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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) Under Federal immigration law, prospective immigrants, foreign students, refugees, and tourists who are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are prohibited from entering the United States. Applicants for permanent residence and refugee status are required to be tested for HIV infection. (2) Applicants for temporary admission as nonimmigrants, such as tourists and foreign students, are required to disclose their HIV status when applying for a visa. If questioned, such applicants may be required to undergo an HIV test. (3) The Secretary of Homeland Security may issue a waiver to the HIV prohibition, on a case-by-case basis, only to any HIV-positive individual who-- (A)(i) applies for permanent admission as an immigrant; (ii) is the parent, spouse, unmarried son or daughter, or minor adopted child of a United States citizen or a permanent resident, or a refugee or asylee adjusting to immigrant status; and (iii) can establish that-- (I) the danger to the public health of the United States created by the applicant's admission would be minimal; (II) the possibility of the spread of the infection created by the applicant's admission would be minimal; and (III) there would be no cost incurred by any level of government agency of the United States without the prior consent of that agency; (B)(i) applies for admission as a refugee; (ii) is eligible for admission for humanitarian purposes or to assure family unity, or whose admission is otherwise in the public interest; and (iii) meets the requirements described in subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(iii); or (C) applies for a short-term nonimmigrant visa, including-- (i) a tourist who meets the requirements described in subclauses (I) through (III) of subparagraph (A)(iii) and intends to remain in the United States for less than 30 days; and (ii) a participant in a designated event, such as a conference or international sporting event and intends to remain in the United States for less than 10 days. (4) The travel and immigration ban on HIV-positive individuals-- (A) was implemented in 1987 by regulations issued through the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services; and (B) requires HIV screening for all persons over 14 years of age who apply for an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa. (5) Section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)(i)) authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prescribe regulations to determine which diseases are considered ``communicable diseases of public health significance'' that would exclude noncitizens with such diseases from entering the United States. (6) In 1991, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, after conducting a public health analysis, proposed ending the HIV travel and immigration ban by removing HIV from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance. The proposal was eventually dropped due to opposition from the Congress. (7) In 1993, Congress revoked the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make a public health determination regarding HIV status as grounds for inadmissibility for potential foreign students, tourists, refugees, and immigrants to the United States by specifically designating ``infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome'' as a communicable disease of public health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (8) The United States is 1 of 13 countries with a law that bans travel and immigration for persons with HIV. The other countries are Armenia, Brunei, China, Iraq, Qatar, South Korea, Libya, Moldova, Oman, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. (9) The HIV travel and immigration ban impacts thousands of prospective HIV-positive foreign students, tourists, refugees and immigrants who may be denied entry into the United States due solely to their HIV status. (10) The HIV travel and immigration ban may discourage some foreign students, refugees, and nonpermanent residents who are in the United States and who may be at risk of infection from seeking testing, treatment, or care for HIV/AIDS. (11) The United Nations, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization oppose any restrictions on travel and immigration for people living with HIV/AIDS. The 2006 Consolidated Version of the United Nation's International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, produced jointly by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNAIDS, states ``There is no public health rationale for restricting liberty of movement or choice of residence on the grounds of HIV status. According to current international health regulations, the only disease which requires a certificate for international travel is yellow fever. Therefore, any restrictions on these rights based on suspected or real HIV status alone, including HIV screening of international travellers, are discriminatory and cannot be justified by public health concerns. . . . Where States prohibit people living with HIV from longer-term residency due to concerns about economic costs, States should not single out HIV/AIDS, as opposed to comparable conditions, for such treatment and should establish that such costs would indeed be incurred in the case of the individual alien seeking residency. In considering entry applications, humanitarian concerns, such as family reunification and the need for asylum, should outweigh economic considerations.''. (12) On World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, the President proposed streamlining the current waiver process for HIV- positive individuals seeking to enter the United States on short-term business or tourist visas for up to 60 days by granting them a categorical waiver. If implemented, the President's proposal would only affect the waiver process for short-term visitors, and would not affect HIV-positive individuals seeking permanent residence or nontourist visas. (13) There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that the HIV travel and immigration ban is an effective way to prevent the spread of HIV or that it provides any economic benefit by reducing costs to the public health care system. SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT. Section 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(A)) is amended-- (1) in clause (i), by striking ``which shall include infection with the etiologic agent for acquired immune deficiency syndrome,''; and (2) by striking ``is inadmissibility'' and inserting ``is inadmissible''. SEC. 4. REVIEW OF TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS REGARDING HIV. (a) Review.--Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall convene a panel of public health experts, including nongovernmental experts, to review all policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182 (a)(1)(A)(i)), including-- (1) the results of the last analysis of the policy conducted by the Public Health Service; and (2) a 60-day public comment period initiated after sufficient public notice in the Federal Register. (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after initiating the review under subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall-- (1) make a determination regarding the continued listing of HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance under section 212(a)(1)(A)(i) of such Act; (2) submit a report to Congress containing the results of such review, including-- (A) the determination reached by the review process; (B) the rationale for the determination; (C) the anticipated public health impact of the determination in relation to other communicable diseases; (D) the estimated costs of implementing the determination; (E) the names and affiliations of members of the review panel; and (F) a brief summary of the public comments; and (3) make the report described in paragraph (2) available to the public.

HIV Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act of 2007 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) bar to U.S. admission. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) convene a panel of public health experts to review immigration policies regarding HIV as a communicable disease of public health significance (and thus a health-related ground for inadmissibility); and (2) make a determination and report to Congress regarding the continued listing of HIV as a health-related ground for inadmissibility.

A bill to remove a provision from the Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibits individuals with HIV from being admissible to the United States, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) Family offices are not of national concern in that their advice, counsel, publications, writings, analyses, and reports are not furnished or distributed to clients on a retail basis, but are instead furnished or distributed only to persons who are members of a particular family. (2) Family offices do not hold themselves out to the public as investment advisers. (3) Family offices do not engage in the business of advising others, but instead provide a wide range of services to members of the family they serve, only one of which involves investment advice, for which they may receive compensation from the members of the family. (4) Since the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 was enacted, the Securities and Exchange Commission has regularly issued orders to individual family offices exempting them from all of the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. (5) Section 409 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act expressly exempts family offices from all of the provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. (6) It was the intent of Congress that section 409 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act be interpreted broadly to encompass all family offices as they are currently organized and operated, as well as to encompass changes in the organization and operation of family offices in the future. SEC. 2. FAMILY OFFICE DEFINITION. Section 202(a) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b-2(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (11)(G), in the matter added by section 409(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, by striking ``, as defined by rule, regulation, or order of the Commission, in accordance with the purposes of this title''; (2) by redesignating the second paragraph (29), as added by section 770 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as paragraph (31); and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(32) Family office.-- ``(A) In general.--The term `family office' means a company (including any director, partner, trustee, or employee of such company, when acting in their respective capacities as such) that-- ``(i) has no clients other than family clients; ``(ii) is-- ``(I) owned, directly or indirectly, by, ``(II) controlled, directly or indirectly, by, or ``(III) operated primarily for the benefit of, family clients; and ``(iii) does not hold itself out to the public as an investment adviser. ``(B) Grandfathering.--A person described under section 409(b)(3) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, but who otherwise meets the requirements under subparagraph (A), shall qualify as a family office. ``(C) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph: ``(i) Control.--The term `control' means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of being an officer of such company. ``(ii) Family client.--The term `family client' means: ``(I) Any family member. ``(II) Any key employee. ``(III) Any charitable foundation, charitable organization, charitable trust, or other non-profit organization established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by persons one or more of whom is a family client. ``(IV) Any trust or estate funded exclusively by one or more family members or established primarily for the benefit of one or more family clients. ``(V) Any limited liability company, partnership, corporation, or other entity, if-- ``(aa) such entity is majority-owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by, or operated primarily for the benefit of, one or more family clients; ``(bb) the family office is giving investment advice to such entity; and ``(cc) persons who are not otherwise defined as a family client do not own interests in such entity. ``(VI) Any former family member. ``(VII) Any former key employee, if, upon the termination of such individual's employment by the family office or family client, the former key employee shall not receive investment advice from the family office or the family client (or invest additional assets with a family office-advised trust, charitable foundation, or entity), other than with respect to assets advised, directly or indirectly, by the family office or family client immediately prior to the termination of such individual's employment, except that a former key employee shall be permitted to receive investment advice from the family office with respect to additional investments that the former key employee was contractually obligated to make, and that relate to a family office advised investment existing, in each case, prior to the time the person became a former key employee. For purposes of this subclause, the term `family office' shall include any entity described under subclause (V). ``(iii) Family member.-- ``(I) In general.--The term `family member' means: ``(aa) Any natural person whose economic activities created or substantially contributed to the family's wealth, and such person's spouse. ``(bb) The siblings, parents, grandparents of a person described in item (aa). ``(cc) The spouse of a person described in item (bb). ``(dd) The siblings of a person described in item (bb) or (cc). ``(ee) The spouse of a person described in item (dd). ``(ff) The lineal descendant of a person described in item (bb), (cc), (dd), or (ee). ``(gg) The spouse of a person described in item (ff). ``(II) Construction.--For purposes of this clause-- ``(aa) the term `lineal descendant' includes natural children, adopted children, and stepchildren; ``(bb) the term `spouse' includes spousal equivalents; and ``(cc) the terms `siblings', `parents', and `grandparents' include step- siblings, step-parents, and step-grandparents, respectively. ``(iv) Former family member.--The term `former family member' means a spouse or a descendant who was a family member but is no longer a family member due to a divorce or other similar event. ``(v) Key employee.--The term `key employee' means any natural person (and such person's spouse or lineal descendant) who is an executive officer, director, trustee, general partner, or person serving in a similar capacity, of the family office or any employee of the family office (other than an employee performing solely clerical, secretarial, or administrative functions) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, participates in the investment activities of the family office. For purposes of this subclause, the term `family office' shall include any entity described under clause (ii)(V). ``(vi) Spousal equivalent.--The term `spousal equivalent' means a cohabitant occupying a relationship generally equivalent to that of a spouse. ``(D) Involuntary events.--If-- ``(i) a person that is not a family client becomes a client of the family office as a result of the death of a family member or key employee or other involuntary transfer from a family member or key employee, or ``(ii) a person ceases to be a family client, that person shall be deemed to be a family client until the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date that it is both legally and practically feasible for the family office to transfer the affected assets to such person, but in no event earlier than 1 year from the date that it becomes legally feasible to transfer the affected assets unless it becomes practically feasible to affect such a transfer sooner.''.

Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to define "family office" (exempt from coverage by the Act) as a company (including any director, partner, trustee, or employee of such company, when acting in their respective capacities as such) that has no clients other than family clients and is owned, controlled, or operated primarily for the benefit of family clients and does not hold itself out to the public as an investment adviser.

To amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to add a definition of family office.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICARE OPERATED PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN OPTION. (a) In General.--Subpart 2 of part D of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting after section 1860D-11 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-111) the following new section: ``medicare operated prescription drug plan option ``Sec. 1860D-11A. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, for each year (beginning with 2008), in addition to any plans offered under section 1860D-11, the Secretary shall offer a Medicare operated prescription drug plan (as defined in subsection (b)) with a service area that consists of the entire United States. ``(b) Medicare Operated Prescription Drug Plan Defined.--For purposes of this part, the term `Medicare operated prescription drug plan' means a prescription drug plan that offers qualified prescription drug coverage and access described in section 1860D-2(d) to the prices negotiated under subsection (c)(1). Such plan may offer supplemental prescription drug coverage in the same manner as other qualified prescription drug coverage offered by other prescription drug plans. ``(c) Enhanced Affordability Through Negotiations.-- ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 1860D-11(i), for purposes of offering the Medicare operated prescription drug plan under this section, the Secretary shall negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers with respect to the purchase price of such covered part D drugs and shall encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents to the extent such practices do not override medical necessity as determined by the prescribing physician. ``(2) Implementation of other cost savings strategies.--To the extent practicable and consistent with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall implement strategies similar to those used by the Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal purchasers of prescription drugs, and other strategies, to reduce the purchase cost of covered part D drugs. ``(3) Conditioning use of formularies.--Insofar as the Medicare operated prescription drug plan uses a formulary, such plan shall inform, consistent with section 1860D-4(a)(3)(B), enrollees of changes in such formulary, including changes in covered drugs and the prices of such drugs. ``(4) Savings used to fill gaps in prescription drug coverage.--Any savings to the Medicare operated prescription drug plan resulting from actions take under this subsection shall be used by the plan to extend coverage under the plan to individuals who have reached the initial coverage limit applicable under the plan but who have not reached the annual out-of-pocket threshold specified in section 1860D-2(b)(4)(B). ``(d) Monthly Premiums.-- ``(1) For qualified prescription drug coverage.-- ``(A) Nationally uniform monthly beneficiary premium.--The monthly beneficiary premium for qualified prescription drug coverage and access to negotiated prices described in section 1860D-2(a)(1)(A) to be charged under the Medicare operated prescription drug plan shall be uniform nationally. ``(B) Bid based on costs.--The bid submitted under section 1860D-11(b)(2)(C) for the Medicare operated prescription drug plan shall be based on the average monthly per capita actuarial cost of offering such plan for the year involved, including administrative expenses. ``(2) Supplemental prescription drug coverage.--Insofar as the Medicare operated prescription drug plan offers supplemental prescription drug coverage, the Secretary shall adjust the amount of the bid submitted under section 1860D- 11(b)(2)(C) (and the premium charged under paragraph (1)) to reflect the additional benefits offered under such coverage. ``(e) Open Enrollment.--A part D eligible individual may enroll in the Medicare operated prescription drug plan at any time.''. (b) No Late Enrollment Penalty for Individuals Enrolled in Medicare Operated Prescription Drug Plan.--Section 1860D-13(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-113(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``A part D eligible individual described in this paragraph does not include an individual enrolled in the Medicare operated prescription drug plan during the period in which the individual is so enrolled.''. (c) Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Section 1860D-1(b)(1)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-101(b)(1)(B)(iii)) is amended by inserting ``and section 1860D-11A(e)'' after ``paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection''. (2) Section 1860D-2(b)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 102(b)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting ``and section 1860D- 11A(c)(4)'' after ``paragraph (4)''. (3) Section 1860D-3(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-103(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(4) Availability of the medicare operated prescription drug plan.-- ``(A) In general.--The Medicare operated prescription drug plan shall be offered nationally in accordance with section 1860D-11A. ``(B) Relationship to other plans.-- ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the Medicare operated prescription drug plan shall be offered in addition to any qualifying plan or fallback prescription drug plan offered in a PDP region and shall not be considered to be such a plan for purposes of meeting the requirements of this subsection. ``(ii) Designation as a fallback plan.-- Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the Secretary may designate the Medicare operated prescription drug plan as the fallback prescription drug plan for any fallback service area (as defined in section 1860D-11(g)(3)) determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.''. (4) Section 1860D-13(c)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 113(c)(3)) is amended-- (A) in the heading, by inserting ``and the Medicare operated prescription drug plan'' after ``Fallback plans''; and (B) by inserting ``or the Medicare operated prescription drug plan'' after ``a fallback prescription drug plan''. (5) Section 1860D-16(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C.1395w- 116(b)(1)) is amended-- (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end; and (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and ``(E) payments for expenses incurred with respect to the operation of the Medicare operated prescription drug plan under section 1860D-11A.''. (6) Section 1860D-41(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- 151(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(19) Medicare operated prescription drug plan.--The term `Medicare operated prescription drug plan' has the meaning given such term in section 1860D-11A(b).''.

Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice Act of 2007 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) offer a Medicare operated prescription drug plan with a service area that consists of the entire United States; (2) negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to reduce the purchase cost of covered Medicare part D drugs; and (3) encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents. Requires the monthly beneficiary premium charged under such a plan to be uniform nationally. Requires adjustment of such premium amount in case of supplemental prescription drug coverage.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare operated prescription drug plan option to deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act''. SEC. 2. GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE AWARDS TO UNDERGRADUATE AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO ASSIST IN COMPLETION OF DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) is amended by inserting after subpart 7 the following new subpart: ``Subpart 8--Grants to Institutions To Provide Awards to Undergraduate and Vocational Students With Financial Need To Assist in Completion of Degree and Certificate Programs ``SEC. 420. GRANTS TO INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE AWARDS TO UNDERGRADUATE AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO ASSIST IN COMPLETION OF DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. ``(a) Grants for Establishment of Financial Assistance Program.-- The Secretary shall award grants to institutions of higher education to establish programs of financial assistance for students in accordance with this section. ``(b) Financial Assistance Program.-- ``(1) Establishment.--An institution of higher education receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall establish a financial assistance program to award funds to not less than 100 eligible students per academic year in accordance with this subsection. ``(2) Student eligibility.--A student shall be eligible for an award under a financial assistance program established by an institution of higher education in accordance with this subsection if-- ``(A) such student is enrolled as an undergraduate or vocational student at such institution on a not less than half-time basis; ``(B) such student is academically able to complete the degree or certificate program for which such student is enrolled within an academic year; ``(C) such student is in good academic standing at such institution (as determined by such institution) at the time of the distribution of the award; ``(D) in the case of a student who previously received an award under this section, such student maintained good academic standing during the academic period for which the student received such previous award under this section; ``(E) such student has an outstanding tuition payment due to such institution and is unable to fully pay the amount due; and ``(F) the institution determines that without financial assistance, such student will discontinue the degree or certificate program for which such student is enrolled due to an inability to pay tuition. ``(3) Grant amount.--The amount of an award to a student under a financial assistance program established by an institution of higher education in accordance with this subsection for a semester or equivalent shall be the lesser of-- ``(A) $1,000; or ``(B) the amount of tuition such institution determines the student is unable to pay for such semester or equivalent. ``(4) Limitation on number of grants.--A student may only receive an award under a financial assistance program established by an institution of higher education in accordance with this subsection for a total of two semesters or the equivalent of two semesters. ``(5) Information on other financial assistance.-- ``(A) Information required.--Each institution of higher education receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall provide information to each covered student attending such institution on financial assistance available from any source other than this section. ``(B) Covered student defined.--In this paragraph, the term `covered student' means a student receiving an award under a financial assistance program established by an institution of higher education in accordance with this subsection in an amount that does not fully pay an outstanding tuition payment due to such institution. ``(c) Financial Literacy Survey.--The Secretary shall create, and each student receiving an award under a financial assistance program established by an institution of higher education in accordance with subsection (b) shall complete, an online survey concerning financial literacy. Such survey shall include matters relating to budgeting and saving, student loan debt, and career planning. ``(d) Reports.-- ``(1) Institutions of higher education.--Each institution of higher education receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall annually submit to the Secretary a report containing, for the academic year preceding the date of the submission of such report-- ``(A) the number of students enrolled at such institution that received an award under a financial assistance program established by such institution in accordance with subsection (b); ``(B) the number of such students who completed the degree or certificate program in which such students were enrolled during such academic year; ``(C) the number of such students who, following completion of the degree or certificate program in which such students were enrolled, subsequently enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a higher level; ``(D) the number of such students who, following completion of the degree or certificate program in which such students were enrolled, subsequently obtained full-time employment and the average salary for such students; and ``(E) any other information that the Secretary considers necessary. ``(2) Secretary.--The Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this section. Such report shall include-- ``(A) the aggregate data submitted by all institutions of higher education in accordance with paragraph (1); ``(B) an analysis of the grant program under this section and any suggestions for improving such program; and ``(C) any other information that the Secretary considers necessary. ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2015 through 2020.''.

Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish a financial assistance program that awards funds to at least 100 of the IHE's undergraduate or vocational students each academic year who: are enrolled on at least a half-time basis; are academically able to complete the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled within an academic year; are in good academic standing; if they previously received such an award, maintained good academic standing during the academic period for which they received such award; are unable to fully pay an outstanding tuition payment that is due; and without financial assistance, will discontinue the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled. Caps the amount of such award. Prohibits a student from receiving an award for more than two semesters or the equivalent of two semesters. Requires the IHEs to provide each student who receives an award that does not fully cover the amount due on the student's outstanding tuition with information on the financial assistance available from any other source. Directs the Secretary to create, and each student that receives an award to complete, an online financial literacy survey that includes matters relating to budgeting and saving, student loan debt, and career planning.

Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Housing Authority Funding Fairness Act of 2007''. SEC. 2. VOUCHER RENEWAL FUNDING. Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) is amended by striking subsection (dd) and inserting the following new subsection: ``(dd) Tenant-Based Vouchers.-- ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, such sums as may be necessary for tenant-based assistance under subsection (o) for the following purposes: ``(A) To renew all expiring annual contributions contracts for tenant-based rental assistance. ``(B) To provide tenant-based rental assistance for-- ``(i) relocation and replacement of housing units that are demolished or disposed of pursuant to the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134); ``(ii) conversion of section 23 projects to assistance under this section; ``(iii) the family unification program under subsection (x) of this section; ``(iv) relocation of witnesses in connection with efforts to combat crime in public and assisted housing pursuant to a request from a law enforcement or prosecution agency; ``(v) enhanced vouchers authorized under subsection (t) of this section; ``(vi) vouchers in connection with the HOPE VI program under section 24; ``(vii) demolition or disposition of public housing units pursuant to section 18 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437p); ``(viii) mandatory and voluntary conversions of public housing to vouchers, pursuant to sections 33 and 22 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, respectively (42 U.S.C. 1437z-5, 1437t); ``(ix) vouchers necessary to comply with a consent decree or court order; ``(x) vouchers transferred from another public housing agency; and ``(xi) tenant protection assistance, including replacement and relocation assistance. ``(2) Allocation of renewal funding among public housing agencies.-- ``(A) From amounts appropriated for each year pursuant to paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall provide renewal funding for each public housing agency-- ``(i) based on leasing and costs from the prior year, as adjusted by an annual adjustment factor to be established by the Secretary; ``(ii) by making any adjustments necessary to provide for the first-time renewal of vouchers funded under paragraph (1)(B); and ``(iii) by making such other adjustments as the Secretary considers appropriate. ``(B) Leasing and cost data.--For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), leasing and cost data shall be calculated not less often than biennially by using the average for the calendar year that, at the time of such calculation, is the most recently completed calendar year for which the Secretary determines data is available, substantially verifiable, and complete. Such leasing data shall be adjusted to include vouchers that were set aside under a commitment to provide project- based assistance under subsection (o)(13). ``(C) Moving to work.--Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), each public housing agency participating at any time in the moving to work demonstration under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) or in the Moving to Work program under section 36 of this Act shall be funded pursuant to its agreement under such program and shall be subject to any pro rata adjustment made under subparagraph (D). ``(D) Pro rata allocation.-- ``(i) Insufficient funds.--To the extent that amounts made available for a fiscal year are not sufficient to provide each public housing agency with the full allocation for the agency determined pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (C), the Secretary shall reduce such allocation for each agency on a pro rata basis, except that renewal funding of enhanced vouchers under section 8(t) shall not be subject to such proration. ``(ii) Excess funds.--To the extent that amounts made available for a fiscal year exceed the amount necessary to provide each housing agency with the full allocation for the agency determined pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (C), such excess amounts shall be used for the purposes specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (4). ``(3) Advances.-- ``(A) Authority.--During the last 3 months of each calendar year, the Secretary shall provide amounts to any public housing agency, at the request of the agency, in an amount up to two percent of the allocation for the agency for such calendar year. ``(B) Use.--Amounts advanced under subparagraph (A) may be used to pay for additional voucher costs, including costs related to temporary overleasing. ``(C) Repayment.--Amounts advanced under subparagraph (A) in a calendar year shall be repaid to the Secretary in the subsequent calendar year by reducing the amounts made available for such agency for such subsequent calendar year pursuant to allocation under paragraph (2) by an amount equal to the amount so advanced to the agency. ``(4) Recapture.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall recapture, from amounts provided under the annual contributions contract for a public housing agency for a calendar year, all amounts allocated under paragraph (2) that are unused by the agency at the end of each calendar year. ``(B) Reallocation.--Not later than May 1 of each calendar year, the Secretary shall-- ``(i) calculate the aggregate unused amounts for the preceding year recaptured pursuant to subparagraph (A); ``(ii) set aside and make available such amounts as the Secretary considers appropriate to reimburse public housing agencies for increased costs related to portability and family self-sufficiency activities during such year; and ``(iii) reallocate all remaining amounts among public housing agencies that, in the preceding year, used at least 99 percent of amounts allocated under paragraph (2) for the agency and leased fewer than the number of vouchers authorized for the agency; except that the Secretary may establish priority for allocation of such amounts to public housing agencies that leased fewer vouchers in such preceding year than in the 12-month period ending April 1, 2004. ``(C) Use.--Amounts reallocated to a public housing agency pursuant to subparagraph (B)(iii) may be used only to increase voucher leasing rates to the level authorized for the agency.''.

Housing Authority Funding Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) repeal tenant-based contract renewals by application of an inflation factor; and (2) authorize FY2008-FY2012 appropriations for tenant-based rental assistance (vouchers). Prescribes requirements for renewal funding for each public housing agency.

To authorize the renewal of tenant-based rental assistance vouchers under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

SECTION 1. TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL SECURITY CARD PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENT. (a) Credential Improvements.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall commence actions, consistent with section 70105 of title 46, United States Code, to improve the Transportation Security Administration's process for vetting individuals with access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. (2) Required actions.--The actions described under paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) conducting a comprehensive risk analysis of security threat assessment procedures, including-- (i) identifying those procedures that need additional internal controls; and (ii) identifying best practices for quality assurance at every stage of the security threat assessment; (B) implementing the additional internal controls and best practices identified under subparagraph (A); (C) improving fraud detection techniques, such as-- (i) by establishing benchmarks and a process for electronic document validation; (ii) by requiring annual training for Trusted Agents; and (iii) by reviewing any security threat assessment- related information provided by Trusted Agents and incorporating any new threat information into updated guidance under subparagraph (D); (D) updating the guidance provided to Trusted Agents regarding the vetting process and related regulations; (E) finalizing a manual for Trusted Agents and adjudicators on the vetting process; and (F) establishing quality controls to ensure consistent procedures to review adjudication decisions and terrorism vetting decisions. (3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit a report to Congress that evaluates the implementation of the actions described in paragraph (1). (b) Comprehensive Security Assessment of the Transportation Security Card Program.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall commission an assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program (referred to in this section as ``Program'') required under section 70105 of title 46, United States Code, at enhancing security and reducing security risks for facilities and vessels regulated under chapter 701 of that title. (2) Location.--The assessment commissioned under paragraph (1) shall be conducted by a research organization with significant experience in port or maritime security, such as-- (A) a national laboratory; (B) a university-based center within the Science and Technology Directorate's centers of excellence network; or (C) a qualified federally-funded research and development center. (3) Contents.--The assessment commissioned under paragraph (1) shall-- (A) review the credentialing process by determining-- (i) the appropriateness of vetting standards; (ii) whether the fee structure adequately reflects the current costs of vetting; (iii) whether there is unnecessary redundancy or duplication with other Federal- or State-issued transportation security credentials; and (iv) the appropriateness of having varied Federal and State threat assessments and access controls; (B) review the process for renewing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials, including the number of days it takes to review application, appeal, and waiver requests for additional information; and (C) review the security value of the Program by-- (i) evaluating the extent to which the Program, as implemented, addresses known or likely security risks in the maritime and port environments; (ii) evaluating the potential for a non-biometric credential alternative; (iii) identifying the technology, business process, and operational impacts of the use of the transportation security card and transportation security card readers in the maritime and port environments; (iv) assessing the costs and benefits of the Program, as implemented; and (v) evaluating the extent to which the Secretary of Homeland Security has addressed the deficiencies in the Program identified by the Government Accountability Office and the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security before the date of enactment of this Act. (4) Deadlines.--The assessment commissioned under paragraph (1) shall be completed not later than 1 year after the date on which the assessment is commissioned. (5) Submission to congress.--Not later than 60 days after the date that the assessment is completed, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the results of the assessment commissioned under this subsection. (c) Corrective Action Plan; Program Reforms.--If the assessment commissioned under subsection (b) identifies a deficiency in the effectiveness of the Program, the Secretary of Homeland Security, not later than 60 days after the date on which the assessment is completed, shall submit a corrective action plan to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that-- (1) responds to findings of the assessment; (2) includes an implementation plan with benchmarks; (3) may include programmatic reforms, revisions to regulations, or proposals for legislation; and (4) shall be considered in any rulemaking by the Department of Homeland Security relating to the Program. (d) Inspector General Review.--If a corrective action plan is submitted under subsection (c), the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall-- (1) not later than 120 days after the date of such submission, review the extent to which such plan implements the requirements under subsection (c); and (2) not later than 18 months after the date of such submission, and annually thereafter for 3 years, submit a report to the congressional committees set forth in subsection (c) that describes the progress of the implementation of such plan. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 10, 2016. (Sec. 1) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to commence actions to improve its process for vetting individuals with access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities. These actions shall include: conducting a comprehensive risk analysis of security threat assessment procedures, including identifying procedures that need additional internal controls as well as best practices for quality assurance at every stage of the assessment; implementing such internal controls and best practices; improving fraud detection techniques; updating the guidance provided to Trusted Agents (Credentialing Office) regarding the vetting process and related regulations; finalizing a manual for such agents and adjudicators on the vetting process; and establishing quality controls to ensure consistent procedures to review adjudication decisions and terrorism vetting decisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall commission a national laboratory, a university-based center within the Science and Technology Directorate's centers of excellence network, or a qualified federally-funded research and development center to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program at enhancing security and reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels that pose a high risk of being involved in a transportation security incident. The assessment shall review: the credentialing process, the process for renewing TWIC applications, and the security value of the TWIC program. If the assessment identifies a deficiency in effectiveness of the TWIC Program, DHS shall submit to Congress a corrective action plan that: responds to assessment findings and includes an implementation plan with benchmarks, and shall be considered in any DHS rulemaking with respect to the TWIC Program. The DHS Inspector General must review and report on the corrective action plan.

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to prepare a comprehensive security assessment of the transportation security card program, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that-- (1) the area of the State of Iowa known as the Southern Prairie Potholes and consisting primarily of the Willow Creek watershed in Greene County offers exceptional potential for restoration into a bountiful native wildlife habitat area; (2) ongoing restoration and preservation of this wildlife habitat area will significantly enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation in this region, including waterfowl and upland hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking; (3) the Southern Prairie Potholes area is located at the southwestern edge of the Des Moines Lobe left by glaciers 12,000 years ago; (4) the sloughs and grassland offer a substantial oasis of both wetland and grassland habitat at the southwestern boundary of the most heavily cropped region in Iowa; (5) because of the location of the Southern Prairie Potholes at the edge of the multistate and international region known as the Prairie Potholes Region, and along important migratory flyways, the restoration and preservation of the area is critical to providing wildlife habitat across the full extent of the Prairie Potholes Region; (6) this 23,500-acre area has for years been designated by the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture as a priority area for restoration and preservation because of the importance of the area to wildlife, facilitating gradual public land acquisition for habitat restoration; (7) the area already includes the 2,134-acre Dunbar Slough wetland complex of Federal and State land managed as popular wildlife and hunting areas serving Carroll, Greene, and Guthrie Counties and beyond; (8) national wildlife refuges increasingly follow a mosaic pattern with a core of publicly held land surrounded by privately held land also located within the refuge boundary; (9) private ownership and uses are not affected for private land within the designated boundaries of the refuge, but private landowners may be provided increased opportunities for partnering on conservation or restoration practices; (10) restoration and preservation of the Southern Prairie Potholes area will benefit hundreds of birds, mammals, butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians that have been classified as species of greatest conservation need, including the endangered Blanding's turtle; (11) restoration of grassland and wetland in the area will contribute to improved flood control and water quality downstream, as the Middle Raccoon River is the major water source for the Des Moines metropolitan region and other communities; (12) the Southern Prairie Potholes area offers unique recreational appeal because the area is adjacent to the existing Whiterock Conservancy, a 4,300-acre land trust dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural resources of Iowa and engaging the public with the landscape; (13) Whiterock Conservancy offers outdoor recreation and education and includes a major new Backcountry Trail complex; (14) the proximity of the Southern Prairie Potholes to the largest metropolitan area in Iowa adds to the ability of the area to provide natural resource experiences to a broad community; and (15) the area is already attracting cyclists, and that appeal will grow with ongoing development of the cross-country American Discovery Trail transecting the area. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge established under section 4. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF REFUGE. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of approximately 23,500 acres of Federal land, water, and interests in land and water within the boundaries depicted on the map entitled ``Southern Prairie Potholes Project Area'' and dated August 26, 2014. (2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary shall make such minor revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate the acquisition of property within the Refuge. (3) Availability of map.--The Secretary shall keep the map referred to in paragraph (1) available for inspection in appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Refuge are-- (1) to enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, including waterfowl and upland hunting, hiking, native habitat exploration, and wildlife viewing; (2) to provide for the restoration or preservation of Refuge land to native wetland and grassland habitats and landscapes; (3) to provide for the restoration and conservation of native plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the Southern Prairie Potholes area, including the protection of threatened and endangered species and the restoration of extirpated species; (4) to provide critical travel and nesting habitat for migratory birds; (5) to provide opportunities to private landowners to access technical or financial assistance for the voluntary restoration of the land of the private landowners for the benefit of fish and wildlife; (6) to provide for outdoor recreation, including hunting, hiking, paddling, and wildlife viewing to the public; and (7) to facilitate the education of the public, especially young people, about nature, the environment, and the conservation of the natural resources. (c) Effective Date.-- (1) In general.--The establishment of the Refuge shall take effect on the date on which the Secretary publishes a notice that sufficient property has been acquired by the United States within the boundaries described in subsection (a)(1) to constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a National Wildlife Refuge. (2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the notice described in paragraph (1) in the Federal Register and publications of local circulation in the vicinity of the area within the boundaries described in subsection (a)(1). SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE. (a) In General.--Subject to the purposes described in section 4(b), the Secretary shall administer all land, water, and interests in land and water acquired under this Act in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). (b) Additional Authority.--The Secretary may use such additional statutory authority as may be available for the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the provision of fish- and wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities, as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. (c) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for compatible fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge. (d) Volunteers and Partnerships.--The Secretary shall 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 public awareness, conservation, and priority uses of the resources of the Refuge. SEC. 6. ACQUISITION OF LAND AND WATER. (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c) and the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may acquire up to 23,500 acres of land and water, or interests in land and water, within the boundaries of the Refuge as described in section 4(a)(1). (b) Inclusion in Refuge.--Any land, water, or interests acquired by the Secretary under this section shall be part of the Refuge. (c) Manner of Acquisition.--All acquisition of land or water under this section shall be made in a voluntary manner from willing sellers only. SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the approximately 23,500-acre Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire land and water within the boundaries of the Refuge from willing sellers. Lists as purposes of the Refuge to: (1) enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation; (2) provide for the restoration or preservation of Refuge land to native wetland and grassland habitats and landscapes; (3) provide for the restoration and conservation of native plants and animal communities; (4) provide critical travel and nesting habitat for migratory birds; (5) provide opportunities to private landowners to access assistance for the voluntary restoration of land for the benefit of fish and wildlife; and (6) facilitate the education of the public about nature, the environment, and the conservation of the natural resources. Directs the Secretary to: (1) administer all land, water, and interests therein acquired under this Act in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966; (2) ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge; and (3) encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships to promote public awareness, conservation, and priority uses of Refuge resources. .

Southern Prairie Potholes National Wildlife Refuge Act

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act-- (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean the Small Business Administration and the Administrator thereof, respectively; (2) the term ``Task Force'' means the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force established under section 3; and (3) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled by women'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(n) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(n)). SEC. 3. NATIONAL WOMEN'S HIGH-GROWTH BUSINESS BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE. (a) Establishment.--There is established the National Women's High- Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, which shall serve as an independent source of advice, research, and policy recommendations to-- (1) the Administrator; (2) the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's Business Ownership of the Administration; (3) Congress; (4) the President; and (5) other Federal departments and agencies. (b) Membership.-- (1) Number of members.--The Task Force shall be composed of 15 members, of which-- (A) 8 shall be individuals who own small business concerns owned and controlled by women, including not fewer than 2 individuals who own small business concerns owned and controlled by women in industries in which women are traditionally underrepresented; (B) 2 shall be individuals having expertise conducting research on women's business, women's entrepreneurship, new business development by women, and high-growth business development; and (C) 5 shall be individuals who represent women's business organizations, including women's business centers and women's business advocacy groups. (2) Appointment of members.-- (A) Owners of small business concerns owned and controlled by women.--Of the members of the Task Force described in paragraph (1)(A)-- (i) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; (ii) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; (iii) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives; and (iv) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives. (B) Other members.--The members of the Task Force described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) shall be appointed by the Administrator. (C) Initial appointments.--The individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall appoint the initial members of the Task Force not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (D) Geographic considerations.--In making an appointment under this paragraph, the individuals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall give consideration to the geographic areas of the United States in which the members of the Task Force live and work, particularly to ensure that rural areas are represented on the Task Force. (E) Political affiliation.--Not more than 8 members of the Task Force may be members of the same political party. (3) Chairperson.-- (A) Election of chairperson.--The members of the Task Force shall elect 1 member of the Task Force as Chairperson of the Task Force. (B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of Chairperson of the Task Force shall be filled by the Task Force at the first meeting of the Task Force after the date on which the vacancy occurs. (4) Term of service.-- (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term of service of each member of the Task Force shall be 3 years. (B) Terms of initial appointees.--Of the members of the Task Force first appointed after the date of enactment of this Act-- (i) 6 shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, including-- (I) 1 member appointed by the individuals described in each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A); and (II) 2 members appointed by the Administrator; and (ii) 5 shall be appointed for a term of 5 years, including-- (I) 1 member appointed by the individuals described in each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of paragraph (2)(A); and (II) 1 member appointed by the Administrator. (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled not later than 30 days after the date on which the vacancy occurs, in the manner in which the original appointment was made, and shall be subject to any conditions that applied to the original appointment. An individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member replaced. (6) Prohibition on federal employment.-- (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no member of the Task Force may serve as an officer or employee of the United States. (B) Exception.--A member of the Task Force who accepts a position as an officer or employee of the United States after appointment to the Task Force may continue to serve on the Task Force for not more than 30 days after the date of such acceptance. (7) Compensation and expenses.-- (A) No compensation.--Each member of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. (B) Expenses.--The Administrator shall reimburse the members of the Task Force for travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. (c) Duties.--The Task Force shall-- (1) review and monitor plans and programs developed in the public and private sectors that affect the ability of small business concerns owned and controlled by women to obtain capital and credit and to access markets, and provide advice on improving coordination between such plans and programs; (2) monitor and promote the plans, programs, and operations of the Federal departments and agencies that contribute to the formation and development of small business concerns owned and controlled by women, and make recommendations to Federal departments and agencies concerning the coordination of such plans, programs, and operations; (3) develop and promote initiatives, policies, programs, and plans designed to encourage the formation of startups and high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by women; (4) advise the Administrator on the development and implementation of an annual comprehensive plan for joint efforts by the public and private sectors to facilitate the formation and development of startups and high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and (5) examine the link between women who own small business concerns and intellectual property, including-- (A) the number of patents, trademarks, and copyrights granted to women; and (B) the challenges faced by high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by women in obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights. (d) Powers.-- (1) Hearings.--The Task Force may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable to carry out its duties. (2) Task groups.--The Task Force may, from time to time, establish temporary task groups, as necessary to carry out the duties of the Task Force. (3) Information from federal agencies.--Upon request of the Chairperson of the Task Force, the head of any Federal department or agency shall furnish such information to the Task Force as the Task Force considers necessary to carry out its duties. (4) Use of mails.--The Task Force may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as Federal departments and agencies. (5) Gifts.--The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property. (e) Meetings.-- (1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet-- (A) not less than 3 times each year; (B) at the call of the Chairperson; and (C) upon the request of-- (i) the Administrator; (ii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; or (iii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives. (2) Participation of federal agencies.-- (A) Participation encouraged.--The Task Force shall allow and encourage participation in meetings by representatives from Federal agencies. (B) Functions of representatives of federal agencies.--A representative from a Federal agency-- (i) may be used as a resource; and (ii) may not vote or otherwise act as a member of the Task Force. (3) Location.--Each meeting of the full Task Force shall be held at the headquarters of the Administration, unless, not later than 1 month before the meeting, a majority of the members of the Task Force agree to meet at another location. (4) Support by administrator.--The Administrator shall provide suitable meeting facilities and such administrative support as may be necessary for each full meeting of the Task Force. (f) Reports.-- (1) Reports by task force.-- (A) Reports required.--Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Task Force shall submit to the President and to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives, a report containing-- (i) a detailed description of the activities of the Task Force, including a report on how the Task Force has carried out the duties described in subsection (c); (ii) the findings and recommendations of the Task Force; and (iii) the recommendations of the Task Force for-- (I) promoting intellectual property rights for high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and (II) such legislative and administrative actions as the Task Force considers appropriate to promote the formation and development of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. (B) Form of reports.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall include-- (i) any concurring or dissenting views of the Administrator; and (ii) the minutes of each meeting of the Task Force. (2) Reports by chief counsel for advocacy.-- (A) Studies.-- (i) In general.--Not less frequently than twice each year, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Task Force, shall conduct a study of an issue that is important to small business concerns owned and controlled by women. (ii) Topics.--The topic of a study under clause (i) shall-- (I) be an issue that the Task Force determines is critical to furthering the interests of small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and (II) relate to-- (aa) Federal prime contracts and subcontracts awarded to small business concerns owned and controlled by women; (bb) access to credit and investment capital by women entrepreneurs; (cc) acquiring and enforcing intellectual property rights; or (dd) any other issue relating to small business concerns owned and controlled by women that the Task Force determines is appropriate. (iii) Contracting.--In conducting a study under this subparagraph, the Chief Counsel may contract with a public or private entity. (B) Report.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy shall-- (i) submit a report containing the results of each study under subparagraph (A) to the Task Force, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives; and (ii) make each report submitted under clause (i) available to the public online. (g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force. SEC. 4. REPEAL. (a) Final Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act-- (1) the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise shall submit to the President and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report containing the information described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 404 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7104), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) the National Women's Business Council shall submit to the President and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report containing the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 406(d)(6) of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7106), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Repeal.--The Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by striking title IV (15 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.). (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 8(b)(1)(G) (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(G)), by striking ``and to carry out the activities authorized by title IV of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988''; and (2) in section 29(g) (15 U.S.C. 656(g))-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``women's business enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note))'' and inserting ``small business concerns owned and controlled by women''; and (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)-- (i) in subclause (VI), by adding ``and'' at the end; (ii) in subclause (VII), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; and (iii) by striking subclauses (VIII), (IX), and (X). (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012 - Establishes the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force to provide women-owned, start-up and high-growth business advice, research, and policy recommendations to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Assistant Administrator of the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership, Congress, the President, and other federal departments and agencies. Directs the Task Force, among other things, to review, monitor, and advise on plans and programs developed in the public and private sectors that affect the ability of small businesses owned and controlled by women to obtain capital and credit and to access markets. Requires the Task Force to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the activities of the Task Force. Directs the SBA's Chief Counsel to: (1) semiannually conduct a study of an issue of importance to small businesses owned and controlled by women, and (2) submit each study's results to the Task Force and the small business committees. Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to repeal provisions establishing the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise.

A bill to establish the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Information and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003''. SEC. 2. PRESUMPTION OF ADDITIONAL DISEASES OF FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR TO BE SERVICE-CONNECTED FOR COMPENSATION PURPOSES. (a) Presumption.--Section 1112(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (14), by striking ``or'' at the end; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following new paragraphs: ``(16) cardiovascular disease (heart disease), ``(17) cerebrovascular disease (stroke), or ``(18) chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and primary liver carcinoma,''. (b) Effective Date.--(1) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) No benefit may be paid by reason of the amendments made by subsection (a) for any period before the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 3. DOSE RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. (b) Review of Mission, Procedures, and Administration.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly conduct a review of the mission, procedures, and administration of the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense. (2) In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall-- (A) determine whether any additional actions are required to ensure that the quality assurance and quality control mechanisms of the Dose Reconstruction Program are adequate and sufficient for purposes of the program; and (B) determine the actions that are required to ensure that the mechanisms of the Dose Reconstruction Program for communication and interaction with veterans are adequate and sufficient for purposes of the program, including mechanisms to permit veterans to review the assumptions utilized in their dose reconstructions. (3) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall jointly submit to Congress a report on the review under paragraph (1). The report shall set forth-- (A) the results of the review; (B) a plan for any actions determined to be required under paragraph (2); and (C) such other recommendations for the improvement of the mission, procedures, and administration of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the Secretaries jointly consider appropriate. (b) On-Going Review and Oversight.--The Secretaries shall jointly take appropriate actions to ensure the on-going independent review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program, including the establishment of the advisory board required by subsection (c). (c) Advisory Board.--(1) In taking actions under subsection (b), the Secretaries shall jointly appoint an advisory board to provide review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program. (2) The advisory board under paragraph (1) shall be composed of the following: (A) At least one expert in historical dose reconstruction of the type conducted under the Dose Reconstruction Program. (B) At least one expert in radiation health matters. (C) At least one expert in risk communications matters. (D) A representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (E) A representative of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. (F) At least three veterans, including at least one veteran who is a member of an atomic veterans group. (3) The advisory board under paragraph (1) shall-- (A) conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions and decisions on claims for radiogenic diseases under the Dose Reconstruction Program; (B) assist the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in communicating to veterans information on the mission, procedures, and evidentiary requirements of the Dose Reconstruction Program; and (C) carry out such other activities with respect to the review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the Secretaries shall jointly specify. (4) The advisory board under paragraph (1) may make such recommendations on modifications in the mission or procedures of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the advisory board considers appropriate as a result of the audits conducted under paragraph (3)(A). SEC. 4. STUDY ON DISPOSITION OF AIR FORCE HEALTH STUDY. (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in accordance with this section, carry out a study to determine the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health Study, an epidemiologic study of Air Force personnel who were responsible for conducting aerial spray missions of herbicides during the Vietnam era. (b) Study Through National Academy of Sciences.--Not later than sixty days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, or another appropriate scientific organization, to carry out the study required by subsection (a). (c) Elements.--Under the study under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences, or other appropriate scientific organization, shall address the following: (1) The scientific merit of retaining and maintaining the medical records, other study data, and laboratory specimens collected in the course of the Air Force Health Study after the currently-scheduled termination date of the study in 2006. (2) Whether or not any obstacles exist to retaining and maintaining the medical records, other study data, and laboratory specimens referred to in paragraph (1), including privacy concerns. (3) The advisability of providing independent oversight of the medical records, other study data, and laboratory specimens referred to in paragraph (1), and of any further study of such records, data, and specimens, and, if so, the mechanism for providing such oversight. (4) The advisability of extending the Air Force Health Study, including the potential value and relevance of extending the study, the potential cost of extending the study, and the Federal or non-Federal entity best suited to continue the study if extended. (5) The advisability of making the laboratory specimens of the Air Force Health Study available for independent research, including the potential value and relevance of such research, and the potential cost of such research. (d) Report.--Not later than 60 days after entering into an agreement under subsection (b), the National Academy of Sciences, or other appropriate scientific organization, shall submit to the Secretary and Congress a report on the results of the study under subsection (a). The report shall include the results of the study, including the matters addressed under subsection (c), and such other recommendations as the Academy, or other appropriate scientific organization, considers appropriate as a result of the study. SEC. 5. FUNDING OF MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP AGENCY OF INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES FOR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND VETERANS. (a) Funding by Department of Veterans Affairs.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available to the National Academy of Sciences in each of fiscal years 2004 through 2013, $250,000 for the Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine of the Academy for purposes of epidemiological research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans. (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make available amounts under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from amounts available for the Department of Veterans Affairs for that fiscal year. (b) Funding by Department of Defense.--(1) The Secretary of Defense shall make available to the National Academy of Sciences in each of fiscal years 2004 through 2013, $250,000 for the Medical Follow-Up Agency for purposes of epidemiological research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans. (2) The Secretary of Defense shall make available amounts under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from amounts available for the Department of Defense for that fiscal year. (c) Use of Funds.--The Medical Follow-Up Agency shall use funds made available under subsections (a) and (b) for epidemiological research on members of the Armed Forces and veterans. (d) Supplement Not Supplant.--Amounts made available to the Medical Follow-Up Agency under this section for a fiscal year for the purposes referred to in subsection (c) are in addition to any other amounts made available to the Agency for that fiscal year for those purposes.

Veterans Information and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2003 - Includes the following among the diseases to be considered service-connected, and therefore compensable through the Department of Veterans Affairs, when suffered by a veteran who is a former prisoner of war who was detained or interned for at least 30 days: (1) cardiovascular (heart) disease; (2) cerebrovascular disease (stroke); or (3) chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and primary liver carcinoma. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) and the Secretary of Defense to jointly conduct a review of the mission, procedures, and administration of the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense. Requires appointment of an advisory board for Program review and oversight. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health Study, an epidemiologic study of Air Force personnel responsible for conducting aerial herbicide spray missions during the Vietnam era. Requires the Secretaries to make specified funds available to the National Academy of Sciences in each of FY 2004 through 2013 for the Academy's Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine to conduct epidemiological research on military personnel and veterans.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to presume additional diseases of former prisoners of war to be service-connected for compensation purposes, to enhance the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense, to enhance and fund certain other epidemiological studies, and for other purposes

SECTION 1. CANCELLATION OF STUDENT LOAN INDEBTEDNESS FOR SPOUSES, SURVIVING JOINT DEBTORS, AND PARENTS. (a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section: (1) Eligible public servant.--The term ``eligible public servant'' means an individual who-- (A) served as a police officer, firefighter, other safety or rescue personnel, or as a member of the Armed Forces; and (B) died (or dies) or became (or becomes) permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001; as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary. (2) Eligible victim.--The term ``eligible victim'' means an individual who died (or dies) or became (or becomes) permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary. (3) Eligible spouse.--The term ``eligible spouse'' means the spouse of an eligible public servant, as determined in accordance with regulations of the Secretary. (4) Eligible surviving debtor.--The term ``eligible surviving debtor'' means an individual who owes a Federal student loan that is a consolidation loan that was used, jointly by that individual and an eligible victim, to repay the Federal student loans of that individual and of such eligible victim. (5) Eligible parent.--The term ``eligible parent'' means the parent of an eligible victim if-- (A) the parent owes a Federal student loan that is a consolidation loan that was used to repay a PLUS loan incurred on behalf of such eligible victim; or (B) the parent owes a Federal student loan that is a PLUS loan incurred on behalf of an eligible victim who became (or becomes) permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education. (7) Federal student loan.--The term ``Federal student loan'' means any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under part B, D, or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. (b) Relief From Indebtedness.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for the discharge or cancellation of-- (A) the Federal student loan indebtedness of an eligible spouse; (B) the consolidation loan indebtedness of an eligible surviving debtor; (C) the portion of the consolidation loan indebtedness of an eligible parent that was incurred on behalf of an eligible victim, if the amount of such indebtedness with respect to such eligible victim may be reliably determined on the basis of records available to the lender; and (D) the PLUS loan indebtedness of an eligible parent that was incurred on behalf of an eligible victim described in subsection (a)(5)(B). (2) Method of discharge or cancellation.--A loan required to be discharged or canceled under paragraph (1) shall be discharged or canceled by the method used under section 437(a), 455(a)(1), or 464(c)(1)(F) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087(a), 1087e(a)(1), 1087dd(c)(1)(F)), whichever is applicable to such loan. (c) Facilitation of Claims.--The Secretary shall-- (1) establish procedures for the filing of applications for discharge or cancellation under this section by regulations that shall be prescribed and published within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and without regard to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code; and (2) take such actions as may be necessary to publicize the availability of discharge or cancellation of Federal student loan indebtedness for eligible spouses, eligible surviving debtors, and eligible parents under this section. (d) Availability of Funds for Payments.--Funds available for the purposes of making payments to lenders in accordance with section 437(a) for the discharge of indebtedness of deceased or disabled individuals shall be available for making payments under section 437(a) to lenders of loans to the eligible spouses, eligible surviving debtors, and eligible parents as required by this section. (e) Applicable to Outstanding Debt.--The provisions of this section shall be applied to discharge or cancel only Federal student loans (including consolidation loans) on which amounts were owed on September 11, 2001.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to discharge or cancel the Federal student loan indebtedness of spouses, surviving joint debtors, and parents of public servants and other individuals who died (or die) or who became (or become) permanently and totally disabled from injuries suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

A bill to provide for cancellation of student loan indebtedness for spouses, surviving joint debtors, and parents of individuals who died or became permanently and totally disabled due to injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (1) Iran voted in the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, thereby committing to guarantee the ``life, liberty, and security of person'' of all people and rejecting ``cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment''. (2) Iran is a party to major international human rights instruments. (3) The Government of Iran is violating its international obligations to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens, including by-- (A) using torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, including flogging, and amputations; (B) carrying out an increasingly high rate of executions in the absence of internationally recognized safeguards, including public executions; (C) using stoning as a method of execution and maintaining a high number of persons in prison who continue to face sentences of execution by stoning; (D) carrying out arrests, violent repression, and sentencing of women exercising their right to peaceful assembly, a campaign of intimidation against women's rights defenders, and continuing discrimination against women and girls; (E) permitting or carrying out increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against persons belonging to religious, ethnic, linguistic, or other minorities; (F) imposing ongoing, systematic, and serious restrictions of freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression, including the continuing closures of media outlets, arrests of journalists, and the censorship of expression in online forums such as blogs and websites; and (G) imposing severe limitations and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, including by carrying out arbitrary arrests, indefinite detentions, and lengthy jail sentences for those exercising their rights to freedom of religion or belief and proposing a provision in a draft penal code that sets out a mandatory death sentence for apostasy, the abandoning of one's faith. (4) On June 19, 2009, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns about the increasing number of arrests not in conformity with the law and the illegal use of excessive force in responding to protests following the June 12, 2009, political processes in Iran, resulting in at least dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. (5) On August 1, 2009, authorities in the Government of Iran began a mass trial of more than 100 individuals in connection with election protests, most of whom were held for weeks, in solitary confinement, with little or no access to their lawyers or families, and many of whom showed signs of torture or abuse. (6) The ``Supreme Leader'' of Iran issued a statement on October 28, 2009, effectively criminalizing dissent in the aftermath of the national political processes of June 12, 2009. (7) On November 4, 2009, security forces in the Government of Iran used brutal force to disperse thousands of protesters, resulting in a number of injuries and arrests, in violation of international norms regarding the proportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrations. (8) At least 8 citizens of Iran were killed and an undetermined number were injured on December 27, 2009, when security forces of the Government of Iran violently broke up peaceful gatherings during the Ashura holiday. (9) The Government of Iran has recently sentenced numerous Iranian citizens to death without due process for politicized crimes relating to the peaceful demonstrations that followed the June 12, 2009, political processes, including ``waging war against God'', and has begun carrying out those execution sentences, including the death by hanging of 2 individuals on January 28, 2010. (10) The Iran Freedom Support Act (Public Law 109-293; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) declares that it should be the policy of the United States-- (A) to support efforts by the people of Iran to exercise self-determination over the form of government of their country; and (B) to support independent human rights and peaceful pro-democracy forces in Iran. SEC. 3. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON CERTAIN PERSONS WHO ARE COMPLICIT IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES COMMITTED AGAINST CITIZENS OF IRAN OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AFTER THE JUNE 12, 2009, POLITICAL PROCESSES IN IRAN. (a) In General.--The President shall impose sanctions described in subsection (c) (1) and (2) with respect to each person on the list required by subsection (b), beginning not later than the date on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees the list required by subsection (b)(1) or the updated list required by subsection (b)(2) (as the case may be). (b) List of Persons Who Are Complicit in Certain Human Rights Abuses.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a list of persons who are citizens of Iran that the President determines are complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Iran or their family members on or after June 12, 2009, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Iran. (2) Updates of list.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an updated list under paragraph (1). (3) Public availability.--The list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available to the public and posted on the websites of the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State. (4) Consideration of data from other countries and nongovernmental organizations.--In preparing the list required by paragraph (1), the President shall consider data already obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations, including organizations in Iran, that monitor the human rights abuses of the Government of Iran. (c) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this subsection are the following: (1) Visa ban.--Ineligibility for a visa to enter the United States. (2) Financial sanctions.--Sanctions authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), including blocking of property and restrictions or prohibitions on financial transactions and the exportation and importation of property. (d) Termination of Sanctions.--The provisions of this section shall cease to have force and effect beginning 90 days after the date on which the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that-- (1) the persons sanctioned under this section have ceased to be complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Iran or their family members on or after June 12, 2009, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Iran; and (2) the Government of Iran has-- (A) unconditionally released all political prisoners, including the citizens of Iran detained in the aftermath of the June 12, 2009, political processes in Iran, and allowed for investigations of Iranian prisons by appropriate international human rights organizations; (B) ceased its practices of violence, unlawful detention, torture, and abuse of citizens of Iran while engaging in peaceful political activity; (C) conducted a transparent investigation into the killings, arrest, and abuse of peaceful political activists in Iran and prosecuted those responsible; (D) legalized all political activity; (E) made public commitments to organizing free and fair elections for a new government-- (i) to be held in a timely manner within a period not to exceed 180 days after the date on which the President makes the determination and certification to the appropriate congressional committees under this subsection; (ii) with the participation of multiple independent political parties that have full access to the media on an equal basis, including (in the case of radio, television, or other telecommunications media) in terms of allotments of time for such access and the times of day such allotments are given; and (iii) to be conducted under the supervision of internationally recognized observers; (F) ceased any interference with broadcasts such as Voice of America and Radio Farda; and (G) made public commitments to and is making demonstrable progress in-- (i) establishing an independent judiciary; and (ii) respecting internationally recognized human rights and basic freedoms as recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' has the meaning given that term in section 14(2) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). (2) Country reports on human rights practices.--The term ``Country Reports on Human Rights Practices'' means the annual reports required to be submitted by the Department of State to Congress under sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and 2304(b)). (3) Government of iran.--The term ``Government of Iran'' includes any agency or instrumentality of the Government of Iran, including any entity that is controlled by the Government of Iran. (4) Human rights abuses.--The term ``human rights abuses'' means those forms of abuses detailed in the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act - Directs the President to impose visa entry and financial sanctions on a person determined to be complicit in human rights abuses committed against Iranian citizens or their family members on or after June 12, 2009, regardless of whether such abuses occurred in Iran. Requires that: (1) the list of such persons required by this Act be made available to the public and posted on the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State websites; and (2) the President consider data obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations that monitor Iran's human rights abuses in preparing such list. Terminates sanctions upon presidential certification to Congress that: (1) the sanctioned persons have ceased complicity in human rights abuses; and (2) the government of Iran has released all political prisoners, ceased its killing and abuse of Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity and prosecuted those responsible, committed itself to free elections and respect for human rights, and ceased broadcast interference.

To impose sanctions on persons who are complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Iran or their family members after the June 12, 2009, political processes in Iran, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Individual Social Security Retirement Account Act of 1993''. SEC. 2. REDUCTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES. (a) Tax on Employees.--Subsection (a) of section 3101 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to OASDI tax on employees) is amended by striking the table and inserting the following: ``In cases of wages The rate received during: shall be: 1993 or 1994......................... 6.2 percent 1995 or thereafter................... 5.2 percent.'' (b) Tax on Employers.--Subsection (a) of section 3111 of such Code (relating to OASDI tax on employers) is amended by striking the table and inserting the following: ``In cases of wages The rate paid during: shall be: 1993 or 1994......................... 6.2 percent 1995 or thereafter................... 5.2 percent.'' (c) Tax on Self-Employed.--Subsection (a) of section 1401 of such Code of (relating to OASDI tax on self-employment income) is amended by striking the table and inserting the following: ``In the case of a taxable year: Beginning after: And before: Percent: December 31, 1992...... January 1, 1995........ 12.4 December 31, 1994...... ....................... 10.4.'' (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to remuneration paid after December 31, 1994, and with respect to earnings from self-employment attributable to taxable years beginning after such date. SEC. 3. INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS FUNDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL DEDUCTION PLANS. (a) In General.--Title II of the Social Security Act is amended-- (1) by inserting before section 201 the following: ``Part A--Insurance Benefits''; and (2) by adding at the end the following new part: ``Part B--Individual Retirement Program ``social security payroll deduction plans ``Sec. 251. (a) In General.--Each person who is a covered employer for any calendar year shall have in effect throughout such calendar year a social security payroll deduction plan for such person's eligible employees. ``(b) Requirements.--For purposes of this part, the term `social security payroll deduction plan' means a written plan of a covered employer if-- ``(1) under such plan, the prescribed social security employee contribution is deducted from each eligible employee's wages and paid to an individual social security retirement account of such employee designated in accordance with section 252, ``(2) under such plan, the covered employer pays the amount so deducted to the designated individual social security retirement account within 10 business days after the payment of the wages from which the amount was deducted, ``(3) under such plan, the covered employer pays to the individual social security retirement account, together with the contribution paid pursuant to paragraph (2), the prescribed social security employer contribution with respect to the eligible employee, and ``(4) the employer receives no compensation for the cost of administering such plan. ``(c) Amount Deducted May Be Accumulated by Employer in Certain Cases.--If, under the terms of an individual social security retirement account selected under section 252, contributions below a specified amount will not be accepted, the requirements of subsection (b)(2) shall be treated as met if amounts deducted from the wages of an eligible employee are accumulated by the covered employer and paid to such plan not later than 10 business days after the first day on which the accumulated amount exceeds such specified amount. ``designation of individual social security retirement accounts ``Sec. 252. (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the individual social security retirement account to which contributions with respect to any eligible employee are required to be paid under section 251 shall be such an account designated by such employee to such employer not later than 10 business days after the date on which such employee becomes an eligible employee of such employer. Any such designation shall be made in such form and manner as may be prescribed in regulations of the Secretary. ``(b) Designation in Absence of Timely Designation by Employee.--In any case in which no timely designation of the individual social security retirement account is made, the covered employer shall designate such account in accordance with regulations of the Secretary. ``(c) Subsequent Designation of Other Accounts.--The Secretary shall provide by regulation for subsequent designation of other individual social security retirement accounts of an eligible employee in lieu of or in addition to accounts previously designated under this section. ``self-employed individuals ``Sec. 253. (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the close of any taxable year for which there is imposed a tax under section 1401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on the self-employment income of an individual, such individual shall pay to an individual social security retirement account designated by such individual the prescribed social security self-employment contribution with respect to such individual for such taxable year. ``(b) Designation of Account.--The designation of an individual social security retirement account for payment of prescribed social security self-employment contributions shall be made in such form and manner as may be prescribed in regulations of the Secretary. ``definitions ``Sec. 254. For purposes of this part-- ``(1) Individual social security retirement account.--The term `individual social security retirement account' means any individual retirement account (as defined in section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) which is administered or issued by a bank (as defined in section 408(n) of such Code) and which meets the requirements of section 408A of such Code. ``(2) Covered employer.--The term `covered employer' means, for any calendar year, any person on whom an excise tax is imposed under section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to having an individual in his employ to whom wages were paid by such person during such calendar year. ``(3) Eligible employee.--The term `eligible employee' means, in connection with any person who is a covered employer for any calendar year, any individual with respect to whose employment by such employer during such calendar year there is imposed an excise tax under section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. ``(4) Prescribed social security employee contribution.-- The term `prescribed social security employee contribution' means, with respect to any eligible employee of a covered employer, an amount equal to 1 percent of the wages received by such employee with respect to employment by such employer. ``(5) Prescribed social security employer contribution.-- The term `prescribed social security employer contribution' means, with respect to a covered employer of any eligible employee, 1 percent of the wages paid by such employer to such employee with respect to employment of such employee. ``(6) Prescribed social security self- employment contribution.--The term `prescribed social security self- employment contribution' means, with respect to the self- employment income of an individual for any taxable year, 2 percent of the amount of such self-employment income for such taxable year. ``(7) Business day.--The term `business day' means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the area involved. ``penalties ``Sec. 255. (a) Failure To Establish Social Security Payroll Deduction Plan.--Any covered employer who fails to meet the requirements of section 251 for any calendar year shall be subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed the greater of-- ``(1) $50,000, or ``(2) $1,000 for each eligible employee of such employer as of the beginning of such calendar year. ``(b) Failure To Make Deductions Required Under Plan.--Any covered employer who fails to timely deduct in full the amount from the wages of an eligible employee required under an applicable social security payroll deduction plan shall be subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed $50 for each such failure. ``(c) Failure To Pay Deducted Wages to Individual Social Security Retirement Account.--If an amount deducted from the wages of an eligible employee under a social security payroll deduction plan is not timely paid in full to the designated individual social security retirement account in accordance with section 251-- ``(1) the covered employer failing to make such payment shall be subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed 20 percent of the unpaid amount, and ``(2) shall be liable to the eligible employee for interest on the unpaid amount at a rate equal to 133 percent of the Federal short-term rate under section 1274(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, calculated from the last day by which such amount was required to be so paid to the date on which such amount is paid into the designated individual social security retirement account. ``(d) Failure To Pay Prescribed Social Security Self-Employment Contributions to Individual Social Security Retirement Account.--Any individual failing to timely pay in full a prescribed social security self-employment contribution to a designated individual social security retirement account as required under section 253 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed 20 percent of the unpaid amount, plus interest on the unpaid amount at a rate equal to 133 percent of the Federal short-term rate under section 1274(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, calculated from the last day by which such amount was required to be so paid to the date on which such amount is paid into the designated individual social security retirement account. ``(e) Rules for Application of Section.-- ``(1) Penalties assessed by secretary.--Any civil penalty assessed by this section shall be imposed by the Secretary and collected in a civil action. ``(2) Compromises.--The Secretary may compromise the amount of any civil penalty imposed by this section. ``(3) Authority to waive penalty in certain cases.--The Secretary may waive the application of this section with respect to any failure if the Secretary determines that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not to intentional disregard of rules and regulations.''. (b) Amounts Deducted To Be Shown on W-2 Statements.--Subsection (a) of section 6051 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to receipts for employees) is amended-- (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (8), (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (9) and inserting ``, and'', and (3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new paragraph: ``(10) the total amount deducted from the employee's wages under a social security payroll deduction plan established under part B of title II of the Social Security Act.'' (c) Exemption From ERISA Requirements.--Subsection (b) of section 4 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1003(b)) is amended-- (1) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (4); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and inserting ``; or''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(6) such plan is a social security payroll deduction plan established under part B of title II of the Social Security Act.''. (d) Effective Date.-- (1) In general.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to wages paid in calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 1995. (2) Transitional rule.--Notwithstanding section 252(a) of the Social Security Act (as added by this Act), the initial designations of individual social security retirement accounts with respect to eligible employees employed by covered employers as of January 1, 1995, pursuant to such section may be made at any time not later than January 15, 1995. SEC. 4. TAX TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. (a) In General.--Subpart A of part I of subchapter D of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to pension, profit- sharing, stock bonus plans, etc.) is amended by inserting after section 408 the following new section: ``SEC. 408A. INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. ``(a) General Rule.--Except as provided in this section, an individual social security retirement account shall be treated for purposes of this title in the same manner as an individual retirement plan. ``(b) Individual Social Security Retirement Account.--For purposes of this section, the term `individual social security retirement account' means an account established and administered in accordance with part B of title II of the Social Security Act (relating to individual retirement program). ``(c) Contribution Rules.-- ``(1) No deduction allowed.--No deduction shall be allowed under section 219 for a contribution to an individual social security retirement account. ``(2) Contribution limit.--No amount, other than a prescribed contribution under part B of title II of the Social Security Act, may be accepted as a contribution to an individual social security retirement account. ``(d) Treatment of Rollovers.--Section 408(d)(3)(A)(i) shall apply to any amount distributed from an individual social security retirement account only to the extent such amount is paid into another such account for the benefit of the individual for whom the account from which such amount is transferred was maintained.'' (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such subpart A is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 408 the following new item: ``Sec. 408A. Individual social security retirement accounts.'' (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1994.

Individual Social Security Retirement Account Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the social security taxes on employees, employers, and the self-employed for 1995 and thereafter. Amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require employers to have in effect a social security payroll deduction plan for employees. Requires such plan to provide for employers to deduct the prescribed social security employee contribution for transfer, together with the prescribed social security employer contribution, to an individual social security retirement account of the employee. Provides for self-employed individuals to pay into such accounts the prescribed social security self-employment contribution. Sets forth penalties for failure to establish and maintain such accounts. Requires amounts deducted from employee wages to be shown on wage receipts for employees. Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to exempt social security payroll deduction plans from provisions governing employee benefit plans. Provides for the tax treatment of individual social security retirement accounts in a manner similar to individual retirement accounts.

Individual Social Security Retirement Account Act of 1993

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.

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).

To require mental health screenings for members of the Armed Forces who are deployed in connection with a contingency operation, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. DEFINITION OF RENEWABLE BIOMASS. (a) Clean Air Act Definitions.-- (1) RFS definition.--Section 211(o)(1) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(1)) is amended by striking subparagraph (I) and inserting the following: ``(I) Renewable biomass.--The term `renewable biomass' means-- ``(i) materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from National Forest System land and public lands (as defined in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702)) that-- ``(I) are byproducts of preventive treatments that are removed-- ``(aa) to reduce hazardous fuels; ``(bb) to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation; or ``(cc) to restore ecosystem health; ``(II) would not otherwise be used for higher-value products; and ``(III) are harvested in accordance with-- ``(aa) applicable law and land management plans; and ``(bb) the requirements for-- ``(AA) old-growth maintenance, restoration, and management direction of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (e) of section 102 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6512); and ``(BB) large-tree retention of subsection (f) of that section; or ``(ii) any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from non- Federal land or land belonging to an Indian or Indian tribe that is held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including-- ``(I) renewable plant material, including-- ``(aa) feed grains; ``(bb) other agricultural commodities; ``(cc) other plants and trees; and ``(dd) algae; and ``(II) waste material, including-- ``(aa) crop residue; ``(bb) other vegetative waste material (including wood waste and wood residues); ``(cc) animal waste and byproducts (including fats, oils, greases, and manure); and ``(dd) food waste and yard waste.''. (2) Conversion assistance definition.--Section 211(s)(4) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(s)(4)) is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: ``(B) Renewable biomass.--The term `renewable biomass' has the meaning given the term in subsection (o)(1).''. (b) Applicability Under Other Law.--The definition of the term ``renewable biomass'' under section 211(o)(1) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o)(1)) (as amended by subsection (a)(1)) shall apply in any Federal law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act-- (1) to establish a renewable electricity standard; or (2) to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases.

Amends the Clean Air Act to redefine "renewable biomass" as: (1) materials, pre-commercial thinnings, or invasive species from certain National Forest System land and public lands that are byproducts of preventive treatments that are removed to reduce hazardous fuels, reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or restore ecosystem health, that would not otherwise be used for higher-value products, and that are harvested in accordance with specified requirements for old-growth forests and large tree retention; or (2) any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis from nonfederal land or land belonging to an Indian or Indian tribe that is held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, including specified renewable plant material and waste material. Applies this definition in any federal law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act to: (1) establish a renewable electricity standard; or (2) regulate the emission of greenhouse gases.

A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify certain definitions of the term "renewable biomass", and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Security Act of 2003''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection jj. as subsection ii.; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``jj. Design Basis Threat.--The term `design basis threat' means the design basis threat established by the Commission under section 73.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation developed under section 170C). ``kk. Sensitive Nuclear Facility.--The term `sensitive nuclear facility' means-- ``(1) a commercial nuclear power plant and associated spent fuel storage facility; ``(2) a decommissioned nuclear power plant and associated spent fuel storage facility; ``(3) a category I fuel cycle facility; ``(4) a gaseous diffusion plant; and ``(5) any other facility licensed by the Commission, or used in the conduct of an activity licensed by the Commission, that the Commission determines should be treated as a sensitive nuclear facility under section 170C.''. SEC. 3. NUCLEAR SECURITY. (a) In General.--Chapter 14 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 170C. PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE NUCLEAR FACILITIES AGAINST THE DESIGN BASIS THREAT. ``(a) Definitions.--In this section: ``(1) Nuclear security force.--The term `nuclear security force' means the nuclear security force established under subsection (b)(1). ``(2) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Nuclear Security Fund established under subsection (e). ``(3) Qualification standard.--The term `qualification standard' means a qualification standard established under subsection (d)(2)(A). ``(4) Security plan.--The term `security plan' means a security plan developed under subsection (b)(2). ``(b) Nuclear Security.--The Commission shall-- ``(1) establish a nuclear security force, the members of which shall be employees of the Commission, to provide for the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat; and ``(2) develop and implement a security plan for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat. ``(c) Security Plans.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall develop a security plan for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the protection of each sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat. ``(2) Elements of the plan.--A security plan shall prescribe-- ``(A) the deployment of the nuclear security force, including-- ``(i) numbers of the members of the nuclear security force at each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(ii) tactics of the members of the nuclear security force at each sensitive nuclear facility; and ``(iii) capabilities of the members of the nuclear security force at each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(B) other protective measures, including-- ``(i) designs of critical control systems at each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(ii) restricted personnel access to each sensitive nuclear facility; ``(iii) perimeter site security, internal site security, and fire protection barriers; ``(iv) increases in protection for spent fuel storage areas; ``(v) placement of spent fuel in dry cask storage; and ``(vi) background security checks for employees and prospective employees; and ``(C) a schedule for completing the requirements of the security plan not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section. ``(3) Additional requirements.--A holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility under section 103 or 104 or the State or local government in which a sensitive nuclear facility is located may petition the Commission for additional requirements in the security plan for the sensitive nuclear facility. ``(4) Implementation of security plan.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission, in consultation with a holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility under section 103 or 104, shall, by direct action of the Commission or by order requiring action by the licensee, implement the security plan for the sensitive nuclear facility in accordance with the schedule under paragraph (2)(C). ``(5) Sufficiency of security plan.--If at any time the Commission determines that the implementation of the requirements of the security plan for a sensitive nuclear facility is insufficient to ensure the security of the sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat, the Commission shall immediately submit to Congress and the President a classified report that-- ``(A) identifies the vulnerability of the sensitive nuclear facility; and ``(B) recommends actions by Federal, State, or local agencies to eliminate the vulnerability. ``(d) Nuclear Security Force.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission, in consultation with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall establish a program for the hiring and training of the nuclear security force. ``(2) Hiring.-- ``(A) Qualification standards.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall establish qualification standards that individuals shall be required to meet to be hired by the Commission as members of the nuclear security force. ``(B) Examination.--The Commission shall develop and administer a nuclear security force personnel examination for use in determining the qualification of individuals seeking employment as members of the nuclear security force. ``(C) Criminal and security background checks.--The Commission shall require that an individual to be hired as a member of the nuclear security force undergo a criminal and security background check. ``(D) Disqualification of individuals who present national security risks.--The Commission, in consultation with the heads of other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall establish procedures, in addition to any background check conducted under subparagraph (B), to ensure that no individual who presents a threat to national security is employed as a member of the nuclear security force. ``(3) Annual proficiency review.-- ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall provide that an annual evaluation of each member of the nuclear security force is conducted and documented. ``(B) Requirements for continuation.--An individual employed as a member of the nuclear security force may not continue to be employed in that capacity unless the evaluation under subparagraph (A) demonstrates that the individual-- ``(i) continues to meet all qualification standards; ``(ii) has a satisfactory record of performance and attention to duty; and ``(iii) has the knowledge and skills necessary to vigilantly and effectively provide for the security of a sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat. ``(4) Training.-- ``(A) In general.--The Commission shall provide for the training of each member of the nuclear security force to ensure each member has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide for the security of a sensitive nuclear facility against the design basis threat. ``(B) Training plan.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall develop a plan for the training of members of the nuclear security force. ``(C) Use of other agencies.--The Commission may enter into a memorandum of understanding or other arrangement with any other Federal agency with appropriate law enforcement responsibilities, to provide personnel, resources, or other forms of assistance in the training of members of the nuclear security force. ``(e) Nuclear Security Fund.-- ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the `Nuclear Security Fund', which shall be used by the Commission to administer programs under this section to provide for the security of sensitive nuclear facilities. ``(2) Deposits in the fund.--The Commission shall deposit in the Fund-- ``(A) the amount of fees collected under paragraph (5); and ``(B) amounts appropriated under subsection (f). ``(3) Investment of amounts.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet current withdrawals. Investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. ``(B) Acquisition of obligations.--For the purpose of investments under subparagraph (A), obligations may be acquired-- ``(i) on original issue at the issue price; or ``(ii) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. ``(C) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market price. ``(D) Credits to fund.--The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Fund. ``(4) Use of amounts in the fund.--The Commission shall use amounts in the Fund to pay the costs of-- ``(A) salaries, training, and other expenses of the nuclear security force; and ``(B) developing and implementing security plans. ``(5) Fee.--To ensure that adequate amounts are available to provide assistance under paragraph (4), the Commission shall assess licensees a fee in an amount determined by the Commission. ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.''. (b) Implementation.--The Commission shall complete the full implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a) as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, but in no event later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter 14 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. prec. 2011) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``170B. Uranium supply. ``170C. Protection of sensitive nuclear facilities against the design basis threat.''.

Nuclear Security Act of 2003 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to instruct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to: (1) establish a nuclear security force composed of NRC employees to provide for the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against design basis threat; and (2) develop and implement a security plan containing specified elements for each sensitive nuclear facility to ensure the security of all sensitive nuclear facilities against such threat. Authorizes a holder of a license for a sensitive nuclear facility to petition the Commission for additional requirements in the security plan for such facility. Requires the NRC to establish a hiring and training program for the nuclear security force. Establishes the Nuclear Security Fund for use by the Commission to administer the security programs for sensitive nuclear facilities.

To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to strengthen security at sensitive nuclear facilities.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``State Innovation Pilot Act of 2011''. SEC. 2. PURPOSES. The purposes of this Act are-- (1) to support State, local, and tribal leadership and innovation in preparing all students to meet State-developed college and career ready academic content standards and student academic achievement standards, by establishing a process to permit State, local, and tribal educational leaders to implement alternative and innovative strategies to improve student academic achievement and otherwise meet the purposes of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and (2) to direct the Secretary of Education to defer to State, local, and tribal judgments regarding how best to accomplish the purposes of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. SEC. 3. WAIVERS OF STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. Section 9401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7861) is amended-- (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: ``(a) In General.-- ``(1) Request for waiver.--A State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe that receives funds under a program authorized under this Act may submit a request to the Secretary to waive any statutory or regulatory requirement of this Act. ``(2) Receipt of waiver.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall waive any statutory or regulatory requirement of this Act for a State educational agency, local educational agency, Indian tribe, or school (through a local educational agency), that submits a waiver request pursuant to this subsection.''; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, which shall include a plan'' after ``waiver request to the Secretary''; (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and how the waiving of those requirements will'' and all that follows through the end, and inserting a semicolon; (iii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and (iv) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D), and inserting the following: ``(C) reasonably demonstrates that the waiver will improve instruction for students, advance student academic achievement, and contribute to student mastery of knowledge and skills, consistent with the State's college and career ready academic content standards and student academic achievement standards; ``(D) describes the methods the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe will use to-- ``(i) monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of the plan; and ``(ii) assure regular evaluation and continuous improvement of the plan; ``(E) as applicable to the waiver request-- ``(i) describes the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe's process for making valid and meaningful accountability determinations, based on student academic achievement, to review the success of schools and local educational agencies or Indian tribes in implementing the State's college and career ready academic content standards and student academic achievement standards; ``(ii) describes the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe's process for accurately and meaningfully identifying, supporting, and intervening in underperforming schools, consistent with applicable State or local policy; and ``(iii) includes information on how the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe will maintain and improve transparency in reporting to parents and the public on student achievement and school performance, including the achievement of students according to the student subgroups described in subclauses (I) through (IV) of section 1111(b)(2)(B)(viii); and''; (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)(II), by striking ``(on behalf of, and based on the requests of, local educational agencies)'' and inserting ``(on their own behalf, or on behalf of, and based on the requests of, local educational agencies in the State)''; (C) in paragraph (3)(A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``or on behalf of local educational agencies in the State,'' after ``acting on its own behalf,''; and (D) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Peer review.-- ``(A) Peer review team.-- ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall establish multi-disciplinary peer review teams and appoint members to such teams, including persons who have experience with a State educational agency (or local educational agency or Indian tribe, as appropriate) and broader education reform experience, to review waiver requests under this section if-- ``(I) the Secretary requests such input in order to approve a waiver request; or ``(II) the Secretary intends to disapprove a request. ``(ii) Team in place for all waiver requests.--The Secretary may, at the Secretary's discretion, have a peer review team review all waiver requests submitted under this section. ``(B) Applicability.--The Secretary may approve a waiver request under this section without conducting a peer review of the request, but shall use the peer review process under this paragraph before disapproving such a request. ``(C) Purpose of peer review.--The peer review process shall be designed to-- ``(i) promote effective implementation of State-developed college and career ready academic content standards and student academic achievement standards, through State and local innovation; and ``(ii) provide transparent feedback to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, or Indian tribes, designed to strengthen the applicant's plan described under paragraph (1)(C). ``(D) Standard and nature of review.--Peer reviewers shall conduct a good faith review of waiver requests submitted to them under this section. Peer reviewers shall review such waiver requests-- ``(i) in their totality; ``(ii) in deference to State and local judgment; and ``(iii) with the goal of promoting State- and local-led innovation. ``(5) Waiver determination, demonstration, and revision.-- ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall approve a waiver request not more than 90 days after the date on which such request is submitted, unless the Secretary determines and demonstrates that-- ``(i) the waiver request does not meet the requirements of this section; ``(ii) the waiver is not permitted under subsection (c); ``(iii) the plan that is required under paragraph (1)(C), and reviewed with deference to State and local judgment, provides no reasonable basis to determine that a waiver will enhance student academic achievement; or ``(iv) the waiver request does not provide for adequate evaluation to ensure review and continuous improvement of the plan, consistent with paragraph (1)(D). ``(B) Waiver determination and revision.--If the Secretary determines and demonstrates that the waiver request does not meet the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall-- ``(i) immediately-- ``(I) notify the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe of such determination; and ``(II) at the request of the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe, provide detailed reasons for such determination in writing; ``(ii) offer the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe an opportunity to revise and resubmit the waiver request not more than 60 days after the date of such determination; and ``(iii) if the Secretary determines that the resubmission does not meet the requirements of this section, at the request of the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe, conduct a public hearing not more than 30 days after the date of such resubmission. ``(C) Waiver disapproval.--The Secretary may disapprove a waiver request if-- ``(i) the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe has been notified and offered an opportunity to revise and resubmit the waiver request, as described under clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B); and ``(ii) the State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe-- ``(I) does not revise and resubmit the waiver request; or ``(II) revises and resubmits the waiver request, and the Secretary determines that such waiver request does not meet the requirements of this section after a hearing conducted under subparagraph (B)(iii). ``(D) External conditions.--The Secretary shall not disapprove a waiver request under this section based on conditions outside the scope of the waiver request.''; (3) in subsection (d)-- (A) in the heading, by adding ``; Limitations'' after ``Duration and Extension of Waiver''; and (B) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Specific limitations.--The Secretary shall not require a State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe, as a condition of approval of a waiver request, to-- ``(A) include in, or delete from, such request, specific academic content standards or academic achievement standards; ``(B) use specific academic assessment instruments or items; or ``(C) include in, or delete from, such waiver request any criterion that specifies, defines, or prescribes the standards or measures that a State or local educational agency uses to establish, implement, or improve-- ``(i) State academic content standards or academic achievement standards; ``(ii) assessments; ``(iii) State accountability systems; ``(iv) systems that measure student growth; ``(v) measures of other academic indicators; or ``(vi) teacher and principal evaluation systems.''; (4) in subsection (e)-- (A) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by striking the heading and inserting ``Waiver reports''; (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)-- (I) by striking ``local educational agency that receives'' and inserting ``State educational agency, local educational agency, or Indian tribe that receives''; and (II) by striking ``submit a report to the State educational agency that'' and inserting ``submit a report to the Secretary that''; (B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); (C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (2); and (D) in paragraph (2), (as redesignated by subparagraph (C)), by striking ``Beginning in fiscal year 2002 and for each subsequent year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee'' and inserting ``The Secretary shall annually submit to the Committee''; and (5) in subsection (f), by inserting ``and the recipient of the waiver has failed to make revisions needed to carry out the purpose of the waiver,'' after ``has been inadequate to justify a continuation of the waiver''.

State Innovation Pilot Act of 2011 - Amends part D (Waivers) of title IX (General Provisions) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise the process by which states, LEAs, and Indian tribes obtain waivers of the Act's statutory and regulatory requirements. Requires waiver requests by states, LEAs, or Indian tribes to include a plan that describes how: (1) the waiver will improve instruction and student achievement in accordance with the state's college and career ready academic content and achievement standards; (2) the plan will be evaluated regularly and improved continuously; (3) they will review implementation of the college and career readiness standards; (4) they will identify, support, and intervene in underperforming schools; and (5) they will maintain and improve transparency in reporting to parents and the public on student achievement and school performance. Requires the Secretary of Education to approve requests that meet such requirements and do not involve certain specified statutory or regulatory requirements. Directs the Secretary to establish a multidisciplinary peer review team to review a waiver request if the Secretary requests their input or intends to disapprove the request. Requires peer reviewers to review waiver requests in their totality, in deference to state and local judgment, and with the goal of promoting state and local innovation. Gives the Secretary a limited amount of time to decide on a waiver request. Gives requesters opportunities to revise their requests. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing conditions on a waiver that require the state, LEA, or Indian tribe to adopt or drop specific standards or assessment systems.

A bill to amend section 9401 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 with regard to waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements.