SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Money Laundering Abatement Act of 1999''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) Money laundering is a serious problem that enables criminals to reap the rewards of their crimes by hiding the criminal source of their profits. (2) When carried out by using banks, money laundering erodes the integrity of our financial institutions. (3) United States financial institutions are a critical link in our efforts to combat money laundering. (4) In addition to organized crime enterprises, corrupt government officials around the world increasingly employ sophisticated money laundering schemes to conceal wealth they have plundered or extorted from their nations or received as bribes, and these practices weaken the legitimacy of foreign states, threaten the integrity of international financial markets, and harm foreign populations. (5) Private banking is a growing activity among financial institutions based in and operating in the United States. (6) The high profitability, competition, high level of secrecy, and close relationships of trust developed between private bankers and their clients make private banking vulnerable to money laundering. (7) The use by United States bankers of financial centers located outside of the United States that have weak financial regulatory and reporting regimes and no transparency facilitates global money laundering. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to eliminate the weaknesses in Federal law that allow money laundering to flourish, particularly in private banking activities. SEC. 3. IDENTIFICATION OF ACTUAL OR BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ACCOUNTS. (a) Transactions and Accounts With or on Behalf of Foreign Entities.--Subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 5331. Requirements relating to transactions and accounts with or on behalf of foreign entities ``(a) Definitions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, in this section the following definitions shall apply: ``(1) Account.--The term `account'-- ``(A) means a formal banking or business relationship established to provide regular services, dealings, and other financial transactions; and ``(B) includes a demand deposit, savings deposit, or other asset account and a credit account or other extension of credit. ``(2) Correspondent account.--The term `correspondent account' means an account established to receive deposits from and make payments on behalf of a correspondent bank. ``(3) Correspondent bank.--The term `correspondent bank' means a depository institution that accepts deposits from another financial institution and provides services on behalf of such other financial institution. ``(4) Depository institution.--The term `depository institution' has the same meaning as in section 19(b)(1)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act. ``(5) Foreign banking institution.--The term `foreign banking institution' means a foreign entity that engages in the business of banking, and includes foreign commercial banks, foreign merchant banks, and other foreign institutions that engage in banking activities usual in connection with the business of banking in the countries where they are organized or operating. ``(6) Foreign entity.--The term `foreign entity' means an entity that is not organized under the laws of the Federal Government of the United States, any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. ``(b) Prohibition on Opening or Maintaining Accounts Belonging to or for the Benefit of Unidentified Owners.--A depository institution or a branch of a foreign bank (as defined in section 1 of the International Banking Act of 1978) may not open or maintain any account in the United States for a foreign entity or a representative of a foreign entity, unless-- ``(1) for each such account, the institution completes and maintains in the United States a form or record identifying, by a verifiable name and account number, each person having a direct or beneficial ownership interest in the account; or ``(2) some or all of the shares of the foreign entity are publicly traded. ``(c) Prohibition on Opening or Maintaining Correspondent Accounts or Correspondent Bank Relationship With Certain Foreign Banks.--A depository institution, or branch of a foreign bank, as defined in section 1 of the International Banking Act of 1978, may not open or maintain a correspondent account in the United States for or on behalf of a foreign banking institution, or establish or maintain a correspondent bank relationship with a foreign banking institution (other than in the case of an affiliate of a branch of a foreign bank), that-- ``(1) is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States; and ``(2) is not subject to comprehensive supervision or regulation on a consolidated basis by the appropriate authorities in such jurisdiction. ``(d) 48-Hour Rule.--Not later than 48 hours after receiving a request by the appropriate Federal banking agency (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) for information related to anti-money laundering compliance by a financial institution or a customer of that institution, a financial institution shall provide to the requesting agency, or make available at a location specified by the representative of the agency, information and account documentation for any account opened, maintained, or managed in the United States by the financial institution.''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 5330 the following: ``5331. Requirements relating to transactions and accounts with or on behalf of foreign entities.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply-- (1) with respect to any account opened on or after the date of enactment of this Act, as of such date; and (2) with respect to any account opened before the date of enactment of this Act, as of the end of the 6-month period beginning on such date. SEC. 4. PROPER MAINTENANCE OF CONCENTRATION ACCOUNTS AT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. Section 5318(h) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Availability of certain account information.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations under this subsection that govern maintenance of concentration accounts by financial institutions, in order to ensure that such accounts are not used to prevent association of the identity of an individual customer with the movement of funds of which the customer is the direct or beneficial owner, which regulations shall, at a minimum-- ``(A) prohibit financial institutions from allowing clients to direct transactions that move their funds into, out of, or through the concentration accounts of the financial institution; ``(B) prohibit financial institutions and their employees from informing customers of the existence of, or means of identifying, the concentration accounts of the institution; and ``(C) require each financial institution to establish written procedures governing the documentation of all transactions involving a concentration account, which procedures shall ensure that, any time a transaction involving a concentration account commingles funds belonging to 1 or more customers, the identity of, and specific amount belonging to, each customer is documented.''. SEC. 5. DUE DILIGENCE REQUIRED FOR PRIVATE BANKING. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10 the following: ``SEC. 5A. DUE DILIGENCE. ``(a) Private Banking.--In fulfillment of its anti-money laundering obligations under section 5318(h) of title 31, United States Code, each depository institution that engages in private banking shall establish due diligence procedures for opening and reviewing, on an ongoing basis, accounts of private banking customers. ``(b) Minimum Standards.--The due diligence procedures required by paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, ensure that the depository institution knows and verifies, through probative documentation, the identity and financial background of each private banking customer of the institution and obtains sufficient information about the source of funds of the customer to meet the anti-money laundering obligations of the institution. ``(c) Compliance Review.--The appropriate Federal banking agencies shall review compliance with the requirements of this section as part of each examination of a depository institution under this Act. ``(d) Regulations.--The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall, after consultation with the other appropriate Federal banking agencies, define the term `private banking' by regulation for purposes of this section.''. SEC. 6. SUPPLEMENTATION OF CRIMES CONSTITUTING MONEY LAUNDERING. Section 1956(c)(7)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: ``(ii) any conduct constituting a crime of violence;''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) fraud, or any scheme to defraud, committed against a foreign government or foreign governmental entity under the laws of that government or entity; ``(v) bribery of a foreign public official, or the misappropriation, theft, or embezzlement of public funds by or for the benefit of a foreign public official under the laws of the country in which the subject conduct occurred or in which the public official holds office; ``(vi) smuggling or export control violations involving munitions listed in the United States Munitions List or technologies with military applications, as defined in the Commerce Control List of the Export Administration Regulations; ``(vii) an offense with respect to which the United States would be obligated by a multilateral treaty either to extradite the alleged offender or to submit the case for prosecution, if the offender were found within the territory of the United States; or ``(viii) the misuse of funds of, or provided by, the International Monetary Fund in contravention of the Articles of Agreement of the Fund or the misuse of funds of, or provided by, any other international financial institution (as defined in section 1701(c)(2) of the International Financial Institutions Act) in contravention of any international treaty or other international agreement to which the United States is a party, including any articles of agreement of the members of such international financial institution;''. SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON FALSE STATEMENTS TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CONCERNING THE IDENTITY OF A CUSTOMER. (a) In General.--Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code (relating to fraud and false statements), is amended by inserting after section 1007 the following: ``Sec. 1008. False statements concerning the identity of customers of financial institutions ``(a) In General.--Whoever knowingly in any manner-- ``(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up, or attempts to falsify, conceal, or cover up, the identity of any person in connection with any transaction with a financial institution; ``(2) makes, or attempts to make, any materially false, fraudulent, or fictitious statement or representation of the identity of any person in connection with a transaction with a financial institution; ``(3) makes or uses, or attempts to make or use, any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry concerning the identity of any person in connection with a transaction with a financial institution; or ``(4) uses or presents, or attempts to use or present, in connection with a transaction with a financial institution, an identification document or means of identification the possession of which is a violation of section 1028; shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. ``(b) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Financial institution.--In addition to the meaning given to the term `financial institution' by section 20, the term `financial institution' also has the meaning given to such term in section 5312(a)(2) of title 31. ``(2) Identification document and means of identification.--The terms `identification document' and `means of identification' have the meanings given to such terms in section 1028(d).''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Title 18, united states code.--Section 1956(c)(7)(D) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``1014 (relating to fraudulent loan'' and inserting ``section 1008 (relating to false statements concerning the identity of customers of financial institutions), section 1014 (relating to fraudulent loan''. (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1007 the following: ``1008. False statements concerning the identity of customers of financial institutions.''. SEC. 8. APPROPRIATION FOR FINCEN TO IMPLEMENT SAR/CTR ALERT DATABASE. There is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury to implement an automated database that will alert law enforcement officials if Currency Transaction Reports or Suspicious Activity Reports disclose patterns that may indicate illegal activity, including any instance in which multiple Currency Transaction Reports or Suspicious Activity Reports name the same individual within a prescribed period of time. SEC. 9. LONG-ARM JURISDICTION OVER FOREIGN MONEY LAUNDERERS. Section 1956(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; (2) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)''; (3) by inserting ``, or section 1957'' after ``or (a)(3)''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) For purposes of adjudicating an action filed or enforcing a penalty ordered under this section, the district courts shall have jurisdiction over any foreign person, including any financial institution authorized under the laws of a foreign country, that commits an offense under subsection (a) involving a financial transaction that occurs in whole or in part in the United States, if service of process upon such foreign person is made under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the laws of the country in which the foreign person is found. ``(3) The court may issue a pretrial restraining order or take any other action necessary to ensure that any bank account or other property held by the defendant in the United States is available to satisfy a judgment under this section.''. SEC. 10. LAUNDERING MONEY THROUGH A FOREIGN BANK. Section 1956(c)(6) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(6) the term `financial institution' includes-- ``(A) any financial institution described in section 5312(a)(2) of title 31, or the regulations promulgated thereunder; and ``(B) any foreign bank, as defined in section 1(b)(7) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101(7)).''. SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: (Sec. 3) Requires a financial institution to comply within 48 hours with a Federal banking agency request for anti- money laundering information. (Sec. 4) Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations governing maintenance of concentration accounts by financial institutions to ensure that such accounts are not used to prevent association of the identity of an individual customer with the movement of funds of which the customer is the direct or beneficial owner. (Sec. 5) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require each depository institution engaging in private banking to establish due diligence procedures for ongoing review of private banking customer accounts. (Sec. 6) Amends Federal criminal law to: (1) expand the designations of unlawful laundering of monetary instruments; (2) impose a fine and imprisonment for false statements to financial institutions concerning the identity of a customer; and (3) grant district courts jurisdiction over any foreign person that commits a financial transaction offense in the United States, including court issuance of a pretrial restraining order. (Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury to implement an automated database to alert law enforcement officials if Currency Transaction Reports or Suspicious Activity Reports disclose patterns of illegal activity, including multiple Currency Transaction Reports or Suspicious Activity Reports which name the same individual within a prescribed period of time.


TITLE I--FEDERAL AIRPORTS SECURITY ENHANCEMENT ACT SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the ``Federal Airports Security Enhancement Act''. SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF AIRPORT SECURITY COMMITTEES. The Act of July 5, 1994 (49 U.S.C. 44935), is amended-- (1) by striking section 44901 subparagraph (b) and inserting the following: ``SEC. 103. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AND TRAINING.''. (2) by striking section 44935 subparagraph (b) and inserting the following: ``(a) Review and Recommendations.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall establish Security Committees at each airport location to be composed of representatives of the air carriers, airport operators, other interested parties and at least one representative from the Federal Protective Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, The Federal Aviation Administration and one member from each local jurisdiction that the airport may be located in or that may have jurisdictional authority for the airport facility. Each Airport Security Committee shall meet at least quarterly and shall make recommendations for minimum security countermeasures to the Administrator. The Federal Protective Service shall have primary responsibility for conducting on an ongoing basis security surveys and formulating recommendations to the Security Committee. The Administrator shall prescribe appropriate changes in existing procedures to improve that performance.''. SEC. 103. SCREENING PASSENGERS AND PROPERTY. The Act of July 5, 1994 (49 U.S.C. 44935), is amended by striking section 44901, subparagraph (a), and inserting the following: ``(a) General Requirements.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall prescribe regulations requiring screening of all passengers and property that will be carried in a cabin of an aircraft in air transportation or intrastate air transportation. The screening must take place before boarding and be carried out by a weapon detecting facility or procedure used or operated by an employee or agent of the Federal Protective Service. The Administrator-- ``(1) shall require that sufficient Federal Police Officers are posted at airport facilities to provide patrol duties during all hours of operations as well as supervise screening personnel; ``(2) shall maintain sufficient numbers of Special Agents to provide necessary investigative and supervisory capability; and ``(3) shall obtain all necessary personnel and authorization from the Administrator of the General Services Administration.''. SEC. 104. DESIGNATION OF POLICE OFFICERS. The Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318-318d), is amended-- (1) in section 1 by striking the section heading and inserting the following: ``SEC. 2. POLICE OFFICERS.''; (2) in sections 1 and 3 by striking ``special policemen'' each place it appears and inserting ``police officers''; (3) in section 1(a) by striking ``uniformed guards'' and inserting ``certain employees''; and (4) in section 1(b) by striking ``Special policemen'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--Police officers''. SEC. 105. POWERS. Section 1(b) of the Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318(b)), is further amended-- (1) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Additional powers.--Subject to paragraph (3), a police officer or Special Agent appointed under this section is authorized-- ``(A) to carry firearms in any State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States; ``(B) to petition Federal courts for arrest and search warrants and to execute such warrants; ``(C) to arrest an individual without a warrant if the individual commits a crime in the officer's presence or if the officer has probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime or is committing a crime; and ``(D) to conduct investigations, on and off the property in question, of offenses that have been or may be committed against property under the charge and control of the Administrator or against persons on such property. ``(3) Authority outside federal property.--The Administrator may enter into agreements with State and local governments to obtain authority for police officers appointed under this section to exercise, concurrently with State and local law enforcement authorities, the powers granted to such officers under this section in areas adjacent to property owned or occupied by the United States and under the charge and control of the Administrator: ``(A) The Administrator will in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration confer the powers granted to such officers under this section in areas under the charge and control of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.''; and (2) by moving the left margin of paragraph (1) (as designated by section 202(4) of this Act) so as to appropriately align with paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) (as added by paragraph (1) of this subsection). SEC. 105. SPECIAL AGENTS. Section 5 of the Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318d), is amended-- (1) by striking ``nonuniformed special policemen'' each place it appears and inserting ``special agents''; (2) by striking ``special policemen'' and inserting ``special agent''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``Any such special agent while on duty shall have the same authority outside Federal property as police officers have under section 1(b)(4).''. SEC. 106. ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE. (a) In General.--The Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318-318d), is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE. ``(a) In General.--The Administrator of General Services shall establish the Federal Protective Service as a separate operating service of the General Service Administration. ``(b) Appointment of Commissioner.-- ``(1) In general.--The Federal Protective Service shall be headed by a Commissioner who shall be appointed by and report directly to the Administrator. ``(2) Qualifications.--The Commissioner shall be appointed from among individuals who have at least 5 years of professional law enforcement experience in a command or supervisory position. ``(c) Duties of the Commissioner.--The Commissioner shall-- ``(1) assist the Administrator in carrying out the duties of the Administrator under this Act; ``(2) except as otherwise provided by law, serve as the law enforcement officer and security official of the United States with respect to the protection of Federal officers and employees in buildings and areas that are owned or occupied by the United States and under the charge and control of the Administrator (other than buildings and areas that are secured by the United States Secret Service); ``(3) render necessary assistance, as determined by the Administrator, to other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies upon request; and ``(4) coordinate the activities of the Commissioner with the activities of the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to supersede or otherwise affect the duties and responsibilities of the United States Secret Service under sections 1752 and 3056 of title 18, United States Code. ``(d) Appointment of Regional Directors and Assistant Commissioners.-- ``(1) In general.--The Commissioner may appoint regional directors and assistant commissioners of the Federal Protective Service. ``(2) Qualifications.--The Commissioner shall select individuals for appointments under paragraphs (1) from among individuals who have at least 5 years of direct law enforcement experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory position.''. (b) Pay Level of Commissioner.--Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the paragraph relating to the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service the following: ``Commissioner, Federal Protective Service, General Services Administration.''. SEC. 107. PAY AND BENEFITS. The Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318-318d), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 7. PAY AND BENEFITS. ``(a) Survey.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall conduct a survey of the pay and benefits of all Federal police forces to determine whether there are disparities between the pay and benefit of such forces that are not commensurate with differences in duties of working conditions. ``(b) Pay Schedule.