Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``State Health Care Options Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. INCREASING STATE FLEXIBILITY THROUGH PROVISION OF HEALTH-FLEX
              AND EXCHANGE WAIVERS.

    (a) State Options.--
            (1) In general.--The Patient Protection and Affordable Care
        Act is amended by inserting after section 1332 (42 U.S.C.
        18052) the following:

``SEC. 1332A. OPTIONS FOR STATE FLEXIBILITY.

    ``(a) State Options.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a State provides to the Secretary a
        notice (in this section referred to as a `waiver notice') of
        intent to implement a health-flex waiver (described in
        subsection (b)(1)), an exchange waiver (described in subsection
        (b)(2)), or both, and such notice complies with paragraph (2),
        the waiver shall be deemed to be approved and effective, except
        as provided in paragraphs (5) and (6).
            ``(2) Contents of a waiver notice.--A waiver notice with
        respect to a State shall include the following:
                    ``(A) The years for which the waiver shall be
                effective (which may be indefinite).
                    ``(B) An assurance that the State will comply with
                annual reporting requirements established by the
                Secretary relating to the activities of the State under
                the waiver, which reporting requirements shall include
                information on affordability, access, and transparency.
                    ``(C) In the case of a health-flex waiver--
                            ``(i) the requirements to be waived;
                            ``(ii) an assurance that there will be
                        available throughout the State one or more
                        health plans that provide the catastrophic
                        level of coverage described in subsection
                        (c)(1)(B)(i) for which an enrollee's required
                        contribution (as defined in section
                        5000A(e)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of
                        1986, determined on an annual basis) does not
                        exceed 6.5 percent of the median household
                        income (as defined in section 36B(d)(2)(A) of
                        such Code) of residents of the State for the
                        most recent taxable year for which information
                        on such median household income is available to
                        the Secretary; and
                            ``(iii) an assurance that the certifying
                        entity (as defined in subsection (c)(2)) has a
                        process to certify health plans as permissible
                        health plans consistent with subsection (c).
                    ``(D) In the case of an exchange waiver, assurances
                that the State--
                            ``(i) will be responsible for functions
                        that are necessary to carry out the waiver that
                        would otherwise be performed by an Exchange;
                            ``(ii) will comply with subsection (d);
                            ``(iii) has the capability to receive from
                        the Secretary subsidy eligibility information;
                        and
                            ``(iv) has and is applying standards for
                        privacy, security, and data encryption for
                        subsidy eligibility information that are
                        determined to be satisfactory by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Effectiveness.--A waiver under this section shall be
        effective for the years described in the waiver notice under
        paragraph (2)(A), except that no waiver under this section
        shall be effective for a year unless the waiver notice for such
        waiver was submitted before November 1 of the previous year.
            ``(4) Modification or termination.--A State may modify or
        terminate a waiver for the State under this section by
        submitting to the Secretary a subsequent waiver notice with
        respect to such waiver.
            ``(5) Disapproval authority.--If the Secretary determines
        that a waiver notice fails to comply with paragraph (2) and
        notifies the State of the reason for such determination not
        later than 30 days after the date on which the State submits
        the waiver notice, such waiver notice shall not be effective.
            ``(6) Revocation.--If the Secretary determines that a State
        is in violation of an assurance submitted under paragraph (2)
        and notifies the State of the reason for such determination,
        the Secretary may revoke the waiver. Such revocation shall be
        effective on the first day of the first year that begins after
        the 60-day period that begins on the date on which notification
        of the revocation occurs.
            ``(7) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
        construed as requiring a State to enact a law in order to carry
        out the provisions of this section.
    ``(b) Waivers.--
            ``(1) Health-flex waiver.--A waiver under this paragraph
        (in this section referred to as a `health-flex waiver'), with
        respect to a State, is a waiver of any of the requirements in
        sections 1301 through 1303.
            ``(2) Exchange waiver.--A waiver under this paragraph (in
        this section referred to as an `exchange waiver') permits a
        State to elect to be responsible for certain Exchange
        functions, including serving as the certifying entity for the
        purposes of subsection (c).
            ``(3) No waiver of adult child coverage and preexisting
        conditions.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to
        permit a State to waive the following:
                    ``(A) Prohibition of preexisting condition
                exclusion.--Section 2704 of the Public Health Service
                Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-3).
                    ``(B) Extension of coverage for adult children.--
                Section 2714 of the Public Health Service Act (42
                U.S.C. 300gg-14).
    ``(c) Certifying Permissible Health Plans.--
            ``(1) Permissible health plan defined.--For the purposes of
        this section, the term `permissible health plan' means, with
        respect to a State, a health plan that is offered for sale in
        the individual or small group market in the State and that is
        certified by a certifying entity to meet the following
        requirements:
                    ``(A) Benefits.--The plan provides benefits for
                items and services within each of the following
                categories:
                            ``(i) Ambulatory patient services.
                            ``(ii) Emergency services.
                            ``(iii) Hospitalization.
                            ``(iv) Physician services.
                    ``(B) Levels of coverage.--The plan provides a
                level of coverage that complies with one of the
                following levels of coverage (as established by the
                State):
                            ``(i) Catastrophic.
                            ``(ii) Standard.
                            ``(iii) High.
                    ``(C) Transparency justifying premiums.--The issuer
                of the plan makes available to the public information
                about the demographics of the population enrolled under
                the plan, the utilization of health care items and
                services by such population under the plan, and other
                factors that serve as a justification for the premium
                levels (including any premium increases) under the
                plan.
                    ``(D) Information requirement.--The issuer of the
                plan submits information as required under section
                36B(g)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
            ``(2) Certifying entity defined.--In this section, the term
        `certifying entity' means--
                    ``(A) in the case of a health plan that is offered
                through an Exchange established by a State, such
                Exchange; and
                    ``(B) in the case of a health plan that is not so
                offered, the State in which such plan is offered.
            ``(3) Effect of certifying permissible health plans.--With
        respect to eligibility for premium assistance tax credits and
        reduced cost-sharing for individuals enrolled in permissible
        health plans, see section 36B(g) of the Internal Revenue Code
        of 1986 and section 1402(f)(4) of the Patient Protection and
        Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071), respectively.
    ``(d) Determining Subsidy Eligibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a State that has in
        effect an exchange waiver, the State shall determine the
        eligibility of individuals residing in the State for the
        assistance described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
        (3).
            ``(2) Disclosure of federal information.--In the case of a
        State that has in effect an exchange waiver, the Secretary or
        the Secretary of the Treasury, as appropriate, shall make
        subsidy eligibility information available to the State, but
        only the minimum amount of information necessary to enable the
        State to determine the amount of the assistance described in
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3) for which the
        individual enrolled in a permissible health plan is eligible.
            ``(3) Subsidy eligibility information defined.--In this
        subsection, the term `subsidy eligibility information' means
        information concerning the eligibility of an enrollee or a
        prospective enrollee in a health plan for--
                    ``(A) a premium assistance credit under section
                36B(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
                    ``(B) reduced cost-sharing under section 1402.''.
            (2) Reporting requirements.--The Secretary shall establish
        annual reporting requirements under 1332A(a)(2)(B) of the
        Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that include
        information on affordability, access, and transparency.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents of the
        Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is amended by
        inserting after the item relating to section 1332 the
        following:

``Sec. 1332A. Options for State flexibility.''.
    (b) Subsidies for Individuals Enrolled in Permissible Health
Plans.--
            (1) Premium assistance tax credits.--Section 36B of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection
                (h); and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (f) the
                following:
    ``(g) Special Rules in Case of Waivers Under Section 1332A of
PPACA.--
            ``(1) Limiting eligibility to taxpayers with income at or
        below 300 percent of fpl.--In the case of a section 1332A
        State, subsection (c)(1)(A) shall be applied by substituting
        `300 percent' for `400 percent' for a taxpayer who obtains
        coverage through a plan issued under the law of such State for
        a year.
            ``(2) Permissible health plans.--In the case of a taxpayer
        who obtains coverage with respect to a section 1332A State, for
        a coverage month, a permissible health plan, as defined in
        section 1332A(c)(1) of the Patient Protection and Affordable
        Care Act, shall be treated as a qualified health plan with
        respect to such taxpayer.
            ``(3) Adjusted monthly premium.--In the case of a State
        that has in effect a health-flex waiver described in section
        1332A(b)(1) of such Act, subsection (b)(3)(C) shall be applied
        as if the adjusted monthly premium calculated under such
        subsection were multiplied by the ratio of the full actuarial
        value of the benefits provided under the plan being offered to
        the full actuarial value of essential health benefits.
            ``(4) Eliminating certain requirements in the case of an
        exchange waiver.--In the case of a State that has in effect an
        exchange waiver described in section 1332A(b)(2) of such Act
        for a coverage month, the following shall apply:
                    ``(A) Eliminating exchange references.--Subsections
                (b)(2)(A), (c)(2)(A)(i), (d)(3)(B), and (e)(3) shall be
                applied by treating the permissible health plan as if
                it were offered through an Exchange.
                    ``(B) Applicable second lowest cost silver plan.--
                Subsection (b)(3)(B) shall be applied by substituting--
                            ``(i) `qualified health plan for which, if
                        the adjusted monthly premium, taking into
                        account subsection (g)(3), were multiplied by
                        the ratio of 70 percent to the level of
                        coverage expressed as a percent of the full
                        actuarial value of the benefits provided under
                        the plan, the product of such multiplication
                        would be the second lowest such product for any
                        plan offered in' for `second lowest cost silver
                        plan of', and
                            ``(ii) `is offered in such rating area' for
                        `is offered through the same Exchange through
                        which the qualified health plans taken into
                        account under paragraph (2)(A) were offered'.
                    ``(C) Information requirement.--In the case of a
                permissible health plan which is not offered through an
                Exchange, such plan shall provide to the Secretary and
                to the individual enrolled in the plan the information
                described in subsection (f)(3) with respect to such
                plan and such individual.
            ``(5) Special rule for part-time resident taxpayers with
        income above 300 percent of fpl.--In the case of a taxpayer
        who, during a taxable year, obtains coverage with respect to a
        1332A State and with respect to a State which is not a 1332A
        State, paragraph (1) shall not apply and the premium assistance
        amount (otherwise determined under subsection (b)(2)) for such
        taxpayer for a coverage month shall be 0 if--
                    ``(A) the household income of the taxpayer for the
                taxable year equals or exceeds 300 percent of an amount
                equal to the poverty line for a family of the size
                involved, and
                    ``(B) the taxpayer receives coverage with respect
                to a section 1332A State for such coverage month.
            ``(6) Section 1332a state defined.--For purposes of this
        subsection, the term `section 1332A State' means a State has in
        effect a waiver under section 1332A of the Patient Protection
        and Affordable Care Act.''.
            (2) Reduced cost-sharing.--Section 1402(f) of the Patient
        Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18071(f)) is
        amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) 1332A waivers.--If a State has in effect a waiver
        under 1332A, the following shall apply with respect to a
        coverage month with respect to individuals residing in the
        State on the first of the month:
                    ``(A) Eliminating reduced cost-sharing for
                individuals with income above 300 percent of fpl.--No
                individual whose household income exceeds 300 percent
                of the poverty line for a family of the size involved
                may be considered an eligible insured under this
                section.
                    ``(B) Permissible health plans.--For the purposes
                of this section, a permissible health plan, as defined
                in section 1332A(c)(A), shall be treated as a qualified
                health plan.
                    ``(C) Exchange waiver.--If a State has in effect an
                exchange waiver described in section 1332A(b)(2),
                subsections (b)(1), (d)(1), and (e)(3) shall apply as
                if there were no references to an Exchange.''.
    (c) Acceleration of Innovation Waivers.--Section 1332(a)(1) of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18052) is
amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``January 1, 2017'' and inserting ``the date of the enactment of the
State Health Care Options Act of 2015''.

Output: State Health Care Options Act of 2015  This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Internal Revenue Code to modify the process for state innovation waivers. (Under current law, the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] and the Department of the Treasury may approve a state's request to waive specific provisions of PPACA if the state proposal provides health care access that is comparable to what would exist without a waiver and does not increase the federal deficit.) The bill expedites the approval process for:   a health-flex waiver from requirements for qualified health plans and essential health benefits; and  an exchange waiver to assume responsibility for certain functions of the exchanges, including the certification of permissible health plans.  If a state submits to HHS a notice of its intent to implement one or both of the waivers, the waivers shall be deemed to be approved and effective. The notice must include the years for which the waiver shall be effective (which may be indefinite), an assurance the state will comply with reporting requirements, and other specified details.  A state may not waive PPACA requirements related to coverage for preexisting conditions and the extension of coverage for adult children.  States with exchange waivers may certify permissible health plans that residents may purchase outside of an exchange, if the plans meet specified requirements regarding benefits, levels of coverage, transparency of premium justifications, and information. Taxpayers in waiver states that are living at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (400% under current law) may receive health insurance subsidies under PPACA.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Beneficiary Health Coverage
Notification Rights Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION OF DISCONTINUATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE TO
              PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES.

    (a) Group Health Plans.--
            (1) Public health service act amendment.--(A) Subpart 2 of
        part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act is
        amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 2707. PROHIBITION OF RETROACTIVE TERMINATION; ADVANCE
              NOTIFICATION OF DISCONTINUATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE
              COVERAGE TO PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES.

    ``A health insurance issuer offering group health insurance
coverage in connection with a group health plan may not terminate the
coverage with respect to the plan (or allow the coverage to lapse)
because the plan failed to pay to the issuer premiums necessary to
maintain the coverage unless the issuer, at least 30 days before the
effective date of termination or lapse of the coverage, provides
written notice to each participant or beneficiary whose coverage would
so terminate or lapse, indicating the fact and effective date of such
termination or lapse of coverage.''.
            (B) Section 2723(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-23(c)) is
        amended by striking ``section 2704'' and inserting ``sections
        2704 and 2707''.
            (2) ERISA amendment.--(A) Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B
        of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
        1974 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 714. PROHIBITION OF RETROACTIVE TERMINATION; ADVANCE
              NOTIFICATION OF DISCONTINUATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE
              COVERAGE TO PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES.

    ``A health insurance issuer offering group health insurance
coverage in connection with a group health plan may not terminate the
coverage with respect to the plan (or allow the coverage to lapse)
because the plan failed to pay to the issuer premiums necessary to
maintain the coverage unless the issuer, at least 30 days before the
effective date of termination or lapse of the coverage, provides
written notice to each participant or beneficiary whose coverage would
so terminate or lapse, indicating the fact and effective date of such
termination or lapse of coverage.''.
            (B) Section 732(a) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 1191a(a)) is
        amended by striking ``section 711'' and inserting ``sections
        711 and 714''.
            (C) The table of contents in section 1 of such Act is
        amended by inserting after the item relating to section 713 the
        following new item:

``Sec. 714. Prohibition of retroactive termination; advance
                            notification of discontinuation of health
                            insurance coverage to participants and
                            beneficiaries.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) apply
with respect to terminations and lapses of coverage occurring on or
after the first day of the first month that begins more than 60 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, regardless of the
effective date of such terminations and lapses, but do not apply to
terminations and lapses for which notice has been provided before such
first day.

SEC. 3. DEEMING PERIOD OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PARTICIPANTS
              AND BENEFICIARIES BETWEEN DISCONTINUATION AND NOTICE OF
              DISCONTINUATION OF COVERAGE.

    (a) Group Health Plans.--
            (1) Public health service act amendments.--
                    (A) Section 2701(c) of the Public Health Service
                Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg(c)) is amended by adding at the
                end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Deeming period of coverage for participants and
        beneficiaries between discontinuation and notice of
        discontinuation of coverage.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If--
                            ``(i)(I) a health insurance issuer offering
                        group health insurance coverage in connection
                        with a group health plan terminates the
                        coverage with respect to the plan (or allows
                        the coverage to lapse), or (II) coverage under
                        a group health plan is terminated; and
                            ``(ii) a participant or beneficiary whose
                        coverage is so terminated or lapsed only
                        receives notice of such termination or lapse
                        after the date that the termination or lapse
                        takes effect,
                for the purposes described in subparagraph (B), such
                individual shall be treated as being covered under the
                terminated or lapsed group health insurance coverage or
                group health plan during the deeming period, as defined
                in subparagraph (C).
                    ``(B) Application.--Subparagraph (A) shall apply--
                            ``(i) for purposes of this part (including
                        for purposes of reducing pre-existing condition
                        exclusion periods and avoiding a significant
                        break in coverage); and
                            ``(ii) for purposes of applying any State
                        law that provides for a conversion or any other
                        health insurance option based on (or taking
                        into account) loss of group health insurance
                        coverage or loss of coverage under a group
                        health plan.
                    ``(C) Deeming period defined.--For purposes of this
                paragraph, the term `deeming period' is the period
                beginning on the effective date of the termination or
                lapse of coverage described in subparagraph (A)(i) and
                ending on the date on which the participant or
                beneficiary receives notice described in subparagraph
                (A)(ii).
                    ``(D) No entitlement to benefits during deeming
                period.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
                as entitling any individual to any benefits under the
                plan or coverage during the deeming period.''.
                    (B) Section 2701(f)(1)(D) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
                300gg(f)(1)(D)) is amended by inserting before the
                period ``or if later, the date the employee is notified
                of such termination''.
            (2) ERISA amendments.--
                    (A) Section 701(c) of the Employee Retirement
                Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1181(c)) is
                amended by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(5) Deeming period of coverage for participants and
        beneficiaries between discontinuation and notice of
        discontinuation of coverage.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If--
                            ``(i)(I) a health insurance issuer offering
                        group health insurance coverage in connection
                        with a group health plan terminates the
                        coverage with respect to the plan (or allows
                        the coverage to lapse), or (II) coverage under
                        a group health plan is terminated; and
                            ``(ii) a participant or beneficiary whose
                        coverage is so terminated or lapsed only
                        receives notice of such termination or lapse
                        after the date that the termination or lapse
                        takes effect,
                for the purposes described in subparagraph (B), such
                individual shall be treated as being covered under the
                terminated or lapsed group health insurance coverage or
                group health plan during the deeming period, as defined
                in subparagraph (C).
                    ``(B) Application.--Subparagraph (A) shall apply
                for purposes of this part (including for purposes of
                reducing pre-existing condition exclusion periods and
                avoiding a significant break in coverage).
                    ``(C) Deeming period defined.--For purposes of this
                paragraph, the term `deeming period' is the period
                beginning on the effective date of the termination or
                lapse of coverage described in subparagraph (A)(i) and
                ending on the date on which the participant or
                beneficiary receives notice described in subparagraph
                (A)(ii).
                    ``(D) No entitlement to benefits during deeming
                period.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
                as entitling any individual to any benefits under the
                plan or coverage during the deeming period.''.
                    (B) Section 701(f)(1)(D) of such Act (29 U.S.C.
                1181(f)(1)(D)) is amended by inserting before the
                period ``or if later, the date the employee is notified
                of such termination''.
            (3) Internal revenue code amendments.--Section 9801(c) of
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the
        end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Deeming period of coverage for participants and
        beneficiaries between discontinuation and notice of
        discontinuation of coverage.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If--
                            ``(i)(I) a health insurance issuer offering
                        group health insurance coverage in connection
                        with a group health plan terminates the
                        coverage with respect to the plan (or allows
                        the coverage to lapse), or (II) coverage under
                        a group health plan is terminated; and
                            ``(ii) a participant or beneficiary whose
                        coverage is so terminated or lapsed only
                        receives notice of such termination or lapse
                        after the date that the termination or lapse
                        takes effect,
                for the purposes described in subparagraph (B), such
                individual shall be treated as being covered under the
                terminated or lapsed group health insurance coverage or
                group health plan during the deeming period, as defined
                in subparagraph (C).
                    ``(B) Application.--Subparagraph (A) shall apply
                for purposes of this part (including for purposes of
                reducing pre-existing condition exclusion periods and
                avoiding a significant break in coverage).
                    ``(C) Deeming period defined.--For purposes of this
                paragraph, the term `deeming period' is the period
                beginning on the effective date of the termination or
                lapse of coverage described in subparagraph (A)(i) and
                ending on the date on which the participant or
                beneficiary receives notice described in subparagraph
                (A)(ii).
                    ``(D) No entitlement to benefits during deeming
                period.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
                as entitling any individual to any benefits under the
                plan or coverage during the deeming period.''.
                    (B) Section 9801(f)(1)(D) of such Code is amended
                by inserting before the period ``or if later, the date
                the employee is notified of such termination''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) apply
with respect to terminations and lapses of coverage occurring on or
after the first day of the first month that begins after the date of
the enactment of this Act, regardless of the effective date of such
terminations and lapses, but do not apply to terminations and lapses
for which notice has been provided before such first day.

Output: Amends such Acts and the Internal Revenue Code to deem any participant or beneficiary notified of a group health plan termination or lapse only after the fact to have been covered during the deeming period between the effective date of the termination or lapse and the date of notification. Limits the application of the deeming period to certain purposes, including reduction of pre-existing condition exclusion periods and avoidance of a significant break in coverage. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed as entitling any individual to any plan or coverage benefits during such deeming period.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Make It in America Block Grant
Program Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MAKE IT IN AMERICA BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

    Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Commerce shall establish a Make It in America Block
Grant Program (in this Act referred to as the ``program''), under which
the Secretary is authorized to make grants to support the manufacturing
industry.

SEC. 3. GRANTS.

    (a) Grant Uses.--A grant made by the Secretary of Commerce under
the program shall be used by the recipient of the grant to assist,
through grants made to third parties, any of the following activities:
            (1) Retooling or retrofitting a small- or medium-sized
        manufacturer, including with respect to equipment, facilities,
        infrastructure, or capital.
            (2) Diversifying the business plan of a small- or medium-
        sized manufacturer to advance the production of clean energy
        technology products or components, energy efficient products or
        components, high-technology products or components, or other
        advanced products (as defined by the Secretary).
            (3) Improving the energy efficiency of a manufacturing
        facility of a small- or medium-sized manufacturer.
            (4) Retraining the employees of a small- or medium-sized
        manufacturer to--
                    (A) provide skills necessary to operate new or
                advanced manufacturing equipment; or
                    (B) sustain or improve the processes of that
                manufacturer.
            (5) Training new employees of a small- or medium-sized
        manufacturer, including through on-the-job training.
            (6) Providing capital and technical expertise to a small-
        or medium-sized manufacturer to expand the export opportunities
        of that manufacturer.
            (7) Any other project that the Secretary determines is
        appropriate to support the manufacturing industry, including
        the establishment of a revolving loan fund to provide loans to
        small- or medium-sized manufacturers to finance the costs of
        activities described in paragraphs (1) through (6).
    (b) Eligible Entities.--
            (1) In general.--The following entities are eligible to
        receive a grant under the program:
                    (A) A State meeting the requirements of paragraph
                (2).
                    (B) A covered unit of local government meeting the
                requirements of paragraph (2).
                    (C) An Indian tribe meeting the requirements of
                paragraph (2).
                    (D) A State, unit of local government, Indian
                tribe, or consortium of such entities without regard to
                whether the requirements of paragraph (2) are met.
            (2) Unemployment.--An entity meets the requirements of this
        paragraph if--
                    (A) the entity experienced a seasonally adjusted
                unemployment rate of at least 10 percent for any 6
                consecutive months during the period beginning on
                January 1, 2007, and ending on December 31, 2010 (as
                determined by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation
                with the Secretary of Labor); or
                    (B) the entity experienced a cumulative decline in
                employment in the manufacturing sector greater than or
                equal to 15 percent during the period beginning on
                January 1, 2007, and ending on December 31, 2010 (as
                determined by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation
                with the Secretary of Labor).
    (c) Allocation of Grant Funds.--In making grants each fiscal year,
the Secretary may--
            (1) use not more than 48 percent of the amounts made
        available for grants under the program that fiscal year to make
        grants to entities described in subsection (b)(1)(A);
            (2) use not more than 48 percent of the amounts made
        available for grants under the program that fiscal year to make
        grants to entities described in subsection (b)(1)(B);
            (3) use not more than 2 percent of the amounts made
        available for grants under the program that fiscal year to make
        grants to entities described in subsection (b)(1)(C); and
            (4) use not more than 2 percent of the amounts made
        available for grants under the program that fiscal year to make
        grants to entities described in subsection (b)(1)(D).
    (d) Priority for Certain Entities.--In providing grants to entities
described in subsection (b)(1)(D), the Secretary shall give priority to
an entity that experienced a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate that
was at least 97 percent of the national seasonally adjusted
unemployment rate for any 3 consecutive months during the most recently
completed fiscal year.
    (e) Prohibition on Grants to Certain Covered Units of Local
Government.--A covered unit of local government may not receive a grant
under the program if located within a State that has received a grant
under the program.

SEC. 4. REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS.

    (a) Application Process.--To receive a grant under the program, an
entity eligible for a grant under section 3(b) shall submit to the
Secretary of Commerce an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require, but which
shall include at least the plan of that entity to carry out, through
grants made to third parties, an activity described in section 3(a).
    (b) Proposed Manufacturing Enhancement Strategy.--Not later than 6
months after the date on which an entity eligible for a grant under
section 3(b) receives notice that it has been awarded a grant under the
program, the entity shall submit to the Secretary a proposed
manufacturing enhancement strategy, which shall include--
            (1) a description of the plans of the entity to make grants
        to third parties with grant funds;
            (2) a description of the goals with respect to such grants,
        including--
                    (A) the number of jobs to be created or retained by
                third-party grant recipients;
                    (B) the sales to be increased or retained by third-
                party grant recipients;
                    (C) the cost savings to be achieved by third-party
                grant recipients due to energy efficiency savings; and
                    (D) the workforce training investments to be made
                by third-party grant recipients, including--
                            (i) the number of training hours to be
                        provided;
                            (ii) the professional certifications to be
                        obtained; and
                            (iii) other industry standards to be met
                        that demonstrate the attainment of proficiency
                        with respect to a skill or procedure;
            (3) a written assurance that the entity intends to
        establish a Make It in America Partnership Board--
                    (A) to make grants to third parties; and
                    (B) which shall be comprised of, to the extent
                practicable, representatives of--
                            (i) economic development organizations and
                        agencies;
                            (ii) departments of labor;
                            (iii) workforce investment boards and
                        agencies;
                            (iv) institutions of higher education,
                        including community colleges run by a State;
                        and
                            (v) the manufacturing extension partnership
                        program of the National Institute of Standards
                        and Technology; and
            (4) a description of the plans of the entity to foster,
        through the Make It in America Partnership Board, collaboration
        between State and local economic development organizations and
        agencies, State and local workforce development organizations
        and agencies, small- or medium-sized manufacturers, and
        institutions of higher education (including community colleges
        run by a State) to--
                    (A) improve resource allocation, including through
                identification of--
                            (i) opportunities to leverage public and
                        private funding; and
                            (ii) Federal funding and programs available
                        to small- or medium-sized manufacturers; and
                    (B) ensure comprehensive counseling, technical
                assistance, workforce development, and export
                assistance are provided to small- or medium-sized
                manufacturers.
    (c) Approval of Proposed Manufacturing Enhancement Strategies.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall approve or disapprove
        a proposed manufacturing enhancement strategy submitted under
        subsection (b) not later than 90 days after the date on which
        the Secretary receives such strategy.
            (2) Disbursement of grant funds prohibited without
        approval.--The Secretary shall not disburse to an entity
        awarded a grant under the program the grant funds relating to
        that grant until the proposed manufacturing enhancement
        strategy of that entity has been approved by the Secretary.
            (3) Opportunity for resubmission.--If the Secretary does
        not approve a proposed manufacturing enhancement strategy
        submitted under subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide to
        the entity that submitted the strategy--
                    (A) the reasons for disapproval; and
                    (B) an opportunity to revise and resubmit the
                strategy until such strategy is approved.
    (d) Local Governments.--In developing a proposed manufacturing
enhancement strategy under subsection (b), a covered unit of local
government shall share information relating to potential grant
activities with the State that includes that government to ensure the
maximization of resources made available to small- or medium-sized
manufacturers.
    (e) Administrative Expenses.--With respect to a grant, a grant
recipient may use for the administrative expenses of the recipient an
amount that is not more than the greater of--
            (1) 10 percent of the grant amount received; or
            (2) $75,000.
    (f) Annual Reports.--Not later than one year after the date on
which grant funds are received by a grant recipient under the program,
and annually thereafter, the grant recipient shall submit to the
Secretary a report describing--
            (1) grants made by the grant recipient to third parties
        with grant funds; and
            (2) achievements with respect to the goals identified in
        the proposed manufacturing enhancement strategy of the grant
        recipient.

SEC. 5. STATE AND LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    The Secretary of Commerce shall establish an advisory committee to
advise the Secretary with respect to implementing and evaluating the
program, which shall be comprised of--
            (1) individuals representing State and local entities;
            (2) the Secretary of Labor; and
            (3) other individuals determined appropriate for inclusion
        by the Secretary.

SEC. 6. REVIEW AND EVALUATION.

    (a) Grant Recipients.--The Secretary of Commerce may review and
evaluate the performance of a grant recipient under the program as the
Secretary determines appropriate.
    (b) Ineligibility for Future Grants.--The Secretary may determine a
grant recipient to be ineligible to receive additional grants under the
program if the Secretary determines that the grant recipient has failed
to achieve compliance with--
            (1) any applicable guideline or regulation of the Secretary
        relating to the program, including with respect to the misuse
        or misappropriation of funds provided under the program; or
            (2) the proposed manufacturing enhancement strategy of the
        grant recipient.

SEC. 7. GAO STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on the
program, which shall include an analysis of--
            (1) grants made by the Secretary of Commerce under the
        program;
            (2) grants made to third parties by the recipients of
        grants made by the Secretary under the program;
            (3) outcomes relating to proposed manufacturing enhancement
        strategies submitted to the Secretary;
            (4) administrative costs relating to the program;
            (5) activities of the Secretary, the recipients of grants
        made by the Secretary, and third party grant recipients under
        the program, including whether the activities of those entities
        are accomplishing the purposes of this Act; and
            (6) other information determined appropriate by the
        Comptroller General for assessing the performance and financial
        accountability of the program.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the
Secretary makes the first grant under the program, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report
describing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a),
which shall include any recommendations the Comptroller General
determines are appropriate for modifying the program.
    (c) Access to Records.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of conducting the study under
        subsection (a), the Comptroller General, and any duly
        authorized representative of the Comptroller General, shall be
        permitted to access, examine, and copy any documents, records,
        and other recorded information--
                    (A) within the possession or control of--
                            (i) the recipient of a grant made by the
                        Secretary under the program; or
                            (ii) the recipient of a grant made by an
                        entity described in clause (i) with grant
                        funds; and
                    (B) determined by the Comptroller General, or the
                duly authorized representative of the Comptroller
                General, to be relevant to the study.
            (2) Proprietary information.--The Comptroller General may
        not make proprietary information obtained under this section
        available to the public without the consent of the party to
        whom the information belongs.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Covered unit of local government.--The term ``covered
        unit of local government'' means a unit of a government of--
                    (A) a municipality--
                            (i) with a population of at least 50,000
                        individuals; or
                            (ii) with a population that is less than
                        50,000 individuals, but that is one of the 10
                        largest municipalities by population in the
                        State including that municipality; or
                    (B) a county--
                            (i) with a population of at least 200,000
                        individuals; or
                            (ii) with a population that is less than
                        200,000 individuals, but that is one of the 10
                        largest counties by population in the State
                        including that county.
            (2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
        meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
            (3) Manufacturer.--The term ``manufacturer'' shall be
        defined by the Secretary of Commerce in accordance with the
        North American Industry Classification System.
            (4) Small- or medium-sized manufacturer.--The term ``small-
        or medium-sized manufacturer'' means a manufacturer that, as
        determined by the Secretary of Commerce--
                    (A) employs not more than 500 full-time equivalent
                employees at a manufacturing facility; and
                    (B) is not owned or controlled by an automobile
                manufacturer or other large manufacturer.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States,
        the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of
        the United States.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce for making grants under the program such sums as
may be necessary.
    (b) Administrative Expenses.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for administrative expenses relating to
the program such sums as may be necessary.
    (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that amounts
made available to carry out the program should supplement and not
replace other funding provided by Federal departments and agencies to
support the manufacturing industry.

Output:
Make It in America Block Grant Program Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Make It in America Block Grant Program under which the Secretary is authorized to make grants to eligible entities to support the U.S. manufacturing industry. Allows such grants to be used, with respect to small and medium-sized manufacturers, for: (1) retooling or retrofitting, (2) business plan diversification, (3) improving energy efficiency, (4) employee training and retraining, and (5) the provision of capital and technical expertise. Outlines provisions concerning eligible entities, the allocation of grant funds, and requirements for grant recipients, including the submission of a proposed manufacturing enhancement strategy.

Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee for advice in implementing and evaluating the program. Authorizes the Secretary to review and evaluate recipient performance under the program. Requires the Comptroller General to study the program, and report study results to Congress.

Expresses the sense of Congress that program amounts should supplement and not replace other funding provided by federal departments and agencies to support the manufacturing industry.


Input:
SECTION 1. RETIREMENT CREDIT FOR CERTAIN GOVERNMENT SERVICE PERFORMED
              ABROAD.

    Subject to section 2(a), credit under chapter 84 of title 5, United
States Code, shall be allowed for any service performed by an
individual if or to the extent that--
            (1) it was performed by such individual--
                    (A) after December 31, 1988, and before May 24,
                1998;
                    (B) at a United States diplomatic mission, consular
                mission (other than a consular agency), or other
                Foreign Service post abroad; and
                    (C) under a temporary appointment pursuant to
                sections 309 and 311 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980
                (22 U.S.C. 3949 and 3951);
            (2) at the time of performing such service, such individual
        would have satisfied all eligibility requirements under
        regulations of the Department of State (as in effect on the
        date of the enactment of this Act) for a family member limited
        noncareer appointment (within the meaning of such regulations,
        as in effect on such date of enactment), except that, in
        applying this paragraph, an individual not employed by the
        Department of State while performing such service shall be
        treated as if then so employed;
            (3) such service would have been creditable under section
        8411(b)(3) of such title 5 if--
                    (A) it had been performed before January 1, 1989;
                and
                    (B) the deposit requirements of section 8411(f) of
                such title 5 had been met with respect to such service;
            (4) such service would not otherwise be creditable under
        the Federal Employees' Retirement System or any other
        retirement system for employees of the United States Government
        (disregarding title II of the Social Security Act); and
            (5) the total amount of service performed by such
        individual (satisfying paragraphs (1) through (4)) is not less
        than 90 days.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Requirements of the Individual.--In order to receive credit
under chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, for any service
described in section 1, the individual who performed such service (or,
if deceased, any person who is or would be eligible for a survivor
annuity under the Federal Employees' Retirement System based on the
service of such individual)--
            (1) shall file a written application with the Office of
        Personnel Management no later than 36 months after the
        effective date of the regulations prescribed to carry out this
        Act (as specified in those regulations); and
            (2) shall remit to the Office (for deposit in the Treasury
        of the United States to the credit of the Civil Service
        Retirement and Disability Fund) the total amount that, under
        section 8422 of such title 5, should have been deducted from
        the basic pay of such individual for such service if such
        service had then been creditable under such chapter 84.
    (b) Government Contributions.--
            (1) In general.--In addition to any other payment that it
        is required to make under chapter 84 of title 5, United States
        Code, a department, agency, or other instrumentality of the
        United States shall remit to the Office of Personnel Management
        (for deposit in the Treasury of the United States to the credit
        of the Fund) the amount described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Amount described.--The amount described in this
        paragraph is, with respect to a remittance under subsection
        (a), the total amount of Government contributions that would,
        under section 8423 of title 5, United States Code, have been
        required of the instrumentality involved (to the extent that it
        was the employing entity during the period of service to which
        such remittance relates) in connection with such service.
            (3) Special rule.--If an amount cannot be remitted under
        this subsection because an instrumentality has ceased to exist,
        such amount shall instead be treated as part of the
        supplemental liability referred to in section 8423(b)(1) (A) or
        (B) of title 5, United States Code (whichever would be
        appropriate).
    (c) Related Requirements.--Any remittance under subsection (a) or
(b)--
            (1) shall be made in such time, form, and manner as the
        Office of Personnel Management may by regulation require; and
            (2) shall be computed with interest (in accordance with
        section 8334(e) of title 5, United States Code, and such
        requirements as the Office may by regulation prescribe).
    (d) Notification and Assistance Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--The Office of Personnel Management shall
        take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to inform
        individuals entitled to have any service credited under this
        Act, or to have any annuity computed or recomputed under this
Act, of their entitlement to such credit, computation, or
recomputation.
            (2) Assistance to individuals.--The Office shall, on
        request, assist any individual referred to in paragraph (1) in
        obtaining from any department, agency, or other instrumentality
        of the United States such information in the possession of such
        instrumentality as may be necessary to verify the entitlement
        of such individual to have any service credited, or to have any
        annuity computed or recomputed, pursuant to this Act.
            (3) Assistance from instrumentalities.--Any department,
        agency, or other instrumentality of the United States which
        possesses any information with respect to any service described
        in section 1 shall, at the request of the Office, furnish such
        information to the Office.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Civil Service Retirement and Disability
        Fund'' or ``Fund'' means the Civil Service Retirement and
        Disability Fund under section 8348 of title 5, United States
        Code;
            (2) the term ``abroad'' has the meaning given such term
        under section 102 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
        3902);
            (3) the term ``temporary appointment'' means an appointment
        that is limited by its terms to a period of one year or less;
        and
            (4) the term ``basic pay'' has the meaning given such term
        under section 8401 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act shall be considered to permit or require the
making of any contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund that would not
otherwise have been permitted or required had this Act not been
enacted.

SEC. 5. APPLICABILITY.

    (a) Annuities Commencing On or After Effective Date of Implementing
Regulations.--An annuity or survivor annuity--
            (1) which is based on the service of an individual who
        performed service described in section 1, and
            (2) which commences on or after the effective date of the
        regulations prescribed to carry out this Act (as determined
        under section 2(a)(1)),
shall (subject to section 2(a)) be computed taking into account all
service described in section 1 that was performed by such individual.
    (b) Annuities With Commencement Date Preceding Effective Date of
Implementing Regulations.--
            (1) Recomputation cases.--An annuity or survivor annuity--
                    (A) which is based on the service of an individual
                who performed service described in section 1, and
                    (B) which commences before the effective date
                referred to in subsection (a)(2),
        shall (subject to section 2(a)) be recomputed taking into
        account all service described in section 1 that was performed
        by such individual.
            (2) Other cases.--An annuity or survivor annuity--
                    (A) which is based on the service of an individual
                who performed service described in section 1,
                    (B) the requirements for entitlement to which could
                not be met without taking into account service
                described in section 1, and
                    (C) which (if service described in section 1 had
                been taken into account, and an appropriate application
                been submitted) would have commenced before the
                effective date referred to in subsection (a)(2),
        shall (subject to section 2(a)) be computed taking into account
        all service described in section 1 that was performed by such
        individual.
            (3) Retroactive effect.--Any computation or recomputation
        of an annuity or survivor annuity pursuant to this subsection
        shall--
                    (A) if pursuant to paragraph (1), be effective as
                of the commencement date of the annuity or survivor
                annuity involved; and
                    (B) if pursuant to paragraph (2), be effective as
                of the commencement date that would have applied if
                application for the annuity or survivor annuity
                involved had been submitted on the earliest date
                possible in order for it to have been approved.
            (4) Lump-sum payment.--Any amounts which by virtue of
        paragraph (3) are payable for any months preceding the first
        month (on or after the effective date referred to in subsection
        (a)(2)) as of which annuity or survivor annuity payments become
        payable fully reflecting the computation or recomputation under
        paragraph (1) or (2) (as the case may be) shall be payable in
        the form of a lump-sum payment.
            (5) Order of precedence.--Section 8424(d) of title 5,
        United States Code, shall apply in the case of any payment
        under paragraph (4) payable to an individual who has died.

SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION.

    The Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, shall prescribe such regulations and take such
action as may be necessary and appropriate to implement this Act.

Output: Allows credit under the Federal Employees' Retirement System for temporary Government service which was performed abroad after December 31, 1988 and before May 24, 1998, at a U.S. diplomatic mission, consular mission, or other Foreign Service post.Directs the Office of Personnel Management to inform individuals entitled to have any service credited under this Act or to have any annuity computed or recomputed under this Act.Sets forth requirements for the computation or recomputation of annuities or survivor annuities as necessitated by this Act.


Input:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, located in
        northeastern North Carolina, provides unique opportunities for
        observing and interpreting the biological richness of the
        region's estuaries and wetlands.
            (2) Although there are 10 national wildlife refuges in
        eastern North Carolina, not one has an educational or
        interpretative center for visitors.
            (3) The State of North Carolina, Tyrrell County, the town
        of Columbia, the Conservation Fund, and private citizens have
        proposed to enter into a partnership with the United States
        Fish and Wildlife Service to establish an educational and
        interpretative facility to be known as the Center for the
        Sounds.
            (4) Establishment of the Center for the Sounds would bestow
        economic benefits upon Tyrrell County and the town of Columbia.
            (5) The Federal Government has designated the Albemarle-
        Pamlico estuary system of northeastern North Carolina as an
        estuary of national concern.

SEC. 2. FURTHER FINDINGS.

    The Congress further finds and declares the following:
            (1) Throughout his congressional career, the Honorable
        Walter B. Jones was a strong supporter of the National Wildlife
        Refuge System.
            (2) During his years of service in the House of
        Representatives, Walter B. Jones supported the establishment
        and expansion of National Wildlife Refuges in eastern North
        Carolina; these include 6 new National Wildlife Refuges
        established in his district, including the Alligator River
        National Wildlife Refuge and the Pocosin Lakes National
        Wildlife Refuge, which are respectively the third largest and
        fifth largest National Wildlife Refuges east of the Mississippi
        River.
            (3) Walter B. Jones helped increase refuge acreage in his
        district by over 303,000 acres, thus ensuring the protection of
        these lands for wildlife habitat and public recreation.
            (4) Walter B. Jones' support for reintroducing endangered
        red wolves into the wild at Alligator River National Wildlife
        Refuge was a major factor in securing public acceptance of, and
        support for, this first successful effort to reintroduce
        endangered predators into formerly occupied habitat.
            (5) Walter B. Jones devoted much of his congressional
        career, including his years as Chairman of the Merchant Marine
        and Fisheries Committee, to the conservation of fish and
        wildlife, for the benefit of the Nation and the people of North
        Carolina.
            (6) Walter B. Jones should most appropriately be recognized
        for his work on behalf of fish and wildlife conservation by
        having the Center for the Sounds at the Pocosin Lakes National
        Wildlife Refuge System named in his honor.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE FACILITY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior may, subject to the
availability of appropriations, construct and operate the Walter B.
Jones Center for the Sounds at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife
Refuge in Tyrrell County, North Carolina, for the following purposes:
            (1) Providing public opportunities, facilities, and
        resources to study the natural history and natural resources of
        northeastern North Carolina.
            (2) Offering a variety of environmental educational
        programs and interpretive exhibits.
            (3) Fostering an awareness and understanding of the
        interactions among wildlife, estuarine and wetland ecosystems,
        and human activities.
            (4) Providing office space and facilities for refuge
        administration, research, education, and related activities.

SEC. 4. DESIGN.

    The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the design, size,
and location of a facility constructed under this Act are consistent
with the cultural and natural history of the area with which the
facility will be concerned.

SEC. 5. COST SHARING.

    The Secretary of the Interior may accept contributions of funds
from non-Federal sources to pay the costs of operating and maintaining
the facility authorized under this Act, and shall take appropriate
steps to seek to obtain such contributions.

SEC. 6. REPORT.

    Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report to the
Congress on progress made in designing and constructing a facility
under this Act, including steps taken under section 5 to obtain
contributions and any such contributions that have been pledged to or
received by the United States.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 21, 1993.

            Attest:

                                           DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct and operate the Walter B. Jones Center for the Sounds at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Tyrrell County, North Carolina, to:  (1) provide public opportunities, facilities, and resources to study the natural history and natural resources of northeastern North Carolina; (2) offer a variety of environmental educational programs and interpretive exhibits; (3) foster an awareness and understanding of the interactions among wildlife, estuarine and wetland ecosystems, and human activities; and (4) provide office space and facilities for refuge administration, research, education, and related activities. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the design, size, and location of a facility constructed under this Act are consistent with the cultural and natural history of the area with which the facility will be concerned. Authorizes the Secretary to accept contributions of funds from non-Federal sources to pay the costs of operating and maintaining the facility authorized under this Act.  Directs the Secretary to take appropriate steps to obtain such contributions. Sets forth reporting requirements.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Preserving Religious Freedom and a
Woman's Access to Contraception Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Instead of restricting Americans' religious freedoms,
        Congress should preserve a woman's ability to make
        contraceptive decisions for herself.
            (2) The freedom of religion is the first freedom listed in
        the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States,
        and Congress has a strong interest in protecting the free
        exercise of religion for Americans of all faiths.
            (3) The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 was
        signed by President Clinton on November 16, 1993, after passing
        the House of Representatives unanimously and passing the Senate
        with the votes of 97 Senators, including 16 currently serving
        Senators and the Vice President.
            (4) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides
        important protections against discrimination on the basis of
        race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
            (5) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
        and amendments made by that Act establish comprehensive
        protections to ensure that any medications used by or
        prescribed for an individual are not disclosed to an employer
        in its capacity as an employer.
            (6) The Food and Drug Administration has found a number of
        contraceptives to be proven safe and effective at preventing
        pregnancies as well as in managing certain medical conditions.
            (7) There are 5 programs, including the Medicaid program,
        carried out by the Department of Health and Human Services that
        provide access to contraception for low-income women.
            (8) Federal and State government spending for contraceptive
        services totaled $2,370,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 and the
        Medicaid program financed 75 percent of government spending for
        family planning.
            (9) More than 19,000,000 women were eligible for
        government-supported contraceptive services in 2010.
            (10) Even before Obamacare mandated that employers fully
        subsidize employees' contraception, women had wide access to
        Food and Drug Administration-approved contraception and such
        contraception was covered by insurance at over 85 percent of
        large businesses.
            (11) Now, Obamacare's various requirements cause an
        unprecedented intrusion of government mandates into Americans'
        personal health care decisions, including unprecedented Federal
        mandates that employers become involved in those decisions, and
        the individual mandate, which requires individuals to purchase
        health insurance or pay a penalty.
            (12) Obamacare has created an enormous disruption in the
        personal health insurance options of millions of Americans
        whose health insurance plans were cancelled or whose preferred
        doctors were not included in their new health insurance plan
        networks.
            (13) The Congressional Budget Office estimates that
        Obamacare could reduce employment by the equivalent of
        2,000,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
            (14) One of Obamacare's mandates places 2,600,000
        Americans, nearly two-thirds of them women, at risk of having
        their hours and wages reduced, according to the Hoover
        Institution.
            (15) Obamacare's cuts to the Medicare Advantage program and
        other regulatory actions could reduce the average benefit for
        women who rely on the program by $1,538 per year, or 13
        percent.
            (16) Obamacare's payroll tax increase creates an
        inequitable tax penalty for married working women.
            (17) Obamacare places limitations on health savings
        accounts, flexible spending accounts, and other consumer-
        directed health savings vehicles, which help approximately
        17,400,000 Americans to save for their own health expenses,
        including contraceptives.
            (18) The current Administration has granted discretionary
        compliance waivers from Obamacare to a variety of for-profit
        businesses, unions, and other organizations.
            (19) To date, the Department of Health and Human Services
        has granted more than 1,000 individual waiver requests for
        employers and insurers, excusing the employers and insurers
        from compliance with various aspects of the law.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

    It is the sense of the Senate that the Food and Drug Administration
should study whether contraceptives that are available with a
prescription, on the date of enactment of this Act, would be safe and
effective for adults if available without a prescription.

SEC. 4. EMPLOYEE PROTECTION.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an employer who is
engaged in interstate commerce may not prohibit an employee from
purchasing, pursuant to State prescribing and dispensing laws, a drug
or medical device, including a contraceptive, that is regulated by the
Food and Drug Administration.

SEC. 5. EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES TO MAKE HEALTH CHOICES.

    (a) No Limitations Based on Whether a Drug Is Prescribed.--Section
9003 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-
148), and the amendments made by such section, are repealed, and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such section, and
amendments, had never been enacted.
    (b) No Limitations on Health FSAs.--Sections 9005 and 10902 of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) and
section 1403 of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of
2010 (Public Law 111-152), and the amendments made by such sections,
are repealed, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as
if such section, and amendments, had never been enacted.

Output: Preserving Religious Freedom and a Woman's Access to Contraception Act - Prohibits employers from restricting employees from purchasing any drug or medical device regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Repeals sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 to: (1) allow health savings accounts, medical savings accounts, and health flexible spending accounts to be used to pay for non-prescription drugs; and (2) remove the annual limit for salary reduction contributions to a health flexible spending arrangement under a cafeteria plan.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Civil Rights Procedures Protection
Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.

    Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:

                 ``exclusivity of powers and procedures

    ``Sec. 719. Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general
applicability that would modify any of the powers and procedures
expressly applicable to a claim arising under this title, such powers
and procedures shall be the exclusive powers and procedures applicable
to such claim unless after such claim arises the claimant voluntarily
enters into an agreement to resolve such claim through arbitration or
another procedure.''.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENT TO THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967.

    The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621 et
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 16 and 17 as sections 17 and
        18, respectively, and
            (2) by inserting after section 15 the following:

                 ``exclusivity of powers and procedures

    ``Sec. 16. Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general
applicability that would modify any of the powers and procedures
expressly applicable to a right or claim arising under this Act, such
powers and procedures shall be the exclusive powers and procedures
applicable to such right or such claim unless after such right or such
claim arises the claimant voluntarily enters into an agreement to
resolve such right or such claim through arbitration or another
procedure.''.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENT TO THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973.

    Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 795) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general applicability
that would modify any of the procedures expressly applicable to a claim
based on right under section 501, such procedures shall be the
exclusive procedures applicable to such claim unless after such claim
arises the claimant voluntarily enters into an agreement to resolve
such claim through arbitration or another procedure.''.

SEC. 5. AMENDMENT TO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990.

    Section 107 of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 12117) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general applicability
that would modify any of the powers and procedures expressly applicable
to a claim based on a violation described in subsection (a), such
powers and procedures shall be the exclusive powers and procedures
applicable to such claim unless after such claim arises the claimant
voluntarily enters into an agreement to resolve such claim through
arbitration or another procedure.''.

SEC. 6. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 1977 OF THE REVISED STATUTES OF THE UNITED
              STATES.

    Section 1977 of the Revised Statutes of the United States is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general applicability
that would modify any of the procedures expressly applicable to a right
to make and enforce a contract of employment under this section, such
procedures shall be the exclusive procedures applicable to a claim
based on such right unless after such claim arises the claimant
voluntarily enters into an agreement to resolve such claim through
arbitration or another procedure.''.

SEC. 7. AMENDMENT TO THE EQUAL PAY REQUIREMENT UNDER THE FAIR LABOR
              STANDARDS ACT OF 1938-.

    Section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.
206(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(5) Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general applicability
that would modify any of the powers or procedures expressly applicable
to a claim based on violation of this subsection, such powers and
procedures shall be the exclusive procedures applicable to such claim
unless after such claim arises the claimant voluntarily enters into an
agreement to resolve such claim through arbitration or another
procedure.''.

SEC. 8. AMENDMENT TO THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993.

    Title IV of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C.
2561 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 406. EXCLUSIVITY OF REMEDIES.

    ``Notwithstanding any Federal statute of general applicability that
would modify any of the procedures expressly applicable to a claim
based on right provided under this Act or under an amendment made by
this Act, such procedures shall be the exclusive procedures applicable
to such claim unless after such claim arises the claimant voluntarily
enters into an agreement to resolve such claim through arbitration or
another procedure.''.

SEC. 9. AMENDMENT TO TITLE 9 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE.

    Section 14 of title 9, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``This'', and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) This chapter shall not apply with respect to a claim of
unlawful discrimination in employment if such claim arises from
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, or disability.''.

SEC. 10. APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to claims
arising on and after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output: Civil Rights Procedures Protection Act of 1994 - Amends specified Federal civil rights statutes (including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, the equal pay requirement under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993) to prevent the involuntary application of arbitration to claims that arise from unlawful employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``NAFTA Infrastructure Responsibility
Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the United States Customs Service collects over
        $600,000,000 per year in duties, fees, excise taxes, and fines
        from crossings of the border of the United States and Mexico;
            (2) although the United States Customs Service has
        collected increased duties, merchandise fees, and revenues from
        other commerce-related activities because of the ratification
        and implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement,
        these increased revenues have not been accompanied by Federal
        funding for improving transportation facilities along the
        border of the United States and Mexico to ensure the free and
        safe flow of trade destined for all States and regions of the
        United States;
            (3) because of NAFTA, all 4 States along the border of the
        United States and Mexico will require significant investments
        in highway infrastructure capacity and motor carrier safety
        enforcement at a time when such States face extreme difficulty
        in obtaining funds to maintain current highway conditions;
            (4) the full benefits of increased international trade can
        be realized only if delays at the border of the United States
        and Mexico are significantly reduced; and
            (5) the increased revenues described in paragraph (2)
        should be used to provide Federal funding for transportation
        improvements required to accommodate NAFTA-generated traffic,
        in an amount above and beyond regular Federal transportation
        funding apportionments, obligational authority, and minimum
        allocation funds under title 23, United States Code, the
        Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
        (Public Law 102-240), and other laws.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Commercial motor vehicle.--The term ``commercial motor
        vehicle'' means a motor vehicle that is used in commerce to
        transport passengers or property and has a gross vehicle weight
        rating of 26,001 or more pounds.
            (2) Major mexican border crossing facility.--The term
        ``major Mexican border crossing facility'' means a Mexican
        border crossing facility used by 150,000 or more northbound
        commercial motor vehicles in a calendar year.
            (3) Mexican border crossing facility.--The term ``Mexican
        border crossing facility'' means a Federal facility located in
the United States that is used to enter the United States from Mexico.
            (4) Mexican border state.--The term ``Mexican border
        State'' means California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
            (5) Minor mexican border crossing facility.--The term
        ``minor Mexican border crossing facility'' means a Mexican
        border crossing facility used by less than 150,000 northbound
        commercial motor vehicles in a calendar year.
            (6) NAFTA.--The term ``NAFTA'' means the North American
        Free Trade Agreement.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Transportation.

SEC. 4. DIRECT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR BORDER CONSTRUCTION AND
              CONGESTION RELIEF.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants under subsections
(b) and (c) to eligible recipients that submit to the Secretary an
application that demonstrates need, due to increased traffic resulting
from the implementation of NAFTA, for assistance in carrying out
transportation projects that are necessary to relieve traffic
congestion and improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws.
    (b) Grants for Connectors to Mexican Border Crossing Facilities.--
The Secretary shall make grants to Mexican border States and units of
general purpose local government in Mexican border States for the
purposes of--
            (1) connecting the National Highway System designated under
        section 103(b) of title 23, United States Code, with Mexican
        border crossing facilities; and
            (2) upgrading connectors described in paragraph (1) that
        are in existence as of the date of the grant.
    (c) Grants for Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Facilities.--
The Secretary shall make grants to Mexican border States to construct,
operate, and maintain commercial motor vehicle enforcement facilities.
    (d) Location of Projects.--All projects carried out using amounts
from grants made available under this section shall be located in the
United States and within 60 miles of the border of the United States
and Mexico, except as specifically approved by the Secretary.
    (e) Apportionment of Amounts.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall apportion the amounts
        appropriated for a fiscal year for making grants under this
        section among the Mexican border States as follows:
                    (A) 90 percent in the ratio which the number of
                major Mexican border crossing facilities in each
                Mexican border State bears to the total number of major
                Mexican border crossing facilities in all Mexican
                border States, as determined by the Secretary under
                paragraph (2).
                    (B) 10 percent in the ratio which the number of
                minor Mexican border crossing facilities in each
                Mexican border State bears to the total number of minor
                Mexican border crossing facilities in all Mexican
                border States, as determined by the Secretary under
                paragraph (2).
            (2) Determinations.--The Secretary shall make each
        determination required by paragraph (1) concerning the number
        of commercial motor vehicles using a Mexican border crossing
        facility on an annual basis using the most recent calendar year
        information that can be obtained from the United States Customs
        Service.
    (f) Cost Sharing.--A grant under this section shall be used to pay
the Federal share of the cost of a project. The Federal share shall be
80 percent.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 1997 through 2002.

SEC. 5. BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATIVE FINANCING.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            (1) to encourage the establishment and operation of State
        infrastructure banks in accordance with section 350 of the
        National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 (109 Stat. 618;
        23 U.S.C. 101 note); and
            (2) to advance transportation infrastructure projects
        supporting international trade and commerce.
    (b) Federal Line of Credit.--Section 350 of the National Highway
System Designation Act of 1995 (109 Stat. 618; 23 U.S.C. 101 note) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (k) the following:
    ``(l) Federal Line of Credit.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
        from the general fund of the Treasury $98,000,000 to be used by
        the Secretary to enter into agreements with Mexican border
        States that have established infrastructure banks under this
        section to make lines of credit available to the States.
            ``(2) Amount.--The line of credit available to each
        participating Mexican border State shall be equal to the
        product of--
                    ``(A) the amount appropriated under paragraph (1);
                and
                    ``(B) the quotient obtained by dividing--
                            ``(i) the contributions of the Mexican
                        border State to the Highway Trust Fund during
                        the preceding fiscal year; and
                            ``(ii) the total contributions of all
                        participating Mexican border States with
                        infrastructure banks to the Highway Trust Fund
                        during the preceding fiscal year.
            ``(3) Use of line of credit.--The line of credit under this
        subsection shall be available to provide Federal support in
        accordance with this subsection to a State infrastructure bank
        engaged in providing credit enhancement for projects to
        construct Federal-aid highways which will support a significant
        amount of traffic resulting from NAFTA.
            ``(4) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A line of credit under this
                subsection may be drawn on only--
                            ``(i) with respect to a completed project
                        described in paragraph (3) that is receiving
                        credit enhancement through an infrastructure
                        bank;
                            ``(ii) when the cash balance available in
                        the infrastructure bank is insufficient to pay
                        a claim for payment relating to the project;
                        and
                            ``(iii) when all subsequent revenues of the
                        project have been pledged to the infrastructure
                        bank.
                    ``(B) Third party creditor rights.--No third party
                creditor of a public or private entity carrying out a
                project eligible for assistance from an infrastructure
                bank shall have any right against the Federal
                Government with respect to a line of credit under this
                subsection, including any guarantee that the proceeds
                of a line of credit will be available for the payment
                of any particular cost of the public or private entity
                that may be financed under this subsection.
            ``(5) Interest rate and repayment period.--Any draw on a
        line of credit under this subsection shall--
                    ``(A) accrue, beginning on the date the draw is
                made, interest at a rate equal to the current (as of
                the date the draw is made) market yield on outstanding,
                marketable obligations of the United States with
                maturities of 30 years; and
                    ``(B) shall be repaid within a period of not more
                than 30 years.
            ``(6) Relationship to state apportionment.--Funds made
        available to States to carry out this subsection shall be in
        addition to funds apportioned to States under section 104 of
        title 23, United States Code.
            ``(7) Mexican border state defined.--The term `Mexican
        border State' means California, Arizona, New Mexico, and
        Texas.''.

Output:
NAFTA Infrastructure Responsibility Act of 1996 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Mexican border States and local governments for certain transportation projects necessary to:  (1) relieve congestion due to increased traffic resulting from implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); and (2) improve enforcement of motor carrier safety laws.  Limits the Federal share of the costs of such projects to 80 percent.
Authorizes appropriations.
Amends the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to authorize appropriations to be used to enter agreements with Mexican border States that have established infrastructure banks to make available to them lines of credit for projects to construct Federal-aid highways which will support traffic resulting from NAFTA.