Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Franked Mail Savings Act''.

SEC. 2. OFFICIAL MASS MAILING ALLOWANCE.

    Section 311(f) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991
(2 U.S.C. 59e(f)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f)(1) There is established in the House of Representatives an
Official Mass Mailing Allowance for Members of the House of
Representatives.
    ``(2) The Official Mass Mailing Allowance of a Member of the House
of Representatives--
            ``(A) shall be available only for postage for any mass
        mailing sent by such Member as franked mail;
            ``(B) shall be the sole source of funding for any such
        postage; and
            ``(C) shall be available, in a session of Congress (subject
        to paragraph (5)(A)(ii)), in an amount not to exceed the total
        amount allocated to the Official Mail Allowance of such Member
        in such session.
    ``(3) No amount may be transferred to or from the Official Mass
Mailing Allowance of a Member of the House of Representatives
(including as described in the parenthetical matter in subsection
(a)(2)(A)), except as provided in subsection (e)(3)(B).
    ``(4) For purposes of subsection (b), the Official Mass Mailing
Allowance of (and any mass mailing sent by) a Member of the House of
Representatives shall be treated separately from the Official Mail
Allowance of (and any other official mail sent by) such Member.
    ``(5) Otherwise applicable provisions of law relating to mass
mailings sent by a Member of (or Member-elect to) the House of
Representatives shall continue to govern such mass mailings--
            ``(A) except that--
                    ``(i) for purposes of carrying out those other
                provisions of law, the term `mass mailing' shall have
                the meaning given it under paragraph (8); and
                    ``(ii) a mass mailing may not be sent if it would
                be postmarked during any session that begins in an
                even-numbered calendar year (excluding any mail sent
                after the Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November
                of such year, and any mass mailing described in section
                3210(a)(6)(B) of title 39, United States Code); and
            ``(B) except as otherwise provided in this subsection.
    ``(6) A Member of the House of Representatives shall--
            ``(A) before making any mass mailing, submit a sample of
        the mail matter involved to the House Commission on
        Congressional Mailing Standards for an advisory opinion as to
        whether such proposed mailing is in compliance with applicable
        provisions of law, rule, or regulation;
            ``(B) before making any mailing of substantially identical
        mail which totals 250 pieces or less (but more than 50), and
        which in every other respect meets the definition of a mass
        mailing, submit a sample of the mail matter involved to such
        Commission; and
            ``(C) before making any mailing of substantially identical
        mail, in the nature of a town meeting notice, which totals more
        than 50 pieces, and which in every other respect (aside from
        such nature and number) meets the definition of a mass mailing,
        submit a sample of the mail matter involved to such Commission.
    ``(7)(A) The regulations prescribed in connection with subsection
(a)(3) shall be amended to require, in addition to the information
otherwise required to be included in the quarterly report referred to
therein, a statement of--
            ``(i) costs charged against the Official Mass Mailing
        Allowance of each Member; and
            ``(ii) the number of pieces of mail in any mass mailing
        sent by a Member.
    ``(B) The House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards shall
by regulation establish procedures under which there shall be made
available to the public for review and copying any matter submitted to
the Commission under paragraph (6). Any copying under the preceding
sentence shall be at the expense of the person who requests the
copying.
    ``(8) For the purpose of this subsection--
            ``(A) the term `mass mailing' means, with respect to a
        session of Congress, any mailing of newsletters or other pieces
        of mail with substantially identical content (whether such mail
        is deposited singly or in bulk, or at the same time or
        different times), totaling more than 250 pieces in that
        session, except that such term does not include any mailing--
                    ``(i) of matter in direct response to a
                communication from a person to whom the matter is
                mailed;
                    ``(ii) from a Member of Congress to other Members
                of Congress, or to Federal, State, or local government
                officials;
                    ``(iii) of a news release to the communications
                media; or
                    ``(iv) described in clause (iv) or (v) of section
                6(b)(1)(B) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations
                Act, 1995 (39 U.S.C. 3210 note), subject to the same
                restriction as specified in such clause (iv) with
                respect to a Member of the Senate;
            ``(B) the term `franked mail' has the meaning given such
        term by section 3201(4) of title 39, United States Code; and
            ``(C) the term `town meeting notice' means (including for
        purposes of subparagraph (A)(iv)) any mailing which--
                    ``(i) relates solely to a notice of the time and
                place at which a Member of the House of Representatives
                or 1 or more members of the Member's staff will be
                available to meet constituents regarding legislative
                issues or problems with Federal programs;
                    ``(ii) appears on a mailing 5\1/2\" x 8" or
                smaller;
                    ``(iii) includes not more than 3 references to the
                Member (excluding any reference appearing as the frank,
                consisting of the signature and name at the end of the
                mailing, or otherwise specified in regulations of the
                House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards);
                and
                    ``(iv) does not include any picture, sketch, or
                other likeness of the Member.''.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEMBERS' OFFICIAL MAIL ALLOWANCE.

    (a) Reduction in Maximum Allocation.--Section 311(e)(2)(B)(i) of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 (2 U.S.C.
59e(e)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ``3'' and inserting ``0.5''.
    (b) Limitation on Transfers.--Paragraph (3) of section 311(e) of
such Act is amended to read as follows:
    ``(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no amount may be
transferred to or from the Official Mail Allowance of a Member of the
House of Representatives.
    ``(B) A Member of the House of Representatives may transfer amounts
from the Official Mass Mailing Allowance of the Member to the Official
Mail Allowance of the Member.''.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect as of the first
day of the first regular session of Congress beginning after the date
of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Franked Mail Savings Act - Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to establish an Official Mass Mailing Allowance for Members of the House of Representatives.
 Requires the Official Mass Mailing Allowance to be:  (1) available only for postage for any mass mailing sent by a Member as franked mail; (2) the sole source of funding for any such postage; and (3) available in a session of Congress in an amount that does not exceed the total amount allocated to the Official Mail Allowance of a Member in such session.
 Treats the Official Mass Mailing Allowance and mass mailings separately from the Official Mail Allowance.
 Continues the applicability of current provisions of law relating to mass mailings sent by a Member or Member-elect subject to certain conditions.
 Sets forth requirements for the submission of samples of mass mailings to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
 Revises the formula for determining the Official Mail Allowance (thereby reducing the maximum allocation allowed).
 Prohibits the transfer of any  amount (except for amounts from the Official Mass Mailing Allowance) to or from the Official Mail Allowance of a Member.  (Currently, transfers up to a specified amount are allowed from the Official Expenses and Clerk Hire Allowances.)


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Act
of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Effective and impartial enforcement of the law is one
        of the most important functions of government.
            (2) The preservation of our form of government and the
        rights of our citizens are dependent upon competent and
        professional law enforcement agencies.
            (3) Responsibility for law enforcement in the United States
        reposes primarily with State and local governments.
            (4) Approximately 22,400 local government entities exist in
        the 50 states; one-third of all Americans live in nonurban
        areas; of the 17,120 law enforcement agencies, 90 percent serve
        populations of less than 25,000 residents and 75 percent serve
        a population of fewer than 10,000 residents.
            (5) Rural violent crime has increased over 53 percent from
        1983 to 1995, and is taking a toll on small town and rural
        citizens and small town and rural law enforcement personnel.
            (6) Rural law enforcement agencies totaling 12,735 (police
        departments and sheriffs offices serving a population of under
        25,000) have needs in the areas of providing management
        education and training, a clearinghouse, professional
        evaluation, technical assistance, practical research and
        analyses, and computer and forensic education and training as
        identified by the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement and
        the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
            (7) The National Center for Rural Law Enforcement has
        cooperated in the past and will continue to cooperate with the
        FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Department of
        Agriculture to promote the development and implementation of
        management education and training, a clearinghouse,
        professional evaluation, technical assistance, practical
        research and analyses, and computer and forensic education and
        training for rural law enforcement agencies.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) In General.--For the purpose of assisting rural law enforcement
agencies with management education and training, maintaining a
clearinghouse, evaluation, technical assistance, research, computer and
forensic education and training, and providing such other support as
may be necessary or useful, there is authorized to be established a
private, nonprofit corporation, to be known as the National Center for
Rural Law Enforcement which shall be neither an agency nor
establishment of the United States Government.
    (b) Incorporators.--The Board of Directors first appointed shall be
deemed the incorporators, and the incorporation shall be deemed to have
been effected from the date of the first meeting of the Board.
    (c) Residence.--The Center shall be located in, and shall be
considered, for purposes of venue in civil actions, to be a resident of
Little Rock, Arkansas, or at such other place as the Board may
subsequently direct.

SEC. 4. CORPORATE POWERS.

    The Center--
            (1) shall have succession, and may sue and be sued, in its
        corporate name;
            (2) may adopt and use a corporate seal which shall be
        judicially noticed;
            (3) may adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws;
            (4) may purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire and hold such
        property as it deems necessary or convenient in the transaction
        of its business, and may dispose of any such property;
            (5) shall be eligible to apply for and to make grants from
        or to, and to enter into contracts or cooperative agreements
        without regard to the Federal Procurement Acquisition
        Regulations with, Federal, State, and local governments, public
        or private institutions, organizations, entities, and
        individuals necessary or convenient to the exercise of the
        functions or powers conferred explicitly or implicitly by this
        Act;
            (6) may arrange, as permitted by law, for the loan, detail
        or assistance, or use of facilities, personnel, or equipment
        from Federal, State, or local agencies, departments, or
        entities on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis;
            (7) may request from any Federal department or agency such
        information, data, and materials as may be necessary or
        convenient to the exercise of the functions or powers conferred
        explicitly or implicitly by this Act although the head of such
        department or agency may decline to comply with such a request;
            (8) may solicit and accept gifts, devises, grants and
        donations of property, including cash or services in
        furtherance of its function and mission;
            (9) shall have such other powers as may be necessary or
        appropriate for the exercise of the functions or powers
        conferred specifically or implicitly by this Act; and
            (10) is prohibited from supporting any political party or
        candidate for elective or appointive office.

SEC. 5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

    (a) Composition.--The Board of the Center shall be composed of 18
members as follows:
            (1) Two members from each of the 6 regions (Northeast,
        Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and West) shall be
        appointed from rural law enforcement agencies serving rural
        areas.
            (2) One member shall be appointed from the International
        Association of Directors of State Law Enforcement Training.
            (3) Two members shall be selected from personnel of the
        Federal Bureau of Investigation, and shall hold membership on
        the Board in an ex officio capacity. The members shall be
        selected by and serve at the pleasure of the Director of the
        FBI.
            (4) The president of the University of Arkansas shall be an
        ex officio Board member.
            (5) The Executive Director of the Center shall be an ad hoc
        Board member.
            (6) One resident of a rural area shall be selected to serve
        as an ad hoc member.
    (b) Initial Board.--
            (1) Selection of members.--Appointive members of the
        initial Board of Directors shall be selected cooperatively by
        the president of the University of Arkansas, the Director of
        the FBI, and the Executive Director of the preexisting National
        Center for Rural Law Enforcement at the University of Arkansas.
            (2) Designation of chairman.--The president of the
        University of Arkansas and the Director of the FBI shall
        designate a chairman from among the appointees to the initial
        Board.
            (3) Term of office.--The term of office for appointive
        members of the initial Board shall be 3 years.
            (4) Selection of successors.--Not later than 90 days before
        the expiration of such 3-year term, the Board shall select,
        with the advice and counsel of the president of the University
        of Arkansas and the Director of the FBI, successors to the
        initial appointive members.
    (c) Subsequent Boards.--
            (1) Term of office.--The term of office for appointive
        members to subsequent Boards shall be 6 years.
            (2) Staggered terms.--The successor appointive Board
        members, at their first meeting, will draw lots from 1 to 6
        years.
            (3) Subsequent selections.--The Board shall select, with
        the advice and counsel of the president of the University of
        Arkansas and the Director of the FBI, successors as may be
        necessary or appropriate to replace members who resign or
        otherwise vacate their offices or whose terms of office expire
        within 90 days.
            (4) Term limit.--No member shall serve more than 1
        uninterrupted 6-year term.
            (5) Election of chairman.--After the initial Board has been
        replaced, as appropriate or necessary, the Board shall elect a
        chairman from among its appointive members. The chairman's term
        of office shall be coextensive with that individual's term of
        office on the Board.
    (d) Functions.--The Board shall direct the exercise of all of the
business and powers of the Center, including the adoption, amendment,
and repeal of bylaws. The Board shall appoint (subject to specific
provisions herein) and oversee the Executive Director and other
corporate officers in the performance of their duties.
    (e) Quorums.--Vacancies on the Board shall not impair the powers of
the Board to execute the functions of the Center if there are not less
than 7 voting members in office. Such number shall also constitute a
quorum for the transaction of the business of the Board.
    (f) Compensation and Status.--
            (1) In general.--The members of the Board shall serve
        without compensation from the Center but are authorized to
        receive whatever pay, allowances, and benefits to which they
        are otherwise entitled by virtue of their Federal, State, or
        local government employment.
            (2) Expenses.--The members may be compensated for travel
        and per diem expenses by the Center at rates authorized under
        subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code,
        while away from their permanent duty stations in the
        performance of Center business.
            (3) Status.--Other than the 2 ex officio members from the
        FBI, members of the Board shall not be considered officers or
        employees of the United States for any purpose.

SEC. 6. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

    (a) Executive Director.--
            (1) Initial executive director.--The Executive Director of
        the preexisting National Center for Rural Law Enforcement at
        the University of Arkansas shall serve as the initial Executive
        Director for the Center with a term of 3 years.
            (2) Subsequent appointments.--After the initial 3-year term
        of the first Executive Director, the Board of Directors shall
        select and appoint, without regard to the provisions of the
        civil service laws applicable to officers and employees of the
        United States, and after consultation with the Director of the
        FBI and the president of the University of Arkansas, a
        successor whose term of office shall be 5 years.
            (3) Vacancy.--The Board may at any time select and appoint,
        after consultation with the Director of the FBI and the
        president of the University of Arkansas, a successor to replace
        an Executive Director who resigns or otherwise vacates office
        or whose term of office will expire within 30 days. An
        Executive Director appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior
        to the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was
        selected and appointed shall serve for the remainder of such
        term.
            (4) Consecutive terms.--No person shall serve as the
        Executive Director for more than 2 consecutive terms, excluding
        the term of the initial Executive Director.
            (5) Compensation.--The Board shall fix the Executive
        Director's compensation, benefits, and allowances.
            (6) Duties.--The Executive Director shall be responsible to
        the Board of Directors for--
                    (A) the management and administration of the
                Center,
                    (B) the conduct of its day-to-day affairs and
                business,
                    (C) the performance of its officers, agents, and
                employees, and
                    (D) the establishment of an advisory board to
                assist the Executive Director with policy issues.
    (b) Additional Staff.--The Executive Director shall select and
nominate for appointment by the Board such other senior officers,
assistants, and employees as may be necessary for the transaction of
the Center's business and subject to Board concurrence, fix their
compensation and define their duties. Officers may be removed by the
Executive Director for cause subject to the concurrence of the Board.
Assistants and other employees may be removed by the Executive Director
without Board concurrence.
    (c) FBI Staff.--To assist the Center in carrying out its functions
and programs, the Director of the FBI may assign, on a full-time basis,
not more than 4 FBI personnel to the Center on a nonreimbursable basis.
Personnel so assigned will remain employees of the Federal Government
for all purposes and will not become employees of the Center for any
purpose.
    (d) Status.--Unless otherwise an employee of the Federal
Government, officers and employees of the Center shall not be
considered to be employees of the United States for any purpose.

SEC. 7. FUNCTIONS.

    (a) In General.--In cooperation with the FBI, the Center, an
educational entity, shall provide for the development of a rural law
enforcement educational program through consultation with institutions
of higher learning and the Board. The Center shall provide for--
            (1) the development and delivery of management education
        and training, clearinghouse, evaluation, technical assistance,
        practical research and evaluation, and computer and forensic
        education and training for and to rural law enforcement agency
        personnel, including supervisory and executive managers;
            (2) the delivery of technical assistance, including
        research and studies into the causes and prevention of criminal
        activity, to rural law enforcement agencies;
            (3) equitable education opportunities;
            (4) the development, promotion, and voluntary adoption of
        national educational and training standards and accreditation
        certification programs for rural law enforcement agencies and
        personnel;
            (5) the development and dissemination of information
        designed to assist States and units of local government in
        small town and rural areas throughout the country;
            (6) grants to, and contracts with, Federal, State, and
        local government, units of local rural law enforcement, public
        and private agencies, educational institutions, organizations
        and individuals to carry out this subtitle;
            (7) the establishment and maintenance of a clearinghouse
        and information center for the collection, preparation, and
        dissemination of information on criminal justice and rural law
        enforcement, including programs for the prevention of crime and
        recidivism;
            (8) the delivery of assistance, in a consulting capacity,
        to criminal justice agencies in the development, establishment,
        maintenance, and coordination of programs, facilities and
        services, training, and research relating to crime in rural
        areas;
            (9) encouragement and assistance to Federal, State, and
        local government programs and services;
            (10) the development of technical education and training
        teams to aid in the development of seminars, workshops,
        education and training programs within the States and with the
        State and local agencies that work with small town and rural
        law enforcement managers;
            (11) conducting, encouraging, and coordinating research
        relating to law enforcement and criminal justice issues,
        including the causes, assessment, evaluation, analysis, and
        prevention of criminal activity;
            (12) the formulation and recommendation of rural law
        enforcement policy, goals, and standards applicable to involved
        criminal justice agencies, organizations, institutions, and
        personnel; and
            (13) the evaluation by institutions of higher learning for
        the purpose of encouraging programs of study for rural law
        enforcement.
    (b) Discretionary Activities.--The Center may--
            (1) create an organizational structure with regional
        representation for the purpose of--
                    (A) delivering management education and training;
                    (B) conducting research focused on small town and
                rural law enforcement needs;
                    (C) providing technical assistance;
                    (D) creating a clearinghouse focused on small town
                and rural law enforcement;
                    (E) conducting evaluations for the benefit of small
                town and rural law enforcement;
                    (F) providing education and training in forensics;
                and
                    (G) providing education and training in computers;
            (2) confer with and request the assistance, services,
        records, and facilities of State and local governments or other
        public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals; and
            (3) procure the services of experts and consultants in
        accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at
        rates of compensation not to exceed the daily equivalent of the
        rate authorized for members of the Senior Executive Service,
        ES-6, Level V, as authorized by section 5352 of title 5, United
        States Code.

SEC. 8. METHODS.

    In carrying out its functions under this section, the Center
shall--
            (1) utilize consensus building; and
            (2) work in cooperation with--
                    (A) small town and rural, non urban law enforcement
                agencies;
                    (B) agencies of Federal, State, and local
                governments; and
                    (C) institutions of higher learning, law
                enforcement associations and other not-for-profit
                organizations;
            (3) request and receive from other Federal departments and
        agencies such statistics, data, program reports, and other
        materials necessary for the Center to carry out its functions;
            (4) arrange with and reimburse the heads of other Federal
        departments and agencies for the use of personnel, facilities,
        or equipment of such departments and agencies; and
            (5) use the assistance, services, records, and facilities
        of State and local governments or other public or private
        agencies, organizations, and individuals.

SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors of the
        National Center for Rural Law Enforcement.
            (2) The term ``Center'' means the National Center for Rural
        Law Enforcement.
            (3) The term ``Executive Director'' means the Executive
        Director of the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement.
            (4) The term ``FBI'' means the Federal Bureau of
        Investigation.
            (5) The term ``rural area'' means an area with a population
        of 25,000 or less.

SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act--
            (1) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1997; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years
        1998 through 2002.

Output:
Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1997 - Authorizes the establishment of the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement as a private, nonprofit corporation for the purpose of assisting rural law enforcement agencies with management education and training, maintaining a clearinghouse, evaluation, technical assistance, research, computer and forensic education and training, and providing other support.
Authorizes appropriations.


Input:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO REQUIRE NEW PENALTIES AND ADMINISTRATOR
              VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBSIDY PROGRAMS.

    (a) Addition of Repayment Penalty.--Section 1001B of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-2) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``the Secretary may for
        a period not to exceed 5 crop years deny the issuance of
        payments to the person or legal entity.'' and inserting ``the
        Secretary shall for a period not less than 5 years, or
        permanently, deny the issuance of payments to the person or
        legal entity.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as
        subsections (d) through (f), respectively; and
            (3) after subsection (b), by inserting the following new
        subsection:
    ``(c) Repayment.--If a person or legal entity is determined under
subsection (d) of section 1001D to be ineligible for benefits or
payments, the person or legal entity shall reimburse the Secretary for
the full amount of any benefit or payment described in subsection (b)
of such section that the person or legal entity has already received
while the person or entity was ineligible.''.
    (b) Addition of Income Verification and Enforcement Procedures.--
Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is
amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following new
subsection:
    ``(d) Income Verification and Enforcement.--
            ``(1) Submission to administrator.--Within 30 days after
        receiving an application from a person or legal entity for a
        benefit described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall
        request the Administrator of the Internal Revenue Service
        (referred to in this subsection as the `Administrator') to
        verify the average adjusted gross income, average adjusted
        gross farm income, and average adjusted gross nonfarm income of
        the person or legal entity. The request for verification shall
        include the following:
                    ``(A) The name of the person or legal entity.
                    ``(B) The social security number or employer
                identification number of the person or legal entity.
                    ``(C) Any other information that the Secretary
                determines to be relevant in assisting the
                Administrator in verifying the average adjusted gross
                income, average adjusted gross farm income, and average
                adjusted gross nonfarm income of the person or legal
                entity.
            ``(2) Administrator determination and denial of benefits.--
                    ``(A) Administrator determination.--Not later than
                30 days after the receipt of a verification request
                under paragraph (1) or a request of redetermination
                under paragraph (3), the Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) determine whether the average
                        adjusted gross income, average adjusted gross
                        farm income, and average adjusted gross nonfarm
                        income of the person or legal entity is within
                        the applicable limitations established under
                        subsection (b); and
                            ``(ii) notify the Secretary of the results
                        of such determination.
                    ``(B) Denial of benefits.--Subject to paragraph
                (3), if the Administrator determines under subparagraph
                (A) that a person or legal entity does not comply with
                the applicable limitations set forth in subsection (b),
                the Secretary shall deny the issuance of applicable
                payments and benefits specified in subsection (b) to
                the person or legal entity, under similar terms and
                conditions as described in section 1001B.
            ``(3) Farm service agency reconsideration for ineligible
        applicants.--
                    ``(A) Submission of evidence to farm service
                agency.--A person or legal entity subject to denial of
                benefits under paragraph (2) may request a
                reconsideration of the denial by the Farm Service
                Agency office serving the location in which the person
                or legal entity resides or operates. The person or
                legal entity shall submit evidence, accompanied with a
                certification by a certified public accountant, to
                support the claim that the person or legal entity
                satisfies the income eligibility requirements under
                subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Submission of evidence to administrator.--If
                the Farm Service Agency determines that the claim of
                the person or legal entity is supported by the evidence
                submitted under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
                submit the evidence to the Administrator for a second
                determination under paragraph (2)(A).
                    ``(C) Time requirement.--The Farm Service Agency
                shall make the determination in subparagraph (B) within
                30 days after the date on which the person or legal
                entity submits the evidence under subparagraph (A).
            ``(4) Limitation on redetermination.--A person or legal
        entity may not apply for more than one redetermination, as
        described under paragraph (3), a calendar year.''.

Output:
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to deny certain agricultural commodity payments for not less than five years, or permanently, to a person or legal entity that has knowingly engaged in, or aided in the creation of a fraudulent document, or failed to disclose material information relevant to the administration of such benefits. (Current law authorizes payment denial for up to five crop years.)

Requires that a person or legal entity that received benefits while ineligible due to excess income repay such amounts fully.

Directs the Secretary to request the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify the income-related eligibility of a benefit applicant, and deny benefits to a person or entity determined to be ineligible. Authorizes Farm Service Agency reconsideration of a denial.


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

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pipeline
Improvement and Preventing Spills Act of 2015''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                   TITLE I--INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 101. References to title 49, United States Code.
Sec. 102. Notice to property owners and residents.
Sec. 103. Facility operation information standards.
Sec. 104. Availability of industry standards and procedures adopted in
                            regulations by reference.
Sec. 105. Considerations for identification of high-consequence areas.
                  TITLE II--PIPELINE SPILL PREVENTION

Sec. 201. Assessment of oil spill impacts and response in the Great
                            Lakes.
Sec. 202. Great Lakes Basin water crossing study and alternatives
                            assessment.
Sec. 203. Prohibition on transport of crude oil on Great Lakes.
Sec. 204. Definition of worst case discharge.

                   TITLE I--INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY

SEC. 101. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or a
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 49,
United States Code.

SEC. 102. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS.

    Section 60102(c)(4) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Notice to property owners and residents.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
                        after the date of enactment of this
                        subparagraph, the Secretary shall prescribe
                        minimum standards to require the owner or
                        operator of a pipeline facility to notify all
                        owners and residents of property located within
                        2,000 feet of a transmission line of the
                        facility of--
                                    ``(I) the proximity of the property
                                to the transmission line; and
                                    ``(II) in the case of a
                                transmission line located on private
                                residential property, the specific
                                location of the line on the property.
                            ``(ii) Required information.--The notice
                        under clause (i) shall include, at a minimum--
                                    ``(I) a method for electronic
                                access to the information described in
                                clause (i) through the Geospatial
                                Platform or such other Federal data
                                archive as the Secretary considers
                                appropriate;
                                    ``(II) information on how to obtain
                                a map of the pipeline system through
                                the National Pipeline Mapping System;
                                and
                                    ``(III) such other information as
                                the Secretary considers appropriate.
                            ``(iii) Deadlines.--The notice under clause
                        (i) shall be provided not later than 2 years
                        after the date of enactment of this
                        subparagraph and at least once every 3 years
                        thereafter.''.

SEC. 103. FACILITY OPERATION INFORMATION STANDARDS.

    Section 60102(d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
        and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting
        appropriately;
            (2) in paragraph (3), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
        and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting
        appropriately;
            (3) in paragraph (5), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
        through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and
        indenting appropriately;
            (4) by designating paragraphs (1) through (6) as
        subparagraphs (A) through (F), respectively, and indenting
        appropriately; and
            (5) by striking ``The Secretary'' and all that follows
        through ``shall include--'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), not later than
        1 year after the date of enactment of the Pipeline Improvement
        and Preventing Spills Act of 2015, the Secretary shall
        prescribe minimum standards under this section requiring an
        operator of a pipeline facility subject to this chapter--
                    ``(A) to maintain information related to operating
                the facility as required by the standards prescribed
                under this chapter; and
                    ``(B) to provide that information, including any
                updates and changes, to the Secretary, State regulatory
                officials, State and local emergency responders, and
                such other entities as the Secretary considers
                appropriate.
            ``(2) Local emergency responders.--In the case of a local
        emergency responder, the Secretary shall provide the
        information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), (E), and (F)
        of paragraph (4) only to the extent applicable to the local
        district.
            ``(3) Maintenance.--The Secretary shall keep on file the
        information submitted to the Secretary under paragraphs (1) and
        (2).
            ``(4) Information.--The information shall include--''.

SEC. 104. AVAILABILITY OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES ADOPTED IN
              REGULATIONS BY REFERENCE.

    Section 60102 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(q) Availability of Industry Standards and Procedures Adopted in
Regulations by Reference.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that industry
        standards and procedures adopted by reference as part of the
        Federal pipeline safety regulatory program under this chapter
        are easily available to the public free of charge.
            ``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply to
        regulations issued before, on, or after the date of enactment
        of this subsection.''.

SEC. 105. CONSIDERATIONS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF HIGH-CONSEQUENCE AREAS.

    Section 60109 is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Considerations for Identification of High-Consequence
Areas.--In identifying high-consequence areas under this chapter, the
Secretary shall consider--
            ``(1) the age of the pipe;
            ``(2) whether the pipe at issue can be inspected using the
        most modern instrumented internal inspection devices;
            ``(3) whether the pipe at issue crosses open waters of the
        Great Lakes; and
            ``(4) the type of commodity (including the type and grade
        of petroleum product) being transported through the pipe.''.

                  TITLE II--PIPELINE SPILL PREVENTION

SEC. 201. ASSESSMENT OF OIL SPILL IMPACTS AND RESPONSE IN THE GREAT
              LAKES.

    (a) Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Interagency Coordinating Committee on
        Oil Pollution Research, in consultation with the Secretary of
        the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the
        heads of other relevant agencies, shall--
                    (A) identify measures to respond to spills or leaks
                of oil in the Great Lakes; and
                    (B) conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of
                such measures in preventing significant or substantial
                harm to the public health or welfare, including fish,
                shellfish, wildlife, public and private property,
                shorelines, and beaches of the Great Lakes system.
            (2) Elements.--The assessment required under paragraph (1)
        shall include--
                    (A) new scientific research on the impacts of a
                spill or leak of oil or a hazardous substance in fresh
                water under a wide range of meteorological and
                hydrological conditions, including an evaluation of the
                impacts of different types of petroleum, including
                synthetic oil from tar sands;
                    (B) an evaluation of oil spill or leak prevention
                and response plans (including techniques to address
                submerged oil recovery and recovery in ice-choked
                waters) in order to identify vulnerabilities and
                existing threats to the Great Lakes system; and
                    (C) recommendations to foster improvements to
                safety technologies, spill response planning, clean-up
                techniques, and environmental protection systems.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil
Pollution Research shall submit to Congress a report on the results of
the assessment required under subsection (a).

SEC. 202. GREAT LAKES BASIN WATER CROSSING STUDY AND ALTERNATIVES
              ASSESSMENT.

    (a) Survey Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, working with
pipeline facility owners, operators, and State governments, shall
conduct a comprehensive water crossing survey of all intrastate and
interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that cross waterways in
the Great Lakes Basin in the waters of the United States (as defined in
the final rule of the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental
Protection Agency entitled ``Clean Water Rule: Definition of `Waters of
the United States''' (80 Fed. Reg. 37054; June 29, 2015)).
    (b) Elements.--The survey required under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) produce a comprehensive map of all hazardous pipeline
        waterway crossings in the Great Lakes Basin, including lakes,
        rivers, and streams;
            (2) evaluate the condition and structural integrity of
        pipelines at each crossing, considering factors that include
        pipeline thickness, diameter, weld integrity, internal and
        external corrosion, age, pressure, control and shut-off valves,
        burial depths, water depths, currents, and ice cover;
            (3) identify risks of leak and rupture resulting from
        pipeline integrity failures, or any other vulnerability at the
        pipeline water crossings;
            (4) identify gaps in data and information that exist in the
        pipeline network in the Great Lakes Basin, and request
        information related to pipeline integrity or risks from owners
        and operators with facilities that cross lakes, rivers, and
        streams; and
            (5) produce recommendations to prevent future leaks,
        ruptures, and failures that could result in damage to waterways
        and natural resources in the Great Lakes Basin.
    (c) National Research Council Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
        enter into a joint agreement with the National Research Council
        of the National Academies of Sciences to conduct a study in
        connection with the survey under this section.
            (2) Elements.--The study conducted under this subsection
        shall include--
                    (A) a study covering the elements described under
                paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b);
                    (B) consideration of ways in which review of
                facility response plans as required by the Oil
                Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) and
                approval of permits under section 404 of the Federal
                Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) in
                accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
                of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of future and existing
                pipelines that cross waterways in the Great Lakes Basin
                would help prevent spills in the Great Lakes; and
                    (C) a risk assessment analysis for alternative
                transportation options to the hazardous liquid pipeline
                facility that crosses from the Upper Peninsula of
                Michigan to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan through the
                Straits of Mackinac, including--
                            (i) no action (status quo);
                            (ii) rerouting;
                            (iii) decommissioning and abandoning;
                            (iv) replacing;
                            (v) modifying operations (such as limiting
                        pipeline product transport to only natural gas
                        liquids); and
                            (vi) other transportation means.

SEC. 203. PROHIBITION ON TRANSPORT OF CRUDE OIL ON GREAT LAKES.

    Section 108 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1258) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Prohibition on Transport of Crude Oil on Great Lakes.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, effective beginning on the
date of enactment of the Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act
of 2015, crude oil (as that term is defined in section 2101 of title
46, United States Code) and crude oil derived from oil sands may not be
transported on the Great Lakes by vessel (as that term is defined in
section 3 of title 1, United States Code).''.

SEC. 204. DEFINITION OF WORST CASE DISCHARGE.

    Section 311(a)(24)(B) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1321(a)(24)(B)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon
at the end the following: ``, including conditions in which waters that
may receive a discharge are covered in whole or in part by ice''.

Output: Pipeline Improvement and Preventing Spills Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prescribe minimum standards to require the owner or operator of a pipeline facility to notify all owners and residents of property located within 2,000 feet of a transmission line of:  the property's proximity to the line, and the line's specific location if it is on private residential property.  DOT shall ensure that industry standards and procedures adopted as part of the federal pipeline safety regulatory program are easily available to the public free of charge.  In identifying high-consequence areas, DOT shall consider specified features of a pipe, including its age, whether it can be inspected using the most modern instrumented internal inspection devices, whether it crosses open waters of the Great Lakes, and the type of commodity it transports.  The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research shall:  identify measures to respond to spills or leaks of oil in the Great Lakes; and assess their effectiveness in preventing significant or substantial harm to the public health or welfare.  DOT shall:  conduct a comprehensive water crossing survey of all intrastate and interstate hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that cross U.S. waterways in the Great Lakes Basin; and  enter into a joint agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academies of Sciences to identify gaps in data and information in the Basin pipeline network, and make recommendations to prevent future leaks, ruptures, and failures that could result in damage to Basin waterways and natural resources.  The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is amended to:  prohibit vessel transportation of crude oil and crude oil derived from oil sands on the Great Lakes; and  include in the meaning of "worst-case discharge," in the case of an offshore or onshore facility, the largest foreseeable discharge in adverse weather conditions (as in current law) in which waters that may receive a discharge are covered by ice.


Input:
SECTION 1. CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS WITH LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS.

    (a) In General.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25C the
following new section:

``SEC. 25C. CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS WITH LONG-TERM CARE NEEDS.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount
equal to $1,200 multiplied by the number of applicable individuals with
respect to whom the taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable
year.
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Applicable individual.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `applicable individual'
                means, with respect to any taxable year, any individual
                who has been certified, before the due date for filing
                the return of tax for the taxable year (without
                extensions), by a physician (as defined in section
                1861(r)(1) of the Social Security Act) as being an
                individual with long-term care needs described in
                subparagraph (B) for a period--
                            ``(i) which is at least 180 consecutive
                        days, and
                            ``(ii) a portion of which occurs within the
                        taxable year.
                Such term shall not include any individual otherwise
                meeting the requirements of the preceding sentence
                unless within the 39\1/2\ month period ending on such
                due date (or such other period as the Secretary
                prescribes) a physician (as so defined) has certified
                that such individual meets such requirements.
                    ``(B) Individuals with long-term care needs.--An
                individual is described in this subparagraph if the
                individual is at least 6 years of age and--
                            ``(I) is unable to perform (without
                        substantial assistance from another individual)
                        at least 3 activities of daily living (as
                        defined in section 7702B(c)(2)(B)) due to a
                        loss of functional capacity, or
                            ``(II) requires substantial supervision to
                        protect such individual from threats to health
                        and safety due to severe cognitive impairment
                        and is unable to perform, without reminding or
                        cuing assistance, at least 1 activity of daily
                        living (as so defined) or to the extent
                        provided in regulations prescribed by the
                        Secretary (in consultation with the Secretary
                        of Health and Human Services), is unable to
                        engage in age appropriate activities.
            ``(2) Eligible caregiver.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A taxpayer shall be treated as
                an eligible caregiver for any taxable year with respect
                to the following individuals:
                            ``(i) The taxpayer.
                            ``(ii) The taxpayer's spouse.
                            ``(iii) A brother or sister of the
                        taxpayer.
                            ``(iv) The mother or father of the
                        taxpayer.
                    ``(B) Special rules where more than 1 eligible
                caregiver.--
                            ``(i) In general.--If more than 1
                        individual is an eligible caregiver with
                        respect to the same applicable individual for
                        taxable years ending with or within the same
                        calendar year, a taxpayer shall be treated as
                        the eligible caregiver if each such individual
                        (other than the taxpayer) files a written
                        declaration (in such form and manner as the
                        Secretary may prescribe) that such individual
                        will not claim such applicable individual for
                        the credit under this section.
                            ``(ii) No agreement.--If each individual
                        required under clause (i) to file a written
                        declaration under clause (i) does not do so,
                        the individual with the highest modified
                        adjusted gross income (as defined in section
                        32(c)(5)) shall be treated as the eligible
                        caregiver.
                            ``(iii) Married individuals filing
                        separately.--In the case of married individuals
                        filing separately, the determination under this
                        subparagraph as to whether the husband or wife
                        is the eligible caregiver shall be made under
                        the rules of clause (ii) (whether or not one of
                        them has filed a written declaration under
                        clause (i)).
    ``(c) Identification Requirement.--No credit shall be allowed under
this section to a taxpayer with respect to any applicable individual
unless the taxpayer includes the name and taxpayer identification
number of such individual, and the identification number of the
physician certifying such individual, on the return of tax for the
taxable year.
    ``(d) Taxable Year Must Be Full Taxable Year.--Except in the case
of a taxable year closed by reason of the death of the taxpayer, no
credit shall be allowable under this section in the case of a taxable
year covering a period of less than 12 months.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 6213(g)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
        is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (L),
        by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (M) and
        inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after subparagraph (M)
        the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(N) an omission of a correct TIN or physician
                identification required under section 25C(c) (relating
                to credit for taxpayers with long-term care needs) to
                be included on a return.''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
        after the item relating to section 25B the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 25C. Credit for taxpayers with
                                        long-term care needs.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2001.

Output: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for caregivers of individuals with long-term care needs in an amount equal to $1,200 for each such individual with respect to whom the taxpayer is an eligible caregiver for the taxable year.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Land Exchange Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
        (1) By provision 64 of the agreement between the United States
    and the Choctaws and Chickasaws dated March 21, 1902 (32 Stat. 641,
    655-56), approved July 1, 1902, 640 acres of property were ceded to
    the United States for the purpose of creating Sulphur Springs
    Reservation, later known as Platt National Park, to protect water
    and other resources and provide public access.
        (2) In 1976, Platt National Park, the Arbuckle Recreation Area,
    and additional lands were combined to create Chickasaw National
    Recreation Area to protect and expand water and other resources as
    well as to memorialize the history and culture of the Chickasaw
    Nation.
        (3) More recently, the Chickasaw Nation has expressed interest
    in establishing a cultural center inside or adjacent to the park.
        (4) The Chickasaw National Recreation Area's Final Amendment to
    the General Management Plan (1994) found that the best location for
    a proposed Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center is within the
    Recreation Area's existing boundary and that the selected cultural
    center site should be conveyed to the Chickasaw Nation in exchange
    for land of equal value.
        (5) The land selected to be conveyed to the Chickasaw Nation
    holds significant historical and cultural connections to the people
    of the Chickasaw Nation.
        (6) The City of Sulphur, Oklahoma, is a key partner in this
    land exchange through its donation of land to the Chickasaw Nation
    for the purpose of exchange with the United States.
        (7) The City of Sulphur, Oklahoma, has conveyed fee simple
    title to the non-Federal land described as Tract 102-26 to the
    Chickasaw Nation by Warranty Deed.
        (8) The National Park Service, the Chickasaw Nation, and the
    City of Sulphur, Oklahoma, have signed a preliminary agreement to
    effect a land exchange for the purpose of the construction of a
    cultural center.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize, direct,
facilitate, and expedite the land conveyance in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Act.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply:
        (1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means the
    Chickasaw National Recreational Area lands and interests therein,
    identified as Tract 102-25 on the Map.
        (2) Non-federal land.--The term ``non-Federal land'' means the
    lands and interests therein, formerly owned by the City of Sulphur,
    Oklahoma, and currently owned by the Chickasaw Nation, located
    adjacent to the existing boundary of Chickasaw National Recreation
    Area and identified as Tract 102-26 on the Map.
        (3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Proposed
    Land Exchange and Boundary Revision, Chickasaw National Recreation
    Area'', dated September 8, 2003, and numbered 107/800035a.
        (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
    the Interior.

SEC. 4. CHICKASAW NATIONAL RECREATION AREA LAND CONVEYANCE.

    (a) Land Conveyance.--Not later then 6 months after the Chickasaw
Nation conveys all right, title, and interest in and to the non-Federal
land to the United States, the Secretary shall convey all right, title,
and interest in and to the Federal land to the Chickasaw Nation.
    (b) Valuation of Land to Be Conveyed.--The fair market values of
the Federal land and non-Federal land shall be determined by an
appraisal acceptable to the Secretary and the Chickasaw Nation. The
appraisal shall conform with the Federal appraisal standards, as
defined in the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land
Acquisitions developed by the Interagency Land Acquisition Conference,
1992, and any amendments to these standards.
    (c) Equalization of Values.--If the fair market values of the
Federal land and non-Federal land are not equal, the values may be
equalized by the payment of a cash equalization payment by the
Secretary or the Chickasaw Nation, as appropriate.
    (d) Conditions.--
        (1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), the conveyance
    of the non-Federal land authorized under subsection (a) shall not
    take place until the completion of all items included in the
    Preliminary Exchange Agreement among the City of Sulphur, the
    Chickasaw Nation, and the National Park Service, executed on July
    16, 2002, except as provided in paragraph (2).
        (2) Exception.--The item included in the Preliminary Exchange
    Agreement among the City of Sulphur, the Chickasaw Nation, and the
    National Park Service, executed on July 16, 2002, providing for the
    Federal land to be taken into trust for the benefit of the
    Chickasaw Nation shall not apply.
    (e) Administration of Acquired Land.--Upon completion of the land
exchange authorized under subsection (a), the Secretary--
        (1) shall revise the boundary of Chickasaw National Recreation
    Area to reflect that exchange; and
        (2) shall administer the land acquired by the United States in
    accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

Output:
Chickasaw National Recreation Area Land Exchange Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, not later than six months after the Chickasaw Nation conveys all interest in specified non-Federal land (formerly owned by the City of Sulphur, Oklahoma, located adjacent to the existing boundary of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area), to take specified Federal land (in that Area) into trust for the benefit of the Chickasaw Nation.

Requires that the value of the Federal and non-Federal land be determined by an appraisal acceptable to the Secretary and the Chickasaw Nation. Directs that if the values of the lands are not equal they may be equalized through a cash equalization payment by the Secretary or the Chickasaw Nation.

Conditions the land conveyance on the completion of all items included in the Preliminary Exchange Agreement among the City of Sulphur, the Chickasaw Nation, and the National Park Service, executed on July 16, 2002, but makes inapplicable the item providing that the Federal land be taken into trust for the benefit of the Chickasaw Nation.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF GAO FINDINGS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration Anti-
Discrimination Improvement Act of 1993''.
    (b) Congressional Approval of GAO Findings.--The Congress approves
the findings of the Comptroller General contained in the General
Accounting Office (GAO) report entitled ``Immigration Reform: Employer
Sanctions and the Question of Discrimination'', dated March 29, 1990
(identification number GAO/GGD-90-92).

SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
              PROVISIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 274B(c) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
            ``(5) Use of funds.--Notwithstanding section 3302 of title
        31, United States Code, all civil penalties collected under
        this section shall be credited to the appropriation to be used
        in carrying out this section.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to penalties assessed during fiscal years beginning with fiscal
year 1994.

SEC. 3. INCREASE IN BUDGET AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT.

    In addition to any other accounts authorized to be appropriated,
there are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year (beginning
with fiscal year 1994), $10,000,000 for activities of regional offices
of the Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment
Practices within the Department of Justice.

SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORTS.

    Section 274B of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1324b) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(m) Annual Reports.--
            ``(1) GAO.--The Comptroller General shall submit to
        Congress each year a report concerning--
                    ``(A) the pervasiveness of unfair immigration-
                related employment practices described in subsection
                (a), and
                    ``(B) enforcement under this section with respect
                to such practices.
            ``(2) Attorney general.--The Attorney General shall submit
        to Congress each year a report on the enforcement actions under
        this section (and under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
        1964) with respect to unfair immigration-related employment
        practices described in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 5. RECEIPT OF CHARGES THROUGH DISTRICT OFFICES.

    Section 274B(c)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1324b(c)(4)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The
Special Counsel shall provide for agreements with Federal and State
agencies involved with enforcement of laws relating to prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of national origin under which such
agencies would receive charges respecting unfair immigration-related
employment practices under this section and promptly forward such
charges to the Special Counsel.''.

SEC. 6. NATIONAL HOTLINE.

    Section 274B(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1324b(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``The Special Counsel shall establish a national, toll-free
telephone service to receive charges of unfair immigration-related
employment practices and otherwise provide for such outreach efforts as
will educate the public concerning the provisions of this section.''.

SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

    The Attorney General, through or in consultation with the Special
Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, shall
provide technical assistance to States and local governments concerning
the provisions of section 274A and 274B of the Immigration and
Nationality Act and the roles provided for receipt of charges of
violations of such sections.

SEC. 8. MONITORING PANEL.

    The Attorney General shall establish a monitoring panel, composed
of citizens, representatives of the Mexican American Legal Defense and
Education Fund, La Raza, and other community-based organizations, civil
rights groups, public interest groups, and nonprofit foundations, to
monitor the application of the anti-discrimination provisions in
section 274B of the Immigration and Nationality Act and to report
annually to the Attorney General and the Congress respecting such
implementation.

SEC. 9. DEPARTMENT FROM FEDERAL CONTRACTS AS ADDITIONAL SANCTION FOR
              PERVASIVE VIOLATORS.

    (a) In General.--Section 274B(g)(2) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324b(g)(2)) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) Additional remedy.--If an administrative law
                judge determines that a person or entity has engaged in
                or is engaging in a pervasive pattern of unfair
                immigration-related employment practices, the judge may
                order the person or entity to be disqualified from
                being issued any contract under Federal law during a
                period of up to 1 year.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to unfair immigration-related employment practices occurring on
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Immigration Anti-Discrimination Improvement Act of 1993 - Expresses congressional approval of a specified General Accounting Office immigration employment discrimination report.
Increases budget authority for Department of Justice regional offices of the Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act with regard to unfair immigration-related employment provisions to:  (1) authorize penalties collected under such provisions to be used in carrying out enforcement activities; (2) require inclusion of enforcement and related activities in certain reports to the Congress; (3) establish a national toll-free telephone hotline; (4) subject persons who engage in pervasive violations of such provisions to a one-year Federal contract disqualification; and (5) provide for District Office receipt of charges.
Directs the Attorney General to appoint a citizens and community group panel, including members of specified Mexican-American organizations, to monitor the application of such anti-discrimination provisions and to report annually to the Attorney General and to the Congress.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Grow Our Own Directive: Physician
Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO PHYSICIAN
              ASSISTANTS TO BE EMPLOYED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Pilot Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
        carry out a pilot program to be known as the ``Grow Our Own
        Directive'' or ``G.O.O.D.'' pilot program (in this section
        referred to as the ``pilot program'') to provide educational
        assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for
        education and training as physician assistants of the
        Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (2) Information on pilot program.--The Secretary shall
        provide information on the pilot program to eligible
        individuals under subsection (b), including information on
        application requirements and a list of entities with which the
        Secretary has partnered under subsection (g).
    (b) Eligible Individuals.--An individual is eligible to participate
in the pilot program if the individual--
            (1) has medical or military health experience gained while
        serving as a member of the Armed Forces;
            (2) has received a certificate, associate degree,
        baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate
        training in a science relating to health care;
            (3) has participated in the delivery of health care
        services or related medical services, including participation
        in military training relating to the identification,
        evaluation, treatment, and prevention of diseases and
        disorders; and
            (4) does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, doctor of
        osteopathy, or doctor of dentistry.
    (c) Duration.--The pilot program shall be carried out during the
five-year period beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
    (d) Selection.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall select not less than
        250 eligible individuals under subsection (b) to participate in
        the pilot program.
            (2) Priority for selection.--In selecting individuals to
        participate in the pilot program under paragraph (1), the
        Secretary shall give priority to the following individuals:
                    (A) Individuals who participated in the
                Intermediate Care Technician Pilot Program of the
                Department that was carried out by the Secretary
                between January 2011 and February 2015.
                    (B) Individuals who agree to be employed as a
                physician assistant for the Veterans Health
                Administration at a medical facility of the Department
                located in a community that--
                            (i) is designated as a medically
                        underserved population under section
                        330(b)(3)(A) of the Public Health Service Act
                        (42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)(A)); and
                            (ii) is in a State with a per capita
                        population of veterans of more than 9 percent
                        according to the National Center for Veterans
                        Analysis and Statistics and the United States
                        Census Bureau.
    (e) Educational Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program, the
        Secretary shall provide educational assistance to individuals
        participating in the pilot program, including through the use
        of scholarships, to cover the costs to such individuals of
        obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a
        similar master's degree.
            (2) Use of existing programs.--In providing educational
        assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use the
        Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Educational
        Assistance Program under chapter 76 of title 38, United States
        Code, and such other educational assistance programs of the
        Department as the Secretary considers appropriate.
            (3) Use of scholarships.--The Secretary shall provide not
        less than 35 scholarships under the pilot program to
        individuals participating in the pilot program during each year
        in which the pilot program is carried out.
    (f) Period of Obligated Service.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an
        agreement with each individual participating in the pilot
        program in which such individual agrees to be employed as a
        physician assistant for the Veterans Health Administration for
        a period of obligated service specified in paragraph (2).
            (2) Period specified.--With respect to each individual
        participating in the pilot program, the period of obligated
        service specified in this paragraph for the individual is--
                    (A) if the individual is participating in the pilot
                program through a program described in subsection
                (e)(2) that specifies a period of obligated service,
                the period specified with respect to such program; or
                    (B) if the individual is participating in the pilot
                program other than through a program described in such
                subsection, or if such program does not specify a
                period of obligated service, a period of three years or
                such other period as the Secretary considers
                appropriate for purposes of the pilot program.
    (g) Breach.--
            (1) Liability.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an
        individual who participates in the pilot program and fails to
        satisfy the period of obligated service under subsection (f)
        shall be liable to the United States, in lieu of such obligated
        service, for the amount that has been paid or is payable to or
        on behalf of the individual under the pilot program, reduced by
        the proportion that the number of days served for completion of
        the period of obligated service bears to the total number of
        days in the period of obligated service of such individual.
            (2) Exception.--If an individual is participating in the
        pilot program through a program described in subsection (e)(2)
        that specifies a period of obligated service, the liability of
        the individual for failing to satisfy the period of obligated
        service under subsection (f) shall be determined as specified
        with respect to such program.
    (h) Mentors.--The Secretary shall ensure that a physician assistant
mentor or mentors are available for individuals participating in the
pilot program at each facility of the Veterans Health Administration at
which a participant in the pilot program is employed.
    (i) Partnerships.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary
shall seek to partner with the following:
            (1) Not less than 15 institutions of higher education
        that--
                    (A) offer a master's degree program in physician
                assistant studies or a similar area of study that is
                accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on
                Education for the Physician Assistant; and
                    (B) agree--
                            (i) to guarantee seats in such master's
                        degree program for individuals participating in
                        the pilot program who meet the entrance
                        requirements for such master's degree program;
                        and
                            (ii) to provide individuals participating
                        in the pilot program with information on
                        admissions criteria and the admissions process.
            (2) Other institutions of higher education that offer
        programs in physician assistant studies or other similar areas
        of studies that are accredited by the Accreditation Review
        Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
            (3) The Transition Assistance Program of the Department of
        Defense.
            (4) The Veterans' Employment and Training Service of the
        Department of Labor.
            (5) Programs carried out under chapter 41 of title 38,
        United State Code, for the purpose of marketing and advertising
        the pilot program to veterans and members of the Armed Forces
        who may be interested in the pilot program.
    (j) Administration of Pilot Program.--For purposes of carrying out
the pilot program, the Secretary shall appoint or select within the
Office of Physician Assistant Services of the Veterans Health
Administration the following:
            (1) A Deputy Director for Education and Career Development
        of Physician Assistants who--
                    (A) is a physician assistant, a veteran, and
                employed by the Department as of the date of the
                enactment of this Act;
                    (B) is responsible for--
                            (i) overseeing the pilot program;
                            (ii) recruiting candidates to participate
                        in the pilot program;
                            (iii) coordinating with individuals
                        participating in the pilot program and
                        assisting those individuals in applying and
                        being admitted to a master's degree program
                        under the pilot program; and
                            (iv) providing information to eligible
                        individuals under subsection (b) with respect
                        to the pilot program; and
                    (C) may be employed in the field at a medical
                center of the Department.
            (2) A Deputy Director of Recruitment and Retention who--
                    (A) is a physician assistant, a veteran, and
                employed by the Department as of the date of the
                enactment of this Act;
                    (B) is responsible for--
                            (i) identifying and coordinating the needs
                        of the pilot program and assist the Secretary
                        in providing mentors under subsection (h) to
                        participants in the pilot program; and
                            (ii) coordinating the staff of facilities
                        of the Veterans Health Administration with
                        respect to identifying employment positions and
                        mentors under subsection (h) for participants
                        in the pilot program; and
                    (C) may be employed in the field at a medical
                center of the Department.
            (3) A recruiter who--
                    (A) reports directly to the Deputy Director of
                Recruitment and Retention; and
                    (B) works with the Workforce Management and
                Consulting Office and the Healthcare Talent Management
                Office of the Veterans Health Administration to develop
                and implement national recruiting strategic plans for
                the recruitment and retention of physician assistants
                within the Department.
            (4) An administrative assistant, compensated at a rate not
        less than level GS-6 of the General Schedule, or equivalent,
        who assists with administrative duties relating to the pilot
        program in the Office of Physician Assistant Services and such
        other duties as determined by the Secretary to ensure that the
        Office runs effectively and efficiently.
    (k) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
        in collaboration with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of
        Defense, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall
        submit to Congress a report on the pilot program.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall
        include the following:
                    (A) The extent to which the pilot program is
                effective in improving the ability of eligible
                individuals under subsection (b) to become physician
                assistants.
                    (B) An examination of whether the pilot program is
                achieving the goals of--
                            (i) enabling individuals to build on
                        medical skills gained as members of the Armed
                        Forces by entering into the physician assistant
                        workforce of the Department; and
                            (ii) helping to meet the shortage of
                        physician assistants employed by the
                        Department.
                    (C) An identification of such modifications to the
                pilot program as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the
                Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Defense, and the
                Secretary of Health and Human Services consider
                necessary to meet the goals described in subparagraph
                (B).
                    (D) An assessment of whether the pilot program
                could serve as a model for other programs of the
                Department to assist individuals in obtaining
                certification and employment in other health care
                fields.
    (l) Source of Amounts.--Not less than $8,000,000 of the amount
necessary to carry out the pilot program shall be derived from amounts
appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the date of
the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
              AFFAIRS FOR USING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO
              EDUCATE AND HIRE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish
standards described in subsection (b) to improve the use by the
Department of Veterans Affairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program under chapter 76 of
title 38, United States Code, and other educational assistance programs
of the Department, including the pilot program under section 2, to
educate and hire physician assistants of the Department.
    (b) Standards.--The standards described in this subsection are the
following:
            (1) Holding directors of medical centers of the Department
        accountable for failure to use the educational assistance
        programs described in subsection (a) and other incentives--
                    (A) to advance employees of the Department in their
                education as physician assistants; and
                    (B) to improve recruitment and retention of
                physician assistants.
            (2) Ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs
        Education Debt Reduction Program under subchapter VII of
        chapter 76 of such title is available for participants in the
        pilot program under section 2 to fill vacant physician
        assistant positions at the Department, including by--
                    (A) including in all vacancy announcements for
                physician assistant positions the availability of the
                Education Debt Reduction Program; and
                    (B) informing applicants to physician assistant
                positions of their eligibility for the Education Debt
                Reduction Program.
            (3) Monitoring compliance with the application process for
        educational assistance programs described in subsection (a) to
        ensure that such programs are being fully utilized to carry out
        this section.
            (4) Creating programs, including through the use of the
        Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Incentive Scholarship
        Program under subchapter VI of chapter 76 of such title, to
        encourage employees of the Department to apply to accredited
        physician assistant programs.
    (c) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as
the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this section.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PAY GRADES FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS OF THE
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE
              COMPETITIVE PAY.

    (a) Establishment of Pay Grades.--Section 7404(b) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCHEDULE
``Physician Assistant IV.
``Physician Assistant III.
``Physician Assistant II.
``Physician Assistant I.''.
    (b) Competitive Pay.--Section 7451(a)(2) of such title is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
        subparagraph (B):
                    ``(B) Physician assistant.''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph (1),
        by striking ``and registered nurse'' and inserting ``registered
        nurse, and physician assistant''.
    (c) National Strategic Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
        implement a national strategic plan for the retention and
        recruitment of physician assistants of the Department of
        Veterans Affairs that includes the establishment and adoption
        of standards for the provision of competitive pay to physician
        assistants of the Department in comparison to the pay of
        physician assistants in the private sector.
            (2) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
        on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report
        on the implementation of the national strategic plan under
        paragraph (1).

Output: Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Grow Our Own Directive or G.O.O.D. pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as VA physician assistants.  An individual is eligible to participate in the program if the individual:   has medical or military health experience gained while serving in the Armed Forces;  has received a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate training in a science relating to health care;  has participated in the delivery of health care services or related medical services; and  does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of dentistry.   The VA shall:   provide educational assistance to program participants for the costs of obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a similar master's degree,   ensure that mentors are available for program participants at each VA facility at which a participant is employed, and  seek to partner with specified government programs and with appropriate educational institutions that offer degrees in physician assistant studies.  The VA shall:   establish specified standards to improve the education and and hiring of VA physician assistants, and  implement a national plan for the retention and recruitment of VA physician assistants that includes the adoption of competitive pay standards.   VA physician assistant pay grades are established.