SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Probation System Reform Act''. SEC. 2. SUPERVISION OF A PERSON ASSIGNED AN ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE AS A CONDITION OF RELEASE; PENALTY FOR DISABLING AN ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE. (a) In General.--Part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 237 the following new chapter: ``CHAPTER 239--ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICES ``Sec. ``3801. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release. ``3802. Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device. ``Sec. 3801. Supervision of a person assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release ``(a) In General.--In the case of a person who was convicted of a Federal offense who has been sentenced to probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227, placed on probation pursuant to the provisions of chapter 403, or placed on supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or a person accused of such an offense who has been released pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207, who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of such probation or release, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall ensure that an appropriate probation officer or pretrial services officer supervises the person by doing the following: ``(1) Conducting a daily review of any data produced by the electronic monitoring device worn by the person. ``(2) In the case of an alert produced by an electronic monitoring system that the Director determines requires an investigation, conducting an investigation immediately following the alert, including-- ``(A) contacting the person; ``(B) inspecting the electronic monitoring device; and ``(C) documenting the alert and the response taken. ``(b) Uniform Standards.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall issue uniform standards in order to implement subsection (a). ``Sec. 3802. Penalty for disabling an electronic monitoring device ``(a) Offense.--Whoever-- ``(1) intentionally disables an electronic monitoring device that was assigned to a person as a condition of probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227 or chapter 403, supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or release pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207; or ``(2) having been assigned an electronic monitoring device as a condition of probation pursuant to subchapter B of chapter 227 or chapter 403, supervised release pursuant to section 3583, or release pending trial, sentence, or appeal pursuant to chapter 207, intentionally allows another person to disable such device; shall be punished as provided in subsection (b). ``(b) Punishment.--The punishment for an offense under subsection (a) is-- ``(1) if the person to whom the electronic monitoring device was assigned commits a Federal, State, or local offense in addition to violating subsection (a) upon the disabling of such device, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 4 years; or ``(2) if the person to whom the electronic monitoring device was assigned does not commit a Federal, State or local crime in addition to violating subsection (a) upon the disabling of such device, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 1 year.''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 237 the following: ``239. Electronic Monitoring Devices........................ 3801''. SEC. 3. INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR PROBATION AND PRETRIAL SERVICES. (a) In General.--Chapter 207 of part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by redesignating sections 3155 and 3156 as sections 3156 and 3157, respectively; (2) after section 3154, by inserting the following: ``Sec. 3155. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within pretrial services (commonly referred to as the United States Probation and Pretrial Services System) the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services (referred to in this section as the `Office'). ``(b) Appointment, Term, and Removal of Inspector General.-- ``(1) Appointment.--The head of the Office shall be the Inspector General, who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States after consultation with the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives. ``(2) Term.--The Inspector General shall serve for a term of four years and may be reappointed by the Chief Justice of the United States for any number of additional terms. ``(3) Removal.--The Inspector General may be removed from office by the Chief Justice of the United States. The Chief Justice shall communicate the reasons for any such removal to both Houses of Congress. ``(c) Duties.--With respect to probation and pretrial services, the Office shall-- ``(1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct; ``(2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; ``(3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; and ``(4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing probation and pretrial services. ``(d) Powers.-- ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the duties of the Office, the Inspector General shall have the power-- ``(A) to make investigations and reports; ``(B) to obtain information or assistance from any Federal, State, or local governmental agency, or other entity, or unit thereof, including all information kept in the normal course of business by probation and pretrial services in any judicial district; ``(C) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses, and the production of such books, records, correspondence memoranda, papers, and documents; which subpoena, in the case of contumacy or refusal to obey, shall be enforceable by civil action; ``(D) to administer to or take from any person an oath, affirmation, or affidavit; ``(E) to employ such officers and employees, subject to the provisions of title 5, governing appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates; ``(F) to obtain services authorized by section 3109 of title 5 at daily rates not to exceed the equivalent rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule by section 5332 of title 5; and-- ``(G) to the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in advance by appropriations Acts, to enter into contracts and other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and other services with public agencies and with private persons, and to make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Office. ``(2) Limitation.--The Inspector General shall not have the authority to-- ``(A) investigate or review any matter that is directly related to the merits of a decision or procedural ruling by any judge or court; or ``(B) punish or discipline any pretrial services officer or probation officer. ``(e) Reports.-- ``(1) When to be made.--The Inspector General shall-- ``(A) make an annual report to the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to Congress relating to the activities of the Office; and ``(B) make prompt reports to the Director and to Congress on matters that may require action by them. ``(2) Sensitive matter.--If a report contains sensitive matter, the Inspector General may so indicate and Congress may receive that report in closed session. ``(3) Duty to inform attorney general.--In carrying out the duties of the Office, the Inspector General shall report expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever the Inspector General has reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of Federal criminal law. ``(f) Whistleblower Protection.-- ``(1) In general.--No officer, employee, agent, contractor, or subcontractor of pretrial services may discharge, demote, threaten, suspend, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act done by the employee to provide information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any possible violation of Federal law or regulation, or misconduct, by a pretrial services officer or probation officer, which may assist the Inspector General in the performance of duties under this chapter. ``(2) Civil action.--An employee injured in violation of paragraph (1) may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate relief. ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.''. (b) Clerical Amendments.--Chapter 207 of part II of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in section 3157(b) (as redesignated by this Act) is amended by striking ``3152-3155'' and inserting ``3152-3156''; and (2) in the table of sections, after the item relating to section 3154, by inserting the following: ``3155. Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services.''.

Summary: Federal Probation System Reform Act - Amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to ensure that an appropriate probation or pretrial services officer supervises a person convicted of a federal offense who has been sentenced to probation, placed on probation, or placed on supervised release, or a person accused of such an offense who has been released pending trial, sentence, or appeal, and who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of such probation or release, including by: (1) conducting a daily review of any data produced by such device; and (2) conducting an investigation immediately following an electronic monitoring system alert that the Director determines requires investigation. Prohibits, and sets penalties for, intentionally disabling such a device or allowing another person to disable such device. Establishes within the United States Probation and Pretrial Services System the Office of the Inspector General for Probation and Pretrial Services, which shall: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; (4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing probation and pretrial services; and (5) report expeditiously to the Attorney General whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of federal criminal law. Provides whistleblower protection for an employee who provides information to or otherwise assists the Inspector General in an investigation of a possible violation of federal law or misconduct by a pretrial services or probation officer.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Fab Lab Network Act of 2013''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Scientific discoveries and technical innovations are critical to the economic and national security of the United States. (2) Maintaining the leadership of the United States in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will require a diverse population with the skills, interest, and access to tools required to advance these fields. (3) Just as earlier digital revolutions in communications and computation provided individuals with the Internet and personal computers, a digital revolution in fabrication will allow anyone to make almost anything, anywhere. (4) Fab labs like the Center for Bits and Atoms at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provide a model for a new kind of national laboratory that links local facilities for advanced manufacturing to expand access and empower communities. (5) A coordinated national public-private partnership will be the most effective way to accelerate the provision of this infrastructure for learning skills, developing inventions, creating businesses, and producing personalized products. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL FAB LAB NETWORK. (a) Definitions.--In this section-- (1) the term ``fab lab'' means a facility-- (A) equipped with an integrated suite of fabrication tools to convert digital designs into functional physical things and scanning tools to convert physical things into digital designs; and (B) available for a range of individual and collaborative educational, commercial, creative, and social purposes, based on guidelines established by the NFLN relating to sustainable operation; and (2) the term ``NFLN'' means the National Fab Lab Network. (b) Federal Charter.--The National Fab Lab Network is a federally charted nonprofit corporation, which shall facilitate the creation of a national network of local fab labs and serve as a resource to assist stakeholders with the effective operation of fab labs. (c) Membership and Organization.-- (1) In general.--Eligibility for membership in the NFLN and the rights and privileges of members shall be as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the NFLN. The Board of Directors, officers, and other employees of the NFLN, and their powers and duties, shall be provided in the bylaws of the NFLN. (2) Board of directors.--The Board of Directors of the NFLN shall include-- (A) the Director of the Fab Foundation; (B) members of the manufacturing sector and entrepreneurial community; and (C) leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. (3) Coordination.--When appropriate, the NFLN should work with Manufacturing Extension Partnership Centers of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Small Business Administration, and other agencies of the Federal Government to provide additional resources to fab lab users. (d) Functions.--The NFLN shall-- (1) serve as the coordinating body for the creation of a national network of local fab labs in the United States; (2) provide a first point of contact for organizations and communities seeking to create fab labs, providing information, assessing suitability, advising on the lab lifecycle, and maintaining descriptions of prospective and operating sites; (3) link funders and sites with operational entities that can source and install fab labs, provide training, assist with operations, account for spending, and assess impact; (4) perform outreach for individuals and communities on the benefits available through the NFLN; (5) facilitate use of the NFLN in synergistic programs, such as workforce training, job creation, research broader impacts, and the production of civic infrastructure; and (6) offer transparency in the management, governance, and operation of the NFLN. (e) Purposes.--In carrying out its functions, the NFLN's purposes and goals shall be to-- (1) create a national network of connected local fab labs to empower individuals and communities in the United States; and (2) foster the use of distributed digital fabrication tools to promote science, technology, engineering and math skills, increase invention and innovation, create businesses and jobs, and fulfill needs. (f) Funding.--The NFLN may accept gifts from private individuals, corporations, government agencies, or other organizations.

Summary: National Fab Lab Network Act of 2013 - Grants a federal charter to the National Fab Lab Network.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009''. SEC. 2. MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES DEPLOYED IN CONNECTION WITH A CONTINGENCY OPERATION. (a) Mental Health Screenings.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue guidance for the provision of an in-person mental health screening for each member of the Armed Forces who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation as follows: (A) At a time during the period beginning 180 days before the date of deployment in connection with the contingency operation and ending 90 days before the date of deployment in connection with the contingency operation. (B) At a time during the period beginning 90 days after the date of redeployment from the contingency operation and ending 180 days after the date of redeployment from the contingency operation. (C) Subject to subsection (d), not later than each of 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after the screening provided under subparagraph (B). (2) Exclusion of certain members.--A mental health screening is not required for a members of the Armed Forces under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the member was not subjected or exposed to combat stress during deployment in the contingency operation concerned. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the mental health screenings provided pursuant to this section shall be to identify post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal tendencies, and other behavioral health issues identified among members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) in order to determine which such members are in need of additional care and treatment for such health issues. (c) Elements.-- (1) In general.--The mental health screenings provided pursuant to this section shall-- (A) be performed by personnel trained and certified to perform such screenings in accordance with such criteria as the Secretary of Defense shall establish; and (B) include an in-person dialogue between members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (a) and personnel described by paragraph (1) on such matters as the Secretary shall specify in order that the screenings achieve the purpose specified in subsection (b) for such screenings. (2) Treatment of current assessments and screenings.--The Secretary may treat periodic health assessments and other in- person screenings that are provided to members of the Armed Forces as of the date of the enactment of this Act as meeting the requirements for mental health screenings required under this section if the Secretary determines that such assessments and in-person screenings meet the requirements for mental health screenings established by this section. (d) Cessation of Screenings.--No mental health screening is required to be provided an individual under subsection (a)(1)(C) after the individual's discharge or release from the Armed Forces. (e) Sharing of Information.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall share with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs such information on members of the Armed Forces that is derived from confidential mental health screenings, including mental health screenings provided pursuant to this section and health assessments and other in- person screenings provided before the date of the enactment of this Act, as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs jointly consider appropriate to ensure continuity of mental health care and treatment of members of the Armed Forces during their transition from health care and treatment provided by the Department of Defense to health care and treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (2) Protocols.--Any sharing of information under paragraph (1) shall occur pursuant to a protocol jointly established by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of this subsection. Any such protocol shall be consistent with the following: (A) Applicable provisions of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note), including in particular, section 1614 of that Act (122 Stat. 443; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note). (B) Section 1720F of title 38, United States Code. (f) Contingency Operation Defined.--In this section, the term ``contingency operation'' has the meaning given that term in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code. (g) Reports.-- (1) Report on guidance.--Upon the issuance of the guidance required by subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report describing the guidance. (2) Report on implementation of guidance.--Not later than one year after the date of the issuance of the guidance required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the guidance by the military departments. The report shall include an evidence- based assessment of the effectiveness of the mental health screenings provided pursuant to the guidance in achieving the purpose specified in subsection (b) for such screenings.

