SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Productivity Innovation
Challenge Act of 2015'' or the ``EPIC Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to assist energy policy innovation in
the States to promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy
productivity by January 1, 2030.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Energy productivity.--The term ``energy productivity''
        means, in the case of a State or Indian tribe, the gross State
        or tribal product per British thermal unit of energy consumed
        in the State or tribal land of the Indian tribe, respectively.
            (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the
        term in section 3 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
        U.S.C. 6202).

SEC. 4. PHASE 1: INITIAL ALLOCATION OF GRANTS TO STATES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue an invitation to States to
submit plans to participate in an electric and thermal energy
productivity challenge in accordance with this section.
    (b) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to section 7, the Secretary shall
        use funds made available under section 8(b)(1) to provide an
        initial allocation of grants to not more than 25 States.
            (2) Amount.--The amount of a grant provided to a State
        under this section shall be not less than $500,000 nor more
        than $1,750,000.
    (c) Submission of Plans.--To receive a grant under this section,
not later than 90 days after the date of issuance of the invitation
under subsection (a), a State (in consultation with energy utilities,
regulatory bodies, and others) shall submit to the Secretary an
application to receive the grant by submitting a revised State energy
conservation plan under section 362 of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6322).
    (d) Decision by Secretary.--
            (1) Basis.--The Secretary shall base the decision of the
        Secretary on an application submitted under this section on--
                    (A) plans for improvement in electric and thermal
                energy productivity consistent with this Act; and
                    (B) other factors determined appropriate by the
                Secretary, including geographic diversity.
            (2) Ranking.--The Secretary shall--
                    (A) rank revised plans submitted under this section
                in order of the greatest to least likely contribution
                to improving energy productivity in the State; and
                    (B) provide grants under this section in accordance
                with the ranking and the scale and scope of a plan.
    (e) Plan Requirements.--A plan submitted under subsection (c) shall
provide--
            (1) a description of the manner in which--
                    (A) energy savings will be monitored and verified
                and energy productivity improvements will be calculated
                using inflation-adjusted dollars;
                    (B) a statewide baseline of energy use and
                potential resources for calendar year 2010 will be
                established to measure improvements;
                    (C) the plan will promote achievement of energy
                savings and demand reduction goals;
                    (D) public and private sector investments in energy
                efficiency will be leveraged with available Federal
                funding; and
                    (E) the plan will not cause cost-shifting among
                utility customer classes or negatively impact low-
                income populations; and
            (2) an assurance that--
                    (A) the State energy office required to submit the
                plan, the energy utilities in the State participating
                in the plan, and the State public service commission
                are cooperating and coordinating programs and
                activities under this Act;
                    (B) the State is cooperating with local units of
                government, Indian tribes, and energy utilities to
                expand programs as appropriate; and
                    (C) grants provided under this Act will be used to
                supplement and not supplant Federal, State, or
                ratepayer-funded programs or activities in existence on
                the date of enactment of this Act.
    (f) Uses.--A State may use grants provided under this section to
promote--
            (1) the expansion of policies and programs that will
        advance industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery,
        combined heat and power, and waste heat-to-power utilization;
            (2) the expansion of policies and programs that will
        advance energy efficiency construction and retrofits for public
        and private commercial buildings (including schools, hospitals,
        and residential buildings, including multifamily buildings)
        such as through expanded energy service performance contracts,
        equivalent utility energy service contracts, zero net-energy
        buildings, and improved building energy efficiency codes;
            (3) the expansion of residential policies and programs
        designed to implement best practice policies and tools for
        residential retrofit programs that--
                    (A) reduce administrative and delivery costs for
                energy efficiency projects;
                    (B) encourage streamlining and automation to
                support contractor engagement; and
                    (C) implement systems that encourage private
                investment and market innovation;
            (4) the establishment or expansion of incentives in the
        electric utility sector to enhance demand response and energy
        efficiency, including consideration of additional incentives to
        promote the purposes of section 111(d) of the Public Utility
        Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2621(d)), such as
        appropriate, cost-effective policies regarding rate structures,
        grid improvements, behavior change, combined heat and power and
        waste heat-to-power incentives, financing of energy efficiency
        programs, data use incentives, district heating, and regular
        energy audits; and
            (5) leadership by example, in which State activities
        involving both facilities and vehicle fleets can be a model for
        other action to promote energy efficiency and can be expanded
        with Federal grants provided under this Act.

SEC. 5. PHASE 2: SUBSEQUENT ALLOCATION OF GRANTS TO STATES.

    (a) Reports.--Not later than 18 months after the receipt of grants
under section 4, each State (in consultation with other parties
described in subsection (b)(3)(F)) that received grants under section 4
may submit to the Secretary a report that describes--
            (1) the performance of the programs and activities carried
        out with the grants; and
            (2) in consultation with other parties described in
        subsection (b)(3)(F), the manner in which additional funds
        would be used to carry out programs and activities to promote
        the purposes of this Act.
    (b) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
        the receipt of the reports required under subsection (a),
        subject to section 7, the Secretary shall use amounts made
        available under section 8(b)(2) to provide grants to not more
        than 6 States to carry out the programs and activities
        described in subsection (a)(2).
            (2) Amount.--The amount of a grant provided to a State
        under this section shall be not more than $15,000,000.
            (3) Basis.--The Secretary shall base the decision of the
        Secretary to provide grants under this section on--
                    (A) the performance of the State in the programs
                and activities carried out with grants provided under
                section 4;
                    (B) the potential of the programs and activities
                described in subsection (a)(2) to achieve the purposes
                of this Act;
                    (C) the desirability of maintaining a total project
                portfolio that is geographically and functionally
                diverse;
                    (D) the amount of non-Federal funds that are
                leveraged as a result of the grants to ensure that
                Federal dollars are leveraged effectively;
                    (E) plans for continuation of the improvements
                after the receipt of grants under this Act; and
                    (F) demonstrated effort by the State to involve
                diverse groups, including--
                            (i) investor-owned, cooperative, and public
                        power utilities;
                            (ii) local governments; and
                            (iii) nonprofit organizations.

SEC. 6. ALLOCATION OF GRANTS TO INDIAN TRIBES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall invite Indian tribes to submit plans
to participate in an electric and thermal energy productivity challenge
in accordance with this section.
    (b) Submission of Plans.--To receive a grant under this section,
not later than 90 days after the date of issuance of the invitation
under subsection (a), an Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary a
plan to increase electric and thermal energy productivity by the Indian
tribe.
    (c) Decision by Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
        submission of plans under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
        make a final decision on the allocation of grants under this
        section.
            (2) Basis.--The Secretary shall base the decision of the
        Secretary under paragraph (1) on--
                    (A) plans for improvement in electric and thermal
                energy productivity consistent with this Act;
                    (B) plans for continuation of the improvements
                after the receipt of grants under this Act; and
                    (C) other factors determined appropriate by the
                Secretary, including--
                            (i) geographic diversity; and
                            (ii) size differences among Indian tribes.
            (3) Limitation.--An individual Indian tribe shall not
        receive more than 20 percent of the total amount available to
        carry out this section.

SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Independent Evaluation.--To evaluate program performance and
effectiveness under this Act, the Secretary shall consult with the
National Research Council regarding requirements for data and
evaluation for recipients of grants under this Act.
    (b) Coordination With State Energy Conservation Programs.--
            (1) In general.--Grants to States under this Act shall be
        provided through additional funding to carry out State energy
        conservation programs under part D of title III of the Energy
        Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).
            (2) Relationship to state energy conservation programs.--
                    (A) In general.--A grant provided to a State under
                this Act shall be used to supplement (and not supplant)
                funds provided to the State under part D of title III
                of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C.
                6321 et seq.).
                    (B) Minimum funding.--A grant shall not be provided
                to a State for a fiscal year under this Act if the
                amount of funding provided to all State grantees under
                the base formula for the fiscal year under part D of
                title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
                U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) is less than $50,000,000.
    (c) Voluntary Participation.--The participation of a State in a
challenge established under this Act shall be voluntary.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $100,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
    (b) Allocation.--Of the total amount of funds made available under
subsection (a)--
            (1) 30 percent shall be used to provide an initial
        allocation of grants to States under section 4;
            (2) 61 percent shall be used to provide a subsequent
        allocation of grants to States under section 5;
            (3) 4 percent shall be used to make grants to Indian tribes
        under section 6; and
            (4) 5 percent shall be available to the Secretary for the
        cost of administration and technical support to carry out this
        Act.

SEC. 9. OFFSET.

    Section 422(f) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(42 U.S.C. 17082(f)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the
        semicolon at the end; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through
        2015;
            ``(5) $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017;
        and
            ``(6) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.''.

Summary: Energy Productivity Innovation Challenge Act of 2015 or the EPIC Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary electric and thermal energy productivity challenge grant program for providing support to states for: advancing industrial energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, combined heat and power, and waste heat-to-power utilization. Advancing energy efficiency construction and retrofits for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and residential buildings. Expanding residential policies and programs designed to implement best practice policies and tools for residential retrofit programs that reduce administrative and delivery costs for energy efficiency projects, encourage streamlining and automation to support contractor engagement, and implement systems that encourage private investment and market innovation. Establishing or expanding incentives in the electric utility sector to enhance demand response and energy efficiency. And promoting state activities involving both facilities and vehicle fleets than can be a model for other action to promote energy efficiency. DOE must: (1) provide subsequent grants for activities to assist energy policy innovation in the states and to promote the goal of doubling electric and thermal energy productivity by January 1, 2030, and (2) invite Indian tribes to participate in the productivity challenge grant program. As an offset to the cost of this bill, the bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce the authorized amount of appropriations for FY2016-FY2017 for the Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative.

EPIC Act of 2015


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Mercury Health Advisory Act of
2003''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Mercury is a persistent, bioaccumulative heavy metal
        that poses a significant risk to human health, wildlife, and
        the environment.
            (2) Mercury discharges into the atmosphere and surface
        oceans have increased two-to-five fold since the beginning of
        the industrialized period due to human activities.
            (3) Substantial evidence is accumulating that exposure to
        methyl-mercury is widespread in the general public and
        occurring at higher than health-based levels of concern
        according to the Food and Drug Administration, the
        Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Health
        Organization. Fish and seafood caught or sold in the United
        States are contaminated with methyl-mercury, a toxic element
        that may cause neurological damage and other health-related
        problems as a result of fish or seafood consumption.
            (4) According to the 1997 Environmental Protection Agency
        Mercury Report to Congress, mercury levels in the following
        fish, at least occasionally, exceeded the Food and Drug
        Administration's ``action level'' limit of 1 part per million:
        tilefish, king mackerel, shark, swordfish, tuna, lobster, red
        snapper, saltwater and freshwater bass, bluefish, bluegills,
        catfish, crappie, groupers, hake, halibut, northern pike,
        walleye, largemouth bass, pompano, snook, sunfish, and other
        finfish.
            (5) The Food and Drug Administration advises pregnant women
        and women of childbearing age not to eat shark, king mackerel,
        tilefish, and swordfish and to limit consumption of all other
        fish to 12 ounces per week. The Food and Drug Administration
        advises other persons to limit their consumption of shark and
        swordfish to no more than 7 ounces per week.
            (6) The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that
        women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, nursing
        mothers, and young children limit fish consumption to 6 meals
        per week of cooked fish or an 8-ounce meal per week for
        uncooked fish for adults and 2 meals per week of cooked fish or
        a 3-ounce meal per week of uncooked fish for young children.
            (7) In 2003, 44 States issued health advisories that warned
        the public about consuming mercury-tainted fish, as compared to
        27 States that issued such advisories in 1993.
            (8) Eleven States warn pregnant women and young children to
        limit consumption of canned tuna, the most consumed fish in the
        United States, to 1 or 2 cans per week and some States warn
        that the ``white'' albacore canned tuna has significantly
        higher mercury levels than the ``light'' tuna, based upon Food
        and Drug Administration testing.
            (9) Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
        Survey Centers indicates that 7.8 percent of women of
        childbearing age have blood mercury levels in their bodies
        above what is considered safe for the developing fetus,
        translating into over 300,000 babies born each year in the
        United States at risk of mercury poisoning.
            (10) Between 30 percent and 50 percent of women of
        childbearing age are not aware of the methyl-mercury exposure
        risks from ingestion of mercury-contaminated fish, according to
        the Food and Drug Administration.
            (11) A January 2001 report by the United States General
        Accounting Office (GAO) criticized the Food and Drug
        Administration for not providing guidance to the fishing
        industry to identify and prevent fish contaminated with mercury
        from reaching consumers, even though the Agency's own
testing found that, for example, over half of the swordfish exceeded
its action level of one part per million (ppm).
            (12) Evidence is continuing to emerge linking increased
        risk of coronary heart disease to mercury exposure, as
        presented in at least 2 peer reviewed studies.
            (13) Health advisory information on mercury-contaminated
        fish, which is necessary to protect public health, is not
        widely known by the State or Federal Government. This lack of
        awareness potentially threatens tens of millions of Americans
        who may unknowingly ingest harmful amounts of mercury because
        they are not aware of exposure risks from consumption of
        freshwater fish and seafood.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) ensure that the public is adequately informed about the
        potential adverse effects of mercury exposure through the
        consumption of fish products;
            (2) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
        work cooperatively with other Federal and State agencies, as
        well as nonprofit organizations, to create appropriate
        advisories for the distribution to the public of explanations
        of the potential adverse effects of mercury exposure from fish
        consumption;
            (3) require the Administrator of the Environmental
        Protection Agency to work cooperatively with State fish and
        game officials to create an informative guide for distribution
        to the public about the dangers of the consumption of
        recreationally-caught fish;
            (4) require the Food and Drug Administration to resume its
        seafood methyl-mercury monitoring program to better document
        mercury levels in various fish species sold in commerce;
            (5) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
        cooperation with private and public organizations, to design
        and implement a National Public Education Program regarding the
        presence of methyl-mercury in seafood and fish consumption
        advisories for methyl-mercury; and
            (6) require the Administrator of the Environmental
        Protection Agency to annually prepare a report on the impacts
        of mercury on human health and the environment.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Commissioner.--The term ``Commissioner'' means the
        Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
            (3) Health professional.--The term ``health professional''
        means any licensed professional in the dental and medical
        profession.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Health and Human Services.

SEC. 4. ADVISORY NOTICES.

    (a) Consumer Mercury Advisory Notice.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator and the Commissioner
        shall jointly develop fish consumption advisories for methyl-
        mercury in fish. Such advisories shall be based on the
        Environmental Protection Agency's Reference Dose for--
                    (A) the general population;
                    (B) sensitive populations; and
                    (C) populations consuming above average amounts of
                fish.
            (2) Consumer's notice.--The Secretary, in consultation with
        the Administrator and the heads of State environmental agencies
        and health departments, shall prepare a consumer's mercury
        advisory notice. Such notice shall be distributed widely by the
        Secretary, at no cost, to health professionals, particularly
        medical offices that provide gynecological, obstetrical, or
        pediatric care, and to the extent practicable shall be made
        available and posted in the patient or client areas of all
        maternal and child health and nutrition program offices, and
        shall be made available to health care providers, Federal,
        State, and local government agencies, and the general public
        upon request.
            (3) Criteria.--The advisories developed under this
        subsection shall--
                    (A) explain, in an easily understandable manner,
                the dangers of mercury exposure through the consumption
                of mercury contaminated fish to women of childbearing
                age, women who expect to become pregnant, women who are
                pregnant or breast feeding their children, and young
                children and their parents;
                    (B) describe, in an easily understandable manner,
                in detail the most current mercury health advisories
                prepared by the Federal Government concerning fish
                consumption, contain the toll free number established
                under paragraph (4), and contain such other information
                as the Secretary determines appropriate; and
                    (C) be printed in large type in English, Spanish,
                and other languages determined by the Secretary to be
                culturally and linguistically appropriate.
            (4) Toll-free telephone number.--The Secretary shall
        establish a toll-free telephone number to enable individuals to
        obtain additional information about the health advisories
        developed under this subsection concerning exposure to mercury
        from consumption of fish and seafood, as well as exposure from
        other sources.
            (5) Updating of information.--The information provided
        under this subsection shall be updated periodically as
        determined necessary by the Secretary.
    (b) Mercury Warning Consumer's Guide.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with
        the Secretary, shall prepare a consumer's guide to mercury and
        health advisory for the consumption of recreationally-caught
        fish. Such guide shall be distributed, at no cost, to--
                    (A) State departments of fisheries, wildlife, and
                environmental law enforcement;
                    (B) all applicants for a fishing license at the
                time the license is issued; and
                    (C) to public upon request.
            (2) Criteria.--The guide developed under paragraph (1)
        shall--
                    (A) be printed in large type in English, Spanish,
                and other languages determined by the Secretary to be
                culturally and linguistically appropriate;
                    (B) contain the toll free telephone number
                established by the Environmental Protection Agency that
                residents may call for further information about the
                health advisories contained in the guide.
            (3) Updating of information.--The guide developed under
        paragraph (1) shall be updated periodically as determined
        necessary by the Secretary.
    (c) Consumption Advisory.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
        Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator, shall work with
        the States and other appropriate entities to--
                    (A) develop and distribute regional and national
                advisories concerning the presence of methyl-mercury in
                seafood;
                    (B) develop standardized formats for written and
                broadcast advisories regarding methyl-mercury in
                seafood;
                    (C) develop and periodically upgrade information
                related to mercury fish tissue test results and fish
                consumption advisories for methyl-mercury;
                    (D) coordinate State and local advisories in the
                formation of the National Public Education Program
                under subsection (d)(1); and
                    (E) coordinate with that sector of the retail food
                industry that is engaged in the sale of any fresh,
                packaged, or frozen fish or seafood products intended
                for human consumption, concerning the posting of such
                advisories in their place of business where fish are
                sold to inform women of childbearing age, pregnant, and
                nursing women and the parents of young children on the
                potential dangers of mercury that is present in certain
                fish or seafood.
            (2) Criteria.--The advisories and notices developed under
        paragraph (1) shall include information both on limiting the
        consumption of certain high level fish and seafood to the
        general population and, for sensitive populations such as women
        of childbearing age and children, stress the importance of
        limiting consumption of frequently consumed fish that may
        exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's Reference Dose.
            (3) Consumption advisory.--
                    (A) In general.--Based on information compiled by
                the Environmental Protection Agency, the National
                Marine Fisheries Services, and the Food and Drug
                Administration, shall work with State health, fish and
                wildlife, and environmental agencies to develop and
                periodically update a consumption advisory for any
                fresh, packaged, or frozen fish or seafood products
                intended for human consumption for posting by retail
                food establishments and restaurants pursuant to this
                Act. The advisory shall provide information about the
                potential dangers from the ingestion of mercury from
                the consumption of fish and seafood by women of
                childbearing age, pregnant women, and young children
                and other at-risk groups as determined by the
                Department, including populations consuming above-
                average quantities of fish and seafood.
                    (B) Distribution.--The Secretary shall make copies
                of the advisory developed under subparagraph (A)
                available to State boards of health or other State and
                local governmental entities that have the same
                authority as a State board of health for distribution
                to the public and to local retail food establishments
                and restaurants.
            (4) Requirements.--The advisories and notices developed
        under this subsection shall be printed in large type in
        English, Spanish, and other languages determined by the
        Secretary to be culturally and linguistically appropriate.
    (d) Public Education and Advisory System.--
            (1) Public education.--The Secretary, in consultation with
        public and nonprofit private entities (including cooperative
        extension services and appropriate State entities), shall
        design and implement a national public education program
        regarding the presence of methyl-mercury in seafood.
            (2) Features.--The program developed under paragraph (1)
        shall provide--
                    (A) information to the public regarding--
                            (i) Federal standards and good practice
                        requirements relating to methyl-mercury in
                        seafood; and
                            (ii) the promotion of public awareness,
                        understanding, and acceptance of such standards
                        and requirements;
                    (B) information to health professionals so that
                health professionals may improve the diagnosis and
                treatment of mercury-related illness and advise
                individuals whose health conditions place those
                individuals at particular risk; and
                    (C) such other information or advice to consumers
                and other individuals as the Secretary determines will
                promote the purposes of this section.
    (e) Sampling and Monitoring.--
            (1) In general.--The Commissioner shall resume the seafood
        methyl-mercury monitoring sampling program of the Food and Drug
        Administration to assist in documenting mercury levels in
        various fish species.
            (2) Monitoring.--The sampling program described in
        paragraph (1) shall be conducted so as to provide statistically
        valid monitoring data with respect to mercury levels in fish
        and seafood (including market-basket studies) including
        documenting the extent to which fish with mercury levels in
        excess of the action level are sold in commerce. Such
        information, along with information gathered by the
        Environmental Protection Agency, shall be compiled into an
        annual report by the Commissioner to track changes in dietary
        exposure to mercury from fish and seafood.
            (3) Avoidance of duplication of effort.--To the extent
        practicable, the sampling program described in paragraph (1)
        shall be consistent with, and shall be coordinated with, other
        seafood sampling programs that are in use, so as to avoid
        duplication of effort.

SEC. 5. HAACP ASSESSMENT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall finalize the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
assessment to determine whether or not methyl-mercury exposure through
fish consumption is a public health hazard.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Public Education and Advisory System.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to develop and implement the public education and
advisory system under section 3(d), $500,000 for each fiscal year.
    (b) Sampling.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
sampling under section 3(e), $1,000,000 for each fiscal year.
    (c) State Support.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
        support the efforts of States to sample noncommercial fish and
        inland waterways for mercury and to produce State-specific
        health advisories related to mercury, $2,000,000 for each
        fiscal year.
            (2) Equitable distribution.--The Administrator shall
        distribute amounts made available under paragraph (1) equitably
        among the States through programs in existence on the date of
        enactment of this Act.

Summary: Mercury Health Advisory Act of 2003 - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs jointly to develop fish consumption advisories for methyl-mercury in fish. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) prepare and distribute to health professionals a consumer's mercury advisory notice regarding the health risks of fish consumption. And (2) establish a toll-free number for individuals who desire additional information. Requires the Administrator to prepare and distribute to specified State entities and applicants for fishing licenses a consumer's guide to mercury, including a health advisory for the consumption of recreationally-caught fish. Requires the Secretary to work with States and other entities to: (1) develop and distribute standardized advisories, including consumption advisories and health warnings, regarding the presence of methyl-mercury in seafood. And (2) design and implement a related national public education program. Directs the Commissioner to resume the Food and Drug Administration's seafood methyl-mercury monitoring sampling program. Requires the Secretary, within one year of enactment of this Act, to finalize the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point assessment to determine whether methyl-mercury exposure through fish consumption is a public health hazard.

A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure that the public is provided adequate notice and education on the effects of exposure to mercury through the development of health advisories and by requiring that such appropriate advisories be posted, or made readily available, at all businesses that sell fresh, frozen, and canned fish and seafood where the potential for mercury exposure exists.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Agricultural
Research, Development and Export Enhancement Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Clause 3 of section 8 of article I of the United States
        Constitution recognizes the special relationship between the
        United States and Indian tribes.
            (2) Beginning in 1970, with the inauguration by the Nixon
        Administration of the Indian self-determination era, each
        successive President has reaffirmed the special government-to-
        government relationship between Indian tribes and the United
        States.
            (3) In 1994, President Clinton issued an executive
        memorandum to the heads of all Federal departments and agencies
        that obligated all such departments and agencies, particularly
        those that have an impact on economic development, to evaluate
        the potential impacts of their actions on Indian tribes.
            (4) The United States has an obligation to guard and
        preserve the agricultural and related renewable resources of
        Indian tribes in order to foster strong tribal governments,
        Indian self-determination, and economic self-sufficiency among
        Indian tribes.
            (5) Despite the availability of abundant natural resources
        on Indian lands and a rich cultural legacy that accords great
        value to self-determination, self-reliance, and independence,
        Native Americans suffer higher rates of unemployment, poverty,
        poor health, substandard housing, and associated social ills
        than those of any other group in the United States.
            (6) Reservation-based Indians tend to be the most rural of
        any minority group. They tend to be geographically isolated,
        resource limited, and the least likely of any farm group to
        receive payment or loans from the United States.
            (7) Indian land represents close to 55,000,000 acres, or
        about 2 percent of the United States land base, with nearly
        47,000,000 of these acres consisting of range and cropland.
            (8) Indian agriculture constitutes the second largest
        revenue generator and employer in Indian country and is not
        limited to farming and ranching, but often includes such
        products as forestry, bison, wild rice and fruits, cotton,
        tobacco and other Native-made or grown products.
            (9) Because of the lack of Federal intra-agency and inter-
        agency coordination in agriculture programs and policies, the
        development of Indian agriculture and related tribal business
        and economic development potential has been hindered.
            (10) It is estimated that about 20 percent of reservation
        grazing land and about 70 percent of cropland is leased to non-
        Indian producers.
            (11) American Indians today use their lands and natural
        resources for agriculture and agribusiness to provide food and
        other staples for consumption, improving their economic self-
        sufficiency, agriculture income and reservation employment.
            (12) Although there are many programs within Department of
        Agriculture for which tribal and individual Indian producers
        are eligible, Indian producers have not fully benefited from
        these programs because of insufficient coordination within the
        Department of Agriculture.
            (13) The United States has an obligation to assist Indian
        tribes with the creation of appropriate economic and political
        conditions with respect to Indian lands to--
                    (A) encourage investment from outside sources that
                do not originate with the tribes; and
                    (B) facilitate economic ventures with outside
                entities that are not tribal entities.
            (14) The economic success and material well-being of Native
        American communities depends on the combined efforts of the
Federal Government, tribal governments, the private sector, and
individuals.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to--
            (1) promote the coordination of existing agricultural and
        related programs within the Department of Agriculture to
        provide the maximum benefit to Indian tribes and their members;
            (2) encourage intertribal, regional, and international
        trade and business development in order to assist in increasing
        productivity and the standard of living of members of Indian
        tribes and improving the economic self-sufficiency of the
        Indian tribes;
            (3) through improving the administration of Federal
        program, improve the access of Indian tribes to capital,
        specialty markets, export promotions, and marketing assistance
        that non-Indian agriculture producers currently have access to;
            (4) improve the development and coordination of Indian
        agriculture and related value-added industries to promote self-
        sustaining Native economies and communities; and
            (5) promote economic self-sufficiency and political self-
        determination for Indian tribes and members of Indian tribes.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an
        Indian tribe, a tribal organization, a tribal enterprise, a
        tribal marketing cooperative, or any other Indian-owned
        business.
            (2) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning given that
        term in section 4(d) of the Indian Self-Determination and
        Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(d)).
            (3) Indian goods and services.--The term ``Indian goods and
        services'' means--
                    (A) goods produced or originated by an eligible
                entity; or
                    (B) services provided by eligible entities.
            (4) Indian-owned business.--The term ``Indian-owned
        business'' means an entity organized for the conduct of trade
        or commerce with respect to which at least 50 percent of the
        property interest of the entity is owned by Indians or Indian
        tribes (or a combination thereof).
            (5) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
        meaning given that term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(e)).
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Agriculture.
            (7) Tribal enterprise.--The term ``tribal enterprise''
        means a commercial activity or business managed or controlled
        by an Indian tribe.
            (8) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization''
        has the meaning given that term in section 4(l) of the Indian
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
        450b(l)).

SEC. 4. NATIVE AMERICAN RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXPORT OFFICE

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established within the
        Department of Agriculture a Native American Agricultural
        Research, Development and Export Office (referred to this Act
        as the ``Office'').
            (2) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director of
        the Native American Agricultural Research, Development and
        Export Office (referred to in this Act as ``Director'') to be
        appointed by the Secretary. The Director shall be compensated
        at a rate not to exceed that for level V of the Executive
        Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Duties of the Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
        Director, shall ensure the coordination of all programs that
        provide assistance to Native American communities within the
        following 7 mission areas of the Department of Agriculture:
                    (A) Farm and foreign agricultural services.
                    (B) Food, nutrition, and consumer services.
                    (C) Food safety.
                    (D) Marketing and regulatory programs.
                    (E) Natural resources and environment.
                    (F) Research, education and economics.
                    (G) Rural development.
            (2) Activities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
        Secretary, acting through the Director, shall ensure the
        coordination of, or, as appropriate, carry out--
                    (A) activities to promote Indian agricultural
                programs, including the development of domestic and
                international trade programs;
                    (B) activities to facilitate water and waste
                programs, housing, utility and other infrastructure
                development with respect to Native American
                communities;
                    (C) activities to provide assistance to Indian
                tribal college programs;
                    (D) activities to implement rural economic
                development programs for Native American communities;
                and
                    (E) activities to promote food and nutrition
                services for Native American communities.
            (3) Interagency coordination.--In carrying out Department
        of Agriculture programs, the Secretary, acting through the
        Director, shall coordinate with other Federal agencies,
        including the Department of Energy, the Department of Housing
        and Urban Development, the Department of the Interior, the
        Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, or any other
        Federal agency responsible for administering related Indian
        programs.
            (4) Assistance.--In conjunction with the activities
        described in paragraph (2), the Secretary, acting through the
        Director, shall provide--
                    (A) financial assistance, technical assistance, and
                administrative services to eligible entities to assist
                those entities in--
                            (i) identifying and taking advantage of
                        business development opportunities; and
                            (ii) complying with appropriate laws and
                        regulatory practices; and
                    (B) such other assistance as the Secretary, in
                consultation with the Director, determines to be
                necessary for the development of business opportunities
                for eligible entities to enhance the economies of
                Indian tribes.
            (5) Priorities.--In carrying out the duties and activities
        described in paragraphs (3) and (4), the Secretary, acting
        through the Director, shall give priority to activities that--
                    (A) provide the greatest degree of economic
                benefits to Indians; and
                    (B) foster long-term stable economies of Indian
                tribes.

SEC. 5. NATIVE AMERICAN TRADE AND EXPORT PROMOTION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall
establish and implement a Native American export and trade promotion
program (referred to in this section as the ``program'').
    (b) Coordination of Federal Programs and Services.--In carrying out
the program, the Secretary, acting through the Director and in
cooperation with the heads of appropriate Federal agencies, shall
ensure the coordination of Federal programs and services that are
designed to--
            (1) develop the economies of Indian tribes; and
            (2) stimulate the demand for Indian goods and services that
        are available from eligible entities.
    (c) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary,
acting through the Director, shall ensure the coordination of, or, as
appropriate, carry out--
            (1) Federal programs that are designed to provide technical
        or financial assistance to eligible entities;
            (2) activities to develop promotional materials for
        eligible entities;
            (3) activities for the financing of appropriate trade
        missions;
            (4) activities for the marketing of related Indian goods
        and services;
            (5) activities for the participation of appropriate Federal
        agencies or eligible entities in international trade fairs; and
            (6) any other activity related to the development of
        markets for Indian goods and services.
    (d) Technical Assistance.--In conjunction with the activities
described in subsection (c), the Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall provide technical assistance and administrative
services to eligible entities to assist those entities in--
            (1) identifying appropriate markets for Indian goods and
        services;
            (2) entering the markets referred to in paragraph (1);
            (3) complying with foreign or domestic laws and practices
        with respect to financial institutions concerning the export
        and import of Indian goods and services; and
            (4) entering into financial arrangements to provide for the
        export and trade of Indian agricultural and related products.
    (e) Priorities.--In carrying out the duties and activities
described in subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall give priority to activities that--
            (1) provide the greatest degree of economic benefits to
        Indians; and
            (2) foster long-term stable international markets for
        Indian goods and services.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Director of such Office, to ensure the coordination of all programs that provide assistance to Native American communities within seven specified mission areas of the Department of Agriculture and to ensure the coordination of, or carry out, activities to: (1) promote Indian agricultural programs. (2) facilitate water and waste programs, housing, utility and other infrastructure development with respect to Native American communities, (3) provide assistance to Indian tribal college programs, (4) implement rural economic development programs for Native American communities. And (5) promote food and nutrition services for such communities. Requires the Director to provide: (1) financial and technical assistance and administrative services to assist eligible entities in identifying and taking advantage of business development opportunities and complying with laws and regulatory practices. And (2) such other assistance necessary for the development of business opportunities to enhance Indian tribes' economies. Requires the Director to establish and implement a Native American export and trade promotion program and, in carrying out such program, to ensure the coordination of: (1) Federal programs and services designed to develop Indian tribes' economies and stimulate the demand for Indian goods and services that are available from eligible entities. And (2) Federal programs that are designed to provide technical or financial assistance to eligible entities and any activities related to the development of markets for Indian goods and services. Requires the Director to provide technical assistance and administrative services to assist eligible entities in: (1) identifying and entering markets for Indian goods and services. (2) complying with foreign or domestic laws and practices with respect to financial institutions concerning the export and import of such goods and services. And (3) entering into financial arrangements to provide for the export and trade of Indian agricultural and related products.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of
2010''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to identify and
        declare wildlife disease emergencies;
            (2) establish a fund through which the Secretary may
        coordinate rapid response to these emergencies; and
            (3) prepare for, identify, and address diseases adversely
        affecting wildlife populations and biodiversity through
        strategic and coordinated actions between the Federal agencies
        and State and local agencies, Indian tribes, and
        nongovernmental organizations.

SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF WILDLIFE DISEASE EMERGENCY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation
with the Governor of a potentially affected State or States, may
declare within such State or States a wildlife disease emergency for
disease that is--
            (1) occurring within the United States; or
            (2) occurring outside the United States with the potential
        to enter the United States.
    (b) Considerations.--In making a declaration under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall consider--
            (1) the level of threat the disease poses to affected
        wildlife populations, based on the--
                    (A) relative threat to population levels;
                    (B) relative strength of the contagion and spread
                of the disease;
                    (C) observed rate of morbidity or mortality of the
                disease; and
                    (D) priority of affected species or ecosystems,
                including--
                            (i) species listed under the Endangered
                        Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
                            (ii) species protected by the Migratory
                        Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), Marine
                        Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361
                        et seq.), or other Federal statutes;
                            (iii) species and habitats identified as
                        priorities through the National Fish and
                        Wildlife Climate Adaptation Plan or other
                        Federal, State or local laws, regulations, and
                        conservation plans; and
                            (iv) wildlife located on Federal lands;
            (2) the sufficiency of resources available in the Wildlife
        Disease Emergency Fund established under section 4;
            (3) the ability of the Department of the Interior and other
        Federal, State, and local agencies, tribal governments, and
        other stakeholders to address and coordinate response to the
        disease through other authorities; and
            (4) the request of any State Governor to make such a
        declaration.
    (c) Response Coordination.--
            (1) In general.--Upon a declaration of a wildlife disease
        emergency by the Secretary, the Secretary shall lead a
        coordinated response to the emergency that shall include
        appropriate Federal agencies, State and local governments,
        Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations, or other
        stakeholders.
            (2) Grant program.--The Secretary shall develop and
        implement a grant program to provide funding to State wildlife
        agencies and Indian tribes to address wildlife disease
        emergencies.

SEC. 4. WILDLIFE DISEASE EMERGENCY FUND.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the
United States a separate account, which shall be known as the
``Wildlife Disease Emergency Fund'' and shall consist of--
            (1) such amounts as are appropriated to the Secretary for
        activities to address wildlife disease emergencies authorized
        by this Act; and
            (2) any amounts received by the Secretary as donations,
        gifts, or contributions identified for use to address wildlife
        disease emergencies.
    (b) Expenditures From Fund.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, amounts in the fund shall be available to the Secretary
for use in carrying out activities authorized by this Act.

SEC. 5. WILDLIFE DISEASE COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary may establish a Wildlife Disease
Committee. The purpose of the Committee shall be to assist the
Secretary in increasing the level of preparedness of the United States
to address emerging wildlife diseases.
    (b) Purpose.--The Committee shall--
            (1) advise the Secretary on risk assessment, preparation,
        monitoring, research, and response to wildlife diseases that
        may significantly impact the health and sustainability of
        wildlife populations; and
            (2) draft reports, recommendations, plans, or other
        documents toward accomplishment of these purposes as
        appropriate.
    (c) Membership.--Members of the Committee--
            (1) shall be appointed by the Secretary from among
        individuals who are qualified by education, training, and
        experience; and
            (2) shall include--
                    (A) individuals employed by Federal and State
                agencies and tribal entities who have expertise in
                wildlife health, biology, ecology, wildlife
                conservation, and natural resource management; and
                    (B) representatives of public and private
                organizations who have such expertise.
    (d) Committee Chair.--The Committee shall be chaired by the
Secretary or a designee of the Secretary.
    (e) Staffing and Assistance.--The Secretary shall make available to
the Committee any staff, information, administrative services, or
assistance the Secretary determines is reasonably required to enable
the Committee to carry out its functions.
    (f) Renewal.--Notwithstanding the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. 5 et al.), the Secretary may renew the Committee beyond the date
it would otherwise terminate under that Act.

SEC. 6. RAPID RESPONSE TEAMS.

    The Secretary, in consultation with the Committee as appropriate,
may convene rapid response teams to address any particular wildlife
disease emergency.

SEC. 7. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to--
            (1) limit the Secretary's authority to respond to wildlife
        disease events that are not declared wildlife disease
        emergencies under this Act; or
            (2) limit, repeal, supersede, or modify any provision of
        Federal, State, local, or tribal laws and regulations.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Disease.--The term ``disease'' means an infectious or
        noninfectious, pathological condition occurring in a
        susceptible population of wildlife, and that is not zoonotic.
            (2) Fund.--The term ``fund'' means the Wildlife Disease
        Emergency Fund as established by section 4.
            (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
        meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means any State, the
        District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
        the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United
        States Virgin Islands.
            (6) United states.--The term ``United States'' includes the
        States and the territories and possessions of the United
        States.
            (7) Wildlife.--The term ``wildlife'' means any species
        native to the United States including nondomesticated mammals,
        fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, and arthropods.
            (8) Wildlife disease emergency.--The term ``wildlife
        disease emergency'' means a disease that is--
                    (A) infectious and caused by a newly discovered
                pathogen or a known infectious disease that is
                expanding its geographic range, species impacted, or
                other recognized impacts;
                    (B) posing significant threats to the
                sustainability of a wildlife species;
                    (C) spreading rapidly; or
                    (D) posing a significant threat to the health of a
                functioning ecosystem in a priority landscape
                identified as part of the National Fish and Wildlife
                Climate Change Adaptation Plan or another Federal,
                State, local, or tribal law, regulation, or
                conservation plan.

Summary: Wildlife Disease Emergency Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) declare a wildlife disease emergency in one or more states for a disease that is occurring either within the United States or outside the United States with the potential to enter the United States, (2) lead a coordinated response to the emergency, and (3) implement a grant program to provide funding to state wildlife agencies and Indian tribes to address such emergencies. Directs the Secretary, in making such a declaration, to consider: (1) the level of threat the disease poses to affected wildlife populations. (2) the sufficiency of resources available in the Wildlife Disease Emergency Fund. (3) the ability of the Department of the Interior and other federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, and other stakeholders to address and coordinate a response to the disease through other authorities. And (4) any state governor's request for such a declaration. Establishes in the Treasury a Wildlife Disease Emergency Fund, which shall be available to the Secretary for activities authorized by this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish a Wildlife Disease Committee to assist the Secretary in increasing the level of preparedness of the United States to address emerging wildlife diseases. Authorizes the Secretary to convene rapid response teams to address a wildlife disease emergency.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to identify and declare wildlife disease emergencies and to coordinate rapid response to these emergencies, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Biennial Appropriations Act''.

SEC. 2. REVISION OF TIMETABLE.

    Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631)
is amended to read as follows:

                              ``timetable

    ``Sec. 300.  (a) Timetable.--
            ``(1) In general.--The timetable with respect to the
        congressional budget process for any fiscal year is as follows:

``On or before:                           Action to be completed:
First Monday in February................  President submits his or her budget.
February 15.............................  Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 6 weeks after President    Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
 submits budget.
April 1.................................  Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the budget.
April 15................................  Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the budget.
May 15..................................  Biennial appropriation bills and the defense appropriation bill may be
                                           considered in the House as provided in subsection (b).
June 10.................................  House Appropriations Committee reports last appropriation bill to be
                                           considered that year as provided in subsection (b).
June 15.................................  Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation.
June 30.................................  House completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense
                                           appropriation bill.
August 1................................  Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense
                                           appropriation bill.
October 1...............................  Fiscal year begins.

            ``(2) Special rule.--In the case of any first session of
        Congress that begins in any year immediately following a leap
        year and during which the term of a President (except a
        President who succeeds himself or herself) begins, the
        following dates shall supersede those set forth in paragraph
        (1):

``On or before:                           Action to be completed:
First Monday in April...................  President submits his or her budget.
April 15................................  Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
April 20................................  Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
May 15..................................  Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the budget.
June 1..................................  Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the budget.
July 1..................................  Biennial appropriation bills and the defense appropriation bill may be
                                           considered in the House as provided in subsection (b).
July 20.................................  House completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense
                                           appropriation bill.
August 1................................  Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), the defense
                                           appropriation bill, and reconciliation legislation.
October 1...............................  Fiscal year begins.

    ``(b) Biennial Appropriation Bills and Defense Appropriation
Bill.--Appropriation bills shall be enacted as follows:
            ``(1) Odd-numbered years.--In odd-numbered years Congress
        shall consider pursuant to the budget process under this title
        and enact--
                    ``(A) an annual defense appropriation bill; and
                    ``(B) biennial appropriation bills for--
                            ``(i) Financial Services;
                            ``(ii) Transportation, Housing and Urban
                        Development;
                            ``(iii) Interior, Environment;
                            ``(iv) Labor, Health and Human Services,
                        Education; and
                            ``(v) Military Construction, Veterans
                        Affairs.
            ``(2) Even-numbered years.--In even-numbered years Congress
        shall consider pursuant to the budget process in this title and
        enact--
                    ``(A) an annual defense appropriation bill; and
                    ``(B) biennial appropriation bills for--
                            ``(i) Agriculture;
                            ``(ii) Commerce, Justice, Science;
                            ``(iii) Energy and Water;
                            ``(iv) Homeland Security;
                            ``(v) Legislative Branch; and
                            ``(vi) State-Foreign Operations.''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL
              ACT OF 1974.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
(2 U.S.C. 622) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) The term `biennium' means the period of 2
        consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1.''.
    (b) Committee Allocations.--Section 302 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding
        subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by inserting ``and for appropriations for each
                fiscal year in the biennium and for the first fiscal
                year of the resolution for defense,'' after ``for the
                first fiscal year of the resolution,'';
                    (B) by striking ``for that period of fiscal years''
                and inserting ``for all fiscal years covered by the
                resolution''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``for defense and for each fiscal
                year in the biennium'' after ``for the fiscal year of
                that resolution'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``for defense and the
        biennium'' after ``budget year''; and
            (3) in subsection (f)(2)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``the first fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the total of fiscal years'' and
                inserting ``the total of all fiscal years covered by
                the resolution''.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE.

    (a) Definition.--Section 1101 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
            ``(3) `biennium' has the meaning given to such term in
        section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
        Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)).''.
    (b) Budget Contents and Submission to the Congress.--
            (1) Expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(5) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
        the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
        year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
        which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 fiscal
        years''.
            (2) Receipts.--Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
        the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
        year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
        which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years''.
            (3) Balance statements.--Section 1105(a)(9)(C) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
        and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
            (4) Functions and activities.--Section 1105(a)(12)(A) of
        title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the
        fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
        biennium''.
            (5) Allowances.--Section 1105(a)(13) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and
        inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
            (6) Allowances for uncontrolled expenditures.--Section
        1105(a)(14) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
        striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
        biennium for which the budget is submitted''.
            (7) Tax expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(16) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
        and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
            (8) Future years.--Section 1105(a)(17) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``the fiscal year following the
                fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
                biennium following the biennium'';
                    (B) by striking ``that following fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each such fiscal year''; and
                    (C) by striking ``fiscal year before the fiscal
                year'' and inserting ``biennium before the biennium''.
            (9) Prior year outlays.--Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
                fiscal years,'';
                    (B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
                ``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
                    (C) by striking ``in that year'' and inserting ``in
                those fiscal years''.
            (10) Prior year receipts.--Section 1105(a)(19) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
                fiscal years'';
                    (B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
                ``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
                    (C) by striking ``in that year'' each place it
                appears and inserting ``in those fiscal years''.
    (c) Estimated Expenditures of Legislative and Judicial Branches.--
Section 1105(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
``each year'' and inserting ``each even-numbered year''.
    (d) Recommendations To Meet Estimated Deficiencies.--Section
1105(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the first place it
        appears and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for'';
            (2) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the second place it
        appears and inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium, as
        the case may be, for''; and
            (3) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting ``for each
        fiscal year of the biennium''.
    (e) Capital Investment Analysis.--Section 1105(e)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``ensuing fiscal year'' and
inserting ``biennium to which such budget relates''.

SEC. 5. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATIONS
              ACTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 105. Title and style of appropriations Acts
    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Nondefense.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
        style and title of all Acts making appropriations for the
        support of the Government shall be as follows: `An Act making
        appropriations (here insert the object) for each fiscal year in
        the biennium of fiscal years (here insert the fiscal years of
        the biennium).'.
            ``(2) Defense.--The style and title of Acts making
        appropriations for the support of defense shall be as follows:
        `An Act making appropriations for defense for fiscal year (here
        insert the fiscal year).'.
            ``(3) Amounts.--All Acts making regular appropriations for
        the support of the Government shall specify the amount of
        appropriations provided for each fiscal year in such period.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `biennium' has the same meaning as in
        section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
        Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)); and
            ``(2) Acts described in subsection (a)(1) shall be
        considered as provided in section 300(b) of the Congressional
        Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631(b)).''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 2 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by striking the
item relating to section 105 and inserting the following:

``105. Title and style of appropriations Acts.''.

SEC. 6. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
is amended by adding at the end the following:

                   ``authorizations of appropriations

    ``Sec. 316.  (a) Point of Order.--It shall not be in order in the
House of Representatives or the Senate to consider--
            ``(1) any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or
        conference report that authorizes appropriations for a period
        of less than 2 fiscal years, unless the program, project, or
        activity for which the appropriations are authorized will
        require no further appropriations and will be completed or
        terminated after the appropriations have been expended; and
            ``(2) for any year, any authorization or revenue bill or
        joint resolution until Congress completes action on the budget
        resolution, all appropriations bills to be considered during
        the year under section 300(b), and all reconciliation bills.
    ``(b) Applicability.--In the Senate, subsection (a) shall not apply
to--
            ``(1) defense;
            ``(2) any measure that is privileged for consideration
        pursuant to a rule or statute;
            ``(3) any matter considered in Executive Session; or
            ``(4) an appropriations measure or reconciliation bill.''.
    (b) Amendment to Table of Contents.--The table of contents set
forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding after the item relating to
section 315 the following:

``Sec. 316. Authorizations of appropriations.''.

SEC. 7. CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.

    (a) In General.--In each year that the activities of an agency are
not required to be funded pursuant to section 300(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the committee of the House and the
Senate with legislative jurisdiction over that agency shall hold a
joint oversight hearing with the corresponding subcommittee of the
Committee on Appropriations of their respective House with jurisdiction
over the agency.
    (b) Hearing.--A hearing required by subsection (a) shall review--
            (1) the mission of the agency;
            (2) the impact of biennial budgeting on agency efficiency;
            (3) the cost savings associated with biennial budgeting;
            (4) new programs created in the off year of the agency
        budget; and
            (5) programs that were terminated in the off year of the
        agency budget.

SEC. 8. REPORT ON TWO-YEAR FISCAL PERIOD.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall--
            (1) determine the impact and feasibility of changing the
        definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on
        that definition to a 2-year fiscal period with a biennial
        budget process based on the 2-year period; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and
        the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives a
        report on the findings of the study.

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as provided in section 8, this Act and the amendments made
by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2016, and shall apply to
budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium beginning with
fiscal year 2017.

Summary: Biennial Appropriations Act This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to change the annual appropriations process to a biennial process for nondefense spending. Congress must consider the defense appropriations bill annually and the remaining appropriations bills in either odd-numbered or even-numbered years. In each year that the appropriations bill for an agency is not considered, Congress must conduct oversight hearings. The bill requires the congressional budget resolution to be accompanied by committee allocations for biennial appropriations and the President's budget to include details that reflect the biennial process. It also creates a point of order against considering: (1) legislation authorizing appropriations for less than two years unless the program requires no further appropriations and will be completed after appropriations are expended, and (2) authorization or revenue legislation until Congress completes action on the budget resolution, appropriations bills, and reconciliation bills. The Office of Management and Budget must report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of a biennial budget process.

Biennial Appropriations Act