113 HR 1816 IH: Veterans’ STEM Education Program
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-04-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1816
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 26, 2013
			Mr. Veasey introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans’
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide
		  additional educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans
		  pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or
		  math.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be referred to as the
			 Veterans’ STEM Education
			 Program.
		2.Additional
			 educational assistance under Post-9/11 GI Bill for veterans pursuing degree in
			 science, technology, engineering, or math
			(a)Additional
			 assistance
				(1)In
			 generalChapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
			 inserting after section 3316 the following new section:

						3316A.Veterans’
				STEM Education Program
							(a)In
				General(1)The Secretary may pay to an individual
				entitled to educational assistance under this chapter such additional amount as
				the Secretary considers appropriate if—
									(A)the individual is using such assistance to
				pursue a program of education described in subsection (b); and
									(B)the amount of such assistance otherwise
				provided under this chapter does not cover the full cost of the established
				charges for such program of education, as determined after the application of
				any waiver of, or reduction in, tuition and fees and any scholarship, or other
				Federal, State, institutional, or employer-based aid or assistance (other than
				loans and any funds provided under section 401(b) of the Higher Education Act
				of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a)) that is provided directly to the institution
				offering such program of education and specifically designated for the sole
				purpose of defraying tuition and fees.
									(2)Amounts payable to an individual
				under this section are in addition to any other amounts payable to such
				individual under this chapter.
								(b)Covered Programs
				of EducationA program of education described in this subsection
				is a program of education with a focus (as determined in accordance with
				regulations prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of this section) on
				science, technology, engineering, or
				math.
							.
				(2)Clerical
			 AmendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3316 the following
			 new item:

							3316A. Veterans’ STEM Education
				Program.

						.
				(b)Reports to
			 CongressSection 3325(c) of title 38, United States Code, is
			 amended—
				(1)in paragraph (2),
			 by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon;
				(2)by redesignating
			 paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
				(3)by inserting after
			 paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

						(3)a detailed description of the activities
				carried out under section 3316A of this title during the academic year covered
				by the report and an evaluation of such activities;
				and
						.


109 HR 1494 IH: Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-04-06
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1494
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 6, 2005
Mr. Kind (for himself and Mr. Pickering) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a pilot program under which up to 15 States may issue electronic Federal migratory bird hunting stamps.

1.Short title This Act may be cited as the Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005.
2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
(1)On March 16, 1934, the Congress passed and President Roosevelt signed the Act popularly known as the Duck Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718a et seq.), which requires all migratory waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older to buy a Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp annually.
(2)The Federal Duck Stamp program has become one of the most popular and successful conservation programs ever initiated. Because of it, our country again is teeming with migratory waterfowl and other wildlife that benefits from the wetland habitats.
(3)Today, 1.7 million migratory bird hunting and conservation stamps are sold each year. As of 2003, such stamps have generated more than $600,000,000 in revenue that has been used to preserve over 5 million acres of migratory waterfowl habitat in the United States. Many of the more than 540 national wildlife refuges have been paid for all or in part with such revenue.
3.DefinitionsIn this section:
(1)Actual stampThe term actual stamp means a Federal migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamp required under the Act of March 16, 1934 (chapter 71; 16 U.S.C. 718a et seq., popularly known as the Duck Stamp Act), that is printed on paper and sold through a means in use immediately before the enactment of this section.
(2)Automated licensing systemThe term automated licensing system—
(A)means an electronic, computerized licensing system used by a State fish and wildlife agency to issue hunting, fishing, and other associated licenses and products; and
(B)includes a point-of-sale, Internet, or telephonic system used for such purpose.
(3)Electronic stampThe term electronic stamp means an electronic version of an actual stamp, that—
(A)is a unique identifier for the individual to whom it is issued;
(B)can be printed on paper;
(C)is issued through a State automated licensing system that is authorized, under State law and by the Secretary under this section, to issue electronic stamps;
(D)is compatible with the hunting licensing system of the State that issues the electronic stamp; and
(E)is described in the State application approved by the Secretary under section 4(b).
4.Electronic duck stamp pilot program
(a)Requirement to conduct programThe Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a 3-year pilot program under which up to 15 States authorized by the Secretary may issue electronic stamps.
(b)Commencement and duration of programThe Secretary—
(1)shall use all means necessary to expeditiously implement this section no later than one year after the beginning of the first full Federal migratory waterfowl hunting seasons after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2)shall carry out the pilot program for 3 Federal migratory waterfowl hunting seasons.
(c)ConsultationThe Secretary shall carry out the program in consultation with State management agencies.
5.State application
(a)Approval of application requiredA State may not participate in the pilot program under this Act unless the Secretary has received and approved an application submitted by the State in accordance with this section.
(b)Contents of applicationThe Secretary may not approve a State application unless the application contains the following:
(1)A description of the format of the electronic stamp that the State will issue under the pilot program, including identifying features of licensee that will be specified on the stamp.
(2)A description of any fee the State will charge for issuance of an electronic stamp.
(3)A description of the process the State will use to account for and transfer to the Secretary the amounts collected by the State that are required to be transferred to the Secretary under the program.
(4)The manner by which the State will transmit electronic stamp customer data to the Secretary.
(5)The manner by which the State will deliver actual stamps.
(6)The policies and procedures under which the State will issue duplicate electronic stamps.
(7)Such other policies, procedures, and information as may be reasonably required by the Secretary.
(c)Publication of deadlines, eligibility requirements, and selection criteriaThe Secretary shall, by not later than 30 days before receiving applications for participation in the pilot program, publish—
(1)deadlines for submission of applications to participate in the program;
(2)eligibility requirements for participation in the program; and
(3)criteria for selecting States to participate in the program.
6.State obligations and authorities
(a)Delivery of actual stampThe Secretary shall require that a State must provide an actual stamp to each individual to whom the State sells an electronic stamp under the pilot program, by not later than the date the electronic stamp expires under section 7(c).
(b)Collection and transfer of electronic stamp revenue and customer information
(1)Requirement to transmitThe Secretary shall require that each State participating in the pilot program State must collect and transmit to the Secretary in accordance with this section—
(A)the first name, last name, and complete mailing address of each individual that purchases an electronic stamp from the State; and
(B)the face value amount of each electronic stamp sold by the State.
(2)Time of transmittalThe Secretary shall require the transmittal under paragraph (1) to be made with respect to sales of electronic stamps by a State occurring in a month—
(A)by not later than the 15th day of the subsequent month; or
(B)as otherwise specified in the application of the State approved by the Secretary under section 5.
(3)Additional fees not affectedThis section shall not apply to any fee collected by a State under subsection (c).
(c)Electronic stamp issuance feeA State participating in the pilot program may charge a reasonable fee to cover costs incurred by the State in issuing electronic stamps under the program, including costs of delivery of actual stamps.
(d)Duplicate electronic stampsA State participating in the pilot program may issue a duplicate electronic stamp to replace an electronic stamp issued by the State that is lost or damaged.
(e)Limitation on authority to require purchase of state licenseA State may not require that an individual purchase a State hunting license as a condition of issuing an electronic stamp under the pilot program.
7.Electronic stamp requirements; recognition of electronic stamp
(a)Stamp requirementsThe Secretary shall require that an electronic stamp issued by a State under the pilot program must—
(1)have the same format as any other license, validation, or privilege the State issues under its automated licensing system; and
(2)specify identifying features of the licensee that are adequate to enable Federal, State, and other law enforcement officers to identify the holder.
(b)Recognition of electronic stampAny electronic stamp issued by a State under the pilot program shall, during the effective period of the electronic stamp—
(1)bestow to the licensee the same privileges as are bestowed by an actual stamp;
(2)be recognized nationally as a valid Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp; and
(3)authorize the licensee to hunt migratory waterfowl in any other State, in accordance with the laws of the other State governing such hunting.
(c)DurationAn electronic stamp issued by a State under the pilot program shall be valid for a period agreed to by the State and the Secretary, which shall not exceed 45 days.
8.Termination of State participationParticipation by a State in the pilot program may be terminated—
(1)by the Secretary, if the Secretary—
(A)finds that the State has violated of the terms the application of the State approved by the Secretary under section 5; and
(B)provides to the State written notice of such termination by not later than 30 days before the date of termination; or
(2)by the State, by providing written notice to the Secretary by not later 30 days before the termination date.
9.Evaluation
(a)EvaluationThe Secretary, in consultation with State fish and wildlife management agencies, shall evaluate the pilot program and determine if it has provided a cost-effective and convenient means for issuing migratory-bird hunting and conservation stamps, including whether the program has—
(1)increased the availability of such stamps;
(2)assisted States in meeting their customer service objectives with respect to such stamps; and
(3)maintained actual stamps as an effective and viable conservation tool.
(b)ReportThe Secretary shall submit a report on the findings of the Secretary under subsection (a).


116 HR 2207 IH: Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-04-10
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 CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2207IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 10, 2019Mr. Kind (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Aderholt, Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Allen, Mr. Amash, Mr. Amodei, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Arrington, Mr. Babin, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Baird, Mr. Balderson, Mr. Banks, Mr. Barr, Ms. Barragán, Mr. Bera, Mr. Bergman, Mr. Biggs, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Bost, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Brindisi, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana, Mr. Brooks of Alabama, Ms. Brownley of California, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Buck, Mr. Bucshon, Mr. Budd, Mr. Burchett, Mr. Burgess, Mrs. Bustos, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Cárdenas, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Chabot, Ms. Cheney, Mr. Cline, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Cole, Mr. Collins of New York, Mr. Collins of Georgia, Mr. Comer, Mr. Conaway, Mr. Cook, Mr. Correa, Mr. Cox of California, Mrs. Craig, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Crist, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Davidson of Ohio, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Ms. Dean, Ms. DelBene, Mr. DesJarlais, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Emmer, Mr. Estes, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr. Flores, Mr. Fortenberry, Ms. Foxx of North Carolina, Mr. Gaetz, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Gianforte, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio, Mr. Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Gooden, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, Mr. Graves of Missouri, Mr. Green of Tennessee, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Guest, Mr. Hagedorn, Mrs. Hartzler, Mr. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Ms. Herrera Beutler, Mr. Hice of Georgia, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Hill of Arkansas, Mr. Holding, Mr. Hollingsworth, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Hurd of Texas, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Johnson of Ohio, Mr. Johnson of Louisiana, Mr. Johnson of South Dakota, Mr. Jordan, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania, Mr. Katko, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. King of New York, Mr. King of Iowa, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee, Mr. LaHood, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Latta, Mrs. Lee of Nevada, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Long, Mr. Loudermilk, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Massie, Mr. Mast, Mr. McAdams, Mrs. McBath, Mr. McCaul, Mr. McClintock, Mr. McHenry, Mr. McKinley, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Meuser, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Mooney of West Virginia, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Mullin, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Norman, Mr. Nunes, Mr. O'Halleran, Mr. Olson, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Pence, Mr. Perry, Mr. Peters, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Phillips, Ms. Porter, Mr. Posey, Mr. Ratcliffe, Mr. Reed, Mr. Reschenthaler, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Riggleman, Mrs. Roby, Mr. David P. Roe of Tennessee, Mr. Rogers of Kentucky, Mr. Rogers of Alabama, Mr. Rouda, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Scalise, Mr. Schneider, Ms. Schrier, Mr. Schweikert, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. Sensenbrenner, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Smith of Missouri, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. Smucker, Ms. Speier, Mr. Stauber, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Steil, Mr. Steube, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Stivers, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Thornberry, Mr. Tipton, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Turner, Mr. Upton, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Veasey, Mrs. Wagner, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Walden, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Walorski, Mr. Watkins, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Wenstrup, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Williams, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Wittman, Mr. Wright, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Young, Mr. Zeldin, Mr. Guthrie, and Mr. Moolenaar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the excise tax on medical devices.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019. 2.Repeal of medical device excise tax (a)In generalChapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking subchapter E.
			(b)Conforming amendments
 (1)Subsection (a) of section 4221 of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence. (2)Paragraph (2) of section 6416(b) of such Code is amended by striking the last sentence.
 (c)Clerical amendmentThe table of subchapters for chapter 32 of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to subchapter E.
 (d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to sales after December 31, 2019.


114 HRES 714 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of the Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Month, which includes bringing attention to the discrimination faced by minority populations in the United States in housing and housing-related transactions on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, and religion.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-04-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 714
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 29, 2016
			Mr. Al Green of Texas (for himself, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Lee, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Maxine Waters of California, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Honda, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Ellison, and Mr. Hastings) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		RESOLUTION
		Supporting the goals and ideals of the Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Month, which includes
			 bringing attention to the discrimination faced by minority populations in
			 the United States in housing and housing-related transactions on the basis
			 of race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, and
			 religion.

 Whereas April 11, 2016, marked the 48th anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act (title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968; Public Law 90–284);
 Whereas September 13, 2016, marks the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–430);
 Whereas the Chicago Freedom Movement, led by the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., expanded the fight for civil rights from the South to the North, raised the national consciousness about housing discrimination, and shaped the debate that led to the landmark fair housing legislation that is the Fair Housing Act;
 Whereas the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and commonly known as the Kerner Commission, found in 1968 that [o]ur nation is moving toward two societies, one black and one white—separate and unequal;
 Whereas Congress passed the Fair Housing Act as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Act into law on April 11, 1968, one week after the assassination of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.;
 Whereas the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing and housing-related transactions on the basis of race, color, national origin, and religion;
 Whereas in section 808 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the Congress amended the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex;
 Whereas the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, passed by overwhelming margins in Congress, included protection on the basis of familial status and disability, created an important enforcement mechanism, and expanded the definition of discriminatory housing practices to include interference and intimidation, requiring the Department of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to implement and interpret the Fair Housing Act and report annually to the Congress on the nature and extent of housing discrimination;
 Whereas the intent of the Congress in passing the Fair Housing Act was broad and inclusive, to advance equal opportunity in housing and achieve racial integration for the benefit of all people in the United States;
 Whereas where one lives affects educational attainment, employment opportunities, access to healthcare, and home equity;
 Whereas the majority of Americans support neighborhood integration, and numerous studies have shown the universal benefits of residential integration;
 Whereas more than 4,000,000 violations of fair housing laws still occur each year against people of all protected classes, and testing of the enforcement of fair housing laws continues to uncover a high rate of discrimination in the rental, sales, mortgage lending, and insurance markets;
 Whereas less than 1 percent of violations of fair housing laws are reported each year; Whereas fair housing centers funded by Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) are the front line in the effort to resolve housing discrimination;
 Whereas in 2015, approximately 27,600 housing discrimination complaints were filed, of which 19,400 complaints were resolved by fair housing centers;
 Whereas the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) provides fair housing grants annually on a noncompetitive basis to State and local fair housing enforcement agencies, which are used for complaint processing, administrative costs, special enforcement efforts, training, and other projects designed to enhance the agencies’ administration and enforcement of their fair housing laws;
 Whereas fair housing education and enforcement play a pivotal role in increasing housing choice and minority homeownership and combating predatory lending;
 Whereas the Fair Housing Act is an essential component of our Nation’s civil rights legislation; and
 Whereas the month of April 2016 is officially celebrated as Fair Housing Month: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the significance of Fair Housing Month;
 (2)upon the occasions of the 48th anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act and the 28th anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, supports the goals and ideals of such Acts and of Fair Housing Month;
 (3)supports activities to recognize and celebrate the important historical milestones represented by the anniversaries of the enactment of such Acts; and
 (4)encourages all people and levels of government to rededicate themselves to the enforcement and the ideals of fair housing laws.


I
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5237
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 6, 2004
Mr. Renzi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

A BILL
To authorize the placement of an equestrian statue depicting frontiersman, explorer, and missionary Jacob Hamblin on the grounds of the Forest Service Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake, Arizona, and for other purposes.

1.Placement of equestrian statue depicting Jacob Hamblin at Forest Service Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center, Jacob Lake, Arizona
(a)Statue authorizedThe Secretary of Agriculture shall authorize the Jacob Hamblin Legacy Organization to install a bronze equestrian statue depicting frontiersman, explorer, and missionary Jacob Hamblin on the grounds of the Forest Service Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake, Arizona. The authority to install the statue includes the authority to provide historical information regarding the life of Jacob Hamblin, either as part of the base of the statue or a nearby display.
(b)Location of statueThe statue authorized by subsection (a) shall be installed in a prominent location in front of the visitor center so that the statue is visible from both Highway 67 and Highway 89 Alt.
(c)Design approvalsThe statue authorized by subsection (a) shall be at least life size. The actual design of the statue, and the historical information to be provided as part of the statue, shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary.
(d)Prohibition on use of federal funds for establishmentNo Federal funds may be expended to design the statue authorized by subsection (a), to acquire the statue, to prepare the site selected for the statue, or to install the statue.
(e)Suspension for misrepresentation in fundraisingThe Secretary may suspend the authority of the Jacob Hamblin Legacy Organization to place the statue at the visitor center if the Secretary determines that fundraising efforts relating to the statue have misrepresented an affiliation of the Jacob Hamblin Legacy Organization with the Federal Government.
(f)Annual ReportUntil the statue authorized by subsection (a) is installed, the Jacob Hamblin Legacy Organization shall submit to the Secretary an annual report of operations related to fundraising efforts for the statue and progress on the placement of the statue at the visitor center.
(g)MaintenanceUpon installation of the statue authorized by subsection (a) at the visitor center, the Secretary shall assume responsibility for the maintenance of the statue. The Secretary may accept contributions for the maintenance of the statue from the Jacob Hamblin Legacy Organization or other persons. Amounts accepted under this subsection shall be merged with other funds available to the Secretary for the operation and maintenance of the visitor center.


114 S2151 IS: Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015
U.S. Senate
2015-10-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2151IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESOctober 7, 2015Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Casey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to provide liability protections for volunteer practitioners
			 at health centers under section 330 of such Act.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015.
		2.Liability protections
 for health professional volunteers at community health centersSection 224 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 233) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (q)(1)For purposes of this section, a health professional volunteer at an entity described in subsection (g)(4) shall, in providing a health professional service eligible for funding under section 330 to an individual, be deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service for a calendar year that begins during a fiscal year for which a transfer was made under paragraph (4)(C). The preceding sentence is subject to the provisions of this subsection.
 (2)In providing a health service to an individual, a health care practitioner shall for purposes of this subsection be considered to be a health professional volunteer at an entity described in subsection (g)(4) if the following conditions are met:
 (A)The service is provided to the individual at the facilities of an entity described in subsection (g)(4), or through offsite programs or events carried out by the entity.
 (B)The entity is sponsoring the health care practitioner pursuant to paragraph (3)(B).
 (C)The health care practitioner does not receive any compensation for the service from the individual or from any third-party payer (including reimbursement under any insurance policy or health plan, or under any Federal or State health benefits program), except that the health care practitioner may receive repayment from the entity described in subsection (g)(4) for reasonable expenses incurred by the health care practitioner in the provision of the service to the individual.
 (D)Before the service is provided, the health care practitioner or the entity described in subsection (g)(4) posts a clear and conspicuous notice at the site where the service is provided of the extent to which the legal liability of the health care practitioner is limited pursuant to this subsection.
 (E)At the time the service is provided, the health care practitioner is licensed or certified in accordance with applicable law regarding the provision of the service.
 (3)Subsection (g) (other than paragraphs (3) and (5)) and subsections (h), (i), and (l) apply to a health care practitioner for purposes of this subsection to the same extent and in the same manner as such subsections apply to an officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of an entity described in subsection (g)(4), subject to paragraph (4) and subject to the following:
 (A)The first sentence of paragraph (1) applies in lieu of the first sentence of subsection (g)(1)(A).
 (B)With respect to an entity described in subsection (g)(4), a health care practitioner is not a health professional volunteer at such entity unless the entity sponsors the health care practitioner. For purposes of this subsection, the entity shall be considered to be sponsoring the health care practitioner if—
 (i)with respect to the health care practitioner, the entity submits to the Secretary an application meeting the requirements of subsection (g)(1)(D); and
 (ii)the Secretary, pursuant to subsection (g)(1)(E), determines that the health care practitioner is deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service.
 (C)In the case of a health care practitioner who is determined by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (g)(1)(E) to be a health professional volunteer at such entity, this subsection applies to the health care practitioner (with respect to services performed on behalf of the entity sponsoring the health care practitioner pursuant to subparagraph (B)) for any cause of action arising from an act or omission of the health care practitioner occurring on or after the date on which the Secretary makes such determination.
 (D)Subsection (g)(1)(F) applies to a health care practitioner for purposes of this subsection only to the extent that, in providing health services to an individual, each of the conditions specified in paragraph (2) is met.
 (4)(A)Amounts in the fund established under subsection (k)(2) shall be available for transfer under subparagraph (C) for purposes of carrying out this subsection.
 (B)Not later May 1 of each fiscal year, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit to the Congress a report providing an estimate of the amount of claims (together with related fees and expenses of witnesses) that, by reason of the acts or omissions of health professional volunteers, will be paid pursuant to this section during the calendar year that begins in the following fiscal year. Subsection (k)(1)(B) applies to the estimate under the preceding sentence regarding health professional volunteers to the same extent and in the same manner as such subsection applies to the estimate under such subsection regarding officers, governing board members, employees, and contractors of entities described in subsection (g)(4).
 (C)Not later than December 31 of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer from the fund under subsection (k)(2) to the appropriate accounts in the Treasury an amount equal to the estimate made under subparagraph (B) for the calendar year beginning in such fiscal year, subject to the extent of amounts in the fund.
 (5)(A)This subsection takes effect on October 1, 2017, except as provided in subparagraph (B).
 (B)Effective on the date of the enactment of this subsection—
 (i)the Secretary may issue regulations for carrying out this subsection, and the Secretary may accept and consider applications submitted pursuant to paragraph (3)(B); and
 (ii)reports under paragraph (4)(B) may be submitted to the Congress..


110 HR 108 IH: National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2007
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-04
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 1st Session
H. R. 108
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2007
Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business

A BILL
To amend the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small business concerns, and for other purposes.

1.Short title This Act may be cited as the National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2007.
2.Purpose The purpose of this Act is to establish a program to—
(1)provide confidential assistance to small business concerns;
(2)provide small business concerns with the information necessary to improve their rate of compliance with Federal and State regulations;
(3)create a partnership among Federal agencies to increase outreach efforts to small business concerns with respect to regulatory compliance;
(4)provide a mechanism for unbiased feedback to Federal agencies on the regulatory environment for small business concerns; and
(5)utilize the service delivery network of Small Business Development Centers to improve access of small business concerns to programs to assist them with regulatory compliance.
3.Definitions In this Act, the definitions set forth in section 37(a) of the Small Business Act (as added by section 4 of this Act) shall apply.
4.Small business regulatory assistance program The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637 et seq.) is amended—
(1)by redesignating section 37 as section 99; and
(2)by inserting after section 36 the following new section:

37.Small business regulatory assistance program
(a)DefinitionsIn this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, acting through the Associate Administrator for Small Business Development Centers.
(2)AssociationThe term Association means the association recognized by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration under section 21(a)(3)(A).
(3)Participating small business development centerThe term participating Small Business Development Center means a Small Business Development Center participating in the program.
(4)ProgramThe term program means the regulatory assistance program established under this section.
(5)Regulatory compliance assistanceThe term regulatory compliance assistance means assistance provided by a Small Business Development Center to a small business concern to enable the concern to comply with Federal regulatory requirements.
(6)Small business development centerThe term Small Business Development Center means a Small Business Development Center described in section 21.
(7)StateThe term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
(b)AuthorityIn accordance with this section, the Administrator shall establish a program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small business concerns through participating Small Business Development Centers, the Association, and Federal compliance partnership programs.
(c)Small business development centers
(1)In generalIn carrying out the program, the Administrator shall enter into arrangements with participating Small Business Development Centers under which such centers will provide—
(A)access to information and resources, including current Federal and State nonpunitive compliance and technical assistance programs similar to those established under section 507 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990;
(B)training and educational activities;
(C)confidential, free-of-charge, one-on-one, in-depth counseling to the owners and operators of small business concerns regarding compliance with Federal and State regulations, provided that such counseling is not considered to be the practice of law in a State in which a Small Business Development Center is located or in which such counseling is conducted;
(D)technical assistance; and
(E)referrals to experts and other providers of compliance assistance who meet such standards for educational, technical, and professional competency as are established by the Administrator.
(2)Reports
(A)In generalEach participating Small Business Development Center shall transmit to the Administrator a quarterly report that includes—
(i)a summary of the regulatory compliance assistance provided by the center under the program; and
(ii)any data and information obtained by the center from a Federal agency regarding regulatory compliance that the agency intends to be disseminated to small business concerns.
(B)Electronic formEach report referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be transmitted in electronic form.
(C)Interim reportsA participating Small Business Development Center may transmit to the Administrator such interim reports as the center considers appropriate.
(D)Limitation on disclosure requirementsThe Administrator may not require a Small Business Development Center to disclose the name or address of any small business concern that received or is receiving assistance under the program, except that the Administrator shall require such a disclosure if ordered to do so by a court in any civil or criminal action.
(d)Data repository and clearinghouse
(1)In generalIn carrying out the program, the Administrator shall—
(A)act as the repository of and clearinghouse for data and information submitted by Small Business Development Centers; and
(B)transmit to the President, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives an annual report that includes—
(i)a description of the types of assistance provided by participating Small Business Development Centers under the program;
(ii)data regarding the number of small business concerns that contacted participating Small Business Development Centers regarding assistance under the program;
(iii)data regarding the number of small business concerns assisted by participating Small Business Development Centers under the program;
(iv)data and information regarding outreach activities conducted by participating Small Business Development Centers under the program, including any activities conducted in partnership with Federal agencies;
(v)data and information regarding each case known to the Administrator in which one or more Small Business Development Centers offered conflicting advice or information regarding compliance with a Federal or State regulation to one or more small business concerns;
(vi)any recommendations for improvements in the regulation of small business concerns; and
(vii)a list of regulations identified by the Administrator, after consultation with the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman, as being most burdensome to small business concerns, and recommendations to reduce or eliminate the burdens of such regulations.
(e)Eligibility
(1)In generalA Small Business Development Center shall be eligible to receive assistance under the program only if the center is certified under section 21(k)(2).
(2)Waiver With respect to a Small Business Development Center seeking assistance under the program, the administrator may waive the certification requirement set forth in paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines that the center is making a good faith effort to obtain such certification.
(3)Effective dateThe restriction described in paragraph (1) shall not apply to any Small Business Development Center before October 1, 2007.
(f)Selection of participating state programs
(1)Establishment of programIn consultation with the Association and giving substantial weight to the Association's recommendations, the Administrator shall select the Small Business Development Center programs of 2 States from each of the following groups of States to participate in the program:
(A)Group 1: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island.
(B)Group 2: New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
(C)Group 3: Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Delaware.
(D)Group 4: Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
(E)Group 5: Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
(F)Group 6: Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
(G)Group 7: Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.
(H)Group 8: Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Utah.
(I)Group 9: California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and Arizona.
(J)Group 10: Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon.
(2)Deadline for initial selectionsThe Administrator shall make selections under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after promulgation of regulations under section 5 of the National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2007.
(3)Additional selectionsNot earlier than the date 3 years after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator may select Small Business Development Center programs of States in addition to those selected under paragraph (1). The Administrator shall consider the effect on the programs selected under paragraph (1) before selecting additional programs under this paragraph.
(4)Coordination to avoid duplication with other programsIn selecting programs under this subsection, the Administrator shall give a preference to Small Business Development Center programs that have a plan for consulting with Federal and State agencies to ensure that any assistance provided under this section is not duplicated by an existing Federal or State program.
(g)Matching not requiredSubparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 21(a)(4) shall not apply to assistance made available under the program.
(h)Distribution of grants
(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), each State program selected to receive a grant under subsection (f) in a fiscal year shall be eligible to receive a grant in an amount not to exceed the product obtained by multiplying—
(A)the amount made available for grants under this section for the fiscal year; and
(B)the ratio that—
(i)the population of the State; bears to
(ii)the population of all the States with programs selected to receive grants under subsection (f) for the fiscal year.
(2)Minimum amountThe minimum amount that a State program selected to receive a grant under subsection (f) shall be eligible to receive under this section for any fiscal year shall be $200,000. The Administrator shall reduce the amount described in paragraph (1) as appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph and subsection (j)(2).
(i)Evaluation and reportNot later than 3 years after the establishment of the program, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an evaluation of the program and shall transmit to the Administrator, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the evaluation along with any recommendations as to whether the program, with or without modification, should be extended to include the participation of all Small Business Development Centers.
(j)Authorization of appropriations
(1)In generalThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.
(2)Limitation on use of other fundsThe Administrator may carry out the program only with amounts appropriated in advance specifically to carry out this section..
5.Promulgation of regulations After providing notice and an opportunity for comment and after consulting with the Association (but not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act), the Administrator shall promulgate final regulations to carry out this Act, including regulations that establish—
(1)priorities for the types of assistance to be provided under the program;
(2)standards relating to educational, technical, and support services to be provided by participating Small Business Development Centers;
(3)standards relating to any national service delivery and support function to be provided by the Association under the program;
(4)standards relating to any work plan that the Administrator may require a participating Small Business Development Center to develop; and
(5)standards relating to the educational, technical, and professional competency of any expert or other assistance provider to whom a small business concern may be referred for compliance assistance under the program.
6.Privacy requirements applicable to small business development centers Section 21(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(9)Privacy requirements
(A)In generalNo Small Business Development Center, consortium of Small Business Development Centers, or contractor or agent of a Small Business Development Center shall disclose the name or address of any individual or small business concern receiving assistance under this section without the consent of such individual or small business concern, except that—
(i)the Administrator shall require such disclosure if ordered to do so by a court in any civil or criminal action; and
(ii)if the Administrator considers it necessary while undertaking a financial audit of a Small Business Development Center, the Administrator shall require such disclosure for the sole purpose of undertaking such audit.
(B)Regulations The Administrator shall issue regulations to establish standards for requiring disclosures during a financial audit under subparagraph (A)(ii)..


I
111th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 4205
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 3, 2009
Mr. Loebsack (for himself, Mr. Boswell, Mr. Latham, Mr. Braley of Iowa, and Mr. King of Iowa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To extend certain housing-related deadlines in the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008.

1.Extension of special rules for use of retirement fundsSection 702(d)(10) of the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–343; 122 Stat. 3916) is amended—
(1)by striking January 1, 2010 both places it appears and inserting January 1, 2011, and
(2)by striking December 31, 2009 both places it appears and inserting December 31, 2010.
2.Extension of exclusion of certain cancellation of indebtedness incomeSection 702(e)(4)(C) of the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–343; 122 Stat. 3918) is amended by striking January 1, 2010 and inserting January 1, 2011.


117 S1618 IS: Putting First Responders First Act
U.S. Senate
2021-05-13
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. 1618IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 13, 2021Mr. Daines (for himself and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow first responders to continue to exclude service-connected disability pension payments after reaching the age of retirement.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Putting First Responders First Act.2.Continued exclusion of first responder service-connected disability payments after age of retirement(a)In generalSection 104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e) and by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:(d)Special rule for first responder service-Connected disability payments after age of retirement(1)In generalIn the case of an individual who receives a service-connected disability excludable amount, gross income shall not include such amount of any retirement pension or annuity which—(A)is received by such individual with respect to the service to which the service-connected disability excludable amount relates,(B)is determined by reference to the individual’s age, length of service, or contributions, and(C)does not exceed the service-connected disability excludable amount (determined on an annualized basis under such regulations or other guidance as the Secretary may prescribe).(2)Service-connected disability excludable amountFor purposes of this subsection, the term service-connected disability excludable amount means an amount received by an individual which ceases upon reaching retirement age and is not includible in gross income under subsection (a)(1) by reason of a service-connected disability as a law enforcement officer (as such term is defined in section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968), an employee in fire protection activities (as such term is defined in section 3(y) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938), or an individual who provides out-of-hospital emergency medical care (including emergency medical technician, paramedic, or first responder)..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


