Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Independent Outside Audit of the
Indian Health Service Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. INDEPENDENT OUTSIDE AUDIT OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Reputable private entity.--The term ``reputable private
        entity'' means a private entity that--
                    (A) has experience with, and proven outcomes in
                optimizing the performance of, Federal health care
                delivery systems, the private sector, and health care
                management; and
                    (B) specializes in implementing large-scale
                organizational and cultural transformations, especially
                with respect to health care delivery systems.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Health and Human Services.
            (3) Service.--The term ``Service'' means the Indian Health
        Service.
    (b) Assessment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into one or more contracts with
a reputable private entity to conduct an independent assessment of the
health care delivery systems and financial management processes of the
Service.
    (c) Program Integrator.--
            (1) In general.--If the Secretary enters into contracts
        under this section with more than 1 reputable private sector
        entity, the Secretary shall designate one such entity that is
        predominantly a health care organization as the program
        integrator.
            (2) Responsibilities.--The program integrator designated
        under paragraph (1) shall be responsible for coordinating the
        outcomes of the assessments conducted by the reputable private
        entities under this section.
    (d) Areas of Study.--Each assessment conducted under subsection (b)
shall address each of the following:
            (1) Current and projected demographics and unique health
        care needs of the patient population served by the Service.
            (2) Current and projected health care capabilities and
        resources of the Service, including hospital care, medical
        services, and other health care furnished by non-Service
        facilities under contract with the Service, to provide timely
        and accessible care to eligible patients.
            (3) The authorities and mechanisms under which the
        Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical services, and
        other health care at non-Service facilities, including whether
        it is recommended that the Secretary have the authority to
        furnish such care and services at such facilities through the
        completion of episodes of care.
            (4) The appropriate systemwide access standard applicable
        to hospital care, medical services, and other health care
        furnished by and through the Service, including an
        identification of appropriate access standards for each
        individual specialty and post-care rehabilitation.
            (5) The workflow process at each medical facility of the
        Service for scheduling appointments to receive hospital care,
        medical services, or other health care from the Service.
            (6) The organization, workflow processes, and tools used by
        the Service to support clinical staffing, access to care,
        effective length-of-stay management and care transitions,
        positive patient experience, accurate documentation, and
        subsequent coding of inpatient services.
            (7) The staffing level at each medical facility of the
        Service and the productivity of each health care provider at
        such medical facility, compared with health care industry
        performance metrics, which may include an assessment of any of
        the following:
                    (A) The case load of, and number of patients
                treated by, each health care provider at such medical
                facility during an average week.
                    (B) The time spent by such health care provider on
                matters other than the case load of such health care
                provider.
                    (C) The amount of personnel used for administration
                compared with direct health care in the Service being
                comparable to the amount used for administration
                compared with direct health care in private health care
                institutions.
                    (D) The allocation of the budget of the Service
                used for administration compared with the allocation of
                the budget used for direct health care at Service-
                operated facilities.
                    (E) Any vacancies in positions of full-time
                equivalent employees that the Service--
                            (i) does not intend to fill; or
                            (ii) has not filled during the 12-month
                        period beginning on the date on which the
                        position became vacant.
                    (F) The disposition of amounts budgeted for full-
                time equivalent employees that is not used for those
                employees because the positions of the employees are
                vacant, including--
                            (i) whether the amounts are redeployed; and
                            (ii) if the amounts are redeployed, how the
                        redeployment is determined.
                    (G) With respect to the approximately 3,700
                Medicaid-reimbursable full-time equivalent employees of
                the Service--
                            (i) the number of those employees who are
                        certified coders; and
                            (ii) whether that number of employees is
                        necessary.
            (8) The information technology strategies of the Service
        with respect to furnishing and managing health care, including
        an identification of any weaknesses and opportunities with
        respect to the technology used by the Service, especially those
        strategies with respect to clinical documentation of episodes
        of hospital care, medical services, and other health care,
        including any clinical images and associated textual reports,
        furnished by the Service in Service or non-Service facilities.
            (9) Business processes of the Service, including processes
        relating to furnishing non-Service health care, insurance
        identification, third-party revenue collection, and vendor
        reimbursement, including an identification of mechanisms as
        follows:
                    (A) To avoid the payment of penalties to vendors.
                    (B) To increase the collection of amounts owed to
                the Service for hospital care, medical services, or
                other health care provided by the Service for which
                reimbursement from a third party is authorized and to
                ensure that such amounts collected are accurate.
                    (C) To increase the collection of any other amounts
                owed to the Service with respect to hospital care,
                medical services, and other health care and to ensure
                that such amounts collected are accurate.
                    (D) To increase the accuracy and timeliness of
                Service payments to vendors and providers.
            (10) The purchasing, distribution, and use of
        pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, medical
        devices, and health care related services by the Service,
        including the following:
                    (A) The prices paid for, standardization of, and
                use by the Service of, the following:
                            (i) Pharmaceuticals.
                            (ii) Medical and surgical supplies.
                            (iii) Medical devices.
                    (B) The use by the Service of group purchasing
                arrangements to purchase pharmaceuticals, medical and
                surgical supplies, medical devices, and health care
                related services.
                    (C) The strategy and systems used by the Service to
                distribute pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical
                supplies, medical devices, and health care related
                services to medical facilities of the Service.
            (11) The process of the Service for carrying out
        construction and maintenance projects at medical facilities of
        the Service and the medical facility leasing program of the
        Service, including--
                    (A) whether the maintenance budget is updated or
                increased to reflect increases in maintenance costs
                with the addition of new facilities and whether any
                increase is sufficient to support the growth of the
                facilities; and
                    (B) what the process is for facilities that reach
                the end of their proposed life cycle.
            (12) The competency of leadership with respect to culture,
        accountability, reform readiness, leadership development,
        physician alignment, employee engagement, succession planning,
        and performance management, including--
                    (A) the reasons for a lack in transparency in the
                culture of the Service, leading tribal leadership to
                request increased transparency and more open
                communication between the Service and the people served
                by the Service; and
                    (B) whether any checks and balances exist to assess
                potential fraud or misuse of amounts within the
                Service.
            (13) The lack of a funding formula to distribute base
        funding to the 12 Service areas, including the following:
                    (A) The establishment of the current process of
                funding being distributed based on historical
                allocations and not on need such as population growth,
                number of facilities, etc.
                    (B) How the implementation of self-governance
                policies has impacted health care delivery.
                    (C) The communication to area office directors on
                distribution decisionmaking.
                    (D) How the tribal and residual shares are
                determined for each Indian tribe and the amounts of
                those shares.
                    (E) The auditing or evaluation process used by the
                Service to determine whether amounts are distributed
                and expended appropriately, including--
                            (i) whether periodic or end-of-year records
                        document the actual distributions; and
                            (ii) whether any auditing or evaluation is
                        conducted in accordance with generally accepted
                        accounting principles or other appropriate
                        practices.
            (14) Whether the Service tracks patients eligible for two
        or more of either the Medicaid program under title XIX of the
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), health care
        received through the Service, or any other Federal health care
        program (referred to in this section as ``dual eligible
        patients''). If so, how dual eligible patients are managed.
            (15) The number of procurement contracts entered into and
        awards made by the Service under section 23 of the Act of June
        25, 1910 (commonly known as the ``Buy Indian Act'') (25 U.S.C.
        47), and a comparison of that number, with--
                    (A) the total number of procurement contracts
                entered into and awards made by the Service during the
                5 fiscal years prior to the date of enactment of this
                Act; and
                    (B) the process used by the Service facilities to
                ensure compliance with section 23 of the Act of June
                25, 1910 (commonly known as the ``Buy Indian Act'') (25
                U.S.C. 47).
            (16) Any other items the reputable private entity
        determines should be addressed in the independent assessment of
        the Service.
    (e) Report on Assessment.--
            (1) Submission to secretary.--Not later than 240 days after
        the date a contract is entered into under subsection (b), the
        entity carrying out the assessment under the contract shall--
                    (A) complete the assessment; and
                    (B) submit to the Secretary a report describing the
                findings and recommendations of the entity with respect
                to the assessment.
            (2) Submission to congress.--Immediately on receipt of the
        report under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall submit the
        report to--
                    (A) the appropriate committees of Congress,
                including--
                            (i) the Committee on Appropriations of the
                        Senate; and
                            (ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the
                        House of Representatives;
                    (B) the Majority Leader of the Senate;
                    (C) the Minority Leader of the Senate;
                    (D) the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
                and
                    (E) the Minority Leader of the House of
                Representatives.
            (3) Publication.--Not later than 30 days after receiving
        the report under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall publish
        such report in the Federal Register and on an Internet website
        of the Service that is accessible to the public.
    (f) Funding.--The Secretary shall use, to carry out this section,
such amounts as are necessary from other amounts available to the
Secretary that are not otherwise obligated.

Output: Independent Outside Audit of the Indian Health Service Act of 2017 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with private entities to assess the health care delivery systems and financial management of the Indian Health Service (IHS). The assessment must address IHS issues including:  the demographics and health care needs of the patient population, health care capabilities and resources, staffing levels at medical facilities and the productivity of each health care provider, information technology strategies related to providing health care, business processes, the competency of leadership regarding specified issues, tracking patients eligible for other federal health care programs, and  the number of procurement contracts and awards under the Buy Indian Act.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Iraq Strategic Agreement Review Act
of 2008''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION.

    In this Act, the term ``long-term security, economic, or political
agreement with the Government of Iraq'' means any agreement or
commitment of more than one year, which is made by the President or any
officer, employee, or representative of the executive branch of the
Government of the United States with the Government of Iraq that
includes--
            (1) the basing of the Armed Forces of the United States
        within the territory of Iraq;
            (2) defending Iraq's system of government from internal and
        external threats;
            (3) providing security assurances and commitments to deter
        foreign aggression against Iraq;
            (4) the military training or equipping of the Iraqi
        Security Forces;
            (5) economic, monetary, material and technical commerce,
        and arrangements; or
            (6) diplomatic and political understandings.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Under Article I of the Constitution of the United
        States, the Congress has the power to provide for the common
        defense, to regulate commerce with foreign nations, to raise,
        support, provide, and maintain the military, and to make rules
        for the Government and regulation of the military.
            (2) Under Article II of the Constitution of the United
        States, the President is the Commander in Chief of the military
        and has the power to receive Ambassadors and other public
        ministers.
            (3) Under Article II of the Constitution of the United
        States, the President has the right to make treaties by and
        with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate.
            (4) The North Atlantic Treaty, which created the North
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), entered into force on
        August 24, 1949, after approval by the Senate with each
        protocol providing for the accession of an additional country
        approved by the Senate.
            (5) The Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and
        South Korea, which established a long-term United States
        military presence on the Korean peninsula, entered into force
        on November 17, 1954, after approval by the Senate.
            (6) The Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between
        the United States and Japan, which established a long-term
        United States military presence in Japan, entered into force on
        June 23, 1960, after approval by the Senate.
            (7) On June 1, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
        discussed a ``long and enduring presence'' in Iraq of which the
        ``Korea model'' and the ``security relationship that we have
        with Japan'' are examples.
            (8) On November 26, 2007, President George W. Bush and
        Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed a ``Declaration of
        Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and
        Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States
        of America'', outlining the parameters for negotiation of a
        long-term relationship in the security, economic, political,
        diplomatic, and cultural spheres.
            (9) The Declaration of Principles include, ``supporting the
        Republic of Iraq in defending its democratic system against
        internal and external threats'', ``providing security
        assurances and commitments to the Republic of Iraq to deter
        foreign aggression against Iraq'', and ``supporting the
        Republic of Iraq in training, equipping, and arming the Iraqi
        Security Forces''.
            (10) On November 26, 2007, Assistant to the President and
        Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan,
        Lieutenant General Douglas E. Lute, stated that he does not
        ``anticipate now that these negotiations [under the Declaration
        of Principles] will lead to the status of a formal treaty which
        would then bring us to formal negotiations or formal inputs
        from the Congress''.
            (11) On November 26, 2007, Assistant to the President and
        Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan,
        Lieutenant General Douglas E. Lute, further stated that the
        ``target'' to conclude negotiations is July 2008.

SEC. 4. CONSULTATIONS WITH CONGRESS.

    (a) Consultations.--
            (1) In general.--Immediately upon the date of the enactment
        of this Act, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense,
        and any other necessary officer, employee, or representative of
        the executive branch of the Government of the United States
        shall commence consultations with the congressional committees
        and leadership described in paragraph (2) on any potential
        long-term security, economic, or political agreement with the
        Government of Iraq.
            (2) Congressional committees and leadership described.--The
        congressional committees and leadership referred to in
        paragraph (1) are--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
                Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the
                Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed
                Services of the House of Representatives;
                    (B) the Speaker, majority leader, and minority
                leader of the House of Representatives and majority
                leader and minority leader of the Senate; and
                    (C) any other congressional committee, Senator, or
                Member of the House of Representatives that requests
                consultations under paragraph (1).
    (b) Framework.--Consultations required under subsection (a) shall
include full and complete transparency of all security, economic,
political, and other arrangements under consideration for the
agreement.
    (c) Timeframe.--Consultations required under subsection (a) shall
continue throughout the period of negotiations with the Government of
Iraq to conclude the agreement.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) full Iraqi sovereignty over its territories, waters,
        and airspace, and Iraqi control over its armed forces and
        administrative institutions is in the national interest of the
        United States; and
            (2) any long-term security, economic, or political
        agreement with the Government of Iraq that is not in the form
        of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its
        advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the
        Constitution of the United States does not have the force and
        effect of law.

SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON THE USE OF FUNDS.

    No funds made available by any Act of Congress shall be obligated
or expended for the implementation of any long-term security, economic,
or political agreement with the Government of Iraq unless the agreement
is in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given
its advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the
Constitution of the United States.

