PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Amendment to Chapter 12 of Title 5.--Chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding immediately after section 1206 the following: ``Sec. 1207. Establishment of alternative dispute resolution program ``(a) In General.-- ``(1) The Merit Systems Protection Board is authorized to establish a 3-year program to provide employees and agencies with alternative dispute resolution processes to apply to workplace disputes and disagreements involving removals, suspensions for more than 14 days, and other adverse actions under section 7512. ``(2) The Board shall test and evaluate a variety of alternative dispute resolution techniques, which may include-- ``(A) settlement judges or attorneys; ``(B) mediation through use of shared neutrals; ``(C) mediation by Merit Systems Protection Board staff or others as appointed by the Chairman; ``(D) administrative arbitration; and ``(E) certified alternative dispute resolution counselors (agency personnel specifically trained in Board law and alternative dispute resolution techniques). ``(b) Early Intervention Alternative Dispute Resolution.-- ``(1) Invoking resolution process.--The Board's early intervention alternative dispute resolution process may be invoked after an agency has issued a notice letter of a proposed action to an employee but before a final decision has been made under section 7513. ``(2) Early intervention.--Any agency or employee may seek early intervention alternative dispute resolution from the Board by filing a request with the Board. If the Board determines that alternative dispute resolution is appropriate, the parties shall participate. ``(3) Mandatory resolution.--The Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board is authorized to designate up to 3 agencies with a substantial volume of Board appeals for participation in a mandatory early intervention alternative dispute resolution program. Under this alternative dispute resolution process, all matters appealable under section 7512 shall be subject to early intervention alternative dispute resolution unless the Board determines that the matter is not appropriate for the program or a statute or collective bargaining agreement precludes inclusion of the matter in the alternative dispute resolution program. ``(c) Alternative Dispute Resolution After an Appeal or Petition for Review Is Filed.-- ``(1) Appeal or petition for review.--Once an appeal or petition for review is filed with the Board, any employee or agency may request that a case be selected for alternative dispute resolution. The request shall be filed with the administrative judge assigned to the appeal or with the Clerk of the Board if the matter is before the Board on petition for review at the same time that the appeal or petition for review is filed. ``(2) Selection of cases.--The Board shall have sole authority to select cases for alternative dispute resolution after an appeal or petition for review is filed. The Board may also select cases for alternative dispute resolution as it determines appropriate. ``(d) Implementation.-- ``(1) Program duties.--In carrying out the program under this section, the Board shall-- ``(A) develop and prescribe standards for selecting and handling cases in which alternative dispute resolution is to be used; ``(B) take such actions as may be necessary, including waiver of all statutory, regulatory, or Board imposed adjudicatory time frames; and ``(C) establish a time target within which it intends to complete the alternative dispute resolution process. ``(2) Extension.--A party may request an extension of the alternative dispute resolution period, or the Board may extend the time period as it finds appropriate. ``(3) Recruitment.--The Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board may recruit and hire temporary staff or contractors to carry out this section. ``(4) Regulations.--The Board is authorized to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to implement the alternative dispute resolution program. ``(e) Evaluation.-- ``(1) Criteria.--The Board's Office of Policy and Evaluation shall establish criteria for evaluating the alternative dispute resolution program and prepare a report containing findings and recommendations as to whether mandatory alternative dispute resolution is desirable, effective, and appropriate for cases decided by Federal administrative agencies under proceedings governed by chapters 5 and 7. ``(2) Report content.--The report shall include-- ``(A) the number of cases subject to the alternative dispute resolution program, the agencies involved, the results, and the resources expended; ``(B) a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of the program, including whether it is cost-effective; ``(C) a survey of the satisfaction of participants; and ``(D) a recommendation regarding the desirability of extending the alternative dispute resolution program beyond the prescribed expiration date and any recommended changes. ``(3) Report date.--The report shall be submitted to the President and the Congress 180 days following the close of the alternative dispute resolution program.''. (b) Appropriations.-- (1) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out the alternative dispute resolution program established by the amendment made by subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated the following sums: $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; $1,000,000 adjusted by the most recent percentage change in the employment cost index (ECI) for fiscal year 2001; and $1,000,000 adjusted by the most recent percentage change in the ECI for fiscal year 2002. (2) No reductions.--The authorization of appropriations by paragraph (1) shall not have the effect of reducing any funds appropriated for the Board for the purpose of carrying out its statutory mission under section 1204. (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect no later than the close of the 60th day after the date of enactment of appropriations authorized by subsection (b)(1) for fiscal year 2000 and shall remain in effect for 3 years from the effective date. (d) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for subchapter I of chapter 12 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to section 1206 the following new item: ``1207. Establishment of alternative dispute resolution program.''. SEC. 3. POLICY AND FINDINGS. (a) Policy.--Chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to establish an MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule and to provide MSPB administrative judges with pay that is comparable to that of immigration judges (IJs) and administrative law judges (ALJs). (b) Findings.--The Congress finds that-- (1) MSPB administrative judges perform work at the same level of importance and complexity as immigration judges and administrative law judges. Federal employees deserve to have their cases heard by judges with the same pay and status as the judges who hear private sector benefits and employment law cases. Veterans in the Federal workforce deserve to have their cases heard by judges with the same pay and status as the judges who hear cases involving illegal aliens. (2) MSPB administrative judges are leaving the Board for positions with other adjudicatory agencies. During the past 4 years, the Board has lost 20 percent of its most experienced judges to other adjudicatory agencies. MSPB administrative judges should not have to leave the agency to achieve the pay and status they deserve when they are adjudicating cases with the same importance and complexity as cases heard by IJs and ALJs. SEC. 4. MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES AND COMPENSATION. (a) Amendment to Chapter 53 of Title 5.--Chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding immediately after section 5372a the following: ``Sec. 5372b. Merit Systems Protection Board administrative judges ``(a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section-- ``(1) the term `administrative judge (AJ)' means an employee of the Merit Systems Protection Board appointed to an administrative judge position and paid under the MSPB Administrative Judge Schedule established by subsection (b); and ``(2) the term `administrative judge (GS)' means an employee of the Merit Systems Protection Board appointed to an administrative judge position and paid under the General Schedule described in section 5332 of this title. ``(b) In General.--There is established the MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule which shall have 4 levels of pay, designated as AJ- 1, -2, -3, and -4. Each administrative judge (AJ) shall be paid at one of those levels in accordance with subsection (c). ``(c) Rates of Pay.-- ``(1) Basic pay.--The rates of basic pay for the levels of the MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule established by the subsection (b) shall be as follows: ``(A) AJ-1: 70 percent of the next to highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service. ``(B) AJ-2: 80 percent of the next to highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service. ``(C) AJ-3: 90 percent of the next to highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service. ``(D) AJ-4: 92 percent of the next to highest rate of basic pay for the Senior Executive Service. ``(2) Locality pay.--Locality pay as provided by section 5304 shall be applied to the basic pay for administrative judges (AJ) paid under the MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule. ``(d) Appointment and Advancement.-- ``(1) Initial appointment.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), initial appointment of an administrative judge (AJ) shall be at the AJ-1 pay level. Subject to subsection (d)(2), an administrative judge (AJ) shall be advanced to AJ-2 upon completion of 104 weeks of service, to AJ-3 upon completion of 104 weeks of service at the next lower level, and to AJ-4 upon completion of 52 weeks of service at the next lower level. ``(2) Advancement.--Advancement to the AJ-2, -3, and -4 levels as provided by paragraph (1) shall not be effected if the Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board determines that the work of an administrative judge (AJ) at the next lower level is not of an acceptable level of competence. An administrative judge (AJ) may appeal an adverse acceptable level of competence determination to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the same conditions by which an administrative judge (GS) may appeal the denial of a periodic step increase in pay under section 5335(c). ``(3) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board may provide for initial appointment of an administrative judge (AJ) at a level higher than AJ-1 under such circumstances as the Chairman may determine appropriate. ``(4) Conversion.--An administrative judge (GS), who occupies a level below grade 15 of the General Schedule, may, when entitled by tenure and performance to be advanced to grade 15 of the General Schedule, be converted to the MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule and appointed at the AJ-1 level.''. (b) Transition Provisions.-- (1) Conversion to mspb administrative judge pay schedule.-- Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an administrative judge (GS) who is serving as of the effective date of this section and who occupies the grade 15 level of the General Schedule shall be converted to the MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule and appointed as an administrative judge (AJ). Each administrative judge (AJ) so converted shall be placed in the appropriate pay level prescribed under section 5372(c) of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), based on the amount of time the administrative judge (AJ) has served as an administrative judge (GS). (2) Limitation on conversion.--Conversion of an administrative judge (GS) to administrative judge (AJ) under paragraph (1) shall not be effected if the Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board determines that the work of an administrative judge (GS) at the grade 15 level of the General Schedule is not of an acceptable level of competence. An administrative judge (AJ) may appeal an adverse acceptable level of competence determination to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the same conditions by which an administrative judge (GS) may appeal the denial of a periodic step increase in pay under section 5335(c). (3) Limitation on pay increases.--Notwithstanding the rates of basic pay prescribed under section 5372(c) of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board may, on the effective date of this section and each year for a period of 7 years thereafter, limit the pay increase for each administrative judge (AJ) to an adjustment equal to-- (A) the percentage pay adjustment received by members of the Senior Executive Service under section 5382(c) of this title, if any; (B) locality pay under section 5304; and (C) an additional $3,000. The Senior Executive Service percentage pay adjustment, if any, shall be included in basic pay. Annual adjustments in pay after the effective date of this section will be made on the first day of the first pay period of each calendar year. The limitation on pay increases under this subsection may continue during the time period prescribed by this subsection until such time as the pay of each administrative judge (AJ) reaches the appropriate rate of basic pay under section 5372b(c) of title 5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). The Chairman may waive any limitation on pay under this subsection in the case of an administrative judge (AJ) serving as a chief administrative judge. (4) Pay in relation to grade 15 of the general schedule.-- In no case shall an administrative judge (AJ) who is converted in accordance with paragraph (1), or whose pay increase in any year is limited under paragraph (3), be paid after the effective date of this section at a rate that is less than the adminstrative judge's (AJ) rate of pay would have been had the administrative judge (AJ) remained as an administrative judge (GS) occupying the grade 15 level of the General Schedule. (5) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection-- (A) the term ``administrative judge (AJ)'' means an employee of the Merit Systems Protection Board appointed to an administrative judge position and paid under the MSPB Administrative Judge schedule established by the amendment made by subsection (a); and (B) the term ``administrative judge (GS)'' means an employee of the Merit Systems Protection Board appointed to an administrative judge position and paid under the General Schedule described in section 5332 of this title. (c) Appropriations.-- (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the purpose of carrying out this section. (2) No reduction.--The authorization of appropriations by paragraph (1) shall not have the effect of reducing any funds appropriated for the Board for the purpose of carrying out its statutory mission under section 1204 of title 5, United States Code. (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the first day of the first pay period of the calendar year immediately following the date of enactment of appropriations authorized by subsection (c)(1). (e) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for subchapter VII of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to section 5372a the following new item: ``5372b. Merit Systems Protection Board administrative judges.''.

Summary: Amends Federal civil service law to authorize the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to establish a three-year program to provide Federal employees and agencies with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes to apply to workplace disputes and disagreements involving removals, suspensions for more than 14 days, and other adverse actions under Federal civil service law. Directs the MSPB to test and evaluate a variety of ADR techniques. Authorizes the MSPB to implement its early intervention ADR, allowing any agency or employee to request such early intervention, and authorizing the MSPB Chairman to designate up to three agencies with a substantial number of MSPB appeals for participation in a mandatory early intervention ADR program. Allows any employee or agency to request ADR once an appeal or petition for review of a case is filed with the MSPB. Outlines MSPB procedures for such cases. Direct the MSPB's Office of Policy and Evaluation to establish criteria for evaluating the ADR program and to prepare a report as to whether mandatory ADR is desirable, effective, and appropriate for cases decided by Federal administrative agencies. Authorizes appropriations for the ADR program. Establishes the MSPB Administrative Judge Pay Schedule, with pay levels comparable to that of immigration judges and administrative law judges. Provides, with respect to such Schedule, for initial appointment and advancement, and transition provisions for current judges. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such Schedule.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act of 1993''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) To the fullest extent possible, parents should be empowered with the technology to choose to block the display on their televisions of programs they consider too violent for their children. (2) Violence now touches the lives of American children more than adults. From 1982 through 1984, teenagers were the victims of 1,800,000 violent crimes, twice the annual rate of the adult population over age 20. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one of every 8 deaths among children age 10-14 years old in 1990 was caused by a shooting. Among teenagers and young adults, that figure rose to one of every four deaths. (3) Children watch an extensive amount of television. It is estimated that a child watches approximately 22,000 hours of television before finishing high school, almost twice the amount of time spent in the classroom. (4) The amount of violence on television has reached epidemic levels. The American Psychological Association estimates that the average child witnesses 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing elementary school. (5) Three Surgeon Generals, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association have concurred for nearly 20 years as to the deleterious effects of television violence on children. (6) Despite periodic television industry efforts to reduce the amount of television violence, reductions in the level of televised violence have never been long lasting. (7) Parents who are working are unable to constantly monitor the television viewing habits of their children. Advanced television technologies such as channel compression and digitization will allow the expansion of channel capacity to levels even more unmanageable for parents who want to protect their children from televised violence. (8) The major broadcast networks and a large number of cable channels have agreed to place parental advisories on programs they consider to be too violent for children. These parental advisories are of limited use to parents if they are not watching television with their children. (9) The technology currently exists to equip television sets at a nominal cost to permit parents to block the display of television programs they consider too violent for children. However, this technology will only be effective (A) if all television programmers send any adopted rating or warning system electronically with the program signal, and (B) parents are able to block the display not only of individual programs but to block out automatically and simultaneously all programs with such rating. (10) Congress calls upon the broadcast networks, independent television stations, cable programmers, and satellite programmers to protect the parental right to guide the television viewing habits of children by sending any adopted rating or warning system electronically with the program signal. SEC. 3. EQUIP TELEVISIONS TO BLOCK PROGRAMS. Section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 303) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``(v) Require that (1) apparatus designed to receive television signals be equipped with circuitry designed to enable viewers to block the display of channels, programs, and time slots; and (2) such apparatus enable viewers to block display of all programs with a common rating. The requirements of this subsection shall apply when such apparatus is manufactured in the United States or imported for use in the United States, and its television picture screen is 13 inches or greater in size, measured diagonally.''. SEC. 4. SHIPPING OR IMPORTING. (a) Regulations.--Section 330 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 330) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by adding after subsection (b) the following new section: ``(c) No person shall ship in interstate commerce, manufacture, assemble, or import from any foreign country into the United States, any apparatus described in section 303(v) of this Act except in accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission pursuant to the authority granted by that section. Such rules shall provide performance standards for such blocking technology. Such rules shall further require that all such apparatus be able to receive the rating signals which have been transmitted by way of line 21 of the vertical blanking interval and which conform to the signal and blocking specifications established by the Commission. As new video technology is developed, the Commission shall take such action as the Commission determines appropriate to ensure that blocking service continues to be available to consumers. This subsection shall not apply to carriers transporting such apparatus without trading it.''. (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 330(d) of such Act, as redesignated by this Act, is amended by striking ``section 303(s), and section 303(u)'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``and sections 303(s), 303(u), and 303(v)''. SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. The amendments made by sections 3 and 4 of this Act shall take effect one year after enactment of this Act. SEC. 6. RULES. The Federal Communications Commission shall promulgate rules to implement the amendments made by this Act within 180 days after the date of its enactment.

Summary: Television Violence Reduction Through Parental Empowerment Act of 1993 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that any television with a screen of at least 13 inches which is manufactured, or imported for use, in the United States be equipped with circuitry designed to enable viewers to block the display of channels, programs, time slots, and all programs with a common rating. Prohibits shipping in interstate commerce, manufacturing, assembling, or importing any such television except pursuant to rules prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Requires such rules to provide performance and display standards for such blocking technology. Directs the FCC, as new video technology is developed, to ensure that blocking service continues to be available to consumers.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Amendments Act of 1997''. TITLE I--DISTRIBUTIONS FROM LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND SEC. 101. LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS. (a) Trust Fund Distribution.--Section 9004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6991c) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(f) Trust Fund Distribution to States.-- ``(1) In general.--(A) The Administrator shall distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund (in this subsection referred to as the `Trust Fund') each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements entered into with the Administrator for the following: ``(i) States' actions under section 9003(h)(7)(A). ``(ii) Necessary administrative expenses directly related to corrective action and compensation programs under subsection (c)(1). ``(iii) Enforcement of a State or local program approved under this section or enforcement of this subtitle or similar State or local provisions by a State or local government. ``(iv) State and local corrective actions pursuant to regulations promulgated under section 9003(c)(4). ``(v) Corrective action and compensation programs under subsection (c)(1) for releases from underground storage tanks regulated under this subtitle in any instance, as determined by the State, in which the financial resources of an owner or operator, excluding resources provided by programs under subsection (c)(1), are not adequate to pay for the cost of a corrective action without significantly impairing the ability of the owner or operator to continue in business. ``(B) Funds provided by the Administrator under subparagraph (A) may not be used by States for purposes of providing financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting the requirements respecting underground storage tanks contained in section 280.21 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subsection) or similar requirements in State programs approved under this section or similar State or local provisions. ``(2) Allocation.-- ``(A) Process.--In the case of a State that the Administrator has entered into a cooperative agreement with under section 9003(h)(7)(A), the Administrator shall distribute funds from the Trust Fund to the State using the allocation process developed by the Administrator for such cooperative agreements. ``(B) Revisions to process.--The Administrator may revise such allocation process only after-- ``(i) consulting with State agencies responsible for overseeing corrective action for releases from underground storage tanks and with representatives of owners and operators; and ``(ii) taking into consideration, at a minimum, the total revenue received from each State into the Trust Fund, the number of confirmed releases from leaking underground storage tanks in each State, the number of notified petroleum storage tanks in each State, and the percent of the population of each State using groundwater for any beneficial purpose. ``(3) Recipients.--Distributions from the Trust Fund under this subsection shall be made directly to the State agency entering into a cooperative agreement or enforcing the State program. ``(4) Cost recovery prohibition.--Funds provided to States from the Trust Fund to owners or operators for programs under subsection (c)(1) for releases from underground storage tanks are not subject to cost recovery by the Administrator under section 9003(h)(6).''. (b) Technical Amendments.--Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6991 et seq.) is amended as follows: (1) Section 9001(3)(A) (42 U.S.C. 6991(3)(A)) is amended by striking out ``sustances'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``substances''. (2) Section 9003(f)(1) (42 U.S.C. 6991b(f)(1)) is amended by striking out ``subsection (c) and (d)'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``subsections (c) and (d)''. (3) Section 9004(a) (42 U.S.C. 6991c(a)) is amended by striking out ``in 9001(2)(A)'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``in section 9001(2)(A)''. (4) Section 9005 (42 U.S.C. 6991d) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a), by striking out ``study taking'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``study, taking''; (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking out ``relevent'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``relevant''; and (C) in subsection (b)(4), by striking out ``Evironmental'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``Environmental''. TITLE II--EXTENSION OF TRUST FUND PURPOSES SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF TRUST FUND PURPOSES. Paragraph (1) of section 9508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to expenditures) is amended by striking ``to carry out section 9003(h)'' and all that follows and inserting ``to carry out-- ``(A) section 9003(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986), and ``(B) section 9004(f) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Amendments Act of 1997).'' Passed the House of Representatives April 23, 1997. Attest: ROBIN H. CARLE, Clerk.

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Distributions from Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Title II: Extension of Trust Fund Purposes Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Amendments Act of 1997 - Title I: Distributions from Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to distribute to States at least 85 percent of the funds appropriated to EPA from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund each fiscal year for the reasonable costs under cooperative agreements of: (1) State actions under the EPA program for petroleum release responses; (2) necessary administrative expenses directly related to corrective action and compensation programs under State financial responsibility requirements; (3) other costs of such programs in any instance, as determined by the State, in which an owner's or operator's financial resources (excluding resources provided by such programs) are inadequate to pay the costs of a corrective action without significantly impairing the ability to continue in business; (4) enforcement of an approved State or local underground storage tank (UST) program or similar provisions; and (5) State and local corrective actions pursuant to regulations regarding corrective action in response to UST releases. Prohibits use of such funds to provide financial assistance to an owner or operator in meeting regulatory requirements for upgrading of existing UST systems. Sets forth requirements for allocation of funds to States. Makes inapplicable to Trust Fund amounts provided to owners or operators under programs described in (2), above, provisions for recovery of petroleum release corrective or enforcement action costs. Title II: Extension of Trust Fund Purposes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize use of amounts in the Trust Fund for making expenditures to carry out this Act.


short title Sec. 101. This title may be cited as the ``United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995''. authorization of appropriations Sec. 102. In addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes, there are authorized to be appropriated for the United States Information Agency to carry out international information activities, and educational and cultural exchange programs under the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended, the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act, as amended, the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act, the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between North and South Act, the National Endowment for Democracy Act, as amended, and for other purposes authorized by law. (a) For the fiscal year 1994: (1) ``Salaries and Expenses,'' $773,024,000; (2) ``Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs,'' $242,922,000; (3) ``Broadcasting to Cuba,'' $28,351,000; (4) ``Office of the Inspector General,'' $4,390,000; (5) ``East-West Center,'' $26,000,000; (6) ``National Endowment for Democracy,'' $50,000,000; (7) ``Radio Construction,'' $228,720,000; (8) ``Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program,'' $300,000; (9) ``Israeli Arab Scholarship Program,'' $397,000. (b) For the fiscal year 1995: (1) ``Salaries and Expenses,'' $800,286,000; (2) ``Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs,'' $249,238,000; (3) ``Broadcasting to Cuba,'' $28,382,000; (4) ``Office of the Inspector General,'' $4,396,000; (5) ``East-West Center,'' $26,676,000; (6) ``National Endowment for Democracy,'' $50,780,000; (7) ``Radio Construction,'' $106,271,000; (8) ``Eisenhower Fellowship Exchange Programs,'' $308,000; and (9) ``Israeli Arab Scholarship Program,'' $407,000. changes in administrative authorities Sec. 103. Section 801 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1471), is amended by replacing the period at the end of subsection ``(6)'' with a semicolon, and adding a new subsection ``(7)'' as follows: ``(7) notwithstanding any other provision of law, to carry out projects involving security construction and related improvements for Agency facilities not collocated with Department of State facilities abroad.''. Sec. 104. Section 804(6) of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1474(6)), is amended to read as follows: ``(6) contract with individuals for personal service abroad: Provided, That such individuals shall not be regarded as employees of the United States Government for the purpose of any law administered by the Office of Personnel Management.''. Sec. 105. Section 206(b) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993, Public Law 102-138 (22 U.S.C. 1475g note), is hereby repealed. Sec. 106. Subsection (a) of section 501 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1461(a)), is hereby amended by deleting the second sentence in said subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the following: ``Subject to subsection (b) any such information shall not be disseminated within the United States, its territories or possessions, but, on request, shall be made available following its release as information abroad, to representatives of United States press associations, newspapers, magazines, radio and television systems and stations, research students and scholars, and Members of Congress.''. Section 208 of Public Law 99-93 (22 U.S.C. 1461-1a), is amended by adding the following sentence at the end of such section: ``Nothing herein shall preclude the United States Information Agency from reasonably keeping the United States public informed of its operations, policies or programs.''. Sec. 107. Section 802(b)(3) of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 1472(b)(3)) is amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereof: ``However, notwithstanding this or any other provision in this section, the United States Information Agency is authorized to enter into contracts not to exceed seven years for circuit capacity to distribute radio and television programs.''. Sec. 108. Subsection (f) of section 701 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1476(f)(4)), is amended as follows: (1) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``, for the second fiscal year of any two-year authorization cycle may be appropriated for such second fiscal year'' and inserting in its place ``for a given fiscal year may be appropriated for such year''; and (2) by striking subsection ``(f)(4)''. Sec. 109. Section 902 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, section 1431 and the following of title 22, United States Code, is amended by inserting on line one after the word ``any'' the following language: ``international organization of which the United States is a member, or''. Sec. 110. The Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, is amended by adding the following new section after section 216A (8 U.S.C. 1186b): ``conditional permanent resident status for certain united states information agency employees ``Sec. 216B. (a) Conditional Basis for Admission.--Conditional immigrant visas may be issued to employees of the United States Information Agency beginning fiscal year 1994 in a number not to exceed one hundred per fiscal year. Upon enactment, one hundred and fifty additional visas shall be available to present United States Information Agency employees. Such employees shall be identified by the Director of the United States Information Agency, and, if otherwise admissible, shall be admitted conditionally for a period not to exceed four years. Spouses and dependent children of such employees may also be admitted as conditional permanent residents but shall not be subject to numerical limitation. ``(b) Removal of Conditional Basis.--Persons admitted under this provision shall be eligible for removal of the conditional basis of their admission for permanent resident status after three years, upon certification by the Director of the United States Information Agency to the Attorney General; the Attorney General shall remove the conditional basis of his or her admission, if the alien is otherwise admissible, effective as of the date of such certification. ``(c) Termination of the Status.--At any time during such four year period, the Director of the United States Information Agency may certify to the Attorney General that such conditional status with respect to any alien should be terminated. Upon receipt of such notice, the Attorney General shall terminate such status and the alien and any other family members admitted with such alien shall be subject to deportation proceedings. The conditional status of any such alien, admitted under this provision who has not had the conditional basis of his or her admission removed by a date four years after such admission, shall be deemed to have been terminated.''. Section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)), is amended by adding a new subsection ``(L)'', as follows: ``(L) an immigrant who is employed by the United States Information Agency for service in the United States, and his or her accompanying spouse and children, under conditions set forth in section 216B of this Act.''. Section 804(1) of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1474(1)), as amended, is amended by inserting the words ``or as an immigrant under section 101(a)(27)(L) of that Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(L))'' immediately after the words ``as nonimmigrants under section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15))''.

Summary: United States Information Agency Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 - Authorizes appropriations for the U.S. Information Agency (USIA) for FY 1994 and 1995. Amends the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 to authorize the USIA Director to: (1) carry out projects involving security construction and related improvements for USIA facilities not collocated with Department of State facilities abroad; and (2) contract with individuals for personal services abroad (currently, employ aliens by contract for such services). Repeals a specified provision of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 which sets limitations on reductions of USIA employees abroad. Provides that nothing shall preclude USIA from keeping the U.S. public informed of its operations, policies, or programs. Authorizes USIA to enter into contracts of up to seven years for circuit capacity to distribute radio and television programs. Permits USIA to receive funds from international organizations of which the United States is a member. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the issuance of up to 100 conditional immigrant visas per fiscal year to USIA employees. Makes 150 visas available to current employees upon enactment of this Act. Sets forth conditions for the removal of conditional status and for termination of such status. Confers special immigrant status on such individuals.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Jobs Now Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. GRANTS TO UNITS OF GENERAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 172 the following: ``SEC. 173. PILOT PROGRAM. ``(a) Program Authorized.--Notwithstanding section 181(e), from the amounts appropriated under subsection (h), the Secretary shall carry out a 2-year pilot program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to units of general local government or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train employees providing a public service for a unit of general local government. ``(b) Unit of General Local Government Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term `unit of general local government' means any general purpose political subdivision of a State, or the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the freely associated states of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau, that has the power to levy taxes and spend funds, as well as general corporate and police powers. ``(c) Uses of Funds.-- ``(1) Required uses.-- ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a unit of general local government or community-based organization shall use not less than 50 percent of the grant funds received under this section to-- ``(i) in the case of a unit, retain employees of such unit who are providing a public service for the unit and who would otherwise be laid off as a consequence of budget cuts; and ``(ii) in the case of an organization, retain employees of the organization who are providing a public service for the unit in which the organization is located and who would otherwise be laid off as a consequence of budget cuts. ``(B) Exception.--In a case in which 50 percent of a grant amount received under this section would exceed the amount needed for a unit or organization to retain the employees described in subparagraph (A), the unit or organization may use only the amount needed to retain such employees for such purpose. ``(2) Authorized uses.--After using grant funds received under this section in accordance with paragraph (1), a unit of general local government or community-based organization may use any remaining grant funds provided under this section to-- ``(A) in the case of a unit of general local government-- ``(i) employ individuals in new positions providing a public service for the unit; or ``(ii) train individuals for new public service positions for the unit; and ``(B) in the case of a community-based organization-- ``(i) employ individuals in new positions that would provide a public service for the unit in which the organization is located or services in the private sector; or ``(ii) train individuals for any such positions. ``(d) Priority for Certain Individuals.--The Secretary shall encourage each unit of general local government and each community- based organization receiving a grant under this section to use such grant funds to retain, employ, or train-- ``(1) veterans; ``(2) individuals with disabilities; ``(3) individuals who are receiving unemployment benefits; or ``(4) dislocated workers. ``(e) Priority for Certain Units and Organizations.-- ``(1) Units.--In awarding grants to units of general local government under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to units of general local government with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of general local government applying to receive a grant under this section. ``(2) Organizations.--In awarding grants to units of general local government under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to community-based organizations located in units of general local government with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates as compared to other units of general local government applying to receive a grant under this section. ``(f) Application.--Each unit of general local government or community-based organization desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. ``(g) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the first appropriation of funds under subsection (h), the Secretary shall submit to Congress, a report on-- ``(1) the number and percentage of individuals hired or trained, and the number and percentage of employees of units retained, as a result of a grant under this section; and ``(2) best practices in carrying out a grant program to hire, train, or retain employees of units of general local government. ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000,000 to carry out this section for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.''.

Summary: Jobs Now Act of 2017 This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Department of Labor to carry out a two-year pilot program to award competitive grants to general local government units or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train employees who provide a local government unit with a public service. The bill prescribes required and authorized uses of grant fund and priorities for awarding and using grant funds, including: encouraging grantees to use funds to retain, employ, or train veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals who receive unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers; and giving priority in awarding grants to local government units and their community-based organizations with high unemployment, foreclosure, and poverty rates.


SECTION 1. COORDINATION OF COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC SERVICE EMPLOYMENT TAXES WITH COLLECTION OF INCOME TAXES. (a) In General.--Chapter 25 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to general provisions relating to employment taxes) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 3510. COORDINATION OF COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC SERVICE EMPLOYMENT TAXES WITH COLLECTION OF INCOME TAXES. ``(a) General Rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this section-- ``(1) returns with respect to domestic service employment taxes shall be made on a calendar year basis, ``(2) any such return for any calendar year shall be filed on or before the 15th day of the fourth month following the close of the employer's taxable year which begins in such calendar year, and ``(3) no requirement to make deposits (or to pay installments under section 6157) shall apply with respect to such taxes. ``(b) Domestic Service Employment Taxes Subject to Estimated Tax Provisions.-- ``(1) In general.--Solely for purposes of section 6654, domestic service employment taxes imposed with respect to any calendar year shall be treated as a tax imposed by chapter 2 for the taxable year of the employer which begins in such calendar year. ``(2) Annualization.--Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the application of section 6654(d)(2) in respect of the amount treated as tax under paragraph (1). ``(3) Transitional rule.--For purposes of applying section 6654 to a taxable year beginning in 1993, the amount referred to in clause (ii) of section 6654(d)(1)(B) shall be increased by 90 percent of the amount treated as tax under paragraph (1) for such taxable year. ``(c) Domestic Service Employment Taxes.--For purposes of this section, the term `domestic service employment taxes' means-- ``(1) any taxes imposed by chapter 21 or 23 on remuneration paid for domestic service in a private home of the employer, and ``(2) any amount withheld from such remuneration pursuant to an agreement under section 3402(p). For purposes of this subsection, the term `domestic service in a private home of the employer' does not include service described in section 3121(g)(5). ``(d) Exception Where Employer Liable for Other Employment Taxes.-- To the extent provided in regulations prescribed by the Secretary, this section shall not apply to any employer for any calendar year if such employer is liable for any tax under this subtitle with respect to remuneration for services other than domestic service in a private home of the employer. ``(e) General Regulatory Authority.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section. Such regulations may treat domestic service employment taxes as taxes imposed by chapter 1 for purposes of coordinating the assessment and collection of such employment taxes with the assessment and collection of domestic employers' income taxes. ``(f) Authority To Enter Into Agreements To Collect State Unemployment Taxes.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with any State to collect, as the agent of such State, such State's unemployment taxes imposed on remuneration paid for domestic service in a private home of the employer. Any taxes to be collected by the Secretary pursuant to such an agreement shall be treated as domestic service employment taxes for purposes of this section. ``(2) Transfers to state account.--Any amount collected under an agreement referred to in paragraph (1) shall be transferred by the Secretary to the account of the State in the Unemployment Trust Fund. ``(3) Subtitle f made applicable.--For purposes of subtitle F, any amount required to be collected under an agreement under paragraph (1) shall be treated as a tax imposed by chapter 23. ``(4) State.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `State' has the meaning given such term by section 3306(j)(1).'' (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 25 of such Code is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``Sec. 3510. Coordination of collection of domestic service employment taxes with collection of income taxes.'' (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to remuneration paid in calendar years beginning after December 31, 1993. (d) Expanded Information to Employers.--The Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall prepare and make available information on the Federal tax obligations of employers with respect to employees performing domestic service in a private home of the employer. Such information shall also include a statement that such employers may have obligations with respect to such employees under State laws relating to unemployment insurance and workers compensation. SEC. 2. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT FOR SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES. (a) Amendments of Internal Revenue Code.-- (1) Treatment as wages.--Subparagraph (B) of section 3121(a)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining wages) is amended to read as follows: ``(B) cash remuneration paid by an employer in any calendar year to an employee for domestic service in a private home of the employer (other than service described in subsection (g)(5)), if the cash remuneration paid in such year by the employer to the employee for such service is less than the applicable dollar threshold (as defined in subsection (y)) for such year;''. (2) Applicable dollar threshold.--Section 3121 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(y) Applicable Dollar Threshold for Domestic Employees.--For purposes of subsection (a)(7)(B), the term `applicable dollar threshold' means $800. In the case of calendar years after 1994, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall adjust such $800 amount at the same time and in the same manner as under section 215(a)(1)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act with respect to the amounts referred to in section 215(a)(1)(B)(i) of such Act, except that, for purposes of this subparagraph, 1992 shall be substituted for the calendar year referred to in section 215(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II) of such Act. If the amount determined under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.'' (3) Employment of domestic employees 16 and under excluded from coverage.--Section 3121(b) of such Code (defining employment) is amended-- (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (19), (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ``; or'', and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(21) domestic service in a private home of the employer performed in any year by an individual 16 and under during any portion of such year.'' (4) Conforming amendments.--The second sentence of section 3102(a) of such Code is amended-- (A) by striking ``calendar quarter'' each place it appears and inserting ``calendar year'', and (B) by striking ``$50'' and inserting ``the applicable dollar threshold (as defined in section 3121(y)) for such year''. (b) Amendment of Social Security Act.-- (1) In general.--Subparagraph (B) of section 209(a)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 409(a)(6)(B)) is amended to read as follows: ``(B) Cash remuneration paid by an employer in any calendar year to an employee for domestic service in a private home of the employer (other than service described in section 210(f)(5)), if the cash remuneration paid in such year by the employer to the employee for such service is less than the applicable dollar threshold (as defined in section 3121(y) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) for such year;''. (2) Employment of domestic employees 16 and under excluded from coverage.--Section 210(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 410(a)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (19), (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and inserting ``; or'', and (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(21) domestic service in a private home of the employer performed in any year by an individual 16 and under during any portion of such year.'' (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to remuneration paid in calendar years beginning after December 31, 1993.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code and title II of the Social Security Act (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) to set forth rules for filing returns with respect to domestic service employment taxes and requires such returns to be made on a calendar year basis. Subjects such taxes to estimated tax provisions. Makes filing requirements inapplicable to any employer liable for tax concerning remuneration for services other than domestic service in a private home. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with States to collect the State unemployment tax imposed on remuneration for domestic service and transfers such amounts to a State's account in the Unemployment Trust Fund. Treats such taxes as domestic service employment taxes. Requires the Secretary to inform domestic service employers in private homes of their tax obligations. Adjusts the threshold (from $50 a calendar quarter to $800 a year) for paying and withholding social security taxes on wages paid for domestic service in a private home. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adjust such threshold amount in the same manner as adjustments to certain social security insurance amounts. Excludes domestic service in a private home by an individual 16 years and under from amendments made by this Act.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Modified Line Item Veto/Expedited Rescissions Act of 1993''. SEC. 2. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSED RESCISSIONS. (a) In General.--Part B of title X of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 681 et seq.) is amended by redesignating sections 1013 through 1017 as sections 1014 through 1018, respectively, and inserting after section 1012 the following new section: ``expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions ``Sec. 1013. (a) Proposed Rescission of Budget Authority.--In addition to the method of rescinding budget authority specified in section 1012, the President may propose, at the time and in the manner provided in subsection (b), the rescission of any budget authority provided in an appropriations Act. Funds made available for obligation under this procedure may not be proposed for rescission again under this section or section 1012. ``(b) Transmittal of Special Message.-- ``(1) Not later than 3 days after the date of enactment of an appropriation Act, the President may transmit to Congress a special message proposing to rescind amounts of budget authority provided in that Act and include with that special message a draft bill that, if enacted, would only rescind that budget authority. That bill shall clearly identify the amount of budget authority that is proposed to be rescinded for each program, project, or activity to which that budget authority relates. ``(2) In the case of an appropriation Act that includes accounts within the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, the President in proposing to rescind budget authority under this section shall send a separate special message and accompanying draft bill for accounts within the jurisdiction of each such subcommittee. ``(3) Each special message shall specify, with respect to the budget authority proposed to be rescinded, the matters referred to in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 1012(a). ``(c) Limitation on Amounts Subject to Rescission.-- ``(1) The amount of budget authority which the President may propose to rescind in a special message under this section for a particular program, project, or activity for a fiscal year may not exceed 25 percent of the amount appropriated for that program, project, or activity in that Act. ``(2) The limitation contained in paragraph (1) shall only apply to amounts specifically authorized to be appropriated for a particular program, project, or activity. ``(d) Procedures for Expedited Consideration.-- ``(1)(A) Before the close of the second legislative day of the House of Representatives after the date of receipt of a special message transmitted to Congress under subsection (b), the majority leader or minority leader of the House of Representatives shall introduce (by request) the draft bill accompanying that special message. If the bill is not introduced as provided in the preceding sentence, then, on the third legislative day of the House of Representatives after the date of receipt of that special message, any Member of that House may introduce the bill. ``(B) The bill shall be referred to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. The committee shall report the bill without substantive revision and with or without recommendation. The bill shall be reported not later than the seventh legislative day of that House after the date of receipt of that special message. If the Committee on Appropriations fails to report the bill within that period, that committee shall be automatically discharged from consideration of the bill, and the bill shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. ``(C) During consideration under this paragraph, any Member of the House of Representatives may move to strike any proposed rescission or rescissions of budget authority if supported by 49 other Members. ``(D) A vote on final passage of the bill shall be taken in the House of Representatives on or before the close of the 10th legislative day of that House after the date of the introduction of the bill in that House. If the bill is passed, the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall cause the bill to be engrossed, certified, and transmitted to the Senate within one calendar day of the day on which the bill is passed. ``(2)(A) A motion in the House of Representatives to proceed to the consideration of a bill under this section shall be highly privileged and not debatable. An amendment to the motion shall not be in order, nor shall it be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to. ``(B) Debate in the House of Representatives on a bill under this section shall not exceed 4 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the bill. A motion further to limit debate shall not be debatable. It shall not be in order to move to recommit a bill under this section or to move to reconsider the vote by which the bill is agreed to or disagreed to. ``(C) Appeals from decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the procedure relating to a bill under this section shall be decided without debate. ``(D) Except to the extent specifically provided in the preceding provisions of this subsection, consideration of a bill under this section shall be governed by the Rules of the House of Representatives. ``(3)(A) A bill transmitted to the Senate pursuant to paragraph (1)(D) shall be referred to its Committee on Appropriations. The committee shall report the bill without substantive revision and with or without recommendation. The bill shall be reported not later than the seventh legislative day of the Senate after it receives the bill. A committee failing to report the bill within such period shall be automatically discharged from consideration of the bill, and the bill shall be placed upon the appropriate calendar. ``(B) During consideration under this paragraph, any Member of the Senate may move to strike any proposed rescission or rescissions of budget authority if supported by 14 other Members. ``(C) A vote on final passage of a bill transmitted to the Senate shall be taken on or before the close of the 10th legislative day of the Senate after the date on which the bill is transmitted. If the bill is passed in the Senate without amendment, the Secretary of the Senate shall cause the engrossed bill to be returned to the House of Representatives. ``(D) If the bill is amended in the Senate solely as provided by subparagraph (B), the Secretary of the Senate shall cause an engrossed amendment (in the nature of a substitute) to be returned to the House of Representatives. Any Member of the House may offer a privileged motion that the House concur in that Senate amendment. That motion is not subject to a demand for division of the question and the previous question is considered as ordered on the motion to final adoption without intervening motion. ``(4)(A) A motion in the Senate to proceed to the consideration of a bill under this section shall be privileged and not debatable. An amendment to the motion shall not be in order, nor shall it be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to. ``(B) Debate in the Senate on a bill under this section, and all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall not exceed 10 hours. The time shall be equally divided between, and controlled by, the majority leader and the minority leader or their designees. ``(C) Debate in the Senate on any debatable motion or appeal in connection with a bill under this section shall be limited to not more than 1 hour, to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill, except that in the event the manager of the bill is in favor of any such motion or appeal, the time in opposition thereto, shall be controlled by the minority leader or his designee. Such leaders, or either of them, may, from time under their control on the passage of a bill, allot additional time to any Senator during the consideration of any debatable motion or appeal. ``(D) A motion in the Senate to further limit debate on a bill under this section is not debatable. A motion to recommit a bill under this section is not in order. ``(e) Amendments and Divisions Prohibited.--Except as provided by paragraph (1)(C) or (3)(B) of subsection (d), no amendment to a bill considered under this section shall be in order in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It shall not be in order to demand a division of the question in the House of Representatives (or in a Committee of the Whole) or in the Senate. No motion to suspend the application of this subsection shall be in order in either House, nor shall it be in order in either House to suspend the application of this subsection by unanimous consent. ``(f) Requirement To Make Available for Obligation.--Any amount of budget authority proposed to be rescinded in a special message transmitted to Congress under subsection (b) shall be made available for obligation on the day after the date on which either House defeats the bill transmitted with that special message. ``(g) Definitions.--For purposes of this section-- ``(1) the term `appropriation Act' means any general or special appropriation Act, and any Act or joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations; and ``(2) the term `legislative day' means, with respect to either House of Congress, any day during which that House is in session.''. (b) Exercise of Rulemaking Powers.--Section 904 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 621 note) is amended-- (1) by striking ``and 1017'' in subsection (a) and inserting ``1013, and 1018''; and (2) by striking ``section 1017'' in subsection (d) and inserting ``sections 1013 and 1018''. (c) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Section 1011 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 682(5)) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``1013'' and inserting ``1014''; and (B) in paragraph (5)-- (i) by striking ``1016'' and inserting ``1017''; and (ii) by striking ``1017(b)(1)'' and inserting ``1018(b)(1)''. (2) Section 1015 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 685) (as redesignated by section 2(a)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``1012 or 1013'' each place it appears and inserting ``1012, 1013, or 1014''; (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``1012'' and inserting ``1012 or 1013''; (C) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``1013'' and inserting ``1014''; and (D) in subsection (e)(2)-- (i) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A); (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); (iii) by striking ``1013'' in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) and inserting ``1014''; and (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph: ``(B) he has transmitted a special message under section 1013 with respect to a proposed rescission; and''. (3) Section 1016 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 686) (as redesignated by section 2(a)) is amended by striking ``1012 or 1013'' each place it appears and inserting ``1012, 1013, or 1014''. (d) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections for subpart B of title X of such Act is amended-- (1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 1013 through 1017 as items relating to sections 1014 through 1018; and (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 1012 the following new item: ``Sec. 1013. Expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions.''.

Summary: Modified Line Item Veto/Expedited Rescissions Act of 1993 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to allow the President to transmit to both Houses of the Congress, for expedited consideration, a special message proposing to rescind all or part of any item of budget authority provided in an appropriation bill. Requires that such special message be transmitted not later than three days after the President approves the appropriation bill and be accompanied by draft bill or joint resolution that would, if enacted, rescind the budget authority proposed to be rescinded. Limits the amount subject to rescission to 25 percent of the amount appropriated. Sets forth House and Senate procedures for the expedited consideration of such a proposal.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Helping Individuals Return to Employment Act'' or the ``HIRE Act''. SEC. 2. COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT GRANTS. (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Labor is authorized to award competitive grants for the hiring of unemployed individuals to perform work to benefit communities, under terms and conditions set forth in this section. (b) Eligible Entities.--Grants under this section may be awarded to any of the following entities in the areas described in subsection (c): (1) Units of local government. (2) Workforce investment boards, established pursuant to section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2832). (3) Non-profit organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)). (c) Targeted Communities.--Grants under this section may be awarded to eligible entities located in or primarily serving in one of the following areas, if the unemployment rate in such area is higher than 7 percent during the 3-month period preceding the award of the grant: (1) A renewal community with respect to which a designation was in effect under section 1400E(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1400E(a)) on December 31, 2009. (2) An empowerment zone designated under section 1391 of such Code. (3) A historically underutilized business zone designated under section 3(p)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(p)(1)). (d) Individuals Eligible for Employment.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used to hire unemployed individuals residing in the areas described in subsection (c), including individuals age 16 and older, with priority going to individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year. (e) Limitations.-- (1) Union consultation.--No individual whose employment is funded under a grant authorized under this Act may work for an employer at which a collective bargaining agreement is in effect covering the same or similar work, unless-- (A) the consent of the labor organization at such employer is obtained; and (B) negotiations have taken place between such labor organization and the employer as to the terms and conditions of such employment. (2) Nondisplacement.--An individual whose employment is funded under this Act may not displace other employees whose employment is not funded under this Act. A grant recipient under this Act may not hire an employee or employees with funds under this Act for any employment which the grant recipient would otherwise hire an employee who has been furloughed. (f) Effect on Unemployment Compensation.--The amount of any unemployment compensation payable to an individual employed under a grant established by this Act is a pro rata portion of the unemployment compensation which would otherwise be payable to the employee if such employee were totally unemployed. (g) Consultation Requirement.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this Act shall consult with community leaders, including small business owners, labor organizations, and local residents to assess the needs of the community to determine the qualifying activities for which individuals will be hired. (h) Qualifying Activities.--Individuals hired using grant funds awarded under this section shall be employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week only in activities that benefit the community in the areas described in subsection (c), including activities such as public works, beautification, historic restoration, tutoring, and adult education. In addition, where an eligible entity determines appropriate, a portion of the grant funds may be used to ensure the safety of employees hired under the grant and provide necessary job training. (i) Federal Share.--Funds awarded under this section shall supplement, not supplant, funds of the eligible entity that are used for such purposes. (j) Application.--Eligible entities seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such form, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require. (k) Required Deadline for Hiring.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall-- (1) determine the number of individuals that may be hired for a 3-year period using both grant funds and local funds available for such purpose; and (2) hire such individuals within 60 days after receiving a grant. (l) Regulations.--The Secretary of Labor may promulgate regulations necessary to implement the grant program authorized by this Act, including any necessary regulations necessary to apply wage and labor protections to individuals employed under a grant. (m) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Summary: Helping Individuals Return to Employment Act or HIRE Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award competitive grants to eligible entities to hire unemployed individuals age 16 and older to perform a minimum of 20 hours per week of work to benefit certain communities, including activities such as public works, beautification, historic restoration, tutoring, and adult education. Restricts such grants to eligible entities located in or primarily serving in a community designated either as a renewal community, an empowerment zone, or a historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone), if the unemployment rate in the area is higher than 7% during the 3-month period preceding award of the grant. Requires that priority in the award of grants be given to individuals who have been unemployed for more than a year. Prescribes certain grant limitations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008''. TITLE I--CRIMINAL PROHIBITION SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS. Congress finds and declares that operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States. SEC. 102. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY. (a) In General.--Chapter 111 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``2285. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY. ``(a) Offense.--Whoever knowingly operates, or attempts or conspires to operate, by any means, or embarks in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to evade detection, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. ``(b) Evidence of Intent To Evade Detection.--For purposes of subsection (a), the presence of any of the indicia described in paragraph (1)(A), (E), (F), or (G), or in paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of section 70507(b) of title 46 may be considered, in the totality of the circumstances, to be prima facie evidence of intent to evade detection. ``(c) Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.--There is extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section, including an attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense. ``(d) Claim of Nationality or Registry.--A claim of nationality or registry under this section includes only-- ``(1) possession on board the vessel and production of documents evidencing the vessel's nationality as provided in article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; ``(2) flying its nation's ensign or flag; or ``(3) a verbal claim of nationality or registry by the master or individual in charge of the vessel. ``(e) Affirmative Defenses.-- ``(1) In general.--It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for a violation of subsection (a), which the defendant has the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence, that the submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel involved was, at the time of the offense-- ``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable provisions of United States law; ``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules of a classification society; ``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or ``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long range identification and tracking system. ``(2) Production of documents.--The affirmative defenses provided by this subsection are proved conclusively by the production of-- ``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; ``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense; or ``(C) government documents evidencing licensure, regulation, or registration for commerce, research, or exploration. ``(f) Federal Activities Excepted.--Nothing in this section applies to lawfully authorized activities carried out by or at the direction of the United States Government. ``(g) Applicability of Other Provisions.--Sections 70504 and 70505 of title 46 apply to offenses under this section in the same manner as they apply to offenses under section 70503 of such title. ``(h) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `submersible vessel', `semi-submersible vessel', `vessel of the United States', and `vessel without nationality' have the meaning given those terms in section 70502 of title 46.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 111 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2284 the following: ``2285. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality''. SEC. 103. SENTENCING GUIDELINES. (a) In General.--Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall promulgate sentencing guidelines (including policy statements) or amend existing sentencing guidelines (including policy statements) to provide adequate penalties for persons convicted of knowingly operating by any means or embarking in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel in violation of section 2285 of title 18, United States Code. (b) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall-- (1) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy statements reflect the serious nature of the offense described in section 2285 of title 18, United States Code, and the need for deterrence to prevent such offenses; (2) account for any aggravating or mitigating circumstances that might justify exceptions, including-- (A) the use of a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel described in section 2285 of title 18, United States Code, to facilitate other felonies; (B) the repeated use of a submersible vessel or semi- submersible vessel described in section 2285 of title 18, United States Code, to facilitate other felonies, including whether such use is part of an ongoing criminal organization or enterprise; (C) whether the use of such a vessel involves a pattern of continued and flagrant violations of section 2285 of title 18, United States Code; (D) whether the persons operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel willfully caused, attempted to cause, or permitted the destruction or damage of such vessel or failed to heave to when directed by law enforcement officers; and (E) circumstances for which the sentencing guidelines (and policy statements) provide sentencing enhancements; (3) ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant directives, other sentencing guidelines and policy statements, and statutory provisions; (4) make any necessary and conforming changes to the sentencing guidelines and policy statements; and (5) ensure that the sentencing guidelines and policy statements adequately meet the purposes of sentencing set forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United States Code. TITLE II--CIVIL PROHIBITION SEC. 201. OPERATION OF SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL OR SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL WITHOUT NATIONALITY. (a) Finding and declaration.--Section 70501 of title 46, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``that''; and (2) by striking ``States.'' and inserting ``States and (2) operating or embarking in a submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage is a serious international problem, facilitates transnational crime, including drug trafficking, and terrorism, and presents a specific threat to the safety of maritime navigation and the security of the United States.''. SEC. 202. OPERATION PROHIBITED. (a) In General.--Chapter 705 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality ``(a) In General.--An individual may not operate by any means or embark in any submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to evade detection. ``(b) Evidence of Intent To Evade Detection.--In any civil enforcement proceeding for a violation of subsection (a), the presence of any of the indicia described in paragraph (1)(A), (E), (F), or (G), or in paragraph (4), (5), or (6), of section 70507(b) may be considered, in the totality of the circumstances, to be prima facie evidence of intent to evade detection. ``(c) Defenses.-- ``(1) In general.--It is a defense in any civil enforcement proceeding for a violation of subsection (a) that the submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel involved was, at the time of the violation-- ``(A) a vessel of the United States or lawfully registered in a foreign nation as claimed by the master or individual in charge of the vessel when requested to make a claim by an officer of the United States authorized to enforce applicable provisions of United States law; ``(B) classed by and designed in accordance with the rules of a classification society; ``(C) lawfully operated in government-regulated or licensed activity, including commerce, research, or exploration; or ``(D) equipped with and using an operable automatic identification system, vessel monitoring system, or long range identification and tracking system. ``(2) Production of documents.--The defenses provided by this subsection are proved conclusively by the production of-- ``(A) government documents evidencing the vessel's nationality at the time of the offense, as provided in article 5 of the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; ``(B) a certificate of classification issued by the vessel's classification society upon completion of relevant classification surveys and valid at the time of the offense; or ``(C) government documents evidencing licensure, regulation, or registration for research or exploration. ``(d) Civil Penalty.--A person violating this section shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000.'' (b) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) The chapter analysis for chapter 705 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 70507 the following: ``70508. Operation of submersible vessel or semi-submersible vessel without nationality''. (2) Section 70504(b) of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``or 70508'' after ``70503''. (3) Section 70505 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by striking ``this title'' and inserting ``this title, or against whom a civil enforcement proceeding is brought under section 70508,''. SEC. 203. SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL AND SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL DEFINED. Section 70502 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``(f) Semi-submersible Vessel; Submersible Vessel.--In this chapter: ``(1) Semi-submersible vessel.--The term `semi-submersible vessel' means any watercraft constructed or adapted to be capable of operating with most of its hull and bulk under the surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned watercraft. ``(2) Submersible vessel.--The term `submersible vessel' means a vessel that is capable of operating completely below the surface of the water, including both manned and unmanned watercraft.''. 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 introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Title I: Criminal Prohibition - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating, attempting or conspiring to operate, or embarking in any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality in, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over an offense under this Act. Specifies that a claim of nationality or registry under this Act includes only: (1) possession on board the vessel and production of documents evidencing the vessel's nationality as provided in the 1958 Convention on the High Seas; (2) flying its nation's ensign or flag; or (3) a verbal claim of nationality or registry by the person in charge of the vessel. Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this Act that a vessel operated at the time of a violation was: (1) a vessel of the Untied States or lawfully registered in a foreign nation; (2) classed by and designated in accordance with the rules of a classification society; (3) lawfully operated in a government regulated or licensed activity; or (4) equipped with and using an operable automatic identification system, vessel monitoring system, or a long range identification and tracking system. Specifies the documents required to conclusively prove an affirmative defense. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide adequate penalties for violating the criminal prohibition imposed by this Act. Title II: Civil Prohibition - Imposes a civil penalty of up to $1 million for a violation of this Act. Allows the same defenses to a civil enforcement proceeding as for a criminal prosecution under this Act. Defines a "semi-submersible vessel" as any manned or unmanned watercraft constructed or adapted to operate with most of its hull and bulk under the surface of the water. Defines a "submersible vessel" as a manned or unmanned vessel capable of operating completely below the surface of the water.


SECTION 1. RELIQUIDATION OF CERTAIN ENTRIES OF 13 INCH TELEVISIONS. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1514) or any other provision of law and subject to the provisions of subsection (b), the United States Customs Service shall, not later than 180 days after the receipt of the request described in subsection (b), liquidate or reliquidate each entry described in subsection (d) containing any merchandise which, at the time of the original liquidation, was classified under the following subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States with respect to which there would have been no duty or a lesser duty if the amendments made by section 1003 of the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1999 had applied to such entry or withdrawal: (1) Subheading 8528.12.12. (2) Subheading 8528.12.20. (3) Subheading 8528.12.62. (4) Subheading 8528.12.68. (5) Subheading 8528.12.76. (6) Subheading 8528.12.84. (7) Subheading 8528.21.16. (8) Subheading 8528.21.24. (9) Subheading 8528.21.55. (10) Subheading 8528.21.65. (11) Subheading 8528.21.75. (12) Subheading 8528.21.85. (13) Subheading 8528.30.62. (14) Subheading 8528.30.66. (15) Subheading 8540.11.24. (16) Subheading 8540.11.44. (b) Requests.--Reliquidation may be made under subsection (a) with respect to an entry described in subsection (d) only if a request therefore is filed with the Customs Service within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and the request contains sufficient information to enable the Customs Service to locate the entry or reconstruct the entry if it cannot be located. (c) Payment of Amounts Owed.--Any amounts owed by the United States pursuant to the liquidation or reliquidation of an entry under subsection (a) shall be paid not later than 180 days after the date of such liquidation or reliquidation. (d) Affected Entries.--The entries referred to in subsection (a), are as follows: Entry number Date of entry Date of liquidation 110-17072538 11/03/98 09/17/99 110-17091314 11/23/98 10/08/99 110-17091322 11/23/98 10/08/99 110-17216804 12/31/98 11/12/99 110-20748215 04/20/99 03/03/00 110-20762802 04/28/99 03/10/00 110-20848544 05/12/99 03/31/00 110-20848569 05/18/99 03/31/00 110-20988456 06/22/99 05/04/00 110-20993563 06/22/99 05/15/00 110-20997705 06/22/99 05/05/00 110-63822017 06/09/97 05/05/00 110-63822041 06/09/97 110-63822082 06/09/97 110-68575370 07/11/97 05/22/98 110-68575610 07/11/97 05/22/98 110-15093163 10/05/98 08/20/99 110-15173551 11/02/98 09/17/99 110-17091132 11/07/98 09/24/99 110-17217265 12/05/98 10/15/99 110-20762364 04/12/99 02/18/00 110-63822025 06/09/97 110-75485118 02/12/98 12/28/98 110-75492643 02/12/98 12/28/98 110-75793447 07/07/98 05/21/99 110-20993704 06/20/99 05/05/00 110-66600972 06/07/97 04/17/98 110-66603414 06/14/97 ....................... 110-66603448 06/07/97 04/17/98 110-66617810 06/21/97 05/01/98 110-66618099 06/23/97 05/08/98 110-68156429 07/12/97 05/22/98 110-68165818 07/19/97 05/29/98 110-68165826 07/19/97 05/29/98 110-68171576 07/26/97 06/05/98 110-68175767 08/02/97 06/12/98 110-68177029 08/02/97 06/12/98 110-68217833 08/16/97 06/26/98 110-68220167 08/16/97 07/06/98 110-68220183 08/19/97 07/06/98 110-68233418 08/24/97 07/10/98 110-68234424 08/25/97 07/10/98 110-70008550 09/20/97 07/31/98 110-70014707 09/20/97 07/31/98 110-70014723 09/20/97 07/31/98 110-70014731 09/30/97 07/31/98 110-70014756 09/20/97 07/31/98 110-70014798 09/20/97 07/31/98 110-70100464 10/11/97 08/21/98 110-70106651 10/19/97 09/04/98 110-70106669 10/19/97 09/04/98 110-70112584 10/25/97 09/04/98 110-70113970 10/25/97 09/04/98 110-70113996 10/25/97 09/04/98 110-70115199 10/25/97 09/04/98 110-70190978 11/08/97 09/18/98 110-70192990 11/08/97 09/18/98 110-70198906 11/15/97 09/25/98 110-70198914 11/15/97 09/25/98 110-70204233 11/29/97 10/09/98 110-70204266 11/22/97 10/02/98 110-75399046 12/19/97 10/30/98 110-75399103 01/04/98 11/20/98 110-75481455 01/24/98 12/04/98 110-75485563 01/24/98 12/04/98 110-75494953 02/07/98 12/18/98 110-04901383 07/11/97 05/22/98 110-33326985 07/07/97 05/22/98 110-63019333 07/11/97 05/22/98 110-63821993 06/07/97 04/17/98 110-66600378 06/20/97 05/01/98 110-66601004 06/20/97 05/01/98 110-66603380 06/20/97 05/01/98 110-66625441 07/07/97 05/22/98 110-66626951 07/07/97 05/22/98 110-68175825 08/04/97 06/19/98 110-68182938 08/11/97 06/26/98 110-68184140 08/11/97 06/26/98 110-68184918 08/11/97 06/26/98 110-68184926 08/11/97 06/26/98 110-68184934 08/11/97 06/26/98 110-68184942 08/11/97 06/26/98 110-68229994 09/08/97 07/24/98 110-68230000 09/08/97 07/24/98 110-68230232 09/03/97 07/17/98 110-70009715 09/22/97 08/07/98 110-70024698 10/07/98 08/21/98 110-70028764 10/13/97 08/28/98 110-70028772 10/13/97 08/28/98 110-70103625 10/30/98 09/11/98 110-70186810 11/13/97 09/25/98 110-70190937 11/26/97 10/09/98 110-70192362 11/19/97 10/02/98 110-70199151 11/26/97 10/09/98 110-70204555 12/04/97 10/16/98 110-70204563 12/04/97 10/16/98 110-70206360 12/06/97 10/23/98 110-75399079 01/07/98 11/20/98 110-75492627 02/11/98 12/28/98 110-75492635 02/11/98 12/28/98 110-14975204 09/15/98 07/30/99 110-20848643 05/19/99 05/31/00 110-20988472 06/20/99 05/05/00 110-20993589 06/20/99 05/05/00 110-75485126 02/11/98 12/28/98 110-75793405 07/16/98 05/28/99 110-75793611 08/04/98 06/18/99 110-75931278 08/16/98 07/02/99 110-75938893 08/16/98 07/23/99

Summary: Directs the U.S. Customs Service to liquidate or reliquidate specified entries of 13-inch televisions and pay amounts owed.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Coin Act of 2003''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor that can be bestowed upon a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. (2) The recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor have conspicuously distinguished themselves by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. (3) The National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery is a fitting monument to the heroes who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. (4) The National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery honors the service and sacrifice of each of the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. (5) The $1,700,000 required to build the National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery was raised solely through donations to the Riverside National Cemetery Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Committee. (6) Substantial support exists among the people of the United States for the minting and issuance of coins in commemoration of the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. (7) The people of the United States will be able to keep and hold the coins minted under this Act as a personal memorial to the many heroes who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS. (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following: (1) $5 Gold Coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, each of which shall-- (A) weigh 8.359 grams; (B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and (C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy. (2) $1 Silver Coins.--Not more than 250,000 $1 coins, each of which shall-- (A) weigh 26.73 grams; (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper. (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code. (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items. SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS. (a) In General.--The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the values and abilities necessary to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, such as gallantry and intrepidity. (b) Designation and Inscriptions.--On each coin minted under this Act there shall be-- (1) a designation of the value of the coin; (2) an inscription of the year ``2005''; and (3) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus Unum''. (c) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this Act shall be-- (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts; and (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS. (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities. (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this Act. (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted under this Act only during the period beginning on January 1, 2005, and ending on December 31, 2005. SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS. (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of-- (1) the face value of the coins; (2) the surcharges required by section 7(a) with respect to such coins; and (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping). (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount. (c) Prepaid Orders.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders received before the issuance of the coins minted under this Act. The sale prices with respect to such prepaid orders shall be at a reasonable discount. SEC. 7. SURCHARGES. (a) Assessment.--Any sale by the Secretary of a coin minted under this Act shall include a surcharge as follows: (1) A surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coin. (2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coin. (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code, the proceeds from the surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be paid promptly by the Secretary to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee, a nonprofit organization established under the laws of the State of California, for the purposes of-- (1) maintaining the National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery; and (2) constructing and maintaining such memorials as the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may jointly designate.

Summary: Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Coin Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 five dollar gold coins and 250,000 one dollar silver coins emblematic of the values and abilities necessary to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor. Requires the Secretary to pay the proceeds from the sale of such coins to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee for the purposes of: (1) maintaining the National Medal of Honor Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery; and (2) constructing and maintaining such memorials as the Committee and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may jointly designate.