Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

     This Act may be cited as the ``Fisheries Management Reform Act of
2004''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT REFERENCES.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to
be made to such section or other provision of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

SEC. 3. REPRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON REGIONAL FISHERY
              MANAGEMENT COUNCILS.

    (a) Appointment of Members by Administrator.--
            (1) Appointment of members.--Section 302 (16 U.S.C. 1852)
        is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``appointed by the Secretary'' each
                place it appears and inserting ``appointed by the
                Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                Administration'';
                    (B) in paragraphs (2) and (6) of subsection (b) by
                striking ``The Secretary'' each place it appears and
                inserting ``The Administrator of the National Oceanic
                and Atmospheric Administration'';
                    (C) in paragraph (5)(A) of subsection (b) by
                striking ``The Secretary'' the first and second places
                it appears and inserting ``The Administrator of the
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'';
                    (D) in subsection (b) by striking ``the Secretary''
                each place it appears, other than in paragraph (6)(B),
                and inserting ``the Administrator''; and
                    (E) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii) by striking ``the
                Secretary's'' and inserting ``the Administrator's''.
            (2) Application with respect to current members of
        councils.--
                    (A) Appointment not affected.--The amendment made
                by paragraph (1)(A) shall not affect any appointment by
                the Secretary of Commerce made before the date of the
                enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Removal.--In applying section 302(b)(6) of the
                Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
                Act, as amended by this subsection, to a member of a
                Regional Fishery Management Council appointed before
                the date of the enactment of this Act, ``by the
                Secretary'' shall be substituted for ``by the
                Administrator''.
    (b) Representation by State Officials.--Section 302(b)(1)(A) (16
U.S.C. 1852(b)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Such official shall represent the interests of the general public.''.
    (c) Allocation of Appointments.--Section 302(b)(2)(B) (16 U.S.C.
1852(b)(2)(B)) is amended in the first sentence--
            (1) by striking ``of the active participants'' and
        inserting ``among the active participants''; and
            (2) by inserting before the period the following: ``and
        representatives of the public interest in marine fish
        conservation, including individuals who do not derive any of
        their annual income from commercial or recreational fishing and
        who are knowledgeable regarding the conservation and management
        of the fishery resources of the geographic area concerned''.
    (d) Consultation by States in Submitting Nominees.--Section
302(b)(2)(C) (16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(2)(C)) is amended--
            (1) in the second sentence by inserting ``and
        representatives of conservation organizations'' after
        ``commercial and recreational fishing interests''; and
            (2) by striking the third sentence and inserting the
        following: ``Each list shall consist of a broad slate of
        candidates for each vacancy, shall include at least two
        representatives from each of the commercial fishing industry
        sector, the recreational fishing sector, and the marine fish
        conservation public interest sector who do not derive any of
        their annual income from commercial or recreational fishing,
        and shall consist solely of individuals who are knowledgeable
        regarding the conservation and management of the fishery
        resources of the geographic area concerned.''.
    (e) Training of Appointed Members.--
            (1) Training requirement.--Section 302(b) (16 U.S.C.
        1852(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Training of appointed members.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to
                each member of a Council appointed by the Secretary
                under this subsection, by not later than 6 months after
                the date of the member's appointment, training in
                matters relating to the functions of the Council,
                including--
                            ``(i) fishery science and basic fish stock
                        assessment;
                            ``(ii) social science and fishery
                        economics;
                            ``(iii) the requirements of this Act, the
                        National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
                        chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code
                        (popularly known as the Administrative
                        Procedures Act), and other relevant statutes or
                        regulations;
                            ``(iv) conflict of interest policies that
                        apply to Council members; and
                            ``(v) the public process for developing
                        fishery management plans.
                    ``(B) Restriction on voting.--A member of a Council
                to whom the Secretary is required to provide training
                under this paragraph may not vote on any decision of
                the Council before the date the member completes such
                training.''.
            (2) Limitation on application.--The amendment made by
        paragraph (1) shall not apply to a member of a Regional Fishery
        Management Council appointed before the date of the enactment
        of this Act.
    (f) Technical Correction.--Section 302(b)(2)(B) (16 U.S.C.
1852(b)(2)(B)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ``Merchant
Marine and Fisheries'' and inserting ``Resources''.

SEC. 4. QUALIFICATION OF VOTING COUNCIL MEMBERS; DISCLOSURE OF
              FINANCIAL INTEREST AND RECUSAL.

    (a) Qualifications of Voting Council Members.--Section 302(b)(2)(A)
(16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(2)(A)) is amended by--
            (1) inserting after ``geographical area concerned'' the
        following: ``, and must not have been found by the Secretary,
        after notice and an opportunity for a hearing in accordance
        with section 554 of title 5, United States Code, to have
        committed an act prohibited by section 307(1)(D), (E), (F),
        (H), (I), or (L) or section 307(2)''; and
            (2) striking ``of the Fishery Conservation Amendments of
        1990'' and replacing with ``of the Fisheries Management Reform
        Act of 2004''.
    (b) Disclosure of Financial Interest and Recusal.--
            (1) Amendments relating to disclosure and recusal.--Section
        302(j) (16 U.S.C. 1852(j)) is amended as follows:
                    (A) By striking the heading and inserting
                ``Disclosure of Financial Interest and Recusal.--''.
                    (B) By striking paragraph (6), and redesignating
                paragraphs (7) and (8) in order as paragraphs (6) and
                (7).
                    (C) In paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by
                striking so much as precedes subparagraph (B) and
                inserting the following:
            ``(6) Prohibition on participation.--(A)(i) An affected
        individual shall not vote on a Council decision that would have
        an effect on a financial interest that the individual is
        required to disclose under paragraph (2).
            ``(ii) An affected individual who is prohibited from voting
        on a Council decision may not participate in any Council
        deliberations relating to the decision.''.
                    (D) In paragraph (6)(B), as so redesignated--
                            (i) by inserting ``or a member of the
                        public'' after ``an affected individual''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``would have a significant
                        and predictable effect on a financial
                        interest'' and inserting ``would have an effect
                        on the financial interest of an affected
                        individual''.
                    (E) In paragraph (6)(C), as so redesignated, by
                inserting ``, or member of the public,'' after ``Any
                Council member''.
                    (F) In paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by
                striking subparagraph (D) and redesignating
                subparagraphs (E) and (F) in order as subparagraphs (D)
                and (E).
                    (G) In paragraph (6)(D), as so redesignated--
                            (i) by striking ``may not'' and inserting
                        ``shall''; and
                            (ii) by inserting before the period the
                        following: ``, if the Secretary determines that
                        the Council decision had an effect on the
                        financial interest of an affected individual
                        and the affected individual's vote decided the
                        Council action''.
                    (H) By amending paragraph (6)(E), as so
                redesignated, to read as follows:
            ``(E) The Secretary, in consultation with the Councils and
        by not later than one year after the date of enactment of the
        Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2004, shall promulgate
        regulations that allow for the making of determinations under
        subparagraphs (B) and (C).''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 307(1)(O) (16 U.S.C.
        1857(1)(O)) is amended by striking ``302(j)(7)(A)'' and
        inserting ``307(j)(6)(A)''.

SEC. 5. REGIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL TEAMS.

     Section 302(g) (16 U.S.C. 1852(g)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6), and by
        inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) Regional science and technical teams.--(A) The
        Secretary shall establish regional science and technical teams
        to provide the Secretary with recommendations to carry out
        section 303(e).
            ``(B) Each science and technical team established under
        this paragraph shall consist of Federal, State, and academic
        qualified independent scientists.
            ``(C) Each science and technical team established under
        this paragraph shall--
                    ``(i) based on the best scientific information
                available, recommend to the Secretary--
                            ``(I) acceptable biological catch and
                        bycatch limits, including annual limits, that
                        are consistent with the national standard set
                        forth in section 301(a)(1) and that consider
                        predator-prey relationships and other
                        ecological factors;
                            ``(II) specific habitat and area
                        protections necessary to protect essential fish
                        habitats; and
                            ``(III) specific requirements necessary to
                        protect species listed as threatened species or
                        endangered species under section 4 of the
                        Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
                        1533);
                    ``(ii) allow an opportunity for public input,
                including with respect to catch and bycatch limits and
                habitat protection measures recommended by the team,
                consider such input in developing its recommendations,
                and create a public record of such input and the team's
                response to such input; and
                    ``(iii) publish its recommendations in the Federal
                Register.
            ``(D) Recommendations of a regional science and technical
        team submitted to the Secretary under this paragraph must be
        subjected to peer review by qualified independent
        scientists.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(7) For the purposes of this subsection, the term `qualified
independent scientists' means individuals who--
            ``(A) through publication of peer-reviewed scientific
        literature and academic training, have demonstrated scientific
        expertise in fisheries science or marine ecology; and
            ``(B) have no direct financial interest, and are not
        employed by any person with a direct financial interest, in any
        fishery.''.

SEC. 6. CONTENTS OF FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS.

    (a) Required Provisions Regarding Protection, Restoration, and
Promotion of Ecosystems.--Section 303(a)(1) (16 U.S.C. 1853(a)(1)) is
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting before the semicolon
        the following: ``and the associated ecosystem'';
            (2) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
        subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end of
        subparagraph (C) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the
        end the following:
                    ``(D) consistent with the conservation and
                management measures developed by the Secretary pursuant
                to subsection (e), except a Council may modify any
                conservation and management measure to provide greater
                conservation in order to achieve plan objectives,
                including to protect and maintain the ecological role
                of forage fish.''; and
            (3) by amending paragraph (14) to read as follows:
            ``(14) allocate any quotas or other conservation and
        management measures established by the Secretary under
        subsection (e) fairly and equitably among the commercial,
        recreational, and charter fishing sectors in the fishery, and
        allow individual sectors of the fishery to develop allocation
        plans subject to the approval of the Council.''.
    (b) Development of Conservation and Management Measures by
Secretary.--Section 303 (16 U.S.C. 1853) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
    ``(e) Development of Conservation and Management Measures by
Secretary.--The Secretary shall, based on recommendations of the
regional science and technical teams established under section
302(g)(5), provide Councils conservation and management measures for
incorporation into fishery management plans, plan amendments, or annual
specifications, that establish--
            ``(1) catch and bycatch limits that do not exceed
        acceptable biological catch limits, including annual limits,
        that are consistent with the national standard set forth in
        section 301(a)(1) and that consider predator-prey relationships
        and other ecological factors;
            ``(2) specific habitat and area protections necessary to
        protect essential fish habitats; and
            ``(3) specific requirements necessary to protect species
        listed as endangered species or threatened species under
        section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
        1533).''.

Output:
Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2004 - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (currently, the Secretary of Commerce) to appoint members to the Regional Fishery Management Councils who, by reason of their occupational or other experience, are knowledgeable regarding the conservation and management, or the commercial or recreational harvest, of fishery resources. Revises requirements for the composition of such councils and the qualifications of voting Council members.

Sets forth certain requirements with respect to: (1) training of appointed Council members; and (2) disclosure of financial interest and recusal of Council members.

Directs the Secretary to establish regional science and technical teams to make recommendations on certain matters, on the basis of which the Secretary shall provide Councils conservation and management measures for incorporation into fishery management plans that establish: (1) catch and bycatch limits; (2) specific habitat and area protections to protect essential fish habitats; and (3) specific requirements necessary to protect endangered species.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act my be cited as the ``School Safety Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT.

    (a) Placement in Alternative Educational Settings.--Section 615(k)
of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1415(k))
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), by striking ``45 days if--''
        and all that follows through ``(II) the child'' and inserting
        ``45 days if the child'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``A hearing'' and
        inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (10), a hearing'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11);
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new
        section:
            ``(10) Expulsion or suspension with respect to weapons.--
                    ``(A) Authority of school personnel with respect to
                weapons.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
                Act, school personnel may suspend or expel a child with
                a disability who--
                            ``(i) carries or possesses a weapon to or
                        at a school, on school premises, or to or at a
                        school function under the jurisdiction of a
                        State or a local educational agency; or
                            ``(ii) threatens to carry, possess, or use
                        a weapon to or at a school, on school premises,
or to or at a school function under the jurisdiction of a State or a
local educational agency;
                in the same manner in which such personnel would
                suspend or expel a child without a disability.
                    ``(B) Definitions.--For the purposes of this
                paragraph:
                            ``(i) Weapon.--The term `weapon' has the
                        meaning given the term under applicable State
                        law.
                            ``(ii) Threatens to carry, possess, or use
                        a weapon.--The term `threatens to carry,
                        possess, or use a weapon' includes behavior in
                        which a child verbally threatens to kill
                        another person.
                    ``(C) Free appropriate public education.--
                            ``(i) Ceasing to provide education.--A
                        child expelled or suspended under subparagraph
                        (A) shall not be entitled to continued
                        educational services, including, but not
                        limited to a free appropriate public education,
                        under this Act, during the term of such
                        expulsion or suspension, if the State in which
                        the local educational agency responsible for
                        providing educational services to such child
                        does not require a child without a disability
                        to receive educational services after being
                        suspended or expelled.
                            ``(ii) Providing education.--
                        Notwithstanding clause (i), the local
                        educational agency responsible for providing
                        educational services to a child with a
                        disability who is expelled or suspended under
                        subparagraph (A) may choose to continue to
                        provide educational services to such child. If
                        the local educational agency so chooses, then--
                                    ``(I) nothing in this Act shall
                                require the local educational agency to
                                provide such child with a free
                                appropriate public education, or any
                                particular level of service; and
                                    ``(II) the site where the local
                                educational agency provides the
                                services shall be left to the
                                discretion of the local educational
                                agency.''.
            (5) in paragraph (11) (as redesignated in paragraph (3)),
        by striking subparagraph (D).
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 612(a)(1)(A) of the Individuals with
        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(1)(A)) is amended
        by inserting before the period ``(except as provided in section
        615(k)(10))''.
            (2) Section 615(f)(1) of the Individuals with Disabilities
        Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1415(f)(1)) is amended by inserting at
        the beginning of the first sentence ``Except as provided in
        section 615(k)(10),''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE GUN-FREE SCHOOLS ACT OF 1994.

    Subsection (c) of section 14601 of the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994
(20 U.S.C. 8921) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Special Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, this section shall be subject to section 615(k)(10) of the
Individual with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1415(k)(10)).''.

Output:
Authorizes school personnel to discipline (including expel or suspend), in the same manner in which such personnel may discipline a child without a disability, a child with a disability who: (1) carries or possesses a weapon to or at a school, on school premises, or to or at a school function under the jurisdiction of a State or local educational agency (LEA); or (2) threatens to do so, which includes behavior in which a child verbally threatens to kill another person.
Declares that a child expelled or suspended shall not be entitled to continued educational services, including a free appropriate public education, during the term of such expulsion or suspension, if the State does not require a child without a disability to receive educational services after being expelled or suspended. Authorizes the LEA, even if State law does not require it to do so, to choose to continue to provide educational services, at any level of services and at a site it chooses.
Amends the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994 to subject certain provisions to IDEA requirements added by this Act for school expulsion or suspension, because of a weapons violation, of a child with a disability.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Social Security Reporting
Improvements Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Social Security Advisory Board, the Technical Panel
        on Assumptions and Methods of the Social Security Advisory
        Board (in this Act referred to as the ``Panel''), and the
        Office of the Chief Actuary of the Social Security
        Administration should be commended for their professional,
        nonpartisan work to project the future financial operations of
        the social security program established under title II of the
        Social Security Act.
            (2) The Panel reported its recommendations in November
        1999.
            (3) The Panel recommended a series of changes to current
        projections of the financial operations of the social security
        program which would, if adopted, increase existing estimates of
        the program's unfunded obligations.
            (4) The Panel further recommended the use of standards of
        comparison that emphasize program sustainability, such as
        showing the program's projected annual income rates, cost
        rates, and balances with an emphasis that is equal to 75-year
        program solvency.
            (5) The Panel further recommended that reform proposals be
        evaluated using standards of comparison that include the
        proposal's impact on the Federal unified budget, as well as a
        recognition of the funding shortfalls present under current
        law.
            (6) The Panel made several other recommendations that are
        worthy of consideration, involving issues that include, but are
        not limited to, workforce participation, poverty rates among
        the elderly, and assumptions regarding equity investment
        returns.
            (7) Adoption of the Panel's recommendations would assist in
        developing a fiscally responsible reform solution that avoids
        passing hidden costs to future taxpayers.

SEC. 3. ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 704 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
904) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

                      ``Annual Report to Congress

    ``(f) The Commissioner, in conjunction with the Secretary, the
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget, shall submit an annual report to Congress that includes the
following:
            ``(1) Projections of the old-age, survivors, and disability
        insurance program's (in this subsection referred to as the
        `program') annual income rates, cost rates, and annual balances
        throughout the 75-year valuation window used by the Board of
        Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund (in this
subsection referred to as the `Board of Trustees').
            ``(2) A clear and explicit presentation of the program's
        financing shortfalls, expressed as the excess in dollars of
        program outlays over revenues, in years that the sum of payroll
        tax revenues and revenues resulting from taxes imposed on
        benefits provided under the program are projected by the Board
        of Trustees to be less than program outlays.
            ``(3) A presentation of benefit levels under the program
        and tax rates throughout the long-range valuation period used
        by the Board of Trustees that reflects the extent to which
        benefits would need to be reduced to be funded under currently
        projected program revenues, and the percentage that taxes would
        need to be increased in order to fund promised benefits.
            ``(4) An evaluation of the effects upon national savings
        levels and on the fiscal operations of the Federal Government
        of enacted provisions of law relating to the program.
            ``(5) Estimates of average lifetime values of benefits for
        different age, income, and gender cohorts, respectively, for
        recipients of benefits under the program, that are consistent
        with the estimates of the Board of Trustees of the percentage
        of benefits that can be funded under such enacted provisions of
        law.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to reports made for calendar years beginning after
the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM LEGISLATION.

    It is the sense of Congress that Congress and the President should
not miss a critical opportunity to enact comprehensive bipartisan
social security reform legislation that meets the standard of 75-year
actuarial solvency and also addresses the following issues:
            (1) The permanent sustainability of the social security
        program.
            (2) The long-term impact of reform upon the fiscal
        operations of the Federal Government as a whole.
            (3) The need for a clear and explicit presentation of the
        anticipated reduction in the social security program's unfunded
        obligations.
            (4) Ensured continued solvency under alternative
        assumptions regarding mortality, fertility, rates of return,
        and other appropriate economic and demographic assumptions.
            (5) The total amount of retirement income provided under
        proposed reform in comparison to a standard that explicitly
        recognizes the benefit reductions or tax increases that enacted
        provisions of law relating to the social security program would
        require, according to the estimates in the most recent report
        of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors
        Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust
        Fund.
            (6) The long-term impact of the current projections of
        insolvency and of alternative reform proposals upon workforce
        participation, poverty among the elderly, national savings
        levels, and other issues identified by the Panel.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the recommendations of the Panel
should be implemented to the extent deemed reasonable by the Board of
Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and
the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, in consultation with the
agencies and offices that have research, estimating, and reporting
responsibilities pertinent to the social security program.

Output:
Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress and the President should not miss a critical opportunity to enact comprehensive bipartisan social security reform legislation that meets the standard of 75-year actuarial solvency, and also addresses outlined issues, including the permanent sustainability of the social security program and the long-term impact of reform upon fiscal operations of the Federal Government as a whole.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the recommendations of the Technical Panel on Assumptions and Methods of the Social Security Advisory Board should be implemented to the extent reasonable by the Board of Trustees of the social security trust funds.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Private Education Loan Modification
Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) as of 2015, the Federal Reserve Consumer Credit Report
        stated that there is more than $1,300,000,000,000 in
        outstanding student loan debt in the United States, including
        more than $150,000,000,000 in private education loans;
            (2) in 2008, 81 percent of individuals graduating with an
        undergraduate degree with more than $40,000 in student loans
        had a private education loan;
            (3) according to a 2012 study of the private student loan
        market published by the Department of Education and the Bureau
        of Consumer Financial Protection, there were 850,000 private
        student loan defaults with an outstanding principal balance
        more than $8,000,000,000;
            (4) the limited number of lenders in the private education
        loan marketplace reduce the ability of borrowers with private
        education loans to restructure, refinance, or negotiate
        repayment terms for their current loans, leading to excessive
        debt burdens and potential default;
            (5) as reported by the Student Loan Ombudsman of the
        Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the 2014 annual report,
        it appears that few, if any, private student lenders and loan
        servicers have developed transparent, widely offered flexible
        repayment options that mitigate defaults for borrowers in
        distress;
            (6) excessive student indebtedness reduces economic
        activity, threatens homeownership, hurts small business growth,
        and limits opportunities for economic expansion across rural
        and urban communities; and
            (7) as noted in 2013, the Federal Deposit Insurance
        Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and
        the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System encouraged
        financial institutions to work constructively with private
        student loan borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, so
        borrowers have access to safe-and-sound lending practices.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to spur economic growth,
by establishing a mechanism to allow borrowers of private education
loans to refinance their loans in order--
            (1) to facilitate greater competition in the private
        education lending and refinancing markets, particularly those
        serving underserved and rural locations;
            (2) to address inefficiencies in the private education
        lending and refinancing markets;
            (3) to encourage innovation in the private education
        refinancing markets; and
            (4) to promote the participation of private capital in the
        private education refinancing markets.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``private education loan'' has the same
        meaning as in section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15
        U.S.C. 1650(a)); and
            (2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
        Treasury, other than in the context of the Secretary of
        Education.

SEC. 4. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO CREATE A CREDIT FACILITY TO INCREASE
              MARKET EFFICIENCY IN THE STUDENT LOAN MARKET.

    (a) Authority.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Credit facilities authorization.--Upon a
                determination by the Secretary that borrowers are
                unable to secure adequate credit accommodations with
                existing private education loans, the Secretary,
                notwithstanding any provision of section 484 of the
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091), is
                authorized to establish lending, purchase, and other
                credit facilities to--
                            (i) accommodate reasonable refinancing
                        opportunities or other loan adjustments that--
                                    (I) improve the sustainability of
                                payments for the borrower; and
                                    (II) reduce the likelihood of
                                delinquency and default on private
                                education loans;
                            (ii) benefit borrowers that are most likely
                        to have private student debt service
                        obligations that represent a disproportionate
                        share of their income; and
                            (iii) ensure that borrowers pay lower
                        interest rates that are commensurate with
                        credit risk, so that they may pursue more
                        economically productive activities, such as
                        home purchases and small business formation.
                    (B) Consultation.--
                            (i) In general.--Any determination under
                        subparagraph (A) shall be made jointly with the
                        Secretary of Education and the Director of the
                        Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
                            (ii) Compliance system.--Prior to
                        establishing a facility under this subsection,
                        the Secretary, or any administrator designated
                        by the Secretary to establish a program to
                        carry out the authority provided in this
                        subsection, shall establish a compliance system
                        in consultation with the Bureau of Consumer
                        Financial Protection.
            (2) No net cost to government.--Mechanisms established
        under this subsection shall not result in any net cost to the
        Federal Government, as determined jointly by the Secretary, the
        Secretary of Education, and the Director of the Office of
        Management and Budget.
    (b) Federal Register Notice.--Prior to exercising any authority
provided under subsection (a), the Secretary shall publish a notice in
the Federal Register to seek comment from interested parties on its
proposed exercise of such authority, including--
            (1) the terms and conditions governing the lending,
        purchases, or other credit facilities authorized by subsection
        (a);
            (2) an outline of methodology and factors considered in the
        purchase or restructuring of private education loans;
            (3) private education loan modification options that may be
        available for existing loans;
            (4) how they will ensure that borrowers whose education
        debt service obligations represent a disproportionate share of
        their income will be provided relief;
            (5) how the use of the methodology and factors, as proposed
        in the notice, will be used to ensure that any exercise of
        authority by the Secretary will result in no net cost to the
        Federal Government; and
            (6) how any mechanism will be designed to avoid
        extraordinary gains by market participants holding loans in
        distress.
    (c) Initial Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report that includes--
            (1) current market liquidity and the status of loan
        financing by lenders, including those serving underserved and
        rural locations;
            (2) the public economic benefits and funds necessary for
        initiating a private education loan program;
            (3) upon determining limited access to loans by borrowers,
        a plan of the Secretary to implement credit mechanisms under
        the authority of this Act;
            (4) a description of macroeconomic benefits of increased
        efficiency and refinance activity in the student loan market;
        and
            (5) a description of the benefits through the use of such
        authority to private education loan borrowers, including how
        any incidental net gain from the credit mechanism would be used
        to benefit student borrowers.
    (d) Annual Reports.--Beginning 1 year after the date of the first
use of the authority provided under this section, the Secretary shall
provide an annual report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of
the House of Representatives describing the utilization, impact, and
financial performance of any program established under the authority of
this section.
    (e) Public Awareness.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
publication of a notice in the Federal Register pursuant to subsection
(b), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and
the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall
begin a national awareness campaign to alert all private education loan
borrowers who may benefit from any program or facilities established
under this section. Such campaign shall include outreach to targeted
populations of borrowers that are most likely to have private education
loan debt service obligations that represent a disproportionate share
of their income.
    (f) Expiration of Authority.--Three years after the date on which a
credit facility is established under this Act, and not later than 5
years after the date of enactment of this Act, any new lending,
purchase, or other activity initiated through the facilities
established by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall cease.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Federal financial
institutions, such as the Federal Financing Bank and the Federal
Reserve banks, and federally chartered private entities, such as the
Federal home loan banks, should consider, in consultation with the
Secretary, the Secretary of Education, and the Director of the Bureau
of Consumer Financial Protection, using available authorities in a
timely manner, if needed, to assist in ensuring that borrowers of
private education loans can secure credit accommodations to refinance
existing loans, in a manner that results in no increased costs to
taxpayers and will avoid extraordinary gains by market participants
holding loans in distress in order to avoid unnecessary loan
modifications.

Output: Private Education Loan Modification Act of 2015 This bill temporarily authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish credit facilities, at no net cost to the federal government, to refinance private student loans to ensure lower interest rates for borrowers. Treasury must first determine that existing borrowers are unable to secure adequate credit accommodations to refinance private student loans.  The bill directs Treasury to conduct a national awareness campaign to alert private student loan borrowers who may benefit. It expresses the sense of the Congress that federal financial institutions and federally chartered private entities should assist borrowers in refinancing existing private student loans.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Treatment for Experienced
Pilots Act''.
SEC. 2. AGE STANDARDS FOR PILOTS.
    (a) In General.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 44729. Age standards for pilots
    ``(a) In General.--Subject to the limitation in subsection (c), a
pilot may serve in multicrew covered operations until attaining 65
years of age.
    ``(b) Covered Operations Defined.--In this section, the term
`covered operations' means operations under part 121 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
    ``(c) Limitation for International Flights.--
        ``(1) Applicability of icao standard.--A pilot who has attained
    60 years of age may serve as pilot-in-command in covered operations
    between the United States and another country only if there is
    another pilot in the flight deck crew who has not yet attained 60
    years of age.
        ``(2) Sunset of limitation.--Paragraph (1) shall cease to be
    effective on such date as the Convention on International Civil
    Aviation provides that a pilot who has attained 60 years of age may
    serve as pilot-in-command in international commercial operations
    without regard to whether there is another pilot in the flight deck
    crew who has not attained age 60.
    ``(d) Sunset of Age 60 Retirement Rule.--On and after the date of
enactment of this section, section 121.383(c) of title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations, shall cease to be effective.
    ``(e) Applicability.--
        ``(1) Nonretroactivity.--No person who has attained 60 years of
    age before the date of enactment of this section may serve as a
    pilot for an air carrier engaged in covered operations unless--
            ``(A) such person is in the employment of that air carrier
        in such operations on such date of enactment as a required
        flight deck crew member; or
            ``(B) such person is newly hired by an air carrier as a
        pilot on or after such date of enactment without credit for
        prior seniority or prior longevity for benefits or other terms
        related to length of service prior to the date of rehire under
        any labor agreement or employment policies of the air carrier.
        ``(2) Protection for compliance.--An action taken in
    conformance with this section, taken in conformance with a
    regulation issued to carry out this section, or taken prior to the
    date of enactment of this section in conformance with section
    121.383(c) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect
    before such date of enactment), may not serve as a basis for
    liability or relief in a proceeding, brought under any employment
    law or regulation, before any court or agency of the United States
    or of any State or locality.
    ``(f) Amendments to Labor Agreements and Benefit Plans.--Any
amendment to a labor agreement or benefit plan of an air carrier that
is required to conform with the requirements of this section or a
regulation issued to carry out this section, and is applicable to
pilots represented for collective bargaining, shall be made by
agreement of the air carrier and the designated bargaining
representative of the pilots of the air carrier.
    ``(g) Medical Standards and Records.--
        ``(1) Medical examinations and standards.--Except as provided
    by paragraph (2), a person serving as a pilot for an air carrier
    engaged in covered operations shall not be subject to different
    medical standards, or different, greater, or more frequent medical
    examinations, on account of age unless the Secretary determines
    (based on data received or studies published after the date of
    enactment of this section) that different medical standards, or
    different, greater, or more frequent medical examinations, are
    needed to ensure an adequate level of safety in flight.
        ``(2) Duration of first-class medical certificate.--No person
    who has attained 60 years of age may serve as a pilot of an air
    carrier engaged in covered operations unless the person has a
    first-class medical certificate. Such a certificate shall expire on
    the last day of the 6-month period following the date of
    examination shown on the certificate.
    ``(h) Safety.--
        ``(1) Training.--Each air carrier engaged in covered operations
    shall continue to use pilot training and qualification programs
    approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, with specific
    emphasis on initial and recurrent training and qualification of
    pilots who have attained 60 years of age, to ensure continued
    acceptable levels of pilot skill and judgment.
        ``(2) Line evaluations.--Not later than 6 months after the date
    of enactment of this section, and every 6 months thereafter, an air
    carrier engaged in covered operations shall evaluate the
    performance of each pilot of the air carrier who has attained 60
    years of age through a line check of such pilot. Notwithstanding
    the preceding sentence, an air carrier shall not be required to
    conduct for a 6-month period a line check under this paragraph of a
    pilot serving as second-in-command if the pilot has undergone a
    regularly scheduled simulator evaluation during that period.
        ``(3) GAO report.--Not later than 24 months after the date of
    enactment of this section, the Comptroller General shall submit to
    the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
    Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
    Transportation of the Senate a report concerning the effect, if
    any, on aviation safety of the modification to pilot age standards
    made by subsection (a).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``44729. Age standards for pilots.''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act - Amends federal transportation law to allow a pilot who has attained 60 years of age to serve as a passenger airline pilot until the age of 65, provided that a pilot who has attained age 60 may serve as pilot-in-command on international flights only if there is another pilot in the flight crew who has not yet attained 60 years of age.

Prohibits subjecting pilots to different medical examinations and standards on account of age unless to ensure an adequate level of safety in flight, except that no person who has attained 60 years of age may serve as a pilot unless such person has a first-class medical certificate.

Requires air carriers to: (1) continue to provide FAA-approved training to pilots, with specific emphasis on initial and recurring training and qualification of pilots who have attained 60 years of age; and (2) evaluate, every six months, the performance of pilots who have attained 60 years of age through a line check of such pilot.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effect of the modification of pilot age requirements, if any, on aviation safety.


Input:
SECTION 1. NOTIFICATION, NONDISTRIBUTION, AND RECALL OF ADULTERATED OR
              MISBRANDED DRUGS.

    (a) Prohibited Acts.--Section 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
    ``(uu) The failure to comply with--
            ``(1) the notification requirement under section 568(a);
            ``(2) an order issued under paragraph (1) of section
        568(c), following a hearing, if requested, under paragraph
        (2)(C) of such section;
            ``(3) an order amended under paragraph (2) or paragraph (3)
        of section 568(c); or
            ``(4) an emergency order issued under section 568(d).''.
    (b) Nondistribution and Recall of Adulterated or Misbranded
Drugs.--Subchapter E of chapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360bbb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:

``SEC. 568. NOTIFICATION, NONDISTRIBUTION, AND RECALL OF CERTAIN
              ADULTERATED OR MISBRANDED DRUGS.

    ``(a) Notification Regarding Certain Adulterated or Misbranded
Drugs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any person required to register under
        section 510 shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Secretary
        of the identity and location of a drug, if such person has
        reason to believe--
                    ``(A) that such drug, when introduced into or while
                in interstate commerce, or while held for sale
                (regardless of whether the first sale) after shipment
                in interstate commerce, is adulterated or misbranded;
                and
                    ``(B) there is a reasonable probability that the
                use or consumption of, or exposure to, the drug (or an
                ingredient or component used in any such drug) will
                cause a threat of serious adverse health consequences
                or death to humans or animals.
            ``(2) Manner of notification.--Notification under paragraph
        (1) shall be made in such manner and by such means as the
        Secretary may require by regulation or guidance.
    ``(b) Voluntary Recall.--The Secretary may request that any person
who distributes a drug that the Secretary has reason to believe is
adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise in violation of this Act
voluntarily--
            ``(1) recall such drug; and
            ``(2) provide for notice, including to individuals as
        appropriate, to persons who may be affected by the recall.
    ``(c) Order To Cease Distribution and Recall Drug and Related
Procedures.--
            ``(1) Issuance of order.--If the Secretary has reason to
        believe that the use or consumption of, or exposure to, a drug
        (or an ingredient or component used in any such drug) may cause
        serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or
        animals, the Secretary shall have the authority to issue an
        order requiring any person who distributes such drug--
                    ``(A) to immediately cease distribution of such
                drug; and
                    ``(B) to provide for notice, including to
                individuals as appropriate, to persons who may be
                affected by such cessation of distribution.
            ``(2) Action following order.--
                    ``(A) Cease distribution and notification.--Any
                person who is subject to an order under paragraph (1)
                shall immediately cease distribution of such drug and
                provide notification as required by such order.
                    ``(B) Appeal.--Any person who is subject to an
                order under paragraph (1) may appeal within 24 hours of
                issuance such order to the Secretary. Such appeal may
                include a request for an informal hearing and a
                description of any efforts to recall such drug
                undertaken voluntarily by the person, including after a
                request under subsection (b).
                    ``(C) Informal hearing.--Except as provided in
                subsection (d), if an appeal made under subparagraph
                (B) contains a request for an informal hearing, such
                hearing shall be held as soon as practicable, but not
                later than 5 calendar days, or less as determined by
                the Secretary, after such an appeal is filed, unless
                the parties jointly agree to an extension.
                    ``(D) Determination.--After affording an
                opportunity for an informal hearing, the Secretary
                shall determine--
                            ``(i) whether--
                                    ``(I) the order under paragraph (1)
                                should be amended to require a recall
                                of such drug; or
                                    ``(II) inadequate grounds exist to
                                support the actions required by the
                                order; or
                            ``(ii) that the order under paragraph (1)
                        was appropriate as issued.
                    ``(E) Amendment or vacation of order.--
                            ``(i) Amendment.--In the case of a
                        determination made under subparagraph
                        (D)(i)(I), the Secretary shall amend the order
                        made under paragraph (1) accordingly.
                            ``(ii) Vacation.--In the case of a
                        determination made under subparagraph
                        (D)(i)(II), the Secretary shall vacate the
                        order made under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Order to recall.--
                    ``(A) Amendment.--Except as provided under
                subsection (d), if after providing an opportunity for
                an informal hearing under paragraph (2)(C), the
                Secretary determines that the order should be amended
                to include a recall of the drug with respect to which
                the order was issued, the Secretary shall amend the
                order to require a recall.
                    ``(B) Contents.--An amended order under
                subparagraph (A) shall--
                            ``(i) specify a timetable in which the
                        recall will occur;
                            ``(ii) require periodic reports to the
                        Secretary describing the progress of the
                        recall; and
                            ``(iii) provide for notice, including to
                        individuals as appropriate, to persons who may
                        be affected by the recall.
                In providing for such notice, the Secretary may allow
                for the assistance of health professionals, State or
                local officials, or other individuals designated by the
                Secretary.
                    ``(C) Nondelegation.--An amended order under this
                paragraph shall be ordered by the Secretary or an
                official designated by the Secretary. An official may
                not be so designated unless the official is the
                director of the district under this Act in which the
                drug involved is located, or is an official senior to
                such director.
    ``(d) Emergency Recall Order.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the Secretary has credible evidence
        or information that a drug subject to an order under subsection
        (c)(1) presents an imminent threat of serious adverse health
        consequences or death to humans or animals, the Secretary may
        issue an order requiring any person who distributes such drug--
                    ``(A) to immediately recall such drug; and
                    ``(B) to provide for notice, including to
                individuals as appropriate, to persons who may be
                affected by the recall.
            ``(2) Action following order.--
                    ``(A) Recall and notification.--Any person who is
                subject to an emergency recall order under this
                subsection shall immediately recall such drug and
                provide notification as required by such order.
                    ``(B) Appeal.--
                            ``(i) Timing.--Any person who is subject to
                        an emergency recall order under this subsection
                        may appeal within 24 hours after issuance such
                        order to the Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Continuation of recall.--The person
                        subject to an emergency recall order shall
                        conduct the recall notwithstanding the pendency
                        of any appeal of such order.
                    ``(C) Informal hearing.--An informal hearing shall
                be held as soon as practicable but not later than 5
                calendar days, or less as determined by the Secretary,
                after an appeal under subparagraph (B) is filed, unless
                the parties jointly agree to an extension.
                    ``(D) Determination.--After affording an
                opportunity for an informal hearing, the Secretary
                shall determine--
                            ``(i) whether--
                                    ``(I) the order under paragraph (1)
                                should be amended to require a recall
                                of such drug; or
                                    ``(II) inadequate grounds exist to
                                support the actions required by the
                                order; or
                            ``(ii) that the order under paragraph (1)
                        was appropriate as issued.
                    ``(E) Amendment or vacation of order.--
                            ``(i) Amendment.--In the case of a
                        determination made under subparagraph
                        (D)(i)(I), the Secretary shall amend the order
                        made under paragraph (1) accordingly.
                            ``(ii) Vacation.--In the case of a
                        determination made under subparagraph
                        (D)(i)(II), the Secretary shall vacate the
                        order made under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Nondelegation.--An order under this subsection shall
        be issued by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, the Principal
        Deputy Commissioner, or the Associate Commissioner for
        Regulatory Affairs of the Food and Drug Administration.
    ``(e) Notice to Consumers and Health Officials.--The Secretary
shall, as the Secretary determines to be necessary, provide notice of a
recall order under this section to consumers to whom the drug was, or
may have been, distributed and to appropriate State and local health
officials.
    ``(f) Savings Clause.--Nothing contained in this section shall be
construed as limiting--
            ``(1) the authority of the Secretary to issue an order to
        cease distribution of, or to recall, a drug under any other
        provision of this Act or the Public Health Service Act; or
            ``(2) the ability of the Secretary to request any person to
        perform a voluntary activity related to any drug subject to
        this Act or the Public Health Service Act.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect one year period after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require any registered producer of a drug or device to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), as soon as practicable, of the identity and location of a drug, if such person has reason to believe: (1) that such drug is adulterated or misbranded; and (2) there is a reasonable probability that the use or consumption of, or exposure to, the drug will cause a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) request that any person who distributes a drug that the Secretary has reason to believe is adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise in violation of the FFDCA voluntarily recall such drug; (2) issue an order requiring any person who distributes a drug that may cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals to immediately cease distribution of such drug; (3) amend the order to cease distribution to include a recall of the drug after an opportunity for an informal hearing; and (4) issue an order requiring an immediate recall of a drug if the Secretary has credible evidence or information that a drug subject to a cease distribution or recall order presents an imminent threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Provides for notice to affected persons.

Prohibits the failure to comply with the notification requirements of, or orders issued pursuant to, this Act.

Requires the Secretary to provide notice of a recall order to consumers to whom the drug was, or may have been, distributed and to appropriate state and local health officials, as necessary.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``The White House Conference on Food
and Nutrition''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Hunger and undernutrition are political conditions that
        can be solved.
            (2) Access to healthy food and good nutrition should be a
        fundamental right of all Americans.
            (3) Nearly 40 years have passed since the United States
        convened a White House conference to comprehensively address
        the issues of food, hunger, health, and nutrition in America.
            (4) More than 35,500,000 Americans live in households that
        face a constant struggle against hunger, 12,600,000 of whom are
        children and 5,000,000 of whom are seniors, the disabled, and
        the critically ill.
            (5) The Government spends more than $55,000,000,000 every
        year responding to the concurrent epidemics of hunger and
        undernutrition, yet the number of Americans facing hunger
        continues to grow and our Nation's nutritional health is
        declining.
            (6) Conservative cost estimates show that the true cost of
        hunger and illness related to undernutrition in America is at
        least $90,000,000,000 a year, more than half of which is paid
        by Medicare and Medicaid.
            (7) Appropriate food and nutrition can save the United
        States billions of dollars in health care costs by preventing
        or delaying the progression to late-stage disease for tens of
        millions of Americans who live with chronic diseases, such as
        diabetes, HIV, AIDS, and heart disease. The costs of the
        effects and treatments of those diseases are significantly
        exacerbated by hunger, food insecurity, and undernutrition.
            (8) A national discussion of the root causes of hunger,
        food insecurity, and undernutrition, as well as identification
        of solutions to these epidemics, can lead to action to
        implement such solutions and to end hunger in America.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF THE CONFERENCE.

    (a) Authority To Call Conference.--Not later than December 31,
2010, the President shall call the White House Conference on Food and
Nutrition (in this Act referred to as the ``Conference'') to be
convened not later than 18 months after the selection of the Policy
Committee established in section 4, in order to make fundamental policy
recommendations on ways to end hunger and to improve nutrition in the
United States and to implement the purposes set forth in subsection
(c).
    (b) Planning and Direction.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the
Treasury (in this Act referred to as the ``Cochairs'') shall plan,
conduct, and convene the Conference, in consultation with the Surgeon
General.
    (c) Purposes of the Conference.--The purposes of the Conference are
to--
            (1) identify viable solutions for ending hunger in the
        United States;
            (2) review the current structure, scope, and effectiveness
        of existing legislation and programs at the Federal, State, and
        local levels that provide for the nutritional needs of food-
        insecure people living in the United States;
            (3) determine the extent to which current Federal, State,
        and local programs that provide for the nutritional health of
        Americans can better use available resources and ensure greater
        coordination among such programs;
            (4) identify new ways to utilize the abundant agricultural
        resources of the United States to meet the nutritional needs of
        all Americans;
            (5) highlight emerging and innovative programs from the
        public and private sectors, including community-based and
        faith-based organizations that effectively address the
        nutrition needs of vulnerable Americans and recommend such
        programs as can be reasonably and cost-effectively replicated;
            (6) identify opportunities for effective partnerships
        between the Government, industry, labor, healthcare, and the
        nonprofit sectors to fight hunger in the United States;
            (7) explore the possibility of creating a Federal office
        within the Department of Agriculture to oversee the Nation's
        response to persistent and widespread hunger and food
        insecurity, to include the oversight and coordination of all
        Federal, State, and local antihunger programs;
            (8) bring public attention to the more than 35,500,000
        people living in the United States that face a constant
        struggle against hunger, food insecurity, and inadequate
        nutrition;
            (9) illustrate the medical, developmental, and educational
        impact of hunger, food insecurity, and inadequate nutrition,
        and the potential savings to the United States health care
        system, educational system, and other sectors when appropriate
        food is available to the critically and chronically ill;
            (10) build understanding of the true cost of hunger in the
        United States, to include lost wages, diminished stamina,
        reduced capacity to learn, and the impact of despair; and
            (11) build understanding that the ever-burgeoning dual
        epidemic of hunger and undernutrition is a matter of national
        security.

SEC. 4. POLICY COMMITTEE; RELATED COMMITTEES.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than June 30, 2009, there is
established a Policy Committee comprising of 17 members to be selected
as follows:
            (1) Presidential appointees.--Nine members shall be
        selected by the President and shall include--
                    (A) 3 members who are officers or employees of the
                United States, including the Surgeon General; and
                    (B) 6 members with experience in addressing the
                needs of food-insecure and undernourished people in the
                United States.
            (2) House appointees.--
                    (A) Two members shall be selected by the Speaker of
                the House of Representatives after consultation with
                the chairperson of the Committee on Education and
                Labor, the chairperson of the Committee on Ways and
                Means, and the chairperson of the Committee on
                Agriculture, of the House of Representatives.
                    (B) Two members shall be selected by the minority
                leader of the House of Representatives, after
                consultation with the ranking minority members of such
                committees.
            (3) Senate appointees.--
                    (A) Two members shall be selected by the majority
                leader of the Senate, after consultation with members
                of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
                Pensions, the Committee on Agriculture, and the
                Committee on Finance, and the Appropriations
                Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and
                Related Agencies, of the Senate.
                    (B) Two members shall be selected by the minority
                leader of the Senate, after consultation with members
                of such committees.
    (b) Voting; Chairperson.--
            (1) The Policy Committee shall act by the vote of a
        majority of the members present. A quorum of Committee members
        shall not be required to conduct Committee business.
            (2) The Surgeon General shall serve as the chairperson of
        the Policy Committee. The chairperson may vote only to break a
        tie vote of the other members of the Policy Committee.
    (c) Duties of the Policy Committee.--The Policy Committee shall
initially meet at the call of the Cochairs, not later than 30 days
after the last member is selected under subsection (a). Subsequent
meetings of the Policy Committee shall be held at the call of the
chairperson. Through meetings, hearings, and working sessions, the
Policy Committee shall--
            (1) make recommendations to the Cochairs to facilitate the
        timely convening of the Conference;
            (2) submit to the Cochairs a proposed agenda for the
        Conference not later than 90 days after the first meeting of
        the Policy Committee;
            (3) make recommendations for the delegates of the
        Conference;
            (4) establish the number of delegates to be selected under
        section 5; and
            (5) establish an executive committee consisting of 3
        members of the Policy Committee to work with delegates of the
        Conference.

SEC. 5. CONFERENCE DELEGATES.

    To carry out the purposes of the Conference, the Cochairs shall
bring together delegates representative of the spectrum of thought in
the field of food and nutrition, without regard to political
affiliation or past partisan activity, who shall include--
            (1) representatives of Federal, State, and local
        governments;
            (2) professional people and laypeople who are working in
        the field of food, health, nutrition, and economic security;
        and
            (3) representatives of the general public who are affected
        by hunger in the United States.

SEC. 6. CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Administration.--In administering this section, the Cochairs
shall--
            (1) provide written notice to all members of the Policy
        Committee of each meeting, hearing, or working session of such
        Committee not later than 48 hours before the occurrence of such
        meeting, hearing, or working session;
            (2) request the cooperation and assistance of the heads of
        such other Federal departments and agencies as may be
        appropriate, including the detailing of personnel;
            (3) make available for public comment a proposed agenda
        prepared by the Policy Committee, which will reflect to the
        greatest extent possible the major issues facing the field of
        food and nutrition consistent with the purposes of the
        Conference set forth in section 3(c);
            (4) prepare and make available background materials that
        the Cochairs deem necessary for the use of delegates to the
        Conference; and
            (5) employ such additional personnel as may be necessary to
        carry out the provisions of this Act without regard to
        provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
        appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to
        chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
        relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
    (b) Duties.--In carrying out the Cochairs's responsibilities and
functions under this section, the Cochairs shall ensure that--
            (1) the proposed agenda prepared under subsection (a)(3) is
        published in the Federal Register not later than 30 days after
        such agenda is approved by the Policy Committee;
            (2) the personnel employed under subsection (a)(5) are
        fairly balanced in terms of points of views represented and are
        appointed without regard to political affiliation or previous
        partisan activities;
            (3) the recommendations of the Conference are not
        inappropriately influenced by any public official or by any
        special interest, but instead are the result of the independent
        and collective judgment of the delegates of the Conference; and
            (4) before the Conference is convened--
                    (A) current and adequate statistical data
                (including decennial census data) and other information
                on food and nutrition in the United States; and
                    (B) such information as may be necessary to
                evaluate Federal programs and policies relating to food
                and nutrition;
        which the Cochairs may obtain by making grants to or entering
        into an agreement with, public agencies or nonprofit
        organizations, are readily available in advance of the
        Conference to the delegates.
    (c) Gifts.--The Cochairs may accept, on behalf of the United
States, gifts (in cash or in kind, including voluntary and
uncompensated services), which shall be available to carry out this
Act. Gifts of cash shall be available in addition to amounts
appropriated to carry out this title. Gifts may be earmarked by the
donor or the executive committee for a specific purpose.
    (d) Records.--The Cochairs shall maintain records regarding--
            (1) the sources, amounts, and uses of gifts accepted under
        subsection (c); and
            (2) the identity of each person receiving assistance to
        carry out this Act, and the amount of such assistance received
        by each such person.

SEC. 7. REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE.

    (a) Preliminary Report.--Not later than 100 days after the
Conference adjourns, the Policy Committee shall prepare a preliminary
report on the Conference which shall be published in the Federal
Register and submitted to the chief executive officers of the States.
The Policy Committee shall request that the chief executive officers of
the States submit to the Policy Committee, not later than 45 days after
receiving such report, their views and findings on such report.
    (b) Final Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date on which
the Conference adjourns, the Policy Committee shall--
            (1) prepare a final report of the Conference which shall
        include a compilation of the views and findings of the chief
        executive officers of the States received under subsection (a);
        and
            (2) publish in the Federal Register, and transmit to the
        President and to Congress, the recommendations for the
        administrative action and the legislation necessary to
        implement the recommendations contained in such report.

SEC. 8. STATUS REPORTS.

    (a) Initial Status Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date
on which the Conference adjourns, the Surgeon General shall--
            (1) prepare a status report documenting the implementation
        of the recommendations contained in the final report described
        in section 7(b)(1); and
            (2) publish in the Federal Register, and transmit to the
        President and to Congress, such status report.
    (b) Subsequent Status Reports.--Not later than 5 years after the
date on which the Conference adjourns, and every 5 years thereafter
until all recommendations in the final report described in section
7(b)(1) are achieved, the Comptroller General shall--
            (1) prepare a status report documenting the implementation
        of the recommendations contained in such final report; and
            (2) publish in the Federal Register, and transmit to the
        President and to Congress, such status report.

SEC. 9. DEFINITION OF STATE.

    For the purposes of this Act, the term ``State'' means any of the
several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United States, or
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
        carry out this Act--
                    (A) such sums as may be necessary for the first
                fiscal year in which the Policy Committee plans the
                Conference and for the following fiscal year; and
                    (B) such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal
                year in which the Conference is held.
            (2) Limitation.--Any new spending authority or new
        authority to enter into contracts under this Act, and under
        which the United States is obligated to make outlays, shall be
        effective only to the extent, and in such amounts, as are
        provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
    (b) Availability of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), funds
        appropriated to carry out this Act and funds received as gifts
        under section 6(c) shall remain available for obligation or
        expenditure until the expiration of the 1-year period beginning
        on the date the Conference adjourns.
            (2) Unobligated funds.--Except as provided in paragraph
        (3), any such funds neither expended nor obligated before the
        expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date the
        Conference adjourns shall be returned to the United States
        Treasury.
            (3) Conference not convened.--If the Conference is not
        convened before December 31, 2010, a trust fund shall be
        established and such funds shall only be available for a future
        Conference on Food and Nutrition.

Output:
The White House Conference on Food and Nutrition - Directs: (1) the President to call the White House Conference on Food and Nutrition to be convened in order to make fundamental policy recommendations on ways to end hunger and to improve nutrition in the United States; and (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Treasury to plan and conduct the Conference.

Sets forth Conference provisions.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Education Technology
Funding Corporation Act of 1995''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Corporation.--There has been established in the
        District of Columbia a private, nonprofit corporation known as
        the National Education Technology Funding Corporation which is
        not an agency or independent establishment of the Federal
        Government.
            (2) Board of directors.--The Corporation is governed by a
        Board of Directors, as prescribed in the Corporation's articles
        of incorporation, consisting of 15 members, of which--
                    (A) five members are representative of public
                agencies representative of schools and public
                libraries;
                    (B) five members are representative of State
                government, including persons knowledgeable about State
                finance, technology and education; and
                    (C) five members are representative of the private
                sector, with expertise in network technology, finance
                and management.
            (3) Corporate purposes.--The purposes of the Corporation,
        as set forth in its articles of incorporation, are--
                    (A) to leverage resources and stimulate private
                investment in education technology infrastructure;
                    (B) to designate State education technology
                agencies to receive loans, grants or other forms of
                assistance from the Corporation;
                    (C) to establish criteria for encouraging States
                to--
                            (i) create, maintain, utilize and upgrade
                        interactive high capacity networks capable of
                        providing audio, visual and data communications
                        for elementary schools, secondary schools and
                        public libraries;
                            (ii) distribute resources to assure
                        equitable aid to all elementary schools and
                        secondary schools in the State and achieve
                        universal access to network technology; and .
                            (iii) upgrade the delivery and development
                        of learning through innovative technology-based
                        instructional tools and applications.
                    (D) to provide loans, grants and other forms of
                assistance to State education technology agencies, with
                due regard for providing a fair balance among types of
                school districts and public libraries assisted and the
                disparate needs of such districts and libraries;
                    (E) to leverage resources to provide maximum aid to
                elementary schools, secondary schools and public
                libraries; and
                    (F) to encourage the development of education
                telecommunications and information technologies through
                public-private ventures, by serving as a clearinghouse
                for information on new education technologies, and by
                providing technical assistance, including assistance to
                States, if needed, to establish State education
                technology agencies.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to recognize the
Corporation as a nonprofit corporation operating under the laws of the
District of Columbia, and to provide authority for Federal departments
and agencies to provide assistance to the Corporation.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act--
            (1) The term ``Corporation'' means the National Education
        Technology Funding Corporation described in section 2(a)(1);
            (2) the terms ``elementary school'' and ``secondary
        school'' have the same meanings given such terms in section
        14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;
        and
            (3) the term ``public library'' has the same meaning given
        such term in section 3 of the Library Services and Construction
        Act.

SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY PURPOSES.

    (a) Authorization of Assistance.--Each Federal department or agency
is authorized to award grants or contracts, or provide gifts,
contributions, or technical assistance, to the Corporation to enable
the Corporation to carry out the corporate purposes described in
section 2(a)(3).
    (b) Agreement.--In order to receive any assistance described in
subsection (a) the Corporation shall enter into an agreement with the
Federal department or agency providing such assistance, under which the
Corporation agrees--
            (1) to use such assistance to provide funding and technical
        assistance only for activities which the Board of Directors of
        the Corporation determines are consistent with the corporate
        purposes described in section 2(a)(3);
            (2) to review the activities of State education technology
        agencies and other entities receiving assistance from the
        Corporation to assure that the corporate purposes described in
        section 2(a)(3) are carried out;
            (3) that no part of the assets of the Corporation shall
        accrue to the benefit of any member of the Board of Directors
        of the Corporation, any officer or employee of the Corporation,
        or any other individual, except as salary or reasonable
        compensation for services;
            (4) that the Board of Directors of the Corporation will
        adopt policies and procedures to prevent conflicts of interest;
            (5) to maintain a Board of Directors of the Corporation
        consistent with section 2(a)(2);
            (6) that the Corporation, and any entity receiving the
        assistance from the Corporation, are subject to the appropriate
        oversight procedures of the Congress; and
            (7) to comply with--
                    (A) the audit requirements described in section 5;
                and
                    (B) the reporting and testimony requirements
                described in section 6.
    (c) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
establish the Corporation as an agency or
 independent establishment of the Federal Government, or to establish
the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or the
officers and employees of the Corporation, as officers or employees of
the Federal Government.

SEC. 5. AUDITS.

    (a) Audits by Independent Certified Public Accountants.--
            (1) In general.--The Corporation's financial statements
        shall be audited annually in accordance with generally accepted
        auditing standards by independent certified public accountants
        who are members of a nationally recognized accounting firm and
        who are certified by a regulatory authority of a State or other
        political subdivision of the United States. The audits shall be
        conducted at the place or places where the accounts of the
        Corporation are normally kept. All books, accounts, financial
        records, reports, files, and all other papers, things, or
        property belonging to or in use by the Corporation and
        necessary to facilitate the audit shall be made available to
        the person or persons conducting the audits, and full
        facilities for verifying transactions with the balances or
        securities held by depositories, fiscal agents, and custodians
        shall be afforded to such person or persons.
            (2) Reporting requirements.--The report of each annual
        audit described in paragraph (1) shall be included in the
        annual report required by section 6(a).
    (b) Audits by the Comptroller General of the United States.--
            (1) Audits.--The programs, activities and financial
        transactions of the Corporation shall be subject to audit by
        the Comptroller General of the United States under such rules
        and regulations as may be prescribed by the Comptroller
        General. The representatives of the Comptroller General shall
        have access to such books, accounts, financial records,
        reports, files and such other papers, things, or property
        belonging to or in use by the Corporation and necessary to
        facilitate the audit, and the representatives shall be afforded
        full facilities for verifying transactions with the balances or
        securities held by depositories, fiscal agents, and custodians.
        The representatives of the Comptroller General shall have
        access, upon request to the Corporation or any auditor for an
        audit of the Corporation under this section, to any books,
        financial records, reports, files or other papers, things, or
        property belonging to or in use by the Corporation and used in
        any such audit and to papers, records, files, and reports of
        the auditor used in such an audit.
            (2) Report.--A report on each audit described in paragraph
        (1) shall be made by the Comptroller General to the Congress.
        The report to the Congress shall contain such comments and
        information as the Comptroller General may deem necessary to
        inform the Congress of the financial operations and condition
        of the Corporation, together with such recommendations as the
        Comptroller General may deem advisable. The report shall also
        show specifically any program, expenditure, or other financial
        transaction or undertaking observed or reviewed in the course
        of the audit, which, in the opinion of the Comptroller General,
        has been carried on or made contrary to the requirements of
        this Act. A copy of each such report shall be furnished to the
        President and to the Corporation at the time such report is
        submitted to the Congress.
    (c) Audit by Inspector General of the Department of Commerce.--The
financial transactions of the Corporation may also be audited by the
Inspector General of the Department of Commerce under the same
conditions set forth in subsection (b) for audits by the Comptroller
General of the United States.
    (d) Recordkeeping Requirements; Audit and Examination of Books.--
            (1) Recordkeeping requirements.--The Corporation shall
        ensure that each recipient of assistance from the Corporation
        keeps--
                    (A) separate accounts with respect to such
                assistance;
                    (B) such records as may be reasonably necessary to
                fully disclose--
                            (i) the amount and the disposition by such
                        recipient of the proceeds of such assistance;
                            (ii) the total cost of the project or
                        undertaking in connection with which such
                        assistance is given or used; and
                            (iii) the amount and nature of that portion
                        of the cost of the project or undertaking
                        supplied by other sources; and
                    (C) such other records as will facilitate an
                effective audit.
            (2) Audit and examination of books.--The Corporation shall
        ensure that the Corporation, or any of the Corporation's duly
        authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose
        of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and
        records of any recipient of assistance from the Corporation
        that are pertinent to such assistance. Representatives of the
        Comptroller General shall also have such access for such
        purpose.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT; TESTIMONY TO THE CONGRESS.

    (a) Annual Report.--Not later than April 30 of each year, the
Corporation shall publish an annual report for the preceding fiscal
year and submit that report to the President and the Congress. The
report shall include a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of the
Corporation's operations, activities, financial condition, and
accomplishments under this Act and may include such recommendations as
the Corporation deems appropriate.
    (b) Testimony Before Congress.--The members of the Board of
Directors, and officers, of the Corporation shall be available to
testify before appropriate committees of the Congress with respect to
the report described in subsection (a), the report of any audit made by
the Comptroller General pursuant to this Act, or any other matter which
any such committee may determine appropriate.

Output:
National Education Technology Funding Corporation Act of 1995 - Recognizes the National Education Technology Funding Corporation as a nonprofit corporation independent of the Federal Government and operating under the laws of the District of Columbia.  Authorizes Federal departments and agencies to provide assistance to such Corporation to carry out specified corporate purposes.
Requires audits of the Corporation by independent certified public accountants and by the Comptroller General, and authorizes such audits by the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce.