Input:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 3 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating--
                    (A) paragraphs (1) through (4) as paragraphs (2)
                through (5), respectively;
                    (B) paragraphs (5) through (10) as paragraphs (7)
                through (12), respectively; and
                    (C) paragraphs (12) through (21) as paragraphs (13)
                through (22), respectively;
            (2) by adding before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the
        following:
            ``(1) Affected parties.--The term `affected party' means
        any person, including a business entity, or any State, tribal
        government, or local subdivision the rights of which may be
        affected by a determination made under section 4(a) in a suit
        brought under section 11(g)(1)(C).''; and
            (3) by adding after paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) the
        following:
            ``(6) Covered settlement.--The term `covered settlement'
        means a consent decree or a settlement agreement in an action
        brought under section 11(g)(1)(C).''.

SEC. 2. INTERVENTION; APPROVAL OF COVERED SETTLEMENT.

    Section 11(g) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1540) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Publishing complaint; intervention.--
                            ``(i) Publishing complaint.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Not later than
                                30 days after the date on which the
                                plaintiff serves the defendant with the
                                complaint in an action brought under
                                paragraph (1)(C) in accordance with
                                Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil
                                Procedure, the Secretary of the
                                Interior shall publish the complaint in
                                a readily accessible manner, including
                                electronically.
                                    ``(II) Failure to meet deadline.--
                                The failure of the Secretary to meet
                                the 30-day deadline described in
                                subclause (I) shall not be the basis
                                for an action under paragraph (1)(C).
                            ``(ii) Intervention.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--After the end of
                                the 30-day period described in clause
                                (i), each affected party shall be given
                                a reasonable opportunity to move to
                                intervene in the action described in
                                clause (i), until the end of which a
                                party may not file a motion for a
                                consent decree or to dismiss the case
                                pursuant to a settlement agreement.
                                    ``(II) Rebuttable presumption.--In
                                considering a motion to intervene by
                                any affected party, the court shall
                                presume, subject to rebuttal, that the
                                interests of that party would not be
                                represented adequately by the parties
                                to the action described in clause (i).
                                    ``(III) Referral to alternative
                                dispute resolution.--
                                            ``(aa) In general.--If the
                                        court grants a motion to
                                        intervene in the action, the
                                        court shall refer the action to
                                        facilitate settlement
                                        discussions to--

                                                    ``(AA) the
                                                mediation program of
                                                the court; or

                                                    ``(BB) a magistrate
                                                judge.

                                            ``(bb) Parties included in
                                        settlement discussions.--The
                                        settlement discussions
                                        described in item (aa) shall
                                        include each--

                                                    ``(AA) plaintiff;

                                                    ``(BB) defendant
                                                agency; and

                                                    ``(CC)
                                                intervenor.'';

            (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) Litigation costs.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (B), the court, in issuing any final order
                in any suit brought under paragraph (1), may award
                costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and
                expert witness fees) to any party, whenever the court
                determines such award is appropriate.
                    ``(B) Covered settlement.--
                            ``(i) Consent decrees.--The court shall not
                        award costs of litigation in any proposed
                        covered settlement that is a consent decree.
                            ``(ii) Other covered settlements.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--For a proposed
                                covered settlement other than a consent
                                decree, the court shall ensure that the
                                covered settlement does not include
                                payment to any plaintiff for the costs
                                of litigation.
                                    ``(II) Motions.--The court shall
                                not grant any motion, including a
                                motion to dismiss, based on the
                                proposed covered settlement described
                                in subclause (I) if the covered
                                settlement includes payment to any
                                plaintiff for the costs of
                                litigation.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Approval of covered settlement.--
                    ``(A) Definition of species.--In this paragraph,
                the term `species' means a species that is the subject
                of an action brought under paragraph (1)(C).
                    ``(B) In general.--
                            ``(i) Consent decrees.--The court shall not
                        approve a proposed covered settlement that is a
                        consent decree unless each State and county in
                        which the Secretary of the Interior believes a
                        species occurs approves the covered settlement.
                            ``(ii) Other covered settlements.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--For a proposed
                                covered settlement other than a consent
                                decree, the court shall ensure that the
                                covered settlement is approved by each
                                State and county in which the Secretary
                                of the Interior believes a species
                                occurs.
                                    ``(II) Motions.--The court shall
                                not grant any motion, including a
                                motion to dismiss, based on the
                                proposed covered settlement described
                                in subclause (I) unless the covered
                                settlement is approved by each State
                                and county in which the Secretary of
                                the Interior believes a species occurs.
                    ``(C) Notice.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary of the
                        Interior shall provide each State and county in
                        which the Secretary of the Interior believes a
                        species occurs notice of a proposed covered
                        settlement.
                            ``(ii) Determination of relevant states and
                        counties.--The defendant in a covered
                        settlement shall consult with each State
                        described in clause (i) to determine each
                        county in which the Secretary of the Interior
                        believes a species occurs.
                    ``(D) Failure to respond.--The court may approve a
                covered settlement or grant a motion described in
                subparagraph (B)(ii)(II) if, not later than 45 days
                after the date on which a State or county is notified
                under subparagraph (C)--
                            ``(i)(I) a State or county fails to
                        respond; and
                            ``(II) of the States or counties that
                        respond, each State or county approves the
                        covered settlement; or
                            ``(ii) all of the States and counties fail
                        to respond.
                    ``(E) Proof of approval.--The defendant in a
                covered settlement shall prove any State or county
                approval described in this paragraph in a form--
                            ``(i) acceptable to the State or county, as
                        applicable; and
                            ``(ii) signed by the State or county
                        official authorized to approve the covered
                        settlement.''.

Output:
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the Secretary of the Interior, within 30 days after being served with a complaint in an action alleging a failure to perform an act or duty related to an endangered species or threatened species determination, to publish the complaint. Prohibits the failure of the Secretary to meet such deadline from being the basis for such an action. Sets forth requirements concerning the intervention in such actions by affected parties and referral to a mediation program.

Authorizes the court, in issuing any final order in such an action, to award litigation costs to any party. Prohibits the court from: (1) awarding litigation costs in any proposed covered settlement, (2) granting a motion that is based on a proposed covered settlement or other consent decree that includes payment for litigation costs, (3) approving a proposed covered settlement unless each state and county in which the Secretary believes a species occurs approves it, or (4) granting a motion that is based on a proposed covered settlement unless such settlement is approved by each such state and county. Requires the courts to ensure that such a settlement is approved by each such state and county. Requires the Secretary to provide notice of a proposed covered settlement to each such state and county. Authorizes a court to approve such a settlement or grant such a motion if, within 45 days of notification, a: (1) state or county fails to respond, and (2) each state or county that responds approves the covered settlement, or (3) all of the states and counties fail to respond.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Propaganda Prohibition Act
of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Investigations in 2004 and 2005 by the Government
        Accountability Office revealed that appropriated funds have
        been used in more than one Federal agency to fund ``covert
        propaganda'' that is ``misleading as to source''.
            (2) An independent investigation revealed that the
        Department of Education paid a conservative commentator to
        speak in support of the No Child Left Behind Act during his
        television and radio appearances.
            (3) The American public has been subjected to receiving
        millions of dollars worth of messages in print, television,
        radio, and in person without being informed that the sources
        are not independent.
            (4) There is not enough information about Federal public
        relations and advertising efforts to allow for consistent
        oversight by Congress.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to ensure that advertising and public relations
        campaigns paid for with Federal appropriations are unbiased and
        factual, and do not contain a political message or covert
        propaganda;
            (2) to increase the oversight and evaluation of advertising
        campaigns paid for by the Federal Government by requiring that
        agencies provide notice to the appropriate congressional
        committees of all public relations, media relations, and
        advertising contracts;
            (3) to require that all public relations and media outreach
        tools developed by Federal agencies inform the target audience
        of the source of funding for the message; and
            (4) to make permanent the prohibition against spending
        Federal funds on publicity and propaganda that has been
        included in appropriations Acts since 1951.

SEC. 3. NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS REGARDING CERTAIN CONTRACTS.

    (a) Requirement to Notify Congress Regarding Certain Contracts.--
Not later than 30 days after entering into a covered contract, an
Executive agency shall submit to each covered congressional committee a
written notification containing the name of the contractor, the amount
of the contract, the purpose of the contract, a summary of the
statement of work for the contract, and any other information the
agency considers relevant.
    (b) Requirement to Submit Other Information Upon Request.--Upon
request by the Comptroller General or the chairman or ranking minority
member of any covered congressional committee, an Executive agency that
provided a notification under subsection (a) for a covered contract
shall provide to the person making the request--
            (1) a copy of the covered contract;
            (2) any modifications to the covered contract; and
            (3) any materials produced under the covered contract.
    (c) Covered Contracts.--In this section, the term ``covered
contract'' means a contract with an Executive agency for public
relations, media relations, advertising, or public opinion research
services, or any subcontract for such services under a Federal
contract.
    (d) Covered Congressional Committees.--In this section, the term
``covered congressional committee'', with respect to a notification
submitted by an Executive agency under subsection (a), means each of
the following:
            (1) The Committee on Government Reform of the House of
        Representatives.
            (2) The Committee on Governmental Affairs and Homeland
        Security of the Senate.
            (3) The Committee on Appropriations of the House of
        Representatives.
            (4) The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
            (5) Each authorizing committee of the House of
        Representatives and the Senate with jurisdiction over the
        Executive agency submitting the notification.
    (e)  Executive Agency.--In this section, the term ``Executive
agency'' has the meaning provided in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.

SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR PUBLICITY
              OR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES.

    (a) Prohibition.--Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 1355. Prohibition on unauthorized expenditure of funds for
              publicity or propaganda purposes
    ``(a) Prohibition.--An officer or employee of the United States
Government may not make or authorize an expenditure or obligation of
funds for publicity or propaganda purposes within the United States
unless authorized by law.
    ``(b) Penalties.--
            ``(1) Adverse personnel action.--An officer or employee of
        the United States Government violating subsection (a) shall be
        subject to appropriate administrative discipline including,
        when circumstances warrant, suspension from duty without pay or
        removal from office.
            ``(2) Criminal penalty.--An officer or employee of the
        United States Government knowingly and willfully violating
        subsection (a) shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned
        for not more than 2 years, or both.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 13 of
such title is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``1355. Prohibition on unauthorized expenditure of funds for publicity
                            or propaganda purposes.''.

SEC. 5. REQUIREMENT FOR DISCLOSURE OF FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP OF ALL
              FEDERAL ADVERTISING OR OTHER COMMUNICATION MATERIALS.

    (a) Requirement.--Each advertisement or other communication paid
for by an Executive agency, either directly or through a contract
awarded by the Executive agency, shall include a prominent notice
informing the target audience that the advertisement or other
communication is paid for by that Executive agency.
    (b) Advertisement or Other Communication.--In this section, the
term ``advertisement or other communication'' includes--
            (1) an advertisement disseminated in any form, including
        print or by any electronic means; and
            (2) a communication by an individual in any form, including
        speech, print, or by any electronic means.
    (c)  Executive Agency.--In this section, the term ``Executive
agency'' has the meaning provided in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code.

Output:
Federal Propaganda Prohibition Act of 2005 - Requires an Executive agency, not later than 30 days after entering into a contract for public relations, media relations, advertising, or public opinion research services, to submit in writing to specified congressional committees the contractor's name, the amount and the purpose of the contract, a summary of the contract, other relevant information, and, upon request: (1) a copy of the covered contract; (2) any contract modifications; and (3) any materials produced under the contract. Prohibits an officer or employee of the U.S. Government from making or authorizing an expenditure or obligation of funds for publicity or propaganda within the United States unless authorized by law. Imposes penalties.

Requires each advertisement or other communication paid for by an Executive agency to include a prominent notice that the advertisement or other communication is paid for by that agency.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Urban Search and Rescue
Response System Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to clarify and codify the authority of
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System for
Federal response to all hazards.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5141 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 327. NATIONAL URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
            ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
        Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
            ``(2) Agency.--The term `Agency' means the Federal
        Emergency Management Agency.
            ``(3) Hazard.--The term `hazard' has the meaning given that
        term by section 602.
            ``(4) Participating agency.--The term `participating
        agency' means a State or local government, nonprofit
        organization, or private organization that has executed an
        agreement with a sponsoring agency to participate in the
        System.
            ``(5) Sponsoring agency.--The term `sponsoring agency'
        means a State or local government that is the sponsor of a task
        force designated by the Administrator to participate in the
        System.
            ``(6) System.--The term `System' means the National Urban
        Search and Rescue Response System to be administered under this
        section.
            ``(7) System member.--The term `System member' means an
        individual who is not a regular full-time employee of the
        Federal Government, who serves on a task force or on a System
        management or other technical team.
            ``(8) Task force.--The term `task force' means an urban
        search and rescue team designated by the Administrator to
        participate in the System.
    ``(b) General Authority.--Subject to the requirements of this
section, the Administrator shall continue to administer the emergency
response system known as the `National Urban Search and Rescue Response
System'.
    ``(c) Functions.--In administering the System, the Administrator
shall provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue
resources to assist States and local governments in responding to
hazards.
    ``(d) Task Forces.--
            ``(1) Designation.--The Administrator shall designate task
        forces to participate in the System. The Administrator shall
        determine the criteria for such participation.
            ``(2) Sponsoring agencies.--Each task force shall have a
        sponsoring agency. The Administrator shall enter into an
        agreement with the sponsoring agency of each task force with
        respect to the participation of the task force in the System.
            ``(3) Composition.--
                    ``(A) Participating agencies.--A task force may
                include, at the discretion of the sponsoring agency of
                the task force, one or more participating agencies. The
                sponsoring agency of a task force shall enter into an
                agreement with each participating agency of the task
                force with respect to the participation of the
                participating agency on the task force.
                    ``(B) Other individuals.--A task force may also
                include, at the discretion of the sponsoring agency of
                the task force, other individuals not otherwise
                associated with the sponsoring agency or a
                participating agency of the task force. The sponsoring
                agency of a task force may enter into a separate
                agreement with each such individual with respect to the
                participation of the individual on the task force.
    ``(e) Management and Technical Teams.--The Administrator shall
maintain such management teams and other technical teams as the
Administrator determines are necessary to administer the System.
    ``(f) Appointment of System Members Into Federal Service.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may appoint a System
        member into Federal service for a period of service to provide
        for the participation of the System member in exercises,
        preincident staging, major disaster and emergency response
        activities, and training events sponsored or sanctioned by the
        Administrator.
            ``(2) Nonapplicability of certain civil service laws.--The
        Administrator may make appointments under paragraph (1) without
        regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
        governing appointments in the competitive service.
            ``(3) Relationship to other authorities.--The authority of
        the Administrator to make appointments under this subsection
        shall not affect any other authority of the Administrator under
        this Act.
            ``(4) Limitation.--A System member who is appointed into
        Federal service under paragraph (1) shall not be deemed an
        employee of the United States for purposes other than those
        specifically set forth in this section.
    ``(g) Compensation.--
            ``(1) Pay of system members.--Subject to such terms and
        conditions as the Administrator may impose by regulation, the
        Administrator shall make payments to the sponsoring agency of a
        task force--
                    ``(A) to reimburse each employer of a System member
                on the task force for compensation paid by the employer
                to the System member for any period during which the
                System member is appointed into Federal service under
                subsection (f)(1); and
                    ``(B) as appropriate, in lieu of providing
                reimbursement to an employer of a System member on the
                task force under subparagraph (A), to make payments
                directly to the System member for any period during
                which the System member is appointed into Federal
                service under subsection (f)(1).
            ``(2) Reimbursement for employees filling positions of
        system members.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to such terms and
                conditions as the Administrator may impose by
                regulation, the Administrator shall make payments to
                the sponsoring agency of a task force to reimburse each
                employer of a System member on the task force for
                compensation paid by the employer to an employee
                filling a position normally filled by the System member
                for any period during which the System member is
                appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
                    ``(B) Limitation.--Costs incurred by an employer
                shall be eligible for reimbursement under subparagraph
                (A) only to the extent that the costs are in excess of
                the costs that would have been incurred by the employer
                had the System member not been appointed into Federal
                service under subsection (f)(1).
            ``(3) Method of payment.--A System member shall not be
        entitled to pay directly from the Agency for a period during
        which the System member is appointed into Federal service under
        subsection (f)(1).
    ``(h) Personal Injury, Illness, Disability, or Death.--
            ``(1) In general.--A System member who is appointed into
        Federal service under subsection (f)(1) and who suffers
        personal injury, illness, disability, or death as a result of a
        personal injury sustained while acting in the scope of such
        appointment shall, for the purposes of subchapter I of chapter
        81 of title 5, United States Code, be treated as though the
        member were an employee (as defined by section 8101 of that
        title) who had sustained the injury in the performance of duty.
            ``(2) Election of benefits.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If a System member (or, in the
                case of the death of the System member, the System
                member's dependent) is entitled--
                            ``(i) under paragraph (1) to receive
                        benefits under subchapter I of chapter 81 of
                        title 5, United States Code, by reason of
                        personal injury, illness, disability, or death,
                        and
                            ``(ii) to receive benefits from a State or
                        local government by reason of the same personal
                        injury, illness, disability, or death,
                the System member or dependent shall elect to receive
                either the benefits referred to in clause (i) or (ii).
                    ``(B) Deadline.--A System member or dependent shall
                make an election of benefits under subparagraph (A) not
                later than one year after the date of the personal
                injury, illness, disability, or death that is the
                reason for the benefits or until such later date as the
                Secretary of Labor may allow for reasonable cause
                shown.
                    ``(C) Effect of election.--An election of benefits
                made under this paragraph is irrevocable unless
                otherwise provided by law.
            ``(3) Reimbursement for state or local benefits.--Subject
        to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may impose by
        regulation, in the event that a System member or dependent
        elects benefits from a State or local government under
        paragraph (2)(A), the Administrator shall reimburse the State
        or local government for the value of those benefits.
    ``(i) Liability.--A System member appointed into Federal service
under subsection (f)(1), while acting within the scope of the
appointment, is deemed an employee of the United States under section
1346(b) of title 28, United States Code, and chapter 171 of that title,
relating to tort claims procedure.
    ``(j) Employment and Reemployment Rights.--With respect to a System
member who is not a regular full-time employee of a sponsoring agency
or participating agency, the following terms and conditions apply:
            ``(1) Service as a System member shall be deemed `service
        in the uniformed services' for purposes of chapter 43 of title
        38, United States Code, relating to employment and reemployment
        rights of individuals who have performed service in the
        uniformed services (regardless of whether the individual
        receives compensation for such participation). All rights and
        obligations of such persons and procedures for assistance,
        enforcement, and investigation shall be as provided for in such
        chapter.
            ``(2) Preclusion of giving notice of service by necessity
        of appointment under this section shall be deemed preclusion by
        `military necessity' for purposes of section 4312(b) of title
        38, United States Code, pertaining to giving notice of absence
        from a position of employment. A determination of such
        necessity shall be made by the Administrator and shall not be
        subject to judicial review.
    ``(k) Licenses and Permits.--If a System member holds a valid
license, certificate, or other permit issued by any State or other
governmental jurisdiction evidencing the member's qualifications in any
professional, mechanical, or other skill or type of assistance required
by the System, the System member shall be deemed to be performing a
Federal activity when rendering aid involving such skill or assistance
during a period of appointment into Federal service under subsection
(f)(1).
    ``(l) Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish and
        maintain an advisory committee to provide expert
        recommendations to the Administrator in order to assist the
        Administrator in administering the System.
            ``(2) Composition.--The advisory committee shall be
        composed of members from geographically diverse areas, and
        shall include--
                    ``(A) the chief officer or senior executive from at
                least 3 sponsoring agencies;
                    ``(B) the senior emergency manager from at least 2
                States that include sponsoring agencies; and
                    ``(C) at least one representative recommended by
                the leaders of the task forces.
            ``(3) Inapplicability of termination requirement.--Section
        14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)
        shall not apply to the advisory committee under this
        subsection.
    ``(m) Preparedness Cooperative Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
        appropriations for such purpose, the Administrator shall enter
        into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each
        sponsoring agency. Amounts made available to a sponsoring
        agency under such a preparedness cooperative agreement shall be
        for the following purposes:
                    ``(A) Training and exercises with other Federal,
                State, and local government response entities.
                    ``(B) Acquisition and maintenance of equipment,
                including interoperable communications and personal
                protective equipment.
                    ``(C) Medical monitoring required for responder
                safety and health in anticipation of and following a
                major disaster, emergency, or other hazard, as
                determined by the Administrator.
            ``(2) Availability of appropriations.--Notwithstanding
        section 1552(b) of title 31, United States Code, amounts made
        available for cooperative agreements under this subsection that
        are not expended shall be deposited in an Agency account and
        shall remain available for such agreements without fiscal year
        limitation.
    ``(n) Response Cooperative Agreements.--The Administrator shall
enter into a response cooperative agreement with each sponsoring
agency, as appropriate, under which the Administrator agrees to
reimburse the sponsoring agency for costs incurred by the sponsoring
agency in responding to a major disaster, emergency, or other hazard as
determined by the Administrator.
    ``(o) Obligations.--The Administrator may incur all necessary
obligations consistent with this section in order to ensure the
effectiveness of the System.
    ``(p) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
        to carry out this section $52,000,000 for each of fiscal years
        2009, 2010, and 2011. Such sums shall be in addition to amounts
        made available from the Disaster Relief Fund for response
        cooperative agreements entered into under subsection (n).
            ``(2) Administrative expenses.--The Administrator may use
        not to exceed 6 percent of the funds appropriated for a fiscal
        year pursuant to paragraph (1) for salaries, expenses, and
        other administrative costs incurred by the Administrator in
        carrying out this section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Applicability of title 5, united states code.--Section
        8101(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (E) by inserting ``and'' after
                the semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) an individual who is a System member of the
                National Urban Search and Rescue Response System during
                a period of appointment into Federal service pursuant
                to section 327 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
                Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.''.
            (2) Inclusion as part of uniformed services for purposes of
        userra.--Section 4303 of title 38, United States Code, is
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (13) by inserting ``a period for
                which a System member of the National Urban Search and
                Rescue Response System is absent from a position of
                employment due to an appointment into Federal service
                under section 327 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
                Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,'' before ``, and a
                period''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (16) by inserting after ``Public
                Health Service,'' the following: ``, System members of
                the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System
                during a period of appointment into Federal service
                under section 327 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
                Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,''.

Output:
National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources; (3) designate task forces to participate in the System and determine criteria for participation; and (4) enter into an agreement with the required sponsoring agency of each task force regarding participation.

Sets forth provisions regarding the composition of task forces and reimbursement.

Authorizes the Administrator to appoint a System member for a period of federal service to participate in sponsored or sanctioned exercises, pre-incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events. Entitles a member who suffers personal injury, illness, disability, or death while acting in the scope of such appointment to be treated as an employee who sustained the injury in the performance of duty.

 Sets forth provisions regarding election of benefits, liability, employment and re-employment rights, and licenses and permits.

Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish and maintain an advisory committee; and (2) enter into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each agency; and (3) enter into response cooperative agreements under which the Administrator agrees to reimburse agencies for emegency response costs.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Confederate Commemorative Works
Inventory and Joint Resource Study Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The American Civil War was fought between 1861 and
        1865.
            (2) As early as 1864, efforts were underway to preserve
        places that had been the location of pivotal battles during the
        Civil War, even before surrender occurred.
            (3) The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the
        natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park
        System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this
        and future generations, including sites dedicated to the
        interpretation of the American Civil War.
            (4) The National Park Service, the Department of Veterans
        Affairs, and the Department of Defense administer public lands
        that are responsible for Confederate commemorative works.
            (5) There are 147 national cemeteries in the United States.
        Fourteen are maintained by the Department of the Interior,
        through the National Park Service. The Department of Veterans
        Affairs, through the National Cemetery Administration,
        administers 131 cemeteries. The Department of Defense, through
        the Army, administers 2 cemeteries.
            (6) The Department of Defense has jurisdiction over--
                    (A) 10 major United States military installations
                named in honor of Confederate military leaders; and
                    (B) Navy ships named after Confederate victories.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act:
            (1) Confederate commemorative work.--The term ``Confederate
        commemorative work''--
                    (A) means any work that mentions individuals or
                units who participated or served in the advancement of
                Confederate efforts; and
                    (B) includes the Confederate flag and any other
                symbols or signage that honors the Confederacy,
                including any monument, statue, or plaque that honors a
                Confederate leader, soldier, or supporter of the
                Confederate States of America.
            (2) Confederate flag.--The term ``Confederate flag''--
                    (A) means the national flag of the Confederacy from
                1861 through 1865; and
                    (B) includes the Stars and Bars, the Stainless
                Banner, the Blood-Stained Banner, the Confederate
                States Navy flag, the battle flag of the Army of
                Northern Virginia, any State or regimental flag as such
                flag was depicted during 1861-1865, and modern
                representations of the Confederate battle flag.
            (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
        the National Park Service.
            (4) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
        means the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Defense,
        and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, each in reference to
        Federal land under the jurisdiction of that Secretary.

SEC. 4. INVENTORY AND RESOURCE STUDY.

    (a) In General.--Each Secretary concerned shall--
            (1) conduct a full inventory of Confederate commemorative
        works under the administrative jurisdiction of that Secretary;
        and
            (2) submit a copy of that inventory to the Director.
    (b) Contents of Study.--Using the inventories received pursuant to
subsection (a), the Director shall conduct a special resource study
that--
            (1) examines works, commemorating and interpreting the
        Civil War, the commemoration thereof, the soldiers, people on
        the home front and battle lines, and the related locations in
        the United States from 1861 through 1865; and
            (2) identifies--
                    (A) a historical assessment, based on extensive
                research, of each inventoried Confederate commemorative
                work;
                    (B) an evaluation of the suitability and
                feasibility of retaining the Confederate commemorative
                work;
                    (C) the identification of properties that could
                meet criteria for listing in the National Register of
                Historic Places or criteria for designation as National
                Historic Landmarks or if the Confederate commemorative
                work is already on the or part of, another designation
                or district;
                    (D) an evaluation of relevant historical research
                on, education about, interpretation of, and public
                awareness of the Confederate commemorative work; and
                    (E) any other matters that the Director determines
                to be appropriate for this study.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after funds are made available
for the study, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report
containing the findings of the study required under subsection (b) and
any related recommendations.

Output: Confederate Commemorative Works Inventory and Joint Resource Study Act This bill directs the Departments of the Interior, Defense, and Veterans Affairs to each conduct a full inventory of specified Confederate commemorative works, including flags and other symbols or signage, on the public lands under their jurisdiction.  Using such inventories, the National Park Service shall conduct a special resource study to examine the works commemorating and interpreting the Civil War and commemorating, with respect to such war, the soldiers, people on the home front and battle lines, and related locations in the United States from 1861-1865. Among contents required to be identified by the study are historical assessments of each work, the suitability and feasibility of retaining works, identification of properties that could meet the criteria for designation as national historic sites, and an evaluation of historical research.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Make Education
Local Act of 2018''.
    (b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To give States and local communities added flexibility
        and control to determine how to improve academic achievement
        and implement education policy.
            (2) To reduce the administrative costs and compliance
        burden of Federal education programs in order to focus Federal
        resources on improving academic achievement.
            (3) To ensure that States and communities are accountable
        to the public and to parents for advancing the academic
        achievement of all students, especially disadvantaged children.
    (c) Definitions.--
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided, the terms
        used in this Act have the meanings given the terms in section
        9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
        U.S.C. 7801 et seq.).
            (2) Other terms.--In this Act:
                    (A) Accountability.--The term ``accountability''
                means that public schools are answerable to parents and
                other taxpayers for the use of public funds and shall
                report student academic progress to parents and
                taxpayers regularly.
                    (B) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning
                given such term in section 1122(e) of the Elementary
                and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                6332(e)).
                    (C) State management decision.--The term ``State
                management decision'' means a decision by a State, as
                determined by State Authorizing Officials or by
                referendum, to assume full management responsibility
                for the expenditure of Federal funds for certain
                eligible programs for the purpose of advancing, on a
                more comprehensive and effective basis, the educational
                policy of such State.
                    (D) State authorizing officials.--The term ``State
                Authorizing Officials'' means the State officials who
                shall authorize the submission of a State management
                decision, and any amendments thereto, on behalf of the
                State. Such officials shall include not less than 2 of
                the following:
                            (i) The governor of the State.
                            (ii) The highest elected education official
                        of the State, if any.
                            (iii) The legislature of the State.
                    (E) State designated officer.--The term ``State
                Designated Officer'' means the person designated by the
                State Authorizing Officials to submit to the Secretary,
                on behalf of the State, a State management decision,
                and any amendments thereto, and to function as the
                point-of-contact for the State for the Secretary and
                others relating to any responsibilities arising under
                this Act.

SEC. 2. STATE MANAGEMENT DECISION.

    (a) In General.--Each State is authorized to submit to the
Secretary a State management decision permitting the State to receive
Federal funds on a consolidated basis to manage the expenditure of such
funds to advance the educational policy of the State.
    (b) Programs Eligible for Consolidation and Permissible Use of
Funds.--
            (1) Scope.--A State may choose to include within the scope
        of the State management decision of the State any program for
        which Congress makes funds available to the State if the
        program is for a purpose described in the Elementary and
        Education Secondary Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301). A State may
        not include any program funded pursuant to the Individuals with
        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
            (2) Uses of funds.--Funds made available to a State
        pursuant to a State management decision under this Act shall be
        used for any educational purpose permitted by State law of the
        State submitting a State management decision.
            (3) Removal of fiscal and accounting barriers.--Each State
        educational agency that operates under a State management
        decision under this Act may modify or eliminate State fiscal
        and accounting barriers that prevent local educational agencies
        and schools from easily consolidating funds from other eligible
        Federal, State, and local sources in order to improve
        educational opportunities and reduce unnecessary fiscal and
        accounting requirements.
    (c) Contents of Decision.--Each State management decision shall
contain--
            (1) a list of eligible programs that are subject to the
        State management decision;
            (2) an assurance that the submission of the State
        management decision has been authorized by the State
        Authorizing Officials, specifying the identity of the State
        Designated Officer;
            (3) the duration of the State management decision;
            (4) an assurance that the State will use fiscal control and
        fund accounting procedures;
            (5) an assurance that the State will meet the requirements
        of applicable Federal civil rights laws in carrying out the
        State management decision and in consolidating and using the
        funds under the State management decision;
            (6) an assurance that in implementing the State management
        decision the State will seek to advance educational
        opportunities for the disadvantaged;
            (7) a description of the plan for maintaining direct
        accountability to parents and other citizens of the State;
            (8) an assurance that in implementing the State management
        decision, the State will seek to use Federal funds to
        supplement, rather than supplant, State education funding; and
            (9) a description of how the State will address
        persistently failing public schools.
    (d) Minimum Duration.--The duration of the State management
decision shall--
            (1) be greater than or equal to 5 years; and
            (2) be less than or equal to 10 years.
    (e) Review, Implementation, and Recognition by the Secretary.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall review the State
        management decision received from the State Designated Officer
        not more than 60 days after the date of receipt of such
        decision, and shall approve, with respect to permitting the
        State to receive the funds described in subsection (a), such
        State management decision unless the State management decision
        fails to meet the requirements under subsection (c).
            (2) Recognition by operation of law.--If the Secretary
        fails to take action within the time specified in paragraph
        (1), the State management decision, as submitted, shall be
        deemed to be approved.
    (f) Amendment to State Management Decision.--
            (1) In general.--The State Authorizing Officials may direct
        the State Designated Officer to submit amendments to a State
        management decision that is in effect. Such amendments shall be
        submitted to the Secretary and considered by the Secretary in
        accordance with subsection (e).
            (2) Amendments authorized.--A State management decision
        that is in effect may be amended to--
                    (A) expand the scope of such State management
                decision to encompass additional eligible programs;
                    (B) reduce the scope of such State management
                decision by excluding coverage of a Federal program
                included in the original State management decision;
                    (C) modify the duration of such State management
                decision; or
                    (D) achieve such other modifications as the State
                Authorizing Officials deem appropriate.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendment shall specify an
        effective date. Such effective date shall provide adequate time
        to assure full compliance with Federal program requirements
        relating to an eligible program that has been removed from the
        coverage of the State management decision by the proposed
        amendment.
            (4) Treatment of program funds withdrawn from state
        management decision.--Beginning on the effective date of an
        amendment executed under paragraph (2)(B), each program
        requirement of each program removed from the State management
        decision shall apply to the State's use of funds made available
        under the program.

SEC. 3. TRANSPARENCY FOR RESULTS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--Each State operating under a State management
decision under this Act shall inform parents and the general public
regarding the student achievement assessment system, demonstrating
student progress relative to the State's determination of student
proficiency, as described in paragraph (2), for the purpose of public
accountability to parents and taxpayers.
    (b) Accountability System.--
            (1) In general.--The State shall determine and establish an
        accountability system to ensure accountability under this Act.
            (2) Academic achievement.--Any accountability system
        established by a State pursuant paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) be focused on the academic achievement of
                students; and
                    (B) include a system, as determined by the State,
                of evaluating the academic achievement and progress of
                students.
    (c) Report on Student Progress.--Not later than 1 year after the
effective date of the State management decision, and annually
thereafter, a State shall, in a format acceptable to such State,
disseminate widely to parents and the general public a report that
describes student progress. The report shall include--
            (1) student performance data disaggregated by various
        student groups, as determined by the State;
            (2) a description of other high-quality school options
        available to parents in the State; and
            (3) a description of how the State has used Federal funds
        to improve academic achievement, reduce achievement disparities
        between various student groups, and improve educational
        opportunities.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the amount
that a State with a State management decision may expend for
administrative expenses shall be limited to 1 percent of the aggregate
amount of Federal funds made available to the State through the
eligible programs included within the scope of such State management
decision.
    (b) States Not Consolidating Funds Under Part A of Title I.--If the
State management decision does not include within its scope part A of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), the amount spent by the State on administrative
expenses shall be limited to 3 percent of the aggregate amount of
Federal funds made available to the State pursuant to such State
management decision.

SEC. 5. EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

    Each State consolidating and using funds pursuant to a State
management decision under this Act shall provide for the participation
of private school children and teachers in the activities assisted
under the State management decision in the same manner as participation
is provided to private school children and teachers under section 9501
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7881).

Output: Make Education Local Act of 2018 This bill authorizes each state that submits to the Department of Education a state management decision to receive federal education funding on a consolidated basis. A state may use funding received pursuant to such a decision for any educational purpose.  Each state management decision shall contain specified information, including: (1) a list of programs that are subject to the state management decision, and (2) a description of how the state will address persistently failing public schools. Each state operating under a state management decision shall: (1) establish an accountability system focused on assessing the academic achievement of students, (2) inform the public regarding the student-achievement assessment system, (3) report annually to parents and the general public on student progress and other school options available in the state, and (4) provide for the equitable program participation of private-school children and teachers in the same manner as provided under current law.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Republican Form of Government
Guarantee Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) section 4 of article IV of the Constitution provides
        that the United States shall guarantee a republican form of
        government to the States;
            (2) organized criminal actions are an increasing threat to
        the republican form of government in some States;
            (3) people who are responsible for upholding the laws of
        the United States and the several States, and people who assist
        them, have been threatened, harassed, and assaulted because of
        these activities;
            (4) this violence is having a chilling effect on the
        democratic process because Americans are afraid to participate
        in town hall meetings, express their views publicly, or take
        part in the political process;
            (5) most victims are targeted solely because of their views
        or activism on controversial political issues such as gun
        control, abortion, environmental matters, or the role of
        government in society;
            (6) this violence is causing a breakdown of law and order
        in many parts of the United States;
            (7) this violence has increased in part because of
        unfounded exaggerations about the impact of recent firearms
        laws such as the Brady Law and the ban on assault weapons, as
        well as baseless conspiracy theories regarding the government;
        and
            (8) the climate of violence created by these criminals
        threatens to undermine republican government in some States.

SEC. 3. PROTECTION AGAINST ASSAULT.

    Section 111(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``who is an officer or
        employee of any State or local government, is assisting such an
        officer or employee in the performance of official duty, or
        is'' after ``any person''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``designated in section
        1114'' and inserting ``described in paragraph (1)''.

SEC. 4. INCREASED PENALTIES.

    (a) Assault.--Section 111 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``shall, where'' and all
        that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting
        ``shall be punished as is provided in subsection (b)''; and
            (2) so that subsection (b) reads as follows:
    ``(b) Penalties.--Whoever is convicted of an offense under this
section shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 2
nor more than 3 years, except that--
            ``(1) in the case of a second or subsequent offense the
        maximum term or imprisonment shall be not more than 5 years;
        and
            ``(2) in the case of an offense committed with a deadly
        weapon, the offender shall be imprisoned not less than 8 nor
        more than 10 years.''.
    (b) Extortion and Threats.--
            (1) Interstate communications.--Section 875 of title 18,
        United States Code, is amended in subsection (c), by striking
        ``not more than five years, or both'' and inserting ``not less
        than 2 nor more than 5 years''.
            (2) Mailing threatening communications.--Section 876 of
        title 18, United States Code, is amended in the third
        undesignated paragraph, by striking ``not more than five years,
        or both'' and inserting ``not less than 2 nor more than 5
        years''.

SEC. 5. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT;
              ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Reaffirmation of Right.--Each person not otherwise
disqualified, barred, or disabled by State or Federal law shall have
the right to participate in a republican form of State government free
from interference from unlawful violence and the reasonably perceived
threat of unlawful violence.
    (b) Right To Participate Defined.--As used in subsection (a), the
term ``right to participate in a republican form of State government''
means the right to--
            (1) carry out the duties of a State, county, or local
        office to which the person has been duly elected or appointed;
            (2) lawfully assist any duly elected or appointed person
        described in paragraph (1) in carrying out such duties;
            (3) run for elective office, campaign for such office on
        one's own behalf, or campaign on behalf of another's candidacy,
        in accordance with applicable State and local laws;
            (4) initiate and campaign for any initiative, referendum,
        petition, or similar political exercise, in accordance with
        applicable State and local laws;
            (5) assemble peaceably to petition the Federal, State, or
        local government, or to attend any public forum concerning such
        Federal, State, or local government; and
            (6) exercise the rights guaranteed under article IV of the
        Constitution of the United States, and the 1st and 14th
        amendments thereto.
    (c) Enforcement.--
            (1) In general.--A person whose right under subsection (a)
        is violated by any person or organization may bring an action
        in any United States district court against such other person
        or organization for damages, injunctive relief, and such other
        relief as the court deems appropriate.
            (2) Government remedy.--The chief executive officer of any
        State may bring an action in any United States district court
        located within that State for damages, injunctive relief, and
        such other relief as the court deems appropriate against any
        organization wherever located which unlawfully violates or
        which conspires, attempts, aids, or abets another person or
        organization to unlawfully violate the right under subsection
        (a) of any resident of that State.
            (3) Authority to award a reasonable attorney's fee.--In an
        action brought under paragraph (1) or (2), the court, in its
        discretion, may allow the prevailing plaintiff a reasonable
        attorney's fee as part of the costs.
            (4) Statute of limitations.--An action may not be brought
        under paragraph (1) or (2) after the 5-year period that begins
        with the date that the violation described in paragraph (1) is
        discovered.

SEC. 6. LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING.

    The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of
Treasury, Agriculture, and the Interior, shall develop and implement a
training program for Federal law enforcement personnel to enable such
personnel to deal more effectively with politically motivated violence.

SEC. 7. FEDERAL PAYMENTS WITHHELD.

    (a) Complaint.--If an agency determines that in any county any of
that agency's employees or agents is being unlawfully physically
prevented or impeded, by employees or agents of a State, county, or
local government, from carrying out lawful duties, the agency may file
a complaint with the Attorney General.
    (b) Escrow.--The Attorney General shall investigate the complaint,
and if the Attorney General finds the complaint is meritorious, the
Attorney General may place in escrow any payments that otherwise would
be made to that county under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act of 1976
(31 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), until such time as the Attorney General is
satisfied that such interference has ceased.
    (c) Rules.--The Attorney General shall make rules governing the
procedures used to carry out this section.

Output:
Republican Form of Government Guarantee Act - Revises Federal criminal code provisions setting penalties for assaulting, resisting, intimidating, or impeding any of specified U.S. officers and employees (including Federal judges), to:  (1) cover persons who commit such acts against State or local government officers or employees or persons assisting such officers or employees in the performance of official duty; and (2) increase penalties for such acts.
Sets a minimum term of two years' imprisonment for:  (1) transmitting in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing a threat to kidnap or injure any person; and (2) depositing, or causing to be delivered, any communication threatening to kidnap or injure any person.
Declares that each person not otherwise disqualified, barred, or disabled by State or Federal law shall have the right to participate in a republican form of State government free from interference from unlawful violence and the reasonably perceived threat of such violence. Creates a private cause of action, as well as a government remedy (enforceable by the chief executive officer of any State) against any individual or organization for a violation of that right. Authorizes the court to award a reasonable attorney's fee to a prevailing plaintiff.  Sets a five-year statute of limitations that begins with the date of discovery of the violation.
Directs the Attorney General to develop and implement a training program for Federal law enforcement personnel to enable them to deal more effectively with politically motivated violence.
Authorizes an agency that determines that an agency employee or agent is being unlawfully and physically prevented from carrying out lawful duties by employees or agents of a State, county, or local government, to file a complaint with the Attorney General.  Directs the Attorney General to investigate the complaint and, if the Attorney General finds the complaint is meritorious, to place in escrow any payments that otherwise would be made to that county under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act of 1976 until such time as such interference has ceased.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as ``The VA Vision Scholars Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY PROFESSIONALS
              EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--Part V of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

     ``CHAPTER 80--VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY
               PROFESSIONALS EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

``Sec.
``8001. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose.
``8002. Application and acceptance.
``8003. Amount of assistance; duration.
``8004. Agreement.
``8005. Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements of agreement.
``Sec. 8001. Establishment of scholarship program; purpose
    ``(a) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary shall establish and carry out a
scholarship program to provide financial assistance in accordance with
this chapter to an individual--
            ``(1) who is accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled
        in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in
        visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or a dual degree
        or certification in both such areas, at an accredited (as
        determined by the Secretary) educational institution that is in
        a State; and
            ``(2) who enters into an agreement with the Secretary as
        described in section 8004 of this title.
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the scholarship program established
under this chapter is to increase the supply of qualified blind
rehabilitation specialists for the Department and the Nation.
    ``(c) Outreach.--The Secretary shall publicize the scholarship
program established under this chapter to educational institutions
throughout the United States, with an emphasis on disseminating
information to such institutions with high numbers of Hispanic students
and to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
``Sec. 8002. Application and acceptance
    ``(a) Application.--(1) To apply and participate in the scholarship
program under this chapter, an individual shall submit to the Secretary
an application for such participation together with an agreement
described in section 8004 of this title under which the participant
agrees to serve a period of obligated service in the Department as
provided in the agreement in return for payment of educational
assistance as provided in the agreement.
    ``(2) In distributing application forms and agreement forms to
individuals desiring to participate in the scholarship program, the
Secretary shall include with such forms the following:
            ``(A) A fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an
        individual whose application is approved (and whose agreement
        is accepted) by the Secretary.
            ``(B) A full description of the terms and conditions that
        apply to participation in the scholarship program and service
        in the Department.
    ``(b) Approval.--(1) Upon the Secretary's approval of an
individual's participation in the scholarship program, the Secretary
shall, in writing, promptly notify the individual of that acceptance.
    ``(2) An individual becomes a participant in the scholarship
program upon such approval by the Secretary.
``Sec. 8003. Amount of assistance; duration
    ``(a) Amount of Assistance.--The amount of the financial assistance
provided for an individual under this chapter shall be the amount
determined by the Secretary as being necessary to pay the tuition and
fees of the individual. In the case of an individual enrolled in a
program of study leading to a dual degree or certification in both the
areas of study described in section 8001(a)(1) of this title, the
tuition and fees shall not exceed the amounts necessary for the minimum
number of credit hours to achieve such dual certification or degree.
    ``(b) Relationship to Other Assistance.--Financial assistance may
be provided to an individual under this chapter to supplement other
educational assistance to the extent that the total amount of
educational assistance received by the individual during an academic
year does not exceed the total tuition and fees for such academic year.
    ``(c) Maximum Amount of Assistance.--(1) In no case may the total
amount of assistance provided under this chapter for an academic year
to an individual who is a full-time student exceed $15,000.
    ``(2) In the case of an individual who is a part-time student, the
total amount of assistance provided under this chapter shall bear the
same ratio to the amount that would be paid under paragraph (1) if the
participant were a full-time student in the program of study being
pursued by the individual as the coursework carried by the individual
to full-time coursework in that program of study.
    ``(3) In no case may the total amount of assistance provided to an
individual under this chapter exceed $45,000.
    ``(d) Maximum Duration of Assistance.--The Secretary may provide
financial assistance to an individual under this chapter for not more
than six years.
``Sec. 8004. Agreement
    ``An agreement between the Secretary and a participant in the
scholarship program under this chapter shall be in writing, shall be
signed by the participant, and shall include the following:
            ``(1) The Secretary's agreement to provide the participant
        with financial assistance as authorized under this chapter.
            ``(2) The participant's agreement--
                    ``(A) to accept such financial assistance;
                    ``(B) to maintain enrollment and attendance in the
                program of study described in section 8001(a)(1) of
                this chapter;
                    ``(C) while enrolled in such program, to maintain
                an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined
                by the educational institution offering such program
                under regulations prescribed by the Secretary); and
                    ``(D) after completion of the program, to serve as
                a full-time employee in the Department for a period of
                three years, to be served within the first six years
                after the participant has completed such program and
                received a degree or certificate described in section
                8001(a)(1) of this chapter.
            ``(3) Such other terms and conditions that the Secretary
        determines appropriate for carrying out this chapter.
``Sec. 8005. Repayment for failure to satisfy requirements of agreement
    ``(a) In General.--An individual who receives educational
assistance under this chapter shall repay to the Secretary an amount
equal to the unearned portion of such assistance if the individual
fails to satisfy the requirements of the agreement entered into under
section 8004 of this title, except in circumstances authorized by the
Secretary.
    ``(b) Amount of Repayment.--The Secretary shall establish, by
regulations, procedures for determining the amount of the repayment
required under this section and the circumstances under which an
exception to the required repayment may be granted.
    ``(c) Waiver or Suspension of Compliance.--The Secretary shall
prescribe regulations providing for the waiver or suspension of any
obligation of an individual for service or payment under this chapter
(or an agreement under this chapter) whenever noncompliance by the
individual is due to circumstances beyond the control of the individual
or whenever the Secretary determines that the waiver or suspension of
compliance is in the best interest of the United States.
    ``(d) Obligation as Debt to United States.--An obligation to repay
the Secretary under this section is, for all purposes, a debt owed the
United States. A discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 does not
discharge a person from such debt if the discharge order is entered
less than five years after the date of the termination of the agreement
or contract on which the debt is based.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--The tables of chapters at the beginning
of title 38, and of part V of title 38, are each amended by inserting
after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item:

``80. Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility           8001.''.
                            Professionals Education
                            Assistance Program.
    (c) Effective Date.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
implement chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
subsection (a), not later than six months after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

Output: VA Vision Scholars Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program of financial assistance for individuals who: (1) are accepted for, or currently enrolled in, a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or both; and (2) enter into an agreement to serve, after program completion, as a full-time Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee for three years within the first six years after program completion. Sets maximum assistance amounts of $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total. Requires pro rate repayment for failure to satisfy education or service requirements, while allowing the Secretary to waive or suspend such repayment whenever noncompliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, or when waiver or suspension is in the best interests of the United States.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ozone National Ambient Air Quality
Standard Deadline Harmonization Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Ozone precursor emissions have been reduced by over 50
        percent since 1980, resulting in a 33-percent improvement of
        ozone air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency projects
        this improvement will continue even under rules and programs
        already in place.
            (2) States are just beginning to implement the 2008 ozone
        standards, for which the Environmental Protection Agency
        published State implementation plan requirements on February
        13, 2015. Notwithstanding this delayed implementation of the
        2008 ozone standards, the Environmental Protection Agency
        published the 2015 ozone standards on October 26, 2015.
            (3) With publication of the 2015 ozone standards so early
        in the implementation of the 2008 ozone standards, States face
        the prospect of simultaneously implementing two national
        ambient air quality standards for ozone.
            (4) In addition, counties face severe statutorily imposed
        consequences if designated as nonattainment or for failing to
        meet attainment deadlines, even if those counties would
        ultimately achieve attainment with no further action.
            (5) If the 2008 and 2015 ozone standards implementation
        schedules are not harmonized, already strained State resources
        will be burdened by overlapping implementation schedules, and
        counties that are projected to achieve necessary air quality
        improvements will face significant and permanent sanctions.

SEC. 3. OZONE STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE HARMONIZATION.

    (a) Designation Submission.--Not later than October 26, 2024, the
Governor of each State shall designate in accordance with section
107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407(d)) all areas (or portions
thereof) of the Governor's State as attainment, nonattainment, or
unclassifiable with respect to the 2015 ozone standards.
    (b) Designation Promulgation.--Not later than October 26, 2025, the
Administrator shall promulgate final designations under section 107(d)
of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407(d)) for all areas in all States
with respect to the 2015 ozone standards, including any modifications
to the designations submitted under subsection (a).
    (c) State Implementation Plans.--Not later than October 26, 2026,
notwithstanding the deadline specified in section 110(a)(1) of the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7410(d)(1)), each State shall submit the plan
required by such section 110(a)(1) for the 2015 ozone standards.

SEC. 4. CERTAIN PRECONSTRUCTION PERMITS.

    (a) In General.--The 2015 ozone standards shall not apply to the
review and disposition of a preconstruction permit application if--
            (1) the Administrator or the State, local, or tribal
        permitting authority, as applicable, determines the application
        to be complete on or before the date of promulgation of final
        designations under section 3(b); or
            (2) the Administrator or the State, local, or tribal
        permitting authority, as applicable, publishes a public notice
        of a preliminary determination or draft permit for the
        application before the date that is 60 days after the date of
        promulgation of final designations under section 3(b).
    (b) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to--
            (1) eliminate the obligation of a preconstruction permit
        applicant to install best available control technology and
        lowest achievable emissions rate technology, as applicable; or
            (2) limit the authority of a State, local, or tribal
        permitting authority to impose more stringent emissions
        requirements pursuant to State, local, or tribal law than
        Federal national ambient air quality standards established by
        the Environmental Protection Agency.

SEC. 5. ADJUSTMENT OF 5-YEAR REVIEW CYCLE.

    (a) 10-Year Cycle for All Criteria Air Pollutants.--Paragraphs (1)
and (2)(B) of section 109(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409(d))
are amended by striking ``five-year intervals'' each place it appears
and inserting ``ten-year intervals''.
    (b) Cycle for Next Review of Ozone Criteria and Standards.--
Notwithstanding section 109(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
7409(d)), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
shall not--
            (1) complete, before October 26, 2025, any review of the
        criteria for ozone published under section 108 of such Act (42
        U.S.C. 7408) or the national ambient air quality standard for
        ozone promulgated under section 109 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
        7409); or
            (2) propose, before such date, any revisions to such
        criteria or standards.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``2008 ozone standards'' means the national
        ambient air quality standards for ozone published in the
        Federal Register on March 27, 2008 (73 Fed. Reg. 16436).
            (2) The term ``2015 ozone standards'' means the national
        ambient air quality standards for ozone published in the
        Federal Register on October 26, 2015 (80 Fed. Reg. 65292).
            (3) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
        the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (4) The term ``best available control technology'' has the
        meaning given to that term in section 169(3) of the Clean Air
        Act (42 U.S.C. 7479(3)).
            (5) The term ``lowest achievable emissions rate'' has the
        meaning given to that term in section 171(3) of the Clean Air
        Act (42 U.S.C. 7501(3)).
            (6) The term ``preconstruction permit''--
                    (A) means a permit that is required under part C or
                D of title I of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7470 et
                seq.) for the construction or modification of a major
                emitting facility or major stationary source; and
                    (B) includes any such permit issued by the
                Environmental Protection Agency or a State, local, or
                tribal permitting authority.

Output: Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard Deadline Harmonization Act of 2015 This bill delays the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2015 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone issued under the Clean Air Act.   Each state must designate all of its areas as attainment, nonattainment, or unclassifiable with respect to the 2015 ozone standards by October 26, 2024. The EPA must promulgate final designations for those areas by October 26, 2025. States must submit a state implementation plan for the 2015 ozone standards by October 26, 2026. The 2015 ozone standards do not apply to the review and disposition of an application for a preconstruction permit for the construction or modification of a major emitting facility or major stationary source if: (1) the application is completed before final designations under the Clean Air Act, or (2) the applicable permitting authority publishes a public notice of a preliminary determination or draft permit for the application before a certain date. The bill changes the interval by which the EPA must review its NAAQS for criteria pollutants from a 5-year review cycle to a 10-year review cycle. The EPA must not complete any review of ozone criteria or its ozone NAAQS before October 26, 2025, or propose any revisions to them.