109 HR 5887 IH: To improve vaccine safety research, and for other

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-07-25
text/xml
EN
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		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5887
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 25, 2006
			Mr. Weldon of Florida
			 (for himself and Mrs. Maloney)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To improve vaccine safety research, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the Vaccine Safety and
			 Public Confidence Assurance Act of 2006 .
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Sec. 2. Findings.
					Sec. 3. Purpose.
					Sec. 4. Establishment of Agency for Vaccine Safety
				Evaluation.

			2.FindingsThe Congress finds as follows:
			(1)The Nation’s
			 vaccine program has greatly reduced human suffering from infectious disease by
			 preventing and reducing the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases.
			(2)The prestigious
			 scientific journal Nature has noted that to maintain public confidence in
			 vaccines “there is a strong case for a well-resourced independent agency that
			 commends the trust of both the government and the public”. Nature 439,
			 1–2.
			(3)Public confidence
			 in governmental vaccine-safety monitoring agencies is critical to building and
			 maintaining public confidence in vaccine safety.
			(4)Actual or
			 perceived conflicts of interest undermine the credibility of vaccine-safety
			 assurances and reports issued by those with conflicts of interest.
			(5)The Federal
			 Government has a responsibility to take all steps feasible to ensure that
			 research evaluating the safety of existing and future vaccines is of the
			 highest quality and free from conflicts of interest.
			(6)The Centers for
			 Disease Control and Prevention is responsible for promoting both high
			 immunization rates and vaccine safety, duties perceived by some to constitute a
			 conflict of interest.
			(7)The actual or perceived conflict of
			 interest between vaccine promotion and vaccine safety has been compounded by
			 the fact that vaccine-safety programs and the National Immunization Program
			 have needed to compete against each other for funds. Funding for vaccine-safety
			 research should be completely independent from other vaccine-related budget
			 priorities.
			(8)There are numerous
			 vaccines presently in the development pipeline for disease prevention and
			 treatment, and it is critical that the Nation develop longer term and more
			 specific safety monitoring mechanisms.
			(9)It is critical
			 that the Federal Government revamp vaccine-safety monitoring programs to focus
			 increasingly on developing prevaccination screening tools to prevent injury,
			 thereby raising public confidence and reducing vaccine injuries.
			(10)The current structure for monitoring for
			 vaccine safety, postlicensure, primarily focuses on epidemiology. There is
			 inadequate funding directed toward independent research, including research
			 directed at understanding underlying biological mechanisms and biological
			 susceptibilities and designed to understand why some children and adults
			 develop serious adverse outcomes after vaccination.
			(11)Because most
			 serious adverse reactions to vaccines are rare, epidemiology studies may be
			 limited in their ability to establish or rule out causal association or
			 biological plausibility.
			(12)The
			 vaccine-safety monitoring functions of the Department of Health and Human
			 Services have tended to focus on monitoring for acute adverse events rather
			 than chronic adverse events. There is little coordination and inadequate effort
			 to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying vaccine-related adverse
			 events.
			3.PurposeThe purpose of this title is to direct that
			 vaccine safety monitoring and research focus on active surveillance,
			 researching biological mechanisms for acute and chronic adverse events
			 following vaccination, developing prevaccination screening methods within a
			 framework that is free from actual and perceived biases, and developing a
			 vaccine safety research agenda.
		4.Establishment of
			 Agency for Vaccine Safety EvaluationTitle XXI of the Public Health Service Act
			 (42 U.S.C. 300aa–1 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

				3Agency for Vaccine
				Safety Evaluation
					2141.EstablishmentThere is established in the Office of the
				Secretary the Agency for Vaccine Safety Evaluation, to be headed by the
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation.
					2142.Authorities
						(a)In
				generalWith respect to
				vaccines, the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation—
							(1)shall conduct or
				support safety research, including research on—
								(A)acute and chronic
				adverse reactions, including with respect to subpopulations;
								(B)components of
				vaccines, including additives, adjuvants, and preservatives;
								(C)delivery
				mechanisms; and
								(D)the potential
				presence of adventitious agents in vaccines; and
								(2)shall conduct or
				support long- and short-term monitoring of vaccines for which a biologics
				license is in effect under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act;
							(3)shall develop a
				vaccine safety research agenda;
							(4)shall conduct or
				support research across a range of disciplines, including molecular genetics,
				toxicology, pharmacokinetics, cell biology, neurology, immunology,
				pharmacogenomics, virology, and epidemiology;
							(5)shall conduct or
				support research to address issues raised in claims of injury brought before
				the Secretary, the Attorney General of the United States, and State and Federal
				courts;
							(6)shall develop,
				evaluate, and test hypotheses, when appropriate, about potential adverse
				reactions, including those generated by the Department of Defense, the National
				Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food
				and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration,
				other governmental agencies, and external researchers;
							(7)shall, on a
				regular basis, evaluate, report on, and explore means to promote the compliance
				of health care providers and vaccine manufacturers with Federal requirements
				for reporting adverse reactions related to licensed vaccines, including the
				requirements of section 2125(b);
							(8)shall conduct or
				support research to evaluate reports of injury following vaccine administration
				for the purpose of developing tests to prescreen individuals and subpopulations
				at greater risk of injury;
							(9)shall conduct or
				support research to evaluate biological mechanisms of injury for the purpose of
				eliminating or reducing the risk of such injury through better prescreening
				tools or through modification of vaccines;
							(10)shall conduct
				long-term monitoring of new or altered vaccines, including by monitoring the
				effects of changes to the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization
				schedule of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
							(11)shall provide, in
				conjunction with the National Library of Medicine, a clearinghouse for
				prelicensure and postlicensure studies of vaccines and make such clearinghouse
				publicly accessible by means of the Internet.
							(b)PersonnelIn
				carrying out this subtitle, the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation—
							(1)may not employ any individual as an officer
				or employee in a position in level I, II, III, IV, or V of the Executive
				Schedule or level GS–15 of the General Schedule if the individual has been
				employed within the preceding 5 years—
								(A)by the Centers for Disease Control and
				Prevention or the Food and Drug Administration to carry out any function
				relating to monitoring, or research on, adverse reactions related to a licensed
				vaccine or any function related to vaccine development;
								(B)by the National
				Institutes of Health to carry out any function relating to vaccine development;
				or
								(C)by a vaccine
				manufacturer; and
								(2)shall ensure that all personnel assigned to
				carry out functions relating to vaccine monitoring or research on adverse
				reactions related to vaccines do not have any related professional, familial,
				or financial conflict of interest.
							(c)Grant
				applicantsIn awarding any
				grant relating to research on adverse reactions to vaccines, the Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation—
							(1)shall require
				applicants to disclose (and update every 6 months) all potential conflicts of
				interest;
							(2)shall provide all disclosures under
				paragraph (1) to the advisory council for consideration as part of the
				council’s review of the application for the grant; and
							(3)shall ensure that
				the applicant for the grant does not have—
								(A)any financial
				conflict of interest that might compromise the research findings, such as
				holding a related patent or having a family member who holds a related patent;
				or
								(B)any conflict of
				interest resulting from the applicant’s association with an entity with direct
				or indirect financial interest in the outcomes of vaccine-safety research, such
				as receiving money or an in-kind contribution from a manufacturer of the
				particular vaccine or vaccine components to be investigated pursuant to the
				grant.
								(d)Vaccine Safety
				Datalink Project
							(1)In
				generalThe Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall have the
				responsibility for maintaining access to and overseeing the Vaccine Safety
				Datalink Project (and any successor vaccine database).
							(2)Relation to CDC
				and FDAThe Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation—
								(A)shall ensure that the Director of the
				Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Commissioner of Food and
				Drugs have access to the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project to the full extent
				necessary to conduct or support monitoring, or research on, acute adverse
				reactions related to any licensed vaccine; and
								(B)shall consider any
				comments or recommendations of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control
				and Prevention and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs regarding the Vaccine
				Safety Datalink Project.
								(3)ResponsibilitiesIn carrying out this subsection, the
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation—
								(A)shall facilitate
				external access to the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project for purposes of
				research, including by—
									(i)requiring each participating health care
				provider or health maintenance organization to use a facilitator and sufficient
				staff for the purpose of assisting external researchers in navigating the data
				collection systems of the provider or organization;
									(ii)at
				the discretion of the Director, reimbursing the provider or organization for
				the salaries of such facilitator and staff and any other expenses incurred for
				such purpose;
									(iii)allowing
				researchers to access data that is collected through the Vaccine Safety
				Datalink Project, or published after derivation from data that is so collected,
				for review and duplication;
									(iv)requiring a
				researcher seeking such access to demonstrate, for the proposed research, the
				approval of not more than one institutional review board—
										(I)from not more than
				one participating health care provider or health maintenance organization;
				or
										(II)established by
				the Secretary or an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services;
				and
										(v)developing
				guidelines for data sharing, including guidelines for making publicly
				accessible—
										(I)a clarification of
				the types of studies possible with the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project;
										(II)a categorization
				of the types of studies possible with the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project;
				and
										(III)a delineation of
				the skills necessary to work with the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project;
				and
										(B)in carrying out
				subparagraph (A), may deny access to the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project for
				purposes of research that is not conducted or supported by the Agency only if
				the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation determines that—
									(i)the research is not technically feasible
				because—
										(I)the requested data
				are not available in the database;
										(II)enough
				individuals are not represented in the database with the exposures and outcomes
				of interest to study the proposed hypothesis; or
										(III)the proposed
				statistical tests are not possible with the available data; or
										(ii)the researchers
				fail to demonstrate core competencies in the basic skills needed to analyze the
				relevant data;
									(C)shall provide for
				transparency, including by—
									(i)making publicly
				available the results of studies conducted through the Vaccine Safety Datalink
				Project; and
									(ii)maintaining
				archives of data sets in the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project for not less than
				7 years;
									(D)shall ensure that, when external
				researchers access data that is collected through the Vaccine Safety Datalink
				Project, individually identifiable information is removed to the extent
				necessary to preserve patient confidentiality; and
								(E)may take such
				other actions and impose such requirements as the Director for Vaccine Safety
				Evaluation deems necessary to facilitate external or public access to the
				database without compromising patient confidentiality.
								(e)Review of
				international activitiesNot later than 18 months after the date
				of the enactment of this subtitle, the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation
				shall—
							(1)complete a
				thorough review of all functions transferred to the Agency under section 2144
				relating to international agreements, partnerships, and activities in which the
				United States Government has a fiduciary role, identify any related conflicts
				of interest, and develop and implement a plan to reduce such conflicts to the
				extent possible; and
							(2)submit a report to
				the Congress containing the results of the review conducted under paragraph
				(1), describing the conflicts of interests identified under such paragraph, and
				including the plan developed under such paragraph.
							(f)Fellowship
				program
							(1)EstablishmentThe
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation may establish a program of awarding
				fellowships to individuals for research on vaccine safety.
							(2)RequirementsThe
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation may not award a fellowship to an
				individual for research under this subsection unless the individual
				agrees—
								(A)to refrain from
				accepting any payment or other benefit for such research from a manufacturer of
				a vaccine or vaccine component to be subject to the research;
								(B)to refrain from
				employment by, or acceptance of payment from, a vaccine manufacturer or any
				organization that receives substantial funding from a vaccine manufacturer
				before the date that is 2 years after the end of such research; and
								(C)to disclose (and update every 6 months) all
				potential conflicts of interest.
								(3)ApplicationTo
				seek a fellowship under this subsection, an individual shall submit to the
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation an application in such form, in such
				manner, and containing such information as the Director for Vaccine Safety
				Evaluation may reasonably require.
							(4)Peer
				reviewThe Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall establish peer review mechanisms to evaluate
				applications for fellowships under this subsection.
							(g)Peer
				review
							(1)In
				generalThe requirements of section 492 (relating to peer review)
				shall apply to research and development conducted or supported by the Agency in
				the same manner and the to same extent as such requirements apply to research
				and development conducted or supported by the National Institutes of
				Health.
							(2)Technical and
				scientific peer review groupsThe Director for Vaccine Safety
				Evaluation may, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States
				Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to
				the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
				relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, establish such
				technical and scientific peer review groups as are needed to carry out the
				requirements of this subtitle and appoint and pay the members of such groups,
				except that officers and employees of the United States shall not receive
				additional compensation for service as members of such groups.
							(h)FDA
				informationAt the request of the Director for Vaccine Safety
				Evaluation, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall provide the Director with
				complete access to all vaccine-related information submitted to the Food and
				Drug Administration by vaccine manufacturers, irrespective of whether the
				information was submitted before or after approval of the vaccine under section
				351. The Director shall keep such information confidential to the same extent
				as the Commissioner of Food and Drugs is required to keep such information
				confidential, and the Director shall not disclose such information under
				section 552 of title 5, United States Code .
						(i)Report
							(1)SubmissionNot
				less than twice each year, the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall
				submit a report on the Agency’s activities under this section to the Advisory
				Committee on Immunization Practices, the National Vaccine Advisory Committee,
				the National Vaccine Program Office, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
				Program, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and any other entity
				deemed appropriate by the Director or by the Secretary of Health and Human
				Services.
							(2)Public
				availabilityThe Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall
				make each report under this subsection publicly available.
							2143.Postmarketing
				vaccine safety
						(a)Surveillance and
				clinical trials
							(1)In
				generalThe Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation, in
				consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall require the
				manufacturer of each covered vaccine to provide for postmarketing surveillance
				and clinical testing for any acute or chronic adverse reactions associated with
				the vaccine.
							(2)RequirementsThe
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall require the following:
								(A)Postmarketing
				surveillance and clinical testing under paragraph (1) shall be
				conducted—
									(i)by
				one or more individuals referred to the advisory council by the manufacturer or
				by the Agency, recommended by the advisory council under section 2145(b)(3),
				and approved by the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation under paragraph (3);
				and
									(ii)in accordance
				with a research protocol referred to the advisory council by the manufacturer
				or by the Agency, recommended by the advisory council under section 2145(b)(3),
				and approved by the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation.
									(B)The data and
				analysis of postmarketing surveillance and clinical testing under paragraph (1)
				shall be made available for objective, independent evaluation.
								(3)Approval of
				researchersThe Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation may not
				approve an individual for the purpose of conducting postmarketing surveillance
				or clinical testing under paragraph (1) unless the individual demonstrates to
				the Director’s satisfaction that the individual has no present conflict of
				interest that might compromise such surveillance or testing, including any
				employment or financial relationship with a vaccine manufacturer.
							(4)DefinitionFor
				purposes of this subsection, the term covered vaccine means a
				vaccine licensed under section 351 after January 1, 2006.
							(b)Relation to CDC,
				FDA, and VAERSThis subtitle shall not be construed to diminish
				the authority of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
				or the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to implement the Vaccine Adverse Event
				Reporting System. The postmarketing surveillance conducted by the Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation under this section shall be in addition to the
				postmarkeing surveillance conducted under the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
				System.
						(c)Recommendations
				on vaccine safety
							(1)GrantsIf more than 1 vaccine is licensed under
				section 351 for the purpose of preventing or mitigating the effects of the same
				disease, the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation may award grants to conduct
				comparative studies to determine, for each such vaccine, whether the vaccine is
				associated with fewer acute or chronic serious adverse reactions (in the
				population as a whole or in any subpopulation) than any other vaccine licensed
				for the purpose of preventing or mitigating the effects of the same disease.
				Such studies may focus on administering vaccines in isolation or in combination
				with other vaccines.
							(2)DeterminationIf
				the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation determines that a vaccine described
				in paragraph (1) is associated with fewer acute or chronic adverse reactions
				(in the population as a whole or in any subpopulation) than another vaccine
				licensed for the purpose of preventing or mitigating the effects of the same
				disease, the Director shall make this determination publicly available.
							(d)Registration of
				clinical trials
							(1)RequirementThe
				Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall require the manufacturer of a
				vaccine that is licensed under section 351, or for which the manufacturer will
				seek licensure under section 351, to register in a qualified public registry
				each clinical trial conducted or supported by the manufacturer with respect to
				the vaccine, irrespective of whether such trial is suspended before
				completion.
							(2)Minimum
				informationIn carrying out subsection (a), the Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall require the manufacturer to include in the
				registration for each clinical trial the following information:
								(A)A unique
				identifying number.
								(B)A statement of
				each intervention and comparison studied.
								(C)A statement of the
				study hypothesis.
								(D)Definitions of the
				primary and secondary outcome measures.
								(E)Eligibility
				criteria.
								(F)Key trial dates
				(including the registration date, the anticipated or actual start date, the
				anticipated or actual date of last follow-up, the planned or actual date of
				closure to data entry, and the date on which trial data is considered to be
				complete).
								(G)The target number
				of subjects.
								(H)The funding
				source.
								(I)Contact
				information for the principal investigator.
								(J)Such other
				information as the Director may require.
								(3)Timing of
				registrationIn carrying out subsection (a), the Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall require the manufacturer to register each
				clinical trial—
								(A)if the trial
				starts on or after the date of the enactment of this section, not later than
				the onset of patient enrollment; and
								(B)if the trial starts
				before the date of the enactment of this section, not later than the end of the
				90-day period following such date of enactment.
								(4)DefinitionsIn
				this subsection:
								(A)The term
				clinical trial means a research project that prospectively assigns
				human subjects to intervention or comparison groups to study the
				cause-and-effect relationship between a medical intervention and a health
				outcome.
								(B)The term
				qualified public registry means a registry that—
									(i)is accessible to
				the public at no charge;
									(ii)is open to all
				prospective registrants;
									(iii)is managed by a
				nonprofit organization or a Federal, State, or local governmental
				entity;
									(iv)has in effect a
				mechanism to ensure the validity of the registration data;
									(v)is electronically
				searchable; and
									(vi)includes, for
				each clinical trial, each category of information described in paragraph
				(2).
									(5)ApplicationThis
				subsection applies only with respect to clinical trials that are ongoing on, or
				start on or after, July 1, 2006.
							2144.Transfer of CDC
				functions relating to monitoring adverse reactions related to licensed
				vaccines
						(a)Transfer of CDC
				functionsEffective on the date that is 1 year after the date of
				the enactment of this subtitle, there are transferred to the Agency all the
				functions, assets, and obligations of the Centers for Disease Control and
				Prevention relating to—
							(1)the Vaccine Safety
				Datalink Project;
							(2)the Clinical
				Immunization Safety Assessment Centers; or
							(3)any other
				post-licensure vaccine safety monitoring activities.
							(b)Orderly
				transferThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall take
				such steps as are necessary to ensure the orderly transfer under this section
				of functions, assets, and obligations from the Centers for Disease Control and
				Prevention.
						(c)Rule of
				constructionExcept with respect to the activities specified in
				subsection (a), nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to transfer or
				limit the authority of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
				Prevention to conduct surveillance and response activities with respect to
				vaccine safety or effectiveness, including with respect to acute adverse
				reactions.
						2145.Advisory
				council
						(a)EstablishmentThe
				Secretary shall establish in the Agency an advisory council.
						(b)DutiesThe
				advisory council shall—
							(1)formulate
				recommendations on the need for new or improved research on licensed
				vaccines;
							(2)develop and
				annually update a vaccine safety research agenda;
							(3)recommend
				individuals and research protocols for purposes of section
				2143(a)(2)(A);
							(4)if potentially
				vaccine-related toxicological damage or subacute infection is observed in
				vitro, in laboratory animals, or in clinical testing, formulate recommendations
				on conducting laboratory and clinical research even in the absence of
				epidemiological evidence;
							(5)not later than 2
				weeks after each quarterly meeting of the advisory council, submit to the
				Agency a report that includes a summary of the presentations made at the
				meeting, a list of hypotheses proposed, and the recommendations of the advisory
				council on research described in paragraph (1);
							(6)review each
				application submitted to the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation for a grant
				or other assistance related to vaccine research;
							(7)make
				recommendations to the Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation regarding each
				such application;
							(8)make
				recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding vaccine
				safety;
							(9)not less than
				quarterly, submit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services
				regarding vaccine safety efforts; and
							(10)make publicly
				available—
								(A)each report
				submitted under paragraph (9); and
								(B)a transcript of
				each meeting of the advisory council.
								(c)Effect of
				recommendationsThe Director for Vaccine Safety Evaluation may
				not approve any application for a grant or other assistance related to vaccine
				research until the Director has considered the recommendations of the advisory
				council regarding such research. If the Director decides to approve or
				disapprove any such application contrary to the recommendations of the advisory
				council, the Director shall provide the advisory council with, and make
				publicly available, a detailed, written explanation of the reasons for the
				decision.
						(d)Membership
							(1)CompositionThe
				advisory council shall be composed of 18 members appointed by the Secretary,
				including the following:
								(A)Not more than 2
				representatives of the vaccine manufacturing industry.
								(B)One practicing
				pediatrician.
								(C)One infectious
				disease expert.
								(D)Five adults who
				are each—
									(i)a
				victim of a vaccine injury; or
									(ii)a
				parent of the victim of a vaccine-related injury.
									(E)One representative
				of the general public who—
									(i)is
				not the victim of a vaccine injury; and
									(ii)does not have a
				conflict of interest described in paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B), or (2) of section
				2142(b).
									(F)One
				toxicologist.
								(G)One
				neurologist.
								(H)One
				geneticist.
								(I)One
				immunologist.
								(J)One State or local
				public health officer.
								(K)Not less than 4
				and not more than 6 additional representatives.
								(2)QualificationsIn
				appointing the members of the Commission, the Secretary shall ensure that not
				less than one-third of the members of the advisory council are selected from
				among individuals who have a vaccine-related injury or who have an immediate
				family member with a vaccine-related injury (irrespective of whether there is a
				judicial or administration finding of such injury).
							(3)Conflicts of
				interestIn appointing the
				members of the Commission, the Secretary shall ensure that such members do not
				have any related financial conflict of interest. For purposes of this
				paragraph, the Secretary shall not treat as a conflict of interest the
				following:
								(A)In the case of a
				member appointed under paragraph (1)(A) who is employed in the vaccine
				manufacturing industry, the receipt of a salary or other benefits for such
				employment.
								(B)In the case of 2 of
				the members appointed under paragraph (1)(D), any pending claim for
				compensation for a vaccine-related injury.
								2146.Full-time
				liaisonThe Director for
				Vaccine Safety Evaluation shall designate an employee of the Agency to serve as
				a full-time liaison between the Agency and the Department of Defense, the
				National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the
				Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and any other agency as the
				Director determines necessary.
					2147.DefinitionsIn this subtitle:
						(1)The term
				advisory council means the advisory council established pursuant
				to section 2145.
						(2)The term
				Agency means the Agency for Vaccine Safety Evaluation.
						(3)The term
				assets includes contracts, facilities, property, records,
				unobligated or unexpended balances of appropriations, and other funds or
				resources (other than personnel).
						(4)The term
				functions includes authorities, powers, rights, privileges,
				immunities, programs, projects, activities, duties, and
				responsibilities.
						(5)The term
				licensed vaccine means a vaccine with a biologics license in
				effect under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
				262).
						(6)The term
				personnel means officers and employees.
						(7)The term
				Project means the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project.
						2148.Authorization of
				appropriationsThere is
				authorized to be appropriated—
						(1)for conducting and
				supporting research under this subtitle, $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
				and
						(2)for carrying out
				responsibilities under this subtitle other than the conduct or support of
				research, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
				2007.
						.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 652
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 10, 2011
			Mr. Young of Alaska
			 (for himself, Mr. Rothman of New
			 Jersey, and Mr. Carter)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		A BILL
		To amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the
		  increase of premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other charges for health care
		  provided under the TRICARE program.

		1.Limitation of increases to
			 premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other charges of the TRICARE
			 program
			(a)In
			 generalChapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by
			 inserting after section 1095f the following new section:

					1095g.TRICARE
				Program: limitation of increases to premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other
				chargesBeginning October 1,
				2011, the Secretary of Defense may only increase in any year a premium,
				deductible, copayment, or other charge to a covered beneficiary for health care
				provided under the TRICARE program if—
						(1)the rates of monthly basic pay authorized
				for members of the uniformed services are increased for the same year pursuant
				to section 1009 of title 37 or another provision of law; and
						(2)the increase to
				TRICARE charges is by a percentage that is not more than half of the percentage
				by which benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42
				U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are increased for the same year as a result of a
				determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
				415(i)).
						.
			(b)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of
			 sections at the beginning of chapter 55 of such title is amended by inserting
			 after the item relating to section 1095f the following new item:

						1095g. TRICARE Program: limitation of
				increases to copayments, premiums, and other
				charges.

					.


110 HR 5441 IH: To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend the

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-02-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5441
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 14, 2008
			Mr. Jones of North
			 Carolina (for himself, Mr. Kline of
			 Minnesota, Ms. Loretta Sanchez of
			 California, Mrs. Boyda of
			 Kansas, Ms. Shea-Porter,
			 and Mr. Wilson of South Carolina)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Armed
			 Services

		A BILL
		To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend the
		  special survivor indemnity allowance to survivors of certain members of the
		  Armed Forces who die on active duty.

		1.Extension to survivors of
			 certain members who die on active duty of special survivor indemnity allowance
			 for persons affected by required Survivor Benefit Plan annuity offset for
			 dependency and indemnity compensation
			(a)ExtensionSubsection (m) of section 1450 of title 10,
			 United States Code, as added by section 644 of the National Defense
			 Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 122 Stat. 158), is
			 amended in paragraph (1)(B) by striking section 1448(a)(1) of this
			 title and inserting subsection (a)(1) of section 1448 of this
			 title or by reason of coverage under subsection (d) of such
			 section.
			(b)Application of
			 amendmentThe amendment made
			 by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to the month beginning on October 1,
			 2008, and subsequent months as provided by paragraph (6) of subsection (m) of
			 section 1450 of title 10, United States Code, as added by section 644 of the
			 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.


113 HR 3056 IH: Warriors’ Peer-Outreach Pilot Program Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-08-02
text/xml
EN
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I
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3056
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 2, 2013
Mr. Takano (for himself and Ms. Brownley of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program on the provision of outreach and support services to veterans pursuing higher education under the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Warriors’ Peer-Outreach Pilot Program Act.
2.Pilot program on the provision of outreach and support services to veterans pursuing higher education under the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
(a)Pilot programThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a three-year pilot program to provide outreach and support services at institutions of higher learning (as that term is defined in section 3452(f) of title 38, United States Code) that are designed to promote improved higher-education outcomes and the successful use of needed services for veterans using their entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to pursue a program of education leading to a degree at the institution of higher learning.
(b)Selection of institutions
(1)Types of institutionsThe Secretary shall select three institutions of higher learning at which the Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under this section, as follows:
(A)One four-year public university.
(B)One community college.
(C)One private, not-for-profit college.
(2)Other requirementsTo be eligible to participate in the pilot program under this section, an institution shall—
(A)provide office space, the capability for veterans described in subsection (c)(1) to use information technology equipment, and appropriate information-technology support services for the individual who will provide peer-outreach and peer-support services at such institution; and
(B)cooperate with the Secretary in providing such data as the Secretary may require to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program, as described in subsection (c)(3).
(3)Priority for selectionIn selecting institutions of higher learning for purposes of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to—
(A)institutions of higher learning with existing peer outreach programs for veteran students; and
(B)institutions of higher learning located in States with large student veteran populations, as determined by the Secretary.
(c)Program requirementsIn carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1)Provide peer-outreach and peer-support services to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn who are students at an institution where the Secretary carries out the pilot program, with particular emphasis on assisting individuals who may have, or may be having, difficulty in adjusting to such institution, or who may need services or supports that such institution is not equipped to provide, by employing veterans—
(A)who—
(i)are using their entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to pursue a program of education leading to a degree at the institution of higher learning; or
(ii)have used their entitlement to educational assistance under such chapter to complete a program of education and graduate from such an institution during the 18-month period preceding the date on which the veteran is hired to perform services under the pilot program; and
(B)who have served on active duty in a theater of combat operations (with special consideration given to veterans who have recovered or are recovering from a mental health condition).
(2)Provide for training veterans employed as described in paragraph (1).
(3)Develop requirements and measures for assessing the impact and effectiveness of the services provided under the pilot program, including—
(A)developing and disseminating an online survey instrument (designed to establish baseline data, including data on need for services) to veterans attending the institutions of higher education described in paragraph (1) of this subsection;
(B)developing and disseminating (not earlier than 18 months after the start of the pilot program) a follow-up online survey instrument (designed to gather data, including data to assess engagement with peer-support, experience accessing services, and adjustment to higher education) other on the possible impact of the program); and
(C)tabulating—
(i)the number of veterans who meet on an individual basis with such peer;
(ii)the number of referrals such individual makes; and
(iii)the outcome of such referrals.
(d)Duration The authority of the Secretary to provide services under the pilot program under this section shall terminate on the later of the following dates:
(1)The date that is three years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
(2)The date of the last day of the academic year that ends not more than 180 days after the date that is three years after the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
(e)ReportNot later than nine months after the completion of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program. The report shall include the following:
(1)A description of the implementation and operation of the program.
(2)An evaluation of effectiveness of then peer-outreach services provided under the program in—
(A)reducing the prevalence of veterans failing to continue higher education pursuits using their entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code;
(B)improving other outcomes related to higher education for veterans using such entitlement; and
(C)the use by such veterans of needed behavioral health and other services.
(3)An analysis of the costs and benefits of the program.
(4)The Secretary’s recommendations, if any, regarding an extension or expansion of the program.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2690
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 7, 2012
			Mr. Casey introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on poly(methyl
		  methacrylate).

		1.Poly(methyl
			 methacrylate)
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.00Poly(methyl methacrylate) (CAS No. 9010–88–2) (provided for in
						subheading 3906.10.10)FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2015

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


115 S937 IS: Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-04-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 937IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 25, 2017Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Blunt, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Markey, Mr. Rounds, and Ms. Klobuchar) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a refundable adoption tax credit.

