SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Government Shutdown Prevention
Act''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 31.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section:
``Sec. 1311. Continuing appropriations
    ``(a)(1) If any regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year (or,
if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law
before the beginning of such fiscal year or a joint resolution making
continuing appropriations is not in effect, there are appropriated, out
of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of
applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, such sums
as may be necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds
were provided in the preceding fiscal year--
            ``(A) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for
        such preceding fiscal year; or
            ``(B) if the corresponding regular appropriation bill for
        such preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in a joint
        resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding
        fiscal year.
    ``(2) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority
granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this
section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower
of--
            ``(A) the rate of operations provided for in the regular
        appropriation Act providing for such project or activity for
        the preceding fiscal year;
            ``(B) in the absence of such an Act, the rate of operations
        provided for such project or activity pursuant to a joint
        resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding
        fiscal year;
            ``(C) the rate of operations provided for in the regular
        appropriation bill as passed by the House of Representatives or
        the Senate for the fiscal year in question, except that the
        lower of these two versions shall be ignored for any project or
        activity for which there is a budget request if no funding is
        provided for that project or activity in either version; or
            ``(D) the annualized rate of operations provided for in the
        most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing
        appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding
        levels established under the provisions of this Act.
    ``(3) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority
granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a project or
activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day
of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of--
            ``(A) the date on which the applicable regular
        appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or
        not such law provides for such project or activity) or a
        continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the
        case may be; or
            ``(B) the last day of such fiscal year.
    ``(b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority
granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this
section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with
respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the
preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such project or
activity under current law.
    ``(c) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority
granted, for any project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to
this section shall cover all obligations or expenditures incurred for
such project or activity during the portion of such fiscal year for
which this section applies to such project or activity.
    ``(d) Expenditures made for a project or activity for any fiscal
year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable
appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation
bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the
end of a fiscal year providing for such project or activity for such
period becomes law.
    ``(e) This section shall not apply to a project or activity during
a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an
authorization of appropriations)--
            ``(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or
        grants authority for such project or activity to continue for
        such period; or
            ``(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be
        made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall
        be granted for such project or activity to continue for such
        period.
    ``(f) For purposes of this section, the term `regular appropriation
bill' means any annual appropriation bill making appropriations,
otherwise making funds available, or granting authority, for any of the
following categories of projects and activities:
            ``(1) Agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug
        Administration, and related agencies programs.
            ``(2) The Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science, and
        related agencies.
            ``(3) The Department of Defense.
            ``(4) Energy and water development, and related agencies.
            ``(5) Financial services and general government.
            ``(6) The Department of Homeland Security.
            ``(7) The Department of Interior, environment, and related
        agencies.
            ``(8) The Department of Labor, Health and Human Services,
        and Education, and related agencies.
            ``(9) The legislative branch.
            ``(10) Military construction and veterans affairs.
            ``(11) The Department of State, foreign operations, and
        related programs.
            ``(12) The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development,
        and related agencies.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 13 of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1310 the following new item:

``1311. Continuing appropriations.''.

Summary: Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if any regular appropriation for a fiscal year does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. Appropriates amounts necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year: (1) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year. Or (2) if such legislation did not become law, then in the joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. Requires the appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year for a project or activity to be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of: (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be, or (2) the last day of such fiscal year.

A bill to prevent Government shutdowns.


SECTION 1. TERMINATION AFTER 1997 OF TAX SUBSIDIES FOR LARGE PRODUCERS
              OF ETHANOL USED AS A FUEL.

    (a) General Rule--Subsection (e) of section 40 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following
flush sentence:
        ``Except in the case of the credit determined under subsection
        (a)(3), the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting
        `1997' for `2000' and `1998' for `2001'.''
    (b) Denial of Credit for Alcohol Used To Produce Ether.--Subsection
(b) of section 40 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Denial of credit for alcohol used to produce ether.--
        No credit shall be allowed under this section for alcohol used
        to produce any ether.''
    (c) Conforming Reductions of Other Incentives for Ethanol Fuel.--
            (1) Repeal of reduced rate on ethanol fuel produced other
        than from petroleum or natural gas.--Subsection (b) of section
        4041 of such Code is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Exemption for Off-Highway Business Use.--
            ``(1) In general.--No tax shall be imposed by subsection
        (a) or (d)(1) on liquids sold for use or used in an off-highway
        business use.
            ``(2) Tax where other use.--If a liquid on which no tax was
        imposed by reason of paragraph (1) is used otherwise than in an
        off-highway business use, a tax shall be imposed by paragraph
        (1)(B), (2)(B), or (3)(A)(ii) of subsection (a) (whichever is
        appropriate) and by the corresponding provision of subsection
        (d)(1) (if any).
            ``(3) Off-highway business use defined.--For purposes of
        this subsection, the term `off-highway business use' has the
        meaning given to such term by section 6421(e)(2); except that
        such term shall not, for purposes of subsection (a)(1), include
        use in a diesel-powered train.''
            (2) Repeal of reduced rate on ethanol fuel produced from
        natural gas.--Subsection (m) of section 4041 of such Code is
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``or ethanol'' each place it
                appears (including the heading of paragraph (2)), and
                    (B) by striking ``, ethanol, or other alcohol'' in
                paragraph (2) and inserting ``or other alcohol (other
                than ethanol)''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments To Excise Taxes; Fuel Alcohol Taxed in
Same Manner as Other Motor Fuels.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 4083(a) of such
        Code (defining taxable fuel) is amended by striking ``and'' at
        the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end
        of subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at
        the end the following:
                    ``(C) fuel alcohol.''
            (2) Fuel alcohol.--Subsection (a) of section 4083 of such
        Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(4) Fuel alcohol.--The term `fuel alcohol' means any
        alcohol (including ethanol and methanol)--
                    ``(A) which is produced other than from petroleum,
                natural gas, or coal (including peat), and
                    ``(B) which is withdrawn from the distillery where
                produced free of tax under chapter 51 by reason of
                section 5181 or so much of section 5214(a)(1) as
                relates to fuel use.''
            (3) Rate of tax.--Clause (i) of section 4081(a)(2)(A) of
        such Code is amended by inserting ``or fuel alcohol'' after
        ``gasoline''.
            (4) Special rules for imposition of tax.--Paragraph (1) of
        section 4081(a) of such Code is amended by adding at the end
        the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Special rules for fuel alcohol.--In the case
                of fuel alcohol--
                            ``(i) the distillery where produced shall
                        be treated as a refinery, and
                            ``(ii) subparagraph (B) shall be applied by
                        including transfers by truck or rail in excess
                        of such minimum quantities as the Secretary
                        shall prescribe.''
            (5) Repeal of reduced rates on alcohol fuels.--
                    (A) Section 4041 of such Code is amended by
                striking subsection (k).
                    (B) Section 4081 of such Code is amended by
                striking subsection (c).
                    (C) Section 4091 of such Code is amended by
                striking subsection (c).
            (6) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 40 of such Code is amended by striking
                subsection (c).
                    (B) Paragraph (4) of section 40(d) of such Code is
                amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) Volume of alcohol.--For purposes of determining under
        subsection (a) the number of gallons of alcohol with respect to
        which a credit is allowable under subsection (a), the volume of
        alcohol shall include the volume of any denaturant (including
        gasoline) which is added under any formulas approved by the
        Secretary to the extent that such denaturants do not exceed 5
        percent of the volume of such alcohol (including
        denaturants).''
                    (C) Paragraph (2) of section 4041(a) of such Code
                is amended by adding at the end the following: ``No tax
                shall be imposed by this paragraph on the sale or use
                of any liquid if tax was imposed on such liquid under
                section 4081 and the tax thereon was not credited or
                refunded.''
                    (D) Section 6427 of such Code is amended by
                striking subsection (f).
                    (E) Subsection (i) of section 6427 of such Code is
                amended by striking paragraph (3).
                    (F) Paragraph (2) of section 6427(k) of such Code
                is amended by striking ``(3)''.
                    (G)(i) Paragraph (1) of section 6427(l) of such
                Code is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of
                subparagraph (A), by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
                subparagraph (C), and by inserting after subparagraph
                (A) the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) any fuel alcohol (as defined in section 4083)
                on which tax has been imposed by section 4081, or''.
                    (ii) Paragraph (2) of section 6427(l) of such Code
                is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
                subparagraph (A), by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
                subparagraph (C), and by inserting after subparagraph
                (A) the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) in the case of fuel alcohol (as so defined),
                any use which is exempt from the tax imposed by section
                4041(a)(2) other than by reason of a prior imposition
                of tax, and''.
                    (iii) The heading of subsection (l) of section 6427
                of such Code is amended by inserting ``, Fuel
                Alcohol,'' after ``Diesel Fuel''.
                    (H) Sections 9503(b)(1)(E) and 9508(b)(2) of such
                Code are each amended by striking ``and diesel fuel''
                and inserting ``diesel fuel, and fuel alcohol''.
                    (I) Section 9502 of such Code is amended by
                striking subsection (e) and by redesignating subsection
                (f) as subsection (e).
                    (J) Subsection (e) of section 9502 of such Code (as
                redesignated by subparagraph (I)) is amended by
                striking paragraph (2) and by redesignating paragraph
                (3) as paragraph (2).
                    (K) Subsection (b) of section 9503 of such Code is
                amended by striking paragraph (5).
                    (L) Paragraph (3) of section 9503(f) of such Code
                is amended to read as follows:
            ``(3) Partially exempt methanol or ethanol fuel.--In the
        case of a rate of tax determined under section 4041(m), the
        Highway Trust Fund financing rate is the excess (if any) of the
        rate so determined over--
                    ``(A) 5.55 cents per gallon after September 30,
                1993, and before October 1, 1995, and
                    ``(B) 4.3 cents per gallon after September 30,
                1995.''
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on January 1, 1998.
    (f) Floor Stock Taxes.--
            (1) Imposition of tax.--In the case of fuel alcohol which
        is held on January 1, 1998, by any person, there is hereby
        imposed a floor stocks tax of 18.4 cents per gallon.
            (2) Liability for tax and method of payment.--
                    (A) Liability for tax.--A person holding fuel
                alcohol on January 1, 1998, to which the tax imposed by
                paragraph (1) applies shall be liable for such tax.
                    (B) Method of payment.--The tax imposed by
                paragraph (1) shall be paid in such manner as the
                Secretary shall prescribe.
                    (C) Time for payment.--The tax imposed by paragraph
                (1) shall be paid on or before June 30, 1998.
            (3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    (A) Fuel alcohol.--The term ``fuel alcohol'' has
                the meaning given such term by section 4083 of the
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this
                section.
                    (B) Held by a person.--Fuel alcohol shall be
                considered as ``held by a person'' if title thereto has
                passed to such person (whether or not delivery to the
                person has been made).
                    (C) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
                Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.
            (4) Exception for exempt uses.--The tax imposed by
        paragraph (1) shall not apply to fuel alcohol held by any
        person exclusively for any use to the extent a credit or refund
        of the tax imposed by section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code
        of 1986 is allowable for such use.
            (5) Exception for fuel held in vehicle tank.--No tax shall
        be imposed by paragraph (1) on fuel alcohol held in the tank of
        a motor vehicle or motorboat.
            (6) Exception for certain amounts of fuel.--
                    (A) In general.--No tax shall be imposed by
                paragraph (1) on fuel alcohol held on January 1, 1998,
                by any person if the aggregate amount of fuel alcohol
                held by such person on such date does not exceed 2,000
                gallons. The preceding sentence shall apply only if
                such person submits to the Secretary (at the time and
                in the manner required by the Secretary) such
                information as the Secretary shall require for purposes
                of this paragraph.
                    (B) Exempt fuel.--For purposes of subparagraph (A),
                there shall not be taken into account fuel held by any
                person which is exempt from the tax imposed by
                paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (4) or (5).
                    (C) Controlled groups.--For purposes of this
                paragraph--
                            (i) Corporations.--
                                    (I) In general.--All persons
                                treated as a controlled group shall be
                                treated as 1 person.
                                    (II) Controlled group.--The term
                                ``controlled group'' has the meaning
                                given to such term by subsection (a) of
                                section 1563 of such Code; except that
                                for such purposes the phrase ``more
                                than 50 percent'' shall be substituted
                                for the phrase ``at least 80 percent''
                                each place it appears in such
                                subsection.
                            (ii) Nonincorporated persons under common
                        control.--Under regulations prescribed by the
                        Secretary, principles similar to the principles
                        of clause (i) shall apply to a group of persons
                        under common control where 1 or more of such
                        persons is not a corporation.
            (7) Other laws applicable.--All provisions of law,
        including penalties, applicable with respect to the taxes
        imposed by section 4081 of such Code shall, insofar as
        applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this
        subsection, apply with respect to the floor stock taxes imposed
        by paragraph (1) to the same extent as if such taxes were
        imposed by such section 4081.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the credit for large producers of ethanol used as a fuel after 1997. Disallows the credit for alcohol used to produce any ether. Exempts from tax liquids sold for use or used in an off-highway business use. Repeals the reduced rate on ethanol fuel produced from natural gas. Provides for the tax treatment of fuel alcohol in the same manner as other motor fuels. Repeals the reduced rates on alcohol fuels. Exempts partially, in the case of methanol or ethanol, the rate of tax determined under the Highway Trust Fund financing rate. Imposes a floor stock tax on fuel alcohol held by any individual on a specified date and makes such individual liable for such tax. Exempts fuel alcohol held by any individual for any use to the extent a credit or refund of the tax imposed under current law is allowed. Prohibits the imposition of tax on fuel alcohol held in the tank of a motor vehicle or motorboat and for certain amounts of fuel.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the tax subsidies for large producers of ethanol used as a fuel.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wholesale Motor Fuel Fairness and
Competition Restoration Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) both wholesale and retail motor fuel prices are the
        result of a number of complex factors, including those related
        to supply, refining, consumer demand, and oil company cost,
        pricing, and marketing practices;
            (2) certain cost, pricing, and marketing practices employed
        by the oil companies are unfair and anticompetitive, and
        contribute to the unjustified price of retail motor fuel
        charged the American consumer;
            (3) among the unfair and anticompetitive oil company
        practices are price zoning, redlining, discriminatory wholesale
        motor fuel pricing, and a complex system of cost allocation
        that hides the factors on which wholesale costs are based;
            (4) the oil companies' practice known as price zoning is
        one by which prices for motor fuel are set solely because of
        the retail station's geographic location unrelated to cost-of-
        business factors;
            (5) price zoning allows an oil company to artificially
        increase or depress retail motor fuel prices in order to secure
        an unfair market advantage against competitors;
            (6) the oil companies engage in a practice known as
        redlining, whereby a refiner refuses to sell motor fuel to
        distributors or particular geographic markets;
            (7) redlining allows an oil company to force concessions
        from a distributor and affords the company the opportunity to
        exert undue influence in a particular area or region;
            (8) the oil companies engage in a practice of
        discriminatory wholesale pricing of motor fuel based on the
        relationship of the purchaser to the oil company and the degree
        of competition they provide;
            (9) discriminatory pricing allows oil companies to charge
        different wholesale prices to company owned and operated retail
        stations, franchisees, and independent retailers though all may
        be situated in the same community and face the same competitive
        and operating factors;
            (10) the oil companies engage in a complex system of cost
        allocations by which they employ rebates, incentives, credits,
        and market enhancement allowances that hide the factors on
        which wholesale prices are based or published;
            (11) the complex system of cost allocation allows oil
        companies to post a ``wholesale price'' that is far different
        from the actual wholesale price that would be revealed if the
        cost factors were publicly identified and appropriately
        allocated; and
            (12) it is appropriate for the Federal Government to
        prohibit these unfair oil company cost, pricing, and marketing
        practices, to restore fair and competitive practices to the
        wholesale sale of motor fuel, and to allow American consumers
        to assess for themselves the factors that contribute to the
        price changes they pay at the retail pump.

SEC. 3. PRICE DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITION.

    (a) Prohibition.--
            (1) In general.--It shall be a violation of this Act for an
        owner or operator of a terminal facility to sell motor fuel
        from the terminal facility to a distributor or retailer at a
        price in excess of the price it charges any other distributor
        or retailer, including a distributor or retailer which it owns
        or with which it is affiliated.
            (2) Price determination.--For purposes of this subsection,
        the price an owner or operator of a terminal facility charges a
        distributor or retailer which it owns or with which it is
        affiliated shall be the price determined pursuant to the
        regulations issued under section 4(a).
            (3) Exception.--A sale shall not be in violation of this
        subsection if it is made pursuant to the terms of a franchise
        or sales contract entered into before October 17, 2000.
    (b) Civil Penalty.--The Federal Trade Commission may assess a civil
penalty, not to exceed $1,000,000, for each violation described in
subsection (a).
    (c) Criminal Penalty.--Whoever knowingly violates subsection (a)
shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not
more than 5 years.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 6 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. FULL DISCLOSURE.

    (a) Requirement.--The Federal Trade Commission, in consultation
with the Secretary of Energy, shall issue regulations requiring full
disclosure by refiners and distributors of their wholesale motor fuel
pricing policies, including rebates, incentives, and market enhancement
allowances. Such regulations shall establish procedures for determining
the price an owner or operator of a terminal facility charges a
distributor or retailer which it owns or with which it is affiliated.
    (b) Effective Date.--The regulations issued under subsection (a)
shall take effect 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Public Dissemination.--The Federal Trade Commission shall
ensure that all information acquired pursuant to the regulations issued
under subsection (a) are made available to the public, except trade
secrets and commercial or financial information protected from
disclosure under subsection (b)(4) of section 552 of title 5, United
States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act).
Such information may be disseminated through the Energy Information
Administration.

SEC. 5. OWNERSHIP STUDY AND REPORT.

    Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Federal Trade Commission, in consultation with the Secretary
of Energy, shall transmit to the Congress a report containing the
results of a study of whether ownership or operation by a refiner of a
facility for the retail sale of motor fuel has anticompetitive effects
on the price of motor fuel. Such report shall include any
recommendations for legislative or administrative actions the Federal
Trade Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy,
considers appropriate.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, any term defined in section 101 of the
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 2801) shall have the
meaning given the term in that Act.

Summary: Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of such prohibition. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) promulgate regulations requiring full disclosure by refiners and distributors of their wholesale motor fuel pricing policies, including rebates, incentives, and market enhancement allowances. (2) ensure that all such information is made available to the public. And (3) report to Congress the results of a study whether ownership or operation by a refiner of a facility for the retail sale of motor fuel has anticompetitive effects on the price of motor fuel.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Minuteman Missile National Historic
Site Establishment Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile
        (hereinafter referred to as ``ICBM'') launch control facility
        and launch facility known as ``Delta 1'' and ``Delta 9'',
        respectively, have national significance as the best preserved
        examples of the operational character of American history
        during the Cold War;
            (2) the facilities are symbolic of the dedication and
        preparedness exhibited by the missileers of the Air Force
        stationed throughout the upper Great Plains in remote and
        forbidding locations during the Cold War;
            (3) the facilities provide a unique opportunity to
        illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the
        arms race, and ICBM development; and
            (4) the National Park System does not contain a unit that
        specifically commemorates or interprets the Cold War.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit and
        enjoyment of present and future generations the structures
        associated with the Minuteman II missile defense system;
            (2) to interpret the historical role of the Minuteman II
        missile defense system in the broader context of the Cold War
        and the role of the system as a key component of America's
        strategic commitment to preserve world peace; and
            (3) to complement the interpretive programs relating to the
        Minuteman II missile defense system offered by the South Dakota
        Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

SEC. 3. MINUTEMAN MISSILE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

    (a) Establishment.--(1) The Minuteman Missile National Historic
Site in the State of South Dakota (hereinafter referred to as the
``historic site'') is hereby established as a unit of the National Park
System. The historic site shall consist of lands and interests therein
comprising the following Minuteman II ICBM launch control facilities,
as generally depicted on the map referred to as ``Minuteman Missile
National Historic Site'', numbered 406/80,008 and dated September,
1998:
            (A) An area surrounding the Minuteman II ICBM launch
        control facility depicted as ``Delta 1 Launch Control
        Facility''.
            (B) An area surrounding the Minuteman II ICBM launch
        control facility depicted as ``Delta 9 Launch Facility''.
    (2) The map described in paragraph (1) shall be on file and
available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the
National Park Service.
    (3) The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the
``Secretary'') is authorized to make minor adjustments to the boundary
of the historic site.
    (b) Administration of Historic Site.--The Secretary shall
administer the historic site in accordance with this Act and laws
generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including
the Act of August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4) and the Act of August 21,
1935 (16 U.S.C. 461-467).
    (c) Coordination With Secretary of Defense.--The Secretary shall
consult with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, as
appropriate, to ensure that administration of the historic site is in
compliance with applicable treaties.
    (d) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
cooperative agreements with appropriate public and private entities and
individuals in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.
    (e) Land Acquisition.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary is authorized to acquire lands and interests therein within
the boundaries of the historic site by donation, purchase with donated
or appropriated funds, exchange or transfer from another Federal
agency: Provided, That lands or interests therein owned by the State of
South Dakota may only be acquired by donation or exchange.
    (2) The Secretary shall not acquire any lands pursuant to this Act
if the Secretary determines that such lands, or any portion thereof,
are contaminated with hazardous substances (as defined in the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(42 U.S.C. 9601)), unless all remedial action necessary to protect
human health and the environment has been taken pursuant to such Act.
    (f) General Management Plan.--(1) Within three years after the date
funds are made available, the Secretary shall prepare a general
management plan for the historic site.
    (2) The plan shall include an evaluation of an appropriate location
for a visitor facility and administrative site within the areas
depicted as ``Support Facility Study Area--Alternative A'' or ``Support
Facility Study Area--Alternative B'' on the map referred to in
subsection (a). Upon a determination by the Secretary of the
appropriate location for such facilities, the boundaries of the
historic site shall be modified to include the selected site.
    (3) In developing the plan, the Secretary shall consider
coordinating or consolidating appropriate administrative, management,
and personnel functions with Badlands National Park.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
    (b) Air Force Funds.--The Secretary of the Air Force shall transfer
to the Secretary any funds specifically appropriated to the Air Force
for the maintenance, protection, or preservation of the facilities
described in section 3. Such funds shall be used by the Secretary for
establishing, operating, and maintaining the historic site.
    (c) Legacy Resource Management Program.--Nothing in this Act
affects the use of any funds available for the Legacy Resource
Management Program being carried out by the Air Force that, before the
date of enactment of this Act, were directed to be used for resource
preservation and treaty compliance.

            Passed the Senate October 7 (legislative day, October 2),
      1998.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.

Summary: Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1998 - Establishes the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in South Dakota as a unit of the National Park System consisting of lands and interests comprising the areas surrounding the Minuteman II ICBM launch control facilities known as Delta 1 and Delta 9. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands and interests within the boundaries of the historic site by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange or transfer from another Federal agency. Prohibits the Secretary from acquiring any lands contaminated with hazardous substances, unless all remedial action necessary to protect human health and the environment has been taken. Requires the Secretary to: (1) prepare a general management plan for the historic site, including an evaluation of a location for a visitor facility and administrative site. And (2) in developing the plan, to consider coordinating and consolidating administrative, management, and personnel function with Badlands National Park. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of the Air Force to transfer to the Secretary any funds specifically appropriated to the Air Force for the maintenance, protection, or preservation of the facilities.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Laurie Beechman Ovarian Cancer
Commemorative Coin Act''.

SEC. 2. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

    (a) $1 Silver Coins.--The Secretary of the Treasury (in this Act
referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue not more than
350,000 $1 coins, which shall--
            (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
            (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
            (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
    (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal
tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
    (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31,
United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered
to be numismatic items.

SEC. 3. SOURCES OF BULLION.

    The Secretary shall obtain silver for minting coins under this Act
only from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical
Materials Stock Piling Act.

SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

    (a) Design Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this
        Act shall be emblematic of Laurie Beechman, her struggle
        against ovarian cancer, and her many accomplishments throughout
        her extraordinary life.
            (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted
        under this Act there shall be--
                    (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
                    (B) an inscription of ``1954-1998''; and
                    (C) inscriptions of ``Liberty'', ``In God We
                Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus
                Unum''.
            (3) Obverse of coin.--The obverse of each coin minted under
        this Act shall bear the likeness of Laurie Beechman.
    (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this Act
shall be--
            (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the
        Commission of Fine Arts; and
            (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory
        Committee.

SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

    (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be issued
in uncirculated and proof qualities.
    (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States Mint may
be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this
Act.
    (c) Commencement of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted
under this Act as soon as is practicable.
    (d) Termination of Minting Authority.--No coins may be minted under
this Act after December 31, 1999.

SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

    (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by
the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
            (1) the face value of the coins;
            (2) the surcharge provided in subsection (d) with respect
        to such coins; and
            (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including
        labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses,
        marketing, and shipping).
    (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins
issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
    (c) Prepaid Orders.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders
        for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such
        coins.
            (2) Discount.--Prices with respect to prepaid orders under
        paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
    (d) Surcharges.--All sales shall include a surcharge of $9 per
coin.

SEC. 7. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), no provision
of law governing procurement or public contracts shall be applicable to
the procurement of goods and services necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Act.
    (b) Equal Employment Opportunity.--Subsection (a) shall not relieve
any person entering into a contract under the authority of this Act
from complying with any law relating to equal employment opportunity.

SEC. 8. DISTRIBUTION OF SURCHARGES.

    (a) In General.--All surcharges received by the Secretary from the
sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the
Secretary to Gilda's Club, Incorporated, for purposes relating to the
battle against ovarian cancer.
    (b) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
have the right to examine such books, records, documents, and other
data of Gilda's Club, Incorporated, as may be related to the
expenditures of amounts paid under subsection (a).

SEC. 9. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

    (a) No Net Cost to the Government.--The Secretary shall take such
actions as may be necessary to ensure that minting and issuing coins
under this Act will not result in any net cost to the United States
Government.
    (b) Payment for Coins.--A coin shall not be issued under this Act
unless the Secretary has received--
            (1) full payment for the coin;
            (2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the
        United States for full payment; or
            (3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the
        Secretary from a depository institution whose deposits are
        insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the
        National Credit Union Administration Board.

Summary: Laurie Beechman Ovarian Cancer Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 dollar coins emblematic of Laurie Beechman, her struggle against ovarian cancer, and her many accomplishments throughout her life. Requires prompt payment of all surcharges from coin sales to Gilda's Club, Incorporated, for purposes relating to the battle against ovarian cancer.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Save America's Utility
Infrastructure and Secure America Now Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that:
            (1) The blackout of August 2003 in the Northeast, Midwest,
        and adjoining parts of Canada highlighted the need for
        infrastructure and operating improvements.
            (2) In 2005 Hurricane Wilma destroyed power in most of
        southern Florida, and within 6 months, Florida utility
        regulators inserted requirements that utilities harden their
        system over time and create a regular schedule of clearing
        vegetation from power lines to ensure electric reliability.
            (3) In Iowa, in 2008, over two dozen people were killed and
        148 injured as a result of flooding. Flood warnings covered a
        span of about 325 miles from Dubuque, Iowa to St. Louis,
        Missouri with over 35,000 families evacuated from their homes.
            (4) The devastation from Hurricane Katrina and its
        calamitous results can still be seen across the Gulf Coast.
        Hurricane Katrina cost over 1,800 lives, billions of dollars in
        damage and catastrophic loss and the largest single loss in the
        history of insurance at $40.6 billion with more than 1.7
        million claims across 6 States (Louisiana, Mississippi,
        Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia).
            (5) Early estimates of Hurricane Ike's destruction are $9.8
        billion in insured damages, which would make it the 4th most
        expensive hurricane in the history of the United States,
        according to the Insurance Information Institute. Hurricane
        Katrina caused $43 billion in damages.
            (6) Cedric Delane passed away September 14, 2008, due in
        part to a lack of electricity and not being identified as part
        of the vulnerable class of people that needed assistance
        immediately. Cedric was a 5th grade student at Blackshear
        Elementary in Houston, Texas. Cedric was an asthmatic and
        suffered a severe attack during Hurricane Ike. The lack of
        electrical power prevented the use of his breathing machine,
        which could possibly have saved his life. The paramedics were
        called and Cedric was transported to the hospital, but he did
        not survive.
            (7) There have been more than 370,000 overnight shelter
        stays, over 8.77 million meals served, and over 190,000 clean-
        up kits and comfort kits distributed in the Houston-Galveston
        area of Texas after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
            (8) The Texas Public Utility Commissioners did not require
        electric companies on the coast to ensure reliability in their
        distribution systems against hurricanes after the Texas Public
        Utility Commission staff recommended aggressive tree-trimming
        programs and major upgrades, including replacing wooden
        electric polls with metal or concrete polls in 2005 after
        Hurricane Rita.
            (9) Texas Public utility companies fought the
        recommendations on the grounds that upgrading the distribution
        system would cost far more than repairing it after a storm,
        however the Texas Public Utility Commission ordered a cost-
        benefit analysis of only one recommendation: moving electric
        substations out of flood zones.
            (10) There were 28 Houston-area deaths attributed to
        Hurricane Ike with over a half a million people without
        electrical power for more than a week including many elderly,
        disabled, and medically-dependent persons.
            (11) Without criminal enforcement of reliability standards
        with penalties by FERC and cost-benefit studies that include
        United States Census and Federal Emergency Management Agency
        data on vulnerable populations and loss of electricity on those
        populations, greater loss of property and life will occur.

SEC. 3. FERC ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.

    Section 215(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o) is amended
as follows:
            (1) In paragraph (1) by striking ``ERO may impose, subject
        to paragraph (2),'' and inserting ``Commission may impose'' and
        by striking ``if the ERO'' and inserting ``if the Commission''.
            (2) Paragraph (2) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Any person who violates any standard approved by the
        Commission under subsection (d) shall, upon conviction, be
        fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or
        imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.''.
            (3) Paragraph (4) is repealed.
            (4) In paragraph (6) by striking ``penalty imposed under
        this section'' and inserting ``civil penalty imposed under
        paragraph (1) of this section''.

SEC. 4. DISTURBANCES LASTING LONGER THAN 5 DAYS.

    Within 180 days after the enactment of this Act the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission shall issue a rule under section 215 of the
Federal Power Act amending the reliability standards under that section
to prohibit disturbances (other than planned maintenance) lasting
greater than 5 days at substations subject to section 215.

SEC. 5. STUDY AND REPORT ON EMERGENCY PLANNING PREPAREDNESS FOR
              VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,
acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Office of the
Infrastructure Protection, shall conduct a study to examine gaps in
emergency planning preparedness and management as related to vulnerable
populations including--
            (1) individuals with physical and mental disabilities,
        visual impairments, hearing impairments, limited English
        proficiency, and literacy barriers;
            (2) socially and economically disadvantaged households and
        communities;
            (3) individuals over 65 years old;
            (4) minor children; and
            (5) individuals with pets or service animals.
    (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Office of the
Infrastructure Protection, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing the
results of the study under subsection (a) and any recommendations of
the Secretary.

Summary: Save America's Utility Infrastructure and Secure America Now Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Power Act to grant the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) enforcement powers with respect to electric reliability standards. Revises penalty guidelines to subject to federal criminal law any person who violates a FERC-approved electric reliability standard. Requires FERC to issue a rule in connection with electric reliability standards to prohibit disturbances lasting greater than five days at certain substations. Instructs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to study and report to Congress on gaps in emergency planning preparedness and management as related to specified, vulnerable populations.

To amend the Federal Power Act to provide for enforcement, including criminal penalties, by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of electric reliability standards, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Understanding the True Cost of
College Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. INSTITUTION FINANCIAL AID OFFER FORM.

    (a) Institution Financial Aid Offer Form.--Section 484 of the
Higher Education Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 1092 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Standard Format.--The Secretary of Education, in consultation
with the heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall develop a standard
format for financial aid offer forms based on recommendations from
representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher
education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit
consumer groups.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Key Required Contents for Offer Form.--The standard format
developed under subsection (a) shall include, in a consumer-friendly
manner that is simple and understandable, the following items clearly
separated from each other and listed on the first page of the financial
aid offer form in either electronic or written format:
            ``(1) Information on the student's cost of attendance based
        on the most current costs for the academic period covered by
        the financial aid offer form, including the following:
                    ``(A) Tuition and fees, as determined under section
                472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                1087ll).
                    ``(B) Room and board costs, as determined under
                section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                U.S.C. 1087ll).
                    ``(C) Books and supplies, as determined under
                section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                U.S.C. 1087ll).
                    ``(D) Transportation, as determined under section
                472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                1087ll).
                    ``(E) Miscellaneous personal expenses, as
                determined under section 472 of the Higher Education
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
            ``(2) The amount of financial aid that the student does not
        have to repay, such as scholarships, grant aid offered under
        title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et
        seq.), or grant aid offered by the institution, a State, or an
        outside source to the student for such academic period,
        including a disclosure that the financial aid does not have to
        be repaid and whether the student can expect to receive similar
        amounts of such financial aid for each academic period the
        student is enrolled at the institution.
            ``(3) The net amount that the student, or the student's
        family on behalf of the student, will have to pay for the
        student to attend the institution for such academic period,
        equal to--
                    ``(A) the cost of attendance as described in
                paragraph (1) for the student for such academic period,
                minus
                    ``(B) the amount of financial aid described in
                paragraph (2) that is included in the financial aid
                offer form.
            ``(4) Work study assistance, including a disclosure that
        the aid must be earned by the student and a disclosure that the
        assistance offered is subject to the availability of employment
        opportunities.
            ``(5) The types and amounts of loans under part D or E of
        title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a
        et seq., 1087aa et seq.) that the institution recommends for
        the student for such academic period, a disclosure that such
        loans have to be repaid, a disclosure that the student can
        borrow a lesser amount than the recommended loan amount, a
        clear use of the word `loan' to describe the recommended loan
        amounts, the interest rates, fees, the expected monthly
        repayment amounts assuming a 10-year repayment plan, and the
        total amounts the student will pay over the life of the loans.
            ``(6) Where a student or the student's family can seek
        additional information regarding the financial aid offered,
        including contact information for the institution's financial
        aid office and the Department of Education's website on
        financial aid.
            ``(7) A disclosure that Federal student loans offer
        generally more favorable terms and beneficial repayment options
        than private education loans so students should examine
        available Federal student loan options before applying for
        private education loans, and an explanation to be written by
        the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the heads of
        relevant Federal agencies, of the benefits unique to Federal
        student loans, including various repayment plans, loan
        forgiveness, and loan deferment, and the terms to examine
        carefully if considering a private education loan.
            ``(8) The deadline and summary of the process, if any, for
        accepting the financial aid offered in the financial aid offer
        form.
            ``(9) The academic period covered by the financial aid
        offer form and a clear indication whether the aid offered is
        based on full-time or part-time enrollment.
            ``(10) With respect to institutions where more than 30
        percent of enrolled students borrow loans to pay for their
        education, the institution's most recent cohort default rate,
        as defined in section 435(m) of the Higher Education Act of
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1085(m)), compared to the national average
        cohort default rate.
            ``(11) Any other information the Secretary of Education, in
        consultation with the heads of relevant Federal agencies,
        determines necessary so that students and parents can make
        informed loan borrowing decisions, including quality metrics
        such as percentage of students at the institution who take out
        student loans and average debt at graduation for students at
        the institution.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Other Required Contents for the Offer Form.--The standard
format developed under subsection (a) shall also include the following
information to be included on the financial aid offer form in a concise
format determined by the Secretary of Education, in consultation with
the heads of relevant Federal agencies:
            ``(1) A concise summary of the terms and conditions of
        financial aid recommended under paragraphs (2), (4), and (5) of
        subsection (b) and a method to provide students with additional
        information about such terms and conditions, such as links to
        the supplementary information, including that the student may
        be eligible for longer loan repayment terms.
            ``(2) At the institution's discretion, additional options
        for paying for the net amount listed in subsection (b)(3), such
        as the amount recommended to be paid by the student or
        student's family, Federal Direct PLUS Loans under section 455
        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e), or
        private education loans. If the institution recommends private
        education loans, as defined in section 140 of the Truth in
        Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650), the financial aid offer form
        shall contain the additional following disclosures on the offer
        form:
                    ``(A) The availability of, and the student's
                potential eligibility for, Federal financial assistance
                under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
                    ``(B) The impact of a proposed private education
                loan on the student's potential eligibility for other
                financial assistance, including Federal financial
                assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Act
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
                    ``(C) The student's ability to select a private
                educational lender of the student's choice.
                    ``(D) The student's right to accept or reject a
                private education loan within the 30-day period
                following a private educational lender's approval of a
                student's application and a student's 3-day right-to-
                cancel period.
                    ``(E) With respect to dependent students, any
                reference to private education loans shall be
                accompanied by information about the recommended family
                contribution and the availability of, and terms and
                conditions associated with, Federal Direct PLUS Loans
                under section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
                (20 U.S.C. 1087e) for the student's parents regardless
                of family income, and of the student's increased
                eligibility for Federal student loans under title IV of
                the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et
                seq.) if the student's parents are not able to borrow
                under the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program.
            ``(3) The following disclosures:
                    ``(A) That the financial aid offer form only
                contains information for 1 academic period and the
                financial aid offered in following academic periods may
                change, unless the institution is offering aid that
                covers multiple academic periods.
                    ``(B) How non-institutional scholarships awarded to
                the student affect the financial aid package offered to
                the student.
                    ``(C) A concise summary of any Federal or
                institutional conditions required to receive and renew
                financial aid and a method to provide students with
                additional information about these conditions, such as
                links to the supplementary information.
    ``(d) Additional Requirements for Financial Aid Offer Form.--In
addition to the requirements listed under subsections (b) and (c), the
financial aid offer form shall meet the following requirements:
            ``(1) Clearly distinguish between the aid offered in
        paragraphs (2), (4), and (5) of subsection (b), by including a
        subtotal for the aid offered in each of such paragraphs and by
        refraining from commingling the different types of aid
        described in such paragraphs.
            ``(2) Use standard definitions and names for the terms
        described in subsection (b) that are developed by the Secretary
        of Education in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal
        agencies, representatives of institutions of higher education,
        nonprofit consumer groups, students, and secondary school and
        higher education guidance counselors, not later than 3 months
        after the date of enactment of the Understanding the True Cost
        of College Act of 2012.
            ``(3) If an institution's recommended Federal student loan
        aid offered in subsection (b)(5) is less than the Federal
        maximum available to the student, the institution shall provide
        additional information on Federal student loans, including the
        types and amounts for which the student is eligible in an
        attached document or webpage.
            ``(4) Use standard formatting and design that the Secretary
        of Education, in consultation with the heads of relevant
        Federal agencies, representatives of institutions of higher
        education, nonprofit consumer groups, students, and secondary
        school and higher education guidance counselors determine is
        appropriate to produce multiple draft financial aid offer
        designs for consumer testing not later than 3 months after the
        date of enactment of the Understanding the True Cost of College
        Act of 2012 to ensure--
                    ``(A) that figures described in paragraphs (1)
                through (5) of subsection (b) are in the same font,
                appear in the same order, and are displayed prominently
                on the first page of the financial aid offer form
                whether produced in written or electronic format; and
                    ``(B) that the other information required in (b)
                and (c) appears in a standard format and design on the
                financial aid offer form.
            ``(5) Include an attestation that the student has accessed
        and read the financial aid offer form, if provided to the
        student in electronic format.
            ``(6) Include language developed by the Secretary of
        Education, in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal
        agencies, notifying eligible students that they may be eligible
        for education benefits, and where they can locate more
        information about such benefits, described in the following
        provisions:
                    ``(A) Chapter 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 of title
                38, United States Code.
                    ``(B) Chapter 101, 105, 106A, 1606, 1607, or 1608
                of title 10, United States Code.
                    ``(C) Section 1784a, 2005, or 2007 of title 10,
                United States Code.
    ``(e) Additional Information.--Nothing in this section shall
preclude an institution from supplementing the financial aid offer form
with additional information so long as such additional information
supplements the financial aid offer form and is not located on the
financial aid offer form.
    ``(f) Consumer Testing.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 3 months after the date
        of enactment of the Understanding the True Cost of College Act
        of 2012, the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the
        heads of relevant Federal agencies, shall establish a process
        to submit the financial aid offer form developed under this
        section for consumer testing among representatives of students
        (including low-income students, first generation college
        students, adult students, and prospective students), students'
        families (including low-income families, families with first
        generation college students, and families with prospective
        students), institutions of higher education, secondary school
        and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups.
            ``(2) Length of consumer testing.--The Secretary of
        Education shall ensure that the consumer testing lasts no
        longer than 6 months after the process for consumer testing is
        developed under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Use of results.--The results of consumer testing
        under paragraph (1) shall be used in the final development of
        the financial aid offer form.
            ``(4) Reporting requirement.--Not later than 3 months after
        the date the consumer testing under paragraph (1) concludes,
        the Secretary of Education shall submit to Congress the final
        standard financial aid offer form and a report detailing the
        results of such testing, including whether the Secretary added
        any additional items to the standard financial aid offer form
        pursuant to subsection (b)(10).
            ``(5) Authority to modify.--The Secretary of Education may
        modify the definitions, terms, formatting, and design of the
        financial aid offer form based on the results of consumer
        testing required under this subsection and before finalizing
        the form.''.
    (b) Mandatory Form.--Part B of title I of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``SEC. 124. USE OF MANDATORY FINANCIAL AID OFFER FORM.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each
institution of higher education that receives Federal financial
assistance under this Act shall use the financial aid offer form
developed under section 484 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (20
U.S.C. 1092 note) in providing written or electronic financial aid
offers to students enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in, the
institution.
    ``(b) Effective Date.--The requirement under subsection (a) shall
take effect 8 months after the Secretary of Education finalizes the
offer form developed under section 484(a) of the Higher Education
Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 1092 note).''.

Summary: Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2012 - Amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act to refer to the Secretary of Education's model institution of higher eduction (IHE) financial aid offer form as the standard form. Requires the standard form to include certain additional items, such as: (1) information concerning work study assistance, including its dependence on the availability of employment opportunities. (2) the disclosure that federal student loans offer generally more favorable terms and repayment options than private education loans. (3) the deadline for and a summary of the financial aid acceptance process. (4) the academic period covered by the offer and whether the aid is based on full-time or part-time enrollment. And (5) the IHE's most recent cohort default rate compared to the national average cohort default rate, if more than 30 of the school's students take out student loans. Requires more detailed information to be included on the form. Includes among those details, with respect to federal education loans, information: (1) identifying the type and amount of loan recommended for the applicable student, (2) clearly indicating that such loans need to be repaid. (3) disclosing the student's right to borrow less than the recommended amount. And (4) detailing the interest rates, fees, expected monthly repayment amounts, and sums to be paid over the life of such loans. Requires that certain steps be taken to improve the clarity of the form and provide recipients with access to additional information. Directs the Secretary, before finalizing the standard form, to submit it to consumer testing among students, their families, IHEs, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups. Amends title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each IHE receiving federal financial assistance under the Act to use the standard form in providing written or electronic financial aid offers to students enrolled in, or accepted for enrollment in, the IHE.

A bill to amend the Higher Education Opportunity Act to add disclosure requirements to the institution financial aid offer form and to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make such form mandatory.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``TANF Recipients' Lifeline Act''.

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF 5-YEAR LIMIT ON BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (7).
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 409(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
609(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (9).

SEC. 3. EXCEPTION FOR TANF TO 5-YEAR BAN ON BENEFITS FOR QUALIFIED
              ALIENS.

    (a) In General.--Section 403(c)(2) of the Personal Responsibility
and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613(c)(2))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(L) Benefits under the Temporary Assistance for
                Needy Families program described in section
                402(b)(3)(A).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 402(b)(2) of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8
U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ``subparagraph
        (C))'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and (C))''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B).

SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR NON-ENGLISH
              SPEAKERS.

    (a) Requirement.--Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 608(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) Use of bilingual personnel and printed material.--A
        State to which a grant is made under section 403 shall use
        appropriate bilingual personnel and printed material in the
        administration of the State program funded under this part in
        those portions of the political subdivisions in the State in
        which a substantial number of recipients of assistance under
        the State program speak a language other than English.''.
    (b) Penalty.--Section 409(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(15) Failure to use bilingual personnel and printed
        material.--If the Secretary determines that a State to which a
        grant is made under section 403 for a fiscal year has violated
        section 408(a)(12) during the fiscal year, the Secretary shall
        reduce the grant payable to the State under section 403(a)(1)
        for the immediately succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal
        to 2 percent of the State family assistance grant.''.

SEC. 5. INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF BLOCK GRANT.

    (a) Extension of Block Grant.--Section 403(a)(1)(A) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``1996''
and all that follows through ``2002'' and inserting ``2002 through
2005''.
    (b) Inflation Adjustment.--Section 403(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
603(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking ``means the greatest of--'' and
                inserting ``means, with respect to a fiscal year
                specified in subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) the greatest of--'';
                    (B) by redesignating each of clauses (i), (ii)(I),
                (ii)(II), and (iii) as subclauses (I), (II)(aa),
                (II)(bb), and (III), respectively;
                    (C) by indenting each of the provisions specified
                in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph 2 additional ems
                to the right;
                    (D) by striking the period and inserting ``;
                mulitplied by''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) if the fiscal year specified in
                        subparagraph (A) is--
                                    ``(I) fiscal year 2002 or 2003,
                                1.00; or
                                    ``(II) fiscal year 2004 or 2005,
                                1.00 plus the inflation percentage (as
                                defined in subparagraph (F) of this
                                paragraph) in effect for the fiscal
                                year specified in subparagraph (A).'';
                                and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) Inflation percentage.--For purposes of
                subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the inflation
                percentage applicable to a fiscal year is the
                percentage (if any) by which--
                            ``(i) the average of the Consumer Price
                        Index (as defined in section 1(f)(5) of the
                        Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for the 12-month
                        period ending on September 30 of the
                        immediately preceding fiscal year; exceeds
                            ``(ii) the average of the Consumer Price
                        Index (as so defined) for the 12-month period
                        ending on September 30, 2002.''.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1,
2002.

Summary: TANF Recipients' Lifeline Act - Amends part A (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to: (1) repeal the five year limit on TANF benefits. (2) require a State to which a TANF grant is made to use appropriate bilingual personnel and printed material in the administration of the State program in those portions of the State in which a substantial number of TANF recipients speak a language other than English. And (3) provide for inflation adjustment of the TANF block grant. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to exempt TANF benefits from the ban on Federal means-tested public benefits for qualified aliens for the first five years after lawful entry into the United States.

To reform the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Heroes Credit Protection
Act''.

SEC. 2. PROTECTION OF CREDIT RATINGS OF MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE
              COMPONENTS DEPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Title II of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
(50 U.S.C. App. 521 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:

``SEC. 208. PROTECTION OF CREDIT RATINGS OF MEMBERS OF RESERVE
              COMPONENTS DEPLOYED IN SUPPORT OF CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS.

    ``(a) Request for Military Service Deployment Explanation.--At any
time during or after serving on active duty in support of a contingency
operation, an eligible servicemember may request that a consumer
reporting agency include a military service deployment explanation with
respect to a qualifying account in the file of that servicemember at
the consumer reporting agency.
    ``(b) Responsibilities of Consumer Reporting Agencies.--Upon
receiving a request from an eligible servicemember under subsection
(a), a consumer reporting agency shall--
            ``(1) include a military service deployment explanation
        with respect to a qualifying account in the file of that
        servicemember and provide the military service deployment
        explanation to each person who requests the credit score or
        consumer report of the servicemember;
            ``(2) develop and maintain procedures for the referral to
        other such agencies of any military service deployment
        explanation received by the agency; and
            ``(3) notify the servicemember in writing that the
        inclusion of any explanation or notation in the file of the
        servicemember could potentially negatively affect the credit
        rating of the servicemember and may not mitigate a low credit
        score.
    ``(c) Duty of Reseller to Reconvey Military Service Deployment
Explanation.--A reseller shall include in any report of the reseller on
a servicemember any military service deployment explanation placed in
the file of that servicemember by another consumer reporting agency
pursuant to this section.
    ``(d) Acknowledgment of Military Service Deployment Explanation.--
Any prospective user of a consumer credit report containing a military
service deployment explanation shall acknowledge such military service
deployment explanation.
    ``(e) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            ``(1) The term `eligible servicemember' means a member of a
        reserve component who serves on active duty outside the
        continental United States in support of a contingency operation
        under a call or order specifying a period of such service of
        not less than 180 days (or who enters such service under a call
        or order specifying a period of 180 days or less and who,
        without a break in service, receives orders extending the
        period of such service to a period of not less than 180 days).
            ``(2) The term `military service deployment explanation'
        means a code generated by a consumer reporting agency that is
        delivered in conjunction with a consumer report or credit score
        to a user of the consumer report or credit score to indicate
        that the consumer report or credit score of the consumer was
        adversely affected during a period in which the consumer was a
        servicemember serving on active duty outside the continental
        United States in support of a contingency operation.
            ``(3) The term `contingency operation' has the meaning
        given that term under section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United
        States Code.
            ``(4) The term `active duty' has the meaning given that
        term under section 101(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code.
            ``(5) The term `consumer reporting agency' has the meaning
        given that term under section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting
        Act.
            ``(6) The term `reseller' has the meaning given that term
        under section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
            ``(7) The term `qualifying account' means an account that
        was opened by a servicemember before the date on which the
        servicemember was deployed outside the continental United
        States in support of a contingency operation, but only with
        respect to obligations incurred before such date.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 207
the following new item:

``Sec. 208. Protection of credit ratings of certain servicemembers.''.
    (c) Military Service Deployment Explanation Not to Affect Certain
Future Transactions.--Section 108 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 518) is
amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after
``liability of that servicemember'' the following: ``, or the inclusion
of a military service deployment explanation in a file of the
servicemember at a consumer reporting agency pursuant to section
208,''.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 5, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: National Heroes Credit Protection Act - Amends the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 to authorize a member of the reserves who is deployed outside the United States for 180 days or more in support of a contingency operation (servicemember) to request that a consumer reporting agency (CRA) include in that servicemember's file a military service deployment explanation (explanation) with respect to an account that was opened by the servicemember before such deployment. Requires: (1) a reseller of credit reporting information to include in any report on a servicemember any explanation placed in such servicemember's file by another CRA. And (2) any user of a consumer credit report containing such explanation to acknowledge the explanation.

A bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to enhance the protection of credit ratings of members of the reserve component who serve on active duty in support of a contingency operation, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTES.

    (a) In General.--Part A of title II of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:

       ``Subpart 6--Teachers Professional Development Institutes

``SEC. 2161. SHORT TITLE.

    ``This subpart may be cited as the `Teachers Professional
Development Institutes Act'.

``SEC. 2162. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            ``(1) Teaching is central to the educational process and
        the ongoing professional development of teachers in the
        subjects they teach is essential for improved student learning.
            ``(2) Attaining the goal of the No Child Left Behind Act of
        2001 (Public Law 107-110)--having a classroom teacher who is
        highly effective in every academic subject the teacher
        teaches--will require innovative approaches to improve the
        effectiveness of teachers in the classroom.
            ``(3) The Teachers Institute Model focuses on the
        continuing academic preparation of schoolteachers and the
        application of what the teachers study to their classrooms and
        potentially to the classrooms of other teachers.
            ``(4) The Teachers Institute Model was developed initially
        by the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute and has successfully
        operated in New Haven, Connecticut, for more than 30 years.
            ``(5) The Teachers Institute Model has also been
        successfully implemented in cities larger than New Haven.
            ``(6) In the spring of 2009, a report entitled `An
        Evaluation of Teachers Institute Experiences' concluded that--
                    ``(A) Teachers Institutes enhance precisely those
                teacher qualities known to improve student achievement;
                    ``(B) Teachers Institutes exemplify the crucial
                characteristics of high-quality teacher professional
                development; and
                    ``(C) Teachers Institute participation is strongly
                related to teacher retention in high-poverty schools.
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this subpart is to provide Federal
assistance to support the establishment and operation of Teachers
Institutes for local educational agencies that serve significant low-
income student populations in States throughout the Nation, in order
to--
            ``(1) improve student learning; and
            ``(2) enhance the quality and effectiveness of teaching and
        strengthen the subject matter mastery and the pedagogical
        skills of current teachers through continuing teacher
        preparation.

``SEC. 2163. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subpart:
            ``(1) Significant low-income student population.--The term
        `significant low-income student population' means a student
        population of which not less than 40 percent of the students
        included are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches under
        the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
            ``(2) Teachers institute.--The term `Teachers Institute'
        means a partnership or joint venture--
                    ``(A) between or among--
                            ``(i) 1 or more institutions of higher
                        education; and
                            ``(ii) 1 or more local educational agencies
                        that serve 1 or more schools with significant
                        low-income student populations; and
                    ``(B) that improves the effectiveness of teachers
                in the classroom, and the quality of teaching and
                learning, through collaborative seminars designed to
                enhance both the subject matter and the pedagogical
                resources of the seminar participants.

``SEC. 2164. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants
under this subpart in order to encourage the establishment and
operation of Teachers Institutes.
    ``(b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may reserve not more
than 50 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out this subpart to
provide technical assistance to facilitate the establishment and
operation of Teachers Institutes. The Secretary may contract with the
Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute to provide all or part of the
technical assistance under this subsection.
    ``(c) Selection Criteria.--In selecting Teachers Institutes to
support through grants under this subpart, the Secretary shall
consider--
            ``(1) the extent to which a proposed Teachers Institute
        will serve schools that have significant low-income student
        populations;
            ``(2) the extent to which a proposed Teachers Institute
        will follow the understandings and necessary procedures
        described in section 2166;
            ``(3) the extent to which each local educational agency
        participating in the Teachers Institute has a high percentage
        of teachers who are unprepared or underprepared to teach the
        core academic subjects the teachers are assigned to teach; and
            ``(4) the extent to which a proposed Teachers Institute
        will receive a level of support from the community and other
        sources that will ensure the requisite long-term commitment for
        the success of a Teachers Institute.
    ``(d) Consultation.--
            ``(1) In general.--In evaluating applications using the
        criteria under subsection (c), the Secretary may request the
        advice and assistance of the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute
        or other Teachers Institutes.
            ``(2) State agencies.--If the Secretary receives 2 or more
        applications for grants under this subpart from local
        educational agencies within the same State, the Secretary shall
        consult with the State educational agency regarding the
        applications.
    ``(e) Fiscal Agent.--The fiscal agent for the receipt of grant
funds under this subpart shall be an institution of higher education
participating in the partnership or joint venture, as described in
section 2163(2)(A), that is establishing or operating the Teachers
Institute.
    ``(f) Limitations.--A grant under this subpart--
            ``(1) shall provide grant funds for a period of not more
        than 5 years; and
            ``(2) shall be in an amount that is not more than 50
        percent of the total costs of the eligible activities supported
        under the grant, as determined by the Secretary.

``SEC. 2165. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.

    ``Grant funds under this subpart may be used--
            ``(1) for the planning, development, establishment, and
        operation of a Teachers Institute;
            ``(2) for additional assistance to an established Teachers
        Institute for its further development and for its support of
        the planning, development, establishment, and operation of a
        Teachers Institute under paragraph (1);
            ``(3) for the salary and necessary expenses of a full-time
        director for a Teachers Institute to plan and manage the
        Teachers Institute and to act as a liaison between all local
        educational agencies and institutions of higher education
        participating in the Teachers Institute;
            ``(4) to provide suitable office space, staff, equipment,
        and supplies, and to pay other operating expenses, for the
        Teachers Institute;
            ``(5) to provide a stipend for teachers participating in
        the collaborative seminars conducted by the Institute in the
        sciences and humanities and to provide remuneration for members
        of the faculty of the participating institution of higher
        education leading the seminars; and
            ``(6) to provide for the dissemination, through print and
        electronic means, of curriculum units prepared in the seminars
        conducted by the Teachers Institute.

``SEC. 2166. UNDERSTANDINGS AND PROCEDURES.

    ``A grantee receiving a grant under this subpart shall abide by the
following understandings and procedures:
            ``(1) Partnership.--The essential relationship of a
        Teachers Institute is a partnership between a local educational
        agency and an institution of higher education. A grantee shall
        demonstrate a long-term commitment on behalf of the
        participating local educational agency and institution of
        higher education to the support, including the financial
        support, of the work of the Teachers Institute.
            ``(2) Seminars.--A Teachers Institute sponsors seminars led
        by faculty of the institution of higher education partner and
        attended by teachers from the local educational agency partner.
        A grantee shall provide participating teachers the ability to
        play an essential role in planning, organizing, conducting, and
        evaluating the seminars and in encouraging the future
        participation of other teachers.
            ``(3) Curriculum unit.--A seminar described in paragraph
        (2) uses a collaborative process, in a collegial environment,
        to develop a curriculum unit for use by participating teachers
        that sets forth the subject matter to be presented and the
        pedagogical strategies to be employed. A grantee shall enable
        participating teachers to develop a curriculum unit, based on
        the subject matter presented, for use in the teachers'
        classrooms.
            ``(4) Eligibility and remuneration.--Seminars are open to
        all partnership teachers with teaching assignments relevant to
        the seminar topics. Seminar leaders receive remuneration for
        their work and participating teachers receive an honorarium or
        stipend upon the successful completion of the seminar. A
        grantee shall provide seminar leaders and participating
        teachers with remuneration to allow them to participate in the
        Teachers Institute.
            ``(5) Direction.--The operations of a Teachers Institute
        are managed by a full-time director who reports to both
        partners but is accountable to the institution of higher
        education partner. A grantee shall appoint a director to manage
        and coordinate the work of the Teachers Institute.
            ``(6) Evaluation.--A grantee shall annually review the
        activities of the Teachers Institute and disseminate the
        results to members of the Teachers Institute's partnership
        community.

``SEC. 2167. APPLICATION, APPROVAL, AND AGREEMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--To receive a grant under this subpart, a
Teachers Institute, or a partnership or joint venture described in
section 2163(2)(A) that is proposing to establish a Teachers Institute,
shall submit an application to the Secretary that--
            ``(1) meets the requirement of this subpart and any
        regulations under this subpart;
            ``(2) includes a description of how the applicant intends
        to use funds provided under the grant;
            ``(3) includes such information as the Secretary may
        require to apply the criteria described in section 2164(c);
            ``(4) includes measurable objectives for the use of the
        funds provided under the grant; and
            ``(5) contains such other information and assurances as the
        Secretary may require.
    ``(b) Approval.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) promptly evaluate an application received for a grant
        under this subpart; and
            ``(2) notify the applicant, within 90 days of the receipt
        of a completed application, of the Secretary's determination.
    ``(c) Agreement.--Upon approval of an application, the Secretary
and the applicant shall enter into a comprehensive agreement covering
the entire period of the grant.

``SEC. 2168. REPORTS AND EVALUATIONS.

    ``(a) Report.--Each grantee under this subpart shall report
annually to the Secretary on the progress of the Teachers Institute in
achieving the purpose of this subpart.
    ``(b) Evaluation and Dissemination.--The Secretary shall evaluate
the activities funded under this subpart and submit an annual report
regarding the activities assisted under this subpart to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives. The
Secretary shall broadly disseminate successful practices developed by
Teachers Institutes.
    ``(c) Revocation.--If the Secretary determines that a grantee is
not making substantial progress in meeting the purposes of the grant by
the end of the second year of the grant under this subpart, the
Secretary may take appropriate action, including revocation of further
payments under the grant, to ensure that the funds available under this
subpart are used in the most effective manner.

``SEC. 2169. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated for grants (including
planning grants) and technical assistance under this subpart--
            ``(1) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            ``(2) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2013;
            ``(4) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
            ``(5) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 2151 the following:

       ``subpart 6--teachers professional development institutes

``Sec. 2161. Short title.
``Sec. 2162. Findings and purpose.
``Sec. 2163. Definitions.
``Sec. 2164. Program authorized.
``Sec. 2165. Eligible activities.
``Sec. 2166. Understandings and procedures.
``Sec. 2167. Application, approval, and agreement.
``Sec. 2168. Reports and evaluations.''.

Summary: Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants to encourage the establishment and operation of Teachers Institutes. And (2) provide technical assistance, all or some of which may be provided through the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) in establishing and operating Teachers Institutes. Sets forth selection criteria, including consideration of the extent to which the proposed Institute will serve schools that have a significant low-income population. Defines a Teachers Institute as a partnership or joint venture between one or more IHEs and one or more LEAs serving one or more schools with significant low-income populations that is established to improve the quality of teaching and learning through collaborative seminars.

A bill to support the establishment and operation of Teachers Professional Development Institutes.