SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Salton Sea Reclamation Act of 1998''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I--SALTON SEA FEASIBILITY STUDY Sec. 101. Salton Sea Feasibility study authorization. Sec. 102. Concurrent wildlife resources studies. Sec. 103. Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge renamed as Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. TITLE II--EMERGENCY ACTION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE ALAMO RIVER AND NEW RIVER Sec. 201. Alamo River and New River irrigation drainage water. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) The term ``Committees'' means the Committee on Resources and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Environmental and Public Works of the Senate. (2) The term ``Salton Sea Authority'' means the Joint Powers Authority by that name established under the laws of the State of California by a Joint Power Agreement signed on June 2, 1993. (3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation. TITLE I--SALTON SEA FEASIBILITY STUDY SEC. 101. SALTON SEA FEASIBILITY STUDY AUTHORIZATION. (a) In General.--No later than January 1, 2000, the Secretary, in accordance with this section, shall complete all feasibility studies and cost analyses for the options set forth in subsection (b)(2)(A) necessary for Congress to fully evaluate such options. (b) Feasibility Study.-- (1) In general.-- (A) The Secretary shall complete all studies, including, but not limited to environmental and other reviews, of the feasibility and benefit-cost of various options that permit the continued use of the Salton Sea as a reservoir for irrigation drainage and: (i) reduce and stabilize the overall salinity of the Salton Sea; (ii) stabilize the surface elevation of the Salton Sea; (iii) reclaim, in the long term, healthy fish and wildlife resources and their habitats; and (iv) enhance the potential for recreational uses and economic development of the Salton Sea. (B) Based solely on whatever information is available at the time of submission of the report, the Secretary shall: (i) identify any options he deems economically feasible and cost effective; (ii) identify any additional information necessary to develop construction specifications; and (iii) submit any recommendations, along with the results of the study to the Committees no later than January 1, 2000. (C)(i) The Secretary shall carry out the feasibility study in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered into by the Secretary, the Salton Sea Authority, and the Governor of California. (ii) The memorandum of understanding shall, at a minimum, establish criteria for evaluation and selection of options under subparagraph (2)(A), including criteria for determining benefit and the magnitude and practicability of costs of construction, operation, and maintenance of each option evaluated. (2) Options to be considered.--Options considered in the feasibility study-- (A) shall consist of, but need not be limited to-- (i) use of impoundments to segregate a portion of the waters of the Salton Sea in one or more evaporation ponds located in the Salton Sea basin; (ii) pumping water out of the Salton Sea; (iii) augmented flows of water into the Salton Sea; (iv) a combination of the options referred to in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii); and (v) any other economically feasible remediation option the Secretary considers appropriate and for which feasibility analyses and cost estimates can be completed by January 1, 2000; (B) shall be limited to proven technologies; and (C) shall not include any option that-- (i) relies on the importation of any new or additional water from the Colorado River; or (ii) is inconsistent with the provisions of sub- section (c). (3) Assumptions.--In evaluating options, the Secretary shall apply assumptions regarding water inflows into the Salton Sea Basin that encourage water conservation, account for transfers of water out of the Salton Sea Basin, and are based on a maximum likely reduction in inflows into the Salton Sea Basin which could be 800,000 acre-feet or less per year. (4) Consideration of costs.--In evaluating the feasibility of options, the Secretary shall consider the ability of Federal, tribal, State and local government sources and private sources to fund capital construction costs and annual operation, maintenance, energy, and replacement costs and shall set forth the basis for any cost sharing allocations as well as anticipated repayment, if any, of Federal contributions. (c) Relationship to Other Law.-- (1) Reclamation laws.--Activities authorized by this Act shall not be subject to the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388; 43 U.S.C. 391 et seq.), and Acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto. Amounts expended for those activities shall be considered nonreimbursable for purposes of those laws and shall not be considered to be a supplemental or additional benefit for purposes of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 1263; 43 U.S.C. 390aa et seq.). (2) Preservation of rights and obligations with respect to the colorado river.--This Act shall not be considered to supersede or otherwise affect any treaty, law, decree, contract, or agreement governing use of water from the Colorado River. All activities taken under this Act must be carried out in a manner consistent with rights and obligations of persons under those treaties, laws, decrees, contracts, and agreements. SEC. 102. CONCURRENT WILDLIFE RESOURCES STUDIES. (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide for the conduct, concurrently with the feasibility study under section 101(b), of studies of hydrology, wildlife pathology, and toxicology relating to wildlife resources of the Salton Sea by Federal and non-Federal entities. (b) Selection of Topics and Management of Studies.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a committee to be known as the ``Salton Sea Research Management Committee''. The committee shall select the topics of studies under this section and manage those studies. (2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of the following five members: (A) The Secretary. (B) The Governor of California. (C) The Executive Director of the Salton Sea Authority. (D) The Chairman of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribal Government. (E) The Director of the California Water Resources Center. (c) Coordination.--The Secretary shall require that studies under this section are coordinated through the Science Subcommittee which reports to the Salton Sea Research Management Committee. In addition to the membership provided for by the Science Subcommittee's charter, representatives shall be invited from the University of California, Riverside; the University of Redlands; San Diego State University; the Imperial Valley College; and Los Alamos National Laboratory. (d) Peer Review.--The Secretary shall require that studies under this section are subjected to peer review. (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For wildlife resources studies under this section there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, through accounts within the Fish and Wildlife Service, exclusively, $5,000,000. (f) Advisory Committee Act.--The committee, and its activities, are not subject to the Federal Advisory Commission Act (5 U.S.C. App.). SEC. 103. SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE RENAMED AS SONNY BONO SALTON SEA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. (a) Refuge Renamed.--The Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, located in Imperial County, California, is hereby renamed and shall be known as the ``Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge''. (b) References.--Any reference in any statute, rule, regulation, Executive order, publication, map, or paper or other document of the United States to the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge is deemed to refer to the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. TITLE II--EMERGENCY ACTION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE ALAMO RIVER AND NEW RIVER SEC. 201. ALAMO RIVER AND NEW RIVER IRRIGATION DRAINAGE WATER. (a) River Enhancement.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized and directed to promptly conduct research and construct river reclamation and wetlands projects to improve water quality in the Alamo River and New River, Imperial County, California, by treating water in those rivers and irrigation drainage water that flows into those rivers. (2) Acquisitions.--The Secretary may acquire equipment, real property from willing sellers, and interests in real property (including site access) from willing sellers as needed to implement actions under this section if the State of California, a political subdivision of the State, or Desert Wildlife Unlimited has entered into an agreement with the Secretary under which the State, subdivision, or Desert Wildlife Unlimited, respectively, will, effective 1 year after the date that systems for which the acquisitions are made are operational and functional-- (A) accept all right, title, and interest in and to the equipment, property, or interests; and (B) assume responsibility for operation and maintenance of the equipment, property, or interests. (3) Transfer of title.--Not later than 1 year after the date a system developed under this section is operational and functional, the Secretary shall transfer all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to all equipment, property, and interests acquired for the system in accordance with the applicable agreement under paragraph (2). (4) Monitoring and other actions.--The Secretary shall establish a long-term monitoring program to maximize the effectiveness of any wetlands developed under this title and may implement other actions to improve the efficacy of actions implemented pursuant to this section. (b) Cooperation.--The Secretary shall implement subsection (a) in cooperation with Desert Wildlife Unlimited, the Imperial Irrigation District, California, and other interested persons. (c) Federal Water Pollution Control.--Water withdrawn solely for the purpose of a wetlands project to improve water quality under subsection (a)(1), when returned to the Alamo River or New River, shall not be required to meet water quality standards under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For river reclamation and other irrigation drainage water treatment actions under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $3,000,000. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Salton Sea Feasibility Study Title II: Emergency Action to Improve Water Quality in the Alamo River and New River Salton Sea Reclamation Act of 1998 - Title I: Salton Sea Feasibility Study - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, by January 1, 2000, to complete all feasibility studies and cost analyses with respect to a feasibility study for the reclamation of the Salton Sea, located in Imperial and Riverside Counties, California, which shall include options for achieving salinity reduction and stabilization, stabilizing surface elevation, restoring fish and wildlife resources, and enhancing recreational use and economic development. Requires a report to specified congressional committees containing proposed options and recommendations. Directs the Secretary to carry out the study under a memorandum of understanding entered into by the Secretary, the Salton Sea Authority, and the Governor of California. Prohibits the inclusion of any option that relies on the importation of any new or additional water from the Colorado River. Preserves all current rights and obligations concerning Colorado River water use. Directs the Secretary to conduct, concurrently with the feasibility study, studies of hydrology, wildlife pathology, and toxicology relating to wildlife resources of the Salton Sea by Federal and non-Federal sources. Directs the Secretary to establish the Salton Sea Research Management Committee to select and manage such studies. Authorizes appropriations. Renames the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge as the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Title II: Emergency Action to Improve Water Quality in the Alamo River and New River - Authorizes and directs the Secretary to promptly conduct research and construct river reclamation and wetlands projects to improve water quality in the Alamo and New Rivers in Imperial County, California, by treating water in those rivers and irrigation drainage water that flows into those rivers. Directs the Secretary to establish a long-term monitoring program to maximize the effectiveness of any wetlands developed under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Job Access and Work Incentives Act''. TITLE I--PREFERENCE FOR CONTRACTORS THAT HIRE WELFARE RECIPIENTS SEC. 101. PREFERENCE FOR CONTRACTORS THAT HIRE WELFARE RECIPIENTS. (a) Preference.--In awarding a contract covered by this section, the head of a department or agency of the Federal Government shall give preference to an entity that agrees to hire welfare recipients for jobs created to carry out the contract. (b) Evaluation.--To carry out subsection (a), the head of a department or agency shall develop a system under which, in the evaluation of an offer from an entity for a contract, the preference given to the entity will be greater as the number of welfare recipients that the offeror agrees to hire increases. (c) Exceptions.--The requirement of subsection (a) shall not apply in the evaluation of offers for a contract if-- (1) the Secretary of Defense determines that the subsection should not apply for national security reasons; or (2) the head of the department or agency determines that no entry-level jobs are expected to be created to carry out the contract. (d) Covered Contracts.--This section applies to any contract in an amount in excess of $500,000 entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act by a department or agency of the Federal Government using competitive procedures. (e) Welfare Recipient.--The term ``welfare recipient'' means a recipient of assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act. TITLE II--JOB ACCESS AND REVERSE COMMUTE GRANTS SEC. 201. JOB ACCESS AND REVERSE COMMUTE GRANTS. Section 3037(l)(1) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 5309 note; 112 Stat. 391) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking clauses (ii) through (v) and inserting the following: ``(ii) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; ``(iii) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; ``(iv) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; ``(v) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and ``(vi) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''; (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``this section'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.''; and (3) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``this section'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.''. TITLE III--GUARANTEES OF LOANS MADE BY STATES TO CURRENT OR RECENT WELFARE RECIPIENTS SEC. 301. GUARANTEES OF LOANS MADE BY STATES TO CURRENT OR RECENT WELFARE RECIPIENTS. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services may provide loan guarantees to States in accordance with this section. (b) Limitation on Annual Amount of Loan Guarantees.--The total dollar amount of loan guarantees that may be provided under this section in a fiscal year shall not exceed $50,000,000. (c) Limitation on Annual Amount of Loan Guarantees per State.--The total dollar amount of loan guarantees that may be provided to a State under this section in a fiscal year is the amount that bears the same ratio to $50,000,000 as the total dollar amount payable to the State under section 403(a)(1) of the Social Security Act for the fiscal year (determined without regard to any penalty imposed under section 409 of such Act) bears to the total dollar amount payable to all States under such section 403(a)(1) for the fiscal year (as so determined). (d) Loans That May Be Guaranteed.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services may provide a loan guarantee under this section with respect to a loan if-- (1) the loan is made by a State; (2) the borrower is a recipient of assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act; (3) the principal amount of the loan is not less than $20 and not more than $5,000; and (4) the loan bears interest at an annual rate that does not exceed the rate at which interest is payable annually on bonds most recently issued by the smallest political subdivision of the State in which the borrower resides that has borrowing authority. (e) Definition of State.--In this section, the term ``State'' has the meaning given such term in section 419(5) of the Social Security Act. (f) Regulations.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section. TITLE IV--SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SEC. 401. APPROPRIATIONS FOR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. For carrying out titles V and XIX of the Public Health Service Act with respect to substance abuse and mental health services, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $2,730,000,000 for fiscal year 2000. TITLE V--RESTORATION OF DEDUCTIONS SEC. 501. RESTORATION OF DEDUCTION FOR BUSINESS MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT AND FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES OF SPOUSES AND OTHERS ACCOMPANYING THE TAXPAYER ON BUSINESS. (a) Restoration of Deduction for Business Meals and Entertainment.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (n) of section 274 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to only 50 percent of meal and entertainment expenses allowed as deduction) is hereby repealed. (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999. (b) Repeal of Special Limitation on Deduction for Travel Expenses of Spouses, Etc.-- (1) In general.--Subsection (m) of section 274 of such Code is amended by striking paragraph (3). (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 1999.

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Preference for Contractors That Hire Welfare Recipients Title II: Job Access and Reverse Commute Grants Title III: Guarantees of Loans Made by States to Current or Recent Welfare Recipients Title IV: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Title V: Restoration of Deductions Job Access and Work Incentives Act - Title I: Preference for Contractors that Hire Welfare Recipients - Requires the head of a department or agency of the Federal Government, in awarding a covered contract (contracts over $500,000), to give preference (subject to exceptions) to an entity that agrees to hire welfare recipients (a recipient of assistance under part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act) for jobs created to carry out the contract. Title II: Job Access and Reverse Commute Grants - Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to extend and increase the job access and reverse commute grants program. Title III: Guarantees of Loans Made by States to Current or Recent Welfare Recipients - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide a loan guarantee to a State with respect to a loan if: (1) the loan is made by a State; (2) the borrower is a recipient of assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act; (3) the principal amount of the loan is not less than $20 and not more than $5,000; and (4) the loan bears interest at an annual rate that does not exceed the rate at which interest is payable annually on bonds most recently issued by the smallest political subdivision of the State in which the borrower resides that has borrowing authority. Title IV: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services - Appropriates funds, as specified under the Public Health Service Act, for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Title V: Restoration of Deductions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the current limitations on the deductions for: (1) meals and entertainment expenses; and (2) luxury water transportation, travel as a form of education, and travel expenses for spouses and dependents.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Brownfields Housing and Community Renewal Development Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Congressional Findings.--The Congress finds the following: (1) Addressing the problem of contaminated abandoned industrial or commercial properties by funding programs that encourage the reuse of such properties must continue to be a priority of this country. (2) Brownfields grant programs funded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are utilized for environmental assessment, planning, job training, and cleanup. (3) EPA brownfields programs are not adequate to rehabilitate, demolish, or redevelop structures. (4) The Department of Housing and Urban Development is an appropriate agency to provide grants to redevelop contaminated, abandoned or underutilized buildings, which pose not only a possible health risk but also impact a community's quality of life. (5) Local communities need additional redevelopment programs that provide new flexibility to organizations to be part of community development efforts. (6) The Congress should fund appropriate Federal programs that allow communities to redevelop their neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in the surrounding areas. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to empower local communities and their partners to clean and redevelop brownfields in their communities by providing-- (1) flexibility for the development of local plans to address brownfields problems; and (2) access to economic development grant funds. SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY RENEWAL THROUGH BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT. Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5308) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (r) as subsection (s); and (2) by inserting after subsection (q) the following new subsection: ``(r) Grant Program to Promote Community Renewal Through Brownfield Redevelopment.-- ``(1) Establishment of program.--The Secretary shall establish a program under this subsection to make grants to assist in carrying out redevelopment activities for brownfield sites and abandoned, idled, and underused industrial, commercial or housing structures located in brownfield sites. ``(2) Grantees and grant conditions.--A grant may be made under this subsection to a unit of general local government, including an agency of such a unit, an entity affiliated with such a unit, a nonprofit organization, or a community development corporation, but only pursuant to a grant proposal for redevelopment of a brownfield site or sites, which is submitted to and approved by the Secretary and ensures that the grant will be used for at least one of the following purposes: ``(A) To benefit low and moderate income communities. ``(B) To increase affordable housing opportunities. ``(C) To address imminent threats or urgent community needs. ``(D) To provide open spaces or parks. ``(3) Priority.--In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to grant proposals that ensure that the grant will be used for two or more of the objectives specified in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (2). ``(4) Availability of assistance.--The Secretary shall not require, for eligibility to a grant under this section, that such grant amounts be used only in connection or conjunction with projects and activities assisted with a loan guaranteed under this section. ``(5) Grant amount.--Each grant award made under this subsection shall be of sufficient size to carry out the goals of this subsection, but shall not exceed $1,000,000. ``(6) Administrative costs.--A recipient of a grant under this subsection may use not more than 10 percent of the amount of the grant for reasonable administrative costs necessary in carrying out the brownfields project for which the grant is made. ``(7) Audits.--The Secretary shall establish and carry out procedures for auditing or reviewing grants made under this subsection. ``(8) Violations.--The Secretary shall establish and implement appropriate measures to sanction grantees who are found to have violated the requirements under this subsection or any grant conditions. ``(9) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `brownfield site' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601). ``(10) Authorization of appropriations.-- ``(A) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated for grants under this subsection $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. ``(B) Availability.--Any amounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph shall remain available until expended. ``(11) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress, not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of the Brownfields Housing and Community Renewal Development Act, on the use and impact of the grant program under this subsection.''.

Summary: Brownfields Housing and Community Renewal Development Act - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grants program for redevelopment activities for brownfield sites and abandoned, idled, and underused industrial, commercial, or housing structures located in brownfield sites.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Beneficiaries' Choice Stabilization Act of 2000''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Establishment of payment floor for Medicare+Choice payment rates after applying risk-adjustment methodology. Sec. 3. Change in application of budget neutrality adjustment for 2001 and 2002. Sec. 4. Increase in national per capita Medicare+Choice growth percentage in 2001 and 2002. Sec. 5. Increasing minimum payment amount. Sec. 6. Allowing movement to 50:50 percent blend in 2002. Sec. 7. Increased update for payment areas with only one or no Medicare+Choice contracts. Sec. 8. Permitting higher negotiated rates in certain Medicare+Choice payment areas below national average. Sec. 9. 10-year phase in of risk adjustment based on data from all settings. Sec. 10. Delay from July to November, 2000 in deadline for offering and withdrawing Medicare+Choice plans for 2001. Sec. 11. Miscellaneous regulatory changes. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PAYMENT FLOOR FOR MEDICARE+CHOICE PAYMENT RATES AFTER APPLYING RISK-ADJUSTMENT METHODOLOGY. (a) In General.--Section 1853(c)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(c)(1)) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `or (C)' and inserting `(C), or (D)'; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(D) Demographically adjusted fee-for-service per capita expenditures.-- ``(i) In general.--For 2001 and each subsequent year, 90 percent of the adjusted average per capita cost for the year for the Medicare+Choice payment area determined by the Secretary based upon the rule specified under paragraph (4) of section 1876(a) and calculated without regard to the adjustment under paragraph (1)(C) of such section. ``(ii) Special rule for risk adjustment.-- For purposes of applying risk adjustment to the payment amount determined under this subparagraph for a demographic class, the risk adjustment for such demographic class shall be determined under the methodology applied by the Secretary under section 1876(a)(4) without regard to subsection (a)(3) of this section.''. (b) Continuation of Computation of AAPCC Data.--Section 1853(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Continued computation and publication of county- specific per capita fee-for-service expenditure information.-- Using the most recent data available, the Secretary shall provide for the computation and publication, on an annual basis at the time of publication of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rates, of information on the level of the average annual per capita costs (described in section 1876(a)(4)) for each Medicare+Choice payment area.''. SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF BUDGET NEUTRALITY ADJUSTMENT FOR 2001 AND 2002. Section 1853(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(c)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(A) in the matter following clause (ii), by inserting ``for a year (other than 2001 or 2002)'' after ``multiplied''; and (2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``(other than 2001 or 2002)'' after ``for each year''. SEC. 4. INCREASE IN NATIONAL PER CAPITA MEDICARE+CHOICE GROWTH PERCENTAGE IN 2001 AND 2002. Section 1853(c)(6)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 23(c)(6)(B)) is amended-- (1) in clause (iv), by striking ``for 2001, 0.5 percentage points'' and inserting ``for 2001, 0 percentage points''; and (2) in clause (v), by striking ``for 2002, 0.3 percentage points'' and inserting ``for 2002, 0 percentage points''. SEC. 5. INCREASING MINIMUM PAYMENT AMOUNT. (a) In General.--Section 1853(c)(1)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(c)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(ii) For a succeeding year'' and inserting ``(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), for a succeeding year''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subclause: ``(II) For 2001 for any of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, $450.''. (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) apply to years beginning with 2001. SEC. 6. ALLOWING MOVEMENT TO 50:50 PERCENT BLEND IN 2002. Section 1853(c)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 23(c)(2)) is amended-- (1) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (F) and inserting a semicolon; and (2) by adding after and below subparagraph (F) the following: ``except that a Medicare+Choice organization may elect to apply subparagraph (F) (rather than subparagraph (E)) for 2001 and for 2002.''. SEC. 7. INCREASED UPDATE FOR PAYMENT AREAS WITH ONLY ONE OR NO MEDICARE+CHOICE CONTRACTS. (a) In General.--Section 1853(c)(1)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(c)(1)(C)(ii)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``(ii) For a subsequent year'' and inserting ``(ii)(I) Subject to subclause (II), for a subsequent year''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subclause: ``(II) During 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, in the case of a Medicare+Choice payment area in which there is no more than one contract entered into under this part as of July 1 before the beginning of the year, 102.5 percent of the annual Medicare+Choice capitation rate under this paragraph for the area for the previous year.''. (b) Construction.--The amendments made by subsection (a) do not affect the payment of a first time bonus under section 1853(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(i)). SEC. 8. PERMITTING HIGHER NEGOTIATED RATES IN CERTAIN MEDICARE+CHOICE PAYMENT AREAS BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE. Section 1853(c)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 23(c)(1)) is amended-- (1) in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking ``or (C)'' and inserting ``(C), or (D)''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(D) Permitting higher rates through negotiation.-- ``(i) In general.--For each year beginning with 2004, in the case of a Medicare+Choice payment area for which the Medicare+Choice capitation rate under this paragraph would otherwise be less than the United States per capita cost (USPCC), as calculated by the Secretary, a Medicare+Choice organization may negotiate with the Secretary an annual per capita rate that-- ``(I) reflects an annual rate of increase up to the rate of increase specified in clause (ii); ``(II) takes into account audited current data supplied by the organization on its adjusted community rate (as defined in section 1854(f)(3)); and ``(III) does not exceed the United States per capita cost, as projected by the Secretary for the year involved. ``(ii) Maximum rate described.--The rate of increase specified in this clause for a year is the rate of inflation in private health insurance for the year involved, as projected by the Secretary, and includes such adjustments as may be necessary-- ``(I) to reflect the demographic characteristics in the population under this title; and ``(II) to eliminate the costs of prescription drugs. ``(iii) Adjustments for over or under projections.--If subparagraph is applied to an organization and payment area for a year, in applying this subparagraph for a subsequent year the provisions of paragraph (6)(C) shall apply in the same manner as such provisions apply under this paragraph.''. SEC. 9. 10-YEAR PHASE IN OF RISK ADJUSTMENT BASED ON DATA FROM ALL SETTINGS. Section 1853(a)(3)(C)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(c)(1)(C)(ii)) is amended-- (1) by striking the period at the end of subclause (II) and inserting a semicolon; and (2) by adding after and below subclause (II) the following: ``and, beginning in 2004, insofar as such risk adjustment is based on data from all (or substantially all) settings, the methodology shall be phased in equal increments over a 10 year period, beginning with 2004 or (if later) the first year in which such data is used.''. SEC. 10. DELAY FROM JULY TO NOVEMBER, 2000 IN DEADLINE FOR OFFERING AND WITHDRAWING MEDICARE+CHOICE PLANS FOR 2001. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the deadline for a Medicare+Choice organization to withdraw the offering of a Medicare+Choice plan under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (or otherwise to submit information required for the offering of such a plan) for 2001 is delayed from July 1, 2000, to November 1, 2000, and any such organization that provided notice of withdrawal of such a plan during 2000 before the date of the enactment of this Act may rescind such withdrawal at any time before November 1, 2000. SEC. 11. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATORY CHANGES. (a) Prohibition on Requirement To Submit Encounter Data.--Section 1853(a)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(a)(3)(B)) is amended-- (1) by designating the matter following ``Data collection'' as a clause (i) with appropriate indentation and the heading ``In general''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new clauses: ``(ii) Issuance of data submission requirements.--The Secretary may not require under clause (i) the submission of encounter data to support a risk adjustment methodology based on all (or substantially all) settings until a reasonable time after the Secretary issues the complete requirements for data submission. Such requirements shall be limited to the minimum data elements necessary to support the risk adjustment methodology. Such system shall be designed to accept the required minimum data elements in a form and manner compatible with Medicare+Choice organizations' operations. ``(iii) Evaluation.--In issuing such data submission requirements, the Secretary must include an evaluation by an outside, independent actuary of whether the proposed data elements are the minimum necessary to support the risk adjustment methodology.''. (b) Post-Stabilization Guidelines.--Section 1852(d)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(d)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``In prescribing such guidelines-- ``(A) post-stabilization care shall be limited to care related to treatment of the condition that precipitated the provision of emergency services; and ``(B) the provider of emergency services is not authorized to provide post-stabilization care unless-- ``(i) the Medicare+Choice organization has been notified as soon as practicable, but not later than 2 hours after stabilization, in advance of the request to provide such care; ``(ii) the organization has either approved the request or not responded to such request within a reasonable period (of at least 3 hours) after it has been notified; and ``(iii) the emergency services provider maintains a written documentation concerning the notice and the organization's response to such notice.''. (c) Enrollment Process.-- (1) Allowing on-line enrollment.--Section 1851(c)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-21(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(C) On-line applications.--Such process shall permit the filing of appropriate election forms under subparagraphs (A) and (B) to be done through electronic means (including use of the Internet).''. (2) Moratorium on changes in medicare+choice enrollment rules.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not make any changes in the enrollment and disenrollment instructions and related materials (including operational policy letters and evidence of coverage) under the Medicare+Choice program under part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act between the date of the enactment of this Act and January 1, 2002, except as may be specifically and only required to comply with a change in statute.

Summary: Delays from July to November 2000 the deadline for withdrawing the offer, or rescinding the withdrawal, of Medicare+Choice plans for 2001. Amends SSA title XVIII part C to Medicare+Choice program data collection requirements with regard to: (1) issuance of encounter data submission requirements; (2) post- stabilization guidelines; and (3) on-line enrollment. Prohibits the Secretary from making any changes in the enrollment and disenrollment instructions and related materials (including operational policy letters and evidence of coverage) under Medicare+Choice between enactment of this Act and January 1, 2002, except as may be specifically and only required to comply with a change in statute.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Land and National Park Deferred Maintenance Act'' or the ``LAND Act''. SEC. 2. LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND. (a) Reauthorization.--Section 200302 of title 54, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``September 30, 2018,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2024''; and (2) in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), by striking ``September 30, 2018'', and inserting ``September 30, 2024''. (b) Funding.--Section 200303 of title 54, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 200303. Funding ``(a) Funding for Fiscal Years 2018 Through 2024.--From amounts covered into the fund under section 200302 of this chapter-- ``(1) $450,000,000 in each fiscal year shall be available for expenditure to carry out the purposes of this Act, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, to carry out the purposes of the Fund (including accounts and programs made available from the Fund under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31)); and ``(2) the remainder of amounts covered into the fund shall be available subject to appropriations, which may be made without fiscal year limitation. ``(b) Uses.--Amounts made available for obligation or expenditure from the fund may be obligated or expended only as provided in this chapter.''. (c) Allocation and Uses of Funds.--Section 200304 of title 54, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``There'' and inserting ``(a) In General.-- There''; and (2) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: ``(b) Allocation.--Of amounts appropriated or expended from the Fund-- ``(1) $180,000,000 shall be used for Federal purposes under section 200306; ``(2) $220,000,000 shall be used-- ``(A) to provide financial assistance to States under section 200305; ``(B) for the Forest Legacy Program established under section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103c); ``(C) for the American Battlefield Protection Program established under chapter 3081; and ``(D) for cooperative endangered species grants authorized under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1535); and ``(3) remaining appropriations or expenditures shall be used for activities described under paragraphs (1) and (2). ``(c) Priorities.--The President shall, as part of the President's annual budget submission to Congress, submit to Congress detailed account, program, and project allocations for funds made available under paragraph (b)(1). Acts of appropriation may provide alternate allocations for such amounts. ``(d) Prohibition on Use of Eminent Domain.--No funds made available to a State under this Act may be used for the acquisition of land, water, or an interest in land or water by eminent domain.''. (d) Recreation Access.--Section 200306 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(c) Public Access.--Not less than 1.5 percent of amounts appropriated or expended under this chapter in each fiscal year shall be made available for the fiscal year for projects that secure recreational public access to existing Federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes.''. (e) Conforming Amendments.--In title 54, United States Code-- (1) in section 200302, paragraph (3) of subsection (c) is amended by inserting ``or otherwise expended'' after ``Congress''; (2) in section 200304-- (A) the first sentence is amended by inserting ``or expenditures'' after ``appropriations''; and (B) the second sentence is amended by inserting ``or expenditures'' after ``appropriations''; (3) in section 200305-- (A) the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection (b) is amended by inserting ``or otherwise provided'' after ``appropriated''; (B) paragraph (1) of subsection (b) is amended by inserting ``expenditures'' after ``appropriations''; and (C) paragraph (2) of subsection (b) is amended by inserting ``expenditure'' after ``appropriation''; and (4) in section 200306-- (A) paragraph (1) is amended by inserting ``or expended'' after ``appropriated''; (B) in paragraph (2), subparagraph (B)(ii) is amended by inserting ``or expended'' after ``appropriated''; (C) paragraph (4) is amended by inserting ``or expenditures'' after ``appropriations'' each time it appears; and (D) subsection (b) is amended by inserting ``or expenditures'' after ``Appropriations'' each time it appears. (f) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 200303 and inserting the following: ``200303. Funding.''. SEC. 3. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MAINTENANCE AND REVITALIZATION CONSERVATION FUND. (a) In General.--There is hereby established in the Treasury a special account to be known as the ``National Park Service and Related Agencies Maintenance and Revitalization Conservation Fund''. (b) Availability of Funds.--For each of fiscal years 2018 through 2024, $450,000,000 shall be available for expenditure to carry out the purposes of this Act, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, to carry out the purposes of the Fund. Amounts from the Fund shall not be used for the acquisition of land or interests in land. (c) Deposits.--At the beginning of each applicable fiscal year, there shall be deposited in the Fund $450,000,000 from mineral revenues due and payable to the United States that are not otherwise credited, covered, or deposited under Federal law. (d) Department of the Interior.--Of funds made available under subsection (b) each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Interior shall use the following amounts for high priority deferred maintenance needs that support critical infrastructure and visitor services: (1) $25,000,000 for Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (2) $25,000,000 for Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management. (3) $375,000,000 for Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service. (e) Department of Agriculture.--Of funds made available under subsection (b) each fiscal year, the Secretary of Agriculture shall use $25,000,000 for Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Forest Service for high priority deferred maintenance needs that support critical infrastructure and visitor services. SEC. 4. OFFSET. It is the sense of Congress that the costs of carrying out this Act should be offset.

Summary: Land and National Park Deferred Maintenance Act or the LAND Act This bill extends the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) through FY2024. From the amounts deposited into the LWCF, $450 million shall be available in each fiscal year for expenditure to carry out the purposes of the Act establishing the LWCF and the purposes of the LWCF. Remaining amounts in the LWCF shall be available subject to appropriations. The bill specifies the use of amounts for federal purposes for certain land and water acquisitions (as currently) and financial assistance to states for LWCF purposes and outdoor recreation, the Forest Legacy Program, cooperative endangered species grants, and the American Battlefield Protection Program. The President must submit to Congress, as part of the annual budget submission, the account, program, and project allocations for funds that are made available from the LWCF for federal purposes. The bill prohibits the use of any funding made available to a state under this bill from being used for the acquisition of lands, waters, or interests in lands or waters by eminent domain. At least 1.5% of appropriated or expended LWCF funds must be available for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreational purposes. The bill establishes a National Park Service and Related Agencies Maintenance and Revitalization Conservation Fund in the Treasury for the deposit through FY2024 of $450 million from mineral revenues that are not otherwise credited, covered, or deposited under federal law. Of amounts made available from this fund, the Department of the Interior shall use specified amounts for high priority deferred maintenance needs that support critical infrastructure and visitor services. The Department of Agriculture shall use a specified amount for federal lands administered by the Forest Service for such high priority deferred maintenance needs.


SECTION 1. DISALLOWANCE OF DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN OIL CLEANUP COSTS. (a) General Rule.--Part IX of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to certain items not deductible) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section: ``SEC. 280I. DISALLOWANCE OF CERTAIN OIL CLEANUP COSTS. ``(a) General Rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, no deduction shall be allowed for any applicable discharge costs. ``(b) Exceptions.-- ``(1) Small spills.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to any applicable discharge costs of any taxpayer which are attributable to any oil discharge involving less than 36,000 gallons of oil. For purposes of the preceding sentence, all discharges at a facility during any 6-month period shall be aggregated and treated as one discharge. ``(2) Facility closed and cleanup completed.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to any applicable discharge costs of the taxpayer which are attributable to any oil discharge from any facility if-- ``(A) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Secretary that all cleanup and other remediation actions required by reason of such discharge have been completed, and ``(B) all operations (whether by the taxpayer or any other person) at such facility involving the transportation, storage, or processing of oil have been permanently terminated. ``(3) Taxpayer with complete liability defense.-- ``(A) In general.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to any applicable discharge costs of any taxpayer which are attributable to any oil discharge if such taxpayer has a complete liability defense with respect to such discharge. ``(B) Complete liability defense.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), a taxpayer has a complete liability defense with respect to any oil discharge, if it is determined under section 1003 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or section 311 of the Clean Water Act that such taxpayer has no liability under section 1002 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or section 311 of the Clean Water Act. ``(c) Applicable Discharge Costs.--For purposes of this section, the term `applicable discharge costs' means any of the following costs incurred in connection with any oil discharge: ``(1) Any costs incurred in removing or attempting to remove the oil. ``(2) Any costs to prevent, minimize, or mitigate pollution or other damages resulting from such discharge. ``(3) Any costs attributable to liabilities for damages, fines, or penalties from such discharge. ``(4) Any costs incurred in determining the amount of the taxpayer's liability for any of the foregoing. ``(5) Any amount deductible on account of the loss of the material discharged or released. ``(d) Oil Discharge.--For purposes of this section, the term `oil discharge' means any discharge (as defined in section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or section 311 of the Clean Water Act) of oil (as defined in such sections). ``(e) Treatment of Certain Insurance Proceeds, Etc.--Gross income shall include any compensation by insurance or otherwise received with respect to costs for which a deduction is disallowed under subsection (a).'' (b) Prohibition Against Offset by Net Operating Loss Deduction.-- Section 172 of such Code is amended by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j) and by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection: ``(i) Limitation on Use To Offset Deductions Disallowed Under Section 280I.--The deduction allowed under this section shall not reduce taxable income for any taxable year to an amount less than the amount disallowed under section 280I for such taxable year. Appropriate adjustments in the application of subsection (b)(2) shall be made to take into account the provisions of this subsection.'' (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part IX of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new item: ``Sec. 280I. Disallowance of certain oil cleanup costs.'' (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply in the case of any applicable discharge costs paid after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 2. EXPENSE TREATMENT FOR EXPENDITURE TO REDUCE RISK OF OIL SPILLS. (a) General Rule.--Part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to itemized deductions for individuals and corporations) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section: ``SEC. 198. EXPENDITURES TO REDUCE RISKS OF OIL SPILLS. ``(a) Treatment as Expenses.--Any qualified oil facility expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year shall be treated as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. The expenditures so treated shall be allowed as a deduction for such taxable year. ``(b) Qualified Oil Facility Expenditures.--For purposes of this section-- ``(1) In general.--The term `qualified oil facility expenditures' means expenditures which-- ``(A) are paid or incurred in connection with a trade or business of the taxpayer, ``(B) are paid or incurred for purposes of reducing the risk of a discharge of oil from any facility operated by the taxpayer, ``(C) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has certified to the Secretary as being necessary or appropriate for purposes of reducing the risk of such discharges; and ``(D) the taxpayer elects to take into account under this section. ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `discharge', has the meaning given such term by section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 or section 311 of the Clean Water Act and the term `oil' has the meaning given such term by such sections.'' (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new item: ``Sec. 198. Expenditures to reduce risks of oil spills.'' (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to expenditures paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow a tax deduction for oil cleanup costs, except: (1) spills involving less than 36,000 gallons of oil; (2) facility closures and cleanup completions; and (3) oil discharge costs where the taxpayer has a complete liability defense. Prohibits the net operating loss deduction from reducing taxable income to an amount less than the amount disallowed for oil cleanup costs. Treats qualified oil facility expenditures to reduce risks of oil spills as expenses which are not chargeable to capital account. Allows such expenditures as a deduction.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Iran From Smuggling Weapons to Terrorists Act''. SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO INCREASE MARITIME SECURITY AND DOMAIN AWARENESS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES BORDERING THE PERSIAN GULF, ARABIAN SEA, OR MEDITERRANEAN SEA. (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to authorize assistance and training to increase maritime security and domain awareness of foreign countries bordering the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, or the Mediterranean Sea in order to deter and counter illicit smuggling and related maritime activity by Iran, including illicit Iranian weapons shipments. (b) Authority.-- (1) In general.--To carry out the purpose of this section as described in subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, is authorized-- (A) to provide training to the national military or other security forces of Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar that have among their functional responsibilities maritime security missions; and (B) to provide training to ministry, agency, and headquarters level organizations for such forces. (2) Designation.--The provision of assistance and training under this section may be referred to as the ``Counter Iran Maritime Initiative''. (c) Types of Training.-- (1) Authorized elements of training.--Training provided under subsection (b)(1)(A) may include the provision of de minimis equipment, supplies, and small-scale military construction. (2) Required elements of training.--Training provided under subsection (b) shall include elements that promote the following: (A) Observance of and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. (B) Respect for legitimate civilian authority within the country to which the assistance is provided. (d) Availability of Funds.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2018 and available for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities, $50,000,000 shall be available only for the provision of assistance and training under subsection (b). (e) Cost Sharing.-- (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, given income parity among recipient countries, the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, should seek, through appropriate bilateral and multilateral arrangements, payments sufficient in amount to offset any training costs associated with implementation of subsection (b). (2) Cost-sharing agreement.--The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, shall negotiate a cost-sharing agreement with a recipient country regarding the cost of any training provided pursuant to subsection (b). The agreement shall set forth the terms of cost sharing that the Secretary of Defense determines are necessary and appropriate, but such terms shall not be less than 50 percent of the overall cost of the training. (3) Credit to appropriations.--The portion of such cost sharing received by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to this subsection may be credited towards appropriations available for operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities. (f) Notice to Congress on Training.--Not later than 15 days before exercising the authority under subsection (b) with respect to a recipient country, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a notification containing the following: (1) An identification of the recipient country. (2) A detailed justification of the program for the provision of the training concerned, and its relationship to United States security interests. (3) The budget for the program, including a timetable of planned expenditures of funds to implement the program, an implementation timeline for the program with milestones (including anticipated delivery schedules for any assistance and training under the program), the military department or component responsible for management of the program, and the anticipated completion date for the program. (4) A description of the arrangements, if any, to support recipient country sustainment of any capability developed pursuant to the program, and the source of funds to support sustainment efforts and performance outcomes to be achieved under the program beyond its completion date, if applicable. (5) A description of the program objectives and an assessment framework to be used to develop capability and performance metrics associated with operational outcomes for the recipient force. (6) Such other matters as the Secretary considers appropriate. (g) Definition.--In this section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means-- (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (h) Termination.--Assistance and training may not be provided under this section after September 30, 2021.

Summary: Stop Iran From Smuggling Weapons to Terrorists Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide training to: (1) the national military or other security forces of Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar that have among their functional responsibilities maritime security missions; and (2) ministry, agency, and headquarters level organizations for such forces. Such assistance and training may be referred to as the Counter Iran Maritime Initiative. Such training: (1) may include the provision of de minimis equipment, supplies, and small-scale military construction; and (2) shall include the promotion of human rights and respect for legitimate civilian authority. It is the sense of Congress that DOD should seek payments from such countries to offset training costs. DOD shall negotiate a training cost-sharing agreement with a recipient country that covers at least 50% of related costs.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Post-Prostate Cancer Treatment Equity Act of 2007''. (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) Prostate cancer will strike about one in six men during their lifetime. (2) Many of these men will have a prostatectomy and about half of those will experience significant complications. (3) For some 6,000 of these men annually reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery is their only option to address these complications. (4) Medicare covers reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery, as does two-third of private health benefits coverage. However, about one-third of private health benefits coverage does not cover this surgery. (5) To address a similar concern with respect to breast cancer, Congress enacted the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 that requires private health benefits coverage to provide coverage for reconstructive surgery following mastectomies. (6) Men should have a right to access to reconstructive surgery following a prostatectomy just as women have the right to access to reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy. SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974. (a) In General.--Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 714. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE PROSTHETIC UROLOGY SURGERY FOLLOWING PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT. ``(a) In General.--A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that provides medical and surgical benefits with respect to prostate cancer treatment shall provide, in a case of a participant or beneficiary who is receiving benefits in connection with such prostate cancer treatment, coverage for-- ``(1) all stages of reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery; and ``(2) prostheses and physical complications of prostatectomy; in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient. Such coverage may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance provisions as may be deemed appropriate and as are consistent with those established for other benefits under the plan or coverage. Written notice of the availability of such coverage shall be delivered to the participant upon enrollment and annually thereafter. ``(b) Notice.--A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan shall provide notice to each participant and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence made available or distributed by the plan or issuer and shall be transmitted-- ``(1) in the next mailing made by the plan or issuer to the participant or beneficiary; ``(2) as part of any yearly informational packet sent to the participant or beneficiary; or ``(3) not later than January 1, 2008; whichever is earlier. ``(c) Prohibitions.--A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not-- ``(1) deny to a patient eligibility or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely for the purposes of avoiding the requirements of this section; and ``(2) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of an attending provider, or provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to an attending provider, to induce such provider to provide care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this section. ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage from negotiating the level and type of reimbursement with a provider for care provided in accordance with this section. ``(e) Preemption, Relation to State Laws.-- ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any State law in effect on the date of enactment of this section with respect to health insurance coverage that requires coverage of at least the coverage of reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery otherwise required in this section. ``(2) ERISA.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or modify the provisions of section 514 with respect to group health plans.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 note) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 713 the following new item: ``Sec. 714. Required coverage for reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery following prostate cancer treatment.''. (c) Effective Dates.-- (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after the first day of the sixth month beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Special rule for collective bargaining agreements.--In the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representative and 1 or more employers, 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. SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT. (a) Group Market.--Subpart 2 of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-4 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 2707. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE PROSTHETIC UROLOGY SURGERY FOLLOWING PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT. ``The provisions of section 714 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 shall apply to group health plans, and health insurance issuers providing health insurance coverage in connection with group health plans, as if included in this subpart.''. (b) Individual Market.--Subpart 3 of part B of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-51 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 2753. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE PROSTHETIC UROLOGY SURGERY FOLLOWING PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT. ``The provisions of section 2707 of the title shall apply to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual market in the same manner as they apply to health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in connection with a group health plan in the small or large group market.''. (c) Effective Dates.-- (1) Group plans.-- (A) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to group health plans for plan years beginning on or after the first day of the sixth month beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (B) Special rule for collective bargaining agreement.--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, 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 the amendment made by subsection (a) shall not be treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement. (2) Individual plans.--The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply with respect to health insurance coverage offered, sold, issued, renewed, in effect, or operated in the individual market on or after the first day of the sixth month beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Post-Prostate Cancer Treatment Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Public Health Service Act to require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits with respect to prostate cancer treatment to provide coverage for: (1) all stages of reconstructive prosthetic urology surgery; and (2) prostheses and physical complications of prostatectomy. Requires plans to provide notice of the coverage. Prohibits a group health plan from: (1) denying to a patient eligibility or continued eligibility solely to avoid the requirements of this Act; or (2) penalizing or otherwise reducing or limiting the reimbursement of a provider or providing incentives to induce such provider to provide care to a participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this Act. Applies such requirements to coverage offered in the individual market.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Business Checking Freedom Act of 2003''. SEC. 2. INTEREST-BEARING TRANSACTION ACCOUNTS AUTHORIZED FOR ALL BUSINESSES. Section 2 of Public Law 93-100 (12 U.S.C. 1832) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: ``(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any depository institution may permit the owner of any deposit or account which is a deposit or account on which interest or dividends are paid and is not a deposit or account described in subsection (a)(2) to make up to 24 transfers per month (or such greater number as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may determine by rule or order), for any purpose, to another account of the owner in the same institution. An account offered pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a transaction account for purposes of section 19 of the Federal Reserve Act unless the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System determines otherwise.''. SEC. 3. PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON RESERVES AT FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS. (a) In General.--Section 19(b) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(12) Earnings on reserves.-- ``(A) In general.--Balances maintained at a Federal reserve bank by or on behalf of a depository institution may receive earnings to be paid by the Federal reserve bank at least once each calendar quarter at a rate or rates not to exceed the general level of short-term interest rates. ``(B) Regulations relating to payments and distribution.--The Board may prescribe regulations concerning-- ``(i) the payment of earnings in accordance with this paragraph; ``(ii) the distribution of such earnings to the depository institutions which maintain balances at such banks or on whose behalf such balances are maintained; and ``(iii) the responsibilities of depository institutions, Federal home loan banks, and the National Credit Union Administration Central Liquidity Facility with respect to the crediting and distribution of earnings attributable to balances maintained, in accordance with subsection (c)(1)(A), in a Federal reserve bank by any such entity on behalf of depository institutions. ``(C) Depository institutions defined.--For purposes of this paragraph, the term `depository institution', in addition to the institutions described in paragraph (1)(A), includes any trust company, corporation organized under section 25A or having an agreement with the Board under section 25, or any branch or agency of a foreign bank (as defined in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978).''. (b) Authorization for Pass Through Reserves for Member Banks.-- Section 19(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(c)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``which is not a member bank''. (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 19 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b)(4) (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(4)), by striking subparagraph (C) and redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and (2) in subsection (c)(1)(A) (12 U.S.C. 461(c)(1)(A)), by striking ``subsection (b)(4)(C)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)''. SEC. 4. INCREASED FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD FLEXIBILITY IN SETTING RESERVE REQUIREMENTS. Section 19(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(2)(A)) is amended-- (1) in clause (i), by striking ``the ratio of 3 per centum'' and inserting ``a ratio not greater than 3 percent (and which may be zero)''; and (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``and not less than 8 per centum,'' and inserting ``(and which may be zero),''. SEC. 5. TRANSFER OF FEDERAL RESERVE SURPLUSES. (a) In General.--Section 7(b) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 289(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Additional transfers to cover interest payments for fiscal years 2003 through 2007.-- ``(A) In general.--In addition to the amounts required to be transferred from the surplus funds of the Federal reserve banks pursuant to subsection (a)(3), the Federal reserve banks shall transfer from such surplus funds to the Board for transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury, such sums as are necessary to equal the net cost of section 19(b)(12) in each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2007. ``(B) Allocation by federal reserve board.--Of the total amount required to be paid by the Federal reserve banks under subparagraph (A) for fiscal years 2003 through 2007, the Board shall determine the amount each such bank shall pay in such fiscal year. ``(C) Replenishment of surplus fund prohibited.-- During fiscal years 2003 through 2007, no Federal reserve bank may replenish such bank's surplus fund by the amount of any transfer by such bank under subparagraph (A).''. (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 7(a) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 289(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Payment to treasury.--During fiscal years 2003 through 2007, any amount in the surplus fund of any Federal reserve bank in excess of the amount equal to 3 percent of the paid-in capital and surplus of the member banks of such bank shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury.''.

Summary: Business Checking Freedom Act of 2003 - Amends Federal law to authorize interest-bearing transaction accounts for all businesses, permitting up to 24 transfers per month (or any greater number the Federal Reserve Board may determine) to another account of the owner in the same institution.Authorizes the payment of interest by a Federal reserve bank at least quarterly on balances maintained there on behalf of a depository institution.Amends the Federal Reserve Act to revise the ratio of reserves a depository institution must maintain against its transaction accounts, permitting a ratio of zero.Directs the Federal Reserve banks in FY 2003 through 2007 to transfer to the Board for transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury, for deposit in the general fund, additional surplus funds equal to the net cost of their interest payments to depository institutions.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress hereby finds the following: (1) As of the date of the enactment of this Act, money is principally created in the domestic economy by banks through the process known as ``deposit expansion'' under which credit is extended by banks to customers in exchange for the assumption of an obligation by each customer to repay the amount of any such credit with interest. (2) The creation of money through the extension of credit and creation of debt, a traditional banking function, preceded the establishment by the Congress of, first, the national banking system and, subsequently, the Federal Reserve System. (3) The constitutional authority to create and regulate money does not limit the Federal Government to creating money through the production of coins or currency or the process of debt creation but, except for a brief period during the administration of President Lincoln, the Federal Government has not exercised such authority more broadly. (4) The creation of money by the banks in conjunction with the Federal reserve banks does not limit the constitutional authority of the Congress to create Government credit funds in the form of noninterest bearing credit to fund a legislatively approved program or prevent the Congress from creating such funds. (5) The creation of noninterest-bearing government credit funds in measured or limited increments for the purpose of funding capital and environmental projects in the public interest-- (A) will allow projects to be built for \1/2\ to \1/3\ the normal cost; and (B) will allow more necessary projects to be built at a lower cost to the taxpayers and at the same time build additional wealth in the communities where such projects are located. SEC. 3. CREATION OF MONEY. (a) In General.--Pursuant to the exercise by the Congress of the authority contained in the 5th clause of section 8 of Article I of the Constitution, the Secretary of the Treasury shall have money available for purposes of this Act in an amount equal to the product of-- (1) the population of the United States, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce on the basis of the 1990 census; and (2) $1,400. (b) Loan Agreement.--The money referred to in section 3(a) shall be created by having the Secretary of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System enter into a Loan Agreement in accordance with the following requirements: (1) The Board shall lend the United States Treasury an amount up to a total of $360,000,000,000 at the rate of not more than $72,000,000,000 per annum (on a cumulative basis) in each of the 5 years commencing 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall pay an annual fee to the Board (the amount to be negotiated between the Secretary and the Board) to cover the administrative costs the Board incurs in acting as the agent of the Administrator appointed under section 4(b). The amount of this administration fee each year shall be charged to the recipients of the noninterest bearing loans made to them during the year pursuant to section 7(e), pro rata to the amount of such loans. (c) Exercise of Sovereign Capacity to Create Money.-- (1) In general.--Any amount made available pursuant to this Act shall be treated as money created in the sovereign and exclusive capacity of the United States, in accordance with the Constitution, to create money. (2) Expenditure of tax revenue or borrowed funds not authorized.--No provision of this Act shall be construed as authorizing the expenditure of funds derived from revenues imposed and collected by the United States Government under any provision of law or from amounts borrowed by the United States Government pursuant to chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, or any other provision of law. (d) Budget Treatment.-- (1) Nonapplicability of provisions applicable to receipt and expenditures of revenue and borrowed funds.--For purposes of title 31, United States Code, the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, or any other provision of law-- (A) money created under this section shall not be treated as revenue when it is created or made available to the Administrator under section 4(b) nor shall it be treated as revenue by the Administrator or by the Secretary of the Treasury when the loans referred to in section 6 are repaid; (B) the money created under this section and the interest-free loan program established under section 6-- (i) shall not be treated as budget authority, new budget authority, budgetary resources, spending authority, new spending authority, entitlement authority, or credit authority; (ii) shall not be subject to apportionment or sequestration other than in accordance with the provisions of sections 4, 5, and 6; and (iii) shall not be taken into account in the determination of the baseline for any fiscal year; and (C) the disbursement of money created under this section shall not be treated as an outlay or a budget outlay. (e) Bank Reserve Requirements.--No provision of this Act shall be construed as affecting any authority of the Board to adjust bank reserve requirements, as appropriate. SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT. (a) In General.--The Administrator of this Act shall be under the Department of the Treasury. (b) Management.--An Administrator shall be appointed by, and accountable to, the Secretary of the Treasury. (c) Duties of Administrator.-- (1) In general.--The Administrator shall be solely responsible for disbursing, pursuant to section 6, funds created under this Act and otherwise carrying out the duties imposed under this Act. (2) Appointment of agent.--The Administrator may appoint the Board or any Federal reserve bank as an agent of the Administrator to perform such duties of the Administrator under this Act that the Administrator sees fit to delegate to the Board or any such bank. (d) United States Government General Checking Account.-- (1) Deposit.--Checks drawn on the money created under section 3 shall be deposited to the credit of the United States Government in a United States Government general checking account at a Federal reserve bank. (2) Disbursements from account.--All disbursements of loans under section 6 shall be made with United States Government checks from the account referred to in paragraph (1). (e) Loan Repayment Account.--The Administrator shall establish and maintain a separate checking account in a Federal reserve bank for the deposit of any repayment of principal on loans made under section 6. SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR INTEREST-FREE LOANS. (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), each State, county, township, incorporated municipality, school district, and Indian tribe shall be entitled to obtain a loan from the Administrator in accordance with section 6, unless such unit of government is delinquent in repaying a prior loan. (b) Maximum Amount Limitation.--The total amount of money to which any entity described in subsection (a) is eligible to borrow under this section shall not exceed the amount equal to the product of-- (1) the resident population, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce on the basis of the 1990 census, of the geographic territory over which the entity has jurisdiction (or, in the case of a school district, the latest official enrollment figures as reported to the State in which the school district resides); and (2) the amount equal to-- (A) in the case of a State, $200; (B) in the case of a county (as defined in section 2 of title 1, United States Code), $100; if the State has no township form of government, this amount shall be $200; (C) in the case of an incorporated municipality, $600; (D) in the case of any township, $100; (E) in the case of any school district, $2,400; and (F) in the case of an Indian tribe, $1,000. SEC. 6. ISSUANCE OF INTEREST-FREE LOANS. Subject to sections 5(b) and 7, the Administrator shall issue an interest-free loan from the money created under section 3 to any government unit described in section 5(a) if the Administrator obtains such assurances as the Administrator determines to be appropriate from the unit that-- (1) the proceeds of such loan will be used solely for the purpose of-- (A) funding capital projects of the governmental unit, including the construction of or improvements to-- (i) school facilities; (ii) streets, highways, bridges, and tunnels; (iii) water and sewer systems; (iv) waste disposal systems; (v) public housing facilities; (vi) public buildings and other public facilities; and (vii) environmental facilities; or (B) the cleanup of toxic waste sites or other environmental improvements. SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. (a) Disbursement Requirements.--Loans made under section 6 shall be disbursed by the Administrator-- (1) in a lump sum for the full amount of the loan; or (2) if the Administrator determines that partial disbursements are appropriate in the case of loans for construction projects in order to accommodate a greater number of loan requests, over the construction period of the project. (b) Minimum Phase-In Period.--Disbursements on all eligible loans approved under section 6 shall begin before the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Period to Maturity.--The period to maturity of any loan made under section 6 shall be the estimated number of years of the useful life of the infrastructure installation (if any) which is financed by the loan, but, in any case, shall be a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years. (d) Applicability of State Law.--The number or the principal amounts of interest-free loans made under section 6 to any governmental unit established by a State, or the period to maturity of any such loan, may not exceed the maximum number, amount, or period to maturity established under the law of such State, unless the State provides a waiver from any such limitation with respect to any such governmental unit. (e) Administrative Fees.--The Administrator shall impose an administrative fee on each recipient of a loan under section 6 in an amount not to exceed the lesser of-- (1) 0.25 percent of the total amount of the loan; or (2) the amount sufficient to cover all administrative costs incurred by the Administrator, including overhead, for making and administering that particular loan. (f) Terms of Repayment.--The repayment terms of any loan under section 6 shall require quarterly payments by the recipient in equal amounts determined by dividing-- (1) the sum of the principal and the administrative fees applicable with respect to such loan; by (2) the number of calendar quarters any portion of which falls within the period to maturity of the loan. (g) Collections of Past Due Amounts and Collection Fees.-- (1) Enforced collections.--The Administrator shall take action to enforce collection of past due amounts of any loan on which 4 or more quarterly payments are due and payable. (2) Impoundment of delinquent amount.--In the case of any delinquent loan described in paragraph (1), the Administrator may seek an order from any district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction directing a United States marshall to impound, under authority of this section, any available funds of the debtor in an amount equal to the amount currently due as of the date of such action to reduce or eliminate the delinquency. (3) Waiver of debtor's right to defend against collection.--As a condition for receiving any loan under section 6, the recipient shall waive any right to take any legal action to prevent or defend against the collection by the Administrator of any amount which the parties agree is past due. (4) Cost of collection.--The costs incurred by the Administrator in collecting any amount under this subsection with respect to any loan shall be added to and treated as a part of the principal amount of the loan. (5) Balance of loan principal and fees payable in accordance with terms of loan.--A debtor who is subject to collection proceedings under this subsection for any delinquent portion of a loan under section 6 shall continue to meet the repayment schedule applicable to such loan for the remaining amount of principal and fees. SEC. 8. DISPOSITION OF FUNDS UPON REPAYMENT. The Administrator shall, at such times and in such amounts as the Administrator determines to be appropriate, transfer amounts in the loan repayment account referred to in section 4(e) hereof to the United States Government general checking account referred to in section 4(d)(1). SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply: (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury. (2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (3) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means any Indian tribe, band, pueblo, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. (4) Secretary.--Except when used in connection with a reference to the Secretary of Commerce, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Treasury. (5) State.--The term ``State'' includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Summary: State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to have money available for purposes of this Act (i.e., the creation of non-interest-bearing Government credit funds in measured or limited increments for the purpose of funding capital and environmental projects in the public interest) in an amount equal to the product of: (1) the U.S. population, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce on the basis of the 1990 census; and (2) $1,400. Requires that the money be created by having the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System enter into a loan agreement whereby: (1) the Board shall lend the U.S. Treasury a sum up to $360 billion at the rate of not more than $72 billion per annum (on a cumulative basis) in each of the five years commencing 60 days after this Act's enactment date; and (2) the Secretary shall pay an annual fee to the Board to cover administrative costs that the Board incurs in acting as the agent of the Administrator appointed by the Secretary. Treats any amount made available pursuant to this Act as money created in the sovereign and exclusive capacity of the United States to create money. Specifies that: (1) money created under this section shall not be treated as revenue when it is created or made available to the Administrator, nor when the loans are repaid; (2) the money created and the interest-free loan program established under this Act shall not be treated as budget authority, shall not be subject to apportionment or sequestration other than in accordance with this Act, and shall not be taken into account in the determination of the baseline for any fiscal year; and (3) the disbursement of money created under this Act shall not be treated as an outlay or a budget outlay. (Sec. 5) Entitles each State, county, township, incorporated municipality, school district, and Indian tribe to obtain a loan from the Administrator, unless such governmental unit is delinquent in repaying a prior loan, subject to specified limitations. (Sec. 6) Directs the Administrator to issue an interest-free loan from the money created to any such government unit if the Administrator obtains assurances that the proceeds will be used solely for the purpose of: (1) funding capital projects of such unit, including the construction of or improvements to school facilities, streets, water and sewer systems, and public and environmental facilities; or (2) the cleanup of toxic waste sites or other environmental improvements.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan Airpower Modernization Act of 2011''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings. (1) The Department of Defense, in its 2011 report to Congress on ``Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China,'' found that ``China continued modernizing its military in 2010, with a focus on Taiwan contingencies, even as cross-Strait relations improved. The PLA seeks the capability to deter Taiwan independence and influence Taiwan to settle the dispute on Beijing's terms. In pursuit of this objective, Beijing is developing capabilities intended to deter, delay, or deny possible U.S. support for the island in the event of conflict. The balance of cross-Strait military forces and capabilities continues to shift in the mainland's favor.'' In this report, the Department of Defense also concludes that, over the next decade, China's air force will remain primarily focused on ``building the capabilities required to pose a credible military threat to Taiwan and U.S. forces in East Asia, deter Taiwan independence, or influence Taiwan to settle the dispute on Beijing's terms''. (2) The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) conducted a preliminary assessment of the status and capabilities of Taiwan's air force in an unclassified report, dated January 21, 2010. The DIA found that, ``[a]lthough Taiwan has nearly 400 combat aircraft in service, far fewer of these are operationally capable.'' The report concluded, ``Many of Taiwan's fighter aircraft are close to or beyond service life, and many require extensive maintenance support. The retirement of Mirage and F-5 aircraft will reduce the total size of the Taiwan Air Force.'' (3) Since 2006, authorities from Taiwan have made repeated requests to purchase 66 F-16C/D multirole fighter aircraft from the United States, in an effort to modernize the air force of Taiwan and maintain its self-defense capability. (4) According to a report by the Perryman Group, a private economic research and analysis firm, the requested sale of F- 16C/Ds to Taiwan ``would generate some $8,700,000,000 in output (gross product) and more than 87,664 person-years of employment in the US,'' including 23,407 direct jobs, while ``economic benefits would likely be realized in 44 states and the District of Columbia''. (5) The sale of F-16C/Ds to Taiwan would both sustain existing high-skilled jobs in key United States manufacturing sectors and create new ones. (6) On August 1, 2011, a bipartisan group of 181 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the President, expressing support for the sale of F-16C/Ds to Taiwan. On May 26, 2011, a bipartisan group of 45 members of the Senate sent a similar letter to the President, expressing support for the sale. Two other members of the Senate wrote separately to the President or the Secretary of State in 2011 and expressed support for this sale. SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS. It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) a critical element to maintaining peace and stability in Asia in the face of China's two-decade-long program of military modernization and expansion of military capabilities is ensuring a militarily strong and confident Taiwan; (2) a Taiwan that is confident in its ability to deter Chinese aggression will increase its ability to proceed in developing peaceful relations with China in areas of mutual interest; (3) the cross-Strait military balance between China and our longstanding strategic partner, Taiwan, has clearly shifted in China's favor; (4) China's military expansion poses a clear and present danger to Taiwan, and this threat has very serious implications for the ability of the United States to fulfill its security obligations to allies in the region and protect our vital United States national interests in East Asia; (5) Taiwan's air force continues to deteriorate, and it needs additional advanced multirole fighter aircraft in order to modernize its fleet and maintain a sufficient self-defense capability; (6) the United States has a statutory obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) to provide Taiwan the defense articles necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, in furtherance of maintaining peace and stability in the western Pacific region; (7) in order to comply with the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States must provide Taiwan with additional advanced multirole fighter aircraft, as well as significant upgrades to Taiwan's existing fleet of multirole fighter aircraft; and (8) the proposed sale of F-16C/D multirole fighter aircraft to Taiwan would have significant economic benefits to the United States economy. SEC. 4. SALE OF F-16 AIRCRAFT TO TAIWAN. The President shall carry out the sale of no fewer than 66 F-16C/D multirole fighter aircraft to Taiwan.

Summary: Taiwan Air Power Modernization Act of 2011 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) a critical element to maintaining peace and stability in Asia in the face of China's military expansion is ensuring a militarily strong Taiwan, (2) the United States has a statutory obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities, and (3) the proposed fighter aircraft sale to Taiwan would have significant economic benefits to the U.S. economy. Directs the President to carry out the sale of no fewer than 66 F-16C/D multirole fighter aircraft to Taiwan.