In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

[Q]: SECTION 1. RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD.

(a) In General.--Title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:

''SEC. 610. FEDERAL RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD.

''(a) Renewable Energy Requirement.--
''(1) In general.--Each electric utility that sells
electricity to electric consumers shall obtain a percentage of
the base amount of electricity it sells to electric consumers
in any calendar year from new renewable energy or existing
renewable energy. The percentage obtained in a calendar year
shall not be less than the amount specified in the following
table:

''Calendar year: Minimum annual percentage:
2010............................ 1
2011............................ 2
2012............................ 4
2013............................ 6
2014............................ 8
2015............................ 10
2016............................ 12
2017............................ 14
2018............................ 16
2019............................ 18
2020............................ 20
2021............................ 21
2022............................ 22
2023............................ 23
2024............................ 24
2025............................ 25.

''(2) Means of compliance.--An electric utility shall meet
the requirements of paragraph (1) by--
''(A) submitting to the Secretary renewable energy
credits issued under subsection (b);
''(B) making alternative compliance payments to the
Secretary at the rate of 2 cents per kilowatt hour (as
adjusted for inflation under subsection (g)); or
''(C) a combination of activities described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B).
''(b) Renewable Energy Credit Trading Program.--
''(1) In general.--Not later than July 1, 2009, the
Secretary shall establish a renewable energy credit trading
program under which electric utilities shall submit to the
Secretary renewable energy credits to certify the compliance of
the electric utilities with respect to obligations under
subsection (a)(1).
''(2) Administration.--As part of the program, the
Secretary shall--
''(A) issue tradeable renewable energy credits to
generators of electric energy from new renewable
energy;
''(B) issue nontradeable renewable energy credits
to generators of electric energy from existing
renewable energy;
''(C) issue renewable energy credits to electric
utilities associated with State renewable portfolio
standard compliance mechanisms pursuant to subsection
(h);
''(D) ensure that a kilowatt hour, including the
associated renewable energy credit, shall be used only
once for purposes of compliance with this Act;
''(E) allow double credits for generation from
facilities on Indian land, and triple credits for
generation from small renewable distributed generators
(meaning those no larger than 1 megawatt); and
''(F) ensure that, with respect to a purchaser
that, as of the date of enactment of this section, has
a purchase agreement from a renewable energy facility
placed in service before that date, the credit
associated with the generation of renewable energy
under the contract is issued to the purchaser of the
electric energy.
''(3) Duration.--A credit described in subparagraph (A) or
(B) of paragraph (2) may only be used for compliance with this
section during the 3-year period beginning on the date of
issuance of the credit.
''(4) Transfers.--An electric utility that holds credits in
excess of the quantity of credits needed to comply with
subsection (a) may transfer the credits to another electric
utility in the same utility holding company system.
''(5) Delegation of market function.--The Secretary may
delegate to an appropriate market-making entity the
administration of a national tradeable renewable energy credit
market for purposes of creating a transparent national market
for the sale or trade of renewable energy credits.
''(c) Enforcement.--
''(1) Civil penalties.--Any electric utility that fails to
meet the compliance requirements of subsection (a) shall be
subject to a civil penalty.
''(2) Amount of penalty.--The amount of the civil penalty
shall be determined by multiplying the number of kilowatt-hours
of electric energy sold to electric consumers in violation of
subsection (a) by the greater of 2 cents (adjusted for
inflation under subsection (g)) or 200 percent of the average
market value of renewable energy credits during the year in
which the violation occurred.
''(3) Mitigation or waiver.--The Secretary may mitigate or
waive a civil penalty under this subsection if the electric
utility was unable to comply with subsection (a) for reasons
outside of the reasonable control of the utility. The Secretary
shall reduce the amount of any penalty determined under
paragraph (2) by an amount paid by the electric utility to a
State for failure to comply with the requirement of a State
renewable energy program if the State requirement is greater
than the applicable requirement of subsection (a).
''(4) Procedure for assessing penalty.--The Secretary shall
assess a civil penalty under this subsection in accordance with
the procedures prescribed by section 333(d) of the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 6303).
''(d) State Renewable Energy Account Program.--
''(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish, not later
than December 31, 2008, a State renewable energy account
program.
''(2) Deposits.--All money collected by the Secretary from
alternative compliance payments and the assessment of civil
penalties under this section shall be deposited into the
renewable energy account established pursuant to this
subsection. The State renewable energy account shall be held by
the Secretary and shall not be transferred to the Treasury
Department.
''(3) Use.--Proceeds deposited in the State renewable
energy account shall be used by the Secretary, subject to
appropriations, for a program to provide grants to the State
agency responsible for developing State energy conservation
plans under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation
Act (42 U.S.C. 6322) for the purposes of promoting renewable
energy production, including programs that promote technologies
that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as
solar water heating.
''(4) Administration.--The Secretary may issue guidelines
and criteria for grants awarded under this subsection. State
energy offices receiving grants under this section shall
maintain such records and evidence of compliance as the
Secretary may require.
''(5) Preference.--In allocating funds under this program,
the Secretary shall give preference--
''(A) to States in regions which have a
disproportionately small share of economically
sustainable renewable energy generation capacity; and
''(B) to State programs to stimulate or enhance
innovative renewable energy technologies.
''(e) Rules.--The Secretary shall issue rules implementing this
section not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section.
''(f) Exemptions.--This section shall not apply in any calendar
