SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``United States Life-Saving Service Heritage Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following: (1) The United States has a long tradition of heroic efforts to rescue those in peril on the sea. (2) Legislation providing appropriations to the Secretary of the Treasury for ``surf boats, rockets, carronades, and other necessary apparatus for the better preservation of life and property from shipwrecks on the coast of New Jersey, between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Harbor'' was approved August 14, 1848 (9 Stat. 322), and was subsequently extended to support volunteer lifesaving efforts on the coast of New Jersey between Little Egg Harbor and Cape May, and in other States and territories. (3) Legislation providing appropriations to the Secretary of the Treasury ``for the purpose of more effectively securing life and property on the coast of New Jersey and Long Island... and to employ crews of experienced surfmen at such stations'' was approved April 20, 1871 (17 Stat. 12). (4) The Life-Saving Service was reorganized by the Congress by enactment of the Act entitled ``An Act to organize the Life- Saving-Service'', approved June 18, 1878 (chapter 265; 20 Stat. 163). (5) America's lifesaving stations and boats were staffed by brave volunteer and professional lifesavers, who risked life and limb to rescue shipwrecked passengers and crews. (6) Many surviving Life-Saving Service stations are of rare architectural significance, yet these historic stations are threatened by harsh coastal environments, rapid economic development in the coastal zone, neglect, and lack of resources for their preservation. (7) The heroic actions of Life-Saving Service personnel deserve greater recognition, and their contributions to America's maritime and architectural history should be celebrated through a comprehensive preservation program and greater opportunities for the public's education about the heritage of the Life-Saving Service and related private and public organizations. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to inventory, evaluate, document, and assist in efforts to restore and preserve surviving lifesaving stations and other structures and artifacts dedicated to our forefathers' lifesaving efforts. SEC. 3. UNITED STATES LIFE-SAVING SERVICE STATION PRESERVATION PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, through the National Maritime Initiative of the National Park Service, shall establish a program in accordance with this section to inventory, evaluate, document, and assist efforts to restore and preserve surviving United States Life-Saving Service stations. (b) Inventory, Documentation, and Evaluation.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association, shall-- (1) survey coastal regions of the United States to identify and prepare an inventory of surviving historic lifesaving stations, boats, and other significant lifesaving equipment; (2) document the designs of significant existing structures and lifesaving boats for inclusion in the Historic American Building Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Collection in the Library of Congress; and (3) evaluate historic lifesaving stations, including-- (A) assessing the historic significance, integrity, and condition of surviving historic lifesaving stations; (B) making recommendations for outstanding examples of historic lifesaving stations that should be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or designated as National Historic Landmarks; and (C) making recommendations for outstanding examples of lifesaving boats to be included in the Historic American Engineering Record Collection. (c) Technical Assistance, Educational Materials, Research Aids, and Other Information.--The Secretary shall-- (1) serve as a clearinghouse of information for persons interested in restoring and preserving historic lifesaving stations, their boats, and related lifesaving equipment; and (2) make available to the public, including through the Internet, educational materials, research aids, guides, bibliographies, and other information regarding the Life-Saving Service, Revenue Cutter Service, and related organizations that provided humanitarian assistance to shipwrecked mariners and their passengers, including-- (A) information on the history and development of the Life-Saving Service, the Revenue Cutter Service, predecessor private and State lifesaving organizations such as the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and early Coast Guard lifesaving and lifeboat stations; (B) technical descriptions of lifesaving boats, line-guns, life cars, and beachcarts; (C) the inventory, documentation, and evaluation prepared under subsection (b); (D) guidance and technical assistance in the listing of historic lifesaving and lifeboat stations on the National Register of Historic Places, or their designation as National Historic Landmarks; and (E) guidance and technical assistance in the listing of historic lifesaving boats in the Historic American Engineering Record Collection. (d) Grants.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary, subject to the availability of appropriations, shall make grants to coordinate and assist in the restoration and preservation of historic lifesaving stations, historic lifesaving boats, and other significant lifesaving artifacts. (2) Cost share.--The Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out with financial assistance under this subsection shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the activity. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Historic lifesaving station.--The term ``historic lifesaving station'' means any land, structure, equipment, or other physical artifact or facility formerly under the jurisdiction or control of the Life-Saving Service or any earlier private or State organizations, including lifesaving and lifeboat stations, sailors' refuges, shipwreck survivors' cache sites, boats, and beachcarts. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Maritime Initiative of the National Park Service. (3) U.S. life-saving service heritage association.--The term ``U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association'' means the national nonprofit educational organization by that name established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purposes and objectives of meeting and preserving America's lifesaving heritage. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary-- (1) for use in making grants under subsection (d), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004; and (2) for carrying out the other provisions of this section $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004.

Summary: Requires the Secretary to: (1) serve as a clearinghouse of information for persons interested in restoring and preserving historic lifesaving stations, boats, and related equipment; and (2) make information regarding the Service, the Revenue Cutter Service, and related organizations that provided humanitarian assistance to shipwrecked mariners and passengers available to the public. Provides for grants, subject to the availability of appropriations, for coordination and assistance in restoration and preservation of historic lifesaving stations, boats, and other artifacts. Authorizes appropriations.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Swine Waste Infrastructure and Natural Environment Act'' or the ``SWINE Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) Animal agricultural production represents an important part of our Nation's economy and a critical source of income for hundreds of thousands of American families. (2) Animal agricultural production facilities, including combined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), produce millions of tons of animal waste annually, the management and disposal of which represents an integral part of the animal agricultural production process. (3) Traditional methods of animal waste disposal, especially those associated with ``lagoon and spray-field'' systems, have been shown by federally funded research to result in negative environmental and social externalities, including contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water with nitrogen, contamination of air with ammonia, and other threats to animal and human health. (4) During severe weather events, the risk of negative externalities can become particularly acute, as ``lagoons'' have the potential to overflow or breach their walls and flood surrounding communities and waterways with unprocessed animal waste. (5) In the Southeastern United States, combined animal feeding operations dedicated to the production of swine are disproportionately located in low-income communities. (6) In recent decades, collaborative research and development efforts by industry, academia, and the public sector have produced numerous superior waste management and disposal technologies that have been shown to significantly reduce the negative environmental and social externalities associated with ``lagoon and spray-field'' systems and, in some cases, produce value-added byproducts that can generate new revenue for producers. (7) The widespread adoption of superior waste management and disposal technologies has been inhibited by various social and economic factors, including the cost to producers of installing and operating such systems. (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the conversion of existing ``lagoon and spray-field'' systems into superior waste management and disposal systems would produce significant benefits to the environment and public health, including more sustainable agricultural operations, improved animal health, and improved resilience against severe weather events, and should thus be a goal of national policy; and (2) the approval of new animal agricultural production facilities by Federal or State authorities should be made contingent on the adoption of superior waste management and disposal systems, as has already occurred in some States. SEC. 3. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE SWINE WASTE DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGIES. (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program for certifying environmentally sustainable swine waste disposal technologies in accordance with this section. (b) Standards.-- (1) Requirements.