115 HR 4173 : Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-11-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IIB
		115th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4173
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
		November 9, 2017Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsAN ACT
		To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the Veterans Crisis Line.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017. 2.Study on efficacy of Veterans Crisis Line (a)StudyThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the outcomes and the efficacy of the Veterans Crisis Line during the 5-year period beginning January 1, 2014, based on an analysis of national suicide data and data collected from the Veterans Crisis Line.
 (b)Matters includedThe study under subsection (a) shall address the following: (1)The efficacy of the Veterans Crisis Line in leading veterans to sustained mental health regimens, by determining—
 (A)the number of veterans who, after contacting the Veterans Crisis Line and being referred to a suicide prevention specialist, begin and continue mental health care furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
 (B)the number of veterans who, after contacting the Veterans Crisis Line and being referred to a suicide prevention specialist, either—
 (i)begin mental health care furnished by the Secretary but do not continue such care; or (ii)do not begin such care.
 (2)The visibility of the Veterans Crisis Line, by determining— (A)the number of veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line and have not previously received hospital care or medical services furnished by the Secretary; and
 (B)the number of veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line and have previously received hospital care or medical services furnished by the Secretary.
 (3)The role of the Veterans Crisis Line as part of the mental health care services of the Department, by determining, of the veterans who are enrolled in the health care system established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, who contact the Veterans Crisis Line, the number who are under the care of a mental health care provider of the Department at the time of such contact.
 (4)Whether receiving sustained mental health care affects suicidality and whether veterans previously receiving mental health care furnished by the Secretary use the Veterans Crisis Line in times of crisis, with respect to the veterans described in paragraph (3), by determining the time frame between receiving such care and the time of such contact.
 (5)The effectiveness of the Veterans Crisis Line in assisting veterans at risk for suicide when the Veterans Crisis Line is contacted by a non-veteran, by determining, of the number of non-veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line looking for support in assisting a veteran, how many of such individuals receive support in having a veteran begin to receive mental health care furnished by the Secretary.
 (6)The overall efficacy of the Veterans Crisis Line in preventing suicides and whether the number of contacts affects the efficacy, by determining—
 (A)the number of veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line who ultimately commit or attempt suicide; and
 (B)of such veterans, how many times did a veteran contact the Veterans Crisis Line prior to committing or attempting suicide.
 (7)The long-term efficacy of the Veterans Crisis Line in preventing repeated suicide attempts and whether the efficacy is temporary, by determining, of the number of veterans who contacted the Veterans Crisis Line and did not commit or attempt suicide during the following 6-month period, the number who contacted the Veterans Crisis Line in crisis at a later time and thereafter did commit or attempt suicide.
 (8)Whether referral to mental health care affects the risk of suicide, by determining— (A)the number of veterans who contact the Veterans Crisis Line who are not referred to, or do not continue receiving, mental health care who commit suicide; and
 (B)the number of veterans described in paragraph (1)(A) who commit or attempt suicide. (9)The efficacy of the Veterans Crisis Line to promote continued mental health care in those veterans who are at high risk for suicide whose suicide was prevented, by determining, of the number of veterans who contacted the Veterans Crisis Line and did not commit or attempt suicide soon thereafter, the number that begin and continue to receive mental health care furnished by the Secretary.
 (10)Such other matters as the Secretary determines appropriate. (c)Rule of construction regarding data collectionNothing in this section may be construed to modify or affect the manner in which data is collected, or the kind or content of data collected, by the Secretary under the Veterans Crisis Line.
 (d)SubmissionNot later than May 31, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate the study under subsection (a).
 (e)Veterans crisis line definedIn this section, the term Veterans Crisis Line means the toll-free hotline for veterans established under section 1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code.

	Passed the House of Representatives November 8, 2017.Karen L. Haas,Clerk.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1691
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 29, 2010
			Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of
			 Florida (for himself, Mr.
			 Olson, Mr. Grijalva,
			 Mr. Roskam,
			 Mr. Serrano,
			 Mr. Pence,
			 Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida,
			 and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) submitted the
			 following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		RESOLUTION
		Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and
		  celebrating the vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and
		  culture of the United States.

		Whereas from September 15, 2010, through October 15, 2010,
			 the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month;
		Whereas the presence of Hispanics in North America
			 predates the founding of the United States, and, as among the first to settle
			 in the New World, Hispanics and their descendants have had a profound and
			 lasting influence on the history, values, and culture of the United
			 States;
		Whereas since the arrival of the earliest Spanish settlers
			 more than 400 years ago, millions of Hispanic men and women have come to the
			 United States from Mexico, Cuba, and other Caribbean regions, Central America,
			 South America, and Spain, in search of freedom, peace, and opportunity;
		Whereas Hispanic-Americans have contributed throughout the
			 ages to the prosperity and culture of the United States;
		Whereas the Bureau of the Census now lists
			 Hispanic-Americans as the largest ethnic minority within the United States with
			 a population of 46,900,000, comprising 15 percent of the Nation’s total
			 population;
		Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, 16 States
			 have at least a half-million Hispanic residents, including Arizona, California,
			 Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New
			 Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and
			 Washington;
		Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, Hispanics
			 are the largest minority group in 20 States, including Arizona, California,
			 Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska,
			 Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas,
			 Utah, Washington, and Wyoming;
		Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are
			 1,600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses operating in areas including construction,
			 administrative and support, waste management and remediation services, and
			 retail and wholesale trade that generated $222,000,000,000 in revenue in 2002,
			 up 19 percent from 1997;
		Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, the rate of
			 growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 2002 tripled to 31 percent
			 compared with the national average of 10 percent for all businesses;
		Whereas Hispanic-Americans serve in all branches of the
			 United States Armed Forces and have fought valiantly in every war in the
			 history of the United States;
		Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, there are
			 1,100,000 Hispanic veterans of the United States Armed Forces;
		Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest United States
			 military distinction, awarded since the Civil War for conspicuous
			 gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of
			 duty;
		Whereas 43 men of Hispanic origin have earned this
			 distinction;
		Whereas many Hispanic-Americans are dedicated public
			 servants, holding posts at the highest levels of government, including Cabinet
			 Secretaries, Members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the
			 Supreme Court; and
		Whereas Hispanic-Americans have a deep commitment to
			 faith, family, and community, an enduring work ethic, and a perseverance to
			 succeed: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of Representatives—
			(1)recognizes
			 Hispanic Heritage Month;
			(2)celebrates the
			 vast contributions of Hispanic-Americans to the strength and culture of the
			 United States; and
			(3)encourages the
			 people of the United States to observe Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate
			 programs and activities.


114 HR 4921 RH: Ditto Act of 2016
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-04-13
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.

		IB
		Union Calendar No. 494
		114th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4921
		[Report No. 114–636]
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 13, 2016
			Mr. Walker introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

			June 21, 2016
			Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

		A BILL
		To amend chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code, to require the maintenance of certain records
			 for 3 years, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Ditto Act of 2016. 2.Requirement to maintain records (a)AmendmentChapter 31 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

					3108.Requirement to maintain records
 (a)In generalIf the Internal Revenue Service obtains a preserved record, the Internal Revenue Service shall preserve for not less than 3 years from the date on which the record was obtained—
 (1)the preserved record or a copy of the preserved record; and (2)all records related to the preserved record.
 (b)Preserved record definedIn this section, the term preserved record means any record that is maintained by a person other than the Federal Government pursuant to a rule, guidance, or other directive from the Internal Revenue Service that requires or recommends the person maintain records for a particular period of time on a particular matter.
 (c)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed as— (1)limiting the preservation of a preserved record for a longer period of time than is required by this section; or
 (2)shortening the period of time a preserved record is otherwise required to be maintained.. (b)Technical and conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

						3108. Requirement to maintain records..
 (c)Effective date; applicabilityThe amendments made by this section shall take effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to any preserved record (as such term is defined in section 3108(b) of title 44, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)) obtained on or after the effective date.

		June 21, 2016
		Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed


109 HR 5659 IH: Federal Stimulus of Commercial

U.S. House of Representatives
2006-06-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 5659
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 21, 2006
			Mr. Gordon introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Science

		A BILL
		To provide for the demonstration and commercial
		  application of innovative energy technologies derived from federally-sponsored
		  research and development programs, by incorporating those technologies into
		  Federal buildings, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Federal Stimulus of Commercial
			 Application of Energy Technology Act of 2006.
		2.DefinitionsFor purposes of this Act:
			(1)Cost-effectiveThe
			 term cost-effective means resulting in a simple payback of costs
			 in 10 years or less.
			(2)DepartmentThe
			 term Department means the Department of Energy.
			(3)FundThe
			 term Fund means the Innovative Energy Technologies Fund for
			 Federal Buildings established in section 3.
			(4)Innovative
			 energy technologyThe term
			 innovative energy technology means a technology, including an
			 advanced energy conservation or renewable energy technology, that was developed
			 with the support of the Department, or other similar technology.
			(5)Innovative
			 energy technology projectThe
			 term innovative energy technology project means a project
			 that—
				(A)results in the
			 cost-effective commercial application of an innovative energy technology;
			 and
				(B)assists a Federal
			 agency in meeting or exceeding all Federal energy efficiency requirements then
			 in effect, including applicable Executive orders such as Executive Order Nos.
			 12759 and 13123.
				(6)SecretaryThe
			 term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
			3.Establishment of
			 Fund
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 6
			 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall
			 establish the Innovative Energy Technologies Fund for Federal Buildings. The
			 Secretary of Energy shall administer the Fund to enable Federal agencies to
			 demonstrate innovative energy technologies for retrofit or new construction of
			 Federal buildings and facilities.
			(b)Criteria and
			 guidelinesNot later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary shall establish criteria and guidelines for Federal
			 agencies to borrow from and pay back to the Fund.
			4.Loans from the
			 Fund
			(a)General
			 procedureFederal agencies
			 may apply to the Secretary for a loan for financing the demonstration of
			 innovative energy technology projects, and shall repay the Fund from savings in
			 energy, water, and other costs attributable to actions taken as a result of the
			 project undertaken with the loan.
			(b)Purposes of
			 loanIn addition to financing
			 an innovative energy technology project, a Federal agency may use the loan
			 amount to pay the costs of administration and proposal development (including
			 data collection and energy surveys), and to acquire and operate equipment
			 necessary to monitor and verify associated energy savings.
			(c)RepaymentsA
			 Federal agency shall repay to the Fund the principal amount of the loan, plus
			 interest at a rate determined by the Secretary. The repayment period shall be
			 15 years, or less as appropriate to the project.
			5.Reports and
			 audits
			(a)Reports to the
			 secretaryNot later than 1
			 year after the installation of an innovative energy technology project for
			 which a loan is provided under this Act in an amount greater than $1,000,000,
			 and each year thereafter until the date that final repayment of the loan is
			 due, the Federal agency receiving the loan shall transmit to the Secretary a
			 report that—
				(1)states whether the
			 project meets or fails to meet the energy savings projections for the project;
			 and
				(2)for each project
			 that fails to meet the energy savings projections, states the reasons for the
			 failure and describes proposed remedies.
				(b)AuditsThe Secretary may audit any innovative
			 energy technology project financed with a loan from the Fund to assess the
			 project’s performance.
			(c)Reports to
			 CongressAt the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall
			 transmit to Congress a report on the operations of the Fund, including a
			 statement of the total receipts into the Fund, and the total expenditures from
			 the Fund to each Federal agency.
			6.Authorization of
			 appropriations
			(a)Establishment of
			 FundThere are authorized to
			 be appropriated to the Secretary for the establishment of the Fund,
			 $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2016.
			(b)Operation of
			 FundThere are authorized to
			 be appropriated to the Secretary from the Fund, for carrying out the loan
			 program under this Act, such sums as may be necessary.


		III
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 224
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 30, 2011
			Mr. Moran (for himself
			 and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Congratulating the Soil Science Society of
		  America on its 75th anniversary.

		Whereas the Soil Science Society of America was founded on
			 November 18, 1936;
		Whereas Richard Bradfield served as the first President of
			 the Soil Science Society of America;
		Whereas the Soil Science Society of America was
			 established during the dust bowl era, a time of extreme soil
			 degradation;
		Whereas since the dust bowl era, the Soil Science Society
			 of America has continued to provide an understanding of the sustainable use of
			 soil and the role soil plays in society;
		Whereas soil is an essential natural resource, and soil
			 professionals serve a critical role in managing that resource;
		Whereas the core purpose of the Soil Science Society of
			 America is to advance soils as fundamental to life;
		Whereas the Soil Science Society of America is 1 of the
			 premier scientific societies and is comprised of more than 6,000 members in the
			 United States and internationally, including scientists, practicing
			 professionals, and students;
		Whereas soil is a dynamic system that performs many
			 functions and services vital to human activities and ecosystems;
		Whereas soil, plant, animal, and human health are
			 intricately linked, and the sustainable use of soil affects climate, water, and
			 air quality, human health, biodiversity, food safety and security, and
			 bioenergy;
		Whereas soil faces increasing human-linked threats from
			 contamination, unplanned urban development, desertification, salinization,
			 mismanagement, and erosion;
		Whereas the Soil Science Society of America provides the
			 knowledge and tools to ensure sustainable use of soils in support of societal
			 needs, including food and energy security and ecosystem services;
		Whereas the Soil Science Society of America promotes the
			 awareness and education of soils to elementary and secondary students,
			 undergraduate and graduate students, practicing professionals, and the public;
			 and
		Whereas the Soil Science Society of America promotes
			 effective research, disseminating scientific information, facilitating
			 technology transfer, fostering high standards of education, maintaining high
			 standards of ethics, promoting advancements in the soils profession, and
			 cooperating with other organizations with similar objectives: Now, therefore,
			 be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)congratulates the
			 Soil Science Society of America on its 75th anniversary;
			(2)commends the Soil
			 Science Society of America for its dedicated service to advance the science and
			 management of soil; and
			(3)supports the
			 promise of the Soil Science Society of America to continue to enrich the lives
			 of all people of the United States by improving stewardship of the environment,
			 combating world hunger, and enhancing the quality of life for the
			 future.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 775
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 24, 2009
			Mr. Hastings of
			 Florida (for himself, Mr. Moran of
			 Virginia, Mr. Wexler, and
			 Mr. Delahunt) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing appreciation to Portugal for
		  accepting two detainees released from Guantanamo Bay prison.

		Whereas President Barack Obama has vowed to close the
			 prison at Guantanamo Bay in January 2010, necessitating the release or transfer
			 of about 225 persons detained at the facility;
		Whereas at least 50 detainees have thus far been cleared
			 for release;
		Whereas since President Obama took office, about 15
			 detainees have left Guantanamo and were resettled in Britain, France, Bermuda,
			 Chad, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Portugal, and 1 detainee was
			 transferred to the State of New York for a Federal trial;
		Whereas there has been significant opposition in Congress
			 and the wider public to settling detainees into the United States or
			 transferring detainees to prisons in the United States;
		Whereas the United States, must ensure, in compliance with
			 international humans rights law, including the Convention Against Torture, that
			 detainees will not be transferred to nations where their safety will be
			 jeopardized;
		Whereas in December 2008, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis
			 Amado announced in a public letter to European Union officials that Portugal
			 was ready to help the United States resettle released detainees;
		Whereas Portugal became the first country to publicly
			 state its willingness to take Guantanamo detainees other than their own
			 residents or nationals;
		Whereas in late August 2009, Portugal accepted the
			 transfer of 2 Syrian detainees who had been cleared for release by the United
			 States Government; and
		Whereas according to Portuguese Government officials, the
			 two men are not subject to any charge, and have been provided homes by the
			 country to live freely: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of
			 Representatives—
			(1)expresses its appreciation to Portugal for
			 accepting 2 men released from the prison at Guantanamo Bay;
			(2)encourages
			 Portugal to ensure that the two former detainees are able to participate as
			 fully as possible in their local community and in Portuguese society;
			 and
			(3)heralds the
			 Portuguese Government for safely, humanely, and effectively resettling
			 detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who have been cleared of
			 wrongdoing.


117 HR 3361 IH: United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3361IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 19, 2021Mr. Young (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Mast, and Mr. Mullin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsA BILLTo amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish a United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021.2.United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic AffairsTitle I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:64.United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs(a)EstablishmentThere is established within the Department of State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs (referred to in this section as the Ambassador), appointed in accordance with subsection (b).(b)AppointmentThe Ambassador shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.(c)Duties(1)Diplomatic representationSubject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, the Ambassador is authorized to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to Arctic affairs in—(A)contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations, the Arctic Council, and other international organizations of which the United States is a member; and(B)multilateral conferences and meetings relating to Arctic affairs.(2)Chair of the Arctic CouncilThe Ambassador shall serve as the Chair of the Arctic Council when the United States holds the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.(3)Policies and proceduresThe Ambassador shall coordinate United States Arctic policies..


116 HR 1070 IH: Student Loan Interest Tax Deduction Expansion Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-02-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1070IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 7, 2019Mr. Cicilline (for himself and Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the dollar and income limitations on the
			 deduction for student loan interest.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Student Loan Interest Tax Deduction Expansion Act. 2.Increase in dollar limitation and income limitation on student loan interest deduction (a)Increase in dollar limitation on student loan interest deductionParagraph (1) of section 221(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $2,500 and inserting $7,500 ($15,000 in the case of a joint return).
 (b)Increase in income limitation on student loan interest deductionParagraph (2) of section 221(b) of such Code is amended to read as follows:  (2)Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income (A)In generalNo deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) to a taxpayer with a modified adjusted gross income in excess of $100,000 (twice such amount in the case of a joint return).
 (B)Modified adjusted gross incomeThe term modified adjusted gross income means adjusted gross income determined— (i)without regard to this section and sections 199, 222, 911, 931, and 933, and
 (ii)after application of sections 86, 135, 137, 219, and 469.. (c)Conforming amendmentParagraph (1) of section 221(f) of such Code is amended to read as follows:

 (1)In generalIn the case of a taxable year beginning after 2020, the $100,000 amount in subsection (b)(2)(A) shall each be increased by an amount equal to—
 (A)such dollar amount, multiplied by (B)the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting calendar year 2019 for calendar year 2016 in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof..
 (d)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 2019.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4437
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 19, 2012
			Mr. Carney introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To reduce temporarily the duty on
		  Thiamethoxam.

		1.Thiamethoxam
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.03.11 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (relating to
			 3-(2-chloro-5-thiazolylmethyl)tetrahydro-5-methyl-N-nitro-1,3,5-oxadiazin-4-imine
			 (Thiamethoxam)) is amended—
				(1)by striking
			 5% and inserting 5.9% in the general rate of duty
			 column; and
				(2)by striking the
			 date in the effective period column and inserting
			 12/31/2015.
				(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3210
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 15, 2010
			Mr. Kerry (for himself
			 and Mr. Dodd) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Relations

		A BILL
		To establish a Design Excellence Program at the
		  Department of State, to reestablish the Architectural Advisory Board, to assess
		  the Standard Embassy Design Program, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Embassy Design and Security Act of
			 2010.
		2.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)Embassies—
				(A)are an important
			 reflection of American values, openness, ingenuity, and innovation;
				(B)should reflect
			 the best of United States design, architecture, sustainability, and technology;
			 and
				(C)should maintain
			 security as a top priority.
				(2)Since 2001, the
			 Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (referred to in this section as
			 OBO) has—
				(A)completed 71 new
			 diplomatic and consular facilities; and
				(B)moved more than
			 20,000 individuals into safer, more secure and functional facilities.
				(3)OBO, which has 34
			 other building projects in design or construction in 2010, has demonstrated its
			 ability to construct diplomatic and consular facilities in a timely and
			 expeditious manner.
			(4)Since the August
			 1998 embassy bombings in East Africa, United States diplomatic and consular
			 facilities have faced increasing attacks.
			(5)OBO constructs
			 safe and functional facilities for American diplomats to allow them to advance
			 foreign policy and to strive to create better, safer, and more secure
			 communities for all citizens of the world.
			(6)In his seminal
			 memo, entitled Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, the
			 Honorable Daniel Patrick Moynihan laid out the following core
			 principles:
				(A)It should
			 be our object to meet the test of Pericles’ evocation to the Athenians, which
			 the President commended to the Massachusetts legislature in his address of
			 January 9, 1961: We do not imitate—for we are a model to
			 others..
				(B)The policy
			 shall be to provide requisite and adequate facilities in an architectural style
			 and form which is distinguished and which will reflect the dignity, enterprise,
			 vigor and stability of the American National Government..
				(C)The
			 development of an official style must be avoided. … The advice of distinguished
			 architects, as a rule, ought to be sought prior to the award of important
			 design contracts..
				(D)The choice
			 and development of the building site should be considered the first step of the
			 design process..
				(7)The principles
			 set forth in paragraph (2) provide the foundation for the General Services
			 Administration’s Design Excellence Program, which—
				(A)establishes
			 nationwide policies and procedures for selecting distinguished architects and
			 artists for General Services Administration’s commissions; and
				(B)implements
			 rigorous review processes to produce facilities and civic artworks of
			 outstanding quality and value.
				(8)Section 401 of
			 the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–140) defines a
			 high-performance building as a building that integrates and optimizes on
			 a life cycle basis all major high performance attributes, including energy
			 conservation, environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility,
			 cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational
			 considerations.
			(9)The 2009 American
			 Institute of Architects Design for Diplomacy: New Embassies for the 21st
			 Century reports significant interest in developing an approach
			 that would enable architects and engineers to design embassies that reflected
			 the unique needs of a site at a foreign post.
			(10)The Center for
			 Strategic and International Studies published a report in 2007, authored by the
			 Embassy of the Future Commission and entitled The Embassy of the
			 Future, which makes the following statements:
				(A)The new
			 embassy facilities have in some places created the perception among some of a
			 fearful United States, retreating behind high walls and isolating itself from
			 the people it is trying to reach..
				(B)The
			 commission believes that it is important to meet security needs in ways that
			 reflect the new diplomatic job..
				(C)[S]etbacks,
			 barriers, and other security features can be designed in ways that integrate
			 security with the overall building design and surroundings..
				3.Statement of
			 policyIt is the policy of the
			 United States to adopt design excellence as a mandate to advance a new
			 generation of secure, high-performance, sustainable diplomatic and consular
			 facilities in support of United States foreign policy.
		4.Establishment of
			 a design excellence program at the Department of StateThe Secretary of State should—
			(1)develop and
			 establish a design excellence program, which shall be—
				(A)modeled after the
			 program used by the General Services Administration; and
				(B)tailored to the
			 specific requirements of the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations;
				(2)ensure that
			 security remains a top priority for all diplomatic and consular
			 facilities;
			(3)integrate
			 sustainability and sustainable design and construction best practices for all
			 facilities constructed under the direction of the Bureau of Overseas Building
			 Operations;
			(4)encourage
			 innovation in building design;
			(5)create a
			 framework for testing new technologies as they come on the market that can
			 create potential value for new facilities;
			(6)create a design
			 excellence policies and procedures manual, which shall—
				(A)explain the
			 mandate of the design excellence program; and
				(B)describe how the
			 Department of State will implement and operate the program;
				(7)establish a
			 high-level board to track the progress of the design excellence program,
			 which—
				(A)shall be composed
			 of an equivalent number of—
					(i)outside
			 professionals who have specific architectural, design, and industry expertise;
			 and
					(ii)senior United
			 States Government officials; and
					(B)shall meet not
			 less frequently than semiannually—
					(i)to
			 review and analyze the progress and results of the program; and
					(ii)to
			 provide guidance to the Department of State on questions that may arise;
					(8)train staff to
			 support design excellence through education and training on program
			 implementation to ensure consistency and quality on all projects;
			(9)perform
			 post-occupancy evaluations to identify the problems and successes of each
			 facility;
			(10)consider
			 utilizing research studies from outside the Department of State to bring new
			 ideas and provide cost-effective solutions;
			(11)include fine
			 arts advisors as part of the design excellence program and peer review panels
			 for all embassy projects; and
			(12)undertake a
			 concurrent review of the Standard Embassy Design Program (referred to in this
			 section as the SED Program) to determine—
				(A)the best way to
			 integrate the newly established design excellence program with the SED Program;
			 and
				(B)modifications
			 that need to be made to the SED Program.
				5.Architectural
			 Advisory Board
			(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall reestablish the Architectural
			 Advisory Board (referred to in this section as the Board) in
			 order to—
				(1)advise the
			 Department of State on design standards;
				(2)recommend the
			 most appropriate style of architecture for prospective projects;
				(3)review the
			 quality and fitness of designs;
				(4)advise on an
			 appropriate balance and integration between security priorities and American
			 values of openness and design;
				(5)advise how the
			 Department can construct new diplomatic and consular facilities that are built
			 to the most up-to-date energy efficiency requirements, standards, checklists,
			 or rating systems, to the extent possible;
				(6)advise how the
			 Department can place diplomatic and consular facilities in urban and city
			 center locations, to the extent possible—
					(A)to permit greater
			 accessibility to national government institutions; and
					(B)to facilitate
			 ease of access for local residents; and
					(7)advise how the
			 Department can construct new diplomatic and consular facilities with future,
			 projected growth needs in mind, including growth needs for other Federal
			 agencies.
				(b)CompositionThe
			 Board shall be composed of 5 members appointed by the Secretary from outside
			 the United States Government, who are noted for their knowledge of, and
			 experience with, architecture and design.
			(c)Deadline for
			 appointmentsAll members of the Board shall be appointed not
			 later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
			(d)MeetingsThe
			 Board shall meet not less frequently than semiannually at the call of the
			 Chairperson.
			(e)Compensation
				(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), members of the
			 Board—
					(A)shall be paid
			 compensation out of funds made available for the purposes of this title at the
			 daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of title 5,
			 United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the
			 member is engaged in the actual performance of duties as a member of the Board;
			 and
					(B)while away from
			 the member’s home or regular place of business on necessary travel in the
			 actual performance of duties as a member of the Board, shall be paid per diem,
			 travel, and transportation expenses in the same manner as is provided under
			 subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
					(2)LimitationA
			 member of the Board may not be paid compensation under paragraph (1)(B) for
			 more than 90 days in any calendar year.
				(f)ExemptionThe
			 Board shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
			 App.).
			6.Report to review
			 the Standard Embassy Design ProgramNot later than 1 year after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act, the Architectural Review Board established under section
			 5 shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an assessment of the
			 Standard Embassy Design Program, which shall include—
			(1)a comprehensive
			 review of the Standard Embassy Design template, including the utility of the
			 template in overseas contexts and general strengths, weaknesses, drawbacks, and
			 limitations to the template;
			(2)an analysis of
			 the cost-effectiveness and overall utility of incorporating 1 of 4 classes of
			 Standard Embassy Design (small, medium, large, and extra large);
			(3)an analysis of
			 whether such approach unduly limits the flexibility of design and
			 responsiveness to local contexts and priorities;
			(4)a consideration
			 of alternative approaches to enable architects and engineers—
				(A)to design
			 embassies that reflect the unique needs of a site at a foreign post; and
				(B)to incorporate
			 appropriate standard design and construction components common to the building
			 type;
				(5)an examination of
			 the effectiveness of the SED Program in—
				(A)integrating
			 security concerns with design considerations;
				(B)ensuring an
			 adequate growth footprint for future embassy personnel increases;
				(C)incorporating
			 sustainable design and the most up-to-date energy efficiency requirements,
			 standards, checklists, or rating systems for diplomatic and consular
			 facilities;
				(D)allowing for open
			 and public access; and
				(E)ensuring overall
			 design excellence; and
				(6)recommendations
			 on—
				(A)the best way to
			 integrate the newly established Embassy Design Excellence Program with the SED
			 Program; and
				(B)the modifications
			 to the SED Program that are warranted.
				7.Modified
			 security requirements for United States diplomatic and consular
			 facilities
			(a)Sense of
			 Congress on co-Location and security requirementsIt is the sense
			 of Congress that—
				(1)while assessing
			 the necessity, security, and efficiency of co-locating all United States
			 Government personnel at a single embassy site within a single foreign country,
			 the Secretary should consider placing United States Government personnel at
			 locations conducive to maximizing their use;
				(2)while cost
			 efficiency and security considerations may justify the consolidation of
			 multiple Federal departments and agencies at a single location, such a
			 determination should not be made without taking into account other crucial
			 policy considerations;
				(3)the Secretary
			 should consider alternative location arrangements that do not affect the
			 strength and appropriateness of security arrangements for United States
			 Government personnel;
				(4)it is crucial
			 that security standards remain uniformly high in all locations hosting United
			 States Government personnel;
				(5)the perimeter
			 distance requirement under section 606(a)(3) of the Secure Embassy Construction
			 and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 (22 U.S.C. 4865(a)(3)) imposes a uniform
			 security standard for all diplomatic and consular facilities regardless of
			 country context or specific security needs;
				(6)a more nuanced
			 approach may tailor specific security requirements, such as perimeter distance
			 requirements, to particular security considerations in a given country;
			 and
				(7)while every
			 country with diplomatic representation must have a modern, secure, safe, and
			 functional facility, it is important to integrate security with the long-term
			 impact on the foreign policy objectives of the Department of State.
				(b)Diplomatic and
			 Consular Facilities Task Force
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of State should establish the Diplomatic
			 and Consular Facilities Task Force (referred to in this section as the
			 Task Force)—
					(A)to review
			 existing regulations, standards, and procedures to implement paragraphs (2) and
			 (3) of section 606(a) of the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism
			 Act of 1999 (22 U.S.C. 4865(a)); and
					(B)to make
			 appropriate recommendations to modify or revoke the regulations, standards, and
			 procedures under such Act.
					(2)CompositionThe
			 Task Force shall be composed of 7 members, of whom—
					(A)4 shall be senior
			 career professionals of the Department of State with different personnel
			 backgrounds; and
					(B)3 shall be
			 professionals outside the United States Government who are noted for their
			 knowledge and experience in construction and security issues.
					(3)Deadline for
			 appointmentsAll members of the Task Force shall be appointed not
			 later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
				(4)ExemptionThe
			 Task Force shall be exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
			 App.).
				(5)TerminationThe
			 Task Force shall terminate on the date on which the report is submitted to
			 Congress under subsection (c)(2).
				(c)Reports
				(1)Secretary of
			 stateNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the
			 Committee on Foreign Relations of the
			 Senate and the Committee on
			 Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that
			 describes—
					(A)the
			 recommendations made by the Task Force under subsection (b)(1)(B); and
					(B)the impact of
			 such recommendations on the operations of, and security standards for, United
			 States diplomatic and consular facilities.
					(2)Comptroller
			 generalNot later than 120 days after the submission of the
			 report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall
			 submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that
			 contains—
					(A)a review of, and
			 comments on, the recommendations made by the Task Force under subsection
			 (b)(1)(B); and
					(B)the Comptroller
			 General’s recommendations for improving the security standards at all
			 United States diplomatic and consular facilities.


110 HR 3066 IH: To permit pass-through payment for reasonable costs of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-07-17
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. 3066
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			July 17, 2007
			Mr. Hare (for himself
			 and Mr. Johnson of Illinois)
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To permit pass-through payment for reasonable costs of
		  certified registered nurse anesthetist services in critical access hospitals
		  notwithstanding the reclassification of such hospitals as urban hospitals,
		  including hospitals located in Lugar counties, and for on-call
		  and standby costs for such services.

		1.Medicare pass-through
			 payments for CRNA services
			(a)Treatment of
			 critical access hospitals as rural in determining eligibility for CRNA
			 pass-through paymentsSection
			 9320(k) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986
			 (42 U.S.C. 1395k note), as amended by section 6132 of the Omnibus
			 Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, is amended by adding at the end
			 the following:

					(3)Any facility that qualifies as a critical
				access hospital (as defined in section 1861(mm)(1) of the Social
				Security Act) shall be treated as being located in a rural area for
				purposes of paragraph (1) regardless of any geographic reclassification of the
				facility, including such a reclassification of the county in which the facility
				is located as an urban county (also popularly known as a Lugar county) under
				section 1886(d)(8)(B) of the Social Security
				Act.
					.
			(b)Treatment of
			 standby and on-call costsSuch section, as amended by subsection
			 (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following:

					(4)In determining the
				reasonable costs incurred by a hospital or critical access hospital for the
				services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist under this subsection, the
				Secretary shall include standby costs and on-call costs incurred by the
				hospital or critical access hospital, respectively, with respect to such nurse
				anesthetist.
					.
			(c)Effective
			 dates
				(1)Treatment of
			 CAHs as rural in determining CRNA pass-through eligibilityThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall
			 apply to calendar years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this
			 Act (regardless of whether the geographic reclassification of a critical access
			 hospital occurred before, on, or after such date).
				(2)Inclusion of
			 standby costs and on-call costs in determining reasonable costs of CRNA
			 servicesThe amendment made
			 by subsection (b) shall apply to costs incurred in cost reporting periods
			 beginning in fiscal years after fiscal year 2003.


116 S5081 IS: Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2020
U.S. Senate
2020-12-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 5081IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESDecember 21, 2020Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Reed, Mr. Markey, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Durbin, and Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public WorksA BILLTo amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to require oil polluters to pay the full cost of oil spills, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2020.2.Removal of limits on liability for offshore
 facilitiesSection 1004(a)(3) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2704(a)(3)) is amended by striking plus $75,000,000 and inserting and the liability of the responsible party under section 1002.