Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation
Reform Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO SURFACE MINING ACT.

    (a) Amendments to Section 401.--(1) Section 401 of the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231) is amended
as follows:
            (A) In subsection (c) by striking paragraphs (2) and (6)
        and redesignating paragraphs (3) through (13) in order as
        paragraphs (2) through (11).
            (B) In subsection (e)--
                    (i) in the second sentence, by striking ``the needs
                of such fund'' and inserting ``achieving the purposes
                of the transfers under section 402(h)''; and
                    (ii) in the third sentence, by inserting before the
                period the following: ``for the purpose of the
                transfers under section 402(h)''.
    (2) Section 712(b) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1302(b)) is amended by striking ``section
401(c)(11)'' and inserting ``section 401(c)(9)''.
    (b) Amendments to Section 402.--Section 402 of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1232) is amended as
follows:
            (1) In subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``35'' and inserting ``28'';
                    (B) by striking ``15'' and inserting ``12''; and
                    (C) by striking ``10 cents'' and inserting ``8
                cents''.
            (2) In subsection (b) by striking ``2004'' and all that
        follows through the end of the sentence and inserting
        ``2019.''.
            (3) In subsection (g)(1)(D) by striking ``in any area under
        paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5)'' and inserting ``under
        paragraph (5)''.
            (4) Subsection (g)(2) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(2) In making the grants referred to in paragraph (1)(C) and the
grants referred to in paragraph (5), the Secretary shall ensure strict
compliance by the States and Indian tribes with the priorities set
forth in section 403(a) until a certification is made under section
411(a).''.
            (5) In subsection (g)(3)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by
                striking ``paragraphs (2) and'' and inserting
                ``paragraph'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``401(c)(11)''
                and inserting ``401(c)(9)''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) For the purpose of paragraph (8).''.
            (6) In subsection (g)(5)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' before the first sentence;
                    (B) in the first sentence by striking ``40'' and
                inserting ``60'';
                    (C) in the last sentence by striking ``Funds
                allocated or expended by the Secretary under paragraphs
                (2), (3), or (4),'' and inserting ``Funds made
                available under paragraph (3) or (4)''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(B) Any amount that is reallocated and available under section
411(h)(3) shall be in addition to amounts that are allocated under
subparagraph (A).''.
            (7) Subsection (g)(6) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(6)(A) Any State with an approved abandoned mine reclamation
program pursuant to section 405 may receive and retain, without regard
to the 3-year limitation referred to in paragraph (1)(D), up to 10
percent of the total of the grants made annually to such State under
paragraphs (1) and (5) if such amounts are deposited into an acid mine
drainage abatement and treatment fund established under State law, from
which amounts (together with all interest earned on such amounts) are
expended by the State for the abatement of the causes and the treatment
of the effects of acid mine drainage in a comprehensive manner within
qualified hydrologic units affected by coal mining practices.
    ``(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term `qualified
hydrologic unit' means a hydrologic unit--
            ``(i) in which the water quality has been significantly
        affected by acid mine drainage from coal mining practices in a
        manner that adversely impacts biological resources; and
            ``(ii) that contains lands and waters that are--
                    ``(I) eligible pursuant to section 404 and include
                any of the priorities set forth in section 403(a); and
                    ``(II) the subject of expenditures by the State
                from the forfeiture of bonds required under section 509
                or from other States sources to abate and treat acid
                mine drainage.''.
            (8) Subsection (g)(7) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(7) In complying with the priorities set forth in section 403(a),
any State or Indian tribe may use amounts available in grants made
annually to such State or tribe under paragraphs (1) and (5) for the
reclamation of eligible lands and waters set forth in section 403(a)(3)
prior to the completion of reclamation projects under paragraphs (1)
and (2) of section 403(a) only if the expenditure of funds for such
reclamation is done in conjunction with the expenditure of funds for
reclamation projects under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 403(a).''.
            (9) Subsection (g)(8) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(8) In making the grants referred to in paragraph (1)(C), the
Secretary, using amounts allocated to a State or Indian tribe under
subparagraphs (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) or as necessary amounts
available to the Secretary under paragraph (3), shall assure total
grant awards of not less than $2,000,000 annually to each State and
each Indian tribe. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this
paragraph applies to the State of Tennessee.''.
            (10) Subsection (h) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(h) In General.--(1) In the case of any fiscal year beginning on
or after October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall, as of the beginning of
such fiscal year and before any allocation under subsection (g), make
the transfers provided in paragraph (2).
    ``(2) Amount.--The Secretary shall transfer to the United Mine
Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund, to the United Mine Workers of
America 1992 Benefit Plan, and to the multiemployer health benefit plan
established after July 20, 1992, by the parties that are the settlors
of the 1992 Plan, for any fiscal year from the interest which the
Secretary estimates will be earned and paid to the fund during the
fiscal year an amount equal to the sum of--
            ``(A) the amount described in paragraph 3(A);
            ``(B) the amount described in paragraph 3(B); plus
            ``(C) the amount described in paragraph 3(C).
    ``(3) Limitation.--The aggregate amount which may be transferred
under paragraph (2) for any fiscal year shall not exceed--
            ``(A) the amount which the trustees of the Combined Fund
        estimate will be expended from the premium accounts maintained
        by such Fund for the fiscal year of the Combined Fund in which
        the transfer is made, less the amount which the trustees
        estimate the Combined Fund will receive during such fiscal year
        in required health benefit premiums; plus
            ``(B) the amount which the trustees of the 1992 Plan
        estimate will be expended from the 1992 Plan during the next
        calendar year to provide the benefits required by such Plan on
        the date of enactment of this Act, less the amount which the
        trustees estimate the 1992 Plan will receive during such
        calendar year in required monthly per beneficiary premiums,
        including the amount of any security provided to the 1992 Plan
        which is available for use in the provision of benefits; plus
            ``(C) the amount which the trustees of the multiemployer
        health benefit plan established after July 20, 1992, by the
        parties that are the settlors of the 1992 Plan estimate will be
        expended from such plan during the next calendar year, to
        provide benefits no greater than those provided by such plan on
        the date of enactment of this subparagraph, less the amount of
        income which such trustees estimate such plan will receive
        during such calendar year.
    ``(4) Adjustment.--If, for any fiscal year, the amount transferred
to the Combined Fund, or the 1992 Plan, or to the plan described in
paragraph (3)(C) is more or less than the amount required to be
transferred, the Secretary shall appropriately adjust the amount
transferred for the next fiscal year.
    ``(5)(A) The Secretary may make a transfer under subparagraphs (B)
and (C) of paragraph (2) for a fiscal year only if the Secretary
determines, using actuarial projections provided by the trustees of the
Combined Fund, that amounts will be available under paragraph (1),
after such transfer, for the next fiscal year for making the transfer
under paragraph (2)(A).
    ``(B) A transfer under paragraph (2)(C) shall not be made unless
the entities that are obligated to contribute to the plan described in
paragraph 3(C) on the date of the transfer are obligated to make such
contributions at rates that are no less than those in effect on the
date of enactment of this paragraph.''.
    (c) Amendments to Section 403.--Section 403 of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1233) is amended as
follows:
            (1) In subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``general
                welfare,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``health, safety,
                and general welfare'' and inserting ``health and
                safety'', and inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at
                the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking the semicolon at
                the end and inserting a period; and
                    (D) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5).
            (2) In subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking the heading and inserting ``Water
                Supply Restoration.--''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by striking ``up to 30 percent
                of the''.
            (3) In subsection (c), by inserting ``, subject to the
        approval of the Secretary,'' after ``amendments''.
    (d) Amendment to Section 406.--Section 406(h) of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1236(h)) is amended by
striking ``Soil Conservation Service'' and inserting ``Natural
Resources Conservation Service''.
    (e) Further Amendment to Section 406.--Section 406 of the Surface
Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1236) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Agriculture, from amounts in the Treasury other than amounts in the
fund, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.''.
    (f) Amendment to Section 408.--Section 408(a) of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1238(a)), is amended by
striking ``who owned the surface prior to May 2, 1977, and''.
    (g) Amendments to Section 411.--Section 411 of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1240a) is amended as
follows:
            (1) In subsection (a), by inserting ``(1)'' before the
        first sentence, and by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) The Secretary may, on the Secretary's own volition, make the
certification referred to in paragraph (1) on behalf of any State or
Indian tribe referred to in paragraph (1) if on the basis of the
inventory referred to in section 403(c) all reclamation projects
relating to the priorities set forth in section 403(a) for eligible
lands and water pursuant to section 404 in such State or tribe have
been completed. The Secretary shall only make such certification after
notice in the Federal Register and opportunity for public comment.''.
            (2) By adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) State Share for Certain Certified States.--(1)(A) From moneys
referred to in subsection (a) of section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act
(30 U.S.C. 191(a)) that are paid into the Treasury after the date of
the enactment of this subsection and that are not paid to States under
section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act or reserved as part of the
reclamation fund under such section, the Secretary shall pay to each
qualified State, on a proportional basis, an amount equal to the sum of
the aggregate unappropriated amount allocated to such qualified State
under section 402(g)(1)(A).
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `qualified State' means a State
for which a certification is made under subsection (a) and in which
there are public domain lands available for leasing under the Mineral
Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).
    ``(2) Payments to States under this subsection shall be made,
without regard to any limitation in section 401(d), in the same manner
as if paid under section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191)
and concurrently with payments to States under that section.
    ``(3) The amount allocated to any State under section 402(g)(1)(A)
that is paid to such State as a result of a payment under paragraph (1)
of this subsection shall be reallocated and available for grants under
section 402(g)(5).''.
    (h) Extension of Limitation on Application of Prohibition on
Issuance of Permit.--Section 510(e) of the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1260(e)) is amended by striking
``2004'' and inserting ``2019''.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS TITLE.

    (a) Transition Rules.--(1) Amounts allocated under section
402(g)(2) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30
U.S.C. 1232(g)(2)) (excluding interest) prior to the date of enactment
of this Act for the program set forth under section 406 of that Act (30
U.S.C. 1236), but not appropriated prior to such date, shall be
available in fiscal year 2004 and thereafter for the transfers referred
to in section 402(h) of such Act (30 U.S.C. 1232(h)), as amended by
this Act, in the same manner as are other amounts available for such
transfers.
    (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, interest credited
to the fund established by section 401 of the Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231) that is not transferred to
the Combined Benefit Fund referred to in section 402(h) of such Act (30
U.S.C. 1232(h)), as amended by this Act, prior to the date of enactment
of this Act shall be available in fiscal year 2004 and thereafter for
transfer to the Combined Fund, and shall be used, notwithstanding any
other provision of law, to pay the amount of any deficit in net assets
in the Combined Fund.
    (b) Inventory.--Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall complete a review of all
additions made, pursuant to amendments offered by States and Indian
tribes after December 31, 1998, to the inventory referred to in section
403(c) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30
U.S.C. 1233(c)) to ensure that such additions reflect eligible lands
and waters pursuant to section 404 of such Act (30 U.S.C. 1234) that
meet the priorities set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section
403(a) of such Act (30 U.S.C. 1233(a)), and are correctly identified
pursuant to such priorities. Any lands or waters that were included in
the inventory pursuant to the general welfare standard set forth in
section 403(a) of such Act (30 U.S.C. 1233(a)) before the date of
enactment of this Act that are determined in the review to no longer
meet the criteria set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 403(a)
of such Act, as amended by this Act, shall be removed from the
inventory.

Output:
Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to repeal the authorization for use of certain moneys in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund: (1) by the Secretary of Agriculture for reclamation of rural lands; and (2) by the Department of the Interior for certain studies, research, and demonstration projects.

Reduces the reclamation fee required to be paid by operators of coal mining operations. Extends the authority to collect such fee to 2019.

Revises Fund allocation requirements with respect to reclamation fees.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer specified sums to: (1) the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund; (2) the United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan; and (3) a certain multiemployer health benefit plan established after July 20, 1992, by the parties that are the settlors of the 1992 Plan.

Repeals Fund objectives concerning: (1) protection , construction, or enhancement of public facilities such as utilities, roads, recreation and conservation facilities adversely affected by coal mining practices; and (2) the development of publicly owned land adversely affected by coal mining practices including land acquired as provided in this subchapter for recreation and historic purposes, conservation, and reclamation purposes and open space benefits.

States that no lien shall be filed against any person who neither consented to, nor participated in nor exercised control over the mining operation which necessitated reclamation. Repeals the limitation of such prohibition to persons who owned the surface before May 2, 1977.

Expands certification guidelines to prescribe payments to: (1) qualified States and Indian tribes; and (2) non-qualified States and Indian tribes.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Port Terrorism Prevention Act of
2002''.

SEC. 2. MANIFEST DISCREPANCIES.

    Section 431(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1431(b)) is
amended--
            (1) by striking ``(b) Production of Manifest.--Any'' and
        inserting the following:
    ``(b) Production of Manifest.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--Any''; and
            (2) by striking ``If any irregularity of omission'' and all
        that follows through the end period and inserting the
        following:
            ``(2) Discrepancies.--Notwithstanding any other provision
        of law, if any shortages or overages of merchandise with
        respect to any manifest are not reported to the Customs Service
        at the time a vessel makes formal entry under section 434 or at
        the time a vehicle or aircraft presents or transmits
        documentation under section 433(d), the owner or operator of
        the vessel, aircraft, or vehicle, or any party responsible for
        such shortages or overages shall be liable for any fine or
        penalty prescribed by law with respect to such discrepancy. The
        Customs Service may take appropriate action against any party
        responsible for not correcting such discrepancy. The Secretary
        of the Treasury shall not permit any vessel master or agent,
        any person in charge of a vehicle, or any airline pilot to
        report shortages or overages at any time that is inconsistent
        with the provision of this paragraph.''.

SEC. 3. SPECIFIC DESIGNATION OF MERCHANDISE.

    (a) Regulations.--Section 431(d)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19
U.S.C. 1431(d)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of in subparagraph (C);
            (2) in subparagraph (D) by striking the end period and
        inserting a semicolon and ``and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) prohibit the use of certain descriptions of
                merchandise, including `freight of all kinds',
                `hazardous not otherwise specified', and `said to
                contain', or any other description that does not
                provide adequate information regarding the merchandise
                on any manifest required by the Customs Service.''.
    (b) Automated Manifest System.--Not later than 12 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Customs shall
develop software to carry out the automated manifest system that will
reject merchandise descriptions prohibited by section 431(d)(1)(E) of
the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1431(d)(1)(E)).

SEC. 4. PENALTIES FOR INACCURATE MANIFEST.

    Section 436(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1436(b)) is
amended--
            (1) by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''; and
            (2) by striking ``and $10,000'' and inserting ``$15,000 for
        the second violation, and $20,000''.

SEC. 5. STUDY AND REPORT ON AUTOMATED REVIEW SYSTEMS.

    (a) Study and Report.--
            (1) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
        conduct a study of the issues set forth in paragraph (2) and
        submit a report to Congress setting forth the results of the
        study and any recommendations to implement the conclusions of
        the study.
            (2) Issues to be studied.--The issues to be studied
        pursuant to paragraph (1) are--
                    (A) the manner in which data from manifests and
                bills of lading are submitted to the Customs Service;
                    (B) an assessment of the accuracy of such data;
                    (C) the effectiveness of the automated sufficiency
                programs;
                    (D) the advisability of modifying the process for
                collecting data to be used in the automated reviews;
                and
                    (E) the ability to improve the data collection
                system.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriation.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $500,000 to carry out the study and prepare the report
required by this section.

SEC. 6. MANUAL INSPECTION.

    (a) Increased Manual Inspection.--
            (1) Requirement.--The Customs Service shall increase the
        number of manual inspections of merchandise carried on vessels
        required to make entry under section 434 of the Tariff Act of
        1930 (19 U.S.C. 1434) with a view toward manually inspecting 10
        percent of all such merchandise.
            (2) Additional personnel.--The Secretary of the Treasury
        shall employ a sufficient number of new Customs Officers to
        perform the increased number of manual inspections described in
        paragraph (1).
    (b) Authorization of Appropriation.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 to be available for the
procurement of at least 100 mobile scanning devices to assist in
increasing the number of manual inspections described in subsection
(a)(1).

SEC. 7. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized
to award grants to eligible entities to research and develop
technologies that can be used to secure the ports of the United States.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded pursuant to subsection (a) may be
used to develop technologies such as--
            (1) methods to increase the ability of the Customs Service
        to inspect merchandise carried on any vessel that will arrive
        or has arrived at any port or place in the United States;
            (2) equipment that accurately detects explosives, or
        chemical and biological agents that could be used to commit
        terrorist acts in the United States, including--
                    (A) field-portable and hand-held Raman Lidar
                systems for standoff identification of suspected
                chemical or biological agents; and
                    (B) hand-held mass spectrometers for detection of
                gaseous agents;
            (3) equipment that accurately detects nuclear materials,
        including--
                    (A) hand-held gamma-ray detectors that utilize
                cadmium zinc telluride crystals capable of detailed
                spectral analysis;
                    (B) large-area, position-sensitive neutron
                detectors that utilize He-3 chambers to provide imaging
                capability;
                    (C) large-area, gamma-ray detection equipment that
                utilizes tubes containing compressed xenon; and
                    (D) scintillation-based detection equipment capable
                of attachment to spreaders to signal the presence of
                nuclear materials during the unloading of containers;
            (4) improved tags and seals designed for use on shipping
        containers to track the transportation of the merchandise in
        such containers, including ``smart sensors'' that are able to
        track a container throughout its entire supply chain, detect
        hazardous and radioactive materials within that container, and
        transmit such information to the appropriate authorities at a
        remote location;
            (5) tools to mitigate the consequences of a terrorist act
        at a port of the United States, including a network of sensors
        to predict the dispersion of radiological, chemical, or
        biological agents that might be intentionally or accidentally
        released; and
            (6) pilot projects that could be implemented within 12
        months at 1 of the Nation's 5 largest ports to demonstrate the
        effectiveness of a system of radiation detection monitors
        located throughout the port to detect nuclear or radiological
        material.
    (c) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary of the Treasury at
such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require.
    (d) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term ``eligible entity''
means any national laboratory, nonprofit private organization,
institution of higher education, or other entity that the Secretary of
the Treasury determines is eligible to receive a grant authorized by
subsection (a).
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2007
to carry out the provisions of this section.

Output: Port Terrorism Prevention Act of 2002 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to revise the nature of the liability of vessel, aircraft, or vehicle owners or operators, or other responsible parties for manifest irregularities. Specifies unreported shortages or overages instead of irregularities as the causes of liability.Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit the use of certain descriptions of merchandise that do not provide adequate information regarding the merchandise on a required manifest.Directs the Commissioner of Customs to develop software to carry out the automated manifest system that will reject such prohibited merchandise descriptions.Doubles from $5,000 to $10,000 the civil penalties for inaccurate manifests, and raises from $10,000 to $15,000 the penalty for a second violation, and to $20,000 for each subsequent violation.Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of automated systems for the review of manifest and bill of lading data.Requires the Customs Service to increase the number of manual inspections of merchandise carried on vessels required to make entry with a view toward manually inspecting ten percent of all such merchandise.Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to research and develop technologies that can be used to secure the ports of the United States.


Input:
SECTION 1. PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, CLINICAL CENTERS,
              AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.

    (a) Requirement for Establishment of Centers.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38,
        United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
        following:
``Sec. 7329. Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical
              centers and multiple sclerosis centers of excellence
    ``(a) Designation.--The Secretary, upon the recommendation of the
Under Secretary for Health and pursuant to the provisions of this
section, shall--
            ``(1) designate--
                    ``(A) at least 6 Department health care facilities
                as the locations for centers of Parkinson's disease
                research, education, and clinical activities and
                (subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds for
                such purpose); and
                    ``(B) at least 2 Department health care facilities
                as the locations for Multiple Sclerosis Centers of
                Excellence (subject to the appropriation of sufficient
                funds for such purpose); and
            ``(2) establish and operate such centers at such locations
        in accordance with this section.
    ``(b) Existing Facilities; Geographic Distribution.--In designating
locations for centers under subsection (a), the Secretary, upon the
recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, shall--
            ``(1) designate each Department health care facility that,
        as of January 1, 2005, was operating a Parkinson's Disease
        Research, Education, and Clinical Center or a Multiple
        Sclerosis Center of Excellence unless the Secretary, on the
        recommendation of the Under Secretary for Health, determines
        that such facility--
                    ``(A) does not meet the requirements of subsection
                (c);
                    ``(B) has not demonstrated effectiveness in
                carrying out the established purposes of such center;
                or
                    ``(C) has not demonstrated the potential to carry
                out such purposes effectively in the reasonably
                foreseeable future; and
            ``(2) assure appropriate geographic distribution of such
        facilities.
    ``(c) Minimum Requirements.--The Secretary may not designate a
health care facility as a location for a center under subsection (a)
unless--
            ``(1) the peer review panel established under subsection
        (d) determines that the proposal submitted by such facility is
        among those proposals which meet the highest competitive
        standards of scientific and clinical merit; and
            ``(2) the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Under
        Secretary for Health, determines that the facility has (or may
        reasonably be anticipated to develop)--
                    ``(A) an arrangement with an accredited medical
                school which provides education and training in
                neurology and with which such facility is affiliated
                under which residents receive education and training in
                innovative diagnosis and treatment of chronic
                neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders,
                including Parkinson's disease, or in the case of
                Multiple Sclerosis Centers, multiple sclerosis disease;
                    ``(B) the ability to attract the participation of
                scientists who are capable of ingenuity and creativity
                in health-care research efforts;
                    ``(C) a policymaking advisory committee composed of
                consumers and appropriate health care and research
                representatives of the facility and of the affiliated
                school or schools to advise the directors of such
                facility and such center on policy matters pertaining
                to the activities of such center during the period of
                the operation of such center;
                    ``(D) the capability to conduct effectively
                evaluations of the activities of such center;
                    ``(E) the capability to coordinate, as part of an
                integrated national system, education, clinical, and
                research activities within all facilities with such
                centers;
                    ``(F) the capability to jointly develop a
                consortium of providers with interest in treating
                neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's
                disease, and other movement disorders, or multiple
                sclerosis in the case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, at
                facilities without such centers in order to ensure
                better access to state of the art diagnosis, care, and
                education for neurodegenerative disorders, or in the
                case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, autoimmune disease
                affecting the central nervous system throughout the
                health care system; and
                    ``(G) the capability to develop a national
                repository in the health care system for the collection
                of data on health services delivered to veterans
                seeking care for neurodegenerative diseases, including
                Parkinson's disease, and other movement disorders, or
                in the case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, autoimmune
                disease affecting the central nervous system.
    ``(d) Panel.--(1) The Under Secretary for Health shall establish a
panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals that are
submitted to the Secretary for the establishment of new centers under
this section.
    ``(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts in
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and other
movement disorders, and, in the case of Multiple Sclerosis Centers,
experts in autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
    ``(B) Members of the panel shall serve as consultants to the
Department for a period of no longer than 2 years except in the case of
panelists asked to serve on the initial panel as specified in
subparagraph (C).
    ``(C) In order to ensure panel continuity, half of the members of
the first panel shall be appointed for a period of 3 years and half for
a period of 2 years.
    ``(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the panel
by the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the relative
scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the Under
Secretary.
    ``(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
    ``(e) Adequate Funding.--Before providing funds for the operation
of any such center at a health care facility other than a health care
facility designated under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall ensure
that--
            ``(1) the Parkinson's disease center at each facility
        designated under subsection (b)(1) is receiving adequate
        funding to enable such center to function effectively in the
        areas of Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical
        activities; and
            ``(2) in the case of a new Multiple Sclerosis Center, that
        existing centers are receiving adequate funding to enable such
        centers to function effectively in the areas of multiple
        sclerosis research, education, and clinical activities.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There are authorized to
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support of the
research and education activities of the centers established under
subsection (a).
    ``(2) The Under Secretary for Health shall allocate to such centers
from other funds appropriated generally for the Department medical
services account and medical and prosthetics research account, as
appropriate, such amounts as the Under Secretary for Health determines
appropriate.
    ``(g) Funding Eligibility and Priority for Parkinson's Disease
Research.--Activities of clinical and scientific investigation at each
center established under subsection (a) for Parkinson's disease shall--
            ``(1) be eligible to compete for the award of funding from
        funds appropriated for the Department medical and prosthetics
        research account; and
            ``(2) receive priority in the award of funding from such
        account to the extent funds are awarded to projects for
        research in Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.
    ``(h) Funding Eligibility and Priority for Multiple Sclerosis
Research.--Activities of clinical and scientific investigation at each
center established under subsection (a) for multiple sclerosis shall--
            ``(1) be eligible to compete for the award of funding from
        funds appropriated for the Department medical and prosthetics
        research account; and
            ``(2) receive priority in the award of funding from such
        account to the extent funds are awarded to projects for
        research in multiple sclerosis and other movement disorders.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
        beginning of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, is
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 7328
        the following:

``Sec. 7329. Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical
                            centers and multiple sclerosis centers of
                            excellence.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--Section 7329 of title 38, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1, 2005.

Output:
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate, establish, and operate at selected Department of Veterans Affairs health-care facilities: (1) at least six centers for Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical activities; and (2) at least two Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence.

Requires the Under Secretary for Health to: (1) assure appropriate geographical distribution of such facilities; and (2) establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted by a facility for the establishment of such a center.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Commercial Aviation MANPADS Defense
Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) MANPADSs constitute a threat to military and civilian
        aircraft.
            (2) The threat posed by MANPADSs requires the development
        of both short-term and long-term plans.
            (3) The threat posed by MANPADSs requires an international
        as well as domestic response.
            (4) There should be an international effort to address the
        issues of MANPADSs proliferation and defense.
            (5) The Government is pursuing and should continue to
        pursue diplomatic efforts to prevent the proliferation of
        MANPADSs.

SEC. 3. UNITED STATES POLICY ON NONPROLIFERATION AND EXPORT CONTROL.

    (a) To Limit Availability and Transfer of MANPADS.--The President
shall pursue, on an urgent basis, further strong international
diplomatic and cooperative efforts, including bilateral and
multilateral treaties, in the appropriate forum to limit the
availability, transfer, and proliferation of MANPADSs worldwide.
    (b) To Limit the Proliferation of MANPADS.--The President is
encouraged to seek to enter into agreements with the governments of
foreign countries that, at a minimum, would--
            (1) prohibit the entry into force of a MANPADS
        manufacturing license agreement and MANPADS co-production
        agreement, other than the entry into force of a manufacturing
        license or co-production agreement with a country that is party
        to such an agreement;
            (2) prohibit, except pursuant to transfers between
        governments, the export of a MANPADS, including any component,
        part, accessory, or attachment thereof, without an individual
        validated license; and
            (3) prohibit the re-export or retransfer of a MANPADS,
        including any component, part, accessory, or attachment
        thereof, to a third person, organization, or government unless
        the written consent of the government that approved the
        original export or transfer is first obtained.
    (c) To Achieve Destruction of MANPADS.--The President should
continue to pursue further strong international diplomatic and
cooperative efforts, including bilateral and multilateral treaties, in
the appropriate forum to assure the destruction of excess, obsolete,
and illicit stocks of MANPADSs worldwide.
    (d) Reporting and Briefing Requirement.--
            (1) President's report.--Not later than 180 days after the
        date of enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to
        the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains
        a detailed description of the status of diplomatic efforts
        under subsections (a), (b), and (c) and of efforts by the
        appropriate United States agencies to comply with the
        recommendations of the General Accounting Office set forth in
        its report GAO-04-519, entitled ``Nonproliferation: Further
        Improvements Needed in U.S. Efforts to Counter Threats from
        Man-Portable Air Defense Systems''.
            (2) Annual briefings.--Annually after the date of
        submission of the report under paragraph (1) and until
        completion of the diplomatic and compliance efforts referred to
        in paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall brief the
        appropriate congressional committees on the status of such
        efforts.

SEC. 4. FAA AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION OF MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS FOR
              COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--As soon as practicable, but not later than, the
date of completion of Phase II of the Department of Homeland Security's
counter-man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) development and
demonstration program, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration shall establish a process for conducting airworthiness
and safety certification of missile defense systems for commercial
aircraft certified as effective and functional by the Department of
Homeland Security. The process shall require a certification by the
Administrator that such systems can be safely integrated into aircraft
systems and ensure airworthiness and aircraft system integrity.
    (b) Certification Acceptance.--Under the process, the Administrator
shall accept the certification of the Department of Homeland Security
that a missile defense system is effective and functional to defend
commercial aircraft against MANPADSs.
    (c) Expeditious Certification.--Under the process, the
Administrator shall expedite the airworthiness and safety certification
of missile defense systems for commercial aircraft certified by the
Department of Homeland Security.
    (d) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the first airworthiness
and safety certification for a missile defense system for commercial
aircraft is issued by the Administrator, and annually thereafter until
December 31, 2008, the Federal Aviation Administration shall transmit
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report that contains a detailed
description of each airworthiness and safety certification issued for a
missile defense system for commercial aircraft.

SEC. 5. PROGRAMS TO REDUCE MANPADS.

    (a) In General.--The President is encouraged to pursue strong
programs to reduce the number of MANPADSs worldwide so that fewer
MANPADSs will be available for trade, proliferation, and sale.
    (b) Reporting and Briefing Requirements.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains a
detailed description of the status of the programs being pursued under
subsection (a). Annually thereafter until the programs are no longer
needed, the Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate
congressional committees on the status of programs.
    (c) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 6. MANPADS VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS REPORT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall
transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report describing the Department of
Homeland Security's plans to secure airports and the aircraft arriving
and departing from airports against MANPADSs attacks.
    (b) Matters to Be Addressed.--The Secretary's report shall address,
at a minimum, the following:
            (1) The status of the Department's efforts to conduct
        MANPADSs vulnerability assessments at United States airports at
        which the Department is conducting assessments.
            (2) How intelligence is shared between the United States
        intelligence agencies and Federal, State, and local law
        enforcement to address the MANPADS threat and potential ways to
        improve such intelligence sharing.
            (3) Contingency plans that the Department has developed in
        the event that it receives intelligence indicating a high
        threat of a MANPADS attack on aircraft at or near United States
        airports.
            (4) The feasibility and effectiveness of implementing
        public education and neighborhood watch programs in areas
        surrounding United States airports in cases in which
        intelligence reports indicate there is a high risk of MANPADS
        attacks on aircraft.
            (5) Any other issues that the Secretary deems relevant.
    (c) Format.--The report required by this section may be submitted
in a classified format.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
                on International Relations, and the Committee on
                Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
                Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
                on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Commerce,
                Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
            (2) MANPADS.--The term ``MANPADS'' means--
                    (A) a surface-to-air missile system designed to be
                man-portable and carried and fired by a single
                individual; and
                    (B) any other surface-to-air missile system
                designed to be operated and fired by more than one
                individual acting as a crew and portable by several
                individuals.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 2004.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output:
Commercial Aviation MANPADS Defense Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Directs the President to pursue, on an urgent basis, further strong international diplomatic and cooperative efforts (including bilateral and multilateral treaties) in the appropriate forum to limit the availability, transfer, and proliferation of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) worldwide. Urges the President to continue to pursue similar efforts to assure the destruction of excess, obsolete, and illicit stocks of MANPADS worldwide.

Urges the President to enter into agreements with the governments of foreign countries that, at a minimum, would prohibit: (1) the entry into force of a MANPADS manufacturing license agreement and MANPADS co-production agreement (other than a manufacturing license or co-production agreement with a country party to such an agreement); (2) the export of a MANPADS, including any component, part, accessory, or attachment thereof, without an individual validated license, except pursuant to transfers between governments; and (3) the re-export or retransfer of a MANPADS (or any component, part, accessory, or attachment) to a third person, organization, or government unless the written consent of the government that approved the original export or transfer is first obtained.

Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of such diplomatic efforts and of efforts by the appropriate U.S. agencies to comply with the recommendations of the General Accounting Office report GAO-04-519, entitled "Non-proliferation: Further Improvements Needed in U.S. Efforts to Counter Threats from MANPADS."

(Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as soon as practicable, but not later than, the completion date of Phase II of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) counter-MANPADS development and demonstration program, to establish a process for conducting airworthiness and safety certification of missile defense systems used to defend commercial aircraft against MANPADS. Directs the FAA, not later than 90 days after the first airworthiness and safety certification for a missile defense system for commercial aircraft is issued by the Administrator, and annually thereafter until December 31, 2008, to report to specified congressional committees on each airworthiness and safety certification issued for such defense system for a commercial aircraft.

(Sec. 5) Urges the President to pursue strong programs to reduce the number of MANPADS worldwide. Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the status of such programs.

Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to specified congressional committees on DHS plans to secure airports and the aircraft arriving and departing from airports against MANPADS attacks.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Universal Service for the 21st
Century Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The preservation and advancement of universal service
        is a fundamental goal of the Communications Act of 1934 and the
        Telecommunications Act of 1996.
            (2) Access throughout the Nation to high-quality and
        advanced telecommunications and information services is
        essential to secure the many benefits of our modern society.
            (3) As the Internet becomes a critical element of any
        economic and social growth, universal service should shift from
        sustaining voice grade infrastructure promoting the development
        of efficient and advanced networks that can sustain advanced
        communications services.
            (4) The current structure established by the Federal
        Communications Commission has placed the burden of universal
        service support on only a limited class of carriers, causing
        inequities in the system, incentives to avoid contribution, and
        a threat to the long term sustainability of the universal
        service fund.
            (5) Current fund contributors are paying an increasing
        portion of their interstate and international service revenue
        into the universal service fund.
            (6) Any fund contribution system should be equitable,
        nondiscriminatory and competitively neutral, and the funding
        mechanism must be sufficient to ensure affordable
        communications services for all.

SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Inclusion of Intrastate Revenues.--Section 254(d) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(d)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Every'' and inserting ``Notwithstanding
        section 2(b) of this Act, a'';
            (2) by striking ``interstate'' each place it appears; and
            (3) by adding at the end ``Nothing in this subsection
        precludes a State from adopting rules or regulations to
        preserve and advance universal service within that State as
        permitted by section 2(b) and subsections (b) and (f) of this
        section.''.
    (b) Universal Service Proceeding.--
            (1) Proceeding.--The Federal Communications Commission
        shall initiate a proceeding, or take action pursuant to any
        proceeding on universal service existing on the date of
        enactment of this Act, to establish a permanent mechanism to
        support universal service, that will preserve and enhance the
        long term financial stability of universal service, and will
        promote the public interest.
            (2) Criteria.--In establishing such a permanent mechanism,
        the Commission may include collection methodologies such as
        total telecommunications revenues, the assignment of telephone
        numbers and any successor identifier, connections (which could
        include carriers with a retail connection to a customer), and
        any combination thereof if the methodology--
                    (A) promotes competitive neutrality among providers
                and technologies;
                    (B) to the greatest extent possible ensures that
                all communications services that are capable of
                supporting 2-way voice communications be included in
                the assessable base for universal service support;
                    (C) takes into account the impact on low volume
                users, and proportionately assesses high volume users,
                through a capacity analysis or some other means; and
                    (D) ensures that a carrier is not required to
                contribute more than once for the same transaction,
                activity, or service.
            (3) Excluded providers.--If a provider of communications
        services that are capable of supporting 2-way voice
        communications would not contribute under the methodology
        established by the Commission, the Commission shall require
        such a provider to contribute to universal service under an
        equitable alternative methodology if exclusion of the provider
        from the contribution base would jeopardize the preservation,
        enhancement, and long term sustainability of universal service.
            (4) Deadline.--The Commission shall complete the proceeding
        and issue a final rule not more than 6 months after the date of
        enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. INTERCARRIER COMPENSATION.

    (a) Jurisdiction.--Notwithstanding section 2(b) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 152(b)), the Federal
Communications Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction to
establish rates for inter-carrier compensation payments and shall
establish rules providing a comprehensive, unified system of inter-
carrier compensation, including compensation for the origination and
termination of intrastate telecommunications traffic.
    (b) Criteria.--In establishing these rules, and in conjunction with
its action in its universal service proceeding under section 3, the
Commission, in consultation with the Federal-State Joint Board on
Universal Service, shall--
            (1) ensure that the costs associated with the provision of
        interstate and intrastate telecommunications services are fully
        recoverable;
            (2) examine whether sufficient requirements exist to ensure
        traffic contains necessary identifiers for the purposes of
        inter-carrier compensation; and
            (3) to the greatest extent possible, minimize opportunities
        for arbitrage.
    (c) Sufficient Support.--The Commission should, to the greatest
extent possible, ensure that as a result of its universal service and
inter-carrier compensation proceedings, the aggregate amount of
universal service support and inter-carrier compensation provided to
local exchange carriers with fewer than 2 percent of the Nation's
subscriber lines will be sufficient to meet the just and reasonable
costs of such local exchange carriers.
    (d) Negotiated Agreements.--Nothing in this section precludes
carriers from negotiating their own inter-carrier compensation
agreements.
    (e) Deadline.--The Commission shall complete the pending
Intercarrier Compensation proceeding in Docket No. 01-92 and issue a
final rule not more than 6 months after the date of enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF BROADBAND ACCOUNT WITHIN UNIVERSAL SERVICE
              FUND.

    Part I of title II of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 201
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 254 the following:

``SEC. 254A. BROADBAND FOR UNSERVED AREAS ACCOUNT.

    ``(a) Account Established.--
            ``(1) In general.--There shall be, within the universal
        service fund established pursuant to section 254, a separate
        account to be known as the `Broadband for Unserved Areas
        Account'.
            ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the account is to provide
        financial assistance for the deployment of broadband
        communications services to unserved areas throughout the United
        States.
    ``(b) Implementation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall by rule establish--
                    ``(A) guidelines for determining which areas may be
                considered to be unserved areas for purposes of this
                section;
                    ``(B) criteria for determining which facilities-
                based providers of broadband communications service,
                and which projects, are eligible for support from the
                account;
                    ``(C) procedural guidelines for awarding assistance
                from the account on a merit-based and competitive
                basis;
                    ``(D) guidelines for application procedures,
                accounting and reporting requirements, and other
                appropriate fiscal controls for assistance made
                available from the account; and
                    ``(E) a procedure for making funds in the account
                available among the several States on an equitable
                basis.
            ``(2) Study and annual reports on unserved areas.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Within 6 months after the date
                of enactment of the Universal Service for the 21st
                Century Act, the Commission shall conduct a study to
                determine which areas of the United States may be
                considered to be `unserved areas' for purposes of this
                section. For purposes of the study and for purposes of
                the guidelines to be established under subsection
                (a)(1), the availability of broadband communications
                services by satellite in an area shall not preclude
                designation of that area as unserved if the Commission
                determines that subscribership to the service in that
                area is de minimis.
                    ``(B) Annual updates.--The Commission shall update
                the study annually.
                    ``(C) Report.--The Commission shall transmit a
                report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science,
                and Transportation and the House of Representatives
                Committee on Energy and Commerce setting forth the
                findings and conclusions of the Commission for the
                study and each update under this paragraph and making
                recommendations for an increase or decrease, if
                necessary, in the amounts credited to the account under
                this section.
            ``(3) State involvement.--The Commission may delegate the
        distribution of funding under this section to States subject to
        Commission guidelines and approval by the Commission.
    ``(c) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Annual amount.--Amounts obligated or expended under
        subsection (c) for any fiscal year may not exceed $500,000,000.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--To the extent that amounts in the
        account are not obligated or expended for financial assistance
        under this section, they shall be used to support universal
        service under section 254.
            ``(3) Support limited to facilities-based single provider
        per unserved area.--Assistance under this section may be
        provided only to--
                    ``(A) facilities-based providers of broadband
                communications service; and
                    ``(B) 1 facility-based provider of broadband
                communications service in any unserved area.
    ``(d) Application With Sections 214, 254, and 410.--
            ``(1) Section 214(e).--Section 214(e) shall not apply to
        the Broadband for Unserved Areas Account.
            ``(2) Section 254.--Section 254 shall be applied to the
        Broadband for Unserved Areas Account--
                    ``(A) by disregarding--
                            ``(i) subsections (a) and (e) thereof; and
                            ``(ii) any other provision thereof
                        determined by the Commission to be
                        inappropriate or inapplicable to implementation
                        of this section; and
                    ``(B) by reconciling, to the maximum extent
                feasible and in accordance with guidelines prescribed
                by the Commission, the implementation of this section
                with the provisions of subsections (h) and (l) thereof.
            ``(3) Section 410.--Section 410 shall not apply to the
        Broadband for Unserved Areas Account.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Broadband.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `broadband' shall be
                defined by the Commission in accordance with the
                requirements of this paragraph.
                    ``(B) Revision of initial definition.--Within 30
                days after the date of enactment of the Universal
                Service for the 21st Century Act, the Commission shall
                revise its definition of broadband to require a data
                rate--
                            ``(i) greater than the 200 kilobits per
                        second standard established in its Section 706
                        Report (14 FCC Rec. 2406); and
                            ``(ii) consistent with data rates for
                        broadband communications services generally
                        available to the public on the date of
                        enactment of that Act.
                    ``(C) Annual review of definition.--The Commission
                shall review its definition of broadband no less
                frequently than once each year and revise that
                definition as appropriate.
            ``(2) Broadband communications service defined.--The term
        `broadband communications service' means a high-speed
        communications capability that enables users to originate and
        receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video
        communications using any technology.''.

SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 254A.

    The Federal Communications Commission shall complete a proceeding
and issue a final rule to implement section 254A of the Communications
Act of 1934 not more than 6 months after the date of enactment of this
Act.

Output:
Universal Service for the 21st Century Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require all telecommunications carriers (currently, only those providing interstate telecommunications services) to contribute to the universal service fund (a fund whose goal is to provide advanced telecommunications services to all areas of the country). Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a permanent mechanism to support universal service that will preserve and enhance its long-term financial stability. Gives the FCC exclusive jurisdiction to establish rates for inter-carrier compensation payments, including compensation for the origination and termination of intrastate telecommunications traffic.

Establishes within the universal service fund the Broadband for Unserved Areas Account, to provide financial assistance for the deployment of broadband (high-speed) communications services to unserved areas throughout the United States. Allows assistance to be provided only to: (1) facilities-based providers of broadband communications service; and (2) one facility-based provider in any unserved area.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Older Americans Economic Security
Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. TAX DEDUCTION FOR CARE OF CERTAIN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) In General.--Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized
deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 220 as
section 221 and by inserting after section 219 the following new
section:

``SEC. 220. EXPENSES FOR CARE OF CERTAIN ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS.

    ``(a) Allowance of Deduction.--In the case of an individual, there
shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the amount by which
the qualified elderly care expenses paid by the taxpayer during the
taxable year exceed 5 percent of the adjusted gross income of the
taxpayer.
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Qualified elderly care expenses.--The term `qualified
        elderly care expenses' means payments by the taxpayer for in-
        home custodial care--
                    ``(A) provided to any qualifying elderly
                individual, and
                    ``(B) not compensated for by insurance or
                otherwise.
            ``(2) Qualifying elderly individual.--The term `qualifying
        elderly individual' means any individual--
                    ``(A) who has attained age 65 before the close of
                the taxable year, and
                    ``(B) who is--
                            ``(i) a parent or grandparent of the
                        taxpayer during the taxable year, or
                            ``(ii) a dependent (as defined in section
                        152) of the taxpayer during the taxable year.
            ``(3) Custodial care.--The term `custodial care' means
        services which constitute personal care and which do not entail
        or require the continuing attention of trained medical or
        paramedical personnel, such as help in walking and getting in
        and out of bed, assistance in bathing, dressing, feeding, and
        using a toilet, preparation of special diets, and supervision
        over the taking of medication which would otherwise usually be
        self-administered.
    ``(c) Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Determination of parents and grandparents.--Paragraph
        (2) of section 152(b) (relating to rules relating to general
        definition of dependent) shall apply to the determination of
        whether any of the relationships specified in clause (i) of
        subsection (b)(2)(B) exists.
            ``(2) Denial of double benefit.--No deduction or credit
        shall be allowed under any other provision of this chapter with
        respect to any amount for which a deduction is allowed under
        subsection (a).''
    (b) Deduction Not Subject to Floor on Miscellaneous Itemized
Deductions.--Subsection (b) of section 67 of such Code is amended by
striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (12), by striking the period
at the end of paragraph (13) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at
the end thereof the following new paragraph:
            ``(14) the deduction under section 220 (relating to
        expenses for care of certain elderly individuals).''
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part VII of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last
item and inserting the following new items:

                              ``Sec. 220. Expenses for care of certain
                                        elderly individuals.
                              ``Sec. 221. Cross reference.''

SEC. 3. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES DONATED BY PHYSICIANS
              OR REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES TO ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS
              AS CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 170 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to charitable contribution defined) is
amended by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) An individual who has attained age 65 and who is not
        a member of the donor's family if the contribution or gift is
        the rendering of medical services or the provision of medical
        goods by a physician (as defined in section 213(d)(4)) or by a
        registered professional nurse.''
    (b) Valuation of Goods and Services Donated.--Section 170 of such
Code (relating to charitable, etc., contributions and gifts) is amended
by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n) and by inserting
after subsection (l) the following new subsection:
    ``(m) Valuation of Contributions and Gifts Described in Subsection
(c)(6).--The value of contributions and gifts described in subsection
(c)(6) shall be determined as if provided to an individual under the
insurance program established by part B of title XVIII of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. ch. 7, subch. XVIII, part B), in accordance
with the provisions of subsections (a) and (c) of section 1833 of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l).''

SEC. 4. TAX-FREE WITHDRAWALS FROM INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS TO PAY
              LONG-TERM CARE EXPENSES OR TO PURCHASE LONG-TERM CARE
              INSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 408 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to tax treatment of distributions from
individual retirement accounts) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
            ``(8) Distributions to pay long-term care expenses or
        purchase long-term care insurance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to
                any amount paid or distributed out of an individual
                retirement account or individual retirement annuity to
                the individual for whose benefit the account or annuity
                is maintained if the entire amount received (including
                money and any other property) is used, within 30 days
                after the individual receives the payment or
                distribution--
                            ``(i) to pay long-term care expenses of the
                        individual, or
                            ``(ii) to purchase insurance covering such
                        expenses.
                    ``(B) Long-term care expenses defined.--For
                purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `long-term care
                expenses' means, with respect to an individual,
                expenses incurred by the individual for--
                            ``(i) custodial or health care provided to
                        the individual in a nursing home, and
                            ``(ii) any goods or services provided to
                        the individual outside a nursing home in
                        connection with the provision of custodial or
                        health care to the individual.''

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1993.

Output:
Older Americans Economic Security Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction for qualified elderly care expenses which exceed five percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income.
Allows a charitable deduction to physicians and registered professional nurses for medical services or goods donated to elderly individuals.
Allows tax-free withdrawals from individual retirement accounts to pay long-term care expenses or to purchase insurance covering such expenses.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Positive Behavior for Effective
Schools Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Educators and the general public cite disciplinary
        issues as the leading challenge facing schools.
            (2) There is significant evidence that zero tolerance and
        other get-tough approaches to school discipline are ineffective
        and even counter-productive.
            (3) Learning and behavior are inextricably linked. The most
        successful schools have high academic and behavior standards,
        and improvements in student behavior and school climate are
        correlated with improvements in academic outcomes and
        graduation rates.
            (4) Evidence-based practices for improving behavior and
        creating a school climate more conducive to learning have not
        been uniformly adopted and sustained.
            (5) Many problems can be prevented or minimized with early
        intervening services that have been shown to be effective and
        reduce the need for more intensive and more costly
        interventions.
            (6) In particular, the use of positive behavior supports
        leads to greater academic achievement, significantly fewer
        disciplinary problems, lower suspension and expulsion rates,
        greater inclusion, more time for instruction, and increased
        opportunities for all students to achieve.
            (7) The application of schoolwide positive behavior
        supports decreases rates of problem behaviors by improving the
        systematic and consistent use of active supervision, positive
        feedback, and social skills instruction.
            (8) When approaches such as positive behavior support are
        paired with effective interventions and services for students
        with significant needs, all students, including those with the
        most challenging behaviors, can succeed.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to expand the use of
positive behavior supports and other early intervening services in
schools in order to systematically create a school climate that is
highly conducive to learning, reduce discipline referrals, and improve
academic outcomes.

SEC. 3. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT DEFINED.

    Section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 7801) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(44) Positive behavior support.--The term `positive
        behavior support' means a broad range of systemic and
        individualized strategies for achieving important social and
        learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior with all
        students.''.

SEC. 4. SCHOOLWIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT.

    (a) Flexibility To Use Title I Funds To Implement Schoolwide
Positive Behavior Support.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1003(b) of the Elementary and
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6303(b)) is
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Of the amount'';
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Of the amount reserved under subsection (a) for any fiscal
year, the State educational agency may allocate funds to develop and
implement coordinated, early intervening services (including schoolwide
positive behavior supports) for all students, including those who have
not been identified as needing special education but who need
additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in a general
education environment. Funds so allocated shall be aligned with funds
authorized under section 613(f) of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act and shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, funds
made available under such Act for these activities and services.''.
            (2) Technical assistance.--
                    (A) Subparagraph (B) of section 1116(b)(4) of such
                Act (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)(4)) (relating to technical
                assistance) is amended by redesignating clauses (iii)
                and (iv) as clauses (iv) and (v), respectively, and by
                inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause:
                            ``(iii) shall include assistance in
                        implementation of schoolwide positive behavior
                        supports and other approaches with evidence of
                        effectiveness for improving the learning
                        environment in the school;''.
                    (B) Paragraph (3) of section 1117(a) of such Act
                (20 U.S.C. 6317(a)) (relating to regional centers) is
                amended by inserting ``any technical assistance center
                on schoolwide positive behavior supports funded under
                section 665(b) of the Individuals with Disabilities
                Education Act,'' after ``2002),''.
                    (C) Subparagraph (B) of section 1117(a)(5) of such
                Act (20 U.S.C. 6317(a)(5)) (relating to functions of
                school support teams) is amended by redesignating
                clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) and (v),
                respectively, and by inserting after clause (ii) the
                following new clause:
                            ``(iii) review the number of discipline
                        referrals in the school and the overall school
                        climate and engagement of families, and use
                        that information to assist the school to
                        implement schoolwide positive behavior supports
                        and/or other early intervening services;''.
    (b) LEA Flexibility To Improve School Climate.--Subclause (I) of
section 1114(b)(1)(B)(iii) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6314(b)(1)(B)(iii))
(relating to schoolwide reform strategies) is amended by redesignating
items (bb) and (cc) as items (cc) and (dd), respectively, and by
inserting after item (aa) the following new item:
                                            ``(bb) improve the learning
                                        environment in the school,
                                        including the implementation of
                                        schoolwide positive behavior
                                        supports, in order to improve
                                        academic outcomes for
                                        students;''.

SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS AND
              COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.

    Section 4002 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 7102) (relating to purpose) is amended by redesignating
paragraphs (1) through (4) as paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively,
and by striking all that precedes paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)
and inserting the following:
    ``The purpose of this part is to support programs that improve the
whole school climate in order to foster learning, including programs
that prevent discipline problems; that prevent violence in and around
schools; that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs;
that involve parents and communities in the school programs and
activities; and that are coordinated with related Federal, State,
school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-
free learning environment that supports student academic achievement,
through the provision of Federal assistance to--
            ``(1) States for grants to local educational agencies and
        consortia of such agencies to establish, operate and improve
        local programs relating to improving the schoolwide climate
        (including implementation of positive behavior supports and
        other programs);''.

SEC. 6. EARLY INTERVENING SERVICES UNDER ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
              SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM.

    Paragraph (2) of section 5421(b) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7245(b)) is amended by redesignating
subparagraphs (C) through (H) as subparagraphs (D) through (I),
respectively, and by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraph:
                    ``(C) describe how the local educational agency
                will address the need for early intervening services
                that improve the school climate for learning, such as
                through schoolwide positive behavior supports;''.

SEC. 7. TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE.

    Paragraph (2) of section 2122(c) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6622(c)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``subject matter knowledge and teaching
        skills'' and inserting ``subject matter knowledge, teaching
        skills, and an understanding of social/emotional learning in
        children and approaches that improve the school climate for
        learning (such as positive behavior support)''; and
            (2) by inserting ``to improve their school's climate for
        learning'' after ``instructional leadership skills to help
        teachers''.

SEC. 8. OFFICE OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES.

    The Department of Education Organization Act is amended by adding
at the end of title II (20 U.S.C. 3411 et seq.) the following:

         ``office of specialized instructional support services

    ``Sec. 2501.
    ``(a) In General.--There shall be, within the Office of the Deputy
Secretary in the Department of Education, an Office of Specialized
Instructional Support Services (hereinafter in this section referred to
as the `Office').
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Office shall be to administer,
coordinate, and carry out programs and activities concerned with
providing specialized instructional support services in schools,
delivered by trained, qualified specialized instructional support
personnel.
    ``(c) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director who shall
be selected by the Secretary and report directly to the Deputy
Secretary of Education.
    ``(d) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Director
shall support activities to--
            ``(1) improve specialized instructional support services in
        schools in order to improve academic achievement and
        educational results for students;
            ``(2) identify scientifically based practices in
        specialized instructional support services that support
        learning and improve academic achievement and educational
        results for students;
            ``(3) provide continuous training and professional
        development opportunities for specialized instructional support
        personnel and other school personnel in the use of effective
        techniques to address academic, behavioral, and functional
        needs;
            ``(4) provide technical assistance to local and State
        educational agencies in the provision of effective,
        scientifically based specialized instructional support
        services; and
            ``(5) coordinate specialized instructional support services
        programs and services in schools between the Department of
        Education and other federal agencies, as appropriate.''.

SEC. 9. REFERENCES TO PUPIL SERVICES AND PERSONNEL.

    (a) In General.--The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``pupil services'' each place it appears in
        sections 1114(b)(1)(B)(iii)(I)(aa), 1416(4), and 4152(2) and
        inserting ``specialized instructional support services''; and
            (2) by striking ``pupil services personnel'' each place it
        appears and inserting ``specialized instructional support
        personnel''.
    (b) Definition.--Section 9101 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 7801) is
amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (36);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (37) through (39) as (36)
        through (38); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (38) (as so redesignated)
        the following:
            ``(39) Specialized instructional support personnel;
        specialized instructional support services.--
                    ``(A) Specialized instructional support
                personnel.--The term `specialized instructional support
                personnel' means school counselors, school social
                workers, school psychologists, and other qualified
                professional personnel involved in providing
                assessment, diagnosis, counseling, educational,
                therapeutic, and other necessary corrective or
                supportive services (including related services as that
                term is defined in section 602 of the Individuals with
                Disabilities Education Act) as part of a comprehensive
                program to meet student needs.
                    ``(B) Specialized instructional support services.--
                The term `specialized instructional support services'
                means the services provided by specialized
                instructional support personnel, including any other
                corrective or supportive services to meet student
                needs.''.

Output:
Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to allow states to allocate school improvement funds under title I of the ESEA for coordinated, early intervention services for all students. Includes among such services, schoolwide positive behavior support, defined as a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior with all students.

Requires improvements in schoolwide learning climates, including schoolwide positive behavior supports, to be a target of: (1) technical assistance provided by states to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools, and by LEAs to schools identified as needing improvement; (2) schoolwide programs that allow LEAs to consolidate educational funds to upgrade the entire educational program of schools that serve a high proportion of low-income families; (3) funding under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program; (4) elementary and secondary school counseling programs; and (5) professional development funding.

Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish, within the Department of Education, an Office of Specialized Instructional Support Services to oversee and implement the provision of specialized instructional support services in schools by school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other qualified professionals.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Synchronization & Nonadherence
Correction (SYNC) Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Between one-half and two-thirds of patients with
        chronic diseases in the United States do not take medications
        as prescribed.
            (2) Low rates of medication adherence result in higher
        health care costs, reduced effectiveness of health care
        treatments and regimens, negative health effects for patients,
        and tens of thousands of deaths on an annual basis.
            (3) Medication adherence may be lowest among patients with
        chronic diseases.
            (4) Improving medication adherence would reduce unnecessary
        hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
            (5) Nonadherence is estimated to cost the United States
        health care system over $100,000,000,000 each year.
            (6) Improving medication adherence could improve patient
        health outcomes, reduce health care costs, and lead to
        productivity gains.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``applicable individual'' means an applicable
        individual (as defined in section 1115A(a)(4)(A) of the Social
        Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1315(a)(4)(A)) who has been prescribed
        2 or more chronic care medications.
            (2) The term ``medication adherence'' means a patient
        taking medications according to the prescribed dosage, time,
        frequency, and direction.
            (3) The term ``medication wastage'' means, with respect to
        a medication, a switch of the medication or strength of the
        medication within the same therapeutic class that occurs before
        the expected refill date.
            (4) The term ``persistence'' means the act of continuing
        treatment with a medication for the prescribed duration.
            (5) The term ``primary nonadherence'' means the failure to
        pickup a newly prescribed medication from a pharmacy.
            (6) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Health
        and Human Services.
            (7) The term ``synchronization'' means the coordination of
        medication refills for a patient taking two or more chronic
        medications such that the patient's medications are refilled on
        the same schedule for a given time period.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND REPORTING STRATEGY FOR IMPROVED
              MEDICATION ADHERENCE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting
through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services
Administration, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in
coordination with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute,
shall conduct research and develop information to better inform
decisionmakers regarding medication adherence and medication
persistence, and methods to improve medication adherence and
persistence in Federal health programs.
    (b) Activities Included.--The activities described in subsection
(a) shall include development of annual statistics on recommended
medications, the rate of medication adherence, the rate of primary
nonadherence, and the rate of medication persistence for patients with
chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension,
diabetes, autoimmune diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), and mental health conditions treated under the following health
care programs:
            (1) Medicare.--The Medicare program under title XVIII of
        the Social Security Act.
            (2) Medicaid.--The Medicaid program under title XIX of such
        Act.
            (3) FEHBP.--The Federal Employees Health Benefit Program
        under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code.
    (c) Biennial Report on Medication Adherence and Medication
Persistence.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act (and annually thereafter), the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the statistics collected under subsection (a),
together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative
action to address problems and improve medication adherence and
medication persistence as the Secretary determines appropriate.

SEC. 5. TESTING MODELS FOR IMPROVING MEDICATION ADHERENCE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall test innovative health care
delivery models, as described in subsections (b) and (c), to improve
medication adherence and medication persistence, with the goal of
improving health outcomes and decreasing health costs for chronic care
conditions.
    (b) Models To Test Efficacy of Synchronization.--
            (1) In general.--The model described in this subsection
        shall test the efficacy of synchronization of prescription drug
        medications for applicable enrollees in improving medication
        adherence, determining cost avoidance, and improving outcomes
        for those enrollees.
            (2) Participation.--An applicable enrollee who is eligible
        to participate in the model testing under this subsection shall
        participate in the model testing, unless the enrollee elects
        not to participate in the model.
            (3) Models tested.--The following models of synchronization
        shall be tested under this subsection:
                    (A) Model 1.--Synchronization (synchronization of
                prescription drug medications and medication
                reconciliation phone calls or electronic communication
                with enrollees prior to filling prescriptions).
                    (B) Model 2.--Synchronization (as described in
                subparagraph (A)) and compliance-based packaging.
                    (C) Model 3.--Synchronization (as described in
                subparagraph (A)) and ongoing pharmacist counseling
                that shall occur at the patient's request and include
                review of the appropriateness of the medication regimen
                and any barriers to medication adherence.
            (4) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall evaluate the models in
        paragraph (3) by collecting and analyzing relevant plan and
        enrollee data, including at least the following:
                    (A) Synchronization enrollment and drop-out rates.
                    (B) Primary medication nonadherence.
                    (C) Medication adherence and persistence rates.
                    (D) Demographic characteristics of applicable
                enrollees.
                    (E) Plan characteristics, such as plan benefit
                design.
                    (F) Impact of the models on applicable enrollees
                who are--
                            (i) eligible for benefits under a State
                        plan under title XIX of the Social Security; or
                            (ii) eligible for premium and cost-sharing
                        subsidies under section 1860D-14(a) of the
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114(a)).
                    (G) Prescription drug claims data in comparison to
                other medical claims data for applicable enrollees in
                order to examine the effect of synchronization and
                adherence on overall health spending, including health
                care costs avoided, and patient outcomes.
    (c) Testing 90-Day Fills at Retail Pharmacies for the First
Prescription.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a
        demonstration that compares the use of 90-day first fills of
        prescriptions at retail pharmacies or using mail-order for
        maintenance medications against 30-day first fills for
        applicable enrollees under part D of title XVIII of the Social
        Security Act, to determine whether there is an impact on
        medication persistence, cost avoidance, and improving outcomes
        for those enrollees in subsequent refill periods.
            (2) Drugs tested.--The model under this subsection shall
        only pertain to first fills for maintenance drugs treating
        chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension,
        diabetes, autoimmune diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary
        disease (COPD), and mental health conditions.
            (3) Evaluation of demonstration by gao.--
                    (A) Provision of data for evaluation.--The
                Secretary shall make available to the Comptroller
                General of the United States relevant plan and enrollee
                data in order to enable an evaluation of the
                demonstration under this subsection under subparagraph
                (B).
                    (B) Evaluation.--Using data made available under
                subparagraph (A) and other relevant data, the
                Comptroller General of the United States shall evaluate
                the demonstration conducted under this subsection. Such
                evaluation shall examine the effect of long-term fills
                and adherence on overall health spending, including
                health care costs avoided, and patient outcome, and
                shall examine at least the following in relation to
                part D enrollees using 90-day first fills in comparison
                with those enrollees using 30-day first fills:
                            (i) Medication adherence and persistence
                        rates.
                            (ii) Cost differentials in pharmacy costs.
                            (iii) Prescription drug claims data in
                        comparison to other medical claims.
                            (iv) Medication wastage (as defined in
                        section 3).
                    (C) Report.--The Comptroller General shall submit a
                report to the Secretary and Congress on the evaluation
                conducted under this paragraph.

Output: Synchronization & Nonadherence Correction (SYNC) Act of 2015 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research and test methods for improving medication adherence. "Medication adherence" refers to the taking of medications according to their prescribed dosage, time, frequency, and direction. Research activities shall include the development of annual statistics related to medication adherence for patients with chronic diseases and mental health conditions treated under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program. HHS shall implement innovative health care delivery models to test: (1) the efficacy of "synchronization," which refers to the coordination of medication refills such that a patient's medications are refilled according to the same schedule; and (2) 90-day fills at retail pharmacies for the first prescription of maintenance drugs that treat chronic diseases and mental health conditions.