SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Know Before You Owe Private
Education Loan Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE TRUTH IN LENDING ACT.

    (a) In General.--Section 128(e) of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1638(e)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Institutional certification required.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (B), before a creditor may issue any funds
                with respect to an extension of credit described in
                this subsection, the creditor shall obtain from the
                relevant institution of higher education where such
                loan is to be used for a student, such institution's
                certification of--
                            ``(i) the enrollment status of the student;
                            ``(ii) the student's cost of attendance at
                        the institution as determined by the
                        institution under part F of title IV of the
                        Higher Education Act of 1965; and
                            ``(iii) the difference between--
                                    ``(I) such cost of attendance; and
                                    ``(II) the student's estimated
                                financial assistance, including such
                                assistance received under title IV of
                                the Higher Education Act of 1965 and
                                other financial assistance known to the
                                institution, as applicable.
                    ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A),
                a creditor may issue funds with respect to an extension
                of credit described in this subsection without
                obtaining from the relevant institution of higher
                education such institution's certification if such
                institution fails to provide within 15 business days of
                the creditor's request for such certification--
                            ``(i) the requested certification; or
                            ``(ii) notification that the institution
                        has received the request for certification and
                        will need additional time to comply with the
                        certification request.
                    ``(C) Loans disbursed without certification.--If a
                creditor issues funds without obtaining a
                certification, as described in subparagraph (B), such
                creditor shall report the issuance of such funds in a
                manner determined by the Director of the Bureau of
                Consumer Financial Protection.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (9), (10), and (11) as
        paragraphs (10), (11), and (12), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) Provision of information.--
                    ``(A) Provision of information to students.--
                            ``(i) Loan statement.--A creditor that
                        issues any funds with respect to an extension
                        of credit described in this subsection shall
                        send loan statements, where such loan is to be
                        used for a student, to borrowers of such funds
                        not less than once every 3 months during the
                        time that such student is enrolled at an
                        institution of higher education.
                            ``(ii) Contents of loan statement.--Each
                        statement described in clause (i) shall--
                                    ``(I) report the borrower's total
                                remaining debt to the creditor,
                                including accrued but unpaid interest
                                and capitalized interest;
                                    ``(II) report any debt increases
                                since the last statement; and
                                    ``(III) list the current interest
                                rate for each loan.
                    ``(B) Notification of loans disbursed without
                certification.--On or before the date a creditor issues
                any funds with respect to an extension of credit
                described in this subsection, the creditor shall notify
                the relevant institution of higher education, in
                writing, of the amount of the extension of credit and
                the student on whose behalf credit is extended. The
                form of such written notification shall be subject to
                the regulations of the Bureau.
                    ``(C) Annual report.--A creditor that issues funds
                with respect to an extension of credit described in
                this subsection shall prepare and submit an annual
                report to the Bureau containing the required
                information about private student loans to be
                determined by the Bureau, in consultation with the
                Secretary of Education.''.
    (b) Definition of Private Education Loan.--Section 140(a)(7)(A) of
the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)(7)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii);
            (2) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
        and
            (3) by adding after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) is not made, insured, or guaranteed
                        under title VII or title VIII of the Public
                        Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 292 et seq. and
                        296 et seq.); and''.
    (c) Regulations.--Not later than 365 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
shall issue regulations in final form to implement paragraphs (3) and
(9) of section 128(e) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(e)),
as amended by subsection (a). Such regulations shall become effective
not later than 6 months after their date of issuance.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965.

    (a) Amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965.--Section 487(a)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by
striking paragraph (28) and inserting the following:
            ``(28)(A) The institution shall--
                    ``(i) upon the request of a private educational
                lender, acting in connection with an application
                initiated by a borrower for a private education loan in
                accordance with section 128(e)(3) of the Truth in
                Lending Act, provide certification to such private
                educational lender--
                            ``(I) that the student who initiated the
                        application for the private education loan, or
                        on whose behalf the application was initiated,
                        is enrolled or is scheduled to enroll at the
                        institution;
                            ``(II) of such student's cost of attendance
                        at the institution as determined under part F
                        of this title; and
                            ``(III) of the difference between--
                                    ``(aa) the cost of attendance at
                                the institution; and
                                    ``(bb) the student's estimated
                                financial assistance received under
                                this title and other assistance known
                                to the institution, as applicable; and
                    ``(ii) provide the certification described in
                clause (i), or notify the creditor that the institution
                has received the request for certification and will
                need additional time to comply with the certification
                request--
                            ``(I) within 15 business days of receipt of
                        such certification request; and
                            ``(II) only after the institution has
                        completed the activities described in
                        subparagraph (B).
            ``(B) The institution shall, upon receipt of a
        certification request described in subparagraph (A)(i), and
        prior to providing such certification--
                    ``(i) determine whether the student who initiated
                the application for the private education loan, or on
                whose behalf the application was initiated, has applied
                for and exhausted the Federal financial assistance
                available to such student under this title and inform
                the student accordingly; and
                    ``(ii) provide the borrower whose loan application
                has prompted the certification request by a private
                education lender, as described in subparagraph (A)(i),
                with the following information and disclosures:
                            ``(I) The amount of additional Federal
                        student assistance for which the borrower is
                        eligible and the potential advantages of
                        Federal loans under this title, including
                        disclosure of the fixed interest rates,
                        deferments, flexible repayment options, loan
                        forgiveness programs, and additional
                        protections, and the higher student loan limits
                        for dependent students whose parents are not
                        eligible for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
                            ``(II) The borrower's ability to select a
                        private educational lender of the borrower's
                        choice.
                            ``(III) The impact of a proposed private
                        education loan on the borrower's potential
                        eligibility for other financial assistance,
                        including Federal financial assistance under
                        this title.
                            ``(IV) The borrower's right to accept or
                        reject a private education loan within the 30-
                        day period following a private educational
                        lender's approval of a borrower's application
                        and about a borrower's 3-day right to cancel
                        period.
            ``(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the terms `private
        educational lender' and `private education loan' have the
        meanings given such terms in section 140 of the Truth in
        Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the effective date of the regulations described in
section 2(c).

SEC. 4. REPORT.

    Not later than 24 months after the issuance of regulations under
section 2(c), the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection and the Secretary of Education shall jointly submit to
Congress a report on the compliance of institutions of higher education
and private educational lenders with section 128(e)(3) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(e)), as amended by section 2, and section
487(a)(28) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)), as
amended by section 3. Such report shall include information about the
degree to which specific institutions utilize certifications in
effectively encouraging the exhaustion of Federal student loan
eligibility and lowering student private education loan debt.

Summary: Know Before You Owe Private Student Loan Act of 2016 This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to revise requirements for disclosures in private education loan applications. Before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (IHE), lenders must obtain the IHE's certification of the student's enrollment status, the student's cost of attendance, and the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance. Lenders must: (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE, (2) notify the relevant IHE of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued, and (3) submit an annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans. This bill amends title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by requiring IHEs, before providing lenders with certifications, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for title IV assistance and notify borrowers of: (1) the availability of federal financial aid assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation.


SECTION 1. TIMELY PAYMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IF STATUTORY DEBT
              LIMIT IS REACHED.

