that except as
otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment is
expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of title 38, United States Code.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs
Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act:
            (1) ``Department'' means the Department of Veterans
        Affairs.
            (2) ``Employee'' means an employee (as defined by section
        2105 of title 5, United States Code) of the Department of
        Veterans Affairs, who is serving under an appointment without
        time limitation, and has been currently employed by such
        Department for a continuous period of at least 3 years, but
        does not include--
                    (A) a reemployed annuitant under subchapter III of
                chapter 83, or chapter 84 of title 5, United States
                Code, or another retirement system for employees of the
                Federal Government;
                    (B) an employee having a disability on the basis of
                which such employee is eligible for disability
                retirement under subchapter III of chapter 83 or
                chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, or another
                retirement system for employees of the Federal
                Government;
                    (C) an employee who is in receipt of a specific
                notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or
                unacceptable performance;
                    (D) an employee who previously has received any
                voluntary separation incentive payment by the Federal
                Government under this Act or any other authority;
                    (E) an employee covered by statutory reemployment
                rights who is on transfer to another organization; or
                    (F) any employee who, during the twenty-four month
                period preceding the date of separation, has received a
                recruitment or relocation bonus under section 5753 of
                title 5, United States Code, or a recruitment bonus
                under section 7458 of title 38, United States Code;
                    (G) any employee who, during the twelve-month
                period preceding the date of separation, received a
                retention allowance under section 5754 of title 5,
                United States Code, or a retention bonus under section
                7458 of title 38, United States Code.
            (3) ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT PLANS; APPROVAL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, before obligating any resources for
voluntary separation incentive payments, shall submit to the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget a strategic plan outlining the
use of such incentive payments and a proposed organizational chart for
the Department once such incentive payments have been completed.
    (b) Contents.--The plan shall specify--
            (1) the positions and functions to be reduced or
        eliminated, identified by organizational unit, geographic
        location, occupational category and grade level; the proposed
        coverage may be based on--
                    (A) any component of the Department;
                    (B) any occupation, level or type of position;
                    (C) any geographic location;
                    (D) other nonpersonal factors; or
                    (E) any appropriate combination of the factors in
                paragraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D);
            (2) the manner in which such reductions will improve
        operating efficiency or meet actual or anticipated levels of
        budget or staffing resources;
            (3) the period of time during which incentives may be paid;
        and
            (4) a description of how the affected component(s) of the
        Department will operate without the eliminated functions and
        positions.
    (c) Approval.--The Director of the Office of Management and Budget
shall approve or disapprove each plan submitted under subsection (a),
and may make appropriate modifications to the plan with respect to the
time period in which voluntary separation incentives may be paid, with
respect to the number and amounts of incentive payments, or with
respect to the coverage of incentives on the basis of the factors in
subsection (b)(1).

SEC. 4. VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.

    (a) Authority To Provide Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may pay a voluntary
        separation incentive payment to an employee only to the extent
        necessary to reduce or eliminate the positions and functions
        identified by the strategic plan;
            (2) Employees who may receive incentives.--In order to
        receive a voluntary separation incentive payment, an employee
        must separate from service with the Department voluntarily
        (whether by retirement or resignation) under the provisions of
        this Act;
    (b) Amount and Treatment of Payments.--A voluntary separation
incentive payment--
            (1) shall be paid in a lump sum after the employee's
        separation;
            (2) shall be equal to the lesser of--
                    (A) an amount equal to the amount the employee
                would be entitled to receive under section 5595(c) of
                title 5, United States Code, if the employee were
                entitled to payment under such section (without
                adjustment for any previous payment made under that
                section); or
                    (B) an amount determined by the Secretary, not to
                exceed $25,000;
            (3) shall not be a basis for payment, and shall not be
        included in the computation, of any other type of Government
        benefit;
            (4) shall not be taken into account in determining the
        amount of severance pay to which an employee may be entitled
        under section 5595 of title 5, United States Code, based on any
        other separation; and
            (5) shall be paid from the appropriations or funds
        available for payment of the basic pay of the employee.

SEC. 5. EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

    (a) An individual who has received a voluntary separation incentive
payment under this Act and accepts any employment with the Government
of the United States, or who works for any agency of the United States
Government through a personal services contract, within 5 years after
the date of the separation on which the payment is based shall be
required to repay, prior to the individual's first day of employment,
the entire amount of the incentive payment to the Department.
    (b)(1) If the employment under subsection (a) is with an Executive
agency (as defined by section 105 of title 5, United States Code), the
United States Postal Service, or the Postal Rate Commission, the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management may, at the request of
the head of the agency, waive the repayment if the individual involved
possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant
available for the position.
    (2) If the employment under subsection (a) is with an entity in the
legislative branch, the head of the entity or the appointing official
may waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses unique
abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the
position.
    (3) If the employment under subsection (a) is with the judicial
branch, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States
Courts may waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses
unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the
position.
    (c) For the purpose of this section, the term ``employment''
includes--
            (1) for the purposes of subsections (a) and (b), employment
        of any length or under any type of appointment, but does not
        include employment that is without compensation; and
            (2) for the purposes of subsection (a), employment with any
        agency of the United States Government through a personal
        services contract.

SEC. 6. ADDITIONAL AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RETIREMENT FUND.

    (a) In addition to any other payments which it is required to make
under subchapter III of chapter 983 or chapter 84 of title 5, United
States Code, the Department shall remit to the Office of Personnel
Management for deposit in the Treasury of the United States to the
credit of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund an amount
equal to 15 percent of the final basic pay of each employee of the
Department who is covered under subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter
84 of title 5 to whom a voluntary separation incentive has been paid
under this Act.
    (b) For the purpose of this section, the term ``final basic pay'',
with respect to an employee, means the total amount of basic pay that
would be payable for a year of service by that employee, computed using
the employee's final rate of basic pay, and, if last serving on other
than a full-time basis, with appropriate adjustment therefor.

SEC. 7. REDUCTION OF AGENCY EMPLOYMENT LEVELS.

    (a) In General.--The total full-time equivalent employment in the
Department shall be reduced by one for each separation of an employee
who receives a voluntary separation incentive payment under this Act.
the reduction will be calculated by comparing the Department's full-
time equivalent employment for the fiscal; year in which the voluntary
separation payments are made with the actual full-time equivalent
employment for the prior fiscal year.
    (b) Enforcement.--The President, through the Office of Management
and Budget, shall monitor the Department and take any action necessary
to ensure that the requirements of this section are met.
    (c) Subsection (a) of this section may be waived upon a
determination by the President that--
            (1) the existence of a state of war or other national
        emergency so requires; or
            (2) the existence of an extraordinary emergency which
        threatens life, health, safety, property, or the environment,
        so requires.

SEC. 8. CONTINUED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

    Section 8905a(d)(4) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting after force ``, or an
        involuntary separation from a position in or under the
        Department of Veterans Affairs due to a reduction in force or a
        title 38 staffing adjustment'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B) by inserting at the beginning
        thereof ``With respect to the Department of Defense,'';
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
            (4) by adding a new subparagraph (C) as follows:
                    (C) With respect to the Department of Veterans
                Affairs, this paragraph shall apply with respect to any
                individual whose continued coverage is based on a
                separation occurring on or after the date of enactment
                of this paragraph and before--
                            (i) October 1, 2004; or
                            (ii) February 1, 2005, if specific notice
                        of such separation was given to such individual
                        before October 1, 2004.

SEC. 9. REGULATIONS.

    The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe
any regulations necessary to administer the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. LIMITATION; SAVINGS CLAUSE.

    (a) No voluntary separation incentive under this Act may be paid
based on the separation of an employee after September 30, 2004.;
    (b) This Act supplements and does not supersede other authority of
the Secretary.

SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) This Act shall take effect on the date of enactment.

Summary: Authorizes the Secretary to make such a payment only to reduce or eliminate positions or functions identified in the plan. Requires such payments to be in a lump sum and no greater than $25,000 apiece. Requires full repayment from any individual who is subsequently reemployed with any Federal department or agency, with exceptions for certain employment in which the individual possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available. Requires the Department to remit to the Office of Personnel Management for credit to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund 15 percent of the final basic pay of each individual receiving such payments. Reduces the total number of full-time equivalent employees in the Department by one for each individual receiving such a payment. Authorizes the President to waive such reductions upon a determination of the existence of: (1) a state of war or other national emergency. Or (2) an extraordinary emergency which threatens life, health, safety, property, or the environment. Provides for continued temporary health insurance coverage for individuals receiving such payments. Prohibits any payment based on the separation of an employee after September 30, 2004.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Whale Conservation Fund Act
of 1998''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the populations of whales that occur in waters of the
        United States are resources of substantial ecological,
        scientific, socioeconomic, and esthetic value;
            (2) whale populations--
                    (A) form a significant component of marine
                ecosystems;
                    (B) are the subject of intense research;
                    (C) provide for a multimillion dollar whale
                watching tourist industry that provides the public an
                opportunity to enjoy and learn about great whales and
                the ecosystems of which the whales are a part; and
                    (D) are of importance to Native Americans for
                cultural and subsistence purposes;
            (3) whale populations are in various stages of recovery,
        and some whale populations, such as the northern right whale
        (Eubaleana glacialis) remain perilously close to extinction;
            (4) the interactions that occur between ship traffic,
        commercial fishing, whale watching vessels, and other
        recreational vessels and whale populations may affect whale
        populations adversely;
            (5) the exploration and development of oil, gas, and hard
        mineral resources, marine debris, chemical pollutants, noise,
        and other anthropogenic sources of change in the habitat of
        whales may affect whale populations adversely;
            (6) the conservation of whale populations is subject to
        difficult challenges related to--
                    (A) the migration of whale populations across
                international boundaries;
                    (B) the size of individual whales, as that size
                precludes certain conservation research procedures that
                may be used for other animal species, such as captive
                research and breeding;
                    (C) the low reproductive rates of whales that
                require long-term conservation programs to ensure
                recovery of whale populations; and
                    (D) the occurrence of whale populations in offshore
                waters where undertaking research, monitoring, and
                conservation measures is difficult and costly;
            (7)(A) the Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has
        research and regulatory responsibility for the conservation of
        whales under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16
        U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); and
            (B) the heads of other Federal agencies and the Marine
        Mammal Commission established under section 201 of the Marine
        Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1401) have related
        research and management activities under the Marine Mammal
        Protection Act of 1972 or the Endangered Species Act of 1973
        (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
            (8) the funding available for the activities described in
        paragraph (8) is insufficient to support all necessary whale
        conservation and recovery activities; and
            (9) there is a need to facilitate the use of funds from
        non-Federal sources to carry out the conservation of whales.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL WHALE CONSERVATION FUND.

    Section 4 of the National Fish and Wildlife Establishment Act (16
U.S.C. 3703) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f)(1) In carrying out the purposes under section 2(b), the
Foundation may establish a national whale conservation endowment fund,
to be used by the Foundation to support research, management
activities, or educational programs that contribute to the protection,
conservation, or recovery of whale populations in waters of the United
States.
    ``(2)(A) In a manner consistent with subsection (c)(1), the
Foundation may--
            ``(i) accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use
        any gift, devise, or bequest made to the Foundation for the
        express purpose of supporting whale conservation; and
            ``(ii) deposit in the endowment fund under paragraph (1)
        any funds made available to the Foundation under this
        subparagraph, including any income or interest earned from a
        gift, devise, or bequest received by the Foundation under this
        subparagraph.
    ``(B) To raise funds to be deposited in the endowment fund under
paragraph (1), the Foundation may enter into appropriate arrangements
to provide for the design, copyright, production, marketing, or
licensing, of logos, seals, decals, stamps, or any other item that the
Foundation determines to be appropriate.
    ``(C)(i) The Secretary of Commerce may transfer to the Foundation
for deposit in the endowment fund under paragraph (1)--
            ``(I) any amount (or portion thereof) received by the
        Secretary under section 105(a)(1) of the Marine Mammal
        Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1375(a)(1)) as a civil
        penalty assessed by the Secretary under that section; or
            ``(II) any amount (or portion thereof) received by the
        Secretary as a settlement or award for damages in a civil
        action or other legal proceeding relating to damage of natural
        resources.
    ``(ii) The Directors of the Board shall ensure that any amounts
transferred to the Foundation under clause (i) for the endowment fund
under paragraph (1) are deposited in that fund in accordance with this
subparagraph.
    ``(3) It is the intent of Congress that in making expenditures from
the endowment fund under paragraph (1) to carry out activities
specified in that paragraph, the Foundation should give priority to
funding projects that address the conservation of populations of whales
that the Foundation determines--
            ``(A) are the most endangered (including the northern right
        whale (Eubaleana glacialis)); or
            ``(B) most warrant, and are most likely to benefit from,
        research managment, or educational activities that may be
        funded with amounts made available from the fund.
    ``(g) In carrying out any action on the part of the Foundation
under subsection (f), the Directors of the Board shall consult with the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the Marine Mammal Commission.''.

Summary: National Whale Conservation Fund Act of 1998 - Amends the National Fish and Wildlife Establishment Act to authorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish a national whale conservation endowment fund to be used to support research, management activities, or educational programs that contribute to the protection, conservation, or recovery of whale populations in US waters. Permits the Foundation to enter into appropriate arrangements to provide for the design, copyright, production, marketing, or licensing of logos, seals, decals, stamps, or any other item that the Foundation determines to be appropriate to raise funds to be deposited in the fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to transfer to the Foundation for deposit in the fund: (1) any amount received by the Secretary as a civil penalty assessed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Or (2) any amount received by the Secretary as a settlement or award for damages in a civil action or other legal proceeding relating to damage of natural resources. Declares it is the intent of the Congress that, in making expenditures from the fund, the Foundation should give priority to projects that address the conservation of populations of whales that the Foundation determines: (1) are the most endangered. Or (2) most warrant, and are most likely to benefit from, research management or educational activities. Requires the Directors to consult with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Marine Mammal Commission in carrying out any action under this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Encouraging Work and Supporting
Marriage Act of 2002''.

            TITLE I--ACCELERATION OF MARRIAGE PENALTY RELIEF

SEC. 101. ACCELERATION OF INCREASE IN STANDARD DEDUCTION FOR JOINT
              RETURNS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (7) of section 63(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by section 301 of the Economic Growth
and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, is amended to read as
follows:
            ``(7) Applicable percentage.--For purposes of paragraph
        (2), the applicable percentage shall be determined in
        accordance with the following table:

                ``For taxable years beginning
                                                         The applicable
                  in calendar year--
                                                        percentage is--
                    2003 or 2004...........................        170
                    2005...................................        174
                    2006...................................        184
                    2007...................................        187
                    2008...................................        190
                    2009 and thereafter....................     200.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (d) of section 301 of the
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 is amended by
striking ``December 31, 2004'' and inserting ``December 31, 2002''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002.

TITLE II--MODIFICATIONS TO WORK OPPORTUNITY CREDIT AND WELFARE-TO-WORK
                                 CREDIT

SEC. 201. MODIFICATIONS TO WORK OPPORTUNITY CREDIT AND WELFARE-TO-WORK
              CREDIT.

    (a) Eligibility of Ex-Felons Determined Without Regard to Family
Income.--Paragraph (4) of section 51(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by adding ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by
striking ``, and'' at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting a
period, and by striking all that follows subparagraph (B).
    (b) Increase in Maximum Age for Eligibility of Food Stamp
Recipients.--Clause (i) of section 51(d)(8)(A) of such Code is amended
by striking ``25'' and inserting ``30''.
    (c) Clarification of Treatment of Individuals Under Individual Work
Plans.--Subparagraph (B) of section 51(d)(6) of such Code (relating to
vocational rehabilitation referral) is amended by striking ``or'' at
the end of clause (i), by striking the period at the end of clause (ii)
and inserting ``, or'', and by adding at the end the following new
clause:
                            ``(iii) an individual work plan developed
                        and implemented by an employment network
                        pursuant to subsection (g) of section 1148 of
                        the Social Security Act with respect to which
                        the requirements of such subsection are met.''
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after December 31,
2002.

SEC. 202. CONSOLIDATION OF WORK OPPORTUNITY CREDIT WITH WELFARE-TO-WORK
              CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 51(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of
subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H)
and inserting ``, or'', and by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
                    ``(I) a long-term family assistance recipient.''
    (b) Long-Term Family Assistance Recipient.--Subsection (d) of
section 51 of such Code is amended by redesignating paragraphs (10)
through (12) as paragraphs (11) through (13), respectively, and by
inserting after paragraph (9) the following new paragraph:
            ``(10) Long-term family assistance recipient.--The term
        `long-term family assistance recipient' means any individual
        who is certified by the designated local agency--
                    ``(A) as being a member of a family receiving
                assistance under a IV-A program (as defined in
                paragraph (2)(B)) for at least the 18-month period
                ending on the hiring date,
                    ``(B)(i) as being a member of a family receiving
                such assistance for 18 months beginning after August 5,
                1997, and
                    ``(ii) as having a hiring date which is not more
                than 2 years after the end of the earliest such 18-
                month period, or
                    ``(C)(i) as being a member of a family which ceased
                to be eligible for such assistance by reason of any
                limitation imposed by Federal or State law on the
                maximum period such assistance is payable to a family,
                and
                    ``(ii) as having a hiring date which is not more
                than 2 years after the date of such cessation.''
    (c) Increased Credit for Employment of Long-Term Family Assistance
Recipients.--Section 51 of such Code is amended by inserting after
subsection (d) the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Credit for Second-Year Wages for Employment of Long-Term
Family Assistance Recipients.--
            ``(1) In general.--With respect to the employment of a
        long-term family assistance recipient--
                    ``(A) the amount of the work opportunity credit
                determined under this section for the taxable year
                shall include 40 percent of the qualified second-year
                wages for such year, and
                    ``(B) in lieu of applying subsection (b)(3), the
                amount of the qualified first-year wages, and the
                amount of qualified second-year wages, which may be
                taken into account with respect to such a recipient
                shall not exceed $10,000 per year.
            ``(2) Qualified second-year wages.--For purposes of this
        subsection, the term `qualified second-year wages' means
        qualified wages--
                    ``(A) which are paid to a long-term family
                assistance recipient, and
                    ``(B) which are attributable to service rendered
                during the 1-year period beginning on the day after the
                last day of the 1-year period with respect to such
                recipient determined under subsection (b)(2).
            ``(3) Special rules for agricultural and railway labor.--If
        such recipient is an employee to whom subparagraph (A) or (B)
        of subsection (h)(1) applies, rules similar to the rules of
        such subparagraphs shall apply except that--
                    ``(A) such subparagraph (A) shall be applied by
                substituting `$10,000' for `$6,000', and
                    ``(B) such subparagraph (B) shall be applied by
                substituting `$833.33' for `$500'.''.
    (d) Repeal of Separate Welfare-to-Work Credit.--
            (1) In general.--Section 51A of such Code is hereby
        repealed.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for subpart
        F of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
        amended by striking the item relating to section 51A.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after December 31,
2002.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2002.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Encouraging Work and Supporting Marriage Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the standard deduction for the married filing jointly category beginning in calendar year 2003. Modifies the work opportunity credit by: (1) repealing the requirement that a qualified ex-felon be a member of a low-income family. (2) increasing the maximum age for eligibility of food stamp recipients to 30 years, (3) redefining the term vocational rehabilitation referral. (4) adding long-term family assistance recipients to the definition of targeted groups. And (5) increasing the maximum allowable credit for employment of long-term family assistance recipients. Repeals the separate welfare-to-work credit.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to accelerate the marriage penalty relief in the standard deduction and to modify the work opportunity credit and the welfare-to-work credit.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Home-Assembled Firearms Restriction
Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. DO-IT-YOURSELF ASSAULT WEAPON BAN.

    (a) Banned Hazardous Products.--Notwithstanding section 3(a)(5)(E)
of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)(5)(E)), the
following shall be considered banned hazardous products under section 8
of such Act (15 U.S.C. 2057):
            (1) A firearm receiver casting or firearm receiver blank
        that--
                    (A) at the point of sale does not meet the
                definition of a firearm in section 921(a) of title 18,
                United States Code; and
                    (B) after purchase by a consumer, can be completed
                by the consumer to the point at which such casting or
                blank functions as a firearm frame or receiver for a
                semiautomatic assault weapon or machine gun.
            (2) An assault weapon parts kit.
            (3) A machinegun parts kit.
    (b) Enforcement.--Subsection (a) shall be treated as a ban under
section 19 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2068).
    (c) Consultation.--In enforcing this section, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission shall periodically consult with the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regarding effective
strategies for and methods of enforcement.

SEC. 3. PROHIBITION OF ADVERTISING DO-IT-YOURSELF ASSAULT WEAPONS.

    (a) In General.--It shall be unlawful to market or advertise, on
any medium of electronic communications, including over the Internet,
for the sale of any of the following:
            (1) A firearm receiver casting or firearm receiver blank
        that--
                    (A) at the point of sale does not meet the
                definition of a firearm in section 921(a) of title 18,
                United States Code; and
                    (B) after purchase by a consumer, can be completed
                by the consumer to the point at which such casting or
                blank functions as a firearm frame or receiver for a
                semiautomatic assault weapon or machinegun.
            (2) An assault weapon parts kit.
            (3) A machinegun parts kit.
    (b) Enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission.--A violation of
subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an
unfair or deceptive act or practice described under section 18(a)(1)(B)
of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). The
Federal Trade Commission shall enforce this section in the same manner,
by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties
as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a
part of this Act.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing contained in this Act shall be
construed to limit the authority of the Federal Trade Commission under
any other provision of law.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Terms.--For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``assault weapon parts kit'' means any part or
        combination of parts not designed and intended for repair or
        replacement but designed and intended to enable a consumer who
        possesses all such necessary parts to assemble a semiautomatic
        assault weapon;
            (2) the term ``machinegun parts kit'' means any part or
        combination of parts designed and intended to enable a consumer
        who possesses all such necessary parts to assemble a machinegun
        or convert a firearm into a machinegun;
            (3) the term ``semiautomatic assault weapon'' means--
                    (A) a semiautomatic rifle or semiautomatic shotgun
                that has the capacity to accept a detachable ammunition
                magazine; or
                    (B) a semiautomatic pistol that has--
                            (i) the capacity to accept a detachable
                        ammunition magazine; and
                            (ii) any one of the features described in
                        subsection (b);
            (4) the term ``machinegun'' has the meaning given such term
        in section 5845(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
            (5) the term ``semiautomatic pistol'' means any repeating
        pistol that utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing
        cartridge to extract the fixed cartridge case and chamber the
        next round and requires a separate pull of the trigger to fire
        each cartridge;
            (6) the term ``semiautomatic rifle'' has the meaning given
        such term in section 921(a)(28) of title 18, United States
        Code; and
            (7) the term ``semiautomatic shotgun'' means any repeating
        shotgun that utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing
        cartridge to extract the fixed cartridge case and chamber the
        next round and requires a separate pull of a trigger to fire
        each cartridge.
    (b) Special Features of a Semiautomatic Pistol.--The special
features described in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii) are--
            (1) an ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol
        outside of the pistol grip;
            (2) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel
        extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer;
            (3) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or
        completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter
        to hold the firearm with the nontrigger hand without being
        burned;
            (4) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the
        pistol is unloaded; and
            (5) a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm.

SEC. 5. CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as limiting the ability of a
State to enact more restrictive gun-related laws, or bans on firearm
receiver castings, firearm receiver blanks, assault weapon parts kits,
or machinegun parts kits.

Summary: Home-Assembled Firearms Restriction Act of 2015 Considers as a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act: (1) any firearm receiver casting or firearm receiver blank that does not meet the definition of a firearm under the federal criminal code at the point of sale but that can be completed after purchase by the consumer to function as a firearm frame or receiver for a semiautomatic assault weapon or machine gun, or (2) an assault weapon parts kit or machine gun parts kit. Makes it unlawful to market or advertise any of such weapons for sale on any medium of electronic communications, including over the Internet. Requires marketing or advertising violations to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Superfund Emergency Response Act of
2012''.

SEC. 2. DISASTER RESPONSE AT SITES ON THE NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in
this section as the ``Administrator'') may carry out any assessment,
monitoring, remediation, repair, or construction activity that the
Administrator determines to be necessary at a site that--
            (1) is proposed to be listed on, is listed on, or has been
        deleted from, the National Priorities List under the
        Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
        Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.); and
            (2) is located in an area that the President has declared a
        major disaster in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T.
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
        U.S.C. 5170).
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2013 through 2018.

SEC. 3. DISASTER ASSESSMENTS.

    Title I of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:

``SEC. 129. SITE ASSESSMENTS AFTER A MAJOR DISASTER.

    ``(a) In General.--The Governor or Senator of a State may request
that the Administrator carry out an assessment and submit a report on
the impacts, if any, of a major disaster (as defined in section 102 of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5122)) on any site that is--
            ``(1) proposed to be listed on or listed on the National
        Priorities List; and
            ``(2) located in an area that the President has declared a
        major disaster in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T.
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
        U.S.C. 5170).
    ``(b) Response.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after the date on
        which a request described in subsection (a) is submitted, the
        Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) determine whether to carry out the
                assessment; and
                    ``(B) inform the Governor or Senator, as
                applicable, of the determination.
            ``(2) Preliminary assessment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Administrator determines
                to carry out an assessment under this section, the
                assessment shall include--
                            ``(i) an evaluation of whether the major
                        disaster resulted in the release of any
                        contaminants into the ambient environment that
                        threaten public health and the environment;
                            ``(ii) an assessment of any actions
                        necessary to mitigate a toxic release, repair
                        any damage, or provide monitoring in response
                        to damage associated with the major disaster,
                        along with an estimate of the cost to complete
                        those actions;
                            ``(iii) a list of any actions already taken
                        by Administrator, including actions in
                        coordination with State and local governments,
                        to prevent, mitigate, or remediate any damage
                        resulting from the major disaster at the site;
                        and
                            ``(iv) any information needed to alert the
                        public to any threat, or potential threat, to
                        public health and the environment relating to
                        the release of contaminants at the site as a
                        result of a major disaster.
                    ``(B) Public notice.--Not later than 30 days after
                the date on which the Administrator determines to carry
                out an assessment described in subsection (a), the
                Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) complete the assessment; and
                            ``(ii) publish the results of the
                        assessment on a publicly accessible Internet
                        site.
            ``(3) Amended assessment.--The Administrator may amend or
        update any assessment carried out under this section during the
        1-year period following the date on which the Administrator
        determines to carry out the assessment.''.

SEC. 4. STUDY OF SITES ON THE NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST AND EXTREME
              WEATHER.

    Title III of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9651 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 313. STUDY ON SITES ON THE NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST AND EXTREME
              WEATHER.

    ``(a) Definition of Extreme Weather Event.--In this section, the
term `extreme weather event' means--
            ``(1) severe and unseasonable weather;
            ``(2) heavy precipitation;
            ``(3) a hurricane;
            ``(4) a storm surge;
            ``(5) a tornado or other windstorm, including a derecho;
            ``(6) extreme heat and cold; and
            ``(7) any other event that qualifies as a `major disaster'
        under section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
    ``(b) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this section, the Administrator shall carry out a study and submit to
Congress a report that includes--
            ``(1) an assessment of the existing vulnerability of each
        property that, due to an extreme weather event, is proposed to
        be listed, listed, or removed from the National Priorities
        List, particularly in relation to the potential for
        contaminants to leach or enter into the ambient environment and
        threaten public health;
            ``(2) an evaluation of the quantity of properties proposed
        to be listed or listed on the National Priorities List in areas
        that are prone to flooding as a result of an extreme weather
        event, including an estimate of the cost necessary to remediate
        each site so that the site can be removed from the National
        Priorities List; and
            ``(3) any recommendations of the Administrator relating
        to--
                    ``(A) emergency response protocols in the event of
                an extreme weather event to prevent any release of
                contaminants into the ambient environment, including
                coordination between the regional office, appropriate
                State and local officials, and any relevant community
                advisory groups;
                    ``(B) strategies the Administrator determines
                necessary to improve the resiliency of assessments,
                monitoring, or construction carried out on proprieties
                on the National Priorities List as extreme weather
                events become more common; and
                    ``(C) additional policies necessary to enhance the
                resiliency of properties on the National Priorities
                List as a result of extreme weather events, including
                any modifications of existing Federal law.''.

Summary: Superfund Emergency Response Act of 2012 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to carry out any assessment, monitoring, remediation, repair, or construction activity determined to be necessary at a site that: (1) is proposed to be listed on, is listed on, or has been deleted from the National Priorities List (NPL) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). And (2) is located in an area that the President has declared a major disaster in accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Amends CERCLA to authorize a state governor or senator to request that the Administrator carry out an assessment and report on the impacts of a major disaster on any proposed or listed NPL site located in a major disaster area. Requires the assessment to include: (1) an evaluation of whether the disaster resulted in the release of any contaminants into the ambient environment that threaten public health and the environment. (2) an assessment of any actions necessary to mitigate a toxic release, repair any damage, or provide monitoring in response to disaster damage. (3) a list of actions already taken by Administrator to prevent, mitigate, or remediate any disaster damage at the site. And (4) any information needed to alert the public to any threat to public health and the environment relating to the release of contaminants at the site. Directs the Administrator to study and report on: (1) an assessment of the vulnerability of each property that, due to an extreme weather event, is proposed to be listed, is listed, or is removed from the NPL. (2) an evaluation of the quantity of properties proposed or listed on the NPL in areas that are prone to flooding as a result of such an event. And (3) recommendations relating to emergency response protocols in such an event to prevent any release of contaminants into the ambient environment, strategies to improve the resiliency of assessments, monitoring, or construction carried out on NPL proprieties as such events become more common, and additional policies necessary to enhance the resiliency of NPL properties as a result of such events. Defines an extreme weather event as severe and unseasonable weather, heavy precipitation, a hurricane, a storm surge, a tornado or other windstorm, extreme heat and cold, or any other event that qualifies as a major disaster.

A bill to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to provide assistance for natural disaster response at Superfund sites, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Safer
Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2015''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                   TITLE I--GUN BUYBACK GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Program authorized.
Sec. 102. Applications.
Sec. 103. Term of grant.
Sec. 104. Smart prepaid cards.
Sec. 105. Uses of funds.
Sec. 106. Definitions.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations.
                      TITLE II--CRIMINAL PROVISION

Sec. 201. Use of smart prepaid card to buy or sell a firearm.

                   TITLE I--GUN BUYBACK GRANT PROGRAM

SEC. 101. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance
(referred to in this title as the ``Director'') may make grants to
eligible entities to conduct gun buyback programs.
    (b) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this title, the term ``eligible
entity'' means--
            (1) a State;
            (2) a unit of local government; or
            (3) a gun dealer if neither the unit of local government
        nor the State where such dealer is located receives a grant
        under this title.

SEC. 102. APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Grants.--The chief executive of an eligible entity seeking a
grant under this title shall submit an application to the Director at
such time and containing such information as the Director may
reasonably require.
    (b) Subgrants.--A gun dealer located in a unit of local government
or State that does receive a grant under this title seeking a subgrant
shall submit an application to the chief executive of such unit of
local government or State at such time and containing such information
as the chief executive may reasonably require, including proof of such
dealer's license under section 923 of title 18, United States Code.

SEC. 103. TERM OF GRANT.

    (a) Term.--The term of a grant awarded under this title shall be
two years.
    (b) Availability of Grant Funds.--
            (1) States or units of local government.--A State or unit
        of local government that receives a grant under this title
        shall return to the Director any remaining smart prepaid cards
        and any unused portion of such grant at the end of the two-year
        and 270-day period beginning on the date that the grant was
        awarded.
            (2) Gun dealers.--A gun dealer that receives a grant or
        subgrant under this title shall return to the Director any
        remaining smart prepaid cards and any unused portion of such
        grant or subgrant that was allocated to be used to buy back
        guns--
                    (A) in the case of a gun dealer receiving a grant,
                at the end of the two-year period beginning on the date
                that the grant was awarded; or
                    (B) in the case of a gun dealer receiving a
                subgrant, at the end of the two-year period beginning
                on the date that the grant was awarded to the State or
                unit of local government from which the gun dealer
                received a subgrant.
    (c) Amounts Returned.--The Director shall return to the general
fund of the Treasury any amounts returned under subsection (b).

SEC. 104. SMART PREPAID CARDS.

    (a) In General.--In conducting the grant program authorized under
section 101, the Director may reserve such funds as may be necessary to
acquire and distribute smart prepaid cards to eligible entities that
receive grants under this title. The Director shall distribute the
smart prepaid cards without any funds loaded onto the cards.
    (b) Market Value of Guns.--The Director shall determine the market
value of each gun that the Director determines should be included in
the gun buyback program and make such information publicly available.
    (c) Prohibition on Use of Cards To Buy Guns.--
            (1) In general.--A person may not use a smart prepaid card
        in the acquisition of a gun or ammunition, and a person may not
        accept a smart prepaid card in the transfer (including a loan)
        of a gun or ammunition.
            (2) Penalty.--A person that violates paragraph (1) shall
        pay to the Director an amount that is equal to the value of the
        prohibited sale.

SEC. 105. USES OF FUNDS.

    (a) States and Units of Local Government.--A State or unit of local
government receiving a grant under this title shall use such funds to
do the following:
            (1) Gun buyback program.--Use such funds to--
                    (A) conduct a gun buyback program; or
                    (B) make subgrants to gun dealers in such State or
                unit of local government to conduct gun buyback
                programs, and distribute the smart prepaid cards such
                State or unit of local government receives to gun
                dealers receiving subgrants.
            (2) Gun and ammunition recycling program.--Use not more
        than 10 percent of such funds to recycle the guns and
        ammunition that such State or unit of local government collects
        or receives from gun dealers.
            (3) Administrative costs.--Use not more than 15 percent of
        such funds for the administrative costs of carrying out the
        grant program under this title, including the criminal database
        checks under subsection (f).
    (b) Gun Dealers.--
            (1) In general.--A gun dealer receiving a grant or subgrant
        under this title shall use such funds to conduct a gun buyback
        program.
            (2) Smart prepaid card amounts.--
                    (A) In order to purchase a gun through a gun
                buyback program, a gun dealer shall load onto a smart
                prepaid card 125 percent of the market value of the gun
                that the individual wishes to dispose of (as determined
                by the Director under section 104(b)).
                    (B) A gun dealer may increase the purchase price of
                a gun and load an amount onto a smart prepaid card that
                is greater than 125 percent of the market value of the
                gun if the gun dealer determines that the gun has been
                altered in a way that would increase the market value
                of the gun (such as an altered grip, or the addition of
                a scope).
            (3) Guns received.--
                    (A) In the case of a gun dealer receiving a grant
                under this title, the gun dealer shall deliver a gun or
                ammunition the dealer receives under the gun buyback
                program to the closest office of the Bureau of Alcohol,
                Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives not later than 60 days
                after receiving such gun.
                    (B) In the case of a gun dealer receiving a
                subgrant under this title, the gun dealer shall deliver
                a gun or ammunition the dealer receives under the gun
                buyback program to the State or unit of local
                government from which it receives the subgrant not
                later than 60 days after receiving such gun.
    (c) Ammunition Collection.--A State, unit of local government, or
gun dealer conducting a gun buyback program under this title may accept
ammunition from individuals wishing to dispose of it, which shall be
recycled in accordance with paragraph (3), but may not use smart
prepaid cards to purchase ammunition under the gun buyback program.
    (d) Incentives for Gun Dealer Participation.--To the extent that
the Director determines necessary to facilitate participation of gun
dealers in the gun buyback program, grant funds may be used to provide
monetary or other incentives to gun dealers to participate in such
program. For purposes of subsection (a), any such incentives shall be
treated as part of the subgrant to the gun dealer described in
paragraph (1)(B) thereof.
    (e) Resale of Guns Prohibited.--A State, unit of local government,
or gun dealer conducting a gun buyback program under this title may not
sell a gun or ammunition received under such program.
    (f) Criminal Database Check.--A State, unit of local government, or
office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that
receives a gun under a gun buyback program under this title shall, not
later than 21 days after receiving the gun, use any database accessible
to the State, unit of local government, or office of the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as applicable, in order to
determine whether the gun was used in the commission of a crime. If
such a gun was used in the commission of a crime, the gun shall be
delivered to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

SEC. 106. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Ammunition.--The term ``ammunition'' has the meaning
        given such term in section 921(a)(17)(A) of title 18, United
        States Code.
            (2) Gun.--The term ``gun'' means ``firearm'' as defined in
        section 921(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code.
            (3) Gun buyback program.--The term ``gun buyback program''
        means a program under which a State, a unit of local
        government, or a gun dealer, using smart prepaid cards as
        described in section 105(b)(2), purchases back from individuals
        wishing to dispose of them, a gun identified by the Director
        under section 104(b).
            (4) Gun dealer.--The term ``gun dealer'' means a dealer of
        firearms licensed under section 923 of title 18, United States
        Code.
            (5) Smart prepaid card.--The term ``smart prepaid card''
        means a card issued by the Director that--
                    (A) is redeemable at multiple, unaffiliated
                merchants or service providers;
                    (B) contains a mechanism, for the purpose of
                preventing the cardholder from using it to purchase a
                gun or ammunition, that recognizes the merchant
                category code of a merchant and prohibits the use of
                such card at a place of business subject to a license
                to deal in firearms under section 923 of title 18,
                United States Code;
                    (C) is honored, upon presentation, by merchants
                solely for goods or services, except for merchants
                described in subparagraph (B);
                    (D) is loaded on a prepaid basis by a State, unit
                of local government, or gun dealer for use in a gun
                buyback program;
                    (E) clearly and conspicuously bears the words
                ``THIS CARD MAY NOT BE USED TO PURCHASE A GUN OR
                AMMUNITION'' in capital and raised letters on the card;
                and
                    (F) may not redeemed for coins or currency.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States,
        the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or
        possession of the United States.

SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated $360,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2017 through 2019 to carry out this title.

                      TITLE II--CRIMINAL PROVISION

SEC. 201. USE OF SMART PREPAID CARD IN THE ACQUISITION OR TRANSFER OF A
              FIREARM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 932. Use of smart prepaid card in the acquisition or transfer of
              a firearm
    ``Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, uses a
smart prepaid card (as such term is defined in section 106 of the Safer
Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2015) in connection with the
acquisition of, or accepts a smart prepaid card in connection with the
transfer (including a loan) of a firearm or ammunition shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--
            (1) Conforming amendment.--Section 924(a)(1) of title 18,
        United States Code, is amended by inserting after ``section
        929'' the following: ``or section 932''.
            (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
        beginning of chapter 44, United States Code, is amended by
        inserting after the item relating to section 931 the following:

``932. Use of smart prepaid card in the acquisition or transfer of a
                            firearm.''.

Summary: Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to make grants to states, local governments, or gun dealers to conduct gun buyback programs. The BJA may distribute smart prepaid cards for use by a state, local government, or gun dealer to compensate individuals who dispose of firearms. Additionally, the bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to use or accept a smart prepaid card in the acquisition or transfer of a firearm or ammunition. A violator is subject to a fine, up to two years in prison, or both.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act''.

SEC. 2. VICTIMS' STATEMENT IN FEDERAL CASES.

    Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subdivision
        (a)(1)(B);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subdivision
        (a)(1)(C) and inserting ``; and'';
            (3) by inserting after subdivision (a)(1)(C) the following:
                    ``(D) address personally any victim of the offense
                for which sentence is to be imposed (or a member of
                that victim's immediate family or, in the discretion of
                the court, any other appropriate person representing
                the victim) who is present at the sentencing hearing,
                and afford the individual so addressed the opportunity
                to make a statement and present information in relation
                to the sentence.'';
            (4) in the penultimate sentence of subdivision (a)(1), by
        striking ``equivalent opportunity'' and inserting ``opportunity
        equivalent to that of the defendant's counsel''; and
            (5) by adding at the end of subdivision (a)(1) the
        following: ``Upon request by a victim, the court may hear in
        camera such a statement by that victim.''.

SEC. 3. RIGHT OF VICTIMS OF STATE OFFENSES TO BE INFORMED ABOUT VICTIM
              COMPENSATION AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

    Section 1403(b) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C.
10602(b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
            ``(8) such State provides an effective system of notice to
        crime victims of the existence of compensation and other
        programs to assist victims of crime in which those victims
        might be eligible to participate; and''; and
            (3) by redesignating existing paragraph (8) as paragraph
        (9).

SEC. 4. RIGHT OF VICTIMS IN COURT PROCEEDINGS.

    (a) Separation of Victim from Accused.--Section 501(b) of title I
of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 is amended--
            (1) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (21) and
        adding ``; and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(22) programs that allow for the physical and visual
        separation of a victim of crime from an alleged perpetrator of
        such crime while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom
        appearance.''.
    (b) Formula Grant Reduction for Noncompliance.--Section 506 of
title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) In order not to reduce the funds available under this subpart
by 25 percent (for redistribution to other participating States), a
State shall, on the first day of each fiscal year succeeding the first
fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1994--
            ``(1) notify a victim of crime of the availability of
        visual and physical separation from an alleged perpetrator of
        such crime while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom
        appearance;
            ``(2) provide such victim the opportunity for visual and
        physical separation from an alleged perpetrator of such crime
        while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom
        appearance;
            ``(3) provide a victim of crime with the earliest possible
        notice of the scheduling of each court proceeding or parole
        hearing that the witness is either required or entitled to
        attend; and
            ``(4) address personally any victim of the offense for
        which sentence is to be imposed (or a member of that victim's
        immediate family or, in the discretion of the court, any other
        appropriate person representing the victim) who is present at
        the sentencing hearing, and afford the individual so addressed
        the opportunity to make a statement and present information in
        relation to the sentence.''.

SEC. 5. FEDERAL VICTIMS RIGHTS TO BE INFORMED ABOUT COMPENSATION
              PROGRAMS AND TO SEPARATE WAITING FACILITIES.

    The Attorney General shall assure that Federal prosecutors and law
enforcement officials--
            (1) provide an effective system of notice to crime victims
        of the existence of compensation and other programs to assist
        victims of crime in which those victims might be eligible to
        participate;
            (2) notify victims of Federal crime of the availability of
        visual and physical separation from alleged perpetrators of
        such crime while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom
        appearance;
            (3) provide victims of Federal crime the opportunity for
        visual and physical separation from alleged perpetrators of
        such crime while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom
        appearance; and
            (4) provide a victim of crime with the earliest possible
        notice of the scheduling of each court proceeding or parole
        hearing that the witness is either required or entitled to
        attend.

Summary: Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act - Amends Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to require the court, before imposing sentence, to address personally any victim of the offense for which sentence is to be imposed who is present at the sentencing hearing and to afford such individual the opportunity to make a statement and present information in relation to the sentence. Permits the court, upon request by a victim, to hear in camera such a statement by that victim. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to condition Federal grant eligibility of crime victim compensation programs on a State providing an effective system of notice to eligible victims of the existence of compensation and other programs to assist victims of crime. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) authorize drug control and system improvement grants to States to be used for programs that allow for the physical and visual separation of a victim of crime from an alleged perpetrator of such crime while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom appearance. And (2) provide for a reduction of formula grants by 25 percent for States which fail to notify a crime victim of specified rights. Directs the Attorney General to assure that Federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials: (1) provide an effective system of notice to crime victims of the existence of compensation and other programs to assist victims who might be eligible to participate. (2) notify crime victims of the availability of, and provide such victims the opportunity for, visual and physical separation from alleged crime perpetrators while waiting in a judicial facility for a courtroom appearance. And (3) provide a crime victim with the earliest possible notice of the scheduling of each court proceeding or parole hearing that the witness is required or entitled to attend.

Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Mortgage Protection Act of
2000.''

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) especially vulnerable consumers are not adequately
        protected by current Federal law from the abusive practices of
        a few participants in the residential mortgage industry;
            (2) additional legislation is necessary and appropriate to
        ensure that such consumers are better protected against abusive
        lending practices; and
            (3) there is a need to streamline the framework regulating
        mortgage originations.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is--
            (1) to establish additional substantive protections for
        certain especially vulnerable consumers;
            (2) to ensure that such consumers are able to protect the
        equity in their homes;
            (3) to initiate the process of streamlining the regulatory
        framework for mortgage originations; and
            (4) to clarify mortgage broker compensation.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE TRUTH IN LENDING ACT.

    (a) Section 103(aa)(1)(A).--Section 103(aa)(1)(A) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(aa)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by more
than 10 percentage points'' and by striking ``creditor; or'' and
inserting the following: ``creditor by more than--
            ``(i) 8 percentage points, in the case of a transaction
        secured by a first-lien security interest in the property; or
            ``(ii) 9 percentage points, in the case of a transaction
        secured by a subordinate-lien security interest in the
        property; or''.
    (b) Section 103(aa)(1)(B)(i).--Section 103(aa)(1)(B)(i) of the
Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(aa)(1)(B)(i)) is amended by
striking ``8 percent'' and inserting ``6 percent, in the case of a
transaction secured by a first-lien security interest in the property,
or 7 percent, in the case of a transaction secured by a subordinate-
lien security interest in the property''.
    (c) Section 103(aa)(4).--Section 103(aa)(4) of the Truth in Lending
Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(aa)(4)) is amended by striking ``For purposes of
paragraph (1)(B),'' and inserting ``For purposes of paragraph (1)(B)
and section 129(h) of this Act''.
    (d) Section 103(aa)(5).--Section 103(aa)(5) of the Truth in Lending
Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(aa)(5)) is amended by inserting after ``extension
of credit'' the following: ``, except as provided in section 129(h) of
this Act''.
    (e) Section 129.--Section 129 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639) is amended by striking subsections (a) and (b),
redesignating subsections (c) through (i) as subsections (a) through
(g), respectively, and redesignating subsections (j) through (l) as
subsections (m) through (o), respectively.
    (f)(1) Section 129(a)(2).--Section 129(a)(2) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639(a)(2)), as redesignated by subsection (e),
is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the
following:
                    ``(A) the amount of the penalty does not exceed 3
                percent of the total loan amount, if the prepayment
                occurs during the 1-year period beginning on the date
                on which the mortgage is consummated;
                    ``(B) the amount of the penalty does not exceed 2
                percent of the total loan amount, if the prepayment
                occurs during the 1-year period beginning on the date
                of expiration of the 1-year period identified in
                subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) the amount of the penalty does not exceed 1
                percent of the total loan amount, if the prepayment
                occurs during the 1-year period beginning on the date
                of the expiration of the 1-year period identified in
                subparagraph (B);'',
and by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and
(E), respectively.
    (2) Section 129(a)(2)(D).--Section 129(a)(2)(D) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1639(a)(2)(D)), as redesignated by subsection
(e) and paragraph (1), is amended by striking ``5-year period'' and
inserting
``3-year period''.
    (g) Section 129(e).--Section 129(e) of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639(e)), as redesignated by subsection (e), is amended by
striking ``more than 2'' and inserting ``any''.
    (h) Section 129(h).--Section 129 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639) is amended by inserting after section 129(g), as
redesignated by subsection (e), the following:
    ``(h) Restrictions on the Charging of Closing Costs.--A creditor
shall not make a mortgage referred to in section 103(aa) the proceeds
of which will be used to pay the outstanding balance of an existing
mortgage referred to in section 103(aa) within 1 year of the date of
consummation of such existing mortgage, unless--
            ``(1) all points and fees, imposed directly or indirectly
        by the creditor in connection with the transaction, are
        calculated solely on the basis of the new advances received by
        the borrower in connection with the refinancing; or
            ``(2) the annual percentage rate of the refinance loan is
        lower by 2 or more percentage points than the annual percentage
        rate of the existing mortgage.''.
    (i) Section 129(i).--Section 129 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639) is amended by inserting after section 129(h), as created
by subsection (h), the following:
    ``(i) No Encouragement of Default.--A creditor shall not recommend
to a consumer, at any time in connection with the making of a mortgage
referred to in section 103(aa), that the consumer fail to make any
payment as and when due and payable under the terms of any existing
debt obligation of the consumer.''.
    (j) Section 129(j).--Section 129 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639) is amended by inserting after section 129(i), as created
by subsection (i), the following:
    ``(j) Reporting of Payment History.--A creditor shall report both
favorable and unfavorable payment history information relating to any
consumer of a mortgage referred to in section 103(aa) to a nationally
recognized credit bureau at least quarterly each year.''.
    (k) Section 129(k).--Section 129 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639) is amended by inserting after section 129(j), as created
by subsection (j), the following:
    ``(k) No Profit From Foreclosure.--A creditor shall not profit
monetarily from the sale at foreclosure of any property securing a
mortgage referred to in section 103(aa), whether directly from such a
foreclosure sale or indirectly through a resale after the purchase of
the property by the creditor at such a foreclosure sale.''.
    (l) Section 129(l).--Section 129 of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1639) is amended by inserting after section 129(k), as created
by subsection (k), the following:
    ``(l) Providing a Statement of the Amount of Satisfaction.--Upon
receipt of a written or oral request, a creditor or any subsequent
assignee who holds a mortgage referred to in section 103(aa) shall
provide a written statement setting forth the amounts necessary to pay
in full and satisfy the debt obligation of a mortgage referred to in
section 103(aa) within 3 business days of receipt of the request.''.
    (n) Section 130(b).--Section 130(b) of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1640(b)) is amended by striking all after ``the creditor or
assignee notifies the person concerned of the error and'' and inserting
``the creditor or assignee--
            ``(1) in the case of a failure to comply consisting of a
        finance charge or annual percentage rate actually disclosed
        that is lower than that which should have been disclosed, makes
        whatever adjustments in the appropriate account are necessary
        to ensure that the person will not be required to pay an amount
        in excess of the charge actually disclosed, or the dollar
        equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed,
        whichever is lower; or
            ``(2) in the case of any other failure to comply, executes
        and offers to the person for execution a legally effective
        instrument that modifies the underlying transaction such that
        the failure to comply is eliminated.''.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES ACT.

    (a) Section 4(a).--The second sentence of section 4(a) of the Real
Estate Settlement Procedures Act (12 U.S.C. 2603(a)) is amended by
striking ``Such form shall conspicuously and clearly itemize all
charges imposed upon the borrower and all charges imposed upon the
seller in connection with the settlement and'' and inserting ``Such
form shall conspicuously and clearly itemize all charges imposed
directly upon the borrower and all charges imposed directly upon the
seller (whether paid outside of closing or otherwise) in connection
with the settlement. This subsection shall not be construed to require
that the standard form shall itemize fees earned by any settlement
service provider in connection with the transaction to the extent such
fees are paid by the lender and reflect the present value of interest
yielded by the federally related mortgage loan. Such form also''.
    (b) Section 5(b).--Section 5(b) of the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act (12 U.S.C. 2604(b)) is amended by striking ``and'' at
the end of paragraph (4), striking the period at the end of paragraph
(5) and inserting
``; and'' and by adding after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) an explanation of the fact that a mortgage broker may
        be compensated for its services provided in connection with the
        federally related mortgage loan with funds derived from (A)
        direct payments made by the borrower, (B) payments made by the
        lender that reflect the present value of interest yielded by
        the federally related mortgage loan, or (C) a combination of
        both the foregoing sources.''.
    (c)(1) Section 5(c).--Section 5(c) of the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act (12 U.S.C. 2604(c)) is amended by striking ``the
borrower is likely to incur'' and inserting ``likely to be imposed
directly upon the borrower''.
    (2) Section 5(c).--Section 5(c) of the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act (12 U.S.C. 2604(c)) is amended by inserting after
paragraph (6) at the end thereof the following: ``The good faith
estimate required by this subsection shall include the following
statement in conspicuous type size: `If you obtain this loan, the
lender will have a mortgage on your home. You could lose your home, and
any money you have put into it, if you do not meet your obligations
under the loan.'''.

SEC. 5. FEDERAL PREEMPTION.

    (a) In General.--No requirement or prohibition may be imposed under
the laws of any State with respect to the subject matter covered by the
amendments made by this Act, including limitations or prohibitions in
connection with high-cost or high-fee mortgage loans for which it is
perceived that consumers should be afforded additional substantive
protections.
    (b) Interpretation.--In response to a request from any person, the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any official or
employee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System duly
authorized by the Board, shall promptly issue an interpretation which
determines whether the specific State laws that are identified in such
request are preempted by operation of subsection (a). Any
interpretation issued under this subsection shall have the effect of
law.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE; IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.

    (a) Effective Date.--This Act and the amendments made by this Act
shall take effect 6 months after the date of its enactment.
    (b) Regulations by the Board.--The Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System shall make such regulations as are necessary to
implement the amendments made by section 3 within 120 days after the
date of its enactment.
    (c) Regulations by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall make
such regulations as are necessary to implement the amendments made by
section 4 within 120 days after the date of its enactment.

Summary: Requires a creditor to report a consumer's mortgage payment history to a nationally recognized credit bureau at least quarterly. Prohibits creditor profit from the sale at foreclosure of property securing a high-cost mortgage. Requires a high-cost mortgage creditor to respond within three business days to a request for a written statement setting forth the amounts necessary to fully satisfy the debt obligation. Redraws creditor liability guidelines. Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act to revise guidelines for: (1) standard Federal forms for the statement of settlement costs. And (2) information booklets that advise the consumer of certain sources of mortgage broker compensation. Establishes Federal preemption of State law concerning subject matter under this Act. Empowers the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to interpret Federal preemption issues under this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``FCC Modernization
Act of 1996''.
    (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
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

SEC. 2. PURPOSES; PLAN FOR AGENCY MODERNIZATION.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to require the Federal Communications Commission to
        streamline its management and prepare an agency plan for
        accomplishing its mission with reduced resources;
            (2) to reduce regulatory burdens and agency functions as
        competition renders those burdens and functions unnecessary;
        and
            (3) to repeal outdated and unnecessary provisions of the
        Communications Act of 1934.
    (b) Plan for Agency Modernization.--
            (1) Plan required.--Within 6 months after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Commission shall prepare a plan--
                    (A) to adjust the allocation of agency personnel to
                reflect the open-entry and pro-competitive policies
                adopted by the United States;
                    (B) to propose the automation or privatization of
                routine agency functions, including the use of advisory
                committees for coordinating frequency assignments and
                automating frequency assignment databases;
                    (C) to propose the termination of agency functions
                that are no longer necessary to the protection of the
                public interest;
                    (D) to reduce the levels of agency's expenses for
                management and overhead; and
                    (E) to prepare the agency for rapid response to
                changes in technologies and markets.
            (2) Contents required.--The plan required by this
        subsection shall include--
                    (A) detailed projections of agency financial and
                personnel requirements over the 5 succeeding fiscal
                years;
                    (B) the savings expected from automating and
                privatizing routine agency functions and from
                terminating unnecessary agency functions, and deadlines
                by which such automation, privatization, and
                termination will be attained;
                    (C) the appropriate level of funding for agency
                management and overhead expenses; and
                    (D) any additional authority or statutory changes
                required to achieve the plan or carry out the purposes
                of this section.
            (3) Submission of plan.--The Commission shall submit a copy
        of the plan required by this subsection to the President and to
        the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and
        the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
        Senate.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO DELEGATE.

    Section 5 (47 U.S.C. 155) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
    ``(f) Delegation to Advisory Coordinating Committees.--
            ``(1) In general.--When necessary to the prompt and orderly
        conduct of its business, the Commission may, by published rule
        or order, delegate its authority to grant licenses and permits
        (and modifications and renewals thereof) for stations in the
        private mobile services to advisory coordinating committees
        qualified pursuant to section 332(b). Any order, decision,
        report, or action made or taken pursuant to any such
        delegation, unless reviewed as provided in paragraph (2), shall
        have the same force and effect, and shall be made, evidenced,
        and enforced in the same manner, as orders, decisions, reports,
        or other actions of the Commission.
            ``(2) Review of actions.--Any order, decision, report, or
        action described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be
        subject to review in the same manner as is provided by
        paragraphs (4) through (7) of subsection (c) with respect to an
        order, decision, report, or action made or taken pursuant to
        paragraph (1) of such subsection.''.

SEC. 4. CONTRACT FILINGS.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 211 (47 U.S.C. 211) is amended to read as
follows:

``SEC. 211. AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE CONTRACTS TO BE FILED.

    ``The Commission may, by rule, require the filing by any carrier
subject to this Act of any contract, agreement, or arrangement.''.
    (b) Delayed Effective Date To Permit Rulemaking.--The amendment
made by subsection (a) shall be effective 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES.

    Section 212 (47 U.S.C. 212), relating to interlocking directorates,
is repealed.

SEC. 6. VALUATION OF CARRIER PROPERTY.

    Section 213 (47 U.S.C. 213), relating to valuation of carrier
property, is amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (a) through (e);
            (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``such carrier'' and
        inserting ``any carrier subject to this Act''; and
            (3) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections
        (a) and (b), respectively.

SEC. 7. ELIMINATION OF COMMISSION AUTHORITY OVER NEW LINES; CONTROL OF
              ABANDONMENT TO PROTECT UNIVERSAL SERVICE.

    (a) Amendments.--Section 214 (47 U.S.C. 214) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Carrier Authority To Discontinue, Reduce, or Impair
Service.--No carrier shall discontinue, reduce, or impair service to a
community, or part of a community, unless and until there shall first
have been obtained from the Commission a certificate that the public
convenience and necessity will not be adversely affected thereby;
except that the Commission may, upon appropriate request being made,
authorize temporary or emergency discontinuance, reduction, or
impairment of service, or partial discontinuance, reduction, or
impairment of service, without regard to the provisions of this
section. As used in this section the term `line' means any channel of
communication established by the use of appropriate equipment, other
than a channel of communication established by the interconnection of
two or more existing channels.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``Notice.--'' after the subsection
                designation; and
                    (B) by striking ``in which such line is proposed to
                be constructed, extended, acquired, or operated, or'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by inserting ``Issuance and Effect of
                Certificate.--'' after the subsection designation;
                    (B) by striking ``or extension thereof'';
                    (C) by striking ``construction, extension,
                acquisition, operation, or''; and
                    (D) by striking ``Any construction, extension,
                acquisition, operation, discontinuance'' and inserting
                ``Any discontinuance''; and
            (4) in subsection (d), by inserting ``Mandatory Extensions
        of Service.--'' after the subsection designation.
    (b) Expeditious Consideration of Waiver Requests in Connection With
Acquisitions.--A common carrier's application for a waiver of part 36,
61, or 69 of the Commission's rules (47 C.F.R. parts 36, 61, and 69) in
connection with an acquisition of the lines of another common carrier
shall be deemed approved 6 months after the date on which the
application is filed with the Commission unless the Commission, prior
to the expiration of such 6-month period, finds that the application is
not in the public interest.
    (c) Delayed Effective Date for International Extensions.--The
amendments made by subsection (a) of this section are effective upon
enactment, except that such amendments shall not apply with respect to
the construction, extension, or acquisition of any line for foreign
communication until such date as the Commission prescribes by rule
consistent with the public interest.

SEC. 8. TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT.

    Section 215 (47 U.S.C. 215), relating to transactions relating to
services and equipment, is repealed.

SEC. 9. INQUIRIES INTO MANAGEMENT.

    Section 218 (47 U.S.C. 218), relating to inquiries into management,
is amended--
            (1) by amending the section designation and heading of such
        section to read as follows:

``SEC. 218. AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN INFORMATION.'';

            (2) by striking the first sentence; and
            (3) by striking ``such carriers'' and inserting ``carriers
        subject to this Act''.

SEC. 10. ANNUAL AND OTHER REPORTS.

    Section 219 (47 U.S.C. 219) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 219. FILING OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ANNUAL REPORTS.

    ``Each telecommunications carrier shall file with the Commission--
            ``(1) a copy of any annual or other periodic report to
        shareholders;
            ``(2) a copy of any prospectus, registration statement,
        proxy statement, or other document distributed in connection
        with an offering of securities or the solicitation of
        shareholder votes; and
            ``(3) a copy of such other supplementary and periodic
        information, documents, and reports as may be required by the
        Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 13 or
        15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.''.

SEC. 11. PIONEER PREFERENCES.

    (a) Termination of Authority.--Paragraph (13) of section 309(j) (47
U.S.C. 309(j)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(13) Termination of authority to grant pioneer
        preferences.--The authority of the Commission to provide
        preferential treatment in licensing procedures (by precluding
        the filing of mutually exclusive applications) to persons who
        make significant contributions to the development of a new
        service or to the development of new technologies that
        substantially enhance an existing service shall expire on the
        date of enactment of the FCC Modernization Act of 1996.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 309(j)(6) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
        subparagraph (F);
            (2) by striking subparagraph (G);
            (3) by striking ``section 8'' in subparagraph (H) and
        inserting ``sections 8 and 9''; and
            (4) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as subparagraph (G).

SEC. 12. USE OF NAVAL STATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL MESSAGES.

    Section 327 (47 U.S.C. 327), relating to use of naval stations for
commercial messages, is repealed.

SEC. 13. VERY HIGH FREQUENCY STATIONS AND AM RADIO STATIONS.

    Section 331 (47 U.S.C. 331), relating to very high frequency
stations and AM radio stations, is repealed.

SEC. 14. PROCEEDS OF FACILITIES SITING FEES.

    Section 704(c) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C.
332(c), note) is amended by inserting before the last sentence the
following new sentence: ``All proceeds from the fees charged by Federal
departments and agencies for use of property, rights-of-way, and
easements shall be deposited in the Treasury in accordance with chapter
33 of title 31, United States Code. As used in this subsection, the
term `agency' has the meaning provided in section 551(1) of title 5,
United States Code, and includes, notwithstanding any other provision
of law, any independent establishment in the Executive branch.''.

SEC. 15. TRAVEL RESTRICTION.

    For the 2 years following the date of enactment of this Act, the
Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission shall not be
permitted to travel more than 50 miles from the District of Columbia
while on official business.

Summary: FCC Modernization Act of 1996 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prepare a plan to: (1) adjust the allocation of FCC personnel to reflect competitive policies adopted by the United States. (2) propose the automation or privatization of routine FCC functions, as well as the termination of unnecessary functions, (3) reduce FCC management and overhead expenses. And (4) prepare the FCC for rapid response to changes in technologies and markets. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the FCC to delegate to advisory coordinating committees its authority to grant licenses and permits for stations in the private mobile communications services. Authorizes the FCC to require the filing by any carrier of any contract, agreement, or arrangement. Repeals provisions of the Act: (1) prohibiting any person from holding the position of officer or director of more than one carrier subject to the Act, unless authorized by the FCC. And (2) authorizing the FCC to undertake valuations, and require inventories, of carrier property. Terminates the FCC's authority to prohibit the construction of a new line, or the extension of a line, of communications service by a carrier without such carrier first obtaining a certificate of permission from the FCC. Delays the effective date of such termination with respect to the construction, extension, or acquisition of any line for foreign communications. Provides that a common carrier's application for a waiver of specified regulations in connection with an acquisition of the lines of another carrier shall be deemed approved six months after submission unless the FCC finds that the application is not in the public interest. Repeals provisions of the Act: (1) requiring the FCC to examine common carrier transactions relating to the furnishing of equipment, supplies, and services in order to determine the effect of such transactions on fees charged by such carriers. And (2) authorizing the FCC to inquire into the management of the business of all carriers subject to the Act. Requires each telecommunications carrier to file annually with the FCC its financial report to shareholders, as well as related documents and information. Terminates the FCC's authority to provide preferential treatment in licensing procedures to persons who make significant contributions to the development of a new telecommunication service or the development of new technologies that substantially enhance an existing service. Repeals provisions of the Act relating to: (1) the use of naval radio stations for broadcasting commercial messages. And (2) FCC allocation of very high frequency stations and AM radio stations. Provides for deposit into the Treasury of fees charged by Federal departments and agencies for use of property, rights-of-way, and easements. Prohibits the FCC Chairman, for two years after the enactment of this Act, from travelling more than 50 miles from the District of Columbia while on official business.

FCC Modernization Act of 1996