Output:
Iraq Strategic Agreement Review Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and any other necessary representative of the executive branch of the U.S. government to begin consultations with the appropriate congressional committees and leadership on any potential long-term security, economic, or political agreement (agreement) with the government of Iraq.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) full Iraqi sovereignty is in the U.S. national interest; and (2) any agreement that is not in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II of the Constitution of the United States does not have the force and effect of law.

Prohibits obligating or expending funds for the implementation of any agreement with the government of Iraq unless the agreement is in the form of a treaty with respect to which the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification under Article II.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Serving Everyone with Reliable,
Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Today's telecommunications market offers consumers an
        array of social, economic, and educational communications.
            (2) Communications today also offer Americans better access
        to emergency assistance.
            (3) It is essential to the Nation's continued progress for
        all sectors of the population to have adequate access to
        telecommunications. America must work to reduce and ultimately
        eliminate the harmful technological divide.
            (4) The Congress reaffirms the Nation's public policy
        commitment to providing universal service. All consumers should
        have access to high-quality telecommunications services at
        affordable rates.

SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL SERVICE.

    Subsection (j) of section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 254) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(j) Lifeline Assistance; Link Up America.--
            ``(1) Purposes.--The purposes of this subsection are--
                    ``(A) to advance universal service; and
                    ``(B) to ensure that high-quality
                telecommunications services and other evolving
                telecommunication technologies, such as Internet access
                and broadband services, are available to low-income
                consumers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates.
            ``(2) Continuation and expansion of programs.--For the
        purposes described in paragraph (1), the Commission--
                    ``(A) shall continue in effect the Lifeline
                Assistance Program and the Link Up Program; and
                    ``(B) expand such programs under paragraph (3).
            ``(3) Expansion.--The Commission shall expand the
        assistance provided through the Lifeline Assistance Program and
        the Link Up Program by allowing low-income consumers
        participating in such programs to choose to use such assistance
        for any one of the following:
                    ``(A) Wire or wireless telephone service.
                    ``(B) Internet access service.
                    ``(C) Wire or wireless broadband service.
                    ``(D) Any evolving technology the Commission deems
                consistent with the purposes described in paragraph
                (1).
            ``(4) Rule of construction.--This subsection shall not be
        construed--
                    ``(A) to affect any program under this section
                other than the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link
                Up Program; or
                    ``(B) except as inconsistent with the provisions of
                this subsection, to affect the authority of the
                Commission to make modifications to the Lifeline
                Assistance Program or the Link Up Program.
            ``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) The term `broadband service' means high-speed
                Internet access service--
                            ``(i) offering integrated access to voice
                        communications, high-speed data service, video-
                        demand services, and interactive delivery
                        services; and
                            ``(ii) transmitting data at speeds
                        exceeding 200 kilobits per second, in at least
                        one direction, from the user's computer to the
                        Internet or from the Internet to the user's
                        computer.
                    ``(B) The term `Lifeline Assistance Program' means
                the Lifeline Assistance Program provided for by the
                Commission under subpart E of title 47, Code of Federal
                Regulations (and any related or successor regulations).
                    ``(C) The term `Link Up Program' means the Link Up
                Program provided for by the Commission under subpart E
                of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (and any
                related or successor regulations).''.

SEC. 4. STUDY.

    (a) Study.--Not later than May 1, 2008, the Federal Communications
Commission shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Congress on
the following:
            (1) The necessary benefit level for a household
        participating in the Lifeline Assistance Program or the Link Up
        Program which will encourage low-income consumers to seek
        broadband service.
            (2) Projections on the potential of new broadband service
        consumers who would seek this service if economically
        accessible.
            (3) Industry requirements to provide broadband service
        access in underserved areas.
            (4) Data that accurately illustrates the extent of current
        deployment of broadband service to residential users.
            (5) Policy proposals conducive to addressing gaps in
        broadband service availability.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``broadband service'',
``Lifeline Assistance Program'', and ``Link Up Program'' have the
meanings given to those terms in section 254(j) of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended by section 3 of this Act.

Output: Serving Everyone with Reliable, Vital Internet, Communications, and Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program. Requires a report to Congress on the benefit level for the programs that will encourage low-income consumers to seek broadband service, projections on potential broadband consumers if the service was economically feasible, industry requirements to provide broadband service in underserved areas, and policy proposals regarding gaps in broadband availability.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Business Relief
and Incentives for Small Entrepreneurs Act of 2007'' or the ``Business
RAISE Act''.
    (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. 15-YEAR STRAIGHT-LINE COST RECOVERY FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO
              RETAIL SPACE AND FOR QUALIFIED NEW RESTAURANT
              IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Recovery Period for Depreciation of Certain Improvements to
Retail Space.--
            (1) 15-year recovery period.--Section 168(e)(3)(E)
        (relating to 15-year property) is amended by striking ``and''
        at the end of clause (vii), by striking the period at the end
        of clause (viii) and inserting ``, and'', and by adding at the
        end the following new clause:
                            ``(ix) any qualified retail improvement
                        property placed in service before January 1,
                        2008.''.
            (2) Qualified retail improvement property.--Section 168(e)
        is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(8) Qualified retail improvement property.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified retail
                improvement property' means any improvement to an
                interior portion of a building which is nonresidential
                real property if--
                            ``(i) such portion is open to the general
                        public and is used in the trade or business of
                        selling tangible personal property or services
                        to the general public; and
                            ``(ii) such improvement is placed in
                        service more than 3 years after the date the
                        building was first placed in service.
                    ``(B) Certain improvements not included.--Such term
                shall not include any improvement for which the
                expenditure is attributable to--
                            ``(i) the enlargement of the building,
                            ``(ii) any elevator or escalator, or
                            ``(iii) the internal structural framework
                        of the building.''.
            (3) Requirement to use straight line method.--Section
        168(b)(3) is amended by adding at the end the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(I) Qualified retail improvement property
                described in subsection (e)(8).''.
            (4) Alternative system.--The table contained in section
        168(g)(3)(B) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
        subparagraph (E)(viii) the following new item:

``(E)(ix)..................................................        39''.

            (5) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section
        shall apply to qualified retail improvement property placed in
        service after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Modification of Treatment of Qualified Restaurant Property as
15-Year Property for Purposes of Depreciation Deduction.--
            (1) Treatment to include new construction.--Paragraph (7)
        of section 168(e) (relating to classification of property) is
        amended to read as follows:
            ``(7) Qualified restaurant property.--The term `qualified
        restaurant property' means any section 1250 property which is a
        building or an improvement to a building if more than 50
        percent of the building's square footage is devoted to
        preparation of, and seating for on-premises consumption of,
        prepared meals.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection
        shall apply to any property placed in service after the date of
        the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT.

    (a) Expansion of Eligibility to All Disabled Veterans.--Section
51(d)(3)(A) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``who is certified'' and inserting the
        following: ``who--
                            ``(i) is certified''; and
            (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting the
        following: ``; or
                            ``(ii) has a disability rating under
                        section 1155 of title 38, United States Code,
                        of not less than 10 percent.''.
    (b) Publication and Administration of Expanded Tax Credit.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor shall--
                    (A) publicize the expansion of the work opportunity
                tax credit under subsection (a); and
                    (B) provide technical assistance to employers
                desiring to take advantage of the tax credit.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
        to be appropriated to the Secretary of Labor $2,500,000 for
        each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out paragraph
        (1).
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to individuals who begin work for employers after the date of the
enactment of this Act.

Output: Business Relief and Incentives for Small Entrepreneurs Act of 2007 or the Business RAISE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow accelerated depreciation (i.e., 15-year recovery period) of qualified retail improvement property (defined as any improvement to the interior portion of any nonresidential building used in the trade or business of selling retail goods or services to the general public) placed in service before January 1, 2008; (2) allow new improvements to restaurant property to qualify for accelerated depreciation; and (3) expand the eligibility of certain disabled veterans for employment under the work opportunity tax credit.


Input:
SECTION 1. MODIFICATION OF REFINED COAL CREDIT TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED
              COAL WASTE SLUDGE RECYCLING.

    (a) In General.--Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to electricity produced from certain renewable resources,
etc.) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2) by inserting ``the $3.00 amount in
        subsection (e)(8)(B),'' after ``the $4.375 amount in subsection
        (e)(8)(A),'',
            (2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ``subsection
        (e)(8)(B)(i)'' and inserting ``subsection (e)(8)(C)(i)'',
            (3) in subsection (c)(7) by adding at the end the
        following:
                    ``(C) Refined coal from a qualified coal waste
                sludge recycling process.--Refined coal shall also
                include, without regard to subparagraphs (A) and (B)
                hereof, a solid fuel produced from a qualified coal
                waste sludge recycling process.'',
            (4) in subsection (d)(8) by striking ``2009.'' and
        inserting ``2009, or in the case of a facility that uses a
        qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, a facility that
        was placed in service not later than one year after the date of
        enactment of the credit under this section for refined coal
        from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process. For
        purposes of this subsection, a qualified coal waste sludge
        recycling facility shall be treated as placed in service when
        such facility is in place and functioning to process coal with
        coal waste sludge. A `qualified coal waste sludge recycling
        facility' includes a plant, comprised of one or more batch
        tanks and/or one or more storage tanks, steam and spray pipes,
        processing pumps, variable speed drives, a flowmeter and
        related electrical equipment, that processes coal and liquefied
        coal waste sludge.'',
            (5) in subsection (e)(8)(A) by inserting ``(other than
        refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling
        process)'' after ``refined coal'' the first place it appears,
            (6) in subsection (e)(8) by redesignating subparagraphs (B)
        and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively, and by
        inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
        subparagraph:
                    ``(B) Availability and determination of credit
                amount for refined coal from a qualified coal waste
                sludge recycling process.--In the case of a producer of
                refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge
                recycling process, there shall be allowed a credit for
                the taxable year under this section of $3.00 per
                barrel-of-oil equivalent of refined coal from a
                qualified coal waste sludge recycling process--
                            ``(i) produced by the taxpayer at a
                        facility using a refined coal from qualified
                        coal waste sludge recycling process during the
                        period beginning on the date of enactment of
                        this subparagraph and ending on the date that
                        is four years from the later of the first day
                        of the fifth full month after the date of
                        enactment of this subparagraph or its placed-
                        in-service date, and
                            ``(ii) sold by the taxpayer--
                                    ``(I) to an unrelated person, and
                                    ``(II) during such period and
                                taxable year.
                        For purposes of the preceding sentence, barrel-
                        of-oil equivalent is the amount of refined coal
                        from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling
                        process that has a Btu content of 5.8
                        million.'',
            (7) in subsection (e)(8)(C), as redesignated by paragraph
        (6), by striking ``The amount'' and inserting ``Except for a
        facility producing refined coal from a qualified coal waste
        sludge recycling process, the amount'',
            (8) in subsection (e)(8), as amended by paragraph (6), by
        adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Qualified coal waste sludge recycling
                process.--
                            ``(i) Definition.--For purposes of this
                        section, a `qualified coal waste sludge
                        recycling process' means a process using a
                        facility to liquefy coal waste sludge and
                        distribute the liquefied coal waste sludge on
                        the coal to create a feedstock for the
                        manufacture of coke. The term `coal waste
                        sludge' means the tar decanter sludge and
                        related byproducts of the coking process,
                        including such materials that have been stored
                        in ground, in tanks and in lagoons, that have
                        been treated as hazardous wastes under
                        applicable Federal environmental rules absent
                        liquefaction and processing with coal into a
                        feedstock for the manufacture of coke. The
                        process liquefies coal waste sludge and
                        distributes approximately one-quarter to one-
                        half gallon of liquefied coal waste sludge per
                        each ton of metallurgical coal. Liquefied coal
                        waste sludge in excess of such amounts would
                        have adverse effects on the operations and
                        equipment of the coke batteries that use
                        refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge
                        recycling process as a feedstock for coke. Coal
                        waste sludge has an energy content ranging from
                        7,000 to 16,000 Btus per pound.
                            ``(ii) Interaction between section 45 and
                        section 45k; cross reference.--A taxpayer
                        selling refined coal from a qualified coal
                        waste sludge recycling process shall be
                        entitled to a credit under this section for all
                        such refined coal that meets the requirements
                        of this section. The credit under this section
                        shall be available notwithstanding the fact
                        that such refined coal is purchased for use as
                        a feedstock for coke by a taxpayer that has
                        previously claimed credits under section 45K
                        for the production of coke or coke gas. For
                        rules applicable to taxpayers producing coke or
                        coke gas from refined coal from a qualified
                        coal waste sludge recycling process, see
                        section 45K(h).'', and
            (9) in subsection (e)(9)(B) by striking ``The term'' and
        inserting ``Except for a facility producing refined coal from a
        qualified coal waste sludge recycling process, the term''.
    (b) No Double Benefit; Cross Reference.--Section 45K of such Code
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(h) No Double Benefit; Cross Reference.--No credit shall be
allowed under this section for coke or coke gas manufactured from
refined coal from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process (as
defined by section 45(e)(8)(E)(i)) for which credits have been claimed
under section 45; provided that taxpayers may claim the credit under
this section for coke or coke gas produced from feedstocks for which a
refined coal credit under section 45 has not been claimed. For rules
governing the interaction of section 45 and this section that are
applicable to taxpayers producing refined coal from a qualified coal
waste sludge recycling process, see section 45(e)(8)(E)(ii).''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply to
refined coal produced after the date of enactment of this Act.

Output: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of "refined coal" for purposes of the tax credit for electricity produced from certain renewable resources to include coal produced from a qualified coal waste sludge recycling process. Defines "qualified coal waste sludge recycling process" as a process using a facility to liquefy coal waste sludge and distribute the liquefied coal waste sludge on the coal to create a feedstock for the manufacture of coke.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Community Coordination And Resource
Empowerment Act'' or the ``Community CARE Act''.

SEC. 2. EXTENSION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.

    (a) Community Health Centers Funding.--Section 10503(b)(1)(E) of
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 254b-
2(b)(1)(E)) is amended by striking ``2017'' and inserting ``2019''.
    (b) Other Community Health Centers Provisions.--Section 330 of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), by striking ``abuse'' and
        inserting ``use disorder'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ``abuse'' and
        inserting ``use disorder'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraphs (B) through (D);
                    (B) by striking ``(1) In general'' and all that
                follows through ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
                following:
            ``(1) Centers.--The Secretary''; and
                    (C) in such paragraph (1), as amended, by
                redesignating clauses (i) through (v) as subparagraphs
                (A) through (E) and moving the margin of each of such
                redesignated subparagraph 2 ems to the left;
            (4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Improving Quality of Care.--
            ``(1) Supplemental awards.--The Secretary may award
        supplemental grant funds to health centers funded under this
        section to implement evidence-based models for increasing
        access to high-quality primary care services, which may include
        models related to--
                    ``(A) improving the delivery of care for
                individuals with multiple chronic conditions;
                    ``(B) workforce configuration;
                    ``(C) reducing the cost of care;
                    ``(D) enhancing care coordination;
                    ``(E) expanding the use of telehealth and
                technology enabled collaborative learning and capacity
                building models;
                    ``(F) care integration, including integration of
                behavioral health, mental health, or substance use
                disorder services; and
                    ``(G) addressing emerging public health or
                substance use disorder issues to meet the health needs
                of the population served by the health center.
            ``(2) Sustainability.--In making supplemental awards under
        this subsection, the Secretary may consider whether the health
        center involved has submitted a plan for continuing the
        activities funded under this subsection after supplemental
        funding is expended.
            ``(3) Special consideration.--The Secretary may give
        special consideration to applications for supplemental funding
        under this subsection that seek to address significant barriers
        to access to care in areas with a greater shortage of health
        care providers and health services relative to the national
        average.'';
            (5) in subsection (e)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``2 years'' and inserting
                        ``1 year''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                        ``The Secretary shall not make a grant under
                        this paragraph unless the applicant provides
                        assurances to the Secretary that within 120
                        days of receiving grant funding for the
                        operation of the health center, the applicant
                        will submit, for approval by the Secretary, an
                        implementation plan to meet the requirements of
                        subsection (l)(3). The Secretary may extend
                        such 120-day period for achieving compliance
                        upon a demonstration of good cause by the
                        health center.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in the subparagraph heading, by
                        striking ``and plans'';
                            (ii) by striking ``or plan (as described in
                        subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection
                        (c)(1))'';
                            (iii) by striking ``or plan, including the
                        purchase'' and inserting the following:
                        ``including--
                            ``(i) the purchase'';
                            (iv) by inserting ``, which may include
                        data and information systems'' after ``of
                        equipment'';
                            (v) by striking the period at the end and
                        inserting a semicolon; and
                            (vi) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) the provision of training and
                        technical assistance; and
                            ``(iii) other activities that--
                                    ``(I) reduce costs associated with
                                the provision of health services;
                                    ``(II) improve access to, and
                                availability of, health services
                                provided to individuals served by the
                                centers;
                                    ``(III) enhance the quality and
                                coordination of health services; or
                                    ``(IV) improve the health status of
                                communities.'';
            (6) in subsection (e)(5)(B), by striking ``and
        subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (c)(1) to a health
        center or to a network or plan'' and inserting ``to a health
        center'';
            (7) by striking subsection (s);
            (8) by redesignating subsections (g) through (r) as
        subsections (h) through (s), respectively;
            (9) by inserting after subsection (f), the following:
    ``(g) New Access Points and Expanded Services.--
            ``(1) Approval of new access points.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may approve
                applications for grants under subparagraph (A) or (B)
                of subsection (e)(1), subsection (h), subsection (i),
                and subsection (j) to establish new delivery sites.
                    ``(B) Special consideration.--In carrying out
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give special
                consideration to applicants that have demonstrated the
                new delivery site will be located within a sparsely
                populated area, or an area which has a level of unmet
                need that is higher relative to other applicants.
                    ``(C) Consideration of applications.--In carrying
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve
                applications for grants under subparagraphs (A) and (B)
                of subsection (e)(1) in such a manner that the ratio of
                the medically underserved populations in rural areas
                which may be expected to use the services provided by
                the applicants involved to the medically underserved
                populations in urban areas which may be expected to use
                the services provided by the applicants is not less
                than two to three or greater than three to two.
                    ``(D) Service area overlap.--If in carrying out
                subparagraph (A) the applicant proposes to serve an
                area that is currently served by another health center
                funded under this section, the Secretary may consider
                whether the award of funding to an additional health
                center in the area can be justified based on the unmet
                need for additional services within the catchment area.
            ``(2) Approval of expanded service applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may approve
                applications for grants under subparagraph (A) or (B)
                of subsection (e)(1) to expand the capacity of the
                applicant to provide required primary health services
                described in subsection (b)(1) or additional health
                services described in subsection (b)(2).
                    ``(B) Priority expansion projects.--In carrying out
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give special
                consideration to expanded service applications that
                seek to address emerging public health or behavioral
                health, mental health, or substance abuse issues
                through increasing the availability of additional
                health services described in subsection (b)(2) in an
                area in which there are significant barriers to
                accessing care.
                    ``(C) Consideration of applications.--In carrying
                out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve
                applications for applicants in such a manner that the
                ratio of the medically underserved populations in rural
                areas which may be expected to use the services
                provided by the applicants involved to the medically
                underserved populations in urban areas which may be
                expected to use the services provided by such
                applicants is not less than two to three or greater
                than three to two.'';
            (10) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and children
                and youth at risk of homelessness'' and inserting ``,
                children and youth at risk of homelessness, homeless
                veterans, and veterans at risk of homelessness''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (B);
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
                        subparagraph (B); and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B) (as so
                        redesignated)--
                                    (I) in the subparagraph heading, by
                                striking ``abuse'' and inserting ``use
                                disorder''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``abuse'' and
                                inserting ``use disorder'';
            (11) in subsection (l) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting
                        ``unmet'' before ``need'';
                            (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph
                        (A), by inserting ``and an application for a
                        grant under subsection (g)'' after ``subsection
                        (e)(1)'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting
                        ``unmet'' before ``need for health services'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (B), by striking
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (v) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (vi) by adding after subparagraph (C) the
                        following:
                    ``(D) in the case of an application for a grant
                pursuant to subsection (g)(1), a demonstration that the
                applicant has consulted with appropriate State and
                local government agencies, and health care providers
                regarding the need for the heath services to be
                provided at the proposed delivery site.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
                        (A), by inserting ``or subsection (g)'' after
                        ``subsection (e)(1)(B)'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``in
                        the catchment area of the center'' and
                        inserting ``, including other health care
                        providers that provide care within the
                        catchment area, local hospitals, and specialty
                        providers in the catchment area of the center,
                        to provide access to services not available
                        through the health center and to reduce the
                        non-urgent use of hospital emergency
                        departments'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (H)(ii), by inserting
                        ``who shall be directly employed by the
                        center'' after ``approves the selection of a
                        director for the center'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (L), by striking
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (v) in subparagraph (M), by striking the
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (vi) by inserting after subparagraph (M),
                        the following:
                    ``(N) the center has written policies and
                procedures in place to ensure the appropriate use of
                Federal funds in compliance with applicable Federal
                statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
                the Federal award.''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (4);
            (12) in subsection (m) (as so redesignated), by adding at
        the end the following: ``Funds expended to carry out activities
        under this subsection and operational support activities under
        subsection (n) shall not exceed three percent of the amount
        appropriated for this section for the fiscal year involved.'';
            (13) in subsection (q) (as so redesignated), by striking
        ``grants for new health centers under subsections (c) and (e)''
        and inserting ``operating grants under subsection (e),
        applications for new access points and expanded service
        pursuant to subsection (g)'';
            (14) in subsection (r)(4) (as so redesignated), by adding
        at the end the following: ``A waiver provided by the Secretary
        under this paragraph may not remain in effect for more than 1
        year and may not be extended after such period. An entity may
        not receive more than one waiver under this paragraph in
        consecutive years.''; and
            (15) in subsection (s)(3) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by striking ``appropriate committees of
                Congress a report concerning the distribution of funds
                under this section'' and inserting the following:
                ``Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
                of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce
                of the House of Representatives, a report including, at
                a minimum--
                    ``(A) the distribution of funds for carrying out
                this section'';
                    (B) by striking ``populations. Such report shall
                include an assessment'' and inserting the following:
                ``populations;
                    ``(B) an assessment'';
                    (C) by striking ``and the rationale for any
                substantial changes in the distribution of funds.'' and
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) the distribution of awards and funding for
                new or expanded services in each of rural areas and
                urban areas;
                    ``(D) the distribution of awards and funding for
                establishing new access points, and the number of new
                access points created;
                    ``(E) the amount of unexpended funding for loan
                guarantees and loan guarantee authority under title
                XVI;
                    ``(F) the rationale for any substantial changes in
                the distribution of funds;
                    ``(G) the rate of closures for health centers and
                access points;
                    ``(H) the number and reason for any grants awarded
                pursuant to subsection (e)(1)(B); and
                    ``(I) the number and reason for any waivers
                provided pursuant to subsection (r)(4).''.
    (c) Application.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to this section for
fiscal year 2018 or 2019 are subject to the requirements contained in
Public Law 115-31 for funds for programs authorized under sections 330
through 340 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b-256).
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3014(h) of title 18, United
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, as amended by section
        221 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of
        2015,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and section 101(d) of
        the CARE Act'' after ``section 221(c) of the Medicare Access
        and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015''.

Output: Community Coordination And Resource Empowerment Act or the Community CARE Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to extend funding through FY2019 for community health centers. Health centers that serve medically underserved populations may receive supplemental grant funds to increase access to primary care services.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Urban Sprawl and Smart Growth Study
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Urban sprawl destroys valuable open space, farmland,
        wildlife, and natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational
        resources.
            (2) Urban sprawl also leads to costly public expenditures
        for infrastructure, public schools, and transportation for
        newly developed areas while causing disinvestment in the urban
        cores of cities and towns.
            (3) Smart growth can prevent these problems and help
        enhance the quality of life for everyone.
            (4) Although growth management is primarily a State,
        tribal, and local responsibility, the effects of Federal
        actions contributing to or avoiding urban sprawl can be
        considerable.
            (5) Federal agencies can benefit from additional guidance
        to improve the use of environmental impact statements and
        environmental assessments in considering the potential effects
        of their proposed actions on urban sprawl and smart growth.

SEC. 3. SMART GROWTH STUDY.

    (a) Study Required.--The Council on Environmental Quality shall
conduct a study of urban sprawl and smart growth that updates and
builds on the Council's 1974 study entitled ``The Costs of Sprawl'' and
the Council's 1981 study entitled ``National Agricultural Lands
Study''.
    (b) Examination of Environmental Impact Statements.--In conducting
the study, the Council shall select and examine a variety of
environmental impact statements and environmental assessments by a
minimum of 15 Federal agencies, that were completed after 1995 for land
and facility management, transportation and infrastructure, and
regulatory and development assistance programs, including rural, urban,
and tribal assistance.
    (c) Public Participation.--The Council shall provide opportunities
for public participation in the study, including by--
            (1) conducting public meetings in at least 5 cities that,
        as determined by the Council, are each located--
                    (A) in a different region of the United States; and
                    (B) in an area that is experiencing an increase in
                urban sprawl;
            (2) making electronically accessible to the public
        information on the study and related documents; and
            (3) holding discussions with Federal, State, and local
        government personnel and representatives of Indian tribes
        involved in the process of formulating environmental impact
        statements and environmental assessments.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Council shall submit a report to the
Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate describing the
results of the study, including the following:
            (1) Findings of the Council concerning the economic,
        environmental, and land use effects of urban sprawl, such as
        those relating to energy, transportation, housing, schools,
        small business, Government facilities and military
        installations, public lands and forests, parks and recreation,
        agriculture and rural landscapes, air and water, and natural,
        scenic, and cultural resources.
            (2) Recommendations for improving environmental reviews by
        Federal agencies to more adequately address urban sprawl.
            (3) Recommendations for nonregulatory actions that may be
        taken by Federal agencies to--
                    (A) assist States and local communities in efforts
                to promote the beneficial effects of smart growth; and
                    (B) minimize actions by the agencies that result in
                adverse effects of urban sprawl.
    (e) Participation of Other Agencies.--In carrying out this section,
the Council should seek the participation of other Federal agencies.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Council $300,000 for the purpose of carrying out
this section, in addition to any other amounts that are available for
such purpose.

SEC. 4. COMMENTS ON URBAN SPRAWL.

    In any written comment prepared under section 309 of the Clean Air
Act (42 U.S.C. 7609) for any matter contained in any proposed
legislation, Federal project, Federal agency action, or proposed
regulation described in clause (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of
that section, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
shall address the impact of the matter on urban sprawl.

SEC. 5. NOTIFICATION, CONSULTATION, AND CONSIDERATION OF EFFECTS BEFORE
              DETERMINING WHETHER TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
              STATEMENT.

    (a) Notice and Comment.--In preparing an environmental assessment
for a proposed Federal action and before determining whether to prepare
an environmental impact statement for the action, the head of a Federal
agency shall--
            (1) publish notice of the action in the Federal Register
        and local newspapers of general circulation;
            (2) directly notify persons that may be affected by the
        proposed Federal action, including each State government, local
        government, Indian tribe, and private property owner that may
        be so affected;
            (3) conduct discussions with such persons on the proposed
        action and its alternatives; and
            (4) seek to address such persons' concerns, if any.
    (b) Consideration of Request for Environmental Impact Statement.--
If the Governor of a State or the head of a local government or Indian
tribe referred to in subsection (a)(1) submits in writing to the head
of the Federal agency a statement that the proposed Federal action will
result in urban sprawl significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment and a request for preparation of an environmental impact
statement for the proposed Federal action, the head of the Federal
agency shall give great weight to the request in determining whether to
prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Federal
action.
    (c) Publication of Environmental Assessment.--If, after receiving a
written statement and request for an environmental impact statement
under subsection (b) for a proposed Federal action, the head of a
Federal agency determines that the environmental impact statement is
not required by section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), the agency head shall--
            (1) include in an environmental assessment for the action
        an explanation of why the proposed action will not result in
        urban sprawl significantly affecting the quality of the human
        environment;
            (2) provide public notice of the availability of the
        assessment in the Federal Register and local newspapers of
        general circulation; and
            (3) transmit a copy of the assessment to the Council on
        Environmental Quality.
    (d) Urban Sprawl.--The head of a Federal agency shall include in an
environmental impact statement requested pursuant to subsection (b),
for each alternative included in the statement under section
102(2)(C)(iii) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)(iii)), an analysis of the environmental effects of
the action on urban sprawl.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Council on
        Environmental Quality.
            (2) Environmental assessment.--The term ``environmental
        assessment'' has the meaning given to that term in section
        1508.9 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect
        on the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) Environmental impact statement.--The term
        ``environmental impact statement'' means a detailed written
        statement under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
        Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
            (4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' means any
        Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or
        community, including any Alaska Native village or regional
        corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska
        Native Claims Settlement Act, that is recognized as eligible
        for the special programs and services provided by the United
        States to members of the Indian tribe because of their status
        as members.
            (5) Urban sprawl.--The term ``urban sprawl''--
                    (A) means any change in the pattern of the use of
                land outside of an urban center that results in a
                relatively dispersed form of residential or commercial
                development; and
                    (B) includes any such change that--
                            (i) may result in loss of open space,
                        farmland, rural landscapes, wildlife, or
                        natural, cultural, scenic, or recreational
                        resources; or
                            (ii) may result in high public costs for
                        infrastructure, public facilities, or
                        transportation and lead to disinvestment in
                        older urban or suburban areas.
            (6) Smart growth.--The term ``smart growth'' means policies
        regarding growth and development that--
                    (A) recognize the effects of new growth and
                development, including the environmental, economic, and
                social costs described in paragraph (5)(B); and
                    (B) attempt to mitigate those effects in advance so
                as to avoid or reduce them.

Output: Urban Sprawl and Smart Growth Study Act - Requires the Council on Environmental Quality to study and report to specified congressional committees on urban sprawl and smart growth, examining environmental impact statements (EIS) and assessments by a minimum of 15 Federal agencies that were completed after 1995.Provides for consideration of urban sprawl in environmental assessments and EIS prepared by Federal agencies for proposed Federal actions.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

     This Act may be cited as the ``Training for Realtime Writers Act
of 2003''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

     Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) As directed by Congress in section 723 of the
        Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613), as added by section
        305 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104;
        110 Stat. 126), the Federal Communications Commission adopted
        rules requiring closed captioning of most television
        programming, which gradually require new video programming to
        be fully captioned beginning in 2006.
            (2) More than 28,000,000 Americans, or 8 percent of the
        population, are considered deaf or hard of hearing and many
        require captioning services to participate in mainstream
        activities.
            (3) More than 24,000 children are born in the United States
        each year with some form of hearing loss.
            (4) According to the United States Department of Health and
        Human Services and a study done by the National Council on
        Aging--
                    (A) 25 percent of Americans over 65 years old are
                hearing impaired;
                    (B) 33 percent of Americans over 70 years old are
                hearing impaired; and
                    (C) 41 percent of Americans over 75 years old are
                hearing impaired.
            (5) The National Council on Aging study also found that
        depression in older adults may be directly related to hearing
        loss and disconnection with the spoken word.
            (6) Empirical research demonstrates that captions improve
        the performance of those individuals learning to read English
        and, according to numerous Federal agencies' statistics, could
        benefit--
                    (A) 3.7 million remedial readers;
                    (B) 12 million young children learning to read;
                    (C) 27 million illiterate adults; and
                    (D) 30 million people for whom English is a second
                language.
            (7) Over the past 5 years, student enrollment in programs
        that train court reporters to become realtime writers has
        decreased significantly, causing such programs to close on many
        campuses.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE TRAINING AND JOB
              PLACEMENT OF REALTIME WRITERS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall make competitive
grants to eligible entities under subsection (b) to promote training
and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed
a court reporting training program, as realtime writers in order to
meet the requirements for closed captioning of video programming set
forth in section 723 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613)
and the rules prescribed thereunder.
    (b) Eligible Entities.--For purposes of this act, an eligible
entity is a court reporting or realtime writing training program that--
            (1) can document and demonstrate to the Secretary of
        Education that it meets minimum standards of educational and
        financial accountability, with a curriculum capable of training
        realtime writers, qualified to provide captioning services;
            (2) is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
        the Department of Education; and
            (3) participates in student aid programs under title IV of
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.)
    (c) Priority in Grants.--In determining whether to award grants
under this section, the Secretary of Education shall give priority to
eligible entities that--
            (1) demonstrate the greatest ability to increase their
        capacity to train realtime writers;
            (2) demonstrate the most promising collaboration with local
        educational institutions, businesses, labor organizations, or
        other community groups having the potential to train or provide
        job placement assistance to realtime writers; and
            (3) propose the most promising and innovative approaches
        for initiating or expanding training or job placement
        assistance efforts for realtime writers.
    (d) Duration of Grant.--A grant under this section shall be for a
period of 2 years.
    (e) Maximum Amount of Grant.--The amount of a grant provided under
subsection (a) to an entity eligible may not exceed $1,500,000 for the
2-year period of the grant.

SEC. 4. APPLICATION.

    To receive a grant under section 3, an eligible entity shall submit
an application to the Secretary of Education at such time and in such
manner as the Secretary shall require. The application shall include--
            (1) a description of the training and assistance to be
        funded using the grant amount, including how such training and
        assistance will increase the number of realtime writers;
            (2) a description of performance measures to be utilized to
        evaluate the progress of individuals receiving such training
        and assistance in matters relating to enrollment, completion of
        training, and job placement and retention;
            (3) a description of the manner in which the eligible
        entity will ensure that recipients of scholarships, if any,
        funded by the grant will be employed and retained as realtime
        writers;
            (4) a description of the manner in which the eligible
        entity intends to continue providing the training and
        assistance to be funded by the grant after the end of the grant
        period, including any partnerships or arrangements established
        for that purpose;
            (5) a description of how the eligible entity will work with
        local workforce investment boards to ensure that training and
        assistance to be funded with the grant will further local
        workforce goals, including the creation of educational
        opportunities for individuals who are from economically
        disadvantaged backgrounds or are displaced workers; and
            (6) such other information as the Secretary may require.

SEC. 5. USE OF FUNDS.

    (a) In General.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under section
3 shall use the grant amount for purposes relating to the recruitment,
training, assistance, and job placement of individuals (including
individuals who have completed a court reporting training program) as
realtime writers, including--
            (1) recruitment activites;
            (2) subject to subsection (b), the provision of
        scholarships to individuals for training in realtime writing;
            (3) distance learning;
            (4) design and development of curriculum to more
        effectively train realtime writing skills and education in the
        knowledge bases necessary for the delivery of high quality
        closed captioning services;
            (5) assistance in job placement for upcoming and recent
        graduates with all types of captioning employers;
            (6) encouragement of individuals with disabilities to
        pursue a career in realtime writing; and
            (7) the employment and payment of personnel for such
        purposes.
    (b) Scholarships.--
            (1) Amount.--The amount of a scholarship under subsection
        (a)(2) shall be based on the amount of need of the recipient of
        the scholarship for financial assistance, as determined in
        accordance with part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act
        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk).
            (2) Agreement.--Each recipient of a scholarship under
        subsection (a)(2) shall enter into an agreement with the
        Secretary of Education to provide realtime writing services for
        a period of time (as determined by the Secretary) that is
        appropriate for the amount of the scholarship received.
            (3) Coursework and employment.--The Secretary shall
        establish requirements for coursework and employment for
        recipients of scholarships under subsection (a)(2), including
        requirements for repayment of scholarship amounts in the event
        of failure to meet such requirements for coursework and
        employment. Requirements for repayment of scholarship amounts
        shall take into account the effect of economic conditions on
        the capacity of scholarship recipients to find work as realtime
        writers.
    (c) Administrative Costs.--The recipient of a grant under section 3
may not use more than 5 percent of the grant amount to pay
administrative costs associated with activities funded by the grant.
    (d) Supplement not Supplant.--Grants amounts under this Act shall
supplement and not supplant other Federal or non-Federal funds of the
grant recipient for purposes of promoting the training and placement of
individuals as realtime writers.

SEC. 6. REPORTS.

    Each eligible entity receiving a grant under section 3 shall submit
to the Secretary of Education, at the end of each year of the grant
period, a report which shall include--
            (1) a description of the use of grant amounts by the entity
        during such year;
            (2) an assessment, utilizing the performance measures
        submitted by the entity in the application for the grant under
        section 4(b), of the effectiveness of activities carried out
        using such funds in increasing the number of realtime writers;
        and
            (3) a description of the best practices identified by the
        entity as a result of the grant for increasing the number of
        individuals who are trained, employed, and retained in
        employment as realtime writers.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

     There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act--
            (1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and
        2006; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007.

Output: Training for Realtime Writers Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to eligible entities to promote training and placement of individuals, including individuals who have completed a court reporting training program, as realtime writers to meet requirements for closed captioning in video programming. Sets forth priorities to be given in the award of such grants. Limits grants to a two-year period and a maximum amount of $1.5 million.


Input:
SECTION 1. STUDIES AND REPORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE
              NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ON FOOD PRODUCTS FROM CLONED
              ANIMALS.

    (a) Study by the Department of Agriculture.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to
        in this section as the ``Secretary''), in coordination with the
        Economic Research Service, and after consultation with the
        Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the
        Commissioner of Food and Drugs), shall conduct a study on the
        economic and trade impact of agricultural exports of food
        products from cloned animals.
            (2) Content of study.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
        include--
                    (A) an analysis of the domestic agricultural and
                international trade economic implications of permitting
                commercialization of milk and meat from cloned animals
                and their progeny into the food supply, with special
                attention to--
                            (i) the impact on Federal agricultural
                        expenditures; and
                            (ii) meat and milk exports shifts that
                        would take place as other countries react to
                        that commercialization, including the potential
                        for other countries to ban exports from the
                        United States; and
                    (B) estimates of the consumer and exporter
                behavioral responses that must be factored into both
                the economic impact analysis and the health impact
                analysis required under this section.
    (b) Study With the Government Accountability Office on Monitoring
Food Products From Cloned Animals.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with
        Comptroller General of the United States, shall conduct a study
        on the programs in place at the Department of Agriculture to
        monitor food products from cloned animals if such products
        enter the food supply.
            (2) Content of study.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
        include an evaluation of the processes in place at the
        Department of Agriculture to monitor food products from cloned
        animals throughout the food supply. The study shall also
        include a review of existing studies and literature, from the
        United States and other countries and organizations, that
        relate to the evaluation of the safety of food products from
        cloned animals and methods for monitoring such products in the
        food supply.
    (c) Study With the Government Accountability Office on the Health
Effects and Costs Attributable to Milk From Cloned Animals in the Food
Supply.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
        Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the
        Commissioner of Food and Drugs), and in coordination with
        Comptroller General of the United States, shall conduct a study
        on the health effects and costs attributable to milk from
        cloned animals in the food supply.
            (2) Content of study.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
        include an evaluation and measurement of the potential public
        health effects and associated health care costs, including any
        consumer behavior changes and negative impacts on nutrition,
        and prevention of osteoporosis and other chronic disease that
        result from any decrease in milk consumption, attributable to
        the commercialization of milk from cloned animals and their
        progeny.
    (d) Study With the National Academy of Sciences.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall contract with the
        National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study and report to
        Congress regarding the safety of food products derived from
        cloned animals.
            (2) Content of study.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
        include a review and an assessment of whether the studies
        (including peer review studies), data, and analysis used in the
        draft risk assessment issued by the Food and Drug
        Administration entitled Animal Cloning: A Draft Risk Assessment
        (issued on December 28, 2006) supported the conclusions drawn
        by such draft risk assessment and--
                    (A) whether there were a sufficient number of
                studies to support such conclusions; and
                    (B) whether additional pertinent studies and data
                exist which were not considered in the draft risk
                assessment and how this additional information affects
                the conclusions drawn in such draft risk assessment.
    (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to impede ongoing scientific research in artificial
reproductive health technologies.
    (f) Timeframe for Studies.--The Secretary shall complete the
studies required under this section prior to issuance by the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs of the final risk assessment on the
safety of cloned animals and food products derived from cloned animals.
    (g) Continuance of Moratorium.--The voluntary moratorium on
introducing food from cloned animals or their progeny into the food
supply, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, shall remain
in effect at least until the date that the Secretary of Health and
Human Services (acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs)
issues the final risk assessment described in subsection (f).

Output: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct studies on: (1) the economic and trade impact of exports of food products from cloned animals; (2) Department of Agriculture programs to monitor products from cloned animals in the food supply; (3) the health effects and costs attributable to milk from cloned animals in the food supply; and (4) the safety of food products derived from cloned animals.