SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Grow Research
Opportunities With Taxcredits' Help Act'' or ``GROWTH Act''.
    (b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in
terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision,
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF RESEARCH CREDIT; INCREASE IN ALTERNATIVE
              SIMPLIFIED RESEARCH CREDIT.

    (a) Extension of Credit.--
            (1) In general.--Subparagraph (B) of section 41(h)(1) is
        amended by striking ``December 31, 2009'' and inserting
        ``December 31, 2010''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Subparagraph (D) of section
        45C(b)(1) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2009'' and
        inserting ``December 31, 2010''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
        shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31,
        2009.
    (b) Alternative Simplified Research Credit Increased.--
            (1) Increased credit.--Paragraph (5) of section 41(c)
        (relating to election of alternative simplified credit) is
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``14 percent (12 percent in the
                case of taxable years ending before January 1, 2009)''
                in subparagraph (A) and inserting ``20 percent'', and
                    (B) by striking ``6 percent'' in subparagraph
                (B)(ii) and inserting ``10 percent''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection
        shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the
        enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF RESEARCH CREDIT AFTER 2010.

    (a) Simplified Credit for Qualified Research Expenses.--Subsection
(a) of section 41 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) General Rule.--
            ``(1) Credit determined.--For purposes of section 38, the
        research credit determined under this section for the taxable
        year shall be an amount equal to 20 percent of so much of the
        qualified research expenses for the taxable year as exceeds 50
        percent of the average qualified research expenses for the 3
        taxable years preceding the taxable year for which the credit
        is being determined.
            ``(2) Special rule in case of no qualified research
        expenses in any of 3 preceding taxable years.--
                    ``(A) Taxpayers to which paragraph applies.--The
                credit under this section shall be determined under
                this paragraph if the taxpayer has no qualified
                research expenses in any one of the 3 taxable years
                preceding the taxable year for which the credit is
                being determined.
                    ``(B) Credit rate.--The credit determined under
                this paragraph shall be equal to 10 percent of the
                qualified research expenses for the taxable year.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Termination of base amount calculation.--Section 41 is
        amended by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsection
        (d) as subsection (c).
            (2) Termination of basic research payment calculation.--
        Section 41 is amended by striking subsection (e) and
        redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (d) and
        (e), respectively.
            (3) Special rules.--
                    (A) Paragraph (1)(A)(ii) of subsection (d) of
                section 41, as so redesignated, is amended by striking
                ``shares of the qualified research expenses, basic
                research payments, and amounts paid or incurred to
                energy research consortiums,'' and inserting ``share of
                the qualified research expenses''.
                    (B) Paragraph (1)(B)(ii) of section 41(d), as so
                redesignated, is amended by striking ``shares of the
                qualified research expenses, basic research payments,
                and amounts paid or incurred to energy research
                consortiums,'' and inserting ``share of the qualified
                research expenses''.
                    (C) Paragraph (3) of section 41(d), as so
                redesignated, is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``, and the gross receipts
                        of the taxpayer'' and all that follows in
                        subparagraph (A) and inserting a period,
                            (ii) by striking ``, and the gross receipts
                        of the taxpayer'' and all that follows in
                        subparagraph (B) and inserting a period, and
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (C).
                    (D) Paragraph (4) of section 41(d), as so
                redesignated, is amended by striking ``and gross
                receipts''.
                    (E) Subsection (d) of section 41, as so
                redesignated, is amended by striking paragraph (6).
            (4) Permanent extension.--
                    (A) Section 41 is amended by striking subsection
                (h).
                    (B) Paragraph (1) of section 45C(b) is amended by
                striking subparagraph (D).
            (5) Cross-references.--
                    (A) Paragraphs (2)(A) and (4) of section 41(b) are
                each amended by striking ``subsection (f)(1)'' and
                inserting ``subsection (d)(1)''.
                    (B) Paragraph (2) of section 45C(c) is amended by
                striking ``base period research expenses'' and
                inserting ``average qualified research expenses''.
                    (C) Paragraph (3) of section 45C(d) is amended by
                striking ``section 41(f)'' and inserting ``section
                41(d)''.
                    (D) Paragraph (2) of section 45G(e) is amended by
                striking ``section 41(f)'' and inserting ``section
                41(d)''.
                    (E) Subsection (g) of section 45O is amended by
                striking ``section 41(f)'' and inserting ``section
                41(d)''.
                    (F) Subparagraph (A) of section 54(l)(3) is amended
                by striking ``section 41(g)'' and inserting ``section
                41(e)''.
                    (G) Clause (i) of section 170(e)(4)(B) is amended
                to read as follows:
                            ``(i) the contribution is to a qualified
                        organization,''.
                    (H) Paragraph (4) of section 170(e) is amended by
                adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Qualified organization.--For purposes of this
                paragraph, the term `qualified organization' means--
                            ``(i) any educational organization which--
                                    ``(I) is an institution of higher
                                education (within the meaning of
                                section 3304(f)), and
                                    ``(II) is described in subsection
                                (b)(1)(A)(ii), or
                            ``(ii) any organization not described in
                        clause (i) which--
                                    ``(I) is described in section
                                501(c)(3) and is exempt from tax under
                                section 501(a),
                                    ``(II) is organized and operated
                                primarily to conduct scientific
                                research, and
                                    ``(III) is not a private
                                foundation.''.
                    (I) Subsection (f) of section 197 is amended by
                striking ``section 41(f)(1)'' each place it appears in
                paragraphs (1)(C) and (9)(C)(i) and inserting ``section
                41(d)(1)''.
                    (J) Section 280C is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``41(f)'' each place it
                        appears in subsection (b)(3) and inserting
                        ``41(d)'',
                            (ii) by striking ``or basic research
                        expenses (as defined in section 41(e)(2))'' in
                        subsection (c)(1),
                            (iii) by striking ``section 41(a)(1)'' in
                        subsection (c)(2)(A) and inserting ``section
                        41(a)'', and
                            (iv) by striking ``or basic research
                        expenses'' in subsection (c)(2)(B).
                    (K) Subclause (IV)(c) of section 936(h)(5)(C)(i) is
                amended by striking ``section 41(f)'' and inserting
                ``section 41(d)''.
                    (L) Subparagraph (D) of section 936(j)(5) is
                amended by striking ``section 41(f)(3)'' and inserting
                ``section 41(d)(3)''.
                    (M) Clause (i) of section 965(c)(2)(C) is amended
                by striking ``section 41(f)(3)'' and inserting
                ``section 41(d)(3)''.
                    (N) Clause (i) of section 1400N(l)(7)(B) is amended
                by striking ``section 41(g)'' and inserting ``section
                41(e)''.
    (c) Technical Corrections.--Section 409 is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``, as in effect before the enactment of
        the Tax Reform Act of 1984)'' after ``section 41(c)(1)(B)'' in
        subsection (b)(1)(A),
            (2) by inserting ``, as in effect before the enactment of
        the Tax Reform Act of 1984'' after ``relating to the employee
        stock ownership credit'' in subsection (b)(4),
            (3) by inserting ``(as in effect before the enactment of
        the Tax Reform Act of 1984)'' after ``section 41(c)(1)(B)'' in
        subsection (i)(1)(A),
            (4) by inserting ``(as in effect before the enactment of
        the Tax Reform Act of 1984)'' after ``section 41(c)(1)(B)'' in
        subsection (m),
            (5) by inserting ``(as so in effect)'' after ``section
        48(n)(1)'' in subsection (m),
            (6) by inserting ``(as in effect before the enactment of
        the Tax Reform Act of 1984)'' after ``section 48(n)'' in
        subsection (q)(1), and
            (7) by inserting ``(as in effect before the enactment of
        the Tax Reform Act of 1984)'' after ``section 41'' in
        subsection (q)(3).
    (d) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
        amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years
        beginning after December 31, 2010.
            (2) Technical corrections.--The amendments made by
        subsection (c) shall take effect on the date of the enactment
        of this Act.

Summary: Grow Research Opportunities With Taxcredits' Help Act or GROWTH Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the tax credit for increasing research activities through 2010. (2) modify the rate of such credit and make such modified credit permanent after 2010. And (3) increase to 20 the rate of the alternative simplified research tax credit after 2010.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the research credit through 2010 and to increase and make permanent the alternative simplified research credit, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND TEACHER LIABILITY PROTECTION.

    (a) In General.--The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``TITLE XV--SCHOOL DISCIPLINE AND TEACHER LIABILITY PROTECTION

``SEC. 15001. SHORT TITLE.

    ``This title may be cited as the `Teacher Protection Act of 2001'.

``SEC. 15002. PURPOSE.

    ``The purpose of this title is to provide teachers, principals and
other school professionals the tools they need to undertake reasonable
actions to maintain order, discipline, and an appropriate educational
environment.

``SEC. 15003. PREEMPTION AND ELECTION OF STATE NONAPPLICABILITY.

    ``(a) Preemption.--This title preempts the laws of any State to the
extent that such laws are inconsistent with this title, except that
this title shall not preempt any State law that provides additional
protection from liability relating to teachers.
    ``(b) Election of State Regarding Nonapplicability.--This title
shall not apply to any civil action in a State court against a teacher
in which all parties are citizens of the State if such State enacts a
statute in accordance with State requirements for enacting
legislation--
            ``(1) citing the authority of this subsection;
            ``(2) declaring the election of such State that this title
        shall not apply, as of a date certain, to such civil action in
        the State; and
            ``(3) containing no other provisions.

``SEC. 15004. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR TEACHERS.

    ``(a) Liability Protection for Teachers.--Except as provided in
subsections (b) and (c), no teacher in a school shall be liable for
harm caused by an act or omission of the teacher on behalf of the
school if--
            ``(1) the teacher was acting within the scope of the
        teacher's employment or responsibilities related to providing
        educational services;
            ``(2) the actions of the teacher were carried out in
        conformity with local, State, or Federal laws, rules or
        regulations in furtherance of efforts to control, discipline,
        expel, or suspend a student or maintain order or control in the
        classroom or school;
            ``(3) if appropriate or required, the teacher was properly
        licensed, certified, or authorized by the appropriate
        authorities for the activities or practice in the State in
        which the harm occurred, where the activities were or practice
        was undertaken within the scope of the teacher's
        responsibilities;
            ``(4) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal
        misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a
        conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the
        individual harmed by the teacher; and
            ``(5) the harm was not caused by the teacher operating a
        motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the
        State requires the operator or the owner of the vehicle, craft,
        or vessel to--
                    ``(A) possess an operator's license; or
                    ``(B) maintain insurance.
    ``(b) Concerning Responsibility of Teachers to Schools and
Governmental Entities.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
affect any civil action brought by any school or any governmental
entity against any teacher of such school.
    ``(c) Exceptions to Teacher Liability Protection.--If the laws of a
State limit teacher liability subject to one or more of the following
conditions, such conditions shall not be construed as inconsistent with
this section:
            ``(1) A State law that requires a school or governmental
        entity to adhere to risk management procedures, including
        mandatory training of teachers.
            ``(2) A State law that makes the school or governmental
        entity liable for the acts or omissions of its teachers to the
        same extent as an employer is liable for the acts or omissions
        of its employees.
            ``(3) A State law that makes a limitation of liability
        inapplicable if the civil action was brought by an officer of a
        State or local government pursuant to State or local law.
    ``(d) Limitation on Punitive Damages Based on the Actions of
Teachers.--
            ``(1) General rule.--Punitive damages may not be awarded
        against a teacher in an action brought for harm based on the
        action of a teacher acting within the scope of the teacher's
        responsibilities to a school or governmental entity unless the
        claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the
        harm was proximately caused by an action of such teacher which
        constitutes willful or criminal misconduct, or a conscious,
        flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual
        harmed.
            ``(2) Construction.--Paragraph (1) does not create a cause
        of action for punitive damages and does not preempt or
        supersede any Federal or State law to the extent that such law
        would further limit the award of punitive damages.
    ``(e) Exceptions to Limitations on Liability.--
            ``(1) In general.--The limitations on the liability of a
        teacher under this title shall not apply to any misconduct
        that--
                    ``(A) constitutes a crime of violence (as that term
                is defined in section 16 of title 18, United States
                Code) or act of international terrorism (as that term
                is defined in section 2331 of title 18, United States
                Code) for which the defendant has been convicted in any
                court;
                    ``(B) involves a sexual offense, as defined by
                applicable State law, for which the defendant has been
                convicted in any court;
                    ``(C) involves misconduct for which the defendant
                has been found to have violated a Federal or State
                civil rights law; or
                    ``(D) where the defendant was under the influence
                (as determined pursuant to applicable State law) of
                intoxicating alcohol or any drug at the time of the
                misconduct.
            ``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
        shall be construed to effect subsection (a)(3) or (d).

``SEC. 15005. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For purposes of this title:
            ``(1) Economic loss.--The term `economic loss' means any
        pecuniary loss resulting from harm (including the loss of
        earnings or other benefits related to employment, medical
        expense loss, replacement services loss, loss due to death,
        burial costs, and loss of business or employment opportunities)
        to the extent recovery for such loss is allowed under
        applicable State law.
            ``(2) Harm.--The term `harm' includes physical,
        nonphysical, economic, and noneconomic losses.
            ``(3) Noneconomic losses.--The term `noneconomic losses'
        means losses for physical and emotional pain, suffering,
        inconvenience, physical impairment, mental anguish,
        disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and
        companionship, loss of consortium (other than loss of domestic
        service), hedonic damages, injury to reputation and all other
        nonpecuniary losses of any kind or nature.
            ``(4) School.--The term `school' means a public or private
        kindergarten, a public or private elementary school or
        secondary school (as defined in section 14101, or a home
        school.
            ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
        States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands,
        Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
        Islands, any other territory or possession of the United
        States, or any political subdivision of any such State,
        territory, or possession.
            ``(6) Teacher.--The term `teacher' means a teacher,
        instructor, principal, administrator, or other educational
        professional that works in a school, a local school board and
        any member of such board, and a local educational agency and
        any employee of such agency.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Title XV of the Elementary and Secondary
        Education Act of 1965, as added by subsection (a), shall take
        effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Application.--Title XV of the Elementary and Secondary
        Education Act of 1965, as added by subsection (a), applies to
        any claim for harm caused by an act or omission of a teacher if
        that claim is filed on or after the effective date specified in
        paragraph (1), without regard to whether the harm that is the
        subject of the claim or the conduct that caused the harm
        occurred before such effective date.

Summary: Teacher Protection Act of 2001 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a new title XV, School Discipline and Teacher Liability Protection. Preempts State law except where it provides additional protection of teachers from liability. Makes this Act inapplicable to any civil action in State court against a teacher in which all parties are citizens of the State, if it enacts a statute electing that this Act not apply. Provides that no teacher in a school shall be liable, with specified exceptions, for harm caused by an act or omission on behalf of the school if the teacher was acting within the scope of employment or responsibilities relating to providing educational services, and if certain other conditions are met. Limits punitive damages.

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide teachers, principals, and other school professionals the tools they need to undertake reasonable actions to maintain order, discipline, and an appropriate educational environment.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Benefits for Seniors Act of
2000''.

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF 1993 INCREASE IN TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 86(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to social security and tier 1 railroad
retirement benefits) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence:
        ``This paragraph shall not apply to any taxable year beginning
        after December 31, 2000.''
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (3) of section 871(a) of such Code is amended
        by striking ``85 percent'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting
        ``50 percent''.
            (2)(A) Subparagraph (A) of section 121(e)(1) of the Social
        Security Amendments of 1983 (Public Law 98-21) is amended--
                    (i) by striking ``(A) There'' and inserting
                ``There'';
                    (ii) by striking ``(i)'' immediately following
                ``amounts equivalent to''; and
                    (iii) by striking ``, less (ii)'' and all that
                follows and inserting a period.
            (B) Paragraph (1) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended
        by striking subparagraph (B).
            (C) Paragraph (3) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended
        by striking subparagraph (B) and by redesignating subparagraph
        (C) as subparagraph (B).
            (D) Paragraph (2) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended
        in the first sentence by striking ``paragraph (1)(A)'' and
        inserting ``paragraph (1)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY BY
              CONGRESSIONALLY APPOINTED REVIEW COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment of Consumer Price Index Review Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established a review committee
        to be known as the Consumer Price Index Review Committee (in
        this section referred to as the ``Committee'').
            (2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of 15
        members jointly appointed by the leadership of the Senate and
        the House of Representatives of whom--
                    (A) 11 shall be leading experts in the field of
                economics and, to the extent feasible, familiar with
                the issues related to the calculation of changes in the
                cost of living; and
                    (B) 4 shall be representatives of individuals who
                have attained age 65.
            (3) Terms and vacancies.--
                    (A) Terms.--A member of the Committee appointed
                under paragraph (2) shall be appointed for the duration
                of the Committee.
                    (B) Vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Committee
                        shall be filled in the same manner in which the
                        original appointment was made and shall be
                        subject to any conditions which applied with
                        respect to the original appointment.
                            (ii) Filling unexpired term.--An individual
                        chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for
                        the duration of the Committee.
            (4) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date
        on which all members of the Committee have been appointed, the
        Committee shall hold its first meeting.
            (5) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Committee
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
        hold hearings.
            (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Committee shall
        select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the
        members appointed under paragraph (2).
    (b) Duties.--
            (1) Study and development of implementation plan.--
                    (A) In general.--The Committee shall conduct a
                study--
                            (i) to improve the method for determining
                        an index, to be known as the ``Consumer Price
                        Index for the Elderly'';
                            (ii) to make recommendations addressing the
                        limitations of the method for determining the
                        Experimental Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly calculated by the Bureau of Labor
                        Statistics to ensure that the improved index
                        accurately measures changes over time in
                        expenditures for consumption that are typical
                        for retirees in the United States who receive
                        old-age and survivors insurance benefits under
                        title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
                        401 et seq.); and
                            (iii) to develop an implementation plan.
                    (B) Study requirements.--The study described in
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following
                requirements:
                            (i) The Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly shall be based on an accurate market
                        basket of goods and services that reflect a
                        representative collection of typical purchases
                        by the total retiree population in the United
States who receive old-age and survivors insurance benefits under title
II of such Act.
                            (ii) The Consumer Expenditure Survey used
                        by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate
                        the Experimental Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly shall be re-designed and expanded to
                        collect expenditure patterns representative of
                        such total retiree population.
                            (iii) The areas and outlets priced by the
                        Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the
                        Experimental Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly shall be modified to reflect a
                        representation of the places of purchase for
                        such total retiree population.
                            (iv) The categories of items to be priced
                        shall be selected to represent such total
                        retiree population.
                            (v) The prices collected shall adequately
                        reflect the availability of discount prices for
                        such total retiree population.
                            (vi) Any other limitations otherwise found
                        to affect the accuracy of the Consumer Price
                        Index for the Elderly shall be removed.
                    (C) Additional study.--The Committee shall also
                study the method for determining an accurate consumer
                price index for individuals who receive disability
                insurance benefits under title II of such Act.
            (2) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not
                later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the
                Committee under subsection (a)(4), the Committee shall
                submit a report to Congress on the study conducted in
                accordance with paragraph (1).
                    (B) Required approval.--The Committee shall not
                submit a report under subparagraph (A) unless the
                report has the approval of at least 9 members of the
                Committee.
    (c) Powers.--
            (1) Hearings.--The Committee may hold such hearings, sit
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and
        receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to
        carry out the purposes of this section.
            (2) Information from federal agencies.--The Committee may
        secure directly from any Federal department or agency such
        information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out
        this section, including the published and unpublished data and
        analytical products of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Upon
        request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of such
        department or agency shall furnish such information to the
        Committee in a timely manner.
            (3) Postal services.--The Committee may use the United
        States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions
        as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
            (4) Gifts.--The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of
        gifts or donations of services or property.
    (d) Personnel Matters.--
            (1) Compensation of members.--Each member of the Committee
        who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the Federal
        Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily
        equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level
        III of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5,
        United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during
        which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties
        of the Committee. All members of the Committee who otherwise
        are officers or employees of the United States shall serve
        without compensation in addition to that received for their
        services as officers or employees of the United States.
            (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Committee shall be
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business
        in the performance of services for the Committee.
            (3) Staff.--
                    (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Committee
                may, without regard to the civil service laws and
regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Committee to
perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be
subject to confirmation by the Committee.
                    (B) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Committee
                may fix the compensation of the executive director and
                other personnel without regard to the provisions of
                chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5,
                United States Code, relating to classification of
                positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that
                the rate of pay for the executive director and other
                personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level IV
                of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such
                title.
            (4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government
        employee may be detailed to the Committee without additional
        reimbursement (other than the employee's regular compensation),
        and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil
        service status or privilege.
            (5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and
        intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
        States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the
        daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for
        level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such
        title.
    (e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate 1 year after the
date of the initial meeting of the Committee under subsection (a)(4).
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Committee such sums as are necessary to carry out
the purposes of this section.

SEC. 4. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST CONSUMER PRICE
              INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY.

    (a) Pilot Program.--The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics shall establish a pilot program to test the accuracy of an
operational index to be recommended by the Consumer Price Index Review
Committee under section 3 and to be known as the ``Consumer Price Index
for the Elderly'', which indicates changes over time in expenditures
for consumption which are typical for retirees in the United States who
receive old-age and survivors insurance benefits under title II of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.).
    (b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program shall commence
with the first month that begins after the date of the submission of
the report under section 3(b)(2) and shall continue through December
2003.

SEC. 5. INTERIM APPLICATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ALL URBAN
              CONSUMERS.

    For cost-of-living computation quarters (as defined in section
215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(B))
occurring during the period that begins on January 1, 2001, and ends
with the implementation of the Official Consumer Price Index for the
Elderly under section 6(b), the Commissioner of Social Security,
notwithstanding section 215(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)) and any regulations promulgated thereunder, shall use the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers to calculate cost-of-
living adjustments for benefits described in section 6(b)(1).

SEC. 6. APPLICATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY.

    (a) Implementation.--
            (1) Commissioner of bureau of labor statistics.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not
                later than the fourth year that begins after the
                Consumer Price Index Review Committee submits the
                report required under section 3(b)(2), the Commissioner
                of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall prepare and
                publish monthly the Official Consumer Price Index for
                the Elderly based on the implementation plan and
                recommendations included in that report.
                    (B) No implementation if congressional disapproval
                of committee report.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply
                if a joint resolution is enacted, in accordance with
                paragraph (2), disapproving the report submitted by the
                Consumer Price Index Review Committee before the end of
                the 90-day period that begins on the date on which the
                Review Committee submits the report.
                    (C) Exclusion of certain days.--For purposes of
                subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), the days on which
                either House of Congress is not in session because of
                an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain
                shall be excluded from the computation of the period.
            (2) Congressional consideration.--
                    (A) Terms of the resolution.--For purposes of
                paragraph (1)(A), the term ``joint resolution'' means
                only a joint resolution that is introduced within the
                period described in that paragraph and--
                            (i) that does not have a preamble;
                            (ii) the matter after the resolving clause
                        of which is as follows: ``That Congress
                        disapproves the report of the Consumer Price
                        Index Review Committee regarding the
                        implementation of the Consumer Price Index for
                        the Elderly submitted on ________.'', the blank
                        space being filled in with the appropriate
                        date; and
                            (iii) the title of which is as follows:
                        ``Joint resolution disapproving the report of
                        the Consumer Price Index Review Committee
                        regarding the implementation of the Consumer
                        Price Index for the Elderly.''.
                    (B) Referral.--A resolution described in
                subparagraph (A) that is introduced--
                            (i) in the House of Representatives, shall
                        be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means;
                        and
                            (ii) in the Senate, shall be referred to
                        the Committee on Finance.
                    (C) Discharge.--If a committee to which a
                resolution described in subparagraph (A) is referred
                has not reported such resolution by the end of the 60-
                day period beginning on the date on which the Consumer
                Price Index Review Committee submits the report
                required under section 3(b)(2), such committee shall
                be, at the end of such period, discharged from further
                consideration of such resolution, and such resolution
                shall be placed on the appropriate calendar of the
                House involved.
                    (D) Consideration.--On or after the third day after
                the date on which the committee to which a resolution
                described in subparagraph (A) has reported, or has been
                discharged from further consideration of such
                resolution, such resolution shall be considered in the
                same manner as a resolution is considered under
                subsections (d), (e), and (f) of section 2908 of the
                Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10
                U.S.C. 2687 note).
    (b) Use of Index.--For cost-of-living computation quarters (as
defined in section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(1)(B))) beginning on or after January 1 of the calendar year
that begins after the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
first prepares and publishes the Official Consumer Price Index for the
Elderly in accordance with subsection (a)(1), the Commissioner of
Social Security shall--
            (1) cease using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
        Consumers to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for old-age
        and survivors insurance benefits payable under title II of the
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) to any retiree or
        individual who has attained age 62; and
            (2) notwithstanding section 215(i) of the Social Security
        Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) and any regulations promulgated
        thereunder, use the Official Consumer Price Index for the
        Elderly to calculate such adjustments.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Bureau of Labor Statistics such sums as are
necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

Summary: Establishes the Consumer Price Index Review Committee to study and report to Congress on: (1) improved, more accurate methods for determining a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to ensure that the improved index accurately measures changes in expenditures for consumption typical for retirees who receive Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as an index implementation plan. And (2) an accurate consumer price index for individuals who receive SSA title II disability insurance benefits. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish a pilot program to test the accuracy of an operational Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, which indicates changes in such consumption expenditures. Provides for implementation of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. Authorizes appropriations.

Fair Benefits for Seniors Act of 2000


SECTION 1. REGULATION OF GUN SHOWS.

    (a) In General.--Section 923 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m)(1) A person shall not hold a gun show unless--
            ``(A) the person is licensed to do so under this
        subsection; and
            ``(B) at least 30 days have elapsed since the person, using
        a form which shall be prescribed by the Secretary, has notified
        the Secretary and the chief law enforcement officer of the
        postal address and the dates and times at which the gun show is
        to be held.
    ``(2) A person desiring to be licensed to hold a gun show shall
submit to the Secretary an application which--
            ``(A) contains a certification by the applicant that--
                    ``(i) the applicant meets the requirements of
                subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (d)(1); and
                    ``(ii) any gun show to be conducted under the
                license is not prohibited by State or local law, and
                will be conducted in accordance with the requirements
                of State and local law;
            ``(B) contains a photograph and fingerprints of the
        applicant; and
            ``(C) is in such form as the Secretary shall by regulation
        prescribe.
    ``(3)(A) The Secretary shall approve an application submitted
pursant to paragraph (2) which meets the requirements of paragraph (2).
On approval of the application and payment by the applicant of such fee
as the Secretary shall establish to ensure that the fees collected
under this subsection are sufficient to cover the costs of issuing
licenses under this subsection, the Secretary shall issue to the
applicant a license which, subject to the provisions of this chapter
and other applicable provisions of law, entitles the licensee to hold
gun shows in interstate or foreign commerce during the 3-year period
that begins with the date the license is issued.
    ``(B) The Secretary shall approve or deny an application submitted
under paragraph (2) within 60 days after the Secretary receives the
application. If the Secretary fails to so act within such period, the
applicant may bring an action under section 1361 of title 28 to compel
the Secretary to so act.
    ``(4)(A) Before a person not licensed under this section transfers
a firearm at a gun show--
            ``(i) the person shall provide to the holder of the gun
        show written notice of--
                    ``(I) the name, age, and address of the person and
                of the prospective transferee (or, in the case of a
                party who is a corporation or other business entity,
                the identity and principal and local places of business
                of such party);
                    ``(II) the serial number, make, and model of the
                firearm; and
                    ``(III) the date and location of the transfer; and
            ``(ii) the holder of a gun show shall comply with the
        requirements imposed on licensed dealers by section 922(t) and
        subsections (g)(1)(A) and (g)(3)(A) of this section with
        respect to the transfer.
    ``(B) Within 30 days after the end of a gun show for which a
license is issued under this subsection, the licensee shall deliver to
the Secretary all records or documents which the licensee collected
pursuant to subparagraph (A) during the gun show.
    ``(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term `gun show' means an
event or function that is--
            ``(A) sponsored by--
                    ``(i) a national, State, or local organization
                devoted to the collection, competitive use, or other
                sporting use of firearms; or
                    ``(ii) an organization or association that sponsors
                functions devoted to the collection, competitive use,
                or other sporting use of firearms in the community; and
            ``(B) held at a location--
                            ``(i) which is not specified in any license
                        issued under subsection (b) or (c);
                            ``(ii) at which a firearm is offered for
                        sale or transfer; and
                            ``(iii) at which 50 or more firearms are
                        present, 1 or more of which has been shipped or
                        tranported in interstate or foreign
                        commerce.''.
    (b) Penalties.--Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding
at the end the following:
    ``(7)(A) Whoever knowingly violates section 923(m)(1) shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
    ``(B) Whoever knowingly violates subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) of
section 923(m)(4) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more
than 1 year, or both.
    ``(C) Whoever violates section 923(m)(4)(A)(ii) by knowingly
failing to comply with a provision of law specified in such section
shall be punished as otherwise provided under this section for
knowingly violating the provision of law.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to conduct engaged in after the 1-year period that begins with
the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a person from holding a gun show unless such person is licensed to do so and at least 30 days have elapsed since the person has notified the Secretary of the Treasury and the chief law enforcement officer of the postal address and the dates and times at which the show is to be held. Sets forth provisions regarding license application requirements, fees, and application approval or denial procedures. Requires that before an unlicensed person transfers a firearm at a gun show, such person shall provide to the holder of the show written notice of: (1) the name, age, and address of such person and of the transferee, (2) the serial number, make, and model of the firearm. And (3) the date and location of the transfer. Requires the holder of the show to: (1) comply with requirements imposed on firearms dealers with respect to firearm transfers. And (2) deliver show records to the Secretary within 30 days after the show. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.

To better regulate the transfer of firearms at gun shows.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Workplace Advancement and
Opportunity Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The proposed rule of the Department of Labor entitled
        ``Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive,
        Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer
        Employees'' (80 Fed. Reg. 38516 (July 6, 2015)) provides a
        minimum salary requirement that would be--
                    (A) a 113 percent increase during the first year
                after the final rule takes effect from the salary
                threshold in effect on February 29, 2016; and
                    (B) an increase that would set the Federal minimum
                salary threshold 20 percent higher than the minimum
                salary threshold under any State law effective on the
                date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) The Secretary significantly underestimated the cost of
        compliance with the July 6, 2015, proposed rule. Public
        comments calculate such rule will impose financial and non-
        financial costs substantially higher than those estimated by
        the Department.
            (3) According to the Office of Advocacy of the Small
        Business Administration, the initial regulatory flexibility
        analysis of the July 6, 2015, proposed rule required under
        section 603 of title 5, United States Code, failed to
        adequately identify the number of small entities affected by
        such rule and failed to address how such rule would affect
        regions with lower costs of living and differences in certain
        industries. On September 4, 2015, the Office of Advocacy of the
        Small Business Administration submitted comments to the
        Secretary regarding such rule, including recommendations to--
                    (A) reanalyze ``the economic impact of this rule on
                small businesses'', to ``provide a more accurate
                estimate of the small entities impacted by this
                proposal'', and to ``include an analysis of industry
                sub-sectors, regional differences, and revenue sizes'';
                    (B) reanalyze ``the number of small non-profit
                organizations and small governmental jurisdictions . .
                . that are affected by this rule and the economic
                impact of this rule on these entities''; and
                    (C) provide greater transparency with respect to
                ``compliance cost data'' and to ``utilize data provided
                in the comment process to accurately estimate the human
                resources and financial management costs of this
                regulation''.
            (4) The Secretary did not consider the potential impact of
        the July 6, 2015, proposed rule on workplace flexibility.
        Public comments address concerns that employees who are
        reclassified from exempt to nonexempt employees may no longer
        be able to participate in workplace flexibility arrangements
        and programs.
            (5) The Secretary did not analyze the potential impact of
        the July 6, 2015, proposed rule on companies that operate in
        multiple States with different costs of living and different
        salary scales, and the costs and unique complications for these
        employers associated with reclassifying thousands of employees
        in multiple States.
            (6) The July 6, 2015, proposed rule automatically updates
        the salary threshold on an annual basis for purposes of
        defining employees subject to the exemption under section
        13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
        213(a)(1)) for all subsequent years, contrary to the
        requirement under such section that the definitions applicable
        for the exemption shall be ``defined and delimited from time to
        time by regulations of the Secretary''. The Secretary does not
        have the authority to increase the salary threshold on an
        annual or other basis without conducting notice and comment
        rulemaking with respect to each change in accordance with
        section 553 of title 5, United States Code.
            (7) Although not proposed in the July 6, 2015, proposed
        rule, the Secretary indicated that changes to the duties tests
        may be included in the final rule, without providing for notice
        and comment regarding the specific proposed revisions.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
        Department of Labor.
            (2) July 6, 2015, proposed rule.--The term ``July 6, 2015,
        proposed rule'' means the proposed rule of the Department of
        Labor entitled ``Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for
        Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and
        Computer Employees'' (80 Fed. Reg. 38516 (July 6, 2015)) or the
        final rule with respect to such proposed rule.
            (3) Medicare or medicaid dependent health care provider.--
        The term ``Medicare or Medicaid dependent health care
        provider'' means an employer who derives more than 50 percent
        of its revenue from payments under the Medicare program under
        title XVIII of the Social Security Act, a State plan under the
        Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act, or both.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Labor.
            (5) Small business; small entity; small government
        jurisdiction; small organization.--The terms ``small
        business'', ``small entity'', ``small government
        jurisdiction'', and ``small organization'' have the meanings
        given such terms in section 601 of title 5, United States Code.
            (6) Substantially similar rule.--The term ``substantially
        similar rule'' means any rule or proposed rule that is a
        reissuance of the July 6, 2015, proposed rule in substantially
        the same form as such rule, or is the issuance of a new rule or
        proposed rule that is substantially the same as the July 6,
        2015, rule, including any rule that implements the provisions
        of section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
        U.S.C. 213(a)(1)).

SEC. 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT FOR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR RULES.

    (a) Enforcement.--
            (1) In general.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this
        Act, the July 6, 2015, proposed rule shall cease to have any
        force or effect.
            (2) Final rule.--In the case that the July 6, 2015,
        proposed rule is a final rule on the date of enactment of this
        Act--
                    (A) the Secretary shall not enforce the final rule
                based on conduct occurring before such date of
                enactment;
                    (B) an employee shall not have any right of action
                against an employer for the employer's failure to
                comply with the final rule at any time prior to such
                date of enactment;
                    (C) any regulations that were amended by such final
                rule shall be restored and revived as if the final rule
                had never taken effect; and
                    (D) nothing in this Act shall be construed to
                create a right of action for an employer against an
                employee for the recoupment of any payments made to the
                employee prior to the date of enactment of this Act
                that were in compliance with such final rule.
    (b) Conditions for Substantially Similar Rules.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may promulgate any
        substantially similar rule, subject to paragraph (3), only if
        the Secretary has completed each action required under
        paragraph (2).
            (2) Requirements for substantially similar rules.--The
        actions required under this paragraph are the following:
                    (A) The Secretary shall conduct an analysis of the
                impact of the substantially similar rule, including an
                initial regulatory flexibility analysis under section
                603 of title 5, United States Code and assessments
                under clauses (i) through (iii) of section 6(a)(3)(C)
                of Executive Order 12866 (5 U.S.C. 601 note, relating
                to regulatory planning and review) to be provided to
                the Administrator of the Office of Information and
                Regulatory Affairs in accordance with such section, and
                that--
                            (i) accurately identifies the number of
                        affected small entities by using specific data
                        points from the most recent publication of the
                        Statistics of U.S. Businesses by the Bureau of
                        the Census;
                            (ii) addresses regional, State, county (if
                        applicable), metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan
                        salary and cost of living differences;
                            (iii) provides an analysis of any
                        substantially similar rule, which shall include
                        the percentile of full-time salaried workers
                        affected, and such analysis shall be
                        disaggregated by--
                                    (I) State;
                                    (II) industry subsector;
                                    (III) small organizations;
                                    (IV) small government
                                jurisdictions, including further
                                disaggregation by school district;
                                    (V) nonprofit organizations;
                                    (VI) Medicare or Medicaid dependent
                                health care providers; and
                                    (VII) small businesses;
                            (iv) provides an analysis of management and
                        human resource costs for all employers,
                        including costs associated with changing human
                        resource systems, reclassifying employees, and
                        extra hours spent scheduling employees;
                            (v) provides an analysis of the impact on
                        lower-wage industries, including by geographic
                        area;
                            (vi) provides an analysis of all non-
                        financial costs, including impact on
                        employment, workplace flexibility, employee
                        benefit structure for exempt and nonexempt
                        workers, career advancement opportunities, new
                        business formation, business termination, and
                        loss of market share to foreign competition;
                        and
                            (vii) includes a complete description of
                        any significant alternative as described in
                        section 603(c) of title 5, United States Code,
                        to the substantially similar rule.
                    (B) The Secretary shall publish not less than one
                small entity compliance guide under section 212 of the
                Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
                1996 (5 U.S.C. 601 note) to assist small entities in
                complying with the substantially similar rule.
                    (C) The Secretary shall provide notice of the
                substantially similar rule in the Unified Agenda of
                Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, compiled
                by the Regulatory Information Service Center of the
                General Services Administration.
                    (D) The Secretary shall ensure that the effective
                date for any final rule with respect to the
                substantially similar rule shall not be less than 1
                year after the publication of such final rule in the
                Federal Register.
                    (E) The Secretary shall comply with the notice and
                comment requirements under section 553 of title 5,
                United States Code, and provide a comment period of not
                less than 120 days.
            (3) Automatic updates.--Any substantially similar rule
        promulgated by the Secretary shall not contain any automatic
        updates to the salary threshold for purposes of the exemption
        under section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
        (29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1)), in accordance with section 5.

SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    The requirement under section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1)) that the definitions applicable for
the exemption under such section be ``defined and delimited from time
to time by regulations of the Secretary'' shall be construed to--
            (1) require the Secretary to issue a new rule through
        notice and comment rulemaking in accordance with section 553 of
        title 5, United States Code, for each change in any salary
        threshold under such section 13(a)(1) proposed by the
        Secretary; and
            (2) exclude any rule that would result in changes to any
        salary threshold under such section for multiple time periods,
        including through any automatic updating procedure.

SEC. 6. REQUIREMENTS FOR DUTIES TESTS.

    The Secretary may not promulgate any final rule that includes any
provision revising any of the duties tests provided in part 541 of
title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation),
for exemption under section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1)) unless specific regulatory text for the
provision was proposed in the proposed rule.

Summary: Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act This bill declares that the proposed or the final rule of the Department of Labor entitled Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees shall cease to have any force or effect. The rule revises the quot, white collarquot. Exemption of executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees from minimum wage and maximum hour, or overtime, requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). If the proposed rule is a final rule on the date of enactment of this bill: Labor shall not enforce it based on conduct occurring before that enactment date, an employee shall not have any right of action against an employer for the employer's failure to comply with the final rule at any time before that enactment date, any regulations that were amended by the final rule shall be restored and revived as if the final rule had never taken effect, and nothing in this bill shall be construed to create a right of action for an employer against an employee for the recoupment of any payments made to the employee before the enactment of this bill that were in compliance with that final rule. Labor may promulgate any substantially similar rule only if it has completed certain required actions. But the rule shall not contain any automatic updates to the salary threshold for purposes of exemptions to minimum wage and maximum hour requirements under the FLSA. The requirement that definitions applicable for such exemptions be defined and delimited from time to time by Labor regulations shall be construed to: require Labor to issue a new rule through notice and comment rulemaking for each change in any salary threshold it has proposed. And exclude any rule that would result in changes to any salary threshold for multiple time periods, including through any automatic updating procedure. Labor may not promulgate any final rule that includes any revision to duties tests for exemption from minimum wage and maximum hours requirements unless specific regulatory text for the provision was proposed in the proposed rule.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Crop Risk Options Plan Act of
2013''.

SEC. 2. SUPPLEMENTAL COVERAGE OPTION.

    (a) Availability of Supplemental Coverage Option.--Paragraph (3) of
section 508(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(c)) is
amended to read as follows:
            ``(3) Yield and loss basis options.--A producer shall have
        the option of purchasing additional coverage based on--
                    ``(A)(i) an individual yield and loss basis; or
                    ``(ii) an area yield and loss basis;
                    ``(B) an individual yield and loss basis,
                supplemented with coverage based on an area yield and
                loss basis to cover a part of the deductible under the
                individual yield and loss policy, as described in
                paragraph (4)(C); or
                    ``(C) a margin basis alone or in combination with
                the coverages available in subparagraph (A) or (B).''.
    (b) Level of Coverage.--Paragraph (4) of section 508(c) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(c)) is amended to read as
follows:
            ``(4) Level of coverage.--
                    ``(A) Dollar denomination and percentage of
                yield.--Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the
                level of coverage--
                            ``(i) shall be dollar denominated; and
                            ``(ii) may be purchased at any level not to
                        exceed 85 percent of the individual yield or 95
                        percent of the area yield (as determined by the
                        Corporation).
                    ``(B) Information.--The Corporation shall provide
                producers with information on catastrophic risk and
                additional coverage in terms of dollar coverage (within
                the allowable limits of coverage provided in this
                paragraph).
                    ``(C) Supplemental coverage option.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding
                        subparagraph (A), in the case of the
                        supplemental coverage option described in
                        paragraph (3)(B), the Corporation shall offer
                        producers the opportunity to purchase coverage
                        in combination with a policy or plan of
                        insurance offered under this subtitle that
                        would allow indemnities to be paid to a
                        producer equal to a part of the deductible
                        under the policy or plan of insurance--
                                    ``(I) at a county-wide level to the
                                fullest extent practicable; or
                                    ``(II) in counties that lack
                                sufficient data, on the basis of such
                                larger geographical area as the
                                Corporation determines to provide
                                sufficient data for purposes of
                                providing the coverage.
                            ``(ii) Trigger.--Coverage offered under
                        paragraph (3)(B) and clause (i) shall be
                        triggered only if the losses in the area exceed
                        10 percent of normal levels (as determined by
                        the Corporation).
                            ``(iii) Coverage.--Subject to the trigger
                        described in clause (ii), coverage offered
                        under paragraph (3)(B) and clause (i) shall not
                        exceed the difference between--
                                    ``(I) 90 percent; and
                                    ``(II) the coverage level selected
                                by the producer for the underlying
                                policy or plan of insurance.
                            ``(iv) Calculation of premium.--
                        Notwithstanding subsection (d), the premium for
                        coverage offered under paragraph (3)(B) and
                        clause (i) shall--
                                    ``(I) be sufficient to cover
                                anticipated losses and a reasonable
                                reserve; and
                                    ``(II) include an amount for
                                operating and administrative expenses
                                established in accordance with
                                subsection (k)(4)(F).''.
    (c) Payment of Portion of Premium by Corporation.--Section
508(e)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(2)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) In the case of the supplemental coverage
                option authorized in subsection (c)(4)(C), the amount
                shall be equal to the sum of--
                            ``(i) 60 percent of the additional premium
                        associated with the coverage; and
                            ``(ii) the amount determined under
                        subsection (c)(4)(C)(vi)(II), subject to
                        subsection (k)(4)(F), for the coverage to cover
                        operating and administrative expenses.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation shall
begin to provide additional coverage based on an individual yield and
loss basis, supplemented with coverage based on an area yield and loss
basis, not later than for the 2014 crop year.

SEC. 3. DATA SOURCES FOR DETERMINATION OF ACTUAL PRODUCTION HISTORY.

    Section 508(g)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(g)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Sources of yield data.--To determine yields
                under this paragraph, the Corporation shall use data
                collected by the Risk Management Agency or the National
                Agricultural Statistics Service, or both.''.

Summary: Crop Risk Options Plan Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to make available to crop producers additional coverage to cover part of a crop insurance policy deductible based upon: (1) an individual or area yield and loss basis, (2) an individual yield and loss basis supplemented with coverage based on an area yield and loss basis , or (3) a margin basis alone or in combination with the coverages available in (1) or (2). Triggers the supplemental coverage option only if area losses exceed 10 of normal levels. Provides for: (1) 60 premium coverage plus operating and administrative costs paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), and (2) coverage to begin no later than crop year 2014. Provides that in the case of the supplemental coverage option, FCIC shall offer producers the opportunity to purchase coverage that pays indemnities on a county-wide level or on a larger geographical area level in counties that lack sufficient data. Directs FCIC, in developing yield guarantees, to use county data collected by the Risk Management Agency andor the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Crop Risk Options Plan Act of 2013


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``International Money Transfer
Disclosure Act''.

SEC. 2. DISCLOSURES REQUIRED.

    (a) Regulations.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the appropriate
        Federal agencies shall jointly prescribe regulations that
        require any financial institution or money transmitting
        business which initiates an international money transfer on
        behalf of a consumer (whether or not the consumer maintains an
        account at such institution or business) to make a good faith
        effort to provide the following disclosures to the consumer
        before the consummation of the transaction:
                    (A) Any fees to be charged to the recipient,
                including any exchange rate or currency conversion
                fees.
                    (B) A final itemization of all costs to the
                consumer, which would include all fees charged, for the
                remittance.
                    (C) The exact amount of foreign currency to be
                received by the recipient in the foreign country.
            (2) Good faith effort.--For purposes of paragraph (1), good
        faith effort requires honesty in fact and all commercially
        reasonable efforts to provide the disclosures based on the most
        accurate information reasonably available to the financial
        institution or money transmitting business at the time of the
        international money transfer.
    (b) Language Requirement.--The disclosures required under
subsection (a) shall be in English and in the same language, if other
than English, as the language principally used by the financial
institution or money transmitting business, or any of its agents, to
advertise, solicit, or negotiate, either orally or in writing, at the
office of the institution or business at which the international money
transfer is initiated.
    (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
            (1) Appropriate federal agency.--The term ``appropriate
        Federal agency'' means--
                    (A) the appropriate Federal banking agency, in the
                case of any insured depository institution (as such
                terms are defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit
                Insurance Act);
                    (B) the National Credit Union Administration, in
                the case of any credit union (as defined in section 101
                of the Federal Credit Union Act); and
                    (C) the Federal Trade Commission, in the case of
                any financial institution or money transmitting
                business that is not an insured depository institution
                or insured credit union.
            (2) International money transfer.--The term ``international
        money transfer'' means any money transmitting service
        originating in the United States and involving an international
        transaction which is provided by a financial institution or a
        money transmitting business.
            (3) Money transmitting service.--The term ``money
        transmitting service'' has the meaning given to such term in
        section 5330(d)(2) of title 31, United States Code.
            (4) Money transmitting business.--The term ``money
        transmitting business'' means any business which--
                    (A) provides check cashing, currency exchange, or
                money transmitting or remittance services, or issues or
                redeems money orders, travelers' checks, and other
                similar instruments; and
                    (B) is not a depository institution (as defined in
                section 5313(g) of title 31, United States Code).
    (d) Administrative Enforcement.--
                    (1) Depository institutions.--
                    (A) In general.--Compliance with the requirements
                imposed under this section shall be enforced under--
                            (i) section 8 of the Federal Deposit
                        Insurance Act, in the case of an insured
                        depository institution, by the appropriate
                        Federal banking agency (as such terms are
                        defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit
                        Insurance Act); and
                            (ii) the Federal Credit Union Act, in the
                        case of any insured credit union (as defined in
                        section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act),
                        by the National Credit Union Administration.
                    (B) Applicability of other laws.--
                            (i) Violations of this section.--For the
                        purpose of the exercise by any agency referred
                        to in subparagraph (A) of its powers under any
                        Act referred to in that subparagraph, a
                        violation of any requirement imposed under this
                        section shall be deemed to be a violation of a
                        requirement imposed under that Act.
                            (ii) Other authority.--In addition to its
                        powers under any provision of law specifically
                        referred to in subparagraph (A), each of the
                        agencies referred to in such subparagraph may
                        exercise, for the purpose of enforcing
                        compliance with any requirement imposed under
                        this section, any other authority conferred on
                        it by law.
            (2) Other money transmitting businesses.--
                    (A) Appropriate federal regulator.--Except to the
                extent that enforcement of the requirements imposed
                under this section is specifically committed to some
                other Government agency under paragraph (1), the
                Federal Trade Commission shall enforce such
                requirements.
                    (B) Applicability of other laws.--
                            (i) Violations of this section.--For the
                        purpose of the exercise by the Federal Trade
                        Commission of its functions and powers under
                        the Federal Trade Commission Act, a violation
                        of any requirement imposed under this section
                        shall be deemed a violation of a requirement
                        imposed under that Act.
                            (ii) Other authority.--All of the functions
                        and powers of the Federal Trade Commission
                        under the Federal Trade Commission Act are
                        available to the Commission to enforce
                        compliance by any person subject to the
                        jurisdiction of the Commission with the
                        requirements imposed under this section,
                        irrespective of whether that person is engaged
                        in commerce or meets any other jurisdictional
                        tests in the Federal Trade Commission Act.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to any international
money transfer initiated in the United States after the end of the 3-
month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: International Money Transfer Disclosure Act - Directs certain Federal agencies to jointly prescribe regulations requiring a financial institution or money transmitting business which initiates an international money transfer on behalf of a consumer to make a good faith effort to disclose to the consumer before consummation of the transaction: (1) any fees to be charged to the recipient, including any exchange rate or currency conversion fees. (2) a final itemization of all costs to the consumer for the remittance. And (3) the exact amount of foreign currency to be received by the recipient in the foreign country. Mandates that such disclosures take place in English and in the same language, if other than English, as the language principally used by the financial institution or money transmitting business to advertise, solicit, or negotiate at its office where the international money transfer is initiated.

To require certain disclosures in connection with any international money transfer, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wildlife Without Borders
Authorization Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) our Nation has a long-standing commitment to assisting
        other countries with the conservation of wildlife species and
        limited wildlife conservation resources, including trained
        wildlife professionals, are often unavailable in many foreign
        countries containing globally important biological resources;
            (2) conservation activities, both overseas and in
        neighboring countries, are required to meet the Federal
        Government's obligations under numerous international treaties,
        laws, agreements, and cooperative programs;
            (3) since 1989, the Wildlife Without Borders Program, an
        administratively-created program within the United States Fish
        and Wildlife Service, has provided wildlife conservation
        assistance throughout the world by developing locally-adapted
        wildlife management and conservation programs, in coordination
        with non-governmental organizations, governments, private
        businesses, and community leaders, in an effort to maintain
        global species diversity;
            (4) activities under the Wildlife Without Borders Program
        is responsible for implementation of over 800 conservation
        projects around the world that address grass-roots threats to
        numerous endangered species, habitats, and ecosystems and that
        complement the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's
        existing programs for African elephants, rhinoceros and tigers,
        Asian elephants, great apes, migratory birds, and marine
        turtles;
            (5) activities under the Wildlife Without Borders Program
        provide education, training, and outreach to strengthen
        capacity for habitat and wildlife conservation throughout the
        world and serve a key role in facilitating international
        dialogue; and
            (6) although the Secretary of the Interior is generally
        authorized to undertake partnering and capacity building
        activities, a specific authorization will reinforce our
        Nation's long-term commitment to the Wildlife Without Borders
        Program.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to provide capacity
building, outreach, education, and training assistance in endangered
species and strategic habitat conservation to other nations by
providing international wildlife management and conservation programs
through the Wildlife Without Borders Program.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Conservation.--The term ``conservation'' includes--
                    (A) the methods and procedures necessary to bring a
                species to the point at which there are sufficient
                populations in the wild to ensure that the species does
                not become extinct; and
                    (B) all activities associated with protection and
                management of a species, including--
                            (i) maintenance, management, protection,
                        and restoration of species habitat;
                            (ii) research and monitoring;
                            (iii) law enforcement;
                            (iv) community outreach and education;
                            (v) conflict resolution initiatives; and
                            (vi) strengthening the capacity of local
                        communities, government agencies, non-
                        governmental organizations, and other
                        institutions to implement conservation
                        programs.
            (2) Fish or wildlife.--The term ``fish or wildlife'' means
        any member of the animal kingdom, including any mammal, fish,
        bird, amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, or arthropod.
            (3) Plant.--The term ``plant'' mean any member of the plant
        kingdom, including seeds, roots, and other parts thereof.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.
            (5) Species.--The term ``species'' includes any subspecies
        of fish or wildlife or plants, and any distinct population
        segment of any species of vertebrate fish or wildlife.

SEC. 4. WILDLIFE WITHOUT BORDERS PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out the Wildlife Without
Borders Program within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to
provide international wildlife conservation assistance through the
initiation, facilitation, and promotion of locally adapted wildlife
management and conservation programs in coordination with non-
governmental organizations, governments, private businesses, and
community leaders. Such program shall include, but shall not be limited
to, partnership programs for grass roots capacity building, applied
scientific conservation research, and wildlife management training.
    (b) Program Components.--The program authorized under this section
shall include the following:
            (1) Species program.--A species program, which shall
        comprise administration of the programs and funds authorized
        by--
                    (A) the African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988
                (16 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.);
                    (B) the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 (16
                U.S.C. 4261 et seq.);
                    (C) the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of
                1994 (16 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
                    (D) the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16
                U.S.C. 6301);
                    (E) the Marine Turtle Conservation Act of 2004 (16
                U.S.C. 6601); and
                    (F) any similar, future authority provided to the
                Secretary and implemented by the Fish and Wildlife
                Service.
            (2) Regional program.--A regional program, which shall--
                    (A) address grass-roots conservation problems
                through a regional grants program focused on building
                in-country human and institutional capacity to achieve
                comprehensive conservation in a manner adapted to the
                particular needs of a partner country;
                    (B) facilitate and guide delivery of other
                international United States Fish and Wildlife Service
                programs; and
                    (C) coordinate, develop, and implement regional
                treaties, conventions, and accords, including regional
                coordination mechanisms, on behalf of the United States
                Fish and Wildlife Service.
            (3) Global program.--A global program, which shall, through
        programs under the jurisdiction of the secretary and that are
        implemented through the United States Fish and Wildlife
        Service--
                    (A) implement global habitat and conservation
                initiatives; and
                    (B) address the international aspects of global
                conservation threats, such as invasive species and
                wildlife disease.
    (c) Coordination.--The Secretary shall operate the program
components authorized under this section in a coordinated fashion to
ensure efficient and cost-effective implementation.
    (d) Additional Components.--The Secretary may include such
additional components in the program authorized under this section as
the Secretary considers appropriate.

SEC. 5. ACCEPTANCE AND USE OF DONATIONS.

    In administering the Wildlife Without Borders Program, the
Secretary may accept donations of funds and to use such funds for
capacity building, grants, and other on-the-ground uses carried out by
the program components authorized under paragraphs (2) and (3) of
section 4.

SEC. 6. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.

    The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply
to any advisory committees established under this Act.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    To carry out this Act there is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.

Summary: Wildlife Without Borders Authorization Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a Wildlife Without Borders Program within the US Fish and Wildlife Service to provide international wildlife conservation assistance through the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of locally adapted wildlife management and conservation programs in coordination with non-governmental organizations, governments, private businesses, and community leaders. Specifies the species, regional, and global program components that shall be included in the Wildlife Without Borders Program. Permits the Secretary, in the administration of the Wildlife Without Borders Program, to accept donated funds and to use them for capacity building, grants, and other on-the-ground uses carried out under the regional and global program components authorized by this Act.

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide international wildlife management and conservation programs through the Wildlife Without Borders Program in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and for other purposes.