115 HR 2033 IH: Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-04-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2033IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 6, 2017Mr. Kihuen (for himself, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Langevin, Ms. Tsongas, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Raskin, and Ms. Slaughter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo modernize the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act. 2.Modernization of the prohibition on undetectable firearmsSection 922(p) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
 (1)in paragraph (1)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking grips, stocks, and magazines and inserting all parts other than major components; and
 (B)in subparagraph (B), by striking when subjected to inspection by the types of x-ray machines commonly used at airports, does not generate and inserting the following: if subjected to inspection by the types of detection devices commonly used at airports for security screening, would not generate;
 (2)in paragraph (2)— (A)by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

 (B)the term major component, with respect to a firearm— (i)means the slide or cylinder, or the frame or receiver of the firearm; and
 (ii)in the case of a rifle or shotgun, includes the barrel of the firearm; and; and (B)by striking subparagraph (C) and the proviso that follows and inserting the following:

 (C)the term Security Exemplar means an object, to be fabricated at the direction of the Attorney General, that is— (i)constructed of 3.7 ounces of material type 17–4 PH stainless steel in a shape resembling a handgun; and
 (ii)suitable for testing and calibrating metal detectors.; (3)in paragraph (3)—
 (A)in the first sentence, by inserting after of a firearm the following: , including a prototype,; and (B)by striking the second sentence; and
 (4)in paragraph (5), by striking shall not apply to any firearm which and all that follows and inserting the following: “shall not apply to—  (A)any firearm received by, in the possession of, or under the control of the United States; or
 (B)the manufacture, importation, possession, transfer, receipt, shipment, or delivery of a firearm by a licensed manufacturer or licensed importer pursuant to an existing contract with the United States..


116 HR 8440 IH: Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8440IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 29, 2020Mr. Thompson of California (for himself, Mr. Blumenauer, and Ms. Finkenauer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo provide disaster tax relief.1.Short title; table of contents(a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020.(b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.Sec. 3. Special disaster-related rules for use of retirement funds.Sec. 4. Employee retention credit for employers affected by qualified disasters.Sec. 5. Other disaster-related tax relief provisions.Sec. 6. Treatment of certain possessions.2.DefinitionsFor purposes of this Act—(1)Qualified disaster area(A)In generalThe term qualified disaster area means any area with respect to which a major disaster was declared, during the period beginning on December 28, 2019, and ending on the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act if the incident period of the disaster with respect to which such declaration is made begins on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.(B)COVID–19 exceptionSuch term shall not include any area with respect to which such a major disaster has been so declared only by reason of COVID–19.(2)Qualified disaster zoneThe term qualified disaster zone means that portion of any qualified disaster area which was determined by the President, during the period beginning on December 28, 2019, and ending on the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to warrant individual or individual and public assistance from the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of the qualified disaster with respect to such disaster area.(3)Qualified disasterThe term qualified disaster means, with respect to any qualified disaster area, the disaster by reason of which a major disaster was declared with respect to such area.(4)Incident periodThe term incident period means, with respect to any qualified disaster, the period specified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the period during which such disaster occurred (except that for purposes of this Act such period shall not be treated as beginning before December 28, 2019, or ending after the date which is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act).3.Special disaster-related rules for use of retirement funds(a)Tax-Favored withdrawals from retirement plans(1)In generalSection 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall not apply to any qualified disaster distribution.(2)Aggregate dollar limitation(A)In generalFor purposes of this subsection, the aggregate amount of distributions received by an individual which may be treated as qualified disaster distributions for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—(i)$100,000, over(ii)the aggregate amounts treated as qualified disaster distributions received by such individual for all prior taxable years.(B)Treatment of plan distributionsIf a distribution to an individual would (without regard to subparagraph (A)) be a qualified disaster distribution, a plan shall not be treated as violating any requirement of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 merely because the plan treats such distribution as a qualified disaster distribution, unless the aggregate amount of such distributions from all plans maintained by the employer (and any member of any controlled group which includes the employer) to such individual exceeds $100,000.(C)Controlled groupFor purposes of subparagraph (B), the term controlled group means any group treated as a single employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) of section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(D)Special rule for individuals affected by more than one disasterThe limitation of subparagraph (A) shall be applied separately with respect to distributions made with respect to each qualified disaster.(3)Amount distributed may be repaid(A)In generalAny individual who receives a qualified disaster distribution may, at any time during the 3-year period beginning on the day after the date on which such distribution was received, make 1 or more contributions in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of such distribution to an eligible retirement plan of which such individual is a beneficiary and to which a rollover contribution of such distribution could be made under section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or 457(e)(16), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the case may be.(B)Treatment of repayments of distributions from eligible retirement plans other than IRAsFor purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if a contribution is made pursuant to subparagraph (A) with respect to a qualified disaster distribution from an eligible retirement plan other than an individual retirement plan, then the taxpayer shall, to the extent of the amount of the contribution, be treated as having received the qualified disaster distribution in an eligible rollover distribution (as defined in section 402(c)(4) of such Code) and as having transferred the amount to the eligible retirement plan in a direct trustee to trustee transfer within 60 days of the distribution.(C)Treatment of repayments of distributions from IRAsFor purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if a contribution is made pursuant to subparagraph (A) with respect to a qualified disaster distribution from an individual retirement plan (as defined by section 7701(a)(37) of such Code), then, to the extent of the amount of the contribution, the qualified disaster distribution shall be treated as a distribution described in section 408(d)(3) of such Code and as having been transferred to the eligible retirement plan in a direct trustee to trustee transfer within 60 days of the distribution.(4)DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection—(A)Qualified disaster distributionExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the term qualified disaster distribution means any distribution from an eligible retirement plan made—(i)on or after the first day of the incident period of a qualified disaster and before the date which is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and(ii)to an individual whose principal place of abode at any time during the incident period of such qualified disaster is located in the qualified disaster area with respect to such qualified disaster and who has sustained an economic loss by reason of such qualified disaster.(B)Eligible retirement planThe term eligible retirement plan shall have the meaning given such term by section 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(5)Income inclusion spread over 3-year period(A)In generalIn the case of any qualified disaster distribution, unless the taxpayer elects not to have this paragraph apply for any taxable year, any amount required to be included in gross income for such taxable year shall be so included ratably over the 3-taxable-year period beginning with such taxable year.