SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Equal Access to Quality Education Act of 2011''. SEC. 2. EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall make grants on a competitive basis to eligible partnerships in high-need areas to develop and strengthen high-quality pathways for the teaching and education leadership professions, to create professional induction programs for the teaching profession, and to provide a stable and collaborative learning environment for educators and students. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the grant program established under this section shall be to-- (1) increase the percentage of highly qualified teachers in a State, including teachers from under-represented minority groups; (2) close the achievement gap for students within subgroups that are not showing expected performance; (3) decrease shortages of highly qualified teachers in poor urban and rural areas; (4) decrease high turnover rates for educators in high-need schools; (5) increase the number of highly qualified teachers in shortage areas, including special education, bilingual education, and education for English language learners, and in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology; (6) increase opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development that-- (A) improves the academic content knowledge of teachers in the subject areas in which teachers are certified or licensed to teach or in which the teachers are working toward certification or licensure to teach; (B) promotes strong teaching skills, including instructional strategies that address diverse needs, the use of data to inform instruction, and strategies to improve student achievement; and (C) provides time for teachers to share their knowledge and innovation; and (7) provide all educators with the knowledge base and professional skills to meet the needs of diverse learners, including English language learners and students with disabilities. (c) Use of Funds.-- (1) Required uses.--A partnership that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds to-- (A) establish or support a teacher preparation program that-- (i) requires participants in the program to complete at least one year of residency at a high-need school in the local educational agency participating in the eligible partnership; (ii) requires participants in the program to teach in a high-need school in such local educational agency for at least 3 years after completing residency; and (iii) awards a teaching credential, an undergraduate degree, or a Masters degree that meets State requirements for a teaching license or certification upon completion of the program; (B) establish or support a teacher induction and retention program that-- (i) provides high-quality professional development to teachers to assist them in improving their knowledge, skills, and teaching practices in order to help students to improve their achievement and meet State academic standards; (ii) provides teachers with updated information on developments in curricula, assessments, and educational research, including the manner in which the research and data can be used to improve teaching skills and practice; (iii) provides a mentor teacher and other support for new teachers; and (iv) provides leadership opportunities for teachers, including access to career ladders and roles as curriculum and instructional leaders, mentors, and coaches; and (C) otherwise fulfill the purposes described in subsection (b). (2) Authorized uses.--In addition to the activities described in paragraph (1), a partnership that receives a grant under this section may use the funds for any of the following: (A) Providing support to each mentor teacher working with new teachers. (B) Providing preparation in effective, evidence- based instructional assessment practices and classroom management strategies for general education teachers serving students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency. (C) Enabling teachers to engage in study groups, professional learning communities, and other collaborative activities and collegial interactions regarding instruction assessment. (D) Paying for release time and substitute teachers in order to enable teachers to participate in professional development and mentoring activities. (E) Creating libraries of professional material, catalogues of expert instruction, and education technology. (F) Providing high-quality professional development for other instructional staff, such as paraprofessionals, librarians, and counselors. (G) Developing partnerships with businesses and community-based organizations. (H) Providing tuition assistance, scholarships, or student loan repayment to teachers. (I) Providing stipends to participants in the teacher preparation program under paragraph (1)(A). (J) Providing support for home visitation, parenting education, and family engagement, especially for parents who have limited English proficiency. (d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible partnerships that-- (1) demonstrate a plan to recruit teachers from among minority and local candidates and from individuals with disabilities; (2) demonstrate the use of a valid and reliable teacher performance assessment; or (3) include-- (A) an institution of higher education that is an ``eligible institution'' for purposes of the TEACH Grant program under subpart 9 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070g et seq.); (B) a Tribal College or University, as defined in section 316(b)(3) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3)); (C) an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, as defined in section 320(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059g(a)); (D) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in section 502(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)); or (E) a historically Black college and university, as defined in section 631(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1132(a)). (e) Matching Requirements.-- (1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of any activities funded by a grant received under this section shall not exceed 75 percent. (2) Payment of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share may be paid in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including services. (f) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible partnership'' means a partnership-- (A) between a high-need local educational agency and an institution of higher education; and (B) that may include a teacher organization or a nonprofit educational organization. (2) Family engagement.--The term ``family engagement'' means a shared responsibility of families and schools for student success, in which schools and community-based organizations are committed to reaching out to engage families, especially parents of non-Native English speakers, in meaningful ways that encourage the families to actively support their children's learning and development, as well as the learning and development of other children. The shared responsibility is continuous from birth through young adulthood and reinforces learning that takes place in the home, school, and community. (3) High-need local educational agency.--The term ``high- need local educational agency'' means a local educational agency-- (A)(i) that serves not fewer than 10,000 low-income children; (ii) for which not less than 20 percent of the children served by the agency are low-income children; or (iii) that has a percentage of low-income children that is above the highest quartile among such agencies in the State; and (B)(i) for which one or more schools served by the agency has a high percentage of teachers who are not highly qualified; or (ii) for which one or more schools served by the agency has a high teacher turnover rate. (4) Highly qualified.--The term ``highly qualified'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7801(23)). The definition given the term ``highly qualified teacher'' in section 163 of Public Law 111-242 shall not apply with respect to this section. (5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965. (6) Low-income children.--The term ``low-income children'' means-- (A) children from families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) applicable to a family of the size involved; or (B) children who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. (7) Mentor teacher.--The term ``mentor teacher'' means a teacher who-- (A) is highly qualified; (B) has a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience; and (C) is recommended by the principal and other current master and mentor teachers on the basis of-- (i) instructional excellence through observations and other evidence of classroom practice, including standards-based evaluations, such as certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; (ii) an ability, as demonstrated by evidence of student learning in high-need schools, to increase student learning; and (iii) excellent instruction and communication with an understanding of how to facilitate growth in other teachers, including new teachers. (8) Teacher performance assessment.--The term ``teacher performance assessment'' means a program, based on State or national professional teaching standards, that will measure teachers' curriculum planning, instruction, and assessment of students, including appropriate plans and adaptations for English language learners and students with disabilities, and multiple sources of evidence about student learning. Such assessment will be validated against professional assessment standards and reliably scored by trained external evaluators with appropriate auditing of scoring to ensure consistency. (9) Teaching credential.--The term ``teaching credential'' means a program of instruction for individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree, that does not lead to a graduate degree, and that consists of courses required by a State for a teacher candidate to receive a professional certification or license that is required for employment as a teacher in an elementary school or secondary school in that State.

Summary: Equal Access to Quality Education Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive matching grants to partnerships between high-need local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to: (1) establish or support teacher preparation programs, and (2) establish or support teacher induction and retention programs. Requires the teacher preparation programs to: (1) require participants to complete at least one year of residency followed by at least three years of teaching at the LEA's high-need schools, and (2) award participants a teaching credential or degree that meets state requirements for a teaching license or certification upon their completion of the program. Requires the teacher induction and retention programs to provide teachers with: (1) high-quality professional development; (2) updated information on developments in curricula, assessments, and educational research; (3) a mentor teacher and other support if they are new teachers; and (4) leadership opportunities. Allows the grants to be used for certain other activities designed to improve the quality of education in high-need areas. Gives grant priority to partnerships that: (1) have a plan to recruit teachers from among minority and local candidates and the disabled; (2) use a valid and reliable teacher performance assessment; or (3) include an IHE eligible to participate in the TEACH Grant program, a Tribal College or University, an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, an Hispanic-serving institution, or an historically Black college and university.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Closing the Pre-Paid Mobile Device Security Gap Act of 2016''. SEC. 2. IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENT. Prior to the completion of any sale of a pre-paid mobile device or SIM card to a purchaser, an authorized reseller shall require the purchaser to provide the following information: (1) The full name of the purchaser. (2) The complete home address of the purchaser. (3) The date of birth of the purchaser. SEC. 3. IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION. (a) In-Person Sales.--An authorized reseller making a sale to a purchaser in person shall verify the purchaser information provided under section 2 by requiring the purchaser to display either of the following: (1) A photographic identification card issued by the Federal Government or a State government, or a document considered acceptable for purposes of subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of section 274A(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)(1)). (2) Any 2 of the following: (A) A Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement received from the Internal Revenue Service, provided that such form has been received from the Internal Revenue Service within the prior 18 months. (B) A Form 1099 Social Security Benefit Statement received from the Social Security Administration, provided that such form has been received from the Social Security Administration within the prior 18 months. (C) A Form 1099 received from any other agency of the Federal Government other than the Social Security Administration, including the Internal Revenue Service, provided that such form has been received within the prior 18 months. (D) Any document containing personal identifying information that the Attorney General finds, by regulation, to be acceptable for purposes of this section. (b) Other Sales.--An authorized reseller making a sale to a purchaser not in person shall verify the purchaser information provided under section 2 by requiring the purchaser to submit the following information: (1) Valid credit or debit card account information. (2) Social Security number. (3) Driver's license number. (4) Any other personal identifying information that the Attorney General finds, by regulation, to be necessary for purposes of this section. SEC. 4. RECORD MAKING REQUIREMENT. Upon completion of a sale of a pre-paid mobile device or SIM card, an authorized reseller shall make a record of the sale that includes the following information: (1) The information obtained from the purchaser under section 2, and, if applicable, the information submitted by the purchaser under subsection (b) of section 3. (2) The date of sale. (3) The manufacturer of the pre-paid mobile device or SIM card. (4) The wireless carrier that will provide wireless communication service to the pre-paid mobile device or SIM card. (5) Any assigned telephone number or other subscriber or account identifier known at the time of purchase. (6) Any of the following, if applicable to the pre-paid mobile device or SIM card: (A) International mobile equipment identifier number. (B) Electronic serial number. (C) Mobile equipment identifier. (D) International mobile subscriber identifier. (E) Machine address code. SEC. 5. RECORD TRANSMISSION REQUIREMENT. (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the sale of a pre- paid mobile device or SIM card, an authorized reseller shall transmit the record of the sale made in accordance with section 4 to the wireless carrier that will provide wireless communication service to the pre-paid mobile device or SIM card. (b) Permissible Means of Transmission.--In complying with the requirements of subsection (a), an authorized reseller may transmit the sale record to the wireless carrier by means of secure electronic transmission. SEC. 6. RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENT. After an authorized reseller has transmitted a sale record to a wireless carrier in accordance with section 5, the wireless carrier shall-- (1) provide a transmission confirmation receipt to the authorized reseller, after the receipt of which the authorized reseller shall dispose promptly of any retained copy of the record; and (2) retain the transmitted sale record in accordance with the privacy protections of section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222) for a period of 18 months or until the wireless carrier stops or otherwise discontinues providing service to the pre-paid mobile device or SIM card to which the sale record relates. SEC. 7. PENALTIES. (a) False or Misleading Statements.--A purchaser who knowingly provides false or misleading information when providing the identifying information and documents required under sections 2 and 3 shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331 of such title), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section 1591 of such title, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall be not more than 8 years. (b) Failure To Comply.-- (1) In general.--The Attorney General shall assess, against an authorized reseller or wireless carrier who commits an offense under this Act, a civil penalty of $50 for each such offense. (2) Separate offense.-- (A) By authorized reseller.--The failure of an authorized reseller, with respect to each separate sale of a pre-paid mobile device or SIM card, to request purchaser identification under section 2, to verify identification under section 3, to make a record under section 4, and to transmit a record under section 5, shall constitute a separate offense. (B) By wireless carrier.--The failure of a wireless carrier, with respect to each separate sale of a pre- paid mobile device or SIM card for which the carrier receives the sale record transmitted under section 5, to provide a transmission confirmation receipt under section 6(1), and to retain the sale record under section 6(2), shall constitute a separate offense. (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to-- (A) hold a wireless carrier liable for an offense under this Act committed by an authorized reseller; and (B) hold an authorized reseller liable for an offense under this Act committed by a wireless carrier. SEC. 8. RELATED OFFENSES. (a) Sale by Unauthorized Resellers.-- (1) In general.--It shall be unlawful for any person who is not an authorized reseller to sell a pre-paid mobile device or SIM card. (2) Penalty.--Whoever knowingly violates paragraph (1) shall be imprisoned for not more than 2 years or fined under title 18, United States Code, or both. (3) Notice.--The Attorney General shall make rules requiring a manufacturer or authorized reseller to notify a purchaser of a mobile device or SIM card of the offense and penalty established by this section. (b) Commission of Other Crimes.--If a person knowingly uses a pre- paid mobile device or SIM card obtained by providing false or misleading information in violation of section 2 or 3 to commit a Federal criminal offense, the minimum term of imprisonment for such offense that is required under Federal statute (if any such minimum term is so required) shall be increased by 1 year. SEC. 9. PRESERVATION OF STATE LAW. Nothing in this Act is intended to preempt additional State requirements with respect to the distribution and sale of mobile devices or SIM cards, or to otherwise prevent or prohibit any State from enacting any such requirements. SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Authorized reseller.--The term ``authorized reseller'' means any person authorized by-- (A) a manufacturer to sell the manufacturer's mobile devices or SIM cards; or (B) a wireless carrier to sell pre-paid mobile devices or SIM cards to which the wireless carrier will provide wireless communication service. (2) Pre-paid mobile device.--The term ``pre-paid mobile device'' means any cellular phone or similar wireless communication device for which the mobile device user purchases a set allotment of wireless communication service. (3) SIM card.--The term ``SIM card'' means a subscriber identity module or functionally equivalent data storage device. (4) Wireless carrier.--The term ``wireless carrier'' means a provider of wireless communication service. (5) Wireless communication service.--The term ``wireless communication service'' means commercial mobile service (as defined in section 332 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332)) or commercial mobile data service (as defined in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401)).

Summary: Closing the Pre-Paid Mobile Device Security Gap Act of 2016 This bill requires authorized resellers of pre-paid mobile devices or SIM cards to require purchasers to provide their name, home address, and date of birth. For in-person sales, an authorized reseller must require purchasers to display for verification: (1) a government-issued photographic identification card or a document acceptable under the Immigration and Nationality Act for employment authorization or establishing identity; and (2) any two of a Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement from the Internal Revenue Service, a Form 1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or a Form 1099 from another federal agency, or a document containing personal identifying information that the Department of Justice (DOJ) finds to be acceptable. For all other sales, an authorized reseller must require purchasers to submit their: (1) credit or debit card account information, (2) Social Security number, (3) driver's license number, and (4) any personal identifying information that DOJ finds to be necessary. Authorized resellers must make a record of their sales that includes: (1) the information obtained from purchasers to verify their identity; (2) the date of sale; (3) the manufacturer and the wireless carrier of the device or SIM card; (4) any assigned telephone number or other identifier of the subscriber or account; and (5) if applicable, the international mobile equipment identifier number, electronic serial number, mobile equipment identifier, international mobile subscriber identifier, and machine address code. Within 30 days after a sale, an authorized reseller must transmit such record to the wireless carrier for the device or SIM card. Purchasers are subject to criminal penalties for providing false or misleading identifying information or documents. A civil penalty is established for authorized resellers or wireless carriers who fail to comply with this Act. The bill also prohibits and establishes criminal penalties for the sale of a pre-paid mobile device or SIM card by a person who is not an authorized reseller.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Environmental Export Promotion Act of 1994''. SEC. 2. PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL EXPORTS. (a) Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee.--Section 2313 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4728) is amended-- (1) by striking subsection (d); (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e); and (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsections: ``(c) Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee.-- ``(1) Establishment and purpose.--The Secretary, in carrying out the duties of the chairperson of the TPCC, shall establish the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (hereafter in this section referred to as the `Committee'). The purpose of the Committee shall be to provide advice and guidance to the Working Group in the development and administration of programs to expand United States exports of environmental technologies, goods, and services. ``(2) Membership.-- ``(A) In general.--The members of the Committee shall be drawn from representatives of-- ``(i) environmental businesses, including small businesses; ``(ii) trade associations in the environmental sector; ``(iii) private sector organizations involved in the promotion of environmental exports; ``(iv) the States (as defined in section 2301(j)(5)) and associations representing the States; and ``(v) other appropriate interested members of the public. ``(B) Committee composition.--The Secretary shall appoint as members of the Committee no fewer than 1 individual under each of clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A). ``(d) Export Plans for Priority Countries.-- ``(1) Priority country identification.--The Working Group, in consultation with the Committee, shall annually assess which foreign countries have markets with the greatest potential for the export of United States environmental technologies, goods, and services. Of these countries, the Working Group shall select the 5 countries with the greatest potential for the application of United States Government export promotion resources related to environmental exports as `priority countries'. ``(2) Export plans.--The Working Group, in consultation with the Committee, shall annually create a plan for each priority country selected under paragraph (1), setting forth in detail ways to increase United States environmental exports to such country. Each plan shall-- ``(A) identify the primary public and private sector opportunities for United States exporters of environmental technologies, goods, and services in the priority country; ``(B) analyze the financing and other requirements for major projects in the priority country which will use environmental technologies, goods, and services, and analyze whether such projects are dependent upon financial assistance from foreign countries or multilateral institutions; and ``(C) list specific actions to be taken by the member agencies of the Working Group to increase United States exports to the priority country.''. (b) Additional Mechanisms To Promote Environmental Exports.-- Section 2313 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4728) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Environmental Technologies Specialists in the United States and Foreign Commercial Service.-- ``(1) Assignment of environmental technologies specialists.--The Secretary shall assign a specialist in environmental technologies to the office of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service in each of the 5 priority countries selected under subsection (d)(1), and the Secretary is authorized to assign such a specialist to the office of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service in any country that is a promising market for United States exports of environmental technologies, goods, and services. Such specialist may be an employee of the Department of Commerce, an employee of any relevant Government department or agency assigned on a temporary or limited term basis to the Department of Commerce, or a representative of the private sector assigned to the Department of Commerce. ``(2) Duties of environmental technologies specialists.-- Each specialist assigned under paragraph (1) shall provide export promotion assistance to United States environmental businesses, including-- ``(A) identifying factors in the country to which the specialist is assigned that affect the United States share of the domestic market for environmental technologies, goods, and services, including market barriers, standards-setting activities, and financing issues; ``(B) providing assessments of assistance by foreign governments to producers of environmental technologies, goods, and services in such countries in order to enhance exports to the country to which the specialist is assigned, the effectiveness of such assistance on the competitiveness of United States products, and whether comparable United States assistance exists; ``(C) training Foreign Commercial Service Officers in the country to which the specialist is assigned, other countries in the region, and United States and Foreign Commercial Service offices in the United States, in environmental technologies and the international environmental market; ``(D) providing assistance in identifying potential customers and market opportunities in the country to which the specialist is assigned; ``(E) providing assistance in obtaining necessary business services in the country to which the specialist is assigned; ``(F) providing information on environmental standards and regulations in the country to which the specialist is assigned; and ``(G) providing information on all United States programs that could assist the promotion, financing, and sale of United States environmental technologies, goods, and services in the country to which the specialist is assigned. ``(g) Environmental Training in One-Stop Shops.--In addition to the training provided under subsection (f)(2)(C), the Secretary shall establish a mechanism to train-- ``(1) Commercial Service Officers assigned to the one-stop shops provided for in section 2301(b)(8); and ``(2) Commercial Service Officers assigned to district offices in districts having large numbers of environmental businesses; in environmental technologies and in the international environmental marketplace, and ensure that such officers receive appropriate training under such mechanism. Such training may be provided by officers or employees of the Department of Commerce, and other United States departments and agencies, with appropriate expertise in environmental technologies and the international environmental workplace, and by appropriate representatives of the private sector. ``(h) International Regional Environmental Initiatives.-- ``(1) Establishment of initiatives.--The TPCC shall establish not less than one international regional environmental initiative, the purpose of which shall be to coordinate the activities of Federal departments and agencies in order to build environmental partnerships between the United States and the geographic region outside of the United States for which such initiative is established. Such partnerships shall enhance environmental protection and promote sustainable development by using technical expertise and financial resources of the United States departments and agencies that provide foreign assistance, and by expanding United States exports of environmental technologies, goods, and services to that region. ``(2) Activities.--In carrying out each international regional environmental initiative, the TPCC shall-- ``(A) support the development of sound environmental policies and practices in countries in the geographic region for which the initiative is established, including the development of environmentally sound regulatory regimes and enforcement mechanisms, through the provision of foreign assistance; ``(B) identify and disseminate to United States environmental businesses information regarding specific environmental business opportunities in that geographic region; ``(C) coordinate existing Federal efforts to promote environmental exports to that geographic region, and ensure that such efforts are fully coordinated with environmental export promotion efforts undertaken by the States and the private sector; ``(D) increase assistance provided by the United States to promote exports from the United States of environmental technologies, goods, and services to that geographic region, such as trade missions, reverse trade missions, trade fairs, and programs in the United States to train foreign nationals in United States environmental technologies; and ``(E) increase high-level advocacy by Government officials (including the United States ambassadors to the countries in the geographic region outside of the United States) for United States environmental businesses seeking market opportunities in that geographic region. ``(i) Environmental Technologies Project Advocacy Calendar and Information Dissemination Program.--The Working Group shall-- ``(1) maintain a calendar, updated at the end of each calendar quarter, of significant opportunities for United States environmental businesses in foreign markets and trade promotion events, which shall-- ``(A) be made available to the public; ``(B) identify not less than 50 nor more than 100 environmental infrastructure and procurement projects in foreign markets that have the greatest potential in the calendar quarter for United States exports of environmental technologies, goods, and services; and ``(C) include trade promotion events, such as trade missions and trade fairs, in the environmental sector; and ``(2) provide, through the National Trade Data Bank and other information dissemination channels, information on opportunities for environmental businesses in foreign markets and information on Federal export promotion programs. ``(j) Regional Centers.--The Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, is authorized to provide matching funds for the establishment in the United States of regional environmental business and technology cooperation centers that will draw upon the expertise of the private sector and institutions of higher education and existing Federal programs to provide export promotion assistance related to environmental technologies, goods, and services. ``(k) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `environmental business' means a business that produces environmental technologies, goods, or services.''.

Summary: Environmental Export Promotion Act of 1994 - Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee to advise and guide the Environmental Trade Promotion Working Group in the development and administration of programs to expand U.S. exports of environmental technologies, goods, and services. Requires the Working Group to assess annually which foreign countries have markets with the greatest potential for such exports, and select five of them as priority countries for the application of U.S. Government export promotion resources. Requires the Working Group to create annual plans for each priority country, detailing ways to increase U.S. environmental exports to such country. Directs the Secretary to assign a specialist in environmental technologies to the office of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service in each of the five priority countries, and authorize similar assignments in any countries that are promising markets for such exports. Specifies the duties of such specialists. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a mechanism to give environmental technology and international environmental marketplace training to Commercial Service Officers assigned to one-stop shops and to district offices in districts with large numbers of environmental businesses; and (2) ensure that such officers receive appropriate training under such mechanism. Directs the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to establish not less than one international regional environmental initiative to coordinate Federal activities to build environmental partnerships between the United States and the geographic region outside the United States for which such an initiative is established. Specifies TPCC activities in carrying out such initiative. Directs the Working Group to maintain an environmental technologies project advocacy calendar, updated quarterly, identifying and providing information on significant project opportunities for U.S. environmental businesses in foreign markets and trade promotion events. Authorizes the Secretary to provide matching funds for the establishment in the United States of regional environmental business and technology cooperation centers that will draw upon the expertise of the private sector, institutions of higher education, and existing Federal programs to provide export promotion assistance related to environmental technologies, goods, and services.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act of 2006''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) According to President George W. Bush, ``America's leadership and national security rest on our commitment to educate and prepare our youth for active engagement in the international community.''. (2) According to former President William J. Clinton, ``Today, the defense of United States interests, the effective management of global issues, and even an understanding of our Nation's diversity require ever-greater contact with, and understanding of, people and cultures beyond our borders.''. (3) Congress created the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program in section 104(a) of Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108- 199). Pursuant to its mandate, the Commission has submitted to Congress and the President a report of its recommendations for greatly expanding the opportunity for students at institutions of higher education in the United States to study abroad, with special emphasis on studying in developing nations and nontraditional study abroad destinations. (4) Studies consistently show that United States students score below their counterparts in other advanced countries on indicators of international knowledge. This lack of global literacy is a national liability in an age of global trade and business, global interdependence, and global terror. (5) By numbers ranging from 77 to more than 90 percent, Americans believe that it is important for their children to learn other languages, study abroad, attend a college where they can interact with international students, learn about other countries and cultures, and generally be prepared for the global age, according to a December 2005 national survey conducted by Lake Research Partners and the Tarrance Group. (6) In today's world, it is more important than ever for the United States to be a responsible, constructive leader that other countries are willing to follow. Such leadership cannot be sustained without an informed citizenry with much more knowledge and awareness of the world than most Americans tend to possess. (7) Study abroad has proven to be a very effective means of imparting international and foreign-language competency to students. (8) In the 2003-2004 academic year, an estimated 16,910,000 students were enrolled in United States postsecondary institutions, yet only 191,321, representing approximately 1 percent of those students, studied abroad for academic credit, according to the National Center for Education Statistics and the Institute of International Education, respectively. (9) Less than 10 percent of the students who graduate from United States institutions of higher education with bachelors degrees have studied abroad. (10) Far more study abroad must take place in the developing countries. Ninety-five percent of the world's population growth is anticipated to occur outside of Europe in the future. Yet in the academic year 2003-2004, 61 percent of United States students studying abroad studied in Europe, and 46 percent studied in the 4 countries of the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France, according to the Institute of International Education. (11) Study abroad helps to build mutual understanding among nations and serves to promote national leadership in the United States, international effectiveness, and economic competitiveness by helping to create a globally literate citizenry. (12) The Senate designated 2006 as the Year of Study Abroad, raising awareness of the importance of study abroad. (13) To complement such worthwhile Federal programs as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and the National Security Education Program, a broad-based undergraduate study abroad program is needed that will democratize study abroad and make opportunities of study abroad accessible to all undergraduate students, regardless of their field of study, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or gender. (14) A majority of barriers to study abroad are due to institutional policies at the campus level, according to a report of the Strategic Task Force on Education Abroad issued by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. (15) To make study abroad an integral part of undergraduate students' education, regardless of field of study, ethnicity, socio-economic status, or gender, institutions of higher education should address institutional barriers that stand in the way of study abroad. (16) According to the Institute of International Education, the percentages of African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-American students among individuals studying abroad are extremely low and underrepresentative of the numbers of those students in the general student population. (17) The majority of students who study abroad are students in the social sciences, humanities, and foreign languages, while students who major in engineering, mathematics, computer science, or education are underrepresented in study abroad programs. Within the total enrolled United States undergraduate population, approximately 10.7 percent of United States students majoring in business have studied abroad, 8 percent of United States students majoring in engineering have studied abroad, and 5.9 percent of United States students majoring in education have studied abroad. (18) Recognizing that the international scope of scientific research in United States institutions of higher education and government facilities is often conducted by foreign-born scientists, the effectiveness of their work will be greatly enhanced by United States researchers who have similarly spent time studying abroad. (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act-- (1) to encourage not less than 1,000,000 undergraduate students in United States institutions of higher education to study abroad for academic credit within 10 years of the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) to establish an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program that-- (A) reflects the demographics of the United States undergraduate population, including undergraduate students in technical and scientific fields of study; (B) ensures an increasing portion of study abroad takes place in nontraditional study abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such increases taking place in developing countries; and (C) is accessible by students at diverse types of institutions of higher education, including 2-year institutions, minority-serving institutions, and institutions that serve nontraditional students. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (2) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority- serving institution'' means-- (A) a part B institution, as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061); (B) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in section 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)); or (C) another school that traditionally serves a racial or ethnic minority, as determined by the Secretary after consultation with the Secretary of Education. (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of State. SEC. 4. ABRAHAM LINCOLN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to establish and carry out an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program to facilitate the participation of undergraduate students in study abroad for academic credit. The program shall consist of the following: (1) Fellowships for undergraduate students.-- (A) Fellowships.--From amounts made available under section 5(1), the Secretary shall award fellowships to undergraduate students to enable the students to study abroad for academic credit. (B) Designation.--Fellowships awarded under this paragraph shall be known as ``Lincoln Fellowships''. (2) Grants to institutions of higher education.-- (A) In general.--From amounts made available under section 5(2), the Secretary shall award grants to institutions of higher education-- (i) to enable the institutions of higher education to award fellowships to undergraduate students to enable the students to study abroad for academic credit; and (ii) for the reform of academic programs and institutional policies that inhibit participation by students in study abroad. (B) Designation.--Grants awarded under this paragraph shall be known as ``Lincoln Institutional Leverage Grants''. (C) Limitation.--Each institution of higher education that receives a grant under this paragraph shall use not less than 85 percent of the grant funds to award fellowships to students under subparagraph (A)(i). (b) Fellowship Award Rules.--The Secretary shall ensure that-- (1) fellowships awarded under subsections (a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(A)(i) reflect the demographics of the United States undergraduate population; and (2) there is an annual increase in the number or percentage of fellowships awarded under subsections (a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(A)(i) for study abroad taking place in nontraditional study abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such increase taking place in developing countries. (c) Program Development and Implementation.--The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, consult with nonprofit and private organizations with experience in programs involving study abroad for academic credit, in establishing and carrying out the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program. (d) Coordination With Other Federal Study Abroad Activities.--The Secretary may integrate the activities assisted under this section with other undergraduate study abroad activities supported by the Department of State, the Department of Education, and the Department of Defense. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years, of which-- (1) 25 percent of such sums shall be available to carry out section 4(a)(1) for each fiscal year; and (2) 75 percent of such sums shall be available to carry out section 4(a)(2) for each fiscal year.

Summary: Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program to facilitate undergraduate study abroad for academic credit. States that the Program shall consist of: (1) undergraduate fellowships (Lincoln Fellowships); and (2) grants to institutions of higher education (Lincoln Institutional Leverage Grants).


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Job Preservation for Parents in Poverty Act''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF THE TANF EMERGENCY FUND. (a) Extension.-- (1) In general.--Section 403(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(c)) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``, and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, $500,000,000'' before ``for payment''; (B) by striking paragraph (2)(B) and inserting the following: ``(B) Availability and use of funds.-- ``(i) Fiscal years 2009 and 2010.--The amounts appropriated to the Emergency Fund under subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 2009 shall remain available through fiscal year 2010 and shall be used to make grants to States in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 in accordance with paragraph (3), except that the amounts shall remain available through fiscal year 2011 to make grants and payments to States in accordance with paragraph (3)(C) to cover expenditures to subsidize employment positions held by individuals placed in the positions before fiscal year 2011. ``(ii) Fiscal year 2011.--Subject to clause (iii), the amounts appropriated to the Emergency Fund under subparagraph (A) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 shall remain available through fiscal year 2012 and shall be used to make grants to States based on expenditures in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 for benefits and services provided in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (3). ``(iii) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts appropriated to the Emergency Fund under subparagraph (A) for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, $500,000 shall be placed in reserve for use in fiscal year 2012, and shall be used to award grants for any expenditures described in this subsection incurred by States after December 31, 2010.''; (C) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ``2010'' and inserting ``2012''; (D) in paragraph (3)-- (i) in clause (i) of each of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)-- (I) by inserting ``, and the first calendar quarter of fiscal year 2011,'' after ``2009 or 2010,''; (II) by striking ``and'' at the end of subclause (I); (III) by striking the period at the end of subclause (II) and inserting ``; and''; and (IV) by adding at the end the following: ``(III) if the quarter is in fiscal year 2011, has provided the Secretary with such information as the Secretary may find necessary in order to make the determinations, or take any other action, described in paragraph (5)(C).''; and (ii) in subparagraph (C), by adding at the end the following: ``(iv) Limitation on expenditures for subsidized employment.--An expenditure for subsidized employment shall be taken into account under clause (ii) only if the expenditure is used to subsidize employment for-- ``(I) a member of a needy family (without regard to whether the family is receiving assistance under the State program funded under this part); or ``(II) an individual who has exhausted (or, within 60 days, will exhaust) all rights to receive unemployment compensation under Federal and State law, and who is a member of a needy family.''; (E) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following: ``(5) Limitations on payments; adjustment authority.-- ``(A) Fiscal years 2009 and 2010.--The total amount payable to a single State under subsection (b) and this subsection for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 combined shall not exceed 50 percent of the annual State family assistance grant. ``(B) Fiscal year 2011.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the total amount payable to a single State under subsection (b) and this subsection for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 shall not exceed 5 percent of the annual State family assistance grant. ``(C) Adjustment authority.--If the Secretary determines that the Emergency Fund is at risk of being depleted before December 31, 2010, or that funds are available to accommodate additional State requests under this subsection, the Secretary may, through program instructions issued without regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code-- ``(i) specify priority criteria for awarding grants to States during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011; and ``(ii) adjust the percentage limitation applicable under subparagraph (B) with respect to the total amount payable to a single State for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.''; and (F) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``or for expenditures described in paragraph (3)(C)(iv)'' before the period. (2) Conforming amendments.--Section 2101 of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) is amended-- (A) in subsection (a)(2)-- (i) by striking ``October 1, 2010'' and inserting ``January 1, 2011''; and (ii) by striking all that follows ``repealed'' and inserting a period; and (B) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``October 1, 2010'' and inserting ``January 1, 2011''. (b) Modification of Grant Requirements.-- (1) In general.--Effective October 1, 2010, section 403(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(c)), as amended by subsection (a), is amended-- (A) in paragraph (3)(A)-- (i) by striking ``related to caseload increases'' in the heading and inserting ``related to increased expenditures''; (ii) by striking clause (ii) and redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii); and (iii) by striking ``each State that'' and all that follows in clause (i) and inserting ``each State that requests a grant under this subparagraph for the quarter, to the extent provided in clause (ii)''; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the caseload of a State and''; and (C) in paragraph (9)-- (i) by striking subparagraph (A) and redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and (ii) by striking ``The average monthly assistance caseload of the State.'' in clause (ii)(I) and inserting ``The average quarterly total expenditures of the State for basic assistance (as defined by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A)(ii)).''. (2) Conforming amendments.--Effective October 1, 2010, section 407(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 607(b)(3)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``(within the meaning of section 403(c)(9))'' in subparagraph (A)(i); and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(C) Average monthly assistance caseload.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term `average monthly assistance caseload' means, with respect to a State and a quarter, the number of families receiving assistance during the quarter under the State program funded under this part or as qualified State expenditures, subject to adjustment by the Secretary as permitted by section 403(c)(4).''. (c) Program Guidance.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue program guidance, without regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, which ensures that the funds provided under the amendments made by this section to a jurisdiction for subsidized employment do not support any subsidized employment position the annual salary of which is greater than, at State option-- (1) 200 percent of the poverty line (within the meaning of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any revision required by such section 673(2)) for a family of 4; or (2) the median wage in the jurisdiction. SEC. 3. FUNDING LEVEL OF TANF CONTINGENCY FUND. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total amount appropriated for the Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs established under section 403(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 603(b)) shall be-- (1) for fiscal year 2012, $112,000,000; and (2) for fiscal year 2013, $612,000,000.

Summary: Job Preservation for Parents in Poverty Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act to revise and extend the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs (Emergency Contingency Fund) at current levels through the first quarter of FY2011. Places a certain amount of appropriations in reserve for use in FY2012. Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from making a grant from the Emergency Contingency Fund for a fiscal year after FY2012. Limits expenditures for subsidized employment to employment for: (1) a member of a needy family (without regard to whether the family is receiving assistance under the state TANF program); or (2) a member of a needy family who has exhausted (or, within 60 days, will exhaust) all rights to receive unemployment compensation under federal and state law. Reduces the funding level of the (regular) Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs for FY2012 and FY2013 (to offset appropriations for this Act).


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment Act of 1997''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Congress finds that: (1) The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 enbodied a visionary concept--that a portion of the proceeds from Outer Continental Shelf mineral leasing revenues and the depletion of a nonrenewable natural resource should result in a legacy of public places accessible for public recreation and benefit from resources belongings to all people, of all generations, and the enhancement of the most precious and most renewable natural resource of any nation, healthy and active citizens. (2) The States and local governments were to occupy a pivotal role in accomplishing the purposes of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 and the Act originally provided an equitable portion of funds to the States, and through them, to local governments. (3) However, because of competition for limited federal monies and the need for an annual appropriation, this original intention has been abandoned and, in recent years, the States have not received an equitable proportion of funds. (4) Nonetheless, with population growth and urban sprawl, the demand for recreation areas and open spaces, at the state and local level, remains a high priority for our citizens. (5) A new vision is called for--a vision that encompasses a multi-level national network of parks, recreation areas, open space preserves and greenways that reaches across the country to touch all communities. National parks are not enough; the federal government alone cannot accomplish this. A bold national vision, backed by realistic national funding support, to stimulate state, local and private sector, as well as federal efforts, is the only way to effectively address our ongoing recreation and open space conservation needs. (6) On June 19, 1997, the United States Supreme Court held in United States v. Alaska (No. 84 original) that the United States retains title to lands underlying the tidal waters off the State of Alaska's North Slope. (7) As a result of the Supreme Court decision, approximately $1,600,000,000 in escrowed oil and gas lease sale revenues are to be received by the United States. These funds are double the amount included by the Congressional Budget Office in revenue estimates for the concurrent resolution on the budget. (8) By placing these escrowed funds in an interest bearing account a permanent source of monies for state and local recreation and conservation acquisition, planning and development can be established. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to revitalize state, local and private commitments envisioned in the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 by creating a new Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment with the escrowed oil and gas lease sale revenues received by the United States pursuant to the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Alaska to provide funding for state, local and urban recreation and conservation needs. SEC 3. COMMUNITY RECREATION AND CONSERVATION ENDOWMENT. Section 6 of the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-8) is amended by inserting the following new subsection at the beginning: ``(a) Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment.-- ``(1) Special account.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all escrowed oil and gas revenues and interest received by the United States pursuant to the June 19, 1997 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Alaska shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury of the United States, to be known as the `Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment Account', for use pursuant to the provisions of this section. ``(2) Investment of special account.--All funds deposited as principal in the Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment Account shall earn interest in the amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Such interest shall be added to the principal of the account and be expended according to the provisions of this section. ``(3) Expenditure of special account.--Interest on the Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment Account shall be available without further appropriation at the beginning of each fiscal year for expenditure by the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the `Secretary') for purposes of providing monies to the states according to the provisions of this section.''. SEC. 4. GENERAL AUTHORITY. Section 6 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-8) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (h) as subsections (b) through (i) respectively; (2) by striking the first sentence of subsection (b) (as so redesignated) and replacing with ``The Secretary is authorized to provide financial assistance to the States from interest earned on the Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment.''; and (3) by adding the following new sentence at the end of subsection (b) (as so redesignated): ``Absent some compelling and annually documented reason to the contrary acceptable to the Secretary, each State (other than an area treated as a State under section 6(c)(6)) shall make available as grants to local governments and other qualified recipients, at least one- half of the average annual State apportionment, or an equivalent amount made available from other sources.''. SEC. 5. APPORTIONMENT. Section 6(c) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(c)) (as so redesignated) is amended-- (1) by striking the first sentence of subsection (c) and paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting the following: ``(c) Apportionment Among States; Notification.--Interest earned on the Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment shall be apportioned annually among the several States by the Secretary, whose determination shall be final, in accordance with the following formula: ``(1) Sixty percent shall be apportioned equally among the several States. ``(2) Twenty percent shall be apportioned on the basis of the proportion which the population of each State bears to the total population of the United States. ``(3) Twenty percent shall be apportioned on the basis of the urban population in each State (as defined by Metropolitan Statistical Areas). ``(4) The total allocation to an individual State under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall not exceed 10 percent of the total amount allocated to the several States in any one year.''; and (2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c) (as so redesignated) as paragraphs (5) and (6) respectively. SEC. 6. FUNDS FOR INDIAN TRIBES. Section 6(c)(6) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-8(c)(6)) (as so redesignated) is amended-- (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(6)''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(B) For the purposes of paragraph (1), all federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native Village Corporations (as defined in section 3(j) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(j)) shall be treated collectively as one State, and shall receive shares of the apportionment under paragraph (1) in accordance with a competitive grant program established by the Secretary by rule. Such rule shall ensure that in each fiscal year no single tribe or Village Corporation receives more than 10 percent of the total amount made available to all tribes and Village Corporations pursuant to the apportionment under paragraph (1). Funds received by an Indian tribe or Village Corporation under this subparagraph may be expended only for the purposes specified in paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (b). Receipt in any given year of an apportionment under this section shall not prevent an Indian tribe or Village Corporation from receiving grants for other purposes under than regular apportionment of the State in which it is located.''. SEC. 7. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. Section 5 of the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-7) is amended by striking ``Not less than 40 per centum of such appropriations shall be available for Federal purposes.''.

Summary: Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment Act of 1997 - Amends the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 to require all escrowed oil and gas revenues and interest received by the United States pursuant to the June 19, 1997, Supreme Court decision in United States v. Alaska to be deposited in a special Treasury account known as the Community Recreation and Conservation Endowment Account. Authorizes financial assistance to States from interest earned on the Account. Requires States to make at least one-half of the average annual apportionment of assistance available to local governments and other qualified recipients. Provides for annual apportionment of such interest among the States and revises the existing apportionment formula. Treats Indian tribes and Alaska Native village corporations collectively as one State for assistance purposes and apportions interest in accordance with a competitive grant program, such that no tribe or corporation receives more than ten percent of the total amount made available to all tribes and corporations. Permits such funds to be expended only for outdoor recreation planning or development. Provides that receipt of such funds shall not prevent a tribe or corporation from receiving grants for other purposes under the regular apportionment of the State in which it is located. Removes a requirement that at least 40 percent of appropriations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund be available for Federal purposes.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Open Fuel Standard Act of 2009'' or the ``OFS Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings: (1) The status of oil as a strategic commodity, which derives from its domination of the transportation sector, presents a clear and present danger to the United States; (2) in a prior era, when salt was a strategic commodity, salt mines conferred national power and wars were fought over the control of such mines; (3) technology, in the form of electricity and refrigeration, decisively ended salt's monopoly of meat preservation and greatly reduced its strategic importance; (4) fuel competition and consumer choice would similarly serve to end oil's monopoly in the transportation sector and strip oil of its strategic status; (5) the current closed fuel market has allowed a cartel of petroleum exporting countries to inflate fuel prices, effectively imposing a harmful tax on the economy of the United States; (6) much of the inflated petroleum revenues the oil cartel earns at the expense of the people of the United States are used for purposes antithetical to the interests of the United States and its allies; (7) alcohol fuels, including ethanol and methanol, could potentially provide significant supplies of additional fuels that could be produced in the United States and in many other countries in the Western Hemisphere that are friendly to the United States; (8) alcohol fuels can only play a major role in securing the energy independence of the United States if a substantial portion of vehicles in the United States are capable of operating on such fuels; (9) it is not in the best interest of United States consumers or the United States Government to be constrained to depend solely upon petroleum resources for vehicle fuels if alcohol fuels are potentially available; (10) existing technology, in the form of flexible fuel vehicles, allows internal combustion engine cars and trucks to be produced at little or no additional cost, which are capable of operating on conventional gasoline, alcohol fuels, or any combination of such fuels, as availability or cost advantage dictates, providing a platform on which fuels can compete; (11) the necessary distribution system for such alcohol fuels will not be developed in the United States until a substantial fraction of the vehicles in the United States are capable of operating on such fuels; (12) the establishment of such a vehicle fleet and distribution system would provide a large market that would mobilize private resources to substantially advance the technology and expand the production of alcohol fuels in the United States and abroad; (13) the United States has an urgent national security interest to develop alcohol fuels technology, production, and distribution systems as rapidly as possible; (14) new cars sold in the United States that are equipped with an internal combustion engine should allow for fuel competition by being flexible fuel vehicles, and new diesel cars should be capable of operating on biodiesel; and (15) such an open fuel standard would help to protect the United States economy from high and volatile oil prices and from the threats caused by global instability, terrorism, and natural disaster. SEC. 3. OPEN FUEL STANDARD FOR TRANSPORTATION. Chapter 329 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 32920. OPEN FUEL STANDARD FOR TRANSPORTATION. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) E85.--The term `E85' means a fuel mixture containing 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline by volume. ``(2) Flexible fuel automobile.--The term `flexible fuel automobile' means an automobile that has been warranted by its manufacturer to operate on gasoline, E85, and M85. ``(3) Fuel choice-enabling automobile.--The term `fuel choice-enabling automobile' means-- ``(A) a flexible fuel automobile; or ``(B) an automobile that has been warranted by its manufacturer to operate on biodiesel. ``(4) Light-duty automobile.--The term `light-duty automobile' means-- ``(A) a passenger automobile; or ``(B) a non-passenger automobile. ``(5) Light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual covered inventory.--The term `light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual covered inventory' means the number of light-duty automobiles powered by an internal combustion engine that a manufacturer, during a given calendar year, manufactures in the United States or imports from outside of the United States for sale in the United States. ``(6) M85.--The term `M85' means a fuel mixture containing 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline by volume. ``(b) Open Fuel Standard for Transportation.-- ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), each light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual covered inventory shall be comprised of-- ``(A) not less than 50 percent fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2012, 2013, and 2014; and ``(B) not less than 80 percent fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2015, and in each subsequent year. ``(2) Temporary exemption from requirements.-- ``(A) Application.--A manufacturer may request an exemption from the requirement described in paragraph (1) by submitting an application to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require by regulation. Each such application shall specify the models, lines, and types of automobiles affected. ``(B) Evaluation.--After evaluating an application received from a manufacturer, the Secretary may at any time, under such terms and conditions, and to such extent as the Secretary considers appropriate, temporarily exempt, or renew the exemption of, a light- duty automobile from the requirement described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that unavoidable events not under the control of the manufacturer prevent the manufacturer of such automobile from meeting its required production volume of fuel choice-enabling automobiles, including-- ``(i) a disruption in the supply of any component required for compliance with the regulations; ``(ii) a disruption in the use and installation by the manufacturer of such component; or ``(iii) application to plug-in electric vehicles causing such vehicles to fail to meet State air quality requirements. ``(C) Consolidation.--The Secretary may consolidate applications received from multiple manufacturers under subparagraph (A) if they are of a similar nature. ``(D) Conditions.--Any exemption granted under subparagraph (B) shall be conditioned upon the manufacturer's commitment to recall the exempted automobiles for installation of the omitted components within a reasonable time proposed by the manufacturer and approved by the Secretary after such components become available in sufficient quantities to satisfy both anticipated production and recall volume requirements. ``(E) Notice.--The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register-- ``(i) notice of each application received from a manufacturer; ``(ii) notice of each decision to grant or deny a temporary exemption; and ``(iii) the reasons for granting or denying such exemptions. ``(3) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall promulgate regulations to carry out this section.''.

Summary: Open Fuel Standard Act of 2009 or the OFS Act - Requires each light-duty automobile manufacturer's annual covered inventory to comprise at least: (1) 50% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in years 2012-2014; and (2) 80% fuel choice-enabling automobiles in 2015, and in each subsequent year. Defines "fuel choice-enabling automobile" as: (1) a flexible fuel automobile capable of operating on gasoline, E85, and M85; or (2) an automobile capable of operating on biodiesel fuel. Authorizes a manufacturer to request an exemption from such requirement from the Secretary of Transportation.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Children's Health Task Force Act of 2012''. SEC. 2. TASK FORCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISKS AND SAFETY RISKS TO CHILDREN. (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting jointly, shall establish and maintain a permanent task force, to be known as the Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children (in this Act referred to as the ``Task Force''). (b) Membership.--The Task Force shall be composed of the following officials (or their designees): (1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall serve as a Co-Chair of the Task Force. (2) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, who shall serve as a Co-Chair of the Task Force. (3) The Secretary of Education. (4) The Secretary of Labor. (5) The Attorney General of the United States. (6) The Secretary of Energy. (7) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (8) The Secretary of Agriculture. (9) The Secretary of Transportation. (10) The Secretary of Defense. (11) The Secretary of the Interior. (12) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (13) The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. (14) The Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (15) Such other officials of Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting jointly, may designate or invite (as appropriate) to serve on the Task Force. (c) Stakeholders.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting jointly, shall, as appropriate, invite representatives of stakeholders to attend meetings of the Task Force, appear before the Task Force, and file statements with the Task Force, subject to such requirements as the Secretary and Administrator may determine. (d) Functions.--The Task Force shall recommend to the President and the Congress Federal strategies for addressing environmental health risks and safety risks to children in the United States, within projected budgetary limits, including the following: (1) Adoption of action plans, including multiyear and annual priorities, to address the principal environmental health risks and safety risks to children. (2) Initiatives that the Federal Government has undertaken or will undertake in addressing the principal environmental health risks and safety risks to children. (3) Recommendations on how to improve cross-agency implementation of actions, including cross-agency budgeting, to address environmental health risks and safety risks to children. (4) Recommendations for a coordinated research agenda for the Federal Government to address environmental health risks and safety risks to children. (5) Recommendations for appropriate partnerships among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and the private, academic, and nonprofit sectors. (6) Proposed ways to enhance public outreach and communication to assist families in evaluating environmental health risks and safety risks to children and in making informed consumer choices. (7) Proposed ways to strengthen the data system in order to identify and track development of rulemakings and other actions to ensure they comply with current policy on evaluating environmental health risks and safety risks to children. (e) Reports.-- (1) Biennial reports.--Not later than July 31, 2013, and biennially thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the President and the Congress, make publicly available, and disseminate widely a report including-- (A) the strategies developed and updated under subsection (d); (B) in the case of reports subsequent to the first report, a description of the accomplishments of the Task Force since the preceding report; (C) current national priorities for addressing environmental health risks and safety risks to children in the United States and any related emerging issues; (D) updates on Federal research findings and research needs regarding environmental risks and safety risks to children; (E) information submitted to the Task Force by Federal departments and agencies for inclusion in the report; (F) appropriate recommendations by the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee; and (G) information submitted by stakeholders for inclusion in the report. (2) Additional reporting.--In addition to the biennial reports under paragraph (1), the Task Force-- (A) may, as appropriate, submit to the President and the Congress such additional reports and updates as necessary; (B) shall make any such reports and updates publicly available; and (C) shall disseminate widely any such reports and updates. (f) Meetings.-- (1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet at least annually. (2) Notice.--The Task Force shall-- (A) publish in the Federal Register timely notice of each upcoming meeting of the Task Force; and (B) provide for other types of public notice to ensure that all interested persons receive timely notice of each upcoming meeting of the Task Force. (3) Minutes.-- (A) In general.--The Task Force shall record and maintain detailed minutes of each meeting of the Task Force, including-- (i) the meeting agenda; (ii) a record of the persons present; (iii) a complete and accurate description of matters discussed at the meeting and conclusions reached; and (iv) copies of all reports received, issued, or approved by the Task Force in connection with the meeting. (B) Public availability; copying.--The Task Force shall make such minutes available for public inspection and copying. (C) Accuracy.--The Co-Chairs of the Task Force shall certify the accuracy of all such minutes. (g) Termination of Existing Task Force.--The Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children established by Executive Order 13045 (April 21, 1997) is hereby terminated. (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year.

Summary: Children's Health Task Force Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to) establish and maintain a permanent Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, which shall recommend federal strategies for addressing environmental health risks and safety risks to children in the United States, within projected budgetary limits. Requires such strategies to include: (1) adoption of action plans, including multiyear and annual priorities, to address the principal risks; (2) government initiatives to address such risks; (3) recommendations on how to improve cross-agency implementation of actions to address such risks; (4) recommendations for a coordinated research agenda for the government to address such risks; (5) recommendations for partnerships among federal, state, local, and tribal governments and the private, academic, and nonprofit sectors; (6) proposed ways to enhance public outreach and communication to assist families in evaluating such risks and in making informed consumer choices; and (7) proposed ways to strengthen the data system in order to identify and track development of rulemakings and other actions to ensure they comply with current policy on evaluating such risks. Directs the Task Force to submit, make publicly available, and disseminate widely a biennial report including: (1) the strategies developed and updated, (2) a description of the Task Force's accomplishments, (3) current national priorities for addressing such risks and any related emerging issues, (4) updates on federal research findings and research needs regarding such risks, (5) information submitted by federal agencies and by stakeholders for inclusion in the report, and (6) recommendations by the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Meat and Poultry Products Inspection Amendments of 1993''. SEC. 2. FEDERAL AND STATE COOPERATION UNDER THE FEDERAL MEAT INSPECTION ACT. (a) Removal of Intrastate Distribution Limitation.--Subsection (a)(1) of section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661) is amended by striking ``solely for distribution within such State.''. (b) Use of State Inspectors.--Subsection (a) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) In addition to appointing inspectors under section 21, the Secretary may enter into agreements to utilize officers and employees of a State or the District of Columbia to conduct such examinations, investigations, and inspections authorized under this Act as the Secretary determines practicable.''. (c) Termination of Designation of State as Subject to Federal Inspection for Intrastate Distribution.--Subsection (c)(3) of such section is amended by striking ``, with respect to the operations and transactions within such State which are regulated under subparagraph (1), he'' and inserting ``with respect to all establishments within its jurisdiction which do not operate under Federal inspection under title I and at which any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, or equines are slaughtered, or their carcasses, or parts or products thereof, are prepared, for use as human food, and with respect to the distribution of carcasses, parts thereof, meat, or meat food products of such animals within the States, the Secretary''. (d) Expansion of State Inspection Authority.--Such section is further amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, or equines prepared under State inspection in any State (other than a State designated under subsection (c)) in compliance with the meat inspection law of the State shall be eligible for sale or transportation in interstate commerce, and for entry into and use in the preparation of products in establishments at which Federal inspection is maintained under title I, in the same manner and to the same extent as products prepared at such establishments. ``(2) State inspected articles described in paragraph (1), and federally inspected articles prepared (in whole or in part) from such State inspected articles-- ``(A) shall not be eligible for sale or transportation in foreign commerce; and ``(B) shall be separated at all times from all other federally inspected articles in any federally inspected establishment that engages in the preparation, sale, or transportation of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, or meat food products, for foreign commerce. ``(3) All carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products that are inspected in a program of inspection in a State (other than a State designated under subsection (c)) pursuant to State law shall be identified as so inspected only by official marks that identify the State and are such design as the State shall prescribe. Federally inspected articles prepared (in whole or in part) from such State inspected articles shall be identified as so inspected only by the same official marks as prescribed by the Secretary for articles slaughtered or prepared under title I. ``(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), the operator of an establishment operated under Federal or State inspection who wishes to transfer to State or Federal inspection, as the case may be, may do so only on October 1 of any year. Such transfer shall occur only if-- ``(A) the operator provides written notice of the intention to transfer to both inspection agencies at least six months in advance of that date; and ``(B) the Secretary determines that the transfer will effectuate the purposes set forth in section 2 and will not adversely affect the stability of the total State and Federal inspection systems. ``(5) The Secretary may permit the operator of an establishment to transfer from State to Federal inspection at any time if the operator presents clear and convincing evidence to the Secretary that the establishment intends to, and will be able to, engage in foreign commerce to a substantial extent in a manner which would require Federal inspection. ``(6) For purposes of this subsection, the term `interstate commerce' means commerce between States or between a State and the District of Columbia.''. (e) Prohibition on Additional or Different State Requirements.-- Section 408 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 678) is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 408. (a) Requirements within the scope of this Act with respect to premises, facilities and operations of any establishment at which inspection is provided under title I, which are in addition to, or different than those made under this Act may not be imposed by any State or Territory or the District of Columbia. However, any such jurisdiction may impose recordkeeping and other requirements within the scope of section 202, if consistent with such section, with respect to any such establishment. ``(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), marking, labeling, packaging, or ingredient requirements in addition to (or different than) those made under this Act may not be imposed by any State or Territory or the District of Columbia with respect to articles prepared at any establishment under Federal inspection in accordance with the requirements of title I or with respect to articles prepared for commerce at any State inspected establishment in accordance with the requirements of section 301(d). ``(2) A State or territory or the District of Columbia may, consistent with the requirements under this Act, exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the Secretary over articles distributed in commerce or otherwise subject to this Act, for the purpose of preventing the distribution for human food purposes of any such articles which are not in compliance with the requirements under this Act and are outside of any federally or State inspected establishment, or in the case of imported articles, which are not at such an establishment, after their entry into the United States. ``(c) This Act shall not preclude any State or Territory or the District of Columbia from imposing a requirement or taking other action, consistent with this Act, with respect to any other matters regulated under this Act.''. SEC. 3. FEDERAL AND STATE COOPERATION UNDER THE POULTRY PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT. (a) Removal of Intrastate Distribution Limitation.--Subsection (a)(1) of section 5 of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 454) is amended by striking ``solely for distribution within such State.''. (b) Use of State Inspectors.--Subsection (a) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(5) The Secretary may enter into agreements to utilize officers and employees of a State or the District of Columbia to conduct such examinations, investigations, and inspections authorized under this Act as the Secretary determines practicable.''. (c) Termination of Designation of State as Subject to Federal Inspection for Intrastate Distribution.--Subsection (c)(3) of such section is amended by striking ``, with respect to the operations and transactions within such State which are regulated under subparagraph (1) of this paragraph (c), he'' and inserting ``with respect to all establishments within its jurisdiction which do not operate under Federal inspection under this Act and at which any poultry are slaughtered, or any poultry products are processed, for use as human food, and with respect to the distribution of poultry products within the States, the Secretary''. (d) Expansion of State Inspection Authority.--Such section is further amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection: ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), poultry products processed under State inspection in any State (other than a State designated under subsection (c)) in compliance with the poultry products inspection law of the State shall be eligible for sale or transportation in interstate commerce, and for entry into and use in the preparation of products in establishments at which Federal inspection is maintained under this Act, in the same manner and to the same extent as poultry products processed at such establishments. Poultry products complying with the requirements of the poultry product inspection laws of the State (other than a State designated under subsection (c)) in which the products were processed shall be considered as complying with this Act. ``(2) State inspected poultry products described in paragraph (1), and federally inspected poultry products processed (in whole or in part) from such State inspected poultry products-- ``(A) shall not be eligible for sale or transportation in foreign commerce; and ``(B) shall be separated at all times from all other federally inspected poultry products in any federally inspected establishment that engages in the processing, sale, or transportation of poultry products for foreign commerce. ``(3) All poultry products that are inspected in a program of inspection in a State (other than a State designated under subsection (c)) pursuant to State law shall be identified as so inspected only by official marks that identify the State and are such design as the State shall prescribe. Federally inspected poultry products processed (in whole or in part) from such State inspected poultry products shall be identified as so inspected only by the same official marks as prescribed by the Secretary for poultry products processed under this Act (other than this section or section 11). ``(4) Except as provided in paragraph (5), the operator of an establishment operated under Federal or State inspection who wishes to transfer to State or Federal inspection, as the case may be, may do so only on October 1 of any year. Such transfer shall occur only if-- ``(A) the operator provides written notice of the intention to transfer to both inspection agencies at least six months in advance of that date; and ``(B) the Secretary determines that the transfer will effectuate the legislative policy set forth in section 3 and will not adversely affect the stability of the total State and Federal inspection systems. ``(5) The Secretary may permit the operator of an establishment to transfer from State to Federal inspection at any time if the operator presents clear and convincing evidence to the Secretary that the establishment intends to, and will be able to, engage in foreign commerce to a substantial extent in a manner which would require Federal inspection. ``(6) For purposes of this subsection, the term `interstate commerce' means commerce between States or between a State and the District of Columbia.''. (e) Prohibition on Additional or Different State Requirements.-- Section 23 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 467e) is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 23. (a) Requirements within the scope of this Act with respect to premises, facilities and operations of any official establishment, which are in addition to, or different than those made under this Act may not be imposed by any State or territory or the District of Columbia. However, any such jurisdiction may impose recordkeeping and other requirements within the scope of section 11(b), if consistent with such section, with respect to any such establishment. ``(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), marking, labeling, packaging, or ingredient requirements in addition to (or different than) those made under this Act may not be imposed by any State or territory or the District of Columbia with respect to articles prepared at any establishment under Federal inspection in accordance with the requirements of this Act or with respect to articles prepared for commerce at any State inspected establishment in accordance with the requirements of section 5(d). Further storage or handling requirements found by the Secretary to unduly interfere with the free flow of poultry products in commerce shall not be imposed by any State or territory or the District of Columbia. ``(2) A State or territory or the District of Columbia may, consistent with the requirements of this Act, exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the Secretary over articles distributed in commerce or otherwise subject to this Act, for the purpose of preventing the distribution for human food purposes of any such articles which are not in compliance with the requirements of this Act and are outside of any federally or State inspected establishment, or in the case of imported articles, which are not at such an establishment, after their entry into the United States. ``(c) This Act shall not preclude any State or territory or the District of Columbia from making requirements or taking other action, consistent with this Act, with respect to any other matters regulated under this Act.''.

Summary: Meat and Poultry Products Inspection Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to: (1) remove the intrastate distribution requirement for Federal-State cooperation; (2) authorize the use of State inspectors; and (3) expand State inspection authority.