Input:
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY.

    (a) Reservists Discharged Because of a Service-Connected
Disability.--Section 3701(b)(5)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(i)'' before ``who has''; and
            (2) by striking out the period at the end thereof and
        inserting in lieu thereof ``, or (ii) who was discharged or
        released from the Selected Reserve before completing 6 years of
        service because of a service-connected disability.''.
    (b) Surviving Spouses of Reservists Who Died While in Active
Military, Naval, or Air Service.--The second sentence of section
3701(b)(2) of such title is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or service in the Selected Reserve''
        after ``duty'' each place it appears; and
            (2) by striking out ``spouse shall'' and inserting in lieu
        thereof ``deceased spouse shall''.

SEC. 2. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY WATER AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS.

    Section 3704 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking out subsection (e); and
            (2) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections
        (e) and (f), respectively.

SEC. 3. REFINANCING LOANS.

    (a) Authority To Guarantee Home Refinance Loans for Energy
Efficiency Improvements.--
            (1) Loans.--(A) Section 3710(a) of title 38, United States
        Code, is amended by adding after paragraph (10) the following:
            ``(11) To refinance in accordance with subsection (e) of
        this section an existing loan guaranteed, insured, or made
        under this chapter, and to improve the dwelling securing such
        loan through energy efficiency improvements, as provided in
        subsection (d) of this section.''.
            (B) Section 3710(e)(1) of such title is amended by
        inserting ``or subsection (a)(11)'' after ``subsection
        (a)(8)''.
            (2) Fee.--Section 3729(a)(2)(E) of such title is amended by
        inserting ``3710(a)(11),'' after ``3710(a)(9)(B)(i),''.
    (b) Refinancing Adjustable Rate Mortgages to Fixed Rate
Mortgages.--Section 3710(e)(1)(A) of such title is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(i)'' after ``(A);
            (2) by inserting ``or'' at the end of clause (i), as
        designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
            (3) by adding after such clause (i), the following:
            ``(ii) the loan bears interest at a fixed rate that is
        agreed upon by the veteran and the mortgagee, and the loan
        being refinanced is an adjustable rate loan.''.

SEC. 4. MANUFACTURED HOME LOAN INSPECTIONS.

    (a) Certification of Conformity With Standards.--Section 3712(h) of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by amending paragraph (2) to
read as follows:
    ``(2) Any manufactured housing unit properly displaying a
certification of conformity to all applicable Federal manufactured home
construction and safety standards pursuant to section 616 of the
National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5415) shall be deemed to meet the standards required by
paragraph (1) of this subsection.''.
    (b) Repeal of Inspection Requirements.--Section 3712(j) of such
title is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``refuses to permit the inspections
        provided for in subsection (h) of this section; or in the case
        of manufactured homes which are determined by the Secretary not
        to conform to the aforesaid standards; or where the
        manufacturer of manufactured homes''; and
            (2) by striking ``warranty.'' and inserting in lieu thereof
        ``warranty; in the case of manufactured homes which are
        determined by the Secretary not to conform to the standards
        provided for in subsection (h) of this section; or in the case
        of a manufacturer who has engaged in procedures or practices
        determined by the Secretary to be unfair or prejudicial to
        veterans or the Government.''.
    (c) Elimination of Reporting Requirement.--Section 3712(l) of such
title is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``the results of inspections required
        by subsection (h) of this section,''; and
            (2) by striking out ``section, and'' and inserting in lieu
        thereof ``section and''.

SEC. 5. PROCEDURES ON DEFAULT.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (7) of section 3732(c) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``that was the minimum amount for
        which, under applicable State law, the property was permitted
        to be sold at the liquidation sale'' in the matter preceding
        subparagraph (A);
            (2) by striking out ``the Secretary may accept conveyance
        of the property to the United States for a price not
        exceeding'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``(i) the amount was
        the minimum amount for which, under applicable State law, the
        property was permitted to be sold at the liquidation sale, the
        holder shall have the option to convey the property to the
        United States in return for payment by the Secretary of an
        amount equal to'';
            (3) by striking out ``and'' at the end of clause (i), as so
        designated by paragraph (2), and inserting in lieu thereof
        ``or'';
            (4) by adding after such clause (i) the following:
            ``(ii) there was no minimum amount for which the property
        had to be sold at the liquidation sale under applicable State
        law, the holder shall have the option to convey the property to
        the United States in return for payment by the Secretary of an
        amount equal to the lesser of such net value or total
        indebtedness; and''; and
            (5) in subparagraph (B), by striking out ``paragraph
        (6)(B)'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``paragraph (6)''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (6) of such section is
amended--
            (1) by striking out ``either''; and
            (2) by striking out ``sale or acquires'' and all that
        follows through ``(B) the'' and inserting in lieu thereof
        ``sale, the''.

SEC. 6. MINIMUM ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE REQUIREMENT.

    Section 5303A(b)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking out ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (E);
            (2) by striking out the period at the end of subparagraph
        (F) and inserting in lieu thereof ``; or''; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
                    ``(G) to benefits under chapter 37 of this title by
                reason of discharge or release from active duty as a
                result of a reduction in force, as determined by the
                Secretary of the military department concerned in
                accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary
                of Defense or by the Secretary of Transportation with
                respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as
                a service in the Navy.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives August 1, 1994.

            Attest:

                                           DONNALD K. ANDERSON,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output:
Makes eligible for the veterans' housing loan program:  (1) members of the Selected Reserve discharged or released before completion of six years of service because of a service-connected disability; and (2) surviving spouses of reservists who die while on active duty.
Repeals a Federal provision prohibiting guaranteed housing loans to veterans for property not served by a public or adequate community water and sewage system.
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to guarantee to refinance loans of veterans making energy efficiency improvements. Allows for the charging of a guaranteed housing loan fee for such loan.  Provides for the guaranteeing of refinance loans made to change a mortgage from an adjustable to a fixed rate.
Provides authority for guaranteeing loans made to purchase a manufactured home if the home displays a certification of conformity with Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards. Repeals certain inspection requirements with respect to such manufactured homes, as well as a reporting requirement concerning such inspections.  Revises certain default procedures with respect to guaranteed housing loans.
Excludes from certain minimum active-duty service requirements, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' guaranteed housing loans, those veterans whose discharge or release from active duty was the result of a reduction in force.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Mandate Relief Act of
1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
            (1) Federal regulation of State and local governments has
        become increasingly extensive and intrusive in recent years;
            (2) such regulation has, in many instances--
                    (A) adversely affected the ability of State and
                local governments to achieve their independent
                responsibilities and meet their established priorities;
                and
                    (B) forced State and local governments to use
                existing revenue sources and to generate new property
                tax revenues to enable them to adhere to Federal
                mandates; and
            (3) the resulting excessive fiscal burdens on State and
        local governments also undermine the governments' ability to
        attain the goals of Federal regulations.
    (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to establish
procedures to ensure that the Federal Government pays the total amount
of additional costs incurred by State and local governments in
complying with intergovernmental regulations that take effect on or
after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``additional costs'' means the amount of costs
        incurred by a State or local government solely in complying
        with an intergovernmental regulation promulgated pursuant to a
        significant Federal statute concerning a particular activity
        that is in excess of the amount that the State or local
        government would incur in carrying out that activity in the
        absence of the regulation, but does not include any amount that
        a State or local government is required or permitted by law to
        contribute as a non-Federal share under a Federal assistance
        program;
            (2) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the Office
        of Management and Budget;
            (3) the term ``Federal agency'' means a department, agency,
        or instrumentality in the executive branch of the United States
        Government, but does not include a mixed-ownership Government
        corporation;
            (4) the term ``Federal assistance'' means assistance
        provided by a Federal agency to a State or local government or
        other public or private recipient in the form of a grant, loan,
        loan guarantee, property, cooperative agreement, or technical
        assistance, but does not include direct cash assistance to a
        natural person, a contract for the procurement of goods or
        services for the United States, or insurance;
            (5) the term ``intergovernmental regulation'' means a
        statute, or a regulation promulgated by a Federal agency
        pursuant to a significant statute, that--
                    (A) requires a State or local government to--
                            (i) take certain actions; or
                            (ii) comply with certain conditions; and
                    (B) takes effect on or after the date of enactment
                of this Act;
            (6) the term ``local government'' means--
                    (A) a county, city, town, village, or other general
                purpose political subdivision of a State;
                    (B) a school district; and
                    (C) a unit of local government established under
                State law for a particular public purpose;
            (7) the term ``State'' means each of the States, the
        District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
        the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin
        Islands, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific
        Islands.

SEC. 4. COMPENSATION OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL
              COSTS.

    (a) In General.--An intergovernmental regulation may not be
enforced against a State or local government with respect to a fiscal
year--
            (1) unless there has been made an appropriation of Federal
        funds, and such funds have been made available, to all State
        and local governments for the fiscal year in an amount that is
        sufficient to reimburse all State or local governments for the
        total amount of additional costs that will be incurred by those
        governments in complying with the regulation during the fiscal
        year; or
            (2) Congress approves by a two-thirds vote of the members
        of each House of Congress, duly chosen and sworn, a joint
        resolution that waives subsection (a) with respect to that
        intergovernmental regulation and that fiscal year.
    (b) Determination of Additional Costs.--For the purposes of
subsection (a), the total amount of additional costs that will be
incurred by State governments and local governments in complying with
an intergovernmental regulation during a fiscal year shall be the total
amount of such costs for compliance with the regulation estimated by
the Director for the fiscal year in the report required under section 5
for the fiscal year.

SEC. 5. REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR.

    For each fiscal year in which an intergovernmental regulation will
be in effect, the Director, in consultation with representatives of
State and local governments, shall prepare and submit to the President
and the Congress, with the President's budget in January preceding the
beginning of a fiscal year, a report that contains an estimate, for
that fiscal year and the following fiscal year, of the total amount of
additional costs that have been incurred or will be incurred by each
State government and by each local government within each State in
complying with the intergovernmental regulation.

SEC. 6. PAYMENT OF REIMBURSEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The head of a Federal agency that administers an
intergovernmental regulation shall pay to each State and local
government in each fiscal year the amount determined pursuant to this
section to reimburse the State and local governments in the State for
the additional costs incurred by those governments in complying with
the intergovernmental regulation during the fiscal year.
    (b) Amount Paid by a Federal Agency to a State or Local
Government.--The amount to be paid to a State or local government under
subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be the amount of additional
costs specified for that State or local government in the report
submitted pursuant to section 5.
    (c) Inapplicability of Section.--This section does not apply with
respect to an intergovernmental regulation that will be in effect
during a fiscal year if, with respect to that intergovernmental
regulation and that fiscal year, a joint resolution described in
section 4(a)(2) is in effect.

SEC. 7. EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT ENACTMENTS.

    No statute enacted after the date of enactment of this Act shall
supersede this Act unless the statute does so in specific terms,
referring to this Act, and declares that that statute supersedes this
Act.

Output:
Federal Mandate Relief Act of 1993 - Prohibits the enforcement of an intergovernmental regulation against a State or local government with respect to a fiscal year:  (1) unless sufficient Federal funds have been appropriated to reimburse all State or local governments for the total additional costs that will be incurred by those governments in complying with the regulation during the fiscal year; or (2) the Congress approves by a two-thirds vote of the Members of each House a joint resolution that waives such prohibition with respect to that intergovernmental regulation and that fiscal year.
Specifies that the total additional costs that will be incurred by State and local governments in complying with an intergovernmental regulation during a fiscal year shall be the total compliance costs estimated by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under this Act.
Requires the Director, for each fiscal year in which an intergovernmental regulation will be in effect, to submit to the President and the Congress a report that contains an estimate for that fiscal year and the following fiscal year of the total additional costs that have been or will be incurred by each State and local government in complying with the regulation.
Sets forth provisions with respect to reimbursements of State and local governments by Federal agencies.


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

    This Act may be cited as the ``Credit Card Accountability
Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2006'' or the ``Credit CARD Act of
2006''.

SEC. 2. REGULATORY AUTHORITY.

    The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may issue such
rules or publish such model forms as it considers necessary to carry
out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, in accordance with
sections 105 and 122 of the Truth in Lending Act.

         TITLE I--REGULATIONS REGARDING CERTAIN RATES AND FEES

SEC. 101. PRIOR NOTICE OF RATE INCREASES REQUIRED.

    Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Advance Notice of Increase in Interest Rate Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any credit card account
        under an open end consumer credit plan, no increase in any
        annual percentage rate of interest (other than an increase due
        to the expiration of any introductory percentage rate of
        interest, or due solely to a change in another rate of interest
        to which such rate is indexed)--
                    ``(A) may take effect before the beginning of the
                billing cycle which begins not less than 15 days after
                the obligor receives notice of such increase; or
                    ``(B) may apply to any outstanding balance of
                credit under such plan as of the date of the notice of
                the increase required under paragraph (1).
            ``(2) Notice of right to cancel.--The notice referred to in
        paragraph (1) with respect to an increase in any annual
        percentage rate of interest shall be made in a clear and
        conspicuous manner and shall contain a brief statement of the
        right of the obligor to cancel the account before the effective
        date of the increase.''.

SEC. 102. FREEZE ON INTEREST RATE TERMS AND FEES ON CANCELED CARDS.

    Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended
by inserting after subsection (h) (as added by section 101 of this
title) the following new subsection:
    ``(i) Freeze on Interest Rate Terms and Fees on Canceled Cards.--If
an obligor referred to in subsection (h) closes or cancels a credit
card account before the beginning of the billing cycle referred to in
subsection (h)(1)--
            ``(1) an annual percentage rate of interest applicable
        after the cancellation with respect to the outstanding balance
        on the account as of the date of cancellation may not exceed
        any annual percentage rate of interest applicable with respect
        to such balance under the terms and conditions in effect before
        the date of the notice of any increase referred to in
        subsection (h)(1); and
            ``(2) the repayment of the outstanding balance after the
        cancellation shall be subject to all other terms and conditions
        applicable with respect to such account before the date of the
        notice of the increase referred to in subsection (h).''.

SEC. 103. LIMITS ON FINANCE AND INTEREST CHARGES FOR ON-TIME PAYMENTS.

    Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended
by inserting after subsection (i) (as added by section 102 of this
title) the following new subsection:
    ``(j) Prohibition on Penalties for On-Time Payments.--
            ``(1) Prohibition on finance charges for on-time
        payments.--In the case of any credit card account under an open
        end credit plan, where no other balance is owing on the
        account, no finance or interest charge may be imposed with
        regard to any amount of a new extension of credit that was paid
        on or before the date on which it was due.
            ``(2) Prohibition on cancellation or additional fees for
        on-time payments or payment in full.--In the case of any credit
        card account under an open end consumer credit plan, no fee or
        other penalty may be imposed on the consumer in connection with
        the payment in full of an existing account balance, or payment
        of more than the minimum required payment of an existing
        account balance.''.

SEC. 104. PROHIBITION ON OVER-THE-LIMIT FEES FOR CREDITOR-APPROVED
              TRANSACTIONS.

    Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended
by inserting after subsection (j) (as added by section 103 of this
title) the following new subsection:
    ``(k) Limitation on Imposition of Over-the-Limit Fees.--In the case
of any credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan, a
creditor may not impose any fees on the obligor for any extension of
credit in excess of the amount of credit authorized to be extended with
respect to such account, if the extension of credit is made in
connection with a credit transaction which the creditor approves in
advance or at the time of the transaction.''.

                TITLE II--ENHANCED CONSUMER DISCLOSURES

SEC. 201. PAYOFF TIMING DISCLOSURES.

    (a) In General.--Section 127(b) of the Truth in Lending Act (15
U.S.C. 1637(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
            ``(12) Repayment information.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Repayment information that would
                apply to the outstanding balance of the consumer under
                the credit plan, including--
                            ``(i) the outstanding balance in the
                        account at the beginning of the statement
                        period, as required by paragraph (1) of this
                        subsection;
                            ``(ii) the required minimum monthly payment
                        on that balance, represented as both a dollar
                        figure and as a percentage of that balance;
                            ``(iii) the grace period within which
                        payment must be made to avoid additional
                        charges, as required by paragraph (9) of this
                        subsection; and
                            ``(iv) the monthly payments amount that
                        would be required for the consumer to eliminate
                        the outstanding balance in 36 months if no
                        further advances are made.
                    ``(B) Applicable annual percentage rate.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
                        in making the disclosures under subparagraph
                        (A), the creditor shall apply the annual
                        percentage rate in effect on the date on which
                        the disclosure is made until the date on which
                        the balance would be paid in full.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--If the annual percentage
                        rate in effect on the date on which the
                        disclosure is made is a temporary rate that
                        will change under a contractual provision
                        applying an index or formula for subsequent
                        interest rate adjustment, the creditor shall
                        apply the rate in effect on the date on which
                        the disclosure is made for as long as that rate
                        will apply under that contractual provision,
                        and then apply an annual percentage rate based
                        on the index or formula in effect on the
                        applicable billing date.''.
    (b) Tabular Format Required for Disclosures.--Section 122 of the
Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1632) by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
    ``(d) Format Required for Certain Disclosures Under Section
127(b)(12).--
            ``(1) Form of disclosure.--All of the information disclosed
        pursuant to section 127(b)(12)(A) shall--
                    ``(A) be disclosed in the form and manner which the
                Board shall prescribe by regulations under this section
                and in accordance with section 105; and
                    ``(B) be placed in a conspicuous and prominent
                location on the billing statement in typeface that is
                at least as large as the largest type on the statement,
                but in no instance less than 12-point in size.
            ``(2) Tabular format.--In the regulations prescribed under
        paragraph (1), the Board shall require that the disclosure of
        such information shall be in the form of a table that--
                    ``(A) contains clear and concise headings for each
                item of such information; and
                    ``(B) provides a clear and concise form stating
                each item of information required to be disclosed under
                each such heading.
            ``(3) Requirements regarding location and order of table.--
        In prescribing the form of the table under paragraph (2), the
        Board shall require that--
                    ``(A) all of the information in the table, and not
                just a reference to the table, be placed on the billing
                statement, as required by this subparagraph; and
                    ``(B) the items required to be included in the
                table shall be listed in the order in which such items
                are set forth in section 127(b)(12)(A).
            ``(4) Board discretion in prescribing order and wording of
        table.--In prescribing the form of the table under subparagraph
        (C), the Board may employ terminology which is different than
        the terminology which is employed in subparagraph (A), if such
        terminology is easily understood and conveys substantially the
        same meaning.''.
    (c) Civil Liability.--Section 130(a) of the Truth in Lending Act
(15 U.S.C. 1640(a)) is amended, in the undesignated paragraph following
paragraph (4), by striking the second sentence and inserting the
following: ``In connection with the disclosures referred to in
subsections (a) and (b) of section 127, a creditor shall have a
liability determined under paragraph (2) only for failing to comply
with the requirements of section 125, 127(a), or paragraph (4), (5),
(6), (7), (8), (9), (10), or (11) of section 127(b), or for failing to
comply with disclosure requirements under State law for any term or
item that the Board has determined to be substantially the same in
meaning under section 111(a)(2) as any of the terms or items referred
to in section 127(a), or paragraph (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10),
(11), or (12) of section 127(b).

SEC. 202. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO LATE PAYMENT DEADLINES AND
              PENALTIES.

    Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended
by inserting after subsection (k) (as added by section 104 of this Act)
the following new subsection:
    ``(l) Requirements Relating to Late Payment Deadlines and
Penalties.--
            ``(1) Late payment deadline and postmark date required to
        be disclosed.--In the case of a credit card account under an
        open end consumer credit plan under which a late fee or charge
        may be imposed due to the failure of the obligor to make
        payment on or before the due date for such payment, the
        periodic statement required under subsection (b) with respect
        to the account shall include, in a conspicuous location on the
        billing statement--
                    ``(A) the date by which the payment must be
                postmarked, if paid by mail, in order to avoid the
                imposition of a late payment fee with respect to the
                payment; and
                    ``(B) a statement that no late fee may be imposed
                in connection with a payment made by mail which was
                postmarked on or before the postmark date.
            ``(2) Disclosure of increase in interest rates for late
        payments.--If 1 or more late payments under an open end
        consumer credit plan may result in an increase in the annual
        percentage rate the account, the statement required under
        subsection (b) with respect to the account shall include
        conspicuous notice of such fact, together with the applicable
        penalty annual percentage rate, in close proximity to the
        disclosure required in paragraph (1) of the date on which
        payment is due under the terms of the account.
            ``(3) Requirements relating to postmark date.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The date included in a periodic
                statement pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) with regard to
                the postmark on a payment shall allow, in accordance
                with regulations prescribed by the Board under
                subparagraph (B), a reasonable time for the consumer to
                make the payment and a reasonable time for the delivery
                of the payment by the due date.
                    ``(B) Board regulations.--The Board shall prescribe
                guidelines for determining a reasonable period of time
                for making a payment and delivery of a payment for
                purposes of subparagraph (A), after consultation with
                the Postmaster General and representatives of consumer
                and trade organizations.
            ``(4) Payment at local branches.--If the creditor, in the
        case of a credit card account referred to in paragraph (1), is
        a financial institution which maintains branches or offices at
        which payments on any such account are accepted from the
        obliger in person, the date on which the obliger makes a
        payment on the account at such branch or office shall be
        considered as the date on which the payment is made for
        purposes of determining whether a late fee or charge may be
        imposed due to the failure of the obligor to make payment on or
        before the due date for such payment, to the extent that such
        payment is made before the close of business of the branch or
        office on the business day immediately preceding the due date
        for such payment.''.

                TITLE III--PROTECTION OF YOUNG CONSUMERS

SEC. 301. EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT TO UNDERAGE CONSUMERS.

    Section 127(c) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(c)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(8) Applications from underage consumers.--
                    ``(A) Prohibition on issuance.--No credit card may
                be issued to, or open end credit plan established on
                behalf of, a consumer who has not attained the age of
                21, unless the consumer has submitted a written
                application to the card issuer that meets the
                requirements of subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Application requirements.--An application to
                open a credit card account by an individual who has not
                attained the age of 21 as of the date of submission of
                the application shall require--
                            ``(i) the signature of the parent, legal
                        guardian, or spouse of the consumer, or any
                        other individual having a means to repay debts
                        incurred by the consumer in connection with the
                        account, indicating joint liability for debts
                        incurred by the consumer in connection with the
                        account before the consumer has attained the
                        age of 18;
                            ``(ii) submission by the consumer of
                        financial information indicating an independent
                        means of repaying any obligation arising from
                        the proposed extension of credit in connection
                        with the account; or
                            ``(iii) proof by the consumer that the
                        consumer has completed a credit counseling
                        course of instruction by a nonprofit budget and
                        credit counseling agency approved by the Board
                        for such purpose.
                    ``(C) Minimum requirements for counseling
                agencies.--To be approved by the Board under
                subparagraph (B)(iii), a credit counseling agency
                shall, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) be a nonprofit budget and credit
                        counseling agency, the majority of the board of
                        directors of which--
                                    ``(I) is not employed by the
                                agency; and
                                    ``(II) will not directly or
                                indirectly benefit financially from the
                                outcome of a credit counseling session;
                            ``(ii) if a fee is charged for counseling
                        services, charge a reasonable fee, and provide
                        services without regard to ability to pay the
                        fee; and
                            ``(iii) provide trained counselors who
                        receive no commissions or bonuses based on
                        referrals, and demonstrate adequate experience
                        and background in providing credit
                        counseling.''.

SEC. 302. ENHANCED PENALTIES.

    Section 130(a)(2)(A) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1640
(a)(2)(A)(iii)) is amended----
            (1) by striking ``or (iii) in the'' and inserting the
        following:
            ``(iii) in the case of an individual action relating to an
        open end credit plan that is not secured by real property or a
        dwelling, twice the amount of any finance charge in connection
        with the transaction, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of
        $5,000 or such higher amount as may be appropriate in the case
        of an established pattern or practice of such failures; or
            ``(iv) in the''; and.
            (2) in clause (ii), by striking ``this subparagraph'' and
        inserting ``this clause''.

SEC. 303. RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN AFFINITY CARDS.

    Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is amended
by inserting after subsection (l) (as added by section 202 of this Act)
the following new subsection:
    ``(m) Restrictions on Issuance of Affinity Cards to Students.--No
credit card account under an open end credit plan may be established by
an individual who has not attained the age of 18 as of the date of
submission of the application pursuant to any agreement relating to
affinity cards, as defined by the Board, between the creditor and an
institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965), unless the requirements of section
127(c)(8) are met with respect to the obliger.''.

Output:
Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2006, or the Credit CARD Act of 2006 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require advance notice of any increase in the annual percentage rate (APR) of interest pertaining a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan.

Imposes a freeze on interest rate terms and fees on canceled cards.

Prohibits: (1) penalties for on-time payments; and (2) over-the-limit fees for creditor-approved transactions.

Requires disclosure of: (1) the repayment information applicable to the outstanding balance; and (2) late payment deadlines, postmark dates, and any increase in interest rates for late payments.

Increases the civil penalty against any creditor who fails to comply with specified requirements in the case of an individual action relating to an open end credit plan that is not secured by real property or a dwelling.

Prohibits issuance of: (1) a credit card under an open end credit plan on behalf of a consumer who has not attained the age of 21, unless the consumer has submitted a written application meeting specified requirements; or (2) certain affinity cards to students unless certain requirements have been met.


Input:
TITLE I--NAVAL VESSEL TRANSFER

SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.
    This title may be cited as the ``Naval Vessel Transfer Act of
2008''.
    SEC. 102. TRANSFER OF NAVAL VESSELS TO CERTAIN FOREIGN RECIPIENTS.
    (a) Transfers by Grant.--The President is authorized to transfer
the vessels specified in paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 501(a)
of H.R. 5916 of the 110th Congress, as passed the House of
Representatives on May 15, 2008, to the foreign recipients specified in
paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of such section, respectively, on a grant
basis under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2321j).
    (b) Grants Not Counted in Annual Total of Transferred Excess
Defense Articles.--The value of a vessel transferred to a recipient on
a grant basis pursuant to authority provided by subsection (a) shall
not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles
transferred in any fiscal year under section 516 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
    (c) Costs of Transfers.--Any expense incurred by the United States
in connection with a transfer authorized by this section shall be
charged to the recipient (notwithstanding section 516(e) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j(e))).
    (d) Repair and Refurbishment in United States Shipyards.--To the
maximum extent practicable, the President shall require, as a condition
of the transfer of a vessel under this section, that the recipient to
which the vessel is transferred have such repair or refurbishment of
the vessel as is needed, before the vessel joins the naval forces of
the recipient, performed at a shipyard located in the United States,
including a United States Navy shipyard.
    (e) Expiration of Authority.--The authority to transfer a vessel
under this section shall expire at the end of the 2-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

                  TITLE II--UNITED STATES ARMS EXPORTS

    SEC. 201. ASSESSMENT OF ISRAEL'S QUALITATIVE MILITARY EDGE OVER
      MILITARY THREATS.
    (a) Assessment Required.--The President shall carry out an
empirical and qualitative assessment on an ongoing basis of the extent
to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge over military
threats to Israel. The assessment required under this subsection shall
be sufficiently robust so as to facilitate comparability of data over
concurrent years.
    (b) Use of Assessment.--The President shall ensure that the
assessment required under subsection (a) is used to inform the review
by the United States of applications to sell defense articles and
defense services under the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et
seq.) to countries in the Middle East.
    (c) Reports.--
        (1) Initial report.--Not later than June 30, 2009, the
    President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional
    committees a report on the initial assessment required under
    subsection (a).
        (2) Quadrennial report.--Not later than four years after the
    date on which the President transmits the initial report under
    paragraph (1), and every four years thereafter, the President shall
    transmit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on
    the most recent assessment required under subsection (a).
    (d) Certification.--Section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act (22
U.S.C. 2776) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Certification Requirement Relating to Israel's Qualitative
Military Edge.--
        ``(1) In general.--Any certification relating to a proposed
    sale or export of defense articles or defense services under this
    section to any country in the Middle East other than Israel shall
    include a determination that the sale or export of the defense
    articles or defense services will not adversely affect Israel's
    qualitative military edge over military threats to Israel.
        ``(2) Qualitative military edge defined.--In this subsection,
    the term `qualitative military edge' means the ability to counter
    and defeat any credible conventional military threat from any
    individual state or possible coalition of states or from non-state
    actors, while sustaining minimal damages and casualties, through
    the use of superior military means, possessed in sufficient
    quantity, including weapons, command, control, communication,
    intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities that in
    their technical characteristics are superior in capability to those
    of such other individual or possible coalition of states or non-
    state actors.''.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
        (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
    ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on
    Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee
    on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
        (2) Qualitative military edge.--The term ``qualitative military
    edge'' has the meaning given the term in section 36(h) of the Arms
    Export Control Act, as added by subsection (d) of this section.
    SEC. 202. IMPLEMENTATION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
      ISRAEL.
    (a) In General.--Of the amount made available for fiscal year 2009
for assistance under the program authorized by section 23 of the Arms
Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763) (commonly referred to as the
``Foreign Military Financing Program''), the amount specified in
subsection (b) is authorized to be made available on a grant basis for
Israel.
    (b) Computation of Amount.--The amount referred to in subsection
(a) is the amount equal to--
        (1) the amount specified under the heading ``Foreign Military
    Financing Program'' for Israel for fiscal year 2008; plus
        (2) $150,000,000.
    (c) Other Authorities.--
        (1) Availability of funds for advanced weapons systems.--To the
    extent the Government of Israel requests the United States to
    provide assistance for fiscal year 2009 for the procurement of
    advanced weapons systems, amounts authorized to be made available
    for Israel under this section shall, as agreed to by Israel and the
    United States, be available for such purposes, of which not less
    than $670,650,000 shall be available for the procurement in Israel
    of defense articles and defense services, including research and
    development.
        (2) Disbursement of funds.--Amounts authorized to be made
    available for Israel under this section shall be disbursed not
    later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of an Act making
    appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and
    related programs for fiscal year 2009, or October 31, 2008,
    whichever occurs later.
    SEC. 203. SECURITY COOPERATION WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA.
    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
        (1) Close and continuing defense cooperation between the United
    States and the Republic of Korea continues to be in the national
    security interest of the United States.
        (2) The Republic of Korea was designated a major non-NATO ally
    in 1987, the first such designation.
        (3) The Republic of Korea has been a major purchaser of United
    States defense articles and services through the Foreign Military
    Sales (FMS) program, totaling $6,900,000,000 in deliveries over the
    last 10 years.
        (4) Purchases of United States defense articles, services, and
    major defense equipment facilitate and increase the
    interoperability of Republic of Korea military forces with the
    United States Armed Forces.
        (5) Congress has previously enacted important, special defense
    cooperation arrangements for the Republic of Korea, as in the Act
    entitled ``An Act to authorize the transfer of items in the War
    Reserves Stockpile for Allies, Korea'', approved December 30, 2005
    (Public Law 109-159; 119 Stat. 2955), which authorized the
    President, notwithstanding section 514 of the Foreign Assistance
    Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321h), to transfer to the Republic of Korea
    certain defense items to be included in a war reserve stockpile for
    that country.
        (6) Enhanced support for defense cooperation with the Republic
    of Korea is important to the national security of the United
    States, including through creation of a status in law for the
    Republic of Korea similar to the countries in the North Atlantic
    Treaty Organization, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, with
    respect to consideration by Congress of foreign military sales to
    the Republic of Korea.
    (b) Special Foreign Military Sales Status for Republic of Korea.--
The Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) is amended--
        (1) in sections 3(d)(2)(B), 3(d)(3)(A)(i), 3(d)(5),
    21(e)(2)(A), 36(b), 36(c), 36(d)(2)(A), 62(c)(1), and 63(a)(2), by
    inserting ``the Republic of Korea,'' before ``or New Zealand'' each
    place it appears;
        (2) in section 3(b)(2), by inserting ``the Government of the
    Republic of Korea,'' before ``or the Government of New Zealand'';
        (3) in section 21(h)(1)(A), by inserting ``the Republic of
    Korea,'' before ``or Israel''; and
        (4) in section 21(h)(2), by striking ``or to any member
    government of that Organization if that Organization or member
    government'' and inserting ``, to any member government of that
    Organization, or to the Governments of the Republic of Korea,
    Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel if that Organization,
    member government, or the Governments of the Republic of Korea,
    Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Israel''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
Title I: Naval Vessel Transfer - Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2008 - (Sec. 102) Authorizes the President to transfer on a grant basis to: (1) Pakistan, the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class guided missile frigate MCINERNEY; (2) Chile, the KAISER class oiler ANDREW J. HIGGINS; and (3) Peru, the NEWPORT class amphibious tank landing ships FRESNO and RACINE. States that: (1) the value of such vessels transferred on a grant basis shall not be counted against the aggregate value of excess defense articles transferred to countries in any fiscal year under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; (2) transfer costs shall be charged to the recipient; and (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the country to which a vessel is transferred shall have necessary vessel repair and refurbishment carried out at U.S. shipyards (including U.S. Navy shipyards).

Terminates transfer authority two years after enactment of this Act.

Title II: United States Arms Exports - (Sec. 201) Directs the President to: (1) carry out an ongoing assessment of the extent to which Israel possesses a qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act) over military threats; (2) use such assessment in reviewing applications to sell defense articles and services under the Arms Export Control Act to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel; and (3) submit an initial report on such assessment to the appropriate congressional committees by June 30, 2009, and then every four years thereafter.

Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require any certification relating to a proposed sale or export of defense articles or services to a Middle Eastern country other than Israel to include a determination that such sale or export will not adversely affect Israel's qualitative military edge (as defined by this Act for purposes of this provision) over military threats.

(Sec. 202) Makes specified foreign military financing program funds for FY2009 available on a grant basis for Israel.

Authorizes funding in FY2009 for the procurement of advanced weapons systems, including research and development, by Israel.

(Sec. 203) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide the Republic of Korea with special foreign military sales status, including expedited congressional review for export of U.S. defense items and services.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Joint Committee on Agency Rule
Review Act of 2003'' or the ``JCARR Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF A JOINT COMMITTEE ON AGENCY RULE REVIEW.

    Section 802 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (i) and by inserting before
subsection (i) the following new subsection:
    ``(h)(1) There is established a Joint Committee on Agency Rule
Review to be composed of 12 Members of the Senate to be appointed by
the majority leader of the Senate and 12 Members of the House of
Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. In each instance, not more than 7 Members shall be
members of the same political party.
    ``(2) In carrying out its duties under this chapter, the joint
committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee thereof, is authorized
to--
            ``(A) hold such hearings, to sit and act at such places and
        times within the United States during the sessions, recesses,
        and adjourned periods of Congress;
            ``(B) require the attendance of such witnesses and the
        production of such books, papers, and documents, administer
        such oaths, take such testimony, procure such printing and
        binding as it deems necessary; and
            ``(C) make such rules respecting its organization and
        procedures as it deems necessary, but no bill shall be reported
        from the joint committee unless a majority of the committee
        assent.
    ``(3) The members of the joint committee who are Members of the
Senate shall from time to time report to the Senate, and the members of
the joint committee who are Members of the House of Representatives
shall from time to time report to the House, by bill or otherwise,
their recommendations with respect to matters within the jurisdiction
of their respective Houses which are referred to the joint committee or
otherwise within the jurisdiction of the joint committee.
    ``(4) Vacancies in the membership of the joint committee shall not
affect the power of the remaining members to execute the functions of
the joint committee, and shall be filled in the same manner as in the
case of the original selection. The joint committee shall select a
chairman and a vice chairman from among its members at the beginning of
each Congress. The vice chairman shall act in place of the chairman in
the absence of the chairman. The chairmanship shall alternate between
the Senate and the House of Representatives with each Congress, and the
chairman shall be selected by the Members from that House entitled to
the chairmanship. The vice chairman shall be chosen from the House
other than that of the chairman by the Members from that House.
    ``(5) The joint committee may appoint and fix the compensation of
such staff as it deems necessary.
    ``(6)(A) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or other authority, there
shall be paid out of the applicable accounts of the House of
Representatives such sums as may be necessary for one-half of the
expenses of the joint committee. Such payments shall be made on
vouchers signed by the chairman or vice chairman of the joint committee
who is a Member of the House of Representatives, as the case may be,
and approved in the manner directed by the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives. Amounts made available
under this paragraph shall be expended in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
    ``(B) (To be supplied by the Senate).''.

SEC. 3. CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE.

    (a) House of Representatives.--Section 802 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection
(g) and by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection:
    ``(f)(1) In the House, after the third legislative day after the
date on which the joint committee has reported a joint resolution
described in subsection (a), it is in order for any Member of the House
to move to proceed to consideration of the joint resolution. All points
of order against the motion to proceed and against consideration of
that motion are waived. The motion is privileged in the House and is
not debatable. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion
to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other
business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed
to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the
consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the House shall
immediately proceed to consideration of the joint resolution without
intervening motion (except one motion to adjourn), order, or other
business.
    ``(2)(A) In the House, debate shall be confined to the joint
resolution and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled
by a proponent and an opponent of the joint resolution. The previous
question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to
final passage without intervening motion, except one motion to
recommit. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint
resolution shall not be in order.''.
    (b) Senate.--The first sentence of section 802(d)(1) of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting ``any Member of the Senate
to make'' before ``a motion to proceed''.

SEC. 4. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Congressional Review.--Section 801(a) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``each House of
        Congress'' and inserting ``the joint committee'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``each House of
        Congress'' and inserting ``the joint committee'';
            (3) by amending paragraph (1)(C) to read as follows:
    ``(C) Upon receipt of a report submitted under subparagraph (A),
the chairman or vice chairman of the joint committee shall provide
copies of the report to the chairman and ranking member of each
applicable standing committee with jurisdiction under the rules of the
House of Representatives or the Senate of the subject matter of the
provision of law under which the rule is issued.'';
            (4) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``committees of
        jurisdiction in each House of the Congress'' and inserting
        ``joint committee'';
            (5) in paragraph (3)(A)(i), by striking ``Congress'' and
        inserting ``joint committee''; and
            (6) in paragraph (4), by striking ``Congress'' and
        inserting ``the joint committee''.
    (b) Congressional Disapproval Procedure.--Section 802 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Congress'' the first
        place it appears and inserting ``the joint committee'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following
        new subsection:
    ``(b) For purposes of this section, the term `submission or
publication date' means the later of the date on which--
            ``(1) the joint committee receives the report submitted
        under section 801(a)(1); or
            ``(2) the rule is published in the Federal Register, if so
        published.'';
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``committee to which is
        referred a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has not
        reported such'' and inserting ``joint committee has not
        reported a''; and
            (4) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``committee to which
        is referred a joint resolution is referred has reported'' and
        inserting ``joint committee'' and by striking ``a committee''
        and inserting ``the joint committee''.
    (c) Definitions.--Section 804 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) The term `joint committee' refers to the Joint
        Committee on Agency Rule Review.''.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act and the amendments made by it shall take effect at noon on
January 3, 2005.

Output:
Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review Act of 2003 (JCARR Act) - Amends Federal law to establish the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.

Prescribes a procedure for expedited consideration by the House of Representatives of a joint resolution reported by such committee disapproving an agency rule.


Input:
SECTION 1. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK ASSISTANCE FOR EXPORTS TO CHINA
              CONDITIONED ON ADHERENCE TO CODE OF CONDUCT.

    (a) In General.--Section 2(b) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945
(12 U.S.C. 635(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Assistance for Exports to China Conditioned Upon Adherence to
Code of Conduct.--
            ``(1) Prohibitions.--
                    ``(A) Pre-assistance condition.--The Bank shall not
                guarantee, insure, extend credit, or participate in the
                extension of credit to an entity with respect to the
                export of any good or service destined for the People's
                Republic of China unless the Board of Directors
                determines that the entity has established and is
                adhering to the code of conduct set forth in paragraph
                (2).
                    ``(B) Penalty for violation.--The Bank shall
                withdraw any guarantee, insurance, or credit that the
                Bank has provided, and shall withdraw from any
                participation in an extension of credit, to an entity
                with respect to the export of any good or service
                destined for the People's Republic of China if the
                Board of Directors determines that the entity is not
                adhering to the code of conduct set forth in paragraph
                (2).
            ``(2) Code of conduct.--An entity shall do all of the
        following in all of its operations:
                    ``(A) Provide a safe and healthy workplace.
                    ``(B) Ensure fair employment, including by--
                            ``(i) avoiding child and forced labor, and
                        discrimination based upon race, gender,
                        national origin, or religious beliefs;
                            ``(ii) respecting freedom of association
                        and the right to organize and bargain
                        collectively;
                            ``(iii) paying not less than the minimum
                        wage required by law or the prevailing industry
                        wage, whichever is higher; and
                            ``(iv) providing all legally mandated
                        benefits.
                    ``(C) Obey all applicable environmental laws.
                    ``(D) Comply with United States and local laws
                promoting good business practices, including laws
                prohibiting illicit payments and ensuring fair
                competition.
                    ``(E) Maintain, through leadership at all levels, a
                corporate culture--
                            ``(i) which respects free expression
                        consistent with legitimate business concerns,
                        and does not condone political coercion in the
                        workplace;
                            ``(ii) which encourages good corporate
                        citizenship and makes a positive contribution
                        to the communities in which the entity
                        operates; and
                            ``(iii) in which ethical conduct is
                        recognized, valued, and exemplified by all
                        employees.
                    ``(F) Require similar behavior by partners,
                suppliers, and subcontractors under terms of contracts.
                    ``(G) Implement and monitor compliance with the
                subparagraphs (A) through (F) through a program that is
                designed to prevent and detect noncompliance by any
                employee or supplier of the entity and that includes--
                            ``(i) standards for ethical conduct of
                        employees of the entity and of suppliers which
                        refer to the subparagraphs;
                            ``(ii) procedures for assignment of
                        appropriately qualified personnel at the
                        management level to monitor and enforce
                        compliance;
                            ``(iii) procedures for reporting
                        noncompliance by employees and suppliers;
                            ``(iv) procedures for selecting qualified
                        individuals who are not employees of the entity
                        or of suppliers to monitor compliance, and for
                        assessing the effectiveness of such compliance
                        monitoring;
                            ``(v) procedures for disciplinary action in
                        response to noncompliance;
                            ``(vi) procedures designed to ensure that,
                        in cases in which noncompliance is detected,
                        reasonable steps are taken to correct the
                        noncompliance and prevent similar noncompliance
                        from occurring; and
                            ``(vii) communication of all standards and
                        procedures with respect to the code of conduct
                        to every employee and supplier--
                                    ``(I) by requiring all management
                                level employees and suppliers to
                                participate in a training program; or
                                    ``(II) by disseminating information
                                orally and in writing, through posting
                                of an explanation of the standards and
                                procedures in prominent places
                                sufficient to inform all employees and
                                suppliers, in the local languages
                                spoken by employees and managers.
            ``(3) Small business exception.--This subsection shall not
        apply to an entity that is a small business (within the meaning
        of the Small Business Act).''.
    (b) Annual Report.--Section 2(b)(1)(A) of such Act (12 U.S.C.
635(b)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The Bank
shall include in the annual report a description of the actions the
Bank has taken to comply with subsection (f) during the period covered
by the report.''.
    (c) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that
the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Clearinghouse on
Corporate Responsibility that is being developed by the Department of
Commerce should work together to ensure that businesses are made aware
of, and have access to, resources and organizations that can assist
businesses in developing, implementing, and monitoring global codes of
corporate conduct.

Output:
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to prohibit the Export-Import Bank of the United States from guaranteeing, insuring, or extending credit to an entity (except a small business) with respect to the export of any good or service to China unless the Board of Directors of the Bank determines that such entity is adhering to certain environmental and fair employment principles under a corporate code of conduct.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Bank and the Clearinghouse on Corporate Responsibility that is being developed by the Department of Commerce should work together to ensure that businesses are made aware of, and have access to, resources and organizations that can assist them in developing and monitoring global codes of corporate conduct.


Input:
SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF FT. LYON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
              MEDICAL CENTER, COLORADO, TO THE STATE OF COLORADO.

    (a) Conveyance Authorized.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law and subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs may convey, without consideration, to the State of
Colorado all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to
a parcel of real property, including improvements thereon other than
Kit Carson Chapel, consisting of approximately 512 acres and comprising
the location of the Ft. Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center. The purpose of the conveyance is to permit the State of
Colorado to utilize the property for purposes of a correctional
facility.
    (b) Public Access.--(1) The Secretary may not make the conveyance
of real property authorized by subsection (a) unless the State of
Colorado agrees to provide appropriate public access to Kit Carson
Chapel and the cemetery located on the real property.
    (2) The State of Colorado may satisfy the condition specified in
paragraph (1) with respect to Kit Carson Chapel by relocating the
chapel to Fort Lyon National Cemetery, Colorado, or another appropriate
location jointly selected by the Secretary and the State of Colorado.
    (c) Replacement Facilities.--The Secretary may not make the
conveyance authorized by subsection (a) until the date on which the
Secretary opens not less than three health care facilities, and a
nursing home care facility, in Veterans Integrated Service Network
(VISN) 19, which shall serve as replacement facilities for the Ft. Lyon
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
    (d) Environmental Restoration.--The Secretary may not make the
conveyance authorized by subsection (a) until the Secretary completes
the evaluation and performance of any environmental restoration
activities required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), and
by any other provision of law.
    (e) Personal Property.--As part of the conveyance authorized by
subsection (a), the Secretary may convey, without consideration, to the
State of Colorado any furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other
personal property associated with the property conveyed under that
subsection that the Secretary determines is not required for purposes
of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities to be
established by the Secretary in southern Colorado or for purposes of
Ft. Lyon National Cemetery.
    (f) Legal Description.--The exact acreage and legal description of
the real property to be conveyed under subsection (a), and of any
fixtures and other personal property conveyed under subsection (e),
shall be determined by a survey, and by such other methods, as are
satisfactory to the Secretary. Any costs associated with activities
under this subsection shall be borne by the State of Colorado.
    (g) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may require
such other terms and conditions in connection with the conveyances
authorized by subsections (a) and (e) as the Secretary considers
appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.

SEC. 2. EFFECT OF CLOSURE OF FT. LYON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
              MEDICAL CENTER ON ADMINISTRATION OF HEALTH CARE FOR
              VETERANS.

    (a) Payment for Nursing Home Care.--Notwithstanding any limitation
under section 1720 or 1741 of title 38, United States Code, the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may pay the State of Colorado, or any
private nursing home care facility, for costs incurred in providing
nursing home care to any veteran who is relocated from the Ft. Lyon
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Colorado, to the State
of Colorado or such private facility, as the case may be, as a result
of the closure of the Ft. Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center.
    (b) Obligation To Provide Extended Care Services.--Nothing in this
Act may be construed to alter or otherwise effect the obligation of the
Secretary to meet the requirements of section 1710B(b) of title 38,
United States Code, relating to staffing and levels of extended care
services in fiscal years after fiscal year 1998.
    (c) Extension of Voluntary Early Retirement Authority.--
Notwithstanding section 1109(a) of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1999 (title XI of Public Law
106-117; 113 Stat. 1599; 5 U.S.C. 5597 note), the authority to pay
voluntary separation incentive payments under that Act to employees of
the Ft. Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center shall apply
to eligible employees (as defined by section 1110 of that Act) at the
Ft. Lyon Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center whose separation
occurs before June 30, 2001.
    (d) Report on Veterans Health Care in Southern Colorado.--Not later
than one year after the conveyance, if any, authorized by section 1,
the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
acting through the Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network
(VISN) 19, shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the status of the
health care system for veterans under the Network in the Southern
Colorado. The report shall describe any improvements to the system in
Southern Colorado that have been put into effect in the period
beginning on the date of the conveyance and ending on the date of the
report.

Output:
Prohibits the Secretary from making the conveyance unless the State agrees to provide public access to the Chapel and the cemetery located on such property. Permits the State to satisfy such condition respecting the chapel by relocating it to Ft. Lyon National Cemetery, Colorado, or another appropriate location jointly selected by the Secretary and the State.
Prohibits the Secretary from making the conveyance until: (1) the date on which the Secretary opens not less than three health care facilities, and a nursing home care facility, in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, which shall serve as replacement facilities for the Medical Center; and (2) the Secretary completes required environmental restoration activities.
Authorizes the Secretary to pay the State or any private nursing home care facility for costs incurred in providing nursing home care to any veteran who is relocated from the Medical Center as a result of the Medical Center's closure.
States that the authority to pay voluntary separation incentive payments under the Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Reduction Assistance Act of 1999 to employees of the Medical Center shall apply to eligible employees whose separation occurs before June 30, 2001.
Requires the Under Secretary for Health of the Department, acting through the Director of VISN 19, not later than one year after the conveyance, to submit to congressional veterans affairs committees a report on the status of the health care system for veterans under VISN in southern Colorado describing any improvements to such system in southern Colorado that have been put into effect since the date of such conveyance.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Defense Privatization
and Outsourcing Moratorium Act''.

SEC. 2. MORATORIUM ON PRIVATIZATION AND OUTSOURCING OF DEPARTMENT OF
              DEFENSE FUNCTIONS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) There is conflicting evidence that the current
        privatization and outsourcing efforts of the Department of
        Defense, including the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air
        Force, are reducing the cost of support functions within the
        Department.
            (2) Typically, these privatization and outsourcing efforts
        result in contractors simply replacing civilian employees of
        the Department at lower initial costs, but higher longer-term
        costs, while stagnating organizational improvements that would
        otherwise result in greater efficiencies and effectiveness.
            (3) Recent and current privatization and outsourcing
        efforts in some cases appear to have created serious oversight
        and accountability problems for the Department.
            (4) The Department, as a general practice, has adjusted the
        operating budgets of the Armed Forces and specific military
        installations to reflect savings anticipated as a result of
        Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 studies and
        subsequent privatization and outsourcing activities.
            (5) The massive drawdowns in the size of the Armed Forces
        during the 1990's and the restructuring of military
        installations through the base closure process have created a
        climate in which making accurate decisions concerning
        privatization and outsourcing are further complicated due to
        the dynamic nature of the civilian workforce of the Department.
            (6) The Department should pursue alternatives to the
        privatization and outsourcing approach conducted under the A-76
        process, such as ``Strategic Sourcing'', to find its most
        efficient organization to perform commercial or industrial type
        functions.
    (b) Moratorium.--(1) Chapter 146 of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2475. Moratorium on privatization and outsourcing
    ``(a) Moratorium.--(1) During the period specified in subsection
(b), any commercial or industrial type function of the Department of
Defense that, as of the date of the enactment of this section, is being
performed by Department of Defense civilian employees may not be
changed to performance by the private sector.
    ``(2) The moratorium applies to a function even though, as of the
date of the enactment of this section, the function--
            ``(A) is the subject of a study or report under section
        2461 of this title for conversion to contractor performance; or
            ``(B) is being considered for such conversion under the
        procedures and requirements of Office of Management and Budget
        Circular A-76.
    ``(3) As part of the moratorium, the Secretary of Defense shall
order the suspension of any study being conducted under section 2461 of
this title or Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 regarding a
commercial or industrial type function of the Department. New studies
regarding such a function at a military installation may not be
commenced under such section or circular during the period of the
moratorium.
    ``(b) Duration of Moratorium.--The moratorium imposed under
subsection (a) begins on the date of the enactment of this section and
shall continue until the end of the five-year period beginning on the
date the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that all actions
necessary to carry out the 1995 round of base closures and realignments
have been completed under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act
of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687
note).
    ``(c) Exception.--The moratorium imposed under subsection (a) does
not apply to a commercial or industrial type function of the Department
of Defense that is being converted, or is being considered for
conversion, to performance by the private sector under a Strategic
Sourcing or Business Process and Re-engineering plan of the Department.
    ``(d) Report Evaluating Conversion to Contractor Performance.--(1)
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this
section, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report
evaluating--
            ``(A) each conversion of a commercial or industrial type
        function of the Department of Defense to contractor performance
        that was carried out, in whole or in part, since October 1,
        1996; and
            ``(B) each commercial or industrial type function of the
        Department that was considered, since that date, for conversion
        to contractor performance under section 2461 of this title or
        Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76, but that was not
        converted.
    ``(2) At a minimum, the report shall contain the following
information for each function covered by the report:
            ``(A) The code, title, and actual functions performed by
        civilian employees of the Department.
            ``(B) The cost to study the function for possible
        conversion.
            ``(C) The number of civilian employees affected.
            ``(D) The personnel cost of the conversion, including costs
        resulting from reduction in force, retirement, retraining and
        other movement and separation costs.
            ``(E) The cost and identity of materials, equipment and
        facilities provided contractors in conversion to contractor
        performance.
            ``(F) The cost of the initial contract, the number of
        employees expected to perform the function, and variants in
        each thereafter.
    ``(3) The report shall also contain the following aggregate
information for the functions covered by the report:
            ``(A) The average annual costs or savings associated with
        all Department conversions to contractor performance.
            ``(B) The overall average annual costs or savings resulting
        from efficiencies achieved in Department functions described in
        paragraph (1)(B).
    ``(e) Effect of Moratorium on Operating Budgets.--On account of the
moratorium imposed under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall
provide for an adjustment in the operating budgets of the armed forces
and military installations to compensate for the fact that the
operating budgets of the armed forces and many military installations
were reduced, before the start of the moratorium, to reflect future
savings anticipated as a result of completing the A-76 competitive
study process and converting to contractor performance those commercial
and industrial type functions of the Department of Defense that are now
subject to the moratorium.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``2475. Moratorium on privatization and outsourcing.''.

Output:
Requires the Secretary to report to Congress evaluating: (1) each conversion that was carried out since October 1, 1996; and (2) each function that was considered for conversion since such date, but not converted.
Directs the Secretary, on account of such moratorium, to provide for an adjustment in the operating budgets of the armed forces and military installations to compensate for the fact that such budgets were previously reduced to reflect savings anticipated from the conversion of such functions to private sector performance.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Commission on Effective Regulation
and Assessment Systems for Public Schools Act''.

SEC. 2. COMMISSION ON EFFECTIVE REGULATION AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS FOR
              PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

    (a) In General.--The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

 ``TITLE X--COMMISSION ON EFFECTIVE REGULATION AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS
                           FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

``SEC. 10001. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) Chairperson.--The term `Chairperson' means the
        Chairperson of the Commission.
            ``(2) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the
        Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for
        Public Schools.
            ``(3) Relevant committees.--The term `relevant committees'
        means the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
        of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce
        of the House of Representatives.

``SEC. 10002. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION ON EFFECTIVE REGULATION AND
              ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of the Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment
Systems for Public Schools Act, the Secretary shall establish a
commission to be known as the `Commission on Effective Regulation and
Assessment Systems for Public Schools'.
    ``(b) Purpose.--The Commission shall--
            ``(1) examine Federal, State, and local regulatory
        requirements on elementary and secondary education;
            ``(2) make recommendations on how to align and improve such
        Federal, State, and local requirements to improve performance
        and innovation;
            ``(3) examine the quality and purpose of current Federal,
        State, and local assessment requirements; and
            ``(4) make recommendations to improve and align assessment
        systems to provide quality and meaningful information for
        parents, teachers, and students to improve student achievement,
        teacher performance, and innovation.
    ``(c) Membership.--
            ``(1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of--
                    ``(A) 4 Governors;
                    ``(B) 6 State legislators;
                    ``(C) 2 Chief State school officers;
                    ``(D) 2 State officials responsible for
                administering Federal education programs;
                    ``(E) 4 superintendents;
                    ``(F) 2 principals;
                    ``(G) 2 teachers;
                    ``(H) 2 assessment experts; and
                    ``(I) 2 teacher and principal effectiveness
                experts.
            ``(2) Recommendations.--The Secretary shall solicit input
        and nominations for appointing members of the Commission from--
                    ``(A) Governors;
                    ``(B) members of Congress;
                    ``(C) State legislators;
                    ``(D) superintendents, principals, teachers, and
                other members of the education community; and
                    ``(E) parents, students, and other members of the
                general public.
            ``(3) Determination.--The Secretary shall determine the
        membership of the Commission after considering recommendations
        submitted under paragraph (2).
    ``(d) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall designate a Governor as the
Chairperson of the Commission.
    ``(e) Meetings.--The Commission shall hold, at the call of the
Chairperson, at least 1 meeting every 6 months. All such meetings shall
be open to the public. The Commission may hold, at the call of the
Chairperson, such other meetings as the Chairperson sees fit to carry
out this title.
    ``(f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
    ``(g) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first meeting
not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Commission on
Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for Public Schools Act.

``SEC. 10003. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    ``(a) Hearings.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall hold such hearings,
        sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and
        receive such evidence as the Commission determines appropriate
        to carry out this title.
            ``(2) Participation.--In hearings held under this
        subsection, the Commission shall consider inviting witnesses
        from, among other groups--
                    ``(A) teachers;
                    ``(B) parents;
                    ``(C) principals;
                    ``(D) superintendents;
                    ``(E) Federal, State, and local educational agency
                personnel;
                    ``(F) researchers and other experts; and
                    ``(G) any other individuals determined appropriate
                by the Commission.
    ``(b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out this title. Upon request of
the Chairperson, the head of such department or agency shall furnish
such information to the Commission.

``SEC. 10004. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    ``(a) Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall take such actions
        as it determines necessary to gain a full understanding of the
        issues of effective regulation and assessment systems for
        public schools.
            ``(2) Areas of emphasis.--The Commission shall focus--
                    ``(A) in examining the over-regulation of public
                schools, on--
                            ``(i) examining Federal, State and local
                        regulations governing public schools;
                            ``(ii) differentiating between financial,
                        programmatic, general education, special
                        education, and civil rights requirements;
                            ``(iii) identifying which government entity
                        requires each regulation;
                            ``(iv) measuring the cost of compliance in
                        terms of funds spent on compliance and time in
                        hours and personnel;
                            ``(v) identifying duplicative, redundant,
                        or unnecessary regulations at each governmental
                        level; and
                            ``(vi) investigating how Federal, State,
                        and local interpretations of laws and
                        regulations create additional or unnecessary
                        burden and are used as rationale for imposing
                        requirements that are not actually mandated by
                        law; and
                    ``(B) in examining the effective testing of public
                schools, on--
                            ``(i) examining Federal, State, and local
                        testing and standardized assessment
                        requirements for public elementary schools,
                        middle schools, and high schools;
                            ``(ii) determining the purpose and intent
                        of each such test or assessment, including
                        whether it is intended to measure student
                        achievement and growth, teacher and principal
                        effectiveness, or system accountability;
                            ``(iii) determining the frequency, length,
                        and scheduling of such tests and assessments,
                        and measuring, in hours and days, the student
                        and teacher time spent on testing;
                            ``(iv) examining standardized assessments
                        required by Federal, State, or local
                        requirements, excluding teacher-created tests
                        and quizzes and formative assessments;
                            ``(v) reporting on the quality of
                        standardized assessments;
                            ``(vi) examining reporting practices of
                        test results and the degree to which they are
                        returned in a timely manner with sufficient
                        quality to be useful to parents, teachers and
                        principals, and students to inform and improve
                        their work, including targeting instruction to
                        student needs, grading student work, and
                        evaluating teacher and principal effectiveness;
                            ``(vii) analyzing the ability of quality
                        assessments to measure whether a student is
                        prepared to graduate from high school and
                        pursue college or a career without the need for
                        academic remediation;
                            ``(viii) examining what factors most
                        contribute to quality assessments and the
                        extent to which high-quality assessments can
                        advance student learning;
                            ``(ix) determining the technology
                        infrastructure required for next generation
                        assessments; and
                            ``(x) identifying opportunities to improve
                        assessment practices to better promote parent,
                        teacher and principal, and student
                        understanding of progress toward college and
                        career readiness and public understanding of
                        school performance and educational
                        productivity.
            ``(3) Samples.--In conducting its work under this title,
        the Commission may rely on samples of States and local school
        districts for examples of regulations and testing requirements.
    ``(b) Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission
        shall provide regular reports in a manner and form of the
        Commission's choosing to--
                    ``(A) the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) the members of the relevant committees.
            ``(2) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
        of the first meeting of the Commission, and annually
        thereafter, the Commission shall issue a report to--
                    ``(A) the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) the members of the relevant committees.
            ``(3) Public report.--The Commission shall--
                    ``(A) prepare a report--
                            ``(i) analyzing findings of the Commission;
                        and
                            ``(ii) making recommendations for Federal,
                        State, and local policy makers; and
                    ``(B) broadly disseminate such report to the
                general public.
    ``(c) Testimony.--The Chairperson shall annually provide testimony
to the relevant committees.

``SEC. 10005. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    ``(a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission shall
serve without compensation in addition to any such compensation
received for the member's service as an officer or employee of the
United States, if applicable.
    ``(b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter 1 of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the
Commission.
    ``(c) Assistance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Assistant Secretary of Elementary
        and Secondary Education shall provide assistance to the
        Commission, upon request of the Commission, without
        reimbursement.
            ``(2) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal
        Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without
        reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or
        loss of civil service status or privilege.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 2 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by adding at
the end the following:

 ``TITLE X--COMMISSION ON EFFECTIVE REGULATION AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS
                           FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

``Sec. 10001. Definitions.
``Sec. 10002. Establishment of Commission on Effective Regulation and
                            Assessment Systems for Public Schools.
``Sec. 10003. Powers of the Commission.
``Sec. 10004. Duties of the Commission.
``Sec. 10005. Commission personnel matters.''.

Output:
Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for Public Schools Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish the Commission on Effective Regulation and Assessment Systems for Public Schools, composed of certain government officials, educators, and education policy experts.

Requires the Commission to: (1) examine the effect government regulations have on elementary and secondary education; (2) recommend ways to align and improve those regulations to improve performance and innovation in education; and (3) recommend ways to improve and align assessment systems to provide reliable and meaningful information to parents, teachers, and students to improve student achievement, teacher performance, and innovation.