Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Airline Passenger Fairness Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The number of airline passengers on United States
        carriers is expected to grow from about 600 million per year
        today to about 1 billion by the year 2008.
            (2) Since 1978 the number of certified large air carriers
        has decreased from 30 to 10. In 1998, 6 of the United States'
        largest air carriers sought to enter into arrangements that
        would result in 3 large networks comprising approximately 70
        percent of the domestic market.
            (3) Only \2/3\ of all communities in the United States that
        had scheduled air service in 1978 still have it today, and \1/
        2\ of those remaining are served by smaller airlines feeding
        hub airports.
            (4) The Department of Transportation's Domestic Airline
        Fares Consumer Report for the 3rd Quarter of 1997 listed 75
        major city pairs where fares increased by 30 percent or more
        year-over-year, while total traffic in these city pairs
        decreased by 863,500 passengers, or more than 20 percent.
            (5) A 1998 Department of Transportation study found that
        large United States air carriers charge twice as much at their
        large hub airports where there is no low fare competition as
        they charge at a hub airport where a low fare competitor is
        present. The General Accounting Office found that fares range
        from 12 percent to 71 percent higher at hubs dominated by one
        carrier or a consortium.
            (6) Complaints filed with the Department of Transportation
        about airline travel have increased by more than 25 percent
        over the previous year, and complaints against large United
        States air carriers have increased from 6,394 in 1997 to 7,994
        in 1998.
            (7) The 1997 National Civil Aviation Review Commission
        reported that recent data indicate the problem of delay in
        flights is getting worse, and that the number of daily aircraft
        delays of 15 minutes or longer was nearly 20 percent higher in
        1996 than in 1995.
            (8) The 1997 National Civil Aviation Review Commission
        forecast that United States domestic and international
        passenger enplanements are expected to increase 52 percent
        between 1996 and 2006, and the Federal Aviation Administration
        forecasts annual growth in revenue passenger miles will average
        4.2 percent.
            (9) A 1998 Department of Transportation study found that
        the large United States air carriers charge about 60 percent
        more to passengers traveling to or from small communities than
        they charge to passengers traveling between large communities.
            (10) The Congress has directed the Secretary of
        Transportation to prohibit unfair and deceptive practices in
        the airline industry.

SEC. 3. FAIR PRACTICES FOR AIRLINE PASSENGERS.

    Section 41712 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``On the initiative'' and inserting ``(a)
        Duty of the Secretary.--On the initiative''; and
            (2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
    ``(b) Specific Practices.--For purposes of subsection (a), the
terms `unfair or deceptive practice' and `unfair method of competition'
include, in the case of a certificated air carrier, an air carrier's
failure--
            ``(1) to inform a ticketed passenger, upon request, whether
        the flight on which the passenger is ticketed is oversold;
            ``(2) to permit a passenger holding a confirmed reserved
        space on a flight to use portions of that passenger's ticket
        for travel, rather than the entire ticket, regardless of the
        reason any other portion of the ticket is not used;
            ``(3) to deliver a passenger's checked baggage within 24
        hours after arrival of the flight on which the passenger
        travelled and on which the passenger checked the baggage,
        except for reasonable delays in delivery of such baggage;
            ``(4) to provide a consumer full access to all fares for
        that air carrier, regardless of the technology the consumer
        uses to access the fares if such information is requested by
        that consumer;
            ``(5) to provide notice to each passenger holding a
        confirmed reserved space on a flight with reasonable prior
        notice when a scheduled flight will be delayed for any reason
        (other than reasons of national security);
            ``(6) to inform passengers accurately and truthfully of the
        reason for the delay, cancellation, or diversion of a flight;
            ``(7) to refund the full purchase price of an unused ticket
        if the passenger requests a refund within 48 hours after the
        ticket is purchased;
            ``(8) to disclose to consumers information that would
        enable them to make informed decisions about the comparative
        value of frequent flyer programs among airlines, including--
                    ``(A) the number of seats redeemable on each
                flight; and
                    ``(B) the percentage of successful and failed
                redemptions on each airline and on each flight.
    ``(c) Report.--The Secretary shall include information about
violations of subsection (a) by certificated air carriers in the
Department of Transportation's monthly Air Travel Consumer Report.
    ``(d) Confirmed reserved space.--The term `confirmed reserved
space' shall mean a space on a specific date and on a specific flight
and class of service of a carrier which has been requested by a
passenger and which the carrier or its agent has verified, by
appropriate notation on the ticket or in any other manner provided by
the carrier, as being reserved for the accommodation of the
passenger.''.

Output: Airline Passenger Fairness Act - Amends Federal aviation law to revise provisions prohibiting an air carrier, foreign air carrier, or ticket agent from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition in air transportation to include within the definition of such prohibited practices an air carrier's failure to: (1) inform a ticketed passenger, upon request, whether the flight on which the passenger is ticketed is oversold; (2) permit a passenger holding a confirmed reserved space on a flight to use portions of that passenger's ticket for travel, rather than the entire ticket, regardless of the reason any other portion of the ticket is not used; (3) deliver a passenger's checked baggage within 24 hours after the arrival of the flight on which the passenger traveled and on which the passenger checked the baggage, except for reasonable delays in delivery of such baggage; (4) provide a consumer full access to all fares for that air carrier, regardless of the technology the consumer uses to access the fares if such information is requested by that consumer; (5) provide notice to each passenger holding a confirmed reserved space on a flight with reasonable prior notice when a scheduled flight will be delayed for any reason (other than reasons of national security); (6) inform passengers accurately and truthfully of the reason for the delay, cancellation, or diversion of a flight; (7) refund the full purchase price of an unused ticket if the passenger requests a refund within 48 hours after the ticket is purchased; and (8) disclose to consumers information that would enable them to make informed decisions about the comparative value of frequent flyer programs among airlines.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``HSA Accessibility and Portability
Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF COVERAGE IN THE
              SMALL GROUP MARKET.

    Section 2711 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-11)
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``(f)'' and inserting
        ``(g)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Election of Alternative to Guaranteed Issue Requirement.--
            ``(1) Election.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A health insurance issuer may
                elect, with respect to any small employer (as defined
                in section 2791(e)(4)), to meet the requirements of
                paragraphs (2) and (3) instead of complying with the
                guaranteed issue requirement of subsection (a).
                    ``(B) Requirement of accepting or rejecting all
                eligible individuals within entire group at time of
                election.--An election made under subparagraph (A) with
                respect to a small employer shall apply with respect to
                all eligible individuals of that small employer at the
                time of such election.
                    ``(C) Subsequent eligible individuals.--In the case
                of an individual who becomes an eligible individual
                with respect to a small employer after an election has
                been made under subparagraph (A), the health insurance
                issuer is not required to provide group health
                insurance coverage for such individual.
            ``(2) Portability for individuals covered.--If an election
        is made under paragraph (1)(A) and under such election group
        health insurance coverage is provided by a health insurance
        issuer for an eligible individual of a small employer, the
        health insurance issuer shall guarantee continuation of
        coverage to the individual (and to covered dependents), through
        issuance of individual health insurance coverage, after the
        date the individual no longer qualifies as an eligible
        individual of such employer, at a rate that does not exceed 150
        percent of the standard individual rate applicable to such
        individual coverage in the State in which the policy was
        initially issued.
            ``(3) Information on elections.--Any health insurance
        issuer making an election under paragraph (1)(A) shall furnish
        to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require
        in order to monitor the impact of such election on access to,
        and affordability, of health insurance coverage in the small
        group market and in the individual market. Such information
        shall include at least information relating to the following:
                    ``(A) Rejection rate.--The characteristics of small
                employers denied health insurance coverage because of
                this subsection.
                    ``(B) Premium rates.--The rates charged for
                coverage offered under an election made under this
                subsection (in comparison to rates that are otherwise
                charged if this subsection were not in effect).
            ``(4) Limitation.--An election under paragraph (1)(A) may
        only be made with respect to coverage of a small employer under
        health insurance coverage that consists of a high deductible
        health plan (as defined in section 223(c)(2) of the Internal
        Revenue Code of 1986) and a contribution to a health savings
        account (as defined in section 223(d) of such Code).
            ``(5) Report.--At least 6 months before the end of the 5-
        year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
        subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on
        the impact of this subsection on the availability and
        affordability of health insurance coverage in the small group
        market and in the individual market. Such report shall include
        recommendations on whether this subsection should be extended
        beyond such period and whether it should be expanded to cover
        health insurance coverage in addition to the coverage described
        in paragraph (4).
            ``(6) Contingent sunset.--This subsection shall not apply
        to elections for small employers made by a health insurance
        issuer after the end of the 5-year period described in
        paragraph (5) if the Secretary, in the report to Congress under
        such paragraph, recommends that this subsection should not be
        extended beyond such period. If the Secretary makes such a
        recommendation, this subsection shall still continue to apply
        to elections made before the end of such 5-year period.''.

Output:
HSA Accessibility and Portability Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize a health insurance issuer to elect, instead of complying with the guaranteed issue requirements (that require a health insurance issuer offering coverage in the small group market in a state to accept every small employer that applies and to accept all eligible individuals without certain restrictions), to: (1) guarantee continuation of coverage through individual health insurance for an individual who no longer qualifies as an eligible individual of the employer at a rate that does not exceed 150% of the standard individual rate applicable to individual coverage in the state; and (2) furnish information for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to monitor the impact of such election on access to, and affordability of, health insurance coverage in the small group market and in the individual market.

Requires such an election to apply to all eligible individuals of that small employer at the time of such election, but does not require applicability to an individual who becomes eligible after such election. Allows an election under this Act to be made only with respect to coverage of a small employer under health insurance coverage that consists of a high deductible health plan and a contribution to a health savings account.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Benefit Rating Acceleration for
Veteran Entitlements Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. TREATMENT OF SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY RATED AND CERTIFIED
              AS TOTAL BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AS
              DISABILITY FOR PURPOSES OF TITLE II OF THE SOCIAL
              SECURITY ACT .

    (a) Disability for Purposes of Entitlement to Disability Insurance
Benefits and Other Benefits Based on Disability.--
            (1) In general.--Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act
        (42 U.S.C. 423(d)) is amended by adding at the end the
        following new paragraph:
    ``(7)(A) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this
subsection, any individual who has a service-connected disability rated
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as total for purposes of benefits
under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, and presents written
certification of such rating determination to the Commissioner of
Social Security shall be deemed to be under a disability (within the
meaning of the preceding paragraphs of this subsection) for each
month--
            ``(i) beginning with the month during which such
        certification is presented to the Commissioner, and
            ``(ii) ending with the earlier of--
                    ``(I) any month during which certification is made
                to the Commissioner pursuant to subparagraph (B) that
                such service-connected disability has ceased, or
                    ``(II) any month during which the Commissioner
                determines, subject to subparagraph (C), that such
                individual is able to engage in substantial gainful
                activity.
    ``(B) In any case in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
determines that an individual who has been determined by such Secretary
to be totally disabled for purposes of benefits under chapter 11 of
title 38, United States Code, and with respect to whom a certification
has been made to the Commissioner pursuant to subparagraph (A) that
such individual has ceased to be so disabled, such Secretary shall
promptly certify to the Commissioner such Secretary's determination
that such individual has ceased to be so disabled.
    ``(C) Any determination by the Commissioner under subparagraph
(A)(ii)(II) shall be made on the basis of evidence of earnings, without
consideration of any evidence of medical recovery.
    ``(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to preclude a
determination under this title that an individual who is not deemed to
be under a disability under subparagraph (A) is under a disability
(within the meaning of the preceding paragraphs of this subsection).
    ``(E) The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall enter into such arrangements as are necessary
and appropriate for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this
paragraph.''.
            (2) Other benefits based on disability.--
                    (A) Child's insurance benefits.--Section 202(d)(1)
                of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(d)(1)) is amended by adding
                at the end the following new sentence: ``Under
                regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security, the
                provisions of section 223(d)(7) shall apply with
                respect to benefits under this section (and
                determinations of disability made for purposes of
                determinations of entitlement to such benefits) in the
                same manner and to the same extent as such provisions
                apply with respect to benefits under section 223 (and
                determinations of disability made for purposes of
                determinations of entitlement to benefits under section
                223).''.
                    (B) Widow's insurance benefits.--Section 202(e)(1)
                of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(e)(1)) is amended by adding
                at the end the following new sentence: ``Under
                regulations of the Commissioner of Social Security, the
                provisions of section 223(d)(7) shall apply with
                respect to benefits under this section (and
                determinations of disability made for purposes of
                determinations of entitlement to such benefits) in the
                same manner and to the same extent as such provisions
                apply with respect to benefits under section 223 (and
                determinations of disability made for purposes of
                determinations of entitlement to benefits under section
                223).''.
                    (C) Widower's insurance benefits.--Section
                202(f)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 402(f)(1)) is amended
                by adding at the end the following new sentence:
                ``Under regulations of the Commissioner of Social
                Security, the provisions of section 223(d)(7) shall
                apply with respect to benefits under this section (and
                determinations of disability made for purposes of
                determinations of entitlement to such benefits) in the
                same manner and to the same extent as such provisions
                apply with respect to benefits under section 223 (and
                determinations of disability made for purposes of
                determinations of entitlement to benefits under section
                223).''.
    (b) Determinations of Periods of Disability.--Section 216(i) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 416(i)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
    ``(3)(A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), any individual who
has a service-connected disability rated by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs as total for purposes of benefits under chapter 11 of title 38,
United States Code, and presents written certification of such rating
determination to the Commissioner of Social Security shall be deemed to
be under a disability (within the meaning of paragraph (1)) for each
month--
            ``(i) beginning with the month during which such
        certification is presented to the Commissioner, and
            ``(ii) ending with the earlier of--
                    ``(I) any month during which certification is made
                to the Commissioner pursuant to subparagraph (B) that
                such service-connected disability has ceased, or
                    ``(II) any month during which the Commissioner
                determines, subject to subparagraph (C), that such
                individual is able to engage in substantial gainful
                activity.
    ``(B) In any case in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
determines that an individual who has been determined by such Secretary
to be totally disabled for purposes of benefits under chapter 11 of
title 38, United States Code, and with respect to whom a certification
has been made to the Commissioner pursuant to subparagraph (A) that
such individual has ceased to be so disabled, such Secretary shall
promptly certify to the Commissioner such Secretary's determination
that such individual has ceased to be so disabled.
    ``(C) Any determination by the Commissioner under subparagraph
(A)(ii)(II) shall be made on the basis of evidence of earnings, without
consideration of any evidence of medical recovery.
    ``(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to preclude a
determination under this title that an individual who is not deemed to
be under a disability under subparagraph (A) is under a disability
(within the meaning of paragraph (1)).
    ``(E) The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall enter into such arrangements as are necessary
and appropriate for purposes of carrying out the provisions of this
paragraph.''.

SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF DISABILITY RATED AND CERTIFIED AS TOTAL BY THE
              SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AS DISABILITY FOR PURPOSES
              OF TITLE XVI OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT.

    Section 1614(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1382c(a)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(K) In making determinations with respect to
                disability under this title, the provisions of section
                223(d)(7) shall apply in the same manner as they apply
                to determinations of disability under title II.''.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to
determinations of disability in connection with applications for
benefits or periods of disability filed or pending on or after the date
of the enactment of this Act.

Output:
Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act of 2007 - Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to treat as a disability for OASDI and SSI disability payment purposes any service-connected total disability, as rated and certified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Applies the same treatment to related child's insurance and widow's and widower's insurance benefits.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Greater Sage Grouse Protection and
Recovery Act of 2016''.

SEC. 2. PROTECTION AND RECOVERY OF GREATER SAGE GROUSE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Federal resource management plan.--The term ``Federal
        resource management plan'' means--
                    (A) a land use plan prepared by the Bureau of Land
                Management for public lands pursuant to section 202 of
                the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
                U.S.C. 1712); or
                    (B) a land and resource management plan prepared by
                the Forest Service for National Forest System lands
                pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland
                Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
                1604).
            (2) Greater sage grouse.--The term ``Greater Sage Grouse''
        means a sage grouse of the species Centrocercus urophasianus.
            (3) State management plan.--The term ``State management
        plan'' means a State-approved plan for the protection and
        recovery of the Greater Sage Grouse.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is--
            (1) to facilitate implementation of State management plans
        over a period of multiple, consecutive Greater Sage Grouse life
        cycles; and
            (2) to demonstrate the efficacy of the State management
        plans for the protection and recovery of the Greater Sage
        Grouse.
    (c) Delay in Making Endangered Species Act of 1973 Finding.--
            (1) Delay required.--In the case of any State with a State
        management plan, the Secretary of the Interior may not make a
        finding under clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of section 4(b)(3)(B)
        of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(B))
        with respect to the Greater Sage Grouse in that State before
        September 30, 2026.
            (2) Effect on other laws.--The delay imposed by paragraph
        (1) is, and shall remain, effective without regard to any other
        statute, regulation, court order, legal settlement, or any
        other provision of law or in equity.
            (3) Effect on conservation status.--Until the date
        specified in paragraph (1), the conservation status of the
        Greater Sage Grouse shall remain not warranted for listing
        under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
        seq.).
    (d) Coordination of Federal Land Management and State Management
Plans.--
            (1) Prohibition on withdrawals and modifications of federal
        resource management plans.--In order to foster coordination
        between a State management plan and Federal resource management
        plans that affect the Greater Sage Grouse, upon notification by
        the Governor of a State with a State management plan, the
        Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, as
        applicable, may not exercise authority under section 204 of the
        Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714)
        to make, modify, or extend any withdrawal, nor amend or
        otherwise modify any Federal resource management plan
        applicable to Federal land in the State, in a manner
        inconsistent with the State management plan for a period, to be
        specified by the Governor in the notification, of at least five
        years beginning on the date of the notification.
            (2) Retroactive effect.--In the case of any State that
        provides notification under paragraph (1), if any withdrawal
        was made, modified, or extended or if any amendment or
        modification of a Federal resource management plan applicable
        to Federal lands in the State was issued during the three-year
        period preceding the date of the notification and the
        withdrawal, amendment, or modification altered management of
        the Greater Sage Grouse or its habitat, implementation and
        operation of the withdrawal, amendment, or modification shall
        be stayed to the extent that the withdrawal, amendment, or
        modification is inconsistent with the State management plan.
        The Federal resource management plan, as in effect immediately
        before the amendment or modification, shall apply instead with
        respect to management of the Greater Sage Grouse and its
        habitat, to the extent consistent with the State management
        plan.
            (3) Determination of inconsistency.--Any disagreement
        regarding whether a withdrawal, or an amendment or other
        modification of a Federal resource management plan, is
        inconsistent with a State management plan shall be resolved by
        the Governor of the affected State.
    (e) Relation to National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.--With
regard to any major Federal action consistent with a State management
plan, any findings, analyses, or conclusions regarding the Greater Sage
Grouse or its habitat under section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)) shall not have
a preclusive effect on the approval or implementation of the major
Federal action in that State.
    (f) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2026, the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall
jointly submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a report on the Secretaries' implementation and
effectiveness of systems to monitor the status of Greater Sage Grouse
on Federal lands under their jurisdiction.
    (g) Judicial Review.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
statute or regulation, the requirements and implementation of this
section, including determinations made under subsection (d)(3), are not
subject to judicial review.

