SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act
of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Veterinary medicine is an integral and indispensable
        component of the Nation's public health system. Veterinarians
        protect human health by preventing and controlling infectious
        diseases, ensuring the safety and security of the nation's food
        supply, promoting healthy environments, and providing health
        care for animals.
            (2) Veterinarians are essential for early detection and
        response to unusual disease events that could be linked to
        newly emerging infectious diseases, such as monkeypox, SARS,
        and West Nile Virus, or other biothreat agents of concern.
            (3) There is a need to build national capacity in research
        and training in the prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, and
        control of newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
            (4) Veterinarians are uniquely qualified to address these
        high priority public health issues because of their extensive
        professional training in basic biomedical sciences, population
        medicine, and broad, multi-species, comparative medical
        approach to disease prevention and control.
            (5) There is a shortage of veterinarians working in public
        health practice. As used in the preceding sentence, the term
        ``public health practice'' includes bioterrorism and emergency
        preparedness, environmental health, food safety and food
        security, regulatory medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine,
        and biomedical research.
            (6) The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects there to be
        28,000 job openings in the veterinary medical profession by
        2012 due to growth and net replacements, a turnover of nearly
        38 percent.
            (7) The Nation's veterinary medical colleges do not have
        the capacity to satisfy the current and future demand for
        veterinarians and veterinary expertise that is vital to
        maintain public health preparedness.

SEC. 3. COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM.

    Part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
294n et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

                    ``Subpart 3--Veterinary Medicine

``SEC. 771. COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award competitive grants to
eligible entities for the purpose of improving public health
preparedness through increasing the number of veterinarians in the
workforce.
    ``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), an entity shall--
            ``(1) be--
                    ``(A) a public or other nonprofit school of
                veterinary medicine, department of comparative
                medicine, department of veterinary science, school of
                public health, or school of medicine that offers
                postgraduate training for veterinarians in a public
                health practice area as determined by the Secretary;
                and
                    ``(B) accredited by a recognized body or bodies
                approved for such purpose by the Department of
                Education; and
            ``(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application,
        at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
        as the Secretary may require.
    ``(c) Consideration of Applications.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures to ensure that applications under subsection (b)(2) are
rigorously reviewed and that grants are competitively awarded based
on--
            ``(1) the ability of the applicant to increase the number
        of veterinarians who are trained in specified public practice
        areas as determined by the Secretary;
            ``(2) the ability of the applicant to increase capacity in
        research on high priority disease agents; or
            ``(3) any other consideration the Secretary determines
        necessary.
    ``(d) Preference.--In awarding grants under subsection (a)(1), the
Secretary shall give preference to applicants that demonstrate a
comprehensive approach by involving more than one school of veterinary
medicine, department of comparative medicine, department of veterinary
science, school of public health, or school of medicine that offers
postgraduate training for veterinarians in a public health practice
area as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(e) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under this
subsection shall be used by a grantee to increase the number of
veterinarians in the workforce through--
            ``(1) paying the costs associated with construction, the
        acquisition of equipment, and other capital costs relating to
        the expansion of existing schools of veterinary medicine,
        departments of comparative medicine, or departments of
        veterinary science; or
            ``(2) paying the capital costs associated with the
        expansion of academic programs that offer postgraduate training
        for veterinarians or concurrent training for veterinary
        students in specific areas of specialization.
    ``(f) Definition.--In this section, the term `public health
practice' includes bioterrorism and emergency preparedness,
environmental health, food safety and food security, regulatory
medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine, and biomedical research.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
        to carry out this section, $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2006,
        and $1,264,000,000 for the 9-fiscal year period beginning with
        fiscal year 2007. Amounts appropriated under this subsection
        shall remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Requirement.--Not more than 25 percent of the amount
        appropriated under paragraph (1) in each fiscal year shall be
        made available to schools of veterinary medicine that were
        established after the date of enactment of this section.''.

Summary: Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities to improve public health preparedness through increasing the number of veterinarians in the workforce. Defines eligible entities as accredited public or nonprofit schools of veterinary medicine, departments of comparative medicine, departments of veterinary science, schools of public health, or schools of medicine that offer training for veterinarians in a public health practice area. Requires the Secretary to give preference to applicants that demonstrate a comprehensive approach by involving more than one eligible entity. Allows grantees to use funds to: (1) pay the costs associated with construction, the acquisition of equipment, and other capital costs relating to the expansion of existing schools or departments. And (2) pay the capital costs associated with the expansion of academic programs that offer postgraduate training for veterinarians or concurrent training for veterinary students in specific areas of specialization

To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a competitive grant program to build capacity in veterinary medical education and expand the workforce of veterinarians engaged in public health practice and biomedical research.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Revised Statutes 2477 Rights-of-Way
Settlement Act''.

SEC. 2. NOTICE OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY ACROSS PUBLIC LANDS GRANTED UNDER
              REVISED STATUES SECTION 2477.

    (a) Notice of RS 2477 Right-of-Way.--Any State, political
subdivision thereof, or other holder of a right-of-way across public
lands which was granted under section 2477 of the Revised Statutes
before the enactment of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, or any person who uses or could use the right-of-way for passage
across such lands to access property in which such person has an
interest, may file with the appropriate Secretary of the Department
concerned (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') a
notice of the right-of-way. The notice shall be filed within 10 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall identify the State
or political subdivision thereof through which the right-of-way passes,
and shall contain a map and a general description of the route,
termini, and scope of the right-of-way.
    (b) Recognition of or Objection to Right-of-Way by the Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date on
        which notice is filed with the Secretary under subsection (a),
        the Secretary shall notify the holder, or other party giving
        notice, of the recognition or objections of the Secretary of
        the right-of-way or any portion thereof. In considering any
        right-of-way notice filed under subsection (a), the Secretary
        shall recognize any right-of-way which was accepted or
        established in accordance with the laws of the State where the
        right-of-way is located or by an affirmative act of a State or
        political subdivision thereof indicating acceptance of the
        grant.
            (2) Recognition.--To the extent the Secretary accepts the
        right-of-way, the provisions of section 4 shall apply.
            (3) Objections.--If the Secretary objects to the right-of-
        way as presented under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
        specifically state the Secretary's objections to the existence,
        identity of the holder, route, or scope of the right-of-way, or
        portion thereof, and shall provide the factual and legal basis
        for each objection.
            (4) Effect of failure to object.--If the Secretary does not
        object within the two-year period required by this subsection,
        the right-of-way shall be deemed to be valid as it was
        presented to the Secretary under subsection (a).

SEC. 3. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

    (a) Quiet Title Action Relating to Objections.--Not later than two
years after the date on which
 the Secretary notifies a holder under section 2(b) of objections to a
right-of-way, or portion thereof, the Secretary may bring an action
based on those objections in a United States district court in which
the right-of-way or a portion thereof is located to challenge the
validity of the right-of-way or portion thereof.
    (b) Burden of Proof.--In any action brought pursuant to subsection
(a), the United States shall bear the burden of proof on all issues,
including (but not limited to) proving that--
            (1) the right-of-way was not a public right-of-way;
            (2) the right-of-way was not accepted or established in
        accordance with the laws of the State where the right-of-way is
        located or by an affirmative act of a State or political
        subdivision thereof indicating acceptance of the grant;
            (3) the land on which the right-of-way is located was
        reserved for public use at the time of acceptance of the right-
        of-way; and
            (4) the scope of the right-of-way identified in the notice
        of right-of-way exceeds that permitted under State law.
    (c) Failure To Bring Action.--If the Secretary does not bring such
an action within the two-year period required by this subsection, the
right-of-way shall be deemed to be valid in the form presented under
section 2(a).
    (d) Standing.--Standing to challenge an action of the Secretary
under this Act relating to the existence, description, route, or scope
of a right-of-way shall be limited to a party with a claim of a
property interest in or to the right-of-way or in lands served thereby.

SEC. 4. MANAGEMENT OF LANDS.

    A right-of-way accepted or deemed to be accepted under this Act is
valid. The Secretary shall record the right-of-way in the land records
and on maps of the Secretary and shall manage the lands subject to the
right-of-way accordingly.

SEC. 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

    (a) Quiet Title Action.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
prevent the holder of a right-of-way described in section 2 from
bringing an action at any time to quiet title with respect to such
right-of-way under section 2409a of title 28, United States Code, nor
shall any proceedings taken pursuant to this Act be deemed a
prerequisite to filing any such action. Such action may be brought
within the later of--
            (1) 12 years from the date of notice of objection from the
        Secretary under section 2(b)(1); or
            (2) the termination of the limitations period under section
        2409a of title 28, United States Code.
    (b) Relinquishment Not Required.--Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to require a relinquishment of a right-of-way granted under
section 2477 of the Revised Statutes. A failure to file the notice
provided for under section 2(a) does not constitute a relinquishment of
any such right-of-way.
    (c) Application of State Law.--Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to limit the application of State law in determining the
validity of rights-of-way granted under section 2477 of the Revised
Statutes. In every proceeding the law of the State where the right-of-
way is located shall determine the scope of the right-of-way. The
published regulations of the Department of the Interior pertaining to
section 2477 of the Revised Statutes which were in effect until the
date of enactment of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
shall be binding on the Secretary in all such proceedings.
    (d) NEPA.--The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 shall not
apply with respect to actions taken to carry out this Act.
    (e) Road Closures.--The Secretary shall not close any right-of-way
granted under section 2477 of the Revised Statutes which was in use
prior to October 21, 1976, until one year after providing notice to the
State and any political subdivision thereof with jurisdiction over
highways in that location which describes the right-of-way and the
purpose of the intended closure. In no event shall the Secretary close
any such right-of-way if closure would leave any non-Federal lands
adjoining the right-of-way without an established public or private
access.

Summary: Revised Statutes 2477 Rights-of-Way Settlement Act - Authorizes any State, political subdivision thereof, or other holder of a right-of-way across public lands that was granted under section 2477 of the Revised Statutes before the enactment of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, or any person who uses or could use the right-of-way for passage across such lands to access property in which such person has an interest, to file with the appropriate Secretary of the Department concerned a notice of the right-of-way. Directs the Secretary to notify the holder of the recognition or objections of the Secretary to the right-of-way or any portion thereof within two years or the right-of-way shall be deemed to be valid. Allows the Secretary to bring an action to challenge the validity of the right-of-way in a US district court within two years after notifying a holder of objections or the right-of-way shall be deemed to be valid. Permits a holder to bring an action to quiet title with respect to such a right-of-way within the later of: (1) 12 years from the date of notice of objection from the Secretary. Or (2) the termination of the limitations period applicable under the Federal judicial code. Prohibits the Secretary from closing any right-of-way in use before October 21, 1976: (1) until one year after providing notice to the appropriate State or subdivision. Or (2) if closure would leave any adjoining non-Federal lands without an established public or private access.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair
Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Motor vehicle owners are entitled to choose which
        service provider will diagnose, service, maintain, or repair
        their motor vehicles.
            (2) Promoting competition in price and quality for the
        diagnosis of problems, service, maintenance, and repair of
        motor vehicles will benefit consumers.
            (3) Regular diagnosis, service, maintenance, and repair of
        motor vehicles, motor vehicle equipment, and motor vehicle
        systems, such as pollution control, transmission, antilock
        brakes, electronic and mechanical systems, heating, air-
        conditioning, and steering are essential to facilitating United
        States mobility, minimizing fuel consumption, protecting the
        environment, and enabling the highest possible levels of safety
        in modern motor vehicles.
            (4) Various kinds of computers have been integrated by
        manufacturers into motor vehicle equipment and motor vehicle
        systems. On-board computer technology controls virtually all of
        the motor vehicle's systems, and only service technicians with
        the necessary tools and information can access the computers to
        perform diagnosis, service, maintenance, and repair of the
        motor vehicle.
            (5) Manufacturers have provided their authorized dealers
        and service providers with the information, tools, codes, and
        replacement equipment necessary to diagnose problems and to
        service, maintain, and repair motor vehicles that incorporate
        computers in their motor vehicle systems.
            (6) Consumers in the United States have benefitted from the
        availability of a wide choice of service providers for their
        motor vehicles. The United States economy has also benefitted
        from the availability of a tools and parts supply aftermarket
        that provides jobs to more than 5,000,000 workers in
        approximately 495,000 businesses, and generates approximately
        $200,000,000,000 in annual sales.
            (7) New motor vehicles are being equipped with systems that
        permit such vehicles to transmit repair and diagnostic
        information wirelessly to the vehicle manufacturer and repair
        facilities. Car owners have the right to choose where and to
        whom information generated by their vehicle and vehicle
        computers is sent.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to protect the rights of motor vehicle owners to choose
        a service provider for the diagnosis, service, maintenance, and
        repair of their motor vehicles;
            (2) to promote competition in price and quality among
        service providers; and
            (3) to promote safety and fuel efficiency by allowing
        consumers to choose among competing service providers.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Attorney general of a state.--The term ``attorney
        general of a State'' means the attorney general or other chief
        law enforcement officer of a State.
            (2) Commerce.--The term ``commerce'' has the meaning given
        that term in section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15
        U.S.C. 44).
            (3) Consumer, motor vehicle owner.--The terms ``consumer''
        and ``motor vehicle owner'' mean any person who owns, leases,
        or otherwise has the legal right to use and possess a motor
        vehicle, or the agent of such person.
            (4) Dealer, manufacturer, motor vehicle, motor vehicle
        equipment.--The terms ``dealer'', ``manufacturer'', ``motor
        vehicle'', and ``motor vehicle equipment'' have the meaning
        given those terms in section 30102(a) of title 49, United
        States Code.
            (5) Replacement equipment.--The term ``replacement
        equipment'' has the meaning given that term in section
        30102(b)(1) of such title.
            (6) Service provider.--The term ``service provider'' means
        any person engaged in the diagnosis, service, maintenance, or
        repair of motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines.
            (7) Technical service bulletin.--The term ``technical
        service bulletin''--
                    (A) means a communication sent to a dealer about
                the diagnosis, service, maintenance or repair of a
                motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment; and
                    (B) includes all communications sent to the
                Secretary of Transportation under subsections (f) and
                (m)(3)(A)(ii) of section 30166 of title 49, United
                States Code.

SEC. 4. REQUIREMENTS OF MOTOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS.

    (a) Duty To Disclose Information.--
            (1) In general.--The manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold,
        leased, or otherwise introduced into commerce in the United
        States shall provide to the owner of the motor vehicle and the
        service provider of the motor vehicle, using reasonable
        business means and on a non-discriminatory basis, all
        information to diagnose, service, maintain, or repair the motor
        vehicle.
            (2) Elements.--The information required under paragraph (1)
        with respect to a motor vehicle shall include the following:
                    (A) Information about all safety alerts, recalls,
                service bulletins, and the adjustments needed to
                maintain the efficiency, safety, and convenience of the
                vehicle.
                    (B) All information of any kind provided directly,
                indirectly, or wirelessly to new car dealers or any
                repair facility to diagnose, service, maintain, repair,
                activate, certify, or install any motor vehicle
                equipment (including replacement parts and equipment)
                in the motor vehicle.
    (b) Duty To Make Tools Available.--The manufacturer of a motor
vehicle sold, leased, or otherwise introduced into commerce in the
United States shall--
            (1) offer for sale to the owner of the motor vehicle and to
        all service providers on a reasonable and non-discriminatory
        basis, any tool for the diagnosis, service, maintenance, or
        repair of the motor vehicle; and
            (2) provide all information that enables aftermarket tool
        companies to manufacture tools with the same functional
        characteristics as those tools made available by the
        manufacturers to authorized dealers.
    (c) Replacement Equipment.--The manufacturer of a motor vehicle
sold, leased, or otherwise introduced into commerce in the United
States shall offer for sale to the owner of the motor vehicle and to
all service providers on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, all
equipment for diagnosis, service, maintenance, or repair of the motor
vehicle.
    (d) Protection of Trade Secrets.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
        nothing in this section may be construed to require a
        manufacturer to disclose publicly information that, if made
        public, would divulge methods or processes entitled to
        protection as trade secrets.
            (2) Exception.--No information may be withheld by a
        manufacturer on the ground that it is a trade secret if that
        information is provided (directly or indirectly) to authorized
        dealers or service providers.

SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT BY FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Federal Trade Commission shall enforce the
provisions of this Act in the same manner, by the same means, and with
the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable
terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41
et seq.) were incorporated into and made part of this Act.
    (b) Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices.--
            (1) Violation of a duty.--Any failure to comply with the
        provisions of section 4 shall be treated as an unfair method of
        competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice within
        the meaning of section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission
        Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)).
            (2) Violation of a rule.--A violation of a rule prescribed
        under subsection (c) shall be treated as a violation of a rule
        defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed
        under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act
        (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
    (c) Rulemaking.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
        Federal Trade Commission may prescribe such rules as may be
        necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
            (2) Limitation.--The Federal Trade Commission may not
        prescribe rules under this subsection that--
                    (A) interfere with the authority of the
                Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
                under section 202(m) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
                7521(m)) with regard to motor vehicle emissions control
                diagnostics systems; or
                    (B) conflict with rules prescribed by the
                Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 6. ACTION BY STATES.

    (a) In General.--In any case in which the attorney general of a
State has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of the
State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the engagement
of any person subject to a provision of section 4 or a rule prescribed
under section 5(c) in a practice that violates such provision or rule,
the State may, as parens patriae, bring a civil action on behalf of the
residents of the State in an appropriate district court of the United
States or other court of competent jurisdiction--
            (1) to enjoin that practice;
            (2) to enforce compliance with the provision or rule;
            (3) to obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation
        on behalf of residents of the State; or
            (4) to obtain such other relief as the court considers
        appropriate.
    (b) Rights of Federal Trade Commission.--
            (1) Notice to federal trade commission.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (C), the attorney general of a State shall notify the
                Federal Trade Commission in writing of any civil action
                under subsection (a), prior to initiating such civil
                action.
                    (B) Contents.--The notice required by subparagraph
                (A) shall include a copy of the complaint to be filed
                to initiate such civil action.
                    (C) Exception.--If it is not feasible for the
                attorney general of a State to provide the notice
                required by subparagraph (A), the State shall provide
                notice immediately upon instituting a civil action
                under subsection (a).
            (2) Intervention by federal trade commission.--
                    (A) In general.--Upon receiving notice required by
                paragraph (1) with respect to a civil action, the
                Federal Trade Commission may--
                            (i) intervene in such action; and
                            (ii) upon intervening--
                                    (I) be heard on all matters arising
                                in such civil action;
                                    (II) remove the action to the
                                appropriate district court of the
                                United States; and
                                    (III) file petitions for appeal of
                                a decision in such action.
                    (B) Continued participation of states.--If the
                Federal Trade Commission removes an action to the
                appropriate district court of the United States under
                subparagraph (A)(ii)(III), the State shall remain a
                party to the action in such court.
    (c) Investigatory Powers.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to prevent the attorney general of a State from exercising the powers
conferred on such attorney general by the laws of such State to conduct
investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the
attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other
evidence.
    (d) Preemptive Action by Federal Trade Commission.--If the Federal
Trade Commission institutes a civil action or an administrative action
to enforce a violation of a rule prescribed under section 5(c), no
State may, during the pendency of such action, bring a civil action
under subsection (a) against any defendant named in the complaint of
the Commission for violation of a rule prescribed under section 5(c)
that is alleged in such complaint.
    (e) Actions by Other State Officials.--
            (1) In general.--In addition to actions brought by an
        attorney general of a State under subsection (a), an action may
        be brought by officers of a State who are so authorized.
            (2) Savings provision.--Nothing contained in this section
        may be construed to prohibit an authorized official of a State
        from proceeding in a court of such State on the basis of an
        alleged violation of any civil or criminal statute of such
        State.

SEC. 7. ACTION BY CONSUMERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.

    In any case in which a consumer or service provider has reason to
believe that an interest of the consumer or service provider is
threatened or adversely affected by the engagement of any person
subject to a provision of section 4 or a rule prescribed under section
5(c) in a practice that violates such provision or rule, the consumer
or service provider may bring a civil action in an appropriate district
court of the United States or other court of competent jurisdiction--
            (1) to enjoin the practice;
            (2) to enforce compliance with the provision or rule;
            (3) to obtain damages or restitution, including court costs
        and reasonable attorney and expert witness fees; or
            (4) to obtain such other relief as the court considers
        appropriate.

SEC. 8. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS.

    The Federal Trade Commission shall cooperate with the Secretary of
Transportation in preparing a technical service bulletin that the
Secretary intends to publish on an Internet Web site of the Federal
Government.

Summary: Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2010 - Requires the manufacturer of a motor vehicle sold, leased, or otherwise introduced into commerce in the United States to provide to the owner of the motor vehicle and the service provider of the motor vehicle, using reasonable business means and on a non-discriminatory basis, all information and tools needed to diagnose, service, maintain, or repair the motor vehicle. Provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Permits civil actions by: (1) states on behalf of the state's residents. And (2) consumers and service providers. Provides for the protection of trade secrets, except that no information may be withheld by a manufacturer on the ground that it is a trade secret if that information is provided to authorized dealers or service providers.

A bill to protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, service, maintain, and repair their motor vehicles, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Human Rights Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) There is currently not a democratic government in Iran.
        Instead, Iran is an ideological dictatorship presided over by
        an unelected Supreme Leader with limitless veto power, an
        unelected Expediency Council, and a Council of Guardians
        capable of eviscerating any reforms.
            (2) The Supreme Leader appoints the heads of the judiciary,
        the clergy members on the powerful Council of Guardians, the
        commanders of all the armed forces, Friday prayer leaders, and
        the head of radio and television and confirms the president's
        election, rendering him the most powerful person in Iranian
        politics with little accountability within the political
        system.
            (3) Members of the Council of Guardians in Iran, who are
        chosen by the Supreme Leader, must vet all candidates for
        election based on their political predispositions and all
        legislation before it can be entered into law.
            (4) There has been a re-entrenchment of revolutionary
        forces in the political system in Iran. Elections held in
        February 2004 resulted in significant gains by conservative
        hard-liners affiliated with the regime's clerical army, the
        Pasdaran, culminating in the election of President Mahmoud
        Ahmadinejad in June 2005.
            (5) Over the past decade, human rights have been in steady
        decline in Iran. Torture, executions after unfair trials, and
        censorship of all media remain rampant throughout the country.
        Stoning, amputation, flogging, and beheading are used as
        methods of punishment.
            (6) Since his rise to power, President Ahmadinejad has
        embarked upon a concerted campaign of domestic repression,
        including new restrictions on radio, television, and film
        content, a ban on the publication of virtually all books, and
        an expansion in the activities of the regime's ``morals
        police''.
            (7) The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution
        61/176 on December 19, 2006, to express its grave concern over
        the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran. The
        resolution urges the Government of Iran ``to ensure full
        respect for the rights to freedom of assembly, opinion and
        expression ... to eliminate the use of torture and other cruel,
        inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment ... [and] to
        eliminate, in law and in practice, all forms of discrimination
        based on religion, ethnicity, or linguistic grounds.
            (8) The 2006 State Department Country Reports on Human
        Rights Practices states that ``the Government's poor human
        rights record worsened, and it continued to commit numerous,
        serious abuses''.
            (9) According to Human Rights Watch's World Report 2006,
        many of the human rights violations committed in Iran were
        performed by quasi-official ``parallel institutions'', which
        include ``paramilitary groups and plainclothes intelligence
        agents [that] violently attack peaceful protesters, and
        intelligence services [that] run illegal secret prisons and
        interrogation centers''. Uniformed police officers are fearful
        of challenging plainclothes agents, who belong to groups such
        as Ansar-e Hizbollah and Basij.
            (10) According to the 2006 State Department International
        Religious Freedom Report, the population of Iran is 89 percent
        Shi'a Muslim and 8 percent Sunni Muslim; less than 2 percent of
        the remaining population is comprised of Baha'is, Jews,
        Christians, Mandaeans, and Zoroastrians.
            (11) Religious minorities in Iran face significant
        discrimination, including imprisonment, harassment, and
        intimidation. Accordingly, the Secretary of State has, since
        1999, designated Iran as a country of particular concern
        pursuant to section 402(b)(1)(A) of the International Religious
        Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b)(1)(A)).
            (12) Ambeyi Ligabo, United Nations Special Rapporteur on
        the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, submitted a
        report to the Commission on Human Rights in 2004 on ``Civil and
        Political Rights, Including the Question of Freedom of
        Expression''. Mr. Ligabo asserted that ``the climate of fear
        induced by the systematic repression of people expressing
        critical views against the authorized political and religious
        doctrine and the functioning of the institutions coupled with
        the severe and disproportionate sentences imposed lead to self-
        censorship on the part of many journalists, intellectuals,
        politicians, students and the population at large, thus in
        effect impeding freedom of expression''.
            (13) According to the 2006 State Department Country Reports
        on Human Rights Practices, on July 31, 2006, student protestor
        Akbar Mohammadi died in Evin Prison from medical complications
        related to a hunger strike. The report states that
        ``authorities reportedly denied Mohammadi's parents permission
        to see their son's body and did not respond to calls for an
        independent investigation into the cause of death.
            (14) Amnesty International's 2003 Report on Iran detailed
        the arrest of Iranian-born Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi for
        taking photographs outside Evin prison in Tehran on June 23,
        2003. Over the course of her detention, judicial officials
        interrogated Ms. Kazemi for three days. While in custody, Ms.
        Kazemi was beaten, and she died of a brain hemorrhage on July
        23, 2003. Despite court orders for investigation, no progress
        has been made on this case.
            (15) Men and women are not equal under the laws of Iran,
        and women are legally deprived of their basic rights. The 2006
        State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
        stated that the weight of a woman's court testimony in Iran is
        half that of a man's testimony and the family of a female crime
        victim in that country receives only half the amount of ``blood
        money'' provided to the family of a male crime victim. The
        Government of Iran mandates gender segregation in most public
        spaces, including on public buses and at entrances to public
        buildings, universities, and airports.
            (16) The April 30, 2007, State Department Country Reports
        on Terrorism states that Iran remains the most active state
        sponsor of terrorism.
            (17) There exists a broad-based movement and desire for
        political change in the Islamic Republic of Iran that is pro-
        democratic and seeks freedom and economic opportunity, and
        which represents all sectors of Iranian society, including
        youth, women, students, military personnel, and religious
        figures.
            (18) The people of Iran have increasingly expressed
        frustration at the slow pace of reform in Iran, and any efforts
        for nonviolent change in their society have been suppressed.
            (19) On September 7, 2006, Mohammad Khatami, President of
        Iran from 1997 to 2005, became the highest ranking Iranian to
        visit Washington, DC, since the hostage crisis of 1979, despite
        his government's state sponsorship of terrorism, repression of
        political opponents, and dismal human rights record and the
        advancement of Iran's uranium enrichment program.
            (20) President Ahmadinejad is moving to limit freedom of
        expression in higher education. On September 5, 2006, he
        expressed concern that universities were too secular and called
        for a purge of liberal and secular faculty members from
        universities in Iran.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN FREEDOM SUPPORT ACT.

    (a) Foreign Policy Priorities.--Section 301(a) of the Iran Freedom
Support Act (Public Law 109-293; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``in Iran.'' and
        inserting ``inside and outside Iran that maintain
        internationally recognized human rights standards, including
        those provided for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
        and the Helsinki Commitments;''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) to make the deplorable human rights record of the
        Government of Iran a top concern and priority of United States
        foreign policy; and
            ``(4) to keep the deplorable human rights record of Iran a
        top priority, irrespective of ongoing nuclear issues.''.
    (b) Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Iran.--Section 302 of
such Act is amended--
            (1) by amending the section header to read as follows:
        ``support for democracy and human rights in iran''; and
            (2) by redesignating subsections (a) through (g) as
        subsections (b) through (h), respectively;
            (3) in subsection (d), as redesignated--
                    (A) by inserting ``, acting through the Special
                Envoy,'' after ``The President''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(g)'' and
                inserting ``(h)''; and
            (4) by inserting before subsection (b) the following:
    ``(a) Special Envoy on Human Rights in Iran.--
            ``(1) Appointment of special envoy.--The President shall
        appoint a special envoy for human rights in Iran within the
        Department of State (in this section referred to as the
        `Special Envoy'). The Special Envoy should--
                    ``(A) be a person of recognized distinction in the
                field of human rights;
                    ``(B) not be an incumbent official of the
                Department of State; and
                    ``(C) report directly to the Secretary of State.
            ``(2) Duties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Special Envoy shall
                coordinate and promote efforts to improve respect for
                the fundamental human rights of the people of Iran and
                work with organizations committed to promoting
                democracy in Iran.
                    ``(B) Specific duties.--The Special Envoy shall--
                            ``(i) support and promote international
                        efforts to promote human rights and political
                        freedoms in Iran, including coordination
                        between the United States and the United
                        Nations, the European Union, the Organization
                        for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and
                        countries in the region;
                            ``(ii) establish the regional framework
                        described in section 304;
                            ``(iii) coordinate with appropriate offices
                        of the Department of State, the Department of
                        Defense, the National Security Council, and
                        such other agencies as may be necessary to
                        coordinate the establishment and operation of
                        the regional framework;
                            ``(iv) serve as point of contact for
                        opposition groups, diaspora groups, and
                        nongovernmental organizations interested in
                        advocating democracy and human rights in Iran;
                            ``(v) coordinate efforts with appropriate
                        departments and agencies of the Federal
                        Government, international organizations,
                        nongovernmental organizations, and individuals
                        and organizations from the Iranian diaspora to
                        acquire greater information and reporting on
                        conditions in Iran;
                            ``(vi) oversee funding for, and providing
                        consultative authority with respect to, public
                        and private broadcasting into Iran; and
                            ``(vii) review strategies for improving the
                        protection of human rights in Iran, including
                        technical training and exchange programs.
            ``(3) Report on activities.--Not later than 180 days after
        the date of the enactment of the Iran Human Rights Act of 2007,
        and annually thereafter for each of the following 5 years, the
        Special Envoy shall submit a report on the activities
        undertaken under paragraph (2) during the preceding 12 months
        to--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
                Senate;
                    ``(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the
                Senate;
                    ``(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
                of Representatives; and
                    ``(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House
                of Representatives.''.
    (c) Sense of Congress.--Title III of such Act is amended by adding
at the end the following:

``SEC. 303. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN
              IRAN.

    ``It is the sense of Congress that--
            ``(1) there is a direct relationship between the state of
        freedom and democracy within Iran and the efforts of the
        current regime of Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and the long-
        term success of the global war on terror; and
            ``(2) it is essential that the issue of human rights
        violations in Iran should remain a top United States foreign
        policy priority, independent of efforts to address the nuclear
        threat in Iran.

``SEC. 304. ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL FRAMEWORK.

    ``(a) Finding.--Congress finds that human rights initiatives can be
undertaken on a multilateral basis, as demonstrated by the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which established a regional
framework for discussing human rights, scientific and educational
cooperation, and economic and trade issues.
    ``(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
United States Government should explore the possibility of a regional
human rights dialogue on Iran that is modeled on the Helsinki process
established by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
engaging all countries in the region in a common commitment to respect
human rights and fundamental freedoms.

``SEC. 305. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

    ``It is the sense of Congress that the United Nations has a
significant role to play in promoting and improving human rights in
Iran, and that--
            ``(1) the United Nations General Assembly has taken
        positive steps by adopting Resolution 61/176, which expresses
        its grave concern over the deteriorating human rights situation
        in Iran;
            ``(2) the severe human rights violations in Iran warrant
        country-specific attention and reporting by the United Nations
        Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the United Nations
        Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances, the
        Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary
        Executions, the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and
        Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression,
        the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and
        the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women;
            ``(3) United Nations member states should not support Iran
        as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council until
        the Government of Iran has made significant progress in its
        human rights record, including the adherence to the Universal
        Declaration on Human Rights; and
            ``(4) the Special Envoy should work with the United Nations
        to compile accurate statistical data on social and political
        conditions inside Iran.

``SEC. 306. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON VISA POLICY.

    ``It is the sense of Congress that the commitment to human rights
and democracy of a national of Iran who has applied for a visa to enter
the United States should be considered when determining the eligibility
of such national for the visa.''.

Summary: Iran Human Rights Act of 2007 - Amends the Iran Freedom Support Act to direct the President to appoint a special envoy for human rights in Iran within the Department of State to coordinate efforts to improve respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of Iran and work with organizations committed to promoting democracy in Iran. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there is a direct relationship between the state of freedom and democracy within Iran and the efforts of the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons and the long-term success of the global war on terror. (2) it is essential that the issue of human rights violations in Iran should remain a top US foreign policy priority independent of efforts to address the nuclear threat in Iran. (3) the US government should explore the possibility of a regional human rights dialogue with Iran. (4) the United Nations has a significant role to play in improving human rights in Iran. And (5) the commitment to human rights and democracy of an Iranian national who has applied for a US entry visa should be considered when determining visa eligibility.

To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its human rights record and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Magistrate Judge Improvement Act of
2000''.

SEC. 2. MAGISTRATE JUDGE CONTEMPT AUTHORITY.

    Section 636(e) of title 28, United States Code is amended to read
as follows:
    ``(e) Magistrate Judge Contempt Authority.--
            ``(1) In general.--A United States magistrate judge serving
        under this chapter shall have within the territorial
        jurisdiction prescribed by his or her appointment the power to
        exercise contempt authority as set forth in this subsection.
            ``(2) Summary criminal contempt authority.--A magistrate
        judge shall have the power to punish summarily by fine or
        imprisonment such contempt of the authority of that magistrate
        judge constituting misbehavior of any person in the presence of
        the magistrate judge so as to obstruct the administration of
        justice. The order of contempt shall be issued pursuant to
        Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
            ``(3) Additional criminal contempt authority in civil
        consent and misdemeanor cases.--In any case in which a United
        States magistrate judge presides with the consent of the
        parties under subsection (c) of this section, and in any
        misdemeanor case proceeding before a magistrate judge under
        section 3401 of title 18, the magistrate judge shall have the
        power to punish by fine or imprisonment such criminal contempt
        constituting disobedience or resistance to the lawful writ,
        process, order, rule, decree, or command of the magistrate
        judge. Disposition of such contempt shall be conducted upon
        notice and hearing pursuant to the Federal Rules of Criminal
        Procedure.
            ``(4) Civil contempt authority in civil consent and
        misdemeanor cases.--In any case in which a United States
        magistrate judge presides with the consent of the parties under
        subsection (c) of this section, and in any misdemeanor case
        proceeding before a magistrate judge under section 3401 of
        title 18, the magistrate judge may exercise the civil contempt
        authority of the district court. This paragraph shall not be
        construed to limit the authority of a magistrate judge to order
        sanctions pursuant to any other statute, the Federal Rules of
        Civil Procedure, or the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
            ``(5) Criminal contempt penalties.--The sentence imposed by
        a magistrate judge for any criminal contempt set forth in
        paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection shall not exceed the
        penalties for a class C misdemeanor as set forth in sections
        3571(b)(6) and 3581(b)(8) of title 18.
            ``(6) Certification of other contempts to the district
        judge.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Upon the commission of any act
                described in subparagraph (B)--
                            ``(i) the magistrate judge shall promptly
                        certify the facts to a district judge and may
                        serve or cause to be served upon any person
                        whose behavior is brought into question under
                        this paragraph an order requiring such person
                        to appear before a district judge upon a day
                        certain to show cause why such person should
                        not be adjudged in contempt by reason of the
                        facts so certified; and
                            ``(ii) the district judge shall hear the
                        evidence as to the act or conduct complained of
                        and, if it is such as to warrant punishment,
                        punish such person in the same manner and to
                        the same extent as for a contempt committed
                        before a district judge.
                    ``(B) Acts described.--An act is described in this
                subparagraph if it is--
                            ``(i) in any case in which a United States
                        magistrate judge presides with the consent of
                        the parties under subsection (c) of this
                        section, or in any misdemeanor case proceeding
                        before a magistrate judge under section 3401 of
                        title 18, an act that may, in the opinion of
                        the magistrate judge, constitute a serious
                        criminal contempt punishable by penalties
                        exceeding those set forth in paragraph (5) of
                        this subsection; or
                            ``(ii) in any other case or proceeding
                        under subsection (a) or (b), or any other
                        statute--
                                    ``(I) an act committed in the
                                presence of the magistrate judge that
                                may, in the opinion of the magistrate
                                judge, constitute a serious criminal
                                contempt punishable by penalties
                                exceeding those set forth in paragraph
                                (5);
                                    ``(II) an act that constitutes a
                                criminal contempt that occurs outside
                                the presence of the magistrate judge;
                                or
                                    ``(III) an act that constitutes a
                                civil contempt.
            ``(7) Appeals of magistrate judge contempt orders.--The
        appeal of an order of contempt issued pursuant to this section
        shall be made to the court of appeals in any case proceeding
        under subsection (c). The appeal of any other order of contempt
        issued pursuant to this section shall be made to the district
        court.''.

SEC. 3. MAGISTRATE JUDGE AUTHORITY IN PETTY OFFENSE CASES.

    (a) Title 18, United States Code.--Section 3401(b) of title 18,
United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by striking ``that
is a class B'' and all that follows through ``infraction''.
    (b) Title 28, United States Code.--Section 636(a) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and
inserting the following:
            ``(4) the power to enter a sentence for a petty offense;
        and
            ``(5) the power to enter a sentence for a class A
        misdemeanor in a case in which the parties have consented.''.

SEC. 4. MAGISTRATE JUDGE AUTHORITY IN CASES INVOLVING JUVENILES.

    Section 3401(g) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking the first sentence and inserting the
        following: ``The magistrate judge may, in a petty offense case
        involving a juvenile, exercise all powers granted to the
        district court under chapter 403 of this title.'';
            (2) in the second sentence by striking ``any other class B
        or C misdemeanor case'' and inserting ``the case of any
        misdemeanor, other than a petty offense,''; and
            (3) by striking the last sentence.

Summary: Provides the process for certification of the facts of a contempt ruling to a district judge for execution of punishment or sanctions. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide magistrate judge authority in cases involving petty offenses and petty cases involving juveniles.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives
and Market Transformation Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCE CREDIT FOR
              APPLIANCES PRODUCED AFTER 2007.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 45M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to applicable amount) is amended to read
as follows:
    ``(b) Applicable Amount.--For purposes of subsection (a)--
            ``(1) Dishwashers.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $45 in the case of a dishwasher which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 or 2009 and which
                uses no more than 324 kilowatt hours per year and 5.8
                gallons per cycle, and
                    ``(B) $75 in the case of a dishwasher which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, 2009, or 2010 and
                which uses no more than 307 kilowatt hours per year and
                5.0 gallons per cycle (5.5 gallons per cycle for
                dishwashers designed for greater than 12 place
                settings).
            ``(2) Clothes washers.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $75 in the case of a residential top-loading
                clothes washer manufactured in calendar year 2008 which
                meets or exceeds a 1.72 modified energy factor and does
                not exceed a 8.0 water consumption factor,
                    ``(B) $125 in the case of a residential top-loading
                clothes washer manufactured in calendar year 2008 or
                2009 which meets or exceeds a 1.8 modified energy
                factor and does not exceed a 7.5 water consumption
                factor,
                    ``(C) $150 in the case of a residential or
                commercial clothes washer manufactured in calendar year
                2008, 2009 or 2010 which meets or exceeds 2.0 modified
                energy factor and does not exceed a 6.0 water
                consumption factor, and
                    ``(D) $250 in the case of a residential or
                commercial clothes washer manufactured in calendar year
                2008, 2009, or 2010 which meets or exceeds 2.2 modified
                energy factor and does not exceed a 4.5 water
                consumption factor.
            ``(3) Refrigerators.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $50 in the case of a refrigerator which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, and consumes at
                least 20 percent but not more than 22.9 percent less
                kilowatt hours per year than the 2001 energy
                conservation standards,
                    ``(B) $75 in the case of a refrigerator which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 or 2009, and
                consumes at least 23 percent but no more than 24.9
                percent less kilowatt hours per year than the 2001
                energy conservation standards,
                    ``(C) $100 in the case of a refrigerator which is
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, 2009 or 2010, and
                consumes at least 25 percent but not more than 29.9
                percent less kilowatt hours per year than the 2001
                energy conservation standards, and
                    ``(D) $200 in the case of a refrigerator
                manufactured in calendar year 2008, 2009 or 2010 and
                which consumes at least 30 percent less energy than the
                2001 energy conservation standards.
            ``(4) Dehumidifiers.--The applicable amount is--
                    ``(A) $15 in the case of a dehumidifier
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 that has a capacity
                less than or equal to 45 pints per day and is 7.5
                percent more efficient than the applicable Department
                of Energy energy conservation standard effective
                October 2012, and
                    ``(B) $25 in the case of a dehumidifier
                manufactured in calendar year 2008 that has a capacity
                greater than 45 pints per day and is 7.5 percent more
                efficient than the applicable Department of Energy
                energy conservation standard effective October 2012.''.
    (b) Eligible Production.--
            (1) Similar treatment for all appliances.--Subsection (c)
        of section 45M of such Code (relating to eligible production)
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2),
                    (B) by striking ``(1) In general'' and all that
                follows through ``the eligible'' and inserting ``The
                eligible'', and
                    (C) by moving the text of such subsection in line
                with the subsection heading and redesignating
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2),
                respectively.
            (2) Modification of base period.--Paragraph (2) of section
        45M(c) of such Code, as amended by paragraph (1) of this
        section, is amended by striking ``3-calendar year'' and
        inserting ``2-calendar year''.
    (c) Types of Energy Efficient Appliances.--Subsection (d) of
section 45M of such Code (defining types of energy efficient
appliances) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Types of Energy Efficient Appliance.--For purposes of this
section, the types of energy efficient appliances are--
            ``(1) dishwashers described in subsection (b)(1),
            ``(2) clothes washers described in subsection (b)(2),
            ``(3) refrigerators described in subsection (b)(3), and
            ``(4) dehumidifiers described in subsection (b)(4).''.
    (d) Aggregate Credit Amount Allowed.--
            (1) Increase in limit.--Paragraph (1) of section 45M(e) of
        such Code (relating to aggregate credit amount allowed) is
        amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) Aggregate credit amount allowed.--The aggregate
        amount of credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to a
        taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed $100,000,000
        reduced by the amount of the credit allowed under subsection
        (a) to the taxpayer (or any predecessor) for all prior taxable
        years beginning after December 31, 2007.''.
            (2) Exception for certain refrigerator and clothes
        washers.--Paragraph (2) of section 45M(e) of such Code is
        amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Amount allowed for certain refrigerators and clothes
        washers.--Refrigerators described in subsection (b)(3)(D) and
        clothes washers described in subsection (b)(2)(D) shall not be
        taken into account under paragraph (1).''.
    (e) Qualified Energy Efficient Appliances.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 45M(f) of such
        Code (defining qualified energy efficient appliance) is amended
        to read as follows:
            ``(1) Qualified energy efficient appliance.--The term
        `qualified energy efficient appliance' means--
                    ``(A) any dishwasher described in subsection
                (b)(1),
                    ``(B) any clothes washer described in subsection
                (b)(2),
                    ``(C) any refrigerator described in subsection
                (b)(3), and
                    ``(D) any dehumidifier described in subsection
                (b)(4).''.
            (2) Clothes washer.--Section 45M(f)(3) of such Code
        (defining clothes washer) is amended by inserting
        ``commercial'' before ``residential'' the second place it
        appears.
            (3) Top-loading clothes washer.--Subsection (f) of section
        45M of such Code (relating to definitions) is amended by
        redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs
        (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively, and by inserting after
        paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Top-loading clothes washer.--The term ``top-loading
        clothes washer'' means a clothes washer which has the clothes
        container compartment access located on the top of the machine
        and which operates on a vertical axis.''.
            (4) Dehumidifier.--Subsection (f) of section 45M of such
        Code, as amended by paragraph (3), is amended by redesignating
        paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (7), (8) and (9),
        respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (5) the
        following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Dehumidifier.--The term `dehumidifier' means a self-
        contained, electrically operated, and mechanically refrigerated
        encased assembly consisting of--
                    ``(A) a refrigerated surface that condenses
                moisture from the atmosphere,
                    ``(B) a refrigerating system, including an electric
                motor,
                    ``(C) an air-circulating fan, and
                    ``(D) means for collecting or disposing of
                condensate.''.
            (5) Replacement of energy factor.--Section 45M(f)(7) of
        such Code, as amended by paragraph (4), is amended to read as
        follows:
            ``(7) Modified energy factor.--The term `modified energy
        factor' means the modified energy factor established by the
        Department of Energy for compliance with the Federal energy
        conservation standard.''.
            (6) Gallons per cycle; water consumption factor.--Section
        45M(f) of such Code (relating to definitions) is amended by
        adding at the end the following:
            ``(10) Gallons per cycle.--The term `gallons per cycle'
        means, with respect to a dishwasher, the amount of water,
        expressed in gallons, required to complete a normal cycle of a
        dishwasher.
            ``(11) Water consumption factor.--The term `water
        consumption factor' means, with respect to a clothes washer,
        the quotient of the total weighted per-cycle water consumption
        divided by the cubic foot (or liter) capacity of the clothes
        washer.''.
    (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to appliances produced after December 31, 2007.

Summary: Super-Efficient Appliance Incentives and Market Transformation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the applicable amount of the tax credit for energy efficient appliances produced after 2007.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the energy efficient appliance credit for appliances produced after 2007.


SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO REQUIRE NEW PENALTIES AND ADMINISTRATOR
              VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBSIDY PROGRAMS.

    (a) Addition of Repayment Penalty.--Section 1001B of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-2) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``the Secretary may for
        a period not to exceed 5 crop years deny the issuance of
        payments to the person or legal entity.'' and inserting ``the
        Secretary shall for a period not less than 5 years, or
        permanently, deny the issuance of payments to the person or
        legal entity.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as
        subsections (d) through (f), respectively; and
            (3) after subsection (b), by inserting the following new
        subsection:
    ``(c) Repayment.--If a person or legal entity is determined under
subsection (d) of section 1001D to be ineligible for benefits or
payments, the person or legal entity shall reimburse the Secretary for
the full amount of any benefit or payment described in subsection (b)
of such section that the person or legal entity has already received
while the person or entity was ineligible.''.
    (b) Addition of Income Verification and Enforcement Procedures.--
Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is
amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new
subsection:
    ``(d) Income Verification and Enforcement.--
            ``(1) Submission to administrator.--Within 30 days after
        receiving an application from a person or legal entity for a
        benefit described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall
        request the Administrator of the Internal Revenue Service
        (referred to in this subsection as the `Administrator') to
        verify the average adjusted gross income, average adjusted
        gross farm income, and average adjusted gross nonfarm income of
        the person or legal entity. The request for verification shall
        include the following:
                    ``(A) The name of the person or legal entity.
                    ``(B) The social security number or employer
                identification number of the person or legal entity.
                    ``(C) Any other information that the Secretary
                determines to be relevant in assisting the
                Administrator in verifying the average adjusted gross
                income, average adjusted gross farm income, and average
                adjusted gross nonfarm income of the person or legal
                entity.
            ``(2) Administrator determination and denial of benefits.--
                    ``(A) Administrator determination.--Not later than
                30 days after the receipt of a verification request
                under paragraph (1) or a request of redetermination
                under paragraph (3), the Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) determine whether the average
                        adjusted gross income, average adjusted gross
                        farm income, and average adjusted gross nonfarm
                        income of the person or legal entity is within
                        the applicable limitations established under
                        subsection (b); and
                            ``(ii) notify the Secretary of the results
                        of such determination.
                    ``(B) Denial of benefits.--Subject to paragraph
                (3), if the Administrator determines under subparagraph
                (A) that a person or legal entity does not comply with
                the applicable limitations set forth in subsection (b),
                the Secretary shall deny the issuance of applicable
                payments and benefits specified in subsection (b) to
                the person or legal entity, under similar terms and
                conditions as described in section 1001B.
            ``(3) Farm service agency reconsideration for ineligible
        applicants.--
                    ``(A) Submission of evidence to farm service
                agency.--A person or legal entity subject to denial of
                benefits under paragraph (2) may request a
                reconsideration of the denial by the Farm Service
                Agency office serving the location in which the person
                or legal entity resides or operates. The person or
                legal entity shall submit evidence, accompanied with a
                certification by a certified public accountant, to
                support the claim that the person or legal entity
                satisfies the income eligibility requirements under
                subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Submission of evidence to administrator.--If
                the Farm Service Agency determines that the claim of
                the person or legal entity is supported by the evidence
                submitted under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
                submit the evidence to the Administrator for a second
                determination under paragraph (2)(A).
                    ``(C) Time requirement.--The Farm Service Agency
                shall make the determination in subparagraph (B) within
                30 days after the date on which the person or legal
                entity submits the evidence under subparagraph (A).
            ``(4) Limitation on redetermination.--A person or legal
        entity may not apply for more than one redetermination, as
        described under paragraph (3), a calendar year.''.

Summary: Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to deny certain agricultural commodity payments for not less than five years, or permanently, to a person or legal entity that has knowingly engaged in, or aided in the creation of a fraudulent document, or failed to disclose material information relevant to the administration of such benefits. Requires that a person or legal entity that received benefits while ineligible due to excess income repay such amounts fully. Directs the Secretary to request the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify the income-related eligibility of a benefit applicant, and deny benefits to a person or entity determined to be ineligible. Authorizes Farm Service Agency reconsideration of a denial.

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to require the Administrator of the Internal Revenue Service to verify income for purposes of determining the eligibility of persons for certain Department of Agriculture payments and benefits, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Presidential Trade Transparency Act
of 2017''.

SEC. 2. DISCLOSURE BY PRESIDENT OF INCOME, ASSETS, AND LIABILITIES
              ASSOCIATED WITH COUNTRIES WITH WHICH THE UNITED STATES IS
              NEGOTIATING A TRADE OR INVESTMENT AGREEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Before initiating or continuing negotiations with
a country for a trade or investment agreement, the President shall
submit to Congress a report, in accordance with subsection (b) or (c),
containing a full and complete statement of income earned, assets held,
and liabilities owed by the President and associated with the country
in the 12-month period preceding the submission of the report.
    (b) Timing of Report for New Negotiations.--In the case of
negotiations for a trade or investment agreement with a country
initiated on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
President shall submit the report required by subsection (a)--
            (1) in the case of negotiations subject to the Bipartisan
        Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
        (19 U.S.C. 4201 et seq.) with respect to which the President is
        required to submit a notification under section 103(a)(2) or
        105(a)(1)(A) of that Act (19 U.S.C. 4202(a)(2) and
        4204(a)(1)(A)), not later than the date on which the President
        submits the notification;
            (2) in the case of negotiations subject to the Uruguay
        Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), not later than
        the date on which the President submits the report required by
        section 115(2) of that Act (19 U.S.C. 3524(2));
            (3) in the case of negotiations subject to the North
        American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C.
        3301 et seq.), not later than the date on which the President
        submits the report required by section 103(a)(2) of that Act
        (19 U.S.C. 3313(a)(2)); or
            (4) in the case of negotiations for a trade or investment
        agreement not covered by paragraph (1), (2), or (3), not less
        than 60 days before initiating the negotiations.
    (c) Timing of Report for Pending Negotiations.--In the case of
negotiations for a trade or investment agreement with a country
initiated before the date of the enactment of this Act, the President
shall submit the report required by subsection (a) with respect to that
country not later than 90 days after such date of enactment.

SEC. 3. DISCLOSURE BY PRESIDENT OF INCOME, ASSETS, AND LIABILITIES
              ASSOCIATED WITH COUNTRIES SUBJECT TO PRESIDENTIAL
              DETERMINATIONS IN TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Before taking a covered action under a trade
enforcement law with respect to a country, the President shall submit
to Congress, in accordance with subsection (b), a report containing a
full and complete statement of income earned, assets held, and
liabilities owed by the President and associated with the country in
the 12-month period preceding the submission of the report.
    (b) Timing of Report.--The President shall submit the report
required by subsection (a)--
            (1) in the case of a covered action under section 201 of
        the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2251) with respect to which a
        document is required to be transmitted to Congress under
        section 203(b) of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2253(b)), not less than
        30 days before the President transmits the document;
            (2) in the case of a covered action under section 301 of
        the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411) that is the subject of a
        direction of the President as described in subsection (a)(1) or
        (b)(2) of that section, not less than 30 days before making
        that direction;
            (3) in the case of a covered action under section 337 of
        the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337), not later than 30 days
        after the date on which a copy of the determination of the
        United States International Trade Commission is transmitted to
        the President under subsection (j) of that section;
            (4) in the case of a covered action under section 701(b)(2)
        of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (19
        U.S.C. 4421(b)(2)), not later than the date on which the report
        required under subparagraph (B) of that section is submitted to
        Congress; or
            (5) in the case of a covered action not covered by
        paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4), not less than 30 days before
        taking such action.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered action.--The term ``covered action'' means--
                    (A) the modification under a trade enforcement law
                of a duty imposed with respect to articles imported
                from a country; or
                    (B) waiving action, or declining to exercise
                authority to take action, under a trade enforcement law
                in a trade enforcement matter with respect to a
                country.
            (2) Trade enforcement law.--The term ``trade enforcement
        law'' means--
                    (A) chapter I of title II of the Trade Act of 1974
                (19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq.);
                    (B) title III of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2411 et seq.);
                    (C) section 122 of that Act (19 U.S.C. 2132);
                    (D) section 406, 421, or 422 of that Act (19 U.S.C.
                2436, 2451, and 2451a);
                    (E) sections 337 and 338(a) of the Tariff Act of
                1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337 and 1338(a));
                    (F) section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
                (19 U.S.C. 1862);
                    (G) section 701 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade
                Enforcement Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4421);
                    (H) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
                (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or
                    (I) any other provision of law providing the
                President with authority to restrict trade with a
                foreign country through modification of a duty on
                imports.

SEC. 4. DISCLOSURE BY PRESIDENT OF INCOME, ASSETS, AND LIABILITIES
              ASSOCIATED WITH COUNTRIES ELIGIBLE FOR TRADE PREFERENCE
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Before taking a covered action under a trade
preference program with respect to a country or an article imported
from a country, the President shall submit to Congress, in accordance
with subsection (b), a report containing a full and complete statement
of income earned, assets held, and liabilities owed by the President
and associated with the country in the 12-month period preceding the
submission of the report.
    (b) Timing of Report.--The President shall submit the report
required by subsection (a)--
            (1) in the case of a covered action under title V of the
        Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.) with respect to
        which the President is required to submit a notification under
        section 502(f) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2462(f)) or
        a report under section 506A(a)(2) of that Act (19 U.S.C.
        2466a(a)(2)), at the time the President submits the
        notification or report;
            (2) in the case of a covered action under the Caribbean
        Basin Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) with
        respect to which the President is required to submit a
        notification under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 212(a) of
        that Act (19 U.S.C. 2702(a)) or a report under section
        213(b)(2)(A)(v)(II)(cc) of that Act (19 U.S.C.
        2703(b)(2)(A)(v)(II)(cc)), at the time the President submits
        the notification or report; or
            (3) in the case of a covered action not covered by
        paragraph (1) or (2), not later than 60 days before taking the
        action.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered action.--The term ``covered action'' means--
                    (A) the designation of a country as eligible for
                preferential treatment under a trade preference
                program;
                    (B) the termination of such a designation;
                    (C) any determination with respect to the
                eligibility of an article for preferential treatment
                under a trade preference program;
                    (D) the withdrawal, suspension, or limitation of
                preferential treatment under a trade preference program
                with respect to a country or an article; or
                    (E) the exercise of the authority to waive the
                competitive need limitation with respect to an article
                under section 503(d) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
                U.S.C. 2463(d)).
            (2) Trade preference program.--The term ``trade preference
        program'' means--
                    (A) the Generalized System of Preferences under
                title V of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461 et
                seq.);
                    (B) the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19
                U.S.C. 3701 et seq.);
                    (C) the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (19
                U.S.C. 2701 et seq.); or
                    (D) section 915 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade
                Enforcement Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4454).

SEC. 5. CONTENTS OF DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

    The President shall include in a report required under section 2,
3, or 4 with respect to a country--
            (1) the information specified in section 102(a) of the
        Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 102(a)), with
        respect to each source of income, each asset, and each
        liability associated with the country; and
            (2) a detailed description of the nature of the association
        of each such source of income, asset, or liability with the
        country.

SEC. 6. EFFECT OF FAILURE TO TIMELY DISCLOSE.

    (a) Tariff Modifications.--If the President fails to submit a
report required by this Act with respect to an action modifying tariff
treatment with respect to articles imported from a country by the time
required by this Act, any instrument providing for the modification of
such tariff treatment shall have no force or effect.
    (b) Trade and Investment Agreements.--If the President fails to
submit a report required by section 2 with respect to negotiations for
a trade or investment agreement with a country by the time required by
that section, the implementing bill submitted to Congress with respect
to that agreement shall not be eligible for the trade authorities
procedures under section 103 of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade
Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4202).

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Associated with a country.--The term ``associated with
        a country'' or ``associated with the country''--
                    (A) with respect to an asset, means--
                            (i) any financial account maintained by a
                        financial institution that is a person of the
                        country;
                            (ii) any stock or security issued by a
                        person of the country;
                            (iii) any financial instrument or contract
                        held for investment that has an issuer or
                        counterparty that is a person of the country;
                            (iv) any interest in a person of the
                        country; or
                            (v) any real property located in the
                        country or in which a person of the country,
                        including any representative or agent of the
                        government of the country, has a financial
                        interest;
                    (B) with respect to income, includes dividends,
                rents, interest, or capital gains or any other income
                (as defined in section 61 of the Internal Revenue Code
                of 1986) received directly or indirectly from an asset
                associated with the country or any gift or
                reimbursement received from a person of the country,
                including any representative or agent of the government
                of the country; and
                    (C) with respect to a liability, refers to any
                liability owed to any creditor that is a person of the
                country, including an enterprise owned or controlled by
                the government of the country.
            (2) Person of the country.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), with respect to a country, the term ``person of
                the country'' means--
                            (i) an individual who is a citizen of the
                        country; or
                            (ii) a branch, partnership, group or
                        subgroup, association, estate, trust,
                        corporation or division of a corporation, or
                        other organization if--
                                    (I) it is organized under the laws
                                of the country;
                                    (II) its principal place of
                                business is in the country; or
                                    (III) its equity securities are
                                primarily traded on one or more
                                exchanges of the country.
                    (B) Exception.--The term ``person of the country''
                does not include any branch, partnership, group or
                subgroup, association, estate, trust, corporation or
                division of a corporation, or other organization for
                which it is demonstrated that a majority of the equity
                interest in the organization is ultimately owned by
                nationals of the United States.

Summary: Presidential Trade Transparency Act of 2017 This bill requires the President to submit to Congress a report containing a full and complete statement of the President's income earned, assets held, and liabilities owed in the preceding 12 months that are associated with a foreign country: with which the United States is negotiating a trade or investment agreement, that is subject to a presidential trade enforcement action determination modifying the tariff treatment of imported articles from such country, or that is designated as eligible for preferential trade treatment under a trade preference program. If the President fails to report such information to Congress: any instrument providing for the modification of such tariff treatment shall have no force or effect, and the bill implementing such a trade or investment agreement shall not be eligible for trade authorities procedures under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.