110 HR 461 IH: Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-12
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.

I
110th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 461
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 12, 2007
Mr. Rehberg introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 ensure general aviation aircraft access to Federal land and to the airspace over Federal land.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Backcountry Landing Strip Access Act.
2.FindingsCongress finds that—
(1)aircraft landing strips—
(A)serve an essential safety role as emergency landing areas;
(B)provide access to people who would otherwise be physically unable to enjoy national parks, national forests, wilderness areas, and other Federal land;
(C)support State economies by providing efficient access for visitors seeking recreational activities; and
(D)serve an essential role in search and rescue, forest and ecological management, research, wildlife management, aerial mapping, firefighting, and disaster relief; and
(2)the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture should—
(A)adopt a nationwide policy for governing backcountry aviation issues relating to the management of Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries; and
(B)require regional managers to comply with the policy adopted under subparagraph (A).
3.Definitions
In this Act:
(1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
(2)Aircraft landing stripThe term aircraft landing strip means an established aircraft landing strip located on Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary that is commonly known, and has been or is consistently used, for aircraft landing and departure activities.
(3)Permanently closeThe term permanently close means any closure, the duration of which is more than 90 days in any calendar year.
(4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means—
(A)with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Interior; and
(B)with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Agriculture.
4.Procedure for consideration of actions affecting certain aircraft landing strips
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall not take any action that would permanently close, restrict, or render or declare as unserviceable any aircraft landing strip unless—
(1)the head of the aviation department of each State in which the aircraft landing strip is located approves the action;
(2)the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register notice of the proposed action, including notice that the action would permanently close, restrict, or render or declare as unserviceable the aircraft landing strip;
(3)the Secretary provides for a 90-day public comment period beginning on the date of publication of the notice under paragraph (2); and
(4)the Secretary and the head of the aviation department of each State in which the affected aircraft landing strip is located have taken into consideration any comments received during the comment period under paragraph (3).
(b)Policies
(1)Backcountry aviation policiesNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall—
(A)adopt a nationwide policy for governing backcountry aviation issues relating to the management of Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretaries; and
(B)require regional managers to adhere to the policy adopted under subparagraph (A).
(2)RequirementsAny policy affecting air access to an aircraft landing strip, including the policy adopted under paragraph (1), shall not take effect unless the policy—
(A)states that the Administrator has the sole authority to control aviation and airspace over the United States; and
(B)seeks and considers comments from State governments and the public.
(c)Maintenance of airstrips
(1)In generalTo ensure that aircraft landing strips are maintained in a manner that is consistent with the resource values of any adjacent area, the Secretary shall consult with—
(A)the head of the aviation department of each State in which an aircraft landing strip is located; and
(B)any other interested parties.
(2)Cooperative agreementsThe Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with interested parties for the maintenance of aircraft landing strips.
(d)Exchanges or acquisitionsThere shall not be as a condition of any Federal acquisition of, or exchange involving, private property on which a landing strip is located—
(1)the closure or purposeful neglect of the landing strip; or
(2)any other action that would restrict use or render any landing strip unserviceable.
(e)ApplicabilitySubsections (a), (b)(2), and (d) shall apply to any action, policy, exchange, or acquisition, respectively, that is not final on the date of enactment of this Act.
(f)Effect on federal aviation administration authorityNothing in this Act affects the authority of the Administrator over aviation or airspace.


110 HR 6187 IH: To designate the facility of the United States Postal

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-06-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6187
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 4, 2008
			Mr. McDermott (for
			 himself, Mr. Reichert,
			 Mr. Inslee,
			 Mr. Smith of Washington,
			 Mrs. McMorris Rodgers,
			 Mr. Hastings of Washington,
			 Mr. Baird, and
			 Mr. Larsen of Washington) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		A BILL
		To designate the facility of the United States Postal
		  Service located at 4244 University Way NE. in Seattle, Washington, as the
		  Jacob Lawrence Post Office Building.

