SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Drinking Water Affordability Act of 2016''. SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT. (a) National Drinking Water Regulations.--Section 1412(b)(9) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g-1(b)(9)) is amended by striking the last sentence and inserting ``Any revision of a national primary drinking water regulation shall be promulgated in accordance with this section, including paragraphs (3) through (6) of this subsection.'' (b) Enforcement of Drinking Water Regulations.--Section 1414(h)(1)(C) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g- 3(h)(1)(C)) is amended by inserting ``or management'' after ``the transfer of ownership''. (c) State Revolving Loan Funds.-- (1) Assistance for disadvantaged communities.--Section 1452(d)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j- 12(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``30'' and inserting ``35''. (2) Types of assistance.--Section 1452(f)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12(f)(1)) is amended-- (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph: ``(C) each loan will be fully amortized not later than 30 years after the completion of the project, except that in the case of a disadvantaged community (as defined in subsection (d)(3)) a State may provide an extended term for a loan, if the extended term-- ``(i) terminates not later than the date that is 40 years after the date of project completion; and ``(ii) does not exceed the expected design life of the project;''; and (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``1 year after completion of the project for which the loan was made'' and all that follows through ``design life of the project;'' and inserting ``18 months after completion of the project for which the loan was made;''. (3) Administration of state loan funds.--Section 1452(g)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12(g)(2)) is amended-- (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking the comma and inserting a period; and (B) in the matter following subparagraph (D), by striking ``if the State matches'' through ``fiscal year 1993.''. (4) Other authorized activities.--Section 1452(k)(1)(C) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12(k)(1)(C)) is amended by striking ``for fiscal years 1996 and 1997'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``for fiscal years 2018 through 2024 to delineate, assess, update assessments, and undertake implementation activities with respect to source water protection areas in accordance with the requirements of a program approved under section 1453, excluding any activity required to be conducted under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).''. (d) Exemption From Federal Cross-Cutting Requirements.--Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 1459A. EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL CROSS-CUTTING REQUIREMENTS. ``Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator shall exempt a public water system that receives financial assistance pursuant to section 1452 from a Federal cross-cutting requirement if the Administrator determines that the State in which the public water system is located has in effect a requirement which is as stringent as the Federal cross-cutting requirement.''. (e) Definition of Federal Cross-Cutting Requirement.--Section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(17) Federal cross-cutting requirement.--The term `Federal cross-cutting requirement' means a requirement of a Federal law or regulation, compliance with which is a condition on receipt of a loan or grant under this title, that, if applied to projects and activities receiving such financial assistance, would be redundant with a requirement of an applicable State or local law.''. SEC. 3. REPORT. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare and submit to Congress a report containing-- (1) the results of a study of cost-effective and economically feasible rehabilitation or replacement of drinking water infrastructure to meet the goals of the Safe Drinking Water Act; and (2) an assessment of barriers that preclude communities from using materials and technologies studied pursuant to paragraph (1).

Summary: Drinking Water Affordability Act of 2016 This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to revise requirements concerning national primary drinking water regulations, including by: removing a requirement that the Environmental Protection Agency maintain, or provide greater, protection of human health when revising those regulations; extending the repayment schedule for loans from the drinking water state revolving funds (SRF); removing certain SRF matching fund requirement for states; authorizing states to protect public drinking water source areas; and removing federal reporting requirements if state or local requirements are at least equally stringent as federal requirements.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Justice for Sergei Magnitsky Act of 2010''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The United States supports the people of the Russian Federation in their efforts to realize their full economic potential and to advance democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. (2) The Russian Federation-- (A) is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the International Monetary Fund; (B) has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption; and (C) is bound by the legal obligations set forth in the European Convention on Human Rights. (3) States voluntarily commit themselves to respect obligations and responsibilities through the adoption of international agreements and treaties, which must be observed in good faith in order to maintain the stability of the international order. Human rights are an integral part of international law, and lie at the foundation of the international order. The protection of human rights, therefore, particularly in the case of a country that has incurred obligations to protect human rights under an international agreement to which it is a party, is not left exclusively to the internal affairs of that country. (4) Good governance and anti-corruption measures are instrumental in the protection of human rights and in achieving sustainable economic growth, which benefits both the people of the Russian Federation and the international community through the creation of open and transparent markets. (5) Systemic corruption erodes trust and confidence in democratic institutions, the rule of law, and human rights protections. This is the case when public officials are allowed to abuse their authority with impunity for political or financial gains in collusion with private entities. (6) The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, has addressed corruption in many public speeches, including stating in his 2009 address to Russia's Federal Assembly, ``[Z]ero tolerance of corruption should become part of our national culture. . . . In Russia we often say that there are few cases in which corrupt officials are prosecuted. . . . [S]imply incarcerating a few will not resolve the problem. But incarcerated they must be.''. President Medvedev went on to say, ``We shall overcome underdevelopment and corruption because we are a strong and free people, and deserve a normal life in a modern, prosperous democratic society.''. Furthermore, President Medvedev has acknowledged Russia's disregard for the rule of law and used the term ``legal nihilism'' to describe a criminal justice system that continues to imprison innocent people. (7) The systematic abuse of Sergei Magnitsky, including his repressive arrest and torture in custody by the same officers of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation that Mr. Magnitsky had implicated in the embezzlement of funds from the Russian Treasury and the misappropriation of 3 companies from his client, Hermitage, reflects how deeply the protection of human rights is affected by corruption. (8) The denial by all state bodies of the Russian Federation of any justice or legal remedies to Mr. Magnitsky during the nearly 12 full months he was kept without trial in detention, and the impunity of state officials he testified against for their involvement in corruption and the carrying out of his repressive persecution since his death, shows the politically motivated nature of the persecution of Mr. Magnitsky. (9) Mr. Magnitsky died on November 16, 2009, at the age of 37, in Matrosskaya Tishina Prison in Moscow, Russia, and is survived by a mother, a wife, and 2 sons. (10) There is extensive evidence that public officials from the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation, the Russian federal tax authorities, the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation, and the Russian Federal Security Service, as well as regional courts and the prison system of the Russian Federation, have abused their powers and positions to commit serious human rights violations, embezzled funds from the Russian Treasury, and retaliated against whistleblowers. (11) While he was in detention, Sergei Magnitsky called himself a hostage of officials who misappropriated companies from his client, the Hermitage Fund, and embezzled funds from the Russian Treasury. He said that his criminal prosecution, arrest, and detention were organized as a retribution by police officers who had the full knowledge of his innocence. (12) The Public Oversight Commission of the City of Moscow for the Control of the Observance of Human Rights in Places of Forced Detention, an organization empowered by Russian law to independently monitor prison conditions, concluded, ``A man who is kept in custody and is being detained is not capable of using all the necessary means to protect either his life or his health. This is a responsibility of a state which holds him captive. Therefore, the case of Sergei Magnitsky can be described as a breach of the right to life. The members of the civic supervisory commission have reached the conclusion that Magnitsky had been experiencing both psychological and physical pressure in custody, and the conditions in some of the wards of Butyrka can be justifiably called torturous. The people responsible for this must be punished.''. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Admitted; alien; spouse.--The terms ``admitted'', ``alien'', and ``spouse'' have the meanings given those terms in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)). (2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. (3) Financial institution; domestic financial agency; domestic financial institution.--The terms ``financial institution'', ``domestic financial agency'', and ``domestic financial institution'' have the meanings given those terms in section 5312 of title 31, United States Code. (4) Parent.--The term ``parent'' has the meaning given that term in section 101(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b)). (5) United states person.--The term ``United States person'' means-- (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity. SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DETENTION, ABUSE, AND DEATH OF SERGEI MAGNITSKY AND FOR THE CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION OF TAXES ON CERTAIN CORPORATE PROFITS. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall publish a list of each individual the Secretary has reason to believe-- (1) is responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky; (2) conspired to defraud the Russian Federation of taxes on corporate profits through fraudulent transactions and lawsuits against the foreign investment company known as Hermitage and to misappropriate entities owned or controlled by Hermitage; or (3) participated in efforts to conceal the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky described in paragraph (1) or the existence of the conspiracy described in paragraph (2). (b) Updates.