110 HR 2357 IH: MediKids Health Insurance Act of

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-05-17
text/xml
EN
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		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2357
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 17, 2007
			Mr. Stark (for
			 himself, Mr. Abercrombie,
			 Ms. Baldwin,
			 Mr. Berman,
			 Mrs. Christensen,
			 Mr. Clay, Mr. Al Green of Texas,
			 Mr. Gene Green of Texas,
			 Mr. Grijalva,
			 Mr. Hastings of Florida,
			 Mr. Hinchey,
			 Mr. Honda,
			 Mr. Kucinich,
			 Ms. Matsui,
			 Mrs. McCarthy of New York,
			 Mr. McDermott,
			 Mr. McGovern,
			 Mr. McNulty,
			 Mr. George Miller of California,
			 Mr. Rangel,
			 Mr. Rush, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms.
			 Schwartz, Mr. Sherman, and
			 Mr. Wu) introduced the following bill;
			 which was referred to the Committee on
			 Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on
			 Energy and Commerce, for
			 a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
			 consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
			 committee concerned

		A BILL
		To amend the Social Security Act to guarantee
		  comprehensive health care coverage for all children born after
		  2008.

		1.Short title; table of
			 contents; findings
			(a)Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as the MediKids Health Insurance Act of
			 2007.
			(b)Table of
			 contentsThe table of contents of this Act is as follows:

					Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents; findings.
					Sec. 2. Benefits for all children born after
				2008.
						Title XXII—MediKids Program
						Sec. 2201. Eligibility.
						Sec. 2202. Benefits.
						Sec. 2203. Premiums.
						Sec. 2204. MediKids Trust Fund.
						Sec. 2205. Oversight and accountability.
						Sec. 2206. Inclusion of care coordination services.
						Sec. 2207. Administration and
				  miscellaneous.
					Sec. 3. MediKids premium.
					Sec. 4. Refundable credit for certain cost-sharing expenses
				under MediKids program.
					Sec. 5. Report on long-term revenues.

			(c)FindingsCongress
			 finds the following:
				(1)More than 9
			 million American children are uninsured.
				(2)Children who are
			 uninsured receive less medical care and less preventive care and have a poorer
			 level of health, which result in lifetime costs to themselves and to the entire
			 American economy.
				(3)Although SCHIP and
			 Medicaid are successfully extending a health coverage safety net to a growing
			 portion of the vulnerable low-income population of uninsured children, they
			 alone cannot achieve 100 percent health insurance coverage for our nation’s
			 children due to inevitable gaps during outreach and enrollment, fluctuations in
			 eligibility, variations in access to private insurance at all income levels,
			 and variations in States’ ability to provide required matching funds.
				(4)As all segments of
			 society continue to become more transient, with many changes in employment over
			 the working lifetime of parents, the need for a reliable safety net of health
			 insurance which follows children across State lines, already a major problem
			 for the children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, will become a major
			 concern for all families in the United States.
				(5)The medicare
			 program has successfully evolved over the years to provide a stable, universal
			 source of health insurance for the nation’s disabled and those over age 65, and
			 provides a tested model for designing a program to reach out to America’s
			 children.
				(6)The problem of
			 insuring 100 percent of all American children could be gradually solved by
			 automatically enrolling all children born after December 31, 2008, in a program
			 modeled after Medicare (and to be known as MediKids), and
			 allowing those children to be transferred into other equivalent or better
			 insurance programs, including either private insurance, SCHIP, or Medicaid, if
			 they are eligible to do so, but maintaining the child’s default enrollment in
			 MediKids for any times when the child’s access to other sources of insurance is
			 lost.
				(7)A
			 family’s freedom of choice to use other insurers to cover children would not be
			 interfered with in any way, and children eligible for SCHIP and Medicaid would
			 continue to be enrolled in those programs, but the underlying safety net of
			 MediKids would always be available to cover any gaps in insurance due to
			 changes in medical condition, employment, income, or marital status, or other
			 changes affecting a child’s access to alternate forms of insurance.
				(8)The MediKids
			 program can be administered without impacting the finances or status of the
			 existing Medicare program.
				(9)The MediKids
			 benefit package can be tailored to the special needs of children and updated
			 over time.
				(10)The financing of
			 the program can be administered without difficulty by a yearly payment of
			 affordable premiums through a family’s tax filing (or adjustment of a family’s
			 earned income tax credit).
				(11)The cost of the
			 program will gradually rise as the number of children using MediKids as the
			 insurer of last resort increases, and a future Congress always can accelerate
			 or slow down the enrollment process as desired, while the societal costs for
			 emergency room usage, lost productivity and work days, and poor health status
			 for the next generation of Americans will decline.
				(12)Over time 100
			 percent of American children will always have basic health insurance, and we
			 can therefore expect a healthier, more equitable, and more productive
			 society.
				2.Benefits for all
			 children born after 2008
			(a)In
			 generalThe Social Security
			 Act is amended by adding at the end the following new title:

					XXIIMediKids
				Program
						2201.Eligibility
							(a)Eligibility of
				individuals born after December 31, 2008; all children under 23 years of age in
				fifth yearAn individual who meets the following requirements
				with respect to a month is eligible to enroll under this title with respect to
				such month:
								(1)Age
									(A)First
				yearAs of the first day of the first year in which this title is
				effective, the individual has not attained 6 years of age.
									(B)Second
				yearAs of the first day of
				the second year in which this title is effective, the individual has not
				attained 11 years of age.
									(C)Third
				yearAs of the first day of
				the third year in which this title is effective, the individual has not
				attained 16 years of age.
									(D)Fourth
				yearAs of the first day of
				the fourth year in which this title is effective, the individual has not
				attained 21 years of age.
									(E)Fifth and
				subsequent yearsAs of the
				first day of the fifth year in which this title is effective and each
				subsequent year, the individual has not attained 23 years of age.
									(2)CitizenshipThe
				individual is a citizen or national of the United States or is permanently
				residing in the United States under color of law.
								(b)Enrollment
				processAn individual may enroll in the program established under
				this title only in such manner and form as may be prescribed by regulations,
				and only during an enrollment period prescribed by the Secretary consistent
				with the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall provide a process
				under which—
								(1)individuals who
				are born in the United States after December 31, 2008, are deemed to be
				enrolled at the time of birth and a parent or guardian of such an individual is
				permitted to pre-enroll in the month prior to the expected month of
				birth;
								(2)individuals who
				are born outside the United States after such date and who become eligible to
				enroll by virtue of immigration into (or an adjustment of immigration status
				in) the United States are deemed enrolled at the time of entry or adjustment of
				status;
								(3)eligible
				individuals may otherwise be enrolled at such other times and manner as the
				Secretary shall specify, including the use of outstationed eligibility sites as
				described in section 1902(a)(55)(A) and the use of presumptive eligibility
				provisions like those described in section 1920A; and
								(4)at the time of
				automatic enrollment of a child, the Secretary provides for issuance to a
				parent or custodian of the individual a card evidencing coverage under this
				title and for a description of such coverage.
								The
				provisions of section 1837(h) apply with respect to enrollment under this title
				in the same manner as they apply to enrollment under part B of title XVIII. An
				individual who is enrolled under this title is not eligible to be enrolled
				under an MA or MA–PD plan under part C of title XVIII.(c)Date coverage
				begins
								(1)In
				generalThe period during which an individual is entitled to
				benefits under this title shall begin as follows, but in no case earlier than
				January 1, 2009:
									(A)In the case of an
				individual who is enrolled under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b), the
				date of birth or date of obtaining appropriate citizenship or immigration
				status, as the case may be.
									(B)In the case of
				another individual who enrolls (including pre-enrolls) before the month in
				which the individual satisfies eligibility for enrollment under subsection (a),
				the first day of such month of eligibility.
									(C)In the case of
				another individual who enrolls during or after the month in which the
				individual first satisfies eligibility for enrollment under such subsection,
				the first day of the following month.
									(2)Authority to
				provide for partial months of coverageUnder regulations, the
				Secretary may, in the Secretary’s discretion, provide for coverage periods that
				include portions of a month in order to avoid lapses of coverage.
								(3)Limitation on
				paymentsNo payments may be made under this title with respect to
				the expenses of an individual enrolled under this title unless such expenses
				were incurred by such individual during a period which, with respect to the
				individual, is a coverage period under this section.
								(d)Expiration of
				eligibilityAn individual’s coverage period under this section
				shall continue until the individual’s enrollment has been terminated because
				the individual no longer meets the requirements of subsection (a) (whether
				because of age or change in immigration status).
							(e)Entitlement to
				MediKids benefits for enrolled individualsAn individual enrolled
				under this title is entitled to the benefits described in section 2202.
							(f)Low-income
				information
								(1)Inquiry of
				incomeAt the time of
				enrollment of a child under this title, the Secretary shall make an inquiry as
				to whether the family income (as determined for purposes of section 1905(p)) of
				the family that includes the child is within any of the following income
				ranges:
									(A)Up to 150
				percent of povertyThe income of the family does not exceed 150
				percent of the poverty line for a family of the size involved.
									(B)Between 150 and
				200 percent of povertyThe income of the family exceeds 150
				percent, but does not exceed 200 percent, of such poverty line.
									(C)Between 200 and
				300 percent of povertyThe income of the family exceeds 200
				percent, but does not exceed 300 percent, of such poverty line.
									(2)CodingIf
				the family income is within a range described in paragraph (1), the Secretary
				shall encode in the identification card issued in connection with eligibility
				under this title a code indicating the range applicable to the family of the
				child involved.
								(3)Provider
				verification through electronic systemThe Secretary also shall provide for an
				electronic system through which providers may verify which income range
				described in paragraph (1), if any, is applicable to the family of the child
				involved.
								(g)ConstructionNothing
				in this title shall be construed as requiring (or preventing) an individual who
				is enrolled under this title from seeking medical assistance under a State
				medicaid plan under title XIX or child health assistance under a State child
				health plan under title XXI.
							2202.Benefits
							(a)Secretarial
				specification of benefit package
								(1)In
				generalThe Secretary shall specify the benefits to be made
				available under this title consistent with the provisions of this section and
				in a manner designed to meet the health needs of enrollees.
								(2)UpdatingThe
				Secretary shall update the specification of benefits over time to ensure the
				inclusion of age-appropriate benefits to reflect the enrollee
				population.
								(3)Annual
				updatingThe Secretary shall establish procedures for the annual
				review and updating of such benefits to account for changes in medical
				practice, new information from medical research, and other relevant
				developments in health science.
								(4)InputThe
				Secretary shall seek the input of the pediatric community in specifying and
				updating such benefits.
								(5)Limitation on
				updatingIn no case shall updating of benefits under this
				subsection result in a failure to provide benefits required under subsection
				(b).
								(b)Inclusion of
				certain benefits
								(1)Medicare core
				benefitsSuch benefits shall include (to the extent consistent
				with other provisions of this section) at least the same benefits (including
				coverage, access, availability, duration, and beneficiary rights) that are
				available under parts A and B of title XVIII.
								(2)All required
				Medicaid benefitsSuch benefits shall also include all items and
				services for which medical assistance is required to be provided under section
				1902(a)(10)(A) to individuals described in such section, including early and
				periodic screening, diagnostic services, and treatment services.
								(3)Inclusion of
				prescription drugsSuch benefits also shall include (as specified
				by the Secretary) benefits for prescription drugs and biologicals which are not
				less than the benefits for such drugs and biologicals under the standard option
				for the service benefit plan described in section 8903(1) of title 5, United
				States Code, offered during 2007.
								(4)Cost-sharing
									(A)In
				generalSubject to
				subparagraph (B), such benefits also shall include the cost-sharing (in the
				form of deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) which is substantially
				similar to such cost-sharing under the health benefits coverage in any of the
				four largest health benefits plans (determined by enrollment) offered under
				chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, and including an out-of-pocket limit
				for catastrophic expenditures for covered benefits, except that no cost-sharing
				shall be imposed with respect to early and periodic screening and diagnostic
				services included under paragraph (2).
									(B)Reduced
				cost-sharing for low income childrenSuch benefits shall provide
				that—
										(i)there shall be no
				cost-sharing for children in families the income of which is within the range
				described in section 2201(f)(1)(A);
										(ii)the cost-sharing otherwise applicable shall
				be reduced by 75 percent for children in families the income of which is within
				the range described in section 2201(f)(1)(B); or
										(iii)the cost-sharing otherwise applicable shall
				be reduced by 50 percent for children in families the income of which is within
				the range described in section 2201(f)(1)(C).
										(C)Catastrophic
				limit on cost-sharingFor a refundable credit for cost-sharing in
				the case of cost-sharing in excess of a percentage of the individual’s adjusted
				gross income, see section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
									(c)Payment
				scheduleThe Secretary, with the assistance of the Medicare
				Payment Advisory Commission, shall develop and implement a payment schedule for
				benefits covered under this title. To the extent feasible, such payment
				schedule shall be consistent with comparable payment schedules and
				reimbursement methodologies applied under parts A and B of title XVIII.
							(d)InputThe
				Secretary shall specify such benefits and payment schedules only after
				obtaining input from appropriate child health providers and experts.
							(e)Enrollment in
				health plansThe Secretary shall provide for the offering of
				benefits under this title through enrollment in a health benefit plan that
				meets the same (or similar) requirements as the requirements that apply to
				Medicare Advantage plans under part C of title XVIII (other than any such
				requirements that relate to part D of such title). In the case of individuals
				enrolled under this title in such a plan, the payment rate shall be based on
				payment rates provided for under section 1853(c) in effect before the date of
				the enactment of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Modernization, and Improvement
				Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173), except that such payment rates shall be
				adjusted in an appropriate manner to reflect differences between the population
				served under this title and the population under title XVIII.
							2203.Premiums
							(a)Amount of
				monthly premiums
								(1)In
				generalThe Secretary shall, during September of each year
				(beginning with 2008), establish a monthly MediKids premium for the following
				year. Subject to paragraph (2), the monthly MediKids premium for a year is
				equal to 1/12 of the annual premium rate computed under
				subsection (b).
								(2)Elimination of
				monthly premium for demonstration of equivalent coverage (including coverage
				under low-income programs)The amount of the monthly premium
				imposed under this section for an individual for a month shall be zero in the
				case of an individual who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary
				that the individual has basic health insurance coverage for that month. For
				purposes of the previous sentence enrollment in a medicaid plan under title
				XIX, a State child health insurance plan under title XXI, or under the medicare
				program under title XVIII is deemed to constitute basic health insurance
				coverage described in such sentence.
								(b)Annual
				premium
								(1)National per
				capita averageThe Secretary shall estimate the average, annual
				per capita amount that would be payable under this title with respect to
				individuals residing in the United States who meet the requirement of section
				2201(a)(1) as if all such individuals were eligible for (and enrolled) under
				this title during the entire year (and assuming that section 1862(b)(2)(A)(i)
				did not apply).
								(2)Annual
				premiumSubject to subsection (d), the annual premium under this
				subsection for months in a year is equal to 25 percent of the average, annual
				per capita amount estimated under paragraph (1) for the year.
								(c)Payment of
				monthly premium
								(1)Period of
				paymentIn the case of an individual who participates in the
				program established by this title, subject to subsection (d), the monthly
				premium shall be payable for the period commencing with the first month of the
				individual’s coverage period and ending with the month in which the
				individual’s coverage under this title terminates.
								(2)Collection
				through tax returnFor provisions providing for the payment of
				monthly premiums under this subsection, see section 59B of the Internal Revenue
				Code of 1986.
								(3)Protections
				against fraud and abuseThe Secretary shall develop, in
				coordination with States and other health insurance issuers, administrative
				systems to ensure that claims which are submitted to more than one payor are
				coordinated and duplicate payments are not made.
								(d)Reduction in
				premium for certain low-income familiesFor provisions reducing
				the premium under this section for certain low-income families, see section
				59B(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
							2204.MediKids Trust
				Fund
							(a)Establishment of
				Trust Fund
								(1)In
				generalThere is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of
				the United States a trust fund to be known as the MediKids Trust
				Fund (in this section referred to as the Trust Fund).
				The Trust Fund shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as
				provided in section 201(i)(1) and such amounts as may be deposited in, or
				appropriated to, such fund as provided in this title.
								(2)PremiumsPremiums
				collected under section 59B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be
				periodically transferred to the Trust Fund.
								(3)Transitional
				funding before receipt of premiumsIn order to provide for funds
				in the Trust Fund to cover expenditures from the fund in advance of receipt of
				premiums under section 2203, there are transferred to the Trust Fund from the
				general fund of the United States Treasury such amounts as may be
				necessary.
								(b)Incorporation of
				provisions
								(1)In
				generalSubject to paragraph (2), subsection (b) (other than the
				last sentence) and subsections (c) through (i) of section 1841 shall apply with
				respect to the Trust Fund and this title in the same manner as they apply with
				respect to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund and part B,
				respectively.
								(2)Miscellaneous
				referencesIn applying provisions of section 1841 under paragraph
				(1)—
									(A)any reference in
				such section to this part is construed to refer to title
				XXII;
									(B)any reference in
				section 1841(h) to section 1840(d) and in section 1841(i) to sections
				1840(b)(1) and 1842(g) are deemed references to comparable authority exercised
				under this title;
									(C)payments may be
				made under section 1841(g) to the Trust Funds under sections 1817 and 1841 as
				reimbursement to such funds for payments they made for benefits provided under
				this title; and
									(D)the Board of
				Trustees of the MediKids Trust Fund shall be the same as the Board of Trustees
				of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
									2205.Oversight and
				accountability
							(a)Periodic GAO
				reportsThe Comptroller General of the United States shall
				periodically submit to Congress reports on the operation of the program under
				this title, including on the financing of coverage provided under this
				title.
							(b)Periodic MedPAC
				reportsThe Medicare Payment Advisory Commission shall
				periodically report to Congress concerning the program under this title.
							2206.Inclusion of
				care coordination services
							(a)In
				general
								(1)Program
				authorityThe Secretary, beginning in 2009, may implement a care
				coordination services program in accordance with the provisions of this section
				under which, in appropriate circumstances, eligible individuals under section
				2201 may elect to have health care services covered under this title managed
				and coordinated by a designated care coordinator.
								(2)Administration by
				contractThe Secretary may administer the program under this
				section through a contract with an appropriate program administrator.
								(3)CoverageCare
				coordination services furnished in accordance with this section shall be
				treated under this title as if they were included in the definition of medical
				and other health services under section 1861(s) and benefits shall be available
				under this title with respect to such services without the application of any
				deductible or coinsurance.
								(b)Eligibility
				criteria; identification and notification of eligible individuals
								(1)Individual
				eligibility criteriaThe Secretary shall specify criteria to be
				used in making a determination as to whether an individual may appropriately be
				enrolled in the care coordination services program under this section, which
				shall include at least a finding by the Secretary that for cohorts of
				individuals with characteristics identified by the Secretary, professional
				management and coordination of care can reasonably be expected to improve
				processes or outcomes of health care and to reduce aggregate costs to the
				programs under this title.
								(2)Procedures to
				facilitate enrollmentThe Secretary shall develop and implement
				procedures designed to facilitate enrollment of eligible individuals in the
				program under this section.
								(c)Enrollment of
				individuals
								(1)Secretary’s
				determination of eligibilityThe Secretary shall determine the
				eligibility for services under this section of individuals who are enrolled in
				the program under this section and who make application for such services in
				such form and manner as the Secretary may prescribe.
								(2)Enrollment
				period
									(A)Effective date
				and durationEnrollment of an individual in the program under
				this section shall be effective as of the first day of the month following the
				month in which the Secretary approves the individual’s application under
				paragraph (1), shall remain in effect for one month (or such longer period as
				the Secretary may specify), and shall be automatically renewed for additional
				periods, unless terminated in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary
				shall establish by regulation. Such procedures shall permit an individual to
				disenroll for cause at any time and without cause at re-enrollment
				intervals.
									(B)Limitation on
				reenrollmentThe Secretary may establish limits on an
				individual’s eligibility to reenroll in the program under this section if the
				individual has disenrolled from the program more than once during a specified
				time period.
									(d)ProgramThe
				care coordination services program under this section shall include the
				following elements:
								(1)Basic care
				coordination services
									(A)In
				generalSubject to the cost-effectiveness criteria specified in
				subsection (b)(1), except as otherwise provided in this section, enrolled
				individuals shall receive services described in section 1905(t)(1) and may
				receive additional items and services as described in subparagraph (B).
									(B)Additional
				benefitsThe Secretary may specify additional benefits for which
				payment would not otherwise be made under this title that may be available to
				individuals enrolled in the program under this section (subject to an
				assessment by the care coordinator of an individual’s circumstance and need for
				such benefits) in order to encourage enrollment in, or to improve the
				effectiveness of, such program.
									(2)Care
				coordination requirementNotwithstanding any other provision of
				this title, the Secretary may provide that an individual enrolled in the
				program under this section may be entitled to payment under this title for any
				specified health care items or services only if the items or services have been
				furnished by the care coordinator, or coordinated through the care coordination
				services program. Under such provision, the Secretary shall prescribe
				exceptions for emergency medical services as described in section 1852(d)(3),
				and other exceptions determined by the Secretary for the delivery of timely and
				needed care.
								(e)Care
				coordinators
								(1)Conditions of
				participationIn order to be qualified to furnish care
				coordination services under this section, an individual or entity shall—
									(A)be a health care
				professional or entity (which may include physicians, physician group
				practices, or other health care professionals or entities the Secretary may
				find appropriate) meeting such conditions as the Secretary may specify;
									(B)have entered into
				a care coordination agreement; and
									(C)meet such criteria
				as the Secretary may establish (which may include experience in the provision
				of care coordination or primary care physician’s services).
									(2)Agreement term;
				payment
									(A)Duration and
				renewalA care coordination agreement under this subsection shall
				be for one year and may be renewed if the Secretary is satisfied that the care
				coordinator continues to meet the conditions of participation specified in
				paragraph (1).
									(B)Payment for
				servicesThe Secretary may negotiate or otherwise establish
				payment terms and rates for services described in subsection (d)(1).
									(C)LiabilityCare
				coordinators shall be subject to liability for actual health damages which may
				be suffered by recipients as a result of the care coordinator’s decisions,
				failure or delay in making decisions, or other actions as a care
				coordinator.
									(D)TermsIn
				addition to such other terms as the Secretary may require, an agreement under
				this section shall include the terms specified in subparagraphs (A) through (C)
				of section 1905(t)(3).
									2207.Administration
				and miscellaneous
							(a)In
				generalExcept as otherwise provided in this title—
								(1)the Secretary
				shall enter into appropriate contracts with providers of services, other health
				care providers, carriers, and fiscal intermediaries, taking into account the
				types of contracts used under title XVIII with respect to such entities, to
				administer the program under this title;
								(2)beneficiary
				protections for individuals enrolled under this title shall not be less than
				the beneficiary protections (including limits on balance billing) provided
				medicare beneficiaries under title XVIII;
								(3)benefits described
				in section 2202 that are payable under this title to such individuals shall be
				paid in a manner specified by the Secretary (taking into account, and based to
				the greatest extent practicable upon, the manner in which they are provided
				under title XVIII); and
								(4)provider
				participation agreements under title XVIII shall apply to enrollees and
				benefits under this title in the same manner as they apply to enrollees and
				benefits under title XVIII.
								(b)Coordination
				with Medicaid and SCHIPNotwithstanding any other provision of
				law, individuals entitled to benefits for items and services under this title
				who also qualify for benefits under title XIX or XXI or any other Federally
				funded health care program that provides basic health insurance coverage
				described in section 2203(a)(2) may continue to qualify and obtain benefits
				under such other title or program, and in such case such an individual shall
				elect either—
								(1)such other title
				or program to be primary payor to benefits under this title, in which case no
				benefits shall be payable under this title and the monthly premium under
				section 2203 shall be zero; or
								(2)benefits under this title shall be primary
				payor to benefits provided under such title or program, in which case the
				Secretary shall enter into agreements with States as may be appropriate to
				provide that, in the case of such individuals, the benefits under titles XIX
				and XXI or such other program (including reduction of cost-sharing) are
				provided on a wrap-around basis to the benefits under this
				title.
								.
			(b)Conforming
			 amendments to Social Security Act
			 provisions
				(1)Section 201(i)(1)
			 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 401(i)(1)) is amended by striking or the Federal Supplementary Medical
			 Insurance Trust Fund and inserting the Federal Supplementary
			 Medical Insurance Trust Fund, and the MediKids Trust Fund.
				(2)Section
			 201(g)(1)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 401(g)(1)(A)) is amended by striking
			 and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established
			 by title XVIII and inserting , the Federal Supplementary Medical
			 Insurance Trust Fund, and the MediKids Trust Fund established by title
			 XVIII.
				(c)Maintenance of
			 Medicaid eligibility and benefits for children
				(1)In
			 generalIn order for a State to continue to be eligible for
			 payments under section 1903(a) of the Social
			 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a))—
					(A)the State may not
			 reduce standards of eligibility, or benefits, provided under its State medicaid
			 plan under title XIX of the Social Security
			 Act or under its State child health plan under title XXI of such Act
			 for individuals under 23 years of age below such standards of eligibility, and
			 benefits, in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
					(B)the State shall
			 demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
			 that any savings in State expenditures under title XIX or XXI of the
			 Social Security Act that results from
			 children enrolling under title XXII of such Act shall be used in a manner that
			 improves services to beneficiaries under title XIX of such Act, such as through
			 expansion of eligibility, improved nurse and nurse aide staffing and improved
			 inspections of nursing facilities, and coverage of additional services.
					(2)MediKids as
			 primary payorIn applying title XIX of the
			 Social Security Act, the MediKids
			 program under title XXII of such Act shall be treated as a primary payor in
			 cases in which the election described in section 2207(b)(2) of such Act, as
			 added by subsection (a), has been made.
				(d)Expansion of
			 medpac membership to 19
				(1)In
			 generalSection 1805(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395b–6(c)) is
			 amended—
					(A)in paragraph (1),
			 by striking 17 and inserting 19; and
					(B)in paragraph
			 (2)(B), by inserting experts in children’s health, after
			 other health professionals,.
					(2)Initial terms of
			 additional members
					(A)In
			 generalFor purposes of staggering the initial terms of members
			 of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission under section 1805(c)(3) of the
			 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
			 1395b–6(c)(3)), the initial terms of the 2 additional members of the Commission
			 provided for by the amendment under subsection (a)(1) are as follows:
						(i)One
			 member shall be appointed for 1 year.
						(ii)One
			 member shall be appointed for 2 years.
						(B)Commencement of
			 termsSuch terms shall begin on January 1, 2008.
					(3)DutiesSection
			 1805(b)(1)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395b–6(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting
			 before the semicolon at the end the following: and payment policies
			 under title XXII.
				3.MediKids
			 premium
			(a)General
			 ruleSubchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
			 1986 (relating to determination of tax liability) is amended by adding at the
			 end the following new part:

					VIIIMediKids
				premium

							Sec. 59B. MediKids premium.

						59B.MediKids
				premium
							(a)Imposition of
				taxIn the case of a taxpayer to whom this section applies, there
				is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this subtitle) a
				MediKids premium for the taxable year.
							(b)Individuals
				Subject to premium
								(1)In
				generalThis section shall apply to a taxpayer if a MediKid is a
				dependent of the taxpayer for the taxable year.
								(2)MediKidFor
				purposes of this section, the term MediKid means any individual
				enrolled in the MediKids program under title XXII of the Social Security
				Act.
								(c)Amount of
				premiumFor purposes of this section, the MediKids premium for a
				taxable year is the sum of the monthly premiums (for months in the taxable
				year) determined under section 2203 of the Social
				Security Act with respect to each MediKid who is a dependent of the
				taxpayer for the taxable year.
							(d)Exceptions based
				on adjusted gross income
								(1)Exemption for
				very low-income taxpayers
									(A)In
				generalNo premium shall be imposed by this section on any
				taxpayer having an adjusted gross income not in excess of the exemption
				amount.
									(B)Exemption
				amountFor purposes of this paragraph, the exemption amount
				is—
										(i)$20,535 in the
				case of a taxpayer having 1 MediKid,
										(ii)$25,755 in the
				case of a taxpayer having 2 MediKids,
										(iii)$30,975 in the
				case of a taxpayer having 3 MediKids, and
										(iv)$35,195 in the
				case of a taxpayer having 4 or more MediKids.
										(C)Phaseout of
				exemptionIn the case of a taxpayer having an adjusted gross
				income which exceeds the exemption amount but does not exceed twice the
				exemption amount, the premium shall be the amount which bears the same ratio to
				the premium which would (but for this subparagraph) apply to the taxpayer as
				such excess bears to the exemption amount.
									(D)Inflation
				adjustment of exemption amountsIn the case of any taxable year
				beginning in a calendar year after 2007, each dollar amount contained in
				subparagraph (C) shall be increased by an amount equal to the product
				of—
										(i)such dollar
				amount, and
										(ii)the
				cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar
				year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
				calendar year 2006 for calendar year 1992 in
				subparagraph (B) thereof.
										If any
				increase determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such
				increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.(2)Premium limited
				to 5 percent of adjusted gross incomeIn no event shall any
				taxpayer be required to pay a premium under this section in excess of an amount
				equal to 5 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income.
								(e)Coordination
				with other provisions
								(1)Not treated as
				medical expenseFor purposes of this chapter, any premium paid
				under this section shall not be treated as expense for medical care.
								(2)Not treated as
				tax for certain purposesThe premium paid under this section
				shall not be treated as a tax imposed by this chapter for purposes of
				determining—
									(A)the amount of any
				credit allowable under this chapter, or
									(B)the amount of the
				minimum tax imposed by section 55.
									(3)Treatment under
				subtitle fFor purposes of subtitle F, the premium paid under
				this section shall be treated as if it were a tax imposed by section
				1.
								.
			(b)Technical
			 amendments
				(1)Subsection (a) of
			 section 6012 of such Code is amended by inserting after paragraph (9) the
			 following new paragraph:

						(10)Every individual
				liable for a premium under section
				59B.
						.
				(2)The table of parts
			 for subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the
			 following new item:

							Part VIII. MediKids
				premium

						.
				(c)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to months
			 beginning after December 2008, in taxable years ending after such date.
			4.Refundable credit
			 for certain cost-sharing expenses under MediKids program
			(a)In
			 generalSubpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the
			 Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable credits) is amended by
			 redesignating section 36 as section 37 and by inserting after section 35 the
			 following new section:

					36.Catastrophic
				limit on cost-sharing expenses under MediKids program
						(a)In
				generalIn the case of a
				taxpayer who has a MediKid (as defined in section 59B) at any time during the
				taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by
				this subtitle an amount equal to the excess of—
							(1)the amount paid by
				the taxpayer during the taxable year as cost-sharing under section 2202(b)(4)
				of the Social Security Act,
				over
							(2)5 percent of the
				taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the taxable
				year.
							.
			(b)Coordination
			 with other provisionsThe
			 excess described in subsection (a) shall not be taken into account in computing
			 the amount allowable to the taxpayer as a deduction under section 162(l) or
			 213(a).
			(c)Technical
			 amendments
				(1)The table of
			 sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
			 amended by redesignating the item relating to section 36 as an item relating to
			 section 37 and by inserting before such item the following new item:

							Sec. 36. Catastrophic limit on cost-sharing expenses under
				MediKids
				program.

						.
				(2)Paragraph (2) of
			 section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting
			 or 36 after section 35.
				(d)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
			 years beginning after December 31, 2008.
			5.Report on
			 long-term revenuesWithin one
			 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury
			 shall propose a gradual schedule of progressive tax changes to fund the program
			 under title XXII of the Social Security
			 Act, as the number of enrollees grows in the out-years.


115 S1299 IS: Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2017
U.S. Senate
2017-06-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1299IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 7, 2017Mr. Peters (for himself and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce the occurrence of diabetes in Medicare
			 beneficiaries by extending coverage under Medicare for medical nutrition
			 therapy services to such beneficiaries with pre-diabetes or with risk
			 factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2017. 2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
 (1)According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 86,000,000 adults with pre-diabetes in the United States. The Centers estimates that 51 percent of adults who are 65 years of age or older have pre-diabetes. More than 90 percent of adults with pre-diabetes are unaware they have it.
 (2)For a significant number of people with pre-diabetes, early intervention can reverse elevated blood glucose levels to normal range and prevent diabetes and its complications completely or can significantly delay its onset. According to the Institute for Alternative Futures, if 50 percent of adults with pre-diabetes were able to successfully make lifestyle changes proven to prevent or delay diabetes, then by 2025 approximately 4,700,000 new cases of diabetes could be prevented at a cost savings of $300 billion.
 (3)Nearly 1-in-5 hospitalizations in 2008 were related to diabetes according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
 (4)Preventing diabetes and its complications can save money and lives. The average annual cost to treat someone with diabetes is $13,741, compared to $3,495 for someone who does not have diabetes. One out of every three Medicare dollars is spent on diabetes.
 (5)Diabetes is unique because its complications and their associated health care costs are often preventable with currently available medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
 (6)In 2002, the Diabetes Prevention Program study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that participants (all of whom were at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes) who made lifestyle changes reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and that participants who are 60 years of age or older reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 71 percent.
 (7)The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has demonstrated that $2,500,000,000 in hospitalization costs related to the treatment of diabetes or complications resulting from diabetes could be saved by providing seniors with appropriate primary care to prevent the onset of diabetes.
 (8)The Medicare program currently provides coverage for screening and identifying beneficiaries with pre-diabetes but does not provide adequate services to such beneficiaries to help them prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.
			3.Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for people with pre-diabetes and risk
			 factors for developing type 2 diabetes
 (a)In generalSection 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended— (1)in subsection (s)(2)(V), by striking a beneficiary with diabetes or a renal disease and inserting an individual with diabetes, pre-diabetes (as defined in subsection (yy)(4)), or a renal disease, or an individual at risk for diabetes (as defined in subsection (yy)(2)), in the matter preceding clause (i); and
 (2)in subsection (yy)— (A)in the heading, by adding ; Pre-Diabetes at the end; and
 (B)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:  (4)The term pre-diabetes means a condition of impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance identified by a blood glucose level that is higher than normal, but not so high as to indicate actual diabetes..
 (b)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to services furnished on or after January 1, 2019.


116 HR 211 IH: Hold Congress Accountable Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-03
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 211IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 3, 2019Mr. Schrader (for himself, Mr. Cooper, Ms. Speier, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Loebsack, Mr. Correa, Mr. O'Halleran, Mr. Welch, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Costa, Ms. Spanberger, and Mr. Rose of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo reduce the annual rate of pay of Members of Congress if a Government shutdown occurs during a year, and for other purposes.
1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Hold Congress Accountable Act. 2.Requiring reduction of pay of Members of Congress if Government shutdown occurs (a)Reduction of pay for each day of Government shutdownIf on any day during a year a Government shutdown is in effect, the annual rate of pay applicable under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501) with respect to each Member of Congress for the year shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of—
(1)an amount equal to one day’s worth of pay under such annual rate; and (2)the number of 24-hour periods during which the Government shutdown is in effect.
(b)Effective dateThis section shall apply with respect to days occurring after the date of the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020. 3.Special rule for One Hundred Sixteenth Congress (a)Holding salaries in escrowIf on any day during the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress a Government shutdown is in effect, the payroll administrator of that House of Congress shall—
(1)withhold from the payments otherwise required to be made with respect to a pay period for the compensation of each Member of Congress who serves in that House of Congress an amount equal to the product of— (A)an amount equal to one day’s worth of pay under the annual rate of pay applicable to the Member under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501); and
(B)the number of 24-hour periods during which the Government shutdown is in effect which occur during the pay period; and (2)deposit in an escrow account all amounts withheld under paragraph (1).
(b)Release of amounts at end of the CongressIn order to ensure that this section is carried out in a manner that shall not vary the compensation of Senators or Representatives in violation of the twenty-seventh article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the payroll administrator of a House of Congress shall release for payments to Members of that House of Congress any amounts remaining in any escrow account under this section on the last day of the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress. (c)Role of Secretary of the TreasuryThe Secretary of the Treasury shall provide the payroll administrators of the Houses of Congress with such assistance as may be necessary to enable the payroll administrators to carry out this section.
(d)Payroll administrator definedIn this section, the payroll administrator of a House of Congress means— (1)in the case of the House of Representatives, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, or an employee of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer who is designated by the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out this section; and
(2)in the case of the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate, or an employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate who is designated by the Secretary to carry out this section. (e)Exception for days occurring after general electionThis section does not apply with respect to any day during the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress which occurs after the date of the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2020.
4.Determination of Government shutdownFor purposes of this Act, a Government shutdown shall be considered to be in effect if there is a lapse in appropriations for any Federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution. 5.Member of Congress definedIn this Act, the term Member of Congress means an individual serving in a position under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501).


113 S422 IS: Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-02-28
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 422
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 28, 2013
			Mr. Blumenthal (for
			 himself, Mr. Moran,
			 Mr. Brown, Mr.
			 Grassley, Mr. Harkin,
			 Mr. Schumer, Mr. Tester, and Mr.
			 Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
			 referred to the Committee on Veterans'
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care
		  Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 and title 38, United States Code, to require
		  the provision of chiropractic care and services to veterans at all Department
		  of Veterans Affairs medical centers and to expand access to such care and
		  services, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Chiropractic Care Available to All
			 Veterans Act of 2013.
		2.Program for
			 provision of chiropractic care and services to veteransSection 204(c) of the Department of Veterans
			 Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 (Public Law 107–135; 115
			 Stat. 2459; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended—
			(1)by inserting
			 (1) before The program; and
			(2)by adding at the
			 end the following new paragraph:

					(2)The program shall be carried out at
				not fewer than 75 medical centers by not later than December 31, 2014, and at
				all medical centers by not later than December 31,
				2016.
					.
			3.Expanded chiropractor
			 services available to veterans
			(a)Medical
			 servicesParagraph (6) of section 1701 of title 38, United States
			 Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

					(H)Chiropractic
				services.
					.
			(b)Rehabilitative
			 servicesParagraph (8) of such section is amended by inserting
			 chiropractic, after counseling,.
			(c)Preventive
			 health servicesParagraph (9) of such section is amended—
				(1)by redesignating
			 subparagraphs (F) through (K) as subparagraphs (G) through (L), respectively;
			 and
				(2)by inserting after
			 subparagraph (E) the following new subparagraph (F):

						(F)periodic and preventive chiropractic
				examinations and
				services;
						.


115 S1714 IS: Southeastern Oregon Development Act
U.S. Senate
2017-08-02
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 1714IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAugust 2, 2017Mr. Wyden (for himself and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and ForestryA BILLTo provide for the conduct of certain economic activities in Malheur County, Oregon, to provide for
			 the conduct of a study on the need for a regional economic commission for
			 certain counties in the State of Oregon, to withdraw certain Federal land
			 located in Malheur County, Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation,
			 or disposal under the public land laws, location, entry, and patent under
			 the mining laws, and operation under the mineral leasing laws, and for
			 other purposes.

		1.Short title; table of contents
 (a)In generalThis Act may be cited as the Southeastern Oregon Development Act.
 (b)Table of contentsThe table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I—Economic development activities in Southeastern Oregon Sec. 101. Water development. Sec. 102. Establishment of an Agricultural Center for Rangeland Excellence. Sec. 103. Rural fire assistance. Sec. 104. Infrastructure assistance to promote economic development in rural communities. Sec. 105. Workforce development training grants. Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE II—Regional commission study Sec. 201. Study. TITLE III—Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area Sec. 301. Definitions. Sec. 302. Designation of Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area. Sec. 303. Purposes and management. Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 305. Effect of title.  2.DefinitionsIn this Act:
 (1)CityThe term City means a city or unincorporated community in the County. (2)CountyThe term County means Malheur County, Oregon.
 (3)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (4)StateThe term State means the State of Oregon.
 (5)Withdrawal areaThe term withdrawal area means the Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area established by section 302(a). IEconomic development activities in Southeastern Oregon 101.Water development (a)In generalThe Secretary of Agriculture shall provide grants for projects in the State to develop modern and efficient water systems that are designed—
 (1)to provide adequate water supply and improve water storage for livestock, other agricultural users, and wildlife;
 (2)to keep livestock out of rivers, streams, and riparian areas; and (3)to find innovative ways to address water needs for fighting fires and protecting habitats.
 (b)Updates and replacements to watering systemsIn providing grants under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture may provide grants for projects in the State to update or replace watering systems within the boundary of the withdrawal area with more efficient systems.
 102.Establishment of an Agricultural Center for Rangeland ExcellenceThe Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an Agricultural Center for Rangeland Excellence to be located in the County—
 (1)to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture Research Station in Harney County, Oregon, Oregon State University Extension Livestock Rangeland Management Program in the County, local agricultural producers, and other entities, as appropriate;
 (2)to conduct rangeland and grazing research, including the conduct of research that addresses invasive species and water storage improvements for livestock and wildlife;
 (3)to collaborate with agricultural researchers and producers in the County and surrounding area to improve grazing practices; and
 (4)to provide to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management any findings of the Center to assist in preparing applicable allotment management plans.
				103.Rural fire assistance
				(a)Reauthorization of rural firefighter assistance program
 (1)Use of fundsSection 6405(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2655(d)) is amended—
 (A)in paragraph (9), by striking or at the end; (B)in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and
 (C)by adding at the end the following:  (11)to fund operating expenses of firefighters, including expenses for training, equipment, insurance, maintenance, and fuel..
 (2)Authorization of appropriationsSection 6405(g)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2655(g)(1)) is amended by striking each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 and inserting each fiscal year.
 (3)LimitationSection 6405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2655) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (h)LimitationIn carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize the administrative and paperwork burden imposed on recipients of financial assistance under this section..
 (b)Surplus equipment programThe Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense and the Secretary (referred to in this subsection as the Secretaries) shall establish a program within the Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and the Interior, respectively, under which the Secretaries shall transfer to States and units of local government surplus equipment of the applicable Department that can be used in firefighting, including surplus mechanical equipment and communication devices.
				(c)Establishment of fuel breaks along certain eligible access roads
 (1)In generalThe Secretary shall establish a program within the Bureau of Land Management for the establishment and maintenance of strategic fuel breaks from which firefighters would be able to safely operate—
 (A)to preserve critical sage grouse habitat; and (B)to support the ranching community in the vicinity of the fuel breaks.
 (2)PriorityIn determining the placement of strategic fuel breaks under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A)consult with land managers to assess whether the fuel break serves the purposes described in that paragraph; and
 (B)give priority to fuel breaks that the Secretary determines would serve the purposes described in that paragraph.
						104.Infrastructure assistance to promote economic development in rural communities
				(a)Infrastructure grants for communities in the County
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Under Secretary for Rural Development) (referred to in this subsection as the Secretary) shall provide to eligible communities described in paragraph (2) grants for infrastructure projects in the eligible communities, including—
 (A)projects relating to drinking water and wastewater systems; and (B)projects for the improvement of broadband or cellular service.
 (2)Eligible communityAn eligible community referred to in paragraph (1) is a community that is— (A)incorporated or recognized in the County land use plan or a regional land use plan; or
 (B)within tribal jurisdictional boundaries in the County. (3)ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection an eligible community described in paragraph (2) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
					(b)Study of rural air service
 (1)In generalNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study of infrastructure needs in rural communities and improvements for rural air services and infrastructure that would support commercial, charter, or subscription air service at the Ontario Municipal Airport, which shall focus on—
 (A)the air service needs of the County and surrounding areas; (B)improving access for tourism to the County;
 (C)supporting firefighting staging and deployment; (D)supporting commercial, recreational, and agricultural needs; and
 (E)improving economic development opportunities in the County through transportation improvements. (2)ReportOn completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the results of the study.
					(c)Construction of innovative agricultural transportation infrastructure
 (1)GrantThe Secretary of Transportation may provide to the State a grant for the construction or improvement of transportation systems facilitating the efficient movement of agricultural and other products through the Treasure Valley Intermodal Transfer Facility in the County.
 (2)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, the State shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Transportation may require.
					(d)Transportation system improvements
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of Transportation shall provide financial assistance to the County for the conduct of projects that would improve—
 (A)the downtown area of the Cities and surrounding communities; and (B)transportation within the Cities, including—
 (i)projects relating to— (I)pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access in the Cities; and
 (II)safety corridors in the Cities; (ii)projects to improve access to, and improvements for, trails along waterfronts in the Cities;
 (iii)projects to ensure the availability of transit for senior citizens; and (iv)projects to improve the availability of transit for workers and individuals needing transportation to healthcare appointments.
 (2)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive financial assistance under this subsection, the County shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Transportation may require.
					(e)Lake Owyhee road transportation improvement projects
 (1)In generalThe Secretary of Transportation shall provide to the State grants to support transportation projects to improve—
 (A)the safety and security of the Owyhee Project; and (B)transportation access routes associated with the Owyhee Project.
 (2)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, the State shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Transportation may require.
					105.Workforce development training grants
 (a)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Eligible entity (A)In generalThe term eligible entity means a public or private nonprofit agency or organization or a consortium of public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations.
 (B)InclusionsThe term eligible entity includes— (i)a community-based organization;
 (ii)a faith-based organization; (iii)an entity carrying out activities under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.), such as a local board;
 (iv)a community action agency; (v)a State or local housing development agency;
 (vi)an Indian tribe or other agency primarily serving members of Indian tribes; (vii)a community development corporation;
 (viii)a State or local youth service or conservation corps; and (ix)any other entity eligible to provide education or employment training under a Federal program (other than the program carried out under this section).
 (2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. (b)Establishment of grant programThe Secretary shall establish within the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor a program to provide to eligible entities grants for the conduct of workforce development training activities in the County.
 (c)PrioritiesIn providing grants under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to activities relating to—
 (1)providing career technical education and training to youth under the Malheur County Poverty to Prosperity program;
 (2)training for adults that are reentering the workforce or seeking to improve career opportunities; and
 (3)training in agriculture and ranching for veterans and youth, including the use of innovative agricultural practices and conservation techniques.
 (d)ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive financial assistance under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
 106.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this title. IIRegional commission study 201.Study (a)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study on the need for an economic regional commission based on economic need in each of the following counties in the State:
 (1)Malheur County. (2)Klamath County.
 (3)Lake County. (4)Harney County.
 (5)Grant County. (6)Baker County.
 (7)Wheeler County. (b)ReportThe Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study under subsection (a).
				IIISoutheastern Oregon Withdrawal Area
 301.DefinitionsIn this title: (1)Eligible Federal landThe term eligible Federal land means—
 (A)any federally owned land or interest in the federally owned land depicted on the Map; and (B)any land or interest in land located within the withdrawal area that is acquired by the Federal Government after the date of enactment of this Act.
 (2)MapThe term Map means the map entitled Southeastern Oregon Mineral Withdrawal Map–Proposed and dated June 7, 2016. 302.Designation of Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area (a)In generalThere is established the Southeastern Oregon Withdrawal Area, comprising approximately 2,065,000 acres of eligible Federal land in the County, as generally depicted on the Map.
 (b)WithdrawalSubject to valid existing rights, the eligible Federal land is withdrawn from all forms of— (1)entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
 (2)location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3)operation under the mineral leasing laws.
 (c)Availability of MapThe Map shall be on file and available for inspection in the appropriate offices of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
 (d)Effect on geothermal leasesThis section shall not apply to geothermal leases issued as of or after the date of enactment of this Act in the withdrawal area.
				303.Purposes and management
 (a)PurposesThe purposes of the withdrawal area are— (1)to preserve the traditional uses and values of the communities in the vicinity of the withdrawal area;
 (2)to protect against the harmful effects mining and oil and gas extraction could have on the unique and important resources of the region, particularly water quality, grazing, and other economic development opportunities; and
 (3)(A)to support the continuation of grazing in and around the withdrawal area; and (B)to recognize the significance of grazing in the economy, history, and culture of the County.
						(b)Maps and legal description
 (1)In generalAs soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a map and legal description of the withdrawal area.
 (2)Force and effectThe map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this title, except that the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal description.
 (3)AvailabilityThe map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in—
 (A)the office of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management; and (B)the appropriate office of the Bureau of Land Management in the State.
 304.Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this title. 305.Effect of titleNothing in this title restricts livestock grazing, law enforcement activities, wildfire management, hunting, fishing, fish and wildlife management activities, other authorized uses, or Federal, State, or local agency authorities allowed on the date of enactment of this Act on the eligible Federal land in accordance with applicable law.


