SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hygiene Assistance for Families of
Infants and Toddlers Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. IMPROVING OPPORTUNITY DIAPER DISTRIBUTION DEMONSTRATION
              PROJECT.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 399V-7. DIAPER DISTRIBUTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administration
for Children and Families, shall make grants to eligible entities to
conduct demonstration projects that implement and evaluate strategies
to help families with eligible children to address the diapering needs
of such children.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Amounts provided through a grant under this
section shall be used to--
            ``(1) fund diaper distribution demonstration projects that
        will reduce the substantial cost of diapers and diapering
        supplies by making diapers and diapering supplies available to
        low-income families;
            ``(2) evaluate the effects of such demonstration projects
        on mitigating health risks, including diaper dermatitis,
        urinary tract infections, and increased rates of parental and
        child depression and anxiety, that can arise when low-income
        families do not have an adequate supply of diapers for infants
        and toddlers; and
            ``(3) integrate the diaper distribution demonstration
        projects with other assistance programs serving families with
        eligible children.
    ``(c) Application.--An entity desiring a grant under this section
shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes such
information as the Secretary may require to ensure a likelihood of
success in achieving the purposes of the grant listed in subsection
(b).
    ``(d) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be--
            ``(1) a State or local governmental entity;
            ``(2) an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined in
        section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
        Assistance Act); or
            ``(3) a nonprofit organization as described in section
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
        taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
    ``(e) No Effect on Other Programs.--Any assistance or benefits
provided to a family pursuant to a grant under this section shall be
disregarded for purposes of determining the family's eligibility for,
or amount of, benefits under--
            ``(1) any other Federal needs-based program; or
            ``(2) in the case of a grant under this section to a State,
        any State-funded, needs-based program that is financed in whole
        or in part with Federal funds.
    ``(f) Reports.--As a condition of receiving a grant under this
section for a fiscal year, an entity shall submit to the Secretary, not
later than 6 months after the end of the fiscal year, a report that
specifies--
            ``(1) the number of children and the number of families
        receiving assistance under the diaper distribution
        demonstration projects funded through such grant for each month
        of the fiscal year;
            ``(2) the number of diapers, and the number of each type of
        diapering supply distributed through such projects for each
        month of the fiscal year;
            ``(3) the method or methods the entity uses to distribute
        diapers and diapering supplies through such projects; and
            ``(4) such other information as the Secretary may require.
    ``(g) Evaluation.--The Secretary, in consultation with each entity
that receives a grant under this section, shall--
            ``(1) not later than September 30, 2019--
                    ``(A) complete an evaluation of the effectiveness
                of the diaper distribution demonstration projects
                carried out pursuant to this section;
                    ``(B) submit to the relevant congressional
                committees a report on the results of such evaluation;
                and
                    ``(C) publish the results of the evaluation on the
                Internet Web site of the Department of Health and Human
                Services; and
            ``(2)(A) not later than September 30, 2022, update the
        evaluation described in paragraph (1)(A); and
            ``(B) not later than 90 days after completion of the
        updated evaluation under subparagraph (B)--
                    ``(i) submit to the relevant congressional
                committees a report describing the results of such
                evaluation; and
                    ``(ii) update the Web site described in paragraph
                (1)(C) to include the results of such evaluation.
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `diaper' means an absorbent garment that is
        washable or disposable that is worn by a child who is not
        toilet-trained.
            ``(2) The term `diapering supplies' means items, including
        diaper wipes and diaper cream, necessary to ensure that a child
        using a diaper is properly cleaned and protected from diaper
        rash.
            ``(3) The term `eligible child' means a child who--
                    ``(A) is not toilet-trained;
                    ``(B) has not attained 4 years of age, unless the
                entity determines that the child has a substantial
                physical or mental impairment that requires the child
                to wear diapers; and
                    ``(C) is a member of a family whose income is not
                more than 130 percent of the poverty line (as defined
                by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised
                annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the
                Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) applicable
                to a family of the size involved.
            ``(4) The term `toilet-trained' means able and willing to
        use a toilet consistently such that diapers are not necessary
        on a daily basis.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--To carry out this section, there is
        authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2018
        through 2022, $25,000,000.
            ``(2) Availability of funds.--Funds provided to an entity
        under this section for a fiscal year may be expended only in
        the fiscal year or the succeeding fiscal year.''.

Summary: Hygiene Assistance for Families of Infants and Toddlers Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Administration for Children and Familes of the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to states or local governments, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, or nonprofit organizations to conduct demonstration projects to help low-income families address the diapering needs of their children.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Two-Midnight Rule Coordination and
Improvement Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF CRITERIA FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY SHORT INPATIENT
              HOSPITAL STAYS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Development of criteria.--The Secretary shall develop
        appropriate criteria with regard to the two-midnight rule (as
        defined in subsection (e)) for payment under the Medicare
        program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
        1395 et seq.) for a short inpatient hospital stay (as defined
        in such subsection).
            (2) Requirements.--The criteria developed under paragraph
        (1) shall--
                    (A) account for medical necessity and the
                appropriateness of an inpatient stay that is less than
                the two-midnight benchmark; and
                    (B) subject to paragraph (3), be developed in
                consultation with interested stakeholders.
            (3) Implementation.--The consultation described in
        paragraph (2)(B) shall be conducted as part of the annual
        notice and comment rulemaking process implementing the Medicare
        hospital inpatient prospective payment system for fiscal year
        2015.
    (b) Development of Short Inpatient Hospital Stay Payment
Methodology.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a payment
        methodology under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the
        Social Security Act for hospitals for short inpatient hospital
        stays. Such methodology--
                    (A) shall be implemented in a budget neutral
                manner;
                    (B) may be a reduced payment amount for such
                inpatient hospital services than would otherwise apply
                if paid for under section 1886(d) of the Social
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)) or be an alternative
                payment methodology; and
                    (C) shall take into consideration the criteria
                developed under subsection (a).
            (2) Timeframe.--The Secretary shall promulgate such
        methodology as part of the annual regulations implementing the
        Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system for
        fiscal year 2015.
    (c) Crosswalk of ICD-10 Codes and CPT Codes; Crosswalk of DRG and
CPT Codes.--
            (1) ICD-10-to-CPT crosswalk.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
                develop general equivalency maps (referred to in this
                subsection as ``crosswalks'') to link the relevant ICD-
                10 codes to relevant CPT codes, and the relevant CPT
                codes to relevant ICD-10 codes, in order to permit
                comparisons of inpatient hospital services, for which
                payment is made under section 1886 of the Social
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww), and hospital
                outpatient department services, for which payment is
                made under section 1833(t) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
                1395l(t)). In this subsection the terms ``ICD-10
                codes'' and ``CPT codes'' include procedure as well as
                diagnostic codes.
                    (B) Process.--
                            (i) In general.--In carrying out
                        subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall develop a
                        proposed ICD-10-to-CPT crosswalk which shall be
                        made available for public comment for a period
                        of not less than 60 days.
                            (ii) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide
                        notice of the comment period through the
                        following:
                                    (I) Publication of notice of
                                proposed rulemaking in the Federal
                                Register.
                                    (II) A solicitation posted on the
                                Internet Web site of the Centers for
                                Medicare & Medicaid Services.
                                    (III) An announcement on the
                                Internet Web site of the Centers for
                                Medicare & Medicaid Services of the
                                availability of the proposed crosswalk
                                and the deadline for comments.
                                    (IV) A broadcast through an
                                appropriate Listserv operated by the
                                Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
                                Services.
                            (iii) Use of the icd-9-cm coordination and
                        maintenance committee.--The Secretary also
                        shall instruct the ICD-9-CM Coordination and
                        Maintenance Committee to convene a meeting to
                        receive input from the public regarding the
                        proposed ICD-10-to-CPT crosswalk.
                            (iv) Publication of final crosswalks.--
                        Taking into consideration comments received on
                        the proposed crosswalk, the Secretary shall
                        publish a final ICD-10-to-CPT crosswalk under
                        subparagraph (A) and shall post such crosswalk
                        on the Internet Web site of the Centers for
                        Medicare & Medicaid Services.
                            (v) Updating.--The Secretary shall update
                        such crosswalk on an annual basis.
            (2) DRG-to-APC crosswalk.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall, using the
                ICD-10-to-CPT crosswalk developed under paragraph (1),
                develop a second crosswalk between diagnosis-related
                group (DRG) codes for inpatient hospital services and
                Ambulatory Payment Class (APC) codes for outpatient
                hospital services.
                    (B) Data to be used.--In developing such crosswalk,
                the Secretary shall use claims data for inpatient
                hospital services for discharges occurring in fiscal
                years beginning with fiscal year 2015 and for
                outpatient hospital services furnished in years
                beginning with 2015.
                    (C) Publication.--Not later than June 30, 2017, the
                Secretary shall publish the DRG-to-APC crosswalk
                developed under this paragraph.
    (d) Delay of Enforcement of the Two-Midnight Rule.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall not enforce the
        provisions of the two-midnight rule with respect to admissions
        to a hospital for which payment is made under the Medicare
        program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act--
                    (A) for admissions occurring before October 1,
                2014; and
                    (B) in the case of admissions occurring on or after
                October 1, 2014, prior to the applicable date (as
                defined in paragraph (3)).
            (2) Application to medicare review contractors.--Paragraph
        (1) shall also apply to Medicare review contractors (as defined
        in subsection (e)). No Medicare review contractor may, based on
        the provisions of the two-midnight rule, deny a claim for
        payment for inpatient hospital services furnished by a
        hospital, or inpatient critical access hospital services
        furnished by a critical access hospital, for which payment may
        be made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act for
        discharges occurring before the applicable date (as defined in
        paragraph (3))--
                    (A) for medical necessity due to the length of an
                inpatient stay in such hospital or due to a
                determination that the services could have been
                provided on an outpatient basis; or
                    (B) for requirements for orders, certifications, or
                recertifications, and associated documentation relating
                to the matters described in subparagraph (A).
            (3) Applicable date defined.--In this subsection, the term
        ``applicable date'' means the earlier of--
                    (A) the date on which the criteria described in
                subsection (a) are implemented pursuant to subsection
                (a)(3); or
                    (B) October 1, 2015.
            (4) Continuation of medicare probe and educate program for
        inpatient hospital admissions.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B),
                nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
                preclude the Secretary from continuing the conduct by
                Medicare administrative contractors of the Medicare
                Probe and Educate program (as defined in subparagraph
                (C)) for hospital admissions during the delay of
                enforcement under paragraph (1).
                    (B) Maintenance of sample prepayment record
                limits.--The Secretary may not increase the sample of
                claims selected for prepayment review under the
                Medicare Probe and Educate program above the number and
                type established by the Secretary under such program as
                of November 4, 2013, such as 10 claims for most
                hospitals and 25 claims for large hospitals.
                    (C) Medicare probe and educate program defined.--In
                this paragraph, the term ``Medicare Probe and Educate
                program'' means the program established by the
                Secretary as in effect on November 4, 2013 (and
                described in a public document made available by the
                Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on its Web
                site entitled ``Frequently Asked Questions 2 Midnight
                Inpatient Admission Guidance & Patient Status Reviews
                for Admissions on or after October 1, 2013''), under
                which Medicare administrative contractors--
                            (i) conduct prepayment patient status
                        reviews for inpatient hospital claims with
                        dates of admission on or after October 1, 2013,
                        and before March 31, 2014; and
                            (ii) based on the results of such
                        prepayment patient status reviews, conduct
                        educational outreach efforts during the
                        following 3 months.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Hospital.--The term ``hospital'' means the following
        (insofar as such terms are used under title XVIII of the Social
        Security Act):
                    (A) An acute care hospital.
                    (B) A critical access hospital.
                    (C) A long-term care hospital.
                    (D) An inpatient psychiatric facility.
            (2) Interested stakeholders.--The term ``interested
        stakeholders'' means the following:
                    (A) Hospitals.
                    (B) Physicians
                    (C) Medicare administrative contractors under
                section 1874A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
                1395kk-1).
                    (D) Recovery audit contractors under section
                1893(h) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ddd(h)).
                    (E) Other parties determined appropriate by the
                Secretary.
            (3) IPPS fy 2014 final rule.--The term ``IPPS FY 2014 Final
        Rule'' means the final rule (CMS-1599-F, CMS-1455-F) published
        by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the Federal
        Register on August 19, 2013, entitled ``Medicare Program;
        Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care
        Hospitals and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment
        System and Fiscal Year 2014 Rates; Quality Reporting
        Requirements for Specific Providers; Hospital Conditions of
        Participation; Payment Policies Related to Patient Status'' (78
        Fed. Reg. 50496 et seq.).
            (4) Medicare review contractor.--The term ``Medicare review
        contractor'' means any contractor or entity that has entered
        into a contract or subcontract with the Centers for Medicare &
        Medicaid Services with respect to the Medicare program to
        review claims for items and services furnished for which
        payment is made under title XVIII of the Social Security Act,
        including--
                    (A) Medicare administrative contractors under
                section 1874A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
                1395kk-1); and
                    (B) recovery audit contractors under section
                1893(h) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ddd(h)).
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Health and Human Services.
            (6) Short inpatient hospital stay.--The term ``short
        inpatient hospital stay'' means, with respect to an inpatient
        admission of an individual entitled to benefits under part A of
        title XVIII of the Social Security Act to a hospital, a length
        of stay that is less than the length of stay required to
        satisfy the 2-midnight benchmark described in section 412.3 of
        title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as amended under the
        amendment 2 referred to in paragraph (7)(A).
            (7) Two-midnight rule.--The term ``two-midnight rule''
        means the following numbered amendments to 42 CFR Chapter IV
        contained in the IPPS FY 2014 Final Rule (and includes any sub-
        regulatory guidance issued in the implementation of such
        amendments and any portion of the preamble of section XI.C. of
        such rule relating to such amendments):
                    (A) Amendment 2 (on page 50965), which adds a
                section 412.3 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations
                (relating to admissions).
                    (B) Amendment 3 (on page 50965), which revises
                section 412.46 of such title (relating to medical
                review requirements).
                    (C) Amendment 23 (on page 50969), which amends
                paragraphs (d) and (e)(2) of section 424.11 of such
                title (relating to conditions of payment: General
                procedures).
                    (D) Amendment 24 (on pages 50969 and 50970), which
                revises section 424.13 of such title (relating to
                requirements for inpatient services of hospitals other
                than inpatient psychiatric facilities).
                    (E) Amendment 25 (on page 50970), which revises
                paragraphs (a), (b), (d)(1), and (e) of section 424.14
                of such title (relating to requirements for inpatient
                services of inpatient psychiatric facilities).
                    (F) Amendment 26 (on page 50970), which revises
                section 424.15 of such title (relating to requirements
                for inpatient CAH services).

Summary: Two-Midnight Rule Coordination and Improvement Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop appropriate criteria with regard to the two-midnight rule for payment under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for a short inpatient hospital stay. Requires the criteria developed by the Secretary to: (1) account for medical necessity and the appropriateness of an inpatient stay that is less than the two-midnight benchmark, and (2) be developed in consultation with interested stakeholders. Directs the Secretary to develop a budget-neutral Medicare payment methodology for hospitals for short inpatient hospital stays. Allows the methodology to be: (1) a reduced payment amount than would otherwise apply to inpatient hospital services if paid for under the Medicare prospective payment schedule, or (2) an alternative payment methodology. Directs the Secretary to develop: (1) general equivalency maps to link the relevant International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-10 codes to relevant Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and the relevant CPT codes to relevant ICD-10 codes, in order to permit comparison of inpatient hospital services and hospital outpatient department services. And (2) a second crosswalk between Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) codes for inpatient hospital services and Ambulatory Payment Class (APC) codes for outpatient hospital services. Prohibits the Secretary from enforcing the two-midnight rule for admissions occurring: (1) before October 1, 2014. And (2) on or after that date until October 1, 2015, or the new two-midnight rule criteria are implemented, if sooner . Prohibits a Medicare review contractor from denying a claim for inpatient hospital services furnished by a hospital, or inpatient critical access hospital services furnished by a critical access hospital, on the basis of the two-midnight rule for discharges occurring before the applicable date for: (1) medical necessity due to the length of an inpatient stay in such hospital or due to a determination that the services could have been provided on an outpatient basis. Or (2) requirements for orders, certifications, or recertifications, and associated documentation relating to such matters. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude the Secretary from continuing the conduct by Medicare administrative contractors of the Medicare Probe and Educate program for hospital admissions during the delayed enforcement of the two-midnight rule. Prohibits the Secretary from increasing the sample of claims selected for prepayment review under the Medicare Probe and Educate program above the number and type established by the Secretary as of November 4, 2013, such as 10 claims for most hospitals and 25 claims for large hospitals.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``International Space Station
Independent Safety Commission Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Commission'' means the Commission
        established under this Act;
            (2) the term ``ISS'' means the International Space Station;
            (3) the term ``NASA'' means the National Aeronautics and
        Space Administration;
            (4) the term ``NASA Administrator'' means the Administrator
        of NASA; and
            (5) the term ``NTSB'' means the National Transportation
        Safety Board.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--The President shall establish an independent,
nonpartisan Commission within the executive branch to discover and
assess any vulnerabilities of the International Space Station that
could lead to its destruction, compromise the health of its crew, or
necessitate its premature abandonment.
    (b) Deadline for Establishment.--The President shall issue an
executive order establishing a Commission within 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Number of Commissioners.--The Commission shall consist of 15
members.
    (b) Selection.--The members of the Commission shall be chosen in
the following manner:
            (1) The Chairman of the NTSB shall be a member of the
        Commission.
            (2) The President shall appoint the remaining 14 members,
        and shall designate the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the
        Commission from among its members.
            (3) Five of the 14 members appointed by the President shall
        be selected by the President in the following manner:
                    (A) The majority leader of the Senate, the minority
                leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
                Representatives, the minority leader of the House of
                Representatives, and the President of the collective-
                bargaining organization including the largest number of
                NASA engineers, shall each provide to the President a
                list of candidates for membership on the Commission.
                    (B) The President shall select one of the
                candidates from each of the 5 lists for membership on
                the Commission.
            (4)(A) With the exception of the Chairman of the NTSB, no
        officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve as a
        member of the Commission.
            (B) No member of the Commission shall have, or have
        pending, a contractual relationship with NASA.
            (C) The President may waive the prohibitions in
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) with respect to the selection of not
        more than 2 members of the Commission.
            (5) The President shall not appoint any individual as a
        member of the Commission who has a current or former
        relationship with the NASA Administrator that the President
        determines would constitute a conflict of interest.
            (6) To the extent practicable, the President shall ensure
        that the members of the Commission include some individuals
        with experience relative to human-carrying spacecraft, as well
        as some individuals with investigative experience and some
        individuals with legal experience.
            (7) To the extent practicable, the President shall seek
        diversity in the membership of the Commission.
    (c) Deadline for Appointment.--All members of the Commission shall
be appointed no later than 60 days after issuance of the executive
order establishing the Commission.
    (d) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall meet and begin
operations as soon as practicable.
    (e) Quorum; Vacancies.--After its initial meeting, the Commission
shall meet upon the call of the Chairman or a majority of its members.
Eight members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. Any vacancy
in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in
the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

SEC. 5. TASKS OF THE COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall, to the extent possible, undertake the
following tasks:
            (1) Catalog threats to and vulnerabilities of the ISS,
        including design flaws, natural phenomena, computer software or
        hardware flaws, sabotage or terrorist attack, number of
        crewmembers, and inability to adequately deliver replacement
        parts and supplies, and management or procedural deficiencies.
            (2) Make recommendations for corrective actions.
            (3) Provide any additional findings or recommendations
        considered by the Commission to be important, whether or not
        they are related to ISS safety.
            (4) Prepare a report to Congress, the President, and the
        public.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Hearings and evidence.--The Commission or, on the
        authority of the Commission, any subcommittee or member
        thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act--
                    (A) hold such hearings and sit and act at such
                times and places, take such testimony, receive such
                evidence, administer such oaths; and
                    (B) subject to paragraph (2)(A), require, by
                subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of
                such witnesses and the production of such books,
                records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and
                documents,
        as the Commission or such designated subcommittee or designated
        member may determine advisable.
            (2) Subpoenas.--
                    (A) Issuance.--
                            (i) In general.--A subpoena may be issued
                        under this subsection only--
                                    (I) by the agreement of the
                                Chairman and the Vice Chairman; or
                                    (II) by the affirmative vote of 8
                                members of the Commission.
                            (ii) Signature.--Subject to clause (i),
                        subpoenas issued under this subsection may be
                        issued under the signature of the Chairman or
                        any member designated by a majority of the
                        Commission, and may be served by any person
                        designated by the Chairman or by a member
                        designated by a majority of the Commission.
                    (B) Enforcement.--
                            (i) In general.--In the case of contumacy
                        or failure to obey a subpoena issued under
                        subparagraph (A), the United States district
                        court for the judicial district in which the
                        subpoenaed person resides, is served, or may be
                        found, or where the subpoena is returnable, may
                        issue an order requiring such person to appear
                        at any designated place to testify or to
                        produce documentary or other evidence. Any
                        failure to obey the order of the court may be
                        punished by the court as a contempt of that
                        court.
                            (ii) Additional enforcement.--In the case
                        of a failure of a witness to comply with a
                        subpoena or to testify when summoned under
                        authority of this section, the Commission may,
                        by majority vote, certify a statement of fact
                        constituting such failure to the appropriate
                        United States attorney, who may bring the
                        matter before a grand jury for its action,
                        under the same statutory authority and
                        procedures as if the United States attorney had
                        received a certification under sections 102
                        through 104 of the Revised Statutes of the
                        United States (2 U.S.C. 192 through 194).
    (b) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and in such
amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to
enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this Act.
    (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from
        any executive department, bureau, agency, board, commission,
        office, independent establishment, or instrumentality of the
        Government, information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics
        for the purposes of this Act. Each department, bureau, agency,
        board, commission, office, independent establishment, or
        instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by law, furnish
        such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics
        directly to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairman,
        the chairman of any subcommittee created by a majority of the
        Commission, or any member designated by a majority of the
        Commission.
            (2) Receipt, handling, storage, and dissemination.--
        Information shall be received, handled, stored, and
        disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff
        consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and
        Executive orders.
    (d) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
            (1) General services administration.--The Administrator of
        General Services shall provide to the Commission on a
        reimbursable basis administrative support and other services
        for the performance of the Commission's tasks.
            (2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the
        assistance prescribed in paragraph (1), departments and
        agencies of the United States may provide to the Commission
        such services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support
        services as they may determine advisable and as may be
        authorized by law.
            (3) NASA engineering and safety center.--The NASA
        Engineering and Safety Center shall provide data and technical
        support as requested by the Commission.
    (e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments
and agencies of the United States.

SEC. 7. PUBLIC MEETINGS, INFORMATION, AND HEARINGS.

    (a) Public Meetings and Release of Public Versions of Reports.--The
Commission shall--
            (1) hold public hearings and meetings to the extent
        appropriate; and
            (2) release public versions of the reports required under
        this Act.
    (b) Public Hearings.--Any public hearings of the Commission shall
be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information
provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any
applicable statute, regulation, or Executive order.

SEC. 8. STAFF OF COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Appointment and compensation.--The Chairman, in
        consultation with Vice Chairman, in accordance with rules
        agreed upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the
        compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as
        may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its
        functions, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
        States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service,
        and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
        subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to
        classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no
        rate of pay fixed under this paragraph may exceed the
        equivalent of that payable for a position at level V of the
        Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States
        Code. Employees of NASA shall not be appointed to the staff of
        the Commission.
            (2) Personnel as federal employees.--
                    (A) In general.--The executive director and any
                personnel of the Commission shall be considered
                employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States
                Code, for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87,
                89, and 90 of that title.
                    (B) Members of commission.--Subparagraph (A) does
                not apply to members of the Commission.
    (b) Detailees.--Any Federal Government employee, except for an
employee of NASA, may be detailed to the Commission without
reimbursement from the Commission, and such detailee shall retain the
rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular employment without
interruption.
    (c) Consultant Services.--The Commission may procure the services
of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5,
United States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a
person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code. Any consultant or expert
whose services are procured under this subsection shall disclose any
contract or association it has with NASA or any NASA contractor.

SEC. 9. COMPENSATION AND TRAVEL EXPENSES.

    (a) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission may be compensated
at not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
in effect for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day during which
that member is engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the
Commission.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--While away from their homes or regular places
of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members
of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed
intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under
section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 10. SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS AND STAFF.

    The appropriate Federal agencies or departments shall cooperate
with the Commission in expeditiously providing to the Commission
members and staff appropriate security clearances to the extent
possible pursuant to existing procedures and requirements. No person
shall be provided with access to classified information under this Act
without the appropriate security clearances.

SEC. 11. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND TERMINATION.

    (a) Interim Reports.--The Commission may submit to the President
and Congress interim reports containing such findings, conclusions, and
recommendations for corrective actions as have been agreed to by a
majority of Commission members.
    (b) Final Report.--The Commission shall submit to the President and
Congress, and make concurrently available to the public, a final report
containing such findings, conclusions, and recommendations for
corrective actions as have been agreed to by a majority of Commission
members. Such report shall include any minority views or opinions not
reflected in the majority report.
    (c) Termination.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission, and all the authorities of
        this Act with respect to the Commission, shall terminate 60
        days after the date on which the final report is submitted
        under subsection (b).
            (2) Administrative activities before termination.--The
        Commission may use the 60-day period referred to in paragraph
        (1) for the purpose of concluding its activities, including
        providing testimony to committees of Congress concerning its
        reports and disseminating the final report.
    (d) National Academy of Sciences Review.--The NASA Administrator
shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences
for a review of compliance with the recommendations of the Commission.
The National Academy of Sciences may consult with former members of the
Commission as appropriate. The NASA Administrator shall transmit a
report to the Congress containing the results of the review not later
than 18 months after the date the final report of the Commission is
submitted under section 11(b).

SEC. 12. FUNDING.

    Such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act are authorized to
be appropriated. Sums authorized by this Act shall remain available
until the termination of the Commission.

Summary: International Space Station Independent Safety Commission Act of 2004 - Directs the President to establish, an independent, non-partisan Commission within the executive branch to discover and assess any vulnerabilities of the International Space Station (ISS) that could lead to its destruction, compromise the health of its crew, or necessitate its premature abandonment. Provides for the Commission to consist of 15 members, including the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Prohibits: (1) any Commission member from having or having pending a contractual relationship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). And (2) the President from appointing any individual as a Commission member who has a current or former relationship with the Administrator of NASA that the President determines would constitute a conflict of interest. Instructs the Commission to undertake the following tasks: (1) catalog threats to and vulnerabilities of the ISS, including sabotage or terrorist attack, (2) make recommendations for corrective actions. And (3) provide any additional findings or recommendations considered by the Commission to be important, whether or not they are related to ISS safety. Sets forth the powers and other authorities of the Commission. Directs the NASA Engineering and Safety Center to provide data and technical support as requested by the Commission. Requires the appropriate Federal agencies or departments to cooperate with the Commission in expeditiously providing appropriate security clearances to the Commission members and staff. Prohibits any person from being provided access to classified information under this Act without the appropriate security clearances. Allows the Commission to submit interim reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for corrective actions to the President and Congress. Terminates the Commission and all the authorities of this Act with respect to the Commission after the Commission's final report containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for such actions is submitted to the President and Congress and made available to the public. Directs the NASA Administrator to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a review of compliance with the Commission's recommendations and to transmit a report to Congress containing the results of such review.

To provide for the establishment of an independent, Presidentially-appointed Commission to assess the safety of the International Space Station and its crew.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Higher Education Family Opportunity
Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEDUCTION FOR POSTSECONDARY TUITION AND RELATED EXPENSES IN
              LIEU OF HOPE AND LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized
deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 222 as
section 223 and by inserting after section 221 the following new
section:

``SEC. 222. DEDUCTION FOR POSTSECONDARY TUITION AND RELATED EXPENSES IN
              LIEU OF HOPE AND LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Deduction.--In the case of an individual, there
shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to
the qualified tuition and related expenses paid or incurred by such
individual.
    ``(b) Limitation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The amount allowable as a deduction
        under subsection (a) for a taxable year shall not exceed the
        deductible limit for each eligible student.
            ``(2) Deductible limit.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
        deductible limit for a taxable year shall be determined in
        accordance with the following table:

``Taxable years beginning
  in calendar year:                                   Deductible limit:
        1999................................................... $5,000
        2000................................................... $5,500
        2001................................................... $6,000
        2002................................................... $6,500
        2003................................................... $7,000
        2004................................................... $7,500
        2005................................................... $8,000
        2006................................................... $8,500
        2007................................................... $9,000
        2008................................................... $9,500
        2009 and thereafter....................................$10,000.
    ``(c) Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses; Eligible Student.--
The terms `qualified tuition and related expenses' and `eligible
student' shall have the same meanings given to such terms by section
25A.
    ``(d) Applicable Rules.--For purposes of this section, rules
similar to the rules of section 25A(g) shall apply.''.
    (b) Deduction Not a Miscellaneous Itemized Deduction.--Subsection
(b) of section 67 of such Code (relating to miscellaneous itemized
deductions) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(11), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (12) and inserting
``, and'', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(13) the deduction under section 222 (relating to
        deduction for postsecondary tuition and related expenses in
        lieu of Hope and Lifetime Learning credit).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Subparagraph (B) of section 72(t)(7) of such Code is
        amended by inserting ``or 222(e)(2), as the case may be'' after
        ``section 25A(g)(2)''.
            (2) Paragraph (2) of section 135(d) of such Code is amended
        by inserting ``or 222, as the case may be,'' after ``section
        25A''.
            (3) Paragraph (2) of section 221(e) of such Code is amended
        by striking ``and'' after subparagraph (A), by striking the
        period at the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, and'',
        and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(C) the amount allowed as a deduction under
                section 222.''.
            (4) Paragraph (2) of section 6213(g) of such Code is
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
                (J) (as added by section 201(b) of the Taxpayer Relief
                Act of 1997),
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (J) (as added by
                section 1085(a)(3) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997)
                as subparagraph (K) and by striking the period at the
                end of such subparagraph and inserting ``, and'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
                    ``(L) an omission of a correct TIN required under
                section 222(e)(1) (relating to higher education tuition
                and related expenses) to be included on a return.''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part VII of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last
item and inserting the following new items:

                              ``Sec. 222. Deduction for postsecondary
                                        tuition and related expenses in
                                        lieu of Hope and Lifetime
                                        Learning credit.
                              ``Sec. 223. Cross reference.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 1998, for
education furnished in academic periods beginning after such date.

Summary: Higher Education Family Opportunity Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses in lieu of the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits. Sets the deductible limit at $5,000 for 1999 and increases such limit by $500 annually until it reaches $10,000 for years 2009 and thereafter.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Drive America on Natural Gas Act of
2008''.

SEC. 2. RENEWABLE FUEL PROGRAM.

    (a) Definition of Renewable Fuel.--Effective January 1, 2009,
section 211(o)(1) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(1)) is
amended by striking subparagraph (J) and inserting the following:
                    ``(J) Renewable fuel.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `renewable
                        fuel' means fuel that--
                                    ``(I) is produced from renewable
                                biomass; and
                                    ``(II) is used to replace or reduce
                                the quantity of fossil fuel present in
                                a transportation fuel.
                            ``(ii) Renewable fuel standard.--For
                        purposes of the renewable fuel standard under
                        paragraph (2), the term `renewable fuel'
                        includes renewable and nonrenewable natural
                        gas, including compressed natural and liquefied
                        natural gas when used as transportation
                        fuel.''.
    (b) Credit Program.--Effective January 1, 2009, section
211(o)(5)(A) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(5)(A)) is
amended--
            (1) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) for the generation of an appropriate
                        quantity of credits for renewable and
                        nonrenewable natural gas, including compressed
                        natural and liquefied natural gas when used as
                        a transportation fuel.''.

SEC. 3. NEW QUALIFIED ALTERNATIVE FUEL MOTOR VEHICLE CREDIT ALLOWED FOR
              DUAL FUELED AUTOMOBILES.

    (a) In General.--Clause (i) of section 30B(e)(4)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to definition of new qualified
alternative fuel motor vehicle) is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) which--
                                    ``(I) is only capable of operating
                                on an alternative fuel, or
                                    ``(II) is capable of operating on
                                an alternative fuel and gasoline or
                                diesel fuel,''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 30B(e) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by striking paragraph (5).
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 4. NATURAL GAS VEHICLE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION
              PROJECTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Natural gas.--The term ``natural gas'' means compressed
        natural gas, liquefied natural gas, biomethane, and mixtures of
        hydrogen and methane or natural gas.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Energy.
    (b) Program.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Administrator, shall conduct a program of natural gas vehicle research,
development, and demonstration.
    (c) Purpose.--The program under this section shall focus on--
            (1) the continued improvement and development of new,
        cleaner, more efficient light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty
        natural gas vehicle engines;
            (2) the integration of those engines into light-duty,
        medium-duty, and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles for onroad and
        offroad applications;
            (3) expanding product availability by assisting
        manufacturers with the certification of the engines or vehicles
        described in paragraph (1) or (2) to Federal or California
        certification requirements and in-use emission standards;
            (4) the demonstration and proper operation and use of the
        vehicles described in paragraph (2) under all operating
        conditions;
            (5) the development and improvement of nationally
        recognized codes and standards for the continued safe operation
        of natural gas vehicles and components;
            (6) improvement in the reliability and efficiency of
        natural gas fueling station infrastructure;
            (7) the certification of natural gas fueling station
        infrastructure to nationally recognized and industry safety
        standards;
            (8) the improvement in the reliability and efficiency of
        onboard natural gas fuel storage systems;
            (9) the development of new natural gas fuel storage
        materials;
            (10) the certification of onboard natural gas fuel storage
        systems to nationally recognized and industry safety standards;
        and
            (11) the use of natural gas engines in hybrid vehicles.
    (d) Certification of Conversion Systems.--The Secretary shall
coordinate with the Administrator on issues related to streamlining the
certification of natural gas conversion systems to the appropriate
Federal certification requirements and in-use emission standards.
    (e) Cooperation and Coordination With Industry.--In developing and
carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall
coordinate with the natural gas vehicle industry to ensure cooperation
between the public and the private sector.
    (f) Conduct of Program.--The program under this section shall be
conducted in accordance with sections 3001 and 3002 of the Energy
Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13541, 13542).
    (g) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
implementation of this section.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out
this section.

SEC. 5. DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-EMISSION NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION-FUELED
              VEHICLES.

    Part C of title II of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7581 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 251. DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-EMISSION NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION-
              FUELED VEHICLES.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Alternative fuel.--The term `alternative fuel' means
        compressed or liquid natural gas.
            ``(2) Alternative-fueled vehicle.--The term `alternative-
        fueled vehicle' means a vehicle that is manufactured or
        converted to operate using alternative fuel.
            ``(3) Bi-fueled vehicle.--The term `bi-fueled vehicle'
        means a vehicle that is capable of operating on gasoline or an
        alternative fuel, but not both at the same time.
            ``(4) Convert.--The term `convert', with respect to a
        vehicle, means to modify the engine and other applicable
        components of the vehicle to enable the vehicle to operate
        using an alternative fuel (including compressed natural gas).
            ``(5) OBD system.--The term `OBD system' means an on-board,
        computer-based diagnostic system built into certain vehicles to
        monitor the performance of certain primary engine components of
        the vehicle (including components responsible for controlling
        emissions).
            ``(6) Program.--The term `program' means the alternative-
        fueled vehicle development demonstration program established
        under subsection (b).
            ``(7) Small volume manufacturer.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `small volume
                manufacturer' means a manufacturer of vehicles
                described in section 86.001-1(e) of title 40, Code of
                Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) that is
                approved and certified in accordance with part 86 of
                subchapter C of chapter I of title 40, Code of Federal
                Regulations (or successor regulations).
                    ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `small volume
                manufacturer' includes a manufacturer of kits or
                equipment used to convert vehicles.
    ``(b) Program.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--For the period of fiscal years 2009
        through 2013, the Administrator shall establish and carry out a
        demonstration program to assist States in facilitating the
        development of alternative-fueled vehicles.
            ``(2) Application.--A State may participate in the program
        by submitting to the Administrator an application at such time,
        in such form, and containing such information as the
        Administrator shall specify.
            ``(3) Benefits available to participating small volume
        manufacturers.--Under the program, with respect to small volume
        manufacturers located in States participating in the program,
        the Administrator shall, by regulation--
                    ``(A) waive all fees applicable to small volume
                manufacturers for the certification and conversion of
                alternative-fueled vehicles;
                    ``(B) waive requirements for recertification of
                kits for the conversion of vehicles in any case in
                which, as determined by the Administrator--
                            ``(i) the kit has been previously certified
                        for the model of vehicle to be converted; and
                            ``(ii) neither the kit nor the design and
                        specifications of the model of vehicle to be
                        converted have substantially changed;
                    ``(C) modify such regulatory requirements relating
                to OBD systems as the Administrator determines to be
                appropriate to provide flexibility to small volume
                manufacturers in reprogramming OBD systems to be
                compatible with the use of alternative fuel;
                    ``(D) permit small volume manufacturers to include
                more vehicles and engines in a single engine category
                to improve the cost-efficiency of emission testing of
                converted vehicles;
                    ``(E) waive the liability of small volume
                manufacturers, in the case of a bi-fueled vehicle
                capable of operating on gasoline or compressed natural
                gas, for the compliance of the gasoline system of the
                bi-fueled vehicle with applicable emission
                requirements;
                    ``(F) provide additional guidance to small volume
                manufacturers with respect to the conversion of older
                models of vehicles; and
                    ``(G) revise and streamline certification
                requirements applicable to small volume manufacturers.
            ``(4) State responsibility.--As a condition of
        participating in the program, during the period of fiscal years
        2009 through 2013, a State shall--
                    ``(A) develop regulations for (as compared to
                Federal requirements in effect as of the date of
                enactment of this section) an equally effective but
                less burdensome system of certifying and verifying
                emissions of alternative-fueled vehicles and equipment
                used for conversions; and
                    ``(B) not later than December 31, 2012, submit the
                proposed regulations of the State to the Administrator
                for review.
    ``(c) State Programs.--Upon receipt of proposed regulations of a
State under subsection (b)(4), the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) review the regulations; and
            ``(2) if the Administrator determines that the
        implementation of the regulations would result in (as compared
        to Federal requirements in effect as of the date of enactment
        of this section) an equally effective but less burdensome
        system of certifying and verifying emissions of alternative-
        fueled vehicles and equipment used for conversions, authorize
        the State to implement the regulations with respect to small
        volume manufacturers in the State for the period of fiscal
        years 2014 through 2018, subject to--
                    ``(A) the submission of annual reports to the
                Administrator; and
                    ``(B) such periodic inspection and other oversight
                requirements as the Administrator determines to be
                appropriate.
    ``(d) Duration of Program.--The program and all authority under the
program (other than the authority of the Administrator described in
subsection (c)) shall terminate on December 31, 2013, unless the
Administrator--
            ``(1) in consultation with the States, elects to continue
        the program; and
            ``(2) promulgates such regulations as are necessary to
        continue the program.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 6. NATURAL GAS CONVERSION EMISSION CERTIFICATIONS.

    Part C of title II of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7581 et seq.)
(as amended by section 5) is amended by adding at the end the
following:

``SEC. 252. NATURAL GAS CONVERSION EMISSION CERTIFICATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall waive requirements for
recertification of kits for the conversion of vehicles into vehicles
that are powered by natural gas in any case in which, as determined by
the Administrator--
            ``(1) the kit has been previously certified for the model
        of vehicle to be converted; and
            ``(2) neither the kit nor the design and specifications of
        the model of vehicle to be converted have substantially
        changed.
    ``(b) Older Vehicles.--The Administrator shall waive emission
certification system requirements for a vehicle that is over 10 years
old or has over 120,000 miles that is powered by natural gas.''.

Summary: Drive America on Natural Gas Act of 2008 - Amends the Clean Air Act to: (1) redefine renewable fuel to include renewable and nonrenewable natural gas (NG), including compressed natural (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). And (2) require fuel credit program regulations to provide for generation of credits for renewable and nonrenewable natural gas. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a new qualified alternative fuel motor vehicle credit for dual fueled automobiles. Directs the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to conduct a program of natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration, with a particular emphasis on streamlining the certification of NG conversion systems. Directs the EPA Administrator to: (1) establish a demonstration program to assist states in facilitating the development of alternative-fueled vehicles. And (2) waive requirements for recertification of certain kits for the conversion of vehicles to NG.

A bill to improve air quality by expanding the use of low-emission natural gas as a transportation fuel.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Corporate Governance
Through Diversity Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. SUBMISSION OF DATA RELATING TO DIVERSITY BY CERTAIN
              CONTRACTORS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 47 of subtitle I of title 41, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 4713. Submission of data relating to diversity by certain
              contractors.
    ``(a) Submission of Data.--In the case of the award of a contract
in an amount of $5,000,000 or more to a covered contractor, the head of
an executive agency shall require the contractor to submit, not later
than 60 days after the award of the contract, the following:
            ``(1) Data on the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of
        the board of directors and the C-level executives of the
        covered contractor.
            ``(2) Data on the affiliation of any member of the board of
        directors or any C-level executive to a historically
        underrepresented group, including veterans of the Armed Forces
        and individuals with disabilities.
            ``(3) Any plan or strategy that exists on the date of the
        submission of data under this subsection to improve the
        diversity of the board of directors or the C-level executives
        of the covered contractor.
    ``(b) Reports.--
            ``(1) Quarterly report to general services
        administration.--After the end of a calendar quarter, each
        executive agency shall submit to the Administrator of General
        Services a report that includes the data submitted by
        contractors under subsection (a) during the quarter covered.
            ``(2) Annual report to congress and offices of minority and
        women inclusion.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than February 14 of
                each calendar year, the Administrator of General
                Services shall submit to Congress and each Office of
                Minority and Women Inclusion established under section
                342 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
                Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5452) an annual report that--
                            ``(i) includes the data submitted to the
                        Administrator under paragraph (1) during the
                        preceding calendar year and the data submitted
                        under section 13(s) of the Securities Exchange
                        Act of 1934;
                            ``(ii) uses the data described in clause
                        (i), as well as information from other reliable
                        sources, to analyze the diversity of the board
                        of directors and the C-level executives of each
                        entity submitting data in comparison to the
                        industry peers of such entity, including any
                        trends and progress related to such diversity;
                        and
                            ``(iii) based on the analysis conducted
                        under clause (ii), lists each entity submitting
                        data that is significantly lagging behind the
                        industry peers of such entity with respect to
                        the diversity of the board of directors and the
                        C-level executives.
                    ``(B) Public availability.--The Administrator of
                General Services shall make publicly available each
                annual report submitted under subparagraph (A).
    ``(c) Public Comment.--After the end of the four-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, and every four
years thereafter, the Administrator of General Services shall review
the implementation of the requirements of this section and provide an
opportunity for public comment on such review.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Covered contractor.--The term `covered contractor'
        means a for-profit business with annual gross receipts in
        excess of $1,000,000,000 during the year preceding the
        submission of a bid or proposal for a contract described in
        subsection (a).
            ``(2) C-level executive.--The term `C-level executive'
        means the most senior executive officer, information officer,
        technology officer, financial officer, compliance officer, or
        security officer of a covered contractor.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 47 of such title is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 4712 the following new item:

``4713. Submission of data relating to diversity by certain
                            contractors.''.

SEC. 3. SUBMISSION OF DATA RELATING TO DIVERSITY BY ISSUERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(15 U.S.C. 78m) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(s) Submission of Data Relating to Diversity.--
            ``(1) Submission of data.--Each issuer required to file an
        annual report under subsection (a) shall disclose in that
        report, the following:
                    ``(A) Data on the racial, ethnic, and gender
                composition of the board of directors and the C-level
                executives of the issuer.
                    ``(B) Data on the affiliation of any member of the
                board of directors or any C-level executive of the
                issuer to a historically underrepresented group,
                including veterans of the Armed Forces and individuals
                with disabilities.
                    ``(C) Any plan or strategy that exists on the date
                of the submission of data under this paragraph to
                improve the diversity of the board of directors or the
                C-level executives of the issuer.
            ``(2) C-level executive defined.--In this subsection, the
        term `C-level executive' means the most senior executive
        officer, information officer, technology officer, financial
        officer, compliance officer, or security officer of an
        issuer.''.
    (b) Corporate Governance Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Securities and Exchange
Commission shall revise paragraph (v) of section 229.407(c)(2) of title
17, Code of Federal Regulations, to require that when the description
described in such paragraph is presented in a proxy or information
statement relating to the election of directors, the qualities and
skills described in such paragraph, along with the nominee's gender,
race, ethnicity, and affiliation with a historically underrepresented
group should be presented in a chart or matrix form.

Summary: Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2017 This bill directs executive agencies to require any covered contractor awarded a contract of $5 million or more to submit, within 60 days: data on the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of such contractor's board of directors and senior executives. Data on the affiliation of any such board member or executive to a historically underrepresented group, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. And any plan or strategy to improve the diversity of such board members or executives. Each agency shall submit quarterly reports on such data to the General Services Administration, which shall report to Congress annually on the diversity of such contractor boards and executives. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is amended to require each issuer of a registered security to disclose such data, plan, and strategy in its required annual report. The Securities and Exchange Commission must revise corporate governance regulations to require that when the description is presented in a proxy or information statement relating to the election of directors, the nominee's qualities and skills, along with the nominee's gender, race, ethnicity, and affiliation with a historically underrepresented group, are presented in a chart or matrix form.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Griffith Project Prepayment and
Conveyance Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
        (1) The term ``Authority'' means the Southern Nevada Water
    Authority, organized under the laws of the State of Nevada.
        (2) The term ``Griffith Project'' means the Robert B. Griffith
    Water Project, authorized by and constructed pursuant to the
    Southern Nevada Water Project Act, Public Law 89-292, as amended
    (commonly known as the ``Southern Nevada Water Project Act'') (79
    Stat. 1068), including pipelines, conduits, pumping plants, intake
    facilities, aqueducts, laterals, water storage and regulatory
    facilities, electric substations, and related works and
    improvements listed pursuant to ``Robert B. Griffith Water Project
    (Formerly Southern Nevada Water Project), Nevada: Southern Clark
    County, Lower Colorado Region Bureau of Reclamation'', on file at
    the Bureau of Reclamation and all interests in land acquired under
    Public Law 89-292, as amended.
        (3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
        (4) The term ``Acquired Land(s)'' means all interests in land,
    including fee title, right(s)-of-way, and easement(s), acquired by
    the United States from non-Federal sources by purchase, donation,
    exchange, or condemnation pursuant to Public Law 89-292, as amended
    for the Griffith Project.
        (5) The term ``Public Land'' means lands which have never left
    Federal ownership and are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of
    Land Management.
        (6) The term ``Withdrawn Land'' means Federal lands which are
    withdrawn from settlement, sale, location of minerals, or entry
    under some or all of the general land laws and are reserved for a
    particular public purpose pursuant to Public Law 89-292, as
    amended, under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation, or
    are reserved pursuant to Public Law 88-639 under the jurisdiction
    of the National Park Service.

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF GRIFFITH PROJECT.

    (a) In General.--In consideration of the Authority assuming from
the United States all liability for administration, operation,
maintenance, and replacement of the Griffith Project and subject to the
prepayment by the Authority of the Federal repayment amount of
$121,204,348 (which amount shall be increased to reflect any accrued
unpaid interest and shall be decreased by the amount of any additional
principal payments made by the Authority after September 15, 1999,
prior to the date on which prepayment occurs), the Secretary shall,
pursuant to the provisions of this Act--
        (1) convey and assign to the Authority all of the right, title,
    and interest of the United States in and to improvements and
    facilities of the Griffith Project in existence as of the date of
    this Act;
        (2) convey and assign to the Authority all of the right, title,
    and interest of the United States to Acquired Lands that were
    acquired for the Griffith Project; and
        (3) convey and assign to the Authority all interests reserved
    and developed as of the date of this Act for the Griffith Project
    in lands patented by the United States.
    (b) Pursuant to the authority of this section, from the effective
date of conveyance of the Griffith Project, the Authority shall have a
right-of-way at no cost across all Public Land and Withdrawn Land--
        (1) on which the Griffith Project is situated; and
        (2) across any Federal lands as reasonably necessary for the
    operation, maintenance, replacement, and repair of the Griffith
    Project, including existing access routes.
Rights-of-way established by this section shall be valid for as long as
they are needed for municipal water supply purposes and shall not
require payment of rental or other fee.
    (c) Within twelve months after the effective date of this Act--
        (1) the Secretary and the Authority shall agree upon a
    description of the land subject to the rights-of-way established by
    subsection (b) of this section; and
        (2) the Secretary shall deliver to the Authority a document
    memorializing such rights-of-way.
    (d) Report.--If the conveyance under subsection (a) has not
occurred within twelve months after the effective date of this Act, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the
conveyance.

SEC. 4. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING CONTRACTS.

    The Secretary and the Authority may modify Contract No. 7-07-30-
W0004 and other contracts and land permits as necessary to conform to
the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS AND FUTURE BENEFITS.

    (a) If the Authority changes the use or operation of the Griffith
Project, the Authority shall comply with all applicable laws and
regulations governing the changes at that time.
    (b) On conveyance of the Griffith Project under section 3 of this
Act, the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391 et seq.), and all Acts
amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto shall not apply to the
Griffith Project. Effective upon transfer, the lands and facilities
transferred pursuant to this Act shall not be entitled to receive any
further Reclamation benefits pursuant to the Act of June 17, 1902, and
all Acts amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto attributable to
their status as a Federal Reclamation Project, and the Griffith Project
shall no longer be a Federal Reclamation Project.
    (c) Nothing in this Act shall transfer or affect Federal ownership,
rights, or interests in Lake Mead National Recreation Area associated
lands, nor affect the authorities of the National Park Service to
manage Lake Mead National Recreation Area including lands on which the
Griffith Project is located consistent with the Act of August 25, 1916
(39 Stat. 535), Public Law 88-639, October 8, 1964 (78 Stat. 1039), or
any other applicable legislation, regulation, or policy.
    (d) Nothing in this Act shall affect the application of Federal
reclamation law to water delivered to the Authority pursuant to any
contract with the Secretary under section 5 of the Boulder Canyon
Project Act.
    (e) Effective upon conveyance of the Griffith Project and acquired
interests in land under section 3 of this Act, the United States shall
not be liable for damages of any kind arising out of any act, omission,
or occurrence based on its prior ownership of the conveyed property.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Summary: Grants to the Authority at no cost a right-of-way across all public land and withdrawn land on which the Project is situated and across any Federal lands as reasonably necessary for the operation, maintenance, replacement, and repair of the Project, including existing access routes. Provides that such rights-of-way shall be valid for as long as they are needed for municipal water supply purposes and shall not require payment of rental or other fee. Requires the Secretary, if such conveyance has not occurred within 12 months after the effective date of this Act, to report on its status to Congress.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Highway Runoff Management Act''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY RUNOFF MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 23, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 330. Federal-aid highway runoff management program
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
            ``(1) Covered project.--The term `covered project' means a
        reconstruction, rehabilitation, reconfiguration, renovation,
        major resurfacing, or new construction project on a Federal-aid
        highway carried out under this title that results in--
                    ``(A) a 10-percent or greater increase in
                impervious surface of the aerial extent within the
                right-of-way of the project limit on a Federal-aid
                highway or associated facility; or
                    ``(B) an increase of 1 acre or more in impervious
                surface coverage.
            ``(2) Erosive force.--The term `erosive force' means the
        flowrate within a stream or channel in which channel bed or
        bank material becomes detached, which in most cases is less
        than or equal to the flowrate produced by the 2-year storm
        event.
            ``(3) Highway runoff.--The term `highway runoff ', with
        respect to a Federal-aid highway, associated facility, or
        management measure retrofit project, means a discharge of peak
        flow rate or volume of runoff that exceeds flows generated
        under preproject conditions.
            ``(4) Impacted hydrology.--The term `impacted hydrology'
        means stormwater runoff generated from all areas within the
        site limits of a covered project.
            ``(5) Management measure.--The term `management measure'
        means a program, structural or nonstructural management
        practice, operational procedure, or policy on or off the
        project site that is intended to prevent, reduce, or control
        highway runoff.
    ``(b) State Highway Stormwater Management Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this section, each State shall--
                    ``(A) develop a process for analyzing the erosive
                force of highway runoff generated from covered
                projects; and
                    ``(B) apply management measures to maintain or
                restore impacted hydrology associated with highway
                runoff from covered projects.
            ``(2) Inclusions.--The management measures established
        under paragraph (1) may include, as the State determines to be
        appropriate, management measures that--
                    ``(A) minimize the erosive force of highway runoff
                from a covered project on a channel bed or bank of
                receiving water by managing highway runoff within the
                area of the covered project;
                    ``(B) manage impacted hydrology in such a manner
                that the highway runoff generated by a covered project
                is below the erosive force flow and volume;
                    ``(C) to the maximum extent practicable, seek to
                address the impact of the erosive force of hydrologic
                events that have the potential to create or exacerbate
                downstream channel erosion, including excess pier and
                abutment scour at bridges and channel downcutting and
                bank failure of streams adjacent to highway
                embankments;
                    ``(D) ensure that the highway runoff from the post-
                construction condition does not increase the risk of
                channel erosion relative to the preproject condition;
                and
                    ``(E) employ simplified approaches to determining
                the erosive force of highway runoff generated from
                covered projects, such as a regionalized analysis of
                streams within a State.
    ``(c) Guidance.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
        of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation
        with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall
        publish guidance to assist States in carrying out this section.
            ``(2) Contents of guidance.--The guidance shall include
        guidelines and technical assistance for the establishment of
        State management measures that will be used to assist in
        avoiding, minimizing, and managing highway runoff from covered
        projects, including guidelines to help States integrate the
        planning, selection, design, and long-term operation and
        maintenance of management measures consistent with the design
        standards in the overall project planning process.
            ``(3) Approval.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
        heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall--
                    ``(A) review the management measures program of
                each State; and
                    ``(B) approve such a program, if the program meets
                the requirements of subsection (b).
            ``(4) Updates.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
        publication of the guidance under this subsection, and not less
        frequently than once every 5 years thereafter--
                    ``(A) the Secretary, in consultation with the heads
                of other relevant Federal agencies, shall update the
                guidance, as applicable; and
                    ``(B) each State, as applicable, shall update the
                management measures program of the State in accordance
                with the updated guidance.
    ``(d) Reporting.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2)(A),
        each State shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that
        describes the activities carried out under the highway
        stormwater management program of the State, including a
        description of any reductions of stormwater runoff achieved as
        a result of covered projects carried out by the State after the
        date of enactment of this section.
            ``(2) Reporting requirements under permit.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State shall not be required to
                submit an annual report described in paragraph (1) if
                the State--
                            ``(i) is operating Federal-aid highways in
                        the State in a post-construction condition in
                        accordance with a permit issued under the
                        Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
                        1251 et seq.);
                            ``(ii) is subject to an annual reporting
                        requirement under such a permit (regardless of
                        whether the permitting authority is a Federal
                        or State agency); and
                            ``(iii) carries out a covered project with
                        respect to a Federal-aid highway in the State
                        described in clause (i).
                    ``(B) Transmission of report.--A Federal or State
                permitting authority that receives an annual report
                described in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall, on receipt of
                such a report, transmit a copy of the report to the
                Secretary.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 3 of title 23,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``330. Federal-aid highway runoff management program.''.

Summary: Highway Runoff Management Act - Requires each state to develop for approval a state highway stormwater management program consisting of management measures to prevent, reduce, or control highway runoff from federal-aid highway projects. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to publish guidance to assist states in the establishment of such measures.

Highway Runoff Management Act