SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Family Foreclosure Rescue
Corporation Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are to provide emergency relief with
respect to home mortgage indebtedness through the establishment of a
corporation to directly refinance home mortgages to homeowners
currently in foreclosure, serious default, or with a reasonable
expectation of imminent, sustained default and--
            (1) to extend relief to the owners of homes occupied by
        them and who are unable to amortize their debt elsewhere,
        including those homeowners whose outstanding mortgage
        indebtedness exceeds the value of their home due to recent
        declines in the housing market;
            (2) to provide necessary funds for refinancing without
        reliance on liquidity and credit availability in private
        markets;
            (3) to stabilize neighborhoods by reducing foreclosures and
        the downward impact on house prices created by the threat of
        widespread foreclosure;
            (4) to encourage loan originators and servicers to modify
        the terms of existing non-performing loans to obligations that
        borrowers can reasonably repay;
            (5) to provide mortgage assistance in an efficient manner
        at minimal to no cost to the taxpayer, with corporate profits
        returned to the Treasury of the United States; and
            (6) to minimize the impacts of the current mortgage crisis
        on the broader economy.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Corporation.--The term ``Corporation'' means the Family
        Foreclosure Rescue Corporation established under section 4.
            (2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors
        of the Corporation.
            (3) Home mortgage.--The term ``home mortgage'' means a
        first mortgage on real estate--
                    (A)(i) in fee simple, upon which there is located a
                dwelling for not more than four families;
                    (ii) on a leasehold under a renewable lease for not
                less than 99 years, upon which there is located a
                dwelling for not more than four families; or
                    (iii) that is a single unit in a condominium; and
                    (B) has a value not exceeding the lower of--
                            (i) 125 percent of the local area median
                        home price; or
                            (ii) 175 percent of the dollar amount
                        limitation for a single-family residence then
                        in effect under section 305(a)(2) of the
                        Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12
                        U.S.C. 1454(a)(2)) .
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Treasury.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT.

    The Secretary of the Treasury shall establish a corporation to be
known as the Family Foreclosure Rescue Corporation, which shall be an
instrumentality of the United States, and which shall have authority to
sue and to be sued in any court of competent jurisdiction, Federal or
State.

SEC. 5. BOARD.

    (a) In General.--The Corporation shall be under the direction of a
Board of Directors and shall be operated by the Board under such
bylaws, rules, and regulations as the Board may prescribe for the
accomplishment of the purposes and intent of this Act.
    (b) Members.--The Board shall consist of seven members, as follows:
            (1) Two of the members shall be appointed by the President.
            (2) Four of the members shall be appointed by President
        from among a list of 10 nominees selected jointly by the
        Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader
        of the Senate.
            (3) The Secretary shall serve as an ex officio member of
        the Board.

SEC. 6. CAPITAL STOCK.

    (a) In General.--The Corporation shall have capital stock
subscribed to by the Secretary on behalf of the United States
Government in such amount as the Secretary may determine to be
appropriate, to the extent provided in advance in an appropriation Act
for any fiscal year, but not to exceed in the aggregate $200,000,000.
    (b) Certificates.--Certificates evidencing shares of nonvoting
capital stock of the Corporation shall be issued by the Corporation to
the Secretary, to the extent of payments made for the capital stock of
the Corporation.
    (c) Public Debt Transaction.--For the purpose of purchasing shares
of capital stock of the Corporation, the Secretary may use as a public-
debt transaction the proceeds of any securities issued under chapter 31
of title 31, United States Code.

SEC. 7. BORROWING.

    (a) Issuance.--The Corporation may issue bonds in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $150,000,000,000, which may be sold by the
Corporation to obtain funds for carrying out the purposes of this Act,
or exchanged as hereinafter provided. Such bonds shall be issued in
such denominations as the Board shall prescribe, shall mature within a
period of not more than 30 years from the date of their issue, shall
bear interest at a rate not to exceed 5 percent annually, and shall be
fully and unconditionally guaranteed as to principal and interest by
the United States, and such guaranty shall be expressed on the face
thereof.
    (b) Payment.--The Corporation shall make bond payments of accrued
interest plus principal in the amount sufficient to return the
principal within a period not to exceed 30 years, and such payments may
be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, in the
discretion of the Corporation. Outstanding principal and accrued
interest shall be paid to the bond holder in the event that the
mortgage issued in exchange for that bond is paid off or title to the
underlying property is transfered by sale or foreclosured.
    (c) Treasury Borrowing.--In the event that the Corporation is
unable to pay upon demand, when due, the interest on any such bonds,
the Secretary shall pay to the Corporation the amount of such interest,
which is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Corporation, and
the Corporation shall pay the amount of such interest to the holders of
the bonds. Upon the payment of such interest by the Secretary, the
amount so paid shall become an obligation of the Corporation to the
United States and shall bear interest at the same rate as that borne by
the bonds upon which the interest has been so paid.
    (d) Treatment.--The bonds issued by the Corporation under this
section shall be exempt, both as to principal and interest, from all
taxation (except surtaxes, estate, inheritance, and gift taxes) now or
hereafter imposed by the United States or any District, Territory,
dependency, or possession thereof, or by any State, county,
municipality, or local taxing authority.

SEC. 8. TREATMENT OF CORPORATION.

    The Corporation, including its franchise, its capital, reserves,
and surplus, and its loans and income, shall be exempt from taxation
referred to in section 7(c), except that any real property of the
Corporation shall be subject to taxation to the same extent, according
to its value, as other real property is taxed.

SEC. 9. EMERGENCY MORTGAGE RELIEF.

    (a) Acquisition of Mortgages.--The Corporation may, during the
three-year period that begins upon the date of the enactment of this
Act--
            (1) acquire in exchange for bonds issued by the
        Corporation, home mortgages and other obligations and liens
        secured by real estate (including the interest of a vendor
        under a purchase-money mortgage or contract) recorded or filed
        in the proper office or executed prior to the date of the
        enactment of this Act, which are currently in default or at
        foreseeable risk of default, except that--
                    (A) in the event that the home mortgage was placed
                in a trust or other qualified special purpose vehicle
                for the purposes of securitization, acceptance of
                Corporation bonds by a duly appointed servicer as
                payment in full for the purchase of the home mortgage
                shall be construed as a non-foreclosure alternative to
                the termination of a loan, equivalent to a short sale
                or short payoff;
                    (B) the face value of the bonds so exchanged and
                the cash so advanced shall not exceed, in any case, the
                principal balance plus accrued interest on that balance
                (exclusive of additional fees incurred as part of
                lender workouts and similar actions), as of the time of
                acquisition by the Corporation, as determined by an
                appraisal made by the Corporation; and
                    (C) in any case in which the amount of the face
                value of the bonds exchanged plus accrued interest
                thereon and the cash advanced is less than the amount
                the homeowner owes with respect to the home mortgage or
                other obligation or lien so acquired by the
                Corporation, the Corporation shall credit the
                difference between such amounts to the homeowner and
                shall reduce the amount owed by the homeowner to the
                Corporation, to that extent; and
            (2) in connection with any such exchange, make advances in
        cash to pay the taxes and assessments on the real estate, to
        meet the incidental expenses of the transaction, and to pay
        such amounts, not exceeding $750, to the holder of the
        mortgage, obligation, or lien acquired as may be the difference
        between the face value of the bonds exchanged and the purchase
        price of the mortgage, obligation, or lien;
    (b) Amortization.--Each home mortgage or other obligation or lien
so acquired shall be carried as a first lien or refinanced as a home
mortgage by the Corporation on the basis of the price paid for the
mortgage, obligation, or lien by the Corporation, and shall be
amortized by means of monthly payments sufficient to retire the
interest and principal within a period of not to exceed 30 years; but
the amortization payments of any homeowner may be made quarterly,
semiannually, or annually, if in the judgment of the Corporation the
situation of the homeowner requires it.
    (c) Maximum Interest Rate.--Interest on the unpaid balance of the
obligation of the homeowner to the Corporation shall be at a rate not
exceeding 7.5 percent annually.
    (d) Extensions.--The Corporation may at any time grant an extension
of time to any homeowner for the payment of any installment of
principal or interest owed by the homeowner to the Corporation if, in
the judgment of the Corporation, the circumstances of the homeowner and
the condition of the security justify such extension.
    (e) Redemption and Recovery of Foreclosed Properties.--The
Corporation may, during the three-year period described in subsection
(a), exchange bonds and advance cash subject to the limitations
provided in subsection (a), to redeem or recover homes lost by the
owners by foreclosure or forced sale by a trustee under a deed of trust
or under power of attorney, or by voluntary surrender to the mortgagee
within two years prior to such exchange or advance.
    (f) Real Estate.--As used in this section, the term ``real estate''
includes only real estate described in section 3(3).

SEC. 10. NONDISCRIMINATION.

    (a) Location of Real Estate.--No discrimination shall be made under
this Act against any home mortgage by reason of the fact that the real
estate securing such mortgage is located in a municipality, county, or
taxing district which is in default upon any of its obligations.
    (b) Characteristics of Applicants.--The Corporation is prohibited
from discriminating in its lending behavior based on the race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or familial status of
the applicant or applicants.

SEC. 11. DENIAL OF APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Authority To Deny.--The Corporation may deny a home mortgage
application on the grounds of an applicant's inability to pay or excess
indebtedness, as determined by credit score, household income and
assets, or other criteria, to be determined by the Board or its
designees.
    (b) Counseling.--The Corporation shall provide applicants who are
denied a home mortgage issued by the Corporation information sufficient
to identify and contact a housing counseling provider serving the local
area in which the applicant resides who has been certified pursuant to
section 106(f) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12
U.S.C. 1701x(f)).

SEC. 12. DISPOSITION OF REAL ESTATE.

    In the event the Corporation takes possession of real estate
through foreclosure, voluntary transfer of title, or otherwise, the
Corporation shall dispose of the real estate in a manner that minimizes
adverse impacts on neighboring property values by staggering sales so
as not to create an excess supply of properties for sale or by offering
properties for rent until disposition is possible. The Corporation may
make necessary repairs to Corporation-owned property to maintain the
value of the property and to prepare it for disposition.

SEC. 13. APPRAISALS.

    The Board shall make rules for the appraisal of the property on
which loans are made under this Act, to accomplish the purposes of this
Act.

SEC. 14. OTHER PROVISIONS.

    (a) Officers and Employees.--The Corporation shall have power to
select, employ, and fix the compensation of such officers, employees,
attorneys, or agents as shall be necessary for the performance of its
duties under this Act, without regard to the provisions of other laws
applicable to the employment or compensation of officers, employees,
attorneys, or agents of the United States. No such officer, employee,
attorney, or agent shall be paid compensation at a rate in excess of
the rate provided for the members of the Board.
    (b) Use of Mails.--The Corporation may use the United States mails
in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments
and agencies of the United States.
    (c) Salaries and Expenses.--The Corporation shall pay such
proportion of the salary and expenses of the members of the Board and
of its officers and employees as the Board may determine to be
equitable, and may use the facilities of Federal Home Loan Banks, upon
making reasonable compensation for such use, as determined by the
Board.
    (d) Bylaws, Rules, and Regulations.--The Board may make such
bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act, as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of
the Corporation.
    (e) Retirement of Stock.--The Corporation shall retire and cancel
the bonds and stock of the Corporation as rapidly as the resources of
the Corporation will permit. Upon the retirement of such stock, the
reasonable value thereof as determined by the Board shall be paid into
the Treasury of the United States and the receipts issued therefor
shall be canceled.

SEC. 15. LIQUIDATION.

    The Board shall proceed to liquidate the Corporation when its
purposes have been accomplished, and shall pay any surplus or
accumulated funds into the Treasury of the United States. The
Corporation may declare and pay such dividends to the United States as
may be earned and as in the judgment of the Board it is proper for the
Corporation to pay.

Summary: Family Foreclosure Rescue Corporation Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the Family Foreclosure Rescue Corporation to acquire, via the sale of bonds, home mortgages and other obligations and liens secured by real estate which are currently in default or at foreseeable risk of default.

To establish the Family Foreclosure Rescue Corporation to provide emergency relief to refinance home mortgages of homeowners in foreclosure or default.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ute-Moab Land Restoration Act''.

SEC. 2. TRANSFER OF OIL SHALE RESERVE.

    Section 3405 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (10 U.S.C. 7420 note; Public Law 105-261) is
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 3405. TRANSFER OF OIL SHALE RESERVE NUMBERED 2.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled
        `Boundary Map, .............', numbered ____ and dated
        ________, to be kept on file and available for public
        inspection in the offices of the Department of the Interior.
            ``(2) Moab site.--The term `Moab site' means the Moab
        uranium milling site located approximately 3 miles northwest of
        Moab, Utah, and identified in the Final Environmental Impact
        Statement issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March
        1996, in conjunction with Source Material License No. SUA 917.
            ``(3) NOSR-2.--The term `NOSR-2' means Oil Shale Reserve
        Numbered 2, as identified on a map on file in the Office of the
        Secretary of the Interior.
            ``(4) Tribe.--The term `Tribe' means the Ute Indian Tribe
        of the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation.
    ``(b) Conveyance.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
        United States conveys to the Tribe, subject to valid existing
        rights in effect on the day before the date of enactment of
        this section, all Federal land within the exterior boundaries
        of NOSR-2 in fee simple (including surface and mineral rights).
            ``(2) Reservations.--The conveyance under paragraph (1)
        shall not include the following reservations of the United
        States:
                    ``(A) A 9 percent royalty interest in the value of
                any oil, gas, other hydrocarbons, and all other
                minerals from the conveyed land that are produced,
                saved, and sold, the payments for which shall be made
                by the Tribe or its designee to the Secretary of Energy
                during the period that the oil, gas, hydrocarbons, or
                minerals are being produced, saved, sold, or extracted.
                    ``(B) The portion of the bed of Green River
                contained entirely within NOSR-2, as depicted on the
                map.
                    ``(C) The land (including surface and mineral
                rights) to the west of the Green River within NOSR-2,
                as depicted on the map.
                    ``(D) A \1/4\ mile scenic easement on the east side
                of the Green River within NOSR-2.
            ``(3) Conditions.--
                    ``(A) Management authority.--On completion of the
                conveyance under paragraph (1), the United States
                relinquishes all management authority over the conveyed
                land (including tribal activities conducted on the
                land).
                    ``(B) No reversion.--The land conveyed to the Tribe
                under this subsection shall not revert to the United
                States for management in trust status.
                    ``(C) Use of easement.--The reservation of the
                easement under paragraph (2)(D) shall not affect the
                right of the Tribe to obtain, use, and maintain access
                to, the Green River through the use of the road within
                the easement, as depicted on the map.
    ``(c) Withdrawals.--All withdrawals in effect on NOSR-2 on the date
of enactment of this section are revoked.
    ``(d) Administration of Reserved land, Interests in land.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the land
        and interests in land reserved from conveyance under
        subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (b)(2) in accordance
        with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
        U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
            ``(2) Management plan.--Not later than 3 years after the
        date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit
        to Congress a land use plan for the management of the land and
        interests in land referred to in paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are
        necessary to carry out this subsection.
    ``(e) Royalty.--
            ``(1) Payment of royalty.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The royalty interest reserved
                from conveyance in subsection (b)(2)(A) that is
                required to be paid by the Tribe shall not include any
                development, production, marketing, and operating
                expenses.
                    ``(B) Federal tax responsibility.--The United
                States shall bear responsibility for and pay--
                            ``(i) gross production taxes;
                            ``(ii) pipeline taxes; and
                            ``(iii) allocation taxes assessed against
                        the gross production.
            ``(2) Report.--The Tribe shall submit to the Secretary of
        Energy and to Congress an annual report on resource development
        and other activities of the Tribe concerning the conveyance
        under subsection (b).
            ``(3) Financial audit.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the
                date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years
                thereafter, the Tribe shall obtain an audit of all
                resource development activities of the Tribe concerning
                the conveyance under subsection (b), as provided under
                chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code.
                    ``(B) Inclusion of results.--The results of each
                audit under this paragraph shall be included in the
                next annual report submitted after the date of
                completion of the audit.
    ``(f) River Management.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Tribe shall manage, under Tribal
        jurisdiction and in accordance with ordinances adopted by the
        Tribe, land of the Tribe that is adjacent to, and within \1/4\
        mile of, the Green River in a manner that--
                    ``(A) maintains the protected status of the land;
                and
                    ``(B) is consistent with the government-to-
                government agreement and in the memorandum of
                understanding dated February 11, 2000, as agreed to by
                the Tribe and the Secretary.
            ``(2) No management restrictions.--An ordinance referred to
        in paragraph (1) shall not impair, limit, or otherwise restrict
        the management and use of any land that is not owned,
        controlled, or subject to the jurisdiction of the Tribe.
            ``(3) Repeal or amendment.--An ordinance adopted by the
        Tribe and referenced in the government-to-government agreement
        may not be repealed or amended without the written approval
        of--
                    ``(A) the Tribe; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary.
    ``(g) Plant Species.--
            ``(1) In general.--In accordance with a government-to-
        government agreement between the Tribe and the Secretary, in a
        manner consistent with levels of legal protection in effect on
        the date of enactment of this section, the Tribe shall protect,
        under ordinances adopted by the Tribe, any plant species that
        is--
                    ``(A) listed as an endangered species or threatened
                species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act
                of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); and
                    ``(B) located or found on the NOSR-2 land conveyed
                to the Tribe.
            ``(2) Tribal jurisdiction.--The protection described in
        paragraph (1) shall be performed solely under tribal
        jurisdiction
    ``(h) Horses.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Tribe shall manage, protect, and
        assert control over any horse not owned by the Tribe or tribal
        members that is located or found on the NOSR-2 land conveyed to
        the Tribe in a manner that is consistent with Federal law
        governing the management, protection, and control of horses in
        effect on the date of enactment of this section.
            ``(2) Tribal jurisdiction.--The management, control, and
        protection of horses described in paragraph (1) shall be
        performed solely--
                    ``(A) under tribal jurisdiction; and
                    ``(B) in accordance with a government-to-government
                agreement between the Tribe and the Secretary.
    ``(i) Remedial Action at Moab Site.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of Energy shall
        prepare a plan for the commencement, not later than 1 year
        after the date of completion of the plan, of remedial action
        (including groundwater restoration) at the Moab site in
        accordance with section 102(a) of the Uranium Mill Tailings
        Radiation Control Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 7912(a)).
            ``(2) Limit on expenditures.--The Secretary shall limit the
        amounts expended in carrying out the remedial action under
        paragraph (1) to--
                    ``(A) amounts specifically appropriated for the
                remedial action in an Act of appropriation; and
                    ``(B) other amounts made available for the remedial
                action under this subsection.
            ``(3) Retention of royalties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Energy shall
                retain the amounts received as royalties under
                subsection (e)(1).
                    ``(B) Availability.--Amounts referred to in
                subparagraph (A) shall be available, without further
                Act of appropriation, to carry out the remedial action
                under paragraph (1).
                    ``(C) Excess amounts.--On completion of the
                remedial action under paragraph (1), all remaining
                royalty amounts shall be deposited in the General Fund
                of the Treasury.
                    ``(D) Authorization of appropriations.--
                            ``(i) In general.--There are authorized to
                        be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to
                        carry out the remedial action under paragraph
                        (1) such sums as are necessary.
                            ``(ii) Continuation of nrc trustee
                        remediation activities.--After the date of
                        enactment of this section and until such date
                        as funds are made available under clause (i),
                        the Secretary, using funds available to the
                        Secretary that are not otherwise appropriated,
                        shall carry out--
                                    ``(I) this subsection; and
                                    ``(II) any remediation activity
                                being carried out at the Moab site by
                                the trustee appointed by the Nuclear
                                Regulatory Commission for the Moab site
on the date of enactment of this section.
            ``(4) Sale of moab site.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Moab site is sold after
                the date on which the Secretary of Energy completes the
                remedial action under paragraph (1), the seller shall
                pay to the Secretary of Energy, for deposit in the
                miscellaneous receipts account of the Treasury, the
                portion of the sale price that the Secretary determines
                resulted from the enhancement of the value of the Moab
                site that is attributable to the completion of the
                remedial action, as determined in accordance with
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Determination of enhanced value.--The
                enhanced value of the Moab site referred to in
                subparagraph (A) shall be equal to the difference
                between--
                            ``(i) the fair market value of the Moab
                        site on the date of enactment of this section,
                        based on information available on that date;
                        and
                            ``(ii) the fair market value of the Moab
                        site, as appraised on completion of the
                        remedial action.''.

SEC. 3. URANIUM MILL TAILINGS.

    Section 102(a) of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act
of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 7912(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (3)
the following:
            ``(4) Designation as processing site.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
                provision of law, the Moab uranium milling site
                (referred to in this paragraph as the `Moab Site')
                located approximately 3 miles northwest of Moab, Utah,
                and identified in the Final Environmental Impact
                Statement issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
                in March 1996, in conjunction with Source Material
                License No. SUA 917, is designated as a processing
                site.
                    ``(B) Applicability.--This title applies to the
                Moab Site in the same manner and to the same extent as
                to other processing sites designated under this
                subsection, except that--
                            ``(i) sections 103, 107(a), 112(a), and
                        115(a) of this title shall not apply;
                            ``(ii) a reference in this title to the
                        date of the enactment of this Act shall be
                        treated as a reference to the date of enactment
                        of this paragraph; and
                            ``(iii) the Secretary, subject to the
                        availability of appropriations and without
                        regard to section 104(b), shall conduct
                        remediation at the Moab site in a safe and
                        environmentally sound manner, including--
                                    ``(I) groundwater restoration; and
                                    ``(II) the removal, to at a site in
                                the State of Utah, for permanent
                                disposition and any necessary
                                stabilization, of residual radioactive
                                material and other contaminated
                                material from the Moab Site and the
                                floodplain of the Colorado River.''.

SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

    Section 3406 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (10 U.S.C. 7420 note) is amended by inserting
after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2.--This section does not apply to
the transfer of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 2 under section 3405.''.

Summary: Declares that the United States relinquishes all management authority over such conveyed land, including tribal activities conducted on such land, on completion of such conveyance. Provides that such lands conveyed to the Tribe shall not revert to the United States for management in trust status. Revokes all withdrawals in effect on NOSR-2. Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to administer the land and interests in land reserved from such conveyance and to submit to Congress a land use plan. Prohibits the royalty interest reserved from conveyance that is required to be paid by the Tribe from including any development, production, marketing, and operating expenses. Requires the United States to bear responsibility for and pay gross production taxes, pipeline taxes, and allocation taxes assessed against the gross production. Requires the Tribe to: (1) submit to the Secretary of Energy and Congress an annual report on resource development and other activities of the Tribe concerning such conveyance. And (2) obtain an audit of all such resource development activities every five years and include the results in the next annual report. Requires the Tribe: (1) to manage land adjacent to and within a 14 mile of the Green River in a in a manner that maintains the land's protected status and is consistent with a government-to-government agreement and a specified memorandum of understanding between the Tribe and the Secretary. And (2) in accordance with such agreement, to protect any endangered or threatened plant species located or found on the NOSR-2 land conveyed to the Tribe and to manage, protect, and assert control over any horse not owned by the Tribe or tribal members that is located or found on such land in a manner that is consistent with Federal law. Requires the Secretary of Energy: (1) to prepare a plan for the commencement of remedial action, including groundwater restoration, at the Atlas uranium milling site, Moab, Utah. (2) to retain the amounts received as royalties under this Act to carry out such remedial action. And (3) until funds authorized by this Act are made available, to use available funds to carry out such remedial action and any remediation activity being carried out at the site by the trustee appointed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Provides that if the site is sold after remedial action is completed, the seller shall pay to the Secretary of Energy the portion of the sale price attributable to such action. Amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to designate such site as a processing site, with specified exceptions.

Ute-Moab Land Restoration Act


SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Section 1. Table of contents.
             TITLE I--DOROTHY BUELL MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
Sec. 103. Memorandum of understanding.
Sec. 104. Lease agreement.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.
               TITLE II--PUBLIC LAND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Gaylord Nelson Wilderness.
Sec. 203. Arlington House land transfer.
Sec. 204. Cumberland Island Wilderness.
Sec. 205. Petrified Forest boundary.
Sec. 206. Commemorative works.

             TITLE I--DOROTHY BUELL MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor
Center Lease Act''.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Porter
        County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission.
            (2) Lakeshore.--The term ``Lakeshore'' means the Indiana
        Dunes National Lakeshore.
            (3) Lakeshore center.--The term ``Lakeshore Center'' means
        the visitor center for the Lakeshore authorized under section
        104(a).
            (4) Memorial center.--The term ``Memorial Center'' means
        the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center located south of the
        Lakeshore boundary on Indiana Route 49.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.

SEC. 103. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of
understanding with the Commission to establish a joint partnership with
respect to the management of the Memorial Center.
    (b) Requirements.--The memorandum of understanding shall--
            (1) identify the overall goals and purposes of the Memorial
        Center;
            (2) describe the allocation of management and operational
        duties between the Secretary and the Commission with respect to
        the Memorial Center;
            (3) identify how activities of the Memorial Center will be
        funded;
            (4) identify the parties responsible for providing
        amenities at the Memorial Center;
            (5) establish procedures for changing or dissolving the
        joint partnership; and
            (6) address any other issues determined to be appropriate
        by the Secretary or the Commission.

SEC. 104. LEASE AGREEMENT.

    (a) In General.--After entering into a memorandum of understanding
under section 103(a), the Secretary may enter into an agreement with
the Commission to lease space in the Memorial Center for use as a
visitor center for the Lakeshore.
    (b) Staff.--The Secretary may use employees of the Lakeshore to
provide visitor information and education at the Lakeshore Center.

SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

               TITLE II--PUBLIC LAND TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Public Land Technical Amendments
Act of 2006''.

SEC. 202. GAYLORD NELSON WILDERNESS.

    (a) Redesignation.--Section 140 of division E of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2005 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 108-447), is
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Gaylord A. Nelson''
        and inserting ``Gaylord Nelson''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``Gaylord A. Nelson
        Wilderness'' and inserting ``Gaylord Nelson Wilderness''.
    (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document,
paper, or other record of the United States to the ``Gaylord A. Nelson
Wilderness'' shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Gaylord Nelson
Wilderness''.

SEC. 203. ARLINGTON HOUSE LAND TRANSFER.

    Section 2863(h)(1) of Public Law 107-107 (115 Stat. 1333) is
amended by striking ``the George Washington Memorial Parkway'' and
inserting ``Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial,''.

SEC. 204. CUMBERLAND ISLAND WILDERNESS.

    Section 2(a)(1) of Public Law 97-250 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 96 Stat.
709) is amended by striking ``numbered 640/20,038I, and dated September
2004'' and inserting ``numbered 640/20,038K, and dated September
2005''.

SEC. 205. PETRIFIED FOREST BOUNDARY.

    Section 2(1) of the Petrified Forest National Park Expansion Act of
2004 (16 U.S.C. 119 note) is amended by striking ``numbered 110/80,044,
and dated July 2004'' and inserting ``numbered 110/80,045, and dated
January 2005''.

SEC. 206. COMMEMORATIVE WORKS.

    Section 8908(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code, is amended in
the second sentence by striking ``House Administration'' and inserting
``Resources''.

            Passed the Senate September 29, 2006.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.

Summary: Title I: Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center - Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Lease Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a specified memorandum of understanding with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission to establish a joint partnership with respect to the management of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center and, after entering into such a memorandum, lease space in such Memorial Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore . Permits the Secretary to use Lakeshore employees to provide visitor information and education at the Lakeshore Center. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Public Land Technical Amendments - Public Land Technical Amendments Act of 2006 - Makes technical amendments with respect to certain public lands.

A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to lease a portion of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center for use as a visitor center for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Voter Registration Modernization
Act''.

SEC. 2. REQUIRING AVAILABILITY OF INTERNET FOR VOTER REGISTRATION.

    (a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Registration.--The
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:

``SEC. 6A. INTERNET REGISTRATION.

    ``(a) Requiring Availability of Internet for Online Registration.--
            ``(1) Availability of online registration.--Each State,
        acting through the chief State election official, shall ensure
        that the following services are available to the public at any
        time on the official public websites of the appropriate State
        and local election officials in the State, in the same manner
        and subject to the same terms and conditions as the services
        provided by voter registration agencies under section 7(a):
                    ``(A) Online application for voter registration.
                    ``(B) Online assistance to applicants in applying
                to register to vote.
                    ``(C) Online completion and submission by
                applicants of the mail voter registration application
                form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission
                pursuant to section 9(a)(2), including assistance with
                providing a signature in electronic form as required
                under subsection (c).
                    ``(D) Online receipt of completed voter
                registration applications.
    ``(b) Acceptance of Completed Applications.--A State shall accept
an online voter registration application provided by an individual
under this section, and ensure that the individual is registered to
vote in the State, if--
            ``(1) the individual meets the same voter registration
        requirements applicable to individuals who register to vote by
        mail in accordance with section 6(a)(1) using the mail voter
        registration application form prescribed by the Election
        Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2); and
            ``(2)(A) in the case of an individual who has a signature
        on file with the State motor vehicle authority, the information
        provided in the application matches the records of such State
        motor vehicle authority; and
            ``(B) in any other case, the individual provides a
        signature in electronic form in accordance with subsection (c).
    ``(c) Signatures in Electronic Form.--For purposes of this section,
an individual provides a signature in electronic form by--
            ``(1) executing a computerized mark in the signature field
        on an online voter registration application; or
            ``(2) submitting with the application an electronic copy of
        the individual's handwritten signature through electronic
        means.
    ``(d) Provision of Services in Nonpartisan Manner.--The services
made available under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that
ensures that, consistent with section 7(a)(5)--
            ``(1) the online application does not seek to influence an
        applicant's political preference or party registration; and
            ``(2) there is no display on the website promoting any
        political preference or party allegiance, except that nothing
        in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit an applicant
        from registering to vote as a member of a political party.
    ``(e) Protection of Security of Information.--In meeting the
requirements of this section, the State shall establish appropriate
technological security measures to prevent to the greatest extent
practicable any unauthorized access to information provided by
individuals using the services made available under subsection (a).
    ``(f) Nondiscrimination Among Registered Voters Using Mail and
Online Registration.--In carrying out this Act, the Help America Vote
Act of 2002, or any other Federal, State, or local law governing the
treatment of registered voters in the State or the administration of
elections for public office in the State, a State shall treat a
registered voter who registered to vote online in accordance with this
section in the same manner as the State treats a registered voter who
registered to vote by mail.
    ``(g) Accessibility of Online Registration.--The services provided
under subsection (a) shall be provided in a manner that is accessible
to individuals with disabilities, including those that are blind and
visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for
access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for
other voters.''.
    (b) Treatment as Individuals Registering To Vote by Mail for
Purposes of First-Time Voter Identification Requirements.--Section
303(b)(1)(A) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
21083(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``by mail'' and inserting ``by
mail or online under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act
of 1993''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Timing of registration.--Section 8(a)(1) of the
        National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(1))
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
                (C);
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
                subparagraph (E); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) in the case of online registration through
                the official public website of an election official
                under section 6A, if the valid voter registration
                application is submitted online not later than the
                lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law,
                before the date of the election (as determined by
                treating the date on which the application is sent
                electronically as the date on which it is submitted);
                and''.
            (2) Informing applicants of eligibility requirements and
        penalties.--Section 8(a)(5) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(5))
        is amended by striking ``and 7'' and inserting ``6A, and 7''.

SEC. 3. USE OF INTERNET TO UPDATE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Updates to information contained on computerized
        statewide voter registration list.--Section 303(a) of the Help
        America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083(a)) is amended by
        adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Use of internet by registered voters to update
        information.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The appropriate State or local
                election official shall ensure that any registered
                voter on the computerized list may at any time update
                the voter's registration information, including the
                voter's address and electronic mail address, online
                through the official public website of the election
                official responsible for the maintenance of the list,
                so long as the voter attests to the contents of the
                update by providing a signature in electronic form in
                the same manner required under section 6A(c) of the
                National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
                    ``(B) Processing of updated information by election
                officials.--If a registered voter updates registration
                information under subparagraph (A), the appropriate
                State or local election official shall--
                            ``(i) revise any information on the
                        computerized list to reflect the update made by
                        the voter; and
                            ``(ii) if the updated registration
                        information affects the voter's eligibility to
                        vote in an election for Federal office, ensure
                        that the information is processed with respect
                        to the election if the voter updates the
                        information not later than the lesser of 30
                        days, or the period provided by State law,
                        before the date of the election.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment relating to effective date.--
        Section 303(d)(1)(A) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21083(d)(1)(A)) is
        amended by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting
        ``subparagraph (B) and subsection (a)(6)''.
    (b) Ability of Registrant To Use Online Update To Provide
Information on Residence.--Section 8(d)(2)(A) of the National Voter
Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(d)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting after ``return the
        card'' the following: ``or update the registrant's information
        on the computerized Statewide voter registration list using the
        online method provided under section 303(a)(6) of the Help
        America Vote Act of 2002''; and
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``returned,'' and
        inserting the following: ``returned or if the registrant does
        not update the registrant's information on the computerized
        Statewide voter registration list using such online method,''.

SEC. 4. STUDY ON BEST PRACTICES FOR INTERNET REGISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall conduct an ongoing study on best
practices for implementing the requirements for Internet registration
under section 6A of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (as
added by section 2) and the requirement to permit voters to update
voter registration information online under section 303(a)(6) of the
Help America Vote Act of 2002 (as added by section 3) in a fully
accessible manner.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 4 months after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
        Institute of Standards and Technology shall make publicly
        available a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
            (2) Quadrennial update.--The Director of the National
        Institute of Standards and Technology shall review and update
        the report made under paragraph (1).
    (c) Use of Best Practices in EAC Voluntary Guidance.--Subsection
(a) of section 311 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
21101(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``Such voluntary guidance shall utilize the best practices developed by
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
under section 4 of the Voter Registration Modernization Act for the use
of the Internet in voter registration.''.

SEC. 5. PROVISION OF ELECTION INFORMATION BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO
              INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

    (a) Including Option on Voter Registration Application To Provide
E-Mail Address and Receive Information.--
            (1) In general.--Section 9(b) of the National Voter
        Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508(b)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                (3);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
                (4) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(5) shall include a space for the applicant to provide
        (at the applicant's option) an electronic mail address,
        together with a statement that, if the applicant so requests,
        instead of using regular mail the appropriate State and local
        election officials shall provide to the applicant, through
        electronic mail sent to that address, the same voting
        information (as defined in section 302(b)(2) of the Help
        America Vote Act of 2002) which the officials would provide to
        the applicant through regular mail.''.
            (2) Prohibiting use for purposes unrelated to official
        duties of election officials.--Section 9 of such Act (52 U.S.C.
        20508) is amended by adding at the end the following new
        subsection:
    ``(c) Prohibiting Use of Electronic Mail Addresses for Other Than
Official Purposes.--The chief State election official shall ensure that
any electronic mail address provided by an applicant under subsection
(b)(5) is used only for purposes of carrying out official duties of
election officials and is not transmitted by any State or local
election official (or any agent of such an official, including a
contractor) to any person who does not require the address to carry out
such official duties and who is not under the direct supervision and
control of a State or local election official.''.
    (b) Requiring Provision of Information by Election Officials.--
Section 302(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
21082(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Provision of other information by electronic mail.--
        If an individual who is a registered voter has provided the
        State or local election official with an electronic mail
        address for the purpose of receiving voting information (as
        described in section 9(b)(5) of the National Voter Registration
        Act of 1993), the appropriate State or local election official,
        through electronic mail transmitted not later than 30 days
        before the date of the election involved, shall provide the
        individual with information on how to obtain the following
        information by electronic means:
                    ``(A) The name and address of the polling place at
                which the individual is assigned to vote in the
                election.
                    ``(B) The hours of operation for the polling place.
                    ``(C) A description of any identification or other
                information the individual may be required to present
                at the polling place.''.

SEC. 6. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT REGARDING NECESSARY INFORMATION TO
              SHOW ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE.

    Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C.
20507) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new
        subsection:
    ``(j) Requirement for State To Register Applicants Providing
Necessary Information To Show Eligibility To Vote.--For purposes
meeting the requirement of subsection (a)(1) that an eligible applicant
is registered to vote in an election for Federal office within the
deadlines required under such subsection, the State shall consider an
applicant to have provided a `valid voter registration form' if--
            ``(1) the applicant has accurately completed the
        application form and attested to the statement required by
        section 9(b)(2); and
            ``(2) in the case of an applicant who registers to vote
        online in accordance with section 6A, the applicant provides a
        signature in accordance with subsection (c) of such section.''.

SEC. 7. IMPLEMENTATION PAYMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Election Assistance Commission shall make an
implementation payment each year in an amount determined under
subsection (c) to each State.
    (b) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a
        State receiving a payment under subsection (a) shall use the
        payment only to meet the requirements of this Act.
            (2) Other activities.--A State may use implementation
        payments to carry out other activities to improve the
        administration of elections for Federal office if the State
        certifies to the Commission that--
                    (A) the State has implemented the requirements of
                this Act; and
                    (B) the amount expended with respect to such other
                activities does not exceed the an amount equal to the
                minimum payment amount applicable to the State under
                subsection (c)(3).
            (3) Limitation.--Rules similar to the rules of section
        251(f) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C.
        21001(f)) shall apply for purposes of this section.
    (c) Allocation of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the amount of an
        implementation payment made to a State for any year shall be
        equal to--
                    (A) the total amount appropriated for
                implementation payments for the year pursuant to the
                authorization under subsection (d); and
                    (B) the State allocation percentage for the State.
            (2) State allocation percentage.--The term ``State
        allocation percentage'' has the same meaning as given such term
        under section 252(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52
        U.S.C. 21002(b)).
            (3) Minimum amount of payment; other rules.--Rules similar
        to the rules of subsections (c), (d), and (e) of section 252 of
        such Act (52 U.S.C. 21002) shall apply for purposes of this
        subsection.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
        for implementation payments under this section $15,000,000 for
        fiscal year 2015.
            (2) Availability.--Any amounts appropriated pursuant to the
        authority of paragraph (1) shall remain available without
        fiscal year limitation until expended.
    (e) Reports.--Not later than April 1, 2017, each State which
received an implementation payment under this section shall submit a
report to the Commission on the activities conducted with funds
provided under this section.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
amendments made by this Act (other than the amendments made by section
5) shall take effect January 1, 2016.
    (b) Waiver.--If a State certifies to the Election Assistance
Commission not later than January 1, 2016, that the State will not meet
the deadline referred to in subsection (a) for good cause and includes
in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet such deadline,
subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such
subsection to ``January 1, 2016'' were a reference to ``January 1,
2018''.

Summary: Voter Registration Modernization Act - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration. Directs the appropriate state or local election official to ensure that information on the computerized statewide voter registration list may be updated through the official public website. Directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to study best practices for implementing the requirements for Internet registration and the online updating of voter registration information. Authorizes the provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote who have requested to receive it. Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make an implementation payment each year to enable each state to meet the requirements of this Act and to carry out activities to improve the administration of federal elections.

Voter Registration Modernization Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Equal Treatment Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA)
        formula, established by the Department of Veterans Affairs
        pursuant to section 429 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs
        and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
        Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2929),
        has proved to be an ineffective means of allocating veterans
        medical care dollars fairly across the 22 national service
        regions, known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs),
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) The VERA formula has resulted in a system of
        inequitable care at veterans hospitals in different regions of
        the country.
            (3) The VERA formula has resulted in a system in which
        veterans in some regions of the country are forced to compete
        with veterans in other regions for critical medical care
        funding, when the system should be providing funding for
        medical care for all veterans, regardless of where they live,
        to ensure that all veterans have access to the level and
        quality of medical care that they have all earned and deserve.
            (4) The VERA formula should be replaced with a new funding
        formula that puts the funds provided to the Department of
        Veterans Affairs for medical care into the Department of
        Veterans Affairs Medical Centers that are treating patients.

SEC. 3. REVISION TO MEDICAL CARE FUNDING ALLOCATION FORMULA FOR
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) Termination of Vera Formula.--The funding allocation formula
for the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system known as the
Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system, established pursuant to
section 429 of the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to section
429 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public
Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2929), shall be discontinued by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs effective at the end of the fiscal year during which
this Act is enacted.
    (b) Development of Replacement Formula.--The Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall develop a new formula for the allocation of funds
appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for Medical Care to
the national service regions, known as Veterans Integrated Service
Networks (VISNs), of the Department. In developing such formula, the
Secretary shall take the following requirements into account:
            (1) For any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated
        for Medical Care is an increase from the preceding year, the
        funding level provided under the new formula to any VISN may
        not be less than the amount provided for the preceding year.
            (2) The new formula shall take into account additional
        costs incurred by a VISN due to any of the following factors at
        that VISN being in excess of the median for all VISNs:
                    (A) The number of veterans moving into the
                geographic area of that VISN.
                    (B) The median age of veterans in that VISN.
                    (C) The number of veterans in that VISN requiring
                complex care or nursing home care.
                    (D) The age of Department health care facilities in
                that VISN.
    (c) Transition Formula.--If as of the date specified in subsection
(a) for the termination of the funding allocation formula referred to
in that subsection the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has not
implemented a replacement funding allocation formula in accordance with
subsection (b), then effective as of that date and until such
replacement funding allocation formula is implemented, the funding
allocation formula to be applied to amounts appropriated for veterans
medical care shall be the formula in effect before the formula referred
to in subsection (a).

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Replacement Allocation
Formula.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2004, $10,000,000 for development and
implementation of a replacement funding allocation formula in
accordance with section 3(b).
    (b) Additional Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Care.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2004, $100,000,000 for ``Medical Care'' for the
Department of Veterans Affairs. Such amount is in addition to any other
amount authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2004 and shall be allocated by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to the national service regions, known as Veterans
Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), of the Department of Veterans
Affairs on the basis of need, as follows:
            (1) First, to the VISN that has experienced the greatest
        reduction in funding from the funding levels for fiscal year
        1997.
            (2) Second, to any other VISN that has experienced an
        overall funding decrease during the six-fiscal-year period
        beginning with fiscal year 1997.
            (3) Third, if any amount appropriated pursuant to such
        authorization remains after allocations pursuant to paragraphs
        (1) and (2), such amount shall be allocated equally among the
        remaining 22 VISNs before implementation of the new formula.

Summary: Veterans Equal Treatment Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) discontinue the funding allocation formula for the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system known as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation system at the end of the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted. And (2) develop a new formula for the allocation of funds to the national service regions, known as Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), that takes into account specified requirements, including additional costs incurred by a VISN because the age of veterans, or the number of veterans requiring complex care, in that VISN exceeds the median for all VISNs. Authorizes additional appropriations to be allocated to VISNs that have experienced funding reductions.

A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to replace with a more equitable formula the current formula, known as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA), for the allocation of funds appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care to different geographic regions of the Nation, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``SSI Disability Benefits Reform Act
of 1995''.

SEC. 2. REAPPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADULTS RECEIVING SSI BENEFITS BY
              REASON OF DISABILITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 1614(a)(3)(G) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(3)(G)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(i)'' after ``(G)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following clause:
    ``(ii) In the case of an individual who has attained 18 years of
age and for whom a determination has been made of eligibility for a
benefit under this title by reason of disability, the following
applies:
            ``(I) Subject to the provisions of this clause, the
        determination of eligibility is effective for the 3-year period
        beginning on the date of the determination, and the eligibility
        of the individual lapses unless a determination of continuing
        eligibility is made before the end of such period, and before
        the end of each subsequent 3-year period. This subclause ceases
        to apply to the individual upon the individual attaining 65
        years of age. This subclause does not apply to the individual
        if the individual has an impairment that is not expected to
        improve (or a combination of impairments that are not expected
        to improve).
            ``(II) With respect to a determination under subclause (I)
        of whether the individual continues to be eligible for the
        benefit (in this clause referred to as a `redetermination'),
        the Commissioner may not make the redetermination unless the
        individual submits to the Commissioner an application
        requesting the redetermination. If such an application is
        submitted, the Commissioner shall make the redetermination.
        This subclause is subject to subclause (V).
            ``(III) If as of the date on which this clause takes effect
        the individual has been receiving the benefit for three years
        or less, the first period under subclause (I) for the
        individual is deemed to end on the expiration of the period
        beginning on the date on which this clause takes effect and
        continuing through a number of months equal to 12 plus a number
        equal to 36 minus the number of months the individual has been
        receiving the benefit.
            ``(IV) If as of the date on which this clause takes effect
        the individual has been receiving the benefit for five years or
        less, but for more than three years, the first period under
        subclause (I) for the individual is deemed to end on the
        expiration of the
         1-year period beginning on the date on which this clause takes
effect.
            ``(V) If as of the date on which this clause takes effect
        the individual has been receiving the benefit for more than
        five years, the Commissioner shall make redeterminations under
        subclause (I) and may not require the individual to submit
        applications for the redeterminations. The first 3-year period
        under subclause (I) for the individual is deemed to begin upon
        the expiration of the period beginning on the date on which
        this clause takes effect and ending upon the termination of a
        number of years equal to the lowest number (greater than zero)
        that can be obtained by subtracting the number of years that
        the individual has been receiving the benefit from a number
        that is a multiple of three.
            ``(VI) If the individual first attains 18 years of age on
        or after the date on which this clause takes effect, the first
        3-year period under subclause (I) for the individual is deemed
        to end on the date on which the individual attains such age.
            ``(VII) Not later than one year prior to the date on which
        a determination under subclause (I) expires, the Commissioner
        shall (except in the case of an individual to whom subclause
        (V) applies) provide to the individual a written notice
        explaining the applicability of this clause to the individual,
        including an explanation of the effect of failing to submit the
        application. If the individual submits the application not
        later than 180 days prior to such date and the Commissioner
        does not make the redetermination before such date, the
        Commissioner shall continue to provide the benefit pending the
        redetermination and shall publish in the Federal Register a
        notice that the Commissioner was unable to make the
        redetermination by such date.
            ``(VIII) If the individual fails to submit the application
        under subclause (II) by the end of the applicable period under
        subclause (I), the individual may apply for a redetermination.
        The Commissioner shall make the redetermination for the
        individual only after making redeterminations for individuals
        for whom eligibility has not lapsed pursuant to subclause
        (I).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) takes
effect upon the expiration of the 9-month period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Conforming Repeal.--Section 207 of the Social Security
Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 1382 note;
108 Stat. 1516) is hereby repealed.

SEC. 3. STRIKING OF RESTRICTIONS REGARDING DETERMINATION OF
              INELIGIBILITY.

    Section 1614(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)) is
amended by striking paragraph (4).

SEC. 4. NARROWING OF SSI ELIGIBILITY ON BASIS OF MENTAL IMPAIRMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1614(a)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(3)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(i)'' after ``(3)(A)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following clause:
    ``(ii) In making determinations under clause (i) regarding the
severity of mental impairments, the Secretary shall revise the
regulations under subpart P of part 404 of title 20, Code of Federal
Regulations in order to accomplish the result that (relative to such
regulations as in effect prior to the date on which this clause takes
effect) the growth in the enrollment of the program under this title on
the basis of mental impairments is slowed. The final rule issued
pursuant to the preceding sentence applies to individuals without
regard to whether the individuals were receiving benefits under this
title prior to the effective date of such rule.''.
    (b) Final Regulations.--The final rule for the regulations required
in subsection (a) shall be issued before the expiration of the 9-month
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall
take effect upon the expiration of such period.

Summary: SSI Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1995 - Amends title XVI (SSI) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require periodic reapplications with respect to continued receipt of SSI benefits by reason of disability, (2) strike certain restrictions regarding determination of SSI ineligibility, and (3) modify criteria regarding mental impairments.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wastewater Treatment Operator
Training and Certification Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. OPERATOR TRAINING.

    Section 109 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1259) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 109. OPERATOR TRAINING.

    ``(a) National Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall develop and
        implement a national program to train individuals in the
        operation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment
        works and other facilities with a water pollution control
        purpose.
            ``(2) Requirements for training program.--The training
        program under this section shall include--
                    ``(A) the preparation of undergraduate students
                enrolled in institutions of higher education to enter
                an occupation that involves the design, operation, and
                maintenance of wastewater treatment works;
                    ``(B) inservice training to improve and advance the
                knowledge and skills of individuals employed in fields
                related to the design, operation, and maintenance of
                wastewater treatment works; and
                    ``(C) preservice training to be provided to high
                school graduates who are not employed to carry out the
                operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment
                works at the time the training is provided.
    ``(b) Training Program Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall make grants to,
        or offer to enter into contracts with, the appropriate
        officials of institutions of higher education, or combinations
        of the institutions, and State agencies to support the
        development and implementation of wastewater treatment training
        programs pursuant to this section.
            ``(2) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of paragraph (5), the Administrator shall publish
        guidance that specifies the minimum elements of the wastewater
        training programs referred to in paragraph (1). The guidance
        shall indicate the relative emphasis that shall be given to--
                    ``(A) facility design, operation, and maintenance;
                    ``(B) undergraduate, inservice, and preservice
                training; and
                    ``(C) training for industrial and municipal
                facilities.
            ``(3) Solicitation of proposals.--Not later than 18 months
        after the date of enactment of paragraph (5), the Administrator
        shall solicit proposals from institutions of higher education,
        or combinations of the institutions, and State agencies to
        provide training services.
            ``(4) Training grants.--The Administrator shall, to the
        extent adequate funds are available, award training grants to
        institutions of higher education, or combinations of the
        institutions, and State agencies for each fiscal year.
            ``(5) Considerations for awarding grants.--In awarding a
        training grant under this subsection, the Administrator shall
        consider--
                    ``(A) the demonstrated capability of the applicant
                to provide training services;
                    ``(B) the degree to which the proposed program is
                consistent with the guidance published pursuant to
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) the results of any evaluation conducted
                pursuant to paragraph (7); and
                    ``(D) the degree to which the geographic area to be
                served by the program that is the subject of the grant
                proposal will, in combination with other programs
                funded pursuant to this section, ensure the reasonable
                availability of training programs throughout the United
                States.
            ``(6) Allocation of grants.--In allocating available grant
        funds among training programs, the Administrator shall consider
        the need for training in the area served, as reflected in the
        report to Congress issued pursuant to section 112(b).
            ``(7) Review and evaluation.--The Administrator shall
        provide for the review and evaluation of each training program
        that receives funding pursuant to this section not later than 3
        years after the program initially receives the funding, and
        every 3 years thereafter.
    ``(c) Training Needs.--The Administrator shall develop and maintain
a system for forecasting the supply of, and demand for, various
professional and other occupational categories needed for the
prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution in each
region, State, or area of the United States.''.

SEC. 3. OPERATOR CERTIFICATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 110 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1260) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 110. OPERATOR CERTIFICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Certification.--The Chief Operator of a publicly
        owned treatment works that has a permit issued pursuant to
        section 402, and such additional personnel as may be designated
        by the Administrator, shall be required to be certified as
        proficient pursuant to this section by a State that has a
        certification program that is approved by the Administrator.
            ``(2) Effective date.--The requirement referred to in
        paragraph (1) shall become effective on the date that is 4
        years after the date of enactment of paragraph (4), unless the
        Administrator extends the effective date pursuant to paragraph
        (3).
            ``(3) Extension.--The Administrator may extend the
        effective date of the requirement referred to in paragraph (1)
        for a period of not to exceed 3 years on a facility-specific
        basis if the Administrator determines that, with respect to a
        facility, adequate opportunity to seek certification did not
        exist during the period described in paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Certification granted to individual.--Each
        certification of proficiency issued by the appropriate official
        of a State under this section shall be granted to the
        individual that receives the certification and shall not be
        granted to the treatment works where the individual is
        employed.
            ``(5) Period of certification.--A certification of
        proficiency issued under this section shall be effective during
        the 5-year period beginning on the date of certification. An
        individual may be recertified on termination of the 5-year
        period (and on termination of each subsequent 5-year period) if
        the individual complies with inservice training and related
        education requirements for the certification.
            ``(6) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this section is
        intended to be construed to prevent a State from requiring more
        frequent certification than is specified in paragraph (5).
    ``(b) Guidelines.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall publish
        guidelines specifying minimum standards for certification of
        operators by a State pursuant to this section.
            ``(2) Requirements for guidelines.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The guidelines described in
                paragraph (1) shall specify minimum standards for a
                Chief Operator of a publicly owned treatment works and
                for such additional personnel as the Administrator
                determines appropriate for proficiency certification.
                    ``(B) Additional standards.--In addition to the
                standards referred to in subparagraph (A), the
                guidelines shall establish such additional standards as
                the Administrator determines necessary to ensure
                proficiency in the operation of large, complex
                treatment systems. The guidelines may provide for
                onsite assessment in any case in which the assessment
                is necessary to determine proficiency.
            ``(3) Treatment works operator's manual.--Not later than 1
        year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the
        Administrator shall publish a treatment works operator's manual
        that describes essential knowledge and skills of--
                    ``(A) a Chief Operator; and
                    ``(B) such additional personnel as the
                Administrator determines appropriate to receive
                operator proficiency certification.
    ``(c) State Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Beginning on the date of publication of
        the guidelines under subsection (b), the Governor of a State
        may submit to the Administrator, in such form as the
        Administrator may require, a certification program under this
        section.
            ``(2) Program approval.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall review
                and approve or disapprove a program submitted pursuant
                to paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the
                submittal of the application. The Administrator shall
                approve the application on the basis of a determination
                that--
                            ``(i) the State certification program will
                        be consistent with the guidelines published
                        pursuant to subsection (b);
                            ``(ii) the State has committed to implement
                        the program by not later than 1 year after the
                        date of approval of the application; and
                            ``(iii) the State agrees to provide to the
                        Administrator such information concerning the
                        program as the Administrator may request.
                    ``(B) Programs in effect before the submittal of an
                application.--With respect to any State that submits an
                application pursuant to this subsection concerning a
                State certification program that was implemented before
                the date of submittal of the application, in making a
                decision whether to approve the application, the
                Administrator may consider the effectiveness of the
                program in effect on the date of submittal of a program
                pursuant to this subsection.
            ``(3) Disapproval of program.--In any case in which the
        Administrator disapproves a program, the Administrator shall
        provide to the State a written statement of the reasons for
        disapproval. The State may, not later than 90 days after
        receipt of the statement of the Administrator, submit to the
        Administrator such modifications to the application as may be
        necessary. Not later than 30 days after receipt of the revised
        application, the Administrator shall approve or disapprove the
        revised application.
            ``(4) Additional requirements.--A State may establish a
        certification requirement in addition to the requirements
        established pursuant to this section.''.
    (b) Enforcement.--Section 309(g)(1)(A) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
1319(g)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ``110(a),'' after ``violated
section''.

SEC. 4. SCHOLARSHIPS.

    (a) Relationship to Training Grant Program.--Section 111(3) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1261(3)) is amended by
striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
            ``(C) that the institution is participating in, or has
        participated in, the training grant program under section
        109(b); and''.
    (b) Representation of Minorities and Women.--Section 111(3)(D) of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 1261(3)(D)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i); and
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, and
        (iii) the institution will make reasonable efforts to ensure
        representation of minorities and women in the program.''.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS.

    Section 112 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1262) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting after the first
        sentence the following new sentence: ``The term shall include
        any community college, technical college, or State
        environmental agency.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following
        new subsection:
    ``(b) The Administrator shall, not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of the Wastewater Treatment Operator Training and
Certification Act of 1993, and not less frequently than every 2 years
thereafter, submit a report to Congress concerning the implementation
of training, certification, and scholarship programs under sections
109, 110, and 111. Each report submitted to Congress under this
subsection shall include a forecast of the supply of, and demand for,
water pollution control professionals.''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
    ``(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental
Protection Agency to carry out sections 109 and 111, $15,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1994 through 2000.''.

Summary: Wastewater Treatment Operator Training and Certification Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to revise provisions concerning training grants and contracts to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) implement a national program to train persons in the operation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works and other water pollution control facilities. (2) make grants to, or contracts with, institutions of higher education to support such programs. And (3) publish guidance on the minimum elements of such programs. Requires chief operators and other designated personnel of publicly owned treatment works to be certified as proficient by the Administrator. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) guidelines on minimum standards for certification. And (2) a treatment works operator's manual. Authorizes the delegation of authority for a certification program to a State, subject to certain conditions. Makes certifications valid for a five-year period. Permits recertification for an additional five years provided that the individual complies with in-service training and related education. Requires institutions of higher education, in addition to other requirements for receiving scholarships for individuals planning to enter occupations involving treatment works, to: (1) have participated in the treatment works training program. And (2) ensure representation of minorities and women in the scholarship program. Authorizes appropriations.