SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pipeline
Improvement and Preventing Spills Act of 2015''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                   TITLE I--INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 101. References to title 49, United States Code.
Sec. 102. Notice to property owners and residents.
Sec. 103. Facility operation information standards.
Sec. 104. Availability of industry standards and procedures adopted in
                            regulations by reference.
Sec. 105. Considerations for identification of high-consequence areas.
                  TITLE II--PIPELINE SPILL PREVENTION

Sec. 201. Assessment of oil spill impacts and response in the Great
                            Lakes.
Sec. 202. Great Lakes Basin water crossing study and alternatives
                            assessment.
Sec. 203. Prohibition on transport of crude oil on Great Lakes.
Sec. 204. Definition of worst case discharge.

                   TITLE I--INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY

SEC. 101. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49,
United States Code.

SEC. 102. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS.

    Section 60102(c)(4) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Notice to property owners and residents.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
                        after the date of enactment of this
                        subparagraph, the Secretary shall prescribe
                        minimum standards to require the owner or
                        operator of a pipeline facility to notify all
                        owners and residents of property located within
                        2,000 feet of a transmission line of the
                        facility of--
                                    ``(I) the proximity of the property
                                to the transmission line; and
                                    ``(II) in the case of a
                                transmission line located on private
                                residential property, the specific
                                location of the line on the property.
                            ``(ii) Required information.--The notice
                        under clause (i) shall include, at a minimum--
                                    ``(I) a method for electronic
                                access to the information described in
                                clause (i) through the Geospatial
                                Platform or such other Federal data
                                archive as the Secretary considers
                                appropriate;
                                    ``(II) information on how to obtain
                                a map of the pipeline system through
                                the National Pipeline Mapping System;
                                and
                                    ``(III) such other information as
                                the Secretary considers appropriate.
                            ``(iii) Deadlines.--The notice under clause
                        (i) shall be provided not later than 2 years
                        after the date of enactment of this
                        subparagraph and at least once every 3 years
                        thereafter.''.

SEC. 103. FACILITY OPERATION INFORMATION STANDARDS.

    Section 60102(d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
        and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting
        appropriately;
            (2) in paragraph (3), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
        and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting
        appropriately;
            (3) in paragraph (5), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
        through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and
        indenting appropriately;
            (4) by designating paragraphs (1) through (6) as
        subparagraphs (A) through (F), respectively, and indenting
        appropriately; and
            (5) by striking ``The Secretary'' and all that follows
        through ``shall include--'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), not later than
        1 year after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Improvement
        and Preventing Spills Act of 2015, the Secretary shall
        prescribe minimum standards under this section requiring an
        operator of a pipeline facility subject to this chapter--
                    ``(A) to maintain information related to operating
                the facility as required by the standards prescribed
                under this chapter; and
                    ``(B) to provide that information, including any
                updates and changes, to the Secretary, State regulatory
                officials, State and local emergency responders, and
                such other entities as the Secretary considers
                appropriate.
            ``(2) Local emergency responders.--In the case of a local
        emergency responder, the Secretary shall provide the
        information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (E), and (F)
        of paragraph (4) only to the extent applicable to the local
        district.
            ``(3) Maintenance.--The Secretary shall keep on file the
        information submitted to the Secretary under paragraphs (1) and
        (2).
            ``(4) Information.--The information shall include--''.

SEC. 104. AVAILABILITY OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES ADOPTED IN
              REGULATIONS BY REFERENCE.

    Section 60102 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(q) Availability of Industry Standards and Procedures Adopted in
Regulations by Reference.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that industry
        standards and procedures adopted by reference as part of the
        Federal pipeline safety regulatory program under this chapter
        are easily available to the public free of charge.
            ``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply to
        regulations issued before, on, or after the date of enactment
        of this subsection.''.

SEC. 105. CONSIDERATIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF HIGH-CONSEQUENCE AREAS.

    Section 60109 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Considerations for Identification of High-Consequence
Areas.--In identifying high-consequence areas under this chapter, the
Secretary shall consider--
            ``(1) the age of the pipe;
            ``(2) whether the pipe at issue can be inspected using the
        most modern instrumented internal inspection devices;
            ``(3) whether the pipe at issue crosses open waters of the
        Great Lakes; and
            ``(4) the type of commodity (including the type and grade
        of petroleum product) being transported through the pipe.''.

                  TITLE II--PIPELINE SPILL PREVENTION

SEC. 201. ASSESSMENT OF OIL SPILL IMPACTS AND RESPONSE IN THE GREAT
              LAKES.

    (a) Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Interagency Coordinating Committee on
        Oil Pollution Research, in consultation with the Secretary of
        the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the
        heads of other relevant agencies, shall--
                    (A) identify measures to respond to spills or leaks
                of oil in the Great Lakes; and
                    (B) conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of
                such measures in preventing significant or substantial
                harm to the public health or welfare, including fish,
                shellfish, wildlife, public and private property,
                shorelines, and beaches of the Great Lakes system.
            (2) Elements.--The assessment required under paragraph (1)
        shall include--
                    (A) new scientific research on the impacts of a
                spill or leak of oil or a hazardous substance in fresh
                water under a wide range of meteorological and
                hydrological conditions, including an evaluation of the
                impacts of different types of petroleum, including
                synthetic oil from tar sands;
                    (B) an evaluation of oil spill or leak prevention
                and response plans (including techniques to address
                submerged oil recovery and recovery in ice-choked
                waters) in order to identify vulnerabilities and
                existing threats to the Great Lakes system; and
                    (C) recommendations to foster improvements to
                safety technologies, spill response planning, clean-up
                techniques, and environmental protection systems.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil
Pollution Research shall submit to Congress a report on the results of
the assessment required under subsection (a).

SEC. 202. GREAT LAKES BASIN WATER CROSSING STUDY AND ALTERNATIVES
              ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Survey Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, working with
pipeline facility owners, operators, and State governments, shall
conduct a comprehensive water crossing survey of all intrastate and
interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that cross waterways in
the Great Lakes Basin in the waters of the United States (as defined in
the final rule of the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental
Protection Agency entitled ``Clean Water Rule: Definition of `Waters of
the United States''' (80 Fed. Reg. 37054; June 29, 2015)).
    (b) Elements.--The survey required under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) produce a comprehensive map of all hazardous pipeline
        waterway crossings in the Great Lakes Basin, including lakes,
        rivers, and streams;
            (2) evaluate the condition and structural integrity of
        pipelines at each crossing, considering factors that include
        pipeline thickness, diameter, weld integrity, internal and
        external corrosion, age, pressure, control and shut-off valves,
        burial depths, water depths, currents, and ice cover;
            (3) identify risks of leak and rupture resulting from
        pipeline integrity failures, or any other vulnerability at the
        pipeline water crossings;
            (4) identify gaps in data and information that exist in the
        pipeline network in the Great Lakes Basin, and request
        information related to pipeline integrity or risks from owners
        and operators with facilities that cross lakes, rivers, and
        streams; and
            (5) produce recommendations to prevent future leaks,
        ruptures, and failures that could result in damage to waterways
        and natural resources in the Great Lakes Basin.
    (c) National Research Council Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
        enter into a joint agreement with the National Research Council
        of the National Academies of Sciences to conduct a study in
        connection with the survey under this section.
            (2) Elements.--The study conducted under this subsection
        shall include--
                    (A) a study covering the elements described under
                paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b);
                    (B) consideration of ways in which review of
                facility response plans as required by the Oil
                Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) and
                approval of permits under section 404 of the Federal
                Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) in
                accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
                of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of future and existing
                pipelines that cross waterways in the Great Lakes Basin
                would help prevent spills in the Great Lakes; and
                    (C) a risk assessment analysis for alternative
                transportation options to the hazardous liquid pipeline
                facility that crosses from the Upper Peninsula of
                Michigan to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan through the
                Straits of Mackinac, including--
                            (i) no action (status quo);
                            (ii) rerouting;
                            (iii) decommissioning and abandoning;
                            (iv) replacing;
                            (v) modifying operations (such as limiting
                        pipeline product transport to only natural gas
                        liquids); and
                            (vi) other transportation means.

SEC. 203. PROHIBITION ON TRANSPORT OF CRUDE OIL ON GREAT LAKES.

    Section 108 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1258) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Prohibition on Transport of Crude Oil on Great Lakes.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, effective beginning on the
date of enactment of the Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act
of 2015, crude oil (as that term is defined in section 2101 of title
46, United States Code) and crude oil derived from oil sands may not be
transported on the Great Lakes by vessel (as that term is defined in
section 3 of title 1, United States Code).''.

SEC. 204. DEFINITION OF WORST CASE DISCHARGE.

    Section 311(a)(24)(B) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(24)(B)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon
at the end the following: ``, including conditions in which waters that
may receive a discharge are covered in whole or in part by ice''.

Summary: Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prescribe minimum standards to require the owner or operator of a pipeline facility to notify all owners and residents of property located within 2,000 feet of a transmission line of: the property's proximity to the line, and the line's specific location if it is on private residential property. DOT shall ensure that industry standards and procedures adopted as part of the federal pipeline safety regulatory program are easily available to the public free of charge. In identifying high-consequence areas, DOT shall consider specified features of a pipe, including its age, whether it can be inspected using the most modern instrumented internal inspection devices, whether it crosses open waters of the Great Lakes, and the type of commodity it transports. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research shall: identify measures to respond to spills or leaks of oil in the Great Lakes. And assess their effectiveness in preventing significant or substantial harm to the public health or welfare. DOT shall: conduct a comprehensive water crossing survey of all intrastate and interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that cross US waterways in the Great Lakes Basin. And enter into a joint agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academies of Sciences to identify gaps in data and information in the Basin pipeline network, and make recommendations to prevent future leaks, ruptures, and failures that could result in damage to Basin waterways and natural resources. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is amended to: prohibit vessel transportation of crude oil and crude oil derived from oil sands on the Great Lakes, and include in the meaning of quot, worst-case discharge,quot. In the case of an offshore or onshore facility, the largest foreseeable discharge in adverse weather conditions in which waters that may receive a discharge are covered by ice.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Provide for the
Common Defense Act of 2013''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
  TITLE I--ELIMINATION OF SEQUESTRATION FOR REVISED SECURITY CATEGORY

Sec. 101. Elimination of 251A reductions for revised security category
                            in fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
                  TITLE II--OFFSETTING PAYMENT CHANGES

                          Subtitle A--Medicare

Sec. 201. Adjustments to calculation of Medicare part B and part D
                            premiums for high-income beneficiaries.
Sec. 202. Increase in part B deductible for new enrollees.
                        Subtitle B--Agriculture

Sec. 211. Cap on overall rate of return for crop insurance providers.
Sec. 212. Cap on reimbursements for administrative and operating
                            expenses of crop insurance providers.
Sec. 213. Reduction in share of crop insurance premium paid by Federal
                            Crop Insurance Corporation.
                     Subtitle C--Federal Retirement

Sec. 221. Retirement contributions.
Sec. 222. Annuity supplement.
Sec. 223. Use of Chained Consumer Price Index.
                        Subtitle D--Chained CPI

Sec. 231. Change in index used to calculate Social Security cost-of-
                            living adjustments.

  TITLE I--ELIMINATION OF SEQUESTRATION FOR REVISED SECURITY CATEGORY

SEC. 101. ELIMINATION OF 251A REDUCTIONS FOR REVISED SECURITY CATEGORY
              IN FISCAL YEARS 2014 AND 2015.

    (a) Elimination of the Adjustment Under Section 251A for Fiscal
Years 2014 and 2015.--Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraphs (7)(B) and (8), by striking ``On the
        date'' in each instance and inserting ``Subject to paragraph
        (12), on the date''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) No reductions for revised security category in
        fiscal years 2014 and 2015.--Paragraphs (7)(B) and (8) shall
        have no force or effect for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 with
        respect to the revised security category.''.
    (b) Discretionary Spending Limits for the Revised Security Category
in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015.--For purposes of section 251(c) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (as modified
by section 251A(2) of such Act), for fiscal years 2014 and 2015, the
discretionary spending limit for the revised security category in each
such fiscal year shall be $552,000,000,000 and $566,000,000,000,
respectively.

                  TITLE II--OFFSETTING PAYMENT CHANGES

                          Subtitle A--Medicare

SEC. 201. ADJUSTMENTS TO CALCULATION OF MEDICARE PART B AND PART D
              PREMIUMS FOR HIGH-INCOME BENEFICIARIES.

    (a) Increase in Applicable Percentage Used To Calculate Premiums.--
Section 1839(i)(3)(C)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395r(i)(3)(C)(i)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting after ``In general.--'' the following:
                                    ``(I) Years before 2017.--For
                                calendar years prior to 2017:''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
                            ``(II) 2017 and subsequent years.--For
                        calendar year 2017 and each subsequent calendar
                        year:

``If the modified adjusted                               The applicable
   gross income is:                                      percentage is:
        More than $85,000 but not more than $107,000...........     40
        More than $107,000 but not more than $160,000..........     55
        More than $160,000 but not more than $214,000..........     70
        More than $214,000.....................................  90.''.
    (b) Temporary Adjustment to Income Thresholds Used To Calculate
Premiums.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1839(i)(6) of the Social Security
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(i)(6)) is amended in the matter preceding
        subparagraph (A) by striking ``December 31, 2019'' and
        inserting ``December 31 of the year after 2019 that is the
        first year after the year in which at least 25 percent of
        individuals enrolled under this part are subject to a reduction
        under this subsection to the monthly amount of the premium
        subsidy applicable to the premium under this section.''.
            (2) Application of inflation adjustment.--Section
        1839(i)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(i)(5))
        is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``In the
                case'' and inserting ``Subject to subparagraph (C), in
                the case''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Treatment of years after temporary adjustment
                period.--In applying subparagraph (A) for the first
                year beginning after the period described in paragraph
                (6) and for each subsequent year, the 12-month period
                ending with August 2006 described in clause (ii) of
                such subparagraph shall be deemed to be the 12-month
                period ending with August of the last year of such
                period described in paragraph (6).''.

SEC. 202. INCREASE IN PART B DEDUCTIBLE FOR NEW ENROLLEES.

    Section 1833 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l) is
amended--
            (1) in the first sentence of subsection (b), by inserting
        ``(subject to subsection (z))'' after ``for a subsequent
        year''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(z) Higher Deductible for New Enrollees.--In the case of an
individual who is not enrolled under this part before January 1, 2017,
the amount of the deductible under subsection (b)--
            ``(1) for 2017 shall be the amount otherwise determined
        under such subsection for 2017 increased by $25;
            ``(2) for 2018 shall be the amount otherwise determined
        under such subsection for 2018, taking into account the
        application of the previous paragraph;
            ``(3) for 2019 shall be the amount otherwise determined
        under such subsection for 2019, taking into the application of
        the previous paragraphs, , increased by $25;
            ``(4) for 2020 shall be the amount otherwise determined
        under such subsection for 2020, taking into account the
        application of the previous paragraphs, increased by $25;
            ``(5) for 2021 shall be the amount otherwise determined
        under such subsection for 2021, taking into account the
        application of the previous paragraphs, increased by $25; and
            ``(6) for any subsequent year shall be the amount otherwise
        determined under such subsection for such year, taking into
        account the application of the previous paragraphs and this
        paragraph for previous years.''.

                        Subtitle B--Agriculture

SEC. 211. CAP ON OVERALL RATE OF RETURN FOR CROP INSURANCE PROVIDERS.

    Section 508(k) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(k))
is amended--
            (1) by designating paragraph (3) as subparagraph (A) (and
        adjusting the margin two ems to the right);
            (2) by inserting before subparagraph (A) (as so designated)
        the following:
            ``(3) Risk.--''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) Cap on overall rate of return.--The target
                rate of return for all the companies combined for the
                2014 and subsequent reinsurance years shall be 12.8
                percent of retained premium.''.

SEC. 212. CAP ON REIMBURSEMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING
              EXPENSES OF CROP INSURANCE PROVIDERS.

    Section 508(k)(4) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(k)(4)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Additional cap on reimbursements.--
                Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) through (F), total
                reimbursements for administrative and operating costs
                for the 2014 insurance year for all types of policies
                and plans of insurance shall not exceed $935,000,000.
                For each subsequent insurance year, the dollar amount
                in effect pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be
                increased by the same inflation factor as established
                for the administrative and operating costs cap in the
                2011 Standard Reinsurance Agreement.''.

SEC. 213. REDUCTION IN SHARE OF CROP INSURANCE PREMIUM PAID BY FEDERAL
              CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION.

    (a) Catastrophic Risk Protection.--Section 508(d)(2)(A) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(d)(2)(A)) is amended by
striking ``sufficient to cover anticipated losses and a reasonable
reserve'' and inserting ``for all crops for which catastrophic risk
protection coverage is available shall be reduced by the percentage
equal to the difference between the average loss ratio for such crop
and 100 percent, plus a reasonable reserve''.
    (b) Additional Coverage.--Section 508(e)(2) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``67'' and
        inserting ``64'';
            (2) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``64'' and
        inserting ``61'';
            (3) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ``59'' and
        inserting ``56''; and
            (4) in subparagraph (E)(i), by striking ``55'' and
        inserting ``52''.
    (c) Enterprise and Whole Farm Units.--Section 508(e)(5)(C) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(5)(C)) is amended by
striking ``80'' and inserting ``77''.
    (d) Area Revenue Plans.--Section 508(e)(6) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(6)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``59'' and
        inserting ``56''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``55'' and
        inserting ``52''.
    (e) Area Yield Plans.--Section 508(e)(7) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``59'' and
        inserting ``56'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``55'' and
        inserting ``52''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``51'' and
        inserting ``48''.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to the first contract change date for a contract
under the Federal Crop Insurance Act occurring after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

                     Subtitle C--Federal Retirement

SEC. 221. RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) Civil Service Retirement System.--
            (1) Individual contributions.--Section 8334(c) of title 5,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``(c) Each'' and inserting ``(c)(1)
                Each''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the
applicable percentage of basic pay under this subsection for civilian
service by an employee or Member shall, for purposes of computing an
amount--
            ``(A) for a period in calendar year 2014, be equal to the
        applicable percentage under this subsection for calendar year
        2013 plus an additional 0.4 percentage point;
            ``(B) for a period in calendar year 2015, be equal to the
        applicable percentage under this subsection for calendar year
        2014 (as determined under subparagraph (A)) plus an additional
        0.4 percentage point;
            ``(C) for a period in calendar year 2016, be equal to the
        applicable percentage under this subsection for calendar year
        2015 (as determined under subparagraph (B)) plus an additional
        0.4 percentage point; and
            ``(D) for a period in any calendar year after 2016, be
        equal to the applicable percentage under this subsection for
        calendar year 2015 (as determined under subparagraph (C)).
    ``(3)(A) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), any excess
contributions under subsection (a)(1)(A) (including the portion of any
deposit under this subsection allocable to excess contributions) shall,
if made by an employee of the United States Postal Service or the
Postal Regulatory Commission, be deposited to the credit of the Postal
Service Fund under section 2003 of title 39, rather than the Civil
Service Retirement and Disability Fund.
    ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `excess
contributions', as used with respect to contributions made under
subsection (a)(1)(A) by an employee of the United States Postal Service
or the Postal Regulatory Commission, means the amount by which--
            ``(i) deductions from basic pay of such employee which are
        made under subsection (a)(1)(A), exceed
            ``(ii) deductions from basic pay of such employee which
        would have been so made if paragraph (2) had not been
        enacted.''.
            (2) Government contributions.--Section 8334(a)(1)(B) of
        title 5, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``Except as provided
                in clause (ii),'' and inserting ``Except as provided in
                clause (ii) or (iii),''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(iii) The amount to be contributed under clause (i) shall, with
respect to a period in any year beginning after December 31, 2013, be
equal to--
            ``(I) the amount which would otherwise apply under clause
        (i) with respect to such period, reduced by
            ``(II) the amount by which, with respect to such period,
        the withholding under subparagraph (A) exceeds the amount which
        would otherwise have been withheld from the basic pay of the
        employee or elected official involved under subparagraph (A)
        based on the percentage applicable under subsection (c) for
        calendar year 2013.''.
    (b) Individual Contributions Under the Federal Employees'
Retirement System.--Section 8422(a)(3) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
    ``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, the
applicable percentage under this paragraph for civilian service by
employees or Members other than revised annuity employees shall--
            ``(i) for a period in calendar year 2014, be equal to the
        applicable percentage under this paragraph for calendar year
        2013 plus an additional 0.4 percentage point;
            ``(ii) for a period in calendar year 2015, be equal to the
        applicable percentage under this paragraph for calendar year
        2014 (as determined under clause (i)) plus an additional 0.4
        percentage point;
            ``(iii) for a period in calendar year 2016, be equal to the
        applicable percentage under this paragraph for calendar year
        2015 (as determined under clause (ii)) plus an additional 0.4
        percentage point; and
            ``(iv) for a period in any calendar year after 2016, be
        equal to the applicable percentage under this paragraph for
        calendar year 2016 (as determined under clause (iii)).''.

SEC. 222. ANNUITY SUPPLEMENT.

    Section 8421(a) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and
        inserting ``paragraphs (3) and (4)'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and
        inserting ``paragraphs (3) and (4)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(4) No annuity supplement under this section shall be payable in
the case of an individual who first becomes subject to this chapter
after December 31, 2013.''.

SEC. 223. USE OF CHAINED CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (15) of section 8331 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
            ``(15) the term `price index' means the Chained Consumer
        Price Index (all items-all urban consumers) published monthly
        by the Bureau of Labor Statistics;''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on January 1, 2015, and shall apply with respect to any
cost-of-living adjustment taking effect under section 8340 or 8462 of
title 5, United States Code, on or after that date.

                        Subtitle D--Chained CPI

SEC. 231. CHANGE IN INDEX USED TO CALCULATE SOCIAL SECURITY COST-OF-
              LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 215(i)(1) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 415(i)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
            ``(H) the term `Consumer Price Index' means the Chained
        Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U, as
        published in its initial version by the Bureau of Labor
        Statistics of the Department of Labor).''.
    (b) Application to Pre-1979 Law.--
            (1) In general.--Section 215(i)(1) of the Social Security
        Act as in effect in December 1978, and as applied in certain
        cases under the provisions of such Act as in effect after
        December 1978, is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
            ``(D) the term `Consumer Price Index' means the Chained
        Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U, as
        published in its initial version by the Bureau of Labor
        Statistics of the Department of Labor).''.
            (2) Conforming change.--Section 215(i)(4) of the Social
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(4)) is amended by inserting
        ``and by section 231 of the Provide for the Common Defense Act
        of 2013'' after ``1986''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to adjustments effective with or after December
2014.

Summary: Provide for the Common Defense Act of 2013 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to nullify the presidential sequestration order issued for the revised security category for FY2014-FY2015 to enforce a specified budget goal. Establishes the discretionary spending limit for the revised security category for each such fiscal year. Amends part B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to adjustments to the calculation of Medicare parts B and D premiums for high income beneficiaries for 2017 and subsequent years. Reduces the monthly amount of the Medicare parts B and D premium subsidies for individuals whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount by specified applicable percentages for modified adjusted gross incomes in certain ranges starting at $85,000 (40) and finally exceeding $214,000 (90). Revises the temporary adjustment to income thresholds used to calculate premiums between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2019, to extend it through December 31 of the first year after 2019 after the year in which at least 25 of individuals enrolled in the Medicare parts B and D are subject to a reduction to the monthly amount of the applicable premium subsidy. Increases by $25 per year the part B deductible for new enrollees after January 1, 2017, and subsequent years. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to establish caps beginning with FY2014 for: (1) combined crop insurance provider rates of return, and (2) reimbursements for crop insurance provider administrative and operating expenses. Reduces according to a specified formula the crop insurance premium for catastrophic risk protection coverage. Reduces the portion of premium paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for the following coverages: (1) additional insurance, (2) enterprise and whole farm units, (3) area revenue plans, and (4) area yield plans. Requires an additional .4 increase per year, beginning in calendar 2014, in the percentage of basic pay that federal employees or Members of Congress must contribute to their pension plans under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Reduces government contributions to CSRS and FERS by the amount of such increased employee contributions. Eliminates annuity supplements for federal employees hired after 2013. Revises the definition of ldquo, price index,rdquo. For purposes of cost-of-living adjustments to federal employee benefits, to mean the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers instead of the Consumer Price Index. Amends SSA title II (OASDI) to require the use of the Chained CPI for calculation of Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of
2013''.

SEC. 2. INTEREST RATE EXTENSION.

    Section 455(b)(7)(D) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1087e(b)(7)(D)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``and
        before July 1, 2013,'' and inserting ``and before July 1,
        2014,''; and
            (2) in clause (v), by striking ``and before July 1, 2013,''
        and inserting ``and before July 1, 2014,''.

SEC. 3. MODIFICATIONS OF REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION RULES FOR PENSION PLANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 401(a)(9)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Required distributions where employee dies
                before entire interest is distributed.--
                            ``(i) 5-year general rule.--A trust shall
                        not constitute a qualified trust under this
                        section unless the plan provides that, if an
                        employee dies before the distribution of the
                        employee's interest (whether or not such
                        distribution has begun in accordance with
                        subparagraph (A)), the entire interest of the
                        employee will be distributed within 5 years
                        after the death of such employee.
                            ``(ii) Exception for eligible designated
                        beneficiaries.--If--
                                    ``(I) any portion of the employee's
                                interest is payable to (or for the
                                benefit of) an eligible designated
                                beneficiary,
                                    ``(II) such portion will be
                                distributed (in accordance with
                                regulations) over the life of such
                                eligible designated beneficiary (or
                                over a period not extending beyond the
                                life expectancy of such beneficiary),
                                and
                                    ``(III) such distributions begin
                                not later than 1 year after the date of
                                the employee's death or such later date
                                as the Secretary may by regulations
                                prescribe,
                        then, for purposes of clause (i) and except as
                        provided in clause (iv) or subparagraph
                        (E)(iii), the portion referred to in subclause
                        (I) shall be treated as distributed on the date
                        on which such distributions begin.
                            ``(iii) Special rule for surviving spouse
                        of employee.--If the eligible designated
                        beneficiary referred to in clause (ii)(I) is
                        the surviving spouse of the employee--
                                    ``(I) the date on which the
                                distributions are required to begin
                                under clause (ii)(III) shall not be
                                earlier than the date on which the
                                employee would have attained age 70\1/
                                2\, and
                                    ``(II) if the surviving spouse dies
                                before the distributions to such spouse
                                begin, this subparagraph shall be
                                applied as if the surviving spouse were
                                the employee.
                            ``(iv) Rules upon death of eligible
                        designated beneficiary.--If an eligible
                        designated beneficiary dies before the portion
                        of an employee's interest described in clause
                        (ii) is entirely distributed, clause (ii) shall
                        not apply to any beneficiary of such eligible
                        designated beneficiary and the remainder of
                        such portion shall be distributed within 5
                        years after the death of such beneficiary.''.
    (b) Definition of Eligible Designated Beneficiary.--Section
401(a)(9)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as
follows:
                    ``(E) Definitions and rules relating to designated
                beneficiary.--For purposes of this paragraph--
                            ``(i) Designated beneficiary.--The term
                        `designated beneficiary' means any individual
                        designated as a beneficiary by the employee.
                            ``(ii) Eligible designated beneficiary.--
                        The term `eligible designated beneficiary'
                        means, with respect to any employee, any
                        designated beneficiary who, as of the date of
                        death of the employee, is--
                                    ``(I) the surviving spouse of the
                                employee,
                                    ``(II) subject to clause (iii), a
                                child of the employee who has not
                                reached majority (within the meaning of
                                subparagraph (F)),
                                    ``(III) disabled (within the
                                meaning of section 72(m)(7)),
                                    ``(IV) a chronically ill individual
                                (within the meaning of section
                                7702B(c)(2), except that the
                                requirements of subparagraph (A)(i)
                                thereof shall only be treated as met if
                                there is a certification that, as of
                                such date, the period of inability
                                described in such subparagraph with
                                respect to the individual is an
                                indefinite one that is reasonably
                                expected to be lengthy in nature), or
                                    ``(V) an individual not described
                                in any of the preceding subparagraphs
                                who is not more than 10 years younger
                                than the employee.
                            ``(iii) Special rule for children.--Subject
                        to subparagraph (F), an individual described in
                        clause (ii)(II) shall cease to be an eligible
                        designated beneficiary as of the date the
                        individual reaches majority and the requirement
                        of subparagraph (B)(i) shall not be treated as
                        met with respect to any remaining portion of an
                        employee's interest payable to the individual
                        unless such portion is distributed within 5
                        years after such date.''.
    (c) Required Beginning Date.--Section 401(a)(9)(C) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
clause:
                            ``(v) Employees becoming 5-percent owners
                        after age 70\1/2\.--If an employee becomes a 5-
                        percent owner (as defined in section 416) with
                        respect to a plan year ending in a calendar
                        year after the calendar year in which the
                        employee attains age 70\1/2\, then clause
                        (i)(II) shall be applied by substituting the
                        calendar year in which the employee became such
                        an owner for the calendar year in which the
                        employee retires.''.
    (d) Effective Dates.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection, the
        amendments made by this section shall apply to distributions
        with respect to employees who die after December 31, 2013.
            (2) Required beginning date.--
                    (A) In general.--The amendment made by subsection
                (c) shall apply to employees becoming a 5-percent owner
                with respect to plan years ending in calendar years
                beginning before, on, or after the date of the
                enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Special rule.--If--
                            (i) an employee became a 5-percent owner
                        with respect to a plan year ending in a
                        calendar year which began before January 1,
                        2013, and
                            (ii) the employee has not retired before
                        calendar year 2014,
                such employee shall be treated as having become a 5-
                percent owner with respect to a plan year ending in
                2013 for purposes of applying section 401(a)(9)(C)(v)
                of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by the
                amendment made by subsection (c)).
            (3) Exception for certain beneficiaries.--If a designated
        beneficiary of an employee who dies before January 1, 2014,
        dies after December 31, 2013--
                    (A) the amendments made by this section shall apply
                to any beneficiary of such designated beneficiary, and
                    (B) the designated beneficiary shall be treated as
                an eligible designated beneficiary for purposes of
                applying section 401(a)(9)(B)(iv) of such Code (as in
                effect after the amendments made by this section).
            (4) Exception for certain existing annuity contracts.--
                    (A) In general.--The amendments made by this
                section shall not apply to a qualified annuity which is
                a binding annuity contract in effect on the date of the
                enactment of this Act and at all times thereafter.
                    (B) Qualified annuity contract.--For purposes of
                this paragraph, the term ``qualified annuity'' means,
                with respect to an employee, an annuity--
                            (i) which is a commercial annuity (as
                        defined in section 3405(e)(6) of such Code) or
                        payable by a defined benefit plan,
                            (ii) under which the annuity payments are
                        substantially equal periodic payments (not less
                        frequently than annually) over the lives of
                        such employee and a designated beneficiary (or
                        over a period not extending beyond the life
                        expectancy of such employee or the life
                        expectancy of such employee and a designated
                        beneficiary) in accordance with the regulations
                        described in section 401(a)(9)(A)(ii) of such
                        Code (as in effect before such amendments) and
                        which meets the other requirements of this
                        section 401(a)(9) of such Code (as so in
                        effect) with respect to such payments, and
                            (iii) with respect to which--
                                    (I) annuity payments to the
                                employee have begun before January 1,
                                2014, and the employee has made an
                                irrevocable election before such date
                                as to the method and amount of the
                                annuity payments to the employee or any
                                designated beneficiaries, or
                                    (II) if subclause (I) does not
                                apply, the employee has made an
                                irrevocable election before the date of
                                the enactment of this Act as to the
                                method and amount of the annuity
                                payments to the employee or any
                                designated beneficiaries.

Summary: Keep Student Loans Affordable Act of 2013 - Amends title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend the 3.4 interest rate on Direct Stafford loans first disbursed to undergraduate students between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2013, to Direct Stafford loans first disbursed to undergraduate students between July 1, 2011, and July 1, 2014. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify rules for required distributions from tax-exempt pension plans to an employee who dies before such employee's entire interest is distributed to require such interest to be distributed within five years after the death of such employee, subject to exceptions for an eligible designated beneficiary and surviving spouse of such employee. Defines eligible designated beneficiary to include a disabled or chronically-ill individual. Exempts from such modification a binding annuity contract in effect on the enactment date of this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Organic Farmer and Consumer
Protection Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM.

    Subsection (b) of section 2123 of the Organic Foods Production Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6522) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) National Organic Program.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, in order to carry out activities under the national
organic program established under this title, there are authorized to
be appropriated--
            ``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
            ``(2) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(3) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(5) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
            ``(6) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.''.

SEC. 3. MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE TECHNOLOGY
              SYSTEMS AND DATA COLLECTION.

    Section 2123 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
6522) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Modernization and Improvement of International Trade
Technology Systems and Data Collection.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall modernize
        international trade tracking and data collection systems of the
        national organic program.
            ``(2) Activities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
        Secretary shall modernize trade and transaction certificates to
        ensure full traceability without unduly hindering trade, such
        as through an electronic trade document exchange system.
            ``(3) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit
        Corporation, the Secretary shall make available $5,000,000 for
        fiscal year 2019 for the purposes of--
                    ``(A) carrying out this subsection; and
                    ``(B) maintaining the database and technology
                upgrades previously carried out pursuant to subsection
                (c).
            ``(4) Availability.--The amount made available under
        paragraph (3) is in addition to any other funds made available
        for the purposes specified in such paragraph and shall remain
        available until expended.''.

SEC. 4. RECORDKEEPING, INVESTIGATION, AND ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 2120 of the Organic Foods Production Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6519) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Collaborative Investigations and Enforcement.--
            ``(1) Information sharing during active investigation.--In
        carrying out this title, all parties to an active investigation
        (including certifying agents, State organic certification
        programs, and the national organic program) may share
        confidential business information with Federal and State
        government officers and employees and certifying agents
        involved in the investigation as necessary to fully investigate
        and enforce potential violations of this title and regulations
        issued under this title.
            ``(2) Access to data documentation systems.--The Secretary
        shall have access to available data from cross-border
        documentation systems administered by other Federal agencies,
        including--
                    ``(A) the Automated Commercial Environment system
                of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol; and
                    ``(B) the Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance and
                Tracking system of the Animal and Plant Health
                Inspection Service.
            ``(3) Additional documentation and verification.--The
        Secretary, acting through the national organic program, has the
        authority, and shall grant an accredited certifying agent the
        authority, to require increased additional documentation or
        verification before granting certification, in the case of a
        known area of risk or when there is a specific area of concern,
        as determined by the Secretary or the certifying agent.''.
    (b) Modification of Regulations on Exclusions From Certification.--
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to limit the type of
operations that are excluded from certification under section 205.101
of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, and any other corresponding
sections.

SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL ACCREDITATION AUTHORITY.

    Section 2115 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
6514) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Satellite Offices and Overseas Operations.--As part of the
accreditation of certifying agents under this section, the Secretary--
            ``(1) has oversight and approval authority over any
        certifying agent operating in a foreign country; and
            ``(2) shall require an annual authorization for each
        certifying agent that intends to operate in any foreign
        country.''.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Section 2122 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
6521) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Annual Report.--Not later than March 1, 2019, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing
national organic program activities with respect to all domestic and
overseas investigations and compliance actions taken pursuant to this
title during the preceding year.''.

Summary: Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act of 2017 This bill amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to reauthorize through FY2023 and modify the Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). USDA must modernize the international trade tracking and data collection systems of the NOP, which must include ensuring that trade and transaction certificates are fully traceable without unduly hindering trade. The bill authorizes mandatory funding to be used for this purpose and for maintaining previous database and technology upgrades. The bill modifies requirements for recordkeeping, investigations, and enforcement with respect to the organic certification process to: allow parties to an active investigation to share confidential business information with government officers or employees and certifying agents involved in the investigation, require federal agencies that administer cross-border documentation systems to provide USDA with access to the data from the systems, allow the NOP to grant an accredited certifying agent the authority to require additional documentation or verification before granting certification, and require USDA to issue regulations limiting the type of operations that are excluded from certification. With respect to the accreditation process for certifying agents, the bill: (1) authorizes USDA to oversee and approve certifying agents operating in a foreign country, and (2) requires certifying agents that intend to operate in a foreign country to be annually authorized.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Balanced Trade Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS OF CONGRESS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Since 1997, the United States current account deficit,
        the broadest measure of United States international trade, has
        grown substantially, both absolutely and relative to gross
        domestic product (GDP), increasing from $140,400,000,000 in
        1997 (1.7 percent of GDP) to $791,000,000,000 in 2005 (6.3
        percent of GDP).
            (2) Strong manufacturing and agricultural sectors are
        important to nurturing and sustaining the health and security
        of the Nation's economy. The persistent current account deficit
        weakens United States manufacturing and agriculture and causes
        the loss of United States jobs. It can be estimated that the
        2005 merchandise trade deficit cost the United States up to
        15,000,000 jobs.
            (3) The direction and trend of the current account deficit
        is unsustainable in the long run and needs immediate corrective
        action.
            (4) It is critical to the Nation's economic future that the
        current account deficit be addressed by adopting statutory
        changes that will eliminate some of the causes of the trade
        deficit and will begin to move the Nation to a positive trade
        balance.

SEC. 3. MANDATORY PRESIDENTIAL ACTION WHENEVER THE UNITED STATES
              CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT EXCEEDS 2 PERCENT OF THE UNITED
              STATES GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

    Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2132) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (c) through (h) as (d)
        through (i), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
        subsection (c):
    ``(c) Mandatory Presidential Proclamation of Temporary Import
Surcharge Whenever the United States Current Account Deficit Exceeds 2
Percent of the Gross Domestic Product.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the provisions of
        subsections (a) and (b), whenever there is a United States
        current account deficit that exceeds 2 percent of the gross
        domestic product, then--
                    ``(A) for purposes of subsection (a), the President
                shall determine that fundamental international payments
                problems do exist that require special import measures
                to restrict imports; and
                    ``(B) within 30 days after making that
                determination, the President shall proclaim, for the
                period described in paragraph (2), a temporary import
                surcharge under this subsection in the form of duties
                (in addition to those already imposed, if any) on
                articles imported into the United States.
            ``(2) Period of surcharge.--The period of the surcharge
        proclaimed under this subsection is the period beginning on the
        date on which the surcharge is proclaimed and ending on the
        date on which there is not a United States current account
        deficit, or there is a United States current account deficit
        that does not exceed 1 percent of the gross domestic product.
            ``(3) Amount of surcharge.--
                    ``(A) Minimum.--The amount of the surcharge
                proclaimed under this subsection shall be not less than
                20 percent ad valorem.
                    ``(B) Adjustment to ensure period of not more than
                24 months.--Subject to subparagraph (A), the amount of
                the surcharge shall be adequate to ensure that the
                period in which the surcharge applies (as described in
                paragraph (2)) is not more than 24 months. Whenever the
                President determines that the amount of the surcharge
                is inadequate to ensure that the period in which the
                surcharge applies is not more than 24 months, the
                President shall increase the amount by at least 1
                percent.
            ``(4) Data used in making determinations.--Each
        determination under this subsection shall be made using the
        most recently available information for a 1-year period
        compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Department
        of Commerce.
            ``(5) Exceptions.--
                    ``(A) Country exemptions.--Subsection (e)(2)
                applies to a surcharge proclaimed under this subsection
                to the same extent that it applies to an import
                restricting action proclaimed pursuant to subsection
                (a).
                    ``(B) Product exceptions.--Subsection (f) applies
                to a surcharge proclaimed under this subsection to the
                same extent that it applies to an import restricting
                action proclaimed pursuant to subsection (a).''.

Summary: Balanced Trade Act of 2006 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require the President whenever there is a trade deficit that exceeds 2 of the gross domestic product (GDP) to: (1) restrict imports. And (2) proclaim, for a determined period, a temporary import surcharge of not less than 20 ad valorem on articles imported into the United States. (Currently, the President has the authority to temporarily impose import surcharges

To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to require the President to make a determination that a fundamental international payments problem exists and to proclaim a temporary import surcharge whenever the United States current account deficit exceeds 2 percent of the United States Gross Domestic Product.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Renewable Energy Assistance Act of
2007''.

SEC. 2. INCREASE AND EXTENSION OF CREDIT FOR RESIDENTIAL ENERGY
              EFFICIENT PROPERTY.

    (a) Extension.--Subsection (g) of section 25D of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``December 31, 2008'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
    (b) Repeal of Maximum Dollar Limitation.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (b) of section 25D of such Code
        is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Certification of Solar Water Heating Property.--No credit
shall be allowed under this section for an item of property described
in subsection (d)(1) unless such property is certified for performance
by the non-profit Solar Rating Certification Corporation or a
comparable entity endorsed by the government of the State in which such
property is installed.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Subsection (e) of section 25D of such Code is
                amended by striking paragraph (4) and by redesignating
                paragraphs (5) through (9) as paragraphs (4) through
                (8), respectively.
                    (B) Paragraph (1) of section 25C(e) of such Code is
                amended by striking ``(8), and (9)'' and inserting
                ``and (8) (and paragraph (4) as in effect before its
                repeal)''.
    (c) Credit Allowed Against Alternative Minimum Tax.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 25D of such Code
        is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Limitation Based on Amount of Tax; Carryforward of Unused
Credit.--
            ``(1) Limitation based on amount of tax.--In the case of a
        taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, the
        credit allowed under subsection (a) for the taxable year shall
        not exceed the excess of--
                    ``(A) the sum of the regular tax liability (as
                defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by
                section 55, over
                    ``(B) the sum of the credits allowable under this
                subpart (other than this section) and section 27 for
                the taxable year.
            ``(2) Carryforward of unused credit.--
                    ``(A) Rule for years in which all personal credits
                allowed against regular and alternative minimum tax.--
                In the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2)
                applies, if the credit allowable under subsection (a)
                exceeds the limitation imposed by section 26(a)(2) for
                such taxable year reduced by the sum of the credits
                allowable under this subpart (other than this section),
                such excess shall be carried to the succeeding taxable
                year and added to the credit allowable under subsection
                (a) for such succeeding taxable year.
                    ``(B) Rule for other years.--In the case of a
                taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply,
                if the credit allowable under subsection (a) exceeds
                the limitation imposed by paragraph (1) for such
                taxable year, such excess shall be carried to the
                succeeding taxable year and added to the credit
                allowable under subsection (a) for such succeeding
                taxable year.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 23(b)(4)(B) of such Code is amended by
                inserting ``and section 25D'' after ``this section''.
                    (B) Section 24(b)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by
                striking ``and 25B'' and inserting ``, 25B, and 25D''.
                    (C) Section 25B(g)(2) of such Code is amended by
                striking ``section 23'' and inserting ``sections 23 and
                25D''.
                    (D) Section 26(a)(1) of such Code is amended by
                striking ``and 25B'' and inserting ``25B, and 25D''.
    (d) Effective Dates.--
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
        subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to
        expenditures made after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Extension.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
        apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2008.
            (3) Allowance against alternative minimum tax.--
                    (A) In general.--The amendments made by subsection
                (c) shall apply to taxable years beginning after the
                date of the enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Application of egtrra sunset.--The amendments
                made by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (c)(2)
                shall be subject to title IX of the Economic Growth and
                Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 in the same
                manner as the provisions of such Act to which such
                amendments relate.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF ENERGY CREDIT.

    (a) Extension of 30 Percent Credit for Solar Energy.--Subclause
(II) of section 48(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by striking ``January 1, 2009'' and inserting ``January 1,
2017''.
    (b) Extension for Qualified Fuel Cells.--Subparagraph (E) of
section 48(c)(1) of such Code is amended by striking ``December 31,
2008'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
    (c) Public Electric Utility Property Taken Into Account.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (3) of section 48(a) of such
        Code is amended by striking the second sentence thereof.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (1) of section 48(c)
        of such Code, after amendment under subsection (b), is amended
        by striking subparagraph (D) and redesignating subparagraph (E)
        as subparagraph (D).
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
        shall apply to periods after June 20, 2007, in taxable years
        ending after such date, under rules similar to the rules of
        section 48(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in
        effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the
        Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990).

SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF CREDIT FOR NONBUSINESS ENERGY PROPERTY.

    Subsection (g) of section 25C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by striking ``December 31, 2007'' and inserting ``December
31, 2015''.

SEC. 5. MODIFICATIONS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCE CREDIT FOR
              APPLIANCES PRODUCED AFTER 2007.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 45M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Applicable Amount.--For purposes of subsection (a)--
            ``(1) Dishwashers.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $45 in the case of a dishwasher which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 or 2009 and which
                uses no more than 324 kilowatt hours per year and 5.8
                gallons per cycle, and
                    ``(B) $75 in the case of a dishwasher which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, 2009, or 2010 and
                which uses no more than 307 kilowatt hours per year and
                5.0 gallons per cycle (5.5 gallons per cycle for
                dishwashers designed for greater than 12 place
                settings).
            ``(2) Clothes washers.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $75 in the case of a residential top-loading
                clothes washer manufactured in calendar year 2008 which
                meets or exceeds a 1.72 modified energy factor and does
                not exceed a 8.0 water consumption factor,
                    ``(B) $125 in the case of a residential top-loading
                clothes washer manufactured in calendar year 2008 or
                2009 which meets or exceeds a 1.8 modified energy
                factor and does not exceed a 7.5 water consumption
                factor,
                    ``(C) $150 in the case of a residential or
                commercial clothes washer manufactured in calendar year
                2008, 2009 or 2010 which meets or exceeds 2.0 modified
                energy factor and does not exceed a 6.0 water
                consumption factor, and
                    ``(D) $250 in the case of a residential or
                commercial clothes washer manufactured in calendar year
                2008, 2009, or 2010 which meets or exceeds 2.2 modified
                energy factor and does not exceed a 4.5 water
                consumption factor.
            ``(3) Refrigerators.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $50 in the case of a refrigerator which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, and consumes at
                least 20 percent but not more than 22.9 percent less
                kilowatt hours per year than the 2001 energy
                conservation standards,
                    ``(B) $75 in the case of a refrigerator which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 or 2009, and
                consumes at least 23 percent but no more than 24.9
                percent less kilowatt hours per year than the 2001
                energy conservation standards,
                    ``(C) $100 in the case of a refrigerator which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, 2009 or 2010, and
                consumes at least 25 percent but not more than 29.9
                percent less kilowatt hours per year than the 2001
                energy conservation standards, and
                    ``(D) $200 in the case of a refrigerator
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, 2009 or 2010 and
                which consumes at least 30 percent less energy than the
                2001 energy conservation standards.
            ``(4) Dehumidifiers.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $15 in the case of a dehumidifier
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 that has a capacity
                less than or equal to 45 pints per day and is 7.5
                percent more efficient than the applicable Department
                of Energy energy conservation standard effective
                October 2012, and
                    ``(B) $25 in the case of a dehumidifier
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 that has a capacity
                greater than 45 pints per day and is 7.5 percent more
                efficient than the applicable Department of Energy
                energy conservation standard effective October 2012.''.
    (b) Eligible Production.--
            (1) Similar treatment for all appliances.--Subsection (c)
        of section 45M of such Code is amended--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2),
                    (B) by striking ``(1) In general'' and all that
                follows through ``the eligible'' and inserting ``The
                eligible'', and
                    (C) by moving the text of such subsection in line
                with the subsection heading and redesignating
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2),
                respectively.
            (2) Modification of base period.--Paragraph (2) of section
        45M(c) of such Code, as amended by paragraph (1) of this
        section, is amended by striking ``3-calendar year'' and
        inserting ``2-calendar year''.
    (c) Types of Energy Efficient Appliances.--Subsection (d) of
section 45M of such Code is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Types of Energy Efficient Appliance.--For purposes of this
section, the types of energy efficient appliances are--
            ``(1) dishwashers described in subsection (b)(1),
            ``(2) clothes washers described in subsection (b)(2),
            ``(3) refrigerators described in subsection (b)(3), and
            ``(4) dehumidifiers described in subsection (b)(4).''.
    (d) Aggregate Credit Amount Allowed.--
            (1) Increase in limit.--Paragraph (1) of section 45M(e) of
        such Code is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) Aggregate credit amount allowed.--The aggregate
        amount of credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to a
        taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed $75,000,000
        reduced by the amount of the credit allowed under subsection
        (a) to the taxpayer (or any predecessor) for all prior taxable
        years beginning after December 31, 2007.''.
            (2) Exception for certain refrigerator and clothes
        washers.--Paragraph (2) of section 45M(e) of such Code is
        amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Amount allowed for certain refrigerators and clothes
        washers.--Refrigerators described in subsection (b)(3)(D) and
        clothes washers described in subsection (b)(2)(D) shall not be
        taken into account under paragraph (1).''.
    (e) Qualified Energy Efficient Appliances.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 45M(f) of such
        Code is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) Qualified energy efficient appliance.--The term
        `qualified energy efficient appliance' means--
                    ``(A) any dishwasher described in subsection
                (b)(1),
                    ``(B) any clothes washer described in subsection
                (b)(2),
                    ``(C) any refrigerator described in subsection
                (b)(3), and
                    ``(D) any dehumidifier described in subsection
                (b)(4).''.
            (2) Clothes washer.--Section 45M(f)(3) of such Code is
        amended by inserting ``commercial'' before ``residential'' the
        second place it appears.
            (3) Top-loading clothes washer.--Subsection (f) of section
        45M of such Code is amended by redesignating paragraphs (4),
        (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (5), (6), (7), and (8),
        respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (3) the
        following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Top-loading clothes washer.--The term ``top-loading
        clothes washer'' means a clothes washer which has the clothes
        container compartment access located on the top of the machine
        and which operates on a vertical axis.''.
            (4) Dehumidifier.--Subsection (f) of section 45M of such
        Code, as amended by paragraph (3), is amended by redesignating
        paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (7), (8) and (9),
        respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (5) the
        following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Dehumidifier.--The term `dehumidifier' means a self-
        contained, electrically operated, and mechanically refrigerated
        encased assembly consisting of--
                    ``(A) a refrigerated surface that condenses
                moisture from the atmosphere,
                    ``(B) a refrigerating system, including an electric
                motor,
                    ``(C) an air-circulating fan, and
                    ``(D) means for collecting or disposing of
                condensate.''.
            (5) Replacement of energy factor.--Section 45M(f)(7) of
        such Code, as amended by paragraph (4), is amended to read as
        follows:
            ``(7) Modified energy factor.--The term `modified energy
        factor' means the modified energy factor established by the
        Department of Energy for compliance with the Federal energy
        conservation standard.''.
            (6) Gallons per cycle; water consumption factor.--Section
        45M(f) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the
        following:
            ``(10) Gallons per cycle.--The term `gallons per cycle'
        means, with respect to a dishwasher, the amount of water,
        expressed in gallons, required to complete a normal cycle of a
        dishwasher.
            ``(11) Water consumption factor.--The term `water
        consumption factor' means, with respect to a clothes washer,
        the quotient of the total weighted per-cycle water consumption
        divided by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes
        washer.''.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to appliances produced after December 31, 2007.

Summary: Renewable Energy Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the dollar limitation on the tax credit for residential energy efficiency property expenditures and extend such credit through 2016. (2) extend through 2016 the energy tax credit for solar energy and qualified fuel cell property. (3) allow public electric utility property to qualify for the energy tax credit. (4) extend through 2015 the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property. And (5) modify energy efficient appliance tax credit amounts for appliances produced after 2007.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase and extend certain renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Asset Investment and
Modernization (AIM) Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS UNDER 504 PROGRAM.

    Section 502(2)(A) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15
U.S.C. 696(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
        ``$5,000,000'';
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``$2,000,000'' and
        inserting ``$5,000,000'';
            (3) in clause (iii), by striking ``$4,000,000'' and
        inserting ``$5,500,000'';
            (4) in clause (iv), by striking ``$4,000,000'' and
        inserting ``$5,500,000''; and
            (5) in clause (v), by striking ``$4,000,000'' and inserting
        ``$5,500,000''.

SEC. 3. LOW-INTEREST REFINANCING UNDER THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
              LOAN PROGRAM.

    Section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C.
696) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Temporary authority for debt refinancing of
        commercial real estate.--
                    ``(A) In general.--During the period beginning on
                the date of enactment of this paragraph and ending on
                September 30, 2012, notwithstanding paragraph (7), the
                Administrator may approve, for financing under this
                title, the refinancing of indebtedness that is secured
                by a lien on commercial real estate or equipment of a
                small business concern under such terms and conditions
                as the Administrator determines appropriate, except at
                a minimum such terms and conditions shall include the
                following:
                            ``(i) The existing indebtedness is maturing
                        not more than one year after the loan approval
                        date.
                            ``(ii) The proceeds of the existing
                        indebtedness were used to acquire land,
                        including a building situated thereon, to
                        construct a building thereon, or to purchase
                        equipment.
                            ``(iii) The small business concern has been
                        current on all payments due on the existing
                        indebtedness for a period beginning on a date
                        that is not less than 1 year before the date of
                        refinancing and ending on the date of
                        refinancing.
                            ``(iv) At the time of refinancing, the lien
                        shall be assigned or released in a manner that
                        ensures that the financing under this title is
                        in the same lien position as the existing
                        indebtedness.
                            ``(v) The existing indebtedness was
                        incurred for the benefit of the small business
                        concern.
                            ``(vi) The financing under this title will
                        be used only for refinancing existing
                        indebtedness or costs relating to such
                        refinancing.
                            ``(vii) The amount being refinanced may not
                        exceed 90 percent of the appraised value of the
                        commercial real estate or equipment on the date
                        of refinancing or 100 percent of the
                        outstanding principal amount of the existing
                        indebtedness, whichever is less, plus allowable
                        closing costs as determined by the
                        Administrator.
                            ``(viii) Notwithstanding any other
                        provision of this title, for a refinancing
                        under this paragraph--
                                    ``(I) not less than 50 percent of
                                the appraised value of the commercial
                                real estate or equipment on the date of
                                refinancing shall come from the
                                institutions described in subclauses
                                (I), (II) or (III) of paragraph
                                (3)(B)(i): Provided, That if the
                                indebtedness being refinanced pursuant
                                to this paragraph is held by such an
                                institution, or an affiliate thereof,
                                that is providing funds for the
                                refinancing, the institution shall
                                contribute not less than 70 percent of
                                such appraised value of the commercial
                                real estate or equipment; and
                                    ``(II) the remaining funds needed
                                for the refinancing (including closing
                                costs) shall come from the development
                                company.
                            ``(ix) In addition to the other fees
                        imposed under this title, the Administrator
                        shall assess, collect, and retain such annual
                        fees in amounts necessary to reduce to zero the
                        cost (as that term is defined in section 502 of
                        the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990) to the
                        Administrator of making guarantees under the
                        authority of section 503(a) with respect to
                        refinancings under this paragraph.
                            ``(x) The temporary fee elimination
                        authorized under section 501(b) of the American
                        Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public
                        Law 111-5, shall not apply to any refinancing
                        made under this paragraph.
                            ``(xi) No fee reduction or elimination
                        applicable to loans under this title shall
                        apply to loans under this paragraph.
                            ``(xii) No portion of the indebtedness may
                        be subject to a guarantee by a Federal agency.
                            ``(xiii) The development company may charge
                        the small business concern a processing fee of
                        up to 50 basis points more than the amount that
                        the Administrator authorizes under section
                        120.971(a)(1) of title 13, Code of Federal
                        Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2010.
                    ``(B) Total amount of loans.--The Administrator may
                provide not more than a total of $7,500,000,000 of
                financing under this paragraph for each fiscal year.
                    ``(C) Nondelegation.--Notwithstanding section
                508(e) of this title, the Administrator may not permit
                a premier certified lender to approve or disapprove an
                application for assistance under this paragraph.
                    ``(D) Term appointments.--
                            ``(i) To carry out the authority under this
                        paragraph, the Administrator may authorize term
                        appointments within the Administration under
                        subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United
                        States Code, for a period of not less than 1
                        year and not more than 6 years.
                            ``(ii) Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title
                        5, United States Code, or any other provision
                        of law relating to the examination,
                        certification, and appointment of individuals
                        in the competitive service, the Administrator
                        may convert an employee serving under a term
                        appointment to a permanent appointment in the
                        competitive service within the Administration
                        without further competition if--
                                    ``(I) such individual was appointed
                                under open, competitive examination
                                under subchapter I of chapter 33 of
                                title 5, United States Code, to the
                                term position;
                                    ``(II) the announcement for the
                                term appointment from which the
                                conversion is made stated that there
                                was potential for subsequent conversion
                                to a career-conditional or career
                                appointment;
                                    ``(III) the employee has completed
                                at least 2 years of current continuous
                                service under a term appointment in the
                                competitive service;
                                    ``(IV) the employee's performance
                                under such term appointment was at
                                least fully successful or equivalent;
                                and
                                    ``(V) the position to which such
                                employee is being converted under this
                                section is in the same occupational
                                series, is in the same geographic
                                location, and provides no greater
                                promotion potential than the term
                                position for which the competitive
                                examination was conducted.
                            ``(iii) Notwithstanding chapter 33 of title
                        5, United States Code, or any other provision
                        of law relating to the examination,
                        certification, and appointment of individuals
                        in the competitive service, the Administrator
                        may convert an employee serving under a term
                        appointment to a permanent appointment in the
                        competitive service within the Administration
                        through internal competitive promotion
                        procedures if the conditions under subclauses
                        (I) through (IV) of subparagraph (D)(ii) are
                        met.
                            ``(iv) An employee converted under this
                        subparagraph becomes a career-conditional
                        employee, unless the employee has otherwise
                        completed the service requirements for career
                        tenure.
                            ``(v) An employee converted to career or
                        career-conditional employment under this
                        subparagraph acquires competitive status upon
                        conversion.
                    ``(E) Elimination of pension offset for certain
                rehired federal retirees.--
                            ``(i) In general.--To carry out the
                        authority under this paragraph, the
                        Administrator may waive the application of
                        section 8344 or 8468 of title 5, United States
                        Code, on a case-by-case basis for employment of
                        an annuitant.
                            ``(ii) Procedures.--The Administrator shall
                        prescribe procedures for the exercise of
                        authority under this subparagraph, including--
                                    ``(I) criteria for any exercise of
                                authority; and
                                    ``(II) procedures for a delegation
                                of authority.
                            ``(iii) Effect of waiver.--An employee as
                        to whom a waiver under this subparagraph is in
                        effect shall not be considered an employee for
                        purposes of subchapter III of chapter 83, or
                        chapter 84, of title 5, United States Code.
                    ``(F) Emergency rulemaking authority.--
                            ``(i) The Administrator shall--
                                    ``(I) not later than 90 days after
                                the date of enactment of the Small
                                Business Asset Investment and
                                Modernization (AIM) Act of 2010,
                                without providing notice or opportunity
                                for comment, issue interim regulations
                                implementing this paragraph; and
                                    ``(II) not later than 180 days
                                after the date of enactment of the
                                Small Business Asset Investment and
                                Modernization (AIM) Act of 2010, after
                                providing notice and opportunity for
                                comment, issue final regulations
                                implementing this paragraph.
                            ``(ii) The interim regulations issued under
                        clause (i)(I) shall cease to be effective on
                        the date that the Administrator issues final
                        regulations under clause (i)(II).''.

Summary: Small Business Asset Investment and Modernization (AIM) Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 concerning the 504 program to increase maximum program loan amounts. Authorizes the Administrator of the SBA, from the date of enactment of this Act through FY2012, to approve under such program the refinancing of indebtedness that is secured by a lien on commercial real estate or equipment of a small business, under specified terms and conditions. Limits to $7.5 billion the total amount of such financing in a fiscal year. Authorizes the Administrator, in order to carry out such program, to make personnel appointments of at least one year and not more than six years. Allows the Administrator to eliminate the pension offset for the reemployment of retired federal employees for such purposes.

To amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase maximum loan amounts under the program in title V of that Act, to provide temporary authority for debt refinancing of commercial real estate, and for other purposes.