SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Safer Trucks and Buses Act of 2015''. SEC. 2. COMPLIANCE, SAFETY, ACCOUNTABILITY INITIATIVE. (a) Data Availability and Use.-- (1) Availability.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that covered motor carrier data is not made available to the public. (B) Rule of construction.--Subparagraph (A) may not be construed to prevent covered motor carrier data from being made available to law enforcement personnel. (C) Termination.--Subparagraph (A) shall cease to have effect on the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress the report required under subsection (e). (2) Use.--Covered motor carrier data may not be admitted into evidence or otherwise used in a civil action for damages resulting from an incident involving a motor carrier. (b) Study.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Public Administration to have the Academy conduct a study on how to improve the Compliance, Safety, Accountability initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including how to ensure that the initiative-- (A) utilizes only safety data determined to be predictive of motor carrier crashes; (B) appropriately addresses concerns relating to the age of utilized safety data, including violations; (C) does not unfairly harm small motor carriers as a result of limited safety data availability; (D) appropriately addresses differences between motor carriers transporting passengers and motor carriers transporting freight; (E) allows individual motor carriers to be effectively compared; and (F) utilizes accurate safety data, including-- (i) by appropriately addressing variations between State- and self-reported data; (ii) by accounting for geographic differences with respect to enforcement; and (iii) by not utilizing crash data from crashes with respect to which a motor carrier was free from fault. (2) Free from fault.--For purposes of paragraph (1)(F)(iii), a motor carrier is free from fault with respect to a crash if-- (A) the vehicle of the carrier was struck by another vehicle that-- (i) crossed the center line or median of a roadway; (ii) was driving the wrong way on a roadway; (iii) struck the rear of the carrier's vehicle while the vehicle was being lawfully operated; (iv) struck the carrier's vehicle while the vehicle was legally stopped at a traffic control device or off the traveled portion of a roadway; or (v) was operated by an individual-- (I) found to be driving under the influence of alcohol; (II) found by a law enforcement officer or agency to be responsible for the crash; or (III) who was the sole party cited by law enforcement for an action that contributed to the crash; (B) the crash was the result of an individual, other than the driver of the carrier's vehicle, committing suicide; (C) the vehicle of the carrier was struck by an animal; or (D) the carrier is otherwise determined not responsible for the crash. (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary enters into an agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of Public Administration shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (b), including recommendations for improvement based on those results. (d) Implementation of Recommendations.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the National Academy of Public Administration submits the report required under subsection (c), the Secretary shall begin implementing the recommendations included in that report. (e) Certification of Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary begins implementing recommendations under subsection (d), the Secretary shall complete the implementation of such recommendations and shall submit to Congress a report that-- (1) describes the implementation of such recommendations; (2) contains a document in which the Secretary certifies that such implementation is complete; and (3) contains a document in which the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation certifies that such implementation is complete. (f) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Covered motor carrier data.--The term ``covered motor carrier data'' means the Compliance, Safety, Accountability Safety Measurement System scores and performance data of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (2) Motor carrier.--The term ``motor carrier'' has the meaning given that term in section 13102 of title 49, United States Code.

Summary: Safer Trucks and Buses Act of 2015 The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Public Administration to study how to improve the Compliance, Safety, Accountability initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. DOT must ensure that motor carrier safety data predictive of crashes which is generated under this initiative is not made available to the public (except law enforcement personnel) until the study findings and recommendations are reported to Congress. Such data may not be used used in a civil action for damages resulting from an incident involving a motor carrier.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) the western basin of Lake Erie, as part of the Great Lakes ecosystem-- (A) is the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world; and (B) is vitally important to the economic and environmental future of the United States; (2) over the 30-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act, the citizens and governmental institutions of the United States and Canada have devoted increasing attention and resources to the restoration of the water quality and fisheries of the Great Lakes, including the western basin; (3) that increased awareness has been accompanied by a gradual shift toward a holistic ecosystem approach that highlights a growing recognition that shoreline areas, commonly referred to as nearshore terrestrial ecosystems, are an integral part of the western basin and the Great Lakes ecosystem; (4) the Great Lakes account for more than 90 percent of the surface freshwater in the United States; (5) the western basin receives approximately 90 percent of its flow from the Detroit River and only approximately 10 percent from tributaries; (6) the western basin is an important ecosystem that includes a number of distinct islands, channels, rivers, and shoals that support dense populations of fish, wildlife, and aquatic plants; (7) coastal wetland of Lake Erie supports the largest diversity of plant and wildlife species in the Great Lakes; (8) because Lake Erie is located at a more southern latitude than other Great Lakes, the moderate climate of Lake Erie is appropriate for many species that are not found in or along the northern Great Lakes; (9) more than 300 species of plants, including 37 significant species, have been identified in the aquatic and wetland habitats of the western basin; (10) the shallow western basin of Lake Erie, extending from the Lower Detroit River to Sandusky Bay, is home to the greatest concentration of marshes in Lake Erie, including-- (A) Mouille, Metzger, and Magee marshes; (B) the Maumee Bay wetland complex; (C) the wetland complexes flanking Locust Point; and (D) the wetland in Sandusky Bay; (11) the larger islands of the United States in western Lake Erie have wetland in small embayments; (12) the wetland in the western basin comprises some of the most important waterfowl habitat in the Great Lakes; (13) waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, gulls and terns, raptors, and perching birds use the wetland in the western basin for migration, nesting, and feeding; (14) hundreds of thousands of diving ducks stop to rest in the Lake Erie area during autumn migration from Canada to points east and south; (15) the wetland of the western basin provides a major stopover for ducks, such as migrating bufflehead, common goldeneye, common mergansers, and ruddy duck; (16) the international importance of Lake Erie is indicated in the United States by congressional designation of the Ottawa and Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuges; (17)(A) Lake Erie has an international reputation for walleye, perch, and bass fishing, recreational boating, birding, photography, and duck hunting; and (B) on an economic basis, tourism in the Lake Erie area accounts for an estimated $1,500,000,000 in retail sales and more than 50,000 jobs; (18)(A) many of the 417,000 boats that are registered in the State of Ohio are used in the western basin, in part to fish for the estimated 10,000,000 walleye that migrate from the lake to spawn; and (B) that internationally renowned walleye fishery drives much of the $2,000,000,000 sport fishing industry in the State of Ohio; (19) coastal wetland in the western basin has been subjected to intense pressure for 150 years; (20) prior to 1850, the western basin was part of an extensive coastal marsh and swamp system consisting of approximately 122,000 hectares that comprised a portion of the Great Black Swamp; (21) by 1951, only 12,407 wetland hectares remained in the western basin; (22) 50 percent of that acreage was destroyed between 1972 and 1987, leaving only approximately 5,000 hectares in existence today; (23) along the Michigan shoreline, coastal wetland was reduced by 62 percent between 1916 and the early 1970s; (24) the development of the city of Monroe, Michigan, has had a particularly significant impact on the coastal wetland at the mouth of the Raisin River; (25) only approximately 100 hectares remain physically unaltered today in an area in which, 70 years ago, marshes were 10 times more extensive; (26) in addition to the actual loss of coastal wetland acreage along the shores of Lake Erie, the quality of much remaining dike wetland has been degraded by numerous stressors, especially excessive loadings of sediments and nutrients, contaminants, shoreline modification, exotic species, and the diking of wetland; and (27) protective peninsula beach systems, such as the former Bay Point and Woodtick, at the border of Ohio and Michigan near the mouth of the Ottawa River and Maumee Bay, have been eroded over the years, exacerbating erosion along the shorelines and negatively affecting breeding and spawning grounds. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) International refuge.