(B)Special ruleFor purposes of subparagraph (A), rules similar to the rules of subparagraph (E) of section 408A(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply.(6)Special rules(A)Exemption of distributions from trustee to trustee transfer and withholding rulesFor purposes of sections 401(a)(31), 402(f), and 3405 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, qualified disaster distributions shall not be treated as eligible rollover distributions.(B)Qualified disaster distributions treated as meeting plan distribution requirementsFor purposes the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a qualified disaster distribution shall be treated as meeting the requirements of sections 401(k)(2)(B)(i), 403(b)(7)(A)(ii), 403(b)(11), and 457(d)(1)(A) of such Code.(b)Recontributions of withdrawals for home purchases(1)Recontributions(A)In generalAny individual who received a qualified distribution may, during the applicable period, make 1 or more contributions in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of such qualified distribution to an eligible retirement plan (as defined in section 402(c)(8)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of which such individual is a beneficiary and to which a rollover contribution of such distribution could be made under section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), or 408(d)(3), of such Code, as the case may be.(B)Treatment of repaymentsRules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(3) shall apply for purposes of this subsection.(2)Qualified distributionFor purposes of this subsection, the term qualified distribution means any distribution—(A)described in section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV), 403(b)(7)(A)(ii) (but only to the extent such distribution relates to financial hardship), 403(b)(11)(B), or 72(t)(2)(F), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,(B)which was to be used to purchase or construct a principal residence in a qualified disaster area, but which was not so used on account of the qualified disaster with respect to such area, and(C)which was received during the period beginning on the date which is 180 days before the first day of the incident period of such qualified disaster and ending on the date which is 30 days after the last day of such incident period.(3)Applicable periodFor purposes of this subsection, the term applicable period means, in the case of a principal residence in a qualified disaster area with respect to any qualified disaster, the period beginning on the first day of the incident period of such qualified disaster and ending on the date which is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.(c)Loans from qualified plans(1)Increase in limit on loans not treated as distributionsIn the case of any loan from a qualified employer plan (as defined under section 72(p)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to a qualified individual made during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act—(A)clause (i) of section 72(p)(2)(A) of such Code shall be applied by substituting $100,000 for $50,000, and(B)clause (ii) of such section shall be applied by substituting the present value of the nonforfeitable accrued benefit of the employee under the plan for one-half of the present value of the nonforfeitable accrued benefit of the employee under the plan.(2)Delay of repaymentIn the case of a qualified individual (with respect to any qualified disaster) with an outstanding loan (on or after the first day of the incident period of such qualified disaster) from a qualified employer plan (as defined in section 72(p)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)—(A)if the due date pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 72(p)(2) of such Code for any repayment with respect to such loan occurs during the period beginning on the first day of the incident period of such qualified disaster and ending on the date which is 180 days after the last day of such incident period, such due date shall be delayed for 1 year (or, if later, until the date which is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act),(B)any subsequent repayments with respect to any such loan shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the delay in the due date under subparagraph (A) and any interest accruing during such delay, and(C)in determining the 5-year period and the term of a loan under subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 72(p)(2) of such Code, the period described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be disregarded.(3)Qualified individualFor purposes of this subsection, the term qualified individual means any individual—(A)whose principal place of abode at any time during the incident period of any qualified disaster is located in the qualified disaster area with respect to such qualified disaster, and(B)who has sustained an economic loss by reason of such qualified disaster.(d)Provisions relating to plan amendments(1)In generalIf this subsection applies to any amendment to any plan or annuity contract, such plan or contract shall be treated as being operated in accordance with the terms of the plan during the period described in paragraph (2)(B)(i).(2)Amendments to which subsection applies(A)In generalThis subsection shall apply to any amendment to any plan or annuity contract which is made—(i)pursuant to any provision of this section, or pursuant to any regulation issued by the Secretary or the Secretary of Labor under any provision of this section, and(ii)on or before the last day of the first plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2020, or such later date as the Secretary may prescribe.In the case of a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), clause (ii) shall be applied by substituting the date which is 2 years after the date otherwise applied under clause (ii). (B)ConditionsThis subsection shall not apply to any amendment unless—(i)during the period—(I)beginning on the date that this section or the regulation described in subparagraph (A)(i) takes effect (or in the case of a plan or contract amendment not required by this section or such regulation, the effective date specified by the plan), and(II)ending on the date described in subparagraph (A)(ii) (or, if earlier, the date the plan or contract amendment is adopted),the plan or contract is operated as if such plan or contract amendment were in effect, and (ii)such plan or contract amendment applies retroactively for such period.4.Employee retention credit for employers affected by qualified disasters(a)In generalFor purposes of section 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of an eligible employer, the 2020 qualified disaster employee retention credit shall be treated as a credit listed at the end of subsection (b) of such section. For purposes of this subsection, the 2020 qualified disaster employee retention credit for any taxable year is an amount equal to 40 percent of the qualified wages with respect to each eligible employee of such employer for such taxable year. The amount of qualified wages with respect to any employee which may be taken into account under this subsection by the employer for any taxable year shall not exceed $6,000 (reduced by the amount of qualified wages with respect to such employee which may be so taken into account for any prior taxable year).(b)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—(1)Eligible employerThe term eligible employer means any employer—(A)which conducted an active trade or business in a qualified disaster zone at any time during the incident period of the qualified disaster with respect to such qualified disaster zone, and(B)with respect to whom the trade or business described in subparagraph (A) is inoperable at any time during the period beginning on the first day of the incident period of such qualified disaster and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, as a result of damage sustained by reason of such qualified disaster.(2)Eligible employeeThe term eligible employee means with respect to an eligible employer an employee whose principal place of employment with such eligible employer (determined immediately before the qualified disaster referred to in paragraph (1)) was in the qualified disaster zone referred to in such paragraph.(3)Qualified wagesThe term qualified wages means wages (as defined in section 51(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, but without regard to section 3306(b)(2)(B) of such Code) paid or incurred by an eligible employer with respect to an eligible employee at any time on or after the date on which the trade or business described in paragraph (1) first became inoperable at the principal place of employment of the employee (determined immediately before the qualified disaster referred to in such paragraph) and before the earlier of—(A)the date on which such trade or business has resumed significant operations at such principal place of employment, or(B)the date which 150 days after the last day of the incident period of the qualified disaster referred to in paragraph (1).Such term shall include wages paid without regard to whether the employee performs no services, performs services at a different place of employment than such principal place of employment, or performs services at such principal place of employment before significant operations have resumed. Such term shall not include any wages taken into account under section 2301 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. (c)Special rules(1)Employee not taken into account more than onceAn employee shall not be treated as an eligible employee for purposes of this subsection for any period with respect to any employer if such employer is allowed a credit under section 51 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to such employee for such period.(2)Denial of double benefitAny wages taken into account in determining the credit allowed under this section shall not be taken into account as wages for purposes of sections 41, 45A, 45P, 45S, 51, and 1396 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(3)Certain other rules to applyFor purposes of this subsection, rules similar to the rules of sections 51(i)(1), 52, and 280C(a), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, shall apply.(d)Election To not take certain wages into account(1)In generalThis section shall not apply to qualified wages paid by an eligible employer with respect to which such employer makes an election (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe) to have this section not apply to such wages.(2)Coordination with paycheck protection programThe Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, shall issue guidance providing that payroll costs paid or incurred during the covered period shall not fail to be treated as qualified wages under this section by reason of an election under paragraph (1) to the extent that a covered loan of the eligible employer is not forgiven by reason of a decision under section 1106(g) of the CARES Act. Terms used in the preceding sentence which are also used in section 1106 of such Act shall have the same meaning as when used in such section.(e)Amendment to paycheck protection programSection 1106(a)(8) of the CARES Act is amended by inserting , except that such costs shall not include qualified wages taken into account in determining the credit allowed under section 4 of the Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 before the period at the end.5.Other disaster-related tax relief provisions(a)Special rules for qualified disaster relief contributions(1)In generalIn the case of a qualified disaster relief contribution made by a corporation—(A)section 2205(a)(2)(B) of the CARES Act shall be applied first to qualified contributions without regard to any qualified disaster relief contributions and then separately to such qualified disaster relief contribution, and(B)in applying such section to such qualified disaster relief contributions, clause (i) thereof shall be applied—(i)by substituting 100 percent for 25 percent, and(ii)by treating qualified contributions other than qualified disaster relief contributions as contributions allowed under section 170(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(2)Qualified disaster relief contributionFor purposes of this subsection, the term qualified disaster relief contribution means any qualified contribution (as defined in section 2205(a)(3) of the CARES Act) if—(A)such contribution—(i)is paid, during the period beginning on December 28, 2019, and ending on the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and(ii)is made for relief efforts in one or more qualified disaster areas,(B)the taxpayer obtains from such organization contemporaneous written acknowledgment (within the meaning of section 170(f)(8) of such Code) that such contribution was used (or is to be used) for relief efforts described in subparagraph (A)(ii), and(C)the taxpayer has elected the application of this subsection with respect to such contribution.(3)Cross-referenceFor the suspension of the limitation on qualified disaster relief contributions made by an individual during 2020, see section 2205(a) of the CARES Act. (b)Special rules for qualified disaster-Related personal casualty losses(1)In generalIf an individual has a net disaster loss for any taxable year—(A)the amount determined under section 165(h)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be equal to the sum of—(i)such net disaster loss, and(ii)so much of the excess referred to in the matter preceding clause (i) of section 165(h)(2)(A) of such Code (reduced by the amount in clause (i) of this subparagraph) as exceeds 10 percent of the adjusted gross income of the individual,(B)in the case of qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses, section 165(h)(1) of such Code shall be applied to by substituting $500 for $500 ($100 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009),(C)the standard deduction determined under section 63(c) of such Code shall be increased by the net disaster loss, and(D)section 56(b)(1)(E) of such Code shall not apply to so much of the standard deduction as is attributable to the increase under subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.(2)Net disaster lossFor purposes of this subsection, the term net disaster loss means the excess of qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses over personal casualty gains (as defined in section 165(h)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).(3)Qualified disaster-related personal casualty lossesFor purposes of this subsection, the term qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses means losses described in section 165(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which arise in a qualified disaster area on or after the first day of the incident period of the qualified disaster to which such area relates, and which are attributable to such qualified disaster.(c)Temporary special rule for determining earned income for taxpayers whose income was affected by COVID–19 disaster(1)In generalIf the earned income of the taxpayer for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2020 is less than the earned income of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year, the credits allowed under sections 24(d) and 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may, at the election of the taxpayer, be determined by substituting—(A)such earned income for the preceding taxable year, for(B)such earned income for the taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning in 2020.(2)Earned income(A)In generalFor purposes of this section, the term earned income has the meaning given such term under section 32(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.(B)Application to joint returnsFor purposes of subsection (a), in the case of a joint return, the earned income of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year shall be the sum of the earned income of each spouse for such preceding taxable year.(3)Special rules(A)Errors treated as mathematical errorFor purposes of section 6213 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an incorrect use on a return of earned income pursuant to subsection (a) shall be treated as a mathematical or clerical error.(B)No effect on determination of gross income, etcExcept as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied without regard to any substitution under subsection (a).6.Treatment of certain possessions(a)Payments to possessions with mirror code tax systemsThe Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States which has a mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss (if any) to that possession by reason of the application of the provisions of this Act. Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury based on information provided by the government of the respective possession.(b)Payments to other possessionsThe Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each possession of the United States which does not have a mirror code tax system amounts estimated by the Secretary of the Treasury as being equal to the aggregate benefits (if any) that would have been provided to residents of such possession by reason of the provisions of this Act if a mirror code tax system had been in effect in such possession. The preceding sentence shall not apply unless the respective possession has a plan, which has been approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, under which such possession will promptly distribute such payments to its residents.(c)Mirror code tax systemFor purposes of this section, the term mirror code tax system means, with respect to any possession of the United States, the income tax system of such possession if the income tax liability of the residents of such possession under such system is determined by reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if such possession were the United States.(d)Treatment of paymentsFor purposes of section 1324 of title 31, United States Code, the payments under this section shall be treated in the same manner as a refund due from a credit provision referred to in subsection (b)(2) of such section.


