Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Climate Change Through
Individual Action Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Agricultural, grassland, and forestry practices play an
        essential role in capturing atmospheric carbon and sequestering
        it as soil organic matter.
            (2) Released carbon can be captured through improved
        grassland management, tree planting, forest preservation, and
        enhanced agronomic and irrigation practices.
            (3) Promoting increased natural carbon sinks could have a
        significant impact on the world's projected carbon emissions
        from the burning of fossil fuels.
            (4) Certain agricultural and forestry practices can reduce
        greenhouse gases: (A) avoiding emissions by maintaining
        existing carbon storage in trees and soils; (B) increasing
        carbon storage by, e.g., tree planting, conversion from
        conventional to conservation tillage practices on agricultural
        lands;
            (5) The large potentials exist through known cropping and
        land management practices such as adoption of no-till, reduced
        fallow and use of cover crops, and conservation set-asides with
        perennial grasses and trees.

SEC. 3. CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND SOIL CONSERVATION CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 45O. CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND SOIL CONSERVATION.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of a
taxpayer engaged in the business of farming, the credit determined
under this section for the taxable year is an amount equal to 30
percent of the qualified carbon sequestration and soil conservation
expenditures for the taxable year which are paid or incurred with
respect to the land used in such farming.
    ``(b) Limitation.--The credit allowed with respect to a taxpayer
under this section for a taxable year shall not exceed an amount equal
to $10,000, reduced by the sum of the credits allowed with respect to
the taxpayer under subsection (a) for all preceding taxable years.
    ``(c) Qualified Carbon Sequestration and Soil Conservation
Expenses.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualified carbon sequestration
        and soil conservation expenditures' means amounts paid or
        incurred to sequester carbon and conserve soil, including--
                    ``(A) expenditures described in section 175(c),
                    ``(B) conservation tillage expenditures,
                    ``(C) cover cropping expenditures,
                    ``(D) amounts paid or incurred to increase the
                nitrogen use efficiency (other than use of nitrogen
                fertilizers) of land used in farming, and
                    ``(E) amounts paid or incurred for multiple year
                rotations, including introduction of a perennial that
                reduces carbon loss and tillage, builds soil tilth, and
                increases carbon capture capacity.
            ``(2) Conservation tillage expenditures.--The term
        `conservation tillage expenditures' means any expenditures paid
        or incurred for a tilling and planting method in which at least
        30 percent of the previous crop residue remains on the soil
        after planting the current crop. Such term includes the
        following tilling practices: no till, ridge till, minimum till,
        and mulch till.
            ``(3) Cover cropping expenditures.--The term `cover
        cropping expenditures' means expenditures paid or incurred for
        the preparation and seeding of land for any grass, legume, or
        small grain--
                    ``(A) which is not the primary crop of the
                taxpayer,
                    ``(B) the primary purpose of which is to achieve
                one or more of the following: reduction in erosion;
                maintenance or improvement in soil fertility, tilth,
                and structure,
                    ``(C) a purpose of which may be interruption of
                pest cycles or conservation of water.
    ``(d) Per Acre Credit Alternative.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
        of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, in
        consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, establish an
        alternative procedure for determining the credit under
        subsection (a), which, at the election of the taxpayer, shall
        be treated as the amount determined under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Procedure described.--(A) The Secretary shall
        establish credit amounts to apply to land used in farming on a
        per acre basis with respect to each method of carbon
        sequestration and soil conservation described in subsection
        (c)(1).
            ``(B) Such credit amounts shall be based on the efficacy of
        the method in sequestering carbon and preventing soil erosion.
            ``(C) No such credit amount may exceed $15 per acre.
            ``(D) The Secretary shall prescribe rules similar to the
        rules of paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (e) to apply
        for purposes of the procedure established under this
        subsection.
            ``(3) Election.--An election to use such alternative method
        shall be made in such form and manner as the Secretary may
        prescribe, and shall apply to the taxable year for which made
        and for all subsequent taxable years.
    ``(e) Definition and Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Land used in farming.--For purposes of this section,
        land shall be treated as used in farming only if such land is
        used (before or simultaneously with the expenditures described
        in subsection (c)(1)) by the taxpayer or his tenant for the
        production of crops, fruits, or other agricultural products or
        for the sustenance of livestock.
            ``(2) Expenditures must be consistent with soil
        conservation plan.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
        section, subsection (a) shall not apply to any expenditures
        unless such expenditures are consistent with--
                    ``(A) the plan (if any) approved by the Soil
                Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture
                for the area in which the land is located, or
                    ``(B) if there is no plan described in clause (i),
                any soil conservation plan of a comparable State
                agency.
            ``(3) Basis adjustment.--For purposes of this subtitle, if
        a credit is determined under this section for any expenditure
        with respect to any property, the increase in the basis of such
        property which would (but for this paragraph) result from such
        expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of the credit so
        determined.
            ``(4) Denial of double benefit.--No deduction or other
        credit shall be allowed under this chapter for any amount taken
        into account in determining the credit under this section.
    ``(f) Termination.--This section shall not apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2013.''.
    (b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of
section 38 of such Code (relating to current year business credit) is
amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (30), by striking
the period at the end of paragraph (31) and inserting ``plus'', and by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(32) the carbon sequestration and soil conservation
        credit determined under section 45O(a).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (a) of section 1016 of such
Code (relating to adjustments to basis) is amended by striking ``and''
at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period at the end of
paragraph (36) and inserting ``and'', and by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
            ``(37) to the extent provided in section 45O(e).''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 45O. Carbon sequestration and soil conservation.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenditures paid or incurred after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 4. QUALIFYING PLANTING EXPENDITURE CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to other credits) is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 30D. QUALIFIED PLANTING EXPENDITURE CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount
equal to 10 percent of the qualified planting expenditures of the
taxpayer for the taxable year.
    ``(b) Limitations.--The amount taken into account under subsection
(a) for any taxable year shall not exceed--
            ``(1) in the case of expenditures paid or incurred by the
        taxpayer with respect to an area which is included under
        section 121 as part of the taxpayer's principal residence,
        $5,000,
            ``(2) in the case of expenditures paid or incurred by the
        taxpayer in the course of, or with respect to, a trade or
        business carried on by the taxpayer, $50,000, and
            ``(3) in any other case, zero.
    ``(c) Qualified Planting Expenditures.--For purposes of this
section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualifying planting
        expenditures' means expenditures paid or incurred--
                    ``(A) for the purchase and planting of any tree,
                plant, shrub, or bush which meets the requirements of
                paragraph (2), and
                    ``(B) for the purchase and installation of a
                vegetated roof system.
        Such term shall not include expenditures relating to any
        property which is held by the taxpayer for use in a trade or
        business or for the production of income, or which is property
        described in section 1221(a)(1) in the hands of the taxpayer.
            ``(2) Trees, plants, shrubs, or bushes.--A tree, plant,
        shrub, or bush satisfies the requirements of the paragraph if
        such tree, plant, shrub, or bush is certified, in accordance
        with guidance prescribed by the Secretary (after consultation
        with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
        and the Secretary of Agriculture), to be quick-growing,
        appropriate for the region in which it is planted, and
        effective in capturing carbon.
            ``(3) Vegetated roof system.--The term `vegetated roof
        system' means a system by which vegetation growing in a
        substrate is integrated with the roof (or portion thereof) of a
        building owned by the taxpayer.
    ``(d) Application With Other Credits.--The credit allowed under
subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if
any) of--
            ``(1) the regular tax liability (as defined in section
        26(b)) reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under
        subpart A and sections 27, 30, 30B, and 30C, over
            ``(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.
    ``(e) Definition and Special Rules.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Principal residence.--The term `principal residence'
        has the same meaning as when used in section 121, except that
        no ownership requirement shall be imposed.
            ``(2) Joint occupancy, cooperative housing corporations,
        and condominium management associations.--Rules similar to the
        rules of paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of section 25D(e) shall
        apply.
            ``(3) Expenditures outside united states.--The credit under
        this section shall not be allowed with respect to expenditures
        paid or incurred for areas located outside the United States.
            ``(4) Basis adjustment.--For purposes of this subtitle, if
        a credit is allowed under this section for an expenditure, the
        increase in basis which would result (but for this subsection)
        from such expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of credit
        allowed under this section.
    ``(f) Termination.--This section shall not apply to taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2013.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Subsection (a) of section 1016, as amended by section
        3, is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (36),
        by striking the period at the end of paragraph (37) and
        inserting ``and'', and by adding at the end the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(38) to the extent provided in section 30D(e)(4).''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart B of part IV of
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
        after the item relating to section 30C the following new item:

``Sec. 30D. Qualified planting expenditure credit.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenditures paid or incurred after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 5. GRASSLAND, RANGELAND, AND FOREST CONSERVATION CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation
with the Department of Agriculture, shall establish an appropriate tax
credit, with respect to land located in the United States, for--
            (1) the conversion of cropland to pasture for grazing
        purposes or to grassland or rangeland, and
            (2) reforestation and afforestation of land--
                    (A) which is not held by the taxpayer for the
                planting, cultivating, caring for, and cutting of trees
                for sale or use in the commercial production of timber
                products, and
                    (B) with trees which are not held by the taxpayer
                for use in a trade or business or for the production of
                income.
    (b) Other Rules Relating to Credit.--
            (1) Credit to be per acre.--The Secretary shall establish
        credit amounts to apply to land on a per acre basis with
        respect to each method of conservation described in subsection
        (a).
            (2) Pursuant to approved plan.--Such methods must be
        pursuant to a plan submitted by the taxpayer and approved by
        the Secretaries of the Treasury and Agriculture.
            (3) Basis for credit amounts.--Credit amount shall be based
        on--
                    (A) the efficacy of the method in sequestering
                carbon and preventing soil erosion,
                    (B) the expenditures relating to such method, and
                    (C) the number of years the taxpayer certifies to
                the Secretary or ensures (by conservation easement or
                otherwise) that the applicable land will remain subject
                to the approved plan.
            (4) Recapture.--The Secretary shall provide for recapturing
        the benefit of any credit allowed under this section with
        respect to any property that ceases to be used in accordance
        with the approved plan.
            (5) Denial of double benefit and basis adjustment.--The
        Secretary shall provide--
                    (A) an appropriate basis adjustment for property
                with respect to which such credit is allowed, and
                    (B) rules disallowing such deductions and other
                credits as may be appropriate to avoid allowing
                additional tax benefits for the same conservation
                method or expenses.
    (c) Effective Date.--The credit established by the Secretary shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 6. CARBON SEQUESTRATION CREDIT REPORT.

    (a) In General.--In the case of any substantial change in the
carbon sequestration market (including the enactment into law of a
carbon cap and trade program), the Secretary of the Treasury shall, in
consultation with any appropriate Federal officers, study such change
and any effect of such change on the efficiency of, and need for, the
credits allowed under section 5 of this Act and sections 45O and 30D of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (b) Report.--As soon as practicable after sufficient opportunity to
observe the effect of such change in the carbon sequestration market,
the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress containing the results
of the study conducted under subsection (a) and any recommendations of
the Secretary for modifying such credits based on such results.

Output: Combating Climate Change Through Individual Action Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 30% of carbon sequestration and soil conservation expenditures made by taxpayers engaged in the business of farming; (2) 10% of qualifying planting expenditures, including expenditures for the purchase and planting of any tree, plant, shrub, or bush, and the purchase and installation of a vegetated roof system; (3) the conversion of cropland to pasture for grazing purposes or to grassland or rangeland; and (4) certain types of reforestation and afforestation of land.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``TPS Reform Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS.

    (a) Power To Designate a Foreign State.--Section 244(b) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and inserting
        the following:
            ``(1) Initial designation.--For purposes of this section, a
        foreign state shall be designated upon the enactment of an Act
        that satisfies the following requirements:
                    ``(A) The Act shall contain a finding--
                            ``(i) that there is an ongoing armed
                        conflict within the state and, due to such
                        conflict, requiring the return of aliens who
                        are nationals of that state (or to the part of
                        the state) would pose a serious threat to their
                        personal safety;
                            ``(ii) that--
                                    ``(I) there has been an earthquake,
                                flood, drought, epidemic, or other
                                immediately life-threatening
                                environmental disaster in the state
                                resulting in a substantial, but
                                temporary, disruption of living
                                conditions in the area affected;
                                    ``(II) the foreign state is unable,
                                temporarily, to handle adequately the
                                return to the state of aliens who are
                                nationals of the state; and
                                    ``(III) the foreign state
                                officially has requested designation
                                under this subparagraph; or
                            ``(iii) that there exist extraordinary and
                        temporary conditions in the foreign state that
                        prevent aliens who are nationals of the state
                        from returning to the state in safety and that
                        permitting the aliens to remain temporarily in
                        the United States is not contrary to the
                        national interest of the United States.
                    ``(B) The Act shall include--
                            ``(i) an estimate of the number of
                        nationals of the foreign state who are (or
                        within the effective period of the designation
                        are likely to become) eligible for temporary
                        protected status under this section;
                            ``(ii) such nationals' immigration status
                        in the United States; and
                            ``(iii) a time period for the effectiveness
                        of the designation that is not greater than 18
                        months.
            ``(2) Termination.--
                    ``(A) Timely termination.--If an initial
                designation of a foreign state is not extended under
                paragraph (3), the initial designation shall terminate
                at the end of the time period described in paragraph
                (1)(B)(iii).
                    ``(B) Early termination.--For purposes of this
                section, the designation of a foreign state shall be
                terminated upon the enactment of an Act that contains a
                finding that the foreign state (or part of such foreign
                state) no longer meets the conditions for designation
                under paragraph (1)(A).
            ``(3) Extension.--For purposes of this section, the time
        period for the effectiveness of the designation of a foreign
        state shall be extended upon the enactment of an Act that
        includes--
                    ``(A) a finding that the conditions for designation
                under paragraph (1)(A) continue to be met; and
                    ``(B) a time period for the effectiveness of the
                extension that is not greater than 12 months.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``of the Attorney
        General'' and inserting ``made in any Act''.
    (b) Aliens Lacking Lawful Immigration Status.--Section 244(c)(2)(B)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)(2)(B)) is
amended--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``, or'' at the end and
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and
        inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) the alien lacks a lawful
                        immigration status.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 244 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``If the Attorney
        General terminates the designation of a foreign state (or part
        of such foreign state) under subsection (b)(3)(B)'' and
        inserting ``If the designation of a foreign state (or part of
        such foreign state) is terminated under section 244(b)(2)'';
        and
            (2) in subsection (i)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking the comma at
                the end and adding ``; and'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, and'' at
                the end and inserting a period; and
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (C).
    (d) Technical Corrections.--Section 244 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a), as amended by subsections (a) and (b)
of this Act, is further amended by striking ``Attorney General'' each
place it appears and inserting ``Secretary of Homeland Security''.

Output: TPS Reform Act of 2016 This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the criteria for designation of a foreign state as eligible to have its citizens be given temporary protected status (TPS) in the United States.  Such revisions include the following: (1) such a foreign state shall be designated by an Act of Congress rather than by the Department of Justice; (2) such Act must find that an environmental disaster in such a foreign state is immediately life-threatening; (3) such Act may provide for early termination of a foreign state's designation; (4) such Act shall include an estimate of the number of a foreign state's nationals who are TPS eligible, their U.S. immigration status, and a time period for the effectiveness of the designation of not more than 18 months; and (5) an alien lacking lawful immigration status shall be ineligible for TPS.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Military Call-Up Relief Act''.

SEC. 2. WAIVER OF EARLY WITHDRAWAL PENALTY FOR DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
              QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS TO INDIVIDUALS CALLED TO
              ACTIVE DUTY DURING THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE
              PRESIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2001.

    (a) Waiver For Certain Distributions.--
            (1) In general.--Section 72(t)(2) of the Internal Revenue
        Code of 1986 (relating to 10-percent additional tax on early
        distributions from qualified retirement plans) is amended by
        adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) Distributions to individuals performing
                national emergency active duty.--Any distribution to an
                individual who, at the time of the distribution, is a
                member of a reserve component called or ordered to
                active duty pursuant to a provision of law referred to
                in section 101(a)(13)(B) of title 10, United States
                Code, during the period of the national emergency
                declared by the President on September 14, 2001.''.
            (2) Waiver of underpayment penalty.--Section 6654(e)(3) of
        such Code (relating to waiver in certain cases) is amended by
        adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Certain early withdrawals from retirement
                plans.--No addition to tax shall be imposed under
                subsection (a) with respect to any underpayment to the
                extent such underpayment was created or increased by
                any distribution described in section 72(t)(2)(G).''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
        shall apply to distributions made to an individual after
        September 13, 2001.
    (b) Catch-up Contributions Allowed.--
            (1) Individual retirement accounts.--Section 219(b)(5) of
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to deductible
        amount) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Catch-up contributions for certain
                distributions.--In the case of an individual who has
                received a distribution described in section
                72(t)(2)(G), the deductible amount for any taxable year
                shall be increased by an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) the aggregate amount of such
                        distributions (not attributable to earnings)
                        made with respect to such individual, over
                            ``(ii) the aggregate amount of such
                        distributions (not attributable to earnings)
                        previously taken into account under this
                        subparagraph or section 414(w).''.
            (2) Roth iras.--Section 408A(c) of such Code (relating to
        treatment of contributions) is amended by redesignating
        paragraph (7) as paragraph (8) and by inserting after paragraph
        (6) the following:
            ``(7) Catch-up contributions for certain distributions.--
        Any contribution described in section 219(b)(5)(D) shall not be
        taken into account for purposes of paragraph (2).''.
            (3) Employer plans.--Section 414 of such Code (relating to
        definitions and special rules) is amended by adding at the end
        the following:
    ``(w) Catch-up contributions for certain distributions.--
            ``(1) In general.--An applicable employer plan shall not be
        treated as failing to meet any requirement of this title solely
        because the plan permits an applicable participant to make
        additional elective deferrals in any plan year.
            ``(2) Limitation on amount of additional deferrals.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A plan shall not permit
                additional elective deferrals under paragraph (1) for
                any year in an amount greater than the lesser of--
                            ``(i) the applicable dollar amount, or
                            ``(ii) the excess (if any) of--
                                    ``(I) the participant's
                                compensation (as defined in section
                                415(c)(3)) for the year, over
                                    ``(II) any other elective deferrals
                                of the participant for such year which
                                are made without regard to this
                                subsection.
                    ``(B) Applicable dollar amount.--For purposes of
                this paragraph, the applicable dollar amount with
                respect to a participant shall be an amount equal to--
                            ``(i) the aggregate amount of distributions
                        described in section 72(t)(2)(G) (not
                        attributable to earnings) made with respect to
                        such participant, over
                            ``(ii) the aggregate amount of such
                        distributions (not attributable to earnings)
                        previously taken into account under this
                        subsection or section 219(b)(5)(B).
            ``(3) Treatment of contributions.--Rules similar to the
        rules of paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (v) shall apply
        with respect to contributions made under this subsection.
            ``(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the
        terms `applicable employer plan' and `elective deferral' have
        the same meanings given such terms in subsection (v)(6).''.
            (4) Conforming amendment.--Section 414(v)(2)(A)(ii)(II) of
        such Code (relating to limitation on amount of additional
        deferrals) is amended by inserting ``(other than deferrals
        under subsection (w))'' after ``deferrals''.
            (5) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
        shall apply to contributions in taxable years ending after
        December 31, 2001.

Output: Military Call-up Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to waive the ten percent early withdrawal penalty for distributions from qualified retirement plans to individuals called to active duty during the national emergency declared by the President on September 14, 2001.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Timely Payment for Veterans' Medical
Care Act''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ENTER INTO
              CONTRACTS WITH ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTORS FOR THE
              PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL
              SERVICES FURNISHED IN NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
              FACILITIES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1725 the following new section:
``Sec. 1725A. Authority to enter into contracts with administrative
              contractors
    ``(a) Authority.--(1) The Secretary may enter into contracts with
any eligible entity to serve as an administrative contractor with
respect to the performance of any or all of the functions described in
paragraph (4) or parts of those functions (or, to the extent provided
in a contract, to secure performance thereof by other entities).
    ``(2) An entity is eligible to enter into a contract with respect
to the performance of a particular function described in paragraph (4)
only if--
            ``(A) the entity has demonstrated capability to carry out
        such function;
            ``(B) the entity complies with such conflict of interest
        standards as are generally applicable to Federal acquisition
        and procurement;
            ``(C) the entity has sufficient assets to financially
        support the performance of such function;
            ``(D) the entity has the ability to accept and process
        electronic filings of medical records; and
            ``(E) the entity meets such other requirements as the
        Secretary may impose.
    ``(3)(A) For purposes of this section, the term `administrative
contractor' means an agency, organization, or other person with a
contract under this section.
    ``(B) With respect to the performance of a particular function in
relation to an individual enrolled in the patient enrollment system
under section 1705 of this title, the `appropriate' administrative
contractor is the administrative contractor that has a contract under
this section with respect to the performance of that function in
relation to that individual, or non-Department facility.
    ``(4) The functions referred to in this paragraph are the following
functions relating to the furnishing of medical care and hospital
services in non-Department facilities under section 1725 or 1728 of
this title:
            ``(A) Determining the amount of the payments required
        pursuant to this title to be made to a non-Department facility.
            ``(B) Making payments described in subparagraph (A)
        (including receipt, disbursement, and accounting for funds in
        making such payments).
            ``(C) Providing education and outreach to individuals
        enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of
        this title and providing assistance to those individuals with
        specific issues, concerns, or problems.
            ``(D) Providing consultative services to institutions,
        agencies, and other persons to enable them to establish and
        maintain fiscal records necessary for purposes of this title.
            ``(E) Communicating to non-Department facilities any
        information or instructions furnished to the administrative
        contractor by the Secretary, and facilitating communication
        between such facilities and the Secretary.
            ``(F) Performing the functions relating to non-Department
        facility education, training, and technical assistance.
            ``(G) Performing such other functions as are necessary to
        carry out the purposes of this title.
    ``(5) Except to the extent inconsistent with a specific requirement
of this section, the Federal Acquisition Regulation applies to
contracts under this section.
    ``(b) Contracting Requirements.--(1)(A) Except as provided in laws
with general applicability to Federal acquisition and procurement or in
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall use competitive procedures when
entering into contracts with administrative contractors under this
section, taking into account performance quality as well as price and
other factors.
    ``(B) The Secretary may renew a contract with an administrative
contractor under this section from term to term without regard to
section 5 of title 41, United States Code, or any other provision of
law requiring competition, if the administrative contractor has met or
exceeded the performance requirements applicable with respect to the
contract and contractor, except that the Secretary shall provide for
the application of competitive procedures under such a contract not
less frequently than once every 5 years.
    ``(C) The Secretary may transfer functions among administrative
contractors consistent with the provisions of this paragraph. The
Secretary shall ensure that performance quality is considered in such
transfers. The Secretary shall provide public notice (whether in the
Federal Register or otherwise) of any such transfer (including a
description of the functions so transferred, a description of the non-
Department facilities affected by such transfer, and contact
information for the contractors involved).
    ``(D) The Secretary shall provide incentives for administrative
contractors to provide quality service and to promote efficiency.
    ``(2) No contract under this section shall be entered into with any
administrative contractor unless the Secretary finds that such
administrative contractor will perform its obligations under the
contract efficiently and effectively and will meet such requirements as
to financial responsibility, legal authority, quality of services
provided, and other matters as the Secretary finds pertinent.
    ``(3)(A)(i) The Secretary shall develop contract performance
requirements to carry out the specific requirements applicable under
this title to a function described in subsection (a)(4) and shall
develop standards for measuring the extent to which a contractor has
met such requirements. Such requirements shall include specific
performance duties expected of a medical director of an administrative
contractor, including requirements relating to professional relations
and the availability of such director to conduct medical determination
activities within the jurisdiction of such a contractor.
    ``(ii) In developing such performance requirements and standards
for measurement, the Secretary shall consult with non-Department
facilities, veterans service organizations, and organizations and
agencies performing functions necessary to carry out the purposes of
this section with respect to such performance requirements.
    ``(iii) The Secretary shall make such performance requirements and
measurement standards available to the public.
    ``(B) The Secretary shall include, as one of the standards
developed under subparagraph (A), non-Department facility and veteran
satisfaction levels.
    ``(C) All contractor performance requirements shall be set forth in
the contract between the Secretary and the appropriate administrative
contractor. Such performance requirements--
            ``(i) shall reflect the performance requirements published
        under subparagraph (A), but may include additional performance
        requirements;
            ``(ii) shall be used for evaluating contractor performance
        under the contract; and
            ``(iii) shall be consistent with the written statement of
        work provided under the contract.
    ``(4) The Secretary shall not enter into a contract with an
administrative contractor under this section unless the contractor
agrees--
            ``(A) to furnish to the Secretary such timely information
        and reports as the Secretary may find necessary in performing
        the functions of the Secretary under this title; and
            ``(B) to maintain such records and afford such access
        thereto as the Secretary finds necessary to assure the
        correctness and verification of the information and reports
        under subparagraph (A) and otherwise to carry out the purposes
        of this title.
    ``(5) A contract with an administrative contractor under this
section may require the administrative contractor, and any of its
officers or employees certifying payments or disbursing funds pursuant
to the contract, or otherwise participating in carrying out the
contract, to give surety bond to the United States in such amount as
the Secretary may deem appropriate.
    ``(c) Terms and Conditions.--A contract with any administrative
contractor under this section may contain such terms and conditions as
the Secretary finds necessary or appropriate and may provide for
advances of funds to the administrative contractor for the making of
payments by it under subsection (a)(4)(B).
    ``(d) Limitation on Liability of Administrative Contractors and
Certain Officers.--(1) No individual designated pursuant to a contract
under this section as a certifying officer shall, in the absence of the
reckless disregard of the individual's obligations or the intent by
that individual to defraud the United States, be liable with respect to
any payments certified by the individual under this section.
    ``(2) No disbursing officer shall, in the absence of the reckless
disregard of the officer's obligations or the intent by that officer to
defraud the United States, be liable with respect to any payment by
such officer under this section if it was based upon an authorization
(which meets the applicable requirements for such internal controls
established by the Comptroller General of the United States) of a
certifying officer designated as provided in paragraph (1) of this
subsection.
    ``(3)(A) No administrative contractor shall be liable to the United
States for a payment by a certifying or disbursing officer unless, in
connection with such payment, the administrative contractor acted with
reckless disregard of its obligations under its administrative contract
or with intent to defraud the United States.
    ``(B) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit
liability for conduct that would constitute a violation of sections
3729 through 3731 of title 31, United States Code.
    ``(4)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (D), in the case of an
administrative contractor (or a person who is a director, officer, or
employee of such a contractor or who is engaged by the contractor to
participate directly in the claims administration process) who is made
a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding arising from or
relating directly to the claims administration process under this
title, the Secretary may, to the extent the Secretary determines to be
appropriate and as specified in the contract with the contractor,
indemnify the contractor and such persons.
    ``(B) The Secretary may not provide indemnification under
subparagraph (A) insofar as the liability for such costs arises
directly from conduct that is determined by the judicial proceeding or
by the Secretary to be criminal in nature, fraudulent, or grossly
negligent. If indemnification is provided by the Secretary with respect
to a contractor before a determination that such costs arose directly
from such conduct, the contractor shall reimburse the Secretary for
costs of indemnification.
    ``(C) Indemnification by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) may
include payment of judgments, settlements (subject to subparagraph
(D)), awards, and costs (including reasonable legal expenses).
    ``(D) A contractor or other person described in subparagraph (A)
may not propose to negotiate a settlement or compromise of a proceeding
described in such subparagraph without the prior written approval of
the Secretary to negotiate such settlement or compromise. Any
indemnification under subparagraph (A) with respect to amounts paid
under a settlement or compromise of a proceeding described in such
subparagraph are conditioned upon prior written approval by the
Secretary of the final settlement or compromise.
    ``(E) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed--
            ``(i) to change any common law immunity that may be
        available to an administrative contractor or person described
        in subparagraph (A); or
            ``(ii) to permit the payment of costs not otherwise
        allowable, reasonable, or allocable under the Federal
        Acquisition Regulation.
    ``(e) Requirements for Information Security.--(1) An administrative
contractor that performs the functions referred to in subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of subsection (a)(4) (relating to determining and making
payments) shall implement a contractor-wide information security
program to provide information security for the operation and assets of
the contractor with respect to such functions under this title. An
information security program under this paragraph shall meet the
requirements for information security programs imposed on Federal
agencies under paragraphs (1) through (8) of section 3544(b) of title
44, United States Code (other than the requirements under paragraphs
(2)(D)(i), (5)(A), and (5)(B) of such section).
    ``(2)(A) Each year an administrative contractor that performs the
functions referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(4)
(relating to determining and making payments) shall undergo an
evaluation of the information security of the contractor with respect
to such functions under this title. The evaluation shall--
            ``(i) be performed by an entity that meets such
        requirements for independence as the Inspector General of the
        Department of Health and Human Services may establish; and
            ``(ii) test the effectiveness of information security
        control techniques of an appropriate subset of the contractor's
        information systems (as defined in section 3502(8) of title 44,
        United States Code) relating to such functions under this title
        and an assessment of compliance with the requirements of this
        subsection and related information security policies,
        procedures, standards and guidelines, including policies and
        procedures as may be prescribed by the Director of the Office
        of Management and Budget and applicable information security
        standards promulgated under section 11331 of title 40, United
        States Code.
    ``(B)(i) The results of independent evaluations under subparagraph
(A) shall be submitted promptly to the Inspector General of the
Department and to the Secretary.
    ``(ii) The Inspector General of the Department shall submit to
Congress annual reports on the results of such evaluations, including
assessments of the scope and sufficiency of such evaluations.
    ``(f) Incentives To Improve Contractor Performance in Non-
Department Facility Education and Outreach.--The Secretary shall use
specific claims payment error rates or similar methodology of
administrative contractors in the processing or reviewing of claims in
order to give such contractors an incentive to implement effective
education and outreach programs for non-Department facilities.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
1725 the following new item:

``1725. Authority to enter into contracts with administrative
                            contractors.''.

Output: Timely Payment for Veterans' Medical Care Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts with an eligible entity to serve as an administrative contractor with respect to the performance of any or all of the following functions relating to providing medical care and hospital services in non-VA facilities:   determining and making the payments required to be made to a non-VA facility; providing education and outreach to individuals enrolled in the patient enrollment system;  providing consultative services to institutions, agencies, and other persons to enable them to maintain necessary fiscal records;  communicating to non-VA facilities any information or instructions furnished to the administrative contractor by the VA; and  performing functions relating to non-VA facility education, training, and technical assistance.  An administrative contractor that performs such payment-related functions shall implement a contractor-wide information security program. The VA shall use claims payment error rates or similar methodology of administrative contractors in the processing or reviewing of claims in order to give such contractors an incentive to implement effective education and outreach programs for non-VA facilities.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Defense Energy Savings Act
of 2003''.

SEC. 2. ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS.

    (a) Contracts Authorized.--The Secretary of Defense may enter into
an energy savings performance contract under this section for the sole
purpose of achieving energy savings and benefits ancillary to that
purpose. The Secretary may incur obligations under the contract to
finance energy conservation measures so long as guaranteed savings
exceed the debt service requirements.
    (b) Terms and Conditions.--
            (1) Contract period.--Notwithstanding any other provision
        of law, an energy savings performance contract may be for a
        period of up to 25 years beginning on the date on which the
        first payment is made by the Secretary pursuant to the
        contract. The contract need not include funding of cancellation
        charges (if any) before cancellation, if--
                    (A) the contract was awarded in a competitive
                manner, using procedures and methods established under
                this section;
                    (B) the Secretary determines that funds are
                available and adequate for payment of the costs of the
                contract for the first fiscal year;
                    (C) the contract is governed by part 17.1 of the
                Federal Acquisition Regulation; and
                    (D) if the contract contains a clause setting forth
                a cancellation ceiling in excess $10,000,000, the
                Secretary provides notice to Congress of the proposed
                contract and the proposed cancellation ceiling at least
                30 days before the award of the contract.
            (2) Costs and savings.--An energy savings performance
        contract shall require the contractor to incur the costs of
        implementing energy savings measures, including at least the
        cost (if any) incurred in making energy audits, acquiring and
        installing equipment, and training personnel, in exchange for a
        share of any energy savings directly resulting from
        implementation of such measures during the term of the
        contract.
            (3) Other terms and conditions.--An energy savings
        performance contract shall require an annual energy audit and
        specify the terms and conditions of any Government payments and
        performance guarantees. Any such performance guarantee shall
        provide that either the Government or the contractor is
        responsible for maintenance and repair services for any energy
        related equipment, including computer software systems.
    (c) Limitation on Annual Contract Payments.--Aggregate annual
payments by the Secretary to a contractor for energy, operations, and
maintenance under an energy savings performance contract may not exceed
the amount that the Department of Defense would have paid for energy,
operations, and maintenance in the absence of the contract (as
estimated through the procedures developed pursuant to this section)
during term of the contract. The contract shall provide for a guarantee
of savings to the Department, and shall establish payment schedules
reflecting such guarantee, taking into account any capital costs under
the contract.
    (d) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary, with the concurrence of the
Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, shall issue final rules to
establish the procedures and methods for use by the Department of
Defense to select, monitor, and terminate energy savings performance
contracts in accordance with laws governing Federal procurement that
will achieve the intent of this section in a cost-effective manner. In
developing such procedures and methods, the Secretary, with the
concurrence of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, shall
determine which existing regulations are inconsistent with the intent
of this section and shall formulate substitute regulations consistent
with laws governing Federal procurement.
    (e) Implementation Procedures and Methods.--The procedures and
methods established by rule under subsection (d) shall--
            (1) provide for the calculation of energy savings based on
        sound engineering and financial practices;
            (2) allow the Secretary to request statements of
        qualifications, which shall, at a minimum, include prior
        experience and capabilities of contractors to perform the
        proposed types of energy savings services and financial and
        performance information, from firms engaged in providing energy
        savings services;
            (3) allow the Secretary to presume that a contractor meets
        the requirements of paragraph (2) if the contractor either--
                    (A) has carried out contracts with a value of at
                least $1,000,000,000 with the Federal Government over
                the previous 10 years; or
                    (B) is listed by a Federal agency pursuant to
                section 801(b)(2) of the National Energy Policy Act (42
                U.S.C. 8287(b)(2));
            (4) allow the Secretary to, from the statements received,
        designate and prepare a list, with an update at least annually,
        of those firms that are qualified to provide energy savings
        services;
            (5) allow the Secretary to select firms from such list to
        conduct discussions concerning a particular proposed energy
        savings project, including requesting a technical and price
        proposal from such selected firms for such project;
            (6) allow the Secretary to select from such firms the most
        qualified firm to provide energy savings services based on
        technical and price proposals and any other relevant
        information
            (7) allow the Secretary to permit receipt of unsolicited
        proposals for energy savings performance contracting services
        from a firm that the Department of Defense has determined is
        qualified to provide such services under the procedures
        established pursuant to subsection (d) and require facility
        managers to place a notice in the Commerce Business Daily
        announcing they have received such a proposal and invite other
        similarly qualified firms to submit competing proposals;
            (8) allow the Secretary to enter into an energy savings
        performance contract with a firm qualified under paragraph (7),
        consistent with the procedures and methods established pursuant
        to subsection (d); and
            (9) allow a firm not designated as qualified to provide
        energy savings services under paragraph (4) to request a review
        of such decision to be conducted in accordance with procedures,
        substantially equivalent to procedures established under
        section 759(f) of title 40, United States Code, to be developed
        by the board of contract appeals of the General Services
        Administration.
    (f) Transition Rule for Energy Savings Performance Contracts Under
National Energy Conservation Policy Act.--In the case of an energy
savings performance contract entered into by the Secretary or the
Secretary of Energy pursuant to the authority granted by section 801 of
the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 8287), the
Secretary may maintain the contract under this section, making whatever
contract modifications as the Secretary determines are necessary to
conform to the provisions of this subsection.
    (g) Pilot Program for Nonbuilding Applications.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may carry out a pilot
        program to enter into up to 10 energy savings performance
        contracts for the purpose of achieving energy savings,
        secondary savings, and benefits incidental to those purposes,
        in nonbuilding applications.
            (2) Selection.--The Secretary shall select the contract
        projects to demonstrate the applicability and benefits of
        energy savings performance contracting to a range of non-
        building applications.
            (3) Report.--Not later than three years after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
        Congress a report on the progress and results of the pilot
        program. The report shall include a description of projects
        undertaken; the energy and cost savings, secondary savings and
        other benefits that resulted from such projects; and
        recommendations on whether the pilot program should be
        extended, expanded, or authorized.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Energy savings.--The term ``energy savings'' means a
        reduction in the cost of energy, from a base cost established
        through a methodology set forth in the energy savings
        performance contract, utilized in an existing federally owned
        building or buildings or other federally owned facilities as a
        result of--
                    (A) the lease or purchase of operating equipment,
                improvements, altered operation and maintenance,
                increased capacity or payload, or technical services;
                or
                    (B) the increased efficient use of existing energy
                sources by cogeneration or heat recovery, excluding any
                cogeneration process for other than a federally owned
                building or buildings or other federally owned
                facilities.
            (2) Energy savings performance contract.--The term ``energy
        savings performance contract'' means a contract that provides
        for the performance of services for the design, acquisition,
        installation, testing, operation, and, where appropriate,
        maintenance and repair of an identified energy conservation
        measure or series of measures at one or more locations. Such
        contracts--
                    (A) may provide for appropriate software licensing
                agreements; and
                    (B) shall, with respect to an agency facility that
                is a public building, as defined in section 13(l) of
                the Public Buildings Act of 1959 (40 U.S.C. 612(l)), be
                in compliance with the prospectus requirements and
                procedures of section 7 of the Public Buildings
                Accountability Act of 1959 (40 U.S.C. 606).
            (3) Nonbuilding application.--The term ``nonbuilding
        application'' means--
                    (A) any class of vehicles, devices, or equipment
                that is transportable under its own power by land, sea,
                or air that consumes energy from any fuel source for
                the purpose of such transportability, or to maintain a
                controlled environment within such vehicle, device, or
                equipment; or
                    (B) any Federally owned equipment used to generate
                electricity or transport water.
            (4) Secondary savings.--The term ``secondary savings''
        means additional energy or cost savings that are a direct
        consequence of the energy savings that result from the energy
        efficiency improvements that were financed and implemented
        pursuant to the energy savings performance contract. Such
        secondary savings may include energy and cost savings that
        result from a reduction in the need for fuel delivery and
        logistical support, personnel cost savings and environmental
        benefits. In the case of electric generation equipment,
        secondary savings may include the benefits of increased
        efficiency in the production of electricity, including revenue
        received by the Federal Government from the sale of electricity
        so produced.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Defense.

Output:
National Defense Energy Savings Act of 2003 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to: (1) enter into an energy savings performance contract (for a period of up to 25 years) for the sole purpose of achieving ancillary energy savings and benefits; and (2) incur obligations under the contract to finance energy conservation measures so long as guaranteed savings exceed the debt service requirements.

Directs the Secretary to issue final rules establishing implementation procedures and methods that meet specified requirements.

Authorizes the Secretary to implement a pilot program to enter into up to ten energy savings performance contracts in nonbuilding applications.


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

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Improved Passenger
Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                    TITLE I--40 MPG STANDARD BY 2017

Sec. 101. Cafe standards for passenger automobiles.
Sec. 102. Fuel economy standard credits.
Sec. 103. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 104. Effective date.
    TITLE II--MARKET-BASED INITIATIVES FOR GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION

Sec. 201. Market-based initiatives.
Sec. 202. Implementing panel.
Sec. 203. Definitions.

                    TITLE I--40 MPG STANDARD BY 2017

SEC. 101. CAFE STANDARDS FOR PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES.

    (a) Average Fuel Economy Standards for Automobiles.--Section 32902
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the
        following:
    ``(b) Passenger Automobiles.--
            ``(1) In general.--At least 18 months before the beginning
        of each model year, the Secretary of Transportation shall
        prescribe by regulation average fuel economy standards for
        passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in that
        model year. Each standard shall be the maximum feasible average
        fuel economy level that the Secretary decides the manufacturers
        can achieve in that model year. The Secretary may prescribe
        separate standards for different classes of passenger
        automobiles.
            ``(2) Minimum standard.--Except as provided in paragraph
        (3), in prescribing a standard under paragraph (1), the
        Secretary shall ensure that no manufacturer's standard for a
        particular model year is less than the greater of--
                    ``(A) the standard in effect on the date of
                enactment of the Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel
                Economy Act of 2007; or
                    ``(B) a standard established in accordance with the
                requirement of section 104(c)(2) of that Act.
            ``(3) 40 miles per gallon standard for model year 2017.--
        The Secretary shall prescribe an average fuel economy standard
        for passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in
        model year 2017 of 40 miles per gallon. If the Secretary
        determines that more than 1 manufacturer is not reasonably
        expected to achieve that standard, the Secretary shall notify
        the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
        and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and
        Commerce of that determination.
    ``(c) Flexibility of Authority.--
            ``(1) In general.--The authority of the Secretary to
        prescribe by regulation average fuel economy standards for
        automobiles under this section includes the authority to
        prescribe standards based on one or more vehicle attributes
        that relate to fuel economy, and to express the standards in
        the form of a mathematical function. The Secretary may issue a
        regulation prescribing standards for one or more model years.
            ``(2) Required lead-time.--When the Secretary prescribes an
        amendment to a standard under this section that makes an
        average fuel economy standard more stringent, the Secretary
        shall prescribe the amendment at least 18 months before the
        beginning of the model year to which the amendment applies.
            ``(3) No across-the-board increases.--When the Secretary
        prescribes a standard, or prescribes an amendment under this
        section that changes a standard, the standard may not be
        expressed as a uniform percentage increase from the fuel-
        economy performance of automobile classes or categories already
        achieved in a model year by a manufacturer.'';
            (2) by inserting ``motor vehicle safety, emissions,'' in
        subsection (f) after ``economy,'';
            (3) by striking ``energy.'' in subsection (f) and inserting
        ``energy and reduce its dependence on oil for
        transportation.'';
            (4) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the following:
    ``(j) Notice of Final Rule.--Before taking final action on a
standard or an exemption from a standard under this section, the
Secretary of Transportation shall notify the Secretary of Energy and
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and provide
them a reasonable time to comment on the standard or exemption.''; and
            (5) by adding at the end thereof the following:
    ``(k) Costs-Benefits.--The Secretary of Transportation may not
prescribe an average fuel economy standard under this section that
imposes marginal costs that exceed marginal benefits, as determined at
the time any change in the standard is promulgated.''.
    (b) Exemption Criteria.--The first sentence of section
32904(b)(6)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``exemption would result in reduced'' and
        inserting ``manufacturer requesting the exemption will
        transfer'';
            (2) by striking ``in the United States'' and inserting
        ``from the United States''; and
            (3) by inserting ``because of the grant of the exemption''
        after ``manufacturing''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 32902 of title 49, United States Code, is
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``or (c)'' in subsection (d)(1);
                    (B) by striking ``(c),'' in subsection (e)(2);
                    (C) by striking ``subsection (a) or (d)'' each
                place it appears in subsection (g)(1) and inserting
                ``subsection (a), (b), or (d)'';
                    (D) by striking ``(1) The'' in subsection (g)(1)
                and inserting ``The'';
                    (E) by striking subsection (g)(2); and
                    (F) by striking ``(c),'' in subsection (h) and
                inserting ``(b),''.
            (2) Section 32903 of such title is amended by striking
        ``section 32902(b)-(d)'' each place it appears and inserting
        ``subsection (b) or (d) of section 32902''.
            (3) Section 32904(a)(1)(B) of such title is amended by
        striking ``section 32902(b)-(d)'' and inserting ``subsection
        (b) or (d) of section 32902''.
            (4) The first sentence of section 32909(b) of such title is
        amended to read ``The petition must be filed not later than 59
        days after the regulation is prescribed.''.
            (5) Section 32917(b)(1)(B) of such title is amended by
        striking ``or (c)''.

SEC. 102. FUEL ECONOMY STANDARD CREDITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 32903 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking the second sentence of subsection (a) and inserting
``The credits--
            ``(1) may be applied to any of the 3 model years
        immediately following the model year for which the credits are
        earned; or
            ``(2) transferred to the registry established under section
        201 of the Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of
        2007.''.
    (b) Greenhouse Gas Credits Applied to CAFE Standards.--Section
32903 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
    ``(g) Greenhouse Gas Credits.--
            ``(1) In general.--A manufacturer may apply credits
        purchased through the registry established by section 201 of
        the Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007
        toward any model year after model year 2010 under subsection
        (d), subsection (e), or both.
            ``(2) Limitation.--A manufacturer may not use credits
        purchased through the registry to offset more than 10 percent
        of the fuel economy standard applicable to any model year.''.

SEC. 103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Transportation such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title
and chapter 329 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this
title.

SEC. 104. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this title,
and the amendments made by this title, take effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.
    (b) Transition for Passenger Automobile Standard.--Notwithstanding
subsection (a), and except as provided in subsection (c)(2), until the
effective date of a standard for passenger automobiles that is issued
under the authority of section 32902(b) of title 49, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, the standard or standards in place for
passenger automobiles under the authority of section 32902 of that
title, as that section was in effect on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect.
    (c) Rulemaking.--
            (1) Initiation of rulemaking under amended law.--Within 60
        days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
        Transportation shall initiate a rulemaking for passenger
        automobiles under section 32902(b) of title 49, United States
        Code, as amended by this Act.
            (2) Amendment of existing standard.--Until the Secretary
        issues a final rule pursuant to the rulemaking initiated in
        accordance with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall amend the
        average fuel economy standard prescribed pursuant to section
        32092(b) of title 49, United States Code, with respect to
        passenger automobiles in model years to which the standard
        adopted by such final rule does not apply.

    TITLE II--MARKET-BASED INITIATIVES FOR GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION

SEC. 201. MARKET-BASED INITIATIVES.

    (a) Establishment of Registry for Voluntary Trading Systems.--The
Secretary of Commerce shall establish a national registry system for
greenhouse gas trading among industry under which emission reductions
from the applicable baseline are assigned unique identifying numerical
codes by the registry. Participation in the registry is voluntary. Any
entity conducting business in the United States may register its
emission results, including emissions generated outside of the United
States, on an entity-wide basis with the registry, and may utilize the
services of the registry.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the national registry are--
            (1) to encourage voluntary actions to reduce greenhouse gas
        emissions and increase energy efficiency, including increasing
        the fuel economy of passenger automobiles and light trucks and
        reducing the reliance by United States markets on petroleum
        produced outside the United States used to provide vehicular
        fuel;
            (2) to enable participating entities to record voluntary
        greenhouse gas emissions reductions; in a consistent format
        that is supported by third party verification;
            (3) to encourage participants involved in existing
        partnerships to be able to trade emissions reductions among
        partnerships;
            (4) to further recognize, publicize, and promote
        registrants making voluntary and mandatory reductions;
            (5) to recruit more participants in the program; and
            (6) to help various entities in the nation establish
        emissions baselines.
    (c) Functions.--The national registry shall carry out the following
functions:
            (1) Referrals.--Provide referrals to approved providers for
        advice on--
                    (A) designing programs to establish emissions
                baselines and to monitor and track greenhouse gas
                emissions; and
                    (B) establishing emissions reduction goals based on
                international best practices for specific industries
                and economic sectors.
            (2) Uniform reporting format.--Adopt a uniform format for
        reporting emissions baselines and reductions established
        through--
                    (A) the Director of the National Institute of
                Standards and Technology for greenhouse gas baselines
                and reductions generally; and
                    (B) the Secretary of Transportation for credits
                under section 32903 of title 49, United States Code.
            (3) Record maintenance.--Maintain a record of all emission
        baselines and reductions verified by qualified independent
        auditors.
            (4) Encourage participation.--Encourage organizations from
        various sectors to monitor emissions, establish baselines and
        reduction targets, and implement efficiency improvement and
        renewable energy programs to achieve those targets.
            (5) Public awareness.--Recognize, publicize, and promote
        participants that--
                    (A) commit to monitor their emissions and set
                reduction targets;
                    (B) establish emission baselines; and
                    (C) report on the amount of progress made on their
                annual emissions.
    (d) Transfer of Reductions.--The registry shall--
            (1) allow for the transfer of ownership of any reductions
        realized in accordance with the program; and
            (2) require that the registry be notified of any such
        transfer within 30 days after the transfer is effected.
    (e) Future Considerations.--Any reductions achieved under this
program shall be credited against any future mandatory greenhouse gas
reductions required by the government. Final approval of the amount and
value of credits shall be determined by the agency responsible for the
implementation of the mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction
program, except that credits under section 32903 of title 49, United
States Code, shall be determined by the Secretary of Transportation.
The Secretary of Commerce shall by rule establish an appeals process,
that may incorporate an arbitration option, for resolving any dispute
arising out of such a determination made by that agency.
    (f) CAFE Standards Credits.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
work with the Secretary of Commerce and the implementing panel
established by section 202 to determine the equivalency of credits
earned under section 32903 of title 49, United States Code, for
inclusion in the registry. The Secretary shall by rule establish an
appeals process, that may incorporate an arbitration option, for
resolving any dispute arising out of such a determination.

SEC. 202. IMPLEMENTING PANEL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
Commerce an implementing panel.
    (b) Composition.--The panel shall consist of--
            (1) the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary's designee,
        who shall serve as Chairperson;
            (2) the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary's
        designee; and
            (3) 1 expert in the field of greenhouse gas emissions
        reduction, certification, or trading from each of the following
        agencies--
                    (A) the Department of Energy;
                    (B) the Environmental Protection Agency;
                    (C) the Department of Agriculture;
                    (D) the National Aeronautics and Space
                Administration;
                    (E) the Department of Commerce; and
                    (F) the Department of Transportation.
    (c) Experts and Consultants.--Any member of the panel may secure
the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the
provisions of section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, for
greenhouse gas reduction, certification, and trading experts in the
private and non-profit sectors and may also utilize any grant,
contract, cooperative agreement, or other arrangement authorized by law
to carry out its activities under this subsection.
    (d) Duties.--The panel shall--
            (1) implement and oversee the implementation of this
        section;
            (2) promulgate--
                    (A) standards for certification of registries and
                operation of certified registries; and
                    (B) standards for measurement, verification, and
                recording of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse
                gas emission reductions by certified registries;
            (3) maintain, and make available to the public, a list of
        certified registries; and
            (4) issue rulemakings on standards for measuring,
        verifying, and recording greenhouse gas emissions and
        greenhouse gas emission reductions proposed to the panel by
        certified registries, through a standard process of issuing a
        proposed rule, taking public comment for no less than 30 days,
        then finalizing regulations to implement this act, which will
        provide for recognizing new forms of acceptable greenhouse gas
        reduction certification procedures.
    (e) Certification and Operation Standards.--The standards
promulgated by the panel shall include--
            (1) standards for ensuring that certified registries do not
        have any conflicts of interest, including standards that
        prohibit a certified registry from--
                    (A) owning greenhouse gas emission reductions
                recorded in any certified registry; or
                    (B) receiving compensation in the form of a
                commission where sources receive money for the total
                number of tons certified;
            (2) standards for authorizing certified registries to enter
        into agreements with for-profit persons engaged in trading of
        greenhouse gas emission reductions, subject to paragraph (1);
        and
            (3) such other standards for certification of registries
        and operation of certified registries as the panel determines
        to be appropriate.
    (f) Measurement, Verification, and Recording Standards.--The
standards promulgated by the panel shall provide for, in the case of
certified registries--
            (1) ensuring that certified registries accurately measure,
        verify, and record

Output:
Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007 - Revises minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger automobiles to direct the Secretary of Transportation, for each model year, to prescribe minimum CAFE standards for passenger automobiles, with the minimum standard being the current standard of 27.5 miles per gallon. Requires a CAFE standard of 40 miles per gallon for passenger automobiles manufactured in model year 2017.

Authorizes credits earned by a manufacturer when the average fuel economy of passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in a particular model year exceeds an applicable established average fuel economy standard to be applied to any of the three model years immediately following (currently, before) the model year in which such credits are earned, or transferred to a national registry system for greenhouse gases. Authorizes a manufacturer to apply credits purchased through the registry (greenhouse gas credits) toward applicable CAFE standards for passenger or non-passenger automobiles after model year 2010.

Establishes a national greenhouse registry to encourage voluntary actions to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency.

Establishes within the Department of Commerce an implementing panel to, among other things promulgate standards for: (1) certification of registries and operation of certified registries; and (2) measurement, verification, and recording of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas emission reductions by certified registries.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Credit Reporting Act Amendments
of 2000''.

SEC. 2. FREE CREDIT REPORT ANNUALLY UPON REQUEST OF CONSUMER.

    Section 612 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681j) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
        (d) and (e), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
        subsection:
    ``(c) Free Credit Report Annually Upon Request of Consumer.--Upon
the request of any consumer, each consumer reporting agency shall make
all disclosures pursuant to section 609 without charge to such consumer
at least once each calendar year.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 612(a)(1) of the
Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681j(a)(1)) is amended by
striking ``(c), and (d)'' and inserting ``(c), (d), and (e)''.

SEC. 3. DISCLOSURE OF WORLD WIDE WEB SITE.

    Section 609(c)(9)(1)(B) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681(c)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting ``and information sufficient to
allow the consumer to contact the agency, or request a consumer report
relating to the consumer from the agency, through the Internet or the
World Wide Web'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 4. DISCLOSURE OF CREDIT SCORES AND EXPLANATION OF CREDIT SCORES.

    Section 609(a)(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681g(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) All information in the consumer's file at the time of
        the request, including any information concerning credit scores
        or any other risk scores or predictors relating to the
        consumer, together with--
                    ``(A) a clear and concise summary of how the scores
                and predictors are derived;
                    ``(B) the factors taken into account in deriving a
                score or predictor;
                    ``(C) how such factors are applied to the consumer;
                    ``(D) the relative weight given to each factor; and
                    ``(E) the manner and extent to which such factors
                raise or lower the score or predictor.''

SEC. 5. SHORTER PERIOD FOR INCLUSION OF SMALL DEBTS UNDER CERTAIN
              CIRCUMSTANCES.

    Section 605(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
1681c(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), any account placed for
        collection or charged to profit and loss in which the amount
        placed to collection or charged to profit and loss did not
        exceed $100 and which antedates the report by more than 3
        years, if--
                    ``(A) the consumer to whom the report relates
                completed a credit and financial management class
                during such 3-year period; and
                    ``(B) the consumer has not previously had an
                account excluded from paragraph (4) by virtue of this
                paragraph.''.

SEC. 6. PROMPT INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION OR DELETION OF INACCURATE,
              INCOMPLETE, OR UNVERIFIABLE CONSUMER INFORMATION.

    (A) Review and Monitoring Required.--The Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission shall each
review and monitor the extent to which, and the manner in which,
consumer reporting agencies and furnishers of consumer information to
consumer reporting agencies are complying with the procedures, time
lines, and requirements under the Fair Credit Reporting Act for the
prompt investigation of the disputed accuracy of any consumer
information and the prompt correction or deletion, in accordance with
such Act, of any inaccurate or incomplete information or information
that cannot be verified.
    (b) Report Required.--Before the end of the 6-month period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade
Commission shall each submit a progress report to the Congress on the
results of the review required under subsection (a).
    (c) Recommendations.--The report under subsection (b) shall include
such recommendations as the Board and the Commission determine to be
appropriate for legislative or administrative action to ensure that--
            (1) consumer disputes with consumer reporting agencies over
        the accuracy or completeness of information in a consumer's
        file are promptly and fully investigated and any incorrect,
        incomplete, or unverifiable information is immediately
        corrected or deleted;
            (2) furnishers of information to consumer reporting
        agencies maintain full and prompt compliance with the duties
        and responsibilities established under section 623 of the Fair
        Credit Reporting Act; and
            (3) consumer reporting agencies establish and maintain
        appropriate internal controls and management review procedures
        for maintaining full and continuous compliance with the
        procedures, time lines, and requirements under the Fair Credit
        Reporting Act for the prompt investigation of the disputed
        accuracy of any consumer information and the prompt correction
        or deletion, in accordance with such Act, of any inaccurate or
        incomplete information or information that cannot be verified.
    (d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms
``consumer'', ``consumer report'', and ``consumer reporting agency''
have the same meaning as in the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect at the end of the
90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Prohibits the inclusion of certain small debts in a consumer report under specified circumstances.
Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission to: (1) monitor and review the extent to which consumer reporting agencies and purveyors of information to such agencies comply with FCRA requirements for the prompt investigation of matters in dispute and the prompt correction of inaccurate or incomplete information, or information that cannot be verified; and (2) present a progress report to Congress.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Energy Communities Development
Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. RURAL ENERGY COMMUNITIES LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) Authority.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make loans
pursuant to section 306(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926), to eligible communities for essential
community facilities (as such term is defined in section 3570.53 of
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations or any successor regulation to
such section), for any purpose described in subsection (c).
    (b) Eligible Communities.--For purposes of this section, an
eligible community--
            (1) is a city, town, or incorporated area that has a
        population of less than 20,000 individuals; and
            (2) has, during the period from January 1999 through
        December 2009, experienced net job growth in the energy sector
        of not less than 20 percent, as determined by the Bureau of the
        Census or a State agency that collects information on such
        growth.
    (c) Use of Loan Funds.--An eligible community may use funds
provided from a loan under this section for any of the following
purposes:
            (1) Essential community facilities, including--
                    (A) the conservation, development, use, and control
                of water;
                    (B) the installation or improvement of drainage or
                waste disposal facilities;
                    (C) transportation facilities; and
                    (D) affordable housing (as determined by the
                Secretary).
            (2) Land acquisition for such facilities.
            (3) Municipal staff necessary to carry out projects for
        such facilities.
            (4) Updates to comprehensive plans or housing plans of the
        community.
    (d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a loan under this
section, an eligible community shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall
require that contains, in addition to any other information the
Secretary may require, the following information:
            (1) The identification of projects for which loan funds
        will be used.
            (2) A certification that loan funds will be used only for
        the purposes described in subsection (c).
            (3) Documentation demonstrating the legal capacity and
        financial ability of the community to repay the loan. Such
        documentation shall include--
                    (A) evidence that the community has a dedicated
                source of revenue from any energy tax revenue it
                receives from the State;
                    (B) an estimate of any energy tax revenue the
                community expects to receive during the 10-year period
                beginning on the first day of the first fiscal year
                that begins after the date funds from the loan are made
                available to the eligible community from the State
                office, if any, that distributes energy tax revenue to
                energy-producing communities; and
                    (C) documentation of any non-Federal supplemental
                funds to be made available for essential community
                facilities to be funded with loan amounts received
                under this section.
    (e) Priority Treatment.--In approving applications for loans under
this section, the Secretary shall give priority to any applicant acting
on behalf of an eligible community, that--
            (1) has submitted to the Secretary completed plans or
        studies that identify specific infrastructure or capacity needs
        that will be addressed by projects funded with the loan amounts
        received under this section; or
            (2) demonstrates that projects funded with loan amounts
        received under this section will be carried out with regional
        cooperation with adjacent jurisdictions.
    (f) Loan Terms.--
            (1) Amount.--The principal amount of any loan under this
        section may not exceed the lesser of--
                    (A) $20,000,000; or
                    (B) 80 percent of the energy tax revenue that the
                applicant expects to receive during the period
                described in subsection (d)(2)(B).
            (2) Interest rate.--Interest rates on loans under this
        section shall be subject to the provisions of section 307(a)(4)
        of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
        1927(a)(4)) applicable to loans under sections 306(a)(1) and
        310B of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a) and 1932).
            (3) Term to maturity.--The period for repayment of loans
        under this section shall not be longer than 15 years.
    (g) Forgiveness.--If an applicant is unable to repay the full
balance of the loan it receives under this section because
circumstances beyond the control of the applicant prevented the
applicant from collecting the amount of expected energy tax revenue
specified in the application submitted under subsection (c), the
Secretary may forgive an amount that equals not more than 50 percent of
the remaining balance of such loan.
    (h) Report.--Each year, until the loan an eligible community
receives under this section is repaid, such community shall submit to
the Secretary of Agriculture a report. Each report shall contain a
description of the progress made on each project or investment financed
with funds received from a loan under this section.
    (i) Appropriations.--For costs (as such term is defined under
section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a))
of loans under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated an
aggregate of $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and 2012.
    (j) Maximum Amount of Commitments.--The Secretary may not make
loans under this section or enter into commitments to make such loans,
the total amount of which, exceeds $400,000,000.
    (k) Sunset.--The Secretary may not make or enter into a commitment
to make a loan under this section after September 30, 2012.

SEC. 3. WAIVER OF INCOME MAXIMUMS FOR SELECTED USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Section 502 Loans.--For each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016,
with respect to an applicant for a direct loan or a guaranteed loan
under section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472), who
resides in an eligible community described in section 2(b)--
            (1) the Secretary shall waive any income limitations
        related to obtaining a loan under section 502 of such Act (42
        U.S.C. 1472); and
            (2) the requirement related to eligibility of borrowers
        under section 502(h)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)(3))
        shall not apply.
    (b) Site Loans; Multi-Family Housing Loans.--For each of fiscal
years 2011 through 2016, the following shall apply:
            (1) Section 524.--Any organization or tribe receiving a
        loan under section 524 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
        1490d) shall waive any income limitations related to the
        occupancy of any housing built on any building site that is
        located in an eligible community described in section 2(b) of
        this Act and that is financed by such loan.
            (2) Section 538.--Any organization, State agency,
        subdivision thereof, Indian tribe, or private entity that
        receives a loan under section 538 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1490p-
        2) shall waive any income limitations related to the occupancy
        of any housing that is located in an eligible community
        described in section 2(b) of this Act and for which the
        development costs were funded by such a loan.

Output:
Rural Energy Communities Development Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make water and waste facility loans to an eligible city, town, or incorporated area with a population of less than 20,000 that has, from January 1999 through December 2009, experienced energy sector job growth of not less than 20%.

Makes such loans available for: (1) essential community facilities, including water conservation, waste disposal facilities, transportation facilities, and affordable housing; (2) land acquisition; (3) staff; and (4) comprehensive community or housing plan updates.

Prohibits the Secretary from making or entering into a loan commitment after September 30, 2012.

Directs the Secretary to waive income limitations for FY2011-FY2016 for certain: (1) rural housing loans, including Doug Bereuter single-family housing loan guarantees; (2) low- and moderate-income rural housing loans; and (3) multifamily rural rental housing loan guarantees.