SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Drone Federalism Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. PRESERVATION OF STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL AUTHORITIES WITH
              RESPECT TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

    (a) Scope of Preemption for Civil Unmanned Aircraft Regulations.--
In prescribing regulations or standards related to civil unmanned
aircraft systems, the Administrator shall--
            (1) define the scope of the preemptive effect of such
        regulations or standards pursuant to section 40103 or 41713 of
        title 49, United States Code, which shall be limited to the
        extent necessary to ensure the safety and efficiency of the
        national airspace system for interstate commerce; and
            (2) preserve, to the greatest extent practicable,
        legitimate interests of State, local, and tribal governments,
        including--
                    (A) protecting public safety;
                    (B) protecting personal privacy;
                    (C) protecting property rights;
                    (D) managing land use; and
                    (E) restricting nuisances and noise pollution.
    (b) Reserved Powers.--
            (1) In general.--In prescribing regulations or standards
        related to civil unmanned aircraft systems, the Administrator
        shall ensure that the authority of a State, local, or tribal
        government to issue reasonable restrictions on the time,
        manner, and place of operation of a civil unmanned aircraft
        system that is operated below 200 feet above ground level or
        within 200 feet of a structure is not preempted.
            (2) Reasonable restrictions.--For purposes of paragraph
        (1), reasonable restrictions on the time, manner, and place of
        operation of a civil unmanned aircraft system include the
        following:
                    (A) Limitations on speed.
                    (B) Prohibitions or limitations on operations in
                the vicinity of schools, parks, roadways, bridges, or
                other public or private property.
                    (C) Restrictions on operations at certain times of
                the day or week or on specific occasions such as during
                parades or sporting events.
                    (D) Prohibitions on operations while the operator
                is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
                    (E) Prohibitions on careless or reckless
                operations.
                    (F) Other prohibitions that protect public safety,
                personal privacy, or property rights, or that manage
                land use or restrict noise pollution.

SEC. 3. PRESERVATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.

    (a) Affirmation of Applicability of Constitutional Takings Clause
to Federal Aviation Administration Regulations.--In prescribing
regulations or standards related to civil unmanned aircraft systems,
the Administrator shall not authorize the operation of a civil unmanned
aircraft in the immediate reaches of the airspace above property
without permission of the property owner.
    (b) Affirmation of Applicability of Constitutional Takings Clause
Absent Federal Aviation Administration Regulations.--Section 336(a) of
the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49
U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) when flown in the immediate reaches of the airspace
        above property (as defined in section 3(c) of the Drone
        Federalism Act of 2017), the operator has the permission of the
        property owner.''.
    (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``immediate reaches of
the airspace above property'', with respect to the operation of a civil
unmanned aircraft system, includes--
            (1) any area within 200 feet above the ground level of the
        property;
            (2) any area within 200 feet above any structure on the
        property; and
            (3) any area where operation of the aircraft system could
        interfere with the enjoyment or use of the property.

SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM ON FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into agreements
with not more than 10 State, local, or tribal governments to establish
pilot programs under which--
            (1) the Administrator shall provide technical assistance to
        such governments in regulating the operation of civil unmanned
        aircraft systems, including through the use of the latest
        available technologies; and
            (2) the Administrator and such governments shall coordinate
        efforts with respect to the enforcement of regulations relating
        to the operation of civil unmanned aircraft systems.
    (b) Selection.--In selecting among State, local, and tribal
governments for purposes of establishing pilot programs under
subsection (a), the Administrator shall seek to enter into agreements
with--
            (1) governments that vary in their size and intended
        approach to regulation of civil unmanned aircraft systems; and
            (2) not less than one State government, not less than one
        county government, not less than one city government, and not
        less than one tribal government.
    (c) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management System.--The
Administrator shall coordinate with Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to ensure that participants in
pilot programs established under subsection (a) are consulted in the
development of the unmanned aircraft systems traffic management system
under subsection (a) section 2208 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and
Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and the
pilot program under subsection (b) of that section.
    (d) Report Required.--Not later than 2 years after establishing the
pilot programs required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall
submit to Congress, and make available to the public, a report
identifying best practices for State, local, and tribal governments to
regulate the operation of civil unmanned aircraft systems and to
collaborate with the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to
the regulation of such systems.

SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed--
            (1) to diminish or expand the preemptive effect of the
        authority of the Federal Aviation Administration with respect
        to manned aviation; or
            (2) to affect the civil or criminal jurisdiction of--
                    (A) any Indian tribe relative to any State or local
                government; or
                    (B) any State or local government relative to any
                Indian tribe.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) Civil.--The term ``civil'', with respect to an unmanned
        aircraft system, means that the unmanned aircraft is not a
        public aircraft (as defined in section 40102 of title 49,
        United States Code).
            (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
        meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (4) Local government.--The term ``local'', with respect to
        a government, means the government of a subdivision of a State.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
        States, the District of Columbia, and the territories and
        possessions of the United States.
            (6) Tribal government.--The term ``tribal'', with respect
        to a government, means the governing body of an Indian tribe.
            (7) Unmanned aircraft; unmanned aircraft system.--The terms
        ``unmanned aircraft'' and ``unmanned aircraft system'' have the
        meanings given those terms in section 331 of the FAA
        Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95; 49
        U.S.C. 40101 note).

Summary: Drone Federalism Act of 2017 This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration, in prescribing regulations or standards related to unmanned aircraft systems, to: define, and limit the scope of, the preemptive effect of such regulations or standards, preserve the legitimate interests of state, local, and tribal governments. Preserve state, local, and tribal authority to issue certain reasonable restrictions on the operation of a civil unmanned aircraft system within 200 feet of the ground or a structure. Authorize, only with a property owner's permission, the operation of a civil unmanned aircraft in the immediate reaches of the airspace above private property. And establish pilot programs with state, local, and tribal governments to regulate the operation of civil unmanned aircraft systems, coordinate enforcement efforts with respect to such regulations, and identify best practices.

Drone Federalism Act of 2017


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Commemoration Commission Act of 2002''.

 SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the first European exploration of the Hudson River and
        Lake Champlain and the introduction of steam navigation to
        maritime commerce were events of major historical importance in
        the United States and throughout the world;
            (2) in 1609--
                    (A) Englishman Henry Hudson, acting on behalf of
                the Dutch East India Company, was the first European to
                sail up the river later named for him in the vessel
                Half Moon; and
                    (B) French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the
                first European to discover the lake later named for
                him;
            (3) those voyages--
                    (A) were 2 of the most significant passages in the
                European exploration and discovery of America;
                    (B) resulted in 2 of the earliest contacts in the
                New World between Native Americans and Europeans; and
                    (C) led to the establishment of--
                            (i) the Dutch and later English settlement
                        Fort Orange in the area that is now Albany, New
                        York; and
                            (ii) French Quebec settlements located as
                        far south as Lake George;
            (4) those early settlements influenced the history,
        culture, law, commerce, and traditions of liberty of the United
        States;
            (5) in 1807, the navigation of the Hudson River from the
        city of New York to Albany by Robert Fulton in the steamboat
        Clermont--
                    (A) successfully inaugurated steam navigation on a
                commercial basis;
                    (B) is 1 of the most important events in the
                history of navigation;
                    (C) revolutionized waterborne commerce on the
                rivers of the United States;
                    (D) transformed naval warfare; and
                    (E) fostered international relations through
                transoceanic travel and trade;
            (6) the National Park Service owns and operates significant
        resources in the State of New York relating to the early
        history of the United States and the Hudson River Valley; and
            (7) in 2002 the State of New York enacted legislation
        establishing a State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commission.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain Commemoration Commission to--
            (1) ensure a suitable national observance, in 2009, of the
        anniversaries of the voyages of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton,
        and Samuel de Champlain through cooperation with and assistance
        to the programs and activities of the States of New York, New
        Jersey, and Vermont;
            (2) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009
        observances--
                    (A) provide an excellent visitor experience and
                beneficial interaction between visitors and the natural
                and cultural resources of sites in the States of New
                York, New Jersey, and Vermont; and
                    (B) are inclusive and recognize the diverse Hudson
                River and Lake Champlain communities that developed
                over 4 centuries;
            (3) facilitate international involvement in the Hudson-
        Fulton-Champlain 2009 observances;
            (4) support and facilitate marketing efforts for a
        commemorative coin, a commemorative stamp, and related
        activities for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009 observances;
        and
            (5) assist in the appropriate development of heritage
        tourism and economic benefits to the United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the
        commemoration of--
                    (A) the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert
                Fulton in the steamboat Clermont;
                    (B) the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry
                Hudson in the vessel Half Moon; and
                    (C) the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel
                de Champlain.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Hudson-
        Fulton-Champlain Commemoration Commission established by
        section 4(a).
            (3) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of
        each State.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.
            (5) State.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``State'' means--
                            (i) the State of New York;
                            (ii) the State of New Jersey; and
                            (iii) the State of Vermont.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``State'' includes
                agencies and entities of each State specified in
                subparagraph (A).

SEC. 4. HUDSON-FULTON-CHAMPLAIN COMMEMORATION COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--There is established a commission to be known as
the ``Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commemoration Commission''.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 31
        members, of whom--
                    (A) 3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary,
                taking into consideration the recommendations of the
                Governors;
                    (B) 14 members shall be appointed by the Secretary,
                taking into consideration the recommendations of--
                            (i) the Members of the House of
                        Representatives whose districts encompass the
                        Hudson River Valley; and
                            (ii) the Members of the House of
                        Representatives whose districts encompass
                        Champlain Valley;
                    (C) 6 members shall be appointed by the Secretary,
                taking into consideration the recommendations of the
                Members of the Senate from the States;
                    (D) 2 members shall be employees of the National
                Park Service, of whom--
                            (i) 1 shall be the Director of the National
                        Park Service (or a designee); and
                            (ii) 1 shall be an employee of the National
                        Park Service having experience relevant to the
                        commemoration, to be appointed by the
                        Secretary;
                    (E) 1 member shall be an individual knowledgeable
                about the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area,
                to be appointed by the Secretary; and
                    (F) 5 members shall be individuals that have an
                interest in, support for, and expertise appropriate to,
                the commemoration, to be appointed by the Secretary.
            (2) Term; vacancies.--
                    (A) Term.--A member of the Commission shall be
                appointed for the life of the Commission.
                    (B) Vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the
                        Commission shall be filled in the same manner
                        as the original appointment was made.
                            (ii) Partial term.--A member appointed to
                        fill a vacancy on the Commission shall serve
                        for the remainder of the term for which the
                        predecessor of the member was appointed.
            (3) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--The Commission shall meet--
                            (i) at least twice each year; or
                            (ii) at the call of the Chairperson or the
                        majority of the members of the Commission.
                    (B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after
                the date on which all members of the Commission have
                been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial
                meeting of the Commission.
            (4) Voting.--
                    (A) In general.--The Commission shall act only on
                an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
                Commission.
                    (B) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the
                Commission shall constitute a quorum.
            (5) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--
                    (A) In general.--The Commission shall annually
                select the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the
                Commission from among the members of the Commission.
                    (B) Authority.--The Vice Chairperson shall serve as
                the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.
    (c) Duties.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall--
                    (A) plan, develop, and execute programs and
                activities appropriate for the commemoration;
                    (B) facilitate activities relating to the
                commemoration throughout the United States;
                    (C) coordinate activities of the Commission with--
                            (i) commemoration commissions of the
                        States;
                            (ii) appropriate Federal agencies,
                        including--
                                    (I) the Department of Agriculture;
                                    (II) the Department of Defense;
                                    (III) the Department of State;
                                    (IV) the Department of
                                Transportation; and
                                    (V) the National Park Service; and
                            (iii) the American Heritage Rivers
                        Initiative Interagency Committee established by
                        Executive Order No. 13061, dated September 11,
                        1997;
                    (D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical,
                educational, religious, economic, and other
                organizations throughout the United States to organize
                and participate in activities to expand the
                understanding and appreciation of the significance of
                the voyages of Hudson, Fulton, and Champlain;
                    (E) provide technical assistance to States,
                localities, and nonprofit organizations to carry out
                activities relating to the commemoration;
                    (F) coordinate and facilitate for the public
                scholarly research on, publication concerning, and
                interpretation of, the voyages of Hudson, Fulton, and
                Champlain; and
                    (G) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009
                anniversaries provide a lasting legacy and long-term
                public benefit by assisting in the development of
                appropriate programs and facilities.
            (2) Plans; reports.--
                    (A) Strategic plan; annual performance plans.--In
                accordance with section 306 of title 5, United States
                Code, and section 1115 of title 31, United States Code,
                the Commission shall prepare a strategic plan for the
                activities of the Commission carried out under this
                Act.
                    (B) Final report.--Not later than September 30,
                2010, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary a
                final report that contains--
                            (i) a summary of the activities of the
                        Commission;
                            (ii) a final accounting of funds received
                        and expended by the Commission; and
                            (iii) the findings and recommendations of
                        the Commission.
    (d) Powers of the Commission.--The Commission may--
            (1) accept and dispose of donations of money, personal
        services, and real and personal property related to the
        commemoration;
            (2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission
        determines to be necessary to carry out this Act;
            (3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to
        take any action that the Commission is authorized to take by
        this Act;
            (4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or
        enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to
        carry out this Act (except that any contracts, leases, or other
        legal agreements made or entered into by the Commission shall
        not extend beyond the date of termination of the Commission);
            (5) use the United States mails in the same manner and
        under the same conditions as other Federal agencies;
            (6) subject to approval by the Commission, make grants in
        amounts not to exceed $20,000 to communities and nonprofit
        organizations to develop programs to assist in the
        commemoration; and
            (7) make grants to research and scholarly organizations to
        research, publish, or distribute information relating to the
        voyages of Hudson, Fulton, and Champlain.
    (e) Commission Personnel Matters.--
            (1) Compensation of members of the commission.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), a member of the Commission shall serve without
                compensation.
                    (B) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission
                who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government
                shall serve without compensation in addition to the
                compensation received for the services of the member as
                an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
                    (C) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission
                shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
                lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an
                employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57
                of title 5, United States Code, while away from the
                home or regular place of business of the member in the
                performance of the duties of the Commission.
            (2) Staff.--
                    (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission
                may, without regard to the civil service laws
                (including regulations), appoint and terminate an
                executive director and such other additional personnel
                as are necessary to enable the Commission to perform
                the duties of the Commission.
                    (B) Confirmation of executive director.--The
                employment of an executive director shall be subject to
                confirmation by the Commission.
            (3) Compensation.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the
                compensation of the executive director and other
                personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter
                51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United
                States Code, relating to classification of positions
                and General Schedule pay rates.
                    (B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the
                executive director and other personnel shall not exceed
                the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule
                under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
            (4) Detail of government employees.--
                    (A) Federal employees.--
                            (i) In general.--At the request of the
                        Commission, the head of any Federal agency may
                        detail, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable
                        basis, any of the personnel of the agency to
                        the Commission to assist the Commission in
                        carrying out the duties of the Commission under
                        this Act.
                            (ii) Civil service status.--The detail of
                        an employee under clause (i) shall be without
                        interruption or loss of civil service status or
                        privilege.
                    (B) State employees.--The Commission may--
                            (i) accept the services of personnel
                        detailed from States (including subdivisions of
                        States); and
                            (ii) reimburse States for services of
                        detailed personnel.
            (5) Volunteer and uncompensated services.--Notwithstanding
        section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission
        may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the
        Commission determines to be necessary.
            (6) Support services.--The Director of the National Park
        Service shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable
        basis, such administrative support services as the Commission
        may request.
    (f) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
    (g) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.
    (h) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this section supersedes the
authority of the States or the National Park Service concerning the
commemoration.
    (i) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on December 31,
2010.

