117 S851 IS: Social Determinants for Moms Act
U.S. Senate
2021-03-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II
117th CONGRESS1st Session
S. 851
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 18, 2021
Mr. Blumenthal introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

A BILL
To address social determinants of maternal health.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Social Determinants for Moms Act. 2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)Maternity care providerThe term maternity care provider means a health care provider who— (A)is a physician, physician assistant, midwife who meets at a minimum the international definition of the midwife and global standards for midwifery education as established by the International Confederation of Midwives, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist; and
(B)has a focus on maternal or perinatal health. (2)Maternal mortalityThe term maternal mortality means a death occurring during or within a one-year period after pregnancy, caused by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications, including a suicide, overdose, or other death resulting from a mental health or substance use disorder attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy-related or childbirth complications.
(3)Perinatal health workerThe term perinatal health worker means a doula, community health worker, peer supporter, breastfeeding and lactation educator or counselor, nutritionist or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, home visitor, language interpreter, or navigator. (4)Postpartum and postpartum periodThe terms postpartum and postpartum period refer to the 1-year period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy of an individual.
(5)Pregnancy-related deathThe term pregnancy-related death means a death of a pregnant or postpartum individual that occurs during, or within 1 year following, the individual’s pregnancy, from a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy. (6)Racial and ethnic minority groupThe term racial and ethnic minority group has the meaning given such term in section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–6(g)(1)).
(7)Severe maternal morbidityThe term severe maternal morbidity means a health condition, including mental health conditions and substance use disorders, attributed to or aggravated by pregnancy or childbirth that results in significant short-term or long-term consequences to the health of the individual who was pregnant. (8)Social determinants of maternal healthThe term social determinants of maternal health means non-clinical factors that impact maternal health outcomes, including—
(A)economic factors, which may include poverty, employment, food security, support for and access to lactation and other infant feeding options, housing stability, and related factors; (B)neighborhood factors, which may include quality of housing, access to transportation, access to child care, availability of healthy foods and nutrition counseling, availability of clean water, air and water quality, ambient temperatures, neighborhood crime and violence, access to broadband, and related factors;
(C)social and community factors, which may include systemic racism, gender discrimination or discrimination based on other protected classes, workplace conditions, incarceration, and related factors; (D)household factors, which may include ability to conduct lead testing and abatement, car seat installation, indoor air temperatures, and related factors;
(E)education access and quality factors, which may include educational attainment, language and literacy, and related factors; and (F)health care access factors, including health insurance coverage, access to culturally congruent health care services, providers, and non-clinical support, access to home visiting services, access to wellness and stress management programs, health literacy, access to telehealth and items required to receive telehealth services, and related factors.
3.Task force to develop a strategy to address social determinants of maternal health
(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall convene a task force (in this section referred to as the Task Force) to develop a strategy to coordinate efforts between Federal agencies to address social determinants of maternal health with respect to pregnant and postpartum individuals. (b)Ex officio membersThe ex officio members of the Task Force shall consist of the following:
(1)The Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a designee thereof). (2)The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or a designee thereof).
(3)The Secretary of Transportation (or a designee thereof). (4)The Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee thereof).
(5)The Secretary of Labor (or a designee thereof). (6)The Secretary of Defense (or a designee thereof).
(7)The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (or a designee thereof). (8)The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (or a designee thereof).
(9)The Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (or a designee thereof). (10)The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (or a designee thereof).
(11)The Director of the Indian Health Service (or a designee thereof). (12)The Director of the National Institutes of Health (or a designee thereof).
(13)The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (or a designee thereof). (14)The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services (or a designee thereof).
(15)The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health of the Department of Health and Human Services (or a designee thereof). (16)The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or a designee thereof).
(17)The Director of the Office on Violence Against Women at the Department of Justice (or a designee thereof). (c)Appointed membersIn addition to the ex officio members of the Task Force, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint the following members of the Task Force:
(1)At least 2 representatives of patients, to include— (A)a representative of patients who have suffered from severe maternal morbidity; or
(B)a representative of patients who is a family member of an individual who suffered a pregnancy-related death. (2)At least 2 leaders of community-based organizations that address maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity with a specific focus on racial and ethnic disparities. In appointing such leaders under this paragraph, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall give priority to individuals who are leaders of organizations led by individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.
(3)At least 2 perinatal health workers. (4)A professionally diverse panel of maternity care providers.
(d)ChairThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall select the chair of the Task Force from among the members of the Task Force. (e)ReportNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall submit to Congress a report on—
(1)the strategy developed under subsection (a);  (2)recommendations on funding amounts with respect to implementing such strategy; and
(3)recommendations for how to expand coverage of social services to address social determinants of maternal health under Medicaid managed care organizations and State Medicaid programs. (f)TerminationSection 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force with respect to termination.
4.Housing for Moms grant program
(a)In generalThe Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a Housing for Moms grant program under this section to make grants to eligible entities to increase access to safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing for pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families. (b)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may provide.
(c)PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that— (1)is a community-based organization or will partner with a community-based organization to implement initiatives to increase access to safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing for pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families;
(2)is operating in an area with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or significant racial or ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent such data are available; and (3)is operating in an area with a high poverty rate or significant number of individuals who lack consistent access to safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing.
(d)Use of fundsAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use funds under the grant for the purposes of— (1)identifying and conducting outreach to pregnant and postpartum individuals who are low income and lack consistent access to safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing;
(2)providing safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing options to such individuals; (3)connecting such individuals with local organizations offering safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing options;
(4)providing application assistance to such individuals seeking to enroll in programs offering safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing options; (5)providing direct financial assistance to such individuals for the purposes of maintaining safe, stable, and adequate housing for the duration of the individual’s pregnancy and postpartum periods; and
(6)working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that local housing and homeless shelter infrastructure is supportive to pregnant and postpartum individuals, including through— (A)health-promoting housing codes;
(B)enforcement of housing codes; (C)proactive rental inspection programs;
(D)code enforcement officer training; and (E)partnerships between regional offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and community-based organizations to ensure housing laws are understood and violations are discovered.
(e)Reporting
(1)Eligible entitiesThe Secretary shall require each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section to annually submit to the Secretary and make publicly available a report on the status of activities conducted using the grant. (2)SecretaryNot later than the end of each fiscal year in which grants are made under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that—
(A)summarizes the reports received under paragraph (1); (B)evaluates the effectiveness of grants awarded under this section in increasing access to safe, stable, affordable, and adequate housing for pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families; and
(C)makes recommendations with respect to ensuring activities described in subsection (d) continue after grant amounts made available under this section are expended. (f)DefinitionsIn this section:
(1)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means— (A)a community-based organization;
(B)a State or local governmental entity, including a State or local public health department; (C)an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); or
(D)an Urban Indian organization (as such term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)). (2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(g)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, which shall remain available until expended. 5.Department of Transportation (a)ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report that contains—
(1)an assessment of transportation barriers preventing individuals from attending prenatal and postpartum appointments, accessing maternal health care services, or accessing services and resources related to social determinants of maternal health; (2)recommendations on how to overcome the barriers described in paragraph (1);
(3)an assessment of transportation safety risks for pregnant individuals and recommendations on how to mitigate those risks; and (4)an assessment of the impact of disabilities, including service-related disabilities, on pregnant and postpartum women’s mobility and access to appropriate care.
(b)ConsiderationsIn carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall give special consideration to solutions for— (1)pregnant and postpartum individuals living in a health professional shortage area designated under section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e);
(2)pregnant and postpartum individuals living in areas with high maternal mortality or severe morbidity rates or significant racial or ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes; and (3)pregnant and postpartum individuals with a disability that impacts mobility.
6.Department of Agriculture
(a)Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
(1)Breastfeeding women
(A)Definition of breastfeeding womanSection 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:   (1)Breastfeeding womanThe term breastfeeding woman means—
(A)a woman who is not more than 1 year postpartum and is breastfeeding the infant of the woman; and (B)for purposes of subsection (d), a woman who is not more than 2 years postpartum and is breastfeeding the infant of the woman..
(B)Extension of breastfeeding periodSection 17(d)(3)(A)(ii) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking 1 year and inserting 2 years. (2)Postpartum women (A)Definition of postpartum womenSection 17(b)(10) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)(10)) is amended by striking six months and inserting 2 years.
(B)CertificationSection 17(d)(3)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:  (iv)Postpartum womenA State may elect to certify a postpartum woman for a period of up to 2 years after the termination of pregnancy of the postpartum woman..
(3)ReportNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report that includes an evaluation of the effect of each of the amendments made by this subsection on— (A)maternal and infant health outcomes, including racial and ethnic disparities with respect to those outcomes;
(B)breastfeeding rates among postpartum individuals; (C)qualitative evaluations of family experiences under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and
(D)other relevant information as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. (b)Grant program for healthy food and clean water for pregnant and postpartum individuals (1)DefinitionsIn this subsection:
(A)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means— (i)a community-based organization;
(ii)a State or local governmental entity, including a State or local public health department; (iii)an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); and
(iv)an Urban Indian organization (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)). (B)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(2)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish a program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to carry out the activities described in paragraph (5). (3)ApplicationTo be eligible for a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(4)PriorityIn awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that— (A) is, or will partner with, a community-based organization; and
(B)is operating in an area with high rates of— (i)adverse maternal health outcomes; or
(ii)significant racial or ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. (5)Use of fundsAn eligible entity shall use grant funds awarded under this subsection to deliver healthy food, infant formula, clean water, or diapers to pregnant women (as defined in section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b))) and postpartum individuals located in areas that are food deserts, as determined by the Secretary using data from the Food Access Research Atlas of the Department of Agriculture.
(6)Reports
(A)Eligible entityEach eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall, not later than 1 year after receiving the grant, and annually thereafter, submit to the Secretary a report on the status of activities conducted using the grant, which shall contain such information as the Secretary may require. (B)Secretary (i)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes—
(I)a summary of the reports submitted by eligible entities under subparagraph (A); (II)an assessment of the extent to which food distributed through the grant program under this subsection was purchased from local and regional food systems;
(III)an evaluation of the effect of the grant program under this subsection on maternal and infant health outcomes, including racial and ethnic disparities and disparities impacting other underserved mothers, such as mothers living in rural areas, with respect to those outcomes; and (IV)recommendations with respect to ensuring the activities described in paragraph (5) continue after the grant funding for those activities expires.
(ii)PublicationThe Secretary shall make the report submitted under clause (i) publicly available on the website of the Department of Agriculture. (7)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 to carry out this subsection for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.
7.Environmental study through National Academies
(a)In generalNot later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this section as the National Academies) under which the National Academies agree to conduct a study on the impacts of water and air quality, exposure to extreme temperatures, exposure to environmental chemicals, environmental risks in the workplace and the home, and pollution levels on maternal and infant health outcomes. (b)Study requirementsThe agreement under subsection (a) shall direct the National Academies to make recommendations for—
(1)improving the environmental conditions described in that subsection to improve maternal and infant health outcomes; and (2)reducing or eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in those outcomes.
(c)ReportThe agreement under subsection (a) shall require the National Academies— (1)to complete the study described in that subsection; and
(2)not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, to transmit to Congress and make publicly available a report that— (A)describes the results of the study; and
(B)includes the recommendations described in subsection (b). 8.Child care access (a)Grant programThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall award grants to eligible organizations to provide pregnant and postpartum individuals with free and accessible drop-in child care services during prenatal and postpartum appointments, including for mental health care, prenatal and childbirth classes, and labor and delivery. The Secretary shall coordinate with the Secretary of Defense to disseminate information regarding such services and to expand on-installation drop-in child care services for military parents.
(b)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c)Eligible organizations (1)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an organization shall be an organization that provides child care services and can carry out programs providing pregnant and postpartum individuals with free and accessible drop-in child care services during prenatal and postpartum appointments.
(2)PrioritizationIn selecting grant recipients under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible organizations that operate in an area with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or significant racial or ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes, to the extent such data are available. (d)TimingThe Secretary shall commence the grant program under subsection (a) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e)Reporting
(1)GranteesEach recipient of a grant under this section shall annually submit to the Secretary and make publicly available a report on the status of activities conducted using the grant. Each such report shall include— (A)an analysis of the effect of the funded program on prenatal and postpartum appointment attendance rates;
(B)summaries of qualitative assessments of the funded program from— (i)pregnant and postpartum individuals participating in the program; and
(ii)the families of such individuals; and (C)such additional information as the Secretary may require.
(2)SecretaryNot later than the end of fiscal year 2024, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report containing the following: (A)A summary of the reports under paragraph (1).
(B)An assessment of the effects, if any, of the funded programs on maternal health outcomes, with a specific focus on racial and ethnic disparities in such outcomes.  (C)A description of actions the Secretary can take to ensure that pregnant and postpartum individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1936 et seq.) have access to free and accessible drop-in child care services during prenatal and postpartum appointments, including identification of the funding necessary to carry out such actions.
(f)Drop-In child care services definedIn this section, the term drop-in child care services means child care and early childhood education services that are— (1)delivered at a facility that meets the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations of the State or local government in which it is located, including the licensing of the facility as a child care facility; and
(2)provided in single encounters without requiring full-time enrollment of a person in a child care program. (g)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2024.
9.Grants to local entities addressing social determinants of maternal health
(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall award grants to eligible entities to— (1)address social determinants of maternal health for pregnant and postpartum individuals; and
(2)eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. (b)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may provide.
(c)PrioritizationIn awarding grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that— (1)is, or will partner with, a community-based organization to carrying out the activities under subsection (d);
(2)is operating in an area with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or significant racial or ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes; and (3)is operating in an area with a high poverty rate.
(d)ActivitiesAn eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may— (1)hire and retain staff;
(2)develop and distribute a culturally and linguistically appropriate list of available resources with respect to social service programs in a community, including housing supports, child care access, nutrition counseling, and resources for pregnant women facing intimate partner violence; (3)establish a culturally appropriate resource center that provides multiple social service programs in a single location;
(4)offer programs and resources in the communities in which the respective eligible entities are located to address social determinants of health for pregnant and postpartum individuals; and (5)consult with such pregnant and postpartum individuals, pregnant women who are unauthorized aliens, to conduct an assessment of the activities under this subsection.
(e)Technical assistanceThe Secretary shall provide to grant recipients under this section technical assistance to plan for sustaining programs to address social determinants of maternal health among pregnant and postpartum individuals after the period of the grant. (f)Reporting (1)GranteesNot later than 1 year after an eligible entity first receives a grant under this section, and annually thereafter, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary, and make publicly available, a report on the status of activities conducted using the grant. Each such report shall include data on the effects of such activities, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and other relevant factors.
(2)SecretaryNot later than the end of fiscal year 2026, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes— (A)a summary of the reports under paragraph (1); and
(B)recommendations for— (i)improving maternal health outcomes; and
(ii)reducing or eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. (g)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.


114 HRES 344 IH: Urging the discontinued use of the Confederate battle flag, which represents pain, humiliation, torture, and racial oppression, in remembrance of the Emanuel 9.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-06-25
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.

		IV
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 344
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 25, 2015
			Mr. Clyburn (for himself, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Adams, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Clay, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Fattah, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Lee, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Moore, Ms. Norton, Mr. Payne, Mr. Richmond, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Maxine Waters of California, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Ms. Bass, Ms. Brown of Florida, and Mr. Scott of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		RESOLUTION
		Urging the discontinued use of the Confederate battle flag, which represents pain, humiliation,
			 torture, and racial oppression, in remembrance of the Emanuel 9.

 Whereas the Confederate battle flag has always been recognized as a deeply offensive symbol of opposition to civil rights legislation, integration, justice, education, and access to equal opportunity;
 Whereas officials have called for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the South Carolina State House in light of the shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where the following nine citizens were killed because they were African-American: Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Sr., Tywanza Sanders, Cynthia Hurd, Sharonda Singleton, Myra Thompson, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, and Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor;
 Whereas for decades, prominent African-American leaders along with members of the general public have fought and called for the removal of the Confederate battle flag, as an insulting representation of humiliation, torture, and racial oppression;
 Whereas Walmart, Sears, eBay, and Amazon will discontinue selling merchandise displaying the Confederate battle flag;
 Whereas three other States still have depictions of or symbolic references to the Confederate battle flag adopted in their own flags, including—
 (1)Mississippi: the upper-left corner of the State flag is a smaller version of the Confederate battle flag;
 (2)Alabama: the red cross of the State flag was designed to preserve some of the distinctive features and ideals of the Confederate battle flag; and
 (3)Florida: the cross on the State flag was inspired by the design of the Alabama flag; Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling on June 18, 2015, in Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., stating that Texas did not violate the Constitution by prohibiting license plates depicting the Confederate battle flag;
 Whereas Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia continue to allow the depiction of the Confederate battle flag on license plates; and
 Whereas continued display of the Confederate battle flag has resulted in perpetual racial tension and conflict; instilled pain in the lives of American people; and been appropriated as a symbol of hatred, brutality, and oppression: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives, understanding that the United States can achieve a more perfect Union through avoidance of government speech which promotes or displays symbols, signs, and vestiges of racism, oppression, and intimidation in the States, localities, and territories, and urging the promotion of tolerance and unity by taking actions to ensure that government speech does not foster division, disharmony, or intolerance through government-issued or sponsored flags, signs, images, or other symbols—
 (1)urges States hanging the Confederate battle flag in public and State locations to remove the flag; (2)urges States to discontinue use of the Confederate battle flag and its likeness on any property deemed governmental speech, including license plates;
 (3)urges businesses to discontinue selling Confederate battle flags and any related merchandise; and (4)urges States with flags that include depictions of and symbolic references to the Confederate battle flag to remove those depictions and references.


115 S3450 IS: Presidential Tax Transparency Act
U.S. Senate
2018-09-17
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		115th CONGRESS2d Session
		S. 3450
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 17, 2018
			Mr. Sasse introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require public disclosure of individual tax returns
			 of candidates for President and Vice President of the United States.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Presidential Tax Transparency Act. 2.Disclosure of returns and return information of candidates for President and Vice President of the United States (a)In generalSubsection (k) of section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

					(13)Disclosure of returns and return information of candidates for President and Vice President of the
			 United States
 (A)In generalThe Secretary shall disclose and make publicly available returns and return information, except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), of any candidate (as defined in section 9002(2)).
 (B)ExceptionsThe information disclosed under subparagraph (A) shall not include the social security number of any individual, any financial account number, the name of any individual under age 18, or any home address of any individual (other than the city and State in which such address is located).
 (C)ScopeSubparagraph (A) shall apply to any return, and return information included on any return, which is filed within the 10 taxable years preceding the year in which the individual becomes a candidate (as so defined)..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to individuals becoming a candidate (within the meaning of section 9002(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 5326 IH: Dependent Care Savings Account Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-07-31
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5326
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 31, 2014
Mr. Cassidy 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 provide for dependent care savings accounts.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Dependent Care Savings Account Act of 2014.
2.Dependent care savings accounts
(a)In generalPart VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and inserting after section 223 the following new section:

224.Dependent care savings accounts
(a)Deduction allowedIn the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to the aggregate amount paid in cash during such taxable year by or on behalf of the individual to a dependent care savings account of such individual.
(b)Limitation
(1)In generalThe amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to an individual for the taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of—
(A)$5,000, or
(B)the individual’s earned income (within the meaning of section 21) for such taxable year.
(2)Coordination with dependent care assistance benefitsThe limitation which would (but for this paragraph) apply under paragraph (1) to an individual for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate amount excludable from the individual’s gross income for such taxable year under section 129.
(c)Dependent care savings accountFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term dependent care savings account means a trust created or organized in the United States as a dependent care savings account exclusively for the purpose of paying the qualified dependent care expenses of the account beneficiary, but only if the written governing instrument creating the trust meets the following requirements:
(A)Except in the case of a rollover contribution described in subsection (e)(5), no contribution will be accepted unless it is in cash, and contributions will not be accepted for the taxable year on behalf of any account beneficiary in excess of $10,000.
(B)The trustee is a bank (as defined in section 408(n)) or such other person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the manner in which such other person will administer the trust will be consistent with the requirements of this section.
(C)No part of the trust assets will be invested in life insurance contracts.
(D)The assets of the trust will not be commingled with other property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund.
(E)The interest of an individual in the balance in his account is nonforfeitable.
(2)Qualified dependent care expensesThe term qualified dependent care expenses means the employment-related expenses (as defined in section 21(b)(2)) of the account beneficiary with respect to any qualifying individual (as defined in section 21(b)(1)) of the account beneficiary. Such term includes qualified long-term care services (as defined in section 7702B(c)), and amounts paid for qualified long-term care insurance contracts (as defined in section 7702B(b)), with respect to such qualifying individuals of the account beneficiary.
(3)Account beneficiaryThe term account beneficiary means the individual on whose behalf the dependent care savings account was established.
(4)Certain rules to applyRules similar to the following rules shall apply for purposes of this section:
(A)Section 219(d)(2) (relating to no deduction for rollovers).
(B)Except as provided in section 129, section 219(f)(3) (relating to time when contributions deemed made).
(C)Section 219(f)(5) (relating to employer payments).
(D)Section 223(b)(6) (relating to denial of deduction to dependents).
(E)Section 408(g) (relating to community property laws).
(F)Section 408(h) (relating to custodial accounts).
(d)Tax treatment of accounts
(1)In generalA dependent care savings account is exempt from taxation under this subtitle unless such account has ceased to be a dependent care savings account. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any such account is subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating to imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc. organizations).
(2)Account terminationsRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to dependent care savings accounts, and any amount treated as distributed under such rules shall be treated as not used to pay qualified dependent care expenses.
(e)Tax treatment of distributions
(1)Amounts used for qualified dependent care expensesAny amount paid or distributed out of a dependent care savings account which is used exclusively to pay qualified dependent care expenses of any account beneficiary shall not be includible in gross income.
(2)Inclusion of amounts not used for qualified dependent care expensesAny amount paid or distributed out of a dependent care savings account which is not used exclusively to pay the qualified dependent care expenses of the account beneficiary shall be included in the gross income of such beneficiary.
(3)Excess contributions returned before due date of return
(A)In generalIf any excess contribution is contributed for a taxable year to any dependent care savings account of an individual, paragraph (2) shall not apply to distributions from the dependent care savings accounts of such individual (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the aggregate excess contributions to all such accounts of such individual for such year) if—
(i)such distribution is received by the individual on or before the last day prescribed by law (including extensions of time) for filing such individual's return for such taxable year, and
(ii)such distribution is accompanied by the amount of net income attributable to such excess contribution. Any net income described in clause (ii) shall be included in the gross income of the individual for the taxable year in which it is received.
(B) Excess contributionFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the term excess contribution means any contribution (other than a rollover contribution described in paragraph (5)) which is neither excludable from gross income under section 129 nor deductible under this section.
(4)Additional tax on distributions not used for qualified dependent care expenses
(A)In generalThe tax imposed by this chapter on the account beneficiary for any taxable year in which there is a payment or distribution from a dependent care savings account of such beneficiary which is includible in gross income under paragraph (2) shall be increased by 20 percent of the amount which is so includible.
(B)Exception for disability or deathSubparagraph (A) shall not apply if the payment or distribution is made after the account beneficiary becomes disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7) or dies.
(5)Rollover contributionAn amount is described in this paragraph as a rollover contribution if it meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(A)In generalParagraph (2) shall not apply to any amount paid or distributed from a dependent care savings account to the account beneficiary to the extent the amount received is paid into a dependent care savings account for the benefit of such beneficiary not later than the 60th day after the day on which the beneficiary receives the payment or distribution.
(B)LimitationThis paragraph shall not apply to any amount described in subparagraph (A) received by an individual from a dependent care savings account if, at any time during the 1-year period ending on the day of such receipt, such individual received any other amount described in subparagraph (A) from a dependent care savings account which was not includible in the individual's gross income because of the application of this paragraph.
(6)Coordination with dependent care creditFor purposes of determining the amount of the credit under section 21, any payment or distribution out of a dependent care savings account for qualified dependent care expenses shall not be treated as employment-related expenses.
(7)Transfer of account incident to divorce; treatment after deathRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 223 shall apply with respect to dependent care savings accounts.
(f)ReportsThe Secretary may require the trustee of a dependent care savings account to make such reports regarding such account to the Secretary and to the account beneficiary with respect to contributions, distributions, the return of excess contributions, and such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate. The reports required by this subsection shall be filed at such time and in such manner and furnished to such individuals at such time and in such manner as may be required by the Secretary. .
(b)Deduction allowed in computing adjusted gross incomeSubsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended by inserting before the last sentence the following new paragraph:

(22)Dependent care savings accountsThe deduction allowed by section 224(a)..
(c)Exclusion of employer contributionsSection 129 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(f)Contributions to dependent care savings accounts
(1)In generalGross income of an employee does not include amounts contributed by an employee’s employer to any dependent care savings account (as defined in section 224) of such employee to the extent such amounts do not exceed the limitation under section 224(b)(1) which is applicable to such employee for such taxable year.
(2)Cross referenceFor penalty on failure by employer to make comparable contributions to the dependent care savings accounts of comparable employees, see section 4980H..
(c)Tax on excess contributionsSection 4973 of such Code is amended—
(1)in subsection (a), by striking or at the end of paragraph (4), by adding or at the end of paragraph (5), and by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:

(6)a dependent care savings account (as defined in section 224),, and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(h)Excess contributions to dependent care savings accountsFor purposes of this section, in the case of dependent care savings accounts (as defined in section 224), the term excess contributions means the sum of—
(1)the aggregate amount contributed for the taxable year to the accounts (other than a rollover contribution described in section 224(e)(5)) which is neither excludable from gross income under section 129 nor allowable as a deduction under section 224 for such year, and
(2)the amount determined under this subsection for the preceding taxable year, reduced by the sum of—
(A)the distributions out of the accounts which were included in gross income under section 224(e)(2), and
(B)the excess (if any) of—
(i)the maximum amount allowable as a deduction under section 224(b)(1) for the taxable year, over
(ii)the amount contributed to the accounts for the taxable year..
(d)Failure of employer To make comparable dependent care savings account contributionsChapter 43 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

4980H.Failure of employer to make comparable dependent care savings account contributions
(a)General ruleIn the case of an employer who makes a contribution to the dependent care savings account of any employee during a calendar year, there is hereby imposed a tax on the failure of such employer to meet the requirements of subsection (b) for such calendar year.
(b)Rules and requirementsRules and requirements similar to the rules and requirements of section 4980E shall apply for purposes of this section.
(c)RegulationsThe Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d)ExceptionFor purposes of applying section 4980E to a contribution to a dependent care savings account of an employee who is not a highly compensated employee (as defined in section 414(q)), highly compensated employees shall not be treated as comparable participating employees. .
(e)Clerical amendments
(1)The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by redesignating the item relating to section 224 as an item relating to section 225 and inserting before such item the following new item:

Sec. 224. Dependent care savings accounts..
(2)The table of sections for chapter 43 such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 4980H. Failure of employer to make comparable dependent care savings account contributions..
(f)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


109 HR 5099 IH: Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-04-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5099
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 5, 2006
Mr. Peterson of Minnesota (for himself, Mr. Bonner, Mr. Berry, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Ross, Mr. Foley, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Everett, Mr. Boyd, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Kennedy of Minnesota, Mr. Melancon, Mrs. Emerson, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Pickering, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Hulshof, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Jindal, Ms. Herseth, Mr. Porter, Mr. Skelton, and Mr. Baker) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, Budget, and Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To provide disaster assistance to agricultural producers for crop and livestock losses, and for other purposes.

1.Short title; table of contents
(a)Short titleThis title may be cited as the Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006.
(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Title I—Agricultural production losses
Sec. 101. Crop disaster assistance.
Sec. 102. Livestock assistance.
Sec. 103. Flooded crop and grazing land.
Sec. 104. Sugarcane and sugar beet disaster assistance.
Sec. 105. Specialty crops and nursery crops.
Sec. 106. Dairy assistance.
Sec. 107. Cottonseed.
Sec. 108. Reduction in payments.
Title II—Supplemental nutrition and agricultural economic disaster assistance
Sec. 201. Replenishment of Section 32.
Sec. 202. Supplemental economic loss payments.
Sec. 203. Reduction in payments.
Title III—Forestry
Sec. 301. Tree assistance program.
Title IV—Conservation
Sec. 401. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Sec. 402. Emergency watershed protection program.
Sec. 403. Emergency conservation program.
Title V—Farm service agency
Sec. 501. Funding for additional personnel.
Title VI—Miscellaneous
Sec. 601. Authority to provide immunizations.
Sec. 602. Waiver of certain provisions.
Sec. 603. Funding.
Sec. 604. Regulations.
Title VII—Emergency designation
Sec. 701. Emergency designation.
Title VIII—Drought Emergency Assistance
Sec. 801. Corps of Engineers.
Sec. 802. Bureau of Reclamation.
Sec. 803. Emergency designation.
2.DefinitionsIn this title:
(1)Additional coverageThe term additional coverage has the meaning given the term in section 502(b)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)).
(2)Disaster countyThe term disaster county means—
(A)a county included in the geographic area covered by a natural disaster declaration; and
(B)each county contiguous to a county described in subparagraph (A).
(3)Hurricane-affected countyThe term hurricane-affected county means—
(A)a county included in the geographic area covered by a natural disaster declaration related to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Wilma, or a related condition; and
(B)each county contiguous to a county described in subparagraph (A).
(4)Insurable commodityThe term insurable commodity means an agricultural commodity (excluding livestock) for which the producers on a farm are eligible to obtain a policy or plan of insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
(5)LivestockThe term livestock includes—
(A)cattle (including dairy cattle);
(B)bison;
(C)sheep;
(D)swine; and
(E)other livestock, as determined by the Secretary.
(6)Natural disaster declarationThe term natural disaster declaration means—
(A)a natural disaster declared by the Secretary—
(i)during calendar year 2005 under section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961(a)); or
(ii)during calendar year 2006 under that section, but for which a request was pending as of the date of enactment of this Act; or
(B)a major disaster or emergency designated by the President—
(i)during calendar year 2005 under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); or
(ii)during calendar year 2006 under that Act, but for which a request was pending as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(7)Noninsurable commodityThe term noninsurable commodity means a crop for which the producers on a farm are eligible to obtain assistance under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333).
(8)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
IAgricultural production losses
101.Crop disaster assistance
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make emergency financial assistance authorized under this section available to producers on a farm that have incurred qualifying losses described in subsection (c).
(b)Administration
(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make assistance available under this section in the same manner as provided under section 815 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106–387; 114 Stat. 1549A–55), including using the same loss thresholds for quantity and economic losses as were used in administering that section, except that the payment rate shall be 50 percent of the established price, instead of 65 percent.
(2)Loss thresholds for quality lossesIn the case of a payment for quality loss for a crop under subsection (c)(2), the loss thresholds for quality loss for the crop shall be determined under subsection (d).
(c)Qualifying lossesAssistance under this section shall be made available to producers on farms, other than producers of sugar cane and sugar beets, that incurred qualifying quantity or quality losses for—
(1)the 2005 crop due to damaging weather or any related condition (including losses due to crop diseases, insects, and delayed harvest), as determined by the Secretary; and
(2)the 2006 crop due to flooding in California and Hawaii that occurred prior to the date of enactment of this Act and for which a petition for a disaster designation has been filed with the Secretary not later than that date.
(d)Quality losses
(1)In generalSubject to paragraph (3), the amount of a payment made to producers on a farm for a quality loss for a crop under subsection (c)(2) shall be equal to the amount obtained by multiplying—
(A)65 percent of the payment quantity determined under paragraph (2); by
(B)50 percent of the payment rate determined under paragraph (3).
(2)Payment quantityFor the purpose of paragraph (1)(A), the payment quantity for quality losses for a crop of a commodity on a farm shall equal the lesser of—
(A)the actual production of the crop affected by a quality loss of the commodity on the farm; or
(B)the quantity of expected production of the crop affected by a quality loss of the commodity on the farm, using the formula used by the Secretary to determine quantity losses for the crop of the commodity under subsection (c)(1).
(3)Payment rateFor the purpose of paragraph (1)(B) and in accordance with paragraphs (5) and (6), the payment rate for quality losses for a crop of a commodity on a farm shall be equal to the difference between—
(A)the per unit market value that the units of the crop affected by the quality loss would have had if the crop had not suffered a quality loss; and
(B)the per unit market value of the units of the crop affected by the quality loss.
(4)EligibilityFor producers on a farm to be eligible to obtain a payment for a quality loss for a crop under subsection (c)(2), the amount obtained by multiplying the per unit loss determined under paragraph (1) by the number of units affected by the quality loss shall be at least 25 percent of the value that all affected production of the crop would have had if the crop had not suffered a quality loss.
(5)Marketing contractsIn the case of any production of a commodity that is sold pursuant to 1 or more marketing contracts (regardless of whether the contract is entered into by the producers on the farm before or after harvest) and for which appropriate documentation exists, the quantity designated in the contracts shall be eligible for quality loss assistance based on the 1 or more prices specified in the contracts.
(6)Other productionFor any additional production of a commodity for which a marketing contract does not exist or for which production continues to be owned by the producer, quality losses shall be based on the average local market discounts for reduced quality, as determined by the appropriate State committee of the Farm Service Agency.
(7)Quality adjustments and discountsThe appropriate State committee of the Farm Service Agency shall identify the appropriate quality adjustment and discount factors to be considered in carrying out this subsection, including—
(A)the average local discounts actually applied to a crop; and
(B)the discount schedules applied to loans made by the Farm Service Agency or crop insurance coverage under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
(8)Eligible productionThe Secretary shall carry out this subsection in a fair and equitable manner for all eligible production, including the production of fruits and vegetables, other specialty crops, and field crops.
(e)Eligibility for assistance
(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the producers on a farm shall not be eligible for assistance under this section with respect to losses to an insurable commodity or noninsurable commodity if the producers on the farm—
(A)in the case of an insurable commodity, did not obtain a policy or plan of insurance for the insurable commodity under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) for the crop incurring the losses;
(B)in the case of a noninsurable commodity, did not file the required paperwork, and pay the administrative fee by the applicable State filing deadline, for the noninsurable commodity under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) for the crop incurring the losses;
(C)had average adjusted gross income (as defined by section 1001D(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a(a)), of greater than $2,500,000 in 2004; or
(D)were not in compliance with highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation provisions.
(2)Contract waiverThe Secretary may waive paragraph (1) with respect to the producers on a farm if the producers enter into a contract with the Secretary under which the producers agree—
(A)in the case of an insurable commodity, to obtain a policy or plan of insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) providing additional coverage for the insurable commodity for each of the next 2 crops, at a coverage level that provides—
(i)not less than 65 percent of the actual production history for the crop produced on the farm; and
(ii)100 percent of the expected market price or a comparable coverage (as determined by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation); and
(B)in the case of a noninsurable commodity, to file the required paperwork and pay the administrative fee by the applicable State filing deadline, for the noninsurable commodity for each of the next 2 crops under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333).
(3)Effect of violationIn the event of the violation of a contract under paragraph (2) by a producer, the producer shall reimburse the Secretary for the full amount of the assistance provided to the producer under this section.
(f)Timing
(1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make payments to producers on a farm for a crop under this section not later than 60 days after the date the producers on the farm submit to the Secretary a completed application for the payments.
(2)InterestIf the Secretary does not make payments to the producers on a farm by the date described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall pay to the producers on a farm interest on the payments at a rate equal to the current (as of the sign-up deadline established by the Secretary) market yield on outstanding, marketable obligations of the United States with maturities of 30 years.
102.Livestock assistance
(a)Livestock Compensation Program
(1)Use of commodity credit corporation fundsEffective beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the 2002 Livestock Compensation Program announced by the Secretary on October 10, 2002 (67 Fed. Reg. 63070), to provide compensation for livestock losses during calendar years 2005 and 2006 for losses that occurred prior to the date of enactment of this Act (including wildfire disaster losses in the State of Texas and other States) due to a disaster, as determined by the Secretary, except that the payment rate shall be 75 percent of the payment rate established for the 2002 Livestock Compensation Program.
(2)Eligible applicantsIn carrying out the program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide assistance to any applicant that—
(A)
(i)conducts a livestock operation that is located in a disaster county, including any applicant conducting a livestock operation with eligible livestock (within the meaning of the livestock assistance program under section 101(b) of division B of Public Law 108–324 (118 Stat. 1234)); or
(ii)produces an animal described in section 10806(a)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (21 U.S.C. 321d(a)(1)); and
(B)meets all other eligibility requirements established by the Secretary for the program.
(3)MitigationIn determining the eligibility for or amount of payments for which a producer is eligible under the livestock compensation program, the Secretary shall not penalize a producer that takes actions (recognizing disaster conditions) that reduce the average number of livestock the producer owned for grazing during the production year for which assistance is being provided.
(4)LimitationThe Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that no producer on a farm receives duplicative payments under this subsection and another Federal program with respect to any loss.
(b)Livestock indemnity payments
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make livestock indemnity payments to producers on farms that have incurred livestock losses during calendar years 2005 and 2006 for losses that occurred prior to the date of enactment of this Act (including wildfire disaster losses in the State of Texas and other States) due to a disaster, as determined by the Secretary, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, anthrax, and wildfires.
(2)Payment ratesIndemnity payments to a producer on a farm under paragraph (1) shall be made at a rate of not less than 30 percent of the market value of the applicable livestock on the day before the date of death of the livestock, as determined by the Secretary.
(c)Livestock indemnity program for contract growers
(1)In generalSubject to subsection (d), the Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to establish a program to assist poultry producers in hurricane-affected counties that suffered income losses.
(2)Terms and conditionsThe program established under paragraph (1) shall contain similar terms and conditions as the terms and conditions used for the livestock indemnity program for contract growers described in subpart E of chapter XIV of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2002).
(d)Ewe lamb replacement and retention
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall use $15,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make payments under the Ewe Lamb Replacement and Retention Payment Program under part 784 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) for each qualifying ewe lamb retained or purchased during the period beginning on January 1, 2006, and ending on December 31, 2006.
(2)Ineligibility for other assistanceA producer that receives assistance under this subsection shall not be eligible to receive assistance under subsection (a).
(e)Limit on amount of assistanceThe Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that no producer on a farm receives duplicative payments under this section and any other Federal program for the same loss.
103.Flooded crop and grazing land
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall compensate eligible owners of flooded crop and grazing land in—
(1)the Devils Lake basin; and
(2)the McHugh, Lake Laretta, and Rose Lake closed drainage areas of the State of North Dakota.
(b)Eligibility
(1)In generalTo be eligible to receive compensation under this section, an owner shall own land described in subsection (a) that, during the 2 crop years preceding receipt of compensation, was rendered incapable of use for the production of an agricultural commodity or for grazing purposes (in a manner consistent with the historical use of the land) as the result of flooding, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)InclusionsLand described in paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)land that has been flooded;
(B)land that has been rendered inaccessible due to flooding; and
(C)a reasonable buffer strip adjoining the flooded land, as determined by the Secretary.
(3)AdministrationThe Secretary may establish—
(A)reasonable minimum acreage levels for individual parcels of land for which owners may receive compensation under this section; and
(B)the location and area of adjoining flooded land for which owners may receive compensation under this section.
(c)Sign-upThe Secretary shall establish a sign-up program for eligible owners to apply for compensation from the Secretary under this section.
(d)Compensation payments
(1)In generalSubject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the rate of an annual compensation payment under this section shall be equal to 90 percent of the average annual per acre rental payment rate (at the time of entry into the contract) for comparable crop or grazing land that has not been flooded and remains in production in the county where the flooded land is located, as determined by the Secretary.
(2)ReductionAn annual compensation payment under this section shall be reduced by the amount of any conservation program rental payments or Federal agricultural commodity program payments received by the owner for the land during any crop year for which compensation is received under this section.
(3)ExclusionDuring any year in which an owner receives compensation for flooded land under this section, the owner shall not be eligible to participate in or receive benefits for the flooded land under—
(A)the Federal crop insurance program established under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.);
(B)the noninsured crop assistance program established under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333); or
(C)any Federal agricultural crop disaster assistance program.
(e)Relationship to agricultural commodity programsThe Secretary, by regulation, shall provide for the preservation of cropland base, allotment history, and payment yields applicable to land described in subsection (a) that was rendered incapable of use for the production of an agricultural commodity or for grazing purposes as the result of flooding.
(f)Use of land
(1)In generalAn owner that receives compensation under this section for flooded land shall take such actions as are necessary to not degrade any wildlife habitat on the land that has naturally developed as a result of the flooding.
(2)Recreational activitiesTo encourage owners that receive compensation for flooded land to allow public access to and use of the land for recreational activities, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may—
(A)offer an eligible owner additional compensation; and
(B)provide compensation for additional acreage under this section.
(g)Funding
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall use $6,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section.
(2)Pro-rated paymentsIn a case in which the amount made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year is insufficient to compensate all eligible owners under this section, the Secretary shall pro-rate payments for that fiscal year on a per acre basis.
104.Sugarcane and sugar beet disaster assistance
(a)FloridaThe Secretary of Agriculture shall use $120,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make payments to processors in Florida that are eligible to obtain a loan under section 156(a) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(a)) to compensate first processors and producers for crop and other losses in hurricane-affected counties that are related to hurricanes, tropical storms, excessive rains, floods, and wind in Florida during calendar year 2005, by an agreement on the same terms and conditions, to the maximum extent practicable, as the payments made under section 102 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricane Disasters Assistance Act of 2005 (Public Law 108–324; 118 Stat. 1235), including that the 2005 base production of each harvesting unit shall be determined using the same base year crop production history that was used pursuant to the agreement under that section.
(b)Louisiana
(1)Compensation for lossesThe Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make $120,000,000 in payments to first processors of sugarcane that operate in a disaster county in Louisiana, or obtain sugarcane from a disaster county in Louisiana, and that are eligible to obtain a loan under section 156(a) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(a)), to compensate the producers and first processors for crop and other losses due to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, or related conditions.
(2)AdministrationAssistance under this subsection shall be—
(A)shared by an affected first processor with affected producers that provide commodities to the processor in a manner that reflects contracts entered into between the processor and the producers, except with respect to a portion of the amount of total assistance described under paragraph (1) necessary to compensate affected producers for individual losses experienced by the producers, including losses due to saltwater intrusion, flooding, wind damage, or increased planting, replanting, or harvesting costs, which shall be transferred by the first processor to the affected producers without regard to contractual share arrangements; and
(B)made available under such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines are necessary to carry out this subsection.
(3)Loss determinationIn carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall use the same base year to determine crop loss that was elected by a producer to determine crop loss in carrying out the hurricane assistance program under section 207 of the Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–7; 117 Stat. 543).
(c)FundingThe Secretary shall use $40,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide assistance to sugar beet producers that suffered production losses (including quality losses) for the 2005 crop year.
(d)RequirementThe Secretary shall make payments under subsection (c) in the same manner as payments were made under section 208 of the Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–7; 117 Stat. 544), including using the same indemnity benefits as were used in carrying out that section.
(e)TexasThe Secretary shall use $400,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to assist sugarcane growers in Texas by making a payment in that amount to the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, a farmer-owned cooperative sugarcane processor in that State, for additional demurrage costs at the Port of Baton Rouge and additional storage and transportation costs of raw sugar resulting from hurricanes during calendar year 2005, excessive rains, floods, wind, and other related conditions.
(f)HawaiiThe Secretary shall use $6,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to assist sugarcane growers in Hawaii by making a payment in that amount to an agricultural transportation cooperative in Hawaii, the members of which are eligible to receive marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments made available under subtitle B of title I of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7931 et seq.).
(g)Limit on amount of assistanceThe Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that no producer on a farm receives duplicative payments under this section and any other Federal program for the same loss.
105.Specialty crops and nursery crops
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide assistance to producers of specialty crops and nursery crops in hurricane-affected counties.
(b)Administration
(1)In generalAssistance required by subsection (a) shall be carried out by the Secretary under the same terms and conditions as the special disaster relief programs carried out for producers that suffered from crop damage and tree losses, and carried out related cleanup, in certain areas of Florida due to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne during August and September 2004, as described in the notice of program implementation relating to Florida citrus, fruit, vegetable, and nursery crop disaster programs (69 Fed. Reg. 63134 (October 29, 2004)).
(2)Loss of recordsDue to the complete destruction of the business records of many producers, the Secretary shall use the best available information in determining eligibility, determining losses, and calculating payment amounts under this section.
(c)Limit on amount of assistanceThe Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that no producer on a farm receives duplicative payments under this section and any other Federal program for the same loss.
106.Dairy assistanceThe Secretary shall use $25,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make payments to dairy producers for dairy production losses and dairy spoilage losses in hurricane-affected counties.
107.Cottonseed
(a)Distribution of fundsThe Secretary shall provide disaster assistance under subsection (c) under the same terms and conditions as assistance provided under section 206 of the Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–7; 117 Stat. 543), except that assistance shall be—
(1)distributed to producers and first handlers of cottonseed; and
(2)based on cottonseed production during the most recent year for which a disaster payment specifically for cottonseed was not authorized.
(b)Cottonseed assistanceThe Secretary shall use $15,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide assistance to producers and first-handlers of the 2005 crop of cottonseed in hurricane-affected counties.
108.Reduction in paymentsThe amount of any payment for which a producer is eligible under this subtitle shall be reduced by any amount received by the producer for the same loss or any similar loss under—
(1)the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–148; 119 Stat. 2680); or
(2)an agricultural disaster assistance provision contained in the announcement of the Secretary on January 26, 2006.
IISupplemental nutrition and agricultural economic disaster assistance
201.Replenishment of Section 32
(a)Definition of specialty cropIn this section:
(1)In generalThe term specialty crop means any agricultural crop.
(2)ExceptionThe term specialty crop does not include—
(A)wheat;
(B)feed grains;
(C)oilseeds;
(D)cotton;
(E)rice; or
(F)peanuts.
(b)Base State grants
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall use $25,500,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make grants to the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to be used to support activities that promote agriculture.
(2)AmountsThe amount of the grants shall be—
(A)$500,000 to each of the several States; and
(B)$250,000 to each of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
(c)Grants for value of productionThe Secretary shall use $74,500,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make a grant to each of the several States in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying—
(1)the share of the State of the total value of specialty crop, livestock, and dairy production of the United States for the 2004 crop year, as determined by the Secretary; by
(2)$74,500,000.
(d)Special crop and livestock priorityAs a condition on the receipt of a grant under this section, a State shall agree to give priority to the support of specialty crops and livestock in the use of the grant funds.
(e)Use of fundsA State may use funds from a grant awarded under this section—
(1)to supplement State food bank programs or other nutrition assistance programs;
(2)to promote the purchase, sale, or consumption of agricultural products;
(3)to provide economic assistance to agricultural producers, giving a priority to the support of specialty crops and livestock; or
(4)for other purposes as determined by the Secretary.
202.Supplemental economic loss paymentsThe Secretary shall make a supplemental economic loss payment to any producer on a farm that received a direct payment for crop year 2005 under title I of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.) at a rate equal to the product obtained by multiplying—
(1)30 percent of the direct payment rate in effect for the program crop of the farmer;
(2)85 percent of the program crop base of the farmer; and
(3)the program payment yield for each program crop of the farmer.
203.Reduction in paymentsThe amount of any payment for which a producer is eligible under this subtitle shall be reduced by any amount received by the producer for the same loss or any similar loss under—
(1)the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–148; 119 Stat. 2680); or
(2)an agricultural disaster assistance provision contained in the announcement of the Secretary on January 26, 2006.
IIIForestry
301.Tree assistance program
(a)Definition of treeIn this section, the term tree includes a tree (including a Christmas tree, ornamental tree, nursery tree, and potted tree), bush (including a shrub), and vine.
(b)ProgramExcept as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide assistance under the tree assistance program established under sections 10201 through 10203 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8201 et seq.) to—
(1)producers who suffered tree losses in hurricane-affected counties; and
(2)fruit and tree nut producers in hurricane-affected counties for site preparation, replacement, rehabilitation, and pruning.
(c)CostsFunds made available under this section shall also be made available to cover costs associated with tree pruning, tree rehabilitation, and other appropriate tree-related activities as determined by the Secretary.
(d)Limit on amount of assistanceThe Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that no producer on a farm receives duplicative payments under this section and any other Federal program for the same loss.
IVConservation
401.Natural Resources Conservation Service
(a)Authority to clear debris and animal carcassesNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, using funds made available for the emergency watershed protection program established under section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203), may provide financial and technical assistance to remove and dispose of debris and animal carcasses that could adversely affect health and safety on non-Federal land in a hurricane-affected county.
(b)Authority to use certain practicesNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, acting through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, may use direct check-writing practices and electronic transfers to provide financial and technical assistance under the emergency watershed protection program established under section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) in a hurricane-affected county.
402.Emergency watershed protection programThe Secretary shall use an additional $108,500,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out emergency measures identified by the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service as of the date of enactment of this Act through the emergency watershed protection program established under section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203).
403.Emergency conservation programThe Secretary shall use an additional $17,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out emergency measures identified by the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency as of the date of enactment of this Act through the emergency conservation program established under title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.).
VFarm service agency
501.Funding for additional personnelThe Secretary shall use $23,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to hire additional County Farm Service Agency personnel—
(1)to expedite the implementation of, and delivery under, the agricultural disaster and economic assistance programs under this title; and
(2)as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out other agriculture and disaster assistance programs.
VIMiscellaneous
601.Authority to provide immunizationsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Defense may provide immunizations to employees of the Department of Agriculture involved in direct recovery work in a hurricane-affected county.
602.Waiver of certain provisionsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may provide assistance in a hurricane-affected county under the emergency conservation program established under title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) without regard to subtitle C of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.).
603.FundingThe Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this title, to remain available until expended.
604.Regulations
(a)In generalThe Secretary may promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this title.
(b)ProcedureThe promulgation of the regulations and administration of this title shall be made without regard to—
(1)the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States Code;
(2)the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking; and
(3)chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act).
(c)Congressional review of agency rulemakingIn carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 808 of title 5, United States Code.
VIIEmergency designation
701.Emergency designationThe amounts provided under this title are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 402 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress).
VIIIDrought Emergency Assistance
801.Corps of EngineersIn addition to any other funds made available by this Act, there is appropriated for Department of Defense-Civil, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineer-Civil, Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, as authorized by section 5 of the Act of August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C. 701n), $5,000,000, to remain available until expended, to be used by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, for emergency drought assistance.
802.Bureau of ReclamationIn addition to any other funds made available by this Act, there is appropriated for Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources, $7,500,000, to remain available until expended, for drought emergency assistance.
803.Emergency designationThe amounts provided under this title are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 402 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress).


115 S1307 IS: Affordable Health Insurance for the Middle Class Act
U.S. Senate
2017-06-07
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.

		II
		115th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1307
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 7, 2017
			Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Warren, Ms. Harris, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Leahy, and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand eligibility to receive refundable tax credits
			 for coverage under a qualified health plan.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Affordable Health Insurance for the Middle Class Act.
		2.Expansion of eligibility for refundable credits for coverage under qualified health plans
 (a)In generalSection 36B(c)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking but does not exceed 400 percent. (b)Conforming amendmentThe table in section 36B(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking up to 400% and inserting or higher.
 (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		III

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. RES. 141

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 12, 2005

			Ms. Murkowski (for

			 herself, Mr. Johnson,

			 Mr. Stevens, Mr. Durbin, Mr.

			 Coleman, Mr. Dodd, and

			 Mrs. Murray) submitted the following

			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION

		Designating September 9, 2005, as

		  National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness

		  Day.

		Whereas

			 the term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders includes a broader range

			 of conditions and therefore has replaced the term fetal alcohol

			 syndrome as the umbrella term describing the range of effects that can

			 occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy;

		Whereas

			 fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the leading cause of mental retardation in

			 western civilization, including the United States, and are 100 percent

			 preventable;

		Whereas

			 fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major cause of numerous social

			 disorders, including learning disabilities, school failure, juvenile

			 delinquency, homelessness, unemployment, mental illness, and crime;

		Whereas

			 the incidence rate of fetal alcohol syndrome is estimated at 1 out of 500 live

			 births and the incidence rate of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is estimated

			 at 1 out of every 100 live births;

		Whereas

			 the economic cost of fetal alcohol syndrome alone to the Nation was

			 $5,400,000,000 in 2003 and it is estimated that each individual with fetal

			 alcohol syndrome will cost United States taxpayers between $1,500,000 and

			 $3,000,000 in his or her lifetime;

		Whereas

			 in February 1999, a small group of parents of children who suffer from fetal

			 alcohol spectrum disorders came together with the hope that in 1 magic moment

			 the world could be made aware of the devastating consequences of alcohol

			 consumption during pregnancy;

		Whereas

			 the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day was observed on

			 September 9, 1999;

		Whereas

			 Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, the co-founder of the first International

			 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day, asked What if . . . a world full

			 of FAS/E [Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect] parents all got together on the ninth

			 hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year and asked the world to

			 remember that during the 9 months of pregnancy a woman should not consume

			 alcohol . . . would the rest of the world listen?; and

		Whereas

			 on the ninth day of the ninth month of each year since 1999, communities around

			 the world have observed International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day:

			 Now, therefore, be it

		That the Senate—

			(1)designates September 9, 2005, as

			 National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day;

			 and

			(2)calls upon the people of the United States

			 to—

				(A)observe National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

			 Disorders Awareness Day with appropriate ceremonies to—

					(i)promote awareness of the effects of

			 prenatal exposure to alcohol;

					(ii)increase compassion for individuals

			 affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol;

					(iii)minimize further effects of prenatal

			 exposure to alcohol; and

					(iv)ensure healthier communities across the

			 United States; and

					(B)observe a moment of reflection on the ninth

			 hour of September 9, 2005, to remember that during the 9 months of pregnancy a

			 woman should not consume alcohol.


110 HR 3191 IH: Wounded Warrior Information Sharing

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-07-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3191
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 26, 2007
			Mr. Courtney (for
			 himself, Mr. Shays,
			 Ms. DeLauro,
			 Mr. Larson of Connecticut,
			 Mr. Murphy of Connecticut,
			 Mr. Hinchey,
			 Mr. Delahunt,
			 Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California,
			 Mr. Hall of New York, and
			 Mr. Smith of New Jersey) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		A BILL
		To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the
		  transfer of certain contact information for a member of the Armed Forces who is
		  being medically separated or retired under chapter 61 of such title to the
		  department or agency for veterans affairs of the State in which the member
		  intends to reside.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Wounded Warrior Information Sharing
			 Act.
		2.Transfer of
			 member contact information to State departments and agencies for veterans
			 affairsSection 1142 of title
			 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

				(d)Transfer of
				contact information to State departments and agencies for veterans
				affairs(1)In
				the case of a member being medically separated or being retired under chapter
				61 of this title, the Secretary concerned shall ensure (subject to the consent
				of the member) that the member’s address and contact information is transmitted
				within 30 days of the separation or retirement to the department or agency for
				veterans affairs of the State in which the member intends to reside after the
				separation or retirement.
					(2)In this subsection, the term
				State includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
				Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any
				territory or possession of the United
				States.
					.