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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act
(HealthCOURT Act) of 2009''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PERFORMANCE-BASED QUALITY MEASURES.

Not later than January 1, 2010, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall submit to Congress a proposal for a formalized process
for the development of performance-based quality measures that could be
applied to physicians' services under the Medicare program under title
XVIII of the Social Security Act. Such proposal shall be in concert and
agreement with the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and
shall only utilize measures agreed upon by each physician specialty
organization.

SEC. 3. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE BASED ON COMPLIANCE WITH BEST PRACTICE
GUIDELINES.

(a) Selection and Issuance of Best Practices Guidelines.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(in this section referred to as the ''Secretary'') shall
provide for the selection and issuance of best practice
guidelines (each in this subsection referred to as a
''guideline'') in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Development process.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter
into a contract with a qualified physician consensus-building
organization (such as the Physician Consortium for Performance
Improvement), in concert and agreement with physician specialty
organizations, to develop guidelines for treatment of medical
conditions for application under subsection (b). Under the
contract, the organization shall take into consideration any
endorsed performance-based quality measures described in
section 2. Under the contract and not later than 18 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the organization
shall submit best practice guidelines for issuance as
guidelines under paragraph (3).
(3) Issuance.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
issue, by regulation, after notice and opportunity for
public comment, guidelines that have been recommended
under paragraph (2) for application under subsection
(b).
(B) Limitation.--The Secretary may not issue
guidelines unless they have been approved or endorsed
by qualified physician consensus-building organization
involved and physician specialty organizations.
(C) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall broadly
disseminate the guidelines so issued.
(b) Limitation on Damages.--
(1) Limitation on noneconomic damages.--In any health care
lawsuit, no noneconomic damages may awarded with respect to
treatment that is within a guideline issued under subsection
(a).
(2) Limitation on punitive damages.--In any health care
lawsuit, no punitive damages may be awarded against a health
care practitioner based on a claim that such treatment caused
the claimant harm if--
(A) such treatment was subject to the quality
review by a qualified physician consensus-building
organization;
(B) such treatment was approved in a guideline that
underwent full review by such organization, public
comment, approval by the Secretary, and dissemination
as described in subparagraph (a); and
(C) such medical treatment is generally recognized
among qualified experts (including medical providers
and relevant physician specialty organizations) as
safe, effective, and appropriate.
(c) Use.--
(1) Introduction as evidence.--Guidelines under subsection
(a) may not be introduced as evidence of negligence or
deviation in the standard of care in any civil action unless
they have previously been introduced by the defendant.
(2) No presumption of negligence.--There would be no
presumption of negligence if a participating physician does not
adhere to such guidelines.
(d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as
preventing a State from--
(1) replacing their current medical malpractice rules with
rules that rely, as a defense, upon a health care provider's
compliance with a guideline issued under subsection (a); or
(2) applying additional guidelines or safe-harbors that are
in addition to, but not in lieu of, the guidelines issued under
subsection (a).

SEC. 4. STATE GRANTS TO CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH CARE TRIBUNALS.

Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

''SEC. 399T. STATE GRANTS TO CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH CARE
TRIBUNALS.

