of Approval.--A joint resolution described in this paragraph means only a joint resolution which is introduced within the 10-day period beginning on the date on which the Commission submits recommendations under section 102(c) and-- (1) which does not have a preamble; (2) the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: ``That Congress approves the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Medicare concerning methods to control outlays under the medicare program for fiscal year ________, as submitted by the Commission on ______________.'', the first blank space being filled in with the appropriate fiscal year and the second blank space being filled in with the appropriate date; and (3) the title of which is as follows: ``Joint resolution approving recommendations of the Independent Commission on Medicare concerning methods to control outlays under the medicare program for fiscal year ________, as submitted by the Commission on ______________.'', the first blank space being filled in with the appropriate fiscal year and the second blank space being filled in with the appropriate date. (c) Procedures for Consideration of Resolution of Approval.-- Subject to subsection (d), the provisions of section 2908 (other than subsection (a)) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 shall apply to the consideration of a joint resolution described in subsection (b) in the same manner as such provisions apply to a joint resolution described in section 2908(a) of such Act. (d) Special Rules.--For purposes of applying subsection (c) with respect to such provisions-- (1) any reference to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives shall be deemed a reference to an appropriate committee of the House of Representatives (specified by the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time of submission of recommendations under subsection (c)) and any reference to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall be deemed a reference to an appropriate committee of the Senate (specified by the majority leader of the Senate at the time of submission of recommendations by the Commission under section 102(c)); and (2) any reference to the date on which the President transmits a report shall be deemed a reference to the date on which the Commission submits recommendations under section 102(c). SEC. 104. NO TERMINATION OF COMMISSION. Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Commission. TITLE II--CONTROLLING OUTLAYS UNDER MEDICARE PROGRAM SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF ANNUAL LIMITS ON OUTLAYS. Not later than April 15 of each year (beginning with 1996), Congress shall in the concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal year beginning on the following October 1 establish a limit on total outlays to be made under the medicare program for the fiscal year. SEC. 202. ENFORCEMENT OF LIMITS THROUGH SEQUESTRATION. (a) In General.--Part C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 252 the following new section: ``SEC. 252A. SEQUESTRATION WITH RESPECT TO MEDICARE. ``(a) Sequestration.--If, with respect to a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1997), Congress has not enacted a joint resolution under section 103(b) of the Commission to Save Medicare Act of 1995 before the first day of the fiscal year, there shall be a sequestration to eliminate any budgetary excess in the medicare program as described in subsection (b). ``(b) Eliminating a Budgetary Excess.-- ``(1) In general.--Outlays under the medicare program shall be reduced during a fiscal year as provided by paragraph (2), as necessary to eliminate any amount by which estimated outlays under the program in the year exceed the limit for such outlays established for the year by Congress pursuant to section 201 of the Commission to Save Medicare Act of 1995. ``(2) Reductions described.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the President shall-- ``(A) reduce payments made under the medicare program by a uniform percentage sufficient to reduce 50 percent of the amount described in paragraph (1); and ``(B) increase premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance required to be paid under the program by a uniform percentage sufficient to reduce 50 percent of the amount described in paragraph (1). ``(c) Part-Year Appropriations and OMB Estimates.--Paragraphs (4) and (7) of section 251(a) shall apply to sequestration of amounts under this section in the same manner as those paragraphs apply to discretionary appropriations and sequestrations under that section. ``(d) Coordination With Other Sequestration.-- ``(1) In general.--Reductions under subsection (b) for a fiscal year shall supersede any reduction otherwise made under section 252 or 253. ``(2) Reports.--On the dates specified in section 254(a), OMB and CBO shall issue preview, update, and final reports on medicare sequestration under this section. Such reports shall specify-- ``(A) the estimated amount described in subsection (b)(1) for the fiscal year; ``(B) the estimated uniform percentage described in subsection (b)(2)(A) of the fiscal year; and ``(C) the estimated uniform percentage described in subsection (b)(2)(B) of the fiscal year. ``(3) Rules for application of reductions.--The provisions of section 256(d) shall apply to reductions under this section.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for part C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 252 the following: ``Sec. 252A. Sequestration with respect to medicare.''.

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Independent Commission on Medicare Title II: Controlling Outlays Under Medicare Program Commission to Save Medicare Act of 1995 - Title I: Independent Commission on Medicare - Establishes the Independent Commission on Medicare to: (1) report to the Congress and the President during December of each year on certain aspects of the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act involving projected outlays and benefits; and (2) report to the Congress during July of each year specific recommendations on certain changes to ensure that total program outlays for the fiscal year involved do not exceed specified limits. Precludes such recommendations from including changes relating to the payment of payroll taxes for financing the program. Provides procedures for expedited congressional consideration of recommendations. Title II: Controlling Outlays Under Medicare Program - Provides that Congress, not later than April 15 of each year, shall, in the concurrent resolution on the budget for the following fiscal year, establish a limit on total outlays to be made under the Medicare program for the fiscal year involved. Provides for the enforcement of such limits through sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act).


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Theodore Roosevelt Wildlife Legacy Act of 1997''. SEC. 2. MISSION AND PURPOSES OF THE SYSTEM. (a) Mission.--The overall mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (in this Act referred to as the ``System'') is to preserve a network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States for the benefit of present and future generations. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the System are-- (1) to conserve, manage, and where appropriate, restore fish and wildlife habitats so as to provide, in perpetuity, for the diversity of fish, wildlife, and plants and the ecological processes that sustain them; (2) to provide a diverse national network of lands and waters designed to conserve and manage, in perpetuity, fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States, and their habitats; (3) to conserve and manage migratory birds, endangered species, anadromous or interjurisdictional fish species, marine mammals, and other fish, wildlife, and plants; and (4) to fulfill international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish, wildlife, and plants, and their habitats. SEC. 3. PRIORITY USES. The priority public uses of the System are wildlife observation and photography, hunting, fishing, and environmental education and interpretation. SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE SYSTEM. In administering the System, the Secretary of the Interior shall-- (1) ensure that the mission and purposes of the System described in section 2 and the purposes of each refuge are carried out, except that if a conflict exists between the primary purpose of a National Wildlife Refuge and any purpose of the System, the conflict shall be resolved in a manner that first fulfills the primary purpose of the refuge, and, to the extent practicable, also achieves the purposes of the System; (2) ensure that opportunities for the uses described in section 3 receive priority attention in planning and management within the System, consistent with the mission and purposes of the System described in sections 2(a) and (b); (3) plan, propose, and direct expansion of the System-- (A) to accomplish the mission and purposes of the System and the purposes of each National Wildlife Refuge; and (B) to contribute to the conservation of the ecosystems of the United States; and (4) inventory and monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each National Wildlife Refuge. SEC. 5. COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES. (a) General Rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), effective beginning on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall not initiate or permit a new use of a National Wildlife Refuge or expand, renew, or extend an existing allowed use unless the Secretary determines that the use is compatible with the primary purposes of the refuge and the mission and purposes of the System specified in section 2 of this Act. Such determinations shall-- (1) be made in writing, be based on the best available scientific information, and represent the best professional judgment of the refuge officer involved; (2) be made after an opportunity has been provided for the public to review and comment on the evaluations; (3) where appropriate, be made concurrently with the development of a conservation plan for the refuge under section 6; and (4) be reevaluated when conditions under which the use is permitted change significantly or when there is significant new information regarding the effects of the use, but not less frequently than every 10 years. (b) Prior Identification for New Acquisitions.--On lands added to the System after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall identify, prior to acquisition, existing compatible priority public uses (as described in section 3) that shall be permitted to continue on an interim basis pending completion of comprehensive planning. SEC. 6. REFUGE CONSERVATION PLANNING PROGRAM. (a) General Rule.--Except with respect to National Wildlife Refuge lands in Alaska (which shall be governed by the refuge planning provision of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.)), the Secretary shall-- (1) propose a comprehensive conservation plan for each refuge or ecologically related complex of refuges consistent with section 2 of this Act within 15 years after the date of enactment of this Act and revise such plans not less frequently than every 15 years thereafter; (2) develop and implement a process to ensure an opportunity for active public involvement in the preparation and revision of conservation plans; and (3) manage each refuge in a manner consistent with the conservation plan for the refuge. (b) New Refuges.--With respect to any refuge established after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a conservation plan for the refuge not later than 2 years after the Secretary has determined that sufficient land has been acquired to warrant comprehensive planning.

Summary: Theodore Roosevelt Wildlife Legacy Act of 1997 - Declares the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System to be to preserve a network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of U.S. fish, wildlife, and plants for present and future generations. Establishes as the System's priority public uses: (1) wildlife observation and photography; (2) hunting; (3) fishing; and (4) environmental education and interpretation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in administering the System, to: (1) resolve any conflict between the primary purpose of a National Wildlife Refuge and any purpose of the System in a manner that first fulfills the primary purpose of the refuge; (2) plan, propose, and direct System expansion to accomplish the mission and purposes of the System and of each refuge and to contribute to the conservation of U.S. ecosystems; and (3) inventory and monitor the status and trends of fish, wildlife, and plants in each refuge. Prohibits the Secretary, effective three years after enactment of this Act, from initiating or permitting a new use of a refuge or an expansion of an existing allowed use unless such use is compatible with the primary purposes of the refuge and the mission and purposes of the System. Directs the Secretary to: (1) propose within 15 years and revise every 15 years comprehensive conservation plans for each refuge in the System, except refuges in Alaska; (2) develop and implement a process to ensure an opportunity for active public involvement in the preparation and revision of such plans; (3) manage each refuge in a manner consistent with its conservation plan; and (4) prepare a conservation plan for a refuge established after enactment of this Act not later than two years after the Secretary determines that sufficient land has been acquired to warrant comprehensive planning.


SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Immigrant Labor Policy Review Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) The unemployment rate in the United States is at a record low. (2) Many industries in the United States, including agriculture, tourism, construction, nursing, information technology, and other portions of the service sector, are experiencing labor shortages. (3) The inability to secure sufficient workers is having a detrimental impact on the economy of the United States and the standard of living for all people in the United States. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. There is established a commission to be known as the High Level Commission on Immigrant Labor Policy (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission''). SEC. 4. DUTIES. (a) In General.--The Commission shall study the interactions between Federal immigration policy and the labor markets for aliens in the United States, including the following subjects: (1) The adequacy of the supply of labor in the United States and whether this supply needs to be further supplemented with alien workers. (2) The extent to which employers in the United States rely upon the employment of a temporary workforce. (3) The economic impact and desirability of maintaining statutory caps on nonimmigrant workers. (4) The extent to which employers in the United States rely upon the employment of a workforce that includes or consists of aliens who unlawfully enter or remain in the United States. (5) The extent of unemployment and underemployment of workers who are United States citizens or aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. (6) The effectiveness of United States labor policies in stopping the flow into the United States of illegal immigrants. (7) Any other subject necessary to permit the Commission to prepare the reports required under section 8. (b) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Commission shall consult with migrant labor groups, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, pertinent business and agriculture associations and organizations, State Governors, law enforcement associations and organizations, and relevant executive branch agencies and congressional committees. SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall consist of 10 members, to be appointed as follows: (1) 4 to be appointed by the President. (2) 2 to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (3) 1 to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (4) 2 to be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate. (5) 1 to be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (b) Consultations.--In making appointments under subsection (a)(1), the President shall consult with-- (1) the Attorney General in appointing 1 member; (2) the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board in appointing 1 member; (3) the Secretary of Commerce in appointing 1 member; and (4) the Secretary of Agriculture in appointing 1 member. (c) Terms.--Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (d) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (e) Chairperson.--The Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board (or the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board's designee) shall serve as the chairperson of the Commission until such time as the members of the Commission can elect a chairperson. (f) Basic Pay.--Each member shall serve without pay. Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (g) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (h) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson. SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS. (a) Director.--The Commission shall have a director who shall be appointed by the chairperson subject to rules prescribed by the Commission. (b) Staff.--Subject to rules prescribed by the Commission, the chairperson may appoint and fix the pay of such additional personnel as the chairperson considers appropriate. (c) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--The director and staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the requirements of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule. (d) Experts and Consultants.--The chairperson may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule. (e) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the chairperson, the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties. SEC. 7. POWERS. (a) Obtaining Official Data.--The chairperson may secure directly from any Federal agency information necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its duties. Upon request of the chairperson, the head of the agency shall furnish such information to the Commission to the extent such information is not prohibited from disclosure by law. (b) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. (c) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the chairperson, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties. (d) Contract Authority.--The chairperson may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for the purpose of conducting research, surveys, and other services necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its duties. SEC. 8. REPORTS. (a) Interim Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress an interim report on the following: (1) The overall effectiveness of Federal immigration and labor laws and policies in-- (A) protecting jobs held by citizens and nationals of the United States, aliens who are lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, aliens who are admitted as refugees or are granted asylum, and other immigrants otherwise authorized to be employed in the United States; (B) preventing exploitation of alien immigrant and nonimmigrant workers; (C) reducing the number of illegal border crossings into the United States; and (D) reducing the numbers of aliens unlawfully employed in the United States. (2) The impact of statutory numerical limitations on the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants into the United States on the achievement of the goals described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1). (3) The impact of recent measures undertaken in border areas to deter illegal border crossings on the achievement of such goals. (4) The impact of Federal alien labor laws and policies on the overall economic performance within the United States and economic performance within the following sectors: (A) Agriculture. (B) Tourism and service. (C) Construction. (D) Nursing and health care. (E) Apparel. (F) Information technology. (b) Final Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a final report that contains at least the following: (1) Information that updates the findings reported in the interim report on each of the issues described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a). (2) Recommendations for actions that the Commission considers necessary-- (A) to curb illegal border crossings into the United States; (B) to curb unlawful employment of aliens in the United States; (C) to ensure adequate protection of the workers described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and (D) to ensure a stable and steady workforce for industry in the United States. (3) The viability of expanding the agricultural guest worker program established under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)) and section 218 of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1188) to any or all of the following United States industries: (A) Tourism and service. (B) Construction. (C) Nursing and health care. (D) Apparel. (E) Information technology. (4) Recommendations for any additional actions that the Commission determines would improve Federal immigration or labor laws or policies. (5) Any other related information that the Commission considers to be appropriate. SEC. 9. TERMINATION. The Commission shall terminate 6 months after the date on which the Commission submits its final report under section 8(b). SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, which sums shall remain available until expended.

Summary: Immigrant Labor Policy Review Act - Establishes the High Level Commission on Immigrant Labor Policy. Directs the Commission to study the interactions between Federal immigration policy and the labor markets for aliens in the United States.Terminates the Commission six months after submission of its final report.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Government Shutdown Prevention Act''. SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 31. (a) In General.--Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section: ``Sec. 1311. Continuing appropriations ``(a)(1) If any regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year (or, if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect, there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, such sums as may be necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year-- ``(A) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or ``(B) if the corresponding regular appropriation bill for such preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. ``(2) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower of-- ``(A) the rate of operations provided for in the regular appropriation Act providing for such project or activity for the preceding fiscal year; ``(B) in the absence of such an Act, the rate of operations provided for such project or activity pursuant to a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year; ``(C) the rate of operations provided for in the regular appropriation bill as passed by the House of Representatives or the Senate for the fiscal year in question, except that the lower of these two versions shall be ignored for any project or activity for which there is a budget request if no funding is provided for that project or activity in either version; or ``(D) the annualized rate of operations provided for in the most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding levels established under the provisions of this Act. ``(3) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a project or activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of-- ``(A) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or ``(B) the last day of such fiscal year. ``(b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority granted, for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such project or activity under current law. ``(c) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall cover all obligations or expenditures incurred for such project or activity during the portion of such fiscal year for which this section applies to such project or activity. ``(d) Expenditures made for a project or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the end of a fiscal year providing for such project or activity for such period becomes law. ``(e) This section shall not apply to a project or activity during a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an authorization of appropriations)-- ``(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or grants authority for such project or activity to continue for such period; or ``(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall be granted for such project or activity to continue for such period. ``(f) For purposes of this section, the term `regular appropriation bill' means any annual appropriation bill making appropriations, otherwise making funds available, or granting authority, for any of the following categories of projects and activities: ``(1) Agriculture, rural development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies programs. ``(2) The Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies. ``(3) The Department of Defense. ``(4) Energy and water development, and related agencies. ``(5) Financial services and general government. ``(6) The Department of Homeland Security. ``(7) The Department of Interior, environment, and related agencies. ``(8) The Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies. ``(9) The legislative branch. ``(10) Military construction and veterans affairs. ``(11) The Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs. ``(12) The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1310 the following new item: ``1311. Continuing appropriations.''.

Summary: Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if any regular appropriation for a fiscal year (or, if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. Appropriates amounts necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year: (1) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or (2) if such legislation did not become law, then in the joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. Requires the appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year for a project or activity to be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of: (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or (2) the last day of such fiscal year.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Definitions. Sec. 4. Angel Watch Center. Sec. 5. Sense of Congress provisions. Sec. 6. Enhancing the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Sec. 7. Assistance to foreign countries to meet minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Sec. 8. Rules of Construction. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Megan Nicole Kanka, who was 7 years old, was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered in 1994, in the State of New Jersey by a violent predator living across the street from her home. Unbeknownst to Megan Kanka and her family, he had been convicted previously of a sex offense against a child. (2) In 1996, Congress adopted Megan's Law (Public Law 104- 145) as a means to encourage States to protect children by identifying the whereabouts of sex offenders and providing the means to monitor their activities. (3) In 2006, Congress passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-248) to protect children and the public at large by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration and notification to the public and law enforcement officers of convicted sex offenders. (4) Law enforcement reports indicate that known child-sex offenders are traveling internationally, and that the criminal background of such individuals may not be known to local law enforcement prior to their arrival. (5) The commercial sexual exploitation of minors in child sex trafficking and pornography is a global phenomenon. The International Labour Organization has estimated that 1.8 million children worldwide are victims of child sex trafficking and pornography each year. (6) Child sex tourism, where an individual travels to a foreign country and engages in sexual activity with a child in that country, is a form of child exploitation and, where commercial, child sex trafficking. (7) According to research conducted by The Protection Project of The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, sex tourists from the United States who target children form a significant percentage of child sex tourists in some of the most significant destination countries for child sex tourism. (8) In order to protect children, it is essential that United States law enforcement be able to identify child-sex offenders in the United States who are traveling abroad and child-sex offenders from other countries entering the United States. Such identification requires cooperative efforts between the United States and foreign governments. In exchange for providing notice of child-sex offenders traveling to the United States, foreign authorities will expect United States authorities to provide reciprocal notice of child-sex offenders traveling to their countries. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the Angel Watch Center established pursuant to section 4(a). (2) Child-sex offender.-- (A) In general.--The term ``child-sex offender'' means an individual who is a sex offender described in paragraph (3) or (4) of section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911) by reason of being convicted of a child-sex offense. (B) Definition of convicted.--In this paragraph, the term ``convicted'' has the meaning given the term in paragraph (8) of section 111 of such Act. (3) Child-sex offense.-- (A) In general.--The term ``child-sex offense'' means a specified offense against a minor, as defined in paragraph (7) of section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911), including-- (i) an offense (unless committed by a parent or guardian) involving kidnapping; (ii) an offense (unless committed by a parent or guardian) involving false imprisonment; (iii) solicitation to engage in sexual conduct; (iv) use in a sexual performance; (v) solicitation to practice prostitution; (vi) video voyeurism as described in section 1801 of title 18, United States Code; (vii) possession, production, or distribution of child pornography; (viii) criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, or the use of the Internet to facilitate or attempt such conduct; and (ix) any conduct that by its nature is a sex offense against a minor. (B) Other offenses.--The term ``child-sex offense'' includes a sex offense described in paragraph (5)(A) of section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 that is a specified offense against a minor, as defined in paragraph (7) of such section. (C) Foreign convictions; offenses involving consensual sexual conduct.--The limitations contained in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 111(5) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 shall apply with respect to a child-sex offense for purposes of this Act to the same extent and in the same manner as such limitations apply with respect to a sex offense for purposes of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. (4) Jurisdiction.--The term ``jurisdiction'' means any of the following: (A) A State. (B) The District of Columbia. (C) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (D) Guam. (E) American Samoa. (F) The Northern Mariana Islands. (G) The United States Virgin Islands. (H) To the extent provided in, and subject to the requirements of, section 127 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16927), a federally recognized Indian tribe. (5) Minor.--The term ``minor'' means an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. SEC. 4. ANGEL WATCH CENTER. (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish within the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security a Center, to be known as the ``Angel Watch Center'', to carry out the activities specified in subsection (d). (b) Leadership.--The Center shall be headed by the Director of ICE, in collaboration with the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and in consultation with the Attorney General. (c) Members.--The Center shall consist of the following: (1) The Director of ICE. (2) The Commissioner of CBP. (3) Individuals who are designated as analysts in ICE or CBP. (4) Individuals who are designated as program managers in ICE or CBP. (d) Activities.-- (1) In general.--The Center shall carry out the following activities: (A) Receive information on travel by child-sex offenders. (B) Establish a system to maintain and archive all relevant information, including the response of destination countries to notifications under subsection (e) where available, and decisions not to transmit notification abroad. (C) Establish an annual review process to ensure that the Center is consistent in procedures to provide notification to destination countries or not to provide notification to destination countries, as appropriate. (2) Information required.--The United States Marshals Service's National Sex Offender Targeting Office shall make available to the Center information on travel by child-sex offenders in a timely manner for purposes of carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1) and (e). (e) Notification.-- (1) To countries of destination.-- (A) In general.--The Center may transmit notice of impending or current international travel of a child- sex offender to the country or countries of destination of the child-sex offender, including to the visa- issuing agent or agents in the United States of the country or countries. (B) Form.--The notice under this paragraph may be transmitted through such means as determined appropriate by the Center, including through an ICE attache. (2) To offenders.-- (A) General notification.-- (i) In general.--If the Center transmits notice under paragraph (1) of impending international travel of a child-sex offender to the country or countries of destination of the child-sex offender, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with any appropriate agency, shall make reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice through electronic or telephonic communication to the child-sex offender prior to the child-sex offender's arrival in the country or countries. (ii) Exception.--The requirement to provide constructive notice under clause (i) shall not apply in the case of impending international travel of a child-sex offender to the country or countries of destination of the child-sex offender if such constructive notice would conflict with an existing investigation involving the child-sex offender. (B) Specific notification regarding risk to life or well-being of offender.--If the Center has reason to believe that to transmit notice under paragraph (1) poses a risk to the life or well-being of the child-sex offender, the Center shall make reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice through electronic or telephonic communication to the child-sex offender of such risk. (C) Specific notification regarding probable denial of entry to offender.--If the Center has reason to believe that a country of destination of the child-sex offender is highly likely to deny entry to the child- sex offender due to transmission of notice under paragraph (1), the Center shall make reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice through electronic or telephonic communication to the child-sex offender of such probable denial. (3) Sunset.--The authority of paragraph (1) shall terminate with respect to a child-sex offender beginning as of the close of the last day of the registration period of such child-sex offender under section 115 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16915). (f) Complaint Review.--The Center shall establish a mechanism to receive complaints from child-sex offenders affected by notifications of destination countries of such child-sex offenders under subsection (e). (g) Consultations.--The Center shall seek to engage in ongoing consultations with-- (1) nongovernmental organizations, including faith-based organizations, that have experience and expertise in identifying and preventing child sex tourism and rescuing and rehabilitating minor victims of international sexual exploitation and trafficking; (2) the governments of countries interested in cooperating in the creation of an international sex offender travel notification system or that are primary destination or source countries for international sex tourism; and (3) Internet service and software providers regarding available and potential technology to facilitate the implementation of an international sex offender travel notification system, both in the United States and in other countries. (h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State may provide technical assistance to foreign authorities in order to enable such authorities to participate more effectively in the notification program system established under this section. SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS PROVISIONS. (a) Bilateral Agreements.--It is the sense of Congress that the President should negotiate memoranda of understanding or other bilateral agreements with foreign governments to further the purposes of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including by-- (1) establishing systems to receive and transmit notices as required by title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.); and (2) establishing mechanisms for private companies and nongovernmental organizations to report on a voluntary basis suspected child pornography or exploitation to foreign governments, the nearest United States embassy in cases in which a possible United States citizen may be involved, or other appropriate entities. (b) Notification to the United States of Child-sex Offenses Committed Abroad.--It is the sense of Congress that the President should formally request foreign governments to notify the United States when a United States citizen has been arrested, convicted, sentenced, or completed a prison sentence for a child-sex offense in the foreign country. SEC. 6. ENHANCING THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE ELIMINATION OF TRAFFICKING. Section 108(b)(4) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7106(b)(4)) is amended by adding at the end before the period the following: ``, including severe forms of trafficking in persons related to sex tourism''. SEC. 7. ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE ELIMINATION OF TRAFFICKING. The President is strongly encouraged to exercise the authorities of section 134 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2152d) to provide assistance to foreign countries directly, or through nongovernmental and multilateral organizations, for programs, projects, and activities, including training of law enforcement entities and officials, designed to establish systems to identify sex offenders and provide and receive notification of child sex offender international travel. SEC. 8. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. (a) Department of Justice.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude or alter the jurisdiction or authority of the Department of Justice under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.), including section 113(d) of such Act, or any other provision law, or to affect the work of the United States Marshals Service with INTERPOL. (b) Angel Watch Center.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude the Angel Watch Center from transmitting notice with respect to any sex offender described in paragraph (3) or (4) of section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911) or with respect to any sex offense described in paragraph (5) of such section.

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on May 20, 2014. International Megan's Law to Prevent Demand for Child Sex Trafficking - (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish within the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the Angel Watch Center, which shall: (1) receive information on travel by child-sex offenders; (2) establish a system to maintain and archive all relevant information, including decisions not to transmit notification abroad and responses of destination countries to notifications; (3) establish an annual review process to ensure that the Center is consistent in procedures regarding providing notification to destination countries; and (4) establish a mechanism to receive complaints from child-sex offenders affected by notifications of destination countries. Authorizes the Center to transmit notice to a destination country (including to such country's visa-issuing agents in the United States) of impending or current international travel of a child-sex offender to such country. Requires the Secretary, in conjunction with any appropriate agency, if the Center transmits such notice to a destination country, to make reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice through electronic or telephonic communication to the child-sex offender prior to such offender's arrival in such country, except when such constructive notice would conflict with an existing investigation involving the offender. Requires the Center to make reasonable efforts to provide constructive notice to such offender if the Center has reason to believe that transmitting notice to a destination country: (1) poses a risk to the life or well-being of the offender, or (2) is highly likely to result in the destination country denying entry to the offender. Terminates the authority of the Center to transmit such notice of international travel of a child-sex offender as of the close of the last day of the registration period of such offender under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Walsh Act). Directs the Center to establish a mechanism to receive complaints from child-sex offenders affected by notifications of destination countries. Requires the Center to engage in ongoing consultations with: (1) nongovernmental organizations that have experience in identifying and preventing child sex tourism and rescuing and rehabilitating minor victims of international sexual exploitation and trafficking, (2) the governments of countries interested in cooperating in the creation of an international sex offender travel notification system or that are primary destination or source countries for international sex tourism, and (3) Internet service and software providers regarding technology to facilitate the implementation of an international sex offender travel notification system in the United States and in other countries. Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to provide technical assistance to enable foreign authorities to participate more effectively in the notification program system. (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) negotiate bilateral agreements with foreign governments to further the purposes of this Act; and (2) formally request foreign governments to notify the United States when a U.S. citizen has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced or has completed a prison sentence for a child-sex offense in the foreign country. (Sec. 6) Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include, as indicia of serious and sustained efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons, a country's cooperation with other governments in the investigation and prosecution of such trafficking, including trafficking related to sex tourism. (Sec. 7) Encourages the President to use authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist foreign countries in identifying sex offenders and providing and receiving notification of child sex offender international travel.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Credit Expansion Act''. SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR FARM LOANS. (a) Farm Ownership Loans.--Section 302(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(a) In General.--The'' and inserting the following: ``(a) In General.-- ``(1) Eligibility requirements.--The''; (2) in paragraph (1) (as designated by paragraph (1))-- (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``and limited liability companies'' and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate,''; and (B) in the second sentence-- (i) by striking ``and limited liability companies'' each place it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate''; (ii) by striking ``(1)'' and inserting ``(A)''; (iii) by striking ``(2)'' and inserting ``(B)''; (iv) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(C)''; and (v) by striking ``(4)'' and inserting ``(D)''; (3) in the third sentence-- (A) by striking ``and limited liability companies'' each place it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate''; (B) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(C)''; and (C) by striking ``(4)'' and inserting ``(D)''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Special rules regarding determinations.-- ``(A) Eligibility of certain operating-only entities.--An entity that is, or will become, only the operator of a family farm shall be determined by the Secretary to meet each owner-operator requirement described in paragraph (1) if the 1 or more individuals who are the owners of the family farm own-- ``(i) a percentage of the family farm that exceeds 50 percent; or ``(ii) such other percentage that the Secretary determines to be appropriate. ``(B) Eligibility of certain embedded entities.--An entity that is an owner-operator described in paragraph (1), or an operator described in subparagraph (A), that is owned, in whole or in part, by 1 or more other entities, shall be determined by the Secretary to meet the direct ownership requirement described in paragraph (1) if not less than 75 percent of the ownership interests of each embedded entity of the entity is owned directly or indirectly by the 1 or more individuals who own the family farm.''. (b) Conservation Loans.--Section 304(c)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``or limited liability companies'' and inserting ``limited liability companies, or such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate,''. (c) Farm Operating Loans.--Section 311(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(a) In General.--The'' and inserting the following: ``(a) In General.-- ``(1) Eligibility requirements.--The''; (2) in paragraph (1) (as designated by paragraph (1))-- (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``and limited liability companies'' and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate,''; and (B) in the second sentence-- (i) by striking ``and limited liability companies'' each place it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate''; (ii) by striking ``(1)'' and inserting ``(A)''; (iii) by striking ``(2)'' and inserting ``(B)''; (iv) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(C)''; and (v) by striking ``(4)'' and inserting ``(D)''; (3) in the third sentence-- (A) by striking ``and limited liability companies'' each place it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate''; (B) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(C)''; and (C) by striking ``(4)'' and inserting ``(D)''; and (4) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Special rules regarding determinations.--An entity that is an operator described in paragraph (1) that is owned, in whole or in part, by 1 or more other entities, shall be determined by the Secretary to meet the direct ownership requirement described in paragraph (1) if not less than 75 percent of the ownership interests of each embedded entity of the entity is owned directly or indirectly by the 1 or more individuals who own the family farm.''. (d) Emergency Loans.--Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961(a)) is amended-- (1) in the first sentence, in the matter preceding the proviso-- (A) by striking ``owner-operators (in the case of loans for a purpose under subtitle A) or operators (in the case of loans for a purpose under subtitle B)'' each place it appears and inserting ``(in the case of farm ownership loans in accordance with subtitle A) owner-operators or operators, or (in the case of loans for a purpose under subtitle B) operators''; (B) by striking ``or limited liability companies'' the first place it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies, or such other legal entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate''; and (C) by striking ``or limited liability companies'' the second place it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies, or such other legal entities''; (2) in the second sentence of the proviso-- (A) by striking ``and limited liability companies'' and inserting ``limited liability companies, and such other legal entities''; and (B) by striking ``ownership and operator'' and inserting ``ownership or operator''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``An entity that is an owner-operator or operator described in this subsection shall be determined by the Secretary to meet the direct ownership requirement described in this subsection if the entity is owned, in whole or in part, by 1 or more other entities and each individual who is an owner of the family farm involved has a direct or indirect ownership interest in each of the other entities.''. (e) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Section 304(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 302(a)'' and inserting ``clauses (A) and (B) of section 302(a)(1)''. (2) Section 310D(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1934(a)) is amended-- (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``paragraphs (2) through (4) of section 302'' and inserting ``clauses (B) through (D) of section 302(a)(1)''; and (B) in the second sentence-- (i) by striking ``farm cooperative or private domestic corporation or partnership'' and inserting ``farm cooperative, private domestic corporation, partnership, or such other legal entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate,''; and (ii) by striking ``or partners'' and inserting ``partners, or owners''. (3) Section 343(a)(11) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)) is amended-- (A) in subparagraph (C)-- (i) by striking ``or joint operation'' and inserting ``joint operation, or such other legal entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate''; and (ii) by striking ``or joint operators'' and inserting ``joint operators, or owners''; and (B) in subparagraph (D)-- (i) in clause (i)(II)(aa)-- (I) by striking ``or joint operation'' and inserting ``joint operation, or such other legal entity''; and (II) by striking ``or joint operators'' and inserting ``joint operators, or owners''; and (ii) in clause (ii)(II)(aa)-- (I) by striking ``or joint operation'' and inserting ``joint operation, or such other legal entity''; and (II) by striking ``or joint operators'' and inserting ``joint operators, or owners''. (4) Section 359(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2006a(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``section 302(a)(2) or 311(a)(2)'' and inserting ``clause (B) of section 302(a)(1) or clause (B) of section 311(a)(1)''. SEC. 3. PURPOSES OF CERTAIN DIRECT LOANS. Section 303(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1923(a)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) in subparagraph (E)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(F) refinancing 1 or more loans made or guaranteed under this subtitle.''. SEC. 4. REPEAL OF CERTAIN LOAN TERM LIMITS. (a) Direct Loans.--Section 311 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941) is amended by striking subsection (c). (b) Limitation on Period Borrowers Are Eligible for Guaranteed Assistance.--Section 319 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1949) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(a) Graduation Plan.--The Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''; and (2) by striking subsection (b).

Summary: Agricultural Credit Expansion Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand eligibility for Farm Service Agency operating loans, farm ownership loans, conservation loans, and emergency loans. Deems specified embedded entities (an entity owned wholly or in part by another entity) eligible for farm ownership and operating loans. Deems specified operating-only entities eligible for farm ownership loans. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to determine that an entity that is an owner-operator or operator meets the direct ownership loan requirement if it is owned in whole or in part by other entities and each individual that is an owner of the family farm involved has an ownership interest in each of the other entities. Permits direct loans to be used to refinance Farm Service Agency loans or guaranteed loans. Eliminates the 15-year limitation on the period operating loan borrowers are eligible for guaranteed assistance.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Domestic Violence Prevention, Education, and Awareness Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) Nearly one-third of American women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. (2) Family violence costs the nation between $5,000,000,000 and $10,000,000,000 each year in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care, sick leave, absenteeism, and nonproductivity. (3) The United States is becoming increasingly multicultural, and racial and ethnic minorities are expected to constitute approximately 50 percent of the United States population by 2050. (4) Two-thirds of female immigrants to the United States originate from Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, and they migrate here to seek economic security, reunify their families, or escape prosecution. (5) Racial and ethnic minority women and immigrant women face unique challenges to reporting and getting help for domestic violence. (6) Structural inequalities experienced by racial and ethnic minority communities and immigrant communities, including poverty and discrimination, may contribute to higher rates of violence. (7) Problems of domestic violence are exacerbated for immigrants when spouses control the immigration status of their family members, and abusers use threats of refusal to file immigration papers and threats to deport spouses and children as powerful tools to prevent battered immigrant women from seeking help, trapping battered immigrant women in violent homes because of fear of deportation. (8) Many racial and ethnic minority women and immigrant women face cultural barriers to reporting abuse or seeking help for domestic violence, including but not limited to strong religious beliefs that stress the importance of keeping family intact, fear of dishonor, or a belief that negative events occur regardless of attempts to prevent them. (9) Many racial and ethnic minority women and immigrant women also face institutional barriers to reporting abuse or seeking help for domestic violence, including but not limited to restrictions on public assistance, limited access to immigration relief, lack of translators or bilingual professionals, little educational material in the woman's native language, treatment programs that do not take into account ethnic and cultural differences, prohibitive fee structures, and inflexible or inconvenient hours of operation. SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS TO EDUCATE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. (a) In General.--From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Attorney General, acting through the Violence Against Women Office, shall make grants to public or private nonprofit entities, States, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out public information campaigns for the purpose of educating racial and ethnic minority communities and immigrant communities about domestic violence, including the effects of domestic violence, methods of preventing or reducing domestic violence, and services available to victims of domestic violence. (b) Use of Grant Amounts.--Grant amounts under this section may be used only to carry out public information campaigns for the purpose specified in subsection (a) and to provide staffing appropriate to carrying out the campaigns. (c) Elements of Campaigns.--Each public information campaign carried out under this section shall consist of one or more of the following elements: (1) Public service announcements. (2) Paid educational messages for print media. (3) Public transit advertising. (4) Electronic broadcast media. (5) Any other mode of conveying information that the Attorney General determines to be appropriate. (d) Requirements for Grant.--The Attorney General may award a grant under this section to an applicant only if the Attorney General determines that-- (1) the campaign will be carried out in consultation with local domestic violence advocates or State domestic violence coalitions; (2) the campaign is designed to be conducted in a culturally sensitive manner using one or more culturally appropriate languages; (3) the applicant has an adequate plan to test-market the campaign with a relevant community or group in the relevant geographic area, and will carry out that plan; and (4) the applicant will use effectiveness criteria in carrying out the campaign and an evaluation component to measure the effectiveness of the campaign. (e) Award Criteria.--In awarding grants under this section, the Attorney General shall consider the following criteria: (1) Whether the applicant has, or will be partnering with an entity that has, a record of high quality campaigns of a comparable type. (2) Whether the applicant has, or will be partnering with an entity that has, a record of high quality campaigns that educate the communities and groups at greatest risk of domestic violence. (f) Application.-- (1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State or entity must submit to the Attorney General an application that meets the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Requirements.--An application submitted under this subsection shall be in such form, and submitted in such manner, as the Attorney General may prescribe, and shall include the following matters: (A) A complete description of applicant's plan for the proposed public information campaign. (B) An identification of the specific communities and groups to be educated by the campaign, and a description of how the campaign will educate the communities and groups at greatest risk of domestic violence. (C) The plans of the applicant with respect to working with organizations that have expertise in developing culturally appropriate informational messages. (D) A description of the geographic distribution of the campaign. (E) An identification of the media organizations and other groups through which the campaign will be carried out and any memorandum of understanding or other agreement under which the campaign will be carried out. (F) A description of the nature, amount, distribution, and timing of informational messages to be used in the campaign. (G) Such information and assurances as the Attorney General may require to determine whether the requirements specified in subsection (d) will be satisfied, and whether the criteria specified in subsection (e) apply. (H) Such other information and assurances as the Attorney General may require. (g) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and any other territory or possession of the United States. (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

Summary: Domestic Violence Prevention, Education, and Awareness Act - Requires the Attorney General, acting through the Violence Against Women Office, to make grants to public or private nonprofit entities, States, and Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out public information campaigns to educate racial and ethnic minority communities and immigrant communities about domestic violence, including its effects, methods of preventing or reducing it, and available services to such victims.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy High Energy and Nuclear Physics Authorization Act of 1994''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Act-- (1) the term ``CERN'' means the European Organization for Nuclear Research; (2) the term ``construction'' means all activities necessary for completion of a project and its supporting infrastructure, and includes conventional construction and the research, development, design, fabrication, installation, testing, and preoperation of technical sytems; (3) the term ``conventional construction'' means the design and construction of civil works, facilities, and other infrastructure necessary to construct a project, including tunnels, buildings, and roads, necessary to house and support the technical systems, and utilities as necessary for the direct support of elements of a project; (4) the term ``Department'' means the Department of Energy; (5) the term ``Large Hadron Collider project'' means the Large Hadron Collider project at CERN; and (6) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) High Energy Physics.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for high energy physics activities of the Department-- (1) $695,400,000 for fiscal year 1996; (2) $719,700,000 for fiscal year 1997; (3) $744,900,000 for fiscal year 1998; and (4) $713,600,000 for fiscal year 1999. Funds authorized under paragraphs (1) through (4) may be expended for the B-factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and the Fermilab Main Injector. No funds are authorized for United States participation in the planning and construction of the Large Hadron Collider project until the Secretary certifies to the Congress that there is an international agreement that includes the provisions described in section 4(a). (b) Nuclear Physics.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for nuclear physics activities of the Department-- (1) $337,100,000 for fiscal year 1996, of which not more than $15,000,000 shall be used for preparation for decontamination and decommissioning of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility; (2) $348,900,000 for fiscal year 1997; (3) $361,100,000 for fiscal year 1998; and (4) $373,700,000 for fiscal year 1999. None of the funds authorized under paragraph (2), (3), or (4) are authorized to be appropriated for the operation of the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility. Funds authorized under paragraphs (1) through (4) may be expended for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. (c) Limitation on Major Construction Projects.--No funds may be expended for any high energy and nuclear physics facility construction project of the Department, with total project expenditures projected to be in excess of $100,000,000, unless funds are specifically authorized for such purposes in an Act that is not an appropriations Act. SEC. 4. THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER PROJECT. (a) Negotiations.--The Secretary shall enter into negotiations with CERN concerning United States participation in the planning and construction of the Large Hadron Collider project, and shall seek to ensure that any agreement incorporates provisions to protect the United States investment in the project, including provisions for-- (1) fair allocation of costs and benefits among project participants; (2) a limitation on the amount of United States contribution to project construction and subsequent operating costs; (3) a cost and schedule control system for the total project; (4) the projected cost and schedule for all component design, testing, and fabrication, including technical goals and milestones; (5) the projected cost and schedule for total project construction and operation, including technical goals and milestones; (6) reconsideration of the extent of United States participation if technical or operational milestones described in paragraphs (4) and (5) are not met, or if the project falls significantly behind schedule; and (7) conditions of access for United States and other scientists to the facility. (b) Other International Negotiations.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preclude the President from entering into negotiations with respect to international science agreements. SEC. 5. OPERATING PLAN. Within 30 days after the date of the enactment of any Act appropriating funds for the high energy or nuclear physics activities of the Department, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a plan for the operations of the high energy and nuclear physics activities of the Department, as adjusted to reflect the amounts appropriated for such purposes by such Act. SEC. 6. LONG-RANGE PLANNING AND GOVERNANCE. (a) Program Governance Review.-- (1) Requirement.--The Secretary shall contract with an appropriate independent organization to review the governance of all elements of the Department's high energy and nuclear physics programs. Such review shall include-- (A) a performance review of the effectiveness of the Department's management policies and procedures, including an evaluation of departmental staff allocation and the staff allocation and funding balance among facility operations, construction, and research support; (B) an evaluation of the appropriateness of the current application of administrative, environmental, health, and safety regulations to the high energy and nuclear physics laboratories of the Department; and (C) an analysis of the extent to which the Department's high energy and nuclear physics advisory groups represent the diversity of, and the full range of interests among, high energy and nuclear physics researchers. (2) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress within 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act detailing the results of the review required by this section, including recommendations for implementing the results and schedules for such implementation. (b) Long-Range Plan.-- (1) Requirement.--The Secretary and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall jointly prepare, in consultation with the high energy physics and nuclear physics communities, a long-range plan for Federal high energy and nuclear physics programs based on current and projected program funding levels. The plan shall be modified every two years. The long-range plan shall include-- (A) a list of research opportunities to be pursued, including both ongoing and proposed activities, listed in order of priority; (B) an analysis of the relevance of each research facility to the research opportunities listed under subparagraph (A); (C) a statement of the optimal balance among facility operations, construction, and research support and the optimal balance between university and laboratory research programs; (D) schedules for continuation, consolidation, or termination of each research program, and continuation, upgrade, transfer, or closure of each research facility; (E) a statement by project of efforts to coordinate research projects with the international community to maximize the use of limited resources and avoid unproductive duplication of efforts; and (F) a description of the extent to which the biennial plan modifications differ from previous plans submitted under this subsection, along with an explanation for such differences. (2) Reports to congress.--(A) The Secretary shall transmit a copy of the original long-range plan with the President's annual budget request to Congress for fiscal year 1997. The plan as modified shall be submitted with the President's budget request to Congress for each subsequent fiscal year ending in an odd number. (B) The Secretary shall transmit with the President's budget request to Congress each year a report demonstrating the consistency of the current long-range plan with the budget being requested for the Department's high energy and nuclear physics programs. (c) Capital Budget Account.--Each of the President's annual budget requests to the Congress for high energy physics activities of the Department, and for nuclear physics activities of the Department, shall distinguish between the budget for capital expenditures, including all ongoing and planned major construction and capital equipment items, and other activities.

Summary: Department of Energy High Energy and Nuclear Physics Authorization Act of 1994 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996 through 1999 for high energy physics and nuclear physics activities of the Department of Energy (DOE). Instructs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) enter into negotiations with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) regarding U.S. participation in the planning and construction of the Large Hadron Collider project; (2) submit an operations plan to certain congressional committees subsequent to enactment of appropriations for DOE high energy or nuclear activities; (3) contract with an independent organization to review the governance of DOE high energy and nuclear physics programs; and (4) report to the Congress on a mandated long-range plan prepared jointly with the Director of the National Science Foundation regarding Federal high energy and nuclear physics programs based on current and projected funding levels. Mandates that each of the President's annual budget requests for DOE high energy and nuclear physics activities distinguish between the budget for capital expenditures and other activities.


SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF 18 OR 36 MONTH LIMITATION ON COBRA CONTINUATION COVERAGE. (a) Under ERISA.-- (1) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 602(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1162(2)) is amended to read as follows: ``(A) No specified maximum required period.--Except as otherwise provided, there is no specified deadline for the continuation coverage provided under this part.''. (2) Increased premium permitted for additional coverage.-- The last sentence of section 602(3) of such Act is amended to read as follows: ``In the case of an individual who was described in the last sentence of paragraph (2)(A), as in effect before the amendment made by section 2(a)(1) of the Health Insurance For Life Act of 2006, for any month after the 18th month of continuation coverage described in clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph and in the case of an individual whose continuation coverage is only required under this part due to such amendment, any reference in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph to `102 percent' is deemed a reference to such percentage as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines (from time to time and after consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of the Treasury) that if were applied during the period of the first 18 months of continuation coverage under this part would have resulted in a premium equal to the average monthly actuarial cost of such continuation coverage.''. (b) Under IRC.-- (1) In general.--Clause (i) of section 4980B(f)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to maximum required period of continuation coverage) is amended to read as follows: ``(i) No specified maximum required period.--Except as otherwise provided, there is no specified deadline for the continuation coverage provided under this section.''. (2) Increased premium permitted for additional coverage.-- The last sentence of section 4980B(f)(2)(C) of such Code is amended to read as follows: ``In the case of an individual who was described in the last sentence of subparagraph (B)(i), as in effect before the amendment made by section 2(b)(1) of the Health Insurance For Life Act of 2006, for any month after the 18th month of continuation coverage described in subclause (I) or (II) of such subparagraph and in the case of an individual whose continuation coverage is only required under this section due to such amendment, any reference in clause (i) of this subparagraph to `102 percent' is deemed a reference to such percentage as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines from time to time under the last sentence of section 602(e) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.''. (c) Under PHSA.-- (1) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 2202(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300bb-2(2)) is amended to read as follows: ``(A) No specified maximum required period.--Except as otherwise provided, there is no specified deadline for the continuation coverage provided under this part.''. (2) Increased premium permitted for additional coverage.-- The last sentence of section 2202(3) of such Act is amended to read as follows: ``In the case of an individual who was described in the last sentence of paragraph (2)(A), as in effect before the amendment made by section 2(c)(1) of the Health Insurance For Life Act of 2006, for any month after the 18th month of continuation coverage described in clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph and in the case of an individual whose continuation coverage is only required under this part due to such amendment, any reference in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph to `102 percent' is deemed a reference to such percentage as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines from time to time under the last sentence of section 602(e) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.''. (d) FEHBP.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (e) of section 8905a of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(e) Continuation coverage under this section shall not extend beyond the period of continuation required under section 602(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 for a group health plan covered under such section.''. (2) Increased premium permitted for additional coverage.-- Section 8905a(d) of such title is amended-- (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``and (5)'' and inserting ``, (5), and (6)''; (B) in paragraph (4)(A), in the matter before clause (i), by inserting ``for periods of continuation coverage not resulting from the amendment made by section 2(d)(1) of the Health Insurance For Life Act of 2006'' after ``National Nuclear Security Administration''; (C) in paragraph (5)(A), in the matter before clause (i), by inserting ``for periods of continuation coverage not resulting from the amendment made by section 2(d)(1) of the Health Insurance For Life Act of 2006'' after ``Atomic Energy Defense Act''; and (D) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) In the case of any period of continuation coverage under this section resulting from the amendment made by section 2(d)(1) of the Health Insurance For Life Act of 2006, the amount required to be paid under this subsection shall be equal to a percentage (equal to such percentage as the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines from time to time under the last sentence of section 602(e) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) applied to the amount described in paragraph (1)(A)(i).''. (e) Effective Date.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsections (a) through (c) shall apply with respect to group health plans, and health insurance coverage offered in connection with group health plans, for plan years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act and the amendments made by subsection (d) shall apply to contract years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Treatment of collective bargaining agreements.--In the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified before the date of enactment of this Act, the amendments made by subsections (a) through (c) shall not apply to plan years beginning before the later of-- (A) the date on which the last collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after the date of enactment of this Act); or (B) 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of subparagraph (A), any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement added by this section shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement.

Summary: Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and the Public Health Service Act to remove all limitations on Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage that establish a period by which such coverage must end, and instead provides no deadline for discontinuing such coverage. Sets forth a formula to determine the maximum allowable premium that certain qualified disabled beneficiaries and individuals receiving extended coverage provided pursuant to this Act may be charged based on the average monthly actuarial cost of such continuation coverage. Applies such provisions to continuation coverage provided pursuant to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Alternative Fuel Vehicles Intermodal Transportation Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act, the following definitions apply: (1) Alternative fuel vehicle.-- (A) In general.--The term ``alternative fuel vehicle'' means a motor vehicle that is powered by-- (i) in whole or in part, electricity, including that supplied by a fuel cell that is not powered by gasoline or diesel; (ii) liquefied natural gas; (iii) compressed natural gas; (iv) liquefied petroleum gas; (v) hydrogen; or (vi) methanol at no less than 85 percent by volume. (B) Exclusions.--The term ``alternative fuel vehicle'' shall not include any vehicle capable of operating solely on gasoline or diesel. (2) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the grant program established under section 4(a). (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Transportation. SEC. 3. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is-- (1) to establish a pilot program to demonstrate the use of alternative fuel vehicles in linked systems of transportation, enhance the usefulness of public transportation systems, protect the environment, and speed the deployment of alternative fuel vehicle technology; and (2) to encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors. SEC. 4. ALTERNATIVE FUELS INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to assist States, localities, and governmental authorities to purchase, operate, and facilitate the use of alternative fuel vehicles in linked transportation systems. (b) Eligible Projects.--To receive Federal assistance under the pilot program, a proposal shall-- (1) have been made in accordance with the application requirements of subsection (e); (2) include only projects that provide new options in a locality for moving passengers or goods in alternative fuel vehicles; and (3) include at least one project to enable passengers or goods to be transferred directly from one alternative fuel vehicle to another in a linked transportation system. (c) Funding Limitations.-- (1) Maximum number of grants.--The Secretary shall not provide grants to more than 15 applicants under the pilot program. (2) Maximum amount.--The Secretary shall not provide more than $20,000,000 in Federal assistance under the pilot program to any applicant. (3) Cost sharing.-- (A) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of any project under the pilot program shall not exceed 50 percent of the eligible costs of the project. (B) Non-federal share.--Funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) of title 23, United States Code, for the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program may be used by the State to pay for the non-Federal share of the cost of any project under the pilot program. (4) Maximum period of grants.--No applicant may receive Federal assistance under the pilot program for more than 5 years. (d) Allowable Project Costs.--The cost of a project eligible for Federal assistance under the pilot program may include only the following: (1) The purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, including-- (A) passenger vehicles; (B) buses used for public transportation or transportation to and from schools; (C) delivery vehicles for goods or services; (D) ground support vehicles at public airports, including vehicles to carry baggage or push airplanes away from terminal gates; and (E) two-wheel bikes, scooters, or other vehicles for use by law enforcement personnel or other State or local government employees. (2) Infrastructure necessary to directly support a project, including fueling and other support equipment. (3) Operation and maintenance of vehicles, infrastructure, and equipment purchased as part of a project with Federal assistance under the pilot program. (e) Proposals.--The Secretary shall issue requirements for applying for grants under the pilot program. At a minimum, the Secretary shall require that applications be submitted by the head of a State or local government or a metropolitan transportation authority, or any combination thereof, and include-- (1) an estimate of the ridership or degree of use of the projects proposed in the application; (2) an estimate of the air pollution emissions reduced and fossil fuel displaced as a result of the projects and a plan to collect and disseminate environmental data over the life of the projects; (3) a description of other existing modes of transportation to which the projects will connect or the degree to which proposed modes of transportation will be linked; (4) a description of how the projects will be sustainable without Federal assistance after the completion of the term of the demonstration; (5) a complete description of the costs of the project, including acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance costs over the expected life of the project; and (6) a description of which costs will be supported by Federal assistance and which by assistance from non-Federal partners, including State and local governments and private entities. (f) Criteria.--In evaluating applications under the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider each applicant's previous experience involving alternative fuel vehicles and shall approve the proposals that-- (1) are most likely to maximize-- (A) protection of the environment, including reductions in air pollution emissions and the ability of the proposal to help achieve national, State, or local air quality goals; (B) enhancement of the local or national public transportation system, especially the degree to which the proposal connects various modes of transportation; (C) nationwide deployment of innovative transportation technology or important new configurations of intermodal transportation systems that increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles; (D) the amount of goods transported or number of riders served; and (E) stimulation of the national or regional economy; (2) demonstrate the greatest commitment on the part of the applicant to fund the proposal and the greatest likelihood that each project in the proposal will be maintained and expanded after Federal assistance is exhausted; and (3) assure a broad geographic distribution of project sites. (g) Schedule.-- (1) Publication.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, and elsewhere as appropriate, a request for proposals to undertake projects under the pilot program. Applications for such proposals shall be due within 180 days of the publication of the notice. (2) Selection.--Not later than 180 days after the date by which applications for grants are due, the Secretary shall select all proposals to be carried out under the pilot program. SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS. Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing-- (1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot program including an assessment of the benefits to the environment derived from the projects included in the pilot program as well as an estimate of the potential benefits to the environment to be derived from widespread application of such intermodal transportation activities; (2) an identification of other applicants that submitted project applications for the pilot program; and (3) a description of the mechanisms used by the Secretary to ensure that the information and know-how gained by participants in the pilot program is transferred among the pilot program participants and to other interested parties, including other applicants that submitted project applications. SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATIONS. (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 to carry out this Act. (b) Availability of Amounts.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this Act shall remain available until expended.

Summary: Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the effectiveness of the pilot program, including an assessment of the benefits to the environment derived from the projects included in the program as well as an estimate of the potential benefits to the environment to be derived from widespread application of such intermodal transportation activities; and (2) the mechanisms used by the Secretary to ensure that the information and knowhow gained by program participants is transferred among them and to other interested parties, including other project applicants. Authorizes appropriations.