Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``FEMA Common Sense and Cost
Effectiveness Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF LEVEES.

    (a) Stafford Act.--
            (1) Predisaster mitigation program.--Section 203(e) of the
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
        (42 U.S.C. 5133(e)) is amended by adding at the end the
        following:
            ``(3) Construction of levees on acquired lands.--Subject to
        paragraph (4), and notwithstanding any requirement that
        property acquired or accepted under this section be dedicated
        and maintained in perpetuity as open space for the conservation
        of natural flood plain functions, if financial assistance
        provided under this section is used to acquire or accept
        property for open space purposes, the President may permit the
        construction or maintenance on the property of--
                    ``(A) a levee that is federally owned and operated;
                    ``(B) a permanent levee that is federally
                constructed and non-federally operated and maintained;
                    ``(C) a levee--
                            ``(i) that is federally constructed as a
                        nonpermanent levee;
                            ``(ii) that a non-Federal entity desires to
                        operate and maintain as a permanent levee; and
                            ``(iii) the owners of which--
                                    ``(I) are participating in the
                                emergency response to natural disasters
                                program established under section 5 of
                                the Act entitled `An Act authorizing
                                the construction of certain public
                                works on rivers and harbors for flood
                                control, and for other purposes',
                                approved August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C.
                                701n); or
                                    ``(II) begin participating in the
                                program described in subclause (I)
                                within a reasonable period of time, as
                                determined by the President, after the
                                date on which the levee is constructed;
                                and
                    ``(D) a non-Federal levee the owners of which are
                participating in the program described in subparagraph
                (C)(iii)(I).
            ``(4) Downstream communities.--The President may deny an
        application to construct or maintain a levee described in
        paragraph (3) if the levee poses a significant threat of harm
        to downstream communities.''.
            (2) Hazard mitigation grant program.--Section 404(b) of the
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
        (42 U.S.C. 5170c(b)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``except
                        for the construction or maintenance of a
                        structure described in clause (ii) (including a
                        levee),'' before ``any property''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii)--
                                    (I) in subclause (II), by striking
                                ``or'' at the end;
                                    (II) by redesignating subclause
                                (III) as subclause (IV); and
                            (iii) by inserting after subclause (II) the
                        following:
                                    ``(III) subject to paragraph (5), a
                                levee described in paragraph (4); or'';
                                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Levees.--A levee described in this paragraph is--
                    ``(A) a levee that is federally owned and operated;
                    ``(B) a permanent levee that is federally
                constructed and non-federally operated and maintained;
                    ``(C) a levee--
                            ``(i) that is federally constructed as a
                        nonpermanent levee;
                            ``(ii) that a non-Federal entity desires to
                        operate and maintain as a permanent levee; and
                            ``(iii) the owners of which--
                                    ``(I) are participating in the
                                emergency response to natural disasters
                                program established under section 5 of
                                the Act entitled `An Act authorizing
                                the construction of certain public
                                works on rivers and harbors for flood
                                control, and for other purposes',
                                approved August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C.
                                701n); or
                                    ``(II) begin participating in the
                                program described in subclause (I)
                                within a reasonable period of time, as
                                determined by the President, after the
                                date on which the levee is constructed;
                                and
                    ``(D) a non-Federal levee the owners of which are
                participating in the program described in subparagraph
                (C)(iii)(I).
            ``(5) Downstream communities.--The President may deny an
        application to construct or maintain a levee described in
        paragraph (4) if the levee poses a significant threat of harm
        to downstream communities.''.
    (b) Construction of Levees Under Hazard Mitigation Programs
Relating to Floods.--
            (1) Flood mitigation assistance.--Section 1366 of the
        National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104c) is
        amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(n) Construction of Levees on Acquired Lands.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), and
        notwithstanding any requirement that property acquired or
        accepted under this section be dedicated and maintained in
        perpetuity as open space for the conservation of natural flood
        plain functions, if the mitigation activities funded under
        subsection (a) include the acquisition or acceptance of
        property for open space purposes, the Administrator may permit
        the construction or maintenance on the property of--
                    ``(A) a levee that is federally owned and operated;
                    ``(B) a permanent levee that is federally
                constructed and non-federally operated and maintained;
                    ``(C) a levee--
                            ``(i) that is federally constructed as a
                        nonpermanent levee;
                            ``(ii) that a non-Federal entity desires to
                        operate and maintain as a permanent levee; and
                            ``(iii) the owners of which--
                                    ``(I) are participating in the
                                emergency response to natural disasters
                                program established under section 5 of
                                the Act entitled `An Act authorizing
                                the construction of certain public
                                works on rivers and harbors for flood
                                control, and for other purposes',
                                approved August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C.
                                701n); or
                                    ``(II) begin participating in the
                                program described in subclause (I)
                                within a reasonable period of time, as
                                determined by the Administrator, after
                                the date on which the levee is
                                constructed; and
                    ``(D) a non-Federal levee the owners of which are
                participating in the program described in subparagraph
                (C)(iii)(I).
            ``(2) Downstream communities.--The Administrator may deny
        an application to construct or maintain a levee described in
        paragraph (1) if the levee poses a significant threat of harm
        to downstream communities.''.
            (2) Grants for repetitive insurance claim properties.--
        Section 1323 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42
        U.S.C. 4030) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Construction of Levees on Acquired Lands.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), and
        notwithstanding any requirement that property acquired or
        accepted under this section be dedicated and maintained in
        perpetuity as open space for the conservation of natural flood
        plain functions, if the mitigation activities funded under
        subsection (a) include the acquisition or acceptance of
        property for open space purposes, the Administrator may permit
        the construction or maintenance on the property of--
                    ``(A) a levee that is federally owned and operated;
                    ``(B) a permanent levee that is federally
                constructed and non-federally operated and maintained;
                    ``(C) a levee--
                            ``(i) that is federally constructed as a
                        nonpermanent levee;
                            ``(ii) that a non-Federal entity desires to
                        operate and maintain as a permanent levee; and
                            ``(iii) the owners of which--
                                    ``(I) are participating in the
                                emergency response to natural disasters
                                program established under section 5 of
                                the Act entitled `An Act authorizing
                                the construction of certain public
                                works on rivers and harbors for flood
                                control, and for other purposes',
                                approved August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C.
                                701n); or
                                    ``(II) begin participating in the
                                program described in subclause (I)
                                within a reasonable period of time, as
                                determined by the Administrator, after
                                the date on which the levee is
                                constructed; and
                    ``(D) a non-Federal levee the owners of which are
                participating in the program described in subparagraph
                (C)(iii)(I).
            ``(2) Downstream communities.--The Administrator may deny
        an application to construct or maintain a levee described in
        paragraph (1) if the levee poses a significant threat of harm
        to downstream communities.''.
            (3) Severe repetitive loss program.--Section 1361A(g) of
        the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4102a(g))
        is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at the
                end and inserting the following: ``, including that,
                subject to paragraph (5), and notwithstanding any
                requirement that property acquired or accepted under
                this section be dedicated and maintained in perpetuity
                as open space for the conservation of natural flood
                plain functions, the Administrator may permit the
                construction or maintenance on such property of--
                    ``(A) a levee that is federally owned and operated;
                    ``(B) a permanent levee that is federally
                constructed and non-federally operated and maintained;
                    ``(C) a levee--
                            ``(i) that is federally constructed as a
                        nonpermanent levee;
                            ``(ii) that a non-Federal entity desires to
                        operate and maintain as a permanent levee; and
                            ``(iii) the owners of which--
                                    ``(I) are participating in the
                                emergency response to natural disasters
                                program established under section 5 of
                                the Act entitled `An Act authorizing
                                the construction of certain public
                                works on rivers and harbors for flood
                                control, and for other purposes',
                                approved August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C.
                                701n); or
                                    ``(II) begin participating in the
                                program described in subclause (I)
                                within a reasonable period of time, as
                                determined by the Administrator, after
                                the date on which the levee is
                                constructed; and
                    ``(D) a non-Federal levee the owners of which are
                participating in the program described in subparagraph
                (C)(iii)(I).''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Downstream communities.--The Administrator may deny
        an application to construct or maintain a levee described in
        paragraph (1) if the levee poses a significant threat of harm
        to downstream communities.''.
    (c) Applicability of Amendments.--The amendments made by this
section shall apply to all property acquired or accepted pursuant to
section 203 or 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133 and 5170c) or section 1323,
1366, or 1361A of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
4030, 4104c, and 4102a) before, on, or after the date of enactment of
this Act.

Output:
FEMA Common Sense and Cost Effectiveness Act of 2011 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to authorize the construction and maintenance of levees on property acquired under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) hazard mitigation grant programs, including: (1) a levee that is federally owned and operated; (2) a permanent levee that is federally constructed and nonfederally operated and maintained; (3) a levee that is federally constructed as a nonpermanent levee, that a nonfederal entity desires to operate and maintain as a permanent levee, and the owners of which are participating in, or, in a specified period after the date on which the levee is constructed, will begin participating in, the emergency response to natural disasters program; and (4) a nonfederal levee the owners of which are participating in the program.

Authorizes an application to construct or maintain a levee on acquired lands to be denied if the levee poses a significant threat of harm to downstream communities.


Input:
SECTION 1. NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.

    Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Attorney General shall establish a task force to be known as the
``National Task Force on Violence against Women'' (referred to in this
Act as the ``task force'').

SEC. 2. DUTIES.

    (a) General Purpose of Task Force.--The task force shall develop a
uniform Federal, State, and local law enforcement strategy aimed at
protecting women against violent crime, punishing persons who commit
such crimes, and enhancing the rights of victims of such crimes.
    (b) Duties of Task Force.--The task force shall perform such
functions as the Attorney General deems appropriate to carry out the
purposes of the task force, including--
            (1) considering the reports of past Federal and State task
        forces or commissions on violent crime, family violence, and
        crime victims, including the President's Task Force on Victims
        of Crime (1982), the Attorney General's Task Force on Family
        Violence (1984), and the task forces and commissions
        established by the States of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii,
        Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
        Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island,
        Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming;
            (2) developing strategies for Federal, State, and local law
        enforcement designated to protect women against violent crime,
        and to prosecute and punish those responsible for such crime;
            (3) evaluating the adequacy of sentencing, incarceration,
        and release of violent offenders against women, and making
        recommendations designated to ensure that such offenders
        receive appropriate punishment; and
            (4) evaluating the adequacy of the treatment of victims of
        violent crime against women within the criminal justice system,
        and making recommendations designed to improve such treatment.

SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.

    (a) In General.--The task force shall consist of up to 10 members,
who shall be appointed by the Attorney General not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this Act. The Attorney General shall
ensure that the task force includes representatives of State and local
law enforcement, the State and local judiciary, and groups dedicated to
protecting the rights of victims.
    (b) Chairperson.--The Attorney General or a designee shall serve as
the chairperson of the task force.

SEC. 4. PAY.

    (a) No Additional Compensation.--Members of the task force who are
officers or employees of a governmental agency shall receive no
additional compensation by reason of their service on the task force.
    (b) Per Diem.--While away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of duties for the task force, members of
the task force shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

    (a) Executive Director.--
              (1) Appointment.--The task force shall have an Executive
        Director who shall be appointed by the Attorney General not
        later than 30 days after the task force is fully constituted
        under subsection (c).
            (2) Compensation.--The Executive Director shall be
        compensated at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of the
        basic pay payable under GS-15 of the General Schedule as
        contained in title 5, United States Code.
    (b) Staff.--With the approval of the task force, the Executive
Director may appoint not more than 12 individuals to serve as staff and
fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the Executive
Director considers necessary to carry out the duties of the task force.
    (c) Applicability of Civil Service Laws.--The Executive Director
and the additional personnel of the task force appointed under
paragraph (2) may be appointed without regard to the provisions of
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF TASK FORCE.

    (a) Hearings.--For the purpose of carrying out this section, the
task force may conduct such hearings, sit and act at such times and
places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the task
force considers appropriate. The task force may administer oaths before
the task force.
    (b) Delegation.--Any member or employee of the task force may, if
authorized by the task force, take any action that the task force is
authorized to take under this section.
    (c) Access to Information.--The task force may secure directly from
any executive department or agency such information as may be necessary
to enable the task force to carry out this section, to the extent
access to such information is permitted by law.
    (d) Mail.--The task force may use the United States mails in the
same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.

SEC. 7. REPORT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date on which the task force is
fully constituted under subsection (c), the Attorney General shall
submit a detailed report to the Congress on the findings and
recommendations of the task force.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $500,000 to carry out the
purposes of this Act.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

    The task force shall cease to exist 30 days after the date on which
the Attorney General's report is submitted under section 8.

Output:
Directs the Attorney General to establish a National Task Force on Violence against Women.
Includes among the duties of the task force:  (1) considering the reports of past Federal and State task forces or commissions on violent crime, family violence, and crime victims; (2) developing strategies for Federal, State, and local law enforcement to protect women against violent crime and to prosecute and punish those responsible for such crime; (3) evaluating the adequacy of sentencing, incarceration, and release of violent offenders against women and making recommendations to ensure that such offenders receive appropriate punishment; and (4) evaluating the adequacy of the treatment of victims of violent crime against women within the criminal justice system and making recommendations designed to improve such treatment.
Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Path to Success: Gang Prevention
through Community Partnerships Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to encourage community supported
programs that--
            (1) leverage and enhance community support for at-risk
        young adults by facilitating the transition of such young
        adults who are eligible individuals into productive learning
        environments where such young adults can obtain the life,
        social, academic and vocational skills and credentials
        necessary to strengthen the Nation's workforce;
            (2) provide counseling, as appropriate, for eligible
        individuals participating in the programs to allow such
        individuals to build a relationship with one or more guidance
        counselors during the period that the individuals are enrolled
        in the programs, including providing referrals and connections
        to community resources that help eligible individuals
        transition back into the community with the necessary life,
        social, academic and vocational skills after being in
        detention, or incarcerated, particularly resources related to
        health, housing, job training, and work-place readiness;
            (3) provide training and education for eligible individuals
        participating in the programs, to allow such individuals to
        assist community officials and law enforcement agencies with
        the deterrence and prevention of gang and youth violence by
        participating in seminars, training, and workshops throughout
        the community; and
            (4) provide each eligible youth participating in the
        programs with individual attention based on a curriculum that
        matches the interests and abilities of the individual to the
        resources of the program.

SEC. 3. REENTRY EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Grant Program Established.--The Secretary of Education is
authorized to award grants to community colleges to enter into and
maintain partnerships with juvenile detention centers and secure
juvenile justice residential facilities to provide assistance,
services, and education to eligible individuals who reenter the
community and pursue, in accordance with the requirements of this Act,
at least one of the following:
            (1) A certificate of graduation from a school providing
        secondary education, a general equivalency diploma (GED), or
        another recognized equivalent of such a certificate or diploma.
            (2) A certificate of completion for a specialized area of
        study, such as vocational training and other alternative post-
        secondary educational programs.
            (3) An associate's degree.
    (b) Grant Period.--A grant awarded under this Act shall be for one
2-year period, and may be renewed for an additional period as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
    (c) Application.--A community college desiring to receive a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
shall require, which shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the existing community resources
        available to serve at-risk youth;
            (2) a detailed description of the program and activities
        the community college will carry out with such grant; and
            (3) a proposed budget describing how the community college
        will use the funds made available by such grant.
    (d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
of Education shall give priority to community colleges that accept the
highest number of eligible individuals from high-risk areas, and among
such community colleges, shall give priority to community colleges that
the Secretary determines will best carry out the purposes of this Act,
based on the applications submitted in accordance with subsection (c).

SEC. 4. ALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS.

    A community college awarded a grant under this Act may use such
grant to--
            (1) pay for tuition and transportation costs of eligible
        individuals;
            (2) establish and carry out an education program that
        includes classes for eligible individuals that--
                    (A) provide marketable life and social skills to
                such individuals;
                    (B) meet the education program requirements under
                section 5;
                    (C) promote the civic engagement of such
                individuals; and
                    (D) facilitate a smooth reentry of such individuals
                into the community;
            (3) create and carry out a mentoring program--
                    (A) that is specifically designed to help eligible
                individuals with the potential challenges of the
                transitional period from detention to release;
                    (B) is created in consultation with guidance
                counselors, academic advisors, law enforcement
                officials, and other community resources; and
                    (C) that is administered by a program coordinator,
                selected and employed by the community college, who
                shall oversee each individual's development and shall
                serve as the immediate supervisor and reporting officer
                to whom the academic advisors, guidance counselors, and
                volunteers shall report regarding the progress of each
                such individual;
            (4) facilitate employment opportunities for eligible
        individuals by entering into partnerships with public and
        private entities to provide opportunities for internships,
        apprenticeships, and permanent employment, as possible, for
        such individuals; and
            (5) provide training for eligible individuals participating
        in the programs, to allow such individuals to assist community
        officials and law enforcement agencies with the deterrence and
        prevention of gang and youth violence by participating in
        seminars and workshop series throughout the community.

SEC. 5. EDUCATION PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

    An education program established and carried out under section 4
shall--
            (1) include classes that are required for completion of a
        certificate, diploma, or degree described in paragraphs (1)
        through (3) of section 3(a);
            (2) provide a variety of academic programs, with various
        completion requirements, to accommodate the distinctive
        academic backgrounds, learning curves, and concentration
        interests of the eligible individuals who participate in the
        program;
            (3) offer flexible academic programs that are designed to
        improve the academic development and achievement of eligible
        individuals, and to avoid high attrition rates for such
        individuals; and
            (4) provide for a uniquely designed education plan for each
        eligible individual participating in the program, which shall
        require such individual to receive, at a minimum, a certificate
        or diploma described in paragraph (1) of section 3(a) to
        successfully complete such program.

SEC. 6. REPORTS.

    Each community college awarded a grant under this Act shall submit
to the Secretary of Education a report--
            (1) documenting the results of the program carried out with
        such grant; and
            (2) evaluating the effectiveness of activities carried out
        through such program.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Community college.--The term ``community college''
        means a public or nonprofit institution of higher education (as
        such term is defined in section 101 or 102(a)(2)(B) of the
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001, 1002(a)(2)(B)),
        that--
                    (A) provides an educational program of not less
                than two years; and
                    (B) that is accredited by a regional accrediting
                agency or association.
            (2) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible individual''
        means an individual who--
                    (A) is 16 to 19 years of age;
                    (B) has been convicted of a gang-related offense,
                and has served a period of detention in a juvenile
                detention center for such offense; and
                    (C) is detained in, or has been released from such
                center.
            (3) Gang-related offense.--The term ``gang-related
        offense'' means conduct constituting any Federal or State
        crime, punishable by imprisonment in any of the following
        categories:
                    (A) A crime of violence.
                    (B) A crime involving obstruction of justice,
                tampering with or retaliating against a witness,
                victim, or informant, or burglary.
                    (C) A crime involving the manufacturing, importing,
                distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, or
                otherwise dealing in a controlled substance or listed
                chemical (as those terms are defined in section 102 of
                the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)).
            (4) Guidance counselor.--The term ``guidance counselor''
        means an individual who works with at-risk youth on a one-on-
        one basis, to establishing a supportive relationship with such
        at-risk youth and to provide such at-risk youth with academic
        assistance and exposure to new experiences that enhance their
        ability to become responsible citizens.
            (5) High-risk area.--The term ``high-risk area'' means a
        specified area within a State where there is a
        disproportionately high number of gang-related activities
        reported to State and local law enforcement authorities.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act
$20,000,000 for the period beginning with fiscal year 2008 and ending
with fiscal year 2010.

Output:
Path to Success: Gang Prevention through Community Partnerships Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to community colleges to establish partnerships with juvenile detention centers and secure juvenile justice residential facilities to provide assistance, services, and education to individuals age 16 through 19 who have served or are serving time in juvenile detention facilities for a gang-related offense who reenter the community and pursue: (1) a secondary education graduation certificate, a general equivalency diploma (GED), or equivalent certificate or diploma; (2) a certificate of completion for a specialized area of study; or (3) an associate's degree.

Requires such education programs to establish a uniquely designed education plan for each individual program participant that requires the individual to receive at least a secondary education certificate or diploma in order to complete the program successfully.


Input:
SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be referred to as the ``Small Business Emancipation
Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION.

    For purposes of this Act the term small-business concern has the
meaning given such term in section 3(a)(1) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 632(a)(1)).

                       TITLE I--LABOR PROVISIONS

SEC. 101. SIMPLIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE'S ``REGULAR RATE'' FOR PURPOSES OF
              CALCULATING OVERTIME COMPENSATION.

    Notwithstanding 7(e) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29
U.S.C. 207(e)), the ``regular rate'' at which an employee of a small-
business concern is employed shall not be deemed to include sums paid
in recognition of services performed during a given period if the
payments are made to reward an employee or group of employees for
meeting or exceeding the productivity, quality, efficiency, or sales
goals as specified in a gainsharing, incentive bonus, commission, or
performance contingent bonus plan.

SEC. 102. COMPENSATORY TIME.

    Notwithstanding section 7(o) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of
1938 (29 U.S.C. 207(o))--
            (1) An employee of a small-business concern may receive, in
        accordance with this subsection and in lieu of monetary
        overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate not less
        than 1\1/2\ hours for each hour of employment for which
        overtime compensation is required by this subsection.
            (2) An employer may provide compensatory time under
        paragraph (1) only pursuant to--
                    (A) applicable provisions of a collective
                bargaining agreement, memorandum of understanding, or
                any other agreement between the employer and
                representative of such employees; or
                    (B) in the case of employees not covered by
                subparagraph (A), an agreement or understanding arrived
                at between the employer and employee before the
                performance of the work.
            (3) An employee may accrue not more than 240 hours of
        compensatory time. Not later than January 31 of each calendar
        year, the employee's employer shall provide monetary
        compensation for any compensatory time off accrued during the
        preceding calendar year which was not used prior to December 31
        of the preceding year at a rate not less than 1\1/2\ times the
        regular rate earned by the employee at the time the employee
        receives such payment. An employer may designate and
        communicate to the employer's employees a 12-month period other
        than the calendar year, in which case such compensation shall
        be provided not later than 31 days after the end of such 12-
        month period.
            (4) An employee who has accrued compensatory time off
        authorized to be provided under paragraph (1) shall, upon
        termination of employment, be paid for the unused compensatory
        time at a rate of compensation not less than--
                    (A) the average regular rate received by such
                employee during the last 3 years of the employee's
                employment, or
                    (B) the final regular rate received by such
                employee, whichever is higher.
            (5) An employee--
                    (A) who has accrued compensatory time off
                authorized to be provided under paragraph (1), and
                    (B) who has requested the use of such compensatory
                time,
shall be permitted by the employee's employer to use such time within a
reasonable period after making the request if the use of the
compensatory time does not unduly disrupt the operations of the
employer.
            (6) For purposes of this subsection the terms
        ``compensatory time'' and ``compensatory time off'' mean hours
        during which an employee is not working, which are not counted
        as hours worked during the applicable workweek or other work
        period for purposes of overtime compensation, and for which the
employee is compensated at the employee's regular rate.

SEC. 103. FLEXIBLE AND COMPRESSED SCHEDULES.

    (a) Compressed Schedules.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a small-business concern employer may establish programs that
allow the use of a compressed schedule that consists of--
            (1) in the case of a schedule of a full-time employee, a
        160-hour basic work requirement, over a 4-week period, that is
        scheduled for less than 20 workdays; and
            (2) in the case of a schedule of a part-time employee, a
        basic work requirement of less than 160 hours, over a 4-week
        period, that is scheduled for less than 20 workdays.
    (b) Flexible Schedules.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a small-business concern employer may establish programs that
allow the use of flexible schedules that include--
                    (1) designated hours and days during which an
                employee on such a schedule must be present for work;
                and
                    (2) designated hours during which an employee on
                such a schedule may elect the time of the arrival of
                such employee at and departure of such employee from
                work, solely for such purpose or, if and to the extent
                permitted, for the purpose of accumulating credit hours
                to reduce the length of the workweek or another
                workday.

SEC. 104. SMALL-BUSINESS CONCERN AUDIT EXEMPTION.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a small-business
concern shall not be required to disclose any information obtained
through a voluntary internal audit to any regulatory agency.

SEC. 105. EXEMPTION FROM THE DAVIS-BACON ACT.

    The provisions of the Act of March 3, 1931 (40 U.S.C. 276a et seq.)
(commonly referred to as the Davis-Bacon Act) shall not apply to any
laborers or mechanics employed by small-business concerns.

SEC. 106. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS.

    (a) Standard Basis.--Section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act (29 U.S.C. 655(b)) is amended by inserting after paragraph
(8) the following:
            ``(9) In establishing standards under this section, the
        Secretary shall consider and make findings concerning whether
        there is a reasonable relationship between the costs and
        benefits of the standard, and the particular effects of the
        standard on small-business concerns.''.
    (b) Violations.--Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act (29 U.S.C. 666) is amended by redesignating subsection (l) as
subsection (m) inserting after subsection (k) the following:
    ``(l) In the case of any small-business concern employer who
received a citation for a violation of the requirements of section 5,
any standard, rule, or order promulgated pursuant to section 6 or of
any regulations prescribed under this Act, the Secretary shall waive up
to 100 percent of such penalty to the extent that the employer uses the
amount which would have been paid as penalty for correction of the
violation. This subsection shall apply where
            ``(1) the employer has made a good faith effort to comply
        with applicable regulation, and
            ``(2) the violation does not constitute a significant
        threat to an employee's health or safety or is not a criminal
        violation.''.
    (c) Employee Participation.--The Occupational Safety and Health Act
(29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

                        ``employee participation

    ``Sec. 33. In order to carry out the purposes of this Act to
encourage employers and employees in their efforts to reduce the number
of occupational safety and health hazards, an employee participation
committee or other mechanism--
            ``(1) in which employees participate,
            ``(2) which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of
        dealing with employees concerning the safety or health of
        working conditions or related matters, and
            ``(3) which does not have, claim, or seek authority to
        negotiate or enter into collective bargaining agreements with
        an employer or to amend existing collective bargaining
        agreements between and employer and any labor organization,
shall not constitute a `labor organization' for purposes of section
8(a)(2) of the National Labor Relations Act or a representative for
purposes of sections 1 and 2 of the Railway Labor Act.''.
    (d) Small Business Assistance and Training.--The Occupational
Safety and Health Act, as amended by paragraph (3), is amended by
adding after section 33 the following:

                ``small business assistance and training

    ``Sec. 34. (a) The Secretary shall establish and implement a
program to provide technical assistance and consultative services for
employers and employees, either directly or by grant or contract,
concerning worksite safety and health and compliance with this Act.
Such assistance shall be targeted at small employers and the most
hazardous industries.
    ``(b) This subsection authorizes the consultative services to
employers provided under cooperative agreements between the States and
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and described in part
1908 of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
    ``(c) Not less than one-fourth of the annual appropriation made to
the Secretary to carry out this Act shall be expended for the purposes
described in this section.''.
    (e) Voluntary Protection Program Award.--The Occupational Safety
and Health Act, as amended by paragraph (4), is amended by adding after
section 34 the following:

                  ``voluntary protection program award

    ``Sec. 35. (a) The Secretary shall establish an award which shall
periodically be made to small-business concerns which have implemented
particularly effective approaches to addressing occupational safety and
health in the workplace, including those which provide for effective
employee involvement in improving safety and health and which are as a
consequence deserving of special recognition.
    ``(b) A company or organization to which an award is made under
subsection (a) and which agrees to help other American companies or
organizations improve their occupational safety and health may
publicize its receipt of such award and use the award in its
advertising, but it shall be ineligible to receive another such award
in the same category for a period of 5 years.
    ``(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), separate awards shall be made to
qualifying organizations and companies in each of the following
categories--
                    ``(A) manufacturing;
                    ``(B) agricultural;
                    ``(C) concerns providing services;
                    ``(D) retail; and
                    ``(E) construction.
    ``(2) Not more than 1 award may be made within any subcategory in
any year (and no award shall be made within any category if there are
no qualifying enterprises in that category.
    ``(d) An organization or company may qualify for an award under
subsection (a) only if it--
            ``(1) applies to the Secretary in writing, for the award,
            ``(2) permits a rigorous evaluation of its occupational
        safety and health operations, and
            ``(3) meets such requirements and specifications as the
        Secretary determines to be appropriate to achieve the
        objectives of this section.
In applying paragraph (3) with respect to any organization or company,
the Secretary shall rely upon an intensive evaluation of the
occupational safety and health operation. The examination should
encompass all aspects of the organization's or company's current
occupational safety and health practice. The award shall be given only
to organizations and companies which have made outstanding improvements
in their occupational safety and health practices and which demonstrate
effective occupational safety and health practices through the training
and involvement of all levels of personnel.
    ``(e) The Secretary shall ensure that all program participants
receive the complete results of their audits as well as detailed
explanations of all suggestions for improvements. The Secretary shall
also provide information about the awards and the successful quality
improvement strategies and programs of the award-winning participants
to all participants and other appropriate groups.
    ``(f) The Secretary is authorized to seek and accept gifts from
public and private sources to carry out the program under this section.
If additional sums are needed to cover the full cost of the program,
the Secretary shall impose fees upon the organizations and companies
applying for the award in amounts sufficient to provide such additional
sums.
    ``(g) The Secretary shall prepare and submit to the President and
the Congress, within 3 years after the date of the enactment of this
section, a report on the progress, findings, and conclusions of
activities conducted pursuant to this section along with
recommendations for possible modifications thereof.''.

SEC. 107. PROHIBITION OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT.

    (a) It shall be an unlawful employment practice for any small
business concern employer to grant preferential treatment to any
individual or group with respect to selection for, discharge from,
compensation for, or the terms, conditions, or privileges of,
employment or union membership, on the basis of the race, color,
religion, sex, or national origin of such individual or group, for any
purpose, except as provided in subsection (b).
    (b) It shall not be unlawful employment practice for an entity
described in subsection (a) to undertake affirmative action designed to
recruit individuals of an underrepresented race, color, religion, sex,
or national origin, to expand the applicant pool of the individuals
seeking employment or union membership with the entity.
    (c) Nothing in the amendments made by this subsection shall be
construed to affect the authority of courts to remedy intentional
discrimination under section 706(g) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(Public Law 88-352).

                        TITLE II--TAX PROVISIONS

SEC. 201. EXCLUSION FROM GROSS ESTATE OF INTERESTS IN CERTAIN SMALL
              BUSINESSES.

    (a) In General.--Part III of subchapter A of chapter 11 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to gross estate) is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 2047. EXCLUSION OF QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESS INTERESTS.

    ``(a) In General.--If the executor elects the application of this
section, the value of the gross estate shall not include the value of
the qualified small business interests of the decedent which are
otherwise includible in the estate.
    ``(b) Qualified Small Business Interest.--For purposes of this
section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualified small business
        interest' means--
                    ``(A) an interest as a proprietor in a small-
                business concern which is a trade or business carried
                on as a proprietorship, or
                    ``(B) an interest as a partner in a small-business
                concern which is a partnership, or stock in a small-
                business concern which is a corporation, carrying on a
                trade or business, if more than 50 percent of such
                partnership or corporation (by vote or value) is owned
                by the decedent.
            ``(2) Small-business concern.--For purposes of this
        subsection, the term `small-business concern' has the meaning
        given such term in section 3(a)(1) of the Small Business Act.
            ``(3) Indirect ownership.--For purposes of determining
        ownership under paragraph (1), the rules of section 318 shall
        apply.
            ``(4) Limitation to small-business concerns in united
        states.--The term `qualified small business interest' shall not
        include any interest in a small-business concern the principal
        place of business of which is not in the United States or its
        possessions.''
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of
subchapter A of chapter 11 of such Code is amended by adding at the end
the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 2047. Exclusion of qualified small
                                        business interests.''
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to estates of decedents dying after the date of the enactment of
this Act.

SEC. 202. EXCLUSION OF 401(k) PLANS FROM TOP-HEAVY RULES.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (4) of section 416(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to special rules for top-heavy plans) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) 401(k) plans.--The term `top heavy plan'
                shall not include a qualified cash or deferred
                arrangement, as defined in section 401(k).''
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to plan years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 203. NO DISQUALIFICATION BY REASON OF GOOD FAITH ADMINISTRATIVE
              ERROR.

    (a) In General.--Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to qualified pension, profit-sharing, and stock bonus plans)
is amended by redesignating subsection (o) as subsection (p) and by
inserting after subsection (n) the following new subsection:
    ``(o) No Disqualification By Reason of Good Faith Administrative
Error.--
            ``(1) In general.--A trust shall not be disqualified for
        purposes of this part by reason of a good faith administrative
        error which is--
                    ``(A) de minimis, or
                    ``(B) inadvertent,
        if such error is corrected within a reasonable period of time
        after the employer is notified (by the Secretary or by any
        other person) of the error.
            ``(2) Inadvertent.--For purposes of paragraph (1), an error
        shall be treated as inadvertent if made without knowledge or
        reason to know of the error.''
    (b) Report on Definitions.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
submit to the Congress a report setting forth the proposed
interpretation by the Secretary of the terms ``good faith
administrative error'' and ``de minimis'' for purposes of subsection
(o) of section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by
this section.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to plan years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
     Title I:  Labor Provisions
     Title II:  Tax Provisions
Small Business Emancipation Act of 1996 -
Title I:  Labor Provisions
 - States that the "regular rate" at which a small business employee (SBE) is employed shall not include sums paid under a performance plan as a reward for meeting or exceeding productivity, quality, efficiency, or sales goals.
Authorizes an SBE to receive, in lieu of overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate of not less than one and one-half hours off for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation would have been paid.  Limits the annual accrual of compensatory time to 240 hours.  Provides for the payment of unused compensatory time upon termination.
(Sec. 103) Authorizes a small business employer to establish compressed and flexible work schedules.
(Sec. 104) States that a small business shall not be required to disclose to any regulatory agency any information obtained through a voluntary internal audit.
(Sec. 105) Exempts laborers or mechanics employed by a small business from the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act.
(Sec. 106) Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the Act) to:  (1) direct the Secretary of Labor, in establishing occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, to consider the relationship between the costs and benefits of a standard and its effect on small businesses; (2) authorize the Secretary to waive up to 100 percent of an OSH violation penalty to be paid by a small business to the extent that the employer uses the amount to correct the violation; and (3) provide that an employee participation committee formed to attempt to reduce the number of OSH hazards shall not be considered a "labor organization" for purposes of specified labor representation provisions.
Directs the Secretary to:  (1) establish and implement a program to provide technical assistance and consultative services for small business employers and employees concerning worksite OSH and compliance with the Act; (2) establish an award to be periodically made to small businesses which have implemented effective approaches to addressing OSH in the workplace; and (3) prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a report on the progress, findings, and conclusions of activities conducted under this section, along with recommendations for modifications.
(Sec. 107) Prohibits a small business employer from granting preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Title II:  Tax Provisions
 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to:  (1) exclude from the gross estate the value of a qualified small business interest of a decedent; (2) exclude a qualified cash or deferred arrangement from the definition of a "top heavy plan"; and (3) provide that a trust shall not be disqualified from consideration as a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock-bonus plan by reason of a good faith administrative error.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Veterans Equitable
Treatment Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Veterans were promised by the Federal Government that
        for their service to the country they would be provided a
        lifetime of health care services, as well as their own health
        care service network.
            (2) The current allocation system for appropriations made
        to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care, known
        as the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) formula
        and established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs pursuant
        to section 429 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and
        Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
        Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-204; 110 Stat. 2929),
        has proved to be an ineffective means of allocating such funds
        fairly across the 22 national service regions, known as
        Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), of the Department
        of Veterans Affairs.
            (3) The VERA formula has resulted in a system in which
        veterans in some regions of the country are forced to compete
        with veterans in other regions for critical medical care funds,
        whereas the system should be providing the funding necessary to
        meet the health care needs of all veterans, regardless of where
        they live, to ensure that all veterans have access to the level
        and quality of care that they have all earned and deserve.
            (4) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs established a set of
        performance goals in fiscal year 2000, which are referred to as
        ``30-30-20'', representing the Secretary's goal to schedule
        nonurgent primary care visits within 30 days, specialty care
        visits within 30 days, and the maximum amount of time veterans
        must wait once they arrive to be seen by a doctor as 20
        minutes.
            (5) According to the Department's Performance Report for
        Fiscal Year 2001, nationally 87 percent of primary care
        appointments were scheduled within 30 days of the desired date
        and 84 percent of specialty care appointments were scheduled
        within 30 days of the desired date, while in VISN 1, only 82
        percent of primary care appointments were scheduled within 30
        days of the desired date and only 80 percent of specialty care
        appointments were scheduled within 30 days of the desired date.
            (6) Until the VERA formula is changed to ensure a more
        equitable and adequate distribution of medical care funding
        within the Department of Veterans Affairs system, providing
        appropriate access to medical care for the Nation's veterans
        must remain a national priority with a method found to provide
        a safety net that will ensure that veterans have access to the
        health care they need without undermining the existing health
        care network of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

SEC. 3. STANDARD FOR TIME FOR REFERRAL FOR SPECIALIST CARE.

    (a) Time for Specialist Appointments.--(1) The Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall establish by regulation a maximum specialist
referral period, subject to such exceptions as the Secretary considers
necessary.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term ``specialist referral
period'' means the period of time between (A) the date on which a
veteran is referred to a specialty clinic of the Department by the
veteran's primary care physician within the Department of Veterans
Affairs health care system, and (B) the date for which the veteran is
scheduled for an appointment with a Department specialist pursuant to
such referral.
    (3) In establishing a maximum specialist referral period under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall act in a manner consistent with the
current treatment policies of the Department based on clinical need and
with the established 30-30-20 performance goal of the Department for
such a referral period.
    (b) Standard for Transportation.--The Secretary shall take such
steps as necessary to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs is
able to provide appropriate transportation services for qualified
veterans within a reasonable time period of a scheduled appointment.

SEC. 4. CONTRACT CARE TO BE PROVIDED WHEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
              AFFAIRS CARE NOT AVAILABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS.

    (a) Contract Care.--In any case in which the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs is not able to provide hospital care or medical services in
accordance with the standard prescribed under section 3(a) or to
provide transportation services in accordance with section 3(b), the
Secretary shall promptly provide for such care or transportation from a
private source. Hospital care or medical services so provided shall be
those for which the veteran is otherwise eligible within the Department
of Veterans Affairs medical care system.
    (b) Reimbursement Rate.--Whenever care or services are provided
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reimburse the provider of
such care or services for the reasonable value of such care or
services, as determined by the Secretary. Such reimbursement shall be
provided in the same manner as applies to reimbursement for emergency
treatment under section 1725 of title 38, United States Code, subject
to such of the terms and conditions otherwise applicable to such
reimbursements under such section as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate for purposes of this section.
    (c) Expedited Reimbursement Procedures.--The Secretary shall take
appropriate steps to expedite the reimbursement required by subsection
(b). Such steps may include steps to take advantage of modern
technology, including so-called ``smart card'' technology that would
allow claims for such reimbursement to be processed electronically. The
Secretary shall, to the extent possible, also apply such steps for
expediting reimbursement to claims for emergency services provided to
veterans for which the Secretary provides reimbursement under
provisions of law in effect before the date of the enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 5. TERMINATION OF 24-MONTH RULE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMERGENCY
              SERVICES.

    The provisions of subparagraph (B) of section 1725(b)(2) of title
38, United States Code, shall not apply with respect to emergency
treatment furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. MEDICAL ADMINISTRATOR PERFORMANCE RATINGS.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include in the standards of
performance used for measuring performance of administrators in the
Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system a standard of
assessing improvements in appointment waiting times.

SEC. 7. REPORTS.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report
at the end of each fiscal-year quarter on the waiting times for
appointments in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system.
The report shall describe any reductions in such waiting times and any
experience with appointment delays.

Output: 21st Century Veterans Equitable Treatment Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish a maximum specialist referral period (the period between a veteran's referral to a specialty clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs by a Department primary care physician and the actual appointment with a specialist); and (2) provide appropriate transportation to such appointments for qualified veterans.Requires the Secretary, in any case in which such period is exceeded or in which transportation was not so provided, to promptly provide for such care or transportation from a private source and to reimburse such source at an appropriate rate. Requires expedited reimbursement procedures.Directs the Secretary to include within standards of performance used for measuring Department medical care administration a standard of assessing improvements in appointment waiting times.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Moving to Work Reform Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. TERMS OF MOVING TO WORK AGREEMENTS.

    The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may not enter into
or extend any Moving to Work agreement for any public housing agency
for participation in the demonstration established under section 204 of
the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development,
and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (Public Law 104-134;
110 Stat. 1321), unless such agreement is subject to the following
terms and conditions for the entire duration of such agreement:
            (1) Evaluation of major policy changes.--A public housing
        agency may not newly establish any rent policy that raises rent
        burdens for a significant portion of participating families,
        any time limitation on the term of housing assistance, or any
        policy that conditions receipt of housing assistance from
        program funds on employment status, unless--
                    (A) the policy change will be subject to a detailed
                evaluation using a rigorous research methodology which
                includes, at least in part, random assignment to
                treatment and control groups to compare the impact on
                assisted families (including families that cease to
                receive assistance during the term of the evaluation)
                to similar families not subject to such policy change;
                and
                    (B) the Secretary determines that adequate Federal
                or other resources are available to undertake the
                required evaluation.
            (2) Use of tenant-based rental assistance funds.--A public
        housing agency may use funds appropriated for renewal of
        tenant-based rental assistance only for payments to or on
        behalf of eligible families that assist such families with
        housing costs, except that up to 10 percent of such funds may
        be used for other eligible purposes, subject to such
        requirements as the Secretary shall establish.
            (3) Determination of tenant-based rental assistance
        funding.--A public housing agency shall receive funding for
        renewal of tenant-based rental assistance determined using the
        same formula applied to public housing agencies that do not
        participate in the demonstration, except that up to 10 percent
        of such funds may be renewed by adjusting the prior year's
        funding by an inflation factor determined by the Secretary.
            (4) Prohibition of reduction in number of families
        assisted.--A public housing agency shall provide ongoing
        housing assistance resulting in average cost burdens no higher
        than those of families assisted under sections 8 and 9 of the
        United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f, 1437g) to
        substantially the same number of eligible low-income families
        as the agency could assist if it expended the full amount of
        funding it receives under such sections 8 and 9 pursuant to the
        requirements of such sections.
            (5) Housing choice.--If the Secretary determines that a
        disproportionately low share of families assisted by a public
        housing agency using funds appropriated pursuant to sections 8
        and 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 lives in
        neighborhoods with low crime, high-performing schools, or other
        indicators of high opportunity, the public housing agency shall
        develop and implement a plan to expand families' access to such
        neighborhoods.
            (6) Determination of public housing operating funding.--A
        public housing agency shall receive funding for operation and
        management of public housing determined using the same formula
        applied to public housing agencies that do not participate in
        the demonstration, except that, for an agency that currently
        receives such funding under an alternative formula established
        by its Moving to Work agreement, the Secretary shall phase in
        the requirements of this paragraph in a manner sufficient so as
        to avoid reducing funding by more than 10 percent per year.
            (7) Retained provisions.--The Secretary shall not waive any
        of the following provisions of the United States Housing Act of
        1937:
                    (A) Subsections (a)(2)(A) and (b)(1) of section 16
                (42 U.S.C. 1437n; relating to targeting for new
                admissions).
                    (B) Section 2(b) (42 U.S.C. 1437(b); relating to
                tenant representatives on the public housing agency
                board of directors).
                    (C) Section 3(b)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2);
                relating to definitions for the terms ``low-income
                families'', ``very low-income families'', and
                ``extremely low-income families'').
                    (D) Section 5A(e) (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1(e); relating
                to the formation of and consultation with a resident
                advisory board).
                    (E) Sections 6(f)(1) and 8(o)(8)(B) (42 U.S.C.
                1437d(f)(1), 1437f(o)(8)(B); relating to compliance of
                units assisted with housing quality standards or other
                codes).
                    (F) Section 6(k) (42 U.S.C. 1437d(k); relating to
                grievance procedures for public housing tenants).
                    (G) Section 7 (42 U.S.C. 1437e; relating to
                designation of housing for elderly and disabled
                households).
                    (H) Sections 8(ee) and 6(u) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(ee),
                1437d(n); relating to records, certification and
                confidentiality regarding domestic violence).
                    (I) Paragraphs (3) and (4)(i) of section 6(c) and
                sections 982.552 and 982.553 of the Secretary's
                regulations (42 U.S.C. 1437d(c) and 24 C.F.R. 982.552,
                982.553; relating to rights of applicants).
                    (J) Section 6(l) (42 U.S.C. 1437d(l); relating to
                public housing lease requirements), except that for
                units assisted both with program funds and low-income
                housing tax credits, the initial lease term may be less
                than 12 months if required to conform lease terms with
                such tax credit requirements.
                    (K) Subparagraphs (C) through (F) of section
                8(o)(7) and section 8(o)(20) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o);
                relating to lease requirements and eviction protections
                for families assisted with tenant-based assistance).
                    (L) Section 8(o)(13)(B) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(B);
                relating to the 20-percent portfolio cap on the use of
                voucher funds for project-based vouchers), except as
                follows:
                            (i) A public housing agency that, pursuant
                        to a Moving to Work agreement in effect on the
                        date of the enactment of this Act, is using or
                        has committed voucher funds as of such date of
                        enactment for project-based vouchers in excess
                        of the 20-percent cap may continue to use such
                        funds in excess of such cap, but not in excess
                        of the percentage in use or committed as of
                        such date of enactment pursuant to such
                        agreement, or as specified in clause (ii),
                        whichever is higher.
                            (ii) A public housing agency may use
                        voucher funds for project-based vouchers in
                        excess of the 20-percent cap, but not to exceed
                        35 percent, if such use meets one of the
                        following criteria:
                                    (I) The project-based vouchers
                                serve homeless or other special needs
                                families, as defined by the Secretary.
                                    (II) The project-based vouchers are
                                used in a low-poverty area, as defined
                                by the Secretary.
                                    (III) The project-based vouchers
                                are used in connection with a
                                demonstration of a project-based
                                program that is subject to evaluation
                                by the Secretary.
                    (M) Section 8(o)(13)(E) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(E);
                relating to the ability of families with project-based
                vouchers to move, using tenant-based vouchers, after 12
                months of occupancy), unless the Secretary determines
                that waiver of such section is necessary to implement
                transitional or time-limited housing policies subject
                to evaluation described in paragraph (1) of this
                section.
                    (N) Section 8(r)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(r)(1);
                relating to the portability of vouchers).
                    (O) The following requirements applicable to
                resident councils and jurisdiction-wide resident
                organizations:
                            (i) Establishment of resident councils and
                        resident organizations under section 20 (42
                        U.S.C. 1437r).
                            (ii) Minimum amount of public housing
                        agency support for such councils and
                        organizations under section 20.
                            (iii) Involvement of such councils and
                        organizations in public housing agency
                        operations, as authorized under sections
                        3(c)(2), 6(c)(5)(C), and 9(e) (42 U.S.C.
                        1437a(c)(2), 1437d(c)(5)(C), 1437g(e)).

SEC. 3. ASSESSMENT OF DEMONSTRATION.

    The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall conduct a
comprehensive evaluation of the Moving to Work demonstration and, upon
completion of the evaluation, submit to the Congress a report--
            (1) describing and analyzing the risks and potential
        benefits of expanding the Moving to Work demonstration program
        to additional agencies compared to those of maintaining the
        demonstration program at its current size; and
            (2) identifying reforms, and selection criteria in case the
        demonstration program is expanded, that would improve the
        program's effectiveness in testing innovative policies while
        minimizing adverse effects on low-income families and ensuring
        efficient use of Federal funds to meet the most pressing
        housing needs.

Output: Moving to Work Reform Act of 2015 This bill prohibits the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from entering into or extending any Moving to Work agreement for any public housing agency (PHA) for participation in the Moving to Work Demonstration Program, unless the agreement is subject to specified terms and conditions set forth by this Act for its entire duration. (Under the Moving to Work Demonstration Program up to 30 selected PHAs, including Indian housing authorities, may administer the public or Indian housing program and the Section 8 housing assistance payments program in ways designed to reduce costs and achieve greater cost-effectiveness in federal expenditures, provide incentives for heads of households to become economically self-sufficient, and increase housing choices for lower-income families.) Under such an agreement a PHA:   may not establish any new rent policy that raises rent burdens for a significant portion of participating families, or causes specified other results, unless certain conditions are met; may use funds appropriated for renewal of tenant-based rental assistance only for payments assisting eligible families with housing costs;  shall receive funding for renewal of tenant-based rental assistance under the same formula applied to nonparticipating PHAs; must provide ongoing housing assistance to substantially the same number of eligible low-income families as it could assist ordinarily but with average cost burdens no higher than those of families assisted under Sections 8 (low-income housing assistance) and 9 (Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds) of the United States Housing Act of 1937; and  develop and implement a plan to expand families' access to neighborhoods with low crime, high-performing schools, or other indicators of high opportunity, if a disproportionately low share of PHA-assisted families lives in such neighborhoods.   HUD may not waive specified housing-related requirements. HUD must conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Demonstration Program to:  analyze the risks and potential benefits of expanding it to additional agencies; and identify reforms, and selection criteria in case the Demonstration Program is expanded, that would improve its effectiveness in testing innovative policies while minimizing adverse effects on low-income families and ensuring efficient use of federal funds to meet the most pressing housing needs.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Reward Innovation in America Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administering entity.--The term ``administering
        entity'' means an entity with which the Secretary enters into
        an agreement under section 4(e).
            (2) Competition.--The term ``competition'' means a
        competition for an innovation prize under the program described
        in section 4(a).
            (3) Innovation prize.--The term ``innovation prize'' means
        a prize awarded to a participant who wins a competition.
            (4) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means an
        individual or entity that participates in a competition.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Commerce.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL INNOVATION PRIZES BOARD.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Commerce a National Innovation Prizes Board (referred to in this Act as
the ``Board'').
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Board are as follows:
            (1) To develop and administer the program described in
        section 4(a).
            (2) To select the research topics for competitions.
            (3) To establish the rules of the competitions and the
        criteria for winning innovation prizes.
            (4) To determine the amount of the innovation prize for
        each competition.
            (5) To certify the winners of the competitions.
            (6) To determine the annual funding requirement for each
        competition.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) Number of members.--The Secretary shall determine the
        number of members of the Board.
            (2) Chair.--The Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary,
        shall serve as Chair of the Board.
            (3) Members.--
                    (A) From federal agencies.--The Secretary may
                appoint the heads of Federal agencies to serve as full
                members of the Board on a permanent basis.
                    (B) Non-federal members.--The Secretary may appoint
                to the Board individuals who are not officers or
                employees of the Federal Government and who have
                national reputations in the private sector, policy
                sector, or academic institutions.
            (4) Terms.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), a member of the Board shall serve for a term of 3
                years.
                    (B) Initial terms.--The initial terms of members
                described in paragraph (3)(B) shall be staggered.
            (5) Vacancies.--A member of the Board described in
        paragraph (3)(B) appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other
        than by the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the
        remainder of the term of the former member.
            (6) Status.--Except as provided in paragraph (7), a member
        described in paragraph (3)(B) shall not be deemed to be an
        officer or employee of the United States for purposes of the
        laws or regulations of the United States.
            (7) Travel expenses.--A member described in paragraph
        (3)(B) shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
        lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of the
        Federal Government under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
        United States Code.

SEC. 4. INNOVATION PRIZES PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The program described in this subsection means a
program of competitions to award innovation prizes to eligible
individuals and entities to advance the research, development, and
commercial application of innovative technologies.
    (b) Eligible Individuals and Entities.--
            (1) In general.--The term ``eligible individual or entity''
        includes an individual, university, or small or large business
        that complies with the requirements of paragraph (2).
            (2) Requirements.--An eligible individual or entity--
                    (A) shall have complied with such eligibility
                requirements for participation in a competition as the
                Board may establish and publish in the Federal Register
                under subsection (d)(2);
                    (B) in the case of a private entity, shall be
                incorporated in and maintain a primary place of
                business in the United States;
                    (C) in the case of an individual, whether
                participating in the program singly or in a group,
                shall be a citizen of, or an alien lawfully admitted
                for permanent residence in, the United States; and
                    (D) may not be--
                            (i) a Federal entity, such as a federally
                        funded research and development center or a
                        government-owned, contractor-operated
                        laboratory;
                            (ii) a Federal employee acting within the
                        scope of employment; or
                            (iii) an employee of a national laboratory
                        acting within the scope of employment.
            (3) Consultation with federal employees.--An individual or
        entity shall not be deemed ineligible under this subsection
        because such individual or entity used Federal facilities or
        consulted with Federal employees during a competition if such
        facilities and employees are made available to all individuals
        and entities participating in the competition on an equitable
        basis.
    (c) Development of Program.--
            (1) Plan.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit
        to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
        the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the
        House of Representatives a plan for implementing the program
        described in subsection (a) that includes--
                    (A) a description of how the research topics for
                competitions and the criteria for awarding the
                innovation prizes will be determined;
                    (B) the terms and conditions of the competitions;
                    (C) the time frame for the award of innovation
                prizes; and
                    (D) a description of the plans of the Secretary to
                partner with nonprofit organizations or Federal
                agencies to sponsor competitions or to outsource
                administration of competitions to nonprofit
                organizations under subsection (e).
            (2) Innovation prizes.--In developing the plan under
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include the following
        requirements:
                    (A) Categories.--There shall be 2 categories of
                innovation prizes as follows:
                            (i) 21st century innovation prizes.--21st
                        Century Innovation Prizes shall be awarded in
                        multiple competitions in different research
                        areas. The amount of each 21st Century
                        Innovation Prize award may not exceed
                        $2,000,000.
                            (ii) Innovate america grand challenge
                        prizes.--
                                    (I) In general.--Innovate America
                                Grand Challenge Prizes shall be awarded
                                in large, highly complex, and expensive
                                competitions that--
                                            (aa) are held every 2 to 4
                                        years; and
                                            (bb) address research
                                        objectives well beyond the
                                        current state of the art and
                                        that are intended to become
                                        integral to major changes in
                                        complex socio-technological
                                        systems.
                                    (II) Amount of award.--The amount
                                of each Innovate America Grand
                                Challenge Prize award shall be
                                $5,000,000 or more, but not more than
                                $30,000,000.
                    (B) Awards.--The Board shall determine the amount
                of each innovation prize for each competition and may
                elect to award only a first place prize or to award
                first, second, and third place prizes.
    (d) Advertising and Notice to Participants.--
            (1) Advertising.--The Board shall advertise each
        competition widely to encourage broad participation in each
        competition, including by individuals, universities (including
        historically Black colleges and universities and other
        institutions serving minorities), and large and small
        businesses (including businesses owned or controlled by
        socially and economically disadvantaged persons).
            (2) Federal register notice.--The Board shall announce each
        competition by publishing in the Federal Register a notice that
        includes the subject of the competition, the duration of the
        competition, the eligibility requirements for participation in
        the competition, the process for participants to register for
        the competition, the amount of the innovation prize, and the
        criteria for awarding the innovation prize.
    (e) Administering Competitions.--The Board may enter into an
agreement with a private, nonprofit organization to administer
competitions. The duties of the administering entity under the
agreement shall include--
            (1) advertising competitions and the results of
        competitions;
            (2) raising funds from private entities and individuals to
        pay for administrative costs of competitions and to contribute
        to cash innovation prizes;
            (3) working with the Board to develop the criteria for
        selecting winners in competitions, based on goals provided by
        the Secretary;
            (4) determining, in consultation with the Board, the
        appropriate amount of each innovation prize to be awarded;
            (5) selecting judges for competitions using criteria
        developed in consultation with the Board; and
            (6) preventing the unauthorized use or disclosure of the
        intellectual property, trade secrets, and confidential business
        information of participants.
    (f) Funding.--
            (1) Funding sources.--
                    (A) In general.--Innovation prizes awarded under
                the program described in subsection (a) shall consist
                of--
                            (i) funds authorized to be appropriated
                        under section 6; and
                            (ii) any funds raised by the administering
                        entity under subsection (e)(2).
                    (B) Federal agencies.--The Secretary may accept
                funds from other Federal agencies for innovation
                prizes.
            (2) Funding from other entities.--
                    (A) In general.--The Board is authorized to enter
                into agreements with other entities, including
                corporations, nonprofit organizations, and other
                government agencies, to offer joint innovation prizes
                if--
                            (i) the joint innovation prize supports the
                        purposes of this Act;
                            (ii) the entity offering additional funds
                        agrees to deposit the funds into a designated
                        escrow account; and
                            (iii) the Board retains full authority over
                        the competition and the awarding of the cash
                        innovation prizes.
                    (B) Prohibition on special consideration in return
                for donations.--The Secretary may not give any special
                consideration to any private sector entity or
                individual in return for a donation to the
                administering entity to fund a competition.
            (3) Announcement of innovation prizes contingent on
        funding.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary may not publish the
                notice in the Federal Register required by subsection
                (d)(2) until all the funds necessary to pay the
                innovation prize have been appropriated or committed in
                writing.
                    (B) Increases in amount of innovation prize.--The
                Secretary may increase the amount of an innovation
                prize after an initial announcement is made under
                subsection (d)(2) if--
                            (i) notice of the increase is published in
                        the Federal Register; and
                            (ii) the funds needed to pay the amount of
                        the increase have been appropriated or
                        committed in writing.
    (g) Liability.--
            (1) Waiver of liability.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary may require
                participants to waive claims against the Federal
                Government and the administering entity (except claims
                for willful misconduct) for any injury, death, damage,
                or loss of property, revenue, or profits arising from
                participation in a competition.
                    (B) Notice.--The Secretary shall give notice of any
                waiver required under subparagraph (A) in the notice
                published in the Federal Register under subsection
                (d)(2).
                    (C) Exception.--The Secretary may not require a
                participant to waive claims against the administering
                entity arising out of the unauthorized use or
                disclosure by the administering entity of the
                intellectual property, trade secrets, or confidential
                business information of the participant.
            (2) Liability insurance.--
                    (A) Requirements.--A participant shall be required
                to obtain liability insurance or demonstrate financial
                responsibility, in amounts determined by the Secretary,
                for claims by--
                            (i) a third party for death, bodily injury,
                        or property damage or loss resulting from an
                        activity carried out in connection with
                        participation in a competition; and
                            (ii) the Federal Government for damage or
                        loss to Government property resulting from
                        participation in a competition.
                    (B) Federal government insured.--The Federal
                Government shall be named as an additional insured
                under an insurance policy required under subparagraph
                (A). A registered participant shall be required to
                agree to indemnify the Federal Government against third
                party claims for damages arising from or related to
                participation in a competition.
    (h) Intellectual Property.--
            (1) Prohibition on the government acquiring intellectual
        property rights.--The Federal Government may not gain an
        interest in intellectual property developed by a participant
        for a competition.
            (2) Licenses.--The Federal Government may negotiate a
        license for the use of intellectual property developed by a
        participant for a competition.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives
a report describing the activities of the program described in section
4(a), including--
            (1) a description of the methods used to select the
        research topics of competitions and the amounts of the
        innovation prizes;
            (2) a discussion of the features of competitions that
        contribute to the success or lack of success of the
        competitions;
            (3) the number of participants involved in the
        competitions;
            (4) the amount of private funds contributed to the program
        and the sources of such funds;
            (5) the effect of the program on public awareness of
        innovation; and
            (6) the effect of the program on the public image of the
        Department of Commerce.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Awards.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
        Secretary to carry out the provisions of this Act--
                    (A) for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012,
                $5,000,000 for awards described in section
                4(c)(2)(A)(i); and
                    (B) for fiscal year 2008, $30,000,000 for awards
                described in section 4(c)(2)(A)(ii).
            (2) Administration.--In addition to the amounts authorized
        to be appropriated under paragraph (1), there are authorized to
        be appropriated to the Secretary for each of fiscal years 2008
        through 2012 $750,000 for the administrative costs of carrying
        out this Act.
    (b) Carryover of Funds.--Funds appropriated to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall remain available until expended.

Output:
Reward Innovation in America Act - Establishes a National Innovation Prizes Board in the Department of Commerce, which shall develop and administer a program of competitions to award innovation prizes to eligible individuals and entities to advance the research, development, and commercial application of innovative technologies.

Requires the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan for implementing such program. Requires that there be two categories of prizes: (1) 21st Century Innovation Prizes, which shall be awarded in multiple competitions in different research areas; and (2) Innovate America Grand Challenge Prizes, which shall be awarded in large, highly complex, and expensive competitions that are held every two to four years and address research objectives well beyond the current state of the art and that are intended to become integral to major changes in complex socio-technological systems. Requires the Board to determine the amount of each prize for each competition.

Instructs the Board to: (1) advertise competitions widely to encourage broad participation; and (2) publish notices of competitions in the Federal Register.

Authorizes the Board to enter into an agreement with a private, nonprofit organization to administer competitions.

Specifies that prizes awarded under the program shall consist of: (1) funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this Act; and (2) any funds raised by the administering entity to pay for administrative costs of competitions and to contribute to cash prizes.

Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports describing the activities of the program.