Summary: Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commemoration Commission Act of 2002 - Establishes the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commemoration Commission to plan, develop, and execute programs and activities appropriate to commemorate in 2009 the anniversaries of the voyages of Henry Hudson , Robert Fulton , and Samuel de Champlain .

A bill to establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Omnibus Airline Passenger Fair
Treatment Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. FAIR TREATMENT OF AIRLINE PASSENGERS.

    Section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``On the initiative'' and inserting ``(a)
        Duty of the Secretary.--On the initiative''; and
            (2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
    ``(b) Specific Practices.--For purposes of subsection (a), the
terms `unfair or deceptive practice' and `unfair method of competition'
include each of the following:
            ``(1) Access to fares.--The failure of an air carrier or
        foreign air carrier to provide a consumer full access to all
        fares for air transportation provided by the air carrier or
        foreign air carrier, regardless of the technology or other
        method the consumer uses to access the fares.
            ``(2) Flight delays.--The failure of an air carrier or
        foreign air carrier to provide a passenger of the carrier with
        an accurate explanation of the reasons for a flight delay,
        cancellation, or diversion from a ticketed itinerary.
            ``(3) Pricing policies.--Any action of an air carrier or
        foreign air carrier--
                    ``(A) to prohibit a person (including a
                governmental entity) that purchases air transportation
                from only using a portion of the air transportation
                purchased (including using the air transportation
                purchased only for 1-way travel instead of round-trip
                travel); or
                    ``(B) to assess an additional fee on or charge to--
                            ``(i) such a person; or
                            ``(ii) any ticket agent that sold the air
                        transportation to such person.
            ``(4) Termination of ticket agents.--In the case of a
        termination, cancellation, nonrenewal, or substantial change in
        the competitive circumstances of the appointment of a ticket
        agent by an air carrier or foreign air carrier, the failure of
        the air carrier or foreign air carrier--
                    ``(A) to provide the ticket agent with written
                notice, and a full statement of reasons for the action,
                on or before the 90th day preceding the action; and
                    ``(B) to provide the ticket agent with at least 60
                days to correct any deficiency claimed in the written
                notice,
        except in cases of insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of
        creditors, bankruptcy, or nonpayment of sums due under the
        appointment.''.

SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION REGARDING ENFORCEMENT OF STATE LAWS.

    Section 41713(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``related to a price, route, or service of an air carrier that
may provide air transportation under this subpart'' and inserting
``that directly prescribes a price, route, or level of service for air
transportation provided by an air carrier under this subpart''.

SEC. 4. EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, RIGHT OF EGRESS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 41717. Airline passenger rights
    ``(a) Right to In-Flight Emergency Medical Care.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
        issue regulations to establish minimum standards for
        resuscitation, emergency medical, and first-aid equipment and
        supplies to be carried on board an aircraft operated by an air
        carrier in air transportation that is capable of carrying at
        least 30 passengers.
            ``(2) Considerations.--In issuing regulations under
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider--
                    ``(A) the weight and size of the equipment
                described in paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) the need for special training of air carrier
                personnel to operate the equipment safely and
                effectively;
                    ``(C) the space limitations of each type of
                aircraft;
                    ``(D) the effect of the regulations on aircraft
                operations;
                    ``(E) the practical experience of airlines in
                carrying and operating similar equipment; and
                    ``(F) other relevant factors.
            ``(3) Consultation.--Before issuing regulations under
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the Surgeon
        General.
    ``(b) Right To Exit Aircraft.--No air carrier or foreign air
carrier operating an aircraft in air transportation shall prevent or
hinder (including by failing to assist) any passenger from exiting the
aircraft (under the same circumstances as any member of the flight crew
is permitted to exit the aircraft) if--
            ``(1) the aircraft is parked at an airport terminal gate
        with access to ramp or other facilities through which
        passengers are customarily boarded and deplaned;
            ``(2) the aircraft has remained at the gate more than 1
        hour past its scheduled departure time;
            ``(3) the captain of the aircraft has not been informed by
        air traffic control authorities that the aircraft can be
        cleared for departure within 15 minutes.''.

SEC. 5. ENSURING CONSUMER ACCESS TO TRAVEL INFORMATION.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The continued success of a deregulated airline system
        requires that consumers have full access to complete
        information concerning airline fares, routes, and other
        services.
            (2) The means of distributing information about the
        products and services of the airline industry are changing;
        during the past four years, airlines have begun selling a
        larger percentage of their products and services directly to
        consumers, and Internet businesses are now offering services
        that allow consumers to compare prices for these products and
        services.
            (3) Airline policies with respect to travel agencies, who
        historically have sold a majority of the airline industry's
        products and services, threaten the ability of consumers to
        gather the information necessary to evaluate market prices,
        routes, and services.
            (4) Further reductions in the number of travel agents and
        greater marketplace reliance on direct airline sales may result
        in a marketplace in which consumers lack sufficient information
        and are thereby forced to pay higher prices.
    (b) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice
in the Airline Industry'' (hereinafter in this section referred to as
the ``Commission'').
    (c) Duties.--
            (1) Study.--The Commission shall undertake a study of--
                    (A) consumer access to information about the
                products and services of the airline industry;
                    (B) the effect on the marketplace of the emergence
                of new means of distributing such products and
                services;
                    (C) the effect on consumers of the declining
                financial condition of travel agents in the United
                States; and
                    (D) the impediments imposed by the airline industry
                on distributors of the industry's products and
                services, including travel agents and Internet-based
                distributors.
            (2) Policy recommendations.--Based on the results of the
        study described in paragraph (1), the Commission shall
        recommend to the President and Congress policies necessary--
                    (A) to ensure full consumer access to complete
                information concerning airline fares, routes, and other
                services;
                    (B) to ensure that the means of distributing the
                products and services of the airline industry, and of
                disseminating information about such products and
                services, is adequate to ensure that competitive
                information is available in the marketplace;
                    (C) to ensure that distributors of the products and
                services of the airline industry have adequate relief
                from illegal, anticompetitive practices that occur in
                the marketplace; and
                    (D) to foster healthy competition in the airline
                industry and the entry of new entrants.
    (d) Specific Matters To Be Addressed.--In carrying out the study
authorized under subsection (c)(1), the Commission shall specifically
address the following:
            (1) Consumer access to information.--With respect to
        consumer access to information regarding the services and
        products offered by the airline industry:
                    (A) The state of such access.
                    (B) The effect in the next 5 years of the making of
                alliances in the airline industry.
                    (C) Whether and to what degree the trends regarding
                such access will produce benefits to consumers.
            (2) Means of distribution.--With respect to the means of
        distributing the products and services of the airline industry:
                    (A) The state of such means of distribution.
                    (B) The roles played by travel agencies and
                Internet-based providers of travel information and
                services in distributing such products and services.
                    (C) Whether the policies of the United States
                promote the access of consumers to multiple means of
                distribution.
            (3) Airline reservation systems.--With respect to airline
        reservation systems:
                    (A) The rules, regulations, policies, and practices
                of the industry governing such systems.
                    (B) How trends in such systems will affect
                consumers, including--
                            (i) the effect on consumer access to flight
                        reservation information; and
                            (ii) the effect on consumers of the use by
                        the airline industry of penalties and
                        promotions to convince distributors to use such
                        systems, and the degree of consumer awareness
                        of such penalties and promotions.
            (4) Legal impediments to distributors seeking relief for
        anticompetitive actions.--The policies of the United States
        with respect to the legal impediments to distributors seeking
        relief for anticompetitive actions, including--
                    (A) Federal preemption of civil actions against
                airlines; and
                    (B) the role of the Department of Transportation in
                enforcing rules against anticompetitive practices.
    (e) Membership.--
            (1) Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 15
        voting members and 11 nonvoting members as follows:
                    (A) 5 voting members and 1 nonvoting member
                appointed by the President.
                    (B) 3 voting members and 3 nonvoting members
                appointed by the Speaker of the House of
                Representatives.
                    (C) 2 voting members and 2 nonvoting members
                appointed by the minority leader of the House of
                Representatives.
                    (D) 3 voting members and 3 nonvoting members
                appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.
                    (E) 2 voting members and 2 nonvoting members
                appointed by the minority leader of the Senate
            (2) Qualifications.--Voting members appointed pursuant to
        paragraph (1) shall be appointed from among individuals who are
        experts in economics, service product distribution, or
        transportation, or any related discipline, and who can
        represent consumers, passengers, shippers, travel agents,
        airlines, or general aviation.
            (3) Terms.--Members shall be appointed for the life of the
        Commission.
            (4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
        in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
            (5) Travel expenses.--Members shall serve without pay but
        shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
        subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of
        title 5, United States Code.
            (6) Chairman.--The President, in consultation with the
        Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader
        of the Senate, shall designate the Chairman of the Commission
        from among its voting members.
    (f) Commission Panels.--The Chairman shall establish such panels
consisting of voting members of the Commission as the Chairman
determines appropriate to carry out the functions of the Commission.
    (g) Staff.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of such
personnel as it considers appropriate.
    (h) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the Commission, the
head of any department or agency of the United States may detail, on a
reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency
to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this
section.
    (i) Other Staff and Support.--Upon the request of the Commission,
or a panel of the Commission, the Secretary of Transportation shall
provide the Commission or panel with professional and administrative
staff and other support, on a reimbursable basis, to assist the
Commission or panel in carrying out its responsibilities.
    (j) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information (other
than information required by any statute of the United States to be
kept confidential by such department or agency) necessary for the
Commission to carry out its duties under this section. Upon request of
the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish
such nonconfidential information to the Commission.
    (k) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which initial
appointments of members to the Commission are completed, the Commission
shall transmit to the President and Congress a report on the activities
of the Commission, including recommendations made by the Commission
under subsection (c)(2).
    (l) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the 30th day
following the date of transmittal of the report under subsection (k).
All records and papers of the Commission shall thereupon be delivered
by the Administrator of General Services for deposit in the National
Archives.
    (m) Applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Commission.