--The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall in connection with the survey conducted in subsection (a) produce a pay and benefit schedule for employees of the Federal Protective Service to be contained in the findings and recommendations. ``(c) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director shall transmit to Congress a report containing the results of the survey conducted under subsection (a), together with the Director's findings and recommendations.''. SEC. 108. NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS. (a) In General.--The Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318-318d), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 8. NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS. ``After the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, there shall be at least 1,000 full-time equivalent police officers in the Federal Protective Service to be assigned to areas outside of airport operations. This number shall not be reduced unless specifically authorized by law. The Administrator of the General Services Administration and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall jointly determine full time equivalent number of Police Officers and Special Agents assigned to airport security and law enforcement.''. SEC. 109. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AND TRAINING. The Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318-318d), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 9. EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AND TRAINING. ``(a) In General.--The Commissioner of the Federal Protective Service shall prescribe minimum standards of suitability for employment to be applied in the contracting of security personnel for buildings and areas that are owned or occupied by the United States and under the control and charge of the Administrator of General Services: ``(1) Contract cost.--The Commissioner of the Federal Protective Service shall conduct a cost analysis on each security personnel supply contract to determine if the use of personnel directly employed by the United States would be more cost effective for use in buildings and areas that are owned or occupied by the United States and under the control and charge of the Administrator of General Services. The Commissioner of the Federal Protective Service may not use the prescribed cost analysis for purposes of reducing the number of Police Officers with the Federal Protective Service''. SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF COST RECOVERY. The Administrator of the General Services Administration is authorized to recover all direct and indirect costs associated with airport security operations under this Act from the Federal Aviation Administration: (a) Operations cost recovery.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration is authorized to recover costs associated with enhanced security operations from the airport authorities and air carriers where such entities are currently providing services that would be replaced by the requirements in this act in such matter as may be determined by the Administrator. (b) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may recover all direct costs of enhancements required by this act where such personnel or services do not currently exist and no appropriation is available from airport authorities and air carriers in such manner as the Administrator may determine. SEC. 111. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. The Act of June 1, 1948 (40 U.S.C. 318-318d), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``There is authorized to be appropriated from the Federal Buildings Fund established by section 210(f) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 490(f)) and from the Federal Aviation Administration such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.''.

Summary: Federal Airports Security Enhancement Act - Amends Federal aviation law to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish at each airport a Security Committee which shall make recommendations for minimum security counter-measures. Requires the Administrator, on the basis of such recommendations, to prescribe appropriate changes to improve the performance of existing airport security procedures.Requires the screening of passengers and property that will be carried in a cabin of an aircraft to be carried out by Federal Protective Service employees or agents. (Currently, screening is carried out by employees or agents of an air carrier, interstate air carrier, or foreign air carrier).Authorizes the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to appoint police officers and special agents (currently, special policemen and nonuniformed special policemen) for the policing of all Federal buildings (including buildings under the control of the GSA). Sets forth certain additional powers of such officers and agents, including the authority to carry firearms and to police areas adjacent to Federal property.Establishes the Federal Protective Service as a separate operating service of the GSA. Calls for at least 1,000 full-time equivalent Service police officers to be assigned to areas outside of airport operations. Requires the Commissioner of the Service to prescribe minimum employment and training standards to be applied in the contracting of security personnel for the policing of buildings and areas controlled by the United States and GSA. Authorizes GSA to recover airport security costs from the FAA.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Strategy to Destroy ISIS Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Since the civil war in Syria began in 2011, nearly 500,000 Syrians have been killed, including 50,000 children. (2) The ongoing civil war in Syria has been among the most disruptive and costly of this century, having displaced an estimated 4,900,000 refugees and an additional 6,300,000 internally displaced persons according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (3) In June 2014 the self-described caliphate of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) conquered territory in Syria and Iraq. (4) According to the House Committee on Homeland Security's Task Force on Combatting Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel, nearly 300,000 people from over 100 countries have traveled to the conflict zone in Iraq and Syria since 2011 to join or attempt to join terrorist groups, including ISIS. (5) According to CNN, ISIS has committed 143 attacks in 29 countries outside of Iraq and Syria, killing 2,043 people since June 2014. (6) According to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, over 27,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since June 2014. (7) On March 17, 2016, Secretary of State John Kerry stated, ``Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control''. (8) On January 28, 2017, the President signed National Security Presidential Memo-3 to require the Secretary of Defense to submit to the President within 30 days a ``plan to defeat ISIS''. SEC. 3. STRATEGY TO DESTROY THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND AL-SHAM AND ITS AFFILIATES. (a) Strategy Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and its affiliates. (b) Elements of the Strategy.--The strategy required by subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) An update on the status and progress of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS and specific actions being taken in conjunction with such Coalition to destroy and eliminate ISIS. (2) A strategy for the deployment of United States military assets, including ground combat forces, to train and equip allies, as well as potential direct confrontation with ISIS fighters and its affiliates. (3) A strategy for airstrikes and drone strikes in Iraq and Syria against ISIS senior leaders and infrastructure, as well as the viability of the use of airstrikes in conjunction with regional partners that face a significant threat from ISIS and its affiliates. (4) A plan to strengthen the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces, the Kurdish Peshmerga, the Jordanian Armed Forces, the Afghanistan Security Forces, and others to counter gains by ISIS and its affiliates. (5) A plan to provide humanitarian assistance and relief, governance, and rule of law to regions previously impacted by ISIS and its affiliates. (6) Prevention of a reconstitution of ISIS or its affiliates in the region. (7) A strategy to pursue war crimes prosecutions against ISIS fighters through international fora. (8) Use of social media and other communication technologies to counter ISIS's propaganda, influence, and ability to recruit fighters domestically and internationally. (9) A strategy to deny financial resources, including revenues from natural resources extraction, sale of antiquities, kidnapping, extortion, and taxation, to ISIS and its affiliates. (c) Update.--The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an update of the strategy required by subsection (a) at least once every 2 years after the date of the initial submission of the strategy. SEC. 4. STRATEGY TO BRING THE CIVIL WAR IN SYRIA TO A SUSTAINABLE END. (a) Strategy Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy to bring the civil war in Syria to a sustainable end. (b) Elements of the Strategy.--The strategy required by subsection (a) shall include the following elements: (1) A description of military and diplomatic actions to end the Syrian Civil War. (2) An assessment on the viability of safe zones for Syrian refugees displaced from their homes to allow such refugees to settle for an unspecified amount of time and live in peace and security. (3) A plan to bring the various moderate opposition factions and the Government of Syria to the negotiating table in order to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, and specifically includes plans for a transition of power from the presidency of Bashar al-Assad to a confederation of multi- sectarian and moderate parties that does not include any known radical Islamist groups in order to rebuild Syria. (4) A strategy to pursue war crimes prosecutions against Bashar al-Assad and Syrian government officials responsible for crimes against humanity. (5) A plan that will prevent the reconstitution of the ISIS in Syrian territory. SEC. 5. ASSESSMENT BY DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment of the following: (1) The willingness and capabilities of coalition members and allies to defeat and destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and its affiliates with their own military assets. (2) The presence of ISIS or its affiliates in countries other than Syria, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan. (3) Preventing radicalization of citizens of regional countries by ISIS and its affiliates and tactics used by countries to stop radicalization. (4) Assessment of the number of foreign fighters joining ISIS and its affiliates and tactics that can be used by countries with foreign fighter populations to prevent further recruitment. (5) Significant United States intelligence gaps concerning ISIS and its affiliates and the ability to carry out a regional strategy to defeat ISIS and its affiliates. SEC. 6. APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS DEFINED. In this Act, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

Summary: Comprehensive Strategy to Destroy ISIS Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State to jointly develop and submit to Congress: (1) a strategy to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and its affiliates, (2) a biennial update of such strategy, and (3) a strategy to bring the civil war in Syria to a sustainable end. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence shall submit to Congress an assessment of: the willingness and capabilities of coalition members and allies to defeat ISIS with their own military assets; the presence of ISIS or its affiliates in countries other than Syria, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan; preventing radicalization of citizens of regional countries by ISIS; the number of foreign fighters joining ISIS and tactics to prevent further recruitment; and significant U.S. intelligence gaps concerning ISIS and the ability to carry out a regional strategy to defeat it.


