaska Native communities.(B)Amount of grantIn no case shall the Secretary award an eligible entity a grant to conduct a demonstration project under this subsection in an amount that exceeds $750,000 for each year that the entity conducts such project.(C)Reports(i)Interim reportsAn eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a demonstration project under this subsection shall submit interim reports to the Secretary on the activities carried out under the project and a final report on such activities upon the conclusion of the entities' participation in the project. (ii)EvaluationThe Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall evaluate the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection. Such evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals and long-term workers, a health or human services professions workforce that has accessible opportunities for career advancement, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the workforce’s needs, and that is responsive to the needs of diverse racial and ethnic communities.(iii)Report to CongressNot later than 1 year after the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection conclude, the Secretary shall submit a final report to Congress on such demonstration projects that includes—(I)the result of the evaluation conducted under clause (ii); and(II)such recommendations for legislation or administrative actions as the Secretary deems appropriate.(iv)Additional reportNot later than 1 year after the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection conclude, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and make publicly available, a report on the activities and results of such projects. Such report shall describe—(I)the number and geographic distribution of the grants awarded under this subsection;(II)the participation of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged participants in demonstration projects conducted under this subsection; and(III)recommendations for program revisions to achieve the desired program outcome.(4)AppropriationOut of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023..(b)Incentive payments for home health services furnished by home health aides who complete certain trainingSection 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:(x)Incentive payments for home health services furnished by home health aides who complete certain trainingIn the case of home health services furnished on or after October 1, 2020, by a home health aide who has successfully completed education or training under a Direct Support Worker Career Advancement demonstration project under section 2008(e), in addition to the amount of payment that would otherwise be made for such services under this part, there also shall be paid an amount equal to 25 percent of the payment amount for the service under this part..


113 S2299 RS: Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-05-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IICalendar No. 541113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2299IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 7, 2014Mr. Johnson of South Dakota (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Begich, Mr. Franken, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Tester, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. King, and Mr. Walsh) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian AffairsAugust 26, 2014Reported, under authority of the order of the Senate of August 5 (legislative day, August 1), 2014,
			 by Mr. Tester, with an amendment and an amendment to the titleStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to reauthorize a provision to ensure the survival
			 and continuing vitality of Native American languages.1.Reauthorization of Native
			 American languages programSection 816(e) of the Native American
			 Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992d(e)) is amended by striking 2008,
			 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and inserting 2015 through
			 2019.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Native American Languages Reauthorization Act of 2014.2.Native American languages  grant programSection 803C of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991b–3) is amended—(1)in subsection (b)(7)—(A)in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking 10 and inserting 5; and(B)in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking 15 and inserting 10; and(2)in subsection (e)(2)—(A)by striking or 3-year basis and inserting 3-year, 4-year, or 5-year basis; and(B)by inserting , 4-year, or 5-year after on a 3-year.3.Reauthorization of Native American languages programSection 816(e) of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2992d(e)) is amended by
			 striking 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and inserting 2015 through 2019.Amend the title so as to read: A bill to amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide flexibility and reauthorization
			 to ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native American
			 languages..August 26, 2014Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title


117 HR 456 IH: California Land Protection Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 456IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 25, 2021Mr. Carbajal (for himself, Ms. Brownley, and Mr. Panetta) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo require a new supplemental environmental impact statement for oil and gas development in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the California Land Protection Act.2.Delay of oil and gas development in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area(a)New supplemental environmental impact statement requiredNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Record of Decision for the Bakersfield Field Office Hydraulic Fracturing published on December 12, 2019, shall have no force or effect until the Director of the Bureau of Land Management completes and circulates for public comment a new supplemental environmental impact statement under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332) that considers the environmental effects of all oil and gas development in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area, as such area is described by the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, including considering the effects on—(1)air quality;(2)greenhouse gas emissions and the climate;(3)groundwater quality and availability;(4)surface water quality and availability;(5)seismicity;(6)wildlife and plant species, including threatened species and endangered species; and(7)low-income communities, communities of color, and indigenous communities, including federally- and State-recognized Indian Tribes.(b)Environmental Protection Agency review(1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date on which the supplemental environmental impact statement required by subsection (a) is published, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall review and publish comments regarding such statement, including by—(A)identifying whether there would be any significant environmental impacts of oil and gas leasing in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area that should be avoided to adequately protect the natural resources of such area; or(B)making a determination whether the new supplemental environmental impact statement required by subsection (a) contains sufficient information to assess the environmental impacts of all oil and gas development in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area.(2)Effect of determination of insufficient informationIf the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency identifies a significant impact under paragraph (1)(A) or determines there is insufficient information under paragraph (1)(B), the Director of the Bureau of Land Management shall consult with the Administrator before taking any action to proceed with Federal oil and gas leasing in the Bakersfield Field Office planning area.


