SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Temporary IRA Distribution
Suspension Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. SUSPENSION OF REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE FOR DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
              DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS.

    (a) In General.--In the case of a defined contribution plan--
            (1) section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
        shall not apply during the suspension period,
            (2) in lieu of the calendar year specified in subparagraph
        (C)(i) of section 401(a)(9) of such Code, the calendar year
        specified in such subparagraph shall be the later of--
                    (A) the calendar year described in such
                subparagraph (C)(i), or
                    (B) calendar year 2010, and
            (3) the suspension period shall not be taken into account
        for purposes of applying any time limitation in such section
        401(a)(9).
    (b) Suspension Period.--For purposes of this section, the term
``suspension period'' means the period beginning on January 1, 2008,
and ending on December 31, 2009.
    (c) Application to Certain Other Plans.--The following sections
shall be applied for the suspension period under rules similar to the
rules of subsection (a) of this section--
            (1) in the case of a defined contribution plan, subsections
        (a) and (b) of section 403, and sections 408 and 408A, of such
        Code, and
            (2) in the case of an eligible deferred compensation plan
        described in section 457(b) of such Code which is maintained by
        an eligible employer described in section 457(e)(1)(A)) of such
        Code, section 457 of such Code.
    (d) Application to Certain Periodic Payments.--For purposes of this
section, in the case of a defined contribution plan, the failure to
make a payment from a qualified retirement plan during the suspension
period in an amount less than would be required under the applicable
method shall not be treated as a modification for purposes of section
72(t)(2)(A)(iv) of such Code.
    (e) Provisions Relating to Plan Amendments.--
            (1) In general.--If this section applies to any plan or
        annuity contract, such plan or contract shall be treated as
        being operated in accordance with the terms of the plan during
        the period described in paragraph (2)(B)(i).
            (2) Amendments to which section applies.--
                    (A) In general.--This section shall apply to any
                amendment to any plan or annuity contract which is
                made--
                            (i) pursuant to this section or pursuant to
                        any regulation issued by the Secretary of the
                        Treasury to carry out this section, and
                            (ii) on or before the last day of the first
                        plan year beginning on or after January 1,
                        2009.
                    (B) Conditions.--This section shall not apply to
                any amendment unless--
                            (i) during the period--
                                    (I) beginning on the first day of
                                the suspension period, and
                                    (II) ending on the date described
                                in subparagraph (A)(ii) (or, if
                                earlier, the date the plan or contract
                                amendment is adopted), the plan or
                                contract is operated as if such plan or
                                contract amendment were in effect, and
                            (ii) such plan or contract amendment
                        applies retroactively for such period.
    (f) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--This section shall take effect on the date
        of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Recontribution of distributions before date of
        enactment.--
                    (A) In general.--Any individual who receives a
                payment or distribution during the period beginning on
                January 1, 2008, and ending on the date of the
                enactment of this Act from a plan to which subsection
                (a) or (c) of this section applies may, before the end
                of the suspension period, make one or more
                contributions in an aggregate amount not to exceed the
                amount of such payments or distributions to an eligible
                retirement plan of which such individual is a
                beneficiary and to which a rollover contribution of
                such distribution could be made under section 402(c),
                403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or 457(e)(16) of such
                Code, as the case may be.
                    (B) Treatment of repayments of distributions from
                eligible retirement plans other than iras.--For
                purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, if a
                contribution is made pursuant to subparagraph (A) to an
                eligible retirement plan other than an individual
                retirement plan, then the taxpayer shall, to the extent
                of the amount of the contribution, be treated as having
                received such payments or distributions in an eligible
                rollover distribution (as defined in section 402(c)(4)
                of such Code) and as having transferred the amount to
                the eligible retirement plan in a direct trustee to
                trustee transfer within 60 days of the distribution.
                    (C) Treatment of repayments for distributions from
                iras.--For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of
                1986, if a contribution is made pursuant to
                subparagraph (A) to an individual retirement plan (as
                defined by section 7701(a)(37) of such Code), then, to
                the extent of the amount of the contribution, such
                payments or distributions shall be treated as a
                distribution described in section 408(d)(3) of such
                Code and as having been transferred to the individual
                retirement plan in a direct trustee to trustee transfer
                within 60 days of the distribution.

Summary: Temporary IRA Distribution Suspension Act of 2008 - Suspends for calendar 2008 and 2009 the beginning date for required distributions from certain individual retirement (IRA) plans.

To suspend the beginning date for required distributions from certain retirement plans, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Maternity and Obstetric
Medicine Act'' or the ``Healthy MOM Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Pregnancy is a significant life event for millions of
        women in the United States each year.
            (2) For more than 30 years, our Nation, through the
        Medicaid program, has recognized that pregnant women need
        immediate access to affordable care, and has allowed women who
        meet income-eligibility requirements to enroll in Medicaid
        coverage when they become pregnant.
            (3) Congress recognized the central importance of maternity
        coverage by classifying maternity and newborn care as one of
        the ten essential health benefits that must now be covered on
        most individual and small group health insurance plans under
        section 1302(b)(1) of the Patient Protection and Affordable
        Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18022(b)(1)).
            (4) Access to comprehensive maternity coverage allows women
        to access important pregnancy-related care, which is
        demonstrated to improve health outcomes for women and newborns
        and reduce financial costs for both consumers and insurers.
            (5) Uninsured women, women with grandfathered and
        transitional health plans, self-funded student health plans,
        and catastrophic and high-deductible health plans may lack
        access to comprehensive and affordable maternity coverage.
            (6) A special enrollment period is especially important for
        young adults, who are at high risk for unintended pregnancies,
        yet young adults are frequently enrolled in catastrophic
        coverage, which often has fewer benefits, more restrictions,
        and higher deductibles.
            (7) Timely maternity care improves the health of pregnant
        women, as well as birth outcomes and the health of babies
        throughout their lifetimes. Pregnancy-related maternal
        mortality is three to four times higher among women who receive
        no maternity care compared to women who do. Regular maternity
        care can detect or mitigate serious pregnancy-related health
        complications, including preeclampsia, placental abruption,
        complications from diabetes, complications from heart disease,
        and Graves' disease, all of which can result in morbidity or
        mortality for the mother or newborn.
            (8) Regular maternity care can reduce preterm births and
        the health complications associated with preterm births.
            (9) Timely maternity care can reduce short- and long-term
        health care costs. If a woman does not have access to
        affordable maternity care during her pregnancy, and she or her
        newborn experiences pregnancy complications that result in
        health problems after birth, their insurer may end up paying
        much higher costs than if the insurer had covered the woman's
        maternity care during her pregnancy. Intensive maternity care
        can reduce hospital and neonatal intensive care unit admissions
        among infants, resulting in cost savings of $1,768 to $5,560
        per birth. For women with high-risk pregnancies, intensive
        maternity care saves $1.37 for every $1 invested in maternity
        care.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to protect the health of
women and newborns by ensuring that all women eligible for coverage
through the Exchanges established under title I of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) can access
affordable health coverage during their pregnancy.

SEC. 3. PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

    (a) Public Health Service Act.--Section 2702(b)(2) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-1(b)(2)) is amended by inserting
``including a special enrollment period for pregnant women, beginning
on the date on which the pregnancy is reported to the health insurance
issuer'' before the period at the end.
    (b) Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.--Section 1311(c)(6)
of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C.
18031(c)(6)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
        and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(D) a special enrollment period for pregnant
                women, beginning on the date on which the pregnancy is
                reported to the Exchange; and''.
    (c) Special Enrollment Periods.--Section 9801(f) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 9801(f)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) For pregnant women.--
                    ``(A) A group health plan shall permit an employee
                who is eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage under
                the terms of the plan (or a dependent of such an
                employee if the dependent is eligible, but not
                enrolled, for coverage under such terms) to enroll for
                coverage under the terms of the plan upon pregnancy,
                with the special enrollment period beginning on the
                date on which the pregnancy is reported to the group
                health plan.
                    ``(B) The Secretary shall promulgate regulations
                with respect to the special enrollment period under
                subparagraph (A), including establishing a time period
                for pregnant women to enroll in coverage and effective
                date of such coverage.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to plan years beginning after the 2016 plan year.

SEC. 4. FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management
shall issue such regulations as are necessary to ensure that pregnancy
is considered a change in family status and a qualifying life event for
an individual who is eligible to enroll, but is not enrolled, in a
health benefit plan under chapter 89 title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Effective Date.--The requirement in subsection (a) shall apply
with respect to any contract entered into under section 8902 of such
title beginning 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine Act or the Healthy MOM Act This bill amends the Public Health Service Act and Internal Revenue Code to require health insurers, health insurance exchanges, and group health plans to offer a special enrollment period to pregnant women beginning when the pregnancy is reported to the issuer, exchange, or plan. The Office of Personnel Management must ensure that eligible pregnant women are allowed to enroll in federal employee health benefit plans outside of the open enrollment period.

Healthy MOM Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Lease
Sale Act''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF BEAUFORT AND COOK INLET LEASE SALES.

    Beginning in fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter, the
Secretary shall conduct under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) 1 or more oil and gas lease sales in--
            (1) the Cook Inlet Planning Area; and
            (2) the portion of the Beaufort Planning Area located
        within 3 nautical miles of the seaward boundary of Alaska.

SEC. 3. LEASE TERMS OF CERTAIN CHUKCHI AND BEAUFORT LEASES.

    (a) In General.--Section 8(b)(2) of the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(b)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``;'' and inserting
        ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) in the case of an oil and gas lease in the
                portion of the Beaufort Planning Area or Chukchi
                Planning Area that is beyond 3 nautical miles of the
                seaward boundary of the State of Alaska, 20 years;''.
    (b) Extension of Existing Leases.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, with the consent of the
        holder of a covered lease described in paragraph (2), shall
        extend the initial term of the covered lease to 20 years.
            (2) Description of covered lease.--A covered lease referred
        to in paragraph (1) is a lease for oil and gas production in
        effect on the date of enactment of this Act that was issued
        under section 8 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
        U.S.C. 1337) for a portion of the Beaufort Planning Area or
        Chukchi Planning Area that is beyond 3 nautical miles of the
        seaward boundary of the State.

SEC. 4. DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUE TO ALASKA.

    Section 9 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1338)
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``All rentals,'' and inserting the
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), all
rentals,''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Distribution of Revenue to Alaska.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Coastal political subdivision.--The term
                `coastal political subdivision' means a county-
                equivalent subdivision of the State--
                            ``(i) all or part of which lies within the
                        coastal zone of the State (as defined in
                        section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act
                        of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453)); and
                            ``(ii)(I) the closest point of which is not
                        more than 200 nautical miles from the
                        geographical center of any leased tract in the
                        Alaska outer Continental Shelf region; or
                            ``(II)(aa) the closest point of which is
                        more than 200 nautical miles from the
                        geographical center of a leased tract in the
                        Alaska outer Continental Shelf region; and
                            ``(bb) that is determined by the State to
                        be a significant staging area for oil and gas
                        servicing, supply vessels, operations,
                        suppliers, or workers.
                    ``(B) Institution of higher education.--The term
                `institution of higher education' has the meaning given
                the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of
                1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
                    ``(C) Qualified revenues.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `qualified
                        revenues' means all revenues derived from all
                        rentals, royalties, bonus bids, and other sums
                        due and payable to the United States from
                        energy development in the Alaska outer
                        Continental Shelf region.
                            ``(ii) Exclusions.--The term `qualified
                        revenues' does not include revenues generated
                        from leases subject to section 8(g).
                    ``(D) State.--The term `State' means the State of
                Alaska.
                    ``(E) Workforce investment board.--The term
                `workforce investment board' means a State or local
                workforce investment board established under subtitle B
                of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29
                U.S.C. 2811 et seq.).
            ``(2) Fiscal years 2016-2026.--For each of fiscal years
        2016 through 2026, the Secretary shall deposit--
                    ``(A) 50 percent of qualified revenues in the
                general fund of the Treasury;
                    ``(B) 27.5 percent of qualified revenues in the
                Treasury, to be used for deficit reduction;
                    ``(C) 7.5 percent of qualified revenues in a
                special account in the Treasury, to be distributed by
                the Secretary to the State;
                    ``(D) 7.5 percent of qualified revenues in a
                special account in the Treasury, to be distributed by
                the Secretary to coastal political subdivisions;
                    ``(E) 2.5 percent of qualified revenues in a
                special account in the Treasury, to be used to carry
                out the North Slope Science Initiative established
                under section 6(a)(1) of the Alaska Outer Continental
                Shelf Lease Sale Act;
                    ``(F) 2.5 percent of qualified revenues in a
                special account in the Treasury, to be used by the
                Secretary to provide grants on a competitive basis to
                eligible institutions of higher education and workforce
                investment boards in the State to establish and
                providing funding for--
                            ``(i) programs to ensure an adequately
                        skilled workforce to construct, operate, or
                        maintain oil or gas pipelines; or
                            ``(ii) programs to ensure an adequately
                        skilled workforce to operate, maintain, and
                        perform all environmental processes relating to
                        existing or future oil and gas infrastructure;
                        and
                    ``(G) 2.5 percent of qualified revenues in a
                special account in the Treasury to provide financial
                assistance for--
                            ``(i) offshore leasing and development
                        programs in the State; and
                            ``(ii) the development of rights-of-way for
                        pipelines to transport oil or gas produced
                        offshore through land under the jurisdiction of
                        the Secretary in the State.
            ``(3) Subsequent fiscal years.--For fiscal year 2027 and
        each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall deposit--
                    ``(A) 50 percent of qualified revenues in general
                fund of the Treasury;
                    ``(B) 30 percent of qualified revenues in a special
                account in the Treasury, to be distributed by the
                Secretary to the State;
                    ``(C) 12.5 percent of qualified revenues in the
                Treasury, to be used for low-income home energy
                assistance, weatherization programs, and infrastructure
                in the Arctic; and
                    ``(D) 7.5 in a special account in the Treasury, to
                be distributed by the Secretary to coastal political
                subdivisions.
            ``(4) Allocation among coastal political subdivisions.--Of
        the amount paid by the Secretary to coastal political
        subdivisions under paragraph (2)(D) or (3)(D)--
                    ``(A) 90 percent shall be allocated in amounts
                (based on a formula established by the Secretary by
                regulation) that are inversely proportional to the
                respective distances between the point in each coastal
                political subdivision that is closest to the geographic
                center of the applicable leased tract and the
                geographic center of the leased tract; and
                    ``(B) 10 percent shall be divided equally among
                each coastal political subdivision that--
                            ``(i) is more than 200 nautical miles from
                        the geographic center of a leased tract; and
                            ``(ii) the State of Alaska determines to be
                        a significant staging area for oil and gas
                        servicing, supply vessels, operations,
                        suppliers, or workers.
            ``(5) Timing.--The amounts required to be deposited under
        paragraphs (2) and (3) for the applicable fiscal year shall be
        made available in accordance with those paragraphs during the
        fiscal year immediately following the applicable fiscal year.
            ``(6) Administration.--Amounts made available under
        paragraphs (2) and (3) shall--
                    ``(A) be made available, without further
                appropriation, in accordance with this subsection;
                    ``(B) remain available until expended; and
                    ``(C) be in addition to any amounts appropriated
                under any other provision of law.''.

SEC. 5. INCLUSION OF BEAUFORT AND CHUKCHI LEASE SALES IN 5-YEAR LEASING
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 18 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
1344) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Inclusion of Certain Lease Sales.--The Secretary shall
include in any leasing program prepared in accordance with this section
provisions for the conduct of at least 3 lease sales in each of the
Beaufort Planning Area and the Chukchi Planning Area during the term of
the leasing program.''.

SEC. 6. NORTH SLOPE SCIENCE INITIATIVE.

    Section 348 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15906) is
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(referred to
                in this section as the `Secretary')'' after ``Secretary
                of the Interior''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(including the
                Beaufort and Chukchi seas)'' after ``North Slope of
                Alaska'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(including the
                Beaufort and Chukchi seas)'' after ``North Slope''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``develop an
                understanding of'' and inserting ``identify''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``the Northwest
        Arctic Borough, the NANA Regional Corporation,'' after ``Arctic
        Slope Regional Corporation,''.

Summary: Alaska Outer Continental Shelf Lease Sale Act This bill requires the Department of the Interior to conduct oil and gas lease sales in the Cook Inlet Planning Area, and in the portion of the Beaufort Planning Area located within three nautical miles of the seaward boundary of Alaska. Oil and gas leases under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act shall have an initial 20-year lease period if they are located in the portion of the Beaufort Planning Area or Chukchi Planning Area beyond three nautical miles of the seaward boundary of the State of Alaska. The bill establishes, for FY2016-FY2026, a scheme for revenue allocation between the Treasury and the state of Alaska for specified purposes, including workforce development relating to oil and gas infrastructure and, for FY2027 and beyond, certain related activities of coastal political subdivisions. Interior must also include in any leasing program at least three lease sales in each of the Beaufort Planning Area and the Chukchi Planning Area. The North Slope Science Initiative under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 shall now include the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Interior must enter into cooperative agreements with the Northwest Arctic Borough and the NANA Regional Corporation to coordinate efforts, share resources, and fund projects.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Foster Children Opportunity Act''.

SEC. 2. STATE PLAN REQUIREMENT TO HAVE PROCEDURES TO HELP ALIEN
              CHILDREN IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM ACHIEVE SPECIAL
              IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS AND LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT
              STATUS.

    Sect. 471(a)(27) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(27))
is amended by inserting ``, and if the child is an alien without a
lawful immigration status, for reviewing the child's eligibility for
special immigrant juvenile status, lawful permanent resident status,
and other forms of relief under immigration law, within 1 year after
the status of the child is first reviewed pursuant to section
475(5)(B), and annually thereafter, and for assisting the child in
applying for special immigrant juvenile status, lawful permanent
resident status, and other forms of relief under immigration law, so
that the child can reasonably be expected to achieve such relief before
exiting foster care, if doing so would be in the best interests of the
child'' before the period.

SEC. 3. REQUIREMENT THAT STATE CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES DOCUMENT THEIR
              EFFORTS TO PURSUE LAWFUL IMMIGRANT STATUS FOR ELIGIBLE
              ALIEN FOSTER CHILDREN.

    Section 475(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 675(1)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) In the case of an alien child who, after a
                review conducted pursuant to section 471(a)(27), is
                determined to be a child who may qualify for special
                immigrant juvenile status, lawful permanent resident
                status, or other forms of relief under immigration law,
                documentation of the steps the agency is taking in
                assisting the child to obtain the status before exiting
                foster care, including whether the requisite petitions
                have been filed on behalf of the child, and whether
                assistance has been provided to secure immigration
                legal counsel for the child.''.

SEC. 4. REQUIRMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER FILING PETITIONS FOR SPECIAL
              IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS AND LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT
              STATUS FOR ALIEN FOSTER CHILDREN IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST
              INTEREST IN APPROPRIATE CASES.

    Section 475(5)(C)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
675(5)(C)(i)) is amended by inserting ``, and, in the case of an alien
child without lawful immigration status, the hearing shall determine
whether a petition for special immigrant juvenile status or lawful
permanent resident status has been filed on behalf of the child and, if
such a petition has not been so filed, whether it is in the best
interests of the child, including consideration of the potential
effects on family reunification efforts, to have such a petition so
filed or to have immigration counsel appointed'' before the semicolon
at the end.

SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO USE COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS TO
              EDUCATE AND TRAIN CHILD WELFARE AND COURT STAFF,
              INCLUDING JUDGES, SOCIAL WORKERS, COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL
              ADVOCATES, AND LAWYERS TO ASSIST ALIEN CHILDREN IN
              ACHIEVING SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS, LAWFUL
              PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS, AND OTHER FORMS OF RELIEF
              UNDER IMMIGRATION LAW.

    Section 438(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 629h(a)(2))
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
            (2) by adding ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B); and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) to educate and train child welfare and court
                staff, including judges, social workers, court-
                appointed special advocates, and attorneys to assist
                alien children in achieving special immigrant juvenile
                status, lawful permanent resident status, and other
                forms of relief under immigration law in a timely
                manner;''.

SEC. 6. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES.

    On request of a State child welfare agency for technical assistance
in carrying out the amendments made by this Act, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of
Homeland Security and the Secretary of State, shall provide the
assistance, and may award grants to and enter into contracts with
qualified non-profit or other community-based service providers with
substantive expertise to perform the assistance.

SEC. 7. ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Public Benefits.--
            (1) Federal means-tested public benefits.--Section 403(b)
        of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
        Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1613(b)) is amended by
        adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Exception for individuals who have obtained special
        immigrant juvenile status.--An alien who is granted special
        immigrant juvenile status under section 101(a)(27)(J) of the
        Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)).''.
            (2) Other federal programs.--Section 402 of such Act (8
        U.S.C. 1612) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the
                following:
                    ``(N) Exception for individuals who have obtained
                special immigrant juvenile status.--With respect to
                eligibility for benefits for the specified Federal
                programs described in paragraph (3), paragraph (1)
                shall not apply to any alien who is granted special
                immigrant juvenile status under section 101(a)(27)(J)
                of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
                1101(a)(27)(J)).''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(2), by adding at the end the
                following:
                    ``(G) Exception for individuals who have obtained
                special immigrant juvenile status.--An alien who is
                granted special immigrant juvenile status under section
                101(a)(27)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
                U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)).''.
    (b) State Reimbursement.--Section 472(a)(4) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 672(a)(4)) is amended by inserting ``, and if the child
is an alien who has obtained special immigrant juvenile status under
section 101(a)(27)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and would
have been qualified to receive aid under the State plan approved under
section 402 of this Act in or for the month in which the agreement
described in paragraph (2)(A)(i) of this subsection was entered into or
court proceedings leading to the determination described in paragraph
(2)(A)(ii) of this subsection were initiated if the child had been a
United States citizen, the child shall be considered to satisfy the
requirements of paragraph (3) with respect to the month'' before the
period.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--The amendments made by this Act, other than by
section 7, shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act,
and shall apply to payments under part E of title IV of the Social
Security Act for quarters beginning on or after such date.
    (b) Delay Permitted if State Legislation Required.--In the case of
a State plan approved under part E of title IV of the Social Security
Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines
requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds)
in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by
this Act, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply
with the requirements of such part solely on the basis of the failure
of the plan to meet such additional requirements before the 1st day of
the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the close of the 1st regular
session of the State legislature that ends after the 1-year period
beginning with the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of
the preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year
legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a
separate regular session of the State legislature.

Summary: Foster Children Opportunity Act - Amends part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state plans for foster care and adoption assistance to have procedures to assist alien children in the child welfare system achieve special immigrant juvenile status and lawful permanent resident status before exiting foster care. Requires case plans to include documentation of the steps the state child welfare agency is taking in assisting children obtain lawful immigrant status before exiting foster care. Requires a permanency hearing to determine whether a petition for special immigrant juvenile status or lawful permanent resident status has been filed on behalf of an alien foster child and, if it has not been filed, whether it is in the child's best interest to have such a petition filed or to have immigration counsel appointed. Authorizes the use of court improvement program grant funds to educate and train child welfare and court staff to assist alien children in achieving special immigrant juvenile status, lawful permanent resident status, and other forms of relief under immigration law. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), on the request of a child welfare agency, to provide technical assistance in carrying out this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to and contract with qualified non-profit or other community-based service providers to perform the assistance. Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to make an exception to the five-year limited eligibility of qualified aliens for federal means-tested public benefits for individuals who have obtained special immigrant juvenile status. Makes a similar exception for such individuals with respect to the limited eligibility of qualified aliens for certain Federal programs.

To amend part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to require States to help alien children in the child welfare system apply for all available forms of immigration relief, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Transparency in Energy Production
Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. ONLINE PUBLICATION OF CARBON EMISSIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior shall make available
to the public through the Internet--
            (1) information that describes for all covered operations--
                    (A) the aggregate amount of each fossil fuel, by
                type and by State, produced under Federal leases; and
                    (B) for gas reported, the portion and source of
                such amount that was released by each of venting,
                flaring, and fugitive release;
            (2) information that accurately describes the estimated
        amounts of existing fossil fuel resources on Federal lands
        under lease for the production of fossil fuels, and of Federal
        lands that have potential for such leasing; and
            (3) information that describes the amount and sources of
        energy, in megawatts, produced from operating solar, wind, and
        geothermal projects on Federal lands under lease for the
        production of renewable energy.
    (b) Format.--Information made available under this section shall be
presented in a format that--
            (1) translates such amounts and portions into emissions of
        metric tons of greenhouse gases expressed in carbon dioxide
        equivalent using both the 20-year and 100-year Global Warming
        Potential-weighted emission values;
            (2) for energy produced from solar, wind, and geothermal
        projects, includes an estimate of the greenhouse gas emissions
        that would result from production of the same amount of energy
        from fossil fuel resources; and
            (3) allows--
                    (A) downloading in a machine readable format; and
                    (B) accessing the information without payment of
                any fee or other charge.
    (c) Data Publication Frequency.--The data made available under this
section shall be updated at least annually.

SEC. 3. ACCURATE MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM
              FEDERAL LANDS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, if the Secretary of the Interior determines that
revisions or promulgation of rules are needed to implement section 2
with regard to methane emissions, the Secretary shall initiate a
process under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982
(30 U.S.C. 1711 et seq.), the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et
seq.), or other applicable law to promulgate regulations to require
accurate measuring and reporting to the Secretary, by each holder of a
lease for the production of fossil fuels on Federal land, of the actual
amount of methane gas produced under such lease, including all such gas
not sold by or on behalf of the lessee.
    (b) Reporting of Gases.--The rules shall include requirements for
reporting by holders of leases, to the maximum extent possible, the
amount and source of all vented, flared, and fugitive releases of gas
resulting from the production of fossil fuels from Federal lands.

SEC. 4. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    Every 2 years, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that
includes--
            (1) efforts underway by the Department of the Interior to
        decrease greenhouse gas emissions from covered operations on
        Federal lands and waters; and
            (2) plans for future reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
        from covered operations on Federal lands and waters.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Covered operations.--The term ``covered operations''
        means all fossil fuel operations that are subject to the
        mineral leasing laws or title V of the Federal Land Policy and
        Management Act of 1976 (30 U.S.C. 1761 et seq.), regardless of
        size, including production, storage, gathering, processing,
        transportation, and handling operations.
            (2) Flaring.--The term ``flaring'' means the intentional
        and controlled burning of gas that occurs in the course of oil
        and gas or coal operations.
            (3) Fossil fuel.--The term ``fossil fuel'' means all
        natural fuels, including oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids,
        and coal.
            (4) Fugitive release.--The term ``fugitive release'' means
        the unintentional and uncontrolled release of gas into the
        atmosphere in the course of oil and gas or coal operations.
            (5) Global warming potential-weighted emission.--The term
        ``Global Warming Potential-weighted emission'' means the ratio
        of the time-integrated radiative forcing from the instantaneous
        release of 1 kilogram of a trace substance relative to that of
        1 kilogram of carbon dioxide, measured in metric tons of carbon
        dioxide equivalent for each greenhouse gas according to the
        most recent, and any subsequent, decisions by the
        Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change regarding global
        warming potentials.
            (6) Resources.--The term ``resources'' means oil, gas, and
        coal resources, both identified and inferred, that are both
        technically recoverable and economically recoverable using the
        range of past, and predicted future, commodity prices.
            (7) Venting.--The term ``venting'' means the intentional
        and controlled release of gas into the atmosphere in the course
        of oil and gas operations.
            (8) Produced and production.--The terms ``produced'' and
        ``production'' mean extracted, mined, withdrawn, sold, stored,
        released (including release by venting, flaring, or fugitive
        release), flared, used for beneficial purposes, or otherwise
        emitted during production.

Summary: Transparency in Energy Production Act of 2016 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to publicly disclose the amounts of fossil fuel production, including amounts of gas released , and renewable energy production on public lands. The data shall present amounts of greenhouse gas emissions using the 20- and 100-year Global Warming Potential-weighted emission values and, for renewable energy production, compare fossil fuel-generated emissions resulting from the same amount of energy. As determined necessary to implement this bill, Interior shall promulgate regulations regarding accurate measurement and reporting of methane emissions.


SECTION 1. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROTECT NATIVE ANADROMOUS FISH IN THE
              STANISLAUS RIVER, CALIFORNIA.

