SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States Specialty Crop Export
Opportunities Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. REGULATION OF EXPORTS OF PLANTS, PLANT PRODUCTS, BIOLOGICAL
              CONTROL ORGANISMS, AND NOXIOUS WEEDS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title IV of the Agricultural Risk
Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:

``SEC. 420. REGULATION OF EXPORTS OF PLANTS, PLANT PRODUCTS, BIOLOGICAL
              CONTROL ORGANISMS, AND NOXIOUS WEEDS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may regulate plants, plant
products, biological control organisms, and noxious weeds for export
purposes.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) coordinate fruit and vegetable market analyses with
        the private sector and the Administrator of the Foreign
        Agricultural Service; and
            ``(2) make publicly available on an Internet website--
                    ``(A) the status of all export petitions;
                    ``(B) to the greatest extent possible, an
                explanation of the sanitary or phytosanitary issues
                associated with each pending export petition; and
                    ``(C) to the greatest extent possible, information
                on the import requirements of foreign countries for
                fruits and vegetables.
    ``(c) Regulations.--The Secretary may issue regulations to
implement this section.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
such Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 note) is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 419 the following new item:

``Sec. 420. Regulation of exports of plants, plant products, biological
                            control organisms, and noxious weeds.''.

SEC. 3. RESTORATION OF IMPORT AND ENTRY AGRICULTURAL INSPECTION
              FUNCTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

    (a) Repeal of Transfer of Functions.--Section 421 of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 231) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment to Function of Secretary of Homeland
Security.--Section 402 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
202) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (7); and
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (7).
    (c) Transfer Agreement.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than the effective date
        described in subsection (g), the Secretary of Agriculture and
        the Secretary of Homeland Security shall enter into an
        agreement to effectuate the return of functions required by the
        amendments made by this section.
            (2) Use of certain employees.--The agreement may include
        authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to use employees of
        the Department of Homeland Security to carry out authorities
        delegated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
        regarding the protection of domestic livestock and plants.
    (d) Restoration of Department of Agriculture Employees.--Not later
than the effective date described in subsection (e), all full-time
equivalent positions of the Department of Agriculture transferred to
the Department of Homeland Security under section 421(g) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 231(g)) (as in effect on the
day before the effective date described in subsection (g)) shall be
restored to the Department of Agriculture.
    (e) Authority of APHIS.--
            (1) Establishment of program.--The Secretary of Agriculture
        shall establish within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
        Service a program, to be known as the ``International
        Agricultural Inspection Program'', under which the
        Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
        (referred to in this subsection as the ``Administrator'') shall
        carry out import and entry agricultural inspections.
            (2) Information gathering and inspections.--In carrying out
        the program under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall have
        full access to--
                    (A) each secure area of any terminal for screening
                passengers or cargo under the control of the Department
                of Homeland Security on the day before the date of
                enactment of this Act for purposes of carrying out
                inspections and gathering information; and
                    (B) each database (including any database relating
                to cargo manifests or employee and business records)
                under the control of the Department of Homeland
                Security on the day before the date of enactment of
                this Act for purposes of gathering information.
            (3) Inspection alerts.--The Administrator may issue
        inspection alerts, including by indicating cargo to be held for
        immediate inspection.
            (4) Inspection user fees.--The Administrator may, as
        applicable--
                    (A) continue to collect any agricultural quarantine
                inspection user fee; and
                    (B) administer any reserve account for the fees.
            (5) Career track program.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall establish
                a program, to be known as the ``import and entry
                agriculture inspector career track program'', to
                support the development of long-term career
                professionals with expertise in import and entry
                agriculture inspection.
                    (B) Strategic plan and training.--In carrying out
                the program under this paragraph, the Administrator, in
                coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall--
                            (i) develop a strategic plan to incorporate
                        import and entry agricultural inspectors into
                        the infrastructure protecting food, fiber,
                        forests, bioenergy, and the environment of the
                        United States from animal and plant pests,
                        diseases, and noxious weeds; and
                            (ii) as part of the plan under clause (i),
                        provide training for import and entry
                        agricultural inspectors participating in the
                        program not less frequently than once each year
                        to improve inspection skills.
    (f) Duties of Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to
        in this subsection as the ``Secretary'') shall--
                    (A) develop standard operating procedures for
                inspection, monitoring, and auditing relating to import
                and entry agricultural inspections, in accordance with
                recommendations from the Comptroller General of the
                United States and reports of interagency advisory
                groups, as applicable; and
                    (B) ensure that the Animal and Plant Health
                Inspection Service has a national electronic system
                with real-time tracking capability for monitoring,
                tracking, and reporting inspection activities of the
                Service.
            (2) Federal and state cooperation.--
                    (A) Communication system.--The Secretary shall
                develop and maintain an integrated, real-time
                communication system with respect to import and entry
                agricultural inspections to alert State departments of
                agriculture of significant inspection findings of the
                Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
                    (B) Advisory committee.--
                            (i) Establishment.--The Secretary shall
                        establish a committee, to be known as the
                        ``International Trade Inspection Advisory
                        Committee'' (referred to in this subparagraph
                        as the ``committee''), to advise the Secretary
                        on policies and other issues relating to import
                        and entry agricultural inspection.
                            (ii) Model.--In establishing the committee,
                        the Secretary shall use as a model the
                        Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee.
                            (iii) Membership.--The committee shall be
                        composed of members representing--
                                    (I) State departments of
                                agriculture;
                                    (II) directors of ports and
                                airports in the United States;
                                    (III) the transportation industry;
                                    (IV) the public; and
                                    (V) such other entities as the
                                Secretary determines to be appropriate.
            (3) Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the
        Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing an
        assessment of--
                    (A) the resource needs for import and entry
                agricultural inspection, including the number of
                inspectors required;
                    (B) the adequacy of--
                            (i) inspection and monitoring procedures
                        and facilities in the United States; and
                            (ii) the strategic plan developed under
                        subsection (e)(5)(B)(i); and
                    (C) new and potential technologies and practices,
                including recommendations regarding the technologies
                and practices, to improve import and entry agricultural
                inspection.
            (4) Funding.--The Secretary shall pay the costs of each
        import and entry agricultural inspector employed by the Animal
        and Plant Health Inspection Service--
                    (A) from amounts made available to the Department
                of Agriculture for the applicable fiscal year; or
                    (B) if amounts described in subparagraph (A) are
                unavailable, from amounts of the Commodity Credit
                Corporation.
    (g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take
effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 4. REPORTS OF TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    Whenever the Agricultural Policy Committee on Trade or the
Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee on Trade in Fruits and
Vegetables, established under section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974,
provides any recommendations to the United States Trade Representative,
that committee shall at the same time provide those recommendations to
the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Ways and Means of the
House of Representatives and to the Committee on Agriculture and the
Committee on Finance of the Senate.

SEC. 5. REPORT ON FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE STAFFING LEVELS FOR
              MONITORING OTHER COUNTRIES' COMPLIANCE WITH TRADE
              AGREEMENTS.

    Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report--
            (1) evaluating the ability of the Foreign Agricultural
        Service to adequately monitor other countries' compliance with
        the terms of the Uruguay Round Agreements and the terms of
        other agreements (including NAFTA and other bilateral
        agreements) to ensure that the United States realizes the full
        benefits of these agreements as they relate to agricultural
        commodities; and
            (2) containing the recommending of the Secretary regarding
        whether current vacancies in the monitoring office of the
        Foreign Agricultural Service should be filled.

SEC. 6. FEASIBILITY REPORT REGARDING EXPORT INDEMNIFICATION FOR
              UNSUBSIDIZED COMMODITIES.

    Not later than January 1, 2008, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
submit to Congress a report evaluating the feasibility and cost of
establishing an indemnity program for exporters of articles classified
under chapters 7 and 8 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States that will provide compensation to those exporters when they
comply fully with United States export and foreign country import
requirements for the articles, but the articles are wrongfully denied
entry into the foreign country.

SEC. 7. TREATMENT OF UNSUBSIDIZED COMMODITIES UNDER AGREEMENT ON
              AGRICULTURE.

    The United States Trade Representative shall propose in the Doha
Round of negotiations conducted under the auspices of the World Trade
Organization that all articles classified under chapters 7 and 8 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States be excluded from
coverage under article 13 of the Agreement on Agriculture referred to
in section 101(d)(2) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C.
3511(d)(2)).

SEC. 8. SPECIAL EXPORT CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

    The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish and maintain a program
of export credits that is, as nearly as may be, identical to the
program administered under sections 1493.400 through 1493.530 of title
7, Code of Federal Regulations, except that--
            (1) either an exporter to, or an importer in, a foreign
        place shall be eligible for a credit guarantee;
            (2) the guarantee shall be for a period of 45 days
        beginning on the date of issuance of the guarantee; and
            (3) the cost of the guarantee shall not exceed 45 cents for
        each $100 of coverage purchased.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION LEVELS FOR EMERGING MARKET CREDIT PROGRAM.

    Section 1542 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5622 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsections (a) and (d)(1)(A)(i) by striking
        ``2007'' and inserting ``2013''; and
            (2) in subsections (a) and (d) (1)(H) by striking
        $10,000,000'' and inserting ``$20,000,000''.

SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) NAFTA.--The term ``NAFTA'' means the North American
        Free Trade Agreement.
            (2) Uruguay round agreements.--The term ``Uruguay Round
        Agreements'' means the agreements referred to in section 101(d)
        of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3511(d)).

Summary: United States Specialty Crop Export Opportunities Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate plants, plant products, biological control organisms, and noxious weeds for export purposes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate fruit and vegetable market analyses with the private sector and the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service. And (2) make publicly available on an Internet website the status of all export petitions and an explanation of the sanitary or phytosanitary issues associated with each pending export petition, and information on the import requirements of foreign countries for fruits and vegetables. Amends the Homeland Security Act to repeal the transfer of agricultural import and entry inspection functions from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service the international agricultural inspection program to carry out import and entry agricultural inspections, (2) a federal-state agricultural inspection communications system, (3) the International Trade Inspection Advisory Committee. And (4) a special export credit guarantee program. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend: (1) the promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets program. And (2) the E. (Kika) de la Garza Agricultural Fellowship program.

To provide for assistance to United States exporters of certain fruits and vegetables in order to ensure better access to foreign markets.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be referred to as the ``Eliminating Health Disparities
Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. HEALTH DISPARITIES ELIMINATION STATE PLAN OPTION.

    Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1947. HEALTH DISPARITIES ELIMINATION PROGRAM STATE PLAN OPTION.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 1902(a)(1) (relating to
statewideness), section 1902(a)(10)(B) (relating to comparability), and
any other provision of this title that the Secretary determines is
necessary to waive in order to implement this section, beginning fiscal
year 2018, a State, at its option as a State plan amendment, may
establish a Health Disparities Elimination Program for purposes of
reducing health disparities among targeted populations in communities
served by qualified community health systems under which the State
provides incentive payments to qualified community health systems for
initiatives approved under subsection (c), if the State meets the
requirements specified in subsection (c).
    ``(b) State Plan Amendment.--Each State seeking a State plan
amendment under this section shall submit such amendment to the
Secretary for approval. The Secretary shall approve any such amendment
that meets the requirements of subsection (c) and includes--
            ``(1) State goals for reducing health disparities through
        the Health Disparities Elimination Program to be established by
        the State;
            ``(2) any requirements for the development and approval of
        action plans described in subsection (c)(1);
            ``(3) eligibility criteria for any qualified community
        health system seeking to establish a health disparities
        elimination initiative (in this section referred to as an
        `initiative') pursuant to this section;
            ``(4) the methodology for determining the amount of
        incentive payments to be made to a qualified community health
        system through an initiative, based on the size of the target
        population to be served through the initiative and the
        potential of the initiative for reducing health disparities;
        and
            ``(5) the period during which initiatives may be
        implemented, in accordance with subsection (c)(3).
    ``(c) State Requirements.--The requirements specified in this
subsection with respect to a State are the following:
            ``(1) Health system action plan.--The State shall require
        that a qualified community health system submit an action plan
        for an initiative to the State agency with responsibility for
        administering the State plan under this title for approval that
        identifies--
                    ``(A) the target population or populations to be
                served by the initiative;
                    ``(B) specific, evidence-based projects that the
                system will undertake through the initiative to reduce
                health disparities for such population or populations;
                    ``(C) targets and benchmarks associated with such
                projects that must be met in order to receive incentive
                payments pursuant to this section;
                    ``(D) measures for evaluating the effectiveness of
                the initiative in reducing health disparities with
                respect to the goals established by the State pursuant
                to subsection (b)(1); and
                    ``(E) the amount of any proposed initial incentive
                payments to be made pursuant to this section to support
                startup costs of the initiative.
            ``(2) Priority in selection of health systems for
        participation.--In selecting qualified community health systems
        to establish an initiative under a State plan amendment
        approved under this section, the State shall give priority to
        health systems--
                    ``(A) that have submitted action plans (under
                paragraph (1)) that include the use of evidence-based
                interventions shown to reduce or eliminate health
                disparities;
                    ``(B) that demonstrate the potential to have a high
                impact in the elimination of health disparities,
                improved health care access, improved health outcomes,
                or health care savings compared to the total incentive
                funding requested;
                    ``(C) that have prior experience working on
                projects with the goal of reducing health disparities;
                    ``(D) that demonstrate long-term commitment to
                providing health services to the target population or
                populations; and
                    ``(E) with a demonstrated need for additional
                financial resources in order to strengthen and advance
                existing efforts of the health system to reduce health
                disparities.
            ``(3) Duration of action plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The State may not approve an
                action plan submitted under paragraph (1) for a period
                exceeding 5 years.
                    ``(B) Report.--At the end of any such period, the
                State shall require each participating qualified
                community health system to submit a report to the State
                describing the effectiveness of its initiative using
                the measures described in paragraph (1)(D).
                    ``(C) Extension.--A State may extend the initiative
                of such health system upon approval of a new action
                plan to extend, improve, or expand the initiative, if
                the State determines that the initiative has proved
                effective, taking into account the report submitted
                under subparagraph (B).
    ``(d) State Report and Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State with a State plan amendment
        approved under this section shall submit to the Secretary, in a
        time and manner to be specified by the Secretary--
                    ``(A) an annual report on the progress of the
                Health Disparities Elimination Program of the State
                towards meeting the goals of the State described under
                subsection (b)(1); and
                    ``(B) not less than once every 5 years, an
                evaluation of the effectiveness of the Health
                Disparities Elimination Program of the State.
            ``(2) Contents.--The evaluation described in paragraph
        (1)(B) shall include--
                    ``(A) an assessment of the effectiveness of
                initiatives receiving incentive payments pursuant to
                this section during the period covered by the report in
                meeting the goals of the State described under
                subsection (b)(1); and
                    ``(B) a description of the activities of such
                initiatives.
            ``(3) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish on the
        public Web site of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
        each evaluation submitted under paragraph (1)(B).
    ``(e) Funding.--
            ``(1) State funding.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For the purpose of making
                allocations to States under subparagraph (C), there is
                appropriated for fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent
                fiscal year, out of any money in the Treasury not
                otherwise appropriated, an amount equal to one half of
                one percent of the total of the Federal share of
                expenditures with respect to all State plans under this
                title in the most recent fiscal year for which complete
                expenditure data is available.
                    ``(B) Incentive payment fund.--The Secretary shall
                deposit all funds appropriated under subparagraph (A)
                into an incentive payment fund. Such funds shall remain
                available until expended.
                    ``(C) Allocation among states.--Of the total amount
                appropriated for this section for a fiscal year, the
                Secretary shall, except as provided in subparagraph
                (D), allocate for such fiscal year to each State an
                amount in proportion to the ratio of--
                            ``(i) the State's total expenditures under
                        the State plan under this title in the most
                        recent fiscal year for which complete
                        expenditure data is available; to
                            ``(ii) the sum of all States' total
                        expenditures under all State plans under this
                        title in the fiscal year described in clause
                        (i).
                    ``(D) Funds not used by the state.--If the
                Secretary determines, on the basis of information
                available on the first day of a fiscal year, that any
                allocation under subparagraph (C) to a State for such
                fiscal year will not be required because a State does
                not have a State plan amendment approved under
                subsection (b) for such fiscal year, then such State's
                allocation shall be treated as an unused allocation for
                such fiscal year and re-allocated in accordance with
                subparagraph (E)(i).
                    ``(E) Qualifying states.--
                            ``(i) Re-allocation to qualifying states.--
                        In addition to the allocation available to a
                        State under subparagraph (C), the Secretary
                        shall allocate to each qualifying State for a
                        fiscal year, out of the sum of unused
                        allocations, as described in subparagraph (D),
                        for such fiscal year, an amount in proportion
                        to the ratio of--
                                    ``(I) each such State's total
                                expenditures under the State plan under
                                this title in the most recent fiscal
                                year for which complete expenditure
                                data is available; to
                                    ``(II) the sum of all such States'
                                total expenditures under all State
                                plans of such States under this title
                                in the fiscal year described in
                                subclause (I).
                            ``(ii) Availability of funds.--Allocations
                        made to a qualifying State under clause (i) and
                        subparagraph (C) shall remain available until
                        expended.
                            ``(iii) Definitions.--In this section, the
                        term `qualifying State' means a State with a
                        State plan amendment approved under this
                        section that--
                                    ``(I) has in effect an agreement
                                with one or more qualified community
                                health system initiatives; and
                                    ``(II) in any fiscal year other
                                than the first fiscal year for which
                                such State receives an allocation under
                                subparagraph (C) that is not re-
                                allocated under subparagraph (D), has a
                                Health Disparities Elimination Program
                                established under this section that, as
                                determined by the Secretary, has made
                                measurable progress towards meeting the
                                State's goals, as described under
                                subsection (b)(1), based on reports and
                                evaluations submitted under subsection
                                (d).
            ``(2) Payments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to the provisions of
                this section, the Secretary shall pay to each State
                with a State plan amendment approved under this
                section, from its allocation under paragraph (1)(C)
                and, in the case of a qualifying State, from its
                allocation under paragraph (1)(E)(i), an amount for
                each quarter equal to 90 percent of the sum expended by
                the State in such quarter for incentive payments made
                to qualified community health systems for initiatives
                approved pursuant to this section.
                    ``(B) Status of incentive payments.--Incentive
                payments made under a State plan amendment approved
                under this section shall not be considered payment for
                health care items or services and shall not count
                towards any limit with respect to the maximum amount of
                payments that may be made to a provider under the State
                plan under this title (or under a waiver of such plan).
    ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `health disparity' means a disparity in care
        provided to a health disparity population, as defined in
        section 903(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
        299a-1(d)).
            ``(2) The term `qualified community health system' means--
                    ``(A) a hospital described in a report submitted
                under section 1900(b)(6)(B)(ii)(III); or
                    ``(B) an affiliated group of health care providers
                anchored by such hospital.
            ``(3) The term `State' means each of the several States and
        the District of Columbia.
            ``(4) The term `target population' means a population of
        individuals that has empirically experienced disparities in
        health care access and quality and shall not be limited by
        source of coverage or lack thereof.''.

Summary: Eliminating Health Disparities Act of 2017 This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow a state to establish a Health Disparities Elimination Program, through which the state shall provide incentive payments to qualified community health systems for approved initiatives to reduce health disparities. In selecting qualified community health systems for participation, a state shall give priority to those that: (1) have included, in their required action plans, the use of evidence-based interventions, (2) have had relevant prior experience. And (3) demonstrate a long-term commitment to serving the target populations, a need for additional financial resources, and the potential for high impact relative to the amount of funding requested. Federal funding for program support shall be allocated based on each state's share of total federal Medicaid expenditures.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Strategy for Homeland
Security Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Homeland
        Security Strategy Commission established under section 4.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Homeland Security.
            (3) Strategy.--The term ``Strategy'' means the National
        Strategy for Homeland Security developed under this Act.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR HOMELAND SECURITY.

