Input:
SECTION 1. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO PUBLIC LAW 114-10.

    (a) MIPS Transition.--Section 1848 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395w-4) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (q)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                        ``items and services'' and inserting ``covered
                        professional services (as defined in subsection
                        (k)(3)(A))''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C)(iv)--
                                    (I) by amending subclause (I) to
                                read as follows:
                                    ``(I) The minimum number (as
                                determined by the Secretary) of--
                                            ``(aa) for performance
                                        periods beginning before
                                        January 1, 2018, individuals
                                        enrolled under this part who
                                        are treated by the eligible
                                        professional for the
                                        performance period involved;
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) for performance
                                        periods beginning on or after
                                        January 1, 2018, individuals
                                        enrolled under this part who
                                        are furnished covered
                                        professional services (as
                                        defined in subsection
                                        (k)(3)(A)) by the eligible
                                        professional for the
                                        performance period involved.'';
                                    (II) in subclause (II), by striking
                                ``items and services'' and inserting
                                ``covered professional services (as
                                defined in subsection (k)(3)(A))''; and
                                    (III) by amending subclause (III)
                                to read as follows:
                                    ``(III) The minimum amount (as
                                determined by the Secretary) of--
                                            ``(aa) for performance
                                        periods beginning before
                                        January 1, 2018, allowed
                                        charges billed by such
                                        professional under this part
                                        for such performance period;
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) for performance
                                        periods beginning on or after
                                        January 1, 2018, allowed
                                        charges for covered
                                        professional services (as
                                        defined in subsection
                                        (k)(3)(A)) billed by such
                                        professional for such
                                        performance period.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(D)--
                            (i) in clause (i)(I), by inserting
                        ``subject to clause (iii),'' after ``clauses
                        (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(A),''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following new
                        clause:
                            ``(iii) Transition years.--For each of the
                        second, third, fourth, and fifth years for
                        which the MIPS applies to payments, the
                        performance score for the performance category
                        described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall not
                        take into account the improvement of the
                        professional involved.'';
                    (C) in paragraph (5)(E)--
                            (i) in clause (i)(I)(bb)--
                                    (I) in the heading by striking
                                ``First 2 years'' and inserting ``First
                                5 years''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``the first and
                                second years'' and inserting ``each of
                                the first through fifth years''; and
                            (ii) in clause (i)(II)(bb)--
                                    (I) in the heading, by striking ``2
                                years'' and inserting ``5 years''; and
                                    (II) by striking the second
                                sentence and inserting the following
                                new sentences: ``For each of the
                                second, third, fourth, and fifth years
                                for which the MIPS applies to payments,
                                not less than 10 percent and not more
                                than 30 percent of such score shall be
                                based on performance with respect to
                                the category described in clause (ii)
                                of paragraph (2)(A). Nothing in the
                                previous sentence shall be construed,
                                with respect to a performance period
                                for a year described in the previous
                                sentence, as preventing the Secretary
                                from basing 30 percent of such score
                                for such year with respect to the
                                category described in such clause (ii),
                                if the Secretary determines, based on
                                information posted under subsection
                                (r)(2)(I) that sufficient resource use
                                measures are ready for adoption for use
                                under the performance category under
                                paragraph (2)(A)(ii) for such
                                performance period.'';
                    (D) in paragraph (6)(D)--
                            (i) in clause (i), in the second sentence,
                        by striking ``Such performance threshold'' and
                        inserting ``Subject to clauses (iii) and (iv),
                        such performance threshold'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii)--
                                    (I) in the first sentence, by
                                inserting ``(beginning with 2019 and
                                ending with 2024)'' after ``for each
                                year of the MIPS''; and
                                    (II) in the second sentence, by
                                inserting ``subject to clause (iii),''
                                after ``For each such year,'';
                            (iii) in clause (iii)--
                                    (I) in the heading, by striking
                                ``2'' and inserting ``5''; and
                                    (II) in the first sentence, by
                                striking ``two years'' and inserting
                                ``five years''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new
                        clause:
                            ``(iv) Additional special rule for third,
                        fourth and fifth years of mips.--For purposes
                        of determining MIPS adjustment factors under
                        subparagraph (A), in addition to the
                        requirements specified in clause (iii), the
                        Secretary shall increase the performance
                        threshold with respect to each of the third,
                        fourth, and fifth years to which the MIPS
                        applies to ensure a gradual and incremental
                        transition to the performance threshold
                        described in clause (i) (as estimated by the
                        Secretary) with respect to the sixth year to
                        which the MIPS applies.'';
                    (E) in paragraph (6)(E)--
                            (i) by striking ``In the case of items and
                        services'' and inserting ``In the case of
                        covered professional services (as defined in
                        subsection (k)(3)(A))''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``under this part with
                        respect to such items and services'' and
                        inserting ``under this part with respect to
                        such covered professional services''; and
                    (F) in paragraph (7), in the first sentence, by
                striking ``items and services'' and inserting ``covered
                professional services (as defined in subsection
                (k)(3)(A))'';
            (2) in subsection (r)(2), by adding at the end the
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(I) Information.--The Secretary shall, not later
                than December 31st of each year (beginning with 2018),
                post on the Internet website of the Centers for
                Medicare & Medicaid Services information on resource
                use measures in use under subsection (q), resource use
                measures under development and the time-frame for such
                development, potential future resource use measure
                topics, a description of stakeholder engagement, and
                the percent of expenditures under part A and this part
                that are covered by resource use measures.''; and
            (3) in subsection (s)(5)(B), by striking ``section
        1833(z)(2)(C)'' and inserting ``section 1833(z)(3)(D)''.
    (b) Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee
Provision of Initial Proposal Feedback.--Section 1868(c)(2)(C) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee(c)(2)(C)) is amended to read as
follows:
                    ``(C) Committee review of models submitted.--The
                Committee, on a periodic basis--
                            ``(i) shall review models submitted under
                        subparagraph (B);
                            ``(ii) may provide individuals and
                        stakeholder entities who submitted such models
                        with--
                                    ``(I) initial feedback on such
                                models regarding the extent to which
                                such models meet the criteria described
                                in subparagraph (A); and
                                    ``(II) an explanation of the basis
                                for the feedback provided under
                                subclause (I); and
                            ``(iii) shall prepare comments and
                        recommendations regarding whether such models
                        meet the criteria described in subparagraph (A)
                        and submit such comments and recommendations to
                        the Secretary.''.

Output: This bill revises provisions related to performance and payment under Medicare's Merit-based Incentive Payment System.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Estate Tax Reduction Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. 20 PERCENT REDUCTION IN ESTATE TAX RATES; REPEAL OF PHASEOUT OF
              GRADUATED RATES.

    (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 2001 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Rate Schedule.--

``If the amount with respect to     The tentative tax is:
        which the tentative tax is
        to be computed is:
    Not over $10,000...............
                                        14.4% of such amount.
    Over $10,000 but not over
        $20,000.
                                        $1,440, plus 16% of the excess
                                                of such amount over
                                                $10,000
    Over $20,000 but not over
        $40,000.
                                        $3,040, plus 17.6% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $20,000
    Over $40,000 but not over
        $60,000.
                                        $6,560, plus 19.2% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $40,000
    Over $60,000 but not over
        $80,000.
                                        $10,400, plus 20.8% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $60,000
    Over $80,000 but not over
        $100,000.
                                        $14,560, plus 22.4% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $80,000
    Over $100,000 but not over
        $150,000.
                                        $19,040, plus 24% of the excess
                                                of such amount over
                                                $100,000
    Over $150,000 but not over
        $250,000.
                                        $31,040, plus 25.6% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $150,000
    Over $250,000 but not over
        $500,000.
                                        $56,640, plus 27.2% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $250,000
    Over $500,000 but not over
        $750,000.
                                        $124,640, plus 29.6% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $500,000
    Over $750,000 but not over
        $1,000,000.
                                        $198,640, plus 31.2% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $750,000
    Over $1,000,000 but not over
        $1,250,000.
                                        $276,640, plus 32.8% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $1,000,000
    Over $1,250,000 but not over
        $1,500,000.
                                        $358,640, plus 34.4% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $1,250,000
    Over $1,500,000 but not over
        $2,000,000.
                                        $444,640, plus 36% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $1,500,000
    Over $2,000,000 but not over
        $2,500,000.
                                        $624,640, plus 39.2% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $2,000,000
    Over $2,500,000 but not over
        $3,000,000.
                                        $820,640, plus 42.4% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $2,500,000
    Over $3,000,000................
                                        $1,032,640, plus 44% of the
                                                excess of such amount
                                                over $3,000,000''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. UNIFIED CREDIT INCREASED TO EQUIVALENT OF $2,500,000 EXCLUSION;
              INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF UNIFIED CREDIT.

    (a) Increase in Unified Credit.--
            (1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 2010 of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to applicable credit
        amount) is amended by striking all that follows ``were the
        applicable exclusion amount'' and inserting ``. For purposes of
        the preceding sentence, the applicable exclusion amount is
        $2,500,000.''
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Subparagraph (A) of section
        2057(a)(3) of such Code is amended by striking ``$625,000'' and
        inserting ``the excess of the applicable exclusion amount
        (determined without regard to this paragraph) over $675,000''.
    (b) Inflation Adjustment.--Section 2010 of such Code is amended by
redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e) and by inserting after
subsection (c) the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Cost-of-Living Adjustment.--In the case of any decedent
dying, and gift made, in a calendar year after 2001, the $2,500,000
amount set forth in subsection (c) shall be increased by an amount
equal to--
            ``(1) $2,500,000, multiplied by
            ``(2) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under
        section 1(f)(3) for such calendar year by substituting
        `calendar year 2000' for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph
        (B) thereof.
If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence is not a
multiple of $10,000, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest
multiple of $10,000.''
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to estates of decedents dying, and gifts made, after the date of
the enactment of this Act.

Output: Estate Tax Reduction Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) reduce estate tax rates; (2) repeal the phaseout of graduated rates; and (3) increase the unified credit to $2.5 million, with an inflation adjustment.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Public and Federally Assisted
Housing Security Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ``FIREARM-RELATED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY''.

    Section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437a(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    ``(13) The term `firearm-related criminal activity' means any
activity--
            ``(A) that violates any Federal criminal law relating to
        manufacture, sale, transfer, use, or possession of a firearm;
            ``(B) that violates any State law under which the
        manufacture, sale, transfer, use, or possession of an article
        that is a firearm is punishable as a criminal offense; or
            ``(C)(i) that violates any Federal or State criminal law,
        and (ii) in which a firearm is used or intended to be used.
    ``(14) The term `firearm' has the meaning given the term in section
921 of title 18, United States Code.''.

SEC. 3. TERMINATION OF TENANCY IN PUBLIC HOUSING FOR FIREARM-RELATED
              CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

    Section 6 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(4)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (iii) the following
                new clause:
                            ``(iv) prohibit any individual or family
                        evicted from housing assisted under this Act by
                        reason of firearm-related criminal activity
                        from having a preference under any provision of
                        this subparagraph for 3 years, except that the
                        agency may waive the application of this clause
                        under standards established by the Secretary
                        (which shall include waiver for any member of a
                        family of an individual prohibited from tenancy
                        under this clause who the agency determines
                        clearly did not participate in and had no
                        knowledge of such criminal activity or when
                        circumstances leading to eviction no longer
                        exist); and'';
            (2) in subsection (k), in the matter following paragraph
        (6), by striking ``drug- related'' and inserting ``drug- or
        firearm-related'';
            (3) in subsection (l)(5), by striking ``drug-related'' and
        inserting ``drug- or firearm-related''; and
            (4) in subsection (n), by inserting ``and firearm-related
        criminal activity'' after ``drug-related criminal activity''.

SEC. 4. TERMINATION OF TENANCY IN SECTION 8 HOUSING FOR FIREARM-RELATED
              CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

    Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f) is amended as follows:
            (1) Certificate program.--In subsection (d)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and''
                        after the semicolon at the end; and
                            (iii) by inserting after clause (iii) the
                        following new clause:
                            ``(iv) prohibit any individual or family
                        evicted from housing assisted under this Act by
                        reason of firearm-related criminal activity
                        from having a preference under any provision of
                        this subparagraph for 3 years, except that the
                        agency may waive the application of this clause
                        under standards established by the Secretary
                        (which shall include waiver for any member of a
                        family of an individual prohibited from tenancy
                        under this clause who the agency determines
                        clearly did not participate in and had no
                        knowledge of such criminal activity or when
                        circumstances leading to eviction no longer
                        exist);''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking ``drug-
                related'' and inserting ``drug- or firearm-related''.
            (2) Voucher program.--In subsection (o)(3), by adding at
        the end the following new sentence: ``Any individual or family
        evicted from housing assisted under this Act by reason of
        firearm-related criminal activity shall not be eligible for a
        preference under any provision of this subparagraph for 3
        years, except that the agency may waive the application of this
        clause under standards established by the Secretary (which
        shall include waiver for any member of a family of an
        individual prohibited from tenancy under this clause who the
        agency determines clearly did not participate in and had no
        knowledge of such criminal activity or when circumstances
        leading to eviction no longer exist).''.

Output: Public and Federally Assisted Housing Security Act of 1994 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to terminate public housing and assisted housing tenancy for persons involved in firearm-related criminal activity.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Rental Fairness
Act of 2000''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. General fairness and responsibility rule.
Sec. 5. Preservation of State law.
Sec. 6. Preservation of liability based on negligence.
Sec. 7. Applicability and effective date.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) The vast majority of State statutes and common law
        follow the generally accepted principle of law that a party
        should be held liable only for harm that the party could guard
        against.
            (2) A small number of State common laws and statutes still
        do not recognize this accepted principle of law, and continue
        to subject companies that rent or lease motor vehicles to
        vicarious liability for the negligence of their rental
        customers in operating the motor vehicle simply because of the
        company's ownership, even where the rental company has not been
        negligent in any way and the motor vehicle operated properly.
            (3) An even smaller minority of State laws impose unlimited
        liability on the companies for the tortious acts of their
        customers, without regard to fault.
            (4) These small number of vicarious liability laws pose a
        significant competitive barrier to entry for smaller companies
        attempting to compete in these markets, in contravention of the
        fundamental legal principle of fairness prohibiting liability
        without fault.
            (5) Furthermore, because rented or leased motor vehicles
        are frequently driven across State lines, these small number of
        vicarious liability laws impose a disproportionate and undue
        burden on interstate commerce by increasing rental rates for
        all customers across the nation.
            (6) Due to high liability costs and unwarranted litigation
        costs, consumers face higher vehicle rental costs in all States
        because of the increased insurance expenses required to provide
        coverage in the interstate insurance and rental markets.
            (7) Rental fairness will lessen burdens on interstate
        commerce and decrease litigiousness.
            (8) Legislation to address these concerns is an appropriate
        exercise of the powers of Congress under clauses 3, 9, and 18
        of section 8 of article I of the Constitution of the United
        States, and the 14th amendment to the Constitution of the
        United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act--
            (1) Harm.--The term ``harm'' means--
                    (A) any injury to or damage suffered by a person;
                    (B) any illness, disease, or death of that person
                resulting from that injury or damage; and
                    (C) any loss to that person or any other person
                resulting from that injury or damage.
            (2) Motor Vehicle.--The term ``motor vehicle'' shall have
        the meaning given to this term under section 13102(14) of title
        49, United States Code.
            (3) Owner.--The term ``owner'' means a person who is--
                    (A) a record or beneficial owner or lessee of a
                motor vehicle;
                    (B) entitled to the use and possession of a motor
                vehicle subject to a security interest in another
                person; or
                    (C) a lessee or bailee of a motor vehicle, in the
                trade or business of renting or leasing motor vehicles,
                having the use or possession thereof, under a lease,
                bailment, or otherwise.
            (4) Person.--The term ``person'' means any individual,
        corporation, company, limited liability company, trust,
        association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company,
        or any other entity (including any governmental entity).
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
        States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
        Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern
        Mariana Islands, any other territory or possession of the
        United States, or any political subdivision of any such State,
        commonwealth, territory, or possession.

SEC. 4. GENERAL FAIRNESS AND RESPONSIBILITY RULE.

    (a) In General.--No owner engaged in the trade or business of
renting or leasing motor vehicles may be held liable for harm caused by
a person to himself or herself, to another person, or to property,
which results or arises from that person's use, operation, or
possession of a rented or leased motor vehicle, by reason of being the
owner of such motor vehicle, except to the extent of any required
financial responsibility statute.
    (b) Construction.--Subsection (a) shall not apply if such owner
does not maintain the required limits of financial responsibility for
such vehicle, as required by State law.

SEC. 5. PRESERVATION OF STATE LAW.

    (a) State Financial Responsibility Requirements.--Nothing in this
Act shall relieve any owner engaged in the trade or business of renting
or leasing motor vehicles from the obligation to comply with a State's
minimum financial responsibility, motor vehicle, or insurance statutes
or regulations imposed by that State for the privilege of registering
and operating a motor vehicle within that State.
    (b) Priority of Payments.--Nothing in this Act shall preempt any
State law regarding priority of payment requirements or whether
coverages provided under such statutes or regulations are primary or
secondary.

SEC. 6. PRESERVATION OF LIABILITY BASED ON NEGLIGENCE.

    Nothing in this Act shall preempt the ability of the States to
impose liability based on acts of negligence or criminal wrongdoing.

SEC. 7. APPLICABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this Act shall apply
with respect to any action commenced on or after the date of enactment
of this Act without regard to whether the harm that is the subject of
the action or the conduct that caused the harm occurred before such
date of enactment.

Output: Declares that nothing in this Act preempts a State's ability to impose liability based on acts of negligence or criminal wrongdoing.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Yukon River Salmon Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. YUKON RIVER SALMON PANEL.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be a Yukon River Salmon Panel
        (in this Act referred to as the ``Panel'').
            (2) Functions.--The Panel shall--
                    (A) advise the Secretary of State regarding the
                negotiation of any international agreement with Canada
                relating to management of salmon stocks originating
                from the Yukon River in Canada;
                    (B) advise the Secretary of the Interior regarding
                restoration and enhancement of such salmon stocks; and
                    (C) perform other functions relating to
                conservation and management of such salmon stocks as
                authorized by this or any other Act.
            (3) Designation as united states representatives on
        bilateral body.--The Secretary of State may designate the
        members of the Panel to be the United States representatives on
        any successor to the panel established by the interim agreement
        for the conservation of salmon stocks originating from the
        Yukon River in Canada agreed to through an exchange of notes
        between the Government of the United States and the Government
        of Canada on February 3, 1995, if authorized by any agreement
        establishing such successor.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Panel shall be comprised of six
        members, as follows:
                    (A) One member who is an official of the United
                States Government with expertise in salmon conservation
                and management, who shall be appointed by the Secretary
                of State.
                    (B) One member who is an official of the State of
                Alaska with expertise in salmon conservation and
                management, who shall be appointed by the Governor of
                Alaska.
                    (C) Four members who are knowledgeable and
                experienced with regard to the salmon fisheries on the
                Yukon River, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of
                State in accordance with paragraph (2).
            (2) Appointees from alaska.--(A) The Secretary of State
        shall appoint the members under paragraph (1)(C) from a list of
        at least 3 individuals nominated for each position by the
        Governor of Alaska.
            (B) In making the nominations, the Governor of Alaska may
        consider suggestions for nominations provided by organizations
        with expertise in Yukon River salmon fisheries.
            (C) The Governor of Alaska may make appropriate nominations
        to allow for appointment of, and the Secretary of State shall
        appoint, under paragraph (1)(C)--
                    (i) at least one member who is qualified to
                represent the interests of Lower Yukon River fishing
                districts; and
                    (ii) at least one member who is qualified to
                represent the interests of Upper Yukon River fishing
                districts.
            (D) At least one of the members appointed under paragraph
        (1)(C) shall be an Alaska Native.
            (3) Alternates.--(A) The Secretary of State may designate
        an alternate Panel member for each Panel member the Secretary
        appoints under paragraphs (1) (A) and (C), who meets the same
        qualifications, to serve in the absence of the Panel member.
            (B) The Governor of the State of Alaska may designate an
        alternative Panel member for the Panel member appointed under
        subsection (b)(1)(B), who meets the same qualifications, to
        serve in the absence of that Panel member.
    (c) Term Length.--Panel members and alternate Panel members shall
serve four-year terms. Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy
occurring before the expiration of any term shall be appointed for the
remainder of that term.
    (d) Reappointment.--Panel members and alternate Panel members shall
be eligible for reappointment.
    (e) Decisions.--Decisions of the Panel shall be made by the
consensus of the Panel members appointed under subparagraphs (B) and
(C) of subsection (b)(1).
    (f) Consultation.--In carrying out their functions, Panel members
may consult with such other interested parties as they consider
appropriate.

SEC. 3. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Appointments.--The Governor of Alaska may establish and appoint
an advisory committee of not less than 8, but not more than 12,
individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced with regard to the
salmon fisheries on the Yukon River. At least 2 of the advisory
committee members shall be Alaska Natives. Members of the advisory
committee may attend all meetings of the Panel, and shall be given the
opportunity to examine and be heard on any matter under consideration
by the Panel.
    (b) Compensation.--The members of such advisory committee shall
receive no compensation for their services.
    (c) Term Length.--Members of such advisory committee shall serve
two-year terms. Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring
before the expiration of any term shall be appointed for the remainder
of that term.
    (d) Reappointment.--Members of such advisory committee shall be
eligible for reappointment.

SEC. 4. EXEMPTION.

    The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply
to the Panel or to an advisory committee established under section 3.

SEC. 5. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

    (a) Responsible Management Entity.--The State of Alaska Department
of Fish and Game shall be the responsible management entity for the
United States for the purposes of any agreement with Canada regarding
management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada.
    (b) Effect of Designation.--The designation under subsection (a)
shall not be considered to expand, diminish, or otherwise change the
management authority of the State of Alaska or the Federal Government
with respect to fishery resources.
    (c) Recommendations of Panel.--In addition to recommendations made
by the Panel to the responsible management entities in accordance with
any agreement with Canada regarding management of salmon stocks
originating from the Yukon River in Canada, the Panel may make
recommendations concerning the conservation and management of salmon
originating in the Yukon River to the Department of the Interior, the
Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council, and other Federal or State entities as
appropriate. Recommendations by the Panel shall be advisory in nature.

SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation.--Panel members and alternate Panel members who
are not State or Federal employees shall receive compensation at the
daily rate of GS-15 of the General Schedule when engaged in the actual
performance of duties.
    (b) Travel and Other Necessary Expenses.--Travel and other
necessary expenses shall be paid by the Secretary of the Interior for
all Panel members, alternate Panel members, and members of any advisory
committee established under section 3 when engaged in the actual
performance of duties.
    (c) Treatment as Federal Employees.--Except for officials of the
United States Government, all Panel members, alternate Panel members,
and members of any advisory committee established under section 3 shall
not be considered to be Federal employees while engaged in the actual
performance of duties, except for the purposes of injury compensation
or tort claims liability as provided in chapter 81 of title 5, United
States Code, and chapter 71 of title 28, United States Code.

SEC. 7. YUKON RIVER SALMON STOCK RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation
with the Secretary of Commerce, may carry out projects to restore or
enhance salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada and
the United States.
    (b) Cooperation With Canada.--If there is in effect an agreement
between the Government of the United States and the Government of
Canada for the conservation of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon
River in Canada that includes provisions governing projects authorized
under this section, then--
            (1) projects under this section shall be carried out in
        accordance with that agreement; and
            (2) amounts available for projects under this section--
                    (A) shall be expended in accordance with the
                agreement; and
                    (B) may be deposited in any joint account
                established by the agreement to fund such projects.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the
Interior to carry out this Act $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, of which--
            (1) such sums as are necessary shall be available each
        fiscal year for travel expenses of Panel members, alternate
        Panel members, United States members of the Joint Technical
        Committee established by paragraph C.2 of the memorandum of
        understanding concerning the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the
        Government of the United States and the Government of Canada
        (recorded January 28, 1985), and members of an advisory
        committee established and appointed under section 3, in
        accordance with Federal Travel Regulations and sections 5701,
        5702, 5704 through 5708, and 5731 of title 5, United States
        Code;
            (2) such sums as are necessary shall be available for the
        United States share of expenses incurred by the Joint Technical
        Committee and any panel established by any agreement between
        the Government of the United States and the Government of
        Canada for restoration and enhancement of salmon originating in
        Canada;
            (3) up to $3,000,000 shall be available each fiscal year
        for activities by the Department of the Interior and the
        Department of Commerce for survey, restoration, and enhancement
        activities related to salmon stocks originating from the Yukon
        River in Canada, of which up to $1,200,000 shall be available
        each fiscal year for Yukon River salmon stock restoration and
        enhancement projects under section 7(b); and
            (4) $600,000 shall be available each fiscal year for
        cooperative salmon research and management projects in the
        portion of the Yukon River drainage located in the United
        States that are recommended by the Panel.

Output:
Yukon River Salmon Act of 1999 - Establishes the Yukon River Salmon Panel.  Includes among its duties: (1) advising the Secretary of State on the negotiation of any international agreement with Canada regarding management of salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada; and (2) advising the Secretary of the Interior on restoration and enhancement of those stocks.  Authorizes the Secretary of State to designate Panel members to be the U.S. representatives on any successor to the panel established by a specified interim agreement between the United States and Canada for the conservation of those stocks, if authorized by any agreement establishing the successor.
(Sec. 3) Authorizes the Governor of Alaska to establish and appoint an advisory committee of individuals knowledgeable regarding the Yukon River salmon fisheries.  Allows committee members to attend all Panel meetings and requires that they be given the opportunity to examine and be heard on any Panel matter.
(Sec. 5) Makes the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game the responsible U.S. management entity for the purposes of any related agreement with Canada.
(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to carry out projects to restore or enhance salmon stocks originating from the Yukon River in Canada.
(Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Firearms License Reform Act
of 1993''.

SEC. 2. PREVENTION OF THEFT OF FIREARMS.

    (a) Prohibition Against Labelling of Containers Containing
Firearms.--Section 922(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(e)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) It shall be unlawful for any common or contract carrier to
require or cause to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage,
or other container any label, tag, or other written notice that the
package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.''.
    (b) Duty To Obtain Written Acknowledgement of Receipt of Containers
Containing Firearms.--Section 922(f) of such title is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(f)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) It shall be unlawful for any common or contract carrier to
deliver in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm without obtaining
written acknowledgement of receipt of the firearm from the recipient of
the firearm.''.
    (c) Personal Transfer of Firearms Between Licensees Outside Their
Business Premises.--Section 923(c) of such title is amended by
inserting after the 1st sentence the following: ``Notwithstanding any
other provision of this chapter, a person licensed under this section
may, in person, transfer or deliver firearms to, and receive firearms
from, another such person at any location without regard to the State
specified on the license.''.
    (d) Prohibition Against Stealing Firearms From Certain Licensees.--
            (1) Prohibition.--Section 922 of such title is amended by
        adding at the end the following:
    ``(s) It shall be unlawful for a person to steal, unlawfully
convert, or take by fraud from the person or the premises of a licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer any firearm in the
business inventory of the licensee which has been shipped or
transported in interstate or foreign commerce.''.
            (2) Penalties.--Section 924 of such title is amended by
        adding at the end the following:
    ``(i)(1) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(s) shall be fined
not more than $10,000, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
    ``(2) Whoever, during and in relation to a robbery (as defined in
section 1951(b)(1)) or riot (as defined in section 2102(a)), knowingly
violates section 922(s) shall be sentenced to imprisonment for 30
years, or, if a death results, to life imprisonment without release or
to death.''.

SEC. 3. 3-YEAR LICENSE TO DEAL IN FIREARMS; INCREASE IN APPLICATION
              FEE.

    Section 923(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking ``who is a pawnbroker dealing'';
                and
                    (B) by striking ``$25 per year; or'' and inserting
                ``$150 for an original license for 3 years, or $75 for
                the renewal of a license for 3 years.''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (C).

SEC. 4. FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES REQUIRED TO REPORT THEFT OF FIREARMS
              FROM THE INVENTORY OR COLLECTION OF THE LICENSEE.

    Section 923(g) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
    ``(6)(A) Within 5 business days after a person licensed under this
section discovers the theft of a firearm from the inventory or
collection of the licensee, the licensee shall report the theft to the
chief law enforcement officer of the place of business of the licensee.
    ``(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `chief law
enforcement officer' means the chief of police, the sheriff, or an
equivalent officer, or the designee of any such individual.''.

SEC. 5. RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.

    Section 923(g) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by
section 4 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(7) Not later than 5 business days after a licensee receives from
the Secretary a written or in-person request therefor, the licensee
shall provide the Secretary with such information contained in the
records required to be kept by the licensee under this chapter as may
be required for determining the disposition of 1 or more firearms. The
licensee shall provide the information orally or in writing, as the
Secretary may require.''.

SEC. 6. EXPANDED DEFINITION OF CURIOS OR RELICS.

    (a) In General.--Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(29) The term `curios or relics' means firearms so
        designated by the Secretary by regulation, and firearms
        manufactured in or before the calendar year 1946 acquired for a
        personal collection and not as business inventory or for resale
        for livelihood and profit.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 921(a)(13) of such title is
amended by striking ``as the Secretary shall by regulation define,''.

SEC. 7. EXPANDED DEFINITION OF ANTIQUE FIREARMS.

    Section 921(a)(16)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``1898'' and inserting ``1918''.

SEC. 8. APPLICANT FOR FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY LOCAL
              LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE
              LICENSE.

    Section 923(d)(1)(E) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting before the comma the following: ``and the applicant has
certified on the application that the applicant has sent or delivered
notice, on a form prescribed by the Secretary, to the chief law
enforcement officer (as defined in subsection (g)(6)(B)) of the
locality in which the premises are located, that the applicant intends
to apply for a Federal firearms license''.

SEC. 9. PROVISION TO LICENSEES OF RULES GOVERNING FIREARMS.

    Section 926 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting at the end of subsection (b) the
        following: ``No such rule or regulation shall be effective
        until 30 days after a copy thereof has been provided to all
        persons licensed under this chapter.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d)(1)(A) Upon the effective date of this subsection, the
Secretary shall publish and provide to all licensees a compilation of
the State laws and published ordinances which are relevant to
compliance with this chapter.
    ``(B) Each year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish and provide
to licensees all amendments to such State laws and published
ordinances.
    ``(2) If the Secretary fails to provide to a licensee the
information required to be provided under this subsection, then, in any
proceeding for the revocation of the license or any criminal
prosecution of the licensee under this chapter, the licensee shall be
rebuttably presumed to have had no knowledge of any State law or
published ordinance that is relevant to the revocation proceeding or
criminal prosecution.
    ``(e)(1) The Secretary shall provide a copy of all regulations
prescribed and official rulings made under this chapter, and all
regulations prescribed and official rulings made under chapter 53 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to each person licensed under this
chapter--
            ``(A) in the case of a person who became so licensed before
        the effective date of this subsection, as soon as is
        practicable after such effective date; or
            ``(B) in the case of a person who becomes so licensed after
        such effective date, upon the issuance of the license.
    ``(2) Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall
provide to each person licensed under this chapter a copy of all
changes in the regulations, and all new rulings, referred to in
paragraph (1) since the most recent provision of information to the
person under this subsection.
    ``(f) The Secretary shall publish and provide to each person
licensed under this chapter, at such times as the Secretary shall deem
necessary, the name and license number of any person whose license
under this chapter has been revoked.''.

SEC. 10. REGISTRATION TO REQUIRE PHOTOGRAPH AND FINGERPRINTS.

    Section 5802 of the National Firearms Act is amended by inserting
after the 1st sentence the following: ``An individual required to
register under this section shall at the time of such registration,
provide a photograph and fingerprints of the individual obtained from
law enforcement authorities.''.

SEC. 11. ATTORNEY'S FEE PAYABLE IN CASES OF UNAUTHORIZED DENIAL OR
              REVOCATION OF LICENSE.

    Section 923(f)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``, and shall award the prevailing party, other than the
United States, a reasonable attorney's fee for which the United States
shall be liable'' before the period.

Output:
Federal Firearms License Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a common or contract carrier from:  (1) requiring or causing to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container any label, tag, or other written notice that the container contains a firearm; and (2) delivering a firearm in interstate or foreign commerce without obtaining written acknowledgement of receipt of the firearm from the recipient.  Permits the personal transfer of firearms between licensees outside their business premises.
Prohibits and sets penalties for:  (1) stealing, unlawfully converting, or taking by fraud from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer any firearm in the business inventory of the licensee which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce; and (2) knowingly violating such provision during and in relation to a robbery or riot (in which case, if death results, such violator shall be subject to life imprisonment without release or  to death).
Revises firearms licensing provisions to provide for a three-year license to deal in firearms and an increase in the application fee.
Requires Federal firearms licensees to:  (1) report the theft of firearms within five business days of discovery; and (2) respond within five days to requests from the Secretary of the Treasury for information contained in required records regarding disposition of a firearm.
Expands the definitions of "curios or relics" and "antique firearm."
Requires:  (1) Federal firearms license applicants to notify local law enforcement authorities of the intention to apply for such license; and (2) the Secretary to publish and provide to all licensees a compilation of relevant State laws and published ordinances, and periodically provide a copy of all changes in regulations and new rulings.
Amends:  (1) the National Firearms Act to require importers, manufacturers, and dealers in firearms who register pursuant to such Act to provide a photograph and fingerprints at the time of registration; and (2) the Federal criminal code to authorize the award of attorney fees in cases of unauthorized denial or revocation of a firearms license.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Transparency and Accountability in
Security Contracting Act''.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO PERSONNEL PERFORMING PRIVATE SECURITY
              FUNCTIONS UNDER FEDERAL CONTRACTS.

    (a) Accountability Requirements for Personnel Performing Private
Security Functions Under Federal Contracts.--
            (1) Requirement to provide certain information about
        personnel performing private security functions.--Each covered
        contract shall require the contractor to provide to the
        contracting officer for the contract, not later than 5 days
        after award of the contract, the following information
        regarding private security functions performed under the
        contract:
                    (A) Number of persons to be used to perform such
                functions.
                    (B) A description of how such persons are trained
                to carry out tasks specified under the contract
                relating to such functions.
                    (C) A description of each category of activity
                relating to such functions required by the contract.
            (2) Updates of information.--The information provided under
        paragraph (1) shall be updated during contract performance as
        necessary.
            (3) Safeguarding information.--The head of each agency
        awarding a covered contract shall take such actions as are
        necessary to protect any information provided under paragraph
        (1) that is a trade secret, or commercial or financial
        information, from disclosure to persons outside the Government.
            (4) Accounting.--Each covered contract shall include the
        following requirements:
                    (A) Upon award of the contract, the contractor
                shall provide cost estimates of salary, benefits,
                insurance, materials, logistics, travel, administrative
                costs, and other costs of carrying out private security
                functions under the contract.
                    (B) Before contract closeout (other than closeout
                of a firm, fixed price contract), the contractor shall
                provide a report on the actual costs of carrying out
                private security functions under the contract, in the
                same categories as provided under subparagraph (A).
            (5) Casualty reporting.--Each covered contract shall
        require full reporting to the contracting officer for the
        contract by the contractor of all personnel casualties in
        carrying out the contract.
            (6) Oversight.--Before a covered contract is awarded, the
        head of the agency awarding the contract shall ensure that
        sufficient resources are available to enable contracting
        officers of the agency to perform oversight of the performance
        of the contract.
            (7) Waiver authority.--
                    (A) The head of the agency awarding a covered
                contract may waive a requirement of this section with
                respect to a contract in an emergency or exceptional
                situation, as determined by the head of the agency. Any
                such waiver shall be limited to the requirements that
                are impossible or impracticable to implement because of
                the emergency or exceptional situation. In any case in
                which the head of an agency waives a requirement under
                this section with respect to a contract, the agency
                head shall submit to the congressional committees
                listed in subparagraph (B) a report, within 30 days
                after the date of the waiver, that describes the
                contract, the waiver, the emergency or exceptional
                situation that justified the waiver, and a plan for
                bringing the contract into compliance with the waived
                requirements as soon as possible or an explanation of
                why the waiver needs to be permanent.
                    (B) The congressional committees referred to in
                subparagraph (A) are the following:
                            (i) The Committees on Appropriations, Armed
                        Services, Government Reform, and International
                        Relations of the House of Representatives.
                            (ii) The Committees on Appropriations,
                        Armed Services, Homeland Security and
                        Governmental Affairs, and Foreign Relations of
                        the Senate.
    (b) Hiring, Training, and Equipment Standards Relating to Private
Security Contractors.--
            (1) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, the
        Secretary of State, and the Administrator of the United States
        Agency for International Development shall prescribe in
        regulations minimum standards (appropriate for each department
        or agency) for the persons that covered contractors may hire
        for the performance of private security functions under the
        contract, and minimum standards for the training of such
        persons, including the level of training and any certifications
        required. The standards may vary based on the duties of
        personnel, but must address past criminal activity, security
        clearance requirements, and other issues that either Secretary
        or the Administrator determines may lead to security or
        performance concerns.
            (2) Guidance for equipment.--The Secretary of Defense, the
        Secretary of State, and the Administrator for the United States
        Agency for International Development shall issue guidance
        (appropriate for each department or agency) on equipment used
        for private security functions under covered contracts with the
        department or agency concerned, including appropriate levels of
        body armor and equipment armor, and a recommended list of re-
        armorers and weapons and armor manufacturers for complying with
        such guidelines.
            (3) Consultation with secretary of defense.--The Secretary
        of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for
        International Development shall consult with the Secretary of
        Defense in developing regulations and guidance under this
        subsection.
    (c) Report on Cost Analysis Relating to Equipment.--Not later than
six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall submit to Congress a report containing--
            (1) an analysis of the costs to the Federal Government of
        purchasing equipment to supply to contractors to carry out
        private security functions under covered contracts in
        comparison to the costs to the Federal Government of
        reimbursing contractors for equipment purchased by the
        contractors to carry out such functions; and
            (2) such findings and recommendations as the Secretary
        considers appropriate.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered contract.--The term ``covered contract''
        means--
                    (A) a prime contract with the Department of
                Defense, the Department of State, or the United States
                Agency for International Development;
                    (B) a subcontract at any tier under any prime
                contract with a department or agency referred to in
                subparagraph (A); or
                    (C) a task order issued under a task or delivery
                order contract entered into by a department or agency
                referred to in subparagraph (A);
        if the work to be performed under the contract, subcontract, or
        task order includes private security functions to be performed
        outside the United States.
            (2) Private security functions.--The term ``private
        security functions'', with respect to a covered contract,
        means--
                    (A) any activities for which personnel are allowed
                to carry weapons in the performance of the contract; or
                    (B) the performance of any of the following:
                            (i) Military logistics and maintenance.
                            (ii) Interrogation of prisoners.
                            (iii) Convoy security.
                            (iv) Guarding vital facilities and
                        personnel.
                            (v) Tactical security work.
                            (vi) Local force training.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to covered contracts
entered into on or after the date occurring 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Transparency and Accountability in Security Contracting Act - Directs that each "covered contract" (i.e., a contract entered into by the government with a private security contractor, or a task order issued under the contract) require contractors to provide the contracting officer with information at the time the contract is awarded and to update the information during contract performance regarding: (1) the number of persons being used to perform contract functions; (2) training of personnel; and (3) categories of activity required by the contract.

Directs the contractor to provide: (1) pre-contract cost estimates of salary, insurance, materials, logistics, travel, administrative costs, and other contract costs; (2) before contract closeout, a report on the actual costs; and (3) casualty information.

Sets forth oversight and emergency waiver authority provisions.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), the Secretary of State, and the Administrator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with respect to such contracts to: (1) prescribe minimum hiring standards, including criminal activity or security clearance information requirements, and (2) issue equipment guidance.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Health Education and
Transparency Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF CONSUMER HEALTH EDUCATION AND INFORMATION.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall establish within
the Department of Health and Human Services an office to be known as
the ``Office of Consumer Health Education and Information'' (referred
to in this Act as the ``Office'') to provide consumers of health care
services and health insurance with information, through education and
outreach, concerning personal health and wellness and health insurance
coverage.
    (b) Director.--The Office shall be headed by a Director who shall
be appointed by the Secretary,
    (c) Duties.--The Office shall--
            (1) collect and organize personal health and wellness
        information from private and public sources and disseminate
        such information to members of the general public to improve
        personal health awareness and behaviors;
            (2) collect and organize information on available health
        insurance options and consumer health insurance protections in
        each of the 50 States and United States territories and
        disseminate such information to the general public through the
        Internet website established under paragraph (8) and the
        Federal Citizen Information Center hotline established under
        paragraph (5);
            (3) coordinate the public health education and outreach
        efforts of organizations and offices within the Department of
        Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Medicare &
        Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services
        Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers
        for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Administration on
        Aging, to increase the effectiveness of such efforts;
            (4) enter into interagency agreements with the Federal
        Trade Commission, the Department of Labor, and other Federal
        agencies determined appropriate by the Secretary to facilitate
        the coordination of personal health and wellness or health
        insurance information provided to consumers;
            (5) enter into an interagency agreement with the General
        Services Administration to operate directly or indirectly,
        through grant or contract, a 24-hour, toll-free telephone
        hotline at the Federal Citizen Information Center to provide
        consumer information regarding health insurance and personal
        health and wellness behaviors as well as direct consumers to
        geographically appropriate resources;
            (6) identify and develop methods to increase the quality
        and amount of information available to consumers regarding the
        cost, quality, and availability of health care services and
        health insurance plans;
            (7) develop partnership agreements with public and private
        organizations to improve the education of the general public
        regarding personal health and wellness and health insurance;
            (8) develop and maintain a consumer education Internet
        website to provide information concerning personal health and
        wellness and health insurance; and
            (9) develop and disseminate relevant information for
        employers purchasing health insurance coverage for employees
        and their families.
    (d) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report that includes--
            (1) a detailed review of the Office's activities,
        operations, and achievements during the year for which the
        report is being prepared;
            (2) a description of the Office's goals for the year
        following the year for which the report is being prepared and a
        strategic plan for the operation and activities of the Office
        to achieve such goals; and
            (3) a detailed request for additional appropriations needed
        for the implementation of such plan, as appropriate.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 3. DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF UNIFORM SUMMARY OF BENEFITS
              EXPLANATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall request the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners (referred to as the ``NAIC'') to
develop, and submit to the Secretary not later than 12 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, standards for use by health insurance
issuers in compiling and providing to enrollees a summary of benefits
explanation that accurately represents the benefits and coverage
provided by the issuer under the applicable health insurance plan. In
developing such standards, the NAIC shall consult with a working group
composed of representatives of health insurance-related consumer
advocacy organizations, issuers of health insurance plans, and other
qualified individuals.
    (b) Requirements.--The standards for the summary of benefits
explanation developed under subsection (a) shall provide for the
following:
            (1) Appearance.--The standards shall ensure that the
        summary is presented in a uniform format that does not exceed 4
        pages in length and does not include print smaller than 12-
        point font.
            (2) Language.--The standards shall ensure that the language
        used in the summary is presented in a manner determined to be
        understandable by the average health plan enrollee.
            (3) Contents.--The standards shall ensure that the summary
        includes--
                    (A) information determined to be essential to a
                consumer's understanding of the applicable health
                insurance plan benefits;
                    (B) uniform definitions of standard insurance
                terms;
                    (C) examples to illustrate common benefits
                scenarios; and
                    (D) illustrations that enhance consumer
                understanding of the explanation.
    (c) Regulations.--
            (1) Submission.--If, not later than 12 months after the
        date of enactment of this Act, the NAIC submits to the
        Secretary the standards provided for under subsection (a), the
        Secretary shall, not later than 60 days after the date on which
        such standards are submitted, promulgate regulations to apply
        such standards to entities described in subsection (c)(2).
            (2) Failure to submit.--If the NAIC fails to submit to the
        Secretary the standards under subsection (a) within the 12-
        month period provided for in paragraph (1), the Secretary
        shall, not later than 90 days after the expiration of such 12-
        month period, promulgate regulations providing for the
        application of Federal standards for the summary of benefit
        explantion to entities described in subsection (d)(2).
    (d) Requirement To Provide.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 24 months after the date of
        enactment of the Act, each entity described in paragraph (2)
        shall, prior to the effective date of any health insurance
        coverage provided by the entity to an individual, provide to
        such individual a summary of benefits explanation pursuant to
        the standards promulgated by the Secretary under subsection
        (c).
            (2) Entities.--
                    (A) In general.--An entity is described in this
                paragraph is--
                            (i) a health insurance issuer (including a
                        group health plan) offering health insurance
                        coverage within the United States (including
                        carriers under the Federal Employee Health
                        Benefits Program under chapter 89 of title 5,
                        United States Code);
                            (ii) the Secretary with respect to coverage
                        under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP
                        programs under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of
                        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395, 1396,
                        1397aa et seq.);
                            (iii) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
                        with respect to coverage provided through the
                        Department of Veterans Affairs; and
                            (iv) the Secretary of Defense with respect
                        to military health program coverage under
                        chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code,
                        including under the TRICARE program (as defined
                        in section 1072(7) of such title).
                    (B) Limitation.--An entity described in the
                paragraph shall not include a self-funded group health
                plan to which the Employee Retirement Income Security
                Act of 1974 applies.
    (e) Preemption.--The standards promulgated under subsection (c)
shall preempt any related State standards that require summary of
benefits health plan explanations that provide less information to
consumers, as determined by the Secretary.
    (f) Failure To Provide.--An entity described in subsection (d)(2)
that willfully fails to provide the information required under this
section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each
such failure. Such failure with respect to each enrollee shall
constitute a separate offense for purposes of this subsection.

SEC. 4. CONSUMER HEALTH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH INITIATIVE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of
the Office, shall establish and implement a consumer health education
and outreach initiative through the use of print, Internet, television,
and radio media.
    (b) Required Information.--The initiative established under
subsection (a) shall provide consumers with information concerning the
following:
            (1) The importance of adopting responsible personal health
        and wellness behaviors.
            (2) The important role of health insurance coverage in
        maintaining personal health and wellness behaviors.
            (3) The impact of individuals without health insurance on
        the general health care market and costs of health care
        services.
            (4) The importance of utilizing preventive health services
        and how to access such services.
            (5) The operation of health insurance plans.
            (6) Common health care terminology.
            (7) The information that a consumer should obtain about
        health care services and health insurance plans prior to
        participating.
            (8) The availability of, and eligibility for, Federal
        health care programs and assistance.
            (9) The format and content of the summary of benefits
        explanation required under section 3.
            (10) The resources available through the Office and how to
        access those resources, including the Internet website and toll
        free hotline.
    (c) Languages.--The Secretary shall provide information through the
initiative under subsection (a) in multiple languages and in an
accessible format for individuals with sight and hearing disabilities.
    (d) Duration.--The initiative under subsection (a) shall be at
least 6 months in duration.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated, $10,000,000 to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. REPORT CONCERNING END-OF-LIFE CARE EDUCATION AND SPENDING.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary, in consultation with the representatives
described in subsection (c), shall conduct a comprehensive study of
matters related to improved consumer education on end-of-life care
decisions and spending. Such study shall evaluate issues including--
            (1) consumer attitudes and questions regarding end-of-life
        care decisions;
            (2) effective outreach methods to increase consumer
        understanding of end-of-life care considerations and tools for
        making end-of-life care decisions;
            (3) methods for empowering consumers to ensure that their
        end-of-life care instructions are properly executed;
            (4) the appropriate timing and venues for end-of-life care
        discussions between health care consumers and providers;
            (5) ethical and legal considerations considered by
        consumers when making end-of-life care decisions;
            (6) trends in end-of-life care spending and the impact of
        such spending on overall health care costs; and
            (7) potential strategies for addressing any identified end-
        of-life care spending issues.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, a report
concerning the study conducted under subsection (a) together with the
recommendations of the Secretary for legislative or administrative
action where appropriate.
    (c) Representatives.--The representatives described in this
subsection include representatives from the following groups,
organizations, or associations:
            (1) A senior citizen advocacy organization.
            (2) A hospice organization.
            (3) A physician-based hospice and palliative care
        organization.
            (4) A home-health organization.
            (5) A long-term care advocacy organization.
            (6) A cancer research organization.
            (7) A patient advocacy organization.
            (8) A faith-based health care organization.
            (9) A nurse-based medical association.
            (10) A geriatrician-based medical association.
            (11) An academic medical institution.
            (12) A caregiver advocacy organization.
            (13) A chronic disease advocacy organization.
            (14) A disability rights advocacy organization.
            (15) A social work association.
            (16) A pediatric palliative care organization.
            (17) A veterans health care organization.

SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANTS TO LOCAL
              EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
              OF PERSONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN GRADES K-12.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
        7801).
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Education.
    (b) Program Authorized.--The Secretary shall establish a 5-year
pilot program awarding grants, on a competitive basis, to not more than
25 local educational agencies to allow the local educational agencies
to develop and implement a personal health and nutrition curriculum in
elementary schools or secondary schools.
    (c) Application.--A local educational agency that desires to
receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Secretary may require. The application shall contain
a plan for the proposed curriculum and for the use of the grant funds
by the local educational agency, including a description of the
population of children to be targeted by the program assisted under the
grant.
    (d) Award Basis.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall consider whether the curriculum proposal submitted by
the local educational agency in the application--
            (1) is age-appropriate for, and appealing to, children in
        the targeted population described in the application;
            (2) incorporates evidence-based health and nutrition
        standards as the basis for instruction;
            (3) integrates classroom instruction with physical activity
        to demonstrate the benefits of adopting good personal health
        and nutrition habits;
            (4) incorporates communication with parents and includes
        family learning activities outside of the classroom; and
            (5) promotes school staff health and wellness.
    (e) Use of Funds.--A local educational agency receiving a grant
under this section shall use such funds to develop and implement a
personal health and nutrition curriculum for elementary or secondary
school students.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2009 through 2014.

Output:
Consumer Health Education and Transparency Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Office of Consumer Health Education and Information to provide consumers of health care services and health insurance with information concerning personal health and wellness and health insurance coverage.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) require the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop standards for use by health insurance issuers in compiling and providing to enrollees a summary of benefits explanation that accurately represents the benefits and coverage provided by the issuer under the applicable health insurance plan; and (2) promulgate regulations to apply such standards.

Directs health insurance issuers and federal health care programs to provide such a summary of benefits explanation to individuals prior to the effective date of coverage.

Provides that such standards preempt related state standards that provide less information to consumers.

Subjects entities that willfully fail to provide such information to fines.

Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office, to establish and implement a consumer health education and outreach initiative.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a comprehensive study of matters related to improved consumer education on end-of-life care decisions and spending; and (2) award grants to local education agencies to develop and implement a personal health and nutrition curriculum in elementary or secondary schools.


Input:
SECTION 1. INCREASE IN PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT.

    Subsection (b) of section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by striking the dollar amount contained therein and inserting
``$4,920,000,000,000''.

SEC. 2. APPLICABILITY OF PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT TO FEDERAL TRUST FUNDS AND
              OTHER FEDERAL ACCOUNTS.

    (a) Protection of Federal Funds.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law--
            (1) no officer or employee of the United States may--
                    (A) delay the deposit of any amount into (or delay
                the credit of any amount to) any Federal fund or
                otherwise vary from the normal terms, procedures, or
                timing for making such deposits or credits, or
                    (B) refrain from the investment in public debt
                obligations of amounts in any Federal fund,
        if a purpose of such action or inaction is to not increase the
        amount of outstanding public debt obligations, and
            (2) no officer or employee of the United States may
        disinvest amounts in any Federal fund which are invested in
        public debt obligations if a purpose of the disinvestment is to
        reduce the amount of outstanding public debt obligations.
    (b) Protection of Benefits and Expenditures for Administrative
Expenses.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), during any
        period for which cash benefits or administrative expenses would
        not otherwise be payable from a covered benefits fund by reason
        of an inability to issue further public debt obligations
        because of the applicable public debt limit, public debt
        obligations held by such covered benefits fund shall be sold or
        redeemed only for the purpose of making payment of such
        benefits or administrative expenses and only to the extent cash
        assets of the covered benefits fund are not available from
        month to month for making payment of such benefits or
        administrative expenses.
            (2) Issuance of corresponding debt.--For purposes of
        undertaking the sale or redemption of public debt obligations
        held by a covered benefits fund pursuant to paragraph (1), the
        Secretary of the Treasury may issue corresponding public debt
        obligations to the public, in order to obtain the cash
        necessary for payment of benefits or administrative expenses
        from such covered benefits fund, notwithstanding the public
        debt limit.
            (3) Advance notice of sale or redemption.--Not less than 3
        days prior to the date on which, by reason of the public debt
        limit, the Secretary of the Treasury expects to undertake a
        sale or redemption authorized under paragraph (1), the
        Secretary of the Treasury shall report to each House of the
        Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States
        regarding the expected sale or redemption. Upon receipt of such
        report, the Comptroller General shall review the extent of
        compliance with subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of
        this subsection and shall issue such findings and
        recommendations to each House of the Congress as the
        Comptroller General considers necessary and appropriate.
    (c) Public Debt Obligation.--For purposes of this section, the term
``public debt obligation'' means any obligation subject to the public
debt limit established under section 3101 of title 31, United States
Code.
    (d) Federal Fund.--For purposes of this section, the term ``Federal
fund'' means any Federal trust fund or Government account established
pursuant to Federal law to which the Secretary of the Treasury has
issued or is expressly authorized by law directly to issue obligations
under chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, in respect of public
money, money otherwise required to be deposited in the Treasury, or
amounts appropriated.
    (e) Covered Benefits Fund.--For purposes of subsection (b), the
term ``covered benefits fund'' means any Federal fund from which cash
benefits are payable by law in the form of retirement benefits,
separation payments, life or disability insurance benefits, or
dependent's or survivor's benefits, including (but not limited to) the
following:
            (1) the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund;
            (2) the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund;
            (3) the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund;
            (4) the Government Securities Investment Fund;
            (5) the Department of Defense Military Retirement Fund;
            (6) the Unemployment Trust Fund;
            (7) each of the railroad retirement funds and accounts;
            (8) the Department of Defense Education Benefits Fund and
        the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Education Fund; and
            (9) the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
    (f) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) In general.--Subsections (j), (k), and (l) of section
        8348 of title 5, United States Code, and subsections (g) and
        (h) of section 8438 of such title are hereby repealed.
            (2) Retention of authority to restore trust funds with
        respect to actions taken before date of enactment.--
                    (A) In general.--The repeals made by paragraph (1)
                shall not apply to the restoration requirements imposed
                on the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Executive
                Director referred to in section 8438(g)(5) of title 5,
                United States Code) with respect to amounts
                attributable to actions taken under subsection (j)(1)
                or (k) of section 8348, or section 8438(g)(1), of such
                title before the date of the enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Restoration requirements.--For purposes of
                subparagraph (A), the term ``restoration requirements''
                means the requirements imposed by--
                            (i) paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of
                        subsection (j), and subsection (l)(1), of
                        section 8348 of such title, and
                            (ii) paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) of
                        subsection (g), and subsection (h)(1), of
                        section 8438 of such title.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ISSUANCE OF PUBLIC DEBT OBLIGATIONS AFTER
              DECEMBER 31, 2001.

    No obligation subject to the limitation under section 3101(b) of
title 31, United States Code, may be issued to the public after
December 31, 2001. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any
obligation (or series of obligations) issued to refund an obligation
issued before January 1, 2002.

SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH PRIORITIES IN MANAGING CASH POSITION OF
              UNITED STATES.

    Section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Whenever the United States Government is unable to borrow in
a timely manner sufficient funds to meet its needs because of the limit
set forth in subsection (b), the Secretary of the Treasury is
authorized to manage the cash position of the United States Government
pursuant to priorities established by the President for making
payments.''.

SEC. 5. PROHIBITION OF SALES OF ASSETS TO AVOID PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no officer or employee
of the United States may sell any property of the United States if the
primary purpose of such sale is to avoid the limitation set forth in
section 3101(b) of title 31, United States Code (relating to public
debt limit).

Output:
Amends Federal law to increase the public debt limit to $4.92 trillion.
Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from delaying a deposit or credit to, or refraining from investment in public debt obligations in, any Federal fund if the purpose is to reduce or not increase public debt.  Allows, notwithstanding the public debt limit, the sale or redemption of public debt obligations held by a covered benefits fund in order to get the cash necessary for payment of benefits or administrative expenses.
Prohibits issuance, after December 31, 2001, of public debt obligations subject to limitation under specified provisions of Federal law.  Declares that the prohibition does not apply to any obligations issued to refund an obligation issued before January 1, 2002.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, when the Government is unable to borrow sufficient funds because of the public debt limit, to manage the U.S. cash position under the priorities established by the President for making payments.
Prohibits any U.S. officer or employee from selling any U.S. property if the primary purpose of the sale is to avoid the public debt limit.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Congressional Pension Accountability
Act''.

SEC. 2. PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 8333 the following:
``Sec. 8333a. Expulsion from Congress
    ``(a) Noncreditability of Member Service.--If an individual is
expelled from Congress, all Member service previously performed by such
individual shall be noncreditable for purposes of determining
eligibility for or the amount of any annuity which might otherwise be
payable out of the Fund based on the service of such individual under
this subchapter.
    ``(b) Refund of Contributions and Deposits.--If an individual's
Member service becomes noncreditable by reason of subsection (a), that
portion of such individual's lump-sum credit which is attributable to
such Member service (less any amount previously refunded or paid as
annuity benefits) shall, on proper application, be payable to such
individual or, if deceased, to the appropriate person determined under
section 8342.
    ``(c) Amounts Properly Paid Not Affected.--An individual whose
Member service is made noncreditable by reason of subsection (a) is not
thereafter required to repay any part of an annuity under this
subchapter otherwise properly paid to such individual before the date
of the expulsion, if any.
    ``(d) Coordination Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be
considered to supersede or otherwise affect the application of
subchapter II.
    ``(e) Regulations.--The Office of Personnel Management shall
prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this
section.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 83 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8333 the following:

``8333a. Expulsion from Congress.''.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT
              SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 8410 the following:
``Sec. 8410a. Expulsion from Congress
    ``(a) Noncreditability of Member Service.--If an individual is
expelled from Congress, all Member service previously performed by such
individual shall be noncreditable for purposes of determining
eligibility for or the amount of any annuity which might otherwise be
payable out of the Fund based on the service of such individual under
this chapter.
    ``(b) Refund of Contributions and Deposits.--If an individual's
Member service becomes noncreditable by reason of subsection (a), that
portion of such individual's lump-sum credit which is attributable to
such Member service (less any amount previously refunded or paid as
annuity benefits) shall, on proper application, be payable to such
individual or, if deceased, to the appropriate person determined under
section 8424.
    ``(c) Amounts Properly Paid Not Affected.--An individual whose
Member service is made noncreditable by reason of subsection (a) is not
thereafter required to repay any part of an annuity under this chapter
otherwise properly paid to such individual before the date of the
expulsion, if any.
    ``(d) Forfeiture of Government Contributions to Thrift Savings
Plan.--If an individual's Member service becomes noncreditable by
reason of subsection (a), all contributions made by the Government for
the benefit of that individual under section 8432(c) while that
individual was performing Member service, and all earnings attributable
to such contributions, shall be forfeited.
    ``(e) Coordination Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be
considered to supersede or otherwise affect the application of
subchapter II of chapter 83.
    ``(f) Definition.--For the purpose of this section, the term
`Member service' means, in the case of an individual subject to this
chapter, service performed by such individual as a Member (as defined
by section 8331 or 8401), including the period from the date of the
beginning of the term for which elected or appointed to the date on
which he takes office as such a Member.
    ``(g) Regulations.--The Office of Personnel Management shall
prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this
section, including provisions for the reduction or elimination of any
payment under section 8421 and any other similar payment under this
chapter supplemental to any annuity or survivor annuity reduced or
eliminated under subsection (a).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 84 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8410 the following:

``8410a. Expulsion from Congress.''.

SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Section 8432(g)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``this subsection,'' and inserting ``this subsection or
section 8410a(d),''.
    (b) Sections 8433(a) amd 8437(d) of title 5, United States Code,
are amended by inserting ``or 8410a(d)'' after ``8432(g)''.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to any
expulsion which is based, in whole or in part, on any act committed or
conduct engaged in after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output: Congressional Pension Accountability Act - Provides that: (1) all service as a Member of Congress of an individual who is expelled from Congress shall be noncreditable for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any annuity which might otherwise be payable out of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund based on such service; (2) all Government contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan for that individual while that individual was performing Member service (and attributed earnings) shall be forfeited; and (3) the portion of such an individual's lump-sum credit which is attributable to such Member service (less any amount previously refunded or paid as annuity benefits) shall be payable to such individual or, if deceased, to the appropriate beneficiary or beneficiaries.