117 HR 2163 IH: Safe Step Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-23
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. 2163IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 23, 2021Mr. Ruiz (for himself, Mr. Wenstrup, Mrs. McBath, and Mrs. Miller-Meeks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan to provide an exceptions process for any medication step therapy protocol, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Safe Step Act.2.Required exceptions process for medication step therapy protocols(a)In generalThe Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after section 725 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1185d) the following new section:726.Required exceptions process for medication step therapy protocols(a)In generalIn the case of a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan that provides coverage of a prescription drug pursuant to a medication step therapy protocol, the plan or coverage shall—(1)implement a clear and transparent process for a participant or beneficiary (or the prescribing health care provider on behalf of the participant or beneficiary) to request an exception to such medication step therapy protocol, pursuant to subsection (b); and(2)where the participant or beneficiary or prescribing health care provider’s request for an exception to the medication step therapy protocols satisfies the criteria and requirements of subsection (b), cover the requested drug in accordance with the terms established by the health plan or coverage for patient cost-sharing rates or amounts at the time of the participant’s or beneficiary’s enrollment in the health plan or health insurance coverage.(b)Circumstances for exception approvalThe circumstances requiring an exception to a medication step therapy protocol, pursuant to a request under subsection (a), are any of the following:(1)Any treatments otherwise required under the protocol, or treatments in the same pharmacological class or having the same mechanism of action, have been ineffective in the treatment of the disease or condition of the participant or beneficiary, when prescribed consistent with clinical indications, clinical guidelines, or other peer-reviewed evidence.(2)Delay of effective treatment would lead to severe or irreversible consequences, and the treatment otherwise required under the protocol is reasonably expected to be ineffective based upon the documented physical or mental characteristics of the participant or beneficiary and the known characteristics of such treatment.(3)Any treatments otherwise required under the protocol are contraindicated for the participant or beneficiary or have caused, or are likely to cause, based on clinical, peer-reviewed evidence, an adverse reaction or other physical harm to the participant or beneficiary.(4)Any treatment otherwise required under the protocol has prevented, will prevent, or is likely to prevent a participant or beneficiary from achieving or maintaining reasonable and safe functional ability in performing occupational responsibilities or activities of daily living (as defined in section 441.505 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)).(5)The participant or beneficiary is stable for his or her disease or condition on the prescription drug or drugs selected by the prescribing health care provider and has previously received approval for coverage of the relevant drug or drugs for the disease or condition by any group health plan or health insurance issuer.(6)Other circumstances, as determined by the Secretary.(c)Requirement of a clear process(1)In generalThe process required by subsection (a)—(A)shall provide the prescribing health care provider or beneficiary or designated third-party advocate an opportunity to present such provider’s clinical rationale and relevant medical information for the group health plan or health insurance issuer to evaluate such request for exception;(B)shall clearly set forth all required information and the specific criteria that will be used to determine whether an exception is warranted, which may require disclosure of—(i)the medical history or other health records of the participant or beneficiary demonstrating that the participant or beneficiary seeking an exception—(I)has tried other drugs included in the drug therapy class without success; or(II)has taken the requested drug for a clinically appropriate amount of time to establish stability, in relation to the condition being treated and prescription guidelines given by the prescribing physician; or(ii)other clinical information that may be relevant to conducting the exception review;(C)may not require the submission of any information or supporting documentation beyond what is strictly necessary to determine whether any of the circumstances listed in subsection (b) exists; and(D)shall clearly outline conditions under which an exception request warrants expedited resolution from the group health plan or health insurance issuer, pursuant to subsection (d)(2).(2)Availability of process informationThe group health plan or health insurance issuer shall make information regarding the process required under subsection (a) readily available on the internet website of the group health plan or health insurance issuer. Such information shall include—(A)the requirements for requesting an exception to a medication step therapy protocol pursuant to this section; and(B)any forms, supporting information, and contact information, as appropriate.(d)Timing for determination of exceptionThe process required under subsection (a)(1) shall provide for the disposition of requests received under such paragraph in accordance with the following:(1)Subject to paragraph (2), not later than 72 hours after receiving an initial exception request, the plan or issuer shall respond to the requesting prescriber with either a determination of exception eligibility or a request for additional required information strictly necessary to make a determination of whether the conditions specified in subsection (b) are met. The plan or issuer shall respond to the requesting provider with a determination of exception eligibility no later than 72 hours after receipt of the additional required information.(2)In the case of a request under circumstances in which the applicable medication step therapy protocol may seriously jeopardize the life or health of the participant or beneficiary, the plan or issuer shall conduct a review of the request and respond to the requesting prescriber with either a determination of exception eligibility or a request for additional required information strictly necessary to make a determination of whether the conditions specified in subsection (b) are met, in accordance with the following:(A)If the plan or issuer can make a determination of exception eligibility without additional information, such determination shall be made on an expedited basis, and no later than 24 hours after receipt of such request.(B)If the plan or issuer requires additional information before making a determination of exception eligibility, the plan or issuer shall respond to the requesting provider with a request for such information within 24 hours of the request for a determination, and shall respond with a determination of exception eligibility as quickly as the condition or disease requires, and no later than 24 hours after receipt of the additional required information.(e)Medication step therapy protocolIn this section, the term medication step therapy protocol means a drug therapy utilization management protocol or program under which a group health plan or health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage of prescription drugs requires a participant or beneficiary to try an alternative preferred, prescription drug or drugs before the plan or health insurance issuer approves coverage for the non-preferred drug therapy prescribed.(f)ClarificationThis section shall apply with respect to any group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan that provides coverage of a prescription drug pursuant to a policy that meets the definition of the term medication step therapy protocol in subsection (e), regardless of whether such policy is described by such group health plan or health insurance coverage as a step therapy protocol..(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 725 the following new items:Sec. 726. Required exceptions process for medication step therapy protocols..(c)Effective date(1)In generalThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies with respect to plan years beginning with the first plan year that begins at least 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.(2)RegulationsNot later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall issue final regulations, through notice and comment rulemaking, to implement the provisions of section 726 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as added by subsection (a).


113 HRES 119 IH: Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs.
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-15
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
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 119
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 15, 2013
Mr. Duncan of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Barr, Mr. Barton, Mr. Bentivolio, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Gohmert, Mr. Jones, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. Long, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Mulvaney, Mr. Palazzo, Mr. Pittenger, Mr. Posey, Mr. Schweikert, and Mr. Stivers) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules

RESOLUTION
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to establish the Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs.

That
(a)clause 1 of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by redesignating paragraphs (f) through (t) as paragraphs (g) through (u) and by inserting after paragraph (e) the following new paragraph:

(f)Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs.
(1)Modification or elimination of underperforming or nonessential Federal programs.
(2)Identification of Federal programs and activities that duplicate or compete with activities available from the private sector..
(b)Clause 4 of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(g)The Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs shall—
(1)
(A)research, review, and study Federal programs that are underperforming or nonessential; and
(B)determine which Federal programs should be modified or eliminated;
(2)develop recommendations to the House for action designed to modify or eliminate underperforming or nonessential Federal programs; and
(3)submit to the House—
(A)at least once a year, reports including—
(i)a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Committee; and
(ii)a list of underperforming or nonessential Federal programs; and
(B)legislation to eliminate the programs described in section subdivision (ii) and rescissions based on the findings of the report described in subdivision (i)..
(c)Clause 5(a) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5)
(A)The Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs shall be composed of members as follows:
(i)Four members from the Committee on Appropriations.
(ii)Four members from the Committee on the Budget.
(iii)Four members from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
(iv)Four members from the Committee on Ways and Means.
(v)One member who does not serve on any of the committees described in items (i) through (iv), who shall be appointed by the Speaker and designated by the Speaker as the Chair of the Committee.
(vi)One member who does not serve on any of the committees described in items (i) through (iv), who shall be appointed by the Speaker and designated by the Speaker as the Vice Chair of the Committee.
(B)A member of the Committee may not serve on the committee during more than three Congresses in a period of five successive Congresses (disregarding for this purpose any service for less than a full session in a Congress).
(C)The Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee shall not be from the same political party..
(d)Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:

Expedited procedures for legislation reported by the Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs12.With respect to any bill or resolution reported by the Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs, the following shall apply:
(a)After the expiration of the 7-day period (excluding any day on which the House is not in session) that begins on the date the Committee reports the bill or resolution, it is in order to move to proceed to the consideration of the bill or resolution. The motion is highly privileged and is not debatable, an amendment to the motion is not in order, and it is not in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to.
(b)Debate on the bill or resolution shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the bill or resolution. A motion to further limit debate is not debatable.
(c)An amendment to, or motion to recommit, the bill or resolution is not in order, and it is not in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the bill or resolution is agreed to or disagreed to..