    (a) In General.--Section 1145 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1320b-15) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
        (c) and (d), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
        subsection:
    ``(b) Timely Payment of Benefits if Statutory Debt Limit Is
Reached.--
            ``(1) Disinvestment of fund to make current benefit
        payments.--For the purpose of making payment of cash benefits
        or administrative expenses during any debt limit default
        period, public debt obligations held by the applicable Federal
        fund shall be sold or redeemed in an amount not to exceed the
        sum of--
                    ``(A) the face amount of obligations held by such
                fund which mature during such month; plus
                    ``(B) the amount necessary only for the purpose of
                making payment of such benefits or administrative
                expenses and only to the extent cash assets of the
                applicable Federal fund are not available during such
                period for making payment of such benefits or
                administrative expenses.
            ``(2) Issuance of corresponding debt.--For purposes of
        undertaking the sale or redemption of public debt obligations
        held by the applicable Federal fund pursuant to paragraph (1),
        the Secretary of the Treasury shall issue corresponding public
        debt obligations to the public in order to obtain the amounts
        necessary for payment of benefits or administrative expenses
        from the applicable Federal fund, notwithstanding the public
        debt limit.
            ``(3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    ``(A) Debt limit default period.--The term `debt
                limit default period' means a period for which cash
                benefits or administrative expenses would not otherwise
                be payable from the applicable Federal fund by reason
                of an inability to issue further public debt
                obligations because of the public debt limit.
                    ``(B) Applicable federal fund.--The term
                `applicable Federal fund' means a Federal fund
                specified in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (d).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 1145 of the Social Security Act, as amended by
        subsection (a), is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection
                (e), and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (c) the following
                new subsection:
    ``(d) Public Debt Limit.--For purposes of this section, the term
`public debt limit' means the limitation established under section 3101
of title 31, United States Code, as increased under section 3101A of
such title.''.
            (2) Section 1145(c) of the Social Security Act, as amended
        by subsection (a), is amended by striking ``established under
        section 3101 of title 31, United States Code''.

SEC. 2. PRIORITIZATION OF PAYMENTS IN EVENT THAT STATUTORY DEBT LIMIT
              IS REACHED.

    Section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) In the event that the Secretary of the Treasury is not able
to issue obligations to make all payments authorized by law due to the
limitation under subsection (b) (as increased under section 3101A), the
Secretary shall give equal priority to the following: payments of
principal and interest on public debt; payments of amounts that the
Secretary of Defense (and the Secretary of Homeland Security in the
case of the Coast Guard) determines to be necessary to continue pay and
allowances (without interruption) to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine
Corps, and Coast Guard, including reserve components thereof, who
perform active service; payments determined by the President (and
reported to the Congress) to be necessary to continue United States
priorities of its vital national security interests; and payments for
items and services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act
(relating to Medicare).''.

SEC. 3. CONTINUANCE OF MILITARY PAY AND ALLOWANCES DURING PERIODS OF
              LAPSED APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Continuance of Pay.--Chapter 19 of title 37, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 1015. CONTINUANCE OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES DURING PERIODS OF LAPSED
              APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `military personnel accounts' means the
        military personnel, reserve personnel, and National Guard
        personnel accounts of the Department of Defense, generally
        title I of an annual Department of Defense appropriations Act,
        and the corresponding accounts for the Department of Homeland
        Security used to provide pay and allowances for members of the
        Coast Guard.
            ``(2) The term `pay and allowances' means basic pay,
        bonuses and special pay, allowances and any other forms of
        compensation available for members of the armed forces under
        this title or otherwise paid from the military personnel
        accounts.
            ``(3) The term `period of lapsed appropriations', when used
        with respect to members of the armed forces, means any period
        during which appropriations are not available due to the
        absence of the timely enactment of any Act or joint resolution
        (including any Act or joint resolution making continuing
        appropriations) appropriating funds for the payment of the pay
        and allowances of members of the armed forces.
    ``(b) Appropriation of Funds To Continue Payment of Pay and
Allowances.--For any period of lapsed appropriations, there are
appropriated, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, to the Secretary of Defense (and the Secretary of
Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) to allow the
Secretary of Defense (and the Secretary of Homeland Security in the
case of the Coast Guard) to continue to provide pay and allowances
(without interruption) to members of the United States armed forces.
    ``(c) Limitation on Amounts Paid.--This section only authorizes the
expenditure of funds during a period of lapsed appropriations for the
pay and allowances of a member of the armed forces at a rate that is
equal to the rate in effect for that member immediately before the
start of the period of lapsed appropriations. The rate for a member may
neither exceed the rate in effect immediately before the start of the
period of lapsed appropriations nor be less than that rate, unless
reduced by disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military
Justice.
    ``(d) Relation to Other Pay Authorities.--This section shall not be
construed to affect the entitlement of a member of the armed forces to
an amount of pay and allowances that exceeds the amount of pay and
allowances authorized to be paid under this section and to which the
member becomes entitled under other applicable provisions of law.
    ``(e) Effect of End of Period of Lapsed Appropriations.--
Expenditures made for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be
charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization
whenever the regular appropriation bill (or other bill or joint
resolution making continuing appropriations through the end of the
fiscal year) becomes law.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``1015. Continuance of pay and allowances during periods of lapsed
                            appropriations.''.

Summary: Amends title XI of the Social Security Act with respect to the payment of cash benefits or administrative expenses from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund during any debt limit default period. Requires that during a debt limit default period public debt obligations held by the applicable federal fund be sold or redeemed in an amount not to exceed the sum of: (1) the face amount of obligations held by the fund which mature during the month in question. Plus (2) the amount necessary only to pay such benefits or administrative expenses, and only to the extent cash assets of the fund are not available during that period to make such payments. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in order to undertake the sale or redemption of public debt obligations held by the applicable federal fund, to issue corresponding public debt obligations to the public in order to obtain the amounts necessary to make such payments, notwithstanding the public debt limit. Declares that, in the event that the Secretary is not able to issue obligations to make all authorized payments because the public debt limit has been reached, the Secretary shall give equal priority to the following: (1) payments of principal and interest on public debt. (2) payments of amounts that the Secretary of Defense (DOD) determines to be necessary to continue pay and allowances to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including their reserve components, who perform active service. (3) payments determined by the President to be necessary to continue US priorities of its vital national security interests. And (4) payments for items and services under SSA title XVIII (Medicare). Makes appropriations, for any period of lapsed appropriations, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the Secretary of Defense to continue to provide pay and allowances to members of the US armed forces.

To direct the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure that social security benefits are paid, to prioritize payments when the United States is not able to issue new obligations due to the statutory debt limit, and to address a lapse in appropriations to fund the Armed Forces.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Education Technology Corps
Act'' or as the ``NET Corps Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Elementary and secondary school students who receive
        regular access in school to Internet-accessible computers enjoy
        higher quality educational opportunities and are better
        prepared to succeed in college or the workplace.
            (2) Local educational agencies have made extraordinary
        gains in the acquisition of computers and other information
        technology equipment for schools. The Department of Education
        reported in January 2001 that each school contains on average
        100 computers. In 1999, 63 percent of school rooms used for the
        instruction of students had access to the Internet.
            (3) However, local educational agencies are dedicating
        almost all of their information technology resources to
        equipment acquisition, while information technology training
        for teachers and other school staff receives little financial
        support. A CEO Forum on Education and Technology study
        indicated that, in the 1997-1998 school year, schools expended
        just five percent of their information technology budget on
        teacher training.
            (4) The Department of Education reported in 1999 that only
        33 percent of public school teachers with access to computers
        and the Internet indicated that they were ``well prepared'' to
        integrate the use of computers and the Internet into their
        instruction.
            (5) As new information technologies are introduced into
        classrooms, teachers will need regular access to professional
        technology training.
            (6) The Corporation for National and Community Service
        established by section 191 of the National and Community
        Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12651) has a proven record of
        mobilizing the most intelligent, qualified, and altruistic
        members of our communities for the purpose of meeting our
        Nation's most urgent needs.
            (7) The Volunteers in Service to America program, commonly
        known as VISTA, which is administered by the Corporation to
        efforts to eliminate and alleviate poverty and poverty-related
        problems in the United States, would provide a ready means to
        facilitate the expanded use of information technology in
        schools, libraries, and community centers, particularly in low-
        income areas, and to provide information technology training
        for teachers and administrators of school, library, and
        community center information technology networks.

SEC. 3. CREATION OF NATIONAL EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CORPS AS A PART OF
              VISTA.

    The Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 is amended by inserting
after section 109 (42 U.S.C. 4959) the following new section:

``SEC. 109A. NATIONAL EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CORPS.

    ``(a) Establishment.--As part of the Volunteers in Service to
America program established under this part, the Director shall
establish a National Education Technology Corps for the purpose of
developing, strengthening, supplementing, and expanding efforts of the
Federal Government, State and local governments, and public and
nonprofit organizations to mobilize local, State, Federal, and private
sector financial and volunteer resources--
            ``(1) to improve the ability of teachers, staff, students,
        and other persons to use information technology in schools,
        libraries, and community centers;
            ``(2) to provide information technology training for
        teachers so that teachers can incorporate the use of computers
        and other information technologies in classroom instruction;
        and
            ``(3) to provide technical support to administrators of
        school, library, and community center information technology
        networks.
    ``(b) Recruitment of Volunteers.--
            ``(1) Eligibility criteria.--In establishing the
        recruitment procedures under section 103(b) applicable to the
        selection and placement of volunteers for service in the
        National Education Technology Corps, the Director shall limit
        selection to individuals--
                    ``(A) who already have sufficient experience or
                expertise regarding information technology and its uses
                to permit their prompt participation in the types of
                activities described in subsection (a); or
                    ``(B) who, with minimal additional training (as
                determined by the Director), would be ready to
                participate in such activities.
            ``(2) Relationship to americorps.--A participant in a
        national service program assisted under subtitle C of title I
        of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
        12571 et seq.), commonly known as the Americorps program, may
        be selected to also serve in the National Education Technology
Corps if the participant meets the eligibility criteria in paragraph
(2).
    ``(c) Placement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall assign volunteers
        selected for the National Education Technology Corps to
        projects and programs that utilize volunteers to perform the
        types of activities described in subsection (a). Such programs
        and projects may be administered by public or private nonprofit
        agencies and organizations, community-based nonprofit
        organizations, local and State education agencies, local and
        State agencies administering information technology programs,
        educational institutions, libraries, and local, municipal, and
        State governmental entities.
            ``(2) Technology plan.--A volunteer serving in the National
        Education Technology Corps may not be assigned to a school to
        perform services described in subsection (a) unless the school,
        or a local educational agency on behalf of the school, submits
        to the Director a technology plan that--
                    ``(A) outlines the goals for the school's education
                technology; and
                    ``(B) complies with such guidelines as the Director
                may establish.
            ``(3) Placement priority.--In the assignment of volunteers
        under this section, the Director shall give priority
        consideration to programs and projects to assist schools that--
                    ``(A) are located in urban or rural areas with the
                highest concentrations of illiteracy and of low income
                individuals and families; or
                    ``(B) have been unable to secure assistance for
                information technology improvements and training from
                other sources.
    ``(d) Partnerships With Qualified Nonprofit Organizations.--The
Director is authorized and encouraged to enter into partnerships with
qualified nonprofit organizations that undertake the types of services
described in subsection (a) for schools, libraries, and community
centers to support and expand the efforts of these organizations.
    ``(e) Coordination With Department of Education.--The Director
shall coordinate with the Secretary of Education in the training of
volunteers for the National Education Technology Corps to ensure that
the activities undertaken by the volunteers under this section is
consistent with the educational needs of schools.
    ``(f) Agreements with Private Sector.--The Director may enter into
an agreement with a private sector business under which an employee of
the business who has experience or expertise regarding information
technology and its uses will assist, without financial remuneration
from the Director, on a full-time or part-time basis--
            ``(1) the National Education Technology Corps and programs
        and projects that receive volunteers to undertake the types of
        activities described in subsection (a); and
            ``(2) the Director in the training of National Education
        Technology Corps volunteers.
    ``(g) Effect of Funding Reduction.--In any fiscal year in which the
services provided under this part are reduced, the services provided
under this section shall be proportionately reduced.''.

SEC. 4. INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO NATIONAL EDUCATION
              TECHNOLOGY CORPS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related
credits) is amended by inserting after section 45D the following new
section:

``SEC. 45E. NATIONAL EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CORPS ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, the National
Education Technology Corps assistance credit determined under this
section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 20 percent of the
sum of --
            ``(1) the wages paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the
        taxable year for qualified employee services, and
            ``(2) the amount allowed as a deduction under section 170
        for the taxable year for qualified contributions.
    ``(b) Maximum Credit.--
            ``(1) National limitation.--The amount of credit determined
        under this section for all taxable years beginning in a
        calendar year shall not exceed $75,000,000.
            ``(2) Taxpayer limitation.--The amount of credit determined
        under this section for a taxpayer for a taxable year shall not
        exceed the portion of the national limitation under paragraph
        (1) for the calendar year in which such taxable year begins
        which is allocated by the National Education Technology Corps
        to such taxpayer for such year.
            ``(3) Per employee limit.--The credit determined under this
        section with respect to services performed by an employee
        during a taxable year shall not exceed $25,000 (or such lesser
        amount determined under paragraph (2)).
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Qualified employee services.--The term `qualified
        employee services' means any service furnished by an employee
        of the taxpayer through the National Education Technology
        Corps, either directly as a volunteer in the National Education
        Technology Corps or as a participant in a National Education
        Technology Corps partnership entered into under section 109A(d)
        of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
            ``(2) Qualified contribution.--The term `qualified
        contribution' means any contribution of tangible personal
        property to or for the benefit of the National Education
        Technology Corps.
            ``(3) Wages.--The term `wages' has the meaning given to
        such term by section 51.
    ``(d) Controlled Groups.--Rules similar to the rules of section
1397(b) shall apply for purposes of this section.''.
    (b) Denial of Double Benefit.--Subsection (a) of section 280C of
such Code is amended by inserting ``45E(a),'' after ``45A(a),''.
    (c) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (b) of section 38 of such Code
        (relating to current year business credit) is amended by
        striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (12), by striking the
        period at the end of paragraph (13) and inserting ``, plus'',
        and by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:
            ``(14) the National Education Technology Corps assistance
        credit determined under section 45E(a).''.
            (2) Limitation on carryback.--Subsection (d) of section 39
        of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(10) No carryback of national education technology corps
        assistance credit before effective date.--No portion of the
        unused business credit for any taxable year which is
        attributable to the credit determined under section 45E may be
        carried back to any taxable year ending before the date of the
        enactment of this paragraph.''.
            (3) Deduction for certain unused business credits.--
        Subsection (c) of section 196 of such Code is amended by
        striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (8), by striking the
        period at the end of paragraph (9) and inserting ``, and'', and
        by adding after paragraph (9) the following new paragraph:
            ``(10) the National Education Technology Corps assistance
        credit determined under section 45E.''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 45D the following new
item:

                              ``Sec. 45E. National Education Technology
                                        Corps assistance.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

Summary: National Education Technology Corps Act - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to establish a National Education Technology Corps as part of the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, using VISTA volunteers and others with appropriate expertise, in partnerships to facilitate use of information technology in schools, libraries, and community centers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a business-related tax credit for employers for assistance to the NET Corps through their employees' services either as volunteers or as participants in partnerships.

To amend the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to create as a component of the Volunteers in Service to America program a technology corps that uses VISTA volunteers and other persons with expertise regarding information technology to facilitate the use of information technology in schools, libraries, and community centers, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Bill Emerson English Language
Empowerment Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds and declares the following:
            (1) The United States is comprised of individuals and
        groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic
        backgrounds.
            (2) The United States has benefited and continues to
        benefit from this rich diversity.
            (3) Throughout the history of the United States, the common
        thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been a
        common language.
            (4) In order to preserve unity in diversity, and to prevent
        division along linguistic lines, the Federal Government should
        maintain a language common to all people.
            (5) English has historically been the common language and
        the language of opportunity in the United States.
            (6) The purpose of this title is to help immigrants better
        assimilate and take full advantage of economic and occupational
        opportunities in the United States.
            (7) By learning the English language, immigrants will be
        empowered with the language skills and literacy necessary to
        become responsible citizens and productive workers in the
        United States.
            (8) The use of a single common language in conducting
        official businesss of the Federal Government will promote
        efficiency and fairness to all people.
            (9) English should be recognized in law as the language of
        official business of the Federal Government.
            (10) Any monetary savings derived from the enactment of
        this title should be used for the teaching of the English
        language to non-English-speaking immigrants.

SEC. 3. ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

    (a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new chapter:

            ``CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

``Sec.
``161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government.
``162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
``163. Official Federal Government activities in English.
``164. Standing.
``165. Reform of naturalization requirements.
``166. Application.
``167. Rule of construction.
``168. Affirmation of constitutional protections.
``169. Definitions.
``Sec. 161. Declaration of official language of Federal Government
    ``The official language of the Federal Government is English.
``Sec. 162. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
    ``Representatives of the Federal Government shall have an
affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as
the official language of the Federal Government. Such obligation shall
include encouraging greater opportunities for individuals to learn the
English language.
``Sec. 163. Official Federal Government activities in English
    ``(a) Conduct of Business.--Representatives of the Federal
Government shall conduct its official business in English.
    ``(b) Denial of Services.--No person shall be denied services,
assistance, or facilities, directly or indirectly provided by the
Federal Government solely because the person communicates in English.
    ``(c) Entitlement.--Every person in the United States is entitled--
            ``(1) to communicate with representatives of the Federal
        Government in English;
            ``(2) to receive information from or contribute information
        to the Federal Government in English; and
            ``(3) to be informed of or be subject to official orders in
        English.
``Sec. 164. Standing
    ``A person injured by a violation of this chapter may in a civil
action (including an action under chapter 151 of title 28) obtain
appropriate relief.
``Sec. 165. Reform of naturalization requirements
    ``(a) Fluency.--It has been the longstanding national belief that
full citizenship in the United States requires fluency in English.
English is the language of opportunity for all immigrants to take their
rightful place in society in the United States.
    ``(b) Ceremonies.--All authorized officials shall conduct all
naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.
``Sec. 166. Application
    ``Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of
this chapter shall supersede any existing Federal law that contravenes
such provisions (such as by requiring the use of a language other than
English for official business of the Federal Government).
``Sec. 167. Rule of construction
    ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed--
            ``(1) to prohibit a Member of Congress or an employee or
        official of the Federal Government, while performing official
        business, from communicating orally with another person in a
        language other than English;
            ``(2) to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or
        Native American languages (as defined in the Native American
        Languages Act);
            ``(3) to discriminate against or restrict the rights of any
        individual in the country; and
            ``(4) to discourage or prevent the use of languages other
        than English in any nonofficial capacity.
``Sec. 168. Affirmation of constitutional protections
    ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to be inconsistent
with the Constitution of the United States.
``Sec. 169. Definitions
    ``For purposes of this chapter:
            ``(1) Federal government.--The term `Federal Government'
        means all branches of the national Government and all employees
        and officials of the national Government while performing
        official business.
            ``(2) Official business.--The term `official business'
        means governmental actions, documents, or policies which are
        enforceable with the full weight and authority of the Federal
        Government, and includes publications, income tax forms, and
        informational materials, but does not include--
                    ``(A) teaching of languages;
                    ``(B) requirements under the Individuals with
                Disabilities Education Act;
                    ``(C) actions, documents, or policies necessary
                for--
                            ``(i) national security issues; or
                            ``(ii) international relations, trade, or
                        commerce;
                    ``(D) actions or documents that protect the public
                health and safety;
                    ``(E) actions or documents that facilitate the
                activities of the Bureau of the Census in compiling any
                census of population;
                    ``(F) actions, documents, or policies that are not
                enforceable in the United States;
                    ``(G) actions that protect the rights of victims of
                crimes or criminal defendants;
                    ``(H) actions in which the United States has
                initiated a civil lawsuit; or
                    ``(I) using terms of art or phrases from languages
                other than English.
            ``(3) United states.--The term `United States' means the
        several States and the District of Columbia.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 4,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:

``6. Language of the Federal Government.....................     161''.

SEC. 4. PREEMPTION.

    This title (and the amendments made by this title) shall not
preempt any law of any State.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by section 3 shall take effect on the date that
is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Bill Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the US Government. States that representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government. Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English. Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English. Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English. Directs that nothing in this Act construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages. Sets forth definitions for purposes of this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Alisa's Law of 2014''.

SEC. 2. USE OF IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES TO PREVENT REPEAT INTOXICATED
              DRIVING.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 171. Use of ignition interlock devices to prevent repeat
              intoxicated driving
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Alcohol concentration.--The term `alcohol
        concentration' means grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of
        blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
            ``(2) Driving while intoxicated; driving under the
        influence.--The terms `driving while intoxicated' and `driving
        under the influence' mean driving or being in actual physical
        control of a motor vehicle in a State while having a blood
        alcohol concentration that is greater than or equal to the
        lesser of--
                    ``(A) the blood alcohol concentration limit of the
                State in which the individual is driving; and
                    ``(B) 0.08 percent.
            ``(3) Ignition interlock device.--The term `ignition
        interlock device' means an in-vehicle device that--
                    ``(A) requires a driver to provide a breath sample
                prior to the motor vehicle starting; and
                    ``(B) prevents a motor vehicle from starting if the
                alcohol concentration of the driver is above the legal
                limit.
            ``(4) Motor vehicle.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `motor vehicle' means a
                vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and
                manufactured primarily for use on public highways.
                    ``(B) Exclusions.--The term `motor vehicle' does
                not include--
                            ``(i) a vehicle operated solely on a rail
                        line; or
                            ``(ii) a commercial vehicle.
    ``(b) Laws Requiring Ignition Interlock Devices.--A State meets the
requirements of this subsection if the State has enacted and is
enforcing a law that requires throughout the State the installation of
an ignition interlock device for a minimum of 180 days on each motor
vehicle operated by an individual who is convicted of driving while
intoxicated or driving under the influence.
    ``(c) Withholding of Funds for Noncompliance.--
            ``(1) Fiscal year 2015.--On October 1, 2014, the Secretary
        shall withhold 1 percent of the amount required to be
        apportioned to a State under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of
        section 104(b) if the State does not meet the requirements of
        subsection (b).
            ``(2) Fiscal year 2016.--On October 1, 2015, the Secretary
        shall withhold 3 percent of the amount required to be
        apportioned to a State under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of
        section 104(b) if the State does not meet the requirements of
        subsection (b).
            ``(3) Fiscal year 2017 and thereafter.--On October 1, 2016,
        and on October 1 of each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary
        shall withhold 5 percent of the amount required to be
        apportioned to a State under each of paragraphs (1) and (2) of
        section 104(b) if the State does not meet the requirements of
        subsection (b).
    ``(d) Period of Availability of Withheld Funds; Effect of
Compliance and Noncompliance.--
            ``(1) Period of availability of withheld funds.--Any funds
        withheld under subsection (c) from apportionment to a State
        shall remain available for apportionment to the State until the
        end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year for
        which the funds are authorized to be appropriated.
            ``(2) Apportionment of withheld funds after compliance.--
        If, before the last day of the period for which funds withheld
        under subsection (c) from apportionment are to remain available
        for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State
        meets the requirements of subsection (b), the Secretary shall,
        on the first day on which the State meets the requirements of
        subsection (b), apportion to the State the funds withheld under
        subsection (c) that remain available for apportionment to the
        State.
            ``(3) Period of availability of subsequently apportioned
        funds.--Any funds apportioned pursuant to paragraph (2)--
                    ``(A) shall remain available for expenditure until
                the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal
                year in which the funds are so apportioned; and
                    ``(B) if not apportioned at the end of that period,
                shall lapse.
            ``(4) Effect of noncompliance.--If, at the end of the
        period for which funds withheld under subsection (c) from
        apportionment are available for apportionment to a State under
        paragraph (1), the State does not meet the requirements of
        subsection (b), the funds shall lapse.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``171. Use of ignition interlock devices to prevent repeat intoxicated
                            driving.''.

Summary: Alisa's Law of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to withhold specified graduated percentages of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds for FY2015-FY2017 if the state has not enacted and is not enforcing a law requiring the installation of an ignition interlock device for a minimum of 180 days on each motor vehicle operated by an individual convicted of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence. Defines driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence as driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration greater than or equal to the lesser of: (1) the blood alcohol concentration limit of the state in which the individual is driving, or (2) 0.08. Requires an ignition interlock device to: (1) require a driver to provide a breath sample before the motor vehicle starts, and (2) prevent a motor vehicle from starting if the alcohol concentration of the driver is above the legal limit.

Alisa's Law of 2014


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Technology Investment Incentive Act
of 2003''.

SEC. 2. EXPENSING OF SOFTWARE AND QUALIFIED TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section
179A the following new section:

``SEC. 179B. EXPENSING OF SOFTWARE AND QUALIFIED TECHNOLOGICAL
              EQUIPMENT.

    ``(a) Treatment as Expenses.--A taxpayer may elect to treat the
cost of any section 179B property as an expense which is not chargeable
to capital account. Any cost so treated shall be allowed as a deduction
for the taxable year in which the section 179B property is placed in
service.
    ``(b) Section 179B Property.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `section 179B property' means
        property--
                    ``(A)(i) which is qualified technological equipment
                (as defined in section 168(i)(2)) to which section 168
                applies, or
                    ``(ii) which is qualified computer software to
                which section 167 applies,
                    ``(B) which is section 1245 property (as defined in
                section 1245(a)(3)),
                    ``(C) which is acquired by purchase (as defined in
                section 179(b)(2)) after the date of the enactment of
                this section and before September 11, 2004, for use in
                the active conduct of a trade or business, and
                    ``(D) which is placed in service on or before
                September 11, 2004.
            ``(2) Qualified computer software.--The term `qualified
        computer software' means computer software (as defined in
        section 197(e)(3)(B)) which is described in section
        197(e)(3)(A)(i).
    ``(c) Property Used Outside the United States Not Qualified.--No
deduction shall be allowed under subsection (a) with respect to
property which is used predominantly outside the United States or with
respect to the portion of the cost of any property taken into account
under section 179.
    ``(d) Basis Reduction.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this title, the basis of
        any property shall be reduced by the amount of the deduction
        with respect to such property which is allowed by subsection
        (a).
            ``(2) Ordinary income recapture.--For purposes of section
        1245, the amount of the deduction allowable under subsection
        (a) with respect to any property that is of a character subject
        to the allowance for depreciation shall be treated as a
        deduction allowed for depreciation under section 167.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 263(a)(1) of such Code is amended by striking
        ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (G), by striking the period
        at the end of subparagraph (H) and inserting ``, or'', and by
        inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(I) expenditures for which a deduction is allowed
                under section 179B.''.
            (2) Section 312(k)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by
        striking ``or 179A'' each place it appears in the heading and
        text and inserting ``, 179A, or 179B''.
            (3) Section 1016(a) of such Code is amended by striking
        ``and'' at the end of paragraph (29), by striking the period at
        the end of paragraph (30) and inserting ``, and'', and by
        inserting after paragraph (30) the following new paragraph:
            ``(31) to the extent provided in section 179B(d)(1),''.
            (4) Section 1245(a) of such Code is amended by inserting
        ``179B,'' after ``179A,'' both places it appears in paragraphs
        (2)(C) and (3)(C).
            (5) The table of contents for subpart B of part IV of
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
        after the item relating to section 179A the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 179B. Expensing of software and
                                        qualified technological
                                        equipment.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 3. 3-YEAR DEPRECIATION OF WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT,
              ADVANCED SERVICES EQUIPMENT, NETWORK OR NETWORK SYSTEM
              EQUIPMENT, AND RESEARCH EXPENSES FOR SOFTWARE
              DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (e) of section 168 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to classification of property) is
amended by adding after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Certain property treated as 3-year property.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `3-year property'
                includes property--
                            ``(i) described in subparagraph (B), (C),
                        or (D),
                            ``(ii) acquired by purchase (as defined in
                        section 179(b)(2)) after the date of the
                        enactment of this paragraph and on or before
                        September 11, 2004, and
                            ``(iii) placed in service on or before
                        September 11, 2004.
                    ``(B) Wireless telecommunications equipment.--
                Property is described in this subparagraph if such
                property is equipment used in the transmission,
                reception, coordination, or switching of wireless
                telecommunications service.
                    ``(C) Advanced services equipment.--Property is
                described in this subparagraph if such property is
                equipment (excluding cabling) used in the provision of
                Internet or electronic communications access services
                or support, or which supports access to electronic
                media and data and associated communications support,
                provided that such services or support, constitute or
                directly contribute to the provisions of advanced
                telecommunications capability.
                    ``(D) Network or network system equipment.--
                Property is described in this subparagraph if such
                property is information technology equipment, including
                computer servers, hubs, bridges, switches and routers,
                which are interconnected so as to enable computers and
                peripherals to communicate with each other either
                individually or as a single unit.
                    ``(E) Treatment under alternative system.--Property
                treated as 3-year property by this paragraph shall be
                treated as having a class life of 3 years for purposes
                of subsection (g).''
    (b) Research Expenses for Software Development.--Subsection (b) of
section 174 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
            ``(3) Expenditures for software development.--Paragraph (1)
        shall be applied by substituting `36 months' for `60 months' in
        the case of expenditures for software development which are
        made after the date of the enactment of this paragraph and
        before September 11, 2004.''
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this
Act.

Summary: Technology Investment Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit the expensing of certain technological equipment and computer software. And (2) include, for recovery purposes, as three-year property certain wireless telecommunications equipment, advanced services equipment, network or network system equipment, and research expenses for software development.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to shorten the recovery period for the depreciation of certain property.


SECTION 1. TEXAS CITY SHIP CHANNEL, TEXAS CITY, TEXAS.

    (a) In General.--The portion of the Texas City Ship Channel, Texas
City, Texas, described in subsection (b) shall not be subject to
navigational servitude beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Description.--The portion of the Texas City Ship Channel
described in this subsection is a tract or parcel containing 393.53
acres (17,142,111 square feet) of land situated in the City of Texas
City Survey, Abstract Number 681, and State of Texas Submerged Lands
Tracts 98A and 99A, Galveston County, Texas, said 393.53 acre tract
being more particularly described as follows:
            (1) Beginning at the intersection of an edge of fill along
        Galveston Bay with the most northerly east survey line of said
        City of Texas City Survey, Abstract No. 681, the same being a
        called 375.75 acre tract patented by the State of Texas to the
        City of Texas City and recorded in Volume 1941, Page 750 of the
        Galveston County Deed Records (G.C.D.R.), from which a found
        U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brass Cap stamped ``R 4-3'' set in
        the top of the Texas City Dike along the east side of Bay
        Street bears North 56 14' 32" West, a distance of 6,045.31
        feet and from which a found U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brass
        Cap stamped ``R 4-2'' set in the top of the Texas City Dike
        along the east side of Bay Street bears North 49 13' 20" West,
        a distance of 6,693.64 feet.
            (2) Thence, over and across said State Tracts 98A and 99A
        and along the edge of fill along said Galveston Bay, the
        following eight (8) courses and distances:
                    (A) South 75 49' 13" East, a distance of 298.08
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (B) South 81 16' 26" East, a distance of 170.58
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (C) South 79 20' 31" East, a distance of 802.34
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (D) South 75 57' 32" East, a distance of 869.68
                feet to a point for the beginning of a non-tangent
                curve to the right.
                    (E) Easterly along said non-tangent curve to the
                right having a radius of 736.80 feet, a central angle
                of 24 55' 59", a chord of South 68 47' 35" East -
                318.10 feet, and an arc length of 320.63 feet to a
                point for the beginning of a non-tangent curve to the
                left.
                    (F) Easterly along said non-tangent curve to the
                left having a radius of 373.30 feet, a central angle of
                31 57' 42", a chord of South 66 10' 42" East - 205.55
                feet, and an arc length of 208.24 feet to a point for
                the beginning of a non-tangent curve to the right.
                    (G) Easterly along said non-tangent curve to the
                right having a radius of 15,450.89 feet, a central
                angle of 02 04' 10", a chord of South 81 56' 20" East
                - 558.04 feet, and an arc length of 558.07 feet to a
                point for the beginning of a compound curve to the
                right and the northeasterly corner of the tract herein
                described.
                    (H) Southerly along said compound curve to the
                right and the easterly line of the tract herein
                described, having a radius of 1,425.00 feet, a central
                angle of 133 08' 00", a chord of South 14 20' 15"
                East - 2,614.94 feet, and an arc length of 3,311.15
                feet to a point on a line lying 125.00 feet northerly
                of and parallel with the centerline of an existing
                levee for the southeasterly corner of the tract herein
                described.
            (3) Thence, continuing over and across said State Tracts
        98A and 99A and along lines lying 125.00 feet northerly of,
        parallel, and concentric with the centerline of said existing
        levee, the following twelve (12) courses and distances:
                    (A) North 78 01' 58" West, a distance of 840.90
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (B) North 76 58' 35" West, a distance of 976.66
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (C) North 76 44' 33" West, a distance of 1,757.03
                feet to a point for the beginning of a tangent curve to
                the left.
                    (D) Southwesterly, along said tangent curve to the
                left having a radius of 185.00 feet, a central angle of
                82 27' 32", a chord of South 62 01' 41" West - 243.86
                feet, and an arc length of 266.25 feet to a point for
                the beginning of a compound curve to the left.
                    (E) Southerly, along said compound curve to the
                left having a radius of 4,535.58 feet, a central angle
                of 11 06' 58", a chord of South 15 14' 26" West -
                878.59 feet, and an arc length of 879.97 feet to an
                angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (F) South 64 37' 11" West, a distance of 146.03
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (G) South 67 08' 21" West, a distance of 194.42
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (H) North 34 48' 22" West, a distance of 789.69
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (I) South 42 47' 10" West, a distance of 161.01
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (J) South 42 47' 10" West, a distance of 144.66
                feet to a point for the beginning of a tangent curve to
                the right.
                    (K) Westerly, along said tangent curve to the right
                having a radius of 310.00 feet, a central angle of 59
                50' 28", a chord of South 72 42' 24" West - 309.26
                feet, and an arc length of 323.77 feet to an angle
                point of the tract herein described.
                    (L) North 77 22' 21" West, a distance of 591.41
                feet to the intersection of said parallel line with the
                edge of fill adjacent to the easterly edge of the Texas
                City Turning Basin for the southwesterly corner of the
                tract herein described, from which a found U.S. Army
                Corps of Engineers Brass Cap stamped ``SWAN 2'' set in
                the top of a concrete column set flush in the ground
                along the north bank of Swan Lake bears South 20 51'
                58" West, a distance of 4,862.67 feet.
            (4) Thence, over and across said City of Texas City Survey
        and along the edge of fill adjacent to the easterly edge of
        said Texas City Turning Basin, the following eighteen (18)
        courses and distances:
                    (A) North 01 34' 19" East, a distance of 57.40
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (B) North 05 02' 13" West, a distance of 161.85
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (C) North 06 01' 56" East, a distance of 297.75
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (D) North 06 18' 07" West, a distance of 71.33
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (E) North 07 21' 09" West, a distance of 122.45
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (F) North 26 41' 15" West, a distance of 46.02
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (G) North 01 31' 59" West, a distance of 219.78
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (H) North 15 54' 07" West, a distance of 104.89
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (I) North 04 00' 34" East, a distance of 72.94
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (J) North 06 46' 38" West, a distance of 78.89
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (K) North 12 07' 59" West, a distance of 182.79
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (L) North 20 50' 47" West, a distance of 105.74
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (M) North 02 02' 04" West, a distance of 184.50
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (N) North 08 07' 11" East, a distance of 102.23
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (O) North 08 16' 00" West, a distance of 213.45
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (P) North 03 15' 16" West, a distance of 336.45
                feet to a point for the beginning of a non-tangent
                curve to the left.
                    (Q) Northerly along said non-tangent curve to the
                left having a radius of 896.08 feet, a central angle of
                14 00' 05", a chord of North 09 36' 03" West - 218.43
                feet, and an arc length of 218.97 feet to a point for
                the beginning of a non-tangent curve to the right.
                    (R) Northerly along said non-tangent curve to the
                right having a radius of 483.33 feet, a central angle
                of 19 13' 34", a chord of North 13 52' 03" East -
                161.43 feet, and an arc length of 162.18 feet to a
                point for the northwesterly corner of the tract herein
                described.
            (5) Thence, continuing over and across said City of Texas
        City Survey, and along the edge of fill along said Galveston
        Bay, the following fifteen (15) courses and distances:
                    (A) North 30 45' 02" East, a distance of 189.03
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (B) North 34 20' 49" East, a distance of 174.16
                feet to a point for the beginning of a non-tangent
                curve to the right.
                    (C) Northeasterly along said non-tangent curve to
                the right having a radius of 202.01 feet, a central
                angle of 25 53' 37", a chord of North 33 14' 58" East
                - 90.52 feet, and an arc length of 91.29 feet to a
                point for the beginning of a non-tangent curve to the
                left.
                    (D) Northeasterly along said non-tangent curve to
                the left having a radius of 463.30 feet, a central
                angle of 23 23' 57", a chord of North 48 02' 53" East
                - 187.90 feet, and an arc length of 189.21 feet to a
                point for the beginning of a non-tangent curve to the
                right.
                    (E) Northeasterly along said non-tangent curve to
                the right having a radius of 768.99 feet, a central
                angle of 16 24' 19", a chord of North 43 01' 40" East
                - 219.43 feet, and an arc length of 220.18 feet to an
                angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (F) North 38 56' 50" East, a distance of 126.41
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (G) North 42 59' 50" East, a distance of 128.28
                feet to a point for the beginning of a non-tangent
                curve to the right.
                    (H) Northerly along said non-tangent curve to the
                right having a radius of 151.96 feet, a central angle
                of 68 36' 31", a chord of North 57 59' 42" East -
                171.29 feet, and an arc length of 181.96 feet to a
                point for the most northerly corner of the tract herein
                described.
                    (I) South 77 14' 49" East, a distance of 131.60
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (J) South 84 44' 18" East, a distance of 86.58
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (K) South 58 14' 45" East, a distance of 69.62
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (L) South 49 44' 51" East, a distance of 149.00
                feet to an angle point of the tract herein described.
                    (M) South 44 47' 21" East, a distance of 353.77
                feet to a point for the beginning of a non-tangent
                curve to the left.
                    (N) Easterly along said non-tangent curve to the
                left having a radius of 253.99 feet, a central angle of
                98 53' 23", a chord of South 83 28' 51" East - 385.96
                feet, and an arc length of 438.38 feet to an angle
                point of the tract herein described.
                    (O) South 75 49' 13" East, a distance of 321.52
                feet to the point of beginning and containing 393.53
                acres (17,142,111 square feet) of land.

Summary: This bill declares that a specified portion of the Texas City Ship Channel, Texas City, Texas, shall not be subject to navigational servitude.

To remove the Federal claim to navigational servitude for a parcel of land in Texas City, Texas, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly
Consumers Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ELDERLY CONSUMERS.

    (a) In General.--The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department
of Labor shall prepare and publish an index for each calendar month to
be known as the ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers'' that
indicates changes over time in expenditures for consumption which are
typical for individuals in the United States who are 62 years of age or
older.
    (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to
calendar months ending on or after July 31 of the calendar year
following the calendar year in which this Act is enacted.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of
this section.

SEC. 3. COMPUTATION OF COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES.

    (a) Amendments to Title II.--
            (1) In general.--Section 215(i) of the Social Security Act
        (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(G), by inserting before the
                period the following: ``, and, solely with respect to
                any monthly insurance benefit payable under this title
                to an individual who has attained age 62, effective for
                adjustments under this subsection to the primary
                insurance amount on which such benefit is based (or to
                any such benefit under section 227 or 228) occurring
                after such individual attains such age, the applicable
                Consumer Price Index shall be deemed to be the Consumer
                Price Index for Elderly Consumers and such primary
                insurance amount shall be deemed adjusted under this
                subsection using such Index''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and by section
                9001'' and inserting ``, by section 9001'', and by
                inserting after ``1986,'' the following: ``and by
                section 3(a) of the Consumer Price Index for Elderly
                Consumers Act of 2015,''.
            (2) Conforming amendments in applicable former law.--
        Section 215(i)(1)(C) of such Act, as in effect in December 1978
        and applied in certain cases under the provisions of such Act
        in effect after December 1978, is amended by inserting before
        the period the following: ``, and, solely with respect to any
        monthly insurance benefit payable under this title to an
        individual who has attained age 62, effective for adjustments
        under this subsection to the primary insurance amount on which
        such benefit is based (or to any such benefit under section 227
        or 228) occurring after such individual attains such age, the
        applicable Consumer Price Index shall be deemed to be the
        Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers and such primary
        insurance amount shall be deemed adjusted under this subsection
        using such Index''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
        shall apply to determinations made with respect to cost-of-
        living computation quarters ending on or after September 30 of
        the second calendar year following the calendar year in which
        this Act is enacted.
    (b) Amendments to Title XVIII.--
            (1) In general.--Title XVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et
        seq.) is amended--
                    (A) in section 1814(i)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C.
                1395f(i)(2)(B)), by inserting ``(i) for accounting
                years ending before October 1 of the second calendar
                year following the calendar year in which the Consumer
                Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act of 2015 was
                enacted,'' after ``for a year is'', and by inserting
                after ``fifth month of the accounting year'' the
                following: ``, and (ii) for accounting years ending
                after October 1 of such calendar year, the cap amount
                determined under clause (i) for the last accounting
                year referred to in such clause, increased or decreased
                by the same percentage as the percentage increase or
                decrease, respectively, in the medical care expenditure
                category (or corresponding category) of the Consumer
                Price Index for Elderly Consumers, published by the
                Bureau of Labor Statistics, from March of such calendar
                year to the fifth month of the accounting year'';
                    (B) in section 1821(c)(2)(C)(ii)(II) (42 U.S.C.
                1395i-5(c)(2)(C)(ii)(II)), by striking ``consumer price
                index for all urban consumers (all items; United States
                city average)'' and inserting ``Consumer Price Index
                for Elderly Consumers'';
                    (C) in section 1833(h)(2)(A)(i) (42 U.S.C.
                1395l(h)(2)(A)(i)) by striking ``Consumer Price Index
                for All Urban Consumers (United States city average)''
                and inserting ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly
                Consumers'';
                    (D) in section 1833(i)(2)(C)(i) (42 U.S.C.
                1395l(i)(2)(C)(i)), by striking ``Consumer Price Index
                for all urban consumers (U.S. city average)'' and
                inserting ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly
                Consumers'';
                    (E) in section 1834(a)(14)(L) (42 U.S.C.
                1395m(a)(14)(L)), by striking ``consumer price index
                for all urban consumers (U.S. urban average)'' and
                inserting ``applicable consumer price index'';
                    (F) in section 1834(h)(4)(A)(xi)(I) (42 U.S.C.
                1395m(h)(4)(A)(xi)(I)), by striking ``consumer price
                index for all urban consumers (United States city
                average)'' and inserting ``Consumer Price Index for
                Elderly Consumers'';
                    (G) in section 1834(l)(3)(B) (42 U.S.C.
                1395m(l)(3)(B)), by striking ``consumer price index for
                all urban consumers (U.S. city average)'' and inserting
                ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers'';
                    (H) in section 1839(i)(5)(A)(ii) (42 U.S.C.
                1395r(i)(5)(A)(ii)), by striking ``Consumer Price Index
                (United States city average)'' and inserting ``Consumer
                Price Index for Elderly Consumers'';
                    (I) in section 1842(s)(1)(B)(ii)(I) (42 U.S.C.
                1395u(s)(1)(B)(ii)(I)), by striking ``consumer price
                index for all urban consumers (United States city
                average)'' and inserting ``Consumer Price Index for
                Elderly Consumers'';
                    (J) in each of subparagraphs (D)(ii) and (E)(i)(II)
                of section 1860D-14(a)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114(a)(3))
                and in section 1860D-14(a)(4)(A)(ii) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
                114(a)(4)(A)(ii)), by striking ``consumer price index
                (all items; U.S. city average)'' and inserting
                ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers'';
                    (K) in section 1882(p)(11)(C)(ii) (42 U.S.C.
                1395ss(p)(11)(C)(ii)), by striking ``Consumer Price
                Index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city
                average)'' and inserting ``Consumer Price Index for
                Elderly Consumers'';
                    (L) in each of clauses (iv) and (vi)(II) of section
                1886(h)(2)(E) (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(h)(2)(E)), by striking
                ``for all urban consumers''; and
                    (M) in section 1886(h)(5)(B) (42 U.S.C.
                1395ww(h)(5)(B)), by striking ``Consumer Price Index
                for All Urban Consumers (United States city average)''
                and inserting ``Consumer Price Index for Elderly
                Consumers''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)
        shall apply with respect to determinations made for periods
        ending after December 31 of the second calendar year following
        the calendar year in which this Act was enacted.

Summary: Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act of 2015 This bill amends titles II and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits using a new index in place of the current Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics must prepare and publish, for this purpose,nbsp. A monthly CPI for Elderly Consumers that reflects changes over time to expenditures typical for individuals aged 62 and older.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hurricane Katrina Financial Services
Relief Act of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, a category 4
        storm with an impact area of 90,000 square miles, reached
        landfall devastating the States of Louisiana, Mississippi and
        Alabama, causing loss of life and property.
            (2) Levee breaches in the flood control system for the city
        of New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina resulted in
        tragic flooding, causing additional loss of life and property.
            (3) Due to the substantial damage to both property and
        infrastructure, more than 1,000,000 people were made homeless
        or brought under financial duress by the effects of Hurricane
        Katrina.
            (4) At least 120 insured depository institutions and 96
        insured credit unions are located in the areas of Texas,
        Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, declared as major disaster
        areas by the President.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Appropriate federal banking agency.--The term
        ``appropriate Federal banking agency'' has the same meaning as
        in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
            (2) Insured credit union.--The term ``insured credit
        union'' has the same meaning as in section 101 of the Federal
        Credit Union Act.
            (3) Insured depository institution.--The term ``insured
        depository institution'' has the same meaning as in section 3
        of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
            (4) Qualified disaster area.--The term ``qualified disaster
        area'' means any area within Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, or
        Mississippi in which the President, pursuant to section 401 of
        the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
        Act, has determined, on or after August 25, 2005, that a major
        disaster exists due to Hurricane Katrina.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON CASHING OF GOVERNMENT CHECKS.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) it is vital that insured depository institutions and
        insured credit unions continue to provide financial services to
        consumers displaced or otherwise affected by Hurricane Katrina,
        which includes the cashing of Federal government assistance and
        benefit checks;
            (2) the Secretary of the Treasury and the Federal financial
        regulators should seek to educate insured depository
        institutions and insured credit unions on the proper
        application of the guidance issued by the Secretary on cashing
        of Federal government assistance and benefit checks and
        published in the Federal Register while such guidance is in
        effect; and
            (3) the Federal financial regulators should continue to
        work with the insured depository institutions and insured
        credit unions operating under extraordinary circumstances to
        facilitate the cashing of Federal government assistance and
        benefit checks.

SEC. 5. WAIVER OF FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD FEES FOR CERTAIN SERVICES.

    Notwithstanding section 11A of the Federal Reserve Act or any other
provision of law, during the effective period of this section, a
Federal reserve bank shall waive or rebate any transaction fee for wire
transfer services that otherwise would be imposed on any insured
depository institution or insured credit union that as of August 28,
2005, was headquartered in a qualified disaster area.

SEC. 6. FLEXIBILITY IN CAPITAL AND NET WORTH STANDARDS FOR AFFECTED
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 38 of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act, section 216 of the Federal Credit Union Act, or any
other provision of Federal law, during the 18-month period beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act, the appropriate Federal banking
agency and the National Credit Union Administration may forbear from
taking any action required under any such section or provision, on a
case-by-case basis, with respect to any undercapitalized insured
depository institution or undercapitalized insured credit union that is
not significantly or critically undercapitalized, if such agency or
Administration determines that--
            (1) the insured depository institution or insured credit
        union derives more than 50 percent of its total deposits from
        persons who normally reside within, or whose principal place of
        business is normally within, a qualified disaster area;
            (2) the insured depository institution or insured credit
        union was at least adequately capitalized as of August 25,
        2005;
            (3) the reduction in the capital or net worth category of
        the insured depository institution or insured credit union is
        directly attributable to the impact of Hurricane Katrina; and
            (4) forbearance from any such action--
                    (A) would facilitate the recovery of the insured
                depository institution or insured credit union from the
                disaster in accordance with a recovery plan or a
                capital or net worth restoration plan established by
                such depository institution or credit union; and
                    (B) would be consistent with safe and sound
                practices.
    (b) Capital and Net Worth Categories Defined.--For purposes of this
section, the terms relating to capital categories for insured
depository institutions have the same meaning as in section 38(b)(1) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the terms relating to net worth
categories for insured credit unions have the same meaning as in
section 216(c)(1) of the Federal Credit Union Act.

SEC. 7. DEPOSIT OF INSURANCE PROCEEDS.

    (a) In General.--The appropriate Federal banking agency and the
National Credit Union Administration may, by order, permit an insured
depository institution or insured credit union, during the 18-month
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to subtract from
such institution's or credit union's total assets in calculating
compliance with the leverage limit, applicable under section 38 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 216(c)(2) of the Federal
Credit Union Act with respect to such insured depository institution or
insured credit union, an amount not exceeding the qualifying amount
attributable to insurance proceeds, if the agency or Administration
determines that--
            (1) such institution or credit union--
                    (A) derives more than 50 percent of its total
                deposits from persons who normally reside within, or
                whose principal place of business is normally within, a
                qualified disaster area;
                    (B) was at least adequately capitalized as of
                August 25, 2005; and
                    (C) has an acceptable plan for managing the
                increase in its total assets and total deposits; and
            (2) the subtraction is consistent with the purpose of
        section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, in the case of
        an insured depository institution, and section 216 of the
        Federal Credit Union Act, in the case of an insured credit
        union.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
            (1) Leverage limit.--The term ``leverage limit''--
                    (A) with respect to an insured depository
                institution, has the same meaning as in section 38 of
                the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; and
                    (B) with respect to an insured credit union, means
                the net worth ratio that corresponds to the leverage
                limit, as established in accordance with section
                216(c)(2).
            (2) Qualifying amount attributable to insurance proceeds.--
        The term ``qualifying amount attributable to insurance
        proceeds'' means the amount (if any) by which the institution's
        or credit union's total assets exceed the institution's or
        credit union's average total assets during the calendar quarter
        ending before the date of the earliest Presidential
        determination referred to in section 3(4), because of the
        deposit of insurance payments or governmental assistance,
        including government disaster relief payments, made with
        respect to damage caused by, or other costs resulting from, the
        major disaster within a qualified disaster area.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE PERIOD.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in sections 4(2), 6(a), and
7(a) and subject to subsection (b), the provisions of this Act shall
not apply after the end of the 180-day period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this Act.
    (b) 30-Day Extension Authorized.--With respect to the provisions of
section 5, the 180-day period referred to in subsection (a) may be
extended for 1 additional 30-day period upon a determination by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System that such extension is
appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Act.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 27, 2005.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: Hurricane Katrina Financial Services Relief Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that it is vital that insured depository institutions and insured credit unions continue to provide financial services to consumers displaced or otherwise affected by Hurricane Katrina, which includes the cashing of federal government assistance and benefit checks. Urges the Secretary of the Treasury and federal financial regulators to seek to educate insured depository institutions and insured credit unions on the proper application of the guidance on cashing of federal government assistance and benefit checks. Urges federal financial regulators to continue to work with such institutions and credit unions operating under extraordinary circumstances to facilitate the cashing of federal government assistance and benefit checks. Requires a federal reserve bank to waive or rebate any transaction fee for wire transfer services that otherwise would be imposed on any insured depository institution or insured credit union that, as of August 28, 2005, was headquartered in a qualified disaster area. Authorizes a federal financial regulator in specified circumstances to: (1) forbear from taking any action, on a case-by-case basis, with respect to any undercapitalized insured entity that is not significantly or critically undercapitalized. And (2) permit such entity, in calculating compliance with the applicable leverage limit, to subtract from its total assets an amount not exceeding the qualifying amount attributable to insurance proceeds. Identifies such an insured entity as one that: (1) derives more than 50 of its total deposits from persons who normally reside within, or whose principal place of business is normally within, a qualified disaster area, (2) was adequately capitalized as of August 25, 2005. (3) incurred reduction of its capital or net worth category as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina. (4) has established a recovery plan, or a capital or net worth restoration plan. And (5) has an acceptable plan for managing the increase in its total assets and deposits. Terminates the application of this Act 180 days after its enactment. Allows one additional 30-day extension by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the application period.

Agreed to amend the title so as to read: "A Bill to facilitate recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina by providing greater flexibility for, and temporary waivers of certain requirements and fees imposed on, depository institutions, credit unions, and Federal regulatory agencies, and for other purposes".