Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Interstate Transportation of
Municipal Waste Act of 1995''.

SEC. 2. INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF MUNICIPAL WASTE.

    Subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

             ``interstate transportation of municipal waste

    ``Sec. 4011. (a) Authority To Restrict Out-of-State Municipal
Waste.--(1)(A) Except as provided in subsection (b), if requested in
writing by an affected local government, a Governor may prohibit the
disposal of out-of-State municipal waste in any landfill or incinerator
that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Governor or the affected
local government.
    ``(B) Prior to submitting a request under this section, the
affected local government shall--
            ``(i) provide notice and opportunity for public comment
        concerning any proposed request; and
            ``(ii) following notice and comment, take formal action on
        any proposed request at a public meeting.
    ``(2) Beginning with calendar year 1995, a Governor of a State may,
with respect to landfills covered by the exceptions provided in
subsection (b)--
            ``(A) notwithstanding the absence of a request in writing
        by the affected local government--
                    ``(i) limit the quantity of out-of-State municipal
                waste received for disposal at each landfill in the
                State to an annual quantity equal to the quantity of
                out-of-State municipal waste received for disposal at
                the landfill during the calendar year 1993 or 1994,
                whichever is less; and
                    ``(ii) limit the disposal of out-of-State municipal
                waste at landfills that received, during calendar year
                1993, documented shipments of more than 50,000 tons of
                out-of-State municipal waste representing more than 30
                percent of all municipal waste received at the landfill
                during the calendar year, by prohibiting at each such
                landfill the disposal, in any year, of a quantity of
                out-of-State municipal waste that is greater than 30
                percent of all municipal waste received at the landfill
                during calendar year 1993; and
            ``(B) if requested in writing by the affected local
        government, prohibit the disposal of out-of-State municipal
        waste in landfill cells that do not meet the design and
        location standards and leachate collection and ground water
        monitoring requirements of State law and regulations in effect
        on January 1, 1993, for new landfills.
    ``(3)(A) In addition to the authorities provided in paragraph
(1)(A), beginning with calendar year 1997, a Governor of any State, if
requested in writing by the affected local government, may further
limit the disposal of out-of-State municipal waste as provided in
paragraph (2)(A)(ii) by reducing the 30 percent annual quantity
limitation to 20 percent in each of calendar years 1998 and 1999, and
to 10 percent in each succeeding calendar year.
    ``(B)(i) A State may ban imports from large exporting States if the
volumes of municipal solid waste exported by those States did not meet
reduction targets.
    ``(ii) A ban under clause (i) may prohibit imports from States that
export more than--
            ``(I) 3,500,000 tons in calendar year 1996;
            ``(II) 3,000,000 tons in calendar year 1997;
            ``(III) 3,000,000 tons in calendar year 1998;
            ``(IV) 2,500,000 tons in calendar year 1999;
            ``(V) 2,500,000 tons in calendar year 2000;
            ``(VI) 1,500,000 tons in calendar year 2001;
            ``(VII) 1,500,000 tons in calendar year 2002; or
            ``(VIII) 1,000,000 tons in any calendar year after 2002,
excluding any volume legitimately covered by a host community
agreement.
    ``(4)(A) Any limitation imposed by the Governor under paragraph
(2)(A)--
            ``(i) shall be applicable throughout the State;
            ``(ii) shall not discriminate against any particular
        landfill within the State; and
            ``(iii) shall not discriminate against any shipments of
        out-of-State municipal waste on the basis of State of origin.
    ``(B) In responding to requests by affected local governments under
paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(B), the Governor shall respond in a manner
that does not discriminate against any particular landfill within the
State and does not discriminate against any shipments of out-of-State
municipal waste on the basis of State of origin.
    ``(5)(A) Any Governor who intends to exercise the authority
provided in this paragraph shall, within 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, submit to the Administrator information
documenting the quantity of out-of-State municipal waste received for
disposal in the State of the Governor during calendar years 1993 and
1994.
    ``(B) On receipt of the information submitted pursuant to
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall notify the Governor of each
State and the public and shall provide a comment period of not less
than 30 days.
    ``(C) Not later than 60 days after receipt of information from a
Governor under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall determine the
quantity of out-of-State municipal waste that was received at each
landfill covered by the exceptions provided in subsection (b) for
disposal in the State of the Governor during calendar years 1993 and
1994, and provide notice of the determination to the Governor of each
State. A determination by the Administrator under this subparagraph
shall be final and not subject to judicial review.
    ``(D) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall publish a list of the quantity of out-
of-State municipal waste that was received during calendar years 1993
and 1994 at each landfill covered by the exceptions provided in
subsection (b) for disposal in each State in which the Governor intends
to exercise the authority provided in this paragraph, as determined in
accordance with subparagraph (C).
    ``(b) Exceptions To Authority To Prohibit Out-of-State Municipal
Waste.--The authority to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State
municipal waste provided under subsection (a)(1) shall not apply to--
            ``(1) landfills in operation on the date of enactment of
        this section that--
                    ``(A) received during calendar year 1993 documented
                shipments of out-of-State municipal waste; and
                    ``(B) are in compliance with all applicable State
                laws (including any State rule or regulation) relating
                to design and location standards, leachate collection,
                ground water monitoring, and financial assurance for
                closure and post-closure and corrective action;
            ``(2) proposed landfills that, prior to January 1, 1993,
        received--
                    ``(A) an explicit authorization as part of a host
                community agreement from the affected local government
                to receive municipal waste generated out-of-State; and
                    ``(B) a notice of decision from the State to grant
                a construction permit; or
            ``(3) incinerators in operation on the date of enactment of
        this section that--
                    ``(A) received, during calendar year 1993,
                documented shipments of out-of-State municipal waste;
                    ``(B) are in compliance with the applicable
                requirements of section 129 of the Clean Air Act (42
                U.S.C. 7429); and
                    ``(C) are in compliance with all applicable State
                laws (including any State rule or regulation) relating
                to facility design and operations.
    ``(c) Denial of Permits on Ground of Lack of Need.--
            ``(1) Denial.--A State may deny a permit for the
        construction or operation of a new landfill or incinerator or a
        major modification of an existing landfill or incinerator if--
                    ``(A) the State has approved a State or local
                comprehensive solid waste management plan developed
                under Federal or State law; and
                    ``(B) the denial is based on the State's
                determination, pursuant to a State law authorizing such
                denial, that there is not a local or regional need of
                the landfill or incinerator in the State.
            ``(2) Undue burden.--A denial of a permit under paragraph
        (1) shall not be considered to impose an undue burden on
        interstate commerce or to otherwise impair, restrain, or
        discriminate against interstate commerce.
    ``(d) Definitions.--As used in this section:
            ``(1) The term `affected local government' means--
                    ``(A) the public body authorized by State law to
                plan for the management of municipal solid waste, a
                majority of the members of which are elected officials,
                for the area in which the landfill or incinerator is
located or proposed to be located; or
                    ``(B) if there is not such body created by State
                law, the elected officials of the city, town, township,
                borough, county, or parish selected by the Governor and
                exercising primary responsibility over municipal solid
                waste management or the use of land in the jurisdiction
                in which the facility is located or proposed to be
                located.
            ``(2) The term `affected local solid waste planning unit'
        means a political subdivision of a State with authority
        relating to solid waste management planning in accordance with
        State law.
            ``(3) With respect to a State, the term `out-of-State
        municipal waste' means municipal waste generated outside the
        State. To the extent that it is consistent with the United
        States-Canada Free Trade Agreement and the General Agreement on
        Tariffs and Trade, the term shall include municipal waste
        generated outside the United States.
            ``(4) The term `host community agreement' means a written,
        legally binding document or documents executed by duly
        authorized officials of the affected local government that
        specifically authorizes a landfill or incinerator to receive
        municipal solid waste generated out-of-State.
            ``(5) The term `municipal waste' means refuse (and refuse-
        derived fuel) generated by the general public or from a
        residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial source
        (or any combination thereof), consisting of paper, wood, yard
        wastes, plastics, leather, rubber, or other combustible or
        noncombustible materials such as metal or glass (or any
        combination thereof). The term `municipal waste' does not
        include--
                    ``(A) any solid waste identified or listed as a
                hazardous waste under section 3001;
                    ``(B) any solid waste, including contaminated soil
                and debris, resulting from a response action taken
                under section 104 or 106 of the Comprehensive
                Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
                (42 U.S.C. 9604, 9606) or a corrective action taken
                under this Act;
                    ``(C) any metal, pipe, glass, plastic, paper,
                textile, or other material that has been separated or
                diverted from municipal waste and has been transported
                into the State for the purpose of recycling or
                reclamation;
                    ``(D) any solid waste that is--
                            ``(i) generated by an industrial facility;
                        and
                            ``(ii) transported for the purpose of
                        treatment, storage, or disposal to a facility
                        that is owned or operated by the generator of
                        the waste, or is located on property owned by
                        the generator or a company with which the
                        generator is affiliated;
                    ``(E) any solid waste generated incident to the
                provision of service in interstate, intrastate,
                foreign, or overseas air transportation;
                    ``(F) any industrial waste that is not identical to
                municipal waste with respect to the physical and
                chemical state of the industrial waste, and
                composition, including construction and demolition
                debris;
                    ``(G) any medical waste that is segregated from or
                not mixed with municipal waste; or
                    ``(H) any material or product returned from a
                dispenser or distributor to the manufacturer for
                credit, evaluation, or possible reuse.''.

SEC. 3. TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.

    The table of contents of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is amended by
adding at the end of the items relating to subtitle D the following new
item:

``Sec. 4011. Interstate transportation of municipal waste.''.

Output:
Interstate Transportation of Municipal Waste Act of 1995 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to authorize a State Governor, if requested by an affected local government, to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State municipal waste in:  (1) any landfill or incinerator subject to the jurisdiction of the Governor or the local government; and (2) landfill cells that do not meet the State's design and location standards and leachate collection and groundwater monitoring requirements for new landfills.
Permits such Governors, without the request of such entities, to limit the quantity of out-of-State municipal waste received for disposal, or the disposal of such waste, at landfills covered by exceptions under this Act.
Authorizes States to ban imports from large exporting States if the volumes of municipal solid waste exported by such States did not meet reduction targets.
Prohibits discrimination against any particular landfill and against shipments of out-of-State waste on the basis of State of origin.
Exempts from a Governor's authority to prohibit the disposal of out-of-State waste:   (1) landfills that received documented shipments of such waste in 1993 and are in compliance with State laws relating to design and location standards, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and financial assurance for closure and post-closure and corrective action; (2) proposed landfills that, prior to January 1, 1993, received an authorization as part of a host community agreement from the affected local government to receive municipal waste generated out-of-State and a State notice of decision to grant a construction permit; or (3) incinerators that received documented shipments of such waste during 1993 and are in compliance with performance standards under the Clean Air Act and State laws relating to facility design and operations.
Authorizes States to deny permits for the construction or operation of a new landfill or incinerator or a major modification of an existing landfill or incinerator if:  (1) the State has approved a State or local comprehensive solid waste management plan developed under Federal or State law; and (2) the denial is based on the State's determination that there is not a local or regional need of the landfill or incinerator in the State.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Consumers from
Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2009''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) attempts have been made to prohibit usurious interest
        rates in America since colonial times;
            (2) at the State level, 15 states and the District of
        Columbia have enacted broadly applicable usury laws that
        protect borrowers from high-cost payday loans and many other
        forms of credit, while 34 states and the District of Columbia
        have limited annual interest rates to 36 percent or less for 1
        or more types of consumer credit;
            (3) at the Federal level, in 2006, Congress enacted a
        Federal 36 percent annualized usury cap for service members and
        their families for covered credit products, as defined by the
        Department of Defense, which curbed payday, car title, and tax
        refund lending around military bases;
            (4) notwithstanding such attempts to curb predatory
        lending, high-cost lending persists in all 50 States due to
        loopholes in State laws, safe harbor laws for specific forms of
        credit, and the exportation of unregulated interest rates
        permitted by preemption;
            (5) due to the lack of a comprehensive Federal usury cap,
        consumers annually pay approximately $17,500,000,000 for high-
        cost overdraft loans, as much as $8,600,000,000 for storefront
        and online payday loans, and nearly $900,000,000 for tax refund
        anticipation loans;
            (6) cash-strapped consumers pay on average 400 percent
        annual interest for payday loans, 300 percent annual interest
        for car title loans, up to 3,500 percent for bank overdraft
        loans, 50 to 500 percent annual interest for loans secured by
        expected tax refunds, and higher than 50 percent annual
        percentage interest for credit cards that charge junk fees;
            (7) a national maximum interest rate that includes all
        forms of fees and closes all loopholes is necessary to
        eliminate such predatory lending; and
            (8) alternatives to predatory lending that encourage small
        dollar loans with minimal or no fees, installment payment
        schedules, and affordable repayment periods should be
        encouraged.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE.

    The Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 141. MAXIMUM RATES OF INTEREST.

    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
creditor may make an extension of credit to a consumer with respect to
which the fee and interest rate, as defined in subsection (b), exceeds
36 percent.
    ``(b) Fee and Interest Rate Defined.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the fee
        and interest rate includes all charges payable, directly or
        indirectly, incident to, ancillary to, or as a condition of the
        extension of credit, including--
                    ``(A) any payment compensating a creditor or
                prospective creditor for--
                            ``(i) an extension of credit or making
                        available a line of credit, such as fees
                        connected with credit extension or availability
                        such as numerical periodic rates, annual fees,
                        cash advance fees, and membership fees; or
                            ``(ii) any fees for default or breach by a
                        borrower of a condition upon which credit was
                        extended, such as late fees, creditor-imposed
                        not sufficient funds fees charged when a
                        borrower tenders payment on a debt with a check
                        drawn on insufficient funds, overdraft fees,
                        and over limit fees;
                    ``(B) all fees which constitute a finance charge,
                as defined by rules of the Board in accordance with
                this title;
                    ``(C) credit insurance premiums, whether optional
                or required; and
                    ``(D) all charges and costs for ancillary products
                sold in connection with or incidental to the credit
                transaction.
            ``(2) Tolerances.--
                    ``(A) In general.--With respect to a credit
                obligation that is payable in at least 3 fully
                amortizing installments over at least 90 days, the term
                `fee and interest rate' does not include--
                            ``(i) application or participation fees
                        that in total do not exceed the greater of $30
                        or, if there is a limit to the credit line, 5
                        percent of the credit limit, up to $120, if--
                                    ``(I) such fees are excludable from
                                the finance charge pursuant to section
                                106 and regulations issued thereunder;
                                    ``(II) such fees cover all credit
                                extended or renewed by the creditor for
                                12 months; and
                                    ``(III) the minimum amount of
                                credit extended or available on a
                                credit line is equal to $300 or more;
                            ``(ii) a late fee charged as authorized by
                        State law and by the agreement that does not
                        exceed either $20 per late payment or $20 per
                        month; or
                            ``(iii) a creditor-imposed not sufficient
                        funds fee charged when a borrower tenders
                        payment on a debt with a check drawn on
                        insufficient funds that does not exceed $15.
                    ``(B) Adjustments for inflation.--The Board may
                adjust the amounts of the tolerances established under
                this paragraph for inflation over time, consistent with
                the primary goals of protecting consumers and ensuring
                that the 36 percent fee and interest rate limitation is
                not circumvented.
    ``(c) Calculations.--
            ``(1) Open end credit plans.--For an open end credit plan--
                    ``(A) the fee and interest rate shall be calculated
                each month, based upon the sum of all fees and finance
                charges described in subsection (b) charged by the
                creditor during the preceding 1-year period, divided by
                the average daily balance; and
                    ``(B) if the credit account has been open less than
                1 year, the fee and interest rate shall be calculated
                based upon the total of all fees and finance charges
                described in subsection (b)(1) charged by the creditor
                since the plan was opened, divided by the average daily
                balance, and multiplied by the quotient of 12 divided
                by the number of full months that the credit plan has
                been in existence.
            ``(2) Other credit plans.--For purposes of this section, in
        calculating the fee and interest rate, the Board shall require
        the method of calculation of annual percentage rate specified
        in section 107(a)(1), except that the amount referred to in
        that section 107(a)(1) as the `finance charge' shall include
        all fees, charges, and payments described in subsection (b)(1).
            ``(3) Adjustments authorized.--The Board may make
        adjustments to the calculations in paragraphs (1) and (2), but
        the primary goals of such adjustment shall be to protect
        consumers and to ensure that the 36 percent fee and interest
        rate limitation is not circumvented.
    ``(d) Definition of Creditor.--As used in this section, the term
`creditor' has the same meaning as in section 702(e) of the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 1691a(e)).
    ``(e) No Exemptions Permitted.--The exemption authority of the
Board under section 105 shall not apply to the rates established under
this section or the disclosure requirements under section 127(b)(6).
    ``(f) Disclosure of Fee and Interest Rate for Credit Other Than
Open End Credit Plans.--In addition to the disclosure requirements
under section 127(b)(6), the Board may prescribe regulations requiring
disclosure of the fee and interest rate established under this section
in addition to or instead of annual percentage rate disclosures
otherwise required under this title.
    ``(g) Relation to State Law.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to preempt any provision of State law that provides greater
protection to consumers than is provided in this section.
    ``(h) Civil Liability and Enforcement.--In addition to remedies
available to the consumer under section 130(a), any payment
compensating a creditor or prospective creditor, to the extent that
such payment is a transaction made in violation of this section, shall
be null and void, and not enforceable by any party in any court or
alternative dispute resolution forum, and the creditor or any
subsequent holder of the obligation shall promptly return to the
consumer any principal, interest, charges, and fees, and any security
interest associated with such transaction. Notwithstanding any statute
of limitations or repose, a violation of this section may be raised as
a matter of defense by recoupment or setoff to an action to collect
such debt or repossess related security at any time.
    ``(i) Violations.--Any person that violates this section, or seeks
to enforce an agreement made in violation of this section, shall be
subject to, for each such violation, 1 year in prison and a fine in an
amount equal to the greater of--
            ``(1) 3 times the amount of the total accrued debt
        associated with the subject transaction; or
            ``(2) $50,000.
    ``(j) State Attorneys General.--An action to enforce this section
may be brought by the appropriate State attorney general in any United
States district court or any other court of competent jurisdiction
within 3 years from the date of the violation, and such attorney
general may obtain injunctive relief.''.

SEC. 4. DISCLOSURE OF FEE AND INTEREST RATE FOR OPEN END CREDIT PLANS.

    Section 127(b)(6) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C.
1637(b)(6)) is amended by striking ``the total finance charge
expressed'' and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and
inserting ``the fee and interest rate, displayed as `FAIR', established
under section 141.''.

Output:
Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from extending credit to a consumer under an open end consumer credit plan (credit card) for which the fee and interest rate exceeds 36%.

Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Empowers state Attorneys General to enforce this Act.

Revises requirements for a periodic statement for each billing cycle with respect to where the total finance charge exceeds 50 cents for a monthly or longer billing cycle, or the pro rata part of 50 cents for a billing cycle shorter than monthly. Requires inclusion of the fee and interest rate, displayed as "FAIR," instead of the total finance charge expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR).


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Brownfields Reauthorization Act of
2016''.

SEC. 2. INCREASED FUNDING LIMIT FOR DIRECT REMEDIATION.

    Section 104(k)(3)(A) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(3)(A)), is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as
        paragraphs (C) through (E), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) Exception.--If, in any fiscal year, the
                amount appropriated under this subsection exceeds
                $200,000,000, a grant provided under subparagraph
                (A)(ii) shall not exceed $300,000 for each site to be
                remediated.''.

SEC. 3. MULTIPURPOSE BROWNFIELDS GRANTS.

    Section 104(k) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)) is
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (12) as
        paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively;
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``Subject to
        paragraphs (4) and (5)'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraphs
        (5) and (6)''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Multipurpose brownfields grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (D) and
                paragraphs (5) and (6), the Administrator shall
                establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to
                an eligible entity based on the considerations under
                paragraph (3)(C), to carry out inventory,
                characterization, assessment, planning, or remediation
                activities at 1 or more brownfield sites in a proposed
                area.
                    ``(B) Grant amounts.--
                            ``(i) Individual grant amounts.--Each grant
                        awarded under this paragraph shall not exceed
                        $950,000.
                            ``(ii) Cumulative grant amounts.--The total
                        amount of grants awarded for each fiscal year
                        under this paragraph shall not exceed 15
                        percent of the funds made available for the
                        fiscal year to carry out this subsection.
                    ``(C) Criteria.--In awarding a grant under this
                paragraph, the Administrator shall consider the extent
                to which an eligible entity is able--
                            ``(i) to provide an overall plan for
                        revitalization of the 1 or more brownfield
                        sites in the proposed area in which the
                        multipurpose grant will be used;
                            ``(ii) to demonstrate a capacity to conduct
                        the range of eligible activities that will be
                        funded by the multipurpose grant; and
                            ``(iii) to demonstrate that a multipurpose
                        grant will meet the needs of the 1 or more
                        brownfield sites in the proposed area.
                    ``(D) Condition.--As a condition of receiving a
                grant under this paragraph, each eligible entity shall
                expend the full amount of the grant not later than the
                date that is 3 years after the date on which the grant
                is awarded to the eligible entity unless the
                Administrator, in the discretion of the Administrator,
                provides an extension.''.

SEC. 4. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

    Section 104(k)(1) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(1)) is
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``or'' after the
        semicolon;
            (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(I) an organization described in section
                501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
                exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code;
                    ``(J) a limited liability corporation in which all
                managing members are organizations described in
                subparagraph (I) or limited liability corporations
                whose sole members are organizations described in
                subparagraph (I);
                    ``(K) a limited partnership in which all general
                partners are organizations described in subparagraph
                (I) or limited liability corporations whose sole
                members are organizations described in subparagraph
                (I); or
                    ``(L) a qualified community development entity (as
                defined in section 45D(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue
                Code of 1986).''.

SEC. 5. ALLOWING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS.

    Paragraph (5) of section 104(k) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k))
(as redesignated by section 3(1) of this Act) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in clause (i)--
                            (i) by striking subclause (III); and
                            (ii) by redesignating subclauses (IV) and
                        (V) as subclauses (III) and (IV), respectively;
                    (B) by striking clause (ii);
                    (C) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii);
                and
                    (D) in clause (ii) (as redesignated by subparagraph
                (C)), by striking ``Notwithstanding clause (i)(IV)''
                and inserting ``Notwithstanding clause (i)(III)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Administrative costs.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An eligible entity may
                        use up to 8 percent of the amounts made
                        available under a grant or loan under this
                        subsection for administrative costs.
                            ``(ii) Restriction.--For purposes of clause
                        (i), the term `administrative costs' does not
                        include--
                                    ``(I) investigation and
                                identification of the extent of
                                contamination;
                                    ``(II) design and performance of a
                                response action; or
                                    ``(III) monitoring of a natural
                                resource.''.

SEC. 6. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PUBLICLY OWNED BROWNFIELD SITES.

    Section 104(k)(2) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(2)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Exemption for certain publicly owned
                brownfield sites.--Notwithstanding any other provision
                of law, an eligible entity that is a governmental
                entity may receive a grant under this paragraph for
                property acquired by that governmental entity prior to
                January 11, 2002, even if the governmental entity does
                not qualify as a bona fide prospective purchaser (as
                that term is defined in section 101(40)), so long as
                the eligible entity has not caused or contributed to a
                release or threatened release of a hazardous substance
                at the property.''.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Amend section 104(k)(12) of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
9604(k)(12)) to read as follows:
            ``(12) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection
        $250,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2021.''.

SEC. 8. STATE RESPONSE PROGRAM FUNDING.

    Section 128(a)(3) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9628(a)(3)) is
amended by striking ``2006'' and inserting ``2021''.

Output: Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2016 This bill amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)to revise and reauthorize brownfields revitalization and state response program funding through FY2021.(Brownfields are certain commercial properties that are hindered from reuse or redevelopment due to the presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.) The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a program to provide multipurpose grants to carry out inventory, characterization, assessment, planning, or remediation activities at one or more brownfield sites in a proposed area. Certain nonprofit organizations and community development entities are made eligible for brownfields revitalization funding.  Grant or loan recipients may use up to 8% of brownfields revitalization funding for administrative costs. Additionally, the bill revises the brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program to allow a governmental entity to receive a grant for property acquired prior to January 11, 2002, even if the entity does not qualify as a bona fide prospective purchaser under CERCLA.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Long-Term Care
Advancement Act of 1998''.
    (b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in
terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision,
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 2. EXCEPTION FROM PENALTY TAX AND EXCLUSION FROM INCOME FOR
              AMOUNTS WITHDRAWN FROM CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS FOR
              QUALIFIED LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE.

    (a) Exception From Penalty Tax.--Paragraph (2) of section 72(t)
(relating to 10-percent additional tax on early distributions from
qualified retirement plans) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Premiums for qualified long-term care
                insurance contracts.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Distributions to an
                        individual from an individual retirement plan,
                        or from amounts attributable to employer
                        contributions made pursuant to elective
                        deferrals described in subparagraph (A) or (C)
                        of section 402(g)(3), to the extent such
                        distributions do not exceed the premiums for a
                        qualified long-term care insurance contract for
                        such individual or the spouse of such
                        individual. In applying subparagraph (B), such
                        premiums shall be treated as amounts not paid
                        for medical care.
                            ``(ii) No double benefit.--No deduction
                        shall be allowed under section 213 for any
                        amount described in this subparagraph unless
                        the taxpayer elects to have this subparagraph
                        not apply to such amount.
                            ``(iii) Qualified long-term care insurance
                        contract.--For purposes of this subparagraph,
                        the term `qualified long-term care insurance
                        contract' has the meaning given such term by
                        section 7702B(b), except that such term
                        includes only such contracts which are licensed
                        for sale in the State in which the policy was
                        purchased.''
    (b) Exclusion From Income for Amounts Withdrawn From Certain Plans
To Pay Long-Term Care Premiums.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1
(relating to items specifically excluded from gross income) is amended
by redesignating section 139 as section 140 and by inserting after
section 138 the following new section:

``SEC. 139. DISTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT PLANS AND SECTION
              401(K) PLANS FOR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE.

    ``(a) General Rule.--The amount which would (but for this section)
be includible in the gross income of an individual for the taxable year
by reason of distributions from any individual retirement plan (within
the meaning of section 7701(a)(37)) or qualified cash or deferred
arrangement (within the meaning of section 401(k)) shall be reduced
(but not below zero) by the eligible long-term care premiums (as
defined in section 213(d)(10)) paid by such individual during such
taxable year for any qualified long-term care insurance contract
covering such individual or the spouse of such individual.
    ``(b) Special Rules for Section 401(k) Plans.--
            ``(1) Withdrawals cannot exceed elective contributions
        under qualified cash or deferred arrangement.--This section
        shall not apply to any distribution from a qualified cash or
        deferred arrangement (within the meaning of section 401(k)) to
        the extent the aggregate amount of such distributions for the
        use described in subsection (a) exceeds the aggregate employer
        contributions made pursuant to the employee's election under
section 401(k)(2).
            ``(2) Withdrawals not to cause disqualification.--A plan
        shall not be treated as failing to satisfy the requirements of
        section 401, and an arrangement shall not be treated as failing
        to be a qualified cash or deferred arrangement (within the
        meaning of section 401(k)), merely because under the plan or
        arrangement distributions are permitted which are excludable
        from gross income by reason of this section.
    ``(c) Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance Contract.--For purposes of
this section, the term `qualified long-term care insurance contract'
has the meaning given such term by section 7702B(b), except that such
term includes only such contracts which are licensed for sale in the
State in which the taxpayer purchased the policy.''
    (c) Distributions Permitted From Certain Plans To Pay Long-term
Care Premiums.--
            (1) Section 401(k)(2)(B)(i) is amended by striking ``or''
        at the end of subclause (III), by striking ``and'' at the end
        of subclause (IV) and inserting ``or'', and by inserting after
        subclause (IV) the following new subclause:
                                    ``(V) the date distributions for
                                premiums for a long-term care insurance
                                contract (as defined in section 139(c))
                                for coverage of such individual or the
                                spouse of such individual are made,
                                and''.
            (2) Section 403(b)(11) is amended by striking ``or'' at the
        end of subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of
        subparagraph (B) and inserting ``, or'', and by inserting after
        subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) for the payment of premiums for a long-term
                care insurance contract (as defined in section 139(c))
                for coverage of the employee or the spouse of the
                employee.''
            (3) Subparagraph (A) of section 457(d)(1) is amended by
        striking ``or'' at the end of clause (ii), by striking ``and''
        at the end of clause (iii) and inserting ``or'', and by
        inserting after clause (iii) the following new clause:
                            ``(iv) the date distributions for premiums
                        for a long-term care insurance contract (as
                        defined in section 139(c)) for coverage of such
                        individual or the spouse of such individual are
                        made, and''.
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 72(t)(2)(B) is amended by striking
        ``subparagraph (A), (C), or (D)'' and inserting ``subparagraph
        (A), (C), (D), or (G)''.
            (2) Section 401(k) is amended by adding at the end the
        following new paragraph:
            ``(13) Cross reference.--

                                ``For provision permitting tax-free
withdrawals for payment of long-term care premiums, see section 139.''
            (3) Section 408(d) is amended by adding at the end the
        following new paragraph:
            ``(8) Cross reference.--

                                ``For provision permitting tax-free
withdrawals from individual retirement plans for payment of long-term
care premiums, see section 139.''
            (4) The table of sections for part III of subchapter B of
        chapter 1 is amended by striking the last item and inserting
        the following new items:

                              ``Sec. 139. Distributions from individual
                                        retirement plans and section
                                        401(k) plans for long-term care
                                        insurance.
                              ``Sec. 140. Cross references to other
                                        Acts.''
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to payments and distributions after December 31, 1997.

SEC. 3. REFUNDABLE CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS WITH CERTAIN PERSONS REQUIRING
              CUSTODIAL CARE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
(relating to refundable credits) is amended by redesignating section 35
as section 36 and by inserting after section 34 the following new
section:

``SEC. 35. CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS WITH CERTAIN PERSONS REQUIRING
              CUSTODIAL CARE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an individual who
maintains a household which includes as a member one or more qualified
persons, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by
this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to $500 for each such
person.
    ``(b) Limitation Based on Adjusted Gross Income.--
            ``(1) In general.--The amount of the credit allowable under
        subsection (a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by $50 for
        each $1,000 (or fraction thereof) by which the taxpayer's
        modified adjusted gross income exceeds the threshold amount.
        For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term `modified
        adjusted gross income' means adjusted gross income increased by
        any amount excluded from gross income under section 911, 931,
        or 933.
            ``(2) Threshold amount.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
        term `threshold amount' means--
                    ``(A) $110,000 in the case of a joint return,
                    ``(B) $75,000 in the case of an individual who is
                not married, and
                    ``(C) $55,000 in the case of a married individual
                filing a separate return.
        For purposes of this paragraph, marital status shall be
        determined under section 7703.
    ``(c) Qualified Person.--For purposes of this section, the term
`qualified person' means any individual--
            ``(1) who is a father or mother of the taxpayer, his
        spouse, or his former spouse or who is an ancestor of such a
        father or mother,
            ``(2) who is a chronically ill individual (as defined in
        section 7702B(c)(2)),
            ``(3) who has as his principal place of abode for more than
        half of the taxable year the home of the taxpayer, and
            ``(4) whose name and TIN are included on the taxpayer's
        return for the taxable year.
For purposes of paragraph (1), a stepfather or stepmother shall be
treated as a father or mother.
    ``(d) Special Rules.--For purposes of this section, rules similar
to the rules of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of section 21(e)
shall apply.
    ``(e) Phase-In.--In the case of a taxable year beginning in a
calendar year before 2002, subsection (a) shall be applied by
substituting the applicable amount determined under the following table
for the $500 amount appearing in subsection (a):

``If the calendar year is:
                                              The applicable amount is:
  1998...............................................       $250
  1999...............................................       $350
  2000...............................................       $400
  2001...............................................       $450.
    ``(f) Inflation Adjustment.--In the case of any taxable year
beginning in a calendar year after 2002, the $500 amount contained in
subsection (a) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
            ``(1) such dollar amount, multiplied by
            ``(2) the cost-of-living adjustment under section 1(f)(3)
        for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins,
        determined by substituting `calendar year 2001' for `calendar
        year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence is not a
multiple of $50, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple
of $50.''
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart C of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 is amended by striking the last
item and inserting the following:

                              ``Sec. 35. Credit for taxpayers with
                                        certain persons requiring
                                        custodial care in their
                                        households.
                              ``Sec. 36. Overpayments of tax.''
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997.

Output: Long-Term Care Advancement Act of 1998 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to:  (1) except from the penalty tax and exclude from income amounts withdrawn from qualified retirement plans which are used to pay for premiums for qualified long-term care insurance contracts; and (2) provide a limited credit for an individual who maintains a household with a person requiring custodial care.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Access for All America Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Providing universal coverage for health care for all
        Americans will be incomplete if access to medical and other
        health services is not improved.
            (2) Currently, 56,000,000 Americans, both insured and
        uninsured, have inadequate access to primary care due to a
        shortage of physicians and other like providers in their
        community.
            (3) Several demonstrations are underway at the Federal and
        State level to link patients to a primary care ``medical home''
        as a means of assuring access, controlling costs, and improving
        quality.
            (4) Yet, there already exists a proven medical home model
        that accomplishes these goals and has done so over the past 40
        years while serving over 18,000,000 Americans.
            (5) Community health centers, also known as Federally
        Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), have been found to more than
        pay for themselves by providing coordinated, comprehensive
        medical, dental, behavioral health, and prescription drug
        services that reduce unnecessary emergency room visits,
        ambulatory-sensitive hospitalizations, and avoidable specialty
        care.
            (6) The result is that the American Academy of Family
        Physicians' Robert Graham Center found that medical expenses
        for health center patients are 41 percent lower compared to
        patients seen elsewhere, an average savings of $1,810 per
        person per year.
            (7) The Lewin Group found that providing access to a
        medical home for every American would produce health care
        savings of $67,000,000,000 per year, more than 8 times the
        subsidy needed to sustain the 1,100 current health centers and
        to create 3,900 new or expanded health center sites to
        accomplish full access.
            (8) Hand in hand with the expansion of the community health
        center program, a renewed investment in the National Health
        Service Corps is essential to reverse the decline in the supply
        of primary care physicians and dentists.
            (9) Both the expansion of the community health center
        program and the investment in the National Health Service Corps
        can be accomplished for less than 1 percent of total health
        care spending today.
            (10) Finally, to encourage broader adoption of the cost-
        effective community health center model of care beyond
        underserved areas and populations and to encourage the pursuit
        and practice of primary care as a career, all willing primary
        care practitioners should be encouraged to collaborate with
        community health centers.

SEC. 3. SPENDING FOR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS (FQHCS).

    Section 330(r) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(r))
is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) General amounts for grants.--For the purpose of
        carrying out this section, in addition to the amounts
        authorized to be appropriated under subsection (d), there is
        authorized to be appropriated the following:
                    ``(A) For fiscal year 2010, $2,988,821,592.
                    ``(B) For fiscal year 2011, $3,862,107,440.
                    ``(C) For fiscal year 2012, $4,990,553,440.
                    ``(D) For fiscal year 2013, $6,448,713,307.
                    ``(E) For fiscal year 2014, $7,332,924,155.
                    ``(F) For fiscal year 2015, $8,332,924,155.
                    ``(G) For fiscal year 2016, and each subsequent
                fiscal year, the amount appropriated for the preceding
                fiscal year adjusted by the product of--
                            ``(i) one plus the average percentage
                        increase in costs incurred per patient served;
                        and
                            ``(ii) one plus the average percentage
                        increase in the total number of patients
                        served.''.

SEC. 4. OTHER PROVISIONS.

    (a) Settings for Service Delivery.--Section 330(a)(1) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the
end the following: ``Required primary health services and additional
health services may be provided either at facilities directly operated
by the center or at any other inpatient or outpatient settings
determined appropriate by the center to meet the needs of its
patents.''.
    (b) Location of Service Delivery Sites.--Section 330(a) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(a)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
            ``(3) Considerations.--
                    ``(A) Location of sites.--Subject to subparagraph
                (B), a center shall not be required to locate its
                service facility or facilities within a designated
                medically underserved area in order to serve either the
                residents of its catchment area or a special medically
                underserved population comprised of migratory and
                seasonal agricultural workers, the homeless, or
                residents of public housing, if that location is
                determined by the center to be reasonably accessible to
                and appropriate to meet the needs of the medically
                underserved residents of the center's catchment area or
                the special medically underserved population, in
                accordance with subparagraphs (A) and (J) of subsection
                (k)(3).
                    ``(B) Location within another center's area.--The
                Secretary may permit applicants for grants under this
                section to propose the location of a service delivery
                site within another center's catchment area if the
                applicant demonstrates sufficient unmet need in such
                area and can otherwise justify the need for additional
                Federal resources in the catchment area. In determining
                whether to approve such a proposal, the Secretary shall
                take into consideration whether collaboration between
                the two centers exists, or whether the applicant has
                made reasonable attempts to establish such
                collaboration, and shall consider any comments timely
                submitted by the affected center concerning the
                potential impact of the proposal on the availability or
                accessibility of services the affected center currently
                provides or the financial viability of the affected
                center.''.
    (c) Affiliation Agreements.--Section 330(k)(3)(B) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(k)(3)(B)) is amended by inserting
before the semicolon the following: ``, including contractual
arrangements as appropriate, while maintaining full compliance with the
requirements of this section, including the requirements of
subparagraph (H) concerning the composition and authorities of the
center's governing board, and, except as otherwise provided in clause
(ii) of such subparagraph, ensuring full autonomy of the center over
policies, direction, and operations related to health care delivery,
personnel, finances, and quality assurance''.
    (d) Governance Requirements.--Section 330(k)(3) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(k)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (H)--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``; and'' and
                inserting ``, except that in the case of a public
                center (as defined in the second sentence of this
                paragraph), the public entity may retain authority to
                establish financial and personnel policies for the
                center; and'';
                    (B) in clause (iii), by adding ``and'' at the end;
                and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
                            ``(iv) in the case of a co-applicant with a
                        public entity, meets the requirements of
                        clauses (i) and (ii);''; and
            (2) in the second sentence, by inserting before the period
        the following: ``that is governed by a board that satisfies the
        requirements of subparagraph (H) or that jointly applies (or
        has applied) for funding with a co-applicant board that meets
        such requirements''.
    (e) Adjustment in Center's Operating Plan and Budget.--Section
330(k)(3)(I)(i) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254b(k)(3)(I)(i)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon the
following: ``, which may be modified by the center at any time during
the fiscal year involved if such modifications do not require
additional grant funds, do not compromise the availability or
accessibility of services currently provided by the center, and
otherwise meet the conditions of subsection (a)(3)(B), except that any
such modifications that do not comply with this clause, as determined
by the health center, shall be submitted to the Secretary for
approval''.
    (f) Joint Purchasing Arrangements for Reduced Cost.--Section 330(l)
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(l)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Assistance with supplies and services costs.--The
        Secretary, directly or through grants or contracts, may carry
        out projects to establish and administer arrangements under
        which the costs of providing the supplies and services needed
        for the operation of federally qualified health centers are
        reduced through collaborative efforts of the centers, through
        making purchases that apply to multiple centers, or through
        such other methods as the Secretary determines to be
        appropriate.''.
    (g) Opportunity To Correct Material Failure Regarding Grant
Conditions.--Section 330(e) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254b(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Opportunity to correct material failure regarding
        grant conditions.--If the Secretary finds that a center
        materially fails to meet any requirement (except for any
        requirements waived by the Secretary) necessary to qualify for
        its grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide
        the center with an opportunity to achieve compliance (over a
        period of up to 1 year from making such finding) before
        terminating the center's grant. A center may appeal and obtain
        an impartial review of any Secretarial determination made with
        respect to a grant under this subsection, or may appeal and
        receive a fair hearing on any Secretarial determination
        involving termination of the center's grant entitlement,
        modification of the center's service area, termination of a
        medically underserved population designation within the
        center's service area, disallowance of any grant expenditures,
        or a significant reduction in a center's grant amount.''.

SEC. 5. FUNDING FOR NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS.

    Section 338H(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254q(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated, out of any
funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following:
            ``(1) For fiscal year 2010, $320,461,632.
            ``(2) For fiscal year 2011, $414,095,394.
            ``(3) For fiscal year 2012, $535,087,442.
            ``(4) For fiscal year 2013, $691,431,432.
            ``(5) For fiscal year 2014, $893,456,433.
            ``(6) For fiscal year 2015, $1,154,510,336.
            ``(7) For fiscal year 2016, and each subsequent fiscal
        year, the amount appropriated for the preceding fiscal year
        adjusted by the product of--
                    ``(A) one plus the average percentage increase in
                the costs of health professions education during the
                prior fiscal year; and
                    ``(B) one plus the average percentage change in the
                number of individuals residing in health professions
                shortage areas designated under section 333 during the
                prior fiscal year, relative to the number of
                individuals residing in such areas during the previous
                fiscal year.''.

Output: Access for All America Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for community health centers and for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program for FY2010-FY2015, and provide for increased funding for such programs in FY2016 and each subsequent fiscal year; and (2) revise and expand provisions allowing a community health center to provide services at different locations, adjust its operating plan and budget, enter into arrangements with other centers to purchase supplies and services at reduced cost, and correct material failures in grant compliance.


Input:
short title

    Sec. 101. This Act may be cited as the ``Great Lakes Federal
Effectiveness Act''.

                      great lakes research council

    Sec. 102. (a) Establishment of Council.--There is established a
Great Lakes Research Council.
    (b) Duties of Council.--The Council shall--
            (1) advise and promote the coordination of Federal research
        activities to avoid unnecessary duplication and ensure greater
        effectiveness in achieving ecosystem protection of the Great
        Lakes through the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality
        Agreement;
            (2) no later than one year after the date of enactment of
        this Act, prepare and provide to interested parties, a document
        which includes--
                    (A) an assessment of the research activities needed
                to fulfill the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
                goals;
                    (B) an assessment of existing Federal expertise and
                capabilities in those activities needed to fulfill the
                Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement goals, including an
                inventory of existing Federal Great Lakes research
                programs, projects, facilities, and personnel; and
                    (C) recommendations for long-term and short-term
                priorities for Federal research on the Great Lakes,
                based on a comparison of the assessment conducted under
                subparagraph (A) and existing programs;
            (3) identify topics for and participate in meetings,
        workshops, symposia, and conferences on Great Lakes research
        issues;
            (4) make recommendations for the uniform collection of data
        for enhancing research and management protocols relating to the
        Great Lakes ecosystem;
            (5) advise and cooperate in the establishment of a
        comprehensive, multi-media data base for the Great Lakes
        ecosystem; and
            (6) ensure that the results, findings, and information
        regarding Great Lakes research programs conducted or sponsored
        by the Federal Government be disseminated in a timely manner,
        and in useful forms, to interested persons, using as much as
        possible existing mechanisms, such as the Great Lakes Research
        Inventory prepared by the International Joint Commission.
    (c) Membership.--(1) The Council shall be comprised of one research
manager with extensive knowledge, scientific expertise, and experience
in the Great Lakes ecosystem for each of the following agencies--
            (A) the Environmental Protection Agency;
            (B) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
            (C) the United States Coast Guard;
            (D) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
            (E) any other relevant Federal department, agency or
        instrumentality, as determined by the Council membership.
    (2) Other persons who are not Federal employees may serve as ex
officio members of the Council, at the request of the Council
membership.
    (d) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Council shall be elected
by the members and shall serve for a period of two years. No member of
the Council may serve as Chairperson for more than two consecutive
terms.
    (e) Compensation.--While performing official duties as members of
the Council, members of the Council are entitled to receive
compensation for travel and transportation expenses under section 5703
of title 5, United States Code.
    (f) Interagency Cooperation.--The head of each department, agency,
or other instrumentality of the Federal Government which is a member of
the Council--
            (1) shall cooperate with the Council to implement the
        recommendations developed under subsection (b);
            (2) may, upon written request of the Chairperson of the
        Council, make available, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise,
        personnel, services, or facilities as may be necessary to
        assist the Council in achieving the purposes of this Act; and
            (3) shall, upon written request from the Chairperson,
        furnish data or information necessary to achieve the purposes
        of this Act.

                       international cooperation

    Sec. 103. (a) International Joint Commission.--The Council shall
invite the International Joint Commission to serve as Secretariat and
principal coordinating body for the Council.
    (b) Funding.--Agencies represented on the Council may reimburse
costs associated with activities authorized under this Act conducted by
the International Joint Commission.

                          effect on other laws

    Sec. 104. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to amend,
restrict, or otherwise alter the authority of any Federal department,
agency, or instrumentality, under any law, to undertake Great Lakes
research activities.

                              definitions

    Sec. 105. In this Act--
            (1) ``Council'' means the Great Lakes Research Council
        established under section 102 of this Act.
            (2) ``Great Lakes'' means--
                    (A) Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake
                Ontario, and Lake Superior;
                    (B) their connecting waters, including the St.
                Marys River; the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the
                Detroit River, and the Niagara River; and
                    (C) the St. Lawrence River.
            (3) ``Great Lakes research'' means the application of
        scientific and/or engineering expertise to explain, understand,
        and predict physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic
        processes, and their interaction, in the Great Lakes ecosystem.
            (4) ``Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement'' means the
        bilateral agreement between the United States and Canada which
        was signed in 1978 and amended by the Protocol of 1987.

Output: Great Lakes Federal Effectiveness Act - Establishes a Great Lakes Research Council to:  (1) advise and promote the coordination of Federal research activities to avoid unnecessary duplication and ensure greater effectiveness in achieving ecosystem protection of the Great Lakes through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; (2) prepare and provide to interested parties a document which includes an assessment of research activities needed to fulfill the goals of the Agreement and of existing Federal expertise in such activities and recommendations for research priorities; (3) identify topics for and participate in workshops and conferences on Great Lakes research issues; (4) make recommendations for the uniform collection of data for enhancing research and management protocols relating to the Great Lakes ecosystem; (5) advise and cooperate in the establishment of a multi-media data base for such ecosystem; and (6) ensure that findings and information regarding such research are disseminated in a timely manner.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Summer Relief for Motorists Act of
2006''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that the States, with an average gas
tax of 20.8 cents per gallon, also possess the ability to provide
significant immediate relief to motorists by temporarily suspending
their own motor fuel excise taxes. While Congress believes such action
is appropriate, Congress also believes that the States should find
offsets for such temporary motor fuel excise tax suspensions in order
to maintain their commitment to transportation infrastructure
investment.

SEC. 3. SUSPENSION OF HIGHWAY FUEL TAXES.

    (a) Suspension of Highway Fuel Taxes on Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and
Kerosene.--
            (1) In general.--Section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code
        of 1986 (relating to imposition of tax on gasoline, diesel
        fuel, and kerosene) is amended by adding at the end the
        following new subsection:
    ``(f) Suspension of Taxes on Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, and Kerosene.--
            ``(1) In general.--During the suspension period, each rate
        of tax referred to in paragraph (2) shall be reduced to zero
        cents per gallon.
            ``(2) Rates of tax.--The rates of tax referred to in this
        paragraph are the rates of tax otherwise applicable under--
                    ``(A) clauses (i) and (iii) of subsection (a)(2)(A)
                (relating to gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene),
                determined after application of subsection (a)(2)(B)
                and without regard to subsection (a)(2)(C), and
                    ``(B) paragraph (1) of section 4041(a) (relating to
                diesel fuel and kerosene) with respect to fuel sold for
                use or used in a diesel-powered highway vehicle.
            ``(3) Suspension period.--For purposes of this subsection,
        the term `suspension period' means the period beginning on May
        29, 2006 (or, if later, the date of the enactment of this
        subsection) and ending on September 4, 2006.
            ``(4) Maintenance of trust fund deposits.--In determining
        the amounts to be appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund under
        section 9503 and to the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust
        Fund under section 9508, an amount equal to the reduction in
        revenues to the Treasury by reason of this subsection shall be
        treated as taxes received in the Treasury under this section or
        section 4041.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection
        shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Floor Stock Refunds.--
            (1) In general.--If--
                    (A) before the tax suspension date, tax has been
                imposed under section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code
                of 1986 on any highway motor fuel, and
                    (B) on such date such fuel is held by a dealer and
                has not been used and is intended for sale,
        there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to the
        person who paid such tax (hereafter in this subsection referred
        to as the ``taxpayer'') an amount equal to the excess of the
        tax paid by the taxpayer over the tax which would be imposed on
        such fuel had the taxable event occurred on such date.
            (2) Time for filing claims.--No credit or refund shall be
        allowed or made under this subsection unless--
                    (A) claim therefor is filed with the Secretary of
                the Treasury before the date which is 6 months after
                the tax suspension date based on a request submitted to
                the taxpayer before the date which is 3 months after
                the tax suspension date by the dealer who held the
                highway motor fuel on such date, and
                    (B) the taxpayer has repaid or agreed to repay the
                amount so claimed to such dealer or has obtained the
                written consent of such dealer to the allowance of the
                credit or the making of the refund.
            (3) Exception for fuel held in retail stocks.--No credit or
        refund shall be allowed under this subsection with respect to
        any highway motor fuel in retail stocks held at the place where
        intended to be sold at retail.
            (4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    (A) Tax suspension date.--The term ``tax suspension
                date'' means the first day of the suspension period in
                effect under section 4081(f) of the Internal Revenue
                Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (a) of this
                section).
                    (B) Highway motor fuel.--The term ``highway motor
                fuel'' has the meaning given such term for purposes of
                subsection (c).
                    (C) Other terms.--The terms ``dealer'' and ``held
                by a dealer'' have the respective meanings given to
                such terms by section 6412 of such Code.
            (5) Certain rules to apply.--Rules similar to the rules of
        subsections (b) and (c) of section 6412 of such Code shall
        apply for purposes of this subsection.
    (c) Floor Stocks Tax.--
            (1) Imposition of tax.--In the case of any highway motor
        fuel which is held on the tax restoration date by any person,
        there is hereby imposed a floor stocks tax equal to the excess
        of the tax which would be imposed on such fuel had the taxable
        event occurred on such date over the tax (if any) previously
        paid (and not credited or refunded) on such fuel.
            (2) Liability for tax and method of payment.--
                    (A) Liability for tax.--The person holding highway
                motor fuel on the tax restoration date to which the tax
                imposed by paragraph (1) applies shall be liable for
                such tax.
                    (B) Method of payment.--The tax imposed by
                paragraph (1) shall be paid in such manner as the
                Secretary shall prescribe.
                    (C) Time for payment.--The tax imposed by paragraph
                (1) shall be paid on or before the 45th day after the
                tax restoration date.
            (3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    (A) Tax restoration date.--The term ``tax
                restoration date'' means the first day after the
                suspension period (as defined in section 4081(f) of the
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986).
                    (B) Highway motor fuel.--The term ``highway motor
                fuel'' means any liquid on which tax would have been
                imposed under section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code
                of 1986 during the suspension period in effect under
                section 4081(f) of such Code but for the amendments
                made by subsection (a).
                    (C) Held by a person.--A highway motor fuel shall
                be considered as held by a person if title thereto has
                passed to such person (whether or not delivery to the
                person has been made).
                    (D) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
                Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary's delegate.
            (4) Exception for exempt uses.--The tax imposed by
        paragraph (1) shall not apply to any highway motor fuel held by
        any person exclusively for any use to the extent a credit or
        refund of the tax is allowable for such use.
            (5) Exception for certain amounts of fuel.--
                    (A) In general.--No tax shall be imposed by
                paragraph (1) on any highway motor fuel held on the tax
                restoration date by any person if the aggregate amount
                of such highway motor fuel held by such person on such
                date does not exceed 2,000 gallons. The preceding
                sentence shall apply only if such person submits to the
                Secretary (at the time and in the manner required by
                the Secretary) such information as the Secretary shall
                require for purposes of this subparagraph.
                    (B) Exempt fuel.--For purposes of subparagraph (A),
                there shall not be taken into account any highway motor
                fuel held by any person which is exempt from the tax
                imposed by paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (4).
                    (C) Controlled groups.--For purposes of this
                subsection--
                            (i) Corporations.--
                                    (I) In general.--All persons
                                treated as a controlled group shall be
                                treated as 1 person.
                                    (II) Controlled group.--The term
                                ``controlled group'' has the meaning
                                given to such term by subsection (a) of
                                section 1563 of such Code; except that
                                for such purposes the phrase ``more
                                than 50 percent'' shall be substituted
                                for the phrase ``at least 80 percent''
                                each place it appears in such
                                subsection.
                            (ii) Nonincorporated persons under common
                        control.--Under regulations prescribed by the
                        Secretary, principles similar to the principles
                        of subparagraph (A) shall apply to a group of
                        persons under common control if 1 or more of
                        such persons is not a corporation.
            (6) Other laws applicable.--All provisions of law,
        including penalties, applicable with respect to the taxes
        imposed by section 4081 of such Code shall, insofar as
        applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this
        subsection, apply with respect to the floor stock taxes imposed
        by paragraph (1) to the same extent as if such taxes were
        imposed by such section.

SEC. 4. SUSPENSION OF ROYALTY RELIEF.

    (a) New Leases.--
            (1) Requirement.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred
        to in this title as the ``Secretary'') shall suspend the
        application of any provision of Federal law under which a
        person would otherwise be provided relief from a requirement to
        pay a royalty for the production of oil or natural gas from
        Federal land (including submerged land) occurring on or after
        the date of enactment of this Act during a period in which--
                    (A) for the production of oil, the average price of
                crude oil in the United States during the 4-week period
                immediately preceding the suspension is greater than
                $35.86 per barrel; and
                    (B) for the production of natural gas, the average
                wellhead price of natural gas in the United States
                during the 4-week period immediately preceding the
                suspension is greater than $4.48 per 1,000 cubic feet.
            (2) Determination of average prices.--For purposes of
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall determine average prices,
        taking into consideration the most recent data reported by the
        Energy Information Administration.
    (b) Renegotiation of Existing Leases.--
            (1) Requirement.--The Secretary shall, to the maximum
        extent practicable, renegotiate each lease authorizing
        production of oil or natural gas on Federal land (including
        submerged land) issued by the Secretary before the date of the
        enactment of this Act as the Secretary determines to be
        necessary to modify the terms of the lease to ensure that a
        suspension of a requirement to pay royalties under the lease
        does not apply to production described in subsection (a)(1).
            (2) Failure to renegotiate and modify.--
                    (A) In general.--Beginning on the date that is 1
                year after the date of enactment of this Act, a lessee
                that does not renegotiate a lease described in
                paragraph (1) in accordance with that paragraph shall
                not be eligible to enter into a new lease authorizing
                production of oil or natural gas on Federal land
                (including submerged land).
                    (B) Transfers.--A lessee shall not be eligible to
                obtain by sale or other transfer any lease described in
                paragraph (1) issued before the date of enactment of
                this Act, unless the lessee--
                            (i) renegotiates the lease; and
                            (ii) enters into an agreement with the
                        Secretary to modify the terms of the lease in
                        accordance with paragraph (1).

Output:
Summer Relief for Motorists Act of 2006 - Expresses the sense of Congress that states can assist motorists by temporarily suspending state gasoline taxes without jeopardizing their commitment to transportation infrastructure investment.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene from the enactment of this Act until September 4, 2006 (suspension period). Provides for reimbursement to the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund for tax revenues lost during the suspension period.

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to suspend the application of any federal law exempting crude oil and natural gas producers from the payment of royalties for production activities on federal lands during periods when the average price of crude oil exceeds $35.86 per barrel and the average wellhead price of natural gas exceeds $4.48 per 1,000 cubic feet.


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

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Meeting Our
Responsibility to Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2005''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
           TITLE I--ELIMINATING SPECIAL INTEREST PREFERENCES

Sec. 101. Negotiating fair prices for medicare prescription drugs.
Sec. 102. Elimination of MA Regional Plan Stabilization Fund (Slush
                            Fund).
Sec. 103. Application of risk adjustment reflecting characteristics for
                            the entire medicare population in payments
                            to Medicare Advantage organizations.
       TITLE II--IMPROVING THE MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR BENEFICIARIES

Sec. 201. Eliminating coverage gap.
Sec. 202. Requiring two prescription drug plans to avoid Federal
                            fallback.
Sec. 203. Waiver of part D late enrollment penalty for transition
                            period.
Sec. 204. Improving the transition of full-benefit dual eligible
                            individuals to coverage under the medicare
                            drug benefit.
Sec. 205. Part B premium reduction.
Sec. 206. Study and report on providing incentives to preserve retiree
                            coverage.
Sec. 207. Promoting transparency in employer subsidy payments.

           TITLE I--ELIMINATING SPECIAL INTEREST PREFERENCES

SEC. 101. NEGOTIATING FAIR PRICES FOR MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1860D-11 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395w-111) is amended by striking subsection (i) (relating to
noninterference) and by inserting the following new subsection:
    ``(i) Authority To Negotiate Prices With Manufacturers.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall have authority
        similar to that of other Federal entities that purchase
        prescription drugs in bulk to negotiate contracts with
        manufacturers of covered part D drugs, consistent with the
        requirements and in furtherance of the goals of providing
        quality care and containing costs under this part.
            ``(2) Required use of authority.--
                    ``(A) Fallback plans.--The Secretary shall exercise
                the authority described in paragraph (1) with respect
                to covered part D drugs offered under each fallback
                prescription drug plan under subsection (g).
                    ``(B) PDPs and ma-pd plans.--In order to ensure
                that beneficiaries enrolled under prescription drug
                plans and MA-PD plans and taxpayers are getting fair
                and affordable prices for covered part D drugs that
                reflect the bulk purchasing power of such enrollees,
                the Secretary shall exercise the authority described in
                paragraph (1) with respect to such drugs offered under
                all such plans if the Secretary determines that the
                negotiated prices available under such plans for such
                drugs are not fair and affordable prices compared to
                the prices obtained by other Federal government
                programs for such drugs.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 101(a) of the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2071).

SEC. 102. ELIMINATION OF MA REGIONAL PLAN STABILIZATION FUND (SLUSH
              FUND).

    (a) In General.--Subsection (e) of section 1858 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-27a) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1858(f)(1) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-27a(f)(1)) is amended by striking
``subject to subsection (e),''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 221(c) of the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2181).

SEC. 103. APPLICATION OF RISK ADJUSTMENT REFLECTING CHARACTERISTICS FOR
              THE ENTIRE MEDICARE POPULATION IN PAYMENTS TO MEDICARE
              ADVANTAGE ORGANIZATIONS.

    Effective January 1, 2006, in applying risk adjustment factors to
payments to organizations under section 1853 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395w-23), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
ensure that payments to such organizations are adjusted based on such
factors to ensure that the health status of the enrollee is reflected
in such adjusted payments, including adjusting for the difference
between the health status of the enrollee and individuals enrolled
under the original medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B
of title XVIII of such Act. Payments to such organizations must, in
aggregate, reflect such differences.

       TITLE II--IMPROVING THE MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR BENEFICIARIES

SEC. 201. ELIMINATING COVERAGE GAP.

    (a) In General.--Section 1860D-2(b)(4)(B) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-102(b)(4)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Annual out-of-pocket threshold.--For purposes
                of this part, the `annual out-of-pocket threshold'
                specified in this subparagraph for a year is equal to
                the greater of--
                            ``(i) $3,600; or
                            ``(ii) the initial coverage limit for the
                        year specified in paragraph (3).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1860D-22(a)(3)(B)(ii) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-132(b)(4)(B)(ii)) is amended by
striking ``and the annual out-of-pocket threshold, respectively, are
annually adjusted under paragraphs (1) and (4)(B) of section 1860D-
2(b)'' and inserting ``is annually adjusted under paragraph (1) of
section 1860D-2(b) (using the percentage increase specified in
paragraph (6) of such section)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 101(a) of the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2071).

SEC. 202. REQUIRING TWO PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS TO AVOID FEDERAL
              FALLBACK.

    (a) In General.--Section 1860D-3(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395w-103(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``qualifying plans (as defined in
                paragraph (3))'' and inserting ``prescription drug
                plans''; and
                    (B) by striking ``, at least one of which is a
                prescription drug plan'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``qualifying plans'' and
        inserting ``prescription drug plans''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (3).
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 101(a) of the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2071).

SEC. 203. WAIVER OF PART D LATE ENROLLMENT PENALTY FOR TRANSITION
              PERIOD.

    (a) In General.--Section 1860D-13(b) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1895w-113(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
            ``(8) Waiver of penalty for months prior to 2008.--A part D
        eligible individual who enrolls for the first time in a
        prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan under this part prior
        to January 1, 2008, shall not be subject an increase in the
        monthly beneficiary premium established under subsection (a)
        with respect to months occurring prior to such date.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 101(a) of the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(117 Stat. 2071).

SEC. 204. IMPROVING THE TRANSITION OF FULL-BENEFIT DUAL ELIGIBLE
              INDIVIDUALS TO COVERAGE UNDER THE MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1) of section 1935
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u-5), beginning on January 1,
2006, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall administer a 12-
month period during which full-benefit dual eligible individuals (as
defined in section 1935(c)(6) of the Social Security Act) shall
gradually transition from receiving medical assistance for prescribed
drugs under the medicaid program under title XIX of such Act to
obtaining coverage of covered part D drugs (as defined in section
1860D-2(e) (42 U.S.C. 1395w-102(e)) under title XVIII of such Act in
order to assure that such individuals continue to receive the
outpatient prescription drugs they need.
    (b) Adjustments to Phased-Down State Contribution.--The Secretary
of Health and Human Services shall make appropriate adjustments to the
amount of payments required to be made by a State or the District of
Columbia under section 1935(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396u-5(c)) for months occurring during the period described in
subsection (a) in order to account for increased costs for the
provision of medical assistance incurred by the State or the District
of Columbia by reason of the application of the transition period
required under this section.

SEC. 205. PART B PREMIUM REDUCTION.

    Section 1839(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395r(a)) is
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), in the first sentence, by striking
        ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraph (5), the
        Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(5) For each year (beginning with 2006), the Secretary shall
reduce the monthly premium rate determined under paragraph (3) for each
month in the year for each individual enrolled under this part
(including such an individual subject to an increased premium under
subsection (b) or (i)) so that the aggregate amount of such reductions
in the year is equal to the aggregate amount of reduced expenditures
from the Federal Supplementary Medicare Insurance Trust Fund in the
year that the Secretary estimates will result from the provisions of
section 103 of the Meeting Our Responsibility to Medicare Beneficiaries
Act of 2005.''.

SEC. 206. STUDY AND REPORT ON PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO PRESERVE RETIREE
              COVERAGE.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
conduct a study to determine what additional incentives should be
provided to employers in order for such employers to continue to
provide retirees with prescription drug coverage. Such study shall
include an assessment of permitting costs incurred by an employer for
covered part D drugs on behalf of a retiree to be treated as incurred
costs for purposes of reaching the annual out-of-pocket threshold under
section 1860D-2(b)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
102(b)(4)).
    (b) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2006, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the
study under subsection (a) together with such recommendations for
legislation as the Secretary deems appropriate.

SEC. 207. PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY IN EMPLOYER SUBSIDY PAYMENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1860D-22(a) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1895w-132(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
            ``(7) Disclosure of certain information.--The Secretary
        shall make the following information regarding the sponsor of a
        qualified prescription drug plan receiving a subsidy under this
        section available to the public through the Internet website of
        the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other
        appropriate means:
                    ``(A) The information used by the Secretary to
                ensure that the prescription drug coverage offered
                under the plan meets the requirements for subsidy
                payments under this section.
                    ``(B) The total amount of the subsidy payments made
                to the sponsor under this section.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 101(a) of the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2071).

Output:
Meeting Our Responsibility to Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2005 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to: (1) negotiating fair prices for Medicare prescription drugs; (2) elimination of the MA Regional Plan Stabilization Fund; (3) application of risk adjustment reflecting characteristics for the entire Medicare population in payments to Medicare advantage organizations; (4) modification of the annual out-of-pocket threshold with respect to prescription drug benefits; (5) requiring two prescription drug plans to avoid Federal fallback; (6) waiver of the part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program); (7) transition of full-benefit dual eligible individuals to coverage under the Medicare drug benefit; and (8) Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) premium reduction.

Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on providing incentives to preserve retiree coverage.

Amends SSA title XVIII to direct the Secretary to make certain information regarding the sponsor of a qualified prescription drug plan receiving a subsidy under the prescription drug program available to the public through the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.