year to an electric utility--
''(1) that sold less than 4,000,000 megawatt-hours of
electric energy to electric consumers during the preceding
calendar year; or
''(2) in Hawaii.
''(g) Inflation Adjustment.--Not later than December 31 of each
year beginning in 2008, the Secretary shall adjust for inflation the
price of a renewable energy credit under subsection (b)(2) and the
amount of the civil penalty per kilowatt-hour under subsection (c)(2).
''(h) State Programs.--
''(1) In general.--Nothing in this section diminishes any
authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to
adopt or enforce any law or regulation respecting renewable
energy, but, except as provided in subsection (c)(3), no such
law or regulation shall relieve any person of any requirement
otherwise applicable under this section. The Secretary, in
consultation with States having such renewable energy programs,
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, facilitate
coordination between the Federal program and State programs.
''(2) Regulations.--
''(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation
with States, shall promulgate regulations to ensure
that an electric utility subject to the requirements of
this section that is also subject to a State renewable
energy standard receives renewable energy credits in
relation to equivalent quantities of renewable energy
associated with compliance mechanisms, other than the
generation or purchase of renewable energy by the
electric utility, including the acquisition of
certificates or credits and the payment of taxes, fees,
surcharges, or other financial compliance mechanisms by
the electric utility or a customer of the electric
utility, directly associated with the generation or
purchase of renewable energy.
''(B) Prohibition on double counting.--The
regulations promulgated under this paragraph shall
ensure that a kilowatt hour associated with a renewable
energy credit issued pursuant to this subsection shall
not be used for compliance with this section more than
once.
''(i) Recovery of Costs.--
''(1) In general.--The Commission shall issue and enforce
such regulations as are necessary to ensure that an electric
utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with
compliance with this section.
''(2) Applicable law.--A regulation under paragraph (1)
shall be enforceable in accordance with the provisions of law
applicable to enforcement of regulations under the Federal
Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.).
''(j) Wind Energy Development Study.--The Secretary, in
consultation with appropriate Federal and State agencies, shall
conduct, and submit to Congress a report describing the results of, a
study on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy
development.
''(k) Definitions.--In this section:
''(1) Base amount of electricity.--The term 'base amount of
electricity' means the total amount of electricity sold by an
electric utility to electric consumers in a calendar year,
excluding municipal waste and electricity generated by a
hydroelectric facility (including a pumped storage facility,
but excluding incremental hydropower).
''(2) Distributed generation facility.--The term
'distributed generation facility' means a facility at a
customer site.
''(3) Existing renewable energy.--The term 'existing
renewable energy' means, except as provided in paragraph
(7)(B), electric energy generated at a facility (including a
distributed generation facility) placed in service prior to
January 1, 2001, from solar, wind, or geothermal energy, ocean
energy, biomass (as defined in section 203(a) of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005), or landfill gas.
''(4) Geothermal energy.--The term 'geothermal energy'
means energy derived from a geothermal deposit (within the
meaning of section 613(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986).
''(5) Incremental geothermal production.--
''(A) In general.--The term 'incremental geothermal
production' means for any year the excess of--
''(i) the total kilowatt hours of
electricity produced from a facility (including
a distributed generation facility) using
geothermal energy; over
''(ii) the average annual kilowatt hours
produced at such facility for 5 of the previous
7 calendar years before the date of enactment
of this section after eliminating the highest
and the lowest kilowatt hour production years
in such 7-year period.
''(B) Special rule.--A facility described in
subparagraph (A) that was placed in service at least 7
years before the date of enactment of this section
shall, commencing with the year in which such date of
enactment occurs, reduce the amount calculated under
subparagraph (A)(ii) each year, on a cumulative basis,
by the average percentage decrease in the annual
kilowatt hour production for the 7-year period
described in subparagraph (A)(ii) with such cumulative
sum not to exceed 30 percent.
''(6) Incremental hydropower.--The term 'incremental
hydropower' means additional energy generated as a result of
efficiency improvements or capacity additions made on or after
January 1, 2001, or the effective date of an existing
applicable State renewable portfolio standard program at a
hydroelectric facility that was placed in service before that
date. The term does not include additional energy generated as
a result of operational changes not directly associated with
efficiency improvements or capacity additions. Efficiency
improvements and capacity additions shall be measured on the
basis of the same water flow information used to determine a
historic average annual generation baseline for the
hydroelectric facility and certified by the Secretary or the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
''(7) New renewable energy.--The term 'new renewable
energy' means--
''(A) electric energy generated at a facility
(including a distributed generation facility) placed in
service on or after January 1, 2001, from--
''(i) solar, wind, or geothermal energy or
ocean energy;
''(ii) biomass (as defined in section
203(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 15852(b));
''(iii) landfill gas; or
''(iv) incremental hydropower; and
''(B) for electric energy generated at a facility
(including a distributed generation facility) placed in
service prior to the date of enactment of this
section--
''(i) the additional energy above the
average generation in the 3 years preceding the
date of enactment of this section at the
facility from--
''(I) solar or wind energy or ocean
energy;
''(II) biomass (as defined in
section 203(b) of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15852(b));
''(III) landfill gas; or
''(IV) incremental hydropower.
''(ii) incremental geothermal production.
''(8) Ocean energy.--The term 'ocean energy' includes
current, wave, tidal, and thermal energy.
''(l) Sunset.--This section expires on December 31, 2040.''.
(b) Table of Contents Amendment.--The table of contents of the
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. prec. 2601)
is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title VI the
following:

''Sec. 610. Federal renewable portfolio standard.''.
[A]: Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to set forth a federal renewable energy portfolio standard applicable to calendar years 2010 to 2025.

Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a renewable energy credit trading program under which electric utilities shall submit to the Secretary renewable energy credits to certify their compliance with such standard; and (2) a state renewable energy account program for grants to state agencies to promote renewable energy production (including programs that promote technologies that reduce the use of electricity at customer sites such as solar water heating).

Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue and enforce regulations to ensure that an electric utility recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with compliance with this Act.

Instructs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on methods to increase transmission line capacity for wind energy development.

[Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''American Workforce Improvement and
Jobs Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. EXEMPTING ALIENS EARNING MASTER'S OR HIGHER DEGREE IN UNITED
STATES FROM NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS ON H-1B NONIMMIGRANTS.

Section 214(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1184(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
''(9) For any fiscal year, the applicable numerical limitation
contained in paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to any nonimmigrant alien
issued a visa or otherwise provided status under section
101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) who has earned a master's or higher degree from an
institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))), until the number of
aliens who are exempted from such numerical limitation during such year
exceeds 20,000.''.

SEC. 3. MAKING PERMANENT CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORITIES WITH
RESPECT TO H-1B NONIMMIGRANTS.

(a) Attestation Requirements.--Section 212(n)(1)(E)(ii) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(n)(1)(E)(ii)) is amended
by striking ''subparagraph, and before October 1, 2003,'' and inserting
''subparagraph''.
(b) Fee.--Section 214(c)(9)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(9)(A)) is amended by striking ''before October 1,
2003''.
(c) Department of Labor Investigative Authorities.--Section
413(e)(2) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act
of 1998 (8 U.S.C. 1182 note) is repealed.
(d) Effective Dates.--
(1) Attestation requirements.--The amendment made by
subsection (a) shall apply to applications under section
212(n)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act filed on or
after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(2) Fee.--The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply
to petitions under section 214(c) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act filed on or after the date that is 30 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) Department of labor investigative authority.--The
amendment made by subsection (c) shall take effect on the date
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. FRAUD PREVENTION AND DETECTION FEE.