    (a) Development and Submission of Strategy.--
            (1) Development.--The Secretary, under the direction of the
        President, and in collaboration with the Assistant to the
        President for Homeland Security and the Homeland Security
        Council, shall develop the National Strategy for Homeland
        Security for the detection, prevention, protection, response,
        and recovery with regard to terrorist threats to the United
        States.
            (2) Submission to congress.--
                    (A) Initial submission.--Not later than December 1,
                2005, and not later than December 1st of each year in
                which a President is inaugurated, the Secretary shall
                submit the Strategy to Congress.
                    (B) Biennial update.--Not later than 2 years after
                each submission of the Strategy under subparagraph (A),
                the Secretary shall submit to Congress an updated
                version of the Strategy.
                    (C) Progress reports.--Each year, in conjunction
                with the President's budget request, the Secretary
                shall provide an assessment of progress on implementing
                the Strategy, including the adequacy of resources to
                meet the objectives of the Strategy, and
                recommendations to improve and implement the Strategy.
            (3) Classified material.--Any part of the Strategy that
        involves information that is properly classified under criteria
        established by Executive Order shall be submitted to Congress
        separately in classified form.
    (b) Coordination With the Assistant to the President for Homeland
Security.--The Secretary shall seek the assistance of the Assistant to
the President for Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Council
to--
            (1) coordinate the input of Federal departments and
        agencies outside the Department of Homeland Security, which
        have homeland security responsibilities; and
            (2) work with the Secretary on all aspects of the Strategy.
    (c) Contents.--
            (1) In general.--The Strategy shall include--
                    (A) a comprehensive statement of purpose, mission,
                and scope;
                    (B) threat, vulnerability, and risk assessment and
                analysis, including an analysis of the threats and
                vulnerabilities regarding critical infrastructure,
                assets, and operations and a description of the role of
                the Homeland Security Institute in conducting such risk
                assessments;
                    (C) a statement of desired end-states, including a
                hierarchy of strategic goals and subordinate
                objectives, as well as specific activities for
                achieving results and specific priorities, milestones,
                and performance measures to monitor progress toward
                goals;
                    (D) an assessment of necessary resources and
                investments to achieve strategic goals, including the
                types of necessary resources involved and resource
                allocation mechanisms;
                    (E) a delineation of organizational roles and
                responsibilities across the many entities involved in
                homeland security efforts, including--
                            (i) the proper roles and responsibilities
                        of State, local, private, and international
                        sectors, and a designation of coordinating
                        mechanisms; and
                            (ii) other specific measures to enhance
                        cooperative efforts between the Federal
                        government and the sectors described in clause
                        (i); and
                    (F) an explanation of the relationship between the
                Strategy and other Federal strategies addressing
                terrorist threats, including how these strategies will
                be integrated, and details on subordinate strategies
                within the Department of Homeland Security regarding
                specific aspects of homeland security.
            (2) Additional contents.--In addition to the items listed
        in paragraph (1), the Strategy shall include--
                    (A) policies and procedures to maximize the
                collection, translation, analysis, exploitation, and
                dissemination of information relating to combating
                terrorism and the homeland security response throughout
                the Federal government, and with State and local
                authorities, and, as appropriate, the private sector;
                    (B) plans for countering chemical, biological,
                radiological, nuclear and explosive, and cyber threats;
                    (C) plans for the coordination with, and
                integration of, the capabilities and assets of the
                United States military into all aspects of the
                Strategy, as appropriate;
                    (D) plans for improving the resources of,
                coordination among, and effectiveness of, health and
                medical sectors for preventing, detecting, and
                responding to terrorist attacks on the homeland;
                    (E) measures needed to enhance transportation
                security with respect to potential terrorist attacks,
                including aviation and non-aviation modes of
                transportation;
                    (F) measures, based on the risk assessments under
                paragraph (1)(B), to identify and prioritize the need
                for protective and support measures for critical
                infrastructure and plans to secure these key assets;
                    (G) an assessment of the Nation's ability to
                prevent, respond to, and recover from threatened and
                actual domestic terrorist attacks, and measures to
                enhance such preparedness across all levels of
                government and the private sector;
                    (H) measures to secure the Nation's borders from
                terrorist threats, including agroterror, while
                continuing to facilitate the flow of legitimate goods
                and visitors;
                    (I) plans for identifying, prioritizing, and
                meeting research and development objectives to support
                homeland security needs; and
                    (J) plans for addressing other critical homeland
                security needs.
    (d) Cooperation.--At the request of the Secretary or the Assistant
to the President for Homeland Security, Federal agencies shall provide
necessary information or planning documents relating to the Strategy.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a nonpartisan,
independent commission to be known as the Homeland Security Commission.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 9
        members, including a chair, who shall be appointed by the
        Secretary, in consultation with the chairman and ranking member
        of--
                    (A) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the
                Senate; and
                    (B) the Select Committee on Homeland Security of
                the House of Representatives.
            (2) Qualifications.--Members of the Commission appointed
        under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) shall be recognized experts in matters relating
                to the homeland security of the United States; and
                    (B) shall not be officers or employees of the
                Federal Government.
            (3) Period of appointment.--Each member of the Commission
        shall be appointed to the Commission for an 18-month term,
        which shall begin on December 1, 2005.
            (4) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not
        affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as
        the original appointment.
            (5) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
        hold hearings. A quorum is required to approve any report
        issued by the Commission, but a minority of members may submit
        an appendix to be included in such report.
    (c) Duties.--The Commission shall conduct an independent,
alternative assessment of the optimal policies and programs to improve
homeland security against terrorist threats, including, to the extent
practicable, an estimate of the funding required each fiscal year to
support such policies and programs.
    (d) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission shall be
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate
of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day, including
travel time, during which the member is engaged in the performance of
the duties of the Commission.
    (e) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the
Commission.
    (f) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The Chair of the Commission may, without
        regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and
        terminate an executive director (subject to Commission
        confirmation) and such other additional personnel as may be
        necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties.
            (2) Compensation.--The Chair of the Commission may fix the
        compensation of the executive director and other personnel
        without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
        of title 5, United States Code, relating to the classification
        of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the
        rate of pay may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
            (3) Personnel as federal employees.--
                    (A) In general.--The executive director and all
                employees of the Commission shall be employees under
                section 2015 of title 5, United States Code, for
                purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90
                of such title.
                    (B) Members of commission.--Subparagraph (A) shall
                not apply to members of the Commission.
            (4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government
        employee may be detailed to the Commission without
        reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or
        loss of civil service status or privilege.
    (g) Administrative Provisions.--
            (1) Use of mail and printing.--The Commission may use the
        United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in
        the same manner and under the same conditions as other
        departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
            (2) Support services.--The Secretary shall furnish the
        Commission any administrative and support services requested by
        the Commission.
            (3) Gifts.--The Commission may accept and dispose of gifts
        or donations of services or property.
    (h) Payment of Commission Expenses.--The compensation, travel
expenses, and per diem allowances of members and employees of the
Commission shall be paid out of funds available to the Department for
the payment of compensation, travel allowances and per diem allowances,
respectively, of civilian employees of the Department. The other
expenses of the Commission shall be paid out of funds available to the
Department for the payment of similar expenses incurred by the
Department.
    (i) Report.--Not later than December 1, 2006, the Commission shall
submit, to the committees referred to under subsection (b)(1), a report
that--
            (1) describes the activities, findings, and recommendations
        of the Commission; and
            (2) provides recommendations for legislation that the
        Commission considers appropriate.

Summary: National Strategy for Homeland Security Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, under the direction of the President, to develop a National Strategy for Homeland Security for detection, prevention, protection, response, and recovery with regard to terrorist threats to the United States. Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit the Strategy to Congress by December 1st of each year in which a President is inaugurated and to submit an updated version two years thereafter. And (2) provide, in conjunction with the President's budget request, an annual assessment of progress on implementing the Strategy. Sets forth contents of the Strategy, including: (1) threat, vulnerability, and risk assessment and analysis, (2) a statement of desired end-states, (3) an assessment of necessary resources and investments. (4) a delineation of organizational roles and responsibilities across the many entities involved. And (5) an explanation of the relationship between the Strategy and other Federal strategies addressing terrorist threats. Directs the Secretary to establish a nonpartisan, independent Homeland Security Commission to conduct an alternative assessment of the optimal policies and programs to improve homeland security against terrorist threats, including an estimate of the funding required.

