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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Section Commission to Advise on
Reforming Elections Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF SELECT COMMISSION TO ADVISE ON REFORMING
ELECTIONS.

There is established a commission to be known as the ''Select
Commission to Advise on Reforming Elections'' (referred to in this Act
as the ''Commission''). The purposes of the Commission are to study the
laws relating to the financing of campaigns for elections for Federal
office and to report and recommend legislation to reform those laws.

SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.

(a) Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 members
appointed not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act by the President, of whom--
(1) Three members shall be appointed from among a list of
nominees submitted by the majority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(2) Three members shall be appointed from among a list of
nominees submitted by the majority leader of the Senate;
(3) Two members shall be appointed from among a list of
nominees submitted by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(4) Two members shall be appointed from among a list of
nominees submitted by the minority leader of the Senate; and
(5) Two members shall be appointed from individuals meeting
such criteria as the President may apply.
(b) Chair.--The members of the Commission shall select two members
to serve as co-chairs of the Commission.
(c) Terms.--The members of the Commission shall serve for the life
of the Commission.
(d) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the
manner in which the original appointment was made.

SEC. 4. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

(a) Hearings.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out
this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take
testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(b) Quorum.--Five members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

(a) Pay and Travel Expenses of Members.--(1) Each member of the
Commission, other than the co-chairs, shall be paid at a rate equal to
the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level
IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the
member is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the
Commission. Each co-chair shall be paid for each day referred to in the
preceding sentence at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay payable for level III of the Executive
Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.
(2) Members of the Commission shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) Staff Director.--The Commission shall, without regard to
section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code, appoint a staff
director, who shall be paid at the rate of basic pay payable for level
IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code.
(c) Staff of Commission; Services.--
(1) In general.--Subject to such rules as may be adopted by
the Commission, the staff director of the Commission, without
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointments in the competitive service and without
regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of
chapter 53 of that title relating to classifications and
General Schedule pay rates, and subject to the approval of the
Commission, may appoint such personnel as the staff director considers
necessary, except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay
in excess of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-
15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States
Code.
(2) Temporary and intermittent services.--Subject to the
approval of the Commission, the staff director of the
Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services to
the same extent as is authorized by section 3109(b) of title 5,
United States Code.

SEC. 6. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES IN LAW.

(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the appointment of its
members, the Commission shall submit to the President, the Speaker and
minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and
minority leaders of the Senate a report of the activities of the
Commission.
(b) Recommendations for Changes in Campaign Finance Laws.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission
shall submit to the President, the Speaker and minority leader
of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority
leaders of the Senate any recommendations for changes in the
laws (including regulations) governing the conducting and
financing of Federal campaigns (including any changes in the
rules of the Senate or the House of Representatives) to which
seven or more members of the Commission may agree--
(A) by including such recommendations in the report
submitted under subsection (a); or
(B) with the approval of a majority of its members,
by submitting a supplemental report containing such
recommendations not later than 180 days after
submitting the report under subsection (a).
(2) Final deadline.--The Commission may not submit
recommendations under this subsection after July 15, 1998.
(c) Dissenting Views.--The Commission shall include in the report
submitted under subsection (a) and in any recommendations submitted
under subsection (b) any dissenting or minority views of its members,
including recommendations for changes in law which were proposed by any
member and to which seven or more members did not agree.

SEC. 7. EXPEDITED CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION
IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS.

(a) Preparation of Legislation.--If the Commission submits any
recommendation for changes in the laws under section 6(b), those
members concurring in the recommendation shall include with the
recommendation legislation to implement the recommendation.
(b) Expedited Congressional Consideration of Legislation.--
(1) In general.--If any legislation is introduced the
substance of which implements a recommendation of the
Commission submitted under section 6(b), subject to paragraph
(2), the provisions of section 2908 (other than subsection (a))
of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 shall
apply to the consideration of the legislation in the same
manner as such provisions apply to a joint resolution described
in section 2908(a) of such Act.
(2) Special rules.--For purposes of applying paragraph (1)
with respect to such provisions, the following rules shall
apply:
(A) Any reference to the Committee on Armed
Services of the House of Representatives shall be
deemed a reference to the Committee on House Oversight
of the House of Representatives and any reference to
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall be
deemed a reference to the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate.
(B) Any reference to the date on which the
President transmits a report shall be deemed a
reference to the date on which the recommendation
involved is submitted under section 6(b).

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

The Commission shall cease to exist 90 days after the later of--
(1) the date of the submission of its report under section
6(a); or
(2) the date of the submission of its recommendations under
section 6(b).

A: Select Commission to Advise on Reforming Elections Act - Establishes the Select Commission to Advise on Reforming Elections to study the laws relating to the financing of campaigns for Federal elections and to report and recommend legislation to reform those laws.
(Sec. 6) Requires the Commission to submit a report to the President, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate on its activities. Directs the Commission, as specified, to submit to the President, the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate, any recommendations for changes in campaign finance laws to which seven or more Commission members may agree. Prohibits the submission of recommendations by the Commission after July 15, 1998.
(Sec. 7) Requires that when the Commission submits any recommendation for changes in campaign finance laws, those Commission members concurring in the recommendation shall include legislation to implement the recommendation. Provides for expedited congressional consideration of any legislation introduced which implements a recommendation of the Commission.
(Sec. 8) Terminates the Commission after the later of: (1) the submission of its report; or (2) the submission of its recommendations.
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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Scientifically Identifying the Need
for Critical Habitat Act''.

SEC. 2. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT.

Section 4(a)(3) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1533(a)(3)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
''(A) may designate any habitat of a species that is
determined under paragraph (1) to be an endangered species or
threatened species as critical habitat of such species; and ''.

SEC. 3. SOUND SCIENCE.

(a) Best Scientific and Commercial Data Available.--
(1) In general.--Section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532) is amended--
(A) by amending the section heading to read as
follows:

''SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS. '';

(B) by striking ''For the purposes of this Act--''
and inserting the following:
''(a) Definitions.--In this Act:''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
''(b) Use of Certain Data.--In any case in which the Secretary is
required by this Act to use the best scientific and commercial data
available, the Secretary, in evaluating comparable data, shall give
greater weight to scientific or commercial data that is empirical or
has been field-tested or peer-reviewed.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents in the
first section of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
prec. 1531) is amended by striking the item relating to section
3 and inserting the following:

''Sec. 3. Definitions and general provisions.''.
(b) Use of Sound Science in Listing.--Section 4(b) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
''(9) Establishment of criteria for scientific studies to
support listing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall promulgate
regulations that establish criteria that must be met for
scientific and commercial data to be used as the basis of a
determination under this section that a species is an
endangered species or a threatened species.
''(10) Field data.--
''(A) Requirement.--The Secretary may not determine
that a species is an endangered species or a threatened
species unless the determination is supported by data
obtained by observation of the species in the field.
''(B) Data from landowners.--The Secretary shall--
''(i) accept and acknowledge receipt of
data regarding the status of a species that is
collected by an owner of land through
observation of the species on the land; and
''(ii) include the data in the rulemaking
record compiled for any determination that the
species is an endangered species or a
threatened species.''.
(c) Use of Sound Science in Recovery Planning.--Section 4(f) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
''(6)(A) The Secretary shall identify and publish in the Federal
Register with the notice of a proposed regulation pursuant to paragraph
(5)(A)(i) a description of additional scientific and commercial data
that would assist in the preparation of a recovery plan and--
''(i) invite any person to submit the data to the
Secretary; and
''(ii) describe the steps that the Secretary plans to take
for acquiring additional data.
''(B) Data identified and obtained under subparagraph (A)(i) shall
be considered by the recovery team and the Secretary in the preparation
of the recovery plan in accordance with section 5.''.

SEC. 4. PEER REVIEW.

Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
''(j) Independent Scientific Review Requirements.--
''(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
''(A) Action.--The term 'action' means--
''(i) the determination that a species is
an endangered species or a threatened species
under subsection (a);
''(ii) the determination under subsection
(a) that an endangered species or a threatened
species be removed from any list published
under subsection (c)(1);
''(iii) the development of a recovery plan
for a threatened species or endangered species
under subsection (f); and
''(iv) the determination that a proposed
action is likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of a listed species and the proposal
of any reasonable and prudent alternatives by
the Secretary under section 7(b)(3).
''(B) Qualified individual.--The term 'qualified
individual' means an individual with expertise in the
biological sciences--
''(i) who through publication of peer-
reviewed scientific literature or other means,
has demonstrated scientific expertise on the
species or a similar species or other
scientific expertise relevant to the decision
of the Secretary under subsection (a) or (f);
''(ii) who does not have, or represent any
person with, a conflict of interest with
respect to the determination that is the
subject of the review;
''(iii) who is not a participant in any
petition or proposed or final determination
before the Secretary; and
''(iv) who has no direct financial
interest, and is not employed by any person
with a direct financial interest, in opposing
the action under consideration.
''(2) List of independent scientific reviewers.--The
Secretary shall solicit recommendations from the National
Academy of Sciences and develop and maintain a list of
qualified reviewers to participate in independent scientific
review actions.
''(3) Appointment of independent scientific reviewers.--(A)
Before any action shall become final, the Secretary shall
appoint randomly, from among the list prepared in accordance
with this section, 3 qualified individuals who shall review and
report to the Secretary on the scientific information and
analyses on which the proposed action is based.
''(B) The selection and activities of the referees selected
pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
''(C) Reviewers shall be compensated for conducting the
independent review.
''(4) Opinion of peer reviewers.--Independent reviewers
shall provide the Secretary, within 3 months, their opinion
regarding all relevant scientific information and assumptions
relating to the taxonomy, population models, and supportive
biological and ecological information for the species in
question.
''(5) Final determination.--If the referees have made a
recommendation on a proposed action, the Secretary shall
evaluate and consider the information that results from the
independent scientific review and include in the final
determination--
''(A) a summary of the results of the independent
scientific review; and
''(B) in a case in which the recommendation of a
majority of the referees who conducted the independent
scientific review is not followed, an explanation as to
why the recommendation was not followed.
''(6) Public notice.--The report of the peer reviewers
shall be included in the official record of the proposed action
and shall be available for public review prior to the close of
the comment period on the proposed action.''.

SEC. 5. IMPROVED RECOVERY PLANNING.

(a) Use of Information Provided by States.--Section 7(b)(1) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(1)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
''(C) Use of state information.--In conducting a
consultation under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary
shall actively solicit and consider information from
the State agency in each affected State.''.
(b) Opportunity to Participate in Consultations.--Section 7(b)(1)
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(1)) (as
amended by subsection (a)) is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
''(D) Opportunity to participate in
consultations.--
''(i) In general.--In conducting a
consultation under subsection (a)(2), the
Secretary shall provide any person who has
sought authorization or funding from a Federal
agency for an action that is the subject of the
consultation, the opportunity to--
''(I) before the development of a
draft biological opinion, submit and
discuss with the Secretary and the
Federal agency information relevant to
the effect of the proposed action on
the species and the availability of
reasonable and prudent alternatives (if
a jeopardy opinion is to be issued)
that the Federal agency and the person
can take to avoid violation of
subsection (a)(2);
''(II) receive information, on
request, subject to the exemptions
specified in section 552(b) of title 5,
United States Code, on the status of
the species, threats to the species,
and conservation measures, used by the
Secretary to develop the draft
biological opinion and the final
biological opinion, including the
associated incidental taking
statements; and
''(III) receive a copy of the draft
biological opinion from the Federal
agency and, before issuance of the
final biological opinion, submit
comments on the draft biological
opinion and discuss with the Secretary
and the Federal agency the basis for
any finding in the draft biological
opinion.
''(ii) Explanation.--If reasonable and
prudent alternatives are proposed by a person
under clause (i) and the Secretary does not
include the alternatives in the final
biological opinion, the Secretary shall explain
to the person why those alternatives were not
included in the opinion.
''(iii) Public access to information.--
Comments and other information submitted to, or
received from, any person (pursuant to clause
(i)) who seeks authorization or funding for an
action shall be maintained in a file for that
action by the Secretary and shall be made
available to the public (subject to the
exemptions specified in section 552(b) of title
5, United States Code).''.

A: Scientifically Identifying the Need for Critical Habitat Act - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to change from mandatory to discretionary the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to designate critical habitat of an endangered or threatened species.

Directs the Secretary, when required by the Act to use the best scientific and commercial data available, in evaluating comparable data to give greater weight to such data that is empirical or has been field-tested or peer-reviewed.

Specifies requirements for the use of sound science in the listing of endangered or threatened species such as: (1) the establishment of criteria for scientific studies to support the listing; (2) use of data obtained by observation of the species in the field; and (3) use of data from landowners who have observed such species on their land. Requires the use of sound science in the preparation of a recovery plan for an endangered or threatened species.

Sets forth requirements for: (1) peer review before certain action can become final with respect to endangered or threatened species; and (2) use of information provided by States affected by such species or their habitat for recovery plans.
****
Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Tuition Tax Credit Act of 1995''.

SEC. 2. TAX CREDIT FOR TUITION.

(a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25 the
following new section:

''SEC. 25A. TUITION TAX CREDIT.

''(a) General Rule.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the
taxable year, the amount, determined under subsection (b), of the
educational expenses paid by him during the taxable year to one or more
eligible educational institutions for himself, his spouse, or any of
his dependents (as defined in section 152).
''(b) Limitations.--
''(1) Amount per individual.--The credit under subsection
(a) for the educational expenses of any individual paid in any
taxable year shall be equal to so much of such expenses paid
with respect to such individual as does not exceed $1,000.
''(2) Proration of credit where more than one taxpayer pays
expenses.--If educational expenses of an individual are paid by
more than one taxpayer during any calendar year, the credit
allowable to each such taxpayer under subsection (a) for any
taxable year beginning in such calendar year shall be the same
portion of the credit determined under paragraph (1) for such
calendar year which the amount of educational expenses of such
individual paid by the taxpayer during such calendar year is of
the total amount of educational expenses of such individual
paid during such calendar year by all such taxpayers.
''(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
''(1) Educational expenses.--The term 'educational
expenses' means amounts paid for--
''(A) tuition and fees required for the enrollment
or attendance of a student at an eligible educational
institution, and
''(B) fees, books, supplies, and equipment required
for courses of instruction at an eligible educational
institution.
Such term does not include any amount paid, directly or
indirectly, for meals, lodging, or similar personal, living, or
family expenses. In the event an amount paid for tuition or
fees includes an amount for meals, lodging, or similar expenses
which is not separately stated, the portion of such amount
which is attributable to meals, lodging, or similar expenses
shall be determined under regulations prescribed by the
Secretary.
''(2) Eligible educational institution.--The term 'eligible
educational institution' means--
''(A) an institution of higher education,
''(B) a vocational school,
''(C) a secondary school, or
''(D) an elementary school.
''(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
'institution of higher education' means the institutions
described in section 1201(a) or 481(a) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965.
''(4) Vocational school.--The term 'vocational school'
means an area vocational education school as defined in section
521(3) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act.
''(5) Elementary and secondary schools.--The terms
'elementary school' and 'secondary school' mean, respectively,
any elementary or secondary school (as defined in paragraph (7)
of section 198(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965) which is privately operated but only if it is--
''(A) accredited or approved under State law (or,
in the case of school in a State which has no procedure
for the accreditation or approval of privately operated
schools, which meets the requirements of State law
relating to compulsory school attendance), and
''(B) exempt from taxation under section 501(a) as
an organization described in section 501(c)(3).
The terms 'elementary school' and 'secondary school' include
facilities which offer education for individuals who are
physically or mentally handicapped as a substitute for public
elementary or secondary education.
''(d) Special Rules.--
''(1) Adjustment for certain scholarships and veterans
benefits.--The amounts otherwise taken into account under
subsection (a) as educational expenses of any individual during
any period shall be reduced (before the application of
subsection (b)) by any amounts received by such individual
during such period as--
''(A) a qualified scholarship (within the meaning
of section 117(b)) which under section 117 is not
includible in gross income, or
''(B) an educational assistance allowance under
chapters 32, 34, or 35 of title 38 of the United States
Code.
''(2) Eligible courses.--Amounts paid for educational
expenses of any individual shall be taken into account under
subsection (a) only to the extent such expenses--
''(A) are attributable to courses of instruction
offered by an elementary or secondary school, or
''(B) are attributable to courses of instruction
for which credit is allowed toward a baccalaureate
degree by an institution of higher education or toward
a certificate of required course work at a vocational
school and are not attributable to any graduate program
of such individual.
''(3) Individual must be at least half-time student.--No
credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for amounts paid
during the taxable year for educational expenses with respect
to any individual unless that individual, during any 4 calendar
months during the calendar year in which the taxable year of
the taxpayer begins, is at least a half-time student at an
eligible education institution.
''(4) Spouse.--No credit shall be allowed under subsection
(a) for amounts paid during the taxable year for educational
expenses for the spouse of the taxpayer unless--
''(A) the taxpayer is entitled to an exemption for
his spouse under section 151(b) for the taxable year,
or
''(B) the taxpayer files a joint return with his
spouse for the taxable year.
''(e) Disallowance of Expenses as Deduction.-- No deduction shall
be allowed under section 162 (relating to trade or business expenses)
for any educational expense which (after the application of subsection
(b)) is taken into account in determining the amount of any credit
allowed under subsection (a). The preceding sentence shall not apply to
the educational expenses of any taxpayer who, under regulations
prescribed by the Secretary, elects not to apply the provisions of this
section with respect to such expenses for the taxable year.
''(f) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.''
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such subpart A
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25 the
following new item:

''Sec. 25A. Expenses of higher
education.''
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.

A:
Tuition Tax Credit Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for the educational expenses (tuition and supplies) of the taxpayer, spouse, or dependents at an eligible private elementary or secondary school, institution of higher education, or vocational school. Limits the credit to $1,000 per student per year.
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