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1042
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			May 14, 2009
			Mr. Kohl (for himself
			 and Mrs. McCaskill) introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To prohibit the use of funds to promote the
		  direct deposit of Veterans and Social Security benefits until adequate
		  safeguards are established to prevent the attachment and garnishment of such
		  benefits.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Illegal Garnishment Prevention
			 Act.
		2.Prohibition on use of funds to promote
			 direct deposit of Veterans and Social Security benefits until assurance of
			 protection from attachment or garnishment
			(a)FindingsCongress makes the following
			 findings:
				(1)Section 5301(a)(1) of title 38 of the
			 United States Code provides that Veterans benefit payments shall be
			 exempt from the claim of creditors, and shall not be liable to attachment,
			 levy, or seizure by or under any legal or equitable process whatever, either
			 before or after receipt by the beneficiary..
				(2)Section 207 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 407) provides that Social Security benefits shall not “be subject to
			 execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process, or to the
			 operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.”.
				(3)Congress intended for Veterans and Social
			 Security benefits to provide at least a minimum subsistence for our nation's
			 veterans, elderly, and disabled.
				(4)Social Security
			 benefits are the only source of income for over 20 percent of Social Security
			 recipients.
				(5)Many financial institutions are garnishing
			 accounts on behalf of creditors in order to recover debt owed to them, and are
			 assessing fees on bank accounts into which Veterans and Social Security
			 benefits are electronically deposited.
				(6)Many recipients of these benefits are left
			 temporarily destitute when financial institutions freeze access to their only
			 source of income.
				(7)Despite the lack of protections for direct
			 deposit recipients of Veterans and Social Security benefits, the Treasury is
			 spending millions of dollars encouraging veterans, seniors, and other
			 recipients of social security benefits to use direct deposit for receipt of
			 their benefits.
				(b)ProhibitionNo funds appropriated or otherwise made
			 available to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
			 or the Commissioner of Social Security for fiscal year 2010 or any fiscal year
			 thereafter may be used to promote or otherwise encourage recipients of old-age,
			 survivors, or disability insurance benefits paid under title II of the Social
			 Security Act, or veterans benefits provided under the laws administered by the
			 Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to use direct deposit for payment of such
			 benefits, or to otherwise promote the use of direct deposit for such benefits,
			 until the Secretary of the Treasury promulgates rules establishing procedures
			 to ensure that such benefits are protected from attachment and garnishment in
			 accordance with the requirements of section 207 of the Social Security Act (42
			 U.S.C. 407), and at least 5 of the 7 members of the advisory committee
			 established under subsection (c) concur in advising the Secretary of the
			 Treasury that such procedures provide adequate safeguards.
			(c)Advisory Committee
				(1)EstablishmentThere is hereby established an Advisory
			 Committee to be known as the Social Security Benefits Protection from
			 Attachment or Garnishment Advisory Committee.
				(2)MembershipThe Committee shall be comprised of 7
			 members comprised of, or appointed by the following:
					(A)The Secretary of the Treasury.
					(B)The Chair of the Committee on Ways and
			 Means of the House of Representatives.
					(C)The Ranking Member of the Committee on Ways
			 and Means of the House of Representatives.
					(D)The Chair of the Committee on Finance of
			 the Senate.
					(E)The Ranking Member of the Committee on
			 Finance of the Senate.
					(F)The Chair of the Special Committee on Aging
			 of the Senate.
					(G)The Ranking Member of the Special Committee
			 on Aging of the Senate.
					(3)MeetingsThe Secretary of the Treasury shall
			 establish meetings of the Committee.
				(4)DutiesThe Committee shall review the procedures
			 promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out subsection (b) and,
			 upon the concurrence of at least 5 members of the Committee, advise the
			 Secretary of the Treasury as to the adequacy of such procedures with respect to
			 protecting old-age, survivors, or disability insurance benefits paid under
			 title II of the Social Security Act from attachment and garnishment.
				(5)FACA
			 exemptionThe Committee shall
			 not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).


		II
		Calendar No. 290
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 441
		[Report No. 112–129]
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			October 31, 2011
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and Natural
			 Resources

			January 13, 2012
			Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of
			 December 17, 2011, by Mr. Bingaman, without
			 amendment

		AN ACT
		To authorize the Secretary of the Interior
		  to issue permits for microhydro projects in nonwilderness areas within the
		  boundaries of Denali National Park and Preserve, to acquire land for Denali
		  National Park and Preserve from Doyon Tourism, Inc., and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Kantishna Hills Renewable Energy Act
			 of 2011.
		2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)AppurtenanceThe term appurtenance
			 includes—
				(A)transmission lines;
				(B)distribution lines;
				(C)signs;
				(D)buried communication lines;
				(E)necessary access routes for microhydro
			 project construction, operation, and maintenance; and
				(F)electric cables.
				(2)Kantishna Hills areaThe term Kantishna Hills area
			 means the area of the Park located within 2 miles of Moose Creek, as depicted
			 on the map.
			(3)MapThe term map means the map
			 entitled Kantishna Hills Micro-Hydro Area, numbered 184/80,276,
			 and dated August 27, 2010.
			(4)Microhydro project
				(A)In generalThe term microhydro project
			 means a hydroelectric power generating facility with a maximum power generation
			 capability of 100 kilowatts.
				(B)InclusionsThe term microhydro project
			 includes—
					(i)intake pipelines, including the intake
			 pipeline located on Eureka Creek, approximately ½ mile
			 upstream from the Park Road, as depicted on the map;
					(ii)each system appurtenance of the microhydro
			 projects; and
					(iii)any distribution or transmission lines
			 required to serve the Kantishna Hills area.
					(5)ParkThe term Park means the Denali
			 National Park and Preserve.
			(6)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the
			 Secretary of the Interior.
			3.Permits for microhydro projects
			(a)In generalThe Secretary may issue permits for
			 microhydro projects in the Kantishna Hills area.
			(b)Terms and conditionsEach permit under subsection (a) shall
			 be—
				(1)issued in accordance with such terms and
			 conditions as are generally applicable to rights-of-way within units of the
			 National Park System; and
				(2)subject to such other terms and conditions
			 as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
				(c)Completion of
			 environmental analysisNot later than 180 days after the date on
			 which an applicant submits an application for the issuance of a permit under
			 this section, the Secretary shall complete any analysis required by the
			 National Environment Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of any
			 proposed or existing microhydro projects located in the Kantishna Hills
			 area.
			4.Land exchange
			(a)In generalFor the purpose of
			 consolidating ownership of Park and Doyon Tourism, Inc. lands, including those
			 lands affected solely by the Doyon Tourism microhydro project, and subject to
			 subsection (d), the Secretary may exchange Park land near or adjacent to land
			 owned by Doyon Tourism, Inc., located at the mouth of Eureka Creek in sec. 13,
			 T.16 S., R. 18 W., Fairbanks Meridian, for approximately 18 acres of land owned
			 by Doyon Tourism, Inc., within the Galena patented mining claim.
			(b)Map availabilityThe map shall be on file and available for
			 public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park
			 Service.
			(c)TimingThe Secretary shall seek to complete the
			 exchange under this section by not later than February 1, 2015.
			(d)Applicable laws; terms and
			 conditionsThe exchange under
			 this section shall be subject to—
				(1)the laws (including regulations) and
			 policies applicable to exchanges of land administered by the National Park
			 Service, including the laws and policies concerning land appraisals,
			 equalization of values, and environmental compliance; and
				(2)such terms and conditions as the Secretary
			 determines to be necessary.
				(e)Equalization of valuesIf the tracts proposed for exchange under
			 this section are determined not to be equal in value, an equalization of values
			 may be achieved by adjusting the quantity of acres described in subsection
			 (a).
			(f)AdministrationThe land acquired by the Secretary pursuant
			 to the exchange under this section shall be administered as part of the
			 Park.

		January 13, 2012
		Reported without amendment


117 HR 4070 IH: Study To Observe and Prevent (STOP) Human Trafficking Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-06-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4070IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 22, 2021Mr. Waltz (for himself, Mr. Deutch, Mrs. Murphy of Florida, Mr. C. Scott Franklin of Florida, Mr. Soto, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Pfluger, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Harder of California, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Owens, Mr. Gimenez, and Ms. Wasserman Schultz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo direct the Attorney General, in coordination with the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, to study the prevalence and instances of human trafficking at adult entertainment clubs in the United States, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Study To Observe and Prevent (STOP) Human Trafficking Act of 2021. 2.Study on the prevalence and instances of human trafficking at adult entertainment clubs(a)Study RequiredThe Attorney General, in coordination with the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, shall conduct a study on the prevalence and instances of human trafficking at adult entertainment clubs in the United States. In conducting the study, the Attorney General shall collaborate with non-governmental entities with demonstrated expertise in studying human trafficking.(b)Study ContentsIn conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall gather information on—(1)demographic characteristics of victims, including age groups of victims;(2)any relationship between victims of human trafficking and adult entertainment clubs, including victims’ status as an employee, contractor, or licensee; and(3)any methods of fraud, force, or coercion used by human traffickers.(c)ReportNot later than 15 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the study required under subsection (a) and any recommendations of the Attorney General relating to such findings.(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term adult entertainment club means an establishment that offers or provides live performance, display, or dance of any type involving any actual or simulated performance of sexual activities and nude or seminude exposure. Such an establishment may include one that features entertainment of an erotic nature, including exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar entertainers.(2)The term human trafficking has the meaning given the term severe form of trafficking in persons in section 103 of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102).


117 HR 330 IH: Delivering COVID-19 Vaccinations to All Regions and Vulnerable Communities Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-01-15
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. 330IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 15, 2021Ms. Jackson Lee (for herself, Mr. Payne, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Jones) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist States and local governments with the distribution and tracking of vaccines for COVID–19, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a national program to oversee the collection and maintenance of all Federal and State data on vaccinations of individuals in the United States for COVID–19 to achieve mass vaccination saturation immunity, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Delivering COVID-19 Vaccinations to All Regions and Vulnerable Communities Act of 2021 or the COVID-19 Delivery Act. 2.FEMA assistance for COVID–19 vaccinationsAt the request of a State or local government, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall—(1)coordinate efforts for vaccine delivery, including from manufacturing sites to inoculation sites;(2)monitor shipments of vaccines through a 24-hour tracking system, including readings on the temperature, real-time location, origin, destination data, anticipated time of arrival, and report to recipients on changes and updates on the progress of their delivery shipments and any changes that may impact expected delivery or the viability of the vaccine while in transit;(3)develop an advanced communication system to allow the Department of Health and Human Services and public health departments to communicate and share information about vaccine readiness, capability of receiving vaccines, delivery locations, details of facility capability of storing and securing vaccines, personnel authorized to receive deliveries, logistics for delivering vaccines to patients, report on vaccine receipts, condition of vaccines, patient reactions, and feedback on how to improve the process;(4)secure transportation for delivery or use of vaccines, and if requested, security for the vaccine delivery sites or inoculation locations to ensure the life and safety of personnel and patients who seek to provide or receive vaccinations free of interference or threat;(5)design custom software applications (Apps) with the Department of Health and Human Services for use by public health agencies and any company or person administering vaccines to provide information to patients on the vaccine being received, the date of a second dose and the location of the dose if required, including generating a token that corresponds to an individual’s vaccination record to ensure that the right vaccine is administered and if a second inoculation is required and to ensure that an individual is not vaccinated with different vaccines, and any additional information that may be pertinent in the future; (6)develop a public education and patient engagement program about the safety and availability of vaccines that also ensures that individuals in areas and locations where vulnerable populations often do not have easy access to health care or vaccinations are informed about vaccine availability; and(7)acting through the Department of Health and Human Services, provide additional vaccination centers, in addition to State and local government sites, to augment vaccinations occurring within such States and local governments to address access to at-risk communities when vaccination rates are below 80 percent for a population residing with in a census block or track that is experiencing a greater incidence of serious complications, such as hospitalizations and deaths that are above the proportional representation of the at-risk group when compared to the general population, establishing the need for a targeted vaccination effort to reduce the incidence of infections for those individuals at greatest risk for hospitalizations and death from COVID-19.3.CDC requirementsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall track the dissemination of inoculations and report on efficiencies, effectiveness, or deficiencies of local and State COVID-19 vaccination programs, including the availability of certified individuals under Federal, State, or territorial authority to administer a vaccination under State law, and report to Congressional oversight committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate on findings and recommendations.4.HHS management of COVID–19 vaccination data to achieve mass vaccination saturation immunity(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall carry out a national program to oversee the collection and maintenance of all Federal and State data on vaccinations of individuals in the United States for COVID–19, including tracking booster vaccinations, to achieve mass vaccination saturation immunity.(b)Applicable privacy law; penalties(1)In generalThe Secretary shall maintain data on vaccinations for COVID–19 in accordance with all applicable privacy and security law, including HIPAA privacy and security law (as defined in section 3009(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300jj–19(a)(2)).(2)PenaltiesAny person who discloses or uses data on vaccinations for COVID–19 in violation of any provision of law referred to in paragraph (1)—(A)shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined in accordance with title 18, or both; and(B)shall be subject, in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed by law, to a civil money penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation. (c)Data retention limitationThe Secretary shall destroy any data maintained pursuant to subsection (a) by the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of receipt or collection of the data, whichever is later.(d)Transmission of State dataThe Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to encourage and assist each State in transmitting to the Secretary on an ongoing basis the State’s data with respect to vaccination of individuals in such State for COVID–19.(e)OmbudsmanThe Secretary shall appoint an ombudsman to—(1)support public and stakeholder input on the activities carried out pursuant to this section;(2)provide advocacy and advice for those who elect not to be vaccinated for COVID–19; and(3)champion the privacy and civil liberty rights of individuals in the United States in connection with vaccination for COVID–19.(f)CollaborationIn carrying out this section, the Secretary shall collaborate with stakeholders in establishing vaccine inoculation centers in locations including—(1)stadiums, arenas, elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and places of worship; and(2)other locations determined by the Secretary to be conducive to reaching the greatest number of people in need of inoculations for COVID–19.(g)Advisory boardFor the purpose achieving mass vaccination saturation immunity to COVID–19 in the United States, the Secretary shall establish a stakeholder advisory board to support the collaboration and cooperation of entities including Federal, State, and local governments, businesses, colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools, hospitals, clinics, professional medical associations, and such other entities as the Secretary determines to be essential to such purpose.(h)ReportsOn a daily or weekly basis, subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Congress and make public reports on the activities carried out under this section, including such data as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determines to be relevant to analyzing inoculation statistics and progress toward achieving mass vaccination saturation immunity.


114 S400 IS: Notice for Organizations That Include Charities is Essential (NOTICE) Act
U.S. Senate
2015-02-05
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 400IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 5, 2015Mr. Coats (for himself and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide notice to charities and other nonprofit
			 organizations before their tax-exempt status is automatically revoked.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Notice for Organizations That Include Charities is Essential (NOTICE) Act.
		2.Notice required before revocation of tax exempt status for failure to file return
 (a)In generalSection 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:

					(2)Requirement of notice
 (A)In generalNot later than 300 days after the date an organization described in paragraph (1) fails to file the annual return or notice referenced in paragraph (1) for 2 consecutive years, the Secretary shall notify the organization—
 (i)that the Internal Revenue Service has no record of such a return or notice from such organization for 2 consecutive years, and
 (ii)about the penalty that will occur under this subsection if the organization fails to file such a return or notice by the date of the next filing deadline.
							The notification under the preceding sentence shall include information about how to comply with
			 the filing requirements
			 under subsection (a)(1) and (i)..
 (b)Reinstatement without applicationParagraph (3) of section 6033(j) of such Code, as redesignated under subsection (a), is amended— (1)by striking Any organization and inserting the following:

 (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), any organization, and (2)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

 (B)Retroactive reinstatement without application if actual notice not providedIf an organization described in paragraph (1)— (i)demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the organization did not receive the notice required under paragraph (2), and
 (ii)files an annual return or notice referenced in paragraph (1) for the current year, then the Secretary may reinstate the organization’s exempt status effective from the date of the revocation under paragraph (1) without the need for an application.. (c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to notices and returns required to be filed after December 31, 2014.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2742
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 4, 2009
			Mr. Wexler (for
			 himself and Mr. Shuster) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
		  (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of
		  Azerbaijan.