A bill to develop the National Strategy for Homeland Security, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and
Immigration Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Under Federal immigration law, prospective immigrants,
        foreign students, refugees, and tourists who are infected with
        the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are prohibited from
        entering the United States. Applicants for permanent residence
        and refugee status are required to be tested for HIV infection.
            (2) Applicants for temporary admission as nonimmigrants,
        such as tourists and foreign students, are required to disclose
        their HIV status when applying for a visa. If questioned, such
        applicants may be required to undergo an HIV test.
            (3) The Secretary of Homeland Security may issue a waiver
        to the HIV prohibition, on a case-by-case basis, only to any
        HIV-positive individual who--
                    (A)(i) applies for permanent admission as an
                immigrant;
                    (ii) is the parent, spouse, unmarried son or
                daughter, or minor adopted child of a United States
                citizen or a permanent resident, or a refugee or asylee
                adjusting to immigrant status; and
                    (iii) can establish that--
                            (I) the danger to the public health of the
                        United States created by the applicant's
                        admission would be minimal;
                            (II) the possibility of the spread of the
                        infection created by the applicant's admission
                        would be minimal; and
                            (III) there would be no cost incurred by
                        any level of government agency of the United
                        States without the prior consent of that
                        agency;
                    (B)(i) applies for admission as a refugee;
                    (ii) is eligible for admission for humanitarian
                purposes or to assure family unity, or whose admission
                is otherwise in the public interest; and
                    (iii) meets the requirements described in
                subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(iii); or
                    (C) applies for a short-term nonimmigrant visa,
                including--
                            (i) a tourist who meets the requirements
                        described in subclauses (I) through (III) of
                        subparagraph (A)(iii) and intends to remain in
                        the United States for less than 30 days; and
                            (ii) a participant in a designated event,
                        such as a conference or international sporting
                        event and intends to remain in the United
                        States for less than 10 days.
            (4) The travel and immigration ban on HIV-positive
        individuals--
                    (A) was implemented in 1987 by regulations issued
                through the Public Health Service of the Department of
                Health and Human Services; and
                    (B) requires HIV screening for all persons over 14
                years of age who apply for an immigrant or nonimmigrant
                visa.
            (5) Section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and
        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)(i)) authorizes the
        Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe regulations
        to determine which diseases are considered ``communicable
        diseases of public health significance'' that would exclude
        noncitizens with such diseases from entering the United States.
            (6) In 1991, the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
        after conducting a public health analysis, proposed ending the
        HIV travel and immigration ban by removing HIV from the list of
        communicable diseases of public health significance. The
        proposal was eventually dropped due to opposition from the
        Congress.
            (7) In 1993, Congress revoked the authority of the
        Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a public health
        determination regarding HIV status as grounds for
        inadmissibility for potential foreign students, tourists,
        refugees, and immigrants to the United States by specifically
        designating ``infection with the etiologic agent for acquired
        immune deficiency syndrome'' as a communicable disease of
        public health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the
        Immigration and Nationality Act.
            (8) The United States is 1 of 13 countries with a law that
        bans travel and immigration for persons with HIV. The other
        countries are Armenia, Brunei, China, Iraq, Qatar, South Korea,
        Libya, Moldova, Oman, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, and
        Sudan.
            (9) The HIV travel and immigration ban impacts thousands of
        prospective HIV-positive foreign students, tourists, refugees
        and immigrants who may be denied entry into the United States
        due solely to their HIV status.
            (10) The HIV travel and immigration ban may discourage some
        foreign students, refugees, and nonpermanent residents who are
        in the United States and who may be at risk of infection from
        seeking testing, treatment, or care for HIV/AIDS.
            (11) The United Nations, the Joint United Nations Programme
        on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization oppose
        any restrictions on travel and immigration for people living
        with HIV/AIDS. The 2006 Consolidated Version of the United
        Nation's International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights,
        produced jointly by the Office of the United Nations High
        Commissioner for Human Rights and UNAIDS, states ``There is no
        public health rationale for restricting liberty of movement or
        choice of residence on the grounds of HIV status. According to
        current international health regulations, the only disease
        which requires a certificate for international travel is yellow
        fever. Therefore, any restrictions on these rights based on
        suspected or real HIV status alone, including HIV screening of
        international travellers, are discriminatory and cannot be
        justified by public health concerns. . . . Where States
        prohibit people living with HIV from longer-term residency due
        to concerns about economic costs, States should not single out
        HIV/AIDS, as opposed to comparable conditions, for such
        treatment and should establish that such costs would indeed be
        incurred in the case of the individual alien seeking residency.
        In considering entry applications, humanitarian concerns, such
        as family reunification and the need for asylum, should
        outweigh economic considerations.''.
            (12) On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, the President
        proposed streamlining the current waiver process for HIV-
        positive individuals seeking to enter the United States on
        short-term business or tourist visas for up to 60 days by
        granting them a categorical waiver. If implemented, the
        President's proposal would only affect the waiver process for
        short-term visitors, and would not affect HIV-positive
        individuals seeking permanent residence or nontourist visas.
            (13) There is no scientific evidence to support the claim
        that the HIV travel and immigration ban is an effective way to
        prevent the spread of HIV or that it provides any economic
        benefit by reducing costs to the public health care system.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.

    Section 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``which shall include
        infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune
        deficiency syndrome,''; and
            (2) by striking ``is inadmissibility'' and inserting ``is
        inadmissible''.

SEC. 4. REVIEW OF TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS REGARDING HIV.

    (a) Review.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall convene a
panel of public health experts, including nongovernmental experts, to
review all policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public
health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(1)(A)(i)), including--
            (1) the results of the last analysis of the policy
        conducted by the Public Health Service; and
            (2) a 60-day public comment period initiated after
        sufficient public notice in the Federal Register.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after initiating the review
under subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall--
            (1) make a determination regarding the continued listing of
        HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance
        under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of such Act;
            (2) submit a report to Congress containing the results of
        such review, including--
                    (A) the determination reached by the review
                process;
                    (B) the rationale for the determination;
                    (C) the anticipated public health impact of the
                determination in relation to other communicable
                diseases;
                    (D) the estimated costs of implementing the
                determination;
                    (E) the names and affiliations of members of the
                review panel; and
                    (F) a brief summary of the public comments; and
            (3) make the report described in paragraph (2) available to
        the public.

Summary: HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) bar to US admission. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a panel of public health experts to review immigration policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance. And (2) make a determination and report to Congress regarding the continued listing of HIV as a health-related ground for inadmissibility.

A bill to remove a provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibits individuals with HIV from being admissible to the United States, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Information Technology Partnerships
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) There are more than 200,000 to 400,000 vacancies in
        various categories of information technology jobs.
            (2) From 1996 to 2005, more than 1,300,000 new computer
        scientists, engineers, and systems analysts will be required in
        the United States to fill vacant jobs, which equals 136,800 new
        workers per year.
            (3) Systems analysts will experience the largest job
        growth, accounting for a 103 percent increase in the number of
        new positions from 1996 (506,000) to 2005 (1,025,000).
            (4) The shortage of information technology workers
        transcends industries, affecting the manufacturing, service,
        transportation, health care, education, and government sectors.
        Within each sector, vacancies exist at all levels from aides
        and mechanics to programmers and designers.
            (5) The information technology worker shortage is having an
        adverse effect on the viability of businesses in the United
        States and on the Nation's competitiveness. Industry surveys
        report that half of industry executives cite the lack of
        workers skilled in technology as the number one obstacle to
        their company's growth. An additional 20 percent of industry
        executives identify the lack of information technology workers
        as a major obstacle to their company's growth.
            (6) A major factor affecting the short supply of
        information technology workers is the mismatch between what
        universities teach and what industry needs.
            (7) It is in the national interest to promote special
        initiatives which effectively educate and train our domestic
        workforce to keep pace with these expanding job opportunities.
            (8) Institutions of higher education have the capacity and
        resources to provide a role of oversight and technical
        assistance to a wide range of local entities, including
        community-based organizations, participating in a comprehensive
        education and training program for potential technology
        workers.
            (9) Higher education institutions must be responsive to the
        digital environment and expand both their outreach efforts and
        on-campus activities to train and certify individuals to close
        the information technology worker gap.

SEC. 3. PARTNERSHIPS FOR POSTSECONDARY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
              AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may make grants under this
Act, in accordance with competitive criteria established by the
Secretary, to institutions of higher education, in order to establish,
oversee the operation of, and provide technical assistance to, projects
described in subsection (b).
    (b) Projects.--Projects under this Act shall be projects
implemented by a community-based organization described in section 4,
or by the institution of higher education receiving the grant, to
provide postsecondary information technology education and employment
procurement assistance to eligible individuals described in section 5.
    (c) Restrictions.--An institution of higher education shall be
eligible to receive only one grant under this Act, but may, subject to
the requirements of this Act, use the grant to enter into contracts
with more than one community-based organization. A community-based
organization shall not be eligible to enter into a contract under this
Act with more than one institution of higher education.
    (d) Period of Grant.--The provision of payments under a grant under
this Act shall not exceed 5 fiscal years and shall be subject to the
annual approval of the Secretary and subject to the availability of
appropriations for each fiscal year involved.

SEC. 4. COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), a community-based
organization described in this section is an entity that, at the time
the entity enters into a contract with an institution of higher
education for a project under this Act, and throughout the duration of
that contract--
            (1) is--
                    (A) a governmental agency; or
                    (B) an organization described in section 501(c)(3)
                of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
                tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and
            (2) is one of the following:
                    (A) A local partnership (as defined in section 4 of
                the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994) receiving
                a grant under section 302 of such Act.
                    (B) An entity organized and operated for religious
                purposes.
                    (C) An entity furnishing school-age child care
                services after school.
                    (D) A community-based computer center.
                    (E) An entity furnishing adult education.
                    (F) A library.
                    (G) A museum.
                    (H) Any other entity organized and operated for
                cultural, literary, or educational purposes.
    (b) Limitation.--An entity shall not be considered a community-
based organization described in this section unless, at the time the
entity enters into a contract with an institution of higher education
for a project under this Act, it has demonstrated to the satisfaction
of the Secretary that--
            (1) it has the capacity successfully to recruit eligible
        individuals described in section 5 for participation in a
        project described in section 3, consistent with the enrollment
        requirements in section 6(b)(5);
            (2) it is providing an educational service, social service,
        or employment procurement service; and
            (3) in the case of an entity that independently manages its
        own finances, it has been in existence 2 years or more.

SEC. 5. ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

    An eligible individual described in this section is an individual
who--
            (1) has submitted a satisfactory application to receive
        postsecondary information technology education and employment
        procurement assistance through a project under this Act; and
            (2) has a certificate of graduation from a school providing
        secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a
        certificate.

SEC. 6. DUTIES.

    (a) Institutions of Higher Education.--An institution of higher
education receiving a grant under this Act shall use the funds provided
under the grant to carry out the following duties:
            (1) Final selection of community-based organizations
        described in section 4 desiring to provide, at one or more
        sites, in accordance with a contract with the institution of
        higher education and this Act, postsecondary information
        technology education and employment procurement assistance to
        eligible individuals described in section 5.
            (2) Entering into a contract with each community-based
        organization selected under paragraph (1) under which the
        institution and the organization agree to carry out the duties
        respectively required of them under this Act with respect to
        each site described in paragraph (1).
            (3) With respect to each site described in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) provision of such funding for the establishment
                and initial operation of the site as was specified in
                the grant application submitted by the institution to
                the Secretary;
                    (B) approval of final site selection and
                preparation;
                    (C) initial orientation and training of personnel
                employed to manage and operate the site;
                    (D) design and certification of the instructional
                and academic programs, and oversight of the
                implementation of the programs;
                    (E) oversight of equipment purchases and contracts
                for equipment maintenance; and
                    (F) selection of an outside contractor for periodic
                evaluation of the management and operation of the site.
    (b) Community-Based Organizations.--
            (1) In general.--A community-based organization
        implementing a project under this Act with an institution of
        higher education, at one or more sites, shall carry out the
        duties described in this subsection, with respect to each such
        site, subject to the oversight and guidance of the institution.
            (2) General duties.--The organization--
                    (A) shall undertake final site selection and
                preparation;
                    (B) shall recruit and hire a site director;
                    (C) shall carry out any supplementary
                instructional, academic, or educational activities
                specified in the contract with the institution of
                higher education that are not described in paragraph
                (4);
                    (D) shall assemble an advisory committee composed
                of individuals residing in the community in which the
                site is located, as well as industry representatives,
                who desire to assist the organization in ensuring that
                the goals of the organization are consistent with the
                goals and needs of the community population;
                    (E) shall provide to the institution other evidence
                of volunteer support from individuals residing in the
                community in which the site is located and industry
                representatives;
                    (F) shall recruit eligible individuals for
                enrollment, subject to paragraph (5);
                    (G) shall maintain waiting lists of eligible
                individuals desiring to enroll in the project's
                programs;
                    (H) shall provide career counseling to eligible
                individuals enrolled in the project's programs; and
                    (I) shall provide job and internship information
                and placement, employer contacts, and other forms of
                employment procurement assistance to eligible
                individuals enrolled in the project's programs.
            (3) Site requirements.--The organization shall ensure that
        each site--
                    (A) has a minimum of 20 fully functioning computers
                with sufficient capacity to perform all of the computer
                operations that are the subject of the curriculum
                specified in paragraph (4);
                    (B) in addition to the space for the computers
                described in subparagraph (A), has--
                            (i) a classroom space with the capacity for
                        seating a minimum of 30 students;
                            (ii) a space in which to conduct the
                        required career and employment counseling
                        functions specified in paragraph (2); and
                            (iii) a separate office for the site
                        director;
                    (C) is real property subject to the control of the
                organization or the institution, through a lease or
                other legal instrument, for a period of not less than 5
                years;
                    (D) is open to enrolled individuals not less than
                12 hours per day; and
                    (E) is located within walking distance of public
                transportation.
            (4) Information technology curriculum.--
                    (A) In general.--The organization shall ensure that
                each site offers enrollees a curriculum that includes a
                broad range of course work that will assist them in
                qualifying for employment in the field of information
                technology.
                    (B) Courses leading to certification.--Such
                curriculum shall include course work leading to a
                certification of competence in areas of information
                technology recognized by the National Skill Standards
                Board established under the National Skill Standards
                Act of 1994.
                    (C) Specific courses.--The computer training
                offered shall include courses in basic computer
                competence, on-the-job upgrade assistance, and advanced
                computer competence.
            (5) Enrollment requirements.--The organization shall ensure
        that its enrollment of eligible individuals at each site is
        consistent with the following:
                    (A) Not less than 50 percent of the eligible
                individuals shall be, at the time of enrollment,
                individuals--
                            (i) to whom a credit was allowed under
                        section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
                        for the preceding taxable year;
                            (ii) who are recipients of assistance under
                        a State program funded under part A of title IV
                        of the Social Security Act;
                            (iii) who are a member of a household
                        participating in the food stamp program; or
                            (iv) who are considered low-income pursuant
                        to regulations promulgated by the Secretary
                        under this Act.
                    (B) Not less than 50 percent of the eligible
                individuals shall be, at the time of enrollment, under
                25 years of age.
                    (C) No prerequisite relating to net worth, income,
                or assets may be applied to any eligible individual
                who, at the time of enrollment, is over 50 years of
                age, except that this requirement shall not be
                construed to supersede subparagraph (A).

SEC. 7. IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS SOLELY BY INSTITUTIONS.

    The Secretary may make a grant under this Act to an institution of
higher education that desires to implement a project under this Act
without the participation of a community-based organization described
in section 4, if the institution agrees to carry out all of the duties
required of such an organization under this Act, in addition to the
duties otherwise required of an institution of higher education. The
Secretary shall, in awarding grants under this Act, give priority to
institutions of higher education whose grant application includes an
assurance that the institution will contract with one or more
community-based organizations in accordance with this Act.

SEC. 8. APPLICATIONS.

    To apply for a grant under this Act for any fiscal year, an
institution of higher education shall submit an application to the
Secretary in accordance with the procedures established by the
Secretary. The application shall specify the institution's preliminary
selections for the community-based organizations (if any) with which
the institution proposes to contract, and shall include information
with respect to preliminary site selections.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for
each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.

SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Adult education.--The term ``adult education'' has the
        meaning given such term in section 312 of the Adult Education
        Act.
            (2) Community-based computer center.--The term ``community-
        based computer center'' means a computer center--
                    (A) funded by both the Federal Government and at
                least one private sector entity;
                    (B) located in a low-income community (as
                determined by the Secretary); and
                    (C) organized and operated for the purpose of
                providing families with access to computer resources
                that otherwise would not be available to them.
            (3) Food stamp program.--The term ``food stamp program''
        has the meaning given such term in section 3(h) of the Food
        Stamp Act of 1977.
            (4) Institution of higher education.--The term
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
        term in section 1201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
            (5) Library.--The term ``library'' has the meaning given
        such term in section 213 of the Library Services and Technology
        Act.
            (6) Museum.--The term ``museum'' has the meaning given such
        term in section 272 of the Museum and Library Services Act.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Education.

Summary: Information Technology Partnerships Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to institutions of higher education to establish, oversee, and provide technical assistance to postsecondary information technology education and employment assistance projects. Requires such projects to be implemented by certain types of community-based organizations, or by the institutions receiving the grants. Makes applicants eligible for such project assistance if they have a high school diploma or equivalent. Sets forth requirements for: (1) duties of, and uses of project funds by, institutions of higher education and community-based organizations, (2) project sites, (3) information technology curricula. And (4) minimum enrollment percentages of specified low-income individuals and individuals under age 25. Authorizes grants for implementation of a project solely by institutions of higher education without the participation of community-based organizations. But gives grant award priority to institutions of higher education whose grant applications include an assurance that they will contract with one or more community-based organizations. Authorizes appropriations.

Information Technology Partnerships Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms
Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. ANTI-STRAW PURCHASING AND FIREARMS TRAFFICKING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 932. Straw purchasing of firearms
    ``(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) the term `crime of violence'--
                    ``(A) has the meaning given that term in section
                924(c)(3); and
                    ``(B) includes a felony offense under the laws of a
                State that meets the criteria described in subparagraph
                (A) or (B) of such section 924(c)(3);
            ``(2) the term `drug trafficking crime'--
                    ``(A) has the meaning given that term in section
                924(c)(2); and
                    ``(B) includes a felony punishable under the law of
                a State for which the conduct constituting the offense
                would constitute a felony punishable under the
                Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the
                Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C.
                951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46;
            ``(3) the term `Federal crime of terrorism' has the meaning
        given that term in section 2332b(g)(5); and
            ``(4) the term `purchase' includes the receipt of any
        firearm by a person who does not own the firearm--
                    ``(A) by way of pledge or pawn as security for the
                payment or repayment of money; or
                    ``(B) on consignment.
    ``(b) Violation.--It shall be unlawful for any person (other than a
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or
licensed dealer) to knowingly purchase, or attempt or conspire to
purchase, any firearm in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign
commerce--
            ``(1) from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,
        licensed collector, or licensed dealer for, on behalf of, or at
        the request or demand of any other person, known or unknown; or
            ``(2) from any person who is not a licensed importer,
        licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer
        for, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of any other
        person, known or unknown, knowing or having reasonable cause to
        believe that such other person--
                    ``(A) is under indictment for, or has been
                convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by
                imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year;
                    ``(B) is a fugitive from justice;
                    ``(C) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any
                controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the
                Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802));
                    ``(D) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or
                has been committed to any mental institution;
                    ``(E) is an alien who--
                            ``(i) is illegally or unlawfully in the
                        United States; or
                            ``(ii) except as provided in section
                        922(y)(2), has been admitted to the United
                        States under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term
                        is defined in section 101(a)(26) of the
                        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
                        1101(a)(26)));
                    ``(F) has been discharged from the Armed Forces
                under dishonorable conditions;
                    ``(G) having been a citizen of the United States,
                has renounced his or her citizenship;
                    ``(H) is subject to a court order that restrains
                such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an
                intimate partner of such person or child of such
                intimate partner or person, or engaging in other
                conduct that would place an intimate partner in
                reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or
                child, except that this subparagraph shall only apply
                to a court order that--
                            ``(i) was issued after a hearing of which
                        such person received actual notice, and at
                        which such person had the opportunity to
                        participate; and
                            ``(ii)(I) includes a finding that such
                        person represents a credible threat to the
                        physical safety of such intimate partner or
                        child; or
                            ``(II) by its terms explicitly prohibits
                        the use, attempted use, or threatened use of
                        physical force against such intimate partner or
                        child that would reasonably be expected to
                        cause bodily injury;
                    ``(I) has been convicted in any court of a
                misdemeanor crime of domestic violence;
                    ``(J)(i) does not reside in any State; and
                    ``(ii) is not a citizen or lawful permanent
                resident of the United States;
                    ``(K) intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the
                firearm to a person described in any of subparagraphs
                (A) through (J); or
                    ``(L) intends to--
                            ``(i) use, carry, possess, or sell or
                        otherwise dispose of the firearm in furtherance
                        of a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of
                        violence, or a drug trafficking crime; or
                            ``(ii) export the firearm in violation of
                        law.
    ``(c) Penalty.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any
        person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this
        title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.
            ``(2) Use in crimes of violence.--If a violation of
        subsection (b) is committed knowing or with reasonable cause to
        believe that any firearm involved will be used to commit a
        crime of violence, the person shall be sentenced to a term of
        imprisonment of not more than 25 years.
    ``(d) Exceptions.--Subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to any firearm
that is lawfully purchased by a person--
            ``(1) to be given as a bona fide gift to a recipient who
        provided no service or tangible thing of value to acquire the
        firearm;
            ``(2) to be given to a bona fide winner of an organized
        raffle, contest, or auction conducted in accordance with law
        and sponsored by a national, State, or local organization or
        association;
            ``(3) to be given as a bona fide gratuity to a hunting
        guide;
            ``(4) to be given as a bona fide bonus to an employee as
        the result of lawful services performed in the course of an
        employment relationship; or
            ``(5) to be given as a bona fide commemorative award or
        honorarium,
unless the purchaser knows or has reasonable cause to believe the
recipient of the firearm is prohibited by Federal law from possessing,
receiving, selling, shipping, transporting, transferring, or otherwise
disposing of the firearm.
``Sec. 933. Trafficking in firearms
    ``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful for any person to--
            ``(1) ship, transport, transfer, cause to be transported,
        or otherwise dispose of any firearm to another person in or
        otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if such
        person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the use,
        carrying, or possession of a firearm by the recipient would be
        in violation of any Federal or State law punishable by a term
        of imprisonment exceeding 1 year;
            ``(2) receive from another person any firearm in or
        otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if the
        recipient knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such
        receipt would be in violation of any Federal or State law
        punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding 1 year; or
            ``(3) attempt or conspire to commit the conduct described
        in paragraph (1) or (2).
    ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.
``Sec. 934. Forfeiture and fines
    ``(a) Forfeiture.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any person convicted of a violation of
        section 932 or 933 shall forfeit to the United States,
        irrespective of any provision of State law--
                    ``(A) any property constituting, or derived from,
                any proceeds the person obtained, directly or
                indirectly, as the result of such violation; and
                    ``(B) any of the person's property used, or
                intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit,
                or to facilitate the commission of, such violation,
                except that for any forfeiture of any firearm or
                ammunition pursuant to this section, section 924(d)
                shall apply.
            ``(2) Imposition.--The court, in imposing sentence on a
        person convicted of a violation of section 932 or 933, shall
        order, in addition to any other sentence imposed pursuant to
        section 932 or 933, that the person forfeit to the United
        States all property described in paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Fines.--A defendant who derives profits or other proceeds
from an offense under section 932 or 933 may be fined not more than the
greater of--
            ``(1) the fine otherwise authorized by this part; or
            ``(2) the amount equal to twice the gross profits or other
        proceeds of the offense under section 932 or 933.''.
    (b) Title III Authorization.--Section 2516(1)(n) of title 18,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``sections 922 and 924'' and
inserting ``section 922, 924, 932, or 933''.
    (c) Racketeering Amendment.--Section 1961(1)(B) of title 18, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``section 932 (relating to straw
purchasing), section 933 (relating to trafficking in firearms),''
before ``section 1028''.
    (d) Money Laundering Amendment.--Section 1956(c)(7)(D) of title 18,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 924(n)'' and
inserting ``section 924(n), 932, or 933''.
    (e) Directive to Sentencing Commission.--Pursuant to its authority
under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance
with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review
and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that persons
convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United
States Code, and other offenses applicable to the straw purchases and
firearms trafficking of firearms are subject to increased penalties in
comparison to those currently provided by the guidelines and policy
statements for such straw purchasing and firearms trafficking offenses.
In its review, the Commission shall consider, in particular, an
appropriate amendment to reflect the intent of Congress that straw
purchasers without significant criminal histories receive sentences
that are sufficient to deter participation in such activities. The
Commission shall also review and amend its guidelines and policy
statements to reflect the intent of Congress that a person convicted of
an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code,
who is affiliated with a gang, cartel, organized crime ring, or other
such enterprise should be subject to higher penalties than an otherwise
unaffiliated individual.
    (f) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``932. Straw purchasing of firearms.
``933. Trafficking in firearms.
``934. Forfeiture and fines.''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 922(D).

