		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 54
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 25
			 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
			Mr. Inouye introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
			 and Pensions

		A BILL
		To implement demonstration projects at federally
		  qualified community health centers to promote universal access to family
		  centered, evidence-based behavioral health interventions that prevent child
		  maltreatment and promote family well-being by addressing parenting practices
		  and skills for families from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, racial, ethnic,
		  and other backgrounds, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Supporting Child Maltreatment
			 Prevention Efforts in Community Health Centers Act of
			 2011.
		2.Findings and
			 purposes
			(a)FindingsCongress
			 finds as follows:
				(1)Child abuse and
			 neglect are serious public health problems in this country. During 2007,
			 approximately 3,200,000 referrals, involving the alleged maltreatment of
			 approximately 5,800,000 children, were sent to child protective services
			 agencies.
				(2)The most recent
			 data show 794,000 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in 2007, and
			 child maltreatment-related deaths rose 15.5 percent in 2007. Approximately
			 1,760 children in the United States, nearly 3/4 of whom
			 were under 4 years of age, died as a result of abuse or neglect.
				(3)Early childhood
			 experiences may have lifelong effects. Severe and chronic childhood stress,
			 including from maltreatment and exposure to violence, is associated with
			 persistent effects and can lead to enduring health, behavior, and learning
			 problems.
				(4)Child
			 maltreatment has—
					(A)psychological and
			 behavioral consequences such as depression, anxiety, suicide, aggressive
			 behavior, delinquency, posttraumatic stress disorder, and criminal
			 behavior;
					(B)health
			 consequences, including injuries and death, chronic obstructive pulmonary
			 disease, smoking, heart disease, liver disease, and drug use; and
					(C)developmental
			 consequences that can compromise brain development and learning.
					(5)Child
			 maltreatment has significant financial consequences, including the short-term
			 costs associated with case handling by child protective services and
			 investigations, hospitalization or emergency room visits for medical treatment
			 of injuries, out-of-home placement alternatives, services to address mental
			 health and substance abuse problems, loss of productivity, and poor physical
			 health requiring multiple treatments.
				(6)Child
			 maltreatment can be prevented. Given that parents and caregivers are
			 responsible for the majority of the abuse and neglect, caregiver-focused
			 strategies and interventions that address parenting skills and parental risk
			 factors such as depression, substance abuse, and intimate partner violence, as
			 well as strategies and interventions that promote family well-being are
			 critical. Parenting practices are amenable to change, given reasonable efforts,
			 and the building of safe, stable, nurturing parent-child relationships is a
			 scientifically proven strategy for the prevention of child maltreatment.
				(7)Prevention of
			 child maltreatment should have a focus on primary prevention (before any
			 maltreatment), emphasizing community-centered and population-based
			 strategies.
				(8)Prevention of
			 child maltreatment should focus on promoting healthy parent-child relationships
			 and an environment that provides safe, stable, nurturing relationships for
			 children.
				(9)Primary health
			 care is an existing and widely accessed system in which a range of prevention
			 strategies can be implemented, and there is growing evidence that primary
			 health care settings are promising venues in which to conduct child
			 maltreatment prevention and behavioral health promotion programs.
				(10)Community health
			 centers (referred to in this Act as CHCs) serve more than
			 18,000,000 individuals in the United States annually, including individuals who
			 are poor, uninsured, hard-to-reach, and at-risk for child maltreatment.
				(11)One in 5
			 low-income children in the United States receives health care at a CHC.
				(12)CHCs are an
			 existing network of neighborhood health clinics widely and regularly accessed
			 by families in need that can serve as a fitting venue for child maltreatment
			 prevention initiatives.
				(13)In the last
			 decade, behavioral issues have had an expanding presence in the portfolio of
			 services of CHCs. Seventy percent of CHCs have some, if minimal, on-site mental
			 health and substance abuse services. When demand exceeds capacity or on-site
			 services do not exist, CHCs refer individuals to off-site options.
				(14)The integration
			 of behavioral health services in primary care settings is a promising
			 framework. Evaluation results of integrated care have shown—
					(A)improvement in
			 service utilization, such as shorter waiting time and fewer sessions to
			 complete treatment;
					(B)reduction in the
			 stigma related to mental health services; and
					(C)improvement in
			 access to services.
					(b)PurposesThe
			 purposes of this Act are as follows:
				(1)To fund the
			 implementation of a minimum of 10 demonstration projects of evidence-based and
			 promising parenting programs at federally qualified health centers.
				(2)To provide
			 universal access to a family centered integrated and voluntary services model
			 that prevents child maltreatment and promotes family well-being and which may
			 include:
					(A)implementation of
			 evidence-based preventive parenting skills training programs at health centers
			 or permanent or temporary residences of caregivers to strengthen the capacity
			 of parents to care for their children’s health and well-being and promote their
			 own ability to create safe, stable, nurturing family environments that protect
			 children and youth from abuse and neglect and its consequences and support
			 children’s optimal social, emotional, physical, and academic
			 development;
					(B)screening to
			 identify parental risk factors such as depression, substance abuse, and
			 intimate partner violence that are associated with the likelihood that parents
			 will abuse or neglect their children, and to further develop screening methods
			 and instruments; and
					(C)linkage with, and
			 referral to, on-site individualized quality mental health services provided by
			 trained mental health professionals for parents and caregivers screening
			 positive for child maltreatment risk factors to help them overcome the
			 impediments to effective parenting and change their behaviors toward child
			 rearing and parenting.
					(3)To coordinate the
			 design and implementation of an evaluation plan to assess the impact and
			 feasibility of integrated services model implementation at each federally
			 qualified health center participating in the demonstration project for health
			 outcomes, cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, program local adaptation,
			 reduction of child maltreatment and injuries, and improvement of parenting
			 behaviors and family functioning.
				(4)To implement
			 critical system factors for successful implementation of the integrated
			 services model to prevent child maltreatment. Such factors include training of
			 a culturally and linguistically competent workforce, use of best available
			 technology, establishment of cooperation among FQHCs participating in the
			 demonstration project, and building internal and external buy-in and support
			 for the project.
				(5)To coordinate the
			 design and implementation of the cross-site system-wide evaluation plan to
			 assess the impact and feasibility of an integrated services model on the
			 reduction of child maltreatment and injuries, to increase a family’s access to
			 services, to evaluate the effectiveness of the response of FQHCs organizational
			 systems to the model implemented, and to identify lessons learned and outline
			 recommendations for system-wide areas for improvement and changes.
				3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)Federally
			 qualified health center or FQHCThe term federally
			 qualified health center or FQHC means an entity receiving a
			 grant under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
			 254b).
			(2)CaregiversThe
			 term caregiver  means an adult who is the primary caregiver,
			 including biological, adoptive, or foster parents, grandparents or other
			 relatives, and non-custodial parents who have an ongoing relationship, and
			 provides physical care for, 1 or more children under the age of 10. Caregivers
			 may be individuals who were born in, or outside of, the United States and
			 individuals whose main language is not English, including American Indians and
			 Alaska Natives. Caregivers may be heterosexual or homosexual, and may have
			 learning, physical, and other disabilities.
			(3)Center-based
			 evidence-based preventive parenting skills programThe term
			 center-based evidence-based preventative parenting skills program
			 means research-based and proven, promising interventions provided and located
			 at a health center that—
				(A)have the
			 potential for broad impact across multiple types of maltreatment, including
			 physical and psychological abuse and neglect;
				(B)are associated
			 with effective parent behaviors and parenting practices and with reducing child
			 behavior problems;
				(C)may be expected
			 to reduce child maltreatment rates; and
				(D)may be
			 implemented at the FQHCs.
				(4)Home visitation
			 programThe term home visitation program means an
			 evidence-based program in which trained professionals visit a caregiver in the
			 permanent or temporary residence of the caregiver, and provide a combination of
			 information, support, or training regarding child development, parenting
			 skills, and health-related issues.
			(5)Mental health
			 servicesThe term mental health services means
			 psychotherapeutic interventions offered at health centers, or off-site
			 locations in partnership with health centers, by mental health professionals to
			 caregivers that screen for or are referred for child maltreatment.
			(6)ScreeningThe
			 term screening means a form of triage, using valid, culturally
			 sensitive tools such as scales or questionnaires applied universally by trained
			 professionals to identify caregivers who are at-risk for maltreating or
			 neglecting children. Screening assesses parental risks for child maltreatment
			 such as depression, substance abuse, and intimate partner violence.
			4.Grants for
			 demonstration projects on integrated family centered preventive
			 services
			(a)Demonstration
			 project grantsThe Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
			 through the Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
			 of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award competitive
			 grants to eligible federally qualified health centers to fund a minimum of 10
			 demonstration projects to promote—
				(1)universal access
			 to family centered, evidence-based interventions in the FQHCs that prevent
			 child maltreatment by addressing parenting practices and skills; and
				(2)behavioral health
			 and family well-being for families from diverse socioeconomic, cultural,
			 racial, and ethnic backgrounds, including addressing issues related to sexual
			 orientation and individuals with disabilities.
				(b)EligibilityTo
			 be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall—
				(1)be a federally
			 qualified community health center; and
				(2)submit to the
			 Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
			 information as the Secretary may require.
				(c)Use of grant
			 fundsA federally qualified health center receiving a grant under
			 subsection (a) may use such funds to—
				(1)conduct a needs
			 assessment for the demonstration project, including the need for proposed
			 integrated services, the number of caregivers involved, an organizational
			 assessment, workforce capacity and needs, and technological needs;
				(2)use available
			 technologies to collect, organize, and provide access to health and mental
			 health information of patients, and to provide referrals, train staff, monitor
			 service delivery and outcomes, and create networking opportunities for on-site
			 providers and others in the community;
				(3)adapt and
			 implement evidence-based parenting skills training programs for caregivers from
			 all backgrounds who use the health center for health care and child
			 well-visits, through on-site programs or programs operated at permanent or
			 temporary residences and administered, supervised, and monitored by trained
			 professionals employed by the FQHC;
				(4)adapt instruments
			 and screen caregivers for child maltreatment risk factors such as depression,
			 substance abuse, and intimate partner violence, provided that such screening is
			 conducted by trained professionals employed by the FQHC;
				(5)provide access to
			 mental health services to caregivers screened positive for child maltreatment
			 risk factors, which may include services offered at the health centers or at
			 off-site locations in partnership with the health centers, and which shall be
			 conducted by mental health professionals;
				(6)promote models of
			 integrated care that involve behavioral health specialists and primary care
			 providers working collaboratively in integrated teams to deliver services that
			 prevent child maltreatment and promote family well-being;
				(7)develop public
			 education campaigns to increase community awareness of the integrated services
			 offered by the health centers; and
				(8)evaluate patient
			 satisfaction, project cost effectiveness, results of the integrated services
			 model, and effectiveness of evidence-based parenting programs in improving
			 parenting practices and reducing child abuse and neglect.
				(d)Duration of
			 grantA grant under subsection (a) shall be awarded for a period
			 not to exceed 5 years.
			(e)Technical
			 assistance and project coordination
				(1)In
			 generalThe Secretary shall
			 award a contract to 1 or more eligible entities to provide—
					(A)technical assistance and project
			 coordination for the recipients of grants under subsection (a);
					(B)training for health care professionals,
			 including mental health care professionals, at FQHCs that receive grants under
			 subsection (a); and
					(C)cross-site evaluation of the demonstration
			 projects under subsection (a).
					(2)Eligible
			 entitiesTo be eligible to receive a contract under this section,
			 an entity shall—
					(A)be—
						(i)an
			 institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher
			 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001));
						(ii)a
			 nonprofit organization that qualifies for tax exempt status under section
			 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
						(iii)such national
			 and professional organizations and community-based organizations as the
			 Secretary determines appropriate;
						(B)have expertise in
			 parent-child relationships, parenting programs, prevention of child
			 maltreatment, the integration of behavioral health in primary and community
			 health center settings, and coordinating multi-site projects;
					(C)demonstrate a
			 defined or proposed collaboration with purveyors of evidence-based child
			 maltreatment prevention interventions; and
					(D)submit to the
			 Secretary an application that includes—
						(i)an
			 outline of a technical assistance and coordination plan and timeline;
						(ii)a
			 description of activities, services, and strategies to be used to reach out and
			 work with the FQHCs and others involved in the demonstration projects under
			 subsection (a); and
						(iii)a
			 description of the evaluation methods and strategies the entity plans to use,
			 and an outline of the progress and final reports required under subsection
			 (f)(2).
						(3)PriorityIn
			 awarding contracts under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to
			 eligible entities whose applications under paragraph (2)(D) demonstrate that
			 the evaluation design of such eligible entity uses strong experimental designs
			 that capture a range of health and behavioral outcomes and include feasibility
			 evaluation of the integrated health-behavioral health services model. Such
			 evaluation designs should provide evaluation results that identify lessons
			 learned and generate recommendations for improvements and changes.
				(4)Authorized
			 activitiesEach recipient of a contract under this subsection
			 shall use such award to provide technical assistance to the FQHCs receiving a
			 grant under subsection (a) and to provide coordination and cross-site
			 evaluation of such demonstration projects to the Secretary. Such technical
			 assistance and coordination and cross-site evaluation may include—
					(A)establishing and
			 implementing uniform tracking and monitoring systems across FQHCs participating
			 in the demonstration project, using the best available, highest level of
			 technological tools;
					(B)developing and
			 implementing a cross-site, multi-level evaluation plan using rigorous research
			 and evaluation designs to evaluate the demonstration projects across
			 FQHCs;
					(C)ensuring that, in
			 implementing the evidence-based parenting training programs, each such FQHC
			 follows standardized manuals and protocols, and ensuring effectiveness of the
			 integrated services of each FQHC in promoting positive stable, nurturing
			 parent-child relationships and preventing child maltreatment and
			 injuries;
					(D)ensuring an
			 effective and feasible evaluation of the outcomes of the demonstration
			 projects, including an assessment of—
						(i)improvement of
			 parent knowledge of child social, emotional, cognitive development;
						(ii)improvement of
			 parent-child relationships;
						(iii)parental use of
			 positive discipline methods and effective communication skills;
						(iv)health outcomes
			 for children;
						(v)reduction of
			 incidence of child maltreatment;
						(vi)cost-effectiveness
			 of the demonstration projects;
						(vii)implementation
			 that follows standardized manuals and protocols;
						(viii)the
			 interdisciplinary collaborative model;
						(ix)cultural
			 sensitivity and local adaptation of the projects;
						(x)any
			 increase in access to services; and
						(xi)further
			 improvements and changes needed at the FQHCs;
						(E)establishing and
			 coordinating the implementation of a workforce development and training plan to
			 ensure that professionals working at the health centers, including physicians,
			 nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, physician's
			 assistants, clinical pharmacists, and others, are trained to participate in
			 interdisciplinary teams and work collaboratively to provide culturally
			 competent and linguistically sensitive integrated services to all caregivers
			 coming to such center, with a focus on the development and strengthening
			 of—
						(i)knowledge of the
			 public health model, child development, family functioning, the problem of
			 child maltreatment, and methods of prevention;
						(ii)core attitudes,
			 including the belief that child maltreatment is preventable, professionals have
			 a role in prevention, families are partners in preventing maltreatment, and
			 evaluation is a critical element of interventions;
						(iii)ability to
			 conduct screenings, implement evidence-based parenting programs, provide mental
			 health services, and collaborate with evaluation efforts;
						(iv)ability to
			 manage the site project, participate in interdisciplinary teams, work on
			 integrated efforts, and master technology for best results;
						(v)the
			 knowledge, skills, and attitude to work with individuals from diverse cultural,
			 racial, ethnic, and other backgrounds; and
						(vi)an
			 understanding of cross-field culture and language to effectively participate in
			 interdisciplinary teams and collaborate in integrated activities;
						(F)educating and
			 involving the governing boards of FQHCs participating in the demonstration
			 projects in the integrated service efforts;
					(G)promoting
			 partnerships with State and local institutions of higher education, community
			 networks, and professional associations for staff training and
			 recruitment;
					(H)promoting
			 collaboration and networking among FQHCs participating in the demonstration
			 projects; and
					(I)establishing and
			 coordinating child maltreatment prevention collaboratives across FQHCs
			 participating in the demonstration projects and helping such FQHCs partner with
			 local departments of child welfare and community mental health centers.
					(5)Advisory
			 groups
					(A)In
			 generalEach recipient of a contract under this subsection shall
			 establish an advisory group. Each such advisory group shall provide feedback
			 and input to the contract recipient to ensure such recipient's effectiveness in
			 providing quality services.
					(B)MembershipEach
			 such advisory group shall be composed of representatives of—
						(i)national
			 organizations representing community health centers;
						(ii)national
			 professional organizations representing professionals from various fields,
			 including pediatrics, nursing, psychology, and social work; and
						(iii)government
			 agencies with relevant expertise, as determined by the Director of the National
			 Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the Centers for Disease Control and
			 Prevention.
						(f)Evaluation and
			 reporting
				(1)Demonstration
			 project reporting
					(A)Annual progress
			 evaluation and financial reportingFor the duration of the grant
			 under subsection (a), each FQHC shall submit to the Secretary an annual
			 progress evaluation and financial reporting indicating activities conducted and
			 the progress of the health center toward achievement of established outcomes,
			 including cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, program local adaptation,
			 reduction of child maltreatment and injuries, and improvement of parenting
			 behaviors and family functioning.
					(B)Final
			 reportAt the end of the grant period, each FQHC shall submit a
			 final report with evaluation data analysis and conclusions related to the
			 outcomes of the demonstration project.
					(2)Technical
			 assistance reporting
					(A)Annual progress
			 and financial reportFor the duration of the contract under
			 subsection (e), each technical assistance provider shall submit to the
			 Secretary an annual progress and financial report indicating activities
			 conducted under such contract.
					(B)Final
			 reportAt the end of the contract period, each recipient of a
			 technical assistance contract under subsection (e) shall submit to the
			 Secretary a final report that includes—
						(i)an
			 analysis of comparative data related to effectiveness and feasibility of
			 projects implemented at the FQHCs, workforce training, and achievement of
			 outcomes at the FQHCs;
						(ii)overall
			 recommendations for system improvement and changes that would allow the
			 demonstration projects to be expanded;
						(iii)an outline of
			 the project results; and
						(iv)a
			 plan that outlines opportunities and vehicles for the dissemination of
			 cross-site evalution results, findings, and recommendations.
						(g)Authorization
			 of appropriations
				(1)In
			 generalTo carry out the demonstration project grant program
			 described in subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated
			 $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and such sums as may be necessary for each of
			 fiscal years 2013 through 2016.
				(2)Technical
			 assistanceThe Secretary shall reserve not less than 10 percent
			 of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) to carry out the technical
			 assistance program described in subsection (e).


113 HR 1077 IH: Consumer Mortgage Choice Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-12
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1077
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			March 12, 2013
			Mr. Huizenga of
			 Michigan (for himself, Mr.
			 Royce, Mr. David Scott of
			 Georgia, Mr. Meeks,
			 Mr. Clay, Mr. Stivers, Mr.
			 Peters of Michigan, and Mr.
			 Bachus) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Financial
			 Services

		A BILL
		To amend the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the
		  definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage
		  transaction.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Consumer Mortgage Choice
			 Act.
		2.Definition of
			 points and fees
			(a)Amendment to
			 section 103 of TILASection
			 103(bb)(4) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(bb)(4)) is
			 amended—
				(1)by striking
			 paragraph (1)(B) and inserting paragraph (1)(A) and
			 section 129C;
				(2)in subparagraph
			 (A), by striking except interest or the time-price differential
			 and inserting the following:

						except—
							(i)interest and the
				time-price differential; and
							(ii)the amount of any loan level price
				adjustment payment set by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the
				Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal Housing Administration, or
				similar governmental entity or government-sponsored enterprise
							;
				(3)by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting
			 the following new subparagraph:

						(B)all compensation paid directly by a
				consumer to a mortgage originator, including a mortgage originator that is also
				the creditor in a table-funded transaction, but not including compensation paid
				by a mortgage originator or a creditor to an individual employed by the
				mortgage originator or
				creditor
						;
				(4)in subparagraph (C)—
					(A)by inserting and insurance
			 after taxes;
					(B)in clause (ii), by inserting ,
			 except as retained by a creditor or its affiliate as a result of their
			 participation in an affiliated business arrangement (as defined in section 2(7)
			 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C.
			 2602(7)) after compensation; and
					(C)by striking clause (iii) and inserting the
			 following:

							(iii)the charge is—
								(I)a bona fide
				third-party charge not retained by the mortgage originator, creditor, or an
				affiliate of the creditor or mortgage originator; or
								(II)a charge set
				forth in section 106(e)(1);
								;
				and
					(5)in subparagraph
			 (D)—
					(A)by striking
			 accident,; and
					(B)by striking
			 or any payments and inserting and any
			 payments.
					(b)Amendment to
			 section 129C of TILASection
			 129C of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639c) is amended—
				(1)in subsection (a)(5)(C), by striking
			 103 and all that follows through or mortgage
			 originator and inserting 103(bb)(4); and
				(2)in subsection (b)(2)(C)(i), by striking
			 103 and all that follows through or mortgage
			 originator) and inserting 103(bb)(4).


110 HR 1944 IH: To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the

U.S. House of Representatives
2007-04-19
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		110th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1944
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 19, 2007
			Mr. Altmire (for
			 himself, Mr. Filner,
			 Mr. Michaud,
			 Mr. Miller of Florida,
			 Mr. Boswell,
			 Mr. Brown of South Carolina,
			 Ms. Herseth Sandlin,
			 Mr. Smith of New Jersey,
			 Mr. Donnelly,
			 Mr. Jones of North Carolina,
			 Mr. Rodriguez,
			 Mr. Ramstad,
			 Mr. Ellsworth,
			 Mr. Hare, Mr. Arcuri, Mr.
			 Carney, Mr. Patrick J. Murphy of
			 Pennsylvania, Mr. Space,
			 Mr. Kagen,
			 Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida,
			 Mr. Allen,
			 Ms. Berkley,
			 Mr. McNerney,
			 Mr. Hall of New York,
			 Mr. Kennedy,
			 Ms. Castor,
			 Ms. Schwartz,
			 Mr. Mahoney of Florida,
			 Mrs. Napolitano,
			 Mr. Ryan of Ohio,
			 Mr. Meek of Florida,
			 Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California,
			 Mr. Courtney, and
			 Mr. Murphy of Connecticut) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Veterans’
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
		  Secretary of Veterans Affairs to screen certain veterans for symptoms of
		  traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Veterans
			 Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act of 2007.
		2.Screening,
			 rehabilitation, and treatment for traumatic brain injury
			(a)Screening,
			 rehabilitation, and treatment for traumatic brain injury
				(1)In
			 generalChapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
			 adding at the end the following new subchapter:

						IXTraumatic Brain
				Injury
							1791.Screening for
				traumatic brain injuries
								(a)Screening
				programThe Secretary shall establish a program to screen
				veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home
				care under section 1710(e)(1)(D) of this title for symptoms of traumatic brain
				injury.
								(b)ReportNot
				later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, and
				annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’
				Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing the
				following information:
									(1)The number of
				veterans screened under the program during the year preceding such
				report.
									(2)The prevalence of
				traumatic brain injury symptoms among the veterans screened under the
				program.
									(3)Recommendations
				for improving care and services to veterans exhibiting symptoms of traumatic
				brain injury.
									1792.Comprehensive
				program for long-term traumatic brain injury rehabilitation
								(a)Comprehensive
				programThe Secretary shall develop and carry out a comprehensive
				program of long-term care for post-acute traumatic brain injury rehabilitation
				that includes residential, community, and home-based components utilizing
				interdisciplinary treatment teams.
								(b)Location of
				programThe Secretary shall carry out the program developed under
				subsection (a) in four geographically dispersed polytrauma network sites
				designated by the Secretary.
								(c)EligibilityA
				veteran is eligible for care under the program developed under subsection (a)
				if the veteran is otherwise eligible for care under this chapter and—
									(1)served on active
				duty in a theater of combat operations (as determined by the Secretary in
				consultation with the Secretary of Defense) during a period of war after the
				Persian Gulf War, or in combat against a hostile force during a period of
				hostilities (as defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title) after November
				11, 1998;
									(2)is diagnosed as
				suffering from moderate to severe traumatic brain injury; and
									(3)is unable to
				manage routine activities of daily living without supervision or
				assistance.
									(d)ReportNot
				later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
				thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs
				of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report containing the
				following information:
									(1)A description of
				the operation of the program.
									(2)The number of
				veterans provided care under the program during the year preceding such
				report.
									(3)The annual cost of
				operating the program.
									1793.Traumatic
				brain injury transition offices
								(a)EstablishmentThe
				Secretary shall establish a traumatic brain injury transition office at each
				Department polytrauma network site for the purposes of coordinating the
				provision of health-care and services to veterans who suffer from moderate to
				severe traumatic brain injuries and are in need of health-care and services not
				immediately offered by the Department.
								(b)Cooperative
				agreementsThe Secretary, through each such office established
				under subsection (a), shall have the authority to arrange for the provision of
				health-care and services through cooperative agreements with appropriate public
				or private entities that have established long-term neurobehavioral
				rehabilitation and recovery programs.
								1794.Traumatic
				brain injury registry
								(a)In
				generalThe Secretary shall establish and maintain a registry to
				be known as the Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans’ Health Registry
				(in this section referred to as the Registry).
								(b)DescriptionThe
				Registry shall include the following information:
									(1)A list containing
				the name of each individual who served as a member of the Armed Forces in
				Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who exhibits symptoms
				associated with traumatic brain injury and who—
										(A)applies for care
				and services from the Department under this chapter; or
										(B)files a claim for
				compensation under chapter 11 of this title on the basis of any disability
				which may be associated with such service; and
										(2)any relevant
				medical data relating to the health status of an individual described in
				paragraph (1) and any other information the Secretary considers relevant and
				appropriate with respect to such an individual if the individual—
										(A)grants permission
				to the Secretary to include such information in the Registry; or
										(B)is deceased at the
				time such individual is listed in the Registry.
										(c)NotificationThe
				Secretary shall notify individuals listed in the Registry of significant
				developments in research on the health consequences of military service in the
				Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom theaters of
				operations.
								.
				(2)Clerical
			 amendmentThe table of contents at the beginning of such chapter
			 is amended by adding at the end the following new items:

							Subchapter IX—Traumatic Brain Injury
							1791. Screening for traumatic brain injuries.
							1792. Comprehensive program for long-term traumatic brain
				injury rehabilitation.
							1793. Traumatic brain injury transition offices.
							1794. Traumatic brain injury
				registry.

						.
				(b)Effective
			 dateThe Secretary shall implement the requirements of subchapter
			 IX of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), not later than
			 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.


113 S1957 IS: Partnership to Build America Act of 2014
U.S. Senate
2014-01-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II113th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 1957IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 16, 2014Mr. Bennet (for himself, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Warner, Ms. Ayotte, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. King, Mr. Graham, Mr. Coats, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Begich, and Mr. Kirk) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo establish the American Infrastructure Fund, to provide bond guarantees and make loans to States, local governments, and infrastructure providers for investments in certain infrastructure projects, and to provide equity investments in such projects, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
		  Partnership to Build America Act of 2014.2.American Infrastructure Fund(a)American Infrastructure Fund(1)In generalThere is established a wholly owned Government corporation—(A)which shall be called the American Infrastructure Fund (referred to in this Act as the AIF);(B)which shall be headed by the Board of Trustees established under subsection (b);(C)which may have separate subaccounts or subsidiaries for funds used to make loans, bond guarantees, and equity investments under this section;(D)which shall be available to the AIF to pay for the costs of carrying out this section, including the compensation of the Board and other employees of the AIF; and(E)the funds of which may be invested by the Board in such manner as the Board determines appropriate.(2)Deposits to aifAll funds received from bond issuances, loan payments, bond guarantee fees, and any other funds received in carrying out this section shall be held by AIF.(3)LimitationsThe charter of the AIF shall limit its activities to those activities described as the mission of the Board under subsection (b)(2).(4)OversightThe AIF shall register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Chairman shall report to Congress annually as to whether the AIF is fulfilling the mission of the Board under subsection (b)(2).(5)Treatment of aif(A)AccountsTitle 31, United States Code, is amended in each of sections 9107(c)(3) and 9108(d)(2)—(i)by inserting the American Infrastructure Fund, after the Regional Banks for Cooperatives,; and(ii)by striking those banks and inserting those entities.(B)BondsSection 149(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting American Infrastructure Fund, after Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,.(b)Board of trustees(1)In generalThere is established a Board of Trustees of the AIF (referred to in this subsection as the Board), which shall be composed of 9 members who—(A)have substantial experience in bond guarantees or municipal credit; and(B)to the greatest extent practicable, have extensive experience working with municipal credit, risk management, and infrastructure finance.(2)MissionThe mission of the Board is—(A)to operate the AIF and its subsidiaries to be a low cost provider of bond guarantees, loans, and equity investments to State and local governments and infrastructure providers for urban and rural infrastructure projects that—(i)provide a positive economic impact; and(ii)meet such other standards as the Board may develop;(B)to operate the AIF in a self-sustaining manner so as to allow the AIF to repay its infrastructure bonds when such bonds are due;(C)to not have a profit motive, but to seek at all times to pursue its mission of providing low cost bond guarantees and loans while—(i)covering its costs;(ii)maintaining such reserves as may be needed; and(iii)applying prudent underwriting standards;(D)to only consider projects put forth by State and local governments and not to seek projects directly;(E)to always make clear that no taxpayer money supports the AIF or ever will support the AIF; and(F)to engage in no other activities other than those permitted under this section.(3)Membership(A)Initial members(i)AppointmentNot later than 150 days after the date on which bonds are first issued under subsection (d), the President shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as members of the Board—(I)2 individuals from a list of at least 5 individuals selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;(II)2 individuals from a list of at least 5 individuals selected by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;(III)2 individuals from a list of at least 5 individuals selected by the Majority Leader of the Senate;(IV)2 individuals from a list of at least 5 individuals selected by the Minority Leader of the Senate; and(V)1 individual selected at will by the President.(ii)Submission of listsEach of the lists described in clause (i) shall be submitted to the President not later than  90 days after the date on which bonds are first issued under subsection (d). If any of such lists are submitted after the date required under this clause, the President may appoint the 2 members of the Board who were to be selected from such list at will.(B)Staggered termsThe members of the Board appointed pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) shall serve staggered terms, with 2 each of the initial members of the Board serving for terms of 5, 6, 7, and 8 years, respectively, and the initial Chair selected under subparagraph (D) serving for 9 years. The decision of which Board members, other than the Chair, serve for which initial terms shall be made by the members of the Board drawing lots.(C)Additional members(i)In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (A), if the term of a member of the Board expires or otherwise becomes vacant, the President shall appoint a replacement for such member, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among a list of at least 5 individuals submitted by the Board.(ii)Term of service(I)In generalEach member of the Board appointed to replace a member whose term is expiring shall serve for a 7-year term.(II)VacanciesAny member of the Board appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term to which that member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of the term.(D)ChairThe members of the Board shall choose 1 member to serve as the Chair of the Board for a term of 7 years, except that the initial Chair shall serve for a term of 9 years, pursuant to subsection (B).(E)Continuation of serviceEach member of the Board may continue to serve after the expiration of the term of office to which that member was appointed until a successor has been appointed.(F)Conflicts of interestNo member of the Board may have a financial interest in, or be employed by, a Qualified Infrastructure Project (QIP) related to assistance provided under this section or any entity that has purchased bonds under subsection (d). Owning municipal credit of any State or local government or owning the securities of a diversified company that engages in infrastructure activities, provided those activities constitute less than 20 percent of the company’s revenues, or investing in broadly held investment funds shall not be deemed to create a conflict of interest. The Board may issue regulations to define terms used under this subparagraph.(4)CompensationThe members of the Board shall be compensated at an amount to be set by the Board, but under no circumstances may such compensation be higher than the rate prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.(5)StaffThe Board shall employ and set compensation for such staff as the Board determines as is necessary to carry out the activities and mission of the AIF, and such staff may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53, United States Code, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.(6)ProceduresThe Board shall establish such procedures as are necessary to carry out this section.(7)Corporate governance standards(A)Board committees generallyThe Board shall maintain all of the committees required to be maintained by the board of directors of an issuer listed on the New York Stock Exchange as of the date of the enactment of this section.(B)Risk management committeeThe Board shall maintain a risk management committee, which shall—(i)employ additional staff who are certified by the Board as having significant and relevant experience in insurance underwriting and credit risk management; and(ii)establish the risk management policies used by the Board.(C)StandardsThe Board shall, to the extent practicable, follow all standards with respect to corporate governance that are required to be followed by the board of directors of an issuer listed on the New York Stock Exchange as of the date of the enactment of this section.(8)Biennial reportsNot less frequently than once every 2 years, the Board shall produce a report that describes, of the materials, goods, and products that were used to construct, or to support the construction of, qualified infrastructure projects (as described in subsection (c)) and received financing from the American Infrastructure Fund within the most recent 2 calendar years, the percentage of such materials, goods, and products that were created, sourced, or manufactured in the United States.(c)Infrastructure investment(1)Entities eligible for assistanceThe AIF may provide assistance to State and local government entities, nonprofit infrastructure providers, private parties, and public-private partnerships (referred to in this section as eligible entities) to help finance qualified infrastructure projects (referred to in this subsection as QIPs).(2)Forms of assistanceThe AIF may—(A)provide bond guarantees to debt issued by eligible entities;(B)make loans, including subordinated loans, to eligible entities; and(C)make equity investments in QIPs.(3)Qualified infrastructure projectsA project qualifies as a QIP under this section if—(A)the project is sponsored by a State or local government;(B)the infrastructure is, or will be, owned by a State or local government;(C)the project involves the construction, maintenance, improvement, or repair of a transportation, energy, water, communications, or educational facility; and(D)the recipient of bond guarantees, loans, equity investments, or any other financing technique authorized under this Act provides written assurances prescribed by the AIF that the project will be performed in compliance with the requirements of all Federal laws that would otherwise apply to similar projects to which the United States is a party.(4)Application for assistance(A)In generalA State or local government that wishes to receive a loan or bond guarantee under this section shall submit an application to the Board in such form and manner and containing such information as the Board may require.(B)Requirement for public sponsorship of private entitiesA private entity may only receive a bond guarantee, loan, or equity investment under this section if the State or local government for the jurisdiction in which the nonprofit infrastructure provider or private partner is located submits an application pursuant to subparagraph (A) on behalf of such nonprofit infrastructure provider or private partner.(5)Limitations on single state awards(A)Annual limitationThe Board shall set an annual limit, as a percentage of total assistance provided under this section during a year, on the amount of assistance a single State (including local governments and other infrastructure providers within such State) may receive in assistance provided under this section.(B)Cumulative limitationThe Board shall set a limit, as a percentage of total assistance provided under this section outstanding at any one time, on the amount of assistance a single State (including local governments and other infrastructure providers within such State) may receive in assistance provided under this section.(6)Loan specificationsLoans made under this section shall have such maturity and carry such interest rate as the Board determines appropriate.(7)Bond guaranteeThe Board shall charge such fees for Bond guarantees made under this section as the Board determines appropriate.(8)Equity investmentsWith respect to a QIP, the amount of an equity investment made by the AIF in such QIP may not exceed 20 percent of the total cost of the QIP.(9)Public-private partnership requirementsAt least 35 percent of the assistance provided under this section shall be provided to QIPs for which at least 10 percent of the financing for such QIPs comes from private debt or equity.(10)Prohibition on principal forgivenessWith respect to a loan made under this section, the Board may not forgive any amount of principal on such loan.(d)American Infrastructure Bonds(1)In generalNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary,  acting through the AIF, shall issue bonds, which shall be called American Infrastructure Bonds.  The proceeds from the American Infrastructure Bonds shall be deposited into the AIF.(2)Forms and denominations; interestAmerican Infrastructure Bonds shall—(A)be in such forms and denominations as determined by the Secretary, and shall have a 50-year maturity; and(B)bear interest of 1 percent.(3)No full faith and creditInterest and principal payments paid to holders of American Infrastructure Bonds shall be paid from the AIF, to the extent funds are available, and shall not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.(4)Amount of bondsThe aggregate face amount of the bonds issued under this subsection shall be $50,000,000,000.(5)Sale of american infrastructure bonds(A)Competitive bidding processThe Secretary shall sell $50,000,000,000 of American Infrastructure Bonds—(i)through a competitive bidding process that encourages aggressive bidding;(ii)with prospective purchasers bidding on how low of a multiplier they will accept (for purposes of subsection (b)(1) of section 966 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) when purchasing the American Infrastructure Bonds, for purposes of applying the foreign earnings exclusion described under that section; and(iii)in a manner that ensures no entities participating in the bidding may collude or coordinate their bids.(B)LimitationThe multiplier described in subparagraph (A)(ii) may not be greater than 6.(6)Reimbursement of costsThe Board shall repay the Secretary, from funds in the AIF, for the costs to the Secretary in carrying out this subsection.(e)Additional bonds(1)In generalThe Board may issue such other bonds as the Board determines appropriate, the proceeds from which shall be deposited into the AIF.(2)No full faith and creditInterest and principal payments paid to holders of bonds issued pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be paid from the AIF, to the extent funds are available, and shall not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.(f)DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:(1)Infrastructure providerThe term infrastructure provider means an entity that seeks to finance a QIP.(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.(3)StateThe term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, any territory or possession of the United States, and each Federally recognized Indian tribe.3.Foreign earnings exclusion for purchase of infrastructure bonds(a)In generalSubpart F of part III of subchapter N of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:966.Foreign earnings exclusion for purchase of infrastructure bonds(a)ExclusionIn the case of a corporation which is a United States shareholder and for which the election under this section is in effect for the taxable year, gross income does not include an amount equal to the qualified cash dividend amount.(b)Qualified cash dividend amountFor purposes of this section, the term qualified cash dividend amount means an amount of the cash dividends which are received during a taxable year by such shareholder from controlled foreign corporations equal to—(1)the multiplier determined under section 2(d)(5) of the Partnership to Build America Act of 2014 for such shareholder, multiplied by(2)the face amount of qualified infrastructure bonds acquired at its original issue (directly or through an underwriter) by such shareholder.(c)Limitations(1)In generalThe amount of dividends taken into account under subsection (a) for a taxable year shall not exceed the lesser of—(A)the cash dividends received by the taxpayer for such taxable year, or(B)the amount shown on the applicable financial statement as earnings permanently reinvested outside the United States.(2)Dividends must be extraordinaryThe amount of dividends taken into account under subsection (a) shall not exceed the excess (if any) of—(A)the cash dividends received during the taxable year by such shareholder from controlled foreign corporations, over(B)the annual average for the base period years of the cash dividends received during each base period year by such shareholder from controlled foreign corporations.(3)Reduction of benefit if increase in related party indebtednessThe amount of dividends which would (but for this paragraph) be taken into account under subsection (a) shall be reduced by the excess (if any) of—(A)the amount of indebtedness of the controlled foreign corporation to any related person (as defined in section 954(d)(3)) as of the close of the taxable year for which the election under this section is in effect, over(B)the amount of indebtedness of the controlled foreign corporation to any related person (as so defined) as of the close of the preceding taxable year.(4)Treatment of controlled foreign corporationsAll controlled foreign corporations with respect to which the taxpayer is a United States shareholder shall be treated as 1 controlled foreign corporation for purposes of this subsection. The Secretary may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to prevent the avoidance of the purposes of this subsection, including regulations providing that cash dividends shall not be taken into account under subsection (a) to the extent such dividends are attributable to the direct or indirect transfer (including through the use of intervening entities or capital contributions) of cash or other property from a related person (as so defined) to a controlled foreign corporation.(d)Definitions and special rulesFor purposes of this section—(1)Qualified infrastructure bondsThe term qualified infrastructure bond means a bond issued under section 2(d) of the Partnership to Build America Act of 2014.(2)Applicable financial statementThe term applicable financial statement means, with respect to a taxable year—(A)with respect to a United States shareholder which is required to file a financial statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or which is included in such a statement so filed by another person), the most recent audited annual financial statement (including the notes which form an integral part of such statement) of such shareholder (or which includes such shareholder)—(i)which was so filed for such taxable year, and(ii)which is certified as being prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and(B)with respect to any other United States shareholder, the most recent audited financial statement (including the notes which form an integral part of such statement) of such shareholder (or which includes such shareholder)—(i)which is certified as being prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and(ii)which is used for the purposes of a statement or report—(I)to creditors,(II)to shareholders, or(III)for any other substantial nontax purpose.(3)Base period years(A)In generalThe base period years are the 3 taxable years—(i)which are among the 5 most recent preceding taxable years ending before the taxable year, and(ii)which are determined by disregarding—(I)1 taxable year for which the amount described in subsection (c)(2)(B) is the largest, and(II)1 taxable year for which such amount is the smallest.(B)Shorter periodIf the taxpayer has fewer than 5 taxable years ending before the taxable year, then in lieu of applying subparagraph (A), the base period years shall include all the taxable years of the taxpayer ending before such taxable year.(C)Mergers, acquisitions, etc(i)In generalRules similar to the rules of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 41(f)(3) shall apply for purposes of this paragraph.(ii)Spin-offs, etcIf there is a distribution to which section 355 (or so much of section 356 as relates to section 355) applies during the 5-year period referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) and the controlled corporation (within the meaning of section 355) is a United States shareholder—(I)the controlled corporation shall be treated as being in existence during the period that the distributing corporation (within the meaning of section 355) is in existence, and(II)for purposes of applying subsection (c)(2) to the controlled corporation and the distributing corporation, amounts described in subsection (c)(2)(B) which are received or includable by the distributing corporation or controlled corporation (as the case may be) before the distribution referred to in subclause (I) from a controlled foreign corporation shall be allocated between such corporations in proportion to their respective interests as United States shareholders of such controlled foreign corporation immediately after such distribution.(iii)ExceptionSubclause (II) of clause (ii) shall not apply if neither the controlled corporation nor the distributing corporation is a United States shareholder of such controlled foreign corporation immediately after such distribution.(4)DividendThe term dividend shall not include amounts includable in gross income as a dividend under section 78, 367, or 1248. In the case of a liquidation under section 332 to which section 367(b) applies, the preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent the United States shareholder actually receives cash as part of the liquidation.(5)Coordination with dividend received deductionNo deduction shall be allowed under section 243 or 245 for any dividend which is excluded from income by subsection (a).(6)Controlled groupsAll United States shareholders which are members of an affiliated group filing a consolidated return under section 1501 shall be treated as one United States shareholder.(7)ReportingThe Secretary shall require by regulation or other guidance the reporting of such information as the Secretary may require to carry out this section.(e)Denial of foreign tax credit; denial of certain expenses(1)Foreign tax credit(A)In generalNo credit shall be allowed under section 901 for any taxes paid or accrued (or treated as paid or accrued) with respect to the excluded portion of any dividend.(B)Denial of deduction of related taxNo deduction shall be allowed under this chapter for any tax for which credit is not allowable by reason of the preceding sentence.(2)ExpensesNo deduction shall be allowed for expenses directly allocable to the excludable portion described in paragraph (1).(3)Excludable portionFor purposes of paragraph (1), unless the taxpayer otherwise specifies, the excludable portion of any dividend or other amount is the amount which bears the same ratio to the amount of such dividend or other amount as the amount excluded from income under subsection (a) for the taxable year bears to the amount described in subsection (c)(2)(A) for such year.(4)Coordination with section 78Section 78 shall not apply to any tax which is not allowable as a credit under section 901 by reason of this subsection.(f)Election To have section applyA taxpayer may elect to have this section apply for any taxable year..(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections for subpart F of part III of subchapter N of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:966. Foreign earnings exclusion for purchase of infrastructure bonds..(c)Effective dateThe amendments made by this section shall apply to dividends received for taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.


110 HRES 215 EH: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 700) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water source projects.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-03-08
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 215
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

March 8, 2007

RESOLUTION
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 700) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water source projects.

That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 700) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water source projects. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. The bill shall be considered as read. Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to the bill shall be in order except those printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII and except pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate. Each amendment so printed may be offered only by the Member who caused it to be printed or his designee and shall be considered as read. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. R. 4904
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			April 26, 2012
			Mr. Clarke of
			 Michigan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Ways and
			 Means

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on stator/rotor
		  parts.

		1.Stator/rotor parts
			(a)In
			 generalSubchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff
			 Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the
			 following new heading:

								9902.01.00Stator/rotor parts designed for use in a combined
						generator/electric motor with motor function rated at 100 kW, the foregoing
						certified by the importer for use in hybrid electric vehicles (provided for in
						subheading 8503.00.95) FreeNo changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2015

					.
			(b)Effective
			 dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) applies to goods
			 entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day
			 after the date of the enactment of this Act.


 S422 ENR: Senate Shared Employee Act
U.S. Senate

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.

One Hundred Seventeenth Congress of the United States of America1st SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Sunday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty oneS. 422IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo allow Senators, Senators-elect, committees of the Senate, leadership offices, and other offices of the Senate to share employees, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Senate Shared Employee Act.2.Allowing Senators, committees, leadership offices, and other offices of the Senate to share employees(a)In generalSection 114 of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1978 (2 U.S.C. 4576) is amended—(1)by inserting (a) before Notwithstanding;(2)by striking position, each of and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following:qualifying position if the aggregate gross pay from those positions does not exceed—(1)the maximum rate specified in section 105(d)(2) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(d)(2)), as amended and modified; or(2)in a case where 1 or more of the individual's qualifying positions are positions described in subsection (d)(2)(B), the maximum rate specified in section 105(e)(3) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(e)(3)), as amended and modified.; and(3)by adding at the end the following:(b)(1)For an individual serving in more than 1 qualifying position under subsection (a), the cost of any travel for official business shall be paid by the office authorizing the travel.(2)Messages for each electronic mail account used in connection with carrying out the official duties of an individual serving in more than 1 qualifying position under subsection (a) may be delivered to and sent from a single handheld communications device provided to the individual for purposes of official business.(3)(A)For purposes of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the rate of basic pay for an individual serving in more than 1 qualifying position under subsection (a) shall be the total basic pay received by the individual from all such positions.(B)For an individual serving in more than one qualifying position under subsection (a), for purposes of the rights and obligations described in, or described in the provisions applied under, title II of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.) related to practices used at a time when the individual is serving in such a qualifying position with an employing office, the rate of pay for the individual shall be the individual rate of pay received from the employing office. (c)(1)If the duties of a qualifying position under subsection (a) include information technology services and support, an individual may only serve in the qualifying position and 1 or more additional qualifying positions under such subsection if the individual is in compliance with each information technology standard and policy established for Senate offices by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate. (2)Notwithstanding subsection (a), an employee serving in a qualifying position in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate or the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate may serve in an additional qualifying position only if—(A)the other qualifying position is with the other Office; or(B)the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate has approved the arrangement.(d)In this section, the term qualifying position means a position that—(1)is designated as a shared position for purposes of this section by the Senator or other head of the office in which the position is located; and(2)is one of the following:(A)A position—(i)that is in the office of a Senator; and(ii)the pay of which is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate.(B)A position—(i)that is in any committee of the Senate (including a select or special committee) or a joint committee of Congress; and(ii)the pay of which is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate out of an appropriation under the heading Inquiries and investigations or Joint economic committee, or a heading relating to a Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.(C)A position—(i)that is in another office (excluding the Office of the Vice President and the Office of the Chaplain of the Senate); and(ii)the pay of which is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate out of an appropriation under the heading Salaries, Officers and Employees.(D)A position—(i)that is filled pursuant to section 105 of the Second Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1978 (2 U.S.C. 6311); and(ii)the pay of which is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate out of an appropriation under the heading Miscellaneous Items..(b)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect beginning on the day that is 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.Speaker of the House of RepresentativesVice President of the United States and President of the Senate


113 HR 865 IH: African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-02-27
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 865
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			February 27, 2013
			Mr. Nadler (for
			 himself, Mr. Meeks, and
			 Mr. Rangel) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Natural Resources

		A BILL
		To establish the African Burial Ground International
		  Memorial Museum and Educational Center in New York, New York, and for other
		  purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 African Burial Ground International
			 Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act.
		2.FindingsThe Congress finds that—
			(1)the African Burial Ground National Historic
			 Landmark in New York, New York, holds the remains of up to 20,000 enslaved
			 Africans and early-generation African-Americans from the colonial era;
			(2)the Africans and African-Americans that
			 suffered under slavery show us the strength of the human character and provide
			 us with a model of courage, commitment, and perseverance;
			(3)as President George W. Bush stated on July
			 8, 2003, during his remarks at Goree Island, Senegal: “For 250 years the
			 captives endured an assault on their culture and their dignity. The spirit of
			 Africans in America did not break. … All the generations of oppression under
			 the laws of man could not crush the hope of freedom and defeat the purposes of
			 God.”;
			(4)on February 27, 2006, President George W.
			 Bush established the National Monument, which was comprised of the
			 approximately 15,000-square-foot parcel of the National Historic Landmark that
			 was bounded by Duane and Elk Streets in Lower Manhattan;
			(5)an international memorial museum facility
			 dedicated to those individuals who suffered the grave injustice of slavery in
			 the United States, while at the same time helping to build the country,
			 would—
				(A)reflect the significance of the African
			 Burial Ground; and
				(B)help the people of the United States
			 understand the past and honor the history of all people in the United
			 States;
				(6)in 1998, the Secretary of the Smithsonian
			 Institution—
				(A)stated that the African Burial Ground
			 affords the perfect opportunity to gain insight into—
					(i)the institution of slavery, as practiced in
			 urban, rural, northern, and southern parts of the United States; and
					(ii)the international slave trade; and
					(B)proposed that a partnership be formed among
			 the Smithsonian, the National Park Service, and the General Services
			 Administration to further develop the African Burial Ground;
				(7)the National Museum of African American
			 History and Culture Act (20 U.S.C. 80r et seq.), which authorized construction
			 of a museum in Washington, DC, identified the period of slavery as one of the
			 periods of the African-American diaspora that would be encompassed by the
			 museum;
			(8)the African Burial Ground—
				(A)is unlike any other anthropological and
			 symbolic site in the United States or the world;
				(B)includes DNA samples from the remarkably
			 well-preserved human remains that will enable researchers to trace the home
			 roots in Africa of those individuals buried at the African Burial
			 Ground; and
				(C)provides a fitting location for a national
			 memorial facility, relating to the National Museum of African American History
			 and Culture that would—
					(i)pay special tribute to—
						(I)the thousands of enslaved individuals who
			 are buried at the African Burial Ground; and
						(II)all of the individuals who were enslaved
			 during the history of the United States;
						(ii)examine the African cultural traditions
			 brought to the United States by the enslaved; and
					(iii)explore in-depth the institution of
			 slavery;
					(9)a memorial museum at the site of the
			 African Burial Ground—
				(A)was first recommended by a Federal steering
			 committee in 1992; and
				(B)in conjunction with the planned World Trade
			 Center memorial and other nearby sites, would attract millions of visitors from
			 the United States and abroad, making a substantial contribution to the
			 development and revitalization of Lower Manhattan in response to the attacks on
			 the World Trade Center of September 11, 2001;
				(10)Public Law 99–511 (100 Stat. 2080)
			 encouraged support for the establishment of a commemorative structure within
			 the National Park System or on other Federal land that is dedicated to the
			 promotion of understanding, knowledge, opportunity, and equality for all
			 people;
			(11)similar to the National Museum of the
			 Native American that was established by section 3(a) of the National Museum of
			 the American Indian Act (20 U.S.C. 80q–1(a)), a memorial museum at the site of
			 the African Burial Ground would benefit from a partnership among—
				(A)the Federal Government;
				(B)the State of New York;
				(C)the city of New York; and
				(D)members of the private sector;
				(12)the African Burial Ground—
				(A)has been determined to be nationally
			 significant as—
					(i)a National Historic Landmark; and
					(ii)a National Monument; and
					(B)provides an important opportunity for
			 interpretation, understanding, partnership and pride; and
				(13)the National Park Service—
				(A)has played an important role in the
			 development of the African Burial Ground (including the designation of the
			 African Burial Ground as a National Monument);
				(B)successfully operates other national
			 facilities in the city of New York that symbolize freedom and the quest for
			 freedom in America, including—
					(i)the Statue of Liberty National Monument;
			 and
					(ii)Ellis Island National Monument;
					(C)provided key support to the Presidential
			 Study Commission for the National Museum of African American History and
			 Culture; and
				(D)is well-suited to assume a leadership role
			 with respect to the creation of the Museum.
				3.DefinitionsIn this Act:
			(1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means
			 the Administrator of the General Services Administration.
			(2)Advisory councilThe term Advisory Council
			 means the African Burial Ground Advisory Council established by section
			 7(a).
			(3)CityThe term City means the city
			 of New York, New York.
			(4)Expansion propertyThe term expansion property
			 means the property that is acquired by the Secretary under section 5(a).
			(5)MuseumThe term Museum means the
			 African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center
			 established by section 4(a).
			(6)National landmarkThe term National Landmark
			 means the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in the City.
			(7)National monumentThe term National Monument
			 means the African Burial Ground National Monument in the City.
			(8)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the
			 Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park
			 Service.
			(9)StateThe term State means the State
			 of New York.
			4.Establishment of Museum
			(a)EstablishmentThere is established at the National
			 Monument a memorial museum and educational center, to be known as the
			 African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational
			 Center.
			(b)PurposesThe purposes of the Museum are—
				(1)to serve as a permanent living
			 memorial—
					(A)to the enslaved who are buried at the
			 African Burial Ground; and
					(B)to other Africans and African-Americans who
			 were enslaved;
					(2)to examine the African cultural traditions
			 brought to the United States by the enslaved;
				(3)to explore in-depth the institution of
			 slavery in the United States and other parts of the world;
				(4)to provide a space for—
					(A)permanent and temporary exhibits;
			 and
					(B)the collection and study of artifacts and
			 documents; and
					(5)to encourage collaboration between the
			 Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, other
			 museums, historically Black colleges and universities, historical societies,
			 educational institutions, and other appropriate entities and organizations,
			 including collaboration with respect to—
					(A)the development of cooperative programs and
			 exhibitions, including through digital, electronic, and interactive
			 technologies;
					(B)the identification, management, and care of
			 Museum collections; and
					(C)the training of Museum and National Park
			 Service professionals and other persons concerned with heritage
			 preservation.
					(c)Association with national
			 museumThe Museum shall
			 become associated with the National Museum of African American History and
			 Culture, in a manner to be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with
			 the Advisory Council and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
			 Institution.
			5.Site acquisition and development
			(a)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the
			 Administrator, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the City, the
			 State, and the Advisory Council, shall—
				(1)acquire for the Museum property that is
			 located—
					(A)adjacent to the National Monument;
			 or
					(B)in any other area of the National Landmark
			 other than the location described in subparagraph (A); and
					(2)plan, design, and construct the Museum on
			 the property acquired under paragraph (1).
				(b)Federal shareThe Secretary shall pay
			 2/3 of the total costs of—
				(1)acquiring property for the Museum;
			 and
				(2)planning, designing, constructing,
			 reconstructing, and renovating, as applicable, the Museum.
				(c)Contracting authority
				(1)In generalThe Secretary and the Administrator may
			 enter into any agreements with each other, the City, the State, and other
			 parties that are necessary for the acquisition, by donation or other means, of
			 property for—
					(A)establishing the Museum; and
					(B)planning, designing, constructing,
			 reconstructing, and renovating, as applicable, the Museum.
					(2)Site acquisitionThe Secretary may acquire property under
			 subsection (a)(1) by purchase, long-term lease, or any other appropriate means
			 of acquisition, as determined by the Secretary.
				(d)Expansion of National
			 MonumentThe expansion
			 property is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the National
			 Monument.
			6.Operation of the Museum
			(a)In generalThe Secretary, in consultation with the
			 Advisory Council, shall operate the Museum.
			(b)AuthoritiesThe Secretary, in consultation with the
			 Advisory Council, may—
				(1)purchase, accept, borrow, and otherwise
			 acquire artifacts for the collections of the Museum;
				(2)loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dispose
			 of any part of the collections of the Museum, if the proceeds of the
			 disposition are used for additions to the collections of the Museum;
				(3)specify criteria with respect to the use of
			 the collections and resources of the Museum, including policies on programming,
			 education, exhibitions, and research;
				(4)provide for preservation, restoration, and
			 maintenance of the collections of the Museum;
				(5)solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts,
			 bequests, and devises of real and personal property for the purpose of
			 facilitating the work of the Museum;
				(6)contract with such parties as may be
			 necessary to facilitate the operation of the Museum;
				(7)administer the National Monument as a unit
			 of the National Park System in accordance with—
					(A)this Act; and
					(B)the laws generally applicable to units of
			 the National Park System, including the Act of August 25, 1916 (commonly known
			 as the National Park Service Organic Act) (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.);
			 and
					(8)conduct any other activities that are
			 necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
				7.Advisory council
			(a)EstablishmentThere is established within the Department
			 of the Interior an advisory council to be known as the African Burial
			 Ground Advisory Council.
			(b)Membership
				(1)CompositionThe Advisory Council shall be composed of
			 the following members or their designees:
					(A)The Secretary, who shall serve as
			 Chairperson of the Advisory Council.
					(B)The Director of the National Park
			 Service.
					(C)The Secretary of the Smithsonian
			 Institution.
					(D)The Administrator.
					(E)The Governor of the State.
					(F)The Mayor of the City.
					(G)The President of the Borough of
			 Manhattan.
					(H)Fourteen members, to be appointed by the
			 Secretary, taking into consideration—
						(i)recommendations from organizations and
			 entities that are committed to the legacy of the African Burial Ground;
			 and
						(ii)recommendations from the members of the
			 Advisory Council.
						(2)Nonvoting membersThe Secretary may appoint as nonvoting
			 members of the Advisory Council—
					(A)members of the United States Senate;
					(B)members of the House of
			 Representatives;
					(C)officials representing the City;
					(D)officials representing the State;
			 and
					(E)any other individuals that the Secretary,
			 in consultation with the members of the Advisory Council, determines to be
			 appropriate.
					(3)Date of appointmentsThe initial appointment of a member under
			 paragraph (1) shall be made not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
			 of this Act.
				(c)Terms
				(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), each
			 member of the Advisory Council shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
				(2)Initial appointeesOf the members first appointed under
			 subsection (b)(1)(H)—
					(A)5 members shall be appointed for a term of
			 1 year;
					(B)5 members shall be appointed for a term of
			 2 years; and
					(C)4 members shall be appointed for a term of
			 3 years.
					(3)Reappointment
					(A)In generalA member of the Advisory Council may be
			 reappointed, except that no individual may serve on the Advisory Council for a
			 total of more than 2 terms.
					(B)Vacancy appointmentsFor purposes of subparagraph (A), the
			 number of terms an individual serves on the Advisory Council shall not include
			 any portion of a term for which an individual is appointed to fill a vacancy
			 under paragraph (4)(B).
					(4)Vacancies
					(A)In generalA vacancy on the Advisory Council—
						(i)shall not affect the powers of the Advisory
			 Council; and
						(ii)shall be filled in the same manner as the
			 original appointment was made.
						(B)TermAny member of the Advisory Council
			 appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for
			 which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the
			 remainder of that term.
					(d)DutiesThe Advisory Council shall—
				(1)make recommendations to the Secretary on
			 the planning, design, and construction of the Museum;
				(2)advise and assist the Secretary on all
			 matters relating to the administration, operation, maintenance, and
			 preservation of the Museum;
				(3)provide significant opportunities for
			 public input with respect to carrying out the duties under paragraphs (1) and
			 (2); and
				(4)adopt bylaws for the operation of the
			 Advisory Council.
				(e)Compensation
				(1)In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), a
			 member of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation.
				(2)Travel expensesA member of the Council shall be allowed
			 travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized
			 for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
			 United States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of
			 the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council.
				(f)Meetings
				(1)In generalThe Advisory Council shall meet at the call
			 of the chairperson or on the written request of a majority of the members of
			 the Advisory Council, but not fewer than 2 times each year.
				(2)Initial meetingsDuring the 1-year period beginning on the
			 date of the first meeting of the Advisory Council, the Advisory Council shall
			 meet not fewer than 4 times for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the
			 Advisory Council.
				(g)QuorumA majority of the members of the Advisory
			 Council shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business, but a
			 lesser number may receive information on behalf of the Advisory Council.
			8.Director and staff
			(a)Director
				(1)In generalThe Secretary shall appoint a Director for
			 the Museum, taking into consideration recommendations by the Advisory
			 Council.
				(2)DutiesThe Director of the Museum shall manage the
			 Museum, in accordance with any policies established by the Secretary, in
			 consultation with the Advisory Council.
				(b)Staff
				(1)AppointmentThe Secretary may, without regard to the
			 civil service laws, appoint 2 employees to assist the Director of the Museum in
			 carrying out the duties of the Director.
				(2)CompensationThe employees appointed under subsection
			 (b) may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter
			 III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.
				9.Authorization of appropriations
			(a)In generalExcept as provided in subsection (b), there
			 are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
			 Act—
				(1)$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
			 and
				(2)such sums as are necessary for each fiscal
			 year thereafter.
				(b)Acquisition of museum siteThere are authorized to be appropriated
			 such sums as are necessary to carry out section 5.
			(c)AvailabilityAmounts made available under subsections
			 (a) and (b) shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until
			 expended.
			(d)Use of funds for fund-RaisingAmounts made available under this section
			 may be used to raise funds from private sources to support and promote the
			 Museum.


116 HCON 71 IH: Urging all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against such trade.
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-10-31
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.

IV116th CONGRESS1st SessionH. CON. RES. 71IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 31, 2019Mr. Hastings (for himself and Mr. Buchanan) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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 concernedCONCURRENT RESOLUTIONUrging all nations to outlaw the dog and cat meat trade and to enforce existing laws against such
			 trade.

 Whereas a bipartisan domestic prohibition on the knowing slaughter, transportation, possession, purchase, or sale of a dog or cat for human consumption was included in section 12515 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–334), which was enacted on December 20, 2018;
 Whereas the dog and cat meat trade occurs throughout the world, primarily in Asia; Whereas established dog meat markets still exist today;
 Whereas Humane Society International, Animals Asia Foundation, and others estimate that 30,000,000 dogs and 10,000,000 cats die annually worldwide as a result of the dog and cat meat trade, and those organizations have found that a considerable number of the dogs and cats in this trade are stolen pets still wearing collars when they reach the slaughterhouses, in addition to stray dogs and cats who are captured for slaughter;
 Whereas there have been reports of abuse, poor living conditions, and cruel slaughtering techniques for dogs and cats farmed for their meat;
 Whereas many dogs and cats die during transport to slaughterhouses after days or weeks crammed into small cages on the back of vehicles without food or water, and others suffer illness and injury during transport;
 Whereas the extreme suffering of dogs and cats at such slaughterhouses and on transportation trucks would breach anti-cruelty laws in the United States and other countries;
 Whereas many government officials, civil society advocates, and activists are working to end the dog and cat meat trade on anticruelty and public health grounds, and the Governments of Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong have passed laws banning the dog meat trade;
 Whereas the World Health Organization has linked the dog meat industry to human outbreaks of trichinellosis, cholera, and rabies.
 Whereas those involved in the dog meat industry are at an increased health risk for zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, which can transfer from dogs to humans through infectious material such as saliva;
 Whereas the spread of disease may be exacerbated by unsanitary conditions of slaughter and by the sale of dog and cat meat at open-air markets and restaurants; and
 Whereas the World Health Organization and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control have both acknowledged the link between the spread of rabies and the dog meat trade which sees large numbers of dogs of unknown disease status moved vast distances: Now, therefore be it

 That Congress— (1)calls for an end to the consumption and trade of dog and cat meat on cruelty and public health grounds;
 (2)urges all nations with a dog or cat meat trade to adopt and enforce laws banning that trade; and (3)affirms the commitment of the United States to advancing the cause of animal protection and animal welfare, both domestically and around the world.