SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs
Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act:
            (1) The term ``employee'' means an employee (as defined by
        section 2105 of title 5, United States Code) of the Department
        of Veterans Affairs who is serving under an appointment without
        time limitation and has been currently employed by the
        Department for a continuous period of at least 3 years, but
        does not include--
                    (A) a reemployed annuitant under subchapter III of
                chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States
                Code, or another retirement system for employees of the
                Government;
                    (B) an employee having a disability on the basis of
                which such employee is eligible for disability
                retirement under subchapter III of chapter 83 or
                chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, or another
                retirement system for employees of the Government;
                    (C) an employee who is in receipt of a specific
                notice of involuntary separation for misconduct or
                unacceptable performance;
                    (D) an employee who previously has received any
                voluntary separation incentive payment by the
                Government under this Act or any other authority;
                    (E) an employee covered by statutory reemployment
                rights who is on transfer to another organization; or
                    (F) an employee who, during the 24-month period
                preceding the date of separation, has received a
                recruitment or relocation bonus under section 5753 of
                title 5, United States Code, or a recruitment bonus
                under section 7458 of title 38, United States Code; and
                    (G) any employee who, during the 12-month period
                preceding the date of separation, received a retention
                allowance under section 5754 of title 5, United States
                Code, or a retention bonus under section 7458 of title
                38, United States Code.
            (2) The term ``Department'' means the Department of
        Veterans Affairs.
            (3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans
        Affairs.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT PLANS; APPROVAL.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, before obligating any resources for
voluntary separation incentive payments, shall submit to the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget a strategic plan outlining the
use of such incentive payments and a proposed organizational chart
for the Department once such incentive payments have been completed.
    (b) Contents.--The plan shall specify--
            (1) the positions and functions to be reduced or
        eliminated, identified by organizational unit, geographic
        location, occupational category and grade level; the proposed
        coverage may be based on--
                    (A) any component of the Department of Veterans
                Affairs;
                    (B) any occupation, occupation level or type of
                position;
                    (C) any geographic location; or
                    (D) any appropriate combination of the factors in
                subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C);
            (2) the manner in which such reductions will improve
        operating efficiency or meet actual or anticipated levels of
        budget or staffing resources;
            (3) the period of time during which incentives may be paid;
        and
            (4) a description of how the affected components of the
        Department of Veterans Affairs will operate without the
        eliminated functions and positions.
    (c) Approval.--The Director of the Office of Management and Budget
shall approve or disapprove each plan submitted under subsection (a)
and may make appropriate modifications to the plan with respect to the
time period in which voluntary separation incentives may be paid, with
respect to the number and amounts of incentive payments, or with
respect to the coverage of incentives on the basis of the factors in
subsection (b)(1).

SEC. 4. VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.

    (a) Authority To Provide Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may pay a voluntary
        separation incentive payment to an employee only to the extent
        necessary to reduce or eliminate the positions and functions
        identified by the strategic plan.
            (2) Employees who may receive incentives.--In order to
        receive a voluntary separation incentive payment, an employee
        must separate from service with the Department voluntarily
        (whether by retirement or resignation) under the provisions of
        this Act.
    (b) Amount and Treatment of Payments.--A voluntary separation
incentive payment--
            (1) shall be paid in a lump sum after the employee's
        separation;
            (2) shall be equal to the lesser of--
                    (A) an amount equal to the amount the employee
                would be entitled to receive under section 5595(c) of
                title 5, United States Code, if the employee were
                entitled to payment under such section (without
                adjustment for any previous payment made under that
                section); or
                    (B) an amount determined by the Secretary, not to
                exceed $25,000;
            (3) shall not be a basis for payment, and shall not be
        included in the computation, of any other type of Government
        benefit;
            (4) shall not be taken into account in determining the
        amount of severance pay to which an employee may be entitled
        under section 5595 of title 5, United States Code, based on any
        other separation; and
            (5) shall be paid from the appropriations or funds
        available for payment of the basic pay of the employee.

SEC. 5. EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

    (a) Repayment Upon Subsequent Employment.--An individual who has
received a voluntary separation incentive payment under this Act and
accepts any employment with the Government, or who works for any agency
of the Government through a personal services contract, within five
years after the date of the separation on which the payment is based
shall be required to repay, before the individual's first day of
employment, the entire amount of the incentive payment to the
Department.
    (b) Waiver Authority for Certain Individuals.--(1) If the
employment under subsection (a) is with an Executive agency (as defined
by section 105 of title 5, United States Code), the United States
Postal Service, or the Postal Rate Commission, the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management may, at the request of the head of the
agency, waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses unique
abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the
position.
    (2) If the employment under subsection (a) is with an entity in the
legislative branch, the head of the entity or the appointing official
may waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses unique
abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the
position.
    (3) If the employment under subsection (a) is with the judicial
branch, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States
Courts may waive the repayment if the individual involved possesses
unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available for the
position.
    (c) Definition.--For the purpose of this section, the term
``employment'' includes--
            (1) for the purposes of subsections (a) and (b), employment
        of any length or under any type of appointment, but does not
        include employment that is without compensation; and
            (2) for the purposes of subsection (a), employment with any
        agency of the Government through a personal services contract.

SEC. 6. ADDITIONAL AGENCY CONTRIBUTION TO RETIREMENT FUND.

    (a) Additional Contribution.--In addition to any other payments
which it is required to make under subchapter III of chapter 83 or
chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary shall remit to
the Office of Personnel Management for deposit in the Treasury of the
United States to the credit of the Civil Service Retirement and
Disability Fund an amount equal to 15 percent of the final basic pay of
each employee of the Department who is covered under subchapter III of
chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5 to whom a voluntary separation
incentive has been paid under this Act.
    (b) Definition.--For the purpose of this section, the term ``final
basic pay'', with respect to an employee, means the total amount of
basic pay that would be payable for a year of service by that employee,
computed using the employee's final rate of basic pay, and, if last
serving on other than a full-time basis, with appropriate adjustment
therefor.

SEC. 7. REDUCTION OF AGENCY EMPLOYMENT LEVELS.

    (a) In General.--The total full-time equivalent employment in the
Department shall be reduced by one for each separation of an employee
who receives a voluntary separation incentive payment under this Act.
The reduction shall be calculated by comparing the Department's full-
time equivalent employment for the fiscal year in which the voluntary
separation payments are made with the actual full-time equivalent
employment for the prior fiscal year.
    (b) Enforcement.--The President, through the Office of Management
and Budget, shall monitor the Department and take any action necessary
to ensure that the requirements of this section are met.
    (c) Waiver Authority.--Subsection (a) may be waived upon a
determination by the President that--
            (1) the existence of a state of war or other national
        emergency so requires; or
            (2) the existence of an extraordinary emergency which
        threatens life, health, safety, property, or the environment so
        requires.

SEC. 8. CONTINUED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.

    Section 8905a(d)(4) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting after force ``, or an
        involuntary separation from a position in or under the
        Department of Veterans Affairs due to a reduction in force or a
        title 38 staffing adjustment'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting at the beginning
        thereof ``With respect to the Department of Defense,'';
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
            (4) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
        subparagraph (C):
                    ``(C) With respect to the Department of Veterans
                Affairs, this paragraph shall apply with respect to any
                individual whose continued coverage is based on a
                separation occurring on or after the date of the
                enactment of this subparagraph and before--
                            ``(i) October 1, 2004; or
                            ``(ii) February 1, 2005, if specific notice
                        of such separation was given to such individual
                        before October 1, 2004.''.

SEC. 9. REGULATIONS.

    The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe
any regulations necessary to administer the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 10. LIMITATION; SAVINGS CLAUSE.

    (a) Limitation.--No voluntary separation incentive under this Act
may be paid based on the separation of an employee after September 30,
2004.
    (b) Savings Clause.--This Act supplements and does not supersede
other authority of the Secretary.

SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act.

Summary: Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1998 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, before obligating any resources for voluntary separation incentive payments (payments), to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a strategic plan outlining the use of such payments and a proposed organizational chart for the Department of Veterans Affairs once such payments have been completed. Requires such plan to include: (1) the positions and functions to be reduced or eliminated, (2) their effects on meeting efficiency, budget, or staffing goals. (3) the period of time during which such incentives may be paid. And (4) a description of how the affected Department components will operate without the eliminated functions and positions. Authorizes the Secretary to make such a payment only to reduce or eliminate positions or functions identified in the plan. Requires such payments to be in a lump sum and no greater than $25,000 apiece. Requires full repayment from any individual who is subsequently reemployed with any Federal department or agency, with exceptions for certain employment in which the individual possesses unique abilities and is the only qualified applicant available. Requires the Secretary to remit to the Office of Personnel Management for credit to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund 15 percent of the final basic pay of each individual receiving such payments. Reduces the total full-time equivalent employees in the Department by one for each individual receiving such a payment. Authorizes the President to waive such reductions upon a determination of the existence of: (1) a state of war or other national emergency. Or (2) an extraordinary emergency which threatens life, health, safety, property, or the environment. Provides for continued temporary health insurance coverage for individuals receiving such payments. Prohibits any payment based on the separation of an employee after September 30, 2004.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Balanced Economic and Environmental
Priorities Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSES.

    Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Economic Impact Analysis.--(1)(A) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, an officer or employee of a Federal agency shall
not implement or enforce a designation, regulation, or recovery plan
described in subparagraph (B) unless--
            ``(i) the Secretary has prepared an economic impact
        analysis under this subsection with respect to the designation,
        regulation, or recovery plan;
            ``(ii) the Secretary determines, based on that analysis,
        that the benefits of that designation, regulation, or recovery
        plan outweigh the costs of that act; and
            ``(iii) the Secretary has published an economic impact
        statement describing the findings of that analysis.
    ``(B) The designation, regulations, and recovery plans referred to
in subparagraph (A) are the following:
            ``(i) A designation of critical habitat under subsection
        (a)(2).
            ``(ii) A protective regulation issued under subsection (d).
            ``(iii) A recovery plan developed under subsection (f).
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall perform an economic impact analysis in
accordance with this paragraph with respect to each designation,
regulation, and recovery plan described in paragraph (1)(B).
    ``(B) An economic impact analysis under this paragraph shall
include determination of the following:
            ``(i) The economic consequences of implementing and
        enforcing the designation, regulation, or recovery plan,
        including the aggregate statistical data which indicates--
                    ``(I) identifiable and potential job losses or
                diminishments resulting from that implementation and
                enforcement,
                    ``(II) identifiable losses or diminishments in the
                value of real property resulting from that
                implementation and enforcement, and
                    ``(III) losses or diminishments in the value of
                business enterprises resulting from that implementation
                and enforcement.
            ``(ii) The effect that implementing and enforcing the
        designation, regulation, or recovery plan will have on tax
        revenues received by the Federal Government or by State and
        local governments, including any revenue losses attributable to
        losses or diminishments in value described in clause (i).
            ``(iii) The effect that implementing and enforcing the
        designation, regulation, or recovery plan will have on outlays
        by Federal, State, and local governments, including--
                    ``(I) effects on payments made pursuant to
                subsection (l), and
                    ``(II) effects on expenditures required for
                unemployment compensation, aid to families with
                dependent children under part A of title IV of the
                Social Security Act, medicaid under title XIX of the
                Social Security Act, and other Federal, State, and
                local government programs.
            ``(iv) The effect that implementing and enforcing the
        designation, regulation, or recovery plan will have on the
        competitive position of any individual business enterprise or
        aggregate industry affected by that action, determined jointly
        with the Secretary of Commerce.
            ``(v) The ecological and economic impacts of the extinction
        of any species that implementation and enforcement is intended
        to prevent.
            ``(vi) Any other potential economic, budgetary, or
        ecological effects that the Secretary considers appropriate.
    ``(3) The Secretary shall determine, based on the analysis
performed under paragraph (2), whether the costs of implementing and
enforcing a designation, regulation, or recovery plan described in
paragraph (1)(B) outweigh the benefits of that implementation and
enforcement.''.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION OF ECONOMIC LOSSES CAUSED BY LISTING SPECIES AS
              ENDANGERED SPECIES OR THREATENED SPECIES; COMPENSATION.

    Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533),
as amended by section 2, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(k) Limitation of Losses Caused by Listing Species as Endangered
Species or Threatened Species.--In implementing this Act with respect
to an endangered species or threatened species included in a list
published under subsection (c), the Secretary shall limit economic
losses incurred by persons as a result of that implementation.
    ``(l) Compensation for Losses and Diminishments in Value.--(1) The
Secretary shall pay to any person who incurs an economic loss as a
result of a species being included in a list of endangered species or
threatened species published under this section the amount of that
loss, including--
            ``(A) any diminishment in the value of tangible or
        intangible property, and
            ``(B) any loss resulting from the loss or diminishment of a
        job.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall issue regulations establishing procedures
for obtaining payments under this subsection.
    ``(3) A person may not recover any amount under this subsection for
any de minimis or wholly speculative loss.
    ``(4) Any denial by the Secretary of an application for payment
under this subsection may be appealed in the appropriate Federal
district court of the United States, including any determination by the
Secretary that a person is ineligible for payment by reason of
paragraph (3).
    ``(5) A person (including any State or local governmental entity)
may intervene in any proceeding under this subsection for the purpose
of assisting the Secretary in issuing payments under this
subsection.''.

SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR ADDITIONS TO ENDANGERED
              SPECIES LIST.

    (a) Approval Requirement.--Section 4(c) of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
            ``(3) Congressional approval required.--An addition of a
        species to the list of threatened or endangered species that is
        maintained under this subsection shall not be effective before
        the date of the enactment of an Act of Congress that approves
        that addition.''.
    (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply
to additions after the date of the enactment of this Act to the list of
threatened or endangered species.

SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTATION.

    (a) Effective Date.--The amendments made by sections 2 and 3 shall
be effective January 1, 1986.
    (b) Review of Prior Listings.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall--
            (1) review each addition on or after January 1, 1986, of a
        species to a list of endangered species or threatened species
        published under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
        (16 U.S.C. 1533);
            (2) prepare with respect to each species so added an
        economic impact analysis and economic impact statement in
        accordance with the amendments made by this Act; and
            (3) publish a list of all designations of critical habitat,
        regulations, and recovery plans in effect on the date of that
        publication, the implementation and enforcement of which is
        prohibited by the amendments made by this Act.
    (c) Compensation for Losses.--A person may not be paid under
section 4(l) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended by this
Act, for any loss incurred as a result of a species being added to a
list of endangered species or threatened species published under that
Act during the period beginning January 1, 1986, and ending on the date
of the enactment of this Act, except for losses incurred as a result of
the implementation or enforcement of designations of critical habitat,
regulations, and recovery plans that are not included in the list
published under subsection (b)(3) of this Act.

