Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Consumer Protection Home Inspection
Counseling Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. HOME INSPECTION COUNSELING.

    Section 1451 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 1701x-1) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking the subsection designation and all
                that follows through ``Each'' and inserting the
                following:
    ``(b) Requirement for FHA-Approved Lenders.--
            ``(1) Requirement.--Each''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraph:
            ``(2) Effective date; mortgagee letter.--Not later than the
        expiration of the 90-day period beginning upon the date of the
        enactment of the Consumer Protection Home Inspection Counseling
        Act of 2012, the Secretary shall publish a Mortgagee Letter
        informing mortgagees of their obligation under paragraph
        (1).'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking the subsection designation and all
                that follows through ``Each'' and inserting the
                following:
    ``(c) Requirements for HUD-Approved Counseling Agencies.--
            ``(1) Provision of materials.--Each'';
                    (B) by striking ``subparagraphs (C) and (D) of'';
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraphs:
            ``(2) Requirements for housing counselors.--Each person
        providing counseling for a housing counseling entity
        authorized, certified, or funded in whole or in part under
        section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968
        (12 U.S.C. 1701x) shall be trained through the voluntary home
        inspection training module established pursuant to subsection
        (d), shall distribute the counseling aids to be developed under
        this section, and shall explain the materials specified in
        subsection (a)(1) and other aids and materials set forth in
        this section.
            ``(3) Requirements for homeownership counseling programs.--
        Any homeownership counseling program required under, or
        provided in connection with, any program administered by the
        Department of Housing and Urban Development shall be provided
        only by organizations or counselors certified by the Secretary
        pursuant to this section as competent to provide voluntary home
        inspection counseling.
            ``(4) Sanctions.--The Secretary may withhold, withdraw, or
        suspend housing counseling certifications for any housing
        counselor or counseling entity that fails to meet the
        requirements of this section.'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the
                end and inserting ``; and'';
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) (as
                so amended) as subparagraphs (A) through (D),
                respectively, and realigning such subparagraphs (as so
                redesignated) so as to be indented 4 ems from the left
                margin;
                    (D) by striking the subsection designation and all
                that follows through ``shall include--'' and inserting
                the following:
    ``(d) Training.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
        comprehensive program to train staff of the Department,
        contractors, individuals, and entities that provide housing
        counseling under programs authorized, certified, or funded
        under section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of
        1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) to also provide counseling to consumers
        on voluntary home inspection.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The training program established
        pursuant to this subsection shall include development of a
        training module to train counselors as well as counseling aids
        to be used by housing counselors and suitable for distribution
        to consumers. The training materials shall be written in plain
        language and shall be comprehensible to untrained consumers
        with or without ongoing assistance from housing counselors.
        Training provided under the program shall include--'';
                    (E) in paragraph (2), as added by the amendment
                made by subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, by adding
                at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Internet website references and information
                sufficient for counselors and homebuyers to locate and
                select a local professional home inspector.''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following new
                paragraphs:
            ``(3) Content.--At a minimum, the home inspection
        counseling program established under this subsection, and the
        training module and counseling aids developed under this
        subsection, shall convey the following information:
                    ``(A) That a home inspection in connection with
                purchase of a home is voluntary, but not mandatory,
                which means that the homebuyer must make a personal
                choice whether to obtain a home inspection.
                    ``(B) That the Department of Housing and Urban
                Development recommends that homebuyers obtain a
                voluntary home inspection.
                    ``(C) That a home inspection is an in-depth
                technical and objective examination of the physical
                structure and internal systems of the home, from the
                foundation to the roof, and should be performed by a
                trained and experienced professional home inspector.
                    ``(D) That a home inspection is not required in the
                case of an FHA loan insured under title II of the
                National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) and that
                a home inspection is not performed by FHA.
                    ``(E) That in most cases, no home inspection will
                be performed unless the homebuyer requests one.
                    ``(F) That it is the burden of the homebuyer to
                arrange for a home inspection if one is requested.
                    ``(G) That an appraisal is not equivalent to a home
                inspection.
                    ``(H) That if the homebuyer chooses to obtain a
                home inspection, it is generally to the homebuyer's
                benefit to do so as early as possible.
                    ``(I) That the homebuyer may ask to make the
                transaction contingent on the outcome of the home
                inspection and that the homebuyer may realize
                substantial financial benefits from the home
                inspection, including from identifying possible repairs
                that could be performed and paid for by the seller
                prior to the closing.
                    ``(J) That the homebuyer should consider requesting
                a voluntary home inspection.
            ``(4) Additional guidance materials.--The Secretary shall
        develop, in consultation with national professional home
        inspector associations, additional guidance materials to
        educate housing counselors on how to advise consumers how to
        locate, interview, and select a professional home inspector,
        and on how consumers may independently locate, interview, and
        select a professional home inspector. The Secretary shall
        require that these materials be made available to counselors
        providing housing counseling under the programs referred to in
        this section.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(e) Certification of Counselors.--
            ``(1) Protocol.--The Secretary shall, in the discretion of
        the Secretary, develop a new independent protocol, or amend
        existing protocols, to certify that housing counselors whose
        activities are authorized, certified, or funded in whole or in
        part under section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act
        of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) have successfully completed training
        using the voluntary home inspection training module and
        counseling aids established and developed pursuant to this
        section.
            ``(2) Standards for materials and forms.--The Secretary
        shall establish standards and requirements for voluntary home
        inspection counseling materials and forms to be used, as
        appropriate, by organizations providing voluntary home
        inspection counseling. Such standards shall conform with the
        content requirements under this section.
    ``(f) Report.--Not later than the expiration of the 12-month period
beginning upon the date of the enactment of the Consumer Protection
Home Inspection Counseling Act of 2012, the Secretary shall submit a
report to the Congress describing the actions that have been undertaken
to comply with this section, disclosing the actions that are required
under this section but have not at such time been addressed, assessing
the results of this section that have been achieved at such time,
identifying areas for improvement in the implementation of this
section, and making recommendations to enhance implementation of this
section.''.

Output:
Consumer Protection Home Inspection Counseling Act of 2012 - Amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to publish a Mortgagee Letter informing mortgagees of their obligation to provide prospective homebuyers with specified HUD public outreach publications concerning the importance of obtaining independent home inspections.

Requires persons providing housing counseling for HUD-approved counseling agencies to: (1) be trained through a certain voluntary home inspection training module, and (2) distribute and explain certain counseling aids. Requires any homeownership counseling program under HUD auspices or administration to be provided only by organizations or counselors HUD-certified as competent to provide voluntary home inspection counseling. Authorizes HUD to withhold, withdraw, or suspend housing counseling certifications for any non-compliant housing counselor or counseling entity. Requires HUD to establish a comprehensive program to train HUD staff, contractors, individuals, and entities that provide housing counseling under specified HUD-funded programs also to provide counseling to consumers on voluntary home inspection. Requires such training program to include development of a training module to: (1) train counselors as well as counseling aids for use by housing counselors and suitable for distribution to consumers; and (2) be comprehensible to untrained consumers with or without ongoing assistance from housing counselors.

Requires HUD, at the Secretary's discretion, to develop a new independent protocol, or amend existing protocols, to certify that such housing counselors have successfully completed training using the voluntary home inspection training module and counseling aids established under this Act.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Maggie's Law: National Drowsy
Driving Act of 2002''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) A 1995 Federal study conservatively estimated that each
        year--
                    (A) 100,000 police-reported motor vehicle crashes
                are caused by the drowsiness or fatigue of the
                operator;
                    (B) 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries are the direct
                result of a driver falling asleep at the wheel of a
                motor vehicle; and
                    (C) these crashes represent at least
                $12,500,000,000 in diminished productivity and property
                loss.
            (2) Scientific research further demonstrates that--
                    (A) 1,000,000 crashes are caused by driver
                inattention each year; and
                    (B) sleep deprivation and fatigue make such
                attention lapses more likely to occur.
            (3) An insufficient amount of statistical data and
        documentation concerning fatigue-related motor vehicle crashes
        is available. Federal statistics significantly under-report the
        problem of driver fatigue because the statistics are derived
        primarily from police accident reports, and studies indicate
        that less than one-half of all crashes are reported to the
        police.
            (4) Further complicating the collection of accurate data
        are the following facts:
                    (A) Most police officers are not trained to detect
                sleep-related crashes.
                    (B) There is no test to determine sleepiness as
                there is for drunk drivers.
                    (C) There are still States that do not have proper
                codes for sleepiness on their crash report forms.
                    (D) Based on clinical studies, many people are
                unable to accurately recognize when they have nodded-
                off for a short period of time (microsleep), thus
                raising questions about the reliability of self-
                reporting.
            (5) In 1999, a scientifically conducted national survey of
        Americans found that 23 percent of respondents reported that
        they personally know someone who crashed in the past year due
        to falling asleep at the wheel.
            (6) In 2001, a scientifically conducted national survey of
        Americans found that in the past year--
                    (A) 53 percent of all adults reported driving while
                drowsy;
                    (B) 19 percent reported that they had actually
                dozed off while driving; and
                    (C) one percent reported that they had crashed
                because they dozed off.
            (7) Studies confirm that while anyone can be at risk for
        drowsy driving, there are several population groups that are
        significantly at higher risk--
                    (A) young people under the age of 26, who tend to
                stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night,
                represent about 55 percent of all fall asleep crashes;
                    (B) there are over 20,000,000 shift workers in
                America and studies suggest that 20 percent to 30
                percent of individuals with nontraditional work
                schedules have had a fatigue-related driving mishap in
                the last year;
                    (C) commercial drivers are susceptible to fatigue-
                related crashes due to their driving schedules and the
                amount of miles they drive during the year;
                    (D) commercial drivers have a high prevalence of a
                sleep and breathing disorder called sleep apnea; and
                    (E) 40,000,000 Americans suffer from sleep
                disorders; left untreated, disorders such as sleep
                apnea can increase crash risk 3 to 7 times.
            (8) In 1995, a study found that some roads, such as high-
        speed, long, boring, rural highways, are more dangerous than
        others for sleep-deprived motorists. The New York State Police
        estimated that 40 percent of all fatal crashes along the New
        York Thruway were the result of a driver falling asleep at the
        wheel.
            (9) Studies, such as the following, indicate that
        continuous shoulder rumble strips are effective countermeasures
        to drift-off-the-road crashes, which are characteristic of
        drowsy driving, and fall-asleep crashes--
                    (A) New York State reports that accidents caused by
                drivers falling asleep at 13 sites on the New York
                Thruway were reduced by 84 percent following the
                installation of continuous shoulder rumble strips.
                    (B) Pennsylvania reports a reduction of guard rail
                or embankment accidents at 5 sites on the Pennsylvania
                Turnpike following rumble strip installation.
                    (C) In 1995, an expert panel consisting of
                university and federal researchers convened to assess
                the current research regarding the effectiveness of
                continuous shoulder rumble strips and to make
                recommendations about their use. The panel concluded
                that rumble strips reduce drift-off-the-road crashes
                anywhere from 15 to 70 percent depending on road type
                and rumble strip design being used.

SEC. 3. DROWSY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:

``SEC. 412. DROWSY DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Awards.--The Secretary may enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements with, and may make grants to, State highway
offices and other experienced drowsy driving safety organizations to
obtain and distribute national, State, and local drowsy driving
education programs and supporting educational materials.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Funds provided under a contract, cooperative
agreement, or grant under subsection (a) shall be used--
            ``(1) to implement drowsy driving programs which are
        designed to prevent deaths and injuries due to drivers who are
        impaired by fatigue and sleep deprivation and which--
                    ``(A) educate the public in all aspects of the
                dangers of driving while impaired by fatigue or
                drowsiness as a result of sleep deprivation, untreated
                sleep disorders, sedating medications, and alcohol use;
                    ``(B) educate the public to recognize the signs of
                fatigue while driving and how to take appropriate
                countermeasures to avoid fall-asleep crashes;
                    ``(C) train and retrain traffic safety
                professionals, police officers, fire and emergency
                medical personnel, and other educators in all aspects
                of drowsy driving prevention; and
                    ``(D) train police officers and accident
                reconstructionists to identify fatigue impairment among
                drivers and as a factor in motor vehicle crashes;
            ``(2) to develop a standardized, scientifically accurate
        curriculum on the risks and prevention of drowsy driving and
        fall-asleep motor vehicle crashes and take steps to--
                    ``(A) develop and integrate a drowsy driving
                curriculum component into all driver's education
                courses under the purview of a State's transportation
                department;
                    ``(B) ensure that State departments of
                transportation, health and education work together to
                include a drowsy driving component in all driver's
                education and health education curricula; and
                    ``(C) the State departments of transportation shall
                develop a curriculum on drowsy driving for training the
                instructors who teach any course covering driver
                education or traffic safety.
            ``(3) to consult and collaborate with existing national
        drowsy driving campaigns to foster the distribution of
        scientifically-based information and educational messages
        regarding drowsy driving and fall-asleep crashes and to review
        existing State model programs for experience and guidance;
            ``(4) to adopt formal policy statements and work plans for
        the installation and expansion of continuous shoulder rumble
        strips during highway resurfacing and new construction programs
        for interstate highways and submit a report to the Secretary
        each fiscal year describing the number of highway miles and
        locations where continuous shoulder rumble strips have been
        installed on their state highway system;
            ``(5) to adopt formal codes on motor vehicle accident
        report forms to report fatigue-related or fall-asleep crashes;
            ``(6) to provide enforcement personnel training in the
        detection and reporting of drowsy driving as a factor in motor
        vehicle crashes; and
            ``(7) provide education programs to the police and the
        courts regarding the sanctions available for drowsy driving
        accidents.
    ``(c) Applications.--An entity desiring a contract, cooperative
agreement, or grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to
the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
    ``(d) Reports to Secretary.--An entity which receives a contract,
cooperative agreement, or grant under subsection (a) shall prepare and
submit to the Secretary an annual report during the period in which it
receives funds under such contract, cooperative agreement, or grant.
Such a report shall contain such information as the Secretary may
require and shall, at a minimum, describe the program activities
undertaken with such funds, including--
            ``(1) any drowsy driving education program that has been
        developed directly or indirectly by such entity and the target
        population of such program;
            ``(2) support materials of such a program that have been
        obtained by such entity and the method by which the entity
        distributed such materials; and
            ``(3) any initiatives undertaken by such entity to develop
        public-private partnerships to secure non-Federal support for
        the development and distribution of drowsy driving education
        programs and materials.
    ``(e) Report to Congress.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit
to the appropriate committees of Congress an annual report on the
implementation of this section, which includes a description of the
programs undertaken and materials developed and distributed by entities
receiving funds under subsection (a).
    ``(f) In this section, the following definitions apply:
            ``(1) Drowsy driver education programs.--The term `drowsy
        driving education programs' includes publications, audiovisual,
        presentations, and demonstrations.
            ``(2) State.--The term `State' means any State of the
        United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
        Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American
        Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or
        possession of the United States.
            ``(3) State model programs.--The term `State model
        programs' means the State of New York's Break for Safety
        program and New York Task Force on Drowsy Driving efforts.
            ``(4) National programs.--The term `national programs'
        means the DRIVE ALERT . . . ARRIVE ALIVE, the National Sleep
        Foundation's Campaign on Drowsy Driving and other programs
        operated by non-profit organizations.
            ``(5) Continuous Shoulder Rumble Strip.--The term
        `continuous shoulder rumble strip' means raised or grooved
        patterns inserted on the shoulder of a highway to alert drivers
        drifting off the road that they are doing so.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary $5,000,000 for the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2008, of which not
more than $350,000 may be spent in any fiscal year for administrative
costs.''.

SEC. 4. FEDERAL RESEARCH ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.

    (a) Study.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study
on the scope of the problem of fatigue-related automobile crashes
amongst the general driving public.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report
containing the results of the study.

Output: Maggie's Law: National Drowsy Driving Act of 2002 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into agreements with, and make grants to, State highway offices and other driving safety organizations to obtain and distribute national, State, and local drowsy driving education programs and supporting materials.Directs that grant funds be used to: (1) implement programs designed to prevent deaths and injuries due to drivers who are impaired by fatigue and sleep deprivation; (2) develop a standardized curriculum on the risks and prevention of drowsy driving and fall-asleep motor vehicle crashes; (3) collaborate with national drowsy driving campaigns to distribute information and educational messages and to review existing State model programs; (4) adopt policy statements and work plans for the installation and expansion of continuous shoulder rumble strips for interstate highways; (5) adopt codes on accident report forms to report fatigue-related or fall-asleep crashes; (6) provide training in the detection and reporting of drowsy driving as a factor in motor vehicle crashes; and (7) provide education programs to the police and the courts regarding the sanctions available for drowsy driving accidents.Directs the Secretary to study the scope of the problem of fatigue-related automobile crashes.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Teachers For Tomorrow Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. REVISION OF TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS.

    (a) Guaranteed Student Loans.--Part B of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 is amended by--
            (1) redesignating section 428K (20 U.S.C. 1078-11) as
        section 428L; and
            (2) by inserting after section 428J the following new
        section:

``SEC. 428K. EXPANDED LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR TEACHERS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to expand,
subject to the availability of appropriations therefor, the eligibility
of individuals to qualify for loan forgiveness for teachers beyond that
available under section 428J, in order to provide additional incentives
for such individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--From the sums appropriated pursuant to
        subsection (i), the Secretary shall carry out a program,
        through the holder of the loan, of assuming the obligation to
        repay a qualified loan amount for a loan made under section 428
        or 428H, in accordance with subsection (c), for any new
        borrower on or after October 1, 1998, who is not eligible for
        loan forgiveness under section 428J, but who--
                    ``(A) is employed as a full-time teacher--
                            ``(i) in a public elementary or secondary
                        school;
                            ``(ii) if employed as a secondary school
                        teacher, is teaching a subject area that is
                        relevant to the borrower's academic major as
                        certified by the chief administrative officer
                        of the public secondary school in which the
                        borrower is employed; and
                            ``(iii) if employed as an elementary school
                        teacher, has demonstrated, as certified by the
                        chief administrative officer of the public
                        elementary school in which the borrower is
                        employed, knowledge and teaching skills in
                        reading, writing, mathematics, or other areas
                        of the elementary school curriculum;
                    ``(B) has a State certification (which may include
                certification obtained through alternative means) or a
                State license to teach, and has not failed to comply
                with State or local accountability standards; and
                    ``(C) is not in default on a loan for which the
                borrower seeks forgiveness.
            ``(2) Selection of recipients.--The Secretary shall by
        regulations, establish a formula that ensures fairness and
        equality for applicants in the selection of borrowers for loan
        repayment under this section, based on the amount available
        pursuant to subsection (i).
    ``(c) Qualified Loans Amount.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall repay not more than
        the percentage specified in paragraph (2) of the loan
        obligation on a loan made under section 428 or 428H that is
        outstanding after the completion of each complete school year
        of teaching described in subsection (b)(1). No borrower may
        receive a reduction of loan obligations under both this section
        and section 460.
            ``(2) Percentage eligible.--The percent of the loan
        obligation which the Secretary shall repay under paragraph (1)
        of this subsection is--
                    ``(A) in the case of teaching in a school that
                qualifies under section 465(a)(2)(A) for loan
                cancellation for Perkins loan recipients who teach in
                such schools, 25 percent for the first or second year
of such service, and 50 percent for the third year of such service; or
                    ``(B) in the case of any other public elementary or
                secondary school, 15 percent for the first or second
                year of such service, 20 percent for the third or
                fourth year of such service, and 30 percent for the
                fifth year of such service.
            ``(3) Treatment of consolidation loans.--A loan amount for
        a loan made under section 428C may be a qualified loan amount
        for the purposes of this subsection only to the extent that
        such loan amount was used to repay a Federal Direct Stafford
        Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a loan
        made under section 428 or 428H for a borrower who meets the
        requirements of subsection (b), as determined in accordance
        with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Treatment of years of service for continuing
        education loans.--For purposes of paragraph (2), the year of
        service is determined on the basis of the academic year that
        the borrower began the service as a full-time teacher, except
        that in the case of a borrower who incurs a loan obligation for
        continuing education expenses while teaching, the year of
        service is determined on the basis of the academic year
        following the academic year for which the loan obligation was
        incurred.
    ``(d) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this
section.
    ``(e) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
authorize any refunding of any repayment of a loan.
    ``(f) List.--If the list of schools in which a teacher may perform
service pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A) is not available before May 1
of any year, the Secretary may use the list for the year preceding the
year for which the determination is made to make such service
determination.
    ``(g) Additional Eligibility Provisions.--
            ``(1) Continued eligibility.--Any teacher who performs
        service in a school that--
                    ``(A) meets the requirements of subsection
                (b)(1)(A) in any year during such service; and
                    ``(B) in a subsequent year fails to meet the
                requirements of such subsection,
        may continue to teach in such school and shall be eligible for
        loan forgiveness pursuant to subsection (b).
            ``(2) Prevention of double benefits.--No borrower may, for
        the same service, receive a benefit under both this section and
        subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act
        of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.).
    ``(h) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `year',
where applied to service as a teacher, means an academic year as
defined by the Secretary.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2002 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''.
    (b) Direct Student Loans.--Part D of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after section 460 the
following new section:

``SEC. 460A. EXPANDED LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR TEACHERS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to expand,
subject to the availability of appropriations therefor, the eligibility
of individuals to qualify for loan forgiveness for teachers beyond that
available under section 460, in order to provide additional incentives
for such individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession.
    ``(b) Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--From the sums appropriated pursuant to
        subsection (i), the Secretary shall carry out canceling the
        obligation to repay a qualified loan amount in accordance with
        subsection (c) for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal
        Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made under this part for any
        new borrower on or after October 1, 1998, who is not eligible
        for loan forgiveness under section 460, but who--
                    ``(A) is employed as a full-time teacher--
                            ``(i) in a public elementary or secondary
                        school;
                            ``(ii) if employed as a secondary school
                        teacher, is teaching a subject area that is
                        relevant to the borrower's academic major as
                        certified by the chief administrative officer
                        of the public secondary school in which the
                        borrower is employed; and
                            ``(iii) if employed as an elementary school
                        teacher, has demonstrated, as certified by the
                        chief administrative officer of the public
                        elementary school in which the borrower is
                        employed, knowledge and teaching skills in
                        reading, writing, mathematics, or other areas
                        of the elementary school curriculum;
                    ``(B) has a State certification (which may include
                certification obtained through alternative means) or a
                State license to teach, and has not failed to comply
                with State or local accountability standards; and
                    ``(C) is not in default on a loan for which the
                borrower seeks forgiveness.
            ``(2) Selection of recipients.--The Secretary shall by
        regulations, establish a formula that ensures fairness and
        equality for applicants in the selection of borrowers for loan
        repayment under this section, based on the amount available
        pursuant to subsection (i).
    ``(c) Qualified Loans Amount.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall cancel not more than
        the percentage specified in paragraph (2) of the loan
        obligation on a loan made under this part that is outstanding
        after the completion of each complete school year of teaching
        described in subsection (b)(1). No borrower may receive a
        reduction of loan obligations under both this section and
        section 428J.
            ``(2) Percentage eligible.--The percent of the loan
        obligation which the Secretary shall cancel under paragraph (1)
        of this subsection is--
                    ``(A) in the case of teaching in a school that
                qualifies under section 465(a)(2)(A) for loan
cancellation for Perkins loan recipients who teach in such schools, 25
percent for the first or second year of such service, and 50 percent
for the third year of such service; or
                    ``(B) in the case of any other public elementary or
                secondary school, 15 percent for the first or second
                year of such service, 20 percent for the third or
                fourth year of such service, and 30 percent for the
                fifth year of such service.
            ``(3) Treatment of consolidation loans.--A loan amount for
        a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan may be a qualified loan
        amount for the purposes of this subsection only to the extent
        that such loan amount was used to repay a Federal Direct
        Stafford Loan, a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or
        a loan made under section 428 or 428H for a borrower who meets
        the requirements of subsection (b), as determined in accordance
        with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Treatment of years of service for continuing
        education loans.--For purposes of paragraph (2), the year of
        service is determined on the basis of the academic year that
        the borrower began the service as a full-time teacher, except
        that in the case of a borrower who incurs a loan obligation for
        continuing education expenses while teaching, the year of
        service is determined on the basis of the academic year
        following the academic year for which the loan obligation was
        incurred.
    ``(d) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this
section.
    ``(e) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
authorize any refunding of any repayment of a loan.
    ``(f) List.--If the list of schools in which a teacher may perform
service pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(A) is not available before May 1
of any year, the Secretary may use the list for the year preceding the
year for which the determination is made to make such service
determination.
    ``(g) Additional Eligibility Provisions.--
            ``(1) Continued eligibility.--Any teacher who performs
        service in a school that--
                    ``(A) meets the requirements of subsection
                (b)(1)(A) in any year during such service; and
                    ``(B) in a subsequent year fails to meet the
                requirements of such subsection,
        may continue to teach in such school and shall be eligible for
        loan forgiveness pursuant to subsection (b).
            ``(2) Prevention of double benefits.--No borrower may, for
        the same service, receive a benefit under both this section and
        subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act
        of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.).
    ``(h) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `year',
where applied to service as a teacher, means an academic year as
defined by the Secretary.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2002 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.''.

SEC. 3. NO INCOME TAX BY REASON OF LOAN FORGIVENESS.

    Subsection (f) of section 108 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Loan forgiveness for teachers.--In the case of an
        individual, gross income does not include any amount which (but
        for this paragraph) would be includible in gross income by
        reason of the discharge (in whole or in part) of any loan if
        such discharge was pursuant to section 428J, 428K, 460, or 460A
        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-10), as in
        effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph.''

Output: Teachers for Tomorrow Act of 2001 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to establish new programs for teacher student loan forgiveness, under the guaranteed loan program and the direct loan program. Requires three consecutive complete school years of full-time teaching in a public elementary or secondary school as: (1) a secondary school teacher of a subject area relevant to the borrower's academic major; or (2) an elementary school teacher who has demonstrated knowledge and teaching skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and other curriculum areas.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from a teacher's gross income any student loan amounts discharged under both the current HEA programs and those added by this Act.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Assistance for Orphans and Other
Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) More than 110,000,000 orphans live in sub-Saharan
        Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These children
        often are disadvantaged in numerous and devastating ways and
        most households with orphans cannot meet the basic needs of
        health care, food, clothing, and educational expenses.
            (2) It is estimated that 121,000,000 children worldwide do
        not attend school and that the majority of such children are
        young girls. According to the United Nations Children's Fund
        (UNICEF), orphans are less likely to be in school and more
        likely to be working full time.
            (3) School food programs, including take-home rations, in
        developing countries provide strong incentives for children to
        remain in school and continue their education. School food
        programs can reduce short-term hunger, improve cognitive
        functions, and enhance learning, behavior, and achievement.
            (4) Financial barriers, such as school fees and other costs
        of education, prevent many orphans and other vulnerable
        children in developing countries from attending school.
        Providing children with free primary school education, while
        simultaneously ensuring that adequate resources exist for
        teacher training and infrastructure, would help more orphans
        and other vulnerable children obtain a quality education.
            (5) The trauma that results from the loss of a parent can
        trigger behavior problems of aggression or emotional withdrawal
        and negatively affect a child's performance in school and the
        child's social relations. Children living in families affected
        by HIV/AIDS or who have been orphaned by AIDS often face
        stigmatization and discrimination. Providing culturally
        appropriate psychosocial support to such children can assist
        them in successfully accepting and adjusting to their
        circumstances.
            (6) Orphans and other vulnerable children in developing
        countries routinely are denied their inheritance or encounter
        difficulties in claiming the land and other property which they
        have inherited. Even when the inheritance rights of women and
        children are spelled out in law, such rights are difficult to
        claim and are seldom enforced. In many countries it is
        difficult or impossible for a widow, even if she has young
        children, to claim property after the death of her husband.
            (7) The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating affect on
        children and is deepening poverty in entire communities and
        jeopardizing the health, safety, and survival of all children
        in affected areas.
            (8) The HIV/AIDS pandemic has increased the number of
        orphans worldwide and has exacerbated the poor living
        conditions of the world's poorest and most vulnerable children.
        AIDS has created an unprecedented orphan crisis, especially in
        sub-Saharan Africa, where children have been hardest hit. An
        estimated 14,000,000 orphans have lost 1 or both parents to
        AIDS. By 2010, it is estimated that over 25,000,000 children
        will have been orphaned by AIDS.
            (9) Approximately 2,500,000 children under the age of 15
        worldwide have HIV/AIDS. Every day another 2,000 children under
        the age of 15 are infected with HIV. Without treatment, most
        children born with HIV can expect to die by age two, but with
        sustained drug treatment through childhood, the chances of
        long-term survival and a productive adulthood improve
        dramatically.
            (10) Few international development programs specifically
        target the treatment of children with HIV/AIDS in developing
        countries. Reasons for this include the perceived low priority
        of pediatric treatment, a lack of pediatric health care
        professionals, lack of expertise and experience in pediatric
drug dosing and monitoring, the perceived complexity of pediatric
treatment, and mistaken beliefs regarding the risks and benefits of
pediatric treatment.
            (11) Although a number of organizations seek to meet the
        needs of orphans or other vulnerable children, extended
        families and local communities continue to be the primary
        providers of support for such children.
            (12) The HIV/AIDS pandemic is placing huge burdens on
        communities and is leaving many orphans with little support.
        Alternatives to traditional orphanages, such as community-based
        resource centers, continue to evolve in response to the massive
        number of orphans that has resulted from the pandemic.
            (13) The AIDS orphans crisis in sub-Saharan Africa has
        implications for political stability, human welfare, and
        development that extend far beyond the region, affecting
        governments and people worldwide, and this crisis requires an
        accelerated response from the international community.
            (14) Although section 403(b) of the United States
        Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of
        2003 (22 U.S.C. 7673(b)) establishes the requirement that not
        less than 10 percent of amounts appropriated for HIV/AIDS
        assistance for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008 shall be
        expended for assistance for orphans and other vulnerable
        children affected by HIV/AIDS, there is an urgent need to
        provide assistance to such children prior to 2006.
            (15) Numerous United States and indigenous private
        voluntary organizations, including faith-based organizations,
        provide assistance to orphans and other vulnerable children in
        developing countries. Many of these organizations have
        submitted applications for grants to the Administrator of the
        United States Agency for International Development to provide
        increased levels of assistance for orphans and other vulnerable
        children in developing countries.
            (16) Increasing the amount of assistance that is provided
        by the Administrator of the United States Agency for
        International Development through United States and indigenous
        private voluntary organizations, including faith-based
        organizations, will provide greater protection for orphans and
        other vulnerable children in developing countries.
            (17) It is essential that the United States Government
        adopt a comprehensive approach for the provision of assistance
        to orphans and other vulnerable children in developing
        countries. A comprehensive approach would ensure that important
        services, such as basic care, psychosocial support, school food
        programs, increased educational opportunities and employment
        training and related services, the protection and promotion of
        inheritance rights for such children, and the treatment of
        orphans and other vulnerable children with HIV/AIDS, are made
        more accessible.
            (18) Assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children
        can best be provided by a comprehensive approach of the United
        States Government that--
                    (A) ensures that Federal agencies and the private
                sector coordinate efforts to prevent and eliminate
                duplication of efforts and waste in the provision of
                such assistance; and
                    (B) to the maximum extent possible, focuses on
                community-based programs that allow orphans and other
                vulnerable children to remain connected to the
                traditions and rituals of their families and
                communities.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR ORPHANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN
              DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

    Chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
section:

``SEC. 135. ASSISTANCE FOR ORPHANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

    ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            ``(1) There are more than 110,000,000 orphans living in
        sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
            ``(2) The HIV/AIDS pandemic has created an unprecedented
        orphan crisis, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where children
        have been hardest hit. The pandemic is deepening poverty in
        entire communities, and is jeopardizing the health, safety, and
        survival of all children in affected countries. It is estimated
        that 14,000,000 children have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
            ``(3) The orphans crisis in sub-Saharan Africa has
        implications for human welfare, development, and political
        stability that extend far beyond the region, affecting
        governments and people worldwide.
            ``(4) Extended families and local communities are
        struggling to meet the basic needs of orphans and vulnerable
        children by providing food, health care including treatment of
        children living with HIV/AIDS, education expenses, and
        clothing.
            ``(5) Providing assistance to such children is an important
        expression of the humanitarian concern and tradition of the
        people of the United States.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) AIDS.--The term `AIDS' has the meaning given the term
        in section 104A(g)(1) of this Act.
            ``(2) Children.--The term `children' means persons who have
        not attained the age of 18.
            ``(3) HIV/AIDS.--The term `HIV/AIDS' has the meaning given
        the term in section 104A(g)(3) of this Act.
            ``(4) Orphan.--The term `orphan' means a child deprived by
        death of one or both parents.
            ``(5) Psychosocial support.--The term `psychosocial
        support' includes care that addresses the ongoing psychological
        and social problems that affect individuals, their partners,
        families, and caregivers in order to alleviate suffering,
        strengthen social ties and integration, provide emotional
        support, and promote coping strategies.
    ``(c) Assistance.--The President is authorized to provide
assistance, including providing such assistance through international
or nongovernmental organizations, for programs in developing countries
to provide basic care and services for orphans and other vulnerable
children. Such programs should provide assistance--
            ``(1) to support families and communities to mobilize their
        own resources through the establishment of community-based
        organizations to provide basic care for orphans and other
        vulnerable children;
            ``(2) for school food programs, including the purchase of
        local or regional foodstuffs where appropriate;
            ``(3) to increase primary school enrollment through the
        elimination of school fees, where appropriate, or other
        barriers to education while ensuring that adequate resources
        exist for teacher training and infrastructure;
            ``(4) to provide employment training and related services
        for orphans and other vulnerable children who are of legal
        working age;
            ``(5) to protect and promote the inheritance rights of
        orphans, other vulnerable children, and widows;
            ``(6) to provide culturally appropriate psychosocial
        support to orphans and other vulnerable children; and
            ``(7) to treat orphans and other vulnerable children with
        HIV/AIDS through the provision of pharmaceuticals, the
        recruitment and training of individuals to provide pediatric
        treatment, and the purchase of pediatric-specific technologies.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
        to the President to carry out this section such sums as may be
        necessary for each of the fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
            ``(2) Availability of funds.--Amounts made available under
        paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until expended
        and are in addition to amounts otherwise available for such
        purposes.
            ``(3) Relationship to other laws.--Amounts made available
        for assistance pursuant to this subsection, and amounts made
        available for such assistance pursuant to any other provision
        of law, may be used to provide such assistance notwithstanding
        any other provision of law.''.

SEC. 4. STRATEGY OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Requirement for Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the President shall develop, and submit
to the appropriate congressional committees, a strategy for
coordinating, implementing, and monitoring assistance programs for
orphans and vulnerable children.
    (b) Consultation.--The President should consult with employees of
the field missions of the United States Agency for International
Development in developing the strategy required by subsection (a) to
ensure that such strategy--
            (1) will not impede the efficiency of implementing
        assistance programs for orphans and vulnerable children; and
            (2) addresses the specific needs of indigenous populations.
    (c) Content.--The strategy required by subsection (a) shall
include--
            (1) the identity of each agency or department of the
        Federal Government that is providing assistance for orphans and
        vulnerable children in foreign countries;
            (2) a description of the efforts of the head of each such
        agency or department to coordinate the provision of such
        assistance with other agencies or departments of the Federal
        Government or nongovernmental entities;
            (3) a description of a coordinated strategy, including
        coordination with other bilateral and multilateral donors, to
        provide the assistance authorized in section 135 of the Foreign
        Assistance Act of 1961, as added by section 3 of this Act;
            (4) an analysis of additional coordination mechanisms or
        procedures that could be implemented to carry out the purposes
        of such section;
            (5) a description of a monitoring system that establishes
        performance goals for the provision of such assistance and
        expresses such goals in an objective and quantifiable form, to
        the extent feasible; and
            (6) a description of performance indicators to be used in
        measuring or assessing the achievement of the performance goals
        described in paragraph (5).

SEC. 5. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Not later than one year after the date on which the President
submits the strategy required by section 4(a) to the appropriate
congressional committees, and annually thereafter, the President shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 6. APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES DEFINED.

    In this Act, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the
Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives.

Output:
Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2004 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance, including through nongovernmental or international organizations, for basic care for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries, including assistance for: (1) community-based care; (2) school food programs; (3) education and employment training; (4) mental health care; (5) protection of inheritance rights; and (6) HIV/AIDS care.

Directs the President to develop a coordinating strategy for such assistance.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Truth in Regulating Act of 1999''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) increase the transparency of important regulatory
        decisions;
            (2) promote effective congressional oversight to ensure
        that agency rules fulfill statutory requirements in an
        efficient, effective, and fair manner; and
            (3) increase the accountability of Congress and the
        agencies to the people they serve.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the term--
            (1) ``agency'' has the meaning given such term under
        section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code;
            (2) ``economically significant rule'' means any proposed or
        final rule, including an interim or direct final rule, that may
        have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more or
        adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
        economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment,
        public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments
        or communities; and
            (3) ``independent analysis'' means a substantive review of
        the agency's underlying assessments and assumptions used in
        developing the regulatory action and whatever additional
        analysis the Comptroller General determines to be necessary.

SEC. 4. PILOT PROJECT FOR REPORT ON RULES.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Request of review.--When an agency develops or issues
        an economically significant rule, the Comptroller General of
        the United States may review the rule at the request of a
        committee of either House of Congress.
            (2) Report.--The Comptroller General shall submit a report
        on each economically significant rule selected under paragraph
        (4) to the committees of jurisdiction in each House of Congress
        not later than 180 calendar days after a committee request is
        received. The report shall include an independent analysis of
        the economically significant rule by the Comptroller General
        using any relevant data or analyses available to or generated
        by the General Accounting Office.
            (3) Independent analysis.--The independent analysis of the
        economically significant rule by the Comptroller General under
        paragraph (2) shall include--
                    (A) an analysis of the potential benefits of the
                rule, including any beneficial effects that cannot be
                quantified in monetary terms and the identification of
                the persons or entities likely to receive the benefits;
                    (B) an analysis of the potential costs of the rule,
                including any adverse effects that cannot be quantified
                in monetary terms and the identification of the persons
                or entities likely to bear the costs;
                    (C) an analysis of alternative approaches that
                could achieve the statutory goal in a more cost-
                effective manner or that could provide greater net
                benefits, and, if applicable, a brief explanation of
                any reason why such alternatives could not be adopted;
                    (D) an analysis of the extent to which the rule
                would affect State or local governments; and
                    (E) a summary of how the results of the analysis of
                the Comptroller General differ, if at all, from the
                results of the analyses of the agency in promulgating
                the rule.
            (4) Procedures for priorities of requests.--The Comptroller
        General shall have discretion to develop procedures for
        determining the priority and number of requests for review
        under paragraph (1) for which a report will be submitted under
        paragraph (2).
    (b) Cooperation with Comptroller General.--Each agency shall
cooperate with the Comptroller General by promptly providing the
Comptroller General with such records and information that the
Comptroller General determines necessary to carry out this Act.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the General Accounting
Office to carry out this Act $5,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2000
through 2002.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION OF PILOT PROJECT.

    (a) Effective Date.--This Act and the amendments made by this Act
shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Duration of Pilot Project.--The pilot project under this Act
shall continue for a period of 3 years, if in each fiscal year, or
portion thereof included in that period, a specific annual
appropriation not less than $5,200,000 or the pro-rated equivalent
thereof shall have been made for the pilot project.
    (c) Report.--Before the conclusion of the 3-year period, the
Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report reviewing the
effectiveness of the pilot project and recommending whether or not
Congress should permanently authorize the pilot project.

Output:
Truth in Regulating Act of 1999 - Allows the Comptroller General, when a Federal agency develops or issues an economically significant rule, to review the rule at the request of a committee of either House of Congress.  Defines "economically significant rule" to mean any proposed or final rule, including an interim or direct final rule, that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities.  Requires the Comptroller General to submit a report on each rule reviewed, including an independent analysis of the costs and benefits, alternative approaches, impact on State and local governments, and differences from the agency's analyses.  Grants the Comptroller General discretion to develop procedures for determining the priority and number of requests for review.
Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2002.
Provides for the pilot project established under this Act to continue for a three-year period, if specified appropriations are provided.  Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on such project's effectiveness and on whether it should be authorized permanently.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Professionals Education Debt Reduction Act''.

SEC. 2. PROGRAM OF ASSISTANCE IN THE PAYMENT OF EDUCATION DEBTS
              INCURRED BY CERTAIN VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
              EMPLOYEES.

    (a) Program.--(1) Chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:

           ``SUBCHAPTER VI--EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM

``Sec. 7661. Authority for program
    ``(a) The Secretary may carry out an education debt reduction
program under this subchapter. The program shall be known as the
Department of Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction Program
(hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the `Education Debt
Reduction Program'). The purpose of the program is to assist personnel
serving in health-care positions in the Veterans Health Administration
in reducing the amount of debt incurred by such personnel in completing
educational programs that qualify such personnel for such service.
    ``(b) Such assistance shall be in addition to the assistance
available to individuals under the Educational Assistance Program
established under this chapter.
``Sec. 7662. Eligibility; application
    ``(a) An individual eligible to participate in the Education Debt
Reduction Program is any individual (other than a physician or
dentist)--
            ``(1) who is serving in a position in the Veterans Health
        Administration under an appointment under section 7402(b) of
        this title; and
            ``(2) who owes--
                    ``(A) any amount of principal or interest under a
                loan the proceeds of which were used by or on behalf of
                the individual to pay costs relating to a course of
                education or training at a qualifying educational
                institution which course led to a degree that qualified
                the individual for a position referred to in paragraph
                (1); or
                    ``(B) any amount of principal or interest under a
                loan the proceeds of which are being used by or on
                behalf of the individual to pay costs relating to a
                course of education or training at a qualifying
                educational institution which course leads to a degree
                that qualifies the individual for such a position.
    ``(b) Any eligible individual seeking to participate in the
Education Debt Reduction Program shall submit an application to the
Secretary relating to such participation.
``Sec. 7663. Preference for assistance
    ``In selecting individuals for assistance under the Education Debt
Reduction Program, the Secretary shall give preference to the
following:
            ``(1) Individuals who have completed or are engaged in, as
        the case may be, a two-year or four-year course of education or
        training at an undergraduate institution leading to a degree
        that qualified or qualifies, as the case may be, the
        individuals for a position referred to in section 7662(a)(1) of
        this title.
            ``(2) Individuals who serve in the Veterans Health
        Administration--
                    ``(A) in areas in which the recruitment or
                retention of an adequate supply of qualified health-
                care personnel is difficult (as determined by the
                Secretary); or
                    ``(B) in positions for which the recruitment or
                retention of such a supply of such personnel is
                difficult (as so determined).
``Sec. 7664. Amount of assistance
    ``(a) Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may pay to an
individual selected to receive assistance under the Education Debt
Reduction Program an amount not to exceed $4,000 (adjusted in
accordance with section 7631 of this title) for each full year served
by the individual in a position in the Veterans Health Administration
under section 7402(b) of this title (other than a position referred to
in paragraph (1) or (2) of such section) after the date of such
individual's selection.
    ``(b)(1) An individual may receive assistance under the Education
Debt Reduction Program only to assist the individual in paying amounts
(including principal and interest) owed by the individual under a loan
referred to in section 7662(a)(2) of this title.
    ``(2) An individual may receive assistance under the Education Debt
Reduction Program for a year if--
            ``(A) the individual serves for the full year in a position
        referred to in subsection (a); and
            ``(B) maintains an acceptable level of performance during
        such service.
    ``(3) The total amount of assistance received by an individual
under the Education Debt Reduction Program may not exceed $12,000
(adjusted in accordance with section 7631 of this title).''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by adding at the end thereof the following:

           ``SUBCHAPTER VI--EDUCATION DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM

``7661. Authority for program.
``7662. Eligibility; application.
``7663. Preference for assistance.
``7664. Amount of assistance.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 7631 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking out ``and the maximum
        Selected Reserve member stipend amount'' and inserting in lieu
        thereof ``the maximum Selected Reserve stipend amount, and the
        education debt reduction amount and limitation''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
                (5); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following
                new paragraph (4):
            ``(4) The term `education debt reduction amount and
        limitation' means the maximum amount of assistance, and the
        limitation applicable to such assistance, for a person
        receiving assistance under subchapter VI of this chapter, as
        specified in section 7663 of this title and as previously
        adjusted (if at all) in accordance with this subsection.''.
    (c) Regulations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe
regulations necessary to carry out the Education Debt Reduction Program
established under subchapter VI of chapter 76 of title 38, United
States Code (as added by subsection (a)). The Secretary shall prescribe
such regulations not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
    (d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
on the effectiveness of the Education Debt Reduction Program and the
Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program
established under subchapter II of chapter 76 of title 38, United
States Code, in assisting the Secretary in the recruitment and
retention of qualified health-care professionals for positions in the
Veterans Health Administration.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Department of Veterans Affairs $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1994 through 1998 to carry out the Education Debt
Reduction Program.
    (2) No funds may be used to provide assistance under the program
unless expressly provided for in an appropriation Act.
    (f) Exemption from Limitation.--Section 523(b) of the Veterans
Health Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-585; 38 U.S.C. 7601 note) shall
not apply to the Education Debt Reduction Program.

Output:
Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Education Debt Reduction Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Debt Reduction Program to assist Department health-care personnel serving in the Veterans Health Administration in reducing the amount of debt incurred in completing educational programs that qualify such personnel for such service. Makes eligible for such Program any individual other than a physician or dentist serving in a Department health care position and having an outstanding health education loan from a qualified educational institution.  Provides certain assistance preferences.  Limits the assistance to $4,000 for each full year served in a Department health-care position, up to a $12,000 maximum.
Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY 1994 through 1998.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting Regional Energy
Partnerships for Advancing Resilient Energy Systems Act'' or the
``PREPARE Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) energy systems in the United States are in a period of
        significant change;
            (2) aging infrastructure, new technologies, increasing
        complexity, and growing threats are posing new challenges to
        energy systems and their resilience;
            (3) the interconnected nature of energy systems means
        regional energy strategies and plans will be more effective at
        preparing for challenges and mitigating risks;
            (4) States have distinct needs and unique energy,
        environmental, and economic goals and will play a critical role
        in developing and implementing regional energy strategies and
        plans;
            (5) the views and participation of a broad range of
        stakeholders in the development and implementation of regional
        energy strategies and plans is needed for success; and
            (6) the Federal Government, in the role of a long-term
        strategic energy partner, can effectively--
                    (A) establish strategic alliances with States;
                    (B) convene stakeholders;
                    (C) facilitate the process of developing regional
                energy strategies and plans; and
                    (D) provide technical assistance and support in
                implementation.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Cooperative agreement.--The term ``cooperative
        agreement'' has the meaning given the term in sections 6302 and
        6305 of title 31, United States Code.
            (2) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means--
                    (A) the Secretary of Energy, acting through the
                Assistant Secretary of the Office of Electricity
                Delivery and Energy Reliability in consultation with
                the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and
                Renewable Energy, the Assistant Secretary of Fossil
                Energy, and the Director of the Office of Nuclear
                Energy, Science, and Technology Programs; and
                    (B) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through
                the Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals
                Management in consultation with the Director of the
                Bureau of Land Management, the Director of the Bureau
                of Ocean Energy Management, the Assistant Secretary for
                Indian Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Fish
                and Wildlife and Parks.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means--
                    (A) a State;
                    (B) the District of Columbia;
                    (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
                    (D) any other territory or possession of the United
                States.

SEC. 4. REGIONAL ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretaries shall provide assistance in
accordance with this section for the purpose of developing energy
strategies and plans that help harmonize and promote national,
regional, and State energy goals, including goals for advancing
resilient energy systems to mitigate risks and prepare for emerging
energy challenges.
    (b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretaries may provide such
technical assistance to States, political subdivisions of States,
substate regional organizations (including organizations that cross
State boundaries), multistate regional organizations, Indian tribes,
and nonprofit organizations as the Secretaries determine appropriate to
promote--
            (1) the development and improvement of regional energy
        strategies and plans that sustain and promote energy system
        modernization across the United States;
            (2) investment in energy infrastructure, technological
        capacity, innovation, and workforce development to keep pace
        with the changing energy ecosystem;
            (3) structural transformation of the financial, regulatory,
        legal, and institutional systems that govern energy planning,
        production, and delivery within States and regions; and
            (4) public-private partnerships for the implementation of
        regional energy strategies and plans.
    (c) Cooperative Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretaries may enter into cooperative
        agreements with 1 or more States and Indian tribes, on a
        regional basis, to develop and implement strategies and plans
        to address the energy challenges of States, Indian tribes, and
        regions.
            (2) Requirements.--A cooperative agreement entered into
        under this subsection shall include provisions covering or
        providing--
                    (A) the purpose and goals of the cooperative
                agreement, such as advancing energy efficiency, clean
                energy, fuel and supply diversity, energy system
                resiliency, economic development, or other goals to
                make measurable, significant progress toward specified
                metrics and objectives that are agreed to by the States
                or Indian tribes and the Secretaries;
                    (B) the roles and responsibilities of the States or
                Indian tribes and the Secretaries for various functions
                of the cooperative agreement, including outreach,
                communication, resources, and capabilities;
                    (C) a comprehensive framework for the development
                of energy strategies and plans for States, Indian
                tribes, or regions;
                    (D) timeframes with associated metrics and
                objectives;
                    (E) a governance structure to resolve conflicts and
                facilitate decisionmaking consistent with underlying
                authorities; and
                    (F) other provisions determined necessary by the
                Secretaries, in consultation with the States or Indian
                tribes, to achieve the purposes described in paragraph
                (1).
    (d) Staff.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
        the entering into a cooperative agreement under subsection (c),
        the Secretaries shall, as appropriate, assign or employ
        individuals who have expertise in the technical and regulatory
        issues relating to the cooperative agreement, including
        particular expertise in (as applicable)--
                    (A) energy systems integration;
                    (B) renewable energy and energy efficiency;
                    (C) innovative financing mechanisms;
                    (D) utility regulatory policy;
                    (E) modeling and analysis;
                    (F) facilitation and arbitration;
                    (G) energy assurance and emergency preparedness;
                and
                    (H) cyber and physical security of energy systems.
            (2) Duties.--Each individual assigned to carry out a
        cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) report to a location in the applicable State,
                Indian tribe, or region not later than 90 days after
                the date of assignment;
                    (B) be responsible for issues and technical
                assistance relating to the cooperative agreement;
                    (C) participate as part of the team of personnel
                working on developing and implementing the applicable
                regional energy strategy and plan; and
                    (D) build capacity within the State, Indian tribe,
                or region to continue to implement the goals of this
                Act after the expiration of the cooperative agreement.
    (e) Comprehensive Framework.--Under a cooperative agreement, a
comprehensive framework shall be developed that identifies
opportunities and actions across various energy sectors and cross-
cutting issue areas, including--
            (1) end-use efficiency;
            (2) energy supply, including electric generation and fuels;
            (3) energy delivery;
            (4) transportation;
            (5) technical integration, including standards and
        interdependencies;
            (6) institutional structures;
            (7) regulatory policies;
            (8) financial incentives; and
            (9) market mechanisms.
    (f) Awards.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Application group.--The term ``application
                group'' means a group of States or Indian tribes that
                have--
                            (i) entered into a cooperative agreement,
                        on a regional basis, with the Secretaries under
                        subsection (c); and
                            (ii) submitted an application for an award
                        under paragraph (2)(A).
                    (B) Partner state.--The term ``partner State''
                means a State or Indian tribe that is part of an
                application group.
            (2) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), an
                application group may apply to the Secretaries for
                awards under this subsection.
                    (B) Individual states.--An individual State or
                Indian tribe that has entered into a cooperative
                agreement with the Secretaries under subsection (c) may
                apply to the Secretaries for an award under this
                subsection if the State or Indian tribe demonstrates to
                the Secretaries the uniqueness of the energy challenges
                facing the State or Indian tribe.
            (3) Base amount.--Subject to paragraph (4), the Secretaries
        shall provide 6 awards under this subsection, with a base
        amount of $20,000,000 for each award.
            (4) Bonus amount for application groups.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
                Secretaries shall increase the amount of an award
                provided under this subsection to an application group
                for a successful application under paragraph (2)(A) by
                the quotient obtained by dividing--
                            (i) the product obtained by multiplying--
                                    (I) the number of partner States in
                                the application group; and
                                    (II) $100,000,000; by
                            (ii) the total number of partner States of
                        all successful applications under this
                        subsection.
                    (B) Maximum amount.--The amount of a bonus
                determined under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed an
                amount that represents $5,000,000 for each partner
                State that is a member of the relevant application
                group.
            (5) Limitation.--A State or Indian tribe shall not be part
        of more than 1 award under this subsection.
            (6) Selection criteria.--In selecting applications for
        awards under this subsection, the Secretaries shall consider--
                    (A) existing commitments from States or Indian
                tribes, such as memoranda of understanding;
                    (B) for States that are part of the contiguous 48
                States, the number of contiguous States involved that
                cover a region;
                    (C) the diversity of the regions represented by all
                applications;
                    (D) the amount of cost-share or in-kind
                contributions from States or Indian tribes;
                    (E) the scope and focus of regional and State
                programs and strategies, with an emphasis on energy
                system resiliency and grid modernization, efficiency,
                and clean energy;
                    (F) a management and oversight plan to ensure that
                objectives are met;
                    (G) an outreach plan for the inclusion of
                stakeholders in the process for developing and
                implementing State or regional energy strategies and
                plans;
                    (H) the inclusion of tribal entities;
                    (I) plans to fund and sustain activities identified
                in regional energy strategies and plans; and
                    (J) the clarity of roles and responsibilities of
                each State and the Secretaries.
            (7) Use of awards.--
                    (A) In general.--Awards provided under this
                subsection shall be used to achieve the purpose of this
                section, including by--
                            (i) conducting technical analyses, resource
                        studies, and energy system baselines;
                            (ii) convening and providing education to
                        stakeholders on emerging energy issues;
                            (iii) building decision support and
                        planning tools; and
                            (iv) improving communication between and
                        participation of stakeholders.
                    (B) Limitation.--Awards provided under this
                subsection shall not be used for--
                            (i) capitalization of green banks or loan
                        guarantees; or
                            (ii) building facilities or funding capital
                        projects.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act $250,000,000, to remain available until expended.
    (b) Allocation.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under
subsection (a)--
            (1) $120,000,000 shall be used for the base amount of
        awards under section 4(f)(3);
            (2) $100,000,000 shall be used for the bonus amount of
        awards under section 4(f)(4); and
            (3) $30,000,000 shall be for the administration of this
        Act, including--
                    (A) the assignment of staff under section 4(d); and
                    (B) if the Secretaries determine appropriate, the
                sharing of best practices from regional partnerships by
                parties to cooperative agreements entered into under
                this Act.
    (c) State Energy Offices.--Funds provided to a State under this Act
shall be provided to the office within the State that is responsible
for developing the State energy plan for the State under part D of
title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et
seq.).
    (d) Maintenance of Funding.--The funding provided to States under
this Act shall supplement (and not supplant) funding provided under
part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).

Output: Promoting Regional Energy Partnerships for Advancing Resilient Energy Systems Act or the PREPARE Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) and the Secretary of the Interior (acting through specified Assistant Secretaries) to provide technical assistance to governmental entities, Indian tribes, and regional and nonprofit organizations to develop energy strategies that harmonize and promote national, regional, and state energy goals.  Sets forth an awards program addressing the uniqueness of the energy challenges facing states and Indian tribes.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Community Hazard Assessment and
Mitigation Program Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The earthquake and resulting tsunami of December 26,
        2004, resulted in the deaths of over 230,000 people in
        Southeast Asia.
            (2) The geological fault line along which the December 26th
        tsunami occurred is mirrored by a fault line that runs along
        the whole of the west coast of the United States.
            (3) Scientists predict that there is a 10 to 15 percent
        chance of a major seismic event along this fault line, the
        Cascadia Subduction Zone, occurring in the next 50 years.
            (4) Such an event would probably include both a large-scale
        earthquake and a tsunami, causing incredible damage to both
        infrastructure and emergency response services.
            (5) Numerous false alarms in the past year have
        demonstrated that many coastal communities are not prepared if
        such a geological event takes place.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE AND GOALS.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of the Community Hazard Assessment and
Mitigation Program (CHAMP) is to award one-year grants directly to
emergency management departments to build and maintain infrastructure
to warn people of an approaching tsunami and to address post-tsunami
needs.
    (b) Goals.--The primary goal of this Act is to provide assistance
to meet the needs of emergency management departments regarding tsunami
hazard preparedness, mitigation, and response. In part, the program
seeks to support departments that lack the tools and resources
necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and emergency
response personnel with respect to a tsunami and its aftermath. In
addition, any improvement in warning systems for the coastal
communities will improve all hazard capabilities.

SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Grant Authorization.--The Secretary of Homeland Security,
acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Administration, may provide grants in accordance with this Act to
certain areas to prepare for a tsunami.
    (b) Priority.--The Director shall give priority to areas in which
the likelihood of a tsunami striking in the next 50 years is 10 percent
or greater.
    (c) Competitive Awards.--In addition to the priority given pursuant
to subsection (b), the Director shall award a grant under this Act to
emergency management departments on a competitive basis considering
financial need, benefit to the community and a demonstrated ability to
cooperate with other providers of emergency services.

SEC. 5. USE OF FUNDS.

    An emergency management department that receives a grant under this
Act may use grant funds--
            (1) to establish or improve warning systems, including the
        purchase of--
                    (A) sirens;
                    (B) individual weather radios;
                    (C) public safety agency communications gear; and
                    (D) reverse 911 systems;
            (2) to purchase public safety agency rescue equipment;
            (3) to reinforce buildings and facilities in maintaining
        continuity of critical services, including--
                    (A) police stations;
                    (B) fire stations;
                    (C) emergency management facilities;
                    (D) hospitals;
                    (E) shelters; and
                    (F) endangered sewer sanitation systems;
            (4) post-tsunami shelters and supplies; and
            (5) to develop outreach programs to educate both residents
        and tourists of different types of tsunami (near shore and far
        field) and how to react to each type.

SEC. 6. MATCHING FUNDS.

    (a) Population of More Than 50,000.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under this Act, an emergency management department serving an
area with a population over 50,000 shall provide, with non-Federal
funds, 20 percent of the total cost of a project established with a
grant provided under this Act.
    (b) Population Between 20,001 and 50,000.--To be eligible to
receive a grant under this Act, an emergency management department
serving an area with a population between 20,001 and 50,000 shall
provide, with non-Federal funds, 10 percent of the total cost of a
project established with a grant provided under this Act.
    (c) Population Under 20,000.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under this Act, an emergency management department serving an area with
a population under 20,000 shall provide, with non-Federal funds, 5
percent of the total cost of a project established with a grant
provided under this Act.
    (d) In-Kind Contributions.--In determining the non-Federal share of
the total costs of a project, the Secretary shall consider in-kind
contributions of an emergency management department, not to exceed 50
percent of the amount that the department contributes in non-Federal
funds.

SEC. 7. EVALUATION AND REPORT.

    (a) Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days after grants are awarded
under this Act, the Director shall determine if emergency management
departments that received a grant under this section meet the standards
for certification by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration as being tsunami ready and evaluate the effectiveness
and tsunami readiness of programs established pursuant to this Act.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the evaluation is
completed under subsection (a), the Director shall report such findings
to the appropriate Committees of Congress.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Administration.
    (b) Emergency Management Department.--The term ``emergency
management department'' means an agency or organization that is part
of, or has a formally recognized arrangement with, a State, territory,
local, or tribal authority (city, county, parish, fire district,
township, town, or other governing body) and is responsible for
planning, preparing, and providing for the prevention, mitigation, and
management of emergencies or disasters that present a threat to the
lives and property of the citizens and visitors of the community.
    (c) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States and the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Puerto
Rico.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012 to the
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to carry out the
activities of this Community hazard Assessment and Mitigation Program.
    (b) Reservation.--From the amount made available to carry out this
Act, the Director may reserve 5 percent for administrative costs.
    (c) Availability.--Such funds shall remain available until
expended.

Output:
Community Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), to provide grants to certain areas to prepare for a tsunami. Requires the Director to: (1) give priority to areas in which the likelihood of a tsunami striking in the next 50 years is 10% or greater; and (2) award grants to state, territory, local, or tribal emergency management departments on a competitive basis considering financial need, benefit to the community, and a demonstrated ability to cooperate with other emergency services providers.

Authorizes the use of grant funds to: (1) establish or improve warning systems; (2) purchase public safety agency rescue equipment; (3) reinforce buildings and facilities in maintaining continuity of critical services; (4) provide post-tsunami shelters and supplies; and (5) develop outreach programs to educate residents and tourists about different types of tsunamis and how to react to each type.

Sets forth matching fund requirements, based on population. Requires the Director to: (1) determine if grant recipients meet National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) certification standards; and (2) evaluate the effectiveness and tsunami readiness of programs established pursuant to his Act.