In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
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Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Puppies Assisting Wounded
Servicemembers Act of 2017'' or the ''PAWS Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the analysis of veteran suicide published
by the Department of Veterans Affairs in August 2016 and titled
''Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans''--
(A) an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each
day in 2014;
(B) mental health disorders, including major
depression and other mood disorders, have been
associated with increased risk for suicide;
(C) since 2001, the proportion of users of the
Veterans Health Administration with mental health
conditions or substance use disorders has increased
from approximately 27 percent in 2001 to more than 40
percent in 2014; and
(D) overall, suicide rates are highest among
patients with mental health and substance use disorder
diagnoses who are in treatment and lower among those
who received a mental health diagnoses but were not at
risk enough to require enhanced care from a mental
health provider.
(2) The Department of Veterans Affairs must be more
effective in its approach to reducing the burden of veteran
suicide connected to mental health disorders, including post-
traumatic stress disorder, and a pilot program and study to
assess the benefits of pairing service dogs with veterans
suffering from mental health disorders would allow the
Department to better determine the efficacy of using service
dogs as a nontraditional therapy to ensure the well-being of
veterans.
(3) Pairing a service dog with a veteran costs
approximately $25,000, including with respect to training of
the service dog as well as training of the veteran with the
service dog.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS
FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICE DOGS TO CERTAIN VETERANS
WITH SEVERE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

(a) Grants.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a
pilot program under which the Secretary provides a $25,000 grant to an
eligible organization for each veteran referred to that organization
for a service dog pairing.
(b) Benefits Provided.--
(1) In general.--An organization that receives a grant
under subsection (a) shall provide the following for each
service dog and veteran participating in the pilot program:
(A) Coverage of a commercially available veterinary
health insurance policy to maintain the health of the
dog and keep the dog functioning in the prescribed role
for the life of the dog.
(B) Hardware, or repairs or replacements for
hardware, that are clinically determined to be required
by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the
veteran with the diagnosed disorder of the veteran.
(C) Payments for travel expenses for the veteran to
obtain the dog, calculated in the same manner as
similar travel expenses provided pursuant to section
111 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) Other travel expenses.--If a veteran is required to
replace a service dog provided pursuant to a grant under this
section, the Secretary shall pay for the travel expenses
described in paragraph (1)(C) required to obtain a new service
dog pursuant to subsection (c)(3), regardless of any other
benefits the veteran is receiving for the first service dog
under this section.
(c) Eligible Organizations.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, an organization shall--
(1) be a nonprofit organization that provides trained
service dogs--
(A) that--
(i) is certified by Assistance Dogs
International;
(ii) on average, provides one-on-one
training for each service dog and recipient for
30 hours or more over 90 days or more;
(iii) provides a wellness verification from
a licensed veterinarian for each service dog;
(iv) provides an in-house residential
facility, or other accommodations nearby, in
which service dog recipients stay for a minimum
of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of
training with their new service dog;
(v) ensures all service dogs pass the
American Kennel Club Community Canine test and
the ADI Public Access Test prior to permanent
placement with a recipient; and
(vi) provides follow-up support service for
the life of the service dog, to include a
contact plan between the veteran and
organization to allow--
(I) the veteran to reach out for
and receive adequate help with the
service dog; and
(II) the organization to
communicate with the veteran to ensure
that the service dog is being properly
cared for; or
(B) that meets the Association of Service Dog
Providers for Military Veterans Service Dog Agency
Standards that cater to the unique needs of veterans
with post-traumatic stress disorder;
(2) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount
to guarantee the benefits listed under subsection (b)(1);
(3) agree to reaccept or replace the service dog the
organization provided to the veteran, if necessary, as
determined by the organization and the veteran; and
(4) submit to the Secretary an application containing such
information, certification, and assurances as the Secretary may
require.
(d) Eligible Veterans.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
review and approve veterans eligible to participate under this
section and shall refer approved veterans to eligible
organizations. The period beginning on the date on which a
veteran applies to participate under this section and the date
on which the Secretary makes an approval determination may not
exceed 90 days.
(2) Initial eligibility.--For purposes of this section, an
eligible veteran is a veteran who is enrolled in the patient
enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs under
section 1705 of title 38, United States Code, and--
(A) has been treated and has completed an
established evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic
stress disorder yet remains diagnosed with post-
traumatic stress disorder by a qualified health care
provider as rated on the post-traumatic stress disorder
checklist (PCL-5);
(B) the health care provider or clinical team of
the Department of Veterans Affairs that is treating the
veteran for such disorder determines based upon medical
judgment that the veteran may potentially benefit from
a service dog; and
(C) agrees to successfully complete training
provided by an eligible organization pursuant to
subsection (c).
(3) Ongoing eligibility.--To remain eligible to participate
in the pilot program, a veteran shall see the health care
provider or clinical team of the Department of Veterans Affairs
treating the veteran for such a disorder at least every six
months to determine, based on a clinical evaluation of
efficacy, whether the veteran continues to benefit from a
service dog.
(4) Other cases.--If at any point, the veteran is no longer
able or willing to care for the service dog, the organization
that provided the service dog and the veteran shall determine
the appropriate recourse to ensure the safety of both the
veteran and the service dog.
(e) Relationship to Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits.--The
provision of a service dog to a veteran under this section is in
addition to any other hospital care or medical service furnished by the
Department for that veteran for post-traumatic stress disorder, and an
improvement in symptoms as a result of the provision of a service dog
shall not affect the eligibility of the veteran for any other benefit
under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(f) Metrics.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
(1) develop metrics and other appropriate means to measure,
with respect to veterans participating in the pilot program,
the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic
compliance of such veterans and changes with respect to the
dependence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic
medication of such veterans; and
(2) establish processes to document and track the progress
of such veterans under the pilot program in terms of the
benefits and improvements noted as a result of the pilot
program.
(g) GAO Briefing and Study.--
(1) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date on
which the Secretary commences the pilot program under
subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States
shall provide to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the
methodology established for the pilot program.
(2) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date on
which the pilot program terminates, the Comptroller General
shall submit to the committees specified in paragraph (1) a
report on the pilot program. Such report shall include an
evaluation of the approach and methodology used for the pilot
program with respect to--
(A) helping veterans with severe post-traumatic
stress disorder return to civilian life;
(B) relevant metrics, including reduction in
metrics such as reduction in scores under the post-
traumatic stress disorder checklist (PCL-5),
improvement in psychosocial function, and therapeutic
compliance; and
(C) reducing the dependence of participants on
prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year
2023, $10,000,000 to carry out the pilot program under this section.
(i) Offset.--The amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated
for Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Human Resources and
Administration for the period of fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year
2023 shall be reduced by $10,000,000.
(j) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the
date of the enactment of this Act. An eligible veteran in possession of
a service dog furnished under the pilot program as of the termination
of the pilot program may keep the service dog after the termination of
the program for the life of the dog.

Answer: Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers Act of 2017 or the PAWS Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program under which it provides grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide service dogs to veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after completing other evidence-based treatment. An organization that receives a grant shall provide for each participating service dog and veteran: coverage by a commercially available veterinary health insurance policy, hardware clinically determined to be required by the dog to perform the tasks necessary to assist the veteran, payments for travel expenses to obtain the dog, and travel expenses required to obtain a replacement service dog. To be eligible for a grant, an organization must: (1) agree to cover all costs in excess of the grant amount to guarantee such benefits, (2) be certified by Assistance Dogs International, (3) provide one-on-one training for each service dog and recipient for 30 hours or more over 90 days or more, and (4) provide an in-house residential facility or other accommodations nearby in which service dog recipients stay for a minimum of 10 days while receiving at least 30 hours of training. The VA shall develop metrics to measure the improvement in psychosocial function and therapeutic compliance and changes independence on prescription narcotics and psychotropic medication of veterans participating in the program. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the methodology used for the pilot program.

Question: SECTION 1. REDUCTION IN LIMITATION AMOUNT APPLICABLE TO CONTRIBUTIONS
BY A MULTICANDIDATE POLITICAL COMMITTEE TO A HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATE.

Section 315(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
(2 U.S.C. 441a(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting after ''$5,000'' the
following: '', except that in the case of an election for the office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress, the limitation shall be $1,000.''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GENERAL ELECTION
CONTRIBUTIONS IN NONELECTION YEARS.

Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
''(i) A candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate
or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress may not solicit or accept any
contribution in an odd-numbered year with respect to a general election
for such office or any primary election relating to the general
election.''.

SEC. 3. BAN ON SOFT MONEY.

(a) In General.--Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of
1971 (2 U.S.C. 431 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:

''limitations and reporting requirements for amounts paid for mixed
political activities

''Sec. 323. (a) Any payment by the national committee of a
political party or a State committee of a political party for a mixed
political activity--
''(1) shall be subject to limitation and reporting under
this Act as if such payment were an expenditure; and
''(2) may be paid only from an account that is subject to
the requirements of this Act.
''(b) As used in this section, the term 'mixed political activity'
means, with respect to a payment by the national committee of a
political party or a State committee of a political party, an activity,
such as a voter registration program, a get-out-the-vote drive, or
general political advertising, that is both (1) for the purpose of
influencing an election for Federal office, and (2) for any purpose
unrelated to influencing an election for Federal office.''.
(b) Repeal of Building Fund Exception to the Definition of the Term
''Contribution''.--Section 301(8)(B) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amended--
(1) by striking out clause (viii); and
(2) by redesignating clauses (ix) through (xiv) as clauses
(viii) through (xiii), respectively.

SEC. 4. VOLUNTARY EXPENDITURE LIMITATION FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ELECTIONS.

Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
''(j) In such form and manner as the Commission may prescribe, each
candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress in a general election or a primary
election for such office shall be given the opportunity to comply with
a voluntary expenditure limitation of $500,000 with respect to the
general election and any primary election relating to the general
election. In the case of a candidate who declines to comply with the
voluntary limitation, the limitation under subsection (a)(1)(A) shall
be $250.''.

SEC. 5. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION LIMITATION ON CONTRIBUTIONS
FROM PERSONS OTHER THAN IN-STATE RESIDENTS.

Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), as amended by sections 2 and 4, is further amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
''(k)(1) A candidate for the office of Representative in, or
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress may not, with
respect to a reporting period for an election, accept contributions
from persons other than in-State residents totaling in excess of one-
half of the total of contributions accepted with respect to the
reporting period.
''(2) As used in this subsection, the term 'in-State resident'
means an individual who resides in the State in which the congressional
district involved is located.''.

SEC. 6. PROHIBITION OF FRANKED MASS MAILINGS BY MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IN ELECTION YEARS.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, or any rule or other
authority, a Member of the House of Representatives may not make any
franked mass mailing in an even-numbered year. As used in this
section--
(1) the term ''mass mailing'' has the meaning given that
term in section 3210 of title 39, United States Code; and
(2) the term ''Member of the House of Representatives''
means a Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress.

SEC. 7. ELIMINATION OF CARRY-OVER OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS BETWEEN HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES ELECTIONS.

Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), as amended by sections 2, 4, and 5, is further amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
''(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, if after
satisfying all financial obligations with respect to a general election
and any primary election relating to the general election, a candidate
for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress has a campaign account balance, the
candidate shall return the excess funds to contributors or, at the
option of the candidate, donate the excess funds to charity. No excess
funds may be carried forward or used for any other purpose.''.

Answer: Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce the amount of contributions that a multicandidate political committee (PAC) may make to a House of Representatives candidate.
Prohibits House general election contributions in nonelection years.
Sets forth: (1) limitations and reporting requirements for amounts paid for mixed political activities ("soft money"); (2) voluntary expenditure limitations for House elections; and (3) House contribution limitations from persons other than in-State residents.
Prohibits election-year franked mass mailings by House members.
Requires House members to return or give to charity unused campaign funds.

Question: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Research for Competitiveness Act''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION INDUSTRIALLY-RELEVANT RESEARCH
AWARDS.

(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall carry out a program to award competitive grants to scientists and
engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher
education and research institutions to conduct high-risk, high-return
research in areas relevant to industry.
(b) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this
section shall be 5 years, and the amount per year shall be $50,000.
Additionally, if an award recipient receives funding from United States
industry for work in the area described in the recipient's application
for the award, then up to an additional $50,000 may be provided each
year as a one-to-one match to such industry funding.
(c) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
(1) an institution of higher education in the United
States; or
(2) an organization in the United States that is a
nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a
museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
(d) Application and Selection Process.--
(1) Initial application.--Applicants for awards under this
section shall submit to the Director--
(A) a curriculum vitae or resume, including a list
of publications and a description of any activities
demonstrating leadership or educational activities;
(B) a description of research areas of interest;
(C) letters of recommendation; and
(D) any other materials the Director requires.
(2) Further consideration and selection.--The Director
shall convene review panels to make recommendations, based on
application materials received under paragraph (1), of which
candidates are qualified to be finalists for the award. Based
on these recommendations, the Director shall select finalists,
who shall then be interviewed by panels of experts who shall
make recommendations to the Director on the recipients of the
awards. The Director shall make awards based on these
recommendations.
(e) Composition of Review Panels.--The panels reviewing
applications and interviewing finalists as described in subsection (d)
shall include representatives from a range of industries.
(f) Criteria for Awards.--In establishing criteria for evaluation
of applications for grants under this section, the Director shall
include--
(1) the potential of the applicant for leadership at the
frontiers of knowledge;
(2) the potential innovative or transformative nature of
research in the areas of interest described in the application;
(3) the creativity demonstrated in the applicant's past
research activities; and
(4) the potential relevance to industry of research in the
areas of interest described in the application.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation to
carry out this section--
(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(5) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY INDUSTRIALLY-RELEVANT RESEARCH AWARDS.

(a) In General.--The Under Secretary for Science of the Department
of Energy shall carry out a program to award competitive grants to
scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at
institutions of higher education and research institutions to conduct
high-risk, high-return research in areas relevant to energy production,
storage, and use.
(b) Participation of Department of Energy Organizations.--The
research, development, demonstration, and commercial application
programs of the Office of Science, the Office of Nuclear Energy
Research and Development, the Office of Fossil Energy, and the Office
of Energy Efficiency and Renewables may participate in the program
established under subsection (a).
(c) Size and Duration of Award.--The duration of awards under this
section shall be up to 5 years, and the amount per year shall be
$50,000. Additionally, if an award recipient receives funding from
United States industry for work in the area described in the
recipient's application for the award, then up to an additional $50,000
may be provided each year as a one-to-one match to such industry
funding.
(d) Eligibility.--Award recipients shall be individuals who are
employed in a tenure-track position as an assistant professor or
equivalent title, or who hold an equivalent position, at--
(1) an institution of higher education in the United
States; or
(2) an organization in the United States that is a
nonprofit, nondegree-granting research organization such as a
museum, observatory, or research laboratory.
(e) Application and Selection Process.--
(1) Initial application.--Applicants for awards under this
section shall submit to the Under Secretary--
(A) a curriculum vitae or resume, including a list
of publications and a description of any activities
demonstrating leadership or educational activities;
(B) a description of research areas of interest;
(C) letters of recommendation; and
(D) any other materials the Under Secretary
requires.
(2) Further consideration and selection.--The Under
Secretary shall convene review panels to make recommendations,
based on application materials received under paragraph (1), of
which candidates are qualified to be finalists for the award.
Based on these recommendations, the Under Secretary shall
select finalists, who shall then be interviewed by panels of
experts who shall make recommendations to the Under Secretary
on the recipients of the awards. The Under Secretary shall make
awards based on these recommendations.
(f) Composition of Review Panels.--The panels reviewing
applications and interviewing finalists as described in subsection (e)
shall include representatives from a range of industries.
(g) Criteria for Awards.--In establishing criteria for evaluation
of applications for the grants awarded under section (a), the Under
Secretary shall include--
(1) the potential for leadership at the frontiers of
knowledge by the applicant;
(2) the potential innovative or transformative nature of
research in the areas of interest described in the application;
(3) the creativity demonstrated in the applicant's past
research activities; and
(4) the potential relevance to industry of research in the
areas of interest described in the application.
(h) Collaboration With National Laboratories.--In awarding grants
under this section, the Under Secretary may give priority to
applications in which the proposed work includes collaboration with the
Department of Energy National Laboratories.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out this section--
(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(4) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
(5) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.

SEC. 4. DEFINITION.

In this Act, the term ''institution of higher education'' has the
meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

Answer:
Research for Competitiveness Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out a program of awarding competitive grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and research institutions to conduct, high-risk, high-return research in areas relevant to industry.

Directs the Under Secretary for Science of the Department of Energy to carry out a program of awarding competitive grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at institutions of higher education and research institutions to conduct high-risk, high-return research in areas relevant to energy production, storage, and use.