117 S718 IS: NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act
U.S. Senate
2021-03-11
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. 718IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 11, 2021Mr. Lee (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, and Mr. Cruz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to reform agency process requirements, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act.2.Agency process reforms under NEPATitle I of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is amended—(1)by redesignating section 105 (42 U.S.C. 4335) as section 106; and(2)by inserting after section 104 (42 U.S.C. 4334) the following: 105.Agency process reforms(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Environmental assessmentThe term environmental assessment has the meaning given the term in section 1508.9 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (2)Environmental impact statementThe term environmental impact statement means a detailed statement required under section 102(2)(C). (3)Federal agencyThe term Federal agency includes a State that has assumed responsibility under section 327 of title 23, United States Code.(4)Head of a Federal agencyThe term head of a Federal agency includes the governor or head of an applicable State agency of a State that has assumed responsibility under section 327 of title 23, United States Code.(5)NEPA process(A)In generalThe term NEPA process means the entirety of every process, analysis, or other measure, including an environmental impact statement, required to be carried out by a Federal agency under this title before the agency undertakes a proposed action.(B)PeriodFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the NEPA process—(i)begins on the date on which the head of a Federal agency receives an application for a proposed action from a project sponsor; and(ii)ends on the date on which the Federal agency issues, with respect to the proposed action—(I)a record of decision, including, if necessary, a revised record of decision;(II)a finding of no significant impact; or(III)a categorical exclusion under this title. (6)Project sponsorThe term project sponsor means a Federal agency or other entity, including a private or public-private entity, that seeks approval of a proposed action. (b)ProhibitionsIn carrying out the NEPA process, the head of a Federal agency may not—(1)consider an alternative to the proposed action if the proposed action is not technically or economically feasible to the project sponsor; or(2)consider an alternative to the proposed action that is not within the jurisdiction of the Federal agency.(c)Environmental documents(1)EIS requiredIn carrying out the NEPA process for a proposed action that requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement, the head of a Federal agency shall produce for the proposed action not more than 1—(A)environmental impact statement;(B)if necessary, environmental assessment; and(C)record of decision.(2)EIS not requiredIn carrying out the NEPA process for a proposed action that does not require the preparation of an environmental impact statement, the head of a Federal agency shall produce for the proposed action not more than 1—(A)environmental assessment; or(B)finding of no significant impact. (d)Categorical exclusions(1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to paragraph (2), the head of a Federal agency may, without further approval, use a categorical exclusion under this title that has been approved by—(A)(i)another Federal agency; and(ii)the Council on Environmental Quality; or(B)an Act of Congress.(2)RequirementsThe head of a Federal agency may use a categorical exclusion described in paragraph (1) if the head of the Federal agency—(A)carefully reviews the description of the proposed action to ensure that it fits within the category of actions described in the categorical exclusion; and(B)considers the circumstances associated with the proposed action to ensure that there are no extraordinary circumstances that warrant the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.(3)Extraordinary circumstancesIf the head of a Federal agency determines that extraordinary circumstances are present with respect to a proposed action, the head of the Federal agency shall— (A)consider whether mitigating circumstances or other conditions are sufficient to avoid significant effects of the proposed action; and(B)if the head of the Federal agency determines that those significant effects can be avoided, apply a categorical exclusion to the proposed action.(e)Reuse of work; documents prepared by qualified 3rd parties; unexpected circumstances(1)In generalIn carrying out the NEPA process for a proposed action—(A)subject to paragraph (2), the head of a Federal agency shall—(i)use any applicable findings and research from a prior NEPA process of any Federal agency; and(ii)incorporate the findings and research described in clause (i) into any applicable analysis under the NEPA process; and(B)a Federal agency may adopt as an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or other environmental document to achieve compliance with this title—(i)an environmental document prepared under the law of the applicable State if the head of the Federal agency determines that the environmental laws of the applicable State—(I)provide the same level of environmental analysis as the analysis required under this title; and(II)allow for the opportunity of public comment; or(ii)subject to paragraph (3), an environmental document prepared by a qualified third party chosen by the project sponsor, at the expense of the project sponsor, if the head of the Federal agency—(I)provides oversight of the preparation of the environmental document by the third party; and(II)independently evaluates the environmental document for the compliance of the environmental document with this title.(2)Requirement for the reuse of findings and researchThe head of a Federal agency may reuse the applicable findings and research described in paragraph (1)(A) if—(A)(i)the project for which the head of the Federal agency is seeking to reuse the findings and research was in close geographic proximity to the proposed action; and(ii)the head of the Federal agency determines that the conditions under which the applicable findings and research were issued have not substantially changed; or(B)(i)the project for which the head of the Federal agency is seeking to reuse the findings and research was not in close geographic proximity to the proposed action; and(ii)the head of the Federal agency determines that the proposed action has similar issues or decisions as the project.(3)Requirements for creation of environmental document by qualified 3rd parties(A)In generalA qualified third party may prepare an environmental document intended to be adopted by a Federal agency as the environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or other environmental document for a proposed action under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) if—(i)the project sponsor submits a written request to the head of the applicable Federal agency that the head of the Federal agency approve the qualified third party to create the document intended to be adopted by a Federal agency as the environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or other environmental document; and(ii)the head of the Federal agency determines that—(I)the third party is qualified to prepare the document; and(II)the third party has no financial or other interest in the outcome of the proposed action.(B)DeadlineThe head of a Federal agency that receives a written request under subparagraph (A)(i) shall issue a written decision approving or denying the request not later than 30 days after the date on which the written request is received.(C)No prior workThe head of a Federal agency may not adopt an environmental document under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) if the qualified third party began preparing the document prior to the date on which the head of the Federal agency issues the written decision under subparagraph (B) approving the request.(D)DenialsIf the head of a Federal agency issues a written decision denying the request under subparagraph (A)(i), the head of the Federal agency shall submit to the project sponsor with the written decision the findings that served as the basis of the denial.