116 HRES 1261 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on addressing the reckless and unsustainable national debt while committing necessary resources to the COVID–19 pandemic.
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-12-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. RES. 1261IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 14, 2020Mr. Arrington (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mr. LaHood, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mr. Holding, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Norman, Mr. Woodall, Mr. Gallagher, Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Smucker) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the BudgetRESOLUTIONExpressing the sense of the House of Representatives on addressing the reckless and unsustainable national debt while committing necessary resources to the COVID–19 pandemic.Whereas, in January 2020, prior to the COVID–19 pandemic, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected that for fiscal year 2020, United States deficit spending would total nearly $1,020,000,000,000, the first trillion-dollar deficit in history not caused by the Great Recession;Whereas, in January 2020, prior to the pandemic, the CBO projected United States debt-to-GDP would rise from 80 percent to 98 percent by 2030;Whereas even in the absence of the COVID–19 pandemic, our Nation’s fiscal situation was precarious and rapidly deteriorating;Whereas, throughout 2020, COVID–19 has had a significant impact on the health of our fellow citizens, our economy, and our fiscal stability;Whereas 25,000,000 people were immediately put out of work;Whereas in response to the health crisis, lockdowns, and an economic downturn, Congress passed a series of legislative packages totaling more than $3,600,000,000,000 to support hospitals, families, small businesses, schools, and local governments;Whereas as a result of these necessary measures, our fiscal condition is far worse than ever before;Whereas the ability to respond appropriately to emergencies is part of responsible budgeting and an important reason to control the debt during periods of economic strength;Whereas the fiscal year 2020 budget deficit exceeded $3,100,000,000,000, more than three times the prepandemic projection;Whereas the total deficit in 2020 was 16.0 percent of the Nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from 4.6 percent in 2019 and 3.8 percent in 2018, and the deficit was the largest as a percentage of GDP since 1945;Whereas the gross debt of the United States Government, which includes both debt held by the public and debt held by Federal trust funds, now exceeds $27,000,000,000,000;Whereas the national debt for fiscal year 2020 has now exceeded the size of the entire United States economy, and the debt-to-GDP ratio will soon reach the highest level ever and is expected to continue rising at an unsustainable rate; andWhereas we recognize the need to provide temporary and targeted support to those affected by the pandemic, including future assistance: Now, therefore, be itThat the House of Representatives—(1)recognizes that an unprecedented response to provide relief to hundreds of millions of Americans was required to address the COVID–19 pandemic;(2)realizes that additional relief measures are required; (3)believes that further efforts to address the COVID–19 pandemic must include measures and reforms to help Congress restore the Federal Government’s long-term fiscal health once the pandemic ends and the economy regains its strength; and(4)believes Congress should promote the return to regular order and deliberation, and to change the broken and dysfunctional budget practices that threaten both economic stability and national security.


109 HCON 385 IH: Expressing the sense of Congress to encourage the State of Louisiana and the Department of Justice to establish satellite voting outside the State of Louisiana for the New Orleans elections scheduled for April 22, 2006.
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-04-06
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
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 385
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 6, 2006
Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas (for herself, Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Payne, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Conyers, Ms. McKinney, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Delahunt, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Honda, Mr. Owens, Mr. Lantos, Ms. Lee, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Wexler, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California, Ms. Berkley, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Becerra, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Gutierrez, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Melancon, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Towns, Mr. Watt, Ms. Solis, Mr. Filner, Ms. Millender-McDonald, and Ms. Matsui) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress to encourage the State of Louisiana and the Department of Justice to establish satellite voting outside the State of Louisiana for the New Orleans elections scheduled for April 22, 2006.

Whereas prior to that day in late August 2005, the City of New Orleans was a vibrant city of nearly one-half million and known as the Crescent City, the Town That Care Forgot, and the Big Easy;
Whereas visitors traveled the world over to taste New Orleans’ beignets and etoufee, catfish and gumbo, po’ boys and Cajun rice, to live the pleasures of Mardi Gras and to ‘les bon temps roulez’;
Whereas on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit with such fury and reach, the city was drowning and the levees were breached;
Whereas upwards of half the population was stranded by storm, and the other half of the survivors left the State to stay warm;
Whereas April 22 has been set as the day of the mayoral election, but most of the survivors can’t make the selection; because they were taken to another State while waiting to learn of New Orleans’ fate; and
Whereas a remedy to this problem is easily supplied, just let all out-of-State New Orleansians vote satellite. Thus satellite voting means so long election care, because if you were from New Orleans at Katrina, you’re always right there: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress—
(1)recognizes the importance of preserving the constitutional right to vote of citizens displaced by Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters or states of emergency;
(2)asserts that every election in Louisiana must be fair, free, transparent, and satisfy the requirements of the Voting Rights Act; and
(3)expressing the sense of Congress to encourage the State of Louisiana and the Department of Justice to establish satellite voting outside the State of Louisiana for the New Orleans elections scheduled for April 22, 2006.


114 HR 1490 IH: SOS Campus Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-03-19
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
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1490
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 19, 2015
Mrs. Davis of California (for herself, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Chu of California, Ms. Norton, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Adams, Ms. Brown of Florida, and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to have an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act or the SOS Campus Act. 2.Independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response (a)EstablishmentPart G of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 485E the following new section:

485F.Independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response
(a)DesignationEach eligible institution participating in any program under this title shall designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response (in this section referred to as the Advocate) who shall be appointed based on certifications, experience, and a demonstrated ability of the individual to effectively provide sexual assault victim services.  (b)Notification of existence of and information for the advocateEach employee of an eligible institution who receives a report of sexual assault shall notify the victim of the existence of, contact information for, and services provided by the Advocate of the institution.
(c)Advocate oversightEach Advocate shall— (1)report to an individual outside the body responsible for investigating and adjudicating sexual assault complaints at the institution;
(2)submit to such individual an annual report summarizing how the resources supplied to the Advocate were used, including the number of male and female sexual assault victims assisted; and (3)be appointed in such manner as the Secretary determines is appropriate.
(d)Role
(1)In generalIn carrying out the responsibilities described in this section, the Advocate shall represent the interests of the student victim without regard to whether such interests are in conflict with the interests of the institution designating such Advocate. (2)Prohibition on retaliationNo institution of higher education designating an Advocate in accordance with this section may discipline, penalize, or otherwise retaliate against such Advocate for representing the interests of a student victim, without regard to whether such interests are in conflict with the interests of such institution.
(e)Responsibilities
(1)Services available at all timesEach Advocate shall ensure that victims of sexual assault at the institution are able to receive, at the election of the victim and at any time of day, each day of the week— (A)information on how to report a campus sexual assault to law enforcement;
(B)emergency medical care, including follow up medical care as requested; and (C)medical forensic or evidentiary examinations.
(2)Other servicesEach Advocate shall ensure that victims of sexual assault at the institution are able to receive, at the election of the victim— (A)crisis intervention counseling and ongoing counseling;
(B)information on the victim’s rights and referrals to additional support services; and (C)information on legal services.
(3)GuidanceEach Advocate shall guide victims of sexual assault who request assistance through the reporting, counseling, administrative, medical and health, academic accommodations, or legal processes of the institution designating such Advocate or local law enforcement. (4)Attendance at adjudicationsAt the request of the victim of sexual assault, each Advocate shall attend any administrative or institution-based adjudication proceeding related to such assault as an advocate for the victim.
(5)Privacy and confidentialityEach Advocate shall maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the victim of, and any witness to, such sexual assault and shall not notify the institution designating such Advocate or any other person of the identity of the victim or any such witness or the alleged circumstances surrounding the reported sexual assault except— (A)as otherwise required by the applicable laws in the State where such institution is located;
(B)with respect to the identity of the victim, with the consent of the victim; or (C)with respect to the identity of such witness, with the consent of such witness.
(6)Public information campaignEach Advocate shall conduct a public information campaign to inform the students enrolled at the institution designating such Advocate of the existence of, contact information for, and services provided by the Advocate, including— (A)posting information—
(i)on the website of such institution; (ii)in student orientation materials; and
(iii)on posters displayed in dormitories, cafeterias, sports arenas, locker rooms, entertainment facilities, and classrooms; and (B)training coaches, faculty, school administrators, resident advisors, and other staff to provide information on the existence of, contact information for, and services provided by the Advocate.
(f)Availability of servicesThe services described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (e) shall be provided— (1)pursuant to a memorandum of understanding (that includes transportation services), at a rape crisis center, legal organization, or other community-based organization located within a reasonable distance from an institution; or
(2)on the campus of an institution in consultation with a rape crisis center, legal organization, or other community-based organization. (g)Prohibition on retaliation towards victimsA victim of sexual assault may not be disciplined, penalized, or otherwise retaliated against for reporting such assault to the Advocate.
(h)No effect on Clery Act and title IXNothing in this section shall alter or amend the rights, duties, and responsibilities under section 485(f) or title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) (also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act). (i)Sexual assault definedIn this section, the term sexual assault means penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim, including when the victim is incapable of giving consent..
(b)RegulationsNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall issue regulations to carry out section 485F of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by subsection (a) of this section.


		III
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 44
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			February 3, 2011
			Mr. Kerry (for himself,
			 Mr. McCain, Mr.
			 Graham, Ms. Klobuchar,
			 Mr. Cardin, Mr.
			 Nelson of Florida, Mr.
			 Durbin, and Mr. Levin)
			 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed
			 to

		RESOLUTION
		Supporting democracy, universal rights, and
		  the peaceful transition to a representative government in
		  Egypt.

		Whereas the United States and Egypt have long shared a
			 strong bilateral relationship;
		Whereas Egypt plays an important role in global and
			 regional politics as well as in the broader Middle East and North
			 Africa;
		Whereas Egypt has been, and continues to be, an
			 intellectual and cultural center of the Arab world;
		Whereas on January 25, 2011, demonstrations began across
			 Egypt with thousands of protesters peacefully calling for a new government,
			 free and fair elections, significant constitutional and political reforms,
			 greater economic opportunity, and an end to government corruption;
		Whereas on January 28, 2011, the Government of Egypt shut
			 down Internet and mobile phone networks almost entirely and blocked social
			 networking websites;
		Whereas on January 29, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak
			 appointed Omar Suleiman, former head of the Egyptian General Intelligence
			 Directorate, as Vice President and Ahmed Shafik, former Minister for Civil
			 Aviation, as Prime Minister;
		Whereas the demonstrations have continued, making this the
			 longest protest in modern Egyptian history, and on February 1, 2011, millions
			 of protesters took to the streets across the country;
		Whereas hundreds of Egyptians have been killed and injured
			 since the protests began;
		Whereas on February 1, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak
			 announced that he would not run for reelection later this year, but widespread
			 protests against his government continue;
		Whereas on February 1, 2011, President Barack Obama called
			 for an orderly transition, stating that it “must be meaningful, it must be
			 peaceful, and it must begin now.” He also affirmed that: “The process must
			 include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices and opposition parties. It should
			 lead to elections that are free and fair. And it should result in a government
			 that’s not only grounded in democratic principles, but is also responsive to
			 the aspirations of the Egyptian people.”;
		Whereas despite President Hosni Mubarak's pledge in 2005
			 that Egypt's controversial emergency law would be used only to fight terrorism
			 and that he planned to abolish the state of emergency and adopt new
			 antiterrorism legislation as an alternative, in May 2010, the Government of
			 Egypt again extended the emergency law, which has been in place continuously
			 since 1981, for another 2 years, giving police broad powers of arrest and
			 allowing indefinite detention without charge;
		Whereas the Department of State's 2009 Human Rights Report
			 notes with respect to Egypt, [t]he government's respect for human rights
			 remained poor, and serious abuses continued in many areas. The government
			 limited citizens' right to change their government and continued a state of
			 emergency that has been in place almost continuously since
			 1967.;
		Whereas past elections in Egypt, including the most recent
			 November 2010 parliamentary elections, have seen serious irregularities at
			 polling and counting stations, security force intimidation and coercion of
			 voters, and obstruction of peaceful political rallies and demonstrations;
			 and
		Whereas any election must be honest and open to all
			 legitimate candidates and conducted without interference from the military or
			 security apparatus and under the oversight of international monitors: Now,
			 therefore, be it

		That the Senate—
			(1)acknowledges the
			 central and historic importance of the United States-Egyptian strategic
			 partnership in advancing the common interests of both countries, including
			 peace and security in the broader Middle East and North Africa;
			(2)reaffirms the
			 United States’ commitment to the universal rights of freedom of assembly,
			 freedom of speech, and freedom of access to information, including the
			 Internet, and expresses strong support for the people of Egypt in their
			 peaceful calls for a representative and responsive democratic government that
			 respects these rights;
			(3)condemns any
			 efforts to provoke or instigate violence, and calls upon all parties to refrain
			 from all violent and criminal acts;
			(4)supports freedom
			 of the press and strongly condemns the intimidation, targeting, or detention of
			 journalists;
			(5)urges the
			 Egyptian military to demonstrate maximum professionalism and restraint, and
			 emphasizes the importance of working to peacefully restore calm and order while
			 allowing for free and non-violent freedom of expression;
			(6)calls on
			 President Mubarak to immediately begin an orderly and peaceful transition to a
			 democratic political system, including the transfer of power to an inclusive
			 interim caretaker government, in coordination with leaders from Egypt’s
			 opposition, civil society, and military, to enact the necessary reforms to hold
			 free, fair, and internationally credible elections this year;
			(7)affirms that a
			 real transition to a legitimate representative democracy in Egypt requires
			 concrete steps to be taken as soon as possible, including lifting the state of
			 emergency, allowing Egyptians to organize independent political parties without
			 interference, enhancing the transparency of governmental institutions,
			 restoring judicial supervision of elections, allowing credible international
			 monitors to observe the preparation and conduct of elections, and amending the
			 laws and Constitution of Egypt as necessary to implement these and other
			 critical reforms;
			(8)pledges full
			 support for Egypt’s transition to a representative democracy that is responsive
			 to the needs of the Egyptian people, and calls on all nations to support the
			 people of Egypt as they work to conduct a successful transition to
			 democracy;
			(9)expresses deep
			 concern over any organization that espouses an extremist ideology, including
			 the Muslim Brotherhood, and calls upon all political movements and parties in
			 Egypt, including an interim government, to affirm their commitment to
			 non-violence and the rule of law, the equal rights of all individuals,
			 accountable institutions of justice, religious tolerance, peaceful relations
			 with Egypt’s neighbors, and the fundamental principles and practices of
			 democracy, including the regular conduct of free and fair elections;
			(10)underscores the
			 vital importance of any Egyptian Government continuing to fulfill its
			 international obligations, including its commitments under the Egypt-Israel
			 Peace Treaty signed on March 26, 1979 and the freedom of navigation through the
			 Suez Canal; and
			(11)ensures that
			 United States assistance to the Egyptian Government, military, and people will
			 advance the goal of ensuring respect for the universal rights of the Egyptian
			 people and will further the national security interests of the United States in
			 the region.


		II
		109th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		S. 2989
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			May 23, 2006
			Mrs. Hutchison
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on Commerce, Science, and
			 Transportation

		A BILL
		To reform the franchise procedure relating to cable
		  service and video service, and for other purposes.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Franchise Reform Act of
			 2006.
		2.State cable and
			 video franchisingPart III of
			 title VI of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 541 et seq.) is amended
			 by adding at the end the following new section:

				630.Franchising
				authority
					(a)State
				commissions designated as franchising authorityThe State
				Commission of each State shall be designated as the franchising authority for
				any state-issued franchise for the provision of cable service or video service
				in that State.
					(b)State
				authorization to provide cable service or video service
						(1)Application for
				franchise
							(A)In
				generalAn entity or person seeking to provide cable service or
				video service in a State shall file an application for a state-issued
				certificate of franchise authority with the State Commission.
							(B)Existing
				franchisesExcept as provided in subsection (c), an entity
				providing cable service or video service under an existing franchise agreement
				with a municipality shall not be subject to the requirement under subparagraph
				(A) with respect to such municipality until such franchise agreement
				expires.
							(2)Notice
							(A)In
				generalNot later than 15 business days after an applicant for a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority submits an affidavit, a State
				Commission shall notify such applicant whether such affidavit is
				complete.
							(3)AffidavitFor
				purposes of this subsection the term affidavit means an
				application for a state-issued certificate of franchise authority—
							(A)submitted by an
				entity or person;
							(B)signed by such
				person or the officer or general partner of an entity; and
							(C)that
				affirms—
								(i)that such entity
				or person has filed, or will timely file with the Commission all forms required
				by the Commission;
								(ii)that such entity
				or person agrees to comply with all applicable Federal and State statutes and
				regulations;
								(iii)that such
				entity or person agrees to comply with all applicable municipal regulations
				regarding the use and occupation of public rights-of-way in the delivery of
				cable service or video service, including the police powers of the
				municipalities in which the service is delivered;
								(iv)a description of
				the service area footprint to be served within the municipality, if such
				description is applicable, otherwise the municipality to be served by such
				service, including designations of unincorporated areas, which description
				shall—
									(I)be updated by
				such entity or person prior to the expansion of cable service or video service
				to a previously undesignated service area; and
									(II)upon such
				expansion, provide notice to the State Commission of the service area to be
				served by the applicant; and
									(v)the location of
				the principal place of business of such entity or person and the names of the
				principal executive officers of such entity.
								(4)IssuanceNot
				later than 17 business days after a State Commission receives a completed
				affidavit from an applicant, the State Commission shall issue a certificate of
				franchise authority to such applicant.
						(5)Contents of
				certificate of franchise authorityA certificate of franchise
				authority issued by a State Commission shall contain—
							(A)a grant of
				authority to provide cable service or video service as requested in the
				application;
							(B)a grant of
				authority to use and occupy the public rights-of-way in the delivery of that
				service, subject to the laws of the State in which the State Commission is
				located, including the police powers of the municipalities in which the service
				is delivered; and
							(C)a statement that
				the grant of authority to operate a franchise under this section shall be
				subject to lawful operation of cable service or video service by any applicant
				for such authority, or any successor in interest to such applicant.
							(6)Transfer
							(A)In
				generalA certificate of franchise authority issued by a State
				Commission under this section shall be fully transferable to any successor in
				interest to the applicant to which such certificate was initially
				granted.
							(B)NoticeNot
				later than 14 business days after the completion of any transfer under
				subparagraph (A), a notice of transfer shall be filed with each
				relevant—
								(i)State Commission;
				and
								(ii)municipality.
								(7)TerminationA
				certificate of franchise authority issued by a State Commission under this
				section may be terminated by a cable service provider or video service provider
				by submitting a notice of termination to such State Commission.
						(c)Eligibility for
				uniform state-issued franchise
						(1)Prior franchise
				agreementSubject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a cable service
				provider or a video service provider that currently has or had previously
				received a franchise to provide cable service or video service with respect to
				a municipality may not be eligible to seek a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority under this section as to such municipality until the date
				of expiration of any existing franchise agreement between such provider and
				such municipality.
						(2)Small incumbent
				cable service providers
							(A)In
				generalA cable service provider or video service provider that
				is not an incumbent cable service provider and serves fewer than 40 percent of
				the total cable customers in a particular local franchise area may elect to
				terminate that local franchise and seek a state-issued certificate of franchise
				under subsection (b) by providing written notice to the relevant State
				Commission and any affected municipality not later than 120 days after the date
				of enactment of the Franchise Reform Act of
				2006.
							(B)Termination
				dateAny local franchise terminated in accordance with
				subparagraph (A) shall terminate on the date a State Commission issues a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority.
							(3)Remittance of
				unpaid franchise fees
							(A)In
				generalA cable service provider that serves fewer than 40
				percent of the total cable customers in a local franchise area and that elects
				under paragraph (2) to terminate an existing local franchise shall be
				responsible for remitting to the affected local franchise authority not later
				than the 91st day after the date the local franchise is terminated any accrued
				but unpaid franchise fees due under the terminated franchise.
							(B)CreditsIf
				a cable service provider has credit remaining from prepaid franchise fees, such
				provider may deduct the amount of the remaining credit from any future fees or
				taxes such provider is required to pay to the municipality, either directly or
				through an appropriate State agency.
							(4)Rule of
				ConstructionFor purposes of this section, a cable service
				provider or video service provider shall be deemed to have or have had a
				franchise to provide cable service or video service in a specific municipality
				if any affiliates, successor, or predecessor entity of such cable or video
				provider has or had a franchise agreement granted by that specific
				municipality.
						(5)DefinitionFor
				purposes of this subsection the terms affiliates, successor, or
				predecessor entity include any entity receiving, obtaining, or
				operating under a municipal cable or video franchise through merger, sale,
				assignment, restructuring, or any other type of transaction.
						(d)Franchise fee
				paid to municipalities
						(1)Fees
							(A)In
				generalA holder of any state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority shall pay each municipality in which such holder provides cable
				service or video service a franchise fee of 5 percent of the gross revenues of
				such holder.
							(B)Unincorporated
				areasThe fee established under subparagraph (A) shall apply to
				any unincorporated area that is annexed by a municipality after the effective
				date of the state-issued certificate of franchise authority.
							(2)Fee
				structure
							(A)TimingA
				franchise fee payable under this subsection shall be paid quarterly, not later
				than 45 days after the end of the quarter for the preceding calendar
				quarter.
							(B)SummaryEach
				payment of a franchise fee under this subsection shall be accompanied by a
				summary explaining the basis for the calculation of such fee.
							(C)Audit
								(i)In
				generalA municipality may review the business records of any
				cable service provider or video service provider to the extent necessary to
				ensure compensation in accordance with this subsection.
								(ii)CostEach
				party to a review under clause (i) shall bear the party's own costs of such
				examination.
								(D)Civil
				actionIf a dispute concerning compensation arises under this
				subsection, a municipality may bring an action in any court of competent
				jurisdiction.
							(3)Recovery of
				feeA holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority
				may recover from the customers of such holder any fee imposed by this
				subsection.
						(e)In-kind
				contributions to municipality
						(1)Existing
				franchises
							(A)In
				generalUntil the expiration of an incumbent cable service
				provider's existing franchise agreement with a municipality, a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall pay each municipality in
				which such holder is offering cable service or video service the same cash
				payments on a per subscriber basis as required by the existing franchise
				agreement of such incumbent cable service provider.
							(B)Report
				requirementEach cable service provider and each video service
				provider shall report quarterly to a municipality the total number of
				subscribers served by such provider within that municipality.
							(C)Amount to be
				paidThe amount paid by a holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority shall be calculated quarterly by a municipality by
				multiplying the amount of cash payments under the incumbent cable service
				provider's franchise agreement by a number derived by dividing the number of
				subscribers served by a video service provider or cable service provider by the
				total number of video or cable service subscribers in the municipality.
							(D)Timing of
				paymentsAny payments required under this paragraph shall be paid
				quarterly by a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority to a
				municipality not later than 45 days after the end of the quarter for the
				preceding calendar quarter.
							(2)Expiration of
				existing agreements
							(A)In
				generalOn the expiration of an incumbent cable service
				provider's existing franchise agreement with a municipality, a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall pay—
								(i)each municipality
				in which such holder is offering cable service or video service 1 percent of
				the gross revenues of such holder; or
								(ii)at the election
				of a municipality, the per subscriber fee that was paid to that municipality
				under the expired incumbent cable service provider's agreement, in lieu of
				in-kind compensation and grants.
								(B)TimingAny
				payment under this paragraph shall be paid in the same manner as described in
				paragraph (1)(D).
							(3)Rules of
				constructionAll fees paid to a municipality under this
				subsection—
							(A)shall be paid in
				accordance with sections 531 and 541(a)(4)(B);
							(B)may be used by
				the municipality as allowed by Federal law; and
							(C)may not be
				chargeable as a credit against the franchise fee payments authorized under this
				section.
							(4)Construction of
				serviceUpon the later of 2 years after the date of enactment of
				the Franchise Reform Act of
				2006, or the expiration of the term of any existing franchise
				agreement between a municipality and a cable service provider or video service
				provider, the following services shall continue to be provided by such cable
				service provider or video service provider:
							(A)Institutional
				network capacity, however such term is defined or referred to in the existing
				franchise agreement but generally referring to a private line data network
				capacity for use by the municipality for noncommercial purposes, at the same
				capacity as was provided to the municipality prior to the date of the
				termination, only if the municipality agrees to compensate the cable service
				provider or video service provider for the actual incremental cost of such
				capacity.
							(B)Cable services to
				community public buildings, such as municipal buildings and public schools, to
				the same extent such services were provided immediately prior to the date of
				the termination.
							(5)Future
				provisions of certain servicesUpon the expiration of the period
				described in paragraph (4), any cable service provider or video service
				provider that provides the services described in subparagraphs (A) or (B) of
				paragraph (4) may deduct from the franchise fee to be paid to a municipality an
				amount equal to the actual incremental cost of such services if the
				municipality requires such services after that date.
						(6)Definition of
				cable serviceFor purposes of this subsection, the term
				cable service generally refers to the existing cable drop
				connections to public facilities and the tier of cable service provided
				pursuant to the franchise agreement at the time of the termination of such
				agreement.
						(f)No mandatory
				build-out provisionsA holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority shall not be required to comply with any mandatory
				build-out provisions.
					(g)Customer
				service standardsA holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority shall comply with customer service requirements consistent
				with section 76.309(c) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, until there
				are 2 or more providers offering service in a municipality, excluding
				direct-to-home satellite service providers.
					(h)Public,
				educational, and governmental access channels
						(1)Provision of
				capacityNot later than 120 days after a request by a
				municipality, a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority
				shall provide such municipality with capacity in the communications network of
				such holder to allow public, educational, and governmental access channels for
				noncommercial programming.
						(2)Number of peg
				channelsA holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority shall provide no fewer than the same number of public, educational,
				and governmental access channels to a municipality than were provided to such
				municipality under the incumbent cable service provider's franchise agreement
				as of the date of enactment of the Franchise
				Reform Act of 2006.
						(3)Minimum number
				peg channelsIf a municipality had no public, educational, and
				governmental access channels as of the date of enactment of the
				Franchise Reform Act of 2006, a
				cable service provider or video service provider shall furnish—
							(A)up to 3 public,
				educational, and governmental channels for a municipality with a population of
				at least 50,000; and
							(B)up to 2 public,
				educational, and governmental channels for a municipality with a population of
				less than 50,000.
							(4)Nonutilization
				of peg channels
							(A)In
				generalAny public, educational, and governmental channel
				provided pursuant to this subsection that is not utilized by a municipality for
				at least 8 hours a day shall no longer be made available to such municipality,
				but may be programmed at the discretion of a cable service provider or video
				service provider.
							(B)Return of peg
				channel
								(i)In
				generalAt such time as a municipality can certify to a cable
				service provider or video service provider that a schedule for at least 8 hours
				of daily programming exists, such cable service provider or video service
				provider shall restore any channel previously reprogrammed under subparagraph
				(A).
								(ii)LimitationA
				cable service provider or video service provider shall be under no obligation
				to carry on a basic or analog tier any channel restored under clause
				(i).
								(5)Additional
				channel capacityIn the event a municipality has not utilized the
				minimum number of access channels as permitted by paragraph (3), access to that
				additional channel capacity shall be provided to a municipality not later than
				90 days after written notice from such municipality, if the municipality meets
				the following standards:
							(A)If a municipality
				has 1 active public, educational, and governmental channel and wishes to
				activate an additional public, educational, and governmental channel, such
				active channel must be substantially utilized. A channel under this
				subparagraph shall be considered to be substantially utilized when 12 hours are
				programmed on that channel each calendar day.
							(B)At least 40
				percent of the 12 hours of programming required under subparagraph (A) for each
				business day on average over each calendar quarter shall be non repeat
				programming. Non repeat programming shall include the first 3 video-castings of
				a program.
							(C)(i)If a municipality is
				entitled to 3 public, educational, and governmental channels under paragraph
				(3) and has in service 2 active public, educational, and governmental channels,
				each of the 2 active channels must be substantially utilized.
								(ii)A channel under this subparagraph
				shall be considered to be substantially utilized when—
									(I)12 hours are programmed on each channel
				each calendar day; and
									(II)at least 50 percent of the 12 hours of
				programming for each business day on average over each calendar quarter is non
				repeat programming for 3 consecutive calendar quarters.
									(6)Operational
				responsibility
							(A)In
				generalThe operation of any public, educational, and
				governmental access channel provided pursuant to this subsection shall be the
				responsibility of the municipality receiving the benefit of such channel, and
				the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority bears only the
				responsibility for the transmission of such channel.
							(B)ConnectivityA
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall be
				responsible for providing the connectivity to each public, educational, and
				governmental access channel distribution point up to the first 200 feet.
							(7)Additional
				responsibilities and municipality
							(A)In
				generalEach municipality shall ensure that all transmissions,
				content, or programming to be transmitted over a channel or facility by a
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority is provided or
				submitted to the cable service provider or video service provider in a manner
				or form that is capable of being accepted and transmitted by such
				provider.
							(B)Other
				requirementsAny transmission, content, or programming
				transmitted in accordance with the requirements of subparagraph (A) shall be
				transmitted—
								(i)without
				requirement for additional alteration or change in the content by a cable
				service or video service provider over the particular network of such provider;
				and
								(ii)in a manner
				compatible with the technology or protocol utilized by such provider to deliver
				services.
								(8)Interconnection
							(A)In
				generalTo the maximum extent that is technically feasible, a
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority and an incumbent
				cable service provider shall use reasonable efforts to interconnect the cable
				or video systems of each for the purpose of providing public, educational, and
				governmental programming.
							(B)Methods of
				connectionInterconnection under this paragraph may be
				accomplished by direct cable, microwave link, satellite, or any other
				reasonable method of connection.
							(C)Requirement of
				good faithA holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority and incumbent cable service providers shall each negotiate in good
				faith with the other and the incumbent cable service provider may not withhold
				interconnection of public, educational, and governmental channels.
							(9)Jurisdiction of
				courtsA court of competent jurisdiction shall have exclusive
				jurisdiction to enforce any requirement under this subsection.
						(i)Nondiscrimination
				by municipality
						(1)Public
				right-of-way
							(A)In
				generalA municipality shall—
								(i)allow a holder of
				a state-issued certificate of franchise authority to install, construct, and
				maintain a communications network within a public right-of-way; and
								(ii)provide such
				holder with open, comparable, nondiscriminatory, and competitively neutral
				access to the public right-of-way.
								(B)LimitationAll
				use of a public right-of-way by a holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority is nonexclusive and subject to subsection (j).
							(2)NondiscriminationA
				municipality may not discriminate against a holder of a state-issued
				certificate of franchise authority regarding—
							(A)the authorization
				or placement of a communications network in a public right-of-way;
							(B)access to a
				building; or
							(C)the term of any
				municipal utility pole attachment.
							(j)Municipal
				police power; other authority
						(1)Police
				powers
							(A)In
				generalA municipality may enforce police power-based regulations
				in the management of any public right-of-way that applies to a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority within the municipality.
							(B)Extent of
				public powerA municipality may enforce police power-based
				regulations in the management of the activities of the holder of a state-issued
				certificate of franchise authority to the extent that such regulations are
				reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the
				public.
							(C)Competitively
				neutral enforcementAny police power-based regulation of a holder
				of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority's use of the public
				right-of-way—
								(i)shall be
				competitively neutral; and
								(ii)may not be
				unreasonable or discriminatory.
								(D)Other
				limitationsA municipality may not require that a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority—
								(i)locate a business
				office in the municipality;
								(ii)file reports and
				documents with the municipality that are not required by Federal or State law
				and that are not related to the use of the public right-of-way, except that the
				municipality may request, and shall keep confidential, maps and records
				maintained by the holder in the ordinary course of business for purposes of
				locating the portions of the communications network of such holder that occupy
				public rights-of-way;
								(iii)provide the
				municipality with any information concerning the capacity or technical
				configuration of the facilities of such holder;
								(iv)provide for
				inspection the business records of such holder except to extent permitted under
				subsection (d)(2);
								(v)seek approval of
				transfers of ownership or control of the business of such holder, except that a
				municipality may require that such holder maintain a current point of contact
				and provide notice of a transfer within a reasonable time;
								(vi)that is
				self-insured under the provisions of State law, obtain insurance or bonding for
				any activities within the municipality, except that a self-insured holder shall
				provide substantially the same defense and claims processing as a non
				self-insured holder; and
								(vii)possess a bond
				for any work consisting of aerial construction, except that a reasonable bond
				may be required of a holder that cannot demonstrate a record of at least 4
				years' performance of work in any municipal public right-of-way free of
				currently unsatisfied claims by the municipality for damage to the
				right-of-way.
								(2)Construction
				permits
							(A)In
				generalA municipality may require the issuance of a construction
				permit, without cost, to a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority that is locating facilities in or on a public right-of-way in that
				municipality.
							(B)TermsThe
				terms of any permit required under subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with
				other construction permits issued by a municipality to other persons excavating
				in a public right-of-way.
							(3)Processing of
				requests
							(A)In
				generalIn the exercise of any lawful regulatory authority
				possessed by a municipality, such municipality shall promptly process all valid
				and administratively complete applications submitted by a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority for a permit, license, or
				consent to—
								(i)excavate;
								(ii)set
				poles;
								(iii)locate
				lines;
								(iv)construct
				facilities;
								(v)make
				repairs;
								(vi)affect traffic
				flow; or
								(vii)obtain zoning
				or subdivision regulation approvals or other similar approvals.
								(B)Reasonable
				effort requiredA municipality shall make every reasonable effort
				not to delay or unduly burden a holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority in the timely conduct of the business of such
				holder.
							(4)EmergencyIf
				there is an emergency necessitating response work or repair, a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority may begin such repair or
				emergency response work or take any other action required under the
				circumstances without prior approval from the affected municipality, if the
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority—
							(A)notifies the
				municipality as promptly as possible after beginning the work; and
							(B)later obtains any
				approval required by a municipal ordinance applicable to emergency response
				work.
							(5)no review of
				police powersNo State Commission, State agency, or Federal
				agency shall have jurisdiction to review any police power-based regulation or
				ordinance adopted by a municipality to manage the public rights-of-way in such
				municipality.
						(k)Municipal
				authority
						(1)LimitationIn
				addition to any authority exercised, permitted, or established under subsection
				(j) with respect to public rights-of-way located in a municipality, the
				authority of a municipality to regulate a holder of a state-issued certificate
				of franchise authority is limited to—
							(A)requiring that
				any holder who is providing cable service or video service within the
				municipality register with the municipality and maintain a point of
				contact;
							(B)establishing
				reasonable guidelines regarding the use of public, educational, and
				governmental access channels; and
							(C)requiring a
				holder to submit reports to the Commission on the customer service standards
				referred to in subsection (g), if such holder—
								(i)is subject to
				such standards; and
								(ii)has continued
				and unresolved customer service complaints indicating a clear failure on the
				part of such holder to comply with such standards.
								(l)Discrimination
				prohibited
						(1)PurposeThe
				purpose of this subsection is to prevent discrimination among potential
				residential subscribers by holders of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority.
						(2)Income not a
				factorA cable service provider or video service provider that is
				a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority may not deny
				access to cable or video service to any group of potential residential
				subscribers because of the income of the residents in the local area in which
				such group resides.
						(3)Enforcement
							(A)ProceedingsAny
				person affected by this subsection may seek enforcement of the requirements
				described in paragraph (2) by initiating a proceeding with the State Commission
				in which such person is located.
							(B)Rule of
				constructionA municipality may be considered an affected person
				for purposes of this subsection.
							(4)Safe
				harborA holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority—
							(A)shall be provided
				a reasonable period of time to become capable of providing cable service or
				video service to all households within a designated franchise area; and
							(B)may satisfy the
				requirements of this subsection through the use of an alternative technology
				that provides comparable content, service, and functionality.
							(5)LimitationsNotwithstanding
				any provision of this subsection, a State Commission has the authority—
							(A)to make the
				determination regarding the comparability of the technology and the service
				provided under paragraph (4); and
							(B)to monitor the
				deployment of cable services, video services, or alternate technology.
							(m)Compliance
						(1)Court
				order
							(A)In
				generalIf a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be in noncompliance
				with any requirement of this section, the court shall order such holder, within
				a specified reasonable period of time, to cure such noncompliance.
							(B)Failure to
				complyIf a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority fails to comply with any court order issued under subparagraph (A)
				such holder shall be subject to such penalties as the court shall reasonably
				impose, including revocation of the state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority granted under this section.
							(2)PartiesA
				municipality within which a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority offers cable service or video service shall be an appropriate party
				in any civil action brought under this section.
						(n)Rules of
				constructionNothing in this section shall be interpreted or
				construed—
						(1)to prevent a
				voice provider, cable service provider, video service provider, or municipality
				from—
							(A)seeking
				clarification of any right or obligation that such voice provider, cable
				service provider, video service provider, or municipality may be entitled to
				under any other Federal law; or
							(B)exercising any
				right or authority under any other Federal or State law; or
							(2)to limit the
				ability of a municipality under existing law to receive compensation for use of
				the public rights-of-way from any entity determined not to be subject to all or
				part of this section, including any provider of Internet protocol cable or
				video services, unless such payments are expressly prohibited by other Federal
				law.
						(o)Commission to
				act if State will notIf a State Commission fails to carry out
				any of its responsibilities under this section, the Commission shall—
						(1)issue an order
				preempting the authority of the State Commission to carry out such
				responsibilities; and
						(2)assume exclusive
				authority to carry out such responsibilities.
						(p)DefinitionsIn this section, the following definitions
				shall apply:
						(1)Actual
				incremental costThe term
				actual incremental cost means only current out-of-pocket
				expenses for labor, equipment repair, equipment replacement, and tax expenses
				directly associated with the labor or the equipment of a cable or video service
				provider that is necessarily and directly used to provide what were, under a
				superseded franchise, in-kind services, exclusive of any profit or overhead
				such as depreciation, amortization, or administrative expense.
						(2)Cable
				serviceExcept as otherwise
				provided in this section, the term cable service has the same
				meaning as in section 602.
						(3)Cable service
				providerThe term
				cable service provider means any person who provides cable
				service.
						(4)Communications
				networkThe term
				communications network means a component or facility that
				is—
							(A)wholly or partly, physically located within
				a public right-of-way; and
							(B)used to provide video programming, cable,
				voice, or data services.
							(5)FranchiseThe term franchise means an
				initial authorization, or renewal of an authorization, issued by a franchising
				authority, regardless of whether such authorization is designated as a
				franchise, permit, license, resolution, contract, certificate, agreement, or
				otherwise, that authorizes the construction and operation of a cable or video
				services network in the public rights-of-way.
						(6)Gross
				revenues
							(A)In
				generalThe term gross
				revenues—
								(i)means all consideration of any kind or
				nature including cash, credits, property, and in-kind contributions (services
				or goods) derived by a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority from the operation by such holder of the network of such holder to
				provide cable service or video service within a municipality; and
								(ii)includes all consideration paid to a holder
				of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority and the affiliates of such
				holder (to the extent either is acting as a provider of a cable service or
				video service as authorized by this section), including—
									(I)all fees charged
				to subscribers for any and all cable service or video service provided by the
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority;
									(II)any fee imposed
				on the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority by this
				section that is passed through and paid by subscribers (including the franchise
				fee set forth in this section); and
									(III)compensation
				received by the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority or
				the affiliates of such holder that is derived from the operation of the holder
				of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority's network to provide cable
				service or video service with respect to commissions that are paid to the
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority as compensation for
				promotion or exhibition of any products or services on the holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority's network, such as a home
				shopping or a similar channel, subject to subparagraph (E)(v);
									(B)Compensation
				arrangements
								(i)In
				generalThe term gross revenue also includes a pro
				rata portion of all revenue derived by a holder of a state-issued certificate
				of franchise authority or the affiliates of such holder pursuant to
				compensation arrangements for advertising derived from the operation of the
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority's network to
				provide cable service or the video service within a municipality, subject to
				subparagraph (E)(iii).
								(ii)AllocationAny
				allocation made under clause (i) shall be based on the number of subscribers in
				a municipality divided by the total number of subscribers in relation to the
				relevant regional or national compensation arrangement.
								(C)Advertising
				CommissionsFor purposes of this paragraph, advertising
				commissions paid to third parties shall not be netted against advertising
				revenue included in gross revenue.
							(D)Revenue from an
				affiliate
								(i)In
				generalRevenue of an affiliate of a holder of a state-issued
				certificate of franchise authority derived from the affiliate's provision of
				cable service or video service shall be gross revenue to the extent the
				treatment of such revenue as revenue of the affiliate and not of a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority has the effect (whether
				intentional or unintentional) of evading the payment of fees which would
				otherwise be paid to a municipality.
								(ii)LimitationIn
				no event shall revenue of an affiliate be gross revenue to a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority if such revenue is otherwise
				subject to fees to be paid to a municipality.
								(E)ExceptionsThe
				term gross revenues does not include—
								(i)any revenue not
				actually received, even if billed, such as bad debt;
								(ii)non cable
				services or non video services revenues received by any affiliate or any other
				person in exchange for supplying goods or services used by a holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority to provide cable service or
				video service;
								(iii)refunds,
				rebates, or discounts made to subscribers, leased access providers,
				advertisers, or a municipality;
								(iv)any revenues
				from services classified as non cable service or non video service under any
				other Federal law, including—
									(I)revenue received
				from telecommunications services;
									(II)revenue received
				from information services (but not excluding cable services or video services);
				and
									(III)any other
				revenues attributed by a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise
				authority to non cable service or non video service in accordance with any
				rules, regulations, standards, or orders of the Commission;
									(v)any revenue paid
				by subscribers to home shopping programmers directly from the sale of
				merchandise through any home shopping channel offered as part of the cable
				services or video services, but not excluding any commissions that are paid to
				a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority as compensation
				for promotion or exhibition of any products or services on the holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority's network, such as a home
				shopping or a similar channel;
								(vi)the sale of
				cable services or video services for resale in which the purchaser is required
				to collect fees under this section from the purchase customer;
								(vii)the provision
				of cable services or video services to customers at no charge, as required or
				allowed by this section, including the provision of cable services or video
				services to—
									(I)public
				institutions;
									(II)public schools;
				or
									(III)other
				governmental entities;
									(viii)any tax of
				general applicability—
									(I)imposed upon a
				holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority or upon subscribers
				by a city, State, Federal, or any other governmental entity; and
									(II)required to be
				collected by a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority and
				remitted to the taxing entity (including sales and use tax, gross receipts tax,
				excise tax, utility users tax, public service tax, communication taxes, and
				fees not imposed by this section);
									(ix)any forgone
				revenue from a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority's
				provision of free or reduced cost cable services or video services to any
				person including employees of the holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority, to the municipality, public institutions, or other
				institutions as allowed in this section, if, however, the holder of a
				state-issued certificate of franchise authority chooses not to receive such
				foregone revenue in exchange for trades, barters, services, or other items of
				value such foregone revenue shall be included in gross revenue;
								(x)sales of capital
				assets or sales of surplus equipment that is not used by a purchaser to receive
				cable services or video services from a holder of a state-issued certificate of
				franchise authority;
								(xi)directory or
				Internet advertising revenue, including revenue derived from—
									(I)yellow
				pages;
									(II)white
				pages;
									(III)banner
				advertisement; and
									(IV)electronic
				publishing; and
									(xii)reimbursement
				by programmers of marketing costs incurred by a holder of a state-issued
				franchise for the introduction of new programming that exceeds the actual costs
				of such programming.
								(F)Rule of
				constructionFor purposes of this paragraph, a provider's network
				consists solely of the optical spectrum wavelengths, bandwidth, or other
				current or future technological capacity used for the transmission of video
				programming over wireline directly to subscribers within the geographic area
				within a municipality as designated by the provider in its franchise.
							(7)Incumbent cable
				service providerThe term incumbent cable service
				provider means the cable service provider serving the largest number of
				cable subscribers in a particular local franchise area on the date of enactment
				of the Franchise Reform Act of
				2006.
						(8)Public
				right-of-wayThe term public right-of-way means
				the area on, below, or above a public roadway, highway, street, public
				sidewalk, alley, waterway, or utility easement in which a municipality has an
				interest.
						(9)Video
				programmingThe term video programming means
				programming provided by, or generally considered comparable to programming
				provided by, a television broadcast station, as set forth in section
				602.
						(10)Video
				serviceThe term video service—
							(A)means video
				programming services provided through wireline facilities located at least in
				part in the public right-of-way without regard to delivery technology,
				including Internet protocol technology; and
							(B)does not include
				any video service provided by a commercial mobile service provider.
							(11)Video service
				providerThe term video service provider—
							(A)means a video
				programming distributor that distributes video programming services through
				wireline facilities located at least in part in the public right-of-way without
				regard to delivery technology; and
							(B)does not include
				a cable service
				provider.
							.


116 HR 8990 IH: Lifetime Income For Employees Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-12-16
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.

I116th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8990IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 16, 2020Mr. Norcross (for himself and Mr. Walberg) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and LaborA BILLTo amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to permit default investment arrangements in annuities, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Lifetime Income For Employees Act.2.Default investment in annuity contractsSection 404(c)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1104(c)(5)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (A), by adding at the end the following: Default investments made under this subparagraph may include a covered annuity contract.; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(C)Covered annuity contract(i)In generalThe term covered annuity contract means an investment in an annuity contract that meets the following requirements:(I)The annuity contract does not impose a liquidity restriction on the transfer of invested amounts during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the initial investment in such contract by the participant or beneficiary.(II)The fiduciary ensures that each participant or beneficiary is provided not later than 30 days before the date of the imposition of a liquidity restriction described in subclause (I) written notice in a manner that is reasonably designed to be understood by the average plan participant, that includes—(aa)an explanation of the circumstances under which assets in the account may be invested on behalf of the participant or beneficiary in the annuity contract, including an explanation of the targeted range and maximum amount or percentage of such assets to be invested;(bb)an explanation of the rights, and any limitations or restrictions thereon, of a participant or beneficiary to direct or transfer amounts invested, or to be invested, in an annuity contract to other investment alternatives available under the plan;(cc)a general description of the annuity contract, including the duration of guaranteed payments and identification of the insurer;(dd)an explanation of how a participant or beneficiary may obtain additional information, in writing or electronically, about their investment alternatives; and(ee)a copy of the annuity contract.(III)The fiduciary allocates not more than 50 percent of any periodic contribution or, immediately after a rebalancing of account investments, 50 percent of the value of the assets of the account, to the annuity contract (or, as applicable, to the portion thereof to which a liquidity restriction applies after the 180-day period in subclause (I)). (ii)Definition of annuity contractFor purposes of this paragraph, the term annuity contract means a contract (or provision or feature thereof) that—(I)is issued by an insurer qualified to do business in a State; and(II)provides for the payment of guaranteed benefits annually (or more frequently) for a fixed term or for the remainder of the life of the participant or beneficiary or the joint lives of the participant and the participant’s designated beneficiary.(D)Effective dateThe amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of the Lifetime Income For Employees Act. .


IV
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1284
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

May 12, 2010

RESOLUTION
Resolution supporting the goals and ideals of International Learn to Fly Day, and for other purposes.

Whereas, since the birth of flight, aviation has had a tremendous impact on the imagination, innovation, and economy of the United States;
Whereas many of the Nation’s heroes have been pilots, including the Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Charles Chuck Yeager, the Nation’s astronauts and military aviators, and the flight crew of US Airways Flight 1549, among others;
Whereas every one of these individuals had to learn to fly before they could achieve their greatness;
Whereas there are approximately 600,000 pilots and approximately 230,000 commercial and general aviation airplanes in the United States;
Whereas flight brings joy, inspiration, and a sense of accomplishment to those who fly for recreation, pleasure, and work;
Whereas flight allows the movement of people and commodities across the Nation and around the world quickly and efficiently; and
Whereas the third Saturday in May is an appropriate day to observe International Learn to Fly Day: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)supports the goals and ideals of National Learn to Fly Day; and
(2)recognizes the contributions of flight instructors, flight schools, aviation groups, and industry in promoting and teaching the Nation’s next generation of pilots.

Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.


116 HR 700 IH: 12 Carrier Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-22
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
116th CONGRESS1st Session
H. R. 700
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2019
Mr. Conaway introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL
To increase the number of operational aircraft carriers of the Navy, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the 12 Carrier Act.  2.FindingsCongress finds the following:
(1)The aircraft carrier can fulfill the Navy’s core missions of forward presence, sea control, ensuring safe sea lanes, and power projection as well as providing flexibility and versatility to execute a wide range of additional missions.  (2)Forward airpower is integral to the security and joint forces operations of the United States. Carriers play a central role in delivering forward airpower from sovereign territory of the United States in both permissive and nonpermissive environments.
(3)Aircraft carriers provide our Nation the ability to rapidly and decisively respond to national threats, as well as conducting worldwide, on-station diplomacy and providing deterrence against threats to the United States allies, partners, and friends.  (4)Since the end of the cold war, aircraft carrier deployments have increased while the aircraft carrier force structure has declined.
(5)Considering the increased array of complex threats across the globe, the Navy aircraft carrier is operating at maximum capacity, increasing deployment lengths and decreasing maintenance periods in order to meet operational requirements.  (6)To meet global peacetime and wartime requirements, the Navy has indicated a requirement to maintain two aircraft carriers deployed overseas and have three additional aircraft carriers capable of deploying within 90 days. However, the Navy has indicated that the existing aircraft carrier force structure cannot support these military requirements.
(7)Despite the requirement to maintain an aircraft carrier strike group in both the United States Central Command and United States Pacific Command, the Navy has been unable to generate sufficient capacity to support our combatant commanders and has developed significant carrier gaps in these critical areas.  (8)Because of continuing use of a diminished aircraft carrier force structure, extensive maintenance availabilities result which typically exceed program costs and increase time in shipyards. These expansive maintenance availabilities exacerbate existing carrier gaps.
(9)Because of maintenance overhaul extensions, the Navy is truncating basic aircraft carrier training to expedite the deployment of available aircraft carriers. Limiting aircraft carrier training decreases operational capabilities and increases sailor risk.  (10)The Navy has adopted a two-phase acquisition strategy for the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy (CVN–79), an action that will delay the introduction of this aircraft carrier by up to two years, exacerbating existing carrier gaps.
(11)Developing an alternative design to the Ford-class aircraft carrier is not cost beneficial. A smaller design is projected to incur significant design and engineering cost while significantly reducing magazine size, carrier air wing size, sortie rate, and on-station effectiveness among other vital factors when compared to the Ford class. Furthermore, a new design will delay the introduction of future aircraft carriers, exacerbating existing carrier gaps and threatening the national security of the United States.  3.Increase in number of operational aircraft carriers of the Navy (a)IncreaseSection 8062(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking 11 operational aircraft carriers and inserting 12 operational aircraft carriers.
(b)Effective dateThe amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on September 30, 2023.


109 HR 3536 IH: To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand the Agricultural Management Assistance Program to include the State of Hawaii.
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-07-28
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.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3536
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 28, 2005
Mr. Case introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL
To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to expand the Agricultural Management Assistance Program to include the State of Hawaii.

1.Expansion of the Agricultural Management Assistance ProgramSection 524(b)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)(1)) is amended by inserting Hawaii, after Delaware,.


		II
		111th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2116
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATES

			October 29, 2009
			Mr. Bunning introduced
			 the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To suspend temporarily the duty on
		  Polycaprolactone Diol #2.

		1.Polycaprolactone Diol #2
			(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:

								9902.01.00 Caprolactone-neopentylglycol copolymer (CAS No. 69089–45–8)
						(provided for in subheading 3907.99.01)FreeNo
						changeNo changeOn or before 12/31/2011

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


113 HR 1169 RH: Naval Air Station Fallon Housing and Safety Development Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-03-14
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		IB
		Union Calendar No. 79
		113th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 1169
		[Report No.
		  113–111]
		IN THE HOUSE OF
		  REPRESENTATIVES

			March 14, 2013
			Mr. Amodei introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Natural
			 Resources

			June 17, 2013
			Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of
			 the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be
			 printed
			Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert
			 the part printed in italic
			For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as
			 introduced on March 14, 2013

		A BILL
		To direct the Secretary of the Interior to
		  transfer to the Secretary of the Navy certain Federal land in Churchill County,
		  Nevada.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Naval Air Station Fallon Housing and
			 Safety Development Act.
		2.Transfer of Department
			 of the Interior Land
			(a)In
			 generalNot later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
			 this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall transfer to the Secretary of the
			 Navy, without consideration, the Federal land described in subsection
			 (b).
			(b)Description of Federal
			 landThe Federal land referred to in subsection (a) is the parcel
			 of approximately 400 acres of land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of
			 the Interior that—
				(1)is adjacent to Naval Air
			 Station Fallon in Churchill County, Nevada; and
				(2)was withdrawn under
			 Public Land Order 6834 (NV–943–4214–10; N–37875).
				(c)ManagementOn
			 transfer of the Federal land described under subsection (b) to the Secretary of
			 the Navy, the Secretary of the Navy shall have full jurisdiction, custody, and
			 control of the Federal land.
			3.Water rights
			(a)Water
			 rightsNothing in this Act shall be construed—
				(1)to establish a
			 reservation in favor of the United States with respect to any water or water
			 right on lands transferred by this Act; or
				(2)to authorize the
			 appropriation of water on lands transferred by this Act except in accordance
			 with applicable State law.
				(b)Effect on previously
			 acquired or reserved water rightsThis section shall not be
			 construed to affect any water rights acquired or reserved by the United States
			 before the date of the enactment of this Act.
			4.WithdrawalSubject to valid existing rights, the
			 Federal land to be transferred under section 2 is withdrawn from all forms of
			 appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws and
			 geothermal leasing laws, so long as the land remains under the administrative
			 jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Navy.

		June 17, 2013
		Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of
		  the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be
		  printed


110 HRES 115 IH: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should maintain a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile force of not less than 500 Minuteman III missiles.
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-30
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 115
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 30, 2007
Mr. Rehberg submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should maintain a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile force of not less than 500 Minuteman III missiles.

Whereas consistent with warhead levels agreed to in the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Strategic Offensive Reductions, done at Moscow on May 24, 2002 (the Moscow Treaty), the United States is permanently modifying the capacity of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from its prior capability to carry up to three independent reentry vehicles to a single reentry vehicle system, a process known as downloading;
Whereas through the downloading process and the elimination of the Peacekeeper (MX) intercontinental ballistic missile, the United States is now transitioning to a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile force of not less than 500 Minuteman III missiles, each equipped with a single nuclear warhead; and
Whereas in a potential nuclear crisis it is important that the nuclear weapons systems of the United States be configured so as to discourage other nations from making a first strike: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that it should be the policy of the United States to continue to transition to an intercontinental ballistic missile force with not less than 500 missiles, each equipped with a single nuclear warhead, in order to sufficiently deter current and emerging threats to the security of the United States.


		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 2
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			January 25
			 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
			Mr. Reid (for himself,
			 Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Brown
			 of Ohio, Mr. Kerry,
			 Mrs. Gillibrand,
			 Mrs. Boxer, Mr.
			 Lautenberg, and Mr. Akaka)
			 introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on
			 Finance

		A BILL
		To help middle class families succeed.

		1.Short
			 titleThis Act may be cited as
			 the Middle Class Success
			 Act.
		2.Sense of the
			 SenateIt is the sense of the
			 Senate that Congress should—
			(1)support middle class tax relief;
			(2)help families
			 afford the cost of college and improve opportunities for a secure
			 retirement;
			(3)invest in
			 infrastructure and other measures to create good, well-paying jobs;
			(4)help ensure that
			 families have access to affordable child and elder care;
			(5)preserve and
			 improve affordable health care;
			(6)ensure that all
			 workers earn enough to meet basic living standards and do not live in
			 poverty;
			(7)ensure that tax
			 dollars do not support companies that break the law or mistreat their
			 workers;
			(8)keep Social
			 Security's promise and block proposals to privatize the program;
			(9)ensure that
			 families have access to a healthy and clean environment, including access to
			 safe drinking water;
			(10)ensure that
			 workers can secure representation without employer obstruction;
			(11)ensure that our
			 streets and communities are safe; and
			(12)address the
			 serious housing problems facing many American families.


		III

		109th CONGRESS

		1st Session

		S. RES. 171

		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED

		  STATES

			June 14, 2005

			Mr. Feingold submitted

			 the following resolution; which was referred to the

			 Committee on Armed

			 Services

		RESOLUTION

		Expressing the sense of the Senate that the

		  President should submit to Congress a report on the time frame for the

		  withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq.

		Whereas

			 United States forces in Iraq have served with courage and distinction and they

			 and their families deserve to know what exactly their mission is and

			 approximately how long they may expect to remain in Iraq;

		Whereas

			 establishing time frames for the transfer of sovereignty and for elections in

			 Iraq has resulted in real political and strategic advantages for the United

			 States and has advanced the development of democracy in Iraq;

		Whereas

			 establishing a clear time frame for the withdrawal of United States troops from

			 Iraq would help to refute conspiracy theories and eliminate suspicions that

			 obstruct the United States policy goals in Iraq and undermine the legitimacy of

			 the Government of Iraq;

		Whereas

			 President George W. Bush stated on April 13, 2004 that as a proud and

			 independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation and neither

			 does America and that United States troops will remain in Iraq

			 as long as necessary and not one day more;

		Whereas

			 a sound strategic plan for United States military operations in Iraq would

			 include information regarding the numbers of Iraqi troops that must be

			 effectively trained and the amount of time that will be required to train

			 them;

		Whereas

			 the President has declined to set out specific goals for the United States

			 military operations in Iraq or a clear time frame for achieving such

			 goals;

		Whereas

			 a clear plan and time frame for United States military operations in Iraq would

			 facilitate more responsible budgeting for the costs of United States operations

			 in Iraq; and

		Whereas

			 confusion about the United States mission in Iraq does not serve the United

			 States vital interests in establishing stability in Iraq or fighting the

			 terrorist networks that continue to threaten the United States: Now, therefore,

			 be it

		That—

			(1)the Senate—

				(A)supports the men and women of the Armed

			 Forces of the United States in Iraq and deeply appreciates their admirable

			 service; and

				(B)recognizes that stability, democracy, and

			 respect for the rule of law in Iraq are in the United States national interest;

			 and

				(2)it is the sense of the Senate that—

				(A)the United States should remain committed

			 to providing long-term diplomatic and political support to the people of Iraq

			 to achieve stability and democracy;

				(B)the United States should work diligently to

			 accelerate the sound and effective training of Iraqi security forces and to

			 increase international cooperation in this endeavor so that the people of Iraq

			 may assume responsibility for their own security;

				(C)the United States should continue to pursue

			 a robust and multi-faceted campaign to dismantle and defeat international

			 terrorist networks in Iraq and around the world; and

				(D)not later than 30 days after the date that

			 the Senate agrees to this resolution, the President should submit to Congress a

			 report that describes—

					(i)the remaining mission of the Armed Forces

			 of the United States in Iraq;

					(ii)current estimates of the time frame

			 required for the United States to achieve that mission, including information

			 regarding variables that could alter that time frame; and

					(iii)a time frame for the subsequent withdrawal

			 of United States troops from Iraq.


115 HR 2715 IH: No Fees for Lost Baggage Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-05-25
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		115th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2715
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 25, 2017
			Ms. Meng introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To require refunds for delayed or lost baggage.

		1.Short title
 This Act may be cited as the No Fees for Lost Baggage Act. 2.Refunds for delayed or lost baggageSection 2305 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 is amended to read as follows:

				2305.Refunds for delayed or lost baggage
 (a)In generalNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall require a common carrier or foreign common carrier to promptly provide to a passenger an automated refund for any ancillary fees paid by the passenger for checked baggage if—
 (1)the common carrier or foreign common carrier fails to deliver the checked baggage to the passenger— (A)not later than 12 hours after domestic travel arrival; or
 (B)not later than 15 hours after international travel arrival; and (2)the passenger has notified the common carrier or foreign common carrier of the lost or delayed checked baggage.
 (b)ExceptionIf the Secretary makes a determination that a requirement under subsection (a) is not feasible and would adversely affect consumers in certain cases, the Secretary may modify the deadlines specified in subsection (a)(1) for such cases, except that—
 (1)the deadline relating to domestic travel may not exceed 18 hours after arrival; and (2)the deadline relating to international travel may not exceed 30 hours after arrival..


116 HR 743 IH: Securing Our Children Act of 2019
U.S. House of Representatives
2019-01-24
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
116th CONGRESS1st Session
H. R. 743
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 24, 2019
Mr. Katko (for himself and Mr. Cuellar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL
To establish a Commission on Securing Our Nation’s Children, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Securing Our Children Act of 2019.  2.EstablishmentThere is established a commission to be known as the Presidential Commission on Securing Our Nation’s Children (in this Act referred to as the Commission).
3.Duties
(a)RecommendationsThe Commission shall develop recommendations after a review and analysis of the following issues related to the safety and security of children living in the United States: (1)The correlation or noncorrelation between mental illness and random acts of violence.
(2)The accessibility of those who have exhibited a history of violent behavior or have demonstrated increased risk for violent behavior by ideation of committing violence or stated intent to commit violence to purchase or possess a firearm either by legal or illegal means, including— (A)proven methods that assist in identification of individuals at heightened risk of committing violence against themselves or others;
(B)the ability for Federal, State, local, or Tribal law enforcement to prevent or revoke possession of a firearm from individuals who have been identified as having a heightened risk of committing violence against themselves or others; and  (C)the ability of family members and friends to assist an individual who has demonstrated increased risk for violent behavior.
(3)Submission of individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including State and Federal compliance with data submission to such system.  (4)Safety protocols and provisions on school property, including—
(A)the feasibility, efficacy, and potential risks of commissioning armed security guards on school grounds;  (B)the feasibility, efficacy, and potential risks of training and issuing licenses to teachers and school officials to use and possess a firearm on campus;
(C)the impact of gun-free school zone laws on the rates of gun violence in those areas; and  (D)the feasibility and efficacy of implementing evidence-based threat assessment procedures in all schools.
(5)Current State and Federal firearm, firearm ammunition, or firearm accessory regulations including— (A)any age restriction on the possession or purchase of handgun, handgun ammunition, long gun, and long gun ammunition; and
(B)the correlation between certain regulations and its effect on illegal firearm possession.  (6)The behavioral health support resources available to students in schools and their communities.
(7)Any other issues the Commission considers relevant to understanding the state of violence in the country.  (b)ReportNot later than the date that is 1 year after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a written report of the findings and recommendations based on the review and analysis required by subsection (a).
4.Membership
(a)In generalThe Commission shall be composed of 17 members appointed as follows: (1)Five members appointed by the President, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General.
(2)Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including— (A)one Member of the House of Representatives; and
(B)two individuals who are not Members of Congress.  (3)Three members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, including—
(A)one Member of the House of Representatives; and  (B)two individuals who are not Members of Congress.
(4)Three members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, including— (A)one Member of the Senate; and
(B)two individuals who are not Members of Congress.  (5)Three members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, including—
(A)one Member of the Senate; and  (B)two individuals who are not Members of Congress.
(b)QualificationsAppointments shall be made from individuals who are specially qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of their education, training, or experience.  (c)VacancyAny vacancy on the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission, but shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(d)ChairThe Chair of the Commission shall be elected by the members.  (e)Reimbursement; service without payMembers of the Commission shall serve without pay, except that members of the Commission shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out the functions of the Commission, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently by the Federal Government are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
5.StaffThe Commission may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this section may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.  6.Meetings (a)In generalThe Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair or of a majority of its members.
(b)First meetingThe first such meeting shall occur not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.  7.Powers (a)In generalThe Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b)DelegationAny member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this section.  (c)Access to informationThe Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(d)Use of mailsThe Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.  (e)Administrative supportThe Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis such administrative support services as the Commission may request that are necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.
8.State definedIn this Act, the term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian tribe.  9.TerminationThe Commission shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report required by section 3(b).


114 S2695 IS: Anti-Trust Freedom Act of 2016
U.S. Senate
2016-03-16
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II114th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 2695IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 16, 2016Mr. Paul introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo permit voluntary economic activity.

		1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Anti-Trust Freedom Act of 2016.
		2.Voluntary
 economic coordination by individualsThe Sherman Act (15 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12 et seq.), and section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) shall not be construed to prohibit, ban, or otherwise extend to any voluntary economic coordination, cooperation, agreement, or other association, compact, contract, or covenant entered into by or between any individual or group of individuals.