SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
        (1) In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt overruled his top
    generals and ordered the creation of an all Black flight training
    program. President Roosevelt took this action one day after the
    NAACP filed suit on behalf of Howard University student Yancy
    Williams and others in Federal court to force the Department of War
    to accept Black pilot trainees. Yancy Williams had a civilian
    pilot's license and had earned an engineering degree. Years later,
    Major Yancy Williams participated in an air surveillance project
    created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
        (2) Due to the rigid system of racial segregation that
    prevailed in the United States during World War II, Black military
    pilots were trained at a separate airfield built near Tuskegee,
    Alabama. They became known as the ``Tuskegee Airmen''.
        (3) The Tuskegee Airmen inspired revolutionary reform in the
    Armed Forces, paving the way for full racial integration in the
    Armed Forces. They overcame the enormous challenges of prejudice
    and discrimination, succeeding, despite obstacles that threatened
    failure.
        (4) From all accounts, the training of the Tuskegee Airmen was
    an experiment established to prove that so-called ``coloreds'' were
    incapable of operating expensive and complex combat aircraft.
    Studies commissioned by the Army War College between 1924 and 1939
    concluded that Blacks were unfit for leadership roles and incapable
    of aviation. Instead, the Tuskegee Airmen excelled.
        (5) Overall, some 992 Black pilots graduated from the pilot
    training program of the Tuskegee Army Air Field, with the last
    class finishing in June 1946, 450 of whom served in combat. The
    first class of cadets began in July 1941 with 13 airmen, all of
    whom had college degrees, some with Ph.D. degrees, and all of whom
    had pilot's licenses. One of the graduates was Captain Benjamin O.
    Davis Jr., a United States Military Academy graduate. Four aviation
    cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants, and 5 received Army
    Air Corps silver pilot wings.
        (6) That the experiment achieved success rather than the
    expected failure is further evidenced by the eventual promotion of
    3 of these pioneers through the commissioned officer ranks to flag
    rank, including the late General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., United
    States Air Force, the late General Daniel ``Chappie'' James, United
    States Air Force, our Nation's first Black 4-star general, and
    Major General Lucius Theus, United States Air Force (retired).
        (7) 450 Black fighter pilots under the command of then Colonel
    Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., fought in World War II aerial battles over
    North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, flying, in succession, P-40, P-
    39, P-47, and P-51 aircraft. These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties
    and 1,578 missions with the 12th Tactical Air Force and the 15th
    Strategic Air Force.
        (8) Colonel Davis later became the first Black flag officer of
    the United States Air Force, retired as a 3-star general, and was
    honored with a 4th star in retirement by President William J.
    Clinton.
        (9) German pilots, who both feared and respected the Tuskegee
    Airmen, called them the ``Schwartze Vogelmenschen'' (or ``Black
    Birdmen''). White American bomber crews reverently referred to them
    as the ``Black Redtail Angels'', because of the bright red painted
    on the tail assemblies of their fighter aircraft and because of
    their reputation for not losing bombers to enemy fighters as they
    provided close escort for bombing missions over strategic targets
    in Europe.
        (10) The 99th Fighter Squadron, after having distinguished
    itself over North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, joined 3 other Black
    squadrons, the 100th, the 301st, and the 302nd, designated as the
    332nd Fighter Group. They then comprised the largest fighter unit
    in the 15th Air Force. From Italian bases, they destroyed many
    enemy targets on the ground and at sea, including a German
    destroyer in strafing attacks, and they destroyed numerous enemy
    aircraft in the air and on the ground.
        (11) 66 of these pilots were killed in combat, while another 32
    were either forced down or shot down and captured to become
    prisoners of war. These Black airmen came home with 150
    Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, and
    Legions of Merit, one Presidential Unit Citation, and the Red Star
    of Yugoslavia.
        (12) Other Black pilots, navigators, bombardiers and crewman
    who were trained for medium bombardment duty as the 477th Bomber
    Group (Medium) were joined by veterans of the 332nd Fighter Group
    to form the 477th Composite Group, flying the B-25 and P-47
    aircraft. The demands of the members of the 477th Composite Group
    for parity in treatment and for recognition as competent military
    professionals, combined with the magnificent wartime records of the
    99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, led to a review
    of the racial policies of the Department of War.
        (13) In September 1947, the United States Air Force, as a
    separate service, reactivated the 332d Fighter Group under the
    Tactical Air command. Members of the 332d Fighter Group were ``Top
    Guns'' in the 1st annual Air Force Gunnery Meet in 1949.
        (14) For every Black pilot, there were 12 other civilian or
    military Black men and women performing ground support duties. Many
    of these men and women remained in the military service during the
    post-World War II era and spearheaded the integration of the Armed
    Forces of the United States.
        (15) Major achievements are attributed to many of those who
    returned to civilian life and earned leadership positions and
    respect as businessmen, corporate executives, religious leaders,
    lawyers, doctors, educators, bankers, and political leaders.
        (16) A period of nearly 30 years of anonymity for the Tuskegee
    Airmen was ended in 1972 with the founding of Tuskegee Airmen,
    Inc., in Detroit, Michigan. Organized as a non-military and
    nonprofit entity, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., exists primarily to
    motivate and inspire young Americans to become participants in our
    Nation's society and its democratic process, and to preserve the
    history of their legacy.
        (17) The Tuskegee Airmen have several memorials in place to
    perpetuate the memory of who they were and what they accomplished,
    including--
            (A) the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., National Scholarship Fund
        for high school seniors who excel in mathematics, but need
        financial assistance to begin a college program;
            (B) a museum in historic Fort Wayne in Detroit, Michigan;
            (C) Memorial Park at the Air Force Museum at Wright-
        Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio;
            (D) a statue of a Tuskegee Airman in the Honor Park at the
        United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
        and
            (E) a National Historic Site at Moton Field, where primary
        flight training was performed under contract with the Tuskegee
        Institute.

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives
and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the award, on behalf of the Congress, of a single gold
medal of appropriate design in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen,
collectively, in recognition of their unique military record, which
inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to
in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the gold medal with
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
    (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
        (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in honor
    of the Tuskegee Airmen under subsection (a), the gold medal shall
    be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed
    as appropriate and made available for research.
        (2) Sense of the congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
    that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal
    received under paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere,
    particularly at other appropriate locations associated with the
    Tuskegee Airmen.

SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the
Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal
struck under section 2, at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the
medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.

    Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes
of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, an
amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the medals
authorized under section 2.
    (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate
bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in the United States
Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Summary: Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal collectively to the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces. Directs that, after such award, the medal be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Expresses the sense of Congress that such Institution should make the medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the Airmen. Provides funding from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover the cost of duplicate medals authorized for sale.

To award a congressional gold medal on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, collectively, in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Office of Domestic Product Promotion
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) In 2007, the United States trade deficit for goods
        reached $815 billion.
            (2) In March 2005, manufacturing employment in the United
        States fell to 14.3 million. This number is lower than it was
        in 1945, when the population of the United States was more than
        50 percent less.
            (3) In 2006, United States manufacturing's share of the
        Gross Domestic Product was approximately half what it was in
        1950.
            (4) The earnings of United States manufacturing workers
        exceed the earnings of workers in the service and other
        sectors.
            (5) Each United States manufacturing job creates as many as
        four related jobs.
            (6) The promotion of domestically produced goods is
        beneficial for United States workers and the United States
        economy.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION.

    In this Act the term ``domestic product'' means a product--
            (1) that is manufactured or produced in the United States;
        and
            (2) at least 65 percent of the cost of the articles,
        materials, or supplies of which are grown, mined, produced, or
        manufactured in the United States.

SEC. 4. OFFICE OF DOMESTIC PRODUCT PROMOTION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the
Department of Commerce an Office of Domestic Product Promotion
(hereinafter referred to in this Act as the ``Office'').
    (b) Duties.--The Office shall--
            (1) work with United States businesses to promote domestic
        products;
            (2) provide information and advice to United States
        businesses on benefits and incentives available to United
        States businesses for producing domestic products, including
        the award of Federal procurement contracts and Federal and
        State tax benefits;
            (3) establish a comprehensive database of businesses that
        use, sell, or would prefer to use or sell, domestic products,
        and make the information in such database available to the
        public, including on a website that a user can sort and search
        by the State, county, city, or congressional district of a
        business, as well as by product type;
            (4) develop, with input from private businesses, non-profit
        businesses, labor organizations, academic institutions, and
        other entities, tools and ideas on how to promote domestic
        products; and
            (5) coordinate with State governments to further the
        Office's performance of its duties.

SEC. 5. COMPOSITION OF THE OFFICE.

    (a) National Director.--
            (1) Selection.--The Office shall be headed by a National
        Director, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with
        the advice of the Senate.
            (2) Term.--The National Director shall serve a term of 5
        years. A National Director whose term has expired may continue
        to serve until the date on which a successor takes office.
            (3) Compensation.--The National Director shall be
        compensated at the rate provided for level V of the Executive
        Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Staff.--The National Director shall appoint, terminate, and fix
the compensation of such employees of the Office as the National
Director considers necessary to carry out the functions of the Office,
except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the
equivalent of the rate provided for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 6. REGIONAL OFFICES.

    (a) In General.--The Office shall have six regional offices, each
headed by a regional director, and one regional office shall be located
within each of the following six regions:
            (1) Region 1, consisting of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan,
        Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
            (2) Region 2, consisting of the District of Columbia,
        Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
        Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
            (3) Region 3, consisting of Virginia, North Carolina, South
        Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
        Louisiana, and Arkansas.
            (4) Region 4, consisting of California, Oregon, Washington,
        Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and Hawaii.
            (5) Region 5, consisting of Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota,
        South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and
        Wisconsin.
            (6) Region 6, consisting of Texas, Nevada, New Mexico,
        Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.
    (b) Duties.--The regional offices shall--
            (1) support the Office in performing the Office's duties;
        and
            (2) concentrate on issues affecting the promotion of
        domestic products produced in the region in which the regional
        office is located.
    (c) Regional Director and Staff.--
            (1) Appointment.--The National Director shall appoint,
        terminate, and fix the compensation of each regional director,
        except that no rate of pay fixed under this paragraph may
        exceed the equivalent of the rate provided for level V of the
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States
        Code.
            (2) Qualifications.--Each regional director shall have
        knowledge of the domestic products produced in the region in
        which the regional office is located and region-specific issues
        related to the promotion of the region's domestic products.
            (3) Regional office staff.--Each regional director shall,
        with the approval of the National Director, appoint, terminate,
        and fix the compensation of such additional employees of the
        regional office as the regional director considers necessary to
        carry out the functions of the regional office, except that no
        rate of pay fixed under this paragraph may exceed the
        equivalent of the rate provided for level V of the Executive
        Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
    (d) Regional Conventions.--Each regional office shall hold an
annual convention to help connect United States businesses producing
domestic products with consumers who want to work with domestic
products, address domestic product production issues, and generate
ideas on how to promote domestic products.

SEC. 7. REPORTS TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS.

    The National Director and the Secretary of Commerce shall submit an
annual report to the President and the Congress on the operation of the
Office, including recommendations on strategies for promoting domestic
products.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.

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

Summary: Office of Domestic Product Promotion Act - Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Office of Domestic Product Promotion to: (1) work with US businesses to promote domestic products. (2) provide information and advice to them on benefits and incentives available for producing domestic products, including the award of federal procurement contracts and federal and state tax benefits. (3) establish a comprehensive publicly available database of businesses that use, sell, or would prefer to use or sell, domestic products. (4) develop tools and ideas on how to promote domestic products. And (5) coordinate with state governments to further the Office's performance of its duties.

To create an Office of Domestic Product Promotion within the Department of Commerce to promote the sale of United States products.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Faith-Based Drug Treatment
Enhancement Act''.

SEC. 2. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE; SERVICES PROVIDED
              THROUGH RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

    Title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

      ``Part G--Services Provided Through Religious Organizations

``SEC. 581. APPLICABILITY TO DESIGNATED PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Designated Programs.--Subject to subsection (b), this part
applies to each program under this Act that makes awards of Federal
financial assistance to public or private entities for the purpose of
carrying out activities to prevent or treat substance abuse (in this
part referred to as a `designated program'). Designated programs
include the program under subpart II of part B of title XIX (relating
to formula grants to the States).
    ``(b) Limitation.--This part does not apply to any award of Federal
financial assistance under a designated program for a purpose other
than the purpose specified in subsection (a).
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this part (and subject to
subsection (b)):
            ``(1) Designated award recipient.--The term `designated
        award recipient' means a public or private entity that has
        received an award under a designated program (whether the award
        is a designated direct award or a designated subaward).
            ``(2) Designated direct award.--The term `designated direct
        award' means an award under a designated program that is
        received directly from the Federal Government.
            ``(3) Designated subaward.--The term `designated subaward'
        means an award of financial assistance made by a non-Federal
        entity, which award consists in whole or in part of Federal
        financial assistance provided through an award under a
        designated program.
            ``(4) Designated program.--The term `designated program'
        has the meaning given such term in subsection (a).
            ``(5) Financial assistance.--The term `financial
        assistance' means a grant, cooperative agreement, contract, or
        voucherized assistance.
            ``(6) Program beneficiary.--The term `program beneficiary'
        means an individual who receives program services.
            ``(7) Program participant.--The term `program participant'
        has the meaning given such term in section 582(a)(2).
            ``(8) Program services.--The term `program services' means
        treatment for substance abuse, or preventive services regarding
        such abuse, provided pursuant to an award under a designated
        program.
            ``(9) Religious organization.--The term `religious
        organization' means a nonprofit religious organization.
            ``(10) Voucherized assistance.--The term `voucherized
        assistance' means--
                    ``(A) a system of selecting and reimbursing program
                services in which--
                            ``(i) the beneficiary is given a document
                        or other authorization that may be used to pay
                        for program services;
                            ``(ii) the beneficiary chooses the
                        organization that will provide services to him
                        or her according to rules specified by the
                        designated award recipient; and
                            ``(iii) the organization selected by the
                        beneficiary is reimbursed by the designated
                        award recipient for program services provided;
                        or
                    ``(B) any other mode of financial assistance to pay
                for program services in which the program beneficiary
                determines the allocation of program funds through his
                or her selection of one service provider from among
                alternatives.

``SEC. 582. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Scope of authority.--Notwithstanding any other
        provision of law, a religious organization--
                    ``(A) may be a designated award recipient;
                    ``(B) may make designated subawards to other public
                or nonprofit private entities (including other
                religious organizations);
                    ``(C) may provide for the provision of program
                services to program beneficiaries through the use of
                voucherized assistance; and
                    ``(D) may be a provider of services under a
                designated program, including a provider that accepts
                voucherized assistance.
            ``(2) Definition of program participant.--For purposes of
        this part, the term `program participant' means a public or
        private entity that has received a designated direct award, or
        a designated subaward, regardless of whether the entity
        provides program services. Such term includes an entity whose
        only participation in a designated program is to provide
program services pursuant to the acceptance of voucherized assistance.
    ``(b) Religious Organizations.--The purpose of this section is to
allow religious organizations to be program participants on the same
basis as any other nonprofit private provider without impairing the
religious character of such organizations, and without diminishing the
religious freedom of program beneficiaries.
    ``(c) Nondiscrimination Against Religious Organizations.--
            ``(1) Findings.--The Congress finds that the establishment
        clause of the first amendment to the Constitution of the United
        States does not require that--
                    ``(A) social-welfare programs discriminate against
                faith-based providers of services; or
                    ``(B) faith-based providers of services, as a
                prerequisite to participation in Federal programs,
                abandon their religious character and censor their
                religious expression.
            ``(2) Nondiscrimination.--Religious organizations are
        eligible to be program participants on the same basis as any
        other nonprofit private organization. Neither the Federal
        Government nor a State receiving funds under such programs
        shall discriminate against an organization that is or applies
        to be a program participant on the basis that the organization
        has a religious character.
    ``(d) Religious Character and Freedom.--
            ``(1) Religious organizations.--Except as provided in this
        section, any religious organization that is a program
        participant shall retain its independence from Federal, State,
        and local government, including such organization's control
        over the definition, development, practice, and expression of
        its religious beliefs.
            ``(2) Additional safeguards.--Neither the Federal
        Government nor a State shall require a religious organization
        to--
                    ``(A) alter its form of internal governance; or
                    ``(B) remove religious art, icons, scripture, or
                other symbols;
        in order to be a program participant.
    ``(e) Nondiscrimination in Employment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
        nothing in this section shall be construed to modify or affect
        the provisions of any other Federal or State law or regulation
        that relates to discrimination in employment on the basis of
        religion.
            ``(2) Exception.--A religious organization that is a
        program participant may require that an employee rendering
        program services adhere to--
                    ``(A) the religious beliefs and practices of such
                organization; and
                    ``(B) any rules of the organization regarding the
                use of drugs or alcohol.
    ``(f) Rights of Program Beneficiaries.--
            ``(1) Objections regarding religious organizations.--With
        respect to an individual who is a program beneficiary or a
        prospective program beneficiary, if the individual objects to a
        program participant on the basis that the participant is a
        religious organization, the following applies:
                    ``(A) If the organization received a designated
                direct award, the organization shall arrange for the
                individual to receive program services through an
                alternative entity.
                    ``(B) If the organization received a designated
                subaward, the non-Federal entity that made the subaward
                shall arrange for the individual to receive the program
                services through an alternative program participant.
                    ``(C) If the organization is providing services
                pursuant to voucherized assistance, the designated
                award recipient that operates the voucherized
                assistance program shall arrange for the individual to
                receive the program services through an alternative
                provider.
                    ``(D) Arrangements under any of subparagraphs (A)
                through (C) with an alternative entity shall provide
                for program services the monetary value of which is not
                less than the monetary value of the program services
                that the individual would have received from the
                religious organization involved.
            ``(2) Nondiscrimination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (B) or as otherwise provided in law, a
                religious organization that is a program participant
                shall not in providing program services discriminate
                against a program beneficiary on the basis of religion
                or religious belief.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--A religious organization that is
                a program participant may require a program beneficiary
                who has elected in accordance with paragraph (1) to
                receive program services from such organization--
                            ``(i) to actively participate in religious
                        practice, worship, and instruction; and
                            ``(ii) to follow rules of behavior devised
                        by the organizations that are religious in
                        content or origin.
    ``(g) Fiscal Accountability.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any
        religious organization that is a program participant shall be
        subject to the same regulations as other recipients of awards
        of Federal financial assistance to account, in accordance with
        generally accepted auditing principles, for the use of the
        funds provided under such awards.
            ``(2) Limited audit.--With respect to the award involved,
        if a religious organization that is a program participant
        maintains the Federal funds in a separate account from non-
        Federal funds, then only the Federal funds shall be subject to
        audit.
    ``(h) Compliance.--With respect to compliance with this section by
an agency, a religious organization may obtain judicial review of
agency action in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5, United States
Code.

``SEC. 583. LIMITATIONS ON USE OF FUNDS FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.

    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), no funds
provided directly to an entity under a designated program shall be
expended for sectarian worship or instruction.
    ``(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to assistance
provided to or on behalf of a program beneficiary if the beneficiary
may choose where such assistance is redeemed or allocated.

``SEC. 584. ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM AND TREATMENT OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) Funds Not Aid to Institutions.--Financial assistance under a
designated program provided to or on behalf of program beneficiaries is
aid to the beneficiary, not to the organization providing program
services. The receipt by a program beneficiary of program services at
the facilities of the organization shall not constitute Federal
financial assistance to the organization involved.
    ``(b) Prohibition on State Discrimination in Use of Funds.--No
provision in any State constitution or State law shall be construed to
prohibit the expenditure of Federal funds under a designated program in
a religious facility or by a religious organization that is a program
participant. If a State law or constitution would prevent the
expenditure of State or local public funds in such a facility or by
such an organization, then the State or local government shall
segregate the Federal funds from State or other public funds for
purposes of carrying out the designated program.

``SEC. 585. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL IN DRUG TREATMENT
              PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            ``(1) establishing formal educational qualification for
        counselors and other personnel in drug treatment programs may
        undermine the effectiveness of such programs; and
            ``(2) such formal educational requirements for counselors
        and other personnel may hinder or prevent the provision of
        needed drug treatment services.
    ``(b) Limitation on Educational Requirements of Personnel.--
            ``(1) Treatment of religious education.--If any State or
        local government that is a program participant imposes formal
        educational qualifications on providers of program services,
        including religious organizations, such State or local
        government shall treat religious education and training of
        personnel as having a critical and positive role in the
        delivery of program services. In applying educational
        qualifications for personnel in religious organizations, such
        State or local government shall give credit for religious
        education and training equivalent to credit given for secular
        course work in drug treatment or any other secular subject that
        is of similar grade level and duration.
            ``(2) Restriction of discrimination requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (1), a
                State or local government that is a program participant
                may establish formal educational qualifications for
                personnel in organizations providing program services
                that contribute to success in reducing drug use among
                program beneficiaries.
                    ``(B) Exception.--The Secretary shall waive the
                application of any educational qualification imposed
                under subparagraph (A) for an individual religious
                organization, if the Secretary determines that--
                            ``(i) the religious organization has a
                        record of prior successful drug treatment for
                        at least the preceding 3 years;
                            ``(ii) the educational qualifications have
                        effectively barred such religious organization
                        from becoming a program provider;
                            ``(iii) the organization has applied to the
                        Secretary to waive the qualifications; and
                            ``(iv) the State or local government has
                        failed to demonstrate empirically that the
                        educational qualifications in question are
                        necessary to the successful operation of a drug
                        treatment program.''.

Summary: Faith-Based Drug Treatment Enhancement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that the amendments made by this Act apply to each program that makes awards of Federal financial assistance to prevent or treat substance abuse. Allows, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a religious organization to be an award recipient, make subawards, provide services through vouchers, or accept vouchers for providing services. Makes religious organizations eligible on the same basis as any other nonprofit private organization. Prohibits Federal or State: (1) discrimination against an organization on the basis that the organization has a religious character. And (2) requirements that a religious organization, in order to be a program participant, remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols. Requires a religious organization to arrange for services through an alternative entity if an individual objects to the religious organization. Allows a religious organization to require a beneficiary who has elected to receive services from the organization to actively participate in religious practice, worship, and instruction. Prohibits using funds for sectarian worship or instruction, unless the beneficiary may choose where the assistance is redeemed or allocated. Declares that assistance to or on behalf of a beneficiary is aid to the beneficiary and not to the organization. Requires, if a State law or constitution would prevent the expenditure of State or local funds by religious organizations, that the Federal funds shall be segregated from State or other public funds. Requires, for personnel working in religious organization drug treatment programs, giving credit for religious education and training equivalent to credit given for secular course work. Mandates waiver of educational requirements if the religious organization has a record of successful drug treatment and the State or local government fails to demonstrate empirically that the educational qualifications are necessary.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``William H. Gray, III, College
Completion Challenge Grant Program of 1999''.

SEC. 2. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    Subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1132a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following new chapter:

 ``CHAPTER 4--WILLIAM H. GRAY, III, COLLEGE COMPLETION CHALLENGE GRANT
                                PROGRAM

``SEC. 408A. FINDINGS.

    ``Congress makes the following findings:
            ``(1) Students from low-income families are significantly
        more likely to leave a 4-year institution of higher education
        without a baccalaureate degree than are students with higher
        incomes.
            ``(2) Even among students with above average grades, low-
        income students are still more likely to leave a 4-year
        institution of higher education without a baccalaureate degree
        than are students with higher incomes, especially low-income
        students enrolled at private institutions.
            ``(3) This lack of persistence to completion of a
        baccalaureate degree continues to contribute to the gap in
        educational attainment and ultimate income levels between
        disadvantaged students and their more affluent classmates.
            ``(4) While the focus of Federal student financial
        assistance and higher education programs has traditionally been
        to ensure access to postsecondary education, the Federal
        Government should expand its role in student financial
        assistance programs for postsecondary education to address this
        lack of persistence to baccalaureate degree completion.
            ``(5) The amount of grant assistance provided to
        postsecondary students is critical to their persistence and
        degree attainment.
            ``(6) In addition to economic disadvantage, the following
        factors significantly contribute to a student dropping out of a
        4-year institution of higher education:
                    ``(A) A delayed entry into postsecondary education
                after graduating from high school.
                    ``(B) A low grade point average.
                    ``(C) Working full-time while enrolled.
                    ``(D) Being a first-generation college student.
                    ``(E) Being less engaged with an academic program.
            ``(7) Most students who drop out of college, particularly
        those at the greatest risk of leaving their programs of study
        without a baccalaureate degree, do so during the first 2 years
        of study.
            ``(8) At-risk students who receive targeted academic
        support services persist to degree completion at higher rates
        than at-risk students who do not receive such services.
            ``(9) Educators interested in student retention have long
        viewed intensive academic summer programs for incoming first-
        year students as very important in helping students from
        disadvantaged backgrounds become acclimated to college life and
        in improving retention.

``SEC. 408B. PURPOSE AND PROGRAM AUTHORITY.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this program is to assist
institutions of higher education to help students who are at risk of
ending their postsecondary education prior to obtaining baccalaureate
degrees, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged, to stay
in school until they obtain those degrees.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--From funds appropriated pursuant to
section 408G for each fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized, in
accordance with the requirements of this chapter, to award competitive
grants to eligible institutions to enable them to pay the Federal share
of the costs of carrying out programs designed to meet the purpose of
this chapter.
    ``(c) Duration of Grant.--A grant made under this chapter shall be
awarded for a period of 3 years.

``SEC. 408C. INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY.

    ``(a) In General.--An institution of higher education is eligible
to receive a grant under this chapter if the institution--
            ``(1) meets the requirements of section 102; and
            ``(2) awards baccalaureate degrees, or, subject to
        subsection (b)(1), associate degrees.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Associate degree-granting institutions.--An eligible
        applicant that awards only associate degrees may apply for a
        grant under this chapter only as part of a consortium that
        includes one or more institutions of higher education that
        awards baccalaureate degrees.
            ``(2) Multiple grants.--An institution that receives a
        grant under this chapter may compete to receive a subsequent
        grant, but may not receive more than two grants under this
        chapter.

``SEC. 408D. APPLICATION PROCESS.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) ____.--Each eligible applicant that desires a grant
        under this chapter shall submit to the Secretary an application
        for that grant at such time and containing such information as
        the Secretary may prescribe.
            ``(2) Demonstration of prior commitment.--In order to
        receive a grant under this chapter, an applicant shall
        demonstrate in its application, to the satisfaction of the
        Secretary, its successful prior commitment to the purposes of
        this chapter, through the prior support of at least one of the
        activities described in section 408E(a).
    ``(b) Matching Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Federal share of the cost of
        programs assisted under this chapter shall not be more than 50
        percent, and the matching funds shall be from non-Federal
        sources.
            ``(2) Consortia.--The Secretary may establish in
        regulations the matching requirement applicable to a consortium
        of institutions in which some of the institutions are eligible
        for a waiver of the matching requirement pursuant to section
        395 or section 515.
    ``(c) Coordination Requirement.--Each eligible institution shall
ensure that the activities provided under this chapter are, to the
extent practicable, coordinated with, complement, and enhance related
services under other Federal and non-Federal programs, and do not
duplicate the services already provided at that institution.
    ``(d) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds under this chapter shall be
used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds expended for
existing programs.

``SEC. 408E. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--An eligible institution that receives a grant
under this chapter shall, except as provided in subsection (b), use the
grant to provide services or assistance to students at risk of leaving
their programs of study without baccalaureate degrees, particularly
economically disadvantaged students, by carrying out one or more of the
following:
            ``(1) Implementing an intensive summer program for incoming
        first-year students (or students entering their second or third
        year of postsecondary education if the institution can
        demonstrate that it is addressing the needs of first-year
        students and that a summer program could help retention of
        second- or third-year students at risk of dropping out),
        provided that the institution demonstrates in its application
        that it has a strong commitment to student retention through
        additional activities.
            ``(2) Developing a strong student support service program,
        targeted to students in their first 2 years of postsecondary
        education, that includes activities such as--
                    ``(A) peer tutoring;
                    ``(B) mentoring programs involving faculty and
                upper class students;
                    ``(C) activities to assist students currently
                enrolled in a 2-year institution to secure admission
                and financial assistance in a 4-year program of
                postsecondary education;
                    ``(D) activities to assist students in securing
                admission and financial assistance for enrollment in
                graduate and professional programs; and
                    ``(E) assistance in course selection.
            ``(3) Providing grants to students in their first 2 years
        of postsecondary education, in an amount not less than required
        under subsection (c), except that a recipient that provides
        grants under this paragraph shall also provide services under
        paragraphs (1) or (2), or both.
    ``(b) Special Rule.--A recipient of funds under this chapter may
serve students who have completed their first 2 years of postsecondary
education if it demonstrates in its application, to the satisfaction of
the Secretary, that--
            ``(1) these students are at high risk of dropping out; and
            ``(2) it will first meet the needs of all its eligible
        first- and second-year students for services under this
        chapter.
    ``(c) Grant Size.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may, by regulation,
        establish minimum student grant award levels for purposes of
        subsection (a)(3), taking into account such factors as the
        different costs of attendance associated with public and
        private institutions.
            ``(2) Exception.--If the Secretary does not establish
        minimum student grant award levels under paragraph (1), or if
        an institution wishes to provide grants under subsection (a)(3)
        in an amount less than the minimum set by the Secretary, the
        institution shall demonstrate in its application, to the
        satisfaction of the Secretary, that the size of the grants it
        will provide is appropriate and likely to have a significant
        effect on the persistence problem at that institution.

``SEC. 408F. RELATION TO OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

    ``A grant provided to a student by an eligible institution from an
award made under this chapter shall not be considered in determining
that student's need for grant or work assistance under this title,
except that in no case shall the total amount of student financial
assistance awarded to a student under this title exceed that student's
cost of attendance, as defined by section 472.

``SEC. 408G. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this chapter $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, and such sums as may
be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.--
    ``(b) Special Rule.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
(a) for any fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve up to 1 percent of
such amount for that fiscal year in order to carry out an evaluation of
the program authorized by this chapter.''.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendment made by section 2 shall be effective on October 1,
1999.

Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive matching grants to such institutions or consortia . Limits to two the number of such grants to any institution. Requires institutions to use grant funds to provide services or assistance to students, particularly economically disadvantaged students, at risk of leaving their programs of study without baccalaureate degrees. Requires this to be done through one or both of the following: (1) intensive summer programs for incoming first-year students. And (2) student support service programs, targeted to students in their first two years of postsecondary education. Allows institutions, if they carry out either or both of those required programs, to use such funds also for grants to students in their first two years of postsecondary education. Allows use of such funds to serve students who have completed their first two years of postsecondary education if they are at-risk and the institution will first meet the needs of all its eligible first- and second-year students for services under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran-Owned Small Business
Promotion Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
              AFFAIRS SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) Reauthorization.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 37 of title 38, United States
        Code, is amended by striking section 3751.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
        beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item
        relating to section 3751.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 3749 of such title is
        amended by striking subsection (e).
    (b) Expansion of Eligibility for Small Business Loans.--Chapter 37
of such title is further amended--
            (1) in section 3741--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (B) by striking ``this subchapter--'' and all that
                follows through ```disabled veteran''' and inserting
                ``this subchapter, the term `disabled veteran'''; and
                    (C) by striking ``30 percent'' and inserting ``10
                percent''; and
            (2) in section 3742(a)(3)(A), by striking ``of the Vietnam
        era or disabled veterans''.
    (c) Repeal of Authority To Make Direct Loans.--Chapter 37 of such
title, as amended by subsections (a) and (b), is further amended--
            (1) in section 3742--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(A)
                        loan guaranties, or (B) direct loans'' and
                        inserting ``loan guarantees''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``and
                        that at least 51 percent of a business concern
                        must be owned by disabled veterans in order for
                        such concern to qualify for a direct loan'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (1) and
                        redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
                        paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
                        by striking ``make or'';
                    (C) in subsection (c), by striking ``made or'';
                    (D) in subsection (d)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (2);
                            (ii) by striking ``(1) Except as provided
                        in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the'' and
                        inserting ``The''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``make or''; and
                    (E) in subsection (e)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1)--
                                    (I) in the first sentence, by
                                striking ``or, if the loan was a direct
                                loan made by the Secretary, may suspend
                                such obligation''; and
                                    (II) in the second sentence, by
                                striking ``or while such obligation is
                                suspended'';
                            (ii) by striking ``or suspend'' each place
                        it appears;
                            (iii) by striking ``or suspension'' each
                        place it appears
                            (iv) by striking ``or suspends'' each place
                        it appears; and
                            (v) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``or
                        suspended'';
            (2) in section 3743--
                    (A) by striking ``that is provided a direct loan
                under this subchapter, or'';
                    (B) by striking the comma between ``subchapter''
                and ``shall'';
                    (C) by striking ``direct or''; and
                    (D) by striking ``for the amount of such direct
                loan or, in the case of a guaranteed loan,'';
            (3) in section 3746, by striking ``made or'' both places it
        appears;
            (4) in section 3749(b), by striking ``and direct loan'';
        and
            (5) in section 3750, by striking ``made or''.
    (d) Increase of Maximum Guaranty Amount.--Section 3742(b)(2), as
redesignated by subsection (c)(1)(B)(i), is amended by striking
``$200,000'' and inserting ``$500,000''.
    (e) Authority To Enter Into a Contract.--Section 3742 of such
title, as amended by subsection (c), is further amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) The Secretary shall enter into a contract with an appropriate
entity for the purpose of carrying out the program under this
subchapter.''.
    (f) Authority of Secretary To Subsidize Interest Rates of
Guaranteed Loan.--Section 3745 of such title is amended by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following new subsection (b):
    ``(b) For any loan guaranteed under this subchapter, the Secretary
may pay to the lender such amounts as may be required to reduce the
rate of interest payable by the veterans' small business concern by up
to one-half of one percent, except that the rate of interest payable by
such concern shall not be less than one-half of one percent.''.
    (g) Preference for Members of National Guard and Reserves Activated
in Support of Global War on Terrorism.--Section 3748 of such title is
amended--
            (1) by striking ``and, second'' and inserting ``second'';
        and
            (2) by inserting before the period at the end ``, and,
        third, to veterans' small business concern in which veterans
        who, as members of a reserve component, are activated in
        support of the Global War on Terrorism have a significant
        ownership interest''.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 3749(c)(1) of such
title is amended by striking ``a total of $25,000,000'' and inserting
``$1,000,000,000 for each fiscal year''.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON REQUIREMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND
              CONTROLLED BY VETERANS TO FURNISH CERTAIN BONDS.

    (a) Limitation.--Subchapter II of chapter 81 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 8129. Small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans:
              contractor bonds
    ``(a) Bonds Required.--Notwithstanding subchapter II of chapter 31
of title 40, in entering into a contract with a small business concern
owned and controlled by veterans for the construction, alteration, or
repair of any public building or public work of the Department the
Secretary--
            ``(1) may not require the concern to furnish a performance
        or payment bond in an amount that exceeds 50 percent of the
        amount of the contract; and
            ``(2) shall ensure that the concern does not require any
        subcontractor that is a small business concern owned and
        controlled by veterans to furnish a performance or payment bond
        in an amount that exceeds 50 percent of the amount of the
        subcontract.
    ``(b) Payment of Subcontractor Bonds.--In entering into a contract
described in subsection (a) with the Secretary, a prime contractor may
furnish a performance or payment bond on behalf of a subcontractor that
is a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans.
    ``(c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `small
business concern owned and controlled by veterans' means a small
business concern that is included in the small business database
maintained by the Secretary under section 8127(f) of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to
such subchapter the following new item:

``8129. Small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans:
                            contractor bonds.''.

SEC. 4. TREATMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY
              VETERANS A SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.

    Section 8128 of such title is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
        subsection:
    ``(b) Treatment as Socially and Economically Disadvantaged.--The
Secretary may evaluate a bid submitted by a small business concern
owned and controlled by veterans and award a contract to such a concern
on the same basis as the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration may evaluate a bid submitted by a socially and
economically disadvantaged small business concern and award a contract
to such a concern under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 637(a)).''.

Summary: Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009 - Reinstates the veteran-owned small business loan program, under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide loans to veteran-owned small businesses for: (1) financing plant construction, conversion, or expansion. (2) financing the acquisition of equipment, facilities, machinery, supplies, or materials. Or (3) supplying working capital. Makes eligible for such loans small business owners who are veterans and have a disability rated at 10 or more, and includes all veterans . Repeals the authority to make direct loans under the program . Increases from $200,000 to $500,000 the maximum loan guaranty amount. Authorizes the Secretary to subsidize a loan lender in order to reduce by up to 12 the interest rate paid by the veteran-owned small business. Includes under a loan preference members of the National Guard and reserves activated in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Limits performance bond requirements of veteran-owned small businesses with respect to the construction, alteration, or repair of any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) public building or public work. Treats a small business owned and controlled by veterans as a socially and economically disadvantaged small business for purposes of contracts awarded to the latter businesses under provisions of the Small Business Act.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the reauthorization of the Department of Veterans Affairs small business loan program, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Inventory of Assets for
Communications Facilities Act of 2018''.

SEC. 2. INVENTORY OF FEDERAL ASSETS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act--
            (1) the Administrator of General Services, in coordination
        with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
        Information, shall ensure that the database established under
        section 5(c) of Executive Order 13327 (69 Fed. Reg. 5895)
        includes an inventory of covered assets, which shall include
        the information provided under subsections (b) and (c);
            (2) the Administrator shall make such inventory available
        to the Assistant Secretary for purposes of paragraph (3); and
            (3) the Assistant Secretary shall make such inventory
        available to any entity that constructs or operates
        communications facilities or provides communications service.
    (b) Provision of Information by Executive Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 9 months after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the head of an Executive agency
        shall provide to the Administrator, in a manner and format to
        be determined by the Administrator, the information described
        in paragraph (2) with respect to a covered asset of such
        agency.
            (2) Information described.--The information described in
        this paragraph is--
                    (A) the location of the covered asset;
                    (B) the type of the covered asset, such as whether
                the asset is a building (and the type of building),
                land (and the type or use of the land), right-of-way,
                easement, utility pole, wireless communications tower,
                underground utility route, or cable on which capacity
                is available for lease;
                    (C) contact information for an officer or employee
                of the agency who may be contacted for permitting or
                other information about the covered asset;
                    (D) whether the covered asset is historic property
                (as defined in section 300308 of title 54, United
                States Code); and
                    (E) such other information as the Administrator
                considers appropriate.
            (3) Provision of updated information.--
                    (A) Change in information.--In the case of a change
                in any of the information provided to the Administrator
                under paragraph (1) with respect to a covered asset of
                an Executive agency, the head of such agency shall
                provide updated information to the Administrator not
                later than 30 days after such change.
                    (B) Acquisition of new covered asset.--In the case
                of the acquisition of a covered asset by an Executive
                agency after the date that is 9 months after the date
                of the enactment of this Act, the head of such agency
                shall provide to the Administrator the information
                required by paragraph (1) with respect to such asset
                not later than 30 days after such acquisition.
            (4) Exclusion of information for national security
        reasons.--
                    (A) Classified information.--The head of an
                Executive agency may exclude classified information
                from the information provided to the Administrator
                under this subsection.
                    (B) Other information.--If the head of an Executive
                agency determines, in consultation with the
                Administrator, that inclusion of information (other
                than classified information) about a covered asset of
                such agency in the inventory established under
                subsection (a) would harm national security, the head
                of the agency may exclude such information from the
                information provided to the Administrator under this
                subsection.
                    (C) Classified information defined.--In this
                paragraph, the term ``classified information'' means
                any information or material that has been determined by
                the Federal Government pursuant to an Executive order,
                statute, or regulation, to require protection against
                unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national
                security and any restricted data, as defined in section
                11 y. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.
                2014(y)).
    (c) Information on State and Local Assets.--
            (1) Voluntary provision of information.--A State or local
        government may provide to the Administrator for inclusion in
        the inventory established under subsection (a), in a manner and
        format to be determined by the Administrator, information with
        respect to a State or local asset that would be a covered asset
        if under the custody and control of an Executive agency.
            (2) Inclusion of information.--The Administrator shall
        include in such inventory any information provided by a State
        or local government in accordance with paragraph (1) in the
        same manner as information provided by an Executive agency
        under subsection (b).
            (3) Provision of updated information.--In the case of a
        change in any of the information provided to the Administrator
        under paragraph (1) with respect to a State or local asset, the
        State or local government shall provide updated information to
        the Administrator not later than 30 days after such change. If
        a State or local government does not comply with the preceding
        sentence, the Administrator shall deny the State or local
        government access to the inventory established under subsection
        (a).
    (d) Updating of Inventory.--After the establishment of the
inventory under subsection (a), the Administrator shall include in the
inventory information provided under subsection (b) or (c) not later
than the date that is 7 days after the Administrator receives such
information. The information with respect to each covered asset or
State or local asset in the inventory shall include the most recent
date on which such information was added or updated.
    (e) Format of Location Information.--The information in the
inventory established under subsection (a) about the location of a
covered asset or State or local asset shall be in Geographic
Information System format or another format that the Administrator
considers appropriate.
    (f) Information Security.--The Administrator shall adopt measures
to prevent unauthorized access to the information in the inventory
established under subsection (a).
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of General Services.
            (2) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
        means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications
        and Information.
            (3) Communications facility.--The term ``communications
        facility'' includes--
                    (A) any wireless or wireline infrastructure for the
                transmission of writing, signs, signals, data, images,
                pictures, or sounds of all kinds;
                    (B) any transmitting device, tower, or support
                structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring,
                cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets,
                associated with the provision of communications
                services; and
                    (C) any antenna or apparatus that--
                            (i) is designed for the purpose of emitting
                        radio frequency;
                            (ii) is designed to be operated, or is
                        operating, from a fixed location; and
                            (iii) is added to a tower, building, or
                        other structure.
            (4) Communications service.--The term ``communications
        service'' means a service for the transmission of writing,
        signs, signals, data, images, pictures, or sounds of all kinds.
            (5) Covered asset.--The term ``covered asset'' means, with
        respect to an agency, any Federal real property (as defined in
        section 2(a) of Executive Order 13327 (69 Fed. Reg. 5895))
        under the custody and control of such agency--
                    (A)(i) on which a broadband communications facility
                could be constructed; or
                    (ii) that could otherwise be made available to an
                entity that--
                            (I) constructs or operates broadband
                        communications facilities for use in connection
                        with such construction or operation; or
                            (II) provides broadband communications
                        service for use in connection with such
                        provision; and
                    (B) that is suitable for the deployment, or use in
                connection with the deployment, of broadband
                communications facilities or broadband communications
                services.
            (6) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has
        the meaning given such term in section 105 of title 5, United
        States Code.

Summary: Inventory of Assets for Communications Facilities Act of 2018 This bill requires the General Services Administration and the Department of Commerce to ensure the federal real property database includes an inventory of real property on which a broadband communications facility could be constructed or that is suitable for deployment of broadband communications facilities or services. Commerce must make the inventory available to any entity that constructs or operates communications facilities or provides communications services.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Public Housing Regulatory Relief
Act''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

    Title I of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 27. WAIVER OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

    ``(a) Authority.--Upon the written request of a public housing
agency or resident management corporation, the Secretary may authorize
the agency or corporation to establish policies for the operation,
maintenance, management, and development (including modernization) of
one or more public housing projects and, in connection with granting
such authority and except as provided in subsection (b), may waive or
modify (with respect to the project or projects)--
            ``(1) the requirements of this Act applicable to public
        housing; and
            ``(2) any requirements applicable to the project or
        projects under other provisions of law that the Secretary
        determines are not consistent with the policies proposed for
        the project or projects.
    ``(b) Limitation.--The Secretary may not waive or modify--
            ``(1) any provision of this Act or any other provision of
        law that limits occupancy of public housing dwelling units to
        low-income families;
            ``(2) under section 18 of this Act that requires
        replacement of dwelling units in the case of demolition or
        disposition of public housing (except that the limitation on
        the use of tenant-based assistance to applications proposing
        demolition or disposition of 200 or more units may be waived);
            ``(3) any provision of the Uniform Relocation Assistance
        and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970;
            ``(4) any provision of law that relates to equal
        opportunity, nondiscrimination, or the environment; or
            ``(5) any provision of this Act or any other provision of
        law that relates to labor standards.
    ``(c) Request for Waiver.--A request under subsection (a) shall--
            ``(1) specify the provision or provisions of law to be
        waived or modified and the waivers or modifications proposed;
            ``(2) identify the public housing projects for which the
        waivers or modifications are requested;
            ``(3) describe the policies to be effective for the
        projects for which the waivers or modifications are requested;
        and
            ``(4) describe the costs to the public housing agency or
        resident management corporation, and to the Federal Government,
        of the waivers or modifications requested and the change of
        policies proposed.
    ``(d) Minimum Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve a
request under subsection (a) only if the Secretary determines that the
request--
            ``(1) would not, over the term of such authority, result in
        the Federal Government incurring more costs than the Government
        would otherwise incur if the request were not approved;
            ``(2) is consistent with the overall purposes of the public
        housing program;
            ``(3) is consistent with the Fair Housing Act, title VI of
        the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation
        Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the
        National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and
            ``(4) such other requirements as the Secretary may
        establish to carry out the purposes of this section.
    ``(e) Timing.--Any authority granted to a public housing agency
pursuant to subsection (a), including any waiver or modification
pursuant to this section of any requirement, shall be effective only
for the period established by the Secretary in granting the waiver or
modification, which may not exceed 4 years. Upon such expiration and
pursuant to a written request, the Secretary may renew such authority
for a public housing agency or resident management corporation, subject
to the requirements of this section.
    ``(f) Applicability of State and Local Laws.--The provisions of any
applicable State and local laws shall apply to any public housing
agency, resident management corporation, and public housing project
with respect to which authority is granted under subsection (a).
    ``(g) Reports.--The Secretary shall require each public housing
agency and resident management corporation for which a request under
subsection (a) is approved to submit a report to the Secretary annually
for each year during the term for which the authority granted under
subsection (a) is effective. The report shall describe the activities,
operations, and policies of the agency or corporation during the year
for which the report is submitted.
    ``(h) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `resident
management corporation' means a resident management corporation
established in accordance with the requirements of the Secretary under
section 20.''.

SEC. 3. PHA RETENTION OF SAVINGS REALIZED THROUGH EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT.

    Section 6(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437d(e)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Treatment of Savings.--Each contract for contributions shall
provide that whenever in any year the receipts of a public housing
agency in connection with a low-income housing project exceed its
expenditures (including debt service, operation, maintenance,
establishment of reserves, and other costs and charges) and the
Secretary determines that such excess resulted from increased
efficiency in the operation of the agency--
            ``(1) an amount equal to one-half of such excess shall be
        applied, or set aside for application, to purposes which, in
        the determination of the Secretary, will effect a reduction in
        the amount of subsequent annual contributions; and
            ``(2) an amount equal to one-half of such excess shall be
        applied to operating reserve established for the project and
        shall not be considered in subsequent years in calculating the
        operating subsidies provided under section 9 to the public
        housing agency, except to the extent proposed by the agency in
        its operating budget.''.

SEC. 4. AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC HOUSING MODERNIZATION FUNDS DURING TERM
              OF PLAN.

    Section 14 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437l) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(3)(A), by striking ``within each 12-
        month period covered by such plan'';
            (2) in subsection (e)(1)(D), by striking ``at least a
        schedule'' and inserting ``a listing'';
            (3) in subsection (e)(3)(B), by adding at the end the
        following new sentence: ``This section may not be construed to
        require a public housing agency to amend its comprehensive plan
        under paragraph (1) to be able to (A) use assistance amounts
        for purposes consistent with the plan but not according to the
        schedule of actions to be taken under the plan, or (B) use
        assistance amounts provided to an agency for a fiscal year in
        another fiscal year covered by the plan for purposes consistent
        with the plan, notwithstanding the annual statement of
        activities by the agency under subparagraph (A).'';
            (4) in subsection (f)(1)(A), by striking ``specified for
        such year in'' and inserting ``anticipated to be conducted
        during such year under'';
            (5) in subsection (g), by striking ``to meet the objectives
        for the preceding year'' and inserting ``during the preceding
        year to meet the objectives''; and
            (6) in subsection (o), by striking ``for the purposes'' and
        all that follows through ``appropriate'' and inserting the
        following: ``in any year covered by the plan for the agency
        under subsection (d)(4) or (e)(1)(D), as appropriate, that was
        approved by the Secretary and for any purpose specified under
        or consistent with such plan, notwithstanding the schedule
        included in such plan pursuant to subsection (d)(3)(A) or
        (e)(1)(D), as appropriate''.

SEC. 5. RECAPTURE OF PUBLIC HOUSING MODERNIZATION FUNDS.

    Section 14(g) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437(l)(g)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(g)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The Secretary may establish a system for recapturing and
redistributing amounts provided to public housing agencies under this
subsection, which shall--
            ``(A) provide for the recapture of such amounts only from
        an agency that, in the determination of the Secretary pursuant
        to a review under subsection (e)(4)(B) or an audit under
        subsection (e)(4)(C), has not made reasonable progress in
        carrying out modernization projects approved by the Secretary
        under the comprehensive plan for the agency under subsection
        (d)(4) or (e);
            ``(B) provide for the redistribution of such recaptured
        amounts for use by other public housing agencies that, in the
        determination of the Secretary, need such amounts to carry out
        the comprehensive plans for such agencies and are capable of
        using such amounts in a timely manner;
            ``(C) provide for redistribution to the agencies referred
        to in subparagraph (B) based on an allocation system that takes
        into consideration the formula established pursuant to
        subsection (k)(2)(A); and
            ``(D) establish an annual schedule for redistribution of
        amounts recaptured.''.

SEC. 6. AUTHORITY FOR PHA'S TO BORROW AGAINST FUTURE PUBLIC HOUSING
              MODERNIZATION FUNDS.

    Section 14 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437l) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(q) Authority to Borrow Against Future Assistance.--
            ``(1) In general.--A public housing agency may, with the
        approval of the Secretary, enter into an agreement to pay any
        assistance for which the agency may become eligible under this
        section to ensure the repayment of notes or other obligations
        issued by the agency for the purpose of financing development,
        rehabilitation, or modernization of public housing.
            ``(2) Terms.--Notes or other obligations for which
        assistance under this section is pledged shall be in such form
        and denominations, have such maturities not exceeding 30 years,
        and be subject to such other conditions as the Secretary may
        prescribe. The Secretary may not deny a guarantee under this
        subsection on the basis of the proposed repayment period for
        the obligation, unless the period exceeds 30 years or the
        Secretary determines that the period causes the obligation to
        constitute an unacceptable financial risk.
            ``(3) Limitation on amount of outstanding obligations.--
        Assistance under this section may not be pledged for the
        repayment of any obligation if the total outstanding principal
        of all obligations for which such assistance is pledged would
        thereby exceed an amount equal to 5 times the amount of
        assistance provided under this section during the most recently
        completed fiscal year to the agency issuing the obligation.
            ``(4) Repayment.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
        this section, assistance provided to an agency under this
        section may be used in the payment of principal and interest
        due (including such servicing, underwriting, and other costs as
        the Secretary may prescribe) on the notes or other obligations
        issued by the public housing agency pursuant to this
        subsection.''.

SEC. 7. STUDY OF ACQUISITION AND LABOR REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING
              AGENCIES.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall
conduct a study to determine the efficiency of the procedures and
requirements applicable to procurement by public housing agencies of
materials, supplies, systems, appliances, labor, and services used in
maintaining, operating, and modernizing public housing projects. Under
the study, the Secretary shall--
            (1) compare the existing procurement system for public
        housing agencies to--
                    (A) a system of procurement under which public
                housing agencies procure materials, supplies, systems,
                appliances, labor, and services for use in maintaining,
                operating, and modernizing public housing projects
                without being subject to any requirements established
                by the Secretary or any other Federal laws or
                regulations regarding procurement; and
                    (B) a system of procurement that operates in the
                manner described under subparagraph (A), except that
                under such system the Secretary would annually review
                the procurement policies and actions of each public
                housing agency for the preceding year and would have
                the authority to establish limitations on procurement
                policies and activities determined by the Secretary to
                have instituted inappropriate procurement policies or
                engaged in inappropriate procurement activities;
            (2) determine the advantages and disadvantages of
        procurement pursuant to the existing procurement system for
        public housing agencies and the systems referred to in
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); and
            (3) determine the effect of the requirements under section
        12 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (relating to labor
        standards) on the affordability of dwelling units in public
        housing.
    (b) Report.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall
submit a report to the Congress describing the study, the findings of
the study, and any recommendations resulting from the study, not later
than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act.

Summary: Public Housing Regulatory Relief Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to authorize the waiver of public housing requirements. Permits a public housing agency (PHA) to retain savings realized through efficient management. Authorizes the recapture of public housing modernization funds. Authorizes PHAs to borrow against future modernization funds. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to study PHA labor and acquisition requirements.

Public Housing Regulatory Relief Act