Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Biennial Appropriations Act''.

SEC. 2. REVISION OF TIMETABLE.

    Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631)
is amended to read as follows:

                              ``timetable

    ``Sec. 300.  (a) Timetable.--
            ``(1) In general.--The timetable with respect to the
        congressional budget process for any fiscal year is as follows:

``On or before:                           Action to be completed:
First Monday in February................  President submits his or her budget.
February 15.............................  Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
Not later than 6 weeks after President    Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
 submits budget.
April 1.................................  Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the budget.
April 15................................  Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the budget.
May 15..................................  Biennial appropriation bills and the defense appropriation bill may be
                                           considered in the House as provided in subsection (b).
June 10.................................  House Appropriations Committee reports last appropriation bill to be
                                           considered that year as provided in subsection (b).
June 15.................................  Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation.
June 30.................................  House completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense
                                           appropriation bill.
August 1................................  Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense
                                           appropriation bill.
October 1...............................  Fiscal year begins.

            ``(2) Special rule.--In the case of any first session of
        Congress that begins in any year immediately following a leap
        year and during which the term of a President (except a
        President who succeeds himself or herself) begins, the
        following dates shall supersede those set forth in paragraph
        (1):

``On or before:                           Action to be completed:
First Monday in April...................  President submits his or her budget.
April 15................................  Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees.
April 20................................  Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees.
May 15..................................  Budget Committees report concurrent resolution on the budget.
June 1..................................  Congress completes action on concurrent resolution on the budget.
July 1..................................  Biennial appropriation bills and the defense appropriation bill may be
                                           considered in the House as provided in subsection (b).
July 20.................................  House completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), and the defense
                                           appropriation bill.
August 1................................  Congress completes action on biennial appropriation bills to be
                                           considered that year, as provided in subsection (b), the defense
                                           appropriation bill, and reconciliation legislation.
October 1...............................  Fiscal year begins.

    ``(b) Biennial Appropriation Bills and Defense Appropriation
Bill.--Appropriation bills shall be enacted as follows:
            ``(1) Odd-numbered years.--In odd-numbered years Congress
        shall consider pursuant to the budget process under this title
        and enact--
                    ``(A) an annual defense appropriation bill; and
                    ``(B) biennial appropriation bills for--
                            ``(i) Financial Services;
                            ``(ii) Transportation, Housing and Urban
                        Development;
                            ``(iii) Interior, Environment;
                            ``(iv) Labor, Health and Human Services,
                        Education; and
                            ``(v) Military Construction, Veterans
                        Affairs.
            ``(2) Even-numbered years.--In even-numbered years Congress
        shall consider pursuant to the budget process in this title and
        enact--
                    ``(A) an annual defense appropriation bill; and
                    ``(B) biennial appropriation bills for--
                            ``(i) Agriculture;
                            ``(ii) Commerce, Justice, Science;
                            ``(iii) Energy and Water;
                            ``(iv) Homeland Security;
                            ``(v) Legislative Branch; and
                            ``(vi) State-Foreign Operations.''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET AND IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL
              ACT OF 1974.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 3 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
(2 U.S.C. 622) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) The term `biennium' means the period of 2
        consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1.''.
    (b) Committee Allocations.--Section 302 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), in the matter preceding
        subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by inserting ``and for appropriations for each
                fiscal year in the biennium and for the first fiscal
                year of the resolution for defense,'' after ``for the
                first fiscal year of the resolution,'';
                    (B) by striking ``for that period of fiscal years''
                and inserting ``for all fiscal years covered by the
                resolution''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``for defense and for each fiscal
                year in the biennium'' after ``for the fiscal year of
                that resolution'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``for defense and the
        biennium'' after ``budget year''; and
            (3) in subsection (f)(2)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``the first fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the total of fiscal years'' and
                inserting ``the total of all fiscal years covered by
                the resolution''.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE.

    (a) Definition.--Section 1101 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
            ``(3) `biennium' has the meaning given to such term in
        section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
        Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)).''.
    (b) Budget Contents and Submission to the Congress.--
            (1) Expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(5) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
        the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
        year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
        which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 fiscal
        years''.
            (2) Receipts.--Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year for which
        the budget is submitted and the 4 fiscal years after that
        year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for
        which the budget is submitted and in the succeeding 4 years''.
            (3) Balance statements.--Section 1105(a)(9)(C) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
        and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
            (4) Functions and activities.--Section 1105(a)(12)(A) of
        title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the
        fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
        biennium''.
            (5) Allowances.--Section 1105(a)(13) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year'' and
        inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
            (6) Allowances for uncontrolled expenditures.--Section
        1105(a)(14) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
        striking ``that year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
        biennium for which the budget is submitted''.
            (7) Tax expenditures.--Section 1105(a)(16) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended by striking ``the fiscal year''
        and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium''.
            (8) Future years.--Section 1105(a)(17) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``the fiscal year following the
                fiscal year'' and inserting ``each fiscal year in the
                biennium following the biennium'';
                    (B) by striking ``that following fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each such fiscal year''; and
                    (C) by striking ``fiscal year before the fiscal
                year'' and inserting ``biennium before the biennium''.
            (9) Prior year outlays.--Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
                fiscal years,'';
                    (B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
                ``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
                    (C) by striking ``in that year'' and inserting ``in
                those fiscal years''.
            (10) Prior year receipts.--Section 1105(a)(19) of title 31,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``the prior fiscal year'' and
                inserting ``each of the 2 most recently completed
                fiscal years'';
                    (B) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting
                ``with respect to those fiscal years''; and
                    (C) by striking ``in that year'' each place it
                appears and inserting ``in those fiscal years''.
    (c) Estimated Expenditures of Legislative and Judicial Branches.--
Section 1105(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking
``each year'' and inserting ``each even-numbered year''.
    (d) Recommendations To Meet Estimated Deficiencies.--Section
1105(c) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the first place it
        appears and inserting ``each fiscal year in the biennium for'';
            (2) by striking ``the fiscal year for'' the second place it
        appears and inserting ``each fiscal year of the biennium, as
        the case may be, for''; and
            (3) by striking ``for that year'' and inserting ``for each
        fiscal year of the biennium''.
    (e) Capital Investment Analysis.--Section 1105(e)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``ensuing fiscal year'' and
inserting ``biennium to which such budget relates''.

SEC. 5. TWO-YEAR APPROPRIATIONS; TITLE AND STYLE OF APPROPRIATIONS
              ACTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 105 of title 1, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 105. Title and style of appropriations Acts
    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Nondefense.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
        style and title of all Acts making appropriations for the
        support of the Government shall be as follows: `An Act making
        appropriations (here insert the object) for each fiscal year in
        the biennium of fiscal years (here insert the fiscal years of
        the biennium).'.
            ``(2) Defense.--The style and title of Acts making
        appropriations for the support of defense shall be as follows:
        `An Act making appropriations for defense for fiscal year (here
        insert the fiscal year).'.
            ``(3) Amounts.--All Acts making regular appropriations for
        the support of the Government shall specify the amount of
        appropriations provided for each fiscal year in such period.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `biennium' has the same meaning as in
        section 3(12) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
        Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 622(12)); and
            ``(2) Acts described in subsection (a)(1) shall be
        considered as provided in section 300(b) of the Congressional
        Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 631(b)).''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 2 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by striking the
item relating to section 105 and inserting the following:

``105. Title and style of appropriations Acts.''.