(4)Unexpected circumstancesIf, while carrying out a proposed action after the completion of the NEPA process for that proposed action, a Federal agency or project sponsor encounters a new or unexpected circumstance or condition that may require the reevaluation of the proposed action under this title, the head of the Federal agency with responsibility for carrying out the NEPA process for the proposed action shall—(A)consider whether mitigating the new or unexpected circumstance or condition is sufficient to avoid significant effects that may result from the circumstance or condition; and(B)if the head of the Federal agency determines under subparagraph (A) that the significant effects that result from the circumstance or condition can be avoided, mitigate the circumstance or condition without carrying out the NEPA process again. (f)Multi-Agency projects(1)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Cooperating agencyThe term cooperating agency means a Federal agency involved in a proposed action that—(i)is not the lead agency; and(ii)has the jurisdiction or special expertise such that the Federal agency needs to be consulted—(I)to use a categorical exclusion; or(II)to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, as applicable.(B)Lead agencyThe term lead agency means the Federal agency selected under paragraph (2)(A).(2)Agency designation(A)Lead agencyIn carrying out the NEPA process for a proposed action that requires authorization from multiple Federal agencies, the heads of the applicable Federal agencies shall determine the lead agency for the proposed action.(B)InvitationThe head of the lead agency may invite any relevant State, local, or Tribal agency with Federal authorization decision responsibility to be a cooperating agency.(3)Responsibilities of lead agencyThe lead agency for a proposed action shall—(A)as soon as practicable and in consultation with the cooperating agencies, determine whether a proposed action requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement; and(B)if the head of the lead agency determines under subparagraph (A) that an environmental impact statement is necessary—(i)be responsible for coordinating the preparation of an environmental impact statement;(ii)provide cooperating agencies with an opportunity to review and contribute to the preparation of the environmental impact statement and environmental assessment, as applicable, of the proposed action, except that the cooperating agency shall limit comments to issues within the special expertise or jurisdiction of the cooperating agency; and(iii)subject to subsection (b), as soon as practicable and in consultation with the cooperating agencies, determine the range of alternatives to be considered for the proposed action.(4)Environmental documentsIn carrying out the NEPA process for a proposed action, the lead agency shall prepare not more than 1 of each type of document described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c), as applicable—(A)in consultation with cooperating agencies; and(B)for all applicable Federal agencies.(5)Prohibitions(A)In generalA cooperating agency may not evaluate an alternative to the proposed action that has not been determined to be within the range of alternatives considered under paragraph (3)(B)(iii).(B)OmissionIf a cooperating agency submits to the lead agency an evaluation of an alternative that does not meet the requirements of subsection (b), the lead agency shall omit the alternative from the environmental impact statement.(g)Reports(1)NEPA data(A)In generalThe head of each Federal agency that carries out the NEPA process shall carry out a process to track, and annually submit to Congress a report containing, the information described in subparagraph (B).(B)Information describedThe information referred to in subparagraph (A) is, with respect to the Federal agency issuing the report under that subparagraph—(i)the number of proposed actions for which a categorical exclusion was issued during the reporting period;(ii)the length of time the Federal agency took to issue the categorical exclusions described in clause (i);(iii)the number of proposed actions pending on the date on which the report is submitted for which the issuance of a categorical exclusion is pending;(iv)the number of proposed actions for which an environmental assessment was issued during the reporting period;(v)the length of time the Federal agency took to complete each environmental assessment described in clause (iv);(vi)the number of proposed actions pending on the date on which the report is submitted for which an environmental assessment is being drafted;(vii)the number of proposed actions for which an environmental impact statement was issued during the reporting period;(viii)the length of time the Federal agency took to complete each environmental impact statement described in clause (vii); and(ix)the number of proposed actions pending on the date on which the report is submitted for which an environmental impact statement is being drafted.(2)NEPA costs(A)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall jointly develop a methodology to assess the comprehensive costs of the NEPA process.(B)RequirementsThe head of each Federal agency that carries out the NEPA process shall—(i)adopt the methodology developed under subparagraph (A); and(ii)use the methodology developed under subparagraph (A) to annually submit to Congress a report describing—(I)the comprehensive cost of the NEPA process for each proposed action that was carried out within the reporting period; and(II)for a proposed action for which the head of the Federal agency is still completing the NEPA process at the time the report is submitted—(aa)the amount of money expended to date to carry out the NEPA process for the proposed action; and(bb)an estimate of the remaining costs before the NEPA process for the proposed action is complete..


117 HR 4658 IH: Beilenson Trailhead Designation Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-07-22
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. 4658IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 22, 2021Mr. Lieu (for himself and Mr. Schiff) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo designate the Encinal Trailhead on the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area as the Anthony Tony Beilenson Trailhead.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Beilenson Trailhead Designation Act.2.FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)Congressman Anthony Tony Beilenson served in the California State Assembly from 1963 to 1967, and in the California State Senate from 1967 to 1976.(2)Congressman Beilenson began his tenure in the United States House of Representatives in 1977 and served in Congress for 20 years, until 1997.(3)At different times during his tenure, Congressman Beilenson represented the people of West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Malibu, Westwood, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Canyon Country, and Calabasas.(4)Congressman Beilenson was a well-respected member of the California State Legislature, known for his legislative efforts on environmental protection, consumer protection, family planning, public health, and welfare reform.(5)During his time in the United States House of Representatives, Congressman Beilenson served on the Rules Committee and as Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence during the first Gulf War.(6)Congressman Beilenson dedicated significant time and effort to environmental issues during his time serving in the United States House of Representatives, including contributing to the passage of legislation to fund the formation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.(7)Congressman Beilenson considered his contributions to the designation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area his greatest legislative achievement and supported the expansion of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area throughout his time in Congress and into retirement.(8)Congress and the Los Angeles community commemorate the environmental legacy of Congressman Beilenson by naming the Encinal Trailhead in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area after Congressman Anthony Tony Beilenson.3.Anthony Tony Beilenson Trailhead(a)DesignationThe Encinal Trailhead on the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area shall hereafter be known and designated as the Anthony Tony Beilenson Trailhead.(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the trailhead referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Anthony Tony Beilenson Trailhead.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4304
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 14, 2009
			Mr. Issa introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources

		A BILL
		To designate certain Federal lands in San Diego County,
		  California, as wilderness, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Wilderness Act of
			 2009.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Title I—Designation and expansion of wilderness areas
					Sec. 101. Definition of Secretary.