		1.Jacob Lawrence Post Office
			 Building
			(a)DesignationThe facility of the United States Postal
			 Service located at 4244 University Way NE. in Seattle, Washington, shall be
			 known and designated as the Jacob Lawrence Post Office
			 Building.
			(b)ReferencesAny reference in a law, map, regulation,
			 document, paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred
			 to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the Jacob
			 Lawrence Post Office Building.


116 HR 6223 IH: Don’t BLock Our Communities Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-03-12
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6223IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 12, 2020Mr. Lipinski (for himself, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Carson of Indiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, to address blocked crossings, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Don’t BLock Our Communities Act or the D-BLOC Act.2.DefinitionsIn this Act:(1)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.(2)CrossingThe term crossing has the meaning given the term under section 20160 of title 49, United States Code.(3)Blocked crossingThe term blocked crossing means a circumstance in which a train, railroad car, or locomotive engine is stopped or is standing in a manner that obstructs public travel at a crossing.(4)Commuter authoritiesThe term commuter authorities has the meaning given the term in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code.3.Collection of data on blocked crossings and incorporation into the national highway-rail crossing inventory(a)In generalSection 20160 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:20160.National crossing inventory and blocked crossings(a)Initial reporting of information about previously unreported crossingsNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 or 6 months after a new crossing becomes operational, whichever occurs later, each railroad carrier shall—(1)report to the Secretary of Transportation current information, including information about warning devices and signage, as specified by the Secretary, concerning each previously unreported crossing through which it operates with respect to the trackage over which it operates; or(2)ensure that the information has been reported to the Secretary by another railroad carrier that operates through the crossing.(b)Updating of crossing information(1)Monthly basisOn a monthly period beginning not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Don’t BLock Our Communities Act, each railroad carrier shall report to the Secretary information concerning each crossing through which it operates with respect to the trackage over which it operates, including—(A)with respect to warning devices—(i)the type of crossing warning device;(ii)the total number of crossing activations;(iii)whether any active warning devices, including gates or flashing light signals, are functioning properly;(iv)the timing of any repairs if such active warning devices are not functioning properly; and(v)if a repair has been made, the timing of when the active warning device was discovered to not function properly and when the repair was made;(B)with respect to any crossing blocked for more than 10 minutes—(i)the location of the blocked crossing, including the Department of Transportation crossing identification and inventory numbers;(ii)the date of the blocked crossing;(iii)the time when the crossing was blocked;(iv)the duration of the blockage (in minutes);(v)the cause for the blockage;(vi)the direction of the train;(vii)the length of the train, amount of cars in the train consist, and makeup of consist;(viii)whether a train was cut for each blockage and if not, the reason it was not cut; and(ix)train number, symbol, or other information as needed to identify the train; and(C)the status of operating protocols with any other railroad carrier whose operation could cause interference with that railroad carrier’s operation.(2)Meeting the requirementsA railroad carrier may meet the requirements of paragraph (1) by ensuring that the information has been reported to the Secretary by another railroad carrier that operates through the crossing.(3)Blocked crossing data formThe Secretary shall develop and require railroad carriers to use a separate blocked crossing data form when reporting the data required under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).(4)Worker participationEach railroad carrier shall check with the relevant railroad workers, including signalmen, conductors, and engineers to ensure the information reported under paragraph (1) is accurate.(5)AuditingThe Secretary may periodically audit the reports each railroad carrier submits under paragraph (1) to ensure their accuracy. The Secretary shall have the authority to require any corrective action with respect to the information submitted if it finds the information submitted is inaccurate or false.(6)Selling a crossingA railroad carrier that sells a crossing or any part of a crossing on or after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 shall, not later than the date that is 18 months after the date of enactment of such Act or 3 months after the sale, whichever occurs later, or as otherwise specified by the Secretary, report to the Secretary current information, as specified by the Secretary, concerning the change in ownership of the crossing or part of the crossing.(c)Incorporation of data into national highway-Rail crossing inventory(1)IncorporationThe Secretary shall on a quarterly basis incorporate the data collected on the blocked crossing data form developed under subsection (b)(3) into the national highway-rail crossing inventory.