114 HCON 41 IH: Expressing the sense of Congress that the people of the United States have the Constitutional right to record law enforcement authorities, and they have the full protection of the law to the possession of the recording devices, and full protection of the law regarding data saved on the recording devices.
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-04-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. CON. RES. 41
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 23, 2015
			Ms. Hahn (for herself, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Lee, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Nadler, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mrs. Davis of California, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Polis, Ms. Pingree, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Deutch, Mr. McDermott, and Mr. Farr) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of Congress that the people of the United States have the Constitutional right
			 to
			 record law enforcement authorities, and they have the full protection of
			 the law to the possession of the recording devices, and full protection of
			 the law regarding data saved on the recording devices.

 Whereas, on April 19, 2015, Beatriz Paez was recording Federal law enforcement officers, when the officers took possession of her cellular phone, and illegally destroyed the device and evidence saved on the device;
 Whereas the Constitution guarantees an individual’s right to openly make video recordings in public;
 Whereas the Justice Department has stated that the First Amendment protects the rights of private citizens to record police officers during the public discharge of their duties;
 Whereas individuals can only be compelled to not record law enforcement authorities when it interferes with ongoing, active law enforcement work; and
 Whereas law enforcement officers may only search a recording device without an individual’s consent with the possession of an appropriate warrant: Now, therefore, be it

 That it is the sense of Congress that— (1)citizens and residents of the United States—
 (A)have the Constitutional right to record law enforcement officers in a public place; and (B)shall be required to give up possession of a recording device used to record a law enforcement officer in a public place based only upon consent of the individual or a warrant based on probable cause;
 (2)law enforcement officers shall safeguard data stored on any recording device seized from an individual and the destruction of such data is a violation of Federal law; and
 (3)no data stored on a recording device seized from an individual may be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding unless collected pursuant to a warrant based on probable cause or an exception to the warrant requirement applies.


117 HRES 700 IH: Expressing support for the designation of September 2021 as “National Voting Rights Month”.
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-09-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 700IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 30, 2021Mr. Veasey (for himself, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Beatty, and Mr. Suozzi) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Oversight and Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Financial Services, Ethics, Homeland Security, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedRESOLUTIONExpressing support for the designation of September 2021 as National Voting Rights Month.Whereas voting is one of the single most important rights that can be exercised in a democracy;Whereas, over the course of history, various voter suppression laws in the United States have hindered, and even prohibited, certain individuals and groups from exercising the right to vote;Whereas, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, Native Americans and people who were born to United States citizens abroad, people who spoke a language other than English, and people who were formerly subjected to slavery were denied full citizenship and prevented from voting by English literacy tests;Whereas, since the 1870s, minority groups such as Black Americans in the South have suffered from the oppressive effects of Jim Crow laws that were designed to prevent political, economic, and social mobility;Whereas Black Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and other underrepresented voters were subject to violence, poll taxes, literacy tests, all-White primaries, property ownership tests, and grandfather clauses that were designed to suppress the right of those individuals to vote;Whereas 5,200,000 people in the United States are currently banned from voting because of a felony conviction, including 1 in 16 Black adults, due to the shameful entanglement of racial injustice in the criminal legal system and voting access in the United States; Whereas members of the aforementioned groups and others are currently, in some cases, subject to intimidation, voter roll purges, and financial barriers that act effectively as modern-day poll taxes;Whereas, in 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) to protect the right of Black Americans and other traditionally disenfranchised groups to vote, among other reasons;Whereas, in 2013, in the landmark case of Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013), the Supreme Court of the United States invalidated section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, dismantling the preclearance formula provision in that Act that protected voters in States and localities that historically have suppressed the right of minorities to vote;Whereas, since the invalidation of the preclearance formula provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, gerrymandered districts in many States have gone unchallenged and have become less likely to be invalidated by the courts;Whereas these gerrymandered districts have been found to have discriminatory impacts on traditionally disenfranchised minorities through tactics that include cracking, diluting the voting power of minorities across many districts, and packing or concentrating minority voters’ power in one district to reduce their voting power in other districts;Whereas the courts have found the congressional and, in some cases, State legislative district maps, in Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin to be gerrymandered districts that were created to favor some groups over others;Whereas the decision of the Supreme Court in Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013), calls on Congress to update the formula in the Voting Rights Act of 1965;Whereas these restrictive voting laws encompass cutbacks in early voting, voter roll purges, placement of faulty equipment in minority communities, requirement of photo identification, and the elimination of same-day registration;Whereas these policies could outright disenfranchise or make voting much more difficult for more than 80,000,000 minority, elderly, poor, and disabled voters, among other groups;Whereas, in 2016, discriminatory laws in North Carolina, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Texas were ruled to violate voters’ rights and overturned by the courts;Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (referred to in this preamble as COVID–19) public health emergency has only exacerbated the state of elections and the difficulties voters face in obtaining access to the ballot;Whereas a lack of fair and safe election policies threatens minority communities, which have been disproportionately impacted and disenfranchised due to the COVID–19 pandemic, and their access to the ballot;Whereas addressing the challenges of administering future elections requires increasing the accessibility of vote-by-mail and other limited-contact options to ensure the protection of voters’ health and safety amid a global pandemic;Whereas, as voting by mail becomes a safer and more accessible option for voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote during the unprecedented times caused by the COVID–19 pandemic, the work of the United States Postal Service will be of paramount importance in successfully conducting elections;Whereas Congress must work to combat any attempts to dismantle or underfund the United States Postal Service or obstruct the passage of the mail as blatant tactics of voter suppression and election interference;Whereas following the 2020 elections there has been a relentless attack on the right to vote with more than 400 bills having been introduced to roll back the right to vote, including such bills being introduced in almost every State and at least 31 of such bills having been signed into law in 18 States;Whereas there is much more work to be done to ensure all citizens of the United States have the right to vote through free, fair, and accessible elections, and Congress must exercise its Constitutional authority to protect the right to vote;Whereas National Voter Registration