Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Securing Participation, Engagement,
and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforts Act of 2015'' or
the ``SPEAK FREE Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. SPECIAL MOTION TO DISMISS STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC
              PARTICIPATION.

    (a) In General.--Part VI of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by adding after chapter 181 the following new chapter:

  ``CHAPTER 182--SPECIAL MOTION TO DISMISS STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST
                          PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

``Sec.
``4201. Strategic lawsuit against public participation defined.
``4202. Motion to dismiss strategic lawsuit against public
                            participation.
``4203. Discovery.
``4204. Interlocutory appeal.
``4205. Motion to quash.
``4206. Removal.
``4207. Fees, costs, and sanctions.
``4208. Definitions.
``Sec. 4201. Strategic lawsuit against public participation defined
    ``In this chapter, the term `strategic lawsuit against public
participation' or `SLAPP suit' means a claim that arises from an oral
or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of
such expression, by the person against whom the claim is asserted that
was made in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of
public concern.
``Sec. 4202. Special motion to dismiss strategic lawsuit against public
              participation
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a person
against whom a SLAPP suit is asserted may file a special motion to
dismiss. If the party filing a special motion to dismiss a SLAPP suit
makes a prima facie showing that the claim at issue arises from an oral
or written statement or other expression by the defendant that was made
in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public
concern, then the motion shall be granted and the claim dismissed with
prejudice, unless the responding party demonstrates that the claim is
likely to succeed on the merits, in which case the motion shall be
denied.
    ``(b) Exceptions.--
            ``(1) Enforcement actions.--The court shall not grant a
        special motion to dismiss under this section if the claim is an
        enforcement action brought by an agency or entity of the
        Federal Government or a State or local government.
            ``(2) Commercial speech.--Except as provided in subsection
        (c), the court shall not grant a special motion to dismiss
        under this section if the claim is brought against a person
        primarily engaged in the business of selling or leasing goods
        or services where such claim arises from the statement or
        conduct of such person and such statement or conduct--
                    ``(A) consists of representations of fact about
                such person's or a business competitor's goods or
                services, that is made for the purpose of obtaining
                approval for, promoting, or securing sales or leases
                of, or commercial transactions in, the person's goods
                or services, or the statement or conduct was made in
                the course of delivering the person's goods or
                services; and
                    ``(B) arises out of the sale or lease of goods,
                services, or an insurance product, insurance services,
                or a commercial transaction in which the intended
                audience is an actual or potential buyer or customer.
            ``(3) Public interest.--Except as provided in subsection
        (c), the court shall not grant a special motion to dismiss
        under this section if the claim is a public interest claim.
    ``(c) Limitations on Exceptions.--Paragraphs (2) and (3) of
subsection (b) shall not apply as to--
            ``(1) any claim against a person or entity engaged in the
        dissemination of ideas or expression in any book or academic
        journal, while engaged in the gathering, receiving, or
        processing of information for communication to the public;
            ``(2) any claim against any person or entity based upon
        statements or conduct concerning the creation, dissemination,
        exhibition, advertisement, or other similar promotion of
        journalistic, consumer commentary, dramatic, literary, musical,
        political, or artistic works, including motion pictures,
        television programs, or articles published online or in a
        newspaper or magazine of general circulation; or
            ``(3) any claim against a nonprofit organization that
        receives more than 50 percent of annual revenue grants or
        awards from, programs of, or reimbursements for services
        rendered to the Federal, State, or local government.
    ``(d) Time Limit.--Unless the court grants an extension, a motion
to dismiss a SLAPP suit shall be filed--
            ``(1) not later than 45 days after the date of service of
        the claim, if the claim is filed in a Federal court; or
            ``(2) not later than 30 days after the date of removal, if
        the claim is removed to Federal court under section 4206.
    ``(e) Hearing.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and
        (3), the court shall set a hearing on a special motion to
        dismiss a SLAPP suit on a date not later than 30 days after the
        date of service of the special motion to dismiss a SLAPP suit.
            ``(2) Hearing postponed.--Except as provided in paragraph
        (3), the court may postpone the hearing for up to 60 days, but
        shall set the hearing on a date that is not later than 90 days
        after the date of service of the special motion to dismiss a
        SLAPP suit, if--
                    ``(A) the docket conditions of the court require a
                later hearing;
                    ``(B) there is a showing of good cause; or
                    ``(C) the parties agree to postpone the hearing.
            ``(3) Extension for discovery.--If the court allows
        specified discovery under subsection (a) of section 4203, the
        court may extend the hearing date to allow specified discovery
        under that subsection, but the court shall set the hearing on a
        date not later than 120 days after the date of service of the
        special motion to dismiss a SLAPP suit.
    ``(f) Ruling.--The court must rule on a special motion to dismiss a
SLAPP suit not later than 30 days after the date on which the final
paper is required to be filed or the date argument is heard, whichever
is later.
    ``(g) Evidence.--
            ``(1) In general.--In determining whether a legal action
        should be dismissed under this chapter, the court shall
        consider the pleadings and affidavits stating the facts on
        which the liability or defense is based.
            ``(2) Discovery.--If the court has ordered specified
        discovery pursuant to section 4203, the court may consider such
        discovery.
``Sec. 4203. Stay of discovery
    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), upon the
filing of a special motion to dismiss under section 4202, discovery
proceedings in the action shall be stayed until a final and
unappealable order is entered on such motion unless good cause is shown
for specified discovery.
    ``(b) Exception.--A stay issued under subsection (a) based on the
filing of a special motion to dismiss under section 4202, that only
seeks dismissal of a third-party claim or a cross claim asserted by a
defendant shall only apply to discovery that is requested by the party
asserting the third-party claim or cross claim or discovery that
relates solely to the third-party claim or cross claim.
``Sec. 4204. Interlocutory appeal
    ``An aggrieved party may take an immediate interlocutory appeal
from an order granting or denying in whole or in part a special motion
to dismiss under section 4202.
``Sec. 4205. Motion to quash
    ``A person whose personally identifying information is sought in
connection with a claim subject to the procedure described in section
4202(a) may at any time file a motion to quash the order to produce the
information. If the party filing a motion to quash makes a prima facie
showing that the order is for personally identifying information, then
the motion shall be granted and the order to produce the personally
identifying information shall be quashed, unless the responding party
demonstrates with an evidentiary showing that the claim is likely to
succeed on the merits of each and every element of the claim, in which
case the motion to quash shall be denied. No determinations made in
deciding a motion to quash under this section shall impede or otherwise
diminish the availability of the procedures described in section
4202(a).
``Sec. 4206. Removal
    ``(a) Special Motion To Dismiss SLAPP Suit.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a
        civil action in a State court that raises a claim described in
        section 4202(a) may be removed to the district court of the
        United States for the judicial district and division embracing
        the place where the civil action is pending. The grounds for
        removal provided in this section need not appear on the face of
        the complaint but may be shown in the petition for removal.
            ``(2) Exception.--Removal may not be requested under
        paragraph (1) on the basis of a third-party claim or a cross
        claim asserted by a defendant.
            ``(3) Remand.--If a civil action is removed under paragraph
        (1) and an order denying in its entirety a motion to dismiss
        filed under section 4202 is not appealed within the time
        permitted by law or all potential appellate proceedings have
        been exhausted, the court shall remand the remaining claims to
        the State court from which the civil action was removed. The
        remaining claims shall not be remanded to State court if the
        order granted a motion to dismiss in part and such order is not
        appealed within the time permitted by law or all potential
        appellate proceedings have been exhausted.
    ``(b) Motion To Quash.--A proceeding in a State court in which a
request or order that reasonably appears to be a request or order
described in section 4205 is sought or issued may be removed to the
district court of the United States for the judicial district and
division embracing the place where the civil action is pending by any
person that seeks to file a motion to quash under section 4205 and
asserts a defense based on the First Amendment to the Constitution or
laws of the United States.
``Sec. 4207. Fees, costs, and sanctions
    ``(a) Attorneys Fees.--Except as provided in subsection (c), a
court shall award a person that files and prevails on a motion to
dismiss under section 4202 or a motion to quash under section 4205,
litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorneys fees. A
party shall be a prevailing party as to a special motion to dismiss or
to quash if a claim or discovery request is voluntarily dismissed or
withdrawn after the filing of a special motion to dismiss.
    ``(b) Frivolous Motions to Dismiss.--Except as provided in
subsection (c), if a court finds that a motion to dismiss under section
4202, a motion to quash under section 4205, or a notice of removal
under section 4206 is frivolous or is solely intended to cause
unnecessary delay, the court shall award litigation costs, expert
witness fees, and reasonable attorneys fees to the party that responded
to the motion or notice.
    ``(c) Exception.--The Federal Government and the government of a
State, or political subdivision thereof, may not recover litigation
costs, expert witness fees, or attorneys fees under this section.
``Sec. 4208. Definitions
    ``In this chapter:
            ``(1) Matter of public concern.--The term `matter of public
        concern' means an issue related to--
                    ``(A) health or safety;
                    ``(B) environmental, economic, or community well-
                being;
                    ``(C) the government;
                    ``(D) a public official or public figure; or
                    ``(E) a good, product, or service in the
                marketplace.
            ``(2) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit
        organization' means any organization that is described in
        section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is
        exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
            ``(3) Public interest claim.--The term `public interest
        claim' means a claim--
                    ``(A) that is brought solely on behalf of the
                general public;
                    ``(B) where private enforcement is necessary;
                    ``(C) that places a disproportionate financial
                burden on the plaintiff in relation to the plaintiff's
                stake in the matter;
                    ``(D) that, if successful, enforces an important
                right affecting the public interest and confers a
                significant benefit on the general public; and
                    ``(E) notwithstanding attorneys fees, costs, or
                penalties, would provide relief only for the general
                public or a class of which the plaintiff is a member.
            ``(4) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
        States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory,
        or possession of the United States, and each federally
        recognized Indian tribe.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Table of chapters.--The table of chapters for part VI
        of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
        the item relating to chapter 181 the following new item:

``182. Special Motion to dismiss strategic lawsuits against     4201''.
                            public participation.
            (2) Interlocutory decisions.--Section 1292(a) of title 28,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking the semicolon at
                the end and inserting a period;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the semicolon at
                the end and inserting a period; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Interlocutory orders granting or denying in whole or
        in part special motions to dismiss under section 4202.''.
            (3) Exceptions to discharge.--Section 523(a) of title 11,
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (18), by striking ``; or'' at the
                end and inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (19), by striking the period at
                the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (19) the
                following:
            ``(20) for litigation costs, expert witness fees, or
        reasonable attorney's fees awarded by a court under chapter 182
        of title 28 or under comparable State laws.''.
    (c) Relationship to Other Laws.--Nothing in this Act, or the
amendments made by this Act, shall preempt or supersede any Federal or
State statutory, constitutional, case, or common law that provides the
equivalent or greater protection for persons engaging in activities
protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--This Act, and the amendments made by
this Act, shall be construed broadly to effectuate the purpose and
intent of this Act.

Output: Securing Participation, Engagement, and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforts Act of 2015 or the SPEAK FREE Act of 2015 Amends the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation ("SLAPP suits") that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern.  Defines "matter of public concern" as an issue related to: (1) health or safety; (2) environmental, economic, or community well-being; (3) the government; (4) a public official or public figure; or (5) a good, product, or service in the marketplace.  Requires courts to grant such a special motion to dismiss if the party filing the motion makes a prima facie showing that the claim asserted against them is a SLAPP suit, unless the responding party demonstrates that the claim is likely to succeed on the merits. Provides exceptions prohibiting courts from granting such a special motion to dismiss if the claim concerns:   a government enforcement action, a business making representations of fact in commercial speech to consumers about its own or a business competitor's goods or services, or a public interest claim on behalf of the general public.   Allows dismissal of private suits, notwithstanding such commercial speech and public interest exceptions, if the claim is against:  a person or entity engaged in activities to disseminate or express ideas to the public in a book or academic journal;  any person or entity based upon statements or conduct concerning the creation, dissemination, exhibition, advertisement, or other promotion of journalistic, consumer commentary, dramatic, literary, musical, political, or artistic works, including motion pictures, television programs, or articles published online or in a newspaper or magazine of general circulation; or a nonprofit organization that receives more than 50% of annual revenue grants or awards from, programs of, or reimbursements for services rendered to the government. Sets forth special procedural requirements for discovery and motions.  Requires courts to award litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees to private parties that filed and prevailed on certain motions under this Act or to parties that responded to motions found to be frivolous.


Input:
SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Veterinary Medical Service
Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM REGARDING VETERINARY
              MEDICINE.

    The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 1415 the following new section:

``SEC. 1415A. VETERINARY MEDICINE LOAN REPAYMENT.

    ``(a) Program.--
        ``(1) Service in shortage situations.--The Secretary shall
    carry out a program of entering into agreements with veterinarians
    under which the veterinarians agree to provide, for a period of
    time as determined by the Secretary and specified in the agreement,
    veterinary services in veterinarian shortage situations. For each
    year of such service under an agreement under this paragraph, the
    Secretary shall pay an amount, as determined by the Secretary and
    specified in the agreement, of the principal and interest of
    qualifying educational loans of the veterinarians.
        ``(2) Service to federal government in emergency situations.--
            ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may enter into agreements
        of 1 year duration with veterinarians who have agreements
        pursuant to paragraph (1) for such veterinarians to provide
        services to the Federal Government in emergency situations, as
        determined by the Secretary, under terms and conditions
        specified in the agreement. Pursuant to an agreement under this
        paragraph, the Secretary shall pay an amount, in addition to
        the amount paid pursuant to the agreement in paragraph (1), as
        determined by the Secretary and specified in the agreement, of
        the principal and interest of qualifying educational loans of
        the veterinarians.
            ``(B) Requirements.--Agreements entered into under this
        paragraph shall include the following:
                ``(i) A veterinarian shall not be required to serve
            more than 60 working days per year of the agreement.
                ``(ii) A veterinarian who provides service pursuant to
            the agreement shall receive a salary commensurate with the
            duties and shall be reimbursed for travel and per diem
            expenses as appropriate for the duration of the service.
    ``(b) Determination of Veterinarian Shortage Situations.--In
determining `veterinarian shortage situations' the Secretary may
consider the following:
        ``(1) Urban or rural areas that the Secretary determines have a
    shortage of veterinarians.
        ``(2) Areas of veterinary practice that the Secretary
    determines have a shortage of veterinarians, such as public health,
    epidemiology, and food safety.
        ``(3) Areas of veterinary need in the Federal Government.
        ``(4) Other factors that the Secretary considers to be
    relevant.
    ``(c) Administration.--
        ``(1) Authority.--The Secretary may carry out this program
    directly or enter into agreements with another Federal agency or
    other service provider to assist in the administration of this
    program.
        ``(2) Breach remedies.--
            ``(A) In general.--Agreements with program participants
        shall provide remedies for any breach of an agreement by a
        participant, including repayment or partial repayment of
        financial assistance received, with interest.
            ``(B) Amounts recovered.--Funds recovered under this
        subsection shall be credited to the account available to carry
        out this section and shall remain available until expended.
        ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may grant a waiver of the
    repayment obligation for breach of contract in the event of extreme
    hardship or extreme need, as determined by the Secretary.
        ``(4) Amount.--The Secretary shall develop regulations to
    determine the amount of loan repayment for a year of service by a
    veterinarian. In making the determination, the Secretary shall
    consider the extent to which such determination--
            ``(A) affects the ability of the Secretary to maximize the
        number of agreements that can be provided under the Veterinary
        Medicine Loan Repayment Program from the amounts appropriated
        for such agreements; and
            ``(B) provides an incentive to serve in veterinary service
        shortage areas with the greatest need.
        ``(5) Qualifying educational loans.--Loan repayments provided
    under this section may consist of payments on behalf of
    participating individuals of the principal and interest on
    government and commercial loans received by the individual for
    attendance of the individual at an accredited college of veterinary
    medicine resulting in a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or
    the equivalent, which loans were made for--
            ``(A) tuition expenses;
            ``(B) all other reasonable educational expenses, including
        fees, books, and laboratory expenses, incurred by the
        individual; or
            ``(C) reasonable living expenses as determined by the
        Secretary.
        ``(6) Repayment schedule.--The Secretary may enter into an
    agreement with the holder of any loan for which payments are made
    under this section to establish a schedule for the making of such
    payments.
        ``(7) Tax liability.--In addition to educational loan
    repayments, the Secretary shall make such additional payments to
    participants as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the
    purpose of providing reimbursements to participants for individual
    tax liability resulting from participation in this program.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for carrying out this section such sums as may be
necessary and such sums shall remain available to the Secretary for the
purposes of this section until expended.''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
National Veterinary Medical Service Act - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide veterinary school educational loan repayment assistance (for tuition and educational and living expenses) to veterinarians who agree to practice in veterinary shortage situations.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements (60-day maximum working days during a one-year period) with such veterinarians to provide services to the Federal Government in emergency situations. Provides additional loan repayment and a salary for such service.

Authorizes the Secretary, in determining veterinarian shortage situations, to consider the needs of urban or rural areas, the Federal Government, and areas of practice such as public health, epidemiology, and food safety.

Provides for breach remedies and related waiver authority.

Directs the Secretary to make related tax liability payments to participants.

Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Near East and South Central Asia
Religious Freedom Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. SPECIAL ENVOY TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS
              MINORITIES IN THE NEAR EAST AND SOUTH CENTRAL ASIA.

    (a) Appointment.--The President may appoint a Special Envoy To
Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and
South Central Asia (in this Act referred to as the ``Special Envoy'')
within the Department of State. The Special Envoy shall have the rank
of ambassador and shall hold the office at the pleasure of the
President.
    (b) Qualifications.--The Special Envoy should be a person of
recognized distinction in the field of human rights and religious
freedom.

SEC. 3. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Special Envoy shall carry out the following
duties:
            (1) Promoting the right of religious freedom of religious
        minorities in the countries of the Near East and the countries
        of South Central Asia, denouncing the violation of such right,
        and recommending appropriate responses by the United States
        Government when such right is violated.
            (2) Monitoring and combating acts of religious intolerance
        and incitement targeted against religious minorities in the
        countries of the Near East and the countries of South Central
        Asia.
            (3) Working to ensure that the unique needs of religious
        minority communities in the countries of the Near East and the
        countries of South Central Asia are addressed, including the
        economic and security needs of such communities.
            (4) Working with foreign governments of the countries of
        the Near East and the countries of South Central Asia to
        address laws that are discriminatory toward religious minority
        communities in such countries.
            (5) Coordinating and assisting in the preparation of that
        portion of the report required by sections 116(d) and 502B(b)
        of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d) and
        2304(b)) relating to the nature and extent of religious freedom
        of religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and
        the countries of South Central Asia.
            (6) Coordinating and assisting in the preparation of that
        portion of the report required by section 102(b) of the
        International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6412(b))
        relating to the nature and extent of religious freedom of
        religious minorities in the countries of the Near East and the
        countries of South Central Asia.
    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out the duties under subsection (a),
the Special Envoy shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate
with the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and
Migration, the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom,
the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and
other relevant Federal agencies and officials.

SEC. 4. DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION.

    Subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of
State, the Special Envoy is authorized to represent the United States
in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in the countries of
the Near East and the countries of South Central Asia in--
            (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental
        organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations,
        the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and
        other international organizations of which the United States is
        a member; and
            (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to
        religious freedom in the countries of the Near East and the
        countries of South Central Asia.

SEC. 5. CONSULTATIONS.

    The Special Envoy shall consult with domestic and international
nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations and
institutions, as the Special Envoy considers appropriate to fulfill the
purposes of this Act.

SEC. 6. FUNDING.

    Of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the
Secretary of State for ``Diplomatic and Consular Programs'' for fiscal
years 2011 through 2015, the Secretary of State is authorized to
provide to the Special Envoy $1,000,000 for each such fiscal year for
the hiring of staff, the conduct of investigations, and necessary
travel to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``countries of the Near East''--
                    (A) means Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq,
                Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman,
                Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab
                Emirates, and Yemen; and
                    (B) includes the West Bank and Gaza; and
            (2) the term ``countries of South Central Asia'' means
        Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan,
        Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
        and Uzbekistan.

Output:
Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2011 - Authorizes the President to appoint a Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia within the Department of State.

Authorizes the Special Envoy, subject to direction by the President and the Secretary of State, to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to religious freedom in: (1) contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations (U.N.), the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, and other international organizations; and (2) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant to religious freedom.

Defines "countries of the Near East" as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and including the West Bank and Gaza. Defines "countries of South Central Asia" as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Home Refinancing Assistance Act of
1993''.

SEC. 2. INSURANCE FOR MORTGAGES TO REFINANCE UNDERWATER MORTGAGES.

    Title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

          ``insurance of `underwater' single family mortgages

    ``Sec. 266. (a) Insurance Authority.--The Secretary may, upon
application by a mortgagee, insure any refinancing mortgage eligible
for insurance under this section to the extent authorized by this
section, upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe,
and may make commitments for the insurance of such refinancing
mortgages before the date of the execution of such mortgages.
    ``(b) Extent of Insurance.--The Secretary may provide insurance
under this section, and make commitments to provide such insurance,
only with respect to the portion of the original principal obligation
(including such initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and
other fees approved by the Secretary) of an eligible refinancing
mortgage that exceeds 95 percent of the appraised value of the property
subject to the mortgage, as of the date the refinancing mortgage is
accepted for insurance under this section, as determined by the
Secretary.
    ``(c) Eligibility Requirements.--The Secretary may insure a
refinancing mortgage under this section only if the mortgage complies
with the following requirements:
            ``(1) Mortgagee.--The refinancing mortgage has been made
        to, and held by, a mortgagee approved by the Secretary as
        responsible and able to service the mortgage properly.
            ``(2) Mortgagor.--The mortgagor under the refinancing
        mortgage--
                    ``(A) is the mortgagor under the underlying
                mortgage being refinanced;
                    ``(B)(i) has made regular payments on a timely
                basis on the underlying mortgage (and, if applicable,
                any other previous mortgage on the property), as
                required by the applicable mortgage agreement, for a
                period of not less than 36 months, or (ii) has been
                determined under subsection (d) to be an acceptable
                credit risk; and
                    ``(C) has a gross income that meets such standards
                as the Secretary shall establish under this section to
                ensure that the mortgagor will be able (i) to make the
                periodic payments required by the mortgage insured
                under this section, and (ii) to meet other long-term
                obligations of the mortgagor.
            ``(3) Underlying mortgage.--The proceeds of the refinancing
        mortgage are used for satisfaction of the outstanding balance
        owed under an underlying mortgage that--
                    ``(A) is a first mortgage on a dwelling that is--
                            ``(i) designed principally for a 1- to 4-
                        family residence;
                            ``(ii) occupied by the mortgagor under the
                        refinancing mortgage who is also the mortgagor
                        under the underlying mortgage; and
                            ``(iii) located in a real estate market
                        area that the Secretary has determined is no
                        longer subject to substantially decreasing
                        property values that will result in an
                        unreasonable risk of losses to the Federal
                        Government under mortgage insurance provided
                        under this section;
                    ``(B) is not delinquent;
                    ``(C) involves an outstanding principal obligation
                (including such initial service charges, appraisal,
                inspection, and other fees approved by the Secretary)
                that exceeds 95 percent of the appraised value of the
                property subject to the mortgage, as of the date the
                refinancing mortgage is accepted for insurance under
                this section, as determined by the Secretary;
                    ``(D) in the case of an underlying mortgage on a
                condominium unit in a project that was converted from
                rental housing--
                            ``(i) was executed more than 1 year after
                        the conversion of the project;
                            ``(ii) has as a mortgagor or comortgagor a
                        tenant of the rental housing; or
                            ``(iii) covers a unit in a project for
                        which the conversion is sponsored by a bona
                        fide tenants organization representing a
                        majority of the households in the project; and
                    ``(E) meets any other requirements as the Secretary
                may provide.
            ``(4) Limitation on amount.--The refinancing mortgage
        involves a principal obligation in an amount that does not to
        exceed--
                    ``(A) 125 percent of the appraised value of the
                property subject to the mortgage; and
                    ``(B) the outstanding balance owed under the
                underlying mortgage, plus such initial service charges,
                appraisal, inspection, and other fees as the Secretary
                shall approve.
            ``(5) Monthly payment amount.--The amount of each monthly
        payment due under the refinancing mortgage is less than that
        due under the underlying mortgage for the month in which the
        refinancing mortgage is executed.
            ``(6) Interest.--The refinancing mortgage bears interest at
        such rate as may be agreed upon by the mortgagor and the
        mortgagee.
            ``(7) Maturity.--The refinancing mortgage has a maturity
        satisfactory to the Secretary that does not, in any event,
        exceed 35 years from the date of the beginning of the
        amortization of the mortgage, and the Secretary may provide
        under this paragraph for limitations on the maturity of
        refinancing mortgages based on the unexpired terms of the
        underlying mortgages being refinanced.
            ``(8) Other terms.--The refinancing mortgage has such terms
        regarding maturity, amortization, periodic payments and
        application of such payments to principal, insurance, repairs,
        alterations, payment of taxes, default reserves, delinquency
        charges, foreclosure proceedings, anticipation of maturity,
        additional and subordinate liens, and other matters as the
        Secretary may provide.
    ``(d) Hardship Provisions.--A mortgagor failing to meet the
requirements of subsection (c)(2)(B)(i) shall be considered to be an
acceptable credit risk for purposes of subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii) if the
Secretary determines that--
            ``(1) the failure was caused by circumstances beyond the
        control of the mortgagor that rendered the mortgagor
        temporarily unable to make such regular payments on the
        underlying mortgage;
            ``(2) before such circumstances, the mortgagor had made
        regular payments on a timely basis on the underlying mortgage
        (and, if applicable, any other previous mortgage on the
        property), as required by the applicable mortgage agreement for
        such period as the Secretary considers appropriate for purposes
        of this subsection;
            ``(3) the circumstances causing such failure have been
        alleviated, or the income of the mortgagor has increased, to
        the extent necessary to allow the mortgagor to make regular
        payments under the refinancing mortgage; and
            ``(4) the mortgagor meets such other requirements as the
        Secretary may reasonably require to ensure that the mortgagor
        will meet the obligations under the refinancing mortgage.
    ``(e) General Insurance Fund.--The insurance of refinancing
mortgages under this section shall be the obligation of the General
Insurance Fund established under section 519.
    ``(f) Premiums.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary may fix a premium
        charge for the insurance under this section of refinancing
        mortgages, which shall be an amount equivalent to a percentage
        per annum, determined by the Secretary, of the amount of the
        portion of outstanding principal obligation of the refinancing
        mortgage that is insured under this section, without taking
        into account delinquent payments or prepayments. Any such
        premiums received shall be credited to the General Insurance
        Fund.
            ``(2) Manner and timing.--The premium charges shall be
        payable by the mortgagee either in cash or in debentures (at
        par plus accrued interest) issued by the Secretary as
        obligations of the General Insurance Fund, in the manner
        prescribed by the Secretary, except that the Secretary may not
        require the payment of any such premium charges at the time the
        refinancing mortgage is insured. In fixing the premium charges,
        the Secretary shall take into consideration the risk involved
        in insuring the portion of a mortgage that exceeds the
        appraised value of the property subject to the mortgage.
            ``(3) Acceptance.--If the Secretary finds upon presentation
        of a refinancing mortgage for insurance that the mortgage
        complies with the provisions of this section, the mortgage may
        be accepted for insurance by endorsement or otherwise as the
        Secretary may prescribe.
            ``(4) Refund of unearned premiums.--In the event the
        portion of the principal obligation of any refinancing mortgage
        insured under this section is paid in full prior to the
        maturity date, the Secretary may refund to the mortgagee for
        the account of the mortgagor all of the current unearned
        premium charges theretofore paid or such portion of the
        unearned premiums as the Secretary determines to be equitable.
    ``(g) Right to Insurance Benefits.--The mortgagee shall be entitled
to receive the benefits of the insurance, in accordance with
regulations prescribed by the Secretary upon--
            ``(1) the sale of the insured property--
                    ``(A) at foreclosure, if such sale is for at least
                the fair market value of the property (with appropriate
                adjustments), as determined by the Secretary; or
                    ``(B) by the mortgagor after default, if--
                            ``(i) the sale has been approved by the
                        Secretary;
                            ``(ii) the mortgagee receives an amount at
                        least equal to the fair market value of the
                        property (with appropriate adjustments), as
                        determined by the Secretary; and
                            ``(iii) the mortgagor has received
                        appropriate homeownership counseling, as
                        determined by the Secretary; and
            ``(2) assignment to the Secretary of all claims of the
        mortgagee against the mortgagor or others to any proceeds of
        such sale in excess of the amount equal to the portion of the
        unpaid principal balance of the loan not insured under this
        section that arise out of the mortgage transaction or
        foreclosure proceedings, except any claims that have been
        released with the consent of the Secretary.
    ``(h) Payment of Insurance.--
            ``(1) In general.--Upon the sale of insured property and
        assignment of claims referred to in subsection (g), the
        obligation of the mortgagee to pay the premium charges for
        insurance shall cease and the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) pay to the mortgagee cash in an amount equal
                to the value of the portion of the mortgage insured
                under this section, as determined by the Secretary; or
                    ``(B) issue to the mortgagee debentures having a
                par value equal to the cash amount under subparagraph
                (A).
            ``(2) Cash payments.--If the insurance payment is made in
        cash, there shall be included in the payment an amount
        equivalent to the interest that the debentures would have
        earned if such payment were made in debentures, computed to a
        date established pursuant to regulations issued by the
        Secretary.
    ``(i) Debentures.--
            ``(1) Execution.--Debentures issued under this section
        shall be executed in the name of the General Insurance Fund as
        obligor, shall be negotiable, and, if in book entry form,
        transferable, in the manner provided by the Secretary in
        regulations, and shall be dated as of the date the insured
        property is sold under subsection (g) and shall bear interest
        from such date.
            ``(2) Terms.--Debentures issued under this section shall--
                    ``(A) bear interest at a rate, established by the
                Secretary pursuant to section 224, payable semiannually
                on the 1st day of January and the 1st day of July of
                each year;
                    ``(B) have such maturity as the Secretary shall
                provide;
                    ``(C) be exempt from taxation as provided in
                section 207(i) with respect to debentures issued under
                such section;
                    ``(D) be in such form and amounts, subject to such
                terms and conditions, and include such provisions for
                redemption, if any, as may be prescribed by the
                Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with the
                approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, and may be
                in book entry or certificated registered form, or such
                other form as the Secretary of Housing and Urban
                Development may prescribe in regulations;
                    ``(E) be paid out of the General Insurance Fund,
                which shall be primarily liable therefor; and
                    ``(F) be fully and unconditionally guaranteed as to
                principal and interest by the United States, and, in
                the case of debentures issued in certificated
                registered form, the guaranty shall be expressed on the
                face of the debentures.
            ``(3) Obligation of treasury.--In the event the General
        Insurance Fund fails to pay upon demand, when due, the
        principal of or interest on any debentures so guaranteed, the
        Secretary of the Treasury shall pay the holders the amount of
        the debentures, which is hereby authorized to be appropriated,
        and upon such payment the Secretary of the Treasury shall
        succeed to all the rights of the holders of such debentures, to
        the extent of the amount paid.
    ``(j) Other Powers of Secretary.--The provisions of subsections
(c), (d), and (h) of section 2 shall apply to refinancing mortgages
insured under this subsection and, for the purposes of this subsection,
references in subsections (c), (d), and (h) of section 2 to `this
section' or `this title' shall be construed to refer to this section.
    ``(k) Protection of Secretary's Interest.--Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this Act, the Secretary may--
            ``(1) make expenditures and advances out of funds made
        available by this Act to preserve and protect the interest of
        the Secretary in any security for, or the lien or priority of
        the lien under, any mortgage or other indebtedness insured by
        or owing to the Secretary under this section; and
            ``(2) bid for and purchase at any foreclosure or other sale
        or otherwise acquire property pledged, mortgaged, conveyed,
        attached, or levied upon to secure the payment of any
        indebtedness owing to the Secretary under this section.
The authority conferred by this subsection may be exercised as provided
in the last sentence of section 204(g).
    ``(l) Refinancing.--A refinancing mortgage insured under this
section may be refinanced and extended in accordance with such terms
and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, but in no event for an
additional amount or term which exceeds the maximum provided for
pursuant to this subsection.
    ``(m) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) The terms `mortgage', `mortgagee', `mortgagor', and
        `first mortgage' have the meanings given such terms in section
        201, except that the term `mortgage' includes--
                    ``(A) a first mortgage given to secure the unpaid
                purchase price of a fee interest in, or long-term
                leasehold interest in, a one-family unit in a
                multifamily project, including a project in which the
                dwelling units are attached, semi-detached, or
                detached, and an undivided interest in the common areas
                and facilities which serve the project; and
                    ``(B) a first lien given to secure a loan made to
                finance the purchase of stock or membership in a
                cooperative ownership housing corporation the permanent
                occupancy of the dwelling units of which is restricted
                to members of such corporation, where the purchase of
                such stock or membership will entitle the purchaser to
                the permanent occupancy of one of such units.
            ``(2) The term `underlying mortgage' means, with respect to
        a refinancing mortgage, the first mortgage on the same dwelling
        that is subject to the refinancing mortgage.
            ``(3) The term `refinancing mortgage' means a subordinate
        lien on a dwelling securing a loan, the proceeds of which are
        used for the satisfaction of advances on, or the unpaid
        purchase price, of the dwelling, which are secured by a first
        mortgage on the same dwelling.''.

HR 3296 IH----2

Output: Home Refinancing Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure qualifying single family home refinancings.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial
Commemorative Coin Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) During the War of 1812, on September 7, 1814, Francis
        Scott Key visited the British fleet in the Chesapeake Bay to
        secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured
        after the burning of Washington, DC.
            (2) The release was completed, but Key was held by the
        British during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts
        defending Baltimore.
            (3) On the morning of September 14, 1814, Key peered
        through clearing smoke to see an enormous American flag flying
        proudly after a 25-hour British bombardment of Fort McHenry.
            (4) He was so delighted to see the flag still flying over
        the fort that he began a song to commemorate the occasion, with
        a note that it should be sung to the popular British melody
        ``To Anacreon in Heaven''.
            (5) In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it be
        played at military and naval occasions.
            (6) In 1931, the ``Star-Spangled Banner'' became our
        National Anthem.

SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

    (a) $1 Silver Coins.--The Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue not
more than 350,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the
writing of the Star-Spangled Banner, each of which shall--
            (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
            (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
            (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
    (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal
tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
    (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of
title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be
considered to be numismatic items.

SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

    (a) Design Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this
        Act shall be emblematic of the battle for Baltimore that formed
        the basis for the ``Star-Spangled Banner''.
            (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted
        under this Act, there shall be--
                    (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
                    (B) an inscription of the year ``2012''; and
                    (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God
                We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E
                Pluribus Unum''.
    (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this Act
shall be--
            (1) selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the
        Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and the Commission
        of Fine Arts; and
            (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

    (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be issued
in uncirculated and proof qualities.
    (b) Mint Facility.--Only one facility of the United States Mint may
be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this
Act.
    (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins under this
Act only during the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2012.

SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

    (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by
the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
            (1) the face value of the coins;
            (2) the surcharge provided in section 7 with respect to
        such coins; and
            (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including
        labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses,
        marketing, and shipping).
    (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins
issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
    (c) Prepaid Orders.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders
        for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such
        coins.
            (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders
        under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

    (a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act shall
include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
    (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United
States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of
coins issued under this Act shall be paid to the Maryland War of 1812
Bicentennial Commission for the purpose of supporting bicentennial
activities, educational outreach activities (including supporting
scholarly research and the development of exhibits), and preservation
and improvement activities pertaining to the sites and structures
relating to the War of 1812.
    (c) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
have the right to examine such books, records, documents, and other
data of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission as may be
related to the expenditures of amounts paid under subsection (b).
    (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may
be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin
during a calendar year if, as of the time of such issuance, the
issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative coin
programs issued during such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative
coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31,
United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out
this subsection.

Output:
Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Requires a coin design emblematic of the battle for Baltimore that formed the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner.

Authorizes the Secretary to issue the coins only during the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2012.

Requires specified surcharges in sales of the coin, which shall be paid to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission for the purpose of supporting bicentennial activities, educational outreach activities, and preservation and improvement activities pertaining to the sites and structures relating to the War of 1812.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Family Health Care Accessibility Act
of 2015''.

SEC. 2. LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEERS AT
              COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.

    Section 224 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 233) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(q)(1) For purposes of this section, a health professional
volunteer at an entity described in subsection (g)(4) shall, in
providing a health professional service eligible for funding under
section 330 to an individual, be deemed to be an employee of the Public
Health Service for a calendar year that begins during a fiscal year for
which a transfer was made under paragraph (4)(C). The preceding
sentence is subject to the provisions of this subsection.
    ``(2) In providing a health service to an individual, a health care
practitioner shall for purposes of this subsection be considered to be
a health professional volunteer at an entity described in subsection
(g)(4) if the following conditions are met:
            ``(A) The service is provided to the individual at the
        facilities of an entity described in subsection (g)(4), or
        through offsite programs or events carried out by the entity.
            ``(B) The entity is sponsoring the health care practitioner
        pursuant to paragraph (3)(B).
            ``(C) The health care practitioner does not receive any
        compensation for the service from the individual or from any
        third-party payer (including reimbursement under any insurance
        policy or health plan, or under any Federal or State health
        benefits program), except that the health care practitioner may
        receive repayment from the entity described in subsection
        (g)(4) for reasonable expenses incurred by the health care
        practitioner in the provision of the service to the individual.
            ``(D) Before the service is provided, the health care
        practitioner or the entity described in subsection (g)(4) posts
        a clear and conspicuous notice at the site where the service is
        provided of the extent to which the legal liability of the
        health care practitioner is limited pursuant to this
        subsection.
            ``(E) At the time the service is provided, the health care
        practitioner is licensed or certified in accordance with
        applicable law regarding the provision of the service.
    ``(3) Subsection (g) (other than paragraphs (3) and (5)) and
subsections (h), (i), and (l) apply to a health care practitioner for
purposes of this subsection to the same extent and in the same manner
as such subsections apply to an officer, governing board member,
employee, or contractor of an entity described in subsection (g)(4),
subject to paragraph (4) and subject to the following:
            ``(A) The first sentence of paragraph (1) applies in lieu
        of the first sentence of subsection (g)(1)(A).
            ``(B) With respect to an entity described in subsection
        (g)(4), a health care practitioner is not a health professional
        volunteer at such entity unless the entity sponsors the health
        care practitioner. For purposes of this subsection, the entity
        shall be considered to be sponsoring the health care
        practitioner if--
                    ``(i) with respect to the health care practitioner,
                the entity submits to the Secretary an application
                meeting the requirements of subsection (g)(1)(D); and
                    ``(ii) the Secretary, pursuant to subsection
                (g)(1)(E), determines that the health care practitioner
                is deemed to be an employee of the Public Health
                Service.
            ``(C) In the case of a health care practitioner who is
        determined by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (g)(1)(E) to
        be a health professional volunteer at such entity, this
        subsection applies to the health care practitioner (with
        respect to services performed on behalf of the entity
        sponsoring the health care practitioner pursuant to
        subparagraph (B)) for any cause of action arising from an act
        or omission of the health care practitioner occurring on or
        after the date on which the Secretary makes such determination.
            ``(D) Subsection (g)(1)(F) applies to a health care
        practitioner for purposes of this subsection only to the extent
        that, in providing health services to an individual, each of
        the conditions specified in paragraph (2) is met.
    ``(4)(A) Amounts in the fund established under subsection (k)(2)
shall be available for transfer under subparagraph (C) for purposes of
carrying out this subsection.
    ``(B) Not later May 1 of each fiscal year, the Attorney General, in
consultation with the Secretary, shall submit to the Congress a report
providing an estimate of the amount of claims (together with related
fees and expenses of witnesses) that, by reason of the acts or
omissions of health professional volunteers, will be paid pursuant to
this section during the calendar year that begins in the following
fiscal year. Subsection (k)(1)(B) applies to the estimate under the
preceding sentence regarding health professional volunteers to the same
extent and in the same manner as such subsection applies to the
estimate under such subsection regarding officers, governing board
members, employees, and contractors of entities described in subsection
(g)(4).
    ``(C) Not later than December 31 of each fiscal year, the Secretary
shall transfer from the fund under subsection (k)(2) to the appropriate
accounts in the Treasury an amount equal to the estimate made under
subparagraph (B) for the calendar year beginning in such fiscal year,
subject to the extent of amounts in the fund.
    ``(5)(A) This subsection takes effect on October 1, 2017, except as
provided in subparagraph (B).
    ``(B) Effective on the date of the enactment of this subsection--
            ``(i) the Secretary may issue regulations for carrying out
        this subsection, and the Secretary may accept and consider
        applications submitted pursuant to paragraph (3)(B); and
            ``(ii) reports under paragraph (4)(B) may be submitted to
        the Congress.''.

Output: Family Health Care Accessibility Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a health professional volunteer providing primary health care to an individual at a community health center or through programs or events carried out by a center to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of any civil action that may arise from providing services to patients. For a volunteer to be covered by this liability protection, the Department of Health and Human Services must approve the center's application to sponsor the volunteer.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Removing Repeated Executive Delays
to Transboundary Approvals of Pipelines and Engineering Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the American Society of Civil Engineers recently
        assessed the infrastructure system of the United States and
        gave the system an overall grade of D+;
            (2) recent critical infrastructure decisions have become
        unacceptably politicized;
            (3) permit applications for the Keystone XL Pipeline have
        been under review for over 5\1/2\ years; and
            (4) Congress can alleviate political interference in
        critical infrastructure decisions by--
                    (A) directly delegating to the Secretary of State
                the authority to expedite review of permits necessary
                to accelerate the completion of energy production and
                transmission projects; and
                    (B) providing a systematic method for evaluating
                and permitting the constructing and maintenance of
                certain other border crossings for land transportation
                (including motor and rail vehicles) and other
                facilities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

    In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of State.

SEC. 4. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

    In accordance with clause 3 of section 8 of article I of the
Constitution (delegating to Congress the power to regulate commerce
with foreign nations), Congress has the power to regulate the approval
of infrastructure connecting the United States with a foreign country.

SEC. 5. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary is designated and empowered to
receive all applications for permits for the construction, connection,
operation, or maintenance, at the borders of the United States (other
than applications received by the Secretary of Energy under laws in
existence on the date of enactment of this Act), of--
            (1) facilities for the exportation or importation of
        petroleum, petroleum products, coal, or other fuels to or from
        a foreign country;
            (2) pipelines, conveyor belts, and similar facilities for
        the exportation or importation of products (other than the
        products described in paragraph (1)) to or from a foreign
        country;
            (3) facilities for the exportation or importation of water
        or sewage to or from a foreign country;
            (4) facilities for the transportation of persons, things,
        or both persons and things to or from a foreign country;
            (5) bridges, to the extent that congressional authorization
        is not otherwise required under law;
            (6) facilities similar to the facilities otherwise
        described in this subsection that are located above or below
        ground; and
            (7) border crossings for land transportation, including
        motor and rail vehicles, to or from a foreign country, whether
        or not in conjunction with the facilities described in
        paragraph (4).
    (b) Requests for Information.--
            (1) In general.--On receipt of a completed application
        under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
                    (A)(i) request any additional information needed
                from the applicant, as appropriate; and
                    (ii) refer the application to other agencies
                pursuant to paragraph (2);
                    (B) refer the application and pertinent information
                to, and request the views of--
                            (i) the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney
                        General, the Secretary of the Interior, the
                        Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
                        Transportation, the Secretary of Energy, the
                        Secretary of Homeland Security, the
                        Administrator of the Environmental Protection
                        Agency (or the heads of successor agencies);
                        and
                            (ii) for applications concerning the border
                        with Mexico, the United States Commissioner of
                        the International Boundary and Water
                        Commission; and
                    (C) refer the application and pertinent information
                to, and request the views of, such other Federal
                department and agency heads as the Secretary determines
                appropriate.
            (2) Additional consultations.--The Secretary--
                    (A) may consult with State, tribal, and local
                government officials and foreign governments, as the
                Secretary determines appropriate, with respect to an
                application under subsection (a); and
                    (B) shall request responses in a timely manner, not
                to exceed 90 days from the date of the request.
            (3) Further consideration.--On receiving the views and
        assistance requested under paragraphs (1) and (2), the
        Secretary shall consider, in light of any statutory or other
        requirements or other considerations, whether additional
        information is necessary to evaluate the application and, as
        appropriate, request the additional information from the
        applicant.
            (4) Public comment.--The Secretary may provide for--
                    (A) the publication in the Federal Register of
                notice of receipt of applications;
                    (B) the receipt of public comments on applications;
                and
                    (C) notices related to the issuance or denial of
                applications.
    (c) Compliance.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a Federal agency
        consulted by the Secretary under subsection (b)(1) shall comply
        with the request of the Secretary (consistent with the
        authority of the Federal agency) as soon as practicable but not
        later than 90 days after the date on which the request is
        submitted.
            (2) Timing.--If a Federal agency consulted by the Secretary
        under subsection (b)(1) requests from the Secretary additional
        information that is necessary to carry out the request, the
        compliance deadline under paragraph (1) shall not begin until
        the date on which the additional information is received.
    (d) National Interest Determination.--
            (1) In general.--After consideration of the views,
        assistance, and public comment received under subsection (b),
        if the Secretary finds that issuance of a permit to the
        applicant would serve the national interest, the Secretary
        shall--
                    (A) prepare a permit, in such form and with such
                terms and conditions as the national interest requires,
                as determined by the Secretary; and
                    (B) notify the officials required to be consulted
                under subsection (b)(1)(B) of the proposed
                determination that a permit be issued.
            (2) Proposed denial.--After consideration of the views,
        assistance, and public comment received under subsection (b),
        if the Secretary finds that issuance of a permit to the
        applicant would not serve the national interest, the Secretary
        shall notify the officials required to be consulted under
        subsection (b)(1)(B) of the proposed determination that the
        application be denied.
    (e) Issuance or Denial.--The Secretary shall issue or deny the
permit in accordance with the proposed determination under subsection
(d).
    (f) Regulations.--The Secretary may promulgate such rules and
regulations and prescribe such procedures (including rules,
regulations, and procedures relating to the International Boundary and
Water Commission) as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out
this section.
    (g) Pending Applications.--Except as provided in section 6, this
section shall apply only to applications for permits filed on or after
the date of enactment of this Act.
    (h) Effect.--Except as explicitly provided in this Act, nothing in
this section limits the application of, or obligation to comply with,
the requirements of any other Federal department or agency.
    (i) Final Rule.--The decision made by the Secretary under
subsection (e) shall be deemed to be a rule for purposes of chapter 8
of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Congressional
Review Act'').

SEC. 6. KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE APPROVAL.

    (a) In General.--TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. may construct,
connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities
described in the application filed on May 4, 2012, by TransCanada
Corporation to the Department of State (including any subsequent
revision to the pipeline route within the State of Nebraska required or
authorized by the State of Nebraska).
    (b) Environmental Impact Statement.--The Final Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Secretary of State in
January 2014, regarding the pipeline referred to in subsection (a), and
the environmental analysis, consultation, and review described in that
document (including appendices) shall be considered to fully satisfy--
            (1) all requirements of the National Environmental Policy
        Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
            (2) any other provision of law that requires Federal agency
        consultation or review (including the consultation or review
        required under section 7(a) of the Endangered Species Act of
        1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a))) with respect to the pipeline and
        facilities referred to in subsection (a).
    (c) Permits.--Any Federal permit or authorization issued before the
date of enactment of this Act for the pipeline and cross-border
facilities referred to in subsection (a) shall remain in effect.
    (d) Federal Judicial Review.--Any legal challenge to a Federal
agency action regarding the pipeline and cross-border facilities
described in subsection (a), and the related facilities in the United
States, that are approved by this Act, and any permit, right-of-way, or
other action taken to construct or complete the project pursuant to
Federal law, shall only be subject to judicial review on direct appeal
to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit.
    (e) Private Property Savings Clause.--Nothing in this Act alters
any Federal, State, or local process or condition in effect on the date
of enactment of this Act that is necessary to secure access from an
owner of private property to construct the pipeline and cross-border
facilities described in subsection (a).

SEC. 7. REVIEW OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

    The Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) conduct a review of any Executive order issued by the
        President that is not based on the exclusive constitutional
        authority of the President; and
            (2) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
        this Act, submit to Congress a report on the results of the
        review.

Output: Removing Repeated Executive Delays to Transboundary Approvals of Pipelines and Engineering Act - Designates and empowers the Secretary of State to receive all applications (except those received by the Secretary of Energy [DOE] under current law) for permits for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance, at the U.S. borders, of facilities for the exportation or importation to or from a foreign country of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, other fuels, certain products, water or sewage, as well as persons or things. Prescribes requirements and procedures for granting a permit. Authorizes TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline and cross-border facilities specified in an application filed by TransCanada Corporation to the Department of State on May 4, 2012. Deems the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement regarding the pipeline issued by the Secretary of State in January 2014 to fully satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and any law that requires federal agency consultation or review, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973.   Restricts any legal challenges regarding a federal agency action and such facilities to judicial review on direct appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.  Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to review any Executive order issued by the President that is not based on the President's exclusive constitutional authority.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of
2003''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) Americans unjustly pay up to 1000 percent more to fill
        their prescriptions than consumers in other countries;
            (2) the United States is the largest market for
        pharmaceuticals in the world, yet American consumers pay the
        highest prices for pharmaceuticals in the world;
            (3) an unaffordable drug is neither safe nor effective;
            (4) allowing and structuring the importation of
        prescription drugs ensures access to affordable drugs, thus
        providing a level of safety to American consumers that
        consumers do not currently enjoy;
            (5) according to the Congressional Budget Office, American
        seniors alone will spend $1,800,000,000,000 on pharmaceuticals
        over the next 10 years; and
            (6) allowing open pharmaceutical markets could save
        American consumers at least $635,000,000,000 each year.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to give all Americans immediate relief from the
        outrageously high cost of pharmaceuticals;
            (2) to reverse the perverse economics of American
        pharmaceutical markets;
            (3) to allow the importation of drugs (excluding
        pharmaceutical narcotics) only if the drugs and the facilities
        in which the drugs are manufactured are approved by the Food
        and Drug Administration; and
            (4) to require that imported prescription drugs be packaged
        and shipped using counterfeit-resistant technologies approved
        by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, similar to the
        technologies used to secure United States currency.

SEC. 4. IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

    Section 804 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.
384) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting
                ``Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
                of the Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003, the
                Secretary''; and
                    (B) by striking ``pharmacists and wholesalers'' and
                inserting ``pharmacists, wholesalers, and qualifying
                individuals'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
                following:
            ``(1) require that each covered product imported under that
        subsection complies with sections 501, 502, and 505 and other
        applicable requirements of this Act; and'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, including
                subsection (d); and'' and inserting a period; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3);
            (3) in subsection (c), by inserting ``by pharmacists and
        wholesalers (but not qualifying individuals)'' after
        ``importation of covered products'';
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) by striking paragraphs (3) and (10);
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``, including the
                professional license number of the importer, if any'';
                    (C) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``(if
                        required under subsection (e))'' before the
                        period;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting
                        ``(if required under subsection (e))'' before
                        the period; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking
                        ``labeling'';
                    (D) in paragraph (7)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(if
                        required under subsection (e))'' before the
                        period; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Certification from the importer or
                manufacturer of the product that the product meets all
                requirements of this Act.''; and
                    (E) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (9) as
                paragraphs (3) through (8), respectively;
            (5) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
    ``(e) Testing.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), regulations
        under subsection (a) shall require that testing referred to in
        paragraphs (5) through (7) of subsection (d) be conducted by
        the importer of the covered product, unless the covered product
        is a prescription drug subject to the requirements of section
        505B for counterfeit-resistant technologies.
            ``(2) Exception.--The testing requirements of paragraphs
        (5) through (7) of subsection (d) shall not apply to an
        importer unless the importer is a wholesaler.'';
            (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``or designated by the
        Secretary, subject to such limitations as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate to protect the public health'';
            (7) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) by striking ``counterfeit or''; and
                    (B) by striking ``and the Secretary determines that
                the public is adequately protected from counterfeit and
                violative covered products being imported pursuant to
                subsection (a)'';
            (8) in subsection (i)(1)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the
                following:
                    ``(A) Study.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
                        conduct, or contract with an entity to conduct,
                        a study on the imports permitted under
                        subsection (a), including consideration of the
                        information received under subsection (d).
                            ``(ii) Evaluation.-- In conducting the
                        study, the Secretary or entity shall--
                                    ``(I) evaluate the compliance of
                                importers with regulations under
                                subsection (a), and the incidence of
                                shipments under that subsection, if
                                any, that have been determined to be
                                misbranded or adulterated; and
                                    ``(II) determine how that
                                compliance contrasts with the incidence
                                of shipments of prescription drugs
                                transported within the United States
                                that have been determined to be
                                misbranded or adulterated.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``Not later
                than 2 years after the effective date of final
                regulations under subsection (a),'' and inserting ``Not
                later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the
                Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003,'';
            (9) in subsection (k)(2)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as
                subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
                following:
                    ``(D) Qualifying individual.--The term `qualifying
                individual' means an individual who is not a pharmacist
                or a wholesaler. ''; and
            (10) by striking subsections (l) and (m).

SEC. 5. USE OF COUNTERFEIT-RESISTANT TECHNOLOGIES TO PREVENT
              COUNTERFEITING.

    (a) Misbranding.--Section 502 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 352) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
    ``(w) If it is a drug subject to section 503(b), unless the
packaging of the drug complies with the requirements of section 505B
for counterfeit-resistant technologies.''.
    (b) Requirements.--Title V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 505A
the following:

``SEC. 505B. COUNTERFEIT-RESISTANT TECHNOLOGIES.

    ``(a) Incorporation of Counterfeit-Resistant Technologies Into
Prescription Drug Packaging.--The Secretary shall require that the
packaging of any drug subject to section 503(b) incorporate--
            ``(1) overt optically variable counterfeit-resistant
        technologies that are described in subsection (b) and comply
        with the standards of subsection (c); or
            ``(2) technologies that have an equivalent function of
        security, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(b) Eligible Technologies.--Technologies described in this
subsection--
            ``(1) shall be visible to the naked eye, providing for
        visual identification of product authenticity without the need
        for readers, microscopes, lighting devices, or scanners;
            ``(2) shall be similar to the technologies used by the
        Bureau of Engraving and Printing to secure United States
        currency;
            ``(3) shall be manufactured and distributed in a highly
        secure, tightly controlled environment; and
            ``(4) should incorporate additional layers of nonvisible
        covert security features up to and including forensic
        capability.
    ``(c) Standards for Packaging.--
            ``(1) Multiple elements.--For the purpose of making it more
        difficult to counterfeit the packaging of drugs subject to
        section 503(b), a manufacturer of the drugs shall incorporate
        the technologies described in subsection (b) into multiple
        elements of the physical packaging of the drugs, including
        blister packs, shrink wrap, package labels, package seals,
        bottles, and boxes.
            ``(2) Labeling of shipping container.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A shipment of a drug described
                in subsection (a) shall include a label on the shipping
                container that incorporates the technologies described
                in subsection (b), so that officials inspecting the
                packages will be able to determine the authenticity of
                the shipment.
                    ``(B) Chain-of-custody procedures.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A manufacturer of a drug
                        described in subsection (a) shall ensure that
                        chain-of-custody procedures apply to a label
                        required under subparagraph (A).
                            ``(ii) Required procedures.--Chain-of-
                        custody procedures required under clause (i)
                        shall include--
                                    ``(I) procedures applicable to
                                contractual agreements for the use and
                                distribution of the labels;
                                    ``(II) methods to audit the use of
                                the labels; and
                                    ``(III) database access for the
                                relevant governmental agencies for
                                audit or verification of the use and
                                distribution of the labels.''.

Output:
Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate regulations allowing qualifying individuals to import covered products (in addition to pharmacists and wholesalers, whom current law authorizes to import such products).

Amends provisions pertaining to record keeping regarding imported covered products. States that the Secretary shall not have to store records in cases in which qualifying individuals have imported a covered product.

Amends provisions regarding the testing of imported covered products. Declares that specified tests, including ones involving authenticity and degradation of products, shall not be required unless the importer is a wholesaler. Requires such tests to be conducted by the importer unless a product is a prescription drug subject to the provisions of this Act pertaining to counterfeit-resistant packaging. (Currently either the importer or the manufacturer may conduct such tests).

Eliminates the sunset date current law establishes for the provisions pertaining to the importation of covered products.

Classifies prescription drugs as misbranded if they do not incorporate specified counterfeit-resistant technologies in packaging.