    (a) Establishment of Nonnative Predator Fish Removal Pilot
Program.--The Secretary of Commerce and the districts, in consultation
with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall jointly develop
and conduct a nonnative predator fish removal pilot program to remove
nonnative striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black bass,
and other nonnative predator fishes from the Stanislaus River,
California. The pilot program shall--
            (1) be scientifically based;
            (2) include methods to quantify the number and size of
        predator fishes removed each year, the impact of such removal
        on the overall abundance of predator fishes, and the impact of
        such removal on the populations of juvenile anadromous fish
        found in the Stanislaus River by, among other things,
        evaluating the number of juvenile anadromous fish that migrate
        past the rotary screw trap located at Caswell;
            (3) among other methods, use wire fyke trapping, portable
        resistance board weirs, and boat electrofishing;
            (4) be developed, including the application for all
        necessary scientific research and species enhancement permits
        under section 10(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
        (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)) for the performance of the pilot
        program, not later than 6 months after the date of the
        enactment of this Act;
            (5) be implemented as quickly as possible following the
        issuance of all necessary scientific research and species
        enhancement permits needed to begin the pilot program; and
            (6) be implemented for a period of 7 consecutive calendar
        years.
    (b) Management.--The management of the pilot program shall be the
joint responsibility of the Secretary and the districts. Such parties
shall work collaboratively to ensure the performance of the pilot
program, and shall discuss and agree upon, among other things, changes
in the structure, management, personnel, techniques, strategy, data
collection, reporting, and conduct of the pilot program.
    (c) Conduct.--
            (1) In general.--By agreement between the Secretary and the
        districts, the pilot program may be conducted by their own
        personnel, qualified private contractors hired by the
        districts, personnel of, on loan to, or otherwise assigned to
        the National Marine Fisheries Service, or a combination
        thereof.
            (2) Participation by the national marine fisheries
        service.--If the districts elect to conduct the program using
        their own personnel or qualified private contractors hired by
        them in accordance with paragraph (1), the Secretary may assign
        an employee of, on loan to, or otherwise assigned to the
        National Marine Fisheries Service, to be present for all
        activities performed in the field. Such presence shall ensure
        compliance with the agreed-upon elements specified in
        subsection (b). The districts shall pay the cost of such
        participation in accordance with subsection (d).
            (3) Timing of election.--The districts shall notify the
        Secretary of their election on or before October 15 of each
        calendar year of the pilot program. Such an election shall
        apply to the work performed in the subsequent calendar year.
    (d) Funding.--
            (1) In general.--The districts shall be responsible for 100
        percent of the cost of the pilot program.
            (2) Contributed funds.--The Secretary may accept and use
        contributions of funds from the districts to carry out
        activities under the pilot program.
            (3) Estimation of cost.--On or before December 1 of each
        year of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the
        districts an estimate of the cost to be incurred by the
        National Marine Fisheries Service for the pilot program in the
        following calendar year, if any, including the cost of any data
        collection and posting under subsection (e). If an amount equal
        to the estimate is not provided through contributions pursuant
        to paragraph (2) before December 31 of that year--
                    (A) the Secretary shall have no obligation to
                conduct the pilot program activities otherwise
                scheduled for such following calendar year until such
                amount is contributed by the districts; and
                    (B) the districts may not conduct any aspect of the
                pilot program until such amount is contributed by the
                districts.
            (4) Accounting.--On or before September 1 of each year, the
        Secretary shall provide to the districts an accounting of the
        costs incurred by the Secretary for the pilot program in the
        preceding calendar year. If the amount contributed by the
        districts pursuant to paragraph (2) for that year was greater
        than the costs incurred by the Secretary, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) apply the excess contributions to costs of
                activities to be performed by the Secretary under the
                pilot program, if any, in the next calendar year; or
                    (B) if no such activities are to be performed,
                repay the excess contribution to the districts.
    (e) Reporting and Evaluation.--
            (1) In general.--On or before the 15th day of each month,
        the Secretary shall post on the Internet website of the
        National Marine Fisheries Service a tabular summary of the raw
        data collected under the pilot program in the preceding month.
            (2) Report.--On or before June 30 of the year following the
        completion of the pilot program, the Secretary and the
        districts shall jointly submit for peer review a report that--
                    (A) discusses the findings and conclusions of the
                pilot program;
                    (B) synthesizes the data collected under paragraph
                (1); and
                    (C) makes recommendations for further study and
                action.
    (f) Permits Process.--
            (1) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the filing
        by the Secretary and the districts of an application for
        scientific research and species enhancement permits under
        section 10(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
        U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)) for the pilot program, the Secretary of the
        Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, or both, as appropriate,
        shall issue to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the
        districts all such permits that are necessary for the
        performance of the pilot program. Each such permit shall
        authorize activities under the permits to be carried out by the
        districts and by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
            (2) Delegation of authority.--The districts and the
        Secretary may delegate the authority to conduct activities
        under such permits to any qualified private contractor retained
        in accordance with subsection (c).
            (3) Failure to issue permits.--The pilot program, including
        amendments thereto by the appropriate Federal agencies, shall
        constitute a conservation plan that complies with section
        10(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
        1539(a)(2)) if the Secretaries have not carried out paragraph
        (1) within 270 days after the filling of an application in
        accordance with such paragraph.
            (4) Treatment of striped bass.--For purposes of the
        application of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act
        (title III of Public Law 102-575) with respect to the pilot
        program, striped bass shall not be treated as anadromous fish.
    (g) NEPA.--
            (1) Limitation on application.--If the Secretaries have not
        carried out subsection (f)(1) within 365 days after the filing
        by the Secretary of Commerce and the districts of an
        application referred to in that subsection, section 102(2)(C)
        of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
        4332(2)(C)) shall not apply with respect to this section and
        the issuance of any permit under this section, during the 7-
        year period beginning on the date of the submission of such
        application.
            (2) Emergency environmental reviews.--The Secretary of the
        Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall consult with the
        Council on Environmental Quality in accordance with section
        1506.11 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (including
        successor regulations) to develop alternative arrangements to
        comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
        U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as necessary to expedite the benefits of
        the pilot program for the conservation of threatened species
        and endangered species.
    (h) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            (1) Districts.--The term ``districts'' means the Oakdale
        Irrigation District and the South San Joaquin Irrigation
        District, California.
            (2) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the
        nonnative predator fish removal pilot program established under
        this section.
            (3) Secretary of commerce.--The term ``Secretary of
        Commerce'' means the Secretary of Commerce acting through the
        National Marine Fisheries Service.
    (i) State Law Preempted.--
            (1) In general.--Any restriction imposed under California
        law on the catch, take, or harvest of any nonnative or
        introduced aquatic or terrestrial species that preys upon
        anadromous fish and that occupies or is found in the Stanislaus
        River, or the permitting thereof, is hereby void and is
        preempted.
            (2) State permits not required.--Neither the districts nor
        the Secretaries are required to obtain a Scientific Collection
        Permit or any other permit or authorization from the California
        Department of Fish and Wildlife or any other division or
        instrumentality of the State of California pursuant to section
        1002(a) of the California Fish and Game Code, section 5514(a)
        of the California Fish and Game Code, section 650 or title 14
        of the California Code of Regulations, or any other provision
        of California law to implement any aspect of the pilot program.
    (j) Sunset.--The authorities provided under this section shall
expire 7 years after date of the issuance of the permits referred to in
subsection (f)(1).

Summary: Directs the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts in California to jointly develop and conduct a pilot program to remove non-native striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black bass, and other non-native predator fish from the Stanislaus River. Requires the program to: (1) be scientifically based. (2) include methods to quantify the number and size of predator fish removed each year, the impact of such removal on the overall abundance of predator fish, and the impact of such removal on the populations of certain juvenile anadromous fish found in the Stanislaus River. And (3) be implemented for seven consecutive years. Requires the districts to be responsible for the cost of such program. Authorizes the Service to accept and use contributions of funds from the districts to carry out activities under the program. Directs: (1) the Service to post, each month, on its Internet website a tabular summary of the raw data collected under the program in the preceding month. And (2) the Service and the districts, by June 30 of the year following the completion of the program, to jointly submit for peer review a report that discusses program's findings and conclusions, synthesizes the data collected, and makes recommendations for further study and action. Voids and preempts any California legal restriction imposed on, or the permitting of, the catch, take, or harvest of any non-native or introduced aquatic or terrestrial species that preys upon specified stocks of anadromous fish and that occupies or is found in the Stanislaus River.

To direct the Secretary of Commerce, with the Oakdale Irrigation District and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District, California, to develop and conduct a pilot program to remove nonnative predator fishes from the Stanislaus River, California, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Reinstatement of Enrollment for
Medicaid Eligibility of Disadvantaged Youth (REMEDY) Act''.

SEC. 2. REINSTATEMENT OF ENROLLMENT FOR MEDICAID AND SCHIP BENEFITS FOR
              CERTAIN YOUTH UPON RELEASE FROM PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Application to Medicaid.--Section 1902(a) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (69);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (70) and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (70) the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(71) provide that in the case of any individual who is a
        youth, as determined under the State plan for purposes of
        eligibility for medical assistance under such plan, as of the
        date of becoming an inmate of a public institution and who is a
        youth (as so determined) at the time of release from such
        institution, if the individual was enrolled for medical
        assistance under the State plan immediately before becoming
        such an inmate the State must suspend, rather than terminate,
        such enrollment for such individual during the period in which
        such individual is such an inmate in a manner such that--
                    ``(A) the enrollment of such individual shall be
                reinstated upon release from such institution unless
                and until there is a determination that the individual
                is no longer eligible to be so enrolled; and
                    ``(B) any period of continuous eligibility in
                effect on the date the individual became such an inmate
                shall be reinstated as of the date of the release and
                the duration of such period shall be determined without
                regard to the period in which the individual was such
                an inmate.''.
    (b) Application to SCHIP.--Section 2102(b)(1) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397bb(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Reinstatement of enrollment for certain youth
                upon release from public institutions.--A State child
                health plan shall provide that in the case of any child
                who becomes an inmate of a public institution and who
                is still a child at the time of release from such
                institution, if the child was enrolled for child health
                assistance under the State child health plan
                immediately before becoming such an inmate the State
                must suspend, rather than terminate, such enrollment
                for such child during the period in which such child is
                such an inmate in a manner such that--
                            ``(i) the enrollment of such child shall be
                        reinstated upon release from such institution
                        unless and until there is a determination that
                        the child is no longer eligible to be so
                        enrolled; and
                            ``(ii) any period of continuous eligibility
                        in effect on the date the child became such an
                        inmate shall be reinstated as of the date of
                        the release and the duration of such period
                        shall be determined without regard to the
                        period in which the child was such an
                        inmate.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments
        made by this section shall apply to individuals who become
        inmates of a public institution on or after January 1, 2009.
            (2) Exception if state legislation required.--In the case
        of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the
        Social Security Act, or a State child health plan for child
        health assistance under title XXI of such Act, which the
        Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires
        State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds)
        in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement
        imposed by the amendment made by subsection (a)(3) or (b),
        respectively, the State plan or State child health plan,
        respectively, shall not be regarded as failing to comply with
        the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its
        failure to meet such respective additional requirement before
        the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the
        close of the first regular session of the State legislature
        that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For
        purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that
        has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session
        shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State
        legislature.

Summary: Reinstatement of Enrollment for Medicaid Eligibility of Disadvantaged Youth (REMEDY) Act - Amends titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require a state plan to provide for the reinstatement to enrollment for medical assistance and child health assistance upon release from a public institution of an individual youth who was enrolled for such assistance immediately before becoming an inmate of such institution.

To amend titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act to provide for the reinstatement of enrollment for medical assistance and child health assistance of certain youth who were enrolled for such assistance immediately before becoming inmates of public institutions upon the release of such youth from such institutions.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Internet Freedom Preservation Act''.

SEC. 2. INTERNET NEUTRALITY.

    Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 12. INTERNET NEUTRALITY.

    ``(a) Duty of Broadband Service Providers.--With respect to any
broadband service offered to the public, each broadband service
provider shall--
            ``(1) not block, interfere with, discriminate against,
        impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use a broadband
        service to access, use, send, post, receive, or offer any
        lawful content, application, or service made available via the
        Internet;
            ``(2) not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching or
        using any device to the network of such broadband service
        provider, only if such device does not physically damage or
        substantially degrade the use of such network by other
        subscribers;
            ``(3) provide and make available to each user information
        about such user's access to the Internet, and the speed,
        nature, and limitations of such user's broadband service;
            ``(4) enable any content, application, or service made
        available via the Internet to be offered, provided, or posted
        on a basis that--
                    ``(A) is reasonable and nondiscriminatory,
                including with respect to quality of service, access,
                speed, and bandwidth;
                    ``(B) is at least equivalent to the access, speed,
                quality of service, and bandwidth that such broadband
                service provider offers to affiliated content,
                applications, or services made available via the public
                Internet into the network of such broadband service
                provider; and
                    ``(C) does not impose a charge on the basis of the
                type of content, applications, or services made
                available via the Internet into the network of such
                broadband service provider;
            ``(5) only prioritize content, applications, or services
        accessed by a user that is made available via the Internet
        within the network of such broadband service provider based on
        the type of content, applications, or services and the level of
        service purchased by the user, without charge for such
        prioritization; and
            ``(6) not install or utilize network features, functions,
        or capabilities that impede or hinder compliance with this
        section.
    ``(b) Certain Management and Business-Related Practices.--Nothing
in this section shall be construed to prohibit a broadband service
provider from engaging in any activity, provided that such activity is
not inconsistent with the requirements of subsection (a), including--
            ``(1) protecting the security of a user's computer on the
        network of such broadband service provider, or managing such
        network in a manner that does not distinguish based on the
        source or ownership of content, application, or service;
            ``(2) offering directly to each user broadband service that
        does not distinguish based on the source or ownership of
        content, application, or service, at different prices based on
        defined levels of bandwidth or the actual quantity of data flow
        over a user's connection;
            ``(3) offering consumer protection services (including
        parental controls for indecency or unwanted content, software
        for the prevention of unsolicited commercial electronic
        messages, or other similar capabilities), if each user is
        provided clear and accurate advance notice of the ability of
        such user to refuse or disable individually provided consumer
        protection capabilities;
            ``(4) handling breaches of the terms of service offered by
        such broadband service provider by a subscriber, provided that
        such terms of service are not inconsistent with the
        requirements of subsection (a); or
            ``(5) where otherwise required by law, to prevent any
        violation of Federal or State law.
    ``(c) Exception.--Nothing in this section shall apply to any
service regulated under title VI, regardless of the physical
transmission facilities used to provide or transmit such service.
    ``(d) Stand-Alone Broadband Service.--A broadband service provider
shall not require a subscriber, as a condition on the purchase of any
broadband service offered by such broadband service provider, to
purchase any cable service, telecommunications service, or IP-enabled
voice service.
    ``(e) Implementation.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, the Commission
shall prescribe rules to implement this section that--
            ``(1) permit any aggrieved person to file a complaint with
        the Commission concerning any violation of this section; and
            ``(2) establish enforcement and expedited adjudicatory
        review procedures consistent with the objectives of this
        section, including the resolution of any complaint described in
        paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after such complaint was
        filed, except for good cause shown.
    ``(f) Enforcement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall enforce compliance
        with this section under title V, except that--
                    ``(A) no forfeiture liability shall be determined
                under section 503(b) against any person unless such
                person receives the notice required by section
                503(b)(3) or section 503(b)(4); and
                    ``(B) the provisions of section 503(b)(5) shall not
                apply.
            ``(2) Special orders.--In addition to any other remedy
        provided under this Act, the Commission may issue any
        appropriate order, including an order directing a broadband
        service provider--
                    ``(A) to pay damages to a complaining party for a
                violation of this section or the regulations hereunder;
                or
                    ``(B) to enforce the provisions of this section.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
shall apply:
            ``(1) Affiliated.--The term `affiliated' includes--
                    ``(A) a person that (directly or indirectly) owns
                or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under
                common ownership or control with, another person; or
                    ``(B) a person that has a contract or other
                arrangement with a content, applications, or service
                provider relating to access to or distribution of such
                content, applications, or service.
            ``(2) Broadband service.--The term `broadband service'
        means a 2-way transmission that--
                    ``(A) connects to the Internet regardless of the
                physical transmission facilities used; and
                    ``(B) transmits information at an average rate of
                at least 200 kilobits per second in at least 1
                direction.
            ``(3) Broadband service provider.--The term `broadband
        service provider' means a person or entity that controls,
        operates, or resells and controls any facility used to provide
        broadband service to the public, whether provided for a fee or
        for free.
            ``(4) IP-enabled voice service.--The term `IP-enabled voice
        service' means the provision of real-time 2-way voice
        communications offered to the public, or such classes of users
        as to be effectively available to the public, transmitted
        through customer premises equipment using TCP/IP protocol, or a
        successor protocol, for a fee (whether part of a bundle of
        services or separately) with interconnection capability such
        that service can originate traffic to, and terminate traffic
        from, the public switched telephone network
            ``(5) User.--The term `user' means any residential or
        business subscriber who, by way of a broadband service, takes
        and utilizes Internet services, whether provided for a fee, in
        exchange for an explicit benefit, or for free.''.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON DELIVERY OF CONTENT, APPLICATIONS, AND SERVICES.

    Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter, the Federal Communications Commission shall
transmit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives on the--
            (1) ability of providers of content, applications, or
        services to transmit and send such information into and over
        broadband networks;
            (2) ability of competing providers of transmission
        capability to transmit and send such information into and over
        broadband networks;
            (3) price, terms, and conditions for transmitting and
        sending such information into and over broadband networks;
            (4) number of entities that transmit and send information
        into and over broadband networks; and
            (5) state of competition among those entities that transmit
        and send information into and over broadband networks.

Summary: Internet Freedom Preservation Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish certain Internet neutrality duties for broadband service providers (providers), including not interfering with, or discriminating against, the ability of any person to use broadband service in a lawful manner. Allows providers to engage in activities in furtherance of certain management and business-related practices, such as protecting network security and offering consumer protection services such as parental controls. Prohibits a provider from requiring a subscriber, as a condition on the purchase of broadband service, to purchase any cable service, telecommunications service, or IP-enabled voice service. Requires a report from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to specified congressional committees on provider delivery of broadband content, applications, and services.

A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure net neutrality.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Methane Hydrate Research and
Development Amendments Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
              OF 2000.

    (a) Findings.--Section 2 of the Methane Hydrate Research and
Development Act of 2000 (30 U.S.C. 2001) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that may be
        exchanged between terrestrial methane hydrate reservoirs and
        the atmosphere by natural or anthropogenic processes; and
            ``(7) the short- and long-term release of methane from
        arctic or marine reservoirs may have significant environmental
        effects, including global climate change.''.
    (b) Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program.--
            (1) In general.--Section 4 of the Methane Hydrate Research
        and Development Act of 2000 (30 U.S.C. 2003) is amended by
        striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Grants, Contracts, Cooperative Agreements, Interagency Funds
Transfer Agreements, and Field Work Proposals.--
            ``(1) Assistance and coordination.--In carrying out the
        program of methane hydrate research and development authorized
        by this section, the Secretary may award grants to, or enter
        into contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions
        that--
                    ``(A) conduct basic and applied research to
                identify, explore, assess, and develop methane hydrate
                as a commercially viable source of energy;
                    ``(B) identify and characterize methane hydrate
                resources using remote sensing and seismic data,
                including the characterization of hydrate
                concentrations in marine reservoirs in the Gulf of
                Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean Basin by the date that is
                4 years after the date of enactment of the Methane
                Hydrate Research and Development Amendments Act of
                2015;
                    ``(C) develop technologies required for efficient
                and environmentally sound development of methane
                hydrate resources;
                    ``(D) conduct basic and applied research to assess
                and mitigate the environmental impact of hydrate
                degassing (including natural degassing and degassing
                associated with commercial development);
                    ``(E) develop technologies to reduce the risks of
                drilling through methane hydrates;
                    ``(F) conduct exploratory drilling, well testing,
                and production testing operations on permafrost and
                nonpermafrost gas hydrates in support of the activities
                authorized by this paragraph, including--
                            ``(i) drilling of a test well and
                        performing a long-term hydrate production test
                        on land in the United States Arctic region by
                        the date that is 4 years after the date of
                        enactment of the Methane Hydrate Research and
                        Development Amendments Act of 2015;
                            ``(ii) drilling of a test well and
                        performing a long-term hydrate production test
                        in a marine environment by the date that is 10
                        years after the date of enactment of the
                        Methane Hydrate Research and Development
                        Amendments Act of 2015; and
                            ``(iii) drilling a full-scale production
                        test well at a location to be determined by the
                        Secretary; or
                    ``(G) expand education and training programs in
                methane hydrate resource research and resource
                development through fellowships or other means for
                graduate education and training.
            ``(2) Environmental monitoring.--The Secretary shall
        conduct a long-term environmental monitoring program to study
        the effects of production from methane hydrate reservoirs.
            ``(3) Competitive peer review.--Funds made available under
        paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available based on a
        competitive process using external scientific peer review of
        proposed research.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 4(e) of the Methane
        Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000 (30 U.S.C.
        2003(e)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
        striking ``subsection (b)(1)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1)
        and (2) of subsection (b)''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--The Methane Hydrate Research
and Development Act of 2000 is amended by striking section 7 (30 U.S.C.
2006) and inserting the following:

``SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such
sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.''.

Summary: Methane Hydrate Research and Development Amendments Act of 2015 This bill amends the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of 2000 to revise and reauthorize the Department of Energy's (DOE) program of methane hydrate research and development. In carrying out the program, DOE may award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, institutions that: (1) drill a test well and perform a long-term hydrate production test on land in the US Arctic region within 4 years, (2) drill a test well and perform a long-term hydrate production test in a marine environment within 10 years, or (3) drill a full-scale production test well at a location to be determined by DOE. DOE must conduct a long-term environmental monitoring program to study the effects of production from methane hydrate reservoirs.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Eligible employee.--The term ``eligible employee''
        means an employee who--
                    (A) has been employed for not less than 1 year by
                the employer providing the paid vacation time under
                section 3; and
                    (B) through such employment, has provided not less
                than 1,250 hours of service to such employer during the
                previous year.
            (2) Employee.--The term ``employee'' means an individual
        who is--
                    (A)(i) an employee, as defined in section 3(e) of
                the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
                203(e)), who is not covered under subparagraph (E),
                including such an employee of the Library of Congress,
                except that a reference in such section to an employer
                shall be considered to be a reference to an employer
                who employs not less than 15 employees at any time
                during a calendar year and is described in clauses
                (i)(I) and (ii) of paragraph (3)(A); or
                    (ii) an employee of the Government Accountability
                Office;
                    (B) a State employee described in section 304(a) of
                the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C.
                2000e-16c(a));
                    (C) a covered employee, as defined in section 101
                of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2
                U.S.C. 1301), other than an applicant for employment;
                    (D) a covered employee, as defined in section
                411(c) of title 3, United States Code; or
                    (E) a Federal officer or employee covered under
                subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United States
                Code.
            (3) Employer.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``employer'' means a
                person who employs not less than 15 employees at any
                time during a calender year and is--
                            (i)(I) a covered employer, as defined in
                        subparagraph (B), who is not covered under
                        subclause (V);
                            (II) an entity employing a State employee
                        described in section 304(a) of the Government
                        Employee Rights Act of 1991;
                            (III) an employing office, as defined in
                        section 101 of the Congressional Accountability
                        Act of 1995;
                            (IV) an employing office, as defined in
                        section 411(c) of title 3, United States Code;
                        or
                            (V) an employing agency covered under
                        subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United
                        States Code; and
                            (ii) is engaged in commerce (including
                        government), or an industry or activity
                        affecting commerce (including government), as
                        defined in subparagraph (B)(iii).
                    (B) Covered employer.--
                            (i) In general.--In subparagraph (A)(i)(I),
                        the term ``covered employer''--
                                    (I) means any person engaged in
                                commerce or in any industry or activity
                                affecting commerce;
                                    (II) includes--
                                            (aa) any person who acts,
                                        directly or indirectly, in the
                                        interest of an employer to any
                                        of the employees of such
                                        employer; and
                                            (bb) any successor in
                                        interest of an employer;
                                    (III) includes any ``public
                                agency'', as defined in section 3(x) of
                                the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
                                (29 U.S.C. 203(x)); and
                                    (IV) includes the Government
                                Accountability Office and the Library
                                of Congress.
                            (ii) Public agency.--For purposes of clause
                        (i)(III), a public agency shall be considered
                        to be a person engaged in commerce or in an
                        industry or activity affecting commerce.
                            (iii) Definitions.--For purposes of this
                        subparagraph:
                                    (I) Commerce.--The terms
                                ``commerce'' and ``industry or activity
                                affecting commerce'' mean any activity,
                                business, or industry in commerce or in
                                which a labor dispute would hinder or
                                obstruct commerce or the free flow of
                                commerce, and include ``commerce'' and
                                any ``industry affecting commerce'', as
                                defined in paragraphs (1) and (3) of
                                section 501 of the Labor Management
                                Relations Act, 1947 (29 U.S.C. 142 (1)
                                and (3)).
                                    (II) Employee.--The term
                                ``employee'' has the same meaning given
                                such term in section 3(e) of the Fair
                                Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
                                203(e)).
                                    (III) Person.--The term ``person''
                                has the same meaning given such term in
                                section 3(a) of the Fair Labor
                                Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
                                203(a)).
                    (C) Predecessors.--Any reference in this paragraph
                to an employer shall include a reference to any
                predecessor of such employer.
            (4) Paid vacation time.--The term ``paid vacation time''
        means an increment of compensated leave to which an eligible
        employee is entitled under section 3 to use during an absence
        from employment, in accordance with the provisions of such
        section. For purposes of this paragraph and section 3, any sick
        leave, family leave, or leave otherwise required by law (other
        than this Act) shall not be treated as or counted towards leave
        to which an eligible employee is entitled under section 3.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Labor.

SEC. 3. GUARANTEED PAID VACATION TIME.

    (a) In General.--Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, an eligible employee of an employer shall be entitled to not
less than 10 days of paid vacation time during each 12-month period to
be used on consecutive or nonconsecutive days.
    (b) Limitation on Carryover.--Any paid vacation time that is not
used during the applicable 12-month period shall not carry over to a
subsequent 12-month period.
    (c) Written Notice.--Not later than 15 days prior to the date on
which an eligible employee is to begin to use any paid vacation time,
the eligible employee shall provide the employer with written notice of
the intention to use such paid vacation time, including an indication
of the dates on which such paid vacation time are to begin and end.
    (d) Compensation.--
            (1) Rate of compensation.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), an
                eligible employee using paid vacation time shall be
                compensated at the rate at which such eligible employee
                would be compensated if not using paid vacation time.
                    (B) Tipped employees.--An eligible employee who is
                a tipped employee using paid vacation time shall be
                compensated at the rate in effect under section 6(a)(1)
                of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
                206(a)(1)).
            (2) Employment benefits.--
                    (A) In general.--Any employment benefits offered to
                an eligible employee, when such eligible employee is
                not using paid vacation time, shall continue to be
                offered to such eligible employee when such eligible
                employee is using paid vacation time. Such continued
                employment benefits shall be offered at the same level
                and under the same conditions as employment benefits
                offered to such eligible employee when such eligible
                employee is not using paid vacation time.
                    (B) Cost contributions.--If the employer requires
                an eligible employee to contribute to the cost of the
                benefits described in subparagraph (A), the employer
                may require that such eligible employee contribute to
                such cost during the use of paid vacation time at the
                same rate as the rate at which such eligible employee
                would otherwise be required to contribute if not using
                paid vacation time.
                    (C) Restoration to position.--Any eligible employee
                who uses paid vacation time shall be entitled, on
                return from using such paid vacation time, to be
                restored by the employer to the position of employment
                held by such eligible employee when such paid vacation
                time commenced.
    (e) Employers With Existing Policies.--Any employer with a paid
leave policy who provides an amount of paid leave that is sufficient to
meet the requirements of this section and that may be used under the
same conditions as the conditions described in this section shall not
be required to provide an eligible employee with additional paid
vacation time under this section.
    (f) Enforcement.--
            (1) Employees covered by the fair labor standards act of
        1938 and other employees.--
                    (A) Definition.--In this paragraph--
                            (i) the term ``eligible employee'' means an
                        eligible employee who is an employee described
                        in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 2(2); and
                            (ii) the term ``employer'' means an
                        employer who employs not less than 15 employees
                        at any time during a calendar year and is
                        described in subclause (I) or (II) of section
                        2(3)(A)(i).
                    (B) Secretary of labor.--With respect to an
                eligible employee and an employer and notwithstanding
                section 13 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
                U.S.C. 213), the Secretary shall receive, investigate,
                attempt to resolve, and enforce a complaint of a
                violation of this Act in the same manner that the
                Secretary receives, investigates, attempts to resolve,
                and enforces a complaint of a violation of section 7 of
                the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 207).
                An employer's liability for a violation under this Act
                shall be, as the case may be--
                            (i) the amount of unpaid vacation time owed
                        to such employee under this section, and an
                        additional equal amount as liquidated damages;
                        or
                            (ii) compensation in accordance with
                        subsection (d) for any uncompensated unpaid
                        vacation time used by the eligible employee,
                        and an additional equal amount as liquidated
                        damages.
                    (C) Government accountability office.--
                Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph,
                in the case of the Government Accountability Office and
                the Library of Congress, the authority of the Secretary
                under this paragraph shall be exercised respectively by
                the Comptroller General of the United States and the
                Librarian of Congress.
            (2) Employees covered by congressional accountability act
        of 1995.--The powers, remedies, and procedures provided in the
        Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et
        seq.) to the Board (as defined in section 101 of that Act (2
        U.S.C. 1301)), or any person, alleging a violation of section
        202(a)(1) of that Act (2 U.S.C. 1312(a)(1)) shall be the
        powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to that
        Board, or any person, alleging an unlawful employment practice
        in violation of this Act against an eligible employee who is an
        employee described in section 2(2)(C).
            (3) Employees covered by chapter 5 of title 3, united
        states code.--The powers, remedies, and procedures provided in
        chapter 5 of title 3, United States Code, to the President, the
        Merit Systems Protection Board, or any person, alleging a
        violation of section 412(a)(1) of that title, shall be the
        powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to the
        President, that Board, or any person, respectively, alleging an
        unlawful employment practice in violation of this Act against
        an eligible employee who is an employee described in section
        2(2)(D).
            (4) Employees covered by chapter 63 of title 5, united
        states code.--The powers, remedies, and procedures provided in
        title 5, United States Code, to an employing agency, provided
        in chapter 12 of that title to the Merit Systems Protection
        Board, or provided in that title to any person, alleging a
        violation of chapter 63 of that title, shall be the powers,
        remedies, and procedures this Act provides to that agency, that
        Board, or any person, respectively, alleging an unlawful
        employment practice in violation of this Act against an
        eligible employee who is an employee described in section
        2(2)(E).

SEC. 4. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to conduct a public
awareness campaign, through the Internet and other media, to inform the
public of an eligible employee's entitlement to paid vacation time
under this Act.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out subsection (a).

Summary: Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require specified employers who employ at least 15 employees at any time during a calendar year to provide each eligible employee at least 10 days of paid vacation time during each 12-month period, to be used on consecutive or nonconsecutive days. An employee is eligible for paid vacation time only if he or she has been employed by the employer for at least one year and has worked at least 1,250 hours for that employer during the previous year. The employee must give the employer at least 15 days' prior notice of his or her intent to take paid vacation, including the dates it will begin and end. The Department of Labor shall conduct a public awareness campaign, through the Internet and other media, to inform the public of an eligible employee's entitlement to paid vacation time under the Act.

Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act