Output: Greater Sage Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2016 This bill delays findings by the Department of the Interior with respect to the greater sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act until September 30, 2026. Additionally, Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA)are prohibited from amending any federal resource management plans that affect the greater sage grouse in a state in which the governor has notified Interior or USDA that a state management plan is in place.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Tapping America's Energy Potential
through Research and Development Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. ACTIVITIES.

    The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, shall carry
out under this Act research, development, and demonstration activities
of technologies that increase energy security and affordability by
enabling the safe and responsible production of the vast domestic
unconventional oil and gas resources of the United States. In carrying
out the activities, the Secretary may conduct research and shall
provide grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or other assistance
through a competitive selection process to eligible entities.

SEC. 3. OIL SHALE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary, shall carry out research, development, and demonstration
activities to facilitate commercial application of energy technologies
related to the exploration, development, and production of oil shale
resources.
    (b) Objectives.--The objectives of such activities shall be--
            (1) to address scientific and technological barriers to
        enable economically feasible production of oil shale; and
            (2) to minimize potential associated environmental impacts.
    (c) Implementation Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 9 months after the date of
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
        Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
        Resources of the Senate a program implementation plan that--
                    (A) details constraints and opportunities affecting
                oil shale development;
                    (B) identifies strategies to enable such
                development; and
                    (C) identifies and prioritizes research,
                development, and demonstration activities necessary to
                advance program objectives.
            (2) Consultation.--The Assistant Secretary shall consult
        with a broad range of stakeholders in the development and
        implementation of the plan.
    (d) Activities.--The Assistant Secretary may conduct research and
shall make awards to eligible entities for research, development, and
demonstration activities in areas that include the following:
            (1) Oil shale resource characterization.
            (2) Modeling and simulation of oil shale exploration and
        production technologies, including--
                    (A) advanced diagnostics and imaging systems; and
                    (B) advanced computing applied to the physics and
                chemistry of oil shale production.
            (3) Minimization and re-use of water, including--
                    (A) benchmarking of current water use rates for
                multiple production methods;
                    (B) potential reduction in water volume needed for
                operations; and
                    (C) recovery, utilization, reduction, and improved
                management of produced water from exploration and
                production activities.
            (4) Efficient use of energy in exploration and production
        activities.
            (5) Utilization of exploration and production methods and
        materials that reduce the potential impact of such activities
        on the environment, including improved production methods for
        in-situ mining and ex-situ mining.
    (e) Activity Update.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report on the
progress of the activities under this section.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Assistant Secretary to carry out the activities of
this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.

SEC. 4. SHALE EXTRACTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary, shall carry out research, development, and demonstration
activities to facilitate commercial application of energy technologies
related to the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural
gas, and other liquid resources from shale formations.
    (b) Objectives.--The objectives of such activities shall be--
            (1) to maximize the benefits of the United States shale oil
        and natural gas resources by advancing safe and responsible
        exploration, development, and production of these resources;
            (2) to minimize surface impacts from activities related to
        shale oil and natural gas production;
            (3) to focus on areas that provide benefits to the public
        and to industry; and
            (4) to advance the scientific and technological foundation
        available to producers, Federal and State Government agencies,
        and other stakeholders in identified research areas.
    (c) Activities.--The Assistant Secretary may conduct research and
shall make awards to eligible entities for research, development, and
demonstration activities in areas that include the following:
            (1) Water use and demand, which may include--
                    (A) potential reduction in the volume of water
                utilized for shale oil and natural gas production; and
                    (B) alternative materials, substances, or
                ingredients for use in shale oil and natural gas
                operations that could mitigate the need for or volume
                of water used.
            (2) Water sourcing, which may include--
                    (A) expanding options for sources of water used in
                shale oil and natural gas operations; and
                    (B) alternatives to groundwater or freshwater, such
                as water recovered from industrial or agricultural
                operations, brackish water, or surface water unsuitable
                for human or agricultural use, in areas with water
                supply concerns.
            (3) Materials used in shale oil and natural gas operations,
        which may include--
                    (A) increasing the efficiency of shale oil and
                natural gas operations by minimizing fluid use;
                    (B) improving the understanding of the relationship
                between additives used in fracturing and the chemical
                and physical properties of different shale formations;
                and
                    (C) enhancing permeability through improved
                proppants and other materials.
            (4) Diagnostic imaging and monitoring, which may include--
                    (A) increasing understanding of the propagation of
                fractures within target zones; and
                    (B) advancing fundamental technologies that enable
                improved tracking and enhanced understanding of
                fracture movements.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Assistant Secretary to carry out the activities of
this section $12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2015.

SEC. 5. PRODUCED WATER UTILIZATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary, shall carry out research, development, and demonstration
activities to facilitate commercial application of energy technologies
for environmentally sustainable utilization of produced water for
agricultural, irrigational, recreational, power generation, municipal,
and industrial uses, or other environmentally sustainable purposes.
    (b) Activities.--The Assistant Secretary may conduct research and
shall make awards to eligible entities for research, development, and
demonstration activities, including improving safety and minimizing
environmental impacts of activities, in areas that include the
following:
            (1) Produced water recovery, including research for
        desalination and demineralization to reduce total dissolved
        solids in the produced water.
            (2) Produced water utilization for agricultural,
        irrigational, recreational, power generation, municipal, and
        industrial uses, or other environmentally sustainable purposes.
            (3) Re-injection of produced water into subsurface
        geological formations to increase energy production.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Assistant Secretary to carry out the activities of
this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.

SEC. 6. ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.

    To be eligible for a grant, cooperative agreement, contract, or
other assistance under this Act, an applicant shall be--
            (1) an institution of higher education;
            (2) a National laboratory;
            (3) a private sector entity;
            (4) a nonprofit organization; or
            (5) a consortium of two or more entities described in
        paragraphs (1) through (4).

SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION.

    In carrying out the activities under this Act, the Secretary may
enter into an agreement with a consortium whose members have
collectively demonstrated capabilities and experience in planning and
managing research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application programs for unconventional natural gas and other petroleum
production and produced water utilization.

SEC. 8. COORDINATION.

    To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that
the activities under this Act are coordinated with, and do not
duplicate the efforts of, programs at the Department of Energy and
other Government agencies.

SEC. 9. COST SHARING.

    All activities authorized by this Act shall adhere to the cost
sharing guidelines established by section 988 of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352).

SEC. 10. LIMITATIONS.

    (a) In General.--All research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application activities authorized by this Act shall be
limited to technology areas that industry by itself is not likely to
undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty.
    (b) Effect on Regulation.--Nothing in this Act creates any new
authority for any Federal agency, or may be used by any Federal agency,
to support the establishment of regulatory standards or regulatory
requirements.

SEC. 11. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
        means the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy.
            (2) Institution of higher education.--The term
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such
        term in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
        15801).
            (3) National laboratory.--The term ``National laboratory''
        has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Energy
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
            (4) Oil shale.--The term ``oil shale'' means the geologic
        deposits in which the petroleum component kerogen has not fully
        transformed into oil or gas.
            (5) Produced water.--The term ``produced water'' means
        water from an underground source that is brought to the surface
        as a part of the process of exploration for or development of
        coalbed methane, oil, natural gas, or any other substance to be
        used as an energy source.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Energy.
            (7) Shale oil and natural gas.--The term ``shale oil and
        natural gas'' means oil, natural gas, and other liquid
        resources produced from shale formations.

Output:
Tapping America's Energy Potential through Research and Development Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (Secretary), acting through the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Energy, to implement research, development, and demonstration (R&D) activities of technologies to: (1) enable safe and responsible production of domestic unconventional oil and gas resources; (2) facilitate commercial application of energy technologies for the exploration, development, and production of oil shale resources including oil, natural gas, and other liquid resources from shale formations; and (3) use produced water, in an environmentally sustainable manner, for agricultural, irrigational, recreational, power generation, municipal, and industrial purposes.

Requires oil shale R&D activities to include: (1) oil shale resource characterization, (2) modeling and simulation of oil shale exploration and production technologies, and (3) minimization and re-use of water.

Requires shale extraction R&D activities to include: (1) water use and demand, (2) water sourcing, (3) materials used in shale oil and natural gas operations, and (4) diagnostic imaging and monitoring.

Includes among produced water utilization R&D activities: (1) produced water recovery, (2) use of produced water for specified environmentally sustainable purposes, and (3) re-injection of produced water into subsurface geological formations to increase energy production.

Limits such activities to technology areas that industry by itself is not likely to undertake because of technical and financial uncertainty.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Value-Added Development Act for
American Agriculture''.

SEC. 2. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are to carry out a
demonstration program under which agricultural producers are provided--
            (1) technical assistance, including engineering services,
        applied research, scale production, and similar services to
        enable the producers to establish businesses for further
        processing of agricultural products;
            (2) marketing, market development, and business planning;
            (3) overall organizational, outreach, and development
        assistance to increase the viability, growth, and
        sustainability of value-added agricultural businesses.
    (b) Nature of Program.--The Secretary of Agriculture (in this
section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall--
            (1) make grants to eligible applicants for the purposes of
        enabling the applicants to obtain the assistance described in
        subsection (a); and
            (2) provide assistance to eligible applicants through the
        research and technical services of the Department of
        Agriculture.
    (c) Eligibility Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--An applicant shall be eligible for a grant
        and assistance described in subsection (b) to establish an
        Agriculture Innovation Center if--
                    (A) the applicant--
                            (i) has provided services similar to those
                        described in subsection (a); or
                            (ii) shows the capability of providing the
                        services;
                    (B) the application of the applicant for the grant
                and assistance sets forth a plan, in accordance with
                regulations which shall be prescribed by the Secretary,
                outlining support of the applicant in the agricultural
                community, the technical and other expertise of the
                applicant, and the goals of the applicant for
                increasing and improving the ability of local producers
                to develop markets and processes for value-added
                agricultural products;
                    (C) the applicant demonstrates that resources (in
                cash or in kind) of definite value are available, or
                have been committed to be made available, to the
                applicant, to increase and improve the ability of local
                producers to develop  markets and processes for value-
added agricultural products; and
                    (D) the applicant meets the requirement of
                paragraph (2).
            (2) Board of directors.--The requirement of this paragraph
        is that the applicant shall have a board of directors comprised
        of representatives of the following groups:
                    (A) The 2 general agricultural organizations with
                the greatest number of members in the State in which
                the applicant is located.
                    (B) The Department of Agriculture or similar State
                organization or department, for the State.
                    (C) Organizations representing the 4 highest
                grossing commodities produced in the State, according
                to annual gross cash sales.
    (d) Grants and Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
        appropriations, the Secretary shall make annual grants to
        eligible applicants under this section, each of which grants
        shall not exceed the lesser of--
                    (A) $1,000,000; or
                    (B) twice the dollar value of the resources (in
                cash or in kind) that the applicant has demonstrated
                are available, or have been committed to be made
                available, to the applicant in accordance with
                subsection (c)(1)(C).
            (2) Initial limitation.--In the first year of the
        demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall
        make grants under this section, on a competitive basis, to not
        more than 10 eligible applicants.
            (3) Expansion of demonstration program.--In the second year
        of the demonstration program under this section, the Secretary
        may make grants under this section to not more than 10 eligible
        applicants, in addition to any entities to which grants are
        made under paragraph (2) for such year.
            (4) State limitation.--In the first 3 years of the
        demonstration program under this section, the Secretary shall
        not make a Agricultural Innovation Center Demonstration Program
        grant under this section to more than 1 entity in any State.
    (e) Use of Funds.--An entity to which a grant is made under this
section may use the grant only for the following purposes:
            (1) Applied research.
            (2) Consulting services.
            (3) Office equipment.
            (4) Hiring of employees, at the discretion of the board of
        directors of the entity.
            (5) The making of matching grants, each of which shall be
        not more than $5,000, to agricultural producers, so long as the
        aggregate amount of all such matching grants shall be not more
        than $50,000.
            (6) Legal services.
    (f) Limitations on Authorization of Appropriations.--For grants and
assistance under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary not more than--
            (1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
            (2) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 and 2004.
    (g) Report on Best Practices.--
            (1) Effects on the agricultural sector.--The Secretary
        shall utilize $300,000 per year of the funds appropriated
        pursuant to this section to support research at a land-grant
        university into the effects of value-added projects on
        agricultural producers and the commodity markets. The research
        should systematically examine possible effects on demand for
        agricultural commodities, market prices, farm income, and
        Federal outlays on commodity programs using linked, long-term,
        global projections of the agricultural sector.
            (2) Department of agriculture.--Not later than 3 years
        after the first 10 grants are made under this section, the
        Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on
        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and to the
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a
        written report on the effectiveness of the demonstration
        program conducted under this section at improving the
        production of value-added agricultural products and on the
        effects of the program on the economic viability of the
        producers, which shall include the best practices and
        innovations found at each of the Agriculture Innovation Centers
        established under the demonstration program under this section,
        and detail the number and type of agricultural projects
        assisted, and the type of assistance provided, under this
        section.

Output: Value-Added Development Act for American Agriculture - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible applicants for an agricultural innovation center demonstration program to assist value-added agricultural businesses.Authorizes up to ten initial grants. Sets forth permitted fund uses.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act
of 2014''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Correctional institution or facility.--The term
        ``correctional institution or facility'' means any prison,
        penitentiary, jail, or other institution or facility for the
        confinement of individuals convicted of criminal offenses,
        whether publicly or privately operated, except that such term
        does not include any residential community treatment center (or
        similar public or private facility).
            (2) Election.--The term ``election'' means--
                    (A) a general, special, primary, or runoff
                election;
                    (B) a convention or caucus of a political party
                held to nominate a candidate;
                    (C) a primary election held for the selection of
                delegates to a national nominating convention of a
                political party; or
                    (D) a primary election held for the expression of a
                preference for the nomination of persons for election
                to the office of President.
            (3) Federal office.--The term ``Federal office'' means the
        office of President or Vice President of the United States, or
        of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
        Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States.
            (4) Non-violent criminal offense.--The term ``non-violent
        criminal offense'' means any offense that is not a crime of
        violence (as defined in section 16 of title 18, United States
        Code).
            (5) Probation.--The term ``probation'' means probation or
        parole supervision, imposed by a Federal, State, or local court
        or parole board, with or without a condition on the individual
        involved concerning--
                    (A) the individual's freedom of movement;
                    (B) the payment of damages by the individual;
                    (C) periodic reporting by the individual to an
                officer of the court or parole board; or
                    (D) supervision of the individual by an officer of
                the court or parole board.

SEC. 3. RIGHTS OF CITIZENS.

    (a) Right To Vote.--The right of an individual who is a citizen of
the United States to vote in any election for Federal office shall not
be denied or abridged because the individual has been convicted of a
non-violent criminal offense, unless, at the time of the election, the
individual--
            (1) is serving a sentence in a correctional institution or
        facility; or
            (2) subject to subsection (b), is serving a term of
        probation.
    (b) Restoration of Voting Rights for Individuals on Probation.--An
individual who is serving a term of probation shall have the right to
vote restored in any election for Federal office--
            (1) on the date on which the term of probation ends, if the
        term of probation is less than 1 year; or
            (2) on the date that is 1 year after the date on which the
        individual begins serving the term of probation, if the term of
        probation is 1 year or longer.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. ATTORNEY GENERAL DESIGNATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Attorney General shall determine which criminal
offenses under Federal law and the laws of each State are non-violent
criminal offenses and establish a list of all such offenses.
    (b) Requirements.--The list established under subsection (a) shall
be--
            (1) made publically available, in a searchable format, on
        the website of the Department of Justice; and
            (2) updated no less frequently than every year.

SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT.

    (a) Attorney General.--The Attorney General may, in a civil action,
obtain such declaratory or injunctive relief as is necessary to remedy
a violation of this Act.
    (b) Private Right of Action.--
            (1) In general.--A person who is aggrieved by a violation
        of this Act may provide written notice of the violation to the
        chief election official of the State involved.
            (2) Relief.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the
        violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a
        notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt of
        the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the
        date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person
        may, in a civil action, obtain declaratory or injunctive relief
        with respect to the violation.
            (3) Exception.--If the violation occurred within 30 days
        before the date of an election for Federal office, the
        aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election
        official of the State under paragraph (1) before bringing a
        civil action to obtain declaratory or injunctive relief with
        respect to the violation.

SEC. 6. NOTIFICATION OF RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS.

    (a) State Notification.--
            (1) Notification.--On the date determined under paragraph
        (2), each State shall notify in writing any individual who has
        been convicted of a non-violent criminal offense under the law
        of that State that the individual has, pursuant to this Act,
        the right to vote in an election for Federal office and to
        register to vote in any such election, subject to section 7(c).
            (2) Date of notification.--
                    (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an
                individual who has been convicted of a felony, the
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                given on the date on which the individual--
                            (i) is sentenced to serve only a term of
                        probation; or
                            (ii) is released from the custody of that
                        State (other than to the custody of another
                        State or the Federal Government to serve a term
                        of imprisonment for a felony conviction).
                    (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an
                individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                given on the date on which the individual is sentenced
                by a State court.
    (b) Federal Notification.--
            (1) Notification.--On the date determined under paragraph
        (2), the Director of the Bureau of Prisons shall notify in
        writing any individual who has been convicted of a non-violent
        criminal offense under Federal law that the individual has,
        pursuant to this Act, the right to vote in an election for
        Federal office and to register to vote in any such election,
        subject to section 7(c).
            (2) Date of notification.--
                    (A) Felony conviction.--In the case of such an
                individual who has been convicted of a felony, the
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                given on the date on which the individual--
                            (i) is sentenced to serve only a term of
                        probation by a court established by an Act of
                        Congress; or
                            (ii) is released from the custody of the
                        Bureau of Prisons (other than to the custody of
                        a State to serve a term of imprisonment for a
                        felony conviction).
                    (B) Misdemeanor conviction.--In the case of such an
                individual who has been convicted of a misdemeanor, the
                notification required under paragraph (1) shall be
                given on the date on which the individual is sentenced
                by a State court.

SEC. 7. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) State Laws Relating to Voting Rights.--Nothing in this Act
shall be construed to prohibit the States from enacting any State law
which affords the right to vote in any election for Federal office on
terms less restrictive than those established by this Act.
    (b) Certain Federal Acts.--The rights and remedies established by
this Act--
            (1) are in addition to all other rights and remedies
        provided by law; and
            (2) shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application
        of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.) or
        the National Voter Registration Act (42 U.S.C. 1973-gg).
    (c) State Laws Relating to Voter Registration.--Nothing in this Act
shall be construed to preempt State laws relating to the timing of
voter registration for any election for Federal office.

SEC. 8. FEDERAL PRISON FUNDS.

    (a) In General.--No State, unit of local government, or other
person may receive or use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison,
jail, or other place of incarceration, any Federal grant amounts unless
that person has in effect a program under which each individual
incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction is notified, upon release
from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under section 3.
    (b) State Non-Compliance With Notification Requirements.--No State
may receive or use, to construct or otherwise improve a prison, jail,
or other place of incarceration, any Federal grant amounts unless the
State is in compliance with the notification requirements under section
6(a).

Output: Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act of 2014 - Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because the individual has been convicted of a non-violent criminal offense, unless, at the time of the election, the individual is serving a sentence in a correctional facility or a term of probation.  Restores the right to vote of an individual on probation: (1) on the date the term of probation ends, if such term is less than one year; or (2) one year after the date the individual begins serving the term of probation, if such term is one year or longer. Directs the Attorney General to determine and establish a list of the criminal offenses under federal and state law that are non-violent criminal offenses. Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act. Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of their voting rights pursuant to this Act. Prohibits a state, local government, or other person from receiving or using federal grant amounts to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program under which each incarcerated individual is notified, upon release, of his or her rights under this Act.


Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Care Corps Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Corps.--The term ``Corps'' means the National Care
        Corps established under section 3 of this Act.
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
        the Corps appointed under section 3(b)(1) of this Act.
            (3) Local care corps program.--The term ``local Care Corps
        program'' means a program funded with a grant awarded under
        section 10(b) of this Act that hosts Corps volunteers and
        arranges for them to provide approved services to individuals
        in need.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
        of Health and Human Services.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CARE CORPS.

    (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of Health
and Human Services a program to be known as the ``National Care Corps''
through which Corps volunteers provide approved services to individuals
in need via participation in local Care Corps programs.
    (b) Staff.--
            (1) Appointment of director.--The Secretary, acting through
        the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living,
        shall appoint a Director of the Corps.
            (2) Duties of director.--The Director shall--
                    (A) design, develop, and administer Corps programs;
                    (B) manage the daily operations of the Corps; and
                    (C) report to the Administrator of the
                Administration for Community Living.
            (3) Authority to employ staff.--The Director may employ
        such staff as is necessary to carry out this Act.

SEC. 4. SELECTION AND ELIGIBILITY OF VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Selection.--The Director shall select eligible
        individuals as Corps volunteers.
            (2) Nondiscrimination.--In selecting Corps volunteers, the
        Director shall comply with all applicable provisions of State
        and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to
        nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity.
    (b) Eligible Individuals.--To be eligible to serve as a volunteer
in the Corps, an individual shall--
            (1) be at least 18 years of age on or before December 31 of
        the calendar year in which the individual begins participation
        in the Corps;
            (2) agree to participate in the Corps for a period of not
        more than 24 months, consisting of not more than 2 terms of up
        to 12 months;
            (3) submit an application to the Director at such time, in
        such manner, and containing such information as the Director
        may require;
            (4) pass a criminal background check as described in
        subsection (c); and
            (5) agree to comply with such terms and conditions as the
        Director may require.
    (c) Criminal Background Check.--
            (1) In general.--Before selecting any individual to serve
        as a volunteer in the Corps, the Director shall request a
        criminal background check of such individual on a nationwide
        basis.
            (2) Volunteer prohibitions.--An individual shall be
        ineligible to be a Corps volunteer if--
                    (A) such individual refuses to consent to the
                criminal background check; or
                    (B) the criminal background check does not
                demonstrate to the Director's satisfaction that such
                individual is fit for Corps service.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED BENEFITS FOR CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) In General.--The Director shall provide for Corps volunteers to
receive allowances, health insurance, and post-service educational
awards authorized by this section.
    (b) Allowances.--The Director shall provide each Corps volunteer
with such living, travel, and leave allowances, and such housing,
transportation, supplies, equipment, and subsistence as the Director
determines to be necessary for the volunteer's maintenance and to
ensure the volunteer's health and capacity to serve effectively.
    (c) Health Insurance.--
            (1) In general.--The Director shall provide for each Corps
        volunteer to receive health insurance coverage.
            (2) Minimum essential coverage.--The health insurance
        coverage described paragraph (1) shall meet the requirements of
        section 5000A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
    (d) Post-Service Educational Award.--
            (1) In general.--The Director shall establish an
        educational award for Corps volunteers.
            (2) Amounts.--
                    (A) Number of awards.--A Corps volunteer may
                receive up to 2 educational awards under this
                subsection, one for each term of service as a
                volunteer.
                    (B) Amount for full term of service.--In the case
                of a Corps volunteer who completes a term of full-time
                service in the Corps for a period of 12 months, as
                determined by the Director, such volunteer shall
                receive an educational award having a value equal to
                the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant under
                section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
                U.S.C. 1070a) that a student eligible for such grant
                may receive in the aggregate (without regard to whether
                the funds are provided through discretionary or
                mandatory appropriations) for the award year.
                    (C) Incentive to pursue a degree in a health care
                profession.--In the case of a Corps volunteer who
                commits to using his or her educational award (or
                awards, if applicable) under this subsection for
                completion of a degree, a certificate, or training in a
                health care profession, the value of such awards shall
                be twice the value that would otherwise be applicable
                under subparagraph (B).
                    (D) Amount for other periods of service.--
                            (i) In the case of a Corps volunteer who
                        completes less than a 12-month term of full-
                        time service in the Corps, as determined by the
                        Director, such volunteer may receive a portion
                        of the educational award described in
                        subparagraph (B) or (C) (as applicable) that
                        corresponds to the quantity of service actually
                        completed by the volunteer.
                            (ii) In the case of a Corps volunteer who
                        completes more than 12 months of full-time
                        service in the Corps, and less than 24 months
                        of such service, as determined by the Director,
                        such volunteer may receive, for the portion of
                        service exceeding 12 months, a portion of the
                        educational award described in subparagraph (B)
                        or (C) (as applicable) that corresponds to the
                        quantity of service actually completed by the
                        volunteer.
            (3) Uses of award.--An educational award shall be used to
        pay--
                    (A) costs of attendance at an institution of higher
                education; or
                    (B) government or commercial loans received by an
                individual for the cost of attendance at an institution
                of higher education.
            (4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the
        following definitions shall apply:
                    (A) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of
                attendance'' has the meaning given such term by section
                472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                1087ll).
                    (B) Institution of higher education.--The term
                ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning
                given such term under subsection (a) or (b) of section
                101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
                1001).
    (e) Federal Hiring Preference.--In the case of a Corps volunteer
who completes at least one term of full-time service in the Corps for a
total period of 12 months or more, as determined by the Director, such
volunteer shall be eligible for appointment in the competitive service
in the same manner as Peace Corps volunteers as prescribed in Executive
Order Number 11103 (April 10, 1963).
    (f) Regulations.--The Director shall issue any regulations that the
Director determines to be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 6. ASSIGNMENT OF CORPS VOLUNTEERS TO SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH
              DISABILITIES.

    (a) Assignment of Corps Volunteers.--
            (1) In general.--The Director shall assign each Corps
        volunteer to participate in a local Care Corps program.
            (2) Priority of assignment.--In assigning Corps volunteers
        to local Care Corps programs, the Director shall--
                    (A) take into consideration the population and
                geographic preferences of the volunteers; and
                    (B) assign not less than 20 percent of volunteers
                to programs that serve geographic areas in which the
                Director determines there is a shortage of approved
                services available to individuals in need, with
                consideration given to low-income and minority
                populations.
    (b) Services Provided by Corps Volunteers.--
            (1) In general.--The Director shall assign Corps volunteers
        only for providing approved services to individuals in need
        through participation in local Care Corps programs.
            (2) Approved services.--Approved services are services
        provided directly to individuals in need in home-based or
        community-based settings that--
                    (A) result in person-to-person, supportive
                relationships with each individual served;
                    (B) support the achievement and maintenance of the
                highest level of independent living for each individual
                in need;
                    (C) are supported by appropriate orientation,
                training, and supervision; and
                    (D) are provided in support of, or in coordination
                with, a caregiver, if applicable.
            (3) Prohibited services.--In performing duties as a Corps
        volunteer, no volunteer shall provide--
                    (A) professional medical services;
                    (B) administrative support services to a local
                Corps program;
                    (C) care in an institutional setting;
                    (D) care prohibited under State law; or
                    (E) any other services determined by the director
                to be inconsistent with the purposes of the Corps.
            (4) Guidance regarding scope of services.--The Director
        shall issue guidance describing the scope of services that may
        be provided by Corps volunteers. In issuing such guidance, the
        Director shall provide for a public notice and comment period
        of not less than 60 days before issuing the guidance in final
        form.
    (c) Individual In Need.--The term ``individual in need'' means an
individual who--
            (1) is at least 65 years of age or has a disability as
        defined in section 3 of the Americans With Disabilities Act of
        1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102);
            (2) has difficultly with self-care or living independently;
        and
            (3) meets such other criteria as the Director determines to
        be appropriate.

SEC. 7. TRAINING AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.

    (a) Pre-Assignment Training Program.--The Director shall develop a
training program that provides Corps volunteers with instruction in the
skills necessary to carry out an assignment in a local Care Corps
program. Such training program shall include--
            (1) at least 40 hours of instruction for each Corps
        volunteer for each term (of 12 months or less) to be served in
        the Corps by the volunteer;
            (2) additional training for volunteers whose assignment
        requires further instruction; and
            (3) any other requirements the Director determines to be
        appropriate.
    (b) Standards of Conduct.--The Director shall establish and enforce
standards to promote proper conduct and discipline within the Corps.

SEC. 8. STATUS OF CORPS VOLUNTEERS UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

    (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
Corps volunteers shall not, by reason of their status as volunteers, be
treated as Federal employees or be subject to the provisions of law
relating to Federal employment.
    (b) Work-Related Injuries.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81
        of title 5, United States Code, relating to the compensation of
        Federal employees for work injuries, Corps volunteers shall be
        treated as employees of the United States within the meaning of
        the term ``employee'', as defined in section 8101 of such
        title.
            (2) Special rule.--In the application of the provisions of
        subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to a
        Corps volunteer, the volunteer shall not be treated to be in
        the performance of duty while absent from the volunteer's
        assigned post of duty unless the absence is authorized in
        accordance with procedures prescribed by the Director.
    (c) Tort Claims Procedure.--A Corps volunteer shall be treated an
employee of the United States for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28,
United States Code, relating to tort claims liability and procedure.

SEC. 9. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the
Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, shall
transmit to Congress at least once in each fiscal year a report on the
Corps. At minimum, such report shall include--
            (1) a description of the population served by the Corps
        during the preceding fiscal year, including--
                    (A) an estimate of the number of individuals served
                in each State, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and
                socioeconomic status; and
                    (B) identification of the type of settings in which
                the services were provided;
            (2) an evaluation of Corps operations; and
            (3) recommendations, if any, for improving Corps
        operations.

SEC. 10. LOCAL CARE CORPS PROGRAMS.

    (a) Functions of Local Care Corps Programs.--Local Care Corps
programs shall--
            (1) conduct in-person orientation and training for Corps
        volunteers;
            (2) develop and monitor volunteer assignments, which shall
        include selecting the individuals in need to be served by Corps
        volunteers, matching volunteers to assignments, and supervising
        volunteers;
            (3) maintain records and prepare reports as required by the
        Director; and
            (4) carry out any other activities determined to be
        appropriate by the Director.
    (b) Grants for Local Care Corps Programs.--The Director may award
grants to qualified entities for the operation of local Care Corps
programs.
            (1) Qualified entity.--The term ``qualified entity'' means
        a public or private nonprofit entity that is--
                    (A) part of an aging network, as defined by section
                102(5) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
                3002(5));
                    (B) a time-banking or volunteer organizing agency;
                    (C) a State, county, or local government; or
                    (D) any other entity determined to be appropriate
                by the Director.
            (2) Application process.--To be eligible for a grant under
        this subsection, a qualified entity shall--
                    (A) submit an application to the Director at such
                time, in such manner, and containing such information
                as the Director may require; and
                    (B) abide by such terms and conditions as the
                Director determines to be appropriate.

SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$350,000,000 for each of the fiscal years beginning after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Continued Availability of Funds.--Amounts authorized to be
appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year are authorized to
remain available for that fiscal year and the subsequent fiscal year.

Output: National Care Corps Act of 2015   Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the National Care Corps through which Corps volunteers provide certain services to individuals in need who are age 65 or older or have a disability and have difficulty with self-care or living independently.