SEC. 6. MULTIYEAR AUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
is amended by adding at the end the following:

                   ``authorizations of appropriations

    ``Sec. 316.  (a) Point of Order.--It shall not be in order in the
House of Representatives or the Senate to consider--
            ``(1) any bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or
        conference report that authorizes appropriations for a period
        of less than 2 fiscal years, unless the program, project, or
        activity for which the appropriations are authorized will
        require no further appropriations and will be completed or
        terminated after the appropriations have been expended; and
            ``(2) for any year, any authorization or revenue bill or
        joint resolution until Congress completes action on the budget
        resolution, all appropriations bills to be considered during
        the year under section 300(b), and all reconciliation bills.
    ``(b) Applicability.--In the Senate, subsection (a) shall not apply
to--
            ``(1) defense;
            ``(2) any measure that is privileged for consideration
        pursuant to a rule or statute;
            ``(3) any matter considered in Executive Session; or
            ``(4) an appropriations measure or reconciliation bill.''.
    (b) Amendment to Table of Contents.--The table of contents set
forth in section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 is amended by adding after the item relating to
section 315 the following:

``Sec. 316. Authorizations of appropriations.''.

SEC. 7. CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.

    (a) In General.--In each year that the activities of an agency are
not required to be funded pursuant to section 300(b) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the committee of the House and the
Senate with legislative jurisdiction over that agency shall hold a
joint oversight hearing with the corresponding subcommittee of the
Committee on Appropriations of their respective House with jurisdiction
over the agency.
    (b) Hearing.--A hearing required by subsection (a) shall review--
            (1) the mission of the agency;
            (2) the impact of biennial budgeting on agency efficiency;
            (3) the cost savings associated with biennial budgeting;
            (4) new programs created in the off year of the agency
        budget; and
            (5) programs that were terminated in the off year of the
        agency budget.

SEC. 8. REPORT ON TWO-YEAR FISCAL PERIOD.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall--
            (1) determine the impact and feasibility of changing the
        definition of a fiscal year and the budget process based on
        that definition to a 2-year fiscal period with a biennial
        budget process based on the 2-year period; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate and
        the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives a
        report on the findings of the study.

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as provided in section 8, this Act and the amendments made
by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 2016, and shall apply to
budget resolutions and appropriations for the biennium beginning with
fiscal year 2017.

Output: Biennial Appropriations Act  This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to change the annual appropriations process to a biennial process for nondefense spending. Congress must consider the defense appropriations bill annually and the remaining appropriations bills in either odd-numbered or even-numbered years. In each year that the appropriations bill for an agency is not considered, Congress must conduct oversight hearings. The bill requires the congressional budget resolution to be accompanied by committee allocations for biennial appropriations and the President's budget to include details that reflect the biennial process.  It also creates a point of order against considering: (1) legislation authorizing appropriations for less than two years unless the program requires no further appropriations and will be completed after appropriations are expended, and (2) authorization or revenue legislation until Congress completes action on the budget resolution, appropriations bills, and reconciliation bills.  The Office of Management and Budget must report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of a biennial budget process.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune,
        chronic, inflammatory, painful, and disabling diseases that
        require lifelong timely and appropriate medical intervention
        and care and have no cure.
            (2) Current studies indicate that the prevalence of
        psoriasis in the United States ranges between two and three
        percent, affecting approximately 7.5 million men, women, and
        children of all ages, approximately 17,000 individuals in each
        congressional district, and has an adverse impact on the
        quality of life for virtually all affected.
            (3) Psoriasis often is overlooked or dismissed because it
        is not typically a direct cause of death. Psoriasis is commonly
        and incorrectly considered by insurers, employers,
        policymakers, and the public as a mere annoyance--a superficial
        problem, mistakenly thought to be contagious, due to poor
        hygiene, or both. As such, treatment for psoriasis is often
        incorrectly categorized as ``cosmetic'' and not ``medically
        necessary''.
            (4) Psoriasis is connected with an elevated risk for other
        serious, chronic, and life-threatening comorbid conditions,
        including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer.
        A higher prevalence of stroke, atherosclerosis, chronic
        obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease,
        lymphoma, metabolic syndrome, and liver disease are also found
        in people with psoriasis as compared to the general population.
        Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop
        potentially disabling psoriatic arthritis.
            (5) The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded a
        study that found that psoriasis may cause as much physical and
        mental disability as other major chronic diseases, including
        cancer, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and
        depression.
            (6) Psoriasis is associated with elevated rates of
        depression, anxiety, and suicidality (suicidal thoughts,
        suicide attempts, and completed suicides). Individuals with
        psoriasis are twice as likely to have thoughts of suicide as
        people without psoriasis or with other chronic conditions.
            (7) The risk of premature death is 50 percent higher for
        people with severe psoriasis. This translates to people with
        severe psoriasis dying four years earlier, on average, than
        people without psoriasis.
            (8) The economic consequences of psoriasis, both for
        individuals and the health care system, are significant. Total
        direct and indirect health care costs of psoriasis are
        calculated at $11,250,000,000 with work loss accounting for 40
        percent of the cost burden. People with psoriasis have
        significantly higher health care resource utilization and costs
        than the general population. Additionally, psoriasis patients
        with comorbidities are more likely to experience urgent care,
        have greater rates of hospitalization, more frequent outpatient
        visits, and incur greater costs than psoriasis patients without
        comorbidities.
            (9) Early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis
        may help prevent irreversible joint damage.
            (10) Treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis presents a
        challenge for patients and their health care providers. A wide
        range of treatment options is available; however, adverse side
        effects and success varies from patient to patient. The same
        treatments do not work for every patient and a treatment that
        may have been effective for a period of time can stop working.
            (11) Despite a number of recent breakthroughs that have led
        to some new treatments, too many people with psoriasis and
        psoriatic arthritis still cannot live normal lives. For many of
        these individuals, existing treatments are not effective or
        appropriate or may not be accessible due to cost and insurance
        barriers.
            (12) Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis constitute a
        significant national health issue that deserves a comprehensive
        and coordinated response by States and the Federal Government
        with involvement of the health care provider, patient, and
        public health communities.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS DATA COLLECTION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
is authorized to undertake psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis data
collection efforts, including incorporating questions into public
health surveys, questionnaires, and other databases in existence as of
the date of the enactment of this Act to collect information, with
respect to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, regarding--
            (1) the prevalence of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in
        the United States;
            (2) the age of onset;
            (3) health-related quality of life;
            (4) health care utilization;
            (5) burden of such disease (such as with respect to
        employment);
            (6) direct and indirect costs;
            (7) health disparities, including with respect to age,
        gender, race, and ethnicity; and
            (8) comorbidities and the natural history of such disease.
Such data collection efforts may include the consideration and
development of a patient registry, which would include individuals of
all ages.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out subsection (a),
there are authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 for each of fiscal
years 2012 through 2017.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS FOR COLLABORATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
              ON PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND COMORBID
              CONDITIONS.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the psoriasis research community has made significant
        strides in proving the seriousness of psoriasis as an
        autoimmune disease and in advancing the identification of
        commonalities between psoriasis and other diseases;
            (2) the nonprofit and private sector psoriasis research
        communities are to be commended for planning a
        multidisciplinary scientific meeting in 2012 to discuss future
        directions of psoriasis and comorbid research, identify
        initiatives necessary to fill any gaps, leverage public and
        private investments in psoriasis research, and facilitate
        progress in interdisciplinary research related to psoriasis and
        its comorbid conditions;
            (3) the National Institutes of Health is encouraged to
        continue to work with the organizations and private sector
        stakeholders who convene the multidisciplinary scientific
        meeting to discuss future directions of psoriasis and comorbid
        research;
            (4) the nonprofit and private sector meeting conveners
        should disseminate to the public, Congress, and other relevant
        public and private policymaking and research entities a report
        that includes findings from the scientific meeting and
        suggestions regarding next steps, including recommendations
        from the National Institutes of Health and other relevant
        Federal agencies; and
            (5) utilizing the information produced by the scientific
        meeting regarding future directions of psoriasis and comorbid
        research, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
        through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and
        in conjunction with the National Institute for Arthritis,
        Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases and other institutes and
        centers of the National Institutes of Health, is encouraged to
        explore the development of a virtual Center of Excellence for
        Collaborative Discovery in Psoriasis and Comorbid Research or
        some other mechanism through which public and private sector
        findings regarding psoriasis and its comorbid conditions can be
        regularly shared and leveraged.

Output:
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to undertake psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis data collection efforts to collect information regarding: (1) the prevalence of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the United States; (2) the age of onset; (3) health-related quality of life; (4) health care utilization; (5) the burden of such disease; (6) direct and indirect costs; (7) health disparities, including with respect to age, gender, race, and ethnicity; and (8) comorbidities and the natural history of such disease. Allows such data collection efforts to include: (1) incorporating questions into public health surveys, questionnaires, and other databases in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) the consideration and development of a patient registry.

Encourages the Director of the National Institutes of Health to explore the development of a virtual Center of Excellence for Collaborative Discovery in Psoriasis and Comorbid Research or some other mechanism through which public and private sector findings regarding psoriasis and its comorbid conditions can be regularly shared and leveraged.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Commission for the New
National Goal: The Advancement of Global Health Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) During the 20th century the United States led the world
        in defeating totalitarianism and communism.
            (2) The United States also led the world in spreading and
        establishing democracy in every region.
            (3) The end of global conflict and the end of the Cold War,
        now guaranteed by the power and leadership of the United
        States, allow the Nation to establish new goals for the 21st
        century.
            (4) The United States, the world leader in the research,
        development, and production of technologies, medicines, and
        methodologies utilized to prevent and cure disease, has the
        human and natural resources to dedicate itself to the new
        national goal of the global eradication of disease.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    There is established a commission to be known as the ``National
Commission for the New National Goal: The Advancement of Global
Health'' (in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

    The Commission shall recommend to the Congress a national strategy
for coordinating governmental, academic, and public and private health
care entities for the purpose of the global eradication of disease.

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) Membership of the Commission.--The Commission shall consist of
individuals who are of recognized standing and distinction and who
possess the demonstrated capacity to discharge the duties imposed on
the Commission, and shall include representatives of the public,
private, and academic areas whose capacity is based on a special
knowledge or expertise in medical research or related areas.
    (b) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 13
members appointed as follows:
            (1) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (or the
        Secretary's delegate).
            (2) The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.
            (3) 3 Members of the Senate appointed jointly by the
        President of the Senate and the President pro tempore. Not more
        than 2 members appointed under this paragraph may be of the
        same political party.
            (4) 3 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by
        the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Not more than 2
        members appointed under this paragraph may be of the same
        political party.
            (5) 2 individuals appointed by the President, by and with
        the advice and consent of the Senate, from among individuals
        who are not officers or employees of any government and who are
        specially qualified to serve on the Commission by virtue of
        their education, training, or experience.
            (6) 3 individuals appointed by the President from among
        individuals who will represent the views of recipients of
        health services. Not more than 1 member appointed under this
        paragraph may be an officer or employee of the Federal
        Government.
    (c) Continuation of Membership.--If a member was appointed to the
Commission as a Member of Congress and the member ceases to be a Member
of Congress, that member may continue as a member for not longer than
the 30-day period beginning on the date that member ceases to be a
Member of Congress.
    (d) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the
Commission.
    (e) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve without pay.
    (f) Quorum.--7 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum
but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (g) Chairperson; Vice Chairperson.--The Chairperson and Vice
Chairperson of the Commission shall be designated by the President at
the time of the appointment.
    (h) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet monthly or at the call of
a majority of its members.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places,
take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers
appropriate.
    (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which
the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
    (c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly
from any department or agency of the United States information
necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the
Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that
department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission.
    (d) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--The Commission may accept, use,
and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property,
both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the
work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and
proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or
devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for
disbursement upon order of the Chairperson or Commission. For purposes
of Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, property accepted under this
subsection shall be considered as a gift, bequest, or devise to the
United States.
    (e) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
    (f) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support
services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
    (g) Contract Authority.--The Commission may contract with and
compensate government and private agencies or persons for
administrative and other services, without regard to section 3709 of
the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).

SEC. 7. REPORTS.

    (a) Interim Reports.--The Commission may submit to the President
and the Congress interim reports as the Commission considers
appropriate.
    (b) Final Report.--The Commission shall transmit a final report to
the President and the Congress not later than 12 months after the date
of enactment of this Act. The final report shall contain a detailed
statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together
with its recommendations for legislative, administrative, or other
actions, as the Commission considers appropriate.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 30 days after submitting its final
report pursuant to section 7.

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect 60 days after the date of its enactment.

SEC. 10. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE.

    Any spending authority (as defined in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of
section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C.
651(c)(2) (A) and (C))) authorized by this Act shall be effective only
to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts.

