		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3332
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			November 3, 2011
			Mr. Dold (for himself
			 and Mr. Quigley) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition
			 to the Committee on Oversight and
			 Government Reform, 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 require each agency to prepare and make public
		  quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements using the fair-value
		  accrual accounting method, to require the Congressional Budget Office to use
		  current-year spending as the baseline for estimating future mandatory and
		  discretionary changes, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Truth in Government Accounting Act of
			 2011.
		2.Financial
			 statements
			(a)In
			 generalWith respect to a
			 fiscal year, the head of each agency shall prepare and submit to the
			 Comptroller General a quarterly consolidated financial statement for each of
			 the first three quarters of such fiscal year and an annual consolidated
			 financial statement for such fiscal year as a whole for such agency based on
			 the fair-value accrual accounting method. Such statement shall include for such
			 agency—
				(1)all future certain
			 liabilities, including all contingent liabilities that can be reasonably
			 estimated;
				(2)all liabilities
			 that may require future taxes for present liabilities; and
				(3)other expenditures
			 and liabilities.
				(b)Submission
			 deadlines
				(1)Quarterly
			 financial statementsEach quarterly financial statement required
			 by subsection (a) shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the end of
			 the fiscal quarter.
				(2)Annual financial
			 statementsEach annual financial statement required by subsection
			 (a) shall be submitted not later than 180 days after the end of the fiscal
			 year.
				(c)Generally
			 accepted accounting principles and footnote disclosuresEach statement described under subsection
			 (a) shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
			 principles applied on a consistent basis and include footnote
			 disclosures.
			(d)Web
			 siteNot later than 10 days
			 after the submission of any financial statements to the Comptroller General
			 under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall publish all such statements
			 on a single, searchable, downloadable, up-to-date Web site accessible by the
			 public, that allows a user to search accounts and associated activities by an
			 agency and by each office, bureau, and activity of an agency.
			(e)Agency
			 definedIn this section, the
			 term agency has the meaning given that term in section 101 of
			 title 31, United States Code.
			(f)Auditing of
			 financial statementsSubchapter II of chapter 7 of title 31,
			 United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 section:

					721.Audit of agency
				consolidated financial statements
						(a)In
				generalEach year, the
				Comptroller General shall, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
				standards, audit the consolidated financial statements prepared by each agency
				for each fiscal year under section 2(a) of the
				Truth in Government Accounting Act of
				2011.
						(b)Records and
				propertyTo carry out this section, the head of each agency shall
				provide the Comptroller General with all records and property of or used by
				each such agency in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements
				under section 2(a) of the Truth in Government
				Accounting Act of 2011 that the Comptroller General determines to
				be statistically meaningful. The Comptroller General shall give the head of
				each agency a current list of officers and employees to whom, with proper
				identification, records and property may be made available, and who may make
				notes or copies necessary to carry out the audit. The head of each agency shall
				provide the Comptroller General with suitable facilities to carry out the
				audit.
						.
			3.Preparation of
			 the budget
			(a)The
			 PresidentSection 1105(a) of
			 title 31, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 the second paragraph (37) as paragraph (39); and
				(2)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraph:

						(40)A summary of how the use of accrual
				accounting procedures would affect the estimated expenditures, appropriations,
				and receipts of the Government in the fiscal year for which the budget is
				submitted.
						.
				(b)Office of
			 Management and BudgetThe
			 Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall prepare all of the
			 budgets submitted to the President according to both accrual accounting
			 procedures and the cash basis accounting method.
			4.Zero-baseline
			 budgeting
			(a)Changes in the
			 baseline(1)Section 257(c) of the
			 Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended—
					(A)in the second sentence of paragraph
			 (1), by striking everything that follows current year, and
			 inserting excluding resources designated as an emergency requirement and
			 any resources provided in supplemental appropriation laws.;
					(B)by striking paragraphs (2), (3), (4),
			 and (5);
					(C)by redesignating paragraph (6) as
			 paragraph (2); and
					(D)by inserting after paragraph (2) the
			 following new paragraph:

							(3)No adjustment
				for inflationNo adjustment shall be made for inflation or for
				any other
				factor.
							.
					(2)Section 257(b) of the Balanced Budget and
			 Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new paragraph:

						(4)No adjustment
				for inflationNo adjustment
				shall be made for inflation or for any other factor for any direct spending
				program.
						.
				(b)ExtensionThe
			 second sentence of section 275(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
			 Control Act of 1985 is amended by inserting other than subsections (a)
			 through (d) of section 257 after title.
			5.Effective
			 dateThis Act, and the
			 amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on October 1, 2012.


116 S410 IS: Fight Illicit Networks and Detect Trafficking Act
U.S. Senate
2019-02-07
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.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 410IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 7, 2019Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself and Mr. Toomey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo require the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study on how virtual
			 currencies and online marketplaces are used to buy, sell, or facilitate
			 the financing of goods or services associated with sex trafficking or drug
			 trafficking, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fight Illicit Networks and Detect Trafficking Act or the FIND Trafficking Act. 2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
 (1)According to the Drug Enforcement Administration 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment, transnational criminal organizations are increasingly using virtual currencies.
 (2)In the 2015 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment, the Department of the Treasury concluded: The development of virtual currencies is an attempt to meet a legitimate market demand. According to a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago economist, United States consumers want payment options that are versatile and that provide immediate finality. No United States payment method meets that description, although cash may come closest. Virtual currencies can mimic cash’s immediate finality and anonymity and are more versatile than cash for online and cross-border transactions, making virtual currencies vulnerable for illicit transactions..
 (3)Virtual currencies have become a prominent method to pay for goods and services associated with illegal sex trafficking and drug trafficking, which are two of the most detrimental and troubling illegal activities facilitated by online marketplaces.
 (4)Online marketplaces, including the dark web, have become a prominent platform to buy, sell, and advertise for illicit goods and services associated with sex trafficking and drug trafficking.
 (5)According to the International Labour Organization, in 2016, 4,800,000 people in the world were victims of forced sexual exploitation, and in 2014, the global profit from commercial sexual exploitation was $99,000,000,000.
 (6)In 2016, within the United States, the Center for Disease Control estimated that there were 64,000 deaths related to drug overdose, and the most severe increase in drug overdoses were those associated with fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (synthetic opioids), which amounted to over 20,000 overdose deaths.
 (7)According to the 2015 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment published by the Department of the Treasury, an estimated $64,000,000,000 is generated annually from United States drug trafficking sales.
 (8)Illegal fentanyl in the United States originates primarily from China, and it is readily available to purchase through online marketplaces.
			3.GAO study
 (a)Study requiredThe Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on how virtual currencies and online marketplaces are used to facilitate sex and drug trafficking. The study shall consider—
 (1)how online marketplaces, including the dark web, are being used as platforms to buy, sell, or facilitate the financing of goods or services associated with sex trafficking or drug trafficking (specifically, opioids and synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and any precursor chemicals associated with manufacturing fentanyl or fentanyl analogs) destined for, originating from, or within the United States;
 (2)how financial payment methods, including virtual currencies and peer-to-peer mobile payment services, are being utilized by online marketplaces to facilitate the buying, selling, or financing of goods and services associated with sex or drug trafficking destined for, originating from, or within the United States;
 (3)how virtual currencies are being used to facilitate the buying, selling, or financing of goods and services associated with sex or drug trafficking, destined for, originating from, or within the United States, when an online platform is not otherwise involved;
 (4)how illicit funds that have been transmitted online and through virtual currencies are repatriated into the formal banking system of the United States through money laundering or other means;
 (5)the participants (state and non-state actors) throughout the entire supply chain that participate in or benefit from the buying, selling, or financing of goods and services associated with sex or drug trafficking (either through online marketplaces or virtual currencies) destined for, originating from, or within the United States;
 (6)Federal and State agency efforts to impede the buying, selling, or financing of goods and services associated with sex or drug trafficking through online marketplaces or virtual currencies destined for, originating from, or within the United States, including efforts to prevent the proceeds from sex or drug trafficking from entering the United States banking system through online marketplaces or virtual currencies;
 (7)how virtual currencies and their underlying technologies can be used to detect and deter these illicit activities; and
 (8)to what extent can the immutable and traceable nature of virtual currencies contribute to the tracking and prosecution of illicit funding.
 (b)ScopeFor the purposes of the study required under subsection (a), the term sex trafficking means the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act that is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age.
 (c)Report to CongressNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report summarizing the results of the study required under subsection (a), together with any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action that would improve the efforts of Federal agencies to impede the use of virtual currencies and online marketplaces in facilitating sex and drug trafficking.


116 S2235 IS: Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-07-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2235IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 23, 2019Ms. Warren introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo discharge the qualified loan amounts of each individual, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019. 2.Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title.Sec. 2. Table of contents.Title I—Loan Discharge and ForbearanceSec. 101. Loan discharge.Sec. 102. Automatic administrative forbearance; halting of wage garnishment.Sec. 103. Staying and prohibition on commencement of actions for collection.Sec. 104. Ineligibility for Treasury Offset.Title II—Refinancing ProgramsSec. 201. Refinancing programs.Title III—Dischargeability of Student Loans in BankruptcySec. 301. Dischargeability of student loans in bankruptcy.Title IV—General ProvisionsSec. 401. Report on progress of implementation.Sec. 402. Notification to borrowers.Sec. 403. Inapplicability of title IV negotiated rulemaking and master calendar exception.Sec. 404. Definitions.
		ILoan Discharge and Forbearance
			101.Loan discharge
 (a)In generalSubject to subsection (f), not later than the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall discharge the qualified loan amount of each individual, without regard to the repayment status of the loan or whether the loan is in default.
				(b)Qualified loan amount
 (1)In generalThe qualified loan amount of an individual is an amount equal to the lesser of— (A)$50,000; and
 (B)the aggregate loan obligation on the eligible Federal loans of the taxpayer that is outstanding on the date of enactment of this Act or, in the case of such loans issued under section 460B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by title II of this Act, on the date on which such loans are issued under such section 460B.
 (2)Limitation based on adjusted gross incomeThe amount discharged under subsection (a) with respect to an individual shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $1 for each $3 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return) for the most recent taxable year ending before the date of the enactment of this Act.
					(c)Method of loan discharge
 (1)In generalTo provide the loan discharge required under subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to carry out a program— (A)through the holder of the loan, to assume the obligation to repay the qualified loan amount for a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.);
 (B)to cancel the qualified loan amount for a loan made under part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), or assigned, referred, or transferred to, or purchased by, the Secretary under such title IV (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), including a Federal Direct Stafford Loan issued under section 460B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by title II of this Act; and
 (C)through the institution of higher education that made the loan from its student loan fund established under part E of such title (20 U.S.C. 1087aa et seq.), to assume the obligation to repay the qualified loan amount for such loan.
 (2)Order of loan dischargeWith respect to an individual with at least 2 eligible Federal loans, the Secretary shall discharge the loans of the individual as follows (except as otherwise indicated by the individual):
 (A)In the case in which the individual has loans with different rates of interest, the loans should be discharged in descending order by rate of interest.
 (B)In the case in which the individual has loans with the same rates of interest, the loans should be discharged in descending order by amount of outstanding principal.
 (d)Exclusion from taxable incomeFor purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of an individual, gross income does not include any amount which (but for this subsection) would be includible in gross income by reason of the discharge (in whole or in part) of any loan if such discharge was pursuant to this title.
				(e)Taxpayer information
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury may, upon written request from the Secretary of Education, disclose to officers and employees of the Department of Education return information with respect to a taxpayer who has received eligible Federal loans that are outstanding on the date described in subsection (b)(1)(B). Such return information shall be limited to—
 (A)taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer; (B)the filing status of such taxpayer; and
 (C)the adjusted gross income of such taxpayer. (2)Restriction on use of disclosed informationReturn information disclosed under paragraph (1) may be used by officers and employees of the Department of Education only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing the appropriate qualified loan amount of a taxpayer.
 (f)Long-Term settle and compromise discharge authorityNot later than the date that is 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education may use the authority under sections 432(a)(6) and 468(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1082(a)(6); 1087hh(2)) to discharge loans under this section beyond the period described in subsection (a) for—
 (1)an individual who, through an appeals process established by the Secretary, successfully appeals a loan discharge determination by the Secretary under this section;
 (2)an individual who, due to special circumstances, misses a deadline established by the Secretary in the administration of loan discharges under this section; or
 (3)an individual (or a group of individuals) who the Secretary determines should have received a loan discharge or a discharge amount that is different from the amount of loan discharge received under this section, except that a loan discharge amount received under this subsection may not exceed the qualified loan amount determined for the individual (or the group of individuals) under subsection (b).
 (g)Private student loan dischargeNot later than the date that is 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall undertake a campaign to alert borrowers of private education loans—
 (1)that such borrowers may be eligible to refinance such private loans as Federal Direct Stafford Loans under section 460B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by title II of this Act; and
 (2)such Federal Direct Stafford Loans may be eligible for loan discharge under this section. (h)Credit reportingIn the case of a borrower of an eligible Federal loan that was in default prior to being discharged under this section and on which, as a result of such loan discharge, there is no outstanding balance of principal or interest, the Secretary, guaranty agency or other holder of the loan shall request any consumer reporting agency to which the Secretary, guaranty agency or holder, as applicable, reported the default of the loan, to remove the record of the default from the borrower’s credit history.
 (i)Members of CongressIn this section, the terms individual and taxpayer do not include a Member of Congress. 102.Automatic administrative forbearance; halting of wage garnishmentDuring the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date that is 12 months after such date of enactment, the Secretary of Education—
 (1)shall place each borrower of an eligible Federal loan with an outstanding balance, without any further action required by the borrower (except that the borrower may opt-out of this section), on an administrative forbearance during which periodic installments of principal need not be paid, and interest shall not accrue, on such loan; and
 (2)may not issue an order for wage garnishment or withholding under section 488A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1095a) or section 3720D of title 31, United States Code, initiate proceedings to collect debt through deductions from pay under such section 488A or 3720D, or enforce or otherwise require compliance with a wage garnishment or withholding order issued under such section 488A or 3720D before the date of enactment of this Act (which shall include staying any related proceedings).
 103.Staying and prohibition on commencement of actions for collectionUntil 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, no eligible Federal loan may be referred to the Attorney General for any action seeking collection of any amount owed on that loan and any action pending as of the date of enactment of this Act shall be stayed.
 104.Ineligibility for Treasury OffsetUntil 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, no claim pertaining to an eligible Federal loan may be certified under section 3716(c)(1) of title 31, United States Code.
			IIRefinancing Programs
			201.Refinancing programs
 (a)Program authoritySection 451(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a(a)) is amended— (1)by striking and (2) and inserting (2); and
 (2)by inserting ; and (3) to make loans under section 460A and section 460B after section 459A. (b)Refinancing ProgramPart D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

						460A.Refinancing FFEL and Federal Direct Loans
 (a)In generalBeginning not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary automatically refinances loans made under this part in accordance with the provisions of this section, in order to lower the rate of interest on such loans.
							(b)Refinancing Direct Loans
 (1)Federal Direct LoansWith respect to each Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, and Federal Direct Consolidation Loan, for which the first disbursement was made to a borrower, or the application for the consolidation loan was received from a borrower, on or before the date of enactment of the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019, the Secretary shall, without any further action by the borrower (other than under subparagraph (C))—
 (A)discharge the liability on such Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, or Federal Direct Consolidation Loan;
 (B)issue to the borrower a new Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, or Federal Direct Consolidation Loan, respectively—
 (i)in an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges of the loan for which the liability is being discharged under subparagraph (A); and
 (ii)which has the same terms and conditions as the original loan, except that the rate of interest shall be determined under subsection (c); and
 (C)provide the borrower an opportunity to opt-out of the refinancing under this paragraph. (2)Refinancing FFEL program loans as refinanced Federal Direct Loans (A)In generalWith respect to each loan that was made, insured, or guaranteed under part B and for which the first disbursement was made to a borrower, or the application for the consolidation loan was received from a borrower, before July 1, 2010, the Secretary shall, without any further action by the borrower (other than to provide the borrower an opportunity to opt-out of the refinancing under this paragraph), issue to the borrower a loan made under this part—
 (i)in an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges of the loan selected to be so refinanced;
 (ii)the proceeds of which shall be paid to the holder of the loan selected to be so refinanced to discharge the liability on such loan; and
 (iii)which has a rate of interest determined under subsection (c). (B)Designation of loansA loan issued under this section the proceeds of which is discharging the liability on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed—
 (i)under section 428 shall be a Federal Direct Stafford Loan; (ii)under section 428B shall be a Federal Direct PLUS Loan;
 (iii)under section 428H shall be a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan; and (iv)under section 428C shall be a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.
										(c)Interest rates
 (1)In generalThe interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Direct Consolidation Loans issued under this section, shall be a rate equal to—
 (A)in a case in which the original loan is a loan under section 428 or 428H, a Federal Direct Stafford loan, or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, that was issued to an undergraduate student, the rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to undergraduate students for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017;
 (B)in a case in which the original loan is a loan under section 428 or 428H, a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, that was issued to a graduate or professional student, the rate for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to graduate or professional students for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017;
 (C)in an case in which the original loan is a loan under section 428B or a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, the rate for Federal Direct PLUS Loans for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017; and
 (D)in a case in which the original loan is a loan under section 428C or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan, a rate calculated in accordance with paragraph (2).
									(2)Interest rates for consolidation loans
 (A)Method of calculationTo determine the interest rate for a Federal Direct Federal Consolidation Loan issued under this section, the Secretary shall—
 (i)determine each original loan for which the liability was discharged by the proceeds of a loan under section 428C or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan, and calculate the proportion of the unpaid principal balance of the loan under section 428C or the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan that is applicable to each such original loan;
 (ii)use the proportions determined in accordance with clause (i) and the interest rate applicable for each original loan, as determined under subparagraph (B), to calculate the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans consolidated into the loan under section 428C or the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan; and
 (iii)apply the weighted average calculated under clause (ii) as the interest rate for the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan made under this section and for which the interest rate is being determined under this paragraph.
 (B)Interest rates for component loansThe interest rate for each original loan for which the liability is discharged by the proceeds of loan made under section 428C or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan shall be the following:
 (i)The interest rate for any such original loan made, insured or guaranteed under section 428 or 428H, or that is a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, issued to an undergraduate student shall be a rate equal to the lesser of—
 (I)the rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to undergraduate students for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017; or
 (II)the interest rate on such original loan. (ii)The interest rate for any such original loan made, insured or guaranteed under section 428 or 428H, or that is a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, issued to a graduate or professional student shall be a rate equal to the lesser of—
 (I)the rate for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to graduate or professional students for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017; or
 (II)the interest rate on the original loan. (iii)The interest rate for any such original loan made, insured or guaranteed under section 428B or that is a Federal Direct PLUS Loan shall be a rate equal to the lesser of—
 (I)the rate for Federal Direct PLUS Loans for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017; or
 (II)the interest rate on the original loan. (iv)The interest rate for any such original loan that is a loan under section 428C or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan shall be the weighted average of the interest rates determined under this subparagraph for each loan for which the liability is discharged by the proceeds of such consolidation loan.
 (v)The interest rate for any original loan for which the liability was discharged with the proceeds of a loan made under section 428C or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan and is not described in clauses (i) through (iv) shall be the interest rate on such original loan.
 (3)Fixed rateThe applicable rate of interest determined under paragraph (1) for a loan issued under this section shall be fixed for the period of the loan.
 (d)Repayment periodsA loan issued under this section shall not result in the extension of the duration of the repayment period of the original loan, and the borrower shall retain the same repayment term that was in effect on the original loan. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent a borrower from electing a different repayment plan at any time in accordance with section 455(d)(3).
 (e)Original loan definedIn this section, the term original loan means a loan for which the liability is discharged with the proceeds of a loan issued under this section.
							460B.Refinancing of private education loans
							(a)Program authorized
 (1)In generalDuring the period beginning on the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019, and ending on the date that is 9 months after such date of enactment, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall carry out a program under which the Secretary, upon receiving an application from a borrower who has a loan obligation on an eligible private education loan, shall issue such borrower a loan under this section in accordance with the following:
 (A)The loan issued under this section shall be in an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges of the private education loan.
 (B)The Secretary shall pay the proceeds of the loan issued under this section to the private educational lender (or subsequent holder) of the private education loan, in order to discharge the borrower and any cosigners from any remaining obligation to the lender with respect to the private education loan.
 (C)The Secretary shall require that the borrower undergo loan counseling that provides all of the information and counseling required under clauses (i) through (viii) of section 485(b)(1)(A) before the carrying out subparagraphs (A) and (B) with respect to such borrower.
 (D)The Secretary shall issue the loan as a Federal Direct Stafford Loan with a rate of interest determined under subsection (b).
									(b)Interest rate
 (1)In generalThe interest rate for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan issued under this section shall be— (A)in the case of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan discharging the liability on a private education loan issued for undergraduate postsecondary educational expenses, a rate equal to the rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to undergraduate students for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017; and
 (B)in the case of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan discharging the liability on a private education loan issued for graduate or professional degree postsecondary educational expenses, a rate equal to the rate for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to graduate or professional students for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017.
 (2)Combined undergraduate and graduate study loansIn the case of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan discharging the liability on a private education loan issued for both undergraduate and graduate or professional postsecondary educational expenses, the interest rate shall be a rate equal to the rate for Federal Direct PLUS Loans for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017.
 (3)Fixed rateThe applicable rate of interest determined under this subsection for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan issued under this section shall be fixed for the period of the loan.
 (c)No inclusion in aggregate limitsThe amount of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan issued under this section, or a Federal Direct Consolidated Loan to the extent such loan is used to repay such a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, shall not be included in calculating a borrower’s annual or aggregate loan limits under section 428 or 428H.
							(d)Private educational lender reporting requirement
 (1)Reporting requiredNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall establish a requirement that private educational lenders report the data described in paragraph (2) to the Secretary, to Congress, to the Secretary of the Treasury, and to the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, in order to allow for an assessment of the private education loan market.
 (2)Contents of reportingThe data that private educational lenders shall report in accordance with paragraph (1) shall include each of the following about private education loans (as defined in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a))):
 (A)The total amount of private education loan debt the lender holds. (B)The total number of private education loan borrowers the lender serves.
 (C)The average interest rate on the outstanding private education loan debt held by the lender. (D)The proportion of private education loan borrowers who are in default on a loan held by the lender.
 (E)The proportion of the outstanding private education loan volume held by the lender that is in default.
 (F)The proportions of outstanding private education loan borrowers who are 30, 60, and 90 days delinquent.
 (G)The proportions of outstanding private education loan volume that is 30, 60, and 90 days delinquent.
 (e)SunsetThe authority to issue loans under this section shall expire on the date that is 8 months after the date of enactment of the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019.
 (f)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Private educational lenderThe term private educational lender has the meaning given the term in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)).
 (2)Eligible private education loanThe term eligible private education loan means a private education loan, as defined in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)), that—
 (A)was disbursed to the borrower on or before the date of enactment of the Student Loan Debt Relief Act of 2019; and (B)was for the borrower’s own postsecondary educational expenses for an eligible program at an institution of higher education participating in the loan program under this part, as of the date that the loan was disbursed..
 (c)Income-Contingent repaymentSection 455(d)(1)(D) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(d)(1)(D)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and in calculating the period of time during which a borrower of a loan issued under section 460A has made monthly payments on such loan for purposes of the plan described in this subparagraph, the Secretary shall treat each monthly payment that otherwise meets the requirements of such plan and that was made on a loan for which the liability is discharged by the proceeds of such loan issued under section 460A, as a monthly payment made on such loan issued under section 460A.
 (d)Public service loan forgivenessSection 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(m)) is amended— (1)by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
 (2)by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:  (3)Treatment of loans issued under section 460ANotwithstanding paragraph (1), in determining the number of monthly payments made under paragraph (1) on an eligible Federal Direct Loan issued under section 460A the proceeds of which discharges the liability on a loan made under this part, the Secretary shall treat each monthly payment made under paragraph (1) on the loan before the liability on such loan was so discharged as a monthly payment made on such eligible Federal Direct Loan.;
 (e)Income-Based repaymentSection 493C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1098e) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (f)Treatment of refinanced loansIn calculating the period of time during which a borrower of a loan issued under section 460A has made monthly payments on such loan for purposes of subsection (b)(7), the Secretary shall treat each monthly payment that otherwise meets the requirements of this section and that was made on a loan for which the liability is discharged by the proceeds of such loan issued under section 460A, as a monthly payment made on such loan issued under section 460A..
				IIIDischargeability of Student Loans in Bankruptcy
			301.Dischargeability of student loans in bankruptcy
 (1)Exception to dischargeSection 523(a) of title 11 of the United States Code is amended by striking paragraph (8). (2)Conforming amendmentSection 1328(a)(2) of title 11 of the United States Code is amended by striking (8),.
				IVGeneral Provisions
 401.Report on progress of implementationNot later than the date that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of the Treasury shall, jointly, submit to Congress a report on the progress of the implementation of the provisions of titles I and II.
			402.Notification to borrowers
 (a)In generalNot later than the date that is 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act— (1)the Secretary of Education—
 (A)shall take such steps as may be necessary to notify borrowers of an eligible Federal loan of the loan discharge available under title I, including the applicable deadlines;
 (B)in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall undertake a campaign to notify borrowers of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that such borrowers may be eligible to refinance such loans at a lower rate of interest under section 460A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by title II of this Act, which campaign shall include—
 (i)developing consumer information materials about the availability of such refinancing; and (ii)requiring servicers of such loans to provide such consumer information to borrowers in a manner determined appropriate by the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection; and
 (C)in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall undertake a campaign to alert borrowers of private education loans—
 (i)that such borrowers may be eligible to refinance such private loans as Federal Direct Stafford Loans under section 460B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by title II of this Act; and
 (ii)such Federal Direct Stafford Loans may be eligible for loan discharge under title I of this Act; and
 (2)the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall take such steps as may be necessary to inform borrowers of a loan made, insured, or guaranteed by the Department of Health and Human Services that is eligible for consolidation under section 455(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(g)), that the—
 (A)borrower may be eligible for a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan under such section 455(g); and (B)such Federal Direct Consolidation Loan may be eligible for loan discharge under title I of this Act.
 (b)Notification by private education loan holdersEach holder of a private education loan shall, not later than the date that is 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, notify the borrower of such private education loan that the borrower may be eligible to refinance the private education loan as a Federal Direct Stafford Loan under section 460B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and such Federal Direct Stafford Loan may be eligible for loan discharge under title I of this Act.
 403.Inapplicability of title IV negotiated rulemaking and master calendar exceptionSections 482(c) and 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1089(c), 1098a) shall not apply to this Act or any amendments made by this Act, or to any regulations promulgated under this Act or under such amendments.
 404.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Eligible Federal loanThe term eligible Federal loan means—
 (A)a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.) (other than a loan described in subparagraph (B)) on or before the date of enactment of this Act; or
 (B)a Federal Direct Stafford Loan issued under section 460B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by title II of this Act, on a date that is not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
 (2)Private education loanThe term private education loan has the meaning given such term in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)). (3)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.
 (4)TaxpayerThe term taxpayer has the meaning given such term in section 7701 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.


116 HR 5608 IH: Sensible, Timely Relief for America’s Nuclear Districts’ Economic Development Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-01-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5608IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 15, 2020Mr. Schneider (for himself, Ms. Kaptur, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Kim, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Rouda, Mr. Welch, Mr. Kind, and Mr. Carbajal) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo assist communities affected by stranded nuclear waste, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Sensible, Timely Relief for America’s Nuclear Districts’ Economic Development Act of 2020 or the STRANDED Act of 2020. 2.FindingsCongress finds that—
 (1)communities throughout the United States, including communities in the States of California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin, are tasked with dealing with stranded nuclear waste;
 (2)communities affected by stranded nuclear waste are de facto interim nuclear waste storage sites; (3)the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.)—
 (A)directed the Secretary of Energy to make annual impact assistance payments to States or appropriate units of local government to mitigate the social and economic impacts of the establishment and operation of interim nuclear waste storage capacity within the jurisdictional boundaries of an affected community; and
 (B)established the rate for impact assistance payments at $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel; (4)decommissioning a commercial nuclear power plant is often catastrophic for the host community because nuclear power plants are major employers and the primary source of local tax revenue;
 (5)stranded nuclear waste is a profound obstacle to future economic growth, deterring potential employers and residents from considering the host community;
 (6)stranded nuclear waste prevents economic development in communities in which the stranded nuclear waste is located;
 (7)stranded nuclear waste prevents communities from redeveloping sites where nuclear power plants previously operated which further inhibits tax revenues; and
 (8)it is critical to provide resources to communities that— (A)are challenged by stranded nuclear waste; or
 (B)will be challenged by stranded nuclear waste during the 10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.
 3.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)AcademyThe term Academy means the National Academy of Sciences.
 (2)Nuclear-affected communityThe term nuclear-affected community means a unit of local government, including a county, city, town, village, school district, or special district, that the Administrator determines to contain stranded nuclear waste within the jurisdictional boundary or contain an eligible civilian nuclear power plant within the jurisdictional boundary of such locality.
 (3)Eligible civilian nuclear power plantThe term eligible civilian nuclear power plant means a civilian nuclear power plant (as defined in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101)) that—
 (A)has been decommissioned; or (B)is in the process of being decommissioned.
 (4)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. (5)Stranded nuclear wasteThe term stranded nuclear waste means nuclear waste or spent nuclear fuel stored in dry casks or spent fuel pools (as defined in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101)) at the site of an eligible civilian nuclear power plant.
			4.Tax incentives for affected communities
			(a)First-Time homebuyer credit
 (1)In generalSection 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— (A)by inserting for nuclear affected communities after credit in the heading;
 (B)in subsection (a), by striking in the United States and inserting in a nuclear affected community (as such term is defined in section 3 of the STRANDED Act of 2020); (C)in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2); and
 (D)by striking subsections (f), (g), and (h). (2)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to section 36 and inserting the following new item:

							Sec. 36. First-time homebuyer credit for nuclear affected communities..
 (b)Effective datesThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to the purchase of a principal residence after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			5.Innovative solutions prize competition
 (a)EstablishmentNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a competitive prize competition (referred to in this section as the prize competition) to award prizes to proposals for affected communities to carry out alternatives to nuclear facilities, generating sites, and waste sites.
			(b)Prize board
 (1)EstablishmentThere is established an advisory board (referred to in this section as the Board) to advise the Administrator on— (A)the design and implementation of the prize competition; and
 (B)the development of the pilot project under subsection (d). (2)CompositionThe Board shall be composed of not fewer than 9 members appointed by the Administrator—
 (A)who shall provide expertise in— (i)nuclear waste;
 (ii)workforce issues; (iii)technology development; and
 (iv)economic development; and (B)who may include representatives from—
 (i)The National Laboratories; (ii)nonprofit organizations; and
 (iii)institutions of higher education. (c)Award amountAn award under the prize competition shall be in the amount of $500,000.
			(d)Pilot program
 (1)In generalThe Administrator, in consultation with the Board, shall develop a pilot project based on the proposal of the winner of the prize competition.
 (2)FundingOf the amounts made available under section 7, the Administrator may use $500,000 to carry out the pilot project under paragraph (1).
 (e)ReportNot later than 60 days after the date on which a prize is awarded under the prize competition, the Administrator shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes the winning proposal of the prize competition.
			6.Economic impact grants for affected communities
 (a)EstablishmentNot later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish and carry out a noncompetitive grant program to provide grants under either section 6(b) or section 6(c) to nuclear-affected communities for the purpose of—
 (1)offsetting the economic and social impacts of stranded nuclear waste on affected communities; and (2)supporting such communities that are in the process of decommissioning an eligible civilian nuclear power plant and that are facing decreased tax revenues or assessed valuation as a result of such decommissioning.
				(b)Awards based on stranded nuclear waste
 (1)EligibilityA nuclear affected community shall be eligible to receive a grant under this section for a fiscal year.
				(2)Awards
 (A)AmountThe amount of a grant awarded under subsection (a) shall be equal to $15 for each kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at the eligible civilian nuclear power plant in the nuclear affected community, consistent with the price paid per kilogram for impact assistance outlined in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.
 (B)Number and frequencyWith respect to each eligible civilian nuclear power plant, the Administrator shall request submissions from affected nuclear communities and may only award 1 grant under subsection (a) to each eligible unit of local government for each fiscal year.
					(c)Awards based on lost tax revenue
 (1)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive financial assistance under this section, the affected community shall submit to the Administrator an application that includes documentation that the nuclear affected community has experienced, or is predicted to experience, during a calendar year beginning after December 31, 2014, and ending before January 1, 2025—
 (A)a reduction of not less than 20 percent in overall tax revenue received by such affected community for such year compared with the average of such tax revenue for the previous 5 years; and
 (B)a reduction in tax revenue attributable to a nuclear power plant received by such affected community for such year, compared with the average of such tax revenue for the previous 5 years, that is not less than 20 percent of the average for such previous 5 years of the overall tax revenue received by such unit.
					For purposes of this paragraph, the term tax revenue includes any payment in lieu of taxes received by an affected community.(2)Assistance
 (A)In generalSubject to amounts made available in advance in appropriations Acts, financial assistance provided under this section to a nuclear affected community shall be made with respect to each year of the 8-year period beginning on the first day of the calendar year described in paragraph (1).
 (B)Amount of assistanceSubject to amounts made available in advance in appropriations Acts, financial assistance provided under this section to a nuclear affected community for a year of an 8-year period shall be equal to the lesser of $10,000,000 and—
 (i)in the case of the first year of the 8-year period, 80 percent of the loss described in paragraph (1)(B) with respect to such unit;
 (ii)in the case of the second year of the 8-year period, 70 percent of such loss; (iii)in the case of the third year of the 8-year period, 60 percent of such loss;
 (iv)in the case of the fourth year of the 8-year period, 50 percent of such loss; (v)in the case of the fifth year of the 8-year period, 40 percent of such loss;
 (vi)in the case of the sixth year of the 8-year period, 30 percent of such loss; (vii)in the case of the seventh year of the 8-year period, 20 percent of such loss; and
 (viii)in the case of the eighth year of the 8-year period, 10 percent of such loss. 7.Authorization of appropriations (a)In generalThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2025 and $120,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
 (b)No offsetNone of the funds made available under this section may be used to offset the funding for any other Federal program.
 (c)LimitationNo nuclear affected community may receive more than one grant per calendar year, and cannot receive grants under both sections 6(b) and (c) in the same calendar year.


		IIB
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 749
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			April 23, 2009
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Rules and
			 Administration

		AN ACT
		To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act
		  of 1971 to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate an
		  individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the authorized campaign
		  committees of the candidate in the event of the death of the
		  candidate.

		1.Designation of Individual
			 Authorized to Make Campaign Committee Disbursements in Event of Death of
			 Candidate
			(a)In
			 GeneralSection 302 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
			 (2 U.S.C.
			 432) is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 subsection:

					(j)(1)Each candidate may, with respect to each
				authorized committee of the candidate, designate an individual who shall be
				responsible for disbursing funds in the accounts of the committee in the event
				of the death of the candidate, and may also designate another individual to
				carry out the responsibilities of the designated individual under this
				subsection in the event of the death or incapacity of the designated individual
				or the unwillingness of the designated individual to carry out the
				responsibilities.
						(2)In order to designate an individual under
				this subsection, the candidate shall file with the Commission a signed written
				statement (in a standardized form developed by the Commission) that contains
				the name and address of the individual and the name of the authorized committee
				for which the designation shall apply, and that may contain the candidate’s
				instructions regarding the disbursement of the funds involved by the
				individual. At any time after filing the statement, the candidate may revoke
				the designation of an individual by filing with the Commission a signed written
				statement of revocation (in a standardized form developed by the
				Commission).
						(3)Upon the death of a candidate who has
				designated an individual for purposes of paragraph (1), funds in the accounts
				of each authorized committee of the candidate may be disbursed only under the
				direction and in accordance with the instructions of such individual, subject
				to the terms and conditions applicable to the disbursement of such funds under
				this Act or any other applicable Federal or State law (other than any provision
				of State law which authorizes any person other than such individual to direct
				the disbursement of such funds).
						(4)Nothing in paragraph (3) may be construed
				to grant any authority to an individual who is designated pursuant to this
				subsection other than the authority to direct the disbursement of funds as
				provided in such paragraph, or may be construed to affect the responsibility of
				the treasurer of an authorized committee for which funds are disbursed in
				accordance with such paragraph to file reports of the disbursements of such
				funds under section
				304(a).
						.
			(b)Inclusion of
			 Designation in Statement of Organization of CommitteeSection
			 303(b) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 433(b)) is
			 amended—
				(1)in paragraph (5),
			 by striking and at the end;
				(2)in paragraph (6),
			 by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and;
			 and
				(3)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraph:

						(7)in the case of an authorized committee of a
				candidate who has designated an individual under section 302(j) (including a
				second individual designated to carry out the responsibilities of that
				individual under such section in the event of that individual’s death or
				incapacity or unwillingness to carry out the responsibilities) to disburse
				funds from the accounts of the committee in the event of the death of the
				candidate, a copy of the statement filed by the candidate with the Commission
				under such section (as well as a copy of any subsequent statement of revocation
				filed by the candidate with the Commission under such
				section).
						.
				2.Effective
			 DateThe amendments made by
			 this Act shall apply with respect to authorized campaign committees which are
			 designated under section 302(e)(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
			 before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives April 22, 2009.
			Lorraine C. Miller,
			Clerk


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 967
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 9, 2011
			Mrs. Schmidt
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Agriculture

		A BILL
		To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
		  Act of 1990 and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to
		  support efforts to control and eradicate bed bugs with respect to public
		  health, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Bed Bug Management, Prevention, and
			 Research Act.
		2.Establishment of
			 research program to control and eradicate bed bugs
			(a)Bed bug research
			 programSection 1672 of the
			 Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is
			 amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
				(2)by inserting after
			 subsection (h) the following new subsection:

						(j)Bed bug
				control
							(1)Authorization
				and use of grantsThe Secretary, in consultation with the task
				force appointed under paragraph (2), shall award grants under this subsection
				for only for the following purposes:
								(A)Developing more
				efficacious chemicals and chemical methods of detecting, preventing, and
				managing bed bugs.
								(B)Identifying or discovering affordable and
				effective methods of managing bed bugs, including basic and applied biology and
				demonstration research projects.
								(2)Task
				force
								(A)EstablishmentPursuant
				to subsection (b)(2)(C), the Secretary shall, not later than 90 days after the
				date of the enactment of the Bed Bug
				Management, Prevention, and Research Act, appoint a bed bug task
				force (referred to in this subsection as the task force) to assist
				the Secretary in awarding grants under this section.
								(B)CompositionThe
				task force shall be composed of members or representatives of the
				following:
									(i)The pest management industry.
									(ii)The hospitality
				industry (including hotels, motels, and other forms of lodging or
				accommodation).
									(iii)The multi-family
				housing management industry.
									(iv)Public health
				organizations.
									(v)Any other group or
				industry the Secretary determines is significantly impacted by bed bugs.
									(3)Initial
				grants
								(A)Requests for
				proposalsThe Secretary
				shall, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the
				Bed Bug Management, Prevention, and Research
				Act and in consultation with the task force, publish a request
				for grant proposals for research projects for the purposes described in
				paragraph (1).
								(B)Award of
				grantsNot later than 180
				days after the date of such publication, the Secretary shall—
									(i)evaluate such proposals in consultation with the task force; and
									(ii)award grants to
				entities that submitted grant proposals for research projects the Secretary
				determines are meritorious for the purposes described in paragraph (1).
									(C)Notification
				requirementThe Secretary
				shall notify the task force of any award made under subparagraph (B) not later
				than 30 days after awarding such grant.
								(4)Subsequent
				grants
								(A)Evaluation of
				initial grantsThe Secretary
				shall, in consultation with the task force, evaluate each research project
				conducted under any grant awarded under paragraph (3)(B).
								(B)Award of
				grantsThe Secretary shall,
				in consultation with the task force, award grants to fund additional research
				projects that the Secretary determines to be promising or necessary based on
				the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A).
								(C)Notification
				requirementThe Secretary
				shall notify the task force of any award made under subparagraph (B) not later
				than 30 days after awarding such grant.
								(5)Consultation and
				coordinationTo expedite the approval or registration under
				section 3, section 18, or section 24 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
				Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136a, 136p, and 136v) of the methods identified or
				discovered through research projects funded under this section, the Secretary
				shall consult and coordinate with the Administrator of the Environmental
				Protection Agency regarding—
								(A)the awarding of
				grants under this section; and
								(B)the evaluation of
				the results of such research
				projects.
								.
				(b)Waiver of
			 matching funds requirementSubsection (c)(2) of such section is
			 amended—
				(1)by striking or at the end of
			 subparagraph (A);
				(2)by striking the
			 period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ; or;
			 and
				(3)by adding at the
			 end the following new subparagraph:

						(C)the project involves a pest that has been
				designated as a pest of public health significance by the Environmental
				Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as
				described in section 2(nn) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
				Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
				136(nn)).
						.
				(c)Conforming
			 amendmentsSuch section is further amended—
				(1)in subsection (a), by striking
			 through (i) and inserting through (j); and
				(2)in subsection
			 (b)(2), by striking through (i) and inserting through
			 (j).
				3.Amendments to
			 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to improve efforts to
			 control and eradicate bed bugs
			(a)Inclusion of bed
			 bugs in definition of vector organismsSection 2(oo) of the Federal Insecticide,
			 Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136(oo)) is amended by inserting
			 bed bugs, after cockroaches,.
			(b)Definition of
			 adverse effectsSection 2(bb)
			 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136(bb))
			 is amended by adding before the period at the end of the last sentence the
			 following: , such as whether there are insufficient efficacious
			 alternative registered pesticides available for the use, whether the lack of
			 sufficient efficacious alternative registered pesticides will reasonably lead
			 to the misuse of other pesticides or other inappropriate pest management
			 strategies that pose risks to the environment or human health, and whether the
			 registration or approval of use of the public health pesticide will play a
			 significant part in managing pest resistance.
			(c)Efficacy data
			 for exempted pesticidesSection 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide,
			 Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136w(b)) is amended by adding at the
			 end the following new sentences: Notwithstanding the exemption of a
			 pesticide under this subsection, the Administrator shall require the submission
			 of efficacy data (and evaluate such data) if the pesticide is labeled for or
			 proposed to be labeled for the control of a pest of public health significance.
			 The Administrator shall not permit the sale or distribution of any product that
			 is marketed, distributed, or sold with a claim that such product will control a
			 public health pest if the efficacy data submitted under this subsection does
			 not support such claim..
			(d)Bed Bug
			 Prevention and Mitigation Pilot ProgramThe Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
			 Rodenticide Act is amended by inserting after section 20 (7 U.S.C. 136r) the
			 following new section:

					20A.Bed Bug
				Prevention and Mitigation Pilot Program
						(a)Grant
				authorityUsing funds
				appropriated to carry out this Act, the Administrator shall award grants to
				three State agencies whose plans have been approved by the Administrator in
				accordance with the requirements of section 11 for the purposes of conducting a
				pilot program under which political subdivisions of the State and housing
				authorities in the State use the grant funds to supplement on-going bed bug
				prevention and mitigation activities. At least one of the three grants shall be
				awarded to one such State agency that, before November 1, 2009, submitted a
				public health exemption request under section 18, which proposed a use of a
				pesticide to control bed bugs, but which was voluntarily canceled under section
				6(f).
						(b)Distribution of
				FundsAs a condition on the
				receipt of the grant under subsection (a), the recipient State agency, working
				in conjunction with the State department of health, shall agree to distribute
				the grant funds to political subdivisions and housing authorities—
							(1)addressing
				persistent bed bug infestations; and
							(2)whose residents
				lack the financial resources to adequately mitigate bed bug infestations
				without assistance.
							(c)Time for award
				and distributionThe grants
				under subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be awarded within 180 days after
				the appropriation of funds for that fiscal year to carry out this Act.
				Recipient State agencies shall begin disseminating grants within 120 days
				receiving the grant funds.
						(d)Use of
				FundsGrant funds may be used—
							(1)to retain
				commercial applicators to perform bed bug prevention and mitigation activities
				that are proven to effectively control bed bugs;
							(2)to purchase and
				distribute mattress covers;
							(3)to conduct bed bug
				monitoring activities; and
							(4)to treat used
				mattresses and furniture using methods proven to control all life stages of bed
				bugs.
							(e)Data
				CollectionAfter the end of fiscal year 2016, the Administrator
				shall collect from the recipient State agencies the following data:
							(1)The number of
				political subdivisions and housing authorities receiving grant funds and total
				funds awarded to each political subdivision and housing authority.
							(2)The criteria used
				to award funds to such political subdivisions and housing authorities.
							(3)The success
				achieved in reducing bed bug infestation and the methods used to manage bed bug
				infestation.
							(4)Documented results
				of intervention efforts with some measurement of infestation rates both before
				and after intervention.
							(f)Report to
				CongressNot later than January 1, 2017, the Administrator shall
				submit to Congress a report setting forth the data collected under subsection
				(e).
						(g)Expiration of
				grant authorityNo grants may be made under subsection (a) after
				September 30,
				2017.
						.


114 HR 2500 IH: Voluntary Protection Program Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-05-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2500
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 21, 2015
Mr. Rokita (for himself, Mrs. Roby, and Mr. Gene Green of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL
To authorize the Department of Labor’s voluntary protection program.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Voluntary Protection Program Act. 2.Voluntary protection program (a)Cooperative agreementsThe Secretary of Labor shall establish a program of entering into cooperative agreements with employers to encourage the establishment of comprehensive safety and health management systems that include—
(1)requirements for systematic assessment of hazards; (2)comprehensive hazard prevention, mitigation, and control programs;
(3)active and meaningful management and employee participation in the voluntary program described in subsection (b); and (4)employee safety and health training.
(b)Voluntary protection program
(1)In generalThe Secretary of Labor shall establish and carry out a voluntary protection program (consistent with subsection (a)) to encourage excellence and recognize the achievement of excellence in both the technical and managerial protection of employees from occupational hazards. (2)Program requirementsThe voluntary protection program shall include the following:
(A)ApplicationEmployers who volunteer under the program shall be required to submit an application to the Secretary of Labor demonstrating that the worksite with respect to which the application is made meets such requirements as the Secretary of Labor may require for participation in the program. (B)Onsite evaluationsThere shall be onsite evaluations by representatives of the Secretary of Labor to ensure a high level of protection of employees. The onsite visits shall not result in enforcement of citations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.).
(C)InformationEmployers who are approved by the Secretary of Labor for participation in the program shall assure the Secretary of Labor that information about the safety and health program shall be made readily available to the Secretary of Labor to share with employees. (D)ReevaluationsPeriodic reevaluations by the Secretary of Labor of the employers shall be required for continued participation in the program.
(3)MonitoringTo ensure proper controls and measurement of program performance for the voluntary protection program under this section, the Secretary of Labor shall direct the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health to take the following actions: (A)Develop a documentation policy regarding information on follow-up actions taken by the regional offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in response to fatalities and serious injuries at worksites participating in the voluntary protection program.
(B)Establish internal controls that ensure consistent compliance by the regional offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with the voluntary protection program policies of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for conducting onsite reviews and monitoring injury and illness rates, to ensure that only qualified worksites participate in the program. (C)Establish a system for monitoring the performance of the voluntary protection program by developing specific performance goals and measures for the program.
(4)ExemptionsA site with respect to which a voluntary protection program has been approved shall, during participation in the program, be exempt from inspections or investigations and certain paperwork requirements to be determined by the Secretary of Labor, except that this paragraph shall not apply to inspections or investigations arising from employee complaints, fatalities, catastrophes, or significant toxic releases. (5)No payments requiredThe Secretary of Labor shall not require any form of payment for an employer to qualify or participate in the voluntary protection program.
(c)TransitionThe Secretary of Labor shall take such steps as may be necessary for the orderly transition from the cooperative agreements and voluntary protection programs carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, to the cooperative agreements and voluntary protection program authorized under this section. In making such transition, the Secretary shall ensure that— (1)the voluntary protection program authorized under this section is based upon and consistent with the voluntary protection programs carried out on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2)each employer that, as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, had an active cooperative agreement under the voluntary protection programs carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and was in good standing with respect to the duties and responsibilities under such agreement, shall have the option to continue participating in the voluntary protection program authorized under this section. (d)Regulations and implementationNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall issue final regulations for the voluntary protection program authorized under this section and shall begin implementation of the program.
3.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary.


117 S1153 IS: Head Start Improvement Act
U.S. Senate
2021-04-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1153IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 15, 2021Mr. Lee (for himself, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Inhofe, and Mr. Tuberville) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Head Start Act to authorize block grants to States for prekindergarten education, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Head Start Improvement Act.2.ImprovementsThe Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:635.Short titleThis subchapter may be cited as the Head Start Act.636.Statement of purposeIt is the purpose of this subchapter to promote the school readiness of low-income children by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development in a learning environment that supports children's growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning.637.DefinitionsFor purposes of this subchapter:(1)Delegate agencyThe term delegate agency means a public, private nonprofit (including a community-based organization, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), or for-profit organization or agency to which an eligible entity has delegated all or part of the responsibility of the grantee for administering funds under this subchapter.(2)Education savings accountThe term education savings account means a savings account, authorized under State law, that is used by a parent only for the educational expenses, including prekindergarten expenses, of the parent’s child.(3)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means the recipient of a subgrant under section 639(d)(3)(A).(4)Financial assistanceThe term financial assistance includes assistance provided by grant, agreement, or contract, and payments may be made in installments and in advance or by way of reimbursement with necessary adjustments on account of overpayments or underpayments.(5)Grant recipientThe term grant recipient means the recipient of a grant under section 639(a).(6)Indian tribeThe term Indian tribe means any tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Native village described in section 3(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(c)) or established pursuant to such Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.(7)Local educational agencyThe term local educational agency has the meaning given such term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(8)Low-income childThe term low-income child means a child who is 3, 4, or 5 years of age and is from a family with an income below 100 percent of the poverty line for the most recent fiscal year for which satisfactory data are available.(9)Poverty lineThe term poverty line means the official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget)—(A)adjusted to reflect the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occurring in the 1-year period or other interval immediately preceding the date such adjustment is made; and(B)adjusted for family size.(10)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.(11)StateThe term State means a State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The term includes the Republic of Palau, except during any period for which a Compact of Free Association is in effect, contains provisions for early childhood education or development, and prohibits the assistance provided under this subchapter.638.Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $10,613,095,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031. 639.Block grants
				to eligible States and Indian tribes(a)In
 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, beginning on October 1 of the first fiscal year following the date of enactment of the Head Start Improvement Act, from the amounts appropriated to carry out this subchapter under section 638 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible States and Indian tribes from allotments made under subsection (b) in accordance with this section.(b)Allotments(1)FormulaThe Secretary shall allot the amount appropriated under section 638 for a fiscal year among the eligible States and Indian tribes in proportion to the number of children, who are 3, 4, or 5 years of age, who are from families with incomes below 100 percent of the poverty line for the most recent fiscal year for which satisfactory data are available and who are in an eligible State or Indian tribe, compared to the number of such children for that fiscal year who are in all eligible States or Indian tribes.(2)CalculationFor purposes of counting the number of children who are in an eligible State under paragraph (1), the children who are counted in an eligible Indian tribe in that State shall be excluded.(c)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State or Indian tribe shall submit an application to the Secretary that includes the number of low-income children in the State or Indian tribe.(d)Use of
				funds(1)In
 generalA grant recipient under this section shall use 100 percent of the grant funds—(A)for prekindergarten education programs in the State or Indian tribe involved;(B)for the administration of the programs described in subparagraph (A); and(C)to provide direct technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, research, and training with respect to the programs described in subparagraph (A).(2)CertificationThe Governor, or other chief executive, of each grant recipient shall certify that all grant funds received under this section will be used to directly or indirectly provide comprehensive education to low-income children.(3)Grant recipient responsibilitiesA grant recipient shall—(A)award subgrants to eligible entities (as defined by the grant recipient) to enable such entities to provide, directly or through a delegate agency, prekindergarten education programs in the State or Indian tribe involved;(B)establish rules and standards for the entities awarded subgrants under subparagraph (A); and(C)monitor compliance by entities awarded subgrants under subparagraph (A).(4)FlexibilityNotwithstanding any other provision of Federal law (other than this section)—(A)to the extent permitted under State law, a grant recipient may use the grant funds to establish a portable voucher system that allows a parent of a low-income child to use a portion of the grant funds, other available public funds, or private funds to pay some or all of the costs of attendance at a private prekindergarten education program; and(B)to the extent permitted under State law, a grant recipient may use the grant funds to establish an education savings account that allows a parent of a low-income child to use a portion of the grant funds, or other available public or private funds added to the account, for expenses related to prekindergarten education.(5)Members of
 Indian tribesA member of an Indian tribe who is eligible to receive services pursuant to a program funded under this section may elect to receive such services from any eligible entity for the State or Indian tribe in which the member resides.(e)Matching
 fundsA grant recipient shall provide matching funds from non-Federal sources equal to 20 percent of the amount of the grant to carry out the activities described in this section.(f)Administrative costsNo eligible entity that receives a subgrant to provide a program under this subchapter shall use more than 15 percent of the subgrant funds for the administrative costs of the program.640.Limitations on assistanceNothing in this subchapter shall be construed to require a grant recipient to establish a publicly funded program of early childhood education and development, or to require any child to participate in such a publicly funded program, including a preschool program funded by a grant recipient, or to participate in any initial screening (other than a health screening) before participating in a publicly funded program of early childhood education and development, except as provided under sections 612(a)(3) and 635(a)(5) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3), 1435(a)(5)).641.Goals; monitoring(a)Self-AssessmentsNot less frequently than once each program year, each grant recipient shall conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of the effectiveness and progress of the grant recipient's program under this subchapter in meeting program goals established by the grant recipient. The self-assessment shall include a determination of the number of low-income children served by the program carried out by the grant recipient under this subchapter.(b)ReportsThe grant recipient shall develop, and make available to the public, an online and searchable report containing the self-assessment, and an improvement plan to strengthen any areas identified in the self-assessment as weaknesses or in need of improvement. The report shall include the number of low-income children served by the program carried out by the grant recipient under this subchapter.(c)Ongoing monitoringEach grant recipient shall establish and implement procedures for the ongoing monitoring of the respective programs of each recipient, to ensure that the operations of the programs work toward meeting the program goals.642.Administrative requirements(a)In generalEach grant recipient shall make available to the public a report published online at least once in each fiscal year that discloses the following information, from the most recently concluded fiscal year, except that reporting such information shall not reveal personally identifiable information about an individual child or parent:(1)The total amount of Federal, State, local, and private funds received and the amount from each source.(2)An explanation of budgetary expenditures and proposed budget for the fiscal year.(3)The total number of children served, the average monthly enrollment (as a percentage of funded enrollment), and the percentage of eligible children served.(4)The results of the most recent self-assessment under section 641.(5)Information about the grant recipient's efforts to prepare children for kindergarten.(b)Annual reportsNot later than October 1 following the first full fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall compile the information described in subsection(a), from the most recently concluded fiscal year, into a report and submit the report to Congress.643.RecordsEach recipient of financial assistance under this subchapter shall keep records, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such financial assistance, the total cost of the program or activity in connection with which such financial assistance is given or used, and the amount of that portion of the cost of the program or activity supplied by other sources.644.Research(a)StudyThe Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study—(1)of the different approaches and best practices used by States and Indian tribes in carrying out the program under this subchapter; and(2)that is limited to the information provided in the online reports made available by grant recipients under sections 641 and 642.(b) ReportNot later than October 1 of the fourth fiscal year after the date of enactment referred to in section 639(a), the Comptroller General shall submit a report containing the results of the study to the appropriate committees of Congress.645.Nondiscrimination provisionsNo grant recipient shall provide financial assistance for any program or activity under this subchapter unless the grant or contract relating to the financial assistance specifically provides that no person with responsibilities in the operation of the program or activity will discriminate with respect to any such program or activity because of race, creed, color, national origin, biological sex, political affiliation, or religion, or because of a disability in violation of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).646.Political activities(a)RestrictionsA program assisted under this subchapter, and any individual employed by, or assigned to or in, a program assisted under this subchapter (during the hours in which such individual is working on behalf of such program), shall not engage in—(1)any partisan or nonpartisan political activity or any other political activity associated with a candidate, or contending faction or group, in an election for public or party office;(2)any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance in connection with any such election; or(3)assisting, promoting, or deterring union organization.(b)RegistrationNo funds appropriated under this subchapter may be used to conduct voter registration activities. Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the availability of Head Start facilities during hours of operation for the use of any nonpartisan organization to increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office.647.Advance fundingFor the purpose of affording adequate notice of funding available under this subchapter, appropriations for carrying out this subchapter are authorized to be included in an appropriation Act for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which they are available for obligation.648.General provisionsNothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize or permit the Secretary or any employee or contractor of the Department of Health and Human Services to mandate, direct, or control, the selection of a curriculum, a program of instruction, or instructional materials, for a prekindergarten education program carried out by an eligible entity..3.Effective dateThe amendment made by this Act shall apply beginning on October 1 of the first fiscal year following the date of enactment of the Head Start Improvement Act.


		III
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 584
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 25, 2006
			Mr. Frist (for himself
			 and Mr. Reid) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		To authorize the production of records,
		  testimony, and legal representation.

		Whereas the United States Attorney's Office for the
			 District of Columbia is conducting an investigation of the financial
			 disclosures made by Dr. Lester Crawford to the Committee on Health, Education,
			 Labor, and Pensions in connection with confirmation proceedings on Dr.
			 Crawford's nomination to be Commissioner of the Food and Drug
			 Administration;
		Whereas the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
			 Pensions has received a request from the United States Attorney's Office for
			 testimony of three employees of the Committee and for records of the Committee
			 relevant to the investigation;
		Whereas, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 704(a)(2) of the
			 Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C. §§ 288b(a) and 288c(a)(2), the
			 Senate may direct its counsel to represent employees of the Senate with respect
			 to any subpoena, order, or request for testimony relating to their official
			 responsibilities;
		Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United
			 States and rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no evidence under the
			 control or in the possession of the Senate can, by administrative or judicial
			 process, be taken from such control or possession but by permission of the
			 Senate; and
		Whereas, when it appears that evidence under the control
			 or in the possession of the Senate is needed for the promotion of justice, the
			 Senate will take such action as will promote the ends of justice consistent
			 with the privileges of the Senate: Now, therefore, be it

		That the Committee on Health,
			 Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to produce documents and committee
			 staff are authorized to testify in these and related proceedings, except where
			 a privilege should be asserted.
		2.The Senate Legal Counsel is authorized to
			 represent employees of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
			 in connection with the document production and testimony authorized in section
			 one of this resolution.


114 S1386 IS: Icebreaker Recapitalization Act
U.S. Senate
2015-05-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1386
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 19, 2015
			Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

		A BILL
		To provide multiyear procurement authority for the procurement of up to six polar icebreakers to be
			 owned and operated by the Coast Guard.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Icebreaker Recapitalization Act. 2.Multiyear procurement authority for polar icebreakers (a)Multiyear procurementSubject to section 2306b of title 10, United States Code, the Secretary of the Navy shall enter into multiyear contracts for the procurement of up to six heavy duty polar icebreakers and any systems and equipment associated with those vessels.
			(b)Authority for
 advance procurementThe Secretary may enter into one or more contracts, beginning in fiscal year 2016, for advance procurement associated with the vessels, systems, and equipment for which authorization to enter into a multiyear contract is provided under subsection (a).
			(c)Condition for
 Out-Year Contract PaymentsA contract entered into under subsection (a) shall provide that any obligation of the United States to make a payment under the contract for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2016 is subject to the availability of appropriations or funds for that purpose for such later fiscal year.
			(d)Memorandum of
 agreementNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall enter into a memorandum of agreement establishing a process by which the Coast Guard, in concurrence with the Navy, shall—
 (1)identify the vessel specifications, capabilities, systems, equipment, and other details required for the design of heavy polar icebreakers capable of fulfilling Navy and Coast Guard mission requirements, with the Coast Guard, as the sole operator of United States Government polar icebreaking assets, retaining final decision authority in the establishment of vessel requirements;
 (2)oversee the construction of heavy polar icebreakers authorized to be procured under this section; and
 (3)to the extent not adequately addressed in the 1965 Revised Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of the Navy and the Department of the Treasury on the Operation of Icebreakers, transfer heavy polar icebreakers procured through contracts authorized under this section from the Navy to the Coast Guard to be maintained and operated by the Coast Guard.


114 S2095 IS: Alaskan Pollock and Golden King Crab Labeling Act
U.S. Senate
2015-09-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 2095
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 29, 2015
			Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Sullivan, and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

		A BILL
		To establish certain requirements with respect to pollock and golden king crab.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Alaskan Pollock and Golden King Crab Labeling Act.
		2.Requirements
 (a)Pollock and golden king crabNotwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of applying the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.)—
 (1)the acceptable market name of Gadus chalcogrammus, formerly known as Theragra chalcogramma, is pollock; and (2)the acceptable market name of Lithodes aequispinus is golden king crab.
 (b)Labeling of pollockSection 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (z)If it is labeled or advertised as Alaskan pollock or Alaska pollock and it is not pollock that is harvested in the exclusive economic zone (as that term is defined in the section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802)) or the State waters adjacent to the State of Alaska..