SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Selected Reserve Home Loan Equity
Act''.

SEC. 2. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR HOUSING LOANS FOR MEMBERS OF THE
              SELECTED RESERVE.

    Section 3702(a)(2)(E) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``and ending on September 30, 2009,''.

SEC. 3. UNIFORM HOME LOAN GUARANTY FEES FOR QUALIFYING MEMBERS OF THE
              SELECTED RESERVE AND ACTIVE DUTY VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 3729(b) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as
follows:

                            ``LOAN FEE TABLE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Type of loan                   Veteran        Other obligor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in                 2.00                NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down,
 or any other initial loan described
 in section 3710(a) other than with
 5-down or 10-down (closed before
 October 1, 2011)...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in                1.25                NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down,
 or any other initial loan described
 in section 3710(a) other than with
 5-down or 10-down (closed on or
 after October 1, 2011).............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in              3.30                NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down,
 or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a)
 (closed before October 1, 2011)....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in             2.15                NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down,
 or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a)
 (closed on or after October 1, 2011
 and before October 1, 2013)........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described               1.25                NA
 in section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down,
 or any other subsequent loan
 described in section 3710(a)
 (closed on or after October 1,
 2013)..............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C)(i) Loan described in section                 1.50                NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed before
 October 1, 2011)...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(C)(ii) Loan described in section                0.75                NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after October 1, 2011).............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(i) Initial loan described in                 1.25                NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 10-down
 (closed before October 1, 2011)....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(D)(ii) Initial loan described in                0.50                NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 10-down
 (closed on or after October 1,
 2011)..............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(E) Interest rate reduction                      0.50                NA
 refinancing loan...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(F) Direct loan under section 3711..             1.00                NA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(G) Manufactured home loan under                 1.00                NA
 section 3712 (other than an
 interest rate reduction refinancing
 loan)..............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(H) Loan to Native American veteran              1.25                NA
 under section 3762 (other than an
 interest rate reduction refinancing
 loan)..............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) Loan assumption under section                0.50              0.50
 3714...............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(J) Loan under section 3733(a)......             2.25           2.25''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Paragraph (4)(A) of such section is
amended to read as follows:
            ``(A) The term `veteran' means any veteran eligible for the
        benefits of this chapter.''.
    (2) Paragraph (4) of such section is amended by striking
subparagraph (B) and redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F),
(G), (H), and (I) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), and
(H), respectively.

            Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Selected Reserve Home Loan Equity Act - Makes permanent the authority for individuals who complete six years of service in the Selected Reserve to receive home loans guaranteed, insured, or made through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prescribes uniform fees for members of the Selected Reserve and veterans eligible for such home loans through qualifying active duty service.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the authority for qualifying members of the Selected Reserve to have access to home loans guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and to provide for uniformity in fees charged qualifying members of the Selected Reserve and active duty veterans for such home loans.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rocky Mountain Nation Park
Wilderness Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) it is in the national interest to include certain lands
        in Rocky Mountain National Park within the National Wilderness
        Preservation System so as to protect those lands' enduring
        scenic and historic wilderness character and unique wildlife
        and to preserve the lands' scientific, educational,
        recreational, and inspirational resources and challenges;
            (2) to fulfill the purposes of the wilderness designation
        of those lands, as expressed in this Act and the Wilderness Act
        of 1964 (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), it is necessary for the
        United States to have rights to water within Rocky Mountain
        National Park; and
            (3) the existing rights of the United States to water
        within Rocky Mountain Park for national park purposes, which
        are being adjudicated in the courts of the State of Colorado,
        may be sufficient to fulfill the purposes of the wilderness
        designation of those lands.

SEC. 3. WILDERNESS DESIGNATION AND MAPS.

    (a) Designation.--(1) In furtherance of the purposes of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain lands in Rocky
Mountain National Park, Colorado, which comprise approximately 240,700
acres, as generally depicted on a man entitled ``Rocky Mountain
National Park Wilderness--Proposed'' and dated April 1996, are hereby
designated as wilderness and, therefore, as components of the National
Wilderness Preservation System, and, together with the lands referred
to in paragraph (2), shall be known as the Rocky Mountain National Park
Wilderness.
    (2) Those lands within the Indian Peaks Wilderness (as designated
by Public Law 94-450 (92 Stat. 1099)) that were transferred to Rocky
Mountain National Park by section 111(a) of Public Law 96-580 (94 Stat.
3272), which comprise approximately 2,917 acres, shall be included in,
and administered as part of, the Rocky Mountain National Park
Wilderness designated by paragraph (1).
    (b) Map and Description.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall file a map
and a boundary description of the area designated as wilderness by this
section with the Committee on Natural Resources of the United States
House of Representatives and with the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the United States Senate. That map and description shall
have the same force and effect and if included in this Act, except that
the Secretary is authorized to correct clerical and typographical
errors in such map and description. That map and boundary description
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of
the Director of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subject to valid existing rights, lands designated
as wilderness by this Act shall be managed by the Secretary of the
Interior in accordance with the Wilderness Act and this Act, except
that, with respect to the wilderness area designated by this Act, any
reference in the Wilderness Act to the effective date of the Wilderness
Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enactment of this
Act.
    (b) Reserved Water Rights.--(1) Within the area designated as
wilderness by section 3(a)(1), there is hereby reserved a quantity of
water sufficient to fulfill the purposes of that wilderness
designation.
    (2) The priority date of the water rights reserved in paragraph (1)
shall be the date of enactment of this Act.
    (3) The Secretary of the Interior and other appropriate officers of
the United States shall take all steps necessary to protect the rights
reserved by paragraph (1), including the filing by the Secretary of a
claim for the quantification of such right in any present or future
appropriate stream adjudication in the courts of the State of Colorado
in which the United States has been or is hereafter properly joined in
accordance with section 208 of the Act of July 10, 1952 (43 U.S.C.
666), commonly referred to as the ``McCarran Amendment''.
    (4) The water rights reserved by paragraph (1) shall be in addition
to any water rights which may have been previously reserved or
appropriated by the United States in the State of Colorado before the
date of enactment of this Act.
    (5) In the case of any lands designated as wilderness by section
3(a)(1) for which the United States has reserved rights for national
park purposes to all the water within those lands that was
unappropriated at the time those lands were included in Rocky Mountain
National Park, those existing rights shall be deemed sufficient to
fulfill the purposes of the wilderness designation of those lands made
by section 3(a)(1).
    (c) Colorado-Big Thompson Project.--This Act shall not be construed
to prevent or impede activities under the surface of lands designated
as wilderness by this Act to operate, maintain, repair, or replace the
Alva B. Adams Tunnel of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
    (2) Section 1 of the Act of January 26, 1915 (16 U.S.C. 191; 38
Stat. 798), is amended by striking the last sentence

Summary: Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Act of 1997 - Designates certain lands in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System which, together with specified lands within the Indian Peaks Wilderness, shall be known as the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness. Reserves water rights in such area sufficient for purposes of the wilderness designation. Provides that this Act shall not be construed to prevent or impede activities under the surface of lands designated as wilderness by this Act to operate, maintain, repair, or replace the Alva B. Adams Tunnel of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Repeals provisions authorizing the Bureau of Reclamation to enter and utilize for flowage or other purposes areas within the Park which may be necessary for the development and maintenance of a Government reclamation project.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Cheese Exchange Oversight
and Improvement Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that the operation of the National Cheese
Exchange and other cash markets is of national concern and in need of
Federal oversight because of the following:
            (1) The National Cheese Exchange, located in Green Bay,
        Wisconsin, is the dominant cash market for bulk cheese in the
        United States.
            (2) While less than 1 percent of the cheese produced in the
        United States is sold on the National Cheese Exchange, the
        price determined by the National Cheese Exchange acts as a
        reference price for as much as 95 percent of the commercial
        cheese transactions conducted in the United States.
            (3) A 3-year federally funded investigation into the
        activities of the National Cheese Exchange determined that the
        National Cheese Exchange is very thinly traded, highly
        concentrated, completely unregulated, and subject to
        manipulation.
            (4) The Coffee, Sugar, and Cocoa Exchange in New York, an
        exchange regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
        trades futures contracts for cheese.
            (5) The low volume in trading of cheese futures contracts
        on the Coffee, Sugar, and Cocoa Exchange is partially related
        to concerns about the lack of viability, and potential for
        manipulation, in the dominant cash market for cheese, the
        National Cheese Exchange.
            (6) The National Cheese Exchange is completely unregulated
        by any Federal or State agency.
            (7) The Commodity Futures Trading Commission claims a lack
        of authority to regulate or oversee the National Cheese
        Exchange and similar cash markets.

SEC. 3. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION REGULATION OF NATIONAL
              CHEESE EXCHANGE AND SIMILAR CASH MARKETS.

    The Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 20 (7 U.S.C. 24) the following new section:

``SEC. 21. COMMISSION REGULATION OF NATIONAL CHEESE EXCHANGE AND
              SIMILAR CASH MARKETS.

    ``(a) Definition of Concentrated Cash Market.--In this section, the
term `concentrated cash market' means--
            ``(1) the National Cheese Exchange located in Green Bay,
        Wisconsin; and
            ``(2) a cash market for a commodity if the Commission
        determines that--
                    ``(A) the cash market is geographically centralized
                in the form of a market or exchange;
                    ``(B) the cash market is very thinly traded or
                highly illiquid;
                    ``(C) the price established by the cash market
                functions as a reference price for a majority of
                commercial transactions off the cash market for the
                commodity being traded;
                    ``(D) trading in the cash market is concentrated
                among relatively few buyers and sellers;
                    ``(E) the cash market is substantially unregulated
                by any other regulatory structure (including State
                regulation or self-regulation);
                    ``(F) a futures market regulated under this Act
                also exists for the commodity that is being traded on
                the cash market; and
                    ``(G) the instability, illiquidity, or potential
                for manipulation for on the cash market could be a
                deterrent to the use of the futures market for that
                commodity.
    ``(b) Regulation of Concentrated Cash Markets.--In consultation
with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commission shall regulate a
concentrated cash market under this Act until such time as the
Commission determines that the concentrated cash market is not
functioning as a reference price for a majority of commercial
transactions off the cash market for the commodity being traded on the
concentrated cash market.
    ``(c) Submission and Review of Operating Rules.--The Commission
shall require a cash market that is subject to this section to--
            ``(1) Submission required.--The Commission shall require a
        concentrated cash market subject to regulation under subsection
        (b) to submit to the Commission for approval a set of rules
        governing the operation of the concentrated cash market; and
            ``(2) Time for submission.--In the case of the National
        Cheese Exchange, the operating rules required under this
        subsection shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the
        date of enactment of this section. In the case of other
        concentrated cash markets, the operating rules shall be
        submitted not later than 90 days after the date on which the
        Commission notifies the concentrated cash market that it is
        subject to regulation under this section.
            ``(3) Notification of commission action.--The Commission
        shall promptly review operating rules submitted by a
        concentrated cash market under this subsection to determine
        whether the rules are sufficient to govern the operation of the
        concentrated cash market. Not later than 60 days after
        receiving the rules from a concentrated cash market, the
        Commission shall notify the concentrated cash market of the
        result of the review, including whether the rules are approved
        or disapproved. If disapproved, the Commission shall provide
        such recommendations regarding changes to the rules as the
        Commission considers necessary to secure approval and provide a
        schedule for resubmission of the rules.
            ``(4) Subsequent rule changes.--A concentrated cash market
        may not change approved operating rules unless the proposed
        change is also submitted to the Commission for review and the
        Commission approves the change in the manner provided in
        paragraph (3).
    ``(d) Effect of Failure To Submit or Receive Approval of Rules.--
Beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the
National Cheese Exchange may operate only in accordance with rules
approved by the Commission under subsection (c). In the case of other
concentrated cash markets, beginning 1 year after the date on which the
concentrated cash market is notified that it is subject to regulation
under this section, the concentrated cash market may operate only in
accordance with rules approved by the Commission under subsection
(c).''.

Summary: National Cheese Exchange Oversight and Improvement Act of 1997 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to regulate a concentrated cash market , including the National Cheese Exchange in Green Bay, Wisconsin, until the Commission determines that the market is not functioning as a reference price for off-market transactions of the commodity being traded on such market.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Youth Summer Jobs Act of
2011''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS FOR SUMMER JOBS FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor, subject to the
availability of appropriations, shall award competitive grants to
eligible entities for the purpose of providing job placement during the
summer for out-of-school youths.
    (b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this section, an eligible
entity shall--
            (1) be a unit of general local government; and
            (2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
        such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
        may require.
    (c) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Amounts received as a grant under this
        section shall be used for providing summer employment for out-
        of-school youths that includes employment and job readiness
        activities, as determined by the Secretary, including work
        experiences and job placement.
            (2) Use of existing programs.--An eligible entity that
        operates an existing youth summer jobs program may use a grant
        received under this section to expand such program, in lieu of
        establishing a new program to provide job placement for youths,
        by providing under such program job training and support
        services, including health and nutrition referral, housing
        referral, financial literacy, and instruction on basic daily
        living skills.
    (d) Preference.--
            (1) In general.--In awarding grants under this section, the
        Secretary shall give preference to an eligible entity in a
        community where, for the period between 2002 and 2007, at least
        one of the following rates was higher than the national
        average:
                    (A) High school dropout rate.
                    (B) Poverty rate.
                    (C) Juvenile offender rate.
                    (D) Unemployment rate.
                    (E) Industry-depletion rate.
            (2) Additional preference.--In awarding grants under this
        section, the Secretary shall give additional preference to an
        eligible entity that operates in a community where, for the
        period between 2002 and 2007, each rate listed under paragraph
        (1) was higher than the national average of each such rate.
    (e) Grant Terms.--
            (1) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be
        for a term of not less than 5 years.
            (2) Grant amount.--The Secretary shall determine the amount
        of funds in a grant under this section.
            (3) Limitation on number of grants.--A grant recipient
        under this section shall not have more than 1 grant under this
        section at anytime. Once a grant term ends, the recipient of
        such grant may re-apply for a grant under this section.
            (4) Return of unobligated grant funds.--Not later than 30
        days after the date on which a grant term ends, the eligible
        entity who received such grant shall return any unspent grant
        funds to the Secretary.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Eligible entity.--Not later than September 30 of each
        fiscal year for which an eligible entity receives a grant under
        this section, such entity shall submit to the Secretary a
        report describing the grant-funded program conducted by such
        entity. The report shall include an assessment of how such
        program improved the employability skills of out-of-school
        youths.
            (2) Secretary.--Not later than August 1 of each fiscal year
        for which a grant is awarded under this section, the Secretary
        shall submit a report to Congress on the effectiveness of each
        grant-funded program. Such report shall include an assessment
        of the effectiveness of such program to improve General
        Education Development attainment and job placement of out-of-
        school youths participating in such program.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible youth.--The term ``eligible youth'' means an
        individual who has attained age 14 but not age 22.
            (2) Out-of-school youth.--The term ``out-of-school youth''
        means--
                    (A) an eligible youth who is enrolled in a public
                or private secondary school; or
                    (B) an eligible youth who has received a secondary
                school diploma or its equivalent but is basic-skills
                deficient, unemployed, or underemployed.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Labor.
            (4) Unit of general local government.--The term ``unit of
        general local government'' has the meaning given the term in
        section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C.
        2801).
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--For grants under this
section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the
following amounts:
            (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
            (2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
            (3) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.
            (4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.
            (5) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.
            (6) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.

Summary: National Youth Summer Jobs Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to award 5-year competitive grants to eligible local government units to provide summer employment, including job readiness activities, work experiences, and job placement, for out-of-school youths age 14 to 21 who are enrolled in a public or private secondary school or have received a secondary school diploma or its equivalent but are basic-skills deficient, unemployed, or underemployed. Allows eligible entities that operate existing youth summer jobs programs to use grants to expand their programs, in lieu of establishing new job placement programs, by providing job training and support services, including health and nutrition referral, housing referral, financial literacy, and instruction on basic daily living skills.

To establish a competitive grant program for youth summer job placement.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Bipartisan Commission on
the Future of Medicare Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the National
Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare (referred to in this
Act as the ``Commission'').

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) provides essential health
        care coverage to this Nation's senior citizens and to
        individuals with disabilities;
            (2) the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund established
        under that Act has been spending more than it receives since
        1995, and will be bankrupt in the year 2001;
            (3) the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund faces even
        greater solvency problems in the long run with the aging of the
        baby boom generation and the continuing decline in the number
        of workers paying into the medicare program for each medicare
        beneficiary;
            (4) the trustees of the trust funds of the medicare program
        have reported that growth in spending within the Federal
        Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under
        that Act is unsustainable; and
            (5) expeditious action is needed in order to restore the
        financial integrity of the medicare program and to maintain
        this Nation's commitment to senior citizens and to individuals
        with disabilities.

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall--
            (1) review and analyze the long-term financial condition of
        the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.);
            (2) identify problems that threaten the financial integrity
        of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal
        Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund established under
        that title (42 U.S.C. 1395i, 1395t);
            (3) analyze potential solutions to the problems identified
        under paragraph (2) that will ensure both the financial
        integrity of the medicare program and the provision of
        appropriate benefits under such program;
            (4) make recommendations to restore the solvency of the
        Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the financial
        integrity of the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust
        Fund through the year 2030, when the last of the baby boomers
        reaches age 65;
            (5) make recommendations for establishing the appropriate
        financial structure of the medicare program as a whole;
            (6) make recommendations for establishing the appropriate
        balance of benefits covered and beneficiary contributions to
        the medicare program;
            (7) make recommendations for the time periods during which
        the recommendations described in paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)
        should be implemented; and
            (8) review and analyze such other matters as the Commission
        deems appropriate.

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 15
members, of whom--
            (1) three shall be appointed by the President;
            (2) six shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the
        Senate, in consultation with the Minority Leader of the Senate,
        of whom not more than 4 shall be of the same political party;
        and
            (3) six shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
        Representatives, in consultation with the Minority Leader of
        the House of Representatives, of whom not more than 4 shall be
        of the same political party.
    (b) Comptroller General.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall advise the Commission on the methodology to be used in
identifying problems and analyzing potential solutions in accordance
with the duties of the Commission described in section 4.
    (c) Terms of Appointment.--The members shall serve on the
Commission for the life of the Commission.
    (d) Meetings.--The Commission shall locate its headquarters in the
District of Columbia, and shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
    (e) Quorum.--Ten members of the Commission shall constitute a
quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (f) Chairperson.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives, in
consultation with the Majority Leader of the Senate, shall designate 1
of the members appointed under subsection (a) as Chairperson of the
Commission.
    (g) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the
same manner in which the original appointment was made not later than
30 days after the Commission is given notice of the vacancy.
    (h) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall receive no
additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on
the Commission.
    (i) Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall receive travel
expenses and per diem in lieu of subsistence in accordance with
sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 6. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

    (a) Executive Director.--
            (1) Appointment.--The Chairperson shall appoint an
        executive director of the Commission.
            (2) Compensation.--The executive director shall be paid the
        rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.
    (b) Staff.--With the approval of the Commission, the executive
director may appoint such personnel as the executive director considers
appropriate.
    (c) Applicability of Civil Service Laws.--The staff of the
Commission shall be appointed without regard to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
service, and shall be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title (relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates).
    (d) Experts and Consultants.--With the approval of the Commission,
the executive director may procure temporary and intermittent services
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon the request of the Commission,
the head of any Federal agency may detail any of the personnel of such
agency to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the
Commission.
    (f) Other Resources.--The Commission shall have reasonable access
to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information from
the Library of Congress and agencies and elected representatives of the
executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The
Chairperson of the Commission shall make requests for such access in
writing when necessary.
    (g) Physical Facilities.--The Administrator of the General Services
Administration shall locate suitable office space for the operation of
the Commission. The facilities shall serve as the headquarters of the
Commission and shall include all necessary equipment and incidentals
required for the proper functioning of the Commission.

SEC. 7. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may conduct public hearings or forums
at the discretion of the Commission, at any time and place the
Commission is able to secure facilities and witnesses, for the purpose
of carrying out the duties of the Commission.
    (b) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of services or property.
    (c) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies.

SEC. 8. REPORT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Commission shall submit a report to the President and Congress
which shall contain a detailed statement of the recommendations,
findings, and conclusions of the Commission.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate on the date which is 30 days after
the date the Commission submits its report to the President and to
Congress under section 8.

SEC. 10. FUNDING.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums
as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Sums
appropriated under this section shall be paid equally from the Federal
Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and from the Federal Supplementary
Medical Insurance Trust Fund under title XVIII of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i, 1395t).

Summary: National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare Act of 1997 - Establishes the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare to: (1) review and analyze the long-term financial condition of the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. (2) identify problems that threaten the financial integrity of the Medicare trust funds and make appropriate recommendations to restore such integrity through 2030. (3) analyze potential solutions to the problems identified that will ensure both the financial integrity of Medicare and the provision of appropriate benefits. And (4) make recommendations for establishing the appropriate financial structure of the Medicare program and for establishing the appropriate balance of benefits covered and beneficiary contributions to the Medicare program. Requires a report to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Children's Express Lane to Health
Coverage Act of 2003''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Despite gains made in recent years, 8,900,000 children
        in the United States are uninsured. Of those, 6,900,000 are
        eligible for public health insurance coverage.
            (2) Most low-income uninsured children are enrolled in
        nutrition and related programs that operate under income
        guidelines similar to those of the medicaid program. In fact,
        63 percent, or 4,300,000, low-income uninsured children are in
        families that receive benefits through the food stamps program,
        the National school lunch program, or the special supplemental
        nutrition program for women, infants and children (commonly
        referred to as ``WIC'').
            (3) The public would be well served if Federal means-tested
        public programs were able to improve administrative efficiency
        and coordination as well as reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
            (4) Uninsured children would be well served if their
        enrollment in a nutrition-based or other means-tested program
        could serve as a gateway to health coverage.
            (5) Existing law already allows children to be found income
        eligible for WIC based on their enrollment in the medicaid
        program. Current law does not, however, give States adequate
        flexibility to make an income determination for eligibility for
        the medicaid or State children's health insurance program based
        on an uninsured child's enrollment in WIC or another public
        program.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to give States the
flexibility to find children income eligible for the medicaid program
or State children's health insurance program based on the fact that the
children are eligible for nutrition assistance or similar public
programs with comparable income standards and methodologies.

SEC. 3. STATE OPTION TO PROVIDE FOR SIMPLIFIED DETERMINATIONS OF A
              CHILD'S FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
              UNDER MEDICAID OR CHILD HEALTH ASSISTANCE UNDER SCHIP.

    (a) Medicaid.--Section 1902(e) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13)(A) At the option of the State, the plan may provide
        that financial eligibility requirements for medical assistance
        are met for an individual who is under an age specified by the
        State (not to exceed 21 years of age) by using a determination
        (made within a reasonable period, as found by the State, before
        its use for this purpose) of the individual's family or
        household income or resources, notwithstanding any differences
        in budget unit, disregard, deeming, or other methodology, by a
        Federal or State agency (or a public or private entity making
        such determination on behalf of such agency) specified by the
        plan, including but not limited to the agencies administering
        the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the Richard B. Russell National
        School Lunch Act, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, provided
        that such agency has fiscal liabilities or responsibilities
        affected or potentially affected by such determinations and
        provided that all information furnished by such agency pursuant
        to this subparagraph is used solely for purposes of determining
        eligibility for medical assistance under the State plan
        approved under this title or for child health assistance under
        a State plan approved under title XXI.
            ``(B) Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed--
                    ``(i) to authorize the denial of medical assistance
                under a State plan approved under this title or of
                child health assistance under a State plan approved
                under title XXI to an individual who, without the
                application of this paragraph or an option exercised
                thereunder, would qualify for such assistance;
                    ``(ii) to relieve a State of the obligation under
                subsection (a)(8) to furnish assistance with reasonable
                promptness after the submission of an initial
                application that is evaluated or for which evaluation
                is requested pursuant to this paragraph; or
                    ``(iii) to relieve a State of the obligation to
                determine eligibility on other grounds for an
                individual found to be ineligible under this paragraph.
            ``(C) At the option of a State, the financial eligibility
        process described in subparagraph (A) may apply to an
        individual who is older than age 21 if such individual's
        eligibility for medical assistance is based on pregnancy or if
        such individual is a parent, guardian, or other caretaker
        relative of an individual found eligible under subparagraph
        (A).''.
    (b) SCHIP.--Section 2107(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Section 1902(e)(13) (relating to the State
                option to base a child's eligibility for assistance on
                financial determinations made by a program providing
                nutrition or other public assistance).''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take
effect on October 1, 2003.

Summary: Children's Express Lane to Health Coverage Act of 2003 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of providing that Medicaid or SCHIP financial eligibility requirements are met for children based on their eligibility for nutrition assistance or similar public programs with comparable income standards and methodologies.

A bill to give States the flexibility to reduce bureaucracy by streamlining enrollment processes for the medicaid and State children's health insurance programs through better linkages with programs providing nutrition and related assistance to low-income families.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Deter Revolving-door Appointments In
our Nation; Stop Washington Appointees from becoming Manipulative
Petitioners Act'' or the ``DRAIN the SWAMP Act''.

SEC. 2. RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING ACTIVITIES OF FORMER POLITICAL
              APPOINTEES.

    (a) 5-Year Post-Employment Ban on Serving as Registered Lobbyist.--
            (1) In general.--Section 207 of title 18, United States
        Code, is amended by striking subsections (c) and (d) and
        inserting the following:
    ``(c) Restrictions on Senior Personnel of the Executive Branch and
Independent Agencies.--
            ``(1) Restrictions.--In addition to the restrictions set
        forth in subsections (a) and (b), any person who is a political
        appointee of the executive branch of the United States
        (including an independent agency), and who, within 5 years
        after the termination of his or her service or employment as
        such a political appointee, knowingly makes, with the intent to
        influence, any communication to or appearance before any
        officer or employee of the department or agency in which such
        person served, on behalf of any other person (except the United
        States), in connection with any matter on which such person
        seeks official action by any officer or employee of such
        department or agency, shall be punished as provided in section
        216 of this title.
            ``(2) Political appointee.--The term `political appointee'
        means an individual who is--
                    ``(A) employed in a position described under
                sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5, United States
                Code (relating to the Executive Schedule);
                    ``(B) a limited term appointee, limited emergency
                appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior
                Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5),
                (6), and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title
                5, United States Code; or
                    ``(C) employed in a position of a confidential or
                policy-determining character under schedule C of
                subpart C of part 213 of title 5 of the Code of Federal
                Regulations.
            ``(3) Waiver.--At the request of a department or agency,
        the Director of the Office of Government Ethics may waive the
        restrictions contained in paragraph (1) with respect to any
        position, or category of positions, referred to in paragraph
        (2) in such department or agency if the Director determines
        that--
                    ``(A) the imposition of the restrictions with
                respect to such position or positions would create an
                undue hardship on the department or agency in obtaining
                qualified personnel to fill such position or positions;
                and
                    ``(B) granting the waiver would not create the
                potential for use of undue influence or unfair
                advantage.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 207 of such title is
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``subsection
                (c), (d), or (e)'' and inserting ``subsection (c) or
                (e)'';
                    (B) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``subsection
                (c)(2)(A)(i) or (iii)'' and inserting ``subsection
                (c)(2)(A) or (C)''; and
                    (C) in subsection (i)(1)(A), by striking
                ``subsections (a), (c), and (d)'' and inserting
                ``subsections (a) and (c)''.
    (b) Lifetime Ban on Serving as Agent of Foreign Government.--
            (1) Registration as agent.--The Foreign Agents Registration
        Act of 1938 (22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
        end the following new section:

``SEC. 12. PROHIBITING REGISTRATION BY FORMER POLITICAL APPOINTEES.

    ``(a) Prohibition.--No individual may register under this Act or
otherwise serve as the agent of a foreign principal if the individual
at any time served as a political appointee (as defined in subsection
(b)).
    ``(b) Political Appointee.--The term `political appointee' means an
individual who is--
            ``(1) employed in a position described under sections 5312
        through 5316 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the
        Executive Schedule);
            ``(2) a limited term appointee, limited emergency
        appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive
        Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), and (7),
        respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 5, United States
        Code; or
            ``(3) employed in a position of a confidential or policy-
        determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213
        of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.''.
            (2) Other representation as foreign entity.--Section
        207(f)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
        inserting after ``within 1 year'' the following: ``(or, in the
        case of a person who is subject to the restrictions contained
        in subsection (c), at any time)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall
        apply with respect to any individual whose service as a
        political appointee terminates on or after the date of the
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Definition.--In paragraph (1), the term ``political
        appointee'' has the meaning given such term in section
        207(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code (as amended by
        subsection (a)(1)), and section 12(b) of the Foreign Agents
        Registration Act of 1938 (as added by subsection (b)(1)).

Summary: Deter Revolving-door Appointments in our Nation. Stop Washington Appointees from becoming Manipulative Petitioners Act or the DRAIN the SWAMP Act This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise post-employment lobbying restrictions on senior executive branch officials and employees. Specifically, it imposes a five-year ban on communications by a former political appointee with the intent to influence officers or employees at their former executive branch agency or department. The term political appointee includes certain senior political officials compensated on the Executive Schedule. Limited term, limited emergency, and noncareer appointees in the Senior Executive Service. And employees in confidential or policy-determining positions in the excepted service. Additionally, the bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by a former political appointee on behalf of a foreign government or foreign political party.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Health Care Safety Net Act of
2008''.

SEC. 2. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS PROGRAM OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
              ACT.

    (a) Additional Authorizations of Appropriations for the Health
Centers Program of Public Health Service Act.--Section 330(r) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(r)) is amended by amending
paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out this
        section, in addition to the amounts authorized to be
        appropriated under subsection (d), there are authorized to be
        appropriated--
                    ``(A) $2,065,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
                    ``(B) $2,313,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    ``(C) $2,602,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    ``(D) $2,940,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    ``(E) $3,337,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.''.
    (b) Studies Relating to Community Health Centers.--
            (1) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    (A) the term ``community health center'' means a
                health center receiving assistance under section 330 of
                the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b); and
                    (B) the term ``medically underserved population''
                has the meaning given that term in such section 330.
            (2) School-based health center study.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
                date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
                of the United States shall issue a study of the
                economic costs and benefits of school-based health
                centers and the impact on the health of students of
                these centers.
                    (B) Content.--In conducting the study under
                subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General of the United
                States shall analyze--
                            (i) the impact that Federal funding could
                        have on the operation of school-based health
                        centers;
                            (ii) any cost savings to other Federal
                        programs derived from providing health services
                        in school-based health centers;
                            (iii) the effect on the Federal Budget and
                        the health of students of providing Federal
                        funds to school-based health centers and
                        clinics, including the result of providing
                        disease prevention and nutrition information;
                            (iv) the impact of access to health care
                        from school-based health centers in rural or
                        underserved areas; and
                            (v) other sources of Federal funding for
                        school-based health centers.
            (3) Health care quality study.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health
                and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the
                ``Secretary''), acting through the Administrator of the
                Health Resources and Services Administration, and in
                collaboration with the Agency for Healthcare Research
                and Quality, shall prepare and submit to the Committee
                on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate
                and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House
                of Representatives a report that describes agency
                efforts to expand and accelerate quality improvement
                activities in community health centers.
                    (B) Content.--The report under subparagraph (A)
                shall focus on--
                            (i) Federal efforts, as of the date of
                        enactment of this Act, regarding health care
                        quality in community health centers, including
                        quality data collection, analysis, and
                        reporting requirements;
                            (ii) identification of effective models for
                        quality improvement in community health
                        centers, which may include models that--
                                    (I) incorporate care coordination,
                                disease management, and other services
                                demonstrated to improve care;
                                    (II) are designed to address
                                multiple, co-occurring diseases and
                                conditions;
                                    (III) improve access to providers
                                through non-traditional means, such as
                                the use of remote monitoring equipment;
                                    (IV) target various medically
                                underserved populations, including
                                uninsured patient populations;
                                    (V) increase access to specialty
                                care, including referrals and
                                diagnostic testing; and
                                    (VI) enhance the use of electronic
                                health records to improve quality;
                            (iii) efforts to determine how effective
                        quality improvement models may be adapted for
                        implementation by community health centers that
                        vary by size, budget, staffing, services
                        offered, populations served, and other
                        characteristics determined appropriate by the
                        Secretary;
                            (iv) types of technical assistance and
                        resources provided to community health centers
                        that may facilitate the implementation of
                        quality improvement interventions;
                            (v) proposed or adopted methodologies for
                        community health center evaluations of quality
                        improvement interventions, including any
                        development of new measures that are tailored
                        to safety-net, community-based providers;
                            (vi) successful strategies for sustaining
                        quality improvement interventions in the long-
                        term; and
                            (vii) partnerships with other Federal
                        agencies and private organizations or networks
                        as appropriate, to enhance health care quality
                        in community health centers.
                    (C) Dissemination.--The Administrator of the Health
                Resources and Services Administration shall establish a
                formal mechanism or mechanisms for the ongoing
                dissemination of agency initiatives, best practices,
                and other information that may assist health care
                quality improvement efforts in community health
                centers.
            (4) GAO study on integrated health systems model for the
        delivery of health care services to medically underserved
        populations.--
                    (A) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United
                States shall conduct a study on integrated health
                system models at not more than 10 sites for the
                delivery of health care services to medically
                underserved populations. The study shall include an
                examination of--
                            (i) health care delivery models sponsored
                        by public or private non-profit entities that--
                                    (I) integrate primary, specialty,
                                and acute care; and
                                    (II) serve medically underserved
                                populations; and
                            (ii) such models in rural and urban areas.
                    (B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
                of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
                of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
                on the study conducted under subparagraph (A). The
                report shall include--
                            (i) an evaluation of the models, as
                        described in subparagraph (A), in--
                                    (I) expanding access to primary and
                                preventive services for medically
                                underserved populations; and
                                    (II) improving care coordination
                                and health outcomes; and
                            (ii) an assessment of--
                                    (I) challenges encountered by such
                                entities in providing care to medically
                                underserved populations; and
                                    (II) advantages and disadvantages
                                of such models compared to other models
                                of care delivery for medically
                                underserved populations.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS.

    (a) Funding.--
            (1) National health service corps program.--Section 338(a)
        of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254k(a)) is amended
        by striking ``2002 through 2006'' and inserting ``2008 through
        2012''.
            (2) Scholarship and loan repayment programs.--Section
        338H(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254q(a)) is
        amended by striking ``appropriated $146,250,000'' and all that
        follows through the period and inserting the following:
        ``appropriated--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2008, $131,500,000;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2009, $143,335,000;
            ``(3) for fiscal year 2010, $156,235,150;
            ``(4) for fiscal year 2011, $170,296,310; and
            ``(5) for fiscal year 2012, $185,622,980.''.
    (b) Elimination of 6-Year Demonstration Requirement.--Section
332(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)) is
amended by striking ``Not earlier than 6 years'' and all that follows
through ``purposes of this section.''.
    (c) Assignment to Shortage Area.--Section 333(a)(1)(D)(ii) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254f(a)(1)(D)(ii)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (IV), by striking ``and'';
            (2) in subclause (V), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(VI) the entity demonstrates willingness to
                support or facilitate mentorship, professional
                development, and training opportunities for Corps
                members.''.
    (d) Professional Development and Training.--Subsection (d) of
section 336 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254h-1) is
amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Professional Development and Training.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall assist Corps members
        in establishing and maintaining professional relationships and
        development opportunities, including by--
                    ``(A) establishing appropriate professional
                relationships between the Corps member involved and the
                health professions community of the geographic area
                with respect to which the member is assigned;
                    ``(B) establishing professional development,
                training, and mentorship linkages between the Corps
                member involved and the larger health professions
                community, including through distance learning, direct
                mentorship, and development and implementation of
                training modules designed to meet the educational needs
                of offsite Corps members;
                    ``(C) establishing professional networks among
                Corps members; or
                    ``(D) engaging in other professional development,
                mentorship, and training activities for Corps members,
                at the discretion of the Secretary.
            ``(2) Assistance in establishing professional
        relationships.--In providing such assistance under paragraph
        (1), the Secretary shall focus on establishing relationships
        with hospitals, with academic medical centers and health
        professions schools, with area health education centers under
        section 751, with health education and training centers under
        section 752, and with border health education and training
        centers under such section 752. Such assistance shall include
        assistance in obtaining faculty appointments at health
        professions schools.
            ``(3) Supplement not supplant.--Such efforts under this
        subsection shall supplement, not supplant, non-government
        efforts by professional health provider societies to establish
        and maintain professional relationships and development
        opportunities.''.

SEC. 4. REAUTHORIZATION OF RURAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS.

    Section 330A(j) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254c(j)) is amended by striking ``$40,000,000'' and all that follows
and inserting ``$45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through
2012.''.

            Passed the Senate July 21 (legislative day, July 17), 2008.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
110th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                 S. 901

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

  To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Community
 Health Centers program, the National Health Service Corps, and rural
                         health care programs.

Summary: Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for health centers to meet the health care needs of medically underserved populations. Requires the Comptroller General to study the economic costs and benefits of school-based health centers and their impact on the health of students, including an analysis of: (1) the impact that federal funding could have on the operation of such centers. (2) any cost savings to other federal programs derived from providing health services in such centers. And (3) the impact of such centers in rural or underserved areas. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to submit a report to the relevant congressional committees that describes efforts to expand and accelerate quality improvement activities in community health centers. Requires the Administrator to establish a mechanism for the dissemination of initiatives, best practices, and other information that may assist health care quality improvement efforts in community health centers. Directs the Comptroller General to study integrated health system models for the delivery of health care services to medically underserved populations. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for: (1) the National Health Service Corps program. And (2) the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Repeals provisions requiring each center or clinic designated as having a health manpower shortage to demonstrate every six years that it meets the applicable requirements of the definition of a health professional shortage area. Revises requirements for assigning members of the Corps to a health professional shortage area to require that the Secretary determine that an entity demonstrates willingness to support or facilitate mentorship, professional development, and training opportunities for Corps members. Requires the Secretary to assist Corps members in establishing and maintaining professional relationships and developmental opportunities. Reauthorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for grants for expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of small health care provider quality improvement activities.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Community Health Centers program, the National Health Service Corps, and rural health care programs.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Integrated Public Alert and Warning
System Modernization Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. INTEGRATED PUBLIC ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM MODERNIZATION.

    (a) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization.--
            (1) In general.--To provide timely and effective disaster
        warnings under this section, the President, acting through the
        Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
        shall, except as provided in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) modernize the integrated public alert and
                warning system of the United States (in this section
                referred to as the ``public alert and warning system'')
                to ensure that the President under all conditions is
                able to alert and warn governmental authorities and the
                civilian population in areas endangered by disasters;
                and
                    (B) implement the public alert and warning system.
            (2) Implementation requirements.--In carrying out paragraph
        (1), the Administrator shall, consistent with the
        recommendations in the final report of the Integrated Public
        Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee (established under
        subsection (b))--
                    (A) establish or adopt, as appropriate, common
                alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology,
                and operating procedures for the public alert and
                warning system;
                    (B) include in the public alert and warning system
                the capability to adapt the distribution and content of
                communications on the basis of geographic location,
                risks, or personal user preferences, as appropriate;
                    (C) include in the public alert and warning system
                the capability to alert, warn, and provide the
                equivalent amount of information to individuals with
                disabilities and individuals with access and functional
                needs;
                    (D) ensure that training, tests, and exercises are
                conducted for the public alert and warning system and
                that the system is incorporated into other training and
                exercise programs of the Department of Homeland
                Security, as appropriate;
                    (E) establish and integrate into the National
                Incident Management System a comprehensive and periodic
                training program to instruct and educate Federal,
                State, tribal, and local government officials in the
                use of the Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency
                Alert System; and
                    (F) ensure that the public alert and warning system
                is resilient, secure, and can withstand acts of
                terrorism and other external attacks.
            (3) System requirements.--Consistent with paragraph (1),
        the public alert and warning system shall--
                    (A) incorporate multiple communications
                technologies;
                    (B) be designed to adapt to, and incorporate,
                future technologies for communicating directly with the
                public;
                    (C) to the extent technically feasible, be designed
                to provide alerts to the largest portion of the
                affected population, including nonresident visitors and
                tourists and individuals with disabilities and access
                and functional needs, and improve the ability of remote
                areas to receive alerts;
                    (D) promote local and regional public and private
                partnerships to enhance community preparedness and
                response;
                    (E) provide redundant alert mechanisms if
                practicable so as to reach the greatest number of
                people regardless of whether they have access to, or
                utilize, any specific medium of communication or any
                particular device; and
                    (F) include a mechanism to ensure the protection of
                individual privacy.
            (4) Limitation on authority.--Nothing in this subsection
        authorizes or requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency
        or any other government entity to require any action on the
        part of the Federal Communications Commission, the Department
        of Commerce, the Office of Emergency Communications, or any
        nongovernmental entity, nor impact any existing obligations of
        such entities.
            (5) Implementation plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
        date of submission of the report of the Integrated Public Alert
        and Warning System Advisory Committee, the Administrator shall
        submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
        and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
        Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
        Governmental Affairs of the Senate a detailed plan to implement
        the public alert and warning system. The plan shall include a
        timeline for implementation, a spending plan, and
        recommendations for any additional authority that may be
        necessary to fully implement this subsection.
            (6) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated
        $12,824,000 of the amount made available pursuant to section
        699 of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006
        (Public Law 109-295; 6 U.S.C. 811) for each of fiscal years
        2016, 2017, and 2018 to carry out the provisions of this
        section.
    (b) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory
Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
        of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal
        Emergency Management Agency shall establish an advisory
        committee to be known as the Integrated Public Alert and
        Warning System Advisory Committee (in this subsection referred
        to as the ``Advisory Committee'').
            (2) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed
        of the following members (or their designees) to be appointed
        by the Administrator as soon as practicable after the date of
        enactment of this Act:
                    (A) The Chairman of the Federal Communications
                Commission.
                    (B) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
                Atmospheric Administration of the Department of
                Commerce.
                    (C) The Assistant Secretary for Communications and
                Information of the Department of Commerce.
                    (D) The Director of the Office of Disability
                Integration and Coordination of the Federal Emergency
                Management Agency.
                    (E) Representatives of State and local governments,
                representatives of emergency management agencies, and
                representatives of emergency response providers,
                selected from among individuals nominated by national
                organizations representing governments and personnel.
                    (F) Representatives from federally recognized
                Indian tribes and national Indian organizations.
                    (G) Individuals who have the requisite technical
                knowledge and expertise to serve on the Advisory
                Committee, including representatives of--
                            (i) communications service providers;
                            (ii) vendors, developers, and manufacturers
                        of systems, facilities, equipment, and
                        capabilities for the provision of
                        communications services;
                            (iii) third-party service bureaus;
                            (iv) the broadcasting industry, including
                        commercial and noncommercial radio and
                        television stations;
                            (v) the commercial mobile radio service
                        industry;
                            (vi) the cable industry;
                            (vii) the satellite industry; and
                            (viii) national organizations representing
                        individuals with disabilities and access and
                        functional needs and national organizations
                        representing the elderly.
                    (H) Qualified representatives of such other
                stakeholders and interested and affected parties as the
                Administrator considers appropriate.
            (3) Chairperson.--The Administrator shall serve as the
        Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.
            (4) Meetings.--
                    (A) Initial meeting.--The initial meeting of the
                Advisory Committee shall take place not later than 120
                days after the date of enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Other meetings.--After the initial meeting, the
                Advisory Committee shall meet, at least annually, at
                the call of the Chairperson.
                    (C) Notice; open meetings.--Meetings held by the
                Advisory Committee shall be duly noticed at least 14
                days in advance and shall be open to the public.
                    (D) Interested persons.--Interested persons shall
                be permitted to attend, appear before, or file
                statements with the Advisory Committee, in accordance
                with subsection (c) of section 552b of title 5, United
                States Code.
                    (E) Meeting minutes.--The Advisory Committee shall
                keep detailed minutes of each meeting, which shall
                contain a record of the persons present, a complete and
                accurate description of matters discussed and
                conclusions reached, and copies of all reports
                received, issued, or approved by the Advisory
                Committee.
                    (F) Availability of information.--The records,
                reports, transcripts, minutes, appendixes, working
                papers, drafts, studies, agenda, or other documents
                which were made available to or prepared for or by the
                Advisory Committee shall be available for public
                inspection and copying, subject to section 552 of title
                5, United States Code, at a single location in the
                office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until
                the Advisory Committee ceases to exist.
            (5) Rules.--
                    (A) Quorum.--One-third of the members of the
                Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for
                conducting business of the Advisory Committee.
                    (B) Subcommittees.--To assist the Advisory
                Committee in carrying out its functions, the
                Chairperson may establish appropriate subcommittees
                composed of members of the Advisory Committee and other
                subject matter experts as the Chairperson considers
                necessary.
                    (C) Additional rules.--The Advisory Committee may
                adopt such other rules as are necessary to carry out
                its duties.
            (6) Consultation with nonmembers.--The Advisory Committee
        and the program offices for the integrated public alert and
        warning system for the United States shall regularly meet with
        groups that are not represented on the Advisory Committee to
        consider new and developing technologies that may be beneficial
        to the public alert and warning system. Such groups may
        include--
                    (A) the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency;
                    (B) entities engaged in federally funded research;
                and
                    (C) academic institutions engaged in relevant work
                and research.
            (7) Recommendations.--The Advisory Committee shall develop
        recommendations for an integrated public alert and warning
        system, including--
                    (A) recommendations for common alerting and warning
                protocols, standards, terminology, and operating
                procedures for the public alert and warning system; and
                    (B) recommendations to provide for a public alert
                and warning system that--
                            (i) has the capability to adapt the
                        distribution and content of communications on
                        the basis of geographic location, risks, or
                        personal user preferences, as appropriate;
                            (ii) has the capability to alert and warn
                        individuals with disabilities and individuals
                        with limited English proficiency;
                            (iii) incorporates multiple communications
                        technologies;
                            (iv) is designed to adapt to, and
                        incorporate, future technologies for
                        communicating directly with the public;
                            (v) is designed to provide alerts to the
                        largest portion of the affected population
                        feasible, including nonresident visitors and
                        tourists, and improve the ability of remote
                        areas to receive alerts;
                            (vi) promotes local and regional public and
                        private partnerships to enhance community
                        preparedness and response;
                            (vii) provides redundant alert mechanisms
                        if practicable in order to reach the greatest
                        number of people regardless of whether they
                        have access to, or utilize, any specific medium
                        of communication or any particular device; and
                            (viii) promotes the participation of
                        representatives from traditionally underserved
                        and underrepresented communities, to ensure
                        that alerts and warnings reach such
                        populations.
            (8) Initial and annual report.--Not later than 1 year after
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Advisory Committee shall
        submit to the Administrator, the Committee on Transportation
        and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of
        the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland
        Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report
        containing the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.
            (9) Federal advisory committee act.--Neither the Federal
        Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) nor any rule, order, or
        regulation issued under that Act shall apply to the Advisory
        Committee.
            (10) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate
        not later than 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Limitation on Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section
shall be construed to provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency
with regulatory authority with respect to any nongovernment entity.

Summary: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modernize and implement the integrated public alert and warning system of the United States to ensure that the President is able, under all conditions, to alert governmental authorities and the civilian population in areas endangered by disasters, including by: establishing common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for such system. Including in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences and to alert individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs. Ensuring that training, tests, and exercises are conducted for such system. Establishing and integrating into the National Incident Management System a comprehensive and periodic training program to instruct and educate federal, state, tribal, and local government officials in the use of the Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency Alert System. And ensuring that the system is resilient, secure, and can withstand acts of terrorism and other external attacks. The system shall: incorporate multiple communications technologies, be designed to incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible and to improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts, promote local and regional partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response, provide redundant alert mechanisms, and protect individual privacy. FEMA must: (1) submit a detailed plan to implement the system, including a time line, a spending plan, and recommendations for any additional authority necessary. And (2) establish the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for the system.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Natural Gas Reserve Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. NATURAL GAS RESERVE.

    Title I of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act is amended by--
            (1) redesignating part E as part F;
            (2) redesignating section 191 as section 198; and
            (3) inserting after part D the following new part E:

                     ``Part E--Natural Gas Reserve

                            ``establishment

    ``Sec. 191. (a) Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act, the Secretary may establish, maintain, and operate a Natural
Gas Reserve. The Reserve established under this part is not a component
of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve established under part B of this
title.
    ``(b) Definition.--For the purposes of this part, the term `natural
gas' has the meaning given that term in section 2(1) of the Natural Gas
Policy Act of 1978 (15 U.S.C. 3301(1)).

                              ``authority

    ``Sec. 192. To the extent necessary or appropriate to carry out
this part, the Secretary may--
            ``(1) purchase, contract for, lease, or otherwise acquire,
        in whole or in part, storage and related facilities, and
        storage services;
            ``(2) use, lease, maintain, sell, or otherwise dispose of
        storage and related facilities acquired under this part;
            ``(3) acquire by purchase, exchange (including exchange of
        petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve or
        received as royalty from Federal lands), lease, or otherwise,
        natural gas for storage in the Natural Gas Reserve;
            ``(4) store natural gas in facilities not owned by the
        United States; and
            ``(5) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of natural gas
        from the Natural Gas Reserve, including to maintain the quality
        or quantity of the natural gas in the Reserve or to maintain
        the operational capability of the Reserve.

                     ``conditions for release; plan

    ``Sec. 193. (a) Finding.--The Secretary may sell products from the
Natural Gas Reserve upon a finding that there is a natural gas supply
shortage.
    ``(b) Release of Natural Gas.--After consultation with the natural
gas industry, the Secretary shall determine procedures governing the
release of natural gas from the Natural Gas Reserve. The procedures
shall provide that--
            ``(1) the Secretary may--
                    ``(A) sell natural gas from the Reserve through a
                competitive process; or
                    ``(B) enter into exchange agreements described in
                section 192(3);
            ``(2) in all such sales or exchanges, the Secretary shall
        receive revenue or its equivalent that provides the Department
        with fair market value;
            ``(3) at no time may the natural gas be sold or exchanged
        resulting in a loss of revenue or value to the United States;
        and
            ``(4) the Secretary shall only sell or dispose of the
        natural gas in the Reserve to entities customarily engaged in
        the sale and distribution of natural gas.
    ``(c) Plan.--Within 45 days after the date of the enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a plan
describing--
            ``(1) the acquisition of storage and related facilities or
        storage services for the Natural Gas Reserve, including the
        potential use of storage facilities not currently in use;
            ``(2) the acquisition of natural gas for storage in the
        Natural Gas Reserve;
            ``(3) the anticipated methods of disposition of natural gas
        from the Natural Gas Reserve;
            ``(4) the estimated costs of establishment, maintenance,
        and operation of the Natural Gas Reserve;
            ``(5) efforts the Department will take to minimize any
        potential need for future drawdowns and ensure that
        distributors and importers are not discouraged from maintaining
        and increasing supplies; and
            ``(6) actions to ensure quality of the natural gas in the
        Natural Gas Reserve.

                     ``natural gas reserve account

    ``Sec. 194. (a) Establishment.--Upon a decision of the Secretary of
Energy to establish a Natural Gas Reserve under this part, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall establish in the Treasury of the United
States an account known as the `Natural Gas Reserve Account' (referred
to in this section as the `Account').
    ``(b) Deposits.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the
Account any amounts appropriated to the Account and any receipts from
the sale, exchange, or other disposition of natural gas from the
Natural Gas Reserve.
    ``(c) Availability.--The Secretary of Energy may obligate amounts
in the Account to carry out activities under this part without the need
for further appropriation, and amounts available to the Secretary of
Energy for obligation under this section shall remain available without
fiscal year limitation.

                              ``exemptions

    ``Sec. 195. An action taken under this part is not subject to the
rulemaking requirements of section 523 of this Act, section 501 of the
Department of Energy Organization Act, or section 553 of title 5,
United States Code.''.

Summary: Natural Gas Reserve Act of 2001 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to authorize the Secretary of Energy to establish and operate a Natural Gas Reserve (NGR), which shall not be deemed to be a component of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Sets forth implementation authority for natural gas release and sales predicated upon a finding that a natural gas supply shortage exists. Restricts such sales to entities customarily engaged in natural gas sale and distribution. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a Natural Gas Reserve Account to serve as depository for receipts from disposition of NGR natural gas. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to obligate amounts in such Account without the need for further appropriation. Retains the availability of such funds for obligation without fiscal year limitation.

To provide for the establishment of a Natural Gas Reserve.