Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Independent Bipartisan Commission on
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``Independent Bipartisan Commission on Campaign Finance Reform''
(referred to in this Act as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are to study the law
relating to elections for Federal office and to report and recommend
legislation to reform that law.

SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Composition.--
            (1) Number.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 members
        appointed by the President not later than the date that is 15
        days after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Requirements.--The members shall be appointed from
        among individuals who--
                    (A) are not incumbent Members of Congress; and
                    (B) are specially qualified to serve on the
                Commission by reason of education, training, or
                experience.
    (b) Appointment.--
            (1) In general.--Members shall be appointed as follows:
                    (A) 3 members (one of whom is a political
                independent (as defined in paragraph (3))) shall be
                appointed from among a list of nominees submitted by
                the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
                    (B) 3 members (one of whom is a political
                independent) shall be appointed from among a list of
                nominees submitted by the Majority Leader of the
                Senate.
                    (C) 3 members (one of whom is a political
                independent) shall be appointed from among a list of
                nominees submitted by the Minority Leader of the House
                of Representatives.
                    (D) 3 members (one of whom is a political
                independent) shall be appointed from among a list of
                nominees submitted by the Minority Leader of the
                Senate.
            (2) Failure to submit list of nominees.--If an official
        described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph
        (1) fails to submit a list of nominees to the President during
        the 15-day period that begins on the date of enactment of this
        Act--
                    (A) the applicable subparagraph shall no longer
                apply; and
                    (B) the President shall appoint 3 members (one of
                whom is a political independent) who meet the
                requirements described in subsection (a) and such other
                criteria as the President may determine to apply.
            (3) Political independent.--In this subsection, the term
        ``political independent'' means an individual who at no time on
        or after January 1, 1992--
                    (A) has held elective office as a member of the
                Democratic or Republican party;
                    (B) has received any compensation from the
                Democratic or Republican party or from a Democratic or
                Republican party officeholder or candidate; or
                    (C) has provided substantial volunteer services or
                made any substantial contribution to the Democratic or
                Republican party or to a Democratic or Republican party
                officeholder or candidate.
    (c) Chairperson.--At the time of the appointment, the President
shall designate 1 member of the Commission as the chairperson of the
Commission.
    (d) Period of Appointment.--A member of the Commission shall be
appointed for the life of the Commission.
    (e) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the
manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (f) Political Affiliation.--Not more than 4 members of the
Commission may be of the same political party (as defined in section
301 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431)).

SEC. 4. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may, for the purpose of
        carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at such times
        and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as
        the Commission considers appropriate.
            (2) Open meetings.--In carrying out the preceding
        paragraph, the Commission shall ensure that a substantial
        number of its meetings are open meetings, with significant
        opportunities for testimony from members of the general public.
    (b) Quorum.--7 members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum,
but a lesser number may hold hearings.
    (c) Voting.--The approval of at least 9 members of the Commission
is required when approving all or a portion of the recommended
legislation.
    (d) Power of Member.--A member of the Commission may, if authorized
by the Commission, take an action that the Commission is authorized to
take under this section.

SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Pay and Travel Expenses of Members.--
            (1) Pay rate.--Each member of the Commission shall be paid
        at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of
        basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule
        under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day
        (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in
        the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission.
            (2) Travel expenses.--Members of the Commission shall
        receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
        subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title
        5, United States Code.
    (b) Staff Director.--The Commission shall, without regard to
section 5311(b) of title 5, United States Code, appoint a staff
director, who shall be paid at the rate of basic pay payable for level
IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code.
    (c) Staff of Commission; Services.--
            (1) In general.--With the approval of the Commission, the
        staff director of the Commission may appoint additional
        personnel, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
        States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service,
        and may fix the pay of additional personnel, without regard to
        the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
        of that title relating to classification and General Schedule
        pay rates.
            (2) Maximum rate of pay.--An an individual appointed under
        paragraph (1) may not receive pay in excess of the maximum
        annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-15 of the General
        Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.
            (3) Experts and consultants.--The Commission may procure by
        contract the temporary or intermittent services of experts or
        consultants pursuant to section 3109 of title 5, United States
        Code.

SEC. 6. REPORT AND RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION.

    (a) Report.--Not later than July 1, 1998, or the date that is 240
days after the date on which the last of the members of the Commission
is appointed under section 3 (whichever occurs earlier), the Commission
shall submit to the President, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the
Senate a report of the activities of the Commission.
    (b) Recommendations; Draft of Legislation.--The report under
subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) any recommendations for changes in the law (including
        regulations) relating to elections for Federal office
        (including any changes in the rules of the Senate or the House
        of Representatives) to which 9 or more members of the
        Commission agree; and
            (2) at least 1 bill (including technical and conforming
        provisions) approved by the members of the Commission to
        implement the recommendations.
    (c) Goals of Recommendations and Legislation.--In making
recommendations and preparing legislation under this section, the
Commission shall consider the following primary goals:
            (1) Encouraging fair and open Federal elections that
        provide voters with meaningful information about candidates and
        issues.
            (2) Eliminating the disproportionate influence of special
        interest financing of Federal elections.
            (3) Creating a more equitable electoral system for
        challenger and incumbent candidates.

SEC. 7. EXPEDITED CONGRESSIONAL CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION.

    (a) In General.--Each bill submitted under section 6(b) shall--
            (1) not later than 3 days after the Commission submits the
        bill under section 6(a), be introduced (by request) in the
        House of Representatives by the Majority Leader of the House
        and shall be introduced (by request) in the Senate by the
        Majority Leader of the Senate; and
            (2) be given expedited consideration under the same
        provisions and in the same way, subject to subsection (b), as a
        joint resolution under section 2908 of the Defense Base Closure
        and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2678 note).
    (b) Special Rules.--For purposes of applying subsection (a) with
respect to such provisions, the following rules shall apply:
            (1) Section 2908(a) of the Defense Base Closure and
        Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2678 note) shall not apply.
            (2) Any reference to the resolution described in subsection
        (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the bill submitted
        under section 6(b) of this Act.
            (3) Any reference to the Committee on National Security of
        the House of Representatives shall be deemed to be a reference
        to the Committee on House Oversight of the House of
        Representatives and any reference to the Committee on Armed
        Services of the Senate shall be deemed to be a reference to the
        Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
            (4) Any reference to the date on which the President
        transmits a report shall be deemed to be a reference to the
        date on which the recommendation of the Commission is submitted
        under section 6(b).
            (5) Notwithstanding section 2908(d)(2) of the Act--
                    (A) debate on the bill in the House of
                Representatives, and on all debatable motions and
                appeals in connection with the bill, shall be limited
                to not more than 10 hours, divided equally between
                those favoring and those opposing the bill;
                    (B) debate on the bill in the Senate, and on all
                debatable motions and appeals in connection with the
                bill, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours,
                divided equally between those favoring and those
                opposing the bill; and
                    (C) debate in the Senate on any single debatable
                motion and appeal in connection with the bill shall be
                limited to not more than 1 hour, divided equally
                between the proponent of the motion and the manager of
                the bill, except that if the manager of the bill is in
                favor of the motion or appeal, the time in opposition
                to the motion or appeal shall be controlled by the
                Minority Leader or the Leader's designee, and the
                Majority and Minority Leader may each allot additional
                time from time under such Leader's control to any
                Senator during the consideration of any debatable
                motion or appeal.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall cease to exist on the date that is 90 days
after the date of the submission of its report under section 6.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums
as are necessary to carry out its duties under this Act.

Output:
Independent Bipartisan Commission on Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1997 - Establishes the Independent Bipartisan Commission on Campaign Finance Reform to study the law relating to elections for Federal office and to report and recommend legislation to reform that law.
Provides for expedited congressional consideration of legislation submitted under this Act.
Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its report.
Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE, FINDINGS, AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Target Practice
and Marksmanship Training Support Act''.
    (b) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Use of firearms for target practice and marksmanship
        training on Federal lands is allowed except to the extent
        specific portions of such lands have been closed to such
        activities.
            (2) In recent years, considerations of public safety have
        made it necessary to close additional portions of Federal lands
        to target practice and marksmanship training, especially in
        States that have experienced significant population growth.
            (3) Use of public target ranges on Federal lands is often
        more consistent with public safety and convenience than use of
        undeveloped Federal lands for target practice and marksmanship
        training.
            (4) It is in the public interest for the Federal Government
        to provide support for construction or expansion of public
        target ranges, especially in States where population growth and
        patterns of settlement in recent years have made it necessary
        to prohibit such activities on Federal lands where target
        practice and marksmanship training were formerly allowed.
            (5) Current law, including the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
        Restoration Act, provides Federal support for construction or
        expansion of public target ranges by making available to States
        funds that can be used for construction, operation, and
        maintenance of public target ranges.
            (6) It is in the public interest to provide greater Federal
        support to facilitate construction or expansion of public
        target ranges in States that have experienced population growth
        and a reduction in the number of such target ranges on Federal
        lands.
    (c) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the
construction and expansion of public target ranges, including ranges on
Federal lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management, in States that have experienced population growth and a
reduction in the extent to which target practice and marksmanship
training are permitted on Federal lands in such States.

SEC. 2. FUNDING.

    (a) Cost Sharing and Availability of Funds.--Section 10 of the
Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669h-1) is
amended as follows:
            (1) By amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Cost Sharing.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided by paragraph (2), the
        Federal share of the cost of any activity carried out with a
        grant under this section shall not exceed 75 percent of the
        total cost of the activity.
            ``(2) Public target range construction or expansion.--
                    ``(A) The Federal share of the cost of acquiring
                land for, or construction or expansion of, a public
                target range in an eligible State shall not exceed 90
                percent of such cost.
                    ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term
                `eligible State' means a State that, since the most
                recent decennial census, has experienced--
                            ``(i) at least a 2 percent growth in
                        population, as demonstrated by the State to the
                        satisfaction of the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) a reduction in the acreage of
                        Federal lands in such State where target
                        practice and marksmanship training are
                        permitted, as determined by the Secretary.''.
            (2) In subsection (c)(1), by striking the final period and
        inserting the following: ``except that amounts provided for
        acquiring land for, or construction or expansion of, public
        target ranges shall remain available until expended in the case
        of a State that, since the most recent decennial census, has
        experienced--
                    ``(A) at least a 2 percent growth in population, as
                demonstrated by the State to the satisfaction of the
                Secretary; and
                    ``(B) a reduction in the acreage of Federal lands
                in such State where target practice and marksmanship
                training are permitted, as determined by the
                Secretary.''.
    (b) Use of Wildlife Conservation Funds.--Section 4 of the Pittman-
Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (c) (relating to
        apportionment of Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account)
        as subsection (d) and subsection (d) (relating to Wildlife
        Conservation and Restoration Programs) as subsection (e);
            (2) in subsection (e)(3), as redesignated by paragraph (1),
        by striking ``subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subsection
        (d)''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)(4)(B), as redesignated by paragraph
        (1), by--
                    (A) inserting ``(i)'' after ``(B)''; and
                    (B) adding at the end the following new clauses:
                            ``(ii) During the first fiscal year
                        beginning after the date of enactment of the
                        Target Practice and Marksmanship Training
                        Support Act and each of the 9 subsequent fiscal
                        years, not more than 10 percent of the amounts
                        apportioned to an eligible State under this
                        section for such State's wildlife conservation
                        and restoration program may be used for
                        acquiring land for, or construction or
                        expansion of, public target ranges or for
                        assisting a Federal land-management agency with
                        environmental remediation or other steps needed
                        to allow for public target ranges on Federal
                        lands.
                            ``(iii) As used in clause (ii), the term
                        `eligible State' means a State that, since the
                        most recent decennial census, has experienced--
                                    ``(I) at least a 2 percent growth
                                in population, as demonstrated by the
                                State to the satisfaction of the
                                Secretary; and
                                    ``(II) a reduction in the acreage
                                of Federal lands in such State where
                                target practice and marksmanship
                                training are permitted, as determined
                                by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 3. LIMITS ON LIABILITY.

    (a) Discretionary Function.--For purposes of the Federal Tort
Claims Act (28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 2671-2680), any action by an agent or
employee of the United States to authorize use of Federal land for
purposes of target practice or marksmanship training by members of the
public shall be considered to constitute the exercise or performance of
a discretionary function.
    (b) Civil Action or Claims.--Except to the extent provided in the
Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. 1346(b), 2671-2680), the United
States shall not be subject to any civil action or claim for money
damages for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death
caused by any activity occurring at a public target range that is
wholly or partially funded by the United States pursuant to this Act or
located on Federal land.

SEC. 4. COOPERATION.

    It is the sense of Congress that, consistent with applicable laws
and regulations, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management
should cooperate with State and local authorities and other entities to
carry out environmental remediation or other activities on Federal
lands used as public target ranges in order to avoid closing such lands
to use for target practice or marksmanship training.

Output:
Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act - Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to limit the federal share of the cost of acquiring land for, or construction or expansion of, public target ranges in eligible states to 90% of such cost. Defines "eligible state" to mean a state that, since the most recent decennial census, has experienced: (1) at least a 2% growth in population; and (2) a reduction in the acreage of federal lands in such state where target practice and marksmanship training are permitted.

Specifies that amounts made available and apportioned for grants that are provided to eligible states under the firearm and bow hunter education and safety program for acquiring land for, or construction or expansion of, public target ranges shall remain available until they are expended.

Permits not more than 10% of the amounts apportioned to an eligible state under the Act for such state's wildlife conservation and restoration program to be used for acquiring land for, or construction or expansion of, public target ranges or for assisting a federal land-management agency with environmental remediation or other steps needed to allow for public target ranges on federal lands.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Judicial Transparency and Ethics
Enhancement Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

    (a) Creation and Duties.--Part III of title 28, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:

        ``CHAPTER 60--INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

``1021. Establishment.
``1022. Appointment of Inspector General.
``1023. Duties.
``1024. Powers.
``1025. Reports.
``1026. Whistleblower protection.
``Sec. 1021. Establishment
    ``There is established for the judicial branch of the Government
the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch (hereinafter in
this chapter referred to as the `Office').
``Sec. 1022. Appointment of Inspector General
    ``The head of the Office shall be the Inspector General, who shall
be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States after
consultation with the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and
the Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives.
``Sec. 1023. Duties
    ``With respect to the Judicial Branch, other than the United States
Supreme Court, the Office shall--
            ``(1) conduct investigations of matters pertaining to the
        Judicial Branch, including possible misconduct in office of
        judges and proceedings under chapter 16 of this title, that may
        require oversight or other action within the Judicial Branch or
        by Congress;
            ``(2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations;
            ``(3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse; and
            ``(4) recommend changes in laws or regulations governing
        the Judicial Branch.
``Sec. 1024. Powers
    ``In carrying out the duties of the Office, the Inspector General
shall have the power--
            ``(1) to make investigations and reports;
            ``(2) to obtain information or assistance from any Federal,
        State, or local governmental agency, or other entity, or unit
        thereof, including all information kept in the course of
        business by the Judicial Conference of the United States, the
        judicial councils of circuits, the Administrative Office of the
        United States Courts, and the United States Sentencing
        Commission;
            ``(3) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance
        and testimony of such witnesses, and the production of such
        books, records, correspondence memoranda, papers, and
        documents, which subpoena, in the case of contumacy or refusal
        to obey, shall be enforceable by civil action;
            ``(4) to administer to or take from any person an oath,
        affirmation, or affidavit;
            ``(5) to employ such officers and employees, subject to the
        provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
        appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of
        chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
        relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates;
            ``(6) to obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of
        title 5, United States Code, at daily rates not to exceed the
        equivalent rate prescribed for grade GS-18 of the General
        Schedule by section 5332 of title 5, United States Code; and
            ``(7) to the extent and in such amounts as may be provided
        in advance by appropriations Acts, to enter into contracts and
        other arrangements for audits, studies, analyses, and other
        services with public agencies and with private persons, and to
        make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the duties
        of the Office.
``Sec. 1025. Reports
    ``(a) When to Be Made.--The Inspector General shall--
            ``(1) make an annual report to the Chief Justice and to
        Congress relating to the activities of the Office; and
            ``(2) make prompt reports to the Chief Justice and to
        Congress on matters that may require action by them.
    ``(b) Sensitive Matter.--If a report contains sensitive matter, the
Inspector General may so indicate and Congress may receive that report
in closed session.
    ``(c) Duty to Inform Attorney General.--In carrying out the duties
of the Office, the Inspector General shall report expeditiously to the
Attorney General whenever the Inspector General has reasonable grounds
to believe there has been a violation of Federal criminal law.
``Sec. 1026. Whistleblower protection
    ``(a) In General.--No officer, employee, agent, contractor or
subcontractor in the Judicial Branch may discharge, demote, threaten,
suspend, harass or in any other manner discriminate against an employee
in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act
done by the employee to provide information, cause information to be
provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any
possible violation of Federal law or regulation, or misconduct, by a
judge or any other employee in the Judicial Branch, which may assist
the Inspector General in the performance of duties under this chapter.
    ``(b) Civil Action.--An employee injured by a violation of
subsection (a) may, in a civil action, obtain appropriate relief.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for part III of
title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:

``60.  Inspector General for the Judicial Branch.''.

Output:
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2006 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice.

Requires the Office to: (1) investigate matters pertaining to the Judicial Branch (other than the Supreme Court), including possible misconduct in office of justices and judges; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse.

Provides for whistleblower protection.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Cormorant Management and Natural
Resources Protection Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The current permitting system is not sufficient to
        achieve a streamlined control of excessive cormorant
        populations.
            (2) Excessive cormorant populations cause damage to
        ecosystems.
            (3) Excessive cormorant populations pose public health and
        safety concerns.
            (4) Excessive cormorant populations pose an unsightly,
        loud, and olfactory nuisance.
            (5) Excessive cormorant populations can have a detrimental
        effect on fish populations.
            (6) Excessive cormorant populations displace native species
        from their habitats.
            (7) Cormorant excrement in colonies often kills vegetation.

SEC. 3. DELEGATION TO STATES OF AUTHORITY UNDER MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY
              ACT WITH RESPECT TO CORMORANTS.

    (a) Delegation of Authority.--Section 7 of the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 708) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) Preservation of State Authority.--''
        before the first sentence; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Delegation to States of Authority With Respect to
Cormorants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The authority of the Secretary under
        this Act with respect to cormorants in a State is hereby
        delegated to the governor of the State effective on the date on
        which the Secretary approves a management plan for cormorants
        in the State that is submitted by the governor.
            ``(2) Approval or disapproval of management plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall approve or
                disapprove a management plan submitted under this
                subsection by not later than the end of the 60-day
                period beginning on the date the plan is submitted.
                    ``(B) Requirement to approve.--The Secretary shall
                approve a management plan submitted under this
                subsection if the plan is in accordance with United
                States obligations under treaties and Federal law.
                    ``(C) Disapproval of plan.--If the Secretary
                disapproves a management plan under this subsection the
                Secretary shall provide to the governor who submitted
                the plan the reasons for the disapproval and an
                opportunity to revise and resubmit the plan.
                    ``(D) Plan deemed approved.--Except as provided in
                subparagraph (E), if the Secretary does not approve or
                disapprove a management plan before the end of the
                period referred to in paragraph (1) the Secretary is
                deemed to have approved the plan.
                    ``(E) Limitation on approval.--A management plan
                shall not be approved under this paragraph if the plan
                is found to be in violation of United States
                obligations under treaties and Federal law.
                    ``(F) Review of approved plans.--The Secretary--
                            ``(i) shall review every 5 years each
                        management plan approved for a State under this
                        subsection and the State governor's exercise of
                        authority delegated under this subsection; and
                            ``(ii) may revoke such approval and
                        delegation if, based on such review, the
                        Secretary determines that the plan or the
                        governor's exercise of authority delegated
                        under this subsection is not in accordance with
                        this Act or any treaty implemented by this Act.
            ``(3) Relationship between approved plan and regulations.--
        A management plan that is approved for a State under this
        subsection shall apply in that State with respect to management
        of cormorants, in lieu of regulations issued under this Act.
            ``(4) Compliance with treaties and federal law.--In
        exercising authority delegated under this subsection the
        governor of a State shall comply with this Act and all treaties
        implemented by this Act.
            ``(5) Relationship to other authority.--Nothing in this
        subsection limits the authority of the Secretary or any Federal
        agency to exercise authority under any Federal law to assist a
        State, upon request by the governor of the State, with control
        of cormorants.
            ``(6) Cormorant defined.--In this subsection the term
        `cormorant' means the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax
        auritus).''.
    (b) Cooperation To Prevent Cormorant Proliferation.--
            (1) Department of interior cooperation.--The Secretary of
        the Interior, acting in consultation with the National
        Aquaculture Information Center and the Animal and Plant Health
        Inspection Service, shall conduct educational and informational
        activities for the owners and operators of aquaculture
        facilities to improve their efforts to prevent cormorants from
        consuming aquatic species being reared in aquaculture
        facilities, which contributes to the proliferation of
        cormorants.
            (2) Other efforts.--Nothing in this subsection restricts
        the authority of other Federal or State wildlife or natural
        resource management agencies to cooperate with the owners and
        operators of aquaculture facilities regarding the management
        and control of cormorants to prevent their proliferation.
            (3) Cormorant defined.--In this subsection, the term
        ``cormorant'' means the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax
        auritus).

Output:
Cormorant Management and Natural Resources Protection Act - Amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to delegate the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under such Act with respect to double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) to a state on the date the Secretary approves a cormorant management plan submitted by such state.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) approve or disapprove a management plan within 60 days of the plan's submission, (2) approve such plan if it is in accordance with U.S. obligations under treaties and federal law, (3) provide to the relevant governor the reasons for disapproving a plan and an opportunity to revise and resubmit the plan, (4) review each approved state management plan every five years, and (5) revoke such approval and delegation if the plan or the governor's exercise of delegated authority is not in accordance with such Act or any treaty implemented by such Act. Deems a management plan approved if the Secretary doesn't approve or disapprove it within 60 days after submission.

Applies an approved management plan in lieu of regulations issued under such Act.

Requires the Secretary to conduct educational and informational activities for the owners and operators of aquaculture facilities to improve their efforts to prevent cormorants from consuming aquatic species being reared in such facilities.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Tax Relief for Victims of Disasters
Act of 2011''.

SEC. 2. SPECIAL RULE FOR DETERMINING EARNED INCOME MADE APPLICABLE
              GENERALLY TO FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1400S(d)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and any'' and inserting ``any'', and
            (2) by inserting before the period at the end ``, and any
        qualified federally declared disaster individual''.
    (b) Qualified Federally Declared Disaster Individual.--Section
1400S(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding
at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Qualified federally declared disaster
                individual.--The term `qualified federally declared
                disaster individual' means with respect to a federally
                declared disaster occurring after December 31, 2010,
                and before January 1, 2013, any individual--
                            ``(i) whose principal place of abode on the
                        applicable date was located in the disaster
                        area and such individual was displaced from
                        such principal place of abode by reason of the
                        federally declared disaster, or
                            ``(ii) who performed substantially all
                        employment services in the disaster area and
                        was so employed on the applicable date.
                For purposes of the preceding sentence and paragraph
                (3)(D), the terms `federally declared disaster' and
                `disaster area' have the meanings given such terms in
                section 165(h)(3).''.
    (c) Applicable Date.--Section 1400S(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(B), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and
inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
                    ``(D) in the case of a qualified federally declared
                disaster individual, the date of the federally declared
                disaster.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to federally declared disasters occurring after
December 31, 2010.

SEC. 3. LOSSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1400S(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and (2)(A)'' in the matter preceding
        paragraph (1) and inserting ``, (2)(A), and (3)'',
            (2) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (2),
            (3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and
        inserting ``, or'', and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
        paragraph:
            ``(4) which arise in the disaster area (as defined in
        section 165(h)(3)(C)(ii)) and which are attributable to a
        federally declared disaster (as defined in section
        165(h)(3)(C)(i)) occurring after December 31, 2010, and before
        January 1, 2013.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to federally declared disasters occurring after
December 31, 2010.

SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION FOR HOUSING QUALIFIED FEDERALLY DECLARED
              DISASTER DISPLACED INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) In General.--In the case of taxable years of a natural person
beginning in 2011 or 2012, for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, taxable income shall be reduced by $500 for each qualified
federally declared disaster displaced individual of the taxpayer for
the taxable year.
    (b) Limitations.--
            (1) Dollar limitation.--The reduction under subsection (a)
        shall not exceed $2,000, reduced by the amount of the reduction
        under this section for all prior taxable years.
            (2) Individuals taken into account only once.--An
        individual shall not be taken into account under subsection (a)
        if such individual was taken into account under such subsection
        by the taxpayer for any prior taxable year.
            (3) Identifying information required.--An individual shall
        not be taken into account under subsection (a) for a taxable
        year unless the taxpayer identification number of such
        individual is included on the return of the taxpayer for such
        taxable year.
    (c) Qualified Federally Declared Disaster Displaced Individual.--
For purposes of this section, the term ``qualified federally declared
disaster displaced individual'' means, with respect to any taxpayer for
any taxable year, any qualified federally declared disaster individual
(as defined in section 1400S(d)(2)(E)(i)) if such individual is
provided housing free of charge by the taxpayer in the principal
residence of the taxpayer for a period of 60 consecutive days which
ends in such taxable year. Such term shall not include the spouse or
any dependent of the taxpayer.
    (d) Compensation for Housing.--No deduction shall be allowed under
this section if the taxpayer receives any rent or other amount (from
any source) in connection with the providing of such housing.

Output: Tax Relief for Victims of Disasters Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend disaster-related tax provisions relating to the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit, losses, and the individual tax exemption to a qualified federally declared disaster individual (defined to mean, with respect to a federally declared disaster after December 31, 2010, and before January 1, 2013, any individual whose principal place of abode was located in the disaster area, who was displaced by the disaster, and who was performing employment services in the disaster area).


Input:
SECTION 1. RECOGNITION AND GRANT OF FEDERAL CHARTER.

    The Association of American State Geologists, a nonprofit
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, is
recognized and granted a Federal charter.

SEC. 2. POWERS.

    The Association of American State Geologists (in this Act referred
to as the ``association'') shall have only those powers granted to it
through its constitution, bylaws and article of incorporation filed in
the State of Delaware and subject to the laws of the State of Delaware.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of the association are those provided in its
constitution, bylaws and article of incorporation and shall include the
following:
            (1) To promote, advance and protect the common good,
        welfare and security of the Nation through the application of
        geology and related earth sciences to--
                    (A) foster wise and responsible stewardship of the
                Nation's natural resources;
                    (B) foster the creation of national wealth, general
                prosperity and a high quality of life in the United
                States;
                    (C) foster appropriate and sustainable economic
                development;
                    (D) foster prudent exploration, development,
                utilization, management and conservation of the
                Nation's land, seas and seabeds including energy,
                mineral, water, environmental and ecological resources;
                    (E) avoid, reduce and mitigate hazards related to
                geology, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and other
                natural hazards through public awareness and
                coordination with appropriate local, State, regional
                and Federal agencies; and
                    (F) educate the general public concerning the
                critical importance of geology to society,
                civilization, culture, economy and national security.
            (2) To advance the science and practical application of
        geology and related earth sciences in the United States and its
        possessions.
            (3) To improve the effectiveness of State geological
        surveys through the interchange of ideas pertaining to their
        administrative organization, programs, and applications to
        economic changes and other geologically related issues.
            (4) To improve methods of assembling and disseminating data
        and information to mining, energy, agriculture, utility,
        construction, insurance and banking industries; educational
        institutions; civic and professional organizations;
        legislators; governmental agencies; and the public.
            (5) To effectively coordinate activities with Federal and
        State agencies working in related fields.

SEC. 4. SERVICE OF PROCESS.

    With respect to service of process, the association shall comply
with the law of the State of Delaware and those States in which it
carries on its activities in furtherance of the purposes of the
association.

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

    Except as provided in section (8)(g), eligibility for membership in
the association and the rights and privileges of members shall be as
provided in the constitution, bylaws and articles of incorporation of
the association.

SEC. 6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

    Except as provided in section 8(g), the composition of the board of
directors of the association and the responsibilities of the board
shall be as provided in the constitution, bylaws and articles of
incorporation of the association.

SEC. 7. OFFICERS.

    Except as provided in section 8(g), the positions of officers of
the association and the election of members to such positions shall be
as provided in the constitution, bylaws and articles of incorporation
of the association.

SEC. 8. RESTRICTIONS.

    (a) Income and Compensation.--No part of the income or assets of
the association may insure to the benefit of any member, officer, or
director of the association or be distributed to any such individual
during the life of this charter. Nothing in this subsection may be
construed to prevent the payment of reasonable compensation to the
officers and employees of the association or reimbursement for actual
and necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of directors.
    (b) Loans.--The association may not make any loan to any member,
officer, director or employee of the association.
    (c) Issuance of Stock and Payment of Dividends.--The association
may not issue any shares of stock or declare or pay any dividends.
    (d) Disclaimer of Congressional or Federal Approval.--The
association may not claim the approval of Congress or the authorization
of the Federal Government for any of its activities by virtue of this
Act.
    (e) Association Status.--The association shall maintain its status
as an entity organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of
Delaware.
    (f) Association Function.--The association shall function as an
educational, patriotic, civic, historical and research organization
under the laws of the State of Delaware.
    (g) Nondiscrimination.--In establishing the conditions of
membership in the association and in determining the requirements for
serving on the board of directors or as an officer of the association,
the association may not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, disability, age or national origin.

SEC. 9. LIABILITY.

    The association shall be liable for the acts of its officers,
directors, employees and agents whenever such individuals act within
the scope of their authority.

SEC. 10. MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.

    (a) Books and Records of Account.--The association shall keep
correct and complete books and records of account and minutes of any
proceeding of the association involving any of its members, the board
of directors, or any committee having authority under the board of
directors.
    (b) Names and Addresses of Members.--The association shall keep at
its principal office a record of the names and addresses of all members
having the right to vote in any proceeding of the association.
    (c) Right To Inspect Books and Records.--All books and records of
the association may be inspected by any member having the right to vote
in any proceeding of the association, or by any agent or attorney of
such member, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.
    (d) Application of State Law.--This section may not be construed to
contravene any applicable State law.

SEC. 11. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.

    The first section of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for audit
of accounts of private corporations established under Federal law'',
approved August 30, 1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended by adding at the
end the following:
            ``(80) Association of American State Geologists.''.

SEC. 12. ANNUAL REPORT.

    The association shall annually submit to Congress a report
concerning the activities of the association during the preceding
fiscal year. The annual report shall be submitted on the same date as
the report of the audit required by reason of the amendment made in
section 11. The annual report shall not be printed as a public
document.

SEC. 13. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO ALTER, AMEND, OR REPEAL CHARTER.

    The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly reserved
to Congress.

SEC. 14. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS REQUIRED AS CONDITION OF CHARTER.

    If the association fails to maintain its status as an entity exempt
from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 the
charter granted in this Act shall terminate.

SEC. 15. TERMINATION.

    The charter granted in this Act shall expire if the association
fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 16. DEFINITION OF STATE.

    For the purposes of this Act, the term ``State'' includes the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands and the territories and possessions of
the United States.

Output: Grants a Federal charter to the Association of American State Geologists (a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of Delaware).


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate
Payment Act of 2013''.

SEC. 2. ENSURING TIMELY ACCESS TO HOSPICE CARE.

    (a) In General.--Section 1814(a)(7)(D)(i) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(D)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
                            ``(i) a hospice physician, nurse
                        practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or
                        physician assistant (as those terms are defined
                        in section 1861(aa)(5)), or other health
                        professional (as designated by the Secretary),
                        has a face-to-face encounter with the
                        individual to determine continued eligibility
                        of the individual for hospice care prior to the
                        first 60-day period and each subsequent
                        recertification under subparagraph (A)(ii) (or,
                        in the case where a hospice program newly
                        admits an individual who would be entering
                        their first 60-day period or a subsequent
                        hospice benefit period or where exceptional
                        circumstances, as defined by the Secretary, may
                        prevent a face-to-face encounter prior to the
                        beginning of the hospice benefit period, not
                        later than 7 calendar days after the
                        individual's election under section 1812(d)(1)
                        with respect to the hospice program) and
                        attests that such visit took place (in
                        accordance with procedures established by the
                        Secretary); and''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) takes
effect on January 1, 2014, and applies to hospice care furnished on or
after such date.

SEC. 3. RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE MEDICARE HOSPICE BENEFIT.

    (a) In General.--Section 1814(i) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395f(i)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) in clause (i)--
                                    (I) in the first sentence, by
                                striking ``not earlier than October 1,
                                2013, the Secretary shall, by
                                regulation,'' and inserting ``subject
                                to clause (iii), not earlier than the
                                later of 2 years after the
                                demonstration program under
                                subparagraph (F) is completed or
                                October 1, 2017, the Secretary shall,
                                by regulation, preceded by a notice of
                                the proposed regulation in the Federal
                                Register and a period for public
                                comment in accordance with section
                                1871(b)(1),''; and
                                    (II) in the second sentence, by
                                inserting `` and shall take into
                                account the results of the evaluation
                                conducted under subparagraph (F)(ii)''
                                before the period; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following new
                        clause:
                    ``(iii) The Secretary shall implement the revisions
                in payment pursuant to clause (i) unless the Secretary
                determines that the demonstration program under
                subparagraph (F) demonstrated that such revisions would
                adversely affect access to quality hospice care by
                beneficiaries under this title.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new
                subparagraph:
            ``(F) Hospice payment reform demonstration program.--
                    ``(i) Establishment of demonstration program.--
                            ``(I) In general.--Before implementing any
                        revisions to the methodology for determining
                        the payment rates for routine home care and
                        other services included in hospice care under
                        subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall establish
                        a Medicare Hospice Payment Reform demonstration
                        program (in this subparagraph referred to as
                        the `demonstration program') to test such
                        proposed revisions.
                            ``(II) Duration.--The demonstration program
                        shall be conducted for a 2-year period
                        beginning on or after October 1, 2013.
                            ``(III) Scope.--Any certified hospice
                        program may apply to participate in the
                        demonstration program and the Secretary shall
                        select not more than 15 such hospice programs
                        to participate in the demonstration program.
                            ``(IV) Representative participation.--
                        Hospice programs selected under subclause (III)
                        to participate in the demonstration program
                        shall include a representative cross-section of
                        hospice programs throughout the United States,
                        including programs located in urban and rural
                        areas.
                    ``(ii) Evaluation and report.--
                            ``(I) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall
                        conduct an evaluation of the demonstration
                        program. Such evaluation shall include an
                        analysis of whether the use of the revised
                        payment methodology under the demonstration
                        program has improved the quality of patient
                        care and access to hospice care for
                        beneficiaries under this title and the impact
                        of such payment revisions on hospice care
                        providers, including the impact, if any, on the
                        ability of hospice programs to furnish quality
                        care to beneficiaries under this title.
                            ``(II) Report.--Not later than 2 years
                        after the completion of the demonstration
                        program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress
                        a report containing the results of the
                        evaluation conducted under subclause (I),
                        together with recommendations for such
                        legislation and administrative action as the
                        Secretary determines appropriate.
                    ``(iii) Budget neutrality.--With respect to the 2-
                year period of the demonstration program, the Secretary
                shall ensure that revisions in payment implemented as
                part of the demonstration program shall result in the
                same estimated amount of aggregate payments under this
                title for hospice care for the programs participating
                in the demonstration as would have been made if the
                hospice programs had not participated in the
                demonstration program.''.

SEC. 4. HOSPICE SURVEY REQUIREMENT.

    Section 1861(dd)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x(dd)(4)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
    ``(C) Any entity that is certified as a hospice program shall be
subject to a standard survey by an appropriate State or local survey
agency, or an approved accreditation agency, as determined by the
Secretary, not less frequently than once every 36 months beginning 6
months after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph.''.

Output: Hospice Evaluation and Legitimate Payment Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the face-to-face encounter framework in hospice care. Allows a clinical nurse specialist, physician assistant, or other health professional (in addition to a hospice physician or a nurse practitioner, as under current law) to conduct the face-to-face encounter with the individual to determine continued eligibility for hospice care before the first 60-day (currently 180-day) recertification period and each subsequent recertification. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a Medicare Hospital Payment Reform demonstration program to test any revisions to the methodology for determining payment rates for routine home care and other hospice care services. Sets at every three years the frequency of surveys of certified hospice programs.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Neurological Diseases
Surveillance System Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 399V-5 SURVEILLANCE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall--
            ``(1) enhance and expand infrastructure and activities to
        track the epidemiology of neurological diseases, including
        multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease; and
            ``(2) incorporate information obtained through such
        activities into a statistically-sound, scientifically-credible,
        integrated surveillance system, to be known as the National
        Neurological Diseases Surveillance System.
    ``(b) Research.--The Secretary shall ensure that the National
Neurological Diseases Surveillance System is designed in a manner that
facilitates further research on neurological diseases.
    ``(c) Content.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary--
            ``(1) shall provide for the collection and storage of
        information on the incidence and prevalence of neurological
        diseases in the United States;
            ``(2) to the extent practicable, shall provide for the
        collection and storage of other available information on
        neurological diseases, such as information concerning--
                    ``(A) demographics and other information associated
                or possibly associated with neurological diseases, such
                as age, race, ethnicity, sex, geographic location, and
                family history;
                    ``(B) risk factors associated or possibly
                associated with neurological diseases, including
                genetic and environmental risk factors; and
                    ``(C) diagnosis and progression markers;
            ``(3) may provide for the collection and storage of
        information relevant to analysis on neurological diseases, such
        as information concerning--
                    ``(A) the epidemiology of the diseases;
                    ``(B) the natural history of the diseases;
                    ``(C) the prevention of the diseases;
                    ``(D) the detection, management, and treatment
                approaches for the diseases; and
                    ``(E) the development of outcomes measures; and
            ``(4) may address issues identified during the consultation
        process under subsection (d).
    ``(d) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary
shall consult with individuals with appropriate expertise, including--
            ``(1) epidemiologists with experience in disease
        surveillance or registries;
            ``(2) representatives of national voluntary health
        associations that--
                    ``(A) focus on neurological diseases, including
                multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease; and
                    ``(B) have demonstrated experience in research,
                care, or patient services;
            ``(3) health information technology experts or other
        information management specialists;
            ``(4) clinicians with expertise in neurological diseases;
        and
            ``(5) research scientists with experience conducting
        translational research or utilizing surveillance systems for
        scientific research purposes.
    ``(e) Grants.--The Secretary may award grants to, or enter into
contracts or cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit
entities to carry out activities under this section.
    ``(f) Coordination With Other Federal Agencies.--Subject to
subsection (h), the Secretary shall make information and analysis in
the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System available, as
appropriate, to Federal departments and agencies, such as the National
Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of
Defense.
    ``(g) Public Access.--Subject to subsection (h), the Secretary
shall make information and analysis in the National Neurological
Diseases Surveillance System available, as appropriate, to the public,
including researchers.
    ``(h) Privacy.--The Secretary shall ensure that privacy and
security protections applicable to the National Neurological Diseases
Surveillance System are at least as stringent as the privacy and
security protections under HIPAA privacy and security law (as defined
in section 3009(a)(2)).
    ``(i) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the
Congress concerning the implementation of this section. Such report
shall include information on--
            ``(1) the development and maintenance of the National
        Neurological Diseases Surveillance System;
            ``(2) the type of information collected and stored in the
        System;
            ``(3) the use and availability of such information,
        including guidelines for such use; and
            ``(4) the use and coordination of databases that collect or
        maintain information on neurological diseases.
    ``(j) Definition.--In this section, the term `national voluntary
health association' means a national nonprofit organization with
chapters, other affiliated organizations, or networks in States
throughout the United States.
    ``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2012 through 2016.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 28, 2010.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.

Output:
National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to: (1) enhance and expand infrastructure and activities to track the epidemiology of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease; and (2) incorporate information obtained through such activities into a National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System. Requires the Secretary to ensure that the System is designed in a manner that facilitates further research on neurological diseases.

Requires the Secretary to provide for the collection and storage of information on the incidence and prevalence of neurological diseases in the United States and other information on neurological diseases, such as demographics information, risk factors, or diagnosis and progression markers. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide for the collection and storage of information relevant to analysis on neurological diseases, such as information concerning the epidemiology, natural history, prevention, detection, management, and treatment of the diseases and the development of outcomes measures; and (2) address issues identified through consultations with individuals with appropriate expertise.

Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, public or private nonprofit entities to carry out activities under this Act.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) make information and analysis in the System available to federal agencies and to the public, including researchers; and (2) ensure that privacy and security protections applicable to the System are at least as stringent as the health privacy and security protections under current federal law.

Sets forth reporting requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2016.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Preserving Medicare Advantage for
all Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) In the IMPACT Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-185),
        Congress recognized the potential effects of socioeconomic
        status and dual eligible populations on the Medicare Advantage
        STARS rating system by requesting the Assistant Secretary of
        Planning and Evaluation in the Department of Health and Human
        Services undertake studies on this population and the Medicare
        program.
            (2) Studies published in the past year have shown the need
        for an interim policy until the comprehensive results of the
        studies undertaken as part of the IMPACT Act of 2014 are
        published. An adjustment for 2016 is necessary while Congress
        continues to work to achieve an appropriate policy for a
        temporary bridge until the results from the studies undertaken
        by the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation in the
        Department of Health and Human Services under such Act are
        finalized.

SEC. 3. DELAY IN AUTHORITY TO TERMINATE CONTRACTS FOR CERTAIN MEDICARE
              ADVANTAGE PLANS FAILING TO ACHIEVE MINIMUM QUALITY
              RATINGS.

    Section 1857(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-27(h))
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Delay in contract termination authority for certain
        plans failing to achieve minimum quality rating.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
                Secretary may not terminate a contract under this
                section with respect to the offering of an MA plan by a
                Medicare Advantage organization solely because the MA
                plan has failed to achieve a minimum quality rating
                under the 5-star rating system established under
                section 1853(o) during the period beginning on the date
                of the enactment of this paragraph and through the end
                of plan year 2018.
                    ``(B) Application only to plans receiving a quality
                rating of at least 2 stars.--Subparagraph (A) shall
                only apply with respect to a contract with respect to
                the offering of an MA plan that has a quality rating
                under section 1853(o)(4) of at least 2 stars for the
                most recent plan year.''.

SEC. 4. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO DIRECT QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS TO
              ADDRESS SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS DISPARITIES IN MEDICARE
              ADVANTAGE PLANS.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
        (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall
        establish a demonstration project under this section to provide
        funds to MA organizations offering one or more qualified MA
        plans for use in developing or expanding programs or services
        with respect to such plans that seek to improve health care
        delivery and outcomes of care for enrollees with low
        socioeconomic status.
            (2) Duration.--The demonstration project under this section
        shall be conducted for a period of 1 year beginning in plan
        year 2016.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) MA organization; ma plan.--The terms ``MA
        organization'' and ``MA plan'' have the meaning given such
        terms in subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1), respectively, of
        section 1859 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-28).
            (2) Qualified ma plan.--
                    (A) The term ``qualified MA plan'' means an MA plan
                described in subparagraph (B) or (C).
                    (B) An MA plan is described in this subparagraph if
                the MA plan meets each of the following criteria:
                            (i) The plan has a quality rating under
                        section 1853(o)(4) of the Social Security Act
                        (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(o)(4)) of at least 3.25
                        stars but not more than 4 stars for the most
                        recent plan year.
                            (ii) Not less than 45 percent of enrollees
                        in the plan are one or both of the following:
                                    (I) Eligible for a low income
                                subsidy under section 1860D-14 of such
                                Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114).
                                    (II) Dually eligible for benefits
                                under the Medicare program under title
                                XVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et
                                seq.) and the Medicaid program under
                                title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396
                                et seq.).
                    (C) An MA plan is described in this subparagraph if
                the MA plan meets each of the following criteria:
                            (i) The plan has a quality rating under
                        section 1853(o)(4) of the Social Security Act
                        (42 U.S.C. 1395w-23(o)(4)) of at least 3.0
                        stars but not more than 4 stars for the most
                        recent plan year.
                            (ii) Not less than 60 percent of enrollees
                        in the plan are one or both of the following:
                                    (I) Eligible for a low income
                                subsidy under section 1860D-14 of such
                                Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-114).
                                    (II) Dually eligible for benefits
                                under the Medicare program under title
                                XVIII of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et
                                seq.) and the Medicaid program under
                                title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396
                                et seq.).
    (c) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), funds received
        under the demonstration project by an MA organization with
        respect to a qualified MA plan shall be used under the Quality
        Improvement Program of the organization under section 1852(e)
        of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(e)) to target
        improvement by the qualified MA plan with respect to two or
        more triple-weighted measures under the 5-star rating system
        under section 1853(o)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
        23(o)(4)).
            (2) Focus on outcome measure.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
                (B), at least one of the measures targeted under
                paragraph (1) shall be an outcome measure.
                    (B) Exception.--An MA organization may apply to the
                Secretary for an exception to subparagraph (A) in order
                to focus on only process measures under this
                subsection.
    (d) Inclusion in Annual Quality Improvement Program Report.--An MA
organization receiving funds under the demonstration project shall
include, as part of the annual report to the Secretary on the Quality
Improvement Program of the organization under such section 1852(e) for
each year of the demonstration project, with respect to each qualified
MA plan offered by the organization, the results of the targeting of
plan improvement on measures under subsection (c) during the preceding
year.
    (e) Funding.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out the
        demonstration project under this section, subject to paragraph
        (2), the Secretary shall provide for the transfer from the
        Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1817 of the
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i) and the Federal
        Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1841
        of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395t), in such proportion as the
        Secretary determines appropriate, of an amount equal to the
        amount the Secretary determines is equal to the estimated total
        savings to the Medicare program as a result of the
        implementation of the amendment made by section 2 to the
        Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Program Management
        Account.
            (2) Administration.--The Secretary may retain up to 10
        percent of the funds transferred under paragraph (1) to
        administer the demonstration project under this section and the
        remainder of such funds shall be distributed in accordance with
        this section to MA organizations offering qualified MA plans
        based on the enrollment in such plans of individuals described
        in each of subclauses (I) and (II) of subsections (b)(2)(B)(ii)
        and (b)(2)(C)(ii).
            (3) Availability.--Amounts transferred under paragraph (1)
        shall remain available until expended.

Output: Preserving Medicare Advantage for all Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2015 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) temporarily prohibit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid from terminating a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan contract solely because the MA plan fails to achieve a certain minimum quality rating, provided that the MA plan achieves a quality rating of at least two out of five stars; and (2) establish a demonstration project to provide funds to MA organizations for the development or expansion of programs or services to improve health care delivery and outcomes for enrollees of low socioeconomic status. To qualify for demonstration project funding, an MA plan must meet specified requirements with respect to quality ratings and the percentage of plan enrollees either eligible for a low-income subsidy or dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. MA organizations receiving funds under the demonstration project must use those funds to target improvement by the MA plan with respect to certain quality rating measures.


Input:
5 of the 101st
Congress, agreed to on February 22, 1989 (103 Stat. 2533).
    ``(f) Display To Be in a Manner Visible to the Public.--Display of
the POW/MIA flag pursuant to this section shall be in a manner designed
to ensure visibility to the public.
    ``(g) Limitation.--This section may not be construed or applied so
as to require any employee to report to work solely for the purpose of
providing for the display of the POW/MIA flag.''.
        (2) In section 2102(b), strike ``designated personnel'' and
    substitute ``personnel made available to the Commission''.
        (3) In section 2501(2), insert ``solicit,'' before ``accept,''.
        (4)(A) Insert after chapter 201 the following:

             ``CHAPTER 202--AIR FORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION

``Sec.
``20201. Definition.
``20202. Organization.
``20203. Purposes.
``20204. Membership.
``20205. Governing body.
``20206. Powers.
``20207. Restrictions.
``20208. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status.
``20209. Records and inspection.
``20210. Service of process.
``20211. Liability for acts of officers and agents.
``20212. Annual report.

``Sec. 20201. Definition

    ``For purposes of this chapter, `State' includes the District of
Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States.

``Sec. 20202. Organization

    ``(a) Federal Charter.--Air Force Sergeants Association (in this
chapter, the `corporation'), a nonprofit corporation incorporated in
the District of Columbia, is a federally chartered corporation.
    ``(b) Expiration of Charter.--If the corporation does not comply
with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter
expires.

``Sec. 20203. Purposes

    ``(a) General.--The purposes of the corporation are as provided in
its bylaws and articles of incorporation and include--
        ``(1) helping to maintain a highly dedicated and professional
    corps of enlisted personnel within the United States Air Force,
    including the United States Air Force Reserve, and the Air National
    Guard;
        ``(2) supporting fair and equitable legislation and Department
    of the Air Force policies and influencing by lawful means
    departmental plans, programs, policies, and legislative proposals
    that affect enlisted personnel of the Regular Air Force, the Air
    Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard, its retirees, and other
    veterans of enlisted service in the Air Force;
        ``(3) actively publicizing the roles of enlisted personnel in
    the United States Air Force;
        ``(4) participating in civil and military activities, youth
    programs, and fundraising campaigns that benefit the United States
    Air Force;
        ``(5) providing for the mutual welfare of members of the
    corporation and their families;
        ``(6) assisting in recruiting for the United States Air Force;
        ``(7) assembling together for social activities;
        ``(8) maintaining an adequate Air Force for our beloved
    country;
        ``(9) fostering among the members of the corporation a devotion
    to fellow airmen; and
        ``(10) serving the United States and the United States Air
    Force loyally, and doing all else necessary to uphold and defend
    the Constitution of the United States.
    ``(b) Corporate Function.--The corporation shall function as an
educational, patriotic, civic, historical, and research organization
under the laws of the District of Columbia.

``Sec. 20204. Membership

    ``(a) Eligibility.--Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility
for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of
members are as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation.
    ``(b) Nondiscrimination.--The terms of membership may not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability,
age, or national origin.

``Sec. 20205. Governing body

    ``(a) Board of Directors.--The board of directors and the
responsibilities of the board are as provided in the bylaws and
articles of incorporation.
    ``(b) Officers.--The officers and the election of officers are as
provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation.
    ``(c) Nondiscrimination.--The requirements for serving as a
director or officer may not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin.

``Sec. 20206. Powers

    ``The corporation has only the powers provided in its bylaws and
articles of incorporation filed in each State in which it is
incorporated.

``Sec. 20207. Restrictions

    ``(a) Stock and Dividends.--The corporation may not issue stock or
declare or pay a dividend.
    ``(b) Distribution of Income or Assets.--The income or assets of
the corporation may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to,
a director, officer, or member during the life of the charter granted
by this chapter. This subsection does not prevent the payment of
reasonable compensation to an officer or employee or reimbursement for
actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of
directors.
    ``(c) Loans.--The corporation may not make a loan to a director,
officer, employee, or member.
    ``(d) Claim of Governmental Approval or Authority.--The corporation
may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the United
States Government for any of its activities.

``Sec. 20208. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status

    ``(a) Corporate Status.--The corporation shall maintain its status
as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the District of
Columbia.
    ``(b) Tax-Exempt Status.--The corporation shall maintain its status
as an organization exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).

``Sec. 20209. Records and inspection

    ``(a) Records.--The corporation shall keep--
        ``(1) correct and complete records of account;
        ``(2) minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of
    directors, and committees having any of the authority of its board
    of directors; and
        ``(3) at its principal office, a record of the names and
    addresses of its members entitled to vote.
    ``(b) Inspection.--A member entitled to vote, or an agent or
attorney of the member, may inspect the records of the corporation for
any proper purpose, at any reasonable time.

``Sec. 20210. Service of process

    ``The corporation shall comply with the law on service of process
of each State in which it is incorporated and each State in which it
carries on activities.

``Sec. 20211. Liability for acts of officers and agents

    ``The corporation is liable for the acts of its officers and agents
acting within the scope of their authority.

``Sec. 20212. Annual report

    ``The corporation shall submit an annual report to Congress on the
activities of the corporation during the prior fiscal year. The report
shall be submitted at the same time as the report of the audit required
by section 10101 of this title. The report may not be printed as a
public document.''.
        (B) In the table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle II,
    insert after the item related to chapter 201:

``202. AIR FORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION........................
                                                                20201''.

        (5)(A) Insert after chapter 209 the following:

         ``CHAPTER 210--AMERICAN GI FORUM OF THE UNITED STATES

``Sec.
``21001. Definition.
``21002. Organization.
``21003. Purposes.
``21004. Membership.
``21005. Governing body.
``21006. Powers.
``21007. Restrictions.
``21008. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status.
``21009. Records and inspection.
``21010. Service of process.
``21011. Liability for acts of officers and agents.
``21012. Annual report.

``Sec. 21001. Definition

    ``For purposes of this chapter, `State' includes the District of
Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States.

``Sec. 21002. Organization

    ``(a) Federal Charter.--American GI Forum of the United States (in
this chapter, the `corporation'), a nonprofit corporation incorporated
in Texas, is a federally chartered corporation.
    ``(b) Expiration of Charter.--If the corporation does not comply
with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter
expires.

``Sec. 21003. Purposes

    ``(a) General.--The purposes of the corporation are as provided in
its bylaws and articles of incorporation and include--
        ``(1) securing the blessing of American democracy at every
    level of local, State, and national life for all United States
    citizens;
        ``(2) upholding and defending the Constitution and the United
    States flag;
        ``(3) fostering and perpetuating the principles of American
    democracy based on religious and political freedom for the
    individual and equal opportunity for all;
        ``(4) fostering and enlarging equal educational opportunities,
    equal economic opportunities, equal justice under the law, and
    equal political opportunities for all United States citizens,
    regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
        ``(5) encouraging greater participation of the ethnic minority
    represented by the corporation in the policy-making and
    administrative activities of all departments, agencies, and other
    governmental units of local and State governments and the United
    States Government;
        ``(6) combating all practices of a prejudicial or
    discriminatory nature in local, State, or national life which
    curtail, hinder, or deny to any United States citizen an equal
    opportunity to develop full potential as an individual; and
        ``(7) fostering and promoting the broader knowledge and
    appreciation by all United States citizens of their cultural
    heritage and language.
    ``(b) Corporate Function.--The corporation shall function as an
educational, patriotic, civic, historical, and research organization
under the laws of Texas.

``Sec. 21004. Membership

    ``(a) Eligibility.--Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility
for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of
members are as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation.
    ``(b) Nondiscrimination.--The terms of membership may not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability,
age, or national origin.

``Sec. 21005. Governing body

    ``(a) Board of Directors.--The board of directors and the
responsibilities of the board are as provided in the bylaws and
articles of incorporation.
    ``(b) Officers.--The officers and the election of officers are as
provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation.
    ``(c) Nondiscrimination.--The requirements for serving as a
director or officer may not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin.

``Sec. 21006. Powers

    ``The corporation has only the powers provided in its bylaws and
articles of incorporation filed in each State in which it is
incorporated.

``Sec. 21007. Restrictions

    ``(a) Stock and Dividends.--The corporation may not issue stock or
declare or pay a dividend.
    ``(b) Distribution of Income or Assets.--The income or assets of
the corporation may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to,
a director, officer, or member during the life of the charter granted
by this chapter. This subsection does not prevent the payment of
reasonable compensation to an officer or employee or reimbursement for
actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of
directors.
    ``(c) Loans.--The corporation may not make a loan to a director,
officer, employee, or member.
    ``(d) Claim of Governmental Approval or Authority.--The corporation
may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the United
States Government for any of its activities.

``Sec. 21008. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status

    ``(a) Corporate Status.--The corporation shall maintain its status
as a corporation incorporated under the laws of Texas.
    ``(b) Tax-Exempt Status.--The corporation shall maintain its status
as an organization exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).

``Sec. 21009. Records and inspection

    ``(a) Records.--The corporation shall keep--
        ``(1) correct and complete records of account;
        ``(2) minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of
    directors, and committees having any of the authority of its board
    of directors; and
        ``(3) at its principal office, a record of the names and
    addresses of its members entitled to vote.
    ``(b) Inspection.--A member entitled to vote, or an agent or
attorney of the member, may inspect the records of the corporation for
any proper purpose, at any reasonable time.

``Sec. 21010. Service of process

    ``The corporation shall comply with the law on service of process
of each State in which it is incorporated and each State in which it
carries on activities.

``Sec. 21011. Liability for acts of officers and agents

    ``The corporation is liable for the acts of its officers and agents
acting within the scope of their authority.

``Sec. 21012. Annual report

    ``The corporation shall submit an annual report to Congress on the
activities of the corporation during the prior fiscal year. The report
shall be submitted at the same time as the report of the audit required
by section 10101 of this title. The report may not be printed as a
public document.''.
        (B) In the table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle II,
    insert after the item related to chapter 209:

``210. AMERICAN GI FORUM OF THE UNITED STATES.................
                                                                21001''.

        (6) In section 21703(1)(A)(iv), strike ``December 22, 1961''
    and substitute ``February 28, 1961''.
        (7) In section 70103(b), strike ``the State of''.
        (8) In section 151303, subsections (f) and (g) are amended to
    read as follows:
    ``(f) Status.--Appointment to the board does not constitute
appointment as an officer or employee of the United States Government
for the purpose of any law of the United States.
    ``(g) Compensation.--Members of the board serve without
compensation.
    ``(h) Liability.--Members of the board are not personally liable,
except for gross negligence.''.
        (9) In section 151305(b), strike ``the State of''.
        (10) In section 152903(8), strike ``Corporation'' and
    substitute ``corporation''.

SEC. 2. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) The provisos in the paragraph under the heading ``American
Battle Monuments Commission'' in the Departments of Veterans Affairs
and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-65, Oct. 27, 1997, 111 Stat.
1368, 36 App. U.S.C. 121b, 122, and 122a) are repealed.
    (b) Paragraph (3) of section 198(s) of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653(s)(3)) is repealed.
    (c) Effective August 12, 1998, Public Law 105-225 (Aug. 12, 1998,
112 Stat. 1253) is amended as follows:
        (1) Section 4(b) is amended by striking ``2320(d)'' and
    substituting ``2320(e)''.
        (2) Section 7(a), and the amendment made by section 7(a), are
    repealed.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendment made by section 1(8) of this Act shall take effect as
if included in the provisions of Public Law 105-225, as of the date of
enactment of Public Law 105-225.

SEC. 4. LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) No Substantive Change.--(1) Section 1 of this Act restates,
without substantive change, laws enacted before September 5, 1998, that
were replaced by section 1. Section 1 may not be construed as making a
substantive change in the laws replaced.
    (2) Laws enacted after September 4, 1998, that are inconsistent
with this Act supersede this Act to the extent of the inconsistency.
    (b) References.--A reference to a law replaced by this Act,
including a reference in a regulation, order, or other law, is deemed
to refer to the corresponding provision enacted by this Act.
    (c) Continuing Effect.--An order, rule, or regulation in effect
under a law replaced by this Act continues in effect under the
corresponding provision enacted by this Act until repealed, amended, or
superseded.
    (d) Actions and Offenses Under Prior Law.--An action taken or an
offense committed under a law replaced by this Act is deemed to have
been taken or committed under the corresponding provision enacted by
this Act.
    (e) Inferences.--An inference of a legislative construction is not
to be drawn by reason of the location in the United States Code of a
provision enacted by this Act or by reason of a heading of the
provision.
    (f) Severability.--If a provision enacted by this Act is held
invalid, all valid provisions that are severable from the invalid
provision remain in effect. If a provision enacted by this Act is held
invalid in any of its applications, the provision remains valid for all
valid applications that are severable from any of the invalid
applications.

SEC. 5. REPEALS.

    (a) Inferences of Repeal.--The repeal of a law by this Act may not
be construed as a legislative inference that the provision was or was
not in effect before its repeal.
    (b) Repealer Schedule.--The laws specified in the following
schedule are repealed, except for rights and duties that matured,
penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before
the date of enactment of this Act:

                                            Schedule of Laws Repealed
                                                Statutes at Large
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Statutes at Large              U.S. Code
      Date         Chapter or Public         Section       -----------------------------------------------------
                          Law                                Volume          Page           Title      Section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      1997
Nov. 18          105-85..............  1082, 1501-1516....      111  1917, 1963.........    36 App.  189a, 1101,
                                                                                5801-5815
Nov. 20          105-110.............  ...................      111  2270...............    36 App.           45
      1998
Aug. 7           105-220.............  413................      112  1241...............    36 App.         155b
Aug. 13          105-231.............  1-16...............      112  1530...............    36 App.  1101, 5901-
                                                                                5915
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output: Amends title 36, United States Code to:  (1) codify specified Federal laws related to Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations; and (2) make technical corrections to, or repeal, certain Federal laws.