116 HR 3121 IH: Military Child Care Expansion Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3121IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 11, 2021Ms. Speier (for herself, Mrs. Bice of Oklahoma, Ms. Jacobs of California, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Carson, Mr. Case, Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Houlahan, Mr. Kahele, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Moulton, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Norton, Ms. Porter, Ms. Ross, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Sherrill, Ms. Strickland, Ms. Titus, Mr. Turner, Mr. Vela, Ms. Velázquez, and Ms. Wild) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo expand child care opportunities for members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Military Child Care Expansion Act of 2021.2.Expansion of pilot program to provide financial assistance to members of the Armed Forces for in-home child careSection 589 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116–283) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)(3)—(A)by striking Secretary shall— and all that follows through private sector; and and inserting Secretary shall take into consideration qualifications for in-home child care providers in the private sector.; and(B)by striking subparagraph (B); and(2)in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following: The Secretary of Defense may expand the pilot program to additional locations..3.Pilot program to expand access to child care to the Department of Defense(a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a pilot program to expand access to child care for members of the Armed Forces by entering into agreements with public or private child care facilities or development centers. (b)ScopeIn carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall—(1)seek to enter into one or more memoranda of understanding with one or more eligible civilian child care centers or facilities to reserve slots for qualified families in locations in which— (A)the Department of Defense lacks a child development center; or(B)the wait lists for the nearest Department of Defense child development center, where applicable, indicate that qualified families may not be accommodated; and(2)select five locations that the Secretary determines have the greatest unmet demand for child care services for children of members of the Armed Forces, including at least one facility in each location that offers extended or flexible hours to provide care after hours and on weekends. (c)Annual assessment of resultsNot later than one year after establishing the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall undertake a current assessment of the impact of the pilot program on access to childcare facilities or child development centers for qualified families. (d)Reports(1)Interim reportsNot later than one year after the Secretary establishes the pilot program and twice annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives an interim report on the pilot program. Each interim report shall include the following elements: (A)The number of military families participating in the pilot program, disaggregated by location and duration of participation.(B)A breakdown of the total cost, including any subsidies or financial assistance, charged by the childcare facility or child development center.(C)The impact of the program on wait times at Department of Defense child care development centers.(D)The feasibility of expanding the pilot program.(E)Recommendations for legislation or administrative actions that the Secretary determines necessary to make the pilot program permanent.(F)Any other information the Secretary determines appropriate. (2)Final reportNot later than 90 days after the termination of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a final report on the pilot program. The report shall include the following elements:(A)The elements specified in paragraph (1).(B)The recommendation of the Secretary whether to make the pilot program permanent. (e)ExpansionBased on the recommendations included in the interim reports, the Secretary may expand the scope of the pilot program to include more than five locations if the Secretary determines access to childcare is improved and such expansion would likely benefit Department of Defense families. (f)TerminationThe pilot program shall terminate 10 years after the date on which the Secretary establishes the pilot program. (g)Eligible civilian child care center or facility definedIn this section, the term eligible civilian child care center or facility has the meaning given the term eligible provider in section 1798(b) of title 10, United States Code. 4.Determination of causes of poor or failing conditions at child development centers of Department of Defense and costs to improve such conditions(a)Determinations(1)In generalThe Secretary of Defense shall determine—(A)the root causes contributing to poor or failing facility conditions at child development centers of the Department of Defense; and(B)the total cost to improve the facility conditions of such centers to at least fair condition, as determined by the Secretary.(2)ReportNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the determinations of the Secretary under paragraph (1).(b)Comptroller General review and recommendationsNot later than one year after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress the report under subsection (a)(2) on the determinations of the Secretary under subsection (a)(1), the Comptroller General of the United States shall—(1)review such determinations; and(2)submit to the Secretary and Congress recommendations on how to improve the facility conditions at child development centers of the Department. 5.Temporary program to use minor military construction authority for construction of child development centers(a)Thresholds on construction authorizedThe Secretary of Defense shall establish a program to carry out minor military construction projects under section 2805 of title 10, United States Code, to construct child development centers.(b)Increased maximum amounts applicable to minor construction projectsFor the purpose of any military construction project carried out under the program under this section, the amounts specified in section 2805 of title 10, United States Code, are modified as follows:(1)The amount specified in subsection (a)(2) of such section is deemed to be $25,000,000.(2)The amount specified in subsection (c) of such section is deemed to be $25,000,000.(c)Notification and approval requirements(1)In generalThe notification and approval requirements under section 2805(b) of title 10, United States Code, shall remain in effect for construction projects carried out under the program under this section.(2)ProceduresThe Secretary shall establish procedures for the review and approval of requests from the Secretaries of military departments to carry out construction projects under the program under this section.(d)Report required(1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the program under this section.(2)ElementsThe report required by paragraph (1) shall include a list and description of the construction projects carried out under the program under this section, including the location and cost of each project.(e)Expiration of authorityThe authority to carry out a minor military construction project under the program under this section expires on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.(f)Construction of authorityNothing in this section may be construed to limit any other authority provided by law for a military construction project at a child development center.(g)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term child development center has the meaning given that term in section 2871 of title 10, United States Code. (2)The term congressional defense committees has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.


116 HR 112 IH: To prohibit the Central Intelligence Agency from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other deliberately lethal action and to transfer the authority to conduct such strikes or lethal action to the Department of Defense.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 112IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 3, 2019Mr. Burgess introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo prohibit the Central Intelligence Agency from using an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other deliberately lethal action and to transfer the authority to conduct such strikes or lethal action to the Department of Defense.
1.Prohibition on Central Intelligence Agency operation of unmanned aerial vehicle strikes and transfer of authority to the Department of Defense
(a)ProhibitionNotwithstanding any other provision of law, no officer or employee of, or contractor or detailee to, the Central Intelligence Agency shall use an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other lethal action. (b)Transfer to Department of DefenseNotwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall transfer to the Department of Defense all authority to use an unmanned aerial vehicle to carry out a weapons strike or other lethal action.


115 S206 IS: Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-01-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 206IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 24, 2017Mr. Kaine (for himself and Mr. Portman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary of Education to award job training
			 Federal Pell Grants.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2017 or the JOBS Act of 2017.
 2.Job training Federal Pell GrantsSection 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(k)Job training Federal Pell Grant program
 (1)In generalFor the award years beginning on July 1, 2017, the Secretary shall carry out a program through which the Secretary shall award job training Federal Pell Grants to students in job training programs. Each job training Federal Pell Grant awarded under this subsection shall have the same terms and conditions, and be awarded in the same manner, as a Federal Pell Grant awarded under subsection (a), except as follows:
 (A)A student who is eligible to receive a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection is a student who—
 (i)has not yet attained a baccalaureate degree or postbaccalaureate degree; (ii)attends an institution of higher education as defined in section 102;
 (iii)is enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a job training program at such institution of higher education; and
 (iv)meets all other eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant (except with respect to the type of program of study, as provided in clause (iii)).
 (B)The amount of a job training Federal Pell Grant for an eligible student shall be determined under subsection (b)(2)(A), except that—
 (i)the maximum Federal Pell Grant awarded under this subsection for an award year shall be 50 percent of the maximum Federal Pell Grant awarded under subsection (b) applicable to that award year;
 (ii)no increase shall be calculated under subsection (b)(7)(B) for a student receiving a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection; and
 (iii)subsection (b)(4) shall not apply. (2)Inclusion in total eligibility periodAny period during which a student receives a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection shall be included in calculating the student's period of eligibility for Federal Pell Grants under subsection (c), and any regulations under such subsection regarding students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program on less than a full-time basis shall similarly apply to students who are enrolled in a job training program at an eligible institution on less than a full-time basis.
 (3)DefinitionsIn this subsection, the following definitions apply: (A)Eligible career pathways programThe term eligible career pathway program means a program that is part of a career pathway, as defined under section 3(7) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(7)), that is a combination of rigorous and high-quality education, training, and other services that—
 (i)aligns with the skill needs of industries in the State or regional economy involved;
 (ii)prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 664; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.);
 (iii)includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals;
 (iv)includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster;
 (v)organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable;
 (vi)enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and
 (vii)helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster. (B)Job training programThe term job training program means a career and technical education program at an institution of higher education that—
 (i)provides not less than 150 clock hours of instructional time over a period of not less than 8 weeks;
 (ii)provides training aligned with the requirements of employers in the State or local area, which may include in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the State or local area, as defined under section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(23));
 (iii)provides a student, upon completion of the program, with a recognized postsecondary credential, as defined under section 3(52) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(52)), that is recognized by employers in the relevant industry, including credentials recognized by industry or sector partnerships in the State or local area where the industry is located;
 (iv)has been determined, by the institution of higher education, to provide academic content, an amount of instructional time, and a recognized postsecondary credential that are sufficient to—
 (I)meet the hiring requirements of potential employers; and (II)allow the students to apply for any licenses or certifications that may be required to be employed in the field for which the job training is offered;
 (v)may include integrated or basic skills courses; and (vi)may be offered as part of an eligible career pathways program..


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1267
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 2, 2007
			Mr. Lugar (for himself,
			 Mr. Dodd, Mr.
			 Graham, Mr. Domenici, and
			 Ms. Landrieu) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To maintain the free flow of information to the public by
		  providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by
		  certain persons connected with the news media.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Free Flow of Information Act of
			 2007.
		2.Compelled
			 disclosure from covered persons
			(a)Conditions for
			 compelled disclosureIn any
			 proceeding or in connection with any issue arising under Federal law, a Federal
			 entity may not compel a covered person to provide testimony or produce any
			 document related to information possessed by such covered person as part of
			 engaging in journalism, unless a court determines by a preponderance of the
			 evidence, after providing notice and an opportunity to be heard to such covered
			 person—
				(1)that the party
			 seeking to compel production of such testimony or document has exhausted all
			 reasonable alternative sources (other than a covered person) of the testimony
			 or document;
				(2)that—
					(A)in a criminal
			 investigation or prosecution, based on information obtained from a person other
			 than the covered person—
						(i)there are
			 reasonable grounds to believe that a crime has occurred; and
						(ii)the
			 testimony or document sought is essential to the investigation or prosecution
			 or to the defense against the prosecution; or
						(B)in a matter other
			 than a criminal investigation or prosecution, based on information obtained
			 from a person other than the covered person, the testimony or document sought
			 is essential to the successful completion of the matter;
					(3)in the case that
			 the testimony or document sought could reveal the identity of a source of
			 information or include any information that could reasonably be expected to
			 lead to the discovery of the identity of such a source, that—
					(A)disclosure of the identity of such a source
			 is necessary to prevent imminent and actual harm to national security with the
			 objective to prevent such harm;
					(B)disclosure of the identity of such a source
			 is necessary to prevent imminent death or significant bodily harm with the
			 objective to prevent such death or harm, respectively; or
					(C)disclosure of the
			 identity of such a source is necessary to identify a person who has
			 disclosed—
						(i)a
			 trade secret of significant value in violation of a State or Federal
			 law;
						(ii)individually
			 identifiable health information, as such term is defined in section 1171(6) of
			 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d(6)), in violation of Federal law;
			 or
						(iii)nonpublic
			 personal information, as such term is defined in section 509(4) of the
			 Gramm-Leach-Biley Act (15 U.S.C. 6809(4)), of any consumer in violation of
			 Federal law; and
						(4)that nondisclosure
			 of the information would be contrary to the public interest, taking into
			 account both the public interest in compelling disclosure and the public
			 interest in gathering news and maintaining the free flow of information.
				(b)Limitations on
			 content of informationThe content of any testimony or document
			 that is compelled under subsection (a) shall, to the extent possible—
				(1)be limited to the
			 purpose of verifying published information or describing any surrounding
			 circumstances relevant to the accuracy of such published information;
			 and
				(2)be narrowly
			 tailored in subject matter and period of time covered so as to avoid compelling
			 production of peripheral, nonessential, or speculative information.
				3.Compelled
			 disclosure from communications service providers
			(a)Conditions for
			 compelled disclosureWith respect to testimony or any document
			 consisting of any record, information, or other communication that relates to a
			 business transaction between a communications service provider and a covered
			 person, section 2 shall apply to such testimony or document if sought from the
			 communications service provider in the same manner that such section applies to
			 any testimony or document sought from a covered person.
			(b)Notice and
			 opportunity provided to covered personsA court may compel the
			 testimony or disclosure of a document under this section only after the party
			 seeking such a document provides the covered person who is a party to the
			 business transaction described in subsection (a)—
				(1)notice of the
			 subpoena or other compulsory request for such testimony or disclosure from the
			 communications service provider not later than the time at which such subpoena
			 or request is issued to the communications service provider; and
				(2)an opportunity to
			 be heard before the court before the time at which the testimony or disclosure
			 is compelled.
				(c)Exception to
			 notice requirementNotice under subsection (b)(1) may be delayed
			 only if the court involved determines by clear and convincing evidence that
			 such notice would pose a substantial threat to the integrity of a criminal
			 investigation.
			4.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Communications
			 service providerThe term communications service
			 provider—
				(A)means any person
			 that transmits information of the customer's choosing by electronic means;
			 and
				(B)includes a
			 telecommunications carrier, an information service provider, an interactive
			 computer service provider, and an information content provider (as such terms
			 are defined in sections 3 and 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
			 153, 230)).
				(2)Covered
			 personThe term covered person means a person
			 engaged in journalism and includes a supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary,
			 or affiliate of such covered person.
			(3)DocumentThe
			 term document means writings, recordings, and photographs, as
			 those terms are defined by Federal Rule of Evidence 1001 (28 U.S.C.
			 App.).
			(4)Federal
			 entityThe term Federal
			 entity means an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch
			 or an administrative agency of the Federal Government with the power to issue a
			 subpoena or issue other compulsory process.
			(5)JournalismThe term journalism means the
			 gathering, preparing, collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing,
			 reporting, or publishing of news or information that concerns local, national,
			 or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination
			 to the public.


117 HR 3588 IH: Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-05-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3588IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 28, 2021Ms. Houlahan (for herself and Mr. Baird) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and TechnologyA BILLTo coordinate Federal research and development efforts focused on modernizing mathematics in STEM education through mathematical and statistical modeling, including data-driven and computational thinking, problem, project, and performance-based learning and assessment, interdisciplinary exploration, and career connections, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act .2.Mathematical and statistical modeling education(a)FindingsCongress finds the following:(1)The mathematics taught in schools, including statistical problem solving and data science, is not keeping pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the public and private sector, resulting in a STEM skills shortage and employers needing to expend resources to train and upskill employees. (2)According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States will need 1,000,000 additional STEM professionals than it is on track to produce in the coming decade.(3)The field of data science, which is relevant in almost every workplace, relies on the ability to work in teams and use computational tools to do mathematical and statistical problem solving.(4)Many STEM occupations offer higher wages, more opportunities for advancement, and a higher degree of job security than non-STEM jobs.(5)The STEM workforce relies on computational and data-driven discovery, decision making, and predictions, from models that often must quantify uncertainty, as in weather predictions, spread of disease, or financial forecasting.(6)Most fields, including analytics, science, economics, publishing, marketing, actuarial science, operations research, engineering, and medicine, require data savvy, including the ability to select reliable sources of data, identify and remove errors in data, recognize and quantify uncertainty in data, visualize and analyze data, and use data to develop understanding or make predictions.(7)Rapidly emerging fields, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing and quantum information, all rely on mathematical and statistical concepts, which are critical to prove under what circumstances an algorithm or experiment will work and when it will fail.(8)Military academies have a long tradition in teaching mathematical modeling and would benefit from the ability to recruit students with this expertise from their other school experiences. (9)Mathematical modeling has been a strong educational priority globally, especially in China, where participation in United States mathematical modeling challenges in high school and higher education is orders of magnitude higher than in the United States, and Chinese teams are taking a majority of the prizes.(10)Girls participate in mathematical modeling challenges at all levels at similar levels as boys, while in traditional mathematical competitions girls participate less and drop out at every stage. Students cite opportunity for teamwork, using mathematics and statistics in meaningful contexts, ability to use computation, and emphasis on communication as reasons for continued participation in modeling challenges. (b)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)DirectorThe term Director means the Director of the National Science Foundation.(2)Federal laboratoryThe term Federal laboratory has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703).(3)FoundationThe term Foundation means the National Science Foundation.(4)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).(5)Mathematical modelingThe term mathematical modeling has the meaning given the term in the 2019 Guidelines to Assessment and Instruction in Mathematical Modeling Education (GAIMME) report, 2nd edition.(6)Operations researchThe term operations research means the application of scientific methods to the management and administration of organized military, governmental, commercial, and industrial processes to maximize operational efficiency. (7)Statistical modelingThe term statistical modeling has the meaning given the term in the 2021 Guidelines to Assessment and Instruction in Statistical Education (GAISE II) report. (8)StemThe term STEM means the academic and professional disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.(c)Preparing educators To engage students in mathematical and statistical modelingThe Director shall provide grants on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis to institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (or a consortium thereof) for research and development to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality mathematical modeling education in schools operated by local education agencies, including statistical modeling, data science, operations research, and computational thinking. The Director shall encourage applicants to form partnerships to address critical transitions, such as middle school to high school, high school to college, and school to internships and jobs. (d)ApplicationAn entity seeking a grant under subsection (c) shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. The application shall include the following:(1)A description of the target population to be served by the research activity for which such grant is sought, including student subgroups described in section 1111(b)(2)(B)(xi) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)(B)(xi)), and students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care.(2)A description of the process for recruitment and selection of students, educators, or local educational agencies to participate in such research activity.(3)A description of how such research activity may inform efforts to promote the engagement and achievement of students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in mathematical modeling and statistical modeling using problem-based learning with contextualized data and computational tools.(4)In the case of a proposal consisting of a partnership or partnerships with 1 or more local educational agencies and 1 or more researchers, a plan for establishing a sustained partnership that is jointly developed and managed, draws from the capacities of each partner, and is mutually beneficial.(e)PartnershipsIn awarding grants under subsection (c), the Director shall encourage applications that include—(1)partnership with a nonprofit organization or an institution of higher education that has extensive experience and expertise in increasing the participation of students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in mathematical modeling and statistical modeling;(2)partnership with a local educational agency, a consortium of local educational agencies, or Tribal educational agencies;(3)an assurance from school leaders to making reforms and activities proposed by the applicant a priority; (4)ways to address critical transitions, such as middle school to high school, high school to college, and school to internships and jobs;(5)input from education researchers and cognitive scientists, as well as practitioners in research and industry, so that what is being taught is up-to-date in terms of content and pedagogy;(6)a communications strategy for early conversations with parents, school leaders, school boards, community members, employers, and other stakeholders; and(7)resources for parents, school leaders, school boards, community members, and other stakeholders to build skills in modeling and analytics.(f)Use of fundsAn entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds for research and development activities to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality mathematical modeling education in public schools, including statistical modeling, data science, operations research, and computational thinking, which may include—(1)engaging prekindergarten through grade 12 educators in professional learning opportunities to enhance mathematical modeling and statistical problem solving knowledge, and developing training and best practices to provide more interdisciplinary learning opportunities;(2)conducting research on curricula and teaching practices that empower students to choose the mathematical, statistical, computational, and technological tools that they will apply to a problem, as is required in life and the workplace, rather than prescribing a particular approach or method;(3)providing students with opportunities to explore and analyze real data sets from contexts that are meaningful to the students, which may include—(A)missing or incorrect values;(B)quantities of data that require choice and use of appropriate technology;(C)multiple data sets that require choices about which data are relevant to the current problem; and(D)data of various types including quantities, words, and images;(4)taking a school or district-wide approach to professional development in mathematical modeling and statistical modeling;(5)engaging rural local agencies;(6)supporting research on effective mathematical modeling and statistical modeling teaching practices, including problem- and project-based learning, universal design for accessibility, and rubrics and mastery-based grading practices to assess student performance;(7)designing and developing pre-service and in-service training resources to assist educators in adopting transdisciplinary teaching practices within mathematics and statistics courses;(8)coordinating with local partners to adapt mathematics and statistics teaching practices to leverage local natural, business, industry, and community assets in order to support community-based learning;(9)providing hands-on training and research opportunities for mathematics and statistics educators at Federal laboratories, institutions of higher education, or in industry;(10)developing mechanisms for partnerships between educators and employers to help educators and students make connections between their mathematics and statistics projects and topics of relevance in today’s world;(11)designing and implementing professional development courses and experiences, including mentoring for educators, that combine face-to-face and online experiences; (12)addressing critical transitions, such as middle school to high school, high school to college, and school to internships and jobs; and(13)any other activity the Director determines will accomplish the goals of this section.(g)EvaluationsAll proposals for grants under this section shall include an evaluation plan that includes the use of outcome oriented measures to assess the impact and efficacy of the grant. Each recipient of a grant under this section shall include results from these evaluative activities in annual and final projects.(h)Accountability and dissemination(1)Evaluation requiredThe Director shall evaluate the portfolio of grants awarded under this section. Such evaluation shall—(A)use a common set of benchmarks and tools to assess the results of research conducted under such grants and identify best practices; and(B)to the extent practicable, integrate the findings of research resulting from the activities funded through such grants with the findings of other research on student’s pursuit of degrees or careers in STEM.(2)Report on evaluationsNot later than 180 days after the completion of the evaluation under paragraph (1), the Director shall submit to Congress and make widely available to the public a report that includes—(A)the results of the evaluation; and(B)any recommendations for administrative and legislative action that could optimize the effectiveness of the grants awarded under this section.(i)Authorization of appropriationsFor each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, there are authorized out of funds appropriated to the National Science Foundation, $10,000,000 to carry out the activities under this section.3.NASEM report on mathematical and statistical modeling education in prekindergarten through 12th grade(a)StudyNot later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (in this section referred to as NASEM) (or if NASEM declines to enter into such an agreement, another appropriate entity) under which NASEM, or such other appropriate entity, agrees to conduct a study on the following:(1)Factors that enhance or barriers to the implementation of mathematical modeling and statistical modeling in elementary and secondary education, including opportunities for and barriers to use modeling to integrate mathematical and statistical ideas across the curriculum, including the following:(A)Pathways in mathematical modeling and statistical problem solving from kindergarten to the workplace so that students are able to identify opportunities to use their school mathematics and statistics in a variety of jobs and life situations and so that employers can benefit from students’ school learning of data science, computational thinking, mathematics, statistics, and related subjects.(B)The role of community-based problems, service-based learning. and internships for connecting students with career preparatory experiences.(C)Best practices in problem-, project-, performance-based learning and assessment.(2)Characteristics of teacher education programs that successfully prepare teachers to engage students in mathematical modeling and statistical modeling, as well as gaps and suggestions for building capacity in the pre-service and in-service teacher workforce.(3)Mechanisms for communication with stakeholders, including parents, administrators, and the public, to promote understanding and knowledge of the value of mathematical modeling and statistical modeling in education.(b)Public stakeholder meetingIn the course of completing the study described in subsection (a), NASEM or such other appropriate entity shall hold not less than one public meeting to obtain stakeholder input on the topics of such study.(c)ReportThe agreement under subsection (a) shall require NASEM, or such other appropriate entity, not later than 24 months after the effective date of such agreement, to submit to the Secretary of Education and the appropriate committees of jurisdiction of Congress a report containing—(1)the results of the study conducted under subsection (a);(2)recommendations to modernize the processes described in subsection (a)(1); and(3)recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as NASEM, or such other appropriate entity, determines appropriate.(d)Authorization of appropriationsFor the fiscal year 2022, there are authorized out of funds appropriated to the National Science Foundation, $1,000,000 to carry out the activities under this section.


