		II
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. 1857
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			November 10, 2011
			Mr. Lee introduced the
			 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
			 Committee on the
			 Judiciary

		A BILL
		To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate
		  the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to
		  increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants,
		  and for other purposes.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants
			 Act.
		2.Numerical
			 limitation to any single foreign state
			(a)In
			 generalSection 202(a)(2) of
			 the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(a)(2)) is amended—
				(1)in the paragraph
			 heading, by striking and
			 employment-based;
				(2)by striking
			 (3), (4), and (5), and inserting (3) and
			 (4),;
				(3)by striking
			 subsections (a) and (b) of section 203 and inserting
			 section 203(a);
				(4)by striking
			 7 and inserting 15; and
				(5)by striking
			 such subsections and inserting such
			 section.
				(b)Conforming
			 amendmentsSection 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
			 U.S.C. 1152) is amended—
				(1)in subsection
			 (a)(3), by striking both subsections (a) and (b) of section 203
			 and inserting section 203(a);
				(2)by striking subsection (a)(5); and
				(3)by amending
			 subsection (e) to read as follows:

						(e)Special rules
				for countries at ceilingIf
				it is determined that the total number of immigrant visas made available under
				section 203(a) to natives of any single foreign state or dependent area will
				exceed the numerical limitation specified in subsection (a)(2) in any fiscal
				year, in determining the allotment of immigrant visa numbers to natives under
				section 203(a), visa numbers with respect to natives of that state or area
				shall be allocated (to the extent practicable and otherwise consistent with
				this section and section 203) in a manner so that, except as provided in
				subsection (a)(4), the proportion of the visa numbers made available under each
				of paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 203(a) is equal to the ratio of the
				total number of visas made available under the respective paragraph to the
				total number of visas made available under section
				203(a).
						.
				(c)Country-Specific
			 offsetSection 2 of the
			 Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 (8 U.S.C. 1255 note) is amended—
				(1)in subsection (a),
			 by striking subsection (e)) and inserting subsection
			 (d)); and
				(2)by striking
			 subsection (d) and redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).
				(d)Effective
			 dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect as if
			 enacted on September 30, 2011, and shall apply to fiscal years beginning with
			 fiscal year 2012.
			(e)Transition rules
			 for employment-Based immigrants
				(1)In
			 generalSubject to the succeeding paragraphs of this subsection
			 and notwithstanding title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
			 1151 et seq.), the following rules shall apply:
					(A)For fiscal year 2012, 15 percent of the
			 total number of immigrant visas made available under section 203(b) of such Act
			 (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)) shall be allotted to immigrants who are natives of a foreign
			 state or dependent area that was not one of the two states with the largest
			 numbers of natives obtaining lawful permanent resident status during fiscal
			 year 2010 under such section 203(b).
					(B)For fiscal year 2013, 10 percent of the
			 total number of immigrant visas made available under such section 203(b) shall
			 be allotted to immigrants who are natives of a foreign state or dependent area
			 that was not one of the two states with the largest numbers of natives
			 obtaining lawful permanent resident status during fiscal year 2011 under such
			 section 203(b).
					(C)For fiscal year 2014, 10 percent of the
			 total number of immigrant visas made available under such section 203(b) shall
			 be allotted to immigrants who are natives of a foreign state or dependent area
			 that was not one of the two states with the largest numbers of natives
			 obtaining lawful permanent resident status during fiscal year 2012 under such
			 section 203(b).
					(2)Per-country
			 levels
					(A)Reserved
			 visasWith respect to the visas reserved under each of
			 subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1), the number of such visas made
			 available to natives of any single foreign state or dependent area in the
			 appropriate fiscal year may not exceed 25 percent (in the case of a single
			 foreign state) or 2 percent (in the case of a dependent area) of the total
			 number of such visas.
					(B)Unreserved
			 visas
						(i)In
			 generalWith respect to the immigrant visas made available under
			 such section 203(b) and not reserved under paragraph (1), for each of fiscal
			 years 2012, 2013, and 2014, not more than the number of such visas calculated
			 under clause (ii) shall be allotted to immigrants who are natives of any single
			 foreign state.
						(ii)Calculation of
			 numberThe numbers of visas
			 calculated under this clause for a fiscal year is the number that is equal to
			 70 percent of the total number of immigrant visas made available under such
			 section 203(b) for such fiscal year.
						(3)Rules for
			 chargeabilitySection 202(b)
			 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1152(b)) shall apply in determining the foreign state to
			 which an alien is chargeable for purposes of this subsection.


114 SRES 325 ATS: Permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.
U.S. Senate
2015-12-02
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		III
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		S. RES. 325
		IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

			December 2, 2015
			Mr. Isakson (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

		RESOLUTION
		Permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for
			 charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

		1.Collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable
			 purposes in Senate buildings
 (a)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of the rules or regulations of the Senate— (1)a Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate may collect from another Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate within Senate buildings nonmonetary donations of clothing, toys, food, and housewares for charitable purposes related to serving persons in need or members of the Armed Forces and the families of those members during the holiday season, if the charitable purposes do not otherwise violate any rule or regulation of the Senate or of Federal law; and
 (2)a Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate may work with a nonprofit organization with respect to the delivery of donations described under paragraph (1).
 (b)ExpirationThe authority provided by this resolution shall expire at the end of the first session of the 114th Congress.


One Hundred Tenth Congress of the United States of America2d SessionBegun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, the third day of January, two thousand and eightS. 3296IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED
		  STATESAN ACTTo extend the authority of the United
		  States Supreme Court Police to protect court officials off the Supreme Court
		  Grounds and change the title of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief
		  Justice.1.United States Supreme Court Police and
			 Counselor to the Chief Justice(a)Extension of authority of the United States
			 Supreme Court Police To protect court officials off the Supreme Court
			 GroundsSection 6121(b)(2) of
			 title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking 2008 and
			 inserting 2013.(b)Counselor to the Chief Justice(1)Office of Federal judicial
			 administrationSection
			 133(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking
			 administrative assistant and inserting
			 Counselor.(2)Judicial officialSection 376(a) of title 28, United States
			 Code, is amended—(A)in paragraph (1)(E), by striking an
			 administrative assistant and inserting a Counselor;
			 and(B)in paragraph (2)(E), by striking an
			 administrative assistant and inserting a
			 Counselor.(3)Administrative Assistant to the Chief
			 Justice(A)In generalSection 677 of title 28, United States
			 Code, is amended—(i)in the section heading, by striking
			 Administrative
			 Assistant and inserting Counselor;(ii)in subsection (a)—(I)in the first sentence, by striking
			 an Administrative Assistant and inserting a
			 Counselor; and(II)in the second and third sentences, by
			 striking Administrative Assistant each place that term appears
			 and inserting Counselor; and(iii)in subsections (b) and (c), by striking
			 Administrative Assistant each place that term appears and
			 inserting Counselor.(B)Table of sectionsThe table of sections for chapter 45 of
			 title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
			 section 677 and inserting the following:677. Counselor to the Chief
				Justice..2.Limitation on
			 acceptance of honorary club memberships(a)DefinitionsIn
			 this section:(1)GiftThe
			 term gift has the meaning given under section 109(5) of the Ethics
			 in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).(2)Judicial
			 officerThe term judicial officer has the meaning
			 given under section 109(10) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
			 App.).(b)Prohibition on
			 acceptance of honorary club membershipsA judicial officer may
			 not accept a gift of an honorary club membership with a value of more than $50
			 in any calendar year.Speaker of the House of RepresentativesVice President of the United States and President of the Senate


116 HR 8148 IH: VA Data Analytics and Technology Assistance Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-09-01
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 CONGRESS2d Session
H. R. 8148
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 1, 2020
Mr. Lamb (for himself and Mr. Banks) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts for statistical analyses and data evaluation.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the VA Data Analytics and Technology Assistance Act or the VA DATA Act.   2.Statistical analyses and data evaluation by Department of Veterans Affairs (a)In generalChapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

119.Contracting for statistical analyses and data evaluation
(a)In generalThe Secretary may enter into a contract or other agreement with an academic institution or other qualified entity, as determined by the Secretary, to carry out statistical analyses and data evaluation as required of the Secretary by law. (b)Rule of constructionNothing in this section may be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to enter into contracts or other agreements for statistical analyses and data evaluation under any other provision of law..
(b)Clerical amendmentThe table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:   119. Contracting for statistical analyses and data evaluation..


116 S381 IS: Space Resources Institute Act
U.S. Senate
2019-02-07
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 381IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 7, 2019Mr. Gardner (for himself and Mr. Bennet) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationA BILLTo direct the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to submit to
			 Congress a report on the merits of, and options for, establishing an
			 institute relating to space resources, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Space Resources Institute Act. 2.Report on merits and options for establishing an institute relating to space resources (a)ReportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the merits of, and options for, establishing an institute relating to space resources to advance the objectives of NASA in maintaining United States preeminence in space. Such objectives shall include the following:
 (1)Identifying, developing, and distributing space resources, including by encouraging the development of foundational science and technology.
 (2)Reducing the technological risks associated with identifying, developing, and distributing space resources.
 (3)Developing options for using space resources to— (A)support current and future space architectures, programs, and missions; and
 (B)enable such architectures, programs, and missions that would not otherwise be possible. (b)Additional mattersThe report required under subsection (a) shall also include the following assessments of the Administrator:
 (1)Whether a virtual or physical institute relating to space resources is most cost effective and appropriate.
 (2)Whether partnering with institutions of higher education and the aerospace industry, and the extractive industry as appropriate, would be effective in increasing information available to the institute with respect to advancing the objectives described in subsection (a).
 (c)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)AdministratorThe term Administrator means the Administrator of NASA.
 (2)Appropriate congressional committeesThe term appropriate congressional committees means— (A)the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives; and
 (B)the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (3)Extractive industryThe term extractive industry means companies and individuals involved in the processes of extracting, including mining, quarrying, drilling, and dredging, raw, natural materials or energy sources.
 (4)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
 (5)NASAThe term NASA means the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (6)Space resource (A)In generalThe term space resource means an abiotic resource in situ in outer space.
 (B)InclusionsThe term space resource includes a raw, natural material or energy source.


114 HR 2534 IH: SCAN Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-05-21
text/xml
EN
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		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2534
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			May 21, 2015
			Ms. Hahn introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

		A BILL
		To amend the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (the SAFE PORT Act) to
			 administer a pilot program for 100 percent scanning of cargo containers at
			 domestic ports, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Scan Containers Absolutely Now Act or the SCAN Act. 2.100 percent scanning of cargo containers at domestic ports pilot programSubtitle C of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

				237.100 percent scanning of cargo containers at domestic ports pilot program
					(a)Designations
 (1)In GeneralThe Secretary shall conduct a 1-year pilot program at 2 domestic ports to evaluate the process of 100 percent scanning of cargo containers and its potential for use at all domestic ports.
 (2)EquipmentThe Secretary shall— (A)select the equipment necessary to conduct the pilot program under this section prior to the solicitation of applications from domestic ports under paragraph (3);
 (B)make information about the equipment available to domestic ports as part of the application process under paragraph (3);
 (C)acquire the equipment necessary to conduct the pilot program under this section; and (D)permit equipment acquired and used under this section to remain with the selected ports upon completion of the pilot program.
 (3)Application ProcessThe Secretary shall— (A)conduct an application process by soliciting applications from domestic ports; and
 (B)select 2 domestic ports to participate in the pilot program. (b)EvaluationIn consultation with the Government Accountability Office, the Secretary shall determine performance measures to be used to assess the program prior to the selection of participating ports under subsection (a)(3).
 (c)Equipment and performance of scanningThe Secretary may— (1)purchase or lease equipment necessary to carry out the pilot program; and
 (2)contract for performance of scanning of cargo under the pilot program. (d)Deadline for implementationNot later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall achieve full-scale implementation of the pilot program under this section.
 (e)ReportNot later than 1 year after completion of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives that includes—
 (1)an evaluation of the process of 100 percent scanning of cargo containers; (2)the results of performance measures used to assess the pilot program implemented under this section; and
 (3)recommendations of how to carry out 100 percent scanning at all domestic ports. (f)Authorization of AppropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Department not to exceed $30,000,000, to carry out the pilot program implemented under this section for fiscal year 2016..
 3.Clerical AmendmentThe table of contents of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 236 the following:

					Sec. 237. 100 percent scanning of cargo containers at domestic ports pilot program..


109 HR 1602 IH: Grants for DNA Backlog Prosecutions Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2005-04-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1602
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 13, 2005
Mr. Gallegly introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To provide grants for prosecutions of cases cleared through use of DNA backlog clearance funds.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Grants for DNA Backlog Prosecutions Act.
2.Assistance for prosecutions of cases cleared through use of DNA backlog clearance fundsThe Justice for All Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–405) is amended by adding after section 206 the following new section:

207.Assistance for prosecutions of cases cleared through use of DNA backlog clearance funds
(a)In generalThe Attorney General shall make grants to train and employ personnel to help prosecute cases cleared through use of funds provided for DNA backlog elimination.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010 to carry out this section. .


115 HR 4643 IH: Safe Air Transport of Hazardous Materials Act of 2017
U.S. House of Representatives
2017-12-14
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.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 4643IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 14, 2017Mr. DeFazio introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 49, United States Code, with respect to the duties of the Administrator of the
			 Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Safe Air Transport of Hazardous Materials Act of 2017. 2.Duties and powers of AdministratorSection 106(g)(1)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking aviation safety (except those related to transportation, packaging, marking, or description of hazardous material) and inserting aviation safety (including those related to transportation, packaging, marking, or description of hazardous material).
 3.Participation in international forumsSection 5120(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (or the designee of the Administrator) shall serve as the primary official representative of the United States on the Dangerous Goods Panel of the International Civil Aviation Organization..
 4.Air transportation of lithium cells and batteriesSection 828 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 44701 note), and the item relating to that section in the table of contents in section 1(b) of that Act, are repealed.


		IV
		111th CONGRESS
		2d Session
		H. RES. 1453
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 17, 2010
			Mr. Driehaus (for
			 himself and Mr. Chaffetz) submitted
			 the following resolution; which was referred to the
			 Committee on House
			 Administration

		RESOLUTION
		Celebrating the 29th Congressional Art
		  Competition and commending the winners of the Competition on achieving a high
		  level of artistic scholastic aptitude.

		Whereas the Congressional Art Competition was initiated by
			 Members of the House of Representatives in 1982, led by Congressman Jim
			 Jeffords of Vermont and Congressman Fred Richmond of New York;
		Whereas the 29th Congressional Art Competition was hosted
			 in 2010 by Congressman Steve Driehaus of Ohio and Congressman Jason Chaffetz of
			 Utah;
		Whereas the Competition is a nationwide annual art
			 competition that allows high school students from all 50 States, the District
			 of Columbia, and United States territories to showcase their artistic
			 ability;
		Whereas over 400 offices participated in this year’s
			 Competition, making it the preeminent and most popular artistic event of the
			 second session of this Congress;
		Whereas the winning entries submitted from each district’s
			 office are evaluated by an esteemed panel of artistic experts;
		Whereas the reception for this year’s Competition
			 reception was held on June 17, 2010;
		Whereas the student winners from each district were
			 invited to Washington, DC, and the United States Capitol to celebrate their
			 artistic achievements and participate in the opening of the 2010 Congressional
			 Art Competition exhibit;
		Whereas as part of the 2010 Congressional Art Competition
			 reception, Tamara Harkavy, the Director of Artworks Cincinnati, and Robert
			 Marshall, professional artist and former Professor of Art at Brigham Young
			 University, led workshops for the student winners on the exceptional benefits
			 of art; and
		Whereas the winning artwork from each district will be
			 displayed proudly for a year in a tunnel leading to the United States Capitol,
			 serving as a welcome to all those who come to Washington, DC, and visit the
			 Capitol, the center of government and our Nation: Now, therefore, be it

		That the House of
			 Representatives—
			(1)celebrates the 29th anniversary of the
			 Congressional Art Competition; and
			(2)commends the
			 winners of the Competition on achieving a high level of artistic scholastic
			 aptitude in their respective Congressional District competitions.