					Sec. 102. Designation of wilderness, Cleveland National Forest
				and Bureau of Land Management land in San Diego County, California.
					Sec. 103. Administration of wilderness.
					Title II—Location and nature of appropriate recreation
				facilities
					Sec. 201. Recreational facilities.

			IDesignation and
			 expansion of wilderness areas
			101.Definition of
			 SecretaryIn this title, the
			 term Secretary means—
				(1)with respect to
			 land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of
			 Agriculture; and
				(2)with respect to
			 land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of
			 the Interior.
				102.Designation of
			 wilderness, Cleveland National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land in San
			 Diego County, California
				(a)Agua tibia
			 wilderness additionsIn accordance with the Wilderness Act (16
			 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain land in the Cleveland National Forest comprising
			 approximately 7,796 acres, as generally depicted on the map titled Agua
			 Tibia Proposed Wilderness Additions, and dated May 18, 2009, is
			 designated as wilderness and is incorporated in, and shall be deemed to be a
			 part of, the Agua Tibia Wilderness.
				(b)Beauty mountain
			 wildernessIn accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131
			 et seq.), certain land administered by the Bureau of Land Management in San
			 Diego County, California, comprising approximately 13,635 acres, as generally
			 depicted on the map titled Beauty Mountain Wilderness Additions,
			 and dated December 11, 2009, is designated as wilderness and is incorporated
			 in, and shall be deemed to be a part of, the Beauty Mountain Wilderness.
				(c)Maps and
			 descriptions
					(1)In
			 generalAs soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal description of each
			 wilderness area and wilderness addition designated by this section with the
			 Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
					(2)Force of
			 lawA map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall
			 have the same force and effect as if included in this title, except that the
			 Secretary may correct errors in the map and legal description.
					(3)Public
			 availabilityEach map and legal description filed under paragraph
			 (1) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the appropriate
			 office of the Secretary.
					(d)Utility
			 facilities and corridorsNothing in this section or the
			 Wilderness Act shall be construed to prohibit construction, operation, and
			 maintenance, using standard industry practices, of utility facilities located,
			 on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, outside of the
			 wilderness areas and wilderness additions designated by this section.
				103.Administration
			 of wilderness
				(a)ManagementSubject
			 to valid existing rights, the land designated as wilderness or as a wilderness
			 addition by this title shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance
			 with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that—
					(1)any reference in
			 that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be deemed to be a reference to
			 the date of the enactment of this Act; and
					(2)any reference in
			 that Act to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be deemed to be a reference to
			 the Secretary that has jurisdiction over the land.
					(b)Incorporation of
			 acquired land and interestsAny land within the boundaries of a
			 wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by this title that is
			 acquired by the United States shall—
					(1)become part of the
			 wilderness area in which the land is located; and
					(2)be managed in
			 accordance with this title, the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), and
			 any other applicable law.
					(c)WithdrawalSubject
			 to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land
			 designated as wilderness or wilderness addition by this title is withdrawn from
			 all forms of—
					(1)entry,
			 appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
					(2)location, entry,
			 and patent under the mining laws; and
					(3)disposition under
			 all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral
			 materials.
					(d)Fire management
			 and related activities
					(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary may take such measures in a wilderness area
			 or wilderness addition designated by this Act as are necessary for the control
			 and prevention of fire, insects, and diseases in accordance with section
			 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and House Report 98–40 of
			 the 98th Congress.
					(2)Funding
			 prioritiesNothing in this section limits funding for fire and
			 fuels management in the wilderness areas and additions designated by this
			 section.
					(3)Revision and
			 development of local fire management plansAs soon as practicable after the date of
			 the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall amend the local fire management
			 plan that applies to the Agua Tibia Wilderness and prepare a local fire
			 management plan for the Beauty Mountain Wilderness.
					(4)AdministrationConsistent with paragraph (1) and other
			 applicable Federal law, to ensure a timely and efficient response to fire
			 emergencies in the wilderness areas and additions designated by this section,
			 the Secretary shall—
						(A)not later than 1
			 year after the date of enactment of this Act, establish agency approval
			 procedures (including appropriate delegations of authority to the Forest
			 Supervisor, District Manager, or other agency officials) for responding to fire
			 emergencies; and
						(B)enter into
			 agreements with appropriate State or local firefighting agencies.
						(e)GrazingGrazing
			 of livestock in a wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by this
			 title shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of section
			 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)) and the guidelines set
			 forth in House Report 96–617 to accompany H.R. 5487 of the 96th
			 Congress.
				(f)Military
			 activitiesNothing in this section precludes—
					(1)low-level
			 overflights of military aircraft over the wilderness areas or wilderness
			 additions designated by this section;
					(2)the designation of
			 new units of special airspace over the wilderness areas or wilderness additions
			 designated by this section; or
					(3)the use or
			 establishment of military flight training routes over wilderness areas or
			 wilderness additions designated by this section.
					IILocation and
			 nature of appropriate recreation facilities
			201.Recreational
			 facilities
				(a)Construction of
			 facilitiesConsistent with
			 applicable law and the applicable donation agreements between the Bureau of
			 Land Management and The Conservation Fund, the Bureau of Land Management shall
			 construct facilities as follows:
					(1)Location of
			 recreational facilitiesRecreational facilities shall be located
			 outside of the Beauty Mountain Wilderness in sections 13 and 14 and the
			 southeast 1/4 of the northeast 1/4, and the northeast 1/4 of the southeast 1/4
			 of section 8, Township 9 South, Range 3 East, San Bernardino Base and Meridian
			 to support recreational activities on public lands.
					(2)Parking
			 areaA parking area shall be constructed in the northwest 1/4
			 section of the southwest 1/4 of section 33, Township 9 South, Range 3 East, San
			 Bernardino Base and Meridian.
					(b)Appropriate
			 recreational facilitiesConsistent with the applicable donation
			 agreement between the Bureau of Land Management and The Conservation Fund,
			 recreational facilities located on the parcel described in subsection (a) shall
			 include a campground, parking area, corrals, water supply, restrooms, and other
			 appropriate facilities.


114 S1911 IS: Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-07-30
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.

		II
		114th CONGRESS1st Session
		S. 1911
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 30, 2015
			Ms. Collins (for herself and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

		A BILL
		To implement policies to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths globally.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2015.
 2.PurposeThe purpose of this Act is to authorize coordination of a whole-of-government strategic approach to accelerate action by the United States to assist developing countries reach the goal of ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths by 2035.
 3.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
 (2)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
 (B)the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
 (3)CoordinatorThe term Coordinator means the Maternal and Child Survival Coordinator established under section 6. (4)Target countriesThe term target countries means specific countries have the greatest need and highest burden for maternal and child health interventions, taking into consideration countries that—
 (A)have high-need communities in fragile and poor States; (B)are located in regions with weak health systems; and
 (C)have governments that have demonstrated the political will necessary for maternal and child efforts to be sustainable and effective.
 4.Statement of policyIt is the policy of the United States, in partnership with developing governments, other donor country governments, international financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations, faith-based organizations, multilateral organizations, and the private sector, to establish and implement a coordinated, integrated, whole-of-government strategy to combat the leading causes of maternal, newborn, and child mortality by—
 (1)building on progress and success to date; (2)scaling up the most effective, evidence-based interventions with a focus on country ownership;
 (3)designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs in a way that increases the sustainability and ownership of the programs and improves outcomes in target countries;
 (4)focusing on target countries and other areas of focus; (5)streamlining existing resources and scaling up proven interventions;
 (6)increasing transparency and accountability; (7)supporting the development and scale up of innovative tools and approaches to accelerate progress toward ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths;
 (8)creating innovative public-private financing mechanisms; (9)requiring that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths include targets for increased implementation of proven interventions and strengthening health systems as appropriate, including the establishment of baseline measurements from which to quantify progress; and
 (10)accelerating progress towards self-sufficiency for maternal, newborn, and child health and survival programs in target countries and other areas of focus.
			5.Strategy
 (a)In generalThe President shall establish an inter-agency working group, led by the Child and Maternal Survival Coordinator at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and establish and implement, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, a coordinated, whole-of-government, ten-year strategy to achieve, with partner countries and donors, the goal of ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths by 2035.
 (b)ElementsThe strategy established under subsection (a) shall— (1)set outcome-based targets to achieve the goals of the strategy and ascertain baseline data relevant for each target country and for all areas of focus and programming as of the date of the release of the strategy;
 (2)utilize existing, reliable data and modeling to enable agencies to reach such targets; (3)include specific objectives, programs, and approaches to utilize highest impact, evidence-based interventions to address the leading causes of death among women during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-delivery; newborns in their first 28 days; and children under the age of five, building on the evidence outlined in USAID’s Acting on the Call: Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths;
 (4)focus on target countries; (5)include development and scale-up of new technologies and approaches, including those supported by public-private partnerships for research and innovation;
 (6)ensure coordination within and amongst the relevant executive branch agencies and initiatives, including the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Peace Corps, the Department of the Treasury, the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, and the President’s Malaria Initiative;
 (7)improve coordination and efficiency among relevant executive branch agencies, foreign governments, and international organizations;
 (8)project general levels of resources needed to achieve the strategy’s stated objectives; (9)identify strategies for leveraging resources in new and innovative ways;
 (10)align with country-driven maternal, newborn, and child health and survival plans and plans of international organizations that will support progress towards self-sustainability by partner countries; and
 (11)outline consultations with governments, international financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations, faith-based organizations, local and international civil society groups, multilateral organizations, the private sector, and local health workers and professional associations, as appropriate.
				6.Establishment of a Child and Maternal  Survival Coordinator
 (a)In generalThe President, acting through the Administrator, shall designate a current USAID employee serving in a career or non-career position in the Senior Executive Service or at the level of a Deputy Assistant Administrator or higher to serve concurrently as the Maternal and Child Survival Coordinator, who shall be responsible for overseeing maternal and child health and nutrition funding managed by the Bureau of Global Health of USAID and lead the inter-agency working group established under section 5.