117 SRES 103 IS: Condemning military aggression and use of force by the Chinese Coast Guard against peaceful foreign vessels that purportedly violate the unlawful maritime sovereignty of China.
U.S. Senate
2021-03-10
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.

III117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. RES. 103IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 10, 2021Mr. Scott of Florida (for himself, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. Hawley) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign RelationsRESOLUTIONCondemning military aggression and use of force by the Chinese Coast Guard against peaceful foreign vessels that purportedly violate the unlawful maritime sovereignty of China.Whereas the National People’s Congress of China passed the Coast Guard Law of the People’s Republic of China on January 22, 2021, for the alleged purposes of defending the national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests of China; Whereas the Coast Guard Law of the People’s Republic of China applies to activities in the jurisdictional waters of China, a term that is neither defined nor drafted in accordance with international law; Whereas 6 countries lay overlapping claims to the South China Sea, an area known to be rich in oil, gas, and natural resources and by which $3,400,000,000,000 in commerce transits through; Whereas the Government of the People's Republic of China has made claims to the South China Sea by means of a nine-dash line that is not based on legitimate evidence and nor legal or historical precedent; Whereas United States Navy and United States Coast Guard ships conduct freedom of navigation operations throughout the South China Sea, challenging excessive and illegal maritime claims; andWhereas the United States will not tolerate a threat from the People's Republic of China for its extension of power in waters far beyond its legitimate territorial sea boundaries: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—(1)condemns exertion of illegitimate authorization for Chinese Coast Guard military aggression by the People's Republic of China against foreign vessels;(2)condemns the unlawful claims by the Government of the People's Republic of China to the South China Sea;(3)applauds the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard for their continued efforts to conduct freedom of navigation operations in order to assert international rights to freedom of navigation and uphold a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity;(4)calls on all nations to condemn the exertion of power by People's Republic of China that threatens rules-based order and international law;(5)calls on all nations to join and condemn unlawful claims by the Government of the People's Republic of China and stand with Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources; and(6)encourages all nations to condemn and stand together against attempts by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to impose its will on other countries.


116 HR 78 IH: Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 78IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 3, 2019Mr. Biggs (for himself, Mr. Young, and Mr. Duncan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 28, United States Code, to divide the ninth judicial circuit of the United States into 2 circuits, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2019. 2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
(1)Former ninth circuitThe term former ninth circuit means the ninth judicial circuit of the United States as in existence on the day before the effective date of this Act. (2)New ninth circuitThe term new ninth circuit means the ninth judicial circuit of the United States established by the amendment made by section 3.
(3)Twelfth circuitThe term twelfth circuit means the twelfth judicial circuit of the United States established by the amendment made by section 3. 3.Number and composition of circuitsSection 41 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—
(1)in the matter preceding the table, by striking thirteen and inserting fourteen; and (2)in the table—
(A)by striking the item relating to the ninth circuit and inserting the following:     NinthCalifornia, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands.;and (B)by inserting after the item relating to the eleventh circuit the following:

TwelfthAlaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada..
4.Number of circuit judgesThe table contained in section 44(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1)by striking the item relating to the ninth circuit and inserting the following:

Ninth21;and
(2)by inserting after the item relating to the eleventh circuit the following:     Twelfth8. 5.Places of circuit courtThe table contained in section 48(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to the eleventh circuit the following:

TwelfthLas Vegas, Phoenix, Anchorage, Missoula..
6.Election of assignment of circuit judges
(a)In generalEach circuit judge of the former ninth circuit who is in regular active service and whose official duty station on the day before the effective date of this Act— (1)is in California, Oregon, Washington, Guam, Hawaii, or the Northern Mariana Islands shall be a circuit judge of the new ninth circuit as of such effective date; and
(2)subject to subsection (b), is in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, or Nevada, shall be a circuit judge of the twelfth circuit as of such effective date. (b)Election by certain circuit judgesA circuit judge in regular active service as described in subsection (a)(2) may elect to be permanently assigned to the new ninth circuit as of such effective date by notifying the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts of such election.
(c)VacanciesFor each individual serving in the position of circuit judge of the former ninth circuit whose official duty station on the day before the effective date of this Act is in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, or Nevada, after the date on which such individual ceases to serve as a circuit judge, the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 additional circuit judge for the twelfth circuit, without regard to whether such individual makes an election described in subsection (b). 7.Election of assignment by senior judgesEach judge who is a senior circuit judge of the former ninth circuit, whose official duty station on the day before the effective date of this Act is in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, or Nevada, may elect to be assigned to the new ninth circuit or the twelfth circuit as of such effective date and shall notify the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts of such election.
8.Authorization of temporary judgeships
(a)In generalFor each circuit judge in regular active service who elects to be assigned to the new ninth circuit under section 6(b), the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 additional circuit judge for the twelfth circuit, resident in the duty station of the circuit judge making the election as of the day before the effective date of this Act. (b)VacanciesFor each appointment made under subsection (a) for the twelfth circuit, an equal number of corresponding vacancies in the position of circuit judge for the twelfth circuit shall not be filled.
9.Seniority of judges
(a)In generalThe seniority of each judge— (1)who elects to be assigned to the twelfth circuit under section 6(b);
(2)who elects to be assigned to the new ninth circuit under section 6(b); or (3)who elects to be assigned to the twelfth circuit under section 7,shall run from the date of commission of such judge as a judge of the former ninth circuit.
(b)Temporary twelfth circuit judgesThe seniority of each judge appointed under section 8(a) shall run from the date of commission of such judge as a judge of the twelfth circuit. 10.Application to casesThe following apply to any case in which, on the day before the effective date of this Act, an appeal or other proceeding has been filed with the former ninth circuit:
(1)Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the matter has been submitted for decision, further proceedings with respect to the matter shall be had in the same manner and with the same effect as if this Act had not been enacted. (2)If the matter has not been submitted for decision, the appeal or proceeding, together with the original papers, printed records, and record entries duly certified, shall, by appropriate orders, be transferred to the court to which the matter would have been submitted had this Act been in full force and effect on the date on which such appeal was taken or other proceeding commenced, and further proceedings with respect to the case shall be had in the same manner and with the same effect as if the appeal or other proceeding had been filed in such court.
(3)If a petition for rehearing en banc is pending on or after the effective date of this Act, the petition shall be considered by the court of appeals to which the petition would have been submitted had this Act been in full force and effect on the date on which the appeal or other proceeding was filed with the court of appeals. 11.Administration (a)In generalThe court of appeals for the ninth circuit as constituted on the day before the effective date of this Act may take such administrative action as may be required to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
(b)Administrative terminationThe court described in subsection (a) shall cease to exist for administrative purposes 2 years after the effective date of this Act. 12.Effective dateThis Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
13.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including such sums as may be necessary to provide appropriate space and facilities for any judicial positions created by this Act or an amendment made by this Act.


114 S2934 IS: Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016
U.S. Senate
2016-05-16
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 CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2934IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 16, 2016Mr. Schumer (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the
			 national instant criminal background check system and require a background
			 check for every firearm sale.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016. (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Title I—Ensuring that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a gun are listed in the
			 National Instant Criminal Background Check SystemSec. 101. Penalties for States that do not make data electronically available to the National
			 Instant Criminal Background Check System.Sec. 102. Requirement that Federal agencies certify that they have submitted to the National
			 Instant Criminal Background Check System all records identifying persons
			 prohibited from purchasing firearms under Federal law.Sec. 103. Adjudicated as a mental defective.Sec. 104. Clarification that Federal court information is to be made available to the National
			 Instant Criminal Background Check System.Title II—Requiring a background check for every firearm saleSec. 201. Purpose.Sec. 202. Firearms transfers.Sec. 203. Lost and stolen reporting.
			IEnsuring that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a gun are listed in the National
			 Instant Criminal Background Check System
			101.Penalties for States that do not make data electronically available to the National Instant
 Criminal Background Check SystemSection 102(b) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended to read as follows:

					(b)Implementation plan
 (1)In generalWithin 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Attorney General, in coordination with the States, shall establish, for each State or Indian tribal government, a plan to ensure maximum coordination and automation of the reporting of records or making of records available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System established under section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, during a 4-year period specified in the plan.
 (2)Benchmark requirementsEach such plan shall include annual benchmarks, including qualitative goals and quantitative measures, to enable the Attorney General to assess implementation of the plan.
						(3)Penalties for noncompliance
 (A)In generalDuring the 4-year period covered by such a plan, the Attorney General shall withhold the following percentage of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755) if the State does not meet the benchmark established under paragraph (2) for the following year in the period:
 (i)10 percent, in the case of the 1st year in the period. (ii)11 percent, in the case of the 2nd year in the period.
 (iii)13 percent, in the case of the 3rd year in the period. (iv)15 percent, in the case of the 4th year in the period.
 (B)Failure to establish a planA State with respect to which a plan is not established under paragraph (1) shall be treated as having not met any benchmark established under paragraph (2)..
			102.Requirement that Federal agencies certify that they have submitted to the National Instant Criminal
			 Background Check System all records identifying persons prohibited from
 purchasing firearms under Federal lawSection 103(e)(1) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(F)Semiannual certification and reporting
 (i)In generalThe head of each Federal department or agency shall submit to the Attorney General a written certification indicating whether the department or agency has provided to the Attorney General the pertinent information contained in any record of any person that the department or agency was in possession of during the time period addressed by the certification demonstrating that the person falls within a category described in subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code.
 (ii)Submission datesThe head of a Federal department or agency shall submit a certification under clause (i)— (I)not later than July 31 of each year, which shall address any record the department or agency was in possession of during the period beginning on January 1 of the year and ending on June 30 of the year; and
 (II)not later than January 31 of each year, which shall address any record the department or agency was in possession of during the period beginning on July 1 of the previous year and ending on December 31 of the previous year.
 (iii)ContentsA certification required under clause (i) shall state, for the applicable period— (I)the number of records of the Federal department or agency demonstrating that a person fell within each of the categories described in section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code;
 (II)the number of records of the Federal department or agency demonstrating that a person fell within the category described in section 922(n) of title 18, United States Code; and
 (III)for each category of records described in subclauses (I) and (II), the total number of records of the Federal department or agency that have been provided to the Attorney General..
			103.Adjudicated as a mental defective
 (a)In generalSection 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (36)The term adjudicated as a mental defective shall—
 (A)have the meaning given the term in section 478.11 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto; and
 (B)include an order by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that a person, in response to mental illness, incompetency, or marked subnormal intelligence, be compelled to receive services—
 (i)including counseling, medication, or testing to determine compliance with prescribed medications; and
 (ii)not including testing for use of alcohol or for abuse of any controlled substance or other drug. (37)The term committed to a mental institution shall have the meaning given the term in section 478.11 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto..
 (b)LimitationAn individual who has been adjudicated as a mental defective before the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act may not apply for relief from disability under section 101(c)(2) of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) on the basis that the individual does not meet the requirements in section 921(a)(36) of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).
 (c)NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007Section 3 of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

						(2)Mental health terms
 (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the terms adjudicated as a mental defective and committed to a mental institution shall have the meanings given the terms in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code. (B)ExceptionFor purposes of sections 102 and 103, the terms adjudicated as a mental defective and committed to a mental institution shall have the same meanings as on the day before the date of enactment of the Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016 until the end of the 2-year period beginning on such date of enactment..
				104.Clarification that Federal court information is to be made available to the National Instant
 Criminal Background Check SystemSection 103(e)(1) of the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note), as amended by section 102 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (G)Application to Federal courtsIn this paragraph— (i)the terms department or agency of the United States and Federal department or agency include a Federal court; and
 (ii)for purposes of any request, submission, or notification, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall perform the functions of the head of the department or agency..
			IIRequiring a background check for every firearm sale
 201.PurposeThe purpose of this title is to extend the Brady Law background check procedures to all sales and transfers of firearms.
			202.Firearms transfers
 (a)In generalSection 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1)by striking subsection (s) and redesignating subsection (t) as subsection (s);
 (2)in subsection (s), as so redesignated— (A)in paragraph (3)(C)(ii), by striking (as defined in subsection (s)(8)); and
 (B)by adding at the end the following:  (7)In this subsection, the term ‘chief law enforcement officer’ means the chief of police, the sheriff, or an equivalent officer or the designee of any such individual.; and
 (3)by inserting after subsection (s), as so redesignated, the following:  (t)(1)It shall be unlawful for any person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to transfer a firearm to any other person who is not so licensed, unless a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer has first taken possession of the firearm for the purpose of complying with subsection (s). Upon taking possession of the firearm, the licensee shall comply with all requirements of this chapter as if the licensee were transferring the firearm from the inventory of the licensee to the unlicensed transferee.
 (2)Paragraph (1) shall not apply to— (A)a transfer of a firearm by or to any law enforcement agency or any law enforcement officer, armed private security professional, or member of the armed forces, to the extent the officer, professional, or member is acting within the course and scope of employment and official duties;
 (B)a transfer that is a loan or bona fide gift between spouses, between domestic partners, between parents and their children, between siblings, or between grandparents and their grandchildren;
 (C)a transfer to an executor, administrator, trustee, or personal representative of an estate or a trust that occurs by operation of law upon the death of another person;
 (D)a temporary transfer that is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, if the possession by the transferee lasts only as long as immediately necessary to prevent the imminent death or great bodily harm;
 (E)a transfer that is approved by the Attorney General under section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
 (F)a temporary transfer if the transferor has no reason to believe that the transferee will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime or is prohibited from possessing firearms under State or Federal law, and the transfer takes place and the transferee’s possession of the firearm is exclusively—
 (i)at a shooting range or in a shooting gallery or other area designated and built for the purpose of target shooting;
 (ii)while hunting, trapping, or fishing, if the hunting, trapping, or fishing is legal in all places where the transferee possesses the firearm and the transferee holds all licenses or permits required for such hunting, trapping, or fishing; or
 (iii)while in the presence of the transferor.. (b)Technical and conforming amendments (1)Section 922Section 922(y)(2) of such title is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking , (g)(5)(B), and (s)(3)(B)(v)(II) and inserting and (g)(5)(B).
 (2)Section 925ASection 925A of such title is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking subsection (s) or (t) of section 922 and inserting section 922(s). (c)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a)(4) shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
				203.Lost and stolen reporting
 (a)In generalSection 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:  (aa)It shall be unlawful for any person who lawfully possesses or owns a firearm that has been shipped or transported in, or has been possessed in or affecting, interstate or foreign commerce, to fail to report the theft or loss of the firearm, within 48 hours after the person discovers the theft or loss, to the Attorney General and to the appropriate local authorities..
 (b)PenaltySection 924(a)(1)(B) of such title is amended to read as follows:  (B)knowingly violates subsection (a)(4), (f), (k), (q), or (aa) of section 922;.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2565
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

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

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on certain
		  carrying cases of plastics with molded handles shaped to hold
		  toys.

		1.Certain carrying cases of plastics with
			 molded handles shaped to hold toys
			(a)In generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the
			 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in
			 numerical sequence the following new heading:

								9902.01.00 Carrying cases of plastics with molded handles (provided for
						in subheading 4202.99.90), specially shaped or fitted to hold electronic
						drawing toys, electronic games or educational toys or devices, and books and
						other accessories used with those devices FreeNo
						changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2015

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


117 S2885 IS: Macadamia Tree Health Initiative Amendments Act
U.S. Senate
2021-09-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2885IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 29, 2021Mr. Schatz (for himself and Ms. Hirono) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryA BILLTo amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to modify the macadamia tree health initiative, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Macadamia Tree Health Initiative Amendments Act.2.Macadamia tree health initiativeSection 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended by striking paragraph (11) and inserting the following:(11)Macadamia tree health initiative(A)DefinitionsIn this paragraph, the terms noxious weed and plant pest have the meanings given those terms in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702).(B)High-priority research and extensionResearch and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of—(i)developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat plant pests and noxious weeds that impact macadamia trees;(ii)establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being affected by, invasive plant pests or noxious weeds;(iii)surveying and collecting data on macadamia tree production and health;(iv)investigating macadamia tree biology, immunology, ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics; and(v)conducting research on various factors that may contribute to or be associated with macadamia tree immune systems, and other serious threats to macadamia trees, including—(I)the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on beneficial insects and plants to macadamia tree growth; and(II)the development of mitigative and preventative measures to improve habitat conservation and best management practices in macadamia tree growing regions.(C)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2033..


		III
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. RES. 670
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 22
			 (legislative day, September 17), 2008
			Mr. Allard (for himself,
			 Mr. Casey, Mr.
			 Akaka, Mr. Bennett,
			 Mr. Brown, Mr.
			 Chambliss, Mrs. Clinton,
			 Mr. Coleman, Mr. Crapo, Mr.
			 Domenici, Mr. Durbin,
			 Mr. Enzi, Mrs.
			 Feinstein, Mrs. Hutchison,
			 Mr. Inhofe, Mr.
			 Kennedy, Ms. Landrieu,
			 Mr. Leahy, Mr.
			 Levin, Mr. Lieberman,
			 Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. Murray, Mr.
			 Pryor, Mr. Rockefeller,
			 Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schumer, Ms.
			 Stabenow, Mr. Stevens,
			 Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr.
			 Wicker, Ms. Murkowski,
			 Mr. Barrasso, and
			 Mr. Menendez) submitted the following
			 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Designating September 25, 2008, as
		  National First Responder Appreciation Day.

		Whereas millions of Americans have benefitted from the
			 courageous service of first responders across the United States;
		Whereas the police, fire, emergency medical service, and
			 public health personnel (commonly known as first responders)
			 work devotedly and selflessly on behalf of the people of the United States,
			 regardless of the peril or hazard to themselves;
		Whereas in emergency situations, first responders carry
			 out the critical role of protecting and ensuring public safety;
		Whereas the men and women who bravely serve as first
			 responders have found themselves on the front lines of homeland defense in the
			 war against terrorism;
		Whereas first responders are called upon in the event of a
			 natural disaster, such as the tornados in Florida and the blizzard in Colorado
			 in December 2006, the flooding in the Northeast in April 2007, the flooding in
			 the Midwest in June 2008, and the wildfires in the West in July 2008;
		Whereas the critical role of first responders was
			 witnessed in the aftermath of the mass shooting at the Virginia Polytechnic
			 Institute and State University, when the collaborative effort of police
			 officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians to secure the campus,
			 rescue students from danger, treat the injured, and transport victims to local
			 hospitals undoubtedly saved the lives of many students and faculty;
		Whereas 900,000 police officers, 1,100,000 firefighters,
			 and 891,000 emergency medical technicians risk their lives every day to make
			 our communities safe;
		Whereas these 900,000 sworn police officers from Federal,
			 State, tribal, city, and county law enforcement agencies protect lives and
			 property, detect and prevent crimes, uphold the law, and ensure justice;
		Whereas these 1,100,000 firefighters, both volunteer and
			 career, provide fire suppression, emergency medical services, search and
			 rescue, hazardous materials response, response to terrorism, and critical fire
			 prevention and safety education;
		Whereas the 891,000 emergency medical professionals in the
			 United States respond to and treat a variety of life-threatening emergencies,
			 from cardiac and respiratory arrest to traumatic injuries;
		Whereas these 2,661,000 first responders
			 make personal sacrifices to protect our communities, as was witnessed on
			 September 11, 2001, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and as is
			 witnessed every day in cities and towns across the United States;
		Whereas, according to the National Law Enforcement
			 Officers Memorial Fund, a total of 1,671 law enforcement officers died in the
			 line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of 1 death every 53 hours or
			 167 per year, and 181 law enforcement officers were killed in 2007;
		Whereas, according to the United States Fire
			 Administration, from 1996 through 2005 over 1500 firefighters were killed in
			 the line of duty, and tens of thousands were injured;
		Whereas 4 in 5 medics are injured on the job, more than 1
			 in 2 (52 percent) have been assaulted by a patient and 1 in 2 (50 percent) have
			 been exposed to an infectious disease, and emergency medical service personnel
			 in the United States have an estimated fatality rate of 12.7 per 100,000
			 workers, more than twice the national average;
		Whereas most emergency medical service personnel deaths in
			 the line of duty occur in ambulance accidents;
		Whereas thousands of first responders have made the
			 ultimate sacrifice;
		Whereas, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of
			 September 11, 2001, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency
			 medical workers in the United States were universally recognized for the
			 sacrifices they made on that tragic day, and should be honored each year as
			 these tragic events are remembered;
		Whereas there currently exists no national day to honor
			 the brave men and women of the first responder community, who give so much of
			 themselves for the sake of others; and
		Whereas these men and women by their patriotic service and
			 their dedicated efforts have earned the gratitude of Congress: Now, therefore,
			 be it

		That the Senate designates September
			 25, 2008, as National First Responder Appreciation Day to honor
			 and celebrate the contributions and sacrifices made by all first responders in
			 the United States.


110 HR 4765 IH: To extend the temporary suspension of duty on open top,

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-17
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. 4765
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 17, 2007
			Mr. Scott of Virginia
			 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To extend the temporary suspension of duty on open top,
		  electric indoor grills.

		1.Open top, electric indoor
			 grills
			(a)In
			 generalHeading 9902.23.45 of
			 the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by striking
			 12/31/2009 and inserting 12/31/2011.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by
			 subsection (a) applies with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from
			 warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the
			 enactment of this Act.


116 S1804 IS: HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-06-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1804IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 12, 2019Ms. Cortez Masto (for herself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Ms. Smith, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsA BILLTo require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue guidelines relating to the
			 appropriate inclusion of
			 residential manufactured homes in Consolidated Plans, and for other
			 purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the HUD Manufactured Housing Modernization Act of 2019. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)Manufactured housing is a significant source of unsubsidized affordable housing in the United States.
 (2)Nearly 22,000,000 people in the United States live in manufactured housing, which opens the door to homeownership for families who, in many housing markets, cannot afford to buy a site-built home.
 (3)Manufactured housing is the only form of housing regulated by a Federal building code, which includes standards for health, safety, energy efficiency, and durability, and is found on land owned by the homeowner and land leased by the homeowner in communities owned and operated by private entities, nonprofit organizations, or resident-owned communities.
 (4)Manufactured homes can open the door to homeownership for millions of families; they can appreciate in value and be an effective long-term affordable housing solution for some families and communities across the United States.
 3.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)Consolidated PlanThe term Consolidated Plan means a comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan required under part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
 (2)Residential manufactured homeThe term residential manufactured home means a manufactured home, as defined in section 603 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), that is used as a dwelling.
			4.Issuance of guidelines relating to residential manufactured homes
 The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue guidelines for jurisdictions relating to the appropriate inclusion of residential manufactured homes in a Consolidated Plan of the jurisdiction.


110 HCON 266 IH: Expressing the sense of the Congress with

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-06
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.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. CON. RES. 266
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 6, 2007
			Ms. Schakowsky
			 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on
			 Ways and Means and
			 Financial Services, for a
			 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Expressing the sense of the Congress with
		  regard to the world’s freshwater resources.

		Whereas the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment
			 and Development established March 22nd as World Water Day to promote the
			 international observance of water as a human right;
		Whereas available freshwater represents less than one-half
			 of 1 percent of the world’s total water stock;
		Whereas global consumption of water is doubling every 20
			 years, more than twice the rate of human population growth;
		Whereas 31 countries currently face water shortages with
			 another 17 likely to be added to this list by 2025;
		Whereas more than 1,000,000,000 people already lack
			 adequate access to safe drinking water; 2,500,000,000 people have no access to
			 proper sanitation and more than 5,000,000 people, mostly children, die each
			 year from water-related diseases;
		Whereas the United Nations Millennium Development Goals
			 call for reducing by one-half the number of those without safe drinking water
			 and sanitation by the year 2015;
		Whereas international trade agreements threaten
			 sustainable and local management of water;
		Whereas the poorest pay the highest price to access
			 water;
		Whereas civil society often have little say in water
			 policy priorities;
		Whereas the people of the United States have often
			 expressed their compassionate desire to assist those in most need;
		Whereas international financial institutions, institutions
			 that receive significant U.S. funds, focus on private sector management of
			 water that has been deemed a failure in providing access to the poor;
		Whereas the Water for the Poor Act of 2005 calls on the
			 United States Congress to significantly increase and prioritize water provision
			 in United States international programs;
		Whereas countries around the world have ratified
			 international human rights agreements and enacted national constitutional
			 provisions and laws enshrining the human right to water;
		Whereas member States acting in human rights institutions
			 of the United Nations have affirmed the human right to water calling upon all
			 governments to take steps to ensure that a sufficient amount of good quality,
			 affordable water be made available for all within a reasonable distance from a
			 person’s home;
		Whereas the United Nations Human Development Report of
			 2007 calls on all governments to recognize the human right to water, prioritize
			 and fund water and sanitation in national budgets, provide international
			 assistance for water projects and develop a strong global plan of action;
			 and
		Whereas the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
			 forecasts increased difficulty in improving access to safe drinking water and
			 additional costs to the water services sector from changing water levels and
			 contamination: Now, therefore, be it

		That Congress—
			(1)asserts that water management priorities
			 should reflect the goals of safeguarding and sustaining water resources;
			(2)affirms water as a public trust and global
			 public good that should not be treated as a private commodity where this would
			 limit or deny public access to freshwater resources;
			(3)affirms that the United States Congress
			 firmly commits itself to meet the Millennium Development Goals, especially as
			 they pertain to universal, sustainable access to safe and affordable
			 water;
			(4)affirms that access to international loans
			 and debt reduction programs should not be conditioned on implementing increased
			 cost recovery policies when those policies would result in significantly
			 increased water rates that reduce access to safe drinking water and
			 sanitation;
			(5)asserts that the United States Executive
			 Directors of international financial institutions should not approve loans that
			 require increased cost recovery, or water privatization or public-private
			 partnerships that would result in significant increases in consumer water fees
			 or in other ways restrict affordable access to water;
			(6)asserts that Federal policies should ensure
			 that in the United States direct and indirect sources of water pollution,
			 including factories, refineries, commercial agriculture, and wastewater
			 treatment plants, are adequately regulated and those responsible held
			 accountable for the pollution they cause;
			(7)deems that Federal funding not be
			 conditioned on the consideration of public/private partnerships or other forms
			 of privatization that would restrict affordable access to water;
			(8)upholds the principle that governments
			 should engage all members of society, including local civil society
			 organizations, citizen associations, environmental groups, indigenous peoples,
			 farmers, women, workers, and others, in direct and meaningful participation in
			 overseeing decisions about the conservation, distribution, use, and management
			 of water in their communities, localities, and regions;
			(9)recommends that international, regional,
			 and bilateral trade agreements should not include conditions related to the
			 provision of water for human use that would result in reduced access to
			 water;
			(10)recognizes the need to fully fund the Water
			 for the Poor Act of 2007 to ensure that all individuals, especially those in
			 most need, have equitable access to safe and affordable water; and
			(11)recognizes the human right to water as
			 fundamental for life and health, and sufficient and safe drinking water is a
			 precondition for the realization of all other human rights.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2442
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 11, 2007
			Mr. Kyl introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
			 Forestry

		A BILL
		To provide the Secretary of Agriculture with alternatives
		  to comply with the Federal Property and Administrative Services
		  Act.

		1.Stewardship end-result
			 contracting projectsSection 8
			 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2104) is
			 amended—
			(1)by redesignating subsection (h) as
			 subsection (j) and moving that subsection so as to appear at the end of the
			 section; and
			(2)by inserting after subsection (g) the
			 following:

					(h)Cancellation or
				termination costs
						(1)In
				generalNotwithstanding section 304B of the Federal Property and
				Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 254c), the Secretary is not
				required to obligate funds to cover the cost of cancelling a Forest Service
				stewardship multiyear contract under section 347 of the Department of the
				Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (16 U.S.C. 2104 note;
				section 101(e) of division A of Public Law 105–277) until the contract is
				cancelled.
						(2)Funding
				sourcesThe costs of any cancellation or termination of a
				multiyear stewardship contract described in paragraph (1) may be paid
				from—
							(A)appropriations
				originally made available for the performance of the contract concerned;
							(B)appropriations
				currently available for procurement of the type of service concerned, and not
				otherwise obligated; or
							(C)funds
				appropriated for payments for that performance or procurement.
							(3)Anti-Deficiency Act
				violationsIn a case in which
				payment or obligation of funds under this subsection would constitute a
				violation of section 1341 of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as
				the Anti-Deficiency Act), the Secretary may—
							(A)seek a supplemental appropriation;
				or
							(B)request funds from the permanent judgment
				appropriation established pursuant to section 1304 of title 31, United States
				Code.
							.


115 HR 5107 IH: To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to secure elementary schools and secondary schools.
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-02-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5107IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 27, 2018Mr. Williams introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the WorkforceA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program to secure elementary schools and
			 secondary schools.

 1.Sense of CongressIt is the sense of Congress that the top priority of the Department of Education should be to keep American children safe in schools.
		2.Grant program to secure schools
 (a)In generalFrom the amounts appropriated to carry out this Act, the Secretary of Education shall award grants to local educational agencies to secure the elementary schools and secondary schools served by such agencies.
 (b)ApplicationTo receive a grant under this Act, a local educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education at such time, in such manner, and containing such information that the Secretary may require, which shall include the results of an independent security assessment.
 (c)Uses of fundsA local educational agency receiving a grant under this Act— (1)shall use such grant to make the necessary improvements to the security of the elementary schools and secondary schools served by the agency based upon the vulnerabilities determined in the individual security assessment completed by the agency under subsection (b);
 (2)may use such grant to cover the cost of such assessment; and (3)may not use such grant for expenses unrelated to the cost of such assessment or such necessary improvements.
 (d)FundsAny amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the Secretary of Education for any purpose for a fiscal year may be made available for this Act for that fiscal year, notwithstanding any provision of law with respect to the purpose, reprogramming, or transfer of such amounts.
 (e)DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)ESEA termsThe terms elementary school, local educational agency, and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
 (2)Independent security assessmentThe term independent security assessment means an assessment— (A)conducted by an organization that does not have a business relationship with the local educational agency for which the assessment is being conducted; and
 (B)for which the content is determined by the Secretary of Education.


116 S2882 IS: Wildfire Defense Act
U.S. Senate
2019-11-18
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 CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2882IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 18, 2019Mr. Schumer (for Ms. Harris) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo establish a community wildfire defense grant program, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Wildfire Defense Act.
 2.DefinitionsIn this Act: (1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
 (2)ChiefThe term Chief means the Chief of the Forest Service. (3)Community wildfire defense planThe term community wildfire defense plan means a plan that—
 (A)is developed by an eligible entity in coordination with— (i)the local community and government;
 (ii)local law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, fire managers, and utilities; and (iii)State agencies responsible for emergency response and forest management;
 (B)includes strategies and activities relating to— (i)improving evacuations and access for first responders;
 (ii)addressing vulnerable populations, including the elderly, those with disabilities, and the homeless;
 (iii)hardening and increasing the resiliency of critical infrastructure and homes, including through incentive programs;
 (iv)applying community-scale defensible space projects across contiguous areas; (v)building local capacity to implement and oversee the plan;
 (vi)implementing strategic land use planning; (vii)deploying distributed energy resources that do not increase dependence on fossil fuels;
 (viii)educating community members; (ix)coordinating any existing wildfire plans such as a community wildfire protection plan or a community emergency evacuation plan; and
 (x)incorporating information from a map generated pursuant to section 210(a) of division O of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; Public Law 115–141); and
 (C)may consist of existing plans or other efforts, provided that the plan complies with subparagraphs (A) and (B).
 (4)Critical infrastructureThe term critical infrastructure means any public safety, health, education, transportation, communications, or water or power utility infrastructure or any private infrastructure necessary to preserve community safety or resilience to a wildfire threat.
 (5)Defensible space projectThe term defensible space project— (A)means a project that is conducted within a radius of not more than 100 feet around homes, businesses, and administrative facilities, and is comprised of vegetation pruning, such as annual removal of tree seedlings and saplings, lower limbs of mature trees, cutting of grasses and reducing density and continuity of shrubs, and removal of most small twigs and leaves; or
 (B)at the discretion of the Administrator, if a project funded under the program is being carried out in a State that has established by law a more restrictive definition of the term, has the meaning given the term in State law.
 (6)Distributed energy resourceThe term distributed energy resource means a technology that, collectively or individually, increases local energy resilience, such as microgrids, batteries, thermal storage, combined heat and power, fuel cells, electric vehicles, demand response, energy efficiency, smart inverters, and geothermal heat pumps.
 (7)Eligible entityThe term eligible entity means— (A)a State or unit of general local or regional government;
 (B)an Indian Tribe; or (C)a joint powers authority formed by not less than 2 entities described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
 (8)Low-income communityThe term low-income community means a census tract, as determined by the Administrator based on objective criteria, where a substantial population or percentage of population of low-income individuals reside, an inadequate access to capital exists, or other indication of economic distress exist.
 (9)ProgramThe term program means the grant program established under section 3(a). (10)Severe disaster impacted communityThe term severe disaster impacted community means a unit of local government or an Indian Tribe located in an area for which the President declared a major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) during the preceding 5-year period.
			3.Community wildfire defense grant program
 (a)EstablishmentNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a program, which shall be separate from the program established under section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133), under which the Administrator, in coordination with the Chief, shall award grants to eligible entities to—
 (1)in the case of an eligible entity that has a community wildfire defense plan, carry out projects described in the community wildfire defense plan of the eligible entity in accordance with subsection (c); or
 (2)in the case of an eligible entity that does not have a community wildfire defense plan, develop a community wildfire defense plan in accordance with subsection (d).
				(b)Criteria for grants
 (1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Chief, shall establish criteria to award grants under the program.
 (2)CommunitiesAmounts provided under the program shall be used to conduct projects and activities only in communities in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
 (3)PriorityIn awarding grants under the program, the Administrator shall give priority to eligible entities that will carry out projects or plans supporting—
 (A)a low-income community in a fire-hazard area, as identified by a State wildfire hazard map or the most recent wildfire hazard potential map from the Secretary of Agriculture; or
 (B)a severe disaster impacted community in a fire-hazard area, as identified by a State wildfire hazard map or the most recent wildfire hazard potential map from the Secretary of Agriculture
					(c)Community wildfire defense grants
 (1)Use of grant fundsAn eligible entity that receives a grant under the program may use grant funds to carry out projects that support a diverse portfolio of community wildfire defense strategies described in the community wildfire defense plan of the eligible entity.
 (2)Grant amountsAn award under this subsection shall be for not more than $10,000,000. (d)Community wildfire defense plan development grants (1)Use of grant fundsAn eligible entity that receives a grant under the program may use grant funds to develop a community wildfire defense plan for the eligible entity.
 (2)Grant amountsAn award under this subsection shall be for not more than $250,000. (e)Preference for local contractors and laborIn carrying out a project using a grant awarded under the program, the grant recipient shall, to the maximum extent practicable, give preference to contracting with entities, and hiring individuals, from the area in which the project is being carried out, including by partnering with local corps groups such as AmeriCorps or a conservation corps.
 (f)Cost-Sharing requirementThe non-Federal share of the cost (including the administrative cost) of carrying out a project using funds from a grant awarded under the program—
 (1)(A)shall be not less than 25 percent for a grant described in subsection (c); and (B)shall be 0 percent for a grant described in subsection (d);
 (2)may be provided by— (A)a State, a unit of local government, an Indian Tribe, a nonprofit organization, private industry, or a combination of those entities; or
 (B)volunteer hours and in-kind donations; and (3)may, in the case of a project that serves a low-income community, be in the form of a low-interest Federal loan to the eligible entity carrying out the project through the Community Disaster Loan program authorized under section 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184).
 (g)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
 4.Government Accountability Office reportNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Government Accountability Office shall publish a report—
 (1)on authorities and programs across the Federal Government that are available to protect communities from wildfires; and
 (2)that assesses impediments to implementation of those programs and gaps in funding. 5.Government Accountability Office studyNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Government Accountability Office shall publish a study—
 (1)on the potential for a Community Wildfire Defense Plan to qualify for a certification identifying a level of wildfire survivability and resilience;
 (2)that assesses what metrics might provide insurance companies assurance that a community has wildfire resilience measures; and
 (3)how to incentivize insurance companies to accept the certification. 6.Updating list of at-risk communities (a)In generalSection 101(1)(A) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511(1)(A)) is amended by striking comprised of in the matter preceding clause (i) and all that follows through a group in clause (ii) and inserting composed of a group.
 (b)MapsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Chief shall develop and publish a map depicting at-risk communities (as defined in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511)), including Tribal at-risk communities.
			7.Report on radio communications
 (a)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare a report relating to insufficient radio frequencies, barriers to interoperability of radio frequencies, and available products and technologies for overcoming barriers to interoperability for wildland fire management.
 (b)CooperationIn preparing the report under subsection (a), the Administrator shall cooperate with— (1)the Secretary of Agriculture;
 (2)agencies responsible for the management of Federal land; (3)State fire and emergency response agencies; and
 (4)municipal fire departments and volunteer fire departments in relevant communities. (c)Compatibility; additional frequenciesThe report under subsection (a) shall include—
 (1)a determination on whether the organizations identified in the report have an existing ability to communicate by way of radio during a potential fire suppression effort for a large fire;
 (2)a determination on whether— (A)the reserved radio frequencies are sufficient for wildland fire management; or
 (B)additional frequencies, listed by type and location, are recommended to be reserved or obtained; (3)an analysis of commercially available technology and products to enable radios from multiple agencies operating on different radio frequencies to be interoperable; and
 (4)if the Secretary determines under paragraph (1) that the organizations do not have an existing ability to communicate, a plan for ensuring organizations would be able to communicate adequately during a fire suppression effort for a large fire.