Output: National Commission for the New National Goal:  The Advancement of Global Health Act - Establishes the National Commission for the New National Goal:  The Advancement of Global Health to report to the President and the Congress concerning a national strategy for coordinating governmental, academic, and public and private health care entities for the purpose of the global eradication of disease. Terminates the Commission 30 days after the submission of its final report.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Mobility Safety Act of
2016''.
SEC. 2. PERSONAL SELECTIONS OF AUTOMOBILES AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.
    Section 3903(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
        (1) by striking ``Except'' and inserting ``(1) Except''; and
        (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that to the extent practicable an
eligible person who is provided an automobile or other conveyance under
this chapter is given the opportunity to make personal selections
relating to such automobile or other conveyance.''.
SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY FOR THE AUTOMOBILES ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT
PROGRAM.
    (a) Comprehensive Policy.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
develop a comprehensive policy regarding quality standards for
providers who provide modification services to veterans under the
automobile adaptive equipment program.
    (b) Scope.--The policy developed under subsection (a) shall cover
each of the following:
        (1) The Department of Veterans Affairs-wide management of the
    automobile adaptive equipment program.
        (2) The development of standards for safety and quality of
    equipment and installation of equipment through the automobile
    adaptive equipment program, including with respect to the defined
    differentiations in levels of modification complexity.
        (3) The consistent application of standards for safety and
    quality of both equipment and installation throughout the
    Department.
        (4) In accordance with subsection (c)(1), the certification of
    a provider by a manufacturer if the Secretary designates the
    quality standards of such manufacturer as meeting or exceeding the
    standards developed under this section.
        (5) In accordance with subsection (c)(2), the certification of
    a provider by a third party, nonprofit organization if the
    Secretary designates the quality standards of such organization as
    meeting or exceeding the standards developed under this section.
        (6) The education and training of personnel of the Department
    who administer the automobile adaptive equipment program.
        (7) The compliance of the provider with the Americans with
    Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) when furnishing
    automobile adaptive equipment at the facility of the provider.
        (8) The allowance, where technically appropriate, for veterans
    to receive modifications at their residence or location of choice,
    including standards that ensure such receipt and notification to
    veterans of the availability of such receipt.
    (c) Certification of Manufacturers and Third Party, Nonprofit
Organizations.--
        (1) Certification of manufacturers.--The Secretary shall
    approve a manufacturer as a certifying manufacturer for purposes of
    subsection (b)(4), if the manufacturer demonstrates that its
    certification standards meet or exceed the quality standards
    developed under this section.
        (2) Certification of third party, nonprofit organizations.--
            (A) In general.--The Secretary may approve two or more
        private, nonprofit organizations as third party, nonprofit
        certifying organizations for purposes of subsection (b)(5).
            (B) Limitation.--If at any time there is only one third
        party, nonprofit certifying organization approved by the
        Secretary for purposes of subsection (b)(5), such organization
        shall not be permitted to provide certifications under such
        subsection until such time as the Secretary approves a second
        third party, nonprofit certifying organization for purposes of
        such subsection.
    (d) Updates.--
        (1) Initial updates.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
    the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall update Veterans
    Health Administration Handbook 1173.4, or any successor handbook or
    directive, in accordance with the policy developed under subsection
    (a).
        (2) Subsequent updates.--Not less frequently than once every 6
    years thereafter, the Secretary shall update such handbook, or any
    successor handbook or directive.
    (e) Consultation.--The Secretary shall develop the policy under
subsection (a), and revise such policy under subsection (d), in
consultation with veterans service organizations, the National Highway
Transportation Administration, industry representatives, manufacturers
of automobile adaptive equipment, and other entities with expertise in
installing, repairing, replacing, or manufacturing mobility equipment
or developing mobility accreditation standards for automobile adaptive
equipment.
    (f) Conflicts.--In developing and implementing the policy under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
        (1) minimize the possibility of conflicts of interest, to the
    extent practicable; and
        (2) establish procedures that ensure against the use of a
    certifying organization referred to in subsection (b)(5) that has a
    financial conflict of interest regarding the certification of an
    eligible provider.
    (g) Biennial Report.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
    the Secretary updates Veterans Health Administration Handbook
    1173.4, or any successor handbook or directive, under subsection
    (d), and not less frequently than once every other year thereafter
    through 2022, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
    Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans'
    Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
    implementation and facility compliance with the policy developed
    under subsection (a).
        (2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
    include the following:
            (A) A description of the implementation plan for the policy
        developed under subsection (a) and any revisions to such policy
        under subsection (d).
            (B) A description of the performance measures used to
        determine the effectiveness of such policy in ensuring the
        safety of veterans enrolled in the automobile adaptive
        equipment program.
            (C) An assessment of safety issues due to improper
        installations based on a survey of recipients of adaptive
        equipment from the Department.
            (D) An assessment of the adequacy of the adaptive equipment
        services of the Department based on a survey of recipients of
        adaptive equipment from the Department.
            (E) An assessment of the training provided to the personnel
        of the Department with respect to administering the program.
            (F) An assessment of the certified providers of the
        Department of adaptive equipment with respect to meeting the
        minimum standards developed under subsection (b)(2).
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
        (1) Automobile adaptive equipment program.--The term
    ``automobile adaptive equipment program'' means the program
    administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant to
    chapter 39 of title 38, United States Code.
        (2) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans service
    organization'' means any organization recognized by the Secretary
    for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38,
    United States Code.
SEC. 4. APPOINTMENT OF LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALISTS IN VETERANS
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.
    (a) Licensed Hearing Aid Specialists.--
        (1) Appointment.--Section 7401(3) of title 38, United States
    Code, is amended by inserting ``licensed hearing aid specialists,''
    after ``Audiologists,''.
        (2) Qualifications.--Section 7402(b)(14) of such title is
    amended by inserting ``, hearing aid specialist'' after ``dental
    technologist''.
    (b) Requirements.--With respect to appointing hearing aid
specialists under sections 7401 and 7402 of title 38, United States
Code, as amended by subsection (a), and providing services furnished by
such specialists, the Secretary shall ensure that--
        (1) a hearing aid specialist may only perform hearing services
    consistent with the hearing aid specialist's State license related
    to the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids without
    excluding other qualified professionals, including audiologists,
    from rendering services in overlapping practice areas;
        (2) services provided to veterans by hearing aid specialists
    shall be provided as part of the non-medical treatment plan
    developed by an audiologist; and
        (3) the medical facilities of the Department of Veterans
    Affairs provide to veterans access to the full range of
    professional services provided by an audiologist.
    (c) Consultation.--In determining the qualifications required for
hearing aid specialists and in carrying out subsection (b), the
Secretary shall consult with veterans service organizations,
audiologists, otolaryngologists, hearing aid specialists, and other
stakeholder and industry groups as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
    (d) Annual Report.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
    enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter during the 5-year
    period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on
    the following:
            (A) Timely access of veterans to hearing health services
        through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (B) Contracting policies of the Department with respect to
        providing hearing health services to veterans in facilities
        that are not facilities of the Department.
        (2) Timely access to services.--Each report shall, with respect
    to the matter specified in paragraph (1)(A) for the 1-year period
    preceding the submittal of such report, include the following:
            (A) The staffing levels of audiologists, hearing aid
        specialists, and health technicians in audiology in the
        Veterans Health Administration.
            (B) A description of the metrics used by the Secretary in
        measuring performance with respect to appointments and care
        relating to hearing health.
            (C) The average time that a veteran waits to receive an
        appointment, beginning on the date on which the veteran makes
        the request, for the following:
                (i) A disability rating evaluation for a hearing-
            related disability.
                (ii) A hearing aid evaluation.
                (iii) Dispensing of hearing aids.
                (iv) Any follow-up hearing health appointment.
            (D) The percentage of veterans whose total wait time for
        appointments described in subparagraph (C), including an
        initial and follow-up appointment, if applicable, is more than
        30 days.
        (3) Contracting policies.--Each report shall, with respect to
    the matter specified in paragraph (1)(B) for the 1-year period
    preceding the submittal of such report, include the following:
            (A) The number of veterans that the Secretary refers to
        non-Department audiologists for hearing health care
        appointments.
            (B) The number of veterans that the Secretary refers to
        non-Department hearing aid specialists for follow-up
        appointments for a hearing aid evaluation, the dispensing of
        hearing aids, or any other purpose relating to hearing health.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and
                                               President of the Senate.

Output: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 17, 2016.  Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that an eligible disabled veteran provided an automobile or other conveyance is given the opportunity to make personal selections relating to such conveyance.  (Sec. 3) The VA shall develop a comprehensive policy regarding quality standards for providers of modification services to veterans under the automobile adaptive equipment program.  Such policy shall cover: (1) management of the automobile adaptive equipment program, (2) development and application of safety and quality standards for equipment and installation, (3) provider certification by a third party organization or manufacturer, (4) manufacturer certification of a provider, (5) education and training of VA personnel, (6) provider compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and (7) allowance for veterans to receive modifications at their residence or location of choice.  The VA shall approve a manufacturer as a certifying manufacturer if such manufacturer demonstrates that its certification standards meet or exceed the quality standards provided for by this bill.  The VA may approve two or more private, nonprofit organizations as third party, nonprofit certifying organizations.   The VA shall: (1) within one year and at least every six years thereafter, update VHA Handbook 1173.4 in accordance with such policy; and (2) within one year of such update and biennially thereafter through 2022, report on policy implementation and facility compliance.  The VA shall: (1) develop and revise such policy in consultation with veteran service organizations, the National Highway Transportation Administration, industry representatives, manufacturers of automobile adaptive equipment, and other entities with relevant expertise; and (2) ensure against the use of a certifying entity that has a financial conflict of interest regarding the certification of an eligible provider.  (Sec. 4) The VA may appoint licensed hearing aid specialists to the Veterans Health Administration. The VA shall ensure that: (1) a hearing aid specialist may only perform hearing services consistent with the specialist's state license related to the practice of fitting and dispensing hearing aids, without excluding other qualified professionals from rendering services in overlapping practice areas; (2) services provided to veterans by hearing aid specialists shall be provided as part of the non-medical treatment plan developed by an audiologist; and (3) VA medical facilities provide veterans with access to the full range of audiologist services. The VA shall, within one year and annually thereafter for the next five years, report on: (1) veterans access to such hearing health services; and (2) VA contracting policies for providing hearing health services to veterans in non-VA facilities, including the number of veterans referred  to audiologists and hearing aid specialists.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Older and Disabled Americans Criminal
Protection Act of 1998'.

SEC. 2. BACKGROUND CHECKS.

    (a) In General.--A shared housing referral service, as determined
for the purpose of this section by the Attorney General, may request
the Attorney General to conduct a search and exchange of records under
subsection (b) regarding any applicant for participation in a shared
housing arrangement as a service provider resident by--
            (1) submitting, to the Attorney General--
                    (A) fingerprints regarding such applicant; and
                    (B) a written statement authorizing the shared
                housing referral service to request the search and
                exchange of records regarding the applicant, which is
                signed by the applicant; and
            (2) making the submission of the information under
        paragraph (1) not more than 7 days (not including Saturdays,
        Sundays, and legal public holidays under section 6103 of title
        5, United States Code) after completing acquiring the
        information.
    (b) Search and Exchange of Records.--Pursuant to any submission
that complies with subsection (a), the Attorney General shall search
the records of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation for any criminal history records
corresponding to the fingerprints or other positive identification
submitted. The Attorney General shall provide any corresponding
information identified by the search to the appropriate State or local
governmental agency authorized to receive such information.
    (c) Use of Information.--Information regarding any applicant for
participation in a shared housing arrangement obtained pursuant to
subsection (b) may be used only by the shared housing referral service
requesting the information and only for determining the suitability of
the applicant for participation in a shared housing arrangement as a
service provider resident.
    (d) Fees.--The Attorney General may charge a reasonable fee, which
may not exceed $50, to any shared housing referral service requesting a
search and exchange of records pursuant to subsection (b) to cover the
costs of conducting the search and providing the records.
    (e) Report.--The Attorney General shall submit a report to the
House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act regarding the number of requests for
searches and exchanges of records made under this section by shared
housing referral services and the disposition of such requests.

SEC. 3. CRIMINAL PENALTY.

    Whoever knowingly uses any information obtained pursuant to section
2(b) in violation of section 2(c) shall be fined under title 18, United
States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

SEC. 4. ORGANIZATIONAL LIABILITY.

    A shared housing referral agency that, in making a determination
regarding any referral for participation in a shared housing
arrangement, reasonably relies upon information provided to the agency
by the Attorney General pursuant to section 2 shall not be liable, in
any action for damages based on the referral determination, for any
damages resulting from incompleteness or inaccuracy of the information.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Shared housing arrangement.--The term `shared housing
        arrangement' means a primary residential arrangement that
        consists of at least 2 persons--
                    (A) who reside in the same dwelling unit and share
                the use of all or part of the facilities of the
                dwelling unit;
                    (B) who have no familial relationship;
                    (C) one of whom is the owner or lessee of the
                dwelling unit, including any owner or lessee who is an
                elderly person or a person with disabilities, and
                    (D) another of whom provides care or other services
                for the benefit of the person described in subparagraph
                (C) in exchange for free occupancy in the dwelling
                unit, a reduction in the cost otherwise charged for
                occupancy of the dwelling unit, or other remuneration.
            (2) Shared housing referral service.--The term `shared
        housing referral service' means any nonprofit organization,
        person, or other entity that, for consideration, performs
        services which involve the referral of individuals or families
        for participation in shared housing arrangements as service
        provider residents.
            (3) Service provider resident.--The term `service provider
        resident' means, with respect to a shared housing arrangement,
        the individual participating in the arrangement who is
        described in paragraph (1)(D).
            (4) Elderly person; person with disabilities.--The terms
        `elderly person' and `person with disabilities' have the
        meanings given such terms in section 3(b) of the United States
        Housing Act of 1937.

SEC. 6. REGULATIONS.

    The Attorney General may prescribe any regulations necessary to
carry out this Act, including regulations regarding the security,
confidentiality, accuracy, use, and dissemination of information and
audits and recordkeeping and the imposition of fees necessary for the
recovery of costs.

Output:
Older and Disabled Americans Criminal Protection Act of 1998 - Defines a "shared housing arrangement" as a residential arrangement under which one person provides care or other services for the owner or lessee of a dwelling unit in exchange for free occupancy or a reduced cost for occupancy of that unit or other remuneration. Authorizes: (1) a shared housing referral agency to request the Attorney General to conduct and share criminal background checks respecting shared housing caretaker applicants; and (2) the Attorney General to charge a fee for such service.
Provides a criminal penalty for the knowing use of such information for other than housing determinations.
States that an agency that reasonably relies upon such information shall not be liable for damages based on such information's inaccuracy.


Input:
SECTION 1. CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 8331 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (25);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (26)
        and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon and ``and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end thereof the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(27) `fish and wildlife officer' means a law enforcement
        officer of the Refuge Division of the United States Fish and
        Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior.''.
    (b) Deductions, Contributions, and Deposits.--Section 8334 of title
5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking out ``a law
        enforcement officer,'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``a law
        enforcement officer, a fish and wildlife officer''; and
            (2) in the table in subsection (c), by striking out ``and
        firefighter for firefighter service.'' and inserting in lieu
        thereof ``, firefighter for firefighter service, and a fish and
        wildlife officer for fish and wildlife service.''.
    (c) Immediate Retirement.--Section 8336(c)(1) of such title is
amended by striking out ``law enforcement officer or firefighter,'' and
inserting ``law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or a''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 8401 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
            (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (31);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (32)
        and inserting in lieu thereof a semicolon and ``and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end thereof the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(33) `fish and wildlife officer' means a law enforcement
        officer of the Refuge Division of the United States Fish and
        Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior.''.
    (b) Immediate Retirement.--Section 8412(a) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by striking out ``or firefighter,''
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``firefighter, or fish and
        wildlife officer,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2) by striking out ``or firefighter,''
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``firefighter, or fish and
        wildlife officer''.
    (c) Computation of Basic Annuity.--Section 8415(g)(2) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended in the sentence following subparagraph
(B) by inserting ``fish and wildlife officer,'' after ``firefighter,''.
    (d) Deductions.--Section 8422(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``fish and wildlife
        officer,'' after ``air traffic controller,''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``fish and wildlife
        officer,'' after ``air traffic controller,''.
    (e) Government Contributions.--Section 8423(a) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(i) by inserting ``fish and wildlife
        officer,'' after ``law enforcement officer,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A) by inserting ``fish and wildlife
        officer,'' after ``law enforcement officer,''.
    (f) Mandatory Separation.--Section 8425(b) of title 5, United
States Code, is amended in the second sentence by inserting ``or fish
and wildlife officer'' after ``law enforcement officer''.

SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Employee Contributions.--Any individual who has served as a
fish and wildlife officer before the effective date of this Act, shall
have such service credited and annuities determined in accordance with
the amendments made by sections 1 and 2 of this Act, if such individual
makes payment into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund of
an amount, determined by the Office of Personnel Management, which
would have been deducted and withheld from the basic pay of such
individual (including interest thereon) under chapters 83 and 84 of
title 5, United States Code, as if such amendments had been in effect
during the periods of such service.
    (b) Agency Contributions.--No later than 90 days after a payment
made by an individual under subsection (a), the Department of the
Interior shall make a payment into the Civil Service Retirement and
Disability Fund of an amount, determined by the Office of Personnel
Management, which would have been contributed as a Government
contribution (including interest thereon) under chapters 83 and 84 of
title 5, United States Code, for the service credited and annuities
determined for such individual, as if the amendments made by sections 1
and 2 of this Act had been in effect during the applicable periods of
service.
    (c) Regulations.--The Office of Personnel Management shall
determine the amount of interest to be paid under this section and may
promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The provisions of this Act and amendments made by this Act shall
take effect on the date occurring 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act.

Output: Amends Federal law to extend certain retirement-related provisions of the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems for Federal law enforcement officers to law enforcement officers of the Refuge Division of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of
1993''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION AGAINST POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF ASSAULT WEAPONS.

    Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
    ``(s)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful
for any person--
            ``(A) to transfer an assault weapon; or
            ``(B) to possess an assault weapon after the 90-day period
        that begins with the effective date of this subsection.
    ``(2)(A)(i) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a transfer to or by,
or a possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any
department or agency thereof, or any State or a department, agency, or
political subdivision thereof.
    ``(B) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the otherwise lawful
possession of an assault weapon by a person who--
            ``(i) has lawfully possessed the weapon since before the
        effective date of this subsection; and
            ``(ii) has submitted to the Secretary, in such form and in
        such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by regulation--
                    ``(I) the name (and any former name), address, date
                of birth, and any driver's license number of the
                person; and
                    ``(II) the serial number of the weapon.
    ``(3) Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
subsection, the Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are
necessary to carry out this subsection.''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF ASSAULT WEAPON.

    Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
    ``(29) The term `assault weapon' means--
            ``(A)(i) Norinco, Mitchell, and Poly Technologies Avtomat
        Kalashnikovs (all models);
            ``(ii) Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI and
        Galil;
            ``(iii) Beretta AR-70 (SC-70);
            ``(iv) Colt AR-15 and CAR-15;
            ``(v) Fabrique Nationale FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FNC;
            ``(vi) MAC 10 and 11;
            ``(vii) Steyr AUG;
            ``(viii) INTRATEC TEC-9;
            ``(ix) Street Sweeper and Striker 12;
            ``(x) Auto Ordnance 27A1 Thompson, 27A5 Thompson, M1
        Thompson;
            ``(xi) Springfield BM59, SAR48, and G3SA;
            ``(xii) All Ruger Mini-14 models with folding stocks; and
            ``(xiii) Armscorp FAL;
            ``(B) any firearm which is functionally equivalent to any
        firearm specified in subparagraph (A);
            ``(C) a firearm having threads, lugs, or other
        characteristics which are designed to facilitate the direct
        attachment of a silencer, bayonet, grenade launcher, flash
        suppressor, or folding stock to the firearm;
            ``(D) any part or combination of parts designed to
        facilitate the attachment of a silencer, bayonet, grenade
        launcher, flash suppressor, or folding stock to a firearm;
            ``(E) a detachable magazine, drum, belt, feed strip, or
        similar device which has a capacity of, or can be readily
        restored or converted to accept, 10 or more rounds of
        ammunition; and
            ``(F) any combination of parts--
                    ``(i) designed and intended solely and exclusively
                for assembling--
                            ``(I) a firearm specified in subparagraph
                        (A), or described in subparagraph (B) or (C);
                        or
                            ``(II) a device described in subparagraph
                        (E); and
                    ``(ii) from which a firearm or device referred to
                in clause (i) could be assembled if such parts were
                possessed or controlled by 1 person.''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO RECOMMEND MODIFICATIONS TO THE DEFINITION OF
              ASSAULT WEAPON.

    The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney
General, may recommend to the Congress that the definition of an
assault weapon in section 921(a)(29) of title 18, United States Code,
be modified--
            (1) to include firearms not covered by the definition which
        should be so covered; and
            (2) to exclude firearms covered by the definition which
        should not be so covered.

SEC. 5. ENHANCED PENALTIES.

    Section 924(c)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and if the firearm is an assault weapon,
        to imprisonment for 15 years,'' after ``ten years,''; and
            (2) by inserting ``and if the firearm is an assault weapon,
        to imprisonment for 30 years,'' after ``twenty years,''.

SEC. 6. STUDY BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.

    (a) In General.--The Attorney General of the United States shall--
            (1) investigate and study the effect of this Act and the
        amendments made by this Act on violent and drug-related crime;
        and
            (2) evaluate the recreational and other noncriminal uses of
        assault weapons (as defined in section 921(a)(29) of title 18,
        United States Code).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 30 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall prepare and submit to
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate a report on the matters
described in subsection (a).

SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall become effective
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Assault Weapons Prohibition Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the transfer or possession of an assault weapon, with exceptions.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to recommend to the Congress that the definition of an assault weapon (as specified under this Act) be modified.
Provides enhanced penalties for the use of an assault weapon during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime.
Directs the Attorney General to:  (1) investigate and study the effect of this Act on violent and drug-related crime; and (2) evaluate the recreational and other noncriminal uses of assault weapons.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Business Procurement
Assistance Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. GOAL SETTING.

    Section 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)) is
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, small business
        concerns owned and controlled by women,'' after ``small
        business concerns'' the first place it appears in the first
        sentence and the first place it appears in the fourth sentence;
            (2) in the first sentence of paragraph (2) by inserting
        ``by small business concerns owned and controlled by women,''
        after ``small business concerns,'';
            (3) in the second sentence of paragraph (2) by inserting
        ``, small business concerns owned and controlled by women,''
        after ``small business concerns'' the first place it appears;
        and
            (4) in the fourth sentence of paragraph (2) by inserting
        ``small business concerns owned and controlled by women and''
        after ``including participation by''.

SEC. 3. REPORTING.

    Section 15(h) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(h)) is
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``, small business concerns owned and
        controlled by women,'' after ``small business concerns'' the
        first place it appears in paragraph (1), the first place it
        appears in paragraph (2)(A), and the first place it appears in
        paragraph (2)(D);
            (2) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``and subcontracts''
        after ``contracts'';
            (3) by adding at the end of paragraph (1) the following new
        sentence: ``The Administration shall submit to the Committee on
        Small Business of the Senate and the Committee on Small
        Business of the House of Representatives information obtained
        from such reports, together with appropriate comments.''; and
            (4) in paragraph (2)(F) by striking ``women-owned small
        business enterprises'' and inserting ``small business concerns
        owned and controlled by women''.

SEC. 4. SUBCONTRACTING.

    (a) Statement of Policy.--Section 8(d)(1) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 637(d)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence by inserting ``small business
        concerns owned and controlled by women,'' after ``small
        business concerns,''; and
            (2) in the second sentence by inserting ``, small business
        concerns owned and controlled by women,'' after ``small
        business concerns'' the first place it appears.
    (b) Contract Clause.--The contract clause specified in section
8(d)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)) is amended as
follows:
            (1) Subparagraph (A) of such clause is amended by inserting
        ``, small business concerns owned and controlled by women,''
        after ``small business concerns'' the first place it appears in
        the first sentence and the first place it appears in the second
        sentence.
            (2) Subparagraph (C) of such clause is amended to read as
        follows:
            ``(C)(i) As used in this contract, the term `small business
        concern' means a small business concern as defined pursuant to
        section 3 of the Small Business Act and relevant regulations
        promulgated pursuant thereto.
            ``(ii) As used in this contract, the term `small business
        concern owned and controlled by socially and economically
        disadvantaged individuals' means a small business concern--
                    ``(I) which is at least 51 percent owned by one or
                more socially and economically disadvantaged
                individuals; or, in the case of any publicly owned
                business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is
                owned by one or more socially and economically
                disadvantaged individuals; and
                    ``(II) whose management and daily business
                operations are controlled by one or more of such
                individuals.
        The contractor shall presume that socially and economically
        disadvantaged individuals include Black Americans, Hispanic
        Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and other
        minorities, or any other individual found to be disadvantaged
        by the Administration pursuant to section 8(a) of the Small
        Business Act.
            ``(iii) As used in this contract, the term `small business
        concern owned and controlled by women' means a small business
        concern--
                    ``(I) which is at least 51 percent owned by one or
                more women; or, in the case of any publicly owned
                business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is
                owned by one or more women; and
                    ``(II) whose management and daily business
                operations are controlled by such women.
        The contractor shall presume that women have been subjected to
        gender based discrimination and may determine whether a small
        business concern meets the percentage requirements under
        subclause (I) without regard to the community property laws of
        any jurisdiction.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 637(d)) is amended by inserting ``, small business concerns
owned and controlled by women,'' after ``small business concerns'' the
first place it appears in paragraphs (3)(D), (4)(D), (4)(E), (6)(A),
(6)(C), (6)(F), (10)(B), and (11).
    (d) Exclusion.--No business concern shall be deemed eligible for
any contract or other assistance pursuant to section 2323 of title 10,
United States Code, due solely to the provisions of this section.

SEC. 5. WOMEN-IN-BUSINESS SPECIALISTS.

    Section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(k)) is
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(k)'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5),
        (6), (7), (8), and (9) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D),
        (E), (F), (G), (H), and (I), respectively;
            (3) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (H) (as
        redesignated);
            (4) in subparagraph (I) (as redesignated), by striking out
        the period after ``Code'' and all that follows through ``shall
        be made'' and inserting in lieu thereof a comma, and by
        striking the period after ``contract file'' and inserting ``,
        and'';
            (5) by inserting after subparagraph (I) (as redesignated)
        the following new subparagraph:
            ``(J) subject to paragraph (2)(A), designate an employee of
        such office to be a women-in-business specialist responsible
        for the implementation and execution of programs designed to
        assist small business concerns owned and controlled by
        women.'';
            (6) by designating the last sentence as paragraph (2); and
            (7) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization in a Federal agency shall ensure that the women-in-business
specialist designated pursuant to paragraph (1)(J) has sufficient
knowledge of small business concerns owned and controlled by women and
the Federal procurement process, other appropriate qualifications, and
appropriate training from the Office of Women's Business Ownership to
effectively carry out the specialist's responsibilities under this Act.
    ``(B) Each women-in-business specialist designated pursuant to
paragraph (1)(J) in a Federal agency shall work full time to initiate
and execute programs to assist small business concerns owned and
controlled by women in participating in the performance of contracts
let by the agency. The specialist shall--
            ``(i) respond to requests from small business concerns
        owned and controlled by women;
            ``(ii) identify and solicit offers from small business
        concerns owned and controlled by women, as required under
        section 15(p) of this Act, through means such as sending
        solicitation packages to such concerns for each proposed
        contract for which such concerns may be eligible to compete and
        holding workshops on procurement for such concerns; and
            ``(iii) regularly monitor the agency's progress toward
        meeting the annual goal established under subsection (g) for
        participation by small business concerns owned and controlled
        by women.''.

SEC. 6. OUTREACH.

    Section 15 the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(p) Each Federal agency having procurement powers shall engage in
affirmative efforts to identify and solicit offers from small business
concerns owned and controlled by women and the small business concerns
owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals. To the maximum extent practicable, a representative number
of such concerns shall receive solicitation packages for each proposed
acquisition for which such concerns may be eligible to compete.''.

SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

    The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 28. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Small Business
Administration the Office of Women's Business Ownership (hereinafter in
this section referred to as the `Office').
    ``(b) Director.--The Director of the Office (hereinafter in this
section referred to as the `Director') shall be appointed by the
Administrator not later than sixty days after the date of the enactment
of this section.
    ``(c) Functions.--The Director shall perform the following
functions:
            ``(1) Promote, coordinate, and monitor the plans, programs,
        and operations of Federal departments and agencies which may
        contribute to the establishment, preservation, and
        strengthening of small business concerns owned and controlled
        by women. The Director may, as appropriate, develop
        comprehensive interagency plans and specific program goals for
        small business concerns owned and controlled by women with the
        cooperation of the departments and agencies.
            ``(2) Establish policies, definitions, procedures, and
        guidelines to govern the implementation, interpretation, and
        application of this section, and generally perform such
        functions and take such steps as the Director may consider to
        be necessary or appropriate to carry out this section.
            ``(3) Promote the mobilization of activities and resources
        of State and local governments, business and trade
        associations, private industry, colleges and universities,
        foundations, professional organizations, and volunteer and
        other groups toward the growth of small business concerns owned
        and controlled by women, and facilitate the coordination of the
        efforts of such groups with those of Federal departments and
        agencies.
            ``(4) Make an annual assessment of the progress made in the
        Federal Government toward assisting small business concerns
        owned and controlled by women to enter the mainstream of
        business ownership and provide recommendations for future
        actions to the Administrator.
            ``(5) Convene and consult (as necessary) with persons
        inside and outside government to develop and promote new ideas
        concerning the development of small business concerns owned and
        controlled by women.
            ``(6) Consider the findings and recommendations of
        government and private sector investigations and studies of the
        problems of women entrepreneurs, and promote further research
        into such problems.
            ``(7) Monitor the contracting and subcontracting
        performance of each department, agency, and business enterprise
        participating under this section.
            ``(8) Promote access and participation for small business
        concerns owned and controlled by women to a fair proportion of
        the broad array of purchases and contracts for property and
        services for the Federal Government.
            ``(9) Provide training as needed to women-in-business
        specialists designated pursuant to section 15(k)(1)(J) to carry
        out their responsibilities under this Act.''.

SEC. 8. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE REPORT.

    (a) Report Requirement.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to
Congress a report comparing the number of small business concerns owned
and controlled by women procuring Federal contracts during the year
preceding the date of the enactment of this Act with the number of such
businesses during each of the 3 years occurring after such date. If the
number of such businesses did not increase significantly by the end of
the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General shall include in the report recommendations on
actions that could be taken to increase the number.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--If the report required under subsection (a)
shows that the number of small business concerns owned and controlled
by women did not increase significantly by the end of the 3-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, it is the sense of
Congress that further legislative steps should be taken to ensure that
the number of Federal contracts entered into with small business
concerns owned and controlled by women realistically reflects the
potential of such business concerns to perform Federal contracting and
subcontracting work.

Output:
Women's Business Procurement Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Small Business Act to require the President and the head of each Federal agency to include small business concerns owned and controlled by women within the Federal procurement contract process.
Declares that it is the policy of the United States that such business concerns should have the maximum opportunity to participate in the Federal procurement contract process.
Requires the Director of the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization section in each Federal agency to designate a "women-in-business" specialist responsible for the execution of programs designed to assist small business concerns owned and controlled by women.  Requires that each such specialist: (1) possess the appropriate knowledge, qualifications, and training for such position; and (2) work full-time in such position.
Establishes in the Small Business Administration the Office of Women's Business Ownership.
Directs the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the number of small businesses owned and controlled by women procuring Federal contracts.  Expresses the sense of the Congress that if the number of such businesses procuring such contracts does not rise significantly, then further legislative steps should be taken.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Open Our Democracy Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH OPEN
              PRIMARIES.

    (a) Rules for Election of House Members.--A candidate for election
for the office of Member of the House of Representatives shall be
elected to such office pursuant to the following elections held by the
State in which the candidate seeks election:
            (1) A single open primary election for such office held in
        accordance with subsection (b).
            (2) A single general election for such office held in
        accordance with subsection (c).
    (b) Open Primaries.--Each State shall hold a single open primary
election for each office of Member of the House of Representatives in
the State under which--
            (1) each candidate for such office, regardless of the
        candidate's political party preference, shall appear on a
        single ballot; and
            (2) each voter in the State who is eligible to vote in
        elections for Federal office in the Congressional district
        involved may cast a ballot in the election, regardless of the
        voter's political party preference.
    (c) General Election.--Each State shall hold a general election for
each office of Member of the House of Representatives in the State
under which the 2 candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in
the single open primary election for such office (as described in
subsection (b)), without regard to the political party preference of
such candidates, shall be the only candidates appearing on the ballot.

SEC. 3. ABILITY OF CANDIDATES TO DISCLOSE POLITICAL PARTY PREFERENCES.

    (a) Option of Candidates To Declare Political Party Preference.--At
the time a candidate for the office of Member of the House of
Representatives files to run for such office, the candidate shall have
the option of declaring a political party preference, and the
preference chosen (if any) shall accompany the candidate's name on the
ballot for the election for such office.
    (b) Designation for Candidates Not Declaring Preference.--If a
candidate does not declare a political party preference under
subsection (a), the designation ``No Party Preference'' shall accompany
the candidate's name on the ballot for the election for such office.
    (c) No Party Endorsement Implied.--The selection of a party
preference by a candidate under subsection (a) shall not constitute or
imply endorsement of the candidate by the party designated, and no
candidate in a general election shall be deemed the official candidate
of any party by virtue of his or her selection in the primary.

SEC. 4. PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES.

    Nothing in this Act shall restrict the right of individuals to join
or organize into political parties or in any way restrict the right of
private association of political parties. Nothing in this Act shall
restrict a party's right to contribute to, endorse, or otherwise
support a candidate for the office of Member of the House of
Representatives. A political party may establish such procedures as it
sees fit to endorse or support candidates or otherwise participate in
all elections, and may informally designate candidates for election to
such an office at a party convention or by whatever lawful mechanism
the party may choose, other than pursuant to a primary election held by
a State. A political party may also adopt such rules as it sees fit for
the selection of party officials (including central committee members,
presidential electors, and party officers), including rules restricting
participation in elections for party officials to those who disclose a
preference for that party at the time of registering to vote.

SEC. 5. TREATMENT OF ELECTION DAY IN SAME MANNER AS LEGAL PUBLIC
              HOLIDAY FOR PURPOSES OF FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT.

    (a) In General.--For purposes of any law relating to Federal
employment, the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in 2016
and each even-numbered year thereafter shall be treated in the same
manner as a legal public holiday described in section 6103 of title 5,
United States Code.
    (b) Sense of Congress Regarding Treatment of Day by Private
Employers.--It is the sense of Congress that private employers in the
United States should give their employees a day off on the Tuesday next
after the first Monday in November in 2016 and each even-numbered year
thereafter to enable the employees to cast votes in the elections held
on that day.

SEC. 6. STUDY OF NATIONAL STANDARDS AND CRITERIA FOR CONGRESSIONAL
              REDISTRICTING.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the
feasibility and desirability of enacting national standards and
criteria for Congressional redistricting.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a
report to Congress on the study conducted under subsection (a).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.5..........................................  Before January 1, 1999.
 7.75........................................  January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
 7.9.........................................  January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
 7.55........................................  After January 11, 2003.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEC. 7. MEMBER DEFINED.

    In this Act, the term ``Member of the House of Representatives''
included a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Except as provided in sections 5(a) and 6(b), this Act shall apply
with respect to elections occurring during 2016 or any succeeding year.

Output: Open Our Democracy Act of 2014 - Requires all candidates for election to the House of Representatives to run in a single open primary, regardless of political party preference. Limits the ensuing general election to the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the single open primary. Gives candidates the option, at the time of filing to run for office, to declare a political party preference, which does not constitute or imply endorsement of the candidate by the party designated. Treats the general election day in the same manner as a legal public holiday for purposes of federal employment. Expresses the sense of Congress that private employers should give their employees a day off on the general election day in November 2016 and each even-numbered year thereafter to enable them to cast votes in elections held on that day. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the feasibility and desirability of enacting national standards and criteria for congressional redistricting.