Day is September 22; andWhereas September 2021 would be an appropriate month to designate as National Voting Rights Month and to ensure that, through the registration of voters and awareness of elections, the democracy of the United States includes all citizens of the United States: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives—(1)expresses support for the designation of National Voting Rights Month;(2)encourages all people in the United States to uphold the right of every citizen to exercise the sacred and fundamental right to vote;(3)encourages Congress to pass—(A)the For the People Act of 2021 (S. 2093 and H.R. 1 of the 117th Congress), to increase voters’ access to the ballot, prohibit the use of deceptive practices to intimidate voters, end gerrymandering, create automatic voter registration, limit the power of restrictive voter identification laws, make critical investments in election infrastructure and technology, and address corruption in campaign finance and ethics;(B)the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747 of the 117th Congress), to set basic national standards to make sure all people in the United States can cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of what ZIP code they live in, improve access to the ballot for people in the United States, advance commonsense election integrity reforms, and protect the democracy of the United States from relentless attacks;(C)the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 (H.R. 4 of the 117th Congress), to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.) that prohibit discriminatory voting practices, remove barriers to voting, and provide protections for minority voters in States with a history of voting discrimination; (D)the Democracy Restoration Act (S. 481 of the 117th Congress), to restore Federal voting rights to citizens after release from imprisonment, honoring the responsibilities of citizenship and civic engagement necessary for building healthy and safe communities, while welcoming the contributions of people returning home after imprisonment; and(E)other voting rights legislation that seeks to advance voting rights and protect elections in the United States;(4)recommends that public schools and universities in the United States develop an academic curriculum that educates students about—(A)the importance of voting, how to register to vote, where to vote, and the different forms of voting; (B)the history of voter suppression in the United States before and after passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and(C)current measures that have been taken to restrict the vote;(5)encourages the United States Postal Service to issue a special John R. Lewis stamp during the month of September—(A)to honor the life and legacy of John R. Lewis in supporting voting rights; and(B)to remind people in the United States that ordinary citizens risked their lives, marched, and participated in the great democracy of the United States so that all citizens would have the fundamental right to vote; and (6)invites Congress to allocate the requisite funds for public service announcements on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, social media, billboards, buses, and other forms of media—(A)to remind people in the United States when elections are being held;(B)to share important registration deadlines; and (C)to urge people to get out and vote.


117 HR 1585 IH: Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1585IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 3, 2021Ms. Meng (for herself, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Titus, Mr. San Nicolas, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Kahele, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Welch, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Gallagher, Ms. Speier, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Takano, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Vargas, Ms. DeGette, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Norton, Mr. Foster, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Garbarino, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Deutch, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Auchincloss, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Lieu, Ms. Pingree, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Raskin, Mr. García of Illinois, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Burgess, Ms. Stevens, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Schrader, Mr. Kildee, Ms. Sherrill, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mrs. Demings, Ms. Chu, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Perlmutter, Mr. Case, Mrs. Lawrence, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Zeldin, Mrs. Axne, Mr. Baird, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Peters, Mr. Rush, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Kuster, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Higgins of New York, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Evans, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Spanberger, Mrs. Bustos, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Sires, Mr. Costa, Mr. Carson, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Lamb, Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Luria, Mr. Himes, and Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the presumption of service-connection of certain disabilities by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act.2.Treatment of veterans who participated in cleanup of Enewetak Atoll as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of presumption of service-connection of certain disabilities by Department of Veterans AffairsSection 1112(c)(3)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:(v)Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll during the period beginning on January 1, 1977, and ending on December 31, 1980..


114 S2186 IS: Investing in Student Success Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-10-20
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.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2186IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 20, 2015Mr. Rubio introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo provide the legal framework necessary for the growth of innovative private financing options for
			 students to fund postsecondary education, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Investing in Student Success Act of 2015. IAuthorization of Income Share Agreements  101.Purpose; lawfulness of instruments; preemption of State law (a)PurposeIt is the purpose of this title to authorize individuals to enter into income share agreements for the purposes of obtaining funds for postsecondary education in exchange for agreeing to pay to the holder of the contract a specified percentage of the individual’s future income.
 (b)Lawfulness of contracts; preemptionAny income share agreement that complies with the requirements of section 102 shall be a valid, binding, and enforceable contract notwithstanding any State law limiting or otherwise regulating assignments of future wages or other income.
				102.Terms and conditions of income share agreement contracts
 (a)Definition of income share agreementFor purposes of this title, the term income share agreement means an agreement between an individual and any other person under which the individual commits to pay a specified percentage of the individual’s future income, for a specified period of time, in exchange for payments to or on behalf of such individual for postsecondary education, workforce development, or other purposes.
 (b)Terms and conditions of agreementsAn income share agreement complies with the requirements of this section if the contract complies with each of the following conditions:
 (1)Specified percentage of incomeThe income-share agreement shall specify the percentage of future income that the individual subject to the agreement will be obligated to pay, except that the agreement shall provide for that any year covered by such agreement during which the individual has an income that is less than $15,000 (adjusted each year to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month period for which such data are available) the individual shall not be required to pay for such year any portion of the individual’s income.
 (2)Definition of incomeAn income share agreement shall specify the definition of income to be used for purposes of calculating an individual’s obligation under the contract.
 (3)Annual limitation on obligationThe percentage of income required under the income share agreement to be paid by the individual subject to the agreement may not exceed a percentage such that, when multiplied by $15,000, the product exceeds the aggregate amount of periodic payments of principal and interest that would be required to be paid during a 12-month period under a comparable loan that bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 20 percent.
 (4)Aggregate limitation on obligationNo eligible individual may enter into any income share agreement if the total percentage of such individual’s future income that the individual agrees to pay under that contract, and any other income share agreements of such individual, exceeds 15 percent of such future income.
					(5)Time-based limitation on obligation
 (A)LimitationThe income-share agreement may not provide for the individual subject to the agreement to assume a commitment to pay future income having a commitment factor, that when added to the commitment factors for any other income-share agreements to which such individual is subject, equals a sum that exceeds the maximum commitment factor.
 (B)Commitment factorAs used in this paragraph, the term commitment factor means, with respect to an income-share agreement, the product of— (i)the percentage (expressed as a decimal) of such future income required to be paid during such period; and
 (ii)the remaining number of years under the agreement that future income is required to be paid at such percentage.
 (C)Maximum commitment factorAs used in this paragraph, the term maximum commitment factor means, with respect to an income-share agreement, 2.25 (which figure is the product of 7.5 percent and the number of years in the longest allowable contract under paragraph (6)(A)).
 (6)Extension of periodThe income-share agreement may provide that such period may be extended by a number of years that is equal to the number of years during which the agreement is in force for which the individual’s annual income is below the dollar amount specified in paragraph (1).
 (7)Early terminationThe income-share agreement shall specify the terms and conditions by which the individual subject to the agreement may extinguish the individual’s obligations under the agreement before the end of the payment period specified in the agreement and any application extension provided for in the agreement pursuant to paragraph (6)(B).
 (c)Required disclosuresAn income share agreement does not comply with the requirements of this section unless the individual who is committing to pay future income is provided, before entry into such agreement, a disclosure document that clearly and simply discloses—
 (1)that— (A)the agreement is not a debt instrument, and that the amount the individual will be required to pay under the agreement—
 (i)may be more or less than the amount provided to the individual; and (ii)will vary in proportion to the individual’s future income;
 (B)that the obligations of the individual under the agreement are not dischargeable under bankruptcy law, except in a case that would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor’s dependents;
 (C)whether the obligations of the individual under the agreement may be extinguished by accelerating payments, and, if so, under what terms;
 (D)the duration of the individual’s obligations under the agreement (absent such accelerating payments), including any circumstances under which the contract would be extended;
 (E)the percentage of income the individual is committing to pay under the agreement and the minimum amount of annual income that, pursuant to subsection (b)(1), triggers the individual’s obligation under the agreement to make payments for such year; and
 (F)the definition of income to be used for purposes of calculating the individual’s obligation; and (2)a comparison of—
 (A)the amounts an individual would be required to pay under the income-share agreement at a range of annual income levels, which income levels shall correspond to the levels the individual might reasonably be expected to make given the intended use of the funds provided under the agreement, as determined in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury; to
 (B)the amounts required to be paid under a comparable loan that bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 10 percent.
 (d)Non-InterferenceAn income-share agreement represents an obligation by the individual pay the specific percentage of future income, but shall not be construed to give the contract holder any rights over an individual’s actions.
 103.DefinitionsAs used in this title: (1)StateThe term State includes, in addition to the several States of the Union, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the government of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
 (2)State lawThe term State law means any law, decision, rule, regulation, or other action having the effect of a law of any State or any political subdivision of a State, or any agency or instrumentality of a State or political subdivision of a State, except that a law of the United States applicable only to the District of Columbia shall be treated as a State law (rather than a law of the United States).
 104.Preemption of State Law with respect to usuryIncome share agreements shall not be subject to State usury laws. 105.Rulemaking; model disclosure forms (a)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with such other agency heads as the Secretary considers appropriate, may issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this title.
				(b)Model disclosure forms
 (1)In generalNot later than the end of the 180-day period beginning upon the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with such other agency heads as the Secretary considers appropriate, shall promulgate a model disclosure form for the disclosures required under section 102(c).
 (2)Safe harborAny person who uses the model disclosure form promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1) and includes accurate information required under section 102(c) to be disclosed shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of section 102(c).
					IITax Treatment of Income Share Agreements
			201.Tax treatment of income share agreements
 (a)Exclusion from gross income of income share agreement proceedsPayments made under an income-share agreement that complies with the requirements of section 102 to or on behalf of the individual who commits to pay a specified percentage of such individual’s future income to another person under such agreement, and any difference in value of the payments to or on behalf of such individual and the total amount paid by such individual, shall not be includible in the gross income of such individual for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 (b)Treatment of payments of future incomePayments of future income received by another person under an income share agreement shall be treated for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986—
 (1)first, with respect to so much of such payments as does not exceed the amount of the payments to which subsection (a) applies with respect to such agreement, as a repayment of investment in the contract which reduces the holder’s basis in such agreement, and
 (2)second, as income on the contract which is includible in gross income. (c)Income share agreementFor purposes of this title, the term income share agreement has the meaning given such term under title I.
				IIIQualified education loan
			301.Qualified education loan
 (a)In generalParagraph (1) of section 221(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following: Such term includes any income share agreement (as defined in section 102 of the Investing in Student Success Act of 2015), except that payments made by the taxpayer during the taxable year to meet an income share agreement obligation shall not be taken into account under subsection (a).
 (b)Information reporting not requiredSubsection (e) of section 6050S of such Code is amended by inserting (without regard to the last sentence thereof) after section 221(d)(1). IVFederal Individual Assistance Treatment of Income Share Agreements 401.Amounts received not treated as income in calculation of financial need under the Higher Education Act of 1965No portion of any amounts received by an individual for entering into an income share agreement (as such term is defined in title I) shall be included as income or assets in the computation of expected family contribution for any program funded in whole or in part under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
			VInvestment Company treatment
 501.Businesses making income share agreements excluded from investment company treatmentSection 3(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–3(c)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (4), by inserting after industrial banking, the following: income share agreements (as defined under section 102 of the Investing in Student Success Act of 2015),; and
 (2)in paragraph (5), by inserting , including income share agreements after services each place such term appears.