(2)Data fileIn carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the blocked crossing data form remains its own data file.(3)SearchableIn carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the data is searchable by—(A)State;(B)county;(C)city;(D)street;(E)railroad;(F)Department of Transportation grade crossing identification and inventory numbers;(G)type of crossing;(H)level of crossing protections;(I)whether crossing protections were functioning properly;(J)date of blocked crossing;(K)cause of blocked crossing;(L)duration crossing was blocked for (in minutes); and(M)train number or symbol.(4)Existing dataThe Secretary may draw on existing national highway-rail crossing inventory data to carry out paragraph (1) and add any relevant data from such inventory to the new blocked crossing data file to effectively carry out this section.(d)Rulemaking authorityThe Secretary shall prescribe the regulations necessary to implement this section. The Secretary may enforce each provision of the Department of Transportation’s statement of the national highway-rail crossing inventory policy, procedures, and instruction for States and railroads that was in effect on the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and not superseded by the Don’t BLock Our Communities Act or a regulation issued under this section.(e)DefinitionsIn this section and in sections 20169 and 20170:(1)CrossingThe term crossing means a location within a State, other than a location where one or more railroad tracks cross one or more railroad tracks either at grade or grade-separated, where—(A)a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, including associated sidewalks and pathways, crosses one or more railroad tracks either at grade or grade-separated; or(B)a pathway explicitly authorized by a public authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated for the use of nonvehicular traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and others, that is not associated with a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, crosses one or more railroad tracks either at grade or grade-separated.(2)Blocked crossingThe term blocked crossing means a circumstance in which a train, railroad car, or engine is stopped or is standing in a manner that obstructs public travel at a crossing.(3)StateThe term State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico..(b)Conforming amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 20160 and inserting the following:20160. National crossing inventory and blocked crossings..4.Establishment of 10-minute time limit for blocking public grade crossings(a)In generalChapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end of subchapter II the following:20169.Time limit for blocking a rail crossing(a)Time limitA train, locomotive, railroad car, or other rail equipment is prohibited from blocking a crossing in excess of 10 minutes, unless the train, locomotive, or other equipment is directly delayed by—(1)a casualty or serious injury;(2)an accident;(3)a track obstruction;(4)an act of God; or(5)a derailment or a major equipment failure that prevents the train from advancing.(b)Civil penalty authority for the SecretaryThe Secretary may issue civil penalties for violations of subsection (a) for each incident where a crossing is blocked by a standing train, locomotive, or rail equipment in accordance with the following:(1)The minimum civil penalty for blocking a crossing for over 10 minutes shall be $1,000.(2)The Secretary shall establish additional, escalating time intervals and escalating minimum civil penalties for blocked crossing violations in excess of 10 minutes.(3)The maximum civil penalty for a single violation under paragraph (1) or (2) shall be $10,000.(4)The Secretary shall have the discretion, pursuant to section 5 of this Act, to levy additional civil penalties or countermeasures for persistent or egregious instances of blocked crossings.(c)DelegationThe Secretary may delegate enforcement actions under subsection (b) to States either through a State inspector certified State by the Federal Railroad Administration, or other law enforcement officials as designated by the States and approved by the Administration. The Secretary shall issue guidance or regulations not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the D-BLOC Act on the criteria and process for law enforcement officials to gain approval under this section.(d)Annual reportThe Secretary shall report annually to Congress on civil penalties issued pursuant to this section. The Secretary may collect such information as needed from the States to issue the report under this section. The report shall include—(1)the rail operator in violation;(2)the reason a fine was issued;(3)the amount fined; and(4)the location and Department of Transportation grade crossing number where the violation occurred.(e)Application to Amtrak and commuter railroadsThis section shall not apply to Amtrak or commuter authorities, including Amtrak and commuter authorities’ operations run or dispatched by a Class I railroad..(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new item:20169. Time limit for blocking a rail crossing..5.Establishment of a process for overseeing railroads that egregiously or persistently block crossings(a)In generalChapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end of subchapter II the following: 20170.Process to address egregiously or persistently blocked crossings(a)In generalNot less than 1 year after the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue regulations defining what is considered—(1)persistently blocking a crossing; and(2)egregiously blocking a crossing.