''(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants to States for the
development, implementation, and evaluation of administrative health
care tribunals that comply with this section, for the resolution of
disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers.
''(b) Conditions for Demonstration Grants.--To be eligible to
receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as may be required by the Secretary. A grant shall be
awarded under this section on such terms and conditions as the
Secretary determines appropriate.
''(c) Representation by Counsel.--A State that receives a grant
under this section may not preclude any party to a dispute before an
administrative health care tribunal operated under such grant from
obtaining legal representation during any review by the expert panel
under subsection (d), the administrative health care tribunal under
subsection (e), or a State court under subsection (f).
''(d) Expert Panel Review and Early Offer Guidelines.--
''(1) In general.--Prior to the submission of any dispute
concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers
to an administrative health care tribunal under this section,
such allegations shall first be reviewed by an expert panel.
''(2) Composition.--
''(A) In general.--The members of each expert panel
under this subsection shall be appointed by the head of
the State agency responsible for health. Each expert
panel shall be composed of no fewer than 3 members and
not more than 7 members. At least one-half of such
members shall be medical experts (either physicians or
health care professionals).
''(B) Licensure and expertise.--Each physician or
health care professional appointed to an expert panel
under subparagraph (A) shall--
''(i) be appropriately credentialed or
licensed in 1 or more States to deliver health
care services; and
''(ii) typically treat the condition, make
the diagnosis, or provide the type of treatment
that is under review.
''(C) Independence.--
''(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
each individual appointed to an expert panel
under this paragraph shall--
''(I) not have a material familial,
financial, or professional relationship
with a party involved in the dispute
reviewed by the panel; and
''(II) not otherwise have a
conflict of interest with such a party.
''(ii) Exception.--Nothing in clause (i)
shall be construed to prohibit an individual
who has staff privileges at an institution
where the treatment involved in the dispute was
provided from serving as a member of an expert
panel merely on the basis of such affiliation,
if the affiliation is disclosed to the parties
and neither party objects.
''(D) Practicing health care professional in same
field.--
''(i) In general.--In a dispute before an
expert panel that involves treatment, or the
provision of items or services--
''(I) by a physician, the medical
experts on the expert panel shall be
practicing physicians (allopathic or
osteopathic) of the same or similar
specialty as a physician who typically
treats the condition, makes the
diagnosis, or provides the type of
treatment under review; or
''(II) by a health care
professional other than a physician, at
least two medical experts on the expert
panel shall be practicing physicians
(allopathic or osteopathic) of the same
or similar specialty as the health care
professional who typically treats the
condition, makes the diagnosis, or
provides the type of treatment under
review, and, if determined appropriate
by the State agency, an additional
medical expert shall be a practicing
health care professional (other than
such a physician) of such a same or
similar specialty.
''(ii) Practicing defined.--In this
paragraph, the term 'practicing' means, with
respect to an individual who is a physician or
other health care professional, that the
individual provides health care services to
individual patients on average at least 2 days
a week.
''(E) Pediatric expertise.--In the case of dispute
relating to a child, at least 1 medical expert on the
expert panel shall have expertise described in
subparagraph (D)(i) in pediatrics.
''(3) Determination.--After a review under paragraph (1),
an expert panel shall make a determination as to the liability
of the parties involved and compensation.
''(4) Acceptance.--If the parties to a dispute before an
expert panel under this subsection accept the determination of
the expert panel concerning liability and compensation, such
compensation shall be paid to the claimant and the claimant
shall agree to forgo any further action against the health care
providers involved.
''(5) Failure to accept.--If any party decides not to
accept the expert panel's determination, the matter shall be
referred to an administrative health care tribunal created
pursuant to this section.
''(e) Administrative Health Care Tribunals.--
''(1) In general.--Upon the failure of any party to accept
the determination of an expert panel under subsection (d), the
parties shall have the right to request a hearing concerning
the liability or compensation involved by an administrative
health care tribunal established by the State involved.
''(2) Requirements.--In establishing an administrative
health care tribunal under this section, a State shall--
''(A) ensure that such tribunals are presided over
by special judges with health care expertise;
''(B) provide authority to such judges to make
binding rulings, rendered in written decisions, on
standards of care, causation, compensation, and related
issues with reliance on independent expert witnesses
commissioned by the tribunal;
''(C) establish gross negligence as the legal
standard for the tribunal;
''(D) allow the admission into evidence of the
recommendation made by the expert panel under
subsection (d); and
''(E) provide for an appeals process to allow for
review of decisions by State courts.
''(f) Review by State Court After Exhaustion of Administrative
Remedies.--
''(1) Right to file.--If any party to a dispute before a
health care tribunal under subsection (e) is not satisfied with
the determinations of the tribunal, the party shall have the
right to file their claim in a State court of competent
jurisdiction.
''(2) Forfeit of awards.--Any party filing an action in a
State court in accordance with paragraph (1) shall forfeit any
compensation award made under subsection (e).
''(3) Admissibility.--The determinations of the expert
panel and the administrative health care tribunal pursuant to
subsections (d) and (e) with respect to a State court
proceeding under paragraph (1) shall be admissible into
evidence in any such State court proceeding.
''(g) Definition.--In this section, the term 'health care provider'
has the meaning given such term for purposes of part A of title VII.
''(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for any fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for
purposes of making grants to States under this section.''.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING HEALTH INSURER LIABILITY.

It is the sense of Congress that a health insurance issuer should
be liable for damages for harm caused when it makes a decision as to
what care is medically necessary and appropriate.
Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act (HealthCOURT Act) of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to propose to Congress a formalized process for the development of performance-based quality measures that could be applied to physicians' services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires the proposal: (1) to be in concert and agreement with the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement; and (2) utilize only measures agreed upon by each physician specialty organization.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the selection and issuance of best practice guidelines for treatment of medical conditions; and (2) contract with a qualified physician consensus-building organization (such as the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement), in concert and agreement with physician specialty organizations, to develop such guidelines.

Prohibits the award of any noneconomic damages in any health care lawsuit with respect to treatment that is within an issued guideline.

Prohibits the award of punitive damages against a health care practitioner in such a lawsuit based on a claim that medical treatment caused the claimant harm if the treatment: (1) was subject to quality review by a qualified physician consensus-building organization; (2) was approved in a guideline that underwent full review by such organization, public comment, the Secretary's approval, and dissemination; and (3) is generally recognized among qualified experts as safe, effective, and appropriate.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to award grants to states for the development, implementation, and evaluation of administrative health care tribunals for the resolution of disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers.

Expresses the sense of Congress that a health insurance issuer should be liable for damages for a harm caused when it makes a decision as to what care is medically necessary and appropriate.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Adult Day Center Enhancement Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:
(1) One in 6 people in the United States lives with a
neurological disease or condition that can often result in
disability, and which may require the individual to seek
assistance in carrying out the activities of daily living.
Neurological diseases or conditions such as multiple sclerosis
(MS), early-onset Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain
injury (TBI) can also typically affect younger adults in the
middle of their lives.
(2) Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling
disease that attacks the central nervous system with symptoms
ranging from numbness in limbs to paralysis and loss of vision.
Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50
years of age. MS is a leading cause of disability in young
adults. Persons living with MS who experience more severe forms
of the disease are likely to require either home care or
nursing home placement, though the vast majority would prefer
to remain at home to receive the care they need. Where home
care is concerned, approximately 80 percent of such care is
provided by unpaid caregivers who are generally family members.
(3) Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive
neurological disease. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson's
disease are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and
face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk;
bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural
instability, or impaired balance and coordination. Other
symptoms may include cognitive changes; difficulty in
swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or
constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions. As these
symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty
walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. It is
estimated that nearly 500,000 to 1,500,000 people live with
Parkinson's and of those 5 to 10 percent are diagnosed younger
than 60 and deemed ''early-onset''.
(4) Traumatic brain injury is a neurological condition that
typically results from a blow or jolt to the head or a
penetrating head injury and that can impact one or more parts
of the brain, thereby temporarily or permanently disrupting
normal brain function. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention estimates that 1,700,000 TBIs occur annually,
resulting in disabilities affecting up to 90,000 people among a
broad range of age groups. Traumatic brain injury is also a
serious issue that affects military servicemembers. Estimates
in prior military conflicts indicate that TBI was present in
14-20 percent of surviving casualties.
(5) Family caregivers are a crucial source of support and
assistance for individuals suffering with disabilities. Family
caregivers, the majority of whom are women, provide an
estimated $470,000,000,000 in ''free'' services annually. The
supply of family caregivers is unlikely to keep pace with
future demand. The caregiver support ratio of potential
caregivers aged 45 to 64 for each person aged 80 and older, for
instance, is 7 to 1 in 2010, 4 to 1 in 2030, and 3 to 1 in
2050.
(6) The majority of family caregivers (or 53 percent) are
caring for someone ages 18 to 74. Forty-seven percent of family
caregivers are caring for someone 75 or older.
(7) Adult day programs can offer services, including
medical care, rehabilitation therapies, dignified assistance
with the activities of daily living, nutrition therapy, health
monitoring, social interaction, stimulating activities, and
transportation to seniors, people with disabilities, and
younger adults with chronic diseases.
(8) Adult day programs geared toward people living with
neurological diseases or conditions such as MS, Parkinson's
disease, TBI, or other similar diseases or conditions provide
an important response to the needs of people living with these
conditions and their family caregivers. Adult day programs can
help to ameliorate symptoms, reduce dependency, provide
important socialization opportunities, and maintain quality of
life.
(9) Adult day programs have been shown to provide a range
of documented benefits including improvements in functional
status, social support, and reductions in fatigue, depression
and pain. Adult day programs also reduce ongoing medical care
and hospital costs and decrease admissions to nursing home
facilities, which can be costly for many families, by allowing
individuals to receive health and social services while
continuing to live at home.
(10) There are currently few adult day programs focused on
younger adult populations in the United States. Although young
people living with neurological diseases or conditions may be
able to access existing adult day programs, such programs are
not typically intended for younger adults living with chronic
diseases or conditions, and may not provide the appropriate
services to meet the age-related or disability status of these
individuals.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADULT DAY PROGRAMS.

(a) Survey of Existing Adult Day Programs.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary for
Aging shall initiate a comprehensive survey of current adult
day programs that provide care and support to individuals
including young adults living with neurological diseases or
conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease,
traumatic brain injury, or any similar disease or condition.
(2) Survey elements.--In carrying out the survey under
paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary for Aging may utilize
existing publicly available research on adult day programs, and
shall--
(A) identify ongoing successful adult day programs,
including by providing a brief description of how such
programs were initially established and funded;
(B) identify which adult day programs are serving
young adults living with neurological diseases or
conditions;
(C) develop a set of best practices to help guide
the establishment and replication of additional
successful adult day programs, including--
(i) program guidelines;
(ii) recommendations on the scope of
services that should be provided to individuals
with neurological diseases or conditions
including young adults (which may include
rehabilitation therapy, psychosocial support,
social stimulation and interaction, and
spiritual, educational, or other such
services); and
(iii) performance goals and indicators to
measure and analyze the outcomes generated by
the services provided and to evaluate the
overall success of the program; and
(D) evaluate the extent to which the Administration
for Community Living supports adult day programs,
either directly or indirectly, through current Federal
grant programs.
(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after initiating the
survey under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary for Aging
shall produce and make publicly available a summary report on
the results of the survey. Such report shall include each of
the elements described in paragraph (2).
(b) Establishment of Grant Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after producing the
report required by subsection (a)(3), the Assistant Secretary
for Aging shall establish within the Administration for
Community Living a competitive grant program for awarding
grants annually to eligible entities, based on the best
practices developed under subsection (a), to fund adult day
programs serving younger people with neurological diseases or
conditions.
(2) Eligible entities.--In order to be eligible for a grant
under this subsection, an entity shall demonstrate the
following:
(A) Understanding of the special needs of younger
people living with neurological diseases or conditions
such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease,
traumatic brain injury, or other similar diseases or
conditions, including their functional abilities and
the potential complications across all types of cases
and stages of such diseases or conditions.
(B) Understanding of the issues experienced by
family caregivers who assist a family member with
neurological diseases or conditions such as multiple
sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury,
or other similar diseases or conditions.
(C) A capacity to provide the services recommended
by the best practices developed under subsection (a).
(3) Additional selection requirement.--The Assistant
Secretary for Aging shall not award a grant to an entity under
this subsection if the amount of the award would constitute
more than 40 percent of the operating budget of the entity in
the fiscal year for which funds for the grant are authorized to
be expended. For purposes of this subsection, the fair market
value of annual in-kind contributions of equipment or services
shall be considered as part of the operating budget of the
entity.
(4) Selection of grant recipients.--Not later than 90 days
after establishing the grant program under this subsection, the
Assistant Secretary for Aging shall award the first annual
series of grants under the program. In awarding grants under
this subsection, the Assistant Secretary should ensure, to the
extent practicable, a diverse geographic representation among
grant recipients and that, subject to the availability of
appropriations--
(A) a minimum of 5 entities are selected as grant
recipients for the first fiscal year for which such
grants are awarded;
(B) a minimum of 10 entities are selected as grant
recipients for the second such fiscal year;
(C) a minimum of 12 entities are selected as grant
recipients for the third such fiscal year; and
(D) a minimum of 15 entities are selected as grant
recipients for the fourth such fiscal year.
(5) Report.--No later than 1 year after the initial award
of grants under this subsection, and annually thereafter, the
Assistant Secretary for Aging shall produce and make publicly
available a brief summary report on the grant program under
this section. Each such report shall include the following:
(A) A description of the adult day programs
receiving funding under this section, including the
amount of Federal funding awarded and the expected
outcomes of each program.
(B) A description of performance goals and
indicators to monitor the progress of grant recipients
in--
(i) responding to the needs of younger
individuals living with neurological diseases
or conditions such as multiple sclerosis,
Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, or
other similar diseases or conditions; and
(ii) assisting the family caregivers of
such individuals.
(C) Any plans for improving oversight and
management of the grant program.
(c) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) The term ''adult day program'' means a program that
provides comprehensive and effective care and support services
to individuals living with neurological diseases or conditions
such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, traumatic
brain injury, or other similar diseases or conditions that may
result in a functional or degenerative disability and to their
family caregivers and that may assist participants in ways
that--
(A) maintain or improve their functional abilities,
or otherwise help them adjust to their changing
functional abilities;
(B) prevent the onset of complications associated
with severe forms of the disease or condition;
(C) promote alternatives to placement in nursing
homes;
(D) reduce the strain on family caregivers taking
care of a family member living with such diseases or
conditions;
(E) focus on supporting the emotional, social, and
intellectual needs of a younger adult population; or
(F) address the needs of veterans living with such
diseases or conditions.
(2) The term ''family caregiver'' means a family member or
foster parent who provides unpaid assistance (which may include
in-home monitoring, management, supervision, care and
treatment, or other similar assistance) to another adult family
member with a special need.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, in
addition to amounts otherwise made available for such purpose, there
are authorized to be appropriated, and to remain available until
expended, the following:
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(2) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
(3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
(4) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
(5) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.
Adult Day Center Enhancement Act This bill requires the Administration on Aging (AOA) to initiate a comprehensive survey of current adult day programs that provide care and support to individuals with neurological diseases or conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or traumatic brain injury. The AOA must identify ongoing successful adult day programs and which of these serve young adults with neurological conditions and develop best practices to guide the establishment of additional successful adult day programs. The AOA must award grants for adult day programs that serve younger people with neurological conditions. An "adult day program" is defined as a program that provides comprehensive care and support services to individuals with neurological conditions and to their family caregivers and that may assist participants in ways that: maintain or improve their functional abilities or otherwise help them adjust to their changing functional abilities; prevent the onset of complications associated with severe forms of the condition; promote alternatives to placement in nursing homes; reduce the strain on family caregivers of individuals with neurological conditions; focus on supporting the emotional, social, and intellectual needs of a younger adult population; or address the needs of veterans with neurological conditions.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Rural Telecommunications and
Broadband Service Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADBAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

''SEC. 13. RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND BROADBAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

''(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Commission
the Rural Telecommunications and Broadband Advisory Committee (in this
section referred to as the 'Committee').
''(b) Purpose.--The Committee shall--
''(1) provide advice to the Commission and reports to
Congress with respect to policy issues relating to
telecommunications services in rural areas, including advice
and recommendations that would--
''(A) promote the deployment of advanced and next-
generation telecommunications services in rural areas;
and
''(B) advance the principles described in section
254(b); and
''(2) advise the Commission with respect to the impact that
agenda items of the Commission could have on the provision of
telecommunications services in rural areas.
''(c) Membership.--
''(1) Number of members.--The Committee shall be composed
of not fewer than 5 and not more than 30 members.
''(2) Appointment.--The members of the Committee, other
than the co-Chairs described in paragraph (6), shall be
appointed by the chairman of the Commission with the
concurrence of the senior commissioner of the Commission from
the party of which the chairman is not a member.
''(3) Removal.--A member of the Committee may be removed
only upon the concurrence of both the chairman of the
Commission and the senior commissioner of the Commission from
the party of which the chairman is not a member.
''(4) Terms.--Each member of the Committee appointed under
paragraph (2)--
''(A) shall serve for a term of 2 years; and
''(B) may be reappointed for additional terms.
''(5) Representation of membership.--The membership of the
Committee shall--
''(A) be balanced with respect to the functions
that the members of the Committee perform; and
''(B) represent a cross-section of interests in
rural telecommunications policy, including
individuals--
''(i)(I) with expertise in spectrum
management and efficiency in rural areas; or
''(II) who have provided policy
recommendations with respect to advancing the
principles described in section 254(b),
including, to ensure that next-generation
telecommunications services are deployed in
rural areas in a timely manner, experience in--
''(aa) offering recommendations;
''(bb) conducting studies,
research, or reforms; and
''(cc) establishing new or novel
approaches to policy or spectrum usage
or licensing; and
''(ii) who have--
''(I) represented--
''(aa) telecommunications
providers that serve rural
areas;
''(bb) technology
developers and manufacturers;
''(cc) Federal, State,
regional, and local interests;
''(dd) national security
interests; or
''(ee) entities that seek
to protect consumers; or
''(II) worked in--
''(aa) academia; or
''(bb) the field of public
safety.
''(6) Co-chairs.--
''(A) Appointment.--The chairman of the Commission
and the senior commissioner of the Commission from the
party of which the chairman is not a member shall each
appoint a co-Chair of the Committee.
''(B) Removal.--Each co-Chair of the Committee may
be removed only upon the concurrence of both the
chairman of the Commission and the senior commissioner
of the Commission from the party of which the chairman
is not a member.
''(d) Meetings.--The Committee--
''(1) shall meet not less frequently than once every 4
months; and
''(2) may meet more frequently than as described in
paragraph (1), as determined by the co-Chairs.
''(e) Reports.--
''(1) Annual report.--The Committee shall submit to the
Commission, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives an annual report that
describes the activities of the Committee during the preceding
year.
''(2) Servicing rural areas.--
''(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Committee shall
submit to the Commission, the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report that defines, in accordance
with the principles described in section 254(b), what
constitutes a rural area that has access to
telecommunications and information technologies and
services.
''(B) Updates.--The Committee may update the report
submitted under subparagraph (A), as the co-Chairs
determine is appropriate.
''(f) Advice on Agenda Items.--The Committee may be called before
the Commission to consider the impact of agenda items of the Commission
on the provision of telecommunications services in rural areas.
''(g) Expenses.--
''(1) In general.--Members of the Committee shall not
receive compensation, travel expenses, or a per diem for the
work of the members of the Committee.
''(2) Use of electronic means.--The Committee shall use
telecommunications services and electronic resources to the
maximum extent possible to--
''(A) facilitate the work of the Committee; and
''(B) minimize the expenses incurred by the members
of the Committee in performing the work of the
Committee.
''(h) Applicability of FACA.--Sections 10 and 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Committee
or the activities of the Committee.''.
Rural Telecommunications and Broadband Service Act of 2017 This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a Rural Telecommunications and Broadband Advisory Committee to: provide advice to the FCC, and reports to Congress, on the deployment of advanced and next-generation telecommunications services in rural areas, the advancement of universal service principles for nationwide access to affordable and quality telecommunications and information services, and other policies relating to telecommunications in rural areas; define what constitutes a rural area that has access to telecommunications and information technologies and services in accordance with universal service principles; and advise on the impact of FCC agenda items on the provision of such services in rural areas.