SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Conservation Through Trees
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) the utility sector is the largest single source of
        greenhouse gas emissions in the United States today, producing
        approximately one-third of the country's emissions;
            (2) heating and cooling homes accounts for nearly 60
        percent of residential electricity usage in the United States;
            (3) shade trees planted in strategic locations can reduce
        residential cooling costs by as much as 30 percent;
            (4) shade trees have significant clean-air benefits
        associated with them;
            (5) every 100 healthy large trees removes about 300 pounds
        of air pollution (including particulate matter and ozone) and
        about 15 tons of carbon dioxide from the air each year;
            (6) tree cover on private property and on newly developed
        land has declined since the 1970s, even while emissions from
        transportation and industry have been rising; and
            (7) in over a dozen test cities across the United States,
        increasing urban tree cover has generated between two and five
        dollars in savings for every dollar invested in such tree
        planting.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) The term ``Secretary'' refers to the Secretary of
        Energy.
            (2) The term ``retail power provider'' means any entity
        authorized under applicable State or Federal law to generate,
        distribute, or provide retail electricity, natural gas, or fuel
        oil service.
            (3) The term ``tree-planting organization'' means any
        nonprofit or not-for-profit group which exists, in whole or in
        part, to--
                    (A) expand urban and residential tree cover;
                    (B) distribute young trees for planting;
                    (C) increase awareness of the environmental and
                energy-related benefits of trees;
                    (D) educate the public about proper tree planting,
                care, and maintenance strategies; or
                    (E) carry out any combination of the foregoing
                activities.
            (4) The term ``tree-siting guidelines'' means a
        comprehensive list of science-based measurements outlining the
        species and minimum distance required between trees planted
        pursuant to this Act, in addition to the minimum required
        distance to be maintained between such trees and--
                    (A) building foundations;
                    (B) air conditioning units;
                    (C) driveways and walkways;
                    (D) property fences;
                    (E) preexisting utility infrastructure;
                    (F) septic systems;
                    (G) swimming pools; and
                    (H) other infrastructure as deemed appropriate.

SEC. 4. PURPOSES.

    The purpose of this Act is to establish a grant program to assist
retail power providers with the establishment and operation of targeted
residential tree-planting programs, for the following purposes:
            (1) Reducing the peak-load demand for electricity in
        residential areas during the summer months through direct
        shading of buildings provided by strategically planted trees.
            (2) Reducing wintertime demand for energy in residential
        areas by blocking cold winds from reaching homes, which lowers
        interior temperatures and drives heating demand.
            (3) Protecting public health by removing harmful pollution
        from the air.
            (4) Utilizing the natural photosynthetic and transpiration
        process of trees to lower ambient temperatures and absorb
        carbon dioxide, thus mitigating the effects of climate change.
            (5) Lowering electric bills for residential ratepayers by
        limiting electricity consumption without reducing benefits.
            (6) Relieving financial and demand pressure on retail power
        providers that stems from large peak-load energy demand.
            (7) Protecting water quality and public health by reducing
        stormwater runoff and keeping harmful pollutants from entering
        waterways.
            (8) Ensuring that trees are planted in locations that limit
        the amount of public money needed to maintain public and
        electric infrastructure.

SEC. 5. GENERAL AUTHORITY.

    (a) Assistance.--The Secretary is authorized to provide financial,
technical, and related assistance to retail power providers to assist
with the establishment of new, or continued operation of existing,
targeted residential tree-planting programs.
    (b) Public Recognition Initiative.--In carrying out the authority
provided under this Act, the Secretary shall also create a national
public recognition initiative to encourage participation in tree-
planting programs by retail power providers.
    (c) Eligibility.--Only those programs which utilize targeted,
strategic tree-siting guidelines to plant trees in relation to
residence location, sunlight, and prevailing wind direction shall be
eligible for assistance under this Act.
    (d) Requirements.--In order to qualify for assistance under this
Act, a tree-planting program shall meet each of the following
requirements:
            (1) The program shall provide free or discounted shade-
        providing or wind-reducing trees to residential consumers
        interested in lowering their home energy costs.
            (2) The program shall optimize the electricity-consumption
        reduction benefit of each tree by planting in strategic
        locations around a given residence.
            (3) The program shall either--
                    (A) provide maximum amounts of shade during summer
                intervals when residences are exposed to the most sun
                intensity; or
                    (B) provide maximum amounts of wind protection
                during fall and winter intervals when residences are
                exposed to the most wind intensity.
            (4) The program shall use the best available science to
        create tree siting guidelines which dictate where the optimum
        tree species are best planted in locations that achieve maximum
        reductions in consumer energy demand while causing the least
        disruption to public infrastructure, considering overhead and
        underground facilities.
            (5) The program shall receive certification from the
        Secretary that it is designed to achieve the goals set forth in
        paragraphs (1) through (4). In designating criteria for such
        certification, the Secretary shall collaborate with the United
        States Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program to
        ensure that certification requirements are consistent with such
        above goals.
    (e) New Program Funding Share.--The Secretary shall ensure that no
less than 30 percent of the funds made available under this Act are
distributed to retail power providers which--
            (1) have not previously established or operated qualified
        tree-planting programs;
            (2) are operating qualified tree-planting programs which
        were established no more than three years prior to the date of
        enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. AGREEMENTS BETWEEN ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS AND TREE-PLANTING
              ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) Grant Authorization.--In providing assistance under this Act,
the Secretary is authorized to award grants only to retail power
providers that have entered into binding legal agreements with
nonprofit tree-planting organizations.
    (b) Conditions of Agreement.--Those agreements between retail power
providers and tree-planting organizations shall set forth conditions
under which nonprofit tree-planting organizations shall provide
targeted residential tree-planting programs which may require these
organizations to--
            (1) participate in local technical advisory committees
        responsible for drafting general tree-siting guidelines and
        choosing the most effective species of trees to plant in given
        locations;
            (2) coordinate volunteer recruitment to assist with the
        physical act of planting trees in residential locations;
            (3) undertake public awareness campaigns to educate local
        residents about the benefits, cost savings, and availability of
        free shade trees;
            (4) establish education and information campaigns to
        encourage recipients to maintain their shade trees over the
        long term;
            (5) serve as the point of contact for existing and
        potential residential participants who have questions or
        concerns regarding the tree-planting program;
            (6) require tree recipients to sign agreements committing
        to voluntary stewardship and care of provided trees;
            (7) monitor and report on the survival, growth, overall
        health, and estimated energy savings of provided trees up until
        the end of their establishment period which shall be no less
        than five years; and
            (8) ensure that trees planted near existing power lines
        will not interfere with energized electricity distribution
        lines when mature, and that no new trees will be planted under
        or adjacent to high-voltage electric transmission lines without
        prior consultation with the applicable retail power provider
        receiving assistance under this Act.
    (c) Lack of Nonprofit Organization.--If qualified nonprofit or not-
for-profit tree planting organizations do not exist or operate within
areas served by retail power providers applying for assistance under
this Act, the requirements of this section shall apply to binding legal
agreements entered into by such retail power providers and one of the
following entities--
            (1) local municipal governments with jurisdiction over the
        urban or suburban forest;
            (2) the State Forester for the State in which the tree
        planting program will operate; or
            (3) the United States Forest Service's Urban and Community
        Forestry representative for the State in which the tree-
        planting program will operate.

SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    (a) Description.--In order to qualify for assistance under this
Act, the retail power provider shall establish and consult with a local
technical advisory committee which shall provide advice and
consultation to the program, and may--
            (1) design and adopt an approved plant list that emphasizes
        the use of hardy, noninvasive tree species and, where
        geographically appropriate, the use of native or low water-use
        shade trees or both;
            (2) design and adopt planting, installation, and
        maintenance specifications and create a process for inspection
        and quality control;
            (3) ensure that tree recipients are educated to care for
        and maintain their trees over the long term;
            (4) help the public become more engaged and educated in the
        planting and care of shade trees;
            (5) prioritize which sites receive trees, giving preference
        to locations with the most potential for energy conservation
        and secondary preference to areas where the average annual
        income is below the regional median; and
            (6) assist with monitoring and collection of data on tree
        health, tree survival, and energy conservation benefits
        generated under this Act.
    (b) Compensation.--Individuals serving on local technical advisory
committees shall not receive compensation for their service.
    (c) Composition.--Local technical advisory committees shall be
composed of representatives from public, private, and nongovernmental
agencies with expertise in demand-side energy efficiency management,
urban forestry, or arboriculture, and shall be composed of the
following:
            (1) Up to 4 persons, but no less than one person,
        representing the retail power provider receiving assistance
        under this Act.
            (2) Up to 4 persons, but no less than one person,
        representing the local tree-planting organization which will
        partner with the retail power provider to carry out this Act.
            (3) Up to 3 persons representing local nonprofit
        conservation or environmental organizations. Preference shall
        be given to those entities which are organized under section
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and which have
        demonstrated expertise engaging the public in energy
        conservation, energy efficiency, or green building practices or
        a combination thereof, such that no single organization is
        represented by more than one individual under this subsection.
            (4) Up to 2 persons representing a local affordable housing
        agency, affordable housing builder, or community development
        corporation.
            (5) Up to 3, but no less than one, persons representing
        local city or county government for each municipality where a
        shade tree-planting program will take place; at least one of
        these representatives shall be the city or county forester,
        city or county arborist, or functional equivalent.
            (6) Up to one person representing the local government
        agency responsible for management of roads, sewers, and
        infrastructure, including but not limited to public works
        departments, transportation agencies, or equivalents.
            (7) Up to 2 persons representing the nursery and
        landscaping industry.
            (8) Up to 3 persons representing the research community or
        academia with expertise in natural resources or energy
        management issues.
    (d) Chairperson.--Each local technical advisory committee shall
elect a chairperson to preside over Committee meetings, act as a
liaison to governmental and other outside entities, and direct the
general operation of the committee; only committee representatives from
subsection (c)(1) or subsection (c)(2) of this section shall be
eligible to act as local technical advisory committee chairpersons.
    (e) Credentials.--At least one of the members of each local
technical advisory committee shall be certified with one or more of the
following credentials: International Society of Arboriculture;
Certified Arborist, ISA; Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist, ISA;
Certified Arborist Utility Specialist, ISA; Board Certified Master
Arborist; or Registered Landscape Architect recommended by the American
Society of Landscape Architects.

SEC. 8. COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Federal Share.--The Federal share of support for projects
funded under this Act shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of such
project and shall be provided on a matching basis.
    (b) Non-Federal Share.--The non-Federal share of such costs may be
paid or contributed by any governmental or nongovernmental entity other
than from funds derived directly or indirectly from an agency or
instrumentality of the United States.

SEC. 9. RULEMAKING.

    (a) Rulemaking Period.--The Secretary shall be authorized to
solicit comments and initiate a rulemaking period that shall last no
more than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Competitive Grant Rule.--At the conclusion of the rulemaking
period under subsection (a), the Secretary shall promulgate a rule
governing a public, competitive grants process through which retail
power providers may apply for Federal support under this Act.

SEC. 10. NONDUPLICITY.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede, duplicate,
cancel, or negate the programs or authorities provided under section 9
of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (92 Stat. 369;
Public Law 95-313; 16 U.S.C. 2105).

SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary for the implementation of this Act.

Summary: Energy Conservation Through Trees Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to provide financial, technical, and related assistance to retail power providers to assist with the establishment of new, or continued operation of existing, targeted residential tree-planting programs. Requires the Secretary to create a national public recognition initiative to encourage participation in tree-planting programs by such providers. Limits assistance provided under this Act to programs that utilize targeted, strategic tree-siting guidelines to plant trees in relation to residence location, sunlight, and prevailing wind direction. Sets forth requirements that must be met for tree-planting programs to qualify for assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants only to providers that have entered into binding legal agreements with nonprofit tree-planting organizations. Requires providers, in order to qualify for assistance, to establish and consult with a local technical advisory committee, which shall provide advice and consultation to the program, and which may: (1) design and adopt an approved plant list that emphasizes the use of hardy, noninvasive tree species, native or low water-use shade trees, or both. (2) design and adopt planting, installation, and maintenance specifications and create a process for inspection and quality control. (3) ensure that tree recipients are educated to care for and maintain their trees over the long term. (4) help the public become more engaged and educated in the planting and care of shade trees. (5) prioritize which sites receive trees, giving preference to locations with the most potential for energy conservation and secondary preference to areas where the average annual income is below the regional median. And (6) assist with monitoring and collection of data on tree health, tree survival, and energy conservation benefits generated under this Act.

To establish a grant program to assist retail power providers with the establishment and operation of energy conservation programs using targeted residential tree-planting, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Health Empowerment Zone Act of
2003''.

SEC. 2. HEALTH EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

    (a) Health Empowerment Zone Programs.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human
        Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health
        Resources and Services Administration and the Director of the
        Office of Minority Health, and in cooperation with the Director
        of the Office of Community Services and the Director of the
        National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities--
                    (A) shall designate health empowerment zones in
                accordance with paragraph (2); and
                    (B) shall make grants in accordance with paragraph
                (3).
            (2) Designation of health empowerment zones.--The Secretary
        may designate a community as a health empowerment zone if--
                    (A) a community partnership seeking a grant under
                this section requests that the community be designated
                as a health empowerment zone; and
                    (B) the community partnership demonstrates, to the
                Secretary's satisfaction, that the community is a
                community of color that experiences disproportionate
                disparities in health status and health care.
            (3) Grants.--The Secretary shall make grants to community
        partnerships of private and public entities to establish health
        empowerment zone programs.
            (4) Use of funds.--Grants under this section shall be used
        for the establishment of a health empowerment zone program to
        assist individuals, businesses, schools, minority health
        associations, nonprofit organizations, community-based
        organizations, hospitals, health care clinics, and foundations
        in a health empowerment zone that are seeking--
                    (A) to effectively access Federal programs to
                improve the health or environment of 1 or more minority
                individuals in the community and eliminate racial and
                ethnic disparities in health status and health care;
                and
                    (B) to coordinate the efforts of governmental and
                private entities regarding the elimination of racial
                and ethnic disparities in health status and health
                care.
            (5) Establishment in territory or possession.--The
        Secretary shall make at least 1 grant under this section to a
        community partnership for a health empowerment zone program in
        a health empowerment zone that is located in a territory or
        possession of the United States.
            (6) Application.--To seek the designation of a community as
        a health empowerment zone and to obtain a grant under this
        section, a community partnership shall submit to the Secretary
        an application in such form and in such manner as the Secretary
        may require. An application under this paragraph shall--
                    (A) demonstrate that the community to be served is
                a community of color that experiences disproportionate
                disparities in health status and health care;
                    (B) set forth a strategic plan for the proposed
                health empowerment zone program, by--
                            (i) describing the coordinated health,
                        economic, human, community, and physical
                        development plan and related activities
                        proposed for the community involved;
                            (ii) describing the inclusion of the
                        community involved as a full partner in the
                        process of developing, implementing,
                        monitoring, and evaluating the strategic plan
                        and the extent to which local institutions and
                        organizations have contributed to the planning
                        process;
                            (iii) identifying the projected amount of
                        Federal, State, local, and private resources
                        that will be available in the area and the
                        private and public community partnerships to be
                        used (including any participation by or
                        cooperation with universities, colleges,
                        foundations, nonprofit organizations, medical
                        centers, hospitals, health clinics, school
                        districts, or other private and public
                        entities);
                            (iv) identifying the funding requested
                        under any Federal program in support of the
                        proposed health, economic, human, community,
                        and physical development, and related
                        activities;
                            (v) identifying baselines, methods, health
                        outcomes, and benchmarks for measuring the
                        success of carrying out the strategic plan;
                            (vi) demonstrating the ability to
                        effectively reach and service the targeted
                        underserved minority community populations in a
                        culturally appropriate and linguistically
                        responsive manner;
                            (vii) demonstrating a capacity and
                        infrastructure to provide long-term community
                        response that is culturally appropriate and
                        linguistically responsive to a community of
                        color that experiences disproportionate
                        disparities in health status and health care;
                        and
                            (viii) identifying the individuals who have
                        agreed to serve as members of a health
                        empowerment zone coordinating committee for the
                        community involved; and
                    (C) include such other information as the Secretary
                may require.
            (7) Preference.--In awarding grants under this subsection,
        the Secretary shall give preference to proposals from
        indigenous community entities that have an expertise in
        providing culturally appropriate and linguistically responsive
        services to communities of color that experience
        disproportionate disparities in health status and health care.
    (b) Federal Assistance for Health Empowerment Zone Grant
Programs.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, the
Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Secretary of
Agriculture, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, and
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall each--
            (1) where appropriate, provide entity-specific technical
        assistance and evidence-based strategies to communities of
        color that experience disproportionate disparities in health
        status and health care to further the purposes of a health
        empowerment zone program described in subsection (a)(5);
            (2) identify all programs administered by the Department of
        Health and Human Services, the Small Business Administration,
        the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, the
        Department of Labor, and the Department of Housing and Urban
        Development, respectively, that may be used to further the
        purposes of a health empowerment zone program described in
        subsection (a)(5); and
            (3) in administering any program identified under paragraph
        (2), give priority to any individual or entity located in a
        community served by a health empowerment zone program under
        subsection (a) if such priority would further the purposes of
        the health empowerment zone program described in subsection
        (a)(5).
    (c) Health Empowerment Zone Coordinating Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--For each health empowerment zone
        program established with a grant under subsection (a), the
        Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of
        Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health Resources
        and Services Administration, shall establish a health
        empowerment zone coordinating committee.
            (2) Duties.--Each coordinating committee established, in
        coordination with the Director of the Office of Minority Health
        and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services
        Administration, shall provide technical assistance and
        evidence-based strategies to the grant recipient involved,
        including providing guidance on research, strategies, health
        outcomes, program goals, management, implementation,
        monitoring, assessment, and evaluation processes.
            (3) Membership.--
                    (A) Appointment.--The Director of the Office of
                Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health
                Resources and Services Administration, in consultation
                with the respective grant recipient, shall appoint the
                members of each coordinating committee.
                    (B) Composition.--The Director of the Office of
                Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health
                Resources and Services Administration shall ensure that
                each coordinating committee--
                            (i) has not more than 20 members;
                            (ii) includes individuals from communities
                        of color that experience disproportionate
                        disparities in health status and health care;
                            (iii) includes community leaders and
                        leaders of community-based organizations;
                            (iv) includes representatives of academia
                        and lay and professional organizations and
                        associations including those having expertise
                        in medicine, technical, social and behavioral
                        science, health policy, advocacy, cultural and
                        linguistic competency, research management, and
                        organization; and
                            (v) represents a reasonable cross-section
                        of knowledge, views, and application of
                        expertise on societal, ethical, behavioral,
                        educational, policy, legal, cultural,
                        linguistic, and workforce issues related to
                        eliminating disparities in health and health
                        care.
                    (C) Qualifications.--The Director of the Office of
                Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health
                Resources and Services Administration shall ensure that
                the members of each coordinating committee meet the
                following:
                            (i) No member is employed by the Federal
                        Government.
                            (ii) Each member has appropriate
                        experience, including experience in the areas
                        of community development, cultural and
                        linguistic competency, reducing and eliminating
                        racial and ethnic disparities in health and
                        health care, or minority health.
                            (iii) A majority of the members reside in
                        the health empowerment zone involved.
                    (D) Selection.--In selecting individuals to serve
                on a coordinating committee, the Director of the Office
                of Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health
                Resources and Services Administration shall give due
                consideration to the recommendations of the Congress,
                industry leaders, the scientific community (including
                the Institute of Medicine), academia, community based
                nonprofit organizations, minority health and related
                organizations, the education community, State and local
                governments, and other appropriate organizations.
                    (E) Chairperson.--The Director of the Office of
                Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health
                Resources and Services Administration, in consultation
                with the members of the coordinating committee
                involved, shall designate a chairperson of the
                coordinating committee, who shall serve for a term of 3
                years and who may be reappointed at the expiration of
                each such term.
                    (F) Terms.--Each member of a coordinating committee
                shall be appointed for a term of 1 to 3 years in
                overlapping staggered terms, as determined by the
                Director of the Office of Minority Health and the
                Administrator of the Health Resources and Services
                Administration at the time of appointment, and may be
                reappointed at the expiration of each such term.
                    (G) Vacancies.--A vacancy on a coordinating
                committee shall be filled in the same manner in which
                the original appointment was made.
                    (H) Compensation.--The members of a coordinating
                committee shall serve without pay.
                    (I) Travel expenses.--Each member of a coordinating
                committee shall receive travel expenses, including per
                diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with
                applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57
                of title 5, United States Code.
            (4) Staff; experts and consultants.--
                    (A) Staff.--The chairperson of a coordinating
                committee may appoint and fix the pay of additional
                personnel as the chairperson considers appropriate.
                    (B) Experts and consultants.--The chairperson of a
                coordinating committee may procure temporary and
                intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5,
                United States Code.
            (5) Meetings.--A coordinating committee shall meet 3 to 5
        times each year, at the call of the coordinating committee's
        chairperson and in consultation with the Director of the Office
        of Minority Health and the Administrator of the Health
        Resources and Services Administration.
            (6) Report.--Each coordinating committee shall transmit to
        the Congress an annual report that, with respect to the health
        empowerment zone program involved, includes the following:
                    (A) A review of the program's effectiveness in
                achieving stated goals and outcomes, and overcoming
                challenges.
                    (B) A review of the program's management and
                coordination of the entities involved.
                    (C) A review of the activities in the program's
                portfolio and components.
                    (D) An identification of policy issues raised by
                the program.
                    (E) An assessment of program's results including
                that of capacity, infrastructure, number of underserved
                minority communities reached and retained in the effort
                in a defined time frame.
                    (F) Recommendations for new program goals, research
                areas, enhanced approaches, community partnerships,
                coordination and management mechanisms, and projects to
                be established to achieve the program's stated goals,
                to improve outcomes, assessments, monitoring, and
                evaluation.
                    (G) A review of the degree of minority entities
                participation in the program, and an identification of
                a strategy to increase such participation.
                    (H) Any other reviews or recommendations determined
                to be appropriate by the coordinating committee.
    (d) Report.--The Director of the Office of Minority Health and the
Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall
submit a joint annual report to the appropriate committees of the
Congress on the results of the implementation of programs under this
section.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Coordinating committee.--The term ``coordinating
        committee'' means a health empowerment zone coordinating
        committee established under this section.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Health and Human Services.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year
2004, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2010.

Summary: Health Empowerment Zone Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate a community as a health empowerment zone if a participating community partnership: (1) requests such designation. And (2) demonstrates that the community is a community of color experiencing disproportionate disparities in health status and health care. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) grants to community partnerships of private and public entities to establish health empowerment zone programs to assist individuals, businesses, schools, minority health associations, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, health care clinics, and foundations in a health empowerment zone that are seeking to improve the health or environment of minority individuals and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health status and health care. (2) at least one grant in a health empowerment zone in a US territory or possession. And (3) establish a health empowerment zone coordinating committee for each zone. Directs the Secretary, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance for such programs.

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish health empowerment zone programs in communities that disproportionately experience disparities in health status and health care, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act
of 1999''.

SEC. 2. JOHN H. PRESCOTT MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Title IV of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 408 and 409 as sections 409
        and 410, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 407 the following:

``SEC. 408. JOHN H. PRESCOTT MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE ASSISTANCE GRANT
              PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--(1) Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary shall conduct a grant program to be known
as the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program,
to provide grants to eligible stranding network participants for the
recovery or treatment of marine mammals, the collection of data from
living or dead marine mammals for scientific research regarding marine
mammal health, and facility operation costs that are directly related
to those purposes.
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall ensure that, to the greatest extent
practicable, funds provided as grants under this subsection are
distributed equitably among the designated stranding regions.
    ``(B) In determining priorities among such regions, the Secretary
may consider--
            ``(i) any episodic stranding or any mortality event other
        than an event described in section 410(6), that occurred in any
        region in the preceding year; and
            ``(ii) data regarding average annual strandings and
        mortality events per region.
    ``(b) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, a
stranding network participant shall submit an application in such form
and manner as the Secretary may prescribe.
    ``(c) Advisory Group.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
        Marine Mammal Commission, shall establish an advisory group in
        accordance with this subsection to advise the Secretary
        regarding the implementation of this section, including the
        award of grants under this section.
            ``(2) Membership.--The advisory group shall consist of a
        representative from each of the designated stranding regions
        and other individuals who represent public and private
        organizations that are actively involved in rescue,
        rehabilitation, release, scientific research, marine
        conservation, and forensic science regarding stranded marine
        mammals.
            ``(3) Public participation.--
                    ``(A) Meetings.--The advisory group shall--
                            ``(i) ensure that each meeting of the
                        advisory group is open to the public; and
                            ``(ii) provide, at each meeting of the
                        advisory group, an opportunity for interested
                        persons to present oral or written statements
                        concerning items on the agenda for the meeting.
                    ``(B) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide to the
                public timely notice of each meeting of the advisory
                group.
                    ``(C) Minutes.--The Secretary shall keep and make
                available to the public minutes of each meeting of the
                advisory group.
            ``(4) Exemption.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
        U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the establishment and
        activities of an advisory group in accordance with this
        subsection.
    ``(d) Limitation.--The amount of a grant under this section shall
not exceed $100,000.
    ``(e) Matching Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the costs of an
        activity conducted with a grant under this section shall be 25
        percent of such costs.
            ``(2) In-kind contributions.--The Secretary may apply to
        the non-Federal share of an activity conducted with a grant
        under this section the amount of funds, and the fair market
        value of property and services, provided by non-Federal sources
        and used for the activity.
    ``(f) Administrative Expenses.--Of amounts available each fiscal
year to carry out this section, the Secretary may expend not more than
6 percent to pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry out
this section.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Designated stranding region.--The term `designated
        stranding region' means a geographic region designated by the
        Secretary for purposes of administration of this title.
            ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' has the meaning
        given that term in section 3(12)(A).
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003, to remain available until
expended.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3(12)(B) of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1362(12)(B)) is amended by inserting
``(other than section 408)'' after ``title IV''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in the first section
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (86 Stat. 1027) is amended
by striking the items relating to sections 408 and 409 and inserting
the following:

``Sec. 408. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant
                            Program.
``Sec. 409. Authorization of appropriations.
``Sec. 410. Definitions.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 27, 1999.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act of 1999 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program to provide assistance to eligible stranding network participants for: (1) marine mammal rescue and treatment, (2) data collection from living or dead marine mammals. And (3) facilities operation. Directs the Secretary to establish a related advisory group. Caps grants at $100,000. Require s a 25 percent non-Federal matching amount, which may be in-kind contributions. Authorizes FY 2001 through 2003 appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND
INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
    (a) Rate Adjustment.--Effective on December 1, 2008, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c),
the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2008, for the payment of
disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under
the provisions specified in subsection (b).
    (b) Amounts To Be Increased.--The dollar amounts to be increased
pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:
        (1) Wartime disability compensation.--Each of the dollar
    amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.
        (2) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the dollar
    amounts under section 1115(1) of such title.
        (3) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount under section 1162
    of such title.
        (4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving
    spouse.--Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a) through
    (d) of section 1311 of such title.
        (5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children.--Each of
    the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.
    (c) Determination of Increase.--
        (1) Percentage.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each
    dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the
    same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable
    under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)
    are increased effective December 1, 2008, as a result of a
    determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).
        (2) Rounding.--Each dollar amount increased under paragraph
    (1), if not a whole dollar amount, shall be rounded to the next
    lower whole dollar amount.
    (d) Special Rule.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may adjust
administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection
(a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under
section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who have not received
compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.
    (e) Publication of Adjusted Rates.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in
subsection (b), as increased under that subsection, not later than the
date on which the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be
published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of
such Act during fiscal year 2009.
SEC. 3. CODIFICATION OF 2007 COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN RATES OF
DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
    (a) Veterans' Disability Compensation.--Section 1114 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$115'' and inserting
    ``$117'';
        (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$225'' and inserting
    ``$230'';
        (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``$348'' and inserting
    ``$356'';
        (4) in subsection (d), by striking ``$501'' and inserting
    ``$512'';
        (5) in subsection (e), by striking ``$712'' and inserting
    ``$728'';
        (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``$901'' and inserting
    ``$921'';
        (7) in subsection (g), by striking ``$1,135'' and inserting
    ``$1,161'';
        (8) in subsection (h), by striking ``$1,319'' and inserting
    ``$1,349'';
        (9) in subsection (i), by striking ``$1,483'' and inserting
    ``$1,517'';
        (10) in subsection (j), by striking ``$2,471'' and inserting
    ``$2,527'';
        (11) in subsection (k)--
            (A) by striking ``$89'' both places it appears and
        inserting ``$91''; and
            (B) by striking ``$3,075'' and ``$4,313'' and inserting
        ``$3,145'' and ``$4,412'', respectively;
        (12) in subsection (l), by striking ``$3,075'' and inserting
    ``$3,145'';
        (13) in subsection (m), by striking ``$3,392'' and inserting
    ``$3,470'';
        (14) in subsection (n), by striking ``$3,860'' and inserting
    ``$3,948'';
        (15) in subsections (o) and (p), by striking ``$4,313'' each
    place it appears and inserting ``$4,412'';
        (16) in subsection (r), by striking ``$1,851'' and ``$2,757''
    and inserting ``$1,893'' and ``$2,820'', respectively; and
        (17) in subsection (s), by striking ``$2,766'' and inserting
    ``$2,829''.
    (b) Additional Compensation for Dependents.--Section 1115(1) of
such title is amended--
        (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$139'' and inserting
    ``$142'';
        (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``$240'' and ``$70'' and
    inserting ``$245'' and ``$71'', respectively;
        (3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``$94'' and ``$70'' and
    inserting ``$96'' and ``$71'', respectively;
        (4) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``$112'' and inserting
    ``$114'';
        (5) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``$265'' and inserting
    ``$271''; and
        (6) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``$222'' and inserting
    ``$227''.
    (c) Clothing Allowance for Certain Disabled Veterans.--Section 1162
of such title is amended by striking ``$662'' and inserting ``$677''.
    (d) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Surviving Spouses.--
        (1) New law dic.--Section 1311(a) of such title is amended--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$1,067'' and inserting
        ``$1,091''; and
            (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$228'' and inserting
        ``$233''.
        (2) Old law dic.--The table in paragraph (3) of such section is
    amended to read as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 ``Pay grade                     Monthly rate               Pay grade              Monthly rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-1..........................................            $1,091  W-4............................          $1,305
E-2..........................................            $1,091  O-1............................          $1,153
E-3..........................................            $1,091  O-2............................          $1,191
E-4..........................................            $1,091  O-3............................          $1,274
E-5..........................................            $1,091  O-4............................          $1,349
E-6..........................................            $1,091  O-5............................          $1,485
E-7..........................................            $1,129  O-6............................          $1,674
E-8..........................................            $1,191  O-7............................          $1,808
E-9..........................................           $1,2421  O-8............................          $1,985
W-1..........................................            $1,153  O-9............................          $2,123
W-2..........................................            $1,198  O-10...........................         $2,3282
W-3..........................................            $1,234
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master
  sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of the Coast
  Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be
  $1,342.
2 If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army,
  Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Commandant of
  the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate
  shall be $2,499.''

        (3) Additional dic for children or disability.--Section 1311 of
    such title is amended--
            (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``$265'' and inserting
        ``$271'';
            (B) in subsection (c), by striking ``$265'' and inserting
        ``$271''; and
            (C) in subsection (d), by striking ``$126'' and inserting
        ``$128''.
    (e) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Children.--
        (1) Dic when no surviving spouse.--Section 1313(a) of such
    title is amended--
            (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$452'' and inserting
        ``$462'';
            (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$649'' and inserting
        ``$663'';
            (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$846'' and inserting
        ``$865''; and
            (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$846'' and ``$162'' and
        inserting ``$865'' and ``$165'', respectively.
        (2) Supplemental dic for certain children.--Section 1314 of
    such title is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``$265'' and inserting
        ``$271'';
            (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``$452'' and inserting
        ``$462''; and
            (C) in subsection (c), by striking ``$225'' and inserting
        ``$230''.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on December 1, 2007.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Summary: Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2008, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date. Codifies rate amounts as increased under the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2007.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to codify increases in the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans that were effective as of December 1, 2007, to provide for an increase in the rates of such compensation effective December 1, 2008, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Identity Protection and
Security Act''.

SEC. 2. SECURITY FREEZES.

    The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is amended
by inserting after section 605B the following:

``SEC. 605C. SECURITY FREEZES.

    ``(a) In General.--A consumer reporting agency shall place a
security freeze on a private information file when requested by the
consumer to whom that file relates--
            ``(1) by certified mail,
            ``(2) by telephone by providing certain sensitive personal
        information, or
            ``(3) through a secure electronic mail connection if such
        connection is made available by the consumer reporting agency.
    ``(b) Timing.--A consumer reporting agency shall place the
requested security freeze on the private information file no later than
2 business days after receiving a written or telephone request from the
consumer or 24 hours after receiving a secure electronic mail request.
    ``(c) Confirmation.--Within 2 business days after placing a
security freeze on a private information file under subsection (a), the
consumer reporting agency that received the request from the consumer
shall--
            ``(1) send a written confirmation of the security freeze to
        the consumer; and
            ``(2) provide to the consumer a unique personal
        identification number or password to be used by the consumer to
        authorize access to the private information file or to remove
        the security freeze on the file.
    ``(d) Prohibition on Unauthorized Access.--A consumer reporting
agency may not grant access to a private information file on which a
security freeze has been placed, or release information contained in a
such a private information file, except in accordance with the
provisions of this section or other Federal law.
    ``(e) Limited or Temporary Access to Frozen Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Within 3 business days after receiving a
        request from a consumer upon whose private information file a
        security freeze has been placed to allow access to that file to
        a third party, or for a period of time, specified by the
        consumer, a consumer reporting agency shall make the private
        information file available in accordance with the request
        notwithstanding the security freeze. Each consumer reporting
        agency shall develop procedures involving the use of telephone,
        facsimile machine, or, upon the consent of the consumer in the
        manner required by the Electronic Signatures in Global and
        National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.) for notices
        legally required to be in writing, by the Internet, e-mail, or
        other electronic medium, to receive and process a request from
        a consumer to provide limited or temporary access to the
        private information file under this section in an expedited
        manner.
            ``(2) Request requirements.--A consumer reporting agency
        may not allow access to a private information file under
        paragraph (1) unless--
                    ``(A) the request was made by the consumer by
                telephone, certified mail, or security electronic mail
                (except as provided in accordance with procedures
                established pursuant to the second sentence of
                paragraph (1)); and
                    ``(B) the consumer provides--
                            ``(i) proper identification,
                            ``(ii) the unique personal identification
                        number or password provided by the consumer
                        reporting agency under this section; and
                            ``(iii) the proper information regarding
                        the third party who is to receive the private
                        information file or the time period for which
                        the file shall be made available.
            ``(3) Termination not permitted.--A consumer reporting
        agency may not terminate a security freeze on the basis of a
        request under paragraph (1) for limited access to a private
        information file.
    ``(f) Termination of Security Freeze.--
            ``(1) In general.--A consumer reporting agency shall
        terminate a security freeze on a private information file if--
                    ``(A) the consumer requests that the security
                freeze be terminated; or
                    ``(B) the consumer reporting agency--
                            ``(i) determines that the security freeze
                        was placed on the private information file due
                        to a material misrepresentation of fact by the
                        consumer; and
                            ``(ii) notifies the consumer in writing not
                        less than 5 business days before terminating
                        the security freeze under this subparagraph.
            ``(2) Termination requests.--Except as provided in
        paragraph (1)(B), a consumer reporting agency may not terminate
        a security freeze on a private information file unless the
        consumer provides--
                    ``(A) proper identification; and
                    ``(B) the unique personal identification number or
                password provided by the consumer reporting agency
                under this section.
            ``(3) Timing.--A consumer reporting agency shall terminate
        a security freeze on a private information file within 3
        business days after receiving a request that meets the
        requirements of this subsection from the consumer to whom the
        file relates.
    ``(g) Denial of Third Party Requests.--
            ``(1) Requests denied due to security freeze.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if
        a third party's request for access to a private information
        file is denied because there is a security freeze on it, that
        third party may treat any application in connection with which
        the request is made as incomplete.
            ``(2) Notification of consumer.--If a consumer reporting
        agency denies a third party's request for access to a private
        information file on which a security freeze has been placed for
        any purpose other than account review, the consumer reporting
        agency shall notify the consumer that it denied the request
        within 1 business day thereafter. The notice shall identify the
        third party making the request and the stated purpose of the
        request.
    ``(h) Exceptions to Security Freeze.--The provisions of this
section do not apply to requests for access to a private information
file by--
            ``(1) a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency
        acting within the scope of its authority or pursuant to a court
        order, warrant, or subpoena;
            ``(2) a Federal, State, or local agency that administers a
        program for establishing an enforcing child support
        obligations;
            ``(3) a Federal, State, or local health agency or its
        agents or assignees acting to investigate fraud;
            ``(4) a Federal, State, or local tax agency, or its agents
        or assignees, acting to investigate or collect delinquent taxes
        or unpaid court orders or to fulfill any of its other statutory
        responsibilities;
            ``(5) a person, or the person's subsidiary, affiliate,
        agent, or assignee with which the consumer has or, prior to
        assignment, had an account, contract, or debtor-creditor
        relationship for the purposes of reviewing the account or
        collecting the financial obligation owing for the account,
        contract, or debt;
            ``(6) a subsidiary, affiliate, agent, assignee, or
        prospective assignee of a person to whom access has been
        granted under paragraph (5) for purposes of facilitating the
        extension of credit or other permissible use; or
            ``(7) any person or entity for the purpose of providing a
        consumer with a copy of his or her private information file
        upon the consumer's request.
    ``(i) Notification of Violation.--
            ``(1) Notification.--If a consumer reporting agency
        violates the requirements of this section with respect to
        access to a private information file, it shall notify the
        consumer in writing of the violation within 5 business days.
        The notice shall include a description of the information to
        which access was granted and the name and address of the third
        party to whom such access was granted.
            ``(2) Complaints to consumer protection agencies.--If a
        private information file on which a security freeze under this
        section is accessed in violation of this section, the consumer
        to whom the file relates may file a complaint with the Federal
        Trade Commission, the attorney general of the State in which
        the consumer resides, or any other Federal or State consumer
        protection agency.
    ``(j) Application to Other Consumer Reporting Agencies.--
            ``(1) Notification.--Whenever a consumer reporting agency
        receives a request from a consumer under this section that
        meets the requirements of this section to place a security
        freeze on his or her private information file under subsection
        (a), to provide temporary or limited access to such a private
        information file under subsection (e), or to terminate a
        security freeze on such a private information file under
        subsection (f), it shall notify (on a secure basis) every other
        consumer reporting agency in the United States that it knows,
        or has reason to know, to maintain a private information file
        on that consumer of the request.
            ``(2) Compliance by other consumer reporting agencies.--A
        consumer reporting agency that receives a reported request
        under paragraph (1) shall comply with the requirements of this
        section with respect to that request to the same extent and in
        the same manner as if it had received the request from the
        consumer.
            ``(3) Liability.--A consumer reporting agency responding to
        a notification from another consumer reporting agency under
        paragraph (1) is liable for any violation of this section with
        respect to the request to which the notification relates, to
        the same extent as if it had received the request from the
        consumer, except that such an agency shall not be liable for
        any violation attributable to incorrect information provided in
        the request from the notifying agency.
    ``(k) Service Fees and Charges.--
            ``(1) Fees prohibited.--A consumer reporting agency may not
        impose a charge or fee for placing a security freeze on a
        private information file under subsection (a), for providing
        limited access to a private information file under subsection
        (e), or for terminating a security freeze on a private
        information file under subsection (f).
            ``(2) Replacement identification codes and passwords.--A
        consumer reporting agency--
                    ``(A) may not impose a fee for the replacement or
                reissue of a lost or forgotten personal identification
                number or password the first time the replacement or
                reissue is provided to the consumer; but
                    ``(B) may impose a fee of not more than $5 for a
                second or subsequent replacement or reissue of such a
                personal identification number or password.''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(y) Definitions Relating to Security Freezes.--For purposes of
section 605C, the following definitions shall apply:
            ``(1) Account review.--The term `account review' means any
        activity related to account maintenance, monitoring, credit
        line increases, or account upgrades and enhancements.
            ``(2) Private information file.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `private information
                file' means any written, oral, or other communication
                of any information by a consumer reporting agency
                bearing on a consumer's character, general reputation,
                personal characteristics, mode of living, employment,
                or personal financial information to be used in whole
                or in part for political campaign, charitable
                solicitation, commercial marketing purposes or as a
                factor in establishing the consumer's eligibility for--
                            ``(i) credit or insurance to be used
                        primarily for personal, family, or household
                        purposes; or
                            ``(ii) employment purposes.
                    ``(B) Exclusions.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (C), the term `private information file'
                does not include--
                            ``(i) any report containing information
                        solely as to transactions or experiences
                        between the consumer and the person making the
                        report;
                            ``(ii) the communication of that
                        information among persons related by common
                        ownership or affiliated by corporate control;
                        or
                            ``(iii) the communication of other
                        information among persons related by common
                        ownership or affiliated by corporate control,
                        if it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to
                        the consumer that the information may be
                        communicated among such persons and the
                        consumer is given the opportunity, before the
                        time that the information is initially
                        communicated, to direct that such information
                        not be communicated among such persons;
                            ``(iv) any authorization or approval of a
                        specific extension of credit directly or
                        indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or
                        similar device; or
                            ``(v) any report in which a person who has
                        been requested by a third party to make a
                        specific extension of credit directly or
                        indirectly to a consumer conveys his or her
                        decision with respect to such request, if the
                        third party advises the consumer of the name
                        and address of the person to whom the request
                        was made, and such person makes the required
                        disclosures to the consumer under Federal law.
                    ``(C) Restriction on sharing of medical
                information.--Except for information or any
                communication of information disclosed as provided in
                Federal law, the exclusions in subparagraph (B) do not
                apply with respect to information disclosed to any
                person related by common ownership or affiliated by
                corporate control, if the information is--
                            ``(i) medical information;
                            ``(ii) an individualized list or
                        description based on the payment transactions
                        of the consumer for medical products or
                        services; or
                            ``(iii) an aggregate list of identified
                        consumers based on payment transactions for
                        medical products or services.''.

SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.

    (a) Rulemaking Proceeding.--Within 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall initiate a
rulemaking proceeding to provide rules, guidelines, and criteria for
compliance with the requirements of section 605C of the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, as added by this Act, including--
            (1) rules necessary to implement the provisions of that
        section 605C that include required contents for a request for a
        security freeze, criteria for identification verification of
        the requesting party, and consumer notification requirements to
        ensure that consumers are aware of their rights under that
        section;
            (2) rules to ensure that a request for a security freeze on
        a private information file, a request from a consumer for
        limited or temporary access to a private information file, or a
        requested termination of such a freeze under that section, will
        be communicated by the consumer reporting agency receiving the
        request to other consumer reporting agencies, as required by
        subsection (j) of that section, and implemented by those
        agencies in a timely manner; and
            (3) rules to provide for the application of that section in
        a manner that does not conflict with any other provision of
        Federal law governing the acquisition, maintenance,
        disposition, or access to information contained in a private
        information file.
    (b) Final Rule.--The Commission shall issue final rules pursuant to
the proceeding initiated under subsection (a) within 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Consumer Identity Protection and Security Act - Requires a consumer reporting agency to place a security freeze on a private information file upon consumer request, subject to waiver by such consumer with respect to limited or temporary access to such file to a particular third party. Identifies federal, state, and local agencies permitted access to such frozen information files. Grants the Federal Trade Commission and specified federal agencies enforcement powers for violations of this Act. Empowers the consumer to file a civil action in any court if a consumer reporting agency violates the requirements of this Act. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from imposing service fees or charges for implementing the consumer security freeze requests authorized under this Act.

A bill to establish procedures for the protection of consumers from misuse of, and unauthorized access to, sensitive personal information contained in private information files maintained by commercial entities engaged in, or affecting, interstate commerce, provide for enforcement of those procedures by the Federal Trade Commission, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Directing Dollars to Disaster Relief
Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
    In this Act--
        (1) the term ``administrative cost''--
            (A) means a cost incurred by the Agency in support of the
        delivery of disaster assistance for a major disaster; and
            (B) does not include a cost incurred by a grantee or
        subgrantee;
        (2) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the
    Agency;
        (3) the term ``Agency'' means the Federal Emergency Management
    Agency;
        (4) the term ``direct administrative cost'' means a cost
    incurred by a grantee or subgrantee of a program authorized by the
    Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
    U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) that can be identified separately and assigned
    to a specific project;
        (5) the term ``hazard mitigation program'' means the hazard
    mitigation grant program authorized under section 404 of the Robert
    T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
    5170c);
        (6) the term ``individual assistance program'' means the
    individual assistance grant program authorized under sections 408,
    410, 415, 416, 426, and 502(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
    Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174, 5177, 5182,
    5183, 5189d, and 5192(a));
        (7) the term ``major disaster'' means a major disaster declared
    by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford
    Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170);
        (8) the term ``mission assignment'' has the meaning given the
    term in section 641 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform
    Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 741); and
        (9) the term ``public assistance program'' means the public
    assistance grant program authorized under sections 403(a)(3), 406,
    418, 419, 428, and 502(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
    and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3), 5172, 5185,
    5186, 5189f, and 5192(a)).
SEC. 3. INTEGRATED PLAN FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COST REDUCTION.
    (a) In General.--Not later than 365 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
        (1) develop and implement an integrated plan to control and
    reduce administrative costs for major disasters, which shall
    include--
            (A) steps the Agency will take to reduce administrative
        costs;
            (B) milestones needed for accomplishing the reduction of
        administrative costs;
            (C) strategic goals for the average annual percentage of
        administrative costs of major disasters for each fiscal year;
            (D) the assignment of clear roles and responsibilities,
        including the designation of officials responsible for
        monitoring and measuring performance; and
            (E) a timetable for implementation;
        (2) compare the costs and benefits of tracking the
    administrative cost data for major disasters by the public
    assistance, individual assistance, hazard mitigation, and mission
    assignment programs, and if feasible, track this information; and
        (3) clarify Agency guidance and minimum documentation
    requirements for a direct administrative cost claimed by a grantee
    or subgrantee of a public assistance grant program.
    (b) Congressional Update.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the plan required to be developed under subsection
(a)(1).
    (c) Updates.--If the Administrator modifies the plan or the
timetable under subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report notifying Congress of the modification, which
shall include the details of the modification.
SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than November 30 of each year for 7
years beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall submit to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report on the development and
implementation of the integrated plan required under section 3 for the
previous fiscal year.
    (b) Report Updates.--
        (1) Three year update.--Not later than 3 years after the date
    on which the Administrator submits a report under subsection (a),
    the Administrator shall submit an updated report for the previous
    3-fiscal-year period.
        (2) Five year update.--Not later than 5 years after the date on
    which the Administrator submits a report under subsection (a), the
    Administrator shall submit an updated report for the previous 5-
    fiscal-year period.
    (c) Contents of Reports.--Each report required under subsections
(a) and (b) shall contain, at a minimum--
        (1) the total amount spent on administrative costs for the
    fiscal year period for which the report is being submitted;
        (2) the average annual percentage of administrative costs for
    the fiscal year period for which the report is being submitted;
        (3) an assessment of the effectiveness of the plan developed
    under section 3(a)(1);
        (4) an analysis of--
            (A) whether the Agency is achieving the strategic goals
        established under section 3(a)(1)(C); and
            (B) in the case of the Agency not achieving such strategic
        goals, what is preventing the Agency from doing so;
        (5) any actions the Agency has identified as useful in
    improving upon and reaching the goals for administrative costs
    established under section 3(a)(1)(C); and
        (6) any data described in section 3(a)(2), if the Agency
    determines it is feasible to track such data.
    (d) Public Availability.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which the Administrator submits a report to Congress under this
section, the Administrator shall make the report publicly available on
the website of the Agency.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Summary: This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on February 9, 2016. Directing Dollars to Disaster Relief Act of 2015 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: develop and implement an integrated plan to control and reduce administrative costs incurred by FEMA in support of the delivery of assistance for major disasters. Compare the costs and benefits of tracking the administrative cost data for major disasters by the public assistance, individual assistance, hazard mitigation, and mission assignment programs, track such information. And clarify FEMA guidance and minimum documentation requirements for a direct administrative cost claimed by a grantee or subgrantee of a public assistance grant program authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA must submit to Congress, by November 30 of each year for seven years beginning on the date of this Act's enactment, and make publicly available on its website, a report on the development and implementation of the plan for the previous fiscal year, with three-year and five-year updates. Each report shall contain: the total amount spent on administrative costs and the average annual percentage of administrative costs for the fiscal year period for which the report is being submitted, an assessment of the effectiveness of the plan. An analysis of whether FEMA is achieving its strategic goals for the average annual percentage of administrative costs of major disasters for each fiscal year and, in the case of it not achieving such goals, what is preventing it from doing so. Any actions FEMA has identified as useful in improving upon and reaching those goals. And any administrative cost data for major disasters, if FEMA determines it is feasible to track such data.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Workforce Training Enhancement Act
of 2016''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The viability of the domestic steel industry is crucial
        to the United States economy and national security.
            (2) The steel and taconite iron mining industries have been
        severely impacted by the foreign dumping and overproduction of
        steel and are continually faced with unfair trade practices.
            (3) In 2014, United States imports of steel and steel
        products increased by 36 percent and captured 28 percent of the
        total United States steel market. In 2015, United States
        imports of steel and steel products continued to increase, and
        captured 29 percent of the total United States steel market.
            (4) In 1974, Congress enacted the Trade Act of 1974 (19
        U.S.C. 2101 et seq.), which established the trade adjustment
        assistance program under chapter 2 of title II of that Act (19
        U.S.C. 2271 et seq.) to assist workers who have been adversely
        affected by trade.
            (5) The trade adjustment assistance program provides vital
        benefits and services to workers whose employment has been
        adversely affected by foreign trade. Those benefits and
        services include education and training, income support,
        relocation assistance, job search assistance, and the health
        coverage tax credit.
            (6) Since the inception of the trade adjustment assistance
        program, more than 5,000,000 United States workers have been
        certified as eligible for benefits and services under the
        program.
            (7) As of September 30, 2015, the trade adjustment
        assistance program had served more than 2,200,000 workers.
            (8) In fiscal year 2015, the Department of Labor certified
        413 petitions for eligibility for the trade adjustment
        assistance program, which provided access to trade adjustment
        assistance benefits for 57,631 workers.
            (9) In 2015, more than 13,000 new participants were
        enrolled in the trade adjustment assistance for workers program
        and the program provided services and benefits to more than
        47,000 workers.
            (10) From fiscal year 2012 through fiscal year 2015, the
        average processing time for a petition under the trade
        adjustment assistance for workers program was 49.1 days and the
        average processing time for fiscal year 2015 was 47.2 days.
            (11) The trade adjustment assistance program provides vital
        education and training services to assist trade-affected
        workers to acquire new skills and prepare for new employment.
            (12) From 2012 through 2015, more than 9,800 steelworkers
        and iron ore miners in 17 States lost their jobs as a result of
        increases in imports of steel and steel products and were
        certified as eligible to apply for the trade adjustment
        assistance program.
            (13) In fiscal year 2015, more than 6,500 steelworkers were
        certified as eligible for trade adjustment assistance,
        including workers who were laid off or furloughed in 2014.
            (14) In order to empower workers who have been adversely
        affected by foreign trade, States should have the option of
        providing the funding for vital educational and training
        programs for workers while their petitions for certification of
        eligibility for trade adjustment assistance is pending.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF STATES TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN COSTS OF PROVIDING
              TRAINING TO WORKERS AFTER A PETITION FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT
              ASSISTANCE IS FILED.

    (a) In General.--Section 236(a)(6) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2296(a)(6)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(C)(i) If the conditions described in clause (ii) are met, a
State may use the funds distributed to the State under paragraph (2) to
reimburse the costs of providing training to a worker before the worker
is approved for training under paragraph (1) paid by--
            ``(I) the State from funds provided by the State;
            ``(II) the State or local workforce development areas
        within the State from funds available under subtitle B of title
        I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
        3151 et seq.); or
            ``(III) an eligible entity under section 170 of that Act
        (29 U.S.C. 3225) in the State from funds available under that
        section.
    ``(ii) The conditions described in this clause are met if--
            ``(I) as of the date of the reimbursement under clause (i)
        the worker is covered by a certification for eligibility under
        subchapter A; and
            ``(II) the training, the costs of which are being
        reimbursed--
                    ``(aa) commenced after the date on which the total
                or partial separations of the group of workers covered
                by the certification for eligibility began or
                threatened to begin; and
                    ``(bb) meets the requirements for approval of
                training under paragraph (1).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 236(a)(4)(B) of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2296(a)(4)(B)) is amended by striking ``No'' and
inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (6)(C), no''.

Summary: Workforce Training Enhancement Act of 2016 This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974, with respect to trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for training to adversely affected workers, to authorize a state to use certain funds distributed by the Department of Labor to reimburse the costs of providing training to an adversely affected worker before the worker is approved for training under the Act if those costs have been paid by: the state from state funds, the state or local workforce development areas within the state from funds available for workforce investment activities and providers under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or another entity eligible in the state under the national dislocated worker grants program from funds available for that program. The use of funds under this Act shall be conditioned, however, on the worker's coverage by a certification for TAA eligibility for training meeting approval requirements which commenced after the date on which the total or partial separations of the group of workers covered by the certification for eligibility began or threatened to begin.