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

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Government Accountability Office
Improvement Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN RECORDS.

(a) Authority To Obtain Records.--Section 716 of title 31, United
States Code, is amended in subsection (a)--
(1) by striking ''(a)'' and inserting ''(2)''; and
(2) by inserting after the section heading the following:
''(a)(1) The Comptroller General is authorized to obtain such
agency records as the Comptroller General requires to discharge his
duties (including audit, evaluation, and investigative duties),
including through the bringing of civil actions under this section. In
reviewing a civil action under this section, the court shall recognize
the continuing force and effect of the authorization in the preceding
sentence until such time as the authorization is repealed pursuant to
law.''.
(b) Interviews.--Section 716(a) of title 31, United States Code, as
amended by subsection (a), is further amended in the second sentence of
paragraph (2) by inserting ''and interview agency officers and
employees'' after ''agency record''.

SEC. 3. ADMINISTERING OATHS.

Section 711 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
''(4) administer oaths to witnesses, except that, in
matters other than auditing and settling accounts, the
authority of an officer or employee to administer oaths to
witnesses pursuant to a delegation under paragraph (2) shall
not be available without the prior express approval of the
Comptroller General (or a designee).''.

SEC. 4. ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION.

(a) Access to Certain Information.--Subchapter II of chapter 7 of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
''Sec. 721. Access to certain information
''(a) No provision of the Social Security Act shall be construed to
limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the Comptroller General to
obtain any information, to inspect any record, or to interview any
officer or employee under section 716 of this title, including with
respect to any information disclosed to or obtained by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services under part C or D of title XVIII of the
Social Security Act.
''(b) No provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the
Comptroller General to obtain any information, to inspect any record,
or to interview any officer or employee under section 716 of this
title, including with respect to any information concerning any method
or process which as a trade secret is entitled to protection.
''(c) No provision of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 and the amendments made by that Act shall be construed to
limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the Comptroller General to
obtain any information, to inspect any record, or to interview any
officer or employee under section 716 of this title, including with
respect to any information disclosed to the Assistant Attorney General
of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice or the Federal
Trade Commission for purposes of pre-merger review under section 7A of
the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 18a).
''(d)(1) The Comptroller General shall prescribe such policies and
procedures as are necessary to protect from public disclosure
proprietary or trade secret information obtained consistent with this
section.
''(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed--
''(A) to alter or amend the prohibitions against the
disclosure of trade secret or other sensitive information
prohibited by section 1905 of title 18 and other applicable
laws; or
''(B) to affect the applicability of section 716(e) of this
title, including the protections against unauthorized
disclosure contained in that section, to information obtained
consistent with this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 7 of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 720 the following:

''721. Access to certain information.''.

SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORTS.

Section 719 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(B), by striking ''and'' at the
end;
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ''; and'';
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (b)(1) the
following:
''(D) for agencies subject to sections 901 to 903 and other
agencies designated by the Comptroller General, an assessment
of their overall degree of cooperation in making personnel
available for interview, providing written answers to
questions, submitting to an oath authorized by the Comptroller
General under section 711, granting access to records,
providing timely comments to draft reports, adopting
recommendations in reports and responding to such other matters
as the Comptroller General deems appropriate.'';
(4) in subsection (c)(2)(B), by striking ''and'' at the
end;
(5) in subsection (c)(3), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ''; and'', and
(6) by adding at the end of subsection (c) the following:
''(4) as soon as practicable when an agency does not,
within a reasonable time, respond to a request by the
Comptroller General regarding any matter described in
subsection (b)(1)(D).''.

Passed the House of Representatives July 29, 2008.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.

Output: Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Comptroller General to: (1) obtain federal agency records required to discharge his or her duties, including through bringing civil actions under this Act; (2) interview agency officers and employees to get information about agency duties, powers, activities, organization, and financial transactions; and (3) administer oaths to witnesses (currently, the Comptroller General may administer oaths to witnesses when auditing and settling accounts).

Requires the Comptroller General to prescribe such policies and procedures as are necessary to protect from public disclosure proprietary or trade secret information obtained under this Act.

Declares that no provision of the Social Security Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the authority of the Comptroller General to obtain information, inspect records, or interview specified agency officers or employees, including with respect to: (1) information disclosed to or obtained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Social Security Act; (2) information concerning any method or process protected as a trade secret; and (3) information disclosed to the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for purposes of pre-merger review under the Clayton Act. Declares that this Act shall not be construed to: (1) alter or amend the prohibitions against the disclosure of trade secret or other sensitive information; and (2) affect the applicability of requirements governing the availability of agency information to information obtained.

Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) report annually on the cooperation of agencies subject to the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and other agencies designated by the Comptroller General in making personnel available for interviews, providing written answers to questions, submitting to an oath authorized by the Comptroller General, granting access to records, providing timely comments to draft reports, adopting report recommendations, and responding to such matters as the Comptroller General deems appropriate; and (2) report to Congress when agencies do not respond to requests regarding such matters.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Tinnitus Research for Military
Health Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Tinnitus, or the perception of sound where no external
source of such sound exists, is the most prevalent disabling
condition that affects members of the Armed Forces, most
notably those members who have been exposed to blast injuries
during combat, or other high noise level situations.
(2) Tinnitus is the leading service-connected disability
for returning members of the Armed Forces and the prevalence of
tinnitus is continuing to increase at alarming rates.
(3) An otologic, or ear, injury such as tinnitus has been
shown to decrease performance and situational awareness during
combat, seriously compromising the ability of a member of the
Armed Forces to hear and execute commands properly, thereby
jeopardizing not only the affected member but other members as
well.
(4) While certain types of sensory impairment in combat or
other military activities may be readily apparent, otologic
injuries such as tinnitus may not be easily noticeable, which
necessitates the need for more rigorous screening for tinnitus
before and after deployment, and for additional research to
distinguish tinnitus from other forms of brain injury incurred
during combat.
(5) Medical evidence to date suggests a demonstrated link
between tinnitus and post-traumatic stress disorder and
traumatic brain injury, such that improved understanding of
treatment of tinnitus may also directly advance research
efforts to address post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic
brain injury.
(6) Improving the treatment and prevention of tinnitus will
benefit all members of the Armed Forces who are increasingly at
risk of injury from high-decibel equipment or explosive
devices.

SEC. 3. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE STUDY OF TINNITUS.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall establish
one or more Centers of Excellence (in this section referred to
as a ''center'') for the study of tinnitus.
(2) Location.--The Secretary shall establish a center at a
military installation in the United States where members of the
Armed Forces perform activities involving high rates of sound,
including artillery instruction and other basic combat training
related activities.
(b) Responsibilities.--A center shall have the responsibilities as
follows:
(1) To study and enhance existing treatment modalities for
members of the Armed Forces with tinnitus, including diagnosed
cases of recurrent, chronic, or severe tinnitus.
(2) To conduct basic and clinical research to prevent,
treat, and cure tinnitus, including studies on the neurological
changes in the brain associated with tinnitus.
(3) To coordinate research activities with the Defense
Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic
Brain Injury in order to establish a tinnitus data registry for
members of the Armed Forces affected with tinnitus and other
neurological conditions that will enhance scientific progress
toward improvements in treatment for tinnitus and associated
neurological combat related conditions.
(c) Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of
Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the
center.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $7,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2011 through 2016.

SEC. 4. AURAL SCREENINGS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 1074f(b) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
''(D) An aural screening, including an assessment of
tinnitus.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Section 1074f(b)(2) of title 10, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, shall apply to
members of the Armed Forces who are deployed or return from deployment
on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE TINNITUS RESEARCH.

(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations
provided for such purpose, the Secretary of Defense shall establish a
program to award grants to institutions to assist such institutions in
conducting research on recurrent, chronic, or severe tinnitus and
peripheral neurological conditions, including research related to
neurology, pharmacology, audiology, otolaryngology, and other
disciplines that the Secretary determines appropriate according to
newly discovered evidence-based findings.
(b) Eligibility.--
(1) Teaching program.--An institution eligible to receive a
grant under this section is--
(A) a hospital with a teaching program described in
section 1861(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395x); or
(B) an educational institution with demonstrated
expertise in tinnitus research.
(2) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an institution shall submit an application to the
Secretary of Defense at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require. The
Secretary shall ensure that such applications are peer-reviewed
by multidisciplinary tinnitus experts from both the public and
private sector.
(c) Grant Amount.--An institution awarded a grant under this
section may not receive more than $2,500,000 per fiscal year under this
section.
(d) Reports.--Not later than December 31 of each year a grant may
be awarded under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to
Congress a report on the grant program, including a summary of the
research related to tinnitus conducted by each grant recipient.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2011 through 2016.

SEC. 6. IMPROVING AURAL PROTECTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall examine methods to
improve the aural protection for members of the Armed Forces in combat.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
on the methods to improve aural protection examined under subsection
(a).

SEC. 7. EXECUTIVE AGENT FOR TINNITUS.

(a) Executive Agent.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall designate a
senior official of the Department of Defense to act as the executive
agent for tinnitus.
(b) Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities.--
(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and in accordance with Directive
5101.1, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe the roles,
responsibilities, and authorities of the executive agent
designated under subsection (a).
(2) Specification.--The roles and responsibilities of the
executive agent designated under subsection (a) shall include
coordinating common functions related to tinnitus among the
military departments.
(c) Support.--In accordance with Directive 5101.1, the Secretary of
Defense shall ensure that the military departments, Defense Agencies,
and other components of the Department of Defense provide the executive
agent designated under subsection (a) with the appropriate support and
resources needed to perform the roles, responsibilities, and
authorities of the executive agent.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ''Directive 5101.1'' means Department of
Defense Directive 5101.1, or any successor directive relating
to the responsibilities of an executive agent of the Department
of Defense.
(2) The term ''executive agent'' has the meaning given the
term ''DoD Executive Agent'' in Directive 5101.1.

Output: Tinnitus Research for Military Health Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish one or more centers of excellence for the study of tinnitus. Requires such centers to be established at military installations where members of the Armed Forces perform activities involving high rates of sound, including artillery instruction. Outlines center activities, including researching and enhancing treatments for members with tinnitus.

Requires the inclusion, within a current medical tracking system for members deployed overseas, of an aural screening which shall include an assessment of tinnitus.

Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program to assist eligible institutions in conducting research on recurrent, chronic, or severe tinnitus and peripheral neurological conditions. Makes eligible for such grants: (1) a hospital with an approved teaching program as defined under the Social Security Act; or (2) an educational institution with demonstrated expertise in tinnitus research.

Requires the Secretary to designate a senior DOD official to act as the executive agent for tinnitus.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Promoting Fully Informed Investment
Decision Making Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM DEFINED.

In this Act, the term ''state sponsor of terrorism'' means any
country, the government of which has been determined by the Secretary
of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international
terrorism pursuant to--
(1) section 6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of
1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)(1)(A)) (or any successor thereto);
(2) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2780(d)); or
(3) section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2371(a)).

SEC. 3. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION DISCLOSURE OF BUSINESS TIES
TO STATE SPONSORS OF TERROR.

(a) Requirement for a Securities and Exchange Commission Report.--
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and
annually thereafter, the Securities and Exchange Commission (in this
Act referred to as the ''Commission'') shall prepare and submit to
Congress a report on business activities carried out with state
sponsors of terrorism.
(b) Content.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include--
(1) a list of all persons required to make periodic or
other filings pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) that
disclose in filings with the Commission business activity in or
with a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism, or an
instrumentality of such a country;
(2) a description of such business activities carried out
by each person referred to in paragraph (1);
(3) the value of such activities carried out by each person
referred to in paragraph (1); and
(4) a description of the disclosure standard in effect at
the time at which the content of the report was collected, if
it has changed from the time of the first or most recent report
submitted pursuant to subsection (a), and the criteria for
persons to register under section 12(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78l(g)).
(c) Publication of Disclosure Data.--The Commission shall make the
report required by this section available on its website in an easily
accessible and searchable format, and shall regularly update the
information on the website as new information becomes available to the
Commission.
(d) Strengthening Securities and Exchange Commission Disclosure
Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Commission shall issue regulations to require disclosure
by all persons required to make periodic or other filings pursuant to
section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) of business activity in an amount equal to more
than $20,000,000, either directly or through an affiliate, in or with a
country that is a state sponsor of terrorism, or an instrumentality of
such country.

SEC. 4. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORTS.

(a) Evaluation of Securities and Exchange Commission Report.--Not
later than 90 days after the date of delivery of the report of the
Commission under section 3, and annually thereafter, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall prepare and submit to Congress a
report that evaluates the completeness of the report of the Commission
under section 3, to include--
(1) a list, in classified form, as necessary, of all
persons, including foreign persons, that are not included in
the report of the Commission under section 3 that are
identified by the intelligence community (as that term is
defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 401a)), the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
Defense, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of State, the
Secretary of the Treasury, and other appropriate governmental
entities, as carrying out business activities in or with a
country that is a state sponsor of terrorism, or an
instrumentality of such a country;
(2) a list of all persons, including foreign persons, that
are not included in the report of the Commission under section
3 that are identified by relevant nongovernmental entities as
carrying out business activities in or with a country that is a
state sponsor of terrorism, or an instrumentality of such a
country; and
(3) a description of such business activities and the value
of such activities for all persons identified in paragraphs (1)
and (2).
(b) Investment Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
delivery of the report of the Commission under section 3, and annually
thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare
and submit to Congress, a report--
(1) that contains the names of persons described in section
3(b)(1) that are included in each of the major investable
financial market indices and the holdings of the Federal Thrift
Savings Plan of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
(in this subsection referred to as the ''TSP''), including--
(A) the percentage of each such index and TSP
holdings comprised of such persons; and
(B) the dollar capitalization of each such person;
(2) that contains, in classified form, as necessary, the
names of persons described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (a) that are included in each of the major
investable financial market indices and the holdings of the
TSP, including--
(A) the percentage of each such index and TSP
holdings comprised of such persons; and
(B) the dollar capitalization of each such person;
and
(3) the unclassified portion of which is made available on
the website of the Government Accountability Office in an
easily accessible and searchable format.
(c) Government Contracting Report.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of delivery of the report of the Commission under section 3,
and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall prepare and submit to Congress, a report--
(1) that contains the names of the persons described in
section 3(b)(1), the nature of the activity, and the value of
United States Government active contracting for the procurement
of goods or services with any such person;
(2) that contains, in classified form, as necessary, the
names of persons described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (a), the nature of the activity, and the value of
United States Government active contracting for the procurement
of goods or services with any such person; and
(3) the unclassified portion of which is made available on
the website of the Government Accountability Office in an
easily accessible and searchable format.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FOREIGN EXCHANGES
TO STRENGTHEN DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Trade
Representative, the Chairman of the Commission, the Secretary of State,
and other relevant representatives of the United States Government
should encourage United States allies to implement disclosure standards
that are similar to those required by this Act for the securities
exchanges of those countries.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN DIVESTMENT MEASURES.

(a) Investment Company Act of 1940.--Section 13 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-13) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
''(c) Safe Harbor for Changes in Investment Policies.--
''(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
Federal or State law, no person may bring any civil, criminal,
or administrative action against any registered investment
company or person providing services to such registered
investment company (including its investment adviser), or any
employee, officer, or director thereof, based solely upon the
investment company divesting from, or avoiding investing in,
securities issued by persons that have business ties to a state
sponsor of terrorism.
''(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the
term 'person' includes the Federal Government and any State or
political subdivision of a State.''.
Output: Promoting Fully Informed Investment Decision Making Act of 2007 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) report to Congress on business activities carried out with state sponsors of terrorism; and (2) issue regulations to require disclosure by all persons required to make filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding any business activity of more than $20 million in or with a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism, or an instrumentality of such country.

Instructs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on: (1) the completeness of the SEC report; (2) the names of such persons included in each of the major investable financial market indices and the holdings of the Federal Thrift Savings Plan; and (3) the nature of the activities concerned, and the value of U.S. government active contracting with such persons for the procurement of goods or services.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. Trade Representative, the Chairman of the SEC, the Secretary of State, and other relevant representatives of the U.S. government should encourage U.S. allies to implement disclosure standards similar to those required by this Act for the securities exchanges of those countries.

Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to prohibit civil, criminal, or administrative action against any registered investment company based solely upon its divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by persons that have business ties to a state sponsor of terrorism.