		1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2017.
		2.Refundable
			 adoption tax credit
			(a)Credit made
			 refundable
				(1)Credit moved to
 subpart relating to refundable creditsThe Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
 (A)by redesignating section 23 as section 36C; and
 (B)by moving section 36C (as so redesignated) from subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 to the location immediately before section 37 in subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1.
					(2)Conforming
			 Amendments
 (A)Section 25(e)(1)(C) of such Code is amended by striking 23, 25D, and inserting 25D.
 (B)Section 36C of such Code, as so redesignated, is amended—
 (i)in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking (determined without regard to subsection (c));
 (ii)by striking subsection (c); and
 (iii)by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as subsections (c) through (h), respectively.
 (C)Section 137 of such Code is amended—
 (i)in subsection (d), by striking section 23(d) and inserting section 36C(c); and
 (ii)in subsection (e), by striking subsections (e), (f), and (g) of section 23 and inserting subsections (d), (e), and (f) of section 36C.
 (D)Section 1016(a)(26) is amended by striking 23(g) and inserting 36C(f).
 (E)Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting 36C, after 36B.
 (F)The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code of 1986 is amended by striking the item relating to section 23.
 (G)Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting 36C, after 36B,.
 (H)The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the following new item:Sec. 36C. Adoption
				expenses..
					(b)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.


116 HR 7316 IH: To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment or operation of a center to be known as the Emergency Mental Health and Substance Use Training and Technical Assistance Center.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-06-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7316IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 24, 2020Mr. Rose of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the establishment or operation of a center to be known as the Emergency Mental Health and Substance Use Training and Technical Assistance Center.1.Emergency mental health and substance use training and technical assistance centerSubpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–31 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 520A (42 U.S.C. 290bb–32) the following:520B.Emergency mental health and substance use training and technical assistance center(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall establish or operate a center to be known as the Emergency Mental Health and Substance Use Training and Technical Assistance Center (referred to in this section as the Center) to provide technical assistance and support—(1)to public or nonprofit entities seeking to establish or expand access to mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, and increase awareness of such services; and(2)to public health professionals, health care professionals and support staff, essential workers (as defined by a State, Tribe, locality, or territory), and members of the public to address the trauma, stress, and mental health needs associated with an emergency period. (b)Assistance and supportThe assistance and support provided under subsection (a) shall include assistance and support with respect to—(1)training on identifying signs of trauma, stress, and mental health needs;(2)providing accessible resources to assist individuals and families experiencing trauma, stress, or other mental health needs during and after an emergency period;(3)providing resources for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery designed to assist individuals and families during and after an emergency period;(4)the provision of language access services, including translation services, interpretation, or other such services for individuals with limited English speaking proficiency or individuals with disabilities; and(5)evaluation and improvement, as necessary, of the effectiveness of such services provided by public or nonprofit entities.(c)Best practicesThe Center shall periodically issue best practices for use by organizations seeking to provide mental health services or substance use disorder prevention, treatment, or recovery services, including best practices for the following special populations:(1)Incarcerated individuals.(2)Children.(3)Pregnant women.(4)Underserved populations.(5)Communities of color.(6)Health care providers and essential workers.(d)Emergency periodIn this section, the term emergency period has the meaning given such term in section 1135(g)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act. (e)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021..


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3587
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 7, 2011
			Mr. Bilbray (for
			 himself and Ms. Eshoo) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		A BILL
		To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide
		  for the application of Medicaid prompt pay requirement to claims for payment
		  for covered items and services furnished by any Medicaid health care
		  entity.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Fair Pay to Medicaid Providers Act of
			 2011.
		2.Application of
			 Medicaid prompt pay requirements to all Medicaid health care entities
			(a)In
			 generalSection 1902 of the
			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended in subsection (a), in the
			 matter following paragraph (83), by striking For purposes of this
			 title and inserting Subject to the previous sentence, a State
			 plan shall not be in compliance with the requirement of clause (A) of paragraph
			 (37) unless (i) such plan applies such requirement to claims for payment made
			 for items and services covered under the plan and furnished by any person or
			 entity eligible for payment under such plan (insofar as such person or entity
			 is paid under this title on the basis of submission of claims) in the same or
			 similar manner (but applying the same timeframes specified under such clause)
			 as such plan applies such requirement to such services furnished by a
			 practitioner described in such clause; and (ii) such plan provides for
			 quarterly reports to be submitted by the State to the Secretary, presented by
			 provider type, on the extent to which the State during each month of the
			 previous quarter was in compliance with the requirement under such clause,
			 including as applied under this sentence. For purposes of this
			 title.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to claims
			 made for covered services after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3693
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 19, 2008
			Mr. Sanders (for
			 himself, Mrs. Lincoln, and
			 Mrs. Boxer) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To limit the amount of compensation for employees and
		  executives of financial institutions assisted under the Troubled Asset Relief
		  Program, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Stop the Greed on Wall Street
			 Act.
		2.Amendments to
			 TARPSection 111 of the
			 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–343) is amended by
			 striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the following:

				(b)Limits on
				compensation
					(1)In
				generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law or agreement
				to the contrary, no employee or executive of a financial institution that is
				assisted under the TARP may receive aggregate annual compensation, in any form,
				from the financial institution in an amount in excess of the amount paid to the
				President of the United States in accordance with section 102 of title 3 of the
				United States Code.
					(2)Previous
				compensation applied to aggregateIf an employee or executive of
				a financial institution that is assisted under the TARP has received aggregate
				annual compensation in excess of the amount paid to the President, as described
				in paragraph (1), for a calendar year prior to the date on which the financial
				institution first receives assistance under the TARP, such employee or
				executive shall be prohibited from receiving any further compensation for such
				service during that calendar year.
					(3)DefinitionFor
				purposes of this section, aggregate annual compensation includes
				bonuses, deferred compensation, stock options, securities, or any other form of
				compensation provided to an employee or executive.
					(c)Reimbursement
				of fundsIf a financial institution assisted under the TARP
				elects not to comply with the requirements of subsection (b), such financial
				institution shall immediately reimburse the Secretary for any amounts that it
				received under the TARP to that point. Such reimbursed funds shall be used by
				the Secretary for foreclosure mitigation efforts, as determined appropriate by
				the Secretary and in accordance with this
				Act.
				.


113 HR 1211 : FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-02-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IIB
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 1211
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		February 26, 2014Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryAN ACT
		To amend section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act), to provide for
			 greater public access to information, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2014 or the FOIA Act.
		2.Freedom of Information Act amendments
			(a)Electronic accessibilitySection 552 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in subsection (a)—
					(A)in paragraph (2)—
						(i)by striking for public inspection and copying and inserting in an electronic, publicly accessible format each place it appears;
						(ii)by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
						(iii)by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:

								(E)copies of all releasable records, regardless of form or format, that have been requested three or
			 more times under paragraph (3); and
								(F)a general index of the records referred to under subparagraphs (D) and (E);; and
						(iv)in the matter following subparagraph (F) (as added by clause (ii) of this subparagraph)—
							(I)by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting subparagraphs (D) and (E); and
							(II)by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting subparagraph (F); and
							(B)in paragraph (7)—
						(i)in subparagraph (A), by striking that will take longer than ten days to process; and
						(ii)in subparagraph (B), by inserting automated after provides;
						(2)in subsection (g), by striking make publicly available upon request and inserting make available in an electronic, publicly accessible format; and
				 (3)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

						(m)FOIA Web site requiredNot later than one year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Office of Management
			 and Budget shall ensure the existence and operation of a single website,
			 accessible by the public at no cost to access, that allows the public to—
							(1)submit requests for records under subsection (a)(3);
							(2)receive automated information about the status of a request under subsection (a)(7); and
							(3)file appeals..
				(b)Presumption of opennessSection 552(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the matter following paragraph (9), by inserting
			 before Any reasonably segregable portion the following: An agency may not withhold information under this subsection unless such agency reasonably foresees
			 that disclosure would cause specific identifiable harm to an interest
			 protected by an exemption, or if disclosure is prohibited by law..
			(c)The Office of Government Information ServicesSection 552 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in subsection (a)(4)(A)(i), by striking the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and inserting the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Director of the
			 Office of Government Information Services,; and
				(2)by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:

						(h)The Office of Government Information Services
							(1)EstablishmentThere is established the Office of Government Information Services within the National Archives and
			 Records Administration. The head of the Office is the Director of the
			 Office of Government Information Services.
							(2)Review of FOIA policy, procedure, and complianceThe Office of Government Information Services shall—
								(A)review policies and procedures of agencies under this section;
								(B)review compliance with this section by agencies;
								(C)identify methods that improve compliance under this section that may include—
									(i)the timely processing of requests submitted to agencies under this section;
									(ii)the system for assessing fees and fee waivers under this section; and
									(iii)the use of any exemption under subsection (b); and
									(D)review and provide guidance to agencies on the use of fees and fee waivers.
								(3)Mediation servicesThe Office of Government Information Services shall offer mediation services to resolve disputes
			 between persons making requests under this section and agencies as a
			 non-exclusive alternative to litigation and, at the discretion of the
			 Office, may issue advisory opinions if mediation has not resolved the
			 dispute.
							(4)Submission of report
								(A)In generalThe Office of Government Information Services shall not less than annually submit to the committees
			 described in subparagraph (C) and the President a report on the findings
			 from the information reviewed and identified under paragraph (2), a
			 summary of the Office’s activities under paragraph (3) (including any
			 advisory opinions issued), and legislative and regulatory recommendations
			 to improve the administration of this section.
								(B)Electronic availability of reportsThe Office shall make available any report submitted under paragraph (A) in a publicly accessible
			 format.
								(C)Congressional submission of reportThe committees described in this subparagraph are the following:
									(i)The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.
									(ii)The Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Judiciary of the Senate.
									(D)Direct submission of reports and testimonyAny report submitted under paragraph (A), any testimony, or any other communication to Congress
			 shall be submitted directly to the committees and the President, without
			 any requirement that any officer or employee outside of the Office of
			 Government Information Services, including the Archivist of the United
			 States and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, review
			 such report, testimony, or other communication.
								(5)Submission of additional informationThe Director of the Office of Government Information Services may submit additional information to
			 Congress and the President that the Director determines to be appropriate.
							(6)Annual meeting requiredNot less than once a year, the Office of Government Information Services shall hold a meeting that
			 is open to the public on the review and reports by the Office and permit
			 interested persons to appear and present oral or written statements at
			 such meeting..
				(d)Public resourcesSection 552(a)(6)(A) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in clause (i), by striking of such determination and the reasons therefor, and of the right of such person to appeal to the
			 head of the agency any adverse determination; and and inserting the following: “of—

						(I)such determination and the reasons therefor;
						(II)the right of such person to seek assistance from the agency FOIA Public Liaison; and
						(III)the right of such person to appeal to the head of the agency any adverse determination, within a
			 period determined by the agency that is not less than 90 days after the
			 receipt of such adverse determination; and; and
				(2)in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting the following: and the right of such person to seek dispute resolution services from the agency FOIA Public
			 Liaison or the Office of Government Information Services.
				(e)Additional disclosure of information requirementsSection 552(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

					(8)Disclosure of information for increased public understanding of the GovernmentEach agency shall—
						(A)review the records of such agency to determine whether the release of the records would be in the
			 public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public
			 understanding of the operations or activities of the Government;
						(B)for records determined to be in the public interest under subparagraph (A), reasonably segregate
			 and redact any information exempted from disclosure under subsection (b);
			 and
						(C)make available in an electronic, publicly accessible format, any records identified in subparagraph
			 (A), as modified pursuant to subparagraph (B).
						(9)Increased disclosure of informationEach agency shall—
						(A)make information public to the greatest extent possible through modern technology to—
							(i)inform the public of the operations and activities of the Government; and
							(ii)ensure timely disclosure of information; and
							(B)establish procedures for identifying categories of records that may be disclosed regularly and
			 additional records of interest to the public that are appropriate for
			 public disclosure, and for posting such records in an electronic, publicly
			 accessible format..
			(f)Report on categories of information for disclosureNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every two years
			 thereafter, the Director of the Office of Information Policy of the
			 Department of Justice, after consultation with agencies selected by the
			 Director, shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
			 of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Homeland Security
			 and Governmental Affairs and the Judiciary of the Senate a report that
			 identifies categories of records that would be appropriate for proactive
			 disclosure, and shall make such report available in an electronic,
			 publicly accessible format.
			(g)Agency FOIA reportSection 552(e) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)in paragraph (1)—
					(A)by inserting and to the Director of the Office of Government Information Services after the Attorney General of the United States;
					(B)in subparagraph (N), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
					(C)in subparagraph (O), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
					(D)by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

							(P)the number of times the agency invoked a law enforcement exclusion under subsection (c);
							(Q)the number of times the agency engaged in dispute resolution with the assistance of the Office of
			 Government Information Services or the FOIA Public Liaison;
							(R)the number of records that were made available in an electronic, publicly accessible format under
			 subsection (a)(2); and
							(S)the number of times the agency assessed a search or duplication fee under subsection (a)(4)(A) and
			 did not comply with a time limit under subsection (a)(6).;
					(2)by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:

						(3)Electronic accessibility of reportsEach agency shall make each such report available in an electronic, publicly accessible format. In
			 addition, each agency shall make the raw statistical data used in its
			 reports available in a timely manner in an electronic, publicly accessible
			 format. Such data shall be—
							(A)made available without charge, license, or registration requirement;
							(B)capable of being searched and aggregated; and
							(C)permitted to be downloaded and downloaded in bulk.;
				(3)in paragraph (4)—
					(A)by striking Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and inserting Committee on Oversight and Government Reform;
					(B)by striking Governmental Affairs and inserting Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and
					(C)by striking April 1 and inserting March 1;
					(4)in paragraph (5)—
					(A)by inserting and the Director of the Office of Government Information Services after the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and
					(B)by striking by October 1, 1997; and
					(5)by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:

						(6)Attorney General FOIA report
							(A)In generalThe Attorney General of the United States shall submit to Congress and the President an annual
			 report on or before March 1 of each calendar year which shall include for
			 the prior calendar year—
								(i)a listing of the number of cases arising under this section;
								(ii)each subsection under this section, each paragraph of the subsection, and any exemption, if
			 applicable, involved in each case, the disposition of such case, and the
			 cost, fees, and penalties assessed under subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G)
			 of subsection (a)(4); and
								(iii)a description of the efforts undertaken by the Department of Justice to encourage agency compliance
			 with this section.
								(B)Electronic availabilityThe Attorney General of the United States—
								(i)shall make each report described under subparagraph (A) available in an electronic, publicly
			 accessible format; and
								(ii)shall make the raw statistical data used in each report available in an electronic, publicly
			 accessible format, which shall be—
									(I)made available without charge, license, or registration requirement;
									(II)capable of being searched and aggregated; and
									(III)permitted to be downloaded, including downloaded in bulk..
				(h)Search or duplication feesSection 552(a)(4)(A)(viii) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: Any agency that does assess search or duplication fees after failing to comply with a time limit
			 under paragraph (6) shall provide written notice to the requester of the
			 circumstance that justifies the fees. If an agency fails to provide such
			 notice, the agency may not assess search or duplication fees..
			(i)Government Accountability OfficeSubsection (i) of section 552 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

					(i)Government Accountability OfficeThe Government Accountability Office shall—
						(1)conduct audits of administrative agencies on compliance with and implementation of the requirements
			 of this section and issue reports detailing the results of such audits;
						(2)catalog the number of exemptions under subsection (b)(3) and agency use of such exemptions; and
						(3)review and prepare a report on the processing of requests by agencies for information pertaining to
			 an entity that has received assistance under title I of the Emergency
			 Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (12 U.S.C. 5211 et seq.) during any period in which the Government owns or owned more than 50 percent of the stock of such
			 entity..
			(j)Chief FOIA Officer responsibilities; Council; reviewSection 552 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
				(1)by striking subsections (j) and (k); and
				(2)by inserting after subsection (i), the following new subsections:

						(j)Chief FOIA Officer
							(1)DesignationEach agency shall designate a Chief FOIA Officer who shall be a senior official of such agency (at
			 the Assistant Secretary or equivalent level).
							(2)DutiesThe Chief FOIA Officer of each agency shall, subject to the authority of the head of the agency—
								(A)have agency-wide responsibility for efficient and appropriate compliance with this section;
								(B)monitor implementation of this section throughout the agency and keep the head of the agency, the
			 chief legal officer of the agency, and the Attorney General appropriately
			 informed of the agency’s performance in implementing this section;
								(C)recommend to the head of the agency such adjustments to agency practices, policies, personnel, and
			 funding as may be necessary to improve its implementation of this section;
								(D)review and report to the Attorney General, through the head of the agency, at such times and in
			 such formats as the Attorney General may direct, on the agency’s
			 performance in implementing this section;
								(E)facilitate public understanding of the purposes of the statutory exemptions of this section by
			 including concise descriptions of the exemptions in both the agency’s
			 handbook issued under subsection (g), and the agency’s annual report on
			 this section, and by providing an overview, where appropriate, of certain
			 general categories of agency records to which those exemptions apply;
								(F)serve as the primary agency liaison with the Office of Government Information Services and the
			 Office of Information Policy; and
								(G)designate one or more FOIA Public Liaisons.
								(3)Compliance review requiredThe Chief FOIA Officer of each agency shall—
								(A)review, not less than annually, all aspects of the agency’s administration of this section to
			 ensure compliance with the requirements of this section, including—
									(i)agency regulations;
									(ii)disclosure of records required under paragraphs (2), (8), and (9) of subsection (a);
									(iii)assessment of fees and determination of eligibility for fee waivers;
									(iv)the timely processing of requests for information under this section;
									(v)the use of exemptions under subsection (b); and
									(vi)dispute resolution services with the assistance of the Office of Government Information Services or
			 the FOIA Public Liaison; and
									(B)make recommendations as necessary to improve agency practices and compliance with this section.
								(k)Chief FOIA Officers Council
							(1)EstablishmentThere is established in the executive branch the Chief FOIA Officers Council (in this subsection,
			 referred to as the Council).
							(2)MembersThe Council shall consist of the following members:
								(A)The Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget.
								(B)The Director of the Office of Information Policy at the Department of Justice.
								(C)The Director of the Office of Government Information Services at the National Archives and Records
			 Administration.
								(D)The Chief FOIA Officer of each agency.
								(E)Any other officer or employee of the United States as designated by the Co-Chairs.
								(3)Co-ChairsThe Director of the Office of Information Policy at the Department of Justice and the Director of
			 the Office of Government Information Services at the National Archives and
			 Records Administration shall be the Co-Chairs of the Council.
							(4)Support servicesThe Administrator of General Services shall provide administrative and other support for the
			 Council.
							(5)ConsultationIn performing its duties, the Council shall consult regularly with members of the public who make
			 requests under this section.
							(6)DutiesThe duties of the Council include the following:
								(A)Develop recommendations for increasing compliance and efficiency under this section.
								(B)Disseminate information about agency experiences, ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches
			 related to this section.
								(C)Identify, develop, and coordinate initiatives to increase transparency and compliance with this
			 section.
								(D)Promote the development and use of common performance measures for agency compliance with this
			 section.
								(7)Meetings
								(A)Regular meetingsThe Council shall meet regularly and such meetings shall be open to the public unless the Council
			 determines to close the meeting for reasons of national security or to
			 discuss information exempt under subsection (b).
								(B)Annual meetingsNot less than once a year, the Council shall hold a meeting that shall be open to the public and
			 permit interested persons to appear and present oral and written
			 statements to the Council.
								(C)NoticeNot later than 10 business days before a meeting of the Council, notice of such meeting shall be
			 published in the Federal Register.
								(D)Public availability of Council recordsExcept as provided in subsection (b), the records, reports, transcripts, minutes, appendixes,
			 working papers, drafts, studies, agenda, or other documents that were made
			 available to or prepared for or by the Council shall be made publicly
			 available.
								(E)MinutesDetailed minutes of each meeting of the Council shall be kept and shall contain a record of the
			 persons present, a complete and accurate description of matters discussed
			 and conclusions reached, and copies of all reports received, issued, or
			 approved by the Council..
				(k)Regulations
				(1)Revision of regulationsNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each agency shall
			 review the regulations of such agency and shall issue regulations on
			 procedures for the disclosure of records under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, in accordance with the amendments made by this section. The
			 regulations of each agency shall include—
					(A)procedures for engaging in dispute resolution; and
					(B)procedures for engaging with the Office of Government Information Services.
					(2)Office of Government Information Services reportNot later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Government
			 Information Services shall submit to Congress a report on agency
			 compliance with the requirements of this subsection.
				(3)Report on noncomplianceThe head of any agency that does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1) shall submit to
			 Congress a report on the reason for noncompliance not later than 270 days
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.
				(4)Inspector General review for noncomplianceAny agency that fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection shall be reviewed by the
			 Office of Inspector General of such agency for compliance with section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
				(5)Agency definedIn this section, the term agency has the meaning given such term in section 552(f) of title 5, United States Code.
				3.Pilot program
			(a)EstablishmentThe Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall establish a pilot program for 3 years to
			 review the benefits of a centralized portal to process requests and
			 release information under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act).
			(b)Plan requiredNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of
			 Management and Budget shall establish a plan to evaluate the functionality
			 and benefits of a centralized portal to receive and track requests made
			 under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, by selecting no less than 3 agencies that have not previously
			 participated in a centralized portal, including at least one of the
			 following:
				(1)An agency that receives more than 30,000 requests annually for information under section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
				(2)An agency that receives between 15,000 and 30,000 requests annually for information under such
			 section.
				(3)An agency that receives 15,000 or fewer requests annually for information under such section.
				(c)Agency use of Web siteEach agency selected under subsection (b) shall use the centralized portal to—
				(1)receive requests under section 552 of title 5, United States Code;
				(2)consult with and refer requests to participating agencies;
				(3)if practicable, process requests received under such section;
				(4)track the status of requests submitted under such section; and
				(5)make records released available publicly through the centralized portal.
				(d)Review requiredThe Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, in consultation with the Attorney
			 General, the Office of Government Information Services, and the head of
			 each agency participating in the pilot program, review the benefits of a
			 centralized portal, including—
				(1)any cost saving, resource saving, or efficiency gained;
				(2)any change in the amount of requests received under section 552 of title 5, United States Code;
				(3)any increase in transparency and accessibility to Government information; and
				(4)any changes in the ability to access and compile information needed for agency annual reports
			 required under section 552 of title 5, United States Code.
				(e)Report requiredNot later than 3 months after the completion of the pilot program, the head of each agency
			 participating in the program—
				(1)shall submit to Congress a report on the impact of the pilot program on agency processes under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, whether the agency will continue to participate in the centralized
			 portal, and any recommendations the head of the agency considers
			 appropriate; and
				(2)shall make such report available in an electronic, publicly accessible format.
				(f)DefinitionsIn this section:
				(1)AgencyThe term agency has the meaning given such term in section 552(f) of title 5, United States Code.
				(2)Centralized portalThe term centralized portal means an electronic online portal that allows a requester to submit a request under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, to any participating agency, to track the status of a request, and
			 to obtain a response to a request made through the portal.
				4.Inspector general review; adverse actions
			(a)Inspector general review
				(1)In generalThe Inspector General of each agency shall—
					(A)periodically review compliance with the requirements of section 552 of title 5, United States Code, including the timely processing of requests, assessment of fees
			 and fee waivers, and the use of exemptions under subsection (b) of such
			 section; and
					(B)make recommendations the Inspector General determines to be necessary to the head of the agency,
			 including recommendations for disciplinary action.
					(2)Agency definedIn this subsection, the term agency has the meaning given that term under section 552(f) of title 5, United States Code.
				(b)Adverse actionsThe withholding of information in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of section 552 of title 5, United States Code (including any rules, regulations, or other implementing
			 guidelines), as determined by the appropriate supervisor, shall be a basis
			 for disciplinary action in accordance with subchapter I, II, or V of
			 chapter 75 of such title, as the case may be.
			5.Open Government Advisory Committee
			(a)EstablishmentThe Archivist of the United States shall establish an Open Government Advisory Committee (in this
			 section, referred to as the Committee), an independent advisory committee to make recommendations for improving Government transparency.
			(b)Membership; chair; meetings; qualifications of membersThe Committee shall be composed of at least nine members appointed by the Archivist, one of whom
			 shall be designated the Chair by the members, and shall meet at such times
			 and places as may be designated by the Chair. Each member of the Committee
			 shall be qualified by education, training, or experience to make
			 recommendations on improving Government transparency. The membership of
			 the Committee shall include—
				(1)representatives of the Department of Justice and the Office of Government Information Services;
				(2)at least two members with experience requesting information under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (including one member of the news media); and
				(3)at least one member with expertise in information technology.
				(c)CompensationWhile serving on the business of the Committee, and while so serving away from home and the
			 member’s regular place of business, a member may be allowed travel
			 expenses, as authorized by the Archivist.
			(d)Conflict of interest disclosureThe members of the Committee shall be considered to be special Government employees (as such term
			 is defined in section 202 of title 18, United States Code).
			(e)StaffThe Archivist may appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel as may be necessary to enable
			 the Committee to carry out its functions. Any personnel of the Committee
			 who are employees shall be employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code. Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Committee
			 without reimbursement from the Committee, and such detailee shall retain
			 the rights, status, and privileges of regular employment of such employee
			 without interruption.
			(f)Applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee ActThe Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Committee and any
			 subcommittee or subgroup thereof.
			(g)Disclosure of informationThe Archivist shall make publicly available the following information:
				(1)The charter of the Committee.
				(2)A description of the process used to establish and appoint the members of the Committee, including
			 the following:
					(A)The process for identifying prospective members.
					(B)The process of selecting members for balance of viewpoints or expertise.
					(C)The reason each member was appointed to the Committee.
					(3)A list of all current members, including, for each member, the name of any person or entity that
			 nominated the member.
				(4)A summary of the process used by the Committee for making decisions.
				(5)A transcript or audio or visual recording of each meeting of the Committee.
				(6)Any written determination by the President or the Archivist, pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), to close a meeting or any portion of a
			 meeting and the reasons for such determination.
				(7)Notices of future meetings of the Committee.
				(h)Manner of disclosure
				(1)Website publicationExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Archivist shall make the information required to be
			 disclosed under this section available electronically on the official
			 public website of the National Archives and Records Administration at
			 least 15 calendar days before each meeting of the Committee. If the
			 Archivist determines that such timing is not practicable for any required
			 information, the Archivist shall make the information available as soon as
			 practicable but no later than 48 hours before the next meeting of the
			 Committee.
				(2)Availability of Committee meetingThe Archivist shall make available electronically, on the official public website of the National
			 Archives and Records Administration, a transcript or audio or video
			 recording of each Committee meeting not later than 30 calendar days after
			 such meeting.
				6.No additional funds authorizedNo additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments
			 made by this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts
			 otherwise authorized or appropriated.