SECTION 1. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE TO ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TO QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) In General.--Subsection (e) of section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) Special rule for contributions of computer equipment and software used for educational purposes.-- ``(A) Limit on reduction.--In the case of a qualified educational contribution, the reduction under paragraph (1)(A) shall be no greater than the amount determined under paragraph (3)(B). ``(B) Qualified educational contribution.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term `qualified educational contribution' means a charitable contribution by a corporation of any computer software or computer or peripheral equipment, but only if-- ``(i) the contribution is to-- ``(I) an educational organization described in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), ``(II) a governmental unit described in subsection (c)(1), or ``(III) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a), or a governmental unit described in subsection (c)(1), that has documented experience and expertise at the community level in providing training and evaluation for information technology services and devices to individuals with disabilities, their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives, ``(ii) the contribution is made not later than 3 years after the date the taxpayer acquired the property (or in the case of property constructed by the taxpayer, the date the construction of the property is substantially completed), ``(iii) substantially all of the use of the property by the donee is for use within the United States for educational purposes related to the purpose or function of the organization or unit, ``(iv) the original use of the property began with-- ``(I) the donee, in the case of property constructed by the taxpayer or property of the taxpayer described in section 1221(1), or ``(II) the taxpayer, in any case not described in subclause (I), ``(v) the property is not transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services, and ``(vi) the taxpayer receives from the donee a written statement representing that its use and disposition of the property will be in accordance with the provisions of clauses (iii) and (v). ``(C) Donations to charity for refurbishing.-- ``(i) In general.--For purposes of this paragraph, a charitable contribution by a corporation shall be treated as a qualified education contribution if-- ``(I) such contribution is a contribution of any computer or peripheral equipment to a qualified organization, and ``(II) the taxpayer receives from such organization a written statement representing that its use of the property (and any use by the organization or unit to which it donates the property) meets the needs of the donee and the requirements of clause (v) of subparagraph (B). ``(ii) Qualified organization.--For purposes of clause (i), an organization is a qualified organization if-- ``(I) the organization is described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a), and ``(II) a substantial part of the business of the organization is the repair and refurbishment of computers or peripheral equipment and the donation of such equipment to an organization or unit described in subparagraph (B)(i) for a purpose described in subparagraph (B)(iii). ``(D) Special rules.--For the purposes of this paragraph-- ``(i) Construction of property by taxpayer.--Paragraph (4)(C) shall apply. ``(ii) Refurbishment of property by taxpayer.--Property that is substantially refurbished by the taxpayer shall be treated as property constructed by the taxpayer. ``(E) Definitions.--For the purposes of this paragraph-- ``(i) Computer or peripheral equipment.-- The term `computer or peripheral equipment' has the meaning given such term by section 168(i)(2)(B). ``(ii) Computer software.--The term `computer software' has the meaning given such term by section 197(e)(3)(B). ``(iii) Educational purpose.--The term `educational purpose' includes administration incident to providing education. ``(iv) Disability.--The term `disability' has the meaning given such term by section 3(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. ``(v) Information technology.--The term `information technology' includes any computer or peripheral equipment, computer software, digital augmentative speech device, firmware, and services related thereto. ``(vi) Corporation.--The term `corporation' has the meaning given such term by paragraph (4)(D).'' (b) Computer Training.--Section 170 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(n) Computer Training.-- ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term `charitable contribution' includes a contribution by a corporation of qualified computer training. ``(2) Qualified computer training.-- ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `qualified computer training' means training-- ``(i) provided by the taxpayer in the use of computer software or any computer or peripheral equipment (as defined in subsection (e)(6)(E)) contributed to the donee by the taxpayer for a purpose described in subsection (e)(6)(B)(iii), ``(ii) provided to an individual employed by an organization or unit described in subsection (e)(6)(B)(i), and ``(iii) for which the taxpayer receives from the donee a written statement representing that the training is not in exchange for money, other property, or services. ``(B) Time limitation.--Not more than 8 hours of training may be taken into account under subparagraph (A) with respect to each contribution. ``(C) Valuation.--For the purpose of this subsection, the value of the time of an individual who provides computer training shall be based on the usual wage rate of the individual.'' (c) Contribution of Digital Augmentative Speech Devices for Use by Individuals With Disabilities.--Subsection (e) of section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(7) Special rule for contributions of digital augmentative speech devices.-- ``(A) Limit on reduction.--In the case of a contribution or gift of a digital augmentative speech device to an entity described in subparagraph (B)-- ``(i) the reduction under paragraph (1)(A) shall be no greater than the amount determined under paragraph (3)(B), and ``(ii) qualified training in the use of such device shall be treated as a charitable contribution for purposes of this section. ``(B) Entity described.--An entity is described in this subparagraph if the entity is-- ``(i) described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a), or ``(ii) a governmental unit described in subsection (c)(1), that has documented experience and expertise at the community level in providing training and evaluation for information technology services and devices to individuals with disabilities, their parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives. ``(C) Qualified training.-- ``(i) In general.--The term `qualified training' means training in the use of a digital augmentative speech device contributed by the taxpayer under subparagraph (A) to an entity described in subparagraph (B) that is -- ``(I) provided by the taxpayer, ``(II) provided to an individual employed by such entity, and ``(III) for which the taxpayer receives from the donee a written statement representing that the training meets the requirements of subparagraph (D). ``(D) Limitations.-- ``(i) Exchange for money, etc.-- Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to property or training donated under this paragraph if such property is transferred by the donee in exchange for money, other property, or services. ``(ii) Time and valuation.--Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (6) shall apply to training subject to this subparagraph. ``(E) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph, the terms `disability' and `information technology' have the meaning given such terms by subsection (e)(6)(E).'' (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996. SEC. 2. REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMPUTERS AND SOFTWARE IN MEETING EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS. Not later than December 31, 1998, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of the enhanced charitable contribution under section 170(e)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by section 1 of this Act) in meeting educational needs of students in the United States. The Comptroller General shall submit the report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate. SEC. 3. DONATIONS TO UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOLS. It is the sense of Congress that one of the main purposes of the enhanced charitable deduction under section 170(e)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by section 1 of this Act) is to encourage the donation of computer equipment and software to-- (1) schools serving low income communities; (2) schools whose fiscal year budgets are below the applicable State-wide norm; and (3) schools at which student test scores are substantially below the State-wide norm.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth a special rule for the donation by a corporation, as a charitable deduction, of computer equipment and software, as well as related training, to elementary and secondary schools and to qualified organizations providing assistance to disabled individuals. Directs the Comptroller General to report concerning such deductions. Expresses the sense of the Congress that one of the main purposes of such enhanced charitable deduction is to encourage the donation of computer equipment and software to: (1) schools serving low income communities; (2) schools with budgets below applicable norms; and (3) schools with student test scores below the norm.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016''. SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENT OF CONTACT LENS PRESCRIBER VERIFICATION PROCESS. (a) In General.--Section 4 of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7603) is amended-- (1) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following: ``(7) A toll-free telephone number and email address for prescribers to call or email with questions relating to a verification request, as required under subsection (i).''; (2) in subsection (d)(3)-- (A) by striking ``, or a similar time as defined by the Federal Trade Commission,''; (B) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``The prescriber''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(B) If a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy of the prescription, or any other matter relating to the verification of the prescription, to a seller through the toll-free telephone service or dedicated email address required under subsection (i) before such 8-business- hour period has ended, the prescription shall be considered unverified until the seller obtains affirmative confirmation of the accuracy of the prescription from the prescriber.''; (3) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (f) through (h), respectively; (4) by amending subsection (f), as redesignated by paragraph (3), to read as follows: ``(f) Invalid Prescriptions and Questions Concerning Accuracy.-- ``(1) Invalid prescriptions.--If a prescriber informs a seller before the deadline set forth in subparagraph (A) of subsection (d)(3) that the contact lens prescription is inaccurate, expired, or otherwise invalid-- ``(A) the seller shall not fill the prescription; and ``(B) the prescriber shall specify the basis for the inaccuracy or invalidity of the prescription. ``(2) Questions concerning accuracy.--If a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy of a prescription as described in subsection (d)(3)(B) before the deadline set forth in such subsection-- ``(A) the seller shall not fill the prescription; and ``(B) the prescriber shall provide the seller with an accurate prescription. ``(3) Correction.--In any case, if the prescription communicated by the seller to the prescriber is inaccurate, the prescriber shall correct it.''; (5) by adding after subsection (d) the following: ``(e) Prescriber Preferred Method of Communication.-- ``(1) In general.--A prescriber may provide written notification to a seller requesting that all requests for verification from that seller be communicated to that prescriber by that prescriber's preferred method or methods of communication, selected from among the methods of communication offered by the seller pursuant to paragraph (2). ``(2) Methods offered.--Each seller shall offer a prescriber methods for communication for selection as the prescriber's preferred method or methods of communication under paragraph (1). Such offer-- ``(A) shall include-- ``(i) live telephone; ``(ii) facsimile; and ``(iii) email; and ``(B) may include such additional methods of communication as the seller considers appropriate. ``(3) Requirement.--In a case in which a prescriber, pursuant to paragraph (1), provides written notification to a seller indicating a preferred method or methods of communication as described in such paragraph, the seller may only request verification from the prescriber through the method or methods indicated.''; and (6) by inserting after subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (3), the following: ``(i) Telephone Service and Dedicated Email Address.-- ``(1) In general.--A seller of contact lenses who requests verification of any contact lens prescription shall provide-- ``(A) a toll-free telephone service that is operable during regular business hours and operated by live persons; and ``(B) a dedicated email address for the sole purpose of responding to prescribers' questions and concerns regarding verification requests. ``(2) Capacity.--Such toll-free telephone service shall maintain a sufficient number of working telephone lines operated by live persons to enable ready access by prescribers to the service.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF PROHIBITION ON ALTERATION OF CONTACT LENS PRESCRIPTIONS. (a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 4 of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7603) is amended to read as follows: ``(f) No Alteration.-- ``(1) In general.--A seller may not alter a contact lens prescription and when dispensing a contact lens prescription, may only dispense such prescription exactly as written by the prescriber. ``(2) Private labels.--In a case in which a private label contact lens is included on the contact lens prescription and the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers, the seller may fill the prescription with a contact lens of exactly the same material, design, and power as manufactured by that company under another label.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 4. REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVED RECORDKEEPING BY SELLERS OF CONTACT LENSES. Section 4(b) of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7603(b)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``A seller'' and inserting the following: ``(1) Communications generally.--A seller''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Prescriptions.--Each seller shall maintain a database that includes, for each prescription received by a seller, the following: ``(A) The date on which the prescription was issued. ``(B) The specified expiration date of the prescription. ``(3) Preferred methods of communication.--For each written notification that a seller receives under subsection (e)(1), the seller shall keep a copy of such notification for a period of not less than 3 years.''. SEC. 5. PROHIBITION ON REPRESENTATION IN ADVERTISING THAT PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CONTACT LENSES MAY BE FILLED AFTER EXPIRATION DATE. Section 6 of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7605) is amended-- (1) by striking ``that contact'' and inserting the following: ``that-- ``(1) contact''; (2) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (1) of this section, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) a prescription for a contact lens may be filled after the expiration date of the prescription.''. SEC. 6. INCREASED PENALTIES FOR SELLERS OF CONTACT LENSES WHO VIOLATE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO PRESCRIBER VERIFICATION. (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 9 of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7608) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, except that fines imposed for a violation of section 4 of this Act may be in an amount up to $40,000 per violation.''. (b) Clarification of Applicability.--Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(c) Applicability.--This chapter shall apply to all sales of contact lenses in the United States and the sellers involved in such sales, notwithstanding where the seller is located.''. SEC. 7. CONTACT LENS CONSUMER COMPLIANCE AND SAFETY STUDY. (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall conduct a study to examine the adverse and potentially adverse effects on consumers of violations by sellers of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.), as amended by section 2, particularly with respect to matters regarding prescription verification, business practices, and enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission of such Act. (b) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall specifically address the following: (1) The overfilling of prescriptions with quantities of lenses such that the normal expiration dates of the prescriptions will be exceeded. (2) The dispensing of prescriptions that have expired or are inaccurate. (3) The failure by a seller to allow prescribers to contact the seller within 8 business hours to advise that a prescription is inaccurate or expired. (4) The health risks to the consumer of receiving an incorrect prescription from a seller, or issues with patient access to the medically prescribed contact lenses. (5) The economic risks to the consumer of receiving an incorrect prescription from a seller. (6) The improper advertising to consumers about what constitutes a valid prescription or valid prescription information, or advertising that no prescription is needed. (7) Such other matters regarding the effects on the health of the consumers from violations of the verification or sales requirements of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.) as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and the Federal Trade Commission a report on the study required by subsection (a). SEC. 8. MODIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS. (a) In General.--Section 11 of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (15 U.S.C. 7610) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (3), by amending subparagraph (E) to read as follows: ``(E) Power, material, manufacturer, or device name.''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Business hour.--The term `business hour' means, with respect to a prescriber, any hour during a business day within the period beginning at 9:00 in the morning and ending at 5:00 in the evening in the time zone of the prescriber. ``(5) Business day.--The term `business day' means any day other than Saturday and Sunday and other than a legal holiday (within the meaning of section 7503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016 This bill amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require contact lens sellers to provide a toll-free telephone number and email address that prescribers can use to ask questions about a seller's prescription verification request. Under current law, a prescription is considered verified if the prescriber fails to communicate with the seller within eight business hours after receiving the seller-provided verification information. The bill requires the prescription to be considered unverified until the seller obtains affirmative confirmation of the accuracy of the prescription from the prescriber in cases where a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy or verification of the prescription to a seller through the toll-free telephone service or email address before the end of that eight-hour period. The bill removes the Federal Trade Commission's authority to adjust the eight-hour period. If a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy of a prescription before the deadline: (1) the seller shall not fill the prescription, and (2) the prescriber shall provide the seller with an accurate prescription. Sellers must offer prescribers different communication methods that the prescribers may select as their preferred method for verification requests. The bill allows a seller to alter a prescription only if: (1) a private label contact lens is included on the prescription and the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers; and (2) the seller fills the prescription with a contact lens of exactly the same material, design, and power as manufactured by that company under another label. Sellers must maintain a database of the issuance and expiration dates of each prescription they receive. The bill prohibits advertisements representing that a contact lens prescription may be filled after the prescription expires. Sellers violating certain prescriber verification requirements are subject to increased penalties of up to $40,000 per violation. Such requirements apply to all contact lens sales in the United States, notwithstanding where the seller is located. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must examine the potentially adverse effects of seller violations on consumers.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Human Rights Protection Act of 1993''. SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION. The Congress makes the following findings and declarations: (1) It is the sense of Congress that the State Department should designate within the appropriate bureau a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary to promote international women's human rights within the overall human rights policy of the United States Government. (2) The purpose of assigning a special assistant on women's human rights issues is not to segregate such issues, but rather to assure that they are considered along with other human rights issues in the development of United States foreign policy. (3) A specifically designated special assistant is necessary because within the human rights field and the foreign policy establishment, the issues of gender-based discrimination and violence against women have long been ignored or made invisible. (4) The Congress believes that abuses against women would have greater visibility and protection of women's human rights would improve if the advocate were responsible for integrating women's human rights issues into United States human rights policy in ways including, but not limited to, the following: (A) The designated women's human rights advocate would seek to assure that the issue of abuses against women, along with human rights issues generally, are a factor in determining appropriate recipients for United States bilateral assistance as well as United States votes at the multilateral development banks. (B) The advocate would work with the regional bureaus of the Department of State to devise strategies for the executive branch to bring pressure to bear on governments that engage in violence or systematic discrimination against women or fail to afford equal treatment of women before the law. (C) The advocate would, in consultation with the bureau responsible for international organizations, pursue strategies to increase the visibility and integration of gender-based persecution and violence in multilateral fora including, but not limited to, the United States Commission on Human Rights and the Working Group on Torture. (D) The advocate would seek to assure that the United States Trade Representative conduct inquiries and take steps to prevent countries from receiving trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences and most favored nation status where governments fail to address violence, systematic discrimination, and exploitation of women workers. (E) The advocate would seek to assure that the protection of women's human rights, including womens' participation in the political process, women's right to freedom of association and expression, and freedom from discrimination, would be addressed in the context of United States funded programs in the area of democracy including, but not limited to, democracy programs at the Agency for International Development (AID), democracy programs for Eastern Europe funded by the Support Eastern European Democracy (SEED) legislation, and new programs that may be contemplated. (F) The advocate would seek to assure that United States assistance programs in the area of administration of justice include efforts to redress violations of women's rights. (G) The advocate would work with AID and the appropriate office at the Department of State to secure funding for programs to meet the needs of women victims of human rights abuses including, but not limited to, medical and psychological assistance for rape victims. (H) The advocate would work to assure United States ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and oversee the preparation of reports pursuant to that Convention. (I) The advocate would seek to upgrade the quality and quantity of information about abuses of women's human rights in the reporting from United States embassies overseas, incorporate that information not only in the State Department Country Reports on Human Rights, but also in other public statements and documents including, but not limited to, congressional testimony and private demarches. SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS. (a) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Congress on the steps taken to create the position described in section 2 or to otherwise fulfill the objectives detailed in that section. (b) United States Ratification of CEDAW.--If the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has not been submitted to the Senate for ratification, not more than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Congress on the administration's position on the ratification of CEDAW and timetable for submission of CEDAW for congressional consideration and approval.

Summary: Women's Human Rights Protection Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of State to report to the Congress on steps taken to create a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State to promote international women's human rights or to fulfill other specified objectives concerning such rights. Requires the Secretary, if the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has not been submitted to the Senate for ratification, to report to the Congress on the Administration's position on ratification and the timetable for submission of CEDAW for congressional approval.


SECTION 1. INCENTIVES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS. (a) Infrastructure Income To Be Qualifying Income for Purposes of Determining Publicly Traded Partnership Status.-- (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualifying income) is amended by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new subparagraph: ``(F) income and gains from the use, sale, or exchange of infrastructure property,''. (2) Infrastructure property.--Subsection (d) of section 7704 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) Infrastructure property.--The term `infrastructure property' means property which is part of any of the following: ``(A) Roads and related improvements. ``(B) Train tracks and related improvements. ``(C) Airports. ``(D) Docks and wharves. ``(E) Facilities for the furnishing of water. ``(F) Sewage facilities. ``(G) Solid waste disposal facilities. ``(H) Facilities for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, including property described in clause (iii) or (iv) of section 168(e)(3)(D). ``(I) Facilities for the transmission and distribution of natural gas. ``(J) Communications facilities. For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B), related improvements include bridges, tunnels, and traffic control equipment.''. (b) Expansion of Deduction for Domestic Production Activities in the Case of Publicly Traded Partnerships.-- (1) Reduction for oil related qualified production activities income not to apply.--Paragraph (9) of section 199(d) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(D) Exception for income from publicly traded partnerships.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to income derived from any publicly traded partnership (as defined in section 7704(b)).''. (2) Distribution and transmission activities of a publicly traded partnership to be eligible.--Subparagraph (B) of section 199(c)(4) of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new flush sentence: ``Clause (ii) shall not apply to the activities of a publicly traded partnership (as defined in section 7704(b)).''. (c) Infrastructure Property Treated as 5-Year Property.-- (1) In general.--Subparagraph (B) of section 168(e)(3) of such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (vi), by striking the period at the end of clause (vii) and inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after clause (vii) the following new clause: ``(viii) infrastructure property (as defined in section 7704(d)(6)).''. (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Subparagraph (C) of section 168(e)(3) of such Code is amended by striking clause (i) and by redesignating the succeeding clauses accordingly. (B) Subparagraph (D) of such section is amended by adding ``and'' at the end of clause (i), by striking ``, and'' at the end of clause (ii) and inserting a period, and by striking clauses (iii) and (iv). (C) Subparagraph (E) of such section is amended by striking clauses (i), (ii), and (vii) and by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (viii), and (ix) as clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi), respectively. (D) Subparagraph (F) of such section is hereby repealed. (E) Subsection (e) of section 168 of such Code is amended by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and by redesignating the succeeding paragraphs accordingly. (F) The table contained in section 168(g)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by striking the item relating to subparagraph (C)(i) and all that follows and inserting the following: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ``(C)(ii).................................................. 22 (C)(iii)................................................... 14 (D)(i)..................................................... 15 (D)(ii).................................................... 20 (E)(i)..................................................... 20 (E)(ii).................................................... 39 (E)(iii)................................................... 39 (E)(iv).................................................... 20 (E)(v)..................................................... 35 (E)(vi).................................................... 39''. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (d) Like-Kind Exchange Treatment for Exchanges of Infrastructure Property.--Section 1031 of such Code (relating to exchange of property held for productive use or investment) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(j) All Infrastructure Property Treated as Like Kind.--Except as provided in subsection (h), each real property-- ``(1) which is infrastructure property (as defined in section 7704(d)(6)), and ``(2) which is held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, shall be treated as being of a like kind to every other real property which is infrastructure property (as so defined) and which is so held.''. (e) Effective Dates.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Depreciation.--The amendments made by subsection (c) shall apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date. (3) Exchanges.--The amendment made by subsection (d) shall apply to transfers after the date of the enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat income and gains from the use, sale, or exchange of infrastructure property as qualifying income for purposes of the tax treatment of publicly-traded partnerships; (2) exempt publicly-traded partnerships from the limitation on the tax deduction for income attributable to oil-related qualified production activities; (3) allow accelerated depreciation of infrastructure property (i.e., classify such property as five-year property); and (4) treat exchanges of infrastructure property as like-kind exchanges (thus exempting gain from such exchanges from tax). Defines "infrastructure property" as property which is part of: (1) roads and related improvements; (2) train tracks and related improvements; (3) airports; (4) docks and wharves; (5) facilities for sewage, solid waste disposal, the furnishing of water, the transmission and distribution of natural gas, or the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; or (6) communications facilities.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006''. SEC. 2. IMPROVING MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN PAYMENTS TO PHARMACIES. (a) In General.--Section 1860D-12(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-112(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Payments to pharmacies.-- ``(A) In general.--Each contract entered into with a PDP sponsor under this section with respect to a prescription drug plan offered by such sponsor shall provide for the following: ``(i) Availability of direct deposit payments.--The option for any participating pharmacy to elect for the plan to make payments by direct deposits to the pharmacy for covered part D drugs dispensed through the pharmacy. ``(ii) Increased dispensing fee for generic drugs.--The payment of dispensing fees by the plan to each participating pharmacy for covered part D drugs dispensed through the participating pharmacy, in accordance with subparagraph (B). ``(iii) Payments within 10 days for certain pharmacies.--In the case of a participating pharmacy that is not part of a chain of pharmacies that consists of more than three pharmacies at different locations, payment with respect to any non-disputed claim (as defined in subparagraph (C)) for a covered part D drug dispensed through the pharmacy to be made by the plan to the pharmacy in full by a date that is not more than 10 days after the date on which the claim is received by the plan. ``(B) Payment of dispensing fees to encourage use of generic drugs.-- ``(i) In general.--For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii) and subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), with respect to a generic covered part D drug that is therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent to a brand name drug that is a covered part D drug dispensed through a participating pharmacy, the amount of the dispensing fee paid to the pharmacy for the generic covered part D drug shall be an amount that is at least 50 percent greater than the amount of the dispensing fee for the brand name drug. ``(ii) Cap on amount of dispensing fees for generic drugs.--For purposes of subclause (i), the amount of the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug shall not be more than $10. ``(iii) Safe harbor for brand name drug dispensing fee amounts.-- ``(I) In general.--For purposes of clause (i) and subject to subclause (II), a prescription drug plan under this section shall not decrease the amount of the dispensing fee paid by the plan to a participating pharmacy for a brand name drug described in such clause to an amount that is less than the amount of the dispensing fee paid by such plan to such pharmacy for such drug on the date of the enactment of the `Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006'. ``(II) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the prohibition under subclause (I) with respect to a dispensing fee paid by a prescription drug plan for a brand name drug, as the Secretary determines appropriate. ``(C) Non-disputed claim defined.--For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii), a `non-disputed claim' means a claim that has no defect or impropriety or particular circumstance requiring special treatment that prevents timely payment from being made under this part.''. (b) Application to MA-PD Plans.--Section 1857(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-27(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Incorporation of prescription drug plan contract requirements for pharmacy payments.--The provisions of section 1860D-12(b)(4) shall apply to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization in the same manner as they apply to contracts with a PDP sponsor offering a prescription drug plan under part D.''. (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply to plan years beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Independent Pharmacy Protection Act of 2006 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require each prescription drug plan contract entered into with a plan sponsor to provide for: (1) the availability of direct deposit payments; (2) an increased dispensing fee for generic drugs; and (3) payments within 10 days for certain pharmacies. Requires the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug therapeutically equivalent and bioequivalent to a brand name covered part D drug dispensed through the pharmacy to be at least 50% greater than the dispensing fee for the brand name drug. Limits to $10 the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a generic covered part D drug. Prohibits a prescription drug plan, subject to exception by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from decreasing the dispensing fee paid to a participating pharmacy for a brand name drug to an amount less than the dispensing fee paid for it on the date of enactment of this Act. Applies this Act to contracts with a Medicare Advantage organization in the same manner as they apply to those with a prescription drug plan sponsor.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENTS OF 1986 CODE. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 1993''. (b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. SEC. 2. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM CERTAIN PLANS MAY BE USED WITHOUT PENALTY TO REPLACE HOMES. (a) In General.--No additional tax shall be imposed under section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on any distribution described in subsection (b) to the extent such distribution is used, within 60 days of the distribution, to pay qualified acquisition costs with respect to a principal residence of an eligible individual. (b) Distributions.--Subsection (a) shall apply to distributions-- (1) from an individual retirement plan, or (2) from amounts attributable to employer contributions made pursuant to elective deferrals described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of section 402(g)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or section 501(c)(18)(D)(iii) of such Code. (c) Definitions and Special Rules.-- (1) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible individual'' means an individual-- (A) who receives a distribution described in subsection (b), or who is the spouse, child, or grandchild of such individual, and (B) whose principal residence was destroyed or substantially damaged by Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar. (2) Qualified acquisition costs.--The term ``qualified acquisition costs'' means the costs of acquiring, constructing, or reconstructing a residence. Such term includes any usual or reasonable settlement, financing, or other closing costs. (3) Principal residence.--The term ``principal residence'' has the same meaning as when used in section 1034 of such Code. (4) Distributions allowed.--A distribution to which subsection (a) applies shall be treated as a distribution allowed under section 401(k)(2)(B)(i) or 403(b)(11) of such Code. (5) Transition.--In the case of any distribution before the date of the enactment of this Act, qualified acquisition costs paid within 90 days of such date shall be treated as paid within 60 days of the distribution. (d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to distributions after July 31, 1992. SEC. 3. SPECIAL RULE FOR INCLUSION OF CROP PROCEEDS OF CERTAIN DISASTER VICTIMS. (a) In General.--If, for the taxpayer's taxable year which includes the designation date described in subsection (b), the taxpayer has income derived from the sale or exchange of crops grown in a qualified disaster area, the taxpayer may elect to include such income for the taxable year following the taxable year in which such sale or exchange occurs. (b) Qualified Disaster Area.--For purposes of subsection (a), the term ``qualified disaster area'' means an area designated by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar. (c) Limitation.--Subsection (a) shall apply only to a taxpayer whose principal trade or business is farming (within the meaning of section 6420(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). (d) Special Rules for Self-Employment Tax.--If, for any taxable year, a taxpayer includes in gross income any amounts which, but for subsection (a), would have been included in gross income for the preceding taxable year, then the applicable contribution base for purposes of section 1402(b) of such Code for the taxable year of inclusion shall be increased by the lesser of-- (1) the applicable contribution base for the preceding taxable year, reduced by the self-employment income of the taxpayer for the preceding taxable year, or (2) the amounts so included in gross income for the taxable year of inclusion. (e) Effective Date.--The provisions of this section shall apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 1991. SEC. 4. MODIFICATION OF INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION RULES FOR CERTAIN DISASTER-RELATED CONVERSIONS. (a) In General.--Section 1033 (relating to involuntary conversions) is amended by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i) and by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection: ``(h) Special Rules for Principal Residences Damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters.-- ``(1) In general.--If the taxpayer's principal residence or any of its contents is compulsorily or involuntarily converted as a result of a Presidentially declared disaster-- ``(A) Treatment of insurance proceeds.-- ``(i) Exclusion for unscheduled personal property.--No gain shall be recognized by reason of the receipt of any insurance proceeds for personal property which was part of such contents and which was not scheduled property for purposes of such insurance. ``(ii) Other proceeds treated as common fund.--In case of any insurance proceeds (not described in clause (i)) for such residence or contents-- ``(I) such proceeds shall be treated as received for the conversion of a single item of property, and ``(II) any property which is similar or related in service or use to the residence so converted (or contents thereof) shall be treated for purposes of subsection (a)(2) as property similar or related in service or use to such single item of property. ``(B) Extension of replacement period.--Subsection (a)(2)(B) shall be applied with respect to any property so converted by substituting `4 years' for `2 years'. ``(2) Presidentially declared disaster.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `Presidentially declared disaster' means any disaster which, with respect to the area in which the residence is located, resulted in a subsequent determination by the President that such area warrants assistance by the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. ``(3) Principal residence.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `principal residence' has the same meaning as when used in section 1034, except that no ownership requirement shall be imposed.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to property compulsorily or involuntarily converted as a result of disasters for which the determination referred to in section 1033(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by this section) is made on or after September 1, 1991, and to taxable years ending on or after such date. SEC. 5. APPLICATION OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING CREDITS AND MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS TO NATURAL DISASTER AREAS. (a) Low-Income Housing Credits.-- (1) Waiver of 24-month completion requirement.--In the case of any qualified building located in a qualified disaster area with respect to which a low-income housing allocation is made before the occurrence of the natural disaster, the Secretary may extend the period described in section 42(h)(1)(E)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to not later than the close of the fourth calendar year following the calendar year in which the allocation is made. (2) Waiver of written income verification requirement.-- (A) In general.--With respect to any occupant of a low-income unit in any qualified low-income building located in a qualified disaster area or any such occupant in any other qualified low-income building who immediately prior to such occupation resided in a qualified disaster area, the Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 42(l) of such Code regarding occupant income information until such information is reasonably obtainable. (B) Discovery of ineligibility.--If upon receipt of occupant income information the income of any occupant of a low-income unit in the building is determined to exceed the income limitation under section 42(g) of such Code, such unit shall continue to be treated as a low-income unit if no subsequently available residential rental unit in the building is occupied by a new resident whose income exceeds such income limitation and such occupant vacates the unit upon the later of the lease termination or 30 days after receipt of such information by the Secretary. (3) Waiver of tenant income limitations.--With respect to any tenant occupying a unit in a qualified low-income housing project located in a qualified disaster area who relocates to any other unit of a qualified low-income housing project, the Secretary may waive the income limitation of subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 42(g)(1) of such Code if the income of such tenant does not exceed 140 percent of such income limitation. (4) Waiver of 6-month residence requirement.--With respect to any unit in a building located in a qualified disaster area or any unit occupied by individuals who immediately prior to such occupation resided in a qualified disaster area, the Secretary may waive the requirement of clause (i) of section 42(i)(3)(B) of such Code and allow the use of such unit on a transient basis. (5) Waiver on 10-year rule for existing buildings.--The Secretary may waive the requirement of subparagraph (B)(ii) of section 42(d)(2) of such Code with respect to any building located in a qualified disaster area. (6) Waiver of the national pool allocation.--The Secretary may modify the formula described in the penultimate sentence of section 42(h)(3)(D)(iii) of such Code for any calendar year with respect to the allocation to any qualified State in which is located a qualified disaster area to increase such allocation to take into account the effects of such disaster. (7) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on July 1, 1992. (b) Waiver of Dollar Limitation for Home Improvement Loans for Residences in Qualified Disaster Areas.--The $15,000 limitation specified in the last sentence of section 143(k)(4) of such Code shall not apply to any loan for residences located in a qualified disaster area if such loan is made on or after June 30, 1992, and before January 1, 1994. (c) Qualified Disaster Area.--For purposes of this section, the term ``qualified disaster area'' means an area designated by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar.

Summary: Natural Disaster Tax Relief Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow penalty-free distributions from individual retirement plans to pay acquisition costs to replace a principal residence that was destroyed or substantially damaged by the disasters Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar. Allows a farmer who has income derived from the sale or exchange of crops grown in such disaster areas, to elect to defer such income for the next taxable year. Provides a special rule for the self-employment tax. Requires the nonrecognition of gain of insurance proceeds for the contents of principal residences compulsorily or involuntarily converted as a result of a presidentially-declared disaster. Allows insurance proceeds from personal property and real property to be lumped together into one common fund. Extends the time to replace a principal residence so converted from two years to four years. Waives certain requirements with respect to low-income housing in areas damaged by the disasters Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, or Typhoon Omar. Waives the dollar limitation for home improvement loans through mortgage revenue bonds for residences in such disaster areas.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Return of Talent Act''. SEC. 2. RETURN OF TALENT PROGRAM. (a) In General.--Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317 the following: ``temporary absence of persons participating in the return of talent program ``Sec. 317A. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall establish the Return of Talent Program to permit eligible aliens to temporarily return to the alien's country of citizenship in order to make a material contribution to that country if the country is engaged in post-conflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities, for a period not exceeding 24 months, unless an exception is granted under subsection (d). ``(b) Eligible Alien.--An alien is eligible to participate in the Return of Talent Program established under subsection (a) if the alien meets the special immigrant description under section 101(a)(27)(N). ``(c) Family Members.--The spouse, parents, siblings, and any minor children of an alien who participates in the Return of Talent Program established under subsection (a) may return to such alien's country of citizenship with the alien and reenter the United States with the alien. ``(d) Extension of Time.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may extend the 24-month period referred to in subsection (a) upon a showing that circumstances warrant that an extension is necessary for post- conflict or natural disaster reconstruction efforts. ``(e) Residency Requirements.--An immigrant described in section 101(a)(27)(N) who participates in the Return of Talent Program established under subsection (a), and the spouse, parents, siblings, and any minor children who accompany such immigrant to that immigrant's country of citizenship, shall be considered, during such period of participation in the program-- ``(1) for purposes of section 316(a), physically present and residing in the United States for purposes of naturalization within the meaning of that section; and ``(2) for purposes of section 316(b), to meet the continuous residency requirements in that section. ``(f) Oversight and Enforcement.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall oversee and enforce the requirements of this section.''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following: ``317A. Temporary absence of persons participating in the Return of Talent Program.''. SEC. 3. ELIGIBLE IMMIGRANTS. Section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (L), by inserting a semicolon after ``Improvement Act of 1998''; (2) in subparagraph (M), by striking the period and inserting ``; or''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(N) an immigrant who-- ``(i) has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; ``(ii) demonstrates an ability and willingness to make a material contribution to the post-conflict or natural disaster reconstruction in the alien's country of citizenship; and ``(iii) as determined by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security-- ``(I) is a citizen of a country in which Armed Forces of the United States are engaged, or have engaged in the 10 years preceding such determination, in combat or peacekeeping operations; ``(II) is a citizen of a country where authorization for United Nations peacekeeping operations was initiated by the United Nations Security Council during the 10 years preceding such determination; or ``(III) is a citizen of a country which received, during the preceding 2 years, funding from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance of the United States Agency for International Development in response to a declared disaster in such country by the United States Ambassador, the Chief of the U.S. Mission, or the appropriate Assistant Secretary of State, that is beyond the ability of such country's response capacity and warrants a response by the United States Government.''. SEC. 4. REPORT TO CONGRESS. Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to Congress that describes-- (1) the countries of citizenship of the participants in the Return of Talent Program established under section 317A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 2; (2) the post-conflict or natural disaster reconstruction efforts that benefitted, or were made possible, through participation in the program; and (3) any other information that the Secretary of Homeland Security determines to be appropriate. SEC. 5. REGULATIONS. Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act. SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for fiscal year 2008, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.

Summary: Return of Talent Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish the Return of Talent Program to permit an eligible immigrant alien (as defined by this Act) and certain family members to return for up to 24 months (with an extension available) to the alien's country of citizenship in order to make a material contribution to that country if the country is engaged in post-conflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities. States that during such absence the alien and family members shall be considered to be physically and continuously present and residing in the United States for naturalization purposes.