SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Regulatory Capture Prevention Act of
2011''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF REGULATORY INTEGRITY.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 507 the following:
``Sec. 508. Office of Regulatory Integrity
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of
        the Office of Regulatory Integrity;
            ``(2) the term `agency'--
                    ``(A) means each authority of the Government of the
                United States, whether or not it is within or subject
                to review by another agency; and
                    ``(B) does not include--
                            ``(i) the Government Accountability Office;
                        or
                            ``(ii) the Congressional Budget Office; and
            ``(3) the term `relevant committees of Congress' means--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and
                Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
                    ``(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the
                Senate;
                    ``(C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
                    ``(D) the Committee on Oversight and Government
                Reform of the House of Representatives;
                    ``(E) the Committee on Appropriations of the House
                of Representatives;
                    ``(F) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House
                of Representatives; and
                    ``(G) with respect to a report other than the
                annual report, any committee in the Senate or House of
                Representatives that exercises oversight authority over
                an agency discussed in the report.
    ``(b) Office of Regulatory Integrity.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Office of
        Management and Budget an office to be known as the Office of
        Regulatory Integrity.
            ``(2) Administrator.--There shall be at the head of the
        Office of Regulatory Integrity an Administrator who shall be
        appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent
        of the Senate.
    ``(c) Functions of Administrator.--
            ``(1) In general.--In order to defeat regulatory capture
        and related threats to the integrity of Federal agencies, the
        Administrator shall investigate and report on the influence of
        concentrated economic interests on Federal agencies, and
        components thereof, that results in--
                    ``(A) agency action or inaction that fails to
                advance the congressionally assigned mission of the
                agency or is otherwise inimical to the public interest;
                    ``(B) regulation, licensing, adjudication, grants,
                or other agency action that--
                            ``(i) favors a limited number of economic
                        interests at the expense of the agency's
                        congressionally assigned mission; or
                            ``(ii) is otherwise inimical to the public
                        interest;
                    ``(C) enforcement priorities that are not
                reasonably calculated to accomplish the goals of the
                regulatory program in question; or
                    ``(D) a loss of confidence in the integrity of the
                regulatory process.
            ``(2) Recommendations by the administrator.--When reporting
        on the influence of concentrated economic interests on an
        agency, the Administrator shall include recommendations that,
        if implemented, would restore integrity to the regulatory
        process by enhancing the capacity of the agency to resist such
        influence.
            ``(3) Comments by federal agencies.--Unless the
        Administrator determines that the public interest requires
        immediate release, the Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) provide a copy of a report to the relevant
                Federal agencies not less than 30 days before the
                completion of a report by the Administrator; and
                    ``(B) include the comments of the relevant Federal
                agencies as addenda to the report upon release.
            ``(4) Coordination with inspectors general.--The
        Administrator shall inform the inspectors general of the
        relevant Federal agencies upon initiation of an investigation
        and may coordinate with the inspectors general as the
        Administrator concludes is appropriate to fulfill the
        responsibilities established by this section.
    ``(d) Authority of Administrator.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to the authority otherwise
        provided by this section, the Administrator, in carrying out
        the provisions of this section, is authorized to--
                    ``(A) have access to all records, reports, audits,
                reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other
                material available to the applicable agency which
                relate to regulatory activities with respect to which
                the Administrator has responsibilities under this
                section;
                    ``(B) make such investigations and reports relating
                to the administration of the programs and operations of
                the applicable agency as are, in the judgment of the
                Administrator, necessary or desirable;
                    ``(C) request such information or assistance as may
                be necessary to carry out the duties and
                responsibilities provided by this section from any
                Federal, State, or local governmental agency or unit
                thereof;
                    ``(D) require by subpoena the production of all
                information, documents, reports, answers, records,
                accounts, papers, and other data in any medium
                (including electronically stored information, as well
                as any tangible thing) and documentary evidence
                necessary in the performance of the functions assigned
                by this section, which subpoena, in the case of
                contumacy or refusal to obey, shall be enforceable by
                order of any appropriate United States District Court,
                except that procedures other than subpoenas shall be
                used by the Administrator to obtain documents and
                information from Federal agencies;
                    ``(E) administer to or take from any person an
                oath, affirmation, or affidavit, whenever necessary in
                the performance of the functions assigned by this
                section, which oath, affirmation, or affidavit when
                administered or taken by or before an employee of the
                Office of Regulatory Integrity designated by the
                Administrator shall have the same force and effect as
                if administered or taken by or before an officer having
                a seal;
                    ``(F) have direct and prompt access to the head of
                the agency involved when necessary for any purpose
                pertaining to the performance of functions and
                responsibilities under this section;
                    ``(G) select, appoint, and employ such officers and
                employees as may be necessary to carry out the
                functions, powers, and duties of the Office of
                Regulatory Integrity 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;
                    ``(H) obtain services as authorized by section 3109
                of title 5 at daily rates not to exceed the equivalent
                rate prescribed for a position at level IV of the
                Executive Schedule; and
                    ``(I) the extent and in such amounts as may be
                provided in advance by appropriations Acts, 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 provisions of this
                section.
            ``(2) Information and assistance.--
                    ``(A) Information and assistance by head of
                agency.--Upon request of the Administrator for
                information or assistance under paragraph (1), the head
                of any agency involved shall, insofar as is practicable
                and not in contravention of any statutory restriction
                or regulation of the agency from which the information
                is requested, furnish to the Administrator, or to an
                authorized designee, such information or assistance.
                    ``(B) Information and assistance by inspectors
                general.--Upon request of the Administrator for
                information or assistance under paragraph (1), the
                Inspector General of any agency involved shall, insofar
                as is practicable and not in contravention of any
                statutory restriction or regulation of the agency from
                which the information is requested, furnish to the
                Administrator, or to an authorized designee, such
                information or assistance.
                    ``(C) Reports of inspectors general.--The inspector
                general of each agency shall provide copies of all
                reports issued by that inspector general to the
                Administrator in a timely manner, and may provide the
                Administrator at any time with information the
                inspector general believes relevant to the performance
                of the Administrator's duties.
                    ``(D) Details of employees.--Upon request of the
                Administrator, the head of any agency shall, to the
                extent reasonably practicable, and on a reimbursable
                basis, detail personnel of that agency to the Office of
                Regulatory Integrity to assist it in carrying out its
                duties under this section.
                    ``(E) Reports to heads of agencies.--Whenever
                information or assistance requested under paragraph (1)
                is, in the judgment of the Administrator, unreasonably
                refused or not provided, the Administrator shall report
                the circumstances to the head of the agency involved
                without delay.
            ``(3) Limitation on authority.--Except as provided in
        paragraphs (1) (A) and (F) and (2) (A), (B), and (D), the
        Administrator may not control or direct any law enforcement
        agency, including the Department of Justice, in the exercise of
        the Administrator's investigative authority.
    ``(e) Consultation With Government Accountability Office.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may consult with the
        Government Accountability Office as to the scope and focus of
        an investigation.
            ``(2) Comments by the government accountability office.--
        Unless the Administrator determines that the public interest
        requires immediate release, the Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) provide a copy of a report to the Government
                Accountability Office not less than 30 days before the
                completion of a report by the Administrator; and
                    ``(B) include the comments of the Government
                Accountability Office as addenda to the report upon
                release.
            ``(3) Availability of reports.--Subject to the restrictions
        under subsection (g), the Administrator shall make all reports
        available to the Government Accountability Office.
            ``(4) Comments by government accountability office.--Not
        later than 60 days after receipt of a report from the
        Administrator, the Government Accountability Office shall
        publish written comments on the methodology and conclusions of
        the report.
            ``(5) Further investigations by administrator.--Upon
        request for further investigation by the Government
        Accountability Office, the Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) perform the requested investigation as
                promptly as reasonably feasible; or
                    ``(B) provide the Government Accountability Office
                with a written explanation why the Administrator has
                chosen not to pursue further investigation.
            ``(6) Further investigations by the government
        accountability office.--Except as otherwise proscribed by law,
        the Government Accountability Office may perform any further
        investigation it determines appropriate.
    ``(f) Consultation With Administrative Conference of the United
States.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
        of enactment of the Regulatory Capture Prevention Act of 2011,
        the Administrative Conference of the United States shall
        provide the Administrator with written guidance on--
                    ``(A) the principal means by which concentrated
                economic interests wield influence across the Federal
                agencies;
                    ``(B) the most salient threats to regulatory
                integrity arising from that influence; and
                    ``(C) effective measures to minimize regulatory
                capture.
            ``(2) Guidance.--On a continuing basis, the Administrator
        shall develop, in consultation with the Administrative
        Conference of the United States, written guidance describing
        the most pervasive threats to regulatory integrity and the
        factors that primarily inform the exercise of the
        Administrator's investigatory discretion.
            ``(3) Comments.--The Administrative Conference of the
        United States shall, to the extent it determines appropriate,
        comment upon reports issued by the Administrator.
    ``(g) Reports to Congress; Public Release.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after completion
        of each report, the Administrator shall submit that report to
        the relevant committees of Congress. The relevant committees of
        Congress shall hold hearings on the report as the committees
        determine appropriate.
            ``(2) Annual reports.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than April 30 of each
                year, the Administrator shall prepare and provide to
                the relevant committees of Congress an annual report
                summarizing the activities of the Office of Regulatory
                Integrity during the immediately preceding 12-month
                period ending March 31.
                    ``(B) Contents.--Reports under this paragraph shall
                include--
                            ``(i) a description of significant
                        problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to
                        the undue influence in agencies of concentrated
                        economic interests during the reporting period;
                            ``(ii) a description of the recommendations
                        for corrective action made by the Office of
                        Regulatory Integrity during the reporting
                        period with respect to significant problems,
                        abuses, or deficiencies identified under clause
                        (i);
                            ``(iii) an identification of each
                        significant recommendation described in
                        previous semiannual reports on which corrective
                        action has not been completed;
                            ``(iv) a summary of each report issued by
                        the Office of Regulatory Integrity; and
                            ``(v) a financial report for the Office of
                        Regulatory Integrity.
            ``(3) Public disclosure.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the
                transmission of the annual report to the Congress, the
                Administrator shall make copies of such report
                available on a publicly available Internet website.
                    ``(B) Limitations on disclosures.--Nothing in this
                paragraph shall be construed to authorize the public
                disclosure of information which is--
                            ``(i) specifically prohibited from
                        disclosure by any other provision of law;
                            ``(ii) specifically required by Executive
                        order to be protected from disclosure in the
                        interest of national defense or national
                        security or in the conduct of foreign affairs;
                        or
                            ``(iii) a part of an ongoing criminal
                        investigation.
                    ``(C) Information in public record.--
                Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), any report under this
                subsection may be disclosed to the public in a form
                which includes information with respect to a part of an
                ongoing criminal investigation if such information has
                been included in a public record.
                    ``(D) No withholding of information from
                congress.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
                to authorize or permit the withholding of information
                from the Congress, or from any committee or
                subcommittee thereof, except as otherwise authorized by
                law.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to
carry out this section.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 5 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 507 the following:

``Sec. 508. Office of Regulatory Integrity.''.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by section 2 shall take effect 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Regulatory Capture Prevention Act of 2011 - Establishes the Office of Regulatory Integrity in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to be headed by an Administrator. Requires the Administrator to investigate and report on the influence of concentrated economic interests on federal agencies that results in: (1) agency action or inaction that fails to advance the mission of the agency or is otherwise inimical to the public interest. (2) regulation, licensing, adjudication, grants, or other agency action that favors a limited number of economic interests or is otherwise inimical to the public interest. (3) enforcement priorities that are not reasonably calculated to accomplish regulatory goals. And (4) a loss of confidence in the integrity of the regulatory process. Grants certain powers to the Administrator to carry out this Act, including access to agency records, subpoena power, direct and prompt access to the head of a relevant agency and access to information and assistance by such agency. Requires the Administrative Conference of the United States to provide the Administrator with written guidance on the principal means by which concentrated economic interests wield influence on federal agencies, the most salient threats to regulatory integrity arising from such influence, and effective measures to minimize regulatory capture.

A bill to amend chapter 5 of title 31, United States Code, to establish the Office of Regulatory Integrity within the Office of Management and Budget.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Gold King Accountability and
Compensation for Taxpayers'' or the ``Gold King ACT''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) on August 5, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency
        caused the release of approximately 3,000,000 gallons of
        contaminated water from the Gold King Mine into Cement Creek;
            (2) the Environmental Protection Agency takes full
        responsibility for the Gold King Mine spill;
            (3) the peer reviewer of the Corps of Engineers to the
        report of the Department of the Interior relating to the Gold
        King Mine spill expressed concerns about the independent nature
        of the report and the internal communications and decisions of
        the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the spill;
            (4) the Environmental Protection Agency should be held to
        the same standards as the private sector would be if the
        private sector caused a similar spill;
            (5) the Environmental Protection Agency should hold
        accountable those individuals responsible for the Gold King
        Mine spill; and
            (6) since response activities took place after October 31,
        2015, the Environmental Protection Agency should reimburse
        requests for response activity expenses incurred after that
        date.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Gold king mine spill.--The term ``Gold King Mine
        spill'' means the discharge on August 5, 2015, of approximately
        3,000,000 gallons of contaminated water from the Gold King Mine
        north of Silverton, Colorado, into Cement Creek that occurred
        while contractors of the Environmental Protection Agency were
        conducting an investigation of the Gold King Mine.
            (3) Independent contractor.--The term ``independent
        contractor'' means any person, as of August 5, 2015, that--
                    (A) entered into a contract with a Federal agency
                (as defined in section 2671 of title 28, United States
                Code) for goods or services relating to the Gold King
                Mine spill; and
                    (B) was not an employee of the Government (as
                defined in section 2671 of title 28, United States
                Code).
            (4) Injured person.--The term ``injured person'' means a
        person that--
                    (A) suffered injury resulting from the Gold King
                Mine spill; and
                    (B) is--
                            (i) an individual;
                            (ii) an Indian tribe, tribal corporation,
                        or other tribal organization;
                            (iii) a corporation, business, partnership,
                        company, association, insurer, county,
                        township, city, State or political subdivision
                        of a State, school district, ditch company,
                        special district, water district, water
                        company, the Animas-La Plata Operation,
                        Maintenance and Replacement Association, or
                        other non-Federal entity; or
                            (iv) a legal representative of an
                        individual or entity described in any of
                        clauses (i) through (iii).
            (5) Injury.--The term ``injury'' means any damage to, or
        loss of, property, or a personal injury or death, caused by a
        negligent or wrongful act or omission of a Federal officer,
        employee, contractor, or subcontractor while acting within the
        scope of office, employment, or contract, under circumstances
        in which the Federal officer, employee, contractor, or
        subcontractor, if a private person, would be liable to the
        claimant in accordance with the law of the jurisdiction in
        which the act or omission occurred.

SEC. 4. GOLD KING MINE SPILL CLAIMS PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS
              ACT.

    (a) Responsibilities of the Administrator.--
            (1) In general.--An injured person may bring a claim
        arising out of, or relating to, any injury resulting from the
        Gold King Mine spill under chapter 171 of title 28, United
        States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal Tort Claims Act'')
        and the Administrator shall receive, process, and pay those
        claims in accordance with this section.
            (2) Timing.--
                    (A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 2675(a) of
                title 28, United States Code, not later than 90 days
                after the date on which an injured person submits to
                the Administrator a claim under this section, the
                Administrator shall award or deny the payment of the
                claim.
                    (B) Partially paid claims.--In the case of a claim
                for which, as of the date of enactment of this Act, the
                Administrator has partially awarded payment to an
                injured person, the Administrator shall award the
                remaining payment not later than 60 days after that
                date of enactment.
                    (C) Previously filed claims.--In the case of a
                claim for which, as of the date of enactment of this
                Act, not fewer than 90 days have passed since the date
                on which an injured person submitted to the
                Administrator a claim under this section, not later
                than 60 days after that date of enactment, the
                Administrator shall award or deny payment of the claim.
    (b) Applicability of Other Law.--
            (1) Applicability of exception.--Section 2680(a) of title
        28, United States Code, shall not apply to claims brought under
        this section.
            (2) Independent contractors.--For purposes of a claim
        brought under this section, the definition of the term
        ``Federal agency'' under section 2671 of title 28, United
        States Code, shall be considered to include an independent
        contractor.
    (c) Allowable Damages.--
            (1) Property loss.--A claim that is paid for loss of
        property under this section may include otherwise-uncompensated
        damages resulting from the Gold King Mine spill for--
                    (A) a cost resulting from lost tribal or nontribal
                subsistence from hunting, fishing, firewood gathering,
                timbering, grazing, or agricultural activities, or from
                lost use for traditional or ceremonial uses, conducted
                on land or water damaged by the Gold King Mine spill;
                    (B) a cost of reforestation or revegetation on
                tribal or non-Federal land, to the extent that the cost
                of reforestation or revegetation is not covered by any
                other Federal program;
                    (C) any costs borne by any injured person to
                determine the extent of--
                            (i) the damages to agricultural land; or
                            (ii) any other damages covered by this Act;
                    (D) any costs borne by an injured person to pay for
                water supplies or equipment to treat water during the
                period for which a water supply of the injured person
                was compromised by the Gold King Mine spill; and
                    (E) any other loss that the Administrator
                determines to be appropriate for inclusion as loss of
                property.
            (2) Business loss.--A claim that is paid for an injury
        under this section may include damages resulting from the Gold
        King Mine spill for the following types of otherwise-
        uncompensated business loss:
                    (A) Damage to tangible assets or inventory.
                    (B) Lost business income.
                    (C) Overhead costs.
                    (D) Employee wages for work not performed.
                    (E) Any other loss that the Administrator
                determines to be appropriate for inclusion as a
                business loss.
            (3) Financial loss.--A claim that is paid for an injury
        under this section may include damages resulting from the Gold
        King Mine spill for the following types of otherwise-
        uncompensated financial loss:
                    (A) An insurance deductible.
                    (B) Lost wages or personal income.
                    (C) Emergency staffing expenses.
                    (D) Debris removal and other cleanup costs.
                    (E) Any other loss that the Administrator
                determines to be appropriate for inclusion as a
                financial loss.
    (d) Recoupment for Improper Payments.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, during the 13-year period beginning on the date on
which a claim is awarded under this section, the Administrator may take
such action as is necessary to recover payments made under this section
with respect to fraudulent claims and claims made with inaccurate
information.
    (e) Source of Payments.--
            (1) In general.--Any compensation or award against the
        Government made pursuant to a claim under this section shall be
        paid by the Administrator from unobligated balances in the
        appropriations accounts of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Intent of congress.--It is the intent of Congress that
        no additional funds be appropriated to carry out this Act.

SEC. 5. GOLD KING MINE SPILL CLAIMS PURSUANT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE
              ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall, consistent with the
national contingency plan, receive, process, and pay under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) claims related to the Gold King Mine
spill.
    (b) Eligible Claims.--The Administrator shall receive, process, and
pay under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) claims related to the
Gold King Mine spill that otherwise would be ineligible under that Act
or the national contingency plan if the response action carried out by
the claimant is not inconsistent with the national contingency plan as
described in section 107 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 9607).
    (c) Timing.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
        which an injured person submits to the Administrator a claim
        under this section, the Administrator shall award or deny the
        payment of the claim.
            (2) Partially paid claims.--In the case of a claim for
        which, as of the date of enactment of this Act, the
        Administrator has partially awarded payment to an injured
        person, the Administrator shall award the remaining payment not
        later than 60 days after that date of enactment.
            (3) Previously filed claims.--In the case of a claim for
        which, as of the date of enactment of this Act, not fewer than
        90 days have passed since the date on which an injured person
        submitted to the Administrator a claim under this section, not
        later than 60 days after that date of enactment, the
        Administrator shall award or deny payment of the claim.

SEC. 6. EFFECT OF ACT; REDUCTION IN PAYMENT.

    (a) Effect of Act.--This Act does not diminish the ability of the
Administrator to carry out the responsibilities of the Administrator
under any other provision of law.
    (b) Reduction in Payment.--To prevent a claimant from receiving
twice the damage award for the same injury or claim--
            (1) any compensation or award against the Government under
        section 4 shall be deducted from any payment awarded against
        the Government under section 5; and
            (2) any compensation or award against the Government under
        section 5 shall be deducted from any payment awarded against
        the Government under section 4.

SEC. 7. WATER QUALITY PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--In response to the Gold King Mine spill, the
Administrator, in coordination with affected States and Indian tribes,
shall develop and implement a program for long-term water quality
monitoring of the Animas River.
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out the program described in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
            (1) collect water quality samples and sediment data;
            (2) provide the public with a means of viewing the samples
        and data referred to in paragraph (1) by, at a minimum, posting
        the information on the website of the Administrator;
            (3) take any other relevant measure necessary to assist
        affected States and Indian tribes with long-term water
        monitoring; and
            (4) carry out additional program activities, as determined
        by the Administrator.

Summary: Gold King Accountability and Compensation for Taxpayers or the Gold King ACT This bill allows a person to bring a compensation claim for allowable damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act if the claim is related to an injury resulting from the spill in Cement Creek from the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado. The spill occurred on August 5, 2015. The bill prohibits certain exemptions and limitations on tort claims against the United States under the Act from applying to claims for injuries resulting from the spill. The EPA must receive, process, and pay under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 claims related to the Gold King Mine spill, including claims that otherwise would be ineligible under that Act or the national oil and hazardous substances pollution contingency plan if the response action carried out by the claimant is not inconsistent with the plan. The EPA must pay claims from unobligated balances in its accounts. The EPA must develop and implement a program for long-term water quality monitoring of the Animas River.

Gold King ACT


SECTION 1. COMPREHENSIVE ARMED FORCES POLICY ON PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
              TO HAZING INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Hazing Defined.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with
the Secretaries of the military departments and the Secretary of
Homeland Security (with respect to the Coast Guard), shall assess and
develop a uniform definition of hazing applicable to members of the
Armed Forces for inclusion in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The
Secretary of Defense shall submit the definition to the designated
congressional committees not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act. It is the sense of Congress that the definition
should cover, at a minimum, any situation in which a member of the
Armed Forces suffers, or is exposed to, any cruelty, indignity,
humiliation, hardship, harm, harassment, or oppression, or the
deprivation or abridgement of any right by another member of the Armed
Forces.
    (b) Comprehensive Armed Forces Policy Required.--
            (1) Policy required.--Not later than one year after the
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in
        consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments
        and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall develop and
        implement a comprehensive policy on the prevention of and
        response to hazing involving members of the Armed Forces.
            (2) Consideration of recommendations.--In developing this
        policy, the Secretaries shall consider the recommendations made
        and findings of the Inspectors General of the Department of
        Defense and the Department of Homeland Security in reports
        investigating hazing involving members of the Armed Forces and
        the recommendations of the Comptroller General of the United
        States under subsection (e).
            (3) Use of definition.--The policy shall reflect the
        comprehensive definition of hazing determined pursuant to
        subsection (a).
    (c) Information Database on Hazing Incidents.--
            (1) Database required.--The Secretary of Defense and the
        Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop and implement a
        centralized, case-level database for the collection and
        maintenance of information regarding hazing involving a member
        of the Armed Services, including hazing incidents occurring at
        officer candidate schools, military academies, military academy
        preparatory schools, and basic training and professional
        schools for enlisted members. The collection and maintenance of
        information in the database shall be conducted in a manner
        consistent with Department of Defense and the Department of
        Homeland Security regulations for restricted reporting.
            (2) Scope of database.--The database shall provide the
        following information with respect to each Armed Force:
                    (A) Description of each hazing complaint.
                    (B) Substantiated incidents of hazing.
                    (C) The nature and date of the hazing.
                    (D) The victim, including race, gender, and rank.
                    (E) The alleged offender, including race, gender,
                and rank.
                    (F) The branch and division in which the hazing
                incident occurred, along with whether it took place
                during a contingency operation.
                    (G) Actions taken to resolve hazing, including
                disciplinary action, transfer of an offender as a
                result or related to the offense, and training, policy,
                and internal guideline changes to address hazing.
                    (H) The outcome of any legal proceedings in
                connection with the hazing.
            (3) Implementation.--
                    (A) Plan for implementation.--Not later than 90
                days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
                Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland
                Security shall submit to the designated congressional
                committees a plan to provide for the implementation of
                the database.
                    (B) Relation to defense incident-based reporting
                system.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
                enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
                submit to the designated congressional committees a
                report containing--
                            (i) a description of the current status of
                        the Defense Incident-Based Reporting System;
                        and
                            (ii) an explanation of how the Defense
                        Incident-Based Reporting System will relate to
                        the database.
                    (C) Completion.--Not later than 15 months after the
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
                Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
                complete implementation of the database.
    (d) Annual Reporting Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--The database required by subsection (c)
        shall be used to develop and implement an annual congressional
        report.
            (2) Reports required.--Not later than January 15 of each
        year, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland
        Security shall submit to the designated congressional
        committees a report on the hazing incidents involving members
        of the Armed Forces during the preceding year.
            (3) Elements.--Each report shall include the following:
                    (A) An assessment by the Secretaries of the
                implementation during the preceding year of the
                policies and procedures of each Armed Force on the
                prevention of and response to hazing involving members
                of the Armed Forces in order to determine the
                effectiveness of such policies and procedures.
                    (B) Data on the number of alleged and substantiated
                hazing incidents within each Armed Force that occurred
                that year, including the race, gender and Armed Force
                of the victim and offender, the nature of the hazing,
                and actions taken to resolve and address the hazing.
    (e) Comptroller General Report.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than one year after the
        date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
        United States shall submit to the designated congressional
        committees a report on the policies to prevent hazing and
        systems initiated to track incidents of hazing in each of the
        Armed Forces, including officer cadet schools, military
        academies, military academy preparatory schools, and basic
        training and professional schools for enlisted members.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
        include the following:
                    (A) An evaluation of the definition of hazing
                developed under subsection (a).
                    (B) A description of the criteria used, and the
                methods implemented, in the systems to track incidents
                of hazing in the Armed Forces.
                    (C) An assessment of the following:
                            (i) The scope of hazing in each Armed
                        Force.
                            (ii) The policies in place and the training
                        on hazing provided to members throughout the
                        course of their careers for each Armed Force.
                            (iii) The actions taken to mitigate hazing
                        incidents in each Armed Force.
                            (iv) The effectiveness of the training and
                        policies in place regarding hazing.
                            (v) The number of alleged and substantiated
                        incidents of hazing over the last five years
                        for each Armed Force, the nature of these cases
                        and actions taken to address such matters
                        through non-judicial and judicial action.
                    (D) An evaluation of the additional actions, if
                any, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
                Homeland Security propose to take to further address
                the incidence of hazing in the Armed Forces.
                    (E) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General
                considers appropriate for improving hazing prevention
                programs, policies, and other actions taken to address
                hazing within the Armed Forces.
    (f) Designated Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``designated congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
        Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on Commerce,
        Science and Transportation of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
        Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
        Representatives.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) (Secretary) to: (1) assess and develop a uniform definition of hazing, applicable to members of the Armed Forces (members), for inclusion in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). And (2) submit such definition to Congress. Expresses the sense of Congress that such definition should cover, at a minimum, any situation in which a member suffers or is exposed to any cruelty, indignity, humiliation, hardship, harm, harassment, or oppression, or the deprivation or abridgment of any right, by another member. Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the prevention of and response to hazing involving members. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and implement a centralized, case-level database for the collection and maintenance of information regarding hazing, including incidents occurring at officer candidate schools, military academies and their preparatory schools, and basic training and professional schools for enlisted members. Requires such Secretaries to: (1) submit to Congress a plan to implement the database, and (2) complete implementation within 15 months after the enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress: (1) a description of the current status of the Defense Incident-Based Reporting System, and (2) an explanation of how such System will relate to the database. Requires annual reports from each Secretary on the hazing incidents involving members. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on the policies to prevent hazing and the systems initiated to track incidents of hazing in each of the military departments.

To prevent and respond to hazing incidents involving members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Navigation Safety Improvement
Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE NAVIGATION SAFETY ACCOUNT.

    Section 9505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to the
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``except as
                provided in paragraph (4)'', before ``to carry out'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
                end and inserting a comma; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(4) to carry out subsections (a)(3) and (c) of section
        210 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(e) Marine Navigation Safety Account.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is hereby established in the
        Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund a separate account to be known as
        the `Marine Navigation Safety Account', consisting of such
        amounts as may be transferred or credited to the account
        pursuant to this subsection or section 9602(b).
            ``(2) Transfers to account.--
                    ``(A) 1991 and 1992.--Not later than 30 days after
                the date of the enactment of the Marine Navigation
                Safety Improvement Act of 1993, the Secretary shall
                transfer to the Marine Navigation Safety Account an
                amount not to exceed the sum of--
                            ``(i) 8 percent of the amount of taxes
                        received in the Treasury under section 4461 for
                        the calendar years 1991 and 1992; and
                            ``(ii) interest on the amount referred to
                        in clause (i) for the calendar years 1991 and
                        1992, credited pursuant to section 9602(b)(3).
                    ``(B) 1993 and each subsequent year.--For calendar
                year 1993, and for each calendar year thereafter, the
                Secretary shall transfer to the Marine Navigation
                Safety Account an amount equal to the sum of--
                            ``(i) 8 percent of the amount of taxes
                        received in the Treasury pursuant to section
                        4461; and
                            ``(ii) interest on the amount referred to
                        in clause (i) for the calendar year, credited
                        pursuant to section 9602(b)(3).
            ``(3) Expenditures from account.--Amounts in the Marine
        Navigation Safety Account shall be available, as provided in
        appropriations Acts, to carry out the programs and activities
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the
        Department of Commerce related to commercial marine navigation
        described in section 210(c) of the Water Resources Development
        Act of 1986.''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1986.

    Section 210 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33
U.S.C. 2238) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                (1);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
                (2) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(3) from the Marine Navigation Safety Account established
        under section 9505(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to
        carry out the programs and activities of the National Oceanic
        and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce
        related to commercial marine navigation described in subsection
        (c).''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Commercial Marine Navigation.--The amounts authorized to be
appropriated under subsection (a)(3) shall remain available until
expended, and shall--
            ``(1) be made available to the Secretary of Commerce to
        support, either directly or by contract, the nautical charting
        and marine navigational safety programs and such other
        activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
        Administration related to commercial marine navigation as the
        Secretary determines to be appropriate, including--
                    ``(A) the nautical charting program;
                    ``(B) marine tides and circulation programs;
                    ``(C) charting survey ship support; and
                    ``(D) marine weather services applicable to
                commercial navigation safety in the waters of the
                United States; and
            ``(2) be used by the Secretary of Commerce, subject to the
        following conditions:
                    ``(A)(i) Funds transferred to the Marine Navigation
                Safety Account pursuant to section 9505(e)(2)(A) of the
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be used only for
                the purposes of enabling, modernizing, enhancing, or
                expanding the capabilities of the National Oceanic and
                Atmospheric Administration to conduct the programs and
                activities referred to in paragraph (1).
                    ``(ii) No portion of the funds referred to in
                clause (i) may be used to offset funds made available
                for the purposes referred to in clause (i) through
                appropriations to the Operations, Research, and
                Facilities account of the National Oceanic and
                Atmospheric Administration.
                    ``(B)(i) Funds transferred to the Marine Navigation
                Safety Account pursuant to section 9505(e)(2)(B) of the
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may be used for the
                following purposes:
                            ``(I) Conducting the operational aspects of
                        the programs and activities referred to in
                        paragraph (1).
                            ``(II) Enabling, modernizing, enhancing, or
                        expanding the capabilities of the National
                        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
                        conduct the programs and activities referred to
                        in paragraph (1).
                    ``(ii) Not more than 50 percent of the funds
                referred to in clause (i) may be used to offset funds
                previously made available for the purposes referred to
                in clause (i) through appropriations to the Operations,
                Research and Facilities account of the National Oceanic
                and Atmospheric Administration.''.

Summary: Marine Navigation Safety Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish within the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund the Marine Navigation Safety Account. Funds such Account with transfers of specified amounts from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Directs that amounts in the Account be available to carry out the programs and activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce relating to nautical charting and marine navigational safety programs as specified.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Teacher Tax Credit Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR EDUCATION EXPENSES OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
              SCHOOL TEACHERS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
(relating to refundable credits) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 36 as section 37, and
            (2) by inserting after section 35 the following new
        section:

``SEC. 36. CREDIT FOR EDUCATION EXPENSES OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
              SCHOOL TEACHERS.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an eligible teacher,
there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this
subtitle for the taxable year, an amount equal to 50 percent of so much
of the qualified elementary and secondary education expenses and
qualified professional development expenses paid or incurred by such
eligible teacher during the taxable year as does not exceed $300.
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Eligible teacher.--The term `eligible teacher' means
        an individual who is a kindergarten through grade 12 classroom
        teacher, instructor, counselor, aide, or principal in an
        elementary or secondary school on a full-time basis for an
        academic year ending during a taxable year.
            ``(2) Qualified elementary and secondary education
        expenses.--The term `qualified elementary and secondary
        education expenses' means expenses for books, supplies (other
        than nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in health
        or physical education), computer equipment (including related
        software and services) and other equipment, and supplementary
        materials used by an eligible teacher in the classroom.
            ``(3) Qualified professional development expenses.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified professional
                development expenses' means expenses for tuition, fees,
                books, supplies, equipment, and transportation required
                for the enrollment or attendance of an individual in a
                qualified course of instruction.
                    ``(B) Qualified course of instruction.--The term
                `qualified course of instruction' means a course of
                instruction which--
                            ``(i) is--
                                    ``(I) directly related to the
                                curriculum and academic subjects in
                                which an eligible teacher provides
                                instruction, or
                                    ``(II) designed to enhance the
                                ability of an eligible teacher to
                                understand and use State standards for
                                the academic subjects in which such
                                teacher provides instruction,
                            ``(ii) may--
                                    ``(I) provide instruction in how to
                                teach children with different learning
                                styles, particularly children with
                                disabilities and children with special
                                learning needs (including children who
                                are gifted and talented), or
                                    ``(II) provide instruction in how
                                best to discipline children in the
                                classroom and identify early and
                                appropriate interventions to help
                                children described in subclause (I) to
                                learn,
                            ``(iii) is tied to challenging State or
                        local content standards and student performance
                        standards.
                            ``(iv) is tied to strategies and programs
                        that demonstrate effectiveness in increasing
                        student academic achievement and student
                        performance, or substantially increasing the
                        knowledge and teaching skills of an eligible
                        teacher,
                            ``(v) is of sufficient intensity and
                        duration to have a positive and lasting impact
                        on the performance of an eligible teacher in
                        the classroom (which shall not include 1-day or
                        short-term workshops and conferences), except
                        that this clause shall not apply to an activity
                        if such activity is 1 component described in a
                        long-term comprehensive professional
                        development plan established by an eligible
                        teacher and the teacher's supervisor based upon
                        an assessment of the needs of the teacher, the
                        students of the teacher, and the local
                        educational agency involved, and
                            ``(vi) is part of a program of professional
                        development which is approved and certified by
                        the appropriate local educational agency as
                        furthering the goals of the preceding clauses.
                    ``(C) Local educational agency.--The term `local
                educational agency' has the meaning given such term by
                section 9101(26) of the Elementary and Secondary
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(26)), as in
                effect on the date of the enactment of this section.
            ``(4) Elementary or secondary school.--The term `elementary
        or secondary school' means any school which provides elementary
        education or secondary education (through grade 12), as
        determined under State law.
    ``(c) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction shall be allowed
under this chapter for any expense for which a credit is allowed under
this section.
    ``(d) Election To Have Credit Not Apply.--A taxpayer may elect to
have this section not apply for any taxable year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart C of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by striking the item
relating to section 36 and inserting after the item relating to section
35 the following new items:

``Sec. 36. Credit for education expenses of elementary and secondary
                            school teachers.
``Sec. 37. Overpayments of tax.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

Summary: Teacher Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow elementary and secondary school (K-12) teachers a tax credit for 50 of their education expenses and their professional development expenses up to $300 in any taxable year.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a credit against income tax for certain educator expenses, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Blueprint for
Health Act of 2009''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purpose.
Sec. 3. Establishment of a Blueprint for Health for disease prevention,
                            health promotion, and education about and
                            better management of chronic conditions.
Sec. 4. Strategic plan.
Sec. 5. Chronic care management programs.
Sec. 6. Incentives for prevention of chronic disease.
Sec. 7. Health information technology.
Sec. 8. Recommendations to Congress; annual report.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to establish a Blueprint for Health
which is designed--
            (1) to create a national integrated medical home model of
        care that enhances primary care, encourages multidisciplinary
        coordination, and promotes disease prevention, health
        promotion, and education about and better management of chronic
        conditions;
            (2) to increase Americans' access to affordable,
        appropriate, high quality care through the use of the
        integrated medical home model; and
            (3) to reduce costs to the United States health care system
        through the application of such model.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A BLUEPRINT FOR HEALTH FOR DISEASE PREVENTION,
              HEALTH PROMOTION, AND EDUCATION ABOUT AND BETTER
              MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall create consistent with
this Act a program (in this Act referred to as the ``Blueprint for
Health'') that provides a national infrastructure for disease
prevention, health promotion, and education about and better management
of chronic conditions through the use of a nationwide integrated
medical home model of care (in this Act referred to as the ``integrated
medical home model of care'') in a manner that is designed to initiate,
coordinate, and evaluate measures for promoting health and preventing
disease in the United States.
    (b) Elements of Blueprint.--The Blueprint for Health shall include
the following elements:
            (1) Strategic plan.--A strategic plan described in section
        4 for designing the integrated medical home model of care.
            (2) Chronic care management programs.--Chronic care
        management programs described in section 5.
            (3) Prevention incentives.--Incentives for the prevention
        of chronic disease described in section 6.
            (4) Assessment of hit initiatives.--A plan described in
        section 7 for the assessment of current health information
        technology initiatives.
    (c) Executive Committee.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall convene an executive
        committee to advise the Secretary on the creation and
        implementation of the Blueprint for Health.
            (2) Composition.--The executive committee shall include
        representation from national and State medical, hospital, and
        pharmaceutical associations, consumer and patient advocacy
        groups, labor groups, employer and other purchasing groups, and
        the health insurance industry.

SEC. 4. STRATEGIC PLAN.

    The Blueprint for Health shall include a strategic plan for
designing the integrated medical home model of care that includes the
following:
            (1) Recommended elements of an integrated coordinated
        chronic care management model that incorporates the following:
                    (A) Medical practices acting as medical homes in
                being primary caregivers in close coordination with
                other elements. The elements for such homes may be
                based on guidelines developed for such homes by the
                National Committee for Quality Assurance.
                    (B) Early disease detection and risk
                stratification.
                    (C) Community care teams that provide care support
                for medical homes and assist in coordinating care among
                medical homes, hospitals, prevention programs,
                multidisciplinary specialists, and others.
            (2) A plan for the formation of such community care teams
        that may include panel managers, public health prevention
        specialists, nurse coordinators, social workers, dieticians,
        community health workers, care coordinators, behavioral health
        specialists, and other patient support personnel.
            (3) Incentives for patient self management, community-based
        initiatives, and system and information technology reforms,
        intended for use by all providers and health plans, including
        Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal employees health benefits
        program, and other Federal programs.
            (4) A description of recommended prevention programs and a
        strategy for integrating them into the integrated medical home
        model of care.
            (5) A plan to ensure that chronically ill patients have a
        low level of cost sharing under the integrated medical home
        model of care.
            (6) Alignment of health care information technology
        initiatives with information technology needs.
            (7) Development and use of outcome and reporting measures
        designed to track the progress of patients meeting clinically
        recommended treatment goals.
            (8) A strategy for ensuring the broad support of the
        integrated medical home model of care by health insurers,
        hospitals, and health care professionals, including specialists
        and other physicians.
            (9) Recommendations for better integrating specialty care
        services into primary care practices to ensure care
        coordination and the use of best practices.
            (10) Recommendations for the consultation of providers
        experienced with the development and implementation of an
        integrated medical home model of care as this Act's care
        coordination model is developed.
            (11) A strategy for standardizing outcome and financial
        measures to ensure consistency among all health plans,
        including Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal employees health
        benefits program, and other Federal programs.

SEC. 5. CHRONIC CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS.

    The Secretary shall include in the Blueprint for Health chronic
care management programs which provide for at least the following:
            (1) Methods for identifying and enrolling chronically ill
        patients and for encouraging primary care physicians,
        specialists, hospitals, and others to participate in such
        programs.
            (2) Development of health risk appraisal or assessment for
        individuals enrolled under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Federal
        employees health benefits program.
            (3) A process for coordinating care among health
        professionals including multidisciplinary care teams and
        specialty care providers.
            (4) Methods for increasing communication among health care
        professionals and patients, including patient education, self-
        management, and follow up plans.
            (5) Process and outcome measures to provide performance
        feedback for health care professionals and information on the
        quality of care.
            (6) Payment methodologies to create financial incentives
        for patient participation and to allow primary care physicians
        to meet specific standards of a medical home program. Such
        financial incentives shall include--
                    (A) enhanced payment to medical practices, such as
                a per member per month fee, based on standards for a
                medical home, such as the National Committee for
                Quality Assurance standards for a patient centered
                medical home;
                    (B) payment for care support services, such as
                community care teams or other applicable approaches,
                across all insurers, including multi-payer private
                plans and Medicare, Medicaid, and other public plans;
                and
                    (C) the support of a community based savings
                sharing and reinvestment model, such as an accountable
                care organization, which incorporates a balanced set of
                financial and quality incentives, such as the Institute
                for Healthcare Improvement's Triple Aims.

SEC. 6. INCENTIVES FOR PREVENTION OF CHRONIC DISEASE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall include in the Blueprint for
Health a plan to provide incentives to prevent chronic diseases,
including investments in healthy and sustainable local and regional
food systems as well as the broader use of lifestyle changes, such as
through diet, exercise, and smoking cessation in the schools,
communities, and workplace.
    (b) Compilation of Effective Practices.--Based on recommendations
set forth by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the
Secretary shall compile a list of effective practices that would serve
as a basis for establishing programs to prevent chronic disease and
that could be included in the Blueprint for Health.
    (c) Recommendations.--The plan under subsection (a) may include the
following:
            (1) Grant opportunities and Federal tax credits for
        localities to conduct community assessment, intervention, and
        activation plans in which public health data are collected and
        analyzed to identify areas in greatest need of prevention and
        wellness programs.
            (2) Federal tax credits and incentive grants to local
        education agencies, businesses, local departments of public
        health, communities, hospitals, health care providers, and
        other entities so that they may adopt effective models of
        wellness shown to lower costs and improve health.
            (3) Incentives for individuals to take proactive
        preventative measures, including weight management and smoking
        cessation.
            (4) Federal tax credits and incentive grants to local
        education agencies, businesses, local departments of public
        health, communities, hospitals, health care providers and other
        entities to promote the development of healthy and sustainable
        local and regional food systems.

SEC. 7. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--The Blueprint for Health shall promote the
effective, efficient, national use of health care information
technology initiatives.
    (b) Assessment.--As part of the Blueprint for Health, the Secretary
shall commission an assessment to be presented to Congress not later
than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act that
examines the implementation of the health information technology
provisions enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This assessment shall evaluate the
implementation of such provisions as they apply to chronic care
management, and determine if further action is needed to ensure that
the funding provided in such Act under such provisions is used
effectively and efficiently to help ensure the effective management of
chronic disease.

SEC. 8. RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS; ANNUAL REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall present to Congress
recommendations for legislation to implement the Blueprint for Health,
including the establishment of programs designed to enhance primary
care, promote multidisciplinary care coordination, prevent disease,
improve quality, contain costs, more effectively manage chronic
illness, and promote good health and prevention initiatives.
    (b) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit an annual report to
Congress on the status of the implementation of the Blueprint for
Health.

Summary: Blueprint for Health Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create the Blueprint for Health program to provide a national infrastructure for disease prevention, health promotion, and education about, and better management of, chronic conditions. Sets forth elements to be included in the Blueprint, including: (1) a strategic plan for designing an integrated medical home model of care, (2) chronic management programs. (3) incentives for the prevention of chronic diseases, including investments in health and sustainable local and regional food systems. And (4) a plan for the assessment of current health information technology initiatives. Requires the Secretary to convene an executive committee to advise the Secretary on the creation and implementation of the Blueprint for Health. Requires the Blueprint for Health to promote the effective, efficient, national use of health care information technology initiatives. Directs the Secretary to commission an assessment that examines the implementation of the health information technology provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Requires the Secretary to recommend to Congress legislation to implement the Blueprint for Health, including the establishment of programs designed to enhance primary care, promote multidisciplinary care coordination, prevent disease, improve quality, contain costs, more effectively manage chronic illness, and promote good health and prevention initiatives.

To establish a Blueprint for Health in order to create a comprehensive system of care incorporating medical homes to improve the delivery and affordability of health care through disease prevention, health promotion, and education about and better management of chronic conditions.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Infertility Research Centers Act of
2002''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS FOR RESEARCH CENTERS WITH RESPECT TO
              INFERTILITY PREVENTION.

    Subpart 7 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 285g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:

``SEC. 452H. RESEARCH CENTERS WITH RESPECT TO INFERTILITY PREVENTION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director of the Institute, after
consultation with the advisory council for the Institute, shall make
grants to, or enter into contracts with, public or nonprofit private
entities for the development and operation of centers to conduct
activities for the purpose of improving methods of preventing
infertility.
    ``(b) Number of Centers.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Director of the Institute shall, subject to the extent of amounts made
available in appropriations Acts, provide for the establishment of two
centers with respect to infertility prevention.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each center assisted under this section
        shall, in carrying out the purpose of the center involved--
                    ``(A) conduct clinical and other applied research,
                including clinical trials of new or improved drugs and
                devices for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility
                in males and females;
                    ``(B) develop protocols for training physicians,
                scientists, nurses, and other health and allied health
                professionals;
                    ``(C) conduct training programs for such
                individuals;
                    ``(D) develop model continuing education programs
                for such professionals; and
                    ``(E) disseminate information to such professionals
                and the public.
            ``(2) Stipends.--A center may use funds provided under
        subsection (a) to provide stipends for health and allied health
        professionals enrolled in programs described in subparagraph
        (C) of paragraph (1), and to provide fees to individuals
        serving as subjects in clinical trials conducted under such
        paragraph.
    ``(d) Coordination.--The Director of the Institute shall, as
appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among the
centers assisted under this section.
    ``(e) Facilities.--Each center assisted under subsection (a) shall
use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a
consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting such requirements as
may be prescribed by the Director of the Institute.
    ``(f) Period of Support.--Support of a center under subsection (a)
may be for a period not exceeding 5 years. Such period may be extended
for one or more additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the
operations of such center have been reviewed by an appropriate
technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director
and if such group has recommended to the Director that such period
should be extended.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000
for fiscal year 2003, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the
fiscal years 2004 and 2005.''.

SEC. 3. LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO INFERTILITY
              PREVENTION.

    Part F of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 287d
et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the second section 487F (relating to
        the pediatric research loan repayment program) as section 487G;
        and
            (2) by inserting after section 487G (as so redesignated)
        the following section:

``SEC. 487H. LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO
              INFERTILITY PREVENTION.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, shall establish a program of entering into agreements with
qualified health professionals (including graduate students) under
which such health professionals agree to conduct research with respect
to infertility prevention, in consideration of the Federal Government
agreeing to repay, for each year of such service, not more than $20,000
of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such health
professionals.
    ``(b) Application of Provisions.--The provisions of sections 338B,
338C, and 338E shall apply to the program established in subsection (a)
to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to
the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program established in
subpart III of part D of title III.
    ``(c) Funding.--Amounts appropriated for carrying out this section
shall remain available until the expiration of the second fiscal year
beginning after the fiscal year for which the amounts were
appropriated.''.

Summary: Infertility Research Centers Act of 2002 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to mandate grants or contracts for two centers for improving methods of preventing infertility. Requires each center to: (1) conduct clinical and other applied research, (2) develop training protocols and conduct training, (3) develop model continuing education programs. And (4) disseminate information to professionals. Allows funds to be used for: (1) stipends for training program enrollees. And (2) fees to clinical trial subjects. Establishes a program of agreements with health professionals to conduct infertility prevention research in return for the Government repaying the professionals' educational loans.

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the development and operation of centers to conduct research with respect to infertility prevention, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Southern Prairie Potholes National
Wildlife Refuge Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the area of the State of Iowa known as the Southern
        Prairie Potholes and consisting primarily of the Willow Creek
        watershed in Greene County offers exceptional potential for
        restoration into a bountiful native wildlife habitat area;
            (2) ongoing restoration and preservation of this wildlife
        habitat area will significantly enhance opportunities for
        outdoor recreation in this region, including waterfowl and
        upland hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking;
            (3) the Southern Prairie Potholes area is located at the
        southwestern edge of the Des Moines Lobe left by glaciers
        12,000 years ago;
            (4) the sloughs and grassland offer a substantial oasis of
        both wetland and grassland habitat at the southwestern boundary
        of the most heavily cropped region in Iowa;
            (5) because of the location of the Southern Prairie
        Potholes at the edge of the multistate and international region
        known as the Prairie Potholes Region, and along important
        migratory flyways, the restoration and preservation of the area
        is critical to providing wildlife habitat across the full
        extent of the Prairie Potholes Region;
            (6) this 23,500-acre area has for years been designated by
        the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture as a priority area for
        restoration and preservation because of the importance of the
        area to wildlife, facilitating gradual public land acquisition
        for habitat restoration;
            (7) the area already includes the 2,134-acre Dunbar Slough
        wetland complex of Federal and State land managed as popular
        wildlife and hunting areas serving Carroll, Greene, and Guthrie
        Counties and beyond;
            (8) national wildlife refuges increasingly follow a mosaic
        pattern with a core of publicly held land surrounded by
        privately held land also located within the refuge boundary;
            (9) private ownership and uses are not affected for private
        land within the designated boundaries of the refuge, but
        private landowners may be provided increased opportunities for
        partnering on conservation or restoration practices;
            (10) restoration and preservation of the Southern Prairie
        Potholes area will benefit hundreds of birds, mammals,
        butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians that have been classified
        as species of greatest conservation need, including the
        endangered Blanding's turtle;
            (11) restoration of grassland and wetland in the area will
        contribute to improved flood control and water quality
        downstream, as the Middle Raccoon River is the major water
        source for the Des Moines metropolitan region and other
        communities;
            (12) the Southern Prairie Potholes area offers unique
        recreational appeal because the area is adjacent to the
        existing Whiterock Conservancy, a 4,300-acre land trust
        dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural resources of
        Iowa and engaging the public with the landscape;
            (13) Whiterock Conservancy offers outdoor recreation and
        education and includes a major new Backcountry Trail complex;
            (14) the proximity of the Southern Prairie Potholes to the
        largest metropolitan area in Iowa adds to the ability of the
        area to provide natural resource experiences to a broad
        community; and
            (15) the area is already attracting cyclists, and that
        appeal will grow with ongoing development of the cross-country
        American Discovery Trail transecting the area.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Southern Prairie
        Potholes National Wildlife Refuge established under section 4.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF REFUGE.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the Southern
        Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of
        approximately 23,500 acres of Federal land, water, and
        interests in land and water within the boundaries depicted on
        the map entitled ``Southern Prairie Potholes Project Area'' and
        dated August 26, 2014.
            (2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary shall make such
        minor revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge as may be
        appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to
        facilitate the acquisition of property within the Refuge.
            (3) Availability of map.--The Secretary shall keep the map
        referred to in paragraph (1) available for inspection in
        appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife
        Service.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Refuge are--
            (1) to enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation,
        including waterfowl and upland hunting, hiking, native habitat
        exploration, and wildlife viewing;
            (2) to provide for the restoration or preservation of
        Refuge land to native wetland and grassland habitats and
        landscapes;
            (3) to provide for the restoration and conservation of
        native plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the
        Southern Prairie Potholes area, including the protection of
        threatened and endangered species and the restoration of
        extirpated species;
            (4) to provide critical travel and nesting habitat for
        migratory birds;
            (5) to provide opportunities to private landowners to
        access technical or financial assistance for the voluntary
        restoration of the land of the private landowners for the
        benefit of fish and wildlife;
            (6) to provide for outdoor recreation, including hunting,
        hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing to the public; and
            (7) to facilitate the education of the public, especially
        young people, about nature, the environment, and the
        conservation of the natural resources.
    (c) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--The establishment of the Refuge shall take
        effect on the date on which the Secretary publishes a notice
        that sufficient property has been acquired by the United States
        within the boundaries described in subsection (a)(1) to
        constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a
        National Wildlife Refuge.
            (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the notice
        described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register and
        publications of local circulation in the vicinity of the area
        within the boundaries described in subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE.

    (a) In General.--Subject to the purposes described in section 4(b),
the Secretary shall administer all land, water, and interests in land
and water acquired under this Act in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
seq.).
    (b) Additional Authority.--The Secretary may use such additional
statutory authority as may be available for the conservation of fish
and wildlife, and the provision of fish- and wildlife-oriented
recreational opportunities, as the Secretary considers appropriate to
carry out the purposes of this Act.
    (c) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for compatible fish-
and wildlife-oriented recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with
paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Administration Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure
that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and
environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses
of the Refuge.
    (d) Volunteers and Partnerships.--The Secretary shall encourage the
use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation
organizations, and other non-Federal entities to promote public
awareness, conservation, and priority uses of the resources of the
Refuge.

SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF LAND AND WATER.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c) and the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary may acquire up to 23,500 acres of land
and water, or interests in land and water, within the boundaries of the
Refuge as described in section 4(a)(1).
    (b) Inclusion in Refuge.--Any land, water, or interests acquired by
the Secretary under this section shall be part of the Refuge.
    (c) Manner of Acquisition.--All acquisition of land or water under
this section shall be made in a voluntary manner from willing sellers
only.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

Summary: Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the approximately 23,500-acre Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire land and water within the boundaries of the Refuge from willing sellers. Lists as purposes of the Refuge to: (1) enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation. (2) provide for the restoration or preservation of Refuge land to native wetland and grassland habitats and landscapes. (3) provide for the restoration and conservation of native plants and animal communities, (4) provide critical travel and nesting habitat for migratory birds. (5) provide opportunities to private landowners to access assistance for the voluntary restoration of land for the benefit of fish and wildlife. And (6) facilitate the education of the public about nature, the environment, and the conservation of the natural resources. Directs the Secretary to: (1) administer all land, water, and interests therein acquired under this Act in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966. (2) ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge. And (3) encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships to promote public awareness, conservation, and priority uses of Refuge resources.