		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2732
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			August 1, 2011
			Mr. Bishop of New
			 York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and the
			 Workforce

		A BILL
		To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for
		  temporary student loan debt conversion authority.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Student Loan Simplification and
			 Opportunity Act of 2011 .
		2.Temporary student loan
			 debt conversion authority
			(a)Repeal
				(1)In
			 generalSection 459A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C. 1087i–1) is repealed.
				(2)Conforming
			 amendmentsPart D of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 1087a et seq.) is amended—
					(A)in section 451(a)
			 (20 U.S.C. 1087a), by striking (1) to make loans to all eligible
			 students (and the eligible parents of such students) in attendance at
			 participating institutions of higher education selected by the Secretary, to
			 enable such students to pursue their courses of study at such institutions
			 during the period beginning July 1, 1994; and (2) for purchasing loans under
			 section 459A. and inserting to make loans to all eligible
			 students (and the eligible parents of such students) in attendance at
			 participating institutions of higher education selected by the Secretary, to
			 enable such students to pursue their courses of study at such institutions
			 during the period beginning July 1, 1994.; and
					(B)in section
			 459B(a)(2)(B) (20 U.S.C. 1087i–2(a)(2)(B)), by striking purchased by the
			 Secretary pursuant to section 459A and inserting purchased by
			 the Secretary pursuant to section 459A under the terms of that provision in
			 effect on or before June 30, 2010, or converted by the Secretary pursuant to
			 section 459A.
					(b)Student loan
			 debt conversionPart D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of
			 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 459 the
			 following:

					459A.Temporary
				authority to convert student loan debt
						(a)In
				general
							(1)AuthorityThe Secretary shall, at the request of an
				eligible borrower (as described in subsection (b)), convert an eligible student
				loan debt (as described in subsection (c)) into a Federal debt by paying the
				holder of the eligible student loan the outstanding balance of principal and
				interest on that loan, and the borrower shall enter into an agreement to repay
				to the Secretary the amount advanced to convert the debt to a Federal
				debt.
							(2)Duration of
				authorityThe Secretary shall convert eligible student loan debt
				under this section for those eligible borrowers whose applications for
				conversion are received on or after January 1, 2012, and before October 1,
				2012.
							(3)Designation of
				loanThe repayment obligation of the borrower whose eligible
				student loan debt was repaid by the Secretary and converted to a Federal debt
				under this section shall be referred to as a FFEL Debt Conversion
				Loan.
							(b)Eligible
				borrowerA borrower is eligible for a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan
				if the borrower, in addition to the loans described in subsection (c), has an
				outstanding loan that was made under this part, or an outstanding loan that was
				purchased by the Secretary pursuant to section 459A under the terms of that
				provision in effect on or before June 30, 2010.
						(c)Eligible student
				loan debtA student loan of an eligible borrower is eligible for
				payment by a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan if—
							(1)the loan was made,
				insured, or guaranteed under part B, and not previously purchased by the
				Secretary pursuant to section 459A under the terms of that provision in effect
				on or before June 30, 2010;
							(2)the loan is not in
				default; and
							(3)the loan is not
				delinquent for 270 days or more.
							(d)Terms and
				conditions of debt conversion loans
							(1)Continuation of
				termsA FFEL Debt Conversion Loan shall be repayable by the
				borrower under the same terms and conditions as were applicable under the
				promissory note signed by the borrower for the eligible student loan debt being
				repaid by the Secretary under this section, including such terms as applied
				when the borrower entered repayment, and the availability of grace periods and
				deferments.
							(2)Aggregate loan
				limitsNotwithstanding any other provision of this title, a FFEL
				Debt Conversion Loan shall be included in the calculation of the aggregate loan
				limit that was applicable to the borrower's eligible student loan for which the
				FFEL Debt Conversion Loan was obtained.
							(3)Other
				terms
								(A)FFEL
				termsOther borrower benefits offered by the originating lender
				or the holder of the eligible student loan being repaid that are not specified
				in part B or in the borrower's promissory note for that loan are not available
				with respect to a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan.
								(B)Direct loan
				termsExcept as provided in paragraph (5), benefits offered only
				for loans made under this part are not available with respect to a FFEL Debt
				Conversion Loan.
								(4)Fees
								(A)No fees imposed
				by SecretaryThe Secretary shall not charge the borrower any
				origination or other fee for the making of a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan.
								(B)No fees imposed
				by holder of eligible student loan debtNotwithstanding any other
				provision of law, the holder of an eligible student loan shall not charge the
				Secretary or the borrower any origination or other fee, including any fee for
				providing the information described in subsection (e), for the conversion of
				the eligible student loan debt to a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan.
								(5)FFEL debt
				conversion benefitsThe Secretary may offer benefits to a
				borrower of a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan, in an amount that shall not exceed 2
				percent of the amount advanced on the FFEL Debt Conversion Loan, which may
				include payments to borrowers, reductions in the outstanding principal and
				interest on the FFEL Debt Conversion Loan, or such other benefits as the
				Secretary may establish.
							(e)Information from
				holders of student loan debt eligible for conversionA holder of
				an eligible student loan shall promptly provide the Secretary with the amount
				outstanding and such other information as may be needed to convert that debt
				under this section.
						(f)NotificationNot
				later than December 1, 2011, the Secretary shall notify eligible
				borrowers—
							(1)of their
				eligibility to convert an eligible student loan debt under this section;
				and
							(2)of the time frame
				for applying for such
				conversion.
							.
			(c)Conforming
			 amendments
				(1)Cohort default
			 rateSection 435(m)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C. 1085(m)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

						(E)For purposes of
				this subsection, a borrower who obtains a FFEL Debt Conversion Loan under
				section 459A shall continue to be considered as having entered repayment on the
				date the borrower entered repayment on the eligible student loan debt that was
				repaid by the Secretary and converted to a Federal debt under that
				section.
						.
				(2)ContractsSection
			 456(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087f(b)) is
			 amended—
					(A)in paragraph (2),
			 by inserting , converted, after made; and
					(B)in paragraph (3),
			 by inserting , converted, after made.
					(3)Federal
			 consolidation loansSection 428C(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education
			 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078–3(a)(4)(C)) is amended by inserting or
			 converted after made.
				(4)Income-based
			 repaymentSection 493C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
			 U.S.C. 1098e) is amended—
					(A)in subsection
			 (a)(3)(A), by inserting converted, after
			 made,;
					(B)in subsection
			 (b)(1), by inserting converted, after made,;
			 and
					(C)in subsection (c),
			 by inserting converted, after made,.
					(d)Inapplicability
			 of title IV negotiated rulemaking and master calendar
			 exceptionSections 482(c) and 492 of the Higher Education Act of
			 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1089(c), 1098a) shall not apply to the amendments made by this
			 section, or to any regulations promulgated under those amendments.
			(e)Annual cost
			 estimateNotwithstanding any other provision of this Act or an
			 amendment made by this Act, the Secretary of Education shall carry out the
			 requirement of section 459A(e)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as in
			 effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, with respect to the
			 annual cost estimates required to be submitted not later than February 15,
			 2012.
			(f)Funds for
			 Federal Pell GrantsThe proceeds to the Federal Government from
			 the temporary authority to convert student loan debt provided by the amendments
			 made by this Act shall be used to carry out Federal Pell Grants under section
			 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a).


110 HRES 861 EH: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4351) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax, and for other purposes.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-12-12
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.

IV
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 861
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

December 12, 2007

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4351) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax, and for other purposes.

That upon the adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 4351) to amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide individuals temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions of the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means; and (2) one motion to recommit.
2.During consideration of H.R. 4351 pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to such time as may be designated by the Speaker.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


115 S2149 IS: To make a technical correction to the provision of law authorizing a withdrawal and reservation of public land at Limestone Hills Training Area, Montana.
U.S. Senate
2017-11-16
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.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2149IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 16, 2017Mr. Daines (for himself and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo make a technical correction to the provision of law authorizing a withdrawal and reservation of
			 public land at Limestone Hills Training Area, Montana.

		1.Technical correction to withdrawal and reservation of public land authority, Limestone Hills
 Training Area, MontanaSection 2931(b) of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (division B of Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 1031) is amended by striking 18,644 acres in Broadwater County, Montana, generally depicted as Proposed Land Withdrawal on the map entitled Limestone Hills Training Area Land Withdrawal, dated April 10, 2013 and inserting 18,964 acres in Broadwater County, Montana, generally depicted as Limestone Hills Training Area Land Withdrawal on the map entitled Limestone Hills Training Area Land Withdrawal, dated May 11, 2017.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. RES. 172
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 13, 2009
			Mr. Brady of
			 Pennsylvania submitted the following resolution; which was referred
			 to the Committee on House
			 Administration

		RESOLUTION
		Providing amounts for the expenses of the
		  Committee on House Administration in the One Hundred Eleventh
		  Congress.

		1.Amounts for Committee
			 ExpensesFor the expenses of
			 the Committee on House Administration (hereafter in this resolution referred to
			 as the Committee), including the expenses of all staff salaries,
			 there shall be paid, out of the applicable accounts of the House of
			 Representatives for committee salaries and expenses, not more than $11,475,431
			 for the One Hundred Eleventh Congress.
		2.Session
			 LimitationsOf the amount
			 specified in section 1—
			(1)not more than
			 $5,544,451 shall be available for expenses incurred during the period beginning
			 at noon on January 3, 2009, and ending immediately before noon on January 3,
			 2010; and
			(2)not more than
			 $5,930,980 shall be available for expenses incurred during the period beginning
			 at noon on January 3, 2010, and ending immediately before noon on January 3,
			 2011.
			3.VouchersPayments under this resolution shall be made
			 on vouchers authorized by the Committee, signed by the Chairman of the
			 Committee, and approved in the manner directed by the Committee.
		4.RegulationsAmounts made available under this resolution
			 shall be expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
			 Committee.


I114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6146IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 22, 2016Mr. Israel introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the dependent care credit by repealing the phasedown of the credit percentage.
1.Short title This Act may be cited as the Middle Class Dependent Care Fairness Act of 2016. 2.Dependent care credit improvements (a)Repeal of phasedown of credit percentageSubsection (a) of section 21 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:

(a)Allowance of creditIn the case of an individual for which there are 1 or more qualifying individuals (as defined in subsection (b)(1)) with respect to such individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 35 percent of the employment-related expenses (as defined in subsection (b)(2)) paid by such individual during the taxable year.. (b)Effective dateThe amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HR 4611 RH: DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-07-21
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IBUnion Calendar No. 85117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4611[Report No. 117–120]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 21, 2021Mr. Torres of New York (for himself and Mr. Garbarino) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland SecuritySeptember 14, 2021Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 21, 2021A BILLTo direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue guidance with respect to certain information and communications technology or services contracts, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act of 2021.2.Department of Homeland Security guidance with respect to certain information and communications technology or services contracts(a)GuidanceThe Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary, shall issue guidance with respect to new and existing covered contracts.(b)New covered contractsIn developing guidance under subsection (a), with respect to each new covered contract, as a condition on the award of such a contract, each contractor responding to a solicitation for such a contract shall submit to the covered officer—(1)a planned bill of materials when submitting a bid proposal; and(2)the certification and notifications described in subsection (e).(c)Existing covered contractsIn developing guidance under subsection (a), with respect to each existing covered contract, each contractor with an existing covered contract shall submit to the covered officer—(1)the bill of materials used for such contract, upon the request of such officer; and(2)the certification and notifications described in subsection (e).(d)Updating bill of materialsWith respect to a covered contract, in the case of a change to the information included in a bill of materials submitted pursuant to subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1), each contractor shall submit to the covered officer the update to such bill of materials, in a timely manner. (e)Certification and notificationsThe certification and notifications referred to in subsections (b)(2) and (c)(2), with respect to a covered contract, are the following:(1)A certification that each item listed on the submitted bill of materials is free from all known vulnerabilities or defects affecting the security of the end product or service identified in—(A)the National Institute of Standards and Technology National Vulnerability Database; and(B)any database designated by the Under Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, that tracks security vulnerabilities and defects in open source or third-party developed software.(2)A notification of each vulnerability or defect affecting the security of the end product or service, if identified, through—(A)the certification of such submitted bill of materials required under paragraph (1); or(B)any other manner of identification.(3)A notification relating to the plan to mitigate, repair, or resolve each security vulnerability or defect listed in the notification required under paragraph (2).(f)EnforcementIn developing guidance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall instruct covered officers with respect to—(1)the processes available to such officers enforcing subsections (b) and (c); and(2)when such processes should be used.(g)Effective dateThe guidance required under subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section.(h)GAO reportNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that includes—(1)a review of the implementation of this section;(2)information relating to the engagement of the Department of Homeland Security with industry; (3)an assessment of how the guidance issued pursuant to subsection (a) complies with Executive Order 14208 (86 Fed. Reg. 26633; relating to improving the nation’s cybersecurity); and(4)any recommendations relating to improving the supply chain with respect to covered contracts. (i)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Bill of materialsThe term bill of materials means a list of the parts and components (whether new or reused) of an end product or service, including, with respect to each part and component, information relating to the origin, composition, integrity, and any other information as determined appropriate by the Under Secretary.(2)Covered contractThe term covered contract means a contract relating to the procurement of covered information and communications technology or services for the Department of Homeland Security.(3)Covered information and communications technology or servicesThe term covered information and communications technology or services means the terms—(A)information technology (as such term is defined in section 11101(6) of title 40, United States Code);(B)information system (as such term is defined in section 3502(8) of title 44, United States Code);(C)telecommunications equipment (as such term is defined in section 3(52) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153(52))); and(D)telecommunications service (as such term is defined in section 3(53) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153(53))).(4)Covered officerThe term covered officer means—(A)a contracting officer of the Department; and(B)any other official of the Department as determined appropriate by the Under Secretary.(5)SoftwareThe term software means computer programs and associated data that may be dynamically written or modified during execution.(6)Under SecretaryThe term Under Secretary means the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security.September 14, 2021Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed


		II

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. 676

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 17, 2005

			Mr. Stevens (for

			 himself, Mr. Frist,

			 Mr. Specter, Mr. Alexander, Mr.

			 DeWine, Mrs. Clinton, and

			 Mrs. Hutchison) introduced the following

			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the

			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,

			 and Pensions

		A BILL

		To provide for Project GRAD programs, and

		  for other purposes.

			1.

			Short title

			This Act may be cited as the

			 Graduation Really Achieves Dreams Act or the GRAD

			 Act.

			2.

			Findings

			Congress makes the following

			 findings:

				(1)

				The national secondary school

			 graduation rate is only 70 percent. For the class of 2001, the national

			 graduation rate was only 51 percent for African-American students and 52

			 percent for Latino students.

				(2)

				In our Nation’s high poverty

			 urban districts, as few as 1/3 of students graduate from

			 secondary school. In these places, completion rates among certain disadvantaged

			 groups of students are often lower still.

				(3)

				In rural areas, where

			 1/3 of American students attend school, only 58.8 percent

			 of students attend institutions of higher education, compared with 68.2 percent

			 of American students from urban and suburban areas.

				(4)

				Each school day,

			 approximately 3,000 secondary school students drop out of school.

				(5)

				Alaska Natives have a

			 substantially higher dropout rate than all other students in Alaska as a group.

			 The dropout rate is 8.8 percent for Alaska Natives compared to 4.7 percent for

			 the 2001–2002 school year for other students in Alaska.

				(6)

				The 6,000,000 secondary

			 students who make up the lowest 25 percent in terms of achievement scores are

			 3.5 times more likely to drop out of secondary school than students in the next

			 highest quarter of academic achievement, and are 20 times more likely to drop

			 out than high achieving students.

				(7)

				Approximately 25 percent of

			 secondary school students are reading at below basic levels. The problem is

			 even more severe for poor students of color. The average minority or low-income

			 9th grader performs at only the 5th or 6th grade level in reading.

				(8)

				During the 2002–2003 school

			 year Alaska Benchmark Examinations, significantly lower percentages of Alaska

			 Natives were proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics at each of the 3

			 tested grade levels when compared to all other students. These achievement gaps

			 persist into secondary school, where significantly lower percentages of Alaska

			 Natives were proficient in the subjects tested on the Alaska High School

			 Graduation Qualifying Examination in all grade levels where that test was

			 administered in 2002–2003 school year.

				(9)

				Achievement gaps persist

			 across racial and socioeconomic lines in rural schools. There are 2,500,000

			 poor children in rural areas and the child poverty rate in some rural areas is

			 2 to 3 times the national average.

				(10)

				Recruiting and retaining good

			 teachers is an enormous challenge in rural areas. The average salary in rural

			 districts is 13.4 percent lower than in nonrural areas, and teachers often

			 teach more than 1 subject, teach in poor working conditions, live far from

			 colleges, have little access to training, and face geographic and social

			 isolation.

				(11)

				Low graduation rates and

			 college attendance rates are evidence that, in the earlier grades, schools are

			 not meeting the fundamental achievement needs of low-income, minority, and

			 rural students.

				(12)

				Even those students who do

			 graduate from secondary schools and go on to college are struggling because

			 they lack the basic skills to succeed. Approximately 40 percent of all 4-year

			 college students take a remedial course and 63 percent of all community college

			 students are assigned to at least 1 remedial course.

				(13)

				A small percentage of

			 low-income students who manage to enter college are able to complete a degree.

			 Of students from families in the bottom 20 percent in terms of income who enter

			 college, only 27 percent go on to complete a 2- or 4-year college degree within

			 8 years.

				(14)

				Graduation rates impact early

			 drop-out rates in the military. The attrition rates in the military of both

			 individuals who are not secondary school graduates and GED recipients are 8

			 percentage points higher than the attrition rate of secondary school graduates.

			 As a result, the Armed Forces no longer accept secondary school dropouts and

			 put less value on alternative certificates.

				(15)

				Students who fail to graduate

			 from secondary school are more likely to engage in criminal activity than

			 students who graduate. A 1-percent increase in secondary school graduation

			 rates would save approximately $1,400,000,000 in costs associated with

			 incarceration, or about $2,100 for each male secondary school graduate.

				(16)

				In today’s workplace, nearly

			 8 in 10 adults with baccalaureate degrees are employed, but for those who

			 completed secondary school only, the number falls to about 6 in 10. And for

			 students who dropped out of secondary school, the number drops further to 4 in

			 10.

				(17)

				Employment projections

			 indicate that jobs requiring only a secondary school degree will grow by just 9

			 percent by the year 2008, while those jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree will

			 grow by 25 percent and those jobs requiring an associate’s degree will grow by

			 31 percent.

				(18)

				Personalization of the school

			 environment has been proven to increase success rates for low-performing

			 secondary school students. Nearly 50 percent of middle school youth and 40

			 percent of secondary school youth report feelings of disengagement from school.

			 Rates are even higher for teens and minorities in urban schools. These feelings

			 result in failure to work hard, to seek assistance, or to take appropriate

			 courses.

				(19)

				Effective research-based

			 education programs that improve secondary school graduation rates are

			 comprehensive in nature and include interventions that begin in kindergarten or

			 earlier and span all the grades through grade 12.

			3.

			Definitions

			In this Act:

				(1)

				At-risk

				The term at-risk

			 has the same meaning given such term in section 1432 of the Elementary and

			 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6472).

				(2)

				Feeder pattern

				The term feeder

			 pattern means a secondary school and the elementary schools and middle

			 schools that channel students into that secondary school.

				(3)

				Elementary school; secondary school

				The terms elementary

			 school and secondary school have the meanings given such

			 terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20

			 U.S.C. 7801).

				(4)

				Secretary

				The term

			 Secretary means the Secretary of Education.

			4.

			Project grad

				(a)

				Purposes

				The purposes of this Act

			 are—

					(1)

					to provide support and

			 assistance to programs implementing integrated education reform services in

			 order to improve secondary school graduation, college attendance, and college

			 completion rates for at-risk students; and

					(2)

					to promote the establishment

			 of new programs to implement such integrated education reform services.

				(b)

				Grant authorized

				The Secretary is authorized

			 to award a grant to Project GRAD USA (referred to in this Act as the

			 grantee), a nonprofit educational organization that has as its

			 primary purpose the improvement of secondary school graduation, college

			 attendance, and college completion rates for at-risk students, to implement and

			 sustain the integrated education reform services described in subsection (d)(3)

			 at existing Project GRAD program sites and to promote the expansion of Project

			 GRAD programs to new sites.

				(c)

				Requirements of grant agreement

				The Secretary shall enter

			 into an agreement with the grantee that requires that the grantee shall—

					(1)

					enter into subcontracts with

			 nonprofit educational organizations that serve a substantial number or

			 percentage of at-risk students (referred to in this Act as

			 subcontractors), under which the subcontractors agree to

			 implement the programs described in subsection (d) and provide matching funds

			 for such programs;

					(2)

					directly carry out—

						(A)

						activities to implement and

			 sustain the reading, mathematics, classroom management, social service, and

			 college access programs described in subsection (d)(3);

						(B)

						activities to build the

			 organizational and management capacity of the subcontractors to effectively

			 implement and sustain the programs;

						(C)

						activities for the purpose of

			 improving and expanding the programs, including activities to further

			 articulate a program for 1 or more grade levels and across grade levels, to

			 tailor a program for a particular target audience, and to provide tighter

			 integration across programs;

						(D)

						activities for the purpose of

			 implementing new Project GRAD program sites;

						(E)

						activities for the purpose of

			 promoting greater public awareness of integrated education reform services to

			 improve secondary school graduation, college attendance, and college completion

			 rates for at-risk students; and

						(F)

						other activities directly

			 related to improving secondary school graduation, college attendance, and

			 college completion rates for at-risk students; and

					(3)

					use grant funds available

			 under this Act to pay—

						(A)

						to subcontractors the amount

			 determined under subsection (f); and

						(B)

						the costs associated with

			 carrying out the activities described in paragraph (2).

				(d)

				Supported programs

					(1)

					Designation

					The subcontractor programs

			 referred to in subsection (c)(1) shall be known as Project GRAD

			 programs.

					(2)

					Feeder patterns

					Each subcontractor shall

			 implement a Project GRAD program and shall, with the agreement of the

			 grantee—

						(A)

						identify or establish not

			 less than 1 feeder pattern of public schools; and

						(B)

						provide the integrated

			 educational reform services described in paragraph (3) at the identified feeder

			 pattern or feeder patterns.

					(3)

					Integrated education reform services

					The services provided through

			 a Project GRAD program shall include—

						(A)

						research-based programs in

			 reading, mathematics, and classroom management;

						(B)

						campus-based social services

			 programs, including a systematic approach to increase family and community

			 involvement in the schools served by the Project GRAD program;

						(C)

						a college access program that

			 includes—

							(i)

							providing college

			 scholarships for students who meet established criteria;

							(ii)

							proven approaches for

			 increasing student and family college awareness; and

							(iii)

							assistance for such students

			 in applying for higher education financial aid; and

						(D)

						such other services

			 identified by the grantee as necessary to increase secondary school graduation,

			 college attendance, and college completion rates.

				(e)

				Grantee use of funds

				Of the funds made available

			 under this Act, not more than 8 percent, or $4,000,000, whichever is less,

			 shall be used by the grantee to pay for administration of the grant, with the

			 remainder of funds to be used for the purposes described in subsection (c) (1)

			 and (2).

				(f)

				Grantee contribution and matching requirement

					(1)

					In general

					The grantee shall provide to

			 each subcontractor an average of $200 for each pupil served by the

			 subcontractor in the Project GRAD program, adjusted to take into

			 consideration—

						(A)

						the resources available in

			 the area where the subcontractor will implement the Project GRAD program;

			 and

						(B)

						the need for Project GRAD

			 programs in such area to improve student outcomes, including reading and

			 mathematics achievement and, where applicable, secondary school graduation,

			 college attendance, and college completion rates.

					(2)

					Matching requirement

					Each subcontractor shall

			 provide funds for the Project GRAD program in an amount that is equal to the

			 amount received by the subcontractor from the grantee. Such matching funds may

			 be provided in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated.

					(3)

					Waiver authority

					The grantee may waive, in

			 whole or in part, the requirement of paragraph (2) for a subcontractor, if the

			 subcontractor—

						(A)

						demonstrates that the

			 subcontractor would not otherwise be able to participate in the program;

			 and

						(B)

						enters into an agreement with

			 the grantee with respect to the amount to which the waiver will apply.

					(4)

					Decrease in grantee share

					Based on the funds or

			 resources available to a subcontractor, the grantee may elect to provide the

			 subcontractor with an amount that is less than the amount determined under

			 paragraph (1).

				(g)

				Evaluation

					(1)

					Evaluation by the secretary

					The Secretary shall select an

			 independent entity to evaluate, every 3 years, the performance of students who

			 participate in a Project GRAD program under this Act. The evaluation

			 shall—

						(A)

						be conducted using the

			 strongest possible research design for determining the effectiveness of the

			 Project GRAD programs funded under this Act; and

						(B)

						compare reading and

			 mathematics achievement and, where applicable, the secondary school graduation,

			 college attendance, and college completion rates of students who participate in

			 a Project GRAD program funded under this Act with those indicators for students

			 of similar backgrounds who do not participate in such programs.

					(2)

					Evaluation by grantee and subcontractors

						(A)

						In general

						The grantee shall require

			 each subcontractor to prepare an in-depth report of the results and the use of

			 funds of each Project GRAD program funded under this Act that includes—

							(i)

							data on the reading and

			 mathematics achievement of students involved in the Project GRAD

			 program;

							(ii)

							statistics on secondary

			 school graduation, college attendance, and college completion rates; and

							(iii)

							such financial reporting as

			 required by the Secretary to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the

			 program.

						(B)

						Form of report

						The report shall be in a form

			 and include such content as shall be determined by the grantee, in consultation

			 with the Secretary or the entity selected by the Secretary to evaluate the

			 Project GRAD programs in accordance with paragraph (1).

					(3)

					Availability of evaluations

					Copies of any evaluation or

			 report prepared under this subsection shall be made available to—

						(A)

						the Secretary;

						(B)

						the chairperson and ranking

			 member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the

			 Senate; and

						(C)

						the chairperson and ranking

			 member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of

			 Representatives.

			5.

			Authorization of appropriations

			There are authorized to be

			 appropriated to carry out this Act $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and such

			 sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.


109 HR 3562 IH: Specialty Crop and Value-Added Agriculture Promotion Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-07-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 3562
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 28, 2005
Ms. Hooley introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To amend the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to increase the authorization of appropriations for grants to support the competitiveness of specialty crops, to amend the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to improve the program of value-added agricultural product market development grants by routing funds through State departments of agriculture, to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require a nationwide expansion of the adjusted gross revenue insurance program, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Specialty Crop and Value-Added Agriculture Promotion Act.
2.Definition of specialty cropSection 3(1) of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (Public 108–465; 7 U.S.C. 1621 note) is amended—
(1)by inserting fish and shellfish whether farm-raised or harvested in the wild, after dried fruits,; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new sentence: The term includes specialty crops that are organically produced (as defined in section 2103 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502)..
3.Permanent authorization of appropriations for State specialty crop block grantsSubsection (i) of section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (Public 108–465; 7 U.S.C. 1621 note) is amended to read as follows:

(i)Authorization of appropriationsFor fiscal year 2006 and every fiscal year thereafter, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture $500,000,000 to make grants under this section..
4.Block grants to States for value-added agricultural product market development
(a)In generalSubsection (b) of section 231 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–224; 7 U.S.C. 1621 note) is amended to read as follows:

(b)Grant program
(1)Block grants to States
(A)Amount of grant to stateFrom the amount made available under paragraph (6) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide to each State, subject to subparagraph (B), a grant in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the amount made available for that fiscal year by the result obtained by dividing—
(i)the total value of the agricultural commodities and products made in the State during the preceding fiscal year; by
(ii)the total value of the agricultural commodities and products made in all of the States during the preceding fiscal year.
(B)LimitationThe total grant provided to a State for a fiscal year under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed $3,000,000.
(2)Use of grant funds by statesA State shall use the grant funds to award competitive grants—
(A)to an eligible independent producer (as determined by the State) of a value-added agricultural product to assist the producer—
(i)in developing a business plan for viable marketing opportunities for the value-added agricultural product; or
(ii)in developing strategies that are intended to create marketing opportunities for the producer; and
(B)to an eligible agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority-controlled producer-based business venture (as determined by the State) to assist the entity—
(i)in developing a business plan for viable marketing opportunities in emerging markets for a value-added agricultural product; or
(ii)in developing strategies that are intended to create marketing opportunities in emerging markets for the value-added agricultural product.
(3)Amount of competitive grant
(A)In generalThe total amount provided under paragraph (2) to a grant recipient shall not exceed $500,000.
(B)Majority-controlled producer-based business venturesThe amount of grants provided by a State to majority-controlled producer-based business ventures under paragraph (2)(B) for a fiscal year may not exceed 10 percent of the amount of funds that are used by the State to make grants for the fiscal year under paragraph (2).
(4)Grantee strategiesA recipient of a grant under paragraph (2) shall use the grant funds—
(A)to develop a business plan or perform a feasibility study to establish a viable marketing opportunity for a value-added agricultural product; or
(B)to provide capital to establish alliances or business ventures that allow the producer of the value-added agricultural product to better compete in domestic or international markets.
(5)ReportsWithin 90 days after the end of a fiscal year for which funds are provided to a State under paragraph (1), the State shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing how the funds were used.
(6)FundingOn October 1 of each fiscal year, of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this subsection $100,000,000, to remain available until expended.
(7)State definedIn this subsection, the term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands..
(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2005.
5.Reimbursement of certification costs
(a)Incentive programThe Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an incentive program to encourage the independent third-party certification of agricultural producers and processors for product qualities, production practices, or other product or process attributes that increase marketability or value of an agricultural commodity. The Secretary shall include independent third-party certification systems, including programs such as Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices programs, that the Secretary finds will provide one or more measurable social, environmental, or marketing advantages.
(b)StandardsThe Secretary shall set standards regarding the types of certifications, and the types of certification-related expenses, that will qualify for reimbursement under the program.
(c)Limitation on amount of reimbursementAn agricultural producer or processor may not receive reimbursement for more than 50 percent of the qualified expenses incurred by the producer or processor related to accepted certifications.
6.Nationwide expansion of risk management agency adjusted gross revenue insurance program
(a)ExpansionSection 523(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1523(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)Permanent nationwide operationEffective beginning with the 2006 reinsurance year, the Corporation shall carry out the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program as a permanent program under this title and may expand the program to cover any county in which crops are produced. To facilitate the expansion of the program nationwide, the Corporation may grant temporary premium subsidies for the purchase of a policy under the program to producers whose farm operations are located in a county that has a high level of specialty crop production and has not had a high-level of participation in the purchase of crop insurance coverage..
(b)Comptroller General studyThe Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the Federal crop insurance program to determine how well the program serves specialty crop producers and to recommend such changes as the Comptroller General considers appropriate to improve the program for specialty crop producers.
7.Expansion of fruit and vegetable program in school lunch programsThe Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is amended—
(1)in section 18 (42 U.S.C. 1769), by striking subsection (g); and
(2)by inserting after section 18 the following new section:

19.Fruit and vegetable program
(a)In generalThe Secretary shall make available in not more than 100 schools in each State, and in elementary and secondary schools on 1 Indian reservation, free fresh and dried fruits and vegetables and frozen berries to be served to school children throughout the school day in 1 or more areas designated by the school.
(b)Priority in allocationIn selecting States to participate in the program, the Secretary shall give priority to States that produce large quantities of specialty crops.
(c)PublicityA school participating in the program authorized by this section shall publicize within the school the availability of free fruits and vegetables under the program.
(d)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, $20,000,000 to carry out this section..
8.Increase in limit on direct operating loans; indexation to inflationSection 313 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1943) is amended—
(1)in subsection (a)(1), by striking $200,000 and inserting $500,000 (increased, beginning with fiscal year 2007, by the inflation percentage applicable to the fiscal year in which the loan is made); and
(2)in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraph:

(2)the average of such index (as so defined) for the 12-month period ending on—
(A)in the case of a loan other than a loan guaranteed by the Secretary, August 31, 2005; or
(B)in the case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary, August 31, 1996..
9.Trade of specialty crops
(a)Assistant USTR for specialty cropsSection 141(c) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2171(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)
(A)There is established in the Office the position of Assistant United States Trade Representative for Specialty Crops. The Assistant United States Trade Representative for Specialty Crops shall be appointed by the United States Trade Representative.
(B)The primary function of the Assistant United States Trade Representative for Specialty Crops shall be to promote the trade interests of specialty crop businesses, to remove foreign trade barriers that impede specialty crop businesses, and to enforce existing trade agreements beneficial to specialty crop businesses.
(C)The Assistant United States Trade Representative for Specialty Crops shall be paid at the level of a member of the Senior Executive Service with equivalent time and service..
(b)Study of Uruguay round table agreement benefits
(1)StudyThe Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the benefits of the agreements approved by Congress under section 101(a)(1) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Public Law 103–465) to specialty crop businesses.
(2)ReportNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).
(c)Foreign market access strategyNot later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop and implement a foreign market access strategy to increase exports of specialty crops to foreign markets.
10.Increased authorization for technical assistance for specialty cropsSection 3205(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5680(d)) is amended by striking $2,000,000 and inserting $10,000,000.


110 HR 6798 IH: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a

U.S. House of Representatives
2008-08-01
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 6798
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			August 1, 2008
			Mr. Kagen (for
			 himself, Mr. McDermott, and
			 Mr. Baca) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Veterans’ Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a
		  presumption of service connection for certain cancers occurring in veterans who
		  served in the Republic of Vietnam and were exposed to certain herbicide agents,
		  and for other purposes.

		1.FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
			(1)Between 1962 and 1971, the Air Force
			 sprayed approximately 107 million pounds of herbicides in South Vietnam for the
			 purpose of defoliation and crop destruction.
			(2)It has been
			 incontrovertibly established that exposure to Agent Orange leads to long-term,
			 systemic health problems that can occur years after the exposure.
			(3)The amendments to
			 title 38, United States Code, enacted by the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility
			 Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–262) provide that a veteran does not have to
			 demonstrate a link between a certain health condition and exposure to Agent
			 Orange and other toxic substances used during the Vietnam War in order to
			 receive certain medical care provided by the Secretary of Veterans
			 Affairs.
			(4)Instead medical
			 care is provided unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined that
			 the condition did not result from exposure to Agent Orange.
			(5)The Veterans’
			 Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–262) recognizes the
			 Institute of Medicine as a resource by which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
			 should determine the association between the occurrence of a disease and Agent
			 Orange.
			(6)One established
			 standard for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to deny a presumption of service
			 connection for a disability is that a disease shall be established by the
			 Institute of Medicine to have limited or suggestive evidence of no association
			 between the occurrence of the disease and exposure to herbicide.
			(7)Cancers of the
			 gastrointestinal tract are recognized by the Institute of Medicine to exceed
			 the statutory threshold for a presumption of service connection.
			2.Presumption of
			 service connection for certain cancers associated with exposure to herbicides
			 during the Vietnam EraSection
			 1116(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new subparagraph:

				(I)Cancers of any tissues through the opening
				of the gastrointestinal tract to the end, including any and all carcinomas
				arising from tissues of endo-dermal origin, beginning in the oral pharynx,
				extending through the esophagus, duodenum, cecum, transverse and descending
				colon, as well as biliary and pancreatic tissues, not to exclude the rectum,
				becoming manifest to a degree of disability of 10 percent or
				more.
				.


115 HR 99 IH: Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-01-03
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 99IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 3, 2017Ms. Brownley of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for the eligibility of
			 Transportation Security Administration employees to receive public safety
			 officers’ death benefits, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act. 2.Transportation Security Administration employees eligible to receive public safety officers’ death benefitsSection 1204(9) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)) is amended—
 (1)in subparagraph (C), by striking or at the end; (2)in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and
 (3)by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:  (E)an employee of the Transportation Security Administration who is performing official duties of the Administration, if those official duties are related to protecting the Nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce..
 3.Effective dateThis Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect as if they had been enacted on October 31, 2013.


116 S450 RS: Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-02-12
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.

IICalendar No. 412116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 450IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 12, 2019Mr. Gardner (for himself, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Daines) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsFebruary 5, 2020Reported by Mr. Moran, with an amendment and an amendment to the titleStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to expedite the
			 onboarding process for new medical providers of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs, to reduce the duration of the hiring process for such medical
			 providers, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2019.
		2.Pilot program on expediting the Department of Veterans Affairs process for onboarding new medical
			 providers
			(a)Pilot program authorized
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of expediting the process of the Veterans Health Administration for onboarding new medical providers.
 (2)Goal for programUnder the pilot program, the Secretary shall seek to reduce the length of time it takes to onboard medical providers to no more than 60 days.
				(b)Locations
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall select not fewer than ten medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs at which to carry out the pilot program.
 (2)Regional diversityThe medical facilities selected under paragraph (1) shall be located in regionally diverse areas, as determined by the Secretary.
 (3)PriorityIn selecting medical facilities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to medical facilities facing hiring shortages of licensed independent medical providers.
 (c)Onboarding process definedIn this section, the term onboarding process means the process of bringing on a medical provider applicant after the medical provider is offered a tentative position, including certification of credentialing, background investigation, assessment of health status, and such other actions as are necessary for starting employment.
			3.Strategy to reduce duration of hiring process of Department of Veterans Affairs for licensed
			 professional medical providers
 (a)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a strategy to reduce the duration of the hiring process of the Department of Veterans Affairs for licensed professional medical providers by half.
 (b)Expedited certificationThe strategy submitted under subsection (a) shall describe how the overall certification of credentials process of the Department for licensed professional medical providers can be expedited.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2020.
		2.Expansion of quarterly update of information on staffing and vacancies at facilities of the
			 Department of Veterans Affairs to include information on duration of
			 hiring process
 (a)Quarterly updateSubsection (a)(1) of section 505 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–182; 38 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (E)Beginning with any update under paragraph (3) on or after the date of the enactment of the Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2020, the following: (i)For employees appointed under paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401 of title 38, United States Code, the number of employees for which the duration of the process from validation of vacancy to receipt of official offer and notification of actual start date exceeds the metrics laid out in the Time to Hire Model of the Veterans Health Administration, or successor model.
 (ii)The percentage of employees who are described in clause (i) compared to all employees appointed under paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401 of such title during the same period.
 (iii)The average number of days potential hires or new hires appointed under paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 7401 of such title spent in each phase of the Time to Hire Model, or successor model..
 (b)Reduction in frequency of Inspector General reviewsSubsection (a)(5) of such section is amended by striking a semi-annual basis and inserting an annual basis. (c)Annual reportSubsection (b) of such section is amended, in the first sentence, by adding before the period at the end the following: and to improve the onboard timeline for facilities for which the duration of the onboarding process exceeds the metrics laid out in the Time to Hire Model of the Veterans Health Administration, or successor model.Amend the title so as to read: A bill to amend the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to expand the quarterly update of information on
			 staffing and vacancies at facilities of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs, and for other purposes..February 5, 2020Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title


113 S1387 IS: Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-07-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1387
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			July 30, 2013
			Mr. Reed (for himself
			 and Mr. Johanns) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To establish a pilot program to authorize the Secretary
		  of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to nonprofit organizations to
		  rehabilitate and modify homes of disabled and low-income
		  veterans.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Housing Assistance for Veterans Act of
			 2013 or the HAVEN Act.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)DisabledThe
			 term disabled means an individual with a disability, as defined by
			 section 12102 of title 42, United States Code.
			(2)Eligible
			 veteranThe term
			 eligible veteran means a disabled or low-income veteran.
			(3)Energy efficient
			 features or equipmentThe term energy efficient features or
			 equipment means features of, or equipment in, a primary residence that
			 help reduce the amount of electricity used to heat, cool, or ventilate such
			 residence, including insulation, weatherstripping, air sealing, heating system
			 repairs, duct sealing, or other measures.
			(4)Low-income
			 veteranThe term
			 low-income veteran means a veteran whose income does not exceed 80
			 percent of the median income for an area, as determined by the
			 Secretary.
			(5)Nonprofit
			 organizationThe term
			 nonprofit organization means an organization that is—
				(A)described in
			 section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
			 and
				(B)exempt from tax
			 under section 501(a) of such Code.
				(6)Primary
			 residence
				(A)In
			 generalThe term
			 primary residence means a single family house, a duplex, or a unit
			 within a multiple-dwelling structure that is an eligible veteran’s principal
			 dwelling and is owned by such veteran or a family member of such
			 veteran.
				(B)Family member
			 definedFor purposes of this paragraph, the term family
			 member includes—
					(i)a
			 spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling;
					(ii)a
			 spouse of such a child, grandchild, parent, or sibling; or
					(iii)any individual
			 related by blood or affinity whose close association with a veteran is the
			 equivalent of a family relationship.
					(7)Qualified
			 organizationThe term
			 qualified organization means a nonprofit organization that
			 provides nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or
			 low-income individuals.
			(8)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the
			 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
			(9)VeteranThe term veteran has the same
			 meaning as given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States
			 Code.
			(10)Veterans
			 service organizationThe term veterans service
			 organization means any organization recognized by the Secretary of
			 Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title
			 38, United States Code.
			3.Establishment of
			 a pilot program
			(a)Grant
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall
			 establish a pilot program to award grants to qualified organizations to
			 rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of eligible veterans.
				(2)CoordinationThe
			 Secretary shall work in conjunction with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
			 establish and oversee the pilot program and to ensure that such program meets
			 the needs of eligible veterans.
				(3)Maximum
			 grantA grant award under the pilot program to any one qualified
			 organization shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any one fiscal year, and such an
			 award shall remain available until expended by such organization.
				(b)Application
				(1)In
			 generalEach qualified
			 organization that desires a grant under the pilot program shall submit an
			 application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and, in addition to
			 the information required under paragraph (2), accompanied by such information
			 as the Secretary may reasonably require.
				(2)ContentsEach application submitted under paragraph
			 (1) shall include—
					(A)a plan of action
			 detailing outreach initiatives;
					(B)the approximate
			 number of veterans the qualified organization intends to serve using grant
			 funds;
					(C)a description of
			 the type of work that will be conducted, such as interior home modifications,
			 energy efficiency improvements, and other similar categories of work;
			 and
					(D)a plan for working
			 with the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans service organizations to
			 identify veterans who are not eligible for programs under chapter 21 of title
			 38, United States Code, and meet their needs.
					(3)PreferencesIn awarding grants under the pilot program,
			 the Secretary shall give preference to a qualified organization—
					(A)with experience in
			 providing housing rehabilitation and modification services for disabled
			 veterans; or
					(B)that proposes to provide housing
			 rehabilitation and modification services for eligible veterans who live in
			 rural areas (the Secretary, through regulations, shall define the term
			 rural areas).
					(c)CriteriaIn order to receive a grant award under the
			 pilot program, a qualified organization shall meet the following
			 criteria:
				(1)Demonstrate
			 expertise in providing housing rehabilitation and modification services for
			 disabled or low-income individuals for the purpose of making the homes of such
			 individuals accessible, functional, and safe for such individuals.
				(2)Have established outreach initiatives
			 that—
					(A)would engage
			 eligible veterans and veterans service organizations in projects utilizing
			 grant funds under the pilot program;
					(B)ensure veterans
			 who are disabled receive preference in selection for assistance under this
			 program; and
					(C)identify eligible
			 veterans and their families and enlist veterans involved in skilled trades,
			 such as carpentry, roofing, plumbing, or HVAC work.
					(3)Have an established nationwide or statewide
			 network of affiliates that are—
					(A)nonprofit
			 organizations; and
					(B)able to provide
			 housing rehabilitation and modification services for eligible veterans.
					(4)Have experience in
			 successfully carrying out the accountability and reporting requirements
			 involved in the proper administration of grant funds, including funds provided
			 by private entities or Federal, State, or local government entities.
				(d)Use of
			 fundsA grant award under the
			 pilot program shall be used—
				(1)to modify and
			 rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible veteran, and may
			 include—
					(A)installing wheelchair ramps, widening
			 exterior and interior doors, reconfigurating and re-equipping bathrooms (which
			 includes installing new fixtures and grab bars), removing doorway thresholds,
			 installing special lighting, adding additional electrical outlets and
			 electrical service, and installing appropriate floor coverings to—
						(i)accommodate the
			 functional limitations that result from having a disability; or
						(ii)if such residence does not have
			 modifications necessary to reduce the chances that an elderly, but not disabled
			 person, will fall in their home, reduce the risks of such an elderly person
			 from falling;
						(B)rehabilitating
			 such residence that is in a state of interior or exterior disrepair; and
					(C)installing energy efficient features or
			 equipment if—
						(i)an
			 eligible veteran’s monthly utility costs for such residence is more than 5
			 percent of such veteran’s monthly income; and
						(ii)an
			 energy audit of such residence indicates that the installation of energy
			 efficient features or equipment will reduce such costs by 10 percent or
			 more;
						(2)in connection with modification and
			 rehabilitation services provided under the pilot program, to provide technical,
			 administrative, and training support to an affiliate of a qualified
			 organization receiving a grant under such pilot program; and
				(3)for other purposes
			 as the Secretary may prescribe through regulations.
				(e)OversightThe
			 Secretary shall direct the oversight of the grant funds for the pilot program
			 so that such funds are used efficiently until expended to fulfill the purpose
			 of addressing the adaptive housing needs of eligible veterans.
			(f)Matching
			 funds
				(1)In
			 generalA qualified
			 organization receiving a grant under the pilot program shall contribute towards
			 the housing modification and rehabilitation services provided to eligible
			 veterans an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the grant award
			 received by such organization.
				(2)In-kind
			 contributionsIn order to
			 meet the requirement under paragraph (1), such organization may arrange for
			 in-kind contributions.
				(g)Limitation cost
			 to the veteransA qualified
			 organization receiving a grant under the pilot program shall modify or
			 rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible veteran at no cost to such
			 veteran (including application fees) or at a cost such that such veteran pays
			 no more than 30 percent of his or her income in housing costs during any
			 month.
			(h)Reports
				(1)Annual
			 reportThe Secretary shall
			 submit to Congress, on an annual basis, a report that provides, with respect to
			 the year for which such report is written—
					(A)the number of
			 eligible veterans provided assistance under the pilot program;
					(B)the socioeconomic
			 characteristics of such veterans, including their gender, age, race, and
			 ethnicity;
					(C)the total number,
			 types, and locations of entities contracted under such program to administer
			 the grant funding;
					(D)the amount of
			 matching funds and in-kind contributions raised with each grant;
					(E)a description of
			 the housing rehabilitation and modification services provided, costs saved, and
			 actions taken under such program;
					(F)a description of
			 the outreach initiatives implemented by the Secretary to educate the general
			 public and eligible entities about such program;
					(G)a description of
			 the outreach initiatives instituted by grant recipients to engage eligible
			 veterans and veteran service organizations in projects utilizing grant funds
			 under such program;
					(H)a description of
			 the outreach initiatives instituted by grant recipients to identify eligible
			 veterans and their families; and
					(I)any other
			 information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing such
			 program.
					(2)Final
			 reportNot later than 6 months after the completion of the pilot
			 program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that provides such
			 information that the Secretary considers relevant in assessing the pilot
			 program.
				(i)Authorization of
			 appropriationsThere are
			 authorized to be appropriated for carrying out this Act $4,000,000 for each of
			 fiscal years 2014 through 2018.