116 S2870 IS: Restricting Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-11-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2870IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 14, 2019Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Booker, Ms. Harris, and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo limit the use of solitary confinement and other forms of restrictive housing in immigration
			 detention, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Restricting Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention Act of 2019.
 (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.Sec. 3. Solitary confinement reforms.Sec. 4. Reassessment of detained alien mental health.Sec. 5. Oversight responsibilities.Sec. 6. Rulemaking.Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations.Sec. 8. Effective date. 2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
 (1)Administrative segregationThe term administrative segregation means a nonpunitive form of solitary confinement that removes a detained alien from the general population of a detention center or other facility in which the alien is being detained for—
 (A)investigative, protective, or preventative reasons because of a substantial and immediate threat to the safety or security of the detained alien, other detained aliens, staff, or the public; or
 (B)temporary administrative reasons. (2)Appropriate level of careThe term appropriate level of care means the appropriate treatment setting for mental health care that a detained alien with mental illness requires, which may include outpatient care, emergency or crisis services, day treatment, supported residential housing, infirmary care, or inpatient psychiatric hospitalization services.
 (3)Intellectual disabilityThe term intellectual disability means a significant mental impairment characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.
 (4)Multidisciplinary staff committeeThe term multidisciplinary staff committee means a committee— (A)composed of staff at the facility at which a detained alien resides who are responsible for reviewing the initial placement of the alien in solitary confinement and any extensions of time in solitary confinement; and
 (B)that includes— (i)not fewer than 1 licensed mental health professional;
 (ii)not fewer than 1 medical professional; and (iii)not fewer than 1 member of the leadership of the facility.
 (5)Protection caseThe term protection case means a detained alien who, by the request of the alien or through a staff determination, requires protection.
 (6)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security. (7)Serious mental illnessThe term serious mental illness means—
 (A)a finding by a qualified mental health professional that the detained alien is at serious risk of substantially deteriorating mentally or emotionally while confined in solitary confinement, or already has so deteriorated while confined in solitary confinement, such that diversion or removal is deemed to be clinically appropriate by a qualified mental health professional; or
 (B)a current or recent diagnosis by a qualified mental health professional of 1 or more of the following disorders described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:
 (i)Schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. (ii)Major depressive disorder.
 (iii)Any type of bipolar disorder. (iv)A neurodevelopmental disorder, dementia or other cognitive disorder.
 (v)Any disorder commonly characterized by breaks with reality or perceptions of reality. (vi)Any type of anxiety disorders.
 (vii)Trauma or stressor related disorder. (viii)Severe personality disorders.
 (8)Solitary confinementThe term solitary confinement means confinement characterized by substantial isolation in a cell, whether alone or with other detained aliens, including administrative segregation and disciplinary segregation.
 (9)Substantial and immediate threatThe term substantial and immediate threat means any set of circumstances that require immediate action in order to combat a significant threat to the safety of a detained alien, other detained aliens, staff, or the public.
 (10)U.S. immigration and customs enforcement facilityThe term U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility means— (A)a detention facility owned and administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; or
 (B)a Federal, State, local, or private facility that has contracted (directly or indirectly) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain aliens in Federal custody, including a U.S. Marshals facility that houses alien detainees, and regardless of any time limits that exist for the duration of the detention in such a facility.
				3.Solitary confinement reforms
			(a)Use of solitary confinement
 (1)In generalA detained alien may not be placed in solitary confinement within a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility unless such confinement—
 (A)is limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions practicable, including not fewer than 4 hours of out-of-cell time every day;
 (B)is consistent with the rationale for placement and with the progress achieved by the detained alien;
 (C)allows the detained alien to participate in meaningful programming opportunities and privileges that are similar to those available in the general population as practicable, either individually or in a classroom setting;
 (D)allows the detained alien to have as much meaningful interaction with others, such as other detained aliens, counsel, visitors, clergy, or licensed mental health professionals, as practicable; and
 (E)complies with the provisions of this section. (2)Specific limitations on administrative segregation and disciplinary segregationThe Secretary—
 (A)shall limit administrative segregation in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities— (i)to situations in which such segregation is necessary to control a substantial and immediate threat that cannot be addressed through alternative housing; and
 (ii)to a duration of not more than 14 consecutive days, and not more than 14 days in a 21-day period, unless—
 (I)the detained alien is considered a protection case and requests to remain in administrative segregation under paragraph (3)(B)(i); or
 (II)to address the continued existence of a substantial and immediate threat, a multidisciplinary staff committee approves a temporary extension, which—
 (aa)shall be in writing and include a thorough explanation of the reasons for which the extension is warranted, including any factors weighing against the extension;
 (bb)shall be reviewed— (AA)by the multidisciplinary staff committee every 3 days during the period of the extension, in order to confirm the continued existence of the substantial and immediate threat;
 (BB)by the appropriate Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the initial extension and every 7 days thereafter during the period of the extension, in order to review the findings of the multidisciplinary staff committee and determine whether such extensions are permissible; and
 (CC)by a subcommittee of the Detention Monitoring Council within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which shall be chaired by the Custody Management Division and shall include representatives from Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Operations, the Health Service Corps, the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, the Office of Professional Responsibility, the Office of Acquisition Management, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, after any extension is approved by an Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director; and
 (cc)shall include additional out of cell time, socialization, and programming opportunities for the detained alien, so that each detained alien placed in solitary confinement for more than 14 days is given not fewer than 4 hours of out of cell time each day; and
 (B)may not permit the use of solitary confinement as a form of discipline. (3)Protective custodyThe Secretary—
 (A)shall establish policies to ensure that an alien who is considered a protection case, upon the request of the alien, is transferred to a safer alternative, such as—
 (i)an alternative general population unit in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility; (ii)an alternative U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility; or
 (iii)an alternative to detention; and (B)may not place a detained alien who is considered to be a protection case in solitary confinement due to the status of the alien as a protection case unless—
 (i)the alien requests to be placed in solitary confinement, in which case, at the request of the alien to be released from solitary confinement, the alien shall be transferred to a safer alternative, such as—
 (I)an alternative general population unit; (II)an alternative U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility; or
 (III)an alternative to detention; or (ii)such confinement is limited to—
 (I)not more than 5 days of administrative segregation; and (II)is necessary to protect the alien during preparation for transfer to a safer alternative, such as 1 of the alternatives described in subclauses (I) through (III) of clause (i).
 (4)Vulnerable populationsA U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility may not place a detained alien in solitary confinement if—
 (A)the detained alien is younger than 18 years of age, unless— (i)such confinement is a temporary response to the behavior of the detained alien, which poses a substantial and immediate threat;
 (ii)all other options to de-escalate the situation have been exhausted, including less restrictive techniques such as—
 (I)penalizing the detained alien through loss of privileges; (II)speaking with the detained alien in an attempt to de-escalate the situation; and
 (III)providing an appropriate level of care through a licensed mental health professional; (iii)such confinement is limited to—
 (I)3 hours after the detained alien is placed in solitary confinement, if the alien poses a substantial and immediate threat to others; or
 (II)30 minutes after the detained alien is placed in solitary confinement, if the alien poses a substantial and immediate threat only to his self or her self; and
 (iv)if, after the applicable maximum period of confinement under subclause (I) or (II) of clause (iii) has expired, the detained alien continues to pose a substantial and immediate threat described in that subclause—
 (I)the detained alien shall be transferred to another facility or internal location where services can be provided to the alien without relying on solitary confinement; or
 (II)if a qualified mental health professional believes the level of crisis service needed is not currently available, a staff member of the facility shall initiate a referral to a location that can meet the needs of the detained alien;
 (B)the detained alien has a serious mental illness, has an intellectual disability, has a physical disability that a licensed medical professional determines is likely to be exacerbated by placement in solitary confinement or that solitary confinement is clinically contraindicated, is pregnant, or is in the first 8 weeks of the post-partum recovery period after giving birth, or has been determined by a licensed mental health professional to likely be significantly adversely affected by placement in solitary confinement, unless—
 (i)the detained alien poses a substantial and immediate threat; (ii)all other options to de-escalate the situation have been exhausted, including less restrictive techniques such as—
 (I)penalizing the detained alien through loss of privileges; (II)speaking with the detained alien in an attempt to de-escalate the situation; and
 (III)providing an appropriate level of care through a licensed mental health professional; (iii)such confinement is limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions practicable, including access to medical and mental health treatment;
 (iv)such confinement is reviewed by a multidisciplinary staff committee for appropriateness every 24 hours; and
 (v)as soon as practicable, but not later than 5 days after such confinement begins, the detained alien is diverted, upon release from solitary confinement, to a general population unit, a mental health treatment program described in subsection (b)(2), or an alternative to detention;
 (C)the detained alien is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (as defined in section 115.5 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation), intersex (as defined in section 115.5 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation), or gender nonconforming (as defined in section 115.5 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation), if such placement is based (in whole or in part) on such identification or status;
 (D)the alien is HIV positive, if the placement is based (in whole or in part) on the HIV positive status of the alien;
 (E)the placement is based (in whole or in part) on the alien’s race, religion, or nationality; or (F)the placement is based (in whole or in part) on a detained alien’s report of an incident of abuse or misconduct, a detained alien’s decision to engage in a hunger strike, or any other form of retaliation against a detained alien, unless the alien has been classified as a protection case under paragraph (3).
 (5)Access to counselAliens placed in solitary confinement shall be offered access to counsel to the same extent that detained aliens in the general population are offered access to counsel.
 (6)Right to review placement in solitary confinementThe Secretary shall ensure that each alien placed in solitary confinement has access to— (A)written and verbal notice provided in a language that the alien understands that thoroughly details the basis for placement or continued placement in solitary confinement not later than 6 hours after the beginning of such placement, including—
 (i)thorough documentation explaining why such confinement is permissible and necessary under this subsection; and
 (ii)if an exception under paragraph (2)(A)(ii), (3)(B), (4)(A), or (4)(B) is used to justify placement in solitary confinement, thorough documentation explaining why such an exception applies;
 (B)a timely, thorough, and continuous review process that— (i)occurs not fewer than 3 days after placement in solitary confinement, and thereafter at least on a weekly basis, unless required more frequently under this section;
 (ii)includes private, face-to-face interviews with a multidisciplinary staff committee; and (iii)examines whether—
 (I)placement in solitary confinement was and remains necessary; (II)the conditions of confinement comply with this section; and
 (III)any exception under paragraph (2)(A)(ii), (3)(B), (4)(A), or (4)(B) used to justify placement in solitary confinement was and remains warranted;
 (C)a process to appeal the initial placement or continued placement of the detained alien in solitary confinement;
 (D)prompt and timely written notice of the appeal procedures; and (E)copies of all documents, files, and records relating to the detained alien’s placement in solitary confinement, unless such documents contain contraband, classified information, or sensitive security-related information.
					(b)Mental health care for aliens in solitary confinement
 (1)Mental health screeningNot later than 6 hours after a detained alien is placed in solitary confinement in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, the alien shall receive a comprehensive, face-to-face mental health evaluation by a licensed mental health professional in a confidential setting.
 (2)Mental health treatment programA detained alien diagnosed with a serious mental illness after an evaluation under paragraph (1)— (A)may not be placed in solitary confinement under subsection (a)(4)(B); and
 (B)shall receive an appropriate level of care to address the detained alien’s mental health needs. (3)Continuing evaluationsAfter each 7-day period during which a detained alien is held in continuous placement in solitary confinement—
 (A)a licensed mental health professional shall conduct a comprehensive, face-to-face, out-of-cell mental health evaluation of the alien in a confidential setting; and
 (B)the Secretary shall adjust the placement of the alien in accordance with this subsection. (c)Training for detention center staff (1)TrainingAll employees of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility who interact with aliens on a regular basis shall be required to complete training in—
 (A)recognizing the symptoms of mental illness; (B)the potential risks and side effects of psychiatric medications;
 (C)de-escalation techniques for safely managing individuals with mental illness; (D)the consequences of untreated mental illness;
 (E)the long- and short-term psychological effects of solitary confinement; and (F)de-escalation and communication techniques to divert detained aliens from situations that may lead to the alien being placed in solitary confinement.
 (2)Notification to medical staffAn employee of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility shall immediately notify a member of the facility’s medical or mental health staff if the employee—
 (A)observes a detained alien with signs of mental illness, unless such employee has knowledge that the alien’s signs of mental illness have previously been reported; or
 (B)observes a detained alien with signs of a mental health crisis; (d)Reporting requirements (1)Daily tracking of use of solitary confinementEach U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility shall submit a daily report to the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that identifies, for the applicable day—
 (A)any detained aliens who were placed in solitary confinement, including— (i)the rationale behind each such placement; and
 (ii)whether any exception under subsection (a) used to justify placement in solitary confinement or increased restrictive conditions in solitary confinement was applied;
 (B)the continued detention of any aliens in solitary confinement, including— (i)the number of days such aliens have been detained in solitary confinement; and
 (ii)an explanation of the application of any exception under subsection (a) used to justify an adjustment to the alien’s time or conditions in solitary confinement; and
 (C)the release of any detained aliens from solitary confinement. (2)Publication of use of solitary confinementWithout revealing personally identifiable information, the Secretary shall publish online weekly updates regarding—
 (A)the number of aliens in solitary confinement at each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility; and
 (B)any instances in which a facility has placed a detained alien in solitary confinement for more than 15 days.
					(3)Internal review of data
 (A)Weekly reviewsThe appropriate Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall—
 (i)on a weekly basis, review the daily reports from each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility under his or her jurisdiction to ensure that each facility is in compliance with this Act;
 (ii)report any instances in which a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility failed to comply, or is suspected of failing to comply, with this Act to the subcommittee established under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii)(II)(bb)(CC) for review; and
 (iii)direct a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility that failed to comply, or is suspected of failing to comply, with this Act to immediately address any such failures to comply, including by immediately removing a detained alien from solitary confinement if the alien’s placement or continued detention in solitary confinement was not in compliance with this Act.
 (B)Monthly reportsThe subcommittee established under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii)(II)(bb)(CC) shall— (i)promptly review any reports received pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii); and
 (ii)submit monthly reports to the full Detention Monitoring Council and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that identify areas of concern regarding particular cases or facilities that warrant further examination.
 4.Reassessment of detained alien mental healthNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (1)assemble a team of licensed mental health professionals, which may include licensed mental health professionals who are not employed by the Department of Homeland Security, to conduct a comprehensive mental health reevaluation for each alien held in solitary confinement for more than 14 days (as of the date of enactment of this Act), including a confidential, face-to-face, out-of-cell interview by a licensed mental health professional; and
 (2)adjust the placement of each alien in accordance with this Act. 5.Oversight responsibilities (a)In generalSection 705 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 345) is amended by adding at the end the following:

					(c)Immigration detention
 (1)Defined termIn this subsection, the term U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Restricting Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention Act of 2019. (2)Internal reportingThe Secretary shall ensure that each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility provides multiple internal ways for aliens and others to promptly report violations of section 3 of the Restricting Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention Act of 2019 to the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, including—
 (A)not less than 2 procedures for aliens and others to report violations of section 3 of such Act to an entity or office that is not part of the facility, and that is able to receive and immediately forward reports to the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, allowing the alien to remain anonymous upon request; and
 (B)not less than 2 procedures for aliens and others to report violations of section 3 of such Act to the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in a confidential manner, allowing the alien to remain anonymous upon request.
 (3)Notice to detaineesThe Secretary shall ensure that each U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility provides aliens with—
 (A)notice of how to report violations of section 4 of the Restricting Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention Act of 2019 in accordance with paragraph (2), including— (i)notice prominently posted in the living and common areas of each such facility;
 (ii)individual notice to aliens at initial intake into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, when transferred to a new facility, and when placed in solitary confinement;
 (iii)notice to aliens with disabilities in accessible formats; and (iv)written or verbal notice in a language the alien understands; and
 (B)notice of permissible practices related to solitary confinement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, including the requirements under section 3 of such Act.
 (4)AccessThe Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties— (A)shall have unrestricted access to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities; and
 (B)shall be able to review documents, request and review information, and speak privately with aliens, contractors, volunteers, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility staff.
							(5)Annual assessment of solitary confinement use in immigration detention
 (A)ObjectivesNot later than 90 days after the last day of each fiscal year, the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties shall submit an assessment to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives that analyzes the use of solitary confinement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities during such fiscal year.
 (B)DataEach assessment submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include aggregated and disaggregated data reported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, to be provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties not later than 30 days after the last day of each fiscal year, including—
 (i)the policies and regulations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including— (I)any changes in policies and regulations, for determining which aliens are placed in solitary confinement; and
 (II)a detailed description of the conditions and restrictions of solitary confinement; (ii)the number of aliens in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities who were housed in solitary confinement for any period and the percentage of all aliens who spent at least some time in solitary confinement during the reporting period;
 (iii)the demographics of all aliens housed in solitary confinement, including race, ethnicity, religion, age, and gender;
 (iv)the policies and regulations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, including any updates in policies and regulations, for subsequent reviews or appeals of the placement of a detained alien into or out of solitary confinement;
 (v)the number of reviews of and challenges to the placement of a detained alien in solitary confinement during the reporting period and the number of reviews or appeals that directly resulted in a change of placement;
 (vi)a detailed description of the conditions and restrictions for solitary confinement, including the number of hours spent in isolation and the percentage of time these conditions involve 2 aliens celled together in solitary confinement;
 (vii)the mean and median length of stay in solitary confinement, based on all individuals released from solitary confinement during the reporting period, and any maximum length of stay during the reporting period;
 (viii)the cost for each form of solitary confinement described in subparagraph (A) in use during the reporting period, including as compared with the average daily cost of housing a detained alien in the general population;
 (ix)the policies for mental health screening, mental health treatment, and subsequent mental health reviews for all detained aliens, including any update to the policies, and any additional screening, treatment, and monitoring for detained aliens in solitary confinement;
 (x)a statement of the types of mental health staff that conducted mental health assessments for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities during the reporting period, a description of the different positions in the mental health staff of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, and the number of part- and full-time psychologists and psychiatrists employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities during the reporting period;
 (xi)data on mental health and medical indicators for all detained aliens in solitary confinement, including—
 (I)the number of aliens requiring medication for mental health conditions; (II)the number diagnosed with an intellectual disability;
 (III)the number diagnosed with serious mental illness; (IV)the number of suicides;
 (V)the number of attempted suicides and number of aliens placed on suicide watch; (VI)the number of instances of self-harm committed by aliens;
 (VII)the number of aliens with physical disabilities, including blind, deaf, and mobility-impaired aliens; and
 (VIII)the number of instances of forced feeding of aliens; (xii)any instances in which an Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director reported that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in his or her jurisdiction failed to comply with or was suspected of failing to comply with the Restricting Solitary Confinement in Immigration Detention Act of 2019; and
 (xiii)any other relevant data. (C)ContentEach assessment submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—
 (i)an analysis of the data provided under subparagraph (B); (ii)recommendations for reform offered to the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Secretary under paragraph (6); and
 (iii)the response from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department to such recommendations for reform.
 (D)Authority on final reportEach assessment submitted under subparagraph (A) may be reviewed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Secretary before submission, but the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties has final authority on the text and release of the assessment.
 (6)Regular meetings with the secretary and the director of u.s. immigration and customs enforcementThe Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties shall meet regularly with the Secretary and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—
 (A)to identify problems with the solitary confinement policies and practices in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, including overuse of solitary confinement; and
 (B)to present recommendations for such administrative action as may be appropriate to resolve problems relating to solitary confinement policies and practices in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities..
 (b)Annual reportNot later than December 31 of each year, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall issue a report analyzing—
 (1)the use of solitary confinement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities; and (2)the Department’s compliance with this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
 6.RulemakingThe Secretary and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall prescribe rules, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
 7.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
 8.Effective dateExcept as otherwise provided, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date that is 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 HR 787 IH: Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 787
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 15, 2013
			Mr. Murphy of
			 Pennsylvania introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the
			 Judiciary,
			 Energy and Commerce,
			 Rules,
			 the Budget, and
			 Transportation and
			 Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by
			 the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within
			 the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

		A BILL
		To greatly enhance America’s path toward energy
		  independence and economic and national security, to rebuild our Nation’s aging
		  roads, bridges, locks, and dams, and for other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence
			 Act.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
					Title I—Offshore Leasing and Other Energy Provisions
					Subtitle A—Offshore Leasing
					Sec. 101. Leasing program considered approved.
					Sec. 102. Lease sales.
					Sec. 103. Seaward boundaries of States.
					Sec. 104. Military operations.
					Sec. 105. Coordination with Adjacent States.
					Sec. 106. Gulf of Mexico oil and gas.
					Sec. 107. Sharing of revenues.
					Sec. 108. Inventory of offshore energy resources.
					Sec. 109. Prohibitions on surface occupancy and other
				appropriate environmental safeguards.
					Subtitle B—Expedited Judicial Review
					Sec. 121. Definitions.
					Sec. 122. Exclusive jurisdiction over causes and claims
				relating to covered oil and natural gas activities.
					Sec. 123. Time for filing petition; standing.
					Sec. 124. Timetable.
					Sec. 125. Limitation on scope of review and relief.
					Sec. 126. Presidential waiver.
					Sec. 127. Legal fees.
					Sec. 128. Exclusion.
					Subtitle C—Other Energy Provisions
					Sec. 131. Policies regarding buying and building
				American.
					Title II—Modifying the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Funding
				Conservation and Energy Research and Development
					Sec. 201. Findings.
					Sec. 202. Definitions.
					Sec. 203. Objectives.
					Sec. 204. Modification of the Strategic Petroleum
				Reserve.

			IOffshore Leasing
			 and Other Energy Provisions
			AOffshore
			 Leasing
				101.Leasing program
			 considered approved
					(a)In
			 generalThe Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas
			 Leasing Program 2010–2015 issued by the Secretary of the Interior (referred to
			 in this section as the Secretary) under section 18 of the Outer
			 Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) is considered to have been
			 approved by the Secretary as a final oil and gas leasing program under that
			 section, and is considered to be in full compliance with and in accordance with
			 all requirements of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
					(b)Final
			 environmental impact statementThe Secretary is considered to
			 have issued a final environmental impact statement for the program described in
			 subsection (a) in accordance with all requirements under section 102(2)(C) of
			 the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
					(c)Correction of
			 datesThe Secretary of the
			 Interior shall update the dates and deadlines proscribed in the program
			 described in subsection (a) to reflect the time that has passed between the
			 date the program was issued and the date of enactment of this Act.
					102.Lease
			 sales
					(a)Outer
			 continental shelf
						(1)In
			 generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 30
			 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 270 days thereafter, the
			 Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the
			 Secretary) shall conduct a lease sale in each outer Continental
			 Shelf planning area for which the Secretary determines that there is a
			 commercial interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for production on
			 the outer Continental Shelf.
						(2)Subsequent
			 determinations and salesIf the Secretary determines that there
			 is not a commercial interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for
			 production on the outer Continental Shelf in a planning area under this
			 subsection, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the
			 determination and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall—
							(A)determine whether
			 there is a commercial interest in purchasing Federal oil and gas leases for
			 production on the outer Continental Shelf in the planning area; and
							(B)if the Secretary
			 determines that there is a commercial interest described in subparagraph (A),
			 conduct a lease sale in the planning area.
							(b)Renewable energy
			 and maricultureThe Secretary may conduct commercial lease sales
			 of resources owned by the United States—
						(1)to produce
			 renewable energy (as defined in section 203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
			 (42 U.S.C. 15852(b))); or
						(2)to cultivate
			 marine organisms in the natural habitat of the organisms.
						103.Seaward
			 boundaries of States
					(a)Seaward
			 boundariesSection 4 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1312)
			 is amended by striking three geographical miles each place it
			 appears and inserting 9 nautical miles.
					(b)Conforming
			 amendmentsSection 2 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301)
			 is amended—
						(1)in subsection
			 (a)(2), by striking three geographical miles and inserting
			 9 nautical miles; and
						(2)in subsection
			 (b)—
							(A)by striking
			 three geographical miles and inserting 9 nautical
			 miles; and
							(B)by striking
			 three marine leagues and inserting 9 nautical
			 miles.
							(c)Effect of
			 amendments
						(1)In
			 generalSubject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the amendments
			 made by this section shall not affect Federal oil and gas mineral rights and
			 should not affect the States’ current authority within existing State
			 boundaries.
						(2)Existing
			 leasesThe amendments made by this section shall not affect any
			 Federal oil and gas lease in effect on the date of enactment of this
			 Act.
						(3)Taxation
							(A)In
			 generalA State may exercise all of the sovereign powers of
			 taxation of the State within the entire extent of the seaward boundaries of the
			 State (as extended by the amendments made by this section).
							(B)LimitationNothing
			 in this paragraph affects the authority of a State to tax any Federal oil and
			 gas lease in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
							104.Military
			 operationsThe Secretary shall
			 consult with the Secretary of Defense regarding military operations needs in
			 the Outer Continental Shelf. The Secretary shall work with the Secretary of
			 Defense to resolve any conflicts that might arise between such operations and
			 leasing under this section. If the Secretaries are unable to resolve all such
			 conflicts, any unresolved issues shall be referred by the Secretaries to the
			 President in a timely fashion for immediate resolution.
				105.Coordination
			 with Adjacent StatesSection
			 19 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1345) is amended—
					(1)in subsection (a)
			 in the first sentence by inserting , for any tract located within the
			 Adjacent State’s Adjacent Zone, after government;
			 and
					(2)by adding the
			 following:

							(f)(1)Prior to issuing a
				permit or approval for the construction of a pipeline to transport crude oil,
				natural gas or associated liquids production withdrawn from oil and gas leases
				on the outer Continental Shelf, a Federal agency must seek the concurrence of
				the Adjacent State if the pipeline is to transit the Adjacent State’s Adjacent
				Zone between the outer Continental Shelf and landfall. No State may prohibit
				construction of such a pipeline within its Adjacent Zone or its State waters.
				However, an Adjacent State may require routing of such a pipeline to one of two
				alternate landfall locations in the Adjacent State, designated by the Adjacent
				State, located within 60 miles on either side of a proposed landfall
				location.
								(2)In this subsection:
									(A)The term Adjacent State
				means, with respect to any program, plan, lease sale, leased tract or other
				activity, proposed, conducted, or approved pursuant to the provisions of this
				Act, any State the laws of which are declared, pursuant to section 4(a)(2), to
				be the law of the United States for the portion of the outer Continental Shelf
				on which such program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or activity appertains
				or is, or is proposed to be, conducted. For purposes of this subparagraph, the
				term State includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
				Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American
				Samoa, Guam, and the other territories of the United States.
									(B)The term Adjacent Zone
				means, with respect to any program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or other
				activity, proposed, conducted, or approved pursuant to the provisions of this
				Act, the portion of the outer Continental Shelf for which the laws of a
				particular Adjacent State are declared, pursuant to section 4(a)(2), to be the
				law of the United
				States.
									.
					106.Gulf of Mexico
			 oil and gas
					(a)RepealSection
			 104 of division C of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Public Law
			 109–432; 120 Stat. 3003) is repealed.
					(b)Leasing plan for
			 the Eastern Gulf of MexicoPursuant to sections 101 and 102 of
			 this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue a final leasing plan for
			 the Eastern Gulf of Mexico within 180 days after the date of enactment of this
			 Act for all areas where there exists commercial interest in purchasing Federal
			 oil and gas leases for production.
					107.Sharing of
			 revenues
					(a)In
			 generalSection 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
			 U.S.C. 1337(g)) is amended—
						(1)in paragraph (2)
			 by striking Notwithstanding and inserting Except as
			 provided in paragraph (6), and notwithstanding;
						(2)by redesignating
			 paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (8) and (9); and
						(3)by inserting after
			 paragraph (5) the following:

								(6)Bonus bids and
				royalties under qualified leases
									(A)New
				leasesOf amounts received by the United States as bonus bids,
				royalties, rentals, and other sums collected under any new qualified lease on
				submerged lands made available for leasing under this Act by the enactment of
				the  Infrastructure Jobs and Energy
				Independence Act—
										(i)30
				percent shall be paid to the States that are producing States with respect to
				those submerged lands that are located within the seaward boundaries of such a
				State established under section 4(a)(2)(A);
										(ii)10 percent shall be deposited in the
				general fund of the Treasury used solely for paying off the national debt;
				and
										(iii)60 percent shall
				be deposited in the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve established by paragraph
				(7).
										(B)Leased tract
				that lies partially within the seaward boundaries of a stateIn
				the case of a leased tract that lies partially within the seaward boundaries of
				a State, the amounts of bonus bids and royalties from such tract that are
				subject to subparagraph (A)(ii) with respect to such State shall be a
				percentage of the total amounts of bonus bids and royalties from such tract
				that is equivalent to the total percentage of surface acreage of the tract that
				lies within such seaward boundaries.
									(C)Use of payments
				to statesAmounts paid to a State under subparagraph (A)(ii)
				shall be used by the State for one or more of the following:
										(i)Education.
										(ii)Transportation.
										(iii)Coastal
				restoration, environmental restoration, and beach replenishment.
										(iv)Energy
				infrastructure.
										(v)Renewable energy
				development.
										(vi)Energy efficiency
				and conservation.
										(vii)Any other
				purpose determined by State law.
										(D)DefinitionsIn
				this paragraph:
										(i)Adjacent
				stateThe term Adjacent State means, with respect
				to any program, plan, lease sale, leased tract or other activity, proposed,
				conducted, or approved pursuant to the provisions of this Act, any State the
				laws of which are declared, pursuant to section 4(a)(2), to be the law of the
				United States for the portion of the outer Continental Shelf on which such
				program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or activity appertains or is, or is
				proposed to be, conducted.
										(ii)Adjacent
				zoneThe term Adjacent Zone means, with respect to
				any program, plan, lease sale, leased tract, or other activity, proposed,
				conducted, or approved pursuant to the provisions of this Act, the portion of
				the outer Continental Shelf for which the laws of a particular Adjacent State
				are declared, pursuant to section 4(a)(2), to be the law of the United
				States.
										(iii)Producing
				stateThe term producing State means an Adjacent
				State having an Adjacent Zone containing leased tracts from which are derived
				bonus bids and royalties under a lease under this Act.
										(iv)StateThe
				term State includes Puerto Rico and the other territories of the
				United States.
										(v)Qualified
				leaseThe term qualified lease means a natural gas
				or oil lease made available under this Act granted after the date of the
				enactment of the  Infrastructure Jobs and
				Energy Independence Act, for an area that is available for
				leasing as a result of enactment of section 101 of that Act.
										(E)ApplicationThis
				paragraph shall apply to bonus bids and royalties received by the United States
				under qualified leases after implementation of sections 105 and 106 of the
				 Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence
				Act.
									(F)Existing
				revenuesAll revenues including revenues, including bonus bids,
				royalties, rentals, and other sums, collected from leases issued under this Act
				prior to the enactment  Infrastructure Jobs
				and Energy Independence Act, shall not be affected by the
				provisions of that Act.
									(7)Establishment of
				reserve accounts
									(A)In
				generalFor budgetary purposes, there is established as a
				separate account to receive deposits under paragraph (6)(A)—
										(i)the Infrastructure
				Renewal Reserve which shall be applied to offset the costs of—
											(I)Federal-aid
				highway and highway safety construction programs carried out by the Secretary
				of Transportation;
											(II)public
				transportation programs carried out by the Secretary of Transportation;
											(III)water resources
				development construction projects carried out by the Secretary of the Army
				(acting through the Chief of Engineers); and
											(IV)legislation
				enacted after the date of the enactment of the
				 Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence
				Act for purposes of investment in transportation infrastructure;
				and
											(ii)the Clean Water
				Reserve, to first, offset the cost of construction programs under the Clean
				Water Act or the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act that provide
				assistance, such as grants, matching grants, and no- and low-interest loans, to
				State, county, and local governments to rebuild and modernize clean water and
				sewage infrastructure.
										(B)Deposit of
				balance from SPR Petroleum AccountIn addition to deposits under paragraph
				(6)(A), the Secretary shall transfer to the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve the
				balance of funds in the SPR Petroleum Account on the date of enactment of this
				Act in excess of $10,000,000.
									(C)Procedure for
				adjustments
										(i)Budget committee
				chairmanAfter the reporting of a bill or joint resolution, or
				the offering of an amendment thereto or the submission of a conference report
				thereon, providing funding for the purposes set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of
				subparagraph (A) in excess of the sum of amount of the deposits under paragraph
				(6)(A) for those purposes for fiscal year 2013 and funds deposited under
				subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget
				of the applicable House of Congress shall make the adjustments set forth in
				clause (ii) for the amount of new budget authority and outlays in that measure
				and the outlays flowing from that budget authority.
										(ii)Matters to be
				adjustedThe adjustments referred to in clause (i) are to be made
				to—
											(I)the discretionary
				spending limits, if any, set forth in the appropriate concurrent resolution on
				the budget;
											(II)the allocations
				made pursuant to the appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget pursuant
				to section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and
											(III)the budget
				aggregates contained in the appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget as
				required by section 301(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
											(iii)Amounts of
				adjustmentsThe adjustments referred to in clauses (i) and (ii)
				shall not exceed the receipts estimated by the Congressional Budget Office that
				are attributable to this Act for the fiscal year in which the adjustments are
				made.
										(8)Maintenance of
				effort by StatesThe Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of
				Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Energy, and any other Federal
				official with authority to implement legislation referred to in paragraph
				(6)(A) shall ensure that financial assistance provided to a State under that
				legislation for any purpose with amounts made available under this subsection
				or in any legislation with respect to which paragraph (7) applies supplement,
				and do not replace, the amounts expended by the State for that purpose before
				the date of the enactment of the
				Infrastructure Jobs and Energy Independence Act.
								(9)Distributions
				for Federal-aid highway or highway safety construction programTo the extent practicable, amounts made
				available for a Federal-aid highway or highway safety construction program, the
				costs of which are offset by application of the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve,
				shall be distributed using the apportionment formula that applies to that
				program.
								.
						(b)Establishment of
			 State Seaward BoundariesSection 4(a)(2)(A) of the Outer
			 Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1333(a)(2)(A)) is amended in the first
			 sentence by striking , and the President and all that follows
			 through the end of the sentence and inserting the following: . Such
			 extended lines are deemed to be as indicated on the maps for each Outer
			 Continental Shelf region entitled Alaska OCS Region State Adjacent Zone
			 and OCS Planning Areas, Pacific OCS Region State Adjacent Zones
			 and OCS Planning Areas, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region State Adjacent
			 Zones and OCS Planning Areas, and Atlantic OCS Region State
			 Adjacent Zones and OCS Planning Areas, all of which are dated September
			 2005 and on file in the Office of the Director, Minerals Management Service.
			 The preceding sentence shall not apply with respect to the treatment under
			 section 105 of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (title I of
			 division C of Public Law 109–432) of qualified outer Continental Shelf revenues
			 deposited and disbursed under subsection (a)(2) of that
			 section..
					108.Inventory of
			 offshore energy resources
					(a)In
			 generalThe Secretary of the Interior (in this section referred
			 to as the Secretary) shall promptly prepare an inventory of
			 offshore energy resources of the United States, including through conduct of
			 geological and geophysical explorations by private industry in all of the
			 United States outer Continental Shelf areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the
			 Pacific Ocean under part 251 of title 30, Code of Federal Regulations (or
			 successor regulations).
					(b)Environmental
			 studiesNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary shall complete any environmental studies necessary to
			 gather information essential to an accurate inventory, including geological and
			 geophysical explorations under part 251 of title 30, Code of Federal
			 Regulations (or successor regulations).
					(c)Effect on oil
			 and gas leasingNo inventory that is conducted under this section
			 or any other Federal law (including regulations) shall restrict, limit, delay,
			 or otherwise adversely affect—
						(1)the development of
			 any Outer Continental Shelf leasing program under section 18 of the Outer
			 Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344); or
						(2)any leasing,
			 exploration, development, or production of any Federal offshore oil and gas
			 leases.
						(d)Funding
						(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary of the Treasury shall make a one-time
			 transfer to the Secretary, without further appropriation and from royalties
			 collected by the United States in conjunction with the production of oil and
			 gas, of such sums as are necessary for the Secretary to carry out this
			 section.
						(2)LimitationThe
			 amount transferred under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $50,000,000.
						109.Prohibitions on
			 surface occupancy and other appropriate environmental safeguards
					(a)Regulations
						(1)In
			 general
							(A)environmental
			 safeguardsThe Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate
			 regulations that establish appropriate environmental safeguards for the
			 exploration and production of oil and natural gas on the outer Continental
			 Shelf.
							(B)Safety
			 protocolsAll operations, including under any permit issued
			 pursuant to an application for a permit to drill or an application for a permit
			 to sidetrack, that has been approved by the Minerals Management Service or the
			 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, for purposes of
			 outer Continental Shelf energy exploration or development and production, shall
			 be carried out in accordance with the safety protocols contained in part 250 of
			 title 30, Code of Federal Regulations.
							(2)RequirementsThe
			 regulations shall include provisions ensuring that—
							(A)no surface
			 facility shall be installed for the purpose of production of oil or gas
			 resources in any area that is within 10 miles from the shore of any coastal
			 State, in any area of the outer Continental Shelf that has not previously been
			 made available for oil and gas leasing;
							(B)only temporary
			 surface facilities are installed for areas that are located—
								(i)beyond 10 miles
			 from the shore from the shore of any coastal State, in any area of the Outer
			 Continental Shelf that has not previously been made available for oil and gas
			 leasing; and
								(ii)not
			 more than 20 miles from the shore;
								(C)the impact of
			 offshore production facilities on coastal vistas is otherwise mitigated;
			 and
							(D)onshore facilities
			 that are able to draw upon the resources of the outer Continental Shelf within
			 10 miles of shore are allowed.
							(b)Conforming
			 amendmentSection 105 of the Department of the Interior,
			 Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109–54;
			 119 Stat. 521) (as amended by section 103(d) of the Gulf of Mexico Energy
			 Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note; Public Law 109–432)) is amended by
			 inserting and any other area that the Secretary of the Interior may
			 offer for leasing, preleasing, or any related activity under section 104 of
			 that Act after 2006).
					BExpedited Judicial
			 Review
				121.DefinitionsIn this subtitle:
					(1)Authorizing
			 leasing statuteThe term authorizing leasing
			 statute means the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et
			 seq.), the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), the Mineral Leasing Act
			 for Acquired Lands (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.), and any other law of the United
			 States directing or authorizing the leasing of Federal lands for oil and gas
			 production or transmission.
					(2)Covered oil and
			 natural gas activityThe term covered oil and natural gas
			 activity means—
						(A)the leasing of any
			 lands pursuant to an authorizing leasing statute for the exploration,
			 development, production, processing, or transmission of oil, natural gas, or
			 associated hydrocarbons, including actions or decisions relating to the
			 selection of which lands may or shall be made available for such leasing;
			 and
						(B)any activity taken
			 or proposed to be taken pursuant or in relation to such leases, including their
			 suspension, and any environmental analyses relating to such activity.
						122.Exclusive
			 jurisdiction over causes and claims relating to covered oil and natural gas
			 activitiesNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, any Federal action approving any covered oil and
			 natural gas activity shall be subject to judicial review only—
					(1)in the United
			 States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and
					(2)after the person
			 filing a petition seeking such judicial review has exhausted all available
			 administrative remedies with respect to such Federal action.
					123.Time for filing
			 petition; standing
					(a)In
			 generalAll petitions referred to in section 122 must be filed
			 within 30 days after the latter of the challenged Federal action or the
			 exhaustion of all available administrative remedies with respect to such
			 Federal action. A claim or challenge shall be barred unless it is filed within
			 the time specified.
					(b)StandingNo
			 person whose legal rights will not be directly and adversely affected by the
			 challenged action, and who is not within the zone of interest protected by each
			 Act under which the challenge is brought, shall have standing to file any
			 petition referred to in section 122.
					124.TimetableThe United States Court of Appeals for the
			 District of Columbia Circuit shall complete all judicial review, including
			 rendering a judgment, before the end of the 120-day period beginning on the
			 date on which a petition referred to in section 122 is filed, unless all
			 parties to such proceeding agree to an extension of such period.
				125.Limitation on
			 scope of review and relief
					(a)Administrative
			 findings and conclusionsIn any judicial review referred to in
			 section 122, any administrative findings and conclusions relating to the
			 challenged Federal action shall be presumed to be correct unless shown
			 otherwise by clear and convincing evidence contained in the administrative
			 record.
					(b)Limitation on
			 prospective reliefIn any judicial review referred to in section
			 122, the Court shall not grant or approve any prospective relief unless the
			 court finds that such relief is narrowly drawn, extends no further than
			 necessary to correct the violation of a Federal law requirement, and is the
			 least intrusive means necessary to correct the violation concerned.
					126.Presidential
			 waiverNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, the President may waive any legal requirement relating
			 to the approval of any covered oil and natural gas activity if the President
			 determines in the President’s sole discretion that such activity is important
			 to the national interest and outweighs such legal requirement.
				127.Legal
			 feesAny person filing a
			 petition referred to in section 122 who is not a prevailing party shall pay to
			 the prevailing parties (including intervening parties), other than the United
			 States, fees and other expenses incurred by that party in connection with the
			 judicial review, unless the Court finds that the position of the person was
			 substantially justified or that special circumstances make an award
			 unjust.
				128.ExclusionSection 122 shall not apply to disputes
			 between the parties to a lease issued pursuant to an authorizing leasing
			 statute regarding the obligations of such lease or the alleged breach
			 thereof.
				COther Energy
			 Provisions
				131.Policies
			 regarding buying and building American
					(a)Intent of
			 CongressIt is the intent of the Congress that this Act, among
			 other things, result in a healthy and growing American industrial,
			 manufacturing, transportation, and service sector employing the vast talents of
			 America’s workforce to assist in the development of energy from domestic
			 sources. Moreover, the Congress intends to monitor the deployment of personnel
			 and material onshore and offshore to encourage the development of American
			 technology and manufacturing to enable United States workers to benefit from
			 this Act by good jobs and careers, as well as the establishment of important
			 industrial facilities to support expanded access to American resources.
					(b)Safeguard for
			 extraordinary abilitySection 30(a) of the Outer Continental
			 Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1356(a)) is amended in the matter preceding
			 paragraph (1) by striking regulations which and inserting
			 regulations that shall be supplemental and complimentary with and under
			 no circumstances a substitution for the provisions of the Constitution and laws
			 of the United States extended to the subsoil and seabed of the outer
			 Continental Shelf pursuant to section 4 of this Act, except insofar as such
			 laws would otherwise apply to individuals who have extraordinary ability in the
			 sciences, arts, education, or business, which has been demonstrated by
			 sustained national or international acclaim, and that.
					(c)Work
			 standardsAll construction, repair, or alteration of public
			 buildings and public works of the Government and buildings or works financed or
			 otherwise assisted in whole or in part under this Act by a loan, loan
			 guarantee, grant, annual contribution, credit enhancement, or any other form of
			 Federal assistance authorized under this Act shall be performed in accordance
			 with the standards applicable to comparable activity under any other provision
			 of law, without regard to the form or type of Federal assistance provided
			 thereunder.
					IIModifying the
			 Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Funding Conservation and Energy Research and
			 Development
			201.FindingsCongress finds the following:
				(1)The Strategic
			 Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was created by Congress in 1975, to protect the Nation
			 from any future oil supply disruptions. When the program was established,
			 United States refiners were capable of handling light crude and medium crude
			 and the makeup of the SPR matched this capacity. This is not the case
			 today.
				(2)A
			 GAO analysis found that nearly half of the refineries considered vulnerable to
			 supply disruptions are not compatible with the types of oil currently stored in
			 the SPR and would be unable to maintain normal refining capacity if forced to
			 rely on SPR oil as currently constituted, thereby reducing the effectiveness of
			 the SPR in the event of a supply disruption. GAO concluded that the SPR should
			 be comprised of at least 10 percent heavy crude.
				(3)This Act
			 implements the GAO recommendation and dedicates funds received from the
			 transactions to existing energy conservation, research, and assistance
			 programs.
				202.DefinitionsIn this title—
				(1)the term
			 light grade petroleum means crude oil with an API gravity of 35
			 degrees or higher;
				(2)the term
			 heavy grade petroleum means crude oil with an API gravity of 26
			 degrees or lower; and
				(3)the term
			 Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
				203.ObjectivesThe objectives of this title are as
			 follows:
				(1)To modernize the
			 composition of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to reflect the current
			 processing capabilities of refineries in the United States.
				(2)To provide
			 increased funding to accelerate conservation, energy research and development,
			 and assistance through existing programs.
				204.Modification of
			 the Strategic Petroleum ReserveNotwithstanding section 161 of the Energy
			 Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6241), the Secretary shall publish a
			 plan not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act to—
				(1)exchange as soon
			 as possible light grade petroleum from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, in an
			 amount equal to 10 percent of the total number of barrels of crude oil in the
			 Reserve as of the date of enactment of this Act, for an equivalent volume of
			 heavy grade petroleum plus any additional cash bonus bids received that reflect
			 the difference in the market value between light grade petroleum and heavy
			 grade petroleum and the timing of deliveries of the heavy grade petroleum;
				(2)from the gross
			 proceeds of the cash bonus bids, deposit the amount necessary to pay for the
			 direct administrative and operational costs of the exchange into the SPR
			 Petroleum Account established under section 167 of the Energy Policy and
			 Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6247); and
				(3)deposit 90 percent of the remaining net
			 proceeds from the exchange into the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve established
			 in section 107.


116 S1966 IS: Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-06-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1966IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 25, 2019Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Cramer, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. Ernst, and Mr. Daines) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo prohibit Federal funding to entities that do not certify the entities will not perform, or
			 provide any funding to any other entity that performs, an abortion.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2019. 2.Prohibition on abortion (a)ProhibitionNo Federal funds may be provided (directly or indirectly, including through contract or subcontract) to an entity unless the entity certifies that, during the period for which such funds are provided, the entity will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion.
 (b)ExceptionSubsection (a) does not apply with respect to an abortion where— (1)the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest; or
 (2)a physician certifies that the woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-threatening physical condition caused by, or arising from, the pregnancy itself.
 (c)HospitalsSubsection (a) does not apply with respect to a hospital, so long as such hospital does not, during the period for which funds described in subsection (a) are provided to such hospital, provide funds to any non-hospital entity that performs an abortion (other than an abortion described in subsection (b)).
 (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)The term entity means the entire legal entity, including any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such entity.
 (2)The term hospital has the meaning given such term in section 1861(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(e)).


		II
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1656
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			June 19, 2007
			Ms. Snowe (for herself
			 and Mr. Kerry) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Small Business and
			 Entrepreneurship

		A BILL
		To authorize loans for renewable energy systems and
		  energy efficiency projects under the Express Loan Program of the Small Business
		  Administration.

		1.Express loans for renewable
			 energy and energy efficiencySection 7(a)(31) of the Small
			 Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(31)) is amended by adding at the end
			 the following:

				(F)Express loans
				for renewable energy and energy efficiency
					(i)DefinitionsIn
				this subparagraph—
						(I)the term
				biomass—
							(aa)means any
				organic material that is available on a renewable or recurring basis,
				including—
								(AA)agricultural
				crops;
								(BB)trees grown for
				energy production;
								(CC)wood waste and
				wood residues;
								(DD)plants
				(including aquatic plants and grasses);
								(EE)residues;
								(FF)fibers;
								(GG)animal wastes
				and other waste materials; and
								(HH)fats, oils, and
				greases (including recycled fats, oils, and greases); and
								(bb)does not
				include—
								(AA)paper that is
				commonly recycled; or
								(BB)unsegregated
				solid waste;
								(II)the term
				energy efficiency project means the installation or upgrading of
				equipment that results in a significant reduction in energy usage; and
						(III)the term
				renewable energy system means a system of energy derived
				from—
							(aa)a
				wind, solar, biomass (including biodiesel), or geothermal source; or
							(bb)hydrogen derived
				from biomass or water using an energy source described in item (aa).
							(ii)LoansLoans
				may be made under the Express Loan Program for the purpose
				of—
						(I)purchasing a
				renewable energy system; or
						(II)an energy
				efficiency project for an existing
				business.
						.


