SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Women's High-Growth
Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean
        the Small Business Administration and the Administrator
        thereof, respectively;
            (2) the term ``Task Force'' means the National Women's
        High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force established under
        section 3; and
            (3) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled
        by women'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(n) of
        the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(n)).

SEC. 3. NATIONAL WOMEN'S HIGH-GROWTH BUSINESS BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the National Women's High-
Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, which shall serve as an
independent source of advice, research, and policy recommendations to--
            (1) the Administrator;
            (2) the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's
        Business Ownership of the Administration;
            (3) Congress;
            (4) the President; and
            (5) other Federal departments and agencies.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Number of members.--The Task Force shall be composed of
        15 members, of which--
                    (A) 8 shall be individuals who own small business
                concerns owned and controlled by women, including not
                fewer than 2 individuals who own small business
                concerns owned and controlled by women in industries in
                which women are traditionally underrepresented;
                    (B) 2 shall be individuals having expertise
                conducting research on women's business, women's
                entrepreneurship, new business development by women,
                and high-growth business development; and
                    (C) 5 shall be individuals who represent women's
                business organizations, including women's business
                centers and women's business advocacy groups.
            (2) Appointment of members.--
                    (A) Owners of small business concerns owned and
                controlled by women.--Of the members of the Task Force
                described in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson
                        of the Committee on Small Business and
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate;
                            (ii) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking
                        Member of the Committee on Small Business and
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate;
                            (iii) 2 shall be appointed by the
                        Chairperson of the Committee on Small Business
                        of the House of Representatives; and
                            (iv) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking
                        Member of the Committee on Small Business of
                        the House of Representatives.
                    (B) Other members.--The members of the Task Force
                described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1)
                shall be appointed by the Administrator.
                    (C) Initial appointments.--The individuals
                described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall appoint
                the initial members of the Task Force not later than 90
                days after the date of enactment of this Act.
                    (D) Geographic considerations.--In making an
                appointment under this paragraph, the individuals
                described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall give
                consideration to the geographic areas of the United
                States in which the members of the Task Force live and
                work, particularly to ensure that rural areas are
                represented on the Task Force.
                    (E) Political affiliation.--Not more than 8 members
                of the Task Force may be members of the same political
                party.
            (3) Chairperson.--
                    (A) Election of chairperson.--The members of the
                Task Force shall elect 1 member of the Task Force as
                Chairperson of the Task Force.
                    (B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of
                Chairperson of the Task Force shall be filled by the
                Task Force at the first meeting of the Task Force after
                the date on which the vacancy occurs.
            (4) Term of service.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), the term of service of each member of the Task
                Force shall be 3 years.
                    (B) Terms of initial appointees.--Of the members of
                the Task Force first appointed after the date of
                enactment of this Act--
                            (i) 6 shall be appointed for a term of 4
                        years, including--
                                    (I) 1 member appointed by the
                                individuals described in each of
                                clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of
                                paragraph (2)(A); and
                                    (II) 2 members appointed by the
                                Administrator; and
                            (ii) 5 shall be appointed for a term of 5
                        years, including--
                                    (I) 1 member appointed by the
                                individuals described in each of
                                clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of
                                paragraph (2)(A); and
                                    (II) 1 member appointed by the
                                Administrator.
            (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled
        not later than 30 days after the date on which the vacancy
        occurs, in the manner in which the original appointment was
        made, and shall be subject to any conditions that applied to
        the original appointment. An individual chosen to fill a
        vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member
        replaced.
            (6) Prohibition on federal employment.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), no member of the Task Force may serve as an
                officer or employee of the United States.
                    (B) Exception.--A member of the Task Force who
                accepts a position as an officer or employee of the
                United States after appointment to the Task Force may
                continue to serve on the Task Force for not more than
                30 days after the date of such acceptance.
            (7) Compensation and expenses.--
                    (A) No compensation.--Each member of the Task Force
                shall serve without compensation.
                    (B) Expenses.--The Administrator shall reimburse
                the members of the Task Force for travel and
                subsistence expenses in accordance with section 5703 of
                title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Duties.--The Task Force shall--
            (1) review and monitor plans and programs developed in the
        public and private sectors that affect the ability of small
        business concerns owned and controlled by women to obtain
        capital and credit and to access markets, and provide advice on
        improving coordination between such plans and programs;
            (2) monitor and promote the plans, programs, and operations
        of the Federal departments and agencies that contribute to the
        formation and development of small business concerns owned and
        controlled by women, and make recommendations to Federal
        departments and agencies concerning the coordination of such
        plans, programs, and operations;
            (3) develop and promote initiatives, policies, programs,
        and plans designed to encourage the formation of startups and
        high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by
        women;
            (4) advise the Administrator on the development and
        implementation of an annual comprehensive plan for joint
        efforts by the public and private sectors to facilitate the
        formation and development of startups and high-growth small
        business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
            (5) examine the link between women who own small business
        concerns and intellectual property, including--
                    (A) the number of patents, trademarks, and
                copyrights granted to women; and
                    (B) the challenges faced by high-growth small
                business concerns owned and controlled by women in
                obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights.
    (d) Powers.--
            (1) Hearings.--The Task Force may hold such hearings, sit
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and
        receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable to
        carry out its duties.
            (2) Task groups.--The Task Force may, from time to time,
        establish temporary task groups, as necessary to carry out the
        duties of the Task Force.
            (3) Information from federal agencies.--Upon request of the
        Chairperson of the Task Force, the head of any Federal
        department or agency shall furnish such information to the Task
        Force as the Task Force considers necessary to carry out its
        duties.
            (4) Use of mails.--The Task Force may use the United States
        mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as
        Federal departments and agencies.
            (5) Gifts.--The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of
        gifts or donations of services or property.
    (e) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet--
                    (A) not less than 3 times each year;
                    (B) at the call of the Chairperson; and
                    (C) upon the request of--
                            (i) the Administrator;
                            (ii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of
                        the Committee on Small Business and
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate; or
                            (iii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of
                        the Committee on Small Business of the House of
                        Representatives.
            (2) Participation of federal agencies.--
                    (A) Participation encouraged.--The Task Force shall
                allow and encourage participation in meetings by
                representatives from Federal agencies.
                    (B) Functions of representatives of federal
                agencies.--A representative from a Federal agency--
                            (i) may be used as a resource; and
                            (ii) may not vote or otherwise act as a
                        member of the Task Force.
            (3) Location.--Each meeting of the full Task Force shall be
        held at the headquarters of the Administration, unless, not
        later than 1 month before the meeting, a majority of the
        members of the Task Force agree to meet at another location.
            (4) Support by administrator.--The Administrator shall
        provide suitable meeting facilities and such administrative
        support as may be necessary for each full meeting of the Task
        Force.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Reports by task force.--
                    (A) Reports required.--Not later than 30 days after
                the end of each fiscal year, the Task Force shall
                submit to the President and to the Committee on Small
                Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the
                Committee on Small Business of the House of
                Representatives, a report containing--
                            (i) a detailed description of the
                        activities of the Task Force, including a
                        report on how the Task Force has carried out
                        the duties described in subsection (c);
                            (ii) the findings and recommendations of
                        the Task Force; and
                            (iii) the recommendations of the Task Force
                        for--
                                    (I) promoting intellectual property
                                rights for high-growth small business
                                concerns owned and controlled by women;
                                and
                                    (II) such legislative and
                                administrative actions as the Task
                                Force considers appropriate to promote
                                the formation and development of small
                                business concerns owned and controlled
                                by women.
                    (B) Form of reports.--The report required under
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            (i) any concurring or dissenting views of
                        the Administrator; and
                            (ii) the minutes of each meeting of the
                        Task Force.
            (2) Reports by chief counsel for advocacy.--
                    (A) Studies.--
                            (i) In general.--Not less frequently than
                        twice each year, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy
                        of the Small Business Administration, in
                        consultation with the Task Force, shall conduct
                        a study of an issue that is important to small
                        business concerns owned and controlled by
                        women.
                            (ii) Topics.--The topic of a study under
                        clause (i) shall--
                                    (I) be an issue that the Task Force
                                determines is critical to furthering
                                the interests of small business
                                concerns owned and controlled by women;
                                and
                                    (II) relate to--
                                            (aa) Federal prime
                                        contracts and subcontracts
                                        awarded to small business
                                        concerns owned and controlled
                                        by women;
                                            (bb) access to credit and
                                        investment capital by women
                                        entrepreneurs;
                                            (cc) acquiring and
                                        enforcing intellectual property
                                        rights; or
                                            (dd) any other issue
                                        relating to small business
                                        concerns owned and controlled
                                        by women that the Task Force
                                        determines is appropriate.
                            (iii) Contracting.--In conducting a study
                        under this subparagraph, the Chief Counsel may
                        contract with a public or private entity.
                    (B) Report.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy shall--
                            (i) submit a report containing the results
                        of each study under subparagraph (A) to the
                        Task Force, the Committee on Small Business and
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and the
                        Committee on Small Business of the House of
                        Representatives; and
                            (ii) make each report submitted under
                        clause (i) available to the public online.
    (g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task
Force.

SEC. 4. REPEAL.

    (a) Final Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act--
            (1) the Interagency Committee on Women's Business
        Enterprise shall submit to the President and the Committee on
        Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the
        Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a
        report containing the information described in paragraphs (1),
        (2), and (3) of section 404 of the Women's Business Ownership
        Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7104), as in effect on the day before
        the date of enactment of this Act; and
            (2) the National Women's Business Council shall submit to
        the President and the Committee on Small Business and
        Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small
        Business of the House of Representatives a report containing
        the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of
        section 406(d)(6) of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988
        (15 U.S.C. 7106), as in effect on the day before the date of
        enactment of this Act.
    (b) Repeal.--The Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C.
631 note) is amended by striking title IV (15 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).
    (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 8(b)(1)(G) (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(G)), by
        striking ``and to carry out the activities authorized by title
        IV of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988''; and
            (2) in section 29(g) (15 U.S.C. 656(g))--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``women's
                business enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the
                Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631
                note))'' and inserting ``small business concerns owned
                and controlled by women''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)--
                            (i) in subclause (VI), by adding ``and'' at
                        the end;
                            (ii) in subclause (VII), by striking the
                        semicolon at the end and inserting a period;
                        and
                            (iii) by striking subclauses (VIII), (IX),
                        and (X).
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c)
shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012 - Establishes the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force to provide women-owned, start-up and high-growth business advice, research, and policy recommendations to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Assistant Administrator of the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership, Congress, the President, and other federal departments and agencies. Directs the Task Force, among other things, to review, monitor, and advise on plans and programs developed in the public and private sectors that affect the ability of small businesses owned and controlled by women to obtain capital and credit and to access markets. Requires the Task Force to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the activities of the Task Force. Directs the SBA's Chief Counsel to: (1) semiannually conduct a study of an issue of importance to small businesses owned and controlled by women, and (2) submit each study's results to the Task Force and the small business committees. Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to repeal provisions establishing the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise.

A bill to establish the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``California New River Restoration Act
of 2016''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the New River was born out of the Colorado River's
        occasional flows into the Salton Sink and the erosion of the
        New River channel which formed the deep river canyon between
        1905 and 1907;
            (2) the New River starts in Mexicali, Mexico, flows north
        into the United States through Calexico, passes through the
        Imperial Valley and drains into the Salton Sea, roughly 66
        miles north of the international boundary, and the sub-
        watershed covers approximately 750 square miles, with 63
        percent of that in Mexico and 37 percent in the United States;
            (3) the New River has been widely recognized for its
        significant water pollution problems, primarily because of
        agricultural runoff, raw sewage, pesticides, and discharges of
        wastes from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources in
        Mexico and the Imperial Valley;
            (4) by the 1980s, the New River acquired the reputation of
        being one of the most polluted rivers in the United States,
        with many of the pollutants posing serious human health hazards
        to local populations, particularly those in Calexico and
        Mexicali;
            (5) in 1992, the International Boundary Water Commission's
        Treaty Minute No. 288 established a sanitation strategy for the
        New River water quality problems at the international boundary
        and divided the sanitation projects into two immediate repairs
        projects, the Mexicali I and the Mexicali II, which totaled
        about $50 million dollars and were funded by both countries
        through the North American Development Bank;
            (6) in 1995, the Environmental Protection Agency provided
        funds to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board to
        monitor and document the water quality at the international
        boundary on a monthly basis;
            (7) in the late 1990s, the United States and Mexico spent
        $100 million (45 percent paid by Mexico and 55 percent paid by
        the United States) to build the Las Arenitas and Zaragoza
        Wastewater Treatment plants, and untreated New River water
        passing through four microbial treatment cells at Las Arenitas
        was then chlorinated and fed into a re-forestation project
        along the desiccated Rio Hardy which stretches to the Sea of
        Cortez;
            (8) a 10-year effort by community groups, lawyers,
        regulatory agencies, and politicians addressed the problem at
        the source by federally funding a new sewage treatment plant in
        Mexicali and developing a site plan for the river on the United
        States side;
            (9) in 2009, the State of California required the
        California-Mexico Border Relations Council to create a
        strategic plan to study, monitor, remediate, and enhance the
        New River's water quality to protect human health and develop a
        river parkway suitable for public use;
            (10) flows in the New River at the International Boundary
        with Mexico have been reduced by as much as 40 percent during
        the last 10 years due to a number of factors which include
        reduction of agricultural runoff and municipal wastewater
        discharged into the New River and its tributaries in Mexico;
        and
            (11) the existing and ongoing voluntary conservation
        efforts at the New River necessitate improved efficiency and
        cost effectiveness, as well as increased private-sector
        investments and coordination of Federal and non-Federal
        resources, including through installation of a large trash
        screen, a new pump station, aeration devices, a disinfection
        facility, and managed wetlands.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) New river.--The term ``New River'' means the river that
        starts in Mexicali, Mexico, flows north into the United States
        through Calexico, passes through the Imperial Valley, and
        drains into the Salton Sea.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means the California New
        River restoration program established under section 4.
            (4) Restoration and protection.--The term ``restoration and
        protection'' means the conservation, stewardship, and
        enhancement of habitat for fish and wildlife to preserve and
        improve ecosystems and ecological processes on which they
        depend.
            (5) Mexican.--The term ``Mexican'' refers to the Federal,
        State, and local governments of the United Mexican States.

SEC. 4. CALIFORNIA NEW RIVER RESTORATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a program to
be known as the ``California New River restoration program''.
    (b) Duties.--In carrying out the program, the Administrator shall--
            (1) draw on existing and new management plans for the New
        River, or portions of the New River, and work in consultation
        with applicable management entities, including representatives
        of the Calexico New River Committee, the California-Mexico
        Border Relations Council, the New River Improvement Project
        Technical Advisory Committee, the Federal Government, State and
        local governments, and regional and nonprofit organizations, as
        appropriate, to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration
        and protection activities relating to the New River;
            (2) adopt a New River-wide strategy that--
                    (A) supports the implementation of a shared set of
                science-based restoration and protection activities
                identified in accordance with paragraph (1);
                    (B) targets cost-effective projects with measurable
                results; and
                    (C) maximizes conservation outcomes with no net
                gain of Federal full-time equivalent employees; and
            (3) provide grants and technical assistance in accordance
        with section 5.
    (c) Coordination.--In establishing the program, the Administrator
shall consult, as appropriate, with--
            (1) the heads of Federal agencies, including--
                    (A) the Secretary of the Interior;
                    (B) the Secretary of Agriculture;
                    (C) the Administrator of General Services;
                    (D) the Commissioner of the International Boundary
                Water Commission; and
                    (E) the head of any other applicable agency;
            (2) the Governor of California;
            (3) the Imperial Irrigation District;
            (4) the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control
        Board; and
            (5) other public agencies and organizations with authority
        for the planning and implementation of conservation strategies
        relating to the New River in both the United States and Mexico.
    (d) Purposes.--The purposes of the program include--
            (1) coordinating restoration and protection activities,
        among Mexican, Federal, State, local, and regional entities and
        conservation partners, relating to the New River; and
            (2) carrying out coordinated restoration and protection
        activities, and providing for technical assistance relating to
        the New River--
                    (A) to sustain and enhance fish and wildlife
                habitat restoration and protection activities;
                    (B) to improve and maintain water quality to
                support fish and wildlife, as well as the habitats of
                fish and wildlife;
                    (C) to sustain and enhance water management for
                volume and flood damage mitigation improvements to
                benefit fish and wildlife habitat;
                    (D) to improve opportunities for public access to,
                and recreation in and along, the New River consistent
                with the ecological needs of fish and wildlife habitat;
                    (E) to facilitate strategic planning to maximize
                the resilience of natural systems and habitats under
                changing watershed conditions;
                    (F) to engage the public through outreach,
                education, and citizen involvement, to increase
                capacity and support for coordinated restoration and
                protection activities relating to the New River;
                    (G) to increase scientific capacity to support the
                planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary
                to carry out coordinated restoration and protection
                activities; and
                    (H) to provide technical assistance to carry out
                restoration and protection activities relating to the
                New River.

SEC. 5. GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--In carrying out the program, the Administrator
shall provide grants and technical assistance to State and local
governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher
education, in both the United States and Mexico, to carry out the
purposes of the program.
    (b) Criteria.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
organizations described in section 4(c), shall develop criteria for
providing grants and technical assistance under this section to ensure
that such activities accomplish one or more of the purposes identified
in section 4(d)(2) and advance the implementation of priority actions
or needs identified in the New River-wide strategy adopted under
section 4(b)(2).
    (c) Cost Sharing.--
            (1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of a
        project for which a grant is provided under this section shall
        not exceed 55 percent of the total cost of the activity, as
        determined by the Administrator.
            (2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost
        of a project for which a grant is provided under this section
        may be provided in the form of an in-kind contribution of
        services or materials.
    (d) Administration.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator may enter into an
        agreement to manage the implementation of this section with the
        North American Development Bank or a similar organization that
        offers grant management services.
            (2) Funding.--If the Administrator enters into an agreement
        under paragraph (1), the organization selected shall--
                    (A) for each fiscal year, receive amounts to carry
                out this section in an advance payment of the entire
                amount on October 1, or as soon as practicable
                thereafter, of that fiscal year;
                    (B) invest and reinvest those amounts for the
                benefit of the program; and
                    (C) otherwise administer the implementation of this
                section to support partnerships between the public and
                private sectors in accordance with this Act.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORTS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a
report on the implementation of this Act, including a description of
each project that has received funding under this Act, goals
established by New River-wide strategy, and the status of all such
projects that are in progress on the date of submission of the report.

Summary: California New River Restoration Act of 2016 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a California New River restoration program for the river that starts in Mexicali, Mexico, flows north into the United States through Calexico, passes through the Imperial Valley, and drains into the Salton Sea. In carrying out the program, the EPA must: (1) adopt a New River-wide strategy, and (2) provide grants and technical assistance for coordinating restoration and protection activities.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Estate and Gift Tax Phase-Out Act of
1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The economy of the United States cannot achieve strong,
        sustained growth without adequate levels of savings to fuel
        productive activity. Inadequate savings have been shown to lead
        to lower productivity, stagnating wages, and reduced standards
        of living.
            (2) Savings levels in the United States have steadily
        declined over the past 25 years, and have lagged behind the
        industrialized trading partners of the United States.
            (3) These anemic savings levels have contributed to the
        country's long-term downward trend in real economic growth,
        which averaged close to 3.5 percent over the last 100 years but
        has slowed to 2.4 percent over the past quarter century.
            (4) Repealing the estate and gift tax would contribute to
        the goals of expanding savings and investment, boosting
        entrepreneurial activity, and expanding economic growth.
            (5) Abolishing the estate tax would restore a measure of
        fairness to the Federal tax system. Families should be able to
        pass on the fruits of labor to the next generation without
        realizing a taxable event.

SEC. 3. PHASE-OUT OF ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES THROUGH INCREASE IN UNIFIED
              ESTATE AND GIFT TAX CREDIT.

    (a) Estate Tax Credit.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2010(a) of the Internal Revenue
        Code of 1986 (relating to unified credit against estate tax) is
        amended by striking ``$192,800'' and inserting ``the applicable
        credit amount''.
            (2) Applicable credit amount.-- Section 2010 of such Code
        is amended by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d)
        and by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Applicable Credit Amount.--For purposes of this section, the
applicable credit amount is the amount of the tentative tax which would
be determined under the rate schedule set forth in section 2001(c) if
the amount with respect to which such tentative tax is to be computed
were the applicable exclusion amount determined in accordance with the
following table:

        ``In the case of estates of decedents
                                                         The applicable
          dying, and gifts made, during:
                                                   exclusion amount is:
                  1998...............................       $1,000,000
                  1999...............................       $1,500,000
                  2000...............................       $2,000,000
                  2001...............................       $2,500,000
                  2002...............................    $5,000,000.''.
            (3) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 6018(a)(1) of such Code is amended by
                striking ``$600,000'' and inserting ``the applicable
                exclusion amount in effect under section 2010(c) for
                the calendar year which includes the date of death''.
                    (B) Section 2001(c)(2) of such Code is amended by
                striking ``$21,040,000'' and inserting ``the amount at
                which the average tax rate under this section is 55
                percent''.
                    (C) Section 2102(c)(3)(A) of such Code is amended
                by striking ``$192,800'' and inserting ``the applicable
                credit amount in effect under section 2010(c) for the
                calendar year which includes the date of death''.
    (b) Unified Gift Tax Credit.--Section 2505(a)(1) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to unified credit against gift tax) is
amended by striking ``$192,800'' and inserting ``the applicable credit
amount in effect under section 2010(c) for such calendar year''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to the estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after December
31, 1997.

SEC. 4. REPEAL OF FEDERAL TRANSFER TAXES.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
repealed.
    (b) Effective Date.--The repeal made by subsection (a) shall apply
to the estates of decedents dying, and gifts and generation-skipping
transfers made, after December 31, 2002.
    (c) Technical and Conforming Changes.--The Secretary of the
Treasury or the Secretary's delegate shall not later than 90 days after
the effective date of this section, submit to the Committee on Ways and
Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of
the Senate a draft of any technical and conforming changes in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which are necessary to reflect throughout
such Code the changes in the substantive provisions of law made by this
Act.

Summary: Estate and Gift Tax Phase-Out Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to phase-out and repeal, effective January 1, 2003, the estate tax, gift tax, and the tax on generation-skipping transfers.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Information Classification Act of
1994''.

SEC. 2. CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--The National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new title:

              ``TITLE VIII--CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION

                       ``classification criteria

    ``Sec. 801. (a) Information may be classified under this title only
if the interest of the public in knowing such information is outweighed
by the damage to the national security of the United States which
demonstrably could be expected to result from the public release of
such information.
    ``(b) If there is reasonable doubt about the need to classify
information, it shall not be classified.
    ``(c) Information that may be considered for classification is
information that includes (but is not limited to) any of the following
concerns:
            ``(1) The ability of the United States military to defend
        the Nation from armed aggression, engage in armed conflict, or
        participate in peacekeeping or multinational operations abroad.
            ``(2) The vulnerability of United States Government
        personnel, facilities, weapons technology, or related systems
        to armed attack, loss or compromise, or measures that would
        weaken their effectiveness or counter their capabilities.
            ``(3) Diplomatic relations between the United States and
        another country or international organization of governments.
            ``(4) Intelligence sources and methods, including those
        related to covert actions and cryptologic activities.
            ``(5) The ability of the United States to apply critical
        research or technology to the national defense or foreign
        relations of the United States.
    ``(d) In no case shall information be classified in order to--
            ``(1) conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or
        administrative error;
            ``(2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or
        agency;
            ``(3) restrain competition;
            ``(4) prevent or delay the release of information that does
        not require protection in the interests of national security;
            ``(5) control access to basic scientific research
        information not clearly related to the national security;
            ``(6) control information after it has been released to the
        public or a member thereof under proper authority; or
            ``(7) prevent the public release of a compilation of items
        of information which individually are not classified.

                        ``classification levels

    ``Sec. 802. (a) Information may be classified if at the time the
original classification decision is made either of the following is
identified or described:
            ``(1) Exceptionally grave damage to the national security
        of the United States which could demonstrably be expected to
        result from the public release of such information.
            ``(2) Serious damage to the national security of the United
        States which could demonstrably be expected to result from the
        public release of such information.
    ``(b) Information shall be classified under subsection (a)(2) if
there is a reasonable doubt about the appropriate level of
classification.
    ``(c)(1) Information obtained directly from a foreign government
may retain the classification assigned by that foreign government if
the foreign government is on the list published under section
805(b)(3).
    ``(2) Information obtained directly from a foreign government that
is not on the list published under section 805(b)(3) may only be
classified under this title.

                       ``classification authority

    ``Sec. 803. Original classification authority may only be exercised
by the President and such other officials as the President may
designate. The President shall publish annually in the Federal Register
the officials designated under this section to exercise original
classification authority.

                      ``duration of classification

    ``Sec. 804. (a) To the extent possible, the original classification
authority shall determine the date when or event upon which
declassification shall occur, based on the duration of the national
security sensitivity of the information. The date or event may not
exceed the periods specified in subsection (b), except as provided in
subsection (c).
    ``(b) Except as provided in subsection (c)--
            ``(1) information classified under section 802(a)(1) shall
        be marked for declassification not later than the end of the
        10-year period beginning on the date of the original
        classification decision; and
            ``(2) information classified under section 802(a)(2) shall
        be marked for declassification not later than the end of the 6-
        year period beginning on the date of the original
        classification decision.
    ``(c)(1) Not earlier than 180 days before the scheduled date of
declassification of information, the original classification authority
or successor may extend the period for which such information is to
remain classified. Any such extension shall be based on the continued
existence of the basis for the original classification, as specified in
the original classification determination.
    ``(2) The period of extension of the classification of information
under paragraph (1) may not exceed the original period for which such
information was classified.
    ``(3) Additional periods of extension of classification of
information under this subsection may be made in accordance with this
subsection.
    ``(d) Whenever information classified under this title is requested
for release under any other provision of law, the original
classification authority or successor shall review the basis for the
original classification decision and determine whether the information
can be declassified or whether the classification level can be reduced.
    ``(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), information
classified under Executive Order 12356, as in effect on the day before
the date of approval of the joint resolution under section 806, may
remain classified for the shorter of--
            ``(A) the original period specified in the original
        classification of the information, beginning on the date of
        such original classification, or
            ``(B) the 25-year period beginning on the date of the
        original classification of such information.
    ``(2) Upon the expiration of the period applicable under paragraph
(1) to information, the information shall be declassified unless the
period of classification is extended under subsection (c).
    ``(3) In the case that, with respect to information, both periods
specified under paragraph (1) either have expired or will expire within
180 days after the date of approval of the joint resolution under
section 806, the information shall be declassified on the date that is
180 days after such date unless the period of classification is
extended under subsection (c).

                ``information security oversight office

    ``Sec. 805. (a) There shall be the Information Security Oversight
Office, to be headed by a director appointed by the President.
    ``(b) The Office shall be responsible for the following:
            ``(1) All functions and responsibilities exercised by the
        Information Security Oversight Office as such functions and
        responsibilities existed on the day before the date of
        enactment of this title.
            ``(2)(A) A periodic review of the classification of
        information under this title, including--
                    ``(i) the appropriateness of the level of
                classification to the information classified; and
                    ``(ii) the basis for the classification decision
                with respect to the information.
            ``(B) Referring to the original classification authority or
        successor for reconsideration of questions concerning
        information raised pursuant to paragraph (2).
            ``(3) The annual determination of, and publication of a
        list of, foreign governments that have written procedures
        generally applicable to the classification of information that
        are available to the public.
    ``(c) This section shall take effect on the date of approval of the
joint resolution under section 806.

            ``congressional approval of implementing actions

    ``Sec. 806. (a) The President shall develop a proposal for
implementing this title and shall submit such proposal to the Congress
for approval in accordance with subsection (b).
    ``(b)(1) The proposal referred to in subsection (a) may not take
effect until after Congress approves the proposal by joint resolution
in accordance with this section.
    ``(2) Any such joint resolution shall be considered in the Senate
in accordance with the provisions of section 601(b) of the
International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976.
    ``(3) For the purpose of expediting the consideration and enactment
of joint resolutions under this subsection, a motion to proceed to the
consideration of any such joint resolution after it has been reported
by the appropriate committee shall be treated as highly privileged in
the House of Representatives.

                             ``definitions

    ``Sec. 807. For the purposes of this title:
            ``(1) The term `information' means any knowledge that can
        be communicated or documentary material, regardless of its
        physical form or characteristics, that is owned by, produced by
        or for, or is under the control of the United States
        Government.
            ``(2) The term `original classification' means an initial
        determination that information requires, in the interest of
        national security, protection against public release.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the National
Security Act of 1947 is amended by adding at the end the following:

              ``TITLE VIII--CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION

        ``Sec. 801. Classification criteria.
        ``Sec. 802. Classification levels.
        ``Sec. 803. Classification authority.
        ``Sec. 804. Duration of classification.
        ``Sec. 805. Information Security Oversight Office.
        ``Sec. 806. Congressional approval of implementing actions.
        ``Sec. 807. Definitions.''.

Summary: Information Classification Act of 1994 - Amends the National Security Act of 1994 to add provisions relating to the classification and declassification of information. Allows information to be classified under such Act only if the public interest in knowing such information is outweighed by national security damage which could be expected to result from the release of such information. Provides that if there is reasonable doubt about the need to classify information, it shall not be classified. Specifies information that may be classified and purposes for which information shall not be classified . Provides: (1) classification levels, (2) classification authority only for the President and his designees. And (3) classification duration . Establishes the Information Security Oversight Office. Requires such Office to periodically review the classification of information under such Act. Directs the President to develop and submit to the Congress for approval a proposal for implementing this Act. Requires congressional approval by joint resolution.

Information Classification Act of 1994


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ballistic Missile Defense Act of
1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Short-range theater ballistic missiles threaten United
        States Armed Forces wherever engaged abroad. Therefore, the
        expeditious deployment of theater missile defenses to intercept
        ballistic missiles at greater ranges and higher altitudes is
        the highest priority among all ballistic missile defense
        programs.
            (2) The United States is developing defensive systems to
        protect the United States against the threat of limited
        ballistic missile attacks. Ground-based defensive systems are
        attainable, compliant with the ABM Treaty, more affordable than
        spaced-based interceptors or space-based lasers, and can
        protect all of the United States from limited ballistic missile
        attack.
            (3) Defending against ballistic missile attacks upon our
        national territory requires not only missile defenses but arms
        control agreements and nonproliferation measures that lower the
        threat and curb the spread of ballistic missile technology.
            (4) The massive retaliatory capability of the United States
        deterred the Soviet Union, and any other nation, from launching
        an attack by intercontinental ballistic missiles throughout the
        Cold War. The Nuclear Posture Review conducted by the
        Department of Defense affirms the effectiveness of deterrence
        now and into the future. While the threat of intentional attack
        upon the United States has receded, the risk of an accidental
        or unauthorized attack by Russia or China remains but is
        remote.
            (5) United States arms control agreements (notably the
        START I Treaty and the START II Treaty, once implemented) will
        lower the threat to the United States from large-scale nuclear
        attack. The START I Treaty, when fully implemented, will reduce
        deployed warheads by over 40 percent below 1990 levels. By the
        end of 1996, only Russia, among the states of the former Soviet
        Union, will deploy nuclear weapons. The START II Treaty, if
        implemented, will reduce warheads deployed in Russia by 66
        percent below their levels before the Start I Treaty.
            (6) As strategic offensive weapons are reduced, the
        efficacy and affordability of defensive systems increases,
        raising the possibility of deterrence based upon effective
        defenses rather than deterrence based solely upon threat of
        massive retaliation.
            (7) Countries hostile to the United States (such as Iraq,
        Iran, North Korea, and Libya) have manifested an interest in
        developing ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United
        States. These countries may accelerate the development of long-
range missiles if they receive external support, but in the absence of
outside assistance, newly emerging threats may take as long as 15 years
to mature, according to recent intelligence estimates.
            (8) The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Missile
        Technology Control Regime, the Biological and Chemical Weapons
        Convention, and continuing United States efforts to enforce
        export controls will prevent or delay external assistance
        needed by those countries to develop intercontinental ballistic
        missiles and weapons of mass destruction.
            (9) The ABM Treaty has added to strategic stability by
        restraining the requirement on both sides for strategic
        weapons. At the summit in May 1995, the President of the United
        States and the President of Russia each reaffirmed his
        country's commitment to the ABM Treaty.
            (10) Abrogating the ABM Treaty to deploy a noncompliant
        system will not add to strategic stability if it impedes
        implementation of the START I or START II Treaty. Without the
        removal of strategic weapons scheduled by both treaties, the
        consequences and risks of unauthorized or accidental launches
        will remain undiminished, as will the potential threat of a
        large-scale attack capable of overwhelming any defenses
        deployed.
            (11) If the nuclear arsenal of the United States must be
        maintained at START I levels, significant unbudgeted costs will
        be incurred, encroaching on funds for ballistic missile
        defenses and other defense requirements.
            (12) Should arms control, nonproliferation efforts, and
        deterrence fail, the United States must be able to defend
        itself against limited ballistic missile attack.
            (13) Missile defense systems consistent with the ABM Treaty
        are capable of defending against limited ballistic missile
        attack. Should a national missile defense system require
        modification of the ABM Treaty, the treaty establishes the
        means for the parties to amend the treaty, which the parties
        have used in the past.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE POLICY.

    (a) In General.--It is the policy of the United States to develop
by the year 2000 a National Missile Defense System that can be deployed
in 2003.
    (b) Capability of System.--The National Missile Defense System to
be developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be capable, when
deployed, of providing a highly effective defense of the United States
against limited ballistic missile attacks.
    (c) Testing Before Deployment.--The system developed pursuant to
subsection (a) shall be rigorously tested during development.
    (d) Improvements.--If a decision to deploy the system developed
pursuant to subsection (a) is not made by the end of the year 2000, the
Secretary of Defense shall ensure that the system is improved by
incorporation of evolving technology to increase effectiveness and
reduce costs of a subsequent deployment, and that rigorous testing
continues.

SEC. 4. BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE PRIORITIES.

    The following, in the order listed, shall be the policy of the
United States with respect to the priority for development and
deployment of ballistic missile defense programs:
            (1) First, maintaining the operational readiness of the
        Armed Forces, including a good quality of life for
        servicemembers and their families, and modernization of weapons
        systems to ensure mission effectiveness in the future.
            (2) Second, as part of such modernization, completing the
        development and deployment of essential theater missile defense
        (TMD) systems as soon as practicable.
            (3) Third, developing by the year 2000 for deployment in
        the year 2003 the system referred to in section 3 and section
        5(b) and developing for deployment as soon as practicable the
        space-based sensors described in section 5(c).

SEC. 5. NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE.

    (a) Requirement for National Missile Defense Program.--To implement
the policy established in section 3, the Secretary of Defense shall
initiate a National Missile Defense Program, which shall position the
United States, by the end of the year 2000, to be capable of deploying
a National Missile Defense system, as described in section 3(b), within
three years.
    (b) Elements of the NMD Program.--The National Missile Defense
Program shall include the following elements:
            (1) A ground-based interceptor system that provides
        coverage of the continental United States (including Alaska)
        and Hawaii.
            (2) Fixed ground-based radars.
            (3) Space-based sensors.
            (4) Battle management, command, control and communications
        (BM/C<SUP>3).

SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION OF NMD PROGRAM.

    The Secretary of Defense shall--
            (1) initiate plans and actions necessary to meet the
        deployment readiness goals specified in section 5(a);
            (2) conduct rigorous integrated system testing using
        elements representative of the National Missile Defense
        architecture referred to in section 5(b);
            (3) prescribe and use streamlined acquisition policies and
        procedures, in accordance with existing law, to reduce the cost
        and increase the efficiency of developing the system referred
        to in section 5(b); and
            (4) develop technologies that have the potential of
        improving the National Missile Defense system prescribed in
        section 5(b).

SEC. 7. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

    Not later than March 15, 1997, the Secretary of Defense shall
submit to Congress a report on the Secretary's plan for the National
Missile Defense Program required by this Act. The report shall include
the following matters:
            (1) The Secretary's plan for carrying out this Act,
        including--
                    (A) a detailed description of the system
                architecture selected for development under section
                5(b); and
                    (B) a justification of the architecture selected
                and reasons for the rejection of the other candidate
                architectures.
            (2) The Secretary's estimate of the amount of
        appropriations required for research, development, test,
        evaluation, and for procurement, for each of fiscal years 1997
        through 2003 in order to achieve an initial operational
        capability in 2003.
            (3) A description of promising technologies to be pursued
        in accordance with the requirements of section 6(4).
            (4) A determination of the point at which any activity that
        is required to be carried out under this Act would conflict
        with the terms of the ABM Treaty, together with a description
        of any such activity, the legal basis for the Secretary's
        determination, and an estimate of the time at which such point
        would be reached in order to meet an initial operating
        capability in the year 2003.

SEC. 8. POLICY REGARDING REDUCTION OF THE THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES
              FROM WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

    (a) Measures To Address Threats From Weapons of Mass Destruction.--
In order to defend against weapons of mass destruction by preventing
the spread of fissile materials and other components of weapons of mass
destruction, the President shall--
            (1) enhance efforts, both unilaterally and in cooperation
        with other nations, to prevent terrorist organizations from
        obtaining and using weapons of mass destruction;
            (2) expedite United States efforts to assist the
        Governments of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, and
        Kazakhstan, as appropriate, in improving the safety, security,
        and accountability of fissile materials and nuclear warheads;
            (3) undertake additional steps to prevent weapons of mass
        destruction and their components from being smuggled into the
        United States, through the use of improved security devices at
        United States ports of entry, increased numbers of Border
        Patrol agents, increased monitoring of international borders,
        and other appropriate measures;
            (4) seek the widest possible international adherence to the
        Missile Technology Control Regime and pursue to the fullest
        other export control measures intended to deter and counter the
        spread of weapons of mass destruction and their components; and
            (5) enhance conventional weapons systems to ensure that the
        United States possesses effective deterrent and counterforce
        capabilities against weapons of mass destruction and their
        delivery systems.
    (b) Measures To Address Threats From ICBMs.--In order to reduce the
threat to the United States from weapons of mass destruction delivered
by intercontinental ballistic missiles, including accidental or
unauthorized launches, the President shall--
            (1) urge the Government and Parliament of the Russian
        Federation to ratify the START II Treaty as soon as possible,
        permitting its expeditious entry into force;
            (2) pursue with the Government of the Russian Federation,
        after START II entry-into-force, a symmetrical program of early
        deactivation of strategic forces to be eliminated under START
        II; and
            (3) work jointly with countries possessing intercontinental
        ballistic missiles to improve command and control technology
        and operations to the maximum extent practicable.
    (c) Department of Defense Program.--Consistent with, and in order
to compelement, the steps to be taken by the President under subsection
(a)(3), the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to enhance
the capabilities of the United States relating to the threat to the
United States of a chemical or biological weapons attack inside the
United States by unconventional means. In carrying out such program,
the Secretary shall take into consideration the assessments and
recommendations of the task force established under subsection (d). The
activities to be carried out by the Secretary under the program shall
include the following:
            (1) Research, development, test, and evaluation of
        technologies relating to any of the following:
                    (A) Detection of chemical or biological weapons.
                    (B) Interception of such weapons.
                    (C) Protection against such weapons.
                    (D) Response to an attack inside the United States
                using such weapons.
                    (E) Decontamination of areas affected by an attack
                using such weapons.
            (2) Training of personnel for the activities specified in
        subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1).
            (3) Identification of Federal equipment and technologies
        that can be transferred from one Federal agency to another
        agency or to State and local agencies consistent with the
        purposes of the program under this subsection.
    (d) Interagency Task Force.--(1) There is hereby established in the
executive branch an interagency task force to assess, and make
recommendations concerning, the capabilities of the United States
relating to the threat of a chemical or biological weapons attack
inside the United States by unconventional means.
    (2) The task force shall on an ongoing basis assess the current
state of the United States with respect to each of the following and
shall identify and recommend potential improvements:
            (A) The nature of the threat to the United States of a
        chemical or biological weapons attack inside the United States
        by unconventional means.
            (B) Capabilities related to detection and interception of
        such weapons or the possibility of such an attack.
            (C) Capabilities related to protection against the effects
        of such an attack.
            (D) Capabilities related to preparedness for, and response
        to, such an attack.
            (E) Capabilities related to decontamination following such
        an attack.
            (F) Public education concerning the dangers of such an
        attack and the appropriate response to such an attack.
    (3) Membership of the task force shall include representatives of
the following departments and agencies:
            (A) The Department of Defense.
            (B) The Central Intelligence Agency, but only with respect
        to assessment of the nature of the threat.
            (C) The Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau
        of Investigation and the Immigration and Naturalization
        Service.
            (D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
            (E) The Department of the Treasury, including the Customs
        Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
            (F) The Department of Health and Human Services, including
        the Centers for Disease Control.
    (4) In carrying out its activities, the task force shall consult
regularly with, and shall seek the views of, representatives of--
            (A) State and local government law enforcement authorities;
        and
            (B) State and local government emergency planning
        authorities.
    (5) Administrative support for the task force shall be provided by
the Secretary of Defense.
    (e) Annual Report.--The President shall submit to Congress an
annual report on actions by the United States to comply with the
provisions of this section. The first such report shall be submitted
not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 9. POLICY REGARDING THE ABM TREATY.

    (a) In General.--The President shall--
            (1) carry out the policies, programs, and requirements of
        this Act in a manner consistent with the ABM Treaty or through
        processes specified within the ABM Treaty;
            (2) at an appropriate time, seek amendments to the ABM
        Treaty, as provided in Articles XIII and XIV of the Treaty, if
        such amendments are required to deploy the National Missile
        Defense system prescribed in section 5; and
            (3) treat any negotiated amendment to the ABM Treaty as
        having entered into force only if such amendment is made in the
        same manner as a treaty (including the requirement that
        ratification by the United States is subject to the advice and
        consent of the Senate).
    (b) Modifications Restricting TMD Systems.--The United States shall
not be bound by any amendment or other substantive modification to the
ABM treaty that restricts theater ballistic missile defense systems
unless--
            (1) that system is actually flight-tested against a
        ballistic missile that exceeds (A) a range of 3,500 kilometers,
        or (B) a velocity of 5 kilometers per second; or
            (2) the agreement for such modification is made pursuant to
        the requirements of section 235 of the National Defense
        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (Public Law 104-106; 110
        Stat. 231).

SEC. 10. ABM TREATY DEFINED.

    For purposes of this Act, the term ``ABM Treaty'' means the Treaty
between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems, signed at Moscow
on May 26, 1972, and includes Protocols to that Treaty signed at Moscow
on July 3, 1974, and all Agreed Statements and amendments to such
Treaty in effect.

Summary: Ballistic Missile Defense Act of 1996 - Declares that it is US policy to develop by the year 2000 a National Missile Defense System (System) that: (1) can be deployed in 2003. (2) shall be capable of providing a highly effective defense of the United States against limited ballistic missile attacks. And (3) shall be rigorously tested during development. Sets forth, in the following order, US policy regarding the priority for the development and deployment of ballistic missile defense programs: (1) maintaining the operational readiness of the armed forces and modernization of weapon systems to ensure mission effectiveness in the future. (2) completing the development and deployment of essential theater missile defense systems. And (3) developing the System by the year 2000 for deployment in the year 2003 and developing space-based sensors. Directs the Secretary, in order to implement that policy, to initiate a National Missile Defense Program which shall include: (1) a ground-based interceptor system that provides coverage of the continental United States and Hawaii, (2) fixed ground-based radars, (3) space-based sensors. And (4) battle management, command, control, and communications. Specifies Program implementing and reporting requirements. Requires the President to take specified actions to: (1) defend against weapons of mass destruction by preventing the spread of fissile materials and other components. (2) reduce the threat to the United States from such weapons delivered by intercontinental ballistic missiles. And (3) carry out a program to enhance US capabilities relating to the threat to the United States of a chemical or biological weapons attack inside the United States by unconventional means . Requires the President to: (1) carry out requirements of this Act in a manner consistent with the ABM Treaty, (2) seek Treaty amendments necessary to deploy the System. And (3) treat any negotiated Treaty amendment as having entered into force only if it is made in the same manner as a treaty. Specifies conditions to be satisfied in order for Treaty modifications restricting theater ballistic missile defense systems to be binding on the United States.

Ballistic Missile Defense Act of 1996


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Renewable Energy Research and
Development Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The United States has a critical national interest in
        developing clean, domestic, renewable sources of energy in
        order to reduce environmental impacts of energy production,
        increase national security, improve public health, and bolster
        economic stability.
            (2) Marine renewable energy technologies are a nonemitting
        source of power production.
            (3) Marine renewable energy may serve as an alternative to
        fossil fuels and create thousands of new jobs within the United
        States.
            (4) Europe has already successfully delivered electricity
        to the grid through the deployment of wave and tidal energy
        devices off the coast of Scotland.
            (5) Recent studies from the Electric Power Research
        Institute, in conjunction with the Department of Energy's
        National Renewable Energy Laboratory, have identified an
        abundance of viable sites within the United States with ample
        wave and tidal resources to be harnessed by marine power
        technologies.
            (6) Sustained and expanded research, development,
        demonstration, and commercial application programs are needed
        to locate and characterize marine renewable energy resources,
        and to develop the technologies that will enable their
        widespread commercial development.
            (7) Federal support is critical to reduce the financial
        risk associated with developing new marine renewable energy
        technologies, thereby encouraging the private sector investment
        necessary to make marine renewable energy resources
        commercially viable as a source of electric power and for other
        applications.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) Marine renewable energy.--The term ``Marine Renewable
        Energy'' means energy derived from one or more of the following
        sources:
                    (A) Waves.
                    (B) Tidal flows.
                    (C) Ocean currents.
                    (D) Ocean thermal energy conversion.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Energy.

SEC. 4. MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in conjunction with other
appropriate agencies, shall support programs of research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application to expand marine renewable
energy production, including programs to--
            (1) study and compare existing marine renewable energy
        extraction technologies;
            (2) research, develop, and demonstrate advanced marine
        renewable energy systems and technologies;
            (3) reduce the manufacturing and operation costs of marine
        renewable energy technologies;
            (4) investigate efficient and reliable integration with the
        utility grid and intermittency issues;
            (5) advance wave forecasting technologies;
            (6) conduct experimental and numerical modeling for
        optimization of marine energy conversion devices and arrays;
            (7) increase the reliability and survivability of marine
        renewable energy technologies, including development of
        corrosive-resistant materials;
            (8) study, in conjunction with the Assistant Administrator
        for Research and Development of the Environmental Protection
        Agency, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and
        Atmosphere, and other Federal agencies as appropriate, the
        environmental impacts of marine renewable energy technologies
        and ways to address adverse impacts, and provide public
        information concerning technologies and other means available
        for monitoring and determining environmental impacts;
            (9) establish protocols, in conjunction with the National
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, for how the ocean
        community may best interact with marine renewable energy
        devices;
            (10) develop power measurement standards for marine
        renewable energy;
            (11) develop identification standards for marine renewable
        energy devices;
            (12) address standards development, demonstration, and
        technology transfer for advanced systems engineering and system
        integration methods to identify critical interfaces; and
            (13) utilize marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico, the
        Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.
    (b) Siting Criteria.--The Secretary, in conjunction with other
appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop, prior to installation of
any technologies under this section, siting criteria for marine
renewable energy generation demonstration and commercial application
projects funded under this Act.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL MARINE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
              DEMONSTRATION CENTERS.

    (a) Centers.--The Secretary, acting through the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, shall award grants to institutions of higher
education (or consortia thereof) for the establishment of 1 or more
National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and
Demonstration Centers. In selecting locations for Centers, the
Secretary shall consider sites that meet one of the following criteria:
            (1) Hosts an existing marine renewable energy research and
        development program in coordination with a public university
        engineering program.
            (2) Has proven expertise to support environmental and
        policy-related issues associated with harnessing of energy in
        the marine environment.
            (3) Has access to and utilizes the marine resources in the
        Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, or the Pacific Ocean.
The Secretary may give special consideration to historically black
colleges and universities and land grant universities that also meet
one of these criteria. In establishing criteria for the selection of
Centers, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Undersecretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on the criteria related to advancing
wave forecasting technologies, studying the compatibility with the
environment of marine renewable energy technologies and systems, and
establishing protocols for how the ocean community best interacts with
marine renewable energy devices and parks.
    (b) Purposes.--The Centers shall advance research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application of marine renewable energy
through a number of initiatives including for the purposes described in
section 4(1) through (13), and shall serve as an information
clearinghouse for the marine renewable energy industry, collecting and
disseminating information on best practices in all areas related to
developing and managing enhanced marine renewable energy systems
resources.
    (c) Demonstration of Need.--When applying for a grant under this
section, an applicant shall include a description of why Federal
support is necessary for the Center, including evidence that the
research of the Center will not be conducted in the absence of Federal
support.

SEC. 6. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as waiving the applicability
of any requirement under any environmental or other Federal or State
law.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out this Act $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through
2012, except that no funds shall be appropriated under this section for
activities that are receiving funds under section 931(a)(2)(E)(i) of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16231(a)(2)(E)(i)).

Summary: Marine Renewable Energy Research and Development Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Energy to support research and demonstration programs to expand marine renewable energy production, including: (1) study and comparison of existing marine renewable energy extraction technologies, (2) investigation of utility grid and intermittency issues. (3) increased survivability of marine renewable energy extraction technologies, including development of corrosive-resistant materials. (4) a study of environmental impacts of such technologies and ways to address adverse impacts. And (5) establishment of protocols, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for how the ocean community may best interact with marine renewable energy devices. Directs the Secretary to develop siting criteria for marine renewable energy generation projects prior to installation of such technologies. Directs the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education to establish National Marine Renewable Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Centers to serve as information clearinghouses for the marine renewable energy industry, collecting and disseminating information on best practices related to developing and managing enhanced marine renewable energy systems resources. Authorizes the Secretary to give special consideration to historically black colleges and universities and land grant universities that meet prescribed criteria. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012, excluding certain ocean energy programs already receiving funds under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

To establish research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs for marine renewable energy technologies.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Education in Vocational Technology
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) rapid technological advances and global economic
        competition demand increased levels of skilled technical
        education by high school graduates and other young job seekers
        entering the workforce;
            (2) in order to increase the productivity of the Nation's
        economy and ensure that an adequate number of high school
        graduates and other workers are qualified to enter the high
        technology workplace of the future, it is necessary to improve
        the quality of instruction in manufacturing and other
        vocational technologies; and
            (3) technical education programs which use state-of-the-art
        equipment and appropriate technologies will help provide
        workers with the technical skills necessary for employment in a
        changing workplace.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to provide grants to States that--
            (1) assist local educational agencies in improving the
        quality of instruction and training in, or developing
        instruction and training in, manufacturing and other vocational
        technologies; and
            (2) assist local educational agencies in purchasing state-
        of-the-art equipment for technical vocational education.

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

    (a) Authorization.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to make grants
        to the States to improve the quality of instruction or training
        in, or develop instruction and training in, manufacturing and
        other occupational technologies.
            (2) State application.--A State Board of Vocational
        Education that desires to receive a grant under this Act shall
        submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such
        manner and form as the Secretary may reasonably require.
            (3) State costs.--Not more than 10 percent of a grant
        received under this section may be used by the State Board of
        Vocational Education for administrative costs.
    (b) Allocations.--Not less than 90 percent of the amount received
by a State Board of Vocational Education shall be distributed to local
educational agencies.
    (c) Local Funds.--
            (1) Local application.--A local educational agency that
        desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an
        application to the State Board of Vocational Education.
            (2) Distribution.--In approving grants under this section,
        the State Board of Vocational Education shall assure an
        equitable distribution among urban and rural areas of the
        State.
            (3) Administrative costs.--Not more than 5 percent of a
        grant made under this section to a local educational agency may
        be used for administrative costs.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 through
1999 to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR EQUIPMENT.

    (a) Authorization.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to make grants
        to the States to assist States in purchasing state-of-the-art
        equipment for technical vocational education.
            (2) State application.--A State Board of Vocational
        Education that desires to receive a grant under this Act shall
        submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such
        manner and form as the Secretary may reasonably require. States
        that also are applying for a grant under section 4(a)(2), may
        amend such application to include programs under this section.
            (3) State costs.--Not more than 10 percent of a grant
        received under this section may be used by a State Board of
        Vocational Education for administrative costs.
    (b) Allocations.--Not less than 90 percent of the amount received
by a State Board of Vocational Education shall be distributed to local
educational agencies.
    (c) Local Funds.--
            (1) Local application.--A local educational agency that
        desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an
        application to the State Board of Vocational Education.
            (2) Distribution.--In approving grants under this section,
        the State Board of Vocational Education shall assure an
        equitable distribution among urban and rural areas of the
        State.
            (3) Administrative costs.--Not more than 5 percent of a
        grant made under this section to a local educational agency may
        be used for administrative costs.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 through
1999 to carry out this section.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
        Education.
            (2) The term ``local educational agency'' has the same
        meaning given such term in section 1471 of the Elementary and
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.
            (3) The term ``State Board of Vocational Education'' means
        the sole State agency responsible for the administration or the
        supervision of the State vocational education program as
        described in section 111(a) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational
        and Applied Technology Education Act.

Summary: Education in Vocational Technology Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to assist local educational agencies in: (1) improving the quality of or developing instruction and training in manufacturing and other vocational technologies. And (2) purchasing state-of-the-art equipment for technical vocational education. Requires State Boards of Vocational Education to distribute at least 90 percent of such amounts to local education agencies, equitably among urban and rural areas. Authorizes appropriations.

Education in Vocational Technology Act