Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Airline Competition Preservation Act
of 2000''.

SEC. 2. OVERSIGHT OF AIR CARRIER PRICING.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 415 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 41512. Oversight of air carrier pricing
    ``(a) Effective Date.--
            ``(1) In general.--This section shall take effect
        immediately upon a determination by the Secretary of
        Transportation that 3 or fewer air carriers account for 70
        percent or more of the scheduled revenue passenger miles in
        interstate air transportation as a result of--
                    ``(A) the consolidation or merger of the properties
                (or a substantial portion of the properties) of 2 or
                more of the 7 air carriers that account for the highest
                number of scheduled revenue passenger miles in
                interstate air transportation into a single entity that
                owns or operates the properties previously in separate
                ownership; or
                    ``(B) the acquisition (by purchase, lease, or
                contract to operate) of the properties (or a
                substantial portion of the properties) of 1 or more of
                the 7 air carriers described in subparagraph (A) by
                another of such carriers.
            ``(2) Use of data.--For the purpose of determining the
        number of scheduled revenue passenger miles under paragraph
        (1), the Secretary shall use data from the latest year for
        which complete data is available.
            ``(3) Determination of air carrier concentration.--In
        making a determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
        attribute to an air carrier those scheduled revenue passenger
        miles in interstate air transportation of the air carrier that
        is consolidated, merged, or acquired that are associated with
        routes adopted by the remaining carrier.
    ``(b) Fares of Air Carriers.--
            ``(1) In general.--On the initiative of the Secretary or on
        a complaint filed with the Secretary, the Secretary may
        undertake an investigation to determine whether an air carrier
        is charging a fare or an average fare for interstate air
        transportation on a route that is unreasonably high.
            ``(2) Considerations.--In determining whether a fare or an
        average fare of an air carrier for interstate air
        transportation on a route is unreasonably high, the Secretary
        shall consider, among other factors, whether--
                    ``(A) the fare or average fare is higher than the
                fare or average fare charged by the carrier on other
                routes in interstate air transportation of comparable
                distances;
                    ``(B) the fare or average fare has increased by a
                significant amount in excess of any increase in the
                cost to operate flights on the route; and
                    ``(C) the range of fares specified on the route or
                the carrier's entire fare system offers a reasonable
                balance and a fair allocation of costs between
                passengers who are primarily price sensitive and
                passengers who are primarily time sensitive.
            ``(3) Actions in response to unreasonable fares.--If the
        Secretary determines that an air carrier is charging a fare or
        an average fare for interstate air transportation on a route
        that is unreasonably high, the Secretary, after providing the
        carrier an opportunity for a hearing, may order the carrier--
                    ``(A) to reduce the fare;
                    ``(B) to offer the reduced fare for a specific
                number of seats on the route; and
                    ``(C) to offer rebates to individuals who have been
                charged the fare.
            ``(4) Period of effectiveness of order.--An order issued by
        the Secretary under this subsection shall remain in effect for
        a period to be determined by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Actions of Dominant Air Carriers in Response to New
Entrants.--If, with respect to a route in interstate air transportation
to or from a hub airport, a dominant air carrier at the airport--
            ``(1) institutes or changes its fares for air
        transportation on the route in a manner that results in fares
        that are lower than or comparable to the fares offered by a new
        entrant air carrier for such air transportation; and
            ``(2) increases the passenger capacity at which such fares
        are offered on the route to a level which is--
                    ``(A) 2 or more times the capacity previously
                offered by the carrier at such fares on the route; and
                    ``(B) 2 or more times the total capacity offered by
                the new entrant air carrier on the route, the dominant
air carrier, in the 2-year period beginning on the date that such fares
and additional capacity are instituted, shall continue to offer such
fares with respect to not less than 80 percent of the highest number of
seats per week for which the dominant air carrier has offered the
fares.
    ``(d) Ensuring Competition at Hub Airports.--
            ``(1) In general.--On the initiative of the Secretary or on
        a complaint filed with the Secretary, the Secretary may
        undertake an investigation to determine whether a dominant air
        carrier at a hub airport is charging higher than average fares
        at the airport.
            ``(2) Higher than average fares.--For purposes of paragraph
        (1), the Secretary may determine that a dominant air carrier is
        charging higher than average fares at a hub airport if the
        carrier is charging, with respect to 20 percent or more of its
        routes in interstate air transportation that begin or end at
        the airport, an average fare that is at least 5 percent higher
        than the average fare being charged by all air carriers on
        routes in interstate air transportation of comparable distances
        and density, after adjustments for costs that are carrier or
        airport specific, such as passenger facility charges or
        employee compensation.
            ``(3) Actions in response to unfair competition.--If the
        Secretary determines under paragraph (1) that a dominant air
        carrier is charging higher than average fares at a hub airport,
        the Secretary, after providing the carrier an opportunity for a
        hearing, may order the carrier to take actions to increase
        opportunities for competition at the hub airport, including--
                    ``(A) requiring the carrier to make gates, slots,
                and other airport facilities available to other air
                carriers on reasonable and competitive terms;
                    ``(B) requiring adjustments in the commissions paid
                by the carrier to travel agents;
                    ``(C) requiring adjustments in the carrier's
                frequent flyer program; and
                    ``(D) requiring adjustments in the carrier's
                corporate discount arrangements and comparable
                corporate arrangements.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
            ``(1) Dominant air carrier.--The term `dominant air
        carrier', with respect to a hub airport, means an air carrier
        that accounts for more than 50 percent of the total annual
        boardings at the airport in the preceding 2-year period or a
        shorter period specified in paragraph (3).
            ``(2) Hub airport.--The term `hub airport' means an airport
        that each year has at least .25 percent of the total annual
        boardings in the United States.
            ``(3) Interstate air transportation.--The term `interstate
        air transportation' includes intrastate air transportation.
            ``(4) New entrant air carrier.--The term `new entrant air
        carrier', with respect to a hub airport, means an air carrier
        that accounts for less than 5 percent of the total annual
        boardings at the airport in the preceding 2-year period or in a
        shorter period specified by the Secretary if the carrier has
        operated at the airport less than 2 years.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended
by adding at the end the following:

``41512. Oversight of air carrier pricing.''.

Output:
Provides for a situation where, with respect to an interstate route to or from a hub airport, a dominant air carrier (which accounts for more than 50 percent of total annual boardings) at the airport: (1) institutes or changes its fares in a manner that results in fares lower than or comparable to those offered by a new entrant air carrier; and (2) increases the passenger capacity at which such fares are offered to a level which is two or more times the capacity previously offered by the carrier at such fares on the route, and two or more times the total capacity offered by the new entrant air carrier on the route. Requires the dominant air carrier in such a situation, in the two-year period beginning when such fares and additional capacity are instituted, to continue to offer such fares with respect to at least 80 percent of the highest number of seats per week for which the dominant air carrier has offered them.
Authorizes the Secretary, on his or her own initiative or on a complaint, to: (1) investigate to determine whether a dominant air carrier at a hub airport is charging higher than average fares at the airport; and (2) upon an affirmative finding, order the carrier to take specified actions to increase opportunities for competition at the hub airport.
Makes this Act effective immediately upon the Secretary's determination that three or fewer air carriers account for 70 percent or more of the scheduled revenue passenger miles in interstate air transportation as a result of specified consolidations, mergers, or acquisitions.


Input:
SECTION 1. CONSENT OF CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--The consent and approval of Congress is given to
an interstate forest fire protection compact, as set out in subsection
(b).
    (b) Compact.--The compact reads substantially as follows:

           ``THE NORTHWEST WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

    ``THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the State,
Provincial, and Territorial wildland fire protection agencies signatory
hereto, hereinafter referred to as ``Members''.
    ``FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the following terms and conditions,
the Members agree:

                              ``Article I

    ``1.1    The purpose of this Agreement is to promote effective
prevention, presuppression and control of forest fires in the Northwest
wildland region of the United States and adjacent areas of Canada (by
the Members) by providing mutual aid in prevention, presuppression and
control of wildland fires, and by establishing procedures in operating
plans that will facilitate such aid.

                              ``Article II

    ``2.1    The agreement shall become effective for those Members
ratifying it whenever any two or more Members, the States of Oregon,
Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, or the Yukon Territory, or the
Province of British Columbia, or the Province of Alberta have ratified
it.
    ``2.2    Any State, Province, or Territory not mentioned in this
Article which is contiguous to any Member may become a party to this
Agreement subject to unanimous approval of the Members.

                             ``Article III

    ``3.1    The role of the Members is to determine from time to time
such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be found
for enhancing the prevention, presuppression, and control of forest
fires in the area comprising the Member's territory; to coordinate the
plans and the work of the appropriate agencies of the Members; and to
coordinate the rendering of aid by the Members to each other in
fighting wildland fires.
    ``3.2    The Members may develop cooperative operating plans for
the programs covered by this Agreement. Operating plans shall include
definition of terms, fiscal procedures, personnel contacts, resources
available, and standards applicable to the program. Other sections may
be added as necessary.

                              ``Article IV

    ``4.1    A majority of Members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of its general business. Motions of Members present shall
be carried by a simple majority except as stated in Article II. Each
Member will have one vote on motions brought before them.

                              ``Article V

    ``5.1    Whenever a Member requests aid from any other Member in
controlling or preventing wildland fires, the Members agree, to the
extent they possibly can, to render all possible aid.

                              ``Article VI

    ``6.1    Whenever the forces of any Member are aiding another
Member under this Agreement, the employees of such Member shall operate
under the direction of the officers of the Member to which they are
rendering aid and be considered agents of the Member they are rendering
aid to and, therefore, have the same privileges and immunities as
comparable employees of the Member to which the are rendering aid.
    ``6.2    No Member or its officers or employees rendering aid
within another State, Territory, or Province, pursuant to this
Agreement shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the part
of such forces while so engaged, or on account of the maintenance or
use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith to the extent
authorized by the laws of the Member receiving the assistance. The
receiving Member, to the extent authorized by the laws of the State,
Territory, or Province, agrees to indemnify and save-harmless the
assisting Member from any such liability.
    ``6.3    Any Member rendering outside aid pursuant to this
Agreement shall be reimbursed by the Member receiving such aid for any
loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any
equipment and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages,
salaries and maintenance of personnel and equipment incurred in
connection with such request in accordance with the provisions of the
previous section. Nothing contained herein shall prevent any assisting
Member from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost or from
loaning such equipment or from donating such services to the receiving
Member without charge or cost.
    ``6.4    For purposes of the Agreement, personnel shall be
considered employees of each sending Member for the payment of
compensation to injured employees and death benefits to the
representatives of deceased employees injured or killed while rendering
aid to another Member pursuant to this Agreement.
    ``6.5    The Members shall formulate procedures for claims and
reimbursement under the provisions of this Article.

                             ``Article VII

    ``7.1    When appropriations for support of this agreement, or for
the support of common services in executing this agreement, are needed,
costs will be allocated equally among the Members.
    ``7.2    As necessary, Members shall keep accurate books of
account, showing in full, its receipts and disbursements, and the books
of account shall be open at any reasonable time to the inspection of
representatives of the Members.
    ``7.3    The Members may accept any and all donations, gifts, and
grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services from the
Federal or any local government, or any agency thereof and from any
person, firm or corporation, for any of its purposes and functions
under this Agreement, and may receive and use the same subject to the
terms, conditions, and regulations governing such donations, gifts, and
grants.

                             ``Article VIII

    ``8.1    Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or
restrict the powers of any Member to provide for the prevention,
control, and extinguishment of wildland fires or to prohibit the
enactment of enforcement of State, Territorial, or Provincial laws,
rules or regulations intended to aid in such prevention, control and
extinguishment of wildland fires in such State, Territory, or Province.
    ``8.2    Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to affect any
existing or future Cooperative Agreement between Members and/or their
respective Federal agencies.

                              ``Article IX

    ``9.1    The Members may request the United States Forest Service
to act as the coordinating agency of the Northwest Wildland Fire
Protection Agreement in cooperation with the appropriate agencies for
each Member.
    ``9.2    The Members will hold an annual meeting to review the
terms of this Agreement, any applicable Operating Plans, and make
necessary modifications.
    ``9.3    Amendments to this Agreement can be made by simple
majority vote of the Members and will take effect immediately upon
passage.

                              ``Article X

    ``10.1    This Agreement shall continue in force on each Member
until such Member takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall
not be effective until 60 days after notice thereof has been sent to
all other Members.

                              ``Article XI

    ``11.1    Nothing is this Agreement shall obligate the funds of any
Member beyond those approved by appropriate legislative action.''.

SEC. 2. OTHER STATES.

    Without further submission of the compact, the consent of Congress
is given to any State to become a party to it in accordance with its
terms.

SEC. 3. RIGHTS RESERVED.

    The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly
reserved.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output: Interstate Compact - Grants the consent of the Congress to the Northwestern Wildland Fire Protection Agreement to promote effective prevention, presuppression, and control of forest fires in the Northwestern wildland region of the United States and adjacent areas of Canada.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition
Act of 2011'' or the ``VET Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a program under
which the Secretary shall allow eligible veterans to participate in the
program described under section 3.

SEC. 3. VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration, establish a program (hereinafter in this Act referred
to as ``the Program'') under which the Secretary may approve an
eligible veteran to use Program benefits to start or acquire a
qualifying business enterprise.
    (b) Amount and Payment of Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary shall
        provide for an eligible veteran to use the veteran's
        entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of
        title 38, United States Code, in accordance with this Act.
            (2) Amount.--
                    (A) In general.--The maximum amount of benefits
                made available to a veteran under the Program shall not
                exceed the maximum value of--
                            (i) in the case of a veteran entitled to
                        educational assistance under chapter 33 of
                        title 38, United States Code, the amount equal
                        to 36 months of educational assistance at the
                        rate in effect under section 3313(c)(ii)(II) of
                        such title; and
                            (ii) in the case of a veteran entitled to
                        educational assistance under chapter 30 of such
                        title, the amount equal to 36 months of
                        educational assistance at the rate in effect
                        under section 3015(a)(1) of such title.
                    (B) Charge to entitlement.--A veteran who receives
                a payment under the Program shall be charged for 36
                months of the veteran's entitlement to educational
                assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of title 38, United
                States Code.
            (3) Payment.--Payments to eligible veterans under the
        Program shall be made as follows:
                    (A) In the case of a veteran who is using the funds
                to start a new business enterprise, payment shall be
                made in not less than two lump-sum amounts, the first
                of which shall not exceed $2,500, to be used for the
                development of the business plan, and the balance to be
                paid upon the approval of the business plan.
                    (B) In the case of a veteran who is using the funds
                to purchase an existing business enterprise or
                franchise business enterprise, payment shall be made in
                one lump-sum amount.
                    (C) In the case of a veteran who is using the funds
                to purchase capital equipment, durable expense items,
                or professional services that the Secretary determines
                are essential to operating a qualifying business,
                payment shall be made in one or more lump-sum amounts.
    (c) Eligibility.--An individual shall be an eligible veteran for
purposes of the Program if that individual--
            (1) is a veteran;
            (2) has completed at least--
                    (A) 36 months of full-time active duty service in
                the Armed Forces; or
                    (B) 24 months of full-time active duty service in
                the Armed Forces before being discharged or separated
                for a service-connected disability, as that term is
                defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code;
            (3) is entitled to 36 months of educational assistance
        under chapter 30 or 33 of title 38, United States Code;
            (4) has last been discharged or separated from active duty
        service in the Armed Forces not more than 15 years before
        submitting an application to participate in the Program; and
            (5) submits to the Secretary an application, in such form
        and containing such information as the Secretary may require,
        including the information described in subsection (f).
    (d) Use of Program Benefits.--An eligible veteran participating in
the Program may use the Program benefits--
            (1) in accordance with such limitations as the Secretary,
        in consultation with the Administrator, may by rule establish;
        and
            (2) for such purposes related to starting or acquiring a
        qualifying business enterprise as the Secretary, in
        consultation with the Administrator, determines appropriate,
        including--
                    (A) purchasing goods or services necessary for the
                operation, expansion, or startup of a qualifying
                business enterprise;
                    (B) funding a project that is directed toward any
                economic development objective described under section
                501(d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
                    (C) attending an entrepreneurship readiness program
                approved by the Secretary and designed to prepare the
                veteran for, and lead to the immediate subsequent
                ownership and management by the veteran of, a
                qualifying business enterprise; and
                    (D) acquiring a qualifying business enterprise.
    (e) Qualifying Business Enterprises.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Administrator, shall by rule establish a list of
categories of business enterprises that the Secretary determines to be
``qualifying business enterprises'' for purposes of the Program,
including the following:
            (1) A small business concern (as such term is defined in
        section 3(a) of the Small Business Act).
            (2) Franchise business enterprises.
            (3) Existing business enterprises in which the eligible
        veteran has an ownership stake.
            (4) Any other business enterprise the Secretary, in
        consultation with the Administrator, determines appropriate and
        in accordance with the purposes of the Program.
    (f) Documentation Requirements.--The Secretary, in considering an
application from an eligible veteran, may not approve that application
unless that application includes the following:
            (1) A description of the use of the Program benefits,
        including an identification and description of the qualifying
        business enterprise.
            (2) A certification that the eligible veteran applying to
        participate in the Program shall complete such education and
        training relevant to the ownership and operation of the
        qualifying business enterprise as the Secretary determines
        appropriate, including, in the case of a startup, a Small
        Business Development Center program (as described in section 21
        of the Small Business Act) designed to result in the completion
        of a business plan for the qualifying business enterprise.
            (3) With regard to each category of qualifying business
        enterprise (as established in the list described in subsection
        (e)), such certifications as the Secretary, in consultation
        with the Administrator, shall by rule require, including--
                    (A) in the case of a business enterprise already in
                operation at the time of the application, such evidence
                as the Secretary, in consultation with the
                Administrator, determines appropriate of--
                            (i) good standing;
                            (ii) profitable operation; and
                            (iii) guarantees pertaining to the purchase
                        of the enterprise;
                    (B) in the case of a franchise business enterprise,
                such evidence as the Secretary, in consultation with
                the Administrator, determines appropriate of--
                            (i) compliance with applicable State and
                        Federal laws on franchises;
                            (ii) training in conformation with the
                        industry standard; and
                            (iii) an acceptably low loan failure rate
                        of similarly situated business enterprises for
                        loans guaranteed under the Small Business Act;
                        and
                    (C) in the case of a business enterprise that is a
                startup, or that is otherwise not in operation at the
                time of the application--
                            (i) a business plan for the operation of
                        that enterprise, prepared with the assistance
                        of any agency that the Secretary determines
                        appropriate, that leads to profitable operation
                        within a reasonable time frame, and that
                        includes such other information as the
                        Secretary, in consultation with the
                        Administrator, determines appropriate; or
                            (ii) a business plan approved by a person
                        designated by the Secretary, in consultation
                        with the Administrator, from among--
                                    (I) any department or agency of the
                                Federal government;
                                    (II) an institution or higher
                                learning; or
                                    (III) a non profit enterprise.

SEC. 4. USE OF BENEFITS IN QUALIFYING FOR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS AND FARM
              LOAN.

    (a) Small Business Loans.--In determining the creditworthiness of a
veteran for a loan guaranteed by the Administrator under the Small
Business Act, all benefits made available to the veteran under the
program established under section 3 shall be taken into account.
    (b) Farm Loans.--In determining the creditworthiness of a veteran
for a loan made or guaranteed pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall take into
account all benefits made available to the veteran under the program
established under section 3.

SEC. 5. SURVIVORS' BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--In the event that a veteran who has received more
than $2,500 in benefits under this Act dies before receiving the
balance of any benefits payable to the veteran under this Act, the
Secretary may pay any benefits approved to be paid to the veteran to a
survivor of the veteran who is designated by the veteran for such
purpose.
    (b) Limitation on Survivor Eligibility.--To be eligible to be a
survivor of a veteran for purposes of this section, an individual must
be at least 18 years of age at the time of death of the veteran and
must have inherited the business from the veteran at the time of the
veteran's death.
    (c) Period of Survivor Eligibility.--The period during which a
survivor of a veteran is eligible to receive benefits under this
section is the greater of--
            (1) the five-year period beginning on the date of the
        veteran's death; or
            (2) the period beginning on the date of the veteran's death
        and ending upon the termination of the longest term of any
        business loan obtained by the veteran before the veteran's
        death for the business enterprise for which the veteran
        received benefits under this Act.
    (d) Limitation on Use of Funds To Secure Loans.--A survivor of a
veteran who receives benefits under this section may not use the
benefits to secure any new loan.
    (e) Duplication of Benefits.--If the survivor of a veteran who
receives benefits under this section is also eligible to receive
benefits under section 3, the survivor may not use benefits payable
under section 3 for a business enterprise other than the business
enterprise for which the veteran receives benefits under this section.
The survivor may use benefit payable to the survivor under section 3 to
affect the transfer into the survivor's name of 100 percent of the
assets, liabilities, and operations of the business enterprise for
which the veteran receives benefits under this section.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans
        Affairs.
            (2) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
        the Small Business Administration.
            (3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given that term in
        section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
            (4) The term ``institution of higher learning'' has the
        meaning given such term in 3452(f) of title 38, United States
        Code.
            (5) The term ``Program benefits'' means payments described
        in section 3.
            (6) The term ``franchise business enterprise'' means any
        continuing commercial relationship or arrangement, whatever it
        may be called, in which the terms of the offer or contract
        specify, or the franchise seller promises or represents, orally
        or in writing, that--
                    (A) the franchisee will obtain the right to operate
                a business that is identified or associated with the
                franchisor's trademark, or to offer, sell, or
                distribute goods, services, or commodities that are
                identified or associated with the franchisor's
                trademark;
                    (B) the franchisor will exert or has authority to
                exert a significant degree of control over the
                franchisee's method of operation, or provide
                significant assistance in the franchisee's method of
                operation; and
                    (C) as a condition of obtaining or commencing
                operation of the franchise business enterprise, the
                franchisee makes a required payment or commits to make
                a required payment to the franchisor or its affiliate.
            (7) The term ``franchisee'' means any person who is granted
        a franchise business enterprise.
            (8) The term ``franchisor'' means any person who grants a
        franchise business enterprise and participates in the franchise
        relationship. Unless otherwise stated, such term includes
        subfranchisors.
            (9) The term ``subfranchisor'' means a person who functions
        as a franchisor by engaging in both pre-sale activities and
        post-sale performance.

SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall take effect on the date that is one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Act of 2011 or the VET Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a veterans small business entrepreneurship program under which the Secretary may approve an eligible veteran entitled to certain VA educational assistance (under the all-volunteer force or post-9/11 educational assistance programs) to use up to a specified amount of such entitlements to start or acquire a qualifying business enterprise.

Limits eligibility for the program to veterans who: (1) have completed at least 36 months of full-time active duty service in the Armed Forces or 24 months of such service before being discharged or separated for a service-connected disability, (2) are entitled to 36 months of such educational assistance, and (3) has last been discharged or separated from active duty service a maximum of 15 years before submitting an application with specified information.

Allows a participating veteran to use program benefits, in accordance with limitations the Secretary establishes by rule, for purposes related to starting or acquiring a qualifying business enterprise, including: (1) purchasing goods or services necessary for the operation, expansion, or startup of such an enterprise; (2) funding a project directed toward any economic development objective described under specified provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; (3) attending an entrepreneurship readiness program to prepare the veteran for, and lead to the immediate subsequent ownership and management by the veteran of, such an enterprise; and (4) acquiring such an enterprise.

Directs the Secretary to establish a list of qualifying business enterprise categories including: (1) small businesses, (2) franchise business enterprises, (3) existing business enterprises in which the veteran has an ownership stake, and (4) any other business enterprise determined appropriate by the Secretary.

Requires that benefits made available to veterans under the program be taken into account in determining a veteran's creditworthiness for small business loans guaranteed under the Small Business Act and for farm loans made or guaranteed pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

Authorizes the Secretary, in the event a veteran dies before receiving the balance of benefits payable under this Act, to pay the approved benefits to a survivor designated by the veteran under specified circumstances.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fighting for American Industry's
Right to Enforcement Against Duty Evasion Act'' or the ``FAIR
Enforcement Against Duty Evasion Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF AVAILABILITY OF BONDS FOR NEW SHIPPERS.

    Section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1675(a)(2)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by striking clause (iii); and
            (2) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (iii).

SEC. 3. COLLECTION OF IDENTIFICATION RELATING TO IMPORTERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1641) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Identification of Customers.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the requirements of this
        subsection, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations setting
        forth the minimum standards for customs brokers and their
        customers regarding the identity of the customer that shall
        apply in connection with the importation of merchandise into
        the United States.
            ``(2) Minimum requirements.--The regulations shall, at a
        minimum, require customs brokers to implement, and customers
        (after being given adequate notice) to comply with, reasonable
        procedures for--
                    ``(A) collecting the identity of any person seeking
                to import merchandise into the United States to the
                extent reasonable and practicable;
                    ``(B) collecting the identity of any non-United
                States person seeking to import merchandise into the
                United States to the extent reasonable and practicable;
                and
                    ``(C) maintaining records of the information used
                to substantiate a person's identity, including name,
                address, and other identifying information.
            ``(3) Penalties.--Any customs broker who fails to collect
        information required under the regulations prescribed under
        this subsection shall be liable to the United States, at the
        discretion of the Secretary, for a monetary penalty not to
        exceed $10,000 for each violation of those regulations and to
        revocation or suspension of license or permit pursuant to the
        procedures set forth in subsection (d).
            ``(4) Establishment of safe harbors.--Not later than 60
        days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the
        Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register
        soliciting proposals, which shall be accepted during a 60-day
        period, for the specification of practices for which penalties
        will not be imposed under this subsection. After considering
        the proposals so submitted, the Secretary, shall publish in the
        Federal Register, including a 60-day period for comment,
        proposed specified practices for which such penalties will not
        be imposed. After considering any public comments received
        during such period, the Secretary shall issue final regulations
        specifying such practices.
            ``(5) Effective date.--Final regulations prescribed under
        this subsection shall take effect before the end of the 1-year
        period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
        subsection.''.
    (b) Study and Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with
relevant Federal regulators shall submit a report to the Congress
containing recommendations for--
            (1) determining the most timely and effective way to
        require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers and
        agencies with appropriate and accurate information, comparable
        to that which is required of United States nationals,
        concerning the identity, address, and other related information
        about such foreign nationals necessary to enable customs
        brokers and agencies to comply with the requirements of section
        641(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by subsection (a));
        and
            (2) establishing a system for customs brokers and agencies
        to review information maintained by relevant Government
        agencies for purposes of verifying the identities of foreign
        nationals and United States nationals seeking to import
        merchandise into the United States.

SEC. 4. IMPORTER OF RECORD DATABASE.

    (a) Improvement of Importer of Record Database.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Homeland Security shall implement the following improvements to the
importer of record database:
            (1) Include a history of importer of record numbers
        associated with each importer of record.
            (2) Provide a system to evaluate the accuracy of the
        database maintained with respect to each importer of record.
            (3) Establish a system that ensures that duplicate importer
        of record numbers are not issued.
            (4) Establish a system for updating the database described
        in this subsection on a regular basis, but not less frequently
        than once a year.
            (5) Establish a system that enables customs brokers to
        verify the information required under section 641(i) of the
        Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by section 3(a) of this Act).
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the
Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means
of the House of Representatives a report on the improvements made to
the importer of record program pursuant to this section.

Output:
Fighting for American Industry's Right to Enforcement Against Duty Evasion Act or FAIR Enforcement Against Duty Evasion Act of 2011 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to eliminate the option of an importer to post a bond or security in lieu of a cash deposit for each entry of merchandise exported into the United States by a new exporter (shipper) and producer that is the subject of a review by the administering authority as to whether antidumping or countervailing duties shall be imposed on such merchandise.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe minimum standards to require customs brokers to implement, and customers (importers) to comply with, reasonable procedures for collecting information to identify U.S. and non-U.S. customers seeking to import merchandise into the United States.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress recommendations for: (1) determining the most effective way to require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers and federal agencies with accurate information, comparable to that required of U.S. nationals, on the identity of foreign nationals seeking to import merchandise into the United States; and (2) establishing a system for such brokers and agencies to review information maintained by relevant federal agencies to verify the identity of foreign nationals and U.S. nationals who seek to import merchandise into the United States.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement certain modifications to the importer of record database.


Input:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that, in carrying out title I of the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this Act as the
``Administrator'') has failed to--
            (1) adequately consider alternative programs to centralized
        vehicle emission testing programs, as required by section
        182(c)(3)(C)(vi) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7511a(c)(3)(C)(vi));
        and
            (2) provide adequate credit to States for the alternative
        programs.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to require the
Administrator to--
            (1) reassess the determinations of the Administrator with
        respect to the equivalency of centralized and decentralized
        programs under section 182(c)(3)(C)(vi) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
        7511a(c)(3)(C)(vi)); and
            (2) issue new regulations governing the programs that--
                    (A) result in minimum disruption to the ability of
                States to comply with other requirements of such Act
                (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); and
                    (B) provide States a reasonable opportunity to
                comply with the new regulations and implement
                decentralized testing programs.

SEC. 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF ENHANCED VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
State shall not be required to implement an enhanced vehicle inspection
and maintenance program under section 182(c)(3) of the Clean Air Act
(42 U.S.C. 7511a(c)(3)) prior to March 1, 1996.
    (b) Reassessment of Regulations.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall--
                    (A) immediately rescind the regulations issued on
                November 5, 1992 (57 Fed. Reg. 52950), relating to
                operation of the program described in subsection (a) on
                a centralized basis; and
                    (B) during the period beginning on the date of
                enactment of this Act and ending on March 1, 1996--
                            (i) reassess the determinations made by the
                        Administrator with respect to operation of the
                        program described in subsection (a) on a
                        centralized basis, taking into consideration
                        comments submitted by States; and
                            (ii) issue new regulations relating to
                        operation of the program described in
                        subsection (a) on a centralized basis or
                        decentralized basis, at the option of each
                        State.
            (2) Requirements.--The regulations issued under paragraph
        (1)(B)(ii) shall--
                    (A) in accordance with the intent of section
                182(c)(3)(C)(vi) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
                7511a(c)(3)(C)(vi))--
                            (i) make reasonably available to States the
                        option of operation of the program described in
                        subsection (a) on a decentralized basis; and
                            (ii) establish criteria that a State must
                        meet in order to demonstrate that a
                        decentralized program of the State is equally
                        effective as a centralized program; and
                    (B)(i) provide each State a reasonable opportunity
                to submit (at the option of the State) a new revision
                to a plan under section 182(c)(3) of such Act (42
                U.S.C. 7511a(c)(3)) based on the new regulations, which
                revision shall replace any revision to a plan
                previously submitted by the State under section
                182(c)(3) of such Act; and
                    (ii) include a schedule that provides States a
                reasonable opportunity to implement any new revisions
                to plans that they submit.
            (3) Judicial review.--Notwithstanding section 706 of title
        5, United States Code, or any other provision of law, if the
        regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(ii) are
        reviewed by a court, the court shall hold unlawful and set
        aside the regulations if the regulations are found to be
        unsupported by a preponderance of the evidence.
    (c) Prohibition on Imposition of Sanctions.--Until such time as the
Administrator has carried out subsection (b)(1)--
            (1) the Administrator may not issue a finding, disapproval,
        or determination under section 179(a) of the Clean Air Act (42
        U.S.C. 7509(a)), or apply a sanction specified in section
        179(b) of such Act, to a State with respect to a failure to
        implement a program described in subsection (a), or any portion
        of such a program; and
            (2) the Administrator and the Administrator of the Federal
        Highway Administration of the Department of Transportation may
        not take any adverse action, against a State with respect to a
        failure described in paragraph (1), under--
                    (A) section 176 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
                7506);
                    (B) chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code;
                    (C) subpart T of part 51, or subpart A of part 93,
                of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly
                known as the ``transportation conformity rule''); or
                    (D) part 6, 51, or 93 of title 40, Code of Federal
                Regulations (commonly known as the ``general conformity
                rule'').
    (d) Full Credit for Decentralized Programs.--Until such time as the
Administrator has carried out subsection (b)(1), for the purpose of the
attainment demonstration and the reasonable further progress
demonstration required under section 182(c)(2) of the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. 7511a(c)(2)), the Administrator shall--
            (1) deem that the emission reductions calculated by States
        for inspection and maintenance under their State implementation
        plans would be achieved as if the planned program had been
        implemented; or
            (2) if appropriate, consider the operation of the program
        described in subsection (a) on a decentralized basis as
        equivalent to the operation of the program on a centralized
        basis in any case in which a State demonstrates that a
        determination of such an equivalency is reasonable.

Output:
Provides that States will not be required to implement enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs under the Clean Air Act prior to March 1, 1996.
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately rescind regulations relating to the operation of such programs on a centralized basis and issue new regulations to allow the operation of such programs on a centralized or decentralized basis at the option of each State.
Prohibits, until the Administrator carries out such requirements, the imposition of sanctions for failures by States to implement such programs or specified adverse actions against States by the Administrator or the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.
Requires the Administrator to:  (1) deem that emissions reductions calculated by States for inspection and maintenance under State implementation plans would be achieved as if the planned program had been implemented; or (2) consider the operation of the program on a decentralized basis as equivalent to operation on a centralized basis if the State demonstrates that such equivalency is reasonable.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Oil Spills Act'' or the ``SOS
Act''.

SEC. 2. OFFSHORE DRILLING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Subtitle J of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16371-16378) is amended to read as follows:

     ``Subtitle J--Offshore Drilling Safety Technology Development

``SEC. 999. INNOVATIVE OFFSHORE DRILLING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory Committee'
        means the SOS Fund Technical Advisory Committee established
        under subsection (f).
            ``(2) Award.--The term `award' means a grant, contract, or
        cooperative agreement.
            ``(3) Blowout preventer.--The term `blowout preventer'
        means a device installed on an offshore well that uses one or
        more valves, rams, or preventers to control or stop any
        otherwise uncontrolled flow of hydrocarbons or drilling fluids
        from the well.
            ``(4) Deepwater.--The term `deepwater' means a water depth
        that is greater than 200 but less than 1,500 meters.
            ``(5) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Safety and Offshore
        Spills (SOS) Fund established under subsection (g).
            ``(6) Remotely operated vehicle.--The term `remotely
        operated vehicle' means a remotely controlled unmanned
        submersible vehicle, used to inspect, control, or perform
        operations on a blowout preventer or other subsea drilling
        equipment.
            ``(7) Secondary control system.--The term `secondary
        control system' means a system, such as a deadman, autoshear,
        or acoustic switch, designed to activate blowout preventer
        components to shut in an offshore well in the event of an
        emergency event such as a loss of communication with or power
        to the blowout preventer.
            ``(8) Ultra-deepwater.--The term `ultra-deepwater' means a
        water depth that is equal to or greater than 1,500 meters.
    ``(b) Program Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Interior, shall establish a program, in accordance
with the requirements of this section, to provide awards to support the
development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative
technologies to prevent, stop, or capture large-scale accidental
discharges of oil or other hydrocarbons from offshore oil and gas
drilling operations, including deepwater and ultra-deepwater
operations.
    ``(c) Focus Areas for Awards.--Awards provided under this section
shall focus on new technologies or innovative improvements to existing
technologies, including--
            ``(1) blowout preventers;
            ``(2) secondary control systems;
            ``(3) remotely operated vehicles; and
            ``(4) prefabricated systems or technologies to stop or
        capture a large-scale hydrocarbon discharge from an offshore
        well, at or near the source of such discharge, in the event of
        the failure of a blowout preventer.
    ``(d) Project Selection.--The Secretary shall issue solicitations
for applications for awards under this section and shall select
projects for awards, on a competitive basis, based on--
            ``(1) potential for commercialization of the relevant
        technology;
            ``(2) potential to enhance industry's capacity to prevent,
        stop, or contain a large-scale accidental discharge of oil or
        other hydrocarbons from offshore drilling operations; and
            ``(3) such other factors as the Secretary may prescribe.
    ``(e) Annual Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--The program under this section shall be
        carried out pursuant to annual plans prepared by the Secretary
        in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, which
        shall describe the ongoing and prospective activities of the
        program under this section.
            ``(2) Outside bodies.--In formulating each annual plan
        under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) solicit and take into consideration
                recommendations from the Advisory Committee; and
                    ``(B) take into consideration the needs identified
                and recommendations set forth by any independent
                commission established by the President to investigate
                the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and by the Interagency
                Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research
                established pursuant to section 7001 of the Oil
                Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2761).
            ``(3) Publication.--Not later than November 30 of 2010 and
        each calendar year thereafter through 2016, the Secretary shall
        transmit to Congress and publish on the Internet the annual
        plan for the succeeding year, together with the recommendations
        provided by the Advisory Committee with regard to such plan.
    ``(f) Technical Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date
        of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish an
        independent advisory committee to be known as the SOS Fund
        Technical Advisory Committee.
            ``(2) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of
        at least 9 members. Each member shall have extensive research
        or operational knowledge of safety technologies associated with
        offshore oil and gas exploration and production. The Secretary
        shall appoint Advisory Committee members, including a chair and
        vice-chair of the Advisory Committee. Terms shall be 3 years in
        length, except for initial terms, which may be up to 5 years in
        length to allow staggering. Members may be reappointed only
        once for an additional 3-year term.
            ``(3) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the
        Secretary on the development and implementation of programs
        under this section, including by reviewing and providing
        recommendations with regard to each annual plan under
        subsection (e).
            ``(4) Compensation.--A member of the Advisory Committee
        shall serve without compensation but shall receive travel
        expenses in accordance with applicable provisions under
        subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
    ``(g) Funding.--
            ``(1) Fund.--There is hereby established in the Treasury of
        the United States a separate fund to be known as the Safety and
        Offshore Spill (SOS) Fund.
            ``(2) Oil and gas lease income.--For each of fiscal years
        2011 through 2017, from any Federal royalties, rents, and
        bonuses derived from Federal onshore and offshore oil and gas
        leases issued under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43
        U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) which are deposited in the Treasury, and
        after distribution of any such funds as described in paragraph
        (3), $50,000,000 shall be deposited into the Fund.
            ``(3) Prior distributions.--The distributions described in
        paragraph (2) are those required by law--
                    ``(A) to States and to the Reclamation Fund under
                the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(a)); and
                    ``(B) to other funds receiving monies from Federal
                oil and gas leasing programs, including--
                            ``(i) any recipients pursuant to section
                        8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
                        (43 U.S.C. 1337(g));
                            ``(ii) the Land and Water Conservation
                        Fund, pursuant to section 2(c) of the Land and
                        Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C.
                        4601-5(c));
                            ``(iii) the Historic Preservation Fund,
                        pursuant to section 108 of the National
                        Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470h); and
                            ``(iv) the coastal impact assistance
                        program established under section 31 of the
                        Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C.
                        1356a).
            ``(4) Obligation authority.--Monies in the Fund shall be
        available to the Secretary for obligation, or to cover the
        Secretary's costs of administering the program in accordance
        with the limitation in paragraph (5), under this section
        without fiscal year limitation, to remain available until
        expended.
            ``(5) Administrative costs.--For each of fiscal years 2011
        through 2017, the Secretary may use not more than 5 percent of
        the monies deposited in the Fund to cover the Secretary's costs
        of administering the program under this section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The items relating to subtitle J of
title IX in the table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 are
amended to read as follows:

     ``Subtitle J--Offshore Drilling Safety Technology Development

``Sec. 999. Innovative offshore drilling safety technology program.''.

Output:
Stop Oil Spills Act or the SOS Act - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise provisions concerning ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resources.

Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish: (1) a program of awards to support the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative technologies to prevent, stop, or capture large-scale accidental discharges of oil or other hydrocarbons from offshore oil and gas drilling operations, including deepwater and ultra-deepwater operations; and (2) an independent SOS Fund Technical Advisory Committee to advise on the development and implementation of programs under this Act.

 Requires the awards to focus on new technologies or innovative improvements to existing technologies, including: (1) blowout preventers; (2) secondary control systems; (3) remotely operated vehicles; and (4) prefabricated systems or technologies to stop or capture a large-scale discharge from an offshore well, at or near the source of such discharge, in the event of failure of a blowout preventer.

Establishes in the Treasury a Safety and Offshore Spill (SOS) Fund into which shall be transferred, for each of FY2011-FY2017, $50 million from amounts of federal royalties, rents, and bonuses derived from federal onshore and offshore oil and gas leases issued under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act that are deposited in the Treasury.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Alabama Black Belt
National Heritage Area Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Designation of Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area.
Sec. 4. Local coordinating entity.
Sec. 5. Management plan.
Sec. 6. Evaluation; report.
Sec. 7. Relationship to other Federal agencies.
Sec. 8. Private property and regulatory protections.
Sec. 9. Use of Federal funds from other sources.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Local coordinating entity.--The term ``local
        coordinating entity'' means the Center for the Study of the
        Black Belt at the University of West Alabama.
            (2) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
        the plan prepared by the local coordinating entity for the
        National Heritage Area in accordance with this Act.
            (3) National heritage area.--The term ``National Heritage
        Area'' means the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area
        established by this Act.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Interior.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF ALABAMA BLACK BELT NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.

    (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Alabama Black
Belt National Heritage Area in the State of Alabama.
    (b) Boundaries.--The National Heritage Area shall consist of sites
as designated by the management plan within a core area located in
Alabama, consisting of Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh,
Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery,
Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Washington, and Wilcox counties.

SEC. 4. LOCAL COORDINATING ENTITY.

    (a) Designation.--The Center for the Study of the Black Belt at the
University of West Alabama shall be the local coordinating entity for
the National Heritage Area.
    (b) Duties.--To further the purposes of the National Heritage Area,
the local coordinating entity shall--
            (1) submit a management plan to the Secretary in accordance
        with this Act;
            (2) submit an annual report to the Secretary specifying--
                    (A) the specific performance goals and
                accomplishments of the local coordinating entity;
                    (B) the expenses and income of the local
                coordinating entity;
                    (C) the amounts and sources of matching funds;
                    (D) the amounts of non-Federal funds leveraged with
                Federal funds and sources of the leveraging; and
                    (E) grants made to any other entities during the
                fiscal year;
            (3) make available for audit, for each fiscal year for
        which the local coordinating entity receives Federal funds, all
        information pertaining to the expenditure of the funds and any
        matching funds; and
            (4) encourage economic viability and sustainability that is
        consistent with the purposes of the National Heritage Area.
    (c) Authorities.--For the purposes of preparing and implementing
the approved management plan, the local coordinating entity may--
            (1) make grants to political jurisdictions, nonprofit
        organizations, and other parties within the National Heritage
        Area;
            (2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide
        technical assistance to political jurisdictions, nonprofit
        organizations, Federal agencies, and other interested parties;
            (3) hire and compensate staff, including individuals with
        expertise in--
                    (A) natural, historical, cultural, educational,
                scenic, and recreational resource conservation;
                    (B) economic and community development; and
                    (C) heritage planning;
            (4) obtain funds or services from any source, including
        other Federal programs;
            (5) contract for goods or services; and
            (6) support activities of partners and any other activities
        that further the purposes of the National Heritage Area and are
        consistent with the approved management plan.

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

    (a) Requirements.--The management plan shall--
            (1) describe comprehensive policies, goals, strategies, and
        recommendations for telling the story of the heritage of the
        area covered by the National Heritage Area and encouraging
        long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation,
        funding, management, and development of the National Heritage
        Area;
            (2) include a description of actions and commitments that
        Federal, State, and local governments, private organizations,
        and citizens plan to take to protect, enhance, interpret, fund,
        manage, and develop the natural, historical, cultural,
        educational, scenic, and recreational resources of the National
        Heritage Area;
            (3) specify existing and potential sources of funding or
        economic development strategies to protect, enhance, interpret,
        fund, manage, and develop the National Heritage Area;
            (4) include an inventory of the natural, historical,
        cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational resources of
        the National Heritage Area related to the national importance
        and themes of the National Heritage Area that should be
        protected, enhanced, interpreted, funded, managed, and
        developed;
            (5) include recommendations for resource management
        policies and strategies, including the development of
        intergovernmental and interagency agreements to protect,
        enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop the natural,
        historical, cultural, educational, scenic, and recreational
        resources of the National Heritage Area;
            (6) describe a program for implementation of the management
        plan, including--
                    (A) performance goals;
                    (B) plans for resource protection, enhancement,
                interpretation, funding, management, and development;
                and
                    (C) specific commitments for implementation that
                have been made by the local coordinating entity or any
                Federal, State, or local government agency,
                organization, business, or individual;
            (7) include an analysis of, and recommendations for, means
        by which Federal, State, and local programs may best be
        coordinated (including the role of the National Park Service
        and other Federal agencies associated with the National
        Heritage Area) to further the purposes of this Act; and
            (8) include a business plan that--
                    (A) describes the role, operation, financing, and
                functions of the local coordinating entity and of each
                of the major activities described in the management
                plan; and
                    (B) provides adequate assurances that the local
                coordinating entity has the partnerships and financial
                and other resources necessary to implement the
                management plan.
    (b) Deadline.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the local coordinating entity shall submit the management
plan to the Secretary for approval.
    (c) Approval of Management Plan.--
            (1) Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving the
        management plan, the Secretary shall review and approve or
        disapprove the management plan on the basis of the criteria
        listed in paragraph (3).
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the
        Governor of Alabama before approving a management plan.
            (3) Criteria for approval.--In determining whether to
        approve a management plan, the Secretary shall consider
        whether--
                    (A) the local coordinating entity--
                            (i) represents the diverse interests of the
                        National Heritage Area, including Federal,
                        State, and local governments, natural, and
                        historical resource protection organizations,
                        educational institutions, businesses,
                        recreational organizations, community
                        residents, and private property owners;
                            (ii) has afforded adequate opportunity for
                        public and Federal, State, and local
                        governmental involvement (including through
                        workshops and public meetings) in the
                        preparation of the management plan;
                            (iii) provides for at least semiannual
                        public meetings to ensure adequate
                        implementation of the management plan; and
                            (iv) has demonstrated the financial
                        capability, in partnership with others, to
                        carry out the management plan;
                    (B) the management plan--
                            (i) describes resource protection,
                        enhancement, interpretation, funding,
                        management, and development strategies which,
                        if implemented, would adequately protect,
                        enhance, interpret, fund, manage, and develop
                        the natural, historical, cultural, educational,
                        scenic, and recreational resources of the
                        National Heritage Area;
                            (ii) would not adversely affect any
                        activities authorized on Federal land under
                        public applicable laws or land use plans;
                            (iii) demonstrates partnerships among the
                        local coordinating entity, Federal, State, and
                        local governments, regional planning
                        organizations, nonprofit organizations, and
                        private sector parties for implementation of
                        the management plan; and
                            (iv) complies with the requirements of this
                        section; and
                    (C) the Secretary has received adequate assurances
                from the appropriate State and local officials whose
                support is needed that the State and local aspects of
                the management plan will be effectively implemented.
            (4) Disapproval.--
                    (A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the
                management plan, the Secretary--
                            (i) shall advise the local coordinating
                        entity in writing of the reasons for the
                        disapproval; and
                            (ii) may make recommendations to the local
                        coordinating entity for revisions to the
                        management plan.
                    (B) Deadline.--Not later than 180 days after
                receiving a revised management plan, the Secretary
                shall approve or disapprove the revised management
                plan.
            (5) Amendments.--
                    (A) In general.--An amendment to the approved
                management plan that substantially alters such plan
                shall be reviewed by the Secretary and approved or
                disapproved in the same manner as the original
                management plan.
                    (B) Implementation.--The local coordinating entity
                shall not implement a substantial amendment to the
                management plan until the Secretary approves the
                amendment.
            (6) Authorities.--The Secretary may--
                    (A) provide technical assistance under the
                authority of this Act for the development and
                implementation of the management plan; and
                    (B) enter into cooperative agreements with
                interested parties to carry out this Act.

SEC. 6. EVALUATION; REPORT.

    (a) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the
accomplishments of the National Heritage Area. An evaluation conducted
under this subsection shall--
            (1) assess the progress of the local coordinating entity
        with respect to--
                    (A) accomplishing the purposes of this Act for the
                National Heritage Area; and
                    (B) achieving the goals and objectives of the
                approved management plan;
            (2) analyze the Federal, State, and local government, and
        private investments in the National Heritage Area to determine
        the impact of the investments; and
            (3) review the management structure, partnership
        relationships, and funding of the National Heritage Area for
        purposes of identifying the critical components for
        sustainability of the National Heritage Area.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, based on the evaluation conducted under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Natural Resources
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate. The report shall include recommendations for
the future role of the National Park Service, if any, with respect to
the National Heritage Area.

SEC. 7. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act affects the authority of a
Federal agency to provide technical or financial assistance under any
other law.
    (b) Consultation and Coordination.--The head of any Federal agency
planning to conduct activities that may have an impact on the National
Heritage Area is encouraged to consult and coordinate the activities
with the Secretary and the local coordinating entity to the maximum
extent practicable.
    (c) Other Federal Agencies.--Nothing in this Act--
            (1) modifies, alters, or amends any law or regulation
        authorizing a Federal agency to manage Federal land under the
        jurisdiction of the Federal agency;
            (2) limits the discretion of a Federal land manager to
        implement an approved land use plan within the boundaries of
        the National Heritage Area; or
            (3) modifies, alters, or amends any authorized use of
        Federal land under the jurisdiction of a Federal agency.

SEC. 8. PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REGULATORY PROTECTIONS.

    Nothing in this Act--
            (1) abridges the rights of any owner of public or private
        property, including the right to refrain from participating in
        any plan, project, program, or activity conducted within the
        National Heritage Area;
            (2) requires any property owner to permit public access
        (including access by Federal, State, tribal, or local agencies)
        to the property of the property owner, or to modify public
        access or use of property of the property owner under any other
        Federal, State, tribal, or local law;
            (3) alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved
        land use plan, or other regulatory authority of any Federal,
        State, tribal, or local agency, or conveys any land use or
        other regulatory authority to any local coordinating entity,
        including development and management of energy, water, or
        water-related infrastructure;
            (4) authorizes or implies the reservation or appropriation
        of water or water rights;
            (5) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish
        and wildlife, including the regulation of fishing and hunting
        within the National Heritage Area; or
            (6) creates any liability, or affects any liability under
        any other law, of any private property owner with respect to
        any person injured on the private property.

SEC. 9. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES.

    Nothing in this Act shall preclude the local coordinating entity
from using Federal funds available under other laws for the purposes
for which those funds were authorized.

Output: Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area in Alabama.  Designates the Center for the Study of the Black Belt at the University of West Alabama as the local coordinating entity for the Heritage Area, requires the Center to submit a management plan for the Heritage Area, and sets forth procedures for the approval or disapproval of such plan.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Andrew Carnegie Libraries for
Lifelong Learning Act''.

SEC. 2. PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT.

    The Library Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9121 et seq.) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating chapter 3 as chapter 4; and
            (2) by inserting after chapter 2 the following:

  ``CHAPTER 3--PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT

``SEC. 241. GRANTS TO STATES FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION AND
              TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--From amounts appropriated under section 244, the
Director shall carry out a program of awarding grants to States, that
have an amendment to a State plan or a State plan approved under
section 243, for the construction or technology enhancement of public
libraries.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this chapter:
            ``(1) Construction.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `construction' means--
                            ``(i) construction of new buildings;
                            ``(ii) the acquisition, expansion,
                        remodeling, and alteration of existing
                        buildings;
                            ``(iii) the purchase, lease, and
                        installation of equipment for any new or
                        existing buildings; or
                            ``(iv) any combination of the activities
                        described in clauses (i) through (iii),
                        including architect fees and the cost of
                        acquisition of land.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--Such term includes--
                            ``(i) remodeling to meet standards under
                        the Act entitled `An Act to insure that certain
                        buildings financed with Federal funds are so
                        designed and constructed as to be accessible to
                        the physically handicapped', approved August
                        12, 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.), commonly
                        known as the `Architectural Barriers Act of
                        1968';
                            ``(ii) remodeling designed to ensure safe
                        working environments and to conserve energy;
                            ``(iii) renovation or remodeling to
                        accommodate new technologies; and
                            ``(iv) the purchase of historic buildings
                        for conversion to public libraries.
            ``(2) Equipment.--The term `equipment' means--
                    ``(A) information and building technologies, video
                and telecommunications equipment, machinery, utilities,
                built-in equipment, and any necessary enclosures or
                structures to house the technologies, equipment,
                machinery or utilities; and
                    ``(B) all other items necessary for the functioning
                of a particular facility as a facility for the
                provision of library services.
            ``(3) Public library.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `public library' means
                a library that serves free of charge all residents of a
                community, district, or region, and receives its
                financial support in whole or in part from public
                funds.
                    ``(B) Research library included.--Such term also
                includes a research library, which, for the purposes of
                this sentence, means a library, that--
                            ``(i) makes its services available to the
                        public free of charge;
                            ``(ii) has extensive collections of books,
                        manuscripts, and other materials suitable for
                        scholarly research that are not otherwise
                        available to the public;
                            ``(iii) engages in the dissemination of
                        humanistic knowledge through services to
                        readers, fellowships, educational and cultural
                        programs, publication of significant research,
                        and other activities; and
                            ``(iv) is not an integral part of an
                        institution of higher education.
            ``(4) Technology enhancement.--The term `technology
        enhancement' means the acquisition, installation, maintenance,
        or replacement, of substantial technological equipment
        (including library bibliographic automation equipment)
        necessary to provide access to information in electronic and
        other formats made possible by new information and
        communications technologies.
    ``(c) Applicability.--Except as provided in section 243, the
provisions of this subtitle (other than this chapter) shall not apply
to this chapter.

``SEC. 242. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

    ``(a) In General.--A State receiving a grant under this chapter
shall use the grant funds to pay the Federal share of the cost of
construction or technology enhancement of public libraries.
    ``(b) Federal Share.--
            ``(1) In general.--For the purposes of subsection (a), the
        Federal share of the cost of construction or technology
        enhancement of any project assisted under this chapter shall
not exceed one-half of the total cost of the project.
            ``(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost
        of construction or technology enhancement of any project
        assisted under this chapter may be provided from State, local,
        or private sources, including for-profit and nonprofit
        organizations.
    ``(c) Special Rule.--
            ``(1) In general.--The United States shall be entitled to
        recover the amount described in paragraph (2) if, within 20
        years after completion of construction of any public library
        facility that has been constructed in part with grant funds
        made available under this chapter--
                    ``(A) the recipient of the grant funds (or its
                successor in title or possession) ceases or fails to be
                a public or nonprofit institution; or
                    ``(B) the facility ceases to be used as a library
                facility, unless the Director determines that there is
                good cause for releasing the institution from its
                obligation.
            ``(2) Amount.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
                the United States shall be entitled to recover from
                such grant recipient (or successor) an amount that
                bears the same ratio to the value of the facility (or
                part thereof constituting an approved project or
                projects), at the time of the cessation or failure, as
                the amount of the Federal grant bore to the cost of
                such facility (or part thereof).
                    ``(B) Value.--The value of the facility shall be
                determined by the parties or by action brought in the
                United States district court for the district in which
                the facility is located.

``SEC. 243. STATE PLAN.

    ``(a) State Without Approved Plan in Place.--
            ``(1) Submission of plan.--Each State library
        administrative agency serving a State that does not have a plan
        approved under section 224 and that desires a grant under this
        chapter shall submit to the Director a State plan that meets
        the following requirements:
                    ``(A) Period.--The State plan shall cover a period
                of 5 fiscal years.
                    ``(B) Contents.--The State plan shall include a
                description of the public library construction or
                technology enhancement activities to be assisted under
                this chapter.
                    ``(C) Assurances.--The State plan shall contain
                satisfactory assurances that the provisions of the
                State plan will be carried out.
            ``(2) Public availability.--Each State library
        administrative agency submitting a State plan under this
        subsection shall make the State plan available to the public.
            ``(3) Plan approval.--The Director shall approve a State
        plan submitted under paragraph (1) that meets the requirements
        of such paragraph.
            ``(4) Administration.--If the Director determines that the
        State plan does not meet the requirements of paragraph (1), the
        Director shall--
                    ``(A) immediately notify the State library
                administrative agency of such determination and the
                reasons for such determination;
                    ``(B) offer the State library administrative agency
                the opportunity to revise its State plan;
                    ``(C) provide technical assistance in order to
                assist the State library administrative agency in
                meeting the requirements of paragraph (1); and
                    ``(D) provide the State library administrative
                agency the opportunity for a hearing.
    ``(b) State With Plan Approved.--Each State library administrative
agency serving a State that has a State plan approved under section 224
and that desires a grant under this chapter shall submit to the
Director an amendment to the State plan that contains a description of
the public library construction or technology enhancement activities to
be assisted under this chapter.

``SEC. 244. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this chapter
$200,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and for each of the 4 succeeding
fiscal years.''.

Output: Andrew Carnegie Libraries for Lifelong Learning Act - Amends the Library Services and Technology Act to require the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services to carry out a program of awarding grants to States for the construction or technology enhancement of public libraries.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Children's Doctor Access
Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. STATE REQUIREMENT UNDER SCHIP TO REPORT ON HEDIS MEASURE
              RELATING TO ACCESS TO PCPS.

    (a) In General.--Section 2108(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1397hh(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, with appropriate
        indentation;
            (2) by designating the sentence beginning with ``The State
        shall'' as a paragraph (1) with the hearing ``(1) In general.--
        '' and appropriate indentation; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(2) Information on certain hedis measure required.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each annual report of a State
                submitted under paragraph (1)(B) for a fiscal year
                shall include information on the access HEDIS measure
                described in subparagraph (B) for individuals eligible
                for child health assistance under the State child
                health plan during the fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Access hedis measure described.--The access
                HEDIS measure described in this subparagraph is the
                Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)
                measure established by the National Committee for
                Quality Assurance that is the following (or, in the
                case of an update to such measure, such update):
                            ``(i) The percentage of each of the
                        following populations of individuals described
                        in subparagraph (A) who had a visit with a
                        primary care practitioner during the previous
                        12-month period:
                                    ``(I) Individuals who are at least
                                12 months of age and who have not
                                attained 25 months of age.
                                    ``(II) Individuals who are at least
                                25 months of age and have not attained
                                7 years of age.
                            ``(ii) The percentage of each of the
                        following populations of individuals described
                        in subparagraph (A) who had a visit with a
                        primary care practitioner during the previous
                        24-month period:
                                    ``(I) Individuals who are at least
                                7 years of age and who have not
                                attained 12 years of age.
                                    ``(II) Individuals who are at least
                                12 years of age and who have not
                                attained 19 years of age.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)(3) shall
be effective for annual reports submitted for fiscal year 2010 and each
subsequent fiscal year.

SEC. 3. STATE EFFORTS UNDER SCHIP TO AVOID DISPLACEMENT OF PRIVATE
              HEALTH COVERAGE.

    (a) In General.--Section 2102(c) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1397bb(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
            ``(3) Efforts to avoid displacement of private health
        coverage.--(A) Prioritization of outreach to families with
        income below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level.
            ``(B) Discouragement of the crowd out of private health
        insurance coverage for families with income at least 300
        percent of the Federal poverty level.''.
    (b) Annual State Reports Under SCHIP on Efforts To Avoid
Displacement of Private Health Coverage.--
            (1) In general.--Section 2108(a) of the Social Security Act
        (42 U.S.C. 1397hh(a)), as amended by section 2, is further
        amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Information on efforts to avoid displacement of
        private health coverage.--Each annual report of a State
        submitted under paragraph (1)(B) shall include, with respect to
        the State child health plan under this title for a fiscal year,
        a description of the measures taken by the State, and the
        progress of the State, to follow the procedures described by
        the State pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section
        2102(c)(3).''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
        shall be effective for annual reports submitted for fiscal year
        2010 and each subsequent fiscal year.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING UTILIZATION OF CAHPS CONSUMER
              SATISFACTION SURVEYS.

    It is the sense of Congress that each State that has a State child
health plan under title XXI of the Social Security Act should--
            (1) utilize consumer satisfaction surveys developed by the
        Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS)
        administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
        specifically the Getting Needed Care and Getting Care Quickly
        question components of the CAHPS 4.0H Child Survey (or in the
        case of an update to such survey, of such update), to measure
        the extent to which individuals eligible for child health
        assistance under the State plan have access to physicians,
        including primary care practitioners and specialists, and the
        degree of ease with which such access is attainable by such
        individuals; and
            (2) include the results of such surveys for a fiscal year
        in the annual report submitted for such fiscal year by the
        State to the Secretary under section 2108(a) of the Social
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397hh(a)).

Output:
Improving Children's Doctor Access Act of 2008 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to require annual state SCHIP reports to include information on: (1) the HEDIS (Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set) measure relating to access to primary care practitioners by individuals eligible for child health assistance; and (2) efforts to avoid displacement of private health coverage.

Expresses the sense of Congress that states with a state child health plan should utilize consumer satisfaction surveys developed by the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) administered by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, specifically the Getting Needed Care and Getting Care Quickly question components of the CAHPS 4.0H Child Survey, to measure the extent to which individuals eligible for child health assistance under the state plan have access to physicians.