116 S2899 IS: Student Apprenticeship Act of 2019
U.S. Senate
2019-11-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 2899IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESNovember 19, 2019Mr. Bennet introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to support apprenticeship programs.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Student Apprenticeship Act of 2019.
 2.Apprenticeship programsTitle VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1133 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				FApprenticeship programs
					791.Grants to support apprenticeship programs
 (a)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Apprenticeship programThe term apprenticeship program means a program that is registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) on November 7, 2019, and is in compliance with the regulations promulgated to carry out such Act under part 29 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of introduction of this Act in the Senate.
 (2)Postsecondary apprenticeship programThe term postsecondary apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program that meets the requirements of a recognized postsecondary credential conferred by an institution of higher education as established by the relevant State agency in the State where the program is delivered.
 (3)Recognized postsecondary credentialThe term recognized postsecondary credential means a credential consisting of an industry-recognized certificate, that is credit-bearing at the institution of higher education from which it is conferred, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
 (4)Student apprenticeThe term student apprentice means an individual who is— (A)enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education for the purpose of obtaining a recognized postsecondary credential (which provides credit toward a postsecondary degree) offered by that institution and is a participant in a postsecondary apprenticeship program; and
 (B)a worker at least 16 years of age, except where a higher minimum age standard is otherwise fixed by law, who is employed to learn an apprenticeable occupation, as described in section 29.4 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on November 7, 2019), under standards of apprenticeship fulfilling the requirements of section 29.5 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on November 7, 2019).
 (5)Workforce intermediaryThe term workforce intermediary— (A)means an entity, which may be part of an industry or sector partnership, that demonstrates expertise in building, connecting, sustaining, and measuring the performance of partnerships in order for the entity to broker services, resources, and supports for development, delivery, expansion, or improvement of postsecondary apprenticeship programs, and of the organizations and systems that are designed to serve covered student apprentices and employer partners, including—
 (i)connecting employers to apprenticeship opportunities; (ii)assisting in the design and implementation of postsecondary apprenticeship programs, including curriculum development and delivery for related instruction;
 (iii)supporting entities, and sponsors or program administrators, in meeting the registration and reporting requirements;
 (iv)providing professional development activities such as training to mentors; (v)connecting students or workers to apprenticeship opportunities; and
 (vi)developing and providing personalized covered apprentice supports, including supportive services and financial advising; and
 (B)includes a State workforce development board or local workforce development board, as established under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or State workforce agency.
								(b)Grant program
 (1)In generalThe Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Labor, shall award grants to eligible partnerships to enable the partnerships to develop and implement a postsecondary apprenticeship program.
 (2)DurationGrants awarded under this section shall be 4 or 5 years in duration. (3)Eligible partnership (A)In generalIn this section, the term eligible partnership means a partnership that—
 (i)shall include— (I)an institution of higher education or a consortium of such institutions;
 (II)an individual employer or consortium of employers; and
 (III)a workforce intermediary, unless waived by the Secretary because the partnership demonstrates that a high-quality program is in place or it would be a hardship to include a workforce intermediary; and
 (ii)may include— (I)a State agency responsible for the administration of career and technical education in the State or for the supervision of the administration of career and technical education in the State;
 (II)a labor organization; (III)an economic development agency or organization, such as a chamber of commerce, business alliance, or industry association;
 (IV)a community-based organization; (V)a State educational agency; or
 (VI)a local educational agency. (B)Fiscal agentThe lead fiscal agent of an eligible partnership shall be any of the following:
 (i)An institution of higher education. (ii)An industry association.
 (iii)A workforce intermediary that is an entity that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
									(4)Application
 (A)In generalAn eligible partnership that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.
 (B)InclusionsAn application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i)a plan to recruit and retain a high number or high percentage of participants who are from nontraditional apprenticeship populations, including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with barriers to employment, such as opportunity youth, low-income youth and adults, young adults and adults of color, and individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system;
 (ii)letters of support and a labor market analysis that demonstrate that the occupation for which the program prepares participants—
 (I)is feasible and in demand;
 (II)is a high growth, high wage occupation; and (III)is a response to in-demand industry sectors or occupations as determined by the State or local workforce boards;
 (iii)a plan for reaching desired outcomes, as described in paragraph (7); (iv)a plan for ensuring that the partnership has the capacity to access data to measure desired outcomes and the outcomes described in clause (v); and
 (v)a plan for— (I)increasing associate or baccalaureate degree and credential attainment;
 (II)how tuition and mandatory fees expenses will be covered with the goal of the program being tuition free and debt free for students;
 (III)the employer of the partnership to cover not less than 25 percent of the tuition and mandatory fees;
 (IV)sustaining the program for at least 20 months beyond the grant period; and (V)including a provider of support or specialized services, such as financial counseling.
 (C)Description of instructionIn addition to the information described in subparagraph (B), an application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include a description of the organized, related instruction the apprentice will receive in technical subjects related to the occupation for which the program prepares participants, which—
 (i)shall include not less than 2000 hours of on the job learning and a recommended 144 hours for each year (with an allowance for a student to spread it out over 2 years) of related technical instruction unless an alternative requirement is put forth by the employer and sponsor that reflects industry standards and is accepted by the Secretary;
 (ii)may be accomplished through credit-bearing classroom instruction, occupational or industry courses, instruction provided through electronic media, or other instruction approved by the registration agency;
 (iii)shall be provided by one or more qualified instructors who— (I)(aa)meet the career technical education instructor requirements of the applicable education agency of the State of registration; or
 (bb)are subject matter experts, defined for purposes of this subparagraph as individuals (including journeyworkers) recognized within an industry as having expertise in a specific occupation; and
 (II)have training in teaching techniques and learning styles or will obtain such training before an instructor begins providing the related technical instruction; and
 (iv)shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be aligned to a career pathway, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
 (5)SelectionThe Secretary shall, in selecting eligible partnerships to receive grants under this section— (A)consider the equitable geographic distribution of grants among rural and urban areas; and
 (B)leverage significant State, local, institutional, or private resources, including in-kind contributions, to support the activities assisted under this section.
								(6)Use of grant funds
 (A)In generalAn eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to develop and implement a postsecondary apprenticeship program in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
 (B)Permissible use of fundsAn eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section to develop and implement a postsecondary apprenticeship program may use the grant funds for any of the following:
 (i)Program design and implementation costs, including— (I)development of curricula and standards;
 (II)development of a competency-based approach to awarding credits; and (III)use of subject matter experts in instructional delivery or curriculum design.
 (ii)Development of on-the-job learning, mentoring, and additional supervision structures and professional development for mentors and supervisors.
 (iii)Tuition for the related instruction of the apprenticeship.
 (iv)Development of articulation agreements with institutions of higher education that result in awarding an associate's or higher degree.
 (v)Assessment of prior learning for the purpose of awarding credit. (vi)Certifying examinations.
 (vii)Recruitment of student apprentices. (viii)Need-based supportive services, including tutoring, transportation, child care, and housing subsidies.
 (ix)Not more than 20 percent of grant funds for the purchase of updated equipment. (x)Not more than 10 percent of grant funds for administrative functions, such as program management and grant reporting.
 (xi)Aligning data reporting for academic programs and apprenticeships. (C)Prohibited use of fundsAn eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section may not use any of the grant funds directly to pay wages to a student apprentice.
 (7)AssessmentAn eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section shall monitor and report on the following participant-level outcomes:
 (A)With respect to interim outcomes— (i)the number of student apprentices in the program;
 (ii)the percentage of participants who are from nontraditional apprenticeship populations, including women, historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with barriers to employment;
 (iii)outcomes for the participants described in clause (ii); (iv)the accumulation of postsecondary credit;
 (v)the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential; and (vi)wage increases realized during the course of the apprenticeship.
 (B)Completions— (i)that are on time, disaggregated by credit, credential, or degree received; and
 (ii)that are within 150 percent of the expected time of completion, disaggregated by credit, credential, or degree received.
 (C)With respect to end-of-program outcomes for both participants who complete the program and participants who do not complete the program each of the following:
 (i)The accumulation of postsecondary credit toward a degree reported not later than one year after the end of the grant period.
 (ii)The share of enrolled students who attain a postsecondary degree reported not later than one year after the end of the grant period.
 (iii)The share of enrolled students who attain a recognized postsecondary credential reported not later than one year after the end of the grant period.
 (iv)Subsequent enrollment in advanced education, disaggregated by level. (v)Whether the place of employment for participants aligns with area of study disaggregated by students who completed the program and students who did not complete the program reported not later than one year after the end of the grant period. Such data may be collected through a survey.
 (vi)Unsubsidized employment rate after the second quarter after exit from the program. (vii)Unsubsidized employment rate after the fourth quarter after exit from the program.
 (viii)Median earnings after the second and fourth quarters after exit from the program. (c)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years..
 3.Federal Work Study fundingSection 442 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–52) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				(f)Funding for student apprentices
 (1)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this part and subject to paragraph (2)— (A)the apprenticeship program of a student apprentice (as defined in section 791) shall qualify as a work-study program that is eligible for assistance under this part; and
 (B)funds appropriated to carry out this part may be used by the Secretary to pay the tuition of such student apprentices except that Federal work study should not supplant the wages of student apprentices.
 (2)Employer contributionAn employer of a student apprentice under an apprenticeship program that qualifies as a work-study program that is eligible for assistance under this part shall pay not less than the non-Federal share equal to 25 percent of the compensation of such student apprentice..


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1929
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 30, 2011
			Mr. Blumenthal (for
			 himself, Mr. Lieberman,
			 Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Blunt, Mr.
			 Schumer, Mrs. Gillibrand, and
			 Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following
			 bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in
		  commemoration of Mark Twain.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Mark Twain Commemorative Coin
			 Act.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds the following:
			(1)Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain,
			 was a unique American voice whose literary work has had a lasting effect on the
			 history and culture of the United States.
			(2)Mark Twain remains one of the best known
			 Americans in the world, with over 6,500 editions of his books translated into
			 75 languages.
			(3)The literary and
			 educational legacy of Mark Twain remains strong. Nearly every book he wrote is
			 still in print, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of
			 Huckleberry Finn, neither of which has gone out of print since it was first
			 published, more than a century ago.
			(4)In the past 2
			 decades alone, there have been more than 100 books published and more than 250
			 doctoral dissertations written on the life and work of Mark Twain.
			(5)Even today, people in the United States
			 seek to know more about the life and work of Mark Twain. People from around the
			 world and all 50 States visit national historic landmarks like the Mark Twain
			 House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and
			 Museum in Hannibal, Missouri.
			(6)The work of Mark
			 Twain is remembered for addressing the complex social issues facing the United
			 States at the turn of the century, including the legacy of the Civil War, race
			 relations, and the economic inequalities of the so-called Gilded
			 Age.
			3.Coin
			 specifications
			(a)DenominationsThe Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in
			 this Act referred to as the Secretary) shall mint and issue the
			 following coins in commemoration of Mark Twain:
				(1)$5 gold
			 coinsNot more than 100,000 $5 coins, which shall—
					(A)weigh 8.359
			 grams;
					(B)have a diameter of
			 0.850 inches; and
					(C)contain 90 percent
			 gold and 10 percent alloy.
					(2)$1 silver
			 coinsNot more than 350,000 $1 coins, which shall—
					(A)weigh 26.73
			 grams;
					(B)have a diameter of
			 1.500 inches; and
					(C)contain 90 percent
			 silver and 10 percent copper.
					(b)Legal
			 tenderThe coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, as
			 provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
			(c)Numismatic
			 itemsFor purposes of section 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United
			 States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered to be
			 numismatic items.
			4.Design of
			 coins
			(a)Design
			 requirements
				(1)In
			 generalThe design of the
			 coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the life and legacy of Mark
			 Twain.
				(2)Designation and
			 inscriptionsOn each coin minted under this Act there shall
			 be—
					(A)a designation of
			 the value of the coin;
					(B)an inscription of
			 the year 2016; and
					(C)inscriptions of
			 the words Liberty, In God We Trust, United
			 States of America, and E Pluribus Unum.
					(b)SelectionThe
			 design for the coins minted under this Act shall be—
				(1)selected by the Secretary after
			 consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Board of the Mark Twain
			 House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut; and
				(2)reviewed by the
			 Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
				5.Issuance of
			 coins
			(a)Quality of
			 coinsCoins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated
			 and proof qualities.
			(b)Mint
			 facilityOnly 1 facility of the United States Mint may be used to
			 strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this Act.
			(c)Period for
			 issuanceThe Secretary may issue coins minted under this Act only
			 during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2016.
			6.Sale of
			 coins
			(a)Sale
			 priceThe coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the
			 Secretary at a price equal to the sum of—
				(1)the face value of
			 the coins;
				(2)the surcharge
			 provided in section 7(a) with respect to such coins; and
				(3)the cost of
			 designing and issuing the coins (including labor, materials, dies, use of
			 machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping).
				(b)Bulk
			 salesThe Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins issued
			 under this Act at a reasonable discount.
			(c)Prepaid
			 orders
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall accept prepaid orders for the coins
			 minted under this Act before the issuance of such coins.
				(2)DiscountSale
			 prices with respect to prepaid orders under paragraph (1) shall be at a
			 reasonable discount.
				7.Surcharges
			(a)In
			 generalAll sales of coins issued under this Act shall include a
			 surcharge of—
				(1)$35 per coin for
			 the $5 coin; and
				(2)$10 per coin for
			 the $1 coin.
				(b)DistributionSubject
			 to section 5134(f)(1) of title 31, United States Code, all surcharges received
			 by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly
			 paid by the Secretary as follows:
				(1)One-fourth of the surcharges shall be paid
			 to the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, to support the
			 restoration of the Mark Twain house and grounds and to ensure growth and
			 innovation in museum programming to research, promote, and educate on the
			 legacy of Mark Twain.
				(2)One-fourth of the surcharges shall be paid
			 to the Mark Twain Project at the Bancroft Library of the University of
			 California, Berkeley, California, to support programs to study and promote the
			 legacy of Mark Twain.
				(3)One-fourth of the surcharges shall be paid
			 to the Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College, New York, to support
			 programs to study and promote the legacy of Mark Twain.
				(4)One-fourth of the surcharges shall be paid
			 to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri, to preserve
			 historical sites relating to Mark Twain and to support programs to study and
			 promote the legacy of Mark Twain.
				(c)AuditsThe
			 Comptroller General of the United States shall have the right to examine such
			 books, records, documents, and other data of each of the organizations referred
			 to in subsection (b) as may be related to the expenditures of amounts paid
			 under that subsection.
			(d)LimitationNotwithstanding
			 subsection (a), no surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under
			 this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the time of such
			 issuance, the issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative
			 coin programs issued during such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin
			 program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States
			 Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act). The Secretary of
			 the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out this subsection.


115 HR 2349 IH: Hands off Passengers Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-05-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2349IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 3, 2017Mr. Turner introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo require the Secretary of Transportation to modify a regulation regarding the involuntary
			 deplaning or denial of boarding a flight of any passenger on an oversold
			 flight to accommodate a member of the air carrier’s flight crew or staff.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Hands off Passengers Act. 2.No bumping for flight crewThe Secretary of Transportation shall modify part 250 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to prohibit the involuntary deplaning or denial of boarding a flight of any passenger holding a confirmed reserved seat on an oversold flight to accommodate a member of the air carrier’s flight crew or staff.


110 HCON 85 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of National

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IV
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. CON. RES. 85
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 8, 2007
			Mr. Markey (for
			 himself and Mr. Stearns) submitted the
			 following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Energy and
			 Commerce

		CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
		Supporting the goals and ideals of National
		  Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

		Whereas cystic fibrosis is one of the most common
			 life-threatening genetic diseases in the United States and one for which there
			 is no known cure;
		Whereas the average life expectancy of an individual with
			 cystic fibrosis is nearly 37 years—an improvement relative to the 1960s when
			 children with cystic fibrosis did not live long enough to attend elementary
			 school, but still unacceptably short;
		Whereas approximately 30,000 people in the United States
			 have cystic fibrosis, more than half of them children;
		Whereas one of every 3,500 babies born in the United
			 States is born with cystic fibrosis;
		Whereas more than 10,000,000 Americans are unknowing,
			 symptom-free carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene;
		Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
			 recommends that all States consider newborn screening for cystic
			 fibrosis;
		Whereas the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation urges all States to
			 implement newborn screening for cystic fibrosis to facilitate early diagnosis
			 and treatment which improves health and life expectancy;
		Whereas prompt, aggressive treatment of the symptoms of
			 cystic fibrosis can extend the lives of people who have the disease;
		Whereas recent advances in cystic fibrosis research have
			 produced promising leads in gene, protein, and drug therapies beneficial to
			 people who have the disease;
		Whereas innovative research is progressing faster and is
			 being conducted more aggressively than ever before, due, in part, to the Cystic
			 Fibrosis Foundation’s establishment of a model clinical trials network;
		Whereas although the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation continues
			 to fund a research pipeline for more than two dozen potential therapies and
			 funds a nationwide network of care centers that extend the length and quality
			 of life for people with cystic fibrosis, lives continue to be lost to this
			 disease every day;
		Whereas education of the public about cystic fibrosis,
			 including the symptoms of the disease, increases knowledge and understanding of
			 cystic fibrosis and promotes early diagnosis; and
		Whereas the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will conduct
			 activities to honor National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May, 2007: Now,
			 therefore, be it

		That the Congress—
			(1)honors the goals
			 and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month;
			(2)promotes further
			 public awareness and understanding of cystic fibrosis;
			(3)advocates for
			 increased support for people with cystic fibrosis and their families;
			(4)encourages early
			 diagnosis and access to high-quality care for people with cystic fibrosis to
			 improve the quality of their lives; and
			(5)supports research
			 to find a cure for cystic fibrosis by fostering an enhanced research program
			 through a strong Federal commitment and expanded public-private
			 partnerships.