--In establishing the program under this section, the Secretary shall establish standards requiring that a swine waste disposal technology, in order to be certified under this section-- (A) eliminate animal discharge into surface waters and groundwater through direct discharge, seepage, or runoff; (B) substantially eliminate atmospheric emissions of ammonia from swine waste; (C) substantially eliminate the emission of odor from swine waste that is detectable beyond the boundaries of the parcel or tract of land on which the swine farm is located; (D) substantially eliminate the release of disease- transmitting vectors and airborne pathogens from swine waste; (E) substantially eliminate nutrient and heavy metal contamination of soil and groundwater from swine waste; and (F) be cost-effective. (2) Cost-effectiveness.--In determining whether a technology is cost-effective under this section, the Secretary-- (A) shall consider the full range of subsidies available under this Act and other Federal programs, and available State and private-sector support; (B) in considering the costs of a technology, may include costs associated with adoption of the technology and the estimated operation and maintenance costs of the technology through the life of technology; and (C) may not require parity with the cost of existing swine waste disposal technologies and systems. (3) Consultation.--In establishing standards under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the relevant task force established under section 1672A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, and States that have a history of widespread use of lagoon and spray technology on swine farms. (c) Certification.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the relevant task force established under section 1672A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, shall certify a swine waste disposal technology as being environmentally sustainable if it meets the standards established under subsection (b). (2) Eligible technologies.--Swine waste disposal technologies that are eligible for certification under this subsection include stand-alone waste disposal technology platforms and multi-part systems, which may incorporate in- ground technology, that meet or exceed, in combination, the standards established under this section, as determined by the Secretary. SEC. 4. STATE PERMITTING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. Beginning on the effective date of the standards established under section 2, no State may issue a permit pursuant to any Federal law to a swine farm that is a concentrated animal feeding operation (as defined in section 122.23 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations) unless the swine farm disposes of swine waste only through use of swine waste disposal technology certified under section 3(c). SEC. 5. SWINE WASTE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE. (a) In General.--Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1672 (7 U.S.C. 5925) the following new section: ``SEC. 1672A. SWINE WASTE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE. ``(a) Competitive Research and Extension Grants Authorized.--The Secretary shall make competitive grants to support research and extension activities specified in subsection (c). The Secretary shall make the grants in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board and the task force appointed under subsection (b)(2)(A). ``(b) Administration.-- ``(1) In general.--Paragraphs (4) and (7) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section. ``(2) Use of task forces.-- ``(A) In general.--To facilitate the making of research and extension grants under this section for the purpose specified in subsection (c), the Secretary shall appoint a task force to make recommendations to the Secretary. ``(B) Composition.--A task force established under subparagraph (A) shall be composed of representatives of each of the following entities: ``(i) Colleges and universities. ``(ii) The Department of Agriculture. ``(iii) The Environmental Protection Agency. ``(iv) The swine production industry. ``(v) A nonprofit organization focused on the environmental effects of swine farm operations. ``(vi) A nonprofit organization focused on the social effects of swine farm operations. ``(c) Environmentally Superior Swine Waste Management Technologies Research and Extension.--Research and extension grants may be made under this section, with respect to swine waste management technologies certified under section 3(c) of the SWINE Act, for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, and demonstrating environmentally superior waste management technologies for the processing of swine waste. ``(d) Priority.--Following the completion of a peer review process for grant proposals received under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to those grant proposals that involve one or more of the following: ``(1) The cooperation of multiple entities. ``(2) States or regions with a high concentration of spray field and lagoon operations. ``(3) A reduction in water usage. ``(4) The reduction of ammonia and odor emissions, disease- transmitting vectors, airborne pathogens, and nutrient and heavy metal contamination that exceed the standards established for swine waste management technologies certified under section 3(c) of the SWINE Act with respect to such reduction. ``(5) Significant improvement of the health of swine. ``(6) The generation of electricity. ``(7) Significant increases in nutrient recovery and fertilizer production. ``(8) Alternative uses of swine waste and the generation of renewable energy using such waste, including innovative methods and technologies to allow agricultural operators to make use of swine waste, such as use as fertilizer, methane digestion, composting, and other useful byproducts. ``(9) Maximizing nutrition management for swine while limiting the risks associated with swine feeding practices (such as mineral bypass). ``(10) Improvements to water quality and aquatic ecosystems, including with respect to mitigating the impact of microorganisms of the genus Pfiesteria and other microorganisms that are a threat to human or animal health on aquatic food webs, especially commercially important aquatic species and their habitats. ``(11) The advancement of efforts of the Department of Agriculture to reduce and eliminate antibiotics in livestock. ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2028.''. (b) Confirming Availability of Pork Promotion Funding.--Section 1620(c)(3)(B)(i) of the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 4809(c)(3)(B)(i)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, including grants awarded under section 1672A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990''. SEC. 6. ELIGIBILITY OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE SWINE WASTE DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGIES UNDER EQIP. For purposes of section 1240A(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1(4)), the installation and maintenance on a swine farm of a swine waste disposal technology certified under section 3(c) of this Act shall be considered an improvement to eligible land of a producer that is consistent with the purposes of the environmental quality incentives program established under chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1 et seq.). SEC. 7. SWINE WASTE DISPOSAL CREDITS. (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: ``SECTION 45S. SWINE WASTE DISPOSAL TECHNOLOGY INSTALLATION CREDIT. ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--For purposes of section 38, the swine waste disposal technology installation credit determined under this section with respect to a taxpayer for any taxable year is an amount equal to the sum of-- ``(1) 4 percent of the qualified installation costs paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, and ``(2) 4 percent of such costs paid or incurred by the taxpayer during any of the prior four taxable years. ``(b) Qualified Installation Cost.--For purposes of this section, the term `qualified installation cost' means, with respect to a taxpayer, amounts which are paid or incurred in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business to install certified swine waste disposal technology. ``(c) Certified Swine Waste Disposal Technology.--The term `certified swine waste disposal technology' means environmentally sustainable technology certified under section 3(c) of the Swine Waste Infrastructure and Natural Environment Act. ``SEC. 45T. SWINE WASTE DISPOSAL CREDIT. ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 38, the swine waste disposal credit determined under this section with respect to taxpayer for any taxable year is an amount equal to $100 for each 1,000 pounds of steady state live weight of swine waste disposed of in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business using certified swine waste disposal technology (as such term is defined in section 45S) by the taxpayer during the taxable year. ``(b) Maximum Credit.-- ``(1) In general.--The aggregate credit determined under subsection (a) for any taxable year with respect to any taxpayer shall not exceed the qualified costs of the taxpayer for such taxable year. ``(2) Qualified costs defined.--For purposes of this section, the term `qualified costs' means costs paid or incurred by a taxpayer to maintain or operate certified swine waste disposal technology.''. (b) Treatment as General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of section 38 of such Code is amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (36) and inserting a comma, and by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(37) the swine waste disposal technology installation credit determined under section 45S(a), plus ``(38) the swine waste disposal credit determined under section 45T(a).''. (c) Deduction for Unused Credit.--Subsection (c) of section 196 of such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (14) and inserting a comma, and by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(15) the swine waste disposal technology installation credit determined under section 45S(a), and ``(16) the swine waste disposal credit determined under section 45T(a).''. (d) Deduction Against AMT.--Subparagraph (B) of section 38(c)(4) of such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (viii), by striking the period at the end of clause (ix) and inserting a comma, and by adding at the end the following new clauses: ``(x) the credit determined under section 45S, and ``(xi) the credit determined under section 45T.''. (e) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new items: ``Sec. 45S. Swine waste disposal technology installation credit. ``Sec. 45T. Swine waste disposal credit.''. (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to amounts paid or incurred and swine waste disposed of after December 31, 2017. SEC. 8. SWINE FARM DEFINED. In this Act, the term ``swine farm'' means a tract of land devoted to raising 250 or more animals of the porcine species.

Summary: Swine Waste Infrastructure and Natural Environment Act or the SWINE Act This bill establishes a program to certify environmentally sustainable swine waste disposal technologies and authorizes related tax credits and grants. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must certify technologies that: eliminate animal discharge into surface waters and groundwater through direct discharge, seepage, or runoff; substantially eliminate atmospheric emissions of ammonia from swine waste; substantially eliminate the emission of odor from swine waste that is detectable beyond the boundaries of the parcel or tract of land on which the swine farm is located; substantially eliminate the release of disease-transmitting vectors and airborne pathogens from swine waste; substantially eliminate nutrient and heavy metal contamination of soil and groundwater from swine waste; and are cost-effective. States may not issue permits, pursuant to any federal law, to a swine farm that is a concentrated animal feeding operation unless the farm disposes of swine waste using a certified technology. The bill amends several agricultural laws to: require USDA to make competitive grants for activities to identify, evaluate, and demonstrate environmentally superior swine waste management technologies; permit the Pork Promotion Board to use its funding for activities related to the grants; and make the installation and maintenance of a certified technology on a swine farm eligible for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) the installation of a certified swine waste disposal technology, and (2) the disposal of swine waste using certified technology.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Cure for AIDS Act of 2012''. SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS; FINDINGS. (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) finding a cure is essential to ending the AIDS epidemic in the United States and globally; (2) AIDS treatment has saved millions of lives and also makes it much less likely that HIV infection will be passed to a partner; (3) access to AIDS treatment in the United States and globally needs to continue to be expanded but AIDS treatment is not a cure and not the ultimate solution for the tens of millions of people living with HIV/AIDS; (4) the National Institutes of Health is the leading health research organization in the world and has dedicated millions of dollars to AIDS cure research; (5) to accelerate AIDS cure research and product development, it is becoming increasingly important to invest in areas that can complement the essential role of the National Institutes of Health; and (6) a cure will save hundreds of millions of dollars in spending and have a powerful positive economic impact globally. (b) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) It is estimated that in 2010 roughly 34,000,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. (2) In the United States, 1,200,000 Americans are estimated to be infected with the virus. (3) Every 9.5 minutes, a citizen of the United States becomes infected with HIV. Roughly 2,700,000 individuals, including 390,000 children, became newly infected with HIV in 2010 alone. (4) In fiscal year 2012, the Federal Government spent $27,700,000,000 on HIV/AIDS, the largest component being services and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States at a cost of $15,600,000,000. The average lifetime cost of HIV treatment is estimated to be $367,134 per person. (5) In the last two years, discoveries have led to growing optimism in the scientific community that a cure for AIDS can be found. The eradication of HIV from the body of one individual in Germany has led many scientific leaders to believe that curing AIDS is now possible. Leading researchers believe we are now at the cutting edge of scientific discovery for an AIDS cure with a range of novel approaches being explored, including stem cells, gene therapy, medications, and immune response modifications, such as therapeutic vaccines. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF HIV/AIDS CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM. (a) Establishment of Research Program.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, shall establish and support an accelerated research program dedicated to the discovery of a cure for HIV/AIDS. (2) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out the research program established under paragraph (1) in collaboration with-- (A) the Director of the National Institutes of Health; (B) the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and (C) any head of a Federal agency that the Secretary determines appropriate. (b) Scope.--To provide the basis for developing a cure for HIV/ AIDS, the Secretary shall ensure that research conducted under subsection (a)(1) is highly targeted to address the following scientific questions and priorities: (1) How HIV persists despite antiretroviral therapy. (2) Where HIV persists beyond the reach of antiretroviral therapy. (3) Whether ongoing attempts of the immune system to clear the infection actually hinders the ability of the medical community to cure infected individuals. (4) Why the immune system reduces but does not eliminate levels of the virus. (5) How to measure ultra-low levels of the virus in the body of an infected individual. (6) Identifying and testing interventions, such as drugs, that may eliminate the virus from infected individuals. (7) Identifying and testing interventions, such as vaccines, that may help an infected individual permanently control the virus without antiretroviral therapy. (c) Assistance by Nonprofit Entities.-- (1) Coordination.--In carrying out the research program established under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall coordinate with at least one eligible nonprofit entity-- (A) whose primary mission is ending the AIDS epidemic through innovative research; and (B) that has experience carrying out programs dedicated to AIDS cure research. (2) Responsibilities.--The Secretary shall ensure that the responsibilities of a nonprofit entity selected under paragraph (1) include partnering with the Secretary to establish research priorities for peer-reviewed funded research pursuant to subsection (b). (d) Annual Reports.--In each annual report on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program that the Secretary submits to Congress, the Secretary shall include information on the progress of the research program established under subsection (a)(1). (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.

Summary: Cure for AIDS Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, to establish and support an accelerated research program dedicated to discovering a cure for HIV/AIDS. Instructs the Secretary to collaborate with the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and other appropriate federal agencies. Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that such research is highly targeted, (2) coordinate with at least one eligible nonprofit entity, and (3) ensure that the responsibilities of the non-profit entity include partnering with the Secretary in establishing research priorities.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Acid Deposition and Ozone Control Act of 1997''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1)(A) reducing atmospheric nitrogen oxide will reduce acidic deposition, and the serious adverse effects of acidic deposition on public health, natural resources, building structures, and ecosystems; and (B) acidic deposition has been demonstrated to result in increased morbidity in fish and severe damage to water bodies and forest lands; (2)(A) reducing atmospheric nitrogen oxide will provide further benefits by decreasing ambient levels of tropospheric ozone, fine particulate matter, and regional haze associated with poor visibility; and (B) such conditions have been demonstrated to result in severe threats to public health, including lung irritation, increased incidence of asthma and bronchitis, and increased human morbidity; (3)(A) nitrogen deposition into affected watersheds can result in excessive nutrient enrichment leading to algal blooms and increased biological oxygen demand; and (B) such conditions can lead to increased morbidity in marine life and severe degradation of economic and recreational opportunities; (4) additional reductions in sulfur dioxide beyond levels currently required by the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) will result in decreases in acidic deposition, regional haze, and ambient levels of fine particulates; (5) the allowance trading program established in the Clean Air Act for the reduction of emissions of sulfur dioxide has been highly effective at creating cost-effective control measures; (6) the technology exists to inexpensively reduce sulfur dioxide emissions beyond the levels currently required by the Clean Air Act; (7) the ozone transport region established by the Clean Air Act to reduce long-range transport of ozone does not currently include all the States necessary to achieve the intended reduction; and (8) this Act shall support the Environmental Protection Agency's stated objective of controlling ground level ozone through regional controls, as developed by the Ozone Transport Assessment Group and referred to in the January 10, 1997, advanced notice of proposed rulemaking for State implementation plans under section 110(k)(5) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7410(k)(5)). (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to recognize the scientific evidence that emissions of nitrogen oxide present a substantial threat to public health and the environment; (2) to require reductions in the emission of nitrogen oxide; (3) to recognize that the means exist to cost-effectively reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide beyond the levels currently required by the Clean Air Act; (4) to require reductions in the emission of sulfur dioxide; (5) to recognize that tropospheric ozone is a regional problem; (6) to recognize that the single ozone transport region created by the Clean Air Act does not currently include all the States necessary to adequately address the problem of ozone; and (7) to amend the Clean Air Act to expand the membership in the ozone transport region by using the best currently available science to include those States that contribute to ozone levels in noncompliance areas within the current single ozone transport region. SEC. 3. CONTROL OF INTERSTATE OZONE AIR POLLUTION. (a) Additional States.--Section 184(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511c(a)) is amended after the first sentence by inserting the following: ``The Administrator, using the best available science and models developed by the Ozone Transport Assessment Group, shall add any State to the single ozone transport region that contributed 4 parts per billion or more to ozone via aerial transport to the ozone level of any noncompliant area in the single ozone transport region for any 1 of the second through tenth worst ozone days that occurred during the previous 10 years.''. (b) Control Measures.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, any control measure adopted under section 184(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511c(a)) before the date of enactment of this Act shall apply to any State added to the single ozone transport region under the second sentence of section 184(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511c(a)) after the date of enactment of this Act. SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL NITROGEN OXIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. Section 184 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511c) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(e) Additional Emissions Reductions.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall promulgate regulations requiring reductions in the emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in any State added to the single ozone transport region under the second sentence of subsection (a) to \1/3\ of the 1990 levels by the year 2003. ``(2) Affected units.--The regulations shall apply to affected units, as defined under section 402. ``(3) Allowance program.--The Administrator may establish an allowance trading program to carry out this subsection. ``(4) Effect on other law.--This subsection shall not affect any law (including regulations) that requires a greater reduction in emissions of nitrogen oxide or sulfur dioxide than is required by this subsection.''.

Summary: Acid Deposition and Ozone Control Act of 1997 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to add to the single ozone transport region (comprised of the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area including the District of Columbia) any State that contributed at least four parts per billion to ozone via aerial transport to the ozone level of any noncompliant area in the region for any one of the second through tenth worst ozone days that occurred during the previous ten years. Applies to any State so added, not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act, any control measure adopted under the ozone transport regions provisions. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions reductions in any State added under this Act to one-third of 1990 levels by the year 2003.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1993''. SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. (a) In General.--Section 7305 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new paragraph (7): ``(7) A Readjustment Counseling Service.''. (b) Organization.--The Readjustment Counseling Service shall have the organizational structure and administrative structure of that service as such structures were in existence on January 1, 1993. (c) Revision of Organizational Structure.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not alter or revise the organizational structure or the administrative structure of the Readjustment Counseling Service until-- (A) the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report containing a full and complete statement of the proposed alteration or revision; and (B) a period of 60 days has elapsed after the date on which the report is received by the committees. (2) In the computation of the 60-day period under paragraph (1)(B), there shall be excluded any day on which either House of Congress is not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 calendar days to a day certain. (d) Budget Information Relating to the Service.--Each budget submitted to the Congress by the President under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, shall set forth the amount requested in the budget for the operation of the Readjustment Counseling Service in the fiscal year covered by the budget and shall set forth separately the amount requested for administrative oversight of the activities of the service (including the amount requested for funding of the Advisory Committee on Veteran Readjustment Counseling). SEC. 3. DIRECTOR OF THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE. (a) Director.--Section 7306(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (2); (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) one shall be a person who (A)(i) is a qualified psychiatrist, (ii) is a qualified psychologist holding a diploma as a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an authority approved by the American Psychological Association and has successfully undergone an internship approved by that association, (iii) is a qualified holder of a master in social work degree, or (iv) is a registered nurse holding a master of science in nursing degree in psychiatric nursing or any other mental-health related degree approved by the Secretary, and (B) has at least 3 years of clinical experience and 2 years of administrative experience in the Readjustment Counseling Service or other comparable mental health care counseling service (as determined by the Secretary), who shall be the director of the Readjustment Counseling Service.''. (b) Organizational Requirement.--The Director of the Readjustment Counseling Service shall report to the Under Secretary for Health through the Associate Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Programs. SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR READJUSTMENT COUNSELING AND CERTAIN RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES. (a) Readjustment Counseling.--(1) Subsection (a) of section 1712A of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(a) Upon the request of any veteran, the Secretary shall, within the limits of Department facilities, furnish counseling to such veteran to assist such veteran in readjusting to civilian life. Such counseling shall include a general mental and psychological assessment to ascertain whether such veteran has mental or psychological problems associated with readjustment to civilian life.''. (2) Subsection (c) of such section is repealed. (b) Other Counseling.--Such section is further amended by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c): ``(c) The Secretary may provide the counseling services described in section 1701(6)(B)(ii) of this title to the surviving parents, spouse, and children of any member of the Armed Forces who dies while serving on active duty or from a condition (as determined by the Secretary) incurred in or aggravated by such service.''. (c) Authority To Contract for Counseling Services.--Subsection (e) of such section is amended by striking out ``subsections (a) and (b)'' each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``subsections (a), (b), and (c)''. SEC. 5. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT RECORDS IN THE READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICE. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient or subject of the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or of any patient or subject provided readjustment counseling services under a contract with the Department, may be disclosed only as follows: (1) By written consent of the patient or subject, only for the purpose for which such consent is granted. (2) To medical personnel to the extent necessary to meet a bona fide medical emergency. (3) To personnel of the Department other than personnel of the service, if such disclosure is determined by an appropriate member of the service to be necessary to avert an imminent danger to the patient or subject, or to another person. (4) If authorized by an appropriate order of a court of competent jurisdiction granted after application showing good cause therefor (with such cause to be determined according to the elements set forth in section 7332(b)(2)(D) of title 38, United States Code). (b) Fines.--Any person who violates a provision of subsection (a) shall be fined in accordance with subsections (f) and (g) of section 7332 of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 6. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE READJUSTMENT OF VETERANS. (a) In General.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712B the following: ``Sec. 1712C. Advisory Committee on Veteran Readjustment Counseling ``(a)(1) There is in the Department the Advisory Committee on Veteran Readjustment Counseling (hereinafter in this section referred to as the `Committee'). ``(2) The Committee shall consist of 18 members-- ``(A) the members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary and shall include individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the social, psychological, economic, or educational readjustment of veterans. An officer or employee of the United States may not be appointed as a member of the Committee under this paragraph; ``(B) at least 12 of whom are veterans of the Vietnam era or other period of war; and ``(C) who have experience with the provision of veterans benefits and services by the Department. ``(3) The Secretary shall seek to ensure that members appointed to the Committee include persons from a wide variety of geographic areas and ethnic backgrounds, persons from veterans service organizations, minorities, and women. ``(4) The Secretary shall determine the terms of service and pay and allowances of the members of the Committee, except that a term of service may not exceed two years. The Secretary may reappoint any member for additional terms of service. ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the provision by the Department of benefits and services to veterans in order to assist veterans in the readjustment to civilian life. ``(2)(A) In providing advice to the Secretary under this subsection, the Committee shall-- ``(i) assemble and review information relating to the needs of veterans in readjusting to civilian life; ``(ii) provide information relating to the nature and character of psychological problems arising from military service; ``(iii) provide an on-going assessment of the effectiveness of the policies, organizational structures, and services of the Department in assisting veterans in readjusting to civilian life; and ``(iv) provide on-going advice on the most appropriate means of responding to the readjustment needs of future veterans. ``(B) In carrying out its duties under subparagraph (A), the Committee shall take into special account veterans of the Vietnam era, and the readjustment needs of such veterans. ``(c)(1) Not later than March 31 of each year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and activities of the Department that relate to the readjustment of veterans to civilian life. Each such report shall include-- ``(A) an assessment of the needs of veterans with respect to readjustment to civilian life; ``(B) a review of the programs and activities of the Department designed to meet such needs; and ``(C) such recommendations (including recommendations for administrative and legislative action) as the Committee considers appropriate. ``(2) Not later than 90 days after the receipt of each report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a copy of the report, together with any comments and recommendations concerning the report that the Secretary considers appropriate. ``(3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other reports and recommendations as the Committee considers appropriate. ``(4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of the Secretary submitted pursuant to that section. ``(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the activities of the Committee under this section. ``(2) Section 14 of such Act shall not apply to the Committee.''. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1712B the following: ``1712C. Advisory Committee on Veteran Readjustment Counseling.''. (b) Original Members.--(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of section 1712C(a)(2) of such title (as added by subsection (a)), the members of the Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Vietnam and Other War Veterans on the date of the enactment of this Act shall be the original members of the advisory committee recognized under such section. (2) The original members shall so serve until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs carries out appointments under such subsection (a)(2). The Secretary shall carry out such appointments as soon after such date as is practicable. The Secretary may make such appointments from among such original members. SEC. 7. PLAN FOR EXPANSION OF VIETNAM VETERAN RESOURCE CENTER PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Requirement.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program established pursuant to the amendment made by section 105 of the Veterans' Administration Health-Care Amendments of 1985 (Public Law 99-166; 99 Stat. 944). The plan shall include a schedule for the implementation of the program at or through all Department of Veterans Affairs readjustment counseling centers. (2) The Secretary shall submit the plan not later than 4 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Department of Veterans Affairs readjustment counseling centers'' has the same meaning given the term ``center'' in section 1712A(i)(1) of title 38, United States Code. SEC. 8. VETERAN CENTER HEALTH-CARE PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Program.--(1) Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 1720E. Veteran center health-care pilot program ``(a) The Secretary shall carry out a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers. The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in accordance with this section. ``(b)(1) In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall-- ``(A) identify not less than 12 or more than 15 readjustment counseling centers at which to provide health- related services under the pilot program; and ``(B) provide such services to eligible veterans at such centers in accordance with paragraph (2). ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall provide health-related services under the pilot program as follows: ``(i) At five or more readjustment counseling centers identified under paragraph (1)(A), by providing not less than 20 hours per week of basic ambulatory services and health-care screening through qualified personnel. ``(ii) At five or more such centers, by providing not less than 40 hours per week of full-range ambulatory services through qualified personnel. ``(iii) At two or more such centers, by providing not less than 120 hours per week of physician services through qualified personnel. ``(B) In determining the location of the readjustment counseling centers at which to provide health-related services under the pilot program, the Secretary shall select centers that are located in a variety of geographic areas and that serve veterans of a variety of economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds. ``(c)(1) The Secretary shall commence the provision of health- related services at readjustment counseling centers under this section not later than six months after the date of the enactment of the Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1993. ``(2) The pilot program shall terminate two years after the date on which the Secretary commences the provision of services under paragraph (1). ``(d) For the purposes of this section-- ``(1) the term `Department general health-care facility' has the meaning given such term in section 1712A(i)(2) of this title; ``(2) the term `eligible veteran' means any veteran eligible for outpatient services under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 1712(a) of this title; and ``(3) the term `readjustment counseling center' has the same meaning given the term `center' in section 1712A(i)(1) of this title.''. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720D the following: ``1720E. Veteran center health-care pilot program.''. (b) Report.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the veteran center health-care pilot program established under section 1720E of title 38, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)). The report shall include the following: (A) A description of the program, including information on-- (i) the number of veterans provided health-related services under the program; (ii) the number of such veterans referred to Department of Veterans Affairs general health-care facilities in order to provide health care services to such veterans; and (iii) the cost to the Department of the program. (B) An analysis of the effectiveness of the health-related services provided to veterans under the program. (C) The recommendations of the Secretary for means of improving the program, and an estimate of the cost to the Department of implementing such recommendations. (D) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) The Secretary shall submit the report not later than three months after the termination of the pilot program. HR 3096 IH----2

Summary: Readjustment Counseling Service Amendments of 1993 - Includes a Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) as part of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from altering or revising the organizational structure of RCS until he or she has notified specified congressional committees and 60 days have elapsed since such notification. Requires RCS budget information to be included annually in the President's budget submitted to the Congress. Outlines eligibility requirements for one of the Assistant Under Secretaries for Health in the Department, including at least three years of clinical experience and two years of administrative experience in RCS or other comparable mental health care counseling service. Makes such a qualified person the director of RCS. Directs the Secretary, upon the request of any veteran (currently, only veterans discharged or released from active duty but not otherwise eligible for such counseling), to furnish counseling in readjusting to civilian life. Allows the provision of counseling to survivors of members of the armed forces who die while serving on active duty or from a condition incurred or aggravated by military service. Provides for the confidentiality of the records of any patient of RCS, permitting disclosure only in specific limited circumstances. Establishes in the Department the Advisory Committee on Veteran Readjustment Counseling to perform advisory services with respect to veterans' readjustment, taking into special account Vietnam era veterans. Requires specified reports from the Advisory Committee and the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees a plan for the expansion of the Vietnam Veteran Resource Center program as established under prior law. Directs the Secretary to carry out and report to the Congress on a pilot program for the provision of health-related services to eligible veterans at readjustment counseling centers.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Annuity Safety and Security Under Reasonable Enforcement Act of 2013'' or the ``ASSURE Act of 2013''. SEC. 2. CONSIDERATION OF FEDERAL AND MILITARY PENSIONS IN EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT. The Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 104(3), by inserting after ``other than'' the following: ``payments described under section 126(a) and''; (2) by inserting after section 125 the following: ``Sec. 126. Payments in consideration of Federal and military pensions ``(a) Disclosure.--The Bureau shall issue regulations requiring any payment to a benefit recipient, whether or not such payment is an extension of credit, that diminishes the benefit recipient's ability to control the payments from their Federal or military pension in any way, to be treated as an extension of credit for purposes of the disclosures required under this title. ``(b) Interest Rate Cap.--With respect to a payment to a benefit recipient described under subsection (a)-- ``(1) if such payment is an extension of consumer credit, a creditor may not impose an annual percentage rate of interest greater than the Federal funds rate plus 6 percent; and ``(2) if such payment is not an extension of consumer credit, the Bureau shall issue regulations requiring that the aggregate amount of cash and property paid in exchange for such payment may not exceed an amount that is equivalent to the interest rate described under paragraph (1). ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section: ``(1) Benefit recipient.--The term `benefit recipient' means a person who is entitled to payments under a Federal or military pension. ``(2) Federal or military pension.--The term `Federal or military pension' means-- ``(A) a benefit described under section 5301(a) of title 38, United States Code; ``(B) retired pay to an enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; and ``(C) an annuity described under section 8345 or 8465 of title 5, United States Code. ``(3) Federal funds rate.--For purposes of this section, the term `Federal funds rate' means the Federal funds rate published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release on selected interest rates (daily or weekly), and commonly referred to as the H.15 release (or any successor publication).''; and (3) in the table of contents for chapter 2 of such Act, by inserting after the item relating to section 125 the following: ``126. Consideration of Federal pensions in extensions of credit''. SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF ASSIGNMENTS; PRIVATE RIGHTS OF ACTIONS. (a) Veterans Benefits.--Section 5301 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Private Right of Action.-- ``(1) In general.--A benefit recipient may bring an action against a pension assignee in the appropriate Federal or State court and recover-- ``(A) three times the damages suffered due to the assignment made in violation of this section; ``(B) court costs; and ``(C) reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses. ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection: ``(A) Benefit recipient.--The term `benefit recipient' means a person with respect to which payments of benefits described under this section are due or are to become due. ``(B) Pension assignee.--With respect to a benefit recipient, the term `pension assignee' means a person who has been assigned the benefits of the benefit recipient in violation of this section.''. (b) Military Retired Pay.--Section 701 of title 37, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(f) Clarification on Non-Assignment of Retired Pay for Enlisted Members.-- ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this subsection (c), in any case where an enlisted member is entitled to retired pay and enters into an agreement with another person under which agreement such other person acquires for consideration the right to receive payment of such retired pay, whether by payment from the member to such other person, deposit into an account from which such other person may make withdrawals, or otherwise, such agreement shall be deemed to be an assignment and is prohibited. Any agreement or arrangement for collateral for security for an agreement that is prohibited under the previous sentence is also prohibited. ``(2) Private right of action.-- ``(A) In general.--A retired pay recipient may bring an action against a retired pay assignee in the appropriate Federal or State court and recover-- ``(i) three times the damages suffered due to the assignment of retired pay made in violation of this section; ``(ii) court costs; and ``(iii) reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses. ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection: ``(i) Retired pay recipient.--The term `retired pay recipient' means a person with respect to which retired pay described under this section is due or is to become due. ``(ii) Retired pay assignee.--With respect to a retired pay recipient, the term `retired pay assignee' means a person who has been assigned or allotted the retired pay of the retired pay recipient in violation of this section.''. (c) CSRS Annuities.--Section 8345(h) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(h) Non-Assignment of Annuities.-- ``(1) In general.--An individual entitled to an annuity from the Fund may not make allotments or assignments of amounts from such annuity. ``(2) Construction.--For purposes of this subsection-- ``(A) in any case where an individual entitled to an annuity from the Fund enters into an agreement with another person under which agreement such other person acquires for consideration the right to receive payment of such annuity, whether by payment from the individual to such other person, deposit into an account from which such other person may make withdrawals, or otherwise, such agreement shall be deemed to be an assignment and is prohibited; and ``(B) any agreement or arrangement for collateral for security for an agreement that is prohibited under subparagraph (A) is also prohibited. ``(3) Exception.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to amounts used to pay dues to unions or other employee organizations. ``(4) Private right of action.-- ``(A) In general.--An annuity recipient may bring an action against an annuity assignee in the appropriate Federal or State court and recover-- ``(i) three times the damages suffered due to the assignment made in violation of this subsection or the regulations issued pursuant to this subsection; ``(ii) court costs; and ``(iii) reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses. ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph: ``(i) Annuity assignee.--With respect to an annuity recipient, the term `annuity assignee' means a person who has been assigned or allotted all or part of an annuity from the Fund in violation of this subsection or the regulations issued pursuant to this subsection. ``(ii) Annuity recipient.--The term `annuity recipient' means an individual entitled to an annuity from the Fund.''. (d) FERS Annuities.--Section 8465(b) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(b) Non-Assignment of Annuities.-- ``(1) In general.--An individual entitled to an annuity from the Fund may not make allotments or assignments of amounts from such annuity. ``(2) Construction.--For purposes of this subsection-- ``(A) in any case where an individual entitled to an annuity from the Fund enters into an agreement with another person under which agreement such other person acquires for consideration the right to receive payment of such annuity, whether by payment from the individual to such other person, deposit into an account from which such other person may make withdrawals, or otherwise, such agreement shall be deemed to be an assignment and is prohibited; and ``(B) any agreement or arrangement for collateral for security for an agreement that is prohibited under subparagraph (A) is also prohibited. ``(3) Exception.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to amounts used to pay dues to unions or other employee organizations. ``(4) Private right of action.-- ``(A) In general.--An annuity recipient may bring an action against an annuity assignee in the appropriate Federal or State court and recover-- ``(i) three times the damages suffered due to the assignment made in violation of this subsection or the regulations issued pursuant to this subsection; ``(ii) court costs; and ``(iii) reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses. ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph: ``(i) Annuity assignee.--With respect to an annuity recipient, the term `annuity assignee' means a person who has been assigned or allotted all or part of an annuity from the Fund in violation of this subsection or the regulations issued pursuant to this subsection. ``(ii) Annuity recipient.--The term `annuity recipient' means an individual entitled to an annuity from the Fund.''. SEC. 4. BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION PROVISIONS. (a) Regulation of Federal or Military Pension-Related Products.-- Section 1032(f) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5532(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(g) Regulation of Federal or Military Pension-Related Products.-- ``(1) In general.--The Bureau shall issue regulations to require a person offering a Federal or military pension-related product to provide additional disclosures when advertising or selling such product, sufficient to allow consumers to understand how their pension relates to the product. ``(2) Definitions defined.--For purposes of this subsection: ``(A) Federal or military pension.--The term `Federal or military pension' means-- ``(i) a benefit described under section 5301(a) of title 38, United States Code; ``(ii) retired pay to an enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps; and ``(iii) an annuity described under section 8345 or 8465 of title 5, United States Code. ``(B) Federal or military pension-related product.--The term `Federal or military pension-related product' means a financial product or service related to a Federal or military pension, including any extension of credit if the creditor, when determining a consumer's ability to repay the extension of credit, takes the pension into consideration.''. (b) Study by the Bureau.-- (1) In general.--The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall carry out a study of financial products and services that target military retirees and Federal employee retirees. (2) Report.--Not later than the end of the 3-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Bureau shall issue a report to the Congress containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under this subsection.

Summary: Annuity Safety and Security Under Reasonable Enforcement Act of 2013 or the ASSURE Act of 2013 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to direct the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) to issue regulations requiring any payment to a recipient of a federal or military pension (a benefit recipient) that diminishes the benefit recipient's ability to control payments from such pension to be treated as an extension of credit. Requires financial institutions to include the terms of such credit in consumer information disclosures. Prohibits the annual percentage rate of interest on such arrangements from exceeding the federal funds rate plus 6% or an equivalent aggregate amount of cash and property. Specifies conditions under which payment of consideration in exchange for the retired pay of enlisted military members is prohibited from assignment under veterans' benefits laws. Prohibits individuals from making allotments or assignments from annuities under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), including any agreement under which another person acquires for consideration the right to receive payment from such annuities as well as any arrangement for collateral for security for such an agreement. Exempts union dues or payments to employee organizations from such prohibitions. Authorizes benefit recipients, individuals entitled to military retired pay, and annuity recipients to bring a private legal action in federal or state court against an assignee engaging in prohibited assignments. Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to direct the CFPB to issue regulations requiring persons offering federal or military pension-related products to provide additional disclosures when advertising or selling such products to allow consumers to understand how their pension relates to the product.


SECTION 1. MODIFICATIONS OF ONLINE ACCESS TO CERTAIN FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS AND RELATED FORMS. (a) Public, Online Disclosure of Financial Disclosure Forms.-- (1) In general.--Except with respect to financial disclosure forms filed by officers and employees referred to in paragraph (2), section 8(a) and section 11(a) of the STOCK Act (5 U.S.C. App. 105 note) shall not be effective. (2) Exempted officers and employees.--The officer and employees referred to in paragraph (1) are the following: (A) The President. (B) The Vice President. (C) Any Member of Congress. (D) Any candidate for Congress. (E) Any officer occupying a position listed in section 5312 or section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, having been nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to that position. (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to change the effective date for the internet publication of certain information to prevent harm to the national security or endangering the military officers and civilian employees to whom the publication requirement applies, and for other purposes'' is repealed. (b) Electronic Filing and Online Availability.-- (1) For members of congress and candidates.--Section 8(b) of the STOCK Act (5 U.S.C. App. 105 note) is amended-- (A) in the heading, by striking ``, Officers of the House and Senate, and Congressional Staff''; (B) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``18 months after the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``January 1, 2014''; (ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: ``(B) public access to-- ``(i) financial disclosure reports filed by Members of Congress and candidates for Congress, ``(ii) reports filed by Members of Congress and candidates for Congress of a transaction disclosure required by section 103(l) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, and ``(iii) notices of extensions, amendments, and blind trusts, with respect to financial disclosure reports described in clauses (i) and (ii), pursuant to title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 101 et seq.), through databases that are maintained on the official websites of the House of Representatives and the Senate.''; (C) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by striking the first two sentences; and (ii) in the last sentence, by striking ``under this section'' and inserting ``under paragraph (1)(B)''; (D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under this subsection'' and inserting ``under paragraph (1)(B)''; (E) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``be able to'' after ``shall''; and (F) in paragraph (5), by striking ``under this subsection'' and inserting ``under paragraph (1)(B)''. (2) For executive branch officials.--Section 11(b) of the STOCK Act (5 U.S.C. App. 105 note) is amended-- (A) in the heading, by striking ``Employees'' and inserting ``Officials'' ; (B) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking ``18 months after the date of enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``January 1, 2014''; (ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: ``(B) public access to-- ``(i) financial disclosure reports filed by the President, the Vice President, and any officer occupying a position listed in section 5312 or section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, having been nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to that position, ``(ii) reports filed by any individual described in clause (i) of a transaction disclosure required by section 103(l) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, and ``(iii) notices of extensions, amendments, and blind trusts, with respect to financial disclosure reports described in clauses (i) and (ii), pursuant to title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 101 et seq.), through databases that are maintained on the official website of the Office of Government Ethics.''; (C) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by striking the first two sentences; and (ii) in the last sentence, by striking ``under this section'' and inserting ``under paragraph (1)(B)''; (D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under this subsection'' and inserting ``under paragraph (1)(B)''; (E) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``be able to'' after ``shall''; and (F) in paragraph (5), by striking ``under this subsection'' and inserting ``under paragraph (1)(B)''. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

Summary: . Amends the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 (STOCK Act) with respect to mandatory public, on-line reporting of financial disclosure statements by congressional staff and executive branch officers and employees. Applies mandatory public, on-line reporting of financial disclosure statements only to Members of Congress, congressional candidates, the President, the Vice President, and executive branch officers at levels I and II of the Executive Schedule who require nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate. Extends until January 1, 2014, the deadline for: the Secretary, the Sergeant at Arms, and the Clerk to develop systems to enable the electronic filing of financial disclosure reports as well as their on-line public availability; the Director of the Office of Government Ethics to develop such systems for financial disclosure forms filed by covered executive branch officials. Repeals: (1) the prohibition against requiring a login to search or sort the data contained in the publicly available financial disclosure systems, and (2) the requirement that a login protocol with the name of the user be utilized by a person downloading data contained in the reports.


SECTION 1. RECOVERY PERIOD FOR DEPRECIATION OF CERTAIN SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN NONRESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTIAL RENTAL BUILDINGS. (a) 20-Year Recovery Period for Highly Efficient HVAC&R Equipment.--Subparagraph (F) of section 168(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to 20-year property) is amended to read as follows: ``(F) 20-year property.--The term `20-year property' means-- ``(i) initial clearing and grading land improvements with respect to any electric utility transmission and distribution plant, and ``(ii) any property-- ``(I) which is part of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration system, ``(II) which exceeds by at least 10 percent the applicable minimum performance standard for such system or component under the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 or the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (as such Acts are in effect on the date that such property is placed in service and taking into account any changes to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers Standard 90.1 which have been adopted by the Department of Energy as of such date), ``(III) which is installed on or in a building which is nonresidential real property or residential rental property, ``(IV) the original use of which commences with the taxpayer (the owner or lessor in the case of residential rental property), and ``(V) which is placed in service before January 1, 2013.'' (b) 25-Year Recovery Period.--Section 168(e)(3) of such Code is further amended by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraph: ``(G) 25-year property.--The term `25-year property' means any property-- ``(i) which is part of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration system, ``(ii) which is not described in subparagraph (F), ``(iii) which is installed on or in a building which is nonresidential real property or residential rental property, ``(iv) the original use of which commences with the taxpayer (the owner or lessor in the case of residential rental property), and ``(v) which is placed in service before January 1, 2013.''. (c) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) The table contained in section 168(c) of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to 20-year property the following new item: ``25-year property................................. 25 years''. (2) The table contained in section 467(e)(3)(A) of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to residential rental property and nonresidential real property the following new item: ``25-year property................................. 25 years''. (d) Requirement To Use Straight Line Method.--Paragraph (3) of section 168(b) of such Code (relating to property to which straight line method applies) is amended by redesignating subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I) as subparagraphs (G), (H), (I), and (J), respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new subparagraph: ``(F) Property described in subsection (e)(3)(F)(ii) and subsection (e)(3)(G).''. (e) Alternative System.--The table contained in section 168(g)(3)(B) of such Code is amended by striking the items relating to subparagraph (F) and inserting the following new items: ``(F)(i)............................................... 20 (F)(ii)............................................... 20 (G)................................................... 25''. (f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2008.

Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accelerated depreciation of certain energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration property installed in nonresidential real property or residential rental property and placed in service before January 1, 2013.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSE. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Local Government Landfill Compliance Deadline Act''. (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to strengthen the ability of county and city officials to fulfill the goals established for municipal solid waste landfills by allowing adequate time for wise, environmentally sound, and fiscally responsible decisionmaking by the officials in a manner consistent with the obligations of the officials to the citizens they serve. SEC. 2. TEMPORARY EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN LANDFILLS FROM MEETING REVISED CRITERIA. (a) Temporary Exemption.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), during the 1-year period beginning on October 9, 1993, each municipal solid waste landfill that-- (A) is in existence on October 8, 1993; and (B) meets the requirements of the criteria contained in regulations issued pursuant to sections 4004(a) and 4010(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6944(a) and 6949a(c), respectively) as in effect on January 1, 1993, shall not be required to meet any revised criteria that take effect after the date specified in subparagraph (B). (2) Exceptions.-- (A) In general.--If the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this section as the `Administrator'), or the appropriate official of a State with a plan approved by the Administrator pursuant to title IV of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) (referred to in this section as an ``appropriate State official''), determines that the owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill did not make a good faith effort before October 9, 1993, to comply with any revised criteria that took effect after the date specified in paragraph (1)(B), the exemption described in paragraph (1) shall not apply to the landfill. (B) Temporary extension of exemption.--The owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill that is the subject of an exemption under paragraph (1) may submit an application to the Administrator or an appropriate State official (in the case of a State referred to in subparagraph (A)) for a 180-day extension of the exemption. The Administrator (or the appropriate State official) shall grant the extension if the Administrator (or the appropriate State official) determines that the owner or operator cannot achieve compliance with the revised criteria referred to in such paragraph by the end of the 1-year period specified in such paragraph because of 1 or more factors beyond the control of the owner or operator, including-- (i) litigation; (ii) adverse weather conditions that slow or bring to a temporary halt the construction of a landfill; (iii) a breakdown in negotiations for the construction or use of a regional landfill that requires any local government participating in the negotiations to pursue other arrangements for waste disposal; or (iv) any delay in siting, permitting, or patenting a landfill or transfer station, including any delay attributable to-- (I) the unavailability of, or inaccessibility to, technical assistance; or (II) procedures for purchasing, leasing, permitting, or patenting a site on Federal land, including carrying out any necessary environmental assessments or preparing environmental impact statements pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (C) Mandatory extension.--The Administrator (or the appropriate State official) may not disapprove any application referred to in subparagraph (B) in any case in which the Administrator (or appropriate State official) determines that the failure of a Federal agency or a department or agency of a State to issue a permit, patent, or other necessary approval for a landfill that is the subject of the application, or a transfer station associated with the landfill, has been a factor in the inability of the owner or operator of the landfill to achieve compliance with the revised criteria referred to in paragraph (1). (b) Prior Criteria Applicable During Exemption Period.--During the period specified in subsection (a)(1), and during any applicable additional period specified in subsection (a)(2)(B), a landfill subject to an exemption pursuant to this section shall be subject to the criteria referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B). (c) Effective Date of Revised Criteria.--Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, beginning on October 9, 1994, each municipal solid waste landfill shall be subject to the revised criteria applicable to the landfill issued pursuant to sections 4004(a) and 4010(c) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6944(a) and 6949a(c), respectively), and any subsequent revision to the criteria. (d) Citizen Suits.--No person may commence a civil action pursuant to section 7002 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6972) on the basis of the failure of a municipal solid waste landfill subject to the exemption described in subsection (a)(1) to meet any requirement with respect to which the exemption applies. SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINANCIAL ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator shall issue regulations that revise the financial assurance requirements under subpart G of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to broaden the mechanisms available to an owner or operator of a municipal solid waste landfill for demonstrating financial responsibility. The revised regulations shall include revised criteria for determining whether mechanisms in addition to the mechanisms specified in the regulations may be approved by the Administrator. The revised criteria shall take into account the financial circumstances of small municipalities and counties (as defined and determined by the Administrator). (b) Effective Date.--The revised regulations promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the promulgation of the regulations. (c) Applicability.--During the period beginning on the effective date specified in section 258.70 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, and ending on the date specified in subsection (b), the financial assurance requirements under subpart G of part 258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, shall not apply. SEC. 4. GROUND WATER MONITORING. (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations that exempt from the ground water monitoring requirements under sections 258.51 through 258.55 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, any municipal solid waste landfill unit described in the matter preceding clause (i) in section 258.1(f)(1), as added by the final rule published at 56 Fed. Reg. 50798 on October 9, 1991, (referred to in this section as a ``small landfill'')-- (1) in a community that experiences an annual interruption of at least 3 consecutive months of surface transportation that prevents access to a regional waste management facility; or (2) in a community that has no practicable waste management alternative and that has a small landfill unit located in an area that annually receives less than or equal to 25 inches of precipitation. (b) Effective Date.--The regulations promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Exemption.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, before the effective date of the regulations referred to in subsection (b), a landfill referred to in subsection (a) shall not be required to carry out any ground water monitoring activities required under Federal law.

Summary: Local Government Landfill Compliance Deadline Act - Exempts municipal solid waste landfills existing as of October 8, 1993, which meet criteria under the Solid Waste Disposal Act as in effect on January 1, 1993, from meeting any revised criteria (established for facilities which may receive hazardous wastes) for a period of one year. Makes such exemption inapplicable to landfill owners or operators who did not make a good faith effort before October 9, 1993, to comply with criteria. Provides for a 180-day extension of the exemption subject to specified factors beyond the control of the owner or operator. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue regulations to revise specified financial assurance requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to broaden the mechanisms available to municipal landfill owners or operators for demonstrating financial responsibility. Makes current requirements inapplicable until the effective date of such regulations. Requires the Administrator to issue regulations that exempt certain small landfills from CFR groundwater monitoring requirements.


SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2014''. SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPOSIT ACCOUNT TERMINATION REQUESTS AND ORDERS. (a) Termination Requests or Orders Must Be Material.-- (1) In general.--An appropriate Federal banking agency may not suggest, request, or order a depository institution to terminate a specific customer account or to otherwise restrict or discourage a depository institution from entering into or maintaining a banking relationship with a specific customer unless-- (A) the agency has a material reason for such suggestion, request, or order; and (B) such reason is not based solely on reputation risk. (2) Treatment of national security threats.--If an appropriate Federal banking agency believes a specific customer poses a threat to national security, including any belief that such customer is involved in terrorist financing, such belief shall satisfy the materiality requirement under paragraph (1)(A). (3) Rulemaking.--Not later than the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the appropriate Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue regulations defining the term ``reputation risk'' for purposes of this section. (b) Notice Requirement.-- (1) In general.--If an appropriate Federal banking agency suggests, requests, or orders a depository institution to terminate a specific customer account, the agency shall-- (A) provide such suggestion, request, or order to the institution in writing; and (B) accompany such suggestion, request, or order with a justification for why such termination is needed, including any specific laws or regulations the agency believes are being violated by the customer, if any. (2) Justification requirement.--A justification described under paragraph (1)(B) may not be based solely on the reputation risk to the depository institution. (c) Customer Notice.-- (1) Notice not required.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a depository institution or an appropriate Federal banking agency to inform a customer of the justification for the customer's account termination described under subsection (b). (2) Notice prohibited in cases of national security.--If an appropriate Federal banking agency suggests, requests, or orders a depository institution to terminate a specific customer account based on a belief that the customer poses a threat to national security, neither the depository institution nor the appropriate Federal banking agency may inform the customer of the justification for the customer's account termination. (d) Reporting Requirement.--Each appropriate Federal banking agency shall issue an annual report to the Congress stating-- (1) the aggregate number of specific customer accounts that the agency suggested, requested, or ordered a depository institution to terminate during the previous year; and (2) the legal authority under which the agency made such suggestions, requests, and orders. (e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section: (1) Appropriate federal banking agency.--The term ``appropriate Federal banking agency'' means-- (A) the appropriate Federal banking agency, as defined under section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); and (B) the National Credit Union Administration, in the case of an insured credit union. (2) Depository institution.--The term ``depository institution'' means-- (A) a depository institution, as defined under section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); and (B) an insured credit union. SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS REFORM, RECOVERY, AND ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1989. Section 951 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1833a) is amended-- (1) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``affecting'' and inserting ``by or against''; and (2) in subsection (g)-- (A) in the header, by striking ``Subpoenas'' and inserting ``Investigations''; and (B) by amending paragraph (1)(C) to read as follows: ``(C) summon witnesses and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, or other records which the Attorney General deems relevant or material to the inquiry, if the Attorney General-- ``(i) requests a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction for such actions and offers specific and articulable facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the information or testimony sought is relevant and material for conducting an investigation under this section; or ``(ii) either personally or through delegation no lower than the Deputy Attorney General, issues and signs a subpoena for such actions and has reasonable grounds to believe that the information or testimony sought is relevant for conducting an investigation under this section.''.

Summary: Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2014 - Prohibits a federal banking agency from suggesting, requesting, or ordering a depository institution to terminate a specific customer account, or otherwise restrict or discourage it from entering into or maintaining a banking relationship with a specific customer, unless: (1) the agency has a material reason to do so, and (2) the reason is not based solely on reputation risk. Prescribes requirements for notice from the federal banking agency to the depository institution about such a customer account restriction or termination; but states that notice to the customer is not required. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 to revise requirements for summoning witnesses and requiring production of books or other records the Attorney General deems relevant or material to a civil investigation in contemplation of a civil proceeding which may result in civil penalties for specified violations.