Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Community Partnership Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF THE OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS OF THE
              DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

    (a) In General.--Title I of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 104. OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `countering violent extremism' means
        proactive and relevant actions to counter efforts by extremists
        to radicalize, recruit, and mobilize followers to violence and
        to address the conditions that allow for violent extremist
        recruitment and radicalization; and
            ``(2) the term `violent extremism' means ideologically
        motivated violence as a method of advancing a cause.
    ``(b) Establishment.--There is in the Department an Office for
Community Partnerships.
    ``(c) Head of Office.--The Office for Community Partnerships shall
be headed by an Assistant Secretary for Community Partnerships, who
shall be designated by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Deputy Assistant Secretary; Assignment of Personnel.--The
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) designate a career Deputy Assistant Secretary for
        Community Partnerships; and
            ``(2) assign or hire, as appropriate, permanent staff to
        the Office for Community Partnerships.
    ``(e) Responsibilities.--The Assistant Secretary for Community
Partnerships shall be responsible for the following:
            ``(1) Leading the efforts of the Department to counter
        violent extremism across all the components and offices of the
        Department that conduct strategic and supportive efforts to
        counter violent extremism. Such efforts shall include the
        following:
                    ``(A) Partnering with communities to address
                vulnerabilities that can be exploited by violent
                extremists in the United States and explore potential
                remedies for government and nongovernment institutions.
                    ``(B) Working with civil society groups and
                communities to counter violent extremist propaganda,
                messaging, or recruitment.
                    ``(C) In coordination with the Office for Civil
                Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department, managing
                the outreach and engagement efforts of the Department
                directed toward communities at risk for radicalization
                and recruitment for violent extremist activities.
                    ``(D) Ensuring relevant information, research, and
                products inform efforts to counter violent extremism.
                    ``(E) Developing and maintaining Departmentwide
                plans, strategy guiding policies, and programs to
                counter violent extremism. Such plans shall, at a
                minimum, address each of the following:
                            ``(i) The Department's plan to leverage new
                        and existing Internet and other technologies
                        and social media platforms to improve
                        nongovernment efforts to counter violent
                        extremism, as well as the best practices and
                        lessons learned of other Federal, State, local,
                        tribal, territorial, and foreign partners
                        engaged in similar counter-messaging efforts.
                            ``(ii) The Department's countering violent
                        extremism-related engagement efforts.
                            ``(iii) The use of cooperative agreements
                        with State, local, tribal, territorial, and
                        other Federal departments and agencies
                        responsible for efforts relating to countering
                        violent extremism.
                    ``(F) Coordinating with the Office for Civil Rights
                and Civil Liberties of the Department to ensure all of
                the activities of the Department related to countering
                violent extremism fully respect the privacy, civil
                rights, and civil liberties of all persons.
                    ``(G) In coordination with the Under Secretary for
                Science and Technology and in consultation with the
                Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis,
                identifying and recommending new research and analysis
                requirements to ensure the dissemination of information
                and methods for Federal, State, local, tribal, and
                territorial countering violent extremism practitioners,
                officials, law enforcement, and nongovernmental
                partners to utilize such research and analysis.
                    ``(H) Assessing the methods used by violent
                extremists to disseminate propaganda and messaging to
                communities at risk for recruitment by violent
                extremists.
            ``(2) Developing a digital engagement strategy that expands
        the outreach efforts of the Department to counter violent
        extremist messaging by--
                    ``(A) exploring ways to utilize relevant Internet
                and other technologies and social media platforms; and
                    ``(B) maximizing other resources available to the
                Department.
            ``(3) Serving as the primary representative of the
        Department in coordinating countering violent extremism efforts
        with other Federal departments and agencies and nongovernmental
        organizations.
            ``(4) Serving as the primary Department-level
        representative in coordinating with the Department of State on
        international countering violent extremism issues.
            ``(5) In coordination with the Administrator of the Federal
        Emergency Management Agency, providing guidance regarding the
        use of grants made to State, local, and tribal governments
        under sections 2003 and 2004 under the allowable uses
        guidelines related to countering violent extremism.
            ``(6) Developing a plan to expand philanthropic support for
        domestic efforts related to countering violent extremism,
        including by identifying viable community projects and needs
        for possible philanthropic support.
            ``(7) Administering the assistance described in subsection
        (f).
    ``(f) Grants To Counter Violent Extremism.--
            ``(1) In general.--In accordance with this subsection, the
        Secretary may award grants or cooperative agreements directly
        to eligible recipients identified in paragraph (2) to support
        the efforts of local communities in the United States to
        counter violent extremism.
            ``(2) Eligible recipients.--The Secretary may award
        competitive grants or cooperative agreements based on need
        directly to--
                    ``(A) States;
                    ``(B) local governments;
                    ``(C) tribal governments;
                    ``(D) nonprofit organizations; or
                    ``(E) institutions of higher education.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--Each entity receiving a grant or
        cooperative agreement under this subsection shall use the grant
        or cooperative agreement for one or more of the following
        purposes:
                    ``(A) To train or exercise for countering violent
                extremism, including building training or exercise
                programs designed to improve cultural competency and to
                ensure that communities, government, and law
                enforcement receive accurate, intelligence-based
                information about the dynamics of radicalization to
                violence.
                    ``(B) To develop, implement, or expand programs or
                projects with communities to discuss violent extremism
                or to engage communities that may be targeted by
                violent extremist radicalization.
                    ``(C) To develop and implement projects that
                partner with local communities to prevent
                radicalization to violence.
                    ``(D) To develop and implement a comprehensive
                model for preventing violent extremism in local
                communities, including existing initiatives of State or
                local law enforcement agencies and existing mechanisms
                for engaging the resources and expertise available from
                a range of social service providers, such as education
                administrators, mental health professionals, and
                religious leaders.
                    ``(E) To educate the community about countering
                violent extremism, including the promotion of
                community-based activities to increase the measures
                taken by the community to counter violent extremism.
                    ``(F) To develop or assist social service programs
                that address root causes of violent extremism and
                develop, build, or enhance alternatives for members of
                local communities that may be targeted by violent
                extremism.
                    ``(G) To develop or enhance State or local
                government initiatives that facilitate and build
                overall capacity to address the threats post by violent
                extremism.
                    ``(H) To support such other activities, consistent
                with the purposes of this subsection, as the Secretary
                determines appropriate.
            ``(4) Grant guidelines.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For each fiscal year, before
                awarding a grant or cooperative agreement under this
                subsection, the Secretary shall develop guidelines
                published in a notice of funding opportunity that
                describe--
                            ``(i) the process for applying for grants
                        and cooperative agreements under this
                        subsection;
                            ``(ii) the criteria that the Secretary will
                        use for selecting recipients based on the need
                        demonstrated by the applicant; and
                            ``(iii) the requirements that recipients
                        must follow when utilizing funds under this
                        subsection to conduct training and exercises
                        and otherwise engage local communities
                        regarding countering violent extremism.
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In developing the
                requirements under subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary
                shall consider the following:
                            ``(i) Training objectives should be clearly
                        defined to meet specific countering violent
                        extremism goals, such as community engagement,
                        cultural awareness, or community-based
                        policing.
                            ``(ii) Engaging diverse communities in the
                        United States to counter violent extremism may
                        require working with local grassroots community
                        organizations to develop engagement and
                        outreach initiatives.
                            ``(iii) Training programs should--
                                    ``(I) be sensitive to
                                constitutional values, such as
                                protecting fundamental civil rights and
                                civil liberties, and eschew notions of
                                racial and ethnic profiling; and
                                    ``(II) adhere to the standards and
                                ethics of the Department, ensuring that
                                the clearly defined objectives are in
                                line with the strategies of the
                                Department to counter violent
                                extremism.
                            ``(iv) Establishing vetting procedures for
                        self-selected countering violent extremism
                        training experts who offer programs that may
                        claim to counter violent extremism, but serve
                        to demonize certain individuals or whole cross
                        sections of a community.
                            ``(v) Providing a review process to
                        determine if countering violent extremism
                        training focuses on community engagement and
                        outreach.
                            ``(vi) Providing support to law enforcement
                        to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities to
                        increase engagement techniques with diverse
                        communities in the United States.
    ``(g) Annual Report.--Beginning in the first fiscal year beginning
after the date of enactment of this section, and in each of the next 5
fiscal years, the Assistant Secretary of the Office for Community
Partnerships shall submit to Congress an annual report on the Office
for Community Partnerships, which shall include--
            ``(1) a description of the status of the programs and
        policies of the Department for countering violent extremism in
        the United States;
            ``(2) a description of the efforts of the Office for
        Community Partnerships to cooperate with and provide assistance
        to other Federal departments and agencies;
            ``(3) qualitative and quantitative metrics for evaluating
        the success of such programs and policies and the steps taken
        to evaluate the success of such programs and policies; and
            ``(4) an accounting of--
                    ``(A) grants awarded by the Department to counter
                violent extremism; and
                    ``(B) all training specifically aimed at countering
                violent extremism sponsored by the Department.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296;
116 Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 103 the following:

``Sec. 104. Office for Community Partnerships.''.

Output: Community Partnership Act of 2015 This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office for Community Partnerships, headed by an Assistant Secretary for Community Partnerships. The Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for:  leading strategic and supportive efforts by DHS components and offices to counter violent extremism; developing a digital engagement strategy that expands the outreach efforts of DHS to counter violent extremist messaging; serving as the primary DHS representative in coordinating countering violent extremism efforts with other federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations and in coordinating with the Department of State on international countering violent extremism issues;  providing guidance, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), regarding the use of grants made to state, local, and tribal governments under the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program under the allowable uses guidelines related to countering violent extremism; developing a plan to expand philanthropic support for domestic efforts related to countering violent extremism; and  administering grants to counter extremism, as authorized below.  DHS may award grants or cooperative agreements directly, based on need, to states, local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, or institutions of higher education to support the efforts of local communities in the United States to prevent and counter violent extremism.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Saving America's Pollinators Act of
2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Pollination services are a vital part of agricultural
        production, valued at over $125,000,000,000 globally. According
        to a 2014 Presidential memorandum, pollinators provide for an
        annual amount of $24,000,000,000 to the economy of the United
        States and honey bees account for $15,000,000,000 of such
        amount. Similarly, pollination services of native pollinators,
        such as bumblebees, squash bees, and mason bees, contribute
        over $3,000,000,000 to the United States agricultural economy
        and are estimated to contribute between $937,000,000 and
        $2,400,000,000 to the economy of California alone.
            (2) One-third of food produced in North America--including
        nearly 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables such as almonds,
        avocados, cranberries, and apples--depends on pollination by
        bees.
            (3) Over the past several years, documented incidents of
        colony collapse disorder and other forms of excess bee
        mortality have been at a record high, with some beekeepers
        repeatedly losing 100 percent of their operations. The national
        honey crop reported in 2013 was the lowest in many decades.
            (4) A recent national survey sponsored by the Federal
        Government indicates that United States beekeepers experienced
        a 45.2 percent annual mortality rate with their hives during
        the period beginning in April 2012 and ending in March 2013.
        During the winter of 2013-2014, two-thirds of beekeepers
        experienced loss rates greater than the established acceptable
        winter mortality rate.
            (5) According to scientists at the Department of
        Agriculture, current losses of honey bee colonies are too high
        to confidently ensure the United States will be able to meet
        the pollination demands for agricultural crops.
            (6) Native pollinators, such as bumble bees, have also
        suffered alarming population declines. There are currently more
        than 40 pollinator species federally-listed as threatened or
        endangered, and most recently, the iconic monarch butterfly has
        declined by 90 percent.
            (7) Scientists have linked the use of a certain class of
        systemic insecticides, known as neonicotinoids, to the rapid
        decline of pollinators and to the deterioration of pollinator
        health.
            (8) Neonicotinoids cause sublethal effects, including
        impaired foraging and feeding behavior, disorientation,
        weakened immunity, delayed larval development, and increased
        susceptibility to viruses, diseases, and parasites. Numerous
        reports also document acute, lethal effects from the
        application of neonicotinoids.
            (9) Conclusions from a recent global review of the impacts
        of systemic pesticides, primarily neonicotinoids, warn that
        they are causing significant damage to a wide range of
        beneficial invertebrate species, are a key factor in the
        decline of bees, and pose a global threat to biodiversity and
        ecosystem services. Another recent global review documented
        high levels of freshwater contamination.
            (10) Science has demonstrated that a single corn kernel
        coated with a neonicotinoid is toxic enough to kill a songbird.
        Peer-reviewed research from the Netherlands has shown that the
        most severe bird population declines occurred in those areas
        where neonicotinoid pollution was highest. Starlings, tree
        sparrows, and swallows were among the most affected.
            (11) In January 2013, the European Food Safety Authority
        determined that the most widely used neonicotinoids pose
        unacceptable hazards to bees, prompting the European Union to
        suspend their use on agricultural crops.
            (12) In June 2013, over 50,000 bumblebees were killed as a
        direct result of exposure to a neonicotinoid applied to linden
        trees for cosmetic purposes.
            (13) In February 2014, Eugene, Oregon, voted to ban the use
        of neonicotinoid pesticides on city property. Similar bans and
        restrictions have been enacted in Thurston County, Spokane, and
        Seattle, Washington, and Skagway, Alaska.
            (14) In June 2014, a Presidential memorandum established a
        Pollinator Health Task Force after identifying pollinator
        decline as a threat to the sustainability of food production
        systems, the agricultural economy, and the health of the
        environment in the United States.
            (15) In July 2014, the United States Fish and Wildlife
        Service announced plans to phase out neonicotinoid pesticides
        in all national wildlife refuges across the United States by
        January 2016. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service
        recognized that the prophylactic use of neonicotinoids for
        agricultural purposes harms a wide range of non-target species
        and is therefore inconsistent with the management policy of the
        United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
            (16) In October 2014, an assessment by the Environmental
        Protection Agency found that neonicotinoid seed coatings
        provide little benefit to overall soybean crop yield.
        Additional studies determined that in approximately 80 to 90
        percent of row crop uses, neonicotinoid coatings are
        unnecessary. The prophylactic overuse of neonicotinoids
        violates the fundamental principles of integrated pest
        management.
            (17) In November 2014, the Province of Ontario announced
        the province will move to restrict the use of neonicotinoid-
        coated corn and soybean seeds because of the broad harms from
        their overuse, with a goal of 80-percent reduction by 2017.

SEC. 3. URGENT REGULATORY RESPONSE FOR HONEY BEE AND POLLINATOR
              PROTECTION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency shall suspend the registration of imidacloprid,
clothianidin, thiamethoxam, dinotafuran, and any other members of the
nitro group of neonicotinoid insecticides to the extent such
insecticide is registered, conditionally or otherwise, under the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et
seq.) for use in seed treatment, soil application, or foliar treatment
on bee-attractive plants, trees, and cereals until the Administrator
has made a determination that such insecticide will not cause
unreasonable adverse effects on pollinators based on--
            (1) an evaluation of the published and peer-reviewed
        scientific evidence on whether the use or uses of such
        neonicotinoids cause unreasonable adverse effects on
        pollinators, including native bees, honey bees, birds, bats,
        and other species of beneficial insects; and
            (2) a completed field study that meets the criteria
        required by the Administrator and evaluates residues, including
        residue buildup after repeated annual application, chronic low-
        dose exposure, cumulative effects of multiple chemical
        exposures, and any other protocol determined to be necessary by
        the Administrator to protect managed and native pollinators.
    (b) Conditions on Certain Pesticides Registrations.--
Notwithstanding section 3 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136a), for purposes of the protection of
honey bees, other pollinators, and beneficial insects, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall not issue
any new registrations, conditional or otherwise, for any seed
treatment, soil application, and foliar treatment on bee-attractive
plants, trees, and cereals under such Act until the Administrator has
made the determination described in subsection (a), based on an
evaluation described in subsection (a)(1) and a completed field study
described in subsection (a)(2), with respect to such insecticide.
    (c) Monitoring of Native Bees.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, shall, for purposes of protecting and ensuring the long-term
viability of native bees and other pollinators of agricultural crops,
horticultural plants, wild plants, and other plants--
            (1) regularly monitor the health and population status of
        native bees, including the status of native bees in
        agricultural and nonagricultural habitats and areas of
        ornamental plants, residential areas, and landscaped areas;
            (2) identify the scope and likely causes of unusual native
        bee mortality; and
            (3) beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the
        enactment of this Act and each year thereafter, submit to
        Congress, and make available to the public, a report on such
        health and population status.

Output: Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2015 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to suspend the registration of members of the nitro group of neonicotinoid insecticides that are registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for use in seed treatment, soil application, or foliar treatment on bee-attractive plants, trees, and cereals until the EPA determines that the insecticides will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on pollinators. The determination must be based on:   an evaluation of the published and peer-reviewed scientific evidence on whether the use or uses of those neonicotinoids cause unreasonable adverse effects on pollinators, including native bees, honeybees, birds, bats, and other species of beneficial insects; and  a completed field study that meets the criteria required by the EPA and evaluates residues, chronic low-dose exposure, and cumulative effects of multiple chemical exposures.  The EPA may not issue new registrations of the neonicotinoid pesticides for any seed treatment, soil application, and foliar treatment on bee-attractive plants, trees, and cereals under FIFRA until it has made the determination with respect to the insecticide. For purposes of protecting and ensuring the long-term viability of native bees and other pollinators, the Department of the Interior must: (1) regularly monitor the health and population status of native bees, (2) identify the scope and likely causes of unusual native bee mortality, and (3) submit to Congress and make public an annual report on the health and population status of native bees.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Securing America's Facilities,
Equipment and Rail: Taking Responsibility for American National
Security in Transit Act'' or the ``SAFER TRANSIT Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Nationwide, Americans rely on 6,800 public
        transportation systems for their daily commute. Every weekday,
        public transportation riders take 35,000,000 trips. Public
        transportation significantly improves quality of life, saving
        Americans who live in areas served by public transportation
        systems nearly 865,000,000 hours in travel time annually.
            (2) Increasingly, public transportation is becoming a
        target of terrorist activity.
            (3) In 2004, terrorists simultaneously detonated explosives
        concealed inside backpacks on Madrid's commuter train system,
        killing 191 and injuring nearly 2,000.
            (4) In 2005, four suicide bombers attacked London's public
        transportation system, killing 52.
            (5) In 2011, authorities discovered an improvised
        explosives device near Amtrak and commuter train tracks. The
        same year, German police found multiple firebombs alongside
        high speed rail tracks and in tunnels leading into train
        stations.
            (6) On March 22, 2016, a coordinated terrorist attack
        targeted both the Brussels Airport and a metro station in the
        city killing 32 and injuring nearly 300 travelers.
            (7) According to the Global Terrorism Database, there were
        57 terror attacks on transportation from 2006 to 2014.
            (8) To ensure the continued effectiveness of public
        transportation, the Federal Government must balance transit
        system security and accessibility.
            (9) The Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission
        Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53), conferred to the Department of
        Homeland Security the responsibility for assuring public
        transportation security.
            (10) A May 2016 report by the Inspector General of the
        Department of Homeland Security found that the Transportation
        Security Administration has limited regulatory oversight of
        Amtrak's passenger security.
            (11) A May 2016 report by the Government Accountability
        Office recommended that the Federal Air Marshal Service
        undertake a number of measures to ensure resources are
        allocated according to risk assessments.
            (12) Congress must provide the agencies and municipalities
        with the necessary resources to combat terrorism, and continue
        to conduct oversight of their effective use.

SEC. 3. RAIL SECURITY.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Office of
Management and Budget, shall submit to Congress a report on the plan of
the Secretary to expedite the implementation of the requirements of
subtitle B of title XV of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1161 et seq.) to--
            (1) assign rail carriers to high-risk tiers; and
            (2) establish a rail security training program.

SEC. 4. VISIBLE INTERMODAL PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TEAMS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1303(b) of the
Implementing Recommendations of the
9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1112) is
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2007 through 2011'' and inserting
``fiscal years 2016 through 2020''.
    (b) Surface Transportation Security Inspectors.--Section 1304(j) of
the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007
(Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1113) is amended by striking ``this
section'' and all that follows and inserting ``this section such sums
as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.''.

SEC. 5. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 1409(h) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1138) is amended by
striking ``to make grants'' and all that follows and inserting ``to
carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 2016 through 2020.''.

SEC. 6. RAILROAD SECURITY.

    Section 1513(i)(1) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1163) is amended by
striking ``Out of funds'' and all that follows and inserting: ``There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
section such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2016 through 2020.''.

SEC. 7. OVER-THE-ROAD BUS SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

    Section 1532(k)(1) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11
Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1182) is amended by
striking ``From amounts'' and all that follows and inserting ``There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this
section such sums as necessary for fiscal years 2016 through 2020.''.

SEC. 8. PUBLIC TRANSIT SECURITY POLICE TRAINING PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop a
program, to be known as the ``Local Transit Security Instructor
Training Program'', which shall be carried out at the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Centers.
    (b) Contents.--The program developed under subsection (a) shall be
an intensive training program designed to--
            (1) cover the comprehensive tactical subject matters
        pertaining to the unique nature of public transit operational
        environments and threats;
            (2) provide high-quality training and instill the
        knowledge, skills, and aptitudes needed for the highest
        proficiency in transit security; and
            (3) leverage the existing skills of trainee officers by
        emphasizing leadership, teach backs, and adult learning as well
        as the traditional technical skills needed by field training
        officers.
    (c) Availability.--The Secretary shall make such program available
to law enforcement agencies that are eligible for the Homeland Security
Grant Program under section 2002 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(6 U.S.C. 603) and have jurisdiction over a geographic area where a
public transit system operates rail or bus service.

SEC. 9. EFFECTIVENESS OF FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL PROGRAM.

    The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such steps as may be
necessary to ensure that the Federal Air Marshal Service (hereinafter
in this section referred to as the ``FAMS'') uses its resources to
cover the highest-risk flights. In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall--
            (1) consider risk when determining how to divide the
        international flight coverage resources of the FAMS among
        international destinations, incorporate risk into the method of
        the FAMS for initially setting its annual target numbers of
        average daily international and domestic flights;
            (2) conduct and document a risk assessment to further
        support the domestic resource allocation decisions of the FAMS,
        including the identification of high-priority geographic areas;
            (3) in conducting such risk assessment, evaluate the threat
        environment with regard to each of the different modes of
        transportation supported by the FAMS to inform resource
        allocation decisions, including the identification of high-
        priority modes of transportation;
            (4) document the rationale for the selection of
        international destinations by FAMS for air marshal deployment
        and the proportion of flights to cover at each destination;
            (5) adopt a consistent name and definition for the
        performance measure referred to as the TSA coverage score that
        accurately reflects its calculation method and composite
        nature; and
            (6) report the performance results for each of the
        subcategories that comprise the TSA coverage score to FAMS and
        TSA leadership.

Output: Securing America's Facilities, Equipment and Rail: Taking Responsibility for American National Security in Transit Act or the SAFER TRANSIT Act This bill amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to reauthorize through FY2020 the Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) program and other specified activities related to public transportation security. (Authorization for the VIPR program expired after FY2011.) The Department of Homeland Security must: (1) develop a Local Transit Security Instructor Training Program, and (2) take steps necessary to ensure that the Federal Air Marshal Service uses its resources to cover the highest-risk flights.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Energy-Efficient Cool Roof Jobs
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEPRECIATION RECOVERY PERIOD FOR CERTAIN ROOF SYSTEMS.

    (a) 20-Year Recovery Period.--
            (1) In general.--Subparagraph (F) of section 168(e)(3) of
        the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as
        follows:
                    ``(F) 20-year property.--The term `20-year
                property' means--
                            ``(i) initial clearing and grading land
                        improvements with respect to any electric
                        utility transmission and distribution plant,
                        and
                            ``(ii) any qualified energy-efficient cool
                        roof replacement property.''.
            (2) Qualified energy-efficient cool roof replacement
        property.--Section 168(e) of such Code is amended by adding at
        the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) Qualified energy-efficient cool roof replacement
        property.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified energy-
                efficient cool roof replacement property' means any
                roof system--
                            ``(i) which is placed in service above
                        conditioned or semi-heated space on an eligible
                        commercial building,
                            ``(ii) which has a slope equal to or less
                        than 2:12,
                            ``(iii) which replaces an existing roof
                        system, and
                            ``(iv) which includes--
                                    ``(I) insulation which meets or
                                exceeds the minimum prescriptive
                                requirements in tables A-1 to A-9 in
                                the Normative Appendix A of ASHRAE
                                Standard 189.1-2011, and
                                    ``(II) in the case of an eligible
                                commercial building located in a
                                climate zone other than climate zone 6,
                                7, or 8 (as specified in ASHRAE
                                Standard 189.1-2011), a primary roof
                                covering which has a cool roof surface.
                    ``(B) Cool roof surface.--The term `cool roof
                surface' means a roof the exterior surface of which--
                            ``(i) has a 3-year-aged solar reflectance
                        of at least 0.55 and a 3-year-aged thermal
                        emittance of at least 0.75, as determined in
                        accordance with the Cool Roof Rating Council
                        CRRC-1 Product Rating Program, or
                            ``(ii) has a 3-year-aged solar reflectance
                        index (SRI) of at least 64, as determined in
                        accordance with ASTM Standard E1980,
                        determined--
                                    ``(I) using a medium-wind-speed
                                convection coefficient of 12 W/
                                m2.K, and
                                    ``(II) using the values for 3-year-
                                aged solar reflectance and 3-year-aged
                                thermal emittance determined in
                                accordance with the Cool Roof Rating
                                Council CRRC-1 Product Rating Program.
                    ``(C) Roof system.--The term `roof system' means a
                system of roof components, including roof insulation
                and a membrane or primary roof covering, but not
                including the roof deck, designed to weather-proof and
                improve the thermal resistance of a building.
                    ``(D) Eligible commercial building.--The term
                `eligible commercial building' means any building--
                            ``(i) which is within the scope of ASHRAE
                        Standard 90.1-2010,
                            ``(ii) which is located in the United
                        States,
                            ``(iii) with respect to which depreciation
                        (or amortization in lieu of depreciation) is
                        allowable, and
                            ``(iv) which was placed in service before
                        the date that is 3 years prior to the date the
                        roof system described in subparagraph (A) is
                        placed in service.
                    ``(E) ASHRAE.--The term `ASHRAE' means the American
                Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
                Engineers.''.
    (b) Requirement To Use Straight Line Method.--Paragraph (3) of
section 168(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(J) Any qualified energy-efficient cool roof
                replacement property.''.
    (c) Alternative System.--The table contained in section
168(g)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
striking the last item and inserting the following new items:

        ``(F)(i)...........................................         25
         (F)(ii)...........................................     27.5''.
    (d) Depreciation Rules for Certain Qualified Energy-Efficient Cool
Roof Replacement Property for Purposes of Computing the Earnings and
Profits of a Real Estate Investment Trust.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph (3) of section 312(k) of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
        the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) Treatment of qualified energy-efficient cool
                roof replacement property.--In the case of any
                qualified energy-efficient cool roof replacement
                property (within the meaning of section 168(e)(9)), the
                adjustment for depreciation to earnings and profits of
                a real estate investment trust for any taxable year
                shall be determined under the alternative depreciation
                method (within the meaning of section 168(g)(2)),
                except that the recovery period shall be 20 years.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Subparagraph (A) of section
        312(k)(3) of such Code is amended by striking ``subparagraph
        (B),'' and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (C),''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

Output: Energy-Efficient Cool Roof Jobs Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify any qualified energy-efficient cool roof replacement property as 20-year property for depreciation purposes. Defines "qualified energy-efficient cool roof replacement property" as any roof system that: (1) is placed in service above conditioned or semiheated space on an eligible commercial building, (2) has a slope equal to or less than 2:12 (low-slope roof), (3) replaces an existing roof system, and (4) includes insulation meeting specified standards and a primary roof covering that has a cool roof surface. Requires the adjustment for depreciation to the earnings and profits of a real estate investment trust for any taxable year, in the case of such property, to be determined under the alternative depreciation method, except that the recovery period shall be 20 years.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Nye County Higher Education Campus
Conveyance Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Chancellor.--The term ``Chancellor'' means the
        Chancellor of the University system.
            (2) County.--The term ``County'' means the County of Nye,
        Nevada.
            (3) College.--The term ``College'' means the Nye County
        Nevada Higher Education Campus in Pahrump Valley, Nevada, a
        component of the University system.
            (4) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the
        parcel of Bureau of Land Management land identified on the map
        as the N\1/2\ (excluding the NW\1/4\NW\1/4\) of sec. 2 of T. 21
        S., R. 54 E.
            (5) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled
        ``Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act'' and dated
        October 1, 2002.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada.
            (7) University system.--The term ``University system''
        means the University and Community College System of Nevada.

SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF
              NEVADA.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and section 1(c) of the
Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the ``Recreation and Public
Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869(c)), not later than 1 year after the
date on which a survey defining the official metes and bounds of the
Federal land is approved by the Secretary, the Secretary shall convey
to the University system without consideration, all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to the Federal land for use as a
campus for the College.
    (b) Conditions.--
            (1) In general.--As a condition of the conveyance under
        subsection (a), the Chancellor shall agree in writing--
                    (A) to pay any administrative costs associated with
                the conveyance, including the cost of any
                environmental, wildlife, cultural, or historical
                resources studies;
                    (B) to use the Federal land conveyed for
                educational and recreational purposes;
                    (C) to release and indemnify the United States from
                any claims or liabilities which may arise from uses
                that are carried out on the Federal land on or before
                the date of enactment of this Act by the United States
                or any person;
                    (D) as soon as practicable after the date of the
                conveyance under subsection (a), to erect at the
                College an appropriate and centrally located monument
                that acknowledges the conveyance of the Federal land by
                the United States for the purpose of furthering the
                higher education of citizens in the State; and
                    (E) to assist the Bureau of Land Management in
                providing information to the students of the College
                and the citizens of the State on--
                            (i) public land in the State; and
                            (ii) the role of the Bureau of Land
                        Management in managing, preserving, and
                        protecting the public land.
            (2) Valid existing rights.--The conveyance under subsection
        (a) shall be subject to all valid existing rights.
    (c) Use of Federal Land.--
            (1) In general.--The University system may use the land
        conveyed under subsection (a) for--
                    (A) any purpose relating to the establishment,
                operation, growth, and maintenance of the College; and
                    (B) any uses relating to those purposes, including
                residential and commercial development that would
                generally be associated with an institution of higher
                education.
            (2) Other entities.--The University system may--
                    (A) consistent with Federal and State law, lease or
                otherwise provide property or space at the College,
                with or without consideration, to religious, public
                interest, community, or other groups for services and
                events that are of interest to the College, the
                University system, or any community located in the
                County;
                    (B) allow the County or any other community in the
                County to use facilities of the College for educational
                and recreational programs of the County or community;
                and
                    (C) in conjunction with the County, plan, finance
                (including through the provision of cost-share
                assistance), construct, and operate facilities for the
                County on the Federal land for educational or
                recreational purposes consistent with this section.
    (d) Reversion.--If the Federal land or any portion of the Federal
land conveyed under subsection (a) ceases to be used for the College,
the Federal land or any portion of the Federal land shall, at the
discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.

Output: Nye County Higher Education Campus Conveyance Act - Requires the conveyance, without consideration, of all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to specified Bureau of Land Management land in the State of Nevada to the University and Community College System of Nevada for use as a campus for the Nye County Nevada Higher Education Campus in Pahrump Valley, Nevada.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United Nations Rapid Deployment Act
of 2001''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The December 1999 United Nations ``Report on the
        Independent Inquiry into the Actions of the United Nations
        During the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda'' indicates that in April
        1994, the United Nations Security Council failed to deploy
        5,500 United Nations peacekeepers to Rwanda within two weeks of
        the initial violence, thereby allowing the conflict to
        escalate. The six-month estimated cost of the deployment would
        have been $115,000,000. Instead, the genocide consumed 800,000
        lives along with $2,000,000,000 in humanitarian aid.
            (2) The April 2000 report of the United Nations Secretary
        General, ``We the Peoples, The Role of the United Nations in
        the 21st Century'', states that only member nations of the
        United Nations can fix the structural weakness of United
        Nations peace operations. The report compares the current
        system for launching peacekeeping operations to a volunteer
        fire department that has to find fire engines and the funds to
        run them before starting to douse any flames. The present
        United Nations system relies almost entirely on last minute, ad
        hoc arrangements that guarantee delay, with respect to the
        provision of civilian personnel even more so than military
        personnel. Availability and readiness of forces is very
        unpredictable and constraints on resources preclude rapid
        deployment.
            (3) In August 2000, the specially-appointed panel on United
        Nations Peace Operations issued its findings. Known as the
        ``Brahimi Report'' (A/55/305; S/2000/809), the report concludes
        that ``few of the basic building blocks are in place for the
        United Nations to rapidly acquire and deploy the human and
        material resources required to mount any complex peace
        operation in the future''. These building blocks include a
        standing police corps, a reserve corps of mission leadership, a
        sufficient stockpile of equipment, and arrangements for
        recruitment of civilian personnel. Furthermore, the report
        encourages member nations to enter partnerships with one
        another in the context of the United Nations Stand-by
        Arrangements System (UNSAS). These partnerships would form the
        basis for Rapid Deployment Brigades (RDBs), which would develop
        the operational capabilities to fully deploy ``traditional''
        peacekeeping operations within 30 days of the adoption of an
        authorizing Security Council resolution and to fully deploy
        ``complex'' peacekeeping operations within 90 days of the
        adoption of an authorizing Security Council resolution.
            (4) Former United States Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke,
        speaking before the United Nations Security Council on November
        15, 2000, stated that ``[u]nless we move decisively on
        meaningful peacekeeping reform, those that threaten
        peacekeepers across the globe may draw the conclusion that the
        UN lacks the will, the cohesion and even the capability to
        perform its essential peacekeeping function''.
            (5) Both the nations of Europe and the United States have
        recognized the value and need for rapidly deployable combat
        units in response to a full spectrum of contingencies,
        including peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, low-
        intensity conflicts, and full-scale warfare. The European Union
        has proposed forming a standing police force and rapid
        deployment brigades as part of the European Defense Force, and
        in the United States, the Department of Defense is establishing
        interim brigade combat teams as part of the overall Army
        transformation strategy.
            (6) The United States' veto power in the United Nations
        Security Council gives it the capacity to halt the deployment
        of United Nations forces if the deployment is not in the
        national interests of the United States.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNITED NATIONS RAPID DEPLOYMENT POLICE AND
              SECURITY FORCE.

    (a) Establishment.--The President shall direct the United States
representative to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and
influence of the United States to urge the United Nations--
            (1) to establish a United Nations Rapid Deployment Police
        and Security Force (UNRDPSF) that--
                    (A) is rapidly deployable under the authority of
                the United Nations Security Council;
                    (B) should be able to deploy within 15 days of a
                United Nations Security Council resolution to establish
                international peace operations;
                    (C) is limited to a maximum deployment of six
                months for any given mission;
                    (D) should be deployed only when the United Nations
                Security Council determines that violations of human
                rights, breaches of the peace, or the failure to
                restore the rule of law, requires rapid response to
                ensure adherence to negotiated agreements to prevent or
end hostilities;
                    (E) should be composed of at least 6,000 volunteers
                who train together and are appropriately equipped
                expressly for international peace operations, including
                civilian policing; and
                    (F) should be given the authority to protect
                itself, execute negotiated peace accords, disarm
                combatants, protect civilians, detain war criminals,
                restore the rule of law, and to carry out other
                purposes as detailed in United Nations Security Council
                resolutions;
            (2) to recruit personnel to serve in the Force; and
            (3) to provide equitable and reliable funding for the
        Force.
    (b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``international peace
operations'' means any operation carried out under a United Nations
Security Council resolution.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF RAPID DEPLOYMENT BRIGADES.

    In order to promote the development of human and material resources
for United Nations peacekeeping operations as recommended by the August
2000 Report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations (A/55/305;
S/2000/809), commonly known as the ``Brahimi Report'', the President--
            (1) shall direct the Secretary of State and the United
        States representative to the United Nations to encourage the
        member nations of the United Nations to enter into partnerships
        with one another, in the context of the United Nations Stand-by
        Arrangements System (UNSAS), to form the basis for Rapid
        Deployment Brigades, which would develop the operational
        capabilities to fully deploy ``traditional'' peacekeeping
        operations within 30 days of the adoption of a Security Council
        resolution and ``complex'' peacekeeping operations within 90
        days of the adoption of a Security Council resolution; and
            (2) shall direct the Secretary of Defense to undertake a
        study, not later than six months after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, to determine the advisability of and the
        feasibility of using interim combat brigade teams as part of
        Rapid Deployment Brigades as described in paragraph (1).

SEC. 5. REPORT ON UNITED NATIONS RAPID DEPLOYMENT.

    Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act,
the President shall prepare and transmit to the Congress a report on--
            (1) the status of negotiations to establish a United
        Nations Rapid Deployment Police and Security Force (UNRDPSF) in
        accordance with section 3;
            (2) the status of United States activities to encourage
        member nations of the United Nations to establish Rapid
        Deployment Brigades in accordance with section 4(1); and
            (3) the results of the study conducted under section 4(2).

Output: United Nations Rapid Deployment Act of 2001 - Requires the President to direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations (UN) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States to urge the UN to: (1) establish a United Nations Rapid Deployment Police and Security Force (UNRDPSF) that is rapidly deployable under the authority of the UN Security Council, and that meets other specified requirements; (2) recruit UNRDPSF personnel; and (3) provide equitable and reliable funding.Requires the President, in order to promote the development of human and material resources for UN peacekeeping operations as recommended by the August 2000 Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations (Brahimi Report), to: (1) direct the Secretary of State and the U.S. representative to the UN to encourage UN member nations to enter into partnerships with one another to form Rapid Deployment Brigades which could develop operational capabilities to fully deploy peacekeeping operations within a specified time; and (2) direct the Secretary of Defense to study the advisability of and feasibility of using interim combat brigade teams as part of the Rapid Deployment Brigades.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Marriage from the Courts Act
of 2015''.

SEC. 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.

    The Senate makes the following findings:
            (1) In Baker v. Nelson, 409 U.S. 810 (1972), the Supreme
        Court of the United States upheld a State law defining marriage
        as the union of one man and one woman against a constitutional
        challenge by a same-sex couple seeking to marry. The Court
        rejected the challenge in a one-sentence order that read, ``The
        appeal is dismissed for want of a substantial federal
        question.''.
            (2) The Supreme Court's judgment in Baker is as sound today
        as it was then. Challenging a State marriage law on the basis
        that it does not extend to same-sex couples raises no
        substantial Federal question because nothing in the text or
        history of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United
        States even arguably indicates a general public understanding
        at the time of ratification that the ratifiers had adopted a
        constitutional principle that invalidated State laws defining
        marriage as a male-female union.
            (3) It follows that the power to decide whether to extend
        the legal status and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples
        does not belong to the courts, but rests instead with the
        people through their elected State representatives, unless
        their State constitutions provide otherwise. The Constitution
        of the United States leaves it to the people of each State to
        decide for themselves through their democratic processes how to
        redefine the legal meaning of marriage for purposes of their
        respective State laws.
            (4) Numerous Federal courts, including the United States
        Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth
        Circuits, have nevertheless invalidated State marriage laws
        that do not allow the licensing of same-sex marriages. In so
        doing, these courts have exceeded their authority under the
        Constitution and have usurped the people's exclusive authority
        to decide this issue. Pending before the Supreme Court are 4
        related cases challenging the marriage laws in Kentucky,
        Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.
            (5) The purpose of this Act (including the amendment made
        by this Act) is to maintain the authority of the States to
        define marriage and to prevent, consistent with the
        Constitution, any further unlawful action by Federal courts
        until such time as an amendment to the Constitution is enacted
        unequivocally guaranteeing that the States have the power to
        define marriage as limited to the union of one man and one
        woman.
            (6) This Act prevents that unlawful action by eliminating
        the jurisdiction of all courts created by Federal law, as well
        as the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, to
        adjudicate claims pertaining to the constitutionality of State
        marriage laws. Because section 1 of article III of the
        Constitution gives Congress the power to ``ordain and
        establish'' ``inferior Courts'', the Supreme Court has long
        held that Congress has the power to limit the jurisdiction of
        the lower Federal courts. See Palmore v. United States, 411
        U.S. 389, 400-01 (1973). In addition, section 2 of article III
        of the Constitution gives Congress the power to make
        ``Exceptions'' to the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme
        Court. The Supreme Court itself has acknowledged that this
        power applies even to cases that are pending before the Court.
        See Ex parte McCardle, 74 U.S. (7 Wall.) 506, 514 (1869).
            (7) Finally, this Act makes clear that a court's judgment
        only applies to the parties before the court and that
        nonparties have no legal obligation to comply with the decision
        until so ordered by a court.

SEC. 3. LIMITATION OF JURISDICTION.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 99 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1632. Limitations on Federal jurisdiction
    ``(a) No court created by Federal law shall have jurisdiction, and
the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction, to adjudicate
or enforce any claim pertaining to the validity, under the Constitution
of the United States, of a State law, or State administrative or
judicial decision, that--
            ``(1) defines marriage as limited to the union of one man
        and one woman; or
            ``(2) refuses State recognition of or allows the State to
        refuse recognition of same-sex marriages performed and licensed
        in other States.
    ``(b) To the extent that either a court created by Federal law or
the Supreme Court has entered a final judgment on a claim described in
subsection (a) before the effective date of this section, that judgment
binds only the parties to the case. No person who is not a party to the
case shall have any obligation to comply with the decision in the
case.''.
    (b) Severability.--If any provision of this Act, an amendment made
by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any
person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of
this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such
provision or amendment to any person or circumstance shall not be
affected.
    (c) Effective Date and Application.--
            (1) Effective date.--This Act (including the amendment made
        by this Act) takes effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Application.--This Act applies to all claims pending on
        or after that date of enactment.
    (d) Amendments to the Table of Sections.--The table of sections for
chapter 99 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``1632. Limitations on Federal jurisdiction.''.

Output: Protect Marriage from the Courts Act of 2015 Prohibits federal courts from having jurisdiction to adjudicate or enforce any claim pertaining to the validity, under the U.S. Constitution, of a state law or a state administrative or judicial decision that: (1) defines marriage as limited to the union of one man and one woman, or (2) refuses state recognition of, or allows the state to refuse recognition of, same-sex marriages performed and licensed in other states. Allows final judgments entered by federal courts before the enactment of this Act to remain binding on the parties to the case, but persons who are not a party to such a case are not obligated to comply with such decisions.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Benefits for Seniors Act of
2000''.

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF 1993 INCREASE IN TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 86(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to social security and tier 1 railroad
retirement benefits) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence:
        ``This paragraph shall not apply to any taxable year beginning
        after December 31, 2000.''
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Paragraph (3) of section 871(a) of such Code is amended
        by striking ``85 percent'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting
        ``50 percent''.
            (2)(A) Subparagraph (A) of section 121(e)(1) of the Social
        Security Amendments of 1983 (Public Law 98-21) is amended--
                    (i) by striking ``(A) There'' and inserting
                ``There'';
                    (ii) by striking ``(i)'' immediately following
                ``amounts equivalent to''; and
                    (iii) by striking ``, less (ii)'' and all that
                follows and inserting a period.
            (B) Paragraph (1) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended
        by striking subparagraph (B).
            (C) Paragraph (3) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended
        by striking subparagraph (B) and by redesignating subparagraph
        (C) as subparagraph (B).
            (D) Paragraph (2) of section 121(e) of such Act is amended
        in the first sentence by striking ``paragraph (1)(A)'' and
        inserting ``paragraph (1)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY BY
              CONGRESSIONALLY APPOINTED REVIEW COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment of Consumer Price Index Review Committee.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established a review committee
        to be known as the Consumer Price Index Review Committee (in
        this section referred to as the ``Committee'').
            (2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of 15
        members jointly appointed by the leadership of the Senate and
        the House of Representatives of whom--
                    (A) 11 shall be leading experts in the field of
                economics and, to the extent feasible, familiar with
                the issues related to the calculation of changes in the
                cost of living; and
                    (B) 4 shall be representatives of individuals who
                have attained age 65.
            (3) Terms and vacancies.--
                    (A) Terms.--A member of the Committee appointed
                under paragraph (2) shall be appointed for the duration
                of the Committee.
                    (B) Vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A vacancy on the Committee
                        shall be filled in the same manner in which the
                        original appointment was made and shall be
                        subject to any conditions which applied with
                        respect to the original appointment.
                            (ii) Filling unexpired term.--An individual
                        chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for
                        the duration of the Committee.
            (4) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date
        on which all members of the Committee have been appointed, the
        Committee shall hold its first meeting.
            (5) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Committee
        shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
        hold hearings.
            (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Committee shall
        select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the
        members appointed under paragraph (2).
    (b) Duties.--
            (1) Study and development of implementation plan.--
                    (A) In general.--The Committee shall conduct a
                study--
                            (i) to improve the method for determining
                        an index, to be known as the ``Consumer Price
                        Index for the Elderly'';
                            (ii) to make recommendations addressing the
                        limitations of the method for determining the
                        Experimental Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly calculated by the Bureau of Labor
                        Statistics to ensure that the improved index
                        accurately measures changes over time in
                        expenditures for consumption that are typical
                        for retirees in the United States who receive
                        old-age and survivors insurance benefits under
                        title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
                        401 et seq.); and
                            (iii) to develop an implementation plan.
                    (B) Study requirements.--The study described in
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following
                requirements:
                            (i) The Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly shall be based on an accurate market
                        basket of goods and services that reflect a
                        representative collection of typical purchases
                        by the total retiree population in the United
States who receive old-age and survivors insurance benefits under title
II of such Act.
                            (ii) The Consumer Expenditure Survey used
                        by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate
                        the Experimental Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly shall be re-designed and expanded to
                        collect expenditure patterns representative of
                        such total retiree population.
                            (iii) The areas and outlets priced by the
                        Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the
                        Experimental Consumer Price Index for the
                        Elderly shall be modified to reflect a
                        representation of the places of purchase for
                        such total retiree population.
                            (iv) The categories of items to be priced
                        shall be selected to represent such total
                        retiree population.
                            (v) The prices collected shall adequately
                        reflect the availability of discount prices for
                        such total retiree population.
                            (vi) Any other limitations otherwise found
                        to affect the accuracy of the Consumer Price
                        Index for the Elderly shall be removed.
                    (C) Additional study.--The Committee shall also
                study the method for determining an accurate consumer
                price index for individuals who receive disability
                insurance benefits under title II of such Act.
            (2) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not
                later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the
                Committee under subsection (a)(4), the Committee shall
                submit a report to Congress on the study conducted in
                accordance with paragraph (1).
                    (B) Required approval.--The Committee shall not
                submit a report under subparagraph (A) unless the
                report has the approval of at least 9 members of the
                Committee.
    (c) Powers.--
            (1) Hearings.--The Committee may hold such hearings, sit
        and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and
        receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to
        carry out the purposes of this section.
            (2) Information from federal agencies.--The Committee may
        secure directly from any Federal department or agency such
        information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out
        this section, including the published and unpublished data and
        analytical products of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Upon
        request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of such
        department or agency shall furnish such information to the
        Committee in a timely manner.
            (3) Postal services.--The Committee may use the United
        States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions
        as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
            (4) Gifts.--The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of
        gifts or donations of services or property.
    (d) Personnel Matters.--
            (1) Compensation of members.--Each member of the Committee
        who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the Federal
        Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily
        equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level
        III of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5,
        United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during
        which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties
        of the Committee. All members of the Committee who otherwise
        are officers or employees of the United States shall serve
        without compensation in addition to that received for their
        services as officers or employees of the United States.
            (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Committee shall be
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business
        in the performance of services for the Committee.
            (3) Staff.--
                    (A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Committee
                may, without regard to the civil service laws and
regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Committee to
perform its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be
subject to confirmation by the Committee.
                    (B) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Committee
                may fix the compensation of the executive director and
                other personnel without regard to the provisions of
                chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5,
                United States Code, relating to classification of
                positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that
                the rate of pay for the executive director and other
                personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level IV
                of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such
                title.
            (4) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government
        employee may be detailed to the Committee without additional
        reimbursement (other than the employee's regular compensation),
        and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil
        service status or privilege.
            (5) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and
        intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
        States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the
        daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for
        level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such
        title.
    (e) Termination.--The Committee shall terminate 1 year after the
date of the initial meeting of the Committee under subsection (a)(4).
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Committee such sums as are necessary to carry out
the purposes of this section.

SEC. 4. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST CONSUMER PRICE
              INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY.

    (a) Pilot Program.--The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics shall establish a pilot program to test the accuracy of an
operational index to be recommended by the Consumer Price Index Review
Committee under section 3 and to be known as the ``Consumer Price Index
for the Elderly'', which indicates changes over time in expenditures
for consumption which are typical for retirees in the United States who
receive old-age and survivors insurance benefits under title II of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.).
    (b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program shall commence
with the first month that begins after the date of the submission of
the report under section 3(b)(2) and shall continue through December
2003.

SEC. 5. INTERIM APPLICATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ALL URBAN
              CONSUMERS.

    For cost-of-living computation quarters (as defined in section
215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(1)(B))
occurring during the period that begins on January 1, 2001, and ends
with the implementation of the Official Consumer Price Index for the
Elderly under section 6(b), the Commissioner of Social Security,
notwithstanding section 215(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)) and any regulations promulgated thereunder, shall use the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers to calculate cost-of-
living adjustments for benefits described in section 6(b)(1).

SEC. 6. APPLICATION OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE ELDERLY.

    (a) Implementation.--
            (1) Commissioner of bureau of labor statistics.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not
                later than the fourth year that begins after the
                Consumer Price Index Review Committee submits the
                report required under section 3(b)(2), the Commissioner
                of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall prepare and
                publish monthly the Official Consumer Price Index for
                the Elderly based on the implementation plan and
                recommendations included in that report.
                    (B) No implementation if congressional disapproval
                of committee report.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply
                if a joint resolution is enacted, in accordance with
                paragraph (2), disapproving the report submitted by the
                Consumer Price Index Review Committee before the end of
                the 90-day period that begins on the date on which the
                Review Committee submits the report.
                    (C) Exclusion of certain days.--For purposes of
                subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), the days on which
                either House of Congress is not in session because of
                an adjournment of more than 3 days to a day certain
                shall be excluded from the computation of the period.
            (2) Congressional consideration.--
                    (A) Terms of the resolution.--For purposes of
                paragraph (1)(A), the term ``joint resolution'' means
                only a joint resolution that is introduced within the
                period described in that paragraph and--
                            (i) that does not have a preamble;
                            (ii) the matter after the resolving clause
                        of which is as follows: ``That Congress
                        disapproves the report of the Consumer Price
                        Index Review Committee regarding the
                        implementation of the Consumer Price Index for
                        the Elderly submitted on ________.'', the blank
                        space being filled in with the appropriate
                        date; and
                            (iii) the title of which is as follows:
                        ``Joint resolution disapproving the report of
                        the Consumer Price Index Review Committee
                        regarding the implementation of the Consumer
                        Price Index for the Elderly.''.
                    (B) Referral.--A resolution described in
                subparagraph (A) that is introduced--
                            (i) in the House of Representatives, shall
                        be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means;
                        and
                            (ii) in the Senate, shall be referred to
                        the Committee on Finance.
                    (C) Discharge.--If a committee to which a
                resolution described in subparagraph (A) is referred
                has not reported such resolution by the end of the 60-
                day period beginning on the date on which the Consumer
                Price Index Review Committee submits the report
                required under section 3(b)(2), such committee shall
                be, at the end of such period, discharged from further
                consideration of such resolution, and such resolution
                shall be placed on the appropriate calendar of the
                House involved.
                    (D) Consideration.--On or after the third day after
                the date on which the committee to which a resolution
                described in subparagraph (A) has reported, or has been
                discharged from further consideration of such
                resolution, such resolution shall be considered in the
                same manner as a resolution is considered under
                subsections (d), (e), and (f) of section 2908 of the
                Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10
                U.S.C. 2687 note).
    (b) Use of Index.--For cost-of-living computation quarters (as
defined in section 215(i)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(1)(B))) beginning on or after January 1 of the calendar year
that begins after the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
first prepares and publishes the Official Consumer Price Index for the
Elderly in accordance with subsection (a)(1), the Commissioner of
Social Security shall--
            (1) cease using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
        Consumers to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for old-age
        and survivors insurance benefits payable under title II of the
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) to any retiree or
        individual who has attained age 62; and
            (2) notwithstanding section 215(i) of the Social Security
        Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)) and any regulations promulgated
        thereunder, use the Official Consumer Price Index for the
        Elderly to calculate such adjustments.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Bureau of Labor Statistics such sums as are
necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

Output:
Establishes the Consumer Price Index Review Committee to study and report to Congress on: (1) improved, more accurate methods for determining a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly to ensure that the improved index accurately measures changes in expenditures for consumption typical for retirees who receive Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as well as an index implementation plan; and (2) an accurate consumer price index for individuals who receive SSA title II disability insurance benefits. Authorizes appropriations.
Directs the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish a pilot program to test the accuracy of an operational Consumer Price Index for the Elderly, which indicates changes in such consumption expenditures.
Provides for implementation of the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. Authorizes appropriations.