Summary: Post-Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to issue guidance for the provision of an in-person mental health screening for each member of the Armed Forces deployed in connection with a contingency operation, in order to identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal tendencies, and other behavioral health issues for which additional care and treatment may be necessary. Excludes from such screenings members not subjected or exposed to combat stress during their deployment. Requires the Secretary to share screening results with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in order to ensure continuity of mental health care and treatment for such members during their transition from health care and treatment provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) to health care and treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Reliable Farm Safety Net Act''. SEC. 2. CROP DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR FUTURE CROP YEARS. The Federal Crop Insurance Act is amended by inserting after section 518 (7 U.S.C. 1518) the following: ``SEC. 519. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE. ``(a) Definition of Federally Declared Disaster Area.--In this section, the term `federally declared disaster area' means-- ``(1) a county covered by-- ``(A) a Presidential declaration of major disaster issued under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170); or ``(B) a declaration by the Secretary of a disaster area under subpart A of part 1945 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and ``(2) each county contiguous to a county described in paragraph (1). ``(b) Crop Disaster Assistance.-- ``(1) Authority to provide emergency assistance.--The Secretary shall use the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make emergency financial assistance available to producers on a farm that incur qualifying crop losses for an insurable crop due to damaging weather or related condition, as determined by the Secretary, that results in the designation of the county in which the farm or ranch is located as a federally declared disaster area. ``(2) Administration.--Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), the Secretary shall make assistance available under this subsection in the same manner as provided under section 815 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106-387; 114 Stat. 1549A-55), including using the same loss thresholds for the quantity and quality losses as were used in administering that section. ``(3) Payment rate.--The Secretary shall make assistance available to producers on a farm for a crop under this subsection at a rate equal to 65 percent of the established price for the crop for any deficiency in production of 35 percent or more for the crop. ``(4) Ineligibility for assistance.-- ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the producers on a farm shall not be eligible for assistance under this subsection with respect to losses to an insurable commodity or noninsurable commodity if the producers on the farm-- ``(i) in the case of an insurable commodity, did not obtain a policy or plan of insurance for the insurable commodity under this Act for the crop incurring the losses; ``(ii) in the case of a noninsurable commodity, did not file the required paperwork, and pay the administrative fee by the applicable State filing deadline, for the noninsurable commodity under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) for the crop incurring the losses; ``(iii) had adjusted gross incomes, as defined by section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a), of greater than $2,500,000 in 2003; or ``(iv) were not in compliance with highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation provisions. ``(B) Contract waiver.--The Secretary may waive subparagraph (A) with respect to the producers on a farm if the producers enter into a contract with the Secretary under which the producers agree-- ``(i) in the case of an insurable commodity, to obtain a policy or plan of insurance under this Act providing additional coverage for the insurable commodity for each of the next 2 crops, at a level of coverage equal to or greater than 60 percent; and ``(ii) in the case of a noninsurable commodity, to file the required paperwork and pay the administrative fee by the applicable State filing deadline, for the noninsurable commodity for each of the next 2 crops under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333). ``(C) Effect of violation.--In the event of the violation of a contract under subparagraph (B) by a producer, the producer shall reimburse the Secretary for the full amount of the assistance provided to the producer under this subsection. ``(c) Livestock Assistance Program.-- ``(1) Emergency financial assistance.--The Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make and administer payments for livestock losses of eligible applicants due to a disaster, as determined by the Secretary. ``(2) Eligible applicants.--In carrying out the program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide assistance to any applicant that-- ``(A)(i) conducts a livestock operation that is located in a federally declared disaster area, including any applicant conducting a livestock operation with eligible livestock (within the meaning of the livestock assistance program under section 101(b) of division B of Public Law 108-324 (118 Stat. 1234)); or ``(ii) produces an animal described in section 10806(a)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (21 U.S.C. 321d(a)(1)); and ``(B) meets all other eligibility requirements established by the Secretary for the program. ``(3) Administration.--The Secretary shall make assistance available under this subsection in the same manner as provided under section 806 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106-387; 114 Stat. 1549A-51). ``(4) Mitigation.--In determining the eligibility for or amount of payments for which a producer is eligible under the livestock assistance program, the Secretary shall not penalize a producer that takes actions (recognizing disaster conditions) that reduce the average number of livestock the producer owned for grazing during the production year for which assistance is being provided. ``(d) Livestock Indemnity Program.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out a livestock indemnity program for livestock losses of eligible applicants in federally declared disaster areas, as determined by the Secretary. ``(2) Administration.--The Secretary shall make assistance available under this subsection in the same manner as provided under section 3012(b) of the Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-234; 120 Stat. 476). ``(3) Limitation on assistance.--A producer may apply for assistance under this subsection or subsection (c), but not both. ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated such amounts as are necessary to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for funds expended by the Secretary under this section. ``(f) Effective Date.--This section applies to the 2007 and subsequent crop years.''.

Summary: Reliable Farm Safety Net Act - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to establish permanent authority (beginning with crop year 2007) for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide disaster relief to qualifying agricultural producers who incur crop or livestock losses as a result of damaging weather or related condition in federally declared disaster areas.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Green River National Wildlife Refuge Act of 2002''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) the Green River bottoms area, Kentucky, was once part of a large bottomland hardwood forest; (2) most of the bottoms area has been converted to agricultural use through-- (A) draining of wetland; (B) altering of interior drainage systems; and (C) clearing of bottomland hardwood forest; (3) as of the date of enactment of this Act, the bottoms area is predominantly ridge and swale farmland, with river-scar oxbows, several sloughs, wet depression areas, and a small quantity of bottomland hardwood forest; (4) approximately 1,200 acres of bottomland hardwood forest remain, consisting mostly of cypress, willow, hackberry, silver maple, ash, and buttonbush; (5) many of the interior drainage systems on the land offer excellent opportunities to restore, with minor modifications, the historical hydrology, wetland, and bottomland hardwood forest of the bottoms area to high-quality wildlife habitats; (6) in the bottoms area, waterfowl occur in large numbers when sufficient water levels occur, primarily when flood conditions from the Ohio River and the Green River negate the extensive drainages and alterations made by man; (7) the wooded and shrub tracts of the bottoms area are used by many species of nongame neotropical migratory birds; (8) migratory shorebirds use the bottoms area during spring migrations; (9) wading birds such as snipe, great blue heron, green heron, common egret, and great egret frequent the bottoms area; (10) bald eagles and myriad other raptors frequent the bottoms area; (11) several species listed as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) have been found near the bottoms area, including Indiana bat maternity colonies, fanshell, pink mucket pearly mussel, and fat pocketbook; (12) several species of mussel listed as endangered or threatened species under that Act historically occurred near the bottoms area, including purple cat's paw pearly mussel, tubercled-blossom pearly mussel, ring pink, and white wartyback pearly mussel; (13) the copperbelly water snake, covered by the Copperbelly Water Snake Conservation Plan, is found in the wetland complex and buttonbush shrub in the Scuffletown area; (14) significant populations of resident game species, including white-tailed deer, swamp rabbit, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, mink, muskrat, beaver, fox, and coyote, occur in the bottoms area; (15) the Ohio River and the Green River are important habitat for big river species such as paddlefish, sturgeon, catfish, carp, buffalo, and gar; (16) conservation, enhancement, and ecological restoration of the bottoms area through inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System would help meet the habitat conservation goals of-- (A) the North American Waterfowl Management Plan; (B) the Lower Mississippi Joint Venture; (C) the Interior Low Plateaus Bird Conservation Plan; and (D) the Copperbelly Water Snake Conservation Plan; (17) the valuable complex of wetland habitats comprising the bottoms area, with its many forms of wildlife, has extremely high recreational value for hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, nature photographers, and others; and (18) the Green River bottoms area is deserving of inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System. SEC. 3. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to establish the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in the Green River bottoms area, Henderson County, Kentucky, to provide-- (1) habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl; (2) habitat for nongame land birds; (3) habitats for a natural diversity of fish and wildlife; (4) nesting habitat for wood ducks and other locally nesting migratory waterfowl; (5) high-quality hunting and sportfishing opportunities; and (6) opportunities for environmental education, interpretation, and wildlife-oriented recreation. SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Green River National Wildlife Refuge established under section 5. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the Green River National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of approximately 23,000 acres of Federal land, water, and interests in land or water within the boundaries depicted on the map entitled ``Green River National Wildlife Refuge'', dated September 10, 2001. (2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary shall make such minor revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge as are appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate the acquisition of land, water, and interests in land or water within the Refuge. (3) Availability of map.--The map referred to in paragraph (1) shall be available for inspection in appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (b) Effective Date.--The establishment of the Refuge shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary publishes, in the Federal Register and publications of local circulation in the vicinity of the Refuge, a notice that sufficient property has been acquired by the United States within the Refuge to constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a national wildlife refuge. SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF LAND, WATER, AND INTERESTS IN LAND OR WATER. (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may obtain by purchase from willing sellers, donation, or exchange up to 23,000 acres of land and water, or interests in land or water, within the boundaries of the Refuge described in section 5(a)(1). (b) Inclusion in Refuge.--Any land, water, or interest acquired by the Secretary under this section shall be part of the Refuge. SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. In administering the Refuge, the Secretary shall-- (1) conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and terrestrial community characteristics of the Green River (including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species); (2) conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and assist in the recovery of species of animals and plants that are listed as endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); (3) in providing opportunities for compatible fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation, ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority general public uses of the Refuge, in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)); and (4) encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation organizations, and other non- Federal entities to promote-- (A) public awareness of the resources of the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System; and (B) public participation in the conservation of those resources. SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for-- (1) the acquisition of land and water within the boundaries of the Refuge; and (2) the development, operation, and maintenance of the Refuge.

Summary: Green River National Wildlife Refuge Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish, revise the boundaries of, and acquire land and water for the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in Kentucky.Requires the Secretary, in administering the Refuge, to: (1) conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and terrestrial community characteristics of the Green River; (2) conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and assist in the recovery of animals and plants that are listed as endangered or threatened species; (3) ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority general public uses of the Refuge; and (4) encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-Federal entities to promote public awareness of the refuge resources and public participation in resource conservation.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Access to High Standards Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) far too many students are not being provided sufficient academic preparation in secondary school, which results in limited employment opportunities, college dropout rates of over 25 percent for the first year of college, and remediation for almost one-third of incoming college freshmen; (2) there is a growing consensus that raising academic standards, establishing high academic expectations, and showing concrete results are at the core of improving public education; (3) modeling academic standards on the well-known program of advanced placement courses is an approach that many education leaders and almost half of all States have endorsed; (4) advanced placement programs already are providing 30 different college-level courses, serving almost 60 percent of all secondary schools, reaching over 1,000,000 students (of whom 80 percent attend public schools, 55 percent are females, and 30 percent are minorities), and providing test scores that are accepted for college credit at over 3,000 colleges and universities, every university in Germany, France, and Austria, and most institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom; (5) 24 States are now funding programs to increase participation in advanced placement programs, including 19 States that provide funds for advanced placement teacher professional development, 3 States that require that all public secondary schools offer advanced placement courses, 10 States that pay the fees for advanced placement tests for some or all students, and 4 States that require that their public universities grant uniform academic credit for scores of 3 or better on advanced placement tests; and (6) the State programs described in paragraph (5) have shown the responsiveness of schools and students to such programs, raised the academic standards for both students participating in such programs and other children taught by teachers who are involved in advanced placement courses, and shown tremendous success in increasing enrollment, achievement, and minority participation in advanced placement programs. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to encourage more of the 600,000 students who take advanced placement courses but do not take advanced placement exams each year to demonstrate their achievements through taking the exams; (2) to build on the many benefits of advanced placement programs for students, which benefits may include the acquisition of skills that are important to many employers, Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) scores that are 100 points above the national averages, and the achievement of better grades in secondary school and in college than the grades of students who have not participated in the programs; (3) to support State and local efforts to raise academic standards through advanced placement programs, and thus further increase the number of students who participate and succeed in advanced placement programs; (4) to increase the availability and broaden the range of schools that have advanced placement programs, which programs are still often distributed unevenly among regions, States, and even secondary schools within the same school district, while also increasing and diversifying student participation in the programs; (5) to build on the State programs described in subsection (a)(5) and demonstrate that larger and more diverse groups of students can participate and succeed in advanced placement programs; (6) to provide greater access to advanced placement courses for low-income and other disadvantaged students; and (7) to provide access to advanced placement courses for secondary school juniors at schools that do not offer advanced placement programs, increase the rate of secondary school juniors and seniors who participate in advanced placement courses to 25 percent of the secondary school student population, and increase the numbers of students who receive advanced placement test scores for which college academic credit is awarded. SEC. 3. ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM GRANTS. (a) Grants Authorized.-- (1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under the authority of subsection (f) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection (c). (2) Duration and payments.-- (A) Duration.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this section for a period of 3 years. (B) Payments.--The Secretary shall make grant payments under this section on an annual basis. (3) Definition of eligible entity.--In this section, the term ``eligible entity'' means a State educational agency, or a local educational agency, in the State. (b) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities submitting applications under subsection (d) that demonstrate-- (1) a pervasive need for access to advanced placement incentive programs; (2) the involvement of business and community organizations in the activities to be assisted; (3) the availability of matching funds from State or local sources to pay for the cost of activities to be assisted; (4) a focus on developing or expanding advanced placement programs and participation in the core academic areas of English, mathematics, and science; and (5)(A) in the case of an eligible entity that is a State educational agency, the State educational agency carries out programs in the State that target-- (i) local educational agencies serving schools with a high concentration of low-income students; or (ii) schools with a high concentration of low- income students; or (B) in the case of an eligible entity that is a local educational agency, the local educational agency serves schools with a high concentration of low-income students. (c) Authorized Activities.--An eligible entity may use grant funds under this section to expand access for low-income individuals to advanced placement incentive programs that involve-- (1) teacher training; (2) preadvanced placement course development; (3) curriculum coordination and articulation between grade levels that prepares students for advanced placement courses; (4) curriculum development; (5) books and supplies; and (6) any other activity directly related to expanding access to and participation in advanced placement incentive programs particularly for low-income individuals. (d) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Data Collection and Reporting.-- (1) Data collection.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall annually report to the Secretary-- (A) the number of students taking advanced placement courses who are served by the eligible entity; (B) the number of advanced placement tests taken by students served by the eligible entity; (C) the scores on the advanced placement tests; and (D) demographic information regarding individuals taking the advanced placement courses and tests disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, English proficiency status, and socioeconomic status. (2) Report.--The Secretary shall annually compile the information received from each eligible entity under paragraph (1) and report to Congress regarding the information. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. SEC. 4. ON-LINE ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES. (a) Grants Authorized.--From amounts appropriated under subsection (f) the Secretary shall award grants to local educational agencies to enable the local educational agencies to provide students with on-line advanced placement courses. (b) Contracts.--A local educational agency that receives a grant under this section may enter into a contract with a nonprofit or for- profit organization to provide the on-line advanced placement courses, including contracting for necessary support services. (c) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section the Secretary shall give priority to local educational agencies that-- (1) serve high concentrations of low-income students; (2) serve rural areas; and (3) the Secretary determines would not have access to on- line advanced placement courses without assistance provided under this section. (d) Uses.--Grant funds provided under this section may be used to purchase the on-line curriculum, to train teachers with respect to the use of on-line curriculum, or to purchase course materials. (e) Applications.--Each local educational agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years. SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL PRIORITIES FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT. (a) Dissemination of Advanced Placement Information.--Each institution of higher education receiving Federal funds for research or for programs assisted under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.)-- (1) shall distribute to secondary school counselors or advanced placement coordinators in the State information with respect to the amount and type of academic credit provided to students at the institution of higher education for advanced placement test scores; and (2) shall standardize, not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the form and manner in which the information described in paragraph (1) is disseminated by the various departments, offices, or other divisions of the institution of higher education. (b) State and Local Initiatives.-- (1) Javits gifted and talented students.--Section 10205(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8035(a)) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) to programs and projects for gifted and talented students that build on or otherwise incorporate advanced placement courses and tests.''. (2) Upward bound program.--Section 402C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-13) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in awarding grants under this section to upward bound projects that focus on increasing secondary school student participation and success in advanced placement courses.''. (3) Eisenhower professional development.-- (A) Federal activities.--Section 2101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6621) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(c) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority in awarding grants and entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under this part to activities that involve training in advanced placement instruction.''. (B) State and local activities.--Section 2207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6647) is amended-- (i) in paragraph (12), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (ii) in paragraph (13), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: ``(14) providing professional development activities involving training in advanced placement instruction.''. (4) Technology.-- (A) Star schools.--Section 3204 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6894) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(i) Advanced Placement Instruction.--Each eligible entity receiving funds under this part is encouraged to deliver advanced placement instruction to underserved communities.''. (B) Education technology grants.--Subpart 2 of part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6841 et seq.) is amended-- (i) in section 3134 (20 U.S.C. 6844)-- (I) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (II) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (III) by adding at the end the following: ``(7) providing education technology for advanced placement instruction.''; and (ii) in section 3136(c) (20 U.S.C. 6846(c))-- (I) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (II) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and (III) by adding at the end the following: ``(6) the project will use education technology for advanced placement instruction.''. SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Advanced placement incentive program.--The term ``advanced placement incentive program'' means a program that provides advanced placement activities and services to low- income individuals. (2) Advanced placement test.--The term ``advanced placement test'' means an advanced placement test administered by the College Board or approved by the Secretary. (3) High concentration of low-income students.--The term ``high concentration of low-income students'', used with respect to a State educational agency, local educational agency or school, means an agency or school, as the case may be, that serves a student population 40 percent or more of whom are from families with incomes below the poverty level, as determined in the same manner as the determination is made under section 1124(c)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6333(c)(2)). (4) Low-income individual.--The term ``low-income individual'' means a low-income individual (as defined in section 402A(g)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a-11(g)(2)) who is academically prepared to successfully take an advanced placement test as determined by a school teacher or advanced placement coordinator taking into consideration factors such as enrollment and performance in an advanced placement course or superior academic ability. (5) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (6) Local educational agency; secondary school; and state educational agency.--The terms ``local educational agency'', ``secondary school'', and ``State educational agency'' have the meanings given the terms in section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801). (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education. (8) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Summary: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to make AP programs a priority for Javits Gifted and Talented Students, Upward Bound, Eisenhower professional development, Star Schools, and education technology grants. Requires each institution of higher learning receiving HEA assistance to distribute to secondary school counselors or AP coordinators in the State information on academic credit given to students at the institution for AP test scores.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Continued Dumping or Subsidy Offset Act of 1999''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS OF CONGRESS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) Consistent with the rights of the United States under the World Trade Organization, injurious dumping is to be condemned and actionable subsidies which cause injury to domestic industries must be effectively neutralized. (2) United States unfair trade laws have as their purpose the restoration of conditions of fair trade so that jobs and investment that should be in the United States are not lost through false market signals. (3) The continued dumping or subsidization of imported product after the issuance of antidumping orders or findings or countervailing duty orders can frustrate the remedial purpose of the laws by preventing market prices from returning to fair levels. (4) Where dumping or subsidization continues, domestic producers will be reluctant to reinvest or rehire and may be unable to maintain pension and health care benefits that conditions of fair trade would permit. Similarly, small businesses and America's farmers and ranchers may be unable to pay down accumulated debt, to obtain working capital or otherwise remain viable. (5) United States trade laws should be strengthened to see that the remedial purpose of the laws is achieved in fact. SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE TARIFF ACT OF 1930. (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of subtitle C of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: ``SEC. 754. CONTINUED DUMPING OR SUBSIDY OFFSET. ``(a) In General.--Whenever continued dumping or subsidization is found to exist by the administering authority under section 751(a) of this Act or by operation of law, any duties assessed shall be distributed to the affected domestic producers for qualifying expenditures on an annual basis. Such disbursement shall be known as the `continued dumping or subsidy offset'. ``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section: ``(1) The term `affected domestic producer' means any manufacturer, producer, farmer, rancher or worker representative, including associations of such individuals and entities, that was a petitioner or interested party in support of the petition with respect to which an antidumping duty finding or order or countervailing duty order has been entered and remains in operation. Companies or businesses that have ceased the production of the product covered by the order or finding or who have been acquired by a company or business that is related to a company that opposed the investigation shall not be an affected domestic producer. ``(2) The term `Commissioner' means the Commissioner of the United States Customs Service. ``(3) The term `Commission' means the United States International Trade Commission. ``(4) The term `qualifying expenditure' means an expenditure incurred after the issuance of the antidumping duty finding or order or countervailing duty order in any of the following categories: ``(A) plant; ``(B) equipment; ``(C) research and development; ``(D) personnel training; ``(E) acquisition of technology; ``(F) health care benefits to employees paid for by the employer; ``(G) pension benefits to employees paid for by the employer; ``(H) environmental equipment, training, or technology; ``(I) acquisition of raw materials and other inputs; and ``(J) borrowed working capital or other funds needed to maintain production. ``(c) Disbursement Procedures.--The Commissioner shall prescribe procedures for disbursing the continued dumping or subsidies offset required by this section provided that disbursement shall occur for monies assessed during a fiscal year not later than sixty days after the beginning of the following fiscal year. ``(d) Parties Eligible for Distribution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties Assessed.-- ``(1) The Commission shall forward to the Commissioner within sixty days of the effective date of this section or within sixty days of an antidumping or countervailing duty order issued after the effective date of this section a list of petitioners and companies that indicate support of the petition by inclusion in the petition or supplements thereto, by letter or through questionnaire response. Where no injury test was required or where the Commission's records do not permit an identification of those in support of a petition the Commission shall consult with the Department of Commerce to determine the identity of the petitioner and those domestic parties who have entered appearances during administrative reviews conducted by Commerce and sought vigorous enforcement of United States law. ``(2) The Commissioner shall publish in the Federal Register at least thirty days prior to the issuance of payments, a notice of intention to distribute duty assessments, the list of companies eligible based on the list obtained from the Commission, and shall request a certification from each recipient as to-- ``(A) desire to receive distribution, ``(B) continued eligibility as an affected domestic producer, and ``(C) the qualifying expenditures incurred since the issuance of the order for which distribution under this section has not previously been made. ``(3) The Commissioner shall distribute all funds (including all interest earned) from assessments received in the completed fiscal year to affected domestic producers based on the affirmative responses to paragraph (2) on a pro rata basis based on new and remaining qualifying expenditures. ``(e) Special Accounts.-- ``(1) Within fourteen days of the effective date of this provision for outstanding antidumping orders and findings or for outstanding countervailing duty orders or within fourteen days of the date an antidumping or countervailing duty order takes effect, the Commissioner shall establish in the Treasury a special account with respect to that order or finding. ``(2) The Commissioner shall have deposited into the special accounts all antidumping or countervailing duties, including interest on such duties, that are assessed under the antidumping order or finding or the countervailing duty order with respect to which the account was established since the effective date of this section. ``(3) The monies in a special account shall be available for distribution to the extent of actual assessment (including interest). ``(4) Consistent with the requirements of subsection (c), the Commissioner shall by regulation prescribe the time and manner in which distribution of funds from special accounts will be made. ``(5) The special accounts shall remain in existence until all entries relating to an order which has been terminated are liquidated and duties assessed collected and the Commissioner has provided one last notice of opportunity to obtain distribution pursuant to subsection (c). Amounts not claimed within 90 days of the time of such final distribution shall be returned to the general fund of the Treasury.''. (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting the following new item after the item relating to section 753: ``Sec. 754. Continued dumping or subsidy offset.''. (c) Effective Date.--The continued antidumping or subsidy offset shall apply with regard to all assessments made on or after October 1, 1996, on outstanding antidumping findings or orders or countervailing duty orders.

Summary: Limits qualifying expenditures to expenditures incurred since the issuance of the antidumping duty finding or order or countervailing duty order in any or all of the categories of plant, equipment, research and development, personnel training, acquisition of technology, employer-paid employee health care and pension benefits, environmental equipment, training or technology, acquisition of raw materials and other inputs, and borrowed working capital or other funds needed to maintain production. Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service to prescribe offset disbursement procedures. Sets forth general procedures for notification of eligible parties. Requires the Commissioner to establish a special account in the Treasury to receive all antidumping or countervailing duties, including interest, for distribution according to this Act, within 14 days after an antidumping or countervailing duty order takes effect.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Care Corps Act of 2014''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply: (1) Corps.--The term ``Corps'' means the National Care Corps established under section 3 of this Act. (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of the Corps appointed under section 3(b)(1) of this Act. (3) Local care corps program.--The term ``local Care Corps program'' means a program funded with a grant awarded under section 10(b) of this Act that hosts Corps members and arranges for them to provide approved services to individuals in need. (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CARE CORPS. (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of Health and Human Services a program to be known as the ``National Care Corps'' through which Corps members provide approved services to individuals in need via participation in local Care Corps programs. (b) Staff.-- (1) Appointment of director.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator for Community Living, shall appoint a Director of the Corps. (2) Duties of director.--The Director shall-- (A) design, develop, and administer Corps programs; (B) manage the daily operations of the Corps; and (C) report to the Administrator for Community Living. (3) Authority to employ staff.--The Director may employ such staff as is necessary to carry out this Act. SEC. 4. SELECTION AND ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS. (a) In General.-- (1) Selection.--The Director shall select eligible individuals for membership in the Corps. (2) Nondiscrimination.--In selecting Corps members, the Director shall comply with all applicable provisions of State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity. (b) Eligible Individuals.--To be eligible for membership in the Corps, an individual shall-- (1) be at least 18 years of age on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which the individual begins participation in the Corps; (2) agree to participate in the Corps for a period of not more than 24 months; (3) submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require; (4) pass a criminal background check as described in subsection (c); and (5) agree to comply with such terms and conditions as the Director may require. (c) Criminal Background Check.-- (1) In general.--Before selecting any individual for membership in the Corps, the Director shall request a criminal background check of such individual. (2) Membership prohibitions.--An individual shall be ineligible to be a Corps member if-- (A) such individual refuses to consent to the criminal background check; or (B) the criminal background check does not demonstrate to the Director's satisfaction that such individual is fit for Corps service. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED BENEFITS FOR CORPS MEMBERS. (a) In General.--The Director shall provide for members of the Corps to receive allowances, health insurance, and post-service educational awards authorized by this section. (b) Allowances.--The Director shall provide each Corps member with such living, travel, and leave allowances, and such housing transportation, supplies, equipment, and subsistence as the Director may determine to be necessary for the member's maintenance and to ensure the member's health and capacity to serve effectively. (c) Health Insurance.-- (1) In general.--The Director shall provide for each Corps member to receive health insurance coverage. (2) Minimum essential coverage.--The health insurance coverage described paragraph (1) shall meet the requirements of section 5000A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (d) Post-Service Educational Award.-- (1) In general.--The Director shall establish an educational award for Corps members. (2) Amounts.-- (A) Amount for full-time service.--In the case of a Corps member who completes a 12-month term of full-time service as determined by the Director, such member shall receive an educational award having a value equal to the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) that a student eligible for such grant may receive in the aggregate (without regard to whether the funds are provided through discretionary or mandatory appropriations) for the award year. A Corps member may receive up to 2 such awards. (B) Amount for other periods of service.--In the case of a Corps member who completes less than a 12- month term of full-time service as determined by the Director, such member may receive a portion of the educational award described in subparagraph (A) that corresponds to the quantity of service actually completed by the member. (3) Uses of award.--An educational award shall be used to pay-- (A) costs of attendance at an institution of higher education; or (B) government or commercial loans received by an individual for costs of attendance at an institution of higher education. (4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply: (A) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of attendance'' has the meaning given such term by section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll). (B) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such term by section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (e) Regulations.--The Director shall issue any regulations that the Director determines to be necessary to carry out this section. SEC. 6. ASSIGNMENT OF CORPS MEMBERS TO SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. (a) Assignment of Corps Members.-- (1) In general.--The Director shall assign each Corps member to participate in a local Care Corps program. (2) Priority of assignment.--In assigning Corps members to local Care Corps programs, the Director shall assign not less than 20 percent of members to programs that serve geographic areas in which the Director determines there is a shortage of approved services available to individuals in need, with consideration given to low-income and minority populations. (b) Services Provided by Corps Members.-- (1) In general.--Corps members may only provide approved services to individuals in need through participation in local Care Corps programs. (2) Approved services.--Approved services are services provided directly to individuals in need in home-based settings that-- (A) result in person-to-person, supportive relationships with each individual served; (B) support the achievement and maintenance of the highest level of independent living for each individual in need; (C) are meaningful to the Corps member; and (D) are supported by appropriate orientation, training, and supervision. (3) Prohibited services.--In performing duties as a Corps member, no member shall provide-- (A) professional medical services; (B) administrative support services to a local Corps program; (C) care in an institutional setting; (D) care prohibited under State law; or (E) any other services determined by the director to be inconsistent with the purposes of the Corps. (4) Guidance regarding scope of services.--The Director may issue guidance describing the scope of services that may be provided by Corps members. In issuing such guidance, the Director shall provide for a public notice and comment period of not less than 30 days before issuing the guidance in final form. (c) Individual in Need.--The term ``individual in need'' means an individual who-- (1) is at least 65 years of age or has a disability as defined in section 3 of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102); (2) has difficulty with self-care; and (3) meets such other criteria as the Director determines to be appropriate. SEC. 7. TRAINING AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT. (a) Pre-Assignment Training Program.--The Director shall develop a training program that provides Corps members with instruction in the skills necessary to carry out an assignment in a local Care Corps program. Such training program shall include-- (1) at least 20 hours of instruction for each Corps member; and (2) any other requirements the Director determines to be appropriate. (b) Standards of Conduct.--The Director shall establish and enforce standards to promote proper conduct and discipline within the Corps. SEC. 8. STATUS OF CORPS MEMBERS UNDER FEDERAL LAW. (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, members of the Corps shall not, by reason of their status as members, be treated as Federal employees or be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment. (b) Work-Related Injuries.-- (1) In general.--For purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, relating to the compensation of Federal employees for work injuries, members of the Corps shall be treated as employees of the United States within the meaning of the term ``employee'', as defined in section 8101 of such title. (2) Special rule.--In the application of the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to a member of the Corps, the member shall not be treated to be in the performance of duty while absent from the member's assigned post of duty unless the absence is authorized in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Director. (c) Tort Claims Procedure.--A member of the Corps shall be treated as an employee of the United States for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to tort claims liability and procedure. SEC. 9. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator for Community Living, shall transmit to Congress at least once in each fiscal year a report on the Corps. At minimum, such report shall include-- (1) a description of the population served by the Corps during the preceding fiscal year; (2) an evaluation of Corps operations; and (3) recommendations, if any, for improving Corps operations. SEC. 10. LOCAL CARE CORPS PROGRAMS. (a) Functions of Local Care Corps Programs.--Local Care Corps programs shall-- (1) conduct in-person orientation and training for Corps members; (2) develop and monitor member assignments, which shall include selecting the individuals in need to be served by Corps members, matching members to assignments, and supervising members; (3) maintain records and prepare reports as required by the Director; and (4) carry out any other activities determined to be appropriate by the Director. (b) Grants for Local Care Corps Programs.--The Director may award grants to qualified entities for the operation of local Care Corps programs. (1) Qualified entity.--The term ``qualified entity'' means a public or private nonprofit entity that is-- (A) part of an aging network, as defined by section 102(5) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002(5)); (B) a time-banking or volunteer organizing agency; (C) a State, county, or local government; or (D) any other entity determined to be appropriate by the Director. (2) Application process.--To be eligible for a grant under this subsection, a qualified entity shall-- (A) submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require; and (B) abide by such terms and conditions as the Director determines to be appropriate. SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated $350,000,000 for each of the fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Continued Availability of Funds.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year are authorized to remain available for that fiscal year and the subsequent fiscal year.

Summary: National Care Corps Act of 2014 - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the National Care Corps through which Corps Members provide certain services to individuals in need who are age 65 or older or have a disability and have difficulty with self-care.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Criminal Gang Activity Act of 2004''. SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 18. Section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``or'' after the semicolon; (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the comma at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (3) by adding after paragraph (9) the following: ``(10) who participates in a criminal street gang as described in subsection (z);''. SEC. 3. CRIMINAL STREET GANGS. Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: ``(z) As used in subsection (g)(10): ``(1) The term `criminal street gang' means a formal or informal group, club, organization, or association of 3 or more individuals, who act in concert, or agree to act in concert, with a purpose that any of these persons alone, or in any combination, commit or will commit, 2 or more predicate gang crimes, 1 of which occurs after the date of enactment of this subsection and the last of which occurs not later than 10 years (excluding any period of imprisonment) after the commission of a prior predicate gang crime, provided that the activities of the criminal street gang affect interstate or foreign commerce. ``(2) The term `predicate gang crime' means-- ``(A) any act or threat, or attempted act or threat, which is chargeable under Federal or State law and punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year, involving murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, gambling, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, arson, obstruction of justice, tampering with or retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant, burglary, sexual assault, carjacking, or manufacturing, importing, distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, or otherwise dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemicals (as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)); ``(B) any act punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year under section 844 (relating to explosive materials), section 922(g)(1) (where the underlying conviction is a serious violent felony (as defined in section 3559(c)(2)(F) of this title) or is a serious drug offense (as defined in section 942(e)(2)(A) of this title), or subsection (a)(2), (b), (c), (g), or (h) of section 924 (relating to receipt, possession, and transfer of firearms), sections 1028 and 1029 (relating to fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents or access devices), section 1503 (relating to obstruction of justice), section 1510 (relating to obstruction of criminal investigations), section 1512 (relating to tampering with a witness, victim, or informant), or section 1513 (relating to retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant), section 1951 (relating to interference with commerce, robbery or extortion), section 1952 (relating to racketeering), section 1956 (relating to the laundering of monetary instruments), section 1957 (relating to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity), section 1958 (relating to use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire), sections 2312 through 2315 (relating to interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles or stolen property); or ``(C) any act involving the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 274 (relating to brining in and harboring certain aliens), section 277 (relating to aiding or assisting certain aliens to enter the United States), or section 278 (relating to importation of alien for immoral purpose). ``(3) The term `State' means each of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States. ``(4) The term `participates in a criminal street gang' means-- ``(A) to participate in a criminal street gang by committing, or conspiring or attempting to commit, 2 or more predicate gang crimes-- ``(i) in furtherance or in aid of the activities of a criminal street gang; or ``(ii) for the purpose of gaining entrance to or maintaining or increasing position in such a gang; or ``(B) to employ, use, command, counsel, persuade, induce, entice, or coerce any individual to commit, cause to commit, or facilitate the commission of, a predicate gang crime-- ``(i) in furtherance or in aid of the activities of a criminal street gang; or ``(ii) for the purpose of gaining entrance to or maintaining or increasing position in such a gang.''.

Summary: Criminal Gang Activity Act of 2004 - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit anyone who participates in a criminal street gang from possessing firearms or ammunition. Defines such participation as committing, or conspiring or attempting to commit, two or more predicate gang crimes, or inducing or facilitating the commission of a predicate gang crime, in furtherance of gang activities or for the purpose of gang membership or position.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2017''. SEC. 2. ANTI-STRAW PURCHASING AND FIREARMS TRAFFICKING AMENDMENTS. (a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 932. Straw purchasing of firearms ``(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section-- ``(1) the term `crime of violence'-- ``(A) has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(3); and ``(B) includes a felony offense under the laws of a State that meets the criteria described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such section 924(c)(3); ``(2) the term `drug trafficking crime'-- ``(A) has the meaning given that term in section 924(c)(2); and ``(B) includes a felony punishable under the law of a State for which the conduct constituting the offense would constitute a felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46; ``(3) the term `Federal crime of terrorism' has the meaning given that term in section 2332b(g)(5); and ``(4) the term `purchase' includes the receipt of any firearm by a person who does not own the firearm-- ``(A) by way of pledge or pawn as security for the payment or repayment of money; or ``(B) on consignment. ``(b) Violation.--It shall be unlawful for any person (other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer) to knowingly purchase, or attempt or conspire to purchase, any firearm in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce-- ``(1) from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer for, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of any other person, known or unknown; or ``(2) from any person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed collector, or licensed dealer for, on behalf of, or at the request or demand of any other person, known or unknown, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such other person-- ``(A) is under indictment for, or has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year; ``(B) is a fugitive from justice; ``(C) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)); ``(D) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution; ``(E) is an alien who-- ``(i) is illegally or unlawfully in the United States; or ``(ii) except as provided in section 922(y)(2), has been admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term is defined in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(26))); ``(F) has been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; ``(G) having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced his or her citizenship; ``(H) is subject to a court order that restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child, except that this subparagraph shall only apply to a court order that-- ``(i) was issued after a hearing of which such person received actual notice, and at which such person had the opportunity to participate; and ``(ii)(I) includes a finding that such person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of such intimate partner or child; or ``(II) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against such intimate partner or child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury; ``(I) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; ``(J)(i) does not reside in any State; and ``(ii) is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States; ``(K) intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm to a person described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (J); or ``(L) intends to-- ``(i) use, carry, possess, or sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm in furtherance of a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking crime; or ``(ii) export the firearm in violation of law. ``(c) Penalty.-- ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. ``(2) Use in crimes of violence.--If a violation of subsection (b) is committed knowing or with reasonable cause to believe that any firearm involved will be used to commit a crime of violence, the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 25 years. ``(d) Exceptions.--Subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to any firearm that is lawfully purchased by a person-- ``(1) to be given as a bona fide gift to a recipient who provided no service or tangible thing of value to acquire the firearm; ``(2) to be given to a bona fide winner of an organized raffle, contest, or auction conducted in accordance with law and sponsored by a national, State, or local organization or association; ``(3) to be given as a bona fide gratuity to a hunting guide; ``(4) to be given as a bona fide bonus to an employee as the result of lawful services performed in the course of an employment relationship; or ``(5) to be given as a bona fide commemorative award or honorarium, unless the purchaser knows or has reasonable cause to believe the recipient of the firearm is prohibited by Federal law from possessing, receiving, selling, shipping, transporting, transferring, or otherwise disposing of the firearm. ``Sec. 933. Trafficking in firearms ``(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful for any person to-- ``(1) ship, transport, transfer, cause to be transported, or otherwise dispose of any firearm to another person in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if such person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the use, carrying, or possession of a firearm by the recipient would be in violation of any Federal or State law punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding 1 year; ``(2) receive from another person any firearm in or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, if the recipient knows or has reasonable cause to believe that such receipt would be in violation of any Federal or State law punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding 1 year; or ``(3) attempt or conspire to commit the conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2). ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. ``Sec. 934. Forfeiture and fines ``(a) Forfeiture.-- ``(1) In general.--Any person convicted of a violation of section 932 or 933 shall forfeit to the United States, irrespective of any provision of State law-- ``(A) any property constituting, or derived from, any proceeds the person obtained, directly or indirectly, as the result of such violation; and ``(B) any of the person's property used, or intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit, or to facilitate the commission of, such violation, except that for any forfeiture of any firearm or ammunition pursuant to this section, section 924(d) shall apply. ``(2) Imposition.--The court, in imposing sentence on a person convicted of a violation of section 932 or 933, shall order, in addition to any other sentence imposed pursuant to section 932 or 933, that the person forfeit to the United States all property described in paragraph (1). ``(b) Fines.--A defendant who derives profits or other proceeds from an offense under section 932 or 933 may be fined not more than the greater of-- ``(1) the fine otherwise authorized by this part; or ``(2) the amount equal to twice the gross profits or other proceeds of the offense under section 932 or 933.''. (b) Title III Authorization.--Section 2516(1)(n) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``sections 922 and 924'' and inserting ``section 922, 924, 932, or 933''. (c) Racketeering Amendment.--Section 1961(1)(B) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``section 932 (relating to straw purchasing), section 933 (relating to trafficking in firearms),'' before ``section 1028''. (d) Money Laundering Amendment.--Section 1956(c)(7)(D) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``section 924(n)'' and inserting ``section 924(n), 932, or 933''. (e) Directive to Sentencing Commission.--Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that persons convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code, and other offenses applicable to the straw purchases and firearms trafficking of firearms are subject to increased penalties in comparison to those currently provided by the guidelines and policy statements for such straw purchasing and firearms trafficking offenses. In its review, the Commission shall consider, in particular, an appropriate amendment to reflect the intent of Congress that straw purchasers without significant criminal histories receive sentences that are sufficient to deter participation in such activities. The Commission shall also review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to reflect the intent of Congress that a person convicted of an offense under section 932 or 933 of title 18, United States Code, who is affiliated with a gang, cartel, organized crime ring, or other such enterprise should be subject to higher penalties than an otherwise unaffiliated individual. (f) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``932. Straw purchasing of firearms. ``933. Trafficking in firearms. ``934. Forfeiture and fines.''. SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 922(D). Section 922(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (8), by striking ``or'' at the end; (2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by striking the matter following paragraph (9) and inserting the following: ``(10) intends to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm or ammunition to a person described in any of paragraphs (1) through (9); or ``(11) intends-- ``(A) to sell or otherwise dispose of the firearm or ammunition in furtherance of a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking offense, as such terms are defined in section 932(a); or ``(B) to export the firearm or ammunition in violation of law. This subsection shall not apply with respect to the sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector who pursuant to subsection (b) of section 925 is not precluded from dealing in firearms or ammunition, or to a person who has been granted relief from disabilities pursuant to subsection (c) of section 925.''. SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(A). Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(d), (g),''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(8) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (d) or (g) of section 922 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.''. SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(D). Section 924(d) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``932, or 933,'' after ``section 924,''; and (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the end; (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(G) any offense under section 932 or 933.''. SEC. 6. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(H). Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following: ``(h)(1) Whoever knowingly receives or transfers a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such firearm or ammunition will be used to commit a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking crime (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)), or a crime under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), or the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (21 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. ``(2) No term of imprisonment imposed on a person under this subsection shall run concurrently with any term of imprisonment imposed on the person under section 932.''. SEC. 7. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924(K). Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (k) and inserting the following: ``(k)(1) A person who smuggles or knowingly brings into the United States a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, with intent to engage in or to promote conduct that-- ``(A) is punishable under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46; or ``(B) constitutes a Federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking crime (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)), shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. ``(2) A person who smuggles or knowingly takes out of the United States a firearm or ammunition, or attempts or conspires to do so, with intent to engage in or to promote conduct that-- ``(A) would be punishable under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46, if the conduct had occurred within the United States; or ``(B) would constitute a Federal crime of terrorism or a crime of violence (as such terms are defined in section 932(a)) for which the person may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, if the conduct had occurred within the United States, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both.''. SEC. 8. PROHIBITION ON FIREARMS TRANSFERS TO AGENTS OF DRUG CARTELS. The Department of Justice, and any of its law enforcement coordinate agencies, shall not conduct or otherwise facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to an individual if any law enforcement officer employed by the Department of Justice involved with the transfer knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient of the firearm is an agent of a drug cartel, unless law enforcement personnel of the United States continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times. SEC. 9. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to allow the establishment of a Federal system of registration of firearms, firearms ownership, or firearms transactions or dispositions.

Summary: Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2017 This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish stand-alone criminal offenses for trafficking in firearms and straw purchasing of firearms. The bill expands the categories of prohibited persons (i.e., persons barred from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition) to include persons who intend: (1) to sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition to a prohibited person; (2) to sell or transfer a firearm to further a crime of violence, a federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense; or (3) to unlawfully export. It increases the maximum prison term for the sale or transfer of a firearm to or the receipt or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The bill revises existing prohibitions on: (1) transferring a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense; and (2) smuggling a firearm into the United States with the intent to unlawfully import or to promote a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense. It broadens the scope of and increases the maximum prison term for violating the prohibitions. The bill also makes it a crime to smuggle a firearm or ammunition out of the United States, or to conspire or attempt to do so, with the intent to unlawfully export or to promote a crime of violence, a federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense. Finally, the bill prohibits the Department of Justice, or its law enforcement coordinate agencies, from facilitating the transfer of an operable firearm to a known or suspected agent of drug cartel, unless U.S. law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm.