SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Settlement Trust Improvement Act of
2017''.

SEC. 2. EXCLUSION FOR ANCSA PAYMENTS ASSIGNED TO ALASKA NATIVE
              SETTLEMENT TRUSTS.

    (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting before section
140 the following new section:

``SEC. 139G. ASSIGNMENTS TO ALASKA NATIVE SETTLEMENT TRUSTS.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of a Native Corporation, gross
income shall not include the value of any payments that would otherwise
be made, or treated as being made, to such Native Corporation pursuant
to, or as required by, any provision of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), including any payment that
would otherwise be made to a Village Corporation pursuant to section
7(j) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1606(j)),
provided that any such payments--
            ``(1) are assigned in writing to a Settlement Trust, and
            ``(2) were not received by such Native Corporation prior to
        the assignment described in paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Inclusion in Gross Income.--In the case of a Settlement Trust
which has been assigned payments described in subsection (a), gross
income shall include such payments as and when such payments are
received by such Settlement Trust pursuant to the assignment and shall
have the same character as if such payments were received by the Native
Corporation.
    ``(c) Amount and Scope of Assignment.--The amount and scope of any
assignment under subsection (a) shall be described with reasonable
particularity and may either be in a percentage of one or more such
payments or in a fixed dollar amount.
    ``(d) Duration of Assignment; Revocability.--Any assignment under
subsection (a) shall specify--
            ``(1) a duration either in perpetuity or for a period of
        time, and
            ``(2) whether such assignment is revocable.
    ``(e) Prohibition on Deduction.--Notwithstanding section 250, no
deduction shall be allowed to a Native Corporation for purposes of any
amounts described in subsection (a).
    ``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms `Native
Corporation' and `Settlement Trust' have the same meaning given such
terms under section 646(h).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting before
the item relating to section 140 the following new item:

``Sec. 139G. Assignments to Alaska Native Settlement Trusts.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.

SEC. 3. DEDUCTION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALASKA NATIVE SETTLEMENT TRUSTS.

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

``SEC. 250. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALASKA NATIVE SETTLEMENT TRUSTS.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of a Native Corporation, there shall
be allowed a deduction for any contributions made by such Native
Corporation to a Settlement Trust (regardless of whether an election
under section 646 is in effect for such Settlement Trust) for which the
Native Corporation has made an annual election under subsection (e).
    ``(b) Amount of Deduction.--The amount of the deduction under
subsection (a) shall be equal to--
            ``(1) in the case of a cash contribution (regardless of the
        method of payment, including currency, coins, money order, or
        check), the amount of such contribution, or
            ``(2) in the case of a contribution not described in
        paragraph (1), the Native Corporation's adjusted basis in the
        property contributed.
    ``(c) Limitation and Carryover.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the deduction
        allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not
        exceed the taxable income of the Native Corporation for the
        taxable year in which the contribution was made.
            ``(2) Carryover.--If the aggregate amount of contributions
        described in subsection (a) for any taxable year exceeds the
        limitation under paragraph (1), such excess shall be treated as
        a contribution described in subsection (a) in each of the 15
        succeeding years in order of time.
    ``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms `Native
Corporation' and `Settlement Trust' have the same meaning given such
terms under section 646(h).
    ``(e) Manner of Making Election.--
            ``(1) In general.--For each taxable year, a Native
        Corporation may elect to have this section apply for such
        taxable year on the income tax return or amended income tax
        return of the Native Corporation, with such election to have
        effect solely for such taxable year.
            ``(2) Revocation.--Any election made by a Native
        Corporation pursuant to this subsection may be revoked pursuant
        to an amended income tax return which has been timely filed by
        such Native Corporation.
    ``(f) Additional Rules.--
            ``(1) Earnings and profits.--Notwithstanding section
        646(d)(2), in the case of a Native Corporation which claims a
        deduction under this section for any taxable year, the earnings
        and profits of such Native Corporation for such taxable year
        shall be reduced by the amount of such deduction.
            ``(2) Gain or loss.--No gain or loss shall be recognized by
        the Native Corporation with respect to a contribution of
        property for which a deduction is allowed under this section.
            ``(3) Income.--Subject to subsection (g), a Settlement
        Trust shall report income in the amount of any deduction
        allowed under this section in the taxable year in which the
        Settlement Trust actually receives such contribution.
            ``(4) Period.--In determining the period that a Settlement
        Trust has held property for which a deduction is allowed under
        this section, the period the Native Corporation has held such
        property shall be included.
            ``(5) Basis.--The basis that a Settlement Trust has for
        which a deduction is allowed under this section shall be equal
        to the adjusted basis of the Native Corporation in such
        property immediately before such contribution.
            ``(6) Prohibition.--No deduction shall be allowed under
        this section with respect to any contributions made to a
        Settlement Trust which are in violation of subsection (a)(2) or
        (c)(2) of section 39 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
        (43 U.S.C. 1629e).
    ``(g) Election by Settlement Trust To Defer Income Recognition.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a contribution which
        consists of property other than cash, a Settlement Trust may
        elect to defer recognition of any income related to such
        property until the sale or exchange of such property, in whole
        or in part, by the Settlement Trust.
            ``(2) Treatment.--In the case of property described in
        paragraph (1), any income or gain received by the Settlement
        Trust upon sale or exchange of such property shall be treated
        as--
                    ``(A) for such amount of the income or gain as is
                equal to or less than the amount of income deferred
                pursuant to this subsection, ordinary income, and
                    ``(B) for any amounts of the income or gain which
                are in excess of the amount of income deferred pursuant
                to this subsection, having the same character as if
                this subsection did not apply.
            ``(3) Election.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For each taxable year, a
                Settlement Trust may elect to apply this subsection for
                any property described in paragraph (1) which was
                contributed during such year. Any property to which the
                election applies shall be identified and described with
                reasonable particularity on the income tax return or
                amended income tax return of the Settlement Trust, with
                such election to have effect solely for such taxable
                year.
                    ``(B) Revocation.--Any election made by a
                Settlement Trust pursuant to this subsection may be
                revoked pursuant to an amended income tax return which
                has been timely filed by such Settlement Trust.
                    ``(C) Certain dispositions.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In the case of any
                        property for which an election is in effect
                        under this subsection and which is disposed of
                        within the first taxable year subsequent to the
                        taxable year in which such property was
                        contributed to the Settlement Trust--
                                    ``(I) such election shall be voided
                                as to such property,
                                    ``(II) the Settlement Trust shall
                                be required to file an amended return
                                for the taxable year in which such
                                property was contributed, and
                                    ``(III) the Settlement Trust shall
                                pay any tax applicable to such
                                property, including interest and a
                                penalty equal to 10 percent of the
                                amount of such tax.
                            ``(ii) Assessment.--Notwithstanding section
                        6501(a), any amount described in subclause
                        (III) of clause (i) may be assessed, or a
                        proceeding in court with respect to such amount
                        may be initiated without assessment, within 4
                        years after the date on which the return making
                        the election under this subsection for such
                        property was filed.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for part VIII of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 250. Contributions to Alaska Native Settlement Trusts.''.
    (c) Permissive Amendments to Trust Agreements Establishing
Settlement Trusts.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of law,
        including any provision of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
        Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), Alaska state law, or the terms of
        any trust agreement of a Settlement Trust (as defined under
        section 3(t) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, (43
        U.S.C. 1602(t))), the terms of any trust agreement of a
        Settlement Trust may, within the 1-year period following the
        date of the enactment of this Act, be amended as necessary to
        allow such Trust to make an election described in subsection
        (g) of section 250 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as
        added by subsection (a)).
            (2) Amendment.--An amendment described in paragraph (1)
        shall be enacted pursuant to one or more agreements between the
        Native Corporation that established the Settlement Trust and
        the trustees of such Trust and shall not require any vote by
        the beneficiaries of such Trust or the shareholders of such
        Native Corporation.
            (3) Registration statement.--Any Settlement Trust which was
        registered in accordance with Alaska state law prior to the
        date of the enactment of an amendment described in paragraph
        (1) shall not be required to file a new or amended registration
        statement to reflect such amendment.
    (d) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
        apply to taxable years for which the period of limitation on
        refund or credit under section 6511 of the Internal Revenue
        Code of 1986 has not expired.
            (2) One-year waiver of statute of limitations.--If the
        period of limitation on a credit or refund resulting from the
        amendments made by subsection (a) expires before the end of the
        1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
        Act, refund or credit of such overpayment (to the extent
        attributable to such amendments) may, nevertheless, be made or
        allowed if claim therefor is filed before the close of such 1-
        year period.

SEC. 4. INFORMATION REPORTING FOR DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO ALASKA
              NATIVE SETTLEMENT TRUSTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 6039H of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``sponsoring''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Deductible Contributions by Native Corporations to Alaska
Native Settlement Trusts.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any Native Corporation (as defined in
        subsection (m) of section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims
        Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(m))) which has made a
        contribution to a Settlement Trust (as defined in subsection
        (t) of such section) to which an election under subsection (e)
        of section 250 applies shall provide such Settlement Trust with
        a statement regarding such election not later than January 31
        of the calendar year subsequent to the calendar year in which
        the contribution was made.
            ``(2) Content of statement.--The statement described in
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) the total amount of contributions to which
                the election under subsection (e) of section 250
                applies,
                    ``(B) for each contribution, whether such
                contribution was in cash,
                    ``(C) for each contribution which consists of
                property other than cash, the date that such property
                was acquired by the Native Corporation and the adjusted
                basis of such property on the date such property was
                contributed to the Settlement Trust,
                    ``(D) the date on which each contribution was made
                to the Settlement Trust, and
                    ``(E) such information as the Secretary determines
                to be necessary or appropriate for the identification
                of each contribution and the accurate reporting of
                income relating to such contributions by the Settlement
                Trust.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The item relating to section 6039H in
the table of sections for subpart A of part III of subchapter A of
chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as
follows:

``Sec. 6039H. Information With Respect to Alaska Native Settlement
                            Trusts and Native Corporations.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016.

SEC. 5. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.

    This Act is remedial Indian legislation enacted under the plenary
authority of the Congress under the Constitution of the United States
to regulate Indian affairs, and any ambiguities in section 139F or 250
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this Act, shall be
resolved in favor of Native Corporations attempting to exclude income
or claim a deduction thereunder.

Summary: Settlement Trust Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of Alaska Native Settlement Trusts, to: (1) allow an Alaska Native Corporation to assign certain payments referenced in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to a trust without including the payments in the gross income of the corporation, (2) allow the corporation to elect annually to deduct contributions made to a trust, (3) allow a trust to elect to defer the recognition of gains related to contributions of property other than cash until the sale or exchange of the property, and (4) establish information reporting requirements for deductible contributions to a trust.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``World Press Freedom Protection Act
of 2015''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
                on Financial Services, the Committee on Foreign
                Affairs, the Committee on Homeland Security, and the
                Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
                Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
                on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee
                on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Homeland
                Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on
                the Judiciary of the Senate.
            (2) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means an
        individual who is neither a citizen or national of the United
        States.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS FOR RESTRICTIONS ON
              THE RIGHT TO THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND RESTRICTIONS
              ON JOURNALISTS.

    (a) In General.--The President may impose the sanctions described
in subsection (b) with respect to a foreign person if the President
determines, based on credible information, that the foreign person--
            (1) is responsible for severe restrictions on the freedom
        of expression or freedom of the press, including the arrest,
        harassment, torture, mistreatment, threats, fines, or the
        pervasive surveillance of journalists, blockage or censorship
        of the Internet that hinders the free flow of information from
        journalists, or other serious violations of the international
        right to the freedom of expression; or
            (2) has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided
        financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or
        services in support of, an activity described in paragraph (1)
        .
    (b) Inadmissibility to United States.--The sanctions described in
this subsection are the following:
            (1) ineligibility to receive a visa to enter the United
        States or to be admitted to the United States; or
            (2) if the foreign person has been issued a visa or other
        documentation to be used to enter the United States,
        revocation, in accordance with section 221(i) of the
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), of the visa
        or other documentation.
    (c) Consideration of Certain Information in Imposing Sanctions.--In
determining whether to impose sanctions under subsection (b), the
President shall consider--
            (1) information provided by the chairperson and ranking
        member of each of the appropriate congressional committees; and
            (2) credible information obtained by other countries and
        nongovernmental organizations that monitor violations of human
        rights.
    (d) Waiver for National Security Interests.--The President may
waive the application of subsection (b) with respect to a foreign
person if the President determines that such a waiver is in the
national security interests of the United States.
    (e) Exception To Comply With United Nations Headquarters
Agreement.--Subsection (b) shall not apply to a foreign person if
admitting the foreign person into the United States is necessary to
permit the United States to comply with the Agreement between the
United Nations and the United States of America regarding the
Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26,
1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, and other applicable
international obligations of the United States.
    (f) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the
application of sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a foreign
person if the President determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees not later than 15 days before the termination
of the sanctions that--
            (1) credible information exists that the foreign person did
        not engage in the activity for which sanctions were imposed;
            (2) the foreign person has been prosecuted appropriately
        for the activity for which sanctions were imposed; or
            (3) the foreign person has credibly demonstrated a
        significant change in behavior, has paid an appropriate
        consequence for the activity for which sanctions were imposed,
        and has credibly committed to not engage in an activity
        described in subsection (a) in the future.
    (g) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall issue such
regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry out this
section.

SEC. 4. REPORTS BY PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--The President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees an annual report that includes--
            (1) a list of each foreign person with respect to which the
        President imposed sanctions pursuant to section 3 during the
        year preceding the submission of the report;
            (2) the number of foreign persons with respect to which the
        President terminated sanctions under section 3 during that
        year;
            (3) the dates on which such sanctions were imposed or
        terminated, as the case may be;
            (4) the reasons for imposing or terminating such sanctions;
        and
            (5) a description of the efforts of the President to
        encourage the governments of other countries to impose
        sanctions that are similar to the sanctions authorized by
        section 3.
    (b) Dates for Submission.--
            (1) Initial report.--The President shall submit the initial
        report required by this subsection not later than 180 days
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Subsequent reports.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall submit each
                subsequent report required by this subsection on
                December 10, or the first day thereafter on which both
                Houses of Congress are in session, of--
                            (i) the calendar year in which the initial
                        report is submitted if the initial report is
                        submitted before December 10 of such calendar
                        year; and
                            (ii) each subsequent calendar year.
                    (B) Congressional statement.--Congress notes that
                December 10 of each calendar year has been recognized
                in the United States and internationally since 1950 as
                ``Human Rights Day'' and thus the importance of
                December 10 of each calendar year as the date of
                submission of the subsequent reports required by this
                subsection.
    (c) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted
unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if necessary.
    (d) Public Availability.--
            (1) In general.--The unclassified portion of the report
        required by subsection (a) shall be made available to the
        public, including through publication in the Federal Register.
            (2) Nonapplicability of confidentiality requirement with
        respect to visa records.--If the President decides to publish
        the names of individuals sanctioned in a report required under
        this section, the President may do so without regard to the
        requirements of section 222(f) of the Immigration and
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1202(f)) with respect to
        confidentiality of records pertaining to the issuance or
        refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States.

SEC. 5. LIMITING VISAS TO EXECUTIVES OF STATE-OWNED NEWS AND MEDIA
              ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Policy Statement.--Given the critical importance of the press
freedoms and the free flow of cross-border information for diplomatic,
political, and financial relations globally, and for purposes of
investors, businesses, and politicians making informed decisions, it
should be the policy of the United States Government to respond
strongly and persuasively to the growing number of restrictions,
threats, detentions, harassment, arrests, pervasive surveillance,
killings, and delays or denials of visas faced by foreign journalists
and their domestic employees, especially the blockage and censorship of
the websites of news corporations.
    (b) Limitation on I-Visas.--Section 101(a)(15)(I) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(I)) is amended by
inserting ``subject to section 214(s),'' before ``upon a basis''.
    (c) Restrictions on Visas to Executives of State-Owned Media.--
Section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(s) Restrictions on Visas to Executives of State-Owned Media.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of an alien who is an
        executive of a state-owned media organization of a foreign
        state and is applying for a visa under section 101(a)(15)(I)
        during a fiscal year, the visa shall be refused if any United
        States journalist or news organization personnel were expelled,
        had visas denied, or faced intimidation or violence or other
        restrictions in the course of working in the foreign state
        during the previous fiscal year.
            ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the
        term `executive of a state-owned media organization of a
        foreign state' means a representative, operating in a
        managerial or executive capacity of a media organization that
        is majority owned, operated, or controlled by a foreign
        government operating in the United States.''.
    (d) Transition Rule.--
            (1) In general.--The President may order the immediate
        revocation, delay, or refusal of visas under section
        101(a)(15)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
        1101(a)(15)(I)) issued to, or sought by, executives of a state-
        owned media organization of a foreign state before the date of
        the enactment of this Act in proportion to the expulsions, visa
        delays or denials, and intimidation experienced by United
        States journalists or news organization personnel in the course
        of working in the foreign state during the fiscal year
        preceding the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted.
            (2) Definition.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the term
        ``executive of a state-owned media organization of a foreign
        state'' means a representative, operating in a managerial or
        executive capacity of a media organization that is majority
        owned, operated, or controlled by a foreign government
        operating in the United States.

SEC. 6. INCLUSION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS
              FACED BY JOURNALISTS WORLDWIDE IN THE ANNUAL COUNTRY
              REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

    The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended--
            (1) in section 116(d)(12) (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d)(12))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) for each country--
                            ``(i) a detailed description of the
                        restrictions imposed against journalists and
                        their domestic personnel, including a
                        description of surveillance, harassment,
                        detentions, death threats or physical attacks,
                        censorship, including on the Internet, denials
                        or delays of visas or travel documents, direct
                        sources of pressure or intimidation, or any
                        other restrictions that limit the ability to
                        report information freely or restricts the free
                        flow of information whether by governments,
                        military, intelligence or police forces or
                        criminal groups, armed extremists, or rebel
                        groups; and
                            ``(ii) a brief assessment of the country's
                        practices with respect to foreign journalists
                        and their domestic personnel by describing the
                        country's practices as `very restrictive',
                        `restrictive', `partially restrictive', or
                        `mostly free'; and''; and
            (2) in the first subsection (i) of section 502B (22 U.S.C.
        2304)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) for each country--
            ``(5)
                    ``(A) a detailed description of the restrictions
                imposed against journalists and their domestic
                personnel, including a description of surveillance,
                harassment, detentions, death threats or physical
                attacks, censorship, including on the Internet, denials
                or delays of visas or travel documents, direct sources
                of pressure or intimidation, or any other restrictions
                that limit the ability to report information freely or
                restricts the free flow of information whether by
                governments, military, intelligence or police forces or
                criminal groups, armed extremists, or rebel groups; and
                    ``(B) a brief assessment of the country's practices
                with respect to foreign journalists and their domestic
                personnel by describing the country's practices as
                `very restrictive', `restrictive', `partially
                restrictive', or `mostly free'.''.

SEC. 7. RESTRICTIONS ON THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND CENSORSHIP OF THE
              INTERNET TREATED AS A RESTRICTION ON TRADE.

    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that restrictions on the activities of
United States journalists and media personnel and the censorship and
blockage of websites and the cross-border flow of information damages
the competitiveness of United States corporations and limits access to
information critical for investors, consumers, and others making market
and financial decisions and should be considered a restriction of trade
and an unfair competitive advantage benefitting foreign government-
controlled news organizations and other news and media corporations.
    (b) Statement of Policy.--Congress declares the following:
            (1) The United States Government should seek as part of
        international treaty negotiations and in negotiations and
        bilateral discussions with China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and
        other countries rated ``Not Free'' by Freedom House's annual
        ``Freedom of the Press'' survey, conditions for a free and
        unfettered operation of websites, an end to visas restrictions
        for journalists, an end to harassment, intimidation, and
        surveillance of foreign journalists and an end to the abuse of
        state secrets laws, including China's restrictions on the
        sharing of information between Chinese and foreign journalists.
            (2) In addition, the United States Government should seek
        to link expansion of the free flow of information with ongoing
        and future trade agreements, and other bilateral agreements and
        communiques, by seeking language eliminating any and all
        limitations on market access for news agency services and
        eliminate any restrictions on cross-border data flows involving
        journalists and the media, including in the Trans-Pacific
        Partnership, Bilateral Investment Treaties, or any other trade
        negotiations planned or in progress and seek stipulations
        guaranteeing fair treatment of United States and other foreign
        journalists and their publications, consistent with the
        treatment received by foreign journalists operating in the
        United States and free and unfettered operation of websites in
        China and other countries where they are blocked or censored.
    (c) Sense of Congress.--In order to promote freedom of the press
and recognize the importance of that internationally recognized right
to economic freedom and economic security, it is the sense of Congress
that--
            (1) restrictions on journalists and media websites and the
        censorship of the Internet are significant foreign trade
        barriers;
            (2) the United States Trade Representative should include a
        list of United States websites blocked in foreign countries in
        reporting on trade barriers in its annual report on foreign
        trade barriers; and
            (3) the United States Government should pursue, at the
        World Trade Organization (WTO) , disputes to end blockage of
        United States websites by foreign governments, which would
        include requirements for other members of the WTO to regularly
        publish a list of any banned or censored websites and provide
        website owners an opportunity to appeal.

Summary: World Press Freedom Protection Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the President to impose US admissibility sanctions against a foreign person who: is responsible for severe restrictions on the freedom of expression or freedom of the press. Or has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such an activity. The President may waive such sanctions if in US national security interests, and terminate them under specified conditions. Sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U. N.) and the United States regarding the U. N. Headquarters or other applicable international obligations of the United States. The President shall report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, and the dates and reason for the imposition of any sanctions. It should be US policy to respond strongly to the growing number of restrictions, arrests, killings, and visa delays or denials faced by foreign journalists and their domestic employees. An executive of a foreign state-owned media organization who is applying for a nonimmigrant I-visa shall be refused the visa if any US journalist or news organization personnel were expelled, had visas denied, or faced violence in the course of working in such foreign state during the previous fiscal year. Annual country reports of human rights practices under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 shall now include information about the country's practices with respect to foreign journalists and their domestic personnel. It is the sense of Congress that: restrictions on journalists and media websites and Internet censorship are significant foreign trade barriers. The United States Trade Representative should include a list of blocked US websites in its annual report on foreign trade barriers. And the United States should pursue disputes to end foreign blockage of US websites at the World Trade Organization.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``International Protecting Girls by
Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Child marriage, also known as ``forced marriage'' or
        ``early marriage'', is a harmful traditional practice that
        deprives girls of their dignity and human rights.
            (2) Child marriage as a traditional practice, as well as
        through coercion or force, is a violation of article 16 of the
        Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, ``Marriage
        shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of
        intending spouses''.
            (3) According to the United Nations Children's Fund
        (UNICEF), an estimated 60,000,000 girls in developing countries
        now ages 20 through 24 were married under the age of 18, and if
        present trends continue more than 100,000,000 more girls in
        developing countries will be married as children over the next
        decade, according to the Population Council.
            (4) Between \1/2\ and \3/4\ of all girls are married before
        the age of 18 in Niger, Chad, Mali, Bangladesh, Guinea, the
        Central African Republic, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, and Nepal,
        according to Demographic Health Survey data.
            (5) Factors perpetuating child marriage include poverty, a
        lack of educational or employment opportunities for girls,
        parental concerns to ensure sexual relations within marriage,
        the dowry system, and the perceived lack of value of girls.
            (6) Child marriage has negative effects on the health of
        girls, including significantly increased risk of maternal death
        and morbidity, infant mortality and morbidity, obstetric
        fistula, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
            (7) According to the United States Agency for International
        Development (USAID), increasing the age at first birth for a
        woman will increase her chances of survival. Currently,
        pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of
        death for women 15 to 19 years old in developing countries.
            (8) Most countries with high rates of child marriage have a
        legally established minimum age of marriage, yet child marriage
        persists due to strong traditional norms and the failure to
        enforce existing laws.
            (9) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stated that
        child marriage is ``a clear and unacceptable violation of human
        rights'', and that ``the Department of State categorically
        denounces all cases of child marriage as child abuse''.
            (10) According to an International Center for Research on
        Women analysis of Demographic and Health Survey data, areas or
        regions in developing countries in which 40 percent or more of
        girls under the age of 18 are married are considered high-
        prevalence areas for child marriage.
            (11) Investments in girls' schooling, creating safe
        community spaces for girls, and programs for skills building
        for out-of-school girls are all effective and demonstrated
        strategies for preventing child marriage and creating a pathway
        to empower girls by addressing conditions of poverty, low
        status, and norms that contribute to child marriage.

SEC. 3. CHILD MARRIAGE DEFINED.

    In this Act, the term ``child marriage'' means the marriage of a
girl or boy, not yet the minimum age for marriage stipulated in law in
the country in which the girl or boy is a resident or, where there is
no such law, under the age of 18.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) child marriage is a violation of human rights, and the
        prevention and elimination of child marriage should be a
        foreign policy goal of the United States;
            (2) the practice of child marriage undermines United States
        investments in foreign assistance to promote education and
        skills building for girls, reduce maternal and child mortality,
        reduce maternal illness, halt the transmission of HIV/AIDS,
        prevent gender-based violence, and reduce poverty; and
            (3) expanding educational opportunities for girls, economic
        opportunities for women, and reducing maternal and child
        mortality are critical to achieving the Millennium Development
        Goals and the global health and development objectives of the
        United States, including efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS.

SEC. 5. STRATEGY TO PREVENT CHILD MARRIAGE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

    (a) Assistance Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The President is authorized to provide
        assistance, including through multilateral, nongovernmental,
        and faith-based organizations, to prevent the incidence of
        child marriage in developing countries through the promotion of
        educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of
        girls and women.
            (2) Priority.--In providing assistance authorized under
        paragraph (1), the President shall give priority to--
                    (A) areas or regions in developing countries in
                which 40 percent or more of girls under the age of 18
                are married; and
                    (B) activities to--
                            (i) expand and replicate existing
                        community-based programs that are successful in
                        preventing the incidence of child marriage;
                            (ii) establish pilot projects to prevent
                        child marriage; and
                            (iii) share evaluations of successful
                        programs, program designs, experiences, and
                        lessons.
    (b) Strategy Required.--
            (1) In general.--The President shall establish a multi-year
        strategy to prevent child marriage and promote the empowerment
        of girls at risk of child marriage in developing countries,
        which should address the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and
        potential of girls under age 18 in developing countries.
            (2) Consultation.--In establishing the strategy required by
        paragraph (1), the President shall consult with Congress,
        relevant Federal departments and agencies, multilateral
        organizations, and representatives of civil society.
            (3) Elements.--The strategy required by paragraph (1)
        shall--
                    (A) focus on areas in developing countries with
                high prevalence of child marriage;
                    (B) encompass diplomatic initiatives between the
                United States and governments of developing countries,
                with attention to human rights, legal reforms, and the
                rule of law;
                    (C) encompass programmatic initiatives in the areas
                of education, health, income generation, changing
                social norms, human rights, and democracy building; and
                    (D) be submitted to Congress not later than one
                year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President should submit to Congress a report
that includes--
            (1) a description of the implementation of the strategy
        required by subsection (b);
            (2) examples of best practices or programs to prevent child
        marriage in developing countries that could be replicated; and
            (3) an assessment, including data disaggregated by age and
        sex to the extent possible, of current United States funded
        efforts to specifically prevent child marriage in developing
        countries.
    (d) Coordination.--Assistance authorized under subsection (a) shall
be integrated with existing United States development programs.
    (e) Activities Supported.--Assistance authorized under subsection
(a) may be made available for activities in the areas of education,
health, income generation, agriculture development, legal rights,
democracy building, and human rights, including--
            (1) support for community-based activities that encourage
        community members to address beliefs or practices that promote
        child marriage and to educate parents, community leaders,
        religious leaders, and adolescents of the health risks
        associated with child marriage and the benefits for
        adolescents, especially girls, of access to education, health
        care, livelihood skills, microfinance, and savings programs;
            (2) support for activities to educate girls in primary and
        secondary school at the appropriate age and keeping them in
        age-appropriate grade levels through adolescence;
            (3) support for activities to reduce education fees and
        enhance safe and supportive conditions in primary and secondary
        schools to meet the needs of girls, including--
                    (A) access to water and suitable hygiene
                facilities, including separate lavatories and latrines
                for girls;
                    (B) assignment of female teachers;
                    (C) safe routes to and from school; and
                    (D) eliminating sexual harassment and other forms
                of violence and coercion;
            (4) support for activities that allow adolescent girls to
        access health care services and proper nutrition, which is
        essential to both their school performance and their economic
        productivity;
            (5) assistance to train adolescent girls and their parents
        in financial literacy and access economic opportunities,
        including livelihood skills, savings, microfinance, and small-
        enterprise development;
            (6) support for education, including through community and
        faith-based organizations and youth programs, that helps remove
        gender stereotypes and the bias against girls used to justify
        child marriage, especially efforts targeted at men and boys,
        promotes zero tolerance for violence, and promotes gender
        equality, which in turn help to increase the perceived value of
        girls;
            (7) assistance to create peer support and female mentoring
        networks and safe social spaces specifically for girls; and
            (8) support for local advocacy work to provide legal
        literacy programs at the community level to ensure that
        governments and law enforcement officials are meeting their
        obligations to prevent child and forced marriage.