(a) Imposition of Fee.--Section 214(c) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
''(12)(A) In addition to any other fees authorized by law, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall impose a fraud prevention and
detection fee on an employer filing a petition under paragraph (1)--
''(i) initially to grant an alien nonimmigrant status
described in subparagraph (H)(i)(b) or (L) of section
101(a)(15); or
''(ii) to obtain authorization for an alien having such
status to change employers.
''(B) In addition to any other fees authorized by law, the
Secretary of State shall impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on
an alien filing an application abroad for a visa authorizing admission
to the United States as a nonimmigrant described in section
101(a)(15)(L), if the alien is covered under a blanket petition
described in paragraph (2)(A).
''(C) The amount of the fee imposed under subparagraph (A) or (B)
shall be $500.
''(D) The fee imposed under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall only
apply to principal aliens and not to the spouses or children who are
accompanying or following to join such principal aliens.
''(E) Fees collected under this paragraph shall be deposited in the
Treasury in accordance with section 286(v).''.
(b) Establishment of Account; Use of Fees.--Section 286 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1356) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
''(v) H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and Detection Account.--
''(1) In general.--There is established in the general fund
of the Treasury a separate account, which shall be known as the
'H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and Detection Account'.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall be
deposited as offsetting receipts into the account all fees
collected under section 214(c)(12).
''(2) Use of fees to combat fraud.--
''(A) Secretary of state.--One-third of the amounts
deposited into the H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and
Detection Account shall remain available to the
Secretary of State until expended for programs and
activities at United States embassies and consulates
abroad--
''(i) to increase the number diplomatic
security personnel assigned exclusively to the
function of preventing and detecting fraud by
applicants for visas described in subparagraph
(H)(i) or (L) of section 101(a)(15);
''(ii) otherwise to prevent and detect such
fraud pursuant to the terms of a memorandum of
understanding or other cooperative agreement
between the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of Homeland Security; and
''(iii) upon request by the Secretary of
Homeland Security, to assist such Secretary in
carrying out the fraud prevention and detection
programs and activities described in
subparagraph (B).
''(B) Secretary of homeland security.--One-third of
the amounts deposited into the H-1B and L Fraud
Prevention and Detection Account shall remain available
to the Secretary of Homeland Security until expended
for programs and activities to prevent and detect fraud
with respect to petitions under paragraph (1) or (2)(A)
of section 214(c) to grant an alien nonimmigrant status
described in subparagraph (H)(i) or (L) of section
101(a)(15).
''(C) Secretary of labor.--One-third of the amounts
deposited into the H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and
Detection Account shall remain available to the
Secretary of Labor until expended for enforcement
programs and activities described in section 212(n).
''(D) Consultation.--The Secretary of State, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of
Labor shall consult one another with respect to the use
of the funds in the H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and
Detection Account.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and the fees imposed
under such amendments shall apply to petitions under section 214(c) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act, and applications for nonimmigrant
visas under section 222 of such Act, filed on or after the date that is
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. ENSURING INTEGRITY OF VISAS FOR INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREES.

(a) Nonimmigrant L-1 Visa Category.--
(1) In general.--Section 214(c)(2) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(2)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
''(F) An alien who will serve in a capacity involving specialized
knowledge with respect to an employer for purposes of section
101(a)(15)(L) and will be stationed primarily at the worksite of an
employer other than the petitioning employer or its affiliate,
subsidiary, or parent shall not be eligible for classification under
section 101(a)(15)(L) if--
''(i) the alien will be controlled and supervised
principally by such unaffiliated employer; or
''(ii) the placement of the alien at the worksite of the
unaffiliated employer is part of an arrangement merely to
provide labor for the unaffiliated employer rather than in
connection with the provision of a product or service for which
specialized knowledge specific to the petitioning employer is
necessary.''.
(2) Applicability.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall apply to petitions filed on or after the effective date
of this section, whether for initial, extended, or amended
classification.
(b) Requirement for Prior Continuous Employment for Certain
Intracompany Transferees.--
(1) In general.--Section 214(c)(2)(A) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(2)(A)) is amended by
striking the last sentence (relating to reduction of the 1-year
period of continuous employment abroad to 6 months).
(2) Applicability.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall apply only to petitions for initial classification filed
on or after the effective date of this section.
(c) Maintenance of Statistics.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
maintain statistics regarding petitions filed, approved,
extended, and amended with respect to nonimmigrants described
in section 101(a)(15)(L) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(L)), including the number of such
nonimmigrants who are classified on the basis of specialized
knowledge and the number of nonimmigrants who are classified on
the basis of specialized knowledge in order to work primarily
at offsite locations.
(2) Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall apply to petitions
filed on or after the effective date of this section.
(d) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this
section shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
[A]: American Workforce Improvement and Jobs Protection Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt up to 20,000 aliens holding a master's or higher degree from the numerical limitation on H-1B (temporary employment in a specialty occupation) nonimmigrants in any fiscal year.

Makes permanent: (1) the attestation requirement concerning nondisplacement of U.S. workers applicable to H-1B-dependent employers and willful violators; (2) the filing fee applicable to H-1B petitioners; and (3) the Secretary of Labor's authority under the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act to investigate an employer's alleged failure to meet specified labor attestation conditions (by repealing a sunset provision in that Act).

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on H-1B or L (intracompany business personnel) petitioners for use in combating fraud and carrying out labor attestation enforcement activities. Establishes an H-1B and L Fraud Prevention and Detection Account for the deposit of such fees.

Renders ineligible for L visa status those aliens who will serve in a capacity involving specialized knowledge at the worksite of an employer other than the petitioning employer or its affiliate if: (1) the alien will be controlled principally by the unaffiliated employer; or (2) the placement with the unaffiliated employer is part of an arrangement merely to provide labor rather than to use the alien's specialized knowledge.

Eliminates the current reduction in the continuous employment requirement for aliens seeking L visa status pursuant to an employer's blanket petition.

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to maintain statistics regarding L visa petitions.

[Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Educational Empowerment Act''.

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:

''Subchapter X--Educational Empowerment Zones

''Sec. 1400E. Designation of educational empowerment zones.

''SEC. 1400E. DESIGNATION OF EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

''(a) Designation.--
''(1) Educational empowerment zone.--For purposes of this
title, the term 'educational empowerment zone' means any area--
''(A) which is nominated by one or more local
governments and the State or States in which it is
located for designation as an educational empowerment
zone (hereinafter in this section referred to as a
'nominated area'), and
''(B) which the Secretary of Health and Human
Services and the Secretary of Education (hereinafter in
this section referred to as the 'Secretaries
concerned') jointly designate as an educational
empowerment zone.
''(2) Number of designations.--The Secretaries concerned
may designate not more than 30 nominated areas as educational
empowerment zones.
''(3) Areas designated based on degree of poverty, etc.--
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the nominated
areas designated as educational empowerment zones under this
subsection shall be those nominated areas with the highest
average ranking with respect to the criteria described in
subsection (c)(3). For purposes of the preceding sentence, an
area shall be ranked within each such criterion on the basis of
the amount by which the area exceeds such criterion, with the
area which exceeds such criterion by the greatest amount given
the highest ranking.
''(4) Limitation on designations.--
''(A) Publication of regulations.--The Secretaries
concerned shall prescribe by regulation no later than 4
months after the date of the enactment of this
section--
''(i) the procedures for nominating an area
under paragraph (1)(A).
''(ii) the parameters relating to the size
and population characteristics of an
educational empowerment zone, and
''(iii) the manner in which nominated areas
will be evaluated based on the criteria
specified in subsection (c).
''(B) Time limitations.--The Secretaries concerned
may designate nominated areas as educational
empowerment zones only during the 24-month period
beginning on the first day of the first month following
the month in which the regulations described in
subparagraph (A) are prescribed.
''(C) Procedural rules.--The Secretaries concerned
shall not make any designation of a nominated area as
an educational empowerment zone under paragraph (2)
unless--
''(i) a nomination regarding such area is
submitted in such a manner and in such form,
and contains such information, as the
Secretaries concerned shall by regulation
prescribe, and
''(ii) the Secretaries concerned determine
that any information furnished is reasonably
accurate.
''(5) Nomination process for indian reservations.--For
purposes of this subchapter, in the case of a nominated area on
an Indian reservation, the reservation governing body (as
determined by the Secretary of the Interior) shall be treated
as being both the State and local governments with respect to
such area.
''(b) Period for Which Designation is in Effect.--Any designation
of an area as an educational empowerment zone shall remain in effect
during the period beginning on the date of the designation and ending
on the earliest of--
''(1) December 31, 2007,
''(2) the termination date designated by the State and
local governments in their nomination, or
''(3) the date the Secretaries concerned revoke such
designation.
''(c) Area and Eligibility Requirements.--
''(1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce may designate
a nominated area as an educational empowerment zone under
subsection (a) only if the area meets the requirements of
paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
''(2) Area requirements.--For purposes of paragraph (1), a
nominated area meets the requirements of this paragraph if--
''(A) the area is within the jurisdiction of one or
more local governments,
''(B) the boundary of the area is continuous, and
''(C) the area does not include an empowerment zone
(as defined in section 1393(b)) other than such a zone
designated under section 1391(g).
''(3) Eligibility requirements.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), a nominated area meets the requirements of this paragraph
if the State and the local governments in which it is located
certify that the nominated area satisfies such conditions as
the Secretary of Education deems appropriate.
''(4) Consideration of dropout rate, etc.--The Secretary of
Education, in setting forth the conditions for eligibility
pursuant to paragraph (3), shall take into account the extent
to which an area has low-income families, a high dropout rate,
a high rate of teen pregnancy, and large school class size.
''(d) Coordination With Treatment of Enterprise Communities.--For
purposes of this title, if there are in effect with respect to the same
area both--
''(1) a designation as an educational empowerment zone, and
''(2) a designation as an enterprise community,
both of such designations shall be given full effect with respect to
such area.
''(e) Definitions and Special Rules.--For purposes of this
subchapter, rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), and
(7) of section 1393 shall apply.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of subchapters for chapter 1 is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

''Subchapter X. Educational Empowerment
Zones.''.

SEC. 3. CREDIT FOR DONATIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EDUCATIONAL
EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

(a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after
section 30A the following new section

''SEC. 30B. CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EDUCATIONAL
EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

''(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount
equal to the amount of qualified educational empowerment zone
contributions made by the taxpayer during such year.
''(b) Maximum Credit.--The amount of the credit allowed by
subsection (a)--
''(1) in the case of an individual, shall not exceed
$2,000, and
''(2) in the case of any other taxpayer, shall not exceed
$10,000.
''(c) Definition of Qualified Educational Empowerment Zone
Contributions.--For purposes of this section, the term 'qualified
educational empowerment zone contributions' means cash contributions
made to any school district located in an educational empowerment zone
(as designated under section 1400E) if such contributions--
''(1) but for subsection (d), would be allowable as a
deduction under section 170, and
''(2) are used for any of the following purposes by the
school district:
''(A) Hiring new teachers.
''(B) Increasing teacher salaries.
''(C) Training teachers.
''(d) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction shall be allowed
under this chapter for any contribution taken into account in computing
the credit under this section.
''(e) Election.--This section shall apply to any taxpayer for any
taxable year only if such taxpayer elects (at such time and in such
manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe) to have this
section apply for such taxable year.
''(f) Application With Other Credits; Carryover of Excess Credit.--
The credit allowed by subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not
exceed the excess (if any) of--
''(1) the regular tax for the taxable year reduced by the
sum of the credits allowable under subpart A and the preceding
sections of this subpart, over
''(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.
If the credit under subsection (a) exceeds the limitation of the
preceding sentence, such excess shall be added to the credit allowable
under subsection (a) for the succeeding taxable year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 30A the following new
item:

''Sec. 30B. Contributions to school districts in educational
empowerment zones.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.

SEC. 4. TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

Part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended
by inserting after section 428K (20 U.S.C. 1078-11) the following new
section:

''SEC. 428L. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

''(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to encourage more
individuals to enter and stay in the field of teaching mathematics,
science, and related fields.
''(b) Program.--
''(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program
of assuming the obligation to repay, pursuant to subsection
(c), a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part or
part D (excluding loans made under sections 428B and 428C or
comparable loans made under Part D) for any new borrower after
October 12, 1998, who--
''(A) has been employed as a full-time teacher for
3 consecutive complete school years in a school that is
located in an educational empowerment zone, as such
term is defined in section 1400E of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986;
''(B) is a fully qualified teacher; and
''C) is not in default on a loan for which the
borrower seeks forgiveness.
''(2) Award basis; priority.--
''(A) Award basis.--Subject to subparagraph (B),
loan repayment under this section shall be on a first-
come, first-served basis and subject to the
availability of appropriations.
''(B) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority
in providing loan repayment under this section for a
fiscal year to student borrowers who received loan
repayment under this section for the preceding fiscal
year.
''(3) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to
prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.
''(c) Loan Repayment.--
''(1) Eligible amount.--The amount the Secretary may repay
on behalf of any individual under this section shall not
exceed--
''(A) 80 percent of the sum of the principal
amounts outstanding of the individual's qualifying
loans at the end of 3 consecutive complete school years
of service described in subsection (b)(1)(A);
''(B) an additional 10 percent of such sum at the
end of each of the next 2 consecutive complete school
years of such service; and
''(C) a total of more than $10,000.
''(2) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize the refunding of any repayment of a loan
made under this part or part D.
''(3) Interest.--If a portion of a loan is repaid by the
Secretary under this section for any year, the proportionate
amount of interest on such loan which accrues for such year
shall be repaid by the Secretary.
''(4) Double benefits prohibited.--No borrower may, for the
same service, receive a benefit under both this section and
subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.). No borrower may receive a
reduction of loan obligations under both this section and
section 428J or 460.
''(d) Repayment to Eligible Lenders.--The Secretary shall pay to
each eligible lender or holder for each fiscal year an amount equal to
the aggregate amount of loans which are subject to repayment pursuant
to this section for such year.
''(e) Application for Repayment.--
''(1) In general.--Each eligible individual desiring loan
repayment under this section shall submit a complete and
accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
''(2) Conditions.--An eligible individual may apply for
loan repayment under this section after completing the required
number of years of qualifying employment.
''(3) Fully qualified teachers.--An application for loan
repayment under this section shall include such information as
is necessary to demonstrate that the applicant--
''(A) if teaching in a public elementary or
secondary school (other than as a teacher in a public
charter school), has obtained State certification as a
teacher (including certification obtained through
alternative routes to certification) or passed the
State teacher licensing exam and holds a license to
teach in such State; and
''(B) if teaching in--
''(i) an elementary school, holds a
bachelor's degree and demonstrates knowledge
and teaching skills in reading, writing,
mathematics, science, and other areas of the
elementary school curriculum; or
''(ii) a middle or secondary school, holds
a bachelor's degree and demonstrates a high
level of competency in all subject areas in
which he or she teaches through--
''(I) a high level of performance
on a rigorous State or local academic
subject areas test; or
''(II) completion of an academic
major in each of the subject areas in
which he or she provides instruction.
''(f) Evaluation.--
''(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct, by grant or
contract, an independent national evaluation of the impact of
the program assisted under this section.
''(2) Competitive basis.--The grant or contract described
in subsection (b) shall be awarded on a competitive basis.
''(3) Contents.--The evaluation described in this
subsection shall--
''(A) determine the number of individuals who were
encouraged by the program assisted under this section
to pursue teaching careers;
''(B) determine the number of individuals who
remain employed in teaching mathematics, science, or
related fields as a result of participation in the
program;
''(C) identify the barriers to the effectiveness of
the program;
''(D) assess the cost-effectiveness of the program;
and
''(E) identify the number of years each individual
participates in the program.
''(4) Interim and final evaluation reports.--The Secretary
shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress such
interim reports regarding the evaluation described in this
subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate, and shall
prepare and so submit a final report regarding the evaluation
by January 1, 2006''.
[A]:
Educational Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified educational empowerment zone contributions. Allows the designation of up to 30 such zones. Bases designations on the degree of poverty.Establishes a teacher loan forgiveness program for mathematics and science teachers.