SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Connect with Veterans Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. VOLUNTARY NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF VETERANS.

    (a) Program Required.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in
        coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish a
        program to facilitate outreach to veterans by covered entities.
            (2) Covered entities.--For purposes of this section, a
        covered entity is any of the following:
                    (A) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
                    (B) The agency or department of a State that is the
                primary agency or department of the State for the
                administration of benefits and services for veterans in
                the State.
                    (C) A political subdivision of a State.
                    (D) An Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the
                Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
                (25 U.S.C. 450b)).
            (3) National directory.--To carry out the program required
        by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) establish a national directory of veterans as
                described in subsection (b); and
                    (B) share information in the directory in
                accordance with subsection (c).
    (b) National Directory.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
        establish the national directory required by subsection (a)(3)
        using information received from the Secretary of Defense under
        subsection (d)(4).
            (2) Updates.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
        ensure that the national directory includes a mechanism by
        which a participating individual can update the information in
        the national directory that pertains to the participating
        individual.
            (3) Disenrollment.--The Secretary shall establish a
        mechanism by which a participating individual can indicate to
        the Secretary that the individual would no longer like to
        receive information from participating entities under the
        program.
            (4) Reenrollment.--The Secretary shall establish a
        mechanism for the inclusion of information in the national
        directory of individuals who were previously participating
        individuals but who had made an indication under paragraph (3)
        and subsequently indicate that they would like to receive
        information from participating entities under the program.
            (5) Privacy and security.--The Secretary shall take such
        actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect--
                    (A) the privacy of individuals participating in the
                program; and
                    (B) the security of the information stored in the
                national directory.
            (6) Ebenefits.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use
        the system and architecture of the eBenefits Internet website
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs to support and operate
        the national directory as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (c) Outreach.--
            (1) Sharing of directory information.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
                (2), in order to connect participating individuals with
                information about the programs they could be eligible
                for or services, support, and information they may be
                interested in receiving, the Secretary of Veterans
                Affairs may share, under the program established under
                subsection (a)(1), information in the national
                directory concerning such individuals with entities
                applicable to participating individuals.
                    (B) Entities applicable to participating
                individuals.--For purposes of this subsection, an
                entity that is applicable to a participating individual
                is a covered entity from whom a participating
                individual has expressed interest in receiving
                information under the program.
                    (C) Updated information.--In a case in which a
                participating individual updates the information
                pertaining to the participating individual under
                subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall transmit such
                information to each entity applicable to the
                participating individual.
                    (D) Notification of disenrollment.--In a case in
                which a participating individual indicates to the
                Secretary under subsection (b)(3) that the individual
                would no longer like to receive information from
                participating entities under the program, the Secretary
                shall inform each entity applicable to the
                participating individual that the individual would no
                longer like to receive information from the entity
                under the program.
            (2) Limitations.--
                    (A) Limitations on the secretary.--
                            (i) Information shared.--Under the program,
                        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may only
                        share from the national directory the
                        following:
                                    (I) The name of a participating
                                individual.
                                    (II) The e-mail address of a
                                participating individual.
                                    (III) The postal address of a
                                participating individual.
                                    (IV) The phone number of a
                                participating individual.
                            (ii) Prohibition on sale of information.--
                        The Secretary may not sell any information
                        collected under this section.
                            (iii) Entities.--The Secretary may not
                        share any information collected under the
                        program with any entity that is not a
                        participating entity.
                    (B) Limitations on participating entities.--
                            (i) Sharing with third-party and for-profit
                        entities.--As a condition of participation in
                        the program, a participating entity shall agree
                        not to share any information the participating
                        entity receives under the program with any
                        third-party or for-profit entities.
                            (ii) Purchases of products or services.--As
                        a condition of participation in the program, a
                        participating entity shall agree not to include
                        in any information sent by the participating
                        entity to a participating individual a
                        requirement that the participating individual
                        or the family of the participating individual
                        purchase a product or service.
                            (iii) Political communication.--As a
                        condition of participation in the program, a
                        participating entity shall agree not to use any
                        information received under the program for any
                        political communication.
            (3) Disenrollment by participating entities.--The Secretary
        shall establish a mechanism by which a participating entity may
        indicate to the Secretary that the participating entity would
        no longer like to receive information about participating
        individuals from the national directory.
            (4) Sense of congress.--
                    (A) Consolidation of requests.--It is the sense of
                Congress that covered entities described in subsection
                (a)(2)(C) who are located in the same region should
                work together in a manner such that only one of them
                requests receipt of information under the program.
                    (B) Collaboration.--It is the sense of Congress
                that covered entities described in subsection (a)(2)(C)
                should work with third parties, such as veterans
                service organizations, military community groups, and
                other entities with an interest in assisting veterans,
                to develop the information the covered entities send to
                participating individuals under the program.
            (5) Publicity.--The Secretary shall develop a plan to
        publicize the program and inform covered entities of the
        benefits of participating in the program.
    (d) Collection of Contact Information.--
            (1) In general.--To each member of the Armed Forces
        separating from service in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of
        Defense shall provide a form for the collection of information
        to be included in the national directory established under
        subsection (a).
            (2) Form.--
                    (A) Development.--The Secretary of Defense shall,
                in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
                develop the form provided under paragraph (1).
                    (B) Elements.--The form developed under
                subparagraph (A) shall allow a member of the Armed
                Forces who is in the process of separating from service
                in the Armed Forces to indicate the following:
                            (i) Where the member intends to reside
                        after separation.
                            (ii) How the individual can best be
                        contacted, such as a telephone number, an e-
                        mail address, or a postal address.
                            (iii) For which types of benefits and
                        services the member would like to receive
                        communication and outreach, such as health
                        care, education, employment, and housing.
                            (iv) From which of the following the member
                        would like to receive the communication and
                        outreach specified under clause (iii):
                                    (I) The Department of Veterans
                                Affairs.
                                    (II) The agency or department of
                                the State in which the member intends
                                to reside after separation that is the
                                primary agency or department of the
                                State for the administration of
                                benefits and services for veterans in
                                the State.
                                    (III) A political subdivision of a
                                State.
                    (C) Notice.--The form developed under subparagraph
                (A) shall include notice of the following:
                            (i) Information provided to agencies and
                        departments described in subparagraph
                        (B)(iv)(III) will only be provided as
                        authorized and upon request by such agencies
                        and departments.
                            (ii) Political subdivisions of States that
                        receive information under the program
                        established under subsection (a) may--
                                    (I) share such information with
                                such nonprofit organizations as the
                                political subdivisions consider
                                appropriate; and
                                    (II) work with such organizations
                                to provide the veterans with relevant
                                information about benefits and services
                                offered by such organizations.
                            (iii) Information provided on the form
                        developed under subparagraph (A) will never be
                        sold, provided to a for-profit entity, or used
                        to send any sort of political communication.
                    (D) Manner.--The Secretary of Defense shall ensure
                that the form provided under paragraph (1) is not
                primarily electronic in nature.
            (3) Voluntary participation.--The Secretary of Defense
        shall ensure that completion of the form provided under
        paragraph (1) is voluntary and submittal of such form to the
        Secretary by a member of the Armed Forces shall be considered
        an indication to the Secretary that the member would like to
        receive information from participating entities under the
        program.
            (4) Transmittal of information to secretary of veterans
        affairs.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which a
        member of the Armed Forces who submitted information to the
        Secretary of Defense under this subsection separates from
        service in the Armed Forces, the Secretary of Defense shall
        transmit such information to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (5) Privacy and security.--The Secretary of Defense shall
        take such actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to
        protect--
                    (A) the privacy of individuals who submit
                information under this subsection; and
                    (B) the security of such information--
                            (i) while it is in the possession of the
                        Secretary; and
                            (ii) while it is in transit to the
                        Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (6) Integration with transition assistance program.--The
        Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly
        take such actions as the secretaries consider appropriate to
        integrate the collection of information under this subsection
        into the Transition Assistance Program.
    (e) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
        and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly submit to the
        appropriate committees of Congress a report on the program
        established under subsection (a)(1).
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
        shall include an examination and assessment of the following:
                    (A) The signup process and the effectiveness of the
                forms developed and provided under subsection (d).
                    (B) The ways in which contact information is
                transferred from the Secretary of Defense to the
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs under the program and the
                plans of the secretaries to overcome challenges
                encountered by the secretaries in transferring such
                information.
                    (C) The number of covered entities described in
                subsection (a)(2)(C) participating in the program and
                any challenges they report in receiving the contact
                information from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
                under the program.
                    (D) The effectiveness of efforts of the Secretary
                of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to
                protect the personal information of participating
                individuals.
                    (E) The effectiveness of efforts of covered
                entities described in subsection (a)(2)(C) to protect
                the personal information of participating individuals.
                    (F) Whether additional limitations on the use of
                information collected under the program are necessary
                to protect participating individuals from unwanted
                contact, or contact that is inconsistent with the
                program.
                    (G) Whether participating individuals are
                benefitting by participating in the program and whether
                changing the program would improve such benefits.
                    (H) The overall participation in the program,
                utilization of the program, and how such participation
                and utilization could be improved.
                    (I) Such other matters as the secretaries consider
                appropriate.
            (3) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this
        subsection, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress''
        means the following:
                    (A) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the
                Committee on Armed Services, and the Subcommittee on
                Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
                Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the
                Senate.
                    (B) The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the
                Committee on Armed Services, and the Subcommittee on
                Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related
                Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the
                House of Representatives.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Participating entity.--The term ``participating
        entity'' means a covered entity that has indicated to the
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs that the covered entity would
        like to receive information about participating individuals
        from the national directory and has made no subsequent
        indication that the covered entity would like to stop receiving
        such information.
            (2) Participating individual.--The term ``participating
        individual'' means an individual with respect to whom
        information is stored in the national directory and who has
        indicated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary
        of Defense that the individual would like to receive
        information from participating entities under the program and
        has made no subsequent indication that the individual would
        like to stop receiving such information.

Summary: Connect with Veterans Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a program to facilitate outreach to veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the primary agencies of states for the administration of veterans' benefits and services, political subdivisions of states, and Indian tribes. And (2) publicize such program and the benefits to such entities of participating. Requires the Secretary, to carry out such program, to: (1) establish a national directory of veterans, and (2) share information in the directory with any such entities from whom a participating individual has expressed interest in receiving information. Prohibits: (1) the Secretary from selling information collected under this Act, (2) the Secretary or any participating entity from sharing such information with a non-participating entity, or (3) any participating entity from using any such information for any political communication or from requiring any participating individual to purchase any product or service. Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) provide to each member of the Armed Forces separating from service a form for the collection of information to be included in the directory, (2) ensure that completion of the form is voluntary, and (3) protect the privacy of individuals who submit information and the security of information. Directs the Secretaries of Defense and Labor to jointly take appropriate steps to integrate the collection of information under this Act into the Transition Assistance Program.

Connect with Veterans Act of 2014


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Truancy Prevention and Juvenile
Crime Reduction Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Truancy is the first sign of trouble--the first
        indicator that a young person is giving up and losing his or
        her way.
            (2) Many students who become truant eventually drop out of
        school, and high school drop outs are two and a half times more
        likely to be on welfare than high school graduates; twice as
        likely to be unemployed, or if employed, earn lower salaries.
            (3) Truancy is the top-ranking characteristic of
        criminals--more common than such factors as coming from single-
        parent families and being abused as children.
            (4) High rates of truancy are linked to high daytime
        burglary rates and high vandalism.
            (5) As much as 44 percent of violent juvenile crime takes
        place during school hours.
            (6) As many as 75 percent of children ages 13-16 who are
        arrested and prosecuted for crimes are truants.
            (7) Some cities report as many as 70 percent of daily
        student absences are unexcused, and the total number of
        absences in a single city can reach 4,000 per day.
            (8) Society pays a significant social and economic cost due
        to truancy: only 34 percent of inmates have completed high
        school education; 17 percent of youth under age 18 entering
        adult prisons have not completed grade school (8th grade or
        less), 25 percent completed 10th grade, and 2 percent completed
        high school.
            (9) Truants and later high school drop outs cost the Nation
        $240 billion in lost earnings and foregone taxes over their
        lifetimes, and the cost of crime control is staggering.
            (10) In many instances, parents are unaware a child is
        truant.
            (11) Effective truancy prevention, early intervention, and
        accountability programs can improve school attendance and
        reduce daytime crime rates.
            (12) There is a lack of targeted funding for effective
        truancy prevention programs in current law.

SEC. 3. GRANTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible
        partnership'' means a partnership between 1 or more qualified
        units of local government and 1 or more local educational
        agencies.
            (2) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 14101 of the
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
        8801).
            (3) Qualified unit of local government.--The term
        ``qualified unit of local government'' means a unit of local
        government that has in effect, as of the date on which the
        eligible partnership submits an application for a grant under
        this section, a statute or regulation that meets the
        requirements of paragraphs (12), (13), (14), and (15) of
        section 223(a) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency and
        Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5633(a)).
            (4) Unit of local government.--The term ``unit of local
        government'' means any city, county, township, town, borough,
        parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision
        of a State, or any Indian tribe.
    (b) Grant Authority.--The Attorney General, in consultation with
the Secretary of Education, shall make grants in accordance with this
section on a competitive basis to eligible partnerships to reduce
truancy and the incidence of daytime juvenile crime.
    (c) Maximum Amount; Allocation; Renewal.--
            (1) Maximum amount.--The total amount awarded to an
        eligible partnership under this section in any fiscal year
        shall not exceed $100,000.
            (2) Allocation.--Not less than 25 percent of each grant
        awarded to an eligible partnership under this section shall be
        allocated for use by the local educational agency or agencies
participating in the partnership.
            (3) Renewal.--A grant awarded under this section for a
        fiscal year may be renewed for an additional period of not more
        than 2 fiscal years.
    (d) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Grant amounts made available under this
        section may be used by an eligible partnership to
        comprehensively address truancy through the use of--
                    (A) parental involvement in prevention activities,
                including meaningful incentives for parental
                responsibility;
                    (B) sanctions, including community service and
                drivers' license suspension for students who are
                habitually truant;
                    (C) parental accountability, including fines,
                teacher-aid duty, community service;
                    (D) in-school truancy prevention programs,
                including alternative education and in-school
                suspension;
                    (E) involvement of the local law enforcement,
                social services, judicial, business, and religious
                communities, and nonprofit organizations;
                    (F) technology, including automated telephone
                notice to parents and computerized attendance system;
                or
                    (G) elimination of 40-day count and other
                unintended incentives to allow students to be truant
                after a certain time of school year.
            (2) Model programs.--In carrying out this section, the
        Attorney General may give priority to funding programs that
        attempt to replicate 1 or more of the following model programs:
                    (A) The Truancy Intervention Project of the Fulton
                County, Georgia, Juvenile Court.
                    (B) The TABS (Truancy Abatement and Burglary
                Suppression) program of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
                    (C) The Roswell Daytime Curfew Program of Roswell,
                New Mexico.
                    (D) The Stop, Cite and Return Program of Rohnert
                Park, California.
                    (E) The Stay in School Program of New Haven,
                Connecticut.
                    (F) The Atlantic County Project Helping Hand of
                Atlantic County, New Jersey.
                    (G) The THRIVE (Truancy Habits Reduced Increasing
                Valuable Education) initiative of Oklahoma City,
                Oklahoma.
                    (H) The Norfolk, Virginia project using computer
                software and data collection.
                    (I) The Community Service Early Intervention
                Program of Marion, Ohio.
                    (J) The Truancy Reduction Program of Bakersfield,
                California.
                    (K) The Grade Court program of Farmington, New
                Mexico.
                    (L) Any other model program that the Attorney
                General determines to be appropriate.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Summary: Truancy Prevention and Juvenile Crime Reduction Act of 1998 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to eligible partnerships of local governmental units and local educational agencies to reduce truancy and the incidence of daytime juvenile crime. Sets forth provisions regarding maximum grant awards, allocation of such awards, and grant renewal. Authorizes the use of grant amounts to comprehensively address truancy through: (1) parental involvement in prevention activities, (2) sanctions, (3) parental accountability, (4) in-school truancy prevention programs. (5) involvement of local law enforcement, social services, judicial, business, and religious communities, and nonprofit organizations, (6) technology. Or (7) elimination of 40-day count and other unintended incentives to allow students to be truant after a certain time of school year. Authorizes the Attorney General to give priority to funding programs that attempt to replicate specified model programs. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hospital Price Reporting and
Disclosure Act of 2005''.

SEC. 2. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF HOSPITAL DATA.

    Part B of title II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 238
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

   ``data reporting by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers and
                             public posting

    ``Sec. 249. (a) Semiannual Reporting Requirement.--Not later than
80 days after the end of each semiannual period beginning January 1 or
July 1 (beginning more than one year after the date of the enactment of
this section), a hospital and an ambulatory surgical center shall
report to the Secretary the following data:
            ``(1) In the case of a hospital--
                    ``(A) the frequency with which the hospital
                performed each service selected under subparagraph (A)
                or (B) of subsection (c)(1) in an inpatient or
                outpatient setting, respectively, during such period;
                    ``(B) the frequency with which the hospital
                administered a drug selected under subparagraph (D) of
                such subsection in an inpatient setting during such
                period; and
                    ``(C) if the service was so performed or the drug
                was so administered during such period--
                            ``(i) the total number of times the service
                        was so performed or the drug was so
                        administered during such period; and
                            ``(ii) the average and the median charge by
                        the hospital for such service or drug during
                        such period; and
            ``(2) In the case of an ambulatory surgical center--
                    ``(A) the frequency with which the center performed
                each service selected under subparagraph (C) of
                subsection (c)(1) during such period; and
                    ``(B) if the service was so performed during such
                period--
                            ``(i) the total number of times the service
                        was so performed during such period; and
                            ``(ii) the average and the median charge by
                        the center for such service during such period.
    ``(b) Public Availability of Data.--
            ``(1) Public posting of data.--The Secretary shall promptly
        post, on the official public Internet site of the Department of
        Health and Human Services, the data reported under subsection
        (a). Such data shall be set forth in a manner that promotes
        charge comparison among hospitals and ambulatory surgical
        centers.
            ``(2) Notice of availability.--A hospital and an ambulatory
        surgical center shall prominently post at each admission site
        of the hospital or center a notice of the availability of the
        data reported under subsection (a) on the official public
        Internet site under paragraph (1).
    ``(c) Selection of Services and Drugs.--For purposes of this
section:
            ``(1) Initial selection.--Based on national data, the
        Secretary shall select the following:
                    ``(A) The 25 most frequently performed services in
                a hospital inpatient setting.
                    ``(B) The 25 most frequently performed services in
                a hospital outpatient setting.
                    ``(C) The 25 most frequently performed services in
                an ambulatory surgical center setting.
                    ``(D) The 50 most frequently administered drugs in
                a hospital inpatient setting.
            ``(2) Updating selection.--The Secretary shall periodically
        update the services and drugs selected under paragraph (1).
    ``(d) Civil Money Penalty.--The Secretary may impose a civil money
penalty of not more than $10,000 for each knowing violation of
subsection (a) or (b)(2) by a hospital or an ambulatory surgical
center. The provisions of subsection (i)(2) of section 351A shall apply
with respect to civil money penalties under this subsection in the same
manner as such provisions apply to civil money penalties under
subsection (i)(1) of such section.
    ``(e) Administrative Provisions.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall prescribe such
        regulations and issue such guidelines as may be required to
        carry out this section.
            ``(2) Classification of services.--The regulations and
        guidelines under paragraph (1) shall include rules on the
        classification of different services and the assignment of
        items and procedures to those services.
            ``(3) Rules.--The regulations and guidelines under
        paragraph (1) shall include rules regarding reporting of
        inpatient diagnostic related groups (DRGs), outpatient
        procedures and tests and classification of drugs.
        Classification of drugs may include unit, strength, and dosage
        information for reporting.
            ``(4) Computation of average and median charges.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The regulations and guidelines
                under paragraph (1) shall include a methodology for
                computing an average and median charge for a service or
                drug, in accordance with subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Methodology.--The methodology prescribed by
                the Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that
                an average and median charge for a service reflects the
                amount charged before any adjustment based on a
                negotiated rate with a third party.
            ``(5) Form of report and notice.--The regulations and
        guidelines under paragraph (1) shall specify the electronic
        form and manner by which a hospital or an ambulatory surgical
        center shall report data under subsection (a) and the form for
        posting of notices under subsection (b)(2).
    ``(f) Rules of Construction.--
            ``(1) Non-preemption of state laws.--Nothing in this
        section shall be construed as preempting or otherwise affecting
        any provision of State law relating to the disclosure of
        charges or other information for a hospital or an ambulatory
        surgical center.
            ``(2) Charges.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
        to regulate or set hospital or ambulatory surgical center
        charges.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Hospital and ambulatory surgical center.--The terms
        `hospital' and `ambulatory surgical center' have the meaning
        given such terms by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Drug.--For purposes of this section, the term `drug'
        includes a biological and a non-prescription drug, such as an
        ointment.''.

Summary: Hospital Price Reporting and Disclosure Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a hospital or ambulatory surgical center to: (1) report data to the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the frequency of performing certain services and administering certain drugs and the charge by the hospital or center for such services or drugs. And (2) prominently post such information at each admission site. Requires the Secretary to: (1) publicly post such information in a manner that promotes charge comparisons among hospitals and centers. And (2) select which services or drugs are to be reported based on how frequently each service is performed or each drug is administered. Allows the Secretary to impose a civil monetary penalty for violations of this Act.

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the public disclosure of charges for certain hospital and ambulatory surgical center services and drugs.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Security Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National
        Energy Security Council established by section 4.
            (3) National energy security program.--The term ``national
        energy security program'' means the national energy security
        program established by section 3.
            (4) National oil independence goal.--The term ``national
        oil independence goal'' means the national oil independence
        goal established under section 3(c).
            (5) National oil independence plan.--The term ``national
        oil independence plan'' means the national oil independence
        plan established under section 3(d).

SEC. 3. NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Executive Office of
the President the national energy security program.
    (b) Mission.--The mission of the national energy security program
shall be to coordinate the activities and policies of the Federal
Government to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the
United States meets--
            (1) goals for reducing oil dependence, oil imports, and oil
        consumption; and
            (2) other energy policy goals, including goals for--
                    (A) enhancing the competitiveness of the United
                States in clean energy technology;
                    (B) strengthening clean energy technology
                manufacturing in the United States;
                    (C) reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
                    (D) reducing hazardous pollutants.
    (c) National Oil Independence Goal.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), it is the goal
        of the United States to reduce oil consumption by the quantity
        that is equal to or greater than the quantity of oil imported
        by the United States from outside of North America by calendar
        year 2030 (as compared to the rate of oil consumption projected
        for calendar year 2030 as of the date of enactment of this
        Act).
            (2) Adjustments.--The President, in consultation with the
        Council--
                    (A) may adjust the numeric goal for calendar year
                2030 established under paragraph (1);
                    (B) shall ensure that any new goal established
                under subparagraph (A) represents the maximum
                practicable oil savings achievable, taking into account
                other benefits of reducing oil consumption (including
                economic, security, and environmental benefits) and
                costs or other economic effects; and
                    (C) if any new goal established under subparagraph
                (A) is lower than the goal established under paragraph
                (1), shall establish an additional goal for reducing
                oil consumption in the United Sates by a quantity that
                is equal to or greater than the quantity of oil
                imported by the United States from outside of North
                America on the fastest timeline practicable, taking
                into account other benefits of reducing oil consumption
                (including economic, security, and environmental
                benefits) and costs or other economic effects.
    (d) National Oil Independence Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The President, in coordination with the
        Council and the Director of the Office of Management and
        Budget, shall--
                    (A) develop a national oil independence plan that
                describes programs and activities that will be
                implemented to meet or exceed the national oil
                independence goal and other goals established pursuant
                to subsection (c);
                    (B) submit the national oil independence plan to
                Congress not later than 180 days after the date of
                enactment of this Act; and
                    (C) submit an updated national oil independence
                plan to Congress every 2 years thereafter.
            (2) Review of federal policies, programs, and
        authorities.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the President, in coordination with the
        Council and the Director of the Office of Management and
        Budget, shall review existing programs and authorities of the
        Federal Government and other applicable policies (including tax
        policies) to determine--
                    (A)(i) which programs, authorities, or policies
                could be used to accelerate reductions in oil
                dependence; and
                    (ii) any means by which the programs, authorities,
                or policies--
                            (I) could be used to maximize reductions in
                        oil dependence; or
                            (II) would require modification in order to
                        be used to maximize reductions in oil
                        dependence; and
                    (B)(i) which programs, authorities, or policies
                have the effect of increasing oil consumption and oil
                dependence or otherwise create barriers to reducing oil
                consumption and oil dependence; and
                    (ii) the manner by which the programs, authorities,
                or policies--
                            (I) have the effect of encouraging oil
                        consumption or oil dependence or otherwise
                        create barriers to reducing oil consumption and
                        oil dependence; and
                            (II) could be modified or eliminated to
                        help meet the goal of reducing oil consumption
                        and oil dependence.
            (3) Contents.--At a minimum, the national oil independence
        plan shall--
                    (A) describe the results and conclusions of the
                review conducted under paragraph (2);
                    (B) as appropriate, include--
                            (i) the use of programs, authorities, or
                        policies described in paragraph (2)(A); and
                            (ii) if existing authority allows,
                        proposals to modify or eliminate programs,
                        authorities, or policies described in paragraph
                        (2)(B);
                    (C) include recommendations to Congress for
                legislation that would further--
                            (i) promote reductions in oil consumption
                        and oil dependence;
                            (ii) reduce barriers to reducing oil
                        consumption and oil dependence; and
                            (iii) help meet the energy policy goals of
                        the United States;
                    (D) include a timetable for achieving the national
                oil independence goal, including interim targets on not
                less than a biennial basis;
                    (E) a plan for coordinating actions across the
                Federal Government to ensure, to the maximum extent
                practicable, that the national oil independence goal is
                met; and
                    (F) a timeline for issuing rules, Executive orders,
                or other policy instruments that will implement the
                recommendations contained the national oil independence
                plan.
    (e) Annual Requests to Congress.--When submitting annual budget
requests to Congress, the President shall include--
            (1)(A) requests for sufficient funding for such programs
        the President considers appropriate to implement the national
        oil independence plan; and
            (B) if the amount of funding is not sufficient to meet the
        national oil independence goal, a description of the amount of
        funding that would be necessary to meet the goal;
            (2)(A) requests for such additional authorities or changes
        to existing laws or authorities as the President considers
        appropriate in order to implement the national oil independence
        plan; and
            (B) if the amount of funding is not sufficient to meet the
        national oil independence goal, a description of such
        additional authority or changes to existing laws or authorities
        as would be necessary to meet the goal; and
            (3) a report on the oil consumption and imports of the
        United States relative to the national oil independence goal
        and the interim targets and timelines established in the
        national oil independence plan.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Executive Office of
the President a National Energy Security Council.
    (b) Mission.--The mission of the Council shall be to assist and
advise the President in--
            (1) establishing the national oil independence goal in
        numeric terms of barrels per day of oil consumption, based on
        the most recent consumption estimates by the Energy Information
        Administration;
            (2) meeting the national oil independence goal;
            (3) developing the national oil independence plan and the
        requests described in section 3(e);
            (4) coordinating the policies, programs, and activities of
        the national energy security program in order to implement the
        national oil independence plan and meet the national oil
        independence goal; and
            (5) ensuring that policy decisions and programs are
        consistent with the energy policy goals of the United States.
    (c) Membership.--The membership of the Council shall consist of--
            (1) the Secretary of Energy;
            (2) the Assistant to the President for National Security
        Affairs;
            (3) the Secretary of Transportation;
            (4) the Administrator;
            (5) the Secretary of the Treasury;
            (6) the Director of the National Economic Council;
            (7) the Secretary of Agriculture;
            (8) the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality;
            (9) the Secretary of State; and
            (10) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
        Policy.
    (d) Chair.--The President shall act as Chair of the Council.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary.

Summary: Energy Security Act of 2011 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the national energy security program to coordinate federal government activities and policies to ensure that the United States meets goals for reducing oil dependence, oil imports, and oil consumption as well as other energy policy goals. Declares it is the goal of the United States to reduce oil consumption by 2030 by an amount equal to or greater than the quantity of oil imported from outside of North America. Directs the President, in coordination with the National Energy Security Council and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to develop a national oil independence plan, which shall be updated biennially. Directs the President to review existing federal programs and authorities to determine: (1) which of them could be used to accelerate reductions in oil dependence, and (2) the means to maximize such reductions. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the National Energy Security Council.

A bill to promote the oil independence of the United States, and for other purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``American Super Computing Leadership
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 2 of the Department of Energy High-End Computing
Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 5541) is amended by striking
paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Co-design.--The term `co-design' means the joint
        development of application algorithms, models, and codes with
        computer technology architectures and operating systems to
        maximize effective use of high-end computing systems.
            ``(2) Department.--The term `Department' means the
        Department of Energy.
            ``(3) Exascale.--The term `exascale' means computing system
        performance at or near 10 to the 18th power floating point
        operations per second.
            ``(4) High-end computing system.--The term `high-end
        computing system' means a computing system with performance
        that substantially exceeds that of systems that are commonly
        available for advanced scientific and engineering applications.
            ``(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            ``(6) Leadership system.--The term `leadership system'
        means a high-end computing system that is among the most
        advanced in the world in terms of performance in solving
        scientific and engineering problems.
            ``(7) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
        means any one of the seventeen laboratories owned by the
        Department.
            ``(8) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
        of Energy.
            ``(9) Software technology.--The term `software technology'
        includes optimal algorithms, programming environments, tools,
        languages, and operating systems for high-end computing
        systems.''.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HIGH-END COMPUTING RESEARCH AND
              DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 3 of the Department of Energy High-End Computing
Revitalization Act of 2004 (15 U.S.C. 5542) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``program'' and
                inserting ``coordinated program across the
                Department'';
                    (B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
                (1);
                    (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
                (2) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(3) partner with universities, National Laboratories, and
        industry to ensure the broadest possible application of the
        technology developed in this program to other challenges in
        science, engineering, medicine, and industry.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``vector'' and all
        that follows through ``architectures'' and inserting ``computer
        technologies that show promise of substantial reductions in
        power requirements and substantial gains in parallelism of
        multicore processors, concurrency, memory and storage,
        bandwidth, and reliability''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Exascale Computing Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a
        coordinated research program to develop exascale computing
        systems to advance the missions of the Department.
            ``(2) Execution.--The Secretary shall, through competitive
        merit review, establish two or more National Laboratory-
        industry-university partnerships to conduct integrated
        research, development, and engineering of multiple exascale
        architectures, and--
                    ``(A) conduct mission-related co-design activities
                in developing such exascale platforms;
                    ``(B) develop those advancements in hardware and
                software technology required to fully realize the
                potential of an exascale production system in
                addressing Department target applications and solving
                scientific problems involving predictive modeling and
                simulation and large-scale data analytics and
                management; and
                    ``(C) explore the use of exascale computing
                technologies to advance a broad range of science and
                engineering.
            ``(3) Administration.--In carrying out this program, the
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) provide, on a competitive, merit-reviewed
                basis, access for researchers in United States
                industry, institutions of higher education, National
                Laboratories, and other Federal agencies to these
                exascale systems, as appropriate; and
                    ``(B) conduct outreach programs to increase the
                readiness for the use of such platforms by domestic
                industries, including manufacturers.
            ``(4) Reports.--
                    ``(A) Integrated strategy and program management
                plan.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress, not
                later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the
                American Super Computing Leadership Act, a report
                outlining an integrated strategy and program management
                plan, including target dates for prototypical and
                production exascale platforms, interim milestones to
                reaching these targets, functional requirements, roles
                and responsibilities of National Laboratories and
                industry, acquisition strategy, and estimated resources
                required, to achieve this exascale system capability.
                The report shall include the Secretary's plan for
                Departmental organization to manage and execute the
                Exascale Computing Program, including definition of the
                roles and responsibilities within the Department to
                ensure an integrated program across the Department. The
                report shall also include a plan for ensuring balance
                and prioritizing across ASCR subprograms in a flat or
                slow-growth budget environment.
                    ``(B) Status reports.--At the time of the budget
                submission of the Department for each fiscal year, the
                Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that
                describes the status of milestones and costs in
                achieving the objectives of the exascale computing
                program.
                    ``(C) Exascale merit report.--At least 18 months
                prior to the initiation of construction or installation
                of any exascale-class computing facility, the Secretary
                shall transmit a plan to the Congress detailing--
                            ``(i) the proposed facility's cost
                        projections and capabilities to significantly
                        accelerate the development of new energy
                        technologies;
                            ``(ii) technical risks and challenges that
                        must be overcome to achieve successful
                        completion and operation of the facility; and
                            ``(iii) an independent assessment of the
                        scientific and technological advances expected
                        from such a facility relative to those expected
                        from a comparable investment in expanded
                        research and applications at terascale-class
                        and petascale-class computing facilities,
                        including an evaluation of where investments
                        should be made in the system software and
                        algorithms to enable these advances.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 8, 2014.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

Summary: American Super Computing Leadership Act - Amends the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004 with respect to: (1) exascale computing , and (2) a high-end computing system with performance substantially exceeding that of systems commonly available for advanced scientific and engineering applications. Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) coordinate the development of high-end computing systems across DOE. (2) partner with universities, National Laboratories, and industry to ensure the broadest possible application of the technology developed in the program to other challenges in science, engineering, medicine, and industry. And (3) include among the multiple architectures researched, at DOE discretion, any computer technologies that show promise of substantial reductions in power requirements and substantial gains in parallelism of multicore processors, concurrency, memory and storage, bandwidth, and reliability. Repeals authority for establishment of at least one High-End Software Development Center. Directs the Secretary to conduct a coordinated research program to develop exascale computing systems to advance DOE missions. Requires establishment through competitive merit review of two or more DOE National Laboratory-industry-university partnerships to conduct integrated research, development, and engineering of multiple exascale architectures. Requires the Secretary to conduct mission-related co-design activities in developing such exascale platforms. Defines quot, co-designquot. As the joint development of application algorithms, models, and codes with computer technology architectures and operating systems to maximize effective use of high-end computing systems. Directs the Secretary to develop any advancements in hardware and software technology required to realize fully the potential of an exascale production system in addressing DOE target applications and solving scientific problems involving predictive modeling and simulation and large-scale data analytics and management. Requires DOE also to explore the use of exascale computing technologies to advance a broad range of science and engineering. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an integrated strategy and program management plan. Requires the Secretary, before initiating construction or installation of an exascale-class computing facility, to transmit to Congress a separate plan detailing: (1) the proposed facility's cost projections and capabilities to significantly accelerate the development of new energy technologies. (2) technical risks and challenges that must be overcome to achieve successful completion and operation of the facility. And (3) an independent assessment of the scientific and technological advances expected from such a facility relative to those expected from a comparable investment in expanded research and applications at terascale-class and petascale-class computing facilities, including an evaluation of where investments should be made in the system software and algorithms to enable these advances.

American Super Computing Leadership Act


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``FHA Improvement Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) the single family housing mortgage insurance program of
        the Department of Housing and Urban Development is a
        significant factor in promoting first-time and affordable
        homeownership in the United States;
            (2) use of mortgage financing under the program has
        decreased in recent years, due in part to increasing complexity
        of mortgage origination and servicing under the program;
            (3) simplifying and streamlining the loan criteria and loan
        approval process under the program would have a positive effect
        on use of the program without increasing risk to the Mutual
        Mortgage Insurance Fund; and
            (4) flexible lending products can be developed without
        increasing risk to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.

SEC. 3. LOAN FLOOR.

    Subparagraph (A) of the first sentence of section 203(b)(2) of the
National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
the matter following clause (ii) and inserting the following:
                ``except that the applicable dollar amount limitation
                in effect under this subparagraph (A) for any area may
                not be less than the greater of--
                            ``(I) the dollar amount limitation in
                        effect under this section for the area on the
                        date of enactment of the FHA Improvement Act of
                        1994; or
                            ``(II) the applicable average area purchase
                        price determined under section 143(e)(2) of the
                        Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as adjusted by
                        the Secretary to reflect a single amount using
                        purchase prices for residences that have been
                        previously occupied, and for residences that
                        have not been so occupied, which amount shall
                        be adjusted by the Secretary annually on the
                        basis of the Constant Quality Housing Price
                        Index;''.

SEC. 4. CALCULATION OF DOWNPAYMENT.

    Section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1709(b)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) except as otherwise provided in this
                paragraph (2), not in excess of--
                            ``(i) 98.75 percent of the appraised value
                        of the property, in the case of a mortgage with
                        an appraised value equal to or less than
                        $50,000, or
                            ``(ii) 97.5 percent of the appraised value
                        of the property, in the case of a mortgage with
                        an appraised value in excess of $50,000,
                plus the amount of the mortgage insurance premium paid
                at the time the mortgage is insured.'';
            (2) by striking the 2d sentence of the matter following
        subparagraph (B); and
            (3) in penultimate undesignated paragraph--
                    (A) in the 2d sentence, by striking ``the preceding
                sentence'' and inserting ``this subsection''; and
                    (B) by striking the first sentence.

SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF INSURANCE BY MORTGAGEES.

    Section 215 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715f) is
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) Mortgages Without Insured Permanent
        Financing.--'' after ``Sec. 215''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Issuance of Insurance Certificates by Mortgagee.--Not later
than the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall implement a system for
insuring mortgages under this title involving properties upon which are
located 1- to 4-family dwelling units that provides that any mortgagee
that is authorized by the Secretary to process mortgages as direct
endorsement mortgages may endorse a mortgage for insurance, execute a
firm commitment for insurance binding upon the Secretary, and issue a
certificate of mortgage insurance under this title, without review and
approval by the Secretary of the specific mortgage.''.

SEC. 6. ELIMINATION OF RESTRICTIONS REGARDING NEW CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) In General.--Section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12
U.S.C. 1709(b)(2)) is amended, in the matter following subparagraph (B)
(as amended by section 3 of this Act)--
            (1) in the 1st undesignated paragraph, by striking
        ``Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,'' and
        all that follows through ``beginning of construction.''; and
            (2) by striking the 2d undesignated paragraph (relating to
        mortgage insurance amounts for residences having solar energy
        systems)
    (b) Repeal of Authority to Expend Amounts From Insurance Fund to
Correct Substantial Defects.--Section 518 of the National Housing Act
(12 U.S.C. 1735b) is hereby repealed.

SEC. 7. AUTHORITY TO USE AMOUNTS BORROWED FROM FAMILY MEMBERS FOR
              DOWNPAYMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 203(b)(9) of the National Housing Act (12
U.S.C. 1709(b)(9)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end
the following: ``: Provided further, That for purposes of this
paragraph, the Secretary shall consider as cash or its equivalent any
amounts borrowed from a family member (as such term is defined in
section 201), subject only to the requirements that, in any case in
which the repayment of such borrowed amounts is secured by a lien
against the property, such lien shall be subordinate to the mortgage
and the sum of the principal obligation of the mortgage and the
obligation secured by such lien may not exceed 100 percent of the
appraised value of the property plus any initial service charges,
appraisal, inspection, and other fees in connection with the
mortgage''.
    (b) Definition of Family Member.--Section 201 of the National
Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsections:
    ``(e) The term `family member' means, with respect to a mortgagor
under such section, a child, parent, or grandparent of the mortgagor
(or the mortgagor's spouse). In determining whether any of the
relationships referred to in the preceding sentence exist, a legally
adopted son or daughter of an individual (and a child who is a member
of an individual's household, if placed with such individual by an
authorized placement agency for legal adoption by such individual), and
a foster child of an individual, shall be treated as a child of such
individual by blood.
    ``(f) The term `child' means, with respect to a mortgagor under
such section, a son, stepson, daughter, or stepdaughter of such
mortgagor.''.

SEC. 8. APPROVAL OF CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS.

    Section 234 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715y) is
amended by striking subsection (k) and inserting the following new
subsection:
    ``(k) Approval of Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--A mortgage covering a multifamily
        project or a condominium unit in a multifamily project shall be
        eligible for mortgage insurance under this section
        notwithstanding any other provision of this section relating to
        requirements for multifamily projects if the project has been
        approved by a government-sponsored housing enterprise and--
                    ``(A) in the case of a mortgage covering any
                condominium unit in the project, the mortgage otherwise
                complies with the requirements under this section
                regarding eligibility of mortgages for mortgage
                insurance provided under subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) in the case of a blanket mortgage covering
                the multifamily project, the mortgage otherwise
                complies with the requirements under this section
                regarding eligibility of mortgages for mortgage
                insurance provided under subsection (d).
            ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the
        following definitions shall apply:
                    ``(A) The term `approved by a government-sponsored
                housing enterprise' means, with respect to a
                multifamily housing project having a condominium
                ownership structure, that a government-sponsored
                housing enterprise has determined that any mortgage
                covering the project or any condominium property in the
                project may be purchased by the enterprise if such
                mortgage is otherwise determined by the enterprise to
                meet the standards and requirements of the enterprise
                relating to mortgages.
                    ``(B) The term `condominium unit' means, with
                respect to a multifamily property, a 1-family dwelling
                unit in the project and an undivided interest in the
                common areas and facilities that serve the project.
                    ``(C) The term `government-sponsored housing
                enterprise' means--
                            ``(i) the Federal National Mortgage
                        Association; and
                            ``(ii) the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                        Corporation.''.

SEC. 9. INSURANCE OF 2-STEP SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGES.

    Title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

                    ``2-step single family mortgages

    ``Sec. 256. (a) Authority.--After making the finding required under
subsection (d), the Secretary may insure under any provision of this
title a mortgage involving property upon which there is located a
dwelling designed principally for occupancy by 1 to 4 families, where
the mortgage provides that the effective rate of interest charged is--
            ``(1) fixed for the duration of a specified period that
        consists of not less than the first 5 years of the mortgage
        term;
            ``(2) adjusted by the mortgagee upon the expiration of the
        specified period referred to in paragraph (1) for the mortgage;
        and
            ``(3) for the term of the mortgage remaining after such
        adjustment--
                    ``(A) fixed at the adjusted rate established
                pursuant to paragraph (2); or
                    ``(B) periodically adjusted by the mortgagee.
    ``(b) Redetermination of Rate.--For each mortgage insured pursuant
to this section, the adjustment of the effective rate of interest
pursuant to subsection (a)(2) may be accomplished through adjustments
in the monthly payment amount, the outstanding principal balance, or
the mortgage term, or a combination of such factors, except that in no
case may any extension of a mortgage term result in a total term in
excess of 40 years. The adjustment in the effective rate of interest
shall correspond to a specified national interest rate index that is
approved in regulations issued by the Secretary and information on
which is readily accessible to the mortgagors from generally available
published sources.
    ``(c) Limitations on Second-Step Periodic Rates.--For each mortgage
insured pursuant to this section for which the effective rate of
interest charged pursuant to subsection (a)(3) is periodically adjusted
under subparagraph (B) of such subsection, such adjustments in the
interest rate--
            ``(1) may be accomplished through adjustments in the
        monthly payment amount, the outstanding principal balance, or
        the mortgage term, or a combination of such factors, except
        that in no case may any extension of a mortgage term result in
        a total term in excess of 40 years;
            ``(2) shall correspond to a specified national interest
        rate index that is approved in regulations issued the Secretary
        and information on which is readily accessible to the
        mortgagors from generally available published sources;
            ``(3) shall be made on an annual basis;
            ``(4) shall be limited, with respect to any single interest
        rate increase, to no more than 1 percent on the outstanding
        loan balance; and
            ``(5) be limited to a maximum increase of 5 percentage
        points above the initial contract interest rate over the term
        of the mortgage.
    ``(d) Conditions on Insuring Authority.--The Secretary may insure
mortgages pursuant to this section only after determining that the risk
posed by such insurance to the financial safety and soundness of the
insurance fund of which the mortgage insurance is an obligation does
not exceed such risk posed by insurance of mortgages of equivalent
terms having fixed interest rates over such terms.
    ``(e) Description of Features.--The Secretary shall issue
regulations requiring that the mortgagee make available to the
mortgagor, at the time of loan application, a written explanation of
the features of the 2-step mortgage insured pursuant to this section.
    ``(f) Limitation of Total Number of Mortgages Insured.--The
aggregate number of mortgages and loans insured pursuant to this
section in any fiscal year may not exceed 10 percent of the aggregate
number of mortgages and loans insured by the Secretary under this title
during the preceding fiscal year.''.

SEC. 10. STUDY REGARDING MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND MORTGAGE
              AMOUNT LIMITATIONS.

    The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall conduct a
study to determine--
            (1) various methods of decreasing the amounts of the up-
        front and annual premiums charged for mortgage insurance under
        the single family home mortgage insurance program under title
        II of the National Housing Act; and
            (2) the effects of such various methods on the financial
        safety and soundness of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
Not later than the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report
to the Congress containing the findings of the study under this section
and any recommendations of the Secretary resulting from such findings.

Summary: FHA Improvement Act of 1994 - Amends the National Housing Act to revise the single family mortgage insurance program. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to study mortgage insurance premiums and mortgage amount limitations.

FHA Improvement Act of 1994


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Increasing Medical Oversight in the
Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR.

    (a) Establishment.--Subchapter I of chapter 73 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 7310. Office of the Medical Inspector
    ``(a) In General.--There is established in the Department within
the Office of the Under Secretary for Health an office to be known as
the `Office of the Medical Inspector' (in this section referred to as
the `Office').
    ``(b) Head.--(1) The Medical Inspector shall be the head of the
Office.
    ``(2) The Medical Inspector shall be appointed by the Secretary
from among individuals qualified to perform the duties of the position.
    ``(3) The Medical Inspector shall report directly to the Under
Secretary for Health.
    ``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Office shall include the
following:
            ``(1) To review the quality of health care provided to
        veterans--
                    ``(A) by the Department generally; and
                    ``(B) by the Department through contracts with non-
                Department health care providers.
            ``(2) To review offices of the Veterans Health
        Administration that have an impact on the quality of health
        care provided to veterans by the Department and the performance
        of the Department in providing such care.
            ``(3) To review offices and facilities of the Veterans
        Health Administration to ensure that policies and procedures of
        the Department and the Veterans Health Administration are
        applied consistently at all such offices and facilities.
            ``(4) To investigate any systemic issues, as determined by
        the Medical Inspector, that arise within the Veterans Health
        Administration, including the following:
                    ``(A) Improper issuance of credentials and
                privileges to health care providers.
                    ``(B) Impediments to the access of veterans to
                health care from the Department.
                    ``(C) Wait times for appointments by veterans at
                medical facilities of the Department in excess of wait-
                time goals established by the Department.
                    ``(D) Intentional falsification by employees of the
                Department of information or data with respect to wait
                times for such appointments.
            ``(5) To establish temporary investigative teams to carry
        out reviews or investigations described in paragraphs (1), (2),
        (3), and (4) in response to specific incidents or inquiries,
        including the following:
                    ``(A) Investigations of complaints by a veteran, a
                family member of a veteran, or another individual that
                may require a visit to a facility or facilities of the
                Department.
                    ``(B) Assessments to examine potential systemic
                issues within the Veterans Health Administration that
                may require the conduct of surveys, the collection of
                data, and the analysis of databases of the Department.
            ``(6) To recommend policies to promote economy and
        efficiency in the administration of, and to prevent and detect
        criminal activity, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in, programs
        and operations of the Veterans Health Administration.
            ``(7) To carry out any other tasks required of the Office
        by the Secretary or the Under Secretary for Health before, on,
        or after the date of the enactment of this section.
    ``(d) Reports.--(1) Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, and periodically thereafter, the Medical
Inspector shall submit to the Secretary, the Under Secretary for
Health, and Congress reports on any problems or deficiencies
encountered in programs and operations of the Veterans Health
Administration, including any recommendations for corrective actions.
    ``(2) Each report required by paragraph (1) shall be made available
to the public on an Internet website of the Department.
    ``(3) Any other report prepared by the Medical Inspector in
carrying out the functions of the Office under this section shall be--
            ``(A) submitted to Congress; and
            ``(B) made available to the public on an Internet website
        of the Department.
    ``(e) Privacy Matters.--Any medical or other personal information
obtained by the Office shall be protected from disclosure or misuse in
accordance with the laws on privacy applicable to such information.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 73 of such title is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 7309 the following new item:

``7310. Office of the Medical Inspector.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 7306(a) of such title is
amended by--
            (1) redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11); and
            (2) inserting after paragraph (9) the following new
        paragraph (10):
            ``(10) The Medical Inspector, who shall be the head of the
        Office of the Medical Inspector under section 7310 of this
        title.''.
    (d) Continuation in Office.--The individual serving as the Medical
Inspector of the Department of Veterans Affairs on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act may serve as the Medical Inspector of
the Department of Veterans Affairs after that date until the date on
which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs appoints an individual to be
the Medical Inspector pursuant to section 7310(b)(2) of title 38,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

Summary: Increasing Medical Oversight in the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2014 - Establishes the Office of the Medical Inspector of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) within the Office of the Under Secretary for Health. Includes among the functions of the Office to: review the quality of health care provided to veterans by the VA generally and by the VA through contracts with non-VA health care providers. Review offices of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that have an impact on the quality of health care provided to veterans by the VA and the performance of the VA in providing such care. Review VHA offices and facilities to ensure that VA and VHA policies and procedures are applied consistently. Investigate any systemic issues that arise within VHA, including improper issuance of credentials and privileges to health care providers, impediments to access to VA health care, wait times for appointments at VA medical facilities in excess of VA goals, and intentional falsification by VA employees of information regarding wait times. Establish temporary investigative teams to carry out reviews in response to specific incidents or inquiries, including veterans' complaints and potential systemic issues within VHA that may require the conduct of surveys, the collection of data, and the analysis of VA databases. Recommend policies to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of, and to prevent and detect criminal activity, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in, VHA programs and operations. And report on problems or deficiencies encountered in VHA programs and operations and recommend corrective actions.


TITLE I--PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF CERTAIN
 CHINESE OFFICIALS IN CONFERENCES, EXCHANGES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES

SEC. 101. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS.

    (a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for
fiscal years after fiscal year 1997, no funds appropriated or otherwise
made available for the Department of State, the United States
Information Agency, and the United States Agency for International
Development may be used for the purpose of providing travel expenses
and per diem for the participation of nationals of the People's
Republic of China described in paragraphs (1) and (2) in conferences,
exchanges, programs, and activities:
            (1) The head or political secretary of any of the following
        Chinese Government-created or approved organizations:
                    (A) The Chinese Buddhist Association.
                    (B) The Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.
                    (C) The National Congress of Catholic
                Representatives.
                    (D) The Chinese Catholic Bishops' Conference.
                    (E) The Chinese Protestant ``Three Self'' Patriotic
                Movement.
                    (F) The China Christian Council.
                    (G) The Chinese Taoist Association.
                    (H) The Chinese Islamic Association.
            (2) Any military or civilian official or employee of the
        Government of the People's Republic of China who is directly
        involved in any of the following policies or practices or who
        was responsible for the supervision of persons directly
        involved in such policies or practices:
                    (A) Formulating, drafting, or implementing
                repressive religious policies.
                    (B) Imprisoning, detaining, or harassing
                individuals on religious grounds.
                    (C) Promoting or participating in policies or
                practices which hinder religious activities or the free
                expression of religious beliefs.
    (b) Certification.--
            (1) Each Federal agency subject to the prohibition of
        subsection (a) shall certify in writing to the appropriate
        congressional committees no later than 120 days after the date
        of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, that it
        did not pay, either directly or through a contractor or
        grantee, for travel expenses or per diem of any national of the
        People's Republic of China described in subsection (a).
            (2) Each certification under paragraph (1) shall be
        supported by the following information:
                    (A) The name of each employee of any agency of the
                Government of the People's Republic of China whose
                travel expenses or per diem were paid by funds of the
                reporting agency of the United States Government.
                    (B) The procedures employed by the reporting agency
                of the United States Government to ascertain whether
                each individual under subparagraph (A) did or did not
                participate in activities described in subsection
                (a)(2).
                    (C) The reporting agency's basis for concluding
                that each individual under subparagraph (A) did not
                participate in such activities.
    (c) Definition of Appropriate Congressional Committees.--For
purposes of this section the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and
the Committee on International Relations of the House of
Representatives.

SEC. 102. SUNSET PROVISION.

    Section 101 shall cease to have effect 4 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act.

  TITLE II--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR
                  RADIO FREE ASIA AND VOICE OF AMERICA

SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR INCREASED FUNDING.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations for International Broadcasting
to China.--In addition to such sums as are otherwise authorized to be
appropriated for ``International Broadcasting Activities'' for fiscal
years 1998 and 1999, there are authorized to be appropriated for
``International Broadcasting Activities'' $46,900,000 for fiscal year
1998 and $31,200,000 for fiscal year 1999, which shall be available
only for broadcasting to China.
    (b) Limitations.--
            (1) Radio free asia.--
                    (A) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated
                under subsection (a) $26,900,000 is authorized to be
                appropriated for fiscal year 1998 and $21,200,000 is
                authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1999 for
                Radio Free Asia.
                    (B) Of the funds under subparagraph (A), $1,200,000
                is authorized to be appropriated for each such fiscal
                year for additional personnel to staff Cantonese
                language broadcasting.
                    (C) Of the funds under subparagraph (A) authorized
                to be appropriated for fiscal year 1998, $900,000 is
                authorized to be appropriated for additional advanced
                editing equipment.
            (2) 1998.--
                    (A) Of the funds under subsection (a) authorized to
                be appropriated for fiscal year 1998, $11,800,000 is
                authorized to be appropriated for capital expenditures
                for the purchase and construction of transmission
                facilities.
                    (B) Of the funds under subsection (a) authorized to
                be appropriated for fiscal year 1998, $3,000,000 is
                authorized to be appropriated to facilitate the timely
                augmentation of transmitters at Tinian, Commonwealth of
                Northern Marianas.
    (c) Allocation.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under
subsection (a), the Director of the United States Information Agency
and the Board of Broadcasting Governors shall seek to ensure that the
amounts made available for broadcasting to nations whose people do not
fully enjoy freedom of expression do not decline in proportion to the
amounts made available for broadcasting to other nations.

SEC. 202. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, in
consultation with the Board of Broadcasting Governors, the President
shall prepare and transmit to Congress a report on a plan to achieve
continuous broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of America to the
People's Republic of China in multiple major dialects and languages.

SEC. 203. REDUCTION IN AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR MIGRATION
              AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such amounts as are
authorized to be appropriated for ``Migration and Refugee Assistance''
for fiscal year 1998 shall be reduced by $21,900,000 and for fiscal
year 1999 shall be reduced by $6,200,000.

                  TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AT
              DIPLOMATIC POSTS TO MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PEOPLE'S
              REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to support personnel to
monitor political repression in the People's Republic of China in the
United States Embassy in Beijing, as well as the American consulates in
Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Chengdu, and Hong Kong, $2,200,000 for
fiscal year 1998 and $2,200,000 for fiscal year 1999.

SEC. 302. CONGRESSIONAL STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the sense of the Congress that the President should make
freedom of religion one of the major objectives of United States
foreign policy with respect to China. As part of this policy, the
Department of State should raise in every relevant bilateral and
multilateral forum the issue of individuals imprisoned, detained,
confined, or otherwise harassed by the Chinese Government on religious
grounds. In its communications with the Chinese Government, the
Department of State should provide specific names of individuals of
concern and request a complete and timely response from the Chinese
Government regarding the individuals' whereabouts and condition, the
charges against them, and sentence imposed. The goal of these official
communications should be the expeditious release of all religious
prisoners in China and the end of the Chinese Government's policy and
practice of harassing and repressing religious believers.

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Prohibition on Use of Funds for the Participation of Certain Chinese Officials in Conferences, Exchanges, Programs, and Activities Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Increased Funding for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions Title I: Prohibition on Use of Funds for the Participation of Certain Chinese Officials in Conferences, Exchanges, Programs, and Activities - Prohibits certain US agencies from funding the travel and per diem expenses of certain nationals of the People's Republic of China for participation in conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities. Title II: Authorization of Appropriations for Increased Funding for Radio Free Asia and Voice of America - Authorizes appropriations for International Broadcasting Activities for FY 1998 and 1999 in addition to sums previously authorized. Details allocation of such additional appropriations for Radio Free Asia. Instructs the Director of the United States Information Agency and the Board of Broadcasting Governors to seek to ensure that funds made available for broadcasting to nations whose people do not fully enjoy freedom of expression do not decline in proportion to amounts made available for broadcasting to other nations. Directs the President to report to the Congress on a plan to achieve continuous broadcasting of Radio Free Asia and Voice of America in multiple major dialects and languages to the People's Republic of China. Reduces authorization of appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 for Migration and Refugee Assistance. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 and 1999 to support personnel in the United States Embassy in Beijing as well as in selected American consulates to monitor political repression in the People's Republic of China. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should make freedom of religion one of the major objectives of US foreign policy with respect to China. (2) the Department of State should raise the issue of individuals imprisoned or otherwise harassed by the Chinese Government on religious grounds and request a complete and timely response from the Chinese Government regarding the individuals' whereabouts and condition, the charges against them, and the sentence imposed. And (3) the goal of official communications should be the expeditious release of all religious prisoners in China and the end of religious harassment and repression.

To prohibit the use of United States funds to provide for the participation of certain Chinese officials in international conferences, exchanges, programs, and activities, and for other purposes.