--The term ``International Refuge'' means the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge established by section 5(a) of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd note; 115 Stat. 894). (2) Refuge complex.--The term ``Refuge Complex'' means the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex and the lands and waters in the complex, as described in the document entitled ``The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex'' and dated September 22, 2000, including-- (A) the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, established by the Secretary in accordance with the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.); (B) the West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge established by Executive Order No. 7937, dated August 2, 1937; and (C) the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge established by the Secretary in accordance with the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.). (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. (4) Western basin.-- (A) In general.--The term ``western basin'' means the western basin of Lake Erie, consisting of the land and water in the watersheds of Lake Erie extending from the watershed of the Lower Detroit River in the State of Michigan to and including Sandusky Bay and the watershed of Sandusky Bay in the State of Ohio. (B) Inclusion.--The term ``western basin'' includes the Bass Island archipelago in the State of Ohio. SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF BOUNDARIES. (a) Refuge Complex Boundaries.-- (1) Expansion.--The boundaries of the Refuge Complex are expanded to include land and water in the State of Ohio from the eastern boundary of Maumee Bay State Park to the eastern boundary of the Darby Unit (including the Bass Island archipelago), as depicted on the map entitled ``Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act'' and dated September 6, 2002. (2) Availability of map.--The map referred to in paragraph (1) shall be available for inspection in appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (b) Boundary Revisions.--The Secretary may make such revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge Complex as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to facilitate the acquisition of property within the Refuge Complex. (c) Acquisition.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange the land and water, and interests in land and water (including conservation easements), within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex. (2) Manner of Acquisition.--Any and all acquisitions of land or waters under the provisions of this Act shall be made in a voluntary manner and shall not be the result of forced takings. (d) Transfers From Other Agencies.--Administrative jurisdiction over any Federal property that is located within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex and under the administrative jurisdiction of an agency of the United States other than the Department of the Interior may, with the concurrence of the head of the administering agency, be transferred without consideration to the Secretary for the purpose of this Act. (e) Study of Associated Area.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall conduct a study of fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities in and around the 2 dredge spoil disposal sites that are-- (A) referred to by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority as ``Port Authority Facility Number Three'' and ``Grassy Island'', respectively; and (B) located within Toledo Harbor near the mouth of the Maumee River. (2) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Act, the Secretary shall-- (A) complete the study under paragraph (1); and (B) submit to Congress a report on the results of the study. SEC. 5. EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL REFUGE BOUNDARIES. The southern boundary of the International Refuge is extended south to include additional land and water in the State of Michigan located east of Interstate Route 75, extending from the southern boundary of Sterling State Park to the Ohio State boundary, as depicted on the map referred to in section 4(a)(1). SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION. (a) Refuge Complex.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer all federally owned land, water, and interests in land and water that are located within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex in accordance with-- (A) the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.); and (B) this Act. (2) Additional authority.--The Secretary may use such additional statutory authority available to the Secretary for the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the provision of opportunities for fish- and wildlife-dependent recreation, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out this Act. (b) Additional Purposes.--In addition to the purposes of the Refuge Complex under other laws, regulations, Executive orders, and comprehensive conservation plans, the Refuge Complex shall be managed-- (1) to strengthen and complement existing resource management, conservation, and education programs and activities at the Refuge Complex in a manner consistent with the primary purposes of the Refuge Complex-- (A) to provide major resting, feeding, and wintering habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife; and (B) to enhance national resource conservation and management in the western basin; (2) in partnership with nongovernmental and private organizations and private individuals dedicated to habitat enhancement, to conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and terrestrial community characteristics of the western basin (including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species); (3) to facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Canadian national and provincial authorities, State and local governments, local communities in the United States and Canada, conservation organizations, and other non-Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources of the western basin; and (4) to advance the collective goals and priorities that-- (A) were established in the report entitled ``Great Lakes Strategy 2002--A Plan for the New Millennium'', developed by the United States Policy Committee, comprised of Federal agencies (including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Geological Survey, the Forest Service, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission) and State governments and tribal governments in the Great Lakes basin; and (B) include the goals of cooperating to protect and restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. (c) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for compatible fish- and wildlife-dependent recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge Complex. (d) Cooperative Agreements Regarding Non-Federal Land.--To promote public awareness of the resources of the western basin and encourage public participation in the conservation of those resources, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Ohio or Michigan, any political subdivision of the State, or any person for the management, in a manner consistent with this Act, of land that-- (1) is owned by the State, political subdivision, or person; and (2) is located within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex. SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary-- (1) to acquire land and water within the Refuge Complex under section 4(c); (2) to carry out the study under section 4(e); and (3) to develop, operate, and maintain the Refuge Complex. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed in the House on April 1, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act - (Sec. 4) Expands the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex to include specified land and water in the State of Ohio. Permits the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange the land and water and interests in land and water within the boundaries of the Complex.Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to study and report to Congress on fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities in and around two specified dredge spoil disposal sites in Toledo Harbor.(Sec. 5) Expands the southern boundary of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (the Refuge) to include additional land and water located in the State of Michigan east of Interstate Route 75.(Sec. 6) Prescribes requirements for administration of the Complex. Directs the Secretary to administer all Federally owned land, water, and interests in land and water that are located within the boundaries of the Complex in accordance with this Act and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966.States that the Complex shall be managed to strengthen and complement existing resource management, conservation, and education programs and activities in order to facilitate: (1) the provision of major resting, feeding, and wintering habits for migratory birds and other wildlife; and (2) the enhancement of national resource conservation and management in the western basin. States other purposes for which the Complex shall be managed, including to protect and restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem.Directs the Secretary to ensure that hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation shall be the priority public uses of the Complex.(Sec. 7) Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Electronic Commerce Extension Establishment Act of 1999''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) The United States economy is in the early stages of a revolution in electronic commerce--the ability to buy, sell, and even deliver goods and services through computer networks. Estimates are that electronic commerce sales in 1998 were around $100,000,000,000 and could rise to $1,300,000,000,000 by 2003. (2) Electronic commerce promises to spur tremendously United States productivity and economic growth--repeating a historical pattern where the greatest impetus toward economic growth lies not in the sale of new technologies but in their widespread adoption and use. (3) Electronic commerce presents an enormous opportunity and challenge for small businesses. Such commerce will give such businesses new markets and new ways of doing businesses. However, many such business will have difficulty in adopting appropriate electronic commerce technologies and practices. Moreover, such businesses in more rural areas will find distant businesses entering their markets and competing with them. Thus, there is considerable risk many small businesses will be left behind in the shift to electronic commerce. (4) The United States has an interest in ensuring that small businesses in all parts of the United States participate fully in the electronic commerce revolution, both for the sake of such businesses and in order to promote productivity and economic growth throughout the entire United States economy. (5) The Federal Government has a long history of successfully helping small farmers with new agricultural technologies through the Cooperative Extension System at the Department of Agriculture, founded in 1914. More recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has successfully helped small manufacturers with manufacturing technologies through its Manufacturing Extension Program, established in 1988. (6) Similarly, now is the time to establish an electronic commerce extension program to help small businesses throughout the United States identify, adapt, and adopt electronic commerce technologies and business practices, thereby ensuring that such businesses fully participate in the electronic commerce revolution. SEC. 3. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to establish an electronic commerce extension program focused on small businesses at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE EXTENSION PROGRAM AT NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY. (a) Establishment.--The National Bureau of Standards Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 25 (15 U.S.C. 278k) the following new section: ``regional centers for the transfer of electronic commerce technology ``Sec. 25A. (a)(1) The Secretary, through the Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology and the Director and in consultation with other appropriate officials, shall provide assistance for the creation and support of Regional Centers for the Transfer of Electronic Commerce Technology (in this section referred to as `Centers'). ``(2) The Centers shall be affiliated with any United States-based nonprofit institution or organization, or group thereof, that applies for and is awarded financial assistance under this section in accordance with the program established by the Secretary under subsection (c). ``(3) The objective of the Centers is to enhance productivity and technological performance in United States electronic commerce through-- ``(A) the transfer of electronic commerce technology and techniques developed at the Institute to Centers and, through them, to companies throughout the United States; ``(B) the participation of individuals from industry, institutions of higher education, State governments, other Federal agencies, and, when appropriate, the Institute in cooperative technology transfer activities; ``(C) efforts to make electronic commerce technology and techniques usable by a wide range of United States-based small companies; ``(D) the active dissemination of scientific, engineering, technical, and management information about electronic commerce to small companies, with a particular focus on reaching those located in rural or isolated areas; and ``(E) the utilization, when appropriate, of the expertise and capability that exists in State and local governments, institutions of higher education, the private sector, and Federal laboratories other than the Institute. ``(b) The activities of the Centers shall include-- ``(1) the establishment of electronic commerce demonstration systems, based on research by the Institute and other organizations and entities, for the purpose of technology transfer; and ``(2) the active transfer and dissemination of research findings and Center expertise to a wide range of companies and enterprises, particularly small companies. ``(c)(1) The Secretary may provide financial support to any Center created under subsection (a) in accordance with a program established by the Secretary for purposes of this section. ``(2) The Secretary may not provide to a Center more than 50 percent of the capital and annual operating and maintenance funds required to create and maintain the Center. ``(3)(A) Any nonprofit institution, or group thereof, or consortia of nonprofit institutions may, in accordance with the procedures established by the Secretary under the program under paragraph (1), submit to the Secretary an application for financial support for the creation and operation of a Center under this section. ``(B) In order to receive financial assistance under this section for a Center, an applicant shall provide adequate assurances that it will contribute 50 percent or more of the estimated capital and annual operating and maintenance costs of the Center for the first three years of its operation and an increasing share of such costs over the next three years of its operation. ``(C) An applicant shall also submit a proposal for the allocation of the legal rights associated with any invention which may result from the activities of the Center proposed by the applicant. ``(4)(A) The Secretary shall subject each application submitted under this subsection to merit review. ``(B) In making a decision whether to approve an application and provide financial support for a Center under this section, the Secretary shall consider at a minimum-- ``(i) the merits of the application, particularly the portions of the application regarding technology transfer, training and education, and adaptation of electronic commerce technologies to the needs of particular industrial sectors; ``(ii) the quality of service to be provided; ``(iii) geographical diversity and extent of service area; and ``(iv) the percentage of funding and amount of in-kind commitment from other sources. ``(5)(A) Each Center receiving financial assistance under this section shall be evaluated during the third year of its operation by an evaluation panel appointed by the Secretary. ``(B) Each evaluation panel under this paragraph shall be composed of private experts, none of whom shall be connected with the Center involved, and with appropriate Federal officials. An official of the Institute shall chair each evaluation panel. ``(C) Each evaluation panel under this paragraph shall measure the performance of the Center involved against the objectives specified in this section and under the arrangement between the Center and the Institute. ``(6) The Secretary may not provide funding for a Center under this section for the fourth through the sixth years of its operation unless the evaluation regarding the Center under paragraph (5) is positive. If such evaluation for a Center is positive, the Secretary may provide continued funding for the Center through the sixth year of its operation at declining levels. ``(7)(A) After the sixth year of operation of a Center, the Center may receive additional financial support under this section if the Center has received a positive evaluation of its operation through an independent review conducted under procedures established by the Institute. Such independent review shall be undertaken for a Center not less often than every two years commencing after the sixth year of its operation. ``(B) The amount of funding received by a Center under this section for any fiscal year of the Center after the sixth year of its operation may not exceed an amount equal to one-third of the capital and annual operating and maintenance costs of the Center in such fiscal year under the program. ``(8) The provisions of chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code, shall (to the extent not inconsistent with this section) apply to the promotion of technology from research by Centers under this section except for contracts for such specific technology extension or transfer services as may be specified by statute or by the Director. ``(d)(1) In addition to such sums as may be appropriated to the Secretary and Director for purposes of the support of Centers under this section, the Secretary and Director may accept funds from other Federal departments and agencies for such purposes. ``(2) The selection and operation of a Center under this section shall be governed by the provisions of this section, regardless of the Federal department or agency providing funds for the operation of the Center. ``(e) In this section, the term `electronic commerce' means the buying, selling, and delivery of goods and services, or the coordination or conduct of economic activities within and among organizations, through computer networks.''. (b) Description of Program.--(1) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall publish in the Federal Register a proposal for the program required by section 25A(c) of the National Bureau of Standards Act, as added by subsection (a). (2) The proposal for the program under paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) a description of the program; (B) procedures to be followed by applicants for support under the program; (C) criteria for determining qualified applicants under the program; (D) criteria, including the criteria specified in paragraph (4) of such section 25A(c), for choosing recipients of financial assistance under the program from among qualified applicants; and (E) maximum support levels expected to be available to Centers for the Transfer of Electronic Commerce Technology under the program in each year of assistance under the program. (3) The Secretary shall provide a 30-day period of opportunity for public comment on the proposal published under paragraph (1). (4) Upon completion of the period referred to in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a final version of the program referred to in paragraph (1). The final version of the program shall take into account public comments received by the Secretary under paragraph (3). (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Commerce each fiscal year such amounts as may be required during such fiscal year for purposes of activities under section 25A of the National Bureau of Standards Act, as added by subsection (a).

Summary: Electronic Commerce Extension Establishment Act of 1999 - Amends the National Bureau of Standards Act to direct the Secretary of Commerce to provide assistance for the creation and support of Regional Centers for the Transfer of Electronic Commerce Technology (Centers). Requires the Centers to be affiliated with any U.S.-based nonprofit institution or organization that applies for and is awarded financial assistance under this Act. Outlines objectives of the Centers, including aiding small businesses, especially those located in rural areas, in identifying and adopting electronic commerce technologies and business practices. Defines "electronic commerce" as the ability to buy, sell, and deliver goods and services through computer networks. Requires such Centers to: (1) establish electronic commerce demonstration systems for technology transfer; and (2) transfer and disseminate research findings and Center expertise to companies and enterprises, particularly small businesses. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial support to a Center for such activities and objectives. Outlines application requirements for such assistance. Requires Centers receiving assistance to be evaluated during the third year of operation by a panel of private experts. Requires a positive finding from such panel before a Center may receive such assistance for its fourth through sixth years. Requires independent review of a Center every two years after the sixth year, to be conducted under procedures established by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology. Provides Center funding limitations. Requires the Secretary to publish a proposal for the assistance program provided under this Act, as well as a final program. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Voter Outreach and Turnout Expansion Act of 2003''. TITLE I--EXPANSION OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS SEC. 101. SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION. (a) In General.--Section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15483) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: ``(d) Permitting Voter Registration on Date of Election.-- ``(1) In general.--At each polling place in a State at which ballots are cast in an election for Federal office, an individual may register to vote on the date of the election, and may cast a vote at the polling place in the election, if the individual-- ``(A) completes an application for voter registration in accordance with the requirements of this Act and other applicable law; and ``(B) executes a written affirmation before an election official at the polling place stating that the individual is eligible to register to vote in the jurisdiction in which the individual desires to vote and has not already voted in the election. ``(2) Transmittal of completed applications to state election official.--An appropriate official at a polling place shall transmit any voter registration application accepted under this subsection to the appropriate State election official at the time the official at the polling place transmits the ballots cast at the polling place to the official. ``(3) Notice to individuals filing voter registration applications after deadline.--If an individual's application for voter registration prior to the date of an election is received by the appropriate election official after the deadline for receipt of applications with respect to the election under State law, the official shall transmit a notice to the individual stating that the application was received after the deadline and that the individual may register to vote at the polling place on the date of the election in accordance with this subsection. ``(4) Requirements under national voter registration act of 1993.--In carrying out this subsection, a polling place in a State shall meet the requirements applicable to a voter registration agency designated by the State under section 7(a)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-5(a)(2)), except that clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of section 7(a)(6)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1973gg- 5(a)(6)(B)) shall not apply with respect to any of the voter registration forms distributed by the polling place pursuant to this subsection.''. (b) Inclusion in Voting Information Requirements.--Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 14582(b)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``and the right to register to vote at the polling place on the date of an election and vote in that election'' after ``provisional ballot''; (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G); and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph: ``(E) instructions for individuals registering to vote at the polling place under section 303(d);''. (c) Effective Date.--Section 303(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15483(e)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Requirement for voter registration on date of election.--Each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of subsection (d) on and after January 1, 2004.''. SEC. 102. PERMITTING VOTERS TO CAST BALLOTS PRIOR TO ELECTION; PERMITTING VOTERS TO OBTAIN ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR ANY REASON. (a) In General.--The Help America Vote Act of 2002 is amended-- (1) by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305 and 306; and (2) by inserting after section 303 the following new section: ``SEC. 304. PROMOTING EARLY AND ABSENTEE VOTING. ``(a) Requiring Jurisdictions To Establish Early Voting Sites.-- ``(1) In general.--Each jurisdiction in a State which administers an election for Federal office shall designate early voting sites within the jurisdiction to serve as polling places for the election prior to the date of the election, and shall permit any individual who is registered to vote in the election and eligible to cast a ballot at any polling place within the jurisdiction to cast the ballot at the site. ``(2) Treatment of ballots cast at sites.--After a ballot is cast for an election at an early voting site under this subsection, the ballot shall be held and tabulated by the jurisdiction in the same manner as an absentee ballot cast for the election. ``(3) Period of operation.--The jurisdiction shall operate the early voting sites designated under this subsection for an election during such period as it considers appropriate, except that-- ``(A) the period may not begin later than the 22nd day before the date of the election or the date on which the ballots for the election are available to be cast (whichever occurs later); and ``(B) at least 2 of the days during the period shall be weekend days. ``(4) Conditions for designation and distribution of sites.--The number of early voting sites of a jurisdiction and the location of such sites within the jurisdiction shall be determined by the jurisdiction, subject to the following conditions: ``(A) To the greatest extent practicable, the jurisdiction shall designate sites which are also designated as voter registration agencies under section 7 the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg-5). ``(B) The aggregate number of voting systems used in all such sites in the jurisdiction may not be less than 25 percent of the total number of voting systems which will be used in all polling places in the jurisdiction on the date of the election. ``(C) At least one of the sites selected, and the voting system used at such site, shall be accessible for individuals with disabilities (including the blind and visually impaired). ``(D) The geographic distribution of the sites shall reflect the geographic distribution of the voting age population of the jurisdiction. ``(E) In establishing sites, the jurisdiction shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.). ``(b) Permitting Voters To Obtain Absentee Ballots for Any Reason.--No State election official may require an individual who requests an absentee ballot for an election to provide a reason for the request, or to otherwise provide any proof of the individual's need for an absentee ballot, as a condition of obtaining the ballot.''. (b) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Deadline for adoption of voluntary guidance by election assistance commission.--Section 311(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15501(b)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2); (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) in the case of recommendations with respect to section 304, January 1, 2004.''. (2) Enforcement.--Section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15511) is amended by striking ``and 303'' and inserting ``303, and 304''. (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subtitle A of title III of such Act is amended-- (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 305 as items relating to sections 305 and 306; and (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item: ``Sec. 304. Promoting early and absentee voting.''. SEC. 103. CLARIFICATION OF REQUIREMENT TO PERMIT INDIVIDUALS TO COMPLETE INCOMPLETE MAIL-IN VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS. Section 303(b)(4)(B) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15483(b)(4)(B)) is amended to read as follows: ``(B) Incomplete forms.--If an applicant for voter registration with respect to an election fails to answer any of the questions included on the mail voter registration form pursuant to subparagraph (A), or otherwise fails to provide any information required to be provided on the form, the registrar shall-- ``(i) notify the applicant of the failure and of the opportunity for the applicant to register to vote at the polling place on the date of the election in accordance with subsection (d); and ``(ii) if the form was received by the registrar within the deadline under State law for the receipt of voter registration applications with respect to the election, provide the applicant with an opportunity to complete the form in a timely manner to allow for the completion of the registration form prior to the election.''. SEC. 104. ADDITIONAL FUNDING. Section 257(a) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 15407(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$1,400,000,000'' and inserting ``$1,405,000,000''; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$1,000,000,000'' and inserting ``$1,005,000,000''; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$600,000,000'' and inserting ``$605,000,000''. SEC. 105. EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments made by this title shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Help America Vote Act of 2002. TITLE II--REMOVING OTHER BARRIERS TO VOTING SEC. 201. TREATMENT OF ELECTION DAY IN SAME MANNER AS VETERANS DAY FOR PURPOSES OF FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) many Americans do not vote on Election Day because of conflicting work schedules; (2) Federal, State, and local governments should share the responsibility for increasing voter turnout on Election Day; (3) States should establish Election Day as a legal public holiday in each year and should provide full paid leave for State government employees on Election Day; and (4) the treatment of Election Day in the same manner as Veterans Day for purposes of laws relating to Federal employment will lead to increased voter turnout and will increase the availability of poll workers and suitable polling places. (b) Treatment of Election Day in Same Manner as Veterans Day for Purposes of Federal Employment.--For purposes of any law relating to Federal employment, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2004 and each even-numbered year thereafter shall be treated in the same manner as November 11. SEC. 202. VOTING LEAVE. (a) In General.--Each employee of an employer may take up to 2 hours of leave (or up to 3 hours of leave, in the case of an employee whose workplace is further than 25 miles from the polling place at which the employee is eligible to cast a ballot under State law) in order to vote on any workday on which an election for Federal office is held. (b) Unpaid or Paid Leave Permitted.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, leave granted under this subsection may be unpaid leave or paid leave. (c) Duties of Employee.--An employee taking leave under this subsection shall make a reasonable effort to schedule the leave so as not to disrupt unduly the operations of the employer, shall provide such notice prior to taking leave as is practicable, and shall make a reasonable effort to vote. (d) No Loss of Benefits.--The taking of leave under this subsection shall not result in the loss of any employment benefit accrued prior to the date on which the leave commenced. (e) Prohibited Acts.-- (1) Exercise of rights.--It shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the taking of or the attempt to take any leave provided under this subsection. (2) Discrimination.--It shall be unlawful for any employer to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any individual for-- (A) opposing any practice made unlawful by this subsection; (B) filing any charge, or instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this subsection; (C) giving or preparing to give any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any leave provided under this subsection; or (D) testifying or preparing to testify in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any leave provided under this subsection. (f) Investigative Authority.--The Secretary of Labor shall have investigative authority with respect to the provisions of this subsection in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as the investigative authority provided under section 106 of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and the requirements of section 106 of such Act shall apply to employers under this subsection in the same manner as such requirements apply to employers under section 106 of such Act. (g) Enforcement.--The provisions of section 107 of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 shall apply with respect to the enforcement of the requirements of this subsection in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as such provisions apply with respect to the enforcement of the requirements of title I of such Act. (h) Employer Defined.--In this section, the term ``employer'' means any person engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce who employs 25 or more employees during a calendar year, and includes any person who acts, directly or indirectly, in the interest of an employer to any of the employees of such employer and any successor in interest of an employer. In the previous sentence, the terms ``commerce'' and ``industry or activity affecting commerce'' have the meaning given such terms in section 101(1) of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. (i) Nondiscrimination.--The implementation and enforcement of this section shall be in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (j) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect to elections occurring after January 2004. SEC. 203. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF SAMPLE BALLOTS AND VOTING MATERIALS. It is the sense of Congress that the distribution of sample ballots, information on voting, and other voter education materials will help to prevent errors by voters at the polls and to reduce the rates of spoiled ballots, and Congress encourages States and other jurisdictions which administer elections to distribute these materials to registered voters prior to elections.

Summary: Voter Outreach and Turnout Expansion Act of 2003 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) permit an individual to register to vote on the date of the election at each polling place in a State at which ballots are cast in an election for Federal office; and (2) require each jurisdiction in a State which administers an election for Federal office to designate early voting sites to serve as polling places for the election prior to the election date, and to permit any registered voter to cast a ballot at the site.Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) many Americans do not vote on Election Day because of conflicting work schedules; (2) Federal, State, and local governments should share the responsibility for increasing voter turnout; (3) States should establish Election Day as a legal public holiday and provide full paid leave for State government employees; and (4) the treatment of Election Day in the same manner as Veterans Day for purposes of law relating to Federal employment will lead to increased voter turnout and will increase the availability of poll workers and suitable polling places.Sets out requirements for employee voting leave.Expresses the sense of Congress encouraging State and other jurisdictions to distribute sample ballots, information on voting, and other voter education materials as an aid to preventing errors by voters at the polls and reducing the rates of spoiled ballots.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agent Exposure Act''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known as the ``Commission on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agent Exposure'' (in this Act referred to as the ``Commission''). (b) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 9 members (in this Act referred to as the ``members'') who shall be appointed as follows: (1) 3 members shall be appointed by the President. (2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (3) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (4) 2 members shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate. (5) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (c) Qualifications.-- (1) In general.--Members shall be appointed from among individuals with knowledge and expertise relevant to the duties of the Commission, and may not be officers or employees of the United States. (2) Exception.--A member who, when appointed to the Commission, was not an officer or employee of the United States, and who later becomes such an officer or employee may continue as a member for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on the date that the member becomes such an officer or employee. (d) Initial Appointments.--All initial appointments to the Commission shall be made not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e) Chairman.--The Chairman of the Commission (in this Act referred to as the ``Chairman'') shall be elected by the members. (f) Period of Appointment.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (g) Security Clearances.--All members of the Commission shall apply for appropriate security clearances. The Secretary of Defense shall provide expedited processing of security clearances of members. (h) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall convene its first meeting not later than 30 days after the date as of which all initial appointments to the Commission have been made. SEC. 3. INVESTIGATION. The Commission shall investigate the following: (1) The presence of chemical and biological warfare agents in the Persian Gulf theater during the Persian Gulf conflict, the amounts and locations of the agents present, and the proximity of members of the Armed Forces to such locations. (2) The location and nature of all releases, detections, or reports of chemical or biological warfare agents in connection with the Persian Gulf conflict, the identity of the units of the Armed Forces and the number of individuals potentially exposed to the agents, and the degree of exposure to the agents. (3) The level of preparedness of members of the Armed Forces to recognize and respond to possible exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents during the Persian Gulf conflict, the appropriateness of standards used by the Armed Forces to evaluate low levels of exposure to the agents, the adequacy of medical training and procedures of the Armed Forces for identifying and treating exposure to the agents, the adequacy of information provided to members of the Armed Forces on the possible presence or release of the agents, and the appropriateness of instructions and procedures followed to protect members of the Armed Forces from exposure to the agents. (4) The handling by the Department of Defense of reports on the use, presence, destruction, storage, and transportation of chemical and biological weapons in connection with the Persian Gulf conflict. (5) The adequacy of the recordkeeping and reporting procedures of the Department of Defense with respect to exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents. (6) The adequacy of Department of Defense training, preparation, detection, and safety procedures concerning chemical and biological warfare agents. SEC. 4. REPORT. Not later than 2 years after the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress a report containing-- (1) the results and findings of the investigation conducted under section 3; and (2) recommendations for such changes as the Commission considers appropriate, in the recordkeeping, reporting, preparation, and training procedures of the Department of Defense with respect to exposure to chemical and biological warfare agents, to improve the safety and readiness of members of the Armed Forces. SEC. 5. POWERS. (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it. (b) Obtaining Information.--The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chairman, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission in a full and timely manner. (c) Subpoena Power.-- (1) In general.--The Commission may issue a subpoena to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relating to any matter under investigation by the Commission. (2) Failure to obey an order or subpoena.--If a person refuses to obey an order or subpoena of the Commission that is issued in connection with a Commission proceeding, the Commission may apply to the United States district court in the judicial district in which the proceeding is held for an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena or order. (d) Immunity.--The Commission is an agency of the United States for purposes of part V of title 18, United States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses). (e) Contract Authority.--The Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5). SEC. 6. COMMISSION PROCEDURES. (a) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman. (b) Quorum.--5 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings. (c) Delegation of Authority.--Any member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this Act. SEC. 7. PERSONNEL MATTERS. (a) Pay of Members.--Members shall not be paid by reason of their service as members. (b) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (c) Director.--The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the Chairman. (d) Staff.--With the approval of the Commission and as the Director considers appropriate, the Director may-- (1) appoint trained investigators and other Commission personnel; and (2) fix the pay of such trained investigators and other Commission personnel. (e) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The Director and staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. SEC. 8. OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. (a) Postal and Printing Services.--The Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (b) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act. (c) Experts and Consultants.--The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. SEC. 9. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE. Any spending authority (as defined in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) authorized by this Act shall be effective only to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts. SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. The Commission shall terminate 60 days after submitting its report pursuant to section 4.

Summary: Commission on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agent Exposure Act - Establishes the Commission on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agent Exposure to investigate the presence of, and U.S. military personnel exposure to, chemical and biological warfare agents in the Persian Gulf theater during the Persian Gulf War. Requires a Commission report to the President and the Congress on investigation results and appropriate recommendations for changes in the recordkeeping, reporting, preparation, and training procedures of the Department of Defense with respect to such exposure in order to improve the safety and readiness of U.S. military personnel. Terminates the Commission 60 days after such report.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Internet Drug Sales Accountability Act''. SEC. 2. SALES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THROUGH THIRD-PARTY INTERNET SALES SITES. The Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 423 the following section: ``SEC. 424. PROHIBITIONS REGARDING SALES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THROUGH THIRD-PARTY INTERNET SALES SITES. ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (d), it is unlawful for a person who controls a third-party Internet sales site-- ``(1) to accept for posting on the site an offer to sell an item that the person knows is a controlled substance; or ``(2) to fail to promptly remove from the site an offer to sell an item when a Federal or State official notifies the person, in accordance with subsection (e), that the item is a controlled substance. ``(b) Third-Party Internet Sales Site.--For purposes of this section, the term `third-party Internet sales site' means an Internet site, operated as part of a business, that permits users of the site to post an offer to sell an item directly to a consumer. ``(c) Advertising.--For purposes of this section, the term `offer', with respect to the sale of an item, includes an advertisement for the sale of the item. ``(d) Exclusion Regarding Licensed Pharmacies.--Subsection (a) does not have any applicability with respect to the sale of controlled substances by a licensed pharmacy, including a licensed Internet pharmacy. ``(e) Notice Regarding Controlled Substance.--A person who controls a third-party Internet sales site shall create a system for receipt of notice under subsection (a)(2) in accordance with this subsection if the notice is in writing and the notice-- ``(1) specifies this section as the relevant statutory authority; ``(2) specifies the name, title, physical address, and contact information of the Federal or State official or officials who sent the notice; ``(3) specifies the third-party Internet site involved; ``(4) specifies the offer with which the notice is concerned, including the controlled substance involved; ``(5) specifies the location of the offer on the site through the uniform resource locator (commonly referred to as the URL) or through the Internet Protocol numbers that constitute the address of the location; and ``(6) is provided to the designated agent of the third- party Internet sales site designated in accordance with section 512 of title 17, United States Code, if the site has designated such an agent. ``(f) Penalties.-- ``(1) Criminal penalties.-- ``(A) First conviction.--A person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, subject to subparagraph (B). ``(B) Subsequent convictions.--If a person commits a violation of subsection (a) after a single prior conviction of the person under this paragraph, the person shall for such violation be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. If a person commits a violation of such subsection after two or more prior convictions of the person under this paragraph, the person shall for such violation be fined under such title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. ``(2) Civil penalty.--A person who violates a requirement under subsection (e) is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000,000 for each such violation. ``(g) Protection for Identifying and Removing Illegal Offers.-- ``(1) Monitoring and removal of offers.--A third-party Internet sales site should monitor and remove in good faith any posting of an offer to sell an item that the third-party Internet sales site believes to violate Federal or State law, or that is the subject of a notice described in subsection (e). ``(2) Protection against liability.--A third-party Internet sales site that in good faith monitors and removes any posting in accordance with paragraph (1) shall not be liable under any Federal or State law. ``(h) Additional Definitions.--For purposes of this section: ``(1) The term `control', with respect to an Internet site, means to have the legal right to exercise control over all or substantially all of the content of the site, without regard to the extent to which such authority actually is exercised. ``(2) The term `Internet' means collectively the myriad of computer and telecommunications facilities, including equipment and operating software, which comprise the interconnected world-wide network of networks that employ the transmission control protocol/internet protocol, or any predecessor or successor protocols to such protocol, to communicate information of all kinds by wire or radio. ``(3) The terms `Internet site', with respect to the Internet, mean a specific location on the Internet that is determined by Internet Protocol numbers or by any successor protocol for determining a specific location on the Internet. ``(4) The term `licensed Internet pharmacy' mean an Internet site that is controlled by a licensed pharmacy and is used by such pharmacy to make sales of controlled substances or other drugs. ``(5) The term `licensed pharmacy' means a person who is licensed as a pharmacy under applicable Federal or State law. ``(6) The term `remove', with respect to an offer posted on a third-party Internet sales site, includes disabling public access to the offer.''.

Summary: Internet Drug Sales Accountability Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to prohibit a person who controls a third-party Internet sales site from: (1) accepting for posting on the site an offer to sell an item that the person knows is a controlled substance; or (2) failing to promptly remove from the site an offer to sell an item which a federal or state official notifies the person is a controlled substance. Requires such person to create a system for receipt of such notice in writing and specifying information including the offer and substance involved and the name, title, address, and contact information of the officials who sent the notice. (Makes this provision inapplicable with respect to the sale of controlled substances by a licensed pharmacy.) Sets criminal and civil penalties for violations. Requires a third-party Internet sales site to monitor and remove in good faith any posting of an offer to sell an item that the site believes to violate federal or state law or that is the subject of notice under this Act. Shields from liability any such site that in good faith monitors and removes a posting pursuant to this provision.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. MEDICARE COVERAGE FOR FDA-APPROVED QUALIFYING COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING BLOOD-BASED TESTS. (a) In General.--Section 1861(pp) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(pp)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph: ``(D) Qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) The term `qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test' means, with respect to a year, a screening blood-based test for the early detection of colorectal cancer furnished in the year that was marketed or used, as applicable, in accordance with the relevant provisions of section 353 of the Public Health Service Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act more than 6 months before the beginning of the year.''. (b) Frequency Limits for Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests and Payment Amount for Qualifying Colorectal Cancer Screening Blood-Based Tests.--Section 1834(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(d)) is amended-- (1) by amending clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) to read as follows: ``(ii) if the test is performed within-- ``(I) the 11 months after a previous screening fecal-occult blood test or a previous qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test; ``(II) the 35 months after a previous screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or a previous screening colonoscopy with adenoma findings; ``(III) the 59 months after a previous screening colonoscopy with small polyp findings; or ``(IV) the 119 months after a previous screening colonoscopy without adenoma findings or small polyp findings.''; (2) in paragraph (2)(E)(ii), by inserting ``or within the 35 months after a previous screening fecal-occult blood test or previous qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test'' after ``sigmoidoscopy''; (3) by amending subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3) to read as follows: ``(E) Frequency limit.--No payment may be made under this part for a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy-- ``(i) if the procedure is performed within the 11 months after a previous screening fecal- occult blood test or previous qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test; ``(ii) for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer if the procedure is performed within the 23 months after a previous screening colonoscopy; or ``(iii) for individuals not at high risk for colorectal cancer if the procedure is performed within the 119 months after a previous screening colonoscopy or within the 47 months after a previous screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.''; and (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests.-- ``(A) Payment amount.--The payment amount for colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests shall be established by the Secretary based on a crosswalk to payment amounts for tests for the diagnosis of inherited colorectal cancer by methylation methods. ``(B) Frequency limit.--Paragraph (1)(B) shall apply to colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests in the same manner as such paragraph applies to colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of fecal- occult blood tests.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to colorectal cancer screening tests furnished in a year beginning more than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2018 This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment, subject to specified frequency limits, of certain colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Reauthorization Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds as follows: (1) Every year, 13,500 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. (2) While the cure rates for some childhood cancers are now over 80 percent, the survival rates for many types of cancers in children remain extremely low. (3) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer continues to be the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents under the age of 14. (4) There are currently more than 360,000 childhood cancer survivors living in the United States. (5) As many as two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors experience at least one long-term health effect of their cancer treatment, including secondary malignancies, cardiopulmonary damage, physical and intellectual developmental impairments, endocrine disorders, and others. (6) Collection of biospecimens and clinical and demographic data on the maximum possible number of children with cancer in the United States is necessary to improve childhood cancer treatments and cures. Currently biospecimens and some demographic data are collected for less than half of children with cancer. SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE CHILDREN'S CANCER BIOREPOSITORIES. (a) In General.--Section 417E of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285a-11) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (k) and (l), respectively; (2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following: ``(a) Comprehensive Children's Cancer Biorepositories.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, may make an award for a duration of at least 5 years to an entity or entities described in subsection (d) to build upon existing initiatives to collect biospecimens and clinical and demographic information for at least 90 percent of all children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer in 1 or more Comprehensive Children's Cancer Biorepositories to achieve a better understanding of the cause of such cancers and the effects of treatments for such cancers. ``(b) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under the award under subsection (a) may be used to carry out the following: ``(1) Prospectively acquire, preserve, and store high- quality, donated biospecimens and associated clinical and demographic information on children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with cancer in the United States. ``(2) Maintain a secure searchable database on stored biospecimens and associated clinical and demographic data from children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer for the conduct of research by scientists and qualified health care professionals. ``(3) Establish procedures for evaluating applications for access to such biospecimens and clinical and demographic data from researchers and other qualified health care professionals. ``(4) Make available and distribute biospecimens and clinical and demographic data from children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer to researchers and qualified health care professionals for peer-reviewed research at a minimal cost. ``(c) No Requirement.--No child, adolescent, or young adult with cancer shall be required to contribute a specimen to a Biorepository or share clinical or demographic data. ``(d) Application; Considerations.-- ``(1) Application.--To be eligible to receive an award under subsection (a) an entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such a time, in such a manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. ``(2) Considerations.--In evaluating the applications in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the existing infrastructure of the entity that would allow for the timely capture of biospecimens and related clinical and demographic information for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer. ``(e) Privacy Protections; Consent.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not make an award under subsection (a) to an entity unless the Secretary ensures that such entity-- ``(A) collects biospecimens and associated clinical and demographic information from children with appropriate permission from parents or legal guardians in accordance with Federal and State law; and ``(B) adheres to strict confidentiality to protect the identity and privacy of patients in accordance with Federal and State law. ``(2) Consent.--The Secretary shall establish an appropriate process for achieving consent from the patient, parent, or legal guardian. ``(f) Single Point of Access; Standard Data; Guidelines and Oversight.-- ``(1) Single point of access.--The Secretary shall ensure that a Biorepository established under subsection (a) has electronically searchable data for use by researchers and other qualified health care professionals in the manner and to the extent defined by the Secretary. ``(2) Standard data.--The Secretary shall require all recipients of an award under this section to make available a standard dataset for the purposes of paragraph (1) in a standard electronic format that enables researchers and qualified health care professionals to search. ``(3) Guidelines and oversight.--The Secretary shall develop and disseminate appropriate guidelines for the development and maintenance of the biorepositories authorized under this section, including appropriate oversight. ``(g) Definitions.-- ``(1) Award.--The term `award' includes a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other mechanism determined by the Secretary. ``(2) Biospecimen.--The term `biospecimen' includes-- ``(A) solid tumor tissue or bone marrow; ``(B) normal or control tissue; ``(C) blood/plasma; ``(D) DNA and RNA extractions; ``(E) familial DNA; and ``(F) any other sample required by the Secretary. ``(3) Clinical and demographic information.--The term `clinical and demographic information' shall include-- ``(A) date of diagnosis; ``(B) age at diagnosis; ``(C) patient's gender, race and ethnicity; ``(D) extent of disease at enrollment; ``(E) site of metastases; ``(F) location of primary tumor coded; ``(G) histologic diagnosis; ``(H) tumor marker data when available; ``(I) treatment and outcome data; ``(J) information related to specimen quality; and ``(K) any other information required by the Secretary. ``(h) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure that clinical and demographic information collected in accordance with this section is collected in coordination with the information collected under section 399E-1. ``(i) Prohibition on Use of Funds.--Funds made available under this section shall not be used to acquire, preserve, or maintain a biospecimen collected from a patient if such activity is already covered by funds available from the National Cancer Institute for such purpose. ``(j) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Reauthorization Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on-- ``(1) the number of biospecimens and corresponding clinical demographic data collected through the Comprehensive Children's Cancer Biorepositories established under subsection (a); ``(2) the number of biospecimens and corresponding clinical demographic data requested for use by researchers; ``(3) any barriers to the collection of biospecimens and corresponding clinical demographic data; ``(4) any barriers experienced by researchers or health care professionals in accessing the biospecimens and corresponding clinical demographic data necessary for use in research; and ``(5) any recommendations with respect to improving the Comprehensive Children's Cancer Biorepository program under this section.''; and (3) in subsection (l), as so redesignated-- (A) by striking ``$30,000,000'' and inserting ``$10,000,000''; and (B) by striking ``2013'' and inserting ``2018''. (b) Improving Childhood Cancer Surveillance.--Section 399E-1 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280e-3a) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (d); and (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants to State cancer registries to enhance and expand infrastructure to track the epidemiology of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults. Such registries shall be updated to include each occurrence of such cancers within a period of time designated by the Secretary. ``(b) Activities.--The grants described in subsection (a) may be used for-- ``(1) identifying, recruiting, and training all potential sources for reporting childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer cases; ``(2) developing procedures to implement early inclusion of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer cases on State cancer registries through the use of electronic reporting; ``(3) purchasing infrastructure to support the early inclusion of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer cases on such registries; ``(4) submitting deidentified data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for inclusion in a national database of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers; and ``(5) tracking the late effects of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers. ``(c) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure that information collected through State cancer registries under this section is collected in coordination with clinical and demographic information collected under section 417E.''. SEC. 4. REPORT TO IMPROVE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DRUGS AND BIOLOGIC PRODUCTS TO TREAT CHILDHOOD CANCERS. (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall report to Congress on barriers to studying oncologic therapies in pediatric populations under section 505B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355c). (b) Content.--The report under subsection (a) shall include-- (1) an assessment of the feasibility of requiring studies for a pediatric oncologic indication under section 505B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355c) if the therapeutic target of a drug or biologic product for an adult oncologic indication is highly relevant to any pediatric cancer to which it could apply; (2) recommendations to overcome any barriers identified in the report on how to improve research, development and access to new oncologic therapies for use in pediatric patients; and (3) an assessment of the potential impact of altering the exemption under subsection (k) of such section 505B. (c) Stakeholder Input.--The report under subsection (a) shall be developed with input from relevant stakeholders.

Summary: Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize through FY2018 cancer research programs under the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. Replaces the current pediatric cancer research and awareness grant program carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) with a comprehensive children's cancer biorepositories program. Authorizes the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make awards to eligible applicants to build upon existing initiatives to collect biospecimens and clinical and demographic information (including date of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and patient's gender, race, and ethnicity) for at least 90% of all children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer in Comprehensive Children's Cancer Biorepositories for the purpose of achieving a better understanding of the cause of such cancers and the effects of treatments. Permits award amounts to be used to: (1) acquire, preserve, and store high quality, donated biospecimens and associated clinical and demographic information on children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with cancer in the United States; (2) maintain a secure searchable database for scientists and qualified health care professionals to research such biospecimens and data; and (3) make available and distribute such biospecimens and data to researchers and professionals for peer-reviewed research. Revises the national childhood cancer registry grant program to require the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants to state cancer registries to enhance and expand infrastructure to track the epidemiology of cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults. Requires a Comptroller General (GAO) report regarding the barriers to conducting pediatric studies of oncologic therapies in applications for new drugs or biological products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including recommendations to improve development and access to new therapies as well as assessments of: (1) the feasibility of requiring studies for a pediatric oncologic indication if the therapeutic target of a drug or biologic product for an adult oncologic indication is highly relevant to any pediatric cancer to which it could apply, and (2) the impact of altering the current exemption for orphan drug designations relating to rare diseases or conditions.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``College and University Rural Education (CURE) Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new title: ``TITLE VIII--RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR RURAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ``SEC. 801. PURPOSE. ``The purposes of this title are-- ``(1) to increase-- ``(A) enrollment and graduation rates from 2-year and 4-year colleges, and articulation from 2-year degree programs into 4-year degree programs of graduates of rural high schools; and ``(B) degree completion for nontraditional students from rural areas; and ``(2) to promote economic growth and development in rural America through partnership grants to consortia of rural colleges and universities and other entities, such as local educational agencies, employers, education service agencies, and nonprofit organizations. ``SEC. 802. DEFINITIONS. ``For the purposes of this title: ``(1) Rural institution of higher education.--The term `rural institution of higher education' means an institution of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101) that primarily serves rural areas. ``(2) Rural area.--The term `rural area' means an area in which there is located a rural local educational agency. ``(3) Rural local educational agency.--The term `rural local educational agency' means a local educational agency (as such term is defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) that is designated with a metrocentric locale code of 41, 42, or 43 as determined by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in conjunction with the Bureau of the Census, using the NCES system for classifying local educational agencies. ``(4) Nontraditional student.--The term `nontraditional student' means an individual who-- ``(A) delays enrollment in an institution of higher education by 3 or more years after completing high school; ``(B) attends an institution of higher education part-time or less than part-time; or ``(C) attends an institution of higher education and-- ``(i) works full-time; ``(ii) is an independent student; ``(iii) has one or more dependents other than a spouse; ``(iv) is a single parent; or ``(v) does not have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma (GED). ``(5) Regional employer.--The term `regional employer' means employers qualifying as businesses or other entities employing individuals within a rural area. ``SEC. 803. ENSURING COLLEGE ACCESS FOR RURAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants in accordance with this section to partnerships formed between one or more rural institution of higher education and any of the following entities: ``(1) One or more rural local educational agencies. ``(2) One or more rural education service agencies. ``(3) One or more regional employers. ``(4) One or more nonprofit organizations with expertise in rural education. ``(b) Eligible Partnerships; Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, a partnership that meets the requirements of subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and containing such information as the Secretary shall prescribe. In determining which applications to approve for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider-- ``(1) the percentage of graduates, attendees, or former attendees of high schools from rural local educational agencies enrolled or otherwise affiliated with the entity; ``(2) in the case of employers, the percentage of employees that are graduates of high schools in rural local educational agencies. ``(c) Use of Grant Amounts.--Funds made available by a grant under this section to a partnership that meets the requirements of shall be used-- ``(1) to improve enrollment rates for graduates and former attendees of rural high schools at rural institutions of higher education, including-- ``(A) programs to provide information about college costs and financial aid options, assistance with college enrollment applications, and assistance with financial aid applications; ``(B) programs or initiatives that provide such individuals of rural high schools access and exposure to campuses, classes, programs, and facilities of rural institutions of higher education, including covering the cost of transportation to and from institutions of higher education; ``(C) the formation of groups or other initiatives that create support groups of such students expressing interest in attending rural institutions of higher education; ``(D) extra curricular activities, such as internships, community service, and other activities for such individuals in advance of attending institutions of higher education; and ``(E) other initiatives that assist such individuals in applying and developing interest in attending rural institutions of higher education; and ``(2) to encourage participation of nontraditional students in degree programs at rural institutions of higher education, including-- ``(A) programs to provide information about college costs and financial aid options, assistance with college enrollment applications, and assistance with financial aid applications for institutions of higher education; ``(B) outreach to nontraditional students through community initiatives; and ``(C) formation of support groups for nontraditional students enrolling in 2-year degree programs and articulating from 2-year degree programs to 4-year degree programs. ``SEC. 804. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS. ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants in accordance with this section to partnerships formed between one or more rural institutions of higher education and one or more regional employers. ``(b) Eligible Partnerships; Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, a partnership that meets the requirements of subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form and containing such information as the Secretary shall prescribe. In determining which applications to approve for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider-- ``(1) the potential of the employer to employ graduates of rural institutions of education after graduation; ``(2) the potential of the employer engaged in the partnership to spur economic development in the region; and ``(3) the relevance of the employer to the regional economy. ``(c) Use of Grant Amounts.--Funds made available by a grant under this section to a partnership that meets the requirements of subsection (a) shall be used-- ``(1) to provide additional career training to attendees of rural institutions of education in fields relevant to the regional economy; and ``(2) to encourage regional businesses to employ graduates of rural institutions of education. ``SEC. 805. QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AREAS. ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Education is authorized to make grants in accordance with this section to rural institutions of higher education. ``(b) Use of Grant Amounts.--Funds made available by a grant under this section to a partnership that meets the requirements of subsection (a) shall be used to create or strengthen academic programs to prepare graudates to enter into high-need occupations in the regional and local economies ``SEC. 806. ALLOCATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``(a) Grant Considerations.--In making grant allocations under this title to qualifying institutions and partnerships, the Secretary shall consider-- ``(1) the percentage of graduates of rural high schools attending rural institutions of higher education in proximity to the entity receiving the grant; ``(2) employment needs of regional employers in proximity to entities receiving the grant; and ``(3) the health of the regional economy of the region surrounding the entity receiving the grant. ``(b) Maximum and Minimum Grants.--No grant awarded by the Secretary under this title shall be less than $200,000 or more than $500,000. ``(c) Grant Duration.--A grant awarded under this title shall be awarded for one 3-year period. ``SEC. 807. GAO STUDY. ``Commission a study to be completed in 5 years to identify the challenges and solutions to increasing the availability of and access to 4-year degree programs and institutions in rural America. The GAO shall investigate and make recommendations to Congress regarding-- ``(1) the existing number of 4-year institutions of higher education and 4-year degree programs in rural America; ``(2) access to 4-year degree programs and institutions in rural America; ``(3) the cost, availability of resources and challenges associated with the establishment and expansion of 4-year degree programs in rural America; and ``(4) the role of rural America in contributing to overall bachelor's degree attainment in the United States, as a measure of United States global competitiveness. ``SEC. 808. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``There are authorized to be appropriated-- ``(1) for fiscal year 2009-- ``(A) $15,000,000 to cary out section 803; ``(B) $10,000,000 to carry out section 804; and ``(C) $5,000,000 to carry out section 805; and ``(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years to carry out such sections.''.

Summary: College and University Rural Education (CURE) Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to partnerships between rural institutions of higher education (IHEs) and rural local educational agencies, rural education service agencies, regional employers, or rural education nonprofit organizations for activities to: (1) improve the rural IHE enrollment rates of rural high school graduates and former attendees; and (2) encourage nontraditional students' participation in rural IHE degree programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to partnerships between rural IHEs and regional employers to: (1) provide additional training to rural IHE attendees in careers relevant to the regional economy; and (2) encourage regional businesses to employ rural IHE graduates. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to rural IHEs to create or strengthen academic programs that prepare graduates to enter high-need occupations in the regional and local economies. Requires the General Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate, and make recommendations to Congress regarding the improvement of, rural access to four-year IHEs and degree programs.