(b)ConsiderationsIn issuing the regulations under subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration—(1)the length of time a crossing is blocked for;(2)the amount of times the carrier has blocked other crossings;(3)the cause of such blocked crossings;(4)the length of the train, amount of cars in the train consist, and makeup of consist;(5)the extent to which the blocked crossing poses a public safety hazard;(6)the extent to which the blocked crossing degrades the quality of life for the surrounding community;(7)the level of cooperation and measures the carrier has taken to reduce the instances and impact of blocked crossings; and (8)any other factor the Secretary considers necessary.(c)Secretary authorityThe Secretary may—(1)assess additional fines and requirements based upon part 209 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to effectively address and deter instances of persistently and/or egregiously blocked crossings;(2)require changes to operating practices, including train length, or procedures of a railroad, including a systematic audit, to reduce the instances of persistently and/or egregiously blocked crossings by said railroad;(3)require additional data reporting;(4)assess additional monetary penalties or compensation; and (5)additional measures needed to reduce or eliminate instances of persistently and/or egregiously blocked rail crossings.(d)Regulatory authorityThe Secretary may revise regulations as needed to enforce the provisions of this section.(e)Limit on secretary authorityNothing in this section shall be interpreted as allowing the Secretary or a railroad to not comply with—(1)section 21103 or a regulation issued pursuant to such section; and(2)the Railway Labor Act of 1926 (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), as amended.(f)Application to amtrak and commuter railroadsThis section shall not apply to Amtrak or commuter authorities, including Amtrak and commuter authorities’ operations run or dispatched by a Class I railroad..(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents for chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new item:20170. Process to address egregiously or persistently blocked crossings..6.National strategy to address blocked crossings(a)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a national strategy on how the Secretary plans to address blocked crossings. The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives such strategy and publish such strategy publicly on the Department of Transportation’s website.(b)Public Law 116–94The strategy required under subsection (a) shall incorporate the recommendations and briefing carried out pursuant to the provisions under the heading Federal Railroad Administration—Safety and Operations in the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–94).(c)Report contentsThe strategy required under subsection (a) shall include an analysis of the following topics, including whether there are specific legislative or regulatory recommendations for each of the following:(1)How best to engage the public, representatives of labor organizations representing railroad employees, law enforcement officers, highway traffic officials, or other employees of a public agency acting in an official capacity to identify and address blocked crossings.(2)How current and future technology could be used to identify and address instances of blocked crossings, including the data collected by each rail carrier’s positive train control (PTC) system.(3)How to identify and address instances of blocked crossings at crossings with only passive or no warning devices.(4)Whether rail carriers should be required to address credible reports, as defined in section 234.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, of blocked crossings.(5)How best to use the data collected under the web page established by the Secretary for the public and law enforcement to report instances of blocked crossings, including whether such data should be verified by each rail carrier or incorporated into the National Crossing Inventory.(d)Authority To implement regulationsIf the Secretary finds in the report required under subsection (a) additional regulatory changes that are warranted to alleviate or reduce the instances or impacts of blocked crossings, the Secretary may promulgate rulemakings to implement such changes.(e)Limit on Secretary authorityNothing in this section shall be interpreted as allowing the Secretary or a railroad to not comply with—(1)section 21103 or a regulation issued pursuant to such section; or(2)the Railway Labor Act of 1926 (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).(f)Updating strategyThe Secretary shall update the strategy required by subsection (a) not less than every 4 years.7.Railroad point of contact for blocked crossing mattersSection 20152 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)in paragraph (1)—(i)in subparagraph (C) by striking or at the end;(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and(iii)by inserting the following after subparagraph (C)—(D)blocked crossings; or;(B)in paragraph (4) by striking and at the end;(C)in paragraph (5) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(D)by adding at the end the following:(6)to promptly inform the Secretary if the number required to be established under subsection (a) has changed and report the new number to the Secretary.; and(2)by adding at the end the following: (c)Publication of telephone numbersThe Secretary shall make any telephone number established under subsection (a) publicly available on the website of the Department of Transportation in an easy to find location..


113 HR 4134 IH: America First Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2014-02-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4134
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 28, 2014
			Mr. Nugent introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget and Foreign Affairs, 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 repeal the reduced annual cost-of-living adjustment of the retired pay of retired members of the
			 Armed Forces under the age of 62 imposed by the Bipartisan Budget Act of
			 2013.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the America First Act.
		2.Repeal of reduced annual cost-of-living adjustment of the retired pay of retired members of the
			 Armed Forces under the age of 62
			(a)RepealSection 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (Public Law 113–67), section 10001 of the
			 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113–76), and
			 sections 1 and 2 of Public Law 113–82 are repealed.
			(b)Offsetting reduction in foreign aidTo offset the costs to be incurred by the amendments made by subsection (a), the amounts otherwise
			 authorized to be appropriated for foreign aid (including non-military and
			 military assistance) for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2024 shall be
			 reduced by $600,000,000.


115 SJ 58 RS: To require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and for other purposes.
U.S. Senate
2018-04-11
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.

IIACalendar No. 428115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. J. RES. 58IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 11, 2018Mr. Young (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsMay 22, 2018Reported by Mr. Corker, with an amendmentStrike out all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed in italicJOINT RESOLUTIONTo require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and for other purposes.

		1.Certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen
 (a)Initial certificationNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification whether the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking—
 (1)an urgent and good faith effort to conduct diplomatic negotiations to end the civil war in Yemen;
 (2)appropriate measures to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by increasing access for Yemenis to food, fuel, and medicine, including through Yemen’s Red Sea ports, the airport in Sana’a, and external border crossings with Saudi Arabia; and
 (3)demonstrable action to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from its military operations in Yemen, including by complying with applicable agreements and laws regulating defense articles purchased or transferred from the United States.
 (b)Subsequent certificationsNot later than 180 and 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification whether the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking the efforts described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a).
 (c)RestrictionIf the Secretary of State is unable under subsections (a) and (b) to certify that the Government of Saudi Arabia is taking demonstrable action as described in subsection (a), no Federal funds may be obligated or expended to provide in-flight refueling, pursuant to any agreement authorized by section 2342 of title 10, United States Code, or other applicable statutory authority, of Saudi and Saudi-led coalition non-United States aircraft conducting missions in Yemen other than missions related to—
 (1)al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS); (2)countering the transport, assembly, or employment of ballistic missiles or components in Yemen;
 (3)helping coalition aircraft return safely to base in emergency situations; or (4)force protection of United States aircraft, ships, or personnel.
 (d)Rule of constructionNothing in this joint resolution may be construed as authorizing the use of military force. (e)Form of certificationsThe certifications required under subsections (a) and (b) shall be written, detailed, and submitted in unclassified form.
 (f)Strategy requiredNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an unclassified report listing United States objectives in Yemen and detailing a strategy to accomplish those objectives. The report shall be unclassified but may include a classified annex.
 (g)Appropriate committees of Congress definedIn this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1)the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
 (2)the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

		1.Certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen
			(a)Restriction
 (1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), if the Secretary of State is unable under subsection (c) or (d) to certify that the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking the effort, measures, and actions described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c), no Federal funds may be obligated or expended after the deadline for the applicable certification to provide authorized in-flight refueling pursuant to section 2342 of title 10, United States Code, or other applicable statutory authority, of Saudi or Saudi-led coalition non-United States aircraft conducting missions in Yemen, other than missions related to—
 (A)al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), or the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS); (B)countering the transport, assembly, or employment of ballistic missiles or components in Yemen;
 (C)helping coalition aircraft return safely to base in emergency situations; or (D)force protection of United States aircraft, ships, or personnel.
 (2)WaiverThe Secretary may waive the restriction in paragraph (1) with respect to a particular certification if the Secretary—
 (A)certifies to the appropriate committees of Congress that the waiver is in the national security interests of the United States; and
 (B)submits to the appropriate committees of Congress a report, in written and unclassified form, setting forth—
 (i)the effort in subsection (c)(1), measures in subsection (c)(2), or actions in subsections (c)(3) or (c)(4), or combination thereof, about which the Secretary is unable to make the certification;
 (ii)a detailed explanation why the Secretary is unable to make the certification about such effort, measures, or actions;
 (iii)a description of the actions the Secretary is taking to encourage the Government of Saudi Arabia to undertake such effort, measures, or actions; and
 (iv)a detailed justification for the waiver. (b)Reporting requirementNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President or the President’s designee shall provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress including, at a minimum—
 (1)a description of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates’ military and political objectives in Yemen and whether United States assistance to the Saudi-led coalition has resulted in significant progress towards meeting those objectives;
 (2)a description of efforts by the Government of Saudi Arabia to avoid disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian objects in Yemen, and an assessment of whether United States assistance to the Saudi-led coalition has led to a demonstrable decrease in civilians killed or injured by Saudi-led airstrikes and damage to civilian infrastructure;
 (3)an assessment of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) in Yemen and an assessment of the need for existing secondary inspection and clearance processes and transshipment requirements on humanitarian and commercial vessels that have been cleared by UNVIM;
 (4)a description of the sources of external support for the Houthi forces, including financial assistance, weapons transfers, operational planning, training, and advisory assistance;
 (5)an assessment of the applicability of United States and international sanctions to Houthi forces that have committed grave human rights abuses, obstructed international aid, and launched ballistic missiles into Saudi territory, and an assessment of the applicability of United States and international sanctions to individuals or entities providing the Houthi forces with material support; and
 (6)an assessment of the effect of the Saudi-led coalition’s military operations in Yemen on the efforts of the United States to defeat al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
 (c)Initial certificationNot later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification indicating whether the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking—
 (1)an urgent and good faith effort to conduct diplomatic negotiations to end the civil war in Yemen; (2)appropriate measures to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by increasing access for Yemenis to food, fuel, medicine, and medical evacuation, including through the appropriate use of Yemen’s Red Sea ports, including the port of Hudaydah, the airport in Sana’a, and external border crossings with Saudi Arabia;
 (3)appropriate actions to reduce any unnecessary delays to shipments associated with secondary inspection and clearance processes other than the United Nations Verification and Inspections Mechanism (UNVIM); and
 (4)demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from its military operations in Yemen, including by—
 (A)complying with applicable agreements and laws regulating defense articles purchased or transferred from the United States; and
 (B)taking appropriate steps to avoid disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure. (d)Subsequent certificationsNot later than 180 and 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification indicating whether the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking the effort, measures, and actions described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (c).
 (e)Rule of constructionNothing in this joint resolution may be construed as authorizing the use of military force. (f)Form of certificationsThe certifications required under subsections (c) and (d) shall be written, detailed, and submitted in unclassified form.
 (g)Strategy requiredNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an unclassified report listing United States objectives in Yemen and detailing a strategy to accomplish those objectives. The report shall be unclassified but may include a classified annex.
 (h)Appropriate committees of Congress definedIn this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1)the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
 (2)the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.May 22, 2018Reported with an amendment