    Section 922(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by striking the matter following paragraph (9) and
        inserting the following:
            ``(10) intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm
        or ammunition to a person described in any of paragraphs (1)
        through (9); or
            ``(11) intends--
                    ``(A) to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm
                or ammunition in furtherance of a Federal crime of
                terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking
                offense, as such terms are defined in section 932(a);
                or
                    ``(B) to export the firearm or ammunition in
                violation of law.
This subsection shall not apply with respect to the sale or disposition
of a firearm or ammunition to a licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector who pursuant to
subsection (b) of section 925 is not precluded from dealing in firearms
or ammunition, or to a person who has been granted relief from
disabilities pursuant to subsection (c) of section 925.''.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(A).

    Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(d), (g),''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(8) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (d) or (g) of section
922 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15
years, or both.''.

SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(D).

    Section 924(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``932, or 933,'' after
        ``section 924,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(G) any offense under section 932 or 933.''.

SEC. 6. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(H).

    Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
subsection (h) and inserting the following:
    ``(h)(1) Whoever knowingly receives or transfers a firearm or
ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, knowing or having
reasonable cause to believe that such firearm or ammunition will be
used to commit a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a
drug trafficking crime (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)),
or a crime under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.),
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et
seq.), or the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901
et seq.), shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than
15 years, or both.
    ``(2) No term of imprisonment imposed on a person under this
subsection shall run concurrently with any term of imprisonment imposed
on the person under section 932.''.

SEC. 7. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(K).

    Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
subsection (k) and inserting the following:
    ``(k)(1) A person who smuggles or knowingly brings into the United
States a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, with
intent to engage in or to promote conduct that--
            ``(A) is punishable under the Controlled Substances Import
        and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title
        46; or
            ``(B) constitutes a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of
        violence, or a drug trafficking crime (as such terms are
        defined in section 932(a)),
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years,
or both.
    ``(2) A person who smuggles or knowingly takes out of the United
States a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, with
intent to engage in or to promote conduct that--
            ``(A) would be punishable under the Controlled Substances
        Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705
        of title 46, if the conduct had occurred within the United
        States; or
            ``(B) would constitute a Federal crime of terrorism or a
        crime of violence (as such terms are defined in section 932(a))
        for which the person may be prosecuted in a court of the United
        States, if the conduct had occurred within the United States,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years,
or both.''.

SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON FIREARMS TRANSFERS TO AGENTS OF DRUG CARTELS.

    The Department of Justice, and any of its law enforcement
coordinate agencies, shall not conduct or otherwise facilitate the
transfer of an operable firearm to an individual if any law enforcement
officer employed by the Department of Justice involved with the
transfer knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient of
the firearm is an agent of a drug cartel, unless law enforcement
personnel of the United States continuously monitor or control the
firearm at all times.

SEC. 9. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be
construed to allow the establishment of a Federal system of
registration of firearms, firearms ownership, or firearms transactions
or dispositions.

Summary: Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2017 This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish stand-alone criminal offenses for trafficking in firearms and straw purchasing of firearms. The bill expands the categories of prohibited persons to include persons who intend: (1) to sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition to a prohibited person. (2) to sell or transfer a firearm to further a crime of violence, a federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense. Or (3) to unlawfully export. It increases the maximum prison term for the sale or transfer of a firearm to or the receipt or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The bill revises existing prohibitions on: (1) transferring a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense. And (2) smuggling a firearm into the United States with the intent to unlawfully import or to promote a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense. It broadens the scope of and increases the maximum prison term for violating the prohibitions. The bill also makes it a crime to smuggle a firearm or ammunition out of the United States, or to conspire or attempt to do so, with the intent to unlawfully export or to promote a crime of violence, a federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense. Finally, the bill prohibits the Department of Justice, or its law enforcement coordinate agencies, from facilitating the transfer of an operable firearm to a known or suspected agent of drug cartel, unless US law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm.