115 HR 1465 IH: National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1465IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 9, 2017Mr. Castro of Texas (for himself, Mr. Hurd, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Smith of Texas, and Mr. Cuellar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland SecurityA BILLTo authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with cybersecurity consortia for training,
			 and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2017. 2.DefinitionsIn this Act—
 (1)the term consortium means a group primarily composed of nonprofit entities, including academic institutions, that develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security;
 (2)the terms cybersecurity risk and incident have the meanings given those terms in section 227(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148(a));
 (3)the term Department means the Department of Homeland Security; and (4)the term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
			3.National cybersecurity preparedness consortium
 (a)In generalThe Secretary may work with a consortium, including the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism.
 (b)Assistance to the NCCICThe Secretary may work with a consortium to assist the national cybersecurity and communications integration center of the Department (established under section 227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148)) to—
 (1)provide training to State and local first responders and officials specifically for preparing for and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with applicable law;
 (2)develop and update a curriculum utilizing existing programs and models in accordance with such section 227, for State and local first responders and officials, related to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism;
 (3)provide technical assistance services to build and sustain capabilities in support of preparedness for and response to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with such section 227;
 (4)conduct cross-sector cybersecurity training and simulation exercises for entities, including State and local governments, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and private industry, to encourage community-wide coordination in defending against and responding to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, in accordance with section 228(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 149(c));
 (5)help States and communities develop cybersecurity information sharing programs, in accordance with section 227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148), for the dissemination of homeland security information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism; and
 (6)help incorporate cybersecurity risk and incident prevention and response (including related to threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism) into existing State and local emergency plans, including continuity of operations plans.
 (c)Prohibition on duplicationIn carrying out the functions under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the greatest extent practicable, seek to prevent unnecessary duplication of existing programs or efforts of the Department.
 (d)Considerations regarding selection of a consortiumIn selecting a consortium with which to work under this Act, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following:
 (1)Any prior experience conducting cybersecurity training and exercises for State and local entities. (2)Geographic diversity of the members of any such consortium so as to cover different regions throughout the United States.
 (e)MetricsIf the Secretary works with a consortium under subsection (a), the Secretary shall measure the effectiveness of the activities undertaken by the consortium under this Act.
 (f)OutreachThe Secretary shall conduct outreach to universities and colleges, including historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions, regarding opportunities to support efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats of terrorism and acts of terrorism, by working with the Secretary under subsection (a).
 (g)TerminationThe authority to carry out this Act shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1481
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 24, 2007
			Mr. Baucus (for himself
			 and Mr. Enzi) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To restore fairness and reliability to the
		  medical justice system and promote patient safety by fostering alternatives to
		  current medical tort litigation, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Fair and Reliable Medical Justice
			 Act.
		2.PurposesThe purposes of this Act are—
			(1)to restore fairness and reliability to the
			 medical justice system by fostering alternatives to current medical tort
			 litigation that promote early disclosure of health care errors and provide
			 prompt, fair, and reasonable compensation to patients who are injured by health
			 care errors;
			(2)to promote patient safety through
			 disclosure of health care errors; and
			(3)to support and assist States in developing
			 such alternatives.
			3.State demonstration
			 programs to evaluate alternatives to current medical tort
			 litigationPart P of title III
			 of the Public Health Service Act
			 (42 U.S.C.
			 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
			 following:

				399R.State demonstration
				programs to evaluate alternatives to current medical tort litigation
					(a)In
				generalThe Secretary is
				authorized to award demonstration grants to States for the development,
				implementation, and evaluation of alternatives to current tort litigation for
				resolving disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or
				health care organizations. In awarding such grants, the Secretary shall ensure
				the diversity of the alternatives so funded.
					(b)DurationThe Secretary may award up to 10 grants
				under subsection (a) and each grant awarded under such subsection may not
				exceed a period of 5 years.
					(c)Conditions for
				demonstration grants
						(1)RequirementsEach State desiring a grant under
				subsection (a) shall—
							(A)develop an alternative to current tort
				litigation for resolving disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care
				providers or health care organizations; and
							(B)promote a reduction of health care errors
				by allowing for patient safety data related to disputes resolved under
				subparagraph (A) to be collected and analyzed by organizations that engage in
				efforts to improve patient safety and the quality of health care.
							(2)Alternative to
				current tort litigationEach
				State desiring a grant under subsection (a) shall demonstrate how the proposed
				alternative described in paragraph (1)(A)—
							(A)makes the medical liability system more
				reliable through prompt and fair resolution of disputes;
							(B)encourages the disclosure of health care
				errors;
							(C)enhances patient safety by detecting,
				analyzing, and reducing medical errors and adverse events;
							(D)maintains access to liability insurance;
				and
							(E)provides patients
				the opportunity to opt out of or voluntarily withdraw from participating in the
				alternative.
							(3)Sources of
				compensationEach State
				desiring a grant under subsection (a) shall identify the sources from and
				methods by which compensation would be paid for claims resolved under the
				proposed alternative to current tort litigation, which may include public or
				private funding sources, or a combination of such sources. Funding methods
				shall to the extent practicable provide financial incentives for activities
				that improve patient safety.
						(4)Scope
							(A)In
				generalEach State desiring a
				grant under subsection (a) may establish a scope of jurisdiction (such as a
				designated geographic region, a designated area of health care practice, or a
				designated group of health care providers or health care organizations) for the
				proposed alternative to current tort litigation that is sufficient to evaluate
				the effects of the alternative.
							(B)Notification of
				patientsA State proposing a
				scope of jurisdiction under subparagraph (A) shall demonstrate how patients
				would be notified that they are receiving health care services that fall within
				such scope, and that they may opt out of or voluntarily withdraw from
				participating in the alternative.
							(5)Preference in
				awarding demonstration grantsIn awarding grants under subsection (a),
				the Secretary shall give preference to States—
							(A)that have developed the proposed
				alternative through substantive consultation with relevant stakeholders,
				including patient advocates, health care providers and health care
				organizations, attorneys with expertise in representing patients and health
				care providers, medical malpractice insurers, and patient safety
				experts;
							(B)that make proposals that are likely to
				enhance patient safety by detecting, analyzing, and reducing medical errors and
				adverse events; and
							(C)in which State law at the time of the
				application would not prohibit the adoption of an alternative to current tort
				litigation.
							(d)Application
						(1)In
				generalEach State desiring a
				grant under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application, at
				such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
				require.
						(2)Review
				panel
							(A)In
				generalIn reviewing
				applications under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with a review
				panel composed of relevant experts appointed by the Comptroller General.
							(B)Composition
								(i)NominationsThe Comptroller General shall solicit
				nominations from the public for individuals to serve on the review
				panel.
								(ii)AppointmentThe Comptroller General shall appoint, at
				least 14 but not more than 19, highly qualified and knowledgeable individuals
				to serve on the review panel and shall ensure that the following entities
				receive fair representation on such panel:
									(I)Patient advocates.
									(II)Health care providers and health care
				organizations.
									(III)Attorneys with expertise in representing
				patients and health care providers.
									(IV)Medical malpractice insurers.
									(V)State officials.
									(VI)Patient safety
				experts.
									(C)ChairpersonThe Comptroller General, or an individual
				within the Government Accountability Office designated by the Comptroller
				General, shall be the chairperson of the review panel.
							(D)Availability of
				informationThe Comptroller
				General shall make available to the review panel such information, personnel,
				and administrative services and assistance as the review panel may reasonably
				require to carry out its duties.
							(E)Information
				from agenciesThe review
				panel may request directly from any department or agency of the United States
				any information that such panel considers necessary to carry out its duties. To
				the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the head of such
				department or agency shall furnish the requested information to the review
				panel.
							(e)Reports
						(1)By
				StateEach State receiving a
				grant under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an annual report
				evaluating the effectiveness of activities funded with grants awarded under
				such subsection.
						(2)By
				SecretaryThe Secretary shall
				submit to Congress an annual compendium of the reports submitted under
				paragraph (1).
						(f)Technical
				assistance
						(1)In
				generalThe Secretary shall
				provide technical assistance to the States applying for or awarded grants under
				subsection (a).
						(2)RequirementsTechnical assistance under paragraph (1)
				shall include—
							(A)guidance on non-economic damages, including
				the consideration of individual facts and circumstances in determining
				appropriate payment, guidance on identifying avoidable injuries, and guidance
				on disclosure to patients of health care errors and adverse events; and
							(B)the development, in consultation with
				States, of common definitions, formats, and data collection infrastructure for
				States receiving grants under this section to use in reporting to facilitate
				aggregation and analysis of data both within and between States.
							(3)Use of common
				definitions, formats, and data collection infrastructureStates not receiving grants under this
				section may also use the common definitions, formats, and data collection
				infrastructure developed under paragraph (2)(B).
						(g)Evaluation
						(1)In
				generalThe Secretary, in
				consultation with the review panel established under subsection (d)(2), shall
				enter into a contract with an appropriate research organization to conduct an
				overall evaluation of the effectiveness of grants awarded under subsection (a)
				and to annually prepare and submit a report to Congress. Such an evaluation
				shall begin not later than 18 months following the date of implementation of
				the first program funded by a grant under subsection (a).
						(2)ContentsThe evaluation under paragraph (1) shall
				include—
							(A)an analysis of the effects of the grants
				awarded under subsection (a) on the measures described in paragraph (3);
							(B)a comparison between and among the
				alternatives approved under subsection (a) of the measures described in
				paragraph (3); and
							(C)a comparison between and among States
				receiving grants approved under subsection (a) and similar States not receiving
				such grants of the measures described in paragraph (3).
							(3)MeasuresThe evaluations under paragraph (2) shall
				analyze and make comparisons on the basis of—
							(A)the nature and
				number of disputes over injuries allegedly caused by health care providers or
				health care organizations;
							(B)the nature and
				number of claims in which tort litigation was pursued despite the existence of
				an alternative under subsection (a);
							(C)the disposition
				of disputes and claims described in clauses (i) and (ii), including the length
				of time and estimated costs to all parties;
							(D)the medical
				liability environment;
							(E)health care
				quality;
							(F)patient safety in
				terms of detecting, analyzing, and reducing medical errors and adverse events;
				and
							(G)patient and
				health care provider and organization satisfaction with the alternative under
				subsection (a) and with the medical liability environment.
							(4)FundingThe
				Secretary shall reserve 5 percent of the amount appropriated in each fiscal
				year under subsection (j) to carry out this subsection.
						(h)Option to
				provide for initial planning grantsOf the funds appropriated pursuant to
				subsection (j), the Secretary may use a portion not to exceed $500,000 per
				State to provide planning grants to such States for the development of
				demonstration project applications meeting the criteria described in subsection
				(c). In selecting States to receive such planning grants, the Secretary shall
				give preference to those States in which State law at the time of the
				application would not prohibit the adoption of an alternative to current tort
				litigation.
					(i)DefinitionsIn this section:
						(1)Health care
				servicesThe term
				health care services means any services provided by a health care
				provider, or by any individual working under the supervision of a health care
				provider, that relate to—
							(A)the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of
				any human disease or impairment; or
							(B)the assessment of the health of human
				beings.
							(2)Health care
				organizationThe term
				health care organization means any individual or entity which is
				obligated to provide, pay for, or administer health benefits under any health
				plan.
						(3)Health care
				providerThe term
				health care provider means any individual or entity—
							(A)licensed, registered, or certified under
				Federal or State laws or regulations to provide health care services; or
							(B)required to be so licensed, registered, or
				certified but that is exempted by other statute or regulation.
							(4)Net economic
				lossThe term net
				economic loss means—
							(A)reasonable expenses incurred for products,
				services, and accommodations needed for health care, training, and other
				remedial treatment and care of an injured individual;
							(B)reasonable and appropriate expenses for
				rehabilitation treatment and occupational training;
							(C)100 percent of the loss of income from work
				that an injured individual would have performed if not injured, reduced by any
				income from substitute work actually performed; and
							(D)reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining
				ordinary and necessary services to replace services an injured individual would
				have performed for the benefit of the individual or the family of such
				individual if the individual had not been injured.
							(5)Non-economic
				damagesThe term
				non-economic damages means losses for physical and emotional pain,
				suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement,
				loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and companionship, loss of
				consortium (other than loss of domestic service), injury to reputation, and all
				other non-pecuniary losses of any kind or nature, to the extent permitted under
				State law.
						(j)Authorization
				of appropriationsThere are
				authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be
				necessary. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain
				available until
				expended.
					.


116 HR 1076 RH: Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-01-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IBUnion Calendar No. 301116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 1076[Report No. 116–380, Part I]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 7, 2019Mr. Cummings (for himself and Mr. Collins of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Education and Labor, 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 concernedJanuary 24, 2020Additional sponsors: Mr. Nadler, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Norton, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Connolly, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Trone, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Budd, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Takano, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Smith of Washington, and Mr. PascrellJanuary 24, 2020Reported from the Committee on Oversight and Reform with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicJanuary 24, 2020    Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Education and Labor  discharged, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered
			 to be printedFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on February 7, 2019A BILLTo prohibit Federal agencies and Federal contractors from requesting that an applicant for
			 employment disclose criminal history record information before the
			 applicant has received a conditional offer, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 or the Fair Chance Act. 2.Prohibition on criminal history inquiries prior to conditional offer for Federal employment (a)In generalSubpart H of part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

					92Prohibition on criminal history inquiries prior to conditional offer

							Sec.
							9201. Definitions.
							9202. Limitations on requests for criminal history record information.
							9203. Agency policies; complaint procedures.
							9204. Adverse action.
							9205. Procedures.
							9206. Rules of construction.
 9201.DefinitionsIn this chapter— (1)the term agency means Executive agency as such term is defined in section 105 and includes—
 (A)the United States Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission; and (B)the Executive Office of the President;
 (2)the term appointing authority means an employee in the executive branch of the Government of the United States that has authority to make appointments to positions in the civil service;
 (3)the term conditional offer means an offer of employment in a position in the civil service that is conditioned upon the results of a criminal history inquiry;
 (4)the term criminal history record information— (A)except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), has the meaning given the term in section 9101(a);
 (B)includes any information described in the first sentence of section 9101(a)(2) that has been sealed or expunged pursuant to law; and
 (C)includes information collected by a criminal justice agency, relating to an act or alleged act of juvenile delinquency, that is analogous to criminal history record information (including such information that has been sealed or expunged pursuant to law); and
 (5)the term suspension has the meaning given the term in section 7501. 9202.Limitations on requests for criminal history record information (a)Inquiries prior to conditional offerExcept as provided in subsections (b) and (c), an employee of an agency may not request, in oral or written form (including through the Declaration for Federal Employment (Office of Personnel Management Optional Form 306) or any similar successor form, the USAJOBS internet website, or any other electronic means) that an applicant for an appointment to a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information regarding the applicant before the appointing authority extends a conditional offer to the applicant.
 (b)Otherwise required by lawThe prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to an applicant for a position in the civil service if consideration of criminal history record information prior to a conditional offer with respect to the position is otherwise required by law.
							(c)Exception for certain positions
 (1)In generalThe prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to an applicant for an appointment to a position—
 (A)that requires a determination of eligibility described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 9101(b)(1)(A);
 (B)as a Federal law enforcement officer (as defined in section 115(c) of title 18); or (C)identified by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management in the regulations issued under paragraph (2).
									(2)Regulations
 (A)IssuanceThe Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue regulations identifying additional positions with respect to which the prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply, giving due consideration to positions that involve interaction with minors, access to sensitive information, or managing financial transactions.
 (B)Compliance with civil rights lawsThe regulations issued under subparagraph (A) shall— (i)be consistent with, and in no way supersede, restrict, or limit the application of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) or other relevant Federal civil rights laws; and
 (ii)ensure that all hiring activities conducted pursuant to the regulations are conducted in a manner consistent with relevant Federal civil rights laws.
 9203.Agency policies; complaint proceduresThe Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall— (1)develop, implement, and publish a policy to assist employees of agencies in complying with section 9202 and the regulations issued pursuant to such section; and
 (2)establish and publish procedures under which an applicant for an appointment to a position in the civil service may submit a complaint, or any other information, relating to compliance by an employee of an agency with section 9202.
							9204.Adverse action
 (a)First violationIf the Director of the Office of Personnel Management determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, that an employee of an agency has violated section 9202, the Director shall—
 (1)issue to the employee a written warning that includes a description of the violation and the additional penalties that may apply for subsequent violations; and
 (2)file such warning in the employee’s official personnel record file. (b)Subsequent violationsIf the Director of the Office of Personnel Management determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, that an employee that was subject to subsection (a) has committed a subsequent violation of section 9202, the Director may take the following action:
 (1)For a second violation, suspension of the employee for a period of not more than 7 days. (2)For a third violation, suspension of the employee for a period of more than 7 days.
 (3)For a fourth violation— (A)suspension of the employee for a period of more than 7 days; and
 (B)a civil penalty against the employee in an amount that is not more than $250. (4)For a fifth violation—
 (A)suspension of the employee for a period of more than 7 days; and (B)a civil penalty against the employee in an amount that is not more than $500.
 (5)For any subsequent violation— (A)suspension of the employee for a period of more than 7 days; and
 (B)a civil penalty against the employee in an amount that is not more than $1,000. 9205.Procedures (a)AppealsThe Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall by rule establish procedures providing for an appeal from any adverse action taken under section 9204 by not later than 30 days after the date of the action.
 (b)Applicability of other lawsAn adverse action taken under section 9204 (including a determination in an appeal from such an action under subsection (a) of this section) shall not be subject to—
 (1)the procedures under chapter 75; or (2)except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, appeal or judicial review.
 9206.Rules of constructionNothing in this chapter may be construed to— (1)authorize any officer or employee of an agency to request the disclosure of information described under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 9201(4); or
 (2)create a private right of action for any person.. (b)Regulations; effective date (1)RegulationsNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out chapter 92 of title 5, United States Code (as added by this Act).
 (2)Effective dateSection 9202 of title 5, United States Code (as added by this Act), shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
 (c)Technical and conforming amendmentThe table of chapters for part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 91 the following:

						92.Prohibition on criminal history inquiries prior to conditional offer9201.
			(d)Application to Legislative Branch
 (1)In generalThe Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) is amended— (A)in section 102(a) (2 U.S.C. 1302(a)), by adding at the end the following:

 (12)Section 9202 of title 5, United States Code.; (B)by redesignating section 207 (2 U.S.C. 1317) as section 208; and
 (C)by inserting after section 206 (2 U.S.C. 1316) the following new section:  207.Rights and protections relating to criminal history inquiries (a)DefinitionsIn this section, the terms agency, criminal history record information, and suspension have the meanings given the terms in section 9201 of title 5, United States Code, except as otherwise modified by this section.
								(b)Restrictions on criminal history inquiries
									(1)In general
 (A)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), an employee of an employing office may not request that an applicant for employment as a covered employee disclose criminal history record information if the request would be prohibited under section 9202 of title 5, United States Code, if made by an employee of an agency.
 (B)Conditional offerFor purposes of applying that section 9202 under subparagraph (A), a reference in that section 9202 to a conditional offer shall be considered to be an offer of employment as a covered employee that is conditioned upon the results of a criminal history inquiry.
 (2)Rules of constructionThe provisions of section 9206 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to employing offices, consistent with regulations issued under subsection (d).
									(c)Remedy
 (1)In generalThe remedy for a violation of subsection (b)(1) shall be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under section 9204 of title 5, United States Code, if the violation had been committed by an employee of an agency, consistent with regulations issued under subsection (d), except that the reference in that section to a suspension shall be considered to be a suspension with the level of compensation provided for a covered employee who is taking unpaid leave under section 202.
 (2)Process for obtaining reliefAn applicant for employment as a covered employee who alleges a violation of subsection (b)(1) may rely on the provisions of title IV (other than section 407 or 408, or a provision of this title that permits a person to obtain a civil action or judicial review), consistent with regulations issued under subsection (d).
									(d)Regulations To implement section
 (1)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, the Board shall, pursuant to section 304, issue regulations to implement this section. (2)Parallel with agency regulationsThe regulations issued under paragraph (1) shall be the same as substantive regulations issued by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under section 2(b)(1) of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 to implement the statutory provisions referred to in subsections (a) through (c) except to the extent that the Board may determine, for good cause shown and stated together with the regulation, that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections under this section.
 (e)Effective DateSection 102(a)(12) and subsections (a) through (c) shall take effect on the date on which section 9202 of title 5, United States Code, applies with respect to agencies..
					(2)Clerical amendments
 (A)The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–1; 109 Stat. 3) is amended—
 (i)by redesignating the item relating to section 207 as the item relating to section 208; and (ii)by inserting after the item relating to section 206 the following new item:

									Sec. 207. Rights and protections relating to criminal history inquiries..
 (B)Section 62(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking or 207 and inserting 207, or 208. (e)Application to judicial branch (1)In generalSection 604 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

						(i)Restrictions on criminal history inquiries
 (1)DefinitionsIn this subsection— (A)the terms agency and criminal history record information have the meanings given those terms in section 9201 of title 5;
 (B)the term covered employee means an employee of the judicial branch of the United States Government, other than— (i)any judge or justice who is entitled to hold office during good behavior;
 (ii)a United States magistrate judge; or (iii)a bankruptcy judge; and
 (C)the term employing office means any office or entity of the judicial branch of the United States Government that employs covered employees.
 (2)RestrictionA covered employee may not request that an applicant for employment as a covered employee disclose criminal history record information if the request would be prohibited under section 9202 of title 5 if made by an employee of an agency.
 (3)Employing office policies; complaint procedureThe provisions of sections 9203 and 9206 of title 5 shall apply to employing offices and to applicants for employment as covered employees, consistent with regulations issued by the Director to implement this subsection.
							(4)Adverse action
 (A)Adverse actionThe Director may take such adverse action with respect to a covered employee who violates paragraph (2) as would be appropriate under section 9204 of title 5 if the violation had been committed by an employee of an agency.
 (B)AppealsThe Director shall by rule establish procedures providing for an appeal from any adverse action taken under subparagraph (A) by not later than 30 days after the date of the action.
 (C)Applicability of other lawsExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), an adverse action taken under subparagraph (A) (including a determination in an appeal from such an action under subparagraph (B)) shall not be subject to appeal or judicial review.
								(5)Regulations to be issued
 (A)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, the Director shall issue regulations to implement this subsection. (B)Parallel with agency regulationsThe regulations issued under subparagraph (A) shall be the same as substantive regulations promulgated by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under section 2(b)(1) of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 except to the extent that the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts may determine, for good cause shown and stated together with the regulation, that a modification of such regulations would be more effective for the implementation of the rights and protections under this subsection.
 (6)Effective dateParagraphs (1) through (4) shall take effect on the date on which section 9202 of title 5 applies with respect to agencies..
				3.Prohibition on criminal history inquiries by contractors prior to conditional offer
			(a)Civilian agency contracts
 (1)In generalChapter 47 of title 41, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

						4714.Prohibition on criminal history inquiries by contractors prior to conditional offer
							(a)Limitation on criminal history inquiries
 (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), an executive agency— (A)may not require that an individual or sole proprietor who submits a bid for a contract to disclose criminal history record information regarding that individual or sole proprietor before determining the apparent awardee; and
 (B)shall require, as a condition of receiving a Federal contract and receiving payments under such contract that the contractor may not verbally, or through written form, request the disclosure of criminal history record information regarding an applicant for a position related to work under such contract before the contractor extends a conditional offer to the applicant.
 (2)Otherwise required by lawThe prohibition under paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to a contract if consideration of criminal history record information prior to a conditional offer with respect to the position is otherwise required by law.
								(3)Exception for certain positions
 (A)In generalThe prohibition under paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to— (i)a contract that requires an individual hired under the contract to access classified information or to have sensitive law enforcement or national security duties; or
 (ii)a position that the Administrator of General Services identifies under the regulations issued under subparagraph (B).
										(B)Regulations
 (i)IssuanceNot later than 16 months after the date of enactment of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall issue regulations identifying additional positions with respect to which the prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply, giving due consideration to positions that involve interaction with minors, access to sensitive information, or managing financial transactions.
 (ii)Compliance with civil rights lawsThe regulations issued under clause (i) shall— (I)be consistent with, and in no way supersede, restrict, or limit the application of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) or other relevant Federal civil rights laws; and
 (II)ensure that all hiring activities conducted pursuant to the regulations are conducted in a manner consistent with relevant Federal civil rights laws.
 (b)Complaint proceduresThe Administrator of General Services shall establish and publish procedures under which an applicant for a position with a Federal contractor may submit to the Administrator a complaint, or any other information, relating to compliance by the contractor with subsection (a)(1)(B).
							(c)Action for violations of prohibition on criminal history inquiries
 (1)First violationIf the head of an executive agency determines that a contractor has violated subsection (a)(1)(B), such head shall—
 (A)notify the contractor; (B)provide 30 days after such notification for the contractor to appeal the determination; and
 (C)issue a written warning to the contractor that includes a description of the violation and the additional remedies that may apply for subsequent violations.
 (2)Subsequent violationIf the head of an executive agency determines that a contractor that was subject to paragraph (1) has committed a subsequent violation of subsection (a)(1)(B), such head shall notify the contractor, shall provide 30 days after such notification for the contractor to appeal the determination, and, in consultation with the relevant Federal agencies, may take actions, depending on the severity of the infraction and the contractor’s history of violations, including—
 (A)providing written guidance to the contractor that the contractor's eligibility for contracts requires compliance with this section;
 (B)requiring that the contractor respond within 30 days affirming that the contractor is taking steps to comply with this section; and
 (C)suspending payment under the contract for which the applicant was being considered until the contractor demonstrates compliance with this section.
 (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Conditional offerThe term conditional offer means an offer of employment for a position related to work under a contract that is conditioned upon the results of a criminal history inquiry.
 (2)Criminal history record informationThe term criminal history record information has the meaning given that term in section 9201 of title 5.. (2)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 47 of title 41, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

							4714. Prohibition on criminal history inquiries by contractors prior to conditional offer..
 (3)Effective dateSection 4714 of title 41, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to contracts awarded pursuant to solicitations issued after the effective date described in section 2(b)(2) of this Act.
				(b)Defense contracts
 (1)In generalChapter 137 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2338 the following new section:

						2339.Prohibition on criminal history inquiries by contractors prior to conditional offer
							(a)Limitation on criminal history inquiries
 (1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the head of an agency— (A)may not require that an individual or sole proprietor who submits a bid for a contract to disclose criminal history record information regarding that individual or sole proprietor before determining the apparent awardee; and
 (B)shall require as a condition of receiving a Federal contract and receiving payments under such contract that the contractor may not verbally or through written form request the disclosure of criminal history record information regarding an applicant for a position related to work under such contract before such contractor extends a conditional offer to the applicant.
 (2)Otherwise required by lawThe prohibition under paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to a contract if consideration of criminal history record information prior to a conditional offer with respect to the position is otherwise required by law.
								(3)Exception for certain positions
 (A)In generalThe prohibition under paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to— (i)a contract that requires an individual hired under the contract to access classified information or to have sensitive law enforcement or national security duties; or
 (ii)a position that the Secretary of Defense identifies under the regulations issued under subparagraph (B).
										(B)Regulations
 (i)IssuanceNot later than 16 months after the date of enactment of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall issue regulations identifying additional positions with respect to which the prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply, giving due consideration to positions that involve interaction with minors, access to sensitive information, or managing financial transactions.
 (ii)Compliance with civil rights lawsThe regulations issued under clause (i) shall— (I)be consistent with, and in no way supersede, restrict, or limit the application of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) or other relevant Federal civil rights laws; and
 (II)ensure that all hiring activities conducted pursuant to the regulations are conducted in a manner consistent with relevant Federal civil rights laws.
 (b)Complaint proceduresThe Secretary of Defense shall establish and publish procedures under which an applicant for a position with a Department of Defense contractor may submit a complaint, or any other information, relating to compliance by the contractor with subsection (a)(1)(B).
							(c)Action for violations of prohibition on criminal history inquiries
 (1)First violationIf the Secretary of Defense determines that a contractor has violated subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary shall—
 (A)notify the contractor; (B)provide 30 days after such notification for the contractor to appeal the determination; and
 (C)issue a written warning to the contractor that includes a description of the violation and the additional remedies that may apply for subsequent violations.
 (2)Subsequent violationsIf the Secretary of Defense determines that a contractor that was subject to paragraph (1) has committed a subsequent violation of subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary shall notify the contractor, shall provide 30 days after such notification for the contractor to appeal the determination, and, in consultation with the relevant Federal agencies, may take actions, depending on the severity of the infraction and the contractor’s history of violations, including—
 (A)providing written guidance to the contractor that the contractor's eligibility for contracts requires compliance with this section;
 (B)requiring that the contractor respond within 30 days affirming that the contractor is taking steps to comply with this section; and
 (C)suspending payment under the contract for which the applicant was being considered until the contractor demonstrates compliance with this section.
 (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Conditional offerThe term conditional offer means an offer of employment for a position related to work under a contract that is conditioned upon the results of a criminal history inquiry.
 (2)Criminal history record informationThe term criminal history record information has the meaning given that term in section 9201 of title 5.. (2)Effective dateSection 2339(a) of title 10, United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to contracts awarded pursuant to solicitations issued after the effective date described in section 2(b)(2) of this Act.
 (3)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 137 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2338 the following new item:

							2339. Prohibition on criminal history inquiries by contractors prior to conditional offer..
				(c)Revisions to Federal Acquisition Regulation
 (1)In generalNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement section 4714 of title 41, United States Code, and section 2339 of title 10, United States Code, as added by this section.
 (2)Consistency with Office of Personnel Management regulationsThe Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation under paragraph (1) to be consistent with the regulations issued by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under section 2(b)(1) to the maximum extent practicable. The Council shall include together with such revision an explanation of any substantive modification of the Office of Personnel Management regulations, including an explanation of how such modification will more effectively implement the rights and protections under this section.
				4.Report on employment of individuals formerly incarcerated in Federal prisons
 (a)DefinitionIn this section, the term covered individual— (1)means an individual who has completed a term of imprisonment in a Federal prison for a Federal criminal offense; and
 (2)does not include an alien who is or will be removed from the United States for a violation of the immigration laws (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101)).
 (b)Study and report requiredThe Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of the Census, shall—
 (1)not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, design and initiate a study on the employment of covered individuals after their release from Federal prison, including by collecting—
 (A)demographic data on covered individuals, including race, age, and sex; and (B)data on employment and earnings of covered individuals who are denied employment, including the reasons for the denials; and
 (2)not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, submit a report that does not include any personally identifiable information on the study conducted under paragraph (1) to—
 (A)the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; (B)the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;
 (C)the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives; and (D)the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives.
 5.Determination of budgetary effectsThe budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

		January 24, 2020
		Reported from the Committee on Oversight and Reform with an amendmentJanuary 24, 2020    Committees on House Administration, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Education and Labor  discharged, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered
			 to be printed


		II

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. 482

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 1, 2005

			Mr. Conrad (for himself

			 and Mr. Dorgan) introduced the following

			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the

			 Committee on Environment and Public

			 Works

		A BILL

		To provide environmental assistance to non-Federal

		  interests in the State of North Dakota.

			1.

			Short title

			This Act may be cited as the

			 Water Infrastructure Revitalization

			 Act.

			2.

			Definitions

			In this Act:

				(1)

				Secretary

				The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army,

			 acting through the Chief of Engineers.

				(2)

				State

				The term State means the State of North

			 Dakota.

			3.

			Program

				(a)

				Establishment

				The Secretary shall establish a program to provide environmental

			 assistance to non-Federal interests in the State.

				(b)

				Form of assistance

				Assistance under this Act may be provided in the form of design

			 and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and

			 resource protection and development projects in the State, including projects

			 for—

					(1)

					wastewater treatment and related facilities;

					(2)

					water supply and related facilities;

					(3)

					environmental restoration; and

					(4)

					surface water resource protection and development.

				(c)

				Public ownership requirement

				The Secretary may provide assistance for a project under this

			 section only if the project is publicly owned.

				(d)

				Local cooperation agreement

					(1)

					In general

					Before providing assistance under this section, the Secretary

			 shall enter into a local cooperation agreement with a non-Federal interest to

			 provide for design and construction of the project to be carried out with the

			 assistance.

					(2)

					Requirements

					Each local cooperation agreement entered into under this

			 subsection shall provide for the following:

						(A)

						Plan

						Development by the Secretary, in consultation and coordination

			 with appropriate Federal, State, and tribal officials and organizations

			 recognized under State law that are involved in Federal water programs, of a

			 facilities or resource protection and development plan, including appropriate

			 engineering plans and specifications.

						(B)

						Legal and institutional structures

						Establishment of such legal and institutional structures as are

			 necessary to ensure the effective long-term operation of the project by the

			 non-Federal interest.

					(3)

					Cost sharing

						(A)

						In general

						The Federal share of project costs under each local cooperation

			 agreement entered into under this subsection—

							(i)

							shall be 75 percent; and

							(ii)

							may be in the form of grants or reimbursements of project

			 costs.

						(B)

						Credit for design work

						The non-Federal interest shall receive credit, not to exceed 6

			 percent of the total construction costs of a project, for the reasonable costs

			 of design work completed by the non-Federal interest before entering into a

			 local cooperation agreement with the Secretary for the project.

						(C)

						Credit for interest

						In case of a delay in the funding of the Federal share of the

			 costs of a project that is the subject of an agreement under this section, the

			 non-Federal interest shall receive credit for reasonable interest incurred in

			 providing the Federal share of the costs of the project.

						(D)

						Land, easements, and rights-of-way credit

						The non-Federal interest shall receive credit for land,

			 easements, rights-of-way, and relocations toward the non-Federal share of

			 project costs (including all reasonable costs associated with obtaining permits

			 necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project on

			 publicly owned or controlled land), but not to exceed 25 percent of total

			 project costs.

						(E)

						Consideration of water rate impacts for local cost

			 share

							(i)

							In general

							The non-Federal share of the cost of constructing a project under

			 this Act shall be reduced, using the national affordability criteria for water

			 rate percentages relating to State average medium household income developed by

			 the Environmental Protection Agency, by 5 percent for each

			 1/2 percent by which the rate for affordability relating

			 to the project area exceeds the average State-wide rate for

			 affordability.

							(ii)

							Multicounty projects

							With respect to a multicounty project under this Act, the average

			 of all affordability rates applicable in the area covered by the project shall

			 be used for the purpose of establishing the local share of the costs of the

			 project.

						(F)

						Operation and maintenance

						The non-Federal share of operation and maintenance costs for

			 projects constructed with assistance provided under this section shall be 100

			 percent.

				(e)

				Applicability of other Federal and State laws

				Nothing in this section waives, limits, or otherwise affects the

			 applicability of any provision of Federal or State law that would otherwise

			 apply to a project to be carried out with assistance provided under this

			 section.

			(f)Authorization

			 of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry

			 out this section $60,000,000 for the period beginning with fiscal year 2006, to

			 remain available until expended.


113 S2272 IS: No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act
U.S. Senate
2014-04-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS2d Session
		S. 2272
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			April 30, 2014
			Mr. Burr (for himself and Mr. Manchin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

		A BILL
		To prohibit discretionary bonuses for employees of the Internal Revenue Service who have engaged in
			 misconduct or who have delinquent tax liability.

		1.Short title
			This Act may be cited as the
		  No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act.
		2.Restriction on discretionary bonuses for employees of the Internal Revenue Service(a)In generalThe Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) shall not provide any discretionary
			 performance award to any employee of the Internal Revenue Service with
			 respect to whom there is substantial evidence of misconduct or seriously
			 delinquent tax debt.(b)Coordination with collective bargaining agreementsFor the purpose of any collective bargaining agreement with the Internal Revenue Service, the
			 Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) shall consider the
			 denial or withholding of a discretionary performance award for any
			 employee with respect to whom there is substantial evidence of misconduct
			 described in subsection (c)(1) or seriously delinquent tax debt as an
			 action necessary to protect the integrity of the Internal Revenue
			 Service.(c)TermsFor purposes of this section—(1)MisconductThe term misconduct includes—(A)any misuse of, or delinquency with respect to, a travel charge card obtained through the Federal
			 Government;(B)any violation of section 1203(b) of the Internal Revenue Service  Restructuring and Reform Act of
			 1998;(C)any offense consisting of the possession or use of a controlled substance;(D)violent threats;(E)fraudulent behavior, including fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits and fraudulently
			 entering attendance and leave on timesheets; and(F)any other behavior determined by the Secretary (or the Secretary's delegate) under regulations.(2)Seriously delinquent tax debtThe term seriously delinquent tax debt means an outstanding debt under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for which a notice of lien has
			 been filed in public records pursuant to section 6323 of such Code, except
			 that such term does not include—(A)a debt that is being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement under section 6159 or section
			 7122 of such Code; and(B)a debt with respect to which a collection due process hearing under section 6330 of such Code, or
			 relief under subsection (a), (b), or (f) of section 6015 of such Code, is
			 requested or pending.(3)Discretionary performance awardsThe term discretionary performance award includes—(A)any performance award based on an employee's performance as reflected in the most recent rating of
			 record;(B)any special act and manager award, or any similar award based on individual or group achievements;(C)any suggestion awards based on the adoption of employee suggestions; and(D)any quality step increase or within grade pay increase based on performance ratings.


110 HR 5691 IH: Middle Class Assistance Act of 2008
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-04-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
110th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 5691
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 3, 2008
Ms. Shea-Porter 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 an above-the-line deduction for State and local real property taxes on principal residences of taxpayers who elect not to deduct State and local income and general sales taxes, a refundable credit for the increased cost in 2008 of heating oil used to heat the principal residence of the taxpayer, and to increase and make permanent the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Middle Class Assistance Act of 2008.
2.Above-the-line deduction for state and local real property taxes on principal residences of taxpayers who elect not to deduct State and local income and general sales taxes
(a)In generalSubsection (a) of section 62 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining adjusted gross income) is amended by inserting after paragraph (21) the following new paragraph:

(22)Deduction for state and local real property taxes on principal residences of taxpayers who do not deduct state and local income and general sales taxes
(A)In generalIn the case of an eligible individual, the deduction allowed by section 164 for State and local real property taxes to the extent such taxes are attributable to—
(i)property located in the United States, and
(ii)for a period that such individual (or such individual’s spouse) owned and used the property as their principal residence (within the meaning of section 121).
(B)Eligible individualFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the term eligible individual means any taxpayer who elects for the taxable year to apply section 164 without regard to—
(i)the reference to State and local income taxes in section 164(a), and
(ii)the election under section 164(b)(5) (relating to election to deduct State and local sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes). .
(b)No affect on amtSubparagraph (A) of section 56(b)(1) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: Section 62(a)(22) shall not apply for purposes of the preceding sentence..
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.
3.Refundable credit for increased 2008 home heating oil costs
(a)In generalSubchapter B of chapter 65 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to rules of special application) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

6431.Refundable credit for increased 2008 home heating oil costs
(a)In generalIn the case of an eligible individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A for the first taxable year of the taxpayer ending on or after December 31, 2008, an amount equal to the taxpayer’s increased 2008 home heating oil costs.
(b)Limitations
(1)Maximum creditThe credit allowed by this section for the taxable year shall not exceed $500.
(2)Limitation based on adjusted gross incomeThe dollar amount applicable under paragraph (1) (determined after the application of subsection (e)(2)) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount which bears the same ratio to such applicable dollar amount (as so determined) as the excess of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income over $200,000 bears to $10,000.
(c)Eligible individual
(1)In generalFor purposes of this section, the term eligible individual means any individual whose principal residence is located in the United States.
(2)ExceptionSuch term shall not include—
(A)any nonresident alien individual, and
(B)any individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the individual's taxable year begins.
(d)Increased 2008 heating oil costsFor purposes of this section—
(1)In generalThe term increased 2008 heating oil costs means the excess (if any) of—
(A)the amount paid by the taxpayer for heating oil used to provide space heating for the principal residence of the taxpayer during 2007, over
(B)the amount paid by the taxpayer for heating oil used to provide space heating for such residence during 2008.
(2)Use as principal residence for less than entire yearIf the principal residence of an individual is not the same throughout 2007 and 2008, the limitation applicable to such individual under subsection (b) shall be the amount equal to—
(A)such limitation (determined without regard to this paragraph), multiplied by
(B)the smaller of—
(i)the fraction of 2007 (determined on a daily basis) that such residence was the principal residence of the individual, or
(ii)the fraction of 2008 (as so determined) that such residence was the principal residence of the individual.
(3)RentersIn the case of an individual who occupies a unit in a building as a tenant, such individual shall be treated as paying the individual’s allocable share (determined as provided by the Secretary) of the heating oil used to provide space heating for such building.
(4)Heating oil not used throughout periodIf substantially all of the space heating for a residence is not provided by heating oil consumed at such residence throughout 2007 and 2008, the application of this section shall be determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(e)Special rules
(1)Denial of double benefitNo deduction shall be allowed for the amount described in subsection (d)(1)(B) (otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year) which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for such taxable year under this section.
(2)Dollar amount in case of joint occupancyIn the case of a dwelling unit which is the principal residence by 2 or more individuals, the dollar limitation under subsection (b)(1) shall be allocated among such individuals in proportion to their respective payments of the 2008 heating oil costs.
(3)Certain other rules to applyRules similar to the rules of paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) of section 25D(e) shall apply for purposes of this section.
(f)Principal residenceFor purposes of this section, the term principal residence has the meaning given to such term by section 121; except that no ownership requirement shall be imposed.
(g)Treatment as Refundable CreditFor purposes of this title, the credit allowed by this section shall be treated as a credit allowed under subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 (relating to refundable credits). .
(b)Technical amendments
(1)Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting or 6431 after section 35.
(2)The table of sections for chapter 65 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

Sec. 6431. Refundable credit for increased 2008 home heating oil costs..
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
4.Deduction for tuition and related expenses increased and made permanent
(a)Deduction made permanentSection 222 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to qualified tuition and related expenses) is amended by striking subsection (e).
(b)Deduction increasedSubsection (b) section 222 of such Code is amended to read as follows:

(b)Dollar limitations
(1)Joint returnsThe expenses of each student which may be taken into account under this section for any taxable year shall not exceed the applicable limit determined in accordance with the following table:

The applicable
If adjusted gross income—limit is—

Does not exceed $130,000$6,000
Exceeds $130,000 but does not exceed $160,000$3,000
Exceeds $160,000 but does not exceed $200,000$1,500
Exceeds $200,0000.
(2)Other taxpayersIn the case of taxpayers not filing a joint return, the table contained in paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting amounts of adjusted gross income which are ½ of the amounts contained therein.
(3)Adjusted gross incomeFor purposes of this subsection, adjusted gross income shall be determined—
(A)without regard to this section and sections 199, 911, 931, and 933, and
(B)after application of sections 86, 135, 137, 219, 221, and 469. .
(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 661 IH: Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 661
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 13, 2013
Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Lowey, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Farr, Ms. Pingree of Maine, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Honda, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Roybal-Allard, and Mr. Fattah) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To repeal certain impediments to the administration of the firearms laws.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act.
2.FindingsThe Congress finds as follows:
(1)The Tiahrt Amendments severely limit the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) to disclose crime gun trace data to the public.
(2)The Tiahrt Amendments prevent the collection of valuable information, and the establishment of effective policies to prevent illegal guns.
(3)Having effective policies to prevent illegal gun trafficking makes our families and communities safer.
(4)The Tiahrt Amendments impede enforcement of the gun laws by requiring most background check records to be destroyed within 24 hours, and by barring the government from requiring annual inventory audits by owners of gun shops
(5)Repealing the Tiahrt Amendments would support law enforcement efforts and give the public vital information needed to craft the most effective policies against illegal guns.
3.Repeal of certain limitations on the use of database information of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
(a)The matter under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Salaries and Expenses in title I of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 609–610) is amended by striking the 6th proviso.
(b)The 6th proviso under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Salaries and Expenses in title II of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 3128–3129) is amended by striking beginning in fiscal year 2010 and thereafter and inserting in fiscal year 2010.
(c)The 6th proviso under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Salaries and Expenses in title II of division B of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 574–576) is amended by striking beginning in fiscal year 2009 and thereafter and inserting in fiscal year 2009.
(d)The 6th proviso under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Salaries and Expenses in title II of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 1903–1904) is amended by striking beginning in fiscal year 2008 and thereafter and inserting in fiscal year 2008.
(e)The 6th proviso under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Salaries and Expenses in title I of the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 109–108; 119 Stat. 2295–2296) is amended by striking with respect to any fiscal year.
(f)The 6th proviso under the heading in title I of division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 108–447; 118 Stat. 2859–2860) is amended by striking with respect to any fiscal year.
4.Repeal of limitation on imposition of requirement that firearms dealers to conduct physical check of firearms inventory The matter under the heading Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—Salaries and Expenses in title I of division B of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 923 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 609–610) is amended by striking the 7th proviso.
5.Repeal of requirement to destroy instant criminal background check records within 24 hours Section 511 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (18 U.S.C. 922 note; Public Law 112–55; 125 Stat. 632) is amended—
(1)by striking for— and all that follows through (1); and
(2)by striking the semicolon and all that follows and inserting a period.


		IIB
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 3582
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			February 6, 2012
			Received; read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Budget

		AN ACT
		To amend the Congressional Budget Act of
		  1974 to provide for macroeconomic analysis of the impact of
		  legislation.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of
			 2012.
		2.Macroeconomic
			 impact analyses
			(a)In
			 generalPart A of title IV of
			 the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new section:

					407.Macroeconomic impact analysis of major
		  legislation(a)Congressional Budget
				OfficeThe Congressional
				Budget Office shall, to the extent practicable, prepare for each major bill or
				resolution reported by any committee of the House of Representatives or the
				Senate (except the Committee on Appropriations of each House), as a supplement
				to estimates prepared under section 402, a macroeconomic impact analysis of the
				budgetary effects of such bill or resolution for the ten fiscal-year period
				beginning with the first fiscal year for which an estimate was prepared under
				section 402 and each of the next three ten fiscal-year periods. Such estimate
				shall be predicated upon the supplemental projection described in section
				202(e)(4). The Director shall submit to such committee the macroeconomic impact
				analysis, together with the basis for the analysis. As a supplement to
				estimates prepared under section 402, all such information so submitted shall
				be included in the report accompanying such bill or resolution.
						(b)Economic
				impactThe analysis prepared
				under subsection (a) shall describe the potential economic impact of the
				applicable major bill or resolution on major economic variables, including real
				gross domestic product, business investment, the capital stock, employment,
				interest rates, and labor supply. The analysis shall also describe the
				potential fiscal effects of the bill or resolution, including any estimates of
				revenue increases or decreases resulting from changes in gross domestic
				product. To the extent practicable, the analysis should use a variety of
				economic models in order to reflect the full range of possible economic
				outcomes resulting from the bill or resolution. The analysis (or a technical
				appendix to the analysis) shall specify the economic and econometric models
				used, sources of data, relevant data transformations, and shall include such
				explanation as is necessary to make the models comprehensible to academic and
				public policy analysts.
						(c)DefinitionsAs
				used in this section—
							(1)the term
				macroeconomic impact analysis means—
								(A)an estimate of the
				changes in economic output, employment, interest rates, capital stock, and tax
				revenues expected to result from enactment of the proposal;
								(B)an estimate of
				revenue feedback expected to result from enactment of the proposal; and
								(C)a statement
				identifying the critical assumptions and the source of data underlying that
				estimate;
								(2)the term major bill or
				resolution means any bill or resolution if the gross budgetary effects
				of such bill or resolution for any fiscal year in the period for which an
				estimate is prepared under section 402 is estimated to be greater than .25
				percent of the current projected gross domestic product of the United States
				for any such fiscal year;
							(3)the term
				budgetary effect, when applied to a major bill or resolution,
				means the changes in revenues, outlays, deficits, and debt resulting from that
				measure; and
							(4)the term
				revenue feedback means changes in revenue resulting from changes
				in economic growth as the result of the enactment of any major bill or
				resolution.
							.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendmentThe table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the
			 Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after the item
			 relating to section 406 the following new item:

						Sec. 407. Macroeconomic impact analysis of major
				legislation.

					.
			3.Additional CBO
			 report to budget committeesSection 202(e) of the Congressional Budget
			 Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new
			 paragraphs:

				(4)(A)After the President’s budget submission
				under section
				1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, in addition to the
				baseline projections, the Director shall submit to the Committees on the Budget
				of the House of Representatives and the Senate a supplemental projection
				assuming extension of current tax policy for the fiscal year commencing on
				October 1 of that year with a supplemental projection for the 10 fiscal-year
				period beginning with that fiscal year, assuming the extension of current tax
				policy.
					(B)For the purposes of this paragraph,
				the term current tax policy means the tax policy in statute as
				of December 31 of the current year assuming—
						(i)the budgetary effects of measures
				extending the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001;
						(ii)the budgetary effects of measures
				extending the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003;
						(iii)the continued application of the
				alternative minimum tax as in effect for taxable years beginning in 2011
				pursuant to title II of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization,
				and Job Creation Act of 2010, assuming that for taxable years beginning after
				2011 the exemption amount shall equal—
							(I)the exemption amount for taxable years
				beginning in 2011, as indexed for inflation; or
							(II)if a subsequent law modifies the
				exemption amount for later taxable years, the modified exemption amount, as
				indexed for inflation; and
							(iv)the budgetary effects of extending
				the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions of title III
				of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act
				of 2010.
						(5)On or before July
				1 of each year, the Director shall submit to the Committees on the Budget of
				the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Long-Term Budget Outlook for
				the fiscal year commencing on October 1 of that year and at least the ensuing
				40 fiscal
				years.
				.

			Passed the House of
			 Representatives February 2, 2012.
			Karen L. Haas,
			Clerk.


		II
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3937
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			September 26, 2006
			Mr. Schumer introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To require the Federal Aviation Administration to
		  finalize the proposed rule relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability
		  exposure, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Flight 800 Improvement Act of
			 2006.
		2.Implementation
			 of FAA Rule Relating to Fuel Tank Flammability
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, not later
			 than January 1, 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration shall finalize and
			 implement, in accordance with paragraph (2), the rule proposed by the Federal
			 Aviation Administration relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability in
			 transport category airplanes (70 Fed. Reg. 70922, dated November 23, 2005) and
			 operators and manufacturers of airplanes shall take appropriate action to
			 comply with the rule.
			(b)Matching
			 fundsFor each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2016, the
			 Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may provide financial
			 assistance to operators and manufacturers of airplanes in an amount that does
			 not exceed $1 for every $1 incurred by such operators and manufacturers for
			 complying with the rule described in subsection (a).
			(c)Study and
			 reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
			 this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
			 conduct a study and report to Congress regarding ways to improve the safety and
			 reduce the flammability of fuel tanks that are located on the wings of
			 airplanes.
			(d)Authorization
			 of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated
			 $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2016, to carry out the
			 provisions of subsection (b).


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 3769
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			September 13, 2010
			Mr. Feingold introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To amend the Elementary and Secondary
		  Education Act of 1965 to promote family and community engagement in school
		  improvement.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Families and Communities Involved in
			 Improving Our Schools Act.
		2. Family and Community Engagement in School
			 Improvement GrantsSection
			 1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
			 6303(g)) is amended by inserting at the end the following:

				(10)Family engagement and community
				engagement
					(A)In generalEach local educational agency that receives
				assistance under this subsection shall carry out family engagement and
				community engagement activities, which shall include, at a minimum—
						(i)providing notice to families and community
				members in a format and language that is accessible to all families and
				community members—
							(I)that a school will be a recipient of funds
				under this subsection, which shall be subject to the requirement that a school
				intervention model be implemented at the school; and
							(II)on how families and community members can
				participate in the selection, development, and implementation of a school
				intervention model under this subsection;
							(ii)partnering with families and community
				members to select the school intervention model funded under this
				subsection;
						(iii)providing families and community members
				with notice of the selected school intervention model and partnering with
				families and community members to develop opportunities for families and
				community members to support the school intervention model selected;
						(iv)including families and community members in
				the transition period to the new school intervention model;
						(v)involving families and community members in
				implementation of the new school intervention model;
						(vi)developing an engagement plan for ensuring
				families and communities are involved in the ongoing school improvement
				efforts, including ensuring that families and communities are involved in the
				development of the engagement plan;
						(vii)evaluating the effectiveness of family
				engagement and community engagement in improving student achievement once a
				school intervention model has been utilized;
						(viii)disseminating the data collected from the
				evaluation under clause (vii) to families and community members in an
				understandable format; and
						(ix)developing a plan for revising family
				engagement and community engagement strategies that are shown not to be
				effective.
						(B)Guidance on research based family
				engagementIn order to
				properly engage families in school improvement efforts, the Secretary shall
				issue regulations not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the
				Families and Communities Involved in
				Improving Our Schools Act, that detail research-based family
				engagement and community engagement strategies that local educational agencies
				and schools may utilize with assistance provided under this subsection.
					(C)DefinitionIn this paragraph:
						(i)Community engagementThe term community engagement
				means strategies that foster meaningful and active collaboration among
				families, community members, and school officials for the purpose of improving
				student achievement and addressing the comprehensive needs of students before,
				during, and after school as well as in the students’ home lives.
						(ii)Family engagementThe term family engagement
				means a shared responsibility of families and schools for student success, in
				which schools and community-based organizations are committed to reaching out
				to engage families in meaningful ways that encourage the families to actively
				support their children's learning and development, as well as the learning and
				development of other children. The shared responsibility is continuous from
				birth through young adulthood and reinforces learning that takes place in the
				home, school, and
				community.
						.


115 HR 1568 IH: Transportation and Logistics Hiring Reform Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-03-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1568IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 16, 2017Mr. Duncan of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Rouzer, and Mr. Paulsen) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo enhance interstate commerce by creating a national hiring standard for motor carriers, and for
			 other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Transportation and Logistics Hiring Reform Act of 2017. 2.DefinitionsIn this Act, the following definitions apply:
 (1)EntityThe term entity means a person acting as— (A)a shipper, except for an individual shipper (as such term is defined in section 13102 of title 49, United States Code) or a consignee;
 (B)a broker, a freight forwarder, or a household goods freight forwarder (as such terms are defined in section 13102 of title 49, United States Code);
 (C)a non-vessel-operating common carrier, an ocean freight forwarder, or an ocean transportation intermediary (as such terms are defined in section 40102 of title 46, United States Code);
 (D)an indirect air carrier authorized to operate under a standard security program approved by the Transportation Security Administration;
 (E)a customs broker licensed in accordance with section 111.2 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations;
 (F)an interchange motor carrier subject to paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of section 13902(i) of title 49, United States Code; or
 (G)a warehouse (as defined in Article 7–102(13) of the Uniform Commercial Code). (2)Motor carrierThe term motor carrier means a motor carrier or a household goods motor carrier (as such terms are defined in section 13102 of title 49, United States Code) that is subject to Federal motor carrier financial responsibility and safety regulations.
 (3)StateThe term State means each of the 50 States, a political subdivision of any such State, an intrastate agency, any other political agency of two or more States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
			3.National hiring standards for motor carriers
 (a)National standardBefore tendering a shipment, but not more than 35 days before the pickup of the shipment by the hired motor carrier, an entity shall verify that the motor carrier, at the time of such verification—
 (1)is registered with and authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to operate as a motor carrier or household goods motor carrier, if applicable;
 (2)has the minimum insurance coverage required by Federal law; and (3)does not have an unsatisfactory safety rating issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in force and has not otherwise been ordered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to discontinue operations.
				(b)Intended use of data
 (1)In generalOnly evidence of an entity’s compliance with subsection (a) may be admitted as evidence or otherwise used in a civil action for damages resulting from a case or legal proceeding in which it is asserted or alleged that an entity’s selection or retention of a motor carrier was negligent.
 (2)Excluded evidenceAll other motor carrier data created or maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including safety measurement system data or analysis of such data, may not be admitted into evidence in a case or legal proceeding described in paragraph (1).
 4.Applicability and effective dateNotwithstanding any other provision of law, this Act shall apply with respect to any action commenced on or after the date of enactment of this Act without regard to whether the harm that is the subject of the action, or the conduct that caused the harm, occurred before such date of enactment.


115 HRES 979 IH: Expressing support for the Iranian people’s continuing protests, fundamental human rights, and the desire for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic in Iran.
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.

		IV
		115th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 979
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 29, 2018
			Mr. Rohrabacher (for himself and Mr. Poe of Texas) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

		RESOLUTION
		Expressing support for the Iranian people’s continuing protests, fundamental human rights, and the
			 desire for a democratic, secular, and non-nuclear republic in Iran.

 Whereas Iran is a member of the United Nations, and is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, among other international human rights treaties;
 Whereas in violation of these and other international obligations, Iranian regime officials continue to violate the fundamental human rights of the Iranian people, including ongoing, systematic, and serious restrictions of freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures of media outlets, arrests of journalists, and the censorship of expression in online forums such as blogs and websites;
 Whereas the Department of State 2017 International Religious Freedom Report states that According to the special rapporteur’s August 14 report, adherents of recognized religions … continue to face severe restrictions and discrimination, and are reportedly prosecuted for peacefully manifesting their religious beliefs.;
 Whereas, on June 13, 2018, Iranian authorities again detained prominent lawyer and human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh;
 Whereas according to Amnesty International, on June 18, 2018, 51-year-old Sufi bus driver, Mohammad Salas, was executed after a grossly unfair trial, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo strongly condemned this execution;
 Whereas senior governmental, military, and public security officials in Iran have continued ordering, and committing egregious human rights violations that, in many cases, represent official policies of the Iranian regime;
 Whereas, on December 28, 2017, popular protests against the Iranian regime began in the city of Mashhad and rapidly spread throughout the country, in the most significant anti-government protests in Iran since June 2009;
 Whereas through the protests and slogans the peoples of Iran have demonstrated that neither military intervention nor economic and political concessions to the present viable alternatives in resolving the Iranian crisis; instead articulating their desire for the establishment of a democratic, secular, non-nuclear republic in Iran;
 Whereas Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has confirmed that in 2018, the Iranian regime has imprisoned hundreds of Sufi dervishes, dozens of environmentalists, 400 Ahwazis, [and] 30 Isfahan farmers, in addition to over 5,000 people arrested during January 2018 nationwide protests;
 Whereas through the chants of Our enemy is right here, they lie when they say it’s America., the Iranian peoples have undermined the Iranian regime’s attempts to portray international support for the people of Iran as either interference in Iranian affairs or warmongering;
 Whereas these protests have continued in the ensuing months in Ahvaz (southwest), Kazerun (south), and Isfahan (central Iran), leading to the nationwide strike by more than 500,000 truck drivers and owners in 280 cities and in all 31 provinces, prompted by numerous economic, social and political grievances, including the lack of basic freedoms, institutionalized government corruption, economic mismanagement, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) control of the lion’s share of the country’s economy;
 Whereas protesters have rejected the regime’s costly, destabilizing activities abroad, including its support for the regime in Syria and terrorist groups such as Al-Hashd Al-Sha'abi in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon, manifested in the chants of Leave Syria alone, think of us., and Neither Gaza, nor Lebanon, I give my life only for Iran.;
 Whereas with chants of Down with Khamenei, down with Rouhani. and Reformers, hardliners, the game is now over., the Iranian people have demonstrated their rejection of the theocratic regime in its entirety; Whereas, on December 29, 2017, the Department of State strongly condemned the arrest of peaceful protesters and noted that Iran’s leaders have turned a wealthy country with a rich history and culture into an economically depleted rogue state whose chief exports are violence, bloodshed, and chaos.;
 Whereas, on January 2, 2018, the French Foreign Ministry stated that French authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Iran. Demonstrating freely is a fundamental right. The same is true for the free movement of information. France expresses its concern over the large number of victims and arrests.;
 Whereas IRGC and its Basij militia have been sanctioned by the United States for planning and carrying out serious human rights abuses against the Iranian people, including for the cruel and prolonged torture of political dissidents;
 Whereas the House of Representatives, through H.R. 4744, has expressed support for efforts made by the peoples of Iran to promote the establishment of basic freedoms that build the foundation for the emergence of a freely elected, open, non-corrupt and democratic political system;
 Whereas a free and democratic Iran will recognize the rights and sovereignty of all countries of the region, non-interference in their affairs of neighboring countries, and establishing political, economic, and cultural relations based on peaceful coexistence with all countries of the Middle East and the world;
 Whereas a free and democratic Iran will seek equal political participation by all Iranians from all ethnic and religious groups, including Arabs, Azeris, Baluchis, Kurds, Lurs, Persians, Qashqai, Turkemans, and others;
 Whereas an inclusive and broad-based dialogue process, that includes representatives from all ethnic and religious groups, would work to agree on the new Constitution of a free and decentralized democratic Iran;
 Whereas Iranian opposition groups have called for universal suffrage and free elections, and advocate gender, religious and ethnic equality, adherence to market economy principles and the establishment of a decentralized republic based on separation of religion and state and a non-nuclear Iran;
 Whereas these plans commit a free and democratic Iran to the abolition of Sharia Law, the death penalty, a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence, international and regional peace and cooperation; and
 Whereas the plan recognizes that the ballot box is the only criterion for legitimacy, and accordingly it seeks a republic based on universal suffrage: Now, therefore, be it

 That the House of Representatives— (1)stands with the people of Iran who are engaged in continuing, legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime;
			(2)
 condemns the Iranian regime’s egregious human rights abuses against the Iranian people, institutional corruption, destabilizing activities abroad, and the failure to abide by its international conventions and obligations; and
 (3)supports efforts by the Iranian people and opposition movements who support a democratic, secular, non-nuclear republic form of government in Iran, and promote the establishment of basic freedoms and a democratic political system in which free and fair elections under universal suffrage would serve as the only legitimate path to political power.