117 HR 3141 IH: REO Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3141IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 12, 2021Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois (for himself and Mr. Johnson of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize the Reentry Employment Opportunities Program, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the REO Act of 2021.2.Reentry Employment Opportunities ProgramSubtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended—(1)by redesignating section 172 (29 U.S.C. 3227) as section 173; and (2)by inserting after section 171 (29 U.S.C. 3226) the following:172.Reentry Employment Opportunities Program(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Correctional institutionThe term correctional institution has the meaning given the term in section 225(e). (2)Eligible adultThe term eligible adult means an individual who—(A)on the date of the individual's enrollment—(i)is not younger than age 25; and(ii)is residing in or returning to the geographic area served; and(B)(i)before that date of enrollment—(I)was released from incarceration in a correctional institution (including being enrolled in a work release center at the institution); or(II)served an alternative sentence, or a sentence to a diversion program, ordered through the adult criminal justice system; or(ii)on that date, is subject to the adult criminal justice system, including an individual who—(I)is incarcerated in a correctional institution (including being enrolled in a work release center at the institution), but is scheduled to be released within 6 months;(II)is residing in a residential reentry center; (III)is subject to electronic or home-based monitoring;(IV)is in the community on probation or parole; or(V)is serving an alternative sentence, or a sentence to a diversion program, ordered through that system. (3)Eligible young adultThe term eligible young adult means an individual who, on the date of the individual's enrollment—(A)is not younger than age 18 and not older than age 24;(B)is residing in or returning to the geographic area served; and(C)(i)is a school dropout (within the meaning of section 129(a)(1)(B)(iii)(I)) from a high school, except that not more than 10 percent of the individuals accepted to participate in a program under subsection (b) may be found eligible under this subparagraph solely on the basis of meeting the requirements of this clause; or(ii)is an individual who is, or has been, subject to the juvenile or adult criminal justice system, including an individual who—(I)is or has been incarcerated in a correctional institution (including being enrolled in a work release center at the institution or in a detention facility for juveniles);(II)is or has been subject to that system due to having an out-of-home placement, or being on probation or parole; or(III)is serving or has served an alternative sentence, or a sentence to a diversion program, ordered through that system. (4)Eligible youthThe term eligible youth means an individual who, on the date of the individual's enrollment—(A)is not younger than age 16 and not older than age 17;(B)is residing in or returning to the geographic area served; and(C)(i)is a school dropout (within the meaning of section 129(a)(1)(B)(iii)(I)) from a high school, except that not more than 10 percent of the individuals accepted to participate in a program under subsection (c) may be found eligible under this subparagraph solely on the basis of meeting the requirements of this clause; or(ii)is an individual who is, or has been, subject to the juvenile justice system, including an individual who—(I)is or has been incarcerated in a correctional institution (including being enrolled in a work release center at the institution or in a detention facility for juveniles);(II)is or has been subject to that system due to having an out-of-home placement, or being on probation or parole; or(III)is serving or has served an alternative sentence, or a sentence to a diversion program, ordered through that system. (5)EnrollThe term enroll means receive confirmation that an individual, having applied to participate in a program under this section, has been accepted to the program.(6)Registered apprenticeshipThe term registered apprenticeship means an apprenticeship registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).(b)Adult Reentry Employment Opportunities Program(1)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish and carry out an adult Reentry Employment Opportunities Program.(2)Grants(A)Direct grantsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary may make direct grants to eligible entities to carry out projects described in paragraph (5), in geographic areas, for eligible adults and eligible young adults.(B)Grants through intermediariesIn any year for which the Secretary makes grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make intermediary grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities who are national or regional intermediaries, who shall use the grant funds to make direct grants to eligible entities or to carry out projects described in subparagraph (A) in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, a reference to the Secretary shall include a reference to an intermediary who receives funds under this subparagraph to the extent that the intermediary uses the funds to make direct grants to eligible entities.(3)Eligible entitiesTo be eligible to receive a direct or intermediary grant under this subsection, an entity—(A)shall be an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code; (B)may be—(i)an organization that serves women or a minority population;(ii)a State or local government; or(iii)an entity (including an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native-controlled or Native Hawaiian-controlled organization) that is eligible for a grant under section 166 (including the regulations issued under that section); and(C)may be an organization that serves—(i) an urban county, meaning a county that is a Metropolitan Area, as designated by the Office of Management and Budget; or(ii)a rural county, meaning a county that is a Micropolitan Area, or neither a Metropolitan Area nor a Micropolitan Area, as so designated.(4)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a direct grant or an intermediary grant under this subsection, an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including, for a program that includes an industry-recognized credential, a description of the program leading to the credential.(5)Use of fundsAn entity that receives, under this subsection, a direct grant to carry out a project described in paragraph (2) shall use the grant funds to carry out a project that provides opportunities in a pre-apprenticeship program, a registered apprenticeship program, an industry-recognized apprenticeship program, occupational skills education, on-the-job training, work experience, job referrals, basic skills remediation, educational services, behavioral health services, or work readiness activities, to eligible adults or eligible young adults. (6)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection for fiscal year 2022 and each subsequent fiscal year.(c)Youth Reentry Employment Opportunities Program(1)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish and carry out a youth Reentry Employment Opportunities Program.(2)Grants(A)Direct grantsIn carrying out the program, the Secretary may make direct grants to eligible entities to carry out projects described in subsection (b)(5), in geographic areas, for eligible youth.(B)Grants through intermediariesIn any year for which the Secretary makes grants under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make intermediary grants as described in subsection (b)(2)(B), except that references in that subsection to eligible entities shall be treated as references to entities described in paragraph (3). (3)Eligible entitiesTo be eligible to receive a direct or intermediary grant under this subsection, an entity may be an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code or a State juvenile justice agency.(4)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a direct grant or an intermediary grant under this subsection, an entity shall submit an application as described in subsection (b)(4).(5)Use of fundsAn entity that receives, under this subsection, a direct grant to carry out a project described in paragraph (2) shall use the grant funds as described in subsection (b)(5), for eligible youth. (6)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection for fiscal year 2022 and each subsequent fiscal year.(d)Technical assistanceThe Secretary shall reserve and use not more than—(1)2 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (b)(7) for a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under subsection (b); and(2)2 percent of the funds appropriated under subsection (c)(7) for a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under subsection (c).. 3.Evaluation of the reentry projects(a)In generalNot later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Evaluation Officer shall evaluate the effectiveness of direct grants and intermediary grants used by the Department of Labor to support offender reentry and recidivism reduction through reentry projects at the Federal, State, local, and tribal levels. The Chief Evaluation Officer shall evaluate each of the following: (1)The effectiveness of such projects in relation to their cost, including the extent to which the projects improve reentry outcomes, including employment, education, housing, and reductions in recidivism, of participants in comparison to comparably situated individuals who did not participate in such projects.(2)The effectiveness of project structures and mechanisms for delivery of services.(3)The impact of such projects on the communities and participants involved.(4)The impact of such projects on related programs and activities.(5)The extent to which such projects meet the needs of various demographic groups.(6)The quality and effectiveness of technical assistance provided by the Department of Labor to grantees for implementing such projects.(7)Such other factors as may be appropriate.(b)Availability of funds for evaluationNot more than 2.5 percent of any amounts appropriated for a fiscal year to carry out the reentry projects shall be reserved and made available to the Chief Evaluation Officer for such evaluation, including evaluating the processes, implementation, outcomes, costs, and effectiveness of the reentry projects in improving reentry and reducing recidivism. Such reserved funding may be used to provide support to recipients of direct grants and intermediary grants for reentry projects for supplemental data collection, analysis, and coordination associated with evaluation activities.(c)TechniquesEvaluations conducted under this section shall use appropriate methodology and research designs. Impact evaluations conducted under this section shall include the use of intervention and control groups chosen by random assignment methods, to the extent possible.(d)Metrics and Outcomes for Evaluation(1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Evaluation Officer shall consult with relevant stakeholders and identify outcome measures, including measures for employment, housing, education, and public safety, that are to be achieved by reentry projects and the metrics by which the achievement of such outcomes shall be determined.(2)PublicationNot later than 30 days after the date on which the Chief Evaluation Officer identifies metrics and outcomes under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor shall publish such metrics and outcomes identified.(e)Data collectionAs a condition of receiving a direct grant or intermediary grant for a reentry project, grantees shall be required to collect and report to the Department of Labor data based upon the metrics identified under subsection (d). In accordance with applicable law, collection of individual-level data under a pledge of confidentiality shall be protected by the Chief Evaluation Officer in accordance with such pledge. (f)Data accessibilityNot later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Evaluation Officer shall—(1)make data collected during the course of evaluation under this section available in de-identified form in such a manner that reasonably protects a pledge of confidentiality to participants under subsection (e); and(2)make identifiable data collected during the course of evaluation under this section available to qualified researchers for future research and evaluation, in accordance with applicable law.(g)Publication and reporting of evaluation findingsThe Chief Evaluation Officer shall—(1)not later than 365 days after the date on which the enrollment of participants in an impact evaluation is completed under this section, publish an interim report on such evaluation;(2)not later than 90 days after the date on which any evaluation is completed under this section, publish and make publicly available such evaluation; and(3)not later than 60 days after the completion date described in paragraph (2), submit a report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate on such evaluation.(h)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Chief Evaluation OfficerThe term Chief Evaluation Officer means the head of the independent evaluation office located organizationally in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy of the Department of Labor. (2)Reentry projectThe term reentry project means a project funded under the reentry employment opportunities program carried out under section 172 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act.4.Conforming amendmentThe table of contents in section 1(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is amended—(1)by redesignating the item relating to section 172 as the item relating to section 173; and(2)by inserting after the item relating to section 171 the following:Sec. 172. Reentry Employment Opportunities Program..


I
111th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 654
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2009
Ms. Lee of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To require poverty impact statements for certain legislation.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Poverty Impact Trigger Act of 2009.
2.Certain poverty impact legislation subject to point of orderRule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

Certain legislation reported by committees 11.It shall not be in order to consider a bill or joint resolution of a public nature authorizing an appropriation of $10,000,000 or more, unless—
(a)the committee report accompanying the bill or joint resolution includes a CBO Poverty Index Division impact statement; or
(b)the chair of the committee reporting the bill or joint resolution submits such statement to be published in the Congressional Record before consideration of the bill or joint resolution..
3.Congressional budget office poverty impact division
(a)In GeneralSection 202 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 602) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(h)CBO Poverty Impact Division
(1)CreationThere is established within the Office the CBO Poverty Impact Division (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the Division).
(2)Duties and functions
(A)Preparation and submission of impact statementWhen a chair of a committee of the House of Representatives submits a written request to the Division to prepare and submit to the committee a CBO Poverty Index Division impact statement, the Division shall prepare and submit such statement to the committee not later than 30 days after such request.
(B)Content of impact statementA CBO Poverty Index Division impact statement shall include the following:
(i)A projected ratio equal to the amount of appropriations authorized in the bill or joint resolution that will benefit individuals and families below the poverty threshold over the total amount of appropriations authorized by the bill or joint resolution.
(ii)A projection of the number of individual and family incomes—
(I)that may decrease below the poverty threshhold because of the bill or joint resolution; and
(II)that may increase above the poverty threshhold because of the bill or joint resolution.
(iii)A projection as to how the legislation improves access to basic human services, including health care, housing, and education.
(C)Poverty threshold definedIn this subsection, the term poverty threshold means an income level below 200 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act)..
4.Exercise of rulemaking powersSection 2 of this Act is enacted by the House of Representatives—
(1)as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the House of Representatives and as such it shall be considered as part of the rules of the House of Representatives and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent therewith; and
(2)with the full recognition of the constitutional right of the House of Representatives to change such rules at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the House of Representatives.
5.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall apply to any bill or joint resolution reported by a committee of the House of Representatives after the 90-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.