		1.Termination of application of
			 title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to the products of Azerbaijan
			(a)Presidential
			 Determinations and Extension of Nondiscriminatory TreatmentNotwithstanding any provision of title IV
			 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.), the President may—
				(1)determine that the
			 denial of nondiscriminatory treatment should no longer apply to the products of
			 Azerbaijan; and
				(2)after making a
			 determination under paragraph (1) with respect to Azerbaijan, proclaim the
			 extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to
			 the products of Azerbaijan.
				(b)Termination of
			 Applicability of Title IVOn
			 and after the date on which the President extends nondiscriminatory treatment
			 to the products of Azerbaijan pursuant to subsection (a), title IV of the Trade
			 Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to Azerbaijan.


110 HR 1901 IH: To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who served during certain periods of time in specified locations.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-04-17
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. 1901
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 17, 2007
Mr. Rahall introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for pension benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans who served during certain periods of time in specified locations.

1.Extension of eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs pension benefits
Section 1501(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
Such term includes—
(1)the period beginning on February 1, 1955, and ending on August 4, 1964, in the case of active military, naval, or air service performed in the Republic of Korea;
(2)the period beginning on May 8, 1975, and ending on August 1, 1990, in the case of active military, naval, or air service performed in the Republic of Korea;
(3)the period beginning on August 24, 1982, and ending on July 31, 1984, in the case of active military, naval, or air service performed in Lebanon or Granada; and
(4)the period beginning on December 20, 1989, and ending on January 31, 1990, in the case of active military, naval, or air service performed in Panama..


115 HR 6269 IH: Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation Sustainability and Accountability Act of 2018
U.S. House of Representatives
2018-06-28
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.

I115th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 6269IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 28, 2018Mr. LaHood (for himself and Ms. Sewell of Alabama) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to restructure the payment adjustment for
			 non-emergency ESRD ambulance transports under the Medicare program.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Non-Emergency Ambulance Transportation Sustainability and Accountability Act of 2018 or the NEATSA Act. 2.Restructure of Medicare payment adjustment for non-emergency ESRD ambulance transports (a)In generalSection 1834(l)(15) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(15)) is amended to read as follows:

					(15)Restructure of payment adjustment for non-emergency ambulance transports for ESRD beneficiaries
 (A)In generalIn the case of applicable ambulance services, the fee schedule amount otherwise applicable under the preceding provisions of this subsection shall be reduced as follows:
 (i)In the case of applicable ambulance services furnished during the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on December 31, 2018, reduced by 10 percent.
 (ii)In the case of applicable ambulance services furnished during 2019, reduced by 15.5 percent. (iii)In the case of applicable ambulance services furnished during 2020 or a subsequent year—
 (I)by a provider or supplier of ambulance services that the Secretary has designated under subparagraph (C) for the year and for which such transport originates in an area not described in paragraph (13)(A)(i), reduced by 29.5 percent; or
 (II)that are not described in subclause (I), reduced by 15.5 percent. (B)Applicable ambulance servicesIn this paragraph, the term applicable ambulance services means ambulance services consisting of non-emergency basic life support services involving transport of an individual with end-stage renal disease for renal dialysis services (as described in section 1881(b)(14)(B)) furnished other than on an emergency basis by a provider of services or a renal dialysis facility.
						(C)Designation
 (i)In generalFor 2020 and each subsequent year, the Secretary shall designate the providers or suppliers of ambulance services for which the total payments made to the provider or supplier for applicable ambulance services furnished during the applicable period for the year makes up at least 50 percent of the total payments made to the provider or supplier under this part for all ambulance services furnished during such applicable period.
 (ii)MethodologyThe Secretary shall, through notice and comment rulemaking, establish the methodology for designating providers and suppliers under clause (i) for a year. Under such methodology, the applicable period for a year shall be a 12-month period determined by the Secretary that begins and ends prior to the beginning of such year.
 (iii)TimingNot later than November 1 of each year (beginning with 2019), the Secretary shall notify any provider or supplier that will be designated under clause (i) for the subsequent year.
 (iv)Targeted reviewThe Secretary shall establish a process under which a provider or supplier may seek an informal review of the designation under clause (i) with respect to the provider or supplier.
 (v)Public reportingBeginning in 2021, the Secretary shall, in an easily understandable format, make available on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services the following:
 (I)The total number of claims paid under this part for applicable ambulance services. (II)The total number of claims paid under this part for applicable ambulance services that were subject to the payment reduction under subparagraph (A)(iii), broken out for each of subclauses (I) and (II) of such subparagraph.
 (III)The total number of providers and suppliers that were designated under clause (i). (IV)Any other data regarding applicable ambulance services that the Secretary determines appropriate..
			(b)GAO study and report
 (1)In generalThe Comptroller General of the United States (in this subsection referred to as the Comptroller General) shall conduct a study on payments under section 1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) for applicable ambulance services (as defined in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (15) of such section, as added by subsection (a)). Such study shall include an analysis of the impact of the amendment made by subsection (a), including the impact on beneficiary access and any steps providers and suppliers of ambulance services have taken to avoid payment reductions under such paragraph (15).
 (2)ReportNot later than March 1, 2023, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3934
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 27, 2009
			Mr. Coble introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Oversight and Government
			 Reform

		A BILL
		To amend title 5, United States Code, to require at least
		  biennial review of the per diem allowances and the maximum reimbursement
		  amounts established for official travel by Federal employees to localities that
		  include, or that are adjacent to localities that include, certain military
		  installations.

		1.Periodic review of certain
			 per diem allowances and maximum reimbursement amounts
			(a)In
			 generalSection 5707 of title
			 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(d)(1)Notwithstanding any
				other provision of this section, the Administrator of General Services shall,
				at least every 2 years, conduct periodic investigations to review per diem
				allowances and maximum reimbursement amounts under section 5702 for covered
				localities.
						(2)Based on the results of each
				investigation under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall determine the
				appropriate per diem allowances and maximum reimbursement amounts for covered
				localities.
						(3)The Administrator shall report the
				respective allowances and amounts determined under this subsection to Congress
				not later than 5 days after the Administrator makes a determination under
				paragraph (2). Each such report shall be printed in the Federal
				Register.
						(4)The per diem allowances and maximum
				reimbursement amounts that apply with respect to covered localities under
				regulations prescribed under this subsection shall be adjusted no earlier than
				30 days following the submission of each report under paragraph (3).
						(5)For purposes of this
				subsection—
							(A)the term covered locality
				means a locality (as referred to in section 5702(a)(2)) that includes, or is
				adjacent to a locality that includes, a military installation described in
				subparagraph (B);
							(B)a military installation described in
				this subparagraph is any military installation, as defined in section 2801(c)
				of title 10, within the continental United States; and
							(C)2 localities shall be considered
				adjacent to one another if any part of one locality is within 50 miles of any
				part of the other locality.
							.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe Administrator of General Services shall issue
			 regulations setting forth adjusted per diem allowances and maximum
			 reimbursement rates, in accordance with the amendment made by subsection (a),
			 beginning not later than the close of the fiscal year next beginning after the
			 date of the enactment of this Act.


116 HR 5875 IH: Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-02-12
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5875IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 12, 2020Mr. Murphy of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Young) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to provide that a member of the Armed Forces and the spouse of that member shall have the same rights regarding the receipt of firearms at the location of any duty station of the member.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act.2.Receipt of firearm or ammunition by spouse of member of the Armed Forces at a duty station of the member outside the United StatesSection 925(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended—(1)by inserting or to the spouse of such a member before or to;(2)by striking members, and inserting members and spouses,;(3)by striking members or and inserting members, spouses, or; and(4)by striking member or and inserting member, spouse, or.3.Residency of spouses of members of the Armed Forces to be determined on the same basis as the residency of such members for purposes of Federal firearms lawsSection 921(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:(b)For purposes of this chapter, a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or a spouse of such a member, is a resident of—(1)the State in which the member or spouse maintains legal residence;(2)the State in which the permanent duty station of the member is located; and(3)the State in which the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the permanent duty station of the member..4.Effective dateThe amendments made by this Act shall apply to conduct engaged in after the 6-month period that begins with the date of the enactment of this Act.


		I
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4941
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 25, 2010
			Mrs. Kirkpatrick of
			 Arizona (for herself, Mr.
			 Filner, Ms. Titus,
			 Mr. Rodriguez, and
			 Mrs. Lummis) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Financial Services

		A BILL
		To amend title 31, United States Code, to include means
		  of access to funds or the value of funds in certain records and reports on
		  monetary instrument transactions, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Anti-Cash Smuggling Act of
			 2010.
		2.Addition of means
			 of access to funds or the value of fundsChapter 53 of subtitle IV of title 31,
			 United States Code, is amended—
			(1)by inserting after
			 section 5316 the following new section:

					5316A.Reports on
				exporting and importing means of access to funds
						(a)In
				general
							(1)Reports
				requiredThe Secretary of the
				Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall, by
				regulation and subject to the limitations of this section, require reports
				concerning means of access to funds or the value of funds belonging or credited
				to a person.
							(2)Means of access
				to funds or the value of funds definedThe Secretary of the
				Treasury shall define the term means of access to funds or the value of
				funds for purposes of this section. Such definition shall—
								(A)include means that
				a person, agent, or bailee can use to electronically—
									(i)initiate transfers
				of funds;
									(ii)obtain currency
				in place of funds or the value of funds; or
									(iii)purchase goods
				or services;
									(B)include, but not
				be limited to, prepaid or stored value cards; and
								(C)not include debit
				cards or credit cards, as such terms are defined under section 603(r)(3) of the
				Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(r)(3)) and under section 103(k) of
				the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(k)), respectively.
								(b)Reports required
				when exporting or importingA person, or an agent or bailee of
				that person, shall as required by regulation file a report under this section
				only when the person, agent, or bailee knowingly—
							(1)transports, is about to transport, or has
				transported a means of access to funds or the value of funds from a place in
				the United States to or through a place outside the United States or to a place
				in the United States from or through a place outside the United States;
				or
							(2)receives a means of access to funds or the
				value of funds transported into the United States from or through a place
				outside the United States.
							(c)Timing and
				content of reportsA report
				under this section shall be filed at the time and place prescribed by the
				Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland
				Security. The report shall contain the following information, to the extent the
				Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland
				Security, prescribes:
							(1)The legal capacity
				in which the person filing the report is acting.
							(2)The origin, destination, and route of the
				means of access to funds or the value of funds.
							(3)When the means of access to funds or the
				value of funds is not legally and beneficially owned by the person transporting
				the such means of access, or if the person transporting such means of access
				personally is not going to use it, the identity of the person that gave such
				means of access to the person transporting it, the identity of the person who
				is to receive such means of access, or both.
							(4)The amount and kind of funds or the value
				of funds to which the means of access to funds or the value of funds provides
				access, and the person to whom the funds or value of funds belong or are
				credited.
							(5)Such additional information as the
				Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland
				Security, determines to be appropriate.
							(d)Nonapplicability
				to certain common carriersThis section shall not apply to a common
				carrier of passengers when a passenger is transporting a means of access to
				funds or the value of funds, or to a common carrier of goods if the shipper
				does not declare such means of access.
						(e)Additional
				information needed To facilitate reportingThe Secretary of the Treasury, in
				consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, may prescribe regulations
				under this section requiring a person that holds funds or the value of funds
				belonging or credited to another person, and that provides such other person a
				means of access to such funds or value, to provide information at the time and
				place and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, in consultation with the
				Secretary of Homeland Security, in order to facilitate reporting under this
				section. Such information may include, but is not limited to, placing
				conspicuous markings on any tangible mechanism that constitutes, or together
				with a personal identification number, code, or other input comprises, a means
				of access to funds or the value of funds in order to manifest reportable
				characteristics of the means of
				access.
						;
			(2)in section
			 5316—
				(A)by amending the
			 heading to read as follows:

						5316.Reports on
				exporting and importing monetary instruments and access
				devices
						;
				(B)by amending
			 subsection (a) to read as follows:

						(a)Except as provided
				in subsection (c), a person or an agent or bailee of the person shall file a
				report under subsection (b) when the person, agent, or bailee knowingly—
							(1)transports, is about to transport, or has
				transported, monetary instruments, funds accessible by means of access to funds
				or the value of funds (as defined under section 5316A(a)(2)), or a combination
				of monetary instruments and funds accessible by such means of access, of more
				than $10,000 at one time—
								(A)from a place in
				the United States to or through a place outside the United States; or
								(B)to a place in the
				United States from or through a place outside the United States; or
								(2)receives monetary instruments, funds
				accessible by means of access to funds or the value of funds, or a combination
				of monetary instruments and funds accessible by such means of access, of more
				than $10,000 at one time transported into the United States from or through a
				place outside the United States.
							;
				and
				(C)in subsection (b),
			 by striking Secretary prescribes and inserting Secretary
			 of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security,
			 prescribes;
				(3)by amending
			 section 5317 to read as follows:

					5317.Search and
				forfeiture of monetary instruments and access devices
						(a)In
				generalThe Secretary of the
				Treasury or the Secretary of Homeland Security may apply to a court of
				competent jurisdiction for a search warrant when such Secretary reasonably
				believes a monetary instrument or a tangible mechanism that constitutes, or
				together with a personal identification number, code, or other input comprises,
				a means of access to funds or the value of funds is being transported and a
				report on the instrument or means of access to funds or the value of funds
				under section 5316 or 5316A has not been filed or contains a material omission
				or misstatement. Such Secretary shall include a statement of information in
				support of the warrant. On a showing of probable cause, the court may issue a
				search warrant for a designated person or a designated or described place or
				physical object. This subsection does not affect the authority of the Secretary
				of the Treasury or the Secretary of Homeland Security under any other provision
				of law.
						(b)Searches at
				borderFor purposes of ensuring compliance with the requirements
				of section 5316 and 5316A, a customs officer may stop and search, at the border
				and without a search warrant, any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other
				conveyance, any envelope or other container, and any person entering or
				departing from the United States.
						(c)Forfeiture
							(1)Criminal
				forfeiture
								(A)In
				generalThe court in imposing sentence for any violation of
				section 5313, 5316, 5316A, or 5324, or any conspiracy to commit such violation,
				shall order the defendant to forfeit all property, real or personal, involved
				in the offense, including but not limited to any tangible mechanism that
				constitutes, or together with a personal identification number, code, or other
				input comprises, a means of access to funds or the value of funds, and any
				property traceable thereto.
								(B)ProcedureForfeitures
				under this paragraph shall be governed by the procedures established in section
				413 of the Controlled Substances Act.
								(2)Civil
				forfeitureAny property involved in a violation of section 5313,
				5316, 5316A, or 5324, or any conspiracy to commit any such violation, and any
				property traceable to any such violation or conspiracy, may be seized and
				forfeited to the United States in accordance with the procedures governing
				civil forfeitures in money laundering cases pursuant to section 981(a)(1)(A) of
				title 18, United States
				Code.
							;
			(4)by amending
			 section 5324(c) to read as follows:

					(c)International
				transactionsNo person shall, for the purpose of evading the
				reporting requirements of section 5316 or 5316A—
						(1)fail to file a
				report required by section 5316 or 5316A, or cause or attempt to cause a person
				to fail to file such a report;
						(2)file or cause or
				attempt to cause a person to file a report required under section 5316 or 5316A
				that contains a material omission or misstatement of fact; or
						(3)structure or
				assist in structuring, or attempt to structure or assist in structuring, any
				importation or exportation of monetary instruments or means of access to funds
				or the value of funds.
						;
				and
			(5)by amending
			 section 5332 to read as follows:

					5332.Smuggling of
				cash, monetary instruments, and means of access to funds or the value of funds
				into or out of the United States
						(a)Criminal
				offense
							(1)In
				generalWhoever, with the intent to evade a currency reporting
				requirement under section 5316 or 5316A, knowingly conceals more than $10,000
				in currency or other monetary instruments, or any tangible mechanism that
				constitutes, or together with a personal identification number, code, or other
				input comprises, a means of access to funds or the value of funds, on the
				person of such individual or in any conveyance, article of luggage,
				merchandise, or other container, and transports or transfers or attempts to
				transport or transfer such currency, other monetary instruments, or tangible
				mechanism from a place within the United States to a place outside of the
				United States, or from a place outside the United States to a place within the
				United States, shall be guilty of a currency smuggling offense and subject to
				punishment pursuant to subsection (b).
							(2)Concealment on
				personFor purposes of this section, the concealment of currency,
				other monetary instruments, or tangible mechanisms on the person of any
				individual includes concealment in any article of clothing worn by the
				individual or in any luggage, backpack, or other container worn or carried by
				such individual.
							(b)Penalty
							(1)Term of
				imprisonmentA person convicted of a currency smuggling offense
				under subsection (a), or a conspiracy to commit such offense, shall be
				imprisoned for not more than 5 years.
							(2)ForfeitureIn
				addition, the court, in imposing sentence under paragraph (1), shall order that
				the defendant forfeit to the United States, any property, real or personal,
				involved in the offense, and any property traceable to such property.
							(3)ProcedureThe
				seizure, restraint, and forfeiture of property under this section shall be
				governed by section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act.
							(4)Personal money
				judgmentIf the property subject to forfeiture under paragraph
				(2) is unavailable, and the defendant has insufficient substitute property that
				may be forfeited pursuant to section 413(p) of the Controlled Substances Act,
				the court shall enter a personal money judgment against the defendant for the
				amount that would be subject to forfeiture.
							(c)Civil
				forfeiture
							(1)In
				generalAny property involved in a violation of subsection (a),
				or a conspiracy to commit such violation, and any property traceable to such
				violation or conspiracy, may be seized and forfeited to the United
				States.
							(2)ProcedureThe
				seizure and forfeiture shall be governed by the procedures governing civil
				forfeitures in money laundering cases pursuant to section 981(a)(1)(A) of title
				18, United States Code.
							(3)Treatment of
				certain property as involved in the offenseFor purposes of this
				subsection and subsection (b), any currency, other monetary instrument, or
				tangible mechanism that constitutes, or together with a personal identification
				number, code, or other input comprises, a means of access to funds or the value
				of funds that is concealed or intended to be concealed in violation of
				subsection (a) or a conspiracy to commit such violation, any article,
				container, or conveyance used, or intended to be used, to conceal or transport
				the currency, other monetary instrument, or tangible mechanism, and any other
				property used, or intended to be used to facilitate the offense (including the
				funds or value of funds accessible by such tangible mechanism at the time of
				the offense), shall be considered property involved in the
				offense.
							.


115 HRES 364 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the need to eliminate partisan redistricting and gerrymandering.
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-05-25
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.

IV115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. RES. 364IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 25, 2017Mr. Nolan submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryRESOLUTIONExpressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the need to eliminate partisan
			 redistricting and gerrymandering.

 1.Eliminating Partisan Redistricting and GerrymanderingIt is the sense of the House of Representatives that— (1)Congress should establish a Federal reapportionment system that would create compact and contiguous congressional districts that, to the greatest extent possible, follow geographic boundaries and county lines;
 (2)congressional districts should not favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party; (3)congressional districts should adhere to the existing standards of equal population; and
 (4)the highest court of each State should have the power to reject congressional district maps that do not meet the above criteria.


109 HR 2682 IH: Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2005
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-05-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS 1st Session
H. R. 2682
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 26, 2005
Mrs. Johnson of Connecticut (for herself, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Ramstad, Ms. Herseth, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Shays, Mr. Markey, Mr. Boozman, and Mr. King of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow individuals a deduction for qualified long-term care insurance premiums, use of such insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, and a credit for individuals with long-term care needs.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Long-Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2005.
2.Treatment of premiums on qualified long-term care insurance contracts
(a)In generalPart VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new section:

224.Premiums on qualified long-term care insurance contracts
(a)In generalIn the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the applicable percentage of the amount of eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section 213(d)(10)) paid during the taxable year for coverage for the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse and dependents under a qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B(b)).
(b)Applicable percentageFor purposes of subsection (a), the applicable percentage shall be determined in accordance with the following table:

For taxable years beginning in calendar year—The applicable percentage is—

2005, 2006, or 200725
200835
200965
2010 or thereafter100.
(c)Coordination with other deductionsAny amount paid by a taxpayer for any qualified long-term care insurance contract to which subsection (a) applies shall not be taken into account in computing the amount allowable to the taxpayer as a deduction under section 162(l) or 213(a)..
(b)Long-term care insurance permitted to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements
(1)Cafeteria plansThe last sentence of section 125(f) of such Code (defining qualified benefits) is amended by inserting before the period at the end ; except that such term shall include the payment of premiums for any qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B) to the extent the amount of such payment does not exceed the eligible long-term care premiums (as defined in section 213(d)(10)) for such contract.
(2)Flexible spending arrangementsSection 106 of such Code (relating to contributions by an employer to accident and health plans) is amended by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
(c)Conforming amendments
(1)Section 62(a) of such Code is amended by inserting before the last sentence at the end the following new paragraph:

(21)Premiums on qualified long-term care insurance contractsThe deduction allowed by section 224..
(2)Sections 223(b)(4)(B), 223(d)(4)(C), 223(f)(3)(B), 3231(e)(11), 3306(b)(18), 3401(a)(22), 4973(g)(1), and 4973(g)(2)(B)(i) of such Code are each amended by striking section 106(d) and inserting section 106(c).
(3)Section 6041 of such Code is amended—
(A)in subsection (f)(1) by striking (as defined in section 106(c)(2)), and
(B)by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(h) Flexible spending arrangement definedFor purposes of this section, a flexible spending arrangement is a benefit program which provides employees with coverage under which—
(1)specified incurred expenses may be reimbursed (subject to reimbursement maximums and other reasonable conditions), and
(2)the maximum amount of reimbursement which is reasonably available to a participant for such coverage is less than 500 percent of the value of such coverage. In the case of an insured plan, the maximum amount reasonably available shall be determined on the basis of the underlying coverage..
(4)The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last item and inserting the following new items:

Sec. 224. Premiums on qualified long-term care insurance contracts
Sec. 225. Cross reference.
(d)Effective dates
(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.
(2)Cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangementsThe amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.
3.Credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs
(a)In generalSubpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25B the following new section:

25C.Credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs
(a)Allowance of credit
(1)In generalThere shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the applicable credit amount multiplied by the number of applicable individuals with respect to whom the taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable year.
(2)Applicable credit amountFor purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable credit amount shall be determined in accordance with the following table:

For taxable years beginning in calender year—The applicable credit amount is—

2005$1,000
20061,500
20072,000
20082,500
2009 or thereafter3,000.
(b)Limitation based on adjusted gross income
(1)In generalThe amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $100 for each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term modified adjusted gross income means adjusted gross income increased by any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.
(2)Threshold amountFor purposes of paragraph (1), the term threshold amount means—
(A)$150,000 in the case of a joint return, and
(B)$75,000 in any other case.
(3)IndexingIn the case of any taxable year beginning in a calendar year after 2005, each dollar amount contained in paragraph (2) shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of—
(A)such dollar amount, and
(B)the medical care cost adjustment determined under section 213(d)(10)(B)(ii) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting August 2004 for August 1996 in subclause (II) thereof.If any increase determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50.
(c)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—
(1)Applicable individual
(A)In generalThe term applicable individual means, with respect to any taxable year, any individual who has been certified, before the due date for filing the return of tax for the taxable year (without extensions), by a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)(1) of the Social Security Act) as being an individual with long-term care needs described in subparagraph (B) for a period—
(i)which is at least 180 consecutive days, and
(ii)a portion of which occurs within the taxable year.Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a certification shall not be treated as valid unless it is made within the 391/2 month period ending on such due date (or such other period as the Secretary prescribes).
(B)Individuals with long-term care needsAn individual is described in this subparagraph if the individual meets any of the following requirements:
(i)The individual is at least 6 years of age and—
(I)is unable to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least 3 activities of daily living (as defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B)) due to a loss of functional capacity, or
(II)requires substantial supervision to protect such individual from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment and is unable to preform, without reminding or cuing assistance, at least 1 activity of daily living (as so defined) or to the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services), is unable to engage in age appropriate activities.
(ii)The individual is at least 2 but not 6 years of age and is unable due to a loss of functional capacity to perform (without substantial assistance from another individual) at least 2 of the following activities: eating, transferring, or mobility.
(iii)The individual is under 2 years of age and requires specific durable medical equipment by reason of a severe health condition or requires a skilled practitioner trained to address the individual’s condition to be available if the individual’s parents or guardians are absent.
(2)Eligible caregiver
(A)In generalA taxpayer shall be treated as an eligible caregiver for any taxable year with respect to the following individuals:
(i)The taxpayer.
(ii)The taxpayer’s spouse.
(iii)An individual with respect to whom the taxpayer is allowed a deduction under section 151(c) for the taxable year.
(iv)An individual who would be described in clause (iii) for the taxable year if section 151(c) were applied by substituting for the exemption amount an amount equal to the sum of the exemption amount, the standard deduction under section 63(c)(2)(C), and any additional standard deduction under section 63(c)(3) which would be applicable to the individual if clause (iii) applied.
(v)An individual who would be described in clause (iii) for the taxable year if—
(I)the requirements of clause (iv) are met with respect to the individual, and
(II)the requirements of subparagraph (B) are met with respect to the individual in lieu of the support test under subsection (c)(1)(D) or (d)(1)(C) of section 152.
(B)Residency testThe requirements of this subparagraph are met if an individual has as his principal place of abode the home of the taxpayer and—
(i)in the case of an individual who is an ancestor or descendant of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse, is a member of the taxpayer’s household for over half the taxable year, or
(ii)in the case of any other individual, is a member of the taxpayer’s household for the entire taxable year.
(C)Special rules where more than 1 eligible caregiver
(i)In generalIf more than 1 individual is an eligible caregiver with respect to the same applicable individual for taxable years ending with or within the same calendar year, a taxpayer shall be treated as the eligible caregiver if each such individual (other than the taxpayer) files a written declaration (in such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe) that such individual will not claim such applicable individual for the credit under this section.
(ii)No agreementIf each individual required under clause (i) to file a written declaration under clause (i) does not do so, the individual with the highest adjusted gross income shall be treated as the eligible caregiver.
(iii)Married individuals filing separatelyIn the case of married individuals filing separately, the determination under this subparagraph as to whether the husband or wife is the eligible caregiver shall be made under the rules of clause (ii) (whether or not one of them has filed a written declaration under clause (i)).
(d)Identification requirementNo credit shall be allowed under this section to a taxpayer with respect to any applicable individual unless the taxpayer includes the name and taxpayer identification number of such individual, and the identification number of the physician certifying such individual, on the return of tax for the taxable year.
(e)Taxable year must be full taxable yearExcept in the case of a taxable year closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no credit shall be allowable under this section in the case of a taxable year covering a period of less than 12 months..
(b)Conforming amendments
(1)Section 6213(g)(2) of such Code is amended by striking and at the end of subparagraph (L), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (M) and inserting , and, and by inserting after subparagraph (M) the following new subparagraph:

(N)an omission of a correct TIN or physician identification required under section 25C(d) (relating to credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs) to be included on a return..
(2)The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25B the following new item:

Sec. 25C. Credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs.
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.
4.Additional consumer protections for long-term care insurance
(a)Additional protections applicable to long-term care insuranceSubparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 7702B(g)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to requirements of model regulation and Act) are amended to read as follows:

(A)In generalThe requirements of this paragraph are met with respect to any contract if such contract meets—
(i)Model regulationThe following requirements of the model regulation:
(I)Section 6A (relating to guaranteed renewal or noncancellability), other than paragraph (5) thereof, and the requirements of section 6B of the model Act relating to such section 6A.
(II)Section 6B (relating to prohibitions on limitations and exclusions) other than paragraph (7) thereof.
(III)Section 6C (relating to extension of benefits).
(IV)Section 6D (relating to continuation or conversion of coverage).
(V)Section 6E (relating to discontinuance and replacement of policies).
(VI)Section 7 (relating to unintentional lapse).
(VII)Section 8 (relating to disclosure), other than sections 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8I thereof.
(VIII)Section 11 (relating to prohibitions against post-claims underwriting).
(IX)Section 12 (relating to minimum standards).
(X)Section 13 (relating to requirement to offer inflation protection).
(XI)Section 25 (relating to prohibition against preexisting conditions and probationary periods in replacement policies or certificates).
(XII)The provisions of section 26 relating to contingent nonforfeiture benefits, if the policyholder declines the offer of a nonforfeiture provision described in paragraph (4).
(ii)Model ActThe following requirements of the model Act:
(I)Section 6C (relating to preexisting conditions).
(II)Section 6D (relating to prior hospitalization).
(III)The provisions of section 8 relating to contingent nonforfeiture benefits, if the policyholder declines the offer of a nonforfeiture provision described in paragraph (4).
(B)DefinitionsFor purposes of this paragraph—
(i)Model provisionsThe terms model regulation and model Act mean the long-term care insurance model regulation, and the long-term care insurance model Act, respectively, promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (as adopted as of October 2000).
(ii)CoordinationAny provision of the model regulation or model Act listed under clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall be treated as including any other provision of such regulation or Act necessary to implement the provision.
(iii)DeterminationFor purposes of this section and section 4980C, the determination of whether any requirement of a model regulation or the model Act has been met shall be made by the Secretary..
(b)Excise taxParagraph (1) of section 4980C(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to requirements of model provisions) is amended to read as follows:

(1)Requirements of model provisions
(A)Model regulationThe following requirements of the model regulation must be met:
(i)Section 9 (relating to required disclosure of rating practices to consumer).
(ii)Section 14 (relating to application forms and replacement coverage).
(iii)Section 15 (relating to reporting requirements).
(iv)Section 22 (relating to filing requirements for marketing).
(v)Section 23 (relating to standards for marketing), including inaccurate completion of medical histories, other than paragraphs (1), (6), and (9) of section 23C.
(vi)Section 24 (relating to suitability).
(vii)Section 29 (relating to standard format outline of coverage).
(viii)Section 30 (relating to requirement to deliver shopper's guide).The requirements referred to in clause (vi) shall not include those portions of the personal worksheet described in Appendix B relating to consumer protection requirements not imposed by section 4980C or 7702B.
(B)Model ActThe following requirements of the model Act must be met:
(i)Section 6F (relating to right to return).
(ii)Section 6G (relating to outline of coverage).
(iii)Section 6H (relating to requirements for certificates under group plans).
(iv)Section 6J (relating to policy summary).
(v)Section 6K (relating to monthly reports on accelerated death benefits).
(vi)Section 7 (relating to incontestability period).
(C)DefinitionsFor purposes of this paragraph, the terms model regulation and model Act have the meanings given such terms by section 7702B(g)(2)(B)..
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to policies issued more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
5.Treatment of exchanges of long-term care insurance contracts
(a)In generalSubsection (a) of section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to exchanges of insurance policies) is amended by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting ; or and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4)a qualified long-term care insurance contract for another qualified long-term care insurance contract..
(b)Qualified long-term care insurance contractSubsection (b) of section 1035 of such Code (relating to definitions) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4)Qualified long-term care insurance contractThe term qualified long-term care insurance contract means—
(A)any qualified long-term care insurance contract (as defined in section 7702B), and
(B)any contract which is treated as such by section 321(f)(2) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996..
(c)Effective date
(1)In generalThe amendments made by this section shall apply to exchanges after December 31, 1997.
(2)Waiver of limitationsIf the credit or refund of any overpayment of tax with respect to a taxable year ending before the date of the enactment of this Act resulting from the application of section 1035(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section, is prevented at any time by the operation of any law or rule of law (including res judicata), such credit or refund may nevertheless be allowed or made if the claim therefor is filed before the close of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.


117 HR 1505 IH: Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-03-02
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. 1505IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 2, 2021Mr. Lowenthal (for himself, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Levin of California, Mr. Cartwright, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Barragán, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Mineral Leasing Act to make certain adjustments to the regulation of surface-disturbing activities and to protect taxpayers from unduly bearing the reclamation costs of oil and gas development, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be referred to as the Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021. 2.Surface disturbance and reclamationSection 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(g)) is amended to read as follows:(g)Bonding requirements(1)DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A)Interim reclamation planThe term Interim Reclamation Plan means an ongoing plan specifying reclamation steps to be taken on all disturbed areas covered by any lease issued under this Act that are not needed for active operations. (B)Final reclamation planThe term Final Reclamation Plan means a plan describing all reclamation activity to be conducted for all disturbed areas, including locations, facilities, trenches, rights-of-way, roads, and any other surface disturbance covered by a lease issued under this Act prior to final abandonment.(C)Secretary concernedThe term Secretary concerned means—(i)the Secretary of the Interior for public lands administered by such Secretary; and(ii)the Secretary of Agriculture for forest service lands.(2)In generalThe Secretary concerned shall regulate all surface-disturbing activities conducted pursuant to any lease issued under this Act, and shall determine reclamation and other actions as required in the interest of conservation of surface resources.(3)Reclamation plans required(A)Analysis and approval requiredNo permit to drill on an oil and gas lease issued under this Act may be granted without the analysis and approval by the Secretary concerned of both an interim reclamation plan and a final reclamation plan covering proposed surface-disturbing activities within the lease area.(B)Plans of operationsAll Plans of Operations submitted and approved pursuant to this Act shall include an Interim Reclamation Plan.(C)Secretarial ReviewThe Secretary concerned shall review each Interim Reclamation Plan at regular intervals and shall require such plans to be amended as warranted, subject to the approval of such Secretary. (4)Bonding(A)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021, the Secretary concerned shall, by regulation, require that an adequate bond, surety, or other financial arrangement be established prior to the commencement of surface-disturbing activities on any lease, to ensure the complete and timely reclamation of the lease tract, and the restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by lease operations after the abandonment or cessation of oil and gas operations on the lease.(B)ProhibitionThe Secretary concerned shall not issue or approve the assignment of any lease under the terms of this section to any person, association, corporation, or any subsidiary, affiliate, or person controlled by or under common control with such person, association, or corporation, during any period in which, as determined by the relevant Secretary, such entity has failed or refused to comply in any material respect with the reclamation requirements and other standards established under this section for any prior lease to which such requirements and standards applied.(C)Notice and opportunity for compliancePrior to making such determination with respect to any such entity the concerned Secretary shall provide such entity with adequate notification and an opportunity to comply with such reclamation requirements and other standards and shall consider whether any administrative or judicial appeal is pending. Once the entity has complied with the reclamation requirement or other standard concerned each oil or gas lease may be issued to such entity under this Act. (D)Limitation on bondsThe Secretary concerned shall review the adequacy of a bond, surety, or other financial instrument anytime a lease is transferred. A bond, surety, or other financial arrangement described in subparagraph (A) shall not be adequate if it is less than—(i)$150,000 in the case of an arrangement for an individual surface-disturbing activity of each entity on an individual oil or gas lease; or(ii)$500,000 in the case of an arrangement for all surface-disturbing activities of each entity in a State.(E)Adjustments for inflationIn the application of subparagraph (B), the Secretaries concerned shall jointly at least once every three years, at the beginning of the fiscal year, adjust the dollar amounts in subparagraph (B) to account for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumer published by the Department of Labor.(F)Requiring higher bond amountsThe Secretary concerned may require a higher level of a financial assurance above the applicable minimum level required under paragraph (D) as the Secretary concerned determines to be appropriate or necessary to ensure the complete and timely reclamation of the lease tract, and the restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by lease operations after the abandonment or cessation of oil and gas operations on the lease.(5)StandardsNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Bonding Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2021, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall, by regulation, establish uniform standards for all Interim and Final Reclamation Plans. The goal of such plans shall be the restoration of the affected ecosystem to a condition approximating or equal to that which existed prior to the surface disturbance. Such standards shall include restoration of natural vegetation and hydrology, habitat restoration, salvage, storage and reuse of topsoils, erosion control, control of invasive species and noxious weeds and natural contouring.(6)MonitoringThe Secretary concerned shall not approve final abandonment and shall not release any bond required by this Act until the standards and requirement for final reclamation established pursuant to this Act have been met.(7)Financial assurancesThe Secretary concerned shall not release the financial assurance established for a lease until the applicable lessee has paid the inspection fees required under section 4 for the lease covered by the financial assurance instrument.(8)Bond Adequacy ReviewThe Secretary shall conduct bond adequacy reviews as required under paragraph (4)(D) in accordance with Bureau of Land Management Instruction Memorandum No. 2019-014, dated November 15, 2018.. 3.Changes to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund(a)Name of fundSection 35(c)(2)(B) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(c)(2)(B)) is amended by striking BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund and inserting BLM Administration and Accountability Fund.(b)Additional usesSection 35(c)(3)(A) of such Act (30 191(c)(3)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Such coordination and processing shall include—(i)the coordination and review process for financial assurances for oil and gas leases and bond releases for oil and gas leases;(ii)the inventory of orphaned wells and coordinate the processing of requests for delays in the permanent closure of inactive wells; and(iii)coordination and processing related to environmental and cultural resources reviews applicable to oil and gas activities..4.Inspection fees(a)In generalSection 108 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 (30 U.S.C. 1718) is amended by adding at the end the following:(d)Inspection fees(1)In generalThe designated operator under each oil and gas lease on Federal or Indian lands, or each unit and communitization agreement that includes one or more such Federal or Indian leases, that is subject to inspection under subsection (b) and that is in force at the start of the fiscal year 2021, shall pay a nonrefundable annual inspection fee in an amount that, except as provided in paragraph (2), is established by the Secretary by regulation and is sufficient to recover the full costs incurred by the United States for inspection and enforcement with respect to such leases. (2)AmountUntil the effective date of regulations under paragraph (1), the amount of the fee shall be—(A)$700 for each lease or unit or communitization agreement with no active or inactive wells, but with surface use, disturbance or reclamation;(B)$1,225 for each lease or unit or communitization agreement with 1 to 10 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells;(C)$4,900 for each lease or unit or communitization agreement with 11 to 50 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells; and(D)$9,800 for each lease or unit or communitization agreement with more than 50 wells, with any combination of active or inactive wells.(3)Due datePayment of the fee under this section shall be due, annually, not later than 30 days after the Secretary provides notice of the assessment of the fee.(4)PenaltyIf the designated operator fails to pay the full amount of the fee as prescribed in this section, the Secretary may, in addition to utilizing any other applicable enforcement authority, assess civil penalties against the operator under section 109 in the same manner as if this section were a mineral leasing law..(b)Assessment for fiscal year 2022The Secretary of the Interior shall assess the fee under the amendment made by subsection (a) for fiscal year 2022, and provide notice of such assessment to each designated operator who is liable for such fee, by not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.5.Bonding Equity for National Wildlife Refuge System LandsSection 4 of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (h) through (o), as (i) through (p), respectively; and (2)by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection: (h)Reclamation, Damages, and Financial Assurance for oil and gas operations on Refuge Lands(1)The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall obtain adequate financial assurances from non-Federal entities to repair potential damages to refuge resources, prior to the commencement of surface-disturbing activities as part of the development of non-Federal minerals below refuge surface estate, including—(A)to ensure the complete and timely reclamation of the land, and the restoration of any lands or surface waters adversely affected by operations after the abandonment or cessation of oil and gas operations on the land; and(B)to meet potential response and assessment costs and other damages to refuge resources as a result of oil and gas operations.(2)Financial assurances forfeited by a non-Federal entity under this subsection shall be retained and available to the Secretary, without further appropriation, and shall remain available until expended, for—(A)plugging and abandoning wells;(B)removing structures, equipment, materials, and other infrastructure;(C)response costs and damage assessments conducted;(D)restoration, replacement, or acquisition of the equivalent refuge resources; and(E)monitoring and studying affected refuge resources..