Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``SSI Outreach Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) many individuals, including senior citizens, homeless
        individuals, children, and disabled individuals, face
        extraordinary difficulties in securing benefits under the
        Social Security Act, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, and other
        Federal programs, to which they are otherwise entitled;
            (2) without the benefits under such programs these
        individuals, lacking any resources, are unable to secure other
        vital necessities;
            (3) many barriers exist that prevent potentially eligible
        individuals from securing benefits under such programs,
        including--
                    (A) communication barriers such as illiteracy in
                English or a foreign language and sensory impairments;
                    (B) disabilities which limit mobility and
                connections to social services organizations;
                    (C) homelessness often coupled with mental illness,
                drug addiction, or alcoholism;
                    (D) distrust or fear of government bureaucracy;
                    (E) concern that eligibility will preclude future
                work attempts;
                    (F) lack of transportation;
                    (G) lack of access to a telephone;
                    (H) lack of an understanding of how to contact
                Social Security Administration field offices;
                    (I) lack of any connections to social service
                organizations; and
                    (J) cognitive or other mental impairments which
                limit a person's ability to understand benefits,
                rights, or procedures.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to overcome the
barriers to securing benefits under the Social Security Act and the
Food Stamp Act of 1977 faced by many homeless individuals and other
hard to reach populations by establishing an office in the Social
Security Administration which will be responsible for coordinating
outreach activities and services, including an outreach grant program.
The grant program will help establish innovative approaches to identify
individuals potentially eligible for such benefits and to aid such
individuals in the application process for such benefits.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF OUTREACH COORDINATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(hereafter referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall, within
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, establish within
the Social Security Administration an Office of Outreach Coordination,
to be administered by a Director of Outreach Coordination (hereafter in
this section referred to as the ``Director'') who shall be appointed by
the Commissioner of Social Security.
    (b) Duties of the Director.--The Director shall--
            (1) administer the grant program established under section
        4 and provide technical assistance to the entities receiving
        grants under such section;
            (2) formulate and provide information and technical
        assistance to Social Security Administration field offices
        regarding--
                    (A) outreach policies and methods; and
                    (B) local outreach activities and services; and
            (3) implement the requirements of section 1635 of the
        Social Security Act.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR
              OUTREACH.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall, through the Office of
Outreach Coordination in the Social Security Administration
(established under section 3), provide grants to local governments and
nonprofit organizations submitting applications to the Secretary under
this section, to conduct outreach activities and services targeted at
homeless individuals and other hard to reach populations, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
    (b) Grant Criteria.--The Secretary shall provide grants under this
section only to entities that demonstrate to the Secretary that the
entities--
            (1) have experience with low-income people;
            (2) have, in the case of entities applying for grants to
        work with a specific hard to reach population, sufficient
        experience in working with such population, including--
                    (A) knowledge of the community in which such
                population lives; and
                    (B) proficiency in any applicable foreign language;
            (3) are able to conduct outreach activities and services
        appropriate to the targeted hard to reach population,
        including--
                    (A) regular visits to places frequented by homeless
                individuals, including soup kitchens, homeless
                shelters, street sites, and day centers;
                    (B) the provision of information to individuals and
                organizations regarding eligibility for benefits under
                the Social Security Act and the Food Stamp Act of 1977,
                and provision of applications to apply for benefits
                under such programs;
                    (C) the provision of assistance to individuals in
                completing applications to establish eligibility for
                benefits under the Social Security Act and benefits
                under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and
                    (D) the provision of assistance to individuals with
                respect to--
                            (i) obtaining appointments for any medical
                        examination required in order to obtain
                        benefits for which such individuals may be
                        eligible under the Social Security Act so that
                        all such examinations take place within 2 weeks
                        after submission of the application for
                        benefits under such Act;
                            (ii) obtaining and developing evidence of
                        disability and supporting documentation for
                        nondisability-related eligibility requirements
                        under the Social Security Act; and
                            (iii) other matters relevant to obtaining
                        benefits under the Social Security Act,
                        including arranging transportation, and where
                        appropriate, arranging for persons to accompany
                        applicants to any necessary medical
                        examinations; and
            (4) are able to meet such further requirements as the
        Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out the
        purposes of this section.
    (c) Assistance to Applicants and Beneficiaries Who Are Homeless
Individuals In Obtaining Needed Goods and Services.--An entity that
receives a grant under this section to conduct outreach activities to
homeless individuals may use some of the funds received under the grant
to assist homeless individuals in gaining access to appropriate
services in the community, including permanent housing assistance,
nutrition, physical and mental health care, and case management
services.
    (d) Reporting Requirements.--The Secretary shall provide that each
entity receiving grants under this section shall be required to prepare
and submit to the Office of Outreach Coordination an annual report on
the use of grant funds and on the activities of the entity undertaken
to carry out the purposes of this section.
    (e) Grant Funds.--In order to provide for grants under this
section, the Secretary shall set aside and utilize no less than .37
percent of the amounts available on an annual basis for the
administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration.
    (f) Administrative Provisions.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to
        carry out this section within 240 days after the date of the
        enactment of this Act;
            (2) notify local governments and nonprofit organizations of
        the availability of grant funds under this section within 270
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (3) begin to award grants under this section as described
        in subsection (a) within 360 days after the date of the
        enactment of this Act and annually thereafter.

SEC. 5. SPECIAL PROCEDURES RELATING TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Expedited Consideration of Applications.--Within 240 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate
regulations to ensure that, in determining disability for purposes of
awarding benefits under the Social Security Act, priority consideration
shall be given to applications received from homeless individuals.
    (b) Assistance in Filing Documents for Appeal and in Seeking
Representation.--If the Secretary issues a decision to deny, suspend,
reduce, or terminate benefits under the Social Security Act to a
homeless individual, the Secretary shall take affirmative steps to
locate the individual and--
            (1) inform the individual of the importance of appealing
        such decision; and
            (2) if the individual indicates a desire to file such an
        appeal, assist the individual in filing the necessary forms.
    (c) Procedure Governing the Potential Denial or Suspension of
Benefits for a Homeless Individual.--
            (1) Determination.--Before the Secretary decides to deny,
        reduce, suspend, or terminate benefits under the Social
        Security Act to a homeless individual on the grounds that the
        individual must provide additional information before
        receiving, or continuing to receive, such benefits, the
        Secretary shall determine whether the individual is likely to
        have difficulty in responding to the request due to--
                    (A) a mental or physical impairment;
                    (B) advanced age;
                    (C) inability to communicate in English;
                    (D) lack of transportation;
                    (E) lack of a fixed address; or
                    (F) any other comparable limitation.
            (2) Action.--If the Secretary determines that an individual
        has one of the limitations described in paragraph (1), the
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) take affirmative steps to locate the individual
                and assist the individual in filing an appeal from an
                adverse decision regarding such benefits, and in
                securing the evidence required to establish eligibility
                for, or to restore, such benefits; and
                    (B) try to contact the individual by telephone and,
                if unsuccessful, make a personal visit to the last
                known address of the individual, contact individuals in
                the neighborhood, friends, or the post office, of the
                individual, and, to assist in these efforts, contact
                social agencies, shelters, soup kitchens, and any other
                agencies that provide services to homeless individuals.
            (3) Restoration of benefits.--If the efforts described in
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) are unsuccessful,
        and such benefits are denied, suspended, reduced, or
        terminated, and the individual within 12 months of such denial,
        suspension, reduction, or termination contacts the Social
        Security Administration with the necessary information to seek
        restoration of benefits, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) immediately resume payment of such benefits;
                and
                    (B) from funds retained in the local office
                accounts, pay the benefits of the individual for the
                current month and for subsequent months until regular
                monthly payments of benefits resume.
    (d) Regulations on Presumptive Disability.--Within 60 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate
regulations to ensure that presumptive disability payments made under
section 1631(a)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act and emergency advance
payments made under section 1631(a)(4)(B) of such Act are fully
available to homeless individuals.

SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Evaluations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall prepare an evaluation
        of the activities carried out under this Act.
            (2) Criteria.--At a minimum, the criteria used by the
        Secretary in evaluating such activities shall--
                    (A) fully take into account the special
                circumstances of the individuals reached through the
                outreach activities conducted under this Act and the
                need of such individuals for personalized attention and
                follow-through assistance; and
                    (B) emphasize the extent to which--
                            (i) the procedures used to carry out the
                        outreach activities take into account such
                        circumstances; and
                            (ii) the assistance made available to such
                        individuals through such activities meets such
                        need.
    (b) Reports.--Not less frequently than annually, the Secretary
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a full and
complete report containing the evaluation described in subsection (a)
and such recommendations for additional legislative or regulatory
action as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate.

SEC. 7. DEFINITION.

    For purposes of this Act, the term ``homeless individual'' means
any individual--
            (1) who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
        residence; or
            (2) whose primary nighttime residence is--
                    (A) a supervised publicly or privately operated
                shelter designed to provide temporary living
                accommodations (including a welfare hotel, a congregate
                shelter, and transitional housing for the mentally
                ill);
                    (B) an institution that provides a temporary
                residence for individuals intended to be
                institutionalized; or
                    (C) a public or private place not designed for, or
                ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation
                for human beings.

Output:
SSI Outreach Act of 1993 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish within the Social Security Administration an Office of Outreach Coordination to:  (1) administer a program under which the Secretary provides grants and technical assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations for outreach activities and services targeted at obtaining various assistance for homeless individuals and other hard to reach populations; (2) formulate and provide information and technical assistance to Social Security Administration field offices regarding outreach policies and methods and local outreach activities and services; and (3) implement the requirements of title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act relating to the outreach program for children.
Sets forth special rules governing the provision of social security benefits to homeless individuals.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Domestic Violence Courts Assistance
Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Nearly one-third of American women report being
        physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some
        point in their lives.
            (2) Family violence costs the nation between $5,000,000,000
        and $10,000,000,000 each year in medical expenses, police and
        court costs, shelters and foster care, sick leave, absenteeism,
        and nonproductivity.
            (3) The Nation's first specialized domestic violence court
        was established in Chicago in the early 1980s to centralize the
        prosecution of domestic violence offenders.
            (4) There are presently more than 300 domestic violence
        courts in at least 23 States nationwide.
            (5) Specialized domestic violence courts in several
        communities have resulted in cutting the processing time of
        domestic violence, reducing a backlog of existing domestic
        violence cases and raising the conviction rate.
            (6) Specialized domestic violence courts allow judges,
        prosecutors and defense attorneys to focus on the intricacies
        of domestic violence cases, especially with regards to repeat
        offenders.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT SYSTEMS FROM AMOUNTS
              AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

    (a) In General.--Part T of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (relating to grants to combat violent crimes
against women) is amended as follows:
            (1) Purposes for which grants may be used.--Section 2001(b)
        of that Act (42 U.S.C. 3796gg(b)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (10), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (11), by striking the period at
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(12) providing the resources to establish and maintain a
        court system dedicated to the adjudication of domestic violence
        cases, including providing such resources as--
                    ``(A) prosecutors and court personnel, including
                those who perform interpretation and translation
                services;
                    ``(B) technical assistance and counseling;
                    ``(C) training of attorneys, judges, and court
                personnel, including those who perform interpretation
                and translation services (which should be carried out
                in consultation with local domestic violence advocates,
                State domestic violence coalitions, or both);
                    ``(D) technological improvements and data
                collection; and
                    ``(E) improvement of court facilities, including
                the creation of safe waiting areas and improved
                security.''.
            (2) Qualification for funds.--Section 2002(c)(3)(C) of that
        Act (42 U.S.C. 3796gg-1(c)(3)(C)) is amended by inserting after
        ``including juvenile courts'' the following: ``and specialized
        domestic violence courts''.
    (b) Attorney General Report.--Not later than thirty days after the
expiration of the third fiscal year beginning after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to Congress a
report on the implementation and effectiveness of the amendments made
by subsection (b), including the effectiveness of grants made under
such amendments in reducing the rates of domestic violence and
shortening the period of judicial review in domestic violence cases.
    (c) State Justice Institute.--Section 206(c) of the State Justice
Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10705(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (14) by striking ``and'';
            (2) in paragraph (15) by striking the period at the end and
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(16) implement and evaluate court-based approaches to
        adjudicating domestic violence cases in State courts,
        including--
                    ``(A) domestic violence courts;
                    ``(B) integrated case management information
                systems;
                    ``(C) collaborations among courts, law enforcement
                agencies, social service agencies, women's shelters,
                and victims of crime support organizations; and
                    ``(D) any other innovative practices likely to
                improve the criminal justice system's response to
                domestic violence; and
            ``(17) provide technical assistance to State courts to
        facilitate the development and adoption of improved practices
        in the adjudication of domestic violence cases.''.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out paragraphs (16) and (17) of section 206(c) of
the State Justice Institute Act of 1984, as added by subsection (c),
$1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008.

Output:
Domestic Violence Courts Assistance Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (relating to grants to combat violent crimes against women) to allow such grants to be used to provide the resources to establish and maintain a court system dedicated to the adjudication of domestic violence cases.

Requires a State to certify that at least five percent of grant funds shall be allocated for specialized domestic violence courts. Amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to allow funds available pursuant to grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts awarded under the Act to be used to: (1) implement and evaluate court-based approaches to adjudicating domestic violence cases in State courts; and (2) provide technical assistance to State courts to facilitate the development and adoption of improved practices in such adjudication.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Student Loan Abuse Prevention Act of
2005''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to stop ensuring that lenders in the
Federal Family Education Loan Program continue to receive extraordinary
and unnecessary taxpayer subsidies, to make public college tuition free
for future mathematics, science, and special education teachers, and to
provide additional assistance to students eligible to receive a Federal
Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.).

SEC. 3. ENDING THE 9.5 PERCENT GUARANTEED RATE OF RETURN ON FEDERAL
              FAMILY EDUCATION LOANS.

    (a) Technical Correction.--Section 2 of the Taxpayer-Teacher
Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-409; 118 Stat. 2299) is amended
in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting ``of the Higher
Education Act of 1965'' after ``Section 438(b)(2)(B)''.
    (b) Prospective Special Allowances.--
            (1) In general.--Section 438(b)(2)(B) of the Higher
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)(B)), as amended
        by the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004, is amended--
                    (A) in clause (iv), by striking ``1993, or refunded
                after September 30, 2004, and before January 1, 2006,
                the'' and inserting ``1993, or refunded on or after the
                date of enactment of the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection
                Act of 2004, the''; and
                    (B) by striking clause (v) and inserting the
                following:
                            ``(v) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii),
                        the quarterly rate of the special allowance
                        shall be the rate determined under subparagraph
                        (A), (E), (F), (G), (H), or (I) of this
                        paragraph, or paragraph (4), as the case may
                        be, for loans--
                                    ``(I) originated, transferred, or
                                purchased on or after the date of
                                enactment of the Taxpayer-Teacher
                                Protection Act of 2004;
                                    ``(II) financed by an obligation
                                that has matured, been retired, or
                                defeased on or after the date of
                                enactment of the Taxpayer-Teacher
                                Protection Act of 2004;
                                    ``(III) which the special allowance
                                was determined under such subparagraphs
                                or paragraph, as the case may be, on or
                                after the date of enactment of the
                                Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of
                                2004;
                                    ``(IV) for which the maturity date
                                of the obligation from which funds were
                                obtained for such loans was extended on
                                or after the date of enactment of the
                                Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of
                                2004; or
                                    ``(V) sold or transferred to any
                                other holder on or after the date of
                                enactment of the Taxpayer-Teacher
                                Protection Act of 2004.''.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in the amendment made by
        paragraph (1) shall be construed to abrogate a contractual
        agreement between the Federal Government and a student loan
        provider.
    (c) Prepayment of Current Loans.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Education shall encourage
        a borrower to consolidate such borrower's loans under section
        428C or 455(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
        1078-3 and 1087e(g)) if 1 or more of such loans is a loan for
        which the holder of the loan is entitled to a special allowance
        payment determined under section 438(b)(2)(B) of such Act (20
        U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)(B)) that ensures the holder a minimum 9.5
        percent rate of return on such loan, by offering the borrower
        an incentive, as described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Incentive.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), an
        incentive to a borrower regarding a loan for which the holder
        of the loan is entitled to a special allowance payment
        determined under section 438(b)(2)(B) of the Higher Education
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)(B)) that ensures the holder
        a minimum 9.5 percent rate of return on such loan, shall take
        the form of--
                    (A) an immediate $1,000 reduction in the principal
                of such loan; or
                    (B) not less than a 1-percent reduction in the
                interest rate payments on such loan.
            (3) Exception.--The Secretary of Education shall not offer
        an incentive under paragraph (2) to a borrower of a loan
        described in such paragraph if offering the incentive will
        increase the long-term costs to the Federal Government of such
        loan.

SEC. 4. TUITION-FREE COLLEGE FOR FUTURE MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, AND
              SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS.

    (a) Additional Amounts for Teachers in Mathematics, Science, and
Special Education.--
            (1) FFEL loans.--Section 428J(c)(3) of the Higher Education
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-10(c)(3)) is amended by striking
        ``$17,500'' and inserting ``$23,000''.
            (2) Direct loans.--Section 460(c)(3) of the Higher
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087j(c)(3)) is amended by
        striking ``$17,500'' and inserting ``$23,000''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply only with respect to eligible individuals who are new borrowers
on or after October 1, 1998.

SEC. 5. INCREASED GRANT AID TO PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS.

    (a) In General.--Any funds available to the Secretary of Education
as a result of reduced expenditures under section 438 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1) secured by the enactment of
section 3 shall first be used by the Secretary for loan cancellation
and loan forgiveness for teachers under sections 428J and 460 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-10 and 1087j), as amended
by section 4.
    (b) Remaining Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Any such funds remaining after carrying
        out subsection (a) shall be used by the Secretary of Education
        to make payments to each nonprofit lender in an amount that
        bears the same relation to the remaining funds as the amount
        the nonprofit lender receives for fiscal year 2005 under
        section 438(b)(2)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
        U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)(B)) bears to the total amount received by
        nonprofit lenders for fiscal year 2005 under such section.
            (2) Definition of nonprofit lender.--In this subsection,
        the term ``nonprofit lender'' means an eligible lender (as
        defined in section 435(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
        (20 U.S.C. 1085(d)) that--
                    (A) is an organization described in section
                501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
                    (B) is a nonprofit entity as defined by applicable
                State law; and
                    (C) meets the following requirements:
                            (i) The nonprofit lender does not confer a
                        salary or benefits to any employee of the
                        nonprofit lender in an amount that is in excess
                        of the salary and benefits provided to the
                        Secretary of Education by the Department of
                        Education.
                            (ii) The nonprofit lender does not maintain
                        an ongoing relationship whereby the nonprofit
                        lender passes on revenue directly or indirectly
                        through lease, securitization, resale, or any
                        other financial instrument to a for-profit
                        entity or to shareholders.
                            (iii) The nonprofit lender does not offer
                        benefits to a borrower in a manner directly or
                        indirectly predicated on such borrower's
                        participation--
                                    (I) in a program under part B or D
                                of title IV of the Higher Education Act
                                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq. and
                                1087a et seq.); or
                                    (II) with any particular lender.
                            (iv) The nonprofit lender certifies that
                        the nonprofit lender uses the payment received
                        pursuant to paragraph (1) to confer grant or
                        scholarship benefits to students who are
                        eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants under
                        subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et
                        seq.).
                            (v) The nonprofit lender is subject to
                        public oversight through either a State charter
                        or through not less than 50 percent of the
                        nonprofit lender's board of directors
                        consisting of State-appointed representatives.
                            (vi) The nonprofit lender does not engage
                        in the marketing of the relative value of
                        programs under part B of title IV of the Higher
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.)
                        as compared to programs under part D of title
                        IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                        U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), nor does the nonprofit
                        lender engage in the marketing of loans or
                        programs offered by for-profit lenders. This
                        clause shall not be construed to prohibit the
                        nonprofit lender from conferring basic
                        information on lenders under part B of title IV
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                        1071 et seq.) and the related benefits offered
                        by such nonprofit lenders.

Output:
Student Loan Abuse Prevention Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act of 2004 (HEA) to reduce special allowance payments to holders of student loans by making permanent the ending of a 9.5% minimum guaranteed rate of return to such holders.

Directs the Secretary of Education to give incentives, in the form of certain reductions in principal or interest rate, to borrowers to consolidate any current loans for which the holder is entitled to a special allowance that ensures such a 9.5 rate of return, provided such an incentive does not increase the cost of such loan to the federal government.

Increases to $23,000 the maximum amount of student loan forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan and the Federal Direct Student Loan programs for certain eligible teachers of: (1) mathematics or science in secondary schools; and (2) special education in elementary and secondary schools.

Directs the Secretary to use funds available from reduced expenditures resulting from this Act's reduction of special allowances to loan holders, as follows: (1) first, for the student loan cancellation and forgiveness programs for teachers under HEA as amended by this Act; and (2) then, the remainder for payments to nonprofit lenders meeting certain criteria and using such payments to confer grant or scholarship benefits on students eligible for Federal Pell Grants.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work
Act''.

SEC. 2. ADJUSTMENTS IN MONTHLY EXEMPT AMOUNT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SOCIAL
              SECURITY EARNINGS TEST.

    (a) Increase in Monthly Exempt Amount for Individuals Who Have
Attained Retirement Age.--
            (1) In general.--Section 203(f)(8)(D) of the Social
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 403(f)(8)(D)) is amended to read as
        follows:
            ``(D)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
        subsection, the exempt amount which is applicable to an
        individual who has attained retirement age (as defined in
        section 216(l)) before the close of the taxable year involved
        shall be--
                    ``(I) $1,208.33\1/3\ for each month of any taxable
                year ending after 1995 and before 1997,
                    ``(II) $1,416.66\2/3\ for each month of any taxable
                year ending after 1996 and before 1998,
                    ``(III) $1,666.66\2/3\ for each month of any
                taxable year ending after 1997 and before 1999,
                    ``(IV) $1,875.00 for each month of any taxable year
                ending after 1998 and before 2000,
                    ``(V) $2,083.33\1/3\ for each month of any taxable
                year ending after 1999 and before 2001,
                    ``(VI) $2,291.66\2/3\ for each month of any taxable
                year ending after 2000 and before 2002, and
                    ``(VII) $2,500.00 for each month of any taxable
                year ending after 2001 and before 2003.''.
            (2) Increased amounts subject to present law cost-of-living
        adjustment after 2002.--Section 203(f)(8)(D) of such Act (42
        U.S.C. 403(f)(8)(D)), as amended by paragraph (1), is amended
        by adding at the end the following new clause:
            ``(ii) For purposes of this paragraph, the increase in the
        exempt amount provided under clause (i)(VII) shall be deemed to
        have resulted from a determination which shall be deemed to
        have been made under subparagraph (A) in 2001.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--The second sentence of section
        223(d)(4)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 423(d)(4)(A)) is amended by
        striking ``the exempt amount under section 203(f)(8) which is
        applicable to individuals described in subparagraph (D)
thereof'' and inserting the following: ``an amount equal to the exempt
amount which would have been applicable under section 203(f)(8), to
individuals described in subparagraph (D) thereof, if the amendments
made to such section by the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act had
not been enacted''.
            (4) Effective date of subsection.--The amendments made by
        this subsection shall apply with respect to taxable years
        beginning after 1995.
    (b) Compensation of Trust Fund for Increased Outlays.--
            (1) In general.--Section 201(d) of the Social Security Act
        (42 U.S.C. 401(d)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)'';
                    (B) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``shall bear
                interest'' and inserting ``shall (subject to paragraph
                (2)) bear interest''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
    ``(2) In the case of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee shall increase the rate of interest
(otherwise specified in the fifth sentence of paragraph (1)) which is
to be borne by obligations referred to in the fourth sentence of
paragraph (1) issued after September 30, 1995, and before October 1,
2002, by .25 percent point for each fiscal year beginning after
September 30, 1995, and before October 1, 2002. For purposes of this
paragraph, any obligation in which any portion of such Trust Fund is
invested which was issued before October 1, 1995, shall be deemed to
have matured on September 30, 1995, and to have been reissued on
October 1, 1995, with the same maturation date and same rate of
interest (subject to the increase provided under this paragraph).''.
            (2) Effective date of subsection.--The amendments made by
        this subsection shall apply with respect to obligations issued
        after December 31, 1995.
    (c) Additional Offsets.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
        law, each nonexempt account within the discretionary spending
        category for each of the fiscal years 1996 through 2002 shall
        be reduced, if necessary, by the uniform percentage necessary
        to offset the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust
        Fund shortfall resulting from the amendments made to section
        203(f)(8) of the Social Security Act by the Senior Citizens'
        Freedom to Work Act.
            (2) Effective date.--The reductions required by this
        subsection shall be implemented pursuant to a Presidential
        order as provided for a sequester to eliminate a budget-year
        breach under section 251 of the Balanced Budget and Deficit
        Control Act of 1985. The reductions required by this subsection
        shall be in addition to any reductions required by section 251
        of the Balanced Budget and Deficit Control Act of 1985.
    (d) Report by GAO.--Not later than the date which is 2 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall report to the Congress regarding an analysis of the
dynamic effect of the reform of the social security earnings limit
under section 203(f)(8) of the Social Security Act, as provided by
subsection (a) of this section, and a calculation of the reform's true
effect on the Federal budget.

Output:
Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to increase the monthly exempt amount, under the earnings test, for individuals who have attained retirement age.  Sets forth the schedule of monthly adjustments increasing from $1,208 for taxable year 1996 to $2,500 for taxable year 2002.
Subjects such increased amounts to current law cost-of-living adjustments after 2002.
Requires the Managing Trustee of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund to increase by a specified percentage per year the rate of interest borne by public-debt obligations issued for purchase by the OASDI trust funds between September 30, 1995, and October 1, 2002.
Provides that each nonexempt account within the discretionary spending category for each of FY 1996 through 2002 shall be reduced, if necessary, by the uniform percentage necessary to offset the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund shortfall resulting from the amendments of this Act increasing the monthly exempt amount.
Directs the Comptroller General to analyze and report to the Congress on the dynamic effect of the revision of the social security earnings limit made by this Act and a calculation of its true effect on the Federal budget.


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

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Safety and
Promotion Act of 2001''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                   TITLE I--GROWTH OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

Sec. 101. Price Anderson reauthorization.
Sec. 102. Elimination of foreign ownership restrictions.
Sec. 103. Combined licenses.
Sec. 104. Scope of environmental review.
                    TITLE II--NRC REGULATORY REFORM

Sec. 201. Elimination of duplicative antitrust review.
Sec. 202. Hearing procedures.
Sec. 203. Authority over former licensees for decommissioning funding.
                    TITLE III--NRC PERSONNEL CRISIS

Sec. 301. Elimination of pension offset.
Sec. 302. Contracts with the national laboratories.
Sec. 303. NRC training program.

                   TITLE I--GROWTH OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

SEC. 101. PRICE-ANDERSON REAUTHORIZATION.

    (a) Indemnification of Licensees.--Section 170c. of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(c)) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Licenses'' and
        inserting ``Licensees''; and
            (2) in the first sentence, by striking ``August 1, 2002''
        and inserting ``August 1, 2012''.
    (b) Reports to Congress.--Section 170p. of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(p)) is amended by striking ``August 1, 1998'' and
inserting ``August 1, 2008''.
    (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section apply with
respect to nuclear incidents occurring on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 102. ELIMINATION OF FOREIGN OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS.

    (a) Commercial Licenses.--Section 103d. of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(d)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
    (b) Medical Therapy and Research and Development.--Section 104d. of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2134(d)) is amended by
striking the second sentence.

SEC. 103. COMBINED LICENSE PERIODS.

    Section 103c. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(c))
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``c. Each such'' and inserting the
        following:
    ``c. License Period.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each such''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Combined licenses.--In the case of a combined
        construction and operating license issued under section 185(b),
        the duration of the operating phase of the license period shall
        not be less than the duration of the operating license if
        application had been made for separate construction and
        operating licenses.''.

SEC. 104. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 10 of title I of the Atomic Energy act of
1954 (42 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 110 and 111 as section 111
        and 112, respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after section 109 the following:

``SEC. 110. SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

    ``In conducting any environmental review (including any activity
conducted under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332)) in connection with an application for a license
or a renewed license under this chapter, the Commission shall not give
any consideration to the need for, or any alternative to, the facility
to be licensed.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 is amended--
                    (A) in the table of contents (42 U.S.C. prec.
                2011), by striking the items relating to section 110
                and inserting the following:

        ``Sec. 110. Scope of environmental review.
        ``Sec. 111. Exclusions.
        ``Sec. 112. Licensing by Nuclear Regulatory Commission of
                            distribution of certain materials by
                            Department of Energy.'';
                    (B) in the last sentence of section 57b. (42 U.S.C.
                2077(b)), by striking ``section 111 b.'' and inserting
                ``section 112b.''; and
                    (C) in section 131a.(2)(C), by striking ``section
                111 b.'' and inserting ``section 112b.''.
            (2) Section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974
        (42 U.S.C. 5842) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``section 110 a.'' and inserting
                ``section 111a.''; and
                    (B) by striking ``section 110 b.'' and inserting
                ``section 111b.''.

                    TITLE II--NRC REGULATORY REFORM

SEC. 201. ELIMINATION OF DUPLICATIVE ANTITRUST REVIEW.

    Section 105 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2135) is
amended by striking subsection c. and inserting the following:
    ``c. Conditions.--
            ``(1) In general.--A condition for a grant of a license
        imposed by the Commission under this section shall remain in
        effect until the condition is modified or removed by the
        Commission.
            ``(2) Modification.--If a person that is licensed to
        construct or operate a utilization or production facility
        applies for reconsideration under this section of a condition
        imposed in the person's license, the Commission shall conduct a
        proceeding, on an expedited basis, to determine whether the
        license condition--
                    ``(A) is necessary to ensure compliance with
                subsection a.; or
                    ``(B) should be modified or removed.''.

SEC. 202. HEARING PROCEDURES.

    Section 189a.(1) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C.
2239(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Hearings.--A hearing under this section shall
                be conducted using informal adjudicatory procedures
                unless the Commission determines that formal
                adjudicatory procedures are necessary--
                            ``(i) to develop a sufficient record; or
                            ``(ii) to achieve fairness.''.

SEC. 203. AUTHORITY OVER FORMER LICENSEES FOR DECOMMISSIONING FUNDING.

    Section 161i. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2201(i))
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3)''; and
            (2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the
        following: ``, and (4) to ensure that sufficient funds will be
        available for the decommissioning of any production or
        utilization facility licensed under section 103 or 104b.,
        including standards and restrictions governing the control,
        maintenance, use, and disbursement by any former licensee under
        this Act that has control over any fund for the decommissioning
        of the facility''.

                    TITLE III--NRC PERSONNEL CRISIS

SEC. 301. ELIMINATION OF PENSION OFFSET.

    Section 161 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2201) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``y. exempt from the application of sections 8344 and 8468 of title
5, United States Code, an annuitant who was formerly an employee of the
Commission who is hired by the Commission as a consultant, if the
Commission finds that the annuitant has a skill that is critical to the
performance of the duties of the Commission.''.

SEC. 302. CONTRACTS WITH THE NATIONAL LABORATORIES.

    Section 170A of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210a) is
amended by striking subsection c. and inserting the following:
    ``c. Contracts, Agreements, and Other Arrangements With the
National Laboratories.--Notwithstanding subsection b. and
notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest that cannot be
avoided, the Commission may enter into a contract, agreement, or other
arrangement with a national laboratory if the Commission takes
reasonable steps to mitigate the effect of the conflict of interest.''.

SEC. 303. NRC TRAINING PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--In order to maintain the human resource investment
and infrastructure of the United States in the nuclear sciences, health
physics, and engineering fields, in accordance with the statutory
authorities of the Commission relating to the civilian nuclear energy
program, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall carry out a training
and fellowship program to address shortages of individuals with
critical safety skills.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
        carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002
        through 2005.
            (2) Availability.--Funds made available under paragraph (1)
        shall remain available until expended.

Output: Nuclear Safety and Promotion Act - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to reauthorize until August 1, 2012, mandatory indemnification and holding harmless of certain licensees for nuclear incidents (Price-Anderson Act).Repeals the prohibition against foreign ownership of commercial, medical therapy, and research and development licenses issued by the NRC.Provides that the duration of the operating phase of the license period for certain combined construction and operating licenses shall not be less than the duration of the operating license if application had been made for separate construction and operating licenses.Prohibits the NRC from giving any consideration to need or alternative when conducting any environmental review regarding a facility license application or renewal.Eliminates antitrust review of NRC license applications.Authorizes the NRC to prescribe regulations to ensure the availability of sufficient decommissioning funds for certain production or utilization facilities, including standards and restrictions governing former licensee control and disbursement over any facility decommissioning fund.Authorizes the NRC to eliminate the pension offset governing former NRC employees rehired as consultants if the annuitant has skills critical to the performance of NRC duties.Repeals the requirements that the NRC promulgate implementation rules governing conflicts of interest relating to contracts. Authorizes the NRC enter into a contract with a national laboratory if it takes reasonable steps to mitigate the effect of the conflict of interest.Instructs the NRC to implement a training and fellowship program to address shortages of critical safety skills.


Input:
TITLE I--NTSB AMENDMENTS

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Transportation Safety
Board Amendments of 1996''.

SEC. 102. FOREIGN INVESTIGATIONS.

    Section 1114 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
        (1) by striking ``(b) and (c)'' in subsection (a) and inserting
    ``(b), (c), and (e)''; and
        (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Foreign Investigations.--
        ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
    neither the Board, nor any agency receiving information from the
    Board, shall disclose records or information relating to its
    participation in foreign aircraft accident investigations; except
    that--
            ``(A) the Board shall release records pertaining to such an
        investigation when the country conducting the investigation
        issues its final report or 2 years following the date of the
        accident, whichever occurs first; and
            ``(B) the Board may disclose records and information when
        authorized to do so by the country conducting the
        investigation.
        ``(2) Safety recommendations.--Nothing in this subsection shall
    restrict the Board at any time from referring to foreign accident
    investigation information in making safety recommendations.''.

SEC. 103. PROTECTION OF VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION.

    Section 1114(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
        ``(3) Protection of Voluntary Submission of Information.--
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, neither the Board, nor
    any agency receiving information from the Board, shall disclose
    voluntarily provided safety-related information if that information
    is not related to the exercise of the Board's accident or incident
    investigation authority under this chapter and if the Board finds
    that the disclosure of the information would inhibit the voluntary
    provision of that type of information.''.

SEC. 104. TRAINING.

    Section 1115 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
        ``(d) Training of board employees and others.--The Board may
    conduct training of its employees in those subjects necessary for
    the proper performance of accident investigation. The Board may
    also authorize attendance at courses given under this subsection by
    other government personnel, personnel of foreign governments, and
    personnel from industry or otherwise who have a requirement for
    accident investigation training. The Board may require non-Board
    personnel to reimburse some or all of the training costs, and
    amounts so reimbursed shall be credited to the appropriation of the
    `National Transportation Safety Board, Salaries and Expenses' as
    offsetting collections.''.

SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 1118(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
        (1) by striking ``and''; and
        (2) by inserting before the period at the end of the first
    sentence the following: ``, $42,400,00 for fiscal year 1997,
    $44,400,000 for fiscal year 1998, and $46,600,000 for fiscal year
    1999.''.

                  TITLE II--INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Intermodal Safe Container
Transportation Amendments Act of 1996''.

SEC. 202. AMENDMENT OF TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title 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 title 49 of the United
States Code.

SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 5901 (relating to definitions) is amended--
        (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
        ``(1) except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the
    definitions in sections 10102 and 13102 of this title apply.'';
        (2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs (7)
    and (8), respectively; and
        (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
        ``(6) `gross cargo weight' means the weight of the cargo,
    packaging materials (including ice), pallets, and dunnage.''.

SEC. 204. NOTIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION.

    (a) Prior Notification.--Subsection (a) of section 5902 (relating
to prior notification) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``Before a person tenders to a first carrier
    for intermodal transportation a'' and inserting ``If the first
    carrier to which any'';
        (2) by striking ``10,000 pounds (including packing material and
    pallets), the person shall give the carrier a written'' and
    inserting ``29,000 pounds is tendered for intermodal transportation
    is a motor carrier, the person tendering the container or trailer
    shall give the motor carrier a'';
        (3) by striking ``trailer.'' and inserting ``trailer before the
    tendering of the container or trailer.'';
        (4) by striking ``electronically.'' and inserting
    ``electronically or by telephone.''; and
        (5) by adding at the end thereof the following: ``This
    subsection applies to any person within the United States who
    tenders a container or trailer subject to this chapter for
    intermodal transportation if the first carrier is a motor
    carrier.''.
    (b) Certification.--Subsection (b) of section 5902 (relating to
certification) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Certification.--
        ``(1) In general.--A person who tenders a loaded container or
    trailer with an actual gross cargo weight of more than 29,000
    pounds to a first carrier for intermodal transportation shall
    provide a certification of the contents of the container or trailer
    in writing, or electronically, before or when the container or
    trailer is so tendered.
        ``(2) Contents of certification.--The certification required by
    paragraph (1) shall include--
            ``(A) the actual gross cargo weight;
            ``(B) a reasonable description of the contents of the
        container or trailer;
            ``(C) the identity of the certifying party;
            ``(D) the container or trailer number; and
            ``(E) the date of certification or transfer of data to
        another document, as provided for in paragraph (3).
        ``(3) Transfer of certification data.--A carrier who receives a
    certification may transfer the information contained in the
    certification to another document or to electronic format for
    forwarding to a subsequent carrier. The person transferring the
    information shall state on the forwarded document the date on which
    the data was transferred and the identity of the party who
    performed the transfer.
        ``(4) Shipping documents.--For purposes of this chapter, a
    shipping document, prepared by the person who tenders a container
    or trailer to a first carrier, that contains the information
    required by paragraph (2) meets the requirements of paragraph (1).
        ``(5) Use of `freight all kinds' term.--The term `Freight All
    Kinds' or `FAK' may not be used for the purpose of certification
    under section 5902(b) after December 31, 2000, as a commodity
    description for a trailer or container if the weight of any
    commodity in the trailer or container equals or exceeds 20 percent
    of the total weight of the contents of the trailer or container.
    This subsection does not prohibit the use of the term after that
    date for rating purposes.
        ``(6) Separate document marking.--If a separate document is
    used to meet the requirements of paragraph (1), it shall be
    conspicuously marked `INTERMODAL CERTIFICATION'.
        ``(7) Applicability.--This subsection applies to any person,
    domestic or foreign, who first tenders a container or trailer
    subject to this chapter for intermodal transportation within the
    United States.''.
    (c) Forwarding Certifications.--Subsection (c) of section 5902
(relating to forwarding certifications to subsequent carriers) is
amended--
        (1) by striking ``transportation.'' and inserting
    ``transportation before or when the loaded intermodal container or
    trailer is tendered to the subsequent carrier. If no certification
    is received by the subsequent carrier before or when the container
    or trailer is tendered to it, the subsequent carrier may presume
    that no certification is required.''; and
        (2) by adding at the end thereof the following: ``If a person
    inaccurately transfers the information on the certification, or
    fails to forward the certification to a subsequent carrier, then
    that person is liable to any person who incurs any bond, fine,
    penalty, cost (including storage), or interest for any such fine,
    penalty, cost (including storage), or interest incurred as a result
    of the inaccurate transfer of information or failure to forward the
    certification. A subsequent carrier who incurs a bond, fine,
    penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest as a result of
    the inaccurate transfer of the information, or the failure to
    forward the certification, shall have a lien against the contents
    of the container or trailer under section 5905 in the amount of the
    bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest and
    all court costs and legal fees incurred by the carrier as a result
    of such inaccurate transfer or failure.''.
    (d) Liability.--Section 5902 is amended by redesignating subsection
(d) as subsection (e) and by inserting after subsection (c) the
following:
    ``(d) Liability to Owner or Beneficial Owner.--If--
        ``(1) a person inaccurately transfers information on a
    certification required by subsection (b)(1), or fails to forward a
    certification to the subsequent carrier;
        ``(2) as a result of the inaccurate transfer of such
    information or a failure to forward a certification, the subsequent
    carrier incurs a bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage),
    or interest; and
        ``(3) that subsequent carrier exercises its rights to a lien
    under section 5905,
then that person is liable to the owner or beneficial owner, or to any
other person paying the amount of the lien to the subsequent carrier,
for the amount of the lien and all costs related to the imposition of
the lien, including court costs and legal fees incurred in connection
with it.''.
    (e) Nonapplication.--Subsection (e) of section 5902, as
redesignated, is amended--
        (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2)
    and (3), respectively, and by moving the text of paragraph (2), as
    so redesignated down 1 line and to the left, flush full measure and
    indenting such paragraph; and
        (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the
    following:
        ``(1) The notification and certification requirements of
    subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to any
    intermodal container or trailer containing consolidated shipments
    loaded by a motor carrier if that motor carrier--
            ``(A) performs the highway portion of the intermodal
        movement; or
            ``(B) assumes the responsibility for any weight-related
        fine or penalty incurred by any other motor carrier that
        performs a part of the highway transportation.''.

SEC. 205. PROHIBITIONS.

    Section 5903 (relating to prohibitions) is amended--
        (1) by inserting after ``person'' in subsection (a) a comma and
    the following: ``To whom section 5902(b) applies,'';
        (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Transporting Prior to Receiving Certification.--
        ``(1) Presumption.--If no certification is received by a motor
    carrier before or when a loaded intermodal container or trailer is
    tendered to it, the motor carrier may presume that the gross cargo
    weight of the container or trailer is less than 29,001 pounds.
        ``(2) Copy of certification not required to accompany container
    or trailer.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to
    the contrary, a copy of the certification required by section
    5902(b) is not required to accompany the intermodal container or
    trailer.'';
        (3) by striking ``10,000 pounds (including packing materials
    and pallets)'' in subsection (c)(1) and inserting ``29,000
    pounds''; and
        (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Notice to Leased Operators.--
        ``(1) In general.--If a motor carrier knows that the gross
    cargo weight of an intermodal container or trailer subject to the
    certification requirements of section 5902(b) would result in a
    violation of applicable State gross vehicle weight laws, then--
            ``(A) the motor carrier shall give notice to the operator
        of a vehicle which is leased by the vehicle operator to a motor
        carrier that transports an intermodal container or trailer of
        the gross cargo weight of the container or trailer as certified
        to the motor carrier under section 5902(b);
            ``(B) the notice shall be provided to the operator prior to
        the operator being tendered the container or trailer;
            ``(C) the notice required by this subsection shall be in
        writing, but may be transmitted electronically; and
            ``(D) the motor carrier shall bear the burden of proof to
        establish that it tendered the required notice to the operator.
        ``(2) Reimbursement.--If the operator of a leased vehicle
    transporting a container or trailer subject to this chapter is
    fined because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws
    or regulations and the lessee motor carrier cannot establish that
    it tendered to the operator the notice required by paragraph (1) of
    this subsection, then the operator shall be entitled to
    reimbursement from the motor carrier in the amount of any fine and
    court costs resulting from the failure of the motor carrier to
    tender the notice to the operator.''.

SEC. 206. LIENS.

    Section 5905 (relating to liens) is amended--
        (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) General.--If a person involved in the intermodal
transportation of a loaded container or trailer for which a
certification is required by section 5902(b) of this title is required,
because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws or
regulations, to post a bond or pay a fine, penalty, cost (including
storage), or interest resulting from--
        ``(1) erroneous information provided by the certifying party in
    the certification to the first carrier in violation of section
    5903(a) of this title;
        ``(2) the failure of the party required to provide the
    certification to the first carrier to provide it;
        ``(3) the failure of a person required under section 5902(c) to
    forward the certification to forward it; or
        ``(4) an error occurring in the transfer of information on the
    certification to another document under section 5902(b)(3) or (c),
then the person posting the bond, or paying the fine, penalty, costs
(including storage), or interest has a lien against the contents equal
to the amount of the bond, fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or
interest incurred, until the person receives a payment of that amount
from the owner or beneficial owner of the contents, or from the person
responsible for making or forwarding the certification, or transferring
the information from the certification to another document.'';
        (2) by inserting a comma and ``or the owner or beneficial owner
    of the contents,'' after ``first carrier'' in subsection (b)(1);
    and
        (3) by striking ``cost, or interest.'' in subsection (b)(1) and
    inserting ``cost (including storage), or interest. The lien shall
    remain in effect until the lien holder has received payment for all
    costs and expenses described in subsection (a) of this section.''.

SEC. 207. PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.

    Section 5906 (relating to perishable agricultural commodities) is
amended by striking ``Sections 5904(a)(2) and 5905 of this title do''
and inserting ``Section 5905 of this title does''.

SEC. 208. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--Section 5907 (relating to regulations and
effective date) is amended to read as follows:

``Sec. 5907. Effective date

    ``This chapter shall take effect 180 days after the date of
enactment of the Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Amendments
Act of 1996.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 59 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 5907 and inserting the
following:

``5907. Effective date.''.

SEC. 209. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 59 is amended by adding at the end thereof
the following:

``Sec. 5908. Relationship to other laws

    ``Nothing in this chapter affects--
        ``(1) chapter 51 (relating to transportation of hazardous
    material) or the regulations promulgated under that chapter; or
        ``(2) any State highway weight or size law or regulation
    applicable to tractor-trailer combinations.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such chapter is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

``5908. Relationship to other laws.''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
     Title I:  NTSB Amendments
     Title II:  Intermodal Transportation
Title I:  NTSB Amendments
 - National Transportation Safety Board Amendments of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and any agency receiving information from it from disclosing:  (1) records or information relating to its participation in foreign aircraft accident investigations, except in certain circumstances; or (2) voluntarily provided safety-related information unrelated to the exercise of the NTSB's accident or incident investigation authority, if disclosure would inhibit the voluntary provision of that type of information.
(Sec. 104) Authorizes the NTSB to conduct training of its employees in subjects necessary for the proper performance of accident investigations.
(Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations to the Board through FY 1999.
Title II:  Intermodal Transportation
 - Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the prior notification requirements for intermodal freight transportation.  Requires a person who tenders to a first carrier that is a motor carrier (currently, any carrier) a container or trailer with a gross cargo weight of more than 29,000 pounds (currently, 10,000 pounds, including packing material and pallets) for intermodal transportation to give prior notification of the cargo weight and a reasonable description of its contents to the motor carrier.
(Sec. 204) Allows such notification to be made by telephone, and allows the required certification of container or trailer contents to be electronic.  Sets forth administrative and civil penalties for persons who inaccurately transfer certification information.
(Sec. 205) Allows a motor carrier to presume that the gross cargo weight of a container or trailer is under 29,001 pounds if it receives no certification before or when a loaded intermodal container or trailer is tendered to it.  Declares that a copy of a certification is not required to accompany the intermodal container or trailer.
Requires a motor carrier that knows that the gross cargo weight of an intermodal container or trailer violates State vehicle weight laws to give notice to the operator of a leased vehicle that transports such items.  Requires the motor carrier to reimburse the operator of the leased vehicle that is fined because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws.
(Sec. 206) Adds to the circumstances giving certain persons a lien against the contents of the container or trailer as a result of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws.  Includes among such circumstances:  (1) failure of the party required to provide certification of gross cargo weight to the first carrier to provide it; (2) failure of the party required to forward such certification to forward it; or (3) error in the transfer of information on the certification to another document.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Environmental Protection
Encouragement Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. ELECTION TO EXPENSE CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL PROPERTY.

    (a) In General.--Part VI of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding after section 179A
the following new section:

``SEC. 179. ELECTION TO EXPENSE CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT
              PROPERTY.

    ``(a) Treatment as Expenses.--A taxpayer may elect to treat the
cost of any environmental improvement property as an expense which is
not chargeable to capital account. Any cost so treated shall be allowed
as a deduction for the taxable year in which the environmental
improvement property is placed in service.
    ``(b) Environmental Improvement Property.--For purposes of this
subsection--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `environmental improvement
        property' means tangible property which is acquired by purchase
        for use in the active conduct of a trade or business and which
        is--
                    ``(A) of a character subject to the allowance for
                depreciation provided in section 167,
                    ``(B) used for one or more of the following
                purposes--
                            ``(i) source reduction,
                            ``(ii) solid waste minimization,
                            ``(iii) waste conversion or recycling,
                            ``(iv) reduction of environmental hazards,
                            ``(v) compliance with environmental
                        permits, rules, and similar requirements,
                            ``(vi) prevention, containment, or control
                        of unplanned releases, or
                            ``(vii) the manufacture, distribution, and
                        sale of alternate fuels and blending stocks or
                        fuel additives for reformulated fuels, and
                    ``(C) located and used exclusively in the United
                States during the taxable year.
        If only a portion of property described in subparagraphs (A)
        and (C) is described in subparagraph (B), such portion shall be
        treated as environmental improvement property. For purposes of
        this paragraph, the term `United States' has the meaning given
        such term by paragraph (1) of section 638 (relating to
        continental shelf areas).
            ``(2) Other definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                    ``(A) Source reduction.--The term `source
                reduction' means reduction of the amount of regulated
                substances or other pollutants from fixed or mobile
                sources released into the environment if such reduction
                reduces hazards to public health or environment.
                    ``(B) Solid waste minimization.--The term `solid
                waste minimization' means the reduction in the
                generation of, or the recovery of commercially usable
                products from, residual materials which are classified
                as, or which if disposed would be classified as, solid
                wastes (within the meaning of the Resource Conservation
                and Recovery Act).
                    ``(C) Waste conversion or recycling.--The term
                `waste conversion or recycling' means the processing or
                conversion of liquid, solid, or gaseous wastes into
                fuel, energy, or other commercially usable products,
                and the production of such products if production
                occurs at the same facility as the conversion.
                    ``(D) Abatement of environmental hazards.--The term
                `abatement of environmental hazards' includes the
                abatement, reduction, monitoring, or stabilization of
                potential human exposure to toxic chemicals, hazardous
                or extremely hazardous substances, or harmful
                radiation.
                    ``(E) Unplanned releases.--The term `unplanned
                releases' means any release of regulated substances
                (except federally permitted releases), including indoor
                releases.
                    ``(F) Regulated substance.--The term `regulated
                substance' includes any substance the release or
                emission of which is prohibited, limited, or regulated
                by Federal or State law or by Federal regulations (as
                determined without regard to whether a particular
                release would have been prohibited or limited).
                    ``(G) Release.--The term `release' means any
                spilling, leaking, pouring, discharging, escaping,
                dumping, or disposing into the environment, including
                the abandonment or discarding of barrels or other
                closed receptacles.
    ``(c) Definitions and Special Rules.--For purposes of this
section--
            ``(1) Purchase.--The term `purchase' has the meaning given
        such term by section 179(d)(2).
            ``(2) Cost.--The cost of property shall not include so much
        of the basis of the property as is determined by reference to
        the basis of other property held at any time by the person
        acquiring the property.
            ``(3) Coordination with other provisions.--This section
        shall not apply with respect to any property with respect to
        which an election under section 169 or 179 applies.''
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for part VI of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding after the
item relating to section 179A the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 179B. Election to expense certain
                                        environmental improvement
                                        property.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section applies to
property placed in service in taxable years beginning after December
31, 1993.

Output: Environmental Protection Encouragement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the expensing of the cost of environmental improvement property.


Input:
SECTION 1. INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION.

    (a) In General.--Section 926A of title 18, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms or ammunition
    ``(a) Notwithstanding any provision of any law, rule, or regulation
of a State or any political subdivision thereof:
            ``(1) A person who is not prohibited by this chapter from
        possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm or
        ammunition shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any
        lawful purpose from any place where the person may lawfully
        possess, carry, or transport the firearm to any other such
        place if, during the transportation, the firearm is unloaded,
        and--
                    ``(A) if the transportation is by motor vehicle,
                the firearm is not directly accessible from the
                passenger compartment of the vehicle, and, if the
                vehicle is without a compartment separate from the
                passenger compartment, the firearm is in a locked
                container other than the glove compartment or console,
                or is secured by a secure gun storage or safety device;
                or
                    ``(B) if the transportation is by other means, the
                firearm is in a locked container or secured by a secure
                gun storage or safety device.
            ``(2) A person who is not prohibited by this chapter from
        possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm or
        ammunition shall be entitled to transport ammunition, or any
        detachable magazine or feeding device for ammunition, for any
        lawful purpose from any place where the person may lawfully
        possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, magazine, or
        feeding device to any other such place if, during the
        transportation, the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device is
        not loaded into a firearm, and--
                    ``(A) if the transportation is by motor vehicle,
                the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device is not
                directly accessible from the passenger compartment of
                the vehicle, and, if the vehicle is without a
                compartment separate from the passenger compartment,
                the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device is in a
                locked container other than the glove compartment or
                console; or
                    ``(B) if the transportation is by other means, the
                ammunition, magazine, or feeding device is in a locked
                container.
    ``(b) In subsection (a), the term `transport' includes staying in
temporary lodging overnight, stopping for food, fuel, vehicle
maintenance, an emergency, medical treatment, and any other activity
incidental to the transport, but does not include transportation--
            ``(1) with the intent to commit a crime punishable by
        imprisonment for a term exceeding one year that involves the
        use or threatened use of force against another; or
            ``(2) with knowledge, or reasonable cause to believe, that
        such a crime is to be committed in the course of, or arising
        from, the transportation.
    ``(c)(1) A person who is transporting a firearm, ammunition,
magazine, or feeding device may not be arrested or otherwise detained
for violation of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any
political subdivision thereof related solely to the possession,
transportation, or carrying of firearms, ammunition, magazine, or
feeding device unless there is probable cause to believe that the
person is doing so in a manner not provided for in subsection (a).
    ``(2) When a person asserts this section as a defense in a criminal
proceeding, the prosecution shall bear the burden of proving, beyond a
reasonable doubt, that the conduct of the person did not satisfy the
conditions set forth in subsection (a).
    ``(3) When a person successfully asserts this section as a defense
in a criminal proceeding, the court shall award the prevailing
defendant a reasonable attorney's fee.
    ``(d)(1) A person who is deprived of any right, privilege, or
immunity secured by this section, section 926B or 926C, under color of
any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State or
any political subdivision thereof, may bring an action in any
appropriate court against any other person, including a State or
political subdivision thereof, who causes the person to be subject to
the deprivation, for damages and other appropriate relief.
    ``(2) The court shall award a plaintiff prevailing in an action
brought under paragraph (1) damages and such other relief as the court
deems appropriate, including a reasonable attorney's fee.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for such chapter is
amended in the item relating to section 926A by striking ``firearms''
and inserting ``firearms or ammunition''.

Output: This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions related to the interstate transportation of firearms and ammunition. An individual may transport a firearm between two places (e.g., states) where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the firearm. During transport, the firearm must be unloaded and secured or securely stored. Additionally, an individual may transport ammunition, or a detachable magazine or feeding device, between two places where it is legal to possess, carry, or transport the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device. During transport, the ammunition, magazine, or feeding device must not be loaded into a firearm and must be securely stored. This bill prohibits the arrest or detention of an individual for a state or local firearm or ammunition violation unless there is probable cause to believe the individual failed to comply with the provisions of this bill.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Upper Mississippi Conservation and
River Protection Act of 2013'' or the ``Upper Mississippi CARP Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Alternative technology barrier.--The term ``alternative
        technology barrier'' includes an electric barrier, acoustic
        barrier, bubble barrier, and such other barriers as the
        Secretary determines appropriate.
            (2) Asian carp.--The term ``Asian carp'' means--
                    (A) grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella);
                    (B) silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix);
                    (C) bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis); and
                    (D) black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus).
            (3) Lock and dam 1.--The term ``Lock and Dam 1'' means the
        lock and dam located on Mississippi River mile 847.8 in
        Minneapolis, Minnesota.
            (4) Lock and dam 2.--The term ``Lock and Dam 2'' means the
        lock and dam located on Mississippi River mile 815.2 upstream
        of Hastings, Minnesota.
            (5) Lock and dam 4.--The term ``Lock and Dam 4'' means the
        lock and dam located on Mississippi River mile 752.8 in Alma,
        Wisconsin.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers.
            (7) Upper st. anthony falls lock and dam.--The term ``Upper
        St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam'' means the lock and dam located
        on Mississippi River mile 853.9 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

SEC. 3. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF UPPER ST. ANTHONY
              FALLS LOCK.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on the feasibility
of temporary closure of the lock at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock
and Dam to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi
River in the State of Minnesota.
    (b) Potential Impacts.--In conducting the study, the Secretary
shall assess the potential impacts, including environmental and
economic impacts of--
            (1) temporary closure of the lock; and
            (2) continuing to operate the lock.
    (c) Consultation.--The Secretary shall carry out the study in
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and appropriate
Federal, State, and local entities.
    (d) Public Comment.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall
provide an opportunity for, and take into consideration, public
comment.
    (e) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
results of the study.

SEC. 4. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON USE OF OTHER ASIAN CARP CONTROL MEASURES.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on the feasibility
of implementing control measures at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock
and Dam and at Lock and Dam 1 to manage the threat of Asian carp
traveling up the Mississippi River in the State of Minnesota.
    (b) Types of Control Measures.--The study shall include an
examination of each of the following:
            (1) Permanent closure of the lock.
            (2) Modified lock operations.
            (3) Use of an alternative technology barrier.
            (4) Such other control measures as the Secretary determines
        appropriate.
    (c) Potential Impacts.--In conducting the study, the Secretary
shall assess the potential impacts, including environmental and
economic impacts of--
            (1) implementing each of the control measures to be
        examined under subsection (b); and
            (2) not implementing any control measures.
    (d) Consultation.--The Secretary shall carry out the study in
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and appropriate
Federal, State, and local entities.
    (e) Public Comment.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall
provide an opportunity for, and take into consideration, public
comment.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
results of the study.

SEC. 5. CLOSURE OF LOCKS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF ASIAN CARP.

    (a) Discretionary Closure.--The Secretary may close the lock at the
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam if the Secretary determines in
writing, based on the assessment of potential impacts under section
3(b), that closure of the lock is justified as a method to manage the
threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River in the State of
Minnesota.
    (b) Mandatory Closure.--The Secretary shall close the lock at the
Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam if the Secretary determines that--
            (1) one or more live adult Asian carp has been captured
        above Lock and Dam 2; or
            (2) one or more juvenile Asian carp has been captured above
        Lock and Dam 4.
    (c) Determinations by Secretary of the Interior.--
            (1) Petitions.--If the Secretary of the Interior determines
        that an Asian carp has been captured that meets the criteria
        described in subsection (b)(1) or (b)(2), the Secretary of the
        Interior may transmit to the Secretary a petition for closure
        of the lock at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam.
            (2) Consideration.--After receiving a petition under
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) consider the recommendation contained in the
                petition and prepare a written response to the
                recommendation; and
                    (B) transmit the petition and written response to
                the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
                the House of Representatives and the Committee on
                Environment and Public Works of the Senate and make the
                petition and written response available to the public
                by electronic means, including the Internet.
    (d) Period of Closure.--If the Secretary closes the lock under this
section, the Secretary may reopen the lock after the Secretary
determines in writing that adequate measures are in place to manage the
threat of Asian carp moving upstream of the Upper St. Anthony Falls
Lock and Dam.
    (e) Emergency Operations.--Nothing in this section shall prevent
the Secretary from carrying out emergency lock operations necessary to
mitigate flood damage.

SEC. 6. ASIAN CARP CONTROL STRATEGY FRAMEWORK.

    The Council on Environmental Quality shall incorporate the Upper
Mississippi River and tributaries, the Minnesota River, and the St.
Croix River into the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework of the
Council.

SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that, to the maximum extent
practicable, Federal agencies researching Asian carp control
technologies should partner with State and local shareholders, giving
priority to those collaborative partnerships in which the State and
local shareholders contribute to the cost of the research.

Output: Upper Mississippi Conservation and River Protection Act of 2013 or the Upper Mississippi CARP Act - Directs the Chief of Engineers to study the feasibility of: (1) temporarily closing the lock at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam (located on Mississippi River mile 853.9 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) to manage the threat of Asian carp traveling up the Mississippi River in Minnesota, and (2) implementing control measures at such lock and Lock and Dam 1 (located on Mississippi River mile 847.8 in Minneapolis, Minnesota), including permanently closing the locks, modifying lock operations, or using an alternative technology barrier, to manage such threat. Requires the Chief to assess the potential impacts, including environmental and economic impacts: (1) of temporary closure of such lock and of continuing to operate it, and (2) of implementing each of such control measures and of not implementing such measures. Authorizes the Chief to close such lock upon determining that closure is justified based on the assessment of potential impacts. Requires the Chief to close such lock upon determining that a live adult Asian carp has been captured above Lock and Dam 2 (located on Mississippi River mile 815.2 upstream of Hastings, Minnesota) or that a juvenile Asian carp has been captured above Lock and Dam 4 (located on Mississippi River mile 752.8 in Alma, Wisconsin). Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, upon determining that an Asian carp has been captured at such a location, to transmit to the Chief a petition for closure of such lock. Allows the Chief to reopen the lock upon determining that adequate measures are in place to manage the threat. Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to incorporate the Upper Mississippi River and tributaries, the Minnesota River, and the St. Croix River into the Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework of the Council.  Expresses the sense of Congress that federal agencies researching Asian carp control technologies should partner with state and local shareholders, giving priority to collaborative partnerships in which such shareholders contribute to the cost of the research.