SECTION 1. PEG SIGNAL QUALITY AND CONTENT; PRESERVATION OF SUPPORT OF
              PEG USE.

    (a) In General.--Section 611 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 531) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (h); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Signal Quality and Content.--
            ``(1) In general.--A cable operator that operates a cable
        system with channel capacity designated under subsection (b) or
        that is required to provide channel capacity under subsection
        (g)(6) shall, with respect to such channel capacity--
                    ``(A) carry signals for public, educational, or
                governmental use from the point of origin of such
                signals to subscribers without material degradation and
                without altering or removing content or data provided
                as part of the public, educational, or governmental
                use;
                    ``(B) provide such signals to, and make such
                signals viewable by, every subscriber of the cable
                system without additional service or equipment charges;
                and
                    ``(C) provide to the appropriate local government
                subdivision, free of charge, any transmission services
                and the use of any transmission facilities that are
                necessary to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Enforcement.--The requirements of this subsection may
        be enforced by--
                    ``(A) a local government subdivision; or
                    ``(B) a State.
    ``(g) Preservation of Support of Public, Educational, and
Governmental Use.--
            ``(1) Level of support required.--In a State that adopts
        legislation affecting cable system franchising requirements
        relating to support for public, educational, or governmental
        use of a cable system that becomes effective after May 31,
        2005, notwithstanding such legislation, a cable operator owes
        to any local government subdivision in which the operator
        provides cable service during a year beginning after the date
        of enactment of this subsection an amount for such year to be
        determined by the local government subdivision, but not to
        exceed the greatest of the following:
                    ``(A) The amount of support provided in the last
                calendar year ending before the effective date of such
                State legislation.
                    ``(B) The average annual amount of support provided
                over the term of the franchise under which the cable
                operator was operating on the day before the effective
                date of such State legislation.
                    ``(C) The amount of support that the cable operator
                is required to provide to such local government
                subdivision under such State legislation during the
                year involved.
                    ``(D) An amount of support equal to 2 percent of
                the gross revenues of the cable operator from the
                operation of the cable system to provide cable services
                in such local government subdivision during the year
                involved.
            ``(2) Forms of support.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
        support for public, educational, or governmental use of a cable
        system means all cash payments, in-kind support, and free
        services that the operator of the cable system, or its
        predecessor, provides to the local government subdivision for
        such use of the cable system.
            ``(3) Adjustment for inflation.--For a year beginning on or
        after the effective date described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
        of paragraph (1), on the date that the Gross National Product
        Price Index is first published by the Bureau of Economic
        Analysis after the end of June of such year, the amounts
        specified in such subparagraphs shall be increased by the
        percentage increase, if any, in the Index published on such
        date from the Index first published after the end of June of
        the preceding year.
            ``(4) Cash payments.--A cable operator that owes amounts
        under paragraph (1) shall, beginning not later than 30 days
        after the date of enactment of this subsection, pay such
        amounts in cash--
                    ``(A) in accordance with the schedule for payment
                of franchise fees, communications taxes, or other
                similar assessments under any applicable franchise; or
                    ``(B) if there is no payment schedule for such
                assessments under an applicable franchise, in
                accordance with the most frequent payment schedule for
                such assessments under applicable State or local law.
            ``(5) Uses; disputes.--
                    ``(A) Uses.--Support provided to any local
                government subdivision under this subsection shall be
                dedicated to public, educational, or governmental use
                of channel capacity.
                    ``(B) Disputes.--
                            ``(i) Mediation.--If there is a dispute as
                        to amounts owed under this subsection,
                        undisputed amounts shall be paid to the local
                        government subdivision, disputed amounts shall
                        be paid into an escrow account, and the parties
                        shall submit to nonbinding mediation.
                            ``(ii) Court proceedings.--If the dispute
                        cannot be settled using mediation, either party
                        may seek relief from a court of competent
                        jurisdiction.
            ``(6) Channels.--In a State that adopts legislation
        affecting cable system franchising requirements relating to the
        number of channels for public, educational, or governmental use
        of a cable system that becomes effective after May 31, 2005, a
        cable operator shall, notwithstanding such legislation, provide
        in a local government subdivision at least the greater of the
        following number of channels for such use:
                    ``(A) The number of channels for such use that the
                operator was providing in the local government
                subdivision on the day before the effective date of
                such State legislation.
                    ``(B) If the operator provided fewer than 3
                channels for such use in the local government
                subdivision on the day before the effective date of
                such State legislation, a number specified by the local
                government subdivision, but not to exceed 3.
            ``(7) Enforcement.--The requirements of this subsection may
        be enforced by--
                    ``(A) a local government subdivision; or
                    ``(B) a State.''.
    (b) Definitions.--
            (1) Cable service.--Section 602(6) of the Communications
        Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522(6)) is amended by striking ``means''
        and inserting ``means, regardless of the technology or
        transmission protocol used in the provision of service''.
            (2) Local government subdivision.--Section 602 of the
        Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (20)
                as paragraphs (14) through (21), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (12) the
                following:
            ``(13) the term `local government subdivision' means--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), a
                franchising authority that derives its power to grant a
                franchise from State or local law; and
                    ``(B) in a State that adopts legislation affecting
                cable system franchising requirements relating to
                support for public, educational, or governmental use of
                a cable system that becomes effective after May 31,
                2005, an entity that was considered a franchising
                authority deriving its power to grant a franchise from
                State or local law as of the day before the effective
                date of such State legislation;''.
            (3) Franchise fee.--Section 622(g)(2) of the Communications
        Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 542(g)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``in the case
                of any franchise in effect on the date of enactment of
                this title,'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as
                subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively.

Summary: Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require certain cable system operators, with channel capacity for public, educational, or governmental (PEG) use that is designated by a franchising authority under existing code provisions or required to be provided under this Act, to: (1) carry PEG-use signals to subscribers without material degradation and without altering or removing content or data. (2) provide viewable signals to every cable subscriber without additional service or equipment charges. And (3) provide to the appropriate local government subdivision (LGS), free of charge, any transmission services and the use of any transmission facilities necessary to meet such requirements. Requires a cable operator in a state adopting applicable franchising legislation that becomes effective after May 31, 2005, to: (1) owe any LGS in which the operator provides cable service during a year beginning after enactment of this Act an LGS-determined amount for such year, within specified limits, notwithstanding requirements relating to support for cable system PEG use in such state legislation. And (2) provide a certain number of channels for PEG use in an LGS, notwithstanding requirements relating to the number of PEG-use cable channels in such state legislation. Defines quot, local government subdivisionquot. As a franchising authority deriving its power to grant a franchise from state or local law or an entity considered such a franchising authority as of the day before the effective date of such state legislation relating to support. Specifies forms of support as cash payments, in-kind support, and free services provided by the cable system operator, or its predecessor, to the LGS for the cable system's PEG use. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) LGS or state enforcement, and (2) nonbinding mediation and court proceedings concerning disputed support amounts. Revises the definition of quot, franchise feequot. Including by striking a provision prohibiting such a fee from including capital costs that the franchise requires the cable operator to incur for PEG access facilities.

A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish signal quality and content requirements for the carriage of public, educational, and governmental channels, to preserve support of such channels, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Probation System Reform
Act''.

SEC. 2. SUPERVISION OF A PERSON ASSIGNED AN ELECTRONIC MONITORING
              DEVICE AS A CONDITION OF RELEASE; PENALTY FOR DISABLING
              AN ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE.

    (a) In General.--Part II of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after chapter 237 the following new chapter:

              ``CHAPTER 239--ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICES

``Sec.
``3801. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring
                            device as a condition of release.
``3802. Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device.
``Sec. 3801. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring
              device as a condition of release
    ``(a) In General.--In the case of a person who was convicted of a
Federal offense who has been sentenced to probation pursuant to
subchapter B of chapter 227, placed on probation pursuant to the
provisions of chapter 403, or placed on supervised release pursuant to
section 3583, or a person accused of such an offense who has been
released pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207,
who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition
of such probation or release, the Director of the Administrative Office
of the United States Courts shall ensure that an appropriate probation
officer or pretrial services officer supervises the person by doing the
following:
            ``(1) Conducting a daily review of any data produced by the
        electronic monitoring device worn by the person.
            ``(2) In the case of an alert produced by an electronic
        monitoring system that the Director determines requires an
        investigation, conducting an investigation immediately
        following the alert, including--
                    ``(A) contacting the person;
                    ``(B) inspecting the electronic monitoring device;
                and
                    ``(C) documenting the alert and the response taken.
    ``(b) Uniform Standards.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Director of the Administrative
Office of the United States Courts shall issue uniform standards in
order to implement subsection (a).
``Sec. 3802. Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device
    ``(a) Offense.--Whoever--
            ``(1) intentionally disables an electronic monitoring
        device that was assigned to a person as a condition of
        probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227 or chapter
        403, supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or release
        pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207; or
            ``(2) having been assigned an electronic monitoring device
        as a condition of probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter
        227 or chapter 403, supervised release pursuant to section
        3583, or release pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to
        chapter 207, intentionally allows another person to disable
        such device;
shall be punished as provided in subsection (b).
    ``(b) Punishment.--The punishment for an offense under subsection
(a) is--
            ``(1) if the person to whom the electronic monitoring
        device was assigned commits a Federal, State, or local offense
        in addition to violating subsection (a) upon the disabling of
        such device, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not
        more than 4 years; or
            ``(2) if the person to whom the electronic monitoring
        device was assigned does not commit a Federal, State or local
        crime in addition to violating subsection (a) upon the
        disabling of such device, a fine under this title or
        imprisonment for not more than 1 year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for part II of title
18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating
to chapter 237 the following:

``239. Electronic Monitoring Devices........................    3801''.

SEC. 3. INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PROBATION AND PRETRIAL SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 207 of part II of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 3155 and 3156 as sections
        3156 and 3157, respectively;
            (2) after section 3154, by inserting the following:
``Sec. 3155. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services
    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within pretrial services
(commonly referred to as the United States Probation and Pretrial
Services System) the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and
Pretrial Services (referred to in this section as the `Office').
    ``(b) Appointment, Term, and Removal of Inspector General.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The head of the Office shall be the
        Inspector General, who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice
        of the United States after consultation with the majority and
        minority leaders of the Senate and the Speaker and minority
        leader of the House of Representatives.
            ``(2) Term.--The Inspector General shall serve for a term
        of four years and may be reappointed by the Chief Justice of
        the United States for any number of additional terms.
            ``(3) Removal.--The Inspector General may be removed from
        office by the Chief Justice of the United States. The Chief
        Justice shall communicate the reasons for any such removal to
        both Houses of Congress.
    ``(c) Duties.--With respect to probation and pretrial services, the
Office shall--
            ``(1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct;
            ``(2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations;
            ``(3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; and
            ``(4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing
        probation and pretrial services.
    ``(d) Powers.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the duties of the
        Office, the Inspector General shall have the power--
                    ``(A) to make investigations and reports;
                    ``(B) to obtain information or assistance from any
                Federal, State, or local governmental agency, or other
                entity, or unit thereof, including all information kept
                in the normal course of business by probation and
                pretrial services in any judicial district;
                    ``(C) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
                attendance and testimony of such witnesses, and the
                production of such books, records, correspondence
                memoranda, papers, and documents; which subpoena, in
                the case of contumacy or refusal to obey, shall be
                enforceable by civil action;
                    ``(D) to administer to or take from any person an
                oath, affirmation, or affidavit;
                    ``(E) to employ such officers and employees,
                subject to the provisions of title 5, governing
                appointments in the competitive service, and the
                provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter
                53 of such title relating to classification and General
                Schedule pay rates;
                    ``(F) to obtain services authorized by section 3109
                of title 5 at daily rates not to exceed the equivalent
                rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule
                by section 5332 of title 5; and--
                    ``(G) to the extent and in such amounts as may be
                provided in advance by appropriations Acts, to enter
                into contracts and other arrangements for audits,
                studies, analyses, and other services with public
                agencies and with private persons, and to make such
                payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties of
                the Office.
            ``(2) Limitation.--The Inspector General shall not have the
        authority to--
                    ``(A) investigate or review any matter that is
                directly related to the merits of a decision or
                procedural ruling by any judge or court; or
                    ``(B) punish or discipline any pretrial services
                officer or probation officer.
    ``(e) Reports.--
            ``(1) When to be made.--The Inspector General shall--
                    ``(A) make an annual report to the Director of the
                Administrative Office of the United States Courts and
                to Congress relating to the activities of the Office;
                and
                    ``(B) make prompt reports to the Director and to
                Congress on matters that may require action by them.
            ``(2) Sensitive matter.--If a report contains sensitive
        matter, the Inspector General may so indicate and Congress may
        receive that report in closed session.
            ``(3) Duty to inform attorney general.--In carrying out the
        duties of the Office, the Inspector General shall report
        expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever the Inspector
        General has reasonable grounds to believe there has been a
        violation of Federal criminal law.
    ``(f) Whistleblower Protection.--
            ``(1) In general.--No officer, employee, agent, contractor,
        or subcontractor of pretrial services may discharge, demote,
        threaten, suspend, harass, or in any other manner discriminate
        against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment
        because of any lawful act done by the employee to provide
        information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise
        assist in an investigation regarding any possible violation of
        Federal law or regulation, or misconduct, by a pretrial
        services officer or probation officer, which may assist the
        Inspector General in the performance of duties under this
        chapter.
            ``(2) Civil action.--An employee injured in violation of
        paragraph (1) may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate
        relief.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--Chapter 207 of part II of title 18,
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in section 3157(b) (as redesignated by this Act) is
        amended by striking ``3152-3155'' and inserting ``3152-3156'';
        and
            (2) in the table of sections, after the item relating to
        section 3154, by inserting the following:

``3155. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services.''.

Summary: Federal Probation System Reform Act - Amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to ensure that an appropriate probation or pretrial services officer supervises a person convicted of a federal offense who has been sentenced to probation, placed on probation, or placed on supervised release, or a person accused of such an offense who has been released pending trial, sentence, or appeal, and who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of such probation or release, including by: (1) conducting a daily review of any data produced by such device. And (2) conducting an investigation immediately following an electronic monitoring system alert that the Director determines requires investigation. Prohibits, and sets penalties for, intentionally disabling such a device or allowing another person to disable such device. Establishes within the United States Probation and Pretrial Services System the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services, which shall: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct, (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations, (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. (4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing probation and pretrial services. And (5) report expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of federal criminal law. Provides whistleblower protection for an employee who provides information to or otherwise assists the Inspector General in an investigation of a possible violation of federal law or misconduct by a pretrial services or probation officer.

Federal Probation System Reform Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Autism Understanding and Training in
School Methodologies for Educators Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Autism is a group of complex developmental brain
        disorders collectively referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders
        (ASDs) that can cause a wide range of symptoms, skills, and
        levels of impairment including social, communication and
        behavior changes.
            (2) Autism spectrum disorders are also referred to as
        pervasive developmental disorders and include subcategories of
        classic autism with ranges from high functioning autism (HFA)
        to low functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive
        developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), as
        well as more severe cases of Rhett Syndrome and Child
        Disintegrative Disorder.
            (3) Autism affects an estimated 1 in 88 children by age 8
        and 1 in 54 boys.
            (4) An estimated 1,500,000 individuals in the United States
        are affected by autism.
            (5) More children will be diagnosed with autism this year
        than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.
            (6) Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental
        disability in the United States.
            (7) Autism costs the Nation over $35,000,000,000 per year,
        a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade.
            (8) Boys are five times more likely than girls to have
        autism.
            (9) There is currently no medical cure for autism, but
        there are evidence-based educational methods proven to be
        effective in improving outcomes for students with autism and
        research demonstrating the benefits of routine and consistency.
            (10) The least restrictive environment for educating
        students with autism spectrum disorder, including, but not
        limited to, students with high functioning autism, Asperger
        syndrome, and PDD-NOS, often is best achieved by enrollment in
        a general education classroom with proper support.
            (11) General education classroom teachers and staff often
        are not adequately trained to work effectively with students
        with autism spectrum disorders, who have a wide diversity of
        characteristics, although such skills may be attained through
        qualified training programs and may be relatively easy to
        implement in school settings.
            (12) Training general education classroom teachers and
        staff to implement evidence-based practices for educating
        students with autism spectrum disorders with accuracy and
        fidelity will help provide for best possible outcomes not only
        for students with autism, but also for other students in the
        classroom.
            (13) Children with autism in highly transient families,
        such as the military (where the rate of children on the
        spectrum is even higher) and foreign service families, often
        face additional challenges in the public education system
        because of frequent changes in the family's geographic duty
        station or a parent's deployment, which can interrupt the
        provision of appropriate interventions and continuity of
        effective educational methods.
            (14) In school districts that have a large population of
        transient families or that border military bases it is
        especially important to have staff who are highly trained to
        provide effective services and build a proven track record of
        academic achievement in serving students with autism.

SEC. 3. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    (a) Authorization of Grant Program.--The Secretary is authorized to
carry out a demonstration grant program to award grants to eligible
entities to enable such entities to accomplish the purposes described
in subsection (b).
    (b) Purposes.--A grant provided under this section shall be used
for the following purposes within schools providing education to
children in grades pre-kindergarten through 12:
            (1) Providing evidence-based, in-service training to
        teachers, paraprofessionals, and other staff on effective ways
        to teach, communicate, recognize, support, and interact with
        children with autism spectrum disorder in the classroom and
        related school settings. Training on providing effective
        support includes but is not limited to academic support,
        behavioral support, communication support, social emotional
        support, and facilitating positive peer interactions and social
        skills.
            (2) Providing technical assistance consisting of
        consultation on the type of training needed, hands-on
        opportunities to practice and perform newly acquired skills and
        methodologies with fidelity, and post-training support to
        ensure accuracy of implementation in the classroom.
            (3) Executing strategies for recruiting and retaining
        skilled personnel participating in the education of children
        with autism spectrum disorders.
            (4) Implementing a program of parental support and
        involvement in the education of students with autism spectrum
        disorders.
    (c) Duration of Grants.--A grant provided under this section shall
be--
            (1) for a period of not more than 5 years, of which not
        more than the first 2 years shall be used for planning; and
            (2) subject to annual approval by the Secretary and subject
        to the availability of appropriations for the fiscal year
        involved.
    (d) Limitation on Administrative Costs.--An eligible entity may use
not more than 20 percent of the funds received under this section for
the administrative costs of carrying out its responsibilities under
this section.
    (e) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
    (f) Report.--The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the
demonstration program authorized by this section and, not later than 1
year after the date of the completion of the demonstration program,
shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a report on
such evaluation, together with recommendations for dissemination and
replication of the results of the program.
    (g) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) The term ``autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)'' refers to
        complex disorders of brain development that can affect
        individuals with varying degrees from mild to severe, and is
        characterized by a combination of restricted repetitive and
        stereotyped behaviors, interests and activities; qualitative
        impairments in social interactions; and qualitative impairments
        in verbal and nonverbal communication.
            (2) The term ``eligible entity'' means an eligible local
        educational agency, or a consortia of such agencies, in
        partnership with--
                    (A) one or more institutions of higher education;
                or
                    (B) one or more nonprofit educational entities with
                documented expertise in working with children with
                autism.
            (3) The term ``eligible local educational agency'' means a
        local educational agency that has no less than 10 percent of
        its special education population identified with autism
        spectrum disorders, including, but not limited to, high
        functioning autism, Asperger syndrome, and PDD-NOS, and have
        documented a growth pattern in the number of these students.
            (4) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the
        meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
            (5) The term ``local educational agency'' has the meaning
        given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (6) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
        Education.

Summary: Autism Understanding and Training in School Methodologies for Educators Act of 2012 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to carry out a demonstration program to award five-year grants to eligible local education agencies for the following purposes in schools for children in grades pre-kindergarten through 12: (1) providing training to teachers, paraprofessionals, and other staff on effective ways to teach, communicate, recognize, support, and interact with children with autism spectrum disorders in the classroom. (2) providing technical assistance consisting of consultation on the type of training needed, hands-on opportunities to practice and perform newly acquired skills and methodologies, and post-training support to ensure accuracy of implementation in the classroom. (3) executing strategies for recruiting and retaining skilled personnel participating in the education of children with such disorders. And (4) implementing a program of parental support and involvement in the education of students with such disorders.

To establish a 5-year demonstration program to provide skills to classroom teachers and staff who work with children with autism spectrum disorders.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Probabilistic Methods
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) probabilistic methods have wide applicability in
        improving process efficiency and eliminating overdesign in
        government programs and purchases;
            (2) the integration of probabilistic methods into business
        practices has contributed significantly to the success of
        industry quality programs and has saved billions of dollars for
        companies;
            (3) Federal use of probabilistic methods is less advanced
        than it is in industry;
            (4) probabilistic methods hold out the promise of better
        understanding of safety and environmental risks, and if
        properly applied can lead to more business-friendly
        regulations;
            (5) if made an integral part of federally funded design
        efforts, probabilistic methods could lead to a better
        understanding of the specifications a product must meet and
        reduce overdesign and associated costs; and
            (6) appropriate use of probabilistic methods within the
        programs of the Department of Transportation could lead through
        quantification of uncertainties to more reliable, less costly
        components of our transportation system, including roads,
        bridges, and automotive, aerospace, and mass transit systems,
        and could also benefit the programs of other Federal agencies
        such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce,
        and the National Institutes of Health.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    The Administrator of the Research and Special Programs
Administration of the Department of Transportation (in this Act
referred to as the ``Administrator'') shall establish a commission to
be known as the ``Commission on Probabilistic Methods'' (in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall--
            (1) identify where and how probabilistic methods can help
        the Department of Transportation;
            (2) assess the extent to which probabilistic methods can
        help the Department of Transportation maximize return on
        investment and increase public safety;
            (3) evaluate the state of probabilistic methods technology;
            (4) identify the probabilistic techniques that are ready
        for practical use and recommend guidelines that can help a user
        decide what technique to use;
            (5) establish models for quantifying uncertainties in major
        Department of Transportation programs that affect cost,
        operation, and performance;
            (6) identify key technology areas that must be further
        developed;
            (7) recommend guidelines for implementation of
        probabilistic technology;
            (8) recommend how to set reliability levels that can ensure
        public safety and be achievable by industry;
            (9) recommend probabilistic-based guidelines for safety
        tests;
            (10) recommend guidelines for creating required database;
            (11) determine appropriate means of expediting technology
        transfer and ensuring that the principles of probabilistic
        methods are used appropriately in decisions involving funds
        under the control of the Department of Transportation;
            (12) identify legal and cultural barriers to the effective
        use of probabilistic methods at the Department of
        Transportation;
            (13) make recommendations for the use of probabilistic
        methods in Department of Transportation programs;
            (14) make recommendations for institutionalizing
        probabilistic methods values at the Department of
        Transportation after the termination of the Commission; and
            (15) recommend pilot projects for evaluation of
        probabilistic methods technology.

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 19
members as follows:
            (1) A chairperson, who shall be a representative of an
        engineering society with experience in probabilistic methods,
        such as the Society of Automotive Engineers.
            (2) Four members from the higher education community.
            (3) Four members from various levels of government.
            (4) Four members from industry.
            (5) One member representing labor.
            (6) One member representing the environmental community.
            (7) One member representing the public interest.
            (8) A representative of the Department of Defense,
        appointed by the Secretary of Defense.
            (9) A representative of the Department of Commerce,
        appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
            (10) A representative of the National Institutes of Health,
        appointed by the Director of the National Institutes of Health.
The members described in paragraphs (1) through (7) shall be appointed
by the Administrator.
    (b) Terms.--
            (1) In general.--Each member shall be appointed for the
        life of the Commission.
            (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
        in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (c) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve without pay.
    (d) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections
5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Quorum.--10 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum
but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (f) Initial Meeting.--The initial meeting of the Commission shall
occur within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (g) Agenda.--Within 6 months after its initial meeting under
subsection (f), the Commission shall transmit to the Administrator a
written agenda for its activities.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.

    (a) In General.--The Department of Transportation shall provide the
Commission with such administrative support as it shall require to
carry out its duties.
    (b) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary
and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code.
    (c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or agency
shall furnish that information to the Commission.
    (d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.

SEC. 7. REPORTS.

    (a) Interim Report.--The Commission shall transmit to the
Administrator an interim report not later than 2 years after its
initial meeting under section 5(f).
    (b) Final Report.--The Commission shall transmit a final report to
the Administrator not later than 36 months after its initial meeting
under section 5(f). The final report shall contain a detailed statement
of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Commission.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 10 days after submitting its final
report pursuant to section 7(b). Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of
advisory committees) shall not apply to the Commission.

SEC. 9. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE.

    Any spending authority (as defined in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of
section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C.
651(c)(2)(A) and (C))) authorized by this Act shall be effective only
to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts.

Summary: Commission on Probabilistic Methods Act - Directs the Administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Commission on Probabilistic Methods. Requires the Commission to identify and assess the extent to which the use of probabilistic methods can help DOT in administering its transportation programs.

Commission on Probabilistic Methods Act


SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE

    This Act may be cited as the ``E-Mail User Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF UNSOLICITED BULK E-MAIL.

    (a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person, using any
means or instrumentality of, or affecting, interstate or foreign
commerce--
            (1) to initiate the transmission of a unsolicited bulk
        electronic mail message that contains a false, fictitious, or
        misappropriated name of the sender, electronic mail return
        address, or name and phone number of a telephone contact
        person;
            (2) to initiate the transmission of a unsolicited bulk
        electronic mail message to an interactive computer service with
        knowledge that such message falsifies an Internet domain,
        header information, date or time stamp, originating e-mail
        address or other identifier;
            (3) to initiate the transmission of an unsolicited bulk
        electronic mail message and to fail to comply with the request
        of the recipient of the message, delivered to the sender's
        electronic mail address, that the recipient does not wish to
        receive such messages;
            (4) to use, create, sell, or distribute any computer
        software that is primarily designed to create, on an electronic
        mail message, false Internet domain, header information, date
        or time stamp, originating e-mail address or other identifier.
    (b) Violations.--
            (1) Civil fines.--Whoever knowingly violates subsection (a)
        shall be fined not more than the greater of (1) $50 for each
        message delivered in violation of such subsection, or (2)
        $10,000 for each day the violation continues.
            (2) Criminal sanctions.--Whoever--
                    (A) intentionally violates subsection (a)(1) by
                misappropriating the name or electronic mail return
                address of another person; or
                    (B) intentionally violates subsection (a)(3) by
                initiating the transmission of unsolicited electronic
                mail to an individual who has specifically communicated
                to the violator that individual's desire not to receive
                such mail;
        shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or
        imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

SEC. 3. ENFORCEMENT

    The Federal Trade Commission shall have the power to enforce a
violation of section 2 as an unfair or deceptive act or practice
prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission
Act (15 U.S.C. 57(a)(1)(B)).

SEC. 4. RIGHT OF ACTION AND RECOVERY OF CIVIL DAMAGES.

    (a) Right of Action.--
            (1) Actions by interactive computer services.--Any
        interactive computer service that has been adversely affected
        by a violation of section 2(a)(2) may recover in a civil action
        from the person or entity that engaged in such violation such
        relief as may be appropriate.
            (2) Actions by recipients.--Any person or entity that has
        received an unsolicited bulk email and been adversely affected
        by a violation of section 2 may recover in a civil action from
        the person or entity that engaged in such violation such relief
        as may be appropriate.
    (b) Relief.--
            (1) Actions by interactive computer services.--In an action
        under subsection (a)(1), appropriate relief includes--
                    (A) such preliminary and other equitable or
                declaratory relief as may be appropriate, including an
                injunction against future violations;
                    (B) actual monetary loss from a violation,
                statutory damages of not more than the greater of --
                            (i) $50 for each message delivered in
                        violation of section 2(a)(2); or
                            (ii) $10,000 for each day during which the
                        violation continues; and
                    (C) a reasonable attorney's fee and other
                litigation costs reasonably incurred.
            (2) Actions by recipients.--In an action under subsection
        (a)(2), appropriate relief includes--
                    (A) such preliminary and other equitable or
                declaratory relief as may be appropriate, including an
                injunction against future violations;
                    (B) actual monetary loss from a violation,
                statutory damages of $50 for each message delivered in
                violation of section 2(a)(2); and
                    (C) a reasonable attorney's fee and other
                litigation costs reasonably incurred.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Unsolicited bulk electronic mail message.--The term
        ``unsolicited bulk electronic mail message'' means any
        electronic mail message initiated by any person for commercial
        purposes, except for--
                    (A) electronic mail sent to others with whom such
                person has a prior relationship, including a prior
                business relationship; or
                    (B) electronic mail sent to a recipient if such
                recipient, or someone authorized by them, has at any
                time affirmatively requested to receive communications
                from that source.
            (2) Electronic mail address.--The term ``electronic mail
        address'' means a destination on the Internet (commonly
        expressed as a string of characters) to which electronic mail
        can be sent or delivered.
            (3) Interactive computer service.--The term ``interactive
        computer service'' has the meaning given that term in section
        230(e)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
        230(e)(2)).
            (4) Internet domain.--The term ``Internet domain'' means a
        specific computer system (commonly referred to as a ``host'')
        or collection of computer systems that the Internet can
        reference, that are assigned a specific reference point on the
        Internet (commonly referred to as an ``Internet domain name''),
        and that are registered with an organization that the Internet
        industry recognizes as a registrar of Internet domains.
            (5) Initiates the transmission.--The term ``initiates the
        transmission,'' in the case of an electronic mail message,
        means to originate the electronic mail message, and excludes
        the actions of any interactive computer service whose
        facilities or services are used by another person to transmit,
        relay, or otherwise handle such message.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The provisions of this Act shall take effect 45 days after the date
of enactment of this Act.

Summary: E-Mail User Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person to: (1) initiate the transmission of an unsolicited bulk electronic mail message that contains a false or misappropriated name of the sender, return address, or name and phone number of a telephone contact person. (2) initiate such a message to an interactive computer service with the knowledge that such message falsifies identifying information. (3) initiate such a message and fail to comply with the recipient's request to not receive such messages. Or (4) use, create, sell, or distribute any computer software that is primarily designed to create false identifier information. Provides civil fines and criminal sanctions for such violations. Authorizes enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. Provides appropriate relief for both interactive computer services and recipients.

E-Mail User Protection Act


SECTION 1. INDIVIDUALS TAXED ONLY ON EARNED INCOME.

    (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended to read as follows:

``SECTION 1. TAX IMPOSED.

    ``(a) Imposition of Tax.--There is hereby imposed on the income of
every individual a tax equal to 20 percent of the excess (if any) of--
            ``(1) the taxable earned income received or accrued during
        the taxable year, over
            ``(2) the standard deduction (as defined in section 63) for
        such taxable year.
    ``(b) Taxable Earned Income.--For purposes of this section, the
term `taxable earned income' means the excess (if any) of earned income
(as defined in section 911(d)(2)) over the foreign earned income (as
defined in section 911(b)(1)).''
    (b) Increase in Standard Deduction.--Section 63 of such Code is
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 63. STANDARD DEDUCTION.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of this subtitle, the term
`standard deduction' means the sum of--
            ``(1) the basic standard deduction, plus
            ``(2) the additional standard deduction.
    ``(b) Basic Standard Deduction.--For purposes of subsection (a),
the basic standard deduction is--
            ``(1) $16,500 in the case of--
                    ``(A) a joint return, and
                    ``(B) a surviving spouse (as defined in section
                2(a)),
            ``(2) $14,000 in the case of a head of household (as
        defined in section 2(b)), and
            ``(3) $9,500 in the case of an individual--
                    ``(A) who is not married and who is not a surviving
                spouse or head of household, or
                    ``(B) who is a married individual filing a separate
                return.
    ``(c) Additional Standard Deduction.--For purposes of subsection
(a), the additional standard deduction is $4,500 for each dependent (as
defined in section 152) described in section 151(c)(1) for the taxable
year.
    ``(d) Inflation Adjustment.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxable year
        beginning in a calendar year after 1995, each dollar amount
        contained in subsections (b) and (c) shall be increased by an
        amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment under section
                1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year
                begins, determined by substituting `calendar year 1994'
                for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B) of such
                section.
            ``(2) Rounding.--If any increase determined under paragraph
        (1) is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to
        the next lowest multiple of $50.''

SEC. 2. INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR CASH CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 170 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to charitable, etc., contributions and
gifts) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following
        new paragraph:
            ``(1) General rule.--There shall be allowed as a deduction
        any charitable contribution (as defined in subsection (c)) not
        to exceed $2,500 ($1,250, in the case of a married individual
        filing a separate return), payment of which is made within the
        taxable year.'', and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3).
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 170(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Termination of subsection.--This subsection shall not
        apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995.''
            (2) Section 170(c) of such Code is amended by inserting
        ``of cash or its equivalent'' after ``means a contribution or
        gift''.
            (3) Subsections (d) and (e) of section 170 of such Code are
        repealed.
            (4) Section 170(f) of such Code is amended by striking
        paragraphs (1) through (7) and by redesignating paragraphs (8)
        and (9) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively.
            (5) Subsections (h) and (i) of section 170 of such Code are
        repealed.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION OF HOME MORTGAGE DEDUCTION TO ACQUISITION
              INDEBTEDNESS.

    Paragraph (3) of section 163(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to interest) is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) and
        inserting before subparagraph (B) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified residence
                interest' means any interest which is paid or accrued
                during the taxable year on acquisition indebtedness
                with respect to any qualified residence of the
                taxpayer. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the
                determination of whether any property is a qualified
                residence of the taxpayer shall be made as of the time
                the interest is accrued.'', and
            (2) by striking ``$1,000,000'' each place it appears and
        ``$500,000'' in subparagraph (B)(ii) and inserting ``$100,000''
        and ``$50,000'', respectively.

SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF TAX ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

    Section 11 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to tax
imposed on corporations) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 11. TAX IMPOSED ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Tax Imposed.--There is hereby imposed on every person engaged
in a business activity a tax equal to 20 percent of the business
taxable income of such person.
    ``(b) Liability for Tax.--The tax imposed by this section shall be
paid by the person engaged in the business activity, whether such
person is an individual, partnership, corporation, or otherwise.
    ``(c) Business Taxable Income.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
        `business taxable income' means gross active income reduced by
        the deductions specified in subsection (d).
            ``(2) Gross active income.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
        the term `gross active income' means gross income other than
        investment income.
    ``(d) Deductions.--
            ``(1) In general.--The deductions specified in this
        subsection are--
                    ``(A) the cost of business inputs for the business
                activity,
                    ``(B) the compensation (including contributions to
                qualified retirement plans but not including other
                fringe benefits) paid for employees performing services
                in such activity, and
                    ``(C) the cost of tangible personal and real
                property used in such activity.
            ``(2) Business inputs.--For purposes of subparagraph (A),
        the term `cost of business inputs' means--
                    ``(A) the actual amount paid for goods, services,
                and materials, whether or not resold during the taxable
                year,
                    ``(B) the fair market value of business inputs
                brought into the United States, and
                    ``(C) the actual cost, if reasonable, of travel and
                entertainment expenses for business purposes.
        Such term shall not include purchases of goods and services
        provided to employees or owners.
    ``(e) Carryover of Excess Deductions.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the aggregate deductions for any
        taxable year exceed the gross active income for such taxable
        year, the amount of the deductions specified in subsection (d)
        for the succeeding taxable year (determined without regard to
        this subsection) shall be increased by the sum of--
                    ``(A) such excess, plus
                    ``(B) the product of such excess and the 3-month
                Treasury rate for the last month of such taxable year.
            ``(2) 3-month treasury rate.--For purposes of paragraph
        (1), the 3-month Treasury rate is the rate determined by the
        Secretary based on the average market yield (during any 1-month
        period selected by the Secretary and ending in the calendar
        month in which the determination is made) on outstanding
        marketable obligations of the United States with remaining
        periods to maturity of 3 months or less.''

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1995.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 20 percent tax on the taxable earned income of every individual. Bases such amount on the standard deduction. Increases the basic standard deduction and includes an additional standard deduction , with inflation adjustments. Limits charitable contributions to $2,500 . Limits the deduction for interest paid on a home mortgage to the amount of acquisition indebtedness, with limitations. Replaces the current tax on corporations with a tax on every person engaged in a business activity equal to 20 percent of the business taxable income of such person. Makes the person engaged in the business activity liable for the tax.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a flat tax only on the earned income of individuals and the business taxable income of corporations, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Taxpayer Choice Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX FOR NONCORPORATE TAXPAYERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 55(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to alternative minimum tax imposed) is amended by adding at
the end the following new flush sentence:
``In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, no tax shall be
imposed by this section for any taxable year beginning after December
31, 2006, and the tentative minimum tax of any taxpayer other than a
corporation for any such taxable year shall be zero for purposes of
this title.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 26(c) of such Code is amended by striking ``the
        term `tentative minimum tax' means the amount determined under
        section 55(b)(1)'' and inserting ``the tentative minimum tax is
        zero.''.
            (2) Section 911(f)(2) of such Code is amended to read as
        follows:
            ``(2) the tentative minimum tax under section 55 for the
        taxable year shall be zero.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.

SEC. 3. SIMPLIFIED INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Part I of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to tax on individuals) is
amended by redesignating section 5 as section 6 and by inserting after
section 4 the following new section:

``SEC. 5. SIMPLIFIED INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX SYSTEM.

    ``(a) Election.--
            ``(1) In general.--A taxpayer other than a corporation may
        elect in accordance with this subsection to be subject to the
        tax imposed by this section in lieu of the tax imposed by
        section 1 for a taxable year and all subsequent taxable years.
            ``(2) Effect of election.--For purposes of this title, if
        an election is in effect under paragraph (1) for any taxable
        year, the tax imposed by this section shall be treated as the
        tax imposed by section 1 for the taxable year.
            ``(3) Election.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
                        clause (ii) of this subparagraph and clauses
                        (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (B), the
                        election under paragraph (1) may only be made
                        with respect to any taxable year beginning
                        before January 1, 2017, on a timely filed
                        return for the first taxable year for which the
                        election applies.
                            ``(ii) New taxpayers.--In the case of an
                        individual with no tax liability under this
                        title before January 1, 2017, the election
                        under paragraph (1) may only be made for the
                        first taxable year beginning after December 31,
                        2016, for which such individual has tax
                        liability under this title.
                    ``(B) Effect of election.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
                        clauses (ii) and (iii), the election under
                        paragraph (1), once made, shall be irrevocable.
                            ``(ii) One-time revocation of election.--A
                        taxpayer may revoke an election under paragraph
                        (1) for a taxable year and all subsequent
                        taxable years. The preceding sentence shall not
                        apply if the taxpayer has made a revocation
                        under such sentence for any prior taxable year.
                            ``(iii) Filing status changes due to major
                        life events.--In the case of any major life
                        event described in clause (iv), a taxpayer may
                        make an election under paragraph (1) or revoke
                        such an election under clause (ii). Any such
                        election or revocation shall apply for the
                        taxable year for which made and all subsequent
                        taxable years until the taxpayer makes an
                        election under the preceding sentence for any
                        subsequent (and all succeeding) taxable year.
                            ``(iv) Major life event.--For purposes of
                        clause (iii), a major life event described in
                        this clause is marriage, divorce, and death.
    ``(b) Tax Imposed.--
            ``(1) Married individuals and surviving spouses.--In the
        case of a taxpayer for whom an election under subsection (a) is
        in effect and who is a married individual (as defined in
        section 7703) who makes a single return jointly with his spouse
        under section 6013 or a surviving spouse (as defined in section
        2(a)), there is hereby imposed on the alternative taxable
        income of such individual a tax determined in accordance with
        the following table:

``If taxable income is:             The tax is:
    Not over $100,000..............
                                        10% of alternative taxable
                                                income.
    Over $100,000..................
                                        $10,000, plus 25% of the excess
                                                over $100,000.
            ``(2) Unmarried individuals (other than surviving
        spouses).--In the case of a taxpayer for whom an election under
        subsection (a) is in effect and who is not described in
        paragraph (1), there is hereby imposed on the alternative
        taxable income of such individual a tax determined in
        accordance with the following table:

``If taxable income is:             The tax is:
    Not over $50,000...............
                                        10% of alternative taxable
                                                income.
    Over $50,000...................
                                        $5,000, plus 25% of the excess
                                                over $50,000.
    ``(c) Maximum of Tax on Net Capital Gain of Noncorporate
Taxpayers.--If a taxpayer has a net capital gain for the taxable year,
the tax imposed by subsection (b) for such taxable year shall not
exceed the sum of--
            ``(1) the amount determined under subsection (b) computed
        at the rate and in the same manner as if this paragraph had not
        been enacted on modified taxable income reduced by the lesser
        of--
                    ``(A) the net capital gain, or
                    ``(B) the adjusted net capital gain, plus
            ``(2) 5 percent (0 percent in the case of taxable years
        beginning after 2007) of so much of the adjusted net capital
        gain (or, if less, modified taxable income) as does not exceed
        an amount equal to the excess described in section 1(h)(1)(B),
        plus
            ``(3) 15 percent of the adjusted net capital gain (or, if
        less, modified taxable income) in excess of the amount on which
        tax is determined under paragraph (2).
Terms used in this paragraph which are also used in section 1(h) shall
have the respective meanings given such terms by section 1(h) but
computed with the adjustments under this section.
    ``(d) Alternative Taxable Income.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `alternative taxable income'
        means--
                    ``(A) gross income, minus
                    ``(B) the sum of--
                            ``(i) the personal exemption,
                            ``(ii) the dependent allowance, plus
                            ``(iii) the alternative standard deduction.
            ``(2) Personal exemption.--The personal exemption is--
                    ``(A) 200 percent of the dollar amount in effect
                under subparagraph (B) in the case of--
                            ``(i) a joint return, or
                            ``(ii) a surviving spouse (as defined in
                        section 2(a)), and
                    ``(B) $3,500 in the case of an individual--
                            ``(i) who is not married and is not a
                        surviving spouse, or
                            ``(ii) who is a married individual filing a
                        separate return.
            ``(3) Dependent allowance.--The dependent allowance is
        $3,500 for each dependent (as defined in section 152).
            ``(4) Alternative standard deduction.--The alternative
        standard deduction means--
                    ``(A) $25,000 in the case of--
                            ``(i) a joint return, or
                            ``(ii) a surviving spouse (as defined in
                        section 2(a)), and
                    ``(B) $12,500 in the case of an individual--
                            ``(i) who is not married and is not a
                        surviving spouse, or
                            ``(ii) who is a married individual filing a
                        separate return.
    ``(e) Inflation Adjustments.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxable year
        beginning in a calendar year after 2007, each of the dollar
        amounts for the rate brackets in subsection (b) and each of the
        dollar amounts in subsection (d)(2)(B), (d)(3), and (d)(4)
        shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                    ``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
                    ``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
                under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
                the taxable year begins, by substituting `calendar year
                2006' for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B)
                thereof.
            ``(2) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted under clause (i)
        is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the
        nearest multiple of $100.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for part I of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the item
relating to section 5 and inserting after the item relating to section
4 the following:

``Sec. 5. Simplified Individual Income Tax System.
``Sec. 6. Cross references relating to tax on individuals.''.
    (c) Capital Gains and Dividends Rate Made Permanent.--The Jobs and
Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 is amended by striking
section 303.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.

Summary: Taxpayer Choice Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the alternative minimum tax on individual taxpayers after 2006. And (2) allow taxpayers to elect an alternative income tax system. Makes permanent the capital gains and dividends rate reductions enacted by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the alternative minimum tax on individuals and replace it with an alternative tax individuals may choose.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Infant and Toddler Care Improvement
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The brain undergoes its most dramatic development
        during a child's first 3 years of life, with 700 new
        neurological connections being formed every second based on
        early experience. During this time, the brain's foundational
        capacities for thinking, language, emotion, and self-regulation
        are formed.
            (2) Economic deprivation can also affect the development of
        the brain and impair all aspects of development. Children in
        families below the poverty line are at risk for prolonged
        ``toxic'' stress, which can change the shape of the brain's
        structure. Twenty-five percent of children younger than 3 years
        of age live in families with incomes below the poverty level.
            (3) Child care is second only to the family setting as the
        place in which early development takes place for many infants
        and toddlers. Sixty-one percent of mothers with children
        younger than 3 years of age are in the labor force and over
        6,000,000 children younger than 3 years of age are cared for by
        someone other than their parents for some part or all of the
        day. Therefore, the relationship between the child and the
        child care provider often plays a significant role in child
        development.
            (4) Research shows that high-quality child care can
        mitigate some of the effects of adverse experiences caused by
        poverty and that low-income children can benefit particularly
        well from high-quality child care. Yet, at-risk children
        younger than 3 years of age often receive low-quality child
        care that can lead to poor developmental outcomes.
            (5) High-quality child care has been shown to promote
        positive cognitive, language, and social and emotional
        development, and contribute to academic success. High-quality
        child care can also help improve a child's communication
        skills, cognitive skills, behavioral skills, math and language
        assessment scores, and verbal intelligence.
            (6) Providing training and technical assistance to family
        child care providers who are infant and toddler care providers,
        through family child care networks, has been shown to improve
        the quality of caregivers.
            (7) Twenty-seven States use infant and toddler specialist
        networks as the structure for providing training and technical
        assistance, using research-based training and techniques such
        as mentoring and on-site coaching, to all types of providers of
        child care for infants or toddlers.
            (8) Preparation for early childhood educators often does
        not include training specific to infants and toddlers. Only 21
        States have infant and toddler credential requirements that
        define the particular knowledge and skills needed to work with
        children younger than 3 years of age.
            (9) Infants and toddlers have unique needs that differ from
        those of older children in areas such as health and safety,
        interaction with teachers and caregivers, and learning, yet not
        all States recognize those differences in licensing regulations
        or in their Quality Rating and Improvement Systems. Just 20
        States have infant and toddler quality indicators in their
        Quality Rating and Improvement Systems and only 3 States have
        separate categories of child care regulations related to
        infants and toddlers.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to improve the overall
quality of child care programs serving infants or toddlers.

SEC. 3. HIGH-QUALITY INFANT AND TODDLER CARE PROGRAM.

    The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 is amended
by inserting after section 658G (42 U.S.C. 9858e) the following:

``SEC. 658H. HIGH-QUALITY INFANT AND TODDLER CARE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible infant or toddler care provider.--The term
        `eligible infant or toddler care provider' means an eligible
        child care provider, consistent with section 658P, who provides
        care to an infant or toddler.
            ``(2) Infant or toddler.--The term `infant or toddler'
        means an individual under 3 years of age.
            ``(3) Infant or toddler with a developmental delay or
        disability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `infant or toddler with
                a developmental delay or disability' has the meaning
                given the term `infant or toddler with a disability' in
                section 632 of the Individuals with Disabilities
                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1432).
                    ``(B) Plural form.--The term `infants and toddlers
                with developmental delays or disabilities' means more
                than 1 infant or toddler with a developmental delay or
                disability.
            ``(4) Limited english proficient.--The term `limited
        English proficient' has the meaning given the term in section
        637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832).
            ``(5) Low-income community.--The term `low-income
        community' shall be defined by the Secretary.
            ``(6) Low-income family.--The term `low-income family'
        means a family with a family income described in section
        658P(4)(B).
    ``(b) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to
        eligible States, from allotments described in paragraph (2), to
        enable the States to improve the quality of care for infants
        and toddlers.
            ``(2) Allotments.--
                    ``(A) Amounts reserved.--
                            ``(i) Territories and possessions.--The
                        Secretary shall reserve an amount not to exceed
                        0.5 percent of the amount appropriated under
                        this section for each fiscal year for payments
                        to Guam, American Samoa, the United States
                        Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the
                        Northern Mariana Islands, to be allotted in
                        accordance with their respective needs.
                            ``(ii) Indian tribes.--The Secretary shall
                        reserve not less than 1 percent, and not more
                        than 2 percent, of the amount appropriated
                        under this section for each fiscal year for
                        payments to Indian tribes and tribal
                        organizations with applications approved under
                        section 658O(c).
                    ``(B) Allotments to states.--After making
                reservations under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
                shall use the remainder of the amount appropriated
                under this section for a fiscal year to allot to each
                State an amount that bears the same relationship to
                that remainder as the amount allotted to the State
                under section 658O for that fiscal year bears to the
                amount allotted to all States under section 658O for
                that fiscal year.
                    ``(C) State.--In this paragraph, the term `State'
                does not include Guam, American Samoa, the United
                States Virgin Islands, or the Commonwealth of the
                Northern Mariana Islands.
    ``(c) Amendment to State Plans.--A State that receives a grant
under this section shall include in the State's plan under section
658E, a description of how the State will use funds provided under this
section to improve the quality of infant and toddler care.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State that receives a grant under this
        section shall use the funds made available through the grant to
        carry out 1 or more of the activities described in paragraphs
        (2) through (7).
            ``(2) Increasing high-quality infant and toddler care.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State may use the funds
                described in paragraph (1) to make grants to eligible
                entities to be resources for eligible infant and
                toddler care providers, to improve the quality of early
                care and development services provided to infants and
                toddlers in the community from low-income families and
                to help such providers serving low-income families
                improve their capacity to offer high-quality care to
                such families.
                    ``(B) Eligible entity.--To be eligible to receive a
                grant under this paragraph, an entity shall be an
                eligible child care provider that--
                            ``(i) serves infants and toddlers from low-
                        income families; and
                            ``(ii)(I) is ranked at the top level of the
                        State's Quality Rating and Improvement System
                        or similar rating system or accredited by a
                        national accrediting body recognized, before
                        the date of enactment of the Infant and Toddler
                        Care Improvement Act, for high-quality program
                        standards that are valid and reliable; or
                            ``(II) is an Early Head Start agency under
                        section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
                        9840a) that is in full compliance with the
                        performance standards applicable to such an
                        agency under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831
                        et seq.).
                    ``(C) Priority.--In making grants under this
                paragraph, a State--
                            ``(i) shall give priority to entities that
                        will serve significant populations of low-
                        income families; and
                            ``(ii) may give priority to entities that--
                                    ``(I) are located in low-income
                                communities;
                                    ``(II) will serve communities with
                                significant populations of families
                                with limited English proficiency; or
                                    ``(III) will increase the ability
                                of caregivers to provide appropriate
                                services and coordinate activities with
                                State and local systems providing
                                services under part C of the
                                Individuals with Disabilities Education
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) for
                                children with developmental delays or
                                disabilities, including such children
                                in the child welfare system of the
                                State.
            ``(3) Staffed family child care networks or systems.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State may use the funds
                described in paragraph (1) to make grants to
                organizations with expertise in providing child care
                and related technical assistance, to establish and
                operate staffed family child care networks or systems
                that offer, to family child care providers who are
                eligible infant and toddler care providers, technical
                assistance, training, administrative support, or direct
                services including monitoring visits to providers.
                    ``(B) Priority.--In making grants under this
                paragraph, a State--
                            ``(i) shall give priority to organizations
                        described in paragraph (2)(C)(i); and
                            ``(ii) may give priority to organizations
                        that have 1 or more of the 3 characteristics
                        described in paragraph (2)(C)(ii).
            ``(4) Statewide network of infant and toddler
        specialists.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State may use the funds
                described in paragraph (1) to support, or to make a
                grant to an organization with expertise in providing
                child care technical assistance to support, a statewide
                network of specialists who are eligible infant and
                toddler care providers, that shall--
                            ``(i) provide individual or group training
                        and intensive consultation services to eligible
                        infant and toddler care providers, including
                        relative caregivers, on strategies to improve
                        the quality of care for infants and toddlers;
                        and
                            ``(ii) assist eligible infant and toddler
                        care providers in coordinating activities with
                        other offices responsible for child care,
                        including Early Head Start programs and Head
                        Start programs carried out under the Head Start
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).
                    ``(B) Priority.--In delivering services or making
                grants under this paragraph, a State--
                            ``(i) shall give priority to networks that
                        deliver support to providers described in
                        paragraph (2)(C)(i); and
                            ``(ii) may give priority to networks that
                        deliver support to providers that have 1 or
                        more of the 3 characteristics described in
                        paragraph (2)(C)(ii).
            ``(5) State workforce quality initiatives.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State may use the funds
                described in paragraph (1) to support initiatives to
                improve the quality of the workforce of eligible infant
                and toddler care providers, such as--
                            ``(i) providing relevant training,
                        professional development, or mentoring to
                        eligible infant and toddler care providers,
                        including linking the training, development, or
                        mentoring to career pathways for eligible
                        infant and toddler care providers;
                            ``(ii) providing scholarships or other
                        financial support to eligible infant and
                        toddler care providers to advance their
                        education and training;
                            ``(iii) coordinating activities with the
                        State's higher education system to expand the
                        availability and quality of coursework for
                        infant and toddler care providers, including
                        developing career pathways for eligible infant
                        and toddler care providers; or
                            ``(iv) improving the State credentialing of
                        eligible infant and toddler care providers.
            ``(6) Systems quality.--A State may use the funds described
        in paragraph (1) to--
                    ``(A) develop infant and toddler components for the
                State's Quality Rating and Improvement System or
                similar rating system, child care licensing
                regulations, or voluntary early learning guidelines;
                    ``(B) improve the ability of parents to obtain
                information about high-quality infant and toddler care;
                or
                    ``(C) assist eligible infant and toddler care
                providers seeking to improve the quality of their
                infant and toddler care by increasing their ranking on
                the State's Quality Rating and Improvement System or
                similar rating system, meeting performance standards
                applicable to an Early Head Start agency under the Head
                Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), or becoming
                accredited by a national accrediting body described in
                paragraph (2)(B)(ii).
            ``(7) Other high-quality initiatives.--A State may use the
        funds described in paragraph (1) to carry out other activities
        determined by the State to improve the quality of infant and
        toddler care provided in the State and for which there is
        evidence that the activities will lead to improved infant and
        toddler safety, infant and toddler development, or infant and
        toddler well-being.
    ``(e) Reporting.--A State that receives a grant under subsection
(b) shall submit in the State's annual reports required under section
658K(a)(2), information on how the State is using the funding provided
under subsection (b) to improve the quality of infant and toddler care
and the effect such funding is having on the quality of infant and
toddler care in the State.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year.''.

SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Authorization.--Section 658B of the Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858) is amended by inserting
``(other than section 658H)'' after ``subchapter''.
    (b) Allotment.--Section 658O(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
9858m(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``this subchapter'' and inserting
``section 658B''.

Summary: Infant and Toddler Care Improvement Act - Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to enable eligible states to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers, especially those from low-income families. Authorizes the use of grant funds to: (1) make grants to organizations with pertinent expertise to establish and operate staffed family child care networks or systems that offer family child care providers technical assistance, training, administrative support, or direct services. (2) support a statewide network of infant and toddler care specialists. And (3) support initiatives to improve the quality of the provider workforce. Allows the use of such funds also to: (1) develop infant and toddler components for the State's Quality Rating and Improvement System or a similar rating system, child care licensing regulations, or voluntary early learning guidelines. (2) improve the ability of parents to obtain information about high-quality infant and toddler care. Or (3) assist eligible infant and toddler care providers seeking to increase their ranking on the State's Quality Rating and Improvement System or similar rating system, meet performance standards applicable to an Early Head Start agency, or become accredited by a national accrediting body.

A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to improve the quality of infant and toddler care.