Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Banking Equal Treatment Act of
2000''.

SEC. 2. PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON RESERVES AT FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS.

    (a) In General.--Section 19(b) of the Federal Reserve Act (12
U.S.C. 461(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
            ``(12) Earnings on reserves.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Balances maintained at a Federal
                reserve bank by or on behalf of a qualified depository
                institution may receive earnings to be paid by the
                Federal reserve bank at least once each calendar
                quarter at a rate or rates not to exceed the general
                level of short-term interest rates.
                    ``(B) Regulations relating to payments and
                distribution.--The Board may prescribe regulations
                concerning--
                            ``(i) the payment of earnings in accordance
                        with this paragraph;
                            ``(ii) the distribution of such earnings to
                        the depository institutions which maintain
                        balances at such banks or on whose behalf such
                        balances are maintained; and
                            ``(iii) the responsibilities of depository
                        institutions, Federal home loan banks, and the
                        National Credit Union Administration Central
                        Liquidity Facility with respect to the
                        crediting and distribution of earnings
                        attributable to balances maintained, in
                        accordance with subsection (c)(1)(B), in a
                        Federal reserve bank by any such entity on
                        behalf of depository institutions.
                    ``(C) Qualified depository institution defined.--
                The term `qualified depository institution' means--
                            ``(i) any depository institution that--
                                    ``(I) is an insured depository
                                institution (as defined in section 3(c)
                                of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act)
                                or an insured credit union (as defined
                                in section 101(7) of the Federal Credit
                                Union Act); and
                                    ``(II) meets the requirements for
                                affordable transaction accounts in
                                section 4 of the Banking Equal
                                Treatment Act of 2000; and
                            ``(ii) any depository institution that is
                        neither an insured depository institution (as
                        so defined) or an insured credit union (as so
                        defined).''.
    (b) Authorization for Pass Through Reserves for Member Banks.--
Section 19(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461(c)(1)(B))
is amended by striking ``which is not a member bank''.
    (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 19 of the Federal
Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 461) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(4) (12 U.S.C. 461(b)(4)), by striking
        subparagraph (C) and redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as
        subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)(A) (12 U.S.C. 461(c)(1)(A)), by
        striking ``subsection (b)(4)(C)'' and inserting ``subsection
        (b)''.

SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF FEDERAL RESERVE SURPLUSES.

    Section 7(b) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 290) is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Additional transfers for fiscal years 2001 through
        2005.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In addition to the amounts
                required to be transferred from the surplus funds of
                the Federal reserve banks pursuant to paragraph (1),
                the Federal reserve banks shall transfer from such
                surplus funds to the Board of Governors of the Federal
                Reserve System for transfer to the Secretary of the
                Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the
                Treasury, such sums as are necessary to equal the net
                cost of section 19(b)(12), as estimated by the Office
                of Management and Budget in each of the fiscal years
                2001 through 2005.
                    ``(B) Allocation by federal reserve board.--Of the
                total amount required to be paid by the Federal reserve
                banks under subparagraph (A) for fiscal years 2001
                through 2005, the Board of Governors of the Federal
                Reserve System shall determine the amount each such
                bank shall pay in such fiscal year.
                    ``(C) Replenishment of surplus fund prohibited.--No
                Federal reserve bank may replenish such bank's surplus
                fund by the amount of any transfer by such bank under
                subparagraph (A) during the fiscal year for which such
                transfer is made.''.

SEC. 4. AFFORDABLE BANKING SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, each
insured depository institution shall make available to consumers a
consumer transaction account, to be known as an ``affordable
transaction account'', with the following features to be prescribed
jointly by the Federal banking agencies, by regulation:
            (1) Initial deposit.--The maximum amount which an insured
        depository institution may require as an initial deposit, if
        any.
            (2) Minimum balance.--The maximum amount an insured
        depository institution may require as a minimum balance, if
        any, to maintain such account.
            (3) Minimum number of free withdrawals.--A minimum of 8
        withdrawal transactions, including withdrawals by negotiable or
        transferable instruments for the purpose of making payments to
        third parties and electronic fund transfers, during any
        periodic cycle at no additional charge to the account holder.
            (4) Maximum monthly service charge.--The maximum amount an
        insured depository institution may charge per periodic cycle
        for the use of such account.
    (b) Fees for Withdrawal Transactions in Excess of Minimum Number of
Free Withdrawals.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of
        any affordable transaction account--
                    (A) an insured depository institution may impose a
                reasonable per-transaction charge for any withdrawal
                transaction described in subsection (a)(3) other than a
                transaction required under such subsection to be
                provided free; or
                    (B) the depository institution may impose the fees
                and charges normally applied to other consumer
                transaction accounts available at that depository
                institution.
            (2) Limitations.--
                    (A) Periodic cycle fee adjustment.--The amount of
                any charge per periodic cycle imposed by an insured
                depository institution on any affordable transaction
                account pursuant to paragraph(1)(B) shall be reduced by
                the charge imposed under subsection (a)(4).
                    (B) Maximum amount.--At no time shall the total
                amount of fees and charges imposed by an insured
                depository institution on any affordable transaction
                account exceed the total amount of fees and charges
                that is normally applied to other consumer transaction
                accounts available at the depository institution.
    (c) Conditions for Opening any Affordable Transaction Account.--An
insured depository institution may require as a condition for opening
or maintaining any affordable transaction account that--
            (1) the holder of the account be a resident of the State in
        which the account is opened or maintained; and
            (2) the deposits to the account of recurring payments such
        as Social Security, wage, or pension payments be made by direct
        deposit if that form of deposit is available to both the
        consumer and the depository institution.
    (d) Other Terms and Conditions.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in this section and any
        regulations prescribed under this section, any affordable
        transaction account may be offered by an insured depository
        institution subject to the same rules, conditions, and terms
        normally applicable to other consumer transaction accounts
        offered by the depository institution.
            (2) Prohibition on discrimination against affordable
        transaction account holders in providing other services.--The
        amount of any fee or charge imposed on a holder of any
        affordable transaction account by an insured depository
        institution for specific services provided to such account
        holder which are not directly related to the maintenance of
        such account may not exceed the fee or charge imposed by the
        depository institution for providing the same services in
        connection with other consumer transaction accounts offered by
        the depository institution.
    (e) Affordable Transaction Accounts Not Required for Individuals
Who Maintain Other Transaction Accounts.--An insured depository
institution shall not be required to permit any person to open or
maintain an affordable transaction account pursuant to this section if
such person maintains another consumer transaction account either at
that depository institution or any other insured depository
institution.
    (f) Alternative Arrangements.--In lieu of the affordable
transaction account required by this section, an insured depository
institution may make available an alternative form of account or other
banking services if the appropriate Federal banking agency determines
that such alternative form of account or services are at least as
advantageous to consumers as the affordable transaction account.
    (g) Disclosure Requirements.--.
            (1) Posted notices.--If an insured depository institution
        posts in the public area of any office of the institution a
        notice of the availability of other consumer transaction
        accounts, the depository institution shall also post equally
        conspicuous notice in such public area and in the same manner
the availability of its affordable transaction accounts.
            (2) Printed material.--If an insured depository institution
        makes available in the public area of any office of the
        institution printed material describing the terms of its other
        consumer transaction accounts, the depository institution shall
        also make comparable descriptive printed material concerning
        the affordable transaction accounts available in the same such
        area and in the same manner.
    (h) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
            (1) Consumer transaction account.--For purposes of this
        section, the term ``consumer transaction account'' means a
        demand deposit account, negotiable order of withdrawal account,
        share draft account, or any similar transaction account used
        primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
            (2) Depository institution.--The term ``depository
        institution'' has the same meaning as in section 19(b)(1)(A) of
        the Federal Reserve Act.
            (3) Federal banking agency.--The term ``Federal banking
        agency''--
                    (A) has the same meaning as in section 3(z) of the
                Federal Deposit Insurance Act; and
                    (B) includes the National Credit Union
                Administration Board.
            (4) Insured depository institution.--The term ``insured
        depository institution''--
                    (A) has the same meaning as in section 3(c)(2) of
                the Federal Deposit Insurance Act; and
                    (B) includes an insured credit union (as defined in
                section 101(7) of the Federal Credit Union Act.
    (i) Compliance With More Stringent State Law.--If a depository
institution operates in a State the laws of which, including
regulations, require a depository institution operating in such State
to meet requirements for affordable transaction accounts which are more
advantageous to the consumer than the requirements of this section or
the regulations prescribed under this section, such depository
institution may not be treated as a qualified depository institution
for purposes of section 19(b)(12) of the Federal Reserve Act, unless
such depository institution meets the requirements of this section and
the requirements of such State law.
    (j) Rule of Construction.--No provision of this section, title LXII
of the Revised Statutes of the United States, the Home Owners' Loan
Act, the Bank Enterprise Act of 1991, or any other Federal law may be
construed as preempting, or providing any basis for the Comptroller of
the Currency or the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision to
conclude that Federal law in any way preempts, the law of any State
which requires depository institution operating in that State to
provide affordable transaction accounts, including the Omnibus Consumer
Protection and Banking Deregulation Act of 1994 of the State of New
York and the New Jersey Consumer Checking Account Act (as in effect on
the the date of the enactment of this Act).

Output:
Requires the Federal reserve banks to transfer specified surplus funds to the Board for transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury for FY 2001 through 2005. Prohibits replenishment of the surplus fund during the fiscal year for which such transfer is made.
Mandates that each insured depository institution make available to consumers a consumer transaction account to be known as an "affordable transaction account". Sets forth operational parameters to be prescribed by the Board.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Israel Homeland
Security Foundation Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The development and implementation of technology is a
        crucial component of combating terrorism and implementing
        homeland security strategies.
            (2) Israel and Israeli industries have extensive experience
        with matters pertaining to homeland security generally and
        anti-terrorism specifically, including expertise in the fields
        of border integrity, transportation security, first responder
        equipment, and civil defense planning.
            (3) The United States and Israel have an extensive history
        of working cooperatively and successfully to assist with the
        development of agricultural, defense, telecommunications, and
        other technologies mutually beneficial to each country, as
        exemplified by the success of the Binational Industrial
        Research and Development Foundation, commonly referred to as
        the BIRD Foundation.
            (4) Initiated in 1977 as a grant program funded in equal
        parts by the governments of the United States and Israel in
        support of joint United States-Israeli business ventures, the
        BIRD Foundation has invested $180 million in 600 projects over
        the past 27 years and has realized $7 billion in sales and the
        development of a number of important technologies.
            (5) The establishment of a similar bi-national foundation,
        or the expansion of the BIRD Foundation, to support the
        development of technologies and services applicable to homeland
        security would be beneficial to the security of the United
        States and Israel and would strengthen the economic ties
        between the two countries.

SEC. 3. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL HOMELAND SECURITY FOUNDATION.

    The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) is amended
by inserting after section 307 (6 U.S.C. 187) the following new
section:

``SEC. 307A UNITED STATES-ISRAEL HOMELAND SECURITY FOUNDATION AND GRANT
              PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--
            ``(1) Establishment authorized.--The Secretary may
        establish a United States-Israel Homeland Security Foundation
        (in this section referred to as the `Foundation'), for the
        purpose of awarding conditional grants to joint business
        ventures between United States and Israeli private corporate
        entities to develop, manufacture, sell, or otherwise provide
        products and services with applications related to homeland
        security.
            ``(2) Administration.--The Secretary shall administer the
        grant program through the Directorate of Science and
        Technology.
    ``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an applicant shall--
            ``(1) be a joint venture consisting of United States and
        Israeli private corporate entities;
            ``(2) be in the process of developing a product or service
        determined by the Secretary to have applications related to
        homeland security; and
            ``(3) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary a
        capability to develop, manufacture, sell, and support the
        product or service.
    ``(c) Application.--An eligible entity may apply for a grant under
this section by submitting to the Secretary an application at such time
and in such manner as the Secretary may require and containing the
following information:
            ``(1) An identification of the entity that is applying for
        the grant.
            ``(2) The activities that the entity anticipates will be
        funded by the award of a grant.
            ``(3) The services or products the entity anticipates will
        be made available, either commercially or otherwise, as a
        result of an award of a grant.
            ``(4) A detailed capital budget for the proposed project,
        including the manner in which the grant funds will be allocated
        and expended.
            ``(5) Such other information as the Secretary may require.
    ``(d) Amount of Grant.--A grant under this section may not exceed
50 percent of the total proposed cost for the development, manufacture,
and provision of the product or service of the applicant described in
the application.
    ``(e) Grant Repayment.--A grant recipient shall repay the grant to
the Foundation as the Secretary may reasonably require. Grant
repayments may not exceed more than 150 percent of the grant awarded,
adjusted for inflation in accordance with the Consumer Price Index.
    ``(f) Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Representatives.--Administration of the Foundation
        shall include an advisory board comprised of public and private
        sector representatives.
            ``(2) Membership of advisory board.--
                    ``(A) United states membership.--Membership to the
                advisory board shall include the Director of the
                Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency and
                the Director of International Affairs of the Department
                of Homeland Security.
                    ``(B) Israeli membership.--The Secretary shall
                extend an invitation to the relevant Israeli government
                officials for their participation on the advisory
                board.
    ``(g) Foundation Funding.--Subject to subsection (i), if the
Secretary decides to establish the Foundation under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall use not less than $25,000,000 of the funds available in
the Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Homeland Security
Technologies, established under section 307(c)(1), to administer the
Foundation.
    ``(h) Alternative Mechanism to Support Homeland Security Products
and Services.--Subject to subsection (i), if the Secretary decides not
to establish the Foundation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
use not less than $25,000,000 of the funds available in the
Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Homeland Security
Technologies, established under section 307(c)(1), to support the
efforts of the Binational Industrial Research and Development
Foundation to make grants to joint United States-Israeli business
ventures for projects related to homeland security.
    ``(i) Shared Endowment.--Any expenditure by the United States under
this section shall be equal to the expenditure by Israel for the same
purpose.''.

Output:
United States-Israel Homeland Security Foundation Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a United States-Israel Homeland Security Foundation for awarding conditional grants to joint business ventures between U.S. and Israeli private corporate entities to develop, manufacture, sell, or otherwise provide products and services with applications related to homeland security. Limits grant amounts to 50 percent of proposed costs. Requires grant recipients to repay the Foundation up to 150 percent of the grant awarded. Directs the Foundation to include an advisory board. Provides Foundation funding through the Acceleration Fund for Research and Development of Homeland Security Technologies.

Directs the Secretary, if not establishing the Foundation, to use a specified amount from such Fund to support the efforts of the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation to make grants to joint U.S.-Israeli business ventures for projects relating to homeland security.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``STEM Network Act''.

SEC. 2. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

    (a) In General.--From amounts made available to carry out this Act,
the Secretary of Education shall make grants to eligible networks to
expand STEM education.
    (b) Eligible Network Defined.--In this Act, the term ``eligible
network'' means a State-based STEM network or similar organization,
which--
            (1) may include the participation of State officials,
        educators, administrators, parents, industry leaders,
        philanthropists, and representatives from the STEM communities;
        and
            (2) aims to increase student achievement in the STEM
        disciplines at the elementary schools and secondary schools in
        its State, particularly at schools with a high concentration of
        low-income students and at rural schools (within the meaning of
        part B of title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.)).

SEC. 3. ELIGIBLE NETWORK APPLICATION.

    (a) In General.--An eligible network seeking a grant under section
2 shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    (b) Matching Requirement.--In order to receive a grant under
section 2, an eligible network shall agree to provide, either directly
or through private contributions, non-Federal matching funds equal to
not less than 30 percent of the amount of the grant.

SEC. 4. USES OF FUNDS.

    Each eligible network receiving a grant under section 2 shall use
the funds to carry out one or more of the following:
            (1) Testing, validating, sharing, and scaling up STEM
        education research, promising practices, and exemplary programs
        among members of the network and with other eligible networks
        receiving grants under section 3.
            (2) Identifying points of weakness and strength among State
        STEM education efforts, prioritizing strategies for addressing
        problem areas, and communicating State needs to the Secretary.
            (3) Assisting in the implementation of rigorous common
        content standards in STEM education for grades prekindergarten
        through grade 12 that reflect common elements between such
        disciplines and take into consideration--
                    (A) the Next Generation Science Standards and the
                Common Core State Standards Initiative;
                    (B) established international standards and 21st
                century skills;
                    (C) the needs of English language learners and
                special education students; and
                    (D) the need to increase scientific literacy of
                prekindergarten through grade 12 students.
            (4) Assisting and supporting the development and
        implementation of innovative STEM assessments based on common
        content standards in mathematics and science.
            (5) Promoting and developing rigorous undergraduate pre-
        service teacher programs in institutions of higher education
        that emphasize STEM content in the part of the program that
        focuses on elementary school education.
            (6) Promoting and developing curriculum tools and
        professional development for in-service STEM teachers that
        foster innovation and inventiveness.
            (7) Developing STEM career pathways that reflect the
        projected STEM workforce needs of the 21st century that may
        include mentoring programs and STEM professional outreach.
            (8) Developing STEM-related workforce education and
        training programs in secondary schools and institutions of
        higher education to enhance the skills of workers to meet the
        needs of business and industry.
            (9) Developing systems for the implementation of extended
        learning times on school sites to enhance STEM education inside
        and outside of the classroom.

SEC. 5. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

    Not later than 2 years after receiving a grant under section 2,
each eligible network receiving such a grant shall--
            (1) conduct periodic independent evaluations, by grant or
        by contract, of the eligible network's effectiveness at
        accomplishing the activities described in section 4, which
        shall include an assessment of the impact of such activities on
        STEM teaching and learning; and
            (2) prepare and submit a report on the results of each
        evaluation described in paragraph (1) to the Secretary.

SEC. 6. PROHIBITIONS.

    In implementing this Act, the Secretary may not--
            (1) endorse, approve, or sanction any STEM curriculum
        designed for use in any elementary school, secondary school, or
        institution of higher education; or
            (2) engage in oversight, technical assistance, or
        activities that will require the adoption of a specific STEM
        program or instructional materials by a State, local
        educational agency, or school.

SEC. 7. TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS.

    The total amount of grants made under this Act in any fiscal year
may not exceed $20,000,000.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The terms ``elementary school'', ``local educational
        agency'', and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such
        terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) The term ``high concentration of low-income students''
        has the meaning given such term in section 1707 of the
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
        6537).
            (3) The term ``institution of higher education'' has the
        meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
            (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
        Education.
            (5) The term ``State'' means each of the several States of
        the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
        of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana
        Islands, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.
            (6) The term ``STEM'' means science, technology,
        engineering, and mathematics.

Output:
STEM Network Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to state-based STEM networks or similar organizations to increase elementary and secondary school students' achievement in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, particularly in rural and low-income schools.

Includes among grant uses:

 testing, sharing, and scaling up STEM education research, promising practices, and exemplary programs; identifying state STEM education weaknesses and prioritizing strategies to address them; implementing rigorous common STEM education content standards; developing and implementing innovative STEM assessments; promoting and developing pre- and in-service STEM teacher training; developing STEM career pathways and workforce education and training programs that reflect 21st century workforce needs; and facilitating the implementation of extended STEM learning times on school sites. Requires grantees to conduct periodic independent evaluations of their effectiveness in accomplishing those activities.

Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) endorsing or approving any STEM curriculum designed for use in an elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher education; or (2) requiring a state, local educational agency, or school to adopt a specific STEM program or instructional materials.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Education for Returning
Veterans Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM FOR SUPPORT OF VETERANS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
              EDUCATION.

    Title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1133 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

  ``PART F--PROGRAM FOR SUPPORT OF VETERANS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
                               EDUCATION

``SEC. 781. GRANT PROGRAM FOR SUPPORT OF VETERANS AT INSTITUTIONS OF
              HIGHER EDUCATION.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
        appropriations, the Secretary is authorized to award grants to
        institutions of higher education to enable the institutions of
        higher education to establish programs that support veterans
        who are students at such institutions by providing and
        coordinating services that address the academic, financial,
        physical, and social needs of such veterans.
            ``(2) Grant period.--A grant awarded under this section
        shall be awarded for a period of 3 years.
    ``(b) Selection of Grant Recipients.--
            ``(1) Application.--An institution of higher education
        seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the
        Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and
        containing such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Approval.--The Secretary shall, in consultation with
        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, approve or disapprove each
        application submitted by an institution of higher education
        under paragraph (1). In determining whether to approve or
        disapprove an application, the Secretary shall consider the
        following:
                    ``(A) The number of veterans enrolled as students
                at the institution of higher education.
                    ``(B) The needs of such veterans at such
                institution.
                    ``(C) The ability of such institution to sustain a
                Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success
                described in subsection (c)(2)(A) after the completion
                of the grant period described in subsection (a)(2).
                    ``(D) The equitable distribution of grants under
                this section among various types and sizes of
                institutions of higher education.
                    ``(E) The equitable geographic distribution of
                grants under this section.
                    ``(F) The equitable distribution of grants under
                this section among rural and urban areas.
    ``(c) Use of Grant Funds.--
            ``(1) Program required.--Each institution of higher
        education receiving a grant under this section shall use the
        grant to establish a program that supports each veteran who is
        a student at such institution by providing and coordinating
        services that address the academic, financial, physical, and
        social needs of such veteran.
            ``(2) Required program activities.--Each program
        established under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) Establishing a Center of Excellence for
                Veteran Student Success on the campus of the
                institution of higher education that provides a single
                point of contact to coordinate comprehensive support
                services for veterans who are students, including the
                following:
                            ``(i) Admissions.
                            ``(ii) Registration.
                            ``(iii) Financial aid.
                            ``(iv) Veterans benefits.
                            ``(v) Academic advising.
                            ``(vi) Student health.
                            ``(vii) Personal or mental health
                        counseling.
                            ``(viii) Career advising.
                            ``(ix) Disabilities services.
                    ``(B) Establishing a support team for veterans who
                are students, including representatives from the
                student veteran association and veteran service office
                of such institution of higher education, if any.
                    ``(C) Providing a full-time or part-time
                coordinator whose primary responsibility is to
                coordinate the program.
                    ``(D) With respect to such veterans, monitoring the
                rates of enrollment, persistence, and completion of
                programs of education at such institution.
            ``(3) Optional program activities.--With respect to
        veterans who are students at an institution of higher education
        receiving a grant under this section, a program established
        under paragraph (1) by such institution may include the
        following:
                    ``(A) Outreach to, and recruitment of, veterans.
                    ``(B) Supportive instructional services for
                veterans, which may include--
                            ``(i) personal, academic, and career
                        counseling, as an ongoing part of the program;
                            ``(ii) tutoring and academic skill-building
                        instruction assistance, as needed; and
                            ``(iii) assistance with special admissions
                        and transfer of credit from previous
                        postsecondary education or experience.
                    ``(C) Assistance in obtaining student financial
                aid.
                    ``(D) Housing support.
                    ``(E) Providing classes that are limited to
                veterans to help them fulfill general education
                requirements.
                    ``(F) Providing activities designed to ease the
                transition of veterans to life on the campus of such
                institution.
                    ``(G) Support for veteran student organizations and
                veteran student support groups on campus.
                    ``(H) Coordination of academic advising and
                admissions counseling with military bases and National
                Guard and Reserve units in the area.
                    ``(I) Such other support services as the
                institution considers necessary to ensure the success
                of veterans in achieving the veterans' educational and
                career goals.
    ``(d) Evaluation and Accountability Plan.--The Secretary shall
develop an evaluation and accountability plan for programs established
under subsection (c)(1) to measure the impact of such programs,
including an objective measure of whether the rates of enrollment,
persistence, and completion of programs of education at institutions of
higher education by veterans increase as a result of such programs.''.

Output:
Supporting Education for Returning Veterans Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award three-year grants to institutions of higher education to establish programs that support veterans who are students by providing and coordinating services that address their academic, financial, physical, and social needs.

Requires each grantee to establish a campus Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success that provides a single point of contact for the coordination of comprehensive support services for students who are veterans.

Requires the Secretary to develop an evaluation and accountability plan for measuring the effect such programs have on veterans' success in postsecondary education.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Checking Account Fairness
Act''.

SEC. 2. ADJUSTMENT OF CHECK HOLD PERIODS REQUIRED.

    (a) In General.--Section 603(d) of the Expedited Funds Availability
Act (12 U.S.C. 4002(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
            ``(3) Coordination with check clearing for the 21st century
        act.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Board shall prescribe
                regulations under paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) to reduce the time periods under
                        subsections (a), (b), or (e), in accordance
                        with the requirements of paragraph (1), to take
                        into account the time within which any
                        receiving institution can reasonably expect to
                        learn of the nonpayment of most items for each
                        category of checks under the Checking Clearing
                        for the 21st Century Act or the regulations
                        implementing such Act; and
                            ``(ii) to eliminate distinctions between
                        the schedules established under subsections
                        (a), (b), or (e) if the Board finds that such
                        distinctions no longer have any significance
                        for any category of checks under the Checking
                        Clearing for the 21st Century Act or the
                        regulations implementing such Act.
                    ``(B) Paragraph (2) adjustments.--The Board shall,
                by regulation, eliminate the extension provided under
                paragraph (2) for deposits of any category of checks if
                the Board finds that the extension has no substantial
                usefulness under the Checking Clearing for the 21st
                Century Act or the regulations implementing such
                Act.''.
    (b) Regulations.--The Board shall prescribe the regulations
required under the amendment made by subsection (a) in final form
before the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO CHECKING ACCOUNT CONSUMERS.

    (a) Deposits at Proprietary ATMs.--Section 603(a)(2) of the
Expedited Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4002(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraphs (B)(ii) and (C)(ii), by inserting ``or
        is deposited at a proprietary ATM'' before the semicolon at the
        end of each such subparagraph; and
            (2) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``, or a check
        deposited at a proprietary ATM,'' after ``deposited in a branch
        of a depository institution''.
    (b) Limitation on Certain Fees During Check Hold Period.--Section
607 of the Expedited Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4006) is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(f) Limitation on Certain Fees During Check Hold Period.--If a
receiving depository institution has received a provisional or final
settlement with respect to a check deposited in an account at the
depository institution and such depository institution has not yet made
the proceeds of the deposit available to the accountholder, the
receiving depository institution may not assess any fee for an
overdraft, or any fee associated with the payment of an overdraft, that
would not have occurred if such funds so deposited were available.''.
    (c) Credits Required to Be Posted Before Debits.--Section 607 of
the Expedited Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4006) is amended by
inserting after subsection (f) (as added by subsection (b) of this
section) the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Order of Posting.--In the process of posting credits and
debits against a checking account used primarily for personal, family,
or household purposes after the close of any business day, the
receiving depository institution shall credit all deposits to the
account before debiting any check drawn on the account and presented to
the depository institution for payment.''.
    (d) Saturdays May Be Treated as Business Days.--Section 602(3) of
the Expedited Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4001(3)) is amended by
adding at the end the following new sentence: ``For purposes of this
title, however, Saturday shall be treated as a business day in the
calculation of any period within which funds deposited in an account at
a receiving depository institution are required be made available under
this title, if with respect to checks received by the depository
institution for which it is the originating institution, the depository
institution debits accounts on Saturdays for such checks.''.
    (e) Reduction in Check Holds for Nonlocal Check Deposits.--Section
603(b)(2) of the Expedited Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C.
4002(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``not more than 4 business days
shall intervene between'' and inserting ``funds shall be made available
on the 2nd business day after''.
    (f) Adjustment for Inflation for Large Check Limitation.--
            (1) In general.--Section 604(a)(3) of the Expedited Funds
        Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4003(a)(3)) is amended by striking
        ``$5,000'' each place such term appears and inserting
        ``$7,500''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The paragraph heading for section
        604(a)(3) of the Expedited Funds Availability Act is amended by
        striking ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$7,500''.
    (g) Adjustment for Small Deposit Availability.--
            (1) In general.--Section 603(a)(2)(D) of of the Expedited
        Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4002(a)(2)(D)) is amended by
        striking ``$100'' and inserting ``$500''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The heading for
        subparagraph (C) of section 603(b)(3) of the Expedited Funds
        Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4002(b)(3)(C)) is amended by
        striking ``$100 availability'' and inserting ``Coordination
        with other amount available''.
    (h) Fees for Services not Requested.--Section 607 of the Expedited
Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4006) is amended by inserting after
subsection (g) (as added by subsection (c) of this section) the
following new subsection:
    ``(h) Fees for Services not Requested.--No depository institution
may impose any fee for paying any check drawn on an account in spite of
a lack of sufficient funds in the account to pay such check or any
similar activity (commonly referred to as `bounce protection') unless
the accountholder has affirmatively requested such service.''.
    (i) Clarification of Preemption.--Section 608 of the Expedited
Funds Availability Act (12 U.S.C. 4007) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or (c)'' after ``subsection
                (a)''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, but only to the extent of any
                such inconsistency'' before the period at the end; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Clarification of Inconsistency.--A State law shall not be
construed as inconsistent with this title, or any regulation prescribed
under this title, if the protection such law affords the consumer by
such law is greater than the protection afforded by this title. For
purposes of determining congressional intent with respect to
preemption, the purpose of this title shall be construed to be the
establishment of a minimum basis of protection for the consumer and not
the creation of a uniform national rule.''.

SEC. 4. RECREDIT FOR ALL CONSUMERS UNLESS SUBSTITUTE CHECKS ARE
              PROVIDED WITHOUT COST UPON REQUEST.

    Section 7(b) of the Checking for the 21st Century Act (12 U.S.C.
5006(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Fees for substitute checks.--If any bank that holds
        the account of a consumer imposes any fee for producing a copy
        of a substitute check for such consumer with respect to such
        account, the expedited recredit process established under this
        section shall be available for all charges initiated by check
        against any such account regardless of whether a substitute
        check was involved or was provided to the consumer.''.

Output:
Consumer Checking Account Fairness Act - Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe regulations to: (1) reduce the expedited funds availability time periods to take into account the time within which any receiving institution can reasonably expect to learn of the nonpayment of most items for each category of checks under the Checking Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21 Act) or its implementing regulations; and (2) eliminate distinctions between the time period schedules if the Board finds that they no longer have any significance for any category of checks under such Act or regulations.

Extends the next business day availability requirement to funds deposited at a proprietary ATM.

Sets a limit upon certain overdraft fees imposed during a check hold period.

Requires a depository institution to credit all deposits to a consumer checking account before debiting any check drawn on the account and presented for payment.

Requires that Saturday be treated as a business day in the calculation of any period within which funds deposited in an account are required to be made available if the depository institution debits accounts on Saturdays for checks received.

Reduces from four business days to two business days the mandatory check hold period on funds deposited by nonlocal checks.

Prohibits a depository institution from imposing a fee for paying any check drawn on an account which lacks sufficient funds (bounce protection) unless the accountholder has requested check protection service.

Amends the Check 21 Act to provide that if a bank that holds the account of a consumer imposes any fee for producing a copy of a substitute check, the expedited recredit process shall be available for all charges initiated by check against the account regardless of whether a substitute check was involved or provided to the consumer.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Home Construction Lending Regulatory
Improvement Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to--
            (1) immediately provide authority and guidance that Federal
        and State bank regulators can use to ensure that Federal and
        State chartered banks and thrifts that provide financing to
        America's home builders are permitted to make loans, provide
        ongoing liquidity, and ensure stable financing to such home
        builders; and
            (2) enable Federal and State chartered banks and thrifts to
        provide initial and ongoing credit to America's home builders
        to aid in restoring liquidity to the home building sector and
        to restore vitality to the United States residential housing
        market.

SEC. 3. COORDINATED RULEMAKING.

    (a) Initiation of Proceedings.--Not later than 90 days after the
enactment of this Act, the appropriate Federal banking agencies shall
initiate a coordinated rulemaking with respect to financial
institutions under their respective jurisdictions that make real estate
loans to home builders. Such rulemaking shall provide for the
following:
            (1) Elimination of the 100 percent of bank capital
        measurement.--
                    (A) Loan origination.--If any qualified financial
                institution is holding real estate loans in its lending
                portfolio that in the aggregate represent 100 percent
                or more of its total capital, the appropriate Federal
                banking agency shall not prohibit any such institution
                from continuing to make such loans to home builders.
                    (B) Lending decisions.--The appropriate Federal
                banking agency shall not prevent a qualified financial
                institution from making a real estate loan to a home
                builder that has a viable project.
                    (C) Qualified financial institution defined.--For
                purposes of this paragraph, the term ``qualified
                financial institution'' means a financial institution
                that received, in the most recent examination of the
                institution, a CAMEL composite rating of 1, 2, or 3
                under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System.
            (2) Realistic market based appraisals.--
                    (A) Valuation standard.--The appropriate Federal
                banking agency shall require that entities used by
                financial institutions to assess the value of
                collateral, with respect to a real estate loan,
                associated with any viable project in such
                institution's lending portfolio utilize an as completed
                valuation to make such an assessment.
                    (B) Arms length transactions.--The appropriate
                Federal banking agency shall require that entities used
                by financial institutions to assess or review
                underwriting standards and collateral values for real
                estate loans made by such institutions after the date
                of the enactment of this Act use comparable sales
                involving arms length transactions to make such an
                assessment or review.
            (3) Prohibition on compelling lenders to call or curtail
        loans in good standing.--
                    (A) Home builders in good standing.--The
                appropriate Federal banking agency shall not compel a
                financial institution to call or curtail a real estate
                loan of a home builder that is in good standing.
                    (B) Maximum market valuation.--
                            (i) In general.--The appropriate Federal
                        banking agency shall, in the case that a home
                        builder is in good standing on a real estate
                        loan but the home builder's collateral, with
                        respect to that loan, has decreased in value
                        based on an as completed valuation, permit a
                        financial institution to work with such home
                        builder to realize the maximum current market
                        valuation of such collateral using workout
                        methods or other appropriate means.
                            (ii) Period of workout methods.--Workout
                        methods may be utilized up to a 24-month period
                        following the issuance of final regulations
                        under subsection (c). In no case shall any real
                        estate loan be required to be charged off until
                        the financial institution holding such loan has
                        worked in good faith to exhaust all workout
                        methods or other appropriate means.
                    (C) Reclassification of loans.--The appropriate
                Federal banking agency shall not require a financial
                institution to reclassify any real estate loan in this
                paragraph on such institution's balance sheet, unless
                there is a significant reason under Financial
                Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards
                Codification 310-10-35-55 or 310-10-35-57.
            (4) Waiting period.--If the enactment of paragraphs 2 or 3
        of this subsection helps to improve a financial institution's
        CAMEL composite rating under the Uniform Financial Institutions
        Rating System from a 4 or 5 to a 1, 2, or 3 in such
        institution's next examination that begins after the date that
        final regulations are issued pursuant to subsection (c), such
        institution's improved rating shall take effect no earlier than
        24 months after such rating was received.
    (b) Coordination, Consistency, and Comparability.--Each of the
agencies with authorities referred to in subsection (a) shall consult
and coordinate with the other such agencies and authorities for the
purpose of assuring, to the extent possible, that the regulations by
each such agency and authority are consistent and comparable with those
prescribed by the other such agencies and authorities.
    (c) Deadline.--Not later than 6 months after the enactment of this
Act, each of the agencies with authorities referred to in subsection
(a) shall issue final regulations to implement rules issued under this
Act.
    (d) Agency Authority.--The rules issued under this Act shall be
enforced by the appropriate Federal banking agencies with respect to
financial institutions under their respective jurisdictions.
    (e) Effect on State Law.--The rules issued under this Act shall not
supercede the law of any State except to the extent that such law is
inconsistent with such rule, and then only to the extent of the
inconsistency.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate federal banking agency.--The term
        ``appropriate Federal banking agency'' has the same meaning as
        is given such term in section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit
        Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813(q)).
            (2) Arms length transaction.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``arms length
                transaction'' means a negotiated real estate
                transaction between a buyer and seller in which such
                buyer and seller act independently of each other.
                    (B) Transactions excluded.--Such term shall not
                include any transaction involving a short sale or
                foreclosed property or any other distressed real
                property.
            (3) As completed valuation.--The term ``as completed
        valuation'' means the estimated market value of collateral
        after the full completion and absorption of the development and
        construction associated with the highest and best use of the
        collateral.
            (4) Financial institution.--The term ``financial
        institution'' means an entity regulated by, and under the
        supervision of, any appropriate Federal banking agency.
            (5) Good standing.--The term ``good standing'' means making
        payments on a real estate loan in accordance with the agreement
        of such loan.
            (6) Real estate loan.--The term ``real estate loan'' means
        any indebtness (secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, or other
        equivalent consensual security interest on real property)
        acquired for the purpose of purchasing or improving real
        property, including indebtness acquired for--
                    (A) land acquisition;
                    (B) land development; and
                    (C) residential construction projects.
            (7) Total capital.--The term ``total capital'' means the
        total risk-based capital of a financial institution as reported
        periodically by such institution in the Federal Financial
        Institutions Examination Council's Call Report or Thrift
        Financial Reports, as applicable.
            (8) Viable project.--The term ``viable project'' means a
        real estate project that a financial institution has determined
        continues to have a reasonable prospect of reaching completion
        and sale.
            (9) Workout methods.--The term ``workout methods'' means
        techniques to prevent a real estate loan defaulting, including
        workout assistance, loan modifications, loan write downs, and
        flexibility on reappraisal methods.

Output:
Home Construction Lending Regulatory Improvement Act of 2011 - Directs the appropriate federal banking agencies to initiate a coordinated rulemaking with respect to financial institutions under their respective jurisdictions that make real estate loans to home builders.

Requires such rulemaking to provide for: (1) elimination of the 100% of bank capital measurement, (2) realistic market-based appraisals, and (3) a prohibition against compelling lenders to call or curtail loans in good standing.

Prohibits a federal banking agency also from preventing a qualified financial institution from making a real estate loan to a home builder that has a viable project.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Sea Grant College Program
Amendments Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES

    Except as otherwise expressly provided therein, 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 National
Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.).

SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Section 202(a) (33 U.S.C. 1121(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E) of paragraph (1)
        and inserting the following:
                    ``(D) encourage the development of preparation,
                forecast, analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery
                systems for coastal hazards;
                    ``(E) understand global environmental processes and
                their impacts on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
                resources; and'';
            (2) by striking ``program of research, education,'' in
        paragraph (2) and inserting ``program of integrated research,
        education, extension,''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following:
            ``(6) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
        through the national sea grant college program, offers the most
        suitable locus and means for such commitment and engagement
        through the promotion of activities that will result in greater
        such understanding, assessment, development, management, and
        conservation of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The
        most cost-effective way to promote such activities is through
        continued and increased Federal support of the establishment,
        development, and operation of programs and projects by sea
        grant colleges, sea grant institutes, and other institutions,
        including strong collaborations between Administration
        scientists and research and outreach personnel at academic
        institutions.''.
    (b) Purpose.--Section 202(c) (33 U.S.C. 1121(c)) is amended by
striking ``to promote research, education, training, and advisory
service activities'' and inserting ``to promote integrated research,
education, training, and extension services and activities''.
    (c) Terminology.--Subsections (a) and (b) of section 202 (15 U.S.C.
1121(a) and (b)) are amended by striking ``utilization,'' each place it
appears and inserting ``management,''.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 203 (33 U.S.C. 1122) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4) by striking ``utilization,'' and
        inserting ``management,'';
            (2) in paragraph (11) by striking ``advisory services'' and
        inserting ``extension services'';
            (3) in each of paragraphs (12) and (13) by striking ``(33
        U.S.C. 1126)''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(17) The term `regional research and information plan'
        means a plan developed by one or more sea grant colleges or sea
        grant institutes that identifies regional priorities.''.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Elements.--Section 204(b) (33 U.S.C. 1123(b)) is
amended--
            (1) by amending in paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) sea grant programs that comprise a national sea grant
        college program network, including international projects
        conducted within such programs and regional and national
        projects conducted among such programs;'';
            (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) administration of the national sea grant college
        program and this title by the national sea grant office and the
        Administration;''; and
            (3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
            ``(4) any regional or national strategic investments in
        fields relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources
        developed in consultation with the Board and with the approval
        of the sea grant colleges and the sea grant institutes.''.
    (b) Technical Correction.--Section 204(c)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1123(c)(2))
is amended by striking ``Within 6 months of the date of enactment of
the National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 1998,
the'' and inserting ``The''.
    (c) Functions of Director of National Sea Grant College Program.--
Section 204(d) (33 U.S.C. 1123(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``long range'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A)--
                    (A) by striking ``(A)(i) evaluate'' and inserting
                ``(A) evaluate and assess'';
                    (B) by striking ``activities; and'' and inserting
                ``activities;''; and
                    (C) by striking clause (ii); and
            (3) in paragraph (3)(B)--
                    (A) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (iv) as
                clauses (iii) through (v), respectively, and by
                inserting after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) encourage collaborations among sea
                        grant colleges and sea grant institutes to
                        address regional and national priorities
                        established under subsection (c)(1);''; and
                    (B) in clause (iii) (as so redesignated) by
                striking ``encourage'' and inserting ``ensure''.

SEC. 6. PROGRAM OR PROJECT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.

    Section 205 (33 U.S.C. 1124) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``States or regions.'' in subsection (a)(2)
        and inserting ``States, regions, or the Nation.''; and
            (2) by striking the matter following paragraph (3) in
        subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``The total amount that may be provided for grants under this
subsection and subsection 208(b) during any fiscal year shall not
exceed an amount equal to 5 percent of the total funds appropriated for
such year under section 212.''.

SEC. 7. EXTENSION SERVICES BY SEA GRANT COLLEGES AND SEA GRANT
              INSTITUTES.

    Section 207(a) (33 U.S.C. 1126(a)) is amended in each of paragraphs
(2)(B) and (3)(B) by striking ``advisory services'' and inserting
``extension services''.

SEC. 8. FELLOWSHIPS.

    Section 208(a) (33 U.S.C. 1127) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of
        the enactment of the National Sea Grant College Program Act
        Amendments of 2002, and every 2 years thereafter,'' in
        subsection (a) and inserting ``Every 2 years,''; and
            (2) by striking ``year.'' in subsection (b) and inserting
        ``year and is not subject to Federal cost share requirements''.

SEC. 9. NATIONAL SEA GRANT ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) Redesignation of Sea Grant Review Panel as Board.--
            (1) Redesignation.--The sea grant review panel established
        by section 209 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act
        (33 U.S.C. 1128), as in effect before the date of the enactment
        of this Act, is redesignated as the National Sea Grant Advisory
        Board.
            (2) Membership not affected.--An individual serving as a
        member of the sea grant review panel immediately before the
        enactment of this Act may continue to serve as a member of the
        National Sea Grant Advisory Board until the expiration of such
        member's term under section 209(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
        1128(c).
            (3) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
        document, paper, or other record of the United States to such
        sea grant review panel is deemed to be a reference to the
        National Sea Grant Advisory Board.
            (4) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 209 (33 U.S.C. 1128) is
                amended by striking so much as precedes subsection (b)
                and inserting the following:

``SEC. 209. NATIONAL SEA GRANT ADVISORY BOARD.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There shall be an independent committee to be
known as the National Sea Grant Advisory Board.''.
                    (B) Definition.--Section 203(9) (33 U.S.C. 1122(9))
                is amended to read as follows:
            ``(9) The term `Board' means the National Sea Grant
        Advisory Board established under section 209.'';
                    (C) Other provisions.--The following provisions are
                each amended by striking ``panel'' each place it
                appears and inserting ``Board'':
                            (i) Section 204 (33 U.S.C. 1123).
                            (ii) Section 207 (33 U.S.C. 1126).
                            (iii) Section 209 (33 U.S.C. 1128).
    (b) Duties.--Section 209(b) (33 U.S.C. 1128(b)) is amended to read
as follows:
    ``(b) Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board shall advise the Secretary and
        the Director concerning--
                    ``(A) strategies for utilizing the sea grant
                college program to address the Nation's highest
                priorities regarding the understanding, assessment,
                development, management, and conservation of ocean,
                coastal, and Great Lakes resources;
                    ``(B) the designation of sea grant colleges and sea
                grant institutes; and
                    ``(C) such other matters as the Secretary refers to
                the Board for review and advice.
            ``(2) Biennial report.--The Board shall report to the
        Congress every two years on the state of the national sea grant
        college program. The Board shall indicate in each such report
        the progress made toward meeting the priorities identified in
        the strategic plan in effect under section 204(c). The
        Secretary shall make available to the Board such information,
        personnel, and administrative services and assistance as it may
        reasonably require to carry out its duties under this title.''.
    (c) Membership, Terms, and Powers.--Section 209(c)(1) (33 U.S.C.
1128(c)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``coastal management,'' after ``resources
        management,''; and
            (2) by striking ``utilization,'' and inserting
        ``management,''.
    (d) Extension of Term.--Section 209(c)(2) (33 U.S.C. 1128(c)(2)) is
amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) The term of office of a voting member of the Board
        shall be 4 years. The Director may extend the term of office of
        a voting member of the Board once by up to 1 year.''.
    (e) Establishment of Subcommittees.--Section 209(c) (33 U.S.C.
1128(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(8) The Board may establish such subcommittees as are reasonably
necessary to carry out its duties under subsection (b). Such
subcommittees may include individuals who are not Board members.''.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 212 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33
U.S.C. 1131) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a)(1) and inserting the
        following: ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be
        appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this title--
            ``(A) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            ``(B) $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
            ``(C) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
            ``(D) $115,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(E) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(F) $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.'';
            (2) in subsection (a)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``biology and control of zebra
                mussels and other important aquatic'' in subparagraph
                (A) and inserting ``biology, prevention, and control of
                aquatic''; and
                    (B) by striking ``blooms, including Pfiesteria
                piscicida; and'' in subparagraph (C) and inserting
                ``blooms; and'';
            (3) in subsection (c)(1) by striking ``rating under section
        204(d)(3)(A)'' and inserting ``performance assessments'';
            (4) by striking subsection (c)(2) and inserting the
        following:
    ``(2) regional or national strategic investments authorized under
section 204(b)(4);''.

SEC. 11. REPEAL OF ANNUAL COORDINATION REPORT REQUIREMENT.

    Section 9 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments
of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 857-20) is repealed.

Output:
National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to: (1) substitute "management" for "utilization" in the definition of "field related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources"; (2) substitute "extension services" for "advisory services" in the definition of "project"; and (3) add a definition for "regional research and information plan."

(Sec. 5) Adds regional and national projects as elements of the national sea grant college program. Removes a reference to the sea grant review panel from provisions relating to the administration of the program. Refers to regional or national (under current law, national) strategic investments being developed with the approval of sea grant colleges and the sea grant institutes (under current law, with the approval of the sea grant review panel and the colleges and institutes). Revises the program director's duties.

 Requires that sea grants or contracts be responsive to the needs or problems of the nation, as well as to individual states and regions.

(Sec. 6) Limits the special grant and graduate fellowship amounts that may be provided to 5% (under current law, 1%) of the amount appropriated for the National Sea Grant College Program.

(Sec. 7) Requires that sea grant colleges provide extension (under current law, advisory) services.

(Sec. 8) Exempts marine policy fellowships from federal cost sharing requirements.

(Sec. 9) Redesignates the sea grant review panel as the National Sea Grant Advisory Board and modifies it's duties and powers and various administrative matters.

(Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act. Allows any appropriated amounts exceeding the amounts appropriated for FY2003 to be distributed (among other places) to certain regional or national (under current law, national) strategic investments.

(Sec. 11) Repeals a National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002 provision requiring an annual report to the House Committee on Resources and Science and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on coordination of oceans and coastal research activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the Coastal Ocean Program and the National Sea Grant College Program, and the National Science Foundation.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Security Assessment Feasibility for
Equipment Testing and Evaluation of Capabilities for our Homeland Act''
or the ``SAFE TECH Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the
        Transportation Security Administration.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
        Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

SEC. 3. THIRD PARTY TESTING OF SECURITY SCREENING TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of
Homeland Security, shall develop a program to enable a vendor of
transportation security screening technology to obtain testing,
including as an alternative to the Administration's testing process
under paragraph (9) of section 114(f) of title 49, United States Code,
by an appropriate third party, as determined by the Administrator, in
consultation with the Under Secretary, of such technology before
procurement or development of such technology.
    (b) Detection Testing.--
            (1) In general.--The third party testing program authorized
        under subsection (a) shall include detection testing to
        evaluate the performance of a security screening technology
        relating to the probability of detection, the probability of
        false alarm, and other indicators that such technology is able
        to meet the Administration's mission needs for detection of--
                    (A) explosives; and
                    (B) prohibited items.
            (2) Coordination with final processes.--To the extent
        practicable, and without compromising the integrity of the
        Administration's testing process under paragraph (9) of section
        114(f) of title 49, United States Code, or the Department of
        Homeland Security's oversight of such testing process, or
        increasing costs to the Administration, the Administrator shall
        coordinate the third party detection testing under paragraph
        (1) with any associated subsequent final Department of Homeland
        Security testing.
            (3) International partnerships.--To the extent practicable
        and permissible under law, and in accordance with national
        security interests of the United States, the Administrator
        shall--
                    (A) share with appropriate international partners
                detection testing information and standards; and
                    (B) coordinate with such appropriate international
                partners to align such testing information and
                standards to maximize the capability to detect
                explosives and other threats.
    (c) Alternative Testing Factors.--Third party testing under
subsection (a) may include as an alternative, at the discretion of the
Administrator, the testing at the TSA Systems Integration Facility of
the Administration, including testing for--
            (1) health and safety factors;
            (2) operator interface;
            (3) human factors;
            (4) environmental factors;
            (5) throughput;
            (6) reliability, maintainability, and availability factors;
        and
            (7) interoperability.
    (d) Testing Framework.--The Administrator, in consultation with the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of
Homeland Security, shall--
            (1) establish a framework for the third party testing under
        this section to determine if the security screening technology
        that is the subject of such testing satisfies the
        Administration's requirements before such technology may enter
        or re-enter, as applicable, operational testing at an airport
        or other transportation facility; and
            (2) use phased implementation to allow the Administration
        and the third party concerned to establish best practices.
    (e) Prioritization of Third Party Testing.--The Administrator may
prioritize, when appropriate, the field testing of security screening
technology and equipment by third parties.
    (f) Eligible Entities.--
            (1) United states ownership.--An entity providing third
        party testing under the program developed pursuant to
        subsection (a) shall be owned and controlled by a citizen of
        the United States.
            (2) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive the requirement
        specified in paragraph (1) with respect to an entity that is a
        United States subsidiary of a parent company that has
        implemented a foreign ownership, control, or influence
        mitigation plan that has been approved by the Defense Security
        Service of the Department of Defense prior to seeking to engage
        in third party testing. The Administrator has complete
        discretion to reject any proposal from a company to provide
        testing under subsection (a) that requires a waiver under this
        paragraph.
            (3) Conflicts of interest.--The Administrator shall ensure,
        to the extent possible, that an entity providing third party
        testing under this section does not have a contractual,
        business, or other pecuniary interest (exclusive of any such
        testing) in--
                    (A) the security screening technology subject to
                such testing; or the
                    (B) vendor of such technology.

SEC. 4. RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION OF SECURITY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with the
European Civil Aviation Conference, shall continue development of a
validation process for the reciprocal recognition of security
validation processes for recognition of security screening technologies
or certification authorities for deployment.
    (b) Requirement.--The validation process under subsection (a) shall
ensure that the certification process of each participating
international security partner or recognized certification authority
complies with Administration standards.

SEC. 5. GAO REVIEW.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
study on the third party testing program developed under this Act. Such
study shall include a review of the following:
            (1) Any efficiencies or gains in effectiveness achieved in
        the Administration's operations as a result of such program.
            (2) The degree to which the Administration conducts timely
        and regular oversight of entities engaged in such testing.
            (3) The effect of such program on the following:
                    (A) The introduction of innovative detection
                technologies into security screening operations.
                    (B) The availability of testing for technologies
                developed by small to medium sized businesses.
                    (C) Any vulnerabilities associated with such
                program including with respect to the following:
                            (i) National security.
                            (ii) Conflicts of interest between entities
                        carrying out such testing and entities with
                        such technologies to be tested.
                            (iii) Waste, fraud, and abuse.

            Passed the House of Representatives January 9, 2018.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output: Security Assessment Feasibility for Equipment Testing and Evaluation of Capabilities for our Homeland Act or the SAFE TECH Act (Sec. 3) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a program allowing a vendor to obtain performance testing of transportation security screening technology through a third party as an alternative to the TSA's regular testing process.  (Sec. 4) The TSA must develop a process for reciprocal recognition of security standards in coordination with the European Civil Aviation Conference. (Sec. 5) The Government Accountability Office must report on the third-party testing program established by this bill.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Export Enhancement Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. OPIC ISSUING AUTHORITY.

    Section 235(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2195(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``1999'' and inserting ``2003''.

SEC. 3. IMPACT OF OPIC PROGRAMS.

    (a) Additional Requirements.--Section 231A of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2191a) is amended--
        (1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
        (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
    subsection:
    ``(b) Environmental Impact.--The Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall not vote in favor of any action proposed to be taken
by the Corporation that is likely to have significant adverse
environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented,
unless for at least 60 days before the date of the vote--
        ``(1) an environmental impact assessment or initial
    environmental audit, analyzing the environmental impacts of the
    proposed action and of alternatives to the proposed action has been
    completed by the project applicant and made available to the Board
    of Directors; and
        ``(2) such assessment or audit has been made available to the
    public of the United States, locally affected groups in the host
    country, and host country nongovernmental organizations.''; and
        (3) in subsection (c), as so redesignated--
            (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Board''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) In conjunction with each meeting of its Board of Directors,
the Corporation shall hold a public hearing in order to afford an
opportunity for any person to present views regarding the activities of
the Corporation. Such views shall be made part of the record.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OPIC.

    Section 233(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2193(b)) is amended--
        (1) by striking the second and third sentences;
        (2) in the fourth sentence by striking ``(other than the
    President of the Corporation, appointed pursuant to subsection (c)
    who shall serve as a Director, ex officio)'';
        (3) in the second undesignated paragraph--
            (A) by inserting ``the President of the Corporation, the
        Administrator of the Agency for International Development, the
        United States Trade Representative, and'' after ``including'';
        and
            (B) by adding at the end the following: ``The United States
        Trade Representative may designate a Deputy United States Trade
        Representative to serve on the Board in place of the United
        States Trade Representative.''; and
        (4) by inserting after the second undesignated paragraph the
    following:
    ``There shall be a Chairman and a Vice Chairman of the Board, both
of whom shall be designated by the President of the United States from
among the Directors of the Board other than those appointed under the
second sentence of the first paragraph of this subsection.''.

SEC. 5. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

    (a) Purpose.--Section 661(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2421(a)) is amended by inserting before the period at the
end of the second sentence the following: ``, with special emphasis on
economic sectors with significant United States export potential, such
as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and environment''.
    (b) Contributions of Costs.--Section 661(b) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2421(b)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
        ``(5) Contributions to costs.--The Trade and Development Agency
    shall, to the maximum extent practicable, require corporations and
    other entities to--
            ``(A) share the costs of feasibility studies and other
        project planning services funded under this section; and
            ``(B) reimburse the Trade and Development Agency those
        funds provided under this section, if the corporation or entity
        concerned succeeds in project implementation.''.
    (c) Funding.--Section 661(f) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2421(f)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (1)(A) by striking ``$77,000,000'' and all
    that follows through ``1996'' and inserting ``$48,000,000 for
    fiscal year 2000 and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal
    year thereafter''; and
        (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``in fiscal years'' and
    all that follows through ``provides'' and inserting ``in carrying
    out its program, provide, as appropriate, funds''.

SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF TPCC.

    The Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee shall--
        (1) report on the actions taken or efforts currently underway
    to eliminate the areas of overlap and duplication identified among
    Federal export promotion activities;
        (2) coordinate efforts to sponsor or promote any trade show or
    trade fair;
        (3) work with all relevant State and national organizations,
    including the National Governors' Association, that have
    established trade promotion offices;
        (4) report on actions taken or efforts currently underway to
    promote better coordination between State, Federal, and private
    sector export promotion activities, including co-location, cost
    sharing between Federal, State, and private sector export promotion
    programs, and sharing of market research data; and
        (5) by not later than March 30, 2000, and annually thereafter,
    include the matters addressed in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4)
    in the annual report required to be submitted under section 2312(f)
    of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4727(f)).

SEC. 7. TIMING OF TPCC REPORTS.

    Section 2312(f) of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C.
4727(f)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 1995, and annually
thereafter,'' and inserting ``March 30 of each year,''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
(Sec. 3) Revises certain OPIC requirements to prohibit the OPIC Board of Directors from voting in favor of any proposed action likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented, unless: (1) an environmental impact assessment or initial environmental audit has been completed by the project applicant and made available to the Board of Directors; and (2) such assessment or audit has been made available to the U.S. public, locally affected groups in the host country, and host country nongovernmental organizations. Requires OPIC in conjunction with each Board of Directors' meeting to hold a public hearing in order to afford an opportunity for any person to present views regarding OPIC activities.
(Sec. 4) Revises the composition of the OPIC Board of Directors.
(Sec. 5) Revises the purposes of the Trade and Development Agency to include, with respect to the promotion of U.S. private sector participation in development projects in developing and middle-income countries, special emphasis on economic sectors with significant U.S. export potential, such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and environment. Directs the Agency to require corporations and other entities to: (1) share the costs of feasibility studies and other project planning services; and (2) reimburse the Agency those funds it has provided, if the corporation or entity concerned succeeds in project implementation. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 6) Requires the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to: (1) report on actions taken to eliminate the areas of overlap and duplication identified among Federal export promotion activities; (2) coordinate efforts to sponsor or promote any trade show or trade fair; (3) work with all relevant State and national organizations, including the National Governors' Association, that have established trade promotion offices; and (4) report to Congress on actions taken to promote better coordination among State, Federal, and private sector export promotion activities.
(Sec. 7) Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to change the deadline for TPCC annual reports from September 30 to March 30.