Input:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) According to a 2003 Government Accountability Office
        report, even after accounting for factors such as occupation,
        industry, race, marital status, job tenure, and differing work
        patterns, all of which affect earnings, women are paid, on
        average, 80 cents compared to every dollar that men are paid.
            (2) According to the same report, the earnings gap between
        men and women has persisted without statistically significant
        changes for the past two decades.
            (3) According to a 2001 report by the Bureau of Labor
        Statistics, the earnings gap among working men and women is
        widest among parents.
            (4) Some women choose to trade advancing in their careers
        or higher earnings for a job offering the flexibility to manage
        family responsibilities alongside work.
            (5) According to a 2001 Government Accountability Office
        study, in 1995 and 2000, female full-time managers earned less
        than their male counterparts.
            (6) According to the same study, in 7 of the 10 industries
        studied, the earnings gap between female and male full-time
        managers actually widened between 1995 and 2000.
            (7) Women make up 46 percent of the workforce but represent
        just 12 percent of all corporate officers.
            (8) A reason for the continuing earnings disparity might be
        discrimination as to which roles are considered acceptable for
        men and women and how women are viewed in the workplace.
            (9) According to the February 2004 Monthly Labor Review of
        the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Labor
        projects that the United States work force is growing at a rate
        of 1 percent per year, in part due to the continually increased
        presence of women.

SEC. 2. CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF WOMEN AND WORKPLACE POLICY.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Labor shall make a grant to an
eligible university to establish the ``Center for the Study of Women
and Workplace Policy'' (referred to in this Act as the ``Center'').
    (b) Use of Funds.--
            (1) Compilation and analysis of data.--The Center
        established under subsection (a) shall compile and analyze
        available data and data sets on the difference between the
        earnings of men and women, including the Panel Study of Income
        Dynamic housed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and
        to identify factors which affect differences in earnings.
            (2) Dissemination of findings.--The Center shall--
                    (A) disseminate its findings annually to the
                public, using a website and any other appropriate
                means; and
                    (B) maintain a website to serve as a clearinghouse
                for the data and findings of relevant recent studies.
            (3) Best practices guides.--Each year, the Center shall
        publish one best practices guide, as follows:
                    (A) Best practices guide for businesses.--Not later
                than one year after the Center is established under
                subsection (a), the Center shall publish a best
                practices guide for businesses containing recommended
                guidelines for--
                            (i) workplace equity;
                            (ii) retaining women in the workplace; and
                            (iii) promoting a family-friendly
                        workplace.
                    (B) Best practices guide for families.--Not later
                than one year after the publication of the best
                practices guide for businesses under subparagraph (A),
                the Center shall publish a best practices guide for
                families, containing information about--
                            (i) the policies of various employers
                        relating to workplace equity, retaining women
                        in the workplace, and promoting a family-
                        friendly workplace;
                            (ii) strategies for addressing inequity in
                        the workplace; and
                            (iii) recent findings on inequity in the
                        workplace.
                    (C) Subsequent editions.--The Center shall update,
                revise, and publish a subsequent edition of each of the
                best practices guides under subparagraphs (A) and (B)
                once every two years after the initial publication of
                each guide.
    (c) Eligible University.--In this Act, the term ``eligible
university'' means a public university--
            (1) with a school of public policy, a school of business, a
        center devoted to the education of women, and social research
        facilities;
            (2) at which research is conducted on--
                    (A) gender differences and levels of achievement in
                the careers of faculty members employed by institutions
                of higher education;
                    (B) work experiences of non-tenure-track faculty
                members employed by such institutions;
                    (C) policies of such institutions with respect to
                work and family for tenure-track faculty members; and
                    (D) the number of women employed as chief executive
                officers and directors at large publicly-held
                companies; and
            (3) which has designed or is in the process of designing a
        national clearinghouse for information concerning gender
        differences and levels of achievement in the careers of faculty
        members and work and family policies and issues affecting
        faculty members which includes citations to research and
        examples of relevant policies and practices.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 12 months after receiving a grant under
this Act, the recipient shall submit to the Secretary and to Congress a
report documenting how the university used the grant funds and
evaluating the level of success of the Center funded by the grant.
    (e) Amount of Grant.--For each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010,
the Secretary shall provide a grant in the amount of $1,000,000 to an
eligible university to carry out this Act.

Output:
Directs the Secretary of Labor to make a grant, to a public university with specified characteristics, to establish the Center for the Study of Women and Workplace Policy.

Requires the Center to: (1) compile and analyze available data and data sets on the difference between the earnings of men and women, including the Panel Study of Income Dynamic housed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and to identify factors which affect differences in earnings; and (2) disseminate findings, maintain a website as a clearinghouse, and publish an annual best practices guide.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Access to Capital Act
of 2009''.

SEC. 2. SECTION 7(A) BUSINESS LOANS.

    Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) is
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``75 percent'' and
                inserting ``90 percent''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``85 percent'' and
                inserting ``90 percent''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``$1,500,000 (or if
        the gross loan amount would exceed $2,000,000'' and inserting
        ``$4,500,000 (or if the gross loan amount would exceed
        $5,000,000''.

SEC. 3. LOW INTEREST REFINANCING UNDER THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS
              LOAN PROGRAM.

    Section 502(7) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15
U.S.C. 696(7)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Refinancing not involving expansions.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A project that does not
                        involve the expansion of a small business
                        concern may include the refinancing of existing
                        indebtedness if--
                                    ``(I) the amount of the financing
                                is not more than 80 percent of the
                                value of the collateral for the
                                financing;
                                    ``(II) the small business concern
                                has been in operation for all of the 2-
                                year period ending on the date of the
                                financing;
                                    ``(III) the existing indebtedness
                                was not incurred during the 2-year
                                period ending on the date of the
                                financing;
                                    ``(IV) the existing indebtedness is
                                not subject to a guarantee by any
                                Federal agency; and
                                    ``(V) for a loan for which the
                                Administrator determines there will be
                                an additional cost for making a loan
                                that includes the refinancing of the
                                existing indebtedness, the borrower
                                agrees to pay a fee in an amount equal
                                to the anticipated additional cost.
                            ``(ii) No job creation goals.--A financing
                        may be approved under this subparagraph
                        regardless of whether the project meets the job
                        creation goals under subsection (d) or (e) of
                        section 501.''.

SEC. 4. MICROLOANS.

    (a) Marketing, Management, and Technical Assistance Grants.--
Section 7(m)(4) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(4)) is
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``and
                subject to subparagraph (B)''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``each intermediary meeting
                        the requirements of subparagraph (B)'' and
                        inserting ``an intermediary''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``25 percent'' and
                        inserting ``50 percent'';
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B); and
            (3) by striking subparagraph (C)(iii).
    (b) Microloan Amounts.--Section 7(m) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(m)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(iii), by striking ``$35,000'' and
        inserting ``$50,000'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(E), by striking ``$35,000'' each place
        it appears and inserting ``$50,000''; and
            (3) in paragraph (11)(B), by striking ``$35,000'' and
        inserting ``$50,000''.

SEC. 5. MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS UNDER 504 PROGRAM.

    Section 502(2)(A) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15
U.S.C. 696(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting
        ``$5,000,000'';
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``$2,000,000'' and
        inserting ``$5,000,000''; and
            (3) in clause (iii), by striking ``$4,000,000'' and
        inserting ``$5,500,000''.

SEC. 6. NEW MARKETS VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANY INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.

    Section 355 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C.
689d) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Investment Limitations.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered
        New Markets Venture Capital company' means a New Markets
        Venture Capital company--
                    ``(A) granted final approval by the Administrator
                under section 354(e) on or after March 1, 2002; and
                    ``(B) that has obtained a financing from the
                Administrator.
            ``(2) Limitation.--Except to the extent approved by the
        Administrator, a covered New Markets Venture Capital company
        may not acquire or issue commitments for securities under this
        title for any single enterprise in an aggregate amount equal to
        more than 10 percent of the sum of--
                    ``(A) the regulatory capital of the covered New
                Markets Venture Capital company; and
                    ``(B) the total amount of leverage projected in the
                participation agreement of the covered New Markets
                Venture Capital.''.

SEC. 7. EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET OF THE NATIONAL
              INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

    Title VIII of division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5; 123 Stat. 176) is amended in the matter
under the heading ``office of the director'' under the heading
``National Institutes of Health'' under the heading ``DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES'', by inserting after ``638(n)(1):'' the
following: ``Provided further, That not later than September 30, 2010,
of the amount appropriated under this heading, $150,000,000 shall be
obligated to be expended with the programs of the National Institutes
of Health described in the previous proviso:''.

SEC. 8. BUSINESS STABILIZATION PROGRAM.

    Section 506(c) of division A of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5; 123 Stat. 157) is amended
by striking ``but shall not include'' and all that follows through
``enactment of this Act''.

SEC. 9. PROSPECTIVE REPEALS.

    (a) Amendments.--
            (1) Section 7(a) business loans.--Section 7(a) of the Small
        Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``90
                        percent'' and inserting ``75 percent''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``90
                        percent'' and inserting ``85 percent''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``$4,500,000''
                and inserting ``$3,750,000''.
            (2) Low interest refinancing under the local development
        business loan program.--Section 502(7) of the Small Business
        Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 696(7)) is amended by
        striking subparagraph (C).
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2010.

Output:
Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase maximum loan amounts under the following Small Business Administration (SBA) programs: (1) the section 7(a) (general small business loans) loan program; (2) the Microloan (small-scale loans to start-up, newly-established, and growing small businesses) program; and (3) the section 504 (state and local development company) program.

Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the local development business loan program to allow a small business borrower under such program to refinance a previous business debt, under specified conditions.

Applies single-business investment limits to SBA-recognized new markets venture capital companies.

Amends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to earmark certain Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds for specified programs of the National Institutes of Health.

Repeals as of October 1, 2010: (1) the increase in section 7(a) loan amounts; and (2) the business debt refinancing authority under the local development business loan program.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Commission on Fairness in
the Workplace Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) there is an increasing trend toward the use of part-
        time workers;
            (2) part-time jobs often have no or limited health or
        pension benefits and few labor protections;
            (3) there is a trend toward the creation of more part-time
        jobs than full-time jobs;
            (4) questions have been raised regarding the impact of
        part-time employment on wage levels, benefits, earning
        potential, and productivity; and
            (5) a Federal commission should be established to conduct a
        thorough study of all matters relating to the impact of part-
        time employment on wage levels, benefits, earning potential,
        and productivity and to study the practice of providing
        different wage and benefit levels to part-time and full-time
        workers.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the National Commission on Fairness in the Workplace (hereafter
referred to in this Act as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 9 members of
whom--
            (1) 3 shall be appointed by the President;
            (2) 3 shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of
        the Senate, upon the recommendation of the Majority and
        Minority Leaders of the Senate; and
            (3) 3 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
        Representatives, in consultation with the Minority Leader of
        the House of Representatives.
    (c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment.
    (d) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission
shall hold its first meeting as directed by the President.
    (e) Meetings.--After the initial meeting, the Commission shall meet
at the call of the Chairperson.
    (f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser
number of members may hold hearings.
    (g) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Commission shall select
a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among its members.

SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a
        comprehensive study of the impact of part-time employment in
        the United States.
            (2) Matters to be studied.--The matters to be studied by
        the Commission under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) a review of the trend toward creation of more
                part-time than full-time jobs;
                    (B) an assessment of the relationship between part-
                time work and wage levels, benefits, earning potential,
                and productivity; and
                    (C) a review of the practice of providing different
                wage and benefit levels to part-time and full-time
                workers.
    (b) Report.--No later than 12 months after the Commission holds its
first meeting, the Commission shall submit a report on the study to the
President and Congress. The report shall contain a detailed statement
of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with its
recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as it
considers appropriate.

SEC. 5. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its duties
of this Act.
    (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Upon request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of such
department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.

SEC. 6. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission who is
not otherwise an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be
compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate
of basic pay prescribed for a position at level IV of the Executive
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each
day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the
performance of the duties of the Commission. Each member of the
Commission who is otherwise an officer or employee of the United States
shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for
services as an officer or employee of the United States.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of service for the
Commission.
    (c) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may,
        without regard to the civil service laws and regulations,
        appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
        additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
        Commission to perform its duties. The employment and
        termination of an executive director shall be subject to
        confirmation by a majority of the members of the Commission.
            (2) Compensation.--The executive director shall be
        compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate payable for a
        position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section
        5316 of title 5, United States Code. The Chairperson may fix
        the compensation of other personnel without regard to the
        provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
        title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of
        positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate
        of pay for such personnel may not exceed the rate payable for a
        position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section
        5316 of such title.
            (3) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government
        employee, with the approval of the head of the appropriate
        Federal agency, may be detailed to the Commission without
        reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or
        loss of civil service status, benefits, or privilege.
    (d) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates
for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate
of basic pay prescribed for a position at level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of such title.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Any sums
appropriated shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation,
until expended.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate 30 days after submission of its
report under section 4(b).

Output:
National Commission on Fairness in the Workplace Act - Establishes the National Commission on Fairness in the Workplace, which shall conduct a comprehensive study of the impact of part-time employment in the United States, including:  (1) a review of the trend toward creation of more part-time than full-time jobs; (2) an assessment of the relationship between part-time work and wage levels, benefits, earning potential, and productivity; and (3) a review of the practice of providing different wage and benefit levels to part-time and full-time workers.
Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Propane Education and Research Act
of 1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) propane gas, or liquefied petroleum gas, is an
        essential energy commodity providing heat, hot water, cooking
        fuel, and motor fuel among its many uses to millions of
        Americans;
            (2) the use of propane is especially important to rural
        citizens and farmers, offering an efficient and economical
        source of gas energy;
            (3) propane has been recognized as a clean fuel and can
        contribute in many ways to reducing the pollution in our cities
        and towns; and
            (4) propane is primarily domestically produced and its use
        provides energy security and jobs for Americans.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Council'' means the Propane Education and
        Research Council created pursuant to section 4 of this Act;
            (2) the term ``industry'' means those persons involved in
        the production, transportation, and sale of propane, and in the
        manufacture and distribution of propane utilization equipment,
        in the United States;
            (3) the term ``industry trade association'' means an
        organization exempt from tax, under section 501(c)(3) or (6) of
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, representing the propane
        industry;
            (4) the term ``odorized propane'' means propane which has
        had odorant added to it;
            (5) the term ``producer'' means the owner of the propane at
        the time it is recovered at a manufacturing facility;
            (6) the term ``propane'' means a hydrocarbon whose chemical
        composition is predominantly C3H8, whether recovered
        from natural gas or crude oil;
            (7) the term ``public member'' means a member of the
        Council, other than a representative of producers or retail
        marketers, representing significant users of propane, public
        safety officials, academia, the propane research community, or
        other groups knowledgeable about propane;
            (8) the term ``qualified industry organization'' means the
        National Propane Gas Association, the Gas Processors
        Association, a successor association of such associations, or a
        group of retail marketers or producers who collectively
        represent 25 percent of the volume of propane sold or produced
        in the United States;
            (9) the term ``retail marketer'' means a person engaged
        primarily in the sale of odorized propane to the ultimate
        consumer or to retail propane dispensers;
            (10) the term ``retail propane dispenser'' means a person
        who sells odorized propane to the ultimate consumer but is not
        engaged primarily in the business of such sales; and
            (11) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

SEC. 4. REFERENDA.

    (a) Creation of Program.--The Secretary shall conduct a referendum
as soon as possible among producers and retail marketers to authorize
the creation of the Propane Education and Research Council and the
levying of an assessment on odorized propane. Voting rights in such
referendum shall be based on the volume of propane sold or produced in
the previous calendar year or other representative period. Upon
approval of those persons representing two-thirds of the total volume
of propane voted in the retail marketer class and two-thirds of all
propane voted in the producer class, the Secretary shall issue an order
establishing the Council. All persons voting in the referendum shall
certify to the Secretary the volume of propane represented by their
vote.
    (b) Termination.--On the Secretary's own initiative, or on petition
of the Council or of producers and retail marketers representing 35
percent of the volume of propane in each class, the Secretary shall
hold a referendum to determine whether the industry favors termination
or suspension of the order issued under subsection (a). Termination or
suspension shall not take effect unless it is approved by persons
representing more than one-half of the total volume of odorized propane
in the retail marketer class and more than one-half of the total volume
of propane in the producer class.

SEC. 5. PROPANE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COUNCIL.

    (a) Appointment of Members.--Upon issuance of an order by the
Secretary under section 4(a) establishing the Propane Education and
Research Council, the Secretary shall select all retail marketer and
producer members of the Council from a list of nominees submitted by
qualified industry organizations. Nominees need not be members of a
qualified industry organization. The public members of the Council
shall be appointed by the Secretary. Vacancies in unfinished terms of
Council members shall be filled in the same manner as were the original
appointments.
    (b) Representation.--In making nominations and appointments to the
Council, the qualified industry organizations and the Secretary shall
give due regard to selecting a Council that is representative of the
industry, including representation of--
            (1) gas processors and oil refiners among producers;
            (2) interstate and intrastate operators among retail
        marketers;
            (3) large and small companies among producers and retail
        marketers; and
            (4) diverse geographic regions of the country.
    (c) Membership.--The Council shall consist of 21 members, with 9
members representing retail marketers, 9 members representing
producers, and 3 public members. Other than the public members, Council
members shall be full-time employees or owners of businesses in the
industry. No employee of a qualified industry organization or other
industry trade association shall serve as a member of the Council, and
no member of the Council may serve concurrently as an officer of the
Board of Directors of a qualified industry organization or other
industry trade association. Only one person at a time from any company
or its affiliate may serve on the Council.
    (d) Compensation.--Council members shall receive no compensation
for their services, nor shall Council members be reimbursed for
expenses relating to their service, except that public members, upon
request, may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses directly related to
their participation in Council meetings.
    (e) Terms.--Council members shall serve terms of 3 years and may
serve not more than 2 full terms. Members filling unexpired terms may
serve not more than a total of 7 years. Former members of the Council
may be returned to the Council if they have not been members for a
period of 2 years. Initial appointments to the Council shall be for
terms of 1, 2, and 3 years, staggered to provide for the election of 7
members each year.
    (f) Functions.--The Council shall develop programs and projects and
enter into contracts or agreements for implementing this Act, including
programs to enhance consumer safety, to provide for research and
development of clean and efficient propane utilization equipment, to
inform and educate the public, to develop and preserve markets for
propane, and to provide for the payment of the costs thereof with funds
collected pursuant to this Act. The Council shall coordinate its
activities with industry trade association and others as appropriate to
provide efficient delivery of services and to avoid unnecessary
duplication of activities.
    (g) Administration.--The Council shall select from among its
members a Chairman and other officers as necessary, may establish
committees and subcommittees of the Council, and shall adopt rules and
bylaws for the conduct of business and the implementation of this Act.
The Council shall establish procedures for the solicitation of industry
comment and recommendations on any significant plans, programs, and
projects to be funded by the Council. The Council may establish
advisory committees of persons other than Council members.
    (h) Employees; Administrative Expenses.--The Council may employ a
person to serve as Chief Executive Officer and such other employees as
it considers necessary. The Council shall determine the compensation
and duties of each employee, and shall protect the handling of Council
funds through fidelity bonds. The administrative expenses of operating
the Council shall not exceed 10 percent of the funds collected in any
fiscal year.
    (i) Budget.--Before August 1 each year, the Council shall publish
for industry review and comment a budget plan for the next calendar
year, including the probable costs of all programs, projects, and
contracts and a recommended rate of assessment sufficient to cover such
costs. Following this review and comment, the Council shall submit the
proposed budget to the Secretary. The Secretary shall recommend any
changes the Secretary considers appropriate to the budget after an
opportunity for public comment.
    (j) Records; Audits.--The Council shall keep minutes, books, and
records that clearly reflect all of the acts and transactions of the
Council and regularly report such information to the Secretary, along
with such other information as the Secretary may require. The books of
the Council shall be audited by a certified public accountant at least
once each fiscal year and at such other times as the Council may
designate. Copies of such audit shall be provided to the Secretary, all
members of the Council, all qualified industry organizations, and to
other members of the industry upon request. The Secretary shall receive
notice of meetings and may require reports on the activities of the
Council, as well as reports on compliance, violations, and complaints
regarding the implementation of this Act.
    (k) Reimbursement of Federal Expenses.--From assessments collected,
the Council shall annually reimburse the Secretary for costs incurred
in holding the referendum establishing the Council, making appointments
to the Council, and other expenses directly related to the Council, not
in excess of the cost of three employee years, as determined by the
Secretary.

SEC. 6. ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) Amount.--The Council shall set the initial assessment at no
greater than one tenth of 1 cent per gallon of odorized propane.
Thereafter, annual assessments shall be sufficient to cover the costs
of the plans and programs developed by the Council. The assessment
shall not be greater than one-half cent per gallon of odorized propane,
unless approved by a majority of those voting in a referendum in both
the producer and the retail marketer class. The assessment may not be
raised by more than one tenth of 1 cent per gallon of odorized propane
annually.
    (b) Ownership.--The owner of odorized propane at the time of
odorization, or the time of import of odorized propane, shall pay the
assessment based on the volume of odorized propane sold and placed into
commerce. Assessments are payable to the Council on a monthly basis by
the 25th of the month following the month of such sale. Propane
exported from the United States to another country is not subject to
the assessment.
    (c) Alternative Collection Rules.--The Secretary may by regulation,
with the concurrence of the Council, establish an alternative means of
collecting the assessment if another means is found to be more
efficient and effective. The Secretary may by regulation establish a
late payment charge and rate of interest to be imposed on any person
who fails to remit, collect, or pay to the Council any amount due under
this Act.
    (d) Investment of Funds.--Pending disbursement pursuant to a
program, plan, or project, the Council may invest funds collected
through assessments, and any other funds received by the Council, only
in obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, in general
obligations of any State or any political subdivision thereof, in any
interest-bearing account or certificate of deposit of a bank that is a
member of the Federal Reserve System, or in obligations fully
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States.
    (e) State Programs.--After consultation with the Council, the
Secretary may by regulation establish a program coordinating the
operation of the Council with those of any State propane education and
research council or similar entity created by State law. This may
include a joint or coordinated assessment collection process, a reduced
assessment, or an assessment rebate. If adopted, the reduction in
assessment or rebate may be in an amount not to exceed 20 percent of
the regular assessment collected in that State under this section.
Assessment rebates shall be paid only to a State propane education and
research council or similar entity that meets the requirements
established by the Council, and only for specific projects approved by
the Council.

SEC. 7. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Cease and Desist Orders; Civil Penalties.--The Secretary, after
providing notice and an opportunity for hearing, may, with respect to
any person who violates any provision of this Act or any plan,
regulation, or order issued under this Act--
            (1) issue an order requiring that person to cease and
        desist from continuing such violation; and
            (2) assess a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each
        such violation.
Each day during which a violation continues shall be considered a
separate violation.
    (b) Investigatory Powers.--In order to carry out this Act, the
Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses,
compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of
any books, papers, and documents which are relevant to the inquiry.
Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may
be required from any place in the United States. The district courts of
the United States may punish a failure to comply with a subpoena issued
under this subsection as a contempt of the court.

SEC. 8. LOBBYING RESTRICTIONS.

    No funds collected by the Council shall be used in any manner for
influencing legislation or elections, except that the Council may
recommend to the Secretary changes in this Act or other statutes that
would further the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    Nothing in this Act may be construed to preempt or supersede any
other program relating to propane education and research organized and
operated under the laws of the United States or any State.

SEC. 10. ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS.

    Within 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall issue regulations for the implementation of this Act.
The Secretary may require such reports or documentation as is necessary
to document the referendum process and the nomination process for
members of the Council and shall protect the confidentiality of all
such documentation provided by industry members.

Output:
Propane Education and Research Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to conduct a referendum among producers and retail marketers to authorize the creation of the Propane Education and Research Council and the levying of an assessment on odorized propane.  Makes it the Council's mission to develop programs and enter into contracts for: (1) propane research and development; (2) consumer education; (3) propane market development; and (4) payment for program costs with funds collected under this Act.
Prescribes guidelines under which the Council shall set annual assessments to cover program costs.
Authorizes the Secretary to establish a program to coordinate Council operations with any State propane education and research council.
Proscribes the use of Council funds for lobbying activities. Directs the Secretary to issue implementation regulations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Renewable Energy Act for Credit on
Taxes''.

SEC. 2. REFUNDABLE CREDIT FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPERTY.

    (a) In General.--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 35 as section 36 and by inserting
after section 34 the following new section:

``SEC. 35. RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPERTY.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an individual, there
shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter
for the taxable year an amount equal to 35 percent of the expenditures
for renewable energy property made by the taxpayer during the taxable
year.
    ``(b) Limitation.--
            ``(1) Maximum credit.--The credit allowed under subsection
        (a) shall not exceed the lesser of--
                    ``(A) $6,000 ($50,000 in the case of renewable
                energy property used for nonresidential business
                purposes) for each system of renewable energy property,
                or
                    ``(B) $4.50 per watt of rated system electricity
                output or equivalent.
            ``(2) Location of structure.--No expenditure may be taken
        into account under this section unless such expenditure is made
        by the taxpayer for property installed on or in connection with
        a structure which is located in the United States.
            ``(3) Rating system electricity output.--For purposes of
        paragraph (1)(B), the rated system electricity output or
        equivalent for--
                    ``(A) solar water heating property shall be the
                output determined by the Secretary on the basis of
                evidence acceptable to the Secretary which is submitted
                by manufacturers of such property and which includes
                information relating to one year of reliable operation
                of such property,
                    ``(B) photovoltaic property shall be the output
                certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory
                as meeting the requirements of the Underwriters
                Laboratory Standard 1703,
                    ``(C) wind energy property shall be the output--
                            ``(i) certified as meeting the requirements
                        of a small wind turbine-specific safety or
                        performance standard adopted by a national or
                        international standards setting body, including
                        International Electric Code 61400-2, or
                            ``(ii) determined by the Secretary on the
                        basis of evidence acceptable to the Secretary
                        which is submitted by manufacturers of such
                        property and which includes information
                        relating to one year of reliable operation of
                        such property at a site with average annual
                        wind speeds of at least 12 miles per hour, and
                    ``(D) fuel cell property shall be the output
                certified as meeting the requirements specified by the
                American Gas Association in document entitled `AGA
                Requirements for Fuel Cell Power Plants', No. 8-90.
        The Secretary shall determine who makes the certifications for
        purposes of subparagraphs (C)(i) and (D).
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Renewable energy property.--The term `renewable
        energy property' means property which is--
                    ``(A) qualified solar water heating property,
                    ``(B) qualified photovoltaic property,
                    ``(C) qualified wind energy property, or
                    ``(D) qualified fuel cell property.
            ``(2) Qualified solar water heating property.--The term
        `qualified solar water heating property' means property that
        uses solar energy to heat water for use in a structure with
        respect to which a majority of the energy is derived from the
        sun.
            ``(3) Qualified photovoltaic property.--The term `qualified
        photovoltaic property' means property that uses solar energy to
        generate electricity for use in a structure.
            ``(4) Solar panels.--No expenditure relating to a solar
        panel or other property installed as a roof (or portion
        thereof) shall fail to be treated as property described in
        paragraph (2) or (3) solely because it constitutes a structural
        component of the structure on which it is installed.
            ``(5) Qualified wind energy property.--The term `qualified
        wind energy property' means property which uses wind energy to
        generate electricity for use in a structure.
            ``(6) Qualified fuel cell property.--The term `qualified
        fuel cell property' means property which uses an
        electrochemical process to generate electricity for use in a
        structure.
            ``(7) Labor costs.--Expenditures for labor costs properly
        allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original
        installation of the property described in paragraph (2), (3),
        (5), or (6) and for piping or wiring to interconnect such
        property to the dwelling unit shall be taken into account for
        purposes of this section.
    ``(d) Special Rules.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Dollar amounts in case of joint occupancy.--In the
        case of any structure which is jointly occupied and used during
        any calendar year by 2 or more persons the following shall
        apply:
                    ``(A) The amount of the credit allowable under
                subsection (a) by reason of expenditures (as the case
                may be) made during such calendar year by any of such
                persons with respect to such structure shall be
                determined by treating all of such persons as 1
                taxpayer whose taxable year is such calendar year.
                    ``(B) There shall be allowable with respect to such
                expenditures to each of such person, a credit under
                subsection (a) for the taxable year in which such
                calendar year ends in an amount which bears the same
                ratio to the amount determined under subparagraph (A)
                as the amount of such expenditures made by such person
                during such calendar year bears to the aggregate of
                such expenditures made by all of such persons during
                such calendar year.
            ``(2) Tenant-stockholder in cooperative housing
        corporation.--In the case of an individual who is a tenant-
        stockholder (as defined in section 216) in a cooperative
        housing corporation (as defined in such section), such
        individual shall be treated as having made his tenant-
        stockholder's proportionate share (as defined in section
        216(b)(3)) of any expenditures of such corporation.
            ``(3) Condominiums.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of an individual who
                is a member of a condominium management association
                with respect to a condominium which he owns, such
                individual shall be treated as having made his
                proportionate share of any expenditures of such
                association.
                    ``(B) Condominium management association.--For
                purposes of this paragraph, the term `condominium
                management association' means an organization which
                meets the requirements of paragraph (1) of section
                528(c) (other than subparagraph (E) thereof) with
                respect to a condominium project substantially all of
                the units of which are used as residences.
            ``(4) Joint ownership of items of renewable energy
        property.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Any expenditure otherwise
                qualifying as an expenditure described in paragraph
                (2), (3), (5), or (6) of subsection (c) shall not be
                treated as failing to so qualify merely because such
                expenditure was made with respect to 2 or more
                structures.
                    ``(B) Limits applied separately.--In the case of
                any expenditure described in subparagraph (A), the
                amount of the credit allowable under subsection (a)
                shall (subject to paragraph (1)) be computed separately
                with respect to the amount of the expenditure made for
                each structure.
            ``(5) Allocation in certain cases.--If 80 percent or more
        of the use of an item is for residential purposes, then the
        item shall be treated as used only for residential purposes.
            ``(6) When expenditure made; amount of expenditure.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (B), an expenditure with respect to an
                item shall be treated as made when the original
                installation of the item is completed.
                    ``(B) Expenditures part of building construction.--
                In the case of an expenditure in connection with the
                construction or reconstruction of a structure, such
                expenditure shall be treated as made when the original
                use of the constructed or reconstructed structure by
                the taxpayer begins.
                    ``(C) Amount.--The amount of any expenditure shall
                be the cost thereof.
            ``(7) Reduction of credit for grants, tax-exempt bonds, and
        subsidized energy financing.--The rules of section 29(b)(3)
        shall apply for purposes of this section.
            ``(8) Denial of double benefit.--No credit shall be allowed
        under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or
        credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter.
    ``(e) Basis Adjustments.--For purposes of this subtitle, if a
credit is allowed under this section for any expenditure with respect
to any property, the increase in the basis of such property which would
(but for this subsection) result from such expenditure shall be reduced
by the amount of the credit so allowed.
    ``(f) Termination.--The credit allowed under this section shall not
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.''.
    (b) Conforming and Technical Amendments.--
            (1) Subsection (a) of section 1016 of such Code is amended
        by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (26), by striking
        the period at the end of paragraph (27) and inserting ``;
        and'', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(28) to the extent provided in section 35(e), in the case
        of amounts with respect to which a credit has been allowed
        under section 35.''
            (2) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United
        States Code, is amended by inserting ``or from section 35 of
        such Code'' before the period at the end.
            (3) The table of sections for such subpart C is amended by
        striking the item relating to section 35 and inserting the
        following new items:

                              ``Sec. 35. Renewable energy property.
                              ``Sec. 36. Overpayment of taxes.''

    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years ending after December 31, 2001.

Output: Renewable Energy Act for Credit on Taxes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable limited credit through tax year 2006 for expenditures for qualifying renewable energy property (solar water heating, photovoltaic, wind energy, or fuel cell properties) installed on or in connection with a U.S.-sited residential or nonresidential structure.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Census Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN PLANNING
              PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE 2010 CENSUS.

    (a) In General.--Participation in the Planning Partnership Program
for the 2010 census of population shall not be allowed in the case of--
            (1) an organization which has been indicted for a violation
        under Federal or State law relating to an election for Federal
        or State office; or
            (2) an organization which employs applicable individuals.
    (b) Applicable Individual Defined.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``applicable individual'' means an individual who--
            (1) is--
                    (A) employed by the organization in a permanent or
                temporary capacity;
                    (B) contracted or retained by the organization; or
                    (C) acting on behalf of, or with the express or
                apparent authority of, the organization; and
            (2) has been indicted for a violation under Federal or
        State law relating to an election for Federal or State office.
    (c) State Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term
``State'' includes the District of Columbia.

SEC. 3. TWO-THIRDS VOTE REQUIRED TO REPEAL OR OTHERWISE LIMIT
              PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN
              INFORMATION.

    (a) Rulemaking Power.--The succeeding provisions of this section
are enacted by Congress--
            (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
        and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such
        shall be deemed a part of the rules of each House,
        respectively, and shall supersede other rules only to the
        extent that they are inconsistent with such other rules; and
            (2) with the full recognition of the constitutional right
        of either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the
        procedures of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and
        to the same extent as any other rule of that House.
    (b) Voting Requirement.--No bill or joint resolution, amendment, or
conference report containing a provision which would have the effect of
repealing, suspending, or otherwise limiting the application of section
9 of title 13, United States Code (relating to information as
confidential; exception) shall be considered as passed or agreed to, by
either House of Congress, unless so passed or agreed to by a vote of
not less than two-thirds of the Members of such House voting.

SEC. 4. REVIEW AND REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the deadline for the
submission described in subsection (c), the Government Accountability
Office shall review and report to Congress on the questions proposed to
be included in the 2010 census of population and the American Community
Survey (next scheduled to be carried out after the end of the 6-month
period beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act).
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the Government
Accountability Office shall specifically address--
            (1) the reasons for each question proposed to be included
        in the survey or census and the purposes for which the
        information obtained from respondents is likely to be used;
            (2) alternative means by which the same information could
        be obtained other than by inclusion in such census or survey,
        as the case may be; and
            (3) the relative advantages and disadvantages of obtaining
        the information through a census or survey (as the case may be)
        as compared to the alternative means referred to in paragraph
        (2).
    (c) Submission of Questions.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to
the Government Accountability Office--
            (1) a copy of each question proposed to be included in the
        upcoming American Community Survey (as described in subsection
        (a)) and the 2010 census of population; and
            (2) with respect to each question under paragraph (1), the
        views of the Secretary of Commerce (or designee) with respect
        to paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b).

SEC. 5. PRACTICE OF SEEKING ANSWERS TO SURVEY OR CENSUS QUESTIONS FROM
              NON-HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS NO LONGER ALLOWED.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
officer, employee, or other person referred to in subchapter II of
chapter 1 of title 13, United States Code, may, in the conduct of the
American Community Survey or the 2010 census of population, seek
answers to any questions relating to any household or any member of
such household from any person who is not a member of such household.
    (b) Implementation.--The Secretary of Commerce shall take such
measures as may be necessary to provide for the implementation of
subsection (a).

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``census of population'' has the meaning given
        such term by section 141(g) of title 13, United States Code;
        and
            (2) the term ``Member'' means a Member of Congress, as
        defined by section 2106 of title 5, United States Code.

Output:
Census Improvement Act - Prohibits any organization that has been indicted for a violation of law relating to an election for federal or state office or that employs or otherwise uses the services of an individual who has been indicted for such a violation from participating in the Planning Partnership Program for the 2010 census of population.

Provides that no bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report containing a provision which would have the effect of limiting the application of provisions regarding the confidentiality of census information shall be considered as passed or agreed to by either chamber of Congress except by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members voting.

Requires: (1) the Secretary of Commerce to submit to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) a copy of each question proposed to be included in the 2010 census and the American Community Survey; (2) GAO  to review and report to Congress on such questions; and (3) the Secretary to include his or her views on, and GAO to specifically address, the reasons for each question, the purposes for which the information obtained is likely to be used, alternative means by which the same information could be obtained, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of obtaining the information through a census or survey.

Prohibits any person conducting the Survey or 2010 census from seeking answers to any questions relating to a household or any member of such household from any person who is not a member of that household.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Electronic Campaign Disclosure Act
of 1998''.

SEC. 2. MANDATORY ELECTRONIC PRESERVATION AND FILING OF FEDERAL
              ELECTION COMMISSION REPORTS; ACCESS THROUGH INTERNET
              SITE.

    (a) Electronic Filing Through the Internet.--Section 304(a)(11) of
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434(a)(11)) is
amended to read as follows:
    ``(11)(A) Through a competitive bidding process, the Commission
shall establish a public Internet site not later than January 1, 1999,
with the following features:
            ``(i) Any person filing a report required by this Act may
        post the report directly on the site.
            ``(ii) Any member of the public may obtain the reports
        posted on the site (together with any other information the
        Commission may make available through the site) at any time.
            ``(iii) Any information in a report posted on the site
        shall be subject to the same prohibition on sale and use as
        information from a report or statement under paragraph (4).
            ``(iv) All information posted on the site shall be
        integrated in a manner which permits users to search the
        information across categories and sources.
    ``(B)(i) The Commission shall permit each person required to file a
report under this Act to file the report by posting it directly on the
Internet site established under subparagraph (A), or by filing it by
such electronic method as the Commission may designate to enable the
Commission to post the report on such site immediately upon receipt.
    ``(ii) The Commission shall require a person to file a report under
this Act in accordance with the methods described in clause (i) during
an election cycle if the aggregate amount of contributions or
expenditures reported previously by the person during the cycle exceeds
$25,000.
    ``(C) The Commission shall provide for one or more methods (other
than requiring a signature on the report being filed) for verification
of reports filed in accordance with the methods described in
subparagraph (B)(i). Any verification under the preceding sentence
shall be treated for all purposes (including penalties for perjury) in
the same manner as a verification by signature.
    ``(D) As used in this paragraph, the term ``report'' means, with
respect to the Commission, a report, designation, or statement required
by this Act to be filed with the Commission.''.
    (b) Requiring Commission To Make Software Available.--Section
311(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 438(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (9);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (10) and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(11) through competitive bidding, obtain and provide for
        computer software required to carry out section 304(a)(11).''.
    (c) Internet Defined.--Section 301 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 431) is
amended by striking paragraph (19) and inserting the following new
paragraph:
    ``(19) The term `Internet' means the international computer network
of both Federal and non-Federal interoperable packet-switched data
networks.''.

SEC. 3. REQUIRING REPORTING OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE WITHIN
              10 DAYS OF RECEIPT.

    Section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
434) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d)(1) If a political committee is required under subsection
(a)(11)(B)(ii) to file reports under this Act electronically during an
election cycle, the committee shall file a report with the Commission
listing each contribution of $100 or more received by the committee
during the cycle after the date on which such subsection first applies
to the committee. The committee shall file such report not later than
10 days after receipt, and shall include the identification of the
contributor, the date of receipt and amount of the contribution, and
(in the case of an authorized committee of a candidate) the name of the
candidate and the office sought by the candidate.
    ``(2) The report required under this paragraph shall be in addition
to all other reports required under this Act.''.

SEC. 4. EXPANDING TYPES OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN
              COMMITTEES SUBJECT TO EXPEDITED REPORTING; SHORTENING
              DEADLINE FOR REPORTING TO WITHIN 24 HOURS OF RECEIPT.

    Section 304(a)(6) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 434(a)(6)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
        subparagraph:
    ``(B) In the case of a principal campaign committee which is
required under subsection (a)(11)(B)(ii) to file reports under this Act
electronically during an election cycle, subparagraph (A) shall apply
with respect to any contribution received by the committee after the
date on which such subsection first applies to the committee as if--
            ``(i) the reference to `$1,000' were a reference to `$100';
            ``(ii) the reference to `20th day' were a reference to
        `90th day'; and
            ``(iii) the reference in the second sentence to `48 hours'
        were a reference to `24 hours'.''.

SEC. 5. ELECTION CYCLE DEFINED.

    Section 301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
431) is amended by striking paragraph (19) and inserting the following
new paragraph:
    ``(19) The term `election cycle' means--
            ``(A) in the case of a candidate or the authorized
        committees of a candidate, the term beginning on the day after
        the date of the most recent general election for the specific
        office or seat which such candidate seeks and ending on the
        date of the next general election for such office or seat; or
            ``(B) for all other persons, the term beginning on the
        first day following the date of the last general election and
        ending on the date of the next general election.''.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to
elections occurring after January 1999.

Output:
Electronic Campaign Disclosure Act of 1998 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to require the Federal Election Commission to:  (1) establish a specified public Internet site not later than January 1, 1999; (2) permit persons required to file reports under FECA to file such reports by directly posting them on the Internet site or by filing them electronically to enable the Commission to post reports on such site immediately upon receipt; (3) provide for one or more methods (other than requiring a signature on the reports being filed) for verification of reports filed in accordance with the methods described in the preceding; (4) require a person to file a report in accordance with the methods described during an election cycle if the aggregate amount of contributions and expenditures reported previously by the person during the cycle exceeds $25,000; and (5) obtain and provide for computer software required to carry out this Act through competitive bidding.
Requires that if a political committee is required to file reports electronically during an election cycle, the committee shall file a report listing each contribution of $100 or more received by the committee not later than ten days after receipt and include the contributor's identification, the date of receipt and the contribution amount, and (in the case of a candidate's authorized committee) the candidate's name and the office sought by the candidate.
Expands the types of contributions required to be reported by principal campaign committees subject to the mandatory electronic reporting requirements under this Act and changes the deadline for reporting such contributions by any authorized committee of a candidate.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pharmaceutical Products Price Equity
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Modern life enhancing and life sustaining drugs are the
        products of decades of scientific research and practice.
            (2) The refining and production of products by American
        pharmaceutical enterprises must be appropriately compensated.
            (3) The pricing of American pharmaceutical products varies
        greatly from country to country with the corporate owners of
        such products voluntarily assuming no losses by always selling
        their products above the cost of production.
            (4) Considering the vital life and death nature of
        pharmaceutical products, it is appropriate that the United
        States Government, in harmony with other nations belonging to
        the World Trade Organization, should engage in the reasonable
        regulation of the prices of pharmaceutical products.

SEC. 3. REASONABLE LIMITS ON PROFITS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.

    (a) Presidential Authority.--The President shall issue such orders
and regulations, and establish such procedures and reporting
requirements, as the President determines to be appropriate to ensure
that no pharmaceutical product (as defined by the President in such
regulation or order) is sold to any consumer in the United States at a
price that is more than 6 percent above the average retail price at
which such pharmaceutical product is sold in the 5 most industrialized,
free-market countries, other than the United States, as determined by
the President.
    (b) Delegation.--The President may delegate the performance of any
function under this section to any officer of any Federal department or
agency who has been appointed by the President, by and with the consent
of the Senate.
    (c) Confidentiality of Information.--All information reported to or
otherwise obtained by any person exercising any authority under this
section which contains or relates to a trade secret or other matter
referred to in section 1905 of title 18, United States Code, shall be
considered confidential for purposes of that section, except that such
information may be disclosed to any other officer or employee of the
United States involved in carrying out this section solely for the
purpose of carrying out, and enforcing compliance with, this section.
    (d) Subpoena Power and Production of Documents.--
            (1) In general.--The officer of any agency or department to
        whom the President has delegated any authority under this
        section, may--
                    (A) examine any books, papers, records, or other
                data of any person which is relevant to the enforcement
                of this section or to any recordkeeping or reporting
                requirement prescribed for the purpose of carrying out
                this section; and
                    (B) summon any person, an officer or employee of
                any person (including a former officer or employee), or
                any person having possession, custody, or care of the
                reports and records required to be made or maintained
                pursuant to this section, to appear at a time and place
                named in the summons and to produce such books, papers,
                records, or other data, and to give testimony, under
                oath, as may be relevant or material to an
                investigation or procedure under this section.
            (2) Administrative aspects of summons.--
                    (A) Production at designated site.--A summons
                issued pursuant to this section may require that books,
                papers, records, or other data stored or maintained at
                any place be produced at any designated location in any
                State  or in any territory or other place subject to
the jurisdiction of the United States not more than 500 miles distant
from any place where the person summoned operates or conducts business
in the United States.
                    (B) Fees and travel expenses.--Persons summoned
                under this section shall be paid the same fees and
                mileage for travel in the United States that are paid
                witnesses in the courts of the United States.
                    (C) No liability for expenses.--The United States
                shall not be liable for any expense, other than an
                expense described in subparagraph (B), incurred in
                connection with the production of books, papers,
                records, or other data under this section.
            (3) Service of summons.--Service of a summons issued under
        this section may be by registered mail or in such other manner
        calculated to give actual notice as the officer delegated by
        the President may prescribe by regulation.
            (4) Contumacy or refusal.--
                    (A) Referral to attorney general.--In case of
                contumacy by a person issued a summons under this
                subsection or a refusal by such person to obey such
summons, the officer issuing the summons shall refer the matter to the
Attorney General.
                    (B) Jurisdiction of court.--The Attorney General
                may invoke the aid of any court of the United States
                within the jurisdiction of which--
                            (i) the investigation which gave rise to
                        the summons is being or has been carried on;
                            (ii) the person summoned is an inhabitant;
                        or
                            (iii) the person summoned carries on
                        business or may be found,
                to compel compliance with the summons.
                    (C) Court order.--The court may issue an order
                requiring the person summoned to appear before the
                Secretary or his delegate to produce books, papers,
                records, and other data, to give testimony as may be
                necessary to explain how such material was compiled and
                maintained, and to pay the costs of the proceeding.
                    (D) Failure to comply with order.--Any failure to
                obey the order of the court may be punished by the
                court as a contempt thereof.
                    (E) Service of process.--All process in any case
                under this subsection may be served in any judicial
                district in which such person may be found.

SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Injunctions and Other Relief.--
            (1) In general.--Whenever it appears to the officer
        authorized by the President to exercise authority under this
        Act, that any person has engaged, is engaged, or is about to
        engage in any act or practice that constitutes a violation of
        any regulation or order prescribed or issued pursuant to
        section 3, the officer may request the Attorney General to
        bring an action in an appropriate district court of the United
        States to enjoin such act or practice.
            (2) Remedies.--Upon a proper showing in any action under
        paragraph (1), the court--
                    (A) shall issue a temporary restraining order or
                grant a preliminary or permanent injunction without
                bond;
                    (B) may also issue a mandatory injunction
                commanding any person to comply with any order or
                injunction issued or granted under subparagraph (A);
                and
                    (C) may order restitution of moneys received in
                violation of any regulation prescribed or order issued
                under section 3 or any order issued or injunction
                granted under this section.
    (b) Penalties.--
            (1) Criminal.--Whoever knowingly violates any regulation
        prescribed or order issued under section 3 shall be fined not
        more than the amount equal to 200 percent of the amount of the
        sale related to each violation.
            (2) Civil.--
                    (A) In general.--Whoever violates any regulation
                prescribed or order issued under section 3 shall be
                liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not
                more than 200 percent of the amount by which such
                person was unjustly enriched in connection with such
                violation.
                    (B) Continuing violations.--A separate violation
                occurs for each sale of a pharmaceutical product in
                violation of a regulation prescribed or order issued
                under section 3.
                    (C) Assessment.--
                            (i) Written notice.--Any penalty imposed
                        under subparagraph (A) may be assessed and
                        collected by the officer authorized by the
                        President to exercise authority under this Act
                        by written notice.
                            (ii) Finality of assessment.--If, with
                        respect to any assessment under clause (i), a
                        hearing is not requested pursuant to
                        subparagraph (F) within the period of time
                        allowed under such subparagraph, the assessment
                        shall constitute a final and unappealable
                        order.
                    (D) Authority to modify or remit penalty.--Any
                officer authorized by the President to exercise
                authority under this Act may compromise, modify, or
                remit any penalty which such officer may assess or had
                already assessed under subparagraph (A).
                    (E) Mitigating factors.--In determining the amount
                of any penalty imposed under subparagraph (A), the
                officer authorized by the President to exercise
                authority under this Act shall take into account the
                appropriateness of the penalty with respect to--
                            (i) the size of financial resources and
                        good faith of the person charged;
                            (ii) the gravity of the violation;
                            (iii) the history of previous violations;
                        and
                            (iv) such other matters as justice may
                        require.
                    (F) Hearing.--The person against whom any penalty
                is assessed under this paragraph shall be afforded an
                agency hearing if such person submits a request for
                such hearing within 20 days after the issuance of the
                notice of assessment.
                    (G) Collection.--
                            (i) Referral.--If any person fails to pay
                        an assessment after any penalty assessed under
                        this paragraph has become final, the officer
                        who imposed the penalty shall recover the
                        amount assessed by action in the appropriate
                        United States district court.
                            (ii) Appropriateness of penalty not
                        reviewable.--In any civil action under clause
                        (i), the validity and appropriateness of the
                        penalty shall not be subject to review.
                    (H) Disbursement.--All penalties collected under
                authority of this paragraph shall be deposited into the
                Treasury.
                    (I) Regulations.--Any officer authorized by the
                President to exercise authority under this Act shall
                prescribe regulations establishing such procedures as
                may be necessary to carry out this paragraph.

SEC. 5. CIVIL LIABILITY.

    (a) Liability Established.--Any person who violates any regulation
prescribed or order issued under this Act with respect to any other
person shall be liable to such person in an amount equal to the sum of
the amounts determined under each of the following paragraphs:
            (1) Actual damages.--The greater of--
                    (A) the amount of any actual damage sustained by
                such person as a result of such failure; or
                    (B) any amount paid by the injured person to the
                violator.
            (2) Punitive damages.--
                    (A) Individual actions.--In the case of any action
                by an individual, such additional amount as the court
                may allow.
                    (B) Class actions.--In the case of a class action,
                the sum of--
                            (i) the aggregate of the amount which the
                        court may allow for each named plaintiff; and
                            (ii) the aggregate of the amount which the
                        court may allow for each other class member,
                        without regard to any minimum individual
                        recovery.
            (3) Attorneys' fees.--In the case of any successful action
        to enforce any liability under paragraph (1) or (2), the costs
        of the action, together with reasonable attorneys' fees.
    (b) Factors To Be Considered in Awarding Punitive Damages.--In
determining the amount of any liability of any person under section
(a), the court shall consider, among other relevant factors--
            (1) the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the
        violator;
            (2) the nature of the noncompliance;
            (3) the extent to which such noncompliance was intentional;
        and
            (4) in the case of any class action, the number of
        consumers adversely affected.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the President for fiscal
years 2003, 2004, and 2005, such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this Act.

Output: Pharmaceutical Products Price Equity Act - Directs the President to issue orders and regulations, and establish procedures and reporting requirements, to ensure that no pharmaceutical product is sold to any consumer in the United States at a price that is more than six percent above the average retail price at which such pharmaceutical product is sold in the five most industrialized, free-market countries, other than the United States. Sets forth enforcement and civil liability provisions.