SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Select Agent
Program and Biosafety Improvement Act of 2008''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
             TITLE I--SELECT AGENT PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

Sec. 101. Reauthorization of select agent program.
Sec. 102. Select agent program review.
Sec. 103. Revision of the list of biological agents and toxins.
Sec. 104. Sharing information with trusted state partners.
Sec. 105. Improvements to inventorying and monitoring of agents.
Sec. 106. Smallpox definition clarification.
Sec. 107. Plan for surge in samples of biological agents and toxins.
                    TITLE II--BIOSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 201. Improvement of oversight of biocontainment laboratories.
Sec. 202. Improvement of training for laboratory personnel.
Sec. 203. Biological laboratory incident reporting system.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
        regulates the possession, use, and transfer of select agents
        and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to
        public health and safety.
            (2) The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
        regulates the possession, use, and transfer of select agents
        and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to
        animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products.
            (3) As of April 2008, there are 72 select agents and
        toxins, 13 of which are found naturally in the United States.
            (4) As of April 2008, there are 325 entities registered
        with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work
        with select agents and toxins and 75 entities registered with
        the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. There are 9,918
        individuals approved to work with select agents and toxins
        through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
        4,336 through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
            (5) Biocontainment laboratories are used by scientists to
        study infectious materials safely and effectively. Laboratory
        biological research is categorized by the safety level at which
        it is performed. There are 4 safety levels, termed Biosafety
        Level (BSL) 1 through 4.

             TITLE I--SELECT AGENT PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION OF SELECT AGENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Reauthorization of Select Agent Program.--
            (1) Amendment to the public health service act.--Section
        351A(m) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a(m)) is
        amended by striking ``2002 through 2007'' and inserting ``2009
        through 2013''.
            (2) Amendment to the agricultural bioterrorism protection
        act of 2002.--Section 212(m) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism
        Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(m)) is amended by
        striking ``2002 through 2007'' and inserting ``2009 through
        2013''.
    (b) Appropriate Training.--
            (1) Amendment to the public health service act.--Section
        351A(e)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
        262a(e)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ``, and appropriate
        training,'' after ``have a legitimate need''.
            (2) Amendment to the agricultural bioterrorism protection
        act of 2002.--Section 212(e)(2)(A) of the Agricultural
        Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(e)(2)(A)) is
        amended by inserting ``, and appropriate training,'' after
        ``have a legitimate need''.
    (c) Covered Agencies.--
            (1) Amendment to the public health service act.--Section
        351A(h)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 262a(h)(2)(A)) of the Public Health
        Service Act is amended by inserting ``the Department of
        Homeland Security,'' after ``the Department of Agriculture,''.
            (2) Amendment to the agricultural bioterrorism protection
        act of 2002.--Section 212(h)(2)(A) of the Agricultural
        Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(h)(2)(A)) is
        amended by inserting ``the Department of Homeland Security,''
        after ``the Department of Agriculture,''.

SEC. 102. SELECT AGENT PROGRAM REVIEW.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall enter into a
contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a review of
the select agent program under section 351A of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a) and section 212 of the Agricultural
Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401). Such review shall
focus on--
            (1) the extent to which the program has enhanced
        biosecurity and biosafety in the United States;
            (2) the effects of the program on--
                    (A) international scientific collaboration; and
                    (B) scientific advances in the United States; and
            (3) other issues as requested by the Secretary of Health
        and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture.
    (b) Report; Recommendations.--Not later than 240 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences shall
submit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the
Secretary of Agriculture, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives, and other congressional committees of
relevant interest, on the results of the review conducted under
subsection (a). Such report shall include recommendations for improving
the structure of the select agent program for--
            (1) enhancing the biosecurity and biosafety of the United
        States;
            (2) eliminating or reducing adverse effects of the program,
        if any, on--
                    (A) international scientific collaboration; and
                    (B) scientific advances in the United States; and
            (3) other issues as requested by the Secretary of Health
        and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture.

SEC. 103. REVISION OF THE LIST OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS.

    (a) Amendment to the Public Health Service Act.--Section
351A(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
262a(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (III), by striking ``; and'' and inserting
        a semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause (VII); and
            (3) by inserting after subclause (III) the following:
                                    ``(IV) whether the agent or toxin
                                is endemic to the United States, as
                                defined by the Secretary;
                                    ``(V) information available from
                                biological risk assessments conducted
                                by the Department of Homeland Security;
                                    ``(VI) newly discovered agents of
                                disease, including genetically modified
                                organisms or agents created
                                synthetically; and''.
    (b) Amendment to the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of
2002.--Section 212(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism
Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (III), by striking ``; and'' and inserting
        a semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause (VII); and
            (3) by inserting after subclause (III) the following:
                                    ``(IV) whether the agent or toxin
                                is endemic to the United States, as
                                defined by the Secretary;
                                    ``(V) information available from
                                biological risk assessments conducted
                                by the Department of Homeland Security;
                                    ``(VI) newly discovered agents of
                                disease, including genetically modified
                                organisms or agents created
                                synthetically; and''.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--The amendments made by subsections (a)
and (b) shall not be construed to preclude the listing of a biological
agent or toxin that is endemic to the United States.

SEC. 104. SHARING INFORMATION WITH TRUSTED STATE PARTNERS.

    (a) Amendment to the Public Health Service Act.--Section 351A(h)(5)
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a(h)(5)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
        a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following:
                    ``(C) to withhold information regarding a State
                that will assist with the State's emergency
                preparedness planning from the health director (or
                equivalent State official) of such State, if such State
                has in place a law to protect against the further
                release of such information as determined by the
                Secretary.''.
    (b) Amendment to the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of
2002.--Section 212(h)(5) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(h)(5)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
        a semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by inserting at the end the following:
                    ``(C) to withhold information regarding a State
                that will assist with the State's emergency
                preparedness planning from an elected or appointed
                senior State agricultural official or equivalent State
                official (such as a State veterinarian or a State plant
                health regulatory official) of such State, if such
                State has in place a law to protect against the further
                release of such information as determined by the
                Secretary.''.

SEC. 105. IMPROVEMENTS TO INVENTORYING AND MONITORING OF AGENTS.

    (a) Improved Method to Inventory and Monitor Listed Biological
Agents.--Not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the
Secretary of Agriculture, and in consultation with individuals with
appropriate scientific expertise, shall issue guidance on inventorying
and monitoring the biological agents listed under section 351A(a)(1) of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a(a)(1)) and the biological
agents listed under section 212(a)(1) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism
Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)).
    (b) Considerations.--In issuing the guidance under subsection (a),
the Secretaries shall consider--
            (1) the effectiveness of measures to inventory and monitor
        listed biological agents that can propagate relative to the
        burden of these measures on laboratory personnel;
            (2) qualitative and quantitative control procedures for
        such listed agents, rather than only quantitative control
        procedures; and
            (3) in what situations registered persons are required to
        keep inventory records.

SEC. 106. SMALLPOX DEFINITION CLARIFICATION.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, shall issue public guidance regarding how the Attorney
General interprets the scope of the statutory definition of ``variola
virus'' in section 175c of title 18, United States Code.

SEC. 107. PLAN FOR SURGE IN SAMPLES OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS.

    The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with
the Secretary of Agriculture and State officials, shall develop and
disseminate guidelines for how laboratories and laboratory personnel
that do not regularly test for listed agents and toxins (as such terms
are defined in section 351A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
262a) and section 212 of the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401)) may be rapidly accessed and utilized during
emergencies in which laboratories and laboratory personnel that
regularly test for such agents and toxins are overwhelmed by a surge of
samples of such listed agents and toxins.

                    TITLE II--BIOSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 201. IMPROVEMENT OF OVERSIGHT OF BIOCONTAINMENT LABORATORIES.

    (a) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``high
containment biological laboratory'' means a laboratory that has
Biosafety Level 3 or Biosafety Level 4 facilities, as defined by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of
Agriculture.
    (b) Evaluation.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, and in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretaries'') shall, either
directly or through a contract, evaluate national needs of, and
oversight of, high containment biological laboratories.
    (c) Considerations.--In conducting the evaluation under subsection
(b), the Secretaries shall consider--
            (1) whether the construction of high containment biological
        laboratories that are in existence or planned as of the date of
        enactment of this Act, is likely to provide sufficient capacity
        for the needs of Government biodefense and infectious disease
        research;
            (2) how laboratory capacity and lessons learned can be best
        shared across the biodefense and infectious disease research
        communities, domestically and internationally;
            (3) whether guidance on laboratory infrastructure,
        commissioning, operation, and maintenance of such laboratories
        is adequate, and if such guidance is found to be inadequate,
        how to improve and streamline such guidance; and
            (4) ways to improve and streamline the training of the
        personnel of such laboratories, including recommendations
        regarding the minimum standards for laboratory biosafety and
        biosecurity training under section 202.
    (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 240 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
submit to Congress a report on the findings and recommendations from
the evaluation under this section.

SEC. 202. IMPROVEMENT OF TRAINING FOR LABORATORY PERSONNEL.

    (a) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``high
containment biological laboratory'' means a laboratory that has
Biosafety Level 3 or Biosafety Level 4 facilities, as defined by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of
Agriculture.
    (b) Development of Minimum Standards.--The Secretary of Health and
Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the Director of the National Institutes of
Health, and in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and
scientific experts representing appropriate professional groups and
international health organizations, shall develop minimum standards for
laboratory biosafety and biosecurity training for relevant personnel of
high containment biological laboratories. In developing such standards,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider existing
laboratory guidelines and training modules.
    (c) Requirement for Approval.--A person may not register with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Secretary of Agriculture
for the possession, use, or transfer of listed agents in accordance
with section 351A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262a) and
section 212 of the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 8401) unless the person provides to its appropriate personnel
biosafety and biosecurity training that meets the minimum standards
under subsection (b) in addition to any other requirements determined
appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the
Secretary of Agriculture.
    (d) Dissemination.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, may disseminate the
minimum standards under subsection (b) for voluntary use, such as when
use is not required under subsection (b), in laboratories and academic
programs in the United States and in other countries.

SEC. 203. BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, (referred to in this
section as the ``Secretaries'') shall establish an integrated
Biological Laboratory Incident Reporting System through which personnel
of biological laboratories may voluntarily report biosafety or
biosecurity incidents of concern and the Secretaries may identify
trends in such incidents and protocols for biosafety or biosecurity
improvements. In developing such reporting system, the Secretaries
shall consider options for integrating existing voluntary and required
reporting mechanisms.
    (b) Functions.--In implementing the reporting system under
subsection (a), the Secretaries shall enter into a contract with a
public or private entity that does not regulate biological laboratories
to administer the reporting system. Such entity shall--
            (1) receive and process incident reports;
            (2) analyze, interpret incident data, and identify incident
        trends;
            (3) issue alert messages within an appropriate time period;
            (4) disseminate reports and other appropriate information,
        which shall not include facility-specific information;
            (5) not have authority to direct corrective action or to
        initiate enforcement action;
            (6) ensure anonymity of individuals reporting to the
        system, to the extent permitted by law; and
            (7) conduct other activities as requested by the
        Secretaries.

Summary: Select Agent Program and Biosafety Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 to reauthorize appropriations for the Select Agent Program, which lists and controls biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety. Requires appropriate training of individuals handling or using such agents and toxins. Includes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) among the federal agencies limited in the disclosure of information related to listed agents or toxins. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review and make recommendations for improving the Select Agent Program. Sets forth additional factors that the Secretary must consider in determining whether to list an agent or toxin, including whether the agent or toxin is endemic to the United States. Requires the Secretary to issue guidance on inventorying and monitoring listed biological agents. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidance regarding the scope of the statutory definition of variola virus. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop guidelines for how laboratories and laboratory personnel that do not regularly test for listed agents and toxins may be rapidly accessed and utilized during emergencies. And (2) evaluate national needs of, and oversight of, high containment biological laboratories. Provides for the development of minimum standards for laboratory biosafety and biosecurity training for relevant personnel of high containment biological laboratories. Requires the Secretary to establish a Biological Laboratory Incident Reporting System.

A bill to reauthorize the Select Agent Program by amending the Public Health Service Act and the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 and to improve oversight of high containment laboratories.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Human Rights Protection Act
of 1993''.

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION.

    The Congress makes the following findings and declarations:
            (1) It is the sense of Congress that the State Department
        should designate within the appropriate bureau a special
        assistant to the Assistant Secretary to promote international
        women's human rights within the overall human rights policy of
        the United States Government.
            (2) The purpose of assigning a special assistant on women's
        human rights issues is not to segregate such issues, but rather
        to assure that they are considered along with other human
        rights issues in the development of United States foreign
        policy.
            (3) A specifically designated special assistant is
        necessary because within the human rights field and the foreign
        policy establishment, the issues of gender-based discrimination
        and violence against women have long been ignored or made
        invisible.
            (4) The Congress believes that abuses against women would
        have greater visibility and protection of women's human rights
        would improve if the advocate were responsible for integrating
        women's human rights issues into United States human rights
        policy in ways including, but not limited to, the following:
                    (A) The designated women's human rights advocate
                would seek to assure that the issue of abuses against
                women, along with human rights issues generally, are a
                factor in determining appropriate recipients for United
                States bilateral assistance as well as United States
                votes at the multilateral development banks.
                    (B) The advocate would work with the regional
                bureaus of the Department of State to devise strategies
                for the executive branch to bring pressure to bear on
                governments that engage in violence or systematic
                discrimination against women or fail to afford equal
                treatment of women before the law.
                    (C) The advocate would, in consultation with the
                bureau responsible for international organizations,
                pursue strategies to increase the visibility and
                integration of gender-based persecution and violence in
                multilateral fora including, but not limited to, the
                United States Commission on Human Rights and the
                Working Group on Torture.
                    (D) The advocate would seek to assure that the
                United States Trade Representative conduct inquiries
                and take steps to prevent countries from receiving
                trade benefits under the Generalized System of
                Preferences and most favored nation status where
                governments fail to address violence, systematic
                discrimination, and exploitation of women workers.
                    (E) The advocate would seek to assure that the
                protection of women's human rights, including womens'
                participation in the political process, women's right
                to freedom of association and expression, and freedom
                from discrimination, would be addressed in the context
                of United States funded programs in the area of
                democracy including, but not limited to, democracy
                programs at the Agency for International Development
                (AID), democracy programs for Eastern Europe funded by
                the Support Eastern European Democracy (SEED)
                legislation, and new programs that may be contemplated.
                    (F) The advocate would seek to assure that United
                States assistance programs in the area of
                administration of justice include efforts to redress
                violations of women's rights.
                    (G) The advocate would work with AID and the
                appropriate office at the Department of State to secure
                funding for programs to meet the needs of women victims
                of human rights abuses including, but not limited to,
                medical and psychological assistance for rape victims.
                    (H) The advocate would work to assure United States
                ratification of the United Nations Convention on the
                Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
                Women (CEDAW) and oversee the preparation of reports
                pursuant to that Convention.
                    (I) The advocate would seek to upgrade the quality
                and quantity of information about abuses of women's
                human rights in the reporting from United States
                embassies overseas, incorporate that information not
                only in the State Department Country Reports on Human
                Rights, but also in other public statements and
                documents including, but not limited to, congressional
                testimony and private demarches.

SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    (a) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Congress
on the steps taken to create the position described in section 2 or to
otherwise fulfill the objectives detailed in that section.
    (b) United States Ratification of CEDAW.--If the United Nations
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) has not been submitted to the Senate for ratification,
not more than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Congress on the
administration's position on the ratification of CEDAW and timetable
for submission of CEDAW for congressional consideration and approval.

Summary: Women's Human Rights Protection Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of State to report to the Congress on steps taken to create a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State to promote international women's human rights or to fulfill other specified objectives concerning such rights. Requires the Secretary, if the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has not been submitted to the Senate for ratification, to report to the Congress on the Administration's position on ratification and the timetable for submission of CEDAW for congressional approval.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF GAO FINDINGS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration Anti-
Discrimination Improvement Act of 1993''.
    (b) Congressional Approval of GAO Findings.--The Congress approves
the findings of the Comptroller General contained in the General
Accounting Office (GAO) report entitled ``Immigration Reform: Employer
Sanctions and the Question of Discrimination'', dated March 29, 1990
(identification number GAO/GGD-90-92).

SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
              PROVISIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 274B(c) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
            ``(5) Use of funds.--Notwithstanding section 3302 of title
        31, United States Code, all civil penalties collected under
        this section shall be credited to the appropriation to be used
        in carrying out this section.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to penalties assessed during fiscal years beginning with fiscal
year 1994.

SEC. 3. INCREASE IN BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT.

    In addition to any other accounts authorized to be appropriated,
there are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year (beginning
with fiscal year 1994), $10,000,000 for activities of regional offices
of the Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment
Practices within the Department of Justice.

SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORTS.

    Section 274B of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1324b) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(m) Annual Reports.--
            ``(1) GAO.--The Comptroller General shall submit to
        Congress each year a report concerning--
                    ``(A) the pervasiveness of unfair immigration-
                related employment practices described in subsection
                (a), and
                    ``(B) enforcement under this section with respect
                to such practices.
            ``(2) Attorney general.--The Attorney General shall submit
        to Congress each year a report on the enforcement actions under
        this section (and under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
        1964) with respect to unfair immigration-related employment
        practices described in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 5. RECEIPT OF CHARGES THROUGH DISTRICT OFFICES.

    Section 274B(c)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1324b(c)(4)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The
Special Counsel shall provide for agreements with Federal and State
agencies involved with enforcement of laws relating to prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of national origin under which such
agencies would receive charges respecting unfair immigration-related
employment practices under this section and promptly forward such
charges to the Special Counsel.''.

SEC. 6. NATIONAL HOTLINE.

    Section 274B(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1324b(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``The Special Counsel shall establish a national, toll-free
telephone service to receive charges of unfair immigration-related
employment practices and otherwise provide for such outreach efforts as
will educate the public concerning the provisions of this section.''.

SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

    The Attorney General, through or in consultation with the Special
Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, shall
provide technical assistance to States and local governments concerning
the provisions of section 274A and 274B of the Immigration and
Nationality Act and the roles provided for receipt of charges of
violations of such sections.

SEC. 8. MONITORING PANEL.

    The Attorney General shall establish a monitoring panel, composed
of citizens, representatives of the Mexican American Legal Defense and
Education Fund, La Raza, and other community-based organizations, civil
rights groups, public interest groups, and nonprofit foundations, to
monitor the application of the anti-discrimination provisions in
section 274B of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to report
annually to the Attorney General and the Congress respecting such
implementation.

SEC. 9. DEPARTMENT FROM FEDERAL CONTRACTS AS ADDITIONAL SANCTION FOR
              PERVASIVE VIOLATORS.

    (a) In General.--Section 274B(g)(2) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(g)(2)) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Additional remedy.--If an administrative law
                judge determines that a person or entity has engaged in
                or is engaging in a pervasive pattern of unfair
                immigration-related employment practices, the judge may
                order the person or entity to be disqualified from
                being issued any contract under Federal law during a
                period of up to 1 year.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to unfair immigration-related employment practices occurring on
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Immigration Anti-Discrimination Improvement Act of 1993 - Expresses congressional approval of a specified General Accounting Office immigration employment discrimination report. Increases budget authority for Department of Justice regional offices of the Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with regard to unfair immigration-related employment provisions to: (1) authorize penalties collected under such provisions to be used in carrying out enforcement activities. (2) require inclusion of enforcement and related activities in certain reports to the Congress, (3) establish a national toll-free telephone hotline. (4) subject persons who engage in pervasive violations of such provisions to a one-year Federal contract disqualification. And (5) provide for District Office receipt of charges. Directs the Attorney General to appoint a citizens and community group panel, including members of specified Mexican-American organizations, to monitor the application of such anti-discrimination provisions and to report annually to the Attorney General and to the Congress.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Senior$afe Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. IMMUNITY.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act--
            (1) the term ``bank'' has the meaning given the term in
        section 202(a) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15
        U.S.C. 80b-2(a));
            (2) the term ``broker-dealer'' means--
                    (A) a broker, as defined in section 3(a) of the
                Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)); or
                    (B) a dealer, as defined in section 3(a) of the
                Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a));
            (3) the term ``covered agency'' means--
                    (A) a State financial regulatory agency;
                    (B) each of the Federal financial institutions
                regulatory agencies;
                    (C) a law enforcement agency; and
                    (D) the adult protective services agency of a
                State;
            (4) the term ``covered financial institution'' means--
                    (A) a bank;
                    (B) a credit union;
                    (C) an investment adviser; and
                    (D) a broker-dealer;
            (5) the term ``credit union'' has the meaning given the
        term in section 2 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
        Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5301);
            (6) the term ``exploitation'' has the meaning given the
        term in section 2011 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
        1397j);
            (7) the term ``Federal financial institutions regulatory
        agencies'' has the meaning given the term in section 1003 of
        the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of
        1978 (12 U.S.C. 3302);
            (8) the term ``investment adviser'' has the meaning given
        the term in section 202 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
        (15 U.S.C. 80b-2); and
            (9) the term ``senior citizen'' means an individual who is
        not less than 65 years of age.
    (b) Immunity From Suit.--
            (1) Immunity for individuals.--Notwithstanding section 502
        of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 6802), including any
        regulations adopted thereunder, an individual who has received
        the training described in section 3 shall not be liable,
        including in any civil or administrative proceeding, for
        disclosing the possible exploitation of a senior citizen to a
        covered agency if the individual, at the time of the
        disclosure--
                    (A) served as a supervisor, compliance officer, or
                legal advisor for a covered financial institution; and
                    (B) made the disclosure--
                            (i) in good faith; and
                            (ii) with reasonable care.
            (2) Immunity for covered financial institutions.--
        Notwithstanding section 502 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15
        U.S.C. 6802), including any regulations adopted thereunder, a
        covered financial institution shall not be liable, including in
        any civil or administrative proceeding, for a disclosure made
        by an individual described in paragraph (1) if--
                    (A) the individual was employed by the covered
                financial institution at the time of the disclosure;
                and
                    (B) before the time of the disclosure, the covered
                financial institution provided the training described
                in section 3 to each officer or employee of the covered
                financial institution described in section 3(a).

SEC. 3. TRAINING REQUIRED.

    (a) In General.--A covered financial institution may provide
training regarding the identification and reporting of the suspected
exploitation of a senior citizen to each officer or employee of the
covered financial institution who--
            (1) is described in section 2(b)(1)(A);
            (2) may come into contact with a senior citizen as a
        regular part of the duties of the officer or employee; or
            (3) may review or approve the financial documents, records,
        or transactions of a senior citizen in connection with
        providing financial services to a senior citizen.
    (b) Training.--The training required under subsection (a) shall be
provided as soon as reasonably practicable but not more than 12 months
after the date on which an officer or employee begins employment with
the covered financial institution.

SEC. 4. PREEMPTION.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or limit any
provision of State law, to the extent that any provision of State law
provides a similar or greater level of protection against liability to
an individual described in section 2(b)(1) or a covered financial
institution described in section 2(b)(2) than is provided under those
sections.

Summary: Senior$afe Act of 2015 This bill provides that: (1) a supervisor, compliance officer, or legal advisor for a covered financial institution who has received training regarding the identification and reporting of the suspected exploitation of a senior citizen shall not be liable for disclosing such exploitation to a covered agency if such individual made the disclosure in good faith and with reasonable care. And (2) a covered financial institution shall not be liable for such a disclosure by such an individual if such individual was employed by the institution at the time of the disclosure and the institution had provided such training. A quot, covered financial institutionquot. Means a bank, a credit union, an investment adviser, or a broker-dealer. A quot, covered agencyquot. Means each of the federal financial institutions regulatory agencies or a state financial regulatory agency, law enforcement agency, or adult protective services agency. A covered financial institution may provide such training to each of its supervisors, compliance officers, or legal advisors who: (1) may come into contact with a senior citizen as a regular part of such employee's duties. Or (2) may review or approve the financial documents, records, or transactions of a senior citizen in connection with providing him or her financial services.

Senior$afe Act of 2015


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``American Elections Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. FOREIGN NATIONALS PROHIBITED FROM MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS,
              DONATIONS, OR EXPENDITURES IN CONNECTION WITH A FEDERAL,
              STATE, OR LOCAL ELECTION.

    Section 319 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441e) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
                end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(3) any corporation (other than a foreign principal
        described in paragraph (1)) under foreign control or
        substantial foreign influence, including a corporation in
        which--
                    ``(A) a foreign principal or an individual
                described in paragraph (2)--
                            ``(i) provided the corporation a majority
                        of its gross receipts for the immediately
                        preceding fiscal year, or the current pro-rated
                        fiscal year if the corporation was established
                        during the current fiscal year;
                            ``(ii) controls 20 percent or more of the
                        voting shares of the corporation;
                            ``(iii) controls a majority of the Board of
                        Directors of the corporation; or
                            ``(iv) has the power to direct, dictate,
                        control, or directly or indirectly participate
                        in the decisionmaking process of the
                        corporation with respect to activities in
                        connection with a Federal, State, or local
                        election, such as a decision concerning--
                                    ``(I) the making of a contribution,
                                donation, expenditure, or disbursement
                                in connection with such an election; or
                                    ``(II) the administration of a
                                political committee; or
                    ``(B) 2 or more foreign principals or individuals
                described in paragraph (2), in the aggregate--
                            ``(i) provided the corporation a majority
                        of its gross receipts for the immediately
                        preceding fiscal year, or the current pro-rated
                        fiscal year if the corporation was established
                        during the current fiscal year;
                            ``(ii) control 25 percent or more of the
                        voting shares of the corporation; or
                            ``(iii) control a majority of the Board of
                        Directors of the corporation.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Certification of Compliance.--A corporation shall, prior to
carrying out any activity described in subsection (a), certify (in a
form and manner specified by the Commission) that the corporation is in
compliance with this section.''.

SEC. 3. DISCLOSURE OF INFLUENCE OF FOREIGN NATIONALS IN CONNECTION WITH
              A FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL ELECTION.

    Section 318 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3)--
                    (A) by striking ``shall clearly state the name''
                and inserting ``shall clearly state--
                    ``(A) the name'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), as added by subparagraph
                (A), by striking the period at the end and inserting
                ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
                    ``(B) if the person who paid for the communication
                is a corporation, the percentage of voting shares of
                the corporation that are controlled by a foreign
                national (as defined in section 319(b)) or, if no such
                shares exist, the percentage of gross receipts that the
                corporation received from a foreign national (as so
                defined) in the immediately preceding fiscal year, or
                the current pro-rated fiscal year if the corporation
                was established during the current fiscal year.''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``others.--Any communication'' and
                inserting ``others.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Any communication''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
                    ``(B) Supplemental audio statements by
                corporations.--
                            ``(i) Corporations with voting stock.--If
                        the person who paid for a communication
                        described in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) is
                        a corporation that has voting stock, such
                        communication shall include, in addition to the
                        requirements of that paragraph and the audio
                        statement required under subparagraph (A), in a
                        clearly spoken manner, the following audio
                        statement: `` _______ of our corporation is
                        controlled by foreign nationals.'' (With the
                        blank to be filled in with the percentage of
                        voting shares of the corporation that is owned
                        by foreign nationals, as defined in section
                        319(b)).
                            ``(ii) Corporations without voting stock.--
                        If the person who paid for a communication
                        described in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) is
                        a corporation that does not have voting stock,
                        such communication shall include, in addition
                        to the requirements of that paragraph and the
                        audio statement required under subparagraph
                        (A), in a clearly spoken manner, the following
                        audio statement: `` _______ of our
                        organization's funds come from foreign
                        nationals.'' (With the blank to be filled in
                        with the percentage of gross receipts for the
                        immediately preceding fiscal year, or the
                        current pro-rated fiscal year if the
                        corporation was established the current fiscal
                        year, that the corporation received from a
                        foreign national, as defined in section
                        319(b)).
                            ``(iii) Transmission through television.--
                        The second sentence of subparagraph (A) shall
                        apply to a supplemental audio statement under
                        this paragraph in the same manner as such
                        sentence applies to an audio statement under
                        such subparagraph.''.

SEC. 4. SEVERABILITY.

    If any provision of this Act or amendment made by this Act, or the
application of a provision or amendment to any person or circumstance,
is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and
amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions and
amendment to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected by the
holding.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The provisions of and amendments made by this Act shall apply with
respect to contributions and expenditures made on or after the date
that is 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: American Elections Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) apply to any domestic corporation under foreign control or specified substantial foreign influence the ban on contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals in connection with a federal, state, or local election. And (2) require disclosure in certain print or broadcast communications paid for by a coporation the percentage of corporate voting shares controlled by a foreign national, or, if no such shares exist, the percentage of gross receipts that the corporation received from a foreign national in the immediately preceding fiscal year or current pro-rated fiscal year. Requires any such broadcast communications paid for by a corporation to include an audio statement on the percentage of the corporation's shares controlled by, or of its funds that come from, foreign nationals.

A bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to protect Federal, State, and local elections from the influence of foreign nationals.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Employees' Compensation
Reform Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL WORKERS COMPENSATION REFORMS FOR RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE
              EMPLOYEES.

    (a) Transition to Retirement.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code,
        is amended by inserting after section 8106 the following:
``Sec. 8106a. Transition to retirement
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `covered employee' means an employee who--
                    ``(A) is paid compensation under section 8105 or
                8106; and
                    ``(B) on or after attaining retirement age is
                eligible for an annuity under chapter 83 or 84 (other
                than a survivor annuity); and
            ``(2) the term `retirement age' has the meaning given under
        section 216(l)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
        416(l)(1)).
    ``(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the
payment of compensation under section 8105 or 8106 to a covered
employee shall terminate on the date that the covered employee--
            ``(1) attains retirement age and is eligible for an annuity
        under chapter 83 or 84 (other than a survivor annuity); or
            ``(2) after attaining retirement age becomes eligible for
        an annuity under chapter 83 or 84 (other than a survivor
        annuity).
    ``(c) Not later than 1 year before the date that a covered employee
attains retirement age or subsequently becomes eligible for an annuity
under chapter 83 or 84 (other than a survivor annuity), the Secretary
of Labor shall provide notice of this section to--
            ``(1) the covered employee;
            ``(2) the employing agency of that covered employee; and
            ``(3) the Office of Personnel Management.
    ``(d) The employing agency of a covered employee shall file an
application for an annuity with the Office of Personnel Management in
accordance with section 8352 or 8471.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
        sections for chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 8106
        the following:

``Sec. 8106a. Transition to retirement.''.
    (b) Filing of Applications.--
            (1) Civil service retirement system.--
                    (A) In general.--Chapter 83 of title 5, United
                States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8351
                the following:
``Sec. 8352. Employees transitioning from workers compensation
    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered employee'
means an employee who is a covered employee as defined under section
8106a(a)(1) and is eligible for an annuity under this chapter.
    ``(b) Applications.--Not later than 1 year before the date of the
termination of payments of compensation under section 8106a(b) to a
covered employee who is eligible for an annuity under this chapter, the
employing agency of that covered employee shall file an application for
an annuity for that covered employee under this chapter with the Office
of Personnel Management.
    ``(c) Regulations.--The Office of Personnel Management shall
prescribe regulations to carry out this section.''.
                    (B) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table
                of sections for chapter 83 of title 5, United States
                Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
                to section 8351 the following:

``Sec. 8352. Employees transitioning from workers compensation.''.
            (2) Federal employees retirement system.--
                    (A) In general.--Chapter 84 of title 5, United
                States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8470
                the following:
``Sec. 8471. Employees transitioning from workers compensation
    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered employee'
means an employee who is a covered employee as defined under section
8106a(a)(1) and is eligible for an annuity under this chapter.
    ``(b) Applications.--Not later than 1 year before the date of the
termination of payments of compensation under section 8106a(b) to a
covered employee who is eligible for an annuity under this chapter, the
employing agency of that covered employee shall file an application for
an annuity for that covered employee under this chapter with the Office
of Personnel Management.
    ``(c) Regulations.--The Office of Personnel Management shall
prescribe regulations to carry out this section.''.
                    (B) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table
                of sections for chapter 84 of title 5, United States
                Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
                to section 8456 the following:

``Sec. 8471. Employees transitioning from workers compensation.''.

SEC. 3. REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management, shall prescribe regulations to carry
out this Act.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided under subsection (b), this Act
(including the amendments made by this Act) shall take effect on the
date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Termination of Compensation.--Section 8106a(b) of title 5,
United States Code, (as added by section 2 of this Act) shall take
effect 1 year after the date regulations are prescribed under section
3.

Summary: Federal Employees' Compensation Reform Act of 2011 - Requires federal employees, including postal employees, who are receiving total or partial disability benefits under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) to convert to the federal retirement system when such employees reach retirement age as defined by the Social Security Act and are otherwise eligible for an annuity under the the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

A bill to amend chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for reform relating to Federal employees workers compensation.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Russian Weapons Embargo Act of
2014''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON DIRECT OR INDIRECT USE OF FUNDS TO ENTER INTO
              CONTRACTS OR AGREEMENTS WITH ROSOBORONEXPORT.

    (a) Prohibition.--
            (1) In general.--The head of an executive agency may not
        enter into a contract, subcontract, memorandum of
        understanding, or cooperative agreement with, or make a grant
        to, or provide a loan or loan agreement to Rosoboronexport, any
        subsidiary or affiliate of Rosoboronexport, or any entity that
        has a business relationship with Rosoboronexport or any
        subsidiary or affiliate of Rosoboronexport related to the
        design, manufacture, or sale of military equipment.
            (2) Termination of existing contracts and agreements.--The
        head of each executive agency shall immediately terminate any
        contract, subcontract, memorandum of understanding, cooperative
        agreement, loan, or loan agreement described in paragraph (1).
    (b) National Security Waiver Authority.--The President may waive
the applicability of subsection (a) if the President, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the Director
of National Intelligence, certifies in writing to the appropriate
congressional committees that, to the best of the President's
knowledge--
            (1) Rosoboronexport has ceased the transfer of lethal
        military equipment to, and the maintenance of existing lethal
        military equipment for, the Government of the Syrian Arab
        Republic;
            (2) the armed forces of the Russian Federation have
        withdrawn from Crimea (other than military forces present on
        military bases subject to agreements in force between the
        Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of
        Ukraine); and
            (3) agents of the Russian Federation are not taking active
        measures to destabilize the control of the Government of
        Ukraine over eastern Ukraine (including through active support
        of efforts to unlawfully occupy facilities of the Government of
        Ukraine).
    (c) Reprogramming Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The President may reprogram funds
        appropriated or otherwise made available for Economic Support
        Fund assistance or security assistance for the government of a
        country that, on or after the date of the enactment of this
        Act, enters into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or
        cooperative agreement with, or makes a grant to, or provides a
        loan or loan agreement to Rosoboronexport, or any subsidiary or
        affiliate of Rosoboronexport, in an amount up to or equal to
        the total amount of each such contract, memorandum of
        understanding, cooperative agreement, loan, or loan agreement.
            (2) Notification.--The President shall notify Congress not
        later than 15 days before reprogramming funds under paragraph
        (1).
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
                on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on
                Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
                on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations
                of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Executive agency.--The term ``executive agency'' has
        the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United
        States Code.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON ROSOBORONEXPORT ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the
congressional defense committees a report setting forth the following:
            (1) A list of the known transfers of lethal military
        equipment by Rosoboronexport to the Government of the Syrian
        Arab Republic since March 15, 2011.
            (2) A list of the known contracts, if any, that
        Rosoboronexport has signed with the Government of the Syrian
        Arab Republic since March 15, 2011.
            (3) A detailed list of all existing contracts,
        subcontracts, memorandums of understanding, cooperative
        agreements, grants, loans, and loan guarantees between the
        Department of Defense and Rosoboronexport, including a
        description of the transaction, signing dates, values, and
        quantities.
    (b) Form.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted
in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
    (c) Congressional Defense Committees Defined.--In this section, the
term ``congressional defense committees'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code.

Summary: Russian Weapons Embargo Act of 2014 - Prohibits the head of any executive agency from entering into a contract, subcontract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, or make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan agreement to Rosoboronexport, any subsidiary or affiliate of it, or any entity that has a business relationship with Rosoboronexport regarding the design, manufacture, or sale of military equipment. Requires the head of each executive agency to terminate any such arrangement. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if : (1) Rosoboronexport has ceased the transfer of military equipment to, and the maintenance of existing military equipment for, the government of Syria. (2) the armed forces of the Russian Federation have withdrawn from Crimea. And (3) agents of the Russian Federation are not taking measures to destabilize the control of the government of Ukraine over eastern Ukraine. Authorizes the President to reprogram Economic Support Fund assistance or security assistance for the government of any country that enters into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative agreement with, or makes a grant or loan to Rosoboronexport or any subsidiary or affiliate of it in an amount up to or equal to the total amount of each such arrangement.

Russian Weapons Embargo Act of 2014


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Lake Erie Western Basin
International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The western basin of Lake Erie, as part of the Great
        Lakes ecosystem, the largest freshwater ecosystem on the face
        of the Earth, is vitally important to the economic and
        environmental future of the United States.
            (2) Over the past three decades, the citizens and
        governmental institutions of both the United States and Canada
        have devoted increasing attention and resources to the
        restoration of the water quality and fisheries of the Great
        Lakes, including the western basin. This increased awareness
        has been accompanied by a gradual shift to a holistic
        ``ecosystem approach'' that highlights a growing recognition
        that shoreline areas--the nearshore terrestrial ecosystems--are
        an integral part of the western basin and the Great Lakes
        ecosystem as a whole.
            (3) The Great Lakes account for more than 90 percent of the
        surface freshwater in the nation. The western basin receives
        approximately 90 percent of its flow from the Detroit River and
        only approximately 10 percent from tributaries.
            (4) The western basin of Lake Erie is an important
        ecosystem that includes a number of distinct islands, channels,
        rivers, and shoals that support dense populations of fish,
        wildlife, and aquatic plants.
            (5) The coastal wetlands of Lake Erie support the largest
        diversity of plant and wildlife species in the Great Lakes. The
        moderate climate of Lake Erie and its more southern latitude
        allow for many species that are not found in or along the
        northern Great Lakes. More than 300 species of plants,
        including 37 significant species, have been identified in the
        aquatic and wetland habitats of the western basin.
            (6) The shallow western basin, from the Lower Detroit River
        to Sandusky Bay, is home to the largest concentration of
        marshes in Lake Erie, including Mouille, Metzger, and Magee
        marshes, the Maumee Bay wetland complex, the wetland complexes
        flanking Locust Point, and the wetlands in Sandusky Bay. The
        larger United States islands in western Lake Erie have wetlands
        in the small ebayments.
            (7) The wetlands in the western basin of Lake Erie comprise
        as some of the most important waterfowl habitat in the Great
        Lakes. Waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, gulls and terns,
        raptors, and perching birds all use the western basin wetlands
        for migration, nesting, and feeding. Hundreds of thousands of
        diving ducks stop to rest in the Lake Erie area on their fall
        migration from Canada to the east and south. The wetlands of
        the western basin provide a major stopover for sea ducks such
        as migrating bufflehead, common goldeneye, common mergansers,
        and ruddy duck.
            (8) The international importance of Lake Erie is manifested
        in the United States congressional designation of the Ottawa
        and Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuges.
            (9) Lake Erie has an international reputation for walleye,
        perch, and bass fishing, recreational boating, birding,
        photography, and duck hunting. On an economic basis, Lake Erie
        tourism accounts for an estimate $1,500,000,000 in retail sales
        and more than 50,000 jobs.
            (10) Many of the 417,000 boats that are registered in Ohio
        are used in the western basin of Lake Erie, in part to fish for
        the estimated 10,000,000 walleye that migrate from the lake to
        spawn. This internationally renowned walleye fishery drives
        much of Ohio's $2,000,000,000 sport fishing industry.
            (11) Coastal wetlands in the western basin have been
        subjected to intense pressure for 150 years. Prior to 1850, the
western basin was part of an extensive coastal marsh and swamp system
of approximately 122,000 hectares that comprised a portion of the Great
Black Swamp. By 1951, only 12,407 wetland hectares remained in the
western basin. Half of that acreage was destroyed between 1972 and
1987. Therefore, today only approximately 5,000 hectares remain. Along
the Michigan shoreline, coastal wetlands were reduced by 62 percent
between 1916 and the early 1970s. The development of the city of Monroe
has had a particularly significant impact on the coastal wetlands at
the mouth of the Raisin River: only approximately 100 hectares remain
physically unaltered today in an area where 70 years ago marshes were
10 times more extensive. In addition to the actual loss of coastal
wetland acreage along the shores of Lake Erie, the quality of many
remaining wetlands has been degraded by numerous stressors, especially
excessive loadings of sediments and nutrients, contaminants, shoreline
modification, exotic species, and the diking of wetlands. Protective
peninsula beach systems, such as the former Bay Point and Woodtick, at
the border of Ohio and Michigan near the mouth of the Ottawa River and
Maumee Bay, have been eroded over the years, exacerbating erosion along
the shorelines and impacting the breeding and spawning grounds.

 SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) The term ``Refuge'' means the Lake Erie Western Basin
        International Wildlife Refuge established by section 5.
            (2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
        Interior.
            (3) The term ``Lake Erie Western Basin'' means those lands
        and waters within the area described in section 5(a).

SEC. 4. PURPOSES.

    The purposes for which the Refuge is established and shall be
managed are as follows:
            (1) To protect the remaining high-quality fish and wildlife
        habitats of the western basins of Lake Erie before they are
        lost to further development and to restore and enhance degraded
        wildlife habitats associated with the western basin of Lake
        Erie.
            (2) To assist in international efforts to conserve,
        enhance, and restore the native aquatic and terrestrial
        community characteristics of the western basin of Lake Erie
        (including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species), both
        in the United States and Canada in partnership with
        nongovernmental and private organizations, as well as private
        individuals dedicated to habitat enhancement.
            (3) To facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish
        and Wildlife Service, Canadian national and provincial
        authorities, State and local governments, local communities in
        the United States and in Canada, conservation organizations,
        and other non-Federal entities to promote public awareness of
        the resources of the western basin of Lake Erie.
            (4) To advance the collective goals and priorities
        established in the ``Great Lakes Strategy 2002--A Plan for the
        New Millennium'', by the United States Policy Committee
        comprised of various Federal agencies, including the United
        States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection
        Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and
        Atmospheric Administration, the United States Geological
        Survey, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,
        the Forest Service, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, as
        well as the State governments and tribal governments in the
        Great Lakes. These goals, broadly stated, include working
        together to protect and restore the chemical, physical, and
        biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem.

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE.

    (a) Boundaries.--There is hereby established the Lake Erie Western
Basin International Wildlife Refuge, consisting of the lands and waters
owned or managed by the Secretary pursuant to this Act in the State of
Michigan from the southern boundary of Sterling State Park to the
eastern edge of Sandusky Bay, as depicted upon the map entitled ``Lake
Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge Proposed'', dated May
12, 2002, which shall be available for inspection in appropriate
offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
    (b) Existing Refuge Lands.--The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and
the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge are hereby included within,
and shall be a part of, the Lake Erie Western Basin International
Wildlife Refuge. All references to the Ottawa and Cedar Point national
wildlife refuges shall hereafter be treated as references to the Lake
Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge.
    (c) Boundary Revisions.--The Secretary may make such revisions of
the boundaries of the Refuge as may be appropriate to carry out the
purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate the acquisition of property
within the Refuge.
    (d) Acquisition.--The Secretary is authorized to acquire by
donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange the
lands and waters, or interests therein (including conservation
easements), within the boundaries of the Refuge. Any and all
acquisitions of lands or waters under the provisions of this Act shall
be made in a voluntary manner and shall not be the result of forced
takings.
    (e) Transfers From Other Agencies.--Any Federal property located
within the boundaries of the Refuge which is under the administrative
jurisdiction of another department or agency of the United States may,
with the concurrence of the head of administering department or agency,
be transferred without consideration to the administrative jurisdiction
of the Secretary for the purposes of this Act.
    (f) Study of Associated Area.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall conduct
a study of fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial
communities of the Maumee River, from its mouth to an appropriate
juncture along the Maumee River Heritage Corridor between Toledo and
Fort Wayne, Indiana. Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of the Act, the Secretary shall complete such study and
submit a report containing the results thereof to the Congress.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer all federally owned
lands, waters, and interests therein that are within the boundaries of
the Refuge in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) and this Act. The
Secretary may use such additional statutory authority as may be
available for the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the provision
of fish and wildlife dependent recreational opportunities as the
Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act.
    (b) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for compatible fish
and wildlife dependent recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with
paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure
that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and
environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses
of the Refuge.
    (c) Cooperative Agreements Regarding Non-Federal Lands.--The
Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the
State of Ohio or Michigan, or any political subdivision thereof, and
with any other person or entity for the management in a manner
consistent with this Act of lands that are owned by such State,
subdivision, or other person or entity and located within the
boundaries of the Refuge and to promote public awareness of the
resources of the Lake Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge
and encourage public participation in the conservation of those
resources.
    (d) Use of Existing Greenway Authority.--The Secretary shall
encourage the State of Ohio to use existing authorities under the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to provide funding for
acquisition and development of trails within the boundaries of the
Refuge.

Summary: Lake Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act - Establishes the Lake Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), Michigan and Ohio. Includes the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge within it. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) revise Refuge boundaries to carry out its purposes or to facilitate the acquisition of property. And (2) acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange the lands and waters or interests within such boundaries. Provides for transfers from other agencies. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to conduct a study of fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities of the Maumee River. Directs the Secretary to: (1) administer all federally owned lands, waters, and interests within the Refuge. (2) ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge. And (3) encourage Ohio to use existing authorities under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to provide funding for acquisition and development of trails within the Refuge. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements regarding non-Federal lands.

To provide for the establishment of the Lake Erie Western Basin International Wildlife Refuge in the States of Ohio and Michigan, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran Employment Through
Technology Education Courses Act'' or the ``VET TEC Act''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HIGH TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry
out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide eligible
veterans with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of
education.
    (b) Eligibility.--For purposes of the pilot program under this
section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who is entitled to
educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary.
    (c) Contracts.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out subsection
        (a), by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
        of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts
        with multiple qualified providers of high technology programs
        of education for the provision of such programs to eligible
        veterans under the pilot program.
            (2) Payment of contractors.--A contract under this
        subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall pay to a
        provider--
                    (A) 25 percent of the cost of providing the program
                of education upon the enrollment of an eligible veteran
                in the program;
                    (B) 25 percent of such cost upon the completion of
                the program by the veteran; and
                    (C) 50 percent of such cost upon the employment of
                the veteran following completion of the program.
            (3) Qualified providers.--For purposes of the pilot
        program, a provider of a high technology program of education
        is qualified if the provider has been operational for at least
        two years.
            (4) Tuition reimbursement.--In entering into contracts to
        carry out the pilot program, the Secretary shall give
        preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition
        reimbursement for any student who--
                    (A) completes a program of education offered by the
                provider; and
                    (B) does not find full-time meaningful employment
                within the 180-day period beginning on the date the
                student completes the program.
    (d) Housing Stipend.--The Secretary shall pay to each eligible
veteran who is enrolled in a high technology program of education under
the pilot program on a full-time basis a monthly housing stipend equal
to the product--
            (1) of--
                    (A) in the case of a veteran pursuing resident
                training, the monthly amount of the basic allowance for
                housing payable under section 403 of title 37, United
                States Code, for a member with dependents in pay grade
                E-5 residing in the military housing area that
                encompasses all or the majority portion of the ZIP code
                area in which is located the institution at which the
                individual is enrolled; or
                    (B) in the case of a veteran pursuing a program of
                education through distance learning, a monthly amount
                equal to 50 percent of the amount payable under
                subparagraph (A), multiplied by
            (2) the lesser of--
                    (A) 1.0; or
                    (B) the number of course hours borne by the
                individual in pursuit of the program of education
                involved, divided by the minimum number of course hours
                required for full-time pursuit of such program of
                education, rounded to the nearest multiple of 10.
    (e) High Technology Program of Education Defined.--In this section,
the term ``high technology program of education'' means a program of
education that--
            (1) is offered by an entity other than an institution of
        higher learning;
            (2) does not lead to a degree; and
            (3) provides instruction in computer programming, computer
        software, media application, data processing, or information
        sciences.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Secretary of veterans affairs.--Not later than one year
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
        thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on
        the pilot program under this section.
            (2) Comptroller general.--
                    (A) Interim report.--Not later than three years
                after the date on which the Secretary first enters into
                a contract under this section, the Comptroller General
                of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
                containing the results of the interim assessment of the
                Comptroller General. Such report shall include the
                recommendations of the Comptroller General for
                improving the pilot program and an assessment of each
                of the following:
                            (i) The technology experience of the
                        directors and instructors of the providers of
                        high technology programs of education under the
                        pilot program.
                            (ii) Whether the providers cooperated with
                        the technology industry to create the
                        curriculum for the program of education.
                            (iii) Whether the providers use an open
                        source curriculum for the program of education.
                            (iv) The admittance rate into the pilot
                        program.
                            (v) The job placement rate for veterans who
                        completed a program of education under the
                        pilot program.
                            (vi) The average salary of veterans who
                        completed a program of education under the
                        pilot program and were subsequently employed.
                            (vii) The average age of veterans who
                        participated in the pilot program.
                    (B) Final report.--Not later than five years after
                the date on which the Secretary first enters into a
                contract under this section, the Comptroller General
                shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot
                program. Such report shall include the recommendation
                of the Comptroller General with respect to whether the
                program should be extended and an assessment of each of
                the following:
                            (i) Each item described in clauses (i)
                        through (vii) of subparagraph (A).
                            (ii) The percentage of veterans who
                        completed a program of education under the
                        pilot program who were subsequently employed
                        for a period of six months or longer.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $15,000,000 for each
fiscal year during which the Secretary carries out a pilot program
under this section.
    (h) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the
date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this
section.

Summary: Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses Act or the VET TEC Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a five-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in high technology programs of education. An quot, eligible veteranquot. Is one who is entitled to educational assistance under the laws administered by the VA. A quot, high technology program of educationquot. Is one that is offered by an entity other than an institution of higher learning, does not lead to a degree, and provides instruction in computer programming, computer software, media application, data processing, or information sciences. The VA shall enter into contracts with multiple qualified providers of such programs, under which the VA shall pay: (1) 25 of the cost of providing the program upon the enrollment of an eligible veteran, (2) 25 of such cost when the veteran completes the program, and (3) 50 of such cost upon the veteran's employment following completion. The VA shall give preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition reimbursement for any student who completes the program and does not find full-time meaningful employment within 180 days. The VA shall pay a monthly housing stipend to each eligible veteran enrolled full-time in such a program.