--The Secretary of State shall update the list required by subsection (a) as new information becomes available. (c) Notice.--The Secretary of State shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide notice and an opportunity for a hearing to an individual before the individual is placed on the list required by subsection (a). SEC. 5. INADMISSIBILITY OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS. (a) Ineligibility for Visas.--An alien is ineligible to receive a visa to enter the United States and ineligible to be admitted to the United States if the alien-- (1) is an individual on the list required by section 4(a); or (2) is the spouse, son, daughter, or parent of an individual on that list. (b) Current Visas Revoked.--The Secretary of State shall revoke, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), the visa or other documentation of any alien who would be ineligible to receive such a visa or documentation under subsection (a). (c) Waiver for National Interests.--The Secretary of State may waive the application of subsection (a) or (b) in the case of an alien if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States. Upon granting such a waiver, the Secretary shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees notice of, and a justification for, the waiver. SEC. 6. FINANCIAL MEASURES. (a) Special Measures.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct domestic financial institutions and domestic financial agencies to take 1 or more special measures described in section 5318A(b) of title 31, United States Code, if the Secretary of the Treasury makes a determination under section 5318A of such title with respect to money laundering relating to the conspiracy described in section 4(a)(2). (b) Freezing of Assets.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall freeze and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of an individual that are in the United States, that come within the United States, or that are or come within the possession or control of a United States person if the individual-- (1) is on the list required by section 4(a); or (2) acts as an agent of or on behalf of an individual on the list in a matter relating to an act described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 4(a). (c) Waiver for National Interests.--The Secretary of the Treasury may waive the application of subsection (a) or (b) if the Secretary determines that such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States. Upon granting such a waiver, the Secretary shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees notice of, and a justification for, the waiver. (d) Regulatory Authority.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry out this section. (e) Enforcement.--A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this section or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of such section. SEC. 7. REPORT TO CONGRESS. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the actions taken to carry out this Act. (b) Updates.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit an updated version of the report required by subsection (a) as new information becomes available. SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 9. TERMINATION. The provisions of this Act shall cease to be effective on the date on which the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury certify to the appropriate congressional committees that-- (1) the Government of the Russian Federation has conducted a thorough and impartial investigation into-- (A) the detention, abuse, and resulting death in custody of Sergei Magnitsky; and (B) the conspiracy (described in section 4(a)(2)) to defraud the Russian Federation of taxes on corporate profits and to misappropriate entities owned or controlled by Hermitage; (2) the investigation described in paragraph (1) was properly conducted, transparent, and free of political influence; (3) the individuals responsible for the detention, abuse, or resulting death of Sergei Magnitsky or for the conspiracy referred to in paragraph (1)(B) have been brought to justice according to the laws of the Russian Federation and pursuant to the international legal obligations of the Russian Federation; and (4) the Government of the Russian Federation-- (A) has taken significant steps to bring the criminal justice system and penal system of the Russian Federation into compliance with applicable international legal standards; (B) has substantially strengthened statutory protections for individuals who disclose evidence of illegal government activities; and (C) has recognized the contribution of Sergei Magnitsky to the fight against corruption and for the rule of law.

Summary: Justice for Sergei Magnitsky Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of State to publish a list of each individual the Secretary believes: (1) is responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky; (2) conspired to defraud the Russian Federation of taxes on corporate profits through fraudulent transactions and lawsuits against the foreign investment company known as Hermitage and to misappropriate Hermitage-owned entities; or (3) participated in efforts to conceal Mr. Magnitsky's detention, abuse, or death, or the existence of such conspiracy. Makes an alien on such list or a family member ineligible to enter or be admitted to the United States. Revokes any visa issued for such person. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such prohibition if in the U.S. national interest. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) instruct domestic financial institutions and agencies to take specified measures if the Secretary makes a money laundering determination relating to such conspiracy; and (2) freeze and prohibit U.S. property transactions of an individual who is on such list or acts as an agent for an individual on the list. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such actions if in the U.S. national interest. States that this Act shall cease to be effective when the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury certify to Congress that: (1) the government of the Russian Federation has conducted a thorough and transparent investigation into Mr. Magnitsky's detention and death, and the related conspiracy: (2) the responsible individuals have been brought to justice according to the Russian Federation's laws and pursuant to its international legal obligations; and (3) the government of the Russian Federation has taken steps to bring its criminal justice and penal systems into compliance with international legal standards, has strengthened statutory protections for individuals who disclose evidence of illegal government activities, and has recognized Sergei Magnitsky's contribution to the fight against corruption and for the rule of law.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Marketplace Fairness Act''. SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the sense of Congress that States should have the ability to enforce their existing sales and use tax laws and to treat similar sales transactions equally, without regard to the manner in which the sale is transacted, and the right to collect--or decide not to collect--taxes that are already owed under State law. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION TO REQUIRE COLLECTION OF SALES AND USE TAXES. (a) Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement.--Each Member State under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement is authorized to require all sellers not qualifying for a small seller exception to collect and remit sales and use taxes with respect to remote sales sourced to that Member State pursuant to the provisions of the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. Such authority shall commence beginning no earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter that is at least 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Alternative.-- (1) In general.--A State that is not a Member State under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement is authorized to require all sellers not qualifying for the small seller exception to collect and remit sales and use taxes with respect to remote sales sourced to that State, but only if the State adopts and implements minimum simplification requirements. Such authority shall commence beginning no earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter that is at least 6 months after the date that the State enacts legislation to implement each of the following minimum simplification requirements: (A) Provide-- (i) a single State-level agency to administer all sales and use tax laws, including the collection and administration of all State and applicable locality sales and use taxes for all sales sourced to the State made by remote sellers, (ii) a single audit for all State and local taxing jurisdictions within that State, and (iii) a single sales and use tax return to be used by remote sellers and single and consolidated providers and to be filed with the State-level agency. (B) Provide a uniform sales and use tax base among the State and the local taxing jurisdictions within the State. (C) Require remote sellers and single and consolidated providers to collect sales and use taxes pursuant to the applicable destination rate, which is the sum of the applicable State rate and any applicable rate for the local jurisdiction into which the sale is made. (D) Provide-- (i) adequate software and services to remote sellers and single and consolidated providers that identifies the applicable destination rate, including the State and local sales tax rate (if any), to be applied on sales sourced to the State, and (ii) certification procedures for both single providers and consolidated providers to make software and services available to remote sellers, and hold such providers harmless for any errors or omissions as a result of relying on information provided by the State. (E) Hold remote sellers using a single or consolidated provider harmless for any errors and omissions by that provider. (F) Relieve remote sellers from liability to the State or locality for collection of the incorrect amount of sales or use tax, including any penalties or interest, if collection of the improper amount is the result of relying on information provided by the State. (G) Provide remote sellers and single and consolidated providers with 30 days notice of a rate change by any locality in the State. (2) Treatment of local rate changes.--For purposes of this subsection, local rate changes may only be effective on the first day of a calendar quarter. Failure to provide notice under paragraph (1)(G) shall require the State and locality to hold the remote seller or single or consolidated provider harmless for collecting tax at the immediately preceding effective rate during the 30-day period. Each State must provide updated rate information as part of the software and services required by paragraph (1)(D). (c) Small Seller Exception.--A State shall be authorized to require a remote seller, or a single or consolidated provider acting on behalf of a remote seller, to collect sales or use tax under this Act if the remote seller has gross annual receipts in total remote sales in the United States in the preceding calendar year exceeding $500,000. For purposes of determining whether the threshold in this subsection is met, the sales of all persons related within the meaning of subsections (b) and (c) of section 267 or section 707(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be aggregated. SEC. 4. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY. The authority granted by this Act shall terminate on the date that the highest court of competent jurisdiction makes a final determination that the State no longer meets the requirements of this Act, and the determination of such court is no longer subject to appeal. SEC. 5. LIMITATIONS. (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed as-- (1) subjecting a seller or any other person to franchise, income, occupation, or any other type of taxes, other than sales and use taxes, (2) affecting the application of such taxes, or (3) enlarging or reducing State authority to impose such taxes. (b) No Effect on Nexus.