Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Inter-Affiliate Swap Clarification
Act''.

SEC. 2. TREATMENT OF AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.

    (a) Commodity Exchange Act Amendments.--
            (1) Treatment of affiliate transactions.--Section 1a(47) of
        the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a(47)), as added by
        section 721(a)(21) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
        Consumer Protection Act, is amended by adding at the end the
        following:
                    ``(G) Treatment of affiliate transactions.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For the purposes of any
                        clearing and execution requirements under
                        section 2(h) and any applicable margin and
                        capital requirements of section 4s(e) and for
                        purposes of defining `swap dealer' or `major
                        swap participant', and reporting requirements
                        other than those set forth in clause (ii), the
                        term `swap' does not include any agreement,
                        contract, or transaction that--
                                    ``(I) would otherwise be included
                                as a `swap' under subparagraph (A); and
                                    ``(II) is entered into by parties,
                                neither of which is a `swap dealer'
                                that is an insured depository
                                institution or a `major swap
                                participant' that is an insured
                                depository institution, that report
                                information or prepare financial
                                statements on a consolidated basis, or
                                for which a company affiliated with
                                both parties reports information or
                                prepares financial statements on a
                                consolidated basis.
                            ``(ii) Reporting.--All agreements,
                        contracts, or transactions described in clause
                        (i) shall be reported to either a swap data
                        repository, or, if there is no swap data
                        repository that would accept such agreements,
                        contracts, or transactions, to the Commission
                        pursuant to section 4r, or to a swap data
                        repository or to the Commission pursuant to
                        section 2(h)(5), within such time period as the
                        Commission may by rule or regulation prescribe.
                        Nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit the
                        Commission from establishing public reporting
                        requirements for covered transactions between
                        affiliates as described in sections 23A and 23B
                        of the Federal Reserve Act in a manner
                        consistent with rules governing the treatment
                        of such covered transactions pursuant to
                        section 2(a)(13) of this Act.
                            ``(iii) Protection of insurance funds.--
                        Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed
                        to prevent the regulator of a Federal or State
                        insurance fund or guaranty fund from exercising
                        its other existing authority to protect the
                        integrity of such a fund, except that such
                        regulator shall not subject agreements,
                        contracts, or transactions described in clause
                        (i) to clearing and execution requirements
                        under section 2 of this Act, to any applicable
                        margin and capital requirements of section
                        4s(e) of this Act, or to reporting requirements
                        of title VII of Public Law 111-203 other than
                        those set forth in clause (ii) of this
                        subparagraph.
                            ``(iv) Preservation of federal reserve act
                        authority.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall
                        exempt a transaction described in this
                        subparagraph from sections 23A or 23B of the
                        Federal Reserve Act or implementing regulations
                        thereunder.
                            ``(v) Preservation of federal and state
                        regulatory authorities.--Nothing in this
                        subparagraph shall affect the Federal banking
                        agencies' safety-and-soundness authorities over
                        banks established in law other than title VII
                        of Public Law 111-203 or the authorities of
                        State insurance regulators over insurers,
                        including the authority to impose capital
                        requirements with regard to swaps. For purposes
                        of this clause, the term `bank' shall be
                        defined pursuant to section 3(a)(6) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934, `insurer'
                        shall be defined pursuant to title V of Public
                        Law 111-203, and `swap' shall be defined
                        pursuant to title VII of Public Law 111-203.
                            ``(vi) Prevention of evasion.--The
                        Commission may prescribe rules under this
                        subparagraph (and issue interpretations of such
                        rules) as determined by the Commission to be
                        necessary to include in the definition of swaps
                        under this paragraph any agreement, contract,
                        or transaction that has been structured to
                        evade the requirements of this Act applicable
                        to swaps.''.
            (2) Treatment of affiliates.--Section 2(h)(7)(D)(i) of the
        Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(h)(7)(D)(i)), as added by
        section 723(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
        Consumer Protection Act, is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) In general.--An affiliate of a person
                        that qualifies for an exception under
                        subparagraph (A) (including affiliate entities
                        predominantly engaged in providing financing
                        for the purchase of the merchandise or
                        manufactured goods of the person) may qualify
                        for the exception only if the affiliate enters
                        into the swap to hedge or mitigate the
                        commercial risk of the person or other
                        affiliate of the person that is not a financial
                        entity.''.
    (b) Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Amendments.--
            (1) Treatment of affiliate transactions.--Section 3(a)(68)
        of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)),
        as added by section 761(a)(6) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
        Reform and Consumer Protection Act, is amended by adding at the
        end the following:
                    ``(F) Treatment of affiliate transactions.--
                            ``(i) In general.--For the purposes of any
                        clearing and execution requirements under
                        section 3C and any applicable margin and
                        capital requirements of section 15F(e), and for
                        purposes of defining `security-based swap
                        dealer' or a `major security-based swap
                        participant', and reporting requirements other
                        than those set forth in clause (ii), the term
                        `security-based swap' does not include any
                        agreement, contract, or transaction that--
                                    ``(I) would otherwise be included
                                as a `security-based swap' under
                                subparagraph (A); and
                                    ``(II) is entered into by parties,
                                neither of which is a `security-based
                                swap dealer' that is an insured
                                depository institution or a `major
                                security-based swap participant' that
                                is an insured depository institution,
                                that report information or prepare
                                financial statements on a consolidated
                                basis, or for which a company
                                affiliated with both parties reports
                                information or prepares financial
                                statements on a consolidated basis.
                            ``(ii) Reporting.--All agreements,
                        contracts, or transactions described in clause
                        (i) shall be reported to either a security-
                        based swap data repository, or, if there is no
                        security-based swap data repository that would
                        accept such agreements, contracts, or
                        transactions, to the Commission pursuant to
                        section 13A, within such time period as the
                        Commission may by rule or regulation prescribe.
                            ``(iii) Preservation of federal reserve act
                        authority.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall
                        exempt a transaction described in this
                        subparagraph from sections 23A or 23B of the
                        Federal Reserve Act or implementing regulations
                        thereunder.
                            ``(iv) Protection of insurance funds.--
                        Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed
                        to prevent the regulator of a Federal or State
                        insurance fund or guaranty fund from exercising
                        its other existing authority to protect the
                        integrity of such a fund, except that such
                        regulator shall not subject security-based swap
                        transactions between affiliated companies to
                        clearing and execution requirements under
                        section 3C, to any applicable margin and
                        capital requirements of section 15F(e), or to
                        reporting requirements of title VII of Public
                        Law 111-203 other than those set forth in
                        clause (ii).
                            ``(v) Preservation of federal and state
                        regulatory authorities.--Nothing in this
                        subparagraph shall affect the Federal banking
                        agencies' safety-and-soundness authorities over
                        banks established in law other than title VII
                        of Public Law 111-203 or the authorities of
                        State insurance regulators over insurers,
                        including the authority to impose capital
                        requirements with regard to security-based
                        swaps. For purposes of this clause, the term
                        `bank' shall be defined pursuant to section
                        3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
                        `insurer' shall be defined pursuant to title V
                        of Public Law 111-203, and `security-based
                        swap' shall be defined pursuant to title VII of
                        Public Law 111-203.
                            ``(vi) Prevention of evasion.--The
                        Commission may prescribe rules under this
                        subparagraph (and issue interpretations of such
                        rules) as determined by the Commission to be
                        necessary to include in the definition of
                        security-based swap under this paragraph any
                        agreement, contract, or transaction that has
                        been structured to evade the requirements of
                        this Act applicable to security-based swaps.''.
            (2) Treatment of affiliates.--Section 3C(g)(4)(A) of the
        Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c-3(g)(4)(A)), as
        added by section 763(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
        and Consumer Protection Act, is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) In general.--An affiliate of a person
                        that qualifies for an exception under this
                        subsection (including affiliate entities
                        predominantly engaged in providing financing
                        for the purchase of the merchandise or
                        manufactured goods of the person) may qualify
                        for the exception only if the affiliate enters
                        into the security-based swap to hedge or
                        mitigate the commercial risk of the person or
                        other affiliate of the person that is not a
                        financial entity.''.

Output: Inter-Affiliate Swap Clarification Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to exempt from certain regulatory requirements any swaps and security-based swaps entered into by parties neither of which is a swap dealer or a major swap participant: (1) that is also an insured depository institution, (2) that reports information or prepares financial statements on a consolidated basis, or (3) for which a company affiliated with both parties reports information or prepares financial statements on a consolidated basis. Requires that such exempted agreements, contracts, or transactions be reported to an appropriate data repository, or, if there is no such repository that would accept them, to: (1) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the case of exempted swaps, or (2) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the case of exempted security-based swaps.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Access to Competitive Power Act of
2007''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF EQUAL ACCESS AND TREATMENT WITH RESPECT TO
              FEDERAL POWER RESOURCES.

    Section 212(i) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824k(i)) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as
        paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively;
            (2) by striking the subsection designation and heading and
        all that follows through the end of paragraph (1) and inserting
        the following:
    ``(i) Establishment of Equal Access and Treatment With Respect to
Federal Power Resources.--
            ``(1) Definition of generator.--In this subsection, the
        term `generator' means--
                    ``(A) the Bonneville Power Administration;
                    ``(B) the Southeastern Power Administration;
                    ``(C) the Western Area Power Administration;
                    ``(D) the Southwestern Power Administration; and
                    ``(E) the Tennessee Valley Authority.
            ``(2) Authority and duties of commission.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Pursuant to sections 210, 211,
                and 213, the Commission--
                            ``(i) may order the administrator or board
                        of directors, as applicable, of any generator
                        to provide transmission service, including by
                        establishing the terms and conditions of the
                        service; and
                            ``(ii) shall ensure that--
                                    ``(I) the provisions of otherwise
                                applicable Federal laws shall continue
                                in full force and effect and shall
                                continue to be applicable to the
                                system;
                                    ``(II) the rates for the
                                transmission of electric power on the
                                system of each Federal power marketing
                                agency--
                                            ``(aa) are administered in
                                        accordance with applicable
                                        Federal law, other than
                                        sections 210, 211, and 213; and
                                            ``(bb) are not unjust,
                                        unreasonable, or unduly
                                        discriminatory or preferential,
                                        as determined by the
                                        Commission.
                    ``(B) Tennessee valley authority rates.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any
                        other provision of law, the Commission shall
                        have jurisdiction over the rates, terms, and
                        conditions of the provision of transmission
                        service in interstate commerce by the Tennessee
                        Valley Authority.
                            ``(ii) Tariff.--Notwithstanding any other
                        provision of law, pursuant to sections 205 and
                        206, the Board of Directors of the Tennessee
                        Valley Authority shall have on file with the
                        Commission an open access transmission tariff
                        that contains just, reasonable, and not unduly
                        preferential or discriminatory rates, terms,
                        and conditions for the provision of
                        transmission service in interstate commerce by
                        the Tennessee Valley Authority.'';
            (3) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
                    (A) by striking ``(3) Notwithstanding'' and
                inserting the following:
            ``(3) Procedure for determinations.--Notwithstanding'';
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
                inserting ``of a Federal power marketing agency'' after
                ``service''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``when the Administrator of
                        the Bonneville Power Administration either''
                        and inserting ``if the Administrator of any
                        Federal power marketing agency''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``on the Federal Columbia
                        River Transmission System'';
            (4) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
                    (A) by striking ``(4) Notwithstanding'' and
                inserting the following:
            ``(4) Judicial review.--Notwithstanding'';
                    (B) by striking ``the Administrator of the
                Bonneville Power Administration'' and inserting ``the
                Administrator of a Federal power marketing agency'';
                and
                    (C) by striking ``United States Court of Appeals''
                and all that follows through the end of the paragraph
                and inserting ``United States court of appeals of
                jurisdiction of the Federal power marketing agency.'';
            (5) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)), by
        striking ``(5) To the extent the Administrator of the
        Bonneville Power Administration'' and inserting the following:
            ``(5) Exception.--To the extent that an Administrator of a
        Federal power marketing agency'';
            (6) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
                    (A) by striking ``(6) The Commission'' and
                inserting the following:
            ``(6) Prohibition.--The Commission''; and
                    (B) by striking ``the Administrator of the
                Bonneville Power Administration'' and inserting ``the
                Administrator of a Federal power marketing agency''.

SEC. 3. EQUITABILITY WITHIN TERRITORY RESTRICTED ELECTRIC SYSTEMS.

    Section 212(j) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824k(j)) is
amended--
            (1) by striking ``With respect to'' and inserting the
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
        with respect to'';
            (2) by striking ``electric utility:'' and all that follows
        through ``electric utility.'' and inserting ``electric
        utility.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) and subsection (f) shall
        not apply to any area served at retail by a distributor that--
                    ``(A) on October 24, 1992, served as a distributor
                for an electric utility described in paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) before December 31, 2006, provided to the
                Commission a notice of termination of the power supply
                contract between the distributor and the electric
                utility, regardless of whether the notice was later
                withdrawn or rescinded.
            ``(3) Stranded costs.--An electric utility described in
        paragraph (1) that provides transmission service pursuant to an
        order of the Commission or a contract may not recover any
        stranded cost associated with the provision of transmission
        services to a distributor.
            ``(4) Rights of distributors.--
                    ``(A) Notice not provided.--A distributor described
                in paragraph (2) that did not provide a notice
                described in paragraph (2)(B) by December 31, 2006,
                may--
                            ``(i) construct, own, and operate any
                        generation facility, individually or jointly
                        with another distributor; and
                            ``(ii) receive from any electric utility
                        described in paragraph (1) partial requirements
                        services, unless the cumulative quantity of
                        energy provided by the electric utility exceeds
                        a ratable limit that is equal to a proxy for
                        load growth on the electric utility, based on--
                                    ``(I) the total quantity of energy
                                sold by each affected agency,
                                corporation, or unit of the electric
                                utility during calendar year 2006; and
                                    ``(II) a 3-percent compounded
                                annual growth rate.
                    ``(B) Notice provided.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A distributor described
                        in paragraph (2) that provided a notice
                        described in paragraph (2)(B) by December 31,
                        2006, may--
                                    ``(I) construct, own, and operate
                                any generation facility, individually
                                or jointly with another distributor;
                                    ``(II) receive from any electric
                                utility described in paragraph (1)
                                partial requirements services;
                                    ``(III) receive from any electric
                                utility described in paragraph (1)
                                transmission services that are
                                sufficient to meet all electric energy
                                requirements of the distributor,
                                regardless of whether an applicable
                                contract, or any portion of such a
                                contract, has been terminated under
                                this section; and
                                    ``(IV) not later than 180 days
                                after the date of enactment of this
                                paragraph, elect to rescind the notice
                                of termination of the distributor
                                without the imposition of a
                                reintegration fee or any similar fee.
                            ``(ii) Treatment.--On an election by a
                        distributor under clause (i)(IV), the
                        distributor shall be entitled to all rights and
                        benefits of a distributor described in
                        subparagraph (A).
            ``(5) Right to retain access to services.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Affected distributor.--The term
                        `affected distributor' means a distributor that
                        receives any electric service or power from at
                        least 2 generators.
                            ``(ii) Generator.--The term `generator'
                        means an entity referred to in any of
                        subparagraphs (A) through (E) of subsection
                        (i)(1).
                    ``(B) Retention of services.--An affected
                distributor may elect to retain any electric service or
                power provided by a generator, regardless of whether an
                applicable contract, or any portion of such a contract,
                has been terminated under this section.
                    ``(C) Effect of notice of termination.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The provision or
                        execution by an affected distributor of a
                        notice of termination described in paragraph
                        (2)(B) with 1 generator shall not affect the
                        quantity of electric service or power provided
                        to the affected distributor by another
                        generator.
                            ``(ii) Price.--The price of electric
                        services or power provided to an affected
                        distributor described in clause (i) shall be
                        equal to the price charged by the applicable
                        generator for the provision of similar services
                        or power to a distributor that did not provide
                        a notice described in paragraph (2)(B).
                    ``(D) Transmission service.--On an election by an
                affected distributor under subparagraph (B) to retain
                an electric service or power, the affected distributor
                shall be entitled to receive from a generator
                transmission service to 1 or more delivery points of
                the affected distributor, as determined by the affected
                distributor, regardless of whether an applicable
                contract, or any portion of such a contract, has been
                terminated under this section.''.

SEC. 4. STUDY OF PRIVATIZATION OF TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study of the costs, benefits, and other effects of
privatizing the Tennessee Valley Authority.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to
Congress a report that describes the results of the study conducted
under this section.

SEC. 5. STUDY OF DEBT LEVEL OF TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study of the financial structure of, and the amount of debt
held by, the Tennessee Valley Authority, which (as of February 1, 2007)
is approximately $25,000,000,000.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to
Congress a report that describes the results of the study conducted
under this section.

Output:
Access to Competitive Power Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to order transmission service by the administrator or board of directors of the Bonneville, Southeastern, Western Area, and Southwestern Power Administrations, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Grants FERC jurisdiction over the rates, terms, and conditions of TVA's provision of transmission service in interstate commerce.

Requires the TVA Board of Directors to file with FERC an open access transmission tariff containing just, reasonable, and not unduly preferential or discriminatory rates, terms, and conditions.

Prohibits certain territory-restricted electric utilities from recovering stranded costs associated with the provision of transmission services to a distributor.

Authorizes distributors which, by December 31, 2006, gave notice of termination of a power supply contract with a territory-restricted electric utility (such as TVA) to negotiate partial requirements services with such utility, as well as receive sufficient transmission services. Allows such distributors also to elect to rescind a termination notice without imposition of a reintegration or similar fee.

Authorizes distributors that did not give a termination notice by such date to receive partial requirements services from any such utility, subject to specified requirements.

Allows a distributor receiving any electric service or power from at least two generators to elect to retain it regardless of whether an applicable contract, or portion of it, has been terminated.

Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the costs, benefits, and other effects of privatizing the TVA; and (2) the TVA's financial structure, as well as the amount of debt it holds.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wrongful Convictions Tax Relief Act
of 2008''.

SEC. 2. EXCLUSION FOR WRONGFULLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section
139B the following new section:

``SEC. 139C. CERTAIN AMOUNTS RECEIVED BY WRONGFULLY INCARCERATED
              INDIVIDUALS.

    ``(a) Exclusion From Gross Income.--Gross income shall not
include--
            ``(1) in the case of any wrongfully incarcerated
        individual, any civil damages, restitution, or other monetary
        award (including compensatory or statutory damages and
        restitution imposed in a criminal matter) relating to the
        incarceration of such individual for the covered offense for
        which such individual was convicted, and
            ``(2) in the case of a qualified wrongfully incarcerated
        individual, the first $50,000 of income received by such
        individual in any taxable year beginning after December 31,
        2007.
    ``(b) Limitation Relating to Income Exclusion.--
            ``(1) In general.--The exclusion under subsection (a)(2)
        shall not apply to any qualified wrongfully incarcerated
        individual for any taxable year other than a taxable year in
        the qualified benefit period with respect to such individual.
            ``(2) Qualified benefit period.--For purposes of paragraph
        (1), the term `qualified benefit period' means, with respect to
        any qualified wrongfully incarcerated individual, the first 15
        taxable years ending after the first date on which such
        individual is a wrongfully incarcerated individual.
            ``(3) Limitation based on years of incarceration.--In the
        case of a qualified wrongfully incarcerated individual who
        served a sentence of imprisonment of less than 15 years for the
        covered offense with respect to which such individual is a
        qualified wrongfully incarcerated individual, the number of
        full years that such individual was so imprisoned shall be
        substituted for `15' in paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Termination of exclusion upon conviction of
        subsequent offense.--If a qualified wrongfully incarcerated
        individual is convicted of a criminal offense under Federal or
        State law that is punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment
        at any time during the qualified benefit period, subsection
        (a)(2) shall not apply to the taxable year which includes the
        date of such conviction and all subsequent taxable years.
    ``(c) Wrongfully Incarcerated Individual.--For purposes of this
section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `wrongfully incarcerated
        individual' means an individual--
                    ``(A) who was convicted of a covered offense,
                    ``(B) who served all or part of a sentence of
                imprisonment relating to that covered offense, and
                    ``(C)(i) who was pardoned, granted clemency, or
                granted amnesty for that covered offense because that
                individual was innocent of that covered offense, or
                    ``(ii)(I) for whom the judgment of conviction for
                that covered offense was reversed or vacated, and
                    ``(II) for whom the indictment, information, or
                other accusatory instrument for that covered offense
                was dismissed or who was found not guilty at a new
                trial after the judgment of conviction for that covered
                offense was reversed or vacated.
            ``(2) Covered offense.--The term `covered offense' means
        any criminal offense under Federal or State law, and includes
        any criminal offense arising from the same course of conduct as
        that criminal offense.
    ``(d) Qualified Wrongfully Incarcerated Individual.--For purposes
of this section, the term `qualified wrongfully incarcerated
individual' means a wrongfully incarcerated individual who, except for
the covered offense described in subsection (c)(1)(A), has never been
convicted of a criminal offense (other than a juvenile offense) under
Federal or State law that is punishable by more than 1 year
imprisonment.
    ``(e) Reporting Requirements.--For purposes of this section and
section 36, the Secretary to impose such reporting requirements as the
Secretary determines necessary or appropriate to carry out this
section, including a requirement that the individual include with the
return of tax for the taxable year a statement or attestation that the
individual has not been subsequently convicted of a crime within the
meaning of subsection (b)(4).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 139B the
following new item:

``Sec. 139C. Certain amounts received by wrongfully incarcerated
                            individuals.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning before, on, or after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. REFUNDABLE CREDIT FOR EMPLOYMENT TAXES PAID BY WRONGFULLY
              INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Allowance of Refundable Credit.--Subpart C of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to refundable credits) is amended by redesignating section 36
as section 37 and by inserting after section 35 the following new
section:

``SEC. 36. EMPLOYMENT TAXES OF WRONGFULLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of a qualified wrongfully
incarcerated individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the
tax imposed by this subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to
the sum of--
            ``(1) 50 percent of the taxes imposed on the self-
        employment income of such individual under subsections (a) and
        (b) of section 1401 during the taxable year, plus
            ``(2) the taxes imposed on the wages received by such
        individual with respect to employment under subsections (a) and
        (b) of section 3101 during the taxable year.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Dollar limitation.--The total amount of wages and
        self-employment income taken into account under subsection (a)
        with respect to any individual for any taxable year shall not
        exceed $50,000.
            ``(2) Taxable year limitation.--The credit under subsection
        (a) shall not be allowed to any qualified wrongfully
        incarcerated individual for any taxable year other than a
        taxable year in the qualified benefit period determined with
        respect to such individual under paragraphs (2) and (3) of
        section 139C(b).
            ``(3) Termination of credit upon conviction of subsequent
        offense.--If a qualified wrongfully incarcerated individual is
        convicted of a criminal offense under Federal or State law that
        is punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment at any time
        during the qualified benefit period (as so determined),
        subsection (a) shall not apply to the taxable year which
        includes the date of such conviction and all subsequent taxable
        years.
    ``(c) Qualified Wrongfully Incarcerated Individual.--For purposes
of this section, the term `qualified wrongfully incarcerated
individual' has the meaning given to such term under section 139C(d).
    ``(d) Reference.--For reporting requirement, see section
139C(e).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is
        amended by inserting ``, 36,'' after ``35,''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
        is amended by striking the item relating to section 36 and
        inserting the following:

``Sec. 36. Employment taxes of wrongfully incarcerated individuals.
``Sec. 37. Overpayments of tax.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

Output:
Wrongful Convictions Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow wrongfully incarcerated individuals: (1) an exclusion from gross income for compensation received relating to their incarceration and for the first $50,000 of annual income received by such an individual after December 31, 2007; and (2) a refundable tax credit for 50% of payroll taxes on employment and self-employment income, up to $50,000 of such income. Limits the duration of such tax benefits to the lesser of 15 years or the number of years such an individual was incarcerated.

Defines "wrongfully incarcerated individual" as an individual who was convicted of a criminal offense and was then pardoned or found not guilty of such offense because of innocence after serving all or a portion of a prison term. Disqualifies individuals with prior convictions punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Toxic Wounds Research Act
of 2014''.

SEC. 2. COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF RESEARCH INTO TOXIC EXPOSURES
              ENCOUNTERED BY VETERANS DURING MILITARY SERVICE.

    (a) Registry of Toxic Exposures.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
        of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
        shall establish a master registry of veterans who experienced
        toxic exposures while serving in the Armed Forces.
            (2) Elements.--The master registry established under
        paragraph (1) shall consist of the registries described in
        paragraph (3). The Secretary shall establish each such registry
        using the Clinical Case Registry of the Department of Veterans
        Affairs as a model.
            (3) Registries described.--The registries described in this
        paragraph are registries for each of the following:
                    (A) Agent Orange.
                    (B) Exposure to toxins relating to a deployment
                during the Persian Gulf War (as defined in section
                101(33) of title 38, United States Code), including
                with respect to such exposures leading to Gulf War
                Illness (as defined by the Institute of Medicine of the
                National Academies).
                    (C) Exposure to toxins relating to a deployment
                during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn,
                Operation Enduring Freedom, or the Global War on
                Terror.
                    (D) Exposure to toxins relating to a deployment to
                Bosnia, Somalia, the Philippines, or other locations
                determined appropriate by the Secretary.
                    (E) Exposure to toxins relating to being stationed
                at a military installation potentially contaminated by
                toxic substances, including Camp Lejeune, North
                Carolina, Fort McClellan, Alabama, and such
                installations in Guam.
                    (F) Any other toxic exposure the Secretary
                determines appropriate.
    (b) Review.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to review published
scientific information and studies on the health effects of toxic
exposures covered in a registry described in subsection (a)(3). Under
such agreement, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
shall submit to the Secretary on a biennial basis a report on toxic
substance exposure-related illnesses. Such report shall include--
            (1) a review of all scientific studies and research on the
        association between toxic substance exposures and specific
        diseases covered in such a registry, including the level of
        association between such exposures and the specific diseases;
        and
            (2) recommendations for future research.
    (c) Research Into the Effects of Toxic Exposure on Second and Third
Generations.--In addition to the reviews under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of
Sciences to review published scientific information and studies on the
health effects on the children and grandchildren of veterans with toxic
exposures covered in a registry described in subsection (a)(3). Under
such agreement, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
shall submit to the Secretary on a biennial basis a report on toxic
substance exposure-related illnesses. Such report shall include--
            (1) a review of all scientific studies and research on the
        association between toxic substance exposures and specific
        diseases covered in such a registry in such children and
        grandchildren, including the level of association between such
        exposures and the specific diseases; and
            (2) recommendations for future research.
    (d) Research.--The Secretary shall use the reviews conducted under
subsections (b) and (c) to inform the decisions made by the Secretary
with respect to selecting the research to be conducted or funded by the
Department of Veterans Affairs. The Secretary shall submit to the
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Senate a report describing how the Secretary used such reviews to make
such selections.

SEC. 3. PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE CONNECTION FOR ILLNESSES ASSOCIATED
              WITH TOXIC EXPOSURES ENCOUNTERED BY VETERANS DURING
              MILITARY SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 11 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1119. Presumptions of service connection for illnesses
              associated with toxic exposures
    ``(a) Presumption.--(1) For purposes of section 1110 of this title,
and subject to section 1113 of this title, each illness, if any,
described in paragraph (2) shall be considered to have been incurred in
or aggravated by service referred to in that paragraph, notwithstanding
that there is no record of evidence of such illness during the period
of such service.
    ``(2) An illness referred to in paragraph (1) is any diagnosed or
undiagnosed illness that--
            ``(A) the Secretary determines in regulations prescribed
        under this section to warrant a presumption of service
        connection by reason of having a positive association with
        exposure to a toxic substance covered in the master registry;
        and
            ``(B) becomes manifest within the period, if any,
        prescribed in such regulations in a veteran who served in the
        Armed Forces and by reason of such service experienced such
        exposure.
    ``(3) For purposes of this subsection, a veteran who served in the
Armed Forces in a location recognized under the master registry as
being a source of exposure and has an illness described in paragraph
(2) shall be presumed to have been exposed by reason of such service
unless there is conclusive evidence to establish that the veteran was
not so exposed by reason of such service.
    ``(b)(1)(A) Whenever the Secretary makes a determination described
in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations
providing that a presumption of service connection is warranted for the
illness covered by that determination for purposes of this section.
    ``(B) A determination referred to in subparagraph (A) is a
determination based on sound medical and scientific evidence that a
positive association exists between--
            ``(i) the exposure of humans or animals to a toxic
        substance covered in the master registry; and
            ``(ii) the occurrence of a diagnosed or undiagnosed illness
        in humans or animals.
    ``(2)(A) In making determinations for purposes of paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall take into account--
            ``(i) the reports submitted to the Secretary by the
        National Academy of Sciences under section 2(b) of the
        Veterans' Toxic Wounds Research Act of 2014; and
            ``(ii) all other sound medical and scientific information
        and analyses available to the Secretary.
    ``(B) In evaluating any report, information, or analysis for
purposes of making such determinations, the Secretary shall take into
consideration whether the results are statistically significant, are
capable of replication, and withstand peer review.
    ``(3) An association between the occurrence of an illness in humans
or animals and exposure to a toxic substance covered in the master
registry shall be considered to be positive for purposes of this
subsection if the credible evidence for the association is equal to or
outweighs the credible evidence against the association.
    ``(c)(1) Not later than 60 days after the date on which the
Secretary receives a report from the National Academy of Sciences under
section 2(b) of the Veterans' Toxic Wounds Research Act of 2014, the
Secretary shall determine whether or not a presumption of service
connection is warranted for each illness, if any, covered by the
report.
    ``(2) If the Secretary determines under this subsection that a
presumption of service connection is warranted, the Secretary shall,
not later than 60 days after making the determination, issue proposed
regulations setting forth the Secretary's determination.
    ``(3)(A) If the Secretary determines under this subsection that a
presumption of service connection is not warranted, the Secretary
shall, not later than 60 days after making the determination, publish
in the Federal Register a notice of the determination. The notice shall
include an explanation of the scientific basis for the determination.
    ``(B) If an illness already presumed to be service connected under
this section is subject to a determination under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall, not later than 60 days after publication of the notice
under that subparagraph, issue proposed regulations removing the
presumption of service connection for the illness.
    ``(4) Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary
issues any proposed regulations under this subsection, the Secretary
shall issue final regulations. Such regulations shall be effective on
the date of issuance.
    ``(d) Whenever the presumption of service connection for an illness
under this section is removed under subsection (c)--
            ``(1) a veteran who was awarded compensation for the
        illness on the basis of the presumption before the effective
        date of the removal of the presumption shall continue to be
        entitled to receive compensation on that basis; and
            ``(2) a survivor of a veteran who was awarded dependency
        and indemnity compensation for the death of a veteran resulting
        from the illness on the basis of the presumption before that
        date shall continue to be entitled to receive dependency and
        indemnity compensation on that basis.
    ``(e) Master Registry Defined.--In this section, the term `master
registry' means the registry of veterans who experienced toxic
exposures established by section 2 of the Veterans' Toxic Wounds
Research Act of 2014.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
1118 the following new item:

``1119. Presumptions of service connection for illnesses associated
                            with toxic exposures.''.

SEC. 4. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION IN ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS.

    In implementing the electronic health record system of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
ensure that the electronic health record of each individual includes,
at a minimum, the following information:
            (1) Whether the individual served in the Armed Forces.
            (2) The Armed Force in which the individual served.
            (3) The locations in which the individual was stationed or
        deployed to during such service.
            (4) The dates of such service.
            (5) The military occupational specialty of the individual.
            (6) The results of any tests or assessments of the
        individual regarding--
                    (A) vision;
                    (B) hearing;
                    (C) hepatitis C;
                    (D) HIV;
                    (E) blood pressure;
                    (F) cholesterol;
                    (G) blood glucose test and diabetes information;
                    (H) body mass index measurement;
                    (I) bone density, as appropriate based on the age
                or sex of the individual;
                    (J) cancer screenings (as appropriate based on the
                age, sex, race, or ethnicity of the individual) for--
                            (i) breast cancer;
                            (ii) colorectal cancer;
                            (iii) lung cancer;
                            (iv) prostate cancer; and
                            (v) skin cancer;
                    (K) preventive immunizations, if not current;
                    (L) spirometry (for lung function);
                    (M) smoking;
                    (N) a mental health evaluation;
                    (O) substance abuse; or
                    (P) infectious diseases or parasites or other
                adverse health conditions endemic to where the
                individual served while in the military.

Output: Veterans' Toxic Wounds Research Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a master registry of veterans who experienced toxic exposures while serving in the Armed Forces. Includes in the master registry the registries for:  Agent Orange; exposure to toxins relating to a deployment during the Persian Gulf War; exposure to toxins relating to a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, or the Global War on Terror; exposure to toxins relating to a deployment to Bosnia, Somalia, or the Philippines; and exposure to toxins relating to being stationed at a military installation potentially contaminated by toxic substances.  Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to review published scientific information and studies, and make recommendations for future research, on the health effects: (1) of the toxic exposures covered in those registries, and (2) on the children and grandchildren of veterans who had a toxic exposure covered in those registries. Requires those reviews to inform the Secretary's selection of research to be conducted or funded by the VA. Establishes a presumption of a service connection, for the purpose of veterans' disability and survivor benefits, for an illness that:  the Secretary determines warrants such a presumption by reason of having a positive association with exposure to a toxic substance covered in the master registry; and becomes manifest, within the period the Secretary prescribes, in a veteran who experienced such exposure while serving in the Armed Forces.  Requires the Secretary's service connection determinations to be based on sound medical and scientific evidence that a positive association exists between: (1) the exposure of humans or animals to a toxic substance covered in the master registry, and (2) the occurrence of a diagnosed or undiagnosed illness in humans or animals. Directs the Secretary, in implementing the VA's electronic health record system, to include specified information in each individual's electronic health record, including whether the individual served in the Armed Forces and, if so, the locations and dates of such service.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science
Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the authority granted to Federal agencies under the
        America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
        358) to pursue the use of incentive prizes and challenges has
        yielded numerous benefits, including--
                    (A) paying only for success;
                    (B) establishing an ambitious goal without having
                to predict which team or approach is most likely to
                succeed;
                    (C) reaching out to individuals or a broader group
                of people to increase the number of minds tackling a
                problem;
                    (D) bringing out-of-discipline perspectives to
                bear; and
                    (E) increasing cost-effectiveness to maximize the
                return on taxpayer dollars;
            (2) granting Federal agencies the direct, explicit
        authority to use crowdsourcing and citizen science will--
                    (A) remove ambiguity about whether an agency can
                use these techniques;
                    (B) encourage its appropriate use to advance agency
                missions; and
                    (C) stimulate and facilitate broader public
                participation in the innovation process;
            (3) crowdsourcing projects have a number of unique
        benefits, including--
                    (A) improving the delivery of government services
                with significantly lower Federal or other public
                resource investments or at time scales or distribution
                scales that might not otherwise be possible;
                    (B) connecting citizens to the missions of Federal
                agencies by promoting a spirit of open government and
                volunteerism;
                    (C) providing the acquisition of data at a greater
                geographic extent and in locations with a greater
                density or frequency than otherwise reasonably
                obtainable using conventional methods; and
                    (D) enabling citizens to address community and
                research-based concerns by gathering, analyzing, and
                sharing data and information;
            (4) citizen science has additional benefits, including--
                    (A) advancing and accelerating scientific research
                through group discovery, the cocreation of knowledge,
                and the inclusion of diverse perspectives;
                    (B) improving science literacy and providing skills
                needed to excel in science, technology, engineering,
                and math, thereby increasing American competitiveness;
                    (C) furthering science diplomacy through the
                worldwide collaboration between scientists and
                citizens; and
                    (D) building trust and understanding between
                citizens and science and between citizens and
                scientists; and
            (5) since participants in crowdsourcing and citizen science
        projects participate in crowdsourcing or citizen science for a
        variety of reasons, Federal agencies should consider meaningful
        incentives to engage and retain participants depending on the
        range of motivations for potential participants, including--
                    (A) receiving attribution for their contributions
                to research;
                    (B) learning new skills and knowledge or educating
                others;
                    (C) connecting with new individuals or communities
                and building relationships; and
                    (D) knowing that their work is helping to solve
                meaningful problems and contributing to broader
                scientific endeavors for the benefit of society.

SEC. 3. CROWDSOURCING AND CITIZEN SCIENCE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Citizen science.--The term ``citizen science'' means a
        form of open collaboration in which individuals or
        organizations participate in the scientific process in various
        ways, including--
                    (A) enabling the formulation of research questions;
                    (B) creating and refining project design;
                    (C) conducting scientific experiments;
                    (D) collecting and analyzing data;
                    (E) interpreting the results of data;
                    (F) developing technologies and applications;
                    (G) making discoveries; and
                    (H) solving problems.
            (2) Crowdsourcing.--The term ``crowdsourcing'' means a
        method to obtain needed services, ideas, or content by
        soliciting voluntary contributions from a group of individuals
        or organizations, especially from an online community.
            (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
        the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
            (4) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency''--
                    (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), means--
                            (i) any Executive agency (as defined in
                        section 105 of title 5, United States Code);
                        and
                            (ii) any military department (as set forth
                        in section 102 of such title); and
                    (B) does not include any legislative branch agency.
            (5) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means any
        individual or other entity that has consented as a volunteer in
        a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this section.
            (6) Related entity.--The term ``related entity'' means--
                    (A) a Federal Government contractor or
                subcontractor, at any tier; and
                    (B) a supplier, user, customer, cooperating party,
                grantee, investigator, fellow, or detailee of a Federal
                agency.
    (b) Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Authorized.--
            (1) In general.--The head of each Federal agency, or the
        heads of multiple Federal agencies working cooperatively, may
        utilize crowdsourcing and citizen science approaches to conduct
        activities designed to advance the mission of the respective
        Federal agency or the joint mission of Federal agencies, as
        applicable.
            (2) Voluntary services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of
        title 31, United States Code, the head of a Federal agency may
        accept, subject to regulations issued by the Office of
        Personnel Management, voluntary services from participants
        under this section if such services--
                    (A) are performed as a part of a crowdsourcing or
                citizen science project authorized under paragraph (1);
                    (B) are not financially compensated for their time;
                and
                    (C) will not be used to displace any employee of
                the Federal Government.
    (c) Participation.--
            (1) Advertising.--The head of each Federal agency engaged
        in a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this
        section shall make public and promote such project to encourage
        broad participation of consenting participants.
            (2) Consent, registration, and terms of use.--
                    (A) In general.--Each Federal agency is authorized
                to determine the appropriate level of consent,
                registration, or acknowledgment of the terms of use
                that is required from participants in crowdsourcing or
                citizen science projects on a per-project basis.
                    (B) Disclosures.--In seeking consent, conducting
                registration, or developing terms of use for a project
                under this subsection, a Federal agency shall disclose
                the privacy, intellectual property, data ownership,
                compensation, service, program, and other terms of use
                to the participant in a clear and reasonable manner.
                    (C) Mode of consent.--A Federal agency or Federal
                agencies, as applicable, may obtain consent
                electronically or in written form from participants to
                the volunteer service terms of a crowdsourcing or
                citizen science project authorized under this section.
            (3) Human subjects.--Any crowdsourcing or citizen science
        project that involves research involving human subjects shall
        be subject to part 46 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations
        (or any successor regulation).
            (4) Data.--Notwithstanding security and privacy
        protections, Federal agencies shall endeavor to make data
        collected through a crowdsourcing or citizen science project
        authorized under this section open and available, in machine
        readable formats, to the public. As part of the consent
        process, the Federal agency shall notify all participants--
                    (A) of the expected uses of the data compiled
                through the project;
                    (B) if the Federal agency will retain ownership of
                such data;
                    (C) if and how the data and results from the
                project would be made available for public or third
                party use; and
                    (D) if participants are authorized to publish such
                data.
            (5) Technologies and applications.--Notwithstanding the
        intellectual property rights of the Federal Government, Federal
        agencies shall endeavor to make technologies, applications,
        code, and derivations of such intellectual property developed
        through a crowdsourcing or citizen science project under this
        section open and available to the public.
            (6) Liability.--Each participant in a crowdsourcing or
        citizen science project under this section shall agree--
                    (A) to assume any and all risks associated with
                such participation; and
                    (B) to waive all claims against the Federal
                Government and its related entities, except for claims
                based on willful misconduct, for any injury, death,
                damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits
                (whether direct, indirect, or consequential) arising
                from participation in the project.
            (7) Scientific integrity.--Federal agencies coordinating
        citizen science projects shall make all practicable efforts
        that participants adhere to all relevant scientific integrity
        or other applicable ethics policies.
    (d) Multi-Sector Partnerships.--The head of each Federal agency
engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science under this section, or the
heads of multiple Federal agencies working cooperatively, may enter
into a contract or other agreement to share administrative duties for
such activities with--
            (1) a for-profit or nonprofit private sector entity,
        including a private institution of higher education; or
            (2) a State, tribal, local, or foreign government agency,
        including a public institution of higher education.
    (e) Funding.--In carrying out crowdsourcing and citizen science
activities under this section, the head of a Federal agency, or the
heads of multiple Federal agencies working cooperatively--
            (1) may use funds appropriated by Congress;
            (2) may request and accept funds or in kind support for
        such activities from--
                    (A) other Federal agencies;
                    (B) for-profit or nonprofit private sector
                entities, including private institutions of higher
                education; or
                    (C) State, tribal, local, or foreign government
                agencies, including public institutions of higher
                education; and
            (3) may not give any special consideration to any entity
        described in paragraph (2) in return for such funds or in kind
        support.
    (f) Facilitation.--
            (1) General services administration assistance.--Not later
        than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
        Administrator of the General Services Administration, in
        coordination with the Director, shall identify and develop
        relevant products and services to facilitate the use of
        crowdsourcing and citizen science activities under this
        section, including by specifying the appropriate contract
        vehicles and technology and organizational platforms to enhance
        the ability of Federal agencies to carry out the activities
        under this section to further the policy objectives of the
        Federal Government.
            (2) OSTP guidance.--The heads of each Federal agency
        engaged in crowdsourcing or citizen science under this section
        is encouraged to consult any guidance provided by the Director.
    (g) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, and every 4 years thereafter, as a
        component of the report required under section 24(p) of the
        Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
        3719(p)), the Director shall report on the activities carried
        out under this subsection.
            (2) Information included.--Each report required under
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) a summary of each crowdsourcing and citizen
                science project conducted by any Federal agency during
                the most recently completed 2 fiscal years (for the
                first report) or since the last report was submitted
                (for subsequent reports), including a description of
                the proposed goals of each crowdsourcing and citizen
                science project;
                    (B) the participation rates, submission levels,
                number of consents, or any other statistic that might
                be considered relevant in each crowdsourcing and
                citizen science project;
                    (C) a description of--
                            (i) the resources (including personnel and
                        funding) that were used in the execution of
                        each crowdsourcing and citizen science project;
                            (ii) the activities for which such
                        resources were used; and
                            (iii) how the obligations and expenditures
                        relating to the project's execution was
                        allocated among the accounts of the Federal
                        agency;
                    (D) a description of--
                            (i) the ways in which each crowdsourcing
                        and citizen science project advanced the
                        mission of the Federal agency;
                            (ii) the project's results, including the
                        publications, results, tools, products, or
                        services that the project created;
                            (iii) the general methods used to ensure
                        data quality and make the data publicly
                        available; and
                            (iv) any savings realized or costs incurred
                        by the Federal Government, whether financial or
                        human resources, as a result of using
                        crowdsourcing or citizen science projects
                        instead of Federal agency resources, as
                        possible;
                    (E) a summary of the main challenges and barriers
                that constrained the ability of Federal agencies to
                conduct crowdsourcing and citizen science projects,
                including--
                            (i) any steps that were taken to address
                        such challenges; and
                            (ii) recommendations for future
                        administrative or legislative action;
                    (F) a summary of the use of crowdsourcing and
                citizen science methods by all Federal agencies since
                the submission of the last report, including
                interagency and multi-sector partnerships; and
                    (G) any other information that the Director
                considers relevant.
    (h) Savings Provisions.--Nothing in this section may be construed--
            (1) to affect the authority to conduct crowdsourcing and
        citizen science authorized by any other provision of law; or
            (2) to displace Federal Government resources allocated to
        the Federal agencies that use crowdsourcing or citizen science
        authorized under this section to carry out a project.

Output: Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act of 2015 This bill authorizes each federal agency, or multiple federal agencies working cooperatively, to use crowdsourcing and citizen science approaches to conduct activities designed to advance the agency's mission or the joint mission of the group of agencies. "Citizen science" means a form of open collaboration in which individuals or organizations participate in the scientific process in various ways, including developing technologies and applications and making discoveries. "Crowdsourcing" means a method to obtain needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting voluntary contributions from a group of individuals or organizations, especially from an online community.  Each federal agency engaged in a crowdsourcing or citizen science project shall make public and promote it to encourage broad participation of consenting participants.  The General Services Administration shall identify and develop relevant products and services to facilitate the use of crowdsourcing and citizen science activities.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Census of Agriculture Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. TRANSFER TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE OF THE AUTHORITY TO
              CONDUCT THE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE.

    (a) In General.--Section 526 of the Revised Statutes (7 U.S.C.
2204) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c)(1) The Secretary shall, in 1998 and in every 5th year
beginning after 1998, take a census of agriculture. In connection with
each such census, the Secretary may conduct any survey or other data
collection, and employ any sampling or other statistical method, that
the Secretary determines is necessary and appropriate.
    ``(2) The data collected in each census taken under this subsection
shall relate to the year immediately preceding the year in which the
census is taken.
    ``(3) Any person who refuses or neglects to answer questions
submitted to such person in connection with a census or survey under
this subsection, or who answers any such questions falsely, shall be
subject to section 221 of title 13, United States Code, to the same
extent and in the same manner as if--
            ``(A) section 142 of such title 13 had remained in effect;
        and
            ``(B) the census or survey were a census or survey under
        such section 142, rather than under this subsection.
The failure or refusal on the part of any person to disclose such
person's social security number in response to a request made in
connection with any census or other activity under this subsection
shall not be a violation under the preceding sentence.
    ``(4) Each census under this subsection shall include each State,
and as may be determined by the Secretary, the District of Columbia,
the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any such other
possessions and areas over which the United States exercises
jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty. Inclusion of other areas over
which the United States exercises jurisdiction, control, or sovereignty
shall be subject to the concurrence of the Secretary of State.
    ``(5) The Secretary of Commerce may, upon written request of the
Secretary of Agriculture, furnish any information collected under title
13, United States Code, which the Secretary of Agriculture considers
necessary for the taking of a census or survey under this subsection.
Any information so furnished may not be used for any purpose other than
the statistical purposes for which it is supplied.
    ``(6) The Secretary of Agriculture shall, upon written request of
the Secretary of Commerce, furnish any information collected in a
census taken under this subsection which the Secretary of Commerce
considers necessary for the taking of a census or survey under title
13, United States Code. Any information so furnished may not be used
for any purpose other than the statistical purposes for which it is
supplied.
    ``(7) Any rules or regulations necessary to carry out this
subsection may be prescribed by--
            ``(A) the Secretary, to the extent that matters within the
        jurisdiction of the Secretary are involved; and
            ``(B) the Secretary of Commerce, to the extent that matters
        within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce are
        involved.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Effective October 1, 1998--
            (1) section 142 of title 13, United States Code, and the
        item relating to section 142 in the table of sections for
        chapter 5 of such title 13, are repealed; and
            (2) section 343(a)(11)(F) of the Consolidated Farm and
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)(F)) is amended by
        inserting ``or section 526(c) of the Revised Statutes (7 U.S.C.
        2204(c)), as the case may be,'' before ``except''.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.

    (a) Information Furnished to the Department of Agriculture.--
            (1) Authority to furnish information.--Section 9(a) of
        title 13, United States Code, is amended by striking ``chapter
        10 of this title--'' and inserting ``chapter 10 of this title
        or section 526(c)(5) of the Revised Statutes--''.
            (2) Confidentiality of information.--Section 1770(d)(5) of
        the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276(d)(5)) is amended
        to read as follows:
            ``(5) subsections (a) and (c) of section 526 of the Revised
        Statutes (7 U.S.C. 2204(a) and (c));''.
    (b) Information Furnished to the Department of Commerce.--
            (1) Authority to furnish information.--Section 1770 of the
        Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the
        following:
    ``(e) Nothing in this section shall be considered to prohibit any
release of information under section 526(c)(6) of the Revised Statutes
(7 U.S.C. 2204(c)(6)).''.
            (2) Confidentiality of information.--Information furnished
        under section 526(c)(6) of the Revised Statutes shall, for
        purposes of sections 9 and 214 of title 13, United States Code,
        be treated as if it were information furnished under the
        provisions of such title 13.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output:
Census of Agriculture Act of 1996 - Amends Federal law to transfer authority to conduct the census of agriculture from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary (Secretary) of Agriculture.  Requires the Secretary to take a census every five years beginning after 1998.
Sets forth confidentiality provisions.


Input:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) in the aftermath of the 4 hurricanes that occurred
        within 6 weeks in the southeast United States during 2004, many
        of the inspectors and managers employed to inspect and document
        disaster-related damage in that area had criminal records;
            (2) preliminary damage assessments provide important
        information about the impact and magnitude of damage and the
        needs of individuals, businesses, the public sector, and the
        community as a whole; and
            (3) the failure to conduct a preliminary damage assessment
        can result in Federal funds being provided to areas that have
        not suffered the level of damage that would qualify an area for
        Federal disaster assistance.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to ensure the appropriate use of public funds;
            (2) to protect disaster victims; and
            (3) to require more stringent background checks for
        contractors of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

SEC. 2. PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.

    Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``All requests for'' and inserting the
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--All requests for''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Preliminary Damage Assessments.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Assessment.--The term `assessment' means a
                preliminary damage assessment described in paragraph
                (2)(A).
                    ``(B) Director.--The term `Director' means the
                Director of FEMA.
                    ``(C) FEMA.--The term `FEMA' means the Federal
                Emergency Management Agency.
                    ``(D) Incident.--The term `incident' means a
                condition or occurrence that causes such damage or
                hardship as may result in a Presidential declaration of
                a major disaster or emergency.
                    ``(E) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the
                Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the
                Director.
            ``(2) Preliminary damage assessment.--
                    ``(A) Preassessment by the state.--Except as
                provided in subparagraph (E), on occurrence of an
                incident, or if a State determines that the occurrence
                of an incident is imminent, and the State official
                responsible for disaster operations determines that the
                State and local governments may lack the capability to
                adequately respond to the incident, the State shall--
                            ``(i) verify the information of the State
                        used to make the determination; and
                            ``(ii) request the Regional Director to
                        perform a joint FEMA-State preliminary damage
                        assessment of the type, extent, and location of
                        any damage caused by the incident.
                    ``(B) Damage assessment teams.--Each State shall
                appoint a damage assessment team to carry out
                assessments described in subparagraph (A) that is
                composed of--
                            ``(i) at least 1 representative of the
                        Federal Government;
                            ``(ii) a least 1 representative of the
                        State;
                            ``(iii) if practicable, a local government
                        representative who is familiar with the extent
                        and location of damage or potential damage in
                        any applicable communities; and
                            ``(iv) such additional representatives from
                        Federal and State agencies and voluntary relief
                        organizations as are necessary, as determined
                        by the State.
                    ``(C) Responsibility of state.--A State shall
                assume responsibility for--
                            ``(i) coordination of State and local
                        participation in an assessment conducted under
                        this paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) ensuring that participants in the
                        assessment receive timely notification
                        concerning the schedule of activities for the
                        assessment.
                    ``(D) Responsibility of fema.--The Secretary shall
                designate an official of FEMA--
                            ``(i) to brief members of the assessment
                        team on--
                                    ``(I) damage criteria;
                                    ``(II) the kind of information to
                                be collected for the particular
                                incident that is the subject of the
                                assessment; and
                                    ``(III) applicable reporting
                                requirements; and
                            ``(ii) on completion of the assessment, to
                        consult with State officials to discuss
                        findings and reconcile any differences.
                    ``(E) Waiver.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The State, in
                        consultation with the Regional Director or
                        FEMA, may elect not to carry out an
                        assessment--
                                    ``(I) in the case of an incident of
                                unusual severity and magnitude that
                                does not require any field damage
                                assessments to determine the need for
                                supplemental Federal assistance under
                                this Act; or
                                    ``(II) in other appropriate cases,
                                as determined by the State, in
                                consultation with the Regional Director
                                of FEMA.
                            ``(ii) Managerial response.--Nothing in
                        this subparagraph prevents the conduct of an
                        assessment to determine unmet needs for
                        managerial response purposes.''.

SEC. 3. FRAUD.

    (a) Penalties.--Section 314(d) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5157(d)) is amended by
striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$10,000''.
    (b) Fraud Investigations.--Section 318 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5161) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Fraud Investigations.--
            ``(1) In general.--The President shall--
                    ``(A) vigorously investigate allegations and
                instances of fraud under this Act, including fraud
                relating to the handling and approval of claims for
                Federal emergency assistance; and
                    ``(B) refer to the Attorney General of the United
                States, in accordance with section 314(c), such
                allegations, instances, and results of investigations
                described in subparagraph (A) as the President
                determines to be appropriate.
            ``(2) Attorney general.--The Attorney General of the United
        States shall--
                    ``(A) give serious consideration to any allegations
                or instances of fraud referred under paragraph (1)(B);
                    ``(B) not later than 10 days after the date of
                receipt of such a referral, begin an investigation into
                the allegation; and
                    ``(C) not later than 45 days after the date of
                receipt of the referral, submit to the Secretary of
                Homeland Security a report describing the progress and
                results of the investigation.
            ``(3) Federal emergency management agency.--
                    ``(A) Procedures and guidelines.--Not later than
                120 days after the date of enactment of this
                subsection, the Director of the Federal Emergency
                Management Agency (referred to in this paragraph as the
                `Director') shall--
                            ``(i) propose new inspection procedures
                        that more accurately identify disaster-related
                        losses of household items for which applicants
                        should be compensated;
                            ``(ii) modify guidelines relating to
                        individual and housing inspections to require
                        inspectors to specify any item that was not
                        available for inspection;
                            ``(iii) develop eligibility criteria for
                        funding vehicle damage, taking into
                        consideration damage to a vehicle sustained as
                        a result of a disaster;
                            ``(iv) propose new inspection guidelines
                        that prohibit inspectors from entering into a
                        contract with any individual or entity for whom
                        the inspector performs an inspection for
                        purposes of determining eligibility for
                        assistance from the Federal Emergency
                        Management Agency;
                            ``(v) modify guidelines to require contract
                        inspectors to--
                                    ``(I) document vehicle damage to
                                allow the Director to justify an award
                                based on disaster-related need; and
                                    ``(II) base any funding
                                recommendation of the contract
                                inspector for miscellaneous items on
                                disaster-related need;
                            ``(vi) modify guidelines to establish a
                        reasonable replacement value for destroyed
                        vehicles, as determined by the Director, taking
                        into consideration the cost of acquiring a
                        comparable vehicle;
                            ``(vii) develop criteria and guidelines for
                        defining the term `disaster-related death',
                        including a requirement that an employee of the
                        Federal Emergency Management Agency document
                        each request for funeral expenses assistance in
                        order to support the approval or disapproval of
                        the assistance;
                            ``(viii) modify home inspection procedures
                        to require contract inspectors to document--
                                    ``(I) any reason why the contractor
                                determined a home was unsafe; and
                                    ``(II) any instance of deferred
                                maintenance, including an evaluation of
                                the severity of housing conditions;
                            ``(ix) modify inspection guidelines for
                        repair and replacement of homes to require
                        inspectors to justify a determination that a
                        home is destroyed by identifying and
                        documenting each type of damage sustained by
                        the home; and
                            ``(x) review and modify each inspection
                        contract to require contractors to--
                                    ``(I) review the quality of work of
                                an inspector before submitting
                                inspection data to the Director;
                                    ``(II) certify the independence of
                                the contractor during each inspection;
                                    ``(III) recuse themselves from any
                                inspections that present a possible
                                conflict of interest; and
                                    ``(IV) consent to a criminal
                                background check in accordance with
                                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the
                Director develops procedures and guidelines under
                subparagraph (A), the Director shall submit to the
                Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
                of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
                that describes any change to the procedures and
                guidelines of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
                    ``(C) Background checks.--The Director shall
                include in any contract with an inspector the
                requirements that--
                            ``(i) a background check shall be performed
                        on the inspector;
                            ``(ii) the results of the background check
                        shall be submitted to the Director not later
                        than 7 days after the date on which the
                        inspector is hired by the Director; and
                            ``(iii) an inspector who has been convicted
                        of criminal misconduct (including fraud,
                        robbery, burglary, forgery, and felony drug
                        possession) shall not be employed by the
                        Federal Emergency Management Agency as an
                        inspector.''.

Output:
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relielf and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) specify procedures for the conduct of preliminary disaster damage assessments; and (2) increase the associated penalties for fraud.

Directs the President to: (1) investigate vigorously any allegations and instances of fraud, including fraud relating to the handling and approval of claims for federal emergency assistance; and (2) refer to the Attorney General appropriate allegations, instances, and investigation results.

Requires the Attorney General to: (1) give serious consideration to any allegation or instance of fraud and begin an investigation into it not later than 10 days after the receipt of such a referral; and (2) report on investigation progress and results to the Secretary of Homeland Security within 45 days.

Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to propose new inspection procedures that: (1) more accurately identify disaster-related losses of household items for which applicants should be compensated; (2) modify guidelines for individual and housing inspections to require inspectors to specify any item that was not available for inspection; and (3) develop eligibility criteria for funding vehicle damage, taking into consideration damage to a vehicle sustained as a result of a disaster.