114 HR 4159 IH: Access to Military Service Records Act of 2015
U.S. House of Representatives
2015-12-02
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

		I
		114th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 4159
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			December 2, 2015
			Mr. Higgins introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

		A BILL
		To limit the fees charged by the National Archives and Records Administration to veterans for
			 military service records, and for other purposes.

 1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Access to Military Service Records Act of 2015. 2.Limitation on fees charged by the National Archives and Records Administration to veterans for military service recordsSection 2116 of title 44, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

 (d)Notwithstanding subsection (c), in the case of a military service record of an individual, the Archivist may not charge to such individual (or, if such individual is deceased, the next of kin or immediate family of such individual) more than the cost of mailing such record..


109 HR 6395 IH: Expanding, Rebuilding, and Improving Access to Qualified Health Care Professionals in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Affected Areas Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-12-06
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.

I
109th CONGRESS 2d Session
H. R. 6395
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 6, 2006
Mr. Jefferson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 ensure an adequate supply of public health professionals, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Expanding, Rebuilding, and Improving Access to Qualified Health Care Professionals in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Affected Areas Act.
2.FindingsThe Congress finds as follows:
(1)Studies state the New Orleans area is now home to one million people, just under the pre-Katrina population of 1.3 million. But the health care resources necessary to adequately serve that level of population have not returned: only half of the previous 4,000 hospital beds are available; there is no level I trauma center; there are 34 nursing homes, down from 63; and 19 clinics, down from 90.
(2)According to recent statements in the New England Journal of Medicine, the health care situation in New Orleans area remains unacceptably primitive. The absence of chronic care facilities contributes to the lengthening of stay in acute care hospitals whose costs exceed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reimbursement, and these additional uncompensated expenses may soon force recently reopened hospital beds to close again. Without rapid, coordinated, and effective help from government agencies, it is feared that disproportionate human suffering and death will continue to plague greater New Orleans.
(3)According to the Bureau of Health Professions, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the Louisiana health care system before Hurricane Katrina and Rita was struggling with a shortage of primary care areas in 55 parishes and shortages of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, dentists, psychologists, and social workers.
(4)Health profession students, starting a new academic year, were forced to evacuate the city. Many trainees from Tulane University were relocated to Houston and Galveston in Texas. Less than a month later, on 24 September, another hurricane, Rita, hit land near the Louisiana-Texas border. Many of the 5,000 medical students and doctors in training in Texas were evacuated again.
(5)Prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana had the highest cost of health care in the Nation, but was rated the least healthiest State with the second highest infant mortality rate, the highest rate of premature deaths, and the third highest uninsured rate.
(6)After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana lost vast amounts of medical services (preventive, primary care, acute, emergency, critical care, surgical, subspecialty, maternity, gynecologic, family planning, sexually transmitted disease treatment, psychiatric/mental health, rehabilitation, administrative, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory).
(7)After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana lost over 7,500 health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, allied health care professionals, dentists, medial support providers, public health professionals, behavioral specialists, mental health workers, and physical therapists.
(8)New Orleans’ only certified level I trauma unit is still closed as of October 2006, and the number of staffed hospital beds in the City of New Orleans was about 60 percent less than before Hurricane Katrina. Prior to Katrina, 90 clinics were in operation, including 70 clinics run by the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, with the remainder being federally qualified health centers, mental health or addictive disorder clinics, or other specialty clinics. Post-hurricane, 19 clinics were open and generally operating at less than 50 percent of pre-Katrina capacity.
(9)More than three-fourths of the safety net clinics in New Orleans remain closed, and many of those that were open had limited capacity, according to data gathered by officials.
3.Hurricane katrina and rita public health workforce scholarship and loan repayment programPart E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

3Public health workforce scholarship and loan repayment program
775.Hurricanes Katrina and Rita public health workforce scholarship program
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Public Health Workforce Scholarship Program (referred to in this section as the ‘Program’) to ensure an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health preparedness workforce shortages in State and local public health agencies in areas directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita.
(b)EligibilityTo be eligible to participate in the Program, an individual shall—
(1)be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a full-time student—
(A)in an accredited (as determined by the Secretary) educational institution in a State directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita; and
(B)in a course of study or program, offered by such institution and approved by the Secretary, leading to a health professions degree (graduate, undergraduate, or associate) or certificate, which may include laboratory sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, health communications, health education and behavioral sciences, psychology, physical therapy, gerontology, sociology, health policy, social work, information sciences, or public administration;
(2)be a United States citizen or non-citizen resident;
(3)submit an application to the Secretary to participate in the Program; and
(4)sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time of the submittal of such application, a written contract (described in subsection (d)) to serve, upon the completion of the course of study or program involved, for the applicable period of obligated service in the full-time employment of a Federal, State or local public health agency, organization, or association in an area directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita.
(c)Dissemination of information
(1)Application and contract formsThe Secretary shall disseminate application forms and contract forms to individuals desiring to participate in the Program. The Secretary shall include with such forms—
(A)a fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an individual whose application is approved (and whose contract is accepted) by the Secretary, including in the summary a clear explanation of the damages to which the United States is entitled to recover in the case of the individual’s breach of the contract; and
(B)information relating to the service obligation and such other information as may be necessary for the individual to understand the individual’s prospective participation in the Program.
(2)Information for schoolsThe Secretary shall distribute to health professions schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Asian-American- and Pacific Islander-serving institutions, secondary educational institutions, and other appropriate accredited academic institutions and relevant Federal, State, local, and tribal public health agencies, materials providing information on the Program and shall encourage such schools, institutions, and agencies to disseminate such materials to potentially eligible students.
(3)Understandability, and timingThe application form, contract form, and all other information furnished by the Secretary under this section shall—
(A)be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average individual applying to participate in the Program;
(B)be made available by the Secretary on a date sufficiently early to ensure that such individuals have adequate time to carefully review and evaluate such forms and information.
(4)Special considerationIndividuals who are eligible under subsection (b) shall be provided special consideration if the individuals are from medically underserved communities, as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p).
(d)ContractThe written contract (referred to in this section) between the Secretary and an individual shall contain—
(1)an agreement on the part of the Secretary that the Secretary will provide the individual with a scholarship for a period of years (not to exceed 5 academic years) during which the individual shall pursue an approved course of study or program to prepare the individual to serve in the public health workforce;
(2)an agreement on the part of the individual that the individual will—
(A)maintain full-time enrollment in the approved course of study or program described in subsection (b)(1) until the individual completes that course of study or program;
(B)while enrolled in the course of study or program, maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined under regulations of the Secretary by the educational institution offering such course of study or program); and
(C)immediately upon graduation, serve in the full-time employment of a Federal, State, or local public health agency, organization, or association in a position related to the course of study or program for which the contract was awarded for a period of time (referred to in this section as the ‘period of obligated service’) equal to the greater of—
(i)1 year for each academic year for which the individual was provided a scholarship under the Program; or
(ii)3 years;
(3)an agreement by both parties as to the nature and extent of the scholarship assistance, which may include—
(A)payment of the tuition expenses of the individual;
(B)payment of all other reasonable educational expenses of the individual including fees, books, equipment, and laboratory expenses; and
(C)payment of a stipend of not more than $2,400 per month for each month of the academic year involved (indexed to account for increases in the Consumer Price Index); and
(4)a provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of a contract entered into under this section and any obligation of the individual which is conditioned thereon, is contingent upon funds being appropriated for scholarships under this section;
(5)a statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled for the individual’s breach of the contract; and
(6)such other statements of the rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.
(e)Postponing obligated serviceWith respect to an individual receiving a degree or certificate from a school of medicine, public health, nursing, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, psychology, or social work under a scholarship under the Program, the date of the initiation of the period of obligated service may be postponed, upon the submission by the individual of a petition for such postponement and approval by the Secretary, to the date on which the individual completes an approved internship, residency, or other relevant public health preparedness advanced training program.
(f)Administrative provisions
(1)Contracts with institutionsThe Secretary may contract with an educational institution in which a participant in the Program is enrolled, for the payment to the educational institution of the amounts of tuition and other reasonable educational expenses described in subsection (d)(3).
(2)Employment ceilingsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, individuals who have entered into written contracts with the Secretary under this section, while undergoing academic training, shall not be counted against any employment ceiling affecting the Department or any other Federal agency.
(g)Breach of contractAn individual who fails to comply with the contract entered into under subsection (d) shall be subject to the same financial penalties as provided for under section 338E for breaches of scholarship contracts under sections 338A.
775-1.Hurricane katrina and rita public health workforce recovery loan repayment program
(a)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program (referred to in this section as the Program) to ensure an adequate supply of public health professionals to eliminate critical public health preparedness workforce shortages in Federal, State, local, and public health agencies, organizations, and associations in areas directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita.
(b)EligibilityTo be eligible to participate in the Program, an individual shall—
(1)
(A)be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a full-time or part-time student in an accredited academic educational institution in a State or territory in the final year of a course of study or program offered by that institution leading to a health professions degree or certificate, which may include a degree (graduate, undergraduate, or associate) or certificate relating to laboratory sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, health communications, health education and behavioral sciences, information sciences, or public administration; or
(B)have graduated, within 10 years, from an accredited educational institution in a State or territory and received a health professions degree (graduate, undergraduate, or associate) or certificate, which may include a degree (graduate, undergraduate, or associate) or certificate related to laboratory sciences, epidemiology, environmental health, health communications, health education and behavioral sciences, psychology, physical therapy, gerontology, sociology, health policy, social work, information sciences, or public administration;
(2)
(A)in the case of an individual described in paragraph (1)(A), have accepted employment with a Federal, State, local, or tribal public health agency, as recognized by the Secretary, to commence upon graduation; or
(B)in the case of an individual described in paragraph (1)(B), be employed by, or have accepted employment with, a Federal, State, or local public health agency, organization, or association, as recognized by the Secretary;
(3)be a United States citizen;
(4)submit an application to the Secretary to participate in the Program; and
(5)sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time of the submittal of such application, a written contract (described in subsection (d)) to serve for the applicable period of obligated service in the full-time employment of a Federal, State, local, or tribal public health agency.
(c)Dissemination of information
(1)Application and contract formsThe Secretary shall disseminate application forms and contract forms to individuals desiring to participate in the Program. The Secretary shall include with such forms—
(A)a fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an individual whose application is approved (and whose contract is accepted) by the Secretary, including in the summary a clear explanation of the damages to which the United States is entitled to recover in the case of the individual’s breach of the contract; and
(B)information relating to the service obligation and such other information as may be necessary for the individual to understand the individual’s prospective participation in the Program.
(2)Information for schoolsThe Secretary shall distribute to health professions schools and other appropriate accredited academic institutions, health professions schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Asian-American and Pacific Islander-serving institutions, secondary educational institutions, and relevant Federal, State, and local public health agencies, materials providing information on the Program and shall encourage such schools, institutions, and agencies to disseminate such materials to potentially eligible students.
(3)Understandability, and timingThe application form, contract form, and all other information furnished by the Secretary under this section shall—
(A)be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average individual applying to participate in the Program; and
(B)be made available by the Secretary on a date sufficiently early to ensure that such individuals have adequate time to carefully review and evaluate such forms and information.
(4)Special considerationIndividuals who are eligible under subsection (b) shall be provided special consideration if the individuals are from medically underserved communities, as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p).
(d) ContractThe written contract (referred to in this section) between the Secretary and an individual shall contain—
(1)an agreement on the part of the Secretary that the Secretary will repay on behalf of the individual loans incurred by the individual in the pursuit of the relevant public health preparedness workforce educational degree or certificate in accordance with the terms of the contract;
(2)an agreement on the part of the individual that the individual will serve, immediately upon graduation in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1)(A), or in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1)(B) will continue to serve, in the full-time employment of a Federal, State, or local public health agency, organization, or association in a position related to the course of study or program for which the contract was awarded for a period of time (referred to in this section as the ‘period of obligated service’) equal to the greater of—
(A) 4 years; or
(B)such longer period of time as determined appropriate by the Secretary and the individual;
(3)an agreement, as appropriate, on the part of the individual to relocate for the entire period of obligated service to a political jurisdiction designated by the Secretary to be a Hurricane Katrina or Rita priority service area in exchange for an additional loan repayment incentive amount that does not exceed 30 percent of the individual’s eligible loan repayment award per academic year such that the total of the loan repayment and the incentive amount shall not exceed ½ of the eligible loan balance per year;
(4)in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1)(A) who is in the final year of study and who has accepted employment with a Federal, State, or local public health agency, organization, or association upon graduation, an agreement on the part of the individual to complete the education or training, maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by the education institution offering the course of study or training), and complete the period of obligated service;
(5)a provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of a contract entered into under this section and any obligation of the individual that is conditioned thereon, is contingent on funds being appropriated for loan repayments under this section;
(6)a statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled under this section for the individual’s breach of the contract; and
(7)such other statements of the rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual, not inconsistent with this section.
(e)Payments
(1)In generalA loan repayment provided for an individual under a written contract under the Program shall consist of payment, in accordance with paragraph (2), on behalf of the individual of the principal, interest, and related expenses on government and commercial loans received by the individual regarding the undergraduate or graduate (or both) education of the individual, which loans were made for—
(A)tuition expenses; or
(B)any other reasonable educational expenses, including fees, books, and laboratory expenses, incurred by the individual.
(2)Payments for years served
(A)In generalFor each year of obligated service that an individual contracts to serve under subsection (d) the Secretary may pay up to $35,000 on behalf of the individual for loans described in paragraph (1). With respect to participants under the Program whose total eligible loans are less than $125,000, the Secretary shall pay an amount that does not exceed ½ of the eligible loan balance for each year of obligated service of the individual.
(B)Repayment scheduleAny arrangement made by the Secretary for the making of loan repayments in accordance with this subsection shall provide that any repayments for a year of obligated service shall be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service.
(3)Tax liabilityFor the purpose of providing reimbursements for tax liability resulting from payments under paragraph (2) on behalf of an individual—
(A)the Secretary shall, in addition to such payments, make payments to the individual in an amount not to exceed 39 percent of the total amount of loan repayments made for the taxable year involved; and
(B)may make such additional payments as the Secretary determines to be appropriate with respect to such purpose.
(4)Payment scheduleThe Secretary may enter into an agreement with the holder of any loan for which payments are made under the Program to establish a schedule for the making of such payments.
(f)Postponing obligated serviceWith respect to an individual receiving a degree or certificate from a school of medicine, public health, nursing, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, psychology, or social work, the date of the initiation of the period of obligated service may be postponed, upon the submission by the individual of a petition for such postponement and approval by the Secretary, to the date on which the individual completes an approved internship, residency, or other relevant public health preparedness advanced training program.
(g)Administrative provisions.
(1)Hiring priorityNotwithstanding any other provision of law, Federal, State, local, and tribal public health agencies may give hiring priority to any individual who has qualified for and is willing to execute a contract to participate in the Program.
(2)Employment ceilingsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, individuals who have entered into written contracts with the Secretary under this section, who are serving as full-time employees of a State or local public health agency, or who are in the last year of public health workforce academic preparation, shall not be counted against any employment ceiling affecting the Department or any other Federal agency.
(h)Breach of contractAn individual who fails to comply with the contract entered into under subsection (d) shall be subject to the same financial penalties as provided for under section 338E for breaches of loan repayment contracts under section 338B.
775-2.Grants for State and local programs in hurricane katrina and rita affected areas
(a) In generalFor the purpose of operating Hurricane Katrina and Rita State and local public health workforce loan repayment programs, the Secretary shall award a grant to any public health agency, organization, or association that receives public health preparedness cooperative agreements, or other successor cooperative agreements, from the Department of Health and Human Services.
(b)RequirementsA State or local loan repayment program operated with a grant under subsection (a) shall incorporate all provisions of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program under section 775–1, including the ability to designate Hurricane Katrina and Rita priority service areas within the relevant political jurisdiction.
(c)AdministrationThe head of the State or local office that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall be responsible for contracting and operating the loan repayment program under the grant.
(d)Rule of constructionNothing in this section shall be construed to obligate or limit any State or local government entity from implementing independent or supplemental public health workforce development programs within their borders.
775-3.Authorization of appropriations
(a)Scholarship programFor the purpose of carrying out section 775, there is authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(b)Loan repayment programs
(1)In generalFor the purpose of carrying out sections 775–1 and 775–2, there is authorized to be appropriated $225,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(2)AllocationNot less than 80 percent of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) in each fiscal year shall be made available to carry out section 775–2..
4.Cultural competence training for health care and emergency relief professionals
(a)In generalThe Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, and the Director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, shall award grants to eligible entities to test, implement, and evaluate models of cultural competence training, including continuing education, for health care and emergency relief providers.
(b)EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall—
(1)be an academic medical center, a health center or clinic, a hospital, a health plan, a health system, or a health care professional guild (including a mental health care professional guild);
(2)partner with a minority serving institution, minority professional association, or community-based organization representing minority populations, in addition to a research institution to carry out activities under this grant; and
(3)prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.
5.Health careers opportunity program
(a)PurposeIt is the purpose of this section to diversify the health care workforce by increasing the number of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in the health and allied health professions by enhancing the academic skills of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and supporting them in successfully entering, competing in, and graduating from health professions training programs.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsSection 740(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293d(c)) is amended by striking $29,400,000 and all that follows through 2002 and inserting $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
6.Program of excellence in health professions education for underrepresented minorities
(a)PurposeIt is the purpose of this section to diversify the health care workforce by supporting programs of excellence in designated health professions schools that demonstrate a commitment to under represented minority populations with a focus on minority health issues, cultural and linguistic competence, and eliminating health disparities.
(b)Authorization of appropriationSection 736(h)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293(h)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(1)Authorization of appropriationsFor the purpose of making grants under subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012..
7.National health service corps; recruitment and fellowships for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
(a)In generalSection 331(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(3)The Secretary shall ensure that the individuals with respect to whom activities under paragraphs (1) and (2) are carried out include individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including activities carried out to provide health professions students with information on the Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs..
(b)Assignment of corps personnelSection 333(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254f(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(4)In assigning Corps personnel under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to applicants who request assignment to a federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act) or to a provider organization that has a majority of patients who are minorities or individuals from low-income families (families with a family income that is less than 200 percent of the Official Poverty Line). .
8.Loan repayment program of centers for disease control and preventionSection 317F(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b–7(c)) is amended—
(1)by striking and after 1994,; and
(2)by inserting before the period the following: $750,000 for fiscal year 2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
9.Mid-career health professions scholarship programPart B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by adding at the end the following:

742.Mid-career health professions scholarship program
(a)In generalThe Secretary may make grants to eligible schools for awarding scholarships to eligible individuals to attend the school involved, for the purpose of enabling the individuals to make a career change from a non-health profession to a health profession.
(b)Expenses Amounts awarded as a scholarship under this section—
(1)subject to paragraph (2), may be expended only for tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses incurred in the attendance of the school involved; and
(2)may be expended for stipends to eligible individuals for the enrolled period at eligible schools, except that such a stipend may not be provided to an individual for more than 4 years, and such a stipend may not exceed $35,000 per year (notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the amount of stipends).
(c)DefinitionsIn this section: —
(1)Eligible schoolThe term ‘eligible school’ means a school of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing (as defined in section 801), pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, chiropractic, or allied health, a school offering a graduate program in mental and behavioral health practice, or an entity providing programs for the training of physician assistants.
(2)Eligible individualThe term ‘eligible individual’ means an individual who has obtained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
(d)PriorityIn providing scholarships to eligible individuals, eligible schools shall give priority to individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and seek to work in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita.
(e)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012..
10.Emergency medical and rescue services for children
(a)In generalSection 1910(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300w–9(a)) is amended—
(1)by striking ‘‘may make grants to States or accredited schools of medicine in States to support a program of demonstration projects for the expansion and improvement of emergency medical services for children who need treatment for trauma or critical care’’ and inserting ‘‘may make grants to, or enter into contracts with, States, local government entities, Indian tribes, accredited schools of medicine, and nonprofit children’s hospitals to improve emergency medical services for children who need treatment for trauma or critical care, including injury prevention activities and data collection’’;
(2)by striking ‘‘3-year’’ and inserting ‘‘4-year’’; and
(3)by striking ‘‘4th’’ and inserting ‘‘5th’’.
(b)Authorization of appropriationsSubsection (d) of section 1910 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300w–9) is amended—
(1)by striking and before such sums; and
(2)by inserting $65,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2010 before the period at the end.
11.Block Grants to States for Social Services
(a)In generalNotwithstanding section 2003 and paragraphs (1) and (4) of section 2005(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397b, 1397d(a)), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make additional payments under title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.) to States directly affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita for health services (including mental health services); for health professional recruitment, training, and retention programs; and for repair, renovation, and construction of health facilities (including mental health facilities).
(b)Authorization of appropriationsTo carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $750,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2009.


115 S3060 IS: To repeal section 2141 of the Revised Statutes to remove the prohibition on certain alcohol manufacturing on Indian lands.
U.S. Senate
2018-06-13
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II115th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3060IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 13, 2018Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Moran, and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian AffairsA BILLTo repeal section 2141 of the Revised Statutes to remove the prohibition on certain alcohol
			 manufacturing on Indian lands.

 1.Repeal of prohibition on certain alcohol manufacturing on Indian landsSection 2141 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 251) is repealed.


109 HRES 667 IH: Commending hospice care providers such as Hospeace House for allowing people with life-limiting illness or injury to die pain-free and with dignity.
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-02-01
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. RES. 667
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 1, 2006
Mr. Kuhl of New York submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

RESOLUTION
Commending hospice care providers such as Hospeace House for allowing people with life-limiting illness or injury to die pain-free and with dignity.

Whereas the number of hospice programs nationwide has grown from one program in 1974 to 3,650 programs in 2004 and continues to increase;
Whereas approximately 63 percent of hospice programs, including Hospeace House of Naples, New York, are nonprofit;
Whereas 1,060,000 patients sought hospice care in 2004;
Whereas hospice providers care for patients with diagnoses of cancer, end-stage heart disease, dementia, debility, lung disease, and end-stage kidney disease, among others;
Whereas hospice patients are, in most cases, in need of caring, rather than curing;
Whereas Hospeace House has established a network of nurses, volunteers, clergy, and staff, which enables it to provide the highest level of hospice care possible to its residents; and
Whereas hospice offers a unique mix of medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support to patients as well as their families: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives—
(1)recognizes Hospeace House and the rest of the Nation’s hospice providers for their contributions in caring for people who have months rather than years to live;
(2)commends these hospice providers for making patients comfortable, addressing issues that cause patients physical and emotional pain, and supporting their families; and
(3)encourages hospice providers to maintain their commitment to offering the highest quality of care for patients by establishing community partnerships.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 3251
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			October 24, 2011
			Mr. Kline (for
			 himself, Mr. Peterson,
			 Mr. Long, and
			 Mr. Boswell) introduced the following
			 bill; which was referred to the Committee
			 on Transportation and Infrastructure

		A BILL
		To ensure that Federal assistance provided under the
		  Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the
		  construction of certain emergency levees is not conditioned on the subsequent
		  dismantlement of those levees, except as provided for in a status certificate,
		  and for other purposes.

		1.Assistance for certain
			 emergency levees
			(a)In
			 generalNotwithstanding any
			 other provision of law, Federal assistance provided under the Robert T.
			 Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.),
			 if for the construction of a covered levee, may not be conditioned on the
			 dismantlement of the covered levee, except as provided for in a status
			 certificate.
			(b)Provision of
			 status certificatesThe
			 Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, shall provide a
			 status certificate for each covered levee constructed with Federal assistance
			 provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
			 Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
			(c)DefinitionsIn
			 this section, the following definitions apply:
				(1)Covered
			 leveeThe term covered levee means a levee or
			 similar structure constructed—
					(A)in response to a major disaster or
			 emergency; and
					(B)in an area in
			 which at least 1 other levee or similar structure was constructed in response
			 to a major disaster or emergency, and subsequently dismantled, during the
			 10-year period preceding the date on which the President declares the major
			 disaster or emergency applicable for purposes of subparagraph (A).
					(2)Major disaster
			 or emergencyThe term
			 major disaster or emergency means a major disaster or emergency
			 declared to exist by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford
			 Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
				(3)Status
			 certificateThe term
			 status certificate means a written determination by the Secretary
			 of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, that a levee or similar
			 structure—
					(A)is either—
						(i)constructed in a
			 manner that satisfies standards applicable to a permanent levee or similar
			 structure;
						(ii)not constructed in a manner that satisfies
			 standards described in clause (i), but there is an adequate plan for
			 improvements to ensure that such standards will be satisfied; or
						(iii)not constructed
			 in a manner that satisfies standards described in clause (i) and there is no
			 adequate plan for improvements to ensure that such standards will be satisfied;
			 and
						(B)may safely remain
			 in place—
						(i)subject to
			 conditions specified; and
						(ii)for
			 a period of time specified.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2926
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			September 14, 2011
			Mr. Gowdy (for
			 himself and Mr. Mulvaney) introduced
			 the following bill; which was referred to the
			 Committee on Education and the
			 Workforce

		A BILL
		To abolish the National Labor Relations Board and to
		  transfer its enforcement authority to the Department of Justice and its
		  oversight of elections to the Office of Labor-Management Standards of the
		  Department of Labor.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 National Labor Relations
			 Reorganization Act of 2011.
		2.ReferencesWhenever in this Act an amendment is
			 expressed as an amendment to a section or other provision, the reference shall
			 be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the National Labor
			 Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).
		3.Abolishment of
			 the National Labor Relations Board
			(a)Abolishment of
			 BoardEffective on the date
			 provided in subsection (c), the National Labor Relations Board is
			 abolished.
			(b)Repeal of
			 authoritySections 3, 4, and 5 of the Act are repealed.
			(c)Effective
			 dateThis section shall take
			 effect on the date that is 30 days after the date of enactment of this
			 Act.
			4.Transfer of
			 authority for representative elections to Office of Labor-Management
			 Standards
			(a)Transfer of
			 authorityThe functions and
			 responsibilities of the National Labor Relations Board for overseeing elections
			 under section 9 of the National Labor Relations Act, and any related
			 authorities and functions under that Act, are hereby transferred to the
			 Secretary of Labor, to be carried out through the Office of Labor-Management
			 Standards.
			(b)Amendments to
			 the NLRA
				(1)DefinitionParagraph (10) of section 2 (29 U.S.C. 152)
			 is amended to read as follows:

						(10)The term Secretary means the
				Secretary of Labor, acting through the office of Labor-Management Standards of
				the Department of
				Labor.
						.
				(2)Authority for
			 supervising electionsSection 9 (29 U.S.C. 159) is amended by
			 striking Board each place it appears and inserting
			 Secretary.
				(3)Rules and
			 regulations
					(A)AuthoritySection 6 (29 U.S.C. 156) is amended by
			 striking Board and inserting Secretary.
					(B)Preservation of
			 existing regulationsRules
			 and regulations issued under the National Labor Relations Act prior to and in
			 effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act shall continue in
			 effect and shall be considered to be rules and regulations issued by the
			 Secretary of Labor, acting through the office of Labor-Management Standards of
			 the Department of Labor, under section 6 of such Act, as amended by paragraph
			 (1).
					(4)Conforming
			 amendmentsSection 8 (29
			 U.S.C. 158) is amended by striking Board each place it appears
			 and inserting Secretary.
				5.Transfer of
			 enforcement authority to the Department of Justice
			(a)Transfer of
			 authorityThe functions and
			 responsibilities of the National Labor Relations Board for the prevention of
			 unfair labor practices under section 10 of the National Labor Relations Act,
			 and any related authorities and functions under that Act, are hereby
			 transferred to the Bureau of Labor Relations Enforcement of the Department of
			 Justice, established under subsection (b).
			(b)Establishment of
			 enforcement bureau
				(1)Establishment
			 and purposeThere is established within the Department of
			 Justice, under the general authority of the Attorney General, a Bureau of Labor
			 Relations Enforcement, to carry out the enforcement duties and functions that
			 were, prior to the date of enactment of this Act, carried out by the National
			 Labor Relations Board under section 10 of the National Labor Relations
			 Act.
				(2)DirectorThe
			 Bureau shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Attorney General. The
			 Director shall have had experience in labor-management relations and shall not
			 engage in any other employment than that of serving as Director; nor shall the
			 Director hold any office in, or act in any capacity for, any organization,
			 agency, or institution with which the Bureau makes any contract or other
			 arrangement.
				(c)Amendments to
			 the NLRA
				(1)DefinitionSection 2 (29 U.S.C. 152) is further
			 amended by adding at the end the following:

						(15)The term
				Bureau means the Bureau of Labor Management Enforcement of the
				Department of
				Justice.
						.
				(2)Authority for
			 the prevention of unfair labor practicesSection 10 (29 U.S.C.
			 160) is amended—
					(A)in subsections
			 (a), (d), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k) and (l), by striking Board
			 each place it appears and inserting Bureau;
					(B)in subsection
			 (b)—
						(i)in
			 the first sentence—
							(I)by striking
			 Board each place it appears and inserting Bureau;
			 and
							(II)by striking
			 or a member thereof;
							(ii)in
			 the second sentence—
							(I)by striking
			 member, agent, or agency and inserting agent or
			 agency; and
							(II)by striking
			 Board and inserting Bureau;
							(iii)in the fourth
			 sentence—
							(I)by striking
			 member, agent, or agency and inserting agent or
			 agency; and
							(II)by striking
			 Board and inserting Bureau; and
							(iv)in
			 the last sentence, by striking the Act of June 19, 1934 and all
			 that follows and inserting section 2072 of title 29, United States
			 Code.;
						(C)in subsection
			 (c)—
						(i)by
			 striking member, agent, or agency and inserting agent or
			 agency;
						(ii)by
			 striking Board each place it appears and inserting
			 Bureau; and
						(iii)by
			 striking the last sentence; and
						(D)in subsection
			 (e)—
						(i)by
			 striking Board each place it appears and inserting
			 Bureau; and
						(ii)by
			 striking member, agent, or agency each place it appears and
			 inserting agent or agency.
						6.Application of
			 title 5 provision with respect to employeesSection 3503 of title 5, United States Code,
			 shall apply with respect to employees affected by the transfers of functions
			 under sections 4 and 5.
		7.Investigatory
			 powers under the NLRASection
			 11 (29 U.S.C. 161) is amended—
			(1)in the matter
			 preceding paragraph (1)—
				(A)by striking
			 Board and inserting Secretary or the Bureau, as the case
			 may be,; and
				(B)by striking it and inserting
			 the Secretary or the Bureau, respectively,;
				(2)in paragraph
			 (1)—
				(A)in the first
			 sentence, by striking The Board, or its and inserting The
			 Secretary and the Bureau, or their;
				(B)in the second
			 sentence, by striking Board, or any member thereof and inserting
			 Secretary or the Bureau, as the case may be;
				(C)in the third
			 sentence—
					(i)by
			 striking Board the first place it appears and inserting
			 Secretary or the Bureau; and
					(ii)by
			 striking Board the second place it appears and inserting
			 Secretary or the Bureau, as the case may be,; and
					(D)in the fourth
			 sentence—
					(i)by
			 striking Any member of the Board and inserting The
			 Secretary and the Bureau; and
					(ii)by
			 striking Board and inserting Secretary or the
			 Bureau;
					(3)in paragraph
			 (2)—
				(A)by striking
			 Board each place it appears and inserting Secretary or
			 the Bureau; and
				(B)by striking member, agent, or
			 agency both places it appears and inserting agent or
			 agency;
				(4)in paragraph (4),
			 by striking Board, its member, agent, or agency both place it
			 appears and inserting Secretary or the Bureau, its agent or
			 agency; and
			(5)in paragraph
			 (6)—
				(A)by striking
			 Board, upon its both places it appears and inserting
			 Secretary or the Bureau; and
				(B)by striking
			 its.
				8.Additional
			 Conforming amendmentsThe Act
			 is further amended—
			(1)in section 12, by
			 striking Board or any of its and inserting Secretary or
			 the Bureau or any of their;
			(2)in section in
			 section 14(c)—
				(A)by striking
			 Board, in its discretion and inserting Secretary or the
			 Bureau, as the case may be, in their discretion; and
				(B)by striking
			 Board the second, third, and fourth places it appears and
			 inserting Secretary or the Bureau; and
				(3)in section 18, by
			 striking National Labor Relations Board and inserting
			 Secretary.


		I
		112th CONGRESS
		1st Session
		H. R. 2177
		IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

			June 14, 2011
			Mr. Higgins (for
			 himself and Ms. Hochul) introduced the
			 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign
			 Affairs

		A BILL
		To direct the payment of passport fees to the Department
		  of State.

		1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the
			 Passport Acquisition Savings and
			 Security Act of 2011 or the PASS Act of 2011.
		2.Payment of
			 passport fees
			(a)In
			 generalSection 1(a) of the
			 Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(a)), is amended, in the first sentence, by
			 striking into the Treasury of the United States and inserting
			 to the Department of State.
			(b)Retention of
			 feesAny amount collected by the Department of State in fiscal
			 year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter as a fee for visas, passports, or
			 other consular services may be credited as an offsetting collection to the
			 appropriate Department of State appropriation, to remain available until
			 expended, for the purpose of meeting the costs of providing such services and
			 shall be available for the same purposes as the appropriation to which such
			 amounts are credited.
			(c)Rule of
			 constructionNothing in this Act shall be construed to affect or
			 limit in any manner any fees collected by local governments for the purposes of
			 processing passport applications submitted to the Department of State.
			(d)Sense of
			 CongressIt is the sense of Congress that new revenues directed
			 to the Department of State under this Act should be used to reduce the costs of
			 passports for consumers.


114 HCON 177 IH: Supporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day.
U.S. House of Representatives
2016-12-01
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.

IV114th CONGRESS2d SessionH. CON. RES. 177IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESDecember 1, 2016Ms. Lee (for herself, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Pascrell, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Sires, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Adams, Mr. Takano, Ms. Speier, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. Bass, Mr. Deutch, and Ms. Jackson Lee) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
			 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCONCURRENT RESOLUTIONSupporting the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day.

 Whereas the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that since the identification of AIDS in 1981, about 78,000,000 people have been infected with HIV, and more than 35,000,000 people have died of AIDS worldwide;
 Whereas in 2015, UNAIDS estimated that 2,100,000 people were newly infected with HIV, 17,000,000 people living with HIV (46 percent of the total) had access to antiretroviral therapy, and 1,100,000 people died of the disease;
 Whereas worldwide, 36,700,000 people are living with HIV, only 54 percent of which know they are infected;
 Whereas progress has been made globally in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with new infections among children declining 50 percent since 2010;
 Whereas progress in reducing new HIV infections among adults has slowed since 2010, remaining static at 1,900,000 new infections each year;
 Whereas young women and adolescent girls bear a disproportionate burden of HIV worldwide; Whereas in 2015, 7,500 girls and young women aged 15 to 24 were infected with HIV every week;
 Whereas low-income and middle-income countries continue to bear the brunt of the AIDS pandemic with Sub-Saharan Africa serving as the home of 69 percent of all adults and children living with HIV, 56 percent of whom are women and girls;
 Whereas people living with HIV/AIDS are frequently susceptible to other infections, such as hepatitis C and tuberculosis;
 Whereas according to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least one-third of those living with HIV are infected with latent tuberculosis, which remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV;
 Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States, 1,200,000 people are living with HIV and 13 percent of those are not aware of their status;
 Whereas more than 698,000 people have died of AIDS in the United States from the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including more than 13,000 in 2013;
 Whereas each year nearly 50,000 people become newly infected with HIV in the United States; Whereas women of color are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States;
 Whereas the CDC estimates that African-Americans account for almost half (45 percent) of all new infections and represent more than one-third of all people living with HIV in the United States, despite comprising just 12 percent of the population;
 Whereas in the United States, African-American women are 18 times more likely to become newly infected with HIV than White women, and Hispanic women are 5 times more likely to have AIDS than non-Hispanic White women;
 Whereas among all women diagnosed with HIV in 2014, an estimated 62 percent were African-American, 18 percent were White, and 16 percent were Hispanic or Latina;
 Whereas in 2014, youth aged 13 to 24 accounted for more than 22 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States, with nearly half of youth aged 18 to 24 unaware of their status;
 Whereas men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly young MSM of color, have represented an increasing share of new HIV infections over the past decade and each year MSM account for 78 percent of new infections among men and 63 percent of all new infections;
 Whereas the national opioid epidemic is a threat to a resurgence of HIV cases among people who inject drugs (PWID), with an estimated ten percent of new cases attributable to injection drug use;
 Whereas in order to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 was enacted into law on October 30, 2009, reauthorizing Federal HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs for 4 years and making funding available to United States metropolitan areas, States, and service providers to assist affected families and persons living with HIV/AIDS with healthcare and support services;
 Whereas to further focus attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic among minority communities in the United States, in 1998, Congress and the Clinton Administration created the Minority AIDS Initiative to provide funds to State and local institutions and organizations to best serve the healthcare costs and support the needs of racial and ethnic minorities living with HIV/AIDS;
 Whereas the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) released an update of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy targeting reducing new infections, increasing access to care, reducing disparities, and achieving a more coordinated response by 2020;
 Whereas in 2003 with bi-partisan leadership from President Bush, Congress created the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment in history by a country to combat a single disease;
 Whereas to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, in 2000, Congress passed the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act, providing the first contribution and the founding framework for what became the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which provides grants to developing countries to combat the 3 diseases;
 Whereas since the Global Fund was created in 2002, donors have pledged more than $33,000,000,000 in funding, of which $10,687,341,803 has been donated by the United States;
 Whereas as of December 2015, the Global Fund has supported treatment to over 8,000,000 people for HIV/AIDS, directly observed treatment to 13,200,000 people for tuberculosis, and over 548,000,000 insecticide treated nets to fight malaria;
 Whereas in order to further address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, in 2013, Congress extended the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through 2018 with the PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act of 2013 to continue to address HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria;
 Whereas, as of September 30, 2015, PEPFAR had supported life-saving treatment for 9,500,000 men, women, and children and in FY2015 supported the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission during 14,700,000 pregnancies, and had facilitated care for more than 5,500,000 orphans and vulnerable children;
 Whereas as a result of these and other efforts, the rate of new infections among children in the 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa that have been most impacted by the epidemic has declined by 60 percent since 2009, due in part to the expansion of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs;
 Whereas in September 2015, the world adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals and the global community collectively committed to a goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030;
 Whereas the concept of World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention and was established to focus attention on the HIV/AIDS pandemic;
 Whereas December 1 is now recognized as World AIDS Day and has been recognized by governments, international organizations, and charities around the world; and
 Whereas World AIDS Day 2016 is focused on ending AIDS by the year 2030 and to fast track the end of the AIDS epidemic by providing universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support programs and the fundamental need to support and protect human rights for all people, particularly vulnerable and marginalized populations, in order to achieve this goal: Now, therefore, be it

 That Congress— (1)supports the goals and ideals of World AIDS Day and recognizes the 28th anniversary of observing this day;
 (2)commends the President, State, and local governments, including their public health agencies, for recognizing this day, for publicizing its importance among their communities, and for encouraging individuals to undergo testing for HIV;
 (3)commends national, State, and local media organizations for carrying messages in support of World AIDS Day;
 (4)supports continued funding for prevention, care, treatment services, and research programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States including, through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Office of Minority Health, and the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
 (5)supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States: Updated to 2020 (NHAS) and achieving the goals within the NHAS Federal Action Plan;
 (6)supports continued funding for PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to provide prevention, care, and treatment to combat HIV/AIDS in low-income and middle-income countries;
 (7)supports the goal of providing universal access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support programs;
 (8)supports the goal of protecting human rights for all people, including vulnerable and marginalized populations such as MSM, people who inject drugs, and sex workers; and
 (9)supports efforts to address the factors that make populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS by combatting poverty and hunger, expanding educational opportunities for children, and empowering women and girls.


116 S4307 IS: Protecting Benefits for Elderly Refugees and Refugees with Disabilities During COVID–19 Act of 2020
U.S. Senate
2020-07-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II116th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4307IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 23, 2020Mrs. Murray introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend section 402 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to extend the eligibility period for supplemental security income benefits for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants, and for other purposes.1.Short
 titleThis Act may be cited as the Protecting Benefits for Elderly Refugees and Refugees with Disabilities During COVID–19 Act of 2020.2.Extension of
			 eligibility period for ssi benefits for certain recipients(a)In
 generalSection 402(a)(2)(M) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2)(M)) is amended—(1)in clause (i)(I), by inserting and the period beginning on January 31, 2020, and ending on September 30, 2021, after fiscal years 2009 through 2011,; and(2)in clause (ii), by inserting and the period beginning on January 31, 2020, and ending on September 30, 2021, after fiscal years 2009 through 2011.(b)Special rule in case of appealed naturalization applicationSection 402(a)(2)(M)(ii) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1612(a)(2)(M)(ii)), as amended by subsection (a)(2), is amended—(1)in the heading, by inserting , appealed, after pending;(2)by inserting or on appeal after that is pending; and(3)by inserting , appealed, after such application is pending.(c)Conforming amendmentSection 402(a)(2)(M) of such Act is amended, in the subparagraph heading, by striking through fiscal year 2011.(d)Effective
 dateThe amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 31, 2020.3.Naturalization application fee waiver(a)In generalNotwithstanding sections 286(m) and 344(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356(m) and 8 U.S.C. 1455(a)), no fee shall be charged or collected from an applicant described in subsection (b) in conjunction with—(1)filing an application for naturalization;(2)conducting a hearing on such application; or (3)the issuance of a certificate of naturalization upon being granted United States citizenship.(b)Applicant describedAn applicant is described in this section if the applicant—(1)is receiving payments under the supplemental security income program established under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.); and(2)is applying, or has applied, to become a naturalized citizen of the United States in accordance with section 334 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1445).


112 HR 2601 IH: SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2021-04-15
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2601IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 15, 2021Mr. Ryan (for himself, Mr. Mast, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Vela, Mrs. Hayes, and Mr. Zeldin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify Congress regularly of reported cases of burn pit exposure by veterans, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the SFC Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act.2.Notifications and reports regarding reported cases of burn pit exposure(a)Quarterly notifications(1)In generalOn a quarterly basis, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on each reported case of burn pit exposure by a covered veteran reported during the previous quarter.(2)ElementsEach report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to each reported case of burn pit exposure of a covered veteran included in the report, the following:(A)Notice of the case, including the medical facility at which the case was reported.(B)Notice of, as available—(i)the enrollment status of the covered veteran with respect to the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code;(ii)a summary of all health care visits by the covered veteran at the medical facility at which the case was reported that are related to the case;(iii)the demographics of the covered veteran, including age, sex, and race;(iv)any non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits that the covered veteran receives;(v)the Armed Force in which the covered veteran served and the rank of the covered veteran;(vi)the period in which the covered veteran served;(vii)each location of an open burn pit from which the covered veteran was exposed to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes during such service;(viii)the medical diagnoses of the covered veteran and the treatment provided to the veteran; and(ix)whether the covered veteran is registered in the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.(3)Protection of informationThe Secretary shall ensure that the reports submitted under paragraph (1) do not include the identity of covered veterans or contain other personally identifiable data.(b)Annual report on cases(1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report detailing the following:(A)The total number of covered veterans.(B)The total number of claims for disability compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, approved and the total number denied by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to a covered veteran, and for each such denial, the rationale of the denial.(C)A comprehensive list of—(i)the conditions for which covered veterans seek treatment; and(ii)the locations of the open burn pits from which the covered veterans were exposed to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes.(D)Identification of any illnesses relating to exposure to open burn pits that formed the basis for the Secretary to award benefits, including entitlement to service connection or an increase in disability rating.(E)The total number of covered veterans who died after seeking care for an illness relating to exposure to an open burn pit. (F)Any updates or trends with respect to the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) that the Secretary determines appropriate.(2)Matters included in first reportThe Secretary shall include in the first report under paragraph (1) information specified in subsection (a)(2) with respect to reported cases of burn pit exposure made during the period beginning January 1, 1990, and ending on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.(c)Inclusion of information after death and provision of information regarding open burn pit registrySection 201(a) of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:(3)Reporting of information after deathThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a survivor of a deceased veteran to report to the registry under paragraph (1) the exposure of the veteran to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by an open burn pit, even if such veteran was not included in the registry before their death. (4)Information regarding registry(A)NoticeThe Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that a medical professional of the Department of Veterans Affairs informs a veteran of the registry under paragraph (1) if the veteran presents at a medical facility of the Department for treatment that the veteran describes as being related to, or ancillary to, the exposure of the veteran to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits.(B)DisplayIn making information public regarding the number of participants in the registry under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall display such numbers by both State and by congressional district..(d)Comptroller General reportNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing an assessment of the effectiveness of any memorandum of understanding or memorandum of agreement entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to—(1)the processing of reported cases of burn pit exposure; and(2)the coordination of care and provision of health care relating to such cases at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and at non-Department facilities.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)The term Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry means the registry established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note). (2)The term appropriate congressional committees means—(A)the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and(B)The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.(3)The term covered veteran means a veteran who presents at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (or in a non-Department facility pursuant to section 1703 or 1703A of title 38, United States Code) for treatment that the veteran describes as being related to, or ancillary to, the exposure of the veteran to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits at any time while serving in the Armed Forces.(4)The term open burn pit has the meaning given that term in section 201(c) of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).(5)The term reported case of burn pit exposure means each instance in which a veteran presents at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (or in a non-Department facility pursuant to section 1703 or 1703A of title 38, United States Code) for treatment that the veteran describes as being related to, or ancillary to, the exposure of the veteran to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits at any time while serving in the Armed Forces.