--No obligation imposed by virtue of the authority granted by this Act shall be considered in determining whether a seller or any other person has a nexus with any State for any tax purpose other than sales and use taxes. (c) Licensing and Regulatory Requirements.--Other than the limitation set forth in subsection (a), and section 3, nothing in this Act shall be construed as permitting or prohibiting a State from-- (1) licensing or regulating any person, (2) requiring any person to qualify to transact intrastate business, (3) subjecting any person to State taxes not related to the sale of goods or services, or (4) exercising authority over matters of interstate commerce. (d) No New Taxes.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed as encouraging a State to impose sales and use taxes on any goods or services not subject to taxation prior to the date of the enactment of this Act. (e) Intrastate Sales.--The provisions of this Act shall only apply to remote sales and shall not apply to intrastate sales or intrastate sourcing rules. States granted authority under section 3(a) shall comply with the intrastate provisions of the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES. In this Act: (1) Consolidated provider.--The term ``consolidated provider'' means any person certified by a State who has the rights and responsibilities for sales and use tax administration, collection, remittance, and audits for transactions serviced or processed for the sale of goods or services made by remote sellers on an aggregated basis. (2) Locality; local.--The terms ``locality'' and ``local'' refer to any political subdivision of a State. (3) Member state.--The term ``Member State''-- (A) means a Member State as that term is used under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and (B) does not include any associate member under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. (4) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual, trust, estate, fiduciary, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity, and a State or local government. (5) Remote sale.--The term ``remote sale'' means a sale of goods or services attributed to a State with respect to which a seller does not have adequate physical presence to establish nexus under Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, 504 U.S. 298 (1992). (6) Remote seller.--The term ``remote seller'' means a person that makes remote sales. (7) Single provider.--The term ``single provider'' means any person certified by a State who has the rights and responsibilities for sales and use tax administration, collection, remittance, and audits for transactions serviced or processed for the sale of goods or services made by remote sellers. (8) Sourced.--For purposes of a State granted authority under section 3(b), the location to which a remote sale is sourced refers to the location where the item sold is received by the purchaser, based on the location indicated by instructions for delivery that the purchaser furnishes to the seller. When no delivery location is specified, the remote sale is sourced to the customer's address that is either known to the seller or, if not known, obtained by the seller during the consummation of the transaction, including the address of the customer's payment instrument if no other address is available. If an address is unknown and a billing address cannot be obtained, the remote sale is sourced to the address of the seller from which the remote sale was made. A State granted authority under section 3(a) shall comply with the sourcing provisions of the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement. (9) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. (10) Streamlined sales and use tax agreement.--The term ``Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement'' means the multi- State agreement with that title adopted on November 12, 2002, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and as further amended from time to time. SEC. 7. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the application of the provisions of such to any person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

Summary: Marketplace Fairness Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that states should be able to enforce their existing sales and use tax laws and to treat similar sales transactions equally, without regard to the manner in which the sale is transacted, and to collect, or decide not to collect, taxes that are owed under state law. Authorizes each member state under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (the multistate agreement for the administration and collection of sales and use taxes adopted on November 12, 2002) to require all sellers not qualifying for a small-seller exception (sellers with annual gross receipts in total U.S. remote sales of less than $500,000) to collect and remit sales and use taxes with respect to remote sales under provisions of the Agreement. Defines "remote sale" as a sale of goods or services attributed to a state with respect to which a seller does not have adequate physical presence to establish a nexus with the state. Allows a state that is not a member state under the Agreement to require sellers to collect and remit sales and use taxes with respect to remote sales sourced to such state if the state adopts and implements certain minimum simplification requirements, including: (1) providing a single state agency to administer all sales and use taxes, (2) establishing a uniform sales and use tax base, (3) relieving remote sellers from liability to the state or a locality for collection of the incorrect amount of sales or use tax based on information provided by the state, and (4) providing remote sellers 30 days' notice of a tax rate change by any locality in the state.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Credit Card Protection Act of 2005''. SEC. 2. PROHIBIT UNIVERSAL DEFAULTS ON CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS. Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(i) Universal Defaults Prohibited.-- ``(1) In general.--No creditor may use any adverse information concerning any consumer, including any information in any consumer report (as defined in section 603) or any change in the credit score of the consumer, as the basis for increasing any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to a credit card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan, or to remove or increase any introductory annual percentage rate of interest applicable to such account, for reasons other than actions or omissions of the consumer that are directly related to such account. ``(2) Notice to consumer.--The limitation under paragraph (1) on the use of adverse information by a credit card issuer shall be clearly and conspicuously described to the consumer by the credit card issuer in any disclosure or statement required under subsection (a) or (b).''. SEC. 3. BOX DISCLOSURE OF PAYMENT PERIOD FOR MINIMUM PAYMENTS ON CREDIT CARD BALANCE. Section 127(b) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(12) Minimum payment terms.-- ``(A) In general.--In a clear and conspicuous manner, repayment information applicable with respect to any outstanding balance on the account, including the following expressed in a tabular format and in close proximity: ``(i) The required minimum monthly payment on that balance, represented as both a dollar figure and a percentage of the outstanding balance. ``(ii) The number of months (rounded to the nearest month) that it would take to pay the entire amount of the current outstanding balance if-- ``(I) the consumer pays only the required minimum monthly payments (as in effect at the time such statement is issued); and ``(II) no further advances or extensions of credit are made with respect to such account. ``(B) Applicable terms.-- ``(i) Applicable apr.--Subject to clause (ii), in making any determination required for purposes of the disclosures under subparagraph (A), the creditor shall apply any applicable annual percentage rate of interest in effect on the date on which the disclosure is made, taking into account the different rates that may be applicable with respect to different portions of the outstanding balance, without regard to whether any such rate is a fixed rate or a variable rate. ``(ii) Introductory rate.--If the annual percentage rate of interest in effect on the date on which the disclosure is made is a temporary or introductory rate that will change pursuant to a contractual provision applying an index or formula for subsequent interest rate adjustment, the creditor shall apply-- ``(I) the annual percentage rate of interest in effect on the date on which the disclosure is made, in making a determination for the balance of the introductory or temporary period, and ``(II) an annual percentage rate of interest, based on an index, formula, or contractual provision that is, or but for the temporary or introductory rate referred to in subclause (I) would be, in effect as of the date on which the disclosure is made, in making a determination for the remainder of the amortization period.''. SEC. 4. ADVANCED NOTICE REQUIRED BEFORE INCREASING RATES OR FEES ON CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTS. Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended by inserting after subsection (i) (as added by section 2 of this Act) the following new subsection: ``(j) Advance Notice of Increase in Any Interest Rate and Imposition of Any Fee Required.-- ``(1) Interest rates.--In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, no increase in any annual percentage rate of interest (other than an increase due to the expiration of any introductory percentage rate of interest) applicable to such account, or any portion of any outstanding balance on such account-- ``(A) may take effect before the beginning of the billing cycle which begins not less than-- ``(i) 30 days after the obligor receives a specific notice of such increase in accordance with paragraph (3), in the case of any change in any such annual percentage rate that is due solely to a change in another rate of interest to which such rate is indexed; or ``(ii) 60 days after the obligor receives a specific notice of such increase in accordance with paragraph (3), in the case of any change in any such annual percentage rate that is not described in clause (i); and ``(B) may, in the case of any change in any such annual percentage rate that is not described in subparagraph (A)(i), apply to any outstanding balance of credit under such plan as of the date of the notice of the increase required under subparagraph (A). ``(2) Fees.--In the case of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, no fee, including any annual fee, late payment fee, or over-the-limit fee, may be imposed on such account before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date the obligor receives a specific notice of the imposition of such fee in accordance with paragraph (3). ``(3) Notice requirements.-- ``(A) In general.--Any notice required under this subsection shall be mailed (or e-mailed, if the consumer has requested to receive such notices electronically) to the obligor separately from any statement or other notice and without any advertising or other disclosures. ``(B) Fee explanation.--In the case of any notice pursuant to paragraph (2), the notice shall include an explanation of how, when, and why a fee will be imposed and what options the obligor may have for addressing the imposition of the fee or any reason for such imposition, including the prevention of any future imposition of such fee.''.

Summary: Consumer Credit Card Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from using adverse information concerning a consumer as the basis for increasing any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to a credit card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan, or to remove or increase any introductory annual percentage rate of interest applicable to such account, for reasons other than actions or omissions of the consumer that are directly related to such account (universal default). Expands mandatory disclosures governing an open end consumer credit plan to include clear and conspicuous minimum payment terms with respect to the outstanding balance on the account, including prescribed details expressed in tabular format and in close proximity. Requires a creditor to furnish advance notice as a prerequisite to increasing rates or imposing fees on a consumer credit card account.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Confidential Information Protection Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) Consumers, citizens, businesses, and other organizations have varying degrees of legal protection when providing information to the Federal Government for strictly statistical purposes. (2) The integrity and credibility of pledges of confidentiality by the Federal Government provide assurances to the public that information about individuals or organizations or provided by individuals or organizations for exclusively statistical purposes will be held in confidence and will not be used against such individuals or organizations in any Federal Government action. (3) Protecting the privacy and confidentiality interests of individuals or organizations who provide information for Federal statistical programs serves both the interests of the public and the needs of society. (4) Declining trust of the public in the protection of information provided to the Federal Government adversely affects both the accuracy and completeness of statistical analyses. (5) Ensuring that information provided for statistical purposes receives protection is essential in continuing public cooperation in statistical programs. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are the following: (1) To ensure that information supplied by individuals or organizations to an agency for statistical purposes is used exclusively for statistical purposes. (2) To ensure that individuals or organizations who supply information to the Federal Government for statistical purposes will not have that information disclosed in identifiable form for any purpose other than a statistical purpose, without the consent of such individuals or organizations. (3) To safeguard the confidentiality of individually identifiable information acquired for statistical purposes by controlling access to, and uses made of, such information. (4) To respect the rights and privileges of the public by observing and promoting fair information practices. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Act: (1) The term ``respondent'' means a person who, or organization that, is requested or required to supply information to an agency, is the subject of information requested or required to be supplied to an agency, or provides that information to an agency. (2) The term ``identifiable form'' means any representation of information that permits information concerning individual subjects to be reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means. (3) The term ``nonstatistical purpose'' means use of data in identifiable form for any purpose that is not a statistical purpose, and includes any administrative, regulatory, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or other purpose that affects the rights, privileges, or benefits of a particular identifiable respondent. (4) The term ``agency'' means any entity that falls within the definition of the term ``executive agency'' as defined in section 102 of title 31, United States Code, or ``agency'', as defined in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code. (5) The term ``statistical purpose''-- (A) means the description, estimation, or analysis of the characteristics of groups without regard to the identities of individuals or organizations that comprise such groups; and (B) includes the development, implementation, or maintenance of methods, technical or administrative procedures, or information resources that support the purposes described in subparagraph (A). (6) The term ``statistical agency or unit'' means an agency or organizational unit of the executive branch whose activities are predominantly the collection, compilation, processing, or analysis of information for statistical purposes. (7) The term ``agent'' means a person designated by an executive agency to perform, either in the capacity of a Federal employee or otherwise, exclusively statistical activities under the supervision or control of an officer or employee of that agency, who agrees in writing to comply with all provisions of law that affect information acquired by that agency. SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS ON USE AND DISCLOSURE OF DATA AND INFORMATION. (a) Use of Statistical Data or Information.--Data or information acquired by an agency for exclusively statistical purposes shall be used by the agency only for statistical purposes. (b) Disclosure of Statistical Data or Information.--Data or information acquired by an agency for exclusively statistical purposes shall not be disclosed by an agency in identifiable form, for any purpose other than a statistical purpose, without the informed consent of the respondent. (c) Rule for Use of Data or Information for Nonstatistical Purposes.--A statistical agency or unit shall clearly distinguish any data or information it collects for nonstatistical purposes (as authorized by law) by a rule that provides that the respondent supplying the data or information is fully informed, before the data or information is collected, that the data or information will be used for nonstatistical purposes. (d) Designation of Agents.--A statistical agency or unit may designate agents who may perform exclusively statistical activities, subject to the limitations and penalties described in this Act. SEC. 5. COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT OF POLICIES. (a) In General.--The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall coordinate and oversee the confidentiality and disclosure policies established by this Act. (b) Review and Approval of Rules.--The Director shall review any rules proposed by an agency pursuant to this Act for consistency with the provisions of this Act and chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, and such rules shall be subject to the approval of the Director. SEC. 6. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. (a) Title 44, U.S.C.--This Act does not diminish the authority under section 3510 of title 44, United States Code, of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to direct, and of an agency to make, disclosures that are not inconsistent with any applicable law. (b) Exemption From Freedom of Information Act.--Data or information acquired for exclusively statistical purposes as described in section 4 is exempt from mandatory disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, pursuant to section 552(b)(3) of such title. (c) Preemption of State Law.--Nothing in this Act shall preempt applicable State law regarding the confidentiality of data collected by the States. (d) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed as restricting or diminishing any confidentiality protections that otherwise apply to data or information collected for statistical purposes or nonstatistical purposes. SEC. 7. DISCLOSURE PENALTIES. An officer, employee, or agent of an agency who knowingly, without the informed consent of the respondent, discloses in identifiable form, for any purpose other than a statistical purpose, data or information acquired by an agency for an exclusively statistical purpose, shall be found guilty of a class E felony and imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.

Summary: Confidential Information Protection Act - Requires data or information acquired by executive agencies for exclusively statistical purposes to be used only for such purposes.Prohibits data or information acquired by an agency for such purposes from being disclosed in identifiable form, for any purpose other than such a purpose, without the informed consent of the respondent.Requires a statistical agency to clearly distinguish any data or information it collects for nonstatistical purposes by a rule that provides that the respondent is fully informed that the information to be collected will be used for such purposes.Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate and oversee such confidentiality and disclosure policies; and (2) any rules proposed by an agency pursuant to this Act to be subject to the Director's review and approval.Exempts data or information acquired for exclusively statistical purposes from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that this Act does not preempt applicable State law regarding the confidentiality of data collected by the States.Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Reclamation Title Transfer Act of 2008''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Eligible facility.--The term ``eligible facility'' means a reclamation project or facility, or a portion of such a project or facility (which may include dams and appurtenant works, water rights, infrastructure, recreational facilities, buildings, distribution and drainage works, and associated lands or interests in lands or water) that meets the criteria for potential transfer established pursuant to section 5. (2) Qualifying entity.--The term ``qualifying entity'' means an agency of a State or local government or an Indian tribe, a municipal corporation, public agency, or other entity such as a water district, that-- (A) held or holds a water service contract, repayment contract, water rights settlement contract or exchange contract providing for water service from the eligible facility to be transferred; and (B) as determined by the Secretary has the capacity to continue to manage the conveyed property for the same purposes that the property has been managed under reclamation law. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (4) Conveyed property.--The term ``conveyed property'' means an eligible facility that has been transferred out of Federal ownership under this Act. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF TITLE TRANSFER PROGRAM. (a) Title Transfer Program.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to-- (1) identify and analyze the potential for public benefits from the transfer out of Federal ownership of eligible facilities, which may include an analysis of the financial, operational, water supply, and environmental characteristics of the properties proposed for transfer; and (2) facilitate transfer of title of eligible facilities out of Federal ownership to promote more efficient management of water and water-related facilities. (b) Authorization To Transfer Title to Eligible Facilities.--The Secretary, without further authorization from Congress, is authorized to convey all right, title, and interest in any eligible facility to a qualifying entity, provided that-- (1) the Secretary shall retain any mineral interests associated with the conveyed property, but all mineral interests retained by the United States under this Act shall be managed consistent with Federal law in a manner so as not to interfere with the purposes for which the eligible facility was authorized; (2) interests in water shall be conveyed under this Act by a written Agreement between the Secretary and the qualifying entity; and (3) interests in eligible facilities shall be conveyed under this Act by a written Agreement between the Secretary and the qualifying entity, developed in consultation with the existing power customers of the eligible facility. SEC. 4. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION LAWS. Before conveying land and facilities under this Act, the Secretary shall complete all actions required under all applicable laws, including-- (1) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); (2) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and (3) the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470a et seq.). SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR TITLE TRANSFER UNDER THIS ACT. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish criteria for determining whether facilities are eligible for title transfer under this Act. The criteria shall include the following minimum requirements: (1) A qualifying entity agrees to accept title to the property proposed for transfer. (2) The proposed title transfer will not have an unmitigated significant effect on the environment. (3) The qualifying entity intends to use the property for substantially the same purposes the property is being used for at the time the Secretary evaluates the potential transfer. (4) The transfer is consistent with the Secretary's responsibility to protect land and water resources held in trust for federally recognized Indian tribes. (5) The transfer is consistent with the Secretary's responsibility to ensure compliance with international treaties and interstate compacts. (6) The qualifying entity agrees to provide, as consideration for the assets to be conveyed, compensation to the United States worth the equivalent of the net present value of any repayment obligation to the United States or other income stream the United States derives from the assets to be transferred at the time of the transfer. (7) Interests in water shall only be eligible for conveyance under this Act-- (A) in connection with a conveyance of title to associated land or infrastructure; and (B) when the qualifying entity already has a contractual right to delivery or other interest or use right in the water being considered for conveyance. (8) No conveyance under this Act may-- (A) adversely impact power rates or repayment obligations; or (B) include a Federal facility that produces power that is sold to or eligible to be sold to power customers pursuant to section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)). SEC. 6. LIABILITY. Effective upon the date of conveyance of any eligible facility pursuant to this Act, the United States shall not be liable under any law for damages of any kind arising out of any act, omission, or occurrence based on its prior ownership or operation of the conveyed property. SEC. 7. BENEFITS. After a conveyance of title under this Act-- (1) the conveyed property shall not be considered to be a part of a Federal reclamation project; and (2) the entity to which the property is conveyed shall not be eligible to receive any benefits, including project power, with respect to the conveyed property, except benefits that would be available to a similarly situated entity with respect to property that is not part of a Federal reclamation project. SEC. 8. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. (a) In General.--After a conveyance of title under this Act, the entity to which the property is conveyed shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations in its operation of the conveyed property. (b) Applicable Authority.--In accordance with section 213(a) and (b) of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 1269), the ownership and full-cost pricing limitations of Federal reclamation law (the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.), and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof) shall not apply to water in which an interest is conveyed to a qualifying entity under this Act, except that all provisions of Federal reclamation law shall be applicable to project water provided to the entity from facilities that are part of a Federal reclamation project. SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. These funds may be used to carry out the investigations authorized under this Act, and for other costs associated with title transfer under this Act, including an appropriate Federal share of the costs of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable Federal law. Expenditures made by the Secretary under this Act shall not be a project cost assignable to any Federal reclamation project and shall be nonreimbursable. SEC. 10. REPORT. Not later than two years after the date that funds are made available for this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Natural Resources Committee of the House of Representatives and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee of the Senate. The report shall-- (1) describe actions taken to implement this Act; (2) list conveyances made under this Act; (3) state the amount of Federal funds obligated or expended to carry out this Act; and (4) describe factors that limit conveyances under in this Act. SEC. 11. RECLAMATION LAW. This Act shall amend and supplement the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093), and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.).

Summary: Reclamation Title Transfer Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to: (1) identify and analyze the potential for public benefits from the transfer out of federal ownership of eligible reclamation projects or facilities; and (2) facilitate such transfer to promote more efficient management of water and water-related facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to convey title in any such facility to a qualifying entity (including an agency of a state or local government or Indian tribe, a municipal corporation, or another entity such as a water district), provided that: (1) the Secretary retains any associated mineral interests; (2) water interests are conveyed by written agreement; and (3) interests in eligible facilities are conveyed by an agreement developed in consultation with the facility's existing power customers. Requires the Secretary to: (1) complete all actions required under all applicable laws (including environmental and historic preservation laws) before conveying land and facilities; and (2) establish criteria for determining whether facilities are eligible for title transfer, including requirements that a qualifying entity agrees to accept title to the property and that the proposed title transfer will not have an unmitigated significant effect on the environment. Shields the United States from liability for any act, omission, or occurrence based on its prior ownership or operation of the conveyed property. Requires a recipient entity to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in its operation of conveyed property.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds that-- (1) the United States textile industry continues to thrive and evolve despite changing economic and labor conditions; (2) the United States textile industry employs over 500,000 workers nationwide and contributes nearly $60,000,000,000 to the gross domestic product annually; (3) the United States textile industry is a primary supplier of domestic jobs to women and minorities, with many of these jobs located in economically depressed rural and urban areas; (4) research and innovation are essential to the United States textile industry's ability to maintain its competitive advantage and expand its export on an international scale; and (5) by working closely with the textile industry to improve existing technologies and to identify new market opportunities, university-based textile research programs and not-for-profit textile research centers play a critical role in promoting innovation and growth in the textile industry and in the United States economy as a whole. SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT TEXTILE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION THROUGH UNIVERSITY AND INDUSTRY-BASED RESEARCH. (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a competitive grant program (in this section referred to as the ``grant program'') to fund textile research and innovation and to promote increased textile exports. (b) Administration of Grant Program.-- (1) Eligible recipients.--The eligible recipients of grants under the grant program shall be limited to institutions of higher education and not-for-profit research institutions, including not-for-profit industry associations whose core mission is to support textile research and innovation. (2) Preference.--Preference in awarding such grants shall be given to collaborative research organizations that emphasize peer-reviewed research by leading academic and industry experts. (3) Application procedure.--Applications for such a grant shall be submitted at such time and in such manner as determined by the Secretary of Commerce. (4) Review procedure.--All such applications shall be subject to a rigorous and competitive peer review procedure. (c) Eligible Uses of Funds.--The funds authorized to be appropriated for the grant program shall be used for research and development activities that achieve at least one of the following goals: (1) To build and sustain innovation, competitiveness, and best practices in the United States textile industry. (2) To contribute to transforming the United States textile and apparel industry into a highly flexible supply chain, capable of responding to rapidly changing market demands including shifts to technologically advanced textile production. (3) To discover, design, and develop new materials, and innovative and improved manufacturing and integrated systems, essential to the success of a modern United States textile industry. (4) To train personnel, establish industrial partnerships, and create transfer mechanisms to ensure the utilization of technologies developed. (5) To strengthen the Nation's textile research and educational efforts by uniting diverse experts and resources in unique collaborative projects. (6) To facilitate the creation of domestic jobs in the textile industry. (d) Restriction on Funds.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), no more than 75 percent of total funding made available under the grant program in a fiscal year may be disbursed to institutions of higher education. (2) Waiver authority.--If the Secretary of Commerce determines that the limitation of paragraph (1) would result in the failure to disburse all appropriated funds for a fiscal year, the Secretary may waive such limitation for such fiscal year. SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2013 to carry out section 3. Amounts appropriated under this subsection shall be available until expended. (b) Offsetting Reduction of Authorization of Appropriations.--The amount authorized to be appropriated for operations and administration of the International Trade Administration in the Department of Commerce for fiscal year 2013 is reduced by $5,000,000.

Summary: American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a grant program to fund textile research and innovation in the U.S. textile and fiber products industry and to promote increased U.S. textile exports. Limits eligibility under such grant program to institutions of higher education and not-for-profit research institutions, including not-for-profit industry associations whose mission is to support textile research and innovation. Gives preference in the award of such grants to collaborative research organizations that emphasize peer-reviewed research by leading academic and industry experts. Requires grant funds to be used for research and development activities that achieve at least one of the goals described in this Act, including to: (1) build and sustain innovation and competitiveness in the U.S. textile industry; (2) contribute to transforming the U.S. textile and apparel industry into a highly flexible supply chain; and (3) facilitate the creation of domestic jobs in the textile industry.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Communist China Subsidy Reduction Act of 1997''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds that-- (1) the People's Republic of China has enjoyed ready access to international capital through commercial loans, direct investment, sales of securities, bond sales, and foreign aid; (2) regarding international commercial lending, the People's Republic of China had $48,000,000,000 in loans outstanding from private creditors in 1995; (3) regarding international direct investment, international direct investment in the People's Republic of China from 1993 through 1995 totaled $97,151,000,000, and in 1996 alone totaled $47,000,000,000; (4) regarding investment in Chinese securities, the aggregate value of outstanding Chinese securities currently held by Chinese nationals and foreign persons is $175,000,000,000, and from 1993 through 1995 foreign persons invested $10,540,000,000 in Chinese stocks; (5) regarding investment in Chinese bonds, entities controlled by the Government of the People's Republic of China have issued 75 bonds since 1988, including 36 dollar- denominated bond offerings valued at more than $6,700,000,000, and the total value of long-term Chinese bonds outstanding as of January 1, 1996, was $11,709,000,000; (6) regarding international assistance, the People's Republic of China received almost $1,000,000,000 in foreign aid grants and an additional $1,566,000,000 in technical assistance grants from 1993 through 1995, and in 1995 received $5,540,000,000 in bilateral assistance loans, including concessional aid, export credits, and related assistance; and (7) regarding international financial institutions-- (A) despite the People's Republic of China's access to international capital and world financial markets, international financial institutions have annually provided it with more than $4,000,000,000 in loans in recent years, amounting to almost a third of the loan commitments of the Asian Development Bank and 17.1 percent of the loan approvals by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 1995; and (B) the People's Republic of China borrows more from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank than any other country, and loan commitments from those institutions to the People's Republic of China quadrupled from $1,100,000,000 in 1985 to $4,300,000,000 by 1995. SEC. 3. OPPOSITION OF UNITED STATES TO CONCESSIONAL LOANS TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Title XV of the International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262o-262o-1) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 1503. OPPOSITION OF UNITED STATES TO CONCESSIONAL LOANS TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States Executive Directors at each international financial institution (as defined in section 1702(c)(2) of the International Financial Institutions Act) to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose the provision by the institution of concessional loans to the People's Republic of China, any citizen or national of the People's Republic of China, or any entity established in the People's Republic of China. ``(b) Concessional Loans Defined.--As used in subsection (a), the term `concessional loans' means loans with highly subsidized interest rates, grace periods for repayment of 5 years or more, and maturities of 20 years or more.''. SEC. 4. PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD BE ADHERED TO BY ANY UNITED STATES NATIONAL CONDUCTING AN INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION PROJECT IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to create principles governing the conduct of industrial cooperation projects of United States nationals in the People's Republic of China. (b) Statement of Principles.--It is the sense of the Congress that any United States national conducting an industrial cooperation project in the People's Republic of China should: (1) Suspend the use of any goods, wares, articles, or merchandise that the United States national has reason to believe were mined, produced, or manufactured, in whole or in part, by convict labor or forced labor, and refuse to use forced labor in the industrial cooperation project. (2) Seek to ensure that political or religious views, sex, ethnic or national background, involvement in political activities or nonviolent demonstrations, or association with suspected or known dissidents will not prohibit hiring, lead to harassment, demotion, or dismissal, or in any way affect the status or terms of employment in the industrial cooperation project. The United States national should not discriminate in terms or conditions of employment in the industrial cooperation project against persons with past records of arrest or internal exile for nonviolent protest or membership in unofficial organizations committed to nonviolence. (3) Ensure that methods of production used in the industrial cooperation project do not pose an unnecessary physical danger to workers and neighboring populations or property, and that the industrial cooperation project does not unnecessarily risk harm to the surrounding environment; and consult with community leaders regarding environmental protection with respect to the industrial cooperation project. (4) Strive to establish a private business enterprise when involved in an industrial cooperation project with the Government of the People's Republic of China or other state entity. (5) Discourage any Chinese military presence on the premises of any industrial cooperation projects which involve dual-use technologies. (6) Undertake to promote freedom of association and assembly among the employees of the United States national. The United States national should protest any infringement by the Government of the People's Republic of China of these freedoms to the International Labor Organization's office in Beijing. (7) Provide the Department of State with information relevant to the Department's efforts to collect information on prisoners for the purposes of the Prisoner Information Registry, and for other reporting purposes. (8) Discourage or undertake to prevent compulsory political indoctrination programs from taking place on the premises of the industrial cooperation project. (9) Promote freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any media. To this end, the United States national should raise with appropriate authorities of the Government of the People's Republic of China concerns about restrictions on the free flow of information. (10) Undertake to prevent harassment of workers who, consistent with the United Nations World Population Plan of Action, decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children; and prohibit compulsory population control activities on the premises of the industrial cooperation project. (c) Promotion of Principles by Other Nations.--The Secretary of State shall forward a copy of the principles set forth in subsection (b) to the member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and encourage them to promote principles similar to these principles. (d) Registration Requirement.-- (1) In general.--Each United States national conducting an industrial cooperation project in the People's Republic of China shall register with the Secretary of State and indicate that the United States national agrees to implement the principles set forth in subsection (b). No fee shall be required for registration under this subsection. (2) Preference for participation in trade missions.--The Secretary of Commerce shall consult the register prior to the selection of private sector participants in any form of trade mission to China, and undertake to involve those United States nationals that have registered their adoption of the principles set forth above. (e) Definitions.--As used in this section-- (1) the term ``industrial cooperation project'' refers to a for-profit activity the business operations of which employ more than 25 individuals or have assets greater than $25,000; and (2) the term ``United States national'' means-- (A) a citizen or national of the United States or a permanent resident of the United States; and (B) a corporation, partnership, or other business association organized under the laws of the United States, any State or territory thereof, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. SEC. 5. PROMOTION OF EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, AGRICULTURAL, MILITARY, LEGAL, POLITICAL, AND ARTISTIC EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA. (a) Exchanges Between the United States and China.--Agencies of the United States Government which engage in educational, cultural, scientific, agricultural, military, legal, political, and artistic exchanges shall endeavor to initiate or expand such exchange programs with regard to China. (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that a federally chartered not-for-profit organization should be established to fund exchanges between the United States and China through private donations. Passed the House of Representatives November 6, 1997. Attest: ROBIN H. CARLE, Clerk.

Summary: Communist China Subsidy Reduction Act of 1997 - Amends the International Financial Institutions Act to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. Executive Directors at each international financial institution to vote to oppose the provision of concessional loans (with highly subsidized interest rates, grace periods for repayment of five years or more, and maturities of 20 years or more) to China, any Chinese citizen or national, or any Chinese entity. (Sec. 4) Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. nationals conducting industrial cooperation projects in China should adhere to certain principles, including: (1) suspending the use of any merchandise that they have reason to believe was produced by convict or forced labor, and refusing to use forced labor in their projects; (2) seeking to ensure that political or religious views, sex, ethnic or national background, or association with dissidents will not prohibit hiring, lead to harassment, demotion, or dismissal, or otherwise affect the employment status of an individual employed in the industrial cooperation project; (3) ensuring that methods of production used in the projects do not pose unnecessary danger to workers and the surrounding neighborhoods and environment; (4) striving to establish private business enterprises when involved in a project with the Government of China; (5) discouraging any military presence on the premises of the project; (6) promoting freedom of association and assembly among employees; (7) providing the Department of State with information relevant to its efforts to collect information on prisoners for purposes of the Prisoner Information Registry; (8) discouraging or preventing compulsory political indoctrination programs from taking place on project premises; (9) promoting freedom of expression of all kinds; and (10) preventing harassment of workers who decide freely the number and spacing of their children, and prohibiting compulsory population control activities on the premises of the project. Directs the Secretary of State to forward a copy of these principles to the member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and encourage them to promote similar principles. Directs each U.S. national conducting an industrial cooperation project in China to register with the Secretary and indicate whether they agree to implement such principles. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to give preference to U.S. nationals who have adopted such principles when selecting participants for trade missions to China. (Sec. 5) Directs U.S. agencies that engage in educational, cultural, scientific, agricultural, military, legal, political, and artistic exchanges to initiate and expand such exchange programs with regard to China. Expresses the sense of the Congress that a federally chartered not-for-profit organization should be established to fund exchanges between the United States and China through private donations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Asthma Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds as follows: (1) Despite improved therapies, asthma affects approximately 22,000,000 adults and 6,800,000 children under the age of 18 in the United States. (2) Approximately 1,000,000 hospital emergency room visits are attributed to asthma annually. (3) Asthma can be life-threatening if not properly managed. Most asthma-related deaths are preventable, yet such deaths continue to occur in the United States. (4) Asthma-related health care costs are estimated at $14,000,000,000 annually. (5) With early recognition of the signs and symptoms of asthma, proper diagnosis and treatment, and patient education and self-management, asthma is a controllable disease. (6) Public health interventions have been proven effective in the treatment and management of asthma. Population-based research supported by the National Institutes of Health has effectively demonstrated the benefits of combining aggressive medical treatment with patient education to improve the management of asthma. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program helps raise awareness that asthma is a serious chronic disease, and helps promote more effective management of asthma through patient and professional education. (7) The alarming rise in prevalence, asthma-related deaths, and expenditures demonstrate that, despite extensive knowledge on effective asthma management strategies, current Federal policy and funding regarding the education, treatment, and management of asthma is inadequate. (8) Additional Federal direction, funding, and support is necessary to increase awareness of asthma as a chronic illness, its symptoms, and the environmental factors (indoor and outdoor) that affect the disease, as well as to promote education programs that teach patients how to better manage asthma. SEC. 3. PROVISIONS REGARDING NATIONAL ASTHMA EDUCATION AND PREVENTION PROGRAM OF NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE. (a) Additional Funding; Expansion of Program.--In addition to any other authorization of appropriations that is available to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for the purpose of carrying out the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, there is authorized to be appropriated to such Institute for such purpose $4,100,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall be expended to expand such Program. (b) Coordinating Committee.-- (1) Report to congress.--With respect to the coordinating committee established for the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, such committee shall submit to Congress a report that-- (A) contains a determination by the committee of the scope of the problem of asthma in the United States; (B) identifies all Federal programs that carry out asthma-related activities; and (C) contains the recommendations of the committee for strengthening and better coordinating the asthma- related activities of the Federal Government. (2) Inclusion of representative of department of education.--The Secretary of Education or a designee of such Secretary shall be included in the membership of the coordinating committee described in paragraph (1). SEC. 4. ASTHMA-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION. (a) Expansion of Public Health Surveillance Activities; Program for Providing Information and Education to Public.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall collaborate with the States to expand the scope of-- (1) activities that are carried out to determine the incidence and prevalence of asthma; and (2) activities that are carried out to prevent the health consequences of asthma, including through the provision of information and education to the public regarding asthma, which may include the use of public service announcements through the media and such other means as such Director determines to be appropriate. (b) Compilation of Data.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the National Asthma Education Prevention Program Coordinating Committee, shall-- (1) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management, including-- (A) telephone surveys to collect sample household data on the local burden of asthma; and (B) health care facility specific surveillance to collect asthma data on the prevalence and severity of asthma, and on the quality of asthma care; and (2) compile and annually publish data on-- (A) the prevalence of children suffering from asthma in each State; and (B) the childhood mortality rate associated with asthma nationally and in each State. (c) Additional Funding.--In addition to any other authorization of appropriations that is available to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to such Centers for such purpose $8,200,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. SEC. 5. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH REGARDING ASTHMA INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND SERVICES. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') may make grants to nonprofit private entities for projects to carry out, in communities identified by entities applying for the grants, outreach activities to provide for residents of the communities the following: (1) Information and education on asthma. (2) Referrals to health programs of public and nonprofit private entities that provide asthma-related services, including such services for low-income individuals. The grant may be expended to make arrangements to coordinate the activities of such entities in order to establish and operate networks or consortia regarding such referrals. (b) Preferences in Making Grants.--In making grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that will carry out projects under such subsection in communities that are disproportionately affected by asthma or underserved with respect to the activities described in such subsection and in which a significant number of low-income individuals reside. (c) Evaluations.--As a condition for receiving a grant under subsection (a), the applicant for the grant shall agree to provide for the evaluation of the projects carried out under such subsection by the applicant to determine the extent to which the projects have been effective in carrying out the activities described in such subsection. (d) Funding.--For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $4,100,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. SEC. 6. ACTION PLANS OF STATES REGARDING ASTHMA; FINANCIAL INCENTIVES REGARDING CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall in accordance with subsection (b) carry out a program to encourage the States to implement plans to carry out activities to assist children with respect to asthma in accordance with guidelines of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (b) Relation to Children's Health Insurance Program.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), if a State plan under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.) provides for activities described in subsection (a) to an extent satisfactory to the Secretary, the Secretary shall, with amounts appropriated under subsection (c), make a grant to the State involved to assist the State in carrying out such activities. (2) Requirement of matching funds.-- (A) In general.--With respect to the costs of the activities to be carried out by a State under paragraph (1), the Secretary may make a grant under such paragraph only if the State agrees to make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount that is not less than 50 percent of the costs ($1 for each $1 of Federal funds provided in the grant). (B) Determination of amount contributed.--Non- Federal contributions required in subparagraph (A) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal contributions. (3) Criteria regarding eligibility for grant.--The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register criteria describing the circumstances in which the Secretary will consider a State plan to be satisfactory for purposes of paragraph (1). (4) Technical assistance.--With respect to State plans under title XXI of the Social Security Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall make available to the States technical assistance in developing the provisions of such plans that will provide for activities pursuant to paragraph (1). (c) Funding.--For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $4,100,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. SEC. 7. ACTION PLANS OF LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES REGARDING ASTHMA. (a) In General.-- (1) School-based asthma activities.--The Secretary of Education (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, may make grants to local educational agencies to carry out at elementary and secondary schools described in paragraph (2) programs for asthma-related activities for children who attend such schools. (2) Eligible schools.--The elementary and secondary schools described in this paragraph are such schools that are located in communities with a significant number of low-income or underserved individuals (as defined by the Secretary). (b) Development of Programs.--Programs under subsection (a) shall include grants under which local education agencies and State public health officials collaborate to develop programs to improve the management of asthma in school settings. (c) Certain Guidelines.--Programs under subsection (a) shall be carried out in accordance with applicable guidelines or other recommendations of the National Institutes of Health (including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) and the Environmental Protection Agency. (d) Certain Activities.--Activities that may be carried out in programs under subsection (a) include the following: (1) Identifying and working directly with local hospitals, community clinics, advocacy organizations, parent-teacher associations, and asthma coalitions. (2) Identifying asthmatic children and training such children and the families of such children in asthma self- management. (3) Purchasing asthma equipment. (4) Hiring school nurses. (5) Training teachers, nurses, coaches, and other school personnel in asthma-symptom recognition and emergency responses. (6) Simplifying procedures to improve safe access of students to asthma medications. (7) Such other asthma-related activities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms ``elementary school'', ``local educational agency'', and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). (f) Funding.--For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $4,100,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014. SEC. 8. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING HOSPITALS AND MANAGED CARE PLANS. It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) hospitals should be encouraged to offer asthma-related education and training to asthma patients and families of asthma patients upon discharge from the hospital of such patients; (2) hospitals should, with respect to information on asthma, establish telephone services for patients and communicate with providers of primary health services; and (3) managed care organizations should-- (A) be encouraged to disseminate to health care providers asthma clinical practice guidelines developed or endorsed by the Public Health Service; (B) collect and maintain asthma data; and (C) offer asthma-related education and training to asthma patients and their families. SEC. 9. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF ACT. It is the sense of Congress that all Federal, State, and local asthma-related activities should-- (1) promote the guidelines and other recommendations of the Public Health Service on asthma diagnosis and management; and (2) be designed in consultation with national and local organizations representing the medical, educational, and environmental communities, as well as advocates that represent those affected by asthma.

Summary: Asthma Act - Authorizes additional appropriations to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. Requires the Program's coordinating committee to report to Congress on: (1) the scope of the asthma problem in the United States; (2) federal programs that carry out asthma-related activities; and (3) recommendations for strengthening and better coordinating such activities. Includes the Secretary of Education or a designee in the committee's membership. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to: (1) collaborate with states to expand the scope of asthma-related activities to determine the incidence and prevalence of asthma and prevent related health consequences; (2) conduct local asthma surveillance activities to collect data on the prevalence and severity of asthma and the quality of asthma management; and (3) compile and annually publish data on the prevalence of asthma in children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for: (1) information and education on asthma; and (2) referrals to health programs that provide asthma-related services. Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a program to encourage the states to implement plans for activities to assist children with respect to asthma in accordance with the Institute's guidelines; and (2) make a grant to states under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP) for such activities. Authorizes grants to local educational agencies to carry out asthma-related activities at elementary and secondary schools in communities with a significant number of low-income or underserved individuals.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Discovery Trails Act of 1997''. SEC. 2. NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM ACT AMENDMENTS. (a) National Discovery Trails Established.-- (1) In general.--Section 3(a) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1242(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: ``(5) National discovery trails, established as provided in section 5, which will be extended, continuous, interstate trails so located as to provide for outstanding outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. National discovery trails should provide for the conservation and enjoyment of significant natural, cultural, and historic resources associated with each trail and should be so located as to represent metropolitan, urban, rural, and backcountry regions of the Nation.''. (2) Feasibility requirements; cooperative management requirement.--Section 5 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1244) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(g)(1) For purposes of subsection (b), a trail shall not be considered feasible and desirable for designation as a national discovery trail unless it meets all of the following criteria: ``(A) The trail must link to one or more areas within the boundaries of a metropolitan area (as those boundaries are determined under section 134(c) of title 23, United States Code). It should also join with other trails, tying the National Trails System to significant recreation and resources areas. ``(B) It must be supported by a competent trailwide nonprofit organization. Each trail should have extensive local and trailwide support by the public, by user groups, and by affected State and local governments. ``(C) It must be extended and pass through more than one State. At a minimum, it should be a continuous, walkable route. ``(2) The appropriate Secretary for each national discovery trail shall administer the trail in cooperation with a competent trailwide nonprofit organization.''. (b) Designation of the American Discovery Trail as a National Discovery Trail.--Section 5(a) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)) is amended-- (1) by redesignating the paragraph relating to the California National Historic Trail as paragraph (18); (2) by redesignating the paragraph relating to the Pony Express National Historic Trail as paragraph (19); and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(20) The American Discovery Trail, a trail of approximately 6,000 miles extending from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, extending westward through Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, where near Cincinnati it splits into two routes. The Northern Midwest route traverses Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado, and the Southern Midwest route traverses Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. After the two routes rejoin in Denver, Colorado, the route continues through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. The trail is generally described in Volume 2 of the National Park Service feasibility study dated June 1995 which shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Director of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, the District of Columbia. The American Discovery Trail shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in cooperation with a competent trailwide nonprofit organization and other affected land managing agencies. No lands or interests outside the exterior boundaries of federally administered areas may be acquired by the Federal Government solely for the American Discovery Trail. This trail is specifically exempted from the provisions of sections 7(e), 7(f), and 7(g).''. (c) Comprehensive National Discovery Trail Plan.--Section 5 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1244) is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(h) Within three complete fiscal years after the date of enactment of any law designating a national discovery trail, the administering Federal agency shall enter into arrangements with a competent trailwide nonprofit organization to submit a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the trail, to the Committee on Resources of the United States House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate. The Secretary shall ensure that the comprehensive plan does not conflict with any existing agency direction and that the nonprofit organization consults with affected land managing agencies, the Governors of the affected States, county and local political jurisdictions, and local organizations maintaining components of the trail. Mandatory components of the comprehensive plan include-- ``(1) specific objectives and practices to be observed in the administration and management of the trail, including the identification of all significant natural, historical, and cultural resources to be preserved, model agreements necessary for joint trail administration among and between interested parties, and an identified carrying capacity of the trail and a plan for its implementation; ``(2) a trail protection plan to preserve the values for which the trail is being established and recognized by the Federal Government; ``(3) general and site-specific development plans including anticipated costs; and ``(4) the process to be followed by the nonprofit organization, in cooperation with the appropriate Secretary, to implement the trail marking authorities in section 7(c) conforming to approved trail logo or emblem requirements.''. SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. The National Trails System Act is amended-- (1) in section 2(b) (16 U.S.C. 1241(b)), by striking ``scenic and historic'' and inserting ``scenic, historic, and discovery''; (2) in the section heading to section 5 (16 U.S.C. 1244), by striking ``and national historic'' and inserting ``, national historic, and national discovery''; (3) in section 5(a) (16 U.S.C. 1244(a)), in the matter preceding paragraph (1)-- (A) by striking ``and national historic'' and inserting ``, national historic, and national discovery''; and (B) by striking ``and National Historic'' and inserting ``, National Historic, and National Discovery''; (4) in section 5(b) (16 U.S.C. 1244(b)), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``or national historic'' and inserting ``, national historic, or national discovery''; (5) in section 5(b)(3) (16 U.S.C. 1244(b)(3)), by striking ``or national historic'' and inserting ``, national historic, or national discovery''; (6) in section 7(a)(2) (16 U.S.C. 1246(a)(2)), by striking ``and national historic'' and inserting ``, national historic, and national discovery''; (7) in section 7(b) (16 U.S.C. 1246(b)), by striking ``or national historic'' each place such term appears and inserting ``, national historic, or national discovery''; (8) in section 7(c) (16 U.S.C. 1246(c))-- (A) by striking ``scenic or national historic'' each place it appears and inserting ``scenic, national historic, or national discovery''; (B) in the second proviso, by striking ``scenic, or national historic'' and inserting ``scenic, national historic, or national discovery''; and (C) by striking ``, and national historic'' and inserting ``, national historic, and national discovery''; (9) in section 7(d) (16 U.S.C. 1246(d)), by striking ``or national historic'' and inserting ``national historic, or national discovery''; (10) in section 7(e) (16 U.S.C. 1246(e)), by striking ``or national historic'' each place such term appears and inserting ``, national historic, or national discovery''; (11) in section 7(f)(2) (16 U.S.C. 1246(f)(2)), by striking ``National Scenic or Historic'' and inserting ``national scenic, historic, or discovery trail''; (12) in section 7(h)(1) (16 U.S.C. 1246(h)(1)), by striking ``or national historic'' and inserting ``national historic, or national discovery''; and (13) in section 7(i) (16 U.S.C. 1246(i)), by striking ``or national historic'' and inserting ``national historic, or national discovery''.

Summary: National Discovery Trails Act of 1997 - Amends the National Trails System Act (the Act) to provide for the establishment, as components of the National Trails System, of national discovery trails which shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located so as to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities. Prohibits a trail from being considered feasible and desirable for designation as a national discovery trail unless it: (1) links to one or more areas within the boundaries of a metropolitan area and joins with other trails, tying the National Trails System to significant recreation and resources areas; (2) is supported by a competent trailwide nonprofit organization and has extensive local and trailwide support by the public, user groups, and affected State and local governments; and (3) extends and passes through more than one State and, at a minimum, is a continuous, walkable route. Requires the appropriate Secretary for each national discovery trail to administer the trail in cooperation with a competent trailwide nonprofit organization. Designates as a national discovery trail the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail which shall extend from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, traveling northern and southern routes from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Denver, Colorado. Requires the administering Federal agency, within three complete fiscal years after designation of a national discovery trail, to enter into arrangements with a competent trailwide nonprofit organization to submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive plan for the protection, management, development, and use of the trail.