Summary: Balanced Economic and Environmental Priorities Act of 1994 - Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to prohibit a Federal officer or employee from implementing or enforcing a designation of critical habitat, an issued protective regulation, or a developed recovery plan under such Act unless the Secretary : (1) prepares an economic impact analysis with respect to such designation, regulation, or recovery plan. (2) determines that the benefits of it outweigh the costs of it. And (3) publishes an economic impact statement describing the findings of the analysis. Establishes guidelines for such economic impact analysis. Directs the Secretary to: (1) limit economic losses incurred by persons caused by listing species as endangered or threatened. And (2) compensate such persons for any diminishments in the value of tangible or intangible property, and in the loss or diminishment of a job. Requires congressional approval of any additions to the endangered species list. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) review endangered or threatened species added on or after such date to a published list of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (2) prepare an economic impact analysis and statement with respect to them. And (3) publish a list of all designations of critical habitat, regulations, and recovery plans in effect on the date of that publication . Prohibits a person from being paid for any loss incurred by species being added to a list of endangered species or threatened species published under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 during the period beginning January 1, 1986, and ending on the enactment of this Act, except for losses resulting from the implementation or enforcement of designations of critical habitat, regulations, and recovery plans that are not included in the list published under this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Revolutionary War Historic
Preservation Study Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Commission'' means the Revolutionary War
        Sites Advisory Commission established in section 4;
            (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
        Interior; and
            (3) the term ``Revolutionary War sites'' means those sites
        and structures situated in the United States which are
        thematically tied with the nationally significant events that
        occurred during the Revolutionary War.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) Revolutionary War sites provide a means for Americans
        to understand and interpret that period in American history;
            (2) the historical integrity of many of these sites are at
        risk because they are located in regions which are undergoing
        rapid urban and suburban development; and
            (3) it is important to obtain current information on the
        significance of such sites, threats to their integrity, and
        alternatives for their preservation and interpretation for the
        benefit of the Nation.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES ADVISORY COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--There is hereby established the Revolutionary War
Sites Advisory Commission. The Commission shall consist of 13 members
appointed as follows:
            (1) Three individuals who are nationally recognized as
        experts and authorities on the history of the Revolutionary
        War, and 2 individuals who are nationally recognized as experts
        and authorities in historic preservation and land use planning,
        appointed by the Secretary.
            (2) The Director of the National Park Service or his or her
        designee.
            (3) The chair of the Advisory Council on Historic
        Preservation, or his or her designee.
            (4) Three individuals appointed by the Speaker of the
        United States House of Representatives in consultation with the
        chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on
        Natural Resources.
            (5) Three individuals appointed by the President Pro
        Tempore of the United States Senate in consultation with the
        chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy
        and Natural Resources.
    (b) Chair.--The Commission shall elect a chair from among its
members.
    (c) Vacancies.--Vacancies occurring on the Commission shall not
affect the authority of the remaining members of the Commission to
carry out the functions of the Commission. Any vacancy in the
Commission shall be promptly filled in the same manner in which the
original appointment was made.
    (d) Quorum.--A simple majority of Commission members shall
constitute a quorum.
    (e) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at least quarterly or upon
the call of the chair or a majority of the members of the Commission.
    (f) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation. Members of the Commission, when engaged in official
Commission business, shall be entitled to travel expenses, including
per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed
intermittently in government service under section 5703 of title 5,
United States Code.
    (g) Termination.--The Commission established by this section shall
terminate 90 days after the transmittal of the report to Congress as
provided in section 7(c).

SEC. 5. STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Executive Director.--The Director of the National Park Service,
or his or her designee, shall serve as the Executive Director of the
Commission.
    (b) Staff.--The Director of the National Park Service shall, on a
reimbursable basis, detail such staff as the Commission may require to
carry out its duties.
    (c) Staff of Other Agencies.--Upon the request of the Commission,
the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any
of the personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist the
Commission in carrying out its duties.
    (d) Experts and Consultants.--Subject to such rules as may be
adopted by the Commission, the Commission may procure temporary and
intermittent services to the same extent as authorized by section
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates determined by the
Commission to be reasonable.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Commission may for the purpose of carrying out
this Act hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take
such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission may deem
advisable.
    (b) Bylaws.--The Commission may make such bylaws, rules, and
regulations, consistent with this Act, as it considers necessary to
carry out its functions under this Act.
    (c) Delegation.--When so authorized by the Commission, any member
or agent of the Commission may take any action which the Commission is
authorized to take by this section.
    (d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and upon the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.

SEC. 7. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Preparation of Study.--The Commission shall prepare a study of
Revolutionary War sites. Such study shall identify the sites, determine
the relative significance of such sites, assess short- and long-term
threats to their integrity, and provide alternatives for the
preservation and interpretation of such sites by Federal, State, and
local governments, or other public or private entities, as may be
appropriate. The Commission shall research and propose innovative open
space and land preservation techniques. Such alternatives may include
(but shall not be limited to) designation as units of the National Park
System or as affiliated areas. The study may include existing units of
the National Park System.
    (b) Consultation.--During the preparation of the study referred to
in subsection (a), the Commission shall consult with the Governors of
affected States, affected units of local government, State and local
historic preservation organizations, scholarly organizations, and such
other interested parties as the Commission deems advisable.
    (c) Transmittal to the Secretary and Congress.--Not later than 2
years after the date that funds are made available for the study
referred to in subsection (a), the Commission shall transmit such study
to the Secretary and the Committee on Natural Resources of the United
States House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the United States Senate.
    (d) Report.--Whenever the Commission submits a report of the study
to the Secretary or the Office of Management and Budget, it shall
concurrently transmit copies of that report to the Committee on Natural
Resources of the United States House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this Act.

Summary: Revolutionary War Historic Preservation Study Act of 1994 - Establishes the Revolutionary War Sites Advisory Commission to: (1) prepare a study of Revolutionary War sites which shall identify their significance, determine threats to their integrity, and provide alternatives for their preservation and interpretation. And (2) report to the Secretary of the Interior and specified congressional committees. Requires the Commission to research and propose innovative open space and land preservation techniques such as designation as units of the National Park System (NPS) or as affiliated areas. Allows the study to include existing NPS units. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Catastrophic Disaster
Risk and Insurance Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, which struck the
        United States in 2005, caused over $200 billion in total
        economic losses, including insured and uninsured losses.
            (2) Although private sector insurance is currently
        available to spread some catastrophe-related losses throughout
        the Nation and internationally, most experts believe there will
        be significant insurance and reinsurance shortages, resulting
        in dramatic rate increases for consumers and businesses, and
        the unavailability of catastrophe insurance.
            (3) The Federal Government has provided and will continue
        to provide billions of dollars and resources to pay for losses
        from catastrophes, including hurricanes, volcanic eruptions,
        tsunamis, tornados, and other disasters, at huge costs to
        American taxpayers.
            (4) The Federal Government has a critical interest in
        ensuring appropriate and fiscally responsible risk management
        of catastrophes. Mortgages require reliable property insurance,
        and the unavailability of reliable property insurance would
        make most real estate transactions impossible. In addition, the
        public health, safety, and welfare demand that structures
        damaged or destroyed in a catastrophe be reconstructed as soon
        as possible. Therefore, the inability of the private sector
        insurance and reinsurance markets to maintain sufficient
        capacity to enable Americans to obtain property insurance
        coverage in the private sector endangers the national economy
        and the public health, safety, and welfare.
            (5) Multiple proposals have been introduced in the United
        States Congress over the past decade to address catastrophic
        risk insurance, including the creation of a national
        catastrophic reinsurance fund and the revision of the Federal
        tax code to allow insurers to use tax-deferred catastrophe
        funds, yet Congress has failed to act on any of these
        proposals.
            (6) To the extent the United States faces high risks from
        catastrophe exposure, essential technical information on
        financial structures and innovations in the catastrophe
        insurance market is needed.
            (7) The most efficient and effective approach to assessing
        the catastrophe insurance problem in the public policy context
        is to establish a bipartisan commission of experts to study the
        management of catastrophic disaster risk, and to require such
        commission to timely report its recommendations to Congress so
        that Congress can quickly craft a solution to protect the
        American people.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a bipartisan Commission on Catastrophic
Disaster Risk and Insurance (in this Act referred to as the
``Commission'').

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Members.--The Commission shall be composed of the following:
            (1) The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
        or a designee of the Director.
            (2) The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
        Atmospheric Administration or a designee of the Administrator.
            (3) 12 additional members or their designees of whom one
        shall be--
                    (A) a representative of a consumer group;
                    (B) a representative of a primary insurance
                company;
                    (C) a representative of a reinsurance company;
                    (D) an independent insurance agent with experience
                in writing property and casualty insurance policies;
                    (E) a State insurance regulator;
                    (F) a State emergency operations official;
                    (G) a scientist;
                    (H) a faculty member of an accredited university
                with experience in risk management;
                    (I) a member of nationally recognized think tank
                with experience in risk management;
                    (J) a homebuilder with experience in structural
                engineering;
                    (K) a mortgage lender; and
                    (L) a nationally recognized expert in antitrust
                law.
    (b) Manner of Appointment.--
            (1) In general.--Any member of the Commission described
        under subsection (a)(3) shall be appointed only upon unanimous
        agreement of--
                    (A) the majority leader of the Senate;
                    (B) the minority leader of the Senate;
                    (C) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
                and
                    (D) the minority leader of the House of
                Representatives.
            (2) Consultation.--In making any appointment under
        paragraph (1), each individual described in paragraph (1) shall
        consult with the President.
    (c) Eligibility Limitation.--Except as provided in subsection (a),
no member or officer of the Congress, or other member or officer of the
Executive Branch of the United States Government or any State
government may be appointed to be a member of the Commission.
    (d) Period of Appointment.--
            (1) In general.--Each member of the Commission shall be
        appointed for the life of the Commission.
            (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall not
        affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as
        the original appointment was made.
    (e) Quorum.--
            (1) Majority.--A majority of the members of the Commission
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold
        hearings.
            (2) Approval actions.--All recommendations and reports of
        the Commission required by this Act shall be approved only by a
        majority vote of a quorum of the Commission.
    (f) Chairperson.--The majority leader of the Senate, the minority
leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall jointly
select 1 member appointed pursuant to subsection (a) to serve as the
Chairperson of the Commission.
    (g) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of its
Chairperson or a majority of its members at any time.

SEC. 5. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall--
            (1) assess--
                    (A) the condition of the property and casualty
                insurance and reinsurance markets in the aftermath of
                Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, and the 4
                major hurricanes that struck the United States in 2004;
                and
                    (B) the ongoing exposure of the United States to
                earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods;
                and
            (2) recommend and report, as required under section 6, any
        necessary legislative and regulatory changes that will--
                    (A) improve the domestic and international
                financial health and competitiveness of such markets;
                and
                    (B) assure consumers of the--
                            (i) availability of adequate insurance
                        coverage when an insured event occurs; and
                            (ii) best possible range of insurance
                        products at competitive prices.

SEC. 6. REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the appointment of
Commission members under section 4, the Commission shall submit to the
President and the Congress a final report containing a detailed
statement of its findings, together with any recommendations for
legislation or administrative action that the Commission considers
appropriate, in accordance with the requirements of section 5.
    (b) Considerations.--In developing any recommendations under
subsection (a), the Commission shall consider--
            (1) the catastrophic insurance and reinsurance market
        structures and the relevant commercial practices in such
        insurance industries in providing insurance protection to
        different sectors of the American population;
            (2) the constraints and opportunities in implementing a
        catastrophic insurance system that can resolve key obstacles
        currently impeding broader implementation of catastrophe risk
        management and financing with insurance;
            (3) methods to improve risk underwriting practices,
        including--
                    (A) analysis of modalities of risk transfer for
                potential financial losses;
                    (B) assessment of private securitization of
                insurances risks;
                    (C) private-public partnerships to increase
                insurance capacity in constrained markets; and
                    (D) the financial feasibility and sustainability of
                a national catastrophe pool or regional catastrophe
                pools designed to provide adequate insurance coverage
                and increased underwriting capacity to insurers and
                reinsurers;
            (4) approaches for implementing a public insurance scheme
        for low-income communities, in order to promote risk reduction
        and explicit insurance coverage in such communities;
            (5) methods to strengthen insurance regulatory requirements
        and supervision of such requirements, including solvency for
        catastrophic risk reserves;
            (6) methods to promote public insurance policies linked to
        programs for loss reduction in the uninsured sectors of the
        American population;
            (7) methods to strengthen the risk assessment and
        enforcement of structural mitigation and vulnerability
        reduction measures, such as zoning and building code
        compliance;
            (8) the appropriate role for the Federal Government in
        stabilizing the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance
        markets, with an analysis--
                    (A) of options such as--
                            (i) a reinsurance mechanism;
                            (ii) the modernization of Federal taxation
                        policies; and
                            (iii) an ``insurance of last resort''
                        mechanism; and
                    (B) how to fund such options; and
            (9) the merits of the 3 principle legislative proposals
        currently pending in the 109th Congress, namely:
                    (A) The creation of a Federal catastrophe fund to
                act as a backup to State catastrophe funds;
                    (B) Tax-deferred catastrophe accounts for insurers;
                and
                    (C) Tax-free catastrophe accounts for
                policyholders.

SEC. 7. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission or, at the direction of the
Commission, any subcommittee or member of the Commission, may, for the
purpose of carrying out this Act--
            (1) hold such public hearings in such cities and countries,
        sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony,
        receive such evidence, and administer such oaths or
        affirmations as the Commission or such subcommittee or member
        considers advisable; and
            (2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and
        testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books,
        records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, tapes,
        and materials as the Commission or such subcommittee or member
        considers advisable.
    (b) Issuance and Enforcement of Subpoenas.--
            (1) Issuance.--Subpoenas issued under subsection (a) shall
        bear the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and
        shall be served by any person or class of persons designated by
        the Chairperson for that purpose.
            (2) Enforcement.--In the case of contumacy or failure to
        obey a subpoena issued under subsection (a), the United States
        district court for the judicial district in which the
        subpoenaed person resides, is served, or may be found may issue
        an order requiring such person to appear at any designated
        place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence.
        Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by
        the court as a contempt of that court.
            (3) Confidentiality.--
                    (A) In general.--Information obtained under a
                subpoena issued under subsection (a) which is deemed
                confidential, or with reference to which a request for
                confidential treatment is made by the person furnishing
                such information--
                            (i) shall be exempt from disclosure under
                        section 552 of title 5, United States Code; and
                            (ii) shall not be published or disclosed
                        unless the Commission determines that the
                        withholding of such information is contrary to
                        the interest of the United States.
                    (B) Exception.--The requirements of subparagraph
                (A) shall not apply to the publication or disclosure of
                any data aggregated in a manner that ensures protection
                of the identity of the person furnishing such data.
    (c) Authority of Members or Agents of the Commission.--Any member
or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take
any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this Act.
    (d) Obtaining Official Data.--
            (1) Authority.--Notwithstanding any provision of section
        552a of title 5, United States Code, the Commission may secure
        directly from any department or agency of the United States any
        information necessary to enable the Commission to carry out the
        purposes of this Act.
            (2) Procedure.--Upon request of the Chairperson of the
        Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish
        the information requested to the Commission.
    (e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
    (f) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
    (g) Gifts.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may accept, use, and
        dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
            (2) Regulations.--The Commission shall adopt internal
        regulations governing the receipt of gifts or donations of
        services or property similar to those described in part 2601 of
        title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission who is
not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate
of basic pay prescribed for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section
5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel
time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the
duties of the Commission. All members of the Commission who are
officers or employees of the United States shall serve without
compensation in addition to that received for their services as
officers or employees of the United States.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the
Commission.
    (c) Subcommittees.--The Commission may establish subcommittees and
appoint persons to such subcommittees as the Commission considers
appropriate.
    (d) Staff.--Subject to such policies as the Commission may
prescribe, the Chairperson of the Commission may appoint and fix the
pay of such additional personnel as the Chairperson considers
appropriate to carry out the duties of the Commission.
    (e) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--Subcommittee
members and staff of the Commission may be--
            (1) appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5,
        United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
        service; and
            (2) paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
        subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to
        classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that an
        individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the
        annual rate of basic pay prescribed for GS-18 of the General
        Schedule under section 5332 of that title.
    (f) Experts and Consultants.--In carrying out its objectives, the
Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services of
consultants and experts under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for GS-18 of the General
Schedule under section 5332 of that title.
    (g) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the
Chairperson of the Commission, any Federal Government employee may be
detailed to the Commission to assist in carrying out the duties of the
Commission--
            (1) on a reimbursable basis; and
            (2) such detail shall be without interruption or loss of
        civil service status or privilege.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 60 days after the date on which the
Commission submits its report under section 6.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out the
purposes of this Act.

Summary: Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance Act of 2006 - Establishes a bipartisan Commission on Catastrophic Disaster Risk and Insurance to assess: (1) the condition of the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance markets in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, and the four major hurricanes that struck the United States in 2004. (2) the ongoing exposure of the United States to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods. And (3) recommend and report legislative and regulatory changes that will improve the domestic and international financial health and competitiveness of such markets.

A bill to establish a bipartisan commission on insurance reform.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones
College Fire Prevention Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES FIRE
              SUPPRESSION DEMONSTRATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Grants.--The Secretary of Education (in this Act referred to as
the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the United States Fire
Administration, shall establish a demonstration program to award grants
on a competitive basis to eligible entities for the purpose of
installing fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or
prevention technologies, in student housing and dormitories owned or
controlled by such entities.
    (b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this Act, the term ``eligible
entity'' means any of the following:
            (1) An institution of higher education (as that term is
        defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
        U.S.C. 1002)), including an institution eligible to receive
        assistance under part A or B of title III or title V of such
        Act.
            (2) A social fraternity or sorority exempt from taxation
        under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26
        U.S.C. 501(a)), the active membership of which consists
        primarily of students in attendance at an institution of higher
        education (as that term is defined in section 102 of the Higher
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)).
    (c) Selection Priority.--In making grants under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate the
greatest financial need.
    (d) Reserved Amounts.--
            (1) In general.--Of the amount made available to the
        Secretary for grants under this section for each fiscal year,
        the Secretary shall award--
                    (A) not less than 10 percent to eligible entities
                that are institutions described in subsection (b)(1)
                that are eligible to receive assistance under part A or
                B of title III or title V of the Higher Education Act
                of 1965 ; and
                    (B) not less than 10 percent to eligible entities
                that are social fraternities and sororities described
                in subsection (b)(2).
            (2) Plan required.--The Secretary shall develop a plan to
        inform entities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
        paragraph (1) that such entities may be eligible to apply for
        grants under this section.
            (3) Insufficient applicants.--If the Secretary determines
        that there are an insufficient number of qualified applicants
        to award the reserved amounts required in accordance with
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make available the remainder
        of such reserved amounts for use by other eligible entities.
    (e) Application.--To seek a grant under this section, an eligible
entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may
require.
    (f) Matching Requirement.--As a condition of receipt of a grant
under subsection (a), the applicant shall provide (directly or through
donations from public or private entities) non-Federal matching funds
in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the cost of the
activities for which assistance is sought.
    (g) Supplement Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this
program shall be used to supplement, not supplant, other funds that
would otherwise be expended to carry out fire safety activities.
    (h) Limitation on Administrative Expenses.--Not more than 2 percent
of a grant made under subsection (a) may be expended for administrative
expenses with respect to the grant.
    (i) Reports.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the first
award of a grant under this section and annually thereafter until
completion of the program, the Secretary shall provide to the Congress
a report that includes the following:
            (1) The number and types of eligible entities receiving
        assistance under this section.
            (2) The amounts of such assistance, the amounts and sources
        of non-Federal funding leveraged for activities under grants
        under this section, and any other relevant financial
        information.
            (3) The number and types of student housing fitted with
        fire suppression or prevention technologies with assistance
        under this section, and the number of students protected by
        such technologies.
            (4) The types of fire suppression or prevention
        technologies installed with assistance under this section, and
        the costs of such technologies.
            (5) Identification of Federal and State policies that
        present impediments to the development and installation of fire
        suppression or prevention technologies.
            (6) Any other information determined by the Secretary to be
        useful to evaluating the overall effectiveness of the program
        established under this section in improving the fire safety of
        student housing.
    (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this Act such sums for each of the fiscal
years 2009 through 2011.

SEC. 3. ADMISSIBILITY AS EVIDENCE.

    (a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law and
subject to subsection (b), any application for assistance under this
Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with
respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the
determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of
any court, agency, board, or other entity.
    (b) Exception.--This section does not apply to the admission of an
application, determination, or statement described in subsection (a) as
evidence in a proceeding to enforce an agreement entered into between
the Secretary and an eligible entity under section 2.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 23, 2008.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive demonstration grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs), fraternities, and sororities for up to half the cost of installing fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in student housing and dormitories owned or controlled by such entities. Gives grant priority to applicants that demonstrate the greatest financial need. Reserves the following portions of grant funds made available for each fiscal year: (1) at least 10 for historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and IHEs that are eligible for Institutional Aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965. And (2) at least 10 for social fraternities and sororities. Prohibits the use of more than 2 of a grant for administrative expenses. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding such grant program and governmental policies that impede the development and installation of fire suppression or prevention technologies. Authorizes FY2009-FY2011 appropriations for the grant program. Provides that any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity .

To establish the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones Fire Suppression Demonstration Incentive Program within the Department of Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing and dormitories, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Nye County Higher Education Campus
Conveyance Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Chancellor.--The term ``Chancellor'' means the
        Chancellor of the University system.
            (2) County.--The term ``County'' means the County of Nye,
        Nevada.
            (3) College.--The term ``College'' means the Nye County
        Nevada Higher Education Campus in Pahrump Valley, Nevada, a
        component of the University system.
            (4) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the
        parcel of Bureau of Land Management land identified on the map
        as the N\1/2\ (excluding the NW\1/4\NW\1/4\) of sec. 2 of T. 21
        S., R. 54 E.
            (5) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled
        ``Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act'' and dated
        October 1, 2002.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada.
            (7) University system.--The term ``University system''
        means the University and Community College System of Nevada.

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF
              NEVADA.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and section 1(c) of the
Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and Public
Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869(c)), not later than 1 year after the
date on which a survey defining the official metes and bounds of the
Federal land is approved by the Secretary, the Secretary shall convey
to the University system without consideration, all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to the Federal land for use as a
campus for the College.
    (b) Conditions.--
            (1) In general.--As a condition of the conveyance under
        subsection (a), the Chancellor shall agree in writing--
                    (A) to pay any administrative costs associated with
                the conveyance, including the cost of any
                environmental, wildlife, cultural, or historical
                resources studies;
                    (B) to use the Federal land conveyed for
                educational and recreational purposes;
                    (C) to release and indemnify the United States from
                any claims or liabilities which may arise from uses
                that are carried out on the Federal land on or before
                the date of enactment of this Act by the United States
                or any person;
                    (D) as soon as practicable after the date of the
                conveyance under subsection (a), to erect at the
                College an appropriate and centrally located monument
                that acknowledges the conveyance of the Federal land by
                the United States for the purpose of furthering the
                higher education of citizens in the State; and
                    (E) to assist the Bureau of Land Management in
                providing information to the students of the College
                and the citizens of the State on--
                            (i) public land in the State; and
                            (ii) the role of the Bureau of Land
                        Management in managing, preserving, and
                        protecting the public land.
            (2) Valid existing rights.--The conveyance under subsection
        (a) shall be subject to all valid existing rights.
    (c) Use of Federal Land.--
            (1) In general.--The University system may use the land
        conveyed under subsection (a) for--
                    (A) any purpose relating to the establishment,
                operation, growth, and maintenance of the College; and
                    (B) any uses relating to those purposes, including
                residential and commercial development that would
                generally be associated with an institution of higher
                education.
            (2) Other entities.--The University system may--
                    (A) consistent with Federal and State law, lease or
                otherwise provide property or space at the College,
                with or without consideration, to religious, public
                interest, community, or other groups for services and
                events that are of interest to the College, the
                University system, or any community located in the
                County;
                    (B) allow the County or any other community in the
                County to use facilities of the College for educational
                and recreational programs of the County or community;
                and
                    (C) in conjunction with the County, plan, finance
                (including through the provision of cost-share
                assistance), construct, and operate facilities for the
                County on the Federal land for educational or
                recreational purposes consistent with this section.
    (d) Reversion.--If the Federal land or any portion of the Federal
land conveyed under subsection (a) ceases to be used for the College,
the Federal land or any portion of the Federal land shall, at the
discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.

Summary: Nye County Higher Education Campus Conveyance Act - Requires the conveyance, without consideration, of all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to specified Bureau of Land Management land in the State of Nevada to the University and Community College System of Nevada for use as a campus for the Nye County Nevada Higher Education Campus in Pahrump Valley, Nevada.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and extend housing, education, and other benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Houthis and Iran Sanctions
Accountability Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) On April 2015, the United Nations Security Council
        adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 by 14
        affirmative votes to none against, with one abstention (by the
        Russian Federation), imposing sanctions on individuals
        undermining the stability of Yemen, and demanded that the
        Houthis withdraw from all areas seized during the latest
        conflict, relinquish arms seized from military and security
        institutions, cease all actions falling exclusively within the
        authority of the legitimate Government of Yemen, and fully
        implement previous Security Council resolutions.
            (2) On May 16, 2012, the Obama administration issued
        Executive Order 13611 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
        Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security,
        or Stability of Yemen), imposing sanctions on persons that
        ``have engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the
        peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that
        obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23,
        2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition
        to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in
        Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen''.
            (3) On November 10, 2014, the Obama administration
        designated the leadership of the Iranian-supported Houthi
        insurgent group, and their ally former Yemeni President Ali
        Abdullah Saleh, for imposition of sanctions under Executive
        Order 13611.
            (4) Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has transferred
        increasingly sophisticated weapons systems to the Houthis, who
        have in turn shot missiles into Saudi Arabia from positions in
        northern Yemen, including a missile in November 2017 that
        targeted Riyadh International Airport. In response, Ambassador
        Nikki Haley called on ``the United Nations and international
        partners to take necessary action to hold the Iranian regime
        accountable for these violations''.
            (5) In addition to weapons, Iran is reportedly providing
        Afghan and Shi'ite Arab specialists, including Hizballah, to
        train Houthi units and act as logistical advisers.
            (6) The Iranian-supported Houthis have attacked coalition
        or coalition-affiliated maritime targets multiple times, a
        United States Navy ship twice, and other shipping, forcing the
        United States to respond with a combination of diplomacy and
        calibrated military strikes against three radar facilities in
        Houthi-controlled territory.

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It shall be the policy of the United States to condemn Iranian
activities in Yemen in violation of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 2216 (2015), and call on all responsible countries to take
appropriate and necessary measures against the Government of Iran,
including the interdiction of Iranian weapons to the Houthis, and the
bilateral and multilateral application of sanctions against Iran for
its violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216.

SEC. 4. CONTINUATION IN EFFECT OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO YEMEN.

    (a) In General.--United States sanctions with respect to Yemen
provided for in Executive Order 13611 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security, or
Stability of Yemen), as in effect on the day before the date of the
enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect.
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

SEC. 5. DETERMINATIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN IRANIAN PERSONS.

    (a) Determinations.--
            (1) In general.--The President shall, not later than 45
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act, determine
        whether the Iranian persons listed in paragraph (2) are
        responsible for engaging in activities described in section 1
        of Executive Order 13611 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to
        Blocking Property of Persons Threatening the Peace, Security,
        or Stability of Yemen).
            (2) Iranian persons listed.--The Iranian persons listed in
        this paragraph are the following:
                    (A) Members of the Supreme National Security
                Council.
                    (B) The Minister of Intelligence and Security.
                    (C) The Commander of the Iran's Revolutionary Guard
                Corps.
                    (D) The Commander of the Iran's Revolutionary Guard
                Corps, Qods Force.
                    (E) The Minister of Defense.
                    (F) Minister of Foreign Affairs.
                    (G) Any other Iranian person that the President
                determines is appropriate.
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall submit to the
                appropriate congressional committees a report that
                contains--
                            (i) the determinations made under paragraph
                        (1) together with the reasons for those
                        determinations; and
                            (ii) an identification of the Iranian
                        persons that the President determines are
                        responsible for engaging in activities
                        described in section 1(c) of Executive Order
                        13611.
                    (B) Form.--A report submitted under subparagraph
                (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may
                contain a classified annex.
    (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--The President shall impose the
sanctions described in section 1 of Executive Order 13611 with respect
to each Iranian person identified in the report submitted to the
appropriate congressional committees under subsection (a)(3).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
                on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Financial
                Services of the House of Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
                Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Banking,
                Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
            (2) Entity.--The term ``entity''--
                    (A) means a partnership, association, corporation,
                or other organization, group, or subgroup; and
                    (B) includes a governmental entity.

SEC. 6. SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN FOREIGN PERSONS.

    (a) In General.--Beginning on and after the date that is 120 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose
the sanctions described in subsection (c) on a person described in
subsection (b).
    (b) Persons Described.--A person described in this subsection is a
foreign person that the President determines knowingly provides
significant financial, material, or technological support for--
            (1) Ansar Allah in Yemen;
            (2) a person designated pursuant to an applicable Executive
        order;
            (3) a person that the President determines is in violation
        of an applicable United Nations Security Council resolution;
            (4) an Iranian person identified in the report submitted to
        the appropriate congressional committees under section 5(a)(3);
        or
            (5) a foreign person owned or controlled by a foreign
        person described in paragraphs (1) through (4).
    (c) Imposition of Sanctions.--The sanctions to be imposed on a
person described in subsection (b) are the following:
            (1) In general.--The President shall exercise all of the
        powers granted to the President under the International
        Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the
        extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in
        property and interests in property of the person if such
        property and interests in property are in the United States,
        come within the United States, or are or come within the
        possession or control of a United States person.
            (2) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole.--
                    (A) In general.--An alien who the Secretary of
                State or the Secretary of Homeland Security determines
                is a foreign person described in subsection (b) is--
                            (i) inadmissible to the United States;
                            (ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other
                        documentation to enter the United States; and
                            (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted
                        or paroled into the United States or to receive
                        any other benefit under the Immigration and
                        Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
                    (B) Current visas revoked.--
                            (i) In general.--Any visa or other
                        documentation issued to an alien who is a
                        foreign person described in subsection (b),
                        regardless of when such visa or other
                        documentation was issued, shall be revoked and
                        such alien shall be denied admission to the
                        United States.
                            (ii) Effect of revocation.--A revocation
                        under clause (i)--
                                    (I) shall take effect immediately;
                                and
                                    (II) shall automatically cancel any
                                other valid visa or documentation that
                                is in the possession of the alien who
                                is the subject of such revocation.
            (3) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters
        agreement.--Sanctions under paragraph (2) shall not apply to an
        alien if admitting the alien into the United States is
        necessary to permit the United States to comply with the
        Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,
        signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force
        November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United
        States, or other applicable international obligations.
            (4) Penalties.--The penalties provided for in subsections
        (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency
        Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person
        that knowingly violates, attempts to violate, conspires to
        violate, or causes a violation of regulations promulgated under
        subsection (f) to carry out paragraph (1) of this subsection to
        the same extent that such penalties apply to a person that
        commits an unlawful act described in section 206(a) of such
        Act.
    (d) Implementation Authority.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704)
for purposes of carrying out this Act.
    (e) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall, not later than 120
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate
regulations as necessary for the implementation of this Act.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Admitted; alien.--The terms ``admitted'' and ``alien''
        have meanings given those terms in section 101 of the
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101).
            (2) Applicable executive order.--The term ``applicable
        Executive order'' means--
                    (A) Executive Order 13611 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note;
                relating to Blocking Property of Persons Threatening
                the Peace, Security, or Stability of Yemen); or
                    (B) any Executive order adopted on or after the
                date of the enactment of this Act, to the extent that
                such Executive order authorizes the imposition of
                sanctions on persons for conduct with respect to Yemen.
            (3) Applicable united nations security council
        resolution.--The term ``applicable United Nations Security
        Council resolution'' means--
                    (A) United Nations Security Council Resolution
                2216; or
                    (B) any United Nations Security Council resolution
                adopted on or after the date of the enactment of this
                Act that authorizes the imposition of sanctions on
                persons for conduct with respect to Yemen.
            (4) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
                on Ways and Means, the Committee on the Judiciary, and
                the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
                Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
                Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and
                the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.
            (5) Entity.--The term ``entity''--
                    (A) means a partnership, association, corporation,
                or other organization, group, or subgroup; and
                    (B) includes a governmental entity.
            (6) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means--
                    (A) an individual who is not a United States person
                or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence
                into the United States; or
                    (B) a corporation, partnership, or other entity
                which is not a United States person.
            (7) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or
        entity.
            (8) United states person.--The term ``United States
        person'' means a United States citizen, permanent resident
        alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States
        (including foreign branches), or a person in the United States.

SEC. 7. REPORT ON IRANIAN ACTIVITIES IN YEMEN.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed 5
years, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on Iranian activities in Yemen.
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The report required by subsection (a)
shall include a description of the following:
            (1) Iran's support for certain Yemeni militias or political
        parties, including weapons, financing, training, and other
        forms of material support including media and communications
        support.
            (2) A list of referrals to the relevant United Nations
        Security Council sanctions committees by the United States
        Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
    (c) Form.--The President may submit the report required by
subsection (a) in classified form if the President determines that it
is necessary for the national security interests of the United States
to do so.
    (d) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
        Armed Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the
        Committee on Financial Services of the House of
        Representatives; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
        Armed Services, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on
        Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

Summary: Houthis and Iran Sanctions Accountability Act of 2017 This bill continues certain sanctions blocking the property of persons threatening the peace or stability of Yemen. The President shall: determine and report to Congress whether certain Iranian persons are threatening Yemen's peace or stability, and if so, impose property blocking sanctions against each identified person. And impose property blocking and visa sanctions on foreign persons or entities that knowingly provide significant financial, material, or technological support for Ansar Allah in Yemen and certain other persons and entities.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Noncitizen Benefit Clarification and
Other Technical Amendments Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY FOR SSI AND RELATED BENEFIT FOR
              NONQUALIFIED ALIENS WHO WERE RECEIVING BENEFITS ON THE
              DATE OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND
              WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1996.

    Section 401(b) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1611(b)) is amended by inserting
after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:
        ``(5) Subsection (a) shall not apply to eligibility for
    benefits for the program defined in section 402(a)(3)(A) (relating
    to the supplemental security income program), or to eligibility for
    benefits under any other program that is based on eligibility for
    benefits under the program so defined, for an alien who was
    receiving such benefits on August 22, 1996.''.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 507(e) of the North
American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (26 U.S.C. 3306 note)
is hereby repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (e) of section 507 of such
Act is further amended--
        (1) by amending the heading after the subsection designation to
    read ``Effective Date.--''; and
        (2) by striking ``(1) Effective date.--'' and by running in the
    remaining text of subsection (e) immediately after the heading
    therefor, as amended by paragraph (1).

SEC. 4. CORRECTIONS TO THE CHILD SUPPORT PERFORMANCE AND INCENTIVE ACT
              OF 1998.

    (a) Reduction of Penalty for State Failure to Meet Deadline for
Compliance With Child Support Data Processing and Information Retrieval
Requirements if Performance of Certain Aspect of State IV-D Program
Meets Performance Threshold.--
        (1) In general.--Section 455(a)(4)(C) of the Social Security
    Act (42 U.S.C. 655(a)(4)(C)) is amended by adding at the end the
    following:
    ``(iii) The Secretary shall reduce the amount of any reduction
that, in the absence of this clause, would be required to be made under
this paragraph by reason of the failure of a State to achieve
compliance with section 454(24)(B) during the fiscal year, by an amount
equal to 20 percent of the amount of the otherwise required reduction,
for each State performance measure described in section 458A(b)(4) with
respect to which the applicable percentage under section 458A(b)(6) for
the fiscal year is 100 percent, if the Secretary has made the
determination described in section 458A(b)(5)(B) with respect to the
State for the fiscal year.''.
        (2) Effective Date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) of
    this subsection shall take effect as if included in the enactment
    of section 101(a) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive
    Act of 1998, and the amendment shall be considered to have been
    added by section 101(a) of such Act for purposes of section
    201(f)(2)(B) of such Act.
    (b) Clarification of Effective Date for Certain Medical Child
Support Provisions.--
        (1) In general.--Section 401(c)(3) of the Child Support
    Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 652 note) is
    amended by striking ``of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting
    ``specified in subparagraph (A)''.
        (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) of
    this subsection shall take effect as if included in the enactment
    of section 401(c)(3) of the Child Support Performance and Incentive
    Act of 1998.

SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY OF NONRESIDENT ALIENS TO RENEW PROFESSIONAL
              LICENSES.

    (a) Federal.--Section 401(c)(2) of the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1611(c)(2)) is
amended--
        (1) at the end of subparagraph (A) by striking ``or'';
        (2) at the end of subparagraph (B) by striking the period and
    inserting ``; or''; and
        (3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
    subparagraph:
            ``(C) to the issuance of a professional license to, or the
        renewal of a professional license by, a foreign national not
        physically present in the United States.''.
    (b) State or Local.--Section 411(c)(2) of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8
U.S.C. 1621(c)(2)) is amended--
        (1) at the end of subparagraph (A) by striking ``or'';
        (2) at the end of subparagraph (B) by striking the period and
    inserting ``; or''; and
        (3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
    subparagraph:
            ``(C) to the issuance of a professional license to, or the
        renewal of a professional license by, a foreign national not
        physically present in the United States.''.

SEC. 6. CLARIFICATION OF OBLIGATION OF WELFARE-TO-WORK FUNDS.

    (a) In General.--Section 403(a)(5)(A)(iv)(II) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(5)(A)(iv)(II)) is amended by striking
``or sub-State entity'' and inserting ``, other than funds reserved by
the State for distribution under clause (vi)(III) and funds distributed
pursuant to clause (vi)(I) in any State in which the service delivery
area is the State''.
    (b) Retroactivity.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 5001 of the Balanced
Budget Act of 1997.

SEC. 7. DISREGARD OF LIMITED AWARDS MADE TO CHILDREN WITH LIFE-
              THREATENING CONDITIONS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY
              INCOME PROGRAM.

    (a) Income Disregard.--Section 1612(b) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1382a(b)) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (20);
        (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (21) and
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(22) any gift to, or for the benefit of, an individual who
    has not attained 18 years of age and who has a life-threatening
    condition, from an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is exempt from taxation
    under section 501(a) of such Code--
            ``(A) in the case of an in-kind gift, if the gift is not
        converted to cash; or
            ``(B) in the case of a cash gift, only to the extent that
        the total amount excluded from the income of the individual
        pursuant to this paragraph in the calendar year in which the
        gift is made does not exceed $2,000.''.
    (b) Resource Disregard.--Section 1613(a) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1382b(a)) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (11);
        (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (12) and
    inserting ``; and''; and
        (3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
        ``(13) any gift to, or for the benefit of, an individual who
    has not attained 18 years of age and who has a life-threatening
    condition, from an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of
    the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is exempt from taxation
    under section 501(a) of such Code--
            ``(A) in the case of an in-kind gift, if the gift is not
        converted to cash; or
            ``(B) in the case of a cash gift, only to the extent that
        the total amount excluded from the resources of the individual
        pursuant to this paragraph in the calendar year in which the
        gift is made does not exceed $2,000.''.
    (c) Retroactivity.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to gifts made on or after the date that is 2 years before the date of
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 8. ENHANCED RECOVERY OF SSI OVERPAYMENTS FROM SOCIAL SECURITY
              BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Part A of title XI of the Social Security Act is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

       ``recovery of ssi overpayments from social security benefits

    ``Sec. 1147. (a) In General.--(1) Whenever the Commissioner of
Social Security determines that more than the correct amount of any
payment has been made under the supplemental security income program
under title XVI of this Act (including, for purposes of this section,
under section 1616(a) of this Act or section 212(b) of Public Law 93-
66) to a person who is not currently eligible for cash benefits under
the program, the Commissioner, notwithstanding section 207 of this Act
but subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, may recover the amount
incorrectly paid by decreasing any amount which is payable to the
person under title II of this Act in any month by not more than 10
percent of the amount payable under title II.
    ``(2) The 10 percent limitation set forth in paragraph (1) shall
not apply to an overpayment made to a person if--
        ``(A) the person or the spouse of the person was involved in
    willful misrepresentation or concealment of material information in
    connection with the overpayment; or
        ``(B) the person so requests.
    ``(b) No Effect on SSI Eligibility or Benefit Amount.--In any case
in which the Commissioner of Social Security takes action in accordance
with subsection (a) to recover an amount incorrectly paid to any
person, neither that person, nor any individual whose eligibility for
benefits under the supplemental security income program under title
XVI, or whose amount of such benefits, is determined by considering any
part of that person's income, shall, as a result of such action--
        ``(1) become eligible for benefits under such program; or
        ``(2) if such person or individual is otherwise so eligible,
    become eligible for increased benefits under such program.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
        (1) Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 404) is amended by
    adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) For payments which are adjusted or withheld to recover an
overpayment of supplemental security income benefits paid under title
XVI of this Act (including State supplementary payments paid under an
agreement pursuant to section 1616(a) of this Act or section 212(b) of
Public Law 93-66), see section 1147.''.
        (2) Section 1631(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(b)) is amended
    by adding at the end the following:
    ``(5) For provisions relating to the recovery of benefits
incorrectly paid under this title from benefits payable under title II,
see section 1147.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to
amounts incorrectly paid which remain outstanding on or after such
date.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Summary: Noncitizen Benefit Clarification and Other Technical Amendments Act of 1998 - Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRAWORA) to provide that the new restrictions it imposes on alien eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) under title XVI of the Social Security Act (SSA) shall not apply to a nonqualified alien who was receiving such benefits on August 22, 1996 . Amends the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (NAFTA) to permanently extend the authorization of the Self-Employment Assistance programs. Amends SSA title IV part D to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce, by 20 percent, the penalty for State failure to meet the deadline for compliance with child support data processing and information retrieval requirements, for each performance measure under the child support enforcement incentive payment system for which the State does achieve maximum performance. Amends the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act of 1998 to amend the effective date for State enactment of certain medical child support requirements . Amends PRAWORA to allow nonresident alien professionals to renew their US professional licenses. Amends SSA title IV part A with regard to welfare-to-work grants to eliminate the one year obligation requirement and allow a State to retain certain funds reserved for special projects , without passing them through to a sub-State entity, even if all the money has not been obligated each fiscal year. Amends SSA title XVI to exclude from SSI eligibility and Medicaid benefit calculations up to $2,000 in cash awards made by tax-exempt organizations to children with life-threatening conditions. Amends part A of SSA title XI to authorize the Social Security Administration to recover SSI overpayments by offsetting up to ten percent per month of any Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits under SSA title II.

Noncitizen Benefit Clarification and Other Technical Amendments Act of1998