		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1372
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 14, 2011
			Mr. Reed (for himself,
			 Mr. Kirk, Mr.
			 Bingaman, Mr. Cardin,
			 Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr.
			 Kerry, Mr. Lautenberg,
			 Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. Murray, Mr.
			 Sanders, and Mr. Whitehouse)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
		  1965 regarding environmental education, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short
			 title; table of contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited
			 as the No Child Left Inside Act of
			 2011.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of
			 contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of
				contents.
					Sec. 2. References.
					Sec. 3. Authorization of appropriations.
					TITLE I—Environmental literacy plans
					Sec. 101. Development, approval, and implementation of State
				environmental literacy plans.
					TITLE II—Establishment of environmental education professional
				development grant programs
					Sec. 201. Environmental education professional development
				grant programs.
					TITLE III—Environmental education grant program to help build
				national capacity
					Sec. 301. Environmental education grant program to help build
				national capacity.

			2.ReferencesExcept as otherwise specifically provided,
			 whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
			 amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall
			 be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Elementary and
			 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.).
		3.Authorization of
			 appropriations
			(a)AuthorizationThere are authorized to be appropriated to
			 carry out section 5622(g) and part E of title II of the Elementary and
			 Secondary Education Act of 1965, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
			 2012 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
			(b)DistributionWith
			 respect to any amount appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal
			 year—
				(1)not more than 70
			 percent of such amount shall be used to carry out section 5622(g) of the
			 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for such fiscal year; and
				(2)not less than 30
			 percent of such amount shall be used to carry out part E of title II of such
			 Act for such fiscal year.
				IEnvironmental
			 literacy plans
			101.Development,
			 approval, and implementation of State environmental literacy
			 plansPart D of title V (20
			 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					22Environmental
				literacy plans
						5621.Environmental
				literacy plan requirementsIn
				order for any State educational agency, or a local educational agency served by
				a State educational agency, to receive grant funds, either directly or through
				participation in a partnership with a recipient of grant funds, under this
				subpart or part E of title II, the State educational agency shall meet the
				requirements regarding an environmental literacy plan under section
				5622.
						5622.State
				environmental literacy plans
							(a)Submission of
				plan
								(1)In
				generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the
				No Child Left Inside Act of
				2011, a State educational agency subject to the requirements of
				section 5621 shall, in consultation with State environmental agencies and State
				natural resource agencies, and with input from the public—
									(A)submit an
				environmental literacy plan for prekindergarten through grade 12 to the
				Secretary for peer review and approval that will ensure that elementary and
				secondary school students in the State are environmentally literate; and
									(B)begin the
				implementation of such plan in the State.
									(2)Existing
				plansA State may satisfy the requirement of paragraph (1)(A) by
				submitting to the Secretary for peer review an existing State plan that has
				been developed in cooperation with a State environmental or natural resource
				management agency, if such plan complies with this section.
								(b)Plan
				objectivesA State environmental literacy plan shall meet the
				following objectives:
								(1)Prepare students
				to understand, analyze, and address the major environmental challenges facing
				the students' State and the United States.
								(2)Provide field
				experiences as part of the regular school curriculum and create programs that
				contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound
				nutrition.
								(3)Create
				opportunities for enhanced and on-going professional development for teachers
				that improves the teachers’—
									(A)environmental
				subject matter knowledge; and
									(B)pedagogical
				skills in teaching about environmental issues, including the use of—
										(i)interdisciplinary,
				field-based, and research-based learning; and
										(ii)innovative
				technology in the classroom.
										(c)Contents of
				planA State environmental literacy plan shall include each of
				the following:
								(1)A description of
				how the State educational agency will measure the environmental literacy of
				students, including—
									(A)relevant State
				academic content standards and content areas regarding environmental education,
				and courses or subjects where environmental education instruction will be
				integrated throughout the prekindergarten to grade 12 curriculum; and
									(B)a description of
				the relationship of the plan to the secondary school graduation requirements of
				the State.
									(2)A description of
				programs for professional development for teachers to improve the
				teachers’—
									(A)environmental
				subject matter knowledge; and
									(B)pedagogical
				skills in teaching about environmental issues, including the use of—
										(i)interdisciplinary,
				field-based, and research-based learning; and
										(ii)innovative
				technology in the classroom.
										(3)A description of
				how the State educational agency will implement the plan, including securing
				funding and other necessary support.
								(d)Plan
				updateThe State environmental literacy plan shall be revised or
				updated by the State educational agency and submitted to the Secretary not less
				often than every 5 years or as appropriate to reflect plan
				modifications.
							(e)Peer review and
				secretarial approvalThe Secretary shall—
								(1)establish a peer
				review process to assist in the review of State environmental literacy
				plans;
								(2)appoint
				individuals to the peer review process who—
									(A)are
				representative of parents, teachers, State educational agencies, State
				environmental agencies, State natural resource agencies, local educational
				agencies, and nongovernmental organizations; and
									(B)are familiar with
				national environmental issues and the health and educational needs of
				students;
									(3)include, in the
				peer review process, appropriate representatives from the Department of
				Commerce, Department of Interior, Department of Energy, the Environmental
				Protection Agency, and other appropriate Federal agencies, to provide
				environmental expertise and background for evaluation of the State
				environmental literacy plan;
								(4)approve a State
				environmental literacy plan not later than 120 days after the plan’s submission
				unless the Secretary determines that the State environmental literacy plan does
				not meet the requirements of this section;
								(5)immediately
				notify the State if the Secretary determines that the State environmental
				literacy plan does not meet the requirements of this section, and state the
				reasons for such determination;
								(6)not decline to
				approve a State environmental literacy plan before—
									(A)offering the
				State an opportunity to revise the State environmental literacy plan;
									(B)providing
				technical assistance in order to assist the State to meet the requirements of
				this section; and
									(C)providing notice
				and an opportunity for a hearing; and
									(7)have the
				authority to decline to approve a State environmental literacy plan for not
				meeting the requirements of this part, but shall not have the authority to
				require a State, as a condition of approval of the State environmental literacy
				plan, to—
									(A)include in, or
				delete from, such State environmental literacy plan 1 or more specific elements
				of the State academic content standards under section 1111(b)(1); or
									(B)use specific
				academic assessment instruments or items.
									(f)State
				revisionsThe State educational agency shall have the opportunity
				to revise a State environmental literacy plan if such revision is necessary to
				satisfy the requirements of this section.
							(g)Grants for
				implementation
								(1)Program
				authorizedFrom amounts appropriated for this subsection, the
				Secretary shall award grants, through allotments in accordance with the
				regulations described in paragraph (2), to States to enable the States to award
				subgrants, on a competitive basis, to local educational agencies and eligible
				partnerships (as such term is defined in section 2502) to support the
				implementation of the State environmental literacy plan.
								(2)RegulationsThe
				Secretary shall promulgate regulations implementing the grant program under
				paragraph (1), which regulations shall include the development of an allotment
				formula that best achieves the purposes of this subpart.
								(3)Administrative
				expensesA State receiving a grant under this subsection may use
				not more than 2.5 percent of the grant funds for administrative
				expenses.
								(h)Reporting
								(1)In
				generalNot later than 2 years after approval of a State
				environmental literacy plan, and every 2 years thereafter, the State
				educational agency shall submit to the Secretary a report on the implementation
				of the State plan.
								(2)Report
				requirementsThe report required by this subsection shall
				be—
									(A)in the form
				specified by the Secretary;
									(B)based on the
				State's ongoing evaluation activities; and
									(C)made readily
				available to the
				public.
									.
			IIEstablishment of
			 environmental education professional development grant programs
			201.Environmental
			 education professional development grant programsTitle II (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended
			 by adding at the end the following:

					EEnvironmental
				education professional development grant programs
						2501.PurposeThe purpose of this part is to ensure the
				academic achievement of students in environmental literacy through the
				professional development of teachers and educators.
						2502.Grants for
				enhancing education through environmental education
							(a)Definition of
				eligible partnershipIn this section, the term eligible
				partnership means a partnership that—
								(1)shall include a
				local educational agency; and
								(2)may
				include—
									(A)the teacher
				training department of an institution of higher education;
									(B)the environmental
				department of an institution of higher education;
									(C)another local
				educational agency, a public charter school, a public elementary school or
				secondary school, or a consortium of such schools;
									(D)a Federal, State,
				regional, or local environmental or natural resource management agency that has
				demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of environmental education
				teachers; or
									(E)a nonprofit
				organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of
				environmental education teachers.
									(b)Grants
				authorized
								(1)Program
				authorizedFrom amounts appropriated for this subsection, the
				Secretary shall award grants, through allotments in accordance with the
				regulations described in paragraph (2), to States whose State environmental
				literacy plan has been approved under section 5622, to enable the States to
				award subgrants under subsection (c).
								(2)RegulationsThe
				Secretary shall promulgate regulations implementing the grant program under
				paragraph (1), which regulations shall include the development of an allotment
				formula that best achieves the purposes of this subpart.
								(3)Administrative
				expensesA State receiving a grant under this subsection may use
				not more than 2.5 percent of the grant funds for administrative
				expenses.
								(c)Subgrants
				authorized
								(1)Subgrants to
				eligible partnershipsFrom amounts made available to a State
				educational agency under subsection (b)(1), the State educational agency shall
				award subgrants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships serving the
				State, to enable the eligible partnerships to carry out the authorized
				activities described in subsection (e) consistent with the approved State
				environmental literacy plan.
								(2)DurationThe
				State educational agency shall award each subgrant under this part for a period
				of not more than 3 years beginning on the date of approval of the State’s
				environmental literacy plan under section 5622.
								(3)Supplement, not
				supplantFunds provided to an eligible partnership under this
				part shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, funds that would otherwise
				be used for activities authorized under this part.
								(d)Application
				requirements
								(1)In
				generalEach eligible partnership desiring a subgrant under this
				part shall submit an application to the State educational agency, at such time,
				in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the State educational
				agency may require.
								(2)ContentsEach
				application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—
									(A)the results of a
				comprehensive assessment of the teacher quality and professional development
				needs, with respect to the teaching and learning of environmental
				content;
									(B)an explanation of
				how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership are expected
				to improve student academic achievement and strengthen the quality of
				environmental instruction;
									(C)a description of
				how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership—
										(i)will be aligned
				with challenging State academic content standards and student academic
				achievement standards in environmental education, to the extent such standards
				exist, and with the State's environmental literacy plan under section 5622;
				and
										(ii)will advance the
				teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural,
				social, and economic systems and that include strong field components in which
				students have the opportunity to directly experience nature;
										(D)a description of
				how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership will ensure
				that teachers are trained in the use of field-based or service learning to
				enable the teachers—
										(i)to use the local
				environment and community as a resource; and
										(ii)to enhance
				student understanding of the environment and academic achievement;
										(E)a description
				of—
										(i)how the eligible
				partnership will carry out the authorized activities described in subsection
				(e); and
										(ii)the eligible
				partnership's evaluation and accountability plan described in subsection (f);
				and
										(F)a description of
				how the eligible partnership will continue the activities funded under this
				part after the grant period has expired.
									(e)Authorized
				activitiesAn eligible partnership shall use the subgrant funds
				provided under this part for 1 or more of the following activities related to
				elementary schools or secondary schools:
								(1)Creating
				opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development of teachers
				that improves the environmental subject matter knowledge of such
				teachers.
								(2)Creating
				opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development of teachers
				that improves teachers’ pedagogical skills in teaching about the environment
				and environmental issues, including in the use of—
									(A)interdisciplinary,
				research-based, and field-based learning; and
									(B)innovative
				technology in the classroom.
									(3)Establishing and
				operating environmental education summer workshops or institutes, including
				follow-up training, for elementary and secondary school teachers to improve
				their pedagogical skills and subject matter knowledge for the teaching of
				environmental education.
								(4)Developing or
				redesigning more rigorous environmental education curricula that—
									(A)are aligned with
				challenging State academic content standards in environmental education, to the
				extent such standards exist, and with the State environmental literacy plan
				under section 5622; and
									(B)advance the
				teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural,
				social, and economic systems and that include strong field components.
									(5)Designing
				programs to prepare teachers at a school to provide mentoring and professional
				development to other teachers at such school to improve teacher environmental
				education subject matter and pedagogical skills.
								(6)Establishing and
				operating programs to bring teachers into contact with working professionals in
				environmental fields to expand such teachers’ subject matter knowledge of, and
				research in, environmental issues.
								(7)Creating
				initiatives that seek to incorporate environmental education within teacher
				training programs or accreditation standards consistent with the State
				environmental literacy plan under section 5622.
								(8)Promoting outdoor
				environmental education activities as part of the regular school curriculum and
				schedule in order to further the knowledge and professional development of
				teachers and help students directly experience nature.
								(f)Evaluation and
				accountability plan
								(1)In
				generalEach eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this
				part shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities
				assisted under this part that includes rigorous objectives that measure the
				impact of the activities.
								(2)ContentsThe
				plan developed under paragraph (1) shall include measurable objectives to
				increase the number of teachers who participate in environmental education
				content-based professional development activities.
								(g)ReportEach
				eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this part shall report
				annually, for each year of the subgrant, to the State educational agency
				regarding the eligible partnership’s progress in meeting the objectives
				described in the accountability plan of the eligible partnership under
				subsection
				(f).
							.
			IIIEnvironmental
			 education grant program to help build national capacity
			301.Environmental
			 education grant program to help build national capacityPart D of title V (20 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.)
			 (as amended by section 101) is further amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

					23Environmental
				education grant program
						5631.PurposesThe purposes of this subpart are—
							(1)to prepare children to understand and
				address major environmental challenges facing the United States; and
							(2)to strengthen environmental education as an
				integral part of the elementary school and secondary school curriculum.
							5632.Grant program
				authorized
							(a)Definition of
				eligible partnershipIn this section, the term eligible
				partnership means a partnership that—
								(1)shall include a
				local educational agency; and
								(2)may
				include—
									(A)the teacher
				training department of an institution of higher education;
									(B)the environmental
				department of an institution of higher education;
									(C)another local
				educational agency, a public charter school, a public elementary school or
				secondary school, or a consortium of such schools;
									(D)a Federal, State,
				regional, or local environmental or natural resource management agency, or park
				and recreation department, that has demonstrated effectiveness, expertise, and
				experience in the development of the institutional, financial, intellectual, or
				policy resources needed to help the field of environmental education become
				more effective and widely practiced; and
									(E)a nonprofit
				organization that has demonstrated effectiveness, expertise, and experience in
				the development of the institutional, financial, intellectual, or policy
				resources needed to help the field of environmental education become more
				effective and widely practiced.
									(b)Grants
				authorized
								(1)In
				generalThe Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a
				competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to enable the eligible partnerships
				to pay the Federal share of the costs of activities under this subpart.
								(2)DurationEach
				grant under this subpart shall be for a period of not less than 1 year and not
				more than 3 years.
								5633.ApplicationsEach eligible partnership desiring a grant
				under this subpart shall submit to the Secretary an application that
				contains—
							(1)a plan to
				initiate, expand, or improve environmental education programs in order to make
				progress toward meeting—
								(A)challenging State
				academic content standards and student academic achievement standards in
				environmental education, to the extent such standards exist; and
								(B)academic
				standards that are aligned with the State's environmental literacy plan under
				section 5622; and
								(2)an evaluation and
				accountability plan for activities assisted under this subpart that includes
				rigorous objectives that measure the impact of activities funded under this
				subpart.
							5634.Use of
				fundsGrant funds made
				available under this subpart shall be used for 1 or more of the
				following:
							(1)Developing and
				implementing State curriculum frameworks for environmental education that
				meet—
								(A)challenging State
				academic content standards and student academic achievement standards for
				environmental education, to the extent such standards exist; and
								(B)academic
				standards that are aligned with the State's environmental literacy plan under
				section 5622.
								(2)Replicating or
				disseminating information about proven and tested model environmental education
				programs that—
								(A)use the
				environment as an integrating theme or content throughout the curriculum;
				or
								(B)provide
				integrated, interdisciplinary instruction about natural, social, and economic
				systems along with field experience that provides students with opportunities
				to directly experience nature in ways designed to improve students’ overall
				academic performance, personal health (including addressing child obesity
				issues), and understanding of nature.
								(3)Developing and
				implementing new approaches to advancing environmental education, and to
				advancing the adoption and use of environmental education content standards, at
				the State and local levels.
							5635.Reports
							(a)Eligible
				partnership reportIn order to continue receiving grant funds
				under this subpart after the first year of a multiyear grant under this
				subpart, the eligible partnership shall submit to the Secretary an annual
				report that—
								(1)describes the
				activities assisted under this subpart that were conducted during the preceding
				year;
								(2)demonstrates that
				progress has been made in helping schools to meet the State academic standards
				for environmental education described in section 5634(1); and
								(3)describes the
				results of the eligible partnership's evaluation and accountability
				plan.
								(b)Report to
				CongressNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
				the No Child Left Inside Act of 2011 and annually thereafter, the Secretary
				shall submit a report to Congress that—
								(1)describes the
				programs assisted under this subpart;
								(2)documents the
				success of such programs in improving national and State environmental
				education capacity; and
								(3)makes such
				recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate for the continuation
				and improvement of the programs assisted under this subpart.
								5636.Administrative
				provisions
							(a)Federal
				shareThe Federal share of a grant under this subpart shall not
				exceed—
								(1)90 percent of the
				total costs of the activities assisted under the grant for the first year for
				which the program receives assistance under this subpart; and
								(2)75 percent of
				such costs for each of the second and third years.
								(b)Administrative
				expensesNot more than 7.5 percent of the grant funds made
				available to an eligible partnership under this subpart for any fiscal year may
				be used for administrative expenses.
							(c)Availability of
				fundsAmounts made available to the Secretary to carry out this
				subpart shall remain available until expended.
							5637.Supplement,
				not supplantFunds made
				available under this subpart shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any
				other Federal, State, or local funds available for environmental education
				activities.
						.


114 HJ 83 IH: Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-03-02
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.

		IA
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. J. RES. 83
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 2, 2016
			Mr. Ashford (for himself, Mr. Cuellar, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Schrader, Mr. Costa, and Mr. Cooper) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		JOINT RESOLUTION
		Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

 That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission by the Congress:

				 —
 1.Total outlays for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year, unless three-fifths of the whole number of each House of Congress shall provide by law for a specific excess of outlays over receipts by a roll call vote.
 2.Prior to each fiscal year, the President shall transmit to the Congress a proposed budget for the United States Government for that fiscal year in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts.
 3.Sections 1 and 2 of this article shall not apply during any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect or in which the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security and is so declared by a joint resolution, adopted by a majority of the whole number of each House, which becomes law.
 4.Section 1 of this article shall not apply during a fiscal year if, during that fiscal year or the preceding fiscal year, the economy of the United States grew by less than an annualized rate of 0.0 percent in real gross domestic product during 2 or more consecutive quarters or the unemployment rate was more than 7 percent during 2 or more consecutive months.
 Section 2 of this article shall not apply to a fiscal year if, during the 1-year period ending on the date on which the President transmits to Congress a proposed budget for the United States Government for that fiscal year, the economy of the United States grew by less than an annualized rate of 0.0 percent in real gross domestic product during 2 or more consecutive quarters or the unemployment rate was more than 7 percent during 2 or more consecutive months.
 5.Congress shall enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation, which may rely on estimates of outlays and receipts.
 6.Except as provided in the second clause, total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States Government other than those derived from borrowing, and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States Government other than those for repayment of debt principal.
 For each fiscal year, the receipts (including attributable interest) and outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or any fund that is a successor to any such fund, shall not be considered to be receipts or outlays for purposes of this Article.
 7.No court of the United States or of any State shall enforce this article by ordering any reduction in Social Security or Medicare payments authorized by law, including any amounts paid from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, or any fund that is a successor to any such fund, unless the receipts (including attributable interest) and other amounts available for that fund for the applicable fiscal year are not sufficient to cover the outlays that would otherwise occur during that fiscal year if the fund were fully solvent.
 8.This article shall take effect beginning with the fifth fiscal year beginning after its ratification..


116 S4505 IS: Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act
U.S. Senate
2020-08-06
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. 4505IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 6, 2020Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo provide one-time grants to parents and guardians for student education expenses, to establish emergency education freedom grants, and to provide tax credits for donations to eligible scholarship-granting organizations, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act.2.Grants to parents and guardians for student education expenses(a)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish a program to make one-time direct payments to parents or guardians to offset the educational expenses that such individuals incurred in educating their children during the period of March 2020 to June 2021.(b)Contents of programThe program carried out under subsection (a) shall have the following requirements:(1)The Secretary shall make only one payment for each child. Such payment will be made to the child’s legal parent or guardian. Such payment shall be the lesser of $10,000 or the combined actual past and future out-of-pocket educational expenses incurred, or that will be incurred, by the legal parent or guardian for his or her child’s education during the period of March 2020 to June 2021.(2)The Secretary shall only make a payment to a parent or guardian who is a citizen of the United States or lawfully residing in the United States.(3)The Secretary shall only make a payment to a parent or guardian who is the legal parent or guardian of the child.(4)The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish a web portal in which the legal parent or guardian of a child may apply to receive this one-time payment. The Secretary shall request such information as is necessary to—(A)establish a parent or guardian’s total out-of-pocket costs for educating his or her child during the period of March 2020 to June 2021;(B)establish the parent or guardian’s identity, establish the parent or guardian’s citizenship or lawful resident status;(C)establish that parent or guardian is the legal parent or guardian of the child and the child’s identity; and (D)establish and maintain the program and prevent fraud, waste, or abuse of program payments and funds. (5)The Secretary shall only make payments to legal parents and guardians that have applied through the web portal and provided such information as required by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education. The web portal shall be established within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act. (6)The Secretary shall require parents or guardians who have received a payment from the program to maintain records of how such individuals spent the payment. The Secretary shall develop procedures to audit such records, mitigate fraud, waste, and abuse within the program, and recoup program funds and payments from individuals who have committed fraud, waste, or abuse.(c)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Educational expensesThe term educational expenses—(A)means— (i)tuition for elementary or secondary education;(ii)elementary or secondary education curriculum and curricular materials;(iii)books or other instructional materials for elementary or secondary education;(iv)online elementary or secondary education educational materials and expenses incurred to access these online educational materials;(v) tuition for tutoring or elementary or secondary educational classes outside of the home, including at a tutoring facility, but only if the tutor or instructor is not related to the student and—(I)is licensed as a teacher in any State;(II)has taught at an eligible educational institution as established by the Secretary; or(III)is a subject matter expert in the relevant subject as established by the Secretary;(vi)fees for a nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test, an advanced placement examination, or any examination related to admission to an institution of higher education;(vii)fees for dual enrollment in an institution of higher education; and(viii)educational therapies for students with disabilities provided by a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider, including occupational, behavioral, physical, and speech-language therapies; and(B)includes expenses for the purposes described in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A) in connection with a homeschool (whether treated as a homeschool or a private school for purposes of applicable State law).(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's delegate.(d)Authorization and appropriation(1)In generalThere are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated, out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as are necessary to enable the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to establish and carry out this program. (2)Emergency designation(A)In generalThe amounts provided by this section are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)).(B)Designation in senateIn the Senate, this section is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4112(a) of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018. 3.Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity(a)Emergency education freedom grants(1)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Definitions from the Internal Revenue Code of 1986The definitions in section 25E(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (b), shall apply to this subsection, except as otherwise provided. (B)Emergency education freedom grant fundsThe term emergency education freedom grant funds means the amount of funds available under paragraph (2)(A) for this subsection that are not reserved under paragraph (3)(A)(i). (C)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.(D)StateThe term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.(2)Grants(A)Program authorizedFrom any amounts appropriated for section 18003 of division B of the CARES Act (Public Law 116–136) on or after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, notwithstanding any other provision of title XVIII of division B of the CARES Act, use 10 percent of such amounts to carry out paragraph (3) and award emergency education freedom grants to States with approved applications, in order to enable the States to award subgrants to eligible scholarship-granting organizations under paragraph (4).(B)TimingThe Secretary shall make the allotments required under this paragraph by not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.(3)Reservation and allotments(A)In generalFrom the amounts made available under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall—(i)reserve—(I)one-half of 1 percent for allotments for the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be distributed among those outlying areas on the basis of their relative need, as determined by the Secretary, in accordance with the purpose of this subsection; and(II)one-half of 1 percent of such amounts for the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Education, to be used to provide subgrants described in paragraph (4) to eligible scholarship-granting organizations that serve students attending elementary schools or secondary schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education; and(ii)subject to subparagraph (B), allot each State that submits an approved application under this subsection the sum of—(I)the amount that bears the same relation to 20 percent of the emergency education freedom grant funds as the number of individuals aged 5 through 17 in the State, as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of those individuals, as so determined, in all such States that submitted approved applications; and(II)an amount that bears the same relationship to 80 percent of the emergency education freedom grant funds as the number of individuals aged 5 through 17 from families with incomes below the poverty line in the State, as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of those individuals, as so determined, in all such States that submitted approved applications.(B)Minimum allotmentNo State shall receive an allotment under this paragraph for a fiscal year that is less than one-half of 1 percent of the emergency education freedom grant funds available for such fiscal year. (4)Subgrants to eligible scholarship-granting organizations(A)In generalA State that receives an allotment under this subsection shall use the allotment to award subgrants, on a basis determined appropriate by the State, to eligible scholarship-granting organizations in the State.(B)Initial timing(i)States with existing tax credit scholarship programBy not later than 30 days after receiving an allotment under paragraph (3)(A)(ii), a State with an existing, as of the date of application for an allotment under this subsection, tax credit scholarship program shall use not less than 50 percent of the allotment to award subgrants to eligible scholarship-granting organizations in the State.(ii)States without tax credit scholarship programsBy not later than 60 days after receiving an allotment under paragraph (3)(A)(ii), a State without a tax credit scholarship program shall use not less than 50 percent of the allotment to award subgrants to eligible scholarship-granting organizations in the State.(C)Uses of fundsAn eligible scholarship-granting organization that receives a subgrant under this paragraph—(i)may reserve not more than 5 percent of the subgrant funds for public outreach, student and family support activities, and administrative expenses related to the subgrant; and(ii)shall use not less than 95 percent of the subgrant funds to provide qualifying scholarships for qualified expenses only to individual elementary school and secondary school students who reside in the State in which the eligible scholarship-granting organization is recognized. (5)ReallocationA State shall return to the Secretary any amounts of the allotment received under this subsection that the State does not award as subgrants under paragraph (4) by March 30, 2021, and the Secretary shall reallocate such funds to the remaining eligible States in accordance with paragraph (3)(A)(ii). (6)Rules of constructionThe rules of construction under section 25E(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (b), shall apply to this subsection in the same manner as such rules apply to section 25E of such Code, as so added.(b)Tax credits for contributions to eligible scholarship-Granting organizations(1)Credit for individualsSubpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding after section 25D the following new section:25E.Contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations(a)Allowance of creditSubject to section 3(c)(3) of the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act, in the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of any qualified contributions made by the taxpayer during the taxable year.(b)Amount of creditThe credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed 10 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the taxable year.(c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—(1)Eligible scholarship-granting organizationThe term eligible scholarship-granting organization means—(A)an organization that—(i)is described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a),(ii)provides qualifying scholarships to individual elementary and secondary students who—(I)reside in the State in which the eligible scholarship-granting organization is recognized, or(II)in the case of the Bureau of Indian Education, are members of a federally recognized tribe,(iii)a State identifies to the Secretary as an eligible scholarship-granting organization under section 3(c)(3)(E)(ii) of the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act,(iv)allocates at least 90 percent of qualified contributions to qualifying scholarships on an annual basis, and(v)provides qualifying scholarships to—(I)more than 1 eligible student,(II)more than 1 eligible family, and(III)different eligible students attending more than 1 education provider, or(B)an organization that—(i)is described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a), and(ii)pursuant to State law, was able, as of January 1, 2021, to receive contributions that are eligible for a State tax credit if such contributions are used by the organization to provide scholarships to individual elementary and secondary students, including scholarships for attending private schools. (2)Qualified contributionThe term qualified contribution means a contribution of cash to any eligible scholarship-granting organization.(3)Qualified expenseThe term qualified expense means any educational expense that is—(A)for an individual student’s elementary or secondary education, as recognized by the State, or(B)for the secondary education component of an individual elementary or secondary student’s career and technical education, as defined by section 3(5) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302(5)). (4)Qualifying scholarshipThe term qualifying scholarship means a scholarship granted by an eligible scholarship-granting organization to an individual elementary or secondary student for a qualified expense. (5)StateThe term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the outlying areas (as defined in section 1121(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6331(c)), and the Department of the Interior (acting through the Bureau of Indian Education)).(d)Rules of construction(1)In generalA qualifying scholarship awarded to a student from the proceeds of a qualified contribution under this section shall not be considered assistance to the school or other educational provider that enrolls, or provides educational services to, the student or the student's parents.(2)Exclusion from incomeGross income shall not include any amount received by an individual as a qualifying scholarship and such amount shall not be taken into account as income or resources for purposes of determining the eligibility of such individual or any other individual for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of such benefits or assistance, under any Federal program or under any State or local program financed in whole or in part with Federal funds.(3)Prohibition of control over nonpublic education providers(A)(i)Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit, allow, encourage, or authorize any Federal control over any aspect of any private, religious, or home education provider, whether or not a home education provider is treated as a private school or home school under State law.(ii) This section shall not be construed to exclude private, religious, or home education providers from participation in programs or services under this section.(B)Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit, allow, encourage, or authorize an entity submitting a list of eligible scholarship-granting organizations on behalf of a State pursuant to section 3(c)(3)(E) of the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act to mandate, direct, or control any aspect of a private or home education provider, regardless of whether or not a home education provider is treated as a private school under State law.(C)No participating State or entity acting on behalf of a State pursuant to section 3(c)(3)(E) of the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act shall exclude, discriminate against, or otherwise disadvantage any education provider with respect to programs or services under this section based in whole or in part on the provider’s religious character or affiliation, including religiously based or mission-based policies or practices.(4)Parental rights to use scholarshipsNo participating State or entity acting on behalf of a State pursuant to section 3(c)(3)(E) of the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act shall disfavor or discourage the use of qualifying scholarships for the purchase of elementary and secondary education services, including those services provided by private or nonprofit entities, such as faith-based providers.(5)State and local authorityNothing in this section shall be construed to modify a State or local government’s authority and responsibility to fund education.(e)Denial of double benefitThe Secretary shall prescribe such regulations or other guidance to ensure that the sum of the tax benefits provided by Federal, State, or local law for a qualified contribution receiving a Federal tax credit in any taxable year does not exceed the sum of the qualified contributions made by the taxpayer for the taxable year.(f)Carryforward of creditIf a tax credit allowed under this section is not fully used within the applicable taxable year because of insufficient tax liability on the part of the taxpayer, the unused amount may be carried forward for a period not to exceed 5 years.(g)ElectionThis section shall apply to a taxpayer for a taxable year only if the taxpayer elects to have this section apply for such taxable year.(h)Alternative minimum taxFor purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax under section 55, a taxpayer may use any credit received for a qualified contribution under this section..(2)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25D the following new item:Sec. 25E. Contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations..(3)Credit for corporationsSubpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:45U.Contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations(a)Allowance of creditSubject to section 3(c)(3) of the Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act, for purposes of section 38, in the case of a domestic corporation, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of any qualified contributions (as defined in section 25E(c)(2)) made by such corporation taxpayer during the taxable year.(b)Amount of creditThe credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed 5 percent of the taxable income (as defined in section 170(b)(2)(D)) of the domestic corporation for such taxable year.(c)Additional provisionsFor purposes of this section, any qualified contributions made by a domestic corporation shall be subject to the provisions of section 25E (including subsection (d) of such section), to the extent applicable.(d)ElectionThis section shall apply to a taxpayer for a taxable year only if the taxpayer elects to have this section apply for such taxable year..(4)Credit part of general business creditSection 38(b) is amended—(A)by striking plus at the end of paragraph (32);(B)by striking the period at the end of paragraph (33) and inserting , plus; and(C)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:(34)the credit for qualified contributions determined under section 45U(a)..(5)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:Sec. 45U. Contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations..(6)Effective dateThe amendments made by this subsection shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.(c)Education Freedom Scholarships web portal and administration(1)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, establish, host, and maintain a web portal that—(A)lists all eligible scholarship-granting organizations;(B)enables a taxpayer to make a qualifying contribution to 1 or more eligible scholarship-granting organizations and to immediately obtain both a pre-approval of a tax credit for that contribution and a receipt for tax filings;(C)provides information about the tax benefits under sections 25E and 45U of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and(D)enables a State to submit and update information about its programs and its eligible scholarship-granting organizations for informational purposes only, including information on— (i)student eligibility;(ii)allowable educational expenses;(iii)the types of allowable education providers;(iv)the percentage of funds an organization may use for program administration; and(v)the percentage of total contributions the organization awards in a calendar year. (2)Nonportal contributionsA taxpayer may opt to make a contribution directly to an eligible scholarship-granting organization, instead of through the web portal described in paragraph (1), provided that the taxpayer, or the eligible scholarship-granting organization on behalf of the taxpayer, applies for, and receives, pre-approval for a tax credit from the Secretary of the Treasury in coordination with the Secretary of Education.(3)National and State limitations on credits(A)National limitationFor each fiscal year, the total amount of qualifying contributions for which a credit is allowed under sections 25E and 45U of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not exceed $5,000,000,000.(B)Allocation of limitation(i)Initial allocationsFor each calendar year, with respect to the limitation under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall—(I)allocate to each State an amount equal to the sum of the qualifying contributions made in the State in the previous year; and(II)from any amounts remaining following allocations made under subclause (I), allocate to each participating State an amount equal to the sum of—(aa)an amount that bears the same relationship to 20 percent of such remaining amount as the number of individuals aged 5 through 17 in the State, as determined by the Secretary of Education on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of those individuals in all such States, as so determined; and(bb)an amount that bears the same relationship to 80 percent of such remaining amount as the number of individuals aged 5 through 17 from families with incomes below the poverty line in the State, as determined by the Secretary of Education, on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data, bears to the number of those individuals in all such States, as so determined. (ii)Minimum allocationNotwithstanding clause (i), no State receiving an allocation under this subsection may receive less than one-half of 1 percent of the amount allocated for a fiscal year.(iii)Alternative allocation(I)In generalNot later than the end of the fifth year of the program or 1 year after the end of the first fiscal year for which the total amount of credits claimed under section 25E and section 45U of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is $2,500,000,000 or more, whichever comes first, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall, by regulation, provide for an alternative allocation method that shall take effect beginning with the first fiscal year after such regulation takes effect.(II)Alternative allocation methodThe alternative allocation method shall be expressed as a formula based on a combination of the following data for each State, as reported by the State to the Secretary of the Treasury:(aa)The relative percentage of students in the State who receive an elementary or secondary scholarship through a State program that is financed through State tax-credited donations or appropriations and that permits the elementary or secondary scholarship to be used to attend a private school.(bb)The total amount of all elementary and secondary scholarships awarded through a State program that is financed through State tax-credited donations or appropriations compared to the total amount of current State and local expenditures for free public education in the State.(III)Allocation formulaFor any fiscal year to which subclause (I) applies, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall—(aa)for each State, allocate an amount equal to the sum of the qualifying contributions made in the State in the previous year;(bb)allocate 2/3 of the remaining amount (after application of item (aa)) of the national limitation for that year using the alternative allocation method under subclause (II); and(cc)allocate 1/3 of the remaining amount (after application of item (aa) and (bb)) in accordance with clause (i)(II).(IV)IneligibilityFor any fiscal year to which subclause (I) applies, a State that does not provide the Secretary of the Treasury with information described in subclause (II) is not eligible to receive an allocation through the alternative allocation method under such subclause.(C)Allowable partnershipsA State may choose to administer the allocation it receives under subparagraph (B) in partnership with 1 or more States, provided that the eligible scholarship-granting organizations in each partner State serve students who reside in all States in the partnership.(D)Total allocationA State’s allocation, for any fiscal year, is the sum of the amount determined for such State under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B), except as provided in subparagraph (B)(iii).(E)Allocation and adjustments(i)Initial allocation to StatesNot later than November 1 of the year preceding a year for which there is a national limitation on credits under subparagraph (A) (referred to in this subsection as the applicable year), or as early as practicable with respect to the first year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall announce the State allocations under subparagraph (B) for the applicable year.(ii)List of eligible scholarship-granting organizations(I)In generalNot later than January 1 of each applicable year, or as early as practicable with respect to the first year, each State shall provide the Secretary of the Treasury a list of eligible scholarship-granting organizations, including a certification that the entity submitting the list on behalf of the State has the authority to perform this function.(II)Rule of constructionNeither this subsection nor any other Federal law shall be construed as limiting the entities that may submit the list on behalf of a State.(iii)Reallocation of unclaimed creditsThe Secretary of the Treasury shall reallocate a State’s allocation to other States, in accordance with subparagraph (B), if the State—(I)chooses not to identify scholarship-granting organizations under clause (ii) in any applicable year; or(II)does not have an existing eligible scholarship-granting organization.(iv)ReallocationOn or after April 1 of any applicable year, the Secretary of the Treasury may reallocate, to 1 or more other States that have eligible scholarship-granting organizations in the States, without regard to subparagraph (B), the allocation of a State for which the State’s allocation has not been claimed.(4)DefinitionsAny term used in this subsection which is also used in section 25E of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall have the same meaning as when used in such section.


110 HR 1785 IH: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1785
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 29, 2007
			Mr. Faleomavaega
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To direct the Secretary of the Interior to ensure that
		  certain questions are placed on the ballot of the 2008 general election in
		  American Samoa.

		1.Questions to be placed on
			 ballotThe Secretary of the
			 Interior shall ensure that the following questions are placed on the ballot of
			 the 2008 general election in American Samoa:
			(1)Whether
			 individuals who are born in American Samoa should become citizens of the United
			 States.
			(2)Whether the
			 Senators of the American Samoa Fono should be elected by the qualified electors
			 from the respective counties that the Senators are to represent.
			(3)Whether American
			 Samoa should have its own Federal district court with limited
			 jurisdiction.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3880
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 20, 2009
			Mr. Watt introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on b-Alanine,
		  N-[3-(acetylamino)-4-[(2,4-dinitrophenyl)azo]phenyl]-N-(3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl)-,
		  methyl ester.

		1.b-Alanine,
			 N-[3-(acetylamino)-4-[(2,4-dinitrophenyl)azo]phenyl]-N-(3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl)-,
			 methyl ester
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of
			 chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by
			 inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading:

								9902.01.00b-Alanine,
						N-[3-(acetylamino)-4-[(2,4-dinitrophenyl)azo]phenyl]-N-(3-methoxy-3-oxopropyl)-,
						methyl ester. (CAS No. 70729–65–6) (provided for in subheading
						2921.59.80)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

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


IV
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 416
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 5, 2004
Mr. Latham (for himself, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Lewis of Kentucky, and Mr. Ross) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Designating a week as Extension Living Well Week.

Whereas the health and well-being of the family is crucial to the functioning of the Nation and to providing adults and youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to help them achieve the best quality of life possible;
Whereas psychologically, socially, and emotionally strong families provide strength for future generations;
Whereas Extension is a nationwide educational network through the land-grant universities, funded cooperatively through the Department of Agriculture, State governments, and local county, city, and parish governments;
Whereas Extension provides non-biased, research-based information through informal education to help adults, youth, families, farms, businesses, and communities;
Whereas Extension education programs are developed at the grassroots level to meet local needs, and are available in nearly every county and parish in the United States and its territories, from the biggest to the smallest;
Whereas information offered by Extension is provided by scientists and researchers at land-grant universities, and is made practical and relevant by Extension educators working at the local level;
Whereas Extension Family and Consumer Sciences educators are advocates for education for families so that the families might gain skills for a full and productive life; and
Whereas the designation of the second week of March 2005 as Extension Living Well Week is a fitting tribute to the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences professionals who provide education that is critical to the quality of life of adults, youth, individuals, and families, including food preparation, food safety, nutrition, financial management, healthy lifestyles, home and work environment and safety, relationship and parenting skills, and much more: Now, therefore, be it

That
Congress—
(1)supports the designation of a week as Extension Living Well Week;
(2)encourages the people of the United States to take advantage of the educational opportunities that Extension Family and Consumer Sciences educators provide, education that can help them in raising kids, eating right, spending smart, and living well; and
(3)requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate support for Extension Family and Consumer Sciences educators as they teach adults and youth and promote optimum health and wellness of families in the United States through the Living Well campaign.


114 HR 4538 : Senior Safe Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives

text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4538
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		July 6, 2016ReceivedAN ACT
		To provide immunity from suit for certain individuals who disclose potential examples of financial
			 exploitation of senior citizens, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Senior Safe Act of 2016. 2.Immunity (a)DefinitionsIn this Act—
 (1)the term Bank Secrecy Act Officer means an individual responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements mandated by subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code;
 (2)the term broker-dealer means a broker or dealer, as those terms are defined, respectively, in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a));
 (3)the term covered agency means— (A)a State financial regulatory agency, including a State securities or law enforcement authority and a State insurance regulator;
 (B)each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies; (C)the Securities and Exchange Commission;
 (D)a law enforcement agency; (E)and State or local agency responsible for administering adult protective service laws; and
 (F)a State attorney general. (4)the term covered financial institution means—
 (A)a credit union; (B)a depository institution;
 (C)an investment advisor; (D)a broker-dealer;
 (E)an insurance company; and (F)a State attorney general.
 (5)the term credit union means a Federal credit union, State credit union, or State-chartered credit union, as those terms are defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752);
 (6)the term depository institution has the meaning given the term in section 3(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(c));
 (7)the term exploitation means the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized, or improper act or process of an individual, including a caregiver or fiduciary, that—
 (A)uses the resources of a senior citizen for monetary personal benefit, profit, or gain; or (B)results in depriving a senior citizen of rightful access to or use of benefits, resources, belongings or assets;
 (8)the term Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies has the meaning given the term in section 1003 of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3302);
 (9)the term investment adviser has the meaning given the term in section 202 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b–2);
 (10)the term insurance company has the meaning given the term in section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–2(a));
 (11)the term registered representative means an individual who represents a broker-dealer in effecting or attempting to affect a purchase or sale of securities;
 (12)the term senior citizen means an individual who is not less than 65 years of age; (13)the term State insurance regulator has the meaning given such term in section 315 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6735); and
 (14)the term State securities or law enforcement authority has the meaning given the term in section 24(f)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78x(f)(4)).
				(b)Immunity from suit
 (1)Immunity for individualsAn individual who has received the training described in section 3 shall not be liable, including in any civil or administrative proceeding, for disclosing the possible exploitation of a senior citizen to a covered agency if the individual, at the time of the disclosure—
 (A)served as a supervisor, compliance officer (including a Bank Secrecy Act Officer), or registered representative for a covered financial institution; and
 (B)made the disclosure with reasonable care including reasonable efforts to avoid disclosure other than to a covered agency.
 (2)Immunity for covered financial institutionsA covered financial institution shall not be liable, including in any civil or administrative proceeding, for a disclosure made by an individual described in paragraph (1) if—
 (A)the individual was employed by, or, in the case of a registered representative, affiliated or associated with, the covered financial institution at the time of the disclosure; and
 (B)before the time of the disclosure, the covered financial institution provided the training described in section 3 to each individual described in section 3(a).
					3.Training required
 (a)In generalA covered financial institution may provide training described in subsection (b)(1) to each officer or employee of, or registered representative affiliated or associated with, the covered financial institution who—
 (1)is described in section 2(b)(1)(A); (2)may come into contact with a senior citizen as a regular part of the duties of the officer, employee, or registered representative; or
 (3)may review or approve the financial documents, records, or transactions of a senior citizen in connection with providing financial services to a senior citizen.
				(b)Training
 (1)In generalThe training described in this paragraph shall— (A)instruct any individual attending the training on how to identify and report the suspected exploitation of a senior citizen;
 (B)discuss the need to protect the privacy and respect the integrity of each individual customer of a covered financial institution; and
 (C)be appropriate to the job responsibilities of the individual attending the training. (2)TimingThe training required under subsection (a) shall be provided as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 1 year after the date on which an officer, employee, or registered representative begins employment with or becomes affiliated or associated with the covered financial institution.
 (3)Bank Secrecy Act OfficerAn individual who is designated as a compliance officer under an anti-money laundering program established pursuant to section 5318(h) of title 31, United States Code, shall be deemed to have received the training described under this subsection.
 4.Relationship to State lawNothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or limit any provision of State law, except only to the extent that section 2 provides a greater level of protection against liability to an individual described in section 2(b)(1) or to a covered financial institution described in section 2(b)(2) than is provided under State law.

	Passed the House of Representatives July 5, 2016.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


114 SRES 63 ATS: Congratulating the New England Patriots on their victory in Super Bowl XLIX.
U.S. Senate
2015-02-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 63
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 3, 2015
			Ms. Warren (for herself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Reed, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Collins, and Mr. King) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

		February 4, 2015Committee discharged; considered and agreed toRESOLUTION
		Congratulating the New England Patriots on their victory in Super Bowl XLIX.

 Whereas on Sunday, February 1, 2015, the New England Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX with a score of 28 to 24, defeating the Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Arizona;Whereas Malcolm Butler’s goal line interception with 20 seconds remaining in the game clinched the Super Bowl XLIX Championship for the New England Patriots;Whereas the Super Bowl XLIX victory is the fourth Super Bowl Championship for the New England Patriots;Whereas quarterback Tom Brady broke, tied, or extended 9 Super Bowl records in leading the New England Patriots to their fourth Super Bowl victory and was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player for the third time;Whereas Head Coach Bill Belichick, Coordinators Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels, and the staff of the New England Patriots brilliantly created successful game plans throughout the 2014 season;Whereas extraordinary efforts by players of the New England Patriots, including Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Shane Vereen, LeGarrette Blount, Darrelle Revis, Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Vince Wilfork, Rob Ninkovich, Devin McCourty, Don’ta Hightower, Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch, Ryan Allen, Stephen Gostkowski, Brandon Browner, Matthew Slater, and Malcolm Butler, significantly contributed to the Super Bowl XLIX victory;Whereas the offensive line of the New England Patriots was crucial to their victory in Super Bowl XLIX, and strong efforts by Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Bryan Stork, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolly, and Cameron Fleming resulted in the New England Patriots conceding only one sack out of the 51 times quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass during Super Bowl XLIX;Whereas Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, deserves great credit for his unwavering commitment and leadership, and for his gracious acknowledgment that the team’s Super Bowl Championship would not have been possible without the strong support of the millions of fans who comprise Patriots Nation; andWhereas all members of the New England Patriots did their job to help deliver a fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy to New England and are now on to the White House to celebrate their victory: Now, therefore, be it

 That the Senate congratulates the New England Patriots on their dramatic Super Bowl XLIX victory.