SEC. 6. RESEARCH AND DATA.

    It is the sense of Congress that the President and all relevant
agencies should, as part of their ongoing research and data collection
activities--
            (1) collect and make available data on the incidence of
        child marriage in countries that receive foreign or development
        assistance from the United States where the practice of child
        marriage is prevalent; and
            (2) collect and make available data on the impact of the
        incidence of child marriage and the age at marriage on progress
        in meeting key development goals.

SEC. 7. DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
              PRACTICES.

    The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended--
            (1) in section 116 (22 U.S.C. 2151n), by adding at the end
        the following new subsection:
    ``(g) The report required by subsection (d) shall include, for each
country in which child marriage is prevalent, a description of the
status of the practice of child marriage in such country. In this
subsection, the term `child marriage' means the marriage of a girl or
boy, not yet the minimum age for marriage stipulated in law or under
the age of 18 if no such law exists, in the country in which such girl
or boy is a resident.''; and
            (2) in section 502B (22 U.S.C. 2304), by adding at the end
        the following new subsection:
    ``(i) The report required by subsection (b) shall include, for each
country in which child marriage is prevalent, a description of the
status of the practice of child marriage in such country. In this
subsection, the term `child marriage' means the marriage of a girl or
boy, not yet the minimum age for marriage stipulated in law or under
the age of 18 if no such law exists, in the country in which such girl
or boy is a resident.''.

            Passed the Senate December 1, 2010.

            Attest:

                                                NANCY ERICKSON,

                                                             Secretary.

Summary: International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2010 - Defines child marriage as the marriage of a girl or boy not yet the minimum age for marriage stipulated in law in the country in which the girl or boy is a resident, or where there is no such law, under the age of 18. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) child marriage is a violation of human rights and its prevention and elimination should be a US foreign policy goal. And (2) expanding educational opportunities for girls, economic opportunities for women, and reducing maternal and child mortality are critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and US global health and development objectives, including efforts to prevent HIVAIDS. Authorizes the President to provide assistance, including through multilateral, nongovernmental, and faith-based organizations, to prevent child marriage in developing countries and to promote the educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of girls and women. Sets forth priority assistance criteria. Directs the President to establish a multi-year strategy to prevent child marriage and promote the empowerment of girls at risk of child marriage in developing countries, and should include addressing the unique needs, vulnerabilities, and potential of girls under age 18 in developing countries. Sets forth strategy elements. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President and all relevant agencies should collect and make available data on: (1) the incidence of child marriage in countries that receive US foreign or development assistance where the practice of child marriage is prevalent. And (2) the impact of the incidence of child marriage and the age at marriage on progress in meeting key development goals. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that Department of State country reports on human rights practices include a description of the status of child marriage for each country in which child marriage is prevalent.

A bill to protect girls in developing countries through the prevention of child marriage, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. HIGHWAY FUEL TAX HOLIDAY.

    (a) Temporary Suspension of Highway Fuel Taxes on Gasoline and
Diesel Fuel.--
            (1) In general.--Section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code
        of 1986 (relating to imposition of tax on gasoline, diesel
        fuel, and kerosene) is amended by adding at the end the
        following new subsection:
    ``(f) Temporary Suspension of Taxes on Gasoline and Diesel Fuel.--
            ``(1) In general.--During the applicable period, each rate
        of tax referred to in paragraph (2) shall be reduced to zero
        cents per gallon.
            ``(2) Rates of tax.--The rates of tax referred to in this
        paragraph are--
                    ``(A) the rate of tax otherwise applicable to
                gasoline under clause (i) of subsection (a)(2)(A),
                determined with regard to subsection (a)(2)(B) and
                without regard to subsection (a)(2)(C),
                    ``(B) the rate of tax otherwise applicable to
                diesel fuel under clause (iii) of subsection (a)(2)(A),
                determined with regard to subsection (a)(2)(B) and
                without regard to subsection (a)(2)(C), and
                    ``(C) the rate of tax otherwise applicable to
                diesel fuel under paragraph (1) of section 4041(a) with
                respect to fuel sold for use or used in a diesel-
                powered highway vehicle.
            ``(3) Applicable period.--For purposes of this subsection,
        the term `applicable period' means the period beginning on May
        26, 2008, and ending on September 1, 2008.
            ``(4) Maintenance of trust fund deposits.--In determining
        the amounts to be appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund under
        section 9503 and to the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust
        Fund under 9508, an amount equal to the reduction in revenues
        to the Treasury by reason of this subsection shall be treated
        as taxes received in the Treasury under this section or section
        4041.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection
        shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Floor Stock Refunds.--
            (1) In general.--If--
                    (A) before the tax suspension date, a tax referred
                to in section 4081(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
                of 1986 has been imposed under such Code on any liquid,
                and
                    (B) on such date such liquid is held by a dealer
                and has not been used and is intended for sale,
        there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to the
        person who paid such tax (hereafter in this subsection referred
        to as the ``taxpayer''), against the taxpayer's subsequent
        semi-monthly deposit of such tax, an amount equal to the excess
        of the tax paid by the taxpayer over the amount of such tax
        which would be imposed on such liquid had the taxable event
        occurred on the tax suspension date.
            (2) Time for filing claims; certifications necessary to
        file claims.--
                    (A) In general.--No credit or refund shall be
                allowed or made under this subsection--
                            (i) unless claim therefore is filed with
                        the Secretary before the date which is 6 months
                        after the tax suspension date, and
                            (ii) in any case where liquid is held by a
                        dealer (other than the taxpayer) on the tax
                        suspension date, unless the taxpayer files with
                        the Secretary--
                                    (I) a certification that the
                                taxpayer has given a credit to such
                                dealer with respect to such liquid
                                against the dealer's first purchase of
                                liquid from the taxpayer subsequent to
                                the tax suspension date, and
                                    (II) a certification by such dealer
                                that such dealer has given a credit to
                                a succeeding dealer (if any) with
                                respect to such liquid against the
                                succeeding dealer's first purchase of
                                liquid from such dealer subsequent to
                                the tax suspension date.
                    (B) Reasonableness of claims certified.--Any
                certification made under subparagraph (A) shall include
                an additional certification that the claim for credit
                was reasonably based on the taxpayer's or dealer's past
                business relationship with the succeeding dealer.
            (3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    (A) the terms ``dealer'' and ``held by a dealer''
                have the respective meanings given to such terms by
                section 6412 of such Code; except that the term
                ``dealer'' includes a producer, and
                    (B) the term ``tax suspension date'' means May 26,
                2008.
            (4) Certain rules to apply.--Rules similar to the rules of
        subsections (b) and (c) of section 6412 of such Code shall
        apply for purposes of this subsection.
    (c) Floor Stocks Tax.--
            (1) Imposition of tax.--In the case of any liquid on which
        tax would have been imposed under section 4081 of the Internal
        Revenue Code of 1986 during the applicable period but for the
        amendment made by subsection (a), and which is held on the
        floor stocks tax date by any person, there is hereby imposed a
        floor stocks tax in an amount equal to the tax which would be
        imposed on such liquid had the taxable event occurred on the
        floor stocks tax date.
            (2) Liability for tax and method of payment.--
                    (A) Liability for tax.--A person holding a liquid
                on the floor stocks tax date to which the tax imposed
                by paragraph (1) applies shall be liable for such tax.
                    (B) Method of payment.--The tax imposed by
                paragraph (1) shall be paid in such manner as the
                Secretary shall prescribe.
                    (C) Time for payment.--The tax imposed by paragraph
                (1) shall be paid on or before the date which is 6
                months after the floor stocks tax date.
            (3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    (A) Held by a person.--A liquid shall be considered
                as ``held by a person'' if title thereto has passed to
                such person (whether or not delivery to the person has
                been made).
                    (B) Gasoline and diesel fuel.--The terms
                ``gasoline'' and ``diesel fuel'' have the respective
                meanings given such terms by section 4083 of such Code.
                    (C) Floor stocks tax date.--The term ``floor stocks
                tax date'' means September 2, 2008.
                    (D) Applicable period.--The term ``applicable
                period'' means the period described in section
                4081(f)(3) of such Code.
            (4) Exception for exempt uses.--The tax imposed by
        paragraph (1) shall not apply to gasoline or diesel fuel held
        by any person exclusively for any use to the extent a credit or
        refund of the tax imposed by section 4081 of such Code is
        allowable for such use.
            (5) Exception for fuel held in vehicle tank.--No tax shall
        be imposed by paragraph (1) on gasoline or diesel fuel held in
        the tank of a motor vehicle.
            (6) Exception for certain amounts of fuel.--
                    (A) In general.--No tax shall be imposed by
                paragraph (1)--
                            (i) on gasoline (other than aviation
                        gasoline) held on the floor stocks tax date by
                        any person if the aggregate amount of gasoline
                        held by such person on such date does not
                        exceed 4,000 gallons, and
                            (ii) on diesel fuel held on such date by
                        any person if the aggregate amount of diesel
                        fuel held by such person on such date does not
                        exceed 2,000 gallons.
                The preceding sentence shall apply only if such person
                submits to the Secretary (at the time and in the manner
                required by the Secretary) such information as the
                Secretary shall require for purposes of this
                subparagraph.
                    (B) Exempt fuel.--For purposes of subparagraph (A),
                there shall not be taken into account fuel held by any
                person which is exempt from the tax imposed by
                paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (4) or (5).
                    (C) Controlled groups.--For purposes of this
                paragraph--
                            (i) Corporations.--
                                    (I) In general.--All persons
                                treated as a controlled group shall be
                                treated as 1 person.
                                    (II) Controlled group.--The term
                                ``controlled group'' has the meaning
                                given to such term by subsection (a) of
                                section 1563 of such Code; except that
                                for such purposes the phrase ``more
                                than 50 percent'' shall be substituted
                                for the phrase ``at least 80 percent''
                                each place it appears in such
                                subsection.
                            (ii) Nonincorporated persons under common
                        control.--Under regulations prescribed by the
                        Secretary, principles similar to the principles
                        of clause (i) shall apply to a group of persons
                        under common control where 1 or more of such
                        persons is not a corporation.
            (7) Other law applicable.--All provisions of law, including
        penalties, applicable with respect to the taxes imposed by
        section 4081 of such Code shall, insofar as applicable and not
        inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph, apply with
        respect to the floor stock taxes imposed by paragraph (1) to
        the same extent as if such taxes were imposed by such section
        4081.
    (d) Secretary.--For purposes of this section, the term
``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's
delegate.
    (e) Benefits of Tax Reduction Should Be Passed on to Consumers.--It
is the policy of Congress that--
            (1) consumers immediately receive the benefit of the
        reduction in taxes resulting from the amendment made by
        subsection (a), and
            (2) transportation motor fuels producers and other dealers
        take such actions as necessary to reduce transportation motor
        fuels prices to reflect such reduction, including immediate
        credits to customer accounts representing tax refunds allowed
        as credits against excise tax deposit payments under the floor
        stocks refund provisions of subsection (b).

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Provides for reimbursement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from such suspension. Expresses the policy of Congress that: (1) consumers immediately receive the benefit of the reduction in taxes resulting from this Act. And (2) transportation motor fuels producers and other dealers take necessary actions to reduce fuel prices to reflect such reduction in taxes.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a highway fuel tax holiday.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Government Shutdown Accountability
and Economic Report Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITING PAY OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN EVENT OF GOVERNMENT
              SHUTDOWN.

    (a) Prohibition of Pay.--
            (1) In general.--If on any day during a pay period a
        Government shutdown is in effect, the payroll administrator of
        each House of Congress shall exclude from the payments
        otherwise required to be made with respect to that pay period
        for the compensation of each Member of Congress who serves in
        that House of Congress an amount equal to the product of--
                    (A) an amount equal to one day's worth of pay under
                the annual rate of pay applicable to the Member under
                section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
                1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501); and
                    (B) the number of 24-hour periods during which the
                Government shutdown is in effect which occur during the
                pay period.
            (2) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply with
        respect to days occurring after the date of the regularly
        scheduled general election for Federal office held in November
        2018.
    (b) Special Rule for One Hundred Fifteenth Congress.--
            (1) Holding salaries in escrow.--If on any day during the
        One Hundred Fifteenth Congress a Government shutdown is in
        effect, the payroll administrator of that House of Congress
        shall--
                    (A) withhold from the payments otherwise required
                to be made with respect to a pay period for the
                compensation of each Member of Congress who serves in
                that House of Congress an amount equal to the product
                of--
                            (i) an amount equal to one day's worth of
                        pay under the annual rate of pay applicable to
                        the Member under section 601(a) of the
                        Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2
                        U.S.C. 4501); and
                            (ii) the number of 24-hour periods during
                        which the Government shutdown is in effect
                        which occur during the pay period; and
                    (B) deposit in an escrow account all amounts
                withheld under subparagraph (A).
            (2) Release of amounts at end of the congress.--In order to
        ensure that this subsection is carried out in a manner that
        shall not vary the compensation of Senators or Representatives
        in violation of the twenty-seventh article of amendment to the
        Constitution of the United States, the payroll administrator of
        a House of Congress shall release for payments to Members of
        that House of Congress any amounts remaining in any escrow
        account under this subsection on the last day of the One
        Hundred Fifteenth Congress.
            (3) Exception for days occurring after general election.--
        This subsection does not apply with respect to any day during
        the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress which occurs after the date
        of the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office
        held in November 2018.
    (c) Role of Secretary of the Treasury.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall provide the payroll administrators of the Houses of
Congress with such assistance as may be necessary to enable the payroll
administrators to carry out this section.
    (d) Payroll Administrator Defined.--In this section, the ``payroll
administrator'' of a House of Congress means--
            (1) in the case of the House of Representatives, the Chief
        Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, or an
        employee of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer who
        is designated by the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out
        this section; and
            (2) in the case of the Senate, the Secretary of the Senate,
        or an employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate who
        is designated by the Secretary to carry out this section.
    (e) Member of Congress Defined.--In this section, the term ``Member
of Congress'' means an individual serving in a position under
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section 601(a) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501).

SEC. 3. REPORTS BY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ON ECONOMIC COSTS AND
              COSTS TO TAXPAYERS OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

    Not later than 24 hours after each day on which a Government
shutdown is in effect, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
shall submit a report to Congress containing information on each of the
following, based on the most recent information available to the
Director:
            (1) An estimate of the economic output lost on that day as
        the result of the Government shutdown.
            (2) An estimate of any decrease in gross domestic product
        for the quarter that will occur as the result of the Government
        shutdown.
            (3) The value of any assistance, including loans, grants,
        and contracts, that the Small Business Administration was
        unable to provide as the result of the Government shutdown.
            (4) The amount of any revenue for the National Park Service
        that was lost on that day as the result of the closure of
        National Park Service lands and historic sites.
            (5) An estimate of revenue lost on that day because of the
        effects of the Government shutdown on tourism and travel to and
        within the United States, including travel by foreign tourists.

SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

    For purposes of this Act, a Government shutdown shall be considered
to be in effect if there is a lapse in appropriations for any Federal
agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular
appropriations bill or continuing resolution.

Summary: Government Shutdown Accountability and Economic Report Act of 2017 This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid salaries during a pay period in which a government shutdown is in effect after the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held in November 2018. For the purpose of this bill, a government shutdown is considered to be in effect if there is a lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution. If a government shutdown occurs during the 115th Congress, congressional salaries must be withheld during the shutdown and released to Members of Congress at the end of the Congress, subject to an exception for any day during the 115th Congress which occurs after the date of the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held in November 2018. During a government shutdown, the Congressional Budget Office must submit specified reports to Congress regarding the costs and economic effects of the shutdown.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Federally
Supported Health Centers Assistance Act of 1995''.
    (b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever
in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference
shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the
Public Health Service Act.

SEC. 2. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 224(g)(3) (42 U.S.C. 233(g)(3)) is amended
by striking the last sentence.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 224(k) (42 U.S.C. 233(k)) is
amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1)(A)--
            (A) by striking ``For each of the fiscal years 1993, 1994,
        and 1995'' and inserting ``For each fiscal year''; and
            (B) by striking ``(except'' and all that follows through
        ``thereafter)''; and
        (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``for each of the fiscal
    years 1993, 1994, and 1995'' and inserting ``for each fiscal
    year''.

SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF COVERAGE.

    Section 224 (42 U.S.C. 233) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``an entity described in
    paragraph (4)'' in the first sentence and all that follows through
    ``contractor'' in the second sentence and inserting the following:
    ``an entity described in paragraph (4), and any officer, governing
    board member, or employee of such an entity, and any contractor of
    such an entity who is a physician or other licensed or certified
    health care practitioner (subject to paragraph (5)), shall be
    deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service for a
    calendar year that begins during a fiscal year for which a transfer
    was made under subsection (k)(3) (subject to paragraph (3)). The
    remedy against the United States for an entity described in
    paragraph (4) and any officer, governing board member, employee, or
    contractor''; and
        (2) in subsection (k)(3), by inserting ``governing board
    member,'' after ``officer,''.

SEC. 4. COVERAGE FOR SERVICES FURNISHED TO INDIVIDUALS OTHER THAN
              CENTER PATIENTS.

    Section 224(g)(1) (42 U.S.C. 233(g)) is amended--
        (1) by redesignating paragraph (1) as paragraph (1)(A); and
        (2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
    ``(B) The deeming of any entity or officer, governing board member,
employee, or contractor of the entity to be an employee of the Public
Health Service for purposes of this section shall apply with respect to
services provided--
        ``(i) to all patients of the entity, and
        ``(ii) subject to subparagraph (C), to individuals who are not
    patients of the entity.
    ``(C) Subparagraph (B)(ii) applies to services provided to
individuals who are not patients of an entity if the Secretary
determines, after reviewing an application submitted under subparagraph
(D), that the provision of the services to such individuals--
        ``(i) benefits patients of the entity and general populations
    that could be served by the entity through community-wide
    intervention efforts within the communities served by such entity;
        ``(ii) facilitates the provision of services to patients of the
    entity; or
        ``(iii) are otherwise required under an employment contract (or
    similar arrangement) between the entity and an officer, governing
    board member, employee, or contractor of the entity.''.

SEC. 5. APPLICATION PROCESS.

    (a) Application Requirement.--Section 224(g)(1) (42 U.S.C.
233(g)(1)) (as amended by section 4) is further amended--
        (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting after ``For purposes of
    this section'' the following: ``and subject to the approval by the
    Secretary of an application under subparagraph (D)''; and
        (2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
    ``(D) The Secretary may not under subparagraph (A) deem an entity
or an officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of the
entity to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of
this section, and may not apply such deeming to services described in
subparagraph (B)(ii), unless the entity has submitted an application
for such deeming to the Secretary in such form and such manner as the
Secretary shall prescribe. The application shall contain detailed
information, along with supporting documentation, to verify that the
entity, and the officer, governing board member, employee, or
contractor of the entity, as the case may be, meets the requirements of
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph and that the entity meets
the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (h).
    ``(E) The Secretary shall make a determination of whether an entity
or an officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of the
entity is deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service for
purposes of this section within 30 days after the receipt of an
application under subparagraph (D). The determination of the Secretary
that an entity or an officer, governing board member, employee, or
contractor of the entity is deemed to be an employee of the Public
Health Service for purposes of this section shall apply for the period
specified by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
    ``(F) Once the Secretary makes a determination that an entity or an
officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of an entity
is deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes
of this section, the determination shall be final and binding upon the
Secretary and the Attorney General and other parties to any civil
action or proceeding. Except as provided in subsection (i), the
Secretary and the Attorney General may not determine that the provision
of services which are the subject of such a determination are not
covered under this section.
    ``(G) In the case of an entity described in paragraph (4) that has
not submitted an application under subparagraph (D):
        ``(i) The Secretary may not consider the entity in making
    estimates under subsection (k)(1).
        ``(ii) This section does not affect any authority of the entity
    to purchase medical malpractice liability insurance coverage with
    Federal funds provided to the entity under section 329, 330, 340,
    or 340A.
    ``(H) In the case of an entity described in paragraph (4) for which
an application under subparagraph (D) is in effect, the entity may,
through notifying the Secretary in writing, elect to terminate the
applicability of this subsection to the entity. With respect to such
election by the entity:
        ``(i) The election is effective upon the expiration of the 30-
    day period beginning on the date on which the entity submits such
    notification.
        ``(ii) Upon taking effect, the election terminates the
    applicability of this subsection to the entity and each officer,
    governing board member, employee, and contractor of the entity.
        ``(iii) Upon the effective date for the election, clauses (i)
    and (ii) of subparagraph (G) apply to the entity to the same extent
    and in the same manner as such clauses apply to an entity that has
    not submitted an application under subparagraph (D).
        ``(iv) If after making the election the entity submits an
    application under subparagraph (D), the election does not preclude
    the Secretary from approving the application (and thereby restoring
    the applicability of this subsection to the entity and each
    officer, governing board member, employee, and contractor of the
    entity, subject to the provisions of this subsection and the
    subsequent provisions of this section.''.
    (b) Approval Process.--Section 224(h) (42 U.S.C. 233(h)) is
amended--
        (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
    ``Notwithstanding'' and all that follows through ``entity--'' and
    inserting the following: ``The Secretary may not approve an
    application under subsection (g)(1)(D) unless the Secretary
    determines that the entity--''; and
        (2) by striking ``has fully cooperated'' in paragraph (4) and
    inserting ``will fully cooperate''.
    (c) Delayed Applicability for Current Participants.--If, on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act, an entity was deemed to
be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of section
224(g) of the Public Health Service Act, the condition under paragraph
(1)(D) of such section (as added by subsection (a) of this section)
that an application be approved with respect to the entity does not
apply until the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on such
date.

SEC. 6. TIMELY RESPONSE TO FILING OF ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

    Section 224 (42 U.S.C. 233) is amended by adding at the end thereof
the following subsection:
    ``(l)(1) If a civil action or proceeding is filed in a State court
against any entity described in subsection (g)(4) or any officer,
governing board member, employee, or any contractor of such an entity
for damages described in subsection (a), the Attorney General, within
15 days after being notified of such filing, shall make an appearance
in such court and advise such court as to whether the Secretary has
determined under subsections (g) and (h), that such entity, officer,
governing board member, employee, or contractor of the entity is deemed
to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of this
section with respect to the actions or omissions that are the subject
of such civil action or proceeding. Such advice shall be deemed to
satisfy the provisions of subsection (c) that the Attorney General
certify that an entity, officer, governing board member, employee, or
contractor of the entity was acting within the scope of their
employment or responsibility.
    ``(2) If the Attorney General fails to appear in State court within
the time period prescribed under paragraph (1), upon petition of any
entity or officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of
the entity named, the civil action or proceeding shall be removed to
the appropriate United States district court. The civil action or
proceeding shall be stayed in such court until such court conducts a
hearing, and makes a determination, as to the appropriate forum or
procedure for the assertion of the claim for damages described in
subsection (a) and issues an order consistent with such
determination.''.

SEC. 7. APPLICATION OF COVERAGE TO MANAGED CARE PLANS.

    Section 224 (42 U.S.C. 223) (as amended by section 6) is amended by
adding at the end thereof the following subsection:
    ``(m)(1) An entity or officer, governing board member, employee, or
contractor of an entity described in subsection (g)(1) shall, for
purposes of this section, be deemed to be an employee of the Public
Health Service with respect to services provided to individuals who are
enrollees of a managed care plan if the entity contracts with such
managed care plan for the provision of services.
    ``(2) Each managed care plan which enters into a contract with an
entity described in subsection (g)(4) shall deem the entity and any
officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of the entity
as meeting whatever malpractice coverage requirements such plan may
require of contracting providers for a calendar year if such entity or
officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor of the entity
has been deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service for
purposes of this section for such calendar year. Any plan which is
found by the Secretary on the record, after notice and an opportunity
for a full and fair hearing, to have violated this subsection shall
upon such finding cease, for a period to be determined by the
Secretary, to receive and to be eligible to receive any Federal funds
under titles XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act.
    ``(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term `managed care plan'
shall mean health maintenance organizations and similar entities that
contract at-risk with payors for the provision of health services or
plan enrollees and which contract with providers (such as entities
described in subsection (g)(4)) for the delivery of such services to
plan enrollees.''.

SEC. 8. COVERAGE FOR PART-TIME PROVIDERS UNDER CONTRACTS.

    Section 224(g)(5)(B) (42 U.S.C. 223(g)(5)(B)) is amended to read as
follows:
        ``(B) in the case of an individual who normally performs an
    average of less than 32\1/2\ hours of services per week for the
    entity for the period of the contract, the individual is a licensed
    or certified provider of services in the fields of family practice,
    general internal medicine, general pediatrics, or obstetrics and
    gynecology.''.

SEC. 9. DUE PROCESS FOR LOSS OF COVERAGE.

    Section 224(i)(1) (42 U.S.C. 233(i)(1)) is amended by striking
``may determine, after notice and opportunity for a hearing'' and
inserting ``may on the record determine, after notice and opportunity
for a full and fair hearing''.

SEC. 10. AMOUNT OF RESERVE FUND.

    Section 224(k)(2) (42 U.S.C. 223(k)(2)) is amended by striking
``$30,000,000'' and inserting ``$10,000,000''.

SEC. 11. REPORT ON RISK EXPOSURE OF COVERED ENTITIES.

    Section 224 (as amended by section 7) is amended by adding at the
end thereof the following subsection:
    ``(n)(1) Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
the Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act of 1995, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Congress a
report on the following:
        ``(A) The medical malpractice liability claims experience of
    entities that have been deemed to be employees for purposes of this
    section.
        ``(B) The risk exposure of such entities.
        ``(C) The value of private sector risk-management services, and
    the value of risk-management services and procedures required as a
    condition of receiving a grant under section 329, 330, 340, or
    340A.
        ``(D) A comparison of the costs and the benefits to taxpayers
    of maintaining medical malpractice liability coverage for such
    entities pursuant to this section, taking into account--
            ``(i) a comparison of the costs of premiums paid by such
        entities for private medical malpractice liability insurance
        with the cost of coverage pursuant to this section; and
            ``(ii) an analysis of whether the cost of premiums for
        private medical malpractice liability insurance coverage is
        consistent with the liability claims experience of such
        entities.
    ``(2) The report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
        ``(A) A comparison of--
            ``(i) an estimate of the aggregate amounts that such
        entities (together with the officers, governing board members,
        employees, and contractors of such entities who have been
        deemed to be employees for purposes of this section) would have
        directly or indirectly paid in premiums to obtain medical
        malpractice liability insurance coverage if this section were
        not in effect; with
            ``(ii) the aggregate amounts by which the grants received
        by such entities under this Act were reduced pursuant to
        subsection (k)(2).
        ``(B) A comparison of--
            ``(i) an estimate of the amount of privately offered such
        insurance that such entities (together with the officers,
        governing board members, employees, and contractors of such
        entities who have been deemed to be employees for purposes of
        this section) purchased during the three-year period beginning
        on January 1, 1993; with
            ``(ii) an estimate of the amount of such insurance that
        such entities (together with the officers, governing board
        members, employees, and contractors of such entities who have
        been deemed to be employees for purposes of this section) will
        purchase after the date of the enactment of the Federally
        Supported Health Centers Assistance Act of 1995.
        ``(C) An estimate of the medical malpractice liability loss
    history of such entities for the 10-year period preceding October
    1, 1996, including but not limited to the following:
            ``(i) Claims that have been paid and that are estimated to
        be paid, and legal expenses to handle such claims that have
        been paid and that are estimated to be paid, by the Federal
        Government pursuant to deeming entities as employees for
        purposes of this section.
            ``(ii) Claims that have been paid and that are estimated to
        be paid, and legal expenses to handle such claims that have
        been paid and that are estimated to be paid, by private medical
        malpractice liability insurance.
      ``(D) An analysis of whether the cost of premiums for private
    medical malpractice liability insurance coverage is consistent with
    the liability claims experience of entities that have been deemed
    as employees for purposes of this section.
    ``(3) In preparing the report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller
General of the United States shall consult with public and private
entities with expertise on the matters with which the report is
concerned.''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Summary: Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act of 1995 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to remove provisions ending, on a specified date, the application of provisions: (1) deeming health care practitioner officers, employees, or contractors of certain entities to be employees of the Public Health Service (PHS). And (2) making a malpractice action against the United States the sole remedy against such practitioners. Adds governing board members to the list of practitioners deemed to be PHS employees. Allows, in certain circumstances, deeming the practitioners to be PHS employees while treating individuals who are not patients of such entities. Requires approval of an application for the deeming. Sets forth an application process. Directs the Attorney General to appear in State court actions to advise the court whether an officer, governing board member, employee, or contractor has been deemed to be an employee of the Public Health Service. Provides for the application of coverage to managed care plans. Revises the requirements: (1) to be considered a contractor of such an entity. And (2) of due process regarding exclusion of specific individuals from coverage. Reduces the maximum limit on the fund set up to cover annual estimated claims. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on: (1) the claims experience of entities deemed to be employees under this Act, (2) the risk exposure of those entities, (3) the value of private sector risk management services. And (4) certain comparisons, analyses, and estimates related to this Act.