Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Financial Literacy for Financial Aid
Act''.

SEC. 2. ONLINE COUNSELING TOOLS.

    (a) Option for Institutions of Higher Education.--Section
485(l)(1)(A)(ii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1092(l)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (II), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subclause (III), by striking the period at the end
        and inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(IV) through the use of the
                                online counseling tool described in
                                subsection (n).''.
    (b) Requirements for Secretary of Education.--Section 485 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092) is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
    ``(n) Online Counseling Tools.--
            ``(1) In general.--Beginning not later than 1 year after
        the date of the enactment of the Financial Literacy for
        Financial Aid Act, the Secretary shall maintain an online
        counseling tool that--
                    ``(A) provides the entrance counseling required
                under subsection (l); and
                    ``(B) meets the applicable requirements of this
                subsection.
            ``(2) Requirements of tools.--In maintaining the online
        counseling tool described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
        ensure that the tool is--
                    ``(A) consumer tested, in consultation with other
                relevant Federal agencies, to ensure that the tool is
                effective in helping individuals understand the
                information described in subsection (l)(2);
                    ``(B) interactive and tests the borrower's
                understanding of the information described in
                subsection (l)(2);
                    ``(C) understandable to borrowers of loans made
                under part D;
                    ``(D) effective in providing instruction in general
                financial literacy in accordance with paragraph (3) of
                this subsection; and
                    ``(E) freely available to all eligible
                institutions.
            ``(3) General principles of financial literacy.--The
        Secretary shall ensure that the online counseling tool provides
        instruction in general principles of financial literacy,
        including the following:
                    ``(A) Personal income.--An explanation of--
                            ``(i) how to identify various types of
                        income and expenses;
                            ``(ii) gross and net pay and how to read a
                        paycheck stub; and
                            ``(iii) how to craft financial goals.
                    ``(B) Taxes.--An explanation of--
                            ``(i) the history of taxes;
                            ``(ii) the purpose and uses of taxes; and
                            ``(iii) how to differentiate between types
                        of taxes.
                    ``(C) Retirement.--An explanation of--
                            ``(i) the importance of planning for
                        retirement;
                            ``(ii) retirement strategies to achieve
                        financial goals;
                            ``(iii) how to differentiate among the
                        types of investment vehicles for retirement;
                        and
                            ``(iv) how to assess overall financial
                        situation in determining retirement needs.
                    ``(D) Spending plans and banking resources.--An
                explanation of--
                            ``(i) the benefits of transaction and
                        savings accounts;
                            ``(ii) how compound interest helps saved
                        money grow; and
                            ``(iii) how to define and create a spending
                        plan.
                    ``(E) Credit cards.--An explanation of--
                            ``(i) how to define and calculate the cost
                        of borrowing;
                            ``(ii) the difference between good debt and
                        bad debt;
                            ``(iii) credit cards and how to evaluate
                        credit card offers;
                            ``(iv) consumer credit rights; and
                            ``(v) credit scores.
                    ``(F) Financial recovery and giving back.--An
                explanation of--
                            ``(i) how to assess financial health;
                            ``(ii) how to budget;
                            ``(iii) how to find ways to reduce expenses
                        or increase income;
                            ``(iv) the difference between credit repair
                        and credit consolidation;
                            ``(v) the importance of charitable giving;
                        and
                            ``(vi) how to define future financial
                        goals.
            ``(4) Record of counseling completion.--The Secretary shall
        use the online counseling tool described in paragraph (1) to
        keep a record of which individuals have received counseling
        using the tool, and notify the applicable institutions of the
        individual's completion of such counseling.''.

SEC. 3. REPORT.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and not less than once every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate, a written report that includes an evaluation of
the effectiveness of the instruction in general principles of financial
literacy described in section 485(n)(3) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(n)(3)), as added by this Act.

Output: Financial Literacy for Financial Aid Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to maintain a consumer-tested online counseling tool that provides required entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower.


Input:
SECTION 1. APPLICATION OF WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION RULES TO LEGISLATIVE
              BRANCH EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Part A of title II of the Congressional
Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1311 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``fair labor standards,''
        and all that follows and inserting ``and other protections and
        benefits'';
            (2) by redesignating section 207 as section 208; and
            (3) by inserting after section 206 the following:

``SEC. 207. RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS UNDER WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION
              RULES.

    ``(a) Rights and Protections Described.--
            ``(1) In general.--No employing office may take or fail to
        take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action
        (within the meaning of chapter 23 of title 5, United States
        Code) with respect to any covered employee or applicant for
        employment because of--
                    ``(A) any disclosure of information by a covered
                employee or applicant which the employee or applicant
                reasonably believes evidences--
                            ``(i) a violation of any law, rule, or
                        regulation; or
                            ``(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste
                        of funds, an abuse of authority, or a
                        substantial and specific danger to public
                        health or safety;
                if such disclosure is not specifically prohibited by
                law and if such information is not specifically
                required by Executive order or the rules of the Senate
                or the House of Representatives to be kept secret in
                the interest of national defense or the conduct of
                foreign affairs; or
                    ``(B) any disclosure to the General Counsel, or to
                the Inspector General of a legislative or executive
                agency or another employee designated by the head of
                the legislative or executive agency to receive such
                disclosures, of information which the employee or
                applicant reasonably believes evidences--
                            ``(i) a violation of any law, rule, or
                        regulation; or
                            ``(ii) gross mismanagement, a gross waste
                        of funds, an abuse of authority, or a
                        substantial and specific danger to public
                        health or safety.
            ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this section and for
        purposes of applying the procedures established under title IV
        for the consideration of alleged violations of this section--
                    ``(A) the term `covered employee' includes an
                employee of the Government Accountability Office or
                Library of Congress; and
                    ``(B) the term `employing office' includes the
                Government Accountability Office and the Library of
                Congress.
    ``(b) Remedy.--The remedy for a violation of subsection (a) shall
be such remedy as would be appropriate if awarded under chapter 12 of
title 5, United States Code, with respect to a prohibited personnel
practice described in section 2302(b)(8) of such title.
    ``(c) Regulations To Implement Section.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board shall, pursuant to section
        304, issue regulations to implement this section.
            ``(2) Agency regulations.--The regulations issued under
        paragraph (1) shall be the same as the substantive regulations
        promulgated by the Merit Systems Protection Board to implement
        chapters 12 and 23 of title 5, United States Code, except to
        the extent that the Board of Directors of the Office of
        Compliance may determine, for good cause shown and stated
        together with the regulation, that a modification of such
        regulations would be more effective for the implementation of
        the rights and protections under this section.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of contents.--The table of contents for part A of
        title II of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 is
        amended--
                    (A) in the item relating to part A, by striking
                ``FAIR LABOR STANDARDS,'' and all that follows and
                inserting ``AND OTHER PROTECTIONS AND BENEFITS'';
                    (B) by redesignating the item relating to section
                207 as relating to section 208; and
                    (C) by inserting after the item relating to section
                206 the following:

``Sec. 207. Rights and protections under whistleblower protection
                            rules.''.
            (2) Application of laws.--Section 102(a) of the
        Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1302(a)) is
        amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) Section 2302(b)(8) of title 5, United States
        Code.''.

Output:
Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to apply whistleblower rights and protections to legislative branch employees, including those of the Government Accountability Office or the Library of Congress.

Prescribes for violation of this Act the same remedy as would be appropriate if awarded with respect to a prohibited federal personnel practice in the executive branch.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States Cruise Tourism Act of
1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) It is in the interest of the United States to maximize
        economic return from the growing industry of pleasure cruises--
                    (A) by encouraging the growth of new cruise
                itineraries between coastal cities in the United
                States, and
                    (B) by encouraging the use of United States goods,
                labor, and support services.
            (2) In maximizing the economic benefits to the United
        States from increased cruise vessel tourism, there is a need to
        ensure that existing employment and economic activity
        associated with United States-flag vessels (including tour
        boats, river boats, intracoastal waterway cruise vessels, and
        ferries) are protected and to provide for the reemergence of a
        United States-flag cruise vessel industry.
            (3) The pleasure cruise industry is one of the fastest
        growing segments of the tourism industry and is expected to
        grow at a rate of 5 percent a year over the next few years.
            (4) The United States-flag ocean cruise vessel fleet
        consists of only a single vessel that tours the Hawaiian
        Islands. As a result, all the cruise vessels carrying
        passengers to and from United States ports are foreign-flag
        vessels and the United States ports served are mostly ports
        that are close enough to foreign ports to allow intermediate
        calls.
            (5) Prohibiting cruises between United States ports by
        foreign-flag vessels results in the loss of tourist dollars and
        revenue for United States ports and greatly disadvantages
        United States ports and coastal communities.

SEC. 3. FOREIGN-FLAG CRUISE VESSELS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Coastwise trade.--The term ``coastwise trade'' means
        the coastwise trade provided for in section 12106 of title 46,
        United States Code and includes trade in the Great Lakes.
            (2) Cruise vessel.--The term ``cruise vessel'' means a
        vessel of greater than 4,000 gross registered tons which
        provides a full range of luxury accommodations, entertainment,
        dining, and other services for its passengers.
            (3) Foreign-flag cruise vessel.--The term ``foreign-flag
        cruise vessel'' does not apply to a vessel which--
                    (A) provides ferry services or intracoastal
                waterway cruises;
                    (B) regularly carries for hire both passengers and
                vehicles or other cargo; or
                    (C) serves residents of the vessel's ports of call
                in the United States as a common or frequently used
                means of transportation between United States ports.
            (4) Repair and maintenance service.--The term ``repair and
        maintenance service'' includes alterations and upgrades.
    (b) Waiver.--Notwithstanding the provisions of section 8 of the Act
of June 19, 1886 (24 Stat. 81, Chapter 421; 46 U.S.C. App. 289), or any
other provision of law, and except as otherwise provided by this
section, the Secretary of Transportation (in this Act referred to as
the ``Secretary'') may approve the transportation of passengers on
foreign-flag cruise vessels not otherwise qualified to engage in the
coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way
of a foreign port.
    (c) Exceptions.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may not approve the
        transportation of passengers on a foreign-flag cruise vessel
        pursuant to this section with respect to any coastwise trade
        that is being served by a United States-flag cruise vessel.
            (2) United states-flag service initiated after approval of
        foreign-flag vessel.--Upon a showing to the Secretary, by a
        United States-flag cruise vessel owner or charterer, that
        service aboard a cruise vessel qualified to engage in the
        coastwise trade is being offered or advertised pursuant to a
        Certificate of Financial Responsibility for Indemnification of
        Passengers for Nonperformance of Transportation from the
        Federal Maritime Commission (issued pursuant to section 3 of
        Public Law 89-777; 46 U.S.C. App. 817e) for service in the
        coastwise trade on an itinerary substantially similar to that
        of a foreign-flag cruise vessel transporting passengers under
        authority of this section, the Secretary shall, in accordance
        with subsection (d)(2), notify the owner or charterer of the
        foreign-flag cruise vessel that the Secretary will, within 3
        years after the date of notification, terminate such service.
    (d) Termination.--
            (1) In general.--Coastwise trade privileges granted to such
        owner or charterer of a foreign-flag cruise vessel under this
        section shall expire on the date that is 3 years after the date
        of the Secretary's notification described in subsection (c)(2).
            (2) Order of termination.--Any notification issued by the
        Secretary under this subsection shall be issued to the owner or
        charterer of a foreign-flag cruise vessel--
                    (A) in the reverse order in which the foreign-flag
                cruise vessel entered service in the coastwise trade
                under this section, determined by the date of the
                vessel's first coastwise sailing; and
                    (B) in the minimum number necessary to ensure that
                the passenger-carrying capacity thereby removed from
                the coastwise trade service exceeds the passenger-
                carrying capacity of the United States-flag cruise
                vessel entering the service.
            (3) Exception.--If, at the expiration of the 3-year period
        specified in paragraph (1), the United States-flag cruise
        vessel that has been offering or advertising service pursuant
        to a certificate described in subsection (c)(2) has not entered
        the coastwise trade described in subsection (c)(2), then the
        termination of service required by paragraph (1) shall not take
        effect until 180 days after the date of the entry into that
        coastwise trade service by the United States-flag cruise
        vessel.
    (e) Requirement For Repairs In United States Shipyards.--
            (1) In general.--The owner or charterer of a foreign-flag
        cruise vessel that is qualified to provide coastwise trade
        service under this section is required to have repair and
        maintenance service for the vessel performed in the United
        States during the period that such vessel is qualified for such
        coastwise trade service, except in a case in which the vessel
        requires repair and maintenance service while at a distant
        foreign port (as defined in section 4.80a(a) of title 19, Code
        of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation
        or ruling)).
            (2) Action if requirement not met.--
                    (A) General rule.--If the Secretary determines that
                the owner or charterer has not met the repair and
                maintenance service requirement described in paragraph
                (1), the Secretary shall terminate the coastwise trade
                privileges granted to the owner or charterer under this
                section.
                    (B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the repair and
                maintenance service requirement if the Secretary finds
                that--
                            (i) the repair and maintenance service is
                        not available in the United States, or
                            (ii) an emergency prevented the owner or
                        charterer from obtaining the service in the
                        United States.
    (f) Alien Crewmen.--Section 252 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1282) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by redesignating paragraphs (1) and
        (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B);
            (2) by inserting ``(1)'' immediately after ``(a)'';
            (3) in subsection (a)(1) (as redesignated), in the second
        sentence, by inserting ``, except as provided in paragraph (2),
        and'' after ``subsection (b),'';
            (4) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) (as
        redesignated), the following:
    ``(2) An immigration officer may extend for a period or periods of
up to 6 months each a conditional permit to land that is granted under
paragraph (1) to an alien crewman employed on a vessel if the owner or
charterer of the vessel requests the extension and the immigration
officer determines that the extension is necessary to maintain the
vessel in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States,
directly or by way of a foreign port.''; and
            (5) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (a)(1)''
        and inserting ``subsection (a)(1)(A)''.
    (g) Disclaimer.--
            (1) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
        affecting or otherwise modifying the authority contained in--
                    (A) Public Law 87-77 (46 U.S.C. App. 289b)
                authorizing the transportation of passengers and
                merchandise in Canadian vessels between ports in Alaska
                and the United States; or
                    (B) Public Law 98-563 (46 U.S.C. App. 289c)
                permitting the transportation of passengers between
                Puerto Rico and other United States ports.
            (2) Jones act.--Except as otherwise expressly provided in
        this Act, nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting
        or modifying the provisions of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920.

Output:
United States Cruise Tourism Act of 1997 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to approve the transportation of passengers on foreign-flag cruise vessels not otherwise qualified to engage in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port, except with respect to coastwise trade served by a U.S.-flag cruise vessel.  Requires termination of any such foreign-flag cruise vessel passenger service within three years after a U.S.-flag cruise vessel commences such service between the same ports.
Requires the owner or charterer of a qualified foreign-flag cruise vessel to have any vessel repairs performed in the United States, unless the vessel requires repairs or service while at a distant foreign port.  Directs the Secretary to terminate the coastwise trade privileges of the owner or charterer of a foreign-flag cruise vessel if such repairs have not been made in the United States. Provides a waiver of such requirements in emergencies.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize an immigration officer to extend for a period or periods of up to six months each a conditional permit to land temporarily in the United States granted to an alien crewman employed on a vessel, if the vessel owner or charterer requests the extension and the immigration officer determines that it is necessary to maintain the vessel in the coastwise trade between ports in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Independent Counsel Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION.

    Section 599 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking
``five years'' and inserting ``eleven years''.

SEC. 3. APPLICATION TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

    Section 591(b) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) any Senator, or any Representative in, or Delegate or
        Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, or any person who has
        served as a Senator or such a Representative, Delegate, or
        Resident Commissioner within the 2-year period before the
        receipt of the information under subsection (a) with respect to
        conduct that occurred while such person was a Senator or such a
        Representative, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner.''.

SEC. 4. PERIODIC REAPPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT COUNSEL.

    Section 596 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
    ``(d) Periodic Reappointment of Independent Counsel.--If an office
of independent counsel has not terminated before--
            ``(1) the date two years after the original appointment to
        that office; or
            ``(2) the end of each succeeding 2-year period;
such counsel shall apply to the division of the court for
reappointment. The court shall first determine whether the office of
that independent counsel should be terminated under subsection (b)(2).
If the court determines that such office will not be terminated under
such subsection, the court shall reappoint the applicant if the court
determines such applicant remains the appropriate person to carry out
the duties of the office. If not, the court shall appoint some other
person whom it considers qualified under the standards set forth in
section 593 of this title. If the court has not taken the actions
required by this subsection within 90 days after the end of the
applicable 2-year period, then that office of independent counsel shall
terminate at the end of that 90-day period.''.

SEC. 5. PERIODIC REPORTS.

    Section 595(a)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``such statements'' and all that follows through
``appropriate'' and inserting ``annually a report on the activities of
such independent counsel, including a description of the progress of
any investigation or prosecution conducted by such independent counsel.
Such report need not contain any matter that in the judgment of the
independent counsel should be kept confidential, but shall provide
information adequate to justify the expenditures which the office of
that independent counsel has made, and indicate in general terms the
state of the work of the independent counsel''.

SEC. 6. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF CHAPTER.

    Section 599 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``, or until 120 days have elapsed, whichever is earlier''
after ``completed''.

SEC. 7. SUBPOENA POWER.

    Section 592(a)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``grant immunity, or issue subpoenas'' and inserting ``or
grant immunity, but may issue subpoenas duces tecum''.

SEC. 8. CONGRESSIONAL REQUESTS.

    Section 592(g)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended in
the first sentence--
            (1) by inserting after ``request under paragraph (1)'' the
        following: ``with respect to possible violations of law
        described in section 591(a) by any person described in section
        591(b)''; and
            (2) by striking ``subsection (a) or (c) of section 591, as
        the case may be'' and inserting ``section 591(a)''.

SEC. 9. ATTORNEY'S FEES.

    Section 593(f)(1) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``, if no indictment is brought against
        such individual pursuant to that investigation,''; and
            (2) by striking ``during that investigation''.

SEC. 10. INDEPENDENT COUNSEL PER DIEM EXPENSES.

    Section 594(b) of title 28, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
    ``(b) Compensation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
        independent counsel appointed under this chapter shall receive
        compensation at the per diem rate equal to the annual rate of
        basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
        section 5315 of title 5.
            ``(2) Travel and lodging in washington.--An independent
        counsel and persons appointed under subsection (c) shall not be
        entitled to the payment of travel and subsistence expenses
        under subchapter 1 of chapter 57 of title 5, with respect to
        duties performed in the District of Columbia after 1 year of
        service under this chapter.''.

SEC. 11. RESTRICTIONS ON STAFF.

    Section 594(c) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting after ``competitive service.'' the
        following: ``Such employees shall be paid salaries at levels
        not to exceed those paid for comparable positions in the office
        of United States Attorney for the District of Columbia under
        sections 548 and 550 of this title.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following: ``To the greatest
        extent possible, an independent counsel shall use personnel of
        the Department of Justice, in lieu of appointing employees, to
        carry out the duties of the office of such independent counsel.
        Not more than $500,000 may be expended in any 1-year period to
        compensate employees appointed by an independent counsel or
        detailed to the office of such independent counsel under this
        subsection, except to the extent that an appropriations Act
        specifically makes available additional funds for such
        purpose.''.

SEC. 12. COMPLIANCE WITH POLICIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

    Section 594(f) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``shall, except where not possible,
        comply'' and inserting ``shall, except where inconsistent with
        the purposes of this chapter, comply''; and
            (2) by inserting after ``criminal laws'' the following ``,
        and with respect to expenditures of funds by the Department''.

SEC. 13. ETHICS ENFORCEMENT.

    Section 594(j) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Enforcement.--The Department of Justice and the
        Office of Government Ethics have authority to enforce
        compliance with this subsection.''.

SEC. 14. RESTRICTION ON EXPENDITURES.

    Section 594 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
    ``(l) Limitation on Expenditures.--No funds may be expended for the
operation of any office of independent counsel after the end of the 2-
year period after its establishment, except to the extent that an
appropriations Act enacted after such establishment specifically makes
available funds for such office for use after the end of that 2-year
period.''.

SEC. 15. ADMINISTRATIVE AND COST CONTROLS.

    Section 594 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
    ``(m) Administrative and Cost Controls.--
            ``(1) Administrative controls.--The Director of the
        Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall provide
        administrative support and guidance to each independent
        counsel. The Administrator of General Services, in consultation
        with the Director of the Administrative Office, shall promptly
        provide appropriate office space within a Federal building for
        each independent counsel.
            ``(2) Cost controls.--An independent counsel shall--
                    ``(A) conduct all activities with due regard for
                expense;
                    ``(B) authorize only reasonable expenditures; and
                    ``(C) promptly upon taking office, assign to a
                specific employee the duty to ensure expenditures are
                made in accordance with the principles set forth in
                subparagraphs (A) and (C).''.

SEC. 16. GAO REPORT.

    The Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
Congress, not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, a report setting forth recommendations of ways to improve controls
on costs of offices of independent counsel under chapter 40 of title
28, United States Code.

Output:
Independent Counsel Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal judicial code to reauthorize the independent counsel law for an additional five years.
Makes such law applicable to Senators and Representatives in, and Delegates and Resident Commissioners to, the Congress, subject to specified limitations.
Provides for the periodic reappointment of an independent counsel.
Revises provisions regarding:  (1) subpoena power; (2) congressional requests for information; (3) attorney fees; (4) independent counsel per diem expenses; and (5) compliance with policies of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Limits the salaries of employees of the independent counsel's office to those paid for comparable positions in the office of the U.S.  Attorney for the District of Columbia.  Requires that an independent counsel use DOJ personnel in lieu of appointing employees to carry out the duties of the office of independent counsel.  Limits to $500,000 the amount that may be expended in any one-year period to compensate employees appointed by an independent counsel or detailed to such office, with exceptions.
Grants DOJ and the Office of Government Ethics authority to enforce compliance with standards of conduct applicable to an independent counsel, persons serving in the office of an independent counsel, and their law firms.
Prohibits the expenditure of funds for the operation of any office of independent counsel beyond the two-year period after its establishment, with exceptions.
Requires:  (1) the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to provide administrative support and guidance to each independent counsel; (2) the Administrator of General Services to promptly provide appropriate office space within a Federal building for each independent counsel; and (3) an independent counsel to conduct all activities with due regard for expense, to authorize only reasonable expenditures, and promptly upon taking office to assign to a specific employee the duty to ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with such principles.
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to the Congress recommending ways to improve controls on costs of independent counsel offices.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Twenty-First Century Manufacturing
Skills and Jobs Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL MATCHING PAYMENTS FOR STATE NEW MANUFACTURING JOBS
              TRAINING TAX CREDITS.

    (a) Authority To Make Payments.--Subject to subsection (h), the
Secretary of the Treasury shall, on a quarterly basis, make a payment
to each eligible community college in an amount equal to the aggregate
new manufacturing job withholding matches for all eligible trainees
with respect to such eligible community college for such quarter.
    (b) New Manufacturing Job Tax Withholding Match.--In the case of
any quarter, the new manufacturing job withholding match with respect
to any eligible trainee is an amount equal to the amounts remitted as
described in subsection (d)(1)(A) during such quarter with respect to
such trainee by a participating eligible manufacturing employer.
    (c) Eligible Community College.--For purposes of this section, the
term ``eligible community college'' means a public institution of
higher education, as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)--
            (1) at which the majority of degrees awarded, for any
        academic year, are 2-year associate's degrees that are
        acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree,
            (2) that is located in a State that has a State new
        manufacturing jobs training tax credit program in effect, and
            (3) that participates in such program by having in effect a
        contract that meets the requirements of subsection (d)(2).
    (d) State New Manufacturing Jobs Training Tax Credit Program.--
            (1) Programs described.--For purposes of this section, the
        term ``State new manufacturing jobs training tax credit
        program'' means a program established by a State government
        that provides that, if an eligible community college and an
        eligible manufacturing employer sign a contract that meets the
        requirements of paragraph (2) with respect to an eligible
        trainee--
                    (A) the State income taxes withheld by the employer
                on behalf of the eligible trainee, once employed by the
                employer, to the extent they do not exceed the cost of
                qualified training specified in such contract, will not
                be remitted to the State in payment of income taxes,
                but will be remitted to the eligible community college,
                    (B) the amounts so remitted will be treated in the
                hands of the eligible community college as payment for
                education provided by such community college, and
                    (C) for purposes of determining the State income
                tax liability of the eligible trainee, the amounts so
                remitted will be treated as if they had been remitted
                to the State in payment of income taxes owed by the
                eligible trainee.
            (2) Qualified contract.--A contract meets the requirements
        of this paragraph if--
                    (A) the contract is between an eligible community
                college located in the State that has the program
                described in paragraph (1) and an eligible
                manufacturing employer with at least 1 job site located
                in such State,
                    (B) the contract meets all applicable requirements
                under such State program,
                    (C) the contract provides that--
                            (i) the eligible community college will
                        directly provide qualified training to
                        individuals designated by the employer or will
                        contract with a provider of qualified training
                        to provide such training to such individuals,
                            (ii) the eligible community college will
                        not charge tuition or fees to such individuals,
                            (iii) the employer will hire such
                        individuals for full-time employment at a job
                        site located within the State,
                            (iv) such individuals will be paid by the
                        employer a wage that is not less than the
                        greater of--
                                    (I) 175 percent of the Federal
                                minimum wage, or
                                    (II) the amount specified under the
                                State program, and
                            (v) as provided under the State program,
                        the employer will remit the State income taxes
                        withheld by the employer on behalf of the
                        individual to the community college in payment
                        for the training, to the extent such taxes do
                        not exceed the cost described in subparagraph
                        (D),
                    (D) the contract specifies the entire cost of the
                qualified training (including all costs for equipment
                or instructional materials) that will be provided to
                each individual, and
                    (E) the cost and terms specified under subparagraph
                (D) are reasonable by market standards.
            (3) Qualified training.--For purposes of this section, the
        term ``qualified training'' means education or training which,
        if completed, will provide the individual with--
                    (A) education or skills necessary to perform the
                job for which such individual will be employed,
                    (B) education or skills necessary to obtain a
                license required under Federal, State, or local
                governmental regulation for the employment of the
                individual in the job for which such individual will be
                employed,
                    (C) a certificate or credential which is required
                under Federal, State, or local governmental regulation
                for the employment of the individual in the job for
                which such individual will be employed, or
                    (D) a certificate or credential aligned with
                national or regionally recognized industry standards
                determined appropriate by the State.
            (4) Job must be new job.--
                    (A) In general.--A State program will not be
                treated as a State new manufacturing jobs training tax
                credit program for purposes of this subsection unless
                the program provides that, in order to be eligible to
                participate, the employer must show with respect to
                each eligible trainee that such eligible trainee is
                hired for a job that--
                            (i) is a new job (which, for purposes of
                        this paragraph, may include a new position
                        within an existing job category), and not a job
                        of a recalled worker, a replacement job, or any
                        other job that existed in the employer's
                        business within the 1-year period preceding the
                        date of hire,
                            (ii) is not a job that existed in a
                        business operation or substantially similar
                        business operation of the employer formerly
                        located in another location which was closed or
                        substantially reduced by the employer, and
                            (iii) results in a net increase in
                        employment for the employer.
                    (B) Only u.s. employees taken into account.--For
                purposes of subparagraph (A), only employees at job
                sites located in the United States (including the
                possessions of the United States) shall be taken into
                account.
            (5) Aggregation rules.--All persons treated as a single
        employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52, or
        subsection (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Internal Revenue
        Code of 1986, shall be treated as a single employer for
        purposes of this section.
            (6) Cooperation with local workforce investment boards.--An
        employer or eligible community college participating in a State
        new manufacturing jobs training tax credit program may work
        with local workforce investment boards established under
        section 117 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C.
        2832) in searching for individuals to hire and train through
        such program.
    (e) Eligible Trainee.--For purposes of this section, the term
``eligible trainee'' means an individual--
            (1) who received qualified training through an eligible
        community college pursuant to a contract that meets the
        requirements of subsection (d)(2), under a State new
        manufacturing jobs training tax credit program, and
            (2) who is employed on a full-time basis, during the
        quarter for which payment is made under subsection (a), by the
        employer who was a party to such contract--
                    (A) at a job site located in the same State as the
                eligible community college,
                    (B) at a wage that meets the requirements of
                subsection (d)(2)(iii),
                    (C) in a job that meets the new job requirement of
                subsection (d)(4), and
                    (D) in a job for which such qualified training is
                required, either by law or regulation or by the
                inherent requirements of the job.
    (f) Eligible Manufacturing Employer.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``eligible manufacturing employer'' means any person--
            (1) which employs individuals in the trade or business of
        manufacturing,
            (2) the manufacturing facilities of which are located in
        the United States, and
            (3) the primary business of which is classified in sector
        31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industrial Classification
        System.
    (g) Appropriation.--Out of any sums in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, there are appropriated on an ongoing basis such sums as
are necessary to carry out this section.
    (h) Remission of State Income Tax Withholdings Not Treated as
Payments for Training or Education.--In the case of an eligible
manufacturing employer, the amount of withheld State income tax which
is remitted by the employer to an eligible community college as
described in subsection (d)(1)(A) shall not be treated as an amount
paid or incurred by the employer for purposes of any credit or
deduction available under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to such
employer, but shall be treated as if such amount had been remitted to
the State in payment of income taxes owed by the employee.
    (i) Tax Treatment of Payments With Respect to Eligible Trainee.--In
the case of an eligible trainee, neither--
            (1) the amount of any withheld State income tax which is
        remitted by an employer to an eligible community college as
        described in subsection (d)(1)(A), nor
            (2) the amount of any payment made under subsection (a),
shall be treated for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as
income of the eligible trainee. For purposes of determining the
deduction under section 164(a)(3) of such Code, amounts described in
paragraph (1) shall be treated as amounts paid for State income taxes
by the eligible trainee.

Output: Twenty-First Century Manufacturing Skills and Jobs Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, on a quarterly basis, to make payments to an eligible community college in an amount equal to the aggregate new manufacturing job withholding matches for qualified training provided to job trainees who are U.S. citizens. Defines "qualified training" as education or training to provide an individual with the education or skills necessary to perform the job for which such individual will be employed or with licenses or certificates necessary for such employment. Requires that any job for which a trainee is hired be a new job.  Defines "eligible community college" as a public institution of higher education: (1) at which the majority of degrees awarded are two-year associate's degrees that are acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree, (2) that is located in a state that has a state new manufacturing jobs tax credit program in effect, and (3) that participates in such program by having in effect a contract that meets requirements of such program.


Input:
SECTION 1. GRANT PROGRAM FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Gifted and
Talented Students Education Act of 2007''.
    (b) Amendment.--Subpart 6 of part D of title V of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7253 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:

      ``CHAPTER B--GRANT PROGRAM FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS

``SEC. 5467. FINDINGS; ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM; AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            ``(1) Gifted and talented students give evidence of high
        performance capability in specific academic fields, or in areas
        such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership
        capacity, and require services or activities not ordinarily
        provided by a school in order to fully develop such
        capabilities. Gifted and talented students are from all
        cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic
        groups. Some such students have disabilities and for some,
        English is not their first language. Many students from such
        diverse backgrounds have been historically underrepresented in
        gifted education programs.
            ``(2) Elementary school students who are gifted and
        talented have already mastered 35 to 50 percent of the material
        covered in a school year in several subject areas before the
        school year begins.
            ``(3) Elementary school and secondary school teachers have
        students in their classrooms with a wide variety of traits,
        characteristics, and needs. However, 61 percent of classroom
        teachers do not receive training on meeting the needs of
        students who are gifted and talented.
            ``(4) While the families or communities of some gifted
        students can provide private programs and services with
        appropriately trained staff to supplement public educational
        offerings, most high-ability students, especially those from
        inner cities, rural communities, or low-income families, must
        rely on the services and personnel provided by public schools.
        Therefore, gifted education programs, provided by qualified
        professionals in the public schools, are needed to provide
        equal educational opportunities.
            ``(5) Parents and families are essential partners to
        schools in developing appropriate educational services for
        gifted and talented students. They need access to information,
        research, and support regarding the characteristics of gifted
        children and their educational, and social and emotional needs,
        as well as information on available strategies and resources
        for education in State and local communities.
            ``(6) There currently is no Federal requirement to identify
        or serve the Nation's approximately 3,000,000 gifted and
        talented students.
            ``(7) While some States and local educational agencies
        allocate resources to educate gifted and talented students,
        others do not. Additionally, State laws, and State and local
        funding, identification, and accountability mechanisms vary
        widely, resulting in a vast disparity of services for this
        special-needs population.
            ``(8) To meet the future economic and national security
        needs of the United States, it is important that more students
        achieve to higher levels, and that highly capable students
        receive an education that prepares them to perform the most
        highly innovative and creative work that is necessary to secure
        our Nation's position in the world.
            ``(9) United States students are not filling the seats in
        our Nation's advanced degree programs in several key fields.
        For example, in 2001, 39 percent of the students earning
        doctorates in engineering were United States citizens. This
        compares to 44 percent in computer science, 47 percent in
        mathematics, and 52 percent in physics and astronomy.
            ``(10) The performance of twelfth-grade advanced students
        in the United States on the Third International Mathematics and
        Science Study (TIMSS) was among the lowest in the world. In
        each of 5 physics content areas in the study and in each of 3
        mathematics content areas in the study, the performance of
        physics and advanced mathematics students in the United States
        was among the lowest of the participating countries.
            ``(11) In 2007, less than 3 cents out of every $100 of the
        Federal K-12 education budget was devoted to meeting the needs
        of the Nation's gifted and talented students.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) Competitive grants to states.--If the amount
        appropriated under section 5468 for a fiscal year is greater
        than $7,500,000 but less than $57,500,000, then the Secretary
        may use such amount to award grants, on a competitive basis, to
        State educational agencies to enable the State educational
        agencies to award grants to local educational agencies under
        section 5467C for developing or expanding gifted and talented
        education programs, and providing direct educational services
        and materials.
            ``(2) Formula grants to states.--If the amount appropriated
        under section 5468 for a fiscal year equals or exceeds
        $57,500,000, then the Secretary may use such amount to award
        grants to State educational agencies, from allotments under
        section 5467B, to enable the State educational agencies to
        award grants to local educational agencies under section 5467C
        for developing or expanding gifted and talented education
        programs, and providing direct educational services and
        materials.
    ``(c) Authorized Activities.--Grant funds provided under this
chapter shall be used to carry out one or more of the following
activities:
            ``(1) Any activity described in paragraph (2), (4), (6), or
        (7) of section 5464(b).
            ``(2) Providing direct educational services and materials
        to gifted and talented students, which may include curriculum
        compacting, modified or adapted curriculum, acceleration,
        independent study, and dual enrollment.
    ``(d) Limitations on Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) Course work provided through emerging technologies.--
        Grant funds provided under this chapter that are used for
        activities described in section 5464(b)(7) may include
        development of curriculum packages, compensation of distance-
        learning educators, or other relevant activities, but grant
        funds provided under this chapter may not be used for the
        purchase or upgrading of technological hardware.
            ``(2) State use of funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A State educational agency
                receiving a grant under this chapter may not use more
                than 10 percent of the grant funds for--
                            ``(i) dissemination of general program
                        information;
                            ``(ii) providing technical assistance under
                        this chapter;
                            ``(iii) monitoring and evaluation of
                        programs and activities assisted under this
                        chapter;
                            ``(iv) providing support for parental
                        education; or
                            ``(v) creating a State gifted education
                        advisory board.
                    ``(B) Administrative costs.--A State educational
                agency may use not more than 50 percent of the funds
                made available to the State educational agency under
                subparagraph (A) for administrative costs.

``SEC. 5467A. ALLOTMENTS TO STATES.

    ``(a) Reservation of Funds.--From the amount made available to
carry out this chapter for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve
\1/2\ of 1 percent for the Secretary of the Interior for programs under
this chapter for teachers, other staff, and administrators in schools
operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    ``(b) State Allotments.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
        Secretary shall allot the total amount made available to carry
        out this chapter for any fiscal year and not reserved under
        subsection (a) to the States on the basis of their relative
        populations of individuals aged 5 through 17, as determined by
        the Secretary on the basis of the most recent satisfactory
        data.
            ``(2) Minimum grant amount.--No State receiving an
        allotment under paragraph (1) may receive less than \1/2\ of 1
        percent of the total amount allotted under such paragraph.
    ``(c) Reallotment.--If any State does not apply for an allotment
under this section for any fiscal year, then the Secretary shall
reallot such amount to the remaining States in accordance with this
section.

``SEC. 5467B. STATE APPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
chapter, a State educational agency shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(b) Contents.--Each application under this section shall include
assurances that--
            ``(1) the funds received under this chapter will be used to
        identify and support gifted and talented students, including
        gifted and talented students from all economic, ethnic, and
        racial backgrounds, such students of limited English
        proficiency, and such students with disabilities;
            ``(2) the funds not retained by the State educational
        agency shall be used for the purpose of making, in accordance
        with this chapter and on a competitive basis, grants to local
        educational agencies;
            ``(3) the funds received under this chapter shall be used
        only to supplement, but not supplant, the amount of State and
        local funds expended for the education of, and related services
        for, gifted and talented students;
            ``(4) the State educational agency will provide matching
        funds for the activities to be assisted under this chapter in
        an amount equal to not less than 10 percent of the grant funds
        to be received, which matching funds may be provided in cash or
        in kind; and
            ``(5) the State educational agency shall develop and
        implement program assessment models to ensure program
        accountability and to evaluate educational effectiveness.
    ``(c) Approval.--To the extent funds are made available to carry
out this chapter, the Secretary shall approve an application of a State
if such application meets the requirements of this section.

``SEC. 5467C. DISTRIBUTION TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

    ``(a) Grant Competition.--A State educational agency shall use not
less than 90 percent of the funds made available to the State
educational agency under this chapter to award grants to local
educational agencies (including consortia of local educational
agencies) to enable the local educational agencies to carry out the
authorized activities described in section 5467(c).
    ``(b) Competitive Process.--Funds provided under this chapter to
local educational agencies shall be distributed to local educational
agencies through a competitive process that results in an equitable
distribution by geographic area within the State.
    ``(c) Size of Grant.--A State educational agency shall award a
grant under subsection (a) for any fiscal year in an amount sufficient
to meet the needs of the students to be served under the grant.

``SEC. 5467D. LOCAL APPLICATIONS.

    ``(a) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
chapter, a local educational agency (including a consortium of local
educational agencies) shall submit an application to the State
educational agency.
    ``(b) Contents.--Each application under this section shall
include--
            ``(1) an assurance that the funds received under this
        chapter will be used to identify and support gifted and
        talented students, including gifted and talented students from
        all economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, such students of
        limited English proficiency, and such students with
        disabilities;
            ``(2) a description of how the local educational agency
        will meet the educational needs of gifted and talented
        students, including the training of personnel in the education
        of gifted and talented students; and
            ``(3) an assurance that funds received under this chapter
        will be used to supplement, not supplant, the amount of funds
        the local educational agency expends for the education of, and
        related services for, gifted and talented students.

``SEC. 5467E. ANNUAL REPORTING.

    ``Beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of the Gifted and
Talented Students Education Act of 2007 and for each year thereafter,
the State educational agency shall submit an annual report to the
Secretary that describes the number of students served and the
activities supported with funds provided under this chapter. The report
shall include a description of the measures taken to comply with
paragraphs (1) and (4) of section 5467B(b).

``SEC. 5467F. CONSTRUCTION.

    ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a
recipient of funds under this chapter from serving gifted and talented
students simultaneously with students with similar educational needs,
in the same educational settings where appropriate.

``SEC. 5467G. DEFINITIONS.

    ``For purposes of this chapter:
            ``(1) Gifted and talented.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (B), the term `gifted and talented' when
                used with respect to a person or program--
                            ``(i) has the meaning given the term under
                        applicable State law; or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a State that does not
                        have a State law defining the term, has the
                        meaning given such term by definition of the
                        State educational agency or local educational
                        agency involved.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--In the case of a State that
                does not have a State law that defines the term, and
                the State educational agency or local educational
                agency has not defined the term, the term has the
                meaning given the term in section 9101.
            ``(2) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50 States,
        the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

              ``CHAPTER C--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

``SEC. 5468. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart
$170,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, of which--
            ``(1) $7,500,000 shall be available for each fiscal year to
        carry out chapter A; and
            ``(2) the remainder shall be available for each fiscal year
        to carry out chapter 2.''.

SEC. 2. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    Subpart 6 of part D of title V of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7253 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by inserting after the subpart designation the
        following:

  ``CHAPTER A--JACOB K. JAVITS GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS EDUCATION
                               PROGRAM'';

            (2) in section 5461 (20 U.S.C. 7253), by striking ``This
        part'' and inserting ``This chapter'';
            (3) by striking ``this part'' each place the term appears
        and inserting ``this chapter''; and
            (4) in section 5464 (20 U.S.C. 7253c)--
                    (A) by striking subsection (c); and
                    (B) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as
                subsections (c) and (d), respectively.

Output:
Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to states and, through them, competitive subgrants to local educational agencies for the development or expansion of gifted and talented education programs, and the provision of direct educational services and materials.

Specifies that such gifted and talented education programs include: (1) professional development for such students' teachers; (2) the implementation of innovative educational strategies; (3) making materials and services available through state regional educational service centers, institutions of higher education, or other entities; and (4) providing challenging, high-level coursework through technology.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. FULL DISCLOSURE OF ENTITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FUNDING.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
        (1) Entity.--The term ``entity''--
            (A) includes, whether for profit or nonprofit--
                (i) a corporation;
                (ii) an association;
                (iii) a partnership;
                (iv) a limited liability company;
                (v) a limited liability partnership;
                (vi) a sole proprietorship;
                (vii) any other legal business entity;
                (viii) any other grantee or contractor that is not
            excluded by subparagraph (B) or (C); and
                (ix) any State or locality;
            (B) on and after January 1, 2009, includes any
        subcontractor or subgrantee; and
            (C) does not include--
                (i) an individual recipient of Federal assistance; or
                (ii) a Federal employee.
        (2) Federal award.--The term ``Federal award''--
            (A) means Federal financial assistance and expenditures
        that--
                (i) include grants, subgrants, loans, awards,
            cooperative agreements, and other forms of financial
            assistance;
                (ii) include contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders,
            task orders, and delivery orders;
            (B) does not include individual transactions below $25,000;
        and
            (C) before October 1, 2008, does not include credit card
        transactions.
        (3) Searchable website.--The term ``searchable website'' means
    a website that allows the public to--
            (A) search and aggregate Federal funding by any element
        required by subsection (b)(1);
            (B) ascertain through a single search the total amount of
        Federal funding awarded to an entity by a Federal award
        described in paragraph (2)(A)(i), by fiscal year;
            (C) ascertain through a single search the total amount of
        Federal funding awarded to an entity by a Federal award
        described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by fiscal year; and
            (D) download data included in subparagraph (A) included in
        the outcome from searches.
    (b) In General.--
        (1) Website.--Not later than January 1, 2008, the Office of
    Management and Budget shall, in accordance with this section,
    section 204 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-347; 44
    U.S.C. 3501 note), and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act
    (41 U.S.C. 403 et seq.), ensure the existence and operation of a
    single searchable website, accessible by the public at no cost to
    access, that includes for each Federal award--
            (A) the name of the entity receiving the award;
            (B) the amount of the award;
            (C) information on the award including transaction type,
        funding agency, the North American Industry Classification
        System code or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number
        (where applicable), program source, and an award title
        descriptive of the purpose of each funding action;
            (D) the location of the entity receiving the award and the
        primary location of performance under the award, including the
        city, State, congressional district, and country;
            (E) a unique identifier of the entity receiving the award
        and of the parent entity of the recipient, should the entity be
        owned by another entity; and
            (F) any other relevant information specified by the Office
        of Management and Budget.
        (2) Scope of data.--The website shall include data for fiscal
    year 2007, and each fiscal year thereafter.
        (3) Designation of agencies.--The Director of the Office of
    Management and Budget is authorized to designate one or more
    Federal agencies to participate in the development, establishment,
    operation, and support of the single website. In the initial
    designation, or in subsequent instructions and guidance, the
    Director may specify the scope of the responsibilities of each such
    agency.
        (4) Agency responsibilities.--Federal agencies shall comply
    with the instructions and guidance issued by the Director of the
    Office of Management and Budget under paragraph (3), and shall
    provide appropriate assistance to the Director upon request, so as
    to assist the Director in ensuring the existence and operation of
    the single website.
    (c) Website.--The website established under this section--
        (1) may use as the source of its data the Federal Procurement
    Data System, Federal Assistance Award Data System, and Grants.gov,
    if all of these data sources are searchable through the website and
    can be accessed in a search on the website required by this Act,
    provided that the user may--
            (A) specify such search shall be confined to Federal
        contracts and subcontracts;
            (B) specify such search shall be confined to include
        grants, subgrants, loans, awards, cooperative agreements, and
        other forms of financial assistance;
        (2) shall not be considered in compliance if it hyperlinks to
    the Federal Procurement Data System website, Federal Assistance
    Award Data System website, Grants.gov website, or other existing
    websites, so that the information elements required by subsection
    (b)(1) cannot be searched electronically by field in a single
    search;
        (3) shall provide an opportunity for the public to provide
    input about the utility of the site and recommendations for
    improvements;
        (4) shall be updated not later than 30 days after the award of
    any Federal award requiring a posting; and
        (5) shall provide for separate searches for Federal awards
    described in subsection (a) to distinguish between the Federal
    awards described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i) and those described in
    subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii).
    (d) Subaward Data.--
        (1) Pilot program.--
            (A) In general.--Not later than July 1, 2007, the Director
        of the Office of Management and Budget shall commence a pilot
        program to--
                (i) test the collection and accession of data about
            subgrants and subcontracts; and
                (ii) determine how to implement a subaward reporting
            program across the Federal Government, including--

                    (I) a reporting system under which the entity
                issuing a subgrant or subcontract is responsible for
                fulfilling the subaward reporting requirement; and
                    (II) a mechanism for collecting and incorporating
                agency and public feedback on the design and utility of
                the website.

            (B) Termination.--The pilot program under subparagraph (A)
        shall terminate not later than January 1, 2009.
        (2) Reporting of subawards.--
            (A) In general.--Based on the pilot program conducted under
        paragraph (1), and, except as provided in subparagraph (B), not
        later than January 1, 2009, the Director of the Office of
        Management and Budget--
                (i) shall ensure that data regarding subawards are
            disclosed in the same manner as data regarding other
            Federal awards, as required by this Act; and
                (ii) shall ensure that the method for collecting and
            distributing data about subawards under clause (i)--

                    (I) minimizes burdens imposed on Federal award
                recipients and subaward recipients;
                    (II) allows Federal award recipients and subaward
                recipients to allocate reasonable costs for the
                collection and reporting of subaward data as indirect
                costs; and
                    (III) establishes cost-effective requirements for
                collecting subaward data under block grants, formula
                grants, and other types of assistance to State and
                local governments.

            (B) Extension of deadline.--For subaward recipients that
        receive Federal funds through State, local, or tribal
        governments, the Director of the Office of Management and
        Budget may extend the deadline for ensuring that data regarding
        such subawards are disclosed in the same manner as data
        regarding other Federal awards for a period not to exceed 18
        months, if the Director determines that compliance would impose
        an undue burden on the subaward recipient.
    (e) Exception.--Any entity that demonstrates to the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget that the gross income, from all
sources, for such entity did not exceed $300,000 in the previous tax
year of such entity shall be exempt from the requirement to report
subawards under subsection (d), until the Director determines that the
imposition of such reporting requirements will not cause an undue
burden on such entities.
    (f) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the Office of
Management and Budget from including through the website established
under this section access to data that is publicly available in any
other Federal database.
    (g) Report.--
        (1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Management and
    Budget shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and
    Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Government
    Reform of the House of Representatives an annual report regarding
    the implementation of the website established under this section.
        (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall
    include--
            (A) data regarding the usage and public feedback on the
        utility of the site (including recommendations for improving
        data quality and collection);
            (B) an assessment of the reporting burden placed on Federal
        award and subaward recipients; and
            (C) an explanation of any extension of the subaward
        reporting deadline under subsection (d)(2)(B), if applicable.
        (3) Publication.--The Director of the Office of Management and
    Budget shall make each report submitted under paragraph (1)
    publicly available on the website established under this section.

SEC. 3. CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

    Nothing in this Act shall require the disclosure of classified
information.

SEC. 4. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

    Not later than January 1, 2010, the Comptroller General shall
submit to Congress a report on compliance with this Act.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 - Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by January 1, 2008, to ensure the existence and operation of a single searchable website accessible by the public at no cost that includes for each federal award of federal financial assistance and expenditures (excluding individual transactions below $25,000 and credit card transactions before October 1, 2008): (1) the amount; (2) information including transaction type, funding agency, the North American Industry Classification System code or Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number, program source, and an award title descriptive of the purpose of each funding action; (3) the name and location of the recipient and the primary location of performance; and (4) a unique identifier of the recipient and any parent entity.

Requires the website to include data for FY2007 and each fiscal year thereafter. Authorizes the Director of OMB to designate federal agencies to participate in the development, establishment, operation, and support of the website.

Provides that the website: (1) may use as the source of its data the Federal Procurement Data System, Federal Assistance Award Data System, and Grants.gov, if all of these sources are searchable through the website and can be accessed in a search as prescribed under this Act; (2) shall not be considered in compliance if it hyperlinks to websites so that the information elements required in this Act cannot be searched electronically by field in a single search; (3) shall provide an opportunity for the public to provide input about the utility of the site and recommendations for improvements; (4) shall be updated not later than 30 days after issuance of any federal award requiring a posting; and (5) shall provide for separate searches that distinguish between awards that are grants, subgrants, loans, cooperative agreements, and other forms of financial assistance and awards that are contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, and delivery orders.

 Requires the Director, by July 1, 2007, to commence a pilot program to: (1) test the collection and accession of data about subgrants and subcontracts; and (2) determine how to implement a subaward reporting program across the federal government. Terminates the pilot program by January 1, 2009.

Requires the Director, by January 1, 2009 (subject to an 18-month extension if compliance would impose an undue burden), to ensure that: (1) data regarding subawards is disclosed in the same manner as data regarding other federal awards under this Act; and (2) the method for collecting and distributing subawards data minimizes burdens imposed on federal award and subaward recipients, allows such recipients to allocate reasonable costs for data collection and reporting as indirect costs, and establishes cost-effective requirements for collecting subaward data under block grants, formula grants, and other types of assistance to state and local governments. Exempts any entity that demonstrates that its gross income did not exceed $300,000 in the previous tax year from the requirement to report subawards until the Director determines that the imposition of such requirement will not cause an undue burden.

Requires the Director to report annually to Congress regarding website implementation and make each report submitted publicly available on the website.

States that nothing in this Act shall prohibit OMB from including through the website access to data that is publicly available in any other federal database or require the disclosure of classified information.

Requires the Comptroller General to submit to Congress a report on compliance with this Act by January 1, 2010.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``End Surprise Billing Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. PREVENTING SURPRISE BILLING PRACTICES.

    (a) Condition of Participation in Medicare.--Section 1866 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (X), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (Y), by striking at the end the
                period and inserting ``, and''; and
                    (C) by inserting after such subparagraph (Y) the
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(Z) in the case of a hospital or critical access
                hospital, to adopt and enforce a policy to ensure
                compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and
                (4) of subsection (l) and to meet the requirements of
                such paragraphs (relating to the prevention of surprise
                billing practices).''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(l) Requirement for Purposes of Preventing Surprise Billing.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(Z),
        the requirements described in this paragraph are, with respect
        to a hospital or critical access hospital, in the case of an
        individual with health benefits coverage, including benefits
        under a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered
        in the group or individual market (as such terms are defined in
        section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act) or under this
        title, title XIX, title XXI, or another government-sponsored
        health plan or program, who seeks to be furnished items or
        services or is to be furnished items or services by the
        hospital or critical access hospital (including by a provider
        of services or supplier that furnishes items or services at the
        hospital or critical access hospital), that the hospital or
        critical access hospital--
                    ``(A)(i) provides to the individual (or to a
                representative of the individual), on the date on which
                the individual makes an appointment to be furnished
                such items or services, if applicable, and on the date
                on which the individual is furnished such items and
                services, a written notice specified by the Secretary
                through rulemaking that--
                            ``(I) contains the information required
                        under paragraph (2); and
                            ``(II) is signed and dated by the
                        individual; and
                    ``(ii) retains a copy of each such notice for a
                period specified through rulemaking by the Secretary;
                and
                    ``(B) in the case that such hospital or critical
                access hospital (or provider of services or supplier
                furnishing services at such hospital or critical access
                hospital) is not within the health care provider
                network or otherwise a participating provider of
                services or supplier with respect to such health
                benefits coverage of such individual, obtains from the
                individual the consent described in paragraph (3).
            ``(2) Information included in notice.--The notice described
        in paragraph (1)(A) shall include, with respect to an
        individual with health benefits coverage described in paragraph
        (1) who seeks to be furnished items or services or is to be
        furnished items or services by a hospital or critical access
        hospital (including by a provider of services or supplier that
        furnishes items or services at the hospital or critical access
        hospital), a notification of each of the following:
                    ``(A) Whether the hospital or critical access
                hospital is not within the health care provider network
                or otherwise a participating provider of services or
                supplier with respect to such health benefits coverage
                of such individual.
                    ``(B) If the hospital or critical access hospital
                is not within such network or otherwise such a
                participating provider or supplier, the estimated
                amount that the hospital or critical access hospital
                will charge the individual for such items and services
                in excess of any cost sharing obligations that the
                individual would otherwise have under such health
                benefits coverage for such items and services if the
                hospital or critical access hospital were within such
                network or otherwise participating in such coverage.
                    ``(C) Whether any of the providers of services or
                suppliers furnishing items or services at the hospital
                or critical access hospital who will furnish the items
                or services to the individual are not within the health
                care provider network or otherwise a participating
                provider of services or supplier with respect to such
                health benefits coverage of such individual.
                    ``(D) If any of such providers of services or
                suppliers are not within such network or otherwise such
                a participating provider or supplier, the estimated
                amount that such providers of services or suppliers
                will charge the individual for such items and services
                in excess of any cost sharing obligations that the
                individual would otherwise have for such items and
                services if the providers of services or suppliers were
                within the such network or otherwise participating in
                such coverage.
            ``(3) Consent described.--For purposes of paragraph (1)(B),
        the consent described in this paragraph, with respect to an
        individual with health benefits coverage described in paragraph
        (1) who is to be furnished items or services by a hospital or
        critical access hospital (or provider of services or supplier
        furnishing services at such hospital or critical access
        hospital) that is not within the health care provider network
        or otherwise a participating provider of services or supplier
        with respect to such health benefits coverage of such
        individual, is a document specified by the Secretary through
        rulemaking that is signed by the individual (or by a
        representative of the individual) not less than 24 hours prior
        to the individual being furnished such items or services by
        such hospital, critical access hospital, provider of services,
        or supplier, respectively, and that--
                    ``(A) acknowledges that the individual has been--
                            ``(i) provided with a written estimate of
                        the charge that the individual will be assessed
                        for the items or services anticipated to be
                        furnished to the individual by the hospital,
                        critical access hospital, provider of services,
                        or supplier that is not within such network or
                        otherwise such a participating provider of
                        services or supplier; and
                            ``(ii) informed that the payment of such
                        charge by the individual will not accrue toward
                        any limitation that the health benefits
                        coverage places upon the annual out-of-pocket
                        expenses to be paid by the individual or upon
                        the in-network deductible to be paid by the
                        individual; and
                    ``(B) documents the consent of the individual to--
                            ``(i) be furnished with such items or
                        services by such hospital, critical access
                        hospital, provider of services, or supplier, as
                        applicable; and
                            ``(ii) in the case that the individual is
                        so furnished such items or services, be charged
                        an amount approximate to the estimated charge
                        described in subparagraph (A)(i) with respect
                        to such items or services.
            ``(4) Limitations on payment by individual.--For purposes
        of subsection (a)(1)(Z), the requirements under this paragraph
        are the following:
                    ``(A) In case of noncompliance by hospitals and
                critical access hospitals.--In the case of an
                individual with health benefits coverage described in
                paragraph (1) who is furnished items or services by a
                hospital or critical access hospital (or provider of
                services or supplier furnishing services at such
                hospital or critical access hospital) that is not
                within the health care provider network or otherwise a
                participating provider of services or supplier with
                respect to such health benefits coverage of such
                individual, if the hospital or critical access hospital
                does not comply with the requirements of paragraph (1)
                with respect to the furnishing of such items or
                services to such individual, the hospital or critical
                access hospital (or, as applicable, the provider of
                services or supplier furnishing such items or services
                to such individual) may not charge the individual more
                than the amount that the individual would have been
                required to pay in cost sharing if such items or
                services had been furnished by a hospital or critical
                access hospital, as applicable (or by a provider of
                services or supplier, as applicable) that is within
                such network or that is otherwise such a participating
                provider of services or supplier.
                    ``(B) In case of same-day emergency services.--In
                the case of an individual with health benefits coverage
                described in paragraph (1) who is furnished items or
                services by a hospital or critical access hospital (or
                provider of services or supplier furnishing services at
                such hospital or critical access hospital) that is not
                within the health care provider network or otherwise a
                participating provider of services or supplier with
                respect to such health benefits coverage of such
                individual on the same date on which the individual
                makes an appointment for such items or services (or
                otherwise presents at the hospital or critical access
                hospital for such services such as in the case of items
                and services furnished with respect to an emergency
                medical condition, as defined in section 1867(e)), the
                hospital or critical access hospital (or, as
                applicable, the provider of services or supplier
                furnishing such items or services to such individual)
                may not charge the individual more than the amount that
                the individual would have been required to pay in cost
                sharing if such items or services had been furnished by
                a hospital or critical access hospital, as applicable
                (or by a provider of services or supplier, as
                applicable) that is within such network or that is
                otherwise such a participating provider of services or
                supplier.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to agreements under section 1866(a)(1) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)) that are filed with the Secretary
of Health and Human Services on a date that is not less than 12 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output: End Surprise Billing Act of 2015 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a critical access hospital or other hospital to comply, as a condition of participation in Medicare, with certain requirements related to billing for out-of-network services. With respect to an individual who has health benefits coverage and is seeking services, a hospital must provide notice as to: (1) whether the hospital, or any of the providers furnishing services to the individual at the hospital, is not within the health care provider network or otherwise a participating provider with respect to the individual's health care coverage; and (2) if so, the estimated out-of-pocket costs of the services to the individual. At least 24 hours prior to providing those services, the hospital must document that the individual: (1) has been provided with the required notice, and (2) consents to be furnished with the services and charged an amount approximate to the estimate provided. Otherwise, the hospital may not charge the individual more than the individual would have been required to pay if the services had been furnished by an in-network or participating provider. With respect to such an individual who is seeking same-day emergency services, a hospital may not charge more than the individual would be required to pay for such services furnished by an in-network or participating provider.