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(a) Effects of Excessive Commuting.--The Administrator of the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall conduct a study of
the effects of excessive commuting on safety and commercial motor
vehicle driver fatigue. (a) In General.--Not later than 24 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall initiate a
rulemaking to establish a Federal motor vehicle safety standard
requiring a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater
than 26,000 pounds be equipped with crash avoidance and mitigation
systems, such as forward collision warning systems, forward collision
automatic braking systems, and lane departure warning systems. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4138 of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (49
U.S.C. (b) Rulemaking.--The Secretary of Transportation, by regulation,
shall increase any minimum level of financial responsibility required
under section 31138 or section 31139 if, after an opportunity for
notice and comment, the Secretary determines that the current amount is
insufficient to satisfy liability amounts covering the claims described
in section 31138 or section 31139, as applicable. | Truck Safety Act This bill increases from $750,000 to $1.5 million (adjusted annually for inflation) the minimum level of financial responsibility required to satisfy liability covering public liability, property damage, and environmental restoration for the transportation of property by a commercial motor carrier in the United States or to a place outside the United States. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must increase, by regulation, the minimum level of financial responsibility for transporting property or passengers if the current amount is insufficient to satisfy liability claims. DOT shall initiate a rulemaking to establish a federal motor vehicle safety standard requiring a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds to be equipped with crash avoidance and mitigation systems. DOT shall finalize regulations to require such a motor vehicle also to be equipped with an electronic control module requiring the speed to be set by the manufacturer at a maximum 70 m.p.h. DOT must ensure that a review is completed on each motor carrier that demonstrates through performance data that it poses the highest safety risk, especially whenever it is among the highest risk carriers for two consecutive months. DOT shall require, with respect to driver compensation, that a motor carrier: track the on-duty (not driving) time of an employee whose base compensation is calculated in a manner other than an hourly wage and who is required to keep a record of duty status under the hours of service regulations; and separately compensate the employee for any on-duty (not driving) time period at an hourly rate not less than the federal minimum wage rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This compensation requirement, however, shall not apply where employment is governed by a collective bargaining agreement, negotiated by bona fide employee representatives, if the agreement governs, and compensates the employee for, all hours of on-duty (not driving) time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall study the effects of excessive commuting on safety and commercial motor vehicle driver fatigue. |
(a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business-related
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, the reserve forces
participation credit determined under this section is an amount equal
to the sum of--
``(1) the aggregate of the employment credits with respect
to qualified employees of a taxpayer, plus
``(2) if the taxpayer is a qualified self-employed
taxpayer, the self-employment credit. | Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to employers of members of reserve components of the armed forces and to self-employed individuals who are members of such reserve components. |
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the
Secretary of Labor, acting jointly and in consultation with the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall provide for--
(1) the offering on a timely basis consistent with section
2 of a national health pooling arrangement to eligible small
employers; and
(2) appropriate oversight over any such arrangement. (B) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed as preventing an employee from applying the
payment described in subparagraph (A) towards the
payment of premiums for family health insurance
coverage. (c) Premium Assistance.--Under the SBHBP, the Secretary shall
establish a program of premium assistance for small employers. | Small Business Health Plans Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a small business health benefits program (SBHBP) under which small businesses may offer health insurance coverage to employees and their dependents. Outlines program elements and coverage requirements.
Requires the Secretary to establish a program of premium assistance for small employers under the SBHBP. Allows for reinsurance for catastrophic costs for certain health insurance issuers.
Defines a "small employer" for SBHBP purposes as an employer with 50 or fewer employees.
Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to provide for the establishment of a national health pooling arrangement for eligible small employers under the SBHBP. |
(a) In General.--Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to accelerated cost recovery system) is amended by adding at
the end thereof the following new subsection:
``(j) Deduction Adjustment To Allow Equivalent of Expensing For
Certain Property Placed in Service in Taxable Years Beginning After
December 31, 1992.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of tangible property placed
in service in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 1992,
the deduction allowable under this section with respect to such
property for any taxable year (after the taxable year during
which the property is placed in service) shall be--
``(A) the amount so allowable for such taxable year
without regard to this subsection, multiplied by
``(B) the applicable neutral cost recovery ratio
for such taxable year. DEPRECIATION ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY PLACED IN SERVICE
IN TAXABLE YEARS BEGINNING AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1992. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1992. For purposes of subparagraph (A), paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 168(b) shall be applied by substituting `150 percent'
for `200 percent'. | Investment Tax Incentive Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the depreciation deduction to be computed based on a neutral recovery basis for property placed in service after December 31, 1992.
Repeals the special depreciation rules applicable under the adjusted current earnings provisions of the minimum tax. |
As
established by the Secretary, any excess revenues will be
credited to the Reclamation Fund to remain available, without
further Act of appropriation, to support recreation development
and management of Bureau of Reclamation land and water
areas.''. ``(f) The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Commissioner of Reclamation, is authorized to produce, sell, or
otherwise make available to the public: information about Bureau of
Reclamation programs including publications, photographs, computer
discs, maps, brochures, posters, videos, and other memorabilia related
to the Bureau of Reclamation, and the natural, historic, and cultural
resources of the area; and, other appropriate and suitable merchandise
to enhance the public's use of the area. (h) Management for Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, and Other
Resources.--Section 7 of the Federal Water Project Recreation Act (16
U.S.C. (c) Recreation and Fish and Wildlife Enhancement.--Section 3 of the
Federal Water Project Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL WATER PROJECT RECREATION ACT. | Reclamation Recreation Management Act of 2002 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Water Project Recreation Act to allow fees to be collected under a project for recreation or fish and wildlife enhancement (project) and retained and used by the participating non-federal entities for operation, maintenance, and replacement of recreation facilities on project lands and waters being managed by such entities. Requires excess revenues to be credited to the Reclamation Fund.Repeals provisions limiting the modification of such projects. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) investigate, plan, construct, replace, manage, operate, maintain, or otherwise provide for public use and enjoyment of project lands, facilities, and water areas in a manner coordinated with other project purposes; and (2) modify or expand existing facilities.Requires: (1) amounts collected for admission to or recreation use of project land and waters to be deposited into a special account in the Fund; and (2) at least 60 percent of such amounts to be used at the site from which the fees were collected.Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) investigate, plan, design, construct, replace, manage, operate, and maintain recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement facilities and services; and (2) acquire or otherwise make available adjacent lands or interests for public recreation or fish and wildlife use.Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into agreements with other non-federal entities for recreation and concession management at Bureau of Reclamation projects; and (2) make available to the public information about Bureau programs.(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to construct recreational facilities at Lost Creek Reservoir, Utah.(Sec. 5) Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary to participate in the planning, design, and construction of, and land acquisition for, a project to reclaim and reuse wastewater, including degraded groundwaters, within and outside the service area of the City of Austin Water and Wastewater Utility, Texas. Prohibits the Federal cost share of such project from exceeding 25 percent.(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a feasibility study on raising the height of Arthur V. Watkins Dam and thereby enlarging the Willard Bay Reservoir for the development of additional storage to meet water supply needs within the Weber Basin Project area. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress. Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 7) Amends the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to: (1) authorize the Secretary to enter into cooperative and interagency agreements (as well as to award grants and enter into contracts) for research to develop processes for converting saline water into water suitable for beneficial uses; and (2) extend the authorization of appropriations through FY 2008. |
MEDICARE COVERAGE OF CARE COORDINATION AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES. (a) Part B Coverage of Care Coordination and Assessment Services.--
Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. ``(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), each care coordination
agreement shall--
``(i) be entered into for a period of 1 year and may be
renewed if the Secretary is satisfied that the care coordinator
continues to meet the conditions of participation specified in
subparagraph (A);
``(ii) assure that the care coordinator will submit reports
to the Secretary on the functional and medical status of
individuals with a chronic and disabling condition who receive
care coordination services, expenditures relating to such
services, and health outcomes relating to such services, except
that the Secretary may not require a care coordinator to submit
more than 1 such report during a year; and
``(iii) contain such other terms and conditions as the
Secretary may require.''. (f) Rulemaking.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
define such terms and establish such procedures as the Secretary
determines necessary to implement the provisions of this section. | Geriatric Care Act of 2001 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to payments to hospitals, rural health clinics, or Federally qualified health centers for direct graduate medical education costs and the limitation on the number of full-time-equivalent residents in allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Provides for the disregard of up to three geriatric residents in applying such limitation.Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, to provide for Medicare coverage of care coordination and assessment services to an individual with a serious and disabling chronic condition. |
225a) (as amended
by section 2(b)(1)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``The Board of
Governors'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Board of Governors''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Consultation Required.--The Board of Governors shall meet and
consult with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget, and the chairman of the Council of Economic
Advisors--
``(1) during the 30-day period immediately preceding the
date on which each report required under the second
sentence of subsection (a) is submitted to the Congress by the Board of
Governors; and
``(2) during the 30-day period beginning on the date which
is 100 days immediately preceding the date by which the
President is required to submit the budget under section
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code.''. (2) Current chairman to complete term.--Notwithstanding the
amendment made by subsection (a), any member who holds the
office of Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System on the date of enactment of this Act shall
continue in such office during the remainder of the term to
which such member was appointed. (2) International lending supervision act of 1983.--Section
911(a)(3)(C) of the International Lending Supervision Act of
1983 (12 U.S.C. 263(a)) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Establishment of Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--There is established a Federal Open
Market Advisory Committee (hereafter in this section referred
to as the `Advisory Committee'), which shall consist of the
presidents of the Federal Reserve banks. | Federal Reserve Reform Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to abolish the current Federal Open Market Committee, on which the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board) sits, and replace it with a Federal Open Market Advisory Committee, on which the Board does not sit, which shall advise the Board on the conduct of open-market operations.
Requires the Board to meet and consult with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers during specified periods.
Revises the term of the Chairman of the Board to expire on January 31 of the first calendar year beginning after the end of the term of the President who appointed the Chairman. Provides for performance of the duties of Chairman and Vice Chairman in the event of absence, unavailability, or vacancy.
Mandates that each Board-adopted change in the intermediate targets for monetary policy be disclosed to the public upon its date of adoption.
Amends Federal law to: (1) instruct the Comptroller General to audit written communications by members of the Board or officers or employees of the Federal Reserve System with respect to financial transactions; and (2) mandate an annual transmittal to the President and the Congress of all estimated receipts and proposed expenditures of the Board and all Federal Reserve banks for the current year and the next two succeeding years. |
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to ensure that before a
significant rule takes affect--
(1) Congress is given an adequate opportunity to review the
rule and ensure that it is in accordance with the intent of
Congress in enacting the law under which the rule is proposed;
and
(2) Congress approves the rule in accordance with the
procedures established by this Act. (a) Finding.--The Congress finds that oversight of significant
rules will be enhanced if they are subject to congressional review and
approval after being proposed by an agency. (e) Constitutional Authority.--This section is enacted by
Congress--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such it
is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but
applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in
that House in the case of a joint resolution described in
subsection (a), and it supersedes other rules only to the
extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the
procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and
to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House. (b) Reporting and Review of Significant Rules.--(1) Before a
proposed significant rule would take effect as a final rule, the agency
proposing the rule shall submit to each House of Congress a report
containing the following:
(A) A copy of the proposed significant rule. | Significant Regulation Oversight Act of 1996 - Prohibits a significant rule (as so specified or described in the authorizing Act) from taking effect before the enactment of a joint resolution comprised solely of the text of such rule.
Provides that, before a proposed significant rule takes effect as a final rule, the agency proposing the rule shall submit to each House of Congress a report containing a copy of the rule, a concise summary of its purpose and anticipated effects, any cost-benefit analysis prepared for the rule, the specific statutory interpretation under which the rule is proposed, and any other relevant information or executive order.
Bars a court or agency from inferring any intent of the Congress with regard to such a rule or a related statute if it fails to enact a joint resolution approving a proposed significant rule.
Provides for the revision or revocation of an existing rule upon enactment of a joint resolution introduced pursuant to a petition for review signed by 30 Members in the Senate or 120 Representatives in the House and containing the rule affected and the rule as it would exist if the joint resolution were enacted. Sets forth congressional procedures for the introduction, referral, and consideration of such joint resolutions for the approval of significant proposed rules or the review of existing rules.
Exempts from this Act any rule concerning monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee. |
5623(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``in the case of an
unfair trade practice'' and inserting ``in the case of--
``(A) an unfair trade practice; or
``(B) a small-sized commercial entity, or a medium-
sized commercial entity, that is a beginning exporter,
as determined by the Secretary. (a) Small-Sized Commercial Entities and Medium-Sized Commercial
Entities That Are Beginning Exporters.--Section 203(c) of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. (d) Graduation.--Paragraph (2) of section 203(g) of such Act is
amended to read as follows:
``(2) Limitations.--
``(A) Branded promotion.--
``(i) In general.--Assistance provided
under this section to a commercial entity for
activities described in subsection (e)(4) that
are conducted in a foreign country--
``(I) during each year of the first
3-year period the commercial entity
receives assistance for the activities,
shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost
of implementing the marketing plan in
the country;
``(II) during the 4th year of the
period the commercial entity receives
assistance for the activities, shall
not exceed 33 percent of the cost of
implementing the marketing plan in the
country; and
``(III) during the 5th year of
period the commercial entity receives
assistance for the activities, shall
not exceed 17 percent of the cost of
implementing the marketing plan in the
country. | Agricultural Market Promotion Program Amendments Act of 1993 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 with regard to the agricultural market promotion program to: (1) give priority to, and obligate specified funds for, small and medium beginning exporters; (2) permit assistance for branded promotion only to supplement an entity's own promotional activities; (3) prohibit assistance for tobacco promotion; and (4) incrementally reduce and eliminate over a five-year period assistance for branded and generic promotion in a foreign country. |
It is the policy of the United States to take all actions necessary
in the areas of conservation, efficiency, alternative sources,
technology development, and domestic production to reduce the United
States dependence on foreign energy sources by January 1, 2014, to 45
percent of the Nation's total energy needs. (a) Review of Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Practices.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to
National Forest System lands under the jurisdiction of the
Department of Agriculture, shall perform an internal review of
current Federal onshore oil and gas leasing and permitting
practices. (c) Data Retrieval System.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a joint data retrieval
system that is capable of--
(A) tracking applications and formal requests made
in accordance with procedures of the Federal onshore
oil and gas leasing program; and
(B) providing information regarding the status of
the applications and requests within the Department of
the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. | Gasoline Price Reduction and Refinery Tax Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to define "oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities" as all field activities or operations associated with exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations, or transmission facilities, including activities necessary to prepare a site for drilling and for the movement and placement of drilling equipment, whether or not such field activities or operations may be considered to be construction activities.
Directs the President to establish the Office of Federal Energy Project Coordination (Office) within the Executive Office of the President.
Instructs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) perform an internal review of Federal onshore oil and gas leasing and permitting practices; and (2) implement certain best management practices to ensure timely action on oil and gas leases and applications for permits to drill on lands otherwise available for leasing.
Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture to: (1) enter into a prescribed Memorandum of Understanding regarding oil and gas leasing on public lands; and (2) establish a joint data retrieval system and a joint Geographic Information System mapping system.
Amends the Energy Act of 2000 to require the Secretary of the Interior's inventory of all Federal onshore lands to identify restrictions or impediments to oil and gas resource development of such lands.
Directs each Federal agency head to require the agency, before it takes action that could have a significant adverse effect on the supply of domestic energy resources from Federal public land, to act in compliance with a certain Executive Order that identifies actions to expedite energy-related projects.
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to set a deadline for expeditious consideration of applications for permits for oil and gas leases.
Requires a Federal agency, in issuing any rule or order relating to gasoline production and distribution, to include a detailed analysis of the effects the rule or order would have on gasoline supply and seek to ensure that no rule or order is issued that will increase U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accelerated depreciation for refinery machinery.
Requires each Federal agency with the authority to do so to approve or disapprove (with specified explanations) within 180 days of its receipt any application for approval of an action affecting the siting or operation of U.S. refineries. |
(a) 5-Year Post-Employment Ban on Serving as Registered Lobbyist.--
(1) In general.--Section 207 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d) and
inserting the following:
``(c) Restrictions on Senior Personnel of the Executive Branch and
Independent Agencies.--
``(1) Restrictions.--In addition to the restrictions set
forth in subsections (a) and (b), any person who is a political
appointee of the executive branch of the United States
(including an independent agency), and who, within 5 years
after the termination of his or her service or employment as
such a political appointee, knowingly makes, with the intent to
influence, any communication to or appearance before any
officer or employee of the department or agency in which such
person served, on behalf of any other person (except the United
States), in connection with any matter on which such person
seeks official action by any officer or employee of such
department or agency, shall be punished as provided in section
216 of this title. (2) Definition.--In paragraph (1), the term ``political
appointee'' has the meaning given such term in section
207(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code (as amended by
subsection (a)(1)), and section 12(b) of the Foreign Agents
Registration Act of 1938 (as added by subsection (b)(1)). | Deter Revolving-door Appointments in our Nation; Stop Washington Appointees from becoming Manipulative Petitioners Act or the DRAIN the SWAMP Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise post-employment lobbying restrictions on senior executive branch officials and employees. Specifically, it imposes a five-year ban on communications by a former political appointee with the intent to influence officers or employees at their former executive branch agency or department. The term political appointee includes certain senior political officials compensated on the Executive Schedule; limited term, limited emergency, and noncareer appointees in the Senior Executive Service; and employees in confidential or policy-determining positions in the excepted service. Additionally, the bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by a former political appointee on behalf of a foreign government or foreign political party. |
(3) There exists no Federal law clarifying the rights of a
vehicle owner to ownership of the recorded data and, in the
absence of Federal direction, States have begun to create
different standards of ownership and rights for recorded data. Congress finds the following:
(1) Consumers have the right to know that event data
recorders are installed in their vehicles, that they are
capable of collecting data recorded in automobile accidents,
and how such data may be used. (2) From the standpoint of consumer privacy rights, most
consumers are not aware that their vehicles are recording data
that not only may be used to aid traffic safety analyses, but
has the potential of being used against them in a civil or
criminal proceeding, or by their insurer to increase rates. | Requires automobile dealers to disclose to each consumer at the time of purchase of a new automobile, and to include in the automobile's owner's manual, information on: (1) the presence and location of an event data recorder (EDR) in such automobile; and (2) the type of information recorded by the EDR, how such information is recorded, and the possible use of such information in law enforcement proceedings.
Requires the EDR and any data recorded to be considered the property of the vehicle owner. Prohibits the retrieval of EDR data by anyone other than the vehicle owner, except : (1) with the owner's consent; (2) in response to a court order; (3) by a vehicle dealer or an automotive technician for servicing the vehicle; or (4) for improving vehicle safety, provided the identity of the registered owner or driver is not disclosed.
Prohibits persons from manufacturing automobiles for sale in the United States after 2008 (bearing a model year of 2009 or later) that are equipped with EDRs, unless those EDRs can be disabled by the consumer.
Treats a violation of EDR requirements of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. |
Congress finds the following:
(1) Every year millions of people are enrolled in Medicaid
and the Children's Health Insurance Program (in this section
referred to as ``CHIP''), but subsequently lose their coverage,
despite still being eligible, because of inefficient and
cumbersome paperwork and logistical requirements. (4) Children enrolled in CHIP also experience disruptions
in health coverage and care. (2) Data show that the typical enrollee receives Medicaid
coverage for about three-quarters of a year. (8) Children with stable coverage are less likely to have
unmet medical needs, allowing children to receive the
preventive care that is necessary to help them grow into
healthy adults. Transitions between
Medicaid and CHIP can cause disruptions in care because the
health care coverage and participating providers vary between
the two programs. | Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require a state Medicaid plan to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual, regardless of age. Amends SSA title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (CHIP) to require a state CHIP plan also to provide 12-month continuous enrollment for an eligible individual. |
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) There is an increasing interest by States, local
governments, educational institutions, and private institutions
to seek to disassociate themselves from companies that directly
or indirectly support the Government of Iran's efforts to
achieve a nuclear weapons capability. (a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to
support the decision of State governments, local governments, and
educational institutions to divest from, and to prohibit the investment
of assets they control in, persons that have investments of more than
$20,000,000 in Iran's energy sector. AUTHORITY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO DIVEST FROM CERTAIN
COMPANIES INVESTED IN IRAN'S ENERGY SECTOR. | Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009 - (Sec. 3) States that it is the policy of the United States to support the decision of state and local governments and educational institutions to divest from, and to prohibit the investment of assets they control in, persons that the have investments of more than $20 million in Iran's energy sector.
Authorizes a state or local government to adopt and enforce measures to divest its assets from, or prohibit their investment in, any person that the state or local government determines, using credible information available to the public, engages in certain investment activities in Iran. Specifies such activities as: (1) the investment of $20 million or more in Iran's energy sector; or (2) provision of oil or liquefied natural gas tankers, or products used to construct or maintain pipelines used to transport oil or liquefied natural gas, for that energy sector. Authorizes divestment, as well, from any financial institution which extend $20 million or more in credit to another person, for 45 days or more, if that person will use the credit to invest in Iran's energy sector.
Expresses the sense of Congress that a state or local government should not adopt such measures against such a person unless it has made every effort to avoid erroneously targeting the person and has verified that such person engages in such investment activities.
Declares that any measure of a state or local government authorized under this Act is not preempted by any federal law or regulation.
(Sec. 4) Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to shield any registered investment company from civil, criminal, or administrative action based upon its divesting from, or avoiding investing in, securities issued by persons that have invested in Sudan or in Iran.
(Sec. 5) Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to shield from treatment as breaching a fiduciary duty any person divesting employee benefit plan assets from, or avoiding investing plan assets in, persons that have engaged in such investment activities in Iran.
(Sec. 7) Terminates this Act 30 days after the President certifies to Congress that the government of Iran has ceased: (1) providing support for acts of international terrorism and no longer satisfies the requirements for designation as a state-sponsor of terrorism; or (2) the pursuit, acquisition, and development of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and ballistic missiles and ballistic missile launch technology. |
LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR PANDEMICS, EPIDEMICS, AND
SECURITY COUNTERMEASURES. This Act may be cited as the ``Bioterror and Pandemic Preparedness
Protection Act''. LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR PANDEMICS, EPIDEMICS, AND
COUNTERMEASURES. ``(B) Action.--With respect to the Federal cause of
action provided in subparagraph (A)--
``(i) an action may be commenced solely and
exclusively against the United States for
claims identified in subparagraph (A) that are
against a manufacturer, distributor, or health
care provider;
``(ii) no cause of action shall be
maintained against a manufacturer, distributor,
or health care provider for claims identified
in subparagraph (A); and
``(iii) for products subject to designation
by the Secretary as provided for in clause (ii)
of paragraph (2)(B), the protections set forth
in clauses (i) and (ii) shall apply to all
claims identified in subparagraph (A) that
involve products sold, purchased, donated,
dispensed, or administered during the effective
period set forth in the designation provided
for in paragraph (2)(F), regardless of the date
of alleged injury. | Bioterror and Pandemic Preparedness Protection Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish an exclusive federal cause of action for all claims relating to a qualified pandemic or epidemic product or a security countermeasure.
Restricts all causes of action for such claims against a manufacturer, distributor, or health care provider and instead provides for sole and exclusive action against the United States. Gives jurisdiction over such an action to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Establishes a rebuttable presumption of immunity for the federal government in any such action concerning: (1) a security countermeasure that has been procured for the National Strategic Stockpile; (2) a qualified pandemic or epidemic product that has been procured by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; or (3) a security countermeasure or designated qualified pandemic or epidemic product relating to an actual or potential public health emergency.
Allows a party to petition the Secretary to investigate claims against a manufacturer, distributor, dispenser, or heath care provider. Disallows judicial review of the Secretary's decision as to whether to undertake such an investigation.
Declares that the immunity presumption shall be overcome by a determination by the Secretary, by finding clear and convincing evidence, that the manufacturer, distributor, or health care provider intentionally or with willful disregard violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or this Act and that such violation: (1) caused the product to present a significant health risk; and (2) proximately caused the injury alleged by the petitioner. |
(a) Labeling Requirement.--Beginning 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, a cleaning product manufactured for sale,
offered for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported to the United
States after such date shall bear a label on the product's container or
packaging with a complete and accurate list of all the product's
ingredients, including the individual ingredients in dyes, fragrances,
and preservatives. (2) Exemption for ingredients constituting trade secrets.--
(A) In general.--An ingredient may be exempt from
the labeling requirements of this section if the
manufacturer demonstrates to the Commission that such
ingredient is a trade secret, as determined by the
Commission under subparagraph (D), based on a claim
submitted by the manufacturer under subparagraph (B). (D) CPSC determination.--As promptly as practicable
after receiving the information submitted by a
manufacturer, the Commission shall make a determination
on the basis of such information as to whether the
ingredient is a legitimate trade secret and shall
notify the manufacturer of its determination. (e) Rulemaking Authority.--The Commission may issue such
regulations it determines necessary to provide for the effective
enforcement of this Act, and shall consult with the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency as necessary. CLEANING PRODUCTS LABELING REQUIREMENT. | Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2011 - Requires a cleaning product manufactured or offered for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported into the United States to bear a label listing each of its ingredients: (1) by the name assigned by the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients or, if there is no such name, by the name assigned by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry or, if there is none, by its common chemical name; and (2) in descending order of predominance by weight, except that ingredients that constitute less than 1% of the product can be listed at the end in any order.
Allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to exempt from such labeling requirement: (1) an ingredient that is present in a product at such low levels that detection is not technologically feasible, or (2) for five-year periods, an ingredient that a manufacturer demonstrates to be a trade secret. Sets forth required disclosures for, and limitations to, a manufacturer's claim that an ingredient is a trade secret.
Requires a product that is not in conformity with the labeling requirements and not exempt to be treated as a misbranded hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). Increases penalties for violations of FHSA.
Authorizes any person to petition the CPSC to investigate claims that a product does not satisfy the labeling requirements.
Requires: (1) each cleaning product manufacturer to make available on its website a complete list of ingredients for each product, including any potential adverse health effect of each ingredient; and (2) CPSC to provide on its website aggregated information that allows users to compare products made by different manufacturers. |
COMMISSION ON REVIEW OF OVERSEAS MILITARY FACILITY STRUCTURE OF
THE UNITED STATES. (a) In General.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established the Commission on
the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the
United States (in this section referred to as the
``Commission''). (B) Proposed overseas basing strategy.--In addition
to the matters specified in subparagraph (A), the
report shall also include a proposal by the Commission
for an overseas basing strategy for the Department of
Defense in order to meet the current and future mission
of the Department, taking into account heightened
fiscal constraints. | Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States Act of 2011 - Establishes the Commission on the Review of the Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States to: (1) conduct a thorough study of matters relating to the U.S. overseas military facility structure, and (2) report study findings and conclusions to the President and Congress. Requires the report to include a proposal for an overseas basing strategy for the Department of Defense (DOD) to meet current and future DOD missions during periods of heightened fiscal constraints. |
The 9/11 Review Commission shall conduct a comprehensive review of
the implementation of the recommendations proposed in the report issued
by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
(commonly known as the ``9/11 Commission''), as established pursuant to
section 601 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003
(Public Law 107-306). (b) Final Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the 9/11 Review Commission shall submit to the
President and appropriate congressional committees (as such term is
defined in section 101 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. (a) In General.--The chairman, in consultation with the vice
chairman and in accord with any rule agreed upon by the 9/11 Review
Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director
and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the 9/11 Review
Commission to carry out its functions, 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 such title relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of
pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that
payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. PURPOSES OF THE 9/11 REVIEW COMMISSION. | 9/11 Commission Review Act - Establishes in the legislative branch a National Commission to Review the National Response Since the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001.
Directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the implementation of the recommendations proposed in the report issued by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) and to: (1) assess the progress and challenges in carrying out such recommendations; (2) analyze the trends of domestic terror attacks since the attacks of September 11, 2001, including the growing influence of domestic radicalization and how federal, state, and local agencies can deter and mitigate it; (3) investigate whether there is evidence of any conduct, relationships, or other factors which served to contribute to, facilitate, support, or assist the hijackers who carried out the attacks that was not considered by the 9/11 Commission; and (4) provide additional recommendations with regard to U.S. homeland security protection, interagency intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism policy. |
``(2) Certain nonresident aliens ineligible for
exclusion.--In the case of a nonresident alien individual,
subsection (a) shall apply only--
``(A) in determining the tax imposed for the
taxable year pursuant to section 871(b)(1) and only in
respect of dividends which are effectively connected
with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States, or
``(B) in determining the tax imposed for the
taxable year pursuant to section 877(b). (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to amounts specifically
excluded from gross income) is amended by inserting after section 115
the following new section:
``SEC. ``(b) Certain Dividends Excluded.--Subsection (a) shall not apply
to any dividend from a corporation which, for the taxable year of the
corporation in which the distribution is made, or for the next
preceding taxable year of the corporation, is a corporation exempt from
tax under section 501 (relating to certain charitable, etc.,
organization) or section 521 (relating to farmers' cooperative
associations). | Restoring Investor Confidence Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules concerning capital gain for taxpayers other than corporations to establish a new general rule which provides that if for any taxable year a taxpayer other than a corporation has a capital gain, 55 percent of such gain shall be a deduction from gross income.Excludes from individual gross income 55 percent of dividends received from a domestic corporation. |
1925) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The Secretary shall
make'';
(2) by inserting ``multiplied by the adjustment factor
calculated under subsection (b) for the area in which the
borrower is located'' after ``$300,000''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b)(1) Upon the enactment of this subsection, and not later than
the date any Census of Agriculture is completed, the Secretary shall
calculate--
``(A) the average value of land and buildings in each
defined area in the United States; and
``(B) the adjustment factor for each such area in
accordance with paragraph (2). 1922) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(c)(1) The primary factor to be considered in determining whether
an applicant for a loan under this subtitle is engaged primarily and
directly in farming or ranching shall be whether the applicant is
participating in routine, ongoing farm activities, and in overall
decisionmaking with regard to the farm or ranch. 1941) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d)(1) The primary factor to be considered in determining whether
an applicant for a loan under this subtitle is engaged primarily and
directly in farming or ranching shall be whether the applicant is
participating in routine, ongoing farm activities, and in overall
decisionmaking with regard to the farm or ranch. | Agricultural Credit Equity Act of 1993 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide for indexing of guaranteed agricultural real estate and operating loan limits in high cost areas.
Eliminates maximum property limits in the down payment loan program.
Prohibits the denial of agricultural real estate, operating, or emergency loans based upon: (1) a farm's having more than two full-time employees; or (2) certain grower-shipper agreements. |
NATIONAL MILESTONES TO MEASURE SUCCESS IN CURTAILING THE OPIOID
EPIDEMIC. This Act may be cited as the ``National Milestones to Measure
Progress in Ending the Opioid Epidemic Act of 2018''. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with
the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, shall develop
national indicators to measure success in curtailing the opioid
epidemic, with the goal of significantly reversing the toll of opioid
misuse and opioid-related morbidity and mortality in the United States
within 5 years of such date of enactment (referred to in this section
as the ``national milestones''). | National Milestones to Measure Progress in Ending the Opioid Epidemic Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop national milestones to measure progress in reducing the opioid epidemic over a five-year period based on certain metrics, such as opioid-related overdoses, emergency room visits, and treatment admissions. HHS must submit annual reports and status updates, including evaluations of federal programs that are intended to address the opioid epidemic. |
(b) Model Plan and Recommendations.--The task force established
pursuant to subsection (a) shall develop--
(1) a model plan to assist air carriers in responding to
aircraft accidents;
(2) recommendations on methods to ensure that attorneys and
representatives of media organizations do not intrude on the
privacy of families of passengers involved in an aircraft
accident;
(3) recommendations on methods to ensure that the families
of passengers involved in an aircraft accident who are not
citizens of the United States receive appropriate assistance;
(4) recommendations on methods to ensure that State mental
health licensing laws do not act to prevent out-of-state mental
health workers from working at the site of an aircraft accident
or other related sites;
(5) recommendations on the extent to which military experts
and facilities can be used to aid in the identification of the
remains of passengers involved in an aircraft accident; and
(6) recommendations on methods to improve the timeliness of
the notification provided by air carriers to the families of
passengers involved in an aircraft accident, including--
(A) an analysis of the steps that air carriers
would have to take to ensure that an accurate list of
passengers on board the aircraft would be available
within 1 hour of the accident and an analysis of such
steps to ensure that such list would be available
within 3 hours of the accident;
(B) an analysis of the added costs to air carriers
and travel agents that would result if air carriers
were required to take the steps described in
subparagraph (A); and
(C) an analysis of any inconvenience to passengers,
including flight delays, that would result if air
carriers were required to take the steps described in
subparagraph (A). Plans to address needs of families of passengers involved in
aircraft accidents.''. AIR CARRIER PLANS TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS
INVOLVED IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS. ASSISTANCE BY NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD TO FAMILIES
OF PASSENGERS INVOLVED IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS. | Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to require the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), after an accident involving a domestic or foreign aircraft that results in a major loss of life of passengers, to: (1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a director of family support services to be a Government liaison between the air carrier or foreign air carrier and the families of the passengers; and (2) designate an experienced, independent nonprofit organization which shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the care and support of the passengers' families. Declares that the NTSB shall have primary Federal responsibility for facilitating the recovery and identification of fatally-injured passengers involved in an aircraft accident. Prohibits: (1) any person from impeding the ability of the NTSB, or the designated organization, from carrying out its responsibilities under this Act; and (2) any unsolicited communications from being made to the families concerning potential action for personal injury or wrongful death before the 30th day following the accident. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Requires each air carrier to submit to the Secretary of Transportation and the Chairman of NTSB a plan for addressing the needs of the passengers' families. Specifies minimum requirements for such a plan. Prohibits the Secretary from approving an air carrier's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity unless it includes such plan in its application. Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to develop: (1) a model plan to assist air carriers in responding to aircraft accidents; (2) recommendations to the Congress on methods to ensure that attorneys and the media do not intrude on the privacy of the passengers' families; and (3) recommendations on methods with respect to assistance to non-citizens, out-of-state mental health workers at the accident site, the use of military experts and facilities in passenger remains identification, and timeliness of airline notification to families of victims. |
The report
shall--
(1) contain the best available description of the energy
resources available on the land and report on the specific
amount of energy withdrawn from possible development; and
(2) identify cubic feet of natural gas, natural gas
transmission and storage potential, megawatts of geothermal,
wind and solar energy that could be commercially produced,
annual available biomass for energy production, and any
megawatts of hydropower resources available, including tidal,
traditional dams, and in-stream flow turbines. The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary
of Energy and private industry, shall complete and submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and Senators
and Representatives from the States affected by the designation, a
report using the best available data and regarding the energy resources
available on the lands and waters included in the segments of the
Taunton River designated under section 2 of this Act. HUNTING, FISHING, TRAPPING, AND RECREATIONAL SHOOTING. | Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (the Act) to designate specified segments of the Taunton River in Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Requires the river segments to be managed in accordance with the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, dated July 2005, including any amendment to such Plan, that the Secretary of the Interior determines to be consistent with this Act.
Authorizes the Secretary, in order to provide for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of each river segment, to enter into cooperative agreements, which may include provisions for financial and other assistance, with: (1) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (including the political subdivisions of Massachusetts); (2) the Taunton River Stewardship Council; and (3) any appropriate nonprofit, as determined by the Secretary.
Bars the river segments from being: (1) administered as a unit of the National Park System; or (2) subject to the laws (including regulations) that govern the administration of such System.
Considers the zoning ordinances adopted by specified towns and cities, including any provision of the zoning ordinances related to the conservation of floodplains, wetlands, and watercourses associated with any river segment designated by this Act, to satisfy each standard and requirement under the Act regarding the prohibition on the federal acquisition of certain lands by condemnation for inclusion in any national, wild, scenic, or recreational river area.
Authorizes the Secretary, respecting each river segment, to only acquire parcels of land by donation or with the owner's consent. Prohibits the acquisition of any parcel by condemnation.
Requires the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and private industry, to complete a report regarding the energy resources available on the lands and waters included in the segments of the Taunton River designated by this Act.
Prohibits anything in this Act from: (1) being construed as affecting the authority or responsibility of Massachusetts to manage or regulate fish and resident wildlife, including the authority to regulate hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting; (2) being construed as limiting access for hunting, fishing, trapping, or recreational shooting; or (3) impacting the supply of domestically-produced energy resources. |
(b) Expiration of Entitlement.--By reason of the achievement of the
full equalization of allotments described in subsection (a), the
entitlement of holders of equalized allotments to distribution of net
revenues from parcel B under section 3(b) of the Act entitled ``An Act
to provide for the equalization of allotments on the Agua Caliente
(Palm Springs) Reservation in California, and for other purposes'',
approved September 21, 1959, commonly known as the ``Agua Caliente
Equalization Act of 1959'' (25 U.S.C. (a) In General.--The full equalization of allotments within the
meaning of section 7 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the
equalization of allotments on the Agua Caliente (Palm Springs)
Reservation in California, and for other purposes'', approved September
21, 1959, commonly known as the ``Agua Caliente Equalization Act of
1959'' (25 U.S.C. (2) Parcel b.--The term ``parcel B'' means the parcel of land
in the Mineral Springs area referred to as ``parcel B'' in section
3(b) of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the equalization
of allotments on the Agua Caliente (Palm Springs) Reservation in
California, and for other purposes'', approved September 21, 1959,
commonly known as the ``Agua Caliente Equalization Act of 1959''
(25 U.S.C. | Deems: (1) the full equalization of allotments under the Agua Caliente Equalization Act of 1959 to have been completed; and (2) the entitlement of holders of equalized allotments to distribution of net revenues from parcel B under such Act to have expired.
Amends Federal law relating to the Agua Caliente (Palm Springs) Reservation in California to repeal the restriction on the distribution of net rents, profits, and other revenues from the Mineral Springs parcel to certain members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Makes such repeal applicable as if enacted on March 31, 1983. Provides for any per capita distribution of tribal revenues to be made to all members of the Band in equal amounts. |
(2) Exception for state legislation.--In the case of a
State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act, which
the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires
State legislation in order for the plan to meet any requirement
imposed by amendments made by this section, the plan shall not
be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such
title solely on the basis of its failure to meet such an
additional requirement before the first day of the first
calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular
session of the State legislature that begins after the
effective date specified in paragraph (1). (d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and
Human Services shall submit to Congress a report that assesses the use
of the tobacco cessation service benefit under the Medicaid program. Medicaid coverage of tobacco cessation services for mothers of
newborns. | (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 9, 2016. Special Needs Trust Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act with respect to the treatment of revocable trusts for the benefit of an individual for purposes of meeting income requirements for Medicaid coverage. The bill extends the supplemental needs trust exemption from treatment of a trust as resources available to the individual to supplemental needs trusts for Medicaid beneficiaries established by those beneficiaries. (Sec. 3) Medicaid coverage of tobacco cessation services shall continue to be provided for mothers of newborns through the first year after the child's birth. The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services must report to the Congress on the use of the tobacco cessation service benefit under the Medicaid program. (Sec. 4) The bill eliminates federal financial participation regarding expenditures under Medicaid for drugs used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth, except where such drugs are medically necessary. (Sec. 5) The bill makes additional funding available to the Medicaid Improvement Fund for FY2021 and FY2022. |
(2) Cavernous angioma is a devastating blood vessel disease
that is characterized by the presence of vascular lesions that
develop and grow within the brain and spinal cord. (11) To address the public health threat posed by cavernous
angioma in New Mexico and throughout the United States, there
is a need to identify institutions capable of running clinical
trial for this debilitating brain disorder. ``(2) Research resources.--In carrying out this subsection,
the Director of NIH may--
``(A) use information collected by the National
Institutes of Health pursuant to other provisions of
law or prior to the date of the enactment of this
section;
``(B) take into consideration the availability of
other research resources;
``(C) encourage the use of research resources for
research on, and development of, therapies and
treatments for individuals with cavernous angioma; and
``(D) encourage the inclusion of individuals with
cavernous angioma in clinical trials conducted or
supported by the National Institutes of Health. This Act may be cited as the ``Cavernous Angioma Research Resource
Act of 2013''. Such
participation centers may facilitate medical research
to develop a cure for cavernous angioma and enhance the
medical care of individuals with cavernous angioma in
partnership with the coordinating center under
subparagraph (A) and other national and international
centers. | Cavernous Angioma Research Resource Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acting through the Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to expand and intensify NIH programs regarding research and related activities concerning cavernous angioma. Authorizes grants and cooperative agreements to public or nonprofit private entities for such activities. Authorizes the Director of NIH to: (1) conduct basic, clinical, and translational research on cavernous angioma; (2) identify and support the development of a clinical and research coordinating center with the potential of coordinating a multi-site clinical drug trial for cavernous angioma; and (3) identify and support the development of clinical and research participation centers with the potential to participate in such a trial. Requires coordinating and participation centers to expand training programs for medical and allied health clinicians and scientists in clinical practice and research relevant to cavernous angioma. Authorizes the Director to provide for the participation of NIH agencies in a consortium (to include at least one patient advocacy organization) to facilitate the exchange of information and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the research effort. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants and cooperative agreements, including technical assistance, to public or nonprofit private entities for: (1) the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on cavernous angioma; and (2) epidemiological activities, including collecting and analyzing information on the number, incidence, correlates, and symptoms of cases and the clinical utility of specific practice patterns. Requires establishment of a national surveillance program as part of such activities. Requires the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) to: (1) work with clinical centers, investigators, and advocates to support appropriate investigational new drug applications under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in order to hasten the pace of clinical trials for cavernous angioma; and (2) where applicable in rare subpopulations of cavernous angioma requiring unique pharmacological intervention, including those with the Common Hispanic Mutation or CCM3 gene mutations, support appropriate requests for designations of orphan drugs. |
``(a) Rent.--A member of a reserve component who is ordered to
report for military service for a period of more than 90 days and who
on the date of such order is a lessee of real property that is occupied
by the member or dependents of the member as the primary residence of
the member or dependents shall not be required to pay rent under that
lease for any period of such military service during which the member
is assigned to duty at a location sufficiently distant from such
property that the member is unable to reside at such property. RELIEF WITH RESPECT TO RENT AND MORTGAGE PAYMENTS FOR
RESERVE COMPONENTS MEMBERS ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY. ``(b) Mortgages.--
``(1) In general.--A member of a reserve component who is
ordered to report for military service for a period of more
than 90 days and who on the date of such order resides at real
property that is occupied by the member or dependents of the
member as the primary residence of the member or dependents, is
owned by the member, and is secured by a mortgage shall be not
be required during the period of such military service to make
any payment of principal or interest on the mortgage. | Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow a military reservist who is ordered to active duty for a period of more than 90 days: (1) an exemption during the period of active duty from payment of rent on a primary residence occupied by such member or dependents; and (2) a deferral of mortgage payments on a principal residence.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow lessors of military reservists granted an exemption from rent payments under this Act a refundable tax credit for the exempted lease amounts. |
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
United States Patent and Trademark Office for salaries and necessary
expenses for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2008 an amount equal
to the fees estimated by the Secretary of Commerce to be collected in
each such fiscal year, respectively, under--
(1) title 35, United States Code; and
(2) the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the
registration and protection of trademarks used in commerce, to
carry out the provisions of certain international conventions,
and for other purposes'', approved July 5, 1946 (15 U.S.C. (b) Estimates.--Not later than February 15, of each fiscal year,
the Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the
Director of the Patent and Trademark Office (in this Act referred to as
the Director) shall submit an estimate of all fees referred to under
subsection (a) to be collected in the next fiscal year to the chairman
and ranking member of--
(1) the Committees on Appropriations and Judiciary of the
Senate; and
(2) the Committees on Appropriations and Judiciary of the
House of Representatives. | Patent and Trademark Office Authorization Act of 2002 - Authorizes appropriations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for salaries and expenses for FY 2003 through 2008 in an amount equal to all patent and trademark fees estimated by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to be collected in each such fiscal year.(Sec. 2) Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the Office (Director), by February 15 of each fiscal year, to report an estimate of all fees to be collected in the next fiscal year to the chairman and ranking member of specified congressional committees.(Sec. 3) Requires the Director, by December 1, 2004, to complete the development of an electronic system for the filing and processing of patent and trademark applications that: (1) is user friendly; and (2) includes the necessary infrastructure to allow examiners and applicants to send all communications electronically, and the Office to process, maintain, and search electronically the contents and history of each application. Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003 and 2004 for development of such system.(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary, in each of the five calendar years following the enactment of this Act, to report to specified congressional committees on the progress made in implementing the 21st Century Strategic Plan issued on June 3, 2002, and on any amendments made to it.(Sec. 5) Amends Federal patent law to provide that previous citation by or to, or consideration by the Office of, a patent or printed publication does not preclude the existence of a substantial new question of patentability in patent reexamination proceedings.(Sec. 6) Revises requirements for appeals in inter partes reexamination proceedings to allow a third-party requester to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, or be a party to any appeal taken by the patent owner, with respect to any final decision favorable to the patentability of any original or proposed amended or new claim of the patent.Allows a third-party requester to appeal a decision of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.Provides that a third-party requester in an inter partes reexamination proceeding dissatisfied with the final decision in an appeal to the Board may appeal the decision only to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. |
with outer 12/31/2011...
surface wholly or
predominantly
covered with
polyester fabric
(provided for in
subheading
6307.90.98), with
metal rings
exceeding 51mm in
diameter,
designed to
contain standard
sheets of letter-
sized paper
measuring
approximately 51
mm by 280 mm,
with an elastic
band closure.....
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) applies
to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or
after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act. (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in
numerical sequence the following new headings:
`` 9902.73.01 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before
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6307.90.98), with
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approximately 51
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9902.73.02 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before
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contain standard
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approximately 51
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9902.73.03 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before
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(provided for in
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6307.90.98), with
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exceeding
approximately 51
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designed to
contain standard
sheets of letter-
sized paper
measuring
approximately 51
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with a zipper
closure..........
9902.73.04 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before
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exceeding 51mm
diameter,
designed to
contain standard
sheets of letter-
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measuring
approximately 51
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with a zipper
closure..........
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surface wholly or
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covered with
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(provided for in
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6307.90.98), with
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exceeding
approximately 51
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designed to
contain standard
sheets of letter-
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measuring
approximately 51
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with a hook and
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9902.73.06 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before
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(provided for in
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6307.90.98), with
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exceeding
approximately 51
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designed to
contain standard
sheets of letter-
sized paper
measuring
approximately 51
mm by 280 mm,
with a hook and
loop closure.....
9902.73.07 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before
with outer 12/31/2011...
surface wholly or
predominantly
covered with
polyester fabric
(provided for in
subheading
6307.90.98), with
metal rings not
exceeding
approximately 51
mm in diameter,
designed to
contain standard
sheets of letter-
sized paper
measuring
approximately 51
mm by 280 mm,
with an elastic
band closure.....
9902.73.08 Three-ring binders Free No change No change On or before ''. CERTAIN THREE-RING BINDERS WHOLLY OR PREDOMINANTLY COVERED
WITH POLYESTER FABRICS. | Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain three-ring binders wholly or predominantly covered with polyester fabrics. |
Congress finds the following:
(1) The African Development Foundation is uniquely
promoting sustainable community-based solutions to economic and
social development and is effectively supporting the
development of African-owned small enterprises as engines of
growth and sources of income and employment for the poor. (3) The Office of Management and Budget has determined the
African Development Foundation to be a fully effective agency
after assessing its program performance. (8) The work of the African Development Foundation is a
powerful example of the goodwill of the American people, and it
is one of the most effective foreign assistance programs of the
United States. (2) The African Development Foundation's programs advance
United States interests in Africa and are in high demand across
the continent, as evidenced by $20 million in host country
contributions. | African Development Foundation Act of 2006 - Amends the the African Development Foundation Act to redesignate the African Development Foundation as the United States African Development Foundation.
Specifies that small enterprises, producer associations, and cooperatives are eligible for Foundation assistance grants, loans, and loan guarantee assistance.
Increases the project assistance ceiling and permits such amount to be exceeded in exceptional circumstances upon Board of Directors approval and congressional notification.
Requires a small enterprise to have its ownership and management and daily business operations vested in one or more individuals who are indigenous to Africa in order to qualify for Foundation assistance.
Authorizes the Foundation to provide eligible recipients with technical assistance.
Revises specified salary and hiring provisions. |
The Congress finds that--
(1) both wholesale and retail motor fuel prices are the
result of a number of complex factors, including those related
to supply, refining, consumer demand, and oil company cost,
pricing, and marketing practices;
(2) certain cost, pricing, and marketing practices employed
by the oil companies are unfair and anticompetitive, and
contribute to the unjustified price of retail motor fuel
charged the American consumer;
(3) among the unfair and anticompetitive oil company
practices are price zoning, redlining, discriminatory wholesale
motor fuel pricing, and a complex system of cost allocation
that hides the factors on which wholesale costs are based;
(4) the oil companies' practice known as price zoning is
one by which prices for motor fuel are set solely because of
the retail station's geographic location unrelated to cost-of-
business factors;
(5) price zoning allows an oil company to artificially
increase or depress retail motor fuel prices in order to secure
an unfair market advantage against competitors;
(6) the oil companies engage in a practice known as
redlining, whereby a refiner refuses to sell motor fuel to
distributors or particular geographic markets;
(7) redlining allows an oil company to force concessions
from a distributor and affords the company the opportunity to
exert undue influence in a particular area or region;
(8) the oil companies engage in a practice of
discriminatory wholesale pricing of motor fuel based on the
relationship of the purchaser to the oil company and the degree
of competition they provide;
(9) discriminatory pricing allows oil companies to charge
different wholesale prices to company owned and operated retail
stations, franchisees, and independent retailers though all may
be situated in the same community and face the same competitive
and operating factors;
(10) the oil companies engage in a complex system of cost
allocations by which they employ rebates, incentives, credits,
and market enhancement allowances that hide the factors on
which wholesale prices are based or published;
(11) the complex system of cost allocation allows oil
companies to post a ``wholesale price'' that is far different
from the actual wholesale price that would be revealed if the
cost factors were publicly identified and appropriately
allocated; and
(12) it is appropriate for the Federal Government to
prohibit these unfair oil company cost, pricing, and marketing
practices, to restore fair and competitive practices to the
wholesale sale of motor fuel, and to allow American consumers
to assess for themselves the factors that contribute to the
price changes they pay at the retail pump. Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Federal Trade Commission, in consultation with the Secretary
of Energy, shall transmit to the Congress a report containing the
results of a study of whether ownership or operation by a refiner of a
facility for the retail sale of motor fuel has anticompetitive effects
on the price of motor fuel. | Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of such prohibition.
Directs the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) promulgate regulations requiring full disclosure by refiners and distributors of their wholesale motor fuel pricing policies, including rebates, incentives, and market enhancement allowances; (2) ensure that all such information is made available to the public; and (3) report to Congress the results of a study whether ownership or operation by a refiner of a facility for the retail sale of motor fuel has anticompetitive effects on the price of motor fuel. |
(g) Extension of Temporary Expansion of Eligibility for Specially
Adapted Housing Assistance for Certain Veterans With Disabilities
Causing Difficulty With Ambulating.--Section 2101(a)(4) of such title
is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary's'' and inserting ``(A) Except
as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary's'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), as designated by paragraph (1), by
striking ``September 30, 2013'' and inserting ``September 30,
2014''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) In fiscal year 2014, the Secretary may not approve more than
30 applications for assistance under paragraph (1) for disabled
veterans described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).''. (b) Extension of Authority To Provide Assistance for United States
Olympic Committee.--
(1) In general.--Section 521A of such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (g), by inserting ``and $2,000,000 for
the period beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 31,
2013'' after ``2013''; and
(B) in subsection (l), by striking ``The Secretary may only
provide assistance under this section during fiscal years 2010
through 2013.'' (a) Extension of Authority To Provide Monthly Assistance Allowance
to Veterans With Disability Invited by United States Olympic
Committee.--
(1) In general.--Section 322(d)(4) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``and $500,000 for the period
beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 31, 2013'' after
``2013''. | (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 23, 2013. Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes specified appropriations for the period October 1-December 31, 2013, to pay a monthly assistance allowance to a veteran with a disability invited by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to compete for a slot on, or selected for, the Paralympic Team for any month in which the veteran is training or competing in any event sanctioned by the USOC, or who is residing at a USOC, training center. Extends for the same period the authorization for grants to USOC for an integrated adaptive sports program for disabled veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces. Applies the same grant authorization, in the same manner and to the same degree as to the USOC, to: (1) the American Samoa National Olympic Committee, (2) the Guam National Olympic Committee, (3) the Comite Olimpico de Puerto Rico, and (4) appropriate entities representing the interests of the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States Virgin Islands. Extends through FY2014 a veteran's liability for copayments of $10 for every day the veteran receives hospital care and of $5 for every day he or she receives nursing home care. Extends through FY2014 the right of the United States to recover or collect from a third party reasonable charges for care or services for a non-service-connected disability of a veteran with a service-connected disability who is entitled to care (or payment of the expenses of care) under a health-plan contract. Extends through FY2014 the authority of the Secretary of Labor for homeless veterans reintegration programs, and of the same Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract for referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions. Extends through FY2015 the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans. Extends through FY2014 the availability of funds for: (1) financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, and (2) the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. Extends through FY2014 specially adapted housing assistance for a disabled veteran whose permanent and total service-connected disability causes difficulty with ambulating. Limits to 30 applications during FY2014 approval of such assistance for any such disabled veterans who served in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001. Extends through FY2014 the authority to calculate, for liquidation purposes, the net value of real property securing a defaulted guaranteed housing or small business loan to a veteran. Amends the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 to extend through FY2014 the pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing assistance to veterans receiving regular or intensive mental health services and other intensive health care services in order to obtain child care while receiving such services. (Sec. 3) Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV (Temporary Assistance to Needy families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to revive for a specified 180-day period the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with VA information for comparison with information in the National Directory of New Hires about individuals applying for or receiving needs-based veterans pension benefits, parents' dependency and indemnity compensation, veterans health care services, or compensation based on 100% unemployability. Authorizes for the same 180-day period the authority of the VA Secretary to terminate, deny, suspend, or reduce any of such veterans benefits or services, with respect to an applicant or recipient under age 65, by reason of information obtained from the HHS Secretary, but only if the VA Secretary takes appropriate steps to verify independently information relating to the individual's employment and employment income. (Sec. 4) Makes this Act effective on October 1, 2013, except for the authorization of appropriations for monthly assistance for disabled veterans invited to compete for a slot on, or selected for, the Paralympic Team, which shall be effective September 30, 2013. Deems ratified any VA actions undertaken before enactment of this Act under the authorities extended by this Act, if this Act is not enacted on or before September 30, 2013. |
Sensitive Nuclear Facility.--The term `sensitive nuclear
facility' means--
``(1) a commercial nuclear power plant and associated spent
fuel storage facility;
``(2) a decommissioned nuclear power plant and associated
spent fuel storage facility;
``(3) a category I fuel cycle facility;
``(4) a gaseous diffusion plant; and
``(5) any other facility licensed by the Commission, or
used in the conduct of an activity licensed by the Commission,
that the Commission determines should be treated as a sensitive
nuclear facility under section 170C.''. ``(b) Nuclear Security.--The Commission shall--
``(1) establish a nuclear security force, the members of
which shall be employees of the Commission, to provide for the
security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against the design
basis threat; and
``(2) develop and implement a security plan for each
sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the security of all
sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat. ``(2) Elements of the plan.--A security plan shall
prescribe--
``(A) the deployment of the nuclear security force,
including--
``(i) numbers of the members of the nuclear
security force at each sensitive nuclear
facility;
``(ii) tactics of the members of the
nuclear security force at each sensitive
nuclear facility; and
``(iii) capabilities of the members of the
nuclear security force at each sensitive
nuclear facility;
``(B) other protective measures, including--
``(i) designs of critical control systems
at each sensitive nuclear facility;
``(ii) restricted personnel access to each
sensitive nuclear facility;
``(iii) perimeter site security, internal
site security, and fire protection barriers;
``(iv) increases in protection for spent
fuel storage areas;
``(v) placement of spent fuel in dry cask
storage; and
``(vi) background security checks for
employees and prospective employees; and
``(C) a schedule for completing the requirements of
the security plan not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this section. | Nuclear Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to instruct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to: (1) establish a nuclear security force composed of NRC employees to provide for the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against design basis threat; and (2) develop and implement a security plan containing specified elements for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against such threat.
Authorizes a holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility to petition the Commission for additional requirements in the security plan for such facility.
Requires the NRC to establish a hiring and training program for the nuclear security force.
Establishes the Nuclear Security Fund for use by the Commission to administer the security programs for sensitive nuclear facilities. |
(5) On average, students at for-profit medical schools
operating outside of the United States and Canada amass more
student debt than those at medical schools in the United
States. (4) In 2013, residency match rates for foreign trained
graduates averaged 53 percent compared to 94 percent for
graduates of medical schools in the United States. | Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate the exemption of certain foreign medical schools from the prohibition on foreign medical schools participating in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, unless: at least 60% of those enrolled in, and at least 60% of the graduates of, the foreign medical school during the preceding year were not citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States or were not in the United States with the intention of becoming citizens or permanent residents; and at least 75% of students or graduates of the medical school located outside the United States or Canada who took the examinations administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates in the preceding year received a passing score. Preserves the Direct Loan eligibility of students who were enrolled at schools excepted from that prohibition on or before the date of this Act's enactment. |
(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 7802(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to Office of Taxpayer Advocate) is
amended to read as follows:
``(1) Establishment.--
``(A) In general.--There is established in the
Internal Revenue Service an office to be known as the
`Office of the Taxpayer Advocate'. ``(iii) Report to be submitted directly.--
Each report required under this subparagraph
shall be provided directly to the Committees
described in clauses (i) and (ii) without any
prior review or comment from the Commissioner,
the Secretary of the Treasury, any other
officer or employee of the Department of the
Treasury, or the Office of Management and
Budget. ``(B) National taxpayer advocate.--
``(i) In general.--The Office of the
Taxpayer Advocate shall be under the
supervision and direction of an official to be
known as the `National Taxpayer Advocate'. | Taxpayer Protection Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise provisions concerning of the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate. Places such office under the direction of the National Taxpayer Advocate, who shall be appointed by the President. (Currently, the Office is under the direction of the Taxpayer Advocate, who is appointed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.)
Revises provisions concerning reporting and responsibilities of the Office, including directing the National Taxpayer Advocate to appoint local taxpayer advocates who shall report directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate.
Requires each local taxpayer advocate office to maintain separate phone, facsimile, and other communication access, and a separate post office address from its IRS district office or service center.
Revises provisions concerning the authority to issue taxpayer assistance orders. |
RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND HEALTH INFORMATION DISSEMINATION WITH
RESPECT TO UROLOGIC DISEASES. (a) Division Director of Urology.--Section 428 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. (b) Urologic Diseases Data System and Information Clearinghouse.--
Section 427 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. (c) Strengthening the Urology Interagency Coordinating Committee.--
Section 429 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. (a) Establishment.--Subject to subsection (b), the
Secretary shall carry out a program of entering into contracts with
appropriately qualified health professionals or other qualified
scientists under which such health professionals or scientists agree to
conduct research in the field of urology, as employees of the National
Institutes of Health or of an academic department, division, or section
of urology, in consideration of the Federal Government agreeing to
repay, for each year of such research, not more than $35,000 of the
principal and interest of the educational loans of such health
professionals or scientists. | Training and Research in Urology Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to separate the research and training on urologic diseases from that of kidney and hematologic diseases.
Replaces the Division Director for Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases with a Division Director for Urologic Diseases and a Division Director for Kidney and Hematologic Diseases. Requires the Director of the Institute to: (1) give particular attention to supporting research and training programs geared to the needs of urology residents and fellows; and (2) submit to Congress a national urologic research plan and review such plan every three years.
Replaces the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Data System, the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, and the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Advisory Board with separate data systems, information clearinghouses, and advisory boards for kidney diseases and urologic diseases. Replaces the Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee and the Institute's advisory panel subcommittee on kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases with separate coordinating committees and subcommittees for: (1) kidney and hematologic diseases; and (2) urologic diseases. Requires at least 15 of the centers developed for research in kidney and urologic diseases under the Public Health Service Act to focus exclusively on urologic diseases. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a loan repayment program for urology research. |
Section 2254 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g)(1) In the case of an applicant under sentence of death, any
application for habeas corpus relief under this section must be filed
in the appropriate district court not later than 1 year after--
``(A) the date of denial of a writ of certiorari, if a
petition for a writ of certiorari to the highest court of the
State on direct appeal or unitary review of the conviction and
sentence is filed, within the time limits established by law,
in the Supreme Court;
``(B) the date of issuance of the mandate of the highest
court of the State on direct appeal or unitary review of the
conviction and sentence, if a petition for a writ of certiorari
is not filed, within the time limits established by law, in the
Supreme Court; or
``(C) the date of issuance of the mandate of the Supreme
Court, if on a petition for a writ of certiorari the Supreme
Court grants the writ and disposes of the case in a manner that
leaves the capital sentence undisturbed. Counsel in capital cases; State court.''. COUNSEL IN CAPITAL CASES; STATE COURT. STAYS OF EXECUTION IN CAPITAL CASES. | Habeas Corpus Revision Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal judicial code to revise provisions governing habeas corpus procedures, particularly in capital cases.
Establishes a statute of limitations of one year for the filing of an application for habeas corpus relief from a sentence of death. Prescribes periods during which such time requirement shall be tolled, including any period during which the applicant is not represented by counsel. Provides for dismissal of an application for failure to comply with such time requirement, except where the waiver of such requirement is warranted by exceptional circumstances.
(Sec. 3) Specifies requirements for stays of execution in capital cases.
(Sec. 4) Prohibits the court from applying a new rule representing a clear break from precedent announced by the U.S. Supreme Court that could not have reasonably been anticipated at the time the claimant's sentence became final in State court, unless such rule: (1) places the claimant's conduct beyond the power of the criminal law-making authority to proscribe or punish with the sanction imposed; or (2) requires the observance of procedures without which the likelihood of an accurate conviction or valid capital sentence is seriously diminished.
(Sec. 5) Bars the court from presuming a finding of fact made in certain State court proceedings to be correct or from declining to consider a claim on the ground that it was not raised in such a proceeding at the time or in the manner prescribed by State law, unless: (1) the relevant State maintains a mechanism for providing legal services to indigents in capital cases which meets specified requirements; (2) the State actually appointed an attorney to represent an applicant who was eligible for and did not waive such appointment in the State proceeding in which the finding of fact was made or the default occurred; and (3) any attorney so appointed substantially met specified qualification standards and the performance standards established by the appointing authority.
(Sec. 6) Requires that, in the case of an applicant for Federal habeas corpus relief under sentence of death, a claim presented in a second or successive application be dismissed unless the applicant shows that: (1) the basis of the claim could not have been discovered by the exercise of reasonable diligence before the applicant filed the prior application, or the failure to raise the claim in the prior application was due to action by State officials in violation of the U.S. Constitution; and (2) the facts underlying the claim would be sufficient, if proven, to undermine the court's confidence in the applicant's guilt of the offense for which the capital sentence was imposed, or in the validity of that sentence under Federal law.
(Sec. 7) Grants an applicant under sentence of death the right to appeal without a certification of probable cause, except after denial of a second or successive application.
(Sec. 8) Requires the district court, in adjudicating habeas corpus cases, to: (1) exercise independent judgment in ascertaining the pertinent Federal legal standards and in applying those standards to the facts when adjudicating the merits of a particular ground (rather than deferring to a previous State court judgment regarding a Federal legal standard or its application); (2) issue habeas corpus relief at any time on behalf of an applicant under sentence of death imposed either in Federal or State court who offers newly discovered evidence which, had it been presented to the trier of fact or sentencing authority at trial, would probably have resulted in an acquittal of the offense for which the death sentence was imposed or a sentence other than death; and (3) decline to consider a habeas corpus claim under specified circumstances. |
(g) Sense of Congress Regarding Funding for Fiscal Years After
Fiscal Year 2001.--It is the sense of Congress that the availability of
funds for the Nuclear Cities Initiative in fiscal years after fiscal
year 2001 should be contingent upon--
(1) demonstrable progress in the programs carried out under
subsection (c), as determined utilizing the milestones required
under paragraph (3) of that subsection; and
(2) the development and implementation of the plan required
by subsection (d). (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall, in accordance with
the provisions of this section, take appropriate actions to expand and
enhance the activities under the Nuclear Cities Initiative in order
to--
(1) assist the Russian Federation in the downsizing of the
Russian Nuclear Complex; and
(2) coordinate the downsizing of the Russian Nuclear
Complex under the Initiative with other United States
nonproliferation programs. The Nuclear
Cities Initiative has laid the groundwork for an immediate
increase in investment and potential for immediate risk
reduction in the cities of Sarov, Snezhinsk, and Seversk, which
house four key Russian nuclear facilities. The Nuclear Cities
Initiative was established to assist Russia in creating job
opportunities for employees who are not required to support
realistic Russian nuclear security requirements. (f) Funding for Fiscal Year 2001.--There is hereby authorized to be
appropriated for the Department of Energy for fiscal year 2001,
$50,000,000 for purposes of the Nuclear Cities Initiative, including
activities under this section. It is in the national security interest of the United States to
assist the Russian Federation in accomplishing significant
reductions in its nuclear military complex and in helping it to
protect its nuclear weapons, nuclear materials, and nuclear
secrets during such reductions. | Urges the President to enter into negotiations with the Russian Federation for the Federation's development of a plan to restructure its nuclear complex in order to meet changes in Russian nuclear security requirements by 2010. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to encourage students in the United States and the Russian Federation to pursue careers in nonproliferation.
Authorizes appropriations. Expresses the sense of Congress that availability of Initiative funds after FY 2001 should be contingent upon: (1) demonstrable progress in enhancing and accelerating Initiative activities; and (2) the development and implementation of Russia's nuclear restructuring plan.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there should be a National Coordinator for Nonproliferation Matters to coordinate various Federal nonproliferation programs, including the Initiative; and (2) such Coordinator position should be similar to the Coordinator position filled by the President under the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996. |
(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 21(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualifying individual and employment-
related expenses) is amended by striking subparagraph (A), by
redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B),
respectively, and by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``In the case of an individual described in subparagraph (A)
who has not attained age 16 as of the close of the taxable
year, such individual may be treated as a qualifying individual
for purposes of this section only if the taxpayer elects not to
treat such individual as a qualifying child under section 32
for such year.'' DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT LIMITED TO HANDICAPPED DEPENDENTS AND
SPOUSES. ELIMINATION OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN TREATMENT OF EARNED INCOME
CREDIT IN DETERMINING CERTAIN WELFARE BENEFITS. | Family Living Wage Act - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions governing the earned income tax credit to: (1) increase from $5,714 to $8,000 the amount of earned income subject to the credit; (2) establish the basic credit at 20 percent; and (3) permit an additional credit (to apply to not more than four children) of five percent for each dependent school age child between age six and age 16 and ten percent for each preschool age child. Reduces the amount of the credit for taxpayers with adjusted gross income over $50,000. Indexes amounts relating to the credit beginning in 1995.
Disallows application of the nonrefundable dependent care income tax credit with respect to a taxpayer's dependents under age 13, unless the child is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. Permits the credit with respect to handicapped children under age 16 only if the taxpayer elects not to include the child within the framework of the earned income credit.
Repeals provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988 that revise the way in which the earned income credit is treated in the context of needs analysis for purposes of State plans for aid and services to needy families with children under title IV of the Social Security Act. |
``(2) Communication described.--A communication is
described in this paragraph if the communication--
``(A) is made by the manufacturer of the device or
an affiliate of the manufacturer;
``(B) relates to a change to the design of the
device, a change to the recommended reprocessing
protocols, if any, for the device, or a safety concern
about the device; and
``(C) is widely disseminated (including on a
voluntary basis) to health care providers in a foreign
country. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR DESIGN AND REPROCESSING INSTRUCTION
CHANGES. 360) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(q) Reporting Requirement for Device Design Changes.--Before
making a change to the design of a device, or the reprocessing
instructions of a device, that is marketed in interstate commerce, the
manufacturer of the device shall give written notice of the change to
the Food and Drug Administration.''. | Disclosure; and Encouragement of Verification, Innovation, Cleaning, and Efficiency Act of 2017 or the DEVICE Act of 2017 This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require medical device manufacturers to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): (1) before making changes to the design or reprocessing instructions of a device, and (2) no more than five days after widely disseminating to health care providers in a foreign country communications regarding changes to the design or reprocessing instructions of a device or regarding a safety concern about a device. A device may not be sold if the manufacturer violates these notification requirements. Rapid assessment tests intended to ensure the proper reprocessing of reusable medical devices are defined as medical devices. The FDA must publish a list of the types of rapid assessment tests for which premarket notification must include validated instructions for use and validation data. |
80a-2(a)(51))--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``excepted
under section 3(c)(7)'' and inserting ``exempt under
section 6(a)(7)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking ``that, but for the
exceptions provided for in paragraph (1) or (7)
of section 3(c), would be an investment company
(hereafter in this paragraph referred to as an
`excepted investment company')'' and inserting
``that is exempt under paragraph (6) or (7) of
section 6(a) (hereafter in this paragraph
referred to as an `exempt investment
company')'';
(ii) by striking ``section 3(c)(1)(A)'' and
inserting ``section 6(a)(6)(B)(i)''; and
(iii) by striking ``excepted'' each place
that term appears and inserting ``any exempt'';
(2) in section 6 (15 U.S.C. ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph and paragraph (7),
beneficial ownership--
``(i) by a company shall be deemed to be beneficial
ownership by one person, except that, if the company
owns 10 percent or more of the outstanding voting
securities of the issuer, and is or, but for the
exemption provided for in this paragraph or paragraph
(7), would be an investment company, the beneficial
ownership shall be deemed to be that of the holders of
the outstanding securities (other than short-term
paper) of such company; and
``(ii) by any person who acquires securities or
interests in securities of an issuer described in this
paragraph shall be deemed to be beneficial ownership by
the person from whom such transfer was made, pursuant
to such rules and regulations as the Commission shall
prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public
interest and consistent with the protection of
investors and the purposes fairly intended by the
policy and provisions of this title, where the transfer
was caused by legal separation, divorce, death, or any
other involuntary event. ``(7)(A) Subject to subsection (g), any issuer, the
outstanding securities of which are owned exclusively by
persons who, at the time of the acquisition of such securities,
are qualified purchasers, and which is not making and does not
at that time propose to make a public offering of such
securities. | Hedge Fund Transparency Act - Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940, Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Internal Revenue Code to convert exceptions to the definition of an investment company into exemptions from mandatory registration as one.
Exempts an investment company with assets, or assets under management, of at least $50 million from ordinary registration and filing requirements only if that company: (1) registers with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); (2) files with the SEC a specified annual electronic information form, made available to the public, concerning ownership structure, investors, primary accountant and broker, and current assets value; (3) maintains such books and records as the SEC may require; and (4) cooperates with any request for information or examination by the SEC.
Requires any investment company meeting such exemption requirements to establish an anti-money laundering program, according to rules prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, and report suspicious transactions.
Requires such rules to require exempted investment companies to use risk-based due diligence policies, procedures, and controls reasonably designed to ascertain the identity of, and evaluate, any foreign person that supplies funds, or plans to supply funds, to be invested with the investment company's advice or assistance.
Requires such rules also to require exempted investment companies to comply with the same requirements as other financial institutions for producing records requested by a federal regulator, particularly within 120 hours of receiving such a request. |
ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES STATE PROTECTIVE ACTIONS. ``(B) Publication of notice.--Not later than 90
days before proposing to add a species to a list under
this subsection, the Secretary shall notify each State
in which a population of the species occurs of the
opportunity to submit to the Secretary a proposed State
Protective Action for the species in that State,
including specification of the criteria for approval of
such an action under this paragraph. ``(D) Guidance to states.--During preparation of a
proposed State Protective Action under subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall provide guidance to the State
regarding such preparation. | ESA Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from adding a species to the list of endangered and threatened species: (1) if the Secretary has approved a State Protective Action (SPA) for such species, and (2) before the Secretary has made a final determination regarding approval of an SPA. Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify each state of the opportunity to submit an SPA prior to proposing to add a species to the federal list of endangered and threatened species, and (2) provide guidance to states regarding the preparation of an SPA. Establishes a process for approving or disapproving a proposed SPA. Requires the Secretary to review the implementation and effectiveness of an SPA every five years and, if necessary, provide guidance on improvements or revisions that are required to maintain the Secretary's approval of the SPA. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) revoke approval of an SPA and propose adding a species to the federal list if the state has failed to implement the SPA or the SPA failed to make measurable progress toward meeting the recovery criteria for the species, and (2) terminate the effectiveness of an approved SPA if the recovery criteria for the species have been met. |
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the
continuing threat of further attacks, are an assault on the
safety and security of all Americans. (5) The government should conduct investigations and
surveillance in a manner that fully addresses law enforcement
and national security needs in the manner that best preserves
the personal dignity, liberty, and privacy of individuals
within the United States. (2) The threat of further acts of terrorism has
necessitated an expansion of the authority of government to
conduct surveillance and collect data. | Security and Liberty Preservation Act - Establishes the Commission on Enhancing Security and Preserving Freedom to conduct a thorough investigation of: (1) standards for using, selecting, and operating investigative and surveillance technologies to meet law enforcement and national security needs in the manner that best preserves the personal dignity, liberty, and privacy of individuals within the United States; and (2) the advisability of establishing Government entities or procedures to ensure that the Government complies with such standards. |
Fire-retardant materials
``(a)(1) A passenger vessel of the United States having berth or
stateroom accommodations for at least 50 passengers shall be granted a
certificate of inspection only if--
``(A) the vessel is constructed of fire-retardant
materials; and
``(B) the vessel--
``(i) is operating engines, boilers, main
electrical distribution panels, fuel tanks, oil tanks,
and generators that meet current Coast Guard
regulations;
``(ii) is operating boilers and main electrical
generators that are contained within noncombustible
enclosures equipped with fire suppression systems; and
``(iii) has multiple forms of egress off the
vessel's bow and stern. ``(2) The Secretary shall conduct an annual audit and inspection of
any vessel exempted from the fire-retardant standards of subsection
(a). ``(b)(1) When a vessel is exempted from the fire-retardant
standards of subsection (a)--
``(A) the owner or managing operator of the vessel shall--
``(i) notify in writing prospective passengers,
prior to the sale of any ticket for boarding and to be
affirmatively recognized by such passenger prior to
purchase, and any crew member that the vessel does not
comply with applicable fire safety standards due
primarily to the wooden construction of passenger
berthing areas; and
``(ii) display in clearly legible font prominently
throughout the vessel, including in each state room the
following: `THIS VESSEL FAILS TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD. | This bill revises the requirements for passenger vessels that are exempt from fire-retardant materials standards. Vessels in operation before January 1, 1968, that operate within inland waterways are exempt from the new requirements until December 1, 2028. Exempt vessel operators must follow certain requirements including notifying prospective passengers in writing prior to the sale of any ticket for boarding and making annual structural alterations to at least 10% of areas of the vessel that are not constructed of fire-retardant materials. Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOT)must conduct an annual inspection of any vessel that is exempted from fire-retardant materials standards.DOTmay withdraw a certificate of inspection for any vessel that does not comply with requirements under this bill. |
``(C) Required information.--To be eligible to
obtain a loan guarantee at the preliminary stage of a
renewable fuel pipeline project under this paragraph,
the applicant shall provide to the Secretary--
``(i) a route description for the project,
including a centerline map of the proposed
pipeline route subject to field verification
and right-of-way acquisition (with a margin of
error of 10 miles);
``(ii) a construction cost estimate and
schedule for completion of the project;
``(iii) an environmental review of the
impact of the project on sensitive areas,
including likely mitigation strategies and a
plan for conducting the necessary environmental
impact statements; and
``(iv) a business plan that includes--
``(I) a market assessment;
``(II) an economic analysis; and
``(III) an analysis of any required
pipeline connections to biorefineries,
terminal locations, and other terminal
connections. ``(G) The ability of the entity carrying out the
proposed project to construct a renewable fuel pipeline
to ensure and maintain the quality of the renewable
fuel through the terminal system of the entity and
through the dedicated pipeline system. ``(D) The proximity of the renewable fuel pipeline
to renewable fuel production facilities. ``(E) The investment in terminal infrastructure of
the entity carrying out the proposed project to
construct a renewable fuel pipeline. ``(I) The ability of the entity carrying out the
proposed project to construct a renewable fuel pipeline
to secure property rights-of-way. | Renewable Fuels Pipelines Act of 2009 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to allow federally-guaranteed loans for renewable fuel pipeline construction without regard to whether an appropriation for the cost has been made. Includes ethanol and biodiesel as renewable fuel.
Allows a maximum guarantee by the Secretary of Energy of 90% of the pipeline project cost and more than one guarantee for a project (as long as the total guaranteed amount does not exceed 90%).
Sets forth factors to be considered in guarantee determinations, including volume and quality of fuel, size of markets served, experience of the entity working with renewable fuel, and associated storage, production, and terminal facilities.
Authorizes the Secretary to evaluate a project to assemble a renewable fuel pipeline as a complete project and, as a result of the size and nature of the project, to make a guarantee for an initial loan at a preliminary stage in the loan approval process for the complete project. |
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
provide for grants to States (as defined for purposes of titles XIX and
XXI of the Social Security Act) in order to enable such States to
implement expansions of eligibility for children and young adults their
State medicaid plans under title XIX of the Social Security Act and
State child health plans under title XXI of such Act. PROVIDING STATE OPTION FOR SCHIP AND MEDICAID COVERAGE OF YOUNG
ADULTS UP TO AGE 23. GRANTS TO IMPLEMENT MEDICAID AND SCHIP EXPANSIONS. | Health Care for Young Adults Act of 2005 - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) to permit states to provide Medicaid and SCHIP coverage of low-income youth up to age 23.
Provides for additional SCHIP allotments for the provision of coverage to optional young adults.
Amends SSA title XI to modify Medicaid caps for territories.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for grants to states in order to enable them to implement expansions of eligibility for children and young adults in their state Medicaid and state SCHIP plans. |
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Domestic violence victim defined.--The term ``domestic
violence victim'' means a victim of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking. PET INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
STALKING. (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State;
(B) a unit of local government;
(C) an Indian tribe; or
(D) any other organization that has a documented
history of effective work concerning domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (as
determined by the Secretary), including--
(i) a domestic violence and sexual assault
victim service provider;
(ii) a domestic violence and sexual assault
coalition;
(iii) a community-based and culturally
specific organization;
(iv) any other nonprofit, nongovernmental
organization; and
(v) any organization that works directly
with pets and collaborates with any
organization referred to in clauses (i) through
(iv), including--
(I) an animal shelter; and
(II) an animal welfare
organization. | Pet and Women Safety Act of 2017 This bill amends the federal criminal code to broaden the definition of stalking to include conduct that causes a person to experience a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to his or her pet. Additionally, an interstate violation of a protection order includes interstate travel with the intent to violate a protection order against a pet that is included within the scope of the protection order. The bill specifies the applicable criminal penalty—a prison term of up to five years, a fine, or both—for a person who commits an interstate violation of a protection order against a pet. With respect to a defendant who commits a domestic violence offense or an interstate violation of a protection order, mandatory restitution in the "full amount of victim's losses" includes costs incurred for veterinary services related to the pet. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture to award grants for shelter and housing assistance and support services for domestic violence victims with pets. Finally, it expresses the sense of Congress that states should include, in domestic violence protection orders, protections against violence or threats against a person's pet. |
Congress finds that--
(1) increasing public environmental awareness and
understanding through formal environmental education and
meaningful bay or stream field experiences are vital parts of
the effort to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem;
(2) using the Chesapeake Bay watershed as an integrating
context for learning can help--
(A) advance student learning skills;
(B) improve academic achievement in core academic
subjects; and
(C)(i) encourage positive behavior of students in
school; and
(ii) encourage environmental stewardship in school
and in the community; and
(3) the Federal Government, acting through the Secretary of
Education, should work with the Under Secretary for Oceans and
Atmosphere, the Chesapeake Executive Council, State educational
agencies, elementary schools and secondary schools, and
nonprofit educational and environmental organizations to
support development of curricula, teacher training, special
projects, and other activities, to increase understanding of
the Chesapeake Bay watershed and to improve awareness of
environmental problems. ``(k) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Education Pilot Program
Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations concerning
implementation of the Program. ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program,
to be known as the `Chesapeake Bay Environmental Education and Training
Grant Pilot Program', to make grants to eligible institutions to pay
the Federal share of the cost of developing, demonstrating, or
disseminating information on practices, methods, or techniques relating
to environmental education and training in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed. | Chesapeake Bay Environmental Education Pilot Program Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a Chesapeake Bay Environmental Education Grant Pilot Program of matching grants for developing, demonstrating, or disseminating information on practices, methods, or techniques relating to environmental education and training in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Makes eligible for such grants public elementary or secondary schools and nonprofit environmental or educational organizations located in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia. |
For the purpose of this section, the term--
``(1) `employee' means--
``(A) an employee in or under an executive agency;
``(B) an employee in or under the judicial branch;
``(C) an employee in or under the Office of the
Architect of the Capitol, the Botanic Garden, and the
Library of Congress, for whom a basic administrative
workweek is established under section 6101(a)(5); and
``(D) an individual employed by the government of
the District of Columbia;
but does not include an employee or individual excluded from
the definition of an employee in section 5541(2) other than an
employee or individual excluded by section 5541(2)(xvi);
``(2) `firefighter' has the same meaning as such term is
defined under sections 8331 and 8401; and
``(3) `firefighting duties' means those duties usually
performed by a firefighter in responding to or engaging in the
control and extinguishment of a fire. The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) improve pay equality between Federal firefighters and
municipal and other public sector firefighters;
(2) enhance recruitment and retention of firefighters in
order to maintain the highest quality Federal fire service; and
(3) encourage Federal firefighters to pursue career
advancement and training opportunities. Minimum pay rate for firefighter promoted to supervisory
position. | Firefighters Pay Fairness Act of 1994 - Amends Federal law to extend existing biweekly pay period and pay computation requirements to Federal fire fighters and employees of the judicial branch. Repeals the current exception from such requirements of employees on the Isthmus of Panama in the service of the Panama Canal Commission.
States that, for fire fighters, the annual rate of basic pay shall be calculated on the basis of 26 administrative biweekly work periods of up to 106 hours each. Prescribes a formula for computing the basic biweekly pay of Federal employees who are not fire fighters but perform fire fighting duties.
Requires compensation at time-and-a-half per hour for any hours worked in excess of 106 during a biweekly pay period by fire fighters subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Specifies limits on the payment of other premium pay to such fire fighters.
Prescribes basic rates of pay for fire fighters: (1) promoted to a supervisory position; and (2) selected and assigned for training.
Authorizes a Federal agency to pay cash awards of up to five percent of basic pay to fire fighters or other employees performing fire fighting duties who possess and make substantial use of special skills or certifications, including handling hazardous materials or certification as an emergency medical technician. |
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) By exercising its authority under article I, section 8,
clause 3 of the United States Constitution, Congress may best
achieve a consistent and coherent national policy regarding
regulation and taxation of Internet activity and the
concomitant uniformity, simplicity, and fairness that is needed
to avoid burdening this evolving form of interstate and foreign
commerce. (2) Because the Federal Government and State and local
governments will have numerous reasons to interact over the
Internet with the individuals and companies that use it, a
lexicon of terms relating to the Internet and its use is vital. (6) The Internet is a global network that offers the
potential for entrepreneurial individuals and small businesses
throughout the United States to reach customers and markets
throughout the world with their products and services. | Internet Fairness and Interstate Responsibility Act or Net FAIR Act - Prohibits a State or political subdivision thereof from imposing, assessing, or attempting to collect any tax on the Internet or Internet-related services or on their use. Preserves State and local taxing authority with respect to income, license, and sales or use taxes. Terminates such prohibition on December 31, 2001.
Establishes the Commission on Internet Taxation and Regulation to: (1) study the taxation and regulation of the Internet and Internet-related services under State and local law and identify any inconsistencies; (2) recommend appropriate modification to current Federal and State statutes concerning such services; (3) propose model legislation relating to commercial transactions on the Internet in order to facilitate their uniform treatment under Federal and State law; and (4) report to the Congress and the President. |
(3) Program documents.--The term ``Program Documents''
means the Habitat Conservation Plan, Biological Assessment and
Biological and Conference Opinion, Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact Report, Funding and Management
Agreement, Implementing Agreement, and Section 10(a)(1)(B)
Permit issued and, as applicable, executed in connection with
the LCR MSCP. In this Act:
(1) Lower colorado river multi-species conservation
program.--The term ``Lower Colorado River Multi-Species
Conservation Program'' or ``LCR MSCP'' means the cooperative
effort on the Lower Colorado River between Federal and non-
Federal entities in Arizona, California, and Nevada approved by
the Secretary of the Interior on April 2, 2005. (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior. Funds invested under this subsection
and interest on those funds shall be available to the Secretary to meet
the obligations of the Secretary under the Program Documents. | Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage and implement the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, and to enter into an agreement with Arizona, California, and Nevada providing for the use of water from the Lower Colorado River for habitat creation and maintenance, in accordance with the Habitat Conservation Plan, Biological Assessment and Biological and Conference Opinion, Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, Funding and Management Agreement, Implementing Agreement (Agreement).
Permits any party to an agreement entered into with the United States pursuant to the Program to commence a civil action in U.S. district court to enforce the agreement or to declare the rights and obligations of the parties under the program documents. Grants the district court jurisdiction over any such action. |
(b) Map and Description.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall file a map
and a boundary description of the area designated as wilderness by this
section with the Committee on Natural Resources of the United States
House of Representatives and with the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the United States Senate. That map and boundary description
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of
the Director of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. | Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Act of 1997 - Designates certain lands in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System which, together with specified lands within the Indian Peaks Wilderness, shall be known as the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness.
Reserves water rights in such area sufficient for purposes of the wilderness designation.
Provides that this Act shall not be construed to prevent or impede activities under the surface of lands designated as wilderness by this Act to operate, maintain, repair, or replace the Alva B. Adams Tunnel of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
Repeals provisions authorizing the Bureau of Reclamation to enter and utilize for flowage or other purposes areas within the Park which may be necessary for the development and maintenance of a Government reclamation project. |
(12) Donors have encountered significant challenges in
implementing recovery programs, and nearly 4 years after the
earthquake, an estimated 171,974 people remain displaced in camps,
unemployment remains high, corruption is rampant, land rights
remain elusive, allegations of wage violations are widespread, the
business climate is unfavorable, and government capacity remains
weak. (14) The legal environment in Haiti remains a challenge to
achieving the goals supported by the international community. (13) For Haiti to achieve stability and long term economic
growth, donor assistance will have to be carefully coordinated with
a commitment by the Government of Haiti to transparency, a market
economy, rule of law, and democracy. | (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 26, 2014. Assessing Progress in Haiti Act of 2014 - Expresses the sense of Congress that transparency, accountability, democracy, and good governance are integral factors in any congressional decision regarding U.S. assistance, including assistance to Haiti. Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress annually through December 31, 2017, on the status of post-earthquake recovery and development efforts in Haiti. Directs the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, to coordinate and transmit to Congress a three-year Haiti strategy that: (1) identifies constraints to economic growth and to consolidation of democratic government institutions; (2) includes an action plan that outlines policy tools, technical assistance, and resources for addressing the highest-priority constraints; and (3) identifies specific steps and benchmarks to provide direct bilateral assistance to the government of Haiti. |
3796dd) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(l) Intelligence Officer Activities.--Not less than 25 percent of
the amounts made available to carry out this part shall be used only
for programs, projects, and other activities to--
``(1) increase, through hiring or redeployment, the number
of State and local law enforcement officers or employees
involved in activities that are focused on the development of
intelligence for the purposes of countering terrorism,
countering crime, or both;
``(2) provide specialized training to not more than 5
intelligence officers per grant recipient, to enhance the
observational skills, intelligence-gathering skills, foreign
language skills, and analytical skills, for the purposes
referred to in paragraph (1);
``(3) improve coordination among Federal, State, and local
law enforcement officers involved in activities referred to in
paragraph (1); and
``(4) ensure that not less than 1 intelligence officer per
grant recipient has a security clearance of not less than `top
secret' level. (a) Pilot Program Required.--(1) The Attorney General shall carry
out a pilot program, to be known as the Law Enforcement Analyst
Training Assistance Program, to assess the feasibility and advisability
of providing for the preparation of selected students for availability
for employment as intelligence analysts for the intelligence and
intelligence-related activities of law enforcement agencies in the
United States. (a) Academy Required.--(1) The Attorney General shall maintain an
academy, to be known as the Academy for Law Enforcement Intelligence,
for the training of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers
and analysts in the analysis, dissemination, and management of
intelligence. (D) The efforts of the Academy to promote the
intelligence profession among undergraduate and
graduate students in the United States. (2) The Attorney General shall carry out paragraph (1) in
consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Administrator
of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Director of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary
of Defense, and the Director of Central Intelligence. | National Intelligence Education and Training Act - Directs the Attorney General to: (1) maintain an Academy for Law Enforcement Intelligence for training Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers and analysts in the analysis, dissemination, and management of intelligence; and (2) establish the Advisory Board on Law Enforcement Intelligence to advise the Attorney General regarding the Academy's operation, instruction and content of curriculum, appointment of staff and hiring of contract instructors, and efforts to promote the intelligence profession among undergraduate and graduate students.
Directs the Attorney General to carry out a pilot program, known as the Law Enforcement Analyst Training Assistance Program, to assess providing for the preparation of selected students for employment as intelligence analysts for U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct that not less than 25 percent of COPS program grant funds be made available for activities to: (1) increase the number of State and local law enforcement officers or employees involved in developing intelligence for countering terrorism, crime, or both; (2) provide specialized training to not more than five intelligence officers per grant recipient to enhance observational, intelligence-gathering, foreign language, and analytical skills; (3) improve Federal-State-local law enforcement coordination; and (4) ensure that not less than one intelligence officer per grant recipient has at least a "top secret" level security clearance. |
''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(v) Palladium Bullion Investment Coins.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to the submission to the Secretary
and the Congress of a marketing study described in paragraph (8),
beginning not more than 1 year after the submission of the study to
the Secretary and the Congress, the Secretary shall mint and issue
the palladium coins described in paragraph (12) of subsection (a)
in such quantities as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate
to meet demand. Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following new
paragraph;
``(12) A $25 coin of an appropriate size and thickness, as
determined by the Secretary, that weighs 1 troy ounce and contains
.9995 fine palladium. This Act may be cited as the ``American Eagle Palladium Bullion
Coin Act of 2010''. | American Eagle Palladium Bullion Coin Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a $25 palladium bullion investment coin bearing designs that are close likenesses of the work of American coin designer and medallic artist Adolph Alexander Weinman.
Requires the obverse to bear a high-relief likeness of the "Winged Liberty" design used on the obverse of the "Mercury dime," and the reverse a high-relief version of the reverse design of the 1907 American Institute of Architects medal.
Requires the coin also to bear other inscriptions, including "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and "United States of America."
Allows any U.S. Mint other than the one at West Point, New York, to strike the coins, unless the Secretary of the Treasury decides to issue a proof version, which shall be struck only at West Point.
Conditions the minting and issuance of palladium bullion coins upon submission to the Secretary and Congress of a marketing study by a reputable, independent third party: (1) analyzing the market for palladium bullion investments; and (2) demonstrating that there would be adequate demand for such coins to ensure that they could be minted and issued at no net cost to taxpayers. |
``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the City
of Corona Water Utility, California, is authorized to participate in
the design, planning, and construction of, and land acquisition for, a
project to reclaim and reuse wastewater, including degraded
groundwaters, within and outside of the service area of the City of
Corona Water Utility, California. (c) Federal Cost Share.--
(1) Planning, design, construction.--The Federal share of
the cost to plan, design, and construct the project described
in subsection (a) shall be the lesser of 35 percent of the
total cost of the project or $50,000,000. (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with
the Western Municipal Water District, may participate in a project to
plan, design, and construct a water supply project, the Riverside-
Corona Feeder, which includes 20 groundwater wells and 28 miles of
pipeline in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California. | Water Recycling and Riverside-Corona Feeder Act of 2006 - Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative - Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior: (1) in cooperation with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, to participate in the design, planning, and construction (design) of the Inland Empire regional water recycling project, California; (2) in cooperation with the Cucamonga Valley Water District, to participate in the design of the Cucamonga Valley Water District satellite recycling plants in Rancho Cucamonga to reclaim and recycle approximately two million gallons per day of domestic wastewater; (3) in cooperation with the Yucaipa Valley Water District, to participate in the design of projects to treat impaired surface water, reclaim and reuse impaired groundwater, and provide brine disposal within the Santa Ana Watershed; and (4) in cooperation with the City of Corona Water Utility, to participate in the design of, and land acquisition for, a project to reclaim and reuse wastewater, including degraded groundwaters, within and outside of the City. Limits the federal cost share of each project to 25%.
Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with the Western Municipal Water District, to participate in a project to design the Riverside-Corona Feeder, which includes 20 groundwater wells and 28 miles of pipeline in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California. Limits the federal share of the project design and planning study costs. |
(c) Safeguards Against Fraud and Misrepresentation in Application
Review Process.--Section 212(n)(1)(K) of such Act, as designated by
subsection (a)(2), is amended--
(1) by inserting ``, clear indicators of fraud,
misrepresentation of material fact,'' after ``completeness'';
(2) by striking ``or obviously inaccurate'' and inserting
``, presents clear indicators of fraud or misrepresentation of
material fact, or is obviously inaccurate''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following: ``If the
Secretary's review of an application identifies clear
indicators of fraud or misrepresentation of material fact, the
Secretary may conduct an investigation and hearing under
paragraph (2).''. ``(B) Upon issuing an H-1B nonimmigrant visa to an alien outside
the United States, the officer of the Department of State shall provide
the applicant with the items described in clauses (i) and (ii) of
subparagraph (A). | Skilled Worker Immigration and Fairness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from the annual H-1B (specialty occupation/fashion models) visa cap an alien who has: (1) earned a master's or higher degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from an institution of higher education outside of the United States; or (2) been awarded a medical specialty certification based on post-doctoral training and experience in the United States.
Sets H-1B annual limits at: (1) 115,000 for FY2007; and (2) for each subsequent fiscal year, the greater of 115,000 or a market-based calculation.
Exempts from numerical limitations on employment-based immigrants: (1) aliens who have earned advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math and have been working in their fields in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa in the three years prior to filing for adjustment; (2) recipients of national interest waivers; and (3) immediate relatives of employment-based immigrants.
Permits an alien (and dependents) to file for adjustment of status whether or not an employment-based immigrant visa is immediately available if: (1) a petition on behalf of the alien has been approved; or (2) adjudication of such petition is pending.
Revises H-1B provisions with respect to: (1) application fraud and misrepresentation; (2) employer penalties; (3) Department of Labor investigations; (4) Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information sharing; (5) information provided to an H-1B nonimmigrant upon visa issuance; (6) prohibiting H-1B-exclusive employment advertising; and (7) prohibiting an employer of fewer than 50 employees in the United States from having more than 50% H-1B nonimmigrant employees. |
(a) Adjustment of Status.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Eligibility.--Except as provided under
subparagraph (B), the Secretary of Homeland Security
shall adjust the status of an alien described in
subsection (b) to that of an alien lawfully admitted
for permanent residence if the alien--
(i) applies for adjustment not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this
Act; and
(ii) is otherwise eligible to receive an
immigrant visa and admissible to the United
States for permanent residence, except that, in
determining such admissibility, the grounds for
inadmissibility specified in paragraphs (4),
(5), (6)(A), and (7)(A) of section 212(a) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. (d) Record of Permanent Residence.--Upon the approval of an alien's
application for adjustment of status under subsection (a), the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a record of the alien's
admission for permanent residence as of the date of the alien's arrival
in the United States. (C) Effect of decision by secretary.--If the
Secretary of Homeland Security adjusts the status of an
alien pursuant to an application under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall cancel the order described in
subparagraph (A). | Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to adjust to permanent resident status a qualifying Liberian national who: (1) has been continuously present in the United States between January 1, 2013, through the date of status adjustment application; or (2) is the spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of such an alien. Adjustment applications must be filed not later than one year after the date of enactment of this bill. |
``A group health plan (and a health insurance issuer offering
health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan) shall
provide coverage of immunosuppressive drugs in connection with a kidney
transplant that is at least as comprehensive as the coverage provided
by such plan or issuer on the day before the date of enactment of the
Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant
Patients Act of 2007, and such requirement shall be deemed to be
incorporated into this section.''. PROVISION OF APPROPRIATE COVERAGE OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS
UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
RECIPIENTS. ``A group health plan shall provide coverage of immunosuppressive
drugs in connection with a kidney transplant that is at least as
comprehensive as the coverage provided by such plan on the day before
the date of enactment of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug
Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2007, and such
requirement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this section.''. COVERAGE OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
RECIPIENTS. COVERAGE OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE DRUGS FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
RECIPIENTS. Coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant
recipients. | Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2007 - Amends SSA title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) to: (1) continue entitlement to prescription drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy furnished to an individual who receives a kidney transplant for which payment is made under Medicare; and (2) extend Medicare secondary payer requirements for end stage renal disease (ESRD) beneficiaries.
Amends title XVIII (Medicare ) of SSA to apply special rules to kidney transplant recipients receiving additional coverage for immunosuppressive drugs. Deems such individual to be enrolled under Medicare part B. Makes him or her responsible for the full amount of the applicable premiums. Applies deductible and coinsurance requirements to the provision of such drugs.
Amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements for group health plans to provide coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients. |
NATIONAL CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH,
SURVEILLANCE, AND AWARENESS. NATIONAL CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM. ``(c) Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Campaign.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention shall establish and implement an
awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding CHD
across the lifespan. ``(b) National Congenital Heart Disease Cohort Study.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention shall plan, develop, implement, and
submit one or more reports to the Congress on a cohort study to
improve understanding of the epidemiology of CHD across the
lifespan, from birth to adulthood, with particular interest in
the following:
``(A) Health care utilization and natural history
of those affected by CHD. | Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to replace the authorization for a National Congenital Heart Disease Surveillance System with a requirement for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding congenital heart disease, to enhance and expand research and surveillance infrastructure, and plan and implement a public outreach and education campaign. (Congenital heart disease is a condition caused by a heart defect that is present at birth.) The CDC must award grants to nonprofit entities to conduct: (1) a cohort study of congenital heart disease, from birth to adulthood, that considers health care utilization, demographic factors, and outcomes; and (2) an awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding congenital heart disease. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must report on its ongoing research efforts regarding congenital heart disease, future plans for such research, and areas of greatest need for such research. |
(2) The financial crisis of 2008 only served to exacerbate
efforts by entrepreneurs to access capital for the purpose of
creating jobs and improving economic outcomes in the community. (3) Small business investments revitalize communities by
creating jobs but also contributing to the local tax base,
which helps finance investments in schools, hospitals,
infrastructure, and public safety. The Congress finds the following:
(1) Families and small businesses in under-served areas
have for generations been unable to access affordable credit. (4) The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
is well placed to make careful, targeted investments in
community development financial institutions for the purposes
of improving economic outcomes for underserved families across
America. | Small Business Lending to Entrepreneurs for Growth in Underserved Populations Act of 2011 or the Small Business Leg-Up Act of 2011 - Requires, upon the expiration of investment authority for the Small Business Lending Fund Program provided in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, that all unobligated funds in the Small Business Lending Fund be transferred to the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund. Directs that all funds received in connection with certain purchases of preferred stock and other financial instruments pursuant to such authority be transferred to the CDFI Fund.
Amends the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 to direct the Administrator of the CDFI Fund to carry out a Small Business Capital Investment (SBCI) Program (a small business revolving loan program) to continue making capital investments in eligible community development financial institutions in order to increase the availability of credit for small businesses.
Requires that: (1) all funds the Administrator receives in connection with SBCI Program purchases be deposited in the CDFI Fund, and (2) the authority to make such capital investments continue so long as specified funding amounts are available.
Allows eligible community development financial institutions (with maximum assets of $10 billion as reported in audited financial statements) to apply to receive a capital investment of up to 10% of total assets, or another appropriate percentage determined by the Administrator.
Directs the Administrator, to the extent practicable and except as otherwise provided, to carry out the SBCI Program in the same manner as the Small Business Lending Fund Program. |
(a) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
(1) The President has made United Nations peace operations
a major component of the foreign and security policies of the
United States. (2) The President has committed United States military
personnel under United Nations operational control to missions
in Haiti, Croatia, and Macedonia that could endanger those
personnel. (3) The President has deployed over 22,000 United States
military personnel to the former Yugoslavia as peacekeepers
under NATO operational control to implement the Dayton Peace
Accord of December 1995. (5) The experience of United States forces participating in
combined United States-United Nations operations in Somalia,
and in combined United Nations-NATO operations in the former
Yugoslavia, demonstrate that prerequisites for effective
military operations such as unity of command and clarity of
mission have not been met by United Nations command and control
arrangements. | United States Armed Forces Protection Act of 1996 - States certain congressional findings and policy concerning the placement of U.S. armed forces under United Nations (UN) operational or tactical control. Prohibits Department of Defense funds from being obligated or expended for activities of any element of the armed forces that is placed under UN operational or tactical control, unless: (1) the President, at least 15 days before UN control is to become effective (or not later than 48 hours afterwards in an emergency), certifies to the Congress that such action is in the national security interests; or (2) such placement is specifically authorized by law or is part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation. Specifies information to be submitted with the President's certification, including: (1) information on the national security interests to be advanced; (2) the mission, size, and composition of the U.S. forces involved; (3) the command and control relationship of the U.S. forces with the UN command structure and with the U.S. unified command for the region; (4) the exit strategy for, and withdrawal authority of, U.S. forces; and (5) the anticipated monthly incremental cost of U.S. participation and the percentage that such cost represents of the total anticipated monthly incremental costs of all nations expected to participate in the operation. Provides that this Act shall not apply to activities of the armed forces carried out as part of specified ongoing activities of the UN Preventive Deployment Force in Macedonia or the UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja, and Western Sirmium in Croatia. Requires that members of the armed forces be informed of their unit's mission and their chain of command in any operation to which their unit is assigned. Prohibits U.S. military personnel from being required to wear UN insignia except when such insignia is specifically authorized by law with respect to a particular UN operation. |
(a) Definition.--In this Act, the term ``transport''--
(1) includes staying in temporary lodging overnight, common
carrier misrouting or delays, stops for food, fuel, vehicle
maintenance, emergencies, or medical treatment, and any other
activity related to the journey of a person; and
(2) does not include transport of a knife with the intent
to commit an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term
exceeding 1 year involving the use or threatened use of force
against another person, or with knowledge, or reasonable cause
to believe, that such an offense is to be committed in the
course of, or arising from, the journey. (2) Limitation.--This subsection shall not apply to the
transport of a knife or tool in the cabin of a passenger
aircraft subject to the rules and regulations of the
Transportation Security Administration. (2) Limitation.--This subsection shall not apply to the
transport of a knife or tool in the cabin of a passenger
aircraft subject to the rules and regulations of the
Transportation Security Administration. | Interstate Transport Act of 2017 This bill permits an individual to transport a knife for any lawful purpose between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess and carry such knife. The individual must comply with specified requirements. The bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a knife violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with specified requirements. An individual may assert compliance with this bill's requirements as a claim or defense in any civil or criminal action or proceeding. |
(a) Establishment.--The President shall establish an independent,
nonpartisan Commission within the executive branch to discover and
assess the circumstances related to the damage caused by Hurricane
Katrina on or between Friday, August 26, 2005, and Tuesday, August 30,
2005. (3) Five of the 14 members appointed by the President shall
be selected by the President in the following manner:
(A) The majority leader of the Senate, the minority
leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the minority leader of the House of
Representatives, and the President of the collective-
bargaining organization including the largest number of
emergency medical responders, shall each provide to the
President a list of candidates for membership on the
Commission. (b) Deadline for Establishment.--The President shall issue an
executive order establishing a Commission within 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act. This Act may be cited as the ``Hurricane Katrina Disaster Inquiry
Commission Act of 2005''. The Commission shall, to the extent possible, undertake the
following tasks:
(1) Chronicle the trajectory of Hurricane Katrina,
including the timetable and locations of its path, and the
responses made by the Federal, State, and local governments. | Hurricane Katrina Disaster Inquiry Commission Act of 2005 - Directs the President to establish an independent nonpartisan Commission within the executive branch to discover and assess the circumstances relating to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina on or between Friday, August 26, 2005, and Tuesday, August 30, 2005.
Directs the Commission to: (1) chronicle the trajectory of Hurricane Katrina, including the timetable and locations of its path, and the responses made by the federal, state, and local governments; (2) estimate the loss of life, physical and structural damage, and displacement of residents; (3) recommend corrective actions; and (4) prepare a report to Congress, the President, and the public. |
(4) To ensure that energy-related activities on the outer
Continental Shelf are conducted in a manner that provides for
safety, protection of the environment, prevention of waste,
conservation of natural resources, the protection of
correlative rights, and protection of national security
interests. (3) To provide for inter-agency coordination in the siting
and permitting of energy-related activities on the outer
Continental Shelf. (2) To provide an administrative framework for the
oversight and management of energy-related activities on the
outer Continental Shelf, consistent with other applicable laws. | Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (or the appropriate Secretary) to grant easements or rights-of-way on the outer Continental Shelf for activities that: (1) support exploration, development, production, transportation, or storage of oil, natural gas, or other minerals; (2) produce or support production, transportation, or transmission of energy sources other than oil and gas; or (3) use facilities for previously authorized activities.Excludes any National Marine Sanctuary from application of this Act. |
(4) New start treaty.--The term ``New START Treaty'' means
the Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian
Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation
of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed at Prague April 8, 2010,
and entered into force February 5, 2011. 1062);
(B) establishing a program of record pursuant to
section 5 for a dual-capable road-mobile ground-
launched cruise missile system with a maximum range of
5,500 kilometers; and
(C) aggressively seeking additional missile defense
assets in the European theater to protect United States
and NATO forces from ground-launched missile systems of
the Russian Federation that are in noncompliance with
the INF Treaty. | Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty Preservation Act of 2017 This bill states U.S. policy that: (1) Russian actions in violation of the the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF treaty) constitute a material breach, (2) the United States is legally entitled to suspend the treaty, and (3) the United States should take certain actions to bring Russia into compliance. The bill authorizes additional appropriations for: (1) development of active defenses to counter ground launched missile systems, (2) counterforce and countervailing capabilities, and (3) missile system transfers to allied countries. The Department of Defense shall: (1) establish a program to develop a dual-capable road-mobile ground-launched cruise missile system with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers; (2) report on the feasibility of modifying the tomahawk, standard missile-3, standard missile-6, long-range stand off cruise missile, and Army tactical missile for ground-launch with such range; and (3) report on the AEGIS Ashore sites with anti-air warfare capability necessary in Asia and Europe to defend U.S. forces and allies from Russian ground launched missile systems. The Director of National Intelligence, every 90 days for five years, shall determine whether Russia has flight tested, produced, or possesses a system that is inconsistent with the treaty and that has reached initial operational capability and is, or is about to be, deployed. No funds may be obligated or expended to extend the New START Treaty after 2021, permit Russian flights over the United States or U.S. allies pursuant to the Open Skies Treaty, permit the approval of new implementation decisions through the Open Skies Consultative Commission, or approve any license to export an item or technology to a Russian person or entity unless the President certifies that Russia has eliminated all missiles that are in violation of, or inconsistent with, the INF treaty. The Department of State shall conduct a review of Russia's RS-26 ballistic missile system. Upon a determination that Russia has flight-tested, produced, or is in possession of certain missiles, the President shall suspend the application of the INF treaty to the United States and notify the other state parties to the treaty of Russia's material breach of, and the U.S. decision to suspend, the treaty. |
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to establish a
procedure to make partial restitution to the individuals described in
subsection (a) for the burdens they have borne for the Nation as a
whole, although monetary compensation can never fully compensate them. (ii) The term ``grandchild of the
individual'' means a child of a child of the
individual. (c) Apology.--The Congress apologizes on behalf of the Nation to
the individuals described in subsection (a) and their families for the
hardships they have endured because of the experiments described in
subsection (a). | Radiation Experimentation Compensation Act of 1995 - Apologizes on behalf of the Nation to the individuals who were the subjects of radiation experiments conducted by the Federal Government, as well as to their families for the hardships they have endured as a result.
Establishes in the Treasury the Radiation Experimentation Compensation Trust Fund for compensating the subjects of experiments conducted between January 1, 1940, and December 31, 1974, during which the subjects were intentionally injected with plutonium or zirconium, or exposed to total body radiation, without their informed consent. Authorizes appropriations.
Directs the Attorney General to establish procedures for the submission of claims and for payment from amounts in the Fund of each claim meeting the requirements of this Act.
Provides for payments in cases of deceased experimental subjects.
States that payments under this Act which are accepted by a subject or the subject's survivors shall be in full satisfaction of all claims of or on behalf of the subject against the United States arising out of the subject's participation in the experiment. Provides that a payment under this Act shall not affect any claim against an insurance carrier with respect to insurance or against any person with respect to workers' compensation.
Provides for judicial review of denied claims.
Establishes a time limit for the filing of claims of 20 years after enactment of this Act. |
ANTIDUMPING INVESTIGATION REGARDING MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS OF
DEFICIT FOREIGN COUNTRIES. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall commence an investigation under section 732(a) of
the Tariff Act of 1930 to determine if imports of motor vehicle parts
into the United States that are products of any deficit foreign
country, or sales (or the likelihood of sales) of such parts for
importation into the United States, constitute grounds for the
imposition of antidumping duties under section 731 of such Act. ``301'' ACTION WITH RESPECT TO BARRIERS TO MARKET ACCESS OF
UNITED STATES-MADE MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS. (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this Act--
(1) Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts.--
(A) The term ``motor vehicle'' means any article of
a kind described in heading 8703 or 8704 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. | TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Trade Remedy Actions
Title II: Extension and Modification of Fair Trade in
Auto Parts Act
Fair Trade in Motor Vehicle Parts Act of 1993 -
Title I: Trade Remedy Actions
- Declares that any act, policy, or practice of a deficit foreign country that adversely affects the access to its market of U.S. motor vehicle parts (including, but not limited to, any act, policy, or practice utilized in such country's motor vehicle distribution system) shall, for purposes of "301" action under the Trade Act of 1974, be considered as an act, policy, or practice that is unjustifiable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. Directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to determine what action to take under the Act to eliminate such act, policy, or practice.
Requires an agenda for negotiations with countries the USTR has taken action against to include: (1) a certain percentage of guaranteed sales in the deficit foreign country's market of U.S. motor vehicle parts; (2) the elimination or modification of the aspects of such country's motor vehicle distribution system that act as a barrier to U.S. motor vehicle parts; and (3) the exchange between such country and the United States of information concerning bilateral trade in such parts. Requires the USTR to make certain estimates with respect to the current percentage of such country's market for motor vehicle parts that is accounted for by U.S. motor vehicle parts.
Requires the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to commence an antidumping duty investigation to determine if imports of motor vehicle parts from a deficit foreign country, or sales (or the likelihood of sales) of such imports, constitute grounds for the imposition of antidumping duties.
Title II: Extension and Modification of Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act
- Amends the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988 to extend such Act through December 31, 1998. Directs the Secretary, among other things, to coordinate: (1) U.S. policy regarding auto parts and the market for auto parts by the Japanese; and (2) the sharing of data and market information among U.S. agencies, including the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of the USTR. |
``(2) Additional contents of report.--The annual report
submitted under this subsection shall include--
``(A) the specific actions taken and the progress made to
improve the plan developed under subsection (b) and the long
range automation plan and strategic business plan developed
under subsection (k); and
``(B) a comparison of planned Fund expenditures and
accomplishments with actual Fund expenditures and
accomplishments, and the reasons for any delays in scheduled
systems development, or budget overruns. ``(3) Report in year of termination of authority.--The annual
report submitted under this subsection for any year in which the
authority for this section is to terminate under subsection (m),
shall be submitted no later than 9 months before the date of such
termination. 2133)'';
(3) in subsection (b)(2) by striking out ``judicial branch of
the United States'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``activities
funded under subsection (a)'';
(4) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by inserting after ``surplus
property'' the following: ``, all fees collected after the date of
the enactment of the Judicial Amendments Act of 1994 by the
judiciary under section 404 of the Judiciary Appropriations Act,
1991 (Public Law 101-515; 104 Stat. | Judicial Amendments Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal judicial code to make moneys in the Judiciary Automation Fund available to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for: (1) the procurement of automatic data processing equipment (equipment) for program activities included in the courts of appeals, district courts, and other judicial services account of the judicial branch; and (2) support personnel in the courts and in the Administrative Office. Authorizes all agencies of the judiciary to make deposits into the Fund.
Requires the Director to develop and annually revise a long range plan for meeting the equipment needs of the activities funded, including an annual estimate of certain fees that may be collected under the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 1991. Provides for the deposit into the Fund of such fees.
Requires the Director's annual report to the Congress on the operation of the Fund to include: (1) the specific actions taken and progress made to improve the plan developed, the long range automation plan, and the strategic business plan; and (2) a comparison of planned and actual Fund expenditures and accomplishments and reasons for any delays in scheduled systems development or budget overruns.
Authorizes the Director to transfer amounts up to $1 million from the Fund into the account to which the Funds were originally appropriated, with amounts in excess of that sum in any fiscal year permitted to be transferred only by following specified reprogramming procedures.
Requires the Director to: (1) develop an overall strategic business plan which would identify the judiciary's missions, goals, and objectives, and a long range automation plan based on the strategic business plan and user needs assessments; (2) establish effective Administrative Office oversight of court automation efforts; (3) expedited efforts to complete the development and implementation of life cycle management standards; (4) utilize the standards in developing the next generation of case management and financial systems; and (5) assess the current utilization and future user requirements of the data communications network.
Amends: (1) the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act to authorize appropriations for court arbitration; and (2) the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 to extend civil justice expense and delay reduction pilot programs. |
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Internet has had profound benefits for numerous
aspects of daily life for millions of people throughout the
United States and is increasingly vital to the economy of the
United States. (2) The importance of the broadband marketplace to
citizens, communities, and commerce warrants a thorough inquiry
to obtain input and ideas for a variety of broadband policies
that will promote openness, competition, innovation, and
affordable, ubiquitous broadband service for all individuals in
the United States. | Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare that it is U.S. policy to: (1) maintain the freedom to use broadband telecommunications networks, including the Internet, without unreasonable interference from or discrimination by network operators; (2) enable the United States to preserve its global leadership in online commerce and technological innovation; (3) promote the open and interconnected nature of broadband networks that enable consumers to reach, and service providers to offer, content, applications, and services of their choosing; and (4) guard against unreasonable discriminatory favoritism for, or degradation of, content by network operators based upon its source, ownership, or destination on the Internet.
Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to commence a proceeding on broadband services and consumer rights, including assessing whether broadband network providers: (1) refrain from unreasonably interfering with the ability of consumers to access, use, send, receive, or offer content, applications, or services of their choice, and attach or connect their choice of devices; and (2) add charges for quality of service to certain Internet applications and service providers. |
1342) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(s) Integrated Plans.--
``(1) Definition of integrated plan.--In this subsection, the
term `integrated plan' means a plan developed in accordance with
the Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning
Approach Framework, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency
and dated June 5, 2012. (a) Integrated Plans.--Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and
make publicly available, a report on each integrated plan developed and
implemented through a permit, order, or judicial consent decree
pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act since the date of
publication of the ``Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater
Planning Approach Framework'' issued by the Environmental Protection
Agency and dated June 5, 2012, including a description of the control
measures, levels of control, estimated costs, and compliance schedules
for the requirements implemented through such an integrated plan. ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall promote the use of green
infrastructure in, and coordinate the integration of green
infrastructure into, permitting and enforcement under this Act,
planning efforts, research, technical assistance, and funding guidance
of the Environmental Protection Agency. | Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (Sec. 3) This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to allow municipalities to develop a plan that integrates wastewater and stormwater management. A permit for a municipal discharge under the national pollutant discharge elimination system that incorporates an integrated plan may integrate all requirements under the Act addressed in the plan, such as requirements relating to combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer collection systems, and total maximum daily loads. A plan that is incorporated into a permit may include the implementation of green infrastructure and projects to reclaim, recycle, or reuse water. Green infrastructure includes measures that mimic natural processes to store, reuse, or reduce stormwater. Those permits may include a schedule of compliance that allows actions for meeting water quality-based effluent limitations to be implemented over more than one permit term if the compliance schedules are authorized by state water quality standards. A municipality under an administrative order or settlement agreement may request a modification of the order or settlement based on the municipality's integrated plan. The EPA must report on each integrated plan developed and implemented through a permit, order, or judicial consent decree since June 5, 2012, including a description of the control measures, levels of control, estimated costs, and compliance schedules for the requirements implemented through such a plan. (Sec. 4) The bill establishes an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide: (1) technical assistance to municipalities seeking to comply with the Clean Water Act, and (2) information to the EPA to ensure that agency policies are implemented by all EPA offices. (Sec. 5) The EPA must promote the use of green infrastructure. |
(b) Curriculum Requirement.--An institution of higher education
receiving a grant under this section shall develop a curriculum that
includes training in various skill sets needed by successful
entrepreneurs, including--
(1) business management and marketing, financial management
and accounting, market analysis and competitive analysis,
innovation and strategic planning; and
(2) additional entrepreneurial skill sets specific to the
needs of the student population and the surrounding community,
as determined by the institution. (a) In General.--The Administrator shall make grants to
historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges, and
Hispanic serving institutions, or to any entity formed by a combination
of such institutions--
(1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship
curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and
(2) for placement of small business development centers on
the physical campus of the institution. | Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic serving institutions, or to any entity formed by a combination of such institutions: (1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and (2) for the placement of small business development centers on the physical campus of the institution.
Requires an institution of higher education receiving a grant to: (1) develop a curriculum that includes training in various skill sets needed by successful entrepreneurs; and (2) open a small business development center.
Limits this pilot program to two fiscal years, and a grant to $1 million per fiscal year for any one institution of higher education. |
The purpose of this Act is to promote compliance with Article I of
the United States Constitution, which grants legislative powers solely
to Congress. (a) Congressional Approval.--A regulation shall not take effect
before the date of the enactment of a bill described in section 4(a)
comprised solely of the text of the regulation. (b) Bill.--For purposes of this section, the term ``bill'' means a
bill of the two Houses of Congress, the matter after the enacting
clause of which is as follows: ``The following agency regulations are
hereby approved and shall have the force and effect of law:'' (the text
of the regulations being set forth after the semicolon). | Requires an agency, whenever it promulgates a regulation, to submit to each House of Congress a report containing its text and an explanation.
Sets forth expedited congressional procedures for consideration of agency regulations. |
``(a) Establishment of Standard.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Rulemaking required.--Notwithstanding section
3(a)(1)(E) of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a
rulemaking proceeding under section 553 of title 5,
United States Code, within 90 days after the date of
enactment of the Child Safety Lock Act of 2001 to
establish a consumer product safety standard for
locking devices. ``(c) Enforcement.--Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2)(A), the
consumer product safety standard promulgated by the Commission under
subsection (a) shall be enforced under this Act as if it were a
consumer product safety standard described in section 7(a). REQUIREMENT OF CHILD HANDGUN SAFETY LOCKS. Child handgun safety locks.''. | Child Safety Lock Act of 2001 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer from selling, delivering, or transferring a handgun without a locking device to any person other than a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer, with exceptions for law enforcement and governmental entities.Specifies that nothing in this Act shall be construed to create a cause of action against any firearms dealer or any other person for civil liability, or establish any standard of care.Makes evidence regarding compliance or noncompliance with this Act inadmissible in a proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity, except with respect to an action to enforce this Act.Sets forth civil penalties (in addition to any administrative penalties) for related violations, including suspension or loss of license.Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish a consumer product safety standard for locking devices. |
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Black Metropolis district on Chicago, Illinois'
South Side has a cohesive and distinctive history as well as an
important streetscape that distinguishes the area as worthy of
designation as a National Heritage Area. (2) The historic features of Chicago's Black Metropolis
District predate the Great Migration of 1916-1919 and
illustrate its influence on African-American life in Chicago
and the Nation as a result of this demographic phenomenon in
which 500,000 African-Americans migrated to the North in search
of work and other opportunities, with 50,000 of that aggregate
relocating in Chicago. | Black Metropolis District National Heritage Area Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of designating the Black Metropolis District in Chicago, Illinois, as the Black Metropolis District National Heritage Area. |
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Department of Veterans Affairs relies on agreements
with the Indian Health Service and tribal health organizations
to serve native and non-native veteran populations in certain
areas, especially rural areas of the United States, due to
limited infrastructure or personnel of the Department in those
areas;
(2) the Department should support the practice of rural
health care in the United States because such care is crucial
to fulfilling the mission of the Department to provide the
highest quality care for veterans; and
(3) education regarding the unique health needs of veterans
is necessary for all health care providers and is especially
important for providers in rural health care delivery systems,
including those affiliated with Indian tribes and tribal health
organizations that care for a significant number of veterans. PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH OR AFFILIATE WITH GRADUATE MEDICAL
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS AT FACILITIES OPERATED BY INDIAN
TRIBES, TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE IN RURAL AREAS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation
with the Director of the Indian Health Service, shall carry out a pilot
program--
(1) to establish graduate medical education residency
training programs at covered facilities; or
(2) to affiliate with established programs described in
paragraph (1). | Serving our Rural Veterans Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for the training and employment of Veterans Health Administration medical residents and interns at a covered facility, which includes: (1) a VA facility; (2) a facility operated by an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or the Indian Health Service; (3) a federally-qualified health center; or (4) a community health center. (Currently, such payments are authorized only for VA facilities.) The VA shall carry out an eight-year pilot program to establish or affiliate with graduate medical education residency training programs at not more than four facilities. The VA shall reimburse each participating facility for the costs of: curriculum development; recruitment, training, supervision, and retention of residents and faculty; accreditation of education programs; faculty salaries attributable to program activities; and other expenses relating to providing medical education under the program. A program participant: (1) shall agree to one year of obligated service at a covered or a VA facility for each year of partipation in the program, (2) who fails to satisfy the obligated service period shall be liable to the United States for a prorated portion of the amount paid for program participation, and (3) during the period of obligated service, shall be eligible for participation in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program and the VA Education Debt Reduction Program. A covered facility for pilot program purposes means a facility: (1) operated by an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or the Indian Health Service that has an existing reimbursement agreement with the VA; and (2) located in a rural or remote area. |
(a) Study.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a
comprehensive study on the safety of all natural gas transmission
pipelines in the State of New Jersey. ``(b) Comprehensive Mapping Program.--The Secretary, using the
information received under subsection (a) and any other information
available to the Secretary, shall develop a comprehensive mapping
program to identify the specific location of all of the Nation's
transmission pipelines. 1672) is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(l) Additional Inspection Requirements.--Within 2 years after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue
regulations requiring that each operator of transmission pipelines--
``(1) establish a program for observing from the air, or
inspecting from the ground, or both, at least once every month,
the surface conditions on and adjacent to the right-of-way of
all of such operator's transmission pipelines identified
pursuant to subsection (i) for indications of leaks,
construction, and other circumstances affecting safety or
operation; and
``(2) place line markers along the rights-of-way of all of
such operator's transmission pipelines identified pursuant to
subsection (i), unless such placement is impractical.''. | Durham Woods Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1994 - Amends the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 to instruct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring: (1) periodic inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities with the use of instrumented internal inspection devices at least once every seven years in high-density population areas; and (2) transmission pipeline operators to institute a monthly inspection program for hazards and line markers along pipeline rights-of-way.
Declares it is a criminal offense to knowingly damage a natural gas pipeline facility and subsequently fail to report such damage. Increases the civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants to the States to promote public awareness programs regarding the dangers of excavating near natural gas pipelines; (2) study and report to the Congress on the safety of all natural gas transmission pipelines in the State of New Jersey and on an assessment of the risks to public safety and the environment posed by natural gas pipeline transportation; and (3) develop a comprehensive mapping program to identify the specific location of all transmission pipelines in the country. |
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall transmit to the Congress a
report containing the results of--
(1) a focused, in-depth Independent Safety Assessment of
the design, construction, maintenance, and operational safety
performance of the systems at the Indian Point Energy Center,
Units 2 and 3, located in Westchester County, New York,
including the systems described in section 2; and
(2) a comprehensive evaluation of the radiological
emergency plan for Indian Point Energy Center, Units 2 and 3,
conducted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the
Department of Homeland Security, which shall include--
(A) a detailed explanation of the factual basis
upon which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency relied in--
(i) approving the radiological emergency
plan; and
(ii) making subsequent annual findings of
reasonable assurance that the plan will
adequately protect the public in the event of
an emergency, beginning on July 25, 2003 and
continuing to the present;
(B) a detailed response to each of the criticisms
of the radiological emergency plan contained in the
Review of Emergency Preparedness of Areas Adjacent to
Indian Point and Millstone, published by James Lee Witt
Associates on January 10, 2003; and
(C) a detailed explanation of what criteria the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of
Homeland Security use in determining whether or not
reasonable assurance can be provided that the
radiological emergency plan is adequate to protect
public health and safety, including what threshold
figures of injuries and fatalities these agencies
consider acceptable or tolerable in the event of a
nuclear accident. The Independent Safety Assessment conducted at Indian Point Energy
Center shall be equal in scope, depth, and breadth to the Independent
Safety Assessment of the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, located near
Bath, Maine, conducted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1996. | Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to report to Congress regarding: (1) a focused, in-depth Independent Safety Assessment of the design, construction, maintenance, and operational safety performance of certain systems at the Indian Point Energy Center, Units 2 and 3, Westchester County, New York; and (2) a comprehensive evaluation of the radiological emergency plan for the Center, conducted by the NRC and the Department of Homeland Security.
Requires that such Independent Safety Assessment be: (1) conducted by an Independent Safety Assessment Team; (2) monitored by an Independent Safety Assessment Observation Group and by an Independent Safety Assessment Citizens' Review Team; and (3) equal in scope, depth, and breadth to the Independent Safety Assessment of the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, located near Bath, Maine, conducted by the NRC in 1996.
Prescribes conditions for a final NRC decision to renew the operating licenses for Units 2 and 3 at the Center. |
``(3) Section 527 organizations making certain
disbursements.--A committee, club, association, or other group
of persons described in paragraph (2)(B) shall not be
considered to be described in such paragraph for purposes of
paragraph (1)(B) if it makes disbursements for a public
communication that promotes, supports, attacks, or opposes a
clearly identified candidate for Federal office during the
period beginning on the first day of the calendar year
preceding the calendar year in which the general election for
the office sought by the clearly identified candidate occurs
and ending on the date of the general election.''. Section 325 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (as added
by section 2(b) and amended by section 3) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(c) Allocation and Funding Rules for Expenses of Separate
Segregated Funds and Nonconnected Committees Relating to Federal and
Non-Federal Activities.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of any disbursements by any
separate segregated fund or nonconnected committee for which
allocation rules are provided under paragraph (2)--
``(A) the disbursements shall be allocated between
Federal and non-Federal accounts in accordance with
this subsection and regulations prescribed by the
Commission, and
``(B) in the case of disbursements allocated to
non-Federal accounts, may be paid only from a qualified
non-Federal account. ``(2) Excepted organizations.--Subject to paragraph (3), a
committee, club, association, or other group of persons
described in this paragraph is--
``(A) an organization described in section
527(i)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or
``(B) any other organization which is one of the
following:
``(i) A committee, club, association, or
other group of persons whose election or
nomination activities relate exclusively to
elections where no candidate for Federal office
appears on the ballot. (a) Definition of Political Committee.--Section 301(4)(A) of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. | 527 Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the definition of political committee to include any committee, club, association, or other group of persons that has as its major purpose the nomination or election of one or more candidates ("Section 527 Organizations" or major purpose organizations).
Treats certain expenses by major purpose organizations as expenditures subject to the limitations and reporting requirements of such Act.
Provides that any disbursement by separate segregated fund or nonconnected committee shall be allocated between Federal and non-Federal accounts in accordance with this Act and regulations prescribed by the Federal Election Commission. States that disbursements allocated to non-Federal accounts may be paid only from a qualified non-Federal account.
Prohibits a separate segregated fund or nonconnected committee from accepting more than $25,000 in funds for its qualified non-Federal account from any one individual in any calendar year. |
``(2) Notification.--Not later than October 31, 2007, on
receipt of an application for an allotment under this section,
the Secretary shall provide to any person or entity that has an
interest in land described in subsection (a)(2) that is
potentially adverse to the interest of the applicant notice of
the right of the person or entity, not later than 90 days after
the date of receipt of the notice--
``(A) to initiate a private contest of the
allotment; or
``(B) to file a protest against the allotment in
accordance with procedures established by the
Secretary. ``(e) Reselection.--A person that selected an allotment under this
section may withdraw that selection and reselect land in accordance
with this section after the date of enactment of the Alaska Native
Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act, if the land originally selected--
``(1) was selected before the date of enactment of the
Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act; and
``(2) as of the date of enactment of that Act, was not
conveyed to the person.''. | Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act - Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) with respect to the open season during which certain Alaska Native Vietnam veterans are eligible to file for allotments of up to two parcels of federal land totaling up to 160 acres. Ends such open season three years after regulations have been issued under this Act.
Revises the requirements for selection of such allotments. Allows allotments to be selected from land that is selected by or conveyed to the State of Alaska or a Native Corporation if the State or Native Corporation voluntarily relinquishes or conveys to the United States the land for the allotment.
Limits the prohibition against the conveyance of certain allotments to: (1) lands within the right-of-way granted for the TransAlaska Pipeline; or (2) the inner or outer corridor of such right-of-way.
Expands the eligibility for allotment to veterans who served between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. Allows an heir (currently, only the personal representative or special administrator for the benefit of heirs) to apply for and receive an allotment on behalf of the estate of a deceased eligible individual.
Prescribes criteria for the approval of allotment applications.
Permits any person who made an allotment selection under this Act to withdraw it and reselect land in accordance with this Act, if the land originally selected: (1) was selected before enactment of this Act; and (2) as of the enactment of this Act, was not conveyed to the person. |
(a) In General.--In the first 5 fiscal years beginning after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, in coordination with appropriate State, local, and
regional authorities, shall carry out a pilot program under which the
Administrator shall work cooperatively with and facilitate the efforts
of municipalities to develop and implement integrated plans to meet
their wastewater and stormwater obligations under the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (d) Approval of Integrated Plans.--
(1) In general.--In approving the integrated plan of a
municipality under the pilot program, the Administrator shall--
(A) account for the financial capability of the
municipality to adequately address the requirements of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act that apply to
the municipality;
(B) prioritize the obligations of the municipality
under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act according
to the most cost-effective and environmentally
beneficial outcomes;
(C) account for the maintenance, operational, and
regulatory obligations of the municipality; and
(D) enable the municipality to implement innovative
and flexible approaches to meet the obligations of the
municipality under the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act. (b) Framework.--The Administrator shall carry out the pilot program
in a manner that is consistent with the Integrated Municipal Stormwater
and Wastewater Approach Framework issued by the Environmental
Protection Agency, dated May 2012. | Clean Water Compliance and Ratepayer Affordability Act of 2015 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out a pilot program to facilitate the efforts of at least 15 municipalities to develop and implement integrated plans to meet their wastewater and stormwater obligations under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) in a cost-effective and flexible manner and consistent with the Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Approach Framework issued by the EPA in May 2012. A municipality is eligible to participate in the pilot program if the municipality is: (1) a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit holder or designee; or (2) operating under an administrative order, administrative consent agreement, or judicial consent decree to comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act. The EPA may give priority to municipalities seeking to develop and implement an integrated plan that includes approaches that adapt to changed or future uncertain circumstances. In carrying out the pilot program and in mutual agreement with participating municipalities, the EPA may: (1) extend the allowable NPDES permit term by up to 25 years, (2) modify the implementation terms of a consent decree, and (3) provide additional regulatory flexibility in approving and implementing an integrated plan that includes adaptive approaches. |
(2) An interagency framework to plan, coordinate, and
execute all diplomatic economic, intelligence, and military
elements of United States policy across the region regarding
the Lord's Resistance Army. (5) A framework to evaluate the progress and effectiveness
of the United States strategy toward eliminating the threat
posed by the Lord's Resistance Army. (b) Future Year Funding.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of State and Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development should work with the appropriate committees
of Congress to increase assistance in future fiscal years to support
activities described in this section if the Government of Uganda
demonstrates a commitment to transparent and accountable reconstruction
in war-affected areas of northern and eastern Uganda, specifically by--
(1) finalizing the establishment of mechanisms within the
Office of the Prime Minister to sufficiently manage and
coordinate the programs under the framework of the Peace
Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP);
(2) increasing oversight activities and reporting to ensure
funds under the Peace Recovery and Development Plan for
Northern Uganda framework are used efficiently and with minimal
waste; and
(3) committing substantial funds of its own, above and
beyond standard budget allocations to local governments, to the
task of implementing the Peace Recovery and Development Plan
for Northern Uganda such that communities affected by the war
can recover. ASSISTANCE FOR RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION IN NORTHERN UGANDA. | Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009 - Directs the President to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a regional strategy to guide U.S. support for multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat to civilians and regional stability posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and to enforce the rule of law and ensure full humanitarian access in LRA-affected areas.
Authorizes the President to provide assistance to respond to the humanitarian needs of populations in northeastern Congo, southern Sudan, and Central African Republic affected by LRA activity.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State and Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should work with the appropriate congressional committees to increase future assistance to Uganda if the government of Uganda demonstrates a commitment to reconstruction in war-affected areas of northern and eastern Uganda.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the government of Uganda to: (1) promote local and national reconciliation including mechanisms outlined in the Annexure to the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation between the government of Uganda and the LRA; and (2) assist internally displaced people, establish mechanisms for the demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, and enhance the competency of local institutions including the police. |
``(2) The term `military service deployment explanation'
means a code generated by a consumer reporting agency that is
delivered in conjunction with a consumer report or credit score
to a user of the consumer report or credit score to indicate
that the consumer report or credit score of the consumer was
adversely affected during a period in which the consumer was a
servicemember serving on active duty outside the continental
United States in support of a contingency operation. PROTECTION OF CREDIT RATINGS OF MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE
COMPONENTS DEPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS. PROTECTION OF CREDIT RATINGS OF MEMBERS OF RESERVE
COMPONENTS DEPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS. (c) Military Service Deployment Explanation Not to Affect Certain
Future Transactions.--Section 108 of such Act (50 U.S.C. | National Heroes Credit Protection Act - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to authorize a member of the reserves who is deployed outside the United States for 180 days or more in support of a contingency operation (servicemember) to request that a consumer reporting agency (CRA) include in that servicemember's file a military service deployment explanation (explanation) with respect to an account that was opened by the servicemember before such deployment.
Requires: (1) a reseller of credit reporting information to include in any report on a servicemember any explanation placed in such servicemember's file by another CRA; and (2) any user of a consumer credit report containing such explanation to acknowledge the explanation. |
PILOT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE REPLICATION OF RECENT SUCCESSFUL
JUVENILE CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGIES. (B) Contents of report.--The report submitted under
subparagraph (A) shall include--
(i) an analysis of each community
participating in the program, along with
information regarding the plan undertaken in
the community, and the effectiveness of the
plan in reducing violent juvenile crime; and
(ii) recommendations regarding the efficacy
of continuing the program. (a) In General.--
(1) Establishment.--The Attorney General (or a designee of
the Attorney General), in conjunction with the Secretary of the
Treasury (or the designee of the Secretary), shall establish a
pilot program (referred to in this section as the ``program'')
to encourage and support communities that adopt a comprehensive
approach to suppressing and preventing violent juvenile crime
and reducing drug and alcohol abuse among juveniles, patterned
after successful State juvenile crime reduction strategies. | Requires the Attorney General, in carrying out the program, to: (1) make and track grants; and (2) provide for technical assistance and training, in addition to data collection and dissemination of relevant information, and general program administration. Directs the Attorney General to appoint or designate an Administrator to carry out the program.
Sets forth initial grant and renewal requirements. Directs that a grant recipient (coalition) submit to the Attorney General a comprehensive plan for reducing violent juvenile crime that meets specified requirements, such as ensuring that: (1) heavy emphasis is placed on coordinated enforcement initiatives; (2) there is close collaboration between police and probation officers in the supervision of juvenile offenders; (3) a program is in place to trace all firearms seized from crime scenes or offenders in an effort to identify illegal gun traffickers; and (4) a program is in place to divert nonviolent juvenile offenders into substance or alcohol abuse treatment.
Requires coalitions to establish a system to measure and report outcomes, devise a detailed model for measuring and evaluating success, and provide assurances that the plan will be evaluated regularly to assess progress in reducing violent juvenile crime. Directs the Attorney General to give priority to coalitions representing communities with demonstrated juvenile crime and drug abuse problems.
Sets forth provisions regarding grant amounts, permitted use of funds, a Comptroller General report to Congress reviewing program effectiveness, and information collection and dissemination with respect to coalitions. Authorizes appropriations. |
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to recognize, preserve, and interpret the historic and
modern resource development and cultural landscapes of the
Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm historic transportation corridor,
and to promote and facilitate the public enjoyment of these
resources; and
(2) to foster, through financial and technical assistance,
the development of cooperative planning and partnership among
the communities and borough, State, and Federal Government
entities. (c) Representatives of other organizations shall be invited and
encouraged to participate with the management entity and in the
development and implementation of the management plan, including but
not limited to: The State Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation; the
State Division of Mining, Land and Water; the Forest Service; the State
Historic Preservation Office; the Kenai Peninsula Borough; the
Municipality of Anchorage; the Alaska Railroad; the Alaska Department
of Transportation; and the National Park Service. | Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area in Alaska.
Requires: (1) the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Board of Directors of the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Corridor Communities Association; and (2) the Association to develop a management plan for the Heritage Area. Prohibits the Association from using funds appropriated to carry out this Act to acquire real property. |
``(a) In General.--In order to provide for more effective treatment
or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human
diseases or conditions, the Secretary shall establish a program to
provide priority review for devices--
``(1) representing breakthrough technologies;
``(2) for which no approved alternatives exist;
``(3) offering significant advantages over existing
approved or cleared alternatives, including the potential to,
compared to existing approved or cleared alternatives, reduce
or eliminate the need for hospitalization, improve patient
quality of life, facilitate patients' ability to manage their
own care (such as through self-directed personal assistance),
or establish long-term clinical efficiencies; or
``(4) the availability of which is in the best interest of
patients. PRIORITY REVIEW FOR BREAKTHROUGH DEVICES. PRIORITY REVIEW FOR BREAKTHROUGH DEVICES. ``(e) Priority Review Guidance.--
``(1) Content.--The Secretary shall issue guidance on the
implementation of this section. | This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to replace the requirement that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prioritize review of breakthrough medical devices with a requirement that the FDA establish a program to provide priority review for breakthrough medical devices. Prior to submitting an application for approval, a medical device sponsor may request that the FDA designate the medical device for priority review. The FDA must provide a summary of the basis for its determination regarding designation. To expedite the development and review of designated medical devices, the FDA must: assign a team of staff for each device, adopt an efficient process for dispute resolution, provide for interactive communication with the device sponsor, expedite review of manufacturing and quality systems compliance, disclose to the sponsor in advance the topics of any consultation between the FDA and external experts or an advisory committee and provide the sponsor the opportunity to recommend external experts, assign staff to address questions by institutional review committees concerning investigational use of the device. The FDA may: (1) coordinate with the sponsor regarding early agreement on a data development plan; (2) take steps to ensure that the design of clinical trials is as efficient as practicable; (3) utilize timely postmarket data collection; and (4) agree to clinical protocols, subject to an FDA determination that changes are required to prevent an unreasonable risk to the public health or that a substantial scientific issue is essential to the safety or effectiveness of the device. |
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall deploy, operate, and
maintain, to make available for use by any Federal agency, with or
without reimbursement, capabilities to protect Federal agency
information and Federal civilian information systems, including
technologies to diagnose, detect, prevent, and mitigate against
cybersecurity risks involving Federal agency information or Federal
civilian information systems. AVAILABLE PROTECTION OF FEDERAL CIVILIAN INFORMATION
SYSTEMS. PROTECTION OF FEDERAL CIVILIAN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. | EINSTEIN Act of 2015 Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy, operate, and maintain (to make available for use by any federal agency, with or without reimbursement) capabilities to protect federal agency information and federal civilian information systems, including technologies to continuously diagnose, detect, prevent, and mitigate against cybersecurity risks involving such information or systems. Authorizes the DHS Secretary to access, and allows federal agency heads to disclose to the Secretary, information traveling to or from or stored on such systems, regardless of from where the Secretary accesses such information, notwithstanding any law that would otherwise restrict or prevent such disclosures. Authorizes the Secretary to retain, use, and disclose information obtained through such activities only to protect federal agency information and federal civilian information systems from cybersecurity risks or in furtherance of the national cybersecurity and communications integration center's (NCCIC's) authority, or, with DOJ approval and if disclosure of such information is not otherwise prohibited by law, to law enforcement only to investigate, prosecute, disrupt, or otherwise respond to: criminal computer fraud; an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm; a serious threat to a minor, including sexual exploitation or threats to physical safety; or an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of such offenses. Provides liability protections to private entities authorized to assist the Secretary for such purposes. Redefines for purposes of the NCCIC's cybersecurity functions: (1) "cybersecurity risk" to exclude actions that solely involve a violation of a consumer term of service or a consumer licensing agreement; and (2) "incident" to include an occurrence that actually or imminently jeopardizes, without lawful authority, an information system, thereby replacing a standard that includes occurrences that constitute a violation or imminent threat of violation of law, security policies, security procedures, or acceptable use policies. |
(a) Substantial Burdens.--
(1) General rule.--No government shall impose or implement
a land use regulation in a manner that imposes a substantial
burden on the religious exercise of a person, including a
religious assembly or institution, unless the government
demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person,
assembly, or institution--
(A) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental
interest; and
(B) is the least restrictive means of furthering
that compelling governmental interest. (2) Scope of application.--This subsection applies in any
case in which--
(A) the substantial burden is imposed in a program
or activity that receives Federal financial assistance,
even if the burden results from a rule of general
applicability;
(B) the substantial burden affects, or removal of
that substantial burden would affect, commerce with
foreign nations, among the several States, or with
Indian tribes, even if the burden results from a rule
of general applicability; or
(C) the substantial burden is imposed in the
implementation of a land use regulation or system of
land use regulations, under which a government makes,
or has in place formal or informal procedures or
practices that permit the government to make,
individualized assessments of the proposed uses for the
property involved. (2) Nondiscrimination.--No government shall impose or
implement a land use regulation that discriminates against any
assembly or institution on the basis of religion or religious
denomination. | Prohibits any government from imposing a substantial burden on the religious exercise of a person residing in or confined to an institution, as defined in the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the government demonstrates that imposition of the burden on that person: (1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to amend or repeal the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (including provisions of law amended by that Act). |
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to insure the long-term
viability of the medicare, medicaid, and other federal health programs
by establishing a dedicated trust fund to reimburse the government for
the health care costs of individuals with diseases attributable to the
use of tobacco products. Tobacco Product
Manufacturers Contribution to
Health Care Cost Reimbursement
Trust Fund. ``CHAPTER 100--TOBACCO PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS CONTRIBUTION TO HEALTH
CARE COST REIMBURSEMENT TRUST FUND. | Medicare/Medicaid Solvency Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Tobacco Product Health Care Cost Reimbursement Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) distribute amounts in the Fund to each Secretary responsible for the expenditure of Federal funds for that fiscal year (beginning with FY 1997) under titles XXVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act or any other Federal program for the payment of health care costs for individuals with diseases attributable to the use of tobacco products; and (2) pay administrative expenses of the Fund.
Requires each manufacturer of tobacco products to pay to the Fund an annual contribution based on the total amount of tobacco-related Federal health care costs in proportion to that manufacturer's share of the tobacco market. |
(a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 30B of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Vehicles placed in service in nonattainment area
after 2012.--
``(A) In general.--No amount shall be allowed as a
credit determined under this subsection for any taxable
year beginning after 2012 with respect to a new
qualified hybrid motor vehicle unless such vehicle is
placed in service by an eligible business and
substantially all of the use of which is in a
nonattainment area. (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business-related
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of an
eligible business the clean-fuel credit determined under this section
for the taxable year is the sum of--
``(1) the clean-fuel property credit, plus
``(2) the clean-burning fuel use credit. | Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. Allows the credit to be taken against regular and alternative minimum tax liabilities. Allows a tax deduction for any unused clean fuel credit amounts. Allows a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle tax credit for any taxable year after 2012 only for such a vehicle which is placed in service after December 31, 2012, by an eligible business and substantially all of the use of which is in a nonattainment area. |
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1)(A) Congress has enacted successful policies to increase
homeless children's access to and stability in public
elementary and secondary schools and Head Start programs; and
(B) in order to increase homeless families' access to and
continuity in child care, similar policies should be applied to
Federal child care programs; and
(2) such policies will assist homeless parents in
maintaining employment and regaining housing, and will provide
critical interventions to support that vulnerable population of
children. This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Access to Child Care for
Homeless Families Act of 2012''. (4) Homelessness has a negative impact on child development
that surpasses the harmful impacts of poverty. (2) Among homeless children living in shelters supported by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 50 percent are
under 5 years old. In a survey of nearly
1,500 domestic violence survivors in domestic violence
shelters, 29 percent indicated that they needed help with child
care. | Improving Access to Child Care for Homeless Families Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress has enacted successful policies to increase homeless children's access to and stability in public elementary and secondary schools and Head Start Programs; (2) in order to increase homeless families' access to and continuity in care, similar policies should be applied to federal child care programs; and (3) such policies will assist homeless parents in maintaining employment and regaining housing, and will provide critical interventions to support that vulnerable population of children.
Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require the lead agency to coordinate the provision of services under such Act with social services programs that include: (1) Head Start and Early Head Start programs under the Head Start Act; (2) programs and services of partners that serve vulnerable populations; and (3) programs and services of entities receiving grants to provide homeless veterans with housing, employment-related services, or supportive services.
Revises state plan requirements to require consideration of homeless children in the use of funds for child care services and activities.
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a pilot program of grants to states to identify and implement best practices for increasing access to and continuity of child care for homeless children. |
(d) Sense of the House of Representatives.--It is the sense of the
House of Representatives that--
(1) the Nation's ability to produce and develop new and
effective vaccines faces significant challenges, and important
steps are needed to revitalize our immunization efforts in
order to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines and to encourage
the development of new vaccines;
(2) these steps include ensuring that patients who have
suffered vaccine-related injuries have the opportunity to seek
fair and timely redress, and that vaccine manufacturers,
manufacturers of components or ingredients of vaccines, and
physicians and other administrators of vaccines have adequate
protections;
(3) prompt action is particularly critical given that
vaccines are a front line of defense against common childhood
and adult diseases, as well as against current and future
biological threats; and
(4) not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Committee on Energy and Commerce should report
a bill addressing the issues described in paragraphs (1)
through (3). ``(2) University-based centers for homeland security.--
``(A) Designation.--The Secretary, acting through
the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall
designate a university-based center or several
university-based centers for homeland security. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) is amended--
(1) in section 308, by striking subsections (a) through
(c)(1) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall carry out the
responsibilities under section 302(4) through both extramural and
intramural programs. The
purpose of the center or these centers shall be to
establish a coordinated, university-based system to
enhance the Nation's homeland security. ``(b) Extramural Programs.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall operate extramural
research, development, demonstration, testing, and evaluation
programs so as to--
``(A) ensure that colleges, universities, private
research institutes, and companies (and consortia
thereof) from as many areas of the United States as
practicable participate;
``(B) ensure that the research funded is of high
quality, as determined through merit review processes
developed under section 302(14); and
``(C) distribute funds through grants, cooperative
agreements, and contracts. | Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to designate one or more university-based centers for homeland security. (Currently, the Secretary is required to establish one or more centers within one year after enactment of the Act.) Includes diagnostic medical services and information engineering as criteria for such designation. Authorizes the Secretary to except certain criteria and to consider additional criteria with respect to such designation in order to further homeland security interests.Repeals provisions of the Act which amend the Public Health Service Act to revise definitions of vaccine, vaccine manufacturer, and vaccine-related injury or death.Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Committee on Energy and Commerce should report a bill addressing: (1) revitalizing immunization efforts by ensuring an adequate supply of vaccines and encouraging the development of new vaccines; and (2) ensuring that patients who have suffered vaccine-related injuries have an opportunity for fair redress and that vaccine manufacturers, physicians, and other administrators have adequate protections.Removes the authority of the Secretary to waive a prohibition on contracts with corporate expatriates when the Secretary determines that the waiver will prevent either the loss of jobs in the United States or costs that the Government otherwise would not occur. |
(a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for
fiscal years after fiscal year 1997, no funds appropriated or otherwise
made available for the Department of State, the United States
Information Agency, and the United States Agency for International
Development may be used for the purpose of providing travel expenses
and per diem for the participation of nationals of the People's
Republic of China described in paragraphs (1) and (2) in conferences,
exchanges, programs, and activities:
(1) The head or political secretary of any of the following
Chinese Government-created or approved organizations:
(A) The Chinese Buddhist Association. TITLE I--PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF CERTAIN
CHINESE OFFICIALS IN CONFERENCES, EXCHANGES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES
SEC. (B) Of the funds under subsection (a) authorized to
be appropriated for fiscal year 1998, $3,000,000 is
authorized to be appropriated to facilitate the timely
augmentation of transmitters at Tinian, Commonwealth of
Northern Marianas. (b) Limitations.--
(1) Radio free asia.--
(A) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated
under subsection (a) $26,900,000 is authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 1998 and $21,200,000 is
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1999 for
Radio Free Asia. (2) 1998.--
(A) Of the funds under subsection (a) authorized to
be appropriated for fiscal year 1998, $11,800,000 is
authorized to be appropriated for capital expenditures
for the purchase and construction of transmission
facilities. | TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Prohibition on Use of Funds for the Participation
of Certain Chinese Officials in Conferences, Exchanges,
Programs, and Activities
Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Increased
Funding for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America
Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions
Title I: Prohibition on Use of Funds for the Participation of Certain Chinese Officials in Conferences, Exchanges, Programs, and Activities
- Prohibits certain U.S. agencies from funding the travel and per diem expenses of certain nationals of the People's Republic of China for participation in conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities.
Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Increased Funding for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America
- Authorizes appropriations for International Broadcasting Activities for FY 1998 and 1999 in addition to sums previously authorized. Details allocation of such additional appropriations for Radio Free Asia.
Instructs the Director of the United States Information Agency and the Board of Broadcasting Governors to seek to ensure that funds made available for broadcasting to nations whose people do not fully enjoy freedom of expression do not decline in proportion to amounts made available for broadcasting to other nations.
(Sec. 202) Directs the President to report to the Congress on a plan to achieve continuous broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of America in multiple major dialects and languages to the People's Republic of China.
(Sec. 203) Reduces authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for Migration and Refugee Assistance.
Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions
- Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 to support personnel in the United States Embassy in Beijing as well as in selected American consulates to monitor political repression in the People's Republic of China.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should make freedom of religion one of the major objectives of U.S. foreign policy with respect to China; (2) the Department of State should raise the issue of individuals imprisoned or otherwise harassed by the Chinese Government on religious grounds and request a complete and timely response from the Chinese Government regarding the individuals' whereabouts and condition, the charges against them, and the sentence imposed; and (3) the goal of official communications should be the expeditious release of all religious prisoners in China and the end of religious harassment and repression. |
``(II) Special rule for newly
enrolled individuals.--Subject to
clause (ii), in the case of an
individual who enrolls in a
prescription drug plan on or after the
date of enactment of this subparagraph,
the PDP sponsor of such plan may not
remove a covered part D drug from the
plan formulary or impose a restriction
or limitation on the coverage of such a
drug (such as through the application
of a preferred status, usage
restriction, step therapy, prior
authorization, or quantity limitation)
during the period beginning on the date
of such enrollment and ending on
December 31 of the immediately
succeeding plan year except as the
Secretary may permit to take into
account new therapeutic uses and newly
covered part D drugs. ``(iii) Notice of removal under application
of exception to limitation.--The PDP sponsor of
a prescription drug plan shall provide
appropriate notice (such as under subsection
(a)(3)) of any removal or change under clause
(ii) to the Secretary, affected enrollees,
physicians, pharmacies, and pharmacists.''. REMOVAL OF COVERED PART D DRUGS FROM THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN
FORMULARY. | Medicare Drug Formulary Protection Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit removal of covered part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) drugs from a prescription drug plan formulary, or imposition of a restriction or limitation on the coverage of such a drug, during the plan year: (1) except at the beginning; or (2) for an individual enrollee, from the date of enrollment until December 31 of the immediately succeeding plan year. Specifies exceptions to such prohibition. Requires an annual notice to enrollees of changes in formulary and other restrictions or limitations on coverage. |
REFERENCE TO FULL MARKET BASKET INCREASE FOR SOLE COMMUNITY
HOSPITALS. For provision eliminating any reduction from full market basket in
the update for inpatient hospital services for sole community
hospitals, see section 401. TITLE III--RURAL HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENTS
SEC. REFERENCE TO 10 PERCENT INCREASE IN PAYMENT FOR HOSPICE CARE
FURNISHED IN A FRONTIER AREA AND RURAL HOSPICE
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. | Title III: Rural Health Care Improvements (sic) - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that, starting for discharges on or after October 1, 2002, hospitals (other than urban hospitals with 100 or more beds or certain public hospitals) will receive payments based on a blend of their current disproportionate share (DSH) adjustment and the current DSH adjustment for large urban hospitals. Limits such new DSH adjustment to ten percent for any hospital that is not classified as a rural referral center.(Sec. 303) Provides that for discharges occurring: (1) during FY 2003, the average standardized amount for hospitals located other than in a large urban area shall be increased by half the difference between the average standardized amount for hospitals located in large urban areas for such fiscal year, and such amount determined for other hospitals for such fiscal year; and (2) during FY 2004 and afterwards, the Secretary shall compute one standardized amount for all hospitals increased by the applicable percentage increase, and use this amount to pay all hospitals.(Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after revising the market basket cost weights to reflect the most current data available, to establish a frequency for revising such weights to reflect the most current data available more frequently than once every five years.(Sec. 305) Revises the critical access hospital (CAH) program to: (1) reinstate payments made on a periodic interim payment basis for inpatient services starting with payments made on or after January 1, 2003; (2) prohibit the Secretary from requiring as a condition for applying the special physician payment adjustment with respect to a CAH, that each physician providing professional services in the hospital must assign billing rights with respect to such services; (3) direct the Secretary to specify standards for determining whether a CAH has sufficiently strong seasonal variations in patient admissions to justify a five bed increase in the number of inpatient acute beds it can maintain and still retain its classification as a CAH; and (4) extend the authorization of appropriations for the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program through FY 2007.Prohibits the Secretary from recouping (or otherwise seeking to recover) overpayments made for outpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare part B for services furnished in cost reporting periods that began before October 1, 2002, insofar as such overpayments are attributable to payment being based on 80 percent of reasonable costs (instead of 100 percent of reasonable costs minus 20 percent of charges).(Sec. 306) Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) to extend through December 31, 2004, the ten percent additional payment for home health care furnished to beneficiaries residing in rural areas.(Sec. 309) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on differences in payment amounts under the physician fee schedule for physicians' services in different geographic areas.(Sec. 310) Amends SSA title XI to provide that any remuneration in the form of a contract, lease, grant, loan, or other agreement between a public or non-profit private health center and any individual or entity providing goods or services to the health center is not a violation of the anti-kickback statute if such agreement contributes to the ability of the health center to maintain or increase the availability or quality of services provided to a medically underserved population served by the health center. |
The Board'' and inserting ``public
interest, except that no transaction shall be approved and authorized
under this section unless the Board finds that the transaction--
``(1) will increase competition among rail carriers;
``(2) will not reduce transportation alternatives available
to current railroad customers;
``(3) will provide additional transportation alternative
options for railroad customers;
``(4) will improve service to customers; and
``(5) is in conformity with the antitrust laws. (a) Amendments.--Section 10706 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``: exemption from
antitrust laws'';
(2) in subsection (a)(2)(A), by striking ``, and the
Sherman Act'' and all that follows through ``carrying out the
agreement'';
(3) in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii), by striking ``a Federal
law cited in subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section'' and
inserting ``the antitrust laws'';
(4) by striking the second sentence of subsection (a)(4);
(5) in subsection (a)(5)(A), by striking ``, and the
antitrust laws'' and all that follows through ``carrying out
the agreement'';
(6) by striking the second sentence of subsection (d); and
(7) by striking subsection (e). | Declares that rail carriers and rail transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board shall also be subject to the antitrust laws.
Repeals the exemption of rate agreements from the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act and specified parts of the Wilson Tariff Act (thus subjecting such agreements to Federal antitrust laws). Repeals the mandate that the Federal Trade Commission report to the Board periodically on possible anticompetitive features of approved rate agreements, or agreements submitted for approval, and any organization operating under such agreements.
Prohibits a person proceeding against a rail carrier in a complaint before the Board from proceeding against the same rail carrier pursuant to other Federal or State law, and vice versa.
Amends the Clayton Act to conform with this Act. |
5542) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``program'' and
inserting ``coordinated program across the
Department'';
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(1);
(C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(2) and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) partner with universities, National Laboratories, and
industry to ensure the broadest possible application of the
technology developed in this program to other challenges in
science, engineering, medicine, and industry. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HIGH-END COMPUTING RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. Section 3 of the Department of Energy High-End Computing
Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. Section 2 of the Department of Energy High-End Computing
Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. ``(2) Department.--The term `Department' means the
Department of Energy. ``(7) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
means any one of the seventeen laboratories owned by the
Department. ``(B) Status reports.--At the time of the budget
submission of the Department for each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that
describes the status of milestones and costs in
achieving the objectives of the exascale computing
program. | American Super Computing Leadership Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 with respect to: (1) exascale computing (computing system performance at or near 10 to the 18th power floating point operations per second), and (2) a high-end computing system with performance substantially exceeding that of systems commonly available for advanced scientific and engineering applications. Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) coordinate the development of high-end computing systems across DOE; (2) partner with universities, National Laboratories, and industry to ensure the broadest possible application of the technology developed in the program to other challenges in science, engineering, medicine, and industry; and (3) include among the multiple architectures researched, at DOE discretion, any computer technologies that show promise of substantial reductions in power requirements and substantial gains in parallelism of multicore processors, concurrency, memory and storage, bandwidth, and reliability. Repeals authority for establishment of at least one High-End Software Development Center. Directs the Secretary to conduct a coordinated research program to develop exascale computing systems to advance DOE missions. Requires establishment through competitive merit review of two or more DOE National Laboratory-industry-university partnerships to conduct integrated research, development, and engineering of multiple exascale architectures. Requires the Secretary to conduct mission-related co-design activities in developing such exascale platforms. Defines "co-design" as the joint development of application algorithms, models, and codes with computer technology architectures and operating systems to maximize effective use of high-end computing systems. Directs the Secretary to develop any advancements in hardware and software technology required to realize fully the potential of an exascale production system in addressing DOE target applications and solving scientific problems involving predictive modeling and simulation and large-scale data analytics and management. Requires DOE also to explore the use of exascale computing technologies to advance a broad range of science and engineering. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an integrated strategy and program management plan. Requires the Secretary, before initiating construction or installation of an exascale-class computing facility, to transmit to Congress a separate plan detailing: (1) the proposed facility's cost projections and capabilities to significantly accelerate the development of new energy technologies; (2) technical risks and challenges that must be overcome to achieve successful completion and operation of the facility; and (3) an independent assessment of the scientific and technological advances expected from such a facility relative to those expected from a comparable investment in expanded research and applications at terascale-class and petascale-class computing facilities, including an evaluation of where investments should be made in the system software and algorithms to enable these advances. |
(11) Effective truancy prevention, early intervention, and
accountability programs can improve school attendance and
reduce daytime crime rates. (12) There is a lack of targeted funding for effective
truancy prevention programs in current law. (10) In many instances, parents are unaware a child is
truant. (b) Grant Authority.--The Attorney General, in consultation with
the Secretary of Education, shall make grants in accordance with this
section on a competitive basis to eligible partnerships to reduce
truancy and the incidence of daytime juvenile crime. | Truancy Prevention and Juvenile Crime Reduction Act of 1998 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to eligible partnerships of local governmental units and local educational agencies to reduce truancy and the incidence of daytime juvenile crime.
Sets forth provisions regarding maximum grant awards, allocation of such awards, and grant renewal.
Authorizes the use of grant amounts to comprehensively address truancy through: (1) parental involvement in prevention activities; (2) sanctions; (3) parental accountability; (4) in-school truancy prevention programs; (5) involvement of local law enforcement, social services, judicial, business, and religious communities, and nonprofit organizations; (6) technology; or (7) elimination of 40-day count and other unintended incentives to allow students to be truant after a certain time of school year.
Authorizes the Attorney General to give priority to funding programs that attempt to replicate specified model programs.
Authorizes appropriations. |
The purpose of this Act is to establish a regional infrastructure
accelerator program that--
(1) facilitates and mobilizes investment in, and the long-
term financing of, economically viable covered infrastructure
projects of regional or national significance by providing
funding for these projects, including through private sector
financing, to accelerate the delivery of high-quality, critical
infrastructure facilities through a self-sustaining regional
infrastructure accelerator that mitigates risk with technical
expertise and best practices; and
(2) encourages regional infrastructure accelerators to
provide assistance and communicate best practices and financing
and funding opportunities to State, local, and regional public
entities, to provide assistance with applications for Federal
funding opportunities, to promote innovative financing best
practices, and to reduce costs and risks to taxpayers. (7) The workforce and wages and benefits, as well as
assessment of infrastructure vulnerability and resilience to
the impacts of climate change and other risks. (4) Financial planning (including the identification of
funding and financing options). | Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish a regional infrastructure accelerator (RIA) program to provide initial and subsequent grants to RIAs to facilitate investment in, and long-term financing of, economically viable covered infrastructure projects. An "RIA" is defined as a multi-jurisdictional organization dedicated to providing technical assistance, financing options, and resources for covered infrastructure projects within the represented jurisdictions. A "covered infrastructure project" is defined as a project sponsored by a state, local, or regional public entity that involves the construction, consolidation, alteration, or repair of rail, bus, or public transportation facilities or equipment, highway facilities (including bridges and tunnels), airports, port or marine facilities and equipment, pipelines, inland waterways, intermodal facilities and equipment, water treatment and solid waste disposal facilities, storm water management systems, dams and levees, and facilities or equipment for energy transmission, distribution, or storage. From applications received, Treasury shall select five RIAs from geographically diverse regions to receive initial grants. An RIA shall use such a grant to: assess regional approaches for advancing innovative investment in covered infrastructure projects; develop strategies for transparency in the analysis of such projects to ensure protection of the public interest, for the bundling of smaller scale and rural projects into larger covered infrastructure projects to facilitate transactions and investments, and for reducing transaction costs associated with investments in such projects; facilitate the creation of a catalog of covered infrastructure projects available for investment; and analyze and apply project procurement methods for covered infrastructure projects. Treasury shall review final reports submitted by RIAs and select four of them to receive subsequent grants. A selected RIA shall use such subsequent grant to make subgrants to public entities for costs associated with a covered infrastructure project. |
``(a) Regulatory Control of Biological Agents and Toxins.--
``(1) List of biological agents and toxins.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall by
regulation establish and maintain a list of each
biological agent and each toxin that has the potential
to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
after consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies, shall
submit to Congress a report that--
(1) describes the extent to which there has been compliance
by governmental and private entities with applicable
regulations under section 351A of the Public Health Service Act
(as added by subsection (a)(1));
(2) describes the actions taken by the date of the report
and future plans of the Secretary for updating the list of
biological agents and toxins under such section 351A;
(3) describes the actions taken by the date of the report
and future plans of the Secretary for determining compliance
with regulations under such section 351A and for taking
appropriate enforcement actions; and
(4) provides any recommendations of the Secretary for
administrative or legislative initiatives regarding such
section 351A. (2) Relation to other laws.--
(A) Rule of construction.--Regulations promulgated
by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under
section 511 of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death
Penalty Act of 1998 are deemed to have been promulgated
under section 351A of the Public Health Service Act, as
added by paragraph (1) of this subsection. | Bioweapons Control and Tracking Act of 2001 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish and maintain a list of each biological agent and each toxin with potential to severely threaten public health and safety; (2) promulgate regulations establishing safety and security standards, procedures, restricted access, and registration requirements for listed agents and toxins, including traceability mechanisms; and (3) establish exemptions consistent with public safety. Imposes civil penalties for violations of these requirements. |