 (b)DutiesThe Coordinator shall— (1)direct the budget, planning, and staffing to implement the projects and programs of maternal and child health and nutrition accounts managed by the Bureau of Global Health at USAID for the purpose of achieving reductions in preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths;
 (2)lead implementation and revision, not less frequently than once every 10 years, of the strategy established under section 5;
 (3)cooperate with relevant executive branch agencies, governments of partner countries, nongovernmental organizations (including faith-based, community-based and civil society organizations), and private sector entities to carry out the strategy and to align current and future instruments with high-impact, evidence-based interventions to save lives;
 (4)provide direction to and oversee grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with nongovernmental organizations (including faith-based, community-based and civil society organizations) and private sector entities for the purpose of carrying out the strategy; and
 (5)report to the Administrator regarding implementation of the strategy. (c)Restriction on additional or supplemental compensationThe responsibilities and specific duties of the Coordinator shall be in addition to any other responsibilities or specific duties assigned to the individual. The Coordinator shall receive no additional or supplemental compensation as a result of carrying out responsibilities and duties under this Act.
 7.Annual reporting on maternal, newborn, and child survivalThe President shall update Congress on progress made to achieve the strategy established under section 5 as well as progress towards the goals set forth in USAID's 2014 Acting on the Call report by submitting an annual report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and publish all report data on the Internet website, www.foreignassistance.gov (also known as the Foreign Assistance Dashboard). The report shall include the following elements:
 (1)Indicators of progress made by United States Government programs carried out under maternal and child health and nutrition accounts managed by the Bureau of Global Health toward improving maternal, newborn, and child health in each target country and overall, including—
 (A)number of maternal deaths averted; (B)number of deaths averted of newborns in their first 28 days;
 (C)number of deaths averted of child before their fifth birthday; (D)maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births);
 (E)under five mortality rate; (F)births attended by skilled health personnel;
 (G)density of health workforce (number of health professionals per population); (H)descriptions of the measured or estimated impact on maternal, newborn, and child mortality of each on-going program or project; and
 (I)any other targets identified by the Coordinator or the inter-agency working group as essential to meeting the goals of the President’s strategy for ending preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths.
 (2)Descriptions of how the interventions are designed— (A)to increase activities in target countries;
 (B)to reach underserved, marginalized, and impoverished populations; (C)to address causes of maternal, newborn, and child mortality with innovative efforts and interventions posed to go to scale;
 (D)to invest in activities that empower women, support voluntarism, and provide respectful maternity care;
 (E)to improve transparency and accountability at all levels and include common metrics for tracking progress;
 (F)to ensure that high impact, evidence-based interventions are prioritized; and (G)to expand access to quality services through community-based approaches and include community accountability measures.
 (3)Assessments of progress made over the reporting period towards improving the indicators set forth under paragraph (1).
 (4)Reporting on each aspect of the strategy established under section 5, including— (A)multi-sectoral approaches, specific strategies, and programming utilizing high impact, evidence-based interventions to address the leading causes of preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths;
 (B)activities to develop and scale up new technologies, interventions, or approaches, including those identified by public-private partnerships for research and innovation;
 (C)coordination and efficiency within and among each agency in the inter-agency working group, foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations;
 (D)methods used to leverage new financial and other public and private resources in innovative ways; and
 (E)best practices identified by the executive branch and its inter-agency working group. (5)Reporting on grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements awarded, including—
 (A)a comprehensive list of USAID grants, contracts and cooperative agreements awarded in implementation of the strategy created under this Act; and
 (B)(i)a description of— (I)the targets for interventions or services and the baseline against which they are measured; and
 (II)the status of progress in meeting the targets; or (ii)in exceptional circumstances where USAID determines that inclusion of targets or baseline measurements is not reasonably possible, an explanation of how the impact of the grant, contract, agreement or resulting program is being measured.
 (6)Comprehensive and disaggregated information consistent with the United States Government’s commitment to implement transparency measures.
			8.Establishment of an innovative public-private financing mechanism
 (a)Establishment of financing frameworkThe United States Government, through USAID and other relevant executive branch agencies identified by the Coordinator and the inter-agency working group, shall develop a financing framework to leverage public and private capital to expand delivery of high-impact, evidence-based interventions for maternal, newborn, and child health. The framework shall also set clear expectations for co-financing, where appropriate, to increase domestic investment in maternal, newborn, and child survival with the goal of assisting countries in moving towards financial self-sufficiency for such programs.
			(b)Use of framework
 (1)In generalIn addition to existing bilateral and multilateral assistance for maternal, newborn, and child survival, the United States Government is authorized to utilize the tools outlined in the framework, as well as other innovative financing mechanisms identified and approved by the inter-agency working group, to help countries achieve clear results, exhibit transparency in the use of funds, encourage new domestic and international financing entities, and leverage new and additional public, private, and philanthropic funds for maternal, newborn, and child health and survival in partner countries.
 (2)Tools and approachesThese tools and approaches include development impact bonds, loan guarantees, revolving funds, working capital funds, performance-based financing mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and other similar financing or monetization mechanisms that leverage funding to expand interventions that save lives and improve health and survival.
 (3)AuthoritiesIn addition to currently held authorities, USAID and other relevant executive branch agencies of the United States Government, acting on their own or in partnership with developing countries, other donor countries, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, or multilateral financial institutions, is authorized—
 (A)to grant loans; (B)to set aside funds for use in the implementation of financing mechanisms under subsection (a);
 (C)to use a financial intermediary to implement a pay-for-performance financing mechanism, subject to the eligibility requirements set forth under subsection (c);
 (D)to issue sovereign level guarantees; and (E)to make equity investments.
 (c)Eligibility for participationIn order to participate in the pay-for-performance program, partner countries shall be required by the United States Government to commit to—
 (1)fully benchmarked plans to increase nominal and per capita health spending; and (2)fully developed and budgeted maternal and child survival plans.
 (d)Project qualificationIn order to have a project qualify under subsection (c), the partner country or its designated implementing partner must produce—
 (1)specific outcome goals for the project; (2)a description of each intervention and projected outcome for the project;
 (3)rigorous evidence demonstrating that the interventions can be expected to produce the projected outcomes;
 (4)an estimate of projected government costs and savings to conduct the project; (5)a description of how the outcomes are monetized and secured against fixed costs;
 (6)a description of the target population or populations that will be served by the project; (7)a description of the expected social benefits to participants who receive the interventions, as well as others who may be impacted;
 (8)the metrics that will be used to determine whether the outcomes have been achieved and the methods to be used to measure those metrics; and
 (9)a plan for sustainability of efforts. (e)Establishment of Development Impact PartnershipThe United States Government shall support the creation of a development impact partnership to act as a financial intermediary and facilitate the financing mechanism established under this section. The partnership shall be designed to allow for the incorporation of private sources and other nongovernmental sources of capital to leverage United States Government investments, foster public-private partnerships, and engage private sector actors in developing countries to achieve measurable progress towards the strategy established under section 5.
			9.Authorization of funding
 (a)AuthorizationThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the maternal and child strategy, financing framework, and Development Impact Partnership.
 (b)ApplicationFederal funds appropriated to carry out activities under this act shall be subject to all applicable restrictions under Federal law.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 824
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 2, 2009
			Ms. Snowe (for herself
			 and Mr. Begich) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To establish a Jobs Creation Coordinator in the
		  Department of Commerce to ensure that agencies in the Department use resources
		  in a manner that maximizes the maintenance and creation of jobs in the United
		  States, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Jobs Coordinator for Sustainable
			 American Recovery Act of 2009 or the Jobs CSAR Act of 2009.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)With global
			 economic conditions at their most challenging in generations, there is an
			 urgent and critical need to preserve and create jobs in the United
			 States.
			(2)Given it's
			 statutory mission to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and
			 domestic commerce of the United States (section 3 of the Act entitled
			 An Act to establish the Department of Commerce and Labor,
			 approved February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1512)), the Department of Commerce has a
			 significant interest in preserving and creating jobs in the United
			 States.
			(3)The potential of
			 the Department of Commerce to preserve and create jobs in the United States may
			 be challenged by the disparate focuses of its various constituent agencies, so
			 it is imperative to coordinate at a high level in the hierarchy of the
			 Department efforts among such agencies to maximize job preservation and
			 creation in the United States.
			3.Jobs Creation
			 Coordinator
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of Commerce shall establish a Jobs Creation
			 Coordinator (in this section referred to as the Coordinator) who
			 shall report to the Secretary to ensure that agencies in the Department of
			 Commerce use resources in a manner that maximizes the maintenance and creation
			 of jobs in the United States.
			(b)DutiesThe
			 duties of the Coordinator include the following:
				(1)Assess the number
			 and quality of private sector jobs that result from programs of the Department
			 of Commerce.
				(2)Develop a plan to
			 use existing statutory authority for the Department to improve the number of
			 private sector jobs in the United States maintained or created by programs of
			 the Department.
				(3)Review
			 periodically the plan developed under paragraph (2) to assess the effectiveness
			 of the plan.
				(4)Revise the plan
			 developed under paragraph (2) to incorporate the findings from the periodic
			 review under paragraph (3).
				(5)Acting through
			 the Office of the Secretary, coordinate with Congress regarding additional
			 authority for the Department to enhance the ability of the Department to
			 maintain and create private sector jobs in the United States through programs
			 of the Department.
				(6)Provide oversight
			 for the implementation of policies or statutory authority of the Department
			 that enhance the ability of the Department to maintain and create private
			 sector jobs in the United States through programs of the Department.


117 HR 5498 IH: Preserving Employment Visas Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-10-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5498IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 5, 2021Mrs. Miller-Meeks introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo authorize U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to process employment-based immigrant visa applications after September 30, 2021, and to award such visas to eligible applicants from the pool of unused employment-based immigrant visas during fiscal years 2020 and 2021.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Preserving Employment Visas Act.2.Preservation of expiring employment-based visas(a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, for fiscal year 2022, the worldwide level of employment-based immigrants authorized under section 201(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(d)) shall be increased by the number computed under subsection (b) with respect to such worldwide levels.(b)ComputationThe number computed under this subsection is the difference (if any) between—(1)the sum of the worldwide levels authorized under the section 201(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(d)) for fiscal years 2020 and 2021; and (2)the sum of the number of aliens who were issued employment-based immigrant visas or who otherwise acquired the status of aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under section 203(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)) during the fiscal years referred to in paragraph (1).(c)AllocationThe Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall allocate the visas made available as a result of the increase authorized under subsection (a) on a proportional basis, in accordance with subsections (b) and (e)(1) of section 203 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153).(d)AvailabilityEach visa made available under this section shall remain available for use in fiscal year 2022 or in any subsequent fiscal year, until the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, determines that such visa has been issued and used as the basis for an application for admission into the United States.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 195
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 9, 2009
			Mr. Dorgan introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To extend oversight, accountability, and transparency
		  provisions of the Emergency Economic Assistance Act of 2008 to all Federal
		  emergency economic assistance to private entities, to impose tough conditions
		  for all recipients of such emergency economic assistance, to set up a Federal
		  task force to investigate and prosecute criminal activities that contributed to
		  our economic crisis, and to establish a bipartisan financial market
		  investigation and reform commission, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Taxpayer Protection
			 Act.
		2.Increased
			 oversight over Federal emergency economic assistance
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, a Federal financial entity that provides emergency
			 economic assistance to any private entity or group of private entities shall be
			 subject to the oversight, reporting, accountability, and transparency
			 provisions of sections 104, 105, 108, 116, 121, and 125 of the Emergency
			 Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (12 U.S.C. 5214, 5215, 5218, 5226, 5231,
			 5233), in the same manner as those sections apply with respect to assistance
			 provided under that Act.
			(b)Monthly reports
			 to CongressEach Federal financial entity that provides emergency
			 economic assistance to any private entity or group of entities shall make
			 monthly reports to Congress that provide, among other relevant information, the
			 names and other details about the private entities receiving such financial
			 assistance, together with a full description of the collateral or other
			 interests granted to the Federal financial entity to ensure that taxpayers are
			 repaid, to the maximum extent possible.
			(c)DefinitionAs used in this Act, the term Federal
			 financial entity means—
				(1)the Secretary of
			 the Treasury;
				(2)each member of
			 the Financial Institutions Examination Council established under section 1004
			 of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12
			 U.S.C. 3303); and
				(3)the Federal
			 Housing Finance Agency.
				3.Establish
			 conditions for emergency economic assistance
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, before receiving funds under any program by a Federal
			 financial entity to provide emergency economic assistance to private entities
			 or groups of entities (including assistance under the Emergency Economic
			 Stabilization Act of 2008), the intended recipient of such assistance shall
			 agree, in writing—
				(1)to provide a
			 detailed monthly report to Congress about how emergency economic assistance
			 provided to such entity or group of entities is being used to meet the intended
			 objectives and goals of such assistance;
				(2)to permit the
			 Federal financial entity providing such assistance access to personnel and any
			 books, papers, records, or other data that may be relevant to the assistance,
			 including compliance with the financial terms and conditions, and the right to
			 audit such activities;
				(3)to limit
			 executive compensation and annual executive compensation tax deductions, to
			 prohibit golden parachutes for officers and directors, and prohibit the payment
			 of dividends or other distributions, as provided, to the maximum extent
			 possible, in section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
			 (12 U.S.C. 5221) and regulations and notices issued thereunder;
				(4)to prohibit
			 bonuses or incentive compensation awards to the 25 most highly compensated
			 employees of the recipient;
				(5)to prohibit any
			 compensation plan that could encourage manipulation of reported earnings to
			 enhance the compensation of any employee;
				(6)to prohibit the
			 use of emergency economic assistance for entertainment and lobbying
			 expenditures;
				(7)to sell or divest
			 itself of any privately owned passenger aircraft or interest in such aircraft,
			 and to prohibit the leasing of any such aircraft by or on behalf of any
			 officer, director, or employee of the recipient; and
				(8)to such other
			 appropriate standards for executive compensation and corporate governance as
			 the Federal financial entity overseeing the provision of such assistance
			 determines appropriate.
				(b)ApplicabilitySubsection
			 (a) shall apply whether or not the recipient of emergency economic assistance
			 from a Federal financial entity sells assets to the Federal financial
			 entity.
			(c)DurationThe
			 provisions of subsection (a) shall apply, and the written agreement of the
			 recipient of assistance described in subsection (a) shall remain in effect,
			 until such time as all obligations to the Federal financial entity are repaid
			 in full, and such entity ceases to own any equity securities, including
			 warrants or collateral, acquired from the recipient of such assistance.
			(d)ViolationsA
			 violation of any provision of an agreement described in subsection (a) by the
			 recipient of emergency economic assistance from a Federal financial entity
			 shall be considered a default on the obligation of the recipient to the Federal
			 financial entity, and such obligation shall be immediately due and payable to
			 the Federal financial entity. The Federal financial entity shall be entitled to
			 any and all remedies pursuant to such agreement and otherwise available under
			 applicable provisions of law.
			4.Creation of a
			 taxpayer protection prosecution task force
			(a)In
			 generalThe Attorney General of the United States shall
			 immediately establish a Taxpayer Protection Prosecution Task Force (referred to
			 in this section as the Task Force) .
			(b)DutiesThe
			 Task Force shall—
				(1)investigate and
			 prosecute financial fraud cases or any other violation of law that contributed
			 to the collapse of our financial markets; and
				(2)seek to claw back
			 any ill-gotten gains, particularly by those who received billions of dollars in
			 compensation creating the real estate and financial bubble.
				(c)MembershipThe
			 membership of the Task Force shall include—
				(1)Department of
			 Justice attorneys acting as a team of Federal prosecutors;
				(2)special agents
			 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and
			 United States Postal Service; and
				(3)additional
			 assistance from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the
			 Securities and Exchange Commission, and other Federal banking regulators or
			 investigators.
				(d)StaffingThe
			 Task Force shall be staffed by Department of Justice career attorneys,
			 enforcement attorneys, and other private and public sector legal professionals
			 and experts in the violations of law under investigation.
			(e)DirectorThe
			 Director of the Task Force shall be appointed by the President, subject to the
			 advice and consent of the Senate.
			(f)Outside
			 employmentThe Director of the Task Force and all professional
			 members of the staff shall for a period of 2 years after their employment with
			 the Task Force be prohibited from directly or indirectly representing any
			 client in or in connection with any investigation relating to any of the work
			 of the Task Force.
			(g)ReportThe
			 Task Force shall file—
				(1)a public report
			 directly with Congress every 6 months on its activities; and
				(2)if necessary, a
			 classified annex to protect the confidentiality of ongoing investigations or
			 attorney-client privilege or other non-public information.
				(h)Statute of
			 limitations recommendationThe Task Force shall make
			 recommendations to Congress not later than 60 days after the date of the
			 establishment of the Task Force about extending the statute of limitation for
			 complex financial fraud and other similar cases.
			5.Establishment of
			 financial market investigation and reform commission to learn how the economic
			 crisis happened
			(a)Establishment
			 of commissionThere is established the Financial Market
			 Investigation and Reform Commission (in this Act referred to as the
			 Commission), the purposes of which are—
				(1)to examine and
			 report on the facts and causes of the collapse of the Nation’s financial system
			 and credit crisis;
				(2)to ascertain,
			 evaluate, and report on the extent to which Federal entities had information on
			 financial practices that they knew or should have known were risky or reckless,
			 and posed a threat to the well being of the Nation’s financial system;
				(3)to build on any
			 investigations by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the
			 Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives,
			 by other congressional committees and the Federal banking agencies (as that
			 term is defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act), and the
			 Securities and Exchange Commission) to avoid duplication of effort;
				(4)to make a full
			 and complete report of the reasons for the worst financial system collapse
			 since the Great Depression; and
				(5)to report to the
			 President and the Congress on its findings, conclusions, and legislative and
			 regulatory recommendations to prevent a similar financial crisis in the
			 future.
				(b)MembershipThe
			 Commission shall be composed of 10 members, of whom—
				(1)1 member shall be
			 appointed by the President, who shall serve as chairperson of the
			 Commission;
				(2)1 member shall be
			 appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the
			 minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as
			 vice-chairperson of the Commission;
				(3)2 members shall
			 be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
				(4)2 members shall
			 be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
				(5)2 members shall
			 be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
				(6)2 members shall
			 be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
				(c)Qualifications;
			 initial meeting
				(1)Conflicts of
			 interestNo member of the Commission may be an employee, or an
			 immediate family member of an employee, of a private entity or group of private
			 entities that has received or applied for emergency economic assistance from
			 any Federal financial entity (as defined in section 2).
				(2)CriteriaMembers
			 of the Commission shall be chosen from among United States citizens with
			 national recognition and expertise in—
					(A)the operations of
			 United States and global financial markets;
					(B)the safety and
			 soundness of United States financial institutions;
					(C)the use of
			 complex derivatives and other structured financial instruments; or
					(D)the investigation
			 and prosecution of fraud and other intricate financial crimes.
					(3)Limitation on
			 public serviceNot more than 2 members of the Commission may be
			 appointed from among Federal, State, or local government employees.
				(4)TimingMembers
			 of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 30 days after the date of
			 enactment of this Act.
				(5)MeetingsThe
			 Commission shall meet not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of
			 this Act. After the initial meeting, the Commission shall meet upon the call of
			 the chairperson or a majority of the members of the Commission.
				(6)Quorum;
			 vacanciesSix members of the Commission shall constitute a
			 quorum. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be
			 filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
				(7)ProceduresTo
			 carry out this Act, the Commission may establish, by majority vote, any other
			 rules for the conduct of the business of the Commission, if such rules are not
			 inconsistent with this Act or other applicable law.
				(d)Powers and
			 dutiesThe Commission may—
				(1)hold hearings,
			 take testimony, and collect evidence, by subpoena or otherwise;
				(2)issue subpoenas,
			 under the signature of the chairperson or any member designated by a majority
			 of the members of the Commission, by agreement of the chairperson and
			 vice-chairperson, or by the affirmative vote of 6 members of the Commission,
			 and may enforce the subpoena in the United States district court for the
			 judicial district in which the subpoenaed person resides;
				(3)contract with
			 appropriate entities to enable the Commission to discharge its duties;
				(4)obtain
			 information from Federal departments and agencies;
				(5)obtain assistance
			 from Federal agencies, including the General Services Administration, for
			 support services and other agencies for services, funds, facilities, and staff,
			 as needed;
				(6)accept, use, and
			 dispose of gifts or donations of services and property; and
				(7)use the United
			 States mails, in the same manner as Federal departments and agencies.
				(e)Conflicts of
			 interestThe Commission shall issue rules to manage or prohibit
			 conflicts of interest involving its members, staff, consultants, and any others
			 providing assistance to the Commission.
			(f)ReportsThe
			 Commission shall submit to Congress 2 interim reports to discuss the
			 Commission’s progress. The Commission’s final report shall be submitted to
			 Congress 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
			(g)Administrative
			 supportUpon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of
			 General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the
			 administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its
			 responsibilities under this Act, including human resource management, budget,
			 leasing, accounting, and payroll services.
			(h)Pay
				(1)Nongovernment
			 employeesEach member of the Commission who is not otherwise
			 employed by a Federal, State, or local government entity shall be entitled to
			 receive the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level
			 IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 United States Code,
			 as in effect from time to time, for each day (including travel time) during
			 which such member is engaged in the actual performance of duties of the
			 Commission.
				(2)Government
			 employeesA member of the Commission who is an officer or
			 employee of a Federal, State or local government entity shall serve without
			 additional pay (or benefits in the nature of compensation) for service as a
			 member of the Commission.
				(i)Travel
			 expensesMembers of the Commission shall receive travel expenses,
			 including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of
			 chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code 55.
			(j)Staff
				(1)Appointment and
			 compensationThe chairperson of the Commission, in consultation
			 with the vice-chairperson, in accordance with rules agreed upon by the
			 Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such
			 other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its
			 functions, 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 II of chapter 53 of such title relating
			 to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay
			 fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a
			 position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5,
			 United States Code.
				(2)Personnel as
			 Federal employees
					(A)In
			 generalAny personnel of the Commission shall be employees under
			 section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81,
			 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title.
					(B)DetaileesAny
			 Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without
			 reimbursement from the Commission, and such detailee shall retain the rights,
			 status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without
			 interruption.
					(C)Consultant
			 servicesThe Commission is authorized to procure the services of
			 experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United
			 States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid to a person
			 occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315
			 of title 5, United States Code.
					(k)TerminationThe
			 Commission shall terminate 60 days after the date of submission of its final
			 report under subsection (f).
			(l)FundingThere
			 are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as are necessary
			 to carry out this Act, to remain available, without fiscal year limitation,
			 until the termination of the Commission.