I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 487IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 12, 2017Mr. Burgess (for himself and Mr. Amash) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 prohibit the Central Intelligence Agency from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other deliberately lethal action and to transfer the authority to conduct such strikes or lethal action to the Department of Defense.
1.Prohibition on Central Intelligence Agency operation of unmanned aerial vehicle strikes and transfer of authority to the Department of Defense
(a)ProhibitionNotwithstanding any other provision of law, no officer or employee of, or contractor or detailee to, the Central Intelligence Agency shall use an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other lethal action. (b)Transfer to Department of DefenseNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall transfer to the Department of Defense all authority to use an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other lethal action.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2128
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. LeMieux introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To provide for the establishment of the
		  Office of Deputy Secretary for Health Care Fraud Prevention.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Prevent Health Care Fraud Act of
			 2009.
		2.Establishment of Office of Deputy Secretary
			 for Health Care Fraud Prevention in the Department of Health and Human
			 Services; appointment and powers of Deputy Secretary
			(a)In generalThere is hereby established in the
			 Department of Health and Human Services the Office of the Deputy Secretary for
			 Health Care Fraud Prevention (referred to in this section as the
			 Office).
			(b)Duties of the OfficeThe Office shall—
				(1)direct the appropriate implementation
			 within the Department of Health and Human Services of health care fraud
			 prevention and detection recommendations made by Federal Government and private
			 sector antifraud and oversight entities;
				(2)routinely consult with the Office of the
			 Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Attorney
			 General, and private sector health care antifraud entities to identify emerging
			 health care fraud issues requiring immediate action by the Office;
				(3)through a contract entered into with an
			 entity that has experience in designing and implementing antifraud systems in
			 the financial sector, provide for the design, development, and operation of a
			 predictive model antifraud system (in accordance with subsection (d)) to
			 analyze health care claims data in real-time to identify high risk claims
			 activity, develop appropriate rules, processes, and procedures and
			 investigative research approaches, in coordination with the Office of the
			 Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, based on the
			 risk level assigned to claims activity, and develop a comprehensive antifraud
			 database for health care activities carried out or managed by Federal health
			 agencies;
				(4)promulgate and enforce regulations relating
			 to the reporting of data claims to the health care antifraud system developed
			 under paragraph (3) by all Federal health agencies;
				(5)establish thresholds, in consultation with
			 the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human
			 Services and the Department of Justice—
					(A)for the amount and extent of claims
			 verified and designated as fraudulent, wasteful, or abusive through the fraud
			 prevention system developed under paragraph (3) for excluding providers or
			 suppliers from participation in Federal health programs; and
					(B)for the referral of claims identified
			 through the health care fraud prevention system developed under paragraph (3)
			 to law enforcement entities (such as the Office of the Inspector General,
			 Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and the Department of Justice); and
					(6)share antifraud information and best
			 practices with Federal health agencies, health insurance issuers, health care
			 providers, antifraud organizations, antifraud databases, and Federal, State,
			 and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
				(c)Deputy Secretary for Health Care Fraud
			 Prevention
				(1)EstablishmentThere is established within the Department
			 of Health and Human Services the position of Deputy Secretary for Health Care
			 Fraud Prevention (referred to in this section as the Deputy
			 Secretary). The Deputy Secretary shall serve as the head of the Office,
			 shall act as the chief health care fraud prevention and detection officer of
			 the United States, and shall consider and direct the appropriate implementation
			 of recommendations to prevent and detect health care fraud, waste, and abuse
			 activities and initiatives within the Department.
				(2)AppointmentThe Deputy Secretary shall be appointed by
			 the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and serve for
			 a term of 5 years, unless removed prior to the end of such term for cause by
			 the President.
				(3)PowersSubject to oversight by the Secretary, the
			 Deputy Secretary shall exercise all powers necessary to carry out this section,
			 including the hiring of staff, entering into contracts, and the delegation of
			 responsibilities to any employee of the Department of Health and Human Services
			 or the Office appropriately designated for such responsibility.
				(4)Duties
					(A)In generalThe Deputy Secretary shall—
						(i)establish and manage the operation of the
			 predictive modeling system developed under subsection (b)(3) to analyze Federal
			 health claims in real-time to identify high risk claims activity and refer
			 risky claims for appropriate verification and investigative research;
						(ii)consider and order the appropriate
			 implementation of fraud prevention and detection activities, such as those
			 recommended by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health
			 and Human Services, the Government Accountability Office, MedPac, and private
			 sector health care antifraud entities;
						(iii)not later than 6 months after the date on
			 which he or she is initially appointed, submit to Congress an implementation
			 plan for the health care fraud prevention systems under subsection (d);
			 and
						(iv)submit annual performance reports to the
			 Secretary and Congress that, at minimum, shall provide an estimate of the
			 return on investment with respect to the system, for all recommendations made
			 to the Deputy Secretary under this section, a description of whether such
			 recommendations are implemented or not implemented, and contain other relevant
			 performance metrics.
						(B)Analysis and recommendationsThe Deputy Secretary shall provide required
			 strategies and treatments for claims identified as high risk (including a
			 system of designations for claims, such as approve,
			 decline, research, and educate and
			 pay) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, other Federal
			 and State entities responsible for verifying whether claims identified as high
			 risk are payable, should be automatically denied, or require further research
			 and investigation.
					(C)LimitationThe Deputy Secretary shall not have any
			 criminal or civil enforcement authority otherwise delegated to the Office of
			 Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services or the
			 Attorney General.
					(5)RegulationsThe Deputy Secretary shall promulgate and
			 enforce such rules, regulations, orders, and interpretations as the Deputy
			 Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
			 Such authority shall be exercised as provided under section 553 of title 5,
			 United States Code.
				(d)Health care fraud prevention
			 system
				(1)In generalThe fraud prevention system established
			 under subsection (b)(3) shall be designed as follows:
					(A)In generalThe fraud prevention system shall—
						(i)be holistic;
						(ii)be able to view all provider and patient
			 activities across all Federal health program payers;
						(iii)be able to integrate into the existing
			 health care claims flow with minimal effort, time, and cost;
						(iv)be modeled after systems used in the
			 Financial Services industry; and
						(v)utilize integrated real-time transaction
			 risk scoring and referral strategy capabilities to identify claims that are
			 statistically unusual.
						(B)Modularized architectureThe fraud prevention system shall be
			 designed from an end-to-end modularized perspective to allow for ease of
			 integration into multiple points along a health care claim flow (pre- or
			 post-adjudication), which shall—
						(i)utilize a single entity to host, support,
			 manage, and maintain software-based services, predictive models, and solutions
			 from a central location for the customers who access the fraud prevention
			 system;
						(ii)allow access through a secure private data
			 connection rather than the installation of software in multiple information
			 technology infrastructures (and data facilities);
						(iii)provide access to the best and latest
			 software without the need for upgrades, data security, and costly
			 installations;
						(iv)permit modifications to the software and
			 system edits in a rapid and timely manner;
						(v)ensure that all technology and decision
			 components reside within the module; and
						(vi)ensure that the third party host of the
			 modular solution is not a party, payer, or stakeholder that reports claims
			 data, accesses the results of the fraud prevention systems analysis, or is
			 otherwise required under this section to verify, research, or investigate the
			 risk of claims.
						(C)Processing, scoring, and
			 storageThe platform of the
			 fraud prevention system shall be a high volume, rapid, real-time information
			 technology solution, which includes data pooling, data storage, and scoring
			 capabilities to quickly and accurately capture and evaluate data from millions
			 of claims per day. Such platform shall be secure and have (at a minimum) data
			 centers that comply with Federal and State privacy laws.
					(D)Data consortiumThe fraud prevention system shall provide
			 for the establishment of a centralized data file (referred to as a
			 consortium) that accumulates data from all government health
			 insurance claims data sources. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
			 Federal health care payers shall provide to the consortium existing claims
			 data, such as Medicare's Common Working File and Medicaid claims
			 data, for the purpose of fraud and abuse prevention. Such accumulated data
			 shall be transmitted and stored in an industry standard secure data environment
			 that complies with applicable Federal privacy laws for use in building medical
			 waste, fraud, and abuse prevention predictive models that have a comprehensive
			 view of provider activity across all payers (and markets).
					(E)Market viewThe fraud prevention system shall ensure
			 that claims data from Federal health programs and all markets flows through a
			 central source so the waste, fraud, and abuse system can look across all
			 markets and geographies in health care to identify fraud and abuse in Medicare,
			 Medicaid, the State Children's Health Program, TRICARE, the Department of
			 Veterans Affairs, and private payers holistically. Such cross-market visibility
			 shall identify unusual provider and patient behavior patterns and fraud and
			 abuse schemes that may not be identified by looking independently at one
			 Federal payer's transactions.
					(F)Behavior engineThe fraud prevention system shall ensure
			 that the technology used provides real-time ability to identify high-risk
			 behavior patterns across markets, geographies, and specialty group providers to
			 detect waste, fraud, and abuse, and to identify providers that exhibit unusual
			 behavior patterns. Behavior pattern technology that provides the capability to
			 compare a provider's current behavior to their own past behavior and to compare
			 a provider's current behavior to that of other providers in the same specialty
			 group and geographic location shall be used in order to provide a comprehensive
			 waste, fraud, and abuse prevention solution.
					(G)Predictive modelThe fraud prevention system shall involve
			 the implementation of a statistically sound, empirically derived predictive
			 modeling technology that is designed to prevent (versus post-payment detect)
			 waste, fraud, and abuse. Such prevention system shall utilize historical
			 transaction data, from across all Federal health programs and markets, to build
			 and re-develop scoring models, have the capability to incorporate external data
			 and external models from other sources into the health care predictive waste,
			 fraud, and abuse model, and provide for a feedback loop to provide outcome
			 information on verified claims so future system enhancements can be developed
			 based on previous claims experience.
					(H)Change
			 controlThe fraud prevention
			 system platform shall have the infrastructure to implement new models and
			 attributes in a test environment prior to moving into a production environment.
			 Capabilities shall be developed to quickly make changes to models, attributes,
			 or strategies to react to changing patterns in waste, fraud, and abuse.
					(I)Scoring
			 engineThe fraud prevention
			 system shall identify high-risk claims by scoring all such claims on a
			 real-time capacity prior to payment. Such scores shall then be communicated to
			 the fraud management system provided for under subparagraph (J).
					(J)Fraud management systemThe fraud prevention system shall utilize a
			 fraud management system, that contains workflow management and workstation
			 tools to provide the ability to systematically present scores, reason codes,
			 and treatment actions for high-risk scored transactions. The fraud prevention
			 system shall ensure that analysts who review claims have the capability to
			 access, review, and research claims efficiently, as well as decline or approve
			 claims (payments) in an automated manner. Workflow management under this
			 subparagraph shall be combined with the ability to utilize principles of
			 experimental design to compare and measure prevention and detection rates
			 between test and control strategies. Such strategy testing shall allow for
			 continuous improvement and maximum effectiveness in keeping up with ever
			 changing fraud and abuse patterns. Such system shall provide the capability to
			 test different treatments or actions randomly (typically through use of random
			 digit assignments).
					(K)Decision technologyThe fraud prevention system shall have the
			 capability to monitor consumer transactions in real-time and monitor provider
			 behavior at different stages within the transaction flow based upon provider,
			 transaction and consumer trends. The fraud prevention system shall provide for
			 the identification of provider and claims excessive usage patterns and trends
			 that differ from similar peer groups, have the capability to trigger on
			 multiple criteria, such as predictive model scores or custom attributes, and be
			 able to segment transaction waste, fraud, and abuse into multiple types for
			 health care categories and business types.
					(L)Feedback loopThe fraud prevention system shall have a
			 feedback loop where all Federal health payers provide pre-payment and
			 post-payment information about the eventual status of a claim designated as
			 Normal, Waste, Fraud,
			 Abuse, or Education Required. Such feedback loop
			 shall enable Federal health agencies to measure the actual amount of waste,
			 fraud, and abuse as well as the savings in the system and provide the ability
			 to retrain future, enhanced models. Such feedback loop shall be an industry
			 file that contains information on previous fraud and abuse claims as well as
			 abuse perpetrated by consumers, providers, and fraud rings, to be used to alert
			 other payers, as well as for subsequent fraud and abuse solution
			 development.
					(M)Tracking and reportingThe fraud prevention system shall ensure
			 that the infrastructure exists to ascertain system, strategy, and predictive
			 model return on investment. Dynamic model validation and strategy validation
			 analysis and reporting shall be made available to ensure a strategy or
			 predictive model has not degraded over time or is no longer effective. Queue
			 reporting shall be established and made available for population estimates of
			 what claims were flagged, what claims received treatment, and ultimately what
			 results occurred. The capability shall exist to complete tracking and reporting
			 for prevention strategies and actions residing farther upstream in the health
			 care payment flow. The fraud prevention system shall establish a reliable
			 metric to measure the dollars that are never paid due to identification of
			 fraud and abuse, as well as a capability to effectively test and estimate the
			 impact from different actions and treatments utilized to detect and prevent
			 fraud and abuse for legitimate claims. Measuring results shall include waste
			 and abuse.
					(N)Operating tenetThe fraud prevention system shall not be
			 designed to deny health care services or to negatively impact prompt-pay laws
			 because assessments are late. The database shall be designed to speed up the
			 payment process. The fraud prevention system shall require the implementation
			 of constant and consistent test and control strategies by stakeholders, with
			 results shared with Federal health program leadership on a quarterly basis to
			 validate improving progress in identifying and preventing waste, fraud, and
			 abuse. Under such implementation, Federal health care payers shall use standard
			 industry waste, fraud, and abuse measures of success.
					(2)CoordinationThe Deputy Secretary shall coordinate the
			 operation of the fraud prevention system with the Department of Justice and
			 other related Federal fraud prevention systems.
				(3)OperationThe Deputy Secretary shall phase-in the
			 implementation of the system under this subsection beginning not later than 18
			 months after the date of enactment of this Act, through the analysis of a
			 limited number of Federal health program claims. Not later than 5 years after
			 such date of enactment, the Deputy Secretary shall ensure that such system is
			 fully phased-in and applicable to all Federal health program claims.
				(4)Non-payment of claimsThe Deputy Secretary shall promulgate
			 regulations to prohibit the payment of any health care claim that has been
			 identified as potentially “fraudulent”, “wasteful”, or “abusive” until such
			 time as the claim has been verified as valid.
				(5)ApplicationThe system under this section shall apply
			 to all Federal health programs, including programs established after the date
			 of enactment of this Act.
				(6)RegulationsThe Deputy Secretary shall promulgate
			 regulations providing the maximum appropriate protection of personal privacy
			 consistent with carrying out the Office’s responsibilities under this
			 section.
				(e)Protecting participation in health care
			 antifraud programs
				(1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law,
			 no person providing information to the Secretary under this section shall be
			 held, by reason of having provided such information, to have violated any
			 criminal law, or to be civilly liable under any law of the United States or of
			 any State (or political subdivision thereof) unless such information is false
			 and the person providing it knew, or had reason to believe, that such
			 information was false.
				(2)ConfidentialityThe Office shall, through the promulgation
			 of regulations, establish standards for—
					(A)the protection of confidential information
			 submitted or obtained with regard to suspected or actual health care
			 fraud;
					(B)the protection of the ability of
			 representatives the Office to testify in private civil actions concerning any
			 such information; and
					(C)the sharing by the Office of any such
			 information related to the medical antifraud programs established under this
			 section.
					(f)Protecting legitimate providers and
			 suppliers
				(1)Initial implementationNot later than 2 years after the date of
			 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish procedures for the
			 implementation of fraud and abuse detection methods under all Federal health
			 programs (including the programs under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social
			 Security Act) with respect to items and services furnished by providers of
			 services and suppliers that includes the following:
					(A)In the case of a new applicant to be such a
			 provider or supplier, a background check, and in the case of a supplier a site
			 visit prior to approval of participation in the program and random unannounced
			 site visits after such approval.
					(B)Not less than 5 years after the date of
			 enactment of this Act, in the case of a provider or supplier who is not a new
			 applicant, re-enrollment under the program, including a new background check
			 and, in the case of a supplier, a site-visit as part of the application process
			 for such re-enrollment, and random unannounced site visits after such
			 re-enrollment.
					(2)Requirement for participationIn no case may a provider of services or
			 supplier who does not meet the requirements under paragraph (1) participate in
			 any Federal health program.
				(3)Background checksThe Secretary shall determine the extent of
			 the background check conducted under paragraph (1), including whether—
					(A)a fingerprint check is necessary;
					(B)a background check shall be conducted with
			 respect to additional employees, board members, contractors or other interested
			 parties of the provider or supplier; and
					(C)any additional national background checks
			 regarding exclusion from participation in Federal health programs (such as the
			 program under titles XVIII, XIX, or XXI of the Social Security Act), including
			 conviction of any felony, crime that involves an act of fraud or false
			 statement, adverse actions taken by State licensing boards, bankruptcies,
			 outstanding taxes, or other indications identified by the Inspector General of
			 the Department of Health and Human Services are necessary.
					(4)LimitationNo payment may be made to a provider of
			 services or supplier under any Federal health program if such provider or
			 supplier fails to obtain a satisfactory background check under this
			 subsection.
				(5)Federal health programIn this subsection, the term Federal
			 health program means any program that provides Federal payments or
			 reimbursements to providers of health-related items or services, or suppliers
			 of such items, for the provision of such items or services to an individual
			 patient.
				(g)DefinitionThe term Federal health agency
			 means the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs, and any Federal agency with oversight or authority regarding the
			 provision of any medical benefit, item, or service for which payment may be
			 made under a Federal health care plan or contract.


109 HR 5693 IH: Volunteer Emergency Responder Fair

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-06-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5693
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 28, 2006
			Mr. Hayes introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude
		  from gross income mileage reimbursements to volunteer emergency medical
		  responders and volunteer firefighters and to increase the mileage allowance for
		  charitable contributions for the benefit of volunteer fire departments, and for
		  other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Volunteer Emergency Responder Fair
			 Mileage Act of 2006.
		2.Mileage reimbursements
			 to volunteer emergency medical responders and firefighters excluded from gross
			 income
			(a)In
			 generalPart III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal
			 Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 139A the following
			 new section:

					139B.Mileage
				reimbursements to volunteer emergency medical responders and
				firefighters
						(a)In
				generalGross income of an individual does not include amounts
				received from a qualified volunteer fire department (as defined in section
				150(e)(2)) as reimbursement of operating expenses with respect to use of a
				passenger automobile for the benefit of the qualified volunteer fire
				department. The preceding sentence shall apply only to the extent that the
				expenses which are reimbursed would be deductible under this chapter if section
				274(d) were applied—
							(1)by using the standard mileage rate in
				effect under section 162(a) for operating an automobile for business purposes,
				and
							(2)as if the individual were an employee of
				the qualified volunteer fire department.
							(b)Application to
				volunteer services onlySubsection (a) shall not apply with
				respect to any expenses relating to the performance of services for
				compensation.
						(c)No double
				benefitA taxpayer may not claim a deduction under any other
				provision of this title with respect to the expenses under subsection
				(a).
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of sections for part III of subchapter B of
			 chapter 1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 139A the
			 following new item:

						Sec. 139B. Mileage reimbursements to volunteer emergency
				medical responders and
				firefighters.

					.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2006.
			3.Deduction for
			 volunteer emergency medical responders and firefighters mileage
			 contributions
			(a)In
			 generalSubsection (i) of
			 section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to standard mileage
			 rate for use of passenger automobile) is amended to read as follows:

					(i)Mileage rates
				for use of passenger automobile
						(1)Standard
				ratesFor purposes of
				computing the deduction under this section for use of a passenger automobile,
				the standard mileage rate shall be 14 cents per mile.
						(2)Volunteer
				emergency medical responders and firefighters
							(A)In
				generalIn the case of an
				individual using a passenger automobile for the benefit of a qualified
				volunteer fire department (as defined in section 150(e)(2)), in lieu of the
				standard mileage rate specified in paragraph (1), the standard mileage rate
				shall be the rate in effect under section 162(a) for operating an automobile
				for business purposes.
							(B)Deduction for
				individuals not itemizing deductionsIn the case of an individual who does not
				itemize deductions for a taxable year, there shall be taken into account as a
				volunteer emergency responder mileage contribution under section 63 an amount
				equal to the amount allowable under subsection (a) for the taxable year by
				reason of subparagraph (A) (determined without regard to any
				carryover).
							.
			(b)Deduction
			 allowed whether or not individual itemizes other
			 deductionsSubsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended
			 by inserting before the last sentence at the end the following new
			 paragraph:

					(21)Volunteer
				emergency responder mileage contributionThat portion of the amount allowable under
				section 170(a) which is taken as a volunteer emergency responder mileage
				contribution under section
				170(i)(2).
					.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2006.


117 S404 IS: Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act
U.S. Senate
2021-02-24
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.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 404IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 24, 2021Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Brown, Ms. Warren, Ms. Smith, Mr. Reed, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Coons, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Markey, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Tester, and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo provide funding for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Coronavirus Housing Counseling Improvement Act.2.Funding for housing counseling services(a)Congressional findingsCongress finds that—(1)the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) continues to negatively impact the incomes of millions of homeowners, renters, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals at risk of homelessness, making it difficult for them to pay their mortgages or rents on time;(2)housing counseling is critical to ensuring that homeowners, renters, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals at risk of homelessness have the resources they need to manage financial hardships from the COVID–19 crisis;(3)loan preservation and foreclosure mitigation services are also critical to address the needs of homeowners who lose employment and income because of the pandemic and who face serious delinquency or home loan default, or are in foreclosing proceedings during this period; and(4)evaluations from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program revealed that homeowners at risk of or facing foreclosure are better served when they have access to a housing counselor and a range of tools and resources to help them avoid losing their home and have the support they need to tailor the best possible response to their situation.(b)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (in this section referred to as the Corporation) established under the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 for housing counseling services, which shall remain available until September 30, 2024. (c)Prioritization of housing counseling servicesOf any grant funds made available pursuant to subsection (b), not less than 40 percent shall be provided to counseling organizations that target counseling services to minority and low-income homeowners, renters, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals at risk of homelessness or provide such services in neighborhoods with high concentrations of minority and low-income homeowners, renters, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals at risk of homelessness.(d)Eligible usesAmounts made available pursuant to subsection (b) may be used in such amounts as the Corporation determines for costs of—(1) public education and outreach;(2) direct services, including the full range of services provided by housing counselors to assist homeowners, including manufactured homeowners, regardless of financing type, renters, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals at risk of homelessness, including the practices, tools, and innovations in foreclosure mitigation that were utilized in the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, and financial capability, credit counseling, homeless counseling, and rental counseling;(3) equipment and technology, including broadband internet and equipment upgrades needed to ensure timely and effective service delivery;(4)training, including capacitating housing counseling staff in various modes of counseling, including rental and foreclosure, delivery of remote counseling utilizing improved technology, enhanced network security, and supportive options for the delivery of client services; and(5)administration and oversight of the program in accordance with the rate of the Corporation for program administration.(e)Disbursement(1)In generalThe Corporation shall disburse all grant funds made available pursuant to subsection (b) as expeditiously as possible, through grants to housing counseling intermediaries approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, State housing finance agencies, and NeighborWorks organizations.(2)LimitationThe aggregate amount provided to NeighborWorks organizations under this section shall not exceed 15 percent of the total of grant funds made available pursuant to subsection (b).


115 HRES 719 EH: Electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives.
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-01-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 719
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

January 30, 2018

RESOLUTION
Electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives.

That the following named Member be, and is hereby, elected to the following standing committee of the House of Representatives:  Committee on Natural Resources: Mr. Curtis.

Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1308
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 3, 2007
			Mr. Dorgan (for himself,
			 Mr. Conrad, and Mr. Enzi) introduced the following bill; which was
			 read twice and referred to the Committee
			 on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

		A BILL
		To prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from allowing
		  the importation of certain cattle and beef from Canada until the implementation
		  of country of origin labeling requirements.

		1.Prohibition on importation of
			 cattle from CanadaNotwithstanding any other provision of law
			 (including regulations), the Secretary of Agriculture may not permit the
			 importation from Canada of live Canadian cattle over 30 months of age, or beef
			 derived from Canadian cattle over 30 months of age, until the date of
			 implementation of subtitle D of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7
			 U.S.C. 1638 et seq.).


114 HR 393 IH: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling of genetically engineered fish.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-01-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 393
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			January 14, 2015
			Mr. Young of Alaska (for himself, Mr. Jones, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. DeFazio, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling of genetically engineered
			 fish.

 1.Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regarding genetically engineered salmonSection 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

 (z)If it contains genetically engineered fish unless the food bears a label stating that the food contains genetically engineered fish..


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5915
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 28, 2010
			Mr. Rooney (for
			 himself, Mr. Paul,
			 Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, and
			 Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create
		  Catastrophe Savings Accounts.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Catastrophe Savings Accounts Act of
			 2010.
		2.Catastrophe
			 Savings Accounts
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter F of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
			 1986 (relating to exempt organizations) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new part:

					IXCatastrophe
				Savings Accounts
						530A.Catastrophe
				Savings Accounts
							(a)General
				ruleA Catastrophe Savings Account shall be exempt from taxation
				under this subtitle. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, such account shall
				be subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating to imposition of tax
				on unrelated business income of charitable organizations).
							(b)Catastrophe
				Savings AccountFor purposes of this section, the term
				Catastrophe Savings Account means a trust created or organized in
				the United States for the exclusive benefit of an individual or his
				beneficiaries and which is designated (in such manner as the Secretary shall
				prescribe) at the time of the establishment of the trust as a Catastrophe
				Savings Account, but only if the written governing instrument creating the
				trust meets the following requirements:
								(1)Except in the case
				of a qualified rollover contribution—
									(A)no contribution
				will be accepted unless it is in cash, and
									(B)contributions will
				not be accepted in excess of the account balance limit specified in subsection
				(c).
									(2)The trustee is a
				bank (as defined in section 408(n)) or another person who demonstrates to the
				satisfaction of the Secretary that the manner in which that person will
				administer the trust will be consistent with the requirements of this
				section.
								(3)The interest of an
				individual in the balance of his account is nonforfeitable.
								(4)The assets of the
				trust shall not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund
				or common investment fund.
								(c)Account balance
				limitThe aggregate account
				balance for all Catastrophe Savings Accounts maintained for the benefit of an
				individual (including qualified rollover contributions) shall not
				exceed—
								(1)in the case of an
				individual whose qualified deductible is not more than $1,000, $2,000,
				and
								(2)in the case of an
				individual whose qualified deductible is more than $1,000, the amount equal to
				the lesser of—
									(A)$15,000, or
									(B)twice the amount of the individual’s
				qualified deductible.
									(d)DefinitionsFor
				purposes of this section—
								(1)Qualified
				catastrophe expensesThe term qualified catastrophe
				expenses means expenses paid or incurred by reason of a major disaster
				that has been declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T.
				Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
								(2)Qualified
				deductibleWith respect to an individual, the term
				qualified deductible means the annual deductible for the
				individual’s homeowners’ insurance policy.
								(3)Qualified
				rollover contributionThe term qualified rollover
				contribution means a contribution to a Catastrophe Savings
				Account—
									(A)from another such
				account of the same beneficiary, but only if such amount is contributed not
				later than the 60th day after the distribution from such other account,
				and
									(B)from a Catastrophe
				Savings Account of a spouse of the beneficiary of the account to which the
				contribution is made, but only if such amount is contributed not later than the
				60th day after the distribution from such other account.
									(e)Tax treatment of
				distributions
								(1)In
				generalAny distribution from
				a Catastrophe Savings Account shall be includible in the gross income of the
				distributee in the manner as provided in section 72.
								(2)Distributions
				for qualified catastrophe expenses
									(A)In
				generalNo amount shall be
				includible in gross income under paragraph (1) if the qualified catastrophe
				expenses of the distributee during the taxable year are not less than the
				aggregate distributions during the taxable year.
									(B)Distributions in
				excess of expensesIf such
				aggregate distributions exceed such expenses during the taxable year, the
				amount otherwise includible in gross income under paragraph (1) shall be
				reduced by the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount which would be
				includible in gross income under paragraph (1) (without regard to this
				subparagraph) as the qualified catastrophe expenses bear to such aggregate
				distributions.
									(3)Additional tax
				for distributions not used for qualified catastrophe expensesThe
				tax imposed by this chapter for any taxable year on any taxpayer who receives a
				payment or distribution from a Catastrophe Savings Account which is includible
				in gross income shall be increased by 10 percent of the amount which is so
				includible.
								(4)Retirement
				distributionsNo amount shall be includible in gross income under
				paragraph (1) (or subject to an additional tax under paragraph (3)) if the
				payment or distribution is made on or after the date on which the distributee
				attains age 62.
								(f)Tax treatment of
				accountsRules similar to the
				rules of paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to any
				Catastrophe Savings
				Account.
							.
			(b)Tax on excess
			 contributions
				(1)In
			 generalSubsection (a) of section 4973 of the Internal Revenue
			 Code of 1986 (relating to tax on excess contributions to certain tax-favored
			 accounts and annuities) is amended by striking or at the end of
			 paragraph (4), by inserting or at the end of paragraph (5), and
			 by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:

						(6)a Catastrophe
				Savings Account (as defined in section
				530A),
						.
				(2)Excess
			 contributionSection 4973 of such Code is amended by adding at
			 the end the following new subsection:

						(h)Excess
				contributions to Catastrophe Savings AccountsFor purposes of
				this section, in the case of Catastrophe Savings Accounts (within the meaning
				of section 530A), the term excess contributions means the amount
				by which the aggregate account balance for all Catastrophe Savings Accounts
				maintained for the benefit of an individual exceeds the account balance limit
				defined in section
				530A(c)(1).
						.
				(c)Conforming
			 amendmentThe table of parts for subchapter F of chapter 1 of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 item:

						Part IX. Catastrophe Savings
				Accounts

					.
			(d)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2010.