	Passed the House of Representatives February 25, 2014.Karen L. Haas,Clerk


117 S2215 IS: Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act
U.S. Senate
2021-06-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2215IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 24, 2021Ms. Stabenow (for herself, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Collins, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Risch, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Klobuchar, and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for an exclusion for assistance provided to participants in certain veterinary student loan repayment or forgiveness programs.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act.2.Exclusion for assistance provided to participants in certain veterinary student loan repayment or forgiveness programs(a)In generalParagraph (4) of section 108(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—(1)by striking or after such Act,,(2)by striking the period at the end and inserting , under section 1415A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151a), or under any other State loan repayment or loan forgiveness program that is intended to provide for increased access to veterinary services in such State., and(3)by striking state in the heading and inserting other.(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts received by an individual in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 3947
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 7, 2012
			Mr. Watt introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on Disperse Yellow
		  184:1.

		1.Disperse Yellow
			 184:1
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of
			 chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by
			 inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading:

								9902.01.00Disperse Yellow 184:1, (2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one,
						3-(5-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl)-7-(diethylamino)-) (CAS No. 35773–43–4) (provided
						for in subheading 3204.11.35) FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2014

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


116 HR 1375 : Provide Accurate Information Directly Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-12-09
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.

IIB116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 1375IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 9, 2020Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceAN ACTTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for transparency of Medicare secondary payer reporting information, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Provide Accurate Information Directly Act or PAID Act.2.Transparency of medicare secondary payer reporting information(a)In generalSection 1862(b)(8)(G) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 395y(b)(8)(G)) is amended—(1)by striking information.—The Secretary and insertinginformation.—(i)In generalThe Secretary; and(2)by adding at the end the following new clause:(ii)Specified informationIn responding to any query from an applicable plan related to a determination described in subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary, notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall provide to such applicable plan—(I)whether a claimant subject to the query is, or during the preceding 3-year period has been, entitled to benefits under the program under this title on any basis; and(II)to the extent applicable, the plan name and address of any Medicare Advantage plan under part C and any prescription drug plan under part D in which the claimant is enrolled or has been enrolled during such period..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to queries from plans made on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.3.Deposit of savings into medicare improvement fundSection 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by striking $0 and inserting $30,000,000.4.Determination of Budgetary EffectsThe budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.Passed the House of Representatives December 8, 2020.Cheryl L. Johnson,Clerk


109 HRES 590 IH: Recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-12-07
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.

IV
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 590
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 7, 2005
Mr. Turner submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords.

Whereas at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, on November 21, 1995, the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia agreed to and initialed a peace settlement to end the conflict that began in Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 1992;
Whereas on December 14, 1995, the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also known as the Dayton Peace Accords, was signed in Paris, formally ending a conflict that resulted in the rape and torture of tens of thousands of people, the death of approximately 200,000 people, and the displacement of more than 2,000,000 people;
Whereas the peace negotiations were led by the United States and supported by members of the European Union and Russian Federation;
Whereas NATO’s implementation force and stabilization force missions provided security for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia and ensured provisions of the Dayton Peace Accords were fully implemented;
Whereas the Dayton, Ohio community embraced the peace negotiations and worked to create a strong, lasting relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina, including hosting numerous visiting delegations, creating a sister city relationship with Sarajevo, and hosting an international anniversary commemoration; and
Whereas the Dayton Peace Accords effectively ended the conflict and the parties to the talks created a multi-ethnic state and addressed numerous items important to the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as regional stabilization, a constitutional framework, the repatriation of refugees, and internal security: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)commends Bosnia and Herzegovina for the significant progress it has made over the past decade on the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords, in particular with respect to its recent police and defense reforms;
(2)welcomes and supports the aspiration of Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace;
(3)reaffirms the importance of the successful participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European integration process for the future freedom and prosperity of its citizens;
(4)encourages the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue reforms on economic and constitutional issues;
(5)urges the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and authorities at all levels of government to achieve full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia located in The Hague, the Netherlands, as well as the newly established War Crimes Chamber in the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to ensure those indicted for war crimes are brought to justice; and
(6)recognizes the important role of those who fled Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict, found refuge in and subsequently became citizens of the United States, and now form a community active in further improving bilateral relations between the two countries.