114 HR 479 IH: American Jobs Matter Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-01-22
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 479
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2015
Ms. Esty (for herself and Mrs. Bustos) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to require contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarding a Federal defense contract, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the American Jobs Matter Act of 2015. 2.Consideration and verification of information relating to effect on domestic employment of award of Federal defense contracts (a)In generalSection 2305(a)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)
(i)In prescribing the evaluation factors to be included in each solicitation for competitive proposals for covered contracts, an agency shall include the effects on employment within the United States of the contract as an evaluation factor that must be considered in the evaluation of proposals. (ii)In this subparagraph, the term covered contract means—
(I)a contract in excess of $1,000,000 for the procurement of manufactured goods; (II)a contract in excess of $1,000,000 for the procurement of goods or services listed in the report of industrial base capabilities required by section 2504 of title 10; and
(III)a contract in excess of $1,000,000 for the procurement of any item procured as part of a major defense acquisition program. (iii)The head of an agency, in issuing a solicitation for competitive proposals, shall state in the solicitation that the agency may consider, and in the case of a covered contract will consider as an evaluation factor under subparagraph (A), information (in this subsection referred to as a jobs impact statement) that the offeror includes in its offer related to the effects on employment within the United States of the contract if it is awarded to the offeror.
(iv)The information that may be included in a jobs impact statement may include the following: (I)The number of jobs expected to be created or retained in the United States if the contract is awarded to the offeror.
(II)The number of jobs created or retained in the United States by the subcontractors expected to be used by the offeror in the performance of the contract. (III)A guarantee from the offeror that jobs created or retained in the United States will not be moved outside the United States after award of the contract unless doing so is required to provide the goods or services stipulated in the contract or is in the best interest of the Federal Government.
(v)The contracting officer may consider, and in the case of a covered contract will consider, the information in the jobs impact statement in the evaluation of the offer and may request further information from the offeror in order to verify the accuracy of any such information submitted. (vi)In the case of a contract awarded to an offeror that submitted a jobs impact statement with the offer for the contract, the agency shall, not later than one year after the award of the contract and annually thereafter for the duration of the contract or contract extension, assess the accuracy of the jobs impact statement.
(vii)The Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress an annual report on the frequency of use within the Department of Defense of jobs impact statements in the evaluation of competitive proposals. (viii) (I)In any contract awarded to an offeror that submitted a jobs impact statement with its offer in response to the solicitation for proposals for the contract, the agency shall track the number of jobs created or retained during the performance of the contract.
(II)If the number of jobs that the agency estimates will be created (by using the jobs impact statement) significantly exceeds the number of jobs created or retained, then the agency may consider this as a factor that affects a contractor's past performance in the award of future contracts. (III)Contractors shall be provided an opportunity to explain any differences between their original jobs impact statement and the actual amount of jobs created or retained before the discrepancy affects the agency’s assessment of the contractor's past performance..
(b)Revision of Federal Acquisition RegulationThe Department of Defense Supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to implement the amendment made by subsection (a).


113 S445 IS: Courthouse Safety Act of 2013
U.S. Senate
2013-03-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		II
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 445
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			March 4, 2013
			Mr. Franken (for
			 himself, Mr. Leahy,
			 Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Coons, Mr.
			 Whitehouse, Ms. Klobuchar,
			 Mr. Graham, and Mr. Boozman) introduced the following bill; which
			 was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

		A BILL
		To improve security at State and local
		  courthouses.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Courthouse Safety Act of
			 2013.
		2.Security
			 trainingPart D of title I of
			 the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3741 et seq.)
			 is amended by adding at the end the following:

				403.Preventing
				violence against law enforcement and ensuring officer resilience and
				survivabilityThe Director may
				carry out a training and technical assistance program designed to teach
				employees of State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies how to
				anticipate, survive, and respond to violent encounters during the course of
				their duties, including duties relating to security at State, county, and
				tribal courthouses. If the Director offers a training program specifically
				designed to train participants on courthouse security issues, preference for
				admission into such program shall be given to employees of jurisdictions that
				have magnetometers available for use at their
				courthouses.
				.
		3.State Justice
			 InstituteThe State Justice
			 Institute Act of 1984 is amended—
			(1)in section 203(b)(1) (42 U.S.C.
			 10702(b)(1)), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ,
			 safe, after a fair; and
			(2)in section 206
			 (42 U.S.C. 10705)—
				(A)in subsection
			 (c)—
					(i)in
			 paragraph (14)—
						(I)by inserting
			 to before conduct; and
						(II)by striking
			 and at the end;
						(ii)by
			 redesignating paragraph (15) as paragraph (16); and
					(iii)by inserting
			 after paragraph (14) the following:

							(15)to improve the
				safety and security of State and local courts;
				and
							;
				and
					(B)by adding at the
			 end the following:

						(g)MagnetometersIn
				the case of a grant awarded under this section to be used as described in
				subsection (c)(15), if the State or local court applying for the grant does not
				have magnetometers available for use, not less than $300 nor more than $1,000
				of the matching fund required under subsection (d) of the State or local court
				shall be used to acquire a
				magnetometer.
						.
				4.Security
			 equipment
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter III of
			 chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by adding after section
			 559 the following:

					560.Surplus
				security equipment for State and local courts
						(a)DefinitionsIn
				this section—
							(1)the term
				surplus security equipment means surplus property that is used to
				detect weapons, including metal detectors, wands, and baggage screening
				devices; and
							(2)the term
				qualifying State or local courthouse means a courthouse of a State
				or local government that has less security equipment than the security needs of
				the courthouse require.
							(b)Disposal of
				surplus security equipment
							(1)In
				generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter,
				the Administrator of General Services shall ensure that a qualifying State or
				local courthouse has an opportunity to request to receive surplus security
				equipment for use at the qualifying State or local courthouse before the
				surplus security equipment is made available to any other individual or entity
				under this subchapter.
							(2)Disposal
								(A)In
				generalSubject to subparagraph (B), upon request by qualifying
				State or local courthouse for surplus security equipment for use at a
				qualifying State or local courthouse, the surplus security equipment shall be
				made available to the qualifying State or local courthouse without cost, except
				for any costs of shipping, handling, and maintenance.
								(B)Multiple
				requestsIf more than 1 qualifying State or local courthouse
				requests a particular piece of surplus security equipment, the surplus security
				equipment shall be distributed based on need, as determined by the
				Administrator of General Services, with priority given to a qualifying State or
				local courthouse that has no security
				equipment.
								.
			(b)Technical
			 and conforming amendmentThe table of sections for chapter 5 of
			 title 40, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
			 to section 559 the following:

						560. Surplus security equipment for State
				and local
				courts.

					.


115 S66 IS: Retired Pay Restoration Act
U.S. Senate
2017-01-09
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 66IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 9, 2017Mr. Heller (for himself and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed ServicesA BILLTo amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain retired members of the uniformed services
			 who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability
			 compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability
			 and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or
			 Combat-Related Special Compensation, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Retired Pay Restoration Act.
		2.Eligibility for
			 payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation for
			 certain
			 military retirees with compensable service-connected disabilities
			(a)Extension of
			 concurrent receipt authority to retirees with service-Connected
			 disabilities
 rated less than 50 percentSection 1414 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) of subsection (a).
			(b)Clerical
			 amendments
 (1)The heading of section 1414 of such title is amended to read as follows:

						1414.Members
				eligible for retired pay who are also eligible for veterans’
			 disability
				compensation: Concurrent payment of retired pay and disability
				compensation.
 (2)The item relating to such section in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 71 of such title is amended to read as follows:
					1414. Members eligible for retired pay who
				are also eligible for veterans’ disability compensation: Concurrent
			 payment of
				retired pay and disability
				compensation..
				(c)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2018, and shall apply to payments for months beginning on or after that date.
			3.Coordination of
			 service eligibility for combat-related special compensation and concurrent
			 receipt
			(a)Amendments To
			 standardize similar provisions
				(1)Qualified
 retireesSubsection (a) of section 1414 of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 2(a), is amended—
 (A)by striking a member or and all that follows through retiree’) and inserting a qualified retiree; and
 (B)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

							(2)Qualified
 retireesFor purposes of this section, a qualified retiree, with respect to any month, is a member or former member of the uniformed services who—
 (A)is entitled to retired pay (other than by reason of section 12731b of this title); and
 (B)is also entitled for that month to veterans’ disability compensation..
					(2)Disability
 retireesParagraph (2) of subsection (b) of section 1414 of such title is amended to read as follows:

						(2)Special rule
 for retirees with fewer than 20 years of serviceThe retired pay of a qualified retiree who is retired under chapter 61 of this title with fewer than 20 years of creditable service is subject to reduction by the lesser of—
 (A)the amount of the reduction under sections 5304 and 5305 of title 38; or
 (B)the amount (if any) by which the amount of the member’s retired pay under such chapter exceeds the amount equal to 2½ percent of the member’s years of creditable service multiplied by the member’s retired pay base under section 1406(b)(1) or 1407 of this title, whichever is applicable to the member..
				(b)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2018, and shall apply to payments for months beginning on or after that date.


109 HRES 472 IH: Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-09-29
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 472
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 29, 2005
Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas (for herself, Mr. Meeks of New York, Mr. Honda, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Conyers, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Rothman, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Holt, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Filner, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Lee, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Hinchey, and Mr. Ackerman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION
Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

 Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith;
 Whereas on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York, New York, and Washington, D.C.;
 Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;
 Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and
 Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on October 4, 2005, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it

That—
(1)during this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and
(2)in observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.


IV
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1157
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

May 5, 2010

RESOLUTION
Congratulating the National Urban League on its 100th year of service to the United States.

Whereas the National Urban League, formerly known as the National League of Black Men and Women, is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to elevating the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities;
Whereas, on its Centennial Anniversary, the National Urban League can look back with great pride on its extraordinary accomplishments;
Whereas, since its inception in 1910, the National Urban League has made tremendous gains in equality and empowerment in the African-American community throughout the United States;
Whereas the National Urban League began as a multiracial, diverse grassroots campaign by Mrs. Ruth Standish Baldwin and Dr. George Edmund Haynes;
Whereas the League has since expanded to 25 national programs, with more than 100 local affiliates in 36 States as well as the District of Columbia;
Whereas, during the Civil Rights movement, the League worked closely with A. Phillip Randolph, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as many other exceptional leaders;
Whereas, throughout the 1970s, the League saw tremendous growth in its partnership with the Federal Government addressing race relations, delivering aid to urban areas, as well as making improvements in housing, education, health, and minority-owned small businesses;
Whereas the National Urban League employs a 5-point approach to increase the quality of life for Americans, particularly African-Americans;
Whereas the League’s 5-point approach is accomplished through programs such as: Education and Youth Empowerment, Economic Empowerment, Health and Quality of Life Empowerment, Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment, and Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment;
Whereas through the League’s Housing and Community Development division, programs such as Foreclosure Prevention, Homeownership Preparation, and Financial Literacy, the League was able to aid over 50,000 people in 2009;
Whereas with assistance provided by the League’s Foreclosure Prevention program, 3,000 people were able to avoid filing foreclosure in 2009;
Whereas through the League’s Education and Youth Development division, programs such as Project Ready ensure that students will be prepared for the transition from high school to college, or in joining the workforce;
Whereas the National Urban League publishes the State of Black America, an annual report analyzing social and economic conditions affecting African-Americans that includes their Equality Index, a statistical measure of the disparities between Blacks and Whites across 5 categories: economics, education, health, civic engagement, and social justice;
Whereas the League’s programs not only emphasize the importance of leadership and community in local areas but also enhance the quality of life by studying and addressing specific problems within the communities;
Whereas throughout the League’s 100 years of service the organization has assisted millions of Americans and especially African-Americans in combating poverty, inequality, and social injustice;
Whereas the League has outlined 4 aspirational goals to increase access to education, jobs, housing, and health care to mark its centennial anniversary as part of its I AM EMPOWERED campaign;
Whereas the work of the League has been pivotal in improving the lives of millions of African-Americans through community-oriented programs, civil rights, and leadership opportunities; and
Whereas the National Urban League remains an essential organization today: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)congratulates the National Urban League on its 100th year of service to the United States;
(2)expresses its deep gratitude for the hardworking and dedicated men and women of the League who, in the last 100 years, have struggled to improve American society and the lives of all Americans; and
(3)commends the League’s ongoing and tireless efforts to continue addressing areas of inequality and fighting for the rights of all Americans to live with freedom, dignity, and prosperity.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


116 HR 3326 IH: End the Congressional Revolving Door Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-06-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3326IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 18, 2019Mr. Posey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo provide that a former Member of Congress or former senior Congressional employee who receives
			 compensation as a lobbyist shall not be eligible for retirement benefits
			 or certain other Federal benefits.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the End the Congressional Revolving Door Act. 2.Prohibition relating to certain Federal benefits for a former Member of Congress or former senior Congressional employee who receives compensation as a lobbyist (a)In generalA covered individual who is a registered lobbyist shall not be eligible for any covered benefits for any month—
 (1)which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2)in or for which such covered individual is—
 (A)employed as a lobbyist; and (B)entitled to compensation as a lobbyist.
 (b)Covered individualFor purposes of this section, the term covered individual means an individual who becomes a former Member of Congress or a former senior Congressional employee after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 (c)Covered benefitsFor purposes of this section, the term covered benefits, as used with respect to a covered individual, means any payment or other benefit which is payable, by virtue of service performed by such covered individual, under any of the following:
 (1)The Civil Service Retirement System, including the Thrift Savings Plan. (2)The Federal Employees’ Retirement System, including the Thrift Savings Plan.
 (3)The Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program, including enhanced dental benefits and enhanced vision benefits under chapters 89A and 89B, respectively, of title 5, United States Code.
 (4)The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program. (d)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section—
 (1)the term Member of Congress means a Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or Delegate to the House of Representatives, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico;
 (2)the term senior Congressional employee means— (A)each officer or employee of the legislative branch (except any officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office) who, for at least 60 days, occupies a position for which the rate of basic pay is equal to or greater than 120 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule;
 (B)each officer or employee of the Government Accountability Office who, for at least 60 consecutive days, occupies a position for which the rate of basic pay, minus the amount of locality pay that would have been authorized under section 5304 of title 5, United States Code (had the officer or employee been paid under the General Schedule) for the locality within which the position of such officer or employee is located (as determined by the Comptroller General), is equal to or greater than 120 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule; and
 (C)at least one principal assistant designated for purposes of this paragraph by each Member who does not have an employee who occupies a position for which the rate of basic pay is equal to or greater than 120 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay payable for GS–15 of the General Schedule;
 (3)the term registered lobbyist means— (A)a lobbyist registered or required to register, or on whose behalf a registration is filed or required to be filed, under section 4 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603); and
 (B)an individual registered or required to register as the agent of a foreign principal under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.); and
 (4)the term lobbyist has the meaning given such term by section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1602).
 (e)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be considered to prevent the payment of— (1)any lump-sum credit, as defined by section 8331(8) or 8401(19) of title 5, United States Code, to which an individual is entitled; or
 (2)any amount in the account of an individual in the Thrift Savings Fund which, as of the date on which paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) are first met with respect to such individual, is nonforfeitable.
 (f)RegulationsAny regulations necessary to carry out this section may be prescribed— (1)except as provided in paragraph (2), by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management; and
 (2)to the extent that this Act relates to the Thrift Savings Plan, by the Executive Director (as defined by section 8401(13) of title 5, United States Code).


113 S2048 IS: Encouraging Trade and Investment from New Zealand Act
U.S. Senate
2014-02-26
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2048IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 26, 2014Ms. Hirono (for herself, Mr. Lee, Mr. McCain, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Schumer, and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo include New Zealand in the list of foreign states whose nationals are eligible for admission
			 into the United States as E–1 and E–2 nonimmigrants if United States
			 nationals are
			 treated similarly by the Government of New Zealand.

		1.Short title
			This Act may be cited as the
		  Encouraging Trade and Investment from New Zealand Act.
		2.Nonimmigrant traders and investorsFor purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) of section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Immigration and Nationality
			 Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(E)), New Zealand shall be considered to be a
			 foreign state described in such section if the Government of New Zealand
			 provides similar nonimmigrant status to nationals of the United States.