SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act of 2005''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Director of Central Intelligence's most recent Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 July Through 31 December 2003, states ``Russian entities during the reporting period continued to supply a variety of ballistic missile-related goods and technical know-how to countries such as Iran, India, and China. Iran's earlier success in gaining technology and materials from Russian entities helped accelerate Iranian development of the Shahab-3 MRBM, and continuing Russian entity assistance has supported Iranian efforts to develop new missiles and increase Tehran's self-sufficiency in missile production.'' (2) Vice Admiral Lowell E. Jacoby, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, stated in testimony before the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate on February 16, 2005, that ``Tehran probably will have the ability to produce nuclear weapons early in the next decade''. (3) Iran has-- (A) failed to act in accordance with the Agreement Between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Vienna June 19, 1973 (commonly referred to as the ``Safeguards Agreement''); (B) acted in a manner inconsistent with the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards, signed at Vienna December 18, 2003 (commonly referred to as the ``Additional Protocol''); (C) acted in a manner inconsistent with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Washington, London, and Moscow July 1, 1968, and entered into force March 5, 1970 (commonly referred to as the ``Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty''); and (D) resumed uranium conversion activities, thus ending the confidence building measures it adopted in its November 2003 agreement with the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. (4) On September 24, 2005, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally declared that Iranian actions constituted noncompliance with its nuclear safeguards obligations, and that Iran's history of concealment of its nuclear activities has given rise to questions that are within the purview of the United Nations Security Council. (5) The executive branch has on multiple occasions used the authority provided under section 3 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) to impose sanctions on entities that have engaged in activities in violation of restrictions in the Act relating to-- (A) the export of equipment and technology controlled under multilateral export control lists, including under the Australia Group, Chemical Weapons Convention, Missile Technology Control Regime, Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement or otherwise having the potential to make a material contribution to the development of weapons of mass destruction or cruise or ballistic missile systems to Iran; and (B) the export of other items to Iran with the potential of making a material contribution to Iran's weapons of mass destruction programs or on United States national control lists for reasons related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles. (6) The executive branch has never made a determination pursuant to section 6(b) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 that-- (A) it is the policy of the Government of the Russian Federation to oppose the proliferation to Iran of weapons of mass destruction and missile systems capable of delivering such weapons; (B) the Government of the Russian Federation (including the law enforcement, export promotion, export control, and intelligence agencies of such government) has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate a sustained commitment to seek out and prevent the transfer to Iran of goods, services, and technology that could make a material contribution to the development of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, or of ballistic or cruise missile systems; and (C) no entity under the jurisdiction or control of the Government of the Russian Federation, has, during the 1-year period prior to the date of the determination pursuant to section 6(b) of such Act, made transfers to Iran reportable under section 2(a) of the Act. (7) On June 29, 2005, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13382 blocking property of weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters, and used the authority of such order against 4 Iranian entities, Aerospace Industries Organization, Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group, and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, that have engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items. SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO IRAN NONPROLIFERATION ACT OF 2000 RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION PAYMENTS. (a) Treatment of Certain Payments.--Section 7(1)(B) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended-- (1) by striking the period at the end and inserting a comma; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``except that such term does not mean payments in cash or in kind made or to be made by the United States Government prior to January 1, 2012, for work to be performed or services to be rendered prior to that date necessary to meet United States obligations under the Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station, with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and entered into force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract related thereto.''. (b) Exception.--Section 6(h) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by inserting after ``extraordinary payments in connection with the International Space Station'' the following: ``, or any other payments in connection with the International Space Station,''. (c) Reporting Requirements.--Section 6 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(i) Report on Certain Payments Related to International Space Station.-- ``(1) In general.--The President shall, together with each report submitted under section 2(a), submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives a report that identifies each Russian entity or person to whom the United States Government has, since the date of the enactment of the Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act of 2005, made a payment in cash or in kind for work to be performed or services to be rendered under the Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station, with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and entered into force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract related thereto. ``(2) Content.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include-- ``(A) the specific purpose of each payment made to each entity or person identified in the report; and ``(B) with respect to each such payment, the assessment of the President that the payment was not prejudicial to the achievement of the objectives of the United States Government to prevent the proliferation of ballistic or cruise missile systems in Iran and other countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism, as determined by the Secretary of State under section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371(a)), section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)), or section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)).''. SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN NONPROLIFERATION ACT OF 2000 TO MAKE SUCH ACT APPLICABLE TO IRAN AND SYRIA. (a) Reports on Proliferation Relating to Iran or Syria.--Section 2 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended-- (1) in the heading, by striking ``TO IRAN'' and inserting ``RELATING TO IRAN AND SYRIA''; and (2) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)-- (i) by inserting ``or acquired from'' after ``transferred to''; and (ii) by inserting after ``Iran'' the following: ``, or on or after January 1, 2005, transferred to or acquired from Syria''; and (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``Iran'' the following: ``or Syria, as the case may be,''. (b) Determination Exempting Foreign Persons From Certain Measures.--Section 5(a) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``transfer to Iran'' and inserting ``transfer to or acquire from Iran or Syria, as the case may be,''; and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Iran's efforts'' and inserting ``the efforts of Iran or Syria, as the case may be,''. (c) Restriction on Extraordinary Payments in Connection With the International Space Station.--Section 6(b) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended-- (1) in the heading, by striking ``to Iran'' and inserting ``Relating to Iran and Syria''; (2) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking ``to Iran'' each place it appears and inserting ``to or from Iran and Syria''; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``to Iran'' and inserting ``to or from Iran or Syria''. (d) Definitions.--Section 7(2) of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (C) to read as follows: ``(C) any foreign government, including any foreign governmental entity; and''; and (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``subparagraph (B) or (C)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), including any entity in which any entity described in any such subparagraph owns a controlling interest''. (e) Short Title.-- (1) Amendment.--Section 1 of the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-178; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking ``Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000'' and inserting ``Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act''. (2) References.--Any reference in a law, regulation, document, or other record of the United States to the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 shall be deemed to be a reference to the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

Summary: Iran Nonproliferation Amendments Act of 2005 - Amends the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 to state that the definition of "extraordinary payments in connection with the International Space Station" does not mean payments in cash or in kind made or to be made by the U.S. government prior to January 1, 2012, for work to be performed or services to be rendered prior to that date necessary to meet U.S. obligations under the Agreement Concerning Cooperation on the Civil International Space Station, with annex, signed at Washington January 29, 1998, and entered into force March 27, 2001, or any protocol, agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract related thereto. (Under such Act the United States is prohibited from making such payments to the Russian Aviation and Space Agency unless specified determinations are made with respect to Russian cooperation in preventing proliferation to Iran, or to a foreign person identified as contributing to proliferation to Iran.) Prohibits any U.S. agency from making extraordinary payments and any other payments (currently, such prohibition is limited to extraordinary payments) in connection with the International Space Station to a foreign person subject to specified measures under such Act or Executive Order No. 12938. Directs the President to submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives a report that identifies each Russian entity or person to whom the United States has, since the date of enactment of this Act, made a cash or in-kind payment under the Agreement. Requires such report to include: (1) the purpose of each payment; and (2) with respect to each such payment, an assessment that the payment was not prejudicial to preventing the proliferation of ballistic or cruise missile systems in Iran and other countries that have supported acts of international terrorism. Applies the provisions of such Act to: (1) Syria with respect to transfers on or after January 1, 2005; and (2) transfers to or from such countries (currently, limited to transfers to Iran). Redefines "foreign person" or "person" to include any foreign government or government entity (currently, any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise). Retitles the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2002 as the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Union Integrity Act''. SEC. 2. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION FOR UNION EMPLOYEES. The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (29 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) is amended-- (1) by redesignating section 611 (29 U.S.C. 531) as section 612; and (2) by inserting after section 610 (29 U.S.C. 530), the following new section: ``whistleblower protection for union employees ``Sec. 611. (a) In General.--No labor organization shall terminate or in any other way discriminate against, or cause to be terminated or discriminated against, any covered employee of the labor organization by reason of the fact that such employee, whether at the initiative of the employee or in the ordinary course of the duties of the employee (or any person acting pursuant to a request of the employee), has-- ``(1) provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide or cause to be provided, information to the labor organization, the Department of Labor, or any other State, local, or Federal government authority or law enforcement agency relating to any violation of, or any act or omission that the employee reasonably believes to be a violation of, any provision of this Act or any other provision of law that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, or any rule, order, standard, or prohibition prescribed by the Department of Labor or the National Labor Relations Board; ``(2) testified or will testify in any proceeding resulting from the administration or enforcement of any provision of this Act or any other provision of law that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor or National Labor Relations Board, or any rule, order, standard, or prohibition prescribed by the Department of Labor or the National Labor Relations Board; ``(3) filed, instituted, or caused to be filed or instituted any proceeding under this Act; or ``(4) objected to, or refused to participate in, any activity, policy, practice, or assigned task that the employee (or other such person) reasonably believed to be in violation of any law, rule, order, standard, or prohibition, subject to the jurisdiction of, or enforceable by, the Department of Labor or the National Labor Relations Board. ``(b) Definition of Covered Employee.--For the purposes of this section, the term `covered employee' means any employee of a labor organization who receives financial compensation for his or her services to the labor organization, including officers of the labor organization. ``(c) Procedures and Timetables.-- ``(1) Complaint.-- ``(A) In general.--A person who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of subsection (a) may file (or have any person file on his or her behalf) a complaint with the Secretary of Labor alleging such discharge or discrimination and identifying the person responsible for such act. Such a complaint must be filed not later than either-- ``(i) 180 days after the date on which such alleged violation occurs; or ``(ii) 180 days after the conclusion of any internal appeals, review, or other judicial or investigative process conducted by the labor organization employing such person. ``(B) Actions of secretary of labor.--Upon receipt of such a complaint, the Secretary of Labor shall notify, in writing, the person named in the complaint who is alleged to have committed the violation, of-- ``(i) the filing of the complaint; ``(ii) the allegations contained in the complaint; ``(iii) the substance of evidence supporting the complaint; and ``(iv) opportunities that will be afforded to such person under paragraph (2). ``(2) Investigation by secretary of labor.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of receipt of a complaint filed under paragraph (1), and after affording the complainant and the person named in the complaint who is alleged to have committed the violation that is the basis for the complaint an opportunity to submit to the Secretary of Labor a written response to the complaint and an opportunity to meet with a representative of the Secretary of Labor to present statements from witnesses, the Secretary of Labor shall-- ``(i) initiate an investigation and determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the complaint has merit; and ``(ii) notify the complainant and the person alleged to have committed the violation of subsection (a), in writing, of such determination. ``(B) Notice of relief available.--If the Secretary of Labor concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of subsection (a) has occurred, the Secretary of Labor shall, together with the notice under subparagraph (A)(ii), issue a preliminary order providing the relief prescribed by paragraph (4)(B). ``(C) Request for hearing.--Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of notification of a determination of the Secretary of Labor under this paragraph, either the person alleged to have committed the violation or the complainant may file objections to the findings or preliminary order, or both, and request a hearing on the record. The filing of such objections shall not operate to stay any reinstatement remedy contained in the preliminary order. Any such hearing shall be conducted expeditiously, and if a hearing is not requested in such 30-day period, the preliminary order shall be deemed a final order that is not subject to judicial review. ``(3) Grounds for determination of complaints.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Labor shall dismiss a complaint filed under this subsection, and shall not conduct an investigation otherwise required under paragraph (2), unless the complainant makes a prima facie showing that any behavior described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) was a contributing factor in the unfavorable personnel action alleged in the complaint. ``(B) Rebuttal evidence.--Notwithstanding a finding by the Secretary of Labor that the complainant has made the showing required under subparagraph (A), no investigation otherwise required under paragraph (2) shall be conducted, if the labor organization demonstrates, by clear and convincing evidence, that the labor organization would have taken the same unfavorable personnel action in the absence of that behavior. ``(C) Evidentiary standards.--The Secretary of Labor may determine that a violation of subsection (a) has occurred only if the complainant demonstrates that any behavior described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) was a contributing factor in the unfavorable personnel action alleged in the complaint. Relief may not be ordered under subparagraph (A) if the labor organization demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the labor organization would have taken the same unfavorable personnel action in the absence of that behavior. ``(4) Issuance of final orders; review procedures.-- ``(A) Timing.--Not later than 120 days after the date of conclusion of any hearing under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Labor shall issue a final order providing the relief prescribed by this paragraph or denying the complaint. At any time before issuance of a final order, a proceeding under this subsection may be terminated on the basis of a settlement agreement entered into by the Secretary of Labor, the complainant, and the person alleged to have committed the violation. ``(B) Penalties.-- ``(i) Order of secretary of labor.--If, in response to a complaint filed under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Labor determines that a violation of subsection (a) has occurred, the Secretary of Labor shall order the person who committed such violation-- ``(I) to take affirmative action to abate the violation; ``(II) to reinstate the complainant to his or her former position, together with compensation (including back pay) and restore the terms, conditions, and privileges associated with his or her employment; and ``(III) to provide compensatory damages to the complainant. ``(ii) Penalty.--If an order is issued under clause (i), the Secretary of Labor, at the request of the complainant, shall assess against the person against whom the order is issued, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorney fees and expert witness fees) reasonably incurred, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, by the complainant for, or in connection with, the bringing of the complaint upon which the order was issued. ``(C) Penalty for frivolous claims.--If the Secretary of Labor finds that a complaint under paragraph (1) is frivolous or has been brought in bad faith, the Secretary of Labor may award to the prevailing labor organization a reasonable attorney fee, not exceeding $1,000, to be paid by the complainant. ``(D) De novo review.-- ``(i) Failure of the secretary to act.--If the Secretary of Labor has not issued a final order within 210 days after the date of filing of a complaint under this subsection, or within 90 days after the date of receipt of a written determination, the complainant may bring an action at law or equity for de novo review in the appropriate district court of the United States having jurisdiction, which shall have jurisdiction over such an action without regard to the amount in controversy, and which action shall, at the request of either party to such action, be tried by the court with a jury. ``(ii) Procedures.--A proceeding under clause (i) shall be governed by the same legal burdens of proof specified in paragraph (3). The court shall have jurisdiction to grant all relief necessary to make the employee whole, including injunctive relief and compensatory damages, including-- ``(I) reinstatement with the same seniority status that the employee would have had, but for the discharge or discrimination; ``(II) the amount of back pay, with interest; and ``(III) compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discharge or discrimination, including litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney fees. ``(E) Other appeals.--Unless the complainant brings an action under subparagraph (D), any person adversely affected or aggrieved by a final order issued under subparagraph (A) may file a petition for review of the order in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the violation with respect to which the order was issued, allegedly occurred or the circuit in which the complainant resided on the date of such violation, not later than 60 days after the date of the issuance of the final order of the Secretary of Labor under subparagraph (A). Review shall conform to chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. The commencement of proceedings under this subparagraph shall not, unless ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the order. An order of the Secretary of Labor with respect to which review could have been obtained under this subparagraph shall not be subject to judicial review in any criminal or other civil proceeding. ``(5) Failure to comply with order.-- ``(A) Actions by the secretary.--If any person has failed to comply with a final order issued under paragraph (4), the Secretary of Labor may file a civil action in the United States district court for the district in which the violation was found to have occurred, or in the United States district court for the District of Columbia, to enforce such order. In actions brought under this paragraph, the district courts shall have jurisdiction to grant all appropriate relief including injunctive relief and compensatory damages. ``(B) Civil actions to compel compliance.--A person on whose behalf an order was issued under paragraph (4) may commence a civil action against the person to whom such order was issued to require compliance with such order. The appropriate United States district court shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties, to enforce such order. ``(C) Award of costs authorized.--The court, in issuing any final order under this paragraph, may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any party, whenever the court determines such award is appropriate. ``(D) Mandamus proceedings.--Any nondiscretionary duty imposed by this section shall be enforceable in a mandamus proceeding brought under section 1361 of title 28, United States Code. ``(d) Limitation of Preemption.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed-- ``(1) to limit the ability of members of a labor organization to remove their elected or appointed officials through a democratic election conducted among such members; or ``(2) to preempt a State or local government from providing additional protections to employees of labor organizations who allege violations of subsection (a), provided that such protections do not limit the ability of members of a labor organization to remove their elected or appointed officials through a democratic ballot. ``(e) Unenforceability of Certain Agreements.-- ``(1) No waiver of rights and remedies.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the rights and remedies provided for in this section may not be waived by any agreement, policy, form, or condition of employment, including by any predispute arbitration agreement. ``(2) No predispute arbitration agreements.-- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable to the extent that it requires arbitration of a dispute arising under this section.''.

Summary: Union Integrity Act Amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to prescribe whistleblower protections that prohibit a labor organization from discriminating against any of its employees who has: (1) provided information to the labor organization, the Department of Labor, or any other state, local, or federal government authority or law enforcement agency regarding any violation of the Act or any Department or National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) order; (2) testified in any Department or NLRB administrative or enforcement proceeding; (3) filed or instituted any such proceeding; or (4) refused to perform an assigned task that the employee reasonably believed to be in violation of any law, order, or prohibition enforced by the Department or the NLRB. Prescribes procedures for filing and processing complaints for violations of this Act. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) limit employees to remove elected or appointed union officials through a democratic election; or (2) preempt a state or local government from providing additional protections to such employees who allege a violation, provided such protections do not limit the ability of those employees to remove such officials through a democratic ballot.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Independent Outside Audit of the Indian Health Service Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE AUDIT OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Reputable private entity.--The term ``reputable private entity'' means a private entity that-- (A) has experience with, and proven outcomes in optimizing the performance of, Federal health care delivery systems, the private sector, and health care management; and (B) specializes in implementing large-scale organizational and cultural transformations, especially with respect to health care delivery systems. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (3) Service.--The term ``Service'' means the Indian Health Service. (b) Assessment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into one or more contracts with a reputable private entity to conduct an independent assessment of the health care delivery systems and financial management processes of the Service. (c) Program Integrator.-- (1) In general.--If the Secretary enters into contracts under this section with more than 1 reputable private sector entity, the Secretary shall designate one such entity that is predominantly a health care organization as the program integrator. (2) Responsibilities.--The program integrator designated under paragraph (1) shall be responsible for coordinating the outcomes of the assessments conducted by the reputable private entities under this section. (d) Areas of Study.--Each assessment conducted under subsection (b) shall address each of the following: (1) Current and projected demographics and unique health care needs of the patient population served by the Service. (2) Current and projected health care capabilities and resources of the Service, including hospital care, medical services, and other health care furnished by non-Service facilities under contract with the Service, to provide timely and accessible care to eligible patients. (3) The authorities and mechanisms under which the Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical services, and other health care at non-Service facilities, including whether it is recommended that the Secretary have the authority to furnish such care and services at such facilities through the completion of episodes of care. (4) The appropriate systemwide access standard applicable to hospital care, medical services, and other health care furnished by and through the Service, including an identification of appropriate access standards for each individual specialty and post-care rehabilitation. (5) The workflow process at each medical facility of the Service for scheduling appointments to receive hospital care, medical services, or other health care from the Service. (6) The organization, workflow processes, and tools used by the Service to support clinical staffing, access to care, effective length-of-stay management and care transitions, positive patient experience, accurate documentation, and subsequent coding of inpatient services. (7) The staffing level at each medical facility of the Service and the productivity of each health care provider at such medical facility, compared with health care industry performance metrics, which may include an assessment of any of the following: (A) The case load of, and number of patients treated by, each health care provider at such medical facility during an average week. (B) The time spent by such health care provider on matters other than the case load of such health care provider. (C) The amount of personnel used for administration compared with direct health care in the Service being comparable to the amount used for administration compared with direct health care in private health care institutions. (D) The allocation of the budget of the Service used for administration compared with the allocation of the budget used for direct health care at Service- operated facilities. (E) Any vacancies in positions of full-time equivalent employees that the Service-- (i) does not intend to fill; or (ii) has not filled during the 12-month period beginning on the date on which the position became vacant. (F) The disposition of amounts budgeted for full- time equivalent employees that is not used for those employees because the positions of the employees are vacant, including-- (i) whether the amounts are redeployed; and (ii) if the amounts are redeployed, how the redeployment is determined. (G) With respect to the approximately 3,700 Medicaid-reimbursable full-time equivalent employees of the Service-- (i) the number of those employees who are certified coders; and (ii) whether that number of employees is necessary. (8) The information technology strategies of the Service with respect to furnishing and managing health care, including an identification of any weaknesses and opportunities with respect to the technology used by the Service, especially those strategies with respect to clinical documentation of episodes of hospital care, medical services, and other health care, including any clinical images and associated textual reports, furnished by the Service in Service or non-Service facilities. (9) Business processes of the Service, including processes relating to furnishing non-Service health care, insurance identification, third-party revenue collection, and vendor reimbursement, including an identification of mechanisms as follows: (A) To avoid the payment of penalties to vendors. (B) To increase the collection of amounts owed to the Service for hospital care, medical services, or other health care provided by the Service for which reimbursement from a third party is authorized and to ensure that such amounts collected are accurate. (C) To increase the collection of any other amounts owed to the Service with respect to hospital care, medical services, and other health care and to ensure that such amounts collected are accurate. (D) To increase the accuracy and timeliness of Service payments to vendors and providers. (10) The purchasing, distribution, and use of pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, medical devices, and health care related services by the Service, including the following: (A) The prices paid for, standardization of, and use by the Service of, the following: (i) Pharmaceuticals. (ii) Medical and surgical supplies. (iii) Medical devices. (B) The use by the Service of group purchasing arrangements to purchase pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, medical devices, and health care related services. (C) The strategy and systems used by the Service to distribute pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, medical devices, and health care related services to medical facilities of the Service. (11) The process of the Service for carrying out construction and maintenance projects at medical facilities of the Service and the medical facility leasing program of the Service, including-- (A) whether the maintenance budget is updated or increased to reflect increases in maintenance costs with the addition of new facilities and whether any increase is sufficient to support the growth of the facilities; and (B) what the process is for facilities that reach the end of their proposed life cycle. (12) The competency of leadership with respect to culture, accountability, reform readiness, leadership development, physician alignment, employee engagement, succession planning, and performance management, including-- (A) the reasons for a lack in transparency in the culture of the Service, leading tribal leadership to request increased transparency and more open communication between the Service and the people served by the Service; and (B) whether any checks and balances exist to assess potential fraud or misuse of amounts within the Service. (13) The lack of a funding formula to distribute base funding to the 12 Service areas, including the following: (A) The establishment of the current process of funding being distributed based on historical allocations and not on need such as population growth, number of facilities, etc. (B) How the implementation of self-governance policies has impacted health care delivery. (C) The communication to area office directors on distribution decisionmaking. (D) How the tribal and residual shares are determined for each Indian tribe and the amounts of those shares. (E) The auditing or evaluation process used by the Service to determine whether amounts are distributed and expended appropriately, including-- (i) whether periodic or end-of-year records document the actual distributions; and (ii) whether any auditing or evaluation is conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or other appropriate practices. (14) Whether the Service tracks patients eligible for two or more of either the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), health care received through the Service, or any other Federal health care program (referred to in this section as ``dual eligible patients''). If so, how dual eligible patients are managed. (15) The number of procurement contracts entered into and awards made by the Service under section 23 of the Act of June 25, 1910 (commonly known as the ``Buy Indian Act'') (25 U.S.C. 47), and a comparison of that number, with-- (A) the total number of procurement contracts entered into and awards made by the Service during the 5 fiscal years prior to the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) the process used by the Service facilities to ensure compliance with section 23 of the Act of June 25, 1910 (commonly known as the ``Buy Indian Act'') (25 U.S.C. 47). (16) Any other items the reputable private entity determines should be addressed in the independent assessment of the Service. (e) Report on Assessment.-- (1) Submission to secretary.--Not later than 240 days after the date a contract is entered into under subsection (b), the entity carrying out the assessment under the contract shall-- (A) complete the assessment; and (B) submit to the Secretary a report describing the findings and recommendations of the entity with respect to the assessment. (2) Submission to congress.--Immediately on receipt of the report under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall submit the report to-- (A) the appropriate committees of Congress, including-- (i) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; (B) the Majority Leader of the Senate; (C) the Minority Leader of the Senate; (D) the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and (E) the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (3) Publication.--Not later than 30 days after receiving the report under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall publish such report in the Federal Register and on an Internet website of the Service that is accessible to the public. (f) Funding.--The Secretary shall use, to carry out this section, such amounts as are necessary from other amounts available to the Secretary that are not otherwise obligated.

Summary: Independent Outside Audit of the Indian Health Service Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with private entities to assess the health care delivery systems and financial management of the Indian Health Service (IHS). The assessment must address IHS issues including: the demographics and health care needs of the patient population, health care capabilities and resources, staffing levels at medical facilities and the productivity of each health care provider, information technology strategies related to providing health care, business processes, the competency of leadership regarding specified issues, tracking patients eligible for other federal health care programs, and the number of procurement contracts and awards under the Buy Indian Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Iraq Strategic Agreement Review Act of 2008''. SEC. 2. DEFINITION. In this Act, the term ``long-term security, economic, or political agreement with the Government of Iraq'' means any agreement or commitment of more than one year, which is made by the President or any officer, employee, or representative of the executive branch of the Government of the United States with the Government of Iraq that includes-- (1) the basing of the Armed Forces of the United States within the territory of Iraq; (2) defending Iraq's system of government from internal and external threats; (3) providing security assurances and commitments to deter foreign aggression against Iraq; (4) the military training or equipping of the Iraqi Security Forces; (5) economic, monetary, material and technical commerce, and arrangements; or (6) diplomatic and political understandings. SEC. 3. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Under Article I of the Constitution of the United States, the Congress has the power to provide for the common defense, to regulate commerce with foreign nations, to raise, support, provide, and maintain the military, and to make rules for the Government and regulation of the military. (2) Under Article II of the Constitution of the United States, the President is the Commander in Chief of the military and has the power to receive Ambassadors and other public ministers. (3) Under Article II of the Constitution of the United States, the President has the right to make treaties by and with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate. (4) The North Atlantic Treaty, which created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), entered into force on August 24, 1949, after approval by the Senate with each protocol providing for the accession of an additional country approved by the Senate. (5) The Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and South Korea, which established a long-term United States military presence on the Korean peninsula, entered into force on November 17, 1954, after approval by the Senate. (6) The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, which established a long-term United States military presence in Japan, entered into force on June 23, 1960, after approval by the Senate. (7) On June 1, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates discussed a ``long and enduring presence'' in Iraq of which the ``Korea model'' and the ``security relationship that we have with Japan'' are examples. (8) On November 26, 2007, President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a ``Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America'', outlining the parameters for negotiation of a long-term relationship in the security, economic, political, diplomatic, and cultural spheres. (9) The Declaration of Principles include, ``supporting the Republic of Iraq in defending its democratic system against internal and external threats'', ``providing security assurances and commitments to the Republic of Iraq to deter foreign aggression against Iraq'', and ``supporting the Republic of Iraq in training, equipping, and arming the Iraqi Security Forces''. (10) On November 26, 2007, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Douglas E. Lute, stated that he does not ``anticipate now that these negotiations [under the Declaration of Principles] will lead to the status of a formal treaty which would then bring us to formal negotiations or formal inputs from the Congress''. (11) On November 26, 2007, Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Douglas E. Lute, further stated that the ``target'' to conclude negotiations is July 2008. SEC. 4. CONSULTATIONS WITH CONGRESS. (a) Consultations.-- (1) In general.--Immediately upon the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and any other necessary officer, employee, or representative of the executive branch of the Government of the United States shall commence consultations with the congressional committees and leadership described in paragraph (2) on any potential long-term security, economic, or political agreement with the Government of Iraq. (2) Congressional committees and leadership described.--The congressional committees and leadership referred to in paragraph (1) are-- (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; (B) the Speaker, majority leader, and minority leader of the House of Representatives and majority leader and minority leader of the Senate; and (C) any other congressional committee, Senator, or Member of the House of Representatives that requests consultations under paragraph (1). (b) Framework.--Consultations required under subsection (a) shall include full and complete transparency of all security, economic, political, and other arrangements under consideration for the agreement. (c) Timeframe.--Consultations required under subsection (a) shall continue throughout the period of negotiations with the Government of Iraq to conclude the agreement. SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the sense of the Congress that-- (1) full Iraqi sovereignty over its territories, waters, and airspace, and Iraqi control over its armed forces and administrative institutions is in the national interest of the United States; and (2) any long-term security, economic, or political agreement with the Government of Iraq that is not in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the Constitution of the United States does not have the force and effect of law. SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON THE USE OF FUNDS. No funds made available by any Act of Congress shall be obligated or expended for the implementation of any long-term security, economic, or political agreement with the Government of Iraq unless the agreement is in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the Constitution of the United States.

Summary: Iraq Strategic Agreement Review Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and any other necessary representative of the executive branch of the U.S. government to begin consultations with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership on any potential long-term security, economic, or political agreement (agreement) with the government of Iraq. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) full Iraqi sovereignty is in the U.S. national interest; and (2) any agreement that is not in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the Constitution of the United States does not have the force and effect of law. Prohibits obligating or expending funds for the implementation of any agreement with the government of Iraq unless the agreement is in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) Today's telecommunications market offers consumers an array of social, economic, and educational communications. (2) Communications today also offer Americans better access to emergency assistance. (3) It is essential to the Nation's continued progress for all sectors of the population to have adequate access to telecommunications. America must work to reduce and ultimately eliminate the harmful technological divide. (4) The Congress reaffirms the Nation's public policy commitment to providing universal service. All consumers should have access to high-quality telecommunications services at affordable rates. SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL SERVICE. Subsection (j) of section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254) is amended to read as follows: ``(j) Lifeline Assistance; Link Up America.-- ``(1) Purposes.--The purposes of this subsection are-- ``(A) to advance universal service; and ``(B) to ensure that high-quality telecommunications services and other evolving telecommunication technologies, such as Internet access and broadband services, are available to low-income consumers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. ``(2) Continuation and expansion of programs.--For the purposes described in paragraph (1), the Commission-- ``(A) shall continue in effect the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program; and ``(B) expand such programs under paragraph (3). ``(3) Expansion.--The Commission shall expand the assistance provided through the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program by allowing low-income consumers participating in such programs to choose to use such assistance for any one of the following: ``(A) Wire or wireless telephone service. ``(B) Internet access service. ``(C) Wire or wireless broadband service. ``(D) Any evolving technology the Commission deems consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (1). ``(4) Rule of construction.--This subsection shall not be construed-- ``(A) to affect any program under this section other than the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up Program; or ``(B) except as inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection, to affect the authority of the Commission to make modifications to the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up Program. ``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection: ``(A) The term `broadband service' means high-speed Internet access service-- ``(i) offering integrated access to voice communications, high-speed data service, video- demand services, and interactive delivery services; and ``(ii) transmitting data at speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per second, in at least one direction, from the user's computer to the Internet or from the Internet to the user's computer. ``(B) The term `Lifeline Assistance Program' means the Lifeline Assistance Program provided for by the Commission under subpart E of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (and any related or successor regulations). ``(C) The term `Link Up Program' means the Link Up Program provided for by the Commission under subpart E of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (and any related or successor regulations).''. SEC. 4. STUDY. (a) Study.--Not later than May 1, 2008, the Federal Communications Commission shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Congress on the following: (1) The necessary benefit level for a household participating in the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up Program which will encourage low-income consumers to seek broadband service. (2) Projections on the potential of new broadband service consumers who would seek this service if economically accessible. (3) Industry requirements to provide broadband service access in underserved areas. (4) Data that accurately illustrates the extent of current deployment of broadband service to residential users. (5) Policy proposals conducive to addressing gaps in broadband service availability. (b) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``broadband service'', ``Lifeline Assistance Program'', and ``Link Up Program'' have the meanings given to those terms in section 254(j) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by section 3 of this Act.

Summary: Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program. Requires a report to Congress on the benefit level for the programs that will encourage low-income consumers to seek broadband service, projections on potential broadband consumers if the service was economically feasible, industry requirements to provide broadband service in underserved areas, and policy proposals regarding gaps in broadband availability.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF CODE. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Business Relief and Incentives for Small Entrepreneurs Act of 2007'' or the ``Business RAISE Act''. (b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. SEC. 2. 15-YEAR STRAIGHT-LINE COST RECOVERY FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO RETAIL SPACE AND FOR QUALIFIED NEW RESTAURANT IMPROVEMENTS. (a) Recovery Period for Depreciation of Certain Improvements to Retail Space.-- (1) 15-year recovery period.--Section 168(e)(3)(E) (relating to 15-year property) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (vii), by striking the period at the end of clause (viii) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at the end the following new clause: ``(ix) any qualified retail improvement property placed in service before January 1, 2008.''. (2) Qualified retail improvement property.--Section 168(e) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(8) Qualified retail improvement property.-- ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified retail improvement property' means any improvement to an interior portion of a building which is nonresidential real property if-- ``(i) such portion is open to the general public and is used in the trade or business of selling tangible personal property or services to the general public; and ``(ii) such improvement is placed in service more than 3 years after the date the building was first placed in service. ``(B) Certain improvements not included.--Such term shall not include any improvement for which the expenditure is attributable to-- ``(i) the enlargement of the building, ``(ii) any elevator or escalator, or ``(iii) the internal structural framework of the building.''. (3) Requirement to use straight line method.--Section 168(b)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(I) Qualified retail improvement property described in subsection (e)(8).''. (4) Alternative system.--The table contained in section 168(g)(3)(B) is amended by inserting after the item relating to subparagraph (E)(viii) the following new item: ``(E)(ix).................................................. 39''. (5) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to qualified retail improvement property placed in service after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Modification of Treatment of Qualified Restaurant Property as 15-Year Property for Purposes of Depreciation Deduction.-- (1) Treatment to include new construction.--Paragraph (7) of section 168(e) (relating to classification of property) is amended to read as follows: ``(7) Qualified restaurant property.--The term `qualified restaurant property' means any section 1250 property which is a building or an improvement to a building if more than 50 percent of the building's square footage is devoted to preparation of, and seating for on-premises consumption of, prepared meals.''. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to any property placed in service after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 3. WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT. (a) Expansion of Eligibility to All Disabled Veterans.--Section 51(d)(3)(A) is amended-- (1) by striking ``who is certified'' and inserting the following: ``who-- ``(i) is certified''; and (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: ``; or ``(ii) has a disability rating under section 1155 of title 38, United States Code, of not less than 10 percent.''. (b) Publication and Administration of Expanded Tax Credit.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor shall-- (A) publicize the expansion of the work opportunity tax credit under subsection (a); and (B) provide technical assistance to employers desiring to take advantage of the tax credit. (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out paragraph (1). (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to individuals who begin work for employers after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Business Relief and Incentives for Small Entrepreneurs Act of 2007 or the Business RAISE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow accelerated depreciation (i.e., 15-year recovery period) of qualified retail improvement property (defined as any improvement to the interior portion of any nonresidential building used in the trade or business of selling retail goods or services to the general public) placed in service before January 1, 2008; (2) allow new improvements to restaurant property to qualify for accelerated depreciation; and (3) expand the eligibility of certain disabled veterans for employment under the work opportunity tax credit.


SECTION 1. MODIFICATION OF REFINED COAL CREDIT TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED COAL WASTE SLUDGE RECYCLING. (a) In General.--Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to electricity produced from certain renewable resources, etc.) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b)(2) by inserting ``the $3.00 amount in subsection (e)(8)(B),'' after ``the $4.375 amount in subsection (e)(8)(A),'', (2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ``subsection (e)(8)(B)(i)'' and inserting ``subsection (e)(8)(C)(i)'', (3) in subsection (c)(7) by adding at the end the following: ``(C) Refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process.--Refined coal shall also include, without regard to subparagraphs (A) and (B) hereof, a solid fuel produced from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process.'', (4) in subsection (d)(8) by striking ``2009.'' and inserting ``2009, or in the case of a facility that uses a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, a facility that was placed in service not later than one year after the date of enactment of the credit under this section for refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process. For purposes of this subsection, a qualified coal waste sludge recycling facility shall be treated as placed in service when such facility is in place and functioning to process coal with coal waste sludge. A `qualified coal waste sludge recycling facility' includes a plant, comprised of one or more batch tanks and/or one or more storage tanks, steam and spray pipes, processing pumps, variable speed drives, a flowmeter and related electrical equipment, that processes coal and liquefied coal waste sludge.'', (5) in subsection (e)(8)(A) by inserting ``(other than refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process)'' after ``refined coal'' the first place it appears, (6) in subsection (e)(8) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph: ``(B) Availability and determination of credit amount for refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process.--In the case of a producer of refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, there shall be allowed a credit for the taxable year under this section of $3.00 per barrel-of-oil equivalent of refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process-- ``(i) produced by the taxpayer at a facility using a refined coal from qualified coal waste sludge recycling process during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this subparagraph and ending on the date that is four years from the later of the first day of the fifth full month after the date of enactment of this subparagraph or its placed- in-service date, and ``(ii) sold by the taxpayer-- ``(I) to an unrelated person, and ``(II) during such period and taxable year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, barrel- of-oil equivalent is the amount of refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process that has a Btu content of 5.8 million.'', (7) in subsection (e)(8)(C), as redesignated by paragraph (6), by striking ``The amount'' and inserting ``Except for a facility producing refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, the amount'', (8) in subsection (e)(8), as amended by paragraph (6), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(E) Qualified coal waste sludge recycling process.-- ``(i) Definition.--For purposes of this section, a `qualified coal waste sludge recycling process' means a process using a facility to liquefy coal waste sludge and distribute the liquefied coal waste sludge on the coal to create a feedstock for the manufacture of coke. The term `coal waste sludge' means the tar decanter sludge and related byproducts of the coking process, including such materials that have been stored in ground, in tanks and in lagoons, that have been treated as hazardous wastes under applicable Federal environmental rules absent liquefaction and processing with coal into a feedstock for the manufacture of coke. The process liquefies coal waste sludge and distributes approximately one-quarter to one- half gallon of liquefied coal waste sludge per each ton of metallurgical coal. Liquefied coal waste sludge in excess of such amounts would have adverse effects on the operations and equipment of the coke batteries that use refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process as a feedstock for coke. Coal waste sludge has an energy content ranging from 7,000 to 16,000 Btus per pound. ``(ii) Interaction between section 45 and section 45k; cross reference.--A taxpayer selling refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process shall be entitled to a credit under this section for all such refined coal that meets the requirements of this section. The credit under this section shall be available notwithstanding the fact that such refined coal is purchased for use as a feedstock for coke by a taxpayer that has previously claimed credits under section 45K for the production of coke or coke gas. For rules applicable to taxpayers producing coke or coke gas from refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, see section 45K(h).'', and (9) in subsection (e)(9)(B) by striking ``The term'' and inserting ``Except for a facility producing refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, the term''. (b) No Double Benefit; Cross Reference.--Section 45K of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(h) No Double Benefit; Cross Reference.--No credit shall be allowed under this section for coke or coke gas manufactured from refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process (as defined by section 45(e)(8)(E)(i)) for which credits have been claimed under section 45; provided that taxpayers may claim the credit under this section for coke or coke gas produced from feedstocks for which a refined coal credit under section 45 has not been claimed. For rules governing the interaction of section 45 and this section that are applicable to taxpayers producing refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, see section 45(e)(8)(E)(ii).''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply to refined coal produced after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of "refined coal" for purposes of the tax credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources to include coal produced from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process. Defines "qualified coal waste sludge recycling process" as a process using a facility to liquefy coal waste sludge and distribute the liquefied coal waste sludge on the coal to create a feedstock for the manufacture of coke.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Community Coordination And Resource Empowerment Act'' or the ``Community CARE Act''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS. (a) Community Health Centers Funding.--Section 10503(b)(1)(E) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 254b- 2(b)(1)(E)) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2019''. (b) Other Community Health Centers Provisions.--Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), by striking ``abuse'' and inserting ``use disorder''; (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ``abuse'' and inserting ``use disorder''; (3) in subsection (c)-- (A) by striking subparagraphs (B) through (D); (B) by striking ``(1) In general'' and all that follows through ``The Secretary'' and inserting the following: ``(1) Centers.--The Secretary''; and (C) in such paragraph (1), as amended, by redesignating clauses (i) through (v) as subparagraphs (A) through (E) and moving the margin of each of such redesignated subparagraph 2 ems to the left; (4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: ``(d) Improving Quality of Care.-- ``(1) Supplemental awards.--The Secretary may award supplemental grant funds to health centers funded under this section to implement evidence-based models for increasing access to high-quality primary care services, which may include models related to-- ``(A) improving the delivery of care for individuals with multiple chronic conditions; ``(B) workforce configuration; ``(C) reducing the cost of care; ``(D) enhancing care coordination; ``(E) expanding the use of telehealth and technology enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models; ``(F) care integration, including integration of behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder services; and ``(G) addressing emerging public health or substance use disorder issues to meet the health needs of the population served by the health center. ``(2) Sustainability.--In making supplemental awards under this subsection, the Secretary may consider whether the health center involved has submitted a plan for continuing the activities funded under this subsection after supplemental funding is expended. ``(3) Special consideration.--The Secretary may give special consideration to applications for supplemental funding under this subsection that seek to address significant barriers to access to care in areas with a greater shortage of health care providers and health services relative to the national average.''; (5) in subsection (e)(1)-- (A) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by striking ``2 years'' and inserting ``1 year''; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: ``The Secretary shall not make a grant under this paragraph unless the applicant provides assurances to the Secretary that within 120 days of receiving grant funding for the operation of the health center, the applicant will submit, for approval by the Secretary, an implementation plan to meet the requirements of subsection (l)(3). The Secretary may extend such 120-day period for achieving compliance upon a demonstration of good cause by the health center.''; and (B) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``and plans''; (ii) by striking ``or plan (as described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(1))''; (iii) by striking ``or plan, including the purchase'' and inserting the following: ``including-- ``(i) the purchase''; (iv) by inserting ``, which may include data and information systems'' after ``of equipment''; (v) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (vi) by adding at the end the following: ``(ii) the provision of training and technical assistance; and ``(iii) other activities that-- ``(I) reduce costs associated with the provision of health services; ``(II) improve access to, and availability of, health services provided to individuals served by the centers; ``(III) enhance the quality and coordination of health services; or ``(IV) improve the health status of communities.''; (6) in subsection (e)(5)(B), by striking ``and subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(1) to a health center or to a network or plan'' and inserting ``to a health center''; (7) by striking subsection (s); (8) by redesignating subsections (g) through (r) as subsections (h) through (s), respectively; (9) by inserting after subsection (f), the following: ``(g) New Access Points and Expanded Services.-- ``(1) Approval of new access points.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may approve applications for grants under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (e)(1), subsection (h), subsection (i), and subsection (j) to establish new delivery sites. ``(B) Special consideration.--In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give special consideration to applicants that have demonstrated the new delivery site will be located within a sparsely populated area, or an area which has a level of unmet need that is higher relative to other applicants. ``(C) Consideration of applications.--In carrying subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve applications for grants under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (e)(1) in such a manner that the ratio of the medically underserved populations in rural areas which may be expected to use the services provided by the applicants involved to the medically underserved populations in urban areas which may be expected to use the services provided by the applicants is not less than two to three or greater than three to two. ``(D) Service area overlap.--If in carrying out subparagraph (A) the applicant proposes to serve an area that is currently served by another health center funded under this section, the Secretary may consider whether the award of funding to an additional health center in the area can be justified based on the unmet need for additional services within the catchment area. ``(2) Approval of expanded service applications.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may approve applications for grants under subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (e)(1) to expand the capacity of the applicant to provide required primary health services described in subsection (b)(1) or additional health services described in subsection (b)(2). ``(B) Priority expansion projects.--In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give special consideration to expanded service applications that seek to address emerging public health or behavioral health, mental health, or substance abuse issues through increasing the availability of additional health services described in subsection (b)(2) in an area in which there are significant barriers to accessing care. ``(C) Consideration of applications.--In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve applications for applicants in such a manner that the ratio of the medically underserved populations in rural areas which may be expected to use the services provided by the applicants involved to the medically underserved populations in urban areas which may be expected to use the services provided by such applicants is not less than two to three or greater than three to two.''; (10) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and children and youth at risk of homelessness'' and inserting ``, children and youth at risk of homelessness, homeless veterans, and veterans at risk of homelessness''; and (B) in paragraph (5)-- (i) by striking subparagraph (B); (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B); and (iii) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated)-- (I) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``abuse'' and inserting ``use disorder''; and (II) by striking ``abuse'' and inserting ``use disorder''; (11) in subsection (l) (as so redesignated)-- (A) in paragraph (2)-- (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``unmet'' before ``need''; (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and an application for a grant under subsection (g)'' after ``subsection (e)(1)''; (iii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``unmet'' before ``need for health services''; (iv) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end; (v) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (vi) by adding after subparagraph (C) the following: ``(D) in the case of an application for a grant pursuant to subsection (g)(1), a demonstration that the applicant has consulted with appropriate State and local government agencies, and health care providers regarding the need for the heath services to be provided at the proposed delivery site.''; (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or subsection (g)'' after ``subsection (e)(1)(B)''; (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``in the catchment area of the center'' and inserting ``, including other health care providers that provide care within the catchment area, local hospitals, and specialty providers in the catchment area of the center, to provide access to services not available through the health center and to reduce the non-urgent use of hospital emergency departments''; (iii) in subparagraph (H)(ii), by inserting ``who shall be directly employed by the center'' after ``approves the selection of a director for the center''; (iv) in subparagraph (L), by striking ``and'' at the end; (v) in subparagraph (M), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (vi) by inserting after subparagraph (M), the following: ``(N) the center has written policies and procedures in place to ensure the appropriate use of Federal funds in compliance with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.''; and (C) by striking paragraph (4); (12) in subsection (m) (as so redesignated), by adding at the end the following: ``Funds expended to carry out activities under this subsection and operational support activities under subsection (n) shall not exceed three percent of the amount appropriated for this section for the fiscal year involved.''; (13) in subsection (q) (as so redesignated), by striking ``grants for new health centers under subsections (c) and (e)'' and inserting ``operating grants under subsection (e), applications for new access points and expanded service pursuant to subsection (g)''; (14) in subsection (r)(4) (as so redesignated), by adding at the end the following: ``A waiver provided by the Secretary under this paragraph may not remain in effect for more than 1 year and may not be extended after such period. An entity may not receive more than one waiver under this paragraph in consecutive years.''; and (15) in subsection (s)(3) (as so redesignated)-- (A) by striking ``appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the distribution of funds under this section'' and inserting the following: ``Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report including, at a minimum-- ``(A) the distribution of funds for carrying out this section''; (B) by striking ``populations. Such report shall include an assessment'' and inserting the following: ``populations; ``(B) an assessment''; (C) by striking ``and the rationale for any substantial changes in the distribution of funds.'' and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(C) the distribution of awards and funding for new or expanded services in each of rural areas and urban areas; ``(D) the distribution of awards and funding for establishing new access points, and the number of new access points created; ``(E) the amount of unexpended funding for loan guarantees and loan guarantee authority under title XVI; ``(F) the rationale for any substantial changes in the distribution of funds; ``(G) the rate of closures for health centers and access points; ``(H) the number and reason for any grants awarded pursuant to subsection (e)(1)(B); and ``(I) the number and reason for any waivers provided pursuant to subsection (r)(4).''. (c) Application.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to this section for fiscal year 2018 or 2019 are subject to the requirements contained in Public Law 115-31 for funds for programs authorized under sections 330 through 340 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b-256). (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3014(h) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, as amended by section 221 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015,''; and (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and section 101(d) of the CARE Act'' after ``section 221(c) of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015''.

Summary: Community Coordination And Resource Empowerment Act or the Community CARE Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to extend funding through FY2019 for community health centers. Health centers that serve medically underserved populations may receive supplemental grant funds to increase access to primary care services.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Urban Sprawl and Smart Growth Study Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds as follows: (1) Urban sprawl destroys valuable open space, farmland, wildlife, and natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources. (2) Urban sprawl also leads to costly public expenditures for infrastructure, public schools, and transportation for newly developed areas while causing disinvestment in the urban cores of cities and towns. (3) Smart growth can prevent these problems and help enhance the quality of life for everyone. (4) Although growth management is primarily a State, tribal, and local responsibility, the effects of Federal actions contributing to or avoiding urban sprawl can be considerable. (5) Federal agencies can benefit from additional guidance to improve the use of environmental impact statements and environmental assessments in considering the potential effects of their proposed actions on urban sprawl and smart growth. SEC. 3. SMART GROWTH STUDY. (a) Study Required.--The Council on Environmental Quality shall conduct a study of urban sprawl and smart growth that updates and builds on the Council's 1974 study entitled ``The Costs of Sprawl'' and the Council's 1981 study entitled ``National Agricultural Lands Study''. (b) Examination of Environmental Impact Statements.--In conducting the study, the Council shall select and examine a variety of environmental impact statements and environmental assessments by a minimum of 15 Federal agencies, that were completed after 1995 for land and facility management, transportation and infrastructure, and regulatory and development assistance programs, including rural, urban, and tribal assistance. (c) Public Participation.--The Council shall provide opportunities for public participation in the study, including by-- (1) conducting public meetings in at least 5 cities that, as determined by the Council, are each located-- (A) in a different region of the United States; and (B) in an area that is experiencing an increase in urban sprawl; (2) making electronically accessible to the public information on the study and related documents; and (3) holding discussions with Federal, State, and local government personnel and representatives of Indian tribes involved in the process of formulating environmental impact statements and environmental assessments. (d) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Council shall submit a report to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate describing the results of the study, including the following: (1) Findings of the Council concerning the economic, environmental, and land use effects of urban sprawl, such as those relating to energy, transportation, housing, schools, small business, Government facilities and military installations, public lands and forests, parks and recreation, agriculture and rural landscapes, air and water, and natural, scenic, and cultural resources. (2) Recommendations for improving environmental reviews by Federal agencies to more adequately address urban sprawl. (3) Recommendations for nonregulatory actions that may be taken by Federal agencies to-- (A) assist States and local communities in efforts to promote the beneficial effects of smart growth; and (B) minimize actions by the agencies that result in adverse effects of urban sprawl. (e) Participation of Other Agencies.--In carrying out this section, the Council should seek the participation of other Federal agencies. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Council $300,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section, in addition to any other amounts that are available for such purpose. SEC. 4. COMMENTS ON URBAN SPRAWL. In any written comment prepared under section 309 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7609) for any matter contained in any proposed legislation, Federal project, Federal agency action, or proposed regulation described in clause (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of that section, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall address the impact of the matter on urban sprawl. SEC. 5. NOTIFICATION, CONSULTATION, AND CONSIDERATION OF EFFECTS BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT. (a) Notice and Comment.--In preparing an environmental assessment for a proposed Federal action and before determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement for the action, the head of a Federal agency shall-- (1) publish notice of the action in the Federal Register and local newspapers of general circulation; (2) directly notify persons that may be affected by the proposed Federal action, including each State government, local government, Indian tribe, and private property owner that may be so affected; (3) conduct discussions with such persons on the proposed action and its alternatives; and (4) seek to address such persons' concerns, if any. (b) Consideration of Request for Environmental Impact Statement.-- If the Governor of a State or the head of a local government or Indian tribe referred to in subsection (a)(1) submits in writing to the head of the Federal agency a statement that the proposed Federal action will result in urban sprawl significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and a request for preparation of an environmental impact statement for the proposed Federal action, the head of the Federal agency shall give great weight to the request in determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Federal action. (c) Publication of Environmental Assessment.--If, after receiving a written statement and request for an environmental impact statement under subsection (b) for a proposed Federal action, the head of a Federal agency determines that the environmental impact statement is not required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), the agency head shall-- (1) include in an environmental assessment for the action an explanation of why the proposed action will not result in urban sprawl significantly affecting the quality of the human environment; (2) provide public notice of the availability of the assessment in the Federal Register and local newspapers of general circulation; and (3) transmit a copy of the assessment to the Council on Environmental Quality. (d) Urban Sprawl.--The head of a Federal agency shall include in an environmental impact statement requested pursuant to subsection (b), for each alternative included in the statement under section 102(2)(C)(iii) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)(iii)), an analysis of the environmental effects of the action on urban sprawl. SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act: (1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Council on Environmental Quality. (2) Environmental assessment.--The term ``environmental assessment'' has the meaning given to that term in section 1508.9 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) Environmental impact statement.--The term ``environmental impact statement'' means a detailed written statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). (4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to members of the Indian tribe because of their status as members. (5) Urban sprawl.--The term ``urban sprawl''-- (A) means any change in the pattern of the use of land outside of an urban center that results in a relatively dispersed form of residential or commercial development; and (B) includes any such change that-- (i) may result in loss of open space, farmland, rural landscapes, wildlife, or natural, cultural, scenic, or recreational resources; or (ii) may result in high public costs for infrastructure, public facilities, or transportation and lead to disinvestment in older urban or suburban areas. (6) Smart growth.--The term ``smart growth'' means policies regarding growth and development that-- (A) recognize the effects of new growth and development, including the environmental, economic, and social costs described in paragraph (5)(B); and (B) attempt to mitigate those effects in advance so as to avoid or reduce them.

Summary: Urban Sprawl and Smart Growth Study Act - Requires the Council on Environmental Quality to study and report to specified congressional committees on urban sprawl and smart growth, examining environmental impact statements (EIS) and assessments by a minimum of 15 Federal agencies that were completed after 1995.Provides for consideration of urban sprawl in environmental assessments and EIS prepared by Federal agencies for proposed Federal actions.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2003''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) As directed by Congress in section 723 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613), as added by section 305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104; 110 Stat. 126), the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules requiring closed captioning of most television programming, which gradually require new video programming to be fully captioned beginning in 2006. (2) More than 28,000,000 Americans, or 8 percent of the population, are considered deaf or hard of hearing and many require captioning services to participate in mainstream activities. (3) More than 24,000 children are born in the United States each year with some form of hearing loss. (4) According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services and a study done by the National Council on Aging-- (A) 25 percent of Americans over 65 years old are hearing impaired; (B) 33 percent of Americans over 70 years old are hearing impaired; and (C) 41 percent of Americans over 75 years old are hearing impaired. (5) The National Council on Aging study also found that depression in older adults may be directly related to hearing loss and disconnection with the spoken word. (6) Empirical research demonstrates that captions improve the performance of those individuals learning to read English and, according to numerous Federal agencies' statistics, could benefit-- (A) 3.7 million remedial readers; (B) 12 million young children learning to read; (C) 27 million illiterate adults; and (D) 30 million people for whom English is a second language. (7) Over the past 5 years, student enrollment in programs that train court reporters to become realtime writers has decreased significantly, causing such programs to close on many campuses. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT OF REALTIME WRITERS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall make competitive grants to eligible entities under subsection (b) to promote training and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers in order to meet the requirements for closed captioning of video programming set forth in section 723 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613) and the rules prescribed thereunder. (b) Eligible Entities.--For purposes of this act, an eligible entity is a court reporting or realtime writing training program that-- (1) can document and demonstrate to the Secretary of Education that it meets minimum standards of educational and financial accountability, with a curriculum capable of training realtime writers, qualified to provide captioning services; (2) is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education; and (3) participates in student aid programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) (c) Priority in Grants.--In determining whether to award grants under this section, the Secretary of Education shall give priority to eligible entities that-- (1) demonstrate the greatest ability to increase their capacity to train realtime writers; (2) demonstrate the most promising collaboration with local educational institutions, businesses, labor organizations, or other community groups having the potential to train or provide job placement assistance to realtime writers; and (3) propose the most promising and innovative approaches for initiating or expanding training or job placement assistance efforts for realtime writers. (d) Duration of Grant.--A grant under this section shall be for a period of 2 years. (e) Maximum Amount of Grant.--The amount of a grant provided under subsection (a) to an entity eligible may not exceed $1,500,000 for the 2-year period of the grant. SEC. 4. APPLICATION. To receive a grant under section 3, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary of Education at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall require. The application shall include-- (1) a description of the training and assistance to be funded using the grant amount, including how such training and assistance will increase the number of realtime writers; (2) a description of performance measures to be utilized to evaluate the progress of individuals receiving such training and assistance in matters relating to enrollment, completion of training, and job placement and retention; (3) a description of the manner in which the eligible entity will ensure that recipients of scholarships, if any, funded by the grant will be employed and retained as realtime writers; (4) a description of the manner in which the eligible entity intends to continue providing the training and assistance to be funded by the grant after the end of the grant period, including any partnerships or arrangements established for that purpose; (5) a description of how the eligible entity will work with local workforce investment boards to ensure that training and assistance to be funded with the grant will further local workforce goals, including the creation of educational opportunities for individuals who are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds or are displaced workers; and (6) such other information as the Secretary may require. SEC. 5. USE OF FUNDS. (a) In General.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under section 3 shall use the grant amount for purposes relating to the recruitment, training, assistance, and job placement of individuals (including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program) as realtime writers, including-- (1) recruitment activites; (2) subject to subsection (b), the provision of scholarships to individuals for training in realtime writing; (3) distance learning; (4) design and development of curriculum to more effectively train realtime writing skills and education in the knowledge bases necessary for the delivery of high quality closed captioning services; (5) assistance in job placement for upcoming and recent graduates with all types of captioning employers; (6) encouragement of individuals with disabilities to pursue a career in realtime writing; and (7) the employment and payment of personnel for such purposes. (b) Scholarships.-- (1) Amount.--The amount of a scholarship under subsection (a)(2) shall be based on the amount of need of the recipient of the scholarship for financial assistance, as determined in accordance with part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk). (2) Agreement.--Each recipient of a scholarship under subsection (a)(2) shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Education to provide realtime writing services for a period of time (as determined by the Secretary) that is appropriate for the amount of the scholarship received. (3) Coursework and employment.--The Secretary shall establish requirements for coursework and employment for recipients of scholarships under subsection (a)(2), including requirements for repayment of scholarship amounts in the event of failure to meet such requirements for coursework and employment. Requirements for repayment of scholarship amounts shall take into account the effect of economic conditions on the capacity of scholarship recipients to find work as realtime writers. (c) Administrative Costs.--The recipient of a grant under section 3 may not use more than 5 percent of the grant amount to pay administrative costs associated with activities funded by the grant. (d) Supplement not Supplant.--Grants amounts under this Act shall supplement and not supplant other Federal or non-Federal funds of the grant recipient for purposes of promoting the training and placement of individuals as realtime writers. SEC. 6. REPORTS. Each eligible entity receiving a grant under section 3 shall submit to the Secretary of Education, at the end of each year of the grant period, a report which shall include-- (1) a description of the use of grant amounts by the entity during such year; (2) an assessment, utilizing the performance measures submitted by the entity in the application for the grant under section 4(b), of the effectiveness of activities carried out using such funds in increasing the number of realtime writers; and (3) a description of the best practices identified by the entity as a result of the grant for increasing the number of individuals who are trained, employed, and retained in employment as realtime writers. SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act-- (1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006; and (2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007.

Summary: Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to eligible entities to promote training and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers to meet requirements for closed captioning in video programming. Sets forth priorities to be given in the award of such grants. Limits grants to a two-year period and a maximum amount of $1.5 million.