SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Citizenship Promotion Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) American democracy performs best when the maximum
        number of people subject to its laws participate in the
        political process, at all levels of government.
            (2) Citizenship actively exercised will better assure that
        individuals both assert their rights and fulfill their
        responsibilities of membership within our political community,
        thereby benefiting all citizens and residents of the United
        States.

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

    Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act is amended by
adding at the end the following new chapter:

                   ``CHAPTER 5--CITIZENSHIP PROMOTION

``SEC. 371. DEFINITIONS.

    ``As used in this chapter--
            ``(1) the term `Agency' means the United States Citizenship
        Promotion Agency; and
            ``(2) the term `Board' means the National Advisory Board on
        Citizenship established by section 373.

``SEC. 372. THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP PROMOTION AGENCY.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Immigration
and Naturalization Service an agency to be known as the United States
Citizenship Promotion Agency.
    ``(b) Mission.--The Agency shall have as its mission the following:
            ``(1) To carry out the functions relating to naturalization
        arising under chapter 2 of this title.
            ``(2) To assist in the implementation of a comprehensive
        program of encouraging and assisting eligible immigrants to
        become naturalized citizens as soon thereafter as they become
        eligible to do so.
    ``(c) Headed by Associate Commissioner.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The Agency shall be headed by an
        Associate Commissioner for Citizenship. Reasonable efforts
        shall be made to fill the position with a naturalized citizen
        of the United States.
            ``(2) Compensation.--The position of Associate Commissioner
        for Citizenship shall be a position in the Senior Executive
        Service.
    ``(d) Powers.--The Agency is authorized to exercise all necessary
and appropriate powers and duties to carry out its mission, including
the authority--
            ``(1) to enter into cooperative agreements with Federal,
        State, and local governmental entities;
            ``(2) to enter into contracts, subject to the availability
        of appropriations; and
            ``(3) to make grants to private and nonprofit entities.
    ``(e) Role of Advisory Board.--The Commissioner and the Associate
Commissioner for Citizenship shall seek the consultation and advice of
the Board regarding the policies, practices, and procedures used by the
Agency in fulfillment of its duties.
    ``(f) Termination of Existing Offices and Positions.--(1) There are
transferred to the Agency all functions being exercised before the date
of enactment of the Citizenship Promotion Act of 1996 by the Attorney
General, the Commissioner, or the Service relating to the following:
            ``(A) The naturalization of persons under chapter 2 of this
        title.
            ``(B) The encouragement and assistance of eligible
        immigrants to become naturalized citizens.
    ``(2) Upon such date, the Commissioner shall abolish or
consolidate, as the case may be, any office or position existing before
such date within the Service that performed functions transferred under
paragraph (1), if such office or position is not otherwise created by
statute.
    ``(3) The personnel employed in connection with, and the assets,
liabilities, contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of
appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed,
used, held, arising from, available to, or to be made available in
connection with the functions transferred under this paragraph (1),
subject to section 1531 of title 31, United States Code, shall be
transferred to the Agency.

``SEC. 373. NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD ON CITIZENSHIP.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established the National Advisory
Board on Citizenship to advise the Associate Commissioner for
Citizenship, the Attorney General, the President, and Congress
regarding the carrying out of the Agency's objectives.
    ``(b) Composition.--(1) The Board shall be composed of 9 voting
members, who shall be appointed by the Attorney General, except as
otherwise provided, as follows:
            ``(A) One member drawn from among individuals having
        extensive academic experience in the study of immigration.
            ``(B) Two members drawn from among individuals having been
        recently naturalized, including at least one who is engaged in
        nonprofessional employment.
            ``(C) Two members drawn from among individuals having
        extensive recent experience in counseling and advising resident
        aliens to become naturalized citizens.
            ``(D) Two members drawn from among individuals who have
        extensive experience working with the immigrant community.
            ``(E) One member to be appointed by the Committee on the
        Judiciary of the Senate.
            ``(F) One member to be appointed by the Committee on the
        Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
    ``(2) The Assistant Secretary of Education for Vocational and Adult
Education, or his or her designee, shall serve on the Board in a
nonvoting capacity.
    ``(3) The voting members shall serve staggered terms in a manner to
be prescribed by the Attorney General.
    ``(4) At the first meeting of the Board each year, the members of
the Board shall elect a chair and vice chair, who shall serve for a
term of one year.
    ``(5) The Board shall meet no more frequently than quarterly each
year to carry out its responsibilities under subsection (c).
    ``(c) Responsibilities.--(1) The Board shall have the general
responsibility to prepare independent biannual reports relating to the
administration of policies of the Agency. Such reports may include
minority reports, if timely submitted.
    ``(2) In the course of carrying out its responsibilities, the Board
may do the following:
            ``(A) Review the policies, plans, and objectives of the
        Agency, including the effectiveness thereof, both short- and
        long-term.
            ``(B) Review programs and policies of other Federal and
        State agencies under the area of oversight of the Agency, as is
        necessary, including the effectiveness thereof, both short- and
        long-term.
            ``(C) Assess the resources and funds for the Agency, and
        make reports and recommendations to the Commissioner and
        Congress.
    ``(3) The Board shall give an annual oral report to the Attorney
General, the Commissioner, and the Associate Commissioner for
Citizenship.
    ``(d) Administrative Matters.--The Attorney General shall approve
the budget of the Board. The Attorney General and the Commissioner
shall provide administrative support, including staffing, to enable the
Board to fulfill its functions.
    ``(e) Compensation.--While away from their homes or regular places
of business in the performance of duties for the Board, Board members
shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed $100 per day and shall be
allowed reasonable travel expenses.
    ``(f) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall
apply to the Board, except to the extent that this section establishes
contrary policies or procedures.

``SEC. 374. NATURALIZATION OUTREACH.

    ``In order to enable the Agency to fulfill its naturalization
outreach duties, the Agency--
            ``(1) shall seek the assistance of appropriate community
        groups, private voluntary agencies, and other appropriate
        organizations; and
            ``(2) may enter into cooperative agreements with, or make
        grants to, such other governmental, private, and nonprofit
        entities (including entities that encourage or facilitate
        community service or are engaged in such service) that it
        considers useful in carrying out such duties.

``SEC. 375. FEES.

    ``(a) Naturalization Examinations Fee Account.--There is
established in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States a
separate account which shall be known as the `Naturalization
Examinations Fee Account' (hereafter in this section referred to as the
`Account').
    ``(b) Deposits.--(1) There shall be deposited into the Account the
following:
            ``(A) All funds in the Immigration Examinations Fee Account
        that were collected pursuant to section 344(a) before the date
        of the enactment of the Citizenship Promotion Act of 1996 and
        that remain available for obligation on such date.
            ``(B) Except as provided in paragraph (2), all fees paid to
        the Attorney General pursuant to section 344(a) after such
        date.
    ``(2) Fees paid after such date pursuant to section 344(a) by
applicants residing in the United States Virgin Islands, and in Guam,
shall be paid over to the treasury of the Virgin Islands and the
treasury of Guam, respectively.
    ``(c) Amount of Fees.--The Attorney General shall establish, and
may revise from time to time, the amount of the fees to be collected
pursuant to section 344(a) for deposit into the Account. The amount of
such fees may be set at a level that will ensure the full recovery of
the costs referred to in subsection (d)(1) and the costs of the
administration of such fees.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--(1) The Attorney General may use funds in the
Account to cover the following:
            ``(A) The costs of the Agency in carrying out
        naturalization functions under chapter 2 of this title.
            ``(B) The costs of the Agency in encouraging and assisting
        eligible immigrants in becoming naturalized citizens under this
        chapter, including the facilitation of instruction of
        immigrants in the English language.
            ``(C) The costs of the Agency in collecting fees for
        deposit into the Account and in administering the Account.
    ``(2) Amounts in the Account shall remain available until expended.
    ``(e) Annual Financial Statements.--The Attorney General shall
prepare and submit annually to Congress statements of financial
condition of the Account, including beginning account balance revenues,
withdrawals, and ending account balance and projections for the ensuing
fiscal year.''.

SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended--
            (1) in section 286 (8 U.S.C. 1356)--
                    (A) in the second proviso of subsection (m), by
                striking ``and naturalization''; and
                    (B) in subsection (n), by striking ``and
                naturalization''; and
            (2) in section 332 (8 U.S.C. 1443)--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by inserting after the first
                sentence the following new sentence: ``The Attorney
                General shall discharge such provisions through the
                United States Citizenship Promotion Agency established
                under chapter 5 of this title.''; and
                    (B) by striking subsection (h).

Summary: Citizenship Promotion Act of 1996 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish within the Immigration and Naturalization Service the United States Citizenship Promotion Agency. Transfers to the Agency naturalization and related functions currently carried out by the Attorney General and the Service. Establishes the National Advisory Board on Citizenship. Directs the Agency to carry out naturalization outreach activities. Establishes in the Treasury the Naturalization Examinations Fee Account.

Citizenship Promotion Act of 1996


SECTION 1. SMALL EMPLOYER BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS.

    (a) Amendments to IRC.--
            (1) In general.--Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code
        of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
        subsection:
    ``(y) Small Employer Benefit Arrangements.--
            ``(1) Treatment as employer.--
                    ``(A) Retirement, accident, and health insurance.--
                A small employer benefit arrangement meeting the
                requirements of this subsection shall be treated as an
                `employer' for the purpose of providing qualified
                retirement and accident and health plans (including a
                plan qualified under section 105(h) or section 125) or
                group-term life insurance under section 79.
                    ``(B) Allocation of income.--Notwithstanding
                subparagraph (A), the shareholder-members of the small
                employer benefit arrangement shall be treated as
                employers for purposes of administering and allocating
                items of income, credits, deductions, or exclusions
                associated with the provision of employee benefits.
            ``(2) Certain organizations prohibited.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An organization shall not be
                treated as a small employer benefit arrangement if the
                small employer benefit arrangement or any related
                entity is owned, in whole or in part, or managed or
                controlled in whole or in part, by any management
                agreement or certificates of indebtedness, directly or
                indirectly, or by an agents, brokers or providers of
                a--
                            ``(i) health, life, or disability insurer;
                            ``(ii) retirement plan service provider
                        (including persons who provide plan design,
                        administration, and investment advice services
                        to retirement plans);
                            ``(iii) claim administrators; and
                            ``(iv) investment advisors.
                    ``(B) Ordinary provision of products and
                services.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be
                construed--
                            ``(i) to prohibit a small employer benefit
                        arrangement from contracting for the ordinary
                        provision of products and services from any
                        persons or organizations that might otherwise
                        be prohibited from having an ownership or
                        management interest in a small employer benefit
                        arrangement, or
                            ``(ii) to prohibit small employer benefit
                        arrangements from creating, by and between
                        themselves, service organizations owned and
                        controlled exclusively by small employer
                        benefit arrangements to provide for such
                        products and services in the fulfillment of
                        their purposes.
            ``(3) Definition.--The term `small employer benefit
        arrangement' means a member owned, democratically controlled
        cooperative organization that--
                    ``(A) meets the requirements of subchapter T;
                    ``(B) has at least 21 shareholders of whom 90
                percent are in the same or similar line of business;
                    ``(C) sponsors an accident and health plan for
                shareholder-members and any employees of shareholder-
                members;
                    ``(D) sponsors a qualified retirement plan that
                meets the requirements of paragraph (12) or (13) of
                section 401(k) and is available to shareholder-members
                and any employees of shareholder-members;
                    ``(E) provides employee benefits pursuant to a
                written agreement; and
                    ``(F) requires all benefit eligible employees of a
                shareholder-member to participate according to the same
                statutory eligibility criteria normally accorded such
                persons.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
        shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after
        the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Amendments to ERISA.--
            (1) Treatment as employer.--Section 3 of the Employee
        Retirement and Income Security Act (29 U.S.C. 1002) is
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or a small
                employer benefit arrangement'' after ``a group or
                association of employers''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
    ``(43) The term `small employer benefit arrangement' means a member
owned, democratically controlled cooperative organization that--
            ``(A) meets the requirements of subchapter T of chapter 1
        of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
            ``(B) has at least 21 shareholders of whom 90 percent are
        in the same or similar line of business;
            ``(C) sponsors an accident and health plan for shareholder-
        members and any employees of shareholder-members;
            ``(D) sponsors a qualified retirement plan that meets the
        requirements of paragraph (12) or (13) of section 401(k) of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is available to shareholder-
        members and any employees of shareholder-members;
            ``(E) provides employee benefits pursuant to a written
        agreement; and
            ``(F) requires all benefit eligible employees of a
        shareholder-member to participate according to the same
        statutory eligibility criteria normally accorded such
        persons.''.
            (2) Self-insurance prohibited.--Section 609 of such Act (29
        U.S.C. 1169) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection
                (f); and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (d) the following
                new subsection:
    ``(e) Small Employer Benefit Arrangements.--
            ``(1) Self-insurance prohibited.--Any group health plan
        established or maintained by a small employer benefit
        arrangement shall be fully insured.
            ``(2) Fully insured defined.--A group health plan
        established or maintained by a small employer benefit
        arrangement shall be considered fully insured only if the terms
        of the arrangement provide for benefits the amount of all of
        which the Secretary determines are guaranteed under a contract,
        or policy of insurance, issued by an insurance company,
        insurance service, or insurance organization, qualified to
        conduct business in a State.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
        shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after
        the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Amendments to PPACA.--
            (1) Small employer benefit arrangement defined.--Section
        1304(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42
        U.S.C. 18024(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following
        new paragraph:
            ``(5) Small employer benefit arrangement.--The term `small
        employer benefit arrangement' has the meaning given such term
        in section 3(43) of the Employee Retirement and Income Security
        Act.''.
            (2) Qualified health plans.--Section 1301(a) of such Act
        (42 U.S.C. 18021(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
        following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Inclusion of small employer benefit arrangement
        plans.--Any reference in this title to a qualified health plan
        shall be deemed to include any group health plan established or
        maintained by a small employer benefit arrangement.''.
            (3) Eligibility to participate in american health benefit
        exchanges.--Section 1312(f)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
        18032(f)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Small employer benefit arrangements.--For
                purposes of subparagraph (A), a small employer benefit
                arrangement shall be treated as a small employer.''.
            (4) Effective date.--The amendments made to any provision
        by this subsection shall take effect as if included in the
        enactment of such provision.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to treat certain small employer benefit arrangements (SEBAs) as employers for the purpose of providing qualified retirement and accident and health plans or group-term life insurance. Defines a SEBA as a member owned, democratically controlled cooperative organization that: (1) has at least 21 shareholders of whom 90 percent are in the same or similar line of business. (2) sponsors an accident and health plan for shareholder-members and any of their employees. (3) sponsors a qualified retirement plan meeting specified requirements and available to shareholder-members and their employees, (4) provides employee benefits pursuant to a written agreement. And (5) requires all benefit eligible employees of a shareholder-member to participate according to the same statutory eligibility criteria normally accorded them. Treats the shareholder-members of a SEBA as employers for purposes of administering and allocating items of income, credits, deductions, or exclusions associated with the provision of employee benefits. Prohibits treatment as a SEBA of any organization or related entity that is owned, in whole or in part, or managed or controlled in whole or in part, by any management agreement or certificates of indebtedness, directly or indirectly, or by: (1) any agents, brokers or providers of a health, life, or disability insurer, (2) a retirement plan service provider, (3) claim administrators. Or (4) investment advisors. Requires any group health plan established or maintained by a SEBA to be fully insured .

To recognize small employer benefit arrangements as employers, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``English Language Unity Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds and declares the following:
            (1) The United States is comprised of individuals from
        diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and
        continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
            (2) Throughout the history of the United States, the common
        thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been
        the English language.
            (3) Among the powers reserved to the States respectively is
        the power to establish the English language as the official
        language of the respective States, and otherwise to promote the
        English language within the respective States, subject to the
        prohibitions enumerated in the Constitution of the United
        States and in laws of the respective States.

SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:

                     ``CHAPTER 6--OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

``Sec. 161. Official language of the United States
    ``The official language of the United States is English.
``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
    ``Representatives of the Federal Government shall have an
affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as
the official language of the Federal Government. Such obligation shall
include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the
English language.
``Sec. 163. Official functions of Government to be conducted in English
    ``(a) Scope.--For the purposes of this section--
            ``(1) the term `official' refers to any function that--
                    ``(A) binds the Government;
                    ``(B) is required by law; or
                    ``(C) is otherwise subject to scrutiny by either
                the press or the public; and
            ``(2) the term `United States' means the several States and
        the District of Columbia.
    ``(b) Official Functions.--The official functions of the Government
of the United States shall be conducted in English.
    ``(c) Practical Effect.--This section--
            ``(1) shall apply to all laws, public proceedings,
        regulations, publications, orders, actions, programs, and
        policies; and
            ``(2) shall not apply to--
                    ``(A) teaching of languages;
                    ``(B) requirements under the Individuals with
                Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
                    ``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary for
                national security, international relations, trade,
                tourism, or commerce;
                    ``(D) actions or documents that protect the public
                health and safety;
                    ``(E) actions or documents that facilitate the
                activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any
                census of population;
                    ``(F) actions that protect the rights of victims of
                crimes or criminal defendants; or
                    ``(G) using terms of art or phrases from languages
                other than English.
``Sec. 164. Uniform English language rule for naturalization
    ``(a) Uniform Language Testing Standard.--All citizens of the
United States should be able to read and understand generally the
English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the
Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance of
the Constitution.
    ``(b) Ceremonies.--All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted
in English.
``Sec. 165. Rules of construction
    ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
            ``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or any officer or
        agent of the Federal Government, while performing official
        functions under section 163, from communicating unofficially
        through any medium with another person in a language other than
        English (as long as official functions are performed in
        English);
            ``(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or
        Native American languages (as defined in the Native American
        Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.));
            ``(3) to disparage any language or to discourage any person
        from learning or using a language; or
            ``(4) to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the
        United States.
``Sec. 166. Standing
    ``A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil
action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain
appropriate relief.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters at the beginning of
title 4, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to chapter 5 the following:

                   ``Chapter 6. Official Language''.

SEC. 4. GENERAL RULES OF CONSTRUCTION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTS OF THE
              LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 9. General rules of construction for laws of the United States
    ``(a) English language requirements and workplace policies, whether
in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with
the laws of the United States.
    ``(b) Any ambiguity in the English language text of the laws of the
United States shall be resolved, in accordance with the last two
articles of the Bill of Rights, not to deny or disparage rights
retained by the people, and to reserve powers to the States
respectively, or to the people.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 8 the following:

``9. General Rules of Construction for Laws of the United States.''.

SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall issue for public notice and
comment a proposed rule for uniform testing English language ability of
candidates for naturalization, which shall be based upon the principles
that--
            (1) all citizens of the United States should be able to
        read and understand generally the English language text of the
        Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of
        the United States which are made in pursuance thereof; and
            (2) any exceptions to the standard described in paragraph
        (1) should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as
        asylum.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on the
date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: English Language Unity Act of 2015 Establishes English as the official language of the United States. Requiresnbsp. Naturalization ceremonies and official functions of the US government, subject to exceptions, tonbsp. Be conducted in English. Declares that all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of US laws. Allows a person injured by a violation of this Act to obtain relief, including a declaratory judgment, in a civil action. Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector,nbsp. Shall be presumptively consistent with US laws. Requires any ambiguity innbsp, US lawsnbsp. To be resolved in accordance with the rights retained by the people and the powers reserved to states under the Bill of Rights. Directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue a proposed rule for uniform testing of the English language ability of candidates for naturalization based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States. And (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

English Language Unity Act of 2015


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Jobs Now Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS TO UNITS OF GENERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

    Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 172 the
following:

``SEC. 173. PILOT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Program Authorized.--Notwithstanding section 181(e), from the
amounts appropriated under subsection (h), the Secretary shall carry
out a 2-year pilot program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to
units of general local government or community-based organizations to
retain, employ, or train employees providing a public service for a
unit of general local government.
    ``(b) Unit of General Local Government Defined.--For purposes of
this section, the term `unit of general local government' means any
general purpose political subdivision of a State, or the United States
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the freely associated states of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic
of Palau, that has the power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as
general corporate and police powers.
    ``(c) Uses of Funds.--
            ``(1) Required uses.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a
                unit of general local government or community-based
                organization shall use not less than 50 percent of the
                grant funds received under this section to--
                            ``(i) in the case of a unit, retain
                        employees of such unit who are providing a
                        public service for the unit and who would
                        otherwise be laid off as a consequence of
                        budget cuts; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of an organization,
                        retain employees of the organization who are
                        providing a public service for the unit in
                        which the organization is located and who would
                        otherwise be laid off as a consequence of
                        budget cuts.
                    ``(B) Exception.--In a case in which 50 percent of
                a grant amount received under this section would exceed
                the amount needed for a unit or organization to retain
                the employees described in subparagraph (A), the unit
                or organization may use only the amount needed to
                retain such employees for such purpose.
            ``(2) Authorized uses.--After using grant funds received
        under this section in accordance with paragraph (1), a unit of
        general local government or community-based organization may
        use any remaining grant funds provided under this section to--
                    ``(A) in the case of a unit of general local
                government--
                            ``(i) employ individuals in new positions
                        providing a public service for the unit; or
                            ``(ii) train individuals for new public
                        service positions for the unit; and
                    ``(B) in the case of a community-based
                organization--
                            ``(i) employ individuals in new positions
                        that would provide a public service for the
                        unit in which the organization is located or
                        services in the private sector; or
                            ``(ii) train individuals for any such
                        positions.
    ``(d) Priority for Certain Individuals.--The Secretary shall
encourage each unit of general local government and each community-
based organization receiving a grant under this section to use such
grant funds to retain, employ, or train--
            ``(1) veterans;
            ``(2) individuals with disabilities;
            ``(3) individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits;
        or
            ``(4) dislocated workers.
    ``(e) Priority for Certain Units and Organizations.--
            ``(1) Units.--In awarding grants to units of general local
        government under this section, the Secretary shall give
        priority to units of general local government with high
        unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to
        other units of general local government applying to receive a
        grant under this section.
            ``(2) Organizations.--In awarding grants to units of
        general local government under this section, the Secretary
        shall give priority to community-based organizations located in
        units of general local government with high unemployment,
        foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of
        general local government applying to receive a grant under this
        section.
    ``(f) Application.--Each unit of general local government or
community-based organization desiring to receive a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
    ``(g) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the first appropriation
of funds under subsection (h), the Secretary shall submit to Congress,
a report on--
            ``(1) the number and percentage of individuals hired or
        trained, and the number and percentage of employees of units
        retained, as a result of a grant under this section; and
            ``(2) best practices in carrying out a grant program to
        hire, train, or retain employees of units of general local
        government.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000,000 to carry out this section for fiscal years
2018 and 2019.''.

Summary: Jobs Now Act of 2017 This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Department of Labor to carry out a two-year pilot program to award competitive grants to general local government units or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train employees who provide a local government unit with a public service. The bill prescribes required and authorized uses of grant fund and priorities for awarding and using grant funds, including: encouraging grantees to use funds to retain, employ, or train veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals who receive unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers. And giving priority in awarding grants to local government units and their community-based organizations with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates.

Jobs Now Act of 2017


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline
Improvement Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) North American demand for natural gas is expected to
        increase dramatically over the course of the next several
        decades, as described in section 114 of the Alaska Natural Gas
        Pipeline Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 720l);
            (2) although North American natural gas supplies are
        adequate to meet customer needs in calendar years 2011 and 2012
        and for the near future, the availability of Alaska gas as an
        additional domestic source would further shield the United
        States from any future reliance on overseas energy supplies in
        the years ahead;
            (3) 2 military installations in the Fairbanks North Star
        Borough, Alaska, Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base--
                    (A) are a central component of the ability of the
                United States to project power over a vast area of the
                Pacific region;
                    (B) are home to approximately 23,000 military
                members and families;
                    (C) are located along or relatively adjacent to any
                cost-effective Alaska natural gas pipeline project
                corridor; and
                    (D) would benefit from access to affordable natural
                gas supplies drawn from the proposed Alaska natural gas
                pipeline project, freeing up funding for pursuing mid-
                term and long-term renewable energy goals;
            (4) the Fairbanks North Star Borough--
                    (A) suffers from a thermal inversion that traps
                particulate emissions and other air pollutants; and
                    (B) has been declared a nonattainment zone for
                failing to achieve reductions in particulate matter by
                the Environmental Protection Agency;
            (5) the availability of affordable clean-burning natural
        gas would significantly improve air quality in the public
        health interest of Borough residents;
            (6) the most logical route for an Alaska natural gas
        transportation project (as defined in section 102 of the Alaska
        Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 720)) would travel
        through Atigun Pass;
            (7) Atigun Pass--
                    (A) holds both the James W. Dalton Highway and the
                trans-Alaska oil pipeline, both of which are essential
                to the strategically important operation of North Slope
                oil fields; and
                    (B) is the highest-altitude point on the Dalton
                Highway (with an elevation of 4,739 feet or 1,422
                meters) and is on the Continental Divide;
            (8) space constraints and difficulties of Arctic
        construction in Atigun Pass restrict the available right-of-
        way, allowing room for only 1 additional pipeline in the
        preferred route through the Pass;
            (9) the public interest would best be served by all
        proponents of a natural gas pipeline from the Alaska North
        Slope agreeing on a single project that--
                    (A) passes through Atigun Pass, taking advantage of
                the preferred right-of-way and avoiding costly
                duplication of design, permitting, and construction
                expenses that would fall on consumers; and
                    (B) serves Alaskans and other North American
                consumers; and
            (10) a natural gas pipeline with sufficient capacity to
        facilitate economic transportation of natural gas as part of a
        Alaska natural gas transportation project (as defined in
        section 102 of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004 (15
        U.S.C. 720)) is in the national interest.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF ALASKA NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION PROJECT.

    Section 102 of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004 (15
U.S.C. 720) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
            ``(2) Alaska natural gas transportation project.--The term
        `Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project' means--
                    ``(A) any natural gas pipeline system that carries
                Alaska natural gas to the border between Alaska and
                Canada (including related facilities subject to the
                jurisdiction of the Commission) that is authorized
                under--
                            ``(i) the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation
                        Act of 1976 (15 U.S.C. 719 et seq.); or
                            ``(ii) section 103; and
                    ``(B) any pipeline segment that the Commission
                finds could feasibly be incorporated into and serve as
                an integrated segment of the system described in
                subparagraph (A) (including the construction and
                operation of the segment), which shall be subject to
                this Act and the jurisdiction of the Commission under
                the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.), regardless
                of whether the segment--
                            ``(i) is proposed and constructed prior to
                        the construction of the entire system described
                        in subparagraph (A); or
                            ``(ii) initially transports Alaska natural
                        gas solely for delivery to consumers within the
                        State of Alaska.''.

Summary: Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004 to include in the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project any pipeline segment that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finds could feasibly be incorporated into and serve as an integrated segment of that system, regardless of whether it: (1) is proposed and constructed before construction of the entire system, or (2) initially transports natural gas solely for delivery to customers within Alaska.

A bill to amend the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004 to promote the availability of affordable, clean-burning natural gas to North American markets, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund
Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL TRUST FUND.

    (a) Establishment of Trust Fund.--Subchapter A of chapter 98 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to trust fund code) is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 9512. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL TRUST FUND.

    ``(a) Creation of Trust Fund.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a trust fund to be known as the `Intercity
Passenger Rail Trust Fund', consisting of such amounts as may be
transferred or credited to the Trust Fund as provided in this section
or section 9602(b).
    ``(b) Transfer to Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund of Amounts
Equivalent to Certain Taxes.--There are hereby appropriated to the
Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the taxes
received in the Treasury at the rate of .5 cent for each gallon with
respect to which tax is imposed under section 4041 or 4081 after
September 30, 1997, and before October 1, 2002, but only to the extent
such taxes are not attributable to the Highway Trust Fund financing
rate.
    ``(c) Expenditures From Trust Fund.--
            ``(1) In general.--Amounts in the Intercity Passenger Rail
        Trust Fund shall be available without fiscal year limitation to
        finance qualified expenses of--
                    ``(A) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation,
                and
                    ``(B) each non-Amtrak State, to the extent
                determined under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Maximum amount of funds to non-Amtrak states.--Each
        non-Amtrak State shall receive under this subsection an amount
        equal to the lesser of--
                    ``(A) the State's qualified expenses for the fiscal
                year, or
                    ``(B) the product of--
                            ``(i) \1/12\ of 1 percent of the lesser
                        of--
                                    ``(I) the aggregate amounts
                                transferred and credited to the
                                Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund
                                under subsection (a) for such fiscal
                                year, or
                                    ``(II) the aggregate amounts
                                appropriated from the Intercity
                                Passenger Rail Trust Fund for such
                                fiscal year, and
                            ``(ii) the number of months such State is a
                        non-Amtrak State in such fiscal year.
        If the amount determined under subparagraph (B) exceeds the
        amount under subparagraph (A) for any fiscal year, the amount
        under subparagraph (B) for the following fiscal year shall be
        increased by the amount of such excess.
    ``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Qualified expenses.--The term `qualified expenses'
        means expenses incurred, with respect to obligations made,
        after September 30, 1997, and before October 1, 2002--
                    ``(A) for--
                            ``(i) in the case of the National Railroad
                        Passenger Corporation, the acquisition of
                        equipment, rolling stock, and other capital
                        improvements, the upgrading of maintenance
                        facilities, and the maintenance of existing
                        equipment, in intercity passenger rail service,
                        and the payment of interest and principal on
                        obligations incurred for such acquisition,
                        upgrading, and maintenance, and
                            ``(ii) in the case of a non-Amtrak State,
                        the acquisition of equipment, rolling stock,
                        and other capital improvements, the upgrading
                        of maintenance facilities, and the maintenance
                        of existing equipment, in intercity passenger
                        rail or bus service, and the payment of
                        interest and principal on obligations incurred
                        for such acquisition, upgrading, and
                        maintenance, and
                    ``(B) certified by the Secretary of Transportation
                on October 1 as meeting the requirements of
                subparagraph (A) and as qualified for payment under
                subsection (e) for the fiscal year beginning on such
                date.
            ``(2) Non-Amtrak state.--The term `non-Amtrak State' means
        any State which does not receive intercity passenger rail
        service from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
    ``(e) Contract Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary of Transportation shall certify expenses as
qualified for a fiscal year on October 1 of such year, in an amount not
to exceed the amount of receipts estimated by the Secretary of the
Treasury to be transferred to the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund
for such fiscal year. Such certification shall result in a contractual
obligation of the United States for the payment of such expenses.
    ``(f) Tax Treatment of Trust Fund Expenditures.--With respect to
any payment of qualified expenses from the Intercity Passenger Rail
Trust Fund during any taxable year to a taxpayer--
            ``(1) such payment shall not be included in the gross
        income of the taxpayer for such taxable year,
            ``(2) no deduction shall be allowed to the taxpayer with
        respect to any amount paid or incurred which is attributable to
        such payment, and
            ``(3) the basis of any property shall be reduced by the
        portion of the cost of such property which is attributable to
        such payment.
    ``(g) Termination.--The Secretary shall determine and retain, not
later than October 1, 2002, the amount in the Intercity Passenger Rail
Trust Fund necessary to pay any outstanding qualified expenses, and
shall transfer any amount not so retained to the general fund of the
Treasury.''
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for subchapter A
of chapter 98 of such Code (relating to trust fund code) is amended by
adding at the end the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 9512. Intercity Passenger Rail
                                        Trust Fund.''
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to taxes imposed after September 30, 1997.

Summary: Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund to finance qualified expenses of: (1) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and (2) non-Amtrak States.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Defense of Freedom Education Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) In order to preserve and defend freedom and
        civilization, especially in these challenging times, future
        generations of Americans must be taught to understand their
        full significance and value, and the threats with which they
        are faced.
            (2) Basic knowledge of United States and Western history is
        essential to full and informed participation in civic life and
        to the larger vibrancy of the American experiment in self-
        government, binding together a diverse people into a single
        Nation with a common purpose.
            (3) American citizens who lack knowledge of the organizing
        principles of Western civilization will also lack a true
        understanding and appreciation of the democratic principles
        that define and sustain America as a free people, such as
        liberty, justice, tolerance, government by the consent of the
        governed, and equality under the law.
            (4) America's colleges and universities are bellwethers of
        national priorities and values, setting standards for the whole
        of the United States education system and sending signals to
        students, teachers, parents, and public schools about what
        every educated citizen in a democracy must know.
            (5) Most of the Nation's colleges and universities no
        longer require United States history or systematic study of
        Western civilization as a prerequisite to graduation.
            (6) Distinguished historians and intellectuals fear that
        without a common civic memory and a common understanding of the
        remarkable individuals, events, and ideals that have shaped the
        Nation, the people in the United States risk losing much of
        what it means to be an American, as well as the ability to
        fulfill the fundamental responsibilities of citizens in a
        democracy.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To establish and strengthen post-secondary education
        programs emphasizing the nature, history and philosophy of free
        institutions, the nature of Western civilization, and the
        nature of the threats to freedom from totalitarianism in all
        its forms.
            (2) To develop innovative teacher education programs
        designed to equip teachers to more effectively impart a
        knowledge of the nature of free institutions, the threats to
        free institutions, and the content of Western civilization to
        elementary, middle and high school teachers.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) American founding.--The term ``American founding''
        means a field of study in an institution of higher education
        that--
                    (A) encompasses part or all of the period of
                American history between the years 1607 through 1865,
                with particular emphasis on the years 1763-1865;
                    (B) focuses on the major events, issues and
                historical personages of this period;
                    (C) examines the historical antecedents of the
                major events, issues and historical personages
                described in subparagraph (B); or
                    (D) conforms with other criteria that the secretary
                may prescribe.
            (2) Defense of freedom.--The term ``defense of freedom''
        means fields of study in an institution of higher education
        that--
                    (A) examines potent political threats to free
                institutions (as such term is defined in this Act),
                including communism, fascism, national socialism, and
                nihilism; or
                    (B) examines human tendencies that threaten free
                institutions, including tribalism, racism, caste
                consciousness, and zealotry; or
                    (C) examines world history in the period 1901
                through 2001, with particular emphasis on the years
                1914 to the present, in order to understand the
                challenges of maintaining a free society while
                resisting totalitarian movements of global ambition.
            (3) Eligible institution.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``eligible institution''
                means--
                            (i) institutions of higher education;
                            (ii) specific programs within an
                        institution of higher education;
                            (iii) foundations associated with
                        institutions of higher education or with
                        specific programs within an institution of
                        higher education; or
                            (iv) other nonprofit organizations
                        participating in, or supporting, the
                        development of academic programs described in
                        section 2.
                    (B) Special rule.--Organizations described in
                subparagraph (A)(iv) may apply to award subgrants to
                eligible institutions at the discretion of, and subject
                to the oversight of, the Secretary. Grants to such
                organizations shall not be subject to the limitations
                of section 4(f).
            (4) Free institution.--The term ``free institution'', for
        the purposes of this Act, means institutions characteristic of
        Western Civilization, such as democracy, universalism,
        individual rights market economics, religious freedom and
        tolerance, and freedom of thought and inquiry.
            (5) Institution of higher education.--The term
        ``institution of higher education'' has the same meaning given
        that term under section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
        (20 U.S.C. 1001).
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Education.
            (7) Western civilization.--The term ``western
        civilization'' means a field of study in an institution of
        higher education that--
                    (A) encompasses part or all of the period of
                European history between 500 B.C. and the present day;
                    (B) encompasses part or all of the period of
                American history between 1607 and the present day;
                    (C) focuses on major events, issues, and historical
                personages of the period described in subparagraphs (A)
                and (B); and
                    (D) examines the historical antecedents of the
                major events, issues, and historical personages
                described in subparagraph (C); or
                    (E) examines the development of free institutions
                characteristic of Western civilization, as such term is
                defined in this Act;
                    (F) examines the intellectual, cultural, political
                and religious underpinnings of Western civilization,
                such as the scientific enterprise, entrepreneurship,
                political pluralism, egalitarianism, moral
                universalism, and the belief in the possibility of
                progress;
                    (G) examines the characteristic negative features
                of Western civilization, such as totalitarianism and
                social Darwinism;
                    (H) examines the interaction of the West with other
                civilizations, the Western debt to other civilizations,
                and the comparative study of high civilization; or
                    (I) conforms with other criteria that the Secretary
                may prescribe.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--From amounts appropriated to carry out this Act,
the Secretary shall provide, on a competitive basis, grants to eligible
institutions which shall be used for one or more of the following:
            (1) Research, planning, and coordination activities devoted
        to the ends of this Act.
            (2) Design and implementation of courses and the
        development of new, and supporting of existing, centers devoted
        to the ends of this Act.
            (3) Research and publication costs of relevant readers and
        other course materials devoted to the ends of this Act.
            (4) General expenses associated with carrying out this
        section.
            (5) Salaries and expenses of faculty teaching in
        undergraduate and graduate programs focused on the American
        founding, defense of freedom, and Western civilization.
            (6) Support of graduate and postgraduate fellowships for
        scholars in the fields related to the American founding, the
        defense of freedom, and Western civilization.
            (7) Development of teacher education programs that--
                    (A) stress content mastery in history or
                government; and
                    (B) stress civic education preparation, including
                the history and philosophy of free institutions, and
                the study of Western civilization).
    (b) Selection Criteria.--In selecting eligible institutions for
grants under this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall
establish criteria by regulation.
    (c) Required Criteria.--In establishing criteria under subsection
(b), the Secretary shall consider the following selection criteria in
making grants:
            (1) Educational value, and relevance to one or more purpose
        described in section 2 of the proposed project.
            (2) Plan of operation.
            (3) Qualification of key personnel.
            (4) Budget and cost effectiveness.
            (5) Evaluation plan.
            (6) Adequacy of resources.
            (7) Identification of need for the project.
            (8) Potential institutional impact of the project.
            (9) Institutional commitment to the project.
    (d) Grant Application.--An eligible institution that desires to
receive a grant under this Act shall submit to the Secretary an
application therefor at such time or times, or in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe by
regulation. Such application shall set forth--
            (1) a program of activities for carrying out the purposes
        described in section 2 in such detail as will enable the
        Secretary to determine the degree to which such program will
        accomplish such purpose; and
            (2) such other policies, procedures, and assurances as the
        Secretary may require by regulation.
    (e) Grant Review.--The Secretary shall establish procedures for
reviewing and evaluating grants and contracts made or entered into
under such programs.
    (f) Grant Awards.--For the purposes of this Act, the Secretary
shall award grants of not less than $400,000 and not more than
$6,000,000 to eligible institutions.
    (g) Multiple Awards.--For the purposes of this Act, the Secretary
may award more than one grant to an eligible institution.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) For the purpose of carrying out this Act, there are authorized
to be appropriated--
            (1) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the
        succeeding 5 fiscal years.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect on September 1, 2002.

Summary: Defense of Freedom Education Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to eligible institutions of higher education, foundations, and other nonprofit institutions for various activities supporting academic programs focused on the American founding, defense of freedom, Western civilization, and free institutions . Allows use of grants for: (1) research, planning, and coordination. (2) design and implementation of courses, and development and support of centers, (3) research and publication costs of course materials, (4) associated general expenses. (5) salaries and expenses of faculty teaching in undergraduate and graduate focused programs. (6) support of graduate and postgraduate fellowships for scholars in fields related to focused programs. And (7) development of teacher education programs that stress content mastery in history or government and civic education preparation, including the history and philosophy of free institutions and the study of Western civilization.

To strengthen secondary and post-secondary education programs emphasizing the nature, history, and philosophy of free institutions, the nature of Western civilization, and the nature of the threats to freedom from totalitarianism.


SECTION 1. COORDINATION OF ENERGY RETROFITTING ASSISTANCE FOR SCHOOLS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) School.--The term ``school'' means--
                    (A) an elementary school or secondary school (as
                defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
                    (B) an institution of higher education (as defined
                in section 102(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
                (20 U.S.C. 1002(a));
                    (C) a school of the defense dependents' education
                system under the Defense Dependents' Education Act of
                1978 (20 U.S.C. 921 et seq.) or established under
                section 2164 of title 10, United States Code;
                    (D) a school operated by the Bureau of Indian
                Affairs;
                    (E) a tribally controlled school (as defined in
                section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of
                1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511)); and
                    (F) a Tribal College or University (as defined in
                section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                U.S.C. 1059c(b))).
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Energy.
    (b) Designation of Lead Agency.--The Secretary, acting through the
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, shall act as the lead
Federal agency for coordinating and disseminating information on
existing Federal programs and assistance that may be used to help
initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and
energy retrofitting projects for schools.
    (c) Requirements.--In carrying out coordination and outreach under
subsection (b), the Secretary shall--
            (1) in consultation and coordination with the appropriate
        Federal agencies, carry out a review of existing programs and
        financing mechanisms (including revolving loan funds and loan
        guarantees) available in or from the Department of Agriculture,
        the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, the
        Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the
        Environmental Protection Agency, and other appropriate Federal
        agencies with jurisdiction over energy financing and
        facilitation that are currently used or may be used to help
        initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable
        energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools;
            (2) establish a Federal cross-departmental collaborative
        coordination, education, and outreach effort to streamline
        communication and promote available Federal opportunities and
        assistance described in paragraph (1) for energy efficiency,
        renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects that enables
        States, local educational agencies, and schools--
                    (A) to use existing Federal opportunities more
                effectively; and
                    (B) to form partnerships with Governors, State
                energy programs, local educational, financial, and
                energy officials, State and local government officials,
                nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities
                to support the initiation of the projects;
            (3) provide technical assistance for States, local
        educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance
        energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting
        projects--
                    (A) to increase the energy efficiency of buildings
                or facilities;
                    (B) to install systems that individually generate
                energy from renewable energy resources;
                    (C) to establish partnerships to leverage economies
                of scale and additional financing mechanisms available
                to larger clean energy initiatives; or
                    (D) to promote--
                            (i) the maintenance of health,
                        environmental quality, and safety in schools,
                        including the ambient air quality, through
                        energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy
                        retrofit projects; and
                            (ii) the achievement of expected energy
                        savings and renewable energy production through
                        proper operations and maintenance practices;
            (4) develop and maintain a single online resource website
        with contact information for relevant technical assistance and
        support staff in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
        Energy for States, local educational agencies, and schools to
        effectively access and use Federal opportunities and assistance
        described in paragraph (1) to develop energy efficiency,
        renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects; and
            (5) establish a process for recognition of schools that--
                    (A) have successfully implemented energy
                efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting
                projects; and
                    (B) are willing to serve as resources for other
                local educational agencies and schools to assist
                initiation of similar efforts.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing
the implementation of this section.

Summary: This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Department of Energy (DOE), acting through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, to act as the lead federal agency for coordinating and disseminating information on existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools. DOE must: carry out a review of existing programs and financing mechanisms available in or from appropriate federal agencies with jurisdiction over energy financing and facilitation that are currently used or may be used for such purposes. Establish a federal cross-departmental collaborative coordination, education, and outreach effort to streamline communication and promote available federal opportunities and assistance for such projects that enables states, local educational agencies, and schools to use existing federal opportunities more effectively and to form partnerships with appropriate entities to support project initiation. Provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance projects that meet specified requirements. Develop and maintain a single online resource website with contact information for relevant technical assistance and support staff in the Office for states, local educational agencies, and schools to effectively access and use federal opportunities and assistance to develop such projects. And establish a process for recognition of schools that have successfully implemented such projects and are willing to serve as resources for other local educational agencies and schools to assist initiation of similar efforts.

A bill to coordinate the provision of energy retrofitting assistance to schools.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Small Company Capital Formation Act
of 2011''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SECURITIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15
U.S.C. 77c(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(b) The Commission'' and inserting the
        following:
    ``(b) Additional Exemptions.--
            ``(1) Small issues exemptive authority.--The Commission'';
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Additional issues.--The Commission shall by rule or
        regulation add a class of securities to the securities exempted
        pursuant to this section in accordance with the following terms
        and conditions:
                    ``(A) The aggregate offering amount of all
                securities offered and sold within the prior 12-month
                period in reliance on the exemption added in accordance
                with this paragraph shall not exceed $50,000,000.
                    ``(B) The securities may be offered and sold
                publicly.
                    ``(C) The securities shall not be restricted
                securities within the meaning of the Federal securities
                laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
                    ``(D) The civil liability provision in section
                12(a)(2) shall apply to any person offering or selling
                such securities.
                    ``(E) The issuer may solicit interest in the
                offering prior to filing any offering statement, on
                such terms and conditions as the Commission may
                prescribe in the public interest or for the protection
                of investors.
                    ``(F) The Commission shall require the issuer to
                file audited financial statements with the Commission
                annually.
                    ``(G) Such other terms, conditions, or requirements
                as the Commission may determine necessary in the public
                interest and for the protection of investors, which may
                include--
                            ``(i) a requirement that the issuer prepare
                        and electronically file with the Commission and
                        distribute to prospective investors an offering
                        statement, and any related documents, in such
                        form and with such content as prescribed by the
                        Commission, including audited financial
                        statements and a description of the issuer's
                        business operations, its financial condition,
                        its corporate governance principles, its use of
                        investor funds, and other appropriate matters;
                        and
                            ``(ii) disqualification provisions under
                        which the exemption shall not be available to
                        the issuer or its predecessors, affiliates,
                        officers, directors, underwriters, or other
                        related persons, which shall be substantially
                        similar to the disqualification provisions
                        contained in the regulations adopted in
                        accordance with section 926 of the Dodd-Frank
                        Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
                        (15 U.S.C. 77d note).
            ``(3) Limitation.--Only the following types of securities
        may be exempted under a rule or regulation adopted pursuant to
        paragraph (2): equity securities, debt securities, and debt
        securities convertible or exchangeable to equity interests,
        including any guarantees of such securities.
            ``(4) Periodic disclosures.--Upon such terms and conditions
        as the Commission determines necessary in the public interest
        and for the protection of investors, the Commission by rule or
        regulation may require an issuer of a class of securities
        exempted under paragraph (2) to make available to investors and
        file with the Commission periodic disclosures regarding the
        issuer, its business operations, its financial condition, its
        corporate governance principles, its use of investor funds, and
        other appropriate matters, and also may provide for the
        suspension and termination of such a requirement with respect
        to that issuer.
            ``(5) Adjustment.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
        enactment of the Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011
        and every 2 years thereafter, the Commission shall review the
        offering amount limitation described in paragraph (2)(A) and
        shall increase such amount as the Commission determines
        appropriate. If the Commission determines not to increase such
        amount, it shall report to the Committee on Financial Services
        of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking,
        Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate on its reasons for not
        increasing the amount.''.
    (b) Treatment as Covered Securities for Purposes of NSMIA.--Section
18(b)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77r(b)(4)) is
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; or'' at the end
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E),
        and inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
                    ``(D) a rule or regulation adopted pursuant to
                section 3(b)(2) and such security is--
                            ``(i) offered or sold on a national
                        securities exchange; or
                            ``(ii) offered or sold to a qualified
                        purchaser as defined by the Commission pursuant
                        to paragraph (3) with respect to that purchase
                        or sale.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4(5) of the Securities Act of
1933 is amended by striking ``section 3(b)'' and inserting ``section
3(b)(1)''.

SEC. 3. STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF STATE BLUE SKY LAWS ON REGULATION A
              OFFERINGS.

    Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General shall--
            (1) conduct a study on the impact of State laws regulating
        securities offerings (commonly referred to as ``Blue Sky
        laws'') on offerings made under Regulation A (17 C.F.R. 230.251
        et seq.); and
            (2) transmit a report on the findings of the study to the
        Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives
        and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the
        Senate.

Summary: Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011 - Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to exempt from its regulation a class of securities for which the aggregate offering amount of all securities offered and sold within the prior 12-month period in reliance on such exemption is between $5 million and $50 million, subject to specified terms and conditions. Limits such an exemption to equity securities, debt securities, and debt securities convertible or exchangeable to equity interests, including any guarantees of such securities. Authorizes the SEC to: (1) require an issuer of such exempted class of securities to make periodic disclosures available to investors regarding the issuer, its business operations, its financial condition, and its use of investor funds. And (2) provide for the suspension and termination of such a requirement with respect to that issuer. Requires the SEC to: (1) review and increase biennially such offering amount limitation, as appropriate. And (2) report to certain congressional committees on its reasons for not increasing the amount if it determines not to do so. Treats as a covered security with respect to a transaction exempt from registration requirements pursuant to a rule or regulation adopted under this Act any such security offered or sold: (1) on a national securities exchange, or (2) to a qualified purchaser. Directs the Comptroller General to study the impact of state laws regulating securities offerings on offerings made under Regulation A .

A bill to amend the Securities Act of 1933 to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to exempt a certain class of securities from such Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Animal Drug Amendments of 1994''.

SEC. 2. UNAPPROVED USES

    (a) General Rule.--Section 512(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(a)) is amended by adding the following new
paragraphs at the end:
            ``(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), if an
        approval of an application filed under subsection (b) is in
        effect with respect to a particular use or intended use of a
        new animal drug, the drug shall not be deemed unsafe for the
        purposes of paragraph (1) and shall be exempt from the
        requirements of section 502(f) with respect to a different use
        or intended use of the drug, other than a use in or on animal
        feed, if such use or intended use--
                    ``(i) is by or on the lawful written or oral order
                of a licensed veterinarian within the context of a
                veterinarian-client-patient relationship, as defined by
                the Secretary; and
                    ``(ii) is in compliance with regulations
                promulgated by the Secretary that establish the
                conditions for such different use or intended use.
        Regulations under clause (ii) may prohibit particular uses of
        an animal drug and shall not permit such different use of an
        animal drug if the labeling of another animal drug which
        contains the same active ingredient and which is in the same
        dosage form and concentration provides for such different use.
            ``(B) If the Secretary finds that there is a reasonable
        probability that a use of an animal drug authorized under
        subparagraph (A) may present a risk to the public health, the
        Secretary may--
                    ``(i) establish a safe level for a residue of an
                animal drug when it is used for such different use
                authorized by subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(ii) require the development of a practical,
                analytical method for the detection of residues of the
                drug above the safe level established under clause (i).
        The use of an animal drug which results in residues exceeding a
        safe level established under clause (i) shall be considered an
        unsafe use of such drug under paragraph (1). Safe levels may be
        established under clause (i) either by regulation or order.
            ``(C) The Secretary may by general regulation provide
        access to the records of veterinarians to ascertain any use or
        intended use authorized under subparagraph (A) that the
        Secretary has determined may present a risk to the public
        health.
            ``(D) If the Secretary finds, after affording an
        opportunity for public comment, that a use of an animal drug
        authorized under subparagraph (A) presents a risk to the public
        health or that an analytical method required under subparagraph
        (B) has not been developed and submitted to the Secretary, the
        Secretary may, by order, prohibit any such use.
            ``(5) If the approval of an application filed under section
        505 is in effect, the drug under such application shall not be
        deemed unsafe for purposes of paragraph (1) and shall be exempt
        from the requirements of section 502(f) with respect to a use
        or intended use of the drug in animals if such use or intended
        use--
                    ``(A) is by or on the lawful written or oral order
                of a licensed veterinarian within the context of a
                veterinarian-client-patient relationship, as defined by
                the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) is in compliance with regulations promulgated
                by the Secretary that establish the conditions for the
                use or intended use of the drug in animals.''.
    (b) Other Amendments.--
            (1) Section 301.--Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug,
        and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (e), by inserting
                ``512(a)(4)(C),'' before ``512(j)'',
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(u) The violation of section 512(a)(4)(A), 512(a)(4)(D),
        or 512(a)(5).''.
            (2) Section 512(e).--Section 512(e) of the Federal Food,
        Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(e) is amended in
        subparagraph (A), by inserting before the semicolon the
        following: ``or the condition of use authorized under
        subsection (a)(4)(A)''.
            (3) Section 512(l).--Section 512(l)(1) of the Federal Food,
        Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360b(l)(1)) is amended by
        inserting after ``relating to experience'' the following: ``,
        including experience with uses authorized under subsection
        (a)(4)(A),''.
    (c) Regulations.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
promulgate regulations to implement paragraphs (4)(A) and (5) of
section 512(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (as amended
by subsection (a)).
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect upon the adoption of final regulations under subsection (c).

Summary: Animal Drug Amendments of 1994 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to permit the extra-label use of drugs in animals if an approval of an application is in effect with respect to a particular use or intended use of a new animal drug and such use is upon the order of a licensed veterinarian within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and is in compliance with regulations that establish the conditions for such use. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, if the Secretary finds that there is a reasonable probability that such use may present a risk to the public health, to establish a safe level for a residue of an animal drug when used for such different use and require the development of a practical, analytical method for the detection of residues of the drug above the safe level established. Prohibits such use if it results in residues exceeding the safe level.

Animal Drug Amendments of 1994


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Broadband Internet Regulatory Relief
Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 153) is amended by--
            (1) redesignating paragraph (1) through (51) as paragraphs
        (3) through (53), respectively;
            (2) inserting before paragraph (3), as redesignated, the
        following:
            ``(1) Advanced service.--The term `advanced service' means
        a communications service or combination of such services
        providing a digitally encoded signal downstream from a provider
        to a consumer at a rated speed of 200 kilobits per second or
        above and upstream from a consumer to a provider at a rated
        speed of 128 kilobits per second or above for access to the
        Internet or other interstate information and data services.
            ``(2) Advanced service provider.--The term `advanced
        service provider' means any provider of advanced services.'';
            (3) redesignating paragraphs (19) through (53), as
        redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, as paragraphs
        (20) through (54), respectively; and
            (4) inserting before paragraph (20), as redesignated by
        paragraph (3) of this subsection, the following:
            ``(19) DSL-capable loop.--The term `DSL-capable loop' means
        a loop capable of transporting an advanced service.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 271(c)(1)(A) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 271(c)(1)(A)) is amended by
striking ``3(47)(A),'' and inserting ``3(50)(A),''.

SEC. 3. REGULATION OF ADVANCED SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Part II of title II of the Communications Act of
1934 (47 U.S.C. 251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof
the following:

``SEC. 262. PROVISION OF ADVANCED SERVICE BY INCUMBENT LOCAL EXCHANGE
              CARRIER.

    ``(a) In General.--Nothwithstanding section 2(b) of this Act, or
any other provision of law, an incumbent local exchange carrier shall
not be subject to the requirements of--
            ``(1) section 251(c)(3) with respect to facilities and
        equipment used exclusively to provide advanced service; and
            ``(2) section 251(c)(4) for the provision of advanced
        service,
in any State in which 70 percent of the incumbent local exchange
carrier's loops in its service territory are DSL-capable, as determined
by that State.
    ``(b) Pricing Flexibility.--
            ``(1) Competition for advanced service.--Except as provided
        in paragraph (4), the prices, terms, and conditions of any
        advanced service by an incumbent local exchange carrier shall
        not be subject to regulation if the Commission determines that
        advanced service is being offered by an unaffiliated advanced
        service provider in competition with the incumbent local
        exchange carrier within a geographic area served by a central
        office.
            ``(2) Petition.--An incumbent local exchange carrier
        seeking pricing flexibility under paragraph (1) may file a
        petition with the Commission seeking such relief. A petition
        under this paragraph is deemed to have been approved if the
        Commission does not act on it within 30 days after it is filed.
            ``(3) Unconditional relief.--If the Commission determines
        under paragraph (1) that advanced service is being offered by
        an unaffiliated provider in the manner described in that
        paragraph, the Commission shall approve the petition of the
        incumbent local exchange carrier unconditionally.
            ``(4) Advanced service outside an incumbent's territory.--
        The rates, terms, and conditions of advanced service offered by
        an incumbent local exchange carrier or its affiliate are not
        subject to regulation in any geographic area in which that
        carrier, its successor, or assigns was not the local incumbent
        exchange carrier on February 8, 1996.
            ``(5) Schedule of charges.--For any advanced service that
        has not been determined by the Commission to be subject to
        competition under paragraph (1), the incumbent local exchange
        carrier furnishing such advanced service shall file with the
        Commission a schedule of charges and practices for such
        advanced service in a manner prescribed by the Commission under
        section 204. Any such schedule of charges and practices shall
        be deemed lawful and shall be effective 2 days after the date
        on which it was filed with the Commission unless the Commission
        takes action under section 204(a)(1) before the end of that 2-
        day period.
    ``(c) Definition of Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier.--For purposes
of this section, the term `incumbent local exchange carrier' has the
meaning given to that term by section 251(h).

``SEC. 263. PROVISION OF ADVANCED SERVICE NOT SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESALE
              REQUIREMENTS.

    ``Notwithstanding section 2(b), or any other provision of law,
section 251(b)(1) does not apply to a local exchange carrier with
respect to its provision of advanced service.''.

Summary: Broadband Internet Regulatory Relief Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to mandate that an incumbent local exchange carrier shall not be subject to Federal requirements concerning: (1) facilities and equipment used exclusively to provide advanced communications service. And (2) the provision of such service in any State in which 70 percent of such carrier's loops in its service territory are DSL-capable . Provides that the prices, terms, and conditions of any advanced service by such a carrier shall not be subject to Federal regulation if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determines that advanced service is being offered by an unaffiliated provider in competition with such carrier within a geographic area served by a central office. States that prices, terms, and conditions offered by a carrier or an affiliate shall not be subject to FCC regulation in an area in which such carrier was not the carrier on February 8, 1996. Requires carriers not subject to regulation to file with the FCC a schedule of charges and practices. Provides that the duty not to prohibit or impose unreasonable or discriminatory conditions on the resale of telecommunications services shall not apply to such a carrier with respect to its provision of advanced service.


SECTION 1. DISCLOSURE OF PAID COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS TO INFLUENCE THE
              GENERAL PUBLIC TO LOBBY CONGRESS.

    (a) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall not
apply to any person or entity other than a lobbying firm that is
retained on behalf of a client other than that person or entity. No
person or entity other than a lobbying firm is required to register or
file a report under the amendments made by this section.
    (b) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995
(2 U.S.C. 1602) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end the following:
        ``For purposes of a lobbying firm only, the term `lobbying
        activities' includes paid communications campaigns to influence
        the general public to lobby Congress.'';
            (2) in paragraph (9)--
                    (A) in the first sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``means a person'' and
                        inserting
                    ``(A) means--
                            ``(i) a person'';
                            (ii) by moving the remaining text of the
                        sentence 4 ems to the right; and
                            (iii) by striking ``entity.'' and inserting
                        ``entity; and
                            ``(ii) a person or entity that is retained
                        by 1 or more clients (other than that person or
                        entity) to engage in paid communications
                        campaigns to influence the general public to
                        lobby Congress, and receives income of, or
                        spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of
                        $100,000 or more for such efforts in any
                        quarterly period; and''; and
                    (B) in the last sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``The term also includes''
                        and inserting
                    ``(B) includes''; and
                            (ii) by moving the remaining text of the
                        sentence 2 ems to the right; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(17) Paid communications campaigns to influence the
        general public to lobby congress.--The term `paid
        communications campaigns to influence the general public to
        lobby Congress' means any efforts by a lobbying firm, on behalf
        of a client that retains the firm, to influence the general
        public or segments thereof to contact 1 or more covered
        legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress
        generally) to urge such officials (or Congress) to take
        specific action with respect to a matter described in paragraph
        (8)(A), except that such term does not include--
                    ``(A) communications made to the members of the
                client; or
                    ``(B) direct mail communications to the general
                public, or segments of the general public, that are
                made primarily for the purpose of recruiting members to
                join an organization.''.
    (c) Registration.--Section 4(a) of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (2) the
following and redesignating the succeeding paragraph accordingly:
            ``(3) Filing by certain lobbying firms.--Any person or
        entity that qualifies as a lobbying firm under section
        3(9)(A)(ii) shall register with the Secretary of the Senate and
        the Clerk of the House of Representatives not later than 45
        days after such lobbying firm is first retained by a client to
        engage in paid communications campaigns to influence the
        general public to lobby Congress.''.
    (d) Separate Itemization of Paid Communications Campaigns To
Influence the General Public To Lobby Congress.--Section 5(b) of the
Act (2 U.S.C. 1604(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``firm, a good'' and inserting
                ``firm--
                    ``(A) a good'';
                    (B) by moving the remaining text 2 ems to the
                right; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) a separate good faith estimate of the total
                amount of income relating specifically to paid
                communications campaigns to influence the general
                public to lobby Congress, if such income from the
                client exceeds $50,000 during the quarterly filing
                period; and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
``Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) shall not apply with
respect to reports relating to paid communications campaigns to
influence the general public to lobby Congress.''.

Summary: Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to revise the definition of lobbying activities to include paid communications campaigns to influence the general public to lobby Congress. Redefines lobbying firm to include a person or entity retained by one or more clients to engage in paid communications campaigns to influence the general public to lobby Congress, and receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $100,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period. Defines paid communications campaigns to influence the general public to lobby Congress as efforts by a lobbying firm, on behalf of a client, to influence the general public or its segments to contact one or more covered legislative or executive branch officials to urge them to take specific action regarding a specific matter. Excludes from the meaning of such communications: (1) any made to the members of the client. Or (2) direct mail communications to the general public or its segments made primarily to recruit members to join an organization. Sets forth LDA registration and reporting requirements of such lobbying firms.

To amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to provide for additional reporting by lobbying firms.