Summary: Prohibits an air carrier or foreign air carrier, in the case of a termination, cancellation, nonrenewal, or substantial change in the competitive circumstances of a ticket agent's appointment, from failing to provide the ticket agent with: (1) written notice, and a full statement of reasons for the action, on or before the 90th day preceding the action. And (2) at least 60 days to correct any deficiency claimed in such notice. Exempts a carrier from this requirement only in cases of insolvency, an assignment for the benefit of creditors, bankruptcy, or nonpayment of sums due under the appointment. Revises the preemption of State, local, and regional law or regulation related to a price, route, or level of service for air transportation provided by an air carrier. Limits the preemption to any such law or regulation that would directly prescribe a price, route, or level of service. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to establish minimum Federal standards for resuscitation, emergency medical, and first-aid equipment and supplies to be carried on board an aircraft operated by an air carrier that is capable of carrying at least 30 passengers. Bars an air carrier or foreign air carrier from preventing or hindering a passenger from exiting an aircraft if: (1) the aircraft is parked at an airport terminal gate with access to ramp or other facilities through which passengers are customarily boarded and deplaned. (2) such aircraft has remained at the gate more than one hour past its scheduled departure time. And (3) the captain of the aircraft has not been informed by air traffic control authorities that such aircraft can be cleared for departure within 15 minutes. Establishes the National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry. Requires the Commission, among other things, to study and make policy recommendations to the President and Congress on consumer access to information about the products and services of the airline industry, especially airline fares and routes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Guard and Reservists
Education Benefits Act''.

SEC. 2. BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERS OF
              THE SELECTED RESERVE.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Education shall carry out
        a program of block grants to States under this section to
        provide for the payment of tuition and fees for undergraduate
        studies at public institutions of higher learning otherwise
        payable by a member of the Selected Reserve attending those
        institutions for those studies.
            (2) Limitation.--Tuition assistance under this section
        shall not be made available to a member of the Selected Reserve
        who participates in the program of educational assistance under
        chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code, or under chapter
        30 of title 38, United States Code.
    (b) State Certifications.--Not later than October 1 of each of
fiscal year for which a State desires to receive an allotment under
this section, the chief executive officer of the State shall submit to
the Secretary a certification that the State will--
            (1) use such funds to defray the costs of tuition and fees
        for undergraduate studies of members of the Selected Reserve
        attending public institutions of higher learning in the States;
            (2) return any unused funds to the Secretary in accordance
        with the reconciliation process under subsection (d); and
            (3) comply with the reporting requirements under subsection
        (e).
    (c) Payments to States.--For each of fiscal years 2005 through
2010, the Secretary shall pay to each State that submits a
certification under subsection (b), from any funds appropriated under
subsection (g), for the fiscal year an amount equal to the amount of
the allotment determined for the fiscal year under subsection (f).
    (d) Reconciliation Process.--
            (1) 3-year availability of amounts allotted.--Each State
        that receives an allotment under this section shall return to
        the Secretary any unused portion of the amount allotted to a
        State under this section for a fiscal year not later than the
        last day of the second succeeding fiscal year together with any
        earnings on such unused portion.
            (2) Procedure for redistribution of unused allotments.--The
        Secretary shall establish an appropriate procedure for
        redistributing to States that have expended the entire amount
        allotted under this section any amount that is--
                    (A) returned to the Secretary by States under
                paragraph (1); or
                    (B) not allotted to a State under this section
                because the State did not submit a certification under
                subsection (b) by October 1 of a fiscal year.
    (e) Reporting Requirements.--
            (1) Monitoring and evaluation.--Each State receiving an
        allotment under this section for a fiscal year shall monitor
        and evaluate the tuition assistance program carried out under
        this section using funds made available under this section in
        such manner as the Secretary, in consultation with the States,
        determines appropriate.
            (2) Annual reports.--Not less frequently than annually,
        each State receiving an allotment under this section for a
        fiscal year shall submit to the Secretary reports on the
        tuition assistance programs carried out under this section at
        such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
        the Secretary may require.
    (f) Amount of Allotments.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), of
        the amount appropriated for the purpose of making allotments
        under this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot
        to each State that submits a certification under subsection (b)
        for the fiscal year an amount equal to the amount that bears
        the same ratio to the number of members of the Selected Reserve
        residing in the State (as determined by the Secretary based on
        the most recent March supplement to the Current Population
        Survey of the Bureau of the Census before the beginning of the
        calendar year in which such fiscal year begins) as bears to the
        number of members of the Selected Reserve residing in all
        States.
            (2) Minimum allotments.--No allotment for a fiscal year
        under this section shall be less than--
                    (A) in the case of a State other than the
                Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
                Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of
                the Northern Mariana Islands, 1 percent of the amount
                appropriated for the fiscal year under subsection (g);
                and
                    (B) in the case of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
                the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
                and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
                0.5 percent of such amount.
            (3) Pro rata reductions.--The Secretary shall make such pro
        rata reductions to the allotments determined under paragraph
        (1) as are necessary to comply with the requirements of
        paragraph (2).
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010
for purposes of making allotments to States under this section.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Selected reserve.--The term ``Selected Reserve'' means
        the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve of any of the reserve
        components (including the Army National Guard of the United
        States and the Air National Guard of the United States) of the
        Armed Forces, as required to be maintained under section
        10143(a) of title 10, United States Code.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Education.
            (3) Institution of higher learning.--The term ``institution
        of higher education'' has the meaning given that term under
        section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
        1001(a)).
            (4) State.--The term State'' means each of the 50 States,
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
        United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
            (5) Tuition and fees for undergraduate studies.--The term
        ``tuition and fees for undergraduate studies'' means the actual
        cost of tuition and fees for undergraduate studies charged by a
        public institution of higher learning to similarly
        circumstanced individuals who are not members of the Selected
        Reserve for enrollment in courses of education at the
        institution, and includes the average cost of books and
        supplies payable by such individuals for those studies.

Summary: National Guard and Reservists Education Benefits Act - Requires the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of block grants to States to pay tuition and fees for undergraduate studies at public institutions for members of the Selected Reserve. Excludes from the block grant program those members of the Selected Reserve who participate in other specified educational assistance programs. Requires the chief executive officer of each State wishing to receive block grant funds to submit an annual certification that the State will: (1) use such funds to defray the cost of undergraduate tuition and fees for members of the Selected Reserve. (2) return any unused funds to the Secretary according to the reconciliation process set forth in this Act. And (3) comply with the reporting requirements of this Act. Sets forth an allotment scheme for block grant funds that requires allotments to reflect the ratio of Selected Reserve members in the receiving State to Selected Reserve members in all States. Establishes minimum allotments.

To provide grants to States for tuition assistance for undergraduate studies for members of the Selected Reserve at public institutions of higher learning.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Children's Immunization
Assistance Act''.

SEC. 2. EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANTS PROGRAM.

    (a) Definition.--Section 411 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
            ``(11) The term `child immunization' means immunization of
        children who have not attained the age of 6 years, in
        accordance with recommendations issued by the Surgeon General
        of the Public Health Service.''.
    (b) Eligible Activities.--Section 414(a) of the Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11374(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) The provision of services relating to child
        immunization, as follows:
                    ``(A) Providing transportation for children
                occupying facilities assisted under this subtitle to
                locations where child immunization is available.
                    ``(B) Providing information and counseling to
                families occupying such facilities regarding the
                benefits and availability of child immunization.
                    ``(C) Providing child immunization for children
                occupying such facilities at the facility (subject to
                the limitations under paragraph (2)) or coordinating
                and arranging for child immunization at the facility.
        Any assistance used for the purposes under this paragraph shall
        be considered to have been used for activities under paragraph
        (2) for purposes of the limitation under paragraph (2)(B).''.
    (c) Requirements To Assist in Obtaining Child Immunizations.--
Section 415 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11375) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) in the case of children who have not attained
                the age of 6 years and occupy a facility assisted under
                this subtitle, immunizations (to the extent that such
                children have not been immunized in accordance with
                recommendations issued by the Surgeon General of the
                Public Health Service); and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Determination of Immunization Record of Children Occupying
Facilities.--For any child who has not attained the age of 6 and is
occupying a facility assisted under this subtitle, not later than 60
days after such initial occupancy the recipient of such assistance
shall--
            ``(1) make reasonable efforts to obtain from the family of
        such child or the appropriate State or local health agency
        information sufficient to determine whether the child has been
        immunized in accordance with recommendations issued by the
        Surgeon General of the Public Health Service; and
            ``(2) for any child that has not been so immunized or for
        which insufficient information is available to determine
        whether the child has been so immunized, provide the family of
        the child with information regarding the benefits and
        availability of child immunization.''.

SEC. 3. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNDER SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM.

    (a) Definition.--Section 422 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11382) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (14) as
        paragraphs (3) through (15), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(2) The term `child immunization' means immunization of
        children who have not attained the age of 6 years, in
        accordance with recommendations issued by the Surgeon General
        of the Public Health Service.''.
    (b) Requirement To Assist in Obtaining Child Immunizations.--
Section 425 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11385) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following
        new subsection:
    ``(b) Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Supportive services provided in
        connection with a project shall address the special needs of
        individuals (such as homeless persons with disabilities and
        homeless families with children) intended to be served by a
        project.
            ``(2) Determination of immunization record of children
        occupying transitional housing.--For any child who has not
        attained the age of 6 and is occupying a project that is
        transitional housing, not later than 60 days after such initial
        occupancy the recipient of such assistance shall--
                    ``(A) make reasonable efforts to obtain from the
                family of such child or the appropriate State or local
                health agency information sufficient to determine
                whether the child has been immunized in accordance with
                recommendations issued by the Surgeon General of the
                Public Health Service; and
                    ``(B) for any child that has not been so immunized
                or for which insufficient information is available to
                determine whether the child has been so immunized,
                provide the family of the child with information
                regarding the benefits and availability of child
                immunization.''.
    (c) Eligible Services.--Section 425(c) of the Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11385(c)) is amended by striking
``and (G)'' and inserting the following: ``(G) providing (i)
transportation for children occupying projects that are supportive
housing to locations where child immunization is available, (ii)
information and counseling to families occupying such projects
regarding the benefits and availability of child immunization, and
(iii) child immunization for children occupying such projects at the
project or coordinating and arranging for the provision of such
services at the project, and (H)''.
    (d) Required Agreements.--Section 426(c) of the Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11386(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(7) in the case of any project that is supportive
        housing, to assist children who have not attained the age of 6
        years and occupy the project to obtain immunizations (to the
        extent that such children have not been immunized in accordance
        with recommendations issued by the Surgeon General of the
        Public Health Service); and''.

Summary: Homeless Children's Immunization Assistance Act - Amends the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to require operators of specified emergency shelters and transitional housing to determine the immunization status of children under the age of six years old occupying such housing.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Water Desalination Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
        (1) Desalination or desalting.--The terms ``desalination'' or
    ``desalting'' mean the use of any process or technique for the
    removal and, when feasible, adaptation to beneficial use, of
    organic and inorganic elements and compounds from saline or
    biologically impaired waters, by itself or in conjunction with
    other processes.
        (2) Saline water.--The term ``saline water'' means sea water,
    brackish water, and other mineralized or chemically impaired water.
        (3) United states.--The term ``United States'' means the States
    of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
    Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United
    States.
        (4) Usable water.--The term ``usable water'' means water of a
    high quality suitable for environmental enhancement, agricultural,
    industrial, municipal, and other beneficial consumptive or
    nonconsumptive uses.
        (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
    the Interior.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF RESEARCH AND STUDIES.

    (a) In General.--In order to determine the most cost-effective and
technologically efficient means by which usable water can be produced
from saline water or water otherwise impaired or contaminated, the
Secretary is authorized to award grants and to enter into contracts, to
the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts, to conduct,
encourage, and assist in the financing of research to develop processes
for converting saline water into water suitable for beneficial uses.
Awards of research grants and contracts under this section shall be
made on the basis of a competitive, merit-reviewed process. Research
and study topics authorized by this section include--
        (1) investigating desalination processes;
        (2) ascertaining the optimum mix of investment and operating
    costs;
        (3) determining the best designs for different conditions of
    operation;
        (4) investigating methods of increasing the economic efficiency
    of desalination processes through dual-purpose co-facilities with
    other processes involving the use of water;
        (5) conducting or contracting for technical work, including the
    design, construction, and testing of pilot systems and test beds,
    to develop desalting processes and concepts;
        (6) studying methods for the recovery of byproducts resulting
    from desalination to offset the costs of treatment and to reduce
    environmental impacts from those byproducts; and
        (7) salinity modeling and toxicity analysis of brine
    discharges, cost reduction strategies for constructing and
    operating desalination facilities, and the horticultural effects of
    desalinated water used for irrigation.
    (b) Project Recommendations and Reports to the Congress.--As soon
as practicable and within three years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall recommend to Congress desalination
demonstration projects or full-scale desalination projects to carry out
the purposes of this Act and to further evaluate and implement the
results of research and studies conducted under the authority of this
section. Recommendations for projects shall be accompanied by reports
on the engineering and economic feasibility of proposed projects and
their environmental impacts.
    (c) Authority To Engage Others.--In carrying out research and
studies authorized in this section, the Secretary may engage the
necessary personnel, industrial or engineering firms, Federal
laboratories, water resources research and technology institutes, other
facilities, and educational institutions suitable to conduct
investigations and studies authorized under this section.
    (d) Alternative Technologies.--In carrying out the purposes of this
Act, the Secretary shall ensure that at least three separate
technologies are evaluated and demonstrated for the purposes of
accomplishing desalination.

SEC. 4. DESALINATION DEMONSTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--In order to further demonstrate the feasibility of
desalination processes investigated either independently or in research
conducted pursuant to section 3, the Secretary shall administer and
conduct a demonstration and development program for water desalination
and related activities, including the following:
        (1) Desalination plants and modules.--Conduct or contract for
    technical work, including the design, construction, and testing of
    plants and modules to develop desalination processes and concepts.
        (2) Byproducts.--Study methods for the marketing of byproducts
    resulting from the desalting of water to offset the costs of
    treatment and to reduce environmental impacts of those byproducts.
        (3) Economic surveys.--Conduct economic studies and surveys to
    determine present and prospective costs of producing water for
    beneficial purposes in various locations by desalination processes
    compared to other methods.
    (b) Cooperative Agreements.--Federal participation in desalination
activities may be conducted through cooperative agreements, including
cost-sharing agreements, with non-Federal public utilities and State
and local governmental agencies and other entities, in order to develop
recommendations for Federal participation in processes and plants
utilizing desalting technologies for the production of water.

SEC. 5. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.

    All information from studies sponsored or funded under authority of
this Act shall be considered public information.

SEC. 6. TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE.

    The Secretary may--
        (1) accept technical and administrative assistance from States
    and public or private agencies in connection with studies, surveys,
    location, construction, operation, and other work relating to the
    desalting of water, and
        (2) enter into contracts or agreements stating the purposes for
    which the assistance is contributed and providing for the sharing
    of costs between the Secretary and any such agency.

SEC. 7. COST SHARING.

    The Federal share of the cost of a research, study, or
demonstration project or a desalination development project or activity
carried out under this Act shall not exceed 50 percent of the total
cost of the project or research or study activity. A Federal
contribution in excess of 25 percent for a project carried out under
this Act may not be made unless the Secretary determines that the
project is not feasible without such increased Federal contribution.
The Secretary shall prescribe appropriate procedures to implement the
provisions of this section. Costs of operation, maintenance, repair,
and rehabilitation of facilities funded under the authority of this Act
shall be non-Federal responsibilities.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Section 3.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out section 3 of this Act $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1997
through 2002. Of these amounts, up to $1,000,000 in each fiscal year
may be awarded to institutions of higher education, including United
States-Mexico binational research foundations and interuniversity
research programs established by the two countries, for research grants
without any cost-sharing requirement.
    (b) Section 4.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out section 4 of this Act $25,000,000 for fiscal years 1997 through
2002.

SEC. 9. CONSULTATION.

    In carrying out the provisions of this Act, the Secretary shall
consult with the heads of other Federal agencies, including the
Secretary of the Army, which have experience in conducting desalination
research or operating desalination facilities. The authorization
provided for in this Act shall not prohibit other agencies from
carrying out separately authorized programs for desalination research
or operations.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Summary: Water Desalination Act of 1996 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants and contracts to conduct, encourage, and assist in the financing of research to develop processes for converting saline water into water suitable for beneficial uses. Provides appropriate research and study topics. Requires the Secretary to recommend to the Congress desalination demonstration projects or full-scale desalination projects to carry out the purposes of this Act and to further evaluate and implement the results of the research and studies conducted. Directs the Secretary to administer and conduct a demonstration and development program for water desalination and related activities, including desalination plants and modules, byproducts marketing, economic cost surveys, and desalination cooperative agreements. Requires all information from studies sponsored or funded under this Act to be considered public information. Authorizes the Secretary to accept technical and administrative assistance in carrying out this Act. Provides Federal cost-sharing limitations for demonstration or development projects conducted under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1997 through 2002. Requires the Secretary to consult with the heads of Federal agencies which have experience in conducting desalination research or operating desalination facilities.

Water Desalination Act of 1996


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Repeal of Obamacare Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following with respect to the impact of Public
Law 111-148 and related provisions of Public Law 111-152 (collectively
referred to in this section as ``the law''):
            (1) President Obama promised the American people that if
        they liked their current health coverage, they could keep it.
        But even the Obama Administration admits that tens of millions
        of Americans are at risk of losing their health care coverage,
        including as many as 8 in 10 plans offered by small businesses.
            (2) Despite projected spending of more than two trillion
        dollars over the next 10 years, cutting Medicare by more than
        one-half trillion dollars over that period, and increasing
        taxes by over $800 billion dollars over that period, the law
        does not lower health care costs. In fact, the law actually
        makes coverage more expensive for millions of Americans. The
        average American family already paid a premium increase of
        approximately $1,200 in the year following passage of the law.
        The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts that health
        insurance premiums for individuals buying private health
        coverage on their own will increase by $2,100 in 2016 compared
        to what the premiums would have been in 2016 if the law had not
        passed.
            (3) The law cuts more than one-half trillion dollars in
        Medicare and uses the funds to create a new entitlement program
        rather than to protect and strengthen the Medicare program.
        Actuaries at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
        warn that the Medicare cuts contained in the law are so drastic
        that ``providers might end their participation in the program
        (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries)''. CBO
        cautioned that the Medicare cuts ``might be difficult to
        sustain over a long period of time''. According to the CMS
        actuaries, 7.4 million Medicare beneficiaries who would have
        been enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2017 will lose
        access to their plan because the law cuts $206 billion in
        payments to Medicare Advantage plans. The Trustees of the
        Medicare Trust Funds predict that the law will result in a
        substantial decline in employer-sponsored retiree drug
        coverage, and 90 percent of seniors will no longer have access
        to retiree drug coverage by 2016 as a result of the law.
            (4) The law creates a 15-member, unelected Independent
        Payment Advisory Board that is empowered to make binding
        decisions regarding what treatments Medicare will cover and how
        much Medicare will pay for treatments solely to cut spending,
        restricting access to health care for seniors.
            (5) The law and the more than 13,000 pages of related
        regulations issued before July 11, 2012, are causing great
        uncertainty, slowing economic growth, and limiting hiring
        opportunities for the approximately 13 million Americans
        searching for work. Imposing higher costs on businesses will
        lead to lower wages, fewer workers, or both.
            (6) The law imposes 21 new or higher taxes on American
        families and businesses, including 12 taxes on families making
        less than $250,000 a year.
            (7) While President Obama promised that nothing in the law
        would fund elective abortion, the law expands the role of the
        Federal Government in funding and facilitating abortion and
        plans that cover abortion. The law appropriates billions of
        dollars in new funding without explicitly prohibiting the use
        of these funds for abortion, and it provides Federal subsidies
        for health plans covering elective abortions. Moreover, the law
        effectively forces millions of individuals to personally pay a
        separate abortion premium in violation of their sincerely held
        religious, ethical, or moral beliefs.
            (8) Until enactment of the law, the Federal Government has
        not sought to impose specific coverage or care requirements
        that infringe on the rights of conscience of insurers,
        purchasers of insurance, plan sponsors, beneficiaries, and
        other stakeholders, such as individual or institutional health
        care providers. The law creates a new nationwide requirement
        for health plans to cover ``essential health benefits'' and
        ``preventive services'', but does not allow stakeholders to opt
        out of covering items or services to which they have a
        religious or moral objection, in violation of the Religious
        Freedom Restoration Act (Public Law 103-141). By creating new
        barriers to health insurance and causing the loss of existing
        insurance arrangements, these inflexible mandates jeopardize
        the ability of institutions and individuals to exercise their
        rights of conscience and their ability to freely participate in
        the health insurance and health care marketplace.
            (9) The law expands Government control over health care,
        adds trillions of dollars to existing liabilities, drives costs
        up even further, and too often puts Federal bureaucrats,
        instead of doctors and patients, in charge of health care
        decisionmaking.
            (10) The path to patient-centered care and lower costs for
        all Americans must begin with a full repeal of the law.

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF OBAMACARE.

    (a) PPACA.--Effective as of the enactment of Public Law 111-148,
such Act (other than subsection (d) of section 1899A of the Social
Security Act, as added and amended by sections 3403 and 10320 of such
Public Law) is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed
by such Act (other than such subsection (d)) are restored or revived as
if such Act had not been enacted.
    (b) Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act of 2010.--Effective as of the enactment of the
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
152), title I and subtitle B of title II of such Act are repealed, and
the provisions of law amended or repealed by such title or subtitle,
respectively, are restored or revived as if such title and subtitle had
not been enacted.

SEC. 4. BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF THIS ACT.

    The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
Record by the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives, as long as such statement has been submitted prior to
the vote on passage of this Act.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 11, 2012.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Repeal of Obamacare Act - Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act. Repeals the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the Act's enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by the Act's health care provisions.

To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Seniors Financial Fraud Prevention
Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF FRAUD TARGETING SENIORS.

    (a) Establishment of Office.--The Federal Trade Commission shall
establish a separate office within the Commission for the purpose of
preventing fraud targeting seniors and to assist the Commission with
the following:
            (1) Oversight.--The office shall monitor the market for
        mail, telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud targeting
        seniors and shall coordinate with other relevant agencies
        regarding the requirements of this section.
            (2) Consumer education.--The Federal Trade Commission
        through the office shall, after consultation with the Attorney
        General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the
        Postmaster General, and the Chief Postal Inspector for the
        United States Postal Inspection Service--
                    (A) disseminate to seniors and families and
                caregivers of seniors general information on mail,
                telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud targeting
                seniors, including descriptions of the most common
                fraud schemes;
                    (B) disseminate to seniors and families and
                caregivers of seniors information on means of referring
                complaints of fraud targeting seniors to appropriate
                law enforcement agencies, including the Director of the
                Federal Bureau of Investigation, the attorneys general
                of the States, and a national toll-free telephone
                number for reporting mail, telemarketing, television,
                and Internet fraud established by the Federal Trade
                Commission;
                    (C) in response to a specific request about a
                particular entity or individual, provide publicly
                available information on any record of civil or
                criminal law enforcement action for mail,
                telemarketing, television, or Internet fraud against
                such entity; and
                    (D) maintain a website to serve as a resource for
                information for seniors and families and caregivers of
                seniors regarding mail, telemarketing, television, and
                Internet fraud targeting seniors.
            (3) Complaints.--The Federal Trade Commission through the
        office shall, after consultation with the Attorney General,
        establish procedures to--
                    (A) log and acknowledge the receipt of complaints
                by individuals who certify that they have a reasonable
                belief that they have been the victim of fraud in
                connection with the conduct of mail, telemarketing (as
                that term is defined in section 2325 of title 18,
                United States Code), television, and Internet;
                    (B) provide to individuals described in
                subparagraph (A), and to any other persons, information
                on mail, telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud,
                including--
                            (i) general information on mail,
                        telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud,
                        including descriptions of the most common mail,
                        telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud
                        schemes;
                            (ii) information on means of referring
                        complaints on mail, telemarketing, television,
                        and Internet fraud to appropriate law
                        enforcement agencies, including the Director of
                        the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
                        Attorney General; and
                            (iii) information, if available, on the
                        number of complaints of mail, telemarketing,
                        television, and Internet fraud against
                        particular companies and any record of
                        convictions for mail, telemarketing,
                        television, and Internet fraud by particular
                        companies for which a specific request has been
                        made; and
                    (C) refer complaints described in subparagraph (A)
                to appropriate entities, including State consumer
                protection agencies or entities and appropriate law
                enforcement agencies, for potential law enforcement
                action.
    (b) Commencement.--The Federal Trade Commission shall commence
carrying out the requirements of this section not later than one year
after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Seniors Financial Fraud Prevention Act of 2010 - Establishes a separate office within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the prevention of fraud targeting seniors and requires the office to assist the FTC in monitoring the market for mail, telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud which targets seniors. Requires the FTC through such office: (1) to disseminate to seniors and their families and caregivers information on mail, telemarketing, television, and Internet fraud targeting seniors, including on ways of referring complaints to appropriate law enforcement agencies. (2) in response to a request about a particular entity or individual, to provide publicly available information on any record of civil or criminal law enforcement action for such fraud. And (3) to maintain a website as a resource for such individuals on those kinds of fraud. Requires the FTC through such office to establish procedures to: (1) log and acknowledge complaints from individuals who certify that they believe they have been victims of mail, telemarketing, television, or Internet fraud, (2) provide certain information on those kinds of fraud. And (3) refer such complaints to appropriate entities, including state consumer protection agencies and entities and appropriate law enforcement agencies, for potential law enforcement action.

To establish a separate office